Guest Room Becomes Scrapping Paradise

When we moved to southwest Florida almost two years ago, we bought a house with an extra bedroom thinking we would have lots of company. But it turns out we go up north to see our families (who don't like to travel) more often than they come here. The best thing to come out of this situation was a good excuse to get rid of the large bed that used to occupy the spare room and turn the space into my own scrapbook room.

The room sits just off the living room inside our front door. It's about 12' x 12' and has high ceilings and great natural light. The walls were already painted aqua blue when we moved in, and I decided to keep the soothing wall color and use white shelving and furniture to create a clean seaside look. The beautiful hibiscus bushes and palm trees outside my window help reinforce the island theme, which also carries throughout the rest of my home.

My actual work space consists of an old 6-foot long table from IKEA which has a deep-enough tabletop to store most of my tools, including my current stamp sets, ink pads, adhesives, Cuttlebug, etc. I really like having everything within arms' reach.

Next to the table is a file cabinet with legal-size drawers. I use the top surface of this to store idea books, and other miscellaneous things, including a ribbon holder and a basket with glitter and Stickles. While two of the drawers hold important household documents, the top two are designated for scrapbooking supplies. Because I have two young children, I keep everything that is potentially dangerous - including my paper trimmers, scissors, paper piercer and stapler - hidden in the back of the top drawer. Another drawer holds my 8.5" x 11" paper, sorted by color family.

Under the table are three rolling plastic carts. One holds items I've picked up to alter, including a Rolodex, a couple of journals, a small clip board, a pair of flip-flops, etc. A second cart holds my Xyron and refills and all different types of letters in plastic baggies sorted by the letter. The third cart holds kids' art supplies and punches. Also under the table is a file drawer holding my 12" x 12" paper.

I also have a cube system from Target, which extends along one entire wall perpendicular to my scrap table. I use this unit for my computer and printer, as well as additional storage space for less-frequently used supplies, including paint brushes, my label maker, crimper, Creative Memories cutting system and distressing kit. I have one small drawer full of glue dots.

One end of the cube unit holds additional 12" x 12" paper, sorted by color. This is the paper that I cannot demonstrate in my stamping business because it is made by another manufacturer. It helps me to keep it separate. I keep my non-demonstration 8.5" x 11" paper in a small file box and expandable folder right next to this.

My husband hung six shelves on this same wall, which hold some of my business supplies, a small box of photos, retired stamps, boxes of fiber and ribbon, flowers, buttons, and some display items. I found the wooden "Memories" sign at a home discount store about a year ago. Below one of the shelves is a curtain rod that holds my most-used punches.

For inspiration, I keep a large bulletin board over my workspace, which has everything from pictures of my children and their artwork, to pages from catalogs and magazines that I like. I also have some new clear stamps tacked up there also, so I'll remember to use them. Above the bulletin board is a wrought iron card holder from Pottery Barn, which displays some of my handmade cards.

Against another wall in my room, I have a tall cabinet (about 7 feet tall) with doors. I use this to store photos, albums, memorabilia and computer software and photo CDs.

Some time in the future, I would like to get a taller work table, because I prefer to stand when scrapping, especially when I'm stamping. I'd also eventually like to bring in some island-themed fabrics to soften up the room's window and French doors. But all in all, I'm very happy with my scrap space. Whenever we do have guests, we can still easily accomodate them, thanks to a trundle in my daughter's room and some air mattresses. In the meantime, I'm happy that the spare room is getting so much use instead of being wasted space.

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