Handy Carry-All and more Links

I'll have that 'to go' please. Classes sometimes require you to take supplies with you, as does getting together with friends for a fun afternoon/evening of crafting, or just going shopping for pieces and parts to finish a project. Here is an inexpensive, convenient and readily available carrying case. You do not need to go to an art/craft shop to find one since they are available at many drug stores and stores like Kmart or Dollar Stores that carry a variety of items. What is it you ask. It is a travel case for toiletries! I used to travel extensively for my job and always kept one of these packed with my travel supplies. I no longer travel as I had and kept moving this from place to place...out of the way. Then it occurred to me! This would be great for transporting so many things.

If you are a decorator or just redecorating a room in your home, it is a handy case to grab as you head out the door to look at carpeting or furniture, lighting or anything else for your room. You can carry your fabric samples, color swatches, carpet sample, floor plans, measurements, trims or wood finish samples. I hate pulling these things out of my purse and then placing them back without looking like I'm stealing something off the shelves. Having a transparent travel bag means you don't have to constantly pull fabrics out to compare with an item in the store. You can carry the bag separate from your purse if you like and when you want to see if the upholstery fabric for example will match, you just hold the bag up next to the store's item!

Don't forget any patterns you might be using, measuring tape, small notebook and pencil for jotting down prices or other information you may need to refer to later. Take along any trims you would like to use somewhere in the room. Maybe you have a color photo of a favorite painting you own that will be in the room and you want to coordinate colors used in the painting. You may want to include a color image (from a catalog or even a photograph) of the bedspread you will have in the bedroom or dishes that will be displayed in the kitchen/dining area. A case of this sort would work equally as well for carrying patterns, buttons, fabrics, threads etc. that you will be using to make a blouse, dress or other clothing.

As I mentioned in the opening paragraph, this bag would be great for taking supplies with you to class or even on a trip. You can place scissors, your needle case, and other basics in a separate case such as a makeup bag and place that inside one of the pockets of the travel case. Buttons, beads, other embellishments can go in baggies or small bottles. There should be a travel case to accommodate your paint supplies and applicators, sculpting materials, doll making supplies, scrapbook papers, adhesives and embellishments, drawing materials or most anything else you may need to take with you.

The particular one I have is divided in two halves with zippers for each half. The two halves then close together with another zipper. Books and patterns could fit between the two halves. It also has a handle which is really a plus. Some travel cases have a larger single compartment with pockets on the outside. There is a huge variety available. The clear plastic ones are usually pretty inexpensive and waterproof. Of course there are also some pretty cloth bags if you prefer. It's your personal choice!

As I said, separate your items with baggies if necessary. If it involves sewing, maybe one of those cute little sewing kits with needles, mini scissors, threads and thimble would be all you would need to add for travelling.



I hope this gives you some ideas and that you find the info useful.

Now for some links to other sites where there's some wonderful organizing ideas...

LINKS:


Mary Anne, who is a dear sweet friend, has been busy downsizing and organizing and has a wonderful idea for storage of clear stamps on her blog, Magpies Mumblings. She is very talented also, so while you are there take a peak at her other posts.
http://magpiesmumblings.blogspot.com/2011/01/oh-oh-mess.html

There are some great storage ideas here for your studio! Jane at the Borrowed Abode also shares a tutorial on making a jewelry display from an old window along with some other terrific ideas.
http://theborrowedabode.com/category/officedressing-room-makeover/

Follow this link for some ideas on organizing your supplies.
http://crafted-spaces.blogspot.com/2011/01/organizing-your-supplies.html

I don’t know how many of you are familiar with Clip-it-up, but they have come up with a mega organizer you just have to see. Check it out here…
http://simplyreneeinc.blogspot.com/2011/01/clip-it-up-all-in-one-organization.html#comment-form

Celeste found a solution using a steel shelving unit for her fine arts supplies.
http://celestevaughtart.blogspot.com/2011/01/organizing-studio-again.html

That's all I have for this week. I will be (hopefully) painting my office and doing some arranging and other work, so next weeks post may be pretty brief, but I'll do what I can. I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Cosmetics Case to Project Case

Again, sorry I have been neglecting this site. I have recycling/repurposing projects in mind but haven't had a chance to work on them. I did get this one far enough along to use and to give you an idea of my intentions. I was cleaning under the sink in the bathroom and ran across this metal, very sturdy makeup case.

It's one of those 'holiday time' gifty items. However, it was quickly becoming a catch-all for all of my almost empty makeup containers or rarely used items.

It was such a sturdy box and the top shallow containers were hinged allowing them to be pulled off to the side giving access to the somewhat larger section underneath. The bottom (or back) had nice rubber pads to protect the surface it was sitting on. The hinges and handle were all good and solid.

I decided this was not a case to send to the landfill. I cleaned it up as best I could for now. I discovered the brush holder that was in the lid was held securely in place with Velcro (a/k/a hook and loop). Later on when time allows, this will make it easy to transform into more of an appropriate holder adapted for my scissors, pins and other supplies.

For now I can use it to hold some supplies such as small scissors, seam ripper, tubes of beads, etc.

I am using mine for a CQ project right now. Since I began doing crazy quilting I have found I need (yes, need) all of my coordinating ribbons, beads, buttons, floss, threads, needles, small scissors, and other embellishments with me nearby. They were strewn on the tabletop. I move from place to place and room to room when I work on my projects whether it be beading or crazy quilting, whatever.

This case keeps most items contained and easily accessible. When I quit working on something for the time being, I simply fold up my block or other project and place it in the bottom, throw other items sitting about inside the case and close the lid.

When I am ready to work on it again it is all right there in one sweet little package easily transportable to where ever I decide to plant myself.

I am loving this piece. I have previously shared photos of my dining room table full of crazy quilting 'stuff', serving as the central hub for supplies. It was always a mess. I will sometime in the future re-do the holder on the lid and will more than likely paint and personalize the overall case, but for now it works just fine. I can see a case like this working for a variety of crafts on the go.

Storage in Repurposed/Recycled Decorative Boxes

A great way to organize small collections of items is to use some sort of small box that stacks well. Here I used photo storage boxes that are not all matchy-matchy. One could use matching boxes, but as shown here, it isn't necessary. I tied heart shaped labels on these cardboard boxes to add uniformity and to identify what is inside each box. As you can see, there is already a place for labels if I chose to use them. These were used to store quite an assortment of items including: small doll accessories such as baskets, various keys, drawer pulls, latches, hooks, metal scrolls, labels, small bottles, candle cups, small Christmas ornaments, mini clay pots, tiny fences and bottle caps, just to name a few. It isn't necessary to identify each item in the box. Just separate by whatever category is appropriate.

Photo boxes are relatively inexpensive, especially if you purchase them during a off season or buy plain ones and decorate them. I found another blogger who uses small boxes for storage...cigar boxes.

You can find her full post at http://justsomethingimade.blogspot.com/2010/05/craft-organizing-cigar-boxes.html

Below is a sneak peak at her boxes. I think they look great! In her blog she talks more in depth about her hardware and where she found her inspiration. If these images have your interest, check out her blog.

Aren't these so much better than plastic? The possibilities of what can be stored inside the boxes is endless, as long as it fits. It is so easy to remove containers like this from the shelf and more importantly, to replace them when you are finished!

A special Thank You to Cathe Holden for letting me share the cigar box idea with you! It ties in perfectly with my photo boxes.

Compartmental Carrier

What's inexpensive, handy and portable? My new garage sale find! I bought this piece for a nickel! I couldn't even wait to clean it up before sharing it with you. This piece could be used for so many things. Can you tell I was excited to find it? It could be used for brushes, scissors, tools, crochet hooks, pencils and markers - just to name a few of the obvious items. If you chose not to use it in your studio, it could be used for silver/plastic ware and napkins or for cosmetic brushes and cosmetics, or hair care products and brushes and combs. For a nickel how can you go wrong?

The handle will adjust to two heights or is removable. The handle is also stationary so it doesn't tip when you are carrying it if the weight is not distributed evenly. One half of the box is undivided and the other half is divided into four equal size sections.

I think it will work great for my jewelry tools. I love the fact it is a tote and can easily be carried to where I will be working. I love that I can see through it. I also love that my tools rest securely in place and I don't have to worry about any of them dropping out or the tips getting damaged.

Keep your eyes open and your imagination in gear because you never know where you might find a treasure. Repurposing items is great for the environment as well. If they only had a nickel on this, odds are it would have gone to the dumpster had it not sold. One less item in the landfill. Go green!!!