I've been working on organizing my craft stuff
By ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (64169)
United States
August 30, 2011 7:20pm CST
I've been talking and talking about my shed project, but once its done, that's only the beginning...
I have TONS of craft stuff I need to store.
Among these things is fabric.
Now, I don't know about you, but I don't want to store fabric outside, even in a shed, without some protection.
So, I have these 8 plastic drawers that have been inside the house that I am going to want to put into my storage shed (no, not the one we are working on) so I went and grabbed a drawer and put the fabric into baggies like I did with my winter clothes last spring.
I managed make 3 drawers into 2, found some stuff to take to the roomie's mom.
I also totally rearranged the plastic bins and now have the finished drawers on the bottom, and the two are full of fabric. I have 4 more to do, but after rearranging the bins and doing those 3, I was tired. I suspect that since I won't have to rearrange them again, I might actually get all 4 done tomorrow and maybe I can go outside, find some of the fabric out there and do it to them too!
So, just so my friends know, while I can't be outside in the heat working, I am doing things to advance this project.
Tonight I found bookshelves to go into my craft space since the ones that I do have are in pretty bad shape - rusty.
So, if I don't seem to be around as much as I should be, I'm trying to stay busy so I don't think about other things...
Do you use regular Ziplock bags like I do as faux "Spacebags"?
8 people like this
18 responses
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
31 Aug 11
hi elicbxn I have used them to store things in also. but
I would never store fabric outside as even in plastic I
just do not thing its wise. from what I remember fabric
stored outdoors can draw mositure and all sorts of stuff
i would really store it inside someplace.mylot will still
be here when you are ready to come back. they all tell
me that too when I spend way too much time on here.really
even p rotected I have had fabric all messed up. better
even in a closet in some kind of storage than outdoors
I think I could be wrong as thats just my opinion of course.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169449)
• United States
31 Aug 11
I have heard you can use clay kitty litter as a dehumidifier. Of course, I know it it dry there a lot of the time.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
31 Aug 11
wow you are a busy little beaver aren't you, I just sent you a message with some work if you would like to do it
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169449)
• United States
31 Aug 11
Speaking of Maggiepie, where is she. I have not seen her in a few? Carol, did you send to me as well?
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
31 Aug 11
garden I believe I sent you a pm, if you are interested my friend anybody just pm me we have two separate teams to build.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169449)
• United States
31 Aug 11
Yes, I do keep gallon zip lock bags in my sewing and craft area. The smaller sizes are probably good as well when I get to sorting things. I keep fabric, small yarn projects, and patterns in them. I like to put the pattern envelope where i can see the picture and fold the pieces behind it. You can even punch holes in the zipper side and put loose notebook rings through them to hold several of a kind.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
31 Aug 11
Maggiepie is fine, she's just kind of discombobulated because her cousin came for a visit and got her whole routine upside down. Between the visit and the heat, she's kind of let mylot go - I don't know why, its the only outside money she ever earns...
That and a medical issue she's been struggling with, nothing life threatening, but annoying.
Oh well, I'm still her helper, so if you want to know how she is, I'm here... 
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
6 Sep 11
Living alone in a three bedroom home with built-in wardrobes to the ceiling in two rooms and a huge linen cupboard means I have plenty of storage but I still keep my fabrics and spare clothes in big plastic crates (with wheels underneath).
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
23 Sep 11
SOunds wonderful! I have finally after 34 years...actually got a craft room! Sad thing, I don't do as many anymore! B ut after some health problems I am finally back into quilting and sewing...wowrking on quilts for christmas gifts. But on a budget I get to organize my room too! I have a shelf where I will put all my fabrics...right there to see them all instead of boxes or drawers like usual (I love looking at the colors!) And the shelf is in the closet so I can open and see, but the fabs are not out in the dust or air or anything like that. I bought some plastic "boxes" that all snap together and I can put each project in a box...well, notions and things like that in the box..and can work on several things at once.. and not get the items mixed up. I finally even bought a ironing board for the quilting...was just useing a cutting board (12x8!)
It is great to be able to do all these crafts with whatever you have...but even better if you have organized space and cool supplies nad things like that! Good luck to you and have alot of fun!
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
24 Sep 11
I'm also converting a 10x12 shed in the back yard into a craft space, and today I went out, turned on the air conditioner and swept out most of the construction dust and wet swiftered the floors I had swept and then put the bookcases into place they still need to be drilled into the walls.
BUT I got to sit out in my shed and read and relax for a bit, no computer to distract me!
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
24 Sep 11
I'm also converting a 10x12 shed in the back yard into a craft space, and today I went out, turned on the air conditioner and swept out most of the construction dust and wet swiftered the floors I had swept and then put the bookcases into place they still need to be drilled into the walls.
BUT I got to sit out in my shed and read and relax for a bit, no computer to distract me!
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
31 Aug 11
You sure have been busy, especially in this heat! You're doing more than I normally do and we don't have that horrible heat. Geez!
Yep, I use Ziplock bags all the time as storage. I just wish I had a shed to put things in! I have some of my craft things in my office and some in my bedroom. I need more shelves, though. I bought some wood planks not too long ago but they're still in the garage, waiting to be cut down and painted before I put them up in my bedroom. (My office won't hold even another paperclip! I think, being a crafter, you can identify with that, huh? 
)
Of course, at this time of year, everything I pull out to organize, I end up working on. I'm starting my holiday crafting, card making, etc. Naturally, I have about 20 projects going on at once but that does keep the boredom down to a minumum. When I get tired of one project, I move on to another, then get back to the original one eventually. It never fails, though, that a week before Christmas is "crunch time" every year. Every year I tell myself I'll start earlier but never seem to do that.
Sorry, got off track. You mentioned crafts and, well, that just got my cranium twisting and grinding. Geez, now I have to go start another project.
Hey, maybe I'll build a shed!!!
Take care in that heat. Hope you get relief SOON!!!
)
Of course, at this time of year, everything I pull out to organize, I end up working on. I'm starting my holiday crafting, card making, etc. Naturally, I have about 20 projects going on at once but that does keep the boredom down to a minumum. When I get tired of one project, I move on to another, then get back to the original one eventually. It never fails, though, that a week before Christmas is "crunch time" every year. Every year I tell myself I'll start earlier but never seem to do that.
Sorry, got off track. You mentioned crafts and, well, that just got my cranium twisting and grinding. Geez, now I have to go start another project.
Hey, maybe I'll build a shed!!!
Take care in that heat. Hope you get relief SOON!!!@GardenGerty (169449)
• United States
31 Aug 11
We can always hope that there will be more room once we get this or that done.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
31 Aug 11
well, all this is inside, and I was pulling the drawers out one at a time and working in my front room because its cooler than the kitchen (tho I did turn on the ac in there too) but it is also cat free (tho the kitten can still get under the screen door)
Yeah, my front room is a MESS, all sorts of stuff, projects, materials for projects and just STUFF, what we are hoping is that once we get the shed ready, then we get the books on the shelves, that will give me space to start moving some of this stuff out of the front room!
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
31 Aug 11
Do you have any spare closets? I know that's normally laughable but my office is the smallest bedroom in this house and it has a closet. I took out the pole and put shelves in it, top to bottom. It has really helped a lot. (That's where I keep all my material and yarn. There's even a shelf for extra towels!)
1 person likes this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
5 Sep 11
Are gallon size bags the biggest ziploc has? You must have done some creative folding to pack stuff in those bags. But it sounds like you got a great start at making things organized and easy to find.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
10 Sep 11
ziplocks,jars,plastic containers..yup.i need to go through some of my stuff speaking of.been rummaged by menfolks looking for needles and such.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
11 Sep 11
When you are done would you like to come and do mine? I have done it twice in the last year but it doesn't seem like it stays very organized. I haven't tried using ziplock bags like spacebags....sounds interesting..most of my stuff has to be in plactic containers.
1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
13 Sep 11
Glad you continue to keep yourself busy. I've used regular bags as "spacebags" before. I take it you used the big zip bags lil sandwich sized ones *LOL*;0) Happy Organizing!
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
31 Aug 11
It feels good to reorganise things although it can be quite a job to get organised! I’ve used space vacuum bags and they were good in the beginning but they tend to go down over time and end up almost as large as before they were filled. Ziplock bags are terrific and I use for so many things from DVDS to bits and pieces. Have fun but don’t forget My Lot!
1 person likes this
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
31 Aug 11
Right now I am remodeling my house and if everything goes the way I want it to, I should be done by the end of September so I can start getting my craft room done. My craft room is also the computer room and it is really messy. I need to look for fabric myself so I can start using my handheld sewing machine that my husband bought me. I like the idea of using ziploc bags to keep things organized.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
31 Aug 11
My 18 year old daughter should be doing the same as you. Maybe I will show her your discussion.She has loads of craft stuff. We moved homes 5 weeks ago, and not all the unpacking has been finished. One of the major items for my daughter is her craft work. I have tried to give her suggestions, as there are spare spaces here and there. She wants all her craft stuff stored together. I can see the pint in that. It may mean the spare room will be full of just craft. She has lots of wool, paints, sewing gear, etc.
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
31 Aug 11
Yes,I do use Zip-loick bags to help me organize things. Congratulations on getting as much done as you have. Today,while I was in the sewing room unorganizing my very small scraps, my husband was in his den (the back porch) rearranging things there. My sewing room now looks like a disaster zone, but the back porch is neat and clean. Is this a backward household, our what?
1 person likes this
@cerebellum (3863)
• United States
31 Aug 11
My cellar is very damp and that is where I store most things. I put everything in Tupperware totes to avoid everything getting ruined. I use ziplock bags to store leftover threads. I can't tell you how many times I have run out of certain colors and have had to get the leftovers out. I buy kits and sometimes they give you enough thread and sometimes they don't, or I make mistakes and need more.
