Create a CHEAP Project Life Organizer!

Quite some time ago, I scored a wooden cassette tape holder at my local Goodwill (for only $1.49) just knowing it would come in handy for some future organizing project. So today when I stumbled upon it in my organizing junk yard (where all good organizing pieces go until I can find a use for them), I was so excited!
I knew it was going to make a great Project Life organizer for all the little elements I want to keep handy as I start my first PL-esque album. I just removed the slots as needed to "customize" the cubby sizes and viola!
Now everything is right at my fingertips and ready to go!

 

Embellishments Squared - Organizing the little stuff

Every crafter is challenged with finding the best way to store their teeny-tiny embellishments or findings. There are soooooo many options out there (and believe me I have tried most of them), but this is by far my favorite.

I came across the idea rather by accident.... I was in a Tuesday Morning store when I spotted Crop in Style plastic containers at a price I couldn't pass up (the same price I paid as a retailer when I owned my store). My mom was going to be re-doing her stamp room and I thought they might came in handy so I bought all that the packages they had on the shelf. I gave some to my mom and stashed one box away for a future organization article and never really thought about them again. That is until I moved and was re-doing my own studio.



IKEA jars



I no longer had the cupboard with slide-out drawers that previously housed the majority of my IKEA jars and I was struggling to find somewhere to put them in the new, much smaller room. I wanted them all in one spot this time (a few had lined the edge of my desktop before), yet still within arms reach. I tried my desk drawers but, unfortunately, the IKEA jars didn't fit into the lower-profile drawers. Suddenly, I remembered having those plastic containers and a light bulb went off! They were more compact, and they were square so they would lie down without rolling around and I would be see the contents easily when they were on their sides! I opened the brand new box, tried them out for size and they fit perfectly! Jackpot!



Available at Michael's    $9.99 a pack



As I began switching the contents from the old to the new containers I realized I didn't have near enough of them. I hoped I would be able to find more at my local Michael's store. When I got to the store, coupon in hand, I discovered a slight difference. They were no longer manufactured by Crop in Style, but rather Michael's themselves (price $9.99). They were exactly the same size so I grabbed one and vowed to buy one more each visit (so I could keep using the 40% off coupons) until my drawer was completely full. Happily, on my third visit I was able to buy the remaining packs for 50% off during their storage supply sale! Mission complete.


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Problem solved! 27 containers in all.

You may have noticed that all the embellishments I've stored in this system are primarily metallic. That is because I use floss boxes to store my colored embellishments by individual color. Check that out here.

enjoy the changes in life that that turn out to be so much better than the original!
-dw.


Take II - Reorganizing Your Creative Space in a New Home.

 Life changes. Sometimes in the blink of an eye when we least expect it, before we are even remotely ready for it. We are forced to adjust. And we do.

When I began moving out of our family home, I never imagined that I wouldn't single-handedly pack all of my own belongings. I never imagined the chaos that lay ahead. But the reality of the huge mound of boxes containing my life stacked on my new front porch was undeniable.

The most painful of all....the contents of my once organized and lovingly decorated craft studio, were now in complete disorder. The packing had been quick, careless and thoughtless. There was simpy no order or organization to anything. Where would I begin?

One box at a time, I unpacked the contents and assessed the damage and disarray. In tears, I re-organized, re-boxed and re-labeled everything from my studio and then put that part of my life on hold until I could find a more permanent home.

Finally the day came; after finding a new job and relocating to a new town, I found a rental house that felt perfect! There was a room on the lower level that, while quite a bit smaller than my original room, would serve as my new studio. I was excited to be able to once again put my room together and that part of my life back into place.

As I unpacked, the joy was overwhelming. I was giddy with the excitement of having my own special place to create in once again. Since I love organizing as much as I do scrapbooking, it was a win-win! The smaller space made it impossible to merely re-do the room I once had, but finding ways to adapt the old furniture and storage pieces quickly gave it a fresh, new look that I love just as much.

What once was a 9' stretch of deskspace now became an "L" shaped workspace and die cut center. A beloved shelving unit that was too tall for the new room was replaced with a ladder desk my roommate offered up. The mini-table that once (barely) served to hold my Cricket die cutting system was now efficiently filling the vacant space in the middle of the room. A place to store my albums underneath for easy access and fun embellishment and stamp storage on top. My favorite piece, the IKEA Exedit once again houses my paper and embellishment jars, as well as serving as the main focal point of the room. Closet doors were removed to open up the space and store the Iris carts full of tools and rubber stamps that had previously been housed behind-closed-doors in IKEA shelving units.

In the end, the room came together just as I wanted. Although a smaller space, it feels welcoming and inspiring. Truth be told...I have actually scrapbooked more in the new room than I ever did in the old one.

Sometimes when we least expect it, things work out for the best.

enjoy seeing your organizing options in a new way!

-dw.

Note: These pictures were taken before the room was entitrely completed. I am still working on getting all my Dymo labels on the drawers, paper holders, and boxes to replace the temporary Post-it labels.

What's New in Scrapbooking - Part 2

In the Tool category a few things caught my interest...

The i-Top tool isn't new, but Imaginisce has added some new things to "top!" Now you can top magnets (perfect for those adorable magnetic perpetual calendars), brads, buttons and badges.

And how many times have you poked your finger trying to set a brad? We Are Memory Keepers introduced the tool that will end that problem! I haven't tried it yet but am anxious to add it to my toolbox!

Fiskars introduced a new personal trimmer with a patented triple blade and rail system that interlock for straighter, more precise cuts. (Fingers crossed that we finally can get perfect cuts from a personal size trimmer!) I love my large Fiskars trimmer but have not had as much luck finding a travel-sized version that I feel as good about. Maybe this time....

In the oranizational category, only a couple items have caught my attention...

Simply Renee's new Clip It Up floor model. For those with little table or counter space (or just too much stuff - LOL) this is a fabulous solution! This model, retailing for $230, stands 6' tall and has three 15" arms (extra arms can be purchased separately as well). They work great for organizing quilt squares as well as scrapbook supplies and with the ability to adjust the distance between the arms it allows you to customize it to whatever you want it to hold!

This next new product has me re-thinking how I store my ribbon! Best (the people that bring you those fabulous drawer systems) has introduced not only a fabulous ribbon storage system (the containers fit neatly and compactly into drawers), but also a ribbon spooler! One of the reasons I quit storing my ribbon in neat little rolls was because I was spending WAY too much time rolling it! Now using a similiar concept as DMC thread users have been using for years, Best gives us a large enough version for ribbon! I love it!

Watch for my favorite paper lines released at CHA in Part 3 of What's New in Scrapbooking!

enjoy the newest tools of the trade!

-d.

How a Visual Crafter Organizes

How we create is key to how we organize!

While working on my book "Creative Spaces," I came to the realization that being a very visual person meant I had to organize more visually. Out of sight for me often meant out of thought. I had to find ways to put things "away" while still having them in front of me.

Now I prioritize what needs to be most visible by what I use the most and what I forget about the most.

I love stamps! To me they are little pieces of art in themselves, but I always forgot about them. They were neatly sorted by themes, in cute little drawers, behind cabinet doors. While the room looked crisp and clean with things behind doors, my pages were a little crisper as well....because they didn't have any embellishing! Now I store my most loved stamps in jars and see-through baskets, colanders....anything that keeps them in view. That is not to say as the stamps I will need to make the occasional "welcome baby" card are visible, just those that I know I will use most often. The rest are still neatly sorted by themes, in cute little drawers, behind cabinet doors. Easy to find when they're needed.

I am inspired by seeing my supplies. When I walk into my room and see all the stuff it just makes me want to create something. It stirs up ideas and motivates me. Why do we feel so inspired in a sb store? Because all of the products, colors and images inspire us!

I had a friend make a comment that really opened my eyes. While describing my room to another friend she said, "It's like a store; everything displayed in these cute, little jars!" She was right. I had created my own little "boutique." Putting everything out in the open so that when creating, I could simply peruse my shelves looking for that certain thing I needed. So instead of being called a visual organizer maybe I should use the term, boutique organizer...for those of us that keep that shopping feeling alive!

enjoy the style of organizing that works best for you!
-d.

Turn Kids' Artwork into Cards

Here is a great summer project to do with the kids while they are home this summer! I spotted this idea while surfing the web (Creative Chicks at Play - a fabulous blog!) and I love it for a couple reasons...* It helps stay organized and clutter-free by putting the piles of children's artwork to use instead of hoarding it all in boxes forever or even worse...tossing it in the garbage. Now it can have a second life and bring joy to others. (Especially cool for notes to far-away family - also helps revive the quickly-fading tradition of handwritten notes.)

* The pride and self-esteem your child will have when you tell them you would like their artwork on your cards is priceless! And they can help with or do the project themselves to stay busy this summer!

* It's a quick and easy project with very little clean-up involved - because the messiest part of the artwork was done previously!

I only wish I had seen this idea years ago!

enjoy the projects that you can do with your kids,

-d.

Photo Credit: Creative Chicks at Play

Shopping ALERT!

The Container Store has one of my favorite storage pieces on sale right now and I just had to pass the news along!

I use these cases for project storage. Whether it is a mini-album in-work or a way to keep all Melissa's cheer stuff together until I am able to work on it. They are great for taking your projects mobile! I use a ton of them!!!


Large Storage Case 17-1/4" x 14" x 6" h
Normally $9.99 on sale now for only $6.99 each.

enjoy the temporary price drop! -dw

Organizing Heaven...

...is where I have been lately!

I made a trip to The Container Store yesterday and found exactly what I was looking for! (Don't ya LOVE it when that happens?!) I needed a larger tiered shelf to place my adorable Heart and Home jars on, and they had one in the perfect size! And I mean perfect size! I questioned whether it would fit into my EXPEDIT shelf; it would be close, but I took the gamble. I got home and discovered with a little nudge it fits into the cube section as though it was made for it!!!! Yea, mission accomplished!

I also found a two-tier basket shelf that I have wanted for a soooooo long (since the PB version I coveted is no longer available) at a local yard sale....for only $3!!!! Talk about being in the right place at the right time. It completely made my weekend!

And finally, I'll share a little project that I managed to complete despite the obstacles I faced. It isn't perfect, but what the heck, it's art...it doesn't have to be! I am always altering rub-ons to ceate my own words and expressions. (I like to color outside the lines!) But this time I had a little problem. I over-adapted!! I accidentally cut through the wrong portion of the word, right through the letter I needed! No worries...I'll just run down to the sb store (luckily only three blocks from my house) and buy another one. Okay, a $5 mistake, but I just wanted to finish it. Wait! "What do you mean you don't carry that Basic Grey rub-on anymore?!" Aauugghhhh! So, I came back home and improvised. I pieced together different letters to create the letters I needed to spell "create." It is now finished and it is definately a one-of-a-kind piece!

enjoy overcoming the obstacles!

-dw

Paper, paper, paper!!!

I'm not attending CHA this year physically, but I'm trying to stay up on what's going on virtually. I love technology sometimes!!! I can avoid Chicago in July (ugh!) and still feel like I am connected to what's happening in our industry! Sweeeeet!

There are so many great new products being released! To check some of them out head to http://www.scrapbook.com/ and click on the "blogs" link. I have to say, after seeing more of the sneak peaks this week, there are now plenty of patterned papers that I want to get my hands on! Where I will store it, I have NO idea!

I may have to do a bit of purging. (GASP!) Do you purge through your paper stash every so often? Pulling out older, less appealing papers to make room for new, more inspiring designs? I do!
I find my tastes and style change along the way and some things that used to look good, now seem to have completely lost their pizazz. I simply pull them out and add them into my "stuff to sell pile." Whatever doesn't sell, I donate to a local teen scrapbook group. It is the only way this self-admitted paper addict can survive! I already have a 1' pile of paper to categorize and put away, and now there will be more coming! Augghhhh! But I just can't help it...I LOVE PAPER!!

enjoy the "healthier" addictions in life!
-dw

CHA is coming....

...and you know what THAT means!!!

Tons of fun, new scrapbook products are being released!!!!!

On official "book" business, of course, I have been scouring the Sneak Peek announcements (as I will not be attending the show) and even though this doesn't appear to be my favorite paper release season, I always manage to find things I just gotta have!!! So here are a couple new things on the horizon that I fell in love with...

Yummy rolls of ribbon from 3 Bugs in a Rug!

Wonderful papers from We R Memory Keepers! I am loving the muted designs that will keep the focus more on our photos.

As always, the Basic grey lines looks incredible again!

And all I can say is, "Watch out Pottery Barn!" Making Memories is offering up some serious competition in the organizational market!

enjoy the sampling of new goodies...

-dw

Tackle it Tuesday - Pantry

After feeling so good getting other parts of my house finally organized, I decided it was time to tackle the dreaded kitchen pantry! I have always been pretty obsessive about the state of my pantry and lately it has been completely out of control!!!!

With the addition of new serving ware (following our November wedding and then Christmas) the cabinet dedicated to those dishes was beyond full and things were spilling over into the pantry. Well until now! I rearranged the original cabinet, making room for a couple more things, then went to work on creating additional space in the pantry! One of the small white bookshelves I took out of the studio when we re-organized it worked perfectly to provide some needed shelving along the back wall. Two of my new casserole dishes (with awkward, footed pedestals) now fit wonderfully! YEA!

Our pantry was very poorly designed, so when we moved in we immediately tore out the horrid wire shelving and installed wider, sturdier board shelves instead. I have been using the Tupperware Modular Mate containers since they debuted forever ago and on a few of the shelves I can store them two deep!

So, I purged, I organized and I incorporated more shelves...and I am very happy with the result!! And yes, you are all witness to the fact that I do not cook from scratch - too many years of 12 hour days at work. Although I do not live on Hamburger Helper the way these pictures would imply, we have a couple quick and easy favorites! When my pantry is clean and organized I feel much more in the mood to cook....from scratch or otherwise!

I told Rog I was going to hang a picture on the back wall to finish it off and he thought I was crazy. "Who will ever see it in there?" ME!! I am in and out of there all the time! It makes it more homey. Am I crazy? I don't think so. But then my vote probably doesn't really count, huh?! (in the photo it is sitting on the shelf waiting to be hung...after a little spackling work!)

enjoy being able to find what you are looking for!

-dw

Studio Central!

Here it is....my studio-office-organizing haven-blog writing-space!

It is so nice to have it clean and organized!

While we are still waiting to buy upper cabinets

(to go on the wall above the 9' desk) everything else is pretty much complete!

Yippeeeeeeee! I love it!!!! And I LOVE IKEA!!!!

I find it rejuvenating and relaxing in this room

being surrounded by all the things I love...

This photo tour starts at the door and goes clockwise around the room.

Enjoy this little peak inside and I'll tell you lots more

about it and the things I used in my book!

enjoy the inspiration that surrounds YOU!

-dw

The Countdown is on...

Graduation is just two days away; the party I'm hosting is tomorrow and I am attending another graduation this evening with my daughter at her previous school...and what am I doing today in preparation?!
Not much of anything!!
Pacing, stalling, and shuffling, with a few heavy sighs thrown in for good measure! I cannot seem to get engaged this morning.
I overdid it a bit yesterday and now I'm paying the price for it. I am on the home stretch for getting the Studio completely organized, as well as 2 bedrooms (of children who have already flown the coop), the laundry room and the hall/game closet!
Why did I suddenly don the Super Organizer cape and fly into action, you ask? Because it was WAY overdue! When we moved into this house a year ago, we merged two complete households...we had a LOT of stuff! There was so much to move that I didn't have the desire to look through another box of anything by the time we got the all basics unpacked. I have puttered here and there purging out doubles, tossing the obsolete and trying to make more space, but there was only so much time and motivation! Now, however, with people arriving for the party (and soon after for out-of-state visits), I figured NOW is the time!!
So I've been purging, sorting, moving, and re-organizing everything I can get my hands on. And now my hands (as well as my feet, back and arms) are sore! They are shutting down; protesting their overuse and abuse. (Oh yeah, I forgot to mention I've been weeding outside too. Ugh.)
This modern day June Cleaver needs a vacation! Or maybe just Mrs. Cleaver's REAL schedule: working to be the perfect mom and wife for only 30 minutes a day! LOL!
Oh well, so we can't all be June Cleaver, or Carol Brady. (Darn it! Alice sure would come in handy right about now!!!). We do the best we can, and in the end nobody really cares that the floors weren't perfectly mopped or the pantry wasn't quite up to par...it's really all about celebrating Melissa and her accomplishments. And if I'm lucky, and hang the decorations just right, maybe the guests won't notice that I never found the window washer's phone number! ;)







enjoy the weekend!
-dw
Update: Here are a couple pics of Melissa with her graduating friends at her previous high school.

Little Corner of My World...

Battling the tail-end of a nasty, head cold, my dear, sweet hubby took some time to help me finish hanging some things in the Studio this weekend! Yea!!
My little work corner is almost complete!

I've posted some pictures, including some of the new rail system we installed (with our own USA adaptation). Other new additions in the room include my magnet board from IKEA and a memo holder from a recent Thrifty Thursday treasure hunt!

Enjoy the rewards in a finished project!
-dw

Do you Repurpose?

Repurpose (re-pur'pes) v. To use or convert for use in another format.

This must be the buzz word of the year. I hear it everywhere lately!

Myself, I find it an odd word. I mean, not odd in the sense that it doesn't define itself...I think it does. Rather it is odd in how it came to be. Wasn't the term always re-use? Did everyone get frustrated trying to decide if there should or shouldn't be a hyphen in the word? Object to the double vowel thing? What?! Where did the word re-use go? It is like I woke up one day and someone had removed re-use from the dictionary and replaced it with repurpose! (Although my spell check still says it is a misspelled word!) Oh well...it is obviously out of my hands. I guess I'll just have to repurpose the word "re-use" and use it in other formats. But speaking of re-using or repurposing....

There is a chapter in my book, Creative Spaces for Papercrafters, highlighting great household items one can "repurpose" into craft organizers. It is one of my favorite chapters. I mean, perfect storage solutions for next-to-nothing cost! Who doesn't love that?!

Because of this chapter, I have spent a lot of time perusing garage sales and thrift stores lately in search of things to repurpose! I only have so many things around my house that need to find a new reason for being, so I had to enlist the help of other purgers! And I will say, the people purging these items could be sorry they didn't see the true potential of these gems!! I have made some fabulous discoveries! I don't want to give away too much from the book but I thought I'd give you a little early peek at a few things you can salvage from your (or your neighbors) next garage sale!

If you have a great repurposing example being used in your craft room, please submit it a photo and brief description to me at: dwshainpublishing@yahoo.com and maybe it will be published too!

Have YOU repurposed lately?!

While I've been out searching for the perfect storage containers and organizers other deals have surfaced as well! I scored a brand new $50 bag from Coldwater Creek for $4.99 and a brand new set of Target dishes for Melissa (reg $40) for $14.99!!! How could I say no? You just can't beat that!!!

I've had so much fun, I now refer to Thursdays as Thrifty Thursdays...my day to go out and treasure hunt, I mean, research! This book work can be a grind. Shop, shop, shop!

You know what they say, One man's trash is another man's treasure!

enjoy your own little treasure hunt!

-dw