On Monday I posted about a wonderful bag of vintage lace and trimmings that I found at a thrift store for $1.00. The lace was thrown in the bag and pretty unorganized.
I knew I needed a system to organize the lace and I wanted to have it visible so I knew what I had on hand when I started a project.
Rulers to the rescue. I have a large number of rulers in my studio.
I grabbed several rulers and began wrapping the lace pieces around the rulers. I was able to fit several pieces of lace on each ruler.
I also found a couple of paint stir sticks and found that they work great for this too.
I drilled holes in the top of the rulers and stir sticks because my original thought was to hang them on these two vintage file holders.
I love these file holders and have had them hanging in my studio holding stickers and rub-ons. Since I don't use my stickers as much as I used to I thought they would be better utilized for the lace covered rulers.
But all that changed when I found this at the thrift store today.
This oak spice rack was $6.50 at my local thrift store. It is pretty good sized (about 18" x 19") and was too big to sit on the work station in my studio. The wall space that had been previously used for the file holders was the perfect spot for my fabulous new spice rack. I already had all of the bottles (another thrift store find) and so now I have a wonderful organized system for the odds and ends that I use in my projects.
So what did I do with the lace? I found a round vase in my stash of "stuff" and placed the rulers in the vase. I decorated the vase with one of the vintage lace pieces and added a flower brooch for a little extra bling.
The vase will sit on my work station and the laces will not only be pretty to look at but easily accessible for my upcoming projects.
I'm linking to my two favorite Thursday parties....Thrifty Thursday with Leigh @ Tales from Bloggeritaville and Vintage Thingies Thursday with Suzanne @ Coloradolady.
Happy Thrifty, Vintage Thursday.
Jane
You are so talented at these things! I love those clipboards. Wherever did you find them? What's so nice about your organization is that, of course your stuff gets organized. But then it looks so pretty too!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Ok Miss Jane, just how many collections do you have in that house?!
ReplyDeleteI love every one of the things you posted. Those are such clever ideas for storing them. LOVE the rulers in the jar idea. I may try that myself.
I still can't believe what a great bargain you got on those trims. I wish I could've been so lucky.
What a great solution, Jane! I love that you can see them all, too. The spice jars are great, too ~ I also like that you can see exactly what's in them before you even take them down. That really was a great find on that lace!
ReplyDeleteHey Jane,
ReplyDeleteGreat solution! And pretty too!
I would love to poke around in your home just to see all of your cool collections!
Blessings,
Cindy
Every time you share a new collection with us I smile and think to myself "just how many rooms are in that house of hers?" Love the ruler collection and they look great with the trimmings wrapped around them! What a great deal on the spice rack!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration again...love the ruler idea and the spice rack is great!
ReplyDeletesuch wonderful goodies and so beautifully displayed! you certainly seem to have a nack for such things :)
ReplyDeleteThat is SO pretty- useful and decorative! I just love the spice jars, too! My shop area is so unorganized, I need to start doing some pretty projects like this!
ReplyDeleteYou never cease to amaze me! I need to start looking at items in a different way! Have a great evening!!
ReplyDeleteThe spice rack is a great find....I need to go to your shrift shop:).
ReplyDeleteCool idea for organizing and storing all the beautiful lace trims...hugs, Linda
You have the prettiest organizational system of anyone I know! The lace looks fabulous around the rulers and in the vase and you struck pay dirt with that spice rack!! And how lucky you were to have the bottles!! Perfect. I am so happy for you. Everything looks wonderful, Jane!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Jane
Clever clever girl. Creative cleve girl. Great ideas and great post.
ReplyDeleteAdorable! Love the vintage clipboards!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your play by play blog descriptions of all your wonderful finds. Very engaging and the pictures are just eye candy! You are so lucky to have great thrift stores around you. I admire your collections and talent!
ReplyDeleteGreat spice rack...luv the ruler idea...very COOL! You always have the best ideas Jane!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Linda
Can you come over and organize me?
ReplyDeleteYou are so creative...It looks fab and it all works! I love your blog Jane!
:)
The spice rack is a fantastic re-use of soemthing so basic. And the price cannot be beat!
ReplyDeleteHi Jane,
ReplyDeleteI would have never thought to use rulers to organize my lace and trims. But, I will now.
What a great idea and it's so pretty on display in that jar. Also, your lace was a great find.
The spice rack works great to hold all your stuff as well. I love it.
hugs
Sissie
Oh wow - love the clipboards! What a pretty selection of lace. They look great on the rulers in the jar ... and that spice rack, I Love It!!!
ReplyDeleteHow smart and clever are you. All your finds were great but your ideas are excellent. Your lace looks so nice the way you are displaying it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea to organize your lace using the rulers....love it!! What a find that spice rack was....I need something like that too!
ReplyDeleteHappy day Jane!
xojanis
So cute!!! What a great idea for the lace, that is a cool idea! As always, your displays are wonderful~ Have a great VTT!
ReplyDeleteGreat thinking! Gosh, I wish I could be that organized. I organized my Etsy stuff into some Walmart baskets today and thought I was hot stuff. Man you put me to shame! =)
ReplyDeleteJeanine
I like your ruler collection and file holders. The spice rack is a good way of storing your supplies.
ReplyDeleteThose file holders......oh my......I need one!
ReplyDeleteYou have two.....SHARE!!!! ;-)
XOXO,
Anne
Love the spice rack, what a bargain!! I love the lace in a vase too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and clever, Jane! You really scored with the spice rack, too!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Donna
Jane, you are just soooo crafty, girl! What a fantastic idea... hmmmm, I have vintage lace and a ruler collection... could I be a total copy~cat?? :)
ReplyDeleteI saw your sweet mother last week, I felt so bad, didn't recognize her until she said something. I was sorry that I missed you at my favorite haunt. The hospital auxillary! :)
Love and hugs,
Christina
I'm beginning to feel like a broken record. Your ideas and doodads are always so awesome I feel like I should just get an 'Awesome!' stamp and use that for your posts.
ReplyDeleteJane, you are a crafting-organizing-decorating- thrifting diva! You really should make a book of all these fabulous ideas you have. It's great how you make "supplies" look artistic!
ReplyDeleteOOHH! I want that spice rack! What a great idea! Was it in this good condition when you found it or did it take some elbow grease to make it look so good? Almost forgot the lace and rulers. Clever!
ReplyDeleteGreat way to organize the lace! And congrats on the spice cabinet, it is an amazing find! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI am always completely in awe of the things you find, how you re-purpose them, how pretty it all looks when done and how all your projects appear to come together so seamlessly.
ReplyDeleteChapeau, madame!
~Maggie~
I just knew you would come up with the perfect solution for storing and displaying that beautiful lace collection. And I am not disappointed...perfect. That spice cabinet is a great find. My BIL found one at my local GW while he was hear, with the jars. I would have passed it up. Great craft room storage idea.
ReplyDeleteSee, I knew it would be fabulous. Those vintage clipboards are wonderful. So great that you are able to use what you have and turn it all into great pieces for storage and for show. Dear Jane, how do you do it? Have a great rest of the week. :) Tammy
ReplyDeleteJane,
ReplyDeleteI don't even know where to start..I love your method of storing lace. I still haven't found a workable manner for mine..and that ganormous bag of lace remains just that..in the ganormous bag. I love,love the spice rack and the bottles..it's beautiful,and you have really put it to use. I just love everything..Happy VTT,have a most wonderful day.
Wonderful way to store the lace! And I LOVE the spice rack. Great post!
ReplyDeleteJocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/
Hi Jane! Nice snag on the spice holder! The ruler idea is perfect, now you can see all the fab lace you bought especially in the blinged out glass vase! I can't wait to see what you do with the amazing file holders... I'll be back! Theresa
ReplyDeleteLovely collection of lace! I wouldn't leave the lace on the wooden rulers for too long though...wood oils can stain vintage textiles.
ReplyDeleteI'm a new Follower From Thrifty Thursday Link Party! Visit me at http://www.rockindeals4you.com/?p=1398 and sign up for my newest giveaway!
ReplyDeletewow...impressive! I like your idea for the lace, but I also like rulers displayed on their own.
ReplyDeleteI like the spice rack too.
http://nprimopiano.wordpress.com
It looks wonderful Jane. The lace, the rulers, the clipboards, the spice racks, all of it. I love all the inspiration you provide.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend.
Blessings,
Marcia
P.S. How's your hubby doing?
Cool idea for the lace but oh my I love your spice cabinet what a find!
ReplyDeletePlease, purdy please come organize my silk plant room. I know you could do wonders in there. Oh, that wooden file holder took me back to my childhood days. My mom has a couple of those (similar). My friend and I would play "office" using those. I hope mom still has them.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked my table/dishes. :)
Donna
CLEVER!!
ReplyDeleteCUTE!!
CREATIVE!!
CONTAINED!!
(~love~)
Hi Jane,
ReplyDeleteYou've done it again!! Love your ideas, so clever. I have lots of vintage lace, but no rulers. Will have to look around for some. :)
Love how you displayed them in the jar. have a great weekend!
Debbie
The rulers are a fabulous idea for lace storage! Another idea, that a friend of mine uses, is peg racks...she just drapes the lace over them. I've converted an old armoire into a craft closet & will hang a couple inside on the doors. But I have so much lace scraps that I guess I better start looking for some rulers too. LOL
ReplyDeleteSo LOVE the way you've stored that lace! Pretty and practical!
ReplyDeleteManuela
That spice rack is a treasure!!!
ReplyDeleteThat spice rack is still looking pristine. Very pleasing to the eyes and serves a great purpose in the kitchen as well. Spices will surely be arranged in those little containers.
ReplyDeleteHi Jane,
ReplyDeleteIm so glad to be back!I've missed you! I love the pretty lace!Can't wait to see what you will create with that! I hope you'll stop by for a visit soon!
XoXo
Michelle
Hi Jane, nice idea for the lace! You can still use it and it looks pretty, two very important things! Nice find on the spice rack, it's great for all those littles that seem to get lost! Donna...the 3rd sister
ReplyDeleteLove it! And I especially love the clipboards
ReplyDeleteHello Jane,
ReplyDeleteI love the lace...the rulers...the whole idea!
And the spice rack is so beautiful.
Greetings from Luxembourg.