New Year - New Organisation!

Yep, it's that time of the year again when you want to get out there, sort out, re-organise, clean..... now I did say 'want' to, this is not the same as doing it! I'm still enduring all the negative effects of the osteo-arthritis only now I have a back problem which, since the beginning of December has caused acute sciatica from the hip to ankle in my right leg and for virtually twenty four hours a day. It's hideous and means that I have to take advantage of any slight improvement to get things done so blogging and blog hopping have had to take a back seat I'm afraid. I do have some positive news on the health front though but I'm just waiting to have one more appointment confirmed this week and then I'll give you an update.... it's far from doom and gloom but I don't want to temp fate until I've had everything confirmed.

So, back to organising. I really do need to do a lot of tidying in my craft room, it still hasn't recovered from having everything dumped in there over Christmas. Initially, I thought it was just all of the boxes from the Xmas Decs and that once they were taken down on 12th night and stored safely back in the loft it would be all clean and tidy again..... wrong! It would seem that every homeless item in our house found its way to my craft room. One thing has become clearly apparent - I need a bigger room. Negotiations have commenced with DH and he agrees with me so we just have to agree with each other on how we are going to achieve the impossible!

After posting a comment about stamp storage systems on the Graphicus Guild Group last week, I promised that I would let you see how I store my unmounted Stamps. I also realise from the Group that many of you are 'in the mood' for re-organising your stash and work areas. I love to hear and see peoples ideas on how they organise stuff and if you want to utilise my system please do. It works for me....

This is just a small selection of the most frequently used stamps. They sit just above my work surface and are always within easy reach. There are many others which are stacked within the storage unit on the back wall behind where I sit. The beauty of this storage system is that they can store flat or be stacked on end like books. When I want a set or two to take to an event or work I simply choose the boxes I need and they keep my stamps safe and make them easy to transport.

You can laminate the stamp graphic and attach the EZ Mount cushion to the laminate or attach the stamp to the box lid and base and insert the index inside to save having to open every box when you're looking for a specific set of stamps.

These are the boxes that you can purchase through Graphicus. You can even get 'Boxed' sets which come with an outer unit that the boxes slide into - a self contained housing so that they needn't occupy precious shelf space.... you could stack them on the floor or under a bench if need be.

And don't forget, you can label the boxes to make indexing your stamps and finding them again, so much easier!

While I'm showing you my stamp storage I thought I would show you what I've done with all my small rolls of ribbon.....

I have a Ribbon Locker (Graphicus used to sell them but the company that made them are no longer in business) that I use for rolls of ribbon that won't fit into these clear plastic storage pots but I love these.... they can be wall mounted, carried to crops or craft clubs and the storage pots which link in three's can be removed and carried separately if you only need certain colours.

I can clearly see all the different colours and patterns which makes finding the right ribbon a lot less time consuming. I can simply hold up a small piece of card that I am using in my project and match the ribbon without having to open pots, drawers, boxes etc. I'm delighted with how they work and I'm still in the process of colour co-ordinating another stack..... do you think I have a ribbon addiction? Nah! just a total craft addiction that no amount of medication is going to help relieve the symptoms (thank goodness).

Ooooo yummy! I want to go play but maybe I'll just organise the next set. Now for the bad news: I'm afraid that Graphicus don't stock these (not yet anyway - note to self: speak to Glenda) they are just something that I came across while out shopping one day.

I have found some super stuff of late, not specifically designed for crafting but things I liked the look of and could see how it/they could work in my studio both on a practical level and for eye candy too. So I may make this a regular feature and share my shopping finds and organisational skills (eh? well, maybe I do have them sometimes) with you on my blog. I just need to find the time to blog 'regularly'! I will try to get back again this week but it's that time of the year again...... TRADE SHOW and it's coming up FAST!

I may not have a lot of crafty stuff that I can share at the moment as I'm knee deep in preparing delectable little pieces for the show and some not so little either - remember Percival Ponsonby Smythe from last year? Well if all goes according to plan there will be another 'themed' creation taking shape very soon, I just need to get my skates on!

Happy Crafting and good luck with all the organising!