Sunday, January 11, 2015

Organizing in the New Year

Lots of internet friends I visit are organizing their studios and craft spaces in the new year, so I thought it was time I bit the bullet and did the same.

My friend Kathy had given me lots of fabric and such when I visited her last autumn.  However, I had left the fabric unattended in the bag my friend Marlynn sent me one year that I always take when I visit Kathy.  I was tired of moving the bag around, so decided to organize things.  I spent nearly half a day getting these fabric colors sorted and separated before it occurred to me to take a photo.   Can you believe all that fabric was stuffed into that multi-colored bag sitting in the clear plastic container?  That was when I decided I would find a home for all this fabric.  Of course, that meant bringing all my boxes of already sorted fabric to this table I use as staging area to add this mess fabric to the mix

so I could get to this point, which took about six more hours.

Granted, this is still not ideal, because I still have no real storage for these bed sheets (lower shelf on left) I have acquired over the years that I use for dyeing my fabric, but at least I now have everything else sorted and put away.

Looks like I need a few more boxes, because a few of these are truly overflowing.  Although it's too cold to do much now, I look forward to making a few art quilts when it warms a bit in my sewing/craft room.

Another area I decided to rearrange was my Gelli plate storage.  I also had to clean the shelf and wipe down my Black and Decker Mouse case that was incredibly dusty from use.

I'm not completely certain this is better, but sometimes we have to live with our rearranged areas to make sure we like them.

Thanks for joining me while I cleaned up and rearranged my fabric and Gelli plate areas.  And remember, if an area isn't working for you, don't be afraid to change it.  After all, YOU are the one who knows if and when it works.

Remember, also, as you acquire new products, tools, and supplies, you need to make room for them, or get rid of something you don't use anymore.

Thanks, too, for your generous comments.  They mean a lot to me, especially as I clean and organize my crafting areas.

22 thoughtful remarks:

Helen said...

you are meant to get rid of stuff too??? oh.... hope your rearranged space works for you.
Was lol'ing at your comment on my project you visited - it is probably very similar to previous journal pages I've done, but this was for a specific "fragile papers" challenge (hence the use of the word fragile) and no, no grunge paste this time. glad you liked it though!

Vicki Miller said...

I agree with helen - are you meant to get rid of stuff? Lol. I don't know how to do that. BUT if you would really like the second journal, I would love to send it to you. Postage is not a problem, truly, as you have been such a friend to me. You know my email, so send me your address.

Karla B said...

Don't get rid of anything!we always need them in the future. Love your studio!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Ha! Ha! I have a (small) bag of stuff to take to the charity shop down the road - it's been in the corner of my craft room for over a week - hubby says he'll take it but I think there may be stuff that needs rescuing - I think he has me sussed!!! Love that you got everything sorted in just 6 hours!! Just noticed that the sheets Deli paper in that box must be HUGE!!! Travelling backwards through posts I missed! Once again Elizabeth, Thanks so much for all your encouraging comments! Big Hugs, Chrisx

Craftymoose Crafts said...

All of your organizing is looking good! I remember what a pain it was when I removed everything from my craft room/laundry room to paint it--that alone has made me put (just about) everything back in its new place! Still have a lot downstairs to organize though.

froebelsternchen said...

You are so busy and this looks all so well organized.. I wished you can come to visit me and organize my stuff... I hate organizing... I really hate it.. but it is so essential to do it..you are right Elizabeth!

Divers and Sundry said...

I am forever amazed at the sheer amount of craft/art supplies y'all have on hand. It's a wonder you ever need to buy anything. It looks like, whatever the challenge, you will have what it takes to complete your project.

And now you'll be able to find it lol. It looks great!

Angela Toucan said...

well done. I have a huge stack of large really useful boxes to the left od my desk full of fabric, with stuff pilled on top. The boxes are so large they are really heavy to move so I can get at a box lower down.

johanna said...

oh, it feels so good after organizing... but to get started, oh my, that is so hard to do. i did some organzizing in the beginning of the year, but not artsy stuff... insurences and other papers were awaiting to be sorted for a Long time.
be proud of your cleaned up space... you will find things easier.

Nancy said...

There's always a point in cleaning up at which I'm sorry I started! But the results are worth it. Well done.

Jane said...

Lots of work, but the results look good and well-organized. Hope it warms up enough for you to start on the art quilts soon!

Jo Murray said...

You do have LOTS of stuff. Me too.

Rita said...

I get lost in time when I am cleaning and rearranging. You're right, though. When you get new stuff it has to find a home. If there's not enough room then something else has got to go...or you have to figure out how to cram in more storage space--LOL! ;)

AlteredAddict said...

as always I'm the most unorganized, organized person I know ;) LOL

all that fabric *sigh* I do love me some fabric.

Don't leave that baby bottle sitting on top your gelli plate it will leave a permanent mark on your plate.

Halle said...

I was organizing this morning before everyone was awake. I made a very small dent...very small...but I'm glad I did something!!! I now have all my stickers into one portable container instead of several haphazard containers and a drawer. Now I really need to look at said stickers and decided which actually make the cut of being kept!

Carol said...

I need to do this too but just can't drum up the energy for it yet. I have trouble letting go of anything and whenever I have broken down and tossed something, it never fails that I have need it shortly after that :-/

AlteredAddict said...

Hey E,

Never leave anything sitting on top of the plate even in the packaging. It will still leave indentions of sorts. I accidentally left something not particularly heavy sitting on top of mine in the case it came in and I have similar marks on mine, easy enough to turn it over ans use the other side, but why take chances.

voodoo vixen said...

Maybe its that new year bug that makes us all want to start organising things and making space... though I have been doing that since I got home in June and I am still no nearer to having my room the way i would like... and I have got rid of stuff, honest!! LOL
I think I have a problem with space because whenever we went anywhere I ended up with humungous craft spaces to play in.... now I am back to room though of generous portions is still just a room nt an entire basement!

Darla said...

You have an amazing about of stuff to create with and a pretty amazing amount of space to store it in. I'm trying to keep only what I know I will use. I find myself turning more and more to just a sketchbook and pen when creating though.

Darla

Anonymous said...

Looks great. I did mine, then did it again switching out some bookcases with hubby. It's working really well and is easy for me to stay organized, which is the whole point I guess. Mentioned you today in my post with a link back here. xox

massofhair said...

Sometimes we need to take that deep breath and dive in, well done to you for diving!

I have done a few clear outs, i take my crafty bits and bobs to my local hospital to the childrens ward, it helps me to 'donate' my not used stamps etc and i don't miss them as much if i know they will be well used:-) xxx

Julia Dunnit said...

I'm doing it too! Extraordinary motivation - I got so so sic of looking at it! Still, it's mainly superficial tidying and sorting, so really it shouldn't hurt too much!
Your prolly have enough fabric now....!