My floss organization system - part 2

Today as I was reviewing last night's post to ensure it made sense (I was up pretty late working on it), I realized I didn't include an overview photo, so here it is:

 

It is currently being housed on a shelf next to the entertainment center because my craft cave is going through a massive reorganization.  Ultimately, once I decide which shelf they will be on in the craft cave, I'm thinking about building a mini shelving system out of foam board so that I can pull out a box towards the bottom of the stack without have to relocate the ones above it as I have to do now.

My floss organization system

Last year, when I was getting back into cross-stitching regularly, I realized that I needed a much better system of organizing, storing, and tracking my floss inventory.  What I had just wasn't working very well.  When I wanted to start a new project, instead of pulling from my stash, I would just go buy the floss.  So began the scouring of the internet for ideas.  I spent a couple months searching for ideas, formulating possible scenarios and running them through my head.  What supplies were needed?  How much will they cost? Where will be able to get these supplies?  How easy will it be to use and maintain?  Some of the systems were just too expensive to consider.  I couldn't bring myself to use the floss bobbins.  While I would have no problem winding all those bobbins, and the storage containers are great, I know that I just can't handle all the kinks in the floss caused by the bobbins.  So keeping the skein intact was the way to go for me.  The little zip-loc type bags sold specifically for floss storage wouldn't work for me, because I really wanted to not have to fold the skein in half, and they couldn't hold many skeins.  In fact, I didn't find exactly what I wanted detailed anywhere, but I did use elements from other folks systems and designed my own system. Since it is unique to everything I found online during my research, I want to share it, in case someone else finds it useful.

Most simply put, I have the skeins in snack size Wal-Mart brand baggies, in photo storage boxes I got from Hobby Lobby.  Inexpensive, easy to obtain materials, scalable, easy to implement, use and maintain.

I started by creating a card to go into each baggie to give it some structure.  I used MS-Word, and Snipping Tool to grab the graphic for each color floss from the DMC website.  I typed the color number above the graphic and the color description below.  Then I printed it out onto cardstock.  It took awhile to complete, so if you want a copy of the file, just email me and ask; I'll be happy to share.

 

 

Then I used my paper trimmer to cut the cards to 6" x 3".

 

And placed them into the snack-size baggies.

 

 

Then I loaded the floss into the baggies, keeping it straight and untwisted.  The cardstock gives the baggies structure and make it easy to keep the skeins straight and lined up nicely.

 

I can fit 7 skeins on the front side...

 

 

and 7 skeins on the back, for a total of 14 per each baggie...

 

and if there are more, I cut blank 6x3 cards and write the color number and which baggie it is (color 310 is up to 4 baggies at the moment).

  

The filled baggies are loaded into a standard photo storage box.  I load enough into each box so they're just slightly snug front to back.

 

This is what is looks like from the side (I started out using plastic bins, but switched to photo boxes because they are currently stored on a shelf that gets several hours of strong New Mexico sunlight through a window).

 

 

Most of the colors have between 3-7 skeins so they are single sided thickness baggies.  There are roughly 31 double thickness baggies.  They are all currently contained in 13 photo boxes, with number 13 being about 2/3 full.  I have 14th photo box that houses the skeins of DMC Varigated, Variations, Linen, and Satin. 

 

I created an Excel spreadsheet to keep an inventory of my stash. It tells me how many skeins I have, plus how many skeins are allocated to projects. It also tells me what I need to buy in order to cover new projects and maintain a buffer.  This spreadsheet was incredibly helpful during my shopping trip to Joanns this past weekend.  I was able to ensure I had enough skeins to cover my planned projects plus have a 3 skein buffer on all colors.  That way if a pattern uses more than initially called for, I'm covered.  Or if a new pattern gets added I won't have to run to the store for any of the colors.  This way I can keep my floss buys limited to the times of the year when I can get the best prices on them.  Here is what the spreadsheet looks like:

 

 

If the pattern indicates how many skeins of each color are needed, I put that number in the block.  But not all patterns do this, so if not, I just put an X in the block.  I have totals at the bottom of all the columns.  Right now, according to my excel sheet, I have 2,641 skeins of regular DMC floss.  I keep a separate tab for the special DMC floss varieties.  I've recently started using specialty over-dyed floss from other companies.  For right now, I order what I need for a specific project, but I figure soon enough I will have to add another tab and another photo box for them. 

 

If you'd like a template copy of my inventory spreadsheet, just e-mail and ask. 

 

I really hope this explanation of my system is helpful for some of you fellow stitchers out there.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

 

Happy stitching!

 

 

Sunday Status + life stuff

Another week gone...

I got some done on Tree Frog, not much though, still working on the first green:

Sunny Thought is coming along... got all the x-stitching done, so now onto the backstitching and a few French Knots. 

I've been thinking about changing up the design a little bit.  The sentiment block is supposed to be cut out like a picture frame and a slip of paper with "Smile" printed on it to be placed in the frame.  I'm considering filling in the section that is supposed to be cut out of the "frame" with a lighter color and stitching a sentiment in.  I'm thinking something like "Live in the Sunshine" or "You are my sunshine".  I will have to see if I can make that come out good.  If not, I can always remove the changes and go with the original design.

I also gridded out a project that I've had stuffed away for quite awhile.  It is the free pattern from Golden Kite designs:

 

I downloaded this some time ago, got it started and then put it away.  It was still in the hoop, so that is an indicator of how long ago that was.  I had only gotten one length of the first color done, so I pulled out those few stitches, removed the hoop and spent about an hour ironing it to get the hoop marks out.  Then I gridded it, and tried out one of my q-snap configurations; that is the creases you see in it now.  I am having a little trouble deciding on whether to use q-snap, stretcher bar or scroll bars on this one.

While I was on the Golden Kite website to obtain a fresh copy of the Rose pattern, as I had lost some of the pages, I came across a pattern that really spoke to me, and it was on sale, so I ordered it.  It is called Garden of Delights:

I so love that it is a repro of an actual tapestry.  It is gorgeous!  This one will certainly be a long-term project.  Adding another one to list.

The other craft thing I did this week was to buy some more DMC floss.  Now that I have my floss organized, I have an accurate inventory of what I have and what I need, including needs for future projects, all on a spreadsheet.  I love Excel.  So when I saw Joanns was having floss on sale 3 for 99 cents, and I also get an extra 20% off for being military, I bought floss to fill in any gaps in my stash and prep for future projects.  So, Friday I was at Joanns buying the floss, and the next 2 days incorporating the new floss into my system.  Which reminds me, I haven't explained my system yet.  I should start drafting that post tomorrow.

My major non-craft activity was prepping for the swimming pool.  We decided to install an above ground swimming pool this year.  It will give something for Alex to do during summer break.  Our backyard is landscaped in river rock, which it quite popular in this region.  That means we had to clear the rocks out of the area we plan to put the pool.  It was a bit of work but we managed to get it done in 2 days.  Here is what it looks like:

 

Tomorrow we are going to pick up the pool and the filter system from Walmart.  We picked up 20 (50lb) bags of sand from Lowes yesterday.   We'll need to get 20-30 more bags.  Once we get a good sand base put down and leveled, then a pad on top, we can start setting up the pool.  Jason has to call about getting a tanker to come by to fill up the pool.  City ordinance forbids filling pool from the house water system.  Besides our water pressure sucks, so filling with the hose would take a week. 

Hopefully, everything goes well, and we're swimming in our pool by the end of the week.  Keeping fingers crossed.  Now I just have to find a swimming suit I feel comfortable in.  ugh.

Sunday Status

Progress on  Tree Frog...lots of the first green done...

Progress on Sunny Thought... this one is coming along quite quickly...

And now back to watching Defiance...

'til next week, keeping stitching happy!

Sunday Status and LCE

One more week... another status...

Tree Frog has some progress, still working on first color green:

And just for the record, I have abandoned using the railroad method to keep threads laying nicely.  I decided to go for speed over perfection, although given the nature of the piece it wasn't a tough decision.  Although now when I have a twisted stitch, I can't just ignore it, I have to try and get the threads to lay a little nicer by fiddling with it using my needle as a sort of laying tool.  By the way, I am liking the stretcher bars very much.  They are so light.  And there is no adjusting the tension or having to move the q-snap to a different spot.  Q-snaps are still my go to frame for travel projects though.  I have taken this one out of the house, but it is a bit awkward, and it just barely fits in the backpack I use to carry it.

Introducing the new small project... I've had this little kit in my stash for quite awhile.  It is called Sunny Thought by Dimensions.  Interestingly, it is on a small plastic mesh instead of fabric.

I've finished the first color so far.

As you can see, I didn't grid it as usual, since it is so small, but I did have to use a spare bit of thread to do a quick line on two sides to mark the gridline points to help with stitching the separate areas.  Should be cute when it is finished.

 Now for the LCE (life changing event)... I am active duty in the Air Force, and after 22 years it is time to retire from the AF.  Friday was my last duty day...yay!  Tomorrow is the start of my terminal leave (aka using up all my accrued vacation days).  After the terminal leave is done, I am officially a military retiree.  Then I really having to figure out what to do with myself next.  I have to look for a job, since even though military pension is nice, it just isn't enough to pay the bills and keep a family household going.  So, the job search begins.  And I am going to have to learn to dress myself to go to work, no more just throwing on the uniform everyday.  I am very happy and scared at the same time.  One good thing is, until I get hired somewhere, I have more time to stitch and stamp.  Stamping may have to be a priority while I am prepping for the Stampin' Up convention in July.  After that though, I can get back to stitching until my fingers go numb.  8)

'til next time... happy stitching (and stamping)!

 

 

Sunday Status

I finished the small Bloom, here she is:



completed small Bloom

 This is such a nice little take anywhere project.  I plan to do this again, with overdyed floss and linen fabric, maybe in a light blue background or a natural light beige color.  I might even try doing french knots in the center, or even beads.  Ooh, beads... wonder how this would like done completely in beads...hmmm.

Made a bit progress on Tree Frog:

 I finished the border, did the orange and red-orange parts of the frog's eyes, and started on the first color of green.  With this project, I have been trying out the railroad method of getting the threads to lay down nicely.  I am liking how it is looking, it does make a difference, but it does significantly slow down the rate of stitching.  We'll see if I can stick to it, or if I decide the slow down isn't worth the result.

I might have had a bit more progress, but I took some time this week to work on a special card.  We had the retirement ceremony for my First Sergeant this past week.  She helped me out of a really tough spot recently and I wanted to let her know how much I appreciated it.  I planned on cross-stitching a small flower motif to put on a card.  I found out her favorite flower is the tiger lily and her favorite color is green.  Tiger lilies don't exactly lend themselves to a simple cross-stitch motif, so I had to change direction.  I found a super cool pop-up pattern on-line, and this is what I did with it:

 

 

I'm happy it turned out so well.

And since I am on the subject.... I am also retiring from the Air Force.  I have only 5 duty days left!  Yay!