the possibilities are endless

Cathy shares her Organized and Inspired Scrap space

She participated in the 2009 BPS class and she agreed to let me share her space pictures.  She has a large collection of stamps, die cuts, and tools.

She shares her top 3 takeaways from this experience

1. "One of the most valuable lessons was learning to let go of things that I never use or don't really like anymore. I let go of almost two-thirds of my stuff! It's like a weight off my back."

Before images of her space

2. "Learned how to organize in a way that makes me more productive and I can find what I'm looking for, making my space work for me."

After images of her space

3."Learned that I can apply the organizing process to other areas of my home and my life. I also love how quickly I can clean up and return supplies to their "home".

Below are a few of my favorite storage solutions  she has incorporated

love this storage piece that utilizes what could be wasted space 

One of the biggest challenges people have is how to organize and store their memorabilia. Cathy choose to organize in chronological order and stores in open baskets, with cute round labels.

 

Also like her simple storage for scraps

Jennifer shares her Organized and Inspired Scrap Space

Jennifer Raymond emptied her room and worked super hard during the three month time frame to create her happy space. Thanks for sharing Jennifer, enjoy!

1.  I learned what inspires me. Completing my mission statement, and looking at lots of spaces, blogs, etc. really helped me figure out that my own photos, and my complete layouts are most likely to inspire me. I didn't have those things on display in my space, but now I do!

wall of stuff before



same wall after

closet before



closet after

2. I was pretty clear on what my process was, but going through the exercise of trying other processes was huge for me! My process has changed as a result, and I am faster, more productive, and happier with my results. I figured out what my hurdles were, and how to "jump" them.




3. I NEED a place for everything, and to not have visual clutter. That is so much more clear to me now! I like most things to be not visible. I am pretty good at knowing what I have, and where it is - I don't need to see it. For that matter, seeing it makes me feel overwhelmed.

inspiration bits
buckets from Target $1 section


frames from IKEA



Layout curtain, originally seen in Simple Scrapbooks magazine



wow- what a transformation!

Diane shares her Organized and Inspired Scrap space

Diane really learned the importance of shopping with the intention to use, rather than the intention to store, something many of use are guilty of.

1. The scrapbooking approach exercise really helped me think about the order in which I like to create. When I returned all things to my space organize them in a way that supports my work flow. Working from left to right, paper first, followed by embellishments, then alphabets/journaling - it works great for me.

 

 

 

2.   2. Emptying my room was a horrifying experience. After moving everything out of my small 4X12 space into the spare bedroom I could not believe how much stuff I had “stored”. I really have no idea how I had it all fit in there. Purging supplies was so valuable and a discovery of what I love and use and what I thought I loved, and bought, but didn’t use. Picking products for my page used to really frustrate me. I would often wonder why I had such a hard time selecting my products when I had so much stuff. Even when I had new stuff it was difficult. Now it is fun! I know whatever I select I will love because I only have things in my room that I love! Having less really works for me. I like to have choices, just not so many!

 

 

3.  3. I now have filters in place to help me make wise decisions when purchasing products. The class taught me to ask myself questions before buying. Do I have a place to put it? Do I already own something that is similar? How would I use this? 9 out of 10 times I realize after asking those questions that I don’t want it or need it. I’ve actually walked out of scrapbooking and craft stores many times empty handed. I feel totally in control now – no more impulse purchases for me.

 

 

 

 

L

Krista shares her Organized and Inspired Scrap Space

Krista participated in the 2009 BPS class and she agreed to let me share her space pictures. To see more images visit her 2peas gallery, thanks Krista

She shares her top 3 takeaways from this experience

1.  Don't keep buying canned tomatoes if you aren't going to eat them anytime soon. As you purge, think about what space you need to make just because you keep buying things and you don't know where they will go, and you don't use them.  You get frustrated because you don't have any space, and then you don't even want to be in your space because it's so overwhelming.

Work desk before

Work desk after, love the yellow paint color, the hanging tools, and the display boards

(paint color is Behr Summer Harvest 380A-3 )

2. In order to be most inspired, you need to know your own preferences and strengths. Your scrapbooking space is for YOU, and your preferences may be different that your friends or other workspaces you see.  Be aware of how YOU scrapbook, pay attention to the things YOU do, the way you go about creating a page.  Keep those things nearest to your workspace, to make them easy to find and easy to put away.

Bookcase and seating area before

"I can't find anything" :(

3.  Organization is NOT storage!  Organization is how you place the items into the storage container in a certain order.  Before you go buy any storage piece, take everything out and know how much stuff you have to store, then organize it according to your preferences, and then go get the storage containers to fit what you need.  When in doubt whether to purge or store it, try putting it into cold storage for a short while and see if you truly miss it or need it.  Be sure to follow up on it after that time, and keep filters in place so that you don't stock up on those canned tomatoes you aren't going to need anytime soon!

After with seating area and organized supplies and inspiration displays, and beautiful sunshine streaming in the windows

BPS class share

I had the opportunity to teach for BigPictureScrapbooking.com  the second year in a row as the kick off teacher in the 4 expert series and the class has since come to an end. I am going to share some of the successes with you, my loyal blog readers, over the next week or so.

I enjoy looking at other people's spaces and know that you do to.

Enjoy!

Donna created a mini digital book about her space transformation

more spaces to come

inspiration shelf, redone

swapped out some of the trinkets in my inspiration shelf that is housed in my space.

Even added some bling, which is edgy for me!

 

 chipboard pennants from Jenni Bowlin

my newly updated inspiration board

Love this one- angle is weird, but you get the idea

where women create, feature on Studio 5

watch and listen to Jo Packham talk about artist's studios and what all creative spaces should include

some awesome creative spaces

from the creative gals behind Paper Crafts magazine

Kim Kesti

Wendy Johnson

cool tutorial for making a fabric covered corkboard

on one of my favorite blogs, vintage finds, has a great tutorial for covering corkboard-

would work great in a scrap space--