Easy Gridwall Vinyl Organizer

     Like a lot of my crafting hobbies, my vinyl collection had gotten out of hand.  I was resorting to a Rubbermaid tub with the vinyl rolled up in giant rolls inside, but it looked like a Rubbermaid tub wrestling an octopus with all of the vinyl sticking up and fighting it's way out.

     It was time to get it under control.

     First, I looked at vinyl racks.  I LOVED them, but at $54 a pop for the small ones that wouldn't even hold a quarter of my vinyl, I had to pass.

     Next, I considered building my own.  I thought about a giant thread rack with dowels at an angle.  However, I don't have a drill press and with my OCD-like tendencies, I knew that any imperfection would drive me batty and I'd never finish it to my liking.

     Then.... pegboard.  This seemed to be my best option.  I could always paint it to pretty it up, but I like super-simple, non-busy things.  Right next to the pegboard was a gridwall.  BINGO!

     
     Before ordering, I measured my wall.  I had a 2' x 5' section that was just perfect for vinyl storage.  Luckily, gridwall comes in all kinds of sizes.  I knew that I wanted 3 baskets.  One to hold supplies, one for scraps, and one for my specialty vinyl.  So I ordered 3- 12" x 12" baskets.  (They narrow at the bottom, so a 12" x 12" piece will not lay flat in the bottom, but it still works for me.)  I also wanted to be able to hang up my tape that I would use to secure the rolls, so I got a 2" peg.  For my vinyl color chart and samples, I ordered an 8.5" x 11" acrylic literature holder.  Finally, of course the vinyl pegs... I purchased 90- 12" long pegs.

     I always order my vinyl in 12" long sections anyway, so this fit perfectly.

So the total of my order-

1- 2' x 5' gridwall
3- 12" x 12" x 4" baskets
6- wall brackets (only used 4 but keeping the others just in case I start getting more "heavy" rolls and need additional support)
90- 12" hooks
1- 8.5" x 11" acrylic literature holder
1- 2" hook (for my tape)

     I found this all at KC Store Fixtures.  After shipping and everything, my total was $121.08 shipped. (This included 12 additional tiny mounting brackets that I didn't even use that were $.15/ea., so I didn't list them above because they weren't necessary.)

     It was super-easy to install.  I was able to do it on my own with my handheld drill.  Make sure you mount it into the wall studs so it's nice and secure.

     After taking this picture, my order for my 12" x 10-yd rolls came in.  I was able to put them on the gridwall as well, just double up the hooks to help support the roll.

     I'm really happy with the way it turned out.  It makes the vinyl easily accessible without being "in-your-face".

"Grouchy Ladybug" Burp Cloths and Spice Rack Button Organizer.

   I believe I have a button problem.  Whenever I see buttons on sale, something "pings" in my brain and I'm instantly drawn in.  My button collection has gotten completely out of control and while looking for some worthy buttons today, I decided to get it semi-organized... rather than just relying on a Rubbermaid tub of button chaos.

     Thankfully, this was a project that the kids were THRILLED to help me tackle.  Playing with buttons?  Sold.

    I've had this spice rack for years.  It's just been sitting empty forever because I knew that it would be used sometime, but I just kept overlooking it.  Not today!  I cleaned it up really nice and the kids and I were able to bring a semblance of order to my button box.  Still not completely done, but we're well on our way.   Perfect use for an old spice rack.

Spinning Spice Rack turned "Button Organizer"

    Also, my husband was a huge help yesterday and took the kids for a few hours while I had a big of time to myself.  I was able to finish off another set of burp cloths for the baby and now just have a few more left to go.  (Honestly, can you ever have enough burp cloths?  I don't think so, so I'm stocking up bigtime!)

    "Grouchy Ladybug" burp cloths.

     Don't you love it when you get uninterrupted sewing time?  :)

     Last, but not least, we had a big surprise this morning when I was watering my impatiens and discovered...

     I love little surprises that pop out of the blue like that.  I accidentally scared Mama bird away before I realized there was something else in my hanging planter while I was watering.  However, she came back right after I left.  The kids are thrilled and I can't wait to figure out what kind of birds they are and to see the babies when they hatch.  We had this happen last year at our other house and got to watch the baby birds hatch, grow, and eventually move on.  So excited to get to do it again!