Well ya’ll it’s Wednesday! Half way to a 3 day weekend! Is everybody ready for fireworks and hotdogs? I usually watch fireworks from my back porch. My house is about a mile from a public lake and they have firework shows for different occasions. If I stand on my back porch, I can see them thru the trees. No crowds, no lugging chairs, and less noise! Yay!
Before I get on with the rest of my post, I want to remind everyone about the Sweet Summer Giveaway. I will be announcing the winners THIS Friday, so make sure you’re entered for your chance to win! If you’ve never used Rafflecopter before, click here for a short video tutorial. You have to make sure to click the “I visited, tweeted, or commented” button at the bottom right of each entry option. If you don’t do this, I won’t see that you entered and I don’t want anyone to miss out!
Now on to the good stuff! Just be aware that this post contains affiliate links!
In perusing the web, I’ve found many useful tips and ideas about organizing different things in my studio. Since I do all sorts of crafty things, I have just about anything you can imagine in there. As I use it, I learn what works for me and what doesn’t.
One of my favorite things to do is sew. Whether I’m sewing clothes or quilts, I usually have the need for pattern paper. I also use freezer paper and iron on adhesive for applique. Usually it’s all standing in the corner or laying under my work table. This is not working for me!
So, today I went to the local Walmart and picked up 3 tension rods. These were $2.37 each.
My work table is actually a really old drafting table. It is a beast and I love it! I popped the aforementioned tension rods in between the legs at one end, making sure they were tight.
Voila! Now I can freely roll off what I need and not have to worry about the roll being in my way! I was a little worried about it holding up the heavier rolls, but it’s working great so far! I just need about 2-3 more for my vinyl and contact paper and I’ll be all set. The only problem is that black bar on the side. It’s part of the mechanism for lifting the table up, which I never do (beast!), so it’s gonna have to go! Alas, that’s a project for another day!
This idea could be used for wrapping paper too! If you have a sturdy square legged table, give it a go!
Okay, now about the “pattern” paper I use. Regular pattern paper, sold for pattern making purposes, is not cheap! A few years ago, I stumbled 
I’ve used it for pattern making and as tracing paper, but I know other people use it as craft paper for their kids. You can get 12 rolls that are 21″ x 225′ (yes foot!) for about $41. That’s 2,700 FEET of paper! That works out to about 1 1/2 CENTS per foot! It’s a little thicker than tracing paper you buy in a pad, but it’s not so wide that it’s hard to handle. I bought this box 3 years ago and I have yet to use one roll! The second roll I gave to a friend that sews. 🙂 Even if you don’t sew, this could be used for all kinds of stuff like tracing designs for wood work, kids drawing paper, tissue for gift baskets, etc.
Anyway, just thought I’d share my great find! As you can see I get a little excited about craft supplies!
Remember the chair I showed ya’ll in the DIY Weekend post? Here’s a sneak peak of it’s progress!
If you were really looking, there’s a better pic of the chair with the tension rod! 😉 Hopefully I’ll finish it up over the long weekend! Stay tuned!
