Organizing 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 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 compartments - $1.99.

Smaller container from Tuesday Mornings  - $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 recently (April 23, 2012) added another little 3 drawer cart to my organizers for my CTMH stamp sets.  The CTMH stamp sets come in a lovely sturdy plastic envelope with a snap to protect the stamps for future use.  Mandy Leahy, my upline in CTMH, told our group about these containers for storing our CTMH or other stamp sets. They work really great.  One drawer will hold 25 tightly packed or 22 loosely packed.  I have included a picture.  You can actually see my stamp sets in the drawers.   These are sold at Wal-Mart for $9.97.  Bar code: 073149273086 (white) Measurements for the 3 drawer cart are: 14 1/4 X 8 3/8 X 25 5/8.  They come in black and white.  You can also order these as a set of 3 on Wal-Mart.com.

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 - $30. 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) ($20- $30)

• 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; which I purchase when I can with coupons or good sales.

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