Living in the colonial area of Virginia all of my life, I have become accustomed to seeing wreaths on doors as decorations. This is especially true during the winter holidays. Unfortunately, storing them can be an organizational problem.
If you have considerable or unused storage space, I recommend using the plastic or cardboard containers designed especially for wreaths. Over time they will save you time, space and money in storage of these items.
If storage space is limited or becoming crowded, I recommend owning only one wreath for your door. Choose a basic wreath color that contrasts with the color of your door. Natural grape vines, cane or straw as well as artificial greenery or other bases are sturdy and can last many years. To it add an inexpensive bow and/or swags of color. Swags of leaves for fall, flowers for spring and summer and holly with berries for winter can be purchased inexpensively to add to the base. Even the dollar type stores carry suitable items for the base.
When the season has ended, dispose of the unsuitable decorations. They have probably faded and become soiled anyway. Then purchase a new set for the next season. The expense of new decorative items is off set by the initial cost of different wreaths for each season and the storage requirements they have.
Showing posts with label organization. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organization. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
What is Being Organized?
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and in some ways, being organized means different things to different people. Even professional organizers differ in the way they define and characterize being organized. Regardless of the definitions, being organized is a positive thing just as being disorganized has negative connotations.
It is true each of us will have our own organizing styles just as we have individual personalities and preferences. But there are some common threads that characterize organized spaces.
1. They have items arranged so they are not overcrowded. There are not too many items in the space and each can be accessed easily.
2. Similar items are grouped together. We call it "like with like".
3. Items are contained so they remain in their designeated space without falling out or wandering into other spaces.
4. Items are placed where they are used. The more frequently they are used, the closer they should be.
5. Every item has a permanent, specific home. Nothing else is put in that space so it can always be found and always be returned to its home.
In organized spaces, any item can be found withing a minute, cleaning is easier and spaces have a sense of calm and peace. We live in a universe with orderly systems all around us and I believe we can never be truly content until our personal spaces are orderly too.
It is true each of us will have our own organizing styles just as we have individual personalities and preferences. But there are some common threads that characterize organized spaces.
1. They have items arranged so they are not overcrowded. There are not too many items in the space and each can be accessed easily.
2. Similar items are grouped together. We call it "like with like".
3. Items are contained so they remain in their designeated space without falling out or wandering into other spaces.
4. Items are placed where they are used. The more frequently they are used, the closer they should be.
5. Every item has a permanent, specific home. Nothing else is put in that space so it can always be found and always be returned to its home.
In organized spaces, any item can be found withing a minute, cleaning is easier and spaces have a sense of calm and peace. We live in a universe with orderly systems all around us and I believe we can never be truly content until our personal spaces are orderly too.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Crafting Can Get Crazy
Making something with your own hands is an opportunity to be creative and produce something that will enhance your life and often that of others. It is rewarding to see the items you have created be appreciated by others and sometimes be a source of additional income.
Those who have these unique abilities often find themselves learning more and more crafting techniques and building an accumulation of supplies that are needed to make the products. When there is no limit to the kinds and amounts of projects, disorganization can occur.
As a professional organizer and former craftaholic, I can recommend limiting the number of different crafts you make. If you love sewing, limit yourself to projects that use fabrics. It may be quilts (my favorite), purses, aprons, jumpers or tote bags. If you like rubber stamping and papers, limit yourself to cards, scrapbooks, invitations, etc. If you like beading, limit yourself to making jewelry, embellishing clothing and other accessories. In other words, try to stick with crafts that are related in the supplies they require.
The problem occurs if you try to do beading, rubber stamping, sewing or other combinations of crafting. Unless you have a very large space for storage and working, it is very difficult to organize so many different types of supplies. For those who do have large workrooms, keeping the different craft supplies in separate zones makes is much easier to store and access those items.
Crafting is a great outlet for relieving stress and producing objects that can bless you and others. Keeping the amount of supplies to a reasonable number is an exercise in self discipline. We all can use more of that.
Those who have these unique abilities often find themselves learning more and more crafting techniques and building an accumulation of supplies that are needed to make the products. When there is no limit to the kinds and amounts of projects, disorganization can occur.
As a professional organizer and former craftaholic, I can recommend limiting the number of different crafts you make. If you love sewing, limit yourself to projects that use fabrics. It may be quilts (my favorite), purses, aprons, jumpers or tote bags. If you like rubber stamping and papers, limit yourself to cards, scrapbooks, invitations, etc. If you like beading, limit yourself to making jewelry, embellishing clothing and other accessories. In other words, try to stick with crafts that are related in the supplies they require.
The problem occurs if you try to do beading, rubber stamping, sewing or other combinations of crafting. Unless you have a very large space for storage and working, it is very difficult to organize so many different types of supplies. For those who do have large workrooms, keeping the different craft supplies in separate zones makes is much easier to store and access those items.
Crafting is a great outlet for relieving stress and producing objects that can bless you and others. Keeping the amount of supplies to a reasonable number is an exercise in self discipline. We all can use more of that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
