re-organizing... what's on your desk?

[Skilo]

I am in the process of moving my craft room from upstairs to downstairs and also re-organizing what I have.

I had quite a realization when I took a few projects into my hubby's hobby room to work, and found that I was so much more productive there than in my own room. I figured it had to be that I had too much clutter in front of me to choose which embelly or which technique to do. Not to mention I only had what I needed for that project which I think also helped.

I have decided to have separate sections in my room like a cutting area (paper, c/s near that area), tool area (CB, cricut, scor-pal, cropadile etc), embellishment area (maybe) and work area. I can't figure out what I would NEED to have in front of me or very close to me at my work area. Coloring pencils/markers, ATG gun, inks, and what else????

What's on your desk???

[wellstamping]

You are right about clutter. I find my desk so cluttered with "essentials" that I don't have room to work. Ideally, close at hand for me is my tool holder which has scissors, markers, ruler, scorer, etc. etc. I also like to have my stamping pads close. My problem is that I keep photos, reminders and things like that right at hands-length on my desk and this probably isn't necessary.

I'm glad you asked this question, though, because I could use some help too.

[willsygirl]

I have a rail on the wall just above my desk from Ikea that has 5 containers hanging from it (the rail cost 1.99, 3 metal baskets cost 1.99 each and two plastic containers cost 99c each!) - I have my tapes/pop dots in one, my scissors in one, my glues/crystal effects etc in one, tools (hammer, files, knife, sanding block) in one and then the last holds my basic pencils, pens and bone folder etc...

I love this system as all of this stuff I use alot and it is in very easy reach and yet not on my desk surface, giving me alot more space to spread out :-)

Hope that helps...

Sarah

[Jenmouer]

I have pictures of my space on my new blog...

http://www.stamptopia.blogspot.com/

I have the same rail system as Willsygirl...love it...

[jpmayo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skilo

I am in the process of moving my craft room from upstairs to downstairs and also re-organizing what I have.

I had quite a realization when I took a few projects into my hubby's hobby room to work, and found that I was so much more productive there than in my own room. I figured it had to be that I had too much clutter in front of me to choose which embelly or which technique to do. Not to mention I only had what I needed for that project which I think also helped.

I have decided to have separate sections in my room like a cutting area (paper, c/s near that area), tool area (CB, cricut, scor-pal, cropadile etc), embellishment area (maybe) and work area. I can't figure out what I would NEED to have in front of me or very close to me at my work area. Coloring pencils/markers, ATG gun, inks, and what else????

What's on your desk???

On my desk:
Pampered Chef tool turnabout thingy full of too much stuff, ink pads in the SU! holder, 2 photo storage boxes full of ribbon, probably 2 drink glasses that I havent managed to get to the kitchen yet :rolleyes:, chocolate, scrap paper, baby wipes, jewelry that I take off when I am stamping and forget about, pictures to frame, laser pointer for the kitty, my HPH, WCW crayons, Copic markers, SU! markers, coaster for drinks, loose stamps that dont have a home yet, all my black ink pads that dont fit in the SU! holder, all the junk mail we get...

No, I havent seen the actual surface of my desk in a long, long time...

[GarnetJ]

Usually there is a lot of clutter on my table.

When it is cleaned off I have a rack with ink pads, a shelf with some of my paper, a quilters ruler for lining up layers, and a quilters cutting mat which I use under the cardstock when I'm stamping.

A shelf above my table holds little bins, one for tape, one for glue, one for acrylic blocks, one for sponges and cotton balls, one for quarter-fold (4.25x5.5) cards, and one for small cardstock scraps.

?? You just had to post this question didn't you!!! Now I have to go clean off my table!!!

[Katie018075]

A must have for me is def. the Pampered chef turn-about...holds all the tools you use on a regular basis!

[lovingyoualways]

I have sections in my room.

3 printers and monitor in one section
cutting section
storage section

[Skilo]

duh... rulers, knifes, CHOCOLATE (just makes stamping even more fun! lol), files. I wasn't even thinking of those !!! I do have a large quilting mat (2 actually) that I use with a piece of 11 x 17 copier paper over top of it while stamping ! Those mats rock!!!!!

Pampered chef tool thingy. Must look for one of those!

thanks ladies! Keep it coming!

[kphorse]

OK, now you did it.....Off to clean up my closet....again....

[jpmayo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kphorse

OK, now you did it.....Off to clean up my closet....again....

Don't do it!!! You can resist the urge just eat some chocolate:mrgreen:

[PaperBouquet]

I found that This fixed a lot of clutter problems for me as far as tools go. Can be purchased at Hobby Lobby or Crafts Etc. for $6.99.
I have something similar to This for my stamp pads and stamps. Less expensive versions can be purchased at craft stores and Wal-Mart.
And I have This for my scrapbook papers. This can be purchased Hobby Lobby or Crafts Etc., too.
Hope this helps.

Olivia

[lovingyoualways]

How much was the paper rack? I have to go there tomorrow to return something. Thanks. Plus there is a 40% off coupon this week!

[nutsymuhl]

I have pics of my stamping room, in my gallery. I keep a Longagerger TV Time basket filled with scissors, pens, cutting tool, etc; small Sterlite drawers filled with my Copics, blender pens, gel pens, spots, and black ink pads; SU markers in the case; SU Classic Ink pads in the Color Caddy; and my Fiskars paper cutter on my desk. Anything else gets tossed on the floor, or in a big basket for me to deal with later. When the basket gets full, I put everything where it belongs.

[Bhalperin]

I just got the Lisa & Becky rail system hung up (by DH) this past weekend, and LOVE it. Everything used to be tucked away in drawers/plastic bins - but I found while working over several days I left it all out on the table and it was way too much clutter. Now, I have my ribbon, adhesives, most used stamp pads, etc., hanging right in front of me and leaving more work room on the table.

Beverly

[PaperBouquet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovingyoualways

How much was the paper rack? I have to go there tomorrow to return something. Thanks. Plus there is a 40% off coupon this week!

I do not know the exact price, sorry. The paper rack was a gift from the family after they saw me drooling over it at Hobby Lobby.

Olivia

[lovingyoualways]

Not a problem the workers there no me by name lol. I'll just print out a picture and take it in. Can't be that bad with the coupon! I would wait til Christmas but my parents are done shopping and I am trying to organize now!

Plus I cleared a space for it this afternoon lol!

[lcmdws]

what is the lisa and becky rail system? is that the same as the Ikea one? Tia for your reply.

[lcmdws]

got a paper rack at Michaels for $25 before the coupon

[lovingyoualways]

Thanks for the message. I will look there...I just try to avoid that store. Since they are next to eachother I'll run in.

[Marissa]

I like to have scissors, a ruler, a pencil and adhesive close at hand at all times.

[maconscrapper]

On my desk is very little. A lamp, laptop computer, BG cutting/magnetic board, tool storage. Like everyone else, this is stuff I reach for on every project I complete. Now, the rest of the room is another storage.

[K. Benko]

OK everyone is going to hate me but I hate clutter. Sooo my desk is clean. I have a pampered chef turn-a-bout with scissors, ruler, glue, adhesive, pens/pencils, and other small tools in it, also I have my Ott light and finally the project I am working on. Once I have that project done - I clean up and move on. My room is in my gallery, please have a look. Thanks
Kathy

[Skilo]

Kathy - What a wonderful room! Love all the Ikea products!!!

I think the concensus here is pens, adhesive, markers, lamp, ruler, scissors, and ink pads. The basics. There may be more to add once I actually get in the room and craft, but this is definately a huge start for me! thanks ladies. I reallyu appreciate it! I figure I will end up changing things at least a couple of times before I finally figure out what works for me!

Behind my counter (about 5 ft away behind me) will be my storage area with stamps, misc stuff, and my cutting area so things are really not that far away.

Once everything is painted and installed (hoping by Saturday) I will post pics. Wasn't able to get anything done last nite well no that's not true. DH and I did manage to cut the one counter top piece to fit the space, but didn't install it. I guess that is why I feel nothing was accomplished. I did however stand in my room and just smiled ok - maybe a little of a grin too! lol

[Bhalperin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcmdws

what is the lisa and becky rail system? is that the same as the Ikea one? Tia for your reply.

I saw it advertised in a magazine and feel in love with it. Here is a link: http://www.lisabecky.com/home.htm You can click on products then rail system to see all the details/accessories. I'm not familiar with the Ikea system, so am not sure how this compares.

In the short time I've had it up, it's really cut down on my table surface clutter and I can tell that I'm going to enjoy having it.

Beverly

[klhbenson]

do you think the pampered chef thingy is better? or the Hobby Lobby one?

I like the price of the Hobby Lobby one, but I was afraid I wouldn't like all the little round sections of the Hobby Lobby one...since i store all my markers horizontal.

what do you all think?

kathy

[klhbenson]

my desk? geez...maybe I'd be a better stamper if I put more on it????

I have a large cutting mat that I work on, a Ott-lite, my SU ink caddy and marker box. You all made me feel really naked! lol Now granted, when I'm doing a project, my work space becomes very cluttered with embossing powder, ribbon, scraps, stamps, etc...that I haven't put away. I'm a messy worker.

all my stamps are in cd cases on a swivel rack on the L part of my desk, along with my tonic cutter, printer, and cuttlebug. My 12x12 is to my left, under the L part of the desk. My 8.5x11 is in a file cabinet under my desk on the right. I have closets that are 3 or 4 feet away to my right that hold elfa drawer units that hold most of my stuff..and I can roll my chair a couple inches and reach it all. Behind my desk is a unit that holds my background stamps, pencils, crayons, craft stamping spots, refills, brads, eyelets....the stuff that I really am reaching for every othe second.

A friend taught me to think of my desk as beach front property...then I put everything in place with regards to the amount I reach for it. Does that help any??

[Choc0holic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by K. Benko

OK everyone is going to hate me but I hate clutter. Sooo my desk is clean. I have a pampered chef turn-a-bout with scissors, ruler, glue, adhesive, pens/pencils, and other small tools in it, also I have my Ott light and finally the project I am working on. Once I have that project done - I clean up and move on. My room is in my gallery, please have a look. Thanks
Kathy

This is me too. I have a small basket with my adhesives (glue dots, glue pen, ATG gun, etc.) in a deep windowsill that sits to my right. I also have a tote that holds other essential tools. The only things that 'should' be on my table when I'm not stamping are my light and a large quilting mat. The rest I get out when I'm using it for a particular project. My paper cutter, scor-it, cuttlebug, etc. are a few steps away from my desk...not cluttering up my desk, but close enough to not be 'out of the way.' Once I get everything cut, scored, embossed, I can sit down and put it all together.

[Skilo]

Everyone sure has some great suggestions here! I guess it is different with every person for sure. I guess I figure if I don't have to run to another room to get some of the larger bulkier items (ie CB etc) I'm doing pretty good!

Man - I soooo want to be in my finished room NOW! Patience is not my virtue for sure!

[lovingyoualways]

I completely understand! I've just been wanting my room to be done for a few months now. Almost there at least!

[Skilo]

a few months for a room to be finished? I must be a slave driver. We only started the move to the basement on Sunday and I told, I mean mentioned, I mean asked very politely if it could be done by the end of this week. I guess that is a Scorpio for ya - wants everything NOW! lmbo

[cincimom]

I have a long desk (maybe 7') with drawers close to each end. On top of my desk at one end is my tonic paper cutter and scor-it and the other end is 2 (1 for 12x12 and 1 for 8-1/2x 11) highish wire paper racks of Bazzill and other non-SU! cardstock. In the middle where I work is a Making Memories large self healing cutting mat, Ott light, and small divided pencil cup that my 25 yo daughter made me in 1989. It has 3 sections which are perfect for 1)sharp tools, 2)pencil, bone folder, and other non-sharps 3)microtip scissors. On the wall above my desk is a bulletin board for ideas, etc, and another light. The 3 drawers on my left contain 1)adhesives 2)cutting pads, portable trimmers, perfect layers, rulers 3)non-SU! scraps separated by color in 2 gallon zipoc bags. The drawers on the right of me contain tons of tools and refills of adhesives, xyron, etc. Tucked in the floor space between the desk and wall are 3 PSB one with diecuts, one with alpha stickers, and one with stickers, a CTMH case filled with acrylic blocks, and a case filled with my prismacolor pencils.I also have a cart with lots of drawers in an angle next to me on the right with all my stamping supplies and single stamps. Everything else is on the wall behind me and all my stamps are stored in the closet. Everything is at close hand and I have tons of desk space to work. I do have to clean up after every card. Can't stand a messy desk!

[RevLinda]

Wow, what good ideas. I am scattered EVERYWHERE. We are moving and I will have a gigantic work space. Decided the other day I needed to start seriously laying out a design. Frankly I didn't know where to begin. All the ideas and pics helped me define ME. I will never have a clear, clean workspace. So, I have to figure out a way to minimize the damage I can do in a very short time. I like the ideas about "zones." That is making sense to me. Keep the ideas coming.

[hobbywoman]

Well, I'm trying to clean mine up as we speak!!! Just ask jen2676 - she was just here and got to see my mess!!:oops: Just taking a gander over my shoulder, this is what I see......Lots of loose ribbon, tons of c/s, several cards that I recently made, 3 stamp sets, my pampered chef tool turnabout with a bunch of stuff jammed in it, several marvy punches sitting around, some free address labels I just got in the mail, a cell phone, hmmm.......a glue gun, oh theres more ribbon.....Oh dear...I better get to work!!!

[lovingyoualways]

Well it started with my husband thinking we should see what's under our carpet. Which was followed by I would rather look at these floors that need to refinished then this carpet. So we pulled up the carpet and decided to just refinish the floors.

After that we decided what the heck lets paint the walls. So that took a few weeks.

Then I decided I really wanted to really get organized for once. So we switched tables around bought tables, took back tables, and we are now happy with the tables we have...sort of. I have a portable closet in the way that can't go anywhere else.

Anyhoo!!! Yeah it has been a few months and we are almost done now yeah! I did pick up the paper sorter today!

Because I had to do a project for my husband's job on short notice and unpaid I'm making him take me to a few stores tomorrow. I want to figure out my ribbon storage before it gets out of control. Thought my last order would fit in my rack but it was 3 times the sizes I thought it would be.

[Stamper for fun]

I love my Pampered Chef tool turnable (whatever it is called). I had read about it here on SCS. I am very happy with how steady it is as it turns so I am very satisfied with what I paid for it. It is amazing how much fits. It sits on my right side of my stamping table and all my "need all the time" items are right there.

[K. Benko]

I also, love my pampered chef turnabout. I put mine on top of a bigger Lazy Susan, now I have room around the bottom to put even more things such as my mat pack, post it notes and other things that don't fit into the slots of the turnabout. The bigger lazy susan turns even better than the PChef.
Kathy

[stampencamper]

agreed, every individual is different, so checking in the gallery using a "craft room" search should bring lots of picture ideas also

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutsymuhl

I have pics of my stamping room, in my gallery. I keep a Longagerger TV Time basket filled with scissors, pens, cutting tool, etc; small Sterlite drawers filled with my Copics, blender pens, gel pens, spots, and black ink pads; SU markers in the case; SU Classic Ink pads in the Color Caddy; and my Fiskars paper cutter on my desk. Anything else gets tossed on the floor, or in a big basket for me to deal with later. When the basket gets full, I put everything where it belongs.

[Stamper for fun]

I guess the original question was what items would I put at my finger tips. In the Pampered Chef Turnabout I have the following: Different kinds of rulers in the middle. Pens/pencils/stick eraser, my stamp-a-ma-jig, stazon cleaner, spray bottles of stamp cleaners, dime store reading glasses (don't care if they get scratched), paint brushes, stipple, bone, exacta knife, 1/16 and 1/;8 hole punch, all kinds of scissors, tweezers, liquid glue, and emery board for emergencies. Tons of items fit.

[c-mouse]

Well, just to add my bit to the mix.
My DH made me a fabulous pegboard that holds all my dec. scissors, shape makers(CM), regular scissors, notebook sized templates and lots of other things. I made a Home Depot run and found divided boxes and singles that hook into the pegboard,,,Those hold my corner rounders, adhesives, bone folder, etc.
The pegboard hangs above a 6' countertop also purchased at Home Depot that rests on two kitchen cabinet bases(also from Home Depot) The cabinets hold ( on my left) all scrapbooking paper and my scrap tote and (on my right) all my 12x12 cardstock and empty scrapbooks. My 8.5x11 cardstock is in a rolling three layer tote that I scrounged for free in some school discards(used to hold a nationally know math program) with one layer being card stock in hanging folders, one layer being manufactured card kits from Photographers Edge and one layer being all the supplies and books for doing tea bag folding and iris folding. This tote slides under a small science lab table purchased at school surplus auction that is used for a cutting of everything( I mount photos too) table. This table is at the left of my countertop and fits into the corner of the room I have taken over for crafts.
Then I have a 5 foot table against the other wall which is a work in progress layout spot. When I emboss, it is cleared and all embossing goes on there.
I have a two shelf bookcase fullof magazines and books for ideas and a 4 foot cabinet with two shelves and doors that holds all my stamps and some kits that I purchased on a whim.
Basically that is my room.
It occasionally is a real junk mess but I try to keep it clean and ready to use at a moment's notice. I am a clutter freak--I don't like it and try to keep it neat and tidy plus it is a small room and looks bad when it is messy.
The