Scrapbooking: Five Ways to Get Organized

I am the first to admit that I feel most at home and relaxed when everything is put in its place in a perfectly organized manner. In fact, I am almost overly organized to a fault. But there is something so satisfying knowing that everything has a place and it is sitting there comfortably until I need to use it. So I am going to share the plethora of knowledge I have of organizing. Of course, we will focus on scrapbooking! I have tried to summarize my favorite and best things to do to organize your scrapbooking supplies (keep in mind that I am branching out from the traditional ways to store things):

1. Embellishments Spice Rack : Use a spice rack to organize your embellishments. Many stores sell racks that are perfect for wall-mounting or you can get one to rest on a desk like a lazy susan. Either way, the containers are the perfect size for flowers, tacks, staples, tiles, brads, eyelets, etc. Make sure to get clear ones so you can see the embellishments. Check out the bathroom and kitchen section on your local stores (like Target, Wal-mart etc.). You would be surprised what types of storage solutions you can come up with for your scrapbooking embellishments.

Some companies sell some just for scrapbookers. See some made-for-scrapbooking spice racks at www.franticstamper.com.

2. Hanging Jars: You can adapt the above idea and make is really cheap too. You can make hanging jars by affixing old canning jars, baby food jars, or other jars with screwing lids to a shelf. All you have to do is drill a hole through the lid and the shelf and then screw the jar to it. If you don’t want to permanently have holes in your shelf, just use double-sided sticky Velcro and attach it to the top of the lid and then under the shelf. This would work the best with the baby food jars or lighter plastic jars.

3. Traveling Scrapbookers: If you are a nomadic scrapbooker, there are many things you can use to store all those little embellishments. I have a tackle box that works really well for storage. Probably the best thing that I have seen besides the traditional storage totes, is the Caboodle (it was a plastic makeup container). I used to have one when I was a teenager. It works great with all those compartments. Find one at a garage sale (or in your own garage . . .) or check out your local stores for something similar in the cosmetics aisle.

4. Paper storage: We all know that you can buy lots of fun shelves, boxes, and trays for your paper. But while we are all trying to save up for those somewhat expensive items, what are some other ways to store your paper? I like the idea of using a dish drain (I am not kidding –I actually tried it and love how accessible the paper is!). Find this idea and other "kitchen" organizing tools at: http://scrapbooking.about.com/library/weekly/blsstips5.htm .

5. Hanging Paper Storage: Ok, this one is a little more traditional for storing your papers, but I think it is so unique that I had to talk about it. I love the idea of being able to use closet space to store your papers and other scrapbooking supplies. Check out these great ones from Creating Keepsakes

Still having trouble organizing? Try a book with tons of organization ideas for scrapbookers (Scrapjazz Organization Guide ). You too can become an organized scrapper!