What a mess!

This is what we refer to as our recyclable cabinet. This is where the majority of our craft supplies are kept. We have some stuff in other boxes and containers, but for the most part, everything else gets tossed into this cabinet. And I do mean -- tossed! It's always a complete mess in there. Ironically, I keep pretty good tabs of what's in there, regardless of how much digging I have to do. It's an organized mess, perhaps?

I recycle a lot of stuff to use for crafts like egg cartons, empty cans, toilet and paper towel tubes, oatmeal containers, and so forth. I have more pompoms, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes than I know what to do with. Right now I have an enormous amount of construction paper that my mother-in-law gave me. She used to be a teacher, but hasn't been working for a few years, so she's in the never-ending process of unloading her supplies onto me. Not that I mind. I honestly don't think I'll have to buy construction paper for as long as I live. I mean it. I probably have enough to do crafts with my great-grandkids -- whenever they come along. 

If you look on the left side of the cabinet, you'll see two rows of fabric. Many, many years ago I came across a yard sale that had tons of sewing and craft supplies. I ended up with a huge box of fabric, fiberfill stuffing, and all sorts of goodies. This was years ago, back when the girls were younger, but we're still working through all that material. I doubt I'll ever use it all, but it comes in handy every now and then. Just the other day the boys got out some green corduroy material and made a soft-top for GI Joe's Jeep. Had I not been such a packrat, GI Joe would not have a new top for his car. Needless to say, Joe is happy.

But anyway ... as you can see, about half of the cabinet is lying on the floor in front of it. That's because I'm in the process of organizing it again. I only have the strength, willpower, and desire to do this once every couple of years. Lately, we haven't been able to get the door closed though, so I guess that means it's time to organize it again. So, somehow, I have to get everything that's on the floor back into the cabinet. Cripes.

On the other hand, I did find four pretty scarves in that big mess of fabric. Ironically, I was looking at scarves just the other day at the thrift store. I was thinking I'd like to get a few to wear around my neck because I haven't worn them like that in years. Then I decided not to buy them at the last minute. It's a good thing too, because then I found a bunch right in my own cabinet at home. Go figure.

What, if anything, do you save just in case you think you might need it someday?