:D:D:D A tip we could all use!

I bought a bunch of storage boxes at the dollar store. They have the flip lids (hinged on the right/left and join in the center). They're smaller than the plastic shoe boxes, but I have 15, and have organized all my scraps and fat quarters by color in these boxes. they're clear, stack nicely, and I can see my fabrics w/o rummaging through tons of boxes or drawers, and they aren't gathering dust sitting on shelves. My fabric that is 1+ yards, I've hung on the plastic tubular hangers in the closet, so it's easily rummaged through when looking for fabric. Nice to have things in their place and not piled around. ugh!

Ninab- Those boxes sound like they're really useful!

Both Tuesday and Wednesday I reorganized my art studio so I could add some ventilation near my encaustics set up. For years I've been using a highly rated mask that filters both particulates and solvent fumes when I'm working with encaustics, but would rather have the room properly ventilated and since I have a window near my work surface, I bought a box fan and a couple of expanding window screens (old house, no screen for this particular window) to do the job. Unfortunately, that meant moving everything that was stored on the trunk underneath the window so I can get to the window to open and close it. That's finished, so now I have to figure out what to do with a couple of odds and ends that wouldn't fit on the storage area I created. Screens arrive today and fan will be here tomorrow. Doing this reorganization allowed me to put all my fabric painting/printing stuff together so it's easy to find and easy to put away when I'm done. I also use this room for my large cutting table/ironing surface, so having the ventilation should help keep it a little cleaner and make it so I can spray baste inside if the weather outside isn't cooperating.

Today I want to get back to my goal of finding at least one thing to toss, recycle or sell each day.

Rob

I've been "trying" to get my Patriotic fabric used for my Quilts of Valor group sorted into color bins: Red, White, Blue, panels, smaller pieces etc. Thankfully I have the group in once a month that helps keep things in order. I keep all the fabric in my home as this is where I hold the Sewing Days.
NOW, my personal fabric? I keep in bins by color. Projects are in scrapbook bins. BUT this is a constant struggle. I need more shelf storage in the garage for easier access. I hate having to move 3 bins to get to the one I want.

Tuckyquilter: I totally understand moving bins to get to the bin you want.

Actually, that’s why I started a reorganization project of 1 yard or larger cuts yesterday. They aren’t all sorted by color but now I can easily see what I have especially when making mystery quilts where I am finding it easier to go with yardage instead of scrappy. I do love scrappies though so will continue to make other quilts with them.

The lids are just leaning on the bins to keep the fabric in them from dust. I may hang a sheet or clear plastic over the shelves eventually so all of the fabrics are protected. I went through enough boxes/bins pulling the larger pieces and labeling the scrap bins to be content for now. I also needed a cleaning time after finishing 3 quilt tops this month. I have most of the fabric from those quilts put away.

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That’s looking good, Connie.

today I decided that it was time to do the floor in my entry hall. My house is over 100 years old and the hall is actually more like a room than a hall, except that there is a staircase to the second floor in it. Anyway, since I had to take everything out to do the floor, I decided it was a good time to go through everything that has been deposited there during the decade or so since the last time I did the flooors (yikes!) and decide What really needs to go back in there and what can be donated, sold or trashed. Started at 9am and still not done, but it already looks 100% better.

Rob

I've been working hard here and making progress too.

Pantry is cleaned out. Linen closet is re-arranged and organized. One garbage bag full of clothes and two boxes for the thrift store already in the truck today. Two bedroom closets cleaned out and organized. Accuquilt dies are now in the cube boxes and on the shelf instead of plastic bins.

Two UFO's donated to a special lady for a worthy cause. Five boxes of DD's things delivered to her. She is 30 and I still had all the cards that people sent when she was born.

It feels so good!

Love hearing and/or seeing the progress you have all made! Kudos to you.

I went to an antique store and bought a beautiful solid oak bookcase, but the shelves were made for small objects, not books. Carried it into sewing room and all my jelly rolls and special charm squares fit into it. DH suggested I refold all my fabrics on the shelves and I really like how you turned your totes sideways, (retired schoolteacher), I’ll check to see if my totes will work like that on our shelves. I bought some charm squares again, but now I’m done with buying. I was looking through my stash in my cubicles and found 4 more batik jelly rolls. I’ve been going through books looking for jelly roll patterns and find books I have no interest in at all. Having a hard time just letting them go. I’m still cleaning out closets slowly but I’m determined to get this house done this year.

Y'all are making me feel guilty because I have neglected organizing this huge mess I have here. I still have boxes, bins, totes, stacks, shelves, floor, stuffed with a very mixed collection of all colors, sizes and kinds of fabric. I spend lots of time a couple of months ago cutting scraps into squares... until I had boxes overflowing with 5" to 8" squares... So I stopped organizing and made about a dozen scrappy baby quilts for donations. I haven't even made a dent in my organization goal!! I pledge to not buy another inch of any kind of fabric ... ever!!! Yikes!!!!