I need a solution

by LaVon
(Denver CO area)

I'm sort of new to card making/scrapbooking, and have gone a little overboard with buying supplies.

Now I don't know where to store them. I've got plastic shoe boxes and larger plastic tubs full of "stuff" (also a large plastic "filing cabinet" and small one)

My dining room has completely been overtaken with it all.

I bought a room divider to hide the dining room with all of it's mess, but will need to use the dining room (for dining, of all things) soon and everything must go "somewhere".

Also, when making things, bits and snippets of paper go all over the floor. Am I just messy, or does this happen with everyone? HELP!!

(My dining room is the only place with lots of light, so don't suggest a craft room--in my dreams!)

Christina says ...

Oh dear!! I had to laugh at this as I had visions of you disappearing under a sea of paper, glitter and glues. (Been there and done that!!)

I sympathise with you totally, as I am sure many other crafters will.

It happens everytime ....you start to make a few cards and then become addicted to the hobby and before you know where you are your "Stash" has taken over... the dining room... the lounge ... kitchen and bedroom ... and suddenly it is everywhere.

You have done the correct thing though in storing it all in boxes, but now it is where to put the boxes.

How about moving some cupboard space around or storing it under the bed until you need it.

I wouldn't worry about being a messy crafter... I am too and some of your most creative moments come out of all the at mess.

Happy cardmaking and welcome to this fabulous hobby.

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Feb 10, 2014
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Caroline
by: Caroline

I think most card makers are messy but the end results are magic. I have limited space in which I do card making, beading etc and share the craft room with my husband.

My rule is that I get organised and have the supplies at hand which I am to use for that project. Then I clean up afterwards and put everything away. If I am in the middle of a project I can leave it and return at a later date to finish it.

I store my papers, card stock, ribbons, embellishments, glitter and glues in marked plastic zip ups, boxes, folders and plastic drawer sets, which are kept in the filing cabinet.

If you only have the dining room to use I think the suggestion of an Armoire is an excellent idea.

Feb 10, 2014
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Storage solution
by: Sue Stanger

oh dear I remember when I started out scrapbooking/cardmaking some 20 years ago. I had a small plastic container that had dividers in it, the sad thing is I still have it. I'm now reusing it to house equipment I've found during my big clean up ( you know those things that have been put out of site}. I remember at the beginning having to have everything oh dear { I now call it Things I couldn't live without }& unfortunately I still suffer this same syndrome today. Ha Ha Ha silly me.
All of my things are labelled in containers so when I open the cupboard I can see them. I'm one of the lucky one's that has a craft room, as I too am a messy crafter, & it's just as well that I can shut the door on my mess. Welcome to this wonderful craft but remember have fun & enjoy yourself.

May 25, 2013
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decisions
by: LaVon

One thing that makes it SO hard to organize the supplies is that some things fit into more than one category. So I end up not finding a home for it. And, lots of times I decide on a home for something, and then the next time I need it, I forget where I put it. Arrggg.

May 25, 2013
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Storage solutions
by: Kat

I covered shoeboxes in nice paper and labelled them then stacked them in a small bookcase. I use those for all my ribbons, brads,flowers etc. I keep all my tiny scraps in some small open trays approx 10x10cm (from toner cartridge packaging), colour sort them and stack them on my desk. Scissors, scalpels, pens etc. are also on the desk in a small lazy susan caddy designed for kids crafts, it has 5 little metal buckets on it, great for holding bits & pieces in odd shapes. I have an Ikea unit, with 5 very shallow large drawers which is perfect for large sheets of paper and small things like inks, stamps etc. and my wonderful children just bought me cube unit storage for Mother's day which holds my cuttlebug supplies and paper pads. But I still get very messy.

Mar 10, 2013
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get rid of them in a good way :)
by: Huda

I might be worse than you as I made 2 bulk orders from china and end up in my crafting room but what I'm trying to do is selling them; however, selling in my country is very difficult, but you can use ebay and amazon that will help you to keep only the things that you need and use the money to get fresh items :)
hope this advice will help you.. Good luck

Mar 29, 2012
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Out of sight......
by: Julie

I am lucky in that I do have a room that I can craft in. It is a bedroom, too, so I do not have the whole room available for cardmaking.
I have to agree with the out of sight out of mind thoughts. I have bought myself the same set of Spellbinders dies THREE times now because I didn't have them out on view. To remedy I have bought myself a sheet of mounting board (Walmart about $3) and plan on adhering magnetic tape to it - then mounting the dies on it. This will easily attach to a wall or the back of a door, as it is light in weight it should not damage the wall or door. I can then label the groups, and know exactly what I have, and also keeping the dies flat and safe.
Wish me luck!

Feb 28, 2012
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Clelaning up the dining room mess
by: Susan

I purchased an armoire that matches my dining table and put all my card making supplies in there. I open the doors and have plastic 12x12 storage drawers marked with labels on the outside, such as: punches, cutters, die cuts, templates, etc. I also used velcrow on the doors to storage my pens in plastic makeup case turned sideways so the pens don't dry out. When you need to use the dining room just shut the doors.Voila, clean dining room

Jan 18, 2012
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Been There Done That Continued
by: Carol Radics

I got my wish just before Christmas, I got the big room but not the MASTER BEDROOM (boo hoo) My room is 13 ft by 12 ft, closet and all, and still messy, but no ones stuff ends up in here except mine. HAHAHAHA....all craft stuff. Filled to the ceiling I will post some pictures when I get it all cleaned up.

Jan 15, 2012
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One paper solution
by: LaVon

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions on what to do with all of the scrapbooking and cardmaking supplies I've accumulated. Here's one solution I came up with.

I had a mailing box I got free from the post office,so I cut it off diagonally (like the magazine holders you see for sale) and covered it with some cheap paper. It is just big enough for 12x12 papers and I also made one for regular size papers. It's easy to see all of your decorative papers this way. Did I make sense?

I finally got it all put away in plastic drawers and boxes in my walk-in closet, but I feel like someone took away all of my toys and I no longer have anything to play with. The moral of the story---You can't have it both ways: neat AND fun!

Jan 15, 2012
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cheap,condensed organizing!
by: BG

I am new to this - but I found that using gallon ziplock bags is a great way to store my "scraps" of paper (qt. size for the smaller ones) I then use an accordion style file to organize them and label at the top. I also use this for diecuts and embellishments. It takes less room, than the boxes I started with. Hope this helpssies

Aug 18, 2011
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Need help organizing supplies too
by: Regina

I could have written this myself as I have the exact same problem. I have everything scattered in a room on chairs, tables, on and under a 6 foot table. I'm going crazy because I want to be organized and put things in cute containers, baskets, etc., but not very good at it. I'm using plastic containers with lids, shoe boxes, etc., as well. The main problem that I'm having is that I have papers scattered everywhere and I am afraid they will get messed up. I really need to buy some sort of paper organizer. Any suggestions? Please help us newbies that went crazy buying supplies! Thank you! :)

Jul 31, 2011
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Thanks for your comments ladies
by: Anonymous

Sound like there are many others with my "mess" problem. It was fun reading your answers, but they all summed up to "get used to it". LOL I understand the comment about--if you put it away, you'll forget you have it. So true. But one of these days I know I'll get enough scrapbooking for awhile and then I'll be getting out the paints again or playing the piano all day, or some other pasttime.

Loved reading your emails.

LaVon

Jul 31, 2011
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Been There and Still Am...
by: Carol Radics

I know what you mean, messy all the time. I am trying a new thing, cleanup after each card. Successfully done that once...LOL

I kicked my hubby out of my area used to be the dining room, he made himself a small area for his computer, and our guest computer, also stuffed the freezer in there and the filing cabinet. I now have this large area, 10 ft by 13 ft to mess up, well lighted and has hardwood floors to cleanup easy. We no longer have a dining room, we eat in the living room from our coffee table.

I find I still need more room. but I have to live with it. I want our bedroom really (20 ft by 13 ft) and rip up the carpet...LOL Having trouble talking hubby into it though.

Have fun! Enjoy the hobby. Good luck on the storage solution.

Jul 28, 2011
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I need a solution
by: rosie

Snap!... I think we all tend to do that. I have a spare bedroom which is tiny just as well, if it was big I'd probably fill it up anyway ... Haha.
Wish you well with your cardmaking.

Jul 27, 2011
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Shake hands
by: Rosa Philippe

A big smile on my face ! Wherever I open a closet there are papers around, decorating things, selfmade flowers and boxes full of flowers I took apart, pins, projects half finished and so on.

Boxes full of ribbons and lace. Welcome to this world of messing around!

I don't have a craft room either! And I battle almost all the time to keep it ever-viewable.

Out of site-out of mind ... things you put too far away you will forget to use. It happens to me all the time.

I wish you good crafting with all of your stash!

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