Sigh, looking at my desk yesterday afternoon I realised that maybe, just maybe, I truly do need to see someone about this OCD trait that jumps up and waves its arms every now and then.
Storage isn't bad in the craft room here, but the only way I can store 12" x 12" card stock is in 12" square Really Useful Boxes -
flat and on a fairly high shelf. Got fed up rootling through them, especially the luscious Stampin' Up plain ones, so yesterday I took the bull by the horns and spent a happy couple of hours doing this:
The fruits of my labours - a home made colour swatch. I know, I know, SU do sell their own but this satisfied the OCD trait that wanted to come and play. The SU Stampin' Spots are there 'cos I was checking which additional colours I might want - the answer is none 'cos they've practically discontinued them :( Shame!
The storage container with the Stampin' Spots in is really for peel offs, from Hobbycraft - it holds 20 with one spare space so you can move 'em round like those games we used to play with as kids, makes it much easier to lift a little pad out.
The finished 2" x 2" swatch, tied with ribbon until I nip out to buy more book binder rings - the one lying on the desk would defy even the strongest person! I found a lot of the card colours in the snippets folder but for some colours I had to cut into a fresh sheet (ack! pain) - just a 2" strip, the remains of which are also in the SU Really Useful Box to be used to back sentiments, make flowers etc.
The colours are sorted into SU Collections and each one has the colour on a printed label on the back.
Err, I also have swatches for my collection of coloured ink pads - just with a swipe of colour on the front of white card and the name on the back. No need to do it for the SU ones as the card swatch does that job I think. Yup, the men in white coats could be here soon!
And, whilst ferreting round in a drawer I found this - it's a pack of two Replacement Cutting Channel Mats for Woodware's T-400 Finger Guard Trimmer. NOTE, it's the
smaller 24cm one,
NOT the 35cm T-200. I ordered them wrongly a while ago and, rather than throw them out, am more than happy to post free and for nothing to anyone who might have a T-400 Woodware Trimmer. Just drop me an email - di_wray@hotmail.com. If more than one person is interested, then it's first come, first served.
Now, if you want to
really see fun and messy -
hop over to Julia's to inspect her desk and then travel onwards to many others who will be linking in today.
Happy WOYWW!
Di
x
That is a brilliant idea. You will always know what you have and can play match up with your swatch before you haul the RUB down!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea.
Don't search for my number cuz I am skipping WOYWW this week.
Just popping round to say Hi to the poeple I follow!
I only like to go in when I have time to give ah honest go at getting round. This week is too booked up with appointments etc.
I wish I would take the time to create the same color sampler as you did! It's going to be so useful in the future! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteI think I am just as sad as you, but just not very successful. My present occupation is to catalogue everything, starting with all my stamps so that I can find them all. Then my inks are next,with swatches for those.Good luck with all yours. xx Maggie (no number yet)
ReplyDeleteOrganizational bug must be hitting us all. But you did something productive with yours...I'm liking how you did this with the SU papers/colors,etc. I got started on a project, then got distracted with something else, blah, blah....You did a wonderful organization session with this effort. Thanks for the ideas! Hugs
ReplyDeleteYou are so organized woman, and talented too.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day,
hugs Tamara
Oh Di, you do make me laugh!
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of the colour swatches, very organised. Where do you get your SU supplies from?
Morning Miss. Wanna come and sort my room out? Though to be honest it is getting better of late - baskets are my answer!
ReplyDeleteHugs
xx
Wow that is very organised, not done a colour swatch myself but think i may need to now. Love the fact that you haven't thrown away the punched pieces lol. Just been looking for the mini ink pads as I think I need them too. Hugs, Amanda x
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Di - I think Stampin' up fosters the OCD in folk. I have a friend just like you with her fabulous swatches. She made a really neat hole punch one with frosted plastic which is great for seeing if a particular punch fits on a card layout so the neatness wins through in the end! Happy WOYWW to you from Helen 53
ReplyDeleteI have swatch cards for my paints it does make life a bit easier having them doesn't it. Happy woyww jill #16
ReplyDeleteHi Di. I knew we had quite a lot in common! I have swatches for all my ink pads - and that is an awful lot of ink, a hand made chart for distress markers against their corresponding ink pad, one all my copics etc etc. And I do refer to them all the time. All my snippets are now sorted by colour. I love to be organised, and it encourages me to tidy up regularly as I don't want to spoil the system! I just have to get on and use some of it now. Kate x #72
ReplyDeleteHow organised are you? :-) I love it cos I would feel very at home in your world being as OCD as I am. As much stock as I've got here it all has a place to live and I do my best to keep it in it's place [Monday afternoons change things a little cos Jo isn't the same....but don't worry I'm pretty good at tidying up after she's gone home :-) :-) ].
ReplyDeleteHugs,
A x # 57
Oh God . . . now I'm SERIOUSLY impressed!
ReplyDeleteCome and have some OCD therapy at my place please . . .
Hugs
Sarn xxx
Much as it would be fun, you had better not come to play at mine as you would throw your hands up in horror at the state of it!! Hope your colour swatches work for you (and cheaper than buying the SU ones!) Helen, 14
ReplyDeleteYou're not the only one with OCD Di, me too I'm afraid. I have colour swatches for everything, including ink sprays. Sometimes I seem to enjoy organising more than crafting!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Caz x
Oh I wish I was an organised soul like you. I am trying to sort some of my sewing room stash after my dear hubby told everyone I have 59 bags of stuff throughout the house!! He can't be right - can he?? lol x Jo
ReplyDeleteGreat idea with the swatches. I'm constantly rooting around trying to find what I have and where on earth did I put the brown card stock! Out of sight out of mind for this old girl!
ReplyDeleteGlenda 109
Now Miss, You ave to stop this OCD Malarky right this minute. 2 in the family is just too much an I got 4 of em on the go!! (The Doc, A. Eileen, Fluff & Sweet Cheeks) Hmm. Can see the genetics there! Best go have myself a nice little drinky poo. The Doc's back tonight, so the floors are done the bin is back in it's place, the chuffing birds ave been fed and I really do need a drinky poo. Hugs Mrs A.
ReplyDeletewhat a great way of colour indexing your paper and card stash. Everyone seems to be jumping on the indexing bus and I am about to start indexing my rubber stamps as I also am an OCD Queen
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW #192
Ria #75
Looks like we both had our OCD hat on Di, I haven't gone quite as far as you, but heavens to betsy, I even hoovered my room! No flowers yet, they're definitely walking here, should be here soon though, I'll let you know when they arrive.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Brenda 115
Totally understand the OCD thing, lol! But I'm also lazy...so bought the SU one!!!! Cutting into a fresh sheet for just a bit...ouchie. I'd rather spend an hour looking for a scrap instead, lol!
ReplyDeleteHappy Crafting!
Jeannie #4
I love your swatches Di. Not only are they useful but they are great to look at too. I kept my SU ink spots in the boxes they came in but labelled them up with the colour collections on the box. I have them all!!! Not that I'm gloating or anything but I just love them, what useful inks.
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW
Hugs Lisax #54
must admit to cataloguing stamps, paper pads, dies, inks etc but not loose papers or 12x12. I have to do the dies and stamps so that I don't order them twice!! I just love your organisation though. My desk never looks as tidy as yours.
ReplyDeleteHugs Sue Pxxx
OCD or not Di, it’s a very useful thing to spend an hour or two doing. I did the same for my Promarkers and Distress Inks a while back and it’s proved invaluable.
ReplyDeleteHappy Crafting!
Sue @ 88
x
Nah you're not mad I do things like that too! Or at least I do in my head then forget to actually do it in reality so I guess that makes me madder than you! Have a good week. Take care Zo xx 76
ReplyDeleteMy craft room needs a good sort out and paint but I do not know if I would have the patience to go so far as you, But in the long run it does save a lot of time and mess.
ReplyDeleteI have 4 cards on the go at the moment and can't get anywhere with any of them so you can imagine all the stuff I have scattered around, so a paper swatch would make life a lot easier.
Well done you, go to the top of the class.
Kath x
Maybe all crafters are in the same boat. I have done colour swatches for my Promarkers and have now sorted all my snippets by colour. They are in separate polythene A4 pockets in an A4 Really Useful Box.
ReplyDeleteNot quite swatches, but I do have colour cards for my Pro markers, and for my Distress Inks, and all my stamps on index cards and catlogued by category, then filed in ringbinders.................
ReplyDeleteoooh wait a minute, I'm sensing OCD gremlins creeping up behind me lol :-)
thing is Di, mine never look as neat and tidy as yours, so I get a B minus for crafty OCD [grins]
Happy woyww
debs #155
Hi, just a quick visit to see what you are up to. Unfortunately, the EM is unwell and needs looking after so time for blog-hopping has been limited today. I think it must be the early onset of spring as an awful lot of us are sorting, organising, and/or cataloguing our craft supplies. I used to love those games - simple pleasures :) Hope your WOYWW has been happy. Elizabeth x #55
ReplyDeleteOh, well done, Di! You know I get all pitter-pattery when I see spiffy organized efficiency!!
ReplyDeleteI love that Ionic measuring guard underneath your fab project, too. Must check into that ... xxoo Darnell #47
You may have OCD, but I bet you can get your hands on what ever item it is you need - unlike me! :-)
ReplyDeleteApril #133
time well worth investing in, good for you now you will be able to put your hands on the correct colour whenever you want, without delays of shuffling through papers.
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW
Eliza
You are so incredibly organised, I wish I was! Have a fab week xx #125
ReplyDeleteI understand you completely it's just sort of thing I would do. Belated Happy WOYWW. Anne x@89
ReplyDeleteThats awesome how you made your own swatches! I love your cutting mat looks like you can do lots with it!Tamika #126
ReplyDelete