A study carried out in Australia said that 4 out of 10 people feel anxiety, guilt or depression about the clutter in their home (source), whilst research performed in the UK by NEC-Mitsubishi suggests office workers are hit by “Irritable Desk Syndrome“, part of which can be due to a cluttered desk. Fear not, as help is at hand. Read our simple tips below, then enter the competition which follows this blog post to get your hands on one of ten Brother PT-1000s!
Arts / Crafts / Hobbies
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/evelynishere/3123831911/
Bonus tip: Colour code each type of item you’re storing, it’ll make them a lot easier to find in the future.
- Organise your scrapbook (as above) or decorate your diary/journal
- Containers for organise glue/paint/string/pins etc
- Greeting & birthday card making
- Photo albums
- Sewing and knitting supplies
Kitchen Labelling
Make your spices easier to read
Bonus tip: Reorganise your freezer once a month to keep it tidy. Also, make sure your oldest items are together at the front.
- Clearly label containers whether you’re storing them in a pantry or freezing them; the P-Touch TZ Tape range is designed to withstand hot and cold temperatures. Also, labelling food types that are difficult to distinguish (flour, for example) means quicker and easier identification.
- Label jars and spices for more kitchen efficiency.
- Utensil compartments
- Add the date of freezing to perishable food – this way you ensure your food is eaten whilst the quality is still high (not to mention avoiding illness!)
Garage / Shed
Photo with permission from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tristanhorn/198612107/
Bonus tip: Add warning labels to chemicals / poisons – safety first!
- Toolboxes / parts boxes – keep each section clearly labelled so you know what goes where
- Racking / Shelving
- Storage containers – a lifesaver at Christmas and other events
- Keys
Computer Area / Home Office
Make this sort of clutter a thing of the past!
- Plugs, wires & USB cables – no more disconnecting the wrong devices!
- Files and folders – keep on top of taxes, reports, drawers and more
- Peripherals; ideal for memory sticks, portable hard drive
- Serial numbers & IP addresses – great for networked printers
- CDs / DVDs
Children / Back to School
Labelling with children can be fun and educational
Bonus tip: If your children share toys that are very similar, make sure they’re labelled to prevent squabbles (or in some cases, all out war!)
- Toyboxes & lunchboxes
- School clothing (this requires an iron-on fabric tape, a prize included in the competition below)
- Pencil cases / stationery
- Exercise books
- Sports equipment
Garden Labelling
A clearly labelled garden can soon be yours!
Bonus tip: Get your kids involved by putting their names on pots of seedlings – make it fun!
- Label plant pots to identify the seeds you’ve planted
- Stick labels to tags and identify different types of flowers
- Garden tools
And now for the competition!
We’ve got 10 Brother PT-1000s to give away, these slim handheld printers are ideal for all the tips we’ve shared above, plus anything else you can possibly think of! Each labeller will come with 2 tapes (including the fabric tape we mentioned earlier).
To enter, simply post a tip that makes you more creative, organised or inspired; whether it be for home, at work or in any of the arts and crafts you make. The 10 winners will be chosen at random. If you use Twitter or have your own blog, tweet/link to this post and you can earn additional entries and therefore increase your chances of winning. Good luck!
PS: This giveaway is not limited to participants in the UK, everyone is welcome to enter! The competition closes July 31st at 10am British Summer Time (BST). Winners will be contacted by email.
This competition is now closed, thanks for all the tips and entries! The winners will be notified soon.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
I store all of my craft supplies in clear plastic boxes that have been labeled. This way I can see what I have, and be inspired to create with the materials that I have on hand.
rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com
July 17th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I put big easy-to-read labels on medicines so I know how many tablets or how much liquid to take, without having to search for my glasses! Especially useful at night when it’s darker and the small print is harder to focus on. Safety first!
July 18th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
I’ve started storing out-of-season clothing and children’s outgrown clothing (that will be used again) in the vacuum seal bags. They take up a lot less room, and with varying sizes of bags, I can separate them by size, season, or whatever else suits my fancy!
July 18th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
I love label makers. I used them on a cubicle system and labeled what type of paper/mag/book would be found in the cubicle. Its great for quick sorts/put aways because I just need to put it in the cubicle, not in some sort of order.
I gave a label maker to one of my nieces – she even labeled her father, lol.
July 18th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
I love using labels on scrapbook pages and cards. They’re great for adding that extra word, phrase, or date. I’ve also used them more traditionally by labeling the drawers of my storage carts so I know exactly what’s in the drawers.
July 18th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
When I make a playlist to burn to a CD, I label the CD with the contents *and* the date — it’s kind of like a diary of music. I can look back and remember what mood I was in and what music I was listening to.
July 18th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
I am a teacher & also a crafter. This would come in handy at school & at home. I feel like I have a million papers to organize and keep track of. This handy little gadget would help greatly.
July 18th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
i volunteer at a nursing home and think this would be a great way to label personal items.
July 18th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
tweeted about your great giveaway
my twitter name is @deefna
July 19th, 2009 at 12:38 am
I store all of my clear stamps in cd cases and label the edge to find what I want fast. I sort my family photos by year and person, labeling each batch in a photo safe box. Toys are easier for kids to put away on their own when they are kept in plastic tubs/boxes and labeled with the name of the toy, and for younger kids, a picture.
July 19th, 2009 at 1:29 am
I label all sorts of things, but especially the markers I use at work (that people are always stealing) and anything I take over to people’s houses (that I always forget to bring home).
July 19th, 2009 at 1:56 am
Label the tops of your spice jars and keep them in alphabetical order in a drawer. Makes it easier to find what you need and prevents jar avalanches from cupboard shelves!
July 19th, 2009 at 3:27 am
I label my bookshelves by subject – like they would in a bookstore. Quite useful!
July 19th, 2009 at 3:53 am
I include clean-up time when I plan to craft, so that things get stored when the project is done. Then my mostly clutter-free workspace is ready for my next project.
July 19th, 2009 at 6:13 am
Post a label on the inside of any book you own with your name, phone number and a congenial message, saying something like the following: “Hello. I’m a book. If you’ve found me, it means that I’ve found you. I want you to read me and then return me to the person whose name you see above.”
It promotes literacy and it’s an act of random kindness.
July 19th, 2009 at 11:54 am
What a great opportunity to win!I’m not a so organized girl, as any artist is
but I’m a practice one and a like this easy way to store my documents expecially in the office!
Tarida
July 19th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I am definitely a visual person (and an arts & crafts teacher) and like seeing my supplies and paints out so to keep things nice and neat, two things I do are:
1. Keep poms poms, stickers, sequins, plastic dinosaurs, etc. in some wonderful vertical plastic containers I bought at Smart & Final here in the U.S. The have hand grips on the side and look great nested shelves.
2. I converted my hallway coat closet into a craft closet. I put a white book case in it with all my supplies lined up neatly. Supplies look much better on white
)
All’s I need is a label maker to be even more organized!
Thanks,
kanagnost(at)earthlink(dot)com
July 19th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Simply being organised gets my creative juices going. My creativity gets blocked when my workspace is cluttered.
July 19th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
My tip is to sort the mail has soon has you get it because it you let it sit you end up with a big pile and may lose something important con5459(at)gmail(dot)com
July 19th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I hate piles of papers. I label folders on everything important and file it away. As a result, I can locate items years later.
July 19th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I use the one at work to make labels for all my file folders and notebooks that hold all of my handouts. I would love to have one at home
July 19th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Keep a writing or drawing journal. Keeping a journal is one of the most powerful ways to calm the mind, take inventory of your thoughts, and open the doors to expressing yourself more fully
July 19th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Oh mY GoSh, I so miss my labelmaker. I used one at work for everything and I am no longer at the same company and I miss it so. Any and everything had a label and I was so organized. No searching for items, you see them right away!!
This would be the most awesome goodie to get my life in order at home!!
Thanks for the opportunity to win!!
Have a fantastic day!
July 19th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
My best tip for being organized is to live a clutter-free life, and the easiest way to attain that is to limit your purchases to things you absolutely need or can’t live without. Works for us, we live a clutter free life, highly organized.
July 19th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Use the label maker to make labels to include with handmade items as to care instructions when given as gifts. (ie cleaning and care instructions.)
July 19th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Tweeted http://twitter.com/cdziuba/status/2722858305
July 19th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Blogged http://ceeceeblogger.blogspot.com/2009/07/brother-handheld-printer-giveaway.html
July 19th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
i keep clear containers for everything… the pantry, the spice cabinet, my craft room, the shelving in the basement, etc, etc, etc… i would label everything that is in these containers so that others would know that everything has a place and where that place is. if they use it, they can return it to where it goes. this will make my job easier… then maybe is can do some scrappin and label my photos, make labels for my journaling, etc, etc, etc… the possibilities are endless.
July 19th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
I am a scrapbooker and find many uses for my label maker. I use my label maker to label the front of my acrylic trays. This makes it easy to store ‘Work in progress’, ‘To be done’ etc etc. I have also used my label maker to label all my large jars which hold colour co-ordinated ribbons, buttons etc.
I hav also used it to label the packets of photos as they come back from the lab. I have also used it to label 35mm canisters so I do not forget what period the pictures I have taken are.
I have a clear file with alpha tabs that I made with my label maker. Helpful for storing clear acrylic stamps.
LOVE THIS MACHINE!!!!!
July 19th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
I put all my odds and ends scrapbooking material in small jars. I store them in a basket. I label the top so I so not have to pick up the jars.
Thanks for the giveaway.
debbie peysen
July 19th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
I keep all coupons in baggies on a jailer’s ring – and since I keep all coupons from every Sunday, there are a LOT of coupons in them! I sort them by expiration date & by category, and it works for me. It fits in my purse and it’s easily accessible – a perfect combo for organization. thanks!
July 19th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
tweet, thanks! http://twitter.com/idahojill/status/2723101948
July 19th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I organize all my jewelry by color in an open crate (that slides under my bed) with many, many compartments!
July 19th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
My tip to get inspired is to blog hop. Start off with someone who has left a comment on my blog, read through their blog, click on someone who has commented on their blog and so on and so on. It’s highly addictive and I have lost afternoons doing this but it is so inspiring seeing what new and different things other people are up to. You ‘meet’ some truly lovely people and you can also discover some brilliant tuorials along the way.
As for being organised – well, any tips for me would be great as I think I am possibly the messiest crafter on the planet
Thank you for the chance to win in this giveaway
I’ll post it in my sidebar ion my blog .
July 19th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I would use one to organise my sheets of peel offs e.g. borders, text, outlines, christmas.
You could stick ribbon onto paper with double sided tape and then thread this through the printer to make your own message tape
July 19th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Wow this is one awesome giveaways. I would love to have one of these to get MORE organized. One thing I do is have my eyelets in little drawers and label the front of them. I try to label most of my things, but I would love to have them look this nice with this machine. Thanks for a chance.
July 19th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
I posted this awesome giveaway here:
http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/blogcandyeaters
July 19th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
I keep my craft supplies organized in colored fabric bins. They add bright colors to the room, and since I know what’s in each one, I can always find what I need.
July 19th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
I use hanging shoe bags with mesh pockets. I use them to store my punches and I can easily see where each punch is located. I also keep all my alphabet stickers in hanging file folders.
July 19th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
I am a Mother to 7 children + 2 step children, so if I DON’T remain highly organized…I am doomed :>)
I label EVERYTHING.
It makes me feel more on top of everything to have everything in it’s place.
The most recent organization I did was my furnace filters.
I bought 12 of them and stacked them up.
I wrote the months on each of them.
One for July, One for August…
Then, I know when to put them in and when to change them.
That sure beats forgetting when the last time was….
July 19th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
I have folders, boxes, envelopes that I handwrite…. the problem is that my handwriting is just awful… I need to use a labeler to be able to read what I have in each folder or container…
July 19th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
When I’m decluttering and finding places to put things….my biggest tip….follow-through. Just don’t move stuff from one place to another. Find a real home for the clutter. Find organizers that make you feel good but are practical at the same time.
July 19th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
All of our children’s art supplies are stored in colorful bins. Labeling each container with uniform titles will hopefully inspire them to use a variety of products and help with their organization skills.
July 19th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
I am a list maker. If I don’t make a daily list, both at home and at the office, I will lose track of what I need to do. Can you say “airhead”. This keeps me organized and on the right track.
Thank you.
July 19th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
nana could really use this
July 19th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
This is the extra boost needed for some past due and needed organization! Endless possibilities
July 19th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
I keep a labeler in my desk drawer at work. That way, when I have a new folder or other item on my desk, it’s quick and easy to get it labeled and put where it belongs. No more piles of mystery stuff scattered about!
July 19th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
My daughter is going to college in September, so we’ve bought large plastic bins and rolling storage carts to put in her dorm room. We have labeled everything to make keeping organized a little easier for her!
July 19th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
I USE THE LABELS TO MARK MY YARN STASH BINS. MAKES IT EASY WHEN I WANT A CERTAIN COLOR, BRAND OR WEIGHT.
July 19th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
have the food shelves labeled so it goes here and space is reserved for pasta, etc beans, fruits, soups