Organizing My Idea Journal

First things first - took some time out to whip up a little pincushion - based on this blog post by Spun Sugar Quilts.  It was a fun project since I rarely get to work with purple and pinks.

Back side:

Now I have some happy pins sitting next to my machine!

On to the main heading of the blog post - organizing my Idea Journal.  Today I took some time to get my ideas organized.  Was very tired of having to flip back through magazines or blog posts/tutorials, my projects saved on the hard drive, etc to remember my ideas.  Plus, after writing my zillionth list of people and their Christmas gift ideas I decided I needed one location for everything.

So, I went through my on-line and hard drive saved/flagged projects and printed off what I needed; found my magazines & catalogs with project/gift ideas and sorted them out.  Pulled out a really cute journal that I bought for just such an occasion.

Tore out the project inspirations from catalogs and clipped them to the appropriate person's page in my journal.

See - tucked beneath all those catalog clippings is a person's name with gift ideas (to make and/or purchase) along with notes about where to find something, what is still needed to complete the gift and other ideas to enhance the inspiration.  For the boys I also jotted down ideas of items they might like so that when grandparents ask I have actual ideas!

I don't like tearing up my magazines and I didn't want to take the time or spend the money on ink to scan and print the projects I wanted so I came up with this idea.  Took these cute little sticky tabs (yes, I'm an admitted office supply junkie) and came up with a cross-reference system.  The green tabs went in the magazines with a number - the corresponding number is in the journal on the blue tabs (OK - I also color code anything I can - you should see my work files).  When I need to find the project I just need to look up the number.   I'm only using a couple of magazines so this is pretty manageable.

In the front of the book I have my entire list of everyone that is on the family gift giving list - to ensure I don't forget anyone.

Also put together my thrifting list so I can do some upcycling when making some gifts.

There - now I should be set.  Plus, I no longer feel so disorganized.  I have a clear plan, a set of priorities and  an easy way to find what I need!  Now to find little snippets (and a few big ones) of time to complete some of them.

Finally, a little cuteness - Grant wanted to help mommy with some computer stuff and we ended up playing with the camera.  He was a happy camper!

Skeletons in my Cupboards

Not that I usually show people my cupboards (especially the insides) but I thought I'd show off my before and after photos today.  While the boys were playing, I decided to tackle the kitchen cupboards.  Cooking and baking just aren't as appealing when you have to dig for supplies.  I kept things well organized through the State Fair but it went downhill fast after that.

OK - here we go -- here are the horrible guts of my large pantry.
BEFORE:
Eeek!

AFTER:
My husband feels the middle drawer is much ignored and neglected and should be used more (the chocolate chip/nut drawer).

The boys' cupboard - BEFORE:

AFTER:
I even found extra space and room to spare - whoa!

The dreaded spice/cookie sprinkle cupboard - BEFORE: (note before also spills onto the kitchen counter -grrr!)

AFTER:
Ta Da!  Forgot to show the counter but it is now clear and free - ready for action!

I also managed to clean the upper and lower corner cupboards and cleaned up the cupboard under the kitchen sink (that was overdue for a makeover).  The boys decided early on that helping mommy was much more fun than playing in the living room.  So I had lots of help.  Luckily I emptied/consolidated some spice containers - that kept them occupied for quite some time.

There you have it - I showed off my skeletons!  What skeletons do you have lurking in your home?  I decided to do one cupboard at a time and it went rather quickly.  Now I feel like getting started on Christmas baking.  Something about a clean and organized kitchen makes me feel like baking (that and the cold, wintry weather).

In other news:
Grant has now officially joined us at the table.  Well, he's always eaten with us but now he is out of the high chair and in a booster seat.  He thinks it's the best!

Scraps

Yesterday, during our 10 hour drive home from Indianapolis (while the boys tried to catch up on sleep by napping most of the way) I needed a way to stay awake.  While listening to my favorite Trans Siberian Orchestra CD (which is listened to any time of year I might add) I worked on some sewing ideas.  However, before digging into any new projects I need some fabric organization.  I began thinking about how to organize my fabric.  Of course, anything would be better than what it is now - sitting in big see through tubs sorted by color.  This was not my choice mind you - this is what happened when flood waters seeped into the basement.  

Today I started digging into all my containers and sorting them.  It was somewhat like Christmas finding fabrics I forgot I even had.  My family is probably tired of all the little squeals they heard from the basement today!  

Of course there were also pieces like this:

What was someone thinking?  OK, it might have been something I picked out in the 80's (for some 4H project) or it could be something I inherited stole selvaged absconded with (yeah, that sounds right) from my mom.  I'm pretty sure that piece wasn't one I inherited with my grandma's stash (although there are some funky finds in that stash too).

I first sorted out all the scrap pieces and put them in scrap color bins.  Then I folded all my 1/4, 1/2, and 1+ yard fabrics - these will go in small plastic bins sorted by color and type.  Finally the large pieces and pieces more for clothing and home decor were folded and put back in large tubs but better organized so I can actually see each piece.

All of the plaid was sorted out separately and has its own bin.

After all of that I figured I am ready to start piecing some scrap blocks for the Pleasant Home Sew Scraps Along.  However, I ran into an issue.  The scraps I would love to use are some I picked up at an auction awhile back.  I believe these are truly vintage.  

They may have come from a sample board (since many of them have numbers taped to them).  As a purist, I would hate to add new materials to these vintage scraps so I think they will need to wait for another scrappy project.  Any thoughts?

Back to using up some scraps - I find myself with LOADS of blue scraps.  Maybe I should challenge myself to do purely blue scrappy blocks.  I would do blue and yellow for my husband but I have practically zero yellow scraps (dang).  Bah!  Maybe I'll just go work on a couple Christmas ornaments.

Speaking of Christmas - look what was waiting for me in the mail when we arrived home yesterday:

The first of the Ho Ho Holiday Swap items from Becky.  Such cute fabric - I love the Christmas Tree print and the wreath towel is so pretty (and so appropriate for this family who will be turning to wreath making shortly).