The closet.

I've meant to post pictures of my scrapbook closet/office for awhile now.

Truth is, it's usually too messy to show to the outside world (lest, they might assume that the every room in my house looks the same).

But today...

Clean (so clean, I don't even want to scrapbook in it).

Ok, so this is a 6x9 walk-in-closet in my bedroom.  I think the pictures make it look bigger than it actually is (or maybe I just tell myself that so I can feel better about those pictures that are taken of me from behind).

This is the view from the doorway.

The exercise ball recently replaced my chair.

The table is an old one that my Mom gave me (and if she ever wants it back, I've got some explaining to do about all the marks from my eyelet punch).

Because this was only meant to be a temporary set-up (although, by the time I get a real scrapbook room, I will have been in the closet for almost six years), I didn't invest in any spendy organizational systems - just went for iris carts and stackable plastic drawers.

I store all of my paper (to the right) in legal sized hanging file folders.  Most of my paper is organized by color, although more distinct paper lines are organized by brand (ie. Hambly, Jenni Bowlin originals, 7 Gypsies, etc.).

 

This is the top of my table.  The caddies are just some fishing tackle caddies that I got at Walmart about four years ago.  They were dark green, so I spray-painted them white.  I have each box labeled (my label maker is my friend) by content (ie. brads, photo corners, buttons, etc.).

I picked up that black shelf with drawers the other day at Target.

I hang some of my layouts and photos from bulldog clips on a strip of molding (I used Liquid Nails to glue a long strip of metal to the front of the molding, painted the whole thing white and then attached it to the wall with drywall screws...did the whole thing by myself in a night's work).

Picked up both of these boxes not too long ago.  Found the frame box at Fred Meyers for $14 bucks and I use it to store my pens ( I wanted something that would store my pens sideways).  The box on the bottom is another Target find which holds all of the scrapbooking supplies that I reach for most (ie. Hermafix tabs, liquid glue, scissors, rub-on tool, paper piercer, stapler, liquid Undo, bone folder, ruler, Exacto-Knife, sanding block, etc.).

Picked up the blue bowl at Target too - it holds all of my Glue-Dots.

The basket holds a lot of miscellaneous stuff.

Because this is a walk-in closet, it already had some shelving built into it. 

All my ribbon is stored in plastic boxes by color.

And obviously, I'm sucker for any and all idea books.

I have three of those white wire containers (Fred Meyer) which are perfect for tall chipboard sets, acrylic stamp sets and misc. rubber stamps.

Haven't found the perfect system for my albums yet, but am thinking about going with this system.

And this is what a couple of kiddos (and a baby doll) look like hanging out this afternoon (hard to see - but Cole's got aliens and Matchbox cars strategically placed on some of the shelves).

Comments

[Rhonda]

Awesome! Now can you come over and help me with my room that is smaller than yours? I have no idea where to start. Piles and piles....they keep getting worse. Thanks for posting this. Hopefully I can get some ideas and make my space more roomy.

[Polly]

One word ... WOW! Can you please let me have just five minutes in there looking at all your gorgeous stuff???

[Addie]

Thanks for sharing Karen! You've always spoke of your closet, but it looks way better than I had it pictured in my head! You are so organized! I wish my scraproom looked as organized as yours! I crop too much out of the house, so I have to have a lot in totes, ready to roll. Have a great Memorial Weekend!

[lashell]

looks wonderful and very organized...however where do you keep all your clothes?

[Amy]

Ha, ha, ha. I was wondering where all the clothes are too! :) Thanks for sharing your space. Very cool vintage touches that I love to see.

[Cori]

WOW! That is SOME closet! Thanks so much for sharing it...it inspires me to clean my space!

[mary jane]

Thanks so much for sharing!! Lots of great ideas!! How is your tv attached to the wall?

[Shelly VanWormer]

Thank you for giving us a some insight into your creative world/closet. I have some of those same items incorporated into my scrap space, but it never hurts to see/steal other (better) ideas as to how to be able to work ones creative space. It is no surprise that you mention that album idea and come to find that it's currently all sold out. Quick Question...Do you store your alphabets by individual letter? I couldn't tell in the pictures. This seems to be becoming the trend. I'm not sure if I'll go this route, but it might be better as I don't use my alpha's enough, and doing it that way might encourage me to use my stash. I will wait to see what the "All-Knowing Karen Russell" has to say on the subject. LOL.

[marion]

You have done so much more with your closet than I have with my whole basement! I also love that scrapbook system! I don't think that I will backtrack and change the scrapbooks that I have already done, but will start with that system for future pages. It just makes so much sense and looks so cool! TFS.

[Cheryl]

Whoa!!! Now thats a closet! I love how you are soooo organized. I need to work on that in my scraproom. Thanks for sharing.

[~SandyPea~]

Yay! I've always wanted to see "the closet"! I have those cottage chic wire baskets from Fred Meyer. Dang I love that store : ) Your room is inspiring to me. So much creativity in such a small place...

[Alisa Logue]

Karen- Just because I'm nosey and think of things like this... How does that work when you want to stay up late and scrap and Josh wants to sleep? I don't even have a scrap spot it's my dining room table. But I keep alot of my supplies in my bedroom closet and I'm always tiptoeing in there at insane hours of the night trying not to wake the hubby. Just curious. Love the space. So organized and functional. Nice use for the ball. Mine just rolls around the house getting in my way. God forbid I actually excercise on the thing. Take care- Alisa

[Tanya Webster]

your closet reminds me of your layouts and inspires me something fierce....you are one HUGE sweetie to take pictures and then take the time to post all of this for everyone missy!! and uh, yeah, i am embarrassed beyond belief to look behind me at MY space because it is sickeningly NOT organized right now! :)

[Laura plunk]

Can I just say "WOW" I guess Organization is not one of my strong points, but it would sure help clear up some of the clutter.
Looks super.
laurap

PS thanks, loved the class at NBP Monday and for letting me take those pics with my camera phone to send Brooke.

[Stephanie Ainsburg]

everything is all about perspective, right? loks FAB to me!!! I have a scrapbooking CORNER of my living room. but it's only for storage, when I scrap, I actually drag stuff to the kitchen island! BUT... it is all good! at least I'm doing it! by the way, I just started using the American Crafts albums.... LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them! so cool to put in whatever size lo's my little heart desires!

[Vickie Coonfare]

Wow, that's alot in that little space and so well organized, I love it! I love seeing peoples studios, thanks.

[Ashley Schultz]

Love your space, Karen. I love how everything looks so organized in a smaller space. Maybe this will motivate me to organize my room this weekend!

[Michelle]

I loved taking a peek into your creative world. Such coolness, really! m

[Kay Ward]

Thank you for sharing a look at your scrapbook space. It gives me inspiration to organize mine a little better!

[Keely]

I enjoyed seeing the pictures of your space. It's so much fun to see how other people organize their stuff.

I just wanted to add that I use the American Crafts D Ring albums and LOVE them. I bought one a few months ago to see if it was for me and just today I bought my 5th one! They are better albums to use all the way around, especially when it comes to reorganizing layouts. I recently did some 8 1/2 x 11 pages and it was easy to put them in it as well. I buy mine at Hobby Lobby when they are on sale for half price, which makes them about $8-$10 each. You can't beat them!!

[Phyllis]

Okay, I'm going to add my "WOW" here! What great use of every single inch of space! I like that you have a place for everything. Still working on that in my room. It's fun to actually see where you create! Thanks for sharing!

[Lynne]

Wow, your closet looks fantastic! It makes me want to try to sort out all of my scrapping stash this weekend. LOL - isnt it funny how once you have it all sorted out you dont want to scrap as it will mess it all up again? - Thats at least how i feel once i have done. Could i ask you how do you store your alphabet letters. That is one thing i battle with bacuse once you opene the scenic route chipboard letters for eg then you have odd sizes and heights and all sorts

[Julie]

WOW! I love looking at how other people organise their scrapbook supplies. I have a little desk crammed into the corner of the bedroom which my husband keeps threatening to turn into a double wardrobe. Maybe I can convince him to make it a lovely closet like yours!! Thanks for taking the pictures it really is lovely to see where you work.

[Marilyn]

Wow - looks like you have used every available square inch of that closet! An awesome scrapbook space with very affordable pieces. Does it get a little stuffy in there - most closets don't have any air vents in the them??

[Diane DiTullio]

Looks awesome Karen! I love to see spaces when they are organized and look like this! Suddenly, I get the urge to purge all of my junk and clean up. Great idea with the clips and strip of metal. Now I dare you to post pictures when you're on deadline! LOL :)