Getting Organized: Label It!

I've been busy the last few days organizing and cleaning out some of the closets around my home.  I've finally corralled most of my holiday centerpieces into one closet where I can find them when I need them.  I do so love having everything neatly organized.  It's such a great feeling when you can immediately put your hand on something you need, when you need it.

Speaking of closets, Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick is having a Closet Party.  I've linked my "Coat Closet Becomes a China Closet" post.  If you've been wondering where I store some of the dishes I use for tablescaping, check out that  post.  It was a DIY weekend project involving painting and power saws...and some how I still have all my fingers! ;)

Recently, I posted about 20 Things I Can't Live Without.  Thanks so much for all your amazing ideas and suggestions left in the comments!  I've already started trying some of the things you mentioned, including the perfume, Amazing Grace.  Oh my gosh, does it smell wonderful!  I put it on every day whether I'm staying home or going out.  It just puts me in the best mood!

After I created my "20 Things" post, Pam e-mailed to share something she couldn't live without in her home: a Brother Label Maker.  I had a feeling her label maker was just a wee bit more sophisticated than the Dynamo label maker I had back in high school.

Photo from Wikipedia

Do you remember these?  They used the colorful, sticky embossing tape.  I had the best time labeling all kinds of stuff back then.  It's a wonder my cat didn't end up with a label!  I remember kids would even bring them to school.  Did you have a Dynamo label maker?

Photo from Wikipedia

Here's the label maker Pam uses.  Pam said, "The label maker photo shows its two essential features: a drop-in cartridge to easily switch between tape sizes with no wasted tape, and the USB cord that connects to the computer.  Of course, this handy gadget created a label for its own storage box!  Notice the fun font I used for that label. I love being able to use any font on my computer."

I asked Pam how she uses her label maker so she snapped a few pics to share.  Pam also shared some information about how she prints her labels out to avoid wasting any of the label tape.

Pam said, "I've had my label maker for 10+ years and use it constantly in my pantry, craft room, toy storage area and decorating closet (all the bins of stuff for various holidays)."

"I absolutely love the ability to sit down at my computer with its familiar keyboard and make a whole batch of labels all at once - using any of several favorite fonts on my computer - and have the labels print to the label maker."

"One of the quirks of a label maker is that when you print a label, it first spits out about 1/2" of blank label tape (to position the tape under the print head). Thus, every time you print a label, you waste a bit of tape."

"To avoid wasting tape, I usually go to the P-touch editor (the software on my computer - free download) and type a batch of labels on one long strip, with a few spaces between each. Sometimes my label is as much as 28" long! I print this very long strip, then cut it into the smaller labels with scissors, thus wasting only that first bit."

"All this to say - after using my label maker for so many years for so many labels, I think I've really gotten my money's worth out of a labeler that cost about $75.  I buy my 1/2" label tape at Costco - around here, they have the best price on a pack of three cartridges."

Wow!  Seeing all the ways Pam has used her label maker totally has me wanting my own.  I would love to create neat looking labels for all the file folders in my office.  Would look so much nicer and more consistent than my chicken scratch labels.  Probably be a lot easier to read, too.

Pam, thanks so much for sharing all these great tips and photos. This definitely has my wheels turning!
I can really see how a label maker would come in handy in the home, the garage, a workroom or even a tool shed.  Endless possibilities!

Do you have a label maker? If so, what brand do you have and where/how do you use it?