Hi Valleymagpie, I can't speak for anyone else, but I have a "way too many things to ever get done" list! LOL I am a "clipper" too and have lots of pages of ideas torn from magazines that I try to keep filed in hanging files labeled with holidays or seasons. I also have lots of pictures saved on my computer in a file called "ideas", and now Karen has created the albums for all of us to browse with hundreds of pictures. Prior to each holiday, I try to browse though my patterns and pictures and select a few that I would like to try. Luvs

I have one of those darn Too Long to Do Lists. And my ideas refuse to be organized, LOL. Actually it helped me a lot to set up the Inspiration Albums. Tho I jot down notes on paper and on computer as well. I have a Crafts file, and a Decor file, and countless others.
I sure can identify with your last sentence, Magpie, about trying to remember WHAT you wanted to do. LOL
Let me know if you come up with a way to get those zillion ideas and thoughts all lined up nice and proper (hopefully before my head explodes from them).

hugs, Karen

Right now, I actually have a notebook that I keep my ideas in. When I see something I like, I try to write down the detailed info in my book.

I'm planning to try Judith's idea of using Excel spreadsheets to plan everything. I think this would be great to use for organizing ideas to try out.

I use a piece of software meant to keep track of your recipes. It is VERY basic and was downloadable for about 20 dollars. (Shareware, I think.) I got it maybe 4 years ago.

Where the ingredients are meant to be typed, I put in materials needed for the project (if applicable). There is a category section. I suppose that it is for Entree, Salads, Cakes, Etc. I use that section for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Shower, Patio Party, Oscar Night, etc. There is a place to import a picture. It has served me well. If it's Thanksgiving, I just do a Thanksgiving search and everything in that category pops up.

I didn't try to do everything at once. Slowly, over the years, I entered ideas. Of course, now that I've found this forum, I have a TABLESCAPES/Fall category, a TABLESCAPES/Christmas category, a TABLESCAPES/July category, etc.

It is not a perfect system and I still can't keep everything straight. But it's better than nothing.
I don't like that I can only import one picture per idea. I've often thought I should learn to use one of those pieces of software that allows you to create your own customized organizational system (too lazy thus far). I'm not sure, but I think Filemaker is one such piece. That way, I could have as many pictures as I wanted. So many times a person can benefit from a few step-by-step shots of a project or a close-up of a particular item or display.

I know I need to change over to something else soon, as I've upgraded my operating system and couple of times since I started this system and pretty soon it's not going to work on my computer.

Now, you can't carry your computer with you everywhere you go, so a notebook always trumps software in this area. Still, I often come across some idea that catches my eye when I'm on the computer and I can immediately cut and paste it right into my "idea book." and then go on with the work I was originally doing without skipping a beat.

Here's an idea for organizing your storage. I used to put all the Christmas String lights in one box, all the ornaments in another box, all the Christmas pictures in another box, etc. Seemed like good organization to me. Then someone told me that they put all the Living Room decorations in one box, all the kitchen decorations in another, all the Family room in another, etc., etc.
That way, you can get out one room at a time and get it decorated in an evening or two, without having to mess up the entire house for over a week. I try to do that now. Of course, I move things around each year, but for the most part, it cuts down on all the mess while I'm in the process of putting up the decorations.

Hope this gives you some food for thought.
OA

When I was active in crafts I would save so many how to articles etc. I finally got some old notebooks and those sheet protectors thatload from the top. With a marking pen I numbered each article and slid it in a sheet one in front and on in back then on my computer I made a list of those numbers and what was on the sheet That way I could sort by number and/or by article or by catagory here is a sample of how my listings were for my Mother Earth News articles

1 Homesteading Kilns - outdoors from scrap
2 Clothing Leggings - shin protectors
3 Food Flower pot bread
4 Crafts Apple pulp pomanders
5 Food Hominy
6 Gardening Great Pumpkins
7 Survival Cache- don't carry
8 Electric Printed circuits
9 Gardening Grafting mixed trees
10 Information Home school
11 Mechanical-car Turning pick-up into dump truck
12 Health Gym Dandies
13 Health Wood Fitness center
14 Health Wood fitness center
15 Health Child's play center
16 Fun Pitas for profit
17 Gardening Geraniums
I did the same thing for my craft boklets etc
Hope this helps

I have been putting them from mags in the sheet protectors also. I am not that organized and can't seem to find what I want until I have settled on something else.

I go into Michael's and see people with a plan of what they are going to buy, but I get idea's in there and wander around but can't remember if I already have the stuff at home.

This year I am going to take an inventory of my Christmas stuff so if I want something the following year I will be able to get it. Seems that since they put the stuff out so early and I don't go through my Christmas stuff until I pull it out to put up I don't remember what I wanted to buy next year and of course by then there isn't much left.

I usually don't organized by room as I try to change things around every year. That's why I get so overwhelmed pulling every thing out. Now I have learned to keep most of the totes in the garage and take one in at a time. If there are things in there that I don't know if I am using I will put it back until I may need it. No wonder my kids don't like to help.

LOL, I didn't think it was feasable to organize my ideas! I thought I was ahead of the pack just by weeding out my Christmas Decorations last year! I'll have to remember dd50's suggestion to re-pack them by room next year. Brilliant!

oldalgebra, your system really impressed me. I have been working on de-cluttering my recipes and the thought of carrying that over to an idea file is quite intriguing. Although I am not using any specialized software, just Excel for the recipes. I would like to explore something different like what you are using for the ideas, though. I also like the old pencil and notepad too. Hard to improve on a classic tried and true, it's just how to file in the end????

I'm not nearly the decorator that all of you seem to be. You inspire me!

I use special storage folders on my computer. One part for writen ideas and how-tos; the other part of pics. The pics folder has many subfolders. For example, I have one for Autumn decs with subfolders for Halloween ideas, Thanksgiving ideas, Fall ideas, my personal Thanksgiving decs, etc. I'm now starting to scan pics from magazines into these folders so that I can get rid of the magazines themselves. This way, the mags stay whole and I can pass them on to friends.
Lynn

Everyone has such good ideas for organizing! I am going to add this to a file I have called 'organizing'! I have my (what I call my magazine just for me) large three ring binder type with protector pages and that is where I get 'real' copies or pictures I collect out of magazines. On a gloomy day (with a cup of tea and home made scone) I go through it and add/delete as my style changes. When I want to buy something or add to my decor, I have this 'manual' of my style ready to view!

I also have all my photos from my digital camera and found online photos in seperate folders. They are about 25 now that are labeled for family and friends, trips, etc. But my decorating ones are separated by 'my things' and 'inspirational' photos. I have a folder for tablescapes (since I met Judith, this has grown!) vignettes, picture display, tropical looks, furniture I like, etc. And of course Christmas! I have a folder for each year of Christmas decor, and for things I make as I go along and as I plan a new look I can go through my inspirational pictures (one for projects too so I can copy something) as I buy or search for things.

minnie!
We have a lot of the Mother Earth News stuff! WE LOVE that magazine! I bought the set of CD's that have the articles, so now DH can just go on the computer and look up something.

oldalgebra

LOVE your idea for the recipe file!
When you add features to a board, like on the MSN boards that are now being closed, There was a recipe feature that I adaped for information like this.
I do have a recipe program that I have not gotten around to using (you know, the dream of putting an ingredient in a text box and all would pop up you could make) it to my advantage.

OA, your suggestion has inspired me to do a search for online cookbook programs. Not for using for decorating pics and ideas (which is a great one, BTW), but for my own personal cookbook that I've been writing for the past three years. My last purchased program was good when it started but ended up bogging down my computer and couldn't be updated, as we updated our PC. I've already found several good potential options. Thank you . . . this has made my day!
Lynn

I just thought of something else, you are the one who knows how best you learn. If you are the type of person who learns best by pictures (such as how to instructions, etc.) then make sure you save pictures with your ideas (I make a quick sketch sometimes when a picture is not available).

If you learn best by text, formulas, then make sure you save a good description of the picture you are saving. I opened an older magazine some time ago and there was a post-it marking a page. I could not remember why I put it there! ha ha

If you learn my listening, or someone showing you how something is done, you could save the short videos on websites, the links do not work after sometime.

And remember to edit and perge so your ideas from 5 years ago that no longer work (or you are past that project) are taken out.

In college we had to maintain files or notebooks of the best art/magazine ads/fashion, etc. We had to keep our eyes honed for seeing something of quality. It was an art class. That got me sort of trained to keep track of what it is I like. It defines what your goals are for your decor, fashion or career or vacations, etc.

Your collection is the BEST place to go view when you are down, tired, or need a refresher course as to where you are headed and where you want to be. A reaffermation of what your view of your world is like. Sometimes we can't afford something we love to look at (like a 64 million dollar mansion) but if the pictures make you feel like you are on vacation, then keep them in that book!

I figure that in each magazine we buy, there might be 1 or 2 great ideas that actually relate to us and our home. So, if the magazine cost $6, then we paid $3 each for those ideas! If I go to the library and view the magazines there and find 4-6 ideas and copy them in color and pay that color copy price, I am getting a deal!

Most college courses cost a lot of money, and books are expensive too, so you can gather all the information and photos available to you on the internet. Who knows when that will become a pay for copy type thing someday! Grow your inventory of what YOU like. Remember you do pay to go online so make it work for you in many ways! I research so many things online.

Well, I think you get the idea of what I had to say.

Great ideas. I am not very organized at all - I just put all the pics I see online into an ideas folder. And at one time, I went through and clipped pics and put them in a 3 ring binder but I have not opened that binder in a very long time so that idea did not work for me. And I write down in notebooks as I think of something. I like OA's software idea - thats organized and you can keep it forever without taking any physical space.

Mo

Wow!
You have lots of really good ideas. Some of you seem a little overwhelmed, like I am! Too many good ideas (and getting more every day), not enough time!

Luvs, I never thought of actually sitting down with a cup of coffee and looking through my Christmas files (duh) prior to the Christmas shopping season (although most of what I buy is second-hand still there's more selection nearer to the holidays)...

Karen--you can fit all your Decor ideas in ONE file???!

Dreamgoddess--I love the idea of having all my jottings in one notebook--but once I turn the page the old ones are gone from my memory! You probably (undoubtedly) have more discipline than I have...

OA--I do something like you do with the recipes but I use scrapbook software. I'm pleased with that because I can add text and the software treats it like a graphic--lets me move it around, put it on top of pictures, etc., but it still stays editable for when I spot a typo (very irritating to me) or want to rearrange the page. You can also add arrows or circle items in the photo or illustrations, and fancy them up if you want. I save the pages to .jpg files after I'm done. Then I can just view them with the Windows viewer. The disadvantage is there's no way to sort them or search them. I have to put them all in individual folders like Christmas, etc. If I want to have an index I have to make one in Excel or some such.

I love the idea of putting all the things for each room in their own boxes. We will be moving into our new home this winter and as I unpack (my very disorganized) moving boxes I'll keep that in mind. Have to go get tons of plastic bins...

Minnie tx--Yes. I've organized my articles like that in the past and there's nothing like thumbing through those nice page protectors--makes your pictures look even better. But I have SO MANY! Once I almost completed a system like that and I had 21 3-ring notebooks full and more coming all the time. I've weeded out since then (HAD TO!) and of course since I was younger there's many more formats--dvd's (stuff I recorded off HGTV, for example), Internet downloads, how-to videos on the Internet, of course digital pix that I sneak sometimes in stores, etc. So much mixed media!

dd50- you've hit the nail on the head! That's me, wandering around the store, getting ideas, and wondering if I already have the stuff at home. After this over-budget house is finished, I'm not going to be able to afford buying (even something cheap) twice!

neesie--DH uses a pencil and notepad for anything he wants to remember, and it works for him, but he's an engineer. They're BORN organized.

lynn--I scan pix from magazines and catalogs too (they can sure mount up). But your system sounds so organized. I just finished culling about 300MB of graphics files duplicates that I had propagated all over the disk. BTW, make sure you all have backups. DH made us a little network with a big hard drive so we can back up to it. But if you don't have that, I like the little thumb drives--I got a 4 GB one for Christmas last year. That holds a lot of files!

THANKS FOR ALL THE SUGGESTIONS! Seems nothing is perfect. As I mentioned, I'm using scrapbook software which makes graphics and text very easy to handle (OA--if you want "freeform" pages the scrapbooking software is better than a database like Filemaker. Databases usually require you to have your data in fixed format (which you define). For example, at least when I was using databases, you would have to define the number of pictures you could allow in each record. Of course, databases may be a lot fancier now, but their search-sort functions should require some rigidity in the format of each record.)

What I really need to find to augment this is a calendar-shopping list-inventory program that takes all those ideas in my brain and makes them usable!

- Magpie

mary_ruth--first, thanks for the silver antiquing thread! I went right out to the thrift store and there was a box of new silver balls beckoning to me. So I shelled out the 50¢ and now all I need is the Liquid Leaf. I'm really gravitating to silver in the holiday decorations for our new rustic-style home. I have my grandma's silver flatware, and my mom's candlesticks. Silver can have a really warm glow to it!

You have a novel approach to this question. Interestingly, we have some of the same views. For example, I do have "images" that just make me feel good. I have several house pictures which I still save, even though my own forever house is almost completed. I just like to look at them. And I save photos of the vintage holiday postcards. These things can still inspire you! Also, I judge magazines just the way you do--I thumb through them and count the ideas I like, then divide the price by that number to see if they're worth it. I HAVE bought a $6 magazine for just one idea, though. We don't have a library in our town and most libraries anyway don't have the specialty magazines that I get ideas from. SO...Lynn, I'm the end recipient of your generous magazine donations. Sooner or later they get into a yard sale or donated to a church rummage sale--and then I get them! Sometimes for as little as 5¢ each...

So, I'll keep collecting those images and keep TRYING to organize!

Mo--keep trying! I do think the computer is the way to go because of the mixed media out there, and especially with the advent of digital photography (isn't it great??!)

- Magpie

Magpie, I just wanted to tell you that I discovered the "thrill of the hunt" going to TS a couple years ago when I wanted to make the glass totems I saw on the Garden Junk forum here. I got so hooked--can't believe the things you can find there--many with their original packaging and price tags still on! I also love to find things that I can do a "makeover" on. I am still amazed at how much fun I can have looking for "treasure" at a very low cost. Now if only I can get brave enough to hit those yard sales--for some reason I'm more intimidated by those because the owners are right there I guess. LOL

This post really confirms for me that while each of us may be so very different, we do have lots of the same things in common too. My collecting pics and patterns is surely becoming worse since I've been on this forum. Some of my magazines I just won't part with, but like some of you said, others may only have a couple things I like. None of you would want my old mags--there are sure to be missing pages that are now in my file folders for future reference! LOL

Luvs

Luvs,

I had to laugh when I read about you and yard sales. For the longest time I would not go to a yard sale unless there were other customers there. The same intimidation you feel, I guess. I almost felt pressure to buy something!

I'm getting better. I had an estate sale after my Mom died and it didn't bother me at all that people walked in, looked around, and walked out. So that helped, but I still feel more comfortable when other people are there.
My favorite treasure hunts are the charity rummage sales. Look in the classifieds of your local paper; attend a few. You'll be amazed at the prices. Some are about like thrift stores, but some are so low they're almost giving it away. This is where the BEST bargains are--like my 14" bark canoe for only 50¢.

Near the end of the sale, many will sell you a bag--for, say $1, and you can stuff anything in it. I've bought everything from a 30-gallon trash bag for $20 to a brown grocery bag for 25¢. They really want to get rid of the stuff. I can get so excited when there's a favorite rummage sale the next day, I can't sleep (just like a kid on Christmas Eve).

- Magpie

Luvs,
Totally agree with Magpie. The best bargains I have bought were from rummage sales and yard sales. When my mom was visiting, we would drive around going to yard sales and haul a bunch of stuff home. Thrift stores here and Goodwill (atleast here) don't even compare to yard sale bargains.

Mo

I have gone to a couple of church rummage sales and all you said about them is true. If you go on the last day, they are almost begging you to take things! LOL

TS, YS, and rummage sales are not for everyone I think. You have to be willing to hunt for the treasures that might be hidden among allot of junk you wouldn't even think about bringing home! But oh the thrill of finding something you really like at such a fantastic bargain price--that's the fun of it!

I'm sure you are both right about the YS prices being so good. I guess I need to start being brave and going to a few--but then I'll probably end up with another obsession about them! LOL

Luvs

I KNEW I was in GOOD company here when I read all the ways you creative ladies find to save money AND still get what you want!

WAY TO GO! Great ideas here, I need more time to reread this whole thread to make sure I didn't miss a THING!
Thanksf or sharing!!!

Luvs,

My BIGGEST bargain was a large silverplated reindeer with candleholders for antlers that I put in a $1 grocery sack. He was so big and heavy that he tore the sack, but he fit in anyway. When I got home I turned him over and the original price sticker said $129.
- Magpie