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Friday, February 21, 2014

Upcycle Plastic Jars and Organize Your Crafty Space with Square 1 Printable


Nearly every crafter that I know is constantly reorganizing their supplies and the space where they do their crafting.  I think that the desire (need?) to have "one in every color and size" leads to a lot of overbuying.  I know that I am guilty of pursuing the sometimes foolish quest to have all of the items in a particular collection or series.

I also come from a long line of frugal people - my parents grew up during the Great Depression and we were taught that most things can be reused or repurposed.  So I tend to save things that "might come in handy..." because I can almost always think of a way to alter or upcycle items.  Much to my husband's dismay, these items can sit around as a "crafty project to do someday" for a long time.

We usually buy an assortment of nuts to serve for the holidays and the large wide mouthed jars they come in are perfect storage containers.  I have quite a stash of these jars in the basement, just waiting to be put to use.  If you use a little Goo Gone, the store labels will come right off.

http://www.jessicasprague.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.pbv.tabs.tpl&product_id=2516&category_id=10&keyword=lori+whitlock+maggie&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=295
Lori Whitlock "Maggie" collection from Jessica Sprague.com

I recently bought this digital collection and I decided to use the label shapes and add my own words to sort out a few things on the shelves.  The collection is by Lori Whitlock and is called "Maggie."  You can get it at Jessica Sprague.com HERE.


I set up a print and cut file in the Silhouette software.  The labels are a slightly different shape than they appear in the kit because I wanted them to fit neatly on one of the flat sides of the plastic jars.  My frugal tendencies kicked in too, so I added some other digital elements to fill up as much of the sheet of Square1 printable inkjet material as possible (keeping them out of the cross-hatched areas so the machine can see and cut them.


I followed the instructions on the Square1 package and set the printer for best quality and matte photo paper.  Here is my printed sheet, ready to take to the Silhouette for cutting.


I did a "kiss-cut" which cuts neatly through the fabric but leaves the backing paper intact.  The backing paper can be saved for storing the images. 


I used a mat and the settings were speed - 8, thickness - 16 and the blade was set at 5.  I have this set up as a "user-defined" setting for Square1 Printable.  I always do a test cut first (the blade will cut a small triangle in a square at the top left corner) to double check the settings on material.


The label on the ribbon jar is a little different in style.  I added the offset background and filled it with some of the floral paper to coordinate with the other labels.
If you would like me to do a video showing how I bring the images into the Silhouette software, add the words and create the cut lines, just let me know. 


If your shelves are tall enough, you could stack one set of the jars on top of another set - I wouldn't do more than two layers and it is a good idea to keep the most frequently used items on the top row if you do stack the jars.


The lids of these jars were black and a dark orange red.  In better weather, I will probably take the lids outside and spray paint them ivory or white to coordinate more nicely with the room.

http://shop.square1masterpiece.com/?Click=295

There is a special offer on right now for the Square1 Printable.  You can get a pack of 8 sheets with a free instructional video and free shipping for just $14.99 (usually $19.99 plus shipping and no video).  If you have been curious about trying this material, now would be a great time to try it.  Click HERE to go to the site and scroll down to find this offer at the lower left of the page.

If you are curious to see what I did with the extra bits and pieces I fit onto the printable sheet, be sure to check back tomorrow.


In the jar labelled "Beads" I stashed some of the charms that I buy at a local antique shop.  I have used these from time to time on cards and I realized that I have plenty to share...so...


Each of the Blog anniversary boxes will have a set of charms added to it.


The boxes are filling up - I think I should wrap up that ribbon neatly again so I can see how much room I have left to add things.  We started on the 10th and the plan this year is to add something every day for two weeks to make up for missing the week-long celebration last year.  It may last a little longer - I am having a lot of fun reading all of your answers each day.  I hope you are also reading what other people say - particularly today.


How do you play along in the blog celebration giveaway?


To enter for a chance to win one of the three boxes - see all of the details on the first blog celebration post HERE.  Then come back and get your comments in on this post.  Remember, if you sign up for the new newsletter (see the box at the top right of the page) I will be choosing one person from the subscribers as a box winner (you don't need to leave a comment here since I can see that list).

Today's question to answer in your comment is:

What organization tips can you share - just a few of your favorites.  Do you save a lot of "gunna" items (things that you are "gunna" do someday?).  What is the most unusual thing you have ever "upcycled" - or do you prefer new things?

It looks like our weather will be a bit warmer this weekend - time to melt some snow! I just worry about it all melting and freezing into giant ice slicks.  No Olympic style skating skills in this house!
Have a great weekend!


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77 comments:

  1. I'm constantly reorganizing my scrap area. Like you I do recycle some things and have those same jars. I use them at work(I'm a preschool teacher) to store buttons ,rhinestones, foamies, etc.
    At my house I have very limited space for my crafty things and we don't have central air conditioning (more like natural air); so dust is every where. I have everything on clear plastic shoe boxes; on shelves. That way I can see whats inside. Also; I have some tackle boxes where I keep ribbons, brads, buttons, tiles, sequins, etc.
    Thanks for all the goodies that you are sharing.

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  2. I put my fabric flowers in canning jars. I use a loose leaf binder to put stickers in, I use document protectors to put stickers in. My "gunna" list is so big I may never get it done. lol. I am always trying to find a better way to organize. I like to get new things.

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  3. Cute idea, but I ran out of storage space!! I need a bigger room..lol I buy things with all good intentions of using them on my pages or cards, but then either forget to use them or forget 'how' to use them...lol...As for 'upcycling', what popped into my head was the use of my mother-in-law's Christmas earrings. She had passed away and I was not going to wear them. They were not expensive; most like bought at her local 5 & 10 store back in the day. They made perfect embellishments on my Christmas page!!

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  4. I can't wait to see what everyone says here, I search on line for tips because my scrap space is in need of some serious help. I can't & don't want to spend a fortune to do it. I recycle too, as I was brought up the same way. My dad's work bench had tons of jar covers screwed to the ceiling, he could easily look up into clear jars (no cute labels for him) & unscrew the jar he wanted. I found my space gets a bit crowded with all my recycled, hodgepodge & mismatched attempts to organize. Right now It's really my 12x12 papers that need help. I have one rolling cart that holds only solid color papers, that works great. But my printed papers- sets, books, loose - I have yet to find a good, organized way to store them. Presently most are in those white slotted wooden cubes, got mine a michael's. Papers by themes like birthday, Christmas, Halloween easy to organize. As my paper multiplies like lemmings, I have spilled onto my work space. Really need to create a new space, it would be lovely to stop saying where did I put such & such paper. So, this is a selfish post & i didn't answer your question. It's a I'm so glad you asked that, who's idea is going to be my Epiphany moment!

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  5. what cute little charms.
    I organize all my cut-outs from die cuts, punched flowers, etc, as well as fussy cut pictures from old saved cards from every occasion and put into protective sleeves; smaller items I keep in those protective sleeves that you save baseball cards in for smaller items and keep it all in large 3-ring binders.
    As for the most unusual thing I have ever upcycled was pop tabs as well as bottle caps. I do a lot of recycling items for many different things.
    Thank you
    ColleenB.
    Texas

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  6. Most of my craft supplies are stored in see through plastic shoe boxes with labels on the lid and front of the box to identify the contents. When I head tout o a craft weekend, I can just grab the boxes and put them in a pull cart. Most of the boxes live on a set of shoe racks, 3 tall, that line the back of my craft desk. The shoe racks can also come with me to cropping weekends to hold supplies. I save the top shelf of the shoe rack for my laptop, so I can quickly move it out of the way if I need more space.

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  7. I would LOVE a video on bringing the images into silhouette software.....I love all of Lori Whitlocks papers and images! Can you use her paper in silhouette too?

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  8. I try and try to be organized but what I have is an organized mess. I have used old cigsr boxes, certs contsiners , plastic zip lock bags, etc. I too collect things for later then forget I have them. I bought shadow boxes and clocks and still have not touched them. I do perfer new things but have also used old toilet paper holders or paper towel rolls for crafts especially with my grandchildren.

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  9. Your jars are fabulous, Diane. I save things, too. What's really bad is my hubby does the same thing. If someone gives him something and he can't use it, he gives it to me and I'm expected to use it. He cannot stand to get rid of anything that "could" be useful. I can't tell you how many little baggies we have with watch faces and watchband pieces in it. And eyeglasses, OMGee! Hubby was having a problem so he wore some older glasses. When he went to see about the current glasses he brought the wrong pair in to the optometrist. So he called me to tart looking for the right pair. He came home and we (I) went through the truck - I found 5 pair in cases in his truck. So we're both "sick" in that way.
    The oddest thing I have repurposed (hubby saved it, he just knew we would need it someday) is the hooks that you loop IV bags to. They are about 8 inches with a loop on each end. The bag hangs from them. Well, I use them to hang a double row o dowels to hold my ribbon under shelves.
    I also want to thank you, Diane for your comment and interest. I did speak to someone at PC and everything we tried would not link my Gypsy to CCR. Maybe someone else will be able to try something different..

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  10. I have a very small crafty space, so I really need to keep things as organized as I can. I do find myself looking at something and thinking ..."Can I make something with this?" So I have a space in the basement for storing these "future projects". Now I just need to find the time to make them! I haven't made very many "repurposed" crafts yet, but I sure do have a lot of ideas. Enjoy the warm temps, but step carefully.

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  11. I tend to save the sizzix clear plastic for see thru windows on cards an for embellishments....My walls in my craft room are covered in silver peg board an so loaded I can't see some of the things underneath!! I do save ribbons from packages always, an like you I need every color !! lol

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  12. I keep all kinds of containers. The joke in the family is, especially with our son-in-law, it's a container, save it for Mom. Your labels are neat..

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  13. I have a large tote in the basement for future altered items, but often question when I'll get to them. I use a lot of vinyl and adopted someone's idea to to glue the cardboard tubes from the vinyl into a pyramid-looking tower (looks like a tabetop wine rack). Vinyl is color-sorted and protected from damage when re-rolled and stored in the tubes. Fits perfectly into the bottom cabinet of a repurposed old microwave cart (Cricut on top). I've been taking scrapbook.com's free organization course. I'm not a scrapbooker, but it really helped me look at how I want my space to function. Lots of good tips; enjoying the photos of scraprooms.

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  14. I'm definitely a "gunna" girl. I save boxes, papers, store-bought cards (especially those made with nice cardstock), interesting packing materials, etc. I do try to use them whenever I...er...remember to do so! My one storage tip is to use an inexpensive hanging shoe organizer. I am able to hang one right by my workbench and it holds all the things I need to grab quickly, like rulers, small paper cutter, etc. I think I actually got it in a dollar bin at Target, so it was very cheap, but is very handy!

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  15. your charms are adorable. As for upcycling, I do keep lots of everything. My favorite is keeping the meat trays that you get at the butcher shop. I wash them out and use them for my paint palettes. They are perfect for adding acrylic paint to and stamping into.

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  16. I like to save things, but sometimes I get in a cleaning frenzy and decide tf I have not used it yet I probably never will. Then out it goes. I put my stickers in a loose leaf notebook that has plastic sleeves. I have a key on the front cover of each notebook so I know what category is in that notebook.

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  17. I keep small embellishments in jars so I can see what I have. I have up cycled cereal boxes to make chipboard type albums. And I always buy picture frames "to do something with" and that is a family joke!!

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  18. I too have a "hoarding" craft mentality. Sometimes I can't find what I'm looking for. I am using more and more wall space and hanging items so they can be seen. Yes, please do a video!

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  19. I love your jars and yet I would love to see a tutorial on how you import items. I've watched quite a few Silhouette tutorials and all are a huge help.

    Yes, I do save things that I may use and usually I do end up using it. My biggest downfall is saving things that I think my niece might be able to use as a project for her 2nd graders. Of course you have to save enough for every child! I try to be realistic, but yea sometimes that just doesn't work! LOL!

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  20. I love your idea! I have some of those jars but I store my flowers, brads, buttons, eyelets paper clips, etc by color in each one so I don't want to put labels on them yet. I do have a couple that are empty so may put those labels on those just b/c they are so cute!
    I upcycle some but not as much as I used to. As I get older, I find that I don't use as much as I would have in my 20's, 30's, 40's or 50's. My favorite way of storing stuff is in the set of 3 sterile 13x14 clear drawers. I love those so much that I have 75 of them along one wall. The hold most of my themed papers, embellishments, etc. I also use the small plastic bins you can get in sets of 3 (different sizes) from Walmart, Target, etc. for holding my small papers (for cutting on my cameo), embellishments, etc for my current project. Keeps those small things corralled while you are crafting. When you are done, take those baskets around and put stuff away.

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  21. We have a Goodwill training center nearby that sells things by the pound. I bought glass containers I thought looked interesting and store ribbon, lace and other bits and pieces. To keep the items from tangling, I put them in small zip lock bags first. Triscuit boxes cut in half are the perfect size for precut card mats. I cut my paper scraps into 4.25 Xv5.5" and 4 X 5.25" sizes so they are ready when I get an idea. My cricut cartridges are stored on old VHS .shelf unit. I have rolls of ribbon on a standing paper towel holder. My craft desk is an old office armoire that I outfitted with adjustable shelves meant for mounting in kitchen cabinets. It can be completely folded up to hide all of the mess. My printer and silhouette are on rolling kitchen carts. Most of what are I use are garage sale or thrift shop finds.

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  22. I love your labels! I use those same jars also! They hold my smaller sized pieces of ribbon (the ones on the rolls I keep in see-through shoe boxes, organized by color/theme), paper flowers, satin flowers and chipboard decorations. I DON'T have the pretty labels on them though...that will be my "gunna" make project! I, too, like recycling as much as I can, I bought a big see-through plastic container for all of my tp rolls (I'm into making the minis) and I also have a huge collection of the see-through plastic that I cut up and use to protect pictures in my mini books. I like baskets, so many of my supplies are inside beautiful Longaberger baskets...
    I DO like to reorganize (at least I call it that) every now and then. But I am just as guilty as the rest...I have WAY more supplies than I'll ever use, I'm sure! ;-)

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  23. loving reading the comments! I save Greenies boxes (dog treats) and store my 6x6 paper pads in them, they're perfect for that! and yes, I save all kinds of things for 'later' projects..clear hard plastic from packages - it's got to be good for something someday!! can't throw away good ribbon!

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  24. Your jars are cute! I have plastic jars also but not cute like yours. We recently moved from a 3000 sf home and down sized to a 1000 sf. which I love so not much room for extras. I am a pretty organized person I think (lol) so everything now is organized for smaller space. One think that I keep pretty often are baby food jars (my dogs eat the baby food) and I keep sequins in them also googly eyes.

    Roxanna
    roxxscott at g mail dot com

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  25. I like to save the containers that crystal light comes in, the ones for 2qt packages.
    I turn them sideway in my computer shelves, great for storing pens

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  26. I don't save much in the gunna category. My hubby and I were in the Navy in our early part of marriage and we have moved so many times that I try to keep things simple. That said my craft room is wall to wall stuff that I can't part with! I hang my ribbons on yarn strings across the bookshelf so they are easy to get to and I have bins for buttons and glue sticks, etc. I have one big plastic bin for card embellies but to be honest they kind of spill out everywhere when I am busy working. Your jars are great and I really like that stuff you used. I may have to try some of it eventually.

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  27. Those jars are cute! Keeping things organized in my scraproom is a constant battle. I sort and purge often but things just pile up! I use several of the organizing items mentioned above..the drawers, jars, rolling carts and shoe bag. I also use those Target plastic crates to hold all my stacks.These are great.
    I am beginning to figure out how to import digital papers and other things into Silhouette Design Studio but would love to see a video on how you do it. I am trying to figure out how to save a multi page project. Hopefully you can show us! The boxes are awesome!

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  28. I'm terrible at organizing! My scrap space is small and extremely cluttered. I buy storage containers and end up with them all over the floor - I desperately need more shelves and wall space!

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  29. If you are not organized you will never find what you want or discover that most perfect addition to your project. I am changing things all the time. I love to redo objects to use. One of my favorite place to look is yard sales. One man's junk is another's gold.

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  30. Unfortunately, I don't have a craft room. I have a 2 bedroom condo, and my second bedroom has my computer, printers, a TV, sewing machine, twin bed, and grandchildren's toys. I am trying to get rid of some of it (like the bed) so that I can create a crafting room... I'm not sure the toy situation is going to get any better as my daughter-in-law is 33 weeks pregnant with identical twin boys!!

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  31. I save those plastic jars, too. They are great. I up cycle the ribbons sewn into sweaters to keep them on the hanger. I always cut them off anyway, so now I save them and use them on my cards. It is a nice way to have an assortment of colors.

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  32. I have a lot of going to do items. My storage system consists of dollar store containers, and the photo boxes at the craft stores when they are a good sale All are organized the way I craft. This week I am upcycling a mask from years ago. My grand daughter needs help decorating a mask for a gymnastic meet, they are having a parade. It will be cute and extra special. DawnRI

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  33. I'm lucky enough to have a craft room and find I get so much more done because of it. I love vertical storage for my paper. I use clear plastic boxes, bags, 3-drawer storage for supplies by category (love, baby, friend, each holiday, etc). I have 3 of the old Crop In Style punch pals hanging on a closet door. They are wonderful for storing punches and stamps. I love reading all the ideas from other followers.

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  34. I have buttons in old playdough containers, The lids show what color button are stored inside the container.
    Rebecca
    rebeccajholley [at] gmail [dot] com

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  35. I have one requirement. Everything is in see thru containers. It takes less time to find things.
    Kathy
    kathylascala at gmail dot com

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  36. OK I'll try it again. Having computer problems. I didn't see the comment that my post would be published so here goes again.

    I love your labels. I too have many of those plastic jars stashed for later use. I used baby food jars to store my embellishments by size and color. Strangest is the box at the store that holds the packaged spice packets. I have 3. Painted them one is hanging on the wall by my ribbon. It contains the ribbon that comes on cardboard with several colors wrapped on it. The boxes are cut low so you can see what is in them. Large one sits and holds packaged letters and stickers. 1 not in use yet.
    I don't know how to do digital labels. Maybe you could do a teaching video.
    Thank you
    Linda in Stanwood

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  37. I love to keep things in see-through containers, so that I can actually see what I have! I love to upcycle clear plastic jars for that reason. Also have some pretty clear glass candle jars that I've cleaned all the wax out of, that I'm "gunna" use - SOMEDAY! I'm not the best organizer, though - my "gunna" items are just sitting in paper bags!

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  38. I'm one of those people who start a project and never finish. I'm gunna get to it someday. I've been retired for 2 years now and I'm still gunna organize and purge stuff. I have decided to move my crafts and scrapbooking stuff in to the bedroom in the basement. I hope this will help me do more of the things I'm gunna finish. I think I'll be able to leave things in sight so I know I have it and use it. We'll see. We first have to move the bed out and get a fold out couch so I can utilize the whole room. Can't wait to get started on that. I love your questions. Makes you think a little more.

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  39. My most unusual upcycle so far would be the bookends I designed and my engineer husband made from wonderful old pieces of metal (from the metal pile near the old barn) and old floor boards from our house project. I don't have a picture of them offhand, but they were in the Yankee Swap of Christmas 2012, so maybe you do.

    Also, my older son needed to do something for school that used a circle, and I suggested using a paint can lid with gorgeous dried blue paint. That was pretty cool.

    I have a number of cool round brake parts (I can't remember the exact name) from my father-in-law that I was thinking of making clocks with. And by "I," I meant, "I tell Chris what I want and he improves upon it and does it."

    As far "gunnas," a while back I went through my sewing room and took out all the little jars and organization things that I thought would be useful but I haven't used yet. It's a ridiculous amount of things that have since been sitting in a big pile in my bedroom...so, no, I have no idea what you're saying about gunnas.

    Don't put me on the list for the boxes. I love seeing what goes in them, but I'm pretty much just interested in fabric & quilting items!

    Your SIL, Melanie

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  40. I'm always thinking of new ways to organize my craft room. Just recently I acquired some 12" square by 3" deep boxes which I've cut into magazine type files, only I'm using them to store 12" paper. I covered the boxes with craft paper and then decorated the outside edges to all match. They're all lined up neatly on the shelves above my desk and look so much nicer. I was able to get 2 files out of each box. Now I just need to sort through my paper and organize them in my storage system! We just went to Costco and came home with a GIANT plastic jar of animal crackers, so I'm trying to think about what to do with that. I may use it to store some bits and pieces of left over yarn from all my knitting projects. I also have a couple of long narrow drawers that I got from my son when he remodeled his kitchen. I've seen some ways to reuse them on Pinterest. I guess they're part of my "gunna" list. I love the little charms you're putting into the boxes. Thanks for sharing part of your stash!

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  41. Oh yeah, my craft room is full of items I think I'm going to need someday! Lately, I've been trying to "force" myself to use more of what I have instead of buying something new. I also use those big nuts jars for storage. They're great.

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  42. I have a supply binder which has dots of all my ink colors, cuts from my dies, samples of my embossing folders, and Excel spreadsheets with words from all my Cricut cartridges and my stamp sets. I also store my twice wrapped around clothespins with the names on the clothespins.

    Cassie

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  43. I have absolutely no organization skills at all. I'm almost ready to hire my daughter to set up my craft space. The gunna do projects go back 30 years, so I have a feeling they are never gunna get done. lol. I love to upcycle cards, especially Christmas cards. My favorite upcycle was a book shelf I got at an estate sale. I painted it and tiled the top with hand made mexican tiles. Very colorful and it really turned out nice.

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  44. Your jar idea is fantastic, and i love your labels. i don't have a Silhouette, but i still like to see your how to videos. So yes please show us how you made the labels. I love to upcycle too. My husband did some remodeling and I was digging through his scraps. He's always asking what are you going to do with that? I once took some scrap trim molding off the burn pile, cut to length, sanded and repainted it, then I took a towel rod, mounted it to the wood and mounted that to my wall and hung my paper punches on the rail. I also took a baby crib bed spring, spray painted it a fun color to hang on the wall. It's magnetic so I hang my special cricut cards on it that are made for me and for inspiration. Love the charms!

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  45. I have good intentions to upcycle and save things but usually never get around to using them and the items eventually go into recycle.
    I loved the upcycle tealights you made years ago from the juice lids.

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  46. It seems that I have to have everything I see on all the blogs and what to make everything I see. That's why I bought my Cameo this past Christmas, because I've seen what you can do with it. I keep buying more and more supples and watching tutorials, but not getting anything done. 'I'm gonna make that' is my favorite saying. I save empty cereal boxes and tp rolls for mini albums 'I'm gonna make'. I spend so much time online getting all these ideas that I don't have time to make them. But I would like some tutorials from you on the Cameo.

    Nancy

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  47. I use some things but most if the time I can't get what I am after so I end up buying new.

    Luria

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  48. I save the same type of jars as you spoke about. I've used some in my kitchen (for Hershey's Dark Chocolate Kisses, Dark Chocolate M&M's, Chocolate Chips - do you see a theme here?) but also in my craft room for buttons, loose ribbons, etc.
    I love new things but also save recycled jars, ribbons, greeting cards, buttons, etc. to reuse. I've used the designs inside security envelopes received in the mail to act as ribbons or banners on cards. Some of the designs and colors are really pretty. My most "unusual" upcycled item is probably the plastic packaging that surrounds the older style Cricket cartridges. I very carefully cut them apart so that I have 1 or 2 trays with sides from each cartridge. I use them to store all the cuts that I plan to use on a project together. Then I stack the trays until I am ready to work on them.

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  49. I love your cute tags and upcycled containers. I try to do that but I usually save things that I am going to do something with and then get frustrated because they are all over the house and then I through them out. As soon as the garbage is gone, I remember what I wanted those things for in the first place. My best storage thing is the snap-ware containers that I use to store my cricut cartridges and handbooks.

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  50. My most fav thing to upcycle is the rectangle baby wipes containers. I take those filled with pens, ink pads, stamps in separate ones to crops because they have a lid. Nothing falls out during transit. Diane, please do more videos. I can't tell you how often I watched the ones you made for using the cricut and how often I recommended your blog to friends. I just got my new cameo and have been wishing you had more vids on it. And if I haven't said it before: Congrats on the anniversary and thanks for sharing what you do. :-)

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  51. I love anything clear. Need to see what's inside without pulling shelf's apart. The most unusual thing I've recycled is the pink ring around the qt size container of Walmart's half n half. I use them to crochet wreath's, flowers key rings.

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  52. My sister was getting rid of plastic tins that she use to store her beannie babies, I took them all and now store some of my ribbon in them.

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  53. I have a lot of gunna projects - I need to get to work on those! I also try to upcyce stuff - mainly different tins.

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  54. I'm always seeing little things that I think I could use in my craft room for storage. Jars and boxes would probably top the list. I have taken some glassware out of my kitchen recently to store doilies, cames, etc.I always have "gunna" items because I'm always trying to look for better organizational solutions. I do use Ziploc bags to store used 6 x 6 paper pads so that the scraps won't be all over the place.
    vballen at comcast dot net

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  55. I love to use jars. I put all of my paper and silk flowers in mason jars sorted by color, then display them on a small pedestal table. I also put my washi tape and ribbon in big jars that sit on my crafting tables. I would love to re-purpose things like coffee containers or nut jars, but we don't buy anything like that. The items we do buy for the household aren't things that could be re-purposed. I would also like to see your vids for the silhouette. I love how thorough you are.

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  56. I'm a gunna person for sure. I have collections of toilet paper rolls, pop can tabs, orange juice lids, baby food jars, plastic peanut containers from Costco, Cricut plastic boxes and just plain "stuff"! I think the item I get the most use from though is a 24 slot plastic shoe container that hangs over a door for my punches. I have two of them and wish I had more doors to use. This has been fun Diane seeing what all the other bloggers use to make cards and fill scrapbooks.

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  57. I too save things to reuse but rarely follow through. I do love to organize though. I am always reorganizing because it doesn't work the way I planned or someone else's system, tips, etc seem like an improvement.

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  58. I used an old wooden cassette tape rack to organize and store my inkpads....definitely "retro"!

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  59. A great space saving tip is using Ribbon Rings to store ribbon. I buy the larger one and I can hang at least a dozen 2 yard lengths (folded in half so 1 yd hangs on each side.) I have then on LARGE binder Rings and hanging on a Scarf/belt hanger. Literally drawers and drawers of ribbon are now on the Ribbon Rings.

    I have upcycled, used dryer sheets for card fronts (gorgeous) Soda can tabs to make the coolest Star Trek Klingon sash. Toilet paper rolls for treats (sprayed w/ disinfectant) Backing of adhesive sheets. Ribbon spools (I have a gazillion now that it is all on Ribbon Rings) Rice grains to stuff in my tool caddy so that shorter items won't get lost (pop corn kernels work too) Small medicine bottles for small embellies or needles/stick pins and Large medicine bottles to hide my favorite candy from my kids! ;)
    Valerie

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  60. I have so little space to craft in that all of my items are packed away until I have time to make cards. Then I take everything out. I try to organize but it doesn't work well. I need a whole room to myself! I like to use the metal wrapping of our wine bottles to punch from... hearts, birds, etc. It's red and matte and metal! Fun!

    Kris in Alaska
    funamom at yahoo dot com

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  61. I love to organise and I am constantly searching for ideas. I also keep a nice stack of upcycling objects that I hope I get to some day. I love your jars.

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  62. Seems like I'm always reorganizing my craft space. I like using clear plastic containers for storage so I can easily see what I have on hand.

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  63. I am constantly organizing and reorganizing my scrap room and it seems I haven't found the right containers because I still don't put things back! I keep things all the time to up cycle and some things I actually repurpose! My favorite is using the packaging from my purchases as a shaker box!

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  64. I have Ikea Expedit in my craft room, and the cubes and boxes that fit in it really keep my things organized well. I also have Organize More's stamp pad storage, which is wonderful. I do save cardboard from paper packs, and plastic bags that have that resealable tape on the closure to protect cards. Thank you. BethAnn bmarczak68atverizondotnet

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  65. I too, have a couple of Expedit units in my craft room and love finding/making containers that will organize my supplies and also look interesting on those open shelves, as well as the wire shelves in an open alcove in the room. I have an overflowing box of things for future projects in the craft room closet -- maybe I'll get to them when my son graduates high school? I also save packaging that I might be able to cut in the Cricut or my new Cameo.

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  66. Wow, loved reading all these comments, how great to learn how we crafters have a lot of the same personality quirks! Love it. I love those jars but my hubby takes them for organizing in the garage. I think I'll put "dibs" on the next one. I use a lot of clear plastic shoe boxes, I like to see what's inside. Love the labels you made and love the Maggie paper, so very colorful. I haven't tried the Square1 material yet, but it looks very interesting. A video tutorial would be interesting to see, I've done a lot on the Cameo now, but I'm sure I would learn some tips watching you do it. I can make labels for my shoe boxes! Thanks so much for all these thought provoking questions! Organization tips are so helpful and much appreciated. Love all the goodies in the boxes! Hugs,

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  67. I don't have a lot of organization tips (although I know I would be more organized with more shelving/cabinetry). But my "gunna" use are the extra papers I have after making cuts. I'm sure that I will find a use for them at some point along the way and I save lots of them!

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  68. I really liked your project. I cannot wait for more videos! I found your blog when trying to learn the design. Studio. Your tutorials were so well done. Clear and understandable.

    I collect storage systems as well as products. At times. I think I am more a collector of craft supplies rather than a crafter!

    I love watching your bipod eps fill up and wish I could win. Lol Kathie kdobbins194807 at yahoo dot com

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  69. I just recently reorganized my crafting area. I had a desk in the basement and decided it needed to come upstairs so I could use it. I rearranged my "office" (the back part of my living room & am loving it. Three or four years ago, found a mail sorter at a thrift store. I finally got to use it! I have no idea what I originally planned to do with it, but right now, it holds both of my ATGs and a few other in progress things I am working on. The good part is it sits on the raised ledge on my desk, so I can always grab my ATGs and I can always see what I need to do next.

    I too have a bunch of items I plan on making over and giving as gifts. I keep them in in a tub on the top of one of my storage shelves. Whenever I need a gift, I grab something out of that bin.

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  70. In my head, all my supplies are organized, easy to find and available exactly when I need them. In actuality, there is no organization. Part of my problem is the fact that I do save "gunna" items. I can't seem to throw out any paper scraps that could be used for a future project. I also don't have a dedicated crafting place in my apartment so I have pull-out all my supplies and put them away every time I craft. Every now & then I try to organize but it doesn't last. I don't recall if I've ever upcycled anything. I envy you your organization. :-) anticil at comcast dot net

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  71. I have loved reading the different tips ! The one item I've upcycled is similar to yours but I've used the little jars my bullion cubes come in. They are just the right size for my little google eyes etc. These labels would add a lot though, Thanks for the idea !!
    Anna N.
    ann2236 at juno dot com

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  72. Lately, I prefer new organizational products, however, can't pass up a great sturdy container with a scre on lid! I don't save too many "gunna" these days because I just don't like to store them, Organization tips? My main one is from my job...handle "things" and then file or put them away. I don't work well with clutter around me!

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  73. I have an assortment of containers to repurpose, only a few of which I have actually done! I have fun upcycling 2 liter bottles but removing the label, cutting a "door", filling it with treats or gifts, then covering the label area with scrapbook paper. It makes great teacher gifts. I always astound the students who wonder how I got those things in there... but I also stumped a teacher once too! ;-) I have plenty of scrapbook paper set aside for specific "gunna" projects. The gingerbread paper? Totally for Kindergarten gingerbread houses! Popcorn paper? Oh that's for the sleepover party when my son was 7. And so on...

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  74. I am always looking for new organizational ideas.

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  75. I am a FB follower

    Hugs, Jenn Zeeb

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  76. I moved over 2 years ago so most of my supplies are still in boxes. However, my basic, use everyday tools, are kept on my crafting table. I try to keep like items (punches, embossing folders, eyelets/brads) together.

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