For a while, I found myself getting less and less interested in scrapbooking. How could this be?! I fretted for a while until I finally figured out that I did not have my own creative space. I had to lug all of my materials, packed in a large Rubbermaid tote, from the closet to the kitchen table and carefully get everything out and sort my paper, stickers, photos, etc. and by the time I finished one layout, it was time to clean up. I'd have to pack everything back up and lug that monster tote back to the closet. No wonder I was losing interest. I was packing and unpacking more than I was being creative. I needed my own scrapbook nook! So, I decided to clear a little space just for me. I bought a second hand writing desk and fit it in the "other room" or "storage room" in the two bedroom apartment my husband and I shared. Pretty soon, I was adding little stacks of drawers and paper holders and had everything just how I wanted it. I was suddenly feeling creative again! Who knew that making a little room for myself would rekindle my creative charge. You too, can make a little scrapbook nook of you own to invite your creative self back. I have a few tips on how to do this:

1. Get a work table. You need a good hard surface to work on. Do not use the kitchen table anymore! Just imagine a place where you don't have to pack up or slide everything to the side when it's time to eat dinner! I got a second hand desk. You can go to thrift stores, garage sales, or even buy a new card table to use. If you're especially sneaky, you can convince a relative that they need a new desk/table and offer to take the old one off their hands.
2. Stacking Paper. If you have a big pile of random scrapbook paper, like me, you need to sort and organize. I used to have everything shoved into manila file folders that went inside my huge Rubbermaid tote. Don't do this because the edges will get bent and some sides will ripped as you try to pull them out. It is also messy because sometimes the small strips would fall out. I would suggest getting those stackable organizing drawers (Rubbermaid, Sterilite, etc.) available at Office Depot, Target or Wal Mart. They usually only fit up to 8 1/2 x 11 sized paper so your 12 x 12's will have to go somewhere else. I was very fortunate to find a 12 x 12 paper rack at a scrapbook store going out of business sale. You can buy these online but the shipping costs will be crazy. You can get stackable paper trays like the ones offices use as input and output filing. If you can only find 8 1/2 x 11 sizes you can stick 12 x 12 pieces of cardboard in each slot or anything else rigid enough to provide support. Then, put in your paper and voila! 12 x 12 stackers.
3. Little Pieces. If you have a bunch of small items like brads, eyelets, beads, etc. there are several ways to sort these. You can get a fishing tackle box with lots of little compartments for your little things. Quick and easy! Another way to sort these is to collect small jars used for baby food or pimento spread, or small acrylic containers that some eyelets or punches are sold in. All of these little containers can go into one big container to keep them together and out of the way until you need them. Finally, you can get a metal and magnet spice rack without the spices. These are found at specialty kitchen or import stores. Just mount the metal sheet on your wall, fill the little canisters with your stuff and the magnetic back will attach to the metal sheet. It's a little pricey but adds a "designer look" to your scrapbook nook.
4. Scrap Paper Holder. Do you have a tough time throwing away a medium sized piece of scrap of paper because you just know that you'll find a good use for it later on? Me too! A great way to keep these scraps out of the way but close at hand is a magazine file. I got a set of six sturdy cardboard files for $11.99 at Office Depot. You can get several files and organize your scraps into colors. I have one for dark solid colors, light solid colors, dark patterns, light patterns, specialty paper and recent magazines. It's a good idea to go through your files once in a while to weed out any pieces you don't think you'll use or just to see what you have to choose from.
5. Background Noise. I can't stand to do anything when it's silent (except maybe read and sleep). I need background noise. I had a little table set up near my scrapbook nook that had a T.V. set up and I would listen to episode after episode of Law&Order and occasionally put on a movie. I wouldn't be there to watch T.V., just to listen in the background. A radio with your favorite music station or CD playing can be invigorating. Sometimes having someone else in the room helps. My husband would be at the computer that sits near my scrapbook nook and work on projects as I would work on mine. Even though we were doing two completely different things, we had great conversations and got to see first hand what the other was working on.

Now you can get started on creating your scrapbook nook. A corner of a room is all it takes. It doesn't have to be fancy. It can even be cluttery (mine is!). Just make it yours and you'll always come back to discover more of your creative self. Have fun!  
 
Do you have a great idea to add to Tips and Tricks? Email me at heidi@mycroproom.com and we'll see about publishing your idea right here on My Crop Room.  

When I first began to scrapbook, materials were relatively inexpensive. Now with paper being up to $1.00 a page and all of the embellishments and stickers climbing in prices as well, what's a scrap-a-holic gotta do? Well, you don't have to break the bank and you don't have to go without. Here are a few ideas to help you find the best deals when scrapbook shopping.  

1. Dollar Store Deals. I am always on the hunt for a good bargain and you can't go cheaper than the good ol' dollar store. I was estatic when they started adding a scrapbook section. It is usually located near the stationary or school supplies. The line is called Miss Elizabeth's and it's found in every Dollar Tree store.  You can get letter stickers, metal embellishments, punches, shiny, glazed epoxy stickers, and my favorite, packs of 12 x 12 paper. All for $1.00 each! Check it out and see if they have anything up your alley.
2. Discount Department Stores. There are discount department stores all over now. There's Ross, Marshall's, T.J. Maxx, and Tuesday Morning just to name a few. Haunt these places frequently, especially in their photo album sections. At T.J. Maxx, I found a K & Company 12 x 12 scrapbook kit (worth over $50.00 in a scrapbook store) for only $7.00! It's a great place to get a scrapbook at a discounted price. If you have Tuesday Morning in your area, they have a whole discounted scrapbook section!
3. Wal-Mart. If you're like me, going to Wal Mart is an ordeal best avoided.   But I can't ignore the fact that it's the cheapest place to find a lot of tools I need like roller adhesives, paper cutters, and even some stickers. Look for these in the craft section. The selection varies from store to store, but the price is right on for what they do have.
4. Coupons! Coupons! Coupons!. Go to your local chain craft store (I go to JoAnn and Michael's) and see if they have monthly or even weekly coupons. Some will offer up to 50% off one item with a coupon. I love to save these and buy that large scrapbook tool I've been needing (large paper cutter, heat gun, xyron machine, etc.). Get friendly with the cashiers and they can give you a heads up when the next big sale on scrapbook items will be. I go nuts at the paper sales!
5. Mailing Lists. In a small, local scrapbook store, the way they advertise is usually through their mailing list. Be on it! They'll send coupons and will usually tell you about sales before their ad hits the newspaper. I happened to be on a mailing list of a store that pre-announced their going-out-of-business sale. I had a full week to get the best deals at this store before the real mobs hit once the word got out through the newspaper.

 
Now you no longer have the excuse, "scrapbooking is just too expensive!" Go out there and find some bargains and get scrapping. Good luck!  
 
Do you have a great idea to add to Tips and Tricks? Email me at heidi@mycroproom.com and we'll see about publishing your idea right here on My Crop Room.