Organization Ideas

Crafty Blog of the Day: Keyka
It is really unbelievable the cool things that I've found on thisfabulous blog! Great sewing tips, cute items made by Keyka(she has a great Etsy), patterns so you can sew it yourself, and some totally useful and easy to make tutorials!
Stop in and check her out...don't forget to commentand tell her Barb the Craft Junkie sent ya!

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It's been a week since I've updated.

Oh my, how did that happen?

I suppose it's due to life getting in the way...or, rather, having a life, ya think?

Yea, me, too.

As for crafting, I really haven't done much in the past couple of weeks, other than a couple of special orders. In case I haven't told my regular readers here, I have some health problems that have been causing me some pretty rough distress over the past few months (more than they normally do) and they make it hard for me to do much when I'm "strickened" with a bout of them.

I have tried to be a little productive but it hasn't produced much. Other than the special orders I completed, I have another bracelet made but am waiting on an order to come in the mail on Tuesday so I have the toggle clasp (I was out) to I can finish it and get it out to the fabulous Jean9. You'll remember that she won my birthday contest last month...and, being the sick slacker that I am lately, it's taken me an entire month to get it finished. (Sorry Jean9...don't think I've forgotten you, it's coming, I promise!)

I may not have done any crafting but, since I have had so many of you that liked the magazine file I did last week, I thought I'd share some organization things I've come up with that might come in handy for y'all.

We have a large house (5 bedrooms and 3 baths) but there are 5 adults and the grandboy living here so space is still at a premium.

The master bath was one place I needed tons more space (the hubby and I have too many lotions, potions, war-paint, smell goods and stuff, I guess) and this is what I came up with to maximize space...an over the door pocket shoe organizer. It hangs over the bathroom door and stores all our "stuff" neatly in the pockets (ours is clear instead of the canvas like this one) making everything very easily accessible.

It's like having an entire new set piece of cabinetry without doing anymore than *bam*, flopping it up over the door and filling it with our junk.

Pretty good idea, huh?

When it comes to my craft room, I never have enough storage for my beads and findings that I use to make jewelry. I found this exact spice rack at Wally World one day and picked it up...it has made storing my jewelry supplies wonderful and very handy. (I saved the spices that came with it in tiny labeled zip-locks in the kitchen so they're not going to waste, either!)

Now I can see each jewel or finding through the clear glass jars and they sit on a Lazy-Susan so it spins around making it perfect for my needs.

Another thing I use to store my jewelry supplies is this nail and screw storage chest I found in the hardware section at, you guess it: Wal-Mart!

I use it to put more of my beading, charms, stringing/wiring supplies for easy access and still be able to see them. I have even gone so far as labeling the fronts of the drawers so I can tell instantly what I have in them.

Just a few ordinary household items I've found different uses than their intended that have made my life easier and a little more organized.

What kind of things have you re-purposed to make your life more organized and less cluttered? Drop a comment and share your ideas with us so we can all declutter and get organized!

Happy Crafting!!!

Peace & Love,


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Felonious Crafting

Crafty Blog of the Day: Cutie Booty Cakes
Renee over at Cutie Booty Cakes has the most adorable craft...y'all just have to see it!  And she sells 'em, too!  They are so perfect for a shower gift..they're just awesome!Check out her goodies...and be sure to drop a comment
and tell her Barb the Craft Junkie sent ya!

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I can't seem to win for losing.

Unfortunately it has been brought to my attention that I, without forethought, malice or intent, I did something that violated the law with my magazine file tutorial. Now, mind you, I didn't think about this or realize that I was violating any laws...I was just being "thrifty" and didn't have any boxes the right size around the house.

But fear not, the ever mindful craft-police found me in all of the billions of pages of the internet and was quick to call me out on my terrible felonious actions:

Anonymous said...

I don't suppose you saw that cute little notice that using Priority Boxes for anything other than sending Priority Mail is a Federal Offense?

Here it is: "I understand that Express Mail, Priority Mail, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International and Priority Mail International packaging is the property of the United States Postal Service and is provided solely for sending Express Mail, Priority Mail, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International and Priority Mail International. Misuse may be a violation of federal law."

Besides, misusing these boxes only raises postal rates for those of us trying to make a living by shipping things out to our customers. Your little project that saves YOU a little change ends up costing us ALL in increased charges. Maybe you should find another way to store your magazines...

August 23, 2008 5:31 PM

From the sounds of this wonderful little note, I have committed an offense only one step shy of murder.  *gasp*  Geez Louise!  So, in order to placate a whiny pants follow the law, NOTE: boys and girls, when making the magazine file by following my tutorial, be sure to only use recycled priority mail boxes or boxes that you purchase or find legally...lest the crafty-police show up at your door and make an example out of you! *rolls eyes*

Okay, I've done my civic duty and promise, cross my heart, to never, ever, EVER do anything like that again...so lets move on, shall we?

Good!

Speaking of the infamous and felonious magazine file, here she is all decorated and pretty!

I've got to make a few more (with recycled boxes, of course!) for my jewelry/beading magazines, general craft magazines, catalogs, etc...but this one is for my paper craft magazines.

Ain't she purty?!?!  LOL

This one is covered in my 25 cent, thrift store wrapping paper and some embellishements I made with my Cricut.  I think I am getting better and learning more as time goes along.

Now, if I just had the energy to craft all the time but, unfortunately, health issues are plaguing me like crazy lately so I haven't felt like doing much of anything (so y'all forgive me for not being a good friend and commenting the way I should right now, too.)  I have a doctors appointment Monday and hopefully that will bring some relief...until then, I can always read about my crafty subjects and make plans of what I want to create when I am feeling better, right?
Happy Crafting!!!

Peace & Love,


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Floating Bookshelf

Not much time to write but I found this on the web this evening and just HAD to share it...since I will be utilizing this idea around the homestead tomorrow! LOL

Check out this very nifty idea for those of us that are book lovers and let me know what you think! I LOVE IT!!!

How To Install Invisible Shelves @ Yahoo! Video

Isn't that the coolest? I'm thinking so!

Oh, and I will post some pics of my finished magazine file tomorrow, too. It really did turn out very nice and even fits in with the decor in our living room, if I chose to put my magazines in there. lol

I hope you're all having a great weekend!

Happy Crafting!!!

Peace & Love,


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Thrifty Magazine File -Tutorial

Crafty Blog of the Day: The Avid Scrapper
Although I'm just a wee beginner at papercrafting and haven't even
began to scrapbook, Carla is such a wonderful artist in this genre
that I can't help but be inspired by her gorgeous work and seeing
her work gives me terrific ideas to play with as I learn this new craft.
I hope y'all check her out and see just her beautiful creations...
and be sure to leave a comment and tell her Craft Junkie sent ya!

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Okay, I have an admission to make...

I'm cheap.

No, not just frugal or thrifty but down right cheap.

I shop for everything on sale, when I can't manage to get it for free...I do love me some FREE! Being this cheap allows me to stay home and not work outside the home since I don't spend unnecessarily. I am cheap on groceries, clothes, the bills (yea, I'm as green as possible because I don't like spending the money! lol) and everything else that I can possible be cheap on.

That includes every single thing I craft. EVERYTHING! When I mail out orders from my Etsy shop, I use all recycled mailing materials (why should I put out more things to go into a landfill...plus, I'm cheap!), I buy all my supplies on sale and even recycle some things that I buy at thrift stores. I live on the cheap, I craft on the cheap. I love to trade things out, too (keep this in mind all you thrifty and nifty crafters that are reading this! lol).

So, I have began amassing a load of craft magazines (gifted by a dear friend cause you know I ain't buyin' those expensive bad-boys!) and craft catalogs and I needed some way to store them. Have you looked at how expensive those magazine storage filess are? Holy Cow!!! The one pictured here is from Target and they want $12.99 for it...seriously, just for one of them!

Do what?

Yea, I know you have to be thinking what I'm thinking...isn't that a bit much? No, wait...isn't that wayyyy too much? Well, I think so, even if you guys don't...cause I'm cheap. Sue me.

Besides, I'm crafty, right? Why buy something (at that kind of HUGE price) that I should be able to make for next to nothing! Yea, now we're talking...free, my favorite word!

So here is how you, too, can house your magazine/catalogue collection for FREE!

I was trying to figure where I could get cardboard boxes of the same shape and size so that as I make more magazine files, they would all match...then it hit me: The post office. Okay, so they give the boxes out for free so you'll mail something with them but hey, don't throw the word free around so liberally cause there are women like me that will jump on that stuff.

And what do ya know, they make a free Flat Rate Box that is the exact right size for what I needed! Coolio!

The one pictured at right is the flat rate box I told you about and they are the perfect size...but you can use what you have on hand, just check your sizing so your magazines fit.

So, lets get busy making our magazine file (once you've raided your local P.O. for some of these great boxes. *smile*) When getting your boxes, the main thing to consider is that they are big enough to hold your magazines (at least 8 1/2" deep when standing on end).

The first thing to do is to tape your box completely shut.

First close the bottom and secure it shut with packing tape (don't worry about the inside now, we'll get to that later.)

Then flip it over and do the same thing with the top, taping it securely shut. It sounds silly but all you're doing right now is taping up an empty box, making sure to line up the closing parts well to give yourself a uniform and square box to work on.

If any of your lower seams or corners are weak, reinforce them with packing tape to sturdy up your box since it will be holding some weight when full of your wonderful collection of reading materials.

Now that you have a nice empty box to work with, check your magazine size to make sure it will fit.

As you can see, mine will. *smile*

Remember that it's the depth that matters and not the height...we're cutting the top off, but we'll get to that, for now just check and make sure it's deep enough for your magazines and catalogs will fit.

If it looks good, time to continue...

Find the front of your soon-to-be magazine file and about half way down, using a straight edge, cut through all the way across.

I used a square because my lines always wind up crooked but if you can see (and cut) straighter than I do, a ruler should suffice.

Be sure to cut all the way through and, on what will be the sides, cut back about 1" on each.

Now, lay your box on the side (probably what was intended to be the top, but you can see here what I mean) and cut from your 1" in cut on the diagonal to the top corner.

I may not have explained that very well but this picture shows what I'm trying to explain. Be sure to use your straight edge again and cut all the way through.

You are cutting across your taped lines but that's okay, it will hold and we'll reinforce it in a bit.

Flip your box over and do the same thing on the other side. After completing this step, the only thing holding that piece on is the seam across the "top" of your box. Using your trusty ruler/straight edge, cut that last seam away and you should find yourself with a rough magazine file.

Now, to sturdy it up.

Take your packing tape and tape the inside of the seams that you taped the outside of when we began, making sure to run the tape over the top (diagonal) edges to firm it up.

Once you've done that, those flaps on the inside need to be reinforced and taped down.

Using your tried and true packing tape, just tape them tightly to the inside of the box so that your magazines don't catch on them when you slide them in.

By now your magazine rack should be done and ready to decorate! YEA!

Or, if you're in a hurry like me and doing this late at night, you can put off decorating your handy-dandy magazine file box and just fill that baby up with all those great crafting magazines just so you can admire your crafty and FREE new
goodie!

Tomorrow I will be covering it with some great wrapping paper I scored at the thrift store for 25¢!! (I'll be sure to post pics after I decorate her, too) But for tonight, she looks fine, just like this.

Happy Crafting!!!

Peace & Love,

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Babysteps at Paper Crafting

I've been playing around and learning a little about paper crafting. I wouldn't say that I am anywhere near good yet but I will say that I'm getting better.

The Cricut is making things fun.. I've done lots of cut things but nothing worthy of sharing...yet.

I'm getting there, slowly but surely, and am still working on my FAMILY wordbook but for now, I decided to step back a little and go a little simpler.

Since my creations aren't quite up to par with my Cricut, I decided to dabble in making cards to start with and this is the one that I made for my sister's birthday....

I still feel like it needed more embellishment but I also don't want to put too much on it so it looks over-done. It's just not a "flowery" kind of card, nor is it glittery, buttony or ribbonish.

In the end, I just decided to go with simplicity but it still looks like it's missing something. Like it's TOO simple, if you know what I mean.

Any ideas from any of you creative papercrafters or generally crafty friends of mine? I'd love to have your input...so please, do share!

I would appreciate it so much.

For the envelope, I just wanted it to be kinda cute but also to coordinate with the card, that's why I used the same stamp across the bottom of the envelope. The flowers are just to cutesy it up a little...yea, after I said it's not a flowery kind of card, I go and put flowers on it, huh?

I never said I make sense! LOL

I dunno...I sent it and I like it okay (I'm sure she'll like it, too, since it is handmade) but I want to progress and get better.

So give me your input!

Please?!?!?!

Happy Crafting!!!

Peace & Love,

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