If you are a paper crafter, especially stamper, you probably are always looking for ideas to ORGANIZE!! We constantly are searching for new, inventive ways to make our paper crafting journey more efficient and streamline – ways to help us find things!!!!
One of my customers reached out and asked for tips on how to go about organizing our necessities. I decided I would take some pics of one of my favorite tool that I purchased from Michael’s several years ago. In fact I loved it so much I had a second one in my speech room at school and an even longer one I use at home in my craft room.
Top Shelf – Most Valuable Real Estate On The Cart!
I purchased this cart from Micheal’s several years ago, and now there are ones with other items added such as cups/bins that hang on the side and a board on the top shelf to hold the die cutting machine. I am not at all interested in upgrading because I can keep everything I need at my fingertips. Since I have so many classes with multiple cards, etc. I purchased at least 7 of each of the 5 smallest block sizes so I am not constantly switching blocks out. I found these little white inserts at the dollar store that are perfect for storing them in order. To the left is a smaller bin with adhesives, rubber erasers, stampin mist spray bottles, etc. I stand my stamparadus, silicone mats, paper piercing mat, small grid paper and foam for the the roller on the top and to the back, and in between are my Tim Holtz clear rulers I love. The cup on the right – a Stampin’ Up gift – holds pens, paper piercing tools, paper snips, bone folder, tweezers, and take a pick tool. It is ALL THERE! Top shelf is the most valuable real estate on the cart! And since it has set beside my left elbow for so long, I can reach and find what I need without even looking.
Middle Shelf – Close When Needed But Not As Important
So my middle shelf holds my larger blocks – I have 3 to 5 of each size except the largest. One is all you need! I also store my extra bottles of stampin mist refills here and I see it’s time to reorder and stock up! But I need to be sure these two get used since they have the old labels! A couple of months ago there were 5 there, so I thought no need to order for a while! Proved me wrong. I keep my tom bow multipurpose glue here as well as cloths for wiping blocks after cleaning. About once a month all of my blocks end up on the top shelf of my dishwasher and are run though the cycle to remove the soapy residue that builds up from the mist, even after I wipe it down!
Bottom Shelf – Items I Need Occasionally
This shelf is basically used for extra storage. On the left is watercolor paper, my masking paper, extra paper piercing mats, and usually more of my stamp cleaning cases. I have 6 that I keep rotating in and out but currently 5 of them are drying from this past week’s classes. I run hot water over them, scrub them with my fingertips, and run hot water over them again. I stand them up vertically and open to drain any remaining residue and then air dry. In a couple of days, they will be back on the bottom shelf ready to be called into action as needed! I have a fourth set of blends so when I need to pitch a set, there is one to take it’s place, and then the color is added to my order list for next time. Always a spare on hand.
Final Thoughts…
This cart sits beside me on the left ALL of the time EXCEPT when the girls are visiting. Little Fi is a bit inquisitive so when they are due to come for a visit, I simply roll my cart into my walk in closet I use for extra storage and close the door. My room can go from crafts to guest room in less than 15 minutes, and it comes right back out in that amount of time when they leave.
Darla – I hope this gave you some food for thought about organizing things we always keep on hand when crafting! This is just a tip of the iceberg but it shows how I can keep everything at arms reach and somewhat organized at the same time!
Until next time, keep stamping keep crafting, and God Bless!
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