I told you yesterday that I had a different post for you today~ I hope that you enjoy it and it is helpful to you. Spring is here (I guess) and we ll know that once the "Spring Fever Bug" hits us…we get busy cleaning, organizing and doing things we just have not prioritized lately!
We all have certain areas that we tackle….mine is the laundry room…the pantry and the garage…these are places that it just "feels good" to have in order. Well….I am going to throw in for you our craft areas. Right now mine looks like a bomb went off but if you are anything like me, I call it "organized clutter" and I know where the things are that I need….
But seriously,, we all need to clean out as once we are free of the clutter and truthfully the items that we just do not use, we are not only more productive, but we are more creative and happier! Below, this saying is soooo true – I am sure that when we go thru and see what we have…we'll find some gems!
- Find a block of time that you can work in small spurts to tackle an area. If you try to conquer too much in one day…you'll end up looking like a dog chasing it's tail!
- Don't shoot me….but if you are like me, you probably have a bunch of teeny tiny scraps and you are holding onto them to punch a tiny flower (that is great BUT) you feel soooo much better clearing off your immediate area of the little pieces laying around.
- Find an organizational system that works for you…we all do things differently so what works for me might be frustrating to you.
- Have a bulletin board in your craft area that you can pin up ideas, to do lists, things that need to be ordered and lots of inspirational quotes….(these are the ray of sunshine that pick you up when you feel like your that dog chasing your tail!)
- Have a notebook that you can write ideas down, write down what worked for you …and what didn't….it you are making something an odd shape, write down how you did it. I need to do this all the time for many different projects, especially boxes etc….
- Make cards in multitude…you know that I am a clean and simple gal so the way I figure, if you are making one…why not make more! This way you are always "good to go" when you are in a pinch. We all know that there are certain cards that we love, these are the ones to make more of. If you get into the habit of this, you will quickly see that you are less stressed and you will enjoy the process of "your time" better!
- We all do this…we see what others are making…we watch endless videos and you tube but when it comes right down to it, FIND YOUR STYLE…when you do this and embrace that…you learn not to be as hard on yourself. We all have our own style, that's what make us special!
- Make sure that you always have the "basics – the staples"…think of our craft areas like our kitchens….I do not know about your house – but if we run out of milk, coffee and ketchup – you would think the world is coming to an end – the same is sooooo true for our "fun space"…
Time to talk about the basics…the list that you do not want to be without!
First we are going to start with the Stampin' Up! items that you need to have (the staples) that will make you productive and happy. You all know that I could go on and on….trust me – this is the short list!
These are items that we always need and should have "back ups"!
- Whisper White and Very Vanilla Paper with the coordinating envelopes
- Whisper White Notecard and envelopes
- Adhesives: Snail adhesives (and at least one refill), glue dots, (2) "green glue", sticky strip
- Stampin' Dimensionals – (2) packs at least
- Extra set of cutting blades for the stampin' timmer
Here is a "short list" of tools that are key ( in my eyes!)
- Stampin' Trimmer
- Stamp-a-ma-jig
- Adhesive Remover (best little gem!!!)
- Pick (3) punches
- Big Shot
- Circle Framelits, Oval Framelits and pick a fun one that speaks to you!
- (2) Embossing Folders
- Envelope Punch Board
- Paper Snips
- Craft Scissors (I know, these are pricey but sooooo worth it – ask for it as a B-day gift)
- Bone Folder
- Paper Piercing Tool
- Silicone Mat
- Stampin' Pierce Mat (2) – 1 for stamping and then other for piercing
- Grid Paper (you'll buy a pack and it lasts F O R E V E R and you'll love it)
- Stampin' Scrub and cleaner (this is a great thing to have, I always clean my stamps ASAP)
- White Gel Pen
Here's a short list of Non Stampin' Up! things that are sooooo useful!
- A good ruler
- "Magic Rub" Eraser
- A mechanical pencil
- Post it notes and Post it tape
- P Touch Label Maker (it's the type A in me)
- Wax Paper
- Several storage containers that "snap" so things do not fall out!
Wow – I could go on and on…actually I could write a book but I will not bore you. You can see that I have not touched on stamps and also more specific paper basics.
Please know that I am the 1st to acknowledge that there is an investment with what our fun and passion is….BUT do NOT underestimate what we love to do. Creating works of art from your heart is TOTALLY PRICELESS and it is a WIN-WIN for both YOU and for the recipient!
I love what I do…I would have never thought I would be doing what I do….but it is the best!
Simple Saturday and Step It Up Sunday are ready for you…I hope you pop back! Many thanks for hanging in there for this post, please feel free to leave a comment and I thank you!
Thanks for your list of “essentials”. That actually looks like a great list for me as we are moving. Depending on the way the timing plays out, as in, we spend 1 week in a hotel with much of the days spent watching the movers pack and then cleaning up, or we spend as much as a month in the hotel, I might want some stamping stuff with me. In any case, I need to decide what to take in my suitcase so I have it when I get home (as opposed to waiting for it to be shipped on a ship). Thanks for very timely information!
As for cleaning up, oh yes. I have had that task on my list all week, but it is still in need of doing. Tonight. I will do it tonight!
I’m going to email you. I have a couple of questions. One of them is about your paw print rewards.
Cyberhugs!
Great tips. You have inspired me so I’ll be reorganizing my stamp room this weekend.
Susan, I’m one of those people that keeps little pieces of scrap paper, “just in case I need to punch something…..” I keep all of this pieces in clear shoe boxes, labeled with the color of the card stock. I do use them from time to time but, what I think I need to do is to actually sit down one afternoon and just punch away, I know if I do this, I can shrink the space this boxes take in my closet.
I love your lists of essentials, there are a couple of things in the lists I need to get, one of them is the stamp scrub and cleaner, I do clean my stamps but I use baby wipes.
Thank you for the great tips to be more organized in our craft rooms.
I spring clean when we are finished using our wood furnace for the year, and here in PA, that doesn’t look to be anytime real soon – so we wait, dust, wait. Great lists!!
I have a difficult time functioning in disarray…I can do it for a short time, but not for long. I keep my craft room pretty tidy. I do have a dedicated room in our home and I can close the door and leave big projects that are not complete, but, as soon as I’m finished, I have to put things away in their place.
I have two clear plastic bins for scraps….one for patterned paper scraps and one for solids. I do use them a lot, but after a while I go through them and toss pieces I haven’t found a need for in a while. The solids are sorted by color groups and that helps me when I need a green piece for leaves, for example, I can quickly grab it. Works for me.
I’m a neat nick type person, so as soon as I’m finished creating, everything goes back where it came from. I would not do well with “stuff” left on my desk from one day to the next; it’s just not me! I appreciate all your lists, Susan, great ideas and tips that we can all learn from. We moved just 14 months ago, so that was a good time to go through all my stash. I sold things on ebay before the move, course I’ve purchased much more since then, so I guess I need to do another clearing out! ; )
Oh, Oh, only 2 embossing folders? 😉
It was very interesting looking at your list. It would be difficult to come up with that list…where do you stop? I agree with all the basics. I store my scraps in file folders by color group (ex. all oranges together),in a small filing cabinet. I do use it a lot. I especially like the scraps for testing how colored inks look on colored paper. Sometimes the ink can change or be hidden, depending on color combination. Stamping is a wonderful passion…we should all congratulate ourselves on finding it! Thanks so much for your list. How about one on storage? Ha.
Loved your lists and all the comments. I can not get organized to save me. I have stuff all over the house and no one place to create. Teddy is no help for sure. At least the computer is up and running so that is a start. That reminds ne, is there any type of list, like a check off list so you can check off what colors of inks you have and refills, as well as cardstock colors etc. so you don’t order another pad of a certain color as well as a list of stamp sets?
Susan, you will “howl” with laughter at this, I just turned around to see what Teddy was doing – he had unrolled a 1/2 of a roll of toilet paper then shredded parts all down the hallway and the bedrooms! Honestly, if this job doesn’t kill me off – I think he will. All, because he wants to go for a walk!
Oh good Lord, there is a squirrel in the bird feeder and the blue jays are squawking at it as the neighbor’s cat is chasing the blue jays complete with a feather in it’s mouth. I guess I will go for that walk and dream of organization!
I recently moved my stamping area and got rid of a lot of “stuff”. I now keep my stamping area clean after stamping. It is so much better going to a clean desk to start stamping. I keep my scraps in quart bags, whites, vanilla, and then blues, browns, greens and reds and it is so easy to go to the bag for scraps. Thank you for this most informative post.
I agree. Two is not nearly enough. I think there are only 2 that I DON’T have. LOL
I am such a good little student and have been organizing my craft room. I even got some new stampin storage pieces for my birthday to make life easier. I love it when everything is at my fingertips and I’m not spending time looking for something. Definitely need to stock up on the essentials. Nothing worse than running out of snail or glue dots! TFS
Love your lists. I also keep my craft room tidy and have most of what is on your lists but there were some items that I never thought to have so thank you, Susan. Chris R. from Iowa…your story was hilarious!
Great lists Susan, I know what you mean about scrape pieces, I store mine in folders, one for each SU color and find I go to it every day. I also have a small plastic shoebox type container that I put DSP scraps in and have several ideas I’m working on, in my head anyway. I started cleaning, moving stuff and purging my stamp room last week and hoping to finish it up by this weekend. I have a friend who collects stamping stuff for a group in town so I have another box I’m filling for her to take in a couple weeks. I’m also one who can’t stand a messy work space and have to clean stamps and put every thing away when I’m finished.
You mentioned a “magic rub” eraser in your non SU list, what is that, don’t think I’ve ever heard of it.
Have a wonderful weekend:)
Great check list!!!!!!
My only question is are you for hire?
thanks for the organizational and essentials ideas…I am building a second home and fretting over what “necessary things” to have there. This is very helpful and now I can check off what I have and what I “need” to buy!!!
blessings
patti
I am in the middle of a craft room clearout, you have inspired me to carry on. Good to see that i have most of the essentials from your list plus a fair bit of non essentials!!!