Gab with Gaby

An engineer's creative corner studio.

Craft storage

Building the Workbox 3.0

Storage, Craft Room, Workbox, Gab with Gaby Stamps, Decor, Diy, Organization, CraftsGabriela Sims1 Comment

Friends...I finally got a Workbox!!! It started as me showing the video to my hubby and he said "You should just get it." 24 hours later my pre-order was complete. It arrived about two weeks ago  and honestly, I have been working on it since then. I built it over the course of a few evenings and I just finished putting all of my items into it this past weekend.  I will do another post soon that gives a full look at it, but this post is just about the build and my first impression. To be frank, this is not a single person job, I repeat, find someone to help you! I am an experienced engineer and by the time I was done, I had used several principles of leverage, power tools, and light woodworking; it was a monster. However, once it was finished, it was magnificent! I was able to fit so many supplies in it because of all of the tote storage. Check out some photos below. 

IMG_6784.JPG

These boxes are in addition to a crate that was about 7' x 3' that I had to leave in my garage. 

 

IMG_6790.JPG

This is all of the hardware that comes with the Workbox. 

 

IMG_6791.JPG

These tools are included, if you have a decent rubber mallet, use that instead, I found that the head kept popping off of this one. 

 

IMG_6792.JPG

End of Day 1. 

 

IMG_6797.JPG

End of day 2. 

 

IMG_6800.JPG

End of day 3. Putting the shelves in was surprisingly difficult because some of the spacing was really tight. 

 

As you can see, I started putting things in there right away, and this was when it started to get really fun and exciting. This was also before I installed the crown, which I love, the light is great.

As you can see, I started putting things in there right away, and this was when it started to get really fun and exciting. This was also before I installed the crown, which I love, the light is great.

IMG_6870.JPG

I ordered the magnetic boards for both doors because I have a ton of dies that I wanted to store and this worked beautifully.  Also I ordered the shelf upgrade for the Velcro swing door, but I haven't installed it yet, I'm still debating if I will.

Left side. 

Left side. 

I used my Letratag to put labels on almost all of the totes/shelves because as I was organizing, I realized everything would be in a new place.  That part was super fun too, I went through 3 cartridges! 

IMG_6874.JPG

I found so many things I had forgotten about and apparently at some point I needed to buy every roll of washi tape known to man, I found at least 30 rolls. I also found duplicates of a few items and this made me realize I will probably spend less on supplies now because I can see everything that I own. I think that is awesome because in just the few weeks that I have had this, I have been able to make more cards and drawings because I'm not wasting g time looking for supplies or trying to find a clean work space. 

 

My camera even mounts to the top shelf! 

My camera even mounts to the top shelf! 

I am so happy with this view; so many of my frequently used supplies are right in front of me. I am still working on organizing a few things as I use it more. In fact, my paper trimmer now has a designated space instead of sitting on top of my Big Shot. 

IMG_6848.JPG

It is so easy now to sit down and color or stamp, record tutorials, or work on blogging. This was a big expense, but it was really an investment that I think is worth it just for the time and sanity saved.  If you are on the fence about it I can honestly say I am very pleased with this piece and it looks beautiful closed.  I did not show under the table, but my sewing/embroidery machine is under there along with my colored pencils, my Crop-a-Dile Big Bite, my Cinch, my Xyron Creative Stations, and my Fiskars Rotary Cutter, and they all fit comfortably. I am still impressed by how much it actually holds, I was able to put all of my regularly used supplies in there and free up so much space in my closet in the craft room. 

Now that I have completed that, expect regular posts and videos! I have recorded a few but I have to edit them, also I will be doing a full tour of my Workbox soon. As always, thanks for stopping by and happy crafting! 

Quilt Fabric Storage Idea with the Big Shot

Sewing, Diy, How to, Quilting, Crafts, Storage, TutorialGabriela SimsComment

Hi everyone! I just started using my Sizzix Big Shot to cut fabric and I had an epiphany. I'm a modern quilter and I love jelly roll quilts. I was cutting some fabric last night and decided to "kit" my jelly rolls. 

 

Cutting 2.5" strips

Cutting 2.5" strips

Strips galore! 

Strips galore! 

Then I put them into groups I would probably use together. 

 

I tied the rolls with scrap strips from cutting.

I tied the rolls with scrap strips from cutting.

Then I can just stack them up and save space! This would make an awesome gift for a fellow quilter as well. Hope this helps organize your stash, happy crafting!

All I do is craft, craft, craft...

Drawing, Watercolor, Coloring, Color, Cards, Crafts, How to, Hand Lettering, Paper crafting, Thrift, SuppliesGabriela SimsComment

Not really, but I wish that were true! I have been trying to up my crafting game and it's resulted in some purchases of supplies and then actively using them.  I try to make sure that I use my supplies regularly and I haven't bought new supplies (besides adhesive) in a few weeks. That might not sound spectacular, but for me that's a long time.  The truth is I realized I have enough supplies right now to go "shopping" in my craft studio; that realization forces me to use/rediscover what I already own.  Doing this has yielded some "Responsible Crafting".  I'm using that to refer to things like making swatches:

 

Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens

Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens

Practicing my handlettering: 

 

Done with Tombow Dual Brushpens

Done with Tombow Dual Brushpens

And even working on my digital art: 

 

Wacom Pad using Sketchbook

Wacom Pad using Sketchbook

I've been working to really get the most out of my supplies and I have to say I'm pretty happy.  I feel like I have fallen in love with some of my supplies all over again, which I like because I think it's easy to fall into the trap of "hoarding" supplies and being afraid to use your "good" supplies. To be honest, the whole reason you buy things should be so you can use them. I'm trying to take my own advice there, happy crafting! 

 

Gab about Craft Storage

Tools, Diy, Stamps, Cards, Supplies, Crafts, Color, Craft Haul, Thrift, How to, Tutorial, StorageGabriela SimsComment

So my husband agreed that it would be a good idea to convert the closet in the craft room into extra craft storage. Yesssssss! Here is how it went down.

 

A mess! 

A mess! 

First I removed the doors. 

 

Easier to see. 

Easier to see. 

Then clearing out the stuff! 

 

So much stuff! 

So much stuff! 

Then adding the shelves. 

Looking good! 

Looking good! 

Now the fun part, adding supplies. 

 

Finished! 

Finished! 

I am beyond happy with the results!! I can see and access all of my supplies now and I'll probably add a little wall storage soon, but the bulk of the work is done! The final thing I need to do is to mount a curtain rod and put a drape across the door so I can "close" it when it's not in use. This could work in any smaller closet, it took me about 2 hours to do, I bought that shelf at the home improvement store for $24.99. Let me know if you have any questions, happy crafting!!!