I love this method of getting really neat piles of folded fabric. Doesn’t this look gorgeous.

Good Housekeeping Clutter Rescue!: Just Minutes a Day to Get Organized – Forever!
by C. J. Petersen at good housekeeping. Hearst; Spi edition (January 6, 2009).

Just the book I need before getting stuck into re-organising my crafty space. With a handy spiral binding and neat small take-anywhere size this book will hopefully save you.

I love the quick tips and ideas – although some require a bit more handyman skills than you average person might have – like turning a broom cupboard into a pantry complete with sliding doors and pull out swinging shelving system. There are lots of space saving and storage tips as well as that 15 minutes per day de-clutter rule. Lots of nifty storage solutions for tools, sports equipment, clothes, the study, mud room etc. All this is all very well in an ideal world – but if you have more stuff than places to put it you are already in trouble.

The One-Minute Organizer: A to Z Storage Solutions: 500 Tips for Storing Every Item in Your Home by Donna Smallin. Storey Publishing, LLC (December 10, 2008).

Another handy little book – full of one minute solutions – using common item as alternative storage devices – in this book there is a place for everything in your life.

tidy up your fabric stash with these two ways to fold a fat quarter of fabric from badskirt.

[via hollabee]

All month we have had fabulous studios and crafty nooks and craft room features – I have been getting some fabulous ideas. Its obvious that one of the main resolutions for crafty folk is to reorganise, de-clutter, simplify or just get some more space in which to craft craft and craft.

Does your space look anything like these studio ‘before’ photos from the craft room flickr pool? if so read on…

planet treasures jewelry table : gemgirl art beading room : flying michelles’ craft table.

You will need to clean and declutter – Some people say that the best way to get into a declutter habit is to spend 20 mins each day working on one section of your space – don’t tackle it all at once as it can be overwhelming – give yourself a target – drawers today – fabric stash next time, notions and tools then work table and patterns etc etc – work methodically and you will eventually get to the end.

I am usually more impatient than that – I am an all or nothing gal and like to get stuck straight into it – making more mess as I go – which eventually starts to clear and finally I can see the light at the end. As my husband says “to create you must first destroy”.

Whatever your method – ask yourself a few questions as you sort – do you love it and do you need it – will you use it? Everything that is a no – then straight to the garbage bag to be donated – for the yes things then you will sorting these into categories later.

“Hatch!”, The Design Public blog is having a organisation fest, they’ve invited a buncha (that’s Aussie slang for bunch of) bloggers and other professional organisers to contribute. Link, via.

Great series over at Ali Edwards.

Minibooks, Sharing Your Story, Supplies. Link.

Design, Inspiration, Finding Your Style. Link.

Events, Teaching, Internet, Creating Keepsakes, Misc. Link.

Hybrid, Digital, Photoshop. Link.

Excess, Feeling Behind/Overwhelmed, Purging/Donating Supplies. Link. (I don’t think this one applies just to scrapbookers!)

Organization + Storage, Work + Life + Finding Time. Link.

Scrapbooking Baby, Getting Started/Design Teams, Telling Your Story. Link.