As for my sewing notions like scissors, seam ripper, pencils, fabric markers,etc. I keep in a white lazy susan desk organizer I bought at Michael's with a 40% off coupon. It has little drawers & compartments for easy sorting. I keep it right next to my sewing machine & everything is right at my finger tips. Love it. My thread I keep in the larger plastic craft boxes for beads, etc. I coordinated the colors in the same one, so it's easier to get the one I want, & not rummage through all of them.