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Wednesday, June 6, 2007

I Need Some Organizational Help!!

OK...so I am a member of SEVERAL scrapbooking boards. All of which I really adore and wouldn't dream of leaving any one of them. I give them all equal time...many times a day!

Here is my problem! I get involved in challenges and swaps that I really want to be involved in. Now don't get me wrong....I don't get involved with every swap & challenge on every board that I frequent. I do pick & choose! The problem is...I have this fear of forgetting something or someone due to the many I might have going on a one time.

I really enjoy the swaps & the challenges and I don't want to give them up! Someone has to have an idea of how I can solve my problem!

Here's a challenge for you: Leave me a comment with a way to get more organized with my challenges & swaps. On June 20...I will draw a name from all the comments and RAK that person!!

22 comments:

Drea said...

What I do Dee is to keep a Monthly calender on my desk. Anytime I join in a SWAP I write down the due dates. This way I know when, where and what I am obligated.

Amy aka: ropergirl3 said...

I used to do alot of hosting and I had one regular that had her own little sheet that had the swap name, hostess name, addy, date due, what she signed up for and supplies needed, also a mail by and then mailed on date. She would print one of these out when she signed up, post it on a clipboard she kept by her pc in order of date due, then when she mailed it she made a copy of the sheet to enclose for the hostess and one for her to keep. I thought it was a really great idea!!! And it gives you and excuse to make a clipboard!!!

KatieAnne said...

I agree with the desktop calendar. A tip from me: Use different colors for the different SWAPs you do so you know which one is which :-)

dunno said...

i put alarm notes on my cellie

karriecook said...

I print off the post indicating what the challenge or swap is and keep them in a folder on my scrap desk. I like printing the actual post because I can be reminded of the specific requirements of each challenge/swap. Highlighting the due date helps me also. I keep the print offs in order of due date and write on the sheet if I mailed something out (for swaps). I then move the sheet to the back of the folder if I'm waiting for a swap to be returned. If it is a completed challenge, I just recycle the paper. Hope this helps! Karrie

Unknown said...

I have a little Sara Binder that has a monthly calendar plus a daily calendar and then I try to keep important dates written on both. If I forget to look at one it will usually be on the other.

Anonymous said...

I actually have a file that I print out and it lists the event mgr, the date due, the addresses everything.
Its perfect, cause I used to do them and always forgot who was getting what when lol.

Kris Mazy Fullmer said...

I have an excel file that I use... It has the dates down the right... the names of my family members across the top... and I fill in the boxes for the name and I know what is due, places to go, etc... all at a glance. Let me know if you want the file and I will email it to you - kris@azscrap.com.

BonBon said...

hi Dee-
I just type everything down in a word document- I type the name of the site- what the swap is- all the addy's that I'll need-
Then I put them in order of the ones that are due first and put them in order- and when i send out and its all done then I delete that one and the next one moves on up-

I like the color codes idea- you could type up each different swap in a different color, easy to find at a glance-
I save the document on my desktop, then I can print it out if I need to or make quick changes~

Fanny said...

If you're an online person, you can always use a free on-line calendar and add the details in that - the calendar will be able to drop you a reminder message... if you're a more hands-on person, I think you have some great suggestions already!

SueAndrews said...

Dee-I bought a day planner that sits on my scrap table that has everything I get involved in including bills. I added the bills so I would forget those!!LOL!!

M@risk@ said...

The most practical thing for me is a monthly calender with only the site's name and what to make and in my TO DO organizer I keep the printed version of the things I want to join. It works pretty well for me and using this since I joined a magazine DT in January 2006. So in practice for almost a year and half.

Unknown said...

The best way that I found to make sure things are on time is to complete whatever swap I sign up for within the next couple of days after signing up and getting it in the mail. That way I just sit back and wait for my return. I just hate to be late for anything.

Robin said...

I usually print off the entire post with all the details so I have them. I also file them according to due dates and also write them on the calander that I have hanging right beside my desk. Example: Technique challenge - ScrapFriends and I put it on the date it is due. If it is a long time from now I also put reminders along the way!

Irene said...

I have a 3 ring binder for my swaps and challenges. I have a section for due, mailed and returned. Each section is in order by due date. I also have a monthly calendar in front of each month's worth with the swap dates on it. Then I put a reminder in my blackberry a week before they need to be mailed so I get reminded if I forget.

Dustanne said...

I used to print off the swaps and challenges and put them in a 3 ring binder by month and due date (closest due date at the front of the month)
Now I put them in a spiral binder, but seriously, I don't find that it works too well.
I think that a calendar would work and then seperate the swaps from the challenges and the sites, by using different colours.
eg...swaps from one site one colour
swaps from another site another colour
challenges from one site one colour
challenges from another site another colour.....

I know these have been suggested and they are great ideas.....

Norma said...

HI DEE, MYSELF I DO ALOT OF SWAP ALSO. THE FIRST THING I DO WHEN I GET THE SWAP IS TO PRINT IT OFF. THEN I PUT THE DUE DAT ON THE TOPOF THE PAGE. THEN I GOT A NOTE BOOK THAT I KEEP THEM ALL IN AND PUT THEM IN THE ORDER THEY ARE DUE OUT. AND WHEN I WORK ON ONE I MAKE SURE I KEEP ALL OF TOGETHER. WITH THE SWAP PAGE. I TRY TO WORK ON ONE AT A TIME IT ALOT EASIER. THEN I PUT THEM IN THERE MAILING . HOPE THIS HELP IT SURE KEEP ME STRAIGHT. MAMMY(NORMA)

wendy said...

I use a little notebook at home, then when I get to work I put it in my massive daytimer! I have tried everything and I always seem to go back to the handy dandy daytimer. This keeps everything in one place-my stuff, kids stuff, hubby stuff, stuff I don't want to do and stuff I can't wait for.

ikkinlala said...

I print off the details and put them up on a bulletin board. I painted some thumbtacks with numbers once, so I use the tacks to indicate the due date.

I tried a calendar before, but I found that having things hanging right above me is a better reminder for me - I always forgot to check the calendar.

Unknown said...

I also keep a monthly calendar... I write all the various deadlines on the due dates, and keep other information in the top section (the top of my calendar is completely devoted for notes, no pictures).

I also keep a binder with a printout of whatever information I need, in order by due date.

Broken Beth said...

try a dry erase board it will be easier then paper to erase and write down. Also try different colors for different sites :)


BTW its Beth Detloff

Shelly K. Hein-Simmons said...

Each month I print off a blank calendar from printablecalendars.com and also print off a copy of all challenges and contests from the sites I frequent. I write in on my blank calendar all the deadlines due for that month. I keep all of the printed challenges and my calendar in a folder on my desk to refer to and make notes in. At the end of the month, I put all my printed challenges (regardless if they were done or not) into a 3 ring binder for future inspiration when I am in a creative rut!