Organize Your Stuff Challenge ... Round 2

Plugging along with Round 2 of the Challenge and I've tweaked a few things here and there. The real work won't start until week 22 or so when I fell off the wagon on the first go 'round.

Although the focus of week 18 in the 2Peas Organize Your Stuff Challenge is tools and adhesive, storage issues tend to overlap categories in my scroffice. I've since switched over to a pink ATG for my main adhesive and it's a huge tool. It doesn't fit in my Pampered Chef tool caddy, so it just kinda hangs out on my work space. That's not working for me, so I decided to spring for an over-the-door pocket organizer to hold my slowly growing collection of punches. Thanks for the great idea fellow Peas organizers!

By moving the punches from the top drawer of my desk, I now have enough space for that drawer to hold miscellaneous adhesives and over-sized tools. My glue and pop dots, repositionable glue tape, Terrifically Tape sheets and, of course, the ATG now reside with my MM tool tin, brayer and my Perfect Layers. And, I have plenty of room to expand my punch collection, plus space available in my top drawer. Another week checked-off the list!

If you'd like to peek back at my first stab at week 18 back in May, here's a link to the original post. You can see photos of my desk top tool caddy and distressing kit. I believe next up is chipboard and that might be a catch-up week for me to tackle photos.

IKEA 2x2 Expedit

I finally took some photos of my new IKEA 2x2 Expedit bookcase. This has been a long time coming and I'm excited how well it's working in my scroffice. I needed additional lower-surface space to move my base-only Clip-It-Up from the 4x4 Expedit. Now that the CIU is more accessible, I've ordered the top-tier unit to expand my storage. The Cuttlebug lives on the bookcase and visually prompts me to use it more often.

The top 2 cubes hold my growing yarn stash, a few fiber art books and my pattern binder. I moved my set of storage drawers containing embossing supplies, specialty inks, Stickles and glitter, and paints to one bottom cube. The last cube now holds my albums and extra page protectors.

And yes, the box on the left is Becky Higgin's Project 365, released two years ago. Love the kit and the idea behind the inspiration, I've just been too overwhelmed to start a daily photo and journaling project. Maybe 2011 is the year since my scroffice is finally taking shape ;)

Shopping at IKEA

I am plowing through another round of the Organize Your Stuff Challenge over at 2 Peas in a Bucket. Some of us "organizers" were summer drop-outs and our illustrious leader (thanks Crisann!) decided to host a third round. And since my knitting hobby has kicked into high gear since the first challenge started back in January, my space has taken-on an additional function. Yarn storage is quickly becoming an issue, and I want to incorporate my fiber stash in my scroffice. So off to IKEA we go ...

I'm lucky to have 3 IKEA stores just about an hour from my home. I grabbed a scrap buddy this morning and we hit the road. I picked-up a 2x2 Expedit unit and the shelf insert shown above. I wanted some lower storage space to move my Clip It Up from the 4x4 Expedit to a more accessible height. I will be adding the upper tier to my base CIU and it will no longer work on the higher Expedit unit.

The shelf insert should work perfectly to display some gorgeous fibers I've been acquiring. The top 2 cubes will be for my yarn stash and knitting books, while the bottom 2 will be utilized for scrap stuff. The top surface should hold the CIU and my Cuttlebug.

And I couldn't resist this cute plastic bag holder for only $1.99. We are half re-usable and half plastic bag user at the grocery store since the plastic bags are perfect for dog walks. This handy dispenser will work great out in the garage. Cheap bonus buy!

Off to build my new Expedit and organize my stuff. I'll post before and after photos, so check back often.

Organize Your Stuff Challenge - week # 21

Week 21 of the Organize Your Stuff Challenge posted this question - "Question of the week: If you handwrite your journaling/doodle on your pages, what are your favorite pens to use?" I'm ashamed to say I don't hand write anything. All my journaling is on the computer and I know I need to change that. I love finding papers with my father's and grandmother's handwriting, but I just can't stand my own. I might have to challenge myself to do just one layout with some hand journaling and see how it goes.

My CTMH markers are stored in an Exclusive Inks Organizer with my ink pads. My set of Prismacolor pencils are stored in their original tin and are kept on top of the 3-drawer organizer that houses my embossing stuff, paints and chalks. Even with the pencil tin on top, the organizer fits nicely in an Expedite cubbie. The only other pens (Sakura glitter gelly roll and write 'n rub foiling pen) I own are stored in my PC tool caddy. There is plenty of room in the tool caddy to house some new journaling pens though ;)

I'll have to purchase one of the Zig markers that a few fellow Peas have mentioned to be a great journaling pen. Once I attempt a layout with handwritten journaling, I'll post for your review. Be kind though, I have handwriting issues.

Organize Your Stuff Challenge - week # 19

Chipboard - that's the focus of week 19 at the 2Peas Organize Your Stuff Challenge. I love chipboard! It's easy to use and extremely versatile.

I pulled all my chipboard off the Clip It Up because it was taking up too much space. Cleared-out the large bottom drawer on the scrapbooking side of my desk unit and incorporated any home office material into the bottom drawer on the other side. Legal-size hanging folders now store all my chipboard, including alphas, shapes, pre-printed themed packages and raw sheets.

As you can see I have plenty of room to expand. Not sure that's a good thing ;)

Organize Your Stuff Challenge - week # 18

Week 18 of the organizing challenge over at 2Peas ~ tools, tools and more tools, plus adhesive. Yikes! I knew this week would eventually confront me and I wasn't looking forward to it. But once I got started, it wasn't nearly as difficult as I had imagined. My most-often used tools are kept in a Pampered Chef tool caddy. I decided to pull the caddy apart for a thorough cleaning, some purging and re-organization.

Here's the final organized caddy holding my micro-tip scissors and Coluzzle/exacto knives, bone folder and scoring tools, finishing files and piercer, mini misters, water brush, glue and bonding pens, Tombow Mono applicator and refills, Spritz stamp cleaner and Liquid Glass. Doesn't it look great!

All my distressing stuff is stored in the CTMH Distressing Kit pictured below. It holds a ton of texture tools, brushes, sanding blocks, sponges and daubers. Next, I removed the insert from my Making Memories tool kit to allow room for the MM slot punch tool set. The metal tin sits in the top drawer of my desk for easy access, the CTMH distressing kit is over in the Expedite and the caddy will now have a place of prominence on my desktop.

Once decorating week rolls around, I might cover the outside of the caddy in paper or attempt to spray paint the whole unit. The white is just too stark and plain. Maybe some rub-ons? Another week down, only 10 more or so to go. Are you keeping up with me?

Organize Your Stuff Challenge - week # 17

I'm completely caught-up with the Organize Your Stuff Challenge over at 2Peas and can cross "punches" off my task list. The question of the week posted: "With the invention of all the die-cutting machines, do punches seem somewhat "old school" to you now?" I do own a Cuttlebug to dry emboss and use my Spellbinders Nestabilities. I don't own an electronic die-cutting machine and I have no intention of purchasing one. Punches, especially borders, are big right now. And I don't think basic shape punches will ever go out of style. Compared to some scrappers (certain Peas will remain nameless), my inventory of punches is pathetic. It might not even count as an "inventory", since it's so small. But, none the less, they are organized!

I love the one-and-only Fiskars border punch I have and my wish-list of designs is growing (Effervescence, All-A-Fleur & Diamond). I use the EK Success scallop circle to create the gorgeous paper flowers that you currently see everywhere on cards, layouts and paper craft projects. I picked-up the Martha Stewart punches at Walmart after the holidays for a steal-of-a-deal. They punch smooth and crisp every time I use them. I have my eye on a few of her "punch around the page" designs.

Week 18 covers "tools" and I'm getting a head start in that area today.

Organize Your Stuff Challenge - week # 16

Paints, glitter and Stickles are the focus of week 16 for the organizing challenge. Since I only have a small supply of each of these, this was an easy task for me. My stickles are stored in a 3-drawer sterlite container with my embossing stuff. I've moved the paint (out of a CTMH distressing kit) over to the stickles drawer so everything is in the same place. That means my distressing kit now holds only the "tools" to distress, such as my texture tools, paint brushes, sanding blocks and edge distresser. My small 1" x 1" distressing inks were also moved out of the kit and into the 3-drawer organizer. I'm amazed how much this little organizer holds.

Love my P-touch labeler ~ top drawer: Stickles, MS glitter/glittering glue, paint, mini distressing inks and fun flock, middle drawer: Staz-On pads, VersaMark pad, embossing powders and sculpting foam, and the bottom drawer: heat gun, craft tray, stamp double scrubber and chalks. I still have enough room to expand my Stickles and embossing powder collection, so I'm sticking with this organizer. It's the perfect size for the Expedite cubbies and I even have enough space to store my Prismacolor pencil tin on the top. Cross week 16 off the list!

Organize Your Stuff Challenge - week 15

Week 15 of the 2Peas organizing marathon covers ink (pads, re-inkers) and embossing. Seems I've finally caught-up to the current week, due in part to CTMH's fabulous organization accessories. All my ink pads and markers are stored in an Exclusive Inks Organizer which sits on top on my Expedite unit. Although the Organizer's footprint isn't large, I like my desk area clear and uncluttered. Since the Organizer turns, access to all 60 pads and 76 markers is easy. I only own two re-inkers right now, but as that changes, I'll order the matching Re-Inker Tray to keep the small bottles organized and safe.

I'm just starting to emboss, so those supplies are limited. The 3-drawer Sterlite organizer shown below holds my heat gun and craft tray, VersaMark and Staz-On ink pads, plus some embossing powder jars. There's definitely room to expand as I collect more colors of embossing powder. The organizer itself fits nicely in a cubbie of my Expedite, allowing for easy access to my supplies.

Organize Your Stuff Challenge - week 13

Stamp week at the 2Peas challenge ... and I've been waiting for this one! Another easy week since I conquered this area a year ago with the help of some wonderful CTMH consultants. When a fellow CTMH consultant finds the perfect organizing solution to fit one of our products, we all jump on board. And I did just that, even though the above tower of drawers was only available at Lowe's (DH works for Home Depot). Since 98% of my stamps are CTMH sets, the solution was perfect for my space. This 5-drawer tower holds about 150 stamp sets ... and I still have a little room available to expand. My sets are categorized by alpha fonts, holiday, seasons, sentiments and specific sets for our family interests, such as Girl Scouts, cheerleading and camping.

Photo 2 above shows an individual drawer pulled-out and how perfectly the 6" x 6" clear plastic envelopes fit inside. The back of the bottom drawer holds the few non-CTMH stamp sets I have, including 1 Stampin' Up set, 3 generic wood-mounted stamps and 4 Martha Stewart clear sets.

The magazine holder below holds my over-sized CTMH sets. I had originally purchased the magazine holder to store past issues of CTMH Idea Books, but they didn't fit. It's all good though, since the large sets fit perfectly inside. I'm looking forward to decorating the magazine holders with paper and rub-ons.

Organize Your Stuff Challenge - week 12

Week 12 of the 2Peas Organize Your Stuff Challenge covered ribbon, threads and fibers. This was an easy week for me since I mainly use coordinating CTMH products and everything was already organized in my scrap space. The majority of my CTMH ribbon is stored in a CTMH Ribbon Rounds Organizer (photo 1). CTMH Sassy Strands (photo 2) come in 6" clear plastic envelopes that are housed in my stamp tower. Bulk CTMH ribbon, along with other manufacturers, is hung on a regular tension curtain rod in my desk hutch (photo 3). I even have room to expand on the rod! I also use embroidery floss and that is stored in a standard floss case (photo 4).

Trip to IKEA

Since the weather gurus called for rain most of the day, my girls and I trekked up to IKEA. Love this place and glad we have a store nearby. My budget was limited, but I had a few things in mind to help with my scroffice re-do. I've been looking for a new desk lamp since the glass dome on our old one shattered. Brushed nickel finish is difficult to find in a style I like. I lucked out and found this one (Kroby) for only $19.99!

I picked-up three of these little guys (# 664.513.09) for only 99 cents each. Although IKEA carries tons of dinnerware, they don't sell plate or book stands. I found these wooden ones in the frame section. They're a simple design, but will look great painted in a room coordinating color. I can now display my design books in style!

My search for the elusive magazine holders is finally over. I bought a pack of these (Kassett line) and will cover them with paper to accent my space. The pack of 2 was only $2.99 and should provide enough storage for all my CTMH Keynotes publications and past Idea Books.

And I couldn't resist a pack of these CD holders. They'll help corral all the CDs that keep multiplying at my home. They're from the same Kassett line as the magazine holders and I'll probably cover them also.

Everything cost under $32.00 and solves 3 issues in my space, so the trip was a success. My two youngest daughters enjoyed some time in Smaland while my oldest daughter and I browsed the store. We had dinner in their restaurant and we're pleased with the chicken fingers and Swedish meatballs. And the underground parking was a God-send since the rain never stopped all day!

Organize Your Stuff Challenge - week 7

Week 7 of the 2 Peas in a Bucket challenge had us organizing our IDEAS. Since I don't subscribe to any paper crafting magazines, nor do I belong to any monthly kit clubs, I assumed this would be an easy-peasy week. In fact, the first part was easy. I have three design books by Jeanette B. Lynton, founder of CTMH. They are filled with tons of layouts and sketches and are my "go-to" items when the scrapping mo-jo is not flowing. I decided to display them throughout my space, two in my desk unit and one in the Expedite. They are temporarily propped-up with photo boxes behind them. I'm still looking for the right display stands to hold these gorgeous books.

The execution of part two has been a thorn in my side for numerous weeks now. In the top photo, you can see a bunch of publications standing to the left of the Reflections design book. These are my CTMH Keynotes, issued six times per year and filled with creative ideas and tips, plus business and product education. I have been searching for two magazine holders to store these on the book shelf. No such luck finding the right color, in the right design, for the right price! But my search continues and I'm determined.

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Below are the next design books I plan on purchasing. They have been on my wish list (no pun intended), waiting for me to take the leap into cardmaking. Originals and Wishes are two cardmaking programs (also from Jeanette B. Lynton) filled with hundreds of patterns, templates and artwork. Now I'll have no excuse for purchasing another over-priced, cookie-cutter, plain store card!

I think I've passed the "it'll get worse before it gets better" part of this re-organization. My scroffice was a disaster during the first few weeks of the challenge. Stuff that was pulled-out from every cabinet, drawer and cubby hole in my space was then scattered over the floor in preparation for sorting. Although we have 16 weeks left, I have been addressing some other areas each week and the light at the end of the tunnel is burning brighter!

Organize Your Stuff Challenge - weeks 9 & 10

Trudging through the challenge over at 2 Peas in a Bucket and I'm very pleased with my progress so far. Week 9 had us gathering, sorting, purging and organizing our embellishments, all with a fake smile upon our faces. The photos below show my CTMH embellishments cases, IKEA RAJTAN glass jars with flowers and buttons, sparkly bling stored in a pretty ceramic planter and 2 small tackle boxes filled mostly with metal and acrylic embellishments.

Love my Clip-It-Up shown below! I held off on this purchase for over 3 years thinking it wasn't necessary. I purchased just the base unit about 3 months ago and could smack myself for waiting as long as I did. It's a fabulous product, built sturdy and it rotates as smooth as butter. It holds a ton of stuff and currently houses rub-ons, stickers, chip board and some smaller embellishments. The top unit add-on would be perfect for the smaller items and might be a purchase later down the road.

I need to back-track to week 7 (Ideas) and post photos of my design books and how they are displayed in my space. Over-all, progress is good and the work flow of my scroffice is improving. What more could I ask for!

Organize Your Stuff Challenge - weeks 4, 5 & 8

Weeks 4, 5 and 8 of the Organize Your Stuff Challenge were paper (4), scraps (5) and projects, unfinished layouts and kits (8). Although my paper stash was not a huge mess, it was scattered in numerous places throughout my space. It has been purged, consolidated and stored in Cropper Hopper (CH) vertical files in my IKEA Expedit. I removed all the cardstock from my CTMH paper kits and merged it with the rest of my cardstock stash. And I only had to purchase one additional CH to have all my paper looking lovely and organized! Non-CTMH pattern paper is stored in its own CH. Specialty papers such as Creative Basics, vellum and Stick Stock have been organized in smaller-size CH Paper Pouches.

Removing the cardstock from my CTMH kits reduced the amount of space they consumed. I purchased the basket below to house the kits "out-in-the open". "Out of sight, out of mind" does not work in my craft area, so this basket serves as room decor and a gentle reminder to use my existing supplies.

And since I located my trusty Brother P-Touch labeler, each CTMH paper kit is labeled and alphabetized for easy retrieval. As we work through the trench weeks of this challenge, the space decorating week is my "light at the end of the tunnel". Once there, I intend to add some gorgeous flourish rub-ons to the front side of my new kit basket. My scroffice will be organized ... and pretty!

Next up are photos of my progress during week 7 (Ideas), 9 (Embellishments) and our current week 10 (Alphas).

Scroffice - BEFORE

Just a few shots of my scroffice before starting the 2Peas in a Bucket "Organize Your Stuff Challenge" back at the beginning of January. They're not the greatest shots, but they give you the general idea of my space. Our study is used as my home office, houses the family computer and is my primary crafting area. The photo above is the view from the double door entry-way. And yes, those are Chopper's paws at the bottom of the shot.

The photo below is looking to the right from the doorway and shows my "L" shaped desk/hutch combo unit. This unit's dual purpose is split around 25% for home office use and 75% for scrap stuff storage.

The 2 photos above show my IKEA Expedite bookcase containing most of my scrapbooking supplies. One whole wall is dedicated to this fabulous piece. The adjacent wall on the right features a double atrium door to our deck.

The Organize Your Stuff Challenge is spread out over 26 weeks, with each week focusing on a different area of your scrap space and its' many contents. We're currently on week 9 of the challenge and I'm loving the difference I see already. Look for future posts catching-up with my progress so far, as well as all the weekly challenges going forward.