Committing here to cleanup

[weims]

I have a mess downstairs. My craft room has been used for the last two years mainly for repairing horse blankets, storing crap and the occasional raiding of craft supplies that were needed for scouts or a camp. It is a hot mess. I am going to go down later and take pictures. I am going to clean it up, clean it out and organize it again into a space that I want to be in. I plan to have this done by one month from tomorrow, December 8.

[delacroix3721]

Good luck!

I've been working on slowly reorganizing mine as well, it's definitely a process!

[UnderstandBlue]

I can't wait to see the before and after! I love the public accountability - I am cheering for you!

[Phantom]

Good for you, Diana!!! I admire your resolve and wish you the very best. You can do it!

[connie leone]

One area at a time! Great time to purge as well. Much luck and enjoy your craft room once it is done!!

[ailhelen]

Cant wait to see the before and after photos. Good luck, great way to get motivated.

[klpt58]

Good Luck! Hope it's short work and you are back in your space quickly.
Kathy T

[simvan]

Been thinking about you, how are you doing? I have the same problem. I'm overwhelmed with it and have no idea where to begin so it just sits. The sad thing is, I probably have $10,000 worth of stuff in the room and should be using it. I'm feeling a bit inspired since you posted, maybe I can do this too!!!!!

Keep us posted!!!

[imthenoni]

Diana - Way to go with your public announcement. I hope your clearing and sorting and organizing. It is a task but in the end I'm sure you'll be so excited with your new again space.

Simvan - I so get the overwhelmed feeling when looking at the whole room, mine is a hot mess as well. I have been knocking at it a bit at a time. I found with mine if I worked in 1 area for 15 minutes at a time I was able to get way more done. I also divided things into catagories - yarn crafts, sewing, beads, paper. And then sub catagories - adhesive, embellies, images, loose stamps, inks, markers, stamped images, paper, etc. It goes pretty quickly when you have those catagories that you can just sort things into. AND I had one that I called donate. That box of things went to a friend who teaches. She said her students really loved the things. I also thought about giving some things to a local senior citizens center as well.

Good luck to both of you.

[ailhelen]

Cant agree with you more Donna, I have just set up in the room that also contains office supplies as I have a business I run for home. So I moved from the family room and set up in this other room. It was a huge job as we accumulate so much that we just have to have then it does become overwhelming.

I moved on it all a section at a time. Watched some YouTube clips on how to store things like stamps etc to their best advantage then set out and did the same. Not finished yet but certainly much easier to access and use. And I am enjoying making cards again instead of just looking. Even thinking I might start posting some cards but thats for another day . Go for it ladies and enjoy.
By the way Jennifer McGuire has some great videos on how to. I just use cheaper alternatives but love the ideas.
Aileen

[fionna51]

I've been following this thread.


Reading when someone posts.


Feeling guilty.


Thinking, "I should get in there and get SOMETHING cleaned up"...even if it's just a little bit.


Maybe I should make a commitment too. ;)

[weims]

I didn't get pics done but will tomorrow.

[snowcountry311]

fun. can't wait

[imthenoni]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fionna51

I've been following this thread.


Reading when someone posts.


Feeling guilty.


Thinking, "I should get in there and get SOMETHING cleaned up"...even if it's just a little bit.


Maybe I should make a commitment too. ;)

Diane - do not feel guilty. There is no need. We all do things when the time is right for us. And as you said ... just start and get something done even if it is just the corner of the table.

[stamphappy1650]

Diana, good for you. It will feel so good when it's done.

[simvan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ailhelen

Cant agree with you more Donna, I have just set up in the room that also contains office supplies as I have a business I run for home. So I moved from the family room and set up in this other room. It was a huge job as we accumulate so much that we just have to have then it does become overwhelming.

I moved on it all a section at a time. Watched some YouTube clips on how to store things like stamps etc to their best advantage then set out and did the same. Not finished yet but certainly much easier to access and use. And I am enjoying making cards again instead of just looking. Even thinking I might start posting some cards but thats for another day . Go for it ladies and enjoy.
By the way Jennifer McGuire has some great videos on how to. I just use cheaper alternatives but love the ideas.
Aileen

Thanks for your thoughts...going to go look up some videos, maybe I need to do the 15 minutes at a time!!!

[simvan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by weims

I didn't get pics done but will tomorrow.

WOW...sounds like you're doing great!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see!!!

[CandyStripe]

Good luck with your clearout mine always seems to be 'a work in progress'

[fionna51]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CandyStripe

Good luck with your clearout mine always seems to be 'a work in progress'

Mine's more of 'a work constantly repeated'!

[gregzgurl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fionna51

Mine's more of 'a work constantly repeated'!

Mine, too... Just split up all of my stamp sets and organized them by theme now that I got a better handle on categories that made sense to me. Only my third or fourth or twelfth re-vamp on that particular area... We'll leave all the other "stuff" out of the conversation for a minute, k? My husband just shakes his head now and walks away...

[KoffeeKat]

Umm...I had my office/craft space looking awesome yesterday.:smile:

Today? Ahhh, not so good. :oops:

So don't sweat it, just do what you can. Like all housework, it will be back tomorrow. :rolleyes:

[imthenoni]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregzgurl

Mine, too... Just split up all of my stamp sets and organized them by theme now that I got a better handle on categories that made sense to me. Only my third or fourth or twelfth re-vamp on that particular area... We'll leave all the other "stuff" out of the conversation for a minute, k? My husband just shakes his head now and walks away ...

I feel ya with the third or forth or twelfth revamp - mine seems to be in flux again as well. Went in yesterday to find something to work with but couldn't find much of what I was looking for. (her eyes roll) One of these days....Oh who am I kidding. LOL

I also love how you've finally trained your husband to just "shake his head and walk away" That is one smart man. LOL

[imthenoni]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KoffeeKat

Umm...I had my office/craft space looking awesome yesterday.:smile:

Today? Ahhh, not so good. :oops:

So don't sweat it, just do what you can. Like all housework, it will be back tomorrow. :rolleyes:

When it is messy, it is well used. At least that is what my grandmother used to say. Now keep in mind she could see the tops of her tables and everything but she still had a mess when she was using it.

[QueenOfInkland]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KoffeeKat

Umm...I had my office/craft space looking awesome yesterday.:smile:

Today? Ahhh, not so good. :oops:

So don't sweat it, just do what you can. Like all housework, it will be back tomorrow. :rolleyes:

When my space is in disarray, it means that I am creating, so I am interpreting your disarray to mean that you have been creating - YAY!!

At least for me the creative process is cyclical: create/clean up/create/clean up 'ad infinitum'.

I clean up either (1) while I'm in the middle of the throes of creative bliss and I just have too much stuff out and I need more room in order to continue creating or (2) when I have finished what I'm currently working on and I am getting ready to begin work on new projects.

Of course, I am a procraftinator so others more inclined to keep things neat and tidy might find my process an abomination LOLLLL

[uncbballfan]

Advice that I received here, and that worked the best for me (when I'm just a little disorganized or a whole lot disorganized): Get boxes for each category, one for stamps, one for inkpads, etc. LABEL the boxes. Then start clearing one area at a time, putting each thing in the box where it belongs. This doesn't have to be done all at the same time; in fact, you'll probably be better off if you don't try to tackle it all at once. When you have everything cleared out, then you start putting things back in, designating a place for each type of item. Doing this still allowed me to make cards; if I were missing something, I would just look in that box. But it was much easier to see when everything was out of the way if I needed to rethink my organization or if I just needed to put everything back where it belonged.

[weims]

So, I haven't gotten pics yet, but I haven't done anything yet either. Life here is so crazy - DH is unable to work right now and we're fighting for his disability through work, but in the meantime I'm working 3 jobs, which stinks - I haven't had time. This weekend, my nephew is getting married, so will be super busy with that.

Anyhow, my goal is that Sunday (yes, this Sunday) I will at least get photos taken, horse blankets done (at least two down there are OURS and need no repairs!) and major trash taken out.

[imthenoni]

Diana,

All you need to do is take the first steps and it sounds like you have them planned. Getting the blankets out and the major trash out. Those 2 seemingly small steps can make such a large difference.

Good luck with getting dh the disability he must deserve. That can be such a struggle as well. AND working 3 jobs must take a toll on you too.

I do agree with Linda, using boxes to sort everything in. If you ahve a free moment at one of yoru jobs make a list of the things you might want to organize (paper, scrap paper, embellies, adhesive, stamp sets, loose stamps, whatever) and then make simple handwritten tags for the boxes or even baskets. Once you get them set up you can spend 15 minutes at a time in your space and see a HUGE amount of difference in there. My largest thing was ribbons. I used old electric heat register covers that I painted to put the ribbons on in the colors of the rainbow.

Anyway - good luck to you with all your sorting.

One last thing, for tonight, remember to take a trash bag in there with you and don't be afraid to toss things that are nearly empty, too small to keep, ect. And do a box for give aways.

[stamphappy1650]

Another tip to is to check those supplies to look for dry ink pads that don't have refills so they can be tossed and the same with markers. I'm in the process of a re-org and I found I had way too many cat's eye, spots, and cubes that had gone dry and I don't like the color enough to buy a refill. The same with markers and glues that were hard that had been sitting on the shelf all this time. Also, when tossing consider what can be re-used. I washed out the cubes and will refill with colors I do like.

[KoffeeKat]

An idea from Fly Lady that also worked for me was to have 3 boxes (I use washing baskets). Pick a number of items that you will deal with - perhaps 30?

Pick up each item once and put it into the basket then move on to the next. At the end of your allotted time/number of items, you empty the baskets as appropriate.

1. Keep (put these things in their proper place)
2. Throw out (empty in the rubbish NOW)
3. Give Away (put in the car NOW to go to goodwill)

You could expand by using several containers to replace number one as per Linda's post and leave putting things away until you are ready.

Since it is a bit of a trip to put things in another room, maybe a put away box that you have to deal with at the end of the 30 items, or when it gets filled (something like that).

[imthenoni]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KoffeeKat

An idea from Fly Lady that also worked for me was to have 3 boxes (I use washing baskets). Pick a number of items that you will deal with - perhaps 30?

Pick up each item once and put it into the basket then move on to the next. At the end of your allotted time/number of items, you empty the baskets as appropriate.

1. Keep (put these things in their proper place)
2. Throw out (empty in the rubbish NOW)
3. Give Away (put in the car NOW to go to goodwill)

You could expand by using several containers to replace number one as per Linda's post and leave putting things away until you are ready.

Since it is a bit of a trip to put things in another room, maybe a put away box that you have to deal with at the end of the 30 items, or when it gets filled (something like that).

I like your idea in choosing a number of items to go through. You could call it the 30 item shuffle or something. If you had more bins for the keep one and only put them away once you've finished every time you pass the room you could do a 30 item shuffle. It would be cleaned in no time. Personally I like the putting it all away once you finish because you may find that you have multiples of things and this would let you see all that you have.

Above all - have fun!

[KoffeeKat]

My favourite container for the throw away in my office? I move the wheelie bin into the room and attach the shredder directly to the top. No need to empty.

[diecuts4u]

I have a mess too and started tackling it . I had one tall skinny closet that you would almost hate to open the door cause it is packed so full, well I cleaned it yesterday re organized and now it is mostly paper storage all organized.........I also cleaned out three kitchen cupboards, and put everything in totes, plastic lid containers, etc. and all labeled. OH what a great feeling. I want my whole house that way.
guess I will have to go slow like the turtle and eventually succeed.............its a long ways off.....................................

[STYXROCKSME]

I abandon my craft table for kitchen table. Now 2 spaces are a mess. My biggest problem is too much stuff and not enough space. I'm making Christmas cards to sell in a shop in town. I'll use some of the money to buy shelving. I have a 9 cube shelving unit and it's full. Right now I just don't know how to attack the craft table.

[snowcountry311]

Quote:

Originally Posted by STYXROCKSME

I abandon my craft table for kitchen table. Now 2 spaces are a mess. My biggest problem is too much stuff and not enough space. I'm making Christmas cards to sell in a shop in town. I'll use some of the money to buy shelving. I have a 9 cube shelving unit and it's full. Right now I just don't know how to attack the craft table.

Ihave a great craft room. dedicated room. but I also use my dining room table (w/both leaves). never really get either too clean up. I read somewhee and have to agree-- I'm horizontally challenged!!! LOVE THAT TERM

[KoffeeKat]

Only having a neat freak husband stops this from occurring in my house. :oops:

[weims]

Well, not happening today. Got home from wedding weekend (which was great) with a lovely head cold. So instead, I took a nice, long nap and that's about it. Maybe this week...

But the cats are happy that I'm hanging out in the recliner watching Hunger Games instead.

[jan31]

I've been sorting things out as I move things to their new places, I've already had three new ikea chest of drawers, a wardrobe and now two bookcases for my craft room. I've been trying to take a leaf out of my future DILs book, she says use it or lose it, she organised our sons house within a couple of months when she moved in, it needed it too although she does go to extremes sometimes I think, I'm just no good at throwing out scraps of card, I have drawers full although since having a bit shot I'm am using more of it.

[RJP111]

I should have taken the opportunity to organize and purge while I was packing up my art studio since I'm moving next week. But, I didn't so now everything is going to be toted to my new place.

So! While I'm unpacking, that would probably be a good time to purge DSP, ribbons, and maybe even stamps that I don't use.

[snowcountry311]

my big job currently-going through and labeling my retired and current stampin up paper.
let me save you all a huge task. keep it current as you buy cardstock. huge job. what with current core colors and same with all the in colors since 2006-07!

[Evesadornments]

Quote:

Originally Posted by STYXROCKSME

I abandon my craft table for kitchen table. Now 2 spaces are a mess. My biggest problem is too much stuff and not enough space. I'm making Christmas cards to sell in a shop in town. I'll use some of the money to buy shelving. I have a 9 cube shelving unit and it's full. Right now I just don't know how to attack the craft table.

I have the biggest problem with my table too (It's about 6 ft. long). I found that the ONLY way to make it better was to take EVERYTHING off of it, and then really take a look at whether or not it needs to go back on. After seeing that huge, clean table, it was easier to put more things elsewhere to try and keep as much clear table as possible.