Looking for Scrapbook Ideas & Fun? True Scrap Is Coming!

You might have noticed one of my tasks this last Finish It Friday was to finish up my video for Spawn of True Scrap. (Got it done… check!) I’m really looking forward to that event later this month, and you are invited!!  It’s going to be an amazing weekend of scrapbooking and fun, and you can do it all in your PJs from the comfort of your own home. How great is that?

 

You get to learn the coolest scrapbooking and stamping techniques from 17 fabulous instructors plus get recordings of all the classes and a virtual make-and-take—all for just $127! I’ll be teaching on Solutions for Small Scrapbook Spaces. But honestly, these ideas are great for all you scrappers, no matter how much space you’ve got to craft in!

 

Here’s a tiny taste of what I’ll be talking about in my class…

 

1) I'll share a new approach to help you pare down your scrapbooking supplies to those you use, love and have space for!

 

2) Then, you'll find out all sorts of solutions to those organizing challenges you shared with me in this blog post...like what to do if you scrapbook in a temporary space and need to pick up and put everything away between scrapping sessions. 

 

3) Finally, I'll share ideas on how to find hidden pockets of space to store your scrapbooking supplies and how to stretch the space you already have. 

 

Sound fun? If you’re hungry for more great ideas, suggestion, and techniques for all things scrapbooking, then I’ll see you at Spawn of True Scrap! This fabulous, three-day online event will happen October 20-22 LIVE from your computer. It’s not too late to register…grab your spot here!
  

 

Organizing Q +A: What to do with homeless items while decluttering?

Today’s organizing question is from a participant in the current session of Quick + Simple Clutter Control.

 

What I've found during my first attempt or two at a quick surface de-cluttering is that much of the clutter comes from "homeless" items. I have items that I know don't belong in the room in which I find them but, the area where they should reside is not accessible because it to is filled up with stuff. Consequently, I move things from room to room. I know I need to perform a deep de-cluttering of these areas. I would like some suggestions on what to do about these homeless items until I can create a home for them?

 

This is a great question and one that comes up often in Quick + Simple Clutter Control as well as in Organizing 101. The strategy I suggest (and I do this when I work with clients, too) is to move the items closer to where they belong. When working with clients I try to hone in on where this item will ultimately live once we are able to carve out homes for everything. So if we come across a screw driver, I'll ask if there are other tools elsewhere in the home. If there aren't other tools elsewhere (or they're all over the place) then the client will decide where she ultimately wants the tools to live. As we encounter tools while organizing, we start moving them to this room.

 

While this approach can create a bit more clutter while the organizing project is in process, we are taking steps forward to get the whole home organized and decluttered. So it is progress...even if it doesn't look that way on the surface.

 

A second option is to create a transitional space, one area in your home that becomes the temporary home for the homeless items you find while decluttering. You could use a table or some shelves in your basement, for example, as your transitional space. What I suggest with this approach is that you keep the transitional space as organized as possible. Take the time to group all the tools together, and all of the books together, etc. This way you can remember what is in the transitional space and carve out homes for these items as you continue with your organizing projects.

 

How do you handle homeless items when you declutter and organize? I’d love to hear your ideas!

come join me...

...for a super fun, live event! It's called Have Yourself a Happy, Healthy Holidays and it's just what we all need to get ourselves organized and energized for the holidays! If you're in the St. Louis area and are available on November 3rd, get registered today! Space is limited and I hear from the event organizer that tickets are selling out fast!

I hope to see you there!

OK .. so last night was just plain cool. I attended the NAWMBA and ArchWIT Conference at Washington University in St. Louis. I got to hang out with inspiring, intelligent, entrepreneurial women and participate as a panel member in a really thought provoking panel discussion about entrepreneurialism. So fun. (Thank you Hunter for getting me involved with this event! It was really cool.)

So here’s the takeaway … what event can you go to that will inspire you? Really get you thinking? Surround you with likeminded people who can fuel your creative energy and get you motivated to take action? Find the event. Sign up. Go.