Getting Organized for 2011

A fresh new year means a fresh new start in my scrap room!   I like to clean up and file everything from the previous year's business and usually this means taking a look at how I've stored and stocked my supplies in addition to how I have kept my business records!   This month I'll devote my blog to organization so over the next few weeks I'll share with you how I organize (or NOT) all things scrapbooking/papercrafting and record keeping!

My Uppercase Living Quote above my workdesk

Now, I don't have a nice big studio that we all dream of.  You know the great big room with huge windows that let in lots of natural light.  The walls are painted a light yellow like sunshine and there are shelves and closets on every wall full of baskets and drawers.   A big worktable in the middle of the room high enough to stand and work if you choose.   The worktable has shelves and drawers to hold all the essentials.  There is a computer/cricut workstation area tucked in the corner of the room.    Oh so sorry - I must have been dreaming again.

This is nice - But it's not mine!

Well my art studio will have to wait.   In the mean time, I have a makeshift studio that works just fine.   I live in an older ranch style home - you know the kind with the foyer you walk into and just to the left is a nice big formal living room for entertaining.   Our formal living room has seen its share of entertaining but never formal.   When my girls were little, it was a playroom full of toys.  As they grew older, they had their slumber parties in there.   When I started scrapbooking, I had a rolling tote, and a plastic tote with a lid for all of my supplies.  I set up a table in front of the window (a smaller window than the one in my dream) where I could leave my work out.  When I decided to become a Close To My Heart Consultant back in February 2006 I knew that I would eventually need more than just a tote to contain my supplies.

How lucky am I to have a handy husband that loves to build things!  We sat down together and thought out what I would need to help me organize my CTMH products.   He built a nice worktable with lots of shelves for albums, cardstock and even all my inkpads!

My workstation built by the BEST HUBBY in the world!

Here is a close up of my ink pad slots.   I group my inks in Seasons vertically with the Basic Colors across the bottom row.  I can fit 3 pads into each slot.   I also store the same color marker beside each pad.   When I go to retreats or crops I do have the Close To My Heart Ink Organizer and Carry Case which I LOVE!   It is a 'must have' if you don't have one. 

  

I sort my cardstock in color groups.... basics, blues, greens, reds, etc.   I can lay my cardstock flat on the shelves.   There are cardstock slots on each side of the desk but I use the slots on the right side for my extra page protectors, 8 1/2 x 11 white and colonial white cardstock, envelope flats and miscellanous other items.  

My next post will be my actual worktable.  No, I don't work on the desk.  I need more room than that!   Here is my worktable - honest truth - as it looks at this very moment.  I'll clean it up and show you how I START out working on new projects.  I always like to start with a clean slate.   (and just in case you were wondering.... my workstation is NOT always that neat!) 

Stay tuned this month for some tips and ideas!   Leave me a comment on your Favorite way to organize!   I love reading all ideas for storage!