Well, I have now had a taste of what it is to be blog famous! It was fantastic to get such a wonderful response to our giveaway. It was even better to get all that amazing organisation advice. Now, if I could only fly like the flylady, remember the milk like that app, and have married a tidier husband I would be right!

The comments on our giveaway post are an amazing resource for anyone trying to get their act together. I am planning to collate them into a useful post but you may just have to wait for me to get a bit more organised! (What I really mean is - in the New Year when I have caught up on some sleep after the pre-Christmas sewing and cooking frenzy.)

I want to share a few comments that made me laugh.

Kathy told us:
"I play "Super McCleaning" with my 5 year old (he made up the game)... he changes his name to Max and I'm Roberta and we have a grand time cleaning together."
I can see then racing around the house in extra clean capes, whipping up a cleaning frenzy.

Meghan suggested I marry someone who is organised. Well, anyone who knows him, is aware that organisation is not one of Rob's strengths, but there is too much else I like about him to trade him in.

Cate was concerned that I might think she was a little crazy with this advice:
"I continually talk to myself, telling myself to do it properly, put it in it's right spot, pick it up now- not later"
Interestingly, this is one piece of advice I have already put into action and it seems to be working. So Cate, if you are bonkers, so am I.

Reassuringly I am not alone - it seems lots of people struggle with organisation. Check back in 2012 for that summary post.

And so to the winner.
I was thrilled to find that random.org chose this comment from Kim T

"Oooh, so sorry, organization is not my forte! You'd think it would being a homeschooling mama to 5 littles, but no. In reality, it's discipline I need, not organization. Discipline being doing that which needs to be done, yet no one wants to do it. :)"

As I read through all the comments as they arrived, this is the one that stood out to me. I know all the apps, websites, storage tips, calenders, lists and books that you have encouraged me to try are going to be really helpful, but ultimately I just have to do it.

Thanks Kim T for the reality check! I am not sure when you are going to find the time to sew a dress when you home school 5 little ones, but I hope you enjoy it when you do.

Well, so much for all the words! It's been ages since I have shared a picture of my 3 little ones - so here they are:

Come on, it's time to confess.  Do your embroidery threads look like this?

Well, with the addition of this...

They can look like this!

Simple!

The idea of me writing about sewing room organisation is hilarious.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  I am the most disorganised person ever.  I know a lot of people say this about themselves, but it's really true about me.  No really, it is.

My sewing room has finally come to fruition - it's gorgeous and light and sunny (and there will lots of pictures to come, I'm sure).  It has lots of built in shelving, perfect for the big stuff- fabric, wool, pieces of felt, patterns and books.

It's the little things that do my head in, though, and sewing certainly has a lot of bits and pieces associated with it! Sewing machine needles and hand sewing needles, safety pins, bobbins,  straight pins, bodkins, bits of bias and ric rac, sewing machine feet, buttons - the list goes on and on. 

Take a look at the contents of my 'bits and pieces' box....

There had to be a better system!

Searching in the spare room (Lizzy calls it the 'messy room' for obvious reasons!)  for Martin's shoes, I came across 24 metal tins that were the perfect size for all my tiny sewing bits.   I spent the afternoon sorting and loved the fact that all of my things were neat and organised.  But then, how to organise the tins?

I found my solution at Ikea.  (is there anything you can't find at Ikea?) A magnetic metal board and some tiny magnets.   Add some spray glue and some grey spotted fabric from my stash...

and voila - a magnetic bits and pieces wall storage solution!

I love it and it's inspired me to keep the whole sewing room under control.  Does anyone have  any tips and hints  for a girl who needs a bit of organisation remediation?