**** This is a 2 or maybe 3 cup of coffee post….but it is the "real me" – Yesterday I had trouble with my Truck and Trailer (thank goodness I did not have any horses in it) but I sat at a Repair Place for over 3 hours and there was no Internet…Microsoft Word was my friend….so the only picture is one that I used the other day – I did a copy and paste…here you go – I truly hope you enjoy!***
Good Morning and as promised on Monday post is going to be both fun and I hope helpful!
- The “must have’s" to get ready for the new catalog
- My Top picks for “must haves" from the new catalog in supplies
Going back to Tuesday’s Post I want to add some comments to questions that I have been asked. I was so happy that you enjoyed that post and I hope that I helped you to see what works for me.
Remember, this system works for me and I say if you have one that works for you…STICK WITH IT! We all do things differently. I do feel adamant that a system is imperative…you will be a lot happier and you will use a lot less paper….USE UP THOSE SCRAPS my friends!
For the Storage Bin…
- Does the paper warp when hanging in these file bins? NO, I never had any problems what so ever and I have used this method for years, (even when I was a Creative Memories Consultant)
- You said that you used (2) bins before…WHY??? – When I was storing both the full sheets and the scraps, I found that I needed (2) bins to accommodate all 50 papers we have. I used one folder for the full sheets of paper, and then right behind that I used another folder for the scraps of that color. Now that I am just using this method for scraps, I am sure that I could get by with (1)
- How do you pick the colors to group together? – Everyone has their own preference…. some like to do it by blues, reds, etc…. but I do it by color families! That just seems to roll with me. I look at the catalog and place them in there just as they are lined up in the catalog.
- Why don’t you just keep full sheet and scraps together in one file? Hmmm…you could easily do that but I find that when I did that I was always pulling out paper and then the scraps would slide out all over the place. I think that it is easier to pull up the “scraps” folder and peak inside to see if I have a size I need before going to a full sheet!
To the Round Containers…
- Could you put a strip of paper around the edge of the container and then place a sticker? Absolutely and what a great idea. If I had the storage container that Stampin’ Up! sell…I would probably do that as it would be super easy to spin around the caddy and you could easily see what’s inside.
- What else do you put in these containers? Hmmmm…well all sorts of odds and ends! As I said in my post, I have them in a drawer with the buttons stacked up….the brads in another row….then I do put rubber bands, paper clips, thumb tacks…I just find the size super handy.
- How do you adhere the 2½ circle to the plastic? I found that some simple glue dots work the best. For the 2” circle I just use a wee bit of mono glue.
Let’s move on to the topic today: The “must haves” to be ready for the new catalog – they are in no particular order rather they are in my head and I seem to do best by just writing as I think!
- You need a plan. O.k. – I can already hear many of you laughing and saying PLAN…WHAT'S A PLAN! Please do not click me off and I do hope that you can leave a comment so we can get some healthy conversation going. (Chris…I know that you are going to leave a hoot of a comment, that's what I adore about you!!!!)
We all have craft spaces in all different sizes…amounts of products etc….and that is great and that is life! One thing that I do hear over and over (and I must admit, I have been guilty as charged) is that we have "stuff" that – (1)we don't realize that we have, (2) have no clue what to do with,(3) look at it and say, maybe it will come back around and I will like it then!
I say – EVALUATE WHAT YOU HAVE AND THEN IMPLEMENT THE 3 D's
- Decision – Take some time and imagine what you want your craft room to look like…(not the dream craft room….I am saying work with what you have) Figure out what stresses you….figure out what's not working…Then MAKE A LIST of all of these things.
- Discipline – Tell yourself that you are going to dedicate "X amount" of time to be able to start to work on the list. Make sure that your times are not HUGE…set small, do-able time frames….if you make them too long, you will become resentful! Be true to yourself and work at the times you dedicated to do this.
- Determination – Sit back down and take some time and imagine what your area will look like when it is completed….how you will feel being free of clutter and now being organized etc….Now set a GOAL to when this needs to be completed….and once you have worked towards that goal….REWARD YOURSELF….When you are determined to do something that is a stretch for you…than you need to be gentle to yourself and make sure that you reward yourself….take a picture…take it all on with how it feels!
To get ready for the new catalog and the new goodies that you will be purchasing….I first say – KNOW WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE….now once you do the above steps that we've talked about than you already have a good idea of what you have and perhaps you have "purged" some things that you no longer use (I am going to touch on this later)
I always organize my stamps alphabetically. (I do keep the single stamps together on a separate shelf as the boxes are a different size)
When we do come out with a new catalog (like the holiday or occassions), I then keep those stamps on a different shelf so they do not get mixed in with the Big Catalog (annual) ones.
If you do not have a shelf…find a container or something that is not too deep so you can see the spine of the stamp sets…a CD rack/shelf works. I just do better with being in order alphabetically.
I then take my catalog and go in the back to the Stamp Index Section and out comes the highlighter – I highlight the stamp sets that I have in the catalog and then flip to the corresponding page and highlight the stamp name. This way as I flip through my catalog, I can see exactly what I have.
Have a "need to order list" at your work area. You can click here to have a list that Stampin' Up created.How many times are we working with something to find out that we did not have enough or are running low…by having this list, you can go right to it when you need to order!
I am going to be much more selective on the stamp sets that I purchase. This is what I am going to do – Look at it and then say…can I make this set work for at least 3 cards/projects? If so, than it is a possibility.We simply cannot get or need everything!
Remember yesterday's post….I have already used that stamp set (3) different times…this is a goal that I am hoping to do to inspire you to think out of the box.
The next part of today's post is…
Top picks for “must haves from the new catalog in supplies…
This is the fun part, the one that we can all start to get excited about …even though we have not seen the goodies ourselves yet…it's kind of like being a kid again and dreaming of what it would be like….
Here are my tops that I think are going to be must haves (remember, I have no stamps here)….and really I am sure that there are going to be more items added once I get them and play with them!
- Metal Rimmed Pearls - these are just beautiful and just so darn classic!
- Thick Bakers Twine – I love this as it makes a great touch to a simple card!
- 5/8" Striped Cotton Ribbon – because this is in the In Colors, I think that this ribbon is going to tie like a dream and I can see it being perfect on gifts and 3-D boxes.
- Tear & Tape Adhesive – YES….we all know that we LOVE sticky strip…but this is going to be amazing that you do not need scissors!
- Whisper White Thick Cardstock – THANK YOU…THANK YOU STAMPIN' UP! (We really, really needed this – woot-woot!)
- The Envelope Paper – LOVE the weight and feel and it is sooooo darn affordable – I am hoping that this is going to be a HUGE hit and we get more color collections!
- Paper Stacks – YES – they are now in a NEW size…6 X 6 and we have (3) new prints! – YES!!!!
- The Designer Series Paper Stacks – THIS IS A FABULOUS CHANGE-UP! What is NEW? Stampin' Up! has made fabulous prints….so fresh and fun…
- Punches – my favorites from just looking….here are a couple – Banner Triple (I have this and have used it – LOVE IT!)…Washi Label Punch (I think that this will be fabulous for sentiments), Tree Builder ( fun, fresh and versatile), 1 1/2 Circle Punch (just have to have all of the circle punches – PUNCHES ARE SPEED TOOLS!
- Paper – You know that we have (5) different color collections of cardstock…the best tip I can give you is to purchase the cardstock in the color families….it is super affordable and you will get (2) pieces of each color, this will give you a great feel to what colors you gravitate to!
O.k – enough! You know that I could go on and on but these above items to me are "supplies" as these are a great group of products that make "clean and simple" card making a breeze.
Remember, that many of my favorites are included in my Product Shares and this gives you an opportunity to take a test drive on them without breaking the bank!
Now if you have the new catalog in your HOT LITTLE PAWS….you can click here and then print it off and use it as a handy reference to you in "pulling together" your favorites and your "must haves".
I am ending with this thought…wouldn't you be wondering why a friend would not tell you about a hot sale?
Well…I am your friend and if you add up all of the goodies that you want…and if it remotely comes anywhere near kit cost…just kick those tires and have fun...plus you will get a great perk….2 free stamp sets….now that is a great carrot!
I truly love what I do and I would love to have you!
p.s. – I did not touch on the DSP's….there are ALWAYS amazing (as always) and I am super happy that there are several that coordinate with Very Vanilla!!!
p.p.s. – My Trailer was fixed and I am back on the road!
Great post Susan, good ideas, especially for storing scraps, I store mine like that, but I like your idea of color coded with the name. Going to print off the lust you made and revamp my scrap folders. Thanks for that tip. Also like you telling it as it is, we don’t need everything, especially stamps and your theory is the same one I have, if I can’t see three possibilities with it, I don’t usually buy it. However, supplies are a different story:)
My hubby just built two paper holders, 8 1/2 x 11 and 12x 12, along with a punch holder and while he was building them I started purging. I now have a box full of items to donate to a group in town. I could not believe the amount of “stuff” I was hanging onto and in some cases no clue as to why I had them. Not completely finished yet, but my stamp room is very close to being clean and useable again.
My next project is completing the card kits I had left over from different workshops and think I will change up a few things, like cardstock and stamps. Have a wonderful weekend.:)
Oh Susan, How frustrating to be stuck waiting. You certainly made good use of your time. Great info in this post. Going to double check your shares and shoot you an email with my choices.
🙂
Inspiring post! When I’m trying to tackle a big task, I set a timer for a few minutes (anywhere from 7 minutes to 44 minutes–weird numbers, I know, but it works). Then I don’t have to keep track of the time and I get more done! I do need to go through and see what I have.
As for wanting all the stamp sets, I have a problem with that! I’m always seeing projects someone else did with a set and then I want that set, too! I have too many stamps now; I can’t even use all of what I have!
Glad your trailer is fixed!
Cyberhugs!
Awesome ideas! I too check off the stamp sets I have right in my catalog. It’s so good to organize – it reminds us of what we have and have forgotten to use!! I just bought a cabinet at a garage sale for my designer paper. Asked my hubby to add more shelves inside to sort out by colors. Can’t wait to purge and order new this year! Stampin’ Blessings!
Love today’s post. The hardest thing for me is to categorize my “wants” and “needs” because I tend to lump everything into the “I need it NOW” category! Lightbulb moment: now I understand where Caleb gets his attitude. HaHa. I am going to start your “three card” policy. I recently went through my craft room and pulled out a ton of stuff to donate. I was absolutely appalled at how many stamp sets I had never used…terrible, I know. I guess I think I have more time on my hands then I really do! Have a wonderful weekend!!
Yes! Organizing makes everything so much easier. I wish I had a craft room – maybe someday. For now I use 4 shallow cupboards under my kitchen island, and the file boxes for my papers in another room. Not ideal, but it’s working for now! I am going to take another look at your product shares and get in on it, too! Thank you!
I really am enjoying your tips, Susan. I spent last night labeling all my button, brad and embellishment round containers as you demonstrated. I love it! I can finally see what I have and really know where things are in the drawer. TFS!
Great post, Susan, and I really appreciate your tips! They put things in perspective for me. I like the idea about the three card policy and the three D’s…awesome job! Have a great weekend!
Oh good grief, the pressure is on for not just organizing but a “hoot of a comment” to come up with! I do have another “D” – dog, I must admit he managed to find a stamp that was not in it’s box. But, he was the one who managed to open the box (the latch part was cracked in shipping). It has a couple teeth marks on the box. The stamp is intact and usable! He did get a treat for giving it back to me. But, otherwise, he is quick to pull something and run with it. Ribbons are a favorite as they can unwind and button have a great tooth texture I guess.
Anyway, I need to re-evaluate how I buy the sets as I have several I have not used. My spare catalog might come in handy for CASEing cards I really want to make. I do like the simple idea of just highlighting what I do have too.
I like putting the “merry” in Merry Christmas and have a huge selection of these for cards, tags, and such. I have them in a bin by themselves but wonder if that is really working. Maybe alphabetize but put a red dot on them for Christmas? Of course sets that have several of the holidays offered presents another challenge – if they are in the Christmas bin how do I know there is a valentine stamp in the set or Thanksgiving etc?
I can see this will be a work in progress – my own Project Life! I can see setting a time limit on the activity and rewarding myself but I think I will have to have a another room just for the rewards! Maybe one of the first things will to purge and I have a mother/daughter team who make cards for their church and try selling them – they have very limited money so I think they will appreciate some of my older things which will be new to them. That in itself is a great reward in my view. Enough said!
This is such a great, well- thought out post, Susan. Your tips are so practical and doable. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into your posts…they are truly appreciated. Have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you for this wonderful post Susan! I love hearing your take on new items, gives me a new angle to see things from. I love your thoughts on being practical. I am thinking like you and plan to really think about the stamp sets before buying. I also have way too many! I have purged some, but need to go further. You are a great inspiration!!
Love all of your organizing tips this week! I too use hanging folders for cardstock and group in ” families’ ie: Regals in Red folders, Brights in Blue ones. Love your idea on labeling the round embellishment containers!! Highlighting the labels on mine aren’t enough for old(er) eyes! I do use the highlighter to mark in the catalog stamp sets, punches, dies, and embossing folders I have. I sit and do it BEFORE they are put away from the box!
I truly enjoy reading your post every morning before work!!
I just bought some great shelf dividers from Target.com that I’m using to keep my 12×12″ DSP stored vertically. Easy to slide paper out and back in place. I snip the top 2″ off the plastic and wrap clear packing tape once around to “band” the top. I slip an easy-to-read list of color names used in each package into the front, since sometimes I’m looking for patterns with specific colors. So sturdy, I’ve ordered more for books and linens, since shipping is free with only a $25 order. I picked white because of my white storage decor, but the chrome dividers are pretty, too.