Organize It!: Plastic Containers

ADMISSION: I have a slight obsession with plastic containers. Whenever I'm in my local store I'm drawn to the aisle. I always look for containers to fit my needs. Today's advice is think about simplifying your supplies and putting them in groups in clean, see through containers. Ideally I would suggest finding a matching system and sticking with it. I don't have that option- because of the store selection in my area. I've heard wonderful things about the container store and I think my husband is thankful there isn't one near me because I would likely change all of my containers over again after visiting there.

I select containers to fit my needs. Above you see one that is perfect with an easy to remove lid. I use it for my kid friendly chip board letters. While I admit I'm a little--- uh---  protective of my "good" embellishments, there are some I have acquired in the dollar section and I tend to place them in a neat- hard to reach area- so I can supervise the kids use of them. I also use them- and that's why I supervise the use! With an 8, 6 and almost 4 year old crafting very close by- I'm used to items being consumed and destroyed before I can say "Wait let Mommy help!!"

Below you see my smaller stamp holder. This is an easy to transport stackable unit. I love it for travel and for the smaller items. I also have some with drawers. A larger 3 drawer, 12x12 unit is dedicated to my scraps and I have several others that hold my new papers. You can find pretty much any size or shape you're looking for. So remember, when you are crafting try to place all your "like" items together. Plastic containers offer you a wonderful way to safely store your items and keep them ready at your fingertips! You will be so excited to sit down and craft and not have to search high and low for items.

Organize It: Deep Freeze

Listen, there is nothing crafty about this.  I know that.  But, frankly, my house has no organization at this moment...except for this tiny space.  So, I am celebrating this achievement.  I have organized my freezer.  Small victories are still victories...and I wanted to share it with my best blog buddies.  When I feel overwhelmed by everything piling up around me each day, I go stick my head in my tidy freezer, until I cool down.  It makes me feel better for a few minutes.  They say you can tell a lot about a person from their refrigerator/freezer.  I'm afraid to ask what this says about me.  I think it says, like every woman, I try to eat low calorie, microwavable lunches and I am not a vegetarian.

Organize it!: Buttons

Here's a simple way to store all those extra buttons! Put them all together in a cute little see through jar. With all the clothes I have- I get a lot of extra buttons and I'm sure you do too! I have a couple of these jars and I love seeing all the colors. They have become somewhat of a decoration but also a very functional way to store them. I actually keep all my buttons in my Scrap Shack because I like to use them in my scrapbook pages, but if there's any time I need one for my clothes- I know where to find one!

What's your latest organizational project? We want to see it!

Organize It!: Closet Makeover

The above picture is part of the final--- final makeover of my closet! I'm so excited to tell you about it! Yes, I'm a little goofy. I do love to even make my clothes color coded and pretty!

We'll start out with the ugly- because the pretty is oh so worth the wait.  FACT: I have a lot-- I mean A LOT of clothes. But- can you believe- I pared it down from 3 closets to 1 1/2? Yep. I decided to stop collecting clothes from all sizes in the summer of 2009 when I had a very successful garage sale. At that time, I got rid of my "big" clothes. I had not liked how I felt at that size and I resolved myself to not return to it and the only way I was going to ensure that was to purge the clothes of that size. You see, I'm-- uh, frugal and I wasn't going to spend all that money again! LOL That's when my closet went from the above mess to the picture below. I felt so good at the time that at least my closet was clean and organized.

This was the FIRST MAKEOVER RESULT:

But I admit- I've never loved my closet because- even with that purge and putting my nice dresses in another closet- it was too small and cramped. Fast forward to 2 weekends ago-- I decided to purge 50 more things from my closet. This time as I pulled each item out of the closet- the desire for a complete reorganization took hold of me. The next thing I know- I had every stitch of clothing and shoes located in three rooms! It looked like a scene out of Twister. I'll spare you a picture of the debris field- suffice it to say I've already given you one embarrassing photo!

Next thing you know- I have a hammer in my hand and I'm removing the bar and the wood holding up the bar! There was no turning back- I was getting a new closet!

I was feeling empowered and grunting my inner handyman grunts- when Chef Donavan showed up and looked at me with pity- and stripped the hammer from my hand. In that moment I went from construction worker to designer and supervisor.

As much as I was enjoying the whole demolition- I was not disillusioned one bit- I knew he could get it done in a fraction of the time it was going to take me! Next thing you know- he had the shelves up! Although I still have many clothes- the re-org was a huge success. I feel like the closet is bigger- even if it isn't. Pictures don't do it justice- so here's a video tour!

What's your latest organizational project? Link it up here!

Organize It!: 50 Things

So, I was watching the 4th hour of the Today Show with Kathy Lee and Hoda Kotbe. Don't judge- but I love it- they have so much fun- it would be my ideal show to host. They had the most interesting concept for an organizing segment based on a new book by Gail Blanke Author of “Throw Out 50 Things: Clear The Clutter, Find Your Life”.

While standing in front of a closet full of junk Gail said get rid of 50 things- not 49 but 50 things to start a new life. She said whether that's 50 pieces of clothing, old medicine or old relationships that aren't working- you can start anew and find your true self by getting rid of what's weighing you down.

That statement inspired me- and I want to invite you along for the ride. I went straight to my closet and began removing old items. I have an extensive supply of clothing for my day job- but let's face it, I don't wear all of my clothes. So, I set out to purge 50 pieces of clothing and some shoes from my supply.

I quickly started to count up the number scale- then when I got to around 30-35 it started to slow down. Now I had to choose to get rid of my "very skinny clothes". I always held out hope I'd get back into them- and still think it may be a possibility. But, the fact of the matter is- I am happier and healthier in 1 size up. I texted Crafty Cat and she said "Get rid of them! If you get that skinny again you'll want to buy new stuff". It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders and I thought she was RIGHT! I purged them. Believe it or not- I don't miss them. I do feel lighter! In fact- I purged MORE THAN 50 items!  Some items went to a friend who will enjoy the very expensive suits I've passed along to her and the rest of the other nice items will go to charity. Hopefully some women will put them to good use!

My goal each week will be to show you my efforts to organize something in my life. This pile above is now out of my house and I'm so happy. It also led to a bigger closet organization makeover I will share at a later date! I won't be purging 50 things each week. That may be a little off the deep end but the projects may be big or small. Hopefully you will get in on the fun and share your organizing projects. If you have a great photo please contact me because we can share our projects with the world. If you have a great blog about an organizing project- Link it up below!

In Search of.... ORGANIZATION

My quest for world (my world, that is) organization rears its head in the weirdest way! Am I alone in this? I think that every crafter I know out there would love to have total organization of their supplies and be able to find any item, at will.

Today, surprisingly, my sights weren't set on my Scrap Shack. They were set on organizing some of my pretty things... my HUGE collection of jewelry. To the left you see how it has mainly been stored. The bags and bins (including the 2 drawer white bin) are scattered all around and filled to the brim. Why the jewelry? Why now? I have no clue. I'm on vacation from work and don't have to wear any of it for a week, but somehow I had the need to get it all organized!

I don't think there's a beautiful hanging jewelry cabinet big enough for my stash, which by the way 95% of it was gifted to me by a loving relative. I actually dream about a wonderful over sized walk-in closet complete with jewelry section.

Until then, I have to come up with a creative way to store all of my items.

My loving relative already started the mission when she gifted me the items neatly packed in snack sized Ziploc bags. I love the idea of storing the necklace, earrings, bracelets and pins all in one location. My problem is, I have a hard time putting the items back into their little bags at the end of a work day! So, today was all about re-bagging and finding partners. Once that project was done- then it was on to color coding! I told you- I was kinda off my rocker today! LOL- Soooo, I decided to put like colors together and then all items in a large rolling bin that can be neatly rolled under some furniture! I have many beautiful pins (both floral and jewelry) so I put them in one location and then there are the earrings that don't have a necklace partner. I put those all together in a bin but my next project is to design a neater storage system for those because I can see already that looking for a match can be a nightmare.

I feel so satisfied that my costume jewelry now has organization and harmony! I also look forward to creating a crafty earring solution in the near future! I make the resolution to be more organized a couple times a year and it is, once again, on my list for 2011. I'm actually kind of giddy with the thought that I took the step to be more organized before we flipped the calendar page into the new year.