A couple of days ago, I posted about a sanity saver tool that I use all the time in my life as a designer.
Here’s another of my
most favorite tools
of the designer and author’s trade.
What is it?
A spreadsheet.
Why is a spreadsheet
such a big deal?
Believe me…
it’s truly one of
my favorite tools for a lot of reasons!
This is the spreadsheet from my latest book: The Woven Bag (the link is to Amazon, but it’s not one of the payback links…. it’s just the only link that I can find to the book at this point…. )
Anyhow…. when I am creating a book, …read more

Because I have been running the Creative Clutter Control Contest, I felt that I had to clean up the mess on my drawing table in my studio.
In the contest announcement, I  posted a pic, taken from my computer desk, looking across at the drawing table.

There’s no way I am showing that pic again (click the link if you must…. shudder….)
But, I am showing the newly cleaned off drawing table, tadah….
I can actually sit there and draw again! Hurrah!
Thank you, Diane Dobson Barton for inspiring me to clear up some of my creative clutter!
(Click on her name to order your copy …read more

Ohhhhhhh, I am probably going to regret posting this photo…. but I’ll go ahead anyhow…. and blush….
This ……….
is a shot of my studio, taken from my computer desk,
looking across at  my design desks.
They are totally out of control right now.
I have just finished launching 2 self published books,
Rosie Recycle Dolls and Spooligarumi,
and am going like blazes on the next one……
as well as getting up to speed with Hankering for Yarn.
Because I have so many balls up in the air, things have just heaped up to the point of- ‘aaaaaaggggghhhhhhhh’
here in the studio….
So, when I read about Diane Dobson-Barton’s new book: …read more

It’s that time of year again — a time when many of us are getting in shape, getting more organized, clearing out the clutter…
Does this include your yarn stash?
If so, here are some ideas on how you can organize your stash for the new year. This way, you’ll know where your supplies are and not waste precious crafting minutes (or hours) looking for what you need.
Clear, plastic storage units are always popular and a good way to store and organize your stash so you can see what you have. With lids on, these boxes keep out dust and dirt, and possibly …read more

On one on my email lists, people have been chatting about how they sort, store and organize their crochet hooks.
Here are a few pics of how I store mine, as well as a nifty new gadget that I really like for carting my hooks around with projects:
For quite a few years now, I have been using this plastic pencil box to carry crochet hooks and needlework tools in my purse.  It’s not lovely, but it’s efficient!

Recently, my best friend gave me a set of dpn tubes for my sock knitting, and they are great.
The folks (nancys knit knacks) who make …read more

The Three Doors Down project on b5 is so neat! It’s giving me a great excuse to enjoy some of  ‘blogging neighbours’ on b5.
Here’s a link that explains what the ‘3 doors down’ project is.
This morning, one of my neighbours UP the b5 blog list (Jennifer at De Clutter It) wrote a posting about hankering for yarn.  She posted a pic of the most Zen yarn storage solution I have ever seen.  You really have to check it out!
Zen yarn photo at De-Clutter It 
She also posted about some other really great yarn storage solutions.  Brilliant. and useful, too! thanks, Jennifer!