Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Tool Time Tuesday...and Tears of Joy

Last Tuesday my sister called me at work to tell me about the flood in my sewing room. I can't believe it's been a week already. You all know I could have cried...well, I did and they were tears of JOY!!!
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I am overwhelmed by all the emails I received after I posted about it. The blogging world amazes me each and every day. Your words of encouragement, your sympathy and all the stories of your own floods really meant the world to me. I can't thank you enough. We have dried out and are waiting to move things some where upstairs...definitely not staying down there again. Setting up a whole new sewing room could be a lot of blog posts in my future. Our insurance will cover the 2 sewing machines, the computer and the rug (I am hoping at full replacement cost), I'll know more this week. I think everything else dried out pretty well. I lost some things, but am grateful...it could have been a lot worse. I'll keep you posted!
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Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.
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Now onto Tool Time Tuesday...
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I have been using this idea for years and years. However, it deals with electricity, so I'll put a disclaimer in here...please be careful, check labels, use grounded extension cords (three prong) and when in doubt of your electrical system in your own home, ask an electrician. I know what you're thinking...what the heck is she doing on this TTT.
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Well, it's for your iron...whether you are quilting or doing your home ironing. I have had several irons over the years and the dial to switch it on and off usually is a pain to turn, especially if it's under the handle. I started using a power strip to simply flip a switch on and off. This makes it very easy and safe because most power strips have a red light on it to let you know when the iron is on. I use the power strip when I'm putting a quilt together so I don't waste energy leaving the iron on in between sewing blocks or rows. I just flip the switch when I need it and off it goes when I don't. I have my ironing board with a power strip set up all the time in my sewing room and one in my closet for ironing our clothing and I've never had a problem with it. Just follow this tips.
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A power strip is a bar that just gives you extra outlets. A surge bar is something that you use to protect a computer or tv. You can use your iron on both, but just make sure you check the label.

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See that tiny little line on the back of this label where it says electrical ratings...make sure your iron is ok to use on the power strip. This strip will hold 125 V and 1875 watts.
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Here's the iron in my closet. I didn't even think to check the iron in my sewing room...oh well I think it's soaked.
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This is the label on the back of my iron...120 V and 1200 watts, so that power strip is good.


Here is the power strip. It usually has a short cord and a three pronged plug.



If you need an extension cord to get to your outlet, make sure it is a heavy duty one with three prongs.



Here is a close up.



Plug the power strip into the extension cord and then the extension cord plug into the wall.



Now your iron can be plugged into the power strip.



and you are ready to go. It may seem silly and not everyone will use this idea, but if you're ironing board is always set up, give it a try and see how easy it is just to flip a little switch instead of those crazy little dials that don't turn very well. Maybe it's just me, but I hope I helped one person out there!! This picture is the iron in my closet. Thought I would take some more pictures to share a couple of closet ideas.



This picture is of one of the short walls in the closet. It has a stackable wire rack system that I use to sort our laundry. The long shoe bags are for just the shoes I wear often. The plastic boxes on top are all of my other shoes in categories.



Here is the wire laundry system. I tied on the name badge holders that I use for everything to divide whites, lights, darks and towels.



Here is a close up of the shoe boxes...high heels, black heels, summer flats, flip flops, brown casuals and black casuals. I printed those on big labels and they just stick to the box. Don't think I'm shoe rich or anything...a lot come from Payless, Target or from my sister...all cheap cheap, but cute, cute.






Another wall has a Closet Maid system. I bought the different parts at either Home Depot, Walmart or Job Lot. I asked for gift certificates for Christmas and my birthday to get that and soooo worth it. Although the rest of the Closet Maid sysytem isn't too bad in price, I did buy the 2 -eight cubby systems for $25.00 each at Job Lot!!



Here's my husband's shoe cubby system. He's a size 13 so only one shoe per box. I long time ago, I had this system in my sewing room and used these cubbies for fabric and fat quarters.



This last picture is of the other wall. We are blessed with a great closet and we don't have to change things out seasonally. We don't spend a lot of money on clothes... Lots of hand me downs from my sister, always sale item for me and my husband and gifts for birthdays or Christmas. One tip for a organized closet (or a crazy person like me) is matching coat hangers. Hubby and I have all black, Kelsie has white and Courtney has pink...ok I am nuts.



One more tip...when you clean your closet out, place the coat hangers in backwards at first. Over the course of the year, you will take out the coat hanger of the items that you use all the time, putting it back in the correct way. At the end of the year or longer, the items on the coat hangers that are still hanging backwards are things that you don't wear or haven't worn. Now they can easily be picked out to give to charity. I think the rule is, if you haven't worn it in over a year or more, it should be given away.
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Hope these were all helpful tips for your ironing and your closet organization.
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Have a great Tuesday,
~Karen~

34 comments:

  1. In my sewing room one of the outlets is controlled by the light switch at the door. I've plugge my power strip (with the iron) and a lamp into that outlet so when I leave the room and turn off the light, the iron goes off.

    It also makes it easy to tell if I've left the iron on - if the light is on, the iron is on!

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  2. I'm so glad you're getting some insurance cover but boy what a lot of work the flood caused. I look forward to ttol time tuesdays, so many useful ideas, thank you.

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  3. GREAT closet. I can't wait to see your new sewing room and hope your insurance pays a good replacement cost for you on your machines and computer.

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  4. I had read your post about the flood and totally spaced out about commenting. I think, I was just really shocked. I am so sorry about what happened. But I am glad that insurance is covering the big ticket items. Who can blame you for being so upset about it, I know it would totally ruin my day. I love this post because you have some wonderful tips and I just love the organizational portion. I need a little more of that in my life.

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  5. thanks for the information on the power strip.
    I love your ideas for organization, especially the one about the backwards hangers, brilliant!
    barb

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  6. I'm fairly new to Tool Time Tuesday and now look forward to it. I'm a "Neat-aholic" as well. Hubby and I have separate closets in this home, all nicely "built-ins" when we moved here just over a year ago.

    I LOVE your idea of hanging the hangers "backwards" to actually see what you've worn. Guess what I'll be doing soon - REVERSING hangers...LOL

    I use the power strip on my HQ and think I'll get one for my steamer now with your suggestion. Thank you.

    I do hope your insurance pulls through for all your needs. I felt your pain when the water hit. And, I look forward to your pics as you create a new sewing space.

    Sewing hugs and blessings...always.

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  7. I just read about the flood as I have been on vacation. Oh my dear....what a disaster! I am glad that the machines will be covered, but it is still a disaster.

    The idea of the power strip is so good. I, too, use one.

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  8. Oh, Karen, I am SO glad that insurance is helping you with this loss! That makes me happy for you!

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  9. I use this same system for my iron. Since my ironing surface is permanent...(60x22 plywood covered in batting/fabric and then placed over a drawer system) my hubby attached the strip to the wall.
    I love it....

    Glad insurance will cover the machines and rug...

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  10. I use this same system for my iron. Since my ironing surface is permanent...(60x22 plywood covered in batting/fabric and then placed over a drawer system) my hubby attached the strip to the wall.
    I love it....

    Glad insurance will cover the machines and rug...

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  11. Hi Karen,

    Thank you for the tips for organizing my closets! I have used the extension cord for my iron but now I prefer to unplug it to make sure the iron is off.
    I hope your insurance cover your losses! I am glad you are in a good mood and your dad is Ok too!

    Hugs,
    Zlaty

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  12. Good idea for the iron. And wow - what a wonderful closet. Nice to have all that space. It inspires me to work on ours. And I like the idea of backwards hangers, to see what actually gets used. Happy to hear the sewing room is going to come back together.

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  13. I am so glad you insurance will cover all the big ticket items, but "Will they send someone to help with the clean up??!!".
    I love the power strip idea and I am going to do just that, old irons use to have an on and off switch, the only way to turn my iron off it to unplug it and that is such a pain, I love your idea!! Thank you!

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  14. I have my iron plugged into a power strip too, and like Tracy in the first comment, I also have a lamp plugged into it. Mine is a floor lamp that gives more lighting to the ironing area, but also is a great reminder that if the light is on, so is the iron.

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  15. I'm so glad the flooding situation is turning out as a blessing! New machines/computer and a new sewing room! I know it will be a lot of work, but in the end it will be gorgeous - just as all of your creations are! Can't wait to see your progress :)
    laurie

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  16. So very glad to hear that your insurance will cover some of your losses. It will be exciting to create a new sewing area...by the looks of your closet, it will be great! Can't wait to see the progress.

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  17. We had a washing machine hose break and flood our ranch style house many years ago. What a mess! I grieve for you! Love reading Tool Time Tuesday. You give great tips! Thanks!

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  18. What wonderful ideas....thanks so much....

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  19. great ideas! While hubby is out of town for a couple of days, I'm going to reverse all the hangers in his closet...

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  20. What a great idea! Will try that for sure. Love how organized you are and how you label everything.

    Rita

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  21. Love the power strip, I ALWAYS forget to turn off the iron and the sewing room one doesn't automatically shut off. I'll definitely use that one! When our boys hit their teen years they often bought shirts like shirts their father had (don't ask me why!) only in different sizes, I used color coded hangers to prevent mix-ups. Always worked great. Glad to hear you are moving Upstairs.

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  22. Oh dear, haven't been on the computer for a while and just read about the flooding! Yuck!
    I use the same system and also have the sewing machine in the bar also. I can't believe that I have organizational ideas like yours too. I don't have that many clothes though and my sweetie doesn't have more than 2 pairs of runners! Wow! your darling is a wild and crazy guy with his shoes!
    A good blog once again. I like the backwards hanger idea a lot.
    Geez, this was such a sane Tool Time Tuesday, but I gues with the flood.....you had to do something sane! grinning here.....

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  23. So sorry about your flood...happy insurance is there to help. What a great tip with the power strip and wonderful organizing tips!! Once again amazing. So glad to be back to blogging..I have missed TTT!

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  24. I use a switch for my iron. It's so handy I couldn't do without it. So glad you are getting things fixed. And how fun to get a brand new sewing room.

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  25. I going right now to our closet and turning all of our hangers around! What an awesome way to tell how time passes without wear! Thanks for all of your tips!

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  26. Darling Karen!

    I've been a bit behind on reading blogs lately and was really upset to read about the tragedy in your sewing room. I am {{so}} happy that there isn't as much damage as you originally thought, and am praying that your precious goodies will survive. If you need anything *Australiana* replacing just give me the nod and I'll see if I can find *whatever* for you.

    Lots of love to you darling lady!
    Hugs! Vikki xo

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  27. Queridos (as) amigos (as) I am making a campaign donation to the Christmas of needy children in my community in need are children who have nothing at Christmas, donations will be used to purchase basic food, clothing, footwear and toys if each of us, we give God a little bit multiply in many happy children. If you can raise only keep working because pra campaign they will be deposited in the Bank of Brazil agencia 3082-1 to 9799-3, thank you

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  28. Karen I have not been by in a couple of weeks and missed the story of your "flood". I am so sorry to hear about it. The organizing of everything must have taken a while and then to see that happen. Oh well as you say, others are dealing with much worse. Keep you chin above water. Ha Ha! Deb

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  29. I thought that would have been a no-brainer... My iron doesn't have an "off" on the dial. I just flick the wall switch and away we go. I also had all my wall sockets converted to doubles and extras wired up when I was renovating so there are outlets everywhere. Rarely an extension cord needed.

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  30. Thanks Karen great idea , good week

    http://tearpiaocupacional.blogspot.com/

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  31. I just have to add one thing about the power strip. I have been using one with my iron for some time now. But I also have a wall light at my ironing station. It's also plugged into the strip, so if the iron is on, so is the light. No more walking away and leaving anything on.
    I love all your posts, but none as much as that sewing room of yours ! I get lost in it, over and over again.... It's now 3:40 am and I'm still here! Thanks for giving me something to do when I can't sleep, but then again, I can't sleep cause I'm 'lost in the sewing room, again' Night :)

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  32. I just have to add one thing about the power strip. I have been using one with my iron for some time now. But I also have a wall light at my ironing station. It's also plugged into the strip, so if the iron is on, so is the light. No more walking away and leaving anything on.
    I love all your posts, but none as much as that sewing room of yours ! I get lost in it, over and over again.... It's now 3:40 am and I'm still here! Thanks for giving me something to do when I can't sleep, but then again, I can't sleep cause I'm 'lost in the sewing room, again' Night :)

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  33. I am in love with your closet. Where did you find the stackable wire racks? I keep trying to look on Closet Maid but it's not loading any of the pictures for me at the moment.

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  34. I love the cubbies. I've started using a hanging shoe cubby for rolled up jeans, but I can see how I can expand that idea! I also use matching hangers. It makes it easy in a shared closet to know what i am pulling out.

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