I am so not crafty by any stretch of the imagination. I do go on tangents though where every once and awhile I forget this small tidbit of information about myself and decide I’m going to just jump head first into a project and hope for the best.
Why is it that I never really learn my lesson? Apparently bright is something else I am not. It’s not that the finished project doesn’t turn out. In fact eventually it does. Eventually in my case though is a very very long time. Good grief! Take Barb’s beautiful Santa Stars for instance. When she first posted her tutorial (I can’t find the link anymore, sorry) she made it look so easy I thought for sure I could easily whip one up all in one evening. HA HA HA, ummm that would be a big fat NO. I got that little sucker done all right but about a couple of weeks later. Really I’m pathetic, my girlfriend will tell you it’s just downright painful to watch me.
This year I’ve so far managed to outsmart my clever little know it not so much all self and went ahead and purchased those gorgeous little ornaments directly from Barb’s Shoppe. Really sometimes things are just better left to the professionals.
So as you can imagine a craft room I do not have in my home. It’s best for everyone if I just BACK AWAY FROM THE CRAFTS and then no one gets hurt. However the thought of having a craft room if for no other reason except to organize all the craft supplies well now that is something dreams are made of. In fact I swear that is the only reason I ever considered myself a “scrapbooker”. Oh the glorious and wonderful supplies. The supplies that all need homes to be tucked into at night. It gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.
So although I don’t have any crafts or sewing supplies to organize myself I do want to help you with yours. But first we need to talk about what we’re up against.
Hands up to those who have a designated craft/sewing space? Hands up to those who don’t but wished they did. Hands up to those whose spaces might not be so organized but yet you really really wished they were. And of course we most definitely want to hear it from the ladies who spaces are of the orderly variety and what the heck you are doing to keep them that way!
And to all the other not so crafty girls everywhere, you are safe here.
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Stacy Combs says
What is so painful for me is that I DO have a whole room just for me and my supplies. It is ALL MINE and I even painted it pink! The problem is that we need so many other things like….furniture (I personally could go without 🙂 ) that it will be a long while before I get to move into my pretty pink craft room. I dream about it and have drawn pictures of it. I have been collecting pics of things I would like to have in it one day. Oh it hurts to go down there to my room. So, for now, I’m still spread all over the house and not able to find a single thing when I need it!
Catharine says
Im with you on this one.Im not a craft person, not because I dont want to be, but because I just dont have the time. We have 1 craft drawer located in the kitchen with drawing paper markers and crayons for my 3 year old…and yes its organized. lol but a whole room for crafts…nope. Maybe I’ll steal a corner in hubby’s office and start a little craft area for myself just so I can say I have one.
Pat says
Man oh man, I hate crafts. I like to bake and cook, somewhat, but make something? The horror. EVEN SO, about a year ago I bought all these scrapbooking supplies…used like 2 pages. It’s the person I *want* to be. Along with those 10 little bottles of nail polish, the nice clothes, the science books…
Avlor says
Yes! The ladies who have organized craft areas must tell us how they keep them organized! My crafty area is one of the “I just can’t keep it looking nice” areas because I have many projects going on at once. Argh.
Carla says
I’m in on this one for sure! I do have a craft room. It’s still not quite the way I want it, but maybe I can get DH to build the few things I want this month…doubt it, but one can dream, right??
Marcia "HDMac" McFar says
I have a craft room. I love to do crafts. Let me repeat that. I LOVE to do crafts. I have attempted once, twice, ok… I lose count how many times I have attempted to organize my craft room. Let’s see. I sew. I crochet. I scrap book. I do some beads. I do floral things. I do things that I see that I think I can do!!! Yes, I need help. I hate Hate HATE that I don’t have it organized. I have EVERY single Annies Attic Crochet Newsletter and Annies Pattern Club magazines from the beginning to end. They are in bins BUT how do I organize them to know what I have in them? I am thinking maybe that photocopying the cover/index page might work and have a small binder in the front of the bins but I really don’t know for sure and of course I have much more magazines/books than that. Then the supplies!!!!
Oh yeah…. I need to organize. It is probably my biggest area of procrastination. My problem is it is just all so overwhelming!!
So I definitely need the help on this one. I have seen craft rooms on the internet that are so so WONDERFUL.
I probably need to get rid of 50 percent of my stuff! lol I will definitely be gleaning ideas from this project!!!
HELP!!!! lol
Sarah S. Chicken says
I had to admit that though scrapbooking and some other crafts are enjoyable for me and that I actually have a bit of talent, I just can’t do everything. I picked my favorites. I kept some scrapbooking stuff, just not all the cutesy things. I gave away my crosstitching. I kept my painting supplies because I DO paint. I kept my sewing supplies because I DO sew. I have to keep telling myself that I need to limit and control the mess. I gave away some old books because realistically I know that if I need a certain pattern (circle skirt for instance) that I can go on the internet and look for it.
My crafts are in different places. A lot of it is in my newly organized office. The fabric is in my clothes closet. The sewing machine and notions are in my hall closet. I know where everything is and can find it quickly…
Tracey says
Ok, I’m all over this post! I AM crafty and have my own sewing room. I totally need to organize it (better) and more efficiently. Woot Woot!
Thea @ I'm a Drama Mama says
Now, more than ever, I am thankful for these roundups!
As soon as I find the boxes with my scrapbooking stuff in them, I am going to attack that room.
I guess I need to decide on a room, too.
Details, details.
Barbara H. says
I am just getting back into crafting now that my kids are older, and I am loving it. But storage area in our home is at a premium, and I have craft items stuffed all over — making it frustrating when I can’t find what I am looking for or when I’d like to put together a quick card but it would take too much time and effort to get everything out. My two oldest will likely be moving out within the next couple of years, so I am fantasizing about a craft/sewing/guest room.
I’d love to hear about creative ways people organize their craft stuff. There are a lot of neat organizing tools out there — this has to be the ultimate, but I don’t think my husband would go for $1,295 for an organizational cabinet! So I’d love to hear real, practical solutions.
DeAnna says
I don’t have a room designated to my sewing, but I do have part of my dining room for my sewing machines/small armoire for fabric(thankfully, my girls are young and little so we can eat meals at the breakfast table instead) and then we have a tiny little laundry room, one side has the machines, the other side has my other craft supplies. Lately, my stuff has been organized wonderfully — I found the best way to do this is to avoid doing any crafts, scrapbooking, or sewing for months at a time. 🙂 I haven’t had time to do anything, I haven’t even sewn anything for my girls since May. The good side is that everything is nice and neat. Lol! 🙂
Julie says
I have a designated area, but it isn’t organized one bit. I need ideas for storage.
Susanne says
Oh Laura, I feel your pain. I so could have written this post. I am allergic to sewing! I have a craft room but it’s for preschool crafts. Those I can handle.
Amanda says
i hav e a craft room that recenly became the office too so its a diaster right now. its on my do list for this week so perfect timing for this challenge.
Marcia "HDMac" says
Back again, you can tell that my mind is churning here. I am so right in there with Amanda, that my craft room is a disaster. You would think that the third world war had taken place in there. Believe me I don’t think I can post before pics of this room.. and I have posted some pretty BAD before pics…
Here was one more thought that I wanted to share as far as me… I would LOVE to purchase new storage materials for my craft room, BUT that is completely out of the question for me so I need to make due with what I have which is a sewing machine table (cheap but it does the trick), LOTS of plastic storage containers, the wall shelves that are the metal attachements to the wall with shelves.. I wish we had at least the adjustable ones!!! That I want to change eventually… and I have a bookshelf that I use for not books… and I have some built in counter that was in the room as the past owners must have used this room as an office. I have one and may have a second plastic drawer storage thingie and I have several scrap paper plastic containers.
I might, Laura, MIGHT send you some pictures of my “crap” room for your ideas but I am not sure I will share those publicly on my blog! lol…. And I am sure that I will be back to comment more. This one looks like it is going to get a LOT of attention!!!!
Marcia "HDMac" says
Me again! Can you tell, I am passionate about this one!?? My craft room has NO room to display any crafts or decorations… it is packed to the gills from corner to corner from floor to ceiling! ……. very very deep sigh!!!!
Ann says
I have my stuff in a closet, and some storage bins, and in bags under the bed, and in the shed out back, and all over the ironing board.
I don’t just need help organizing the supplies but also the different projects! I’m drowning in tinsel and sequins and felt and batting and buttons and tags and punchies…..help!
GiBee says
OMGOSH… does a Den/Craft room count? Because my room looks like a craft giant exploded in it — stuff on the floor, on the shelves — everywhere…YUCK!!
I SOOOOOO have to do this… and I will. I PROMISE!!!
You will be horrified (if not disgusted) with my before shots! But I promise to keep it real and take shots before one single item is picked up.
Marcia "HDMac" says
Ann and GiBee, it sounds like some of us are in the same boat. GiBee, your before pics could NOT be as bad as mine.
I am excited about this because it really sounds like there are a lot of us that truly NEED this!!!
A Chelsea Morning says
Laura! Give yourself some credit. Your little Santa star is adorable and you did a great job. I’m going to try making just ONE sometime. Last time, I made 144. LOL
I’m not sure how this works, but it sounds like something I could participate in.
Here’s a clue for some of your commenters. I don’t have a craft room. Imagine that. If I could convince my husband to sleep in the garage, well…. but anyway. Think big plastic storage bins from Wal-Mart.
My craft stuff, especially since I started the shoppe, is all over the house, but it IS organized and neat. A craft room would be SUCH a luxury. Sigh.
Julie says
Amen and amen! I so am not a crafter either. My husband would cringe when I’d sign up to do a craft at church knowing that the poor thing would be brought hom half done and eventually end up on the shelves in the garage.
It’s not that I don’t like them or don’t like doing them, it’s just that they dont’ rank high on my priority list when I get home. Other things get in the way. So, I’ve learned that if I’m going to sign up to do one, it’d better be something I can get done while I’m there, or not sign up at all.
Christina Costain says
I have a craft table. Formerly known as our dining room table. I’ve taken it over for scrapbooking purposes and b/c if it’s right there, then i use it!
I do have some other “areas” that I stash things away in, but it’s all scattered about.. no craft room for me… not yet, at least!
Beverly says
We recently completed a renovation that resulted in a new space just for sewing and crafts!!! I am in heaven and now that I have grand kids I just know it will be utilized by everyone. We can do crafts there and not have to use the eating area!!
Features of my new room are:
a sink! Yes a place to wash up supplies and/or fill the steam iron
a cutting table at counter height that was can also use as a craft table. A couple of handy bar stools from a recycle group make it easy to sit there and do crafts.
plenty of electrical outlets all at counter height! All the machines, lamps, radios, electric scissors can stay plugged in!
a TV mounted from the ceiling! this was a steal for $75 from my gym that was closing down
There is more but you get the idea! For creative crafty types it is a dream!
Tina says
Not. Crafty. At. All.
I got in line twice for organizing and skipped the crafty line. Organizing is much more fun. And a lot less STUFF.
The Roost says
I have tried and tried…..just not a craft girl but I really love them 🙂
susieshomemade says
I am in awe of people who are crafty because I am just not. I can decorate the heck out of a cake or cupcake but try to sew something or scrapbook…forget about it:-)
Organizing Mommy says
We have MORE than the legal limit of craft supplies. It’s probably going to cause a regular emergency if I kick the bucket and leave the craft supplies to a non-crafting relative or something down the road.
Marcia "HDMac" McFar says
Organizing Mommy, actually I have had those thoughts! What if something happened to me? My husband would have one huge mess out there to deal with! It is true!!!
Tara says
I’m not crafty either, but I still try. I just can’t come up with any ideas on my own so I have to copy-cat everything. It’s rather pathetic.
orneryswife says
Yes, I am. No, I’m not. Yes I will.
Are you seriously going to do the round up in the craft room this month??? I am so there!
My craft room is my laundry room. My husband is leaving for three weeks on Monday, and the project begins–empty, paint, re-sort, re-containerize (wanna come for a visit??) and rearrange. I am so excited! I will take before pix today…
tm
Creative Triplet Mom says
OMG the craft room is the only room in my house that is so cluttered it’s crazy and embarrassing that I can’t even open up my door to get in there. I don’t know why I collect all these things as I no longer scrapbook with paper. I digital scrapbook all my stuff. I have about 12 inches of pages that are already scrapped and need to be placed in albums. Supplies that I need to sell on ebay but have no time to do it. I really dread doing this room.
Angela says
Oh, sweetie, you do NOT want to know about my crafting issues (knitting, sewing, scrapbooking, embroidery, crochet, bit of beading… yeah, shrink it down, I know… I also craft soap and make other things, but knitting, sewing and scrapbooking are the biggest ones). Not only piles in my craft space, but I have mini stations by my bed (forget Nick at night, I like knit at night), by the couch and another cushy chair in another room. It is crazy! And so out of control I can’t do any crafting anyway. Well, knitting is smaller and more portable, so I’m focused on that right now. But I can’t get to my sewing and quilting stuff and the extra knitting supplies I have… sigh… And the kids crafts, too? ugh! Oh, if you can inspire me to gut that area of my life it would be the biggest gift to not only me, but my husband would probably love you forever!! I don’t even know how many glue guns might be lurking in there or other duplicates because the first one got sucked down into the pit…
On another note, my caramel has a bit of almond milk, I realized, but you can switch that to the milk substitute he likes without any problem. I hope he likes it!
Mrs. Q says
Finally, someone who understands my un-craftiness…lol! You are hilarious 🙂 It’s better for all involved if I back away from the crafts too. Which really hurts when your mom is a master seamstress and your sister can paint, draw, sew, compose music, etc. Sometimes I do wonder if I was switched at birth…how could I have not inherited any craft genes????
Oh well. One can dream…
Queen of the Click says
Hey Girl! You are our organizing queen. Just claim that crafts and all the supplies are an organizing nightmare and no one will notice your craftiness. I love reading your blogs and seeing all of your organizing solutions.
Christy says
Unfortunately…I do not have a craft room either. So I will be spending this month getting my time organized better!
Christy says
I messed up my link to my blog in the first comment…sorry!
Marcia "HDMac" McFar says
I finished!!!!!!!! It isn’t perfect… but it works!!!!
Marcia "HDMac" says
I can hardly wait to see what everyone has been doing this month!!! 🙂 🙂