Cleaning up my MESS! Organizing the scrap area from HELL!

Do you ever wonder how thing just get so out of hand sometimes? My scrap area for example. I sat there with the wonderful closet man, and told him exactly what I wanted for cabinets, counters, and add-ons for ribbon and such. The problem is I never really organized it when we moved in, I had good reasons. I was in the middle of putting on a scrapbook convention, and decorating the rest of the house. But after 3 years that excuse just doesn't wash. I was burnt out. I wasn't scrapping at all. The only projects I did in 2005 pretty much were contracted for publication that is the only reason I scrapped. So at that point I really didn't care about my scrap area. Finally in the Fall of 2006 I started scrapping again and enjoying it. There is HUGE danger in making your hobby your profession. It sounds really good in theory, but when I'm burnt out at my job I turn to my hobby.... So did a lot of reading.

Oops! I'm rambling.

I really didn't think it was that bad, but I was delusional. My scrap area was an unorganized mess. I couldn't find a thing or I'd find after I got frustrated and used something else. I've been slowly organizing. First, I did all my papers. They weren't too bad because of my racks. BUT what do you do with good scraps? That needs a solution still. I then focused my brads. Once I got them all in one place I was amazed at how many I had and the duplication. I got all my rubber stamps in order. Some I didn't even remember having! I even broke out the UTEE! Yesterday I finally after 3 years put my Sizzix towers to use I put all my dies in them. Better late than never, right?

I purged my magazine stash. I seriously doubt that I'd ever use ideas from 1998 through 2005. Even if I would I haven't as much as looked at those magazines since I housed them there in the cupboard in 2004. they are just taking up space I could use for other things. The only magazines I kept were from 2006 through 2007 and the issues that I had projects on the pages. I'm still not sure what to do with the Idea books. I do know I won't purchase an idea book unless it is on a technique I can't figure out for myself. My quilling, Punch art, iris folding, painting techniques, tea bag folding and kaleidoscope idea books were a good investment. The purely "IDEA" books weren't a good investment. They just get out dated like the magazines.

I organized my acrylic paints. I got a cute little basket type thing meant for shower use with a handle in the middle. Perfect for my stash! I can see all the colors easily. I'm still working on my ribbons. I have three very full hanging bars. Not nearly enough! so far I put them in trays, but I have to take the trays down to see what is in them. I'm not happy with this solution. I think I may buy paper towel holders. I bough more containers to put all my quilling and paper making supplies. I'm going to tackle my drawers next! I bought "junk" drawer organizers. I have a feeling I'll be going out for more...

One or two projects a day and I'll be done soon! I HOPE..... I hope I don't ever let my stuff get in this condition again!