How to have your ideas...and save on ink too

You could say I have always been addicted to ideas. When I was first married I used to get crafty library books and spend a lot of time copying page after page. Luckily I worked at a copy shop. That was before blogs! (or at least before I knew about blogs)

It has been dangerous for me to know about blogs. I have limit myself. But I can't give up my ideas. I love getting new ideas (Recently, I discovered why. My friend does personality profiling on how to dress, and I have discovered that I am a "1" and "1's" love new ideas!)

So, I was spending a lot of money on ink and paper. I know I could bookmark them, or save them to my computer. But I would much rather look through prinouts that on the screen to choose my next project. Plus, I thought I would save them to my computer and forget all about them.

I rationalized my ink spending habits on the fact that I am pretty low-maintenance. Most of my clothes comes from clearance racks, I don't eat out a lot, I don't get pedi's, etc. Besides, SAHM's need some sort of "out" and this was mine.

But, it was getting a little excessive. I have stacks and stacks of printouts. All great ideas, but I was probably only getting to 1% of them. Soo, recently I started "starring" them on google reader. Then every once in awhile, I will copy the picture, paste it into word, then print the web address under the picture. I will also copy and print recipes this way.

Then, when I do look through my ideas, and get serious about one, I can look up where I can find more detail. I also use grayscale to save on expensive colored ink. Then I have my little filing cabinet divided into categories. It's been working great for me.

Do you have any great organizing ideas for your projects to be?

Top Ten Project List

Going along with my word FOCUS, my project today was to focus my project list. Ever since I got married I have loved to collect project ideas. Before I discovered blogs I went to the library and made tons of copies for future ideas.

But with so many exciting crafty ideas out there, I have to admit I get kind of a "crafters high" looking for and collecting them. The thought of even making them someday can keep me sane. But, I have control myself and spend more time actually creating than looking for ideas.

Anyway, I have so many printed ideas that when I do get a minute to craft, sometime I don't even know what project I want to work on next, or have the right supplies.

So, here is what I did 1) I went through all of my ideas and wrote down ones that interested me. I had 23.
2) So I edited those down to ten.
3) Then I wrote down the order I wanted to finish them.

So, no more wasting craft time. Now I have focus and direction and a shopping list. I can't start one until I have finished one (unless I need some supplies I don't have).

So, here is my list:

1) Snowman Hill gave me this inspiration for an idea I want to try. I will let you know if it works!
2) Valentines Wreath of some sort: Some inspiration here. Looks like I'm going to have add this blog to my reader. See people-- I need help!
3)Valentine's Topiary
4) A display board with inspiration from here.
5) Wooden pendant necklaces -this looks so cool!
6) Epoxy necklaces- under the words broken gems
7) Side panel shirt refashion Repurposing is the hot trend right now, so I was inspired to go through my closet and what I don't like. Now I just need to repurpose.
8) This little dress.
9) A cute headband.
10) Polymer pendants I've made these before, but I had a different idea I wanted to try.

So, there you go! More information overload for you to waste your time on!