A Place for Everything

Several years ago I was a scrapbooking consultant and with that "job" came loads and loads of stuff. I LOVE my scrapbooks and photos, but I despise all of the stuff that I just haven't been able to toss. I used to tell people all the time - once you scrapbook it, you can throw away the rest of the photos. Unfortunately I did not always adhere to my own advice. Plus there are the years and years of photos that I have organized but haven't yet scrapbooked that are sitting safely in storage but that I really have no desire to work on at this point in my life. Maybe in a few years... So today I decided to tackle my scrapbook closet.

The scrapbook closet is home to all of my scrapbooking materials, several old photo albums that need to be scrapbooked, old scrapbooks (the kids' baby books and baptism albums among others), the vacuum cleaner, a dust mop, a small folding table, an art easel, a bookshelf, all of the Easter items that I shoved in there two months ago and a stack of several things in the corner that I can't even get to at this point in my project. Oh and the games! Because we are now officially done with pull-ups and diapers, I was able to empty the trunk in our living room that we used as diaper central and I have filled it up with all of the board games.

So far, I have emptied my long-coveted huge massive rolling scrapbooking cart that I used to tote around to all of the parties and workshops. In the past three years it has become a dumping ground for all things that have been used but not used up. It's empty! Anyone want it? Gently used and if no one claims it, I'll probably take it to Goodwill. Next on my list is to empty the over-the-shoulder carrying case...which also will be up for grabs. I learned a few months ago when I took a weekend trip to Corpus for scrapbooking that I don't need all of that stuff to tote my things around. If you plan purposefully you can use a small tote (one that holds 12x12 files) and one small bag of tools when you take your scrapbooking supplies to another location. So why do I still have these huge bags that are taking up space in my closet? I was basically using them as storage and there are so many better ways to store the items I have. I had no idea I had so many different types of paper because it has been shoved down in a bag for the past few years. It needs to be out where you can see it so you will use it!

My ultimate goal is to get all of the scrapbooking items out of the scrapbook closet and move them upstairs to a place where I can work on my scrapbooks. I haven't left things out for so long because of little curious hands, but I am hoping that both kids are now old enough to know and understand that you just don't touch Mommy's things unless Mommy is there. We shall see. For now, I'm just trying to organize what I have and get rid of what I don't need. Littlest hands just woke up so I will get back to work!