Pt.3-And Sew it Goes!

Hey everyone!  Okay, this is kind of a lame blog title, and it encompasses more than just my sewing area......like much more general organization and storage of my everyday supplies.  I just couldn't come up with a great title, so I guess we are stuck with this one.  Can you even stand to see more of this room?  I hope so, especially if you are dealing with your own small tiny crafting space, because I have been able to pack a ton of stuff much needed supplies into my space.  Oh, and heaven forbid you might have missed Pt.1 & Pt. 2, but you can find them HERE & HERE!  So power-up and join me in Pt.3 of my Craftroom Tour.  

Looking straight ahead as you enter my room, are nine of those Recollections storage cubes from Michael's.  These are on sale a lot and are available in so many different styles.  I've had most of mine   (a total of twelve) for awhile now and they are quite sturdy.

I'm really liking this arrangement and it's location.

This is a perfect spot for the wireless printer and some pretties, of course!

My bulletin board is fairly clean right now.

This is where I keep all of my scrapbook paper, except for plain cardstock (you will see that in Pt.4).

This slotted cubby holds Origami paper, acrylic folders, page protectors, etc.

The pull-out drawer on the bottom holds all of our mailing supplies.  The slotted cubby holds some memorabilia, and some folders with very old photos of The Man's and my families -- these are going to be placed into their own special album......some day!

One of the drawers on the far right, holds some of my handmade cards, ready-made cards, pre-printed sentiments, seasonal cards & special occasion address labels.  This drawer has horizontal dividers, so it was easy for me to add labels to some cardstock & have everything sorted for easy access.

This is a great multi-use stack of drawers.  The first cubby has an open area above a drawer which is the perfect spot for my camera and accessories.

A Dollar Store basket holds camera rechargers, instruction manuals & other camera needs.

 This drawer is divided which makes it very easy to use.

The next drawer down holds my regular copy paper.  I get mine at Costco -- you don't have to buy a case, it's very good quality, and not much more than the "not-so-good" paper from Walmart.

Next drawer holds my different photo papers.

Next is a drawer with my seasonal scrap fabrics.......

all seasons together.

On the very bottom is a cubby that holds 4 smaller drawers.  I have scrap fabric divided by

color families.

The other two hold Purples/Pinks & Neutrals.  I don't let too many scraps accumulate, so these small

drawers work perfectly.

My newly set up painting station.  I'm really liking this little baker's rack in here.

The top shelf is perfect for my assortment of paint brushes and.......

foam brushes -- I get these every time Michael's has one of their 20/$1 sales.  The Man uses them, too, for little touch-ups here and there.

Here I have some special paint supplies, and who doesn't need their own box of crayons?  Do y'all like to color -- well, do you ever allow yourself to open a box of new crayons and revert back to 

your childhood?  I do!  It is very therapeutic, so try it -- it's okay to color outside the lines!

The drawer is not very big but is perfect for paint cups, plastic plates for mixing paints & a baggie with disposable gloves.  I save those little jello and pudding cups for painting.

Do you ever get a new pair of shoes in a box that is just way too nice to toss out?  This box is just that -- I bought a new pair of tennies and decided to upcycle the box.  I simply covered the front label with some colored cardstock, added a flower for cuteness, added washi tape to cover some other writing, and voila.....super-cute box!

Perfect for more paints and mixing containers.

This rack is just above the baker's rack & fits my small collection of acrylic paints just fine.

Next to my paints, I have some decorative shelves.  I like to do some seasonal or special decorations on the top shelf.  The lower shelf is where I have some recycled peanut butter jars -- just painted the lids white, added some ribbon and chalkboard paper labels for  holding zipper parts, velcro, elastic and all those little packages of buttons and thread that come with some clothing items.

Below the shelves, I have two of these IKEA towel bars that are ideal for holding some twine and a lot of my sewing tools.

Moving on down toward the window, I have three more of the Recollections cubes.  On top of the cubes, I made a pressing board.  I simply took an old cutting board, covered it with insulbright (for ironing boards) & a piece of an old sheet & then made a pillowcase cover to go over the entire thing. I actually made two of the pillowcases because this is where Abby spends a great deal of time looking out the window, so I need a clean one whenever I'm working on a sewing project.

Below the pressing board, I removed one of the cubbies and inserted a large file box (IKEA) which holds my "Go To File."  I made this file about 35 years ago and still use it.  I learned this super-easy filing system from Gloria Johnson, a very organized young mom, who taught lots of organizational classes in the Portland, OR area back in the 70's.  I haven't been able to track her down in recent years, but I am so grateful for the many useful techniques that she taught.  She would have run circles around some of the organizers of today.  I learned a lot from her.

Below my file box, I have a drawer that holds my large thread spools, & the drawer below that (no pic) holds felt pieces.

On the far right, are drawers that hold my sewing tools.  Top drawer is for the things I reach for the most -- bobbins, extra pins, tape, & tools to my sewing machine.

Next are just some general things, embroidery floss, etc.  Another drawer houses all of my quilting

tools, templates, etc.  There are even some empty drawers -- Saints preserve us!

Well, they don't make them like this anymore!  My Bernina 1130 is almost thirty years old, and still hums right along.  I'm so glad I don't have to move this every time I need to use it, because it is built like a tank and weighs a ton!

I like to keep it covered when I'm not using it -- AZ desert dust and all!

I am so glad I reconfigured this room and put my computer area here.  I can easily see the TV and look out the window -- perfect!  I even get to use the chair sometimes!

This is where I blog and plan my day.

Top drawer holds general office supplies plus hand cream, lip balm, etc.  I like having the labels in that little curved part of the drawer -- very easy for me to see from my chair which drawer I need to access.  You will notice that I've done that with all of the IKEA drawer units around my room.  It keeps the fronts of the drawers looking clean and uncluttered.

This is just for my Smash Book supplies.

Might seem strange for my craft room, but this is where I prefer to do mani-pedies.  

Another drawer holds journals & notebooks, and the bottom drawer is empty!

Pens and pencils seem to multiply like rabbits around here, but this little tin (probably from Target)

holds my faves plus scissors.

I ran all of my cords down through the intersection of the three desk tops and that's working very well.  I have a power strip tucked under the sewing area and have everything plugged into that strip.  I like having my docking station right here next to my laptop.  And, of course, I have to have my coffee cup warmer nice and handy.  I also like having a nice big coaster for my cold beverages, too!

Whew, are you still with me?  Hope I haven't lost anyone along the way, but anyone still with me, can have a rest now.  I'm calling this a wrap for today.  I will be posting Pt.4 very soon.  Happy and excited aren't you?  Anyway, hope you are having a great week, and I will see you soon!

I may be partying with some of these fine bloggers this week:

The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays

Karen at Sew Many Ways for Sew Darn Crafty

Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Mondays
Toni at A Bowl Full of Lemons for One Project at a Time

Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday

Leslie at House on the Way for Twirl & Take a Bow

Mary Beth at Cupcakes and Crinoline for Project Inspired
Suzy at Worthing Court for The Scoop

Karin at The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday

Kelly at Live Laugh Rowe for Live Laugh Linky Party

Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home

Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Natasha at Natasha in OZ for Say G'Day Saturday Party