Monday, January 10, 2011

"Get it Together" Organizing with Style: Week 1

Happy Monday Everyone! Today kicks off our 8 week session which we are affectionately calling "Get it Together!"... Over the next 8 weeks, we will walk hand in hand as we tackle all of the organizational challenges in our Scrap Space and yours! We will share with you simple, do-able, effective ideas and projects that are SURE to INSPIRE you and motivate you to transform your messy piles of products into a beauiful space that inspires Creativity!
A space you actually want to create in! 

Week 1: RIBBON
Does your ribbon & trim look something like this?!?! 

I have to be honest with you...this mess is mine! ...and yes...I have a wonderful system for my ribbon but with leftover bits and pieces from classes and workshops, I find myself letting things continually PILE up. I'm committing myself this week (hope you will too...) to get my ribbon back under control and organized in my ribbon boxes with my other ribbons and trims.

Before I share my organizational fav for ribbon storage, I thought I would share with you a few other ways that other ribbon obsessed crafters have used...

Here is a great idea for organizing your ribbon and a perfect solution for all of you "on the go" crafters. These are ribbon tags that have been run through a large binder ring. What a great way to take a ribbon assortment with you to your next crop...
 If you have a lot of ribbon spools, consider hanging dowel rods onto cafe rod hooks. Simply run your ribbon spools thru the dowels...This is my personal favorite for Ribbon Spools.


Here is another fun idea...these are rain gutters mounted to the wall. I think this is a great idea but I would be little concerned that not all sizes of spools would fit in the gutters...very cool idea though.
This is another unique way of organizing your ribbon spools...using a pant hanger...

And here is a cute way to display some of your favorite ribbon selections...not sure how practical this would be, but I think it's so darn CUTE!...


Here is my personal favorite for organizing ribbon...Let's face it...ribbon is a beast! I am a ribbon addict and I have had such a difficult time trying to figure out the best way to store it. I have tried just about everything...and I  have finally found a system that works great for me! I purchased several white photo boxes just like this one...


Then, I measured the inside of the boxes and cut some pieces of chipboard that were slightly smaller than my measurement. For my boxes, the measurement was 4x7 in. Next, I sorted my ribbon into basic color groups. This goes pretty quickly...just toss into piles of the same color family. Then, I simply began wrapping my pieces of ribbon onto the chipboard and secured the ends with pearl head pins. Keep your color families together. They fit so perfectly in the boxes and now I can group them easily by color.

If you are a visual person (like me) then place the lid under the box so you can see the beautiful colors of ribbon. If you would rather keep a tidier appearance in your creative space, then simply place the lid on the box and create a label for your ribbon box with the color group listed on it.

I hope these ideas will help to give you some solutions to your search for the perfect way to organize your ribbon. 
Your Scrappy-Do List this week:
Get your ribbon sorted and organized
  Please post a comment and let me know you are committed to "Get it Together" in 2011 and share with us your favorite ribbon storage idea! One lucky commenter will receive what every ribbon addict wants...MORE RIBBON...I will give away 6 yds. of assorted ribbon & trim
from Maya Road & May Arts.

 Have a great week and remember...
Stay true to your passion -- Keep Creating!

Happy Ribbon Sorting!
Miss Tracy :)
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39 comments:

  1. LeeJanuary 10, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    I love the ribbon organizing idea. I was not planning on doing this but I really need to! So out comes the "ribbon basket" today! thanks!

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  2. KristinaJanuary 10, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    I use an old curtain rod to organize my ribbon spools, but some of my spools don't fit because the rod is too thick for the hole in the center of the spool :( Plus I have lots of ribbon assortments on cards. I really love Tracy's idea of wrapping them into color families and placing in photo boxes. I think I need to give this a try.

    Hugs,
    Kristina

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  3. ScrapoholicKKJanuary 10, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    About seven months ago, my ribbon was a total mess shoved in a large drawer. I had to dig forever to find and see what I needed for my current projects. I was taking a class with Tracy and complaining about it to her. Back then she shared her famous ribbon organization boxes. It did take an entire day to cut the chipboard and roll all my ribbon, but it was WELL WORTH IT!!!! I have never been so happy with my ribbon. I highly recommend that you spend the time doing this. You will love it!

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  4. DebraJanuary 10, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    I have been waiting anxiously all weekend to see what the first post would be. Ribbon is my biggest challenge so thank you thank you thank you! It's my biggest challenge because ribbon and buttons are my favorite two items to purchase and play with. When I'm feeling down all I have to do is look through my ribbon and it makes me smile. My question today is, how many boxes do I need to buy????

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  5. NoraAnneJanuary 10, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    wow, this is a great idea! I have been working for the past week on doing a major "overhaul" in my craft room, patterned paper was my first and biggest concern because I have SO much and it was so unorganized. Next on my list was the ribbon, but I think I may have just found my solution!

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  6. CaseyJanuary 10, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    My ribbon is all thrown in a drawer, but I like it like that. I can see it all together and what I am looking for jumps out at me. I do love organization, but this actually works for me.

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  7. LollyChopsJanuary 10, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    I am not entering the giveaway... I just wanted to comment that I AM COMMITTED to getting it together! I love how you store your ribbon! My way is not as neat as it used to be... the small pieces took over!

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  8. DeeDeeJanuary 10, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    Well looky there....I could really see this working for me.... I have my laces done this way....why my brain never thougth to do my ribbon this way.... who knows....but I am committed since I am a visual person and my room is a trashed mess...I have to craft in the garage now...Please help...thanks Miss Tracy....see ya again soon

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  9. CathyJanuary 10, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    I organized my ribbon this way a couple of years ago and the day I did it I filled a large trash bag (the type you use when you rake leaves) with empty spools!! This is a tremendous space saver and works perfectly even when you want to crop at a party cuz you simple take that color with you and you do not have to take all of your stash!

    I recently went a step further (influenced by Stacy Julian) and set up baskets by color and put embellishments (buttons, brads, rhinestones, ribbon, flowers, etc.)into the basket so when I am working on a project that needs something "red" I just grab that basket down. Since I already had my ribbon on the cardboard pieces sorted by color family, I just put the cardboarded ribbon in the appropriate basket.
    Happy organizing!
    Cathy

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  10. SuellaJanuary 10, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    Oh my do I have ribbon!!! I have mine stored in plastic baskets with holes in them , throwed in there by colors, visual, still have to dig. I like your idea better, wonder how long will take me to wrap all this ribbon, bored , want to help Tracy. LLL Thanks for sharing! :)

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  11. ClaudiaJanuary 10, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    You saw my ribbon organization method when I brought it up to the little blue house! It is a tie rack hanger that is round, got it at the container store. I take my ribbons and tie them onto big paper clips, then take the paper clips and put them on a ring. The ribbons are like color coordinated together ona ring and then my rings are attached to the tie hanger, Since it round and the tie hangers move, it is all out and visual to see and very easy to use!!! I love it! I love that it is portable and very easy to hang up in my room when I crop there!

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  12. JoniJanuary 10, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    I am in the process of organizing all of my scrapping 'stuff' so this helps me and I'll be watching for future posts!! I love the different ways to display and organize the ribbon!!

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  13. JMeauxJanuary 10, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    I'm committed to getting this done as organizing my craft stuff was already on my "to do" list before you introduced the class - knowing others are doing it too will help make it fun instead of work. I'm a procrastinator at times (more than I like to admit!) & this will keep me moving in the right direction! Thanks Tracy!

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  14. BobbiJanuary 10, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    It seems like I have been organizinging my craft room forever but this year I'm going to get it done. I have tried so many different ways to organize ribbon that seemed to work for a little while but for one reason or another it didn't work long term, so I gave up and tried your method and I must say I love it. I am almost done just need to do my pink ribbons then on to the next challenge.

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  15. JackieJanuary 10, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    I keep my ribbons on a large binder ring (4 inches). I use large paper clips to hang the ribbons on there.

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  16. TinkertaylorJanuary 10, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    I'm going to go with this fab idea, to be honest I'll be happy to get them into colour groups

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  17. DebraJanuary 10, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    I am committed:) I bought my photo boxes today and found the pearl pins at my second stop (the LBH gals must have gotten to Micheal's before me) haha.

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  18. DebbieJanuary 10, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    I also found out about the box idea from Tracy several months ago. I put my ribbon in clear boxes so I can see (even if the lid is on) what colors are where. Since organizing this way I'm using a LOT MORE of my ribbon!! Also, if any piece of ribbon is shorter than 12" I put those scraps into a glass jar. Now even my smaller pieces are beautiful to look at. I did my ribbon but not my fibers, so I'll work on getting that done this week as everyone else is doing ribbon.

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  19. KimJanuary 10, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    At first I thought that was a picture of MY ribbon! I am committed to getting it together! I will work on this project on Saturday and have it completed on Monday! I NEED to! I have the boxes, the chipboard, the pins, and of course the ribbon - so NO MORE EXCUSES! Thanks Tracy for the tip!

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  20. Jennifer aka Scrappin' AggieJanuary 10, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    Very nice Ms. Tracy! I took your advice a few months ago and organized all of my ribbon into photo boxes as well! I was amazed at how much ribbon I was able to fit into a box - I now have 3 boxes

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  21. PattiJanuary 10, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    something so simple, you would have thought I would have already thought about this. Love this idea and were surely do this!
    Thanks and keep the great ideas coming, I am motivated

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  22. KendaJanuary 10, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    I keep mine color coordinated on rings , each color has its own ring, and then the rings are put on a peg board that is labeled ribbons, go figure! I love getting rid of the spools they come on and they hang so pretty on the wall, thanks for the great ideas, can't wait for next week!

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  23. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    I'm so happy that you are finding our solutions helpful! I'm working on my piles...pretty sure I'm gonna need another box :)

    Miss Tracy :)

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  24. SusanJanuary 10, 2011 at 11:21 PM

    I organized my ribbon awhile ago using Tracy's system and it is amazing how little space all this ribbon takes up if you use this method. I posted some other ideas on my blog today if you want to check it out. I have committed to organizing my fibers this week!
    Susan

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  25. TammyJanuary 10, 2011 at 11:30 PM

    This came at such an awsome time. I have a small sewing/craft room and I need al the organization I can get. I keep my spools of ribbon in plastic show boxes by color. That is such a great idea for all of the misc. lengths I have.

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  26. Linda HahnJanuary 11, 2011 at 12:19 AM

    My ribbons are stored in glass candy jars and I enjoy using them that way. However, the jars are difficult to take to crops or retreats. Will try Tracy's method of putting 1/2 the ribbons on cards and then in a photo box. Might need Maddi's help!!
    Also, how do you store fibers and yarn? Yarn comes in large quantities.

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  27. DedeJanuary 11, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    oops I posted on Tracy's blog. So, Yes I am committed and I remember when she showed us this before and I never did it but now I am going to get it done. I have mine in big clear containers but my ribbon gets tangled. So off to buy some photo boxes. Thanks LBH!

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  28. CrystalJanuary 11, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    i LOVE your idea for storing ribbon! i too am a ribbon hoarder & keep some displayed in a pretty antique bowl, but right now it is sooooo overflowing. plus i have some in drawers, tubs, on hangers, you name it....sooooo i pledge to join in getting organized! yep, my ribbon is gonna look amazing by the end of the week! lol! hugs & tfs!

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  29. ElaineHJanuary 11, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    I knew I would be away at a retreat all weekend and then back to creating thyis week so I started this process last week. It took a little while but I tried to bring a few boxes downstairs and wound as I wated TV with DH. I was amazed at how much ribbon I had and it is a great way to check to see what colors you really need to fill in on. Speaking of the retreat...took my boxes with me and they stacked up great under the table - light weight to transport too. Check my blog for my before and after pictures...happy organizing!!

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  30. andra.villegasJanuary 11, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    I followed Tracy's advice last summer and started putting my ribbon on cardboard in photo boxes. Unfortunately, the ribbon has beat me at my own game lately. But....I just bought another photo box, so it will look better soon!!

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  31. AmyJanuary 12, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    Tracy...I love this idea and I can't wait to get started on it! You're ideas are always amazing! Keep leading us!

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  32. LizzieJanuary 12, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    Oooh yessss! I do have a mostly organised ribbon collection - a large empty square choccie box, covered with pretty paper is great for my ribbon spools; the rest is organised in big jars, by colour. However the skinny ribbons are all in a jumble, after my Christmas work and I just haven't sorted them out.
    Thanks for the inspiration and ideas - time I got organising!

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  33. KristynJanuary 13, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    I have a new love for photo boxes now, not only for ribbon but for just about everything! :)

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  34. Cheryl Lynch QuiltsJanuary 13, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am a quilter that loves rick rack. After organizing all of my fabric, it came time to tackle the rick rack. I had no clue and I got referred to your blog. Love your ideas.

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  35. Cara BrittonJanuary 13, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    I plan on tackling this task this weekend. Thanks Tracy for the wonderful idea. Kelly Bailey's look sooooo good. It took her a while and she's such a fast worker. Mine will take FOREVER, but I'm committed to it. Thanks again for helping us "Get It Together".

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  36. DeeDeeJanuary 13, 2011 at 10:59 PM

    Ok I got boxes...this will be my next weeks project..need card board still.... soon this will be done... hopefully before Monday ...lol

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  37. SharonJanuary 16, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    I love your ideas! I dont know how you get the ribbon so straight with the binder ring idea?

    Inspired by the Scrapstasher Queso idea and my recent influx of girl scout cookie boxes.. I made a caramel delite ribbon holder. The little cookie slots in the plastic tray hold my endless supply of dollar ribbon spools from target!

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  38. gsandovalJanuary 16, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    I love all the ideas! My ribbons are all in plastic trays in their spools still, my scraps are still a little out of hand though, not sure what to do with those scraps under a foot long.

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  39. www.cricutcraftyclare.blogspot.comJanuary 16, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    I am committed to organizing my receipts! Thanks for the chance to win ribbon! cjdempsey9 at msn dot com

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