ORGANIZE? ME? SURE!

I hear Larry, the cable guy, shout-"Git 'er done!!" Sometimes my "git 'er done" is more like "now where did I put that?".

The questions "How do you organize your craft room?, what are your best-kept organizational secrets?  & what are your favorite storage products or tips? came from www.FaveCrafts.com. FaveCrafts has been featuring craft rooms in the first of this year.  I suppose to inspire the rest of us to bring some semblance of order so we can accomplish more and there are some creative ideas I have appreciated seeing. Of course, what else could I expect from other crafters who may also have such a variety to work with that it is almost a full time job just finding a way to keep them in a workable system.  

I like cheap-free is better-I did get all my cutting mats, rulers, scissors, rotary cutters with their blades into the organizer I made that hangs from my cutting table. www.FaveCrafts.com has the video I made demonstrating how to make it quickly @  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fpDnQOIv7w. It is not a gorgeous thing, it is fabric that I wouldn't use for anything else, in fact, I think it is an old flannel sheet.  I also made an organizer that fits my sewing chair. I keep my sewing machine manuals within reach right there in those pockets-again, FaveCrafts has the video demonstrating constructing the sewing chair organizer @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htx0UVF0o_w.

Then there is my repurposed ice cream bucket organizer

@ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ryU-wMcKgk &

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv9W2b47DPY. I need to make more of these for the rest of my paints and tools.

  I made these organizers years ago to hold magazines and patterns, they do a good job holding my threads now.

My absolute fave little organizer is the one that fits in a coffee mug. I keep one next to my sewing machine that holds pins, scissors, etc. and another beside my chair for pens, pins, nail clippers, etc.  www.FaveCrafts.com also has the video demonstrating how to make my "cute little coffee mug organizer" @  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eecHfZ-h9dI. I liked this one so much that I have made several for friends.

Now, these organizers keep things handy and in clear view which I sorely need but FaveCrafts asked for my best kept organizational tip/product and they are:

my daily planner and computer. Sometimes I think even being retired, I wouldn't get out of bed in the morning if it weren't on the list [well, it is not quite that bad] but they are both usually within arms reach along with spiral notebooks, pens, etc.

I've been using a daily planner since I started in real estate in 1979. Along with all the real estate training, the broker had us take a course on time management which has been beneficial for every part of my life since. The planner held all appointments, trips, expenses [Uncle Sam, you know].

The planner helps me keep track of doctor appointments, and there are quite a few now. It has pages for notes that I jot ideas into as I sit in waiting rooms. It has my coupons, extra index cards for extra thoughts, etc.

I also became a list maker as part of time management. We were taught to prioritize, list things to do in A-B-C order. A's were done 1st, B's 2nd and down the line. I got into the habit of listing the next day's agenda before I went to bed-that helps start the day faster.

Now to the computer-I still jot things into a notebook that eventually make their way into my computer. Categories have their own files. Like thoughts are filed together. Sometimes I can't even read my own handwriting but don't have that problem with my typing. Keeping track is easier. Then, glory, I can look up anything, research is right at my fingertips-love it. I have files full of crochet patterns that I downloaded from www.FaveCrafts.com, some I have printed and put into a notebook so they are ready when and if the mood hits.

My goal this year is to "git 'er done!". Maybe a little more organization will keep from having to move so many projects to next day's list.

Now, if I could learn to crochet with my feet, do dishes with my teeth, fold clothes with my elbows while sewing, just think how much I could get done. After 55 years of marriage, let me tell you there is no hope of getting husband to even vacuum until someone invents a rideon sweeper. HHmmmm, that might be my next project.  

God bless all of you, I hope you enjoy crafting as much as I do. It is my therapy

Carolyn Wainscott