Paper Organization

I wanted to share a couple tips on how I organize my paper. I've tried several different methods but I have so much paper I found that my current method works best for me (at least right now ). I store most of my pattern paper and kits by theme. I found my stackers at Michaels. I like them because each case snaps closed so I can grab a container of themed paper and take it with me if I need to in addition to having it stored in a convenient location. I keep thinking I'll make fancy labels for my containers but until that happens, a label maker works great to help identify how the paper is stored. By the way, my son loves to make labels for me! He may not do a perfect job but it helps him feel like he is a part of my creative process.

Any paper that doesn't fit into a theme gets stored in a crate. I use 12x12 chipboard pieces to separate my paper into sections. One section has single sheets, another section is for duplicate papers i.e. I have two of the same paper. My largest section is for coordinating papers and kits. I place all my coordinating papers and kits in clear plastic sleeves along with any coordinating embellishments I have. This way if I decide I want to work that particular kit or paper line I can grab the sleeve and some cardstock and I should have most if not all of the items I need to make a layout.

I use another crate to store my cardstock. I sort my cardstock into Cropper Hopper sleeves (found these at Hobby Lobby and Archiver's years ago). They are pretty durable and easy to grab. I store my paper by color. I store all my scraps right along with the larger papers this way I'm more likely to use them. They are also easy to grab and go when I'm meeting friends to scrap.

My Creative Scrapbook January kit reveal!

It's January 6th. If you haven't checked out the My Creative Scrapbook website yet the January kit reveal is up for you. This is one of my favorite months ever. I love every kit. I love the layouts the design team came up with. I love the colors and the embellishments in every kit. Here are the pictures of all the kits: Main kit - Fancy Pants Timber Grove

Album kit - DCWV Shabby Chic

Limited Edition kit - Webster's New Year New You

We also have a Project life add on kit:

Lastly, my favorite, the Creative kit featuring Simple Stories Daily Grind

Here are my layouts using this kit:

This layout features my son, Charlie back when he was an only child in 2007. I'm happy it took me so long to scrap these photos because this was the perfect layout for the photos.

These photos were taken on our rafting trip this summer.

My boys really love their cousin, Samantha. She lives in WI so when she visits it is a real treat.

This layout is the most meaningful to me this month. I am a proud adoptive mom of three wonderful boys. Each one came to me in their own unique way. Tino was my big surprise. I thought I was finished having children when my lawyer called to tell us about our son, Chase's bio half brother. He was 17 months old at the time. He just entered the foster care system and he thought we might like to take him in. We never fostered before and we didn't know what we were getting ourselves into but we agreed to take him. Four hours later Valentino was at our home and our lives changed forever. That was January of 2011. Finally, in September of 2013, we officially adopted Tino. He is a wonderful addition to our family. We are truly blessed. I hope you all have a great time designing with your My Creative Scrapbook kits this month. If you aren't a subscriber yet I encourage you to give it a try. The hardest decision is what kit to get! Have a great month! Joan

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you. The first day of the new year is winding down here in Missouri. I'm sitting here typing as the snow falls. I love staring out the window as it snows. It is so peaceful especially at night when the world is so quiet. I find I breath easier and the tension in my muscles relax some. I would like to freeze this moment for a long while! Of course, I love the first of the month every month. I get so excited for the My Creative Scrapbook sneaks each month because that means in just a few days the full kit reveal will be posted. Even though I'm on the design team I still love this time of the month. I admit it - I love seeing my work posted for everyone to see. I love seeing everyone else's work even more. I end up wishing I could work with every kit. If only I had more time to scrap! This month our sneaks are a little different. Pam, the MCS owner, decided to give everyone a peak at one of the projects made with each kit. Check out the blog, www.mycreativescrapbook.blogspot.com for the photos. Check back here (and at www.mycreativescrapbook.com) on the 5th to see the full reveal. Waiving hi! Joan