"The Secret of Getting ahead is getting Started"..........

     .............. So, how are you doing on all that organizing you vowed to do this year?  I have only made a dent in what I hope to do but, I have been slowly working on it. In the last few days I have sorted through a lot of my "smalls". It is the kind of organizing I enjoy doing. Gives me an excuse to play with all the little things - some I hadn't seen lately........

I was already using these containers for the same purpose but they had gotten in a jumble and I had a lot of small things that had not been put back where they belong. The two large baskets had a bunch of assorteds, looking for their homes!

I got all the spools back in their own container and took time to separate them by colors and put them in plastic bags. I don't have as much thread as I once did since I do very little machine sewing now.

I realize that if I were to purchase special storage boxes etc. that they would fit together and stack up in the closet better but, Some of these boxes are also treasures and I enjoy having them. This is about 8" deep with some of my collected items and left overs from many projects, waiting to be used. Notice the decorated Altoids box. That's a project that I have everything I need to make about a dozen more.

It is holding tiny metal trinkets. I also have a big box elsewhere with larger charms, etc. I really need to get back to using these!

Barely showing here at the top are my machine bobbins which were in here with a lot of thread unwound. The pattern is one I am using - started making another of these baby day gowns.  If I get several sets (gown and bonnet) made they might go into an Etsy shop that I might start.

This lavender sachet bag is a possibility for Etsy also. I make these using my rubber stamps and beads.  They smell so good!  If I never open an on-line Etsy shop I will have a lot of gifts made ahead.

This fishing tackle box is not pretty but it serves well to store lots of embroidery thread, in order by number.

It has two sides that opens up separately. The other side isn't as full as this one.  Hand embroidery is one of my favorite things to do.

Some more containers that I went through.

One holds my favorite laces that I saved back when I got rid of a very large bag of lace. The smaller one contains silk embroidery ribbon.

I ran across this in the big basket and decided to show it. In the early seventies I started having everyone that ate at our house sign (one time) this white tablecloth. I then embroidered each name. The reason it is in the big sewing basket is I noticed a few names that were still in ink.  We use to intertain a lot! And, had I not been so forgetful about keeping up with this it would be solid writing now. I just gave up on the project after missing so many people for years at a time. I may open it up and show you more names sometime.

Moving on - I redid the files that sit on my desk. I replaced the old file folders which were getting pretty used looking with these that I purchased a long time ago at Michael's dollar section. Glad I got two sets!  By the way, I did not intend to advertise for Sarah Palin, showing on my monitor, nor Newt. I am not liking what I hear from either of them lately.

I had enough to cut one folder to cover the flip top lid of this box which now holds stamps, etc. I don't keep important papers here, just things like address labels, envelopes, etc. I still need to label each folder.  The pencil cup has been sitting here but was full of all kinds of ugly pencils, pens and a few other things. It looks better now and contains all I need.  The coaster is a tile that I stamped with rubber stamps.

I don't have any drawers on this desk so this is a good place to grab a stamp from. And who doesn't need an "all gone" soft eraser nearby!

Now, one more thing. (I hope some of you are still with me) I finally took everything out of the drawer nearest  my stove and put it back like it should be.

One of my friends told me last week after looking at my blog that I have the ability to make ordinary (she may have use the word boring) things interesting. I sure am counting on that with this post. I may have stretched it too far this time. 

Cleaning that drawer was worth it for me just to see these.  Aren't these tiny "smidgen", "pinch" and "dash" measuring spoons the cutest little things!!!

I saw this on the facebook post of French Country Cottage just before I starting this post. How timely for me!  I have made a start (I didn't show you everything, aren't you glad for that!) I have a long way to go but with each little task completed it gives me a feeling of accomplishment!