Tackle the Mess

Everyone who scrapbooks with paper and embellishments will have the problem of creating a mess that needs to be cleaned up. If we are fortunate, we have time to clean up while the mess is minimal. If we let it get out of hand, then the mess will be large. If we wait a long time, it can become a major project. When it gets to be a large mess, we have to tackle the mess.

Recently, I found my own scrapbook site to be a large mess. Things that had once been neatly sorted were no longer organized but had been shoved back into the drawers. Paper and supplies had not been put away. Drawers were overflowing with stuff. Even my desk was so full of items that I couldn't scrap.

To get it clean, I followed this  process:

1. Make a clean space for sorting. Find a spot for your items that are not in their proper spot. Your spot could be the floor, a temporary table, a couch, a shelf, etc. The larger the mess, the larger your sorting center will need to be.
2. Use a trash can and recycling bin. If you don't have a trash can or recycling bin in your room, bring them in. You will need to use these two items liberally as you sort through your items. I tossed away papers and items that no longer interested me. If you have supplies to donate, put those in a separate box.
3. Clean up the non-scrapbook items. Put away any items not related to scrapbooking. Put it either in your trash/recycling bins or put it away. If it goes in the kitchen, move it to the kitchen. If it goes in the garage, move it to the garage. It does not belong in your scrapbook area.
4. Create Cleaning Piles. In your sorting spot, you will create piles for all the items that need to be put away. Each pile will represent a different type of scrapbook supply - cardstock, patterned paper, adhesives, alphas, rub-ons, flowers, stamps, diecuts, etc. Your piles will differ depending on what types of supplies you use. Make the piles and get the unorganized stuff out of the way. I took all the things scattered on my desk and stuffed in my drawers, and placed them in piles according to the type of scrapbook supply. While creating my piles I cleared off my desk and made my supplies visible again.
5. Organize Scrapbook Area. After you have all your piles created and things put in the piles, take a look at your scrapbook area. Organize the stuff there. Make sure things are put away neatly. If necessary, create room for the items in your piles that you will move into that area.
6. Dust. It seems silly to have dusting as a step, but it is very helpful. Since your area is reasonably clean right now, dust it. It will also give your area a nice look and motivate you to finish the process.
7. Cull.  Take a good look at all your items in their piles and really think about whether you need them. I tossed away papers and items that no longer interested me. If you have supplies to donate, put those in a separate box.
8. Add Your Piles. Now that you have your scrapbook area organized, add the items from your piles. Put them in as neatly as possible. This may be the longest step in the process depending on how much you have to put away.
9. Organize Your Areas. If you have other larger items in your scrapbook area such a die-cut machine or photography equipment, clean and organize those areas as well. Try to organize things so you can have quick access to your supplies.
10. Manage Your Areas. Finally, keep your area organized. Clean up after working on projects and put away new supplies soon after purchase.

Cleaning up a messy scrapbook area can be a challenge. You can set aside one day or a whole weekend to do it or you can do the different steps in blocks of time. Even if you only do a little each day, you are making progress. If necessary, reward yourself for each step completed. I like to reward myself with a piece of candy. If it helps, set a deadline for completion.

Get working on your mess and get scrapping again!

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