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Monday 19 January 2015

It's all been a bit of a mess.....

 Here I am, back at my rather immaculate desk, but not before it went through this hurricane.....




 So I found these plastic document wallets in Poundland, five to a pack, so I bought up the whole stock and started unmounting my wood block stamps and putting together my clear stamps, which had mainly become separated from their partners and were huddling in little lonely acrylic blobs in a corner of the drawer...



 So I reunited them all, popped them onto acrylic cut to fit the envelope, then stamped them onto some copy paper. Then the new Brother labelling machine really came into it's own and I made a label with the name and maker for each of the stamps...



 Then I made some dividers and labelled them into loose categories - animals, scenes, flowers and so on.............I know the boxes are a bit of a hideous colour, but it was a choice between that or neon pink. The pink envelopes in the box aren't significant at all, it's not some grand plan - Poundland ran out of the clear ones, and as they are tucked in a box, it really doesn't matter.... 




and two boxes later I was done - this little task took me three days! But it also freed up four precious drawers, so I was able to reorganise so that the stuff I use most often is now close to hand...



 I reinstated my magnetic strips on the doors for the dies that I use all the time - I did this ages ago, and forget why I stopped using this, there is probably a very real reason that I will find out in the fullness of time, but for now, it looks good...





These shelves were quite literally groaning with the weight of boxes, now it has been pared down to a few, all neatly labelled so that I can find everything...


and even the shoe tidies which I use to keep stuff like spare blending foams, washi tapes, sandpaper, foam pads etc have been given a thorough clear-out...


Huge amounts of papers, ribbons and flowers have been donated to a local school, so although I spent a good deal of time last week scratching my head when I found mysterious little pots of unidentified junk stuff, that I don't have the faintest idea how to use (and will never find out, because it went in the black sack of doom), I did find it really rather liberating to pare down so much, and certainly very satisfying....

On top of all this, I had to get to grips with my new laptop but that is another story....



and on the premise that one man's junk is another's treasure, I have unearthed quite a few things that I'll be putting here over the next few days, if you fancy anything or everything, just leave your name under that day's post. First up are all these duplicated Studio G stamps - when we had our house in Florida, I used to haunt Michaels and Jo-Anns for these little stamps, mainly for the sentiments, which are really cute, but just recently I have been using a lot of the tiny icons as well. Anyway there are 20+ duplicates here, all ready to go to a new home. As always I will mail anywhere in the world



See you tomorrow - it's nice to be back x

40 comments:

  1. a good idea indeed to stick on most often used dies onto the magnetic strip on the door! Love to have the sentiment clear stamps, thanks for the chance to win!

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  2. Wow that is one big Tidy you've done there. I tore apart all my wooden stamps and only have 4 left but they don't take up much room. Gotta love those little mini stamps they are always my fave to grab for the same reason those little tiny sentiments
    thanks for the chance hugs Nikki

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  3. You have really been busy. I love those stamps and hit those at Michaels and JoAnn's....Looking good... I need to do something about mine..... Thanks for a chance to win... Good Luck to everyone...

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  4. You have been a very busy bee Enfy, I love seeing other crafters storage solutions, It's nice to pick up some new ideas. Love the stamps solution. Hugs Suzi x Thank you for the chance to win.

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  5. Wow! Job well done, Enfys. Do you hire out? I definitely need to do something about my messy desk!

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  6. En, you are inspiring..... what a great job. Would love to win the clear stamps. XX Carol

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  7. OMGoodness, you have made some remarkable strides in your clean-up efforts. Everything looks so tidy and well organized. I don't know if it's the photo or not, but your craft room appears to be a bit small ... I am saying small in comparrison to the mounds of crafty things you must have amassed over the past few years. I can sympathize with small, as I have a tiny craft space rather than an actual craft room, and know how quickly things can become cluttered. But you are truly doing a remarkable job with your clean up and organizing. Regardless of the size space you have, I know it is going to be much more enjoyable to work in a clutter-free, organized craft area.

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  8. Wow Enfys you must feel great now. De cluttering always releases our artistic muse....I'm not too bad but every so often have a mini clear out. My problem at the mo is that it's too cold to be outside in my little studio so I have taken over a corner of the kitchen and I do hate seeing a pile there but needs must and my Hb is very tolerant. Keep going with the computer, it will be fine with practice x

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  9. May have to pinch some of your ideas there, my stamps are just roaming loose in a basket and can never find what I am looking for, but generally I could do with a good reorganise of my crafty area lol. Could you please put my name in for the draw of the stamps as sentiment stamps are something I am lacking in . Many thanks xxx

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  10. Ha, I bought similar neon green boxes (not solid plastic but with slits all around and in two sizes) at Lidl's last year, because that's what I could get on this island. I intend to keep them behind cabinet doors, so it's not so bad. My new craftroom is one step closer, can hardly wait until it's finished. Great job on purging and rearranging your supplies. Thanks for the chance to win some of these small sets. Have a wonderful week.

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  11. Great job you have done but boy don't you discover things you had forgotton you had all looks lovely now Enfy
    Dianne xx :)

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  12. When I saw the first picture the first thought that crossed my mind was that I'm not the only one with the messy craft space. lol But I haven't even started reorganizing or actually going through the things and seperate the ones that I actually use from the ones I don't use at all. I guess when that happens there will several huge piles of stuff everywhere. ;)
    I love how you organized your room, looks great now. I especially like how you put the stamps into those boxes all labeled up.
    Have a wonderful day!

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  13. Well done on your reorganisation & clear out. I dread to think how many duplicates of things are lurking in my stash.
    Toni xx

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  14. Well, I've managed to sort out/declutter all the Christmas things and hide them away for a while, but you've now inspired me to get going with the rest of the crafty mess. Your storage for your stamps is a great idea - might take a trip to Poundland. Have a good week Enfys xx

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  15. Wow, a bussy lady. It looks great.
    My hands are tingling to do the same.
    Thanks for the chance to win.
    Gr Elly

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  16. Great ideas for a good old tidy up. The mini stamps are versatile & useful. Thanks for a chance to win.
    Hazel x

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  17. Well done on being so organised. I'm going to jot down some of your ideas now. Bet you'll be glad of that new laptop soon.
    Nearly missed your giveaway. I would love the watch and house stamps please. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  18. Oh my goodness, what a big job that was! We'll be moving in a couple of weeks, so no new stamps for me. I still have a bunch in storage. I can't figure out how some of them got into storage, and the notebook with all the images got into the house. A well soon it won't matter any more!
    Hugs Jess

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  19. OOOH yes please count me in and thank you. I love reading your blog it's always full of great ideas.

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  20. Wow..... great organising Enfys! I feel inspired to tackle the mess in my workroom after seeing how much space you've regained ;)

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  21. Thanks for so many great ideas! I soooooo need to do the same clean up - I spend more time searching for my stuff and things that I don't get anything done! And I know exactly what you are going thru with the new computer - I've had mine for about a week and it's just so painful to set everything up - Cricut Design Studio won't run on the new PC, Cricut no longer supports it so my Silhouette will become the main machine - not bad Though! Please add me to the drawing for the stamps - love those things!

    Jackie

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  22. Wow, you've been a busy girl! I keep thinking I need to go through my mountain of stamps and take them off the wood blocks, but haven't had the courage. Just maybe I'll take the plunge after seeing what you've done. Thank you for sharing!

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  23. wow you have been busy now I need to do my little craft room again. Please could I go in the draw for the stamps please? Keep up the hard work hugs Tina x

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  24. Great job! It looks awesome. I just did the same basic thing to my stamps using the Avery Elle pockets - I love it! Now all the packets are the same size and I can easily find what I want.

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  25. I love working in an organized space. I decided my motto for 2015 will be: Use what you have'. I am still short on sentiments so your duplicate stamps will be very useful! I love reading your blog and getting inspired by your cards! Thanks for sharing! Love Kirsti

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  26. What a great feeling to organize and clear out! I'm sure whoever receives your duplicates will be very happy. The space looks great. BethAnn M.

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  27. Welcome back Enfys. Well, if buying a labelling machine means an immaculate craft room I think I may need one! I keep my 'most used' dies on stainless steel memory boards with magnetic card. The rest are in a couple of Crafts Too storage folders. I laminated A4 card & attached my clear & rubber stamps to it, stamped the images on a sheet of copy paper and put the into a clear file pocket. So, more or less organised but not as beautifully labelled!! Thanks for the chance to win the stamps - a girl can never have too many sentiment stamps (and neither can an old granny). Pat x

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  28. Wow Enfys your organisation skills have left me in awe...... Fabulous job dearie. I bet you're glad it's all done now. Here's hoping your cold is a lot better. Take care dearie and thank you for the chance to win your lovely candy.Hugs Debbie x

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  29. Well you have been busy Enfys. Love how you have organised your stamps and dies. A job well done. Thanks for the chance to win some lovely stamps.
    Mags
    x

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  30. l am at this moment going through my craft room and the craft's l found that l'd forgotten l had is amazing to say the least!! great to see what you did with your stamps and freeing up some drawers it's so rewarding don't you think once it's sorted l like to see a tidy craft room but it never stay's that way yours is looking so organised well done x

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  31. You are such an inspiration. I have one week left at work before I retire and getting organized is one of the projects on my to do list. I would love to know how to take the stamps off the wood blocks and get organized like you. (google here I come). Thank you too for the chance to get some more stamps. I love those little ones. Keep the new ideas coming.

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  32. WOW!!!! you did a fabulous job!! everything looks so neat and tidy ...my fav is the magnetic strip for your dies....do let us know when you remember why you took them down..then I will know to put them up or not....lol

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  33. What amazing organisation - wonder how long it will stay that way? (If it was me, I'd give it a week, tops). Thanks for being so generous with your apre stash.
    Jane

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  34. Hmm, it did not save my comment but congrats on some great sorting and organising

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  35. Would love to play with some of your cast-offs. Thanks for sharing all your ideas and your duplicates!

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  36. Oh my word I am totally impressed Enfys. I will be getting those pockets for my stamps and storing them your way. I have them in drawers at the minute and every time I open a drawer one is sure to fall down the back! I also love the magnetic strips which I would use if I had a bare wall lol. Well done.

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  37. I was thinking about trying to take my stamps off wood block and you inspire me to do so. Great find on the document wallets. Will keep my eye out for those next time I am in old blighty. Ah, a use for ye olde shoe tidy. Excellent. Was just trying to decide whether to burn or blitz. Looks like there is hope yet. Hugz

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  38. I REALLY need to reorganize my crafting goodies. Thanks for the inspiration.
    Crafty hugs,
    Dawn
    Designs By Dragonfly {blogspot}

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  39. Beautifully organised. Thanks for sharing the duplicates.
    Leanne S

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  40. Great ideas Enfys. It's such a good idea to take stamps off the blocks. They take up so much space and there's always something to fill the gaps!! p.s. I'd Love some new stamps!

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I love reading your comments, thank you for taking the time
Enfys x