Keeping Things Organized

Hey everyone. I had to take yet another small break from posting. I had lots of issues I had to deal with. Plus, I was waiting for my desktop and laptop to both get fixed. Now they are! Though I have lots of documents missing now =/

 So, what do I want to talk about today? Well I recently got an email asking how do I keep things organized? Especially considering I do so many crafts. Well here is my answer: A binder.

Yep, this is the lovely binder that keeps me organized and mostly stress free. Inside, I have it all sectioned off with dividers and folders. There is a section for holding business cards, receipts, ideas, patterns, etc. (see below). I found this a great way to keep things organized and within reach. Also, if I am going somewhere, I can just grab my binder and stuff it in my bag. 

 
Each card I get, I make sure I have a few of them. This way, if people ask about something, I can just hand them a card. Also, the front and back pockets hold patterns that I haven't used yet.


I also have sections that keep drawings I've done safe. Anything from fashion figures I've come up with and need stored until I have to trace them. Why do I trace them you ask? Well, I like things uniform. Some days I just can't draw to save my life. These drawings just save me a lot of time because all I have to do it pull it out and trace the main figure, then get on with drawing what needs to be drawn. After this section, I have a few more of these clear protectors holding drawings for costume sets I came up with. Each little packet has the main drawing, then more detailed drawings for each piece. Then, the last page of each packet has fabric I have picked out for each piece of the costume.

Then there are sections for jewelry, crocheting, baking, and then there are just some clear folders and sheet protectors. This makes it very easy for me to just flip to where I need and start working. Sections house pictures of inspiration I have found in magazines, clippings that other people have given me, and detailed writings of ideas that have come to me.

I will be posting more on ways I keep things organized and easy to grab for me. What are some ways you keep your things organized? Leave a comment or email me with your ideas :)

Daydreaming of New Craft Room....

So, I have a guilty pleasure. I like to find a nice spot to relax in and day dream. Not just day dream, but day dream about the perfect crafting space. I travel between my bedroom and a spot in the basement to get all my work done and honestly, it's tiresome. I dream of a space that I can call my own, where people aren't going to take up all my table space with boxes, where people aren't going to move my supplies around and drive me crazy when I can't find them. I want a space that is NOT in my bedroom! I've been wishing for a space that can house all my supplies and tools and do it in a visually appealing way.

I wouldn't mind if it was in my room, but there is just not enough space for me AND my craft stuff. I've been having to put all my craft things away, where I can't reach/see them and therefore, haven't worked on anything. So, I decided to take to the internet and get some inspiration for craft spaces. I do have a variety of crafts that I do for money, and some I do just because they're fun and a hobby.

Click to be taken to how to make this

The first space I found that really caught my eye was from the Martha Stewart website (gawd, I love that woman :D ). This is a hidden office space. I love it! All it takes is a few things and some small bookshelves that you hinge together. This would be a great computer space for me, there is enough room to hold my desktop, or I can just make it a home for my laptop. The shelves would be awesome to hold all my binders, writing supplies, movies, and blank CD/DVDs. There just isn't enough room for all my craft supplies to be housed together. I guess I could also use this to house my sewing machine and all my sewing notions and tools.

Another thing I found on the internet was using a vintage suitcase. This is so cute and looks so easy to make. I think when I find a suitcase big enough, I'll do this to make a traveling sewing/jewelry case. This also seems like a good way to store things I always use and that I need to carry between my room, the basement, back to my room, then to wherever I'm going. I would probably ask my dad (or do it myself) to build some small wooden compartments that fit snug into the suitcase and have a lid to them. I'd be worried that all my stuff would start mixing together and I'd spend most of my time cleaning it up. Maybe add a few removable "shelves" that hold things would be nice.

Then I found a picture of a room and was floored! It's so similar to the office I have pictured in my dreams.

This room is almost what I want. Besides a different color theme, I would like actual bookshelves in the room too. My bookshelves have been so helpful to me. What do you think though? Which of these should I try to aim for? 

Back to School

It seems that summer was over far too quickly. I remember for years that summer would drag on. I'm not sure if it was because of back-to-school dread, or if it was because I had nothing to look forward to for three months. Summer has officially ended and the kids are all back to school. The summer went by so fast and I feel I did a LOT. Now that the school year is back, there are lots of crafts that I have in mind. My youngest niece has started her first year of school, so I know I will be called to help her with all her artsy homework and being volunteered to make things for her class.

Back to school also symbolizes the beginning of Fall season and the holidays to come. I have already started preparing for Halloween and Thanksgiving. Hopefully items will be finished before the end of the month and put on Etsy. My current project is crocheting a hat for the newest edition to our family, my great-nephew, Christian. I hope to have this pumpkin hat done before the end of the month so he can wear it all of October.  Interested in making your own for a special baby in your life?  I got my pattern from Favecrafts.com. If you want the link, click here and just follow along. I will post pictures as I get into the project. For now, I have to run. I hope to get back into posting at least every other day. :)

Until then, live life, enjoy, and be happy. ^___^