Let's Get Organized Blog Hop

Welcome to the "Let's Get Organized Blog Hop".  The Design Team at Paper Piecings By Nikki is hoping to inspire you with some organizational ideas.  Please grab your favorite beverage and hop along with us.  There will be some candy along the way - and lots of ideas.

 

Here's our line-up:

 

Nikki - www.paperpiecingsbynikki.blogspot.com

Patti - www.pattilynncreations.blogspot.com (here)

Linda - www.lindascreativity.blogspot.com (next)

Pamela & Kimi - http://www.lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com

Barb - http://mommaducksblog.blogspot.com/

Amanda S - http://scrapbookinghayven.blogspot.com/

Debbie - http://craftydeb-ddscrafts.blogspot.com/

Amanda B - www.thescrapoholiccandyshop.blogspot.com

 

Often I'm asked how I store and manage my digital files - Paperpiecings etc.  One of the things I've found most helpful is a jump drive.  They are very reasonable priced and you can get them in a variety of storage sizes.  If you buy from a lot of different companies, you can have a drive for each company. All the files featured here today are from Paper Piecings By Nikki.  She is a mega talented artist and I am so honored to be part of her amazing Design Team - Make sure you check out her store at www.paperpiecingsbynikki.com 

 

Next, an organizational tool I use is page protectors. They are inexpensive and perfect for keeping track of paperpiecing files.  Here's a look at mine.

 

 

 I simply print out the picture of the whole entire completed file and place that in the page protector...I use a simple jump ring to hold them all together.  If I have an extra piecing or two, I place the completed piecing in the protector, also.  Seeing what the completed piecing looks like, size, etc....If I need to make another, I know how much to increase or decrease the size of the files.  This also gives me a place to make notes about size - color - or even stamp sets I have that compliment these files.

Here's a closeup:

 

 These are easy to see, easy to retrieve when needed and allows you to just leaf through to see what is available when you are looking for some crafty inspiration.  As soon as I purchase a new file, I place it in a page protector...so I never 'forget' that I have something.

 

The next organization tool I have is a fun one.  My husband has bought and paid for much of my crafting tools.  Every birthday, special occassion, he gives my sister, Linda, a call and finds out which cartridge - what paper - what special punch or tool I just NEED to have.  Because of all the goodies he's bought me over the years, I never ever need to buy a card - or a gift bag - because I simply make them. 

 

My hubby has always like to make me cards for special occassions or simply, 'just because'.  But he isn't very crafty!  So I have created a 'hubby box".  This is a box where finished piecings go, that I don't have an immediate use for....or just haven't gotten around to using.  My grand-daughter Lexi also makes use of this box.   Here's what it looks like:

 



 My sister Linda, bought me this amazing organizational tote for Christmas.  It had all of these little plastic holder in it and I've labeled this one "hubby box"...all my extra piecings go in here!

My next tip is my circles and squares boxes.  I know we all hate to throw away those little scraps after a project is completed, but one of the things I do, is to use my one inch circle and square punches.  After completing a project, I go through all my scraps and cut them down to usable size and place them in a container just for scraps...so I have small pieces for when I'm cutting with my cameo - but those that are too small I cut into circles or squares, like this:

 

 Two more containers for my tote!  I also have two identical containers for patterned paper circles and squares.  The circles are GREAT for individual letters on a layout page....the squares are SUPER to use as a quilted background on a card (Just cover the area with squares and run through your cuttlebug) ALSO.,...if you have run out of popdots and really want something to stand out.  Simply fold a square or a circle in half and put behind the piecing you want to stand out...PERFECT until you can get to the store for more pop dots!

My last little organizational tip is for your scraproom table....or where ever you choose to be a creative person.  These are my little candy holders - I will also be making them for Valentines Day gifts.   I used the new Close To My Heart Artiste Cricut Cartridge and the adorable Hugs and Kisses Valentines Bears from Paper Piecings By Nikki....

 

 I'm not sure if these are a necessity - or just a plesantry...but crafting with chocolate always seems to be better!!! 
 

Thanks for hopping by - your next stop along the way is my mega talented sister, Linda .  Made sure to leave a comment at each stop along the way for a chance to win a free file of your choice from www.paperpiecingsbynikki.com.

 

Make sure to 'like' Paper Piecings By Nikki on facebook and to check her store each day for a fabulous freebie!  Also, did you know that Nikki has lowered her prices???  Yes, she sure did.  You will find everything in her store is just .99 everyday!  If you haven't tried her files yet - now is the time.  No matter what program or cutter you use, you will find a file extension to use in each and every pattern.

 

Thanks so very much for hopping along with us today - I would love it if you would become a follower and leave me one of your own favorite organizational tips.  If you do both of these things, I will pick one winner to recieve a paper piecing and card from me....