Sunday, January 25, 2009

Stash Organization

There's been some recent discussion about stash organization on one of my groups so I thought I'd post photos of what I do.

This is a shot of my to do container. Most of the projects in the container are 100% kitted up but some still need a few threads or maybe the fabric.

This is a top view of the container. Guess I've got a few projects to get started, huh.

Here is a kitted project from the to do container.
Here's a shot of my threads. I have at least one of every DMC color and I'm starting on some of the specialty threads now.

This is a shot of the threads I've pulled out for the Monopoly Board. I use bags similar to Floss-A-Way, but these have 2 holes in the bottom of the bag instead of 1 in the top. I've cut some index cards to fit the bags exactly (makes them stand up in the boxes better) and printed labels with the color number which I put on both sides of the bag.

I keep the skein of thread I'm using on one side of the index card...

and any extras I have of that color are stored on the back side of the card.

Here's where I keep my charts. Have I mentioned before that everyone says I'm really anal about how things are kept? I think this will prove it to everyone. I keep all my charts in notebooks in alphabetical order. Once I have enough charts from one designer to fill a notebook of its own, out they come and go to their new home. Here's the first half...

and here's the second half.

These are waiting to be filed.

Here's my armoire. This is where I keep my fabrics and everything that hasn't got a home yet. The right side of the armoire is where I hang my bulk fabric.

and the drawers on the left side hold small cuts, completed projects that haven't been finished yet, and all those little accessories that have no other place to call home yet.

After taking these photos, I realize that I have some serious housekeeping to do. There are way too many charts on the floor waiting to be filed and several of the kitted projects need a few things before they are 100% kitted up. But I recently purchased Organized Expressions and I'm slowly getting my stash listed. Once I am done, a copy will go to the office with me for safekeeping. I know I'd never be able to come up with a list for the insurance company should anything happen to the house.
Alright now my skin is tough - do you think I'm gone over the top on stash storage? Does anyone see where I can make improvements?
D

38 comments:

  1. Anal or not, at least your stash is organized. I "really" need to work on mine.

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  2. Oh no Debra, I'm totally green with envy! Will you come organize me, please?

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  3. Wow this looks great. Wish I could do that with mine. It may make everything easier for me lol.

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  4. Oh wow you really have things organized..... I have been trying to get my stash organized. I am making head way but, you have shown me a few more ideas on how I can get more organized.

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  5. I don't think anyone could give you any pointers! I think you have it covered!!!!!

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  6. and i thought I have a lot of charts.. you have me beat!! Your organization looks great :-)

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  7. Debra, I am in awe. What a great system you have for organizing your stash. I especially like the binders for the charts. You piqued my interest about the software. I must look into it, since like you I would not otherwise be able to compile a complete ist if anything happened to the house.

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  8. Can I be your daughter?

    Nice stash!!!! :::drool:::

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  9. You are very organized. Do you think you have enough charts, maybe you should get some more. There is enough there to kepp us all busy for years.

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  10. Wonderful! I'm totally in awe - and going to find out about Organized Expressions... I have 'most' of mine in an Access database. Most of mine are physically in a box or file cabinet, but I like the notebook idea.

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  11. ok now you've done it I will have to get my a** into gear and organize myself better

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  12. Loved all your stash pictures. You have saved me! Here I thought I was alone in the orgizantional nut house....but I am not...and Now I feel okay about myself LOL

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  13. WOW !!! I thought I was anal, but I think you have topped me. great organization. Now when do you find time to stitch ??? hee hee hee
    Dusty

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  14. Wow! Now thats what I call organised. My stash is organised into a series of big untidy piles, I am in awe!

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  15. Oh my! Now there is nothing sexier than a nicely stacked bookshelf of folders full of "stuff". (well apart from the smell of newly purchased stash :).

    Well done, you have given me some ideas with my expanding collection.

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  16. I did the same thing Saturday. Cleaned the office-craft room. LOL! I also keep my patterns in folders.
    Debra in Indiana

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  17. Oh my. I am pea green with envy at how organized you are! :) I have to get to work on my stash organization. :) Or would you like to come do mine? :)

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  18. I love the way that you have organized your stash! This is wonderful! What I really love though are your WIPS! Whooohoo! I can't say which I love more.
    Startaholics unite!
    I can't wait to see the finishes to come.

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  19. I thought my TO DO basket was scary! LOL!

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  20. I am impressed great ideas on how to keep your work tidy and organized.

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  21. I came to visit! Welcome to the 2009 Christmas Challenge group.

    Wow you sure are organized - care to come and organize me?

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  22. Thank you for this post, Debra! I love seeing how other people organize. It helps me improve mine! For example, I've got silks in those little bags, but get annoyed with them because they fall around in the box... I'm going to try the index card trick this weekend! Just that should improve life immensely!

    I love your organization! (But you did remind me that I've got housekeeping to do in my stash, too...)

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  23. Oh godfather! That much, huh? LOL

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  24. WOW!!! I'm very impressed Debra. I think you've done a wonderful job and I got some good ideas from you. I have my charts in a 2 drawer lateral file cabinet, but I'm thinking about changing over to the binder method. First, I need to go through ALL my charts & give away those which I know I'll never use.
    Barb in TX

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  25. Wow! I'm so jealous! I thought I was organized, but you definitely take the cake! I'm going to have to get binders and page covers to put my charts away. Right now they're in a stack in my stash bookshelf.

    I love how everything has a place.

    Hugs,
    Beth

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  26. Feel like a visit to Australia? I am in serious need of organisation.

    Janine

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  27. Love the way you have organized everything! I am also going to try the index card trick since I hate how they always fold over. Where did you get your baggies if you don't use the floss-a-way ones?

    Linda in MA

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  28. Debra, I just dont know what to say.
    You have done it so well.
    Your organisation left me speechless.
    I can never do it.

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  29. Wow!!!!! U are really organized! If I had that many charts, flosses, stitching supplies, my DH would keep me away from the LNS for years!

    Susan (socialsue)

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  30. Wow! I am speechless! I really like your notebook idea...and the armoire is great. I also use the index cards in the baggies...it makes all the difference doesn't it? You have givenme some great ideas...now all I need is some time! Great job!

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  31. Love your organizing skills! Just wish I was half as organized! Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog!!! You said perfectly about stitching with migraines what I was trying to say! Thanks

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  32. You want to make improvements?? Where? Please dont you want to organize me? I am speechless. You have given me some ideias that i am going to use. Thank you and keep going. Kisses.

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  33. OMG!!!!!!!!!! I need to do that with my charts to get them out of the banker boxes they are in. and Holy __(insert whatever word you like)____ I thought I had alot and I may have 1/4 of that haha. I love it. I truely do you did great and I'm sure the rest of us will be making adjustments to our storage haha! I can add that these work wonders for storing buttons and other small things so you can find what your looking for without digging. A Pic is here http://sillysunshineangel.multiply.com/photos/album/50/New_desk_and_printer_standfile_cabnet_and_new_storage#3

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  34. This is so great! I'm jealous, I'm not nearly so organized! I'm impressed!

    -- StitchKat (http://centerstitch.blogspot.com/)

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  35. Looking for cross stitch patterns "Any Monday", "Days In", "Going Home", "Quiet Sunday", and "Thanks Grandpa" by Steve Polomchak. Any help would be greatly appreciated. List of other cross stitchers sites. Thanks, Cris

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