Organizing

Organizing your stuff and your ideas...  We all go through it, how to keep things organized so you can get things done.  I have organized and reorganized myself multiple times...here are a few tips to help you get started! 

• Organize your page ideas, technique ideas, etc., together in binders.  I use a 3" binder (now at least 7 binders full of ideas) all in the A-Z format.  This way when you are working on journaling you can go to the J's, or if you need help in photo matts, you would go to the M's. 
• I also have a recipe card file also in the A-Z format for articles in magazines that I like, web sites I like, colors, or other small bits of information.  This is located on my desk so I have easy access to it. 
• Getting a plastic organizer with drawers in it is essential, or check out the selection Michaels has with their furniture.  You do need to put it together (check out the product review that I did for this here) but they are very good so you can add to them as you grow with this craft and as you have extra money. 
• Look at cans, bottles and what have you a little different...use them for leftover ribbon, pens and pencils, rulers, all the little type of utensils you want to have near you
• Go to the dollar store for ways you can organize some of that little stuff you purchase...or just for little organizing item to keep your stuff in.  This way you aren't breaking the bank just for organizing stuff. 
• Find someone who has a baby and can save their baby food jars.  Take the labels off, and use for things like your buttons, eyelets and brads by color. 
• Make sure you purchase one box of gallon size Ziploc bags to keep your scraps in - this makes it easier to get to. 

Don't spend a lot on organizing your stuff, look at what you have that can help.  This way you can decorate the cans that match and coordinate well together!   Your "challenge" is to get your stuff put together in one place and start to look at ways YOU want and need to organize your stuff. 

Lynda Jeffs

Memories in Tyme