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I made two wedding cards and now I will have to spens valuable crafting time
putting things back in order. It is such a mess!! How do you neat crafters do it..
I know there HAS to be a secret!!!
Bev
Well, I make a huge mess when I'm working on a card, but when I finish, I put everything away before starting on the next one. It only takes a minute or two to stow everything and gives me a "clean slate" to start with.
It really helps that everything has a place. My room is very organized with lots of drawers and every drawer or CH vertical paper container is labelled. Every three or four months (when I don't feel very creative) I reorganize everything, getting rid of stuff that I know I won't use and refreshing my memory as to what I have.
Location: If anyone figures that out, PLEASE let me know!
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I am probably one of those annoying overly organized peeps. But when I start a card (usually 6 as I like to do swaps) I set out everything I will need for the first piece of the cards ahead of time on the table. Then I work in assembly line type process, so when I am done with the cardstock phase I put that away and then get out the layers stuff, once done with that I put that away and get out my embellishment containers, etc. I have to do that because I have a very small area to work. I keep everything in the garage "room" that I have everything stored in, but it is too hot (or cold) to work out there so I use the dining room table. It works for me. Pull out one section at a time. When I am done, I just need to put away the last pieces.
My sentiments exactly. I always end up with about 5.5 inches of usable space by the time I'm done with a project!
You make me laugh - I have a 3' x 3' square work table. After subracting the area that has storage containers for embellies, glue, scissors, etc., I SHOULD have 3' x 2' to work. But I usually do a little better than you - I estimate I have about 8" - 10" to work. I like having my things around me.
__________________ Mary Ann GALLERY Fan Club member since 4/08
I've tried the "put away when I'm done with this card" method but it doens't work for me because I tend to use a ton of the same supplies on everything so it seems silly to put it away just to take it out again. (Same reason I don't make my bed!!!)
The only time my room is neat is the day I am having people over. Of course, by the time they're done it is a mess again but here's what it looks like when people aren't coming over...this pic is a *little* worse than usual because I had just come home from a craft fair so all the stuff that didn't sell is in those big baskets and in boxes on the floor.
OK, I can't believe I'm posting this...here you go! Feel better now???
I've tried the "put away when I'm done with this card" method but it doens't work for me because I tend to use a ton of the same supplies on everything so it seems silly to put it away just to take it out again. (Same reason I don't make my bed!!!)
The only time my room is neat is the day I am having people over. Of course, by the time they're done it is a mess again but here's what it looks like when people aren't coming over...this pic is a *little* worse than usual because I had just come home from a craft fair so all the stuff that didn't sell is in those big baskets and in boxes on the floor.
OK, I can't believe I'm posting this...here you go! Feel better now???
That could be my room LOL
__________________ Mary Ann GALLERY Fan Club member since 4/08
Since I spring-cleaned my house, I now make sure that I clear my craft desk after every session. If I do it then, it's quicker. Leaving stuff out just makes the piles too high and I end up spending more time looking for tools than working. And I agree with a previous poster that having a home for everything helps to know where to put it and where to find it.
__________________ Just my two stamps worth, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* * * Sue * * * In quaint, quiet, quirky little Darmstadt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In real life I am one of the most organized people you could ever meet. However, once I get started on making cards or doing some scrapbooking, everything is everywhere. I only have the kitchen table to work on and it is a disaster. I do have to clean it up when I'm done, otherwise we'd have nowhere to eat dinner!
OK, I will admit that I have had to move out into the family room because my craft room looks like it exploded. I just have too much stuff! OMGosh I can't believe I just said that...DO we ever really have too much!!!!!
Good...I feel better now. Anyone else brave enough to post their DIRTY pictures?!?!?! LOL...
Here's mine from almost 2 years ago. I have to admit it tends to be worse now because I have collected much more stuff since then and my cards tend to be more involved now as well.
OK - I'll come clean - tee hee. Here's my room as it looks right now. Apparently the floor is my favorite storage place right now, for both my cardmaking supplies and my sewing projects. The rest of my room doesn't look much different. Will this shame me into cleaning? Perhaps :rolleyes: , but right now I have some more cards to make.
__________________ Mary Ann GALLERY Fan Club member since 4/08
I've tried the "put away when I'm done with this card" method but it doens't work for me because I tend to use a ton of the same supplies on everything so it seems silly to put it away just to take it out again. (Same reason I don't make my bed!!!)
The only time my room is neat is the day I am having people over. Of course, by the time they're done it is a mess again but here's what it looks like when people aren't coming over...this pic is a *little* worse than usual because I had just come home from a craft fair so all the stuff that didn't sell is in those big baskets and in boxes on the floor.
OK, I can't believe I'm posting this...here you go! Feel better now???
OK - I'll come clean - tee hee. Here's my room as it looks right now. Apparently the floor is my favorite storage place right now, for both my cardmaking supplies and my sewing projects. The rest of my room doesn't look much different. Will this shame me into cleaning? Perhaps :rolleyes: , but right now I have some more cards to make.
Here's mine from almost 2 years ago. I have to admit it tends to be worse now because I have collected much more stuff since then and my cards tend to be more involved now as well.
Thanks for sharing! I have that same black card table in my basement.
I'm a neat stamper, I can't stand clutter. I put everything away when I'm done and it helps that all my paper is in filing cabinets to either side of me, so I just reach and grab what I need. My scraps are the top drawer of my desk, so I throw them in as soon as I cut something. Stamps are stacked in their boxes since I only buy Papertrey and SU, and then put away at the end of my stamping session. I also have a stamp pad holder so they are right at my fingertips. It is hard if you are stamping somewhere else rather than a assigned craft room. I didn't have a room for years and I was a little messier then since everything was shoved in a roller drawer cart instead of its proper place.
I made two wedding cards and now I will have to spens valuable crafting time
putting things back in order. It is such a mess!! How do you neat crafters do it..
I know there HAS to be a secret!!!
Bev
I'm no help to you, I'm afraid! I've gotten so bad at picking up, that I've starting seeing my supplies going into the next room!!!!! I may just have to knock down the wall and expand!!!! The stuff's going over there anyway so I may as well call that room part of my scraproom too. Problem is, I was used to having a 14x22 scrapbook area and when I moved 3 years ago it went down to 10x10! So naturally my supplies are just going back to their natural arrangement!
I'm a messy crafter, as I think most are unless they have the super power of crafting-neatness. One thing I did that has helped me is I bought a tray that has sides, about 3 inches deep. I placed that on a tv table right next to me so when I use something that doesn't belong in the Turnabout or in the drawer next to me, I put it in there and put everything up when I'm done (or the next day). This doesn't allow my pile to get out of control and keeps everything in one place. I don't think this would work if I had a TON of stuff. I have a good bit but nothing in comparison to some of the craft rooms I've seen in the gallery.
I had my house painted inside and out last year. Boy, you should have seen what saw the 'light of day'!! I didn't even remember owning some of the stuff-some went to Goodwill, friends/family, the garbage. I still need to clean out the garage of e-waste. (Took about 10 trips to Goodwill.) I have deep closets/cupboards so now there is space in them. (Actually, behind one of the cupboard doors is a paper trimmer wasteland-Door #1, #2 or #3?) I have also tried not to buy to stuff them full-used to be that if the door could stay closed then there was enough room for whatever was behind it.
When I do my crafts, I try to be organized. Just recently made shower favor gifts for 3 different showers for my daughter. Yesterday & last night I made her 3 dozen thank you notes and my craft space is cleaned up. I just have myself to blame if everything I own is out for public display so try to keep it to a minimum!!! (Did you know that LONG tablecloths were invented for a reason???
As long as my creative efforts do not create a health or fire hazard, I just enjoy---
I put away everything after I finish stamping for the day. That way it's ready to go again when I am. I have a place for everything. My crafting area is the most organized place in the house! That's because I'm the only one who uses it. It's easier for me to find things in my craft area than in my kitchen.............that's what happens when the kids empty the dishwasher, nothing gets put back in the right place!
I try my best to clean up/put away in between projects but if I get on a roll my 18" square work area becomes a postage stamp area flanked by two piles of shmutz. At that point I am working with my shoulders hunched and my elbow close to my sides. It occurs to me that I've reached critical mass and I am forced to stop what I'm doing and put away everything that isn't essential to the task at hand. *Sigh* Creativity is a messy business.
I don't have a separate stamping room. I'm just stamping at our dining table, so I have to clean it up everytime... and I get trained to make it not too messy, because then I have to clean up more!
that's what happens when the kids empty the dishwasher, nothing gets put back in the right place!
Huh?? Kids empty dishwashers??
I guess I'll have to wait till their older - Right now I'm working on getting their shoes the 6 feet from the kitchen doorway into the shoe bin. :rolleyes:
I've tried the "put away when I'm done with this card" method but it doens't work for me because I tend to use a ton of the same supplies on everything so it seems silly to put it away just to take it out again. (Same reason I don't make my bed!!!)
The only time my room is neat is the day I am having people over. Of course, by the time they're done it is a mess again but here's what it looks like when people aren't coming over...this pic is a *little* worse than usual because I had just come home from a craft fair so all the stuff that didn't sell is in those big baskets and in boxes on the floor.
OK, I can't believe I'm posting this...here you go! Feel better now???
I know it makes me feel a lot better. I can hardly walk into my craft room.
__________________ I will bless the Lord at all times.
I'll have to take photos of the "aftermath"...haven't done that yet. But I definitely do not keep it clean while crafting and sometimes it's a pain when I can't find something I just set down, but then again - I've had some happy paper matching accidents when everything was strewn together. I try to clean up after a few cards or pages when I know I'm done with a certain stack of paper, etc - but I find it harder to get going again in a clean room. I tend to keep everything out where I can see it and it gets used more.
I was working on some cards for a co-worker yesterday and my scrap room is a mess. I try to be organized, put things away before starting something new, but my creativity takes hold of me and I keep going on until I do not have any space to work and am forced to clean.
I do embrace the "putting away when you are finished" idea. Like cleaning the table after you eat, however, since at heart I am a 3 year old and must take my card to show it to my DH for gratification, that never happens.!!!!
I know it makes me feel a lot better. I can hardly walk into my craft room.
I walk 'sideway' in my room...the computer chair is too big (yeah right)! LOL I'm fairly well organzied but when I get going...the fur is flying, I pull out tote after tote, then start stepping over them to get something else. I would love to move to the guest bedroom b/c the light is soo good...but the thought of moving all this stuff is too daunting!
__________________ "I drive way too fast to worry about my cholesterol".
River City Rubber Works
I am probably one of those annoying overly organized peeps. But when I start a card (usually 6 as I like to do swaps) I set out everything I will need for the first piece of the cards ahead of time on the table. Then I work in assembly line type process, so when I am done with the cardstock phase I put that away and then get out the layers stuff, once done with that I put that away and get out my embellishment containers, etc. I have to do that because I have a very small area to work. I keep everything in the garage "room" that I have everything stored in, but it is too hot (or cold) to work out there so I use the dining room table. It works for me. Pull out one section at a time. When I am done, I just need to put away the last pieces.
OK, that's just sick! (*wink) Can you come and give me some of whatever drug you take to be able to do that!
I'm afraid I cannot help the OP because my area looks like 'Katrina' central, even if I do my very best to clean up as I go! It's like an archeological dig every time I clean up because I just go UP in layers until my arms won't reach the top!
Guess that didn't help you... maybe we can chip in on some of onelightningchic's meds! (HA)
I am pretty organized and almost everything has a place. I keep everything I use a lot on my table (adhesive, markers, pencils, trimmer, etc) and then everything else is in theose plastic bins or baskets next to me on shelves. one card does cause A LOT of mess but i do try to put back things after each card (which is why I keep everything i ALWAYS use near me)
Remember ladies a neat work table/desk is the sign of a sick mind. When I am working on a project I have my little space open and all the supplies out. Why put it away until you are done with that particular card or cards. I also found I use more scraps that way and have less waste. I have things on the floor too. My problem is that my DH brings me things to take care of while I am crafting and I just store them on the floor until I can't walk out because I can't make a path - hey wait that is an idea...
__________________ Did you know nearly 1 in 2 Americans live with chronic illness? chronic illness?
My stamp room is hurricane alley after only one card, but I am pretty faithful about cleaning it up before I start another one! I put everything back where it goes and then just pull it right back out again, lol! At least then I know where it's at
I made 2 cards Craft room is a mess!!!
