The Nickel Tour

The scrapbook room clean-up and reorganization is essentially done. That's not to say every drawer, file and shelf has been sorted and straightened because it hasn't, but the things stored in ways that weren't working for me have been reshuffled and I'm liking the results so far.

Before we start the tour, let me just say I have stuff. I'm incredibly lucky to have an extra room in my home so there's space for all that stuff. And I've been involved in this hobby for 14 years now during which time I owned a store, so I've had plenty of time to accumulate stuff. But most of all, I love my stuff. Now that my addiction to paper is out in the open, let's see how all that stuff is organized.

The room today looks a lot neater than it did last time I showed it. When our youngest son moved out, this became my "play" room. The shelving units were purchased from one of the home improvement stores long before I started scrapbooking, and they were a great way to organize supplies for other crafts I was involved in then.

I think the key to a good system is to understand your own process and organize supplies accordingly. I think in terms of color when it comes to paper so my cardstock and patterned paper is sorted that way. The cardstock is stored in these Cropper Hopper containers I've had for a long time. They work so I see no reason to replace them, and actually I like them better than the open Vertical Storage files, at least for cardstock.

 

But I like those vertical files for patterned paper. I think the difference is that with cardstock I'm just looking for color so I don't have to see an much of the sheet but with patterned paper I'm looking at the design. One container is reserved for recent purchases because it's always fun to create with something new; one has specialty paper, like die-cut edges, transparencies, etc.; one has punch-out tags, borders and other things that tend to come apart easily; and one has my favorite colors.

Everything else is sorted by type, and the storage containers vary. While it probably would look more polished if everything matched, I can't see pitching what is useful and already paid for. Some of the baskets hold letters (stickers, rubons and chipboard) divided into colors, black/white and naked, and one of the larger baskets holds completed pages waiting to find homes in albums. Other baskets hold ribbon, mini albums, flowers, and other products grouped by type. There's a shelf of metal mesh baskets full of acrylic and unmounted rubber stamps in CD cases, and the same type of container is home to all kinds of journaling cards.

I bought four new containers from Target during this clean-up campaign...all metal mesh. Two are like this one and about 11"x13"; one holds chipboard shapes and one holds punches. They're sturdy and easy to transport from the shelves to my desk.

The other two are intended for DVD storage but the long length makes them perfect for oversized packages. This particular basket has just an assortment of embellishments.

I've taken over the closet, too. These vertical files hold the remaining patterned paper. For the most part it's sorted by color, but there's a container for mixed pastels, mixed geometrics, and a small section of themed paper. Again, it's all about knowing how you think...and I don't think in terms of florals, dots or stripes. I've had my paper like this for at least seven years now and it works for me. Hanging from the shelf overhead is a length of plastic gutter that holds spools of ribbon.

The ink pads are happy to be out of the box, and I think I'm going to like having them in the old tape rack we hung on the wall in the closet. I ended up adding some shelves so all the stamp pads would fit, and I still need to label them to make grabbing the right one easier. An old Maya Road case sits on top to hold some of the mini ink pads.

My work desk is an art table I've had forever. I like the height...it's comfortable when standing but most often I'm seated on that stool with a view out the windows on either side. The shelves overhead hold things I use regularly or that are small enough they'd just get lost in baskets. Between the desk and shelves are two magnetic boards with some photos, keepsakes and quotes I like. It's an inspiration board of sorts but the contents don't really change.

And here's where I am, the computer desk in the corner...just steps away from my work table. To the right of the printer is a hide-a-bed sofa where I work my nightly crossword. Then you're back at the door into the room.

There you have it...the nickel tour. We'll see how long the room looks this clean and neat.

Comments

[Linda J]

Thanks for the peek Brenda - love your organization. I also sort all my paper by color, works best for me too.:)
Enjoy your day. 5-7 inches of snow headed this way - perfect day for me to scrapbook I think!

[Lisa Wilkins]

Oh Brenda! Would you adopt me?! it looks GREAT!!!

As I wait on my Stampin' Up! starter kit, I've been organizing my space as well. There are times I think we share a brain. As much as I'd like matchy matchy, I also believe in using what I have. And I LOVE Cropper Hopppers. They aren't pretty, but they sure are functional. I only have one, more are on my to-buy list.

[Donna]

Loved this peek into your creative space. And what an ingenious way to store your spools of ribbon!! Thanks for sharing.

[Dana]

Thanks for the peak into your wonderful space. I love, love, love the gutter holding the spools of ribbon...how clever!

[Pat]

So neat, clean and organized! Also love the pop of color. Looks like great natural light, too. I want to come and play in it!

[Janet]

Loved the nickel tour and a chance to see your room. Looks like all of your reorganizing over the last few weeks was productive, and you're ready to start lots of new projects. If you have any ideas about fitting a crib and spare bed into a scrapping room, I'm open to suggestions - there has to be a creative way to use that space when family aren't visiting. Thanks for sharing pictures of your room.

[Erika]

You have done a great job of organizing and in a way that works for YOU. The thing I'm most jealous of is the shelving unit because I need more shelf space. I also love the mesh baskets, and the pretty blue ones. Seems like the perfect place to create!

[sandee]

WOW..love your space... BUT... It's too clean Brenda, they will never believe you work in a scrapbook industry...hurry and mess something up before anyone notices!