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Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Organize your scrapbooking/cardmaking on a Budget

There are many organizers for different things.  Everyone's needs are a little different depending on the space available for your projects.  I wish I would have had this information when I first started my scrapbooking and cardmaking.  Hope it helps someone to get organized.

I discovered you could invest a lot of money in keeping yourself organized; so I decided to challenge myself to discover inexpensive organizers for my products.  I would love to hear from all of you on what you use for keeping yourself organized.
  
I have a spare bedroom I use; which serves as our guest bedroom. It has to be organized and ready for guests when they visit; which is several times a year.  Half the closet is used daily and the other half for our guests.

I have included pictures of the items, where to purchase and estimated cost based on memory. 
  • 4 foot folding table ($32.99) and chair ($19.99) from Costco
  • 4 - small 3 drawer organizers from Big Lots, approx. $5.50.  Wal-Mart also sells them; but they are more expensive.
  • 1 rectangular plastic container with lid for Copic and other markers - Joann Fabrics - $2 on sale.
  • Several rectangular open plastic containers which hold pens, color markers, etc.  Wal-Mart for approx. $1.  The 99 cent stores or dollar stores might sell them.
  • Small square boxes on left from Big Lots  - larger slots for punch out items - cost $3 and Joann Fabrics has smaller slots for $1.99.



Container from Big Lots with larger compartments - $3

Container from Joann Fabrics with smaller compartmens - $1.99.


Smaller Container from Tuesday Mornings with medium compartments - $1.99.


The cabinet for my Cricut Expression was previously used for a TV; purchased at Best Buy - don't recall price.  I love all the space it provides.  Look around your house and see what you can use and rearrange things if needed.  Two lamps found on sale.  One faces my desk and one faces the Cricut cutting area.  It gets dark in this room at night.  No overhead lights.



I have two of these bags.  They zip and have 12 slots inside to hold smaller paper items, stickers, etc.  Big Lots for $5.  I used these in the beginning before I started to accumulate so many products.


 
  • 3 drawer plastic drawer container for my 12 X 12 paper packs -$20 at Big Lots amd Wal-Mart.
  • I use the top to hold my paper cutter (Fiscars from Michaels) and my
  • 2 in one trimmer by Purple Cows that I purchased at Costco $20 - $25.  It actually has two parts.  The other one is in the closet.  I use both of these all the time.  This one has seven blades for different paper edges. 


  • 2 - 8 1/2 X 11 drawer containers to keep my inks, embossing powders, acrylic blocks, smaller stamps, etc.  Wal-Mart - $9.   These are on my bedside table with my lamp for easy access. 
  •  A smaller container for brads on the table - Tuesday Morning - $1.99.


  • 2 ClosetMaid 31- inch white horizontal stackable organizers from Target - $14 - $15
  • 1 - 2 shelf ClosetMaid 31 - inch white vertical stackable organizer at Target - $14 - $15
  • Plastic containers that hold my 8 1/2 X 11 paper packs were purchased at Big Lots - $5. 
  • The tall piece with the 12 X 12 containers was purchased at Michaels with clear plastic containers- 50% sale so it was $20.  You have to pull the containers out to get inside; but it works well so far.  I use for loose paper,  paper packs and stamps sets.
  • Scrapbooking 12 X 12 colored containers purchased at Michaels and Joann Fabrics - $2 - $5 depending on sale.  (Reg price $9 when not on sale)  
  • The photo boxes on the horizontal shelves purchased at Michaels for $2 - $3 depending on sale. (Reg price $4 when not on sale.)  I use them for punches, ribbons, Bling, etc and label them so I know what is in each box. 
  • 2 in 1 trimmer on the floor - This is the other half mentioned above that basically cuts paper (from Costco - Purple Cows brand)



  • A close up view of the containers from Michaels and the shelving unit on the right.  
  • 1 plastic container on the shelves to the right for my embossing folders and Cuttlebug items - purchased at Big Lots or Wal-Mart for $5 - $6. 
  • Many plastic envelopes (leaning on wall in front of shelves) for keeping pictures when I am working on a scrapbook, left over paper, dimensionals, etc.  $1 at Big Lots.  $2 at Michaels.



  • Photo boxes - Michaels - $2 - $3 - contain my photos that I may use for scrapbooks
  • 8 1/2 X 11 drawer container for my business supplies - $9 at Wal-Mart
  • Craft notebooks - labeled on the front, haven't done the sides yet.


I have two larger containers for supplies.  They are on the opposite side of the closet; which is full of clothing.  I keep extra supplies so I don't run out in the middle of a project.  I purchase supplies when I can with coupons or good sales. 

I hope this was helpful information.  Please leave a comment letting us know what you find useful to organize your scrapbook and cardmaking stash.

8 comments:

  1. I wish I were that organized. I always think about taking pics of my room but it is never cleaned up enough to get the job done. I do have a 18 hole shoe organizer on my table for things I use all the time.

    Precious Hugs

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    1. I try to keep things put in containers so they are easier to find. Also, my husband gets kind of freaked out when the bed is completely covered. HA!! My desk is another story. :) Thanks for stopping by my blog. It is hard to get people to see the posts that are not entered in challenges; but I felt motivated to do this and to also make a page with it. Have a great day!!

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  2. Nice I also use an old Tv stand for my E2 also have my printer there. My 8×11in paper are put in magazine holders I bought in Ikea pkg. 5 for $2. My 12×12 is ina nice box for the moment but gonna make my own like holder for them out of a box. By a lot of storage form all the stores u mention also.

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    1. Hi Elisa. I just found your comment in spam. Isn't that strange? I didn't know I had a spam folder. There were others there as well. Thanks for the information on other ideas. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by my blog and to leave a comment. So sorry I didn't find it until now in the spam folder. Have a terrific day!!

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  3. Hi Gloria! Thanks for the sweet comment you lfet on our blog' The Cissy and Fran Show. I noticed that you are a retired nurse. Oh, how I wish I could retire. Tings have changed so much in the past 28 years since I started as a graduate nurse in the E.R.!I love your organization post! For Christmas my husband gave me 2 awesome paper shelving units which really help me organize in different colors. It just makes it so much easier!
    I'm your newest follower!

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    1. Thanks Cissy for commenting on my blog. I appreciate your support. I was forced to retire, not because I wanted to. I became allergic to cologne and all chemical smells; so I had a complete life change three years ago. I was active for 35 yrs. Things really have changed. I actually worked as Workers Comp nurse and insurance world last several years. Wow!!! What a nice husband!!! Enjoy!!

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  4. Replies
    1. Thanks Vicky. I appreciate the comment. I sent an email to you since this comment section wasn't working all day. I love to organize. Have always been pretty good at it. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Have a terrific day.

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Hi to all you wonderful bloggers!! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I really appreciate your comments and support. I would love to have you as a member. Thanks so much. Hope you enjoy my blog. Gloria