Crafting Area Makeover

I was in desperate need of an organizational makeover in my crafting area.  My storage solution when I first set up my tables was non-existent.  I was using my entire table top for storage so it was a juggling act to get any space on the table to actually create.  I had a spot for my paper cutter, which after I got my Cricut became a shared space so anytime I wanted to use the Cricut, the paper cutter had to be moved.  All of my stickers, pens, adhesives, and photos were in boxes in the corner of the table, and taking up a lot of space.  My Cricut cartridges sat up against the wall on the opposite end of the table from my machine, and I had 12x12 paper containers sitting off the edge.  I had said that I needed more light and when I had William come look at a layout I was working on he that I really did need more lighting.  Here are the before pictures, you'll have to excuse Melodi, but I didn't actually take before pictures.

Seeing as I was doing as much juggling of stuff while trying to create as I was spending creating it was time to figure out better storage solutions.  Originally I was thinking some sort of bookshelf or self-standing closet, that I could be covered up with fabric, closed with doors, or zip up.  When I mentioned to William that I needed some storage we stopped by the hardware store to look at options.  We ended up deciding on a shelf above my tables.  After returning home to consult the tape measure and William working a couple days, we bought a 11.75in x 97in shelf and 6 brackets.  We also looked at lights, but decided to wait to see what the shelf looked like after it was up.  William cut the shelf into two pieces so that it could wrap around the corner, found the studs, and put up the shelf.  Now that the shelf was up we went back to look at lights and decided on a set of three puck lights, that another light could be added to if needed.

The shelf turned out great! The only thing left to do is tidy up the lighting wires.  Everything has its place which makes it much easier for me to create since I have the table completely opened up.  The only things that live on the table are my Cricut and paper cutter.  My Cricut cartridges, tools, and manuals live on the short side of the shelf above the paper cutter.  This the closest spot to the computer that I have Design Studio loaded on.  in the corner (unaccessable without some work) are my scrapbooks that are a work in progress, but not actively being worked on (wedding, Air Force, high school).  Then we have tools (scissors, markers, adhesive/pen tubs).  The paper (12x12 and 8x8 pads) sat underneath some of the tools but now I have them standing upright within a Costco baby wipes box.  Next is my photo storage box which really only contains rejects from Melodi's book, wedding photos, and some other random photos from other projects (Air Force, Scott's trips).  Then we have a couple 12x12 bins that have paper that is not paper I normally reach for.  One has the paper I've had since I (with my mom) started scrapping, we're talking from the trip my family took to Hawaii in elementary school, maybe junior high.  The other has paper for my wedding and Air Force albums.  I've got some file folders that contain loose leaf paper, scrap paper, and stencils.  On top of these bins I have my sticker files.  Then I have my really current projects (the ones that I am actively working on).  The pink binder is Melodi's baby book (you know, the one that you write in all the firsts, keep track of growth and immunizations, and tell stories), the purple book is Melodi's state book (keeping track of the states that she has been to), and the pink scrapbook is Melodi's first year book (I'm almost at 80 pages, 40 sleeves, complete and just bought more sleeves to insert so that I can finish up the book after Melodi's birthday next month).  Finally, we have my cards bin, that I have all of my note cards in, along with return labels and stamps.

 

It's been great getting to create in my new space because I actually have the space to spread everything out.  I can even have six pages out at a time.  Yeah, my general December pictures are going to take six pages.