Monday, February 10, 2014

Organizing without a Scrap "Room"

Hey everyone!  This week over at Bitten by the Bug 2, we are sharing our scrap spaces or scrap rooms.  Well, for me, I only have a "space" and that is basically the dining room!  It works though, and I'll show you some ways I try to stay organized even without a room devoted to my hobby.  We also invite you to link up with us and share your scrap space!

We built our house in 2011, and I was so excited because I had an extra room.  It was going to be a hobby/play room.  Finally!  Well about one month later, I found out I was pregnant with our third child.  So I had my hobby room for about 9 months, and then it became Macy Paige's room.  And now that number 4 is on his/her way, it looks like I'll be staying in the dining room.  So here are some ways I stay organized.  Warning:  LOTS OF PICTURES and LINKS!
This is my dining room where all my crafting happens.  Don't let this neat picture fool you!  If I'm in the middle of a project, it looks like a tornado went through it.  But oh how I love when it looks nice and clean like this!
Now this little cabinet right here is one of the most helpful ways I stay organized.  It is awesome.  I found it at Walmart online. They still have it! It is not too costly and it has really held up well.  It has wheels and a table top that folds down and extends out.  I'll show you the inside later in this post.
In my living room, I've devoted an entire cabinet to scrapbooking supplies.  They are very deep cabinets.
So here is what is in there:

I still keep all of my cartridges in their original boxes.  I recently sold my Imagine and got rid of all those cartridges.

This is where I keep most of my paper.  The top shelf is for solids and the pattern paper packs are towards the bottom.  I'm slowly running out of room as I buy more paper pads.  I just love them!  I also love these clear 12 x 12 shelves from Scrapbook.com.  I had trouble finding something that would not be too tall once stacked in my cabinet.  These are perfect.  I ordered one set of 10 shelves, and I was able to split them between my two shelves.  Now they were kind of pricey, but I really think they were worth it. 


Now this next 12 x 12 folder is for all those miscellaneous pattern papers I pick up in bulk sections.  I bought it a while back ago at Michael's or Hobby Lobby.
I try to keep the papers organized for scrapbooking by having a girl section, boy section, baby section, gingham/polka dot section, and holiday section.
This little basket holds all of my ribbon and twine.  Over the summer, I organized all of my twine by putting it on tags I cut from Plantin Schoolbook.
A basket full of punches
Now for my little brown cabinet that really stores so much stuff.  I can store my cricut inside on the bottom shelf, although I usually have it out on my table.  I just bought a Sillouette, which I haven't used just yet.  I just need to have some time to read everything.  I downloaded the software for free before I ever purchased it to make sure I liked it.
I keep all of my tools on the top shelf and my stamp sets on the bottom shelf.
Now here's a look at the inside shelves:
I keep tons of stuff in here!  Trimmers, ATG gun, Gypsy, stamp pads, embossing powders, stickles, glitter, baby wipes, embellishments, heat gun, etc.  I use rectangular plastic tubs/baskets that I can easily stack and remove when I need them.
My stamp pads and embossing powders...

Chalks...
Buttons and brads are in this container I found at JoAnn's.
I keep all the sparkly stuff in the pink basket.
I also keep all my sequin and flower embellishments in this cabinet too.  It's amazing what I can get in there.

Lastly, here is my favorite tip to stay organized.  This is how I store my paper scraps.
I have this accordian folder.  It is not 12 x 12.  I found it quite some time ago in the office supply section at Walmart.  In each section, I keep sheet protectors filled with scraps according to their color.  This is for any small piece I think I can use again whether it be pattern or solid.  I keep similar colors together.  I also have a sheet protector section for black, white, gray, and brown together.  I find that this really works for me.  I go right to it first when I need to cut something smaller.  I save so much paper by doing this.
Well I hope you enjoyed all the tips I shared with you for staying organized even without a room.  As you can see, I try to put stuff away and out of sight for the most part.  This helps me feel a little better about not having too much clutter seen and keeps little hands from getting into it all the time.

So we look forward to you linking up to share your scrap spaces this week!  Have a good one!

15 comments:

  1. looks like you got it under control without a room. hugs

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  2. I think this is really great! Over the years, I have noticed that people who do not have a room of their own often make some of the most beautiful things!

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  3. I love, love how you have all your crafty goodness hidden away in your living spaces Jaren! You are so organized and this is the perfect example of how you can still be crafty even if you don't have a room dedicated to your hobby. FABULOUS!!! Hugs!

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  4. I love the way you have organized your craft space ! What wonderful ideas for storing and organizing your supplies ! You have great storage furniture , I love how much you are able to put in each them and yet they are neat and organized ! Thank you so much for sharing , I have tons of ideas for getting more organization in my room ! Hope you have a wonderful week !

    Hugs,
    Mayra
    Mayrasdesigns.blogspot.com

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  5. Jaren you are so neat,tidy and organised. Love all your storage. Fab tip with the twine. x

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  6. Wow Jaren, you are so ORGANIZED!! I wish you lived by me, you could help me with my organizing skills..hehe! You do a great job of having it in just the right places and yet not in the hands of the little ones. GREAT space and wonderful idea's TFS!
    Sherrie K

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  7. Jaren, this is AMAZING!!! I LOVE how you have utilized the space you have! I love all the cabinets you have, too! You have everything so organized! Great idea with the accordion file for scraps! Have a great week!!!

    Emily
    Mollie's Motif

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  8. it is amazing how much stuff you fit in your space! I love how you totally made it work for you, so awesome! Carri~Abusybee
    Skittles!

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  9. Fantastic ideas on how to stay organized!! I loved reading all of your ideas!

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  10. Love your space and all of your crafty goodies! ~Laura

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  11. wow, you are so very organized... so impressed :) http://evasscrapsncards.blogspot.com/2014/02/craft-room-make-over.html

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  12. This is fabulous Jaren!!! I love your space and how organized you are!!! :)

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  13. Hi there Jaren, Thank you for being a follower of all things beautiful. Thought you’d like to know your project has been chosen to be showcased as my weekly fav on my Feature Friday post today! Take care and enjoy your weekend. Amy A. @ all things beautiful http://alllthingsbeautiful.blogspot.com/2014/02/feature-friday-214204.html

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  14. I need you to come and organize my armoire-I bet I could fit even more stuff in after you got done with the makeover, lol! You've done an amazing job with your space and I'm even more impressed at the thought that you do it all with little people zooming about! Hope #4 morning sickness has settled down a bit and left you feeling better!
    :)
    Michelle

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  15. First of all, thank you for coming by and leaving me some love! I appreciate that. I've enjoyed coming here to return the flavor! I want to next congratulate you on baby number 4!! With that said, how you have ANY time to craft your beautiful work is amazing to me! You rock!!

    And so does your limited amount of craft space! I am so impressed and inspired by how you have organized every square inch so efficiently! You have helped SO many crafters by sharing all your tips and tricks!! Hugs, Darnell

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