How Clean is Your Craft Space?

Published: Tue, 08/11/20

I think it's time to spend some quality time in my craft room, not to craft (which is what I prefer to do), but to clean & organize. Things are starting to get a bit out of control, which is making me a bit unfocused, unproductive and wasting time. I need to create proper places for everything that is in piles, baskets, on the floor and scattered on the table. Does this sound familiar to you and your space?

A few years ago, I was at a Stampin' Up! event for leaders and this one quote really stuck with me "If you can put it down, you can put it away". I think my struggle right now is, I don't have a proper place to put some things away. This problem leads me to todays email. Wish me luck in cleaning (& staying focused to clean)!

Create your Own Storage Boxes for Little Pieces

Do you ever cut or punch extra pieces? Do you find them laying around on your work surface, in bowls, on shelves, in stamp cases? This is my issue right now. Since I have been using the Playful Alphabet dies a lot lately, I found that I had a lot of extra letters in different colors. I decided that I needed a system for storing these extra letters because I don't want to throw them away (since I could use them later).

Below is the system I created to store my extra letters, but them I discovered I could store other die cuts and embellishments in them too (flower pieces, leaves).

This box is very easily adapted to your own storage needs. All you need to do is adjust the measurements. I like this box size because the 3 x 3" envelopes fit perfectly.

The 3 x 3" envelopes are great for little note cards, but they are also great as storage files. I used one envelope for each letter of the alphabet and numbers 0-9. I wrote the letter/number in the corner of each envelope. Since the envelopes are little, they don't take up much room.

Whisper White 3" x 3" Envelopes are sold in packs of 40, 145829, p. 153, $10.

The finished box size is 3-1/2" wide, 2" deep and 2" high. A cute little box!

Keep them plain or dress them up with patterned paper like I did with mine.

Cut a pice of card stock 7-1/2" x 6". Score the 7-1/2" size at 2" and 5-1/2". Flip and score the other side at 2" and 4". Cut notches as shown here (it makes the assembly a little crisper).

Fold the sides together and adhere with Multi-purpose Liquid Glue, 110755, p. 162, $4.

If you want to add patterned paper, the front & back measures 3-1/4" x 1-3/4" and the sides are 1-3/4" x 1-3/4". Add any embellishments. I added clues as to what was inside each box.

I used the Flowers for Every Season 6 x 6" patterned paper, 152486, p. 148, $11.50, 48 sheets,

I may play some more to create even more storage boxes. These were quick & fun to make. Let me know if you come up with ideas of what else you can store in these little boxes. Remember, you can play with the measurements to make them taller, wider and/or deeper. Let's hope these help clean up more work space, at least the space will look better with these cute boxes.

But, before I make any more boxes, I need to do some cleaning!