The Organized & Inspired Scrapbooker

create an inspiring scrap space

Whether you scrapbook at the kitchen table or have a room dedicated for your passion, creating a space you want to spend time in means setting up a space that works for you: it's organized and it reflects your style and taste. If you're looking to set up, revamp, or recharge your scrap space ... read on. Below you'll find resources to help you infuse organization and inspiration into your scrap space.

ideas for the dedicated workspace

Ah ... you've dreamed about it for years ... creating a place of your very own to scrapbook ... your creative space ... your haven.

Creating your very own space for scrapbooking and other creative endeavors is one of life's little luxuries. Yet sometimes, it can be challenging to pull it all together. Let's face it ... creative and organized can be polar opposites and infusing both into the same space ... one of life's seven wonders. The happy scrapper e-book takes the mystery out of setting up an organized and inspiring creative space. You'll get a checklist of "must-haves" plus a list of luxury add-ons to make your space work for you!

Here are some ideas from the happy scrapper to get you started.

1. Invest in stylish organizing solutions for your work space. The russell + hazel collator and 3-ring binders make getting organized a stylish proposition! Use the collator to store scrapbook paper or works-in-process in arms reach. Use a 3-ring binder to organize your scrapbook ideas for layout, design, color combos and more! (Collator coming soon to simplify 101!)

2. Include a standing work surface in your scrap studio. If you love to scrapbook on your feet — a standing space is a must for your studio. Stay comfy on your feet by investing in a comfortable standing surface or ultra comfy shoes. Ergonomic floor mats (also known as anti-fatigue mats) can help you go the distance when you scrapbook. These mats are designed for production environments ... but ... if you do a lot of scrapping on your feet, they may give you the extra dose of comfort you need to go the distance. (Wouldn't you just love an excuse to scrapbook a little, bit longer?) Check out www.ergoweb.com and search for an article on points to consider when buying a ergo mat.  If an ergo mat isn't in your plans ... how about some foot friendly shoes? Check out www.dansko.com to learn more!

3. Infuse your space with inspiration. Kid's artwork, mementos from favorite vacations, pottery from your high school art class (that you wouldn't dream of displaying in other areas of your home) are perfect in your scrap space!

4. Keep your goals and design ideas in sight. These products will make it a snap!

Making Memories® has a line of modular panels ... a magnetic board, a linen cork board and a chalk board ... that make it a snap to keep your goals and design ideas front and center. (Coming soon to simplify 101!)

I love clipboards! And what could be better for keeping your ideas in sight that a giant clipboard tacked to your scrap space wall? Use it to display your latest creations, inspiration for your next project, or kid's artwork in an unexpected and fun way!

5. Make sure you have adequate lighting. Be sure your scrap space has sufficient lighting to avoid eye strain and ensure your pages turn out the way you want (no mismatched colors for you!) Verilux lamps can help shed light on your scrap space.

6. Get help pulling it all together. If you're having trouble pulling your space together ... get some help! Ask a trusted friend, pick up a guide book like the happy scrapper, or invest in the services of a professional organizer. simplify 101 has coaching services available to clients world-wide. simplify 101 can help you create an organized and inspiring scrap space!

make your shared space work!

Store your scrapbook supplies as close to your workspace as possible ... whether you crop at the kitchen table, a card-table in the family room or in another shared work space, keeping your gear as close to where you scrapbook will make it that much easier to get scrapping. The trick? Clever and stylish storage solutions. Visit our scrapbook storage page for creative storage solutions.

tips for kitchen table scrappers

Sometimes the best inspiration for getting a job done is just making it easy to do! When your scrap space is the kitchen table ... easy just might not be the first thing that comes to mind. If you put off scrapbooking because it's just no fun pulling everything out of the various nooks and crannies in your home ... here are some kitchen storage solutions to whet your appetite.

1. Put your counter top to work! When was the last time you baked? If you can't remember, then why waste precious counter space storing flour and sugar? Repurpose your canisters for basic scrapbook supplies like adhesives, scissors, markers, pencils, stamps, ink pads, etc. Your canisters will look right at home on your counter and no one will ever suspect what's hiding inside. And next time you scrapbook - your basics will be close at hand.

2. Take over a kitchen drawer (or two!) Use a spare drawer for your scrapbook essentials. Do you really need all those kitchen gadgets anyway? Drawer organizers are perfect for adhesives, pens, markers, pencils, scissors, your paper trimmer ... all the basics. Just pull out what you need and you'll be scrapping in no time!

3. Carve out space in your pantry or cupboards. Spend an afternoon organizing your kitchen ... do the old "sort and purge" with one goal in mind: free up space for scrapbook supplies. If you have appliances you rarely use like a bread machine, crock pot, juice maker and so on consider moving them to a more remote location (or donating them to your favorite charity.) The space you free up can be used to store things you use all the time — your scrapbook supplies! Why not store embellishments like ribbon, buttons, and metal accents so on in glass jars right in your pantry?

A word of caution! I don't recommend storing photos and card stock in your kitchen. When you cook, these items could be adversely affected by steam, grease and other kitchen smells -- yummy to eat but not so nice for your scrapbook supplies. Store basic tools and embellishments in air-tight containers like glass jars or ceramic canisters.

4. Invest in portable storage solutions suitable for cropping on the go and treat your kitchen table like it's an offsite crop. Have everything you need an arm's length away!

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