Last year I took the Clutterbug test ( you can take it also, just go to Clutterbug.me) and I’m a Ladybug. I don’t like cluttered surfaces, and prefer to keep items out of sight, but if it’s too difficult to put away I won’t do it.
This photo was taken last March, nothing on the floors, my desk is in good shape, and my supplies are contained in large bins, micro-organization is a huge no-no for Ladybugs. I’m going to love crafting in this gorgeous space right?
Fast forward to the day after Christmas, I look around my studio and it’s appalling. Stuff piled everywhere, mainly on the floor, half finished projects mock me, and my table is literally filled with supplies and no where to create. This situation is not due to massive Christmas gift making, nope far from it, this nonsense has been building since Creating Keepsakes Convention in September (bought lot’s of goodies). A November crop I never unpacked, choosing to rummage around in my bags, not ideal. Black Friday sales which pretty much started the first week of November (can’t refuse 49 and Market bundles and mystery boxes).
So you think I’m exaggerating? Take a look for yourself-
Exhibit One: Behind my desk, could not back up my chair on some days-
Exhibit Two and Three: To the left and front of my desk
Exhibit Four and Five: the desk itself and some hapless contraption I thought would help me organize some kits, not so much…
How did this happen? Here are my thoughts, I purchased a lot of product this past year cause I was set to master all the things, particularly mixed media. I purchased many storage products that were not conducive to a Ladybug’s style and I fell back into micro-organizing once again. The larger problem in my case is that everything has the potential to become art, ultimately I’m always looking for the sweet spot with my supplies. Going forward I will say a couple of Hail Mary’s as I dumped excess “stuff” in the recycling bin.
What did work were my ribbon and adhesive bins. I cleaned them up a bit, got rid of a few things and I will continue to use this storage. I did go off the rails a bit when I found some sweet little wooden bobbins to store lace and ribbons. I nipped that in the bud after the fourth bobbin.
What was I thinking?
Now onto the 2026 Madame Ladybug reset. I started small with an overflowing bin of alphas. I discarded colors that don’t exist in nature, too thin product that has a tendency to tear, and lastly no vowels, no place in the box.
Going to a new home, dang look at that orange Phew!
The cleaned up bin in ROYGBIV order, ready to go-By the way what happen to the woman who was going to make her own alphas as needed, I heard she has a Cricut and multiple dies but has not been seen on the premises.
Next month I plan on getting real with what stays and what goes in my room and looking for solutions that work for me but also look and feel uncluttered. Of course I will always keep in mind that I am a Ladybug through and through. The month of March may bring a potential spending freeze. What? Did I just type that for all to see? During Calvinball? Stay tuned for more…