Friday, March 19, 2010

Ahhhhhhhh...Much Better (II)

Hey...I've discovered the cure for procrastination!!!! All you have to do is post a promise out there on the World Wide Web...... then there's no turning back. Hee-hee!!! :-D

Okay, if truth be told...the title really should have read...'Somewhat Better', because I still have LOTS of bins full of supplies that still need to find a permanent home, but I made a good dent in the situation this week.


This tower shelf unit (below) used to be in the laundry room, but it wasn't being used efficiently and I had two, so I brought one upstairs. I got them a long time ago from a store that has since gone out of business. Sorry. : (
The "door" that now sits horizontal on stacking drawers came from the City Dump while we were there throwing away some of our junk, two visits ago. My thanks goes to the donor.



The little Lazy Susan, above, came from Pottery Barn (thanks to a gift card I had from my son and DIL...thanks you two!), but the little buckets to go into the slots were WAY overpriced, so I got these white ones from Target for $1.00 each.
Another one of my "inventions" made from something I got at the Thrift Store. Don't even try to get into my brain...it's WAY too scary in there! :-D

This (below) used to store shoes. Now it stores my bottle collection.
Can someone please tell me what my obsession with decorated bottles, is all about? Some of these, I have made, some are purchased (above). Why are they so charming? Do I have a sickness? Is there a cure? Again, a rhetorical question...don't answer!!




Tweet!
If you've been around for awhile, you'll remember how this "Guestroom" turns into a "Studio" when our friends and family go back home.

AND NOW...
I have a new Secret Weapon. Would you like me to share it with you?

I wish I could take credit for this idea. I read about this system a long time ago in either Confessions of an Organized Housewife or...The Joy of Homemaking. Which ever one it was...thank you dear author! Normally, if I can't see it, I forget I have it or forget where it is.



BY THE WAY...this "roll-a-dex" came with all those cards. I promise I've only filled out a few so far.



Well, I hope you enjoyed my attempt to get a handle on the insanity around here. Thanks for all the encouraging comments and (personal confessions) about your craft spaces, too. : )

57 comments:

Annabelle said...

Your room looks good. I think I need a "where is it" file. I'm always moving stuff & then I forget where I put it. Who has the most Target pails...you or me? Those little things are so handy. :)

Unknown said...

Hey ML. Oh' how I would love to be organized like that. That where is it file is pure genius. I've pretty well grouped things together but yet somehow I still spend the most time getting things together for projects.

Great job, great room. Have a fun weekend. Hugs...Tracy :)

Unknown said...

You have alot of 'stuff'!
But so well organised, Im still procrastinating, despite putting it out there! But it is a good incentive to say it out loud occasionally, it really puts the pressure on! Ive been finishing my laundry today, will share photos soon...
Love all your bottles!

Liz said...

Holy post! You're amazing. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the index box of where you keep things hidden. I always think I have the perfect place to put something--until I go to find it and can't. And all I can remember is that I put it somewhere perfect... My mom needs one too! :)

Sara said...

I just want to come over and play with all of your stuff! Looks great!

Allie and Pattie said...

Oh. MY. GOSH!! Will you come and do mine? Pleeeeease. I'll even cook for you if you can make my disaster look that good!
xoxo Pattie

Lorraine said...

have fun with your company. Your craft room looks great!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

An organization goddess, ML! I tip my hat to you!! And it's cute too. I do organization and a clean, uniform look, but I don't do cute well.

I definitely need a 'where it is' file, but first I need a secretary to write it LEGIBLY because that's another talent I lack - legible handwriting!

BTW, I don't paint, but I used to put calender and other prints on note cards... for personal use. I don't have a color printer any longer because the print heads in all of them kept clogging and so I gave them away, one at a time, and replaced my printer with a black and white laser jet. Limiting, but it doesn't clog.

Ann said...

you make me want a room just like it!

Unknown said...

I'll tell you what...when you do it, you do it good! You have inspired me to use all sorts of different boxes, and shelves and gadgets to hold my gnome trinkets, along with my tea sets, ballerina's and spools and what have you! Good job! Toasting hip hip hooray to you!

Busy Bee Suz said...

You are amazing!!! I will bet that your guests dream of crafting all night long.
I want to know, what happens if you misplace your Roll A Dex? :0

Mimi said...

HI MARYLOU!!!
That room is amazing!!! AND you my dear are an organizing genius!!!!I love it all, the space is used so wisely and everything is so neatly tucked away into some kind of sane usable sense!!! I love that you filed where it all is!!!
I LOVE all your stamps, your punches!!! Oh that bottle collection!!!
Love it all!!!
Happy 1st day of spring!!!
hugs,
jamie

Diva Kreszl said...

oh you just have the very best storage ideas!!! I am going to have to study this post very carefully because my space needs a bit of organizational help. any chance I can apprentice under you???

Keetha Broyles said...

Dear "Whim" - - - I have NEVER seen anything even remotely LIKE that organization job! I am standing with my chin hitting the floor and drool running down my shirt dripping onto my toes.

Simply Jessabells said...

Wow!! Love your craft room and all your wonderful organization.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Wow! You did get organized - great job. And you will be at my home at what time to work here? :-D I have a couple of those Target pails around here also.

Unknown said...

WOW....I wish I had the ability to keep things so organized....your room is amazing! And there is a bed in it! ML you did a great job! I hope someday to be so organized and know what I have. That would be different!

Unknown said...

Oh I'm in awe! I only wish I had half as much stuff as you do! Too fun! Enjoy the organization!

Sandra said...

Your room looks great and I have picked up some ideas for how to store more of my craft stuff. I like your file to remember where you put things. I had to make a list of where to find my favorite recipes in all my 50-plus cookbooks...the hormones are causing short term memory loss!

Jenny said...

It looks so nice and organized! Has the feel from just looking at the photos of a mini craft store. Such an exciting and inspiring feeling. You know you will be able to do all kind of creating.

Unknown said...

You have oddles of great stuff. I would have so much fun in that room. LOVE WHAT YOU DID! PAT ON YOUR BACK! it all looks GREAT, AND A BED TOO. I just love all the bins, and containers, and spinny things... WELL DONE! JGG

Macey said...

Sheesh!!!
That's amazing!

Suzanne said...

Thanks for showing your craft center -- you are so organized! I don't really have a specific area -- just a stack of plastic drawers, but I've started going to the thrift store and have picked us some great supplies. You have given me some excellent ideas. I love the idea of the rolodex for anything stored out of sight, not just crafts. And I don't know what it is about bottles either, but since I've been reading your blog I want them to! Thanks for sharing your fun.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

WOW!! I really am loving your organizational skills!! I need to take some advice from you in regards to the type of things that you used for storage!! Very Unique!I also like the roll a dex idea! I actually need to do that with everything in my house!Not just my Craft Room!!
Debbie

Darlene said...

WOW..WOW...WOW Mary Lou...I LOVE all your organized pretties. Can you come to my home and help me??? I don't have nearly the crafts you do and I still don't have them organized.

I'm glad to be back home. I missed you. My neighbors are complaining though cause we seemed to have brought the snow back home with us!!!!!....lol

Joy said...

Oh my gosh... you are amazing... would you please come over here and help me. I love all your ideas... I am going to do the filing system for where they are... what a clever mind you have. Please just give me a tiny bit of your amazing talent... I am sure your momma taught you to share... *grin*

Anonymous said...

Your blog ..... it's amazing and soooo inspiring as usual.
A small footprint from Agneta & Sweden

Ps. I have an ongoing jewelry contest on my blog. Welcome! Ds

CosmoGirl Carla said...

Wow! Your room looks fantastic! It's so true about posting our "projects" on our blogs. It certainly is a kick in the you-know-what for me to get stuff done.

You're organizing techniques are just terrific. I love the trick with the table over the bed - ingenious! And the rolodex file with the "clues" as to where all your things are. I may have to seriously try that! I'm always "loosing" things in my craft room.

Thanks so much for sharing!
Carla

Pieceful Bits said...

That file is ingenious..LOL I could even use it at work to find where I file things away;) But where would I put the file box so I can remember where it is?? Tee HEE

Cris said...

I am impresed! Bravo!

Lori said...

I love your studio/guest room. I'm inspired to make some changes to my room. Thanks for sharing your lovely room. I just love the roladex idea!

Lovely Little Nest said...

Love the pretty organization!

P.S. Where are you from?? I saw something on your site that said "West Chester, PA" and wasn't sure if I was reading it correctly that that's where you live? I was just wondering because we just moved to West Chester! Crazy :)

Anonymous said...

Don't you just love when everything is in order and freshened up...your room screams creativity!!! I love it!....Can't wait to see more of your lovely creations....Hugs, Jennifer

GrandmaBev said...

Have fun with your company. You've done a great job with your room.

Robin Beck said...

I love love love it-I want to go in there and be creative then take a nap!
I actually showed my husband this post. Remember my sewing area we JUST created? It is now being redirected to the guest room just like yours. I showed my husband your craft/guest room and we got some ideas (Thanks!) for ours.
I have to steal your roll a dex deal too-I have the hardest time finding things-I just get too organized sometimes!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend,
Robin~♥

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

What a great space...love all of your organization :)

Scrap for Joy said...

I've been here 3 times to comment and each time I end up just hanging my head in shame and crawling back to my messy studio! This time I reread everything you wrote and enlarged all of your pictures. Some of your organizational helpers are ones I have (The heavy tiered basket on your desk and the silver topped tier of drawers...I have 2 of those) I love the way you can display your favorite stamps..I think you use them more often when you can see them. The very best idea here, bar none, is the one that everyone else loved...the rolodex file. I can't tell you how many times I KNOW I have something but can't remember where it is! Some day.....I will have my act together, too and will show my newly organized room. Some day....
Thanks for always beiong "real" ML!
xoxo
Joyce

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

Wow wow Wow! All I can really say...AWESOME TOO!

I am having a "Blue Monday" Giveaway...come by and take a peek.

Have a terrific week!

Stay Cozy, Carrie

Brenda said...

Thanks for inspiring me! I should ornagize my sewing room after seeing your great organization!
Great job! Love it all!

Angela said...

Your so right girl! One of the reasons why I started to do a post called It's About Time..I share the 'mess'..than the next day Homeward Bound..the finished chore. It definitely has helped me to get passed the procrastination..All I keep thinking is,,'I gotta clean this, how am I going to show them if I don't clean'..LOL

I just love your blog and all the wonderful ideas I get here. Oh girl, someone else that has a place for everything..Organization, one of my favorite words...

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Wow! such a wonderful and delightful big girls play room! I want to come over and create with you. It looks great!. I have to leave notes for myself too. LOL
Take care and enjoy your week.
Hugs, Elizabeth

1 Funky Woman said...

Are you kidding me it looks awesome. I could really use some help over here, wanna come over? I can't even imagine what else you could do. You are so organized, I'm really jealous!

Tammy @ tinselshop.com said...

Oh my goodness, to be that organized! You've given me some great ideas!

Best wishes,
Tammy

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

OH MY! That looks simply wonderful! And I love the old disk holder organizer do-dad! Exactly what I need. The big joke around here is "Mommy put it in a special place" followed by the rolling of eyes--which just means we'll never find it! 'Cause I usually forget where that special place is.

Beth at Aunties said...

I am so impressed! I wonder if I put it out on the net...If I could become even a little more organized like you did.
I love your file helping you remember where everything is! HA! I am going to copy that idea. I should say my brain needs me to make me one! Thanks for being so inspiring.:)

Debbiedoos said...

Fantastic! Your blog title caught my eye, I love whimsy and fun! That you have going on here. I am a new follower, and will see you again soon! Your room looks fantastic...I really love those vintage bottles too, they are so pretty!

Mimi said...

HI!!!!
Hopefully Mitt Romney will run again!!!!He has a great vision for the country!!!
hugs,
jamie

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

I totally and completely envy your crafting space. I just love your whimsical sense of style. :)

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Ooooh...I could spend HOURS poking around in this room. It's lovely! So many nice touches. I want some wire basket towers now, and I really love the way you have your bottle collection stored with some of them on their sides. Very cool! Thanks for letting us peek into your craft space.

Tammy said...

Love it! Still working on my craft space!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Wow - your craft space looks awesome! SO organized! Will you come do mine? hehe...

Love it!

XOXO
Jen

Victoria said...

Could you please come organize all my craft supplies too!

Love the "where is it" file.

Diane Mars said...

Hey girlfriend no worries that bottle was Karlas, she sent one to each gal that took part in her Alice Tag Swap. She sure did a lot of work on that swap! You are a Doll. I Love your Studio... come and help me get organized.
Hugs, Diane

marie said...

Your studio looks so very good! I am inspired ~ and motivated.
You have so many wonderful little storage ideas. I love all your tiered baskets for table top storage. Going vertical is always a great idea!

Yep ~ that card file is an awesome idea!

LaurieStar said...

I love seeing all the pictures of your studio! Neat! What do you do with that bed though? Can you push it out the window to give you more space? Ha. :)

Craftygyrl said...

Wow, this is such a great space. I love how you keep a list of where things are, I have been missing a few things for months because I put them in a "safe" place I can't find! I hope you can visit me at http://whimsyspace.blogspot.com

Laura at Ms. Smartie Pants said...

I love this space and I really love your decorative bottles. I think I am going to borrow some of those ideas for my craft space, especially the rolodex brain!