Aug 17, 2016

10 Steps to an Organized Craft Room

A Dear Paperlicious Exclusive ***

Every once in a while Dear Paperlicious gets such a fantastic idea that 
it must be shared at no cost to her readers, although $$ happily accepted.  

Today is that day!!!

Is this your craft room after you've cleaned it up?

Source:  https://www.wiredupbeads.com/blog/tag/craft-room/
Out of storage space for your supplies? 
Using a hodgepodge of second hand furniture and cheap wobbly tables? 
Need more electrical outlets and counter space? 
Tired of separating yourself from the family while crafting? (Um, why?) 

Turn Your Kitchen Into Your Craft Room in Ten Easy Steps
  1. Empty the kitchen of everything and sell or donate to charity, or put on your neighbor's front lawn. You won't be cooking anymore. Out goes the fine china, the everyday china, the mismatched mugs, pots and pans, glasses, bread maker, blender, food processor, mixer, kids' report cards, toaster, silverware, slotted spoons, cake pans, strainers, measuring cups and spoons, spatulas, baking sheets, the food, the drinks, etc. In other words, everything. (Amy, keep the coffee maker. Susan, keep a wine glass.)
  2. Donate dishwasher and stove to charity. You won't be needing these overpriced, useless appliances. Feel your mood lift.
  3. Fill space left by dishwasher and stove with additional cabinets or drawers and counter space.
  4. Take a cleansing breath, and make a list of lunch and dinner delivery options. Purchase paper plates, hot and cold cups, napkins, cutlery, and plastic trash bags. Store somewhere handy. (You and the fam can skip breakfast, or put Dunkin Donuts in your freezer. Use as needed.) 
  5. Purchase Sharpies in your favorite colors.
  6. Store all supplies (except those covered in #8) in your now freed-up kitchen cabinets.
  7. Mark each cabinet and drawer with the contents using a nice big bold Sharpie right on the front. Cheap and easy! Plus, this is going to UP the value of your home when it is time to sell.
  8. Store electric craft supplies, such as your heat gun, waffle maker, Big Shot Express, Minc, Fuse, lamps, camera battery, smartphone, etc. on your now empty kitchen craft room counters, near electrical outlets. Here's an example of what you can expect once you are done:
Source:  http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-danger-of-plugging-in-too-132266

Such an improvement, no?

    9. Do you have one of those fancy islands in your kitchen?  Well, Gilligan, this is the perfect spot for stamping -- nice and stable and waterproof! If you don't have an island, get one.
   10. Since you no longer are grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning the kitchen, or planning meals, you have HOURS free for crafting! Enjoy!
____________________

*** As always, if you are taking this seriously, you are in the wrong place!

But, speaking of serious, I am a huge fan of Jennifer McGuire. I love her videos and card creations. They are easy to follow, and she makes beautiful and clever cards. But I especially LOVE her organizational videos. If you really want to get organized, follow her tips!

And, Jennifer has a new instagram feed, entiteld myworkinghome, devoted to chronicling the design of her new craft space. It's so fun watching the room design from the beginning. (It's like watching Fixer Upper -- even if you aren't going to design a room that lovely, you can pick up a ton of good ideas).

Hope your week is going well!

13 comments:

Diane said...

you brighten my day and make me laugh!!!!

Hannelie said...

Thanks for making me smile!

Betty said...

thanks for sharing - this was such a funny refreshing read to start my day - love it!!

Beth said...

Sounds like a great plan!

LauraJane:) said...

You are a hoot!! Your tale rings true for my household.
My kids ask me,"Mamma, why don't you cook anymore?? Aren't you mammacooksalot?" "ahhh", I say,"That is what I have you for my dears!! Mamma is cooking up cards now:))"

TK said...

You're just so stinkin' awesome! Love your sense of humor...

Diane Jaquay said...

Aaah, Joan, I think you crawled inside my head to write this, if only, if only :)

Jeanne H said...

This is just hilarious, Joan! Thanks!

Cathy P in AZ said...

You crack me up, Joan! And if only I had the means to do a Jennifer McGuire craft room...! One can dream!

Anonymous said...

Love it!!!

Leslie Miller said...

Hahahahaha! Well, my room doesn't look quite that bad, but it feels like it sometimes. After every card it appears as though an explosion occurred. So many people say they've moved their stamping to the kitchen table because their room is no longer navigable. I would LOVE Jennifer McGuire's craft room, sheesh! I'm hoping to put in a bigger window this fall so I can at least have a better view and not feel so closed in. Fun post, Joan!

Cindy O said...

Thanks so much for sharing the 10 steps to an organized craft room! Everywhere else I've looked, they have 9 or 11 steps, and they make it sound really complicated. But your #5, purchase Sharpies? I can do that! Your post could be a life-changer for so many of us!

Luvpurple said...

You mean.....you didn't do this. Sigh......