Organize, Organize, and Some Helpful Ideas

Okay, I promised a few tips and tricks.  I love to be organized and have the things I need handy.  Most of these are not my original ideas, but I have found them helpful when I'm creating so I thought I'd share.

1.  You know those darn glue strings that often are the result of using your Xyron?  Keep a wadded up piece of plastic wrap handy.  After you've adhered your cuts, just blot the strings with the plastic wrap!  They seem to come right up.

2.  Baby Wipes!  Can't craft without them.  They are terrific for cleaning stamps, both wooden and clear and also the acryllic block that I always seem to get ink all over - okay, my hands and work table as well.  I also use them to clean my Cricut cutting mats.  I can't believe how much additional life they add.  Even when you think your mat has lost all of its "sticky", a good rubdown with a baby wipe will often restore it.  Also, rotate your mats for extra life.  I've been using the same 4 for almost a year.  I treat myself to a new one (and a new blade) when I take a class or am working on a very special project.  IF you're starting with a new mat, pat your hands all over it to release some of the "sticky" so that your papers, especially if they're lighter weight, won't tear.  Oops, kinda got off the baby wipe topic, sorry.

3.  Bling storage - this is MY OWN idea:  I had a photo storage album I wasn't using so . . .

I keep my rhinestones and pearls stored by color - quick and easy to see what I have.

I also use the Cropper Hopper embellishment bags for loose embellies and the small sets of rhinestones that come with some of the acryllic stamps. They stay together with a binder ring.

4.  Clear stamp and punch storage.  Being a retired teacher, I have lots of binders, transparencies, and plastic sleeves so instead of buying the stamp storage albums, I just used what I had.  It's not fancy but it works for me.  The clear sets are placed on the transparency and then slipped into the plastic sleeve.  I keep separated binders for holidays and my Card Fairy sentiments and then two large ones for stamps in general.  My wooden block stamps are in single layers in plastic boxes which stack inside each other.  Note:  I use binders and plastic boxes because a lot of my storage is shelf space.

And finally,

my over-the-door shoe bag for storing border and large punches.  I had them piled in drawers and it was a nightmare finding the one I wanted.  I read about this idea and, problem solved!

I hope you find some helpful ideas.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn