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!