My Perfect Spot

Like so many scrappers, I began scrapbooking at the dining room table with all of my supplies stored in a Rubbermaid box. It didn't take me long to outgrow the box, and I soon became tired of having to unpack everything every time I scrapped. Eventually, I set up a makeshift scrap area in our guestroom. It was better, but inconvenient because we had frequent overnight visitors. When we moved into our new home a few months ago, one of the things I was most excited about was being able to redesign my scrapbook space. I have set up a cozy space in the sitting area of my master bedroom that suits my needs perfectly. It consists of a desk, a bookshelf, a storage chest, a cart with drawers and a standing lamp. Because my space is limited, I have purged several times and pared down my supplies to those that I think I will use. No more hoarding, I just don't have the storage area for it.

Because I tend to forget about things if I don't see them, I prefer to have my supplies out in the open. But I also like an uncluttered space, so I used a lot of baskets, open containers and clear drawers for storage. Having my space in my bedroom motivates me to keep it clean and organized. I have reorganized several times and have finally come up with some solutions that work for me.

Paper:

Paper storage has been a problem for me in the past, but I finally have a system that makes me happy. I purchased two organizers at an office supply store. One is used for patterned paper that I sort by manufacturer and the other is used for cardstock which I sort by color and size. Scraps are put into a paper shopping bag and used frequently.

Embellishments:

I have embellishments stored in a variety of ways. Small, round, stackable containers work well for smaller things such as eyelets, brads, buttons and beads. I keep them on the rack above my desk along with small flowers and other items. Larger flowers and my collection of mesh are within arm's reach in planters on top of the desk.

My bookshelf also houses many embellishments. I have small open boxes, a large basket and clear jars full of metal and other types of embellishments. A small chest with clear drawers holds assorted items. Die cuts and oversized items are in the Iris cart below my desk in no particular order. I just leaf through them until something catches my eye. Ribbon storage is a challenge for me, but for now I have it stored in plastic containers in my storage chest. Excess ribbon (as well as rickrack) is stored in clear jars on my bookshelf.

Stickers:

My alphabet stickers are sorted by color in a binder. Other stickers are sorted by theme in a separate binder. Rub-ons hang from small hooks on the side of my bookshelf. I store my chipboard and other oversized letters in one of my small desk drawers.

Paint/Ink/Stamps:

Because I use paint and ink quite a bit, having them close by is a must for me. The paints are sorted by color in a desk drawer and my inks are in an open basket on my shelf. I have other inks in the Iris cart below my desk. My foam stamps are there as well. Other stamps are stored in a photo box in my storage chest.

Tools/Adhesives:

Frequently used tools are close by in a basket on top of my desk right beside my trimmer. I use my sewing machine often so it is stored just beneath my desk. An open container on the bookshelf houses my pens. Adhesives are in an easily accessible drawer.

Magazines/Idea Books/Empty Albums:

I keep a few magazines and books out on my shelf, but most of them are in the storage chest. I love that it has a cover so I can just close it to hide the clutter.

I will admit that I do have supplies that don't fit neatly into this area. I store the excess on a shelf in my bedroom closet along with my photo boxes. They are easily accessible there without being in the way.

Although my scrap area isn't very large, it is nice to have a space that is devoted solely to scrapbooking. I encourage anyone who is still scrapping at the dining room table as I was to look around your home and find a space that you can claim as your own. You'll be surprised at how much more you can get done when you don't spend valuable time packing and unpacking supplies!

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