Scraproom Closet Completion

This is the opposite side of the closet. The Sterilite bins fit perfectly into the Ikea Expedit shelves, which allows for compartmental storage of large punches, Creative Memories cutter templates, extra adhesives, etc. The containers are available at Hobby Lobby.
I have some albums stored in other shelves and some punching tools, a portable light box and other accessories and tools.

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Finally the Scrapbook Closet

I am fortunate enough to have a large walk-in closet in my studio that has truly been a thorn in my side. It houses decades of photos. I wish I had taken before photos because the closet was so filled with clumsy mismatched filing cabinets to tons of Sterlite bins. The lighting was so dim I could barely see inside.

I plan to post the progression of this closet. Bear in mind that I used to own a scrapbook store so I probably have unusual amounts of supplies and tools. But anyone can use these organizational principals for their own space.

This photo shows an Ikea Expedit that so many of us have adopted for our rooms. They are an ideal solution due to the 12x12 capacity of the shelves making it perfect for our needs.

I struggled to figure out the type of bin I would use to replace file cabinet folders that were already done. I settled in the Lekman clear bins and I put a 12x12 piece of patterned paper that coordinates with the studio decor in front of each bin to disguise the contents and make it pleasing to the eye.
The magazine files above are all that is left of my giant magazine collection. Most of what is in these files house "how-to" books from punching to paper folding and journaling. The black boxes are photos by year which can be a space saving way to store photos if you don't have as many as I have. The markers are stored in the nifty containers made by EK Success. My husband installed a replacement light that is like daylight now. I can easily get what I am after now.

As you can see I had to alter the bins. Because of the lip that goes around the Lekman it prevents a hanging folder from being attached as I originally anticipated. I purchased the hanging folder racks from the office supply and the hanging folders were already in my old filing cabinet. In my case each bin holds a decade of photos. These folders can be ordered from  www.archival.com . I do not want my photos exposed to acidic elements. If you have boxes full of photos I can help. I have a form I used to help me sort my photos. Let me hear from you if you are interested in knowing more about this topic.

We recently painted my Making Memories Embellishment Center

I think I'm the last person on the planet to buy one of these. I did not have the wall space for it until I turned my Expedit (Ikea) unit horizontal to hold my printer and new Cricut Expression! I know there are more tweaks in store for this unit. I threw a few things up there for the photo. My husband painted it black for me, I may alter this further, not sure yet.

This "Scrapbook Connection" sign used to hang in the mall where my store was. My husband thought it ought to hang in here.

The Tour

If you were to step into my room on June 7, 2010, this is what you would see. As I view how my room has evolved since its inception, I like the outcome. It is a place where I can go to create, preserve family memories/history, sew, paint, or craft whatever. I can set up a long table when friends come over to scrap, or a card table when my three grandkids spend a Saturday where they can build their own books and learn the proper way to store their own photos and write stories about their young lives. My guests can relax in a comfortable atmosphere with a pull of the Murphy bed my husband and I built. Then like magic disappears back into the wall when guests are gone.

I moved my containers of pink bins to the wall where I sit. The contents are easier to reach now. This change necessitated changing my magnetic Ikea frame to a vertical orientation. I like it fine like this. I like to tack little reminders to myself on it. When I am working on a page I sometimes place my journaling ideas on it while I work. Note: My husband painted my Making Memories carousel black, I like it much more and feel it blends very well with my other design now.

Continuing around the room, this corner hasn't changed too much.

Looking directly into the room you see the Murphy Bed to the right.

The room beckons my guests and makes a cozy comfortable spot for respite. Comes out of the wall made up like this!

Each part of the room tells a little story or two. The mirror with the sequin crown has a little saying on it, "Still the fairest of them all..." When I look in the mirror I remember my third grade teacher telling me that she chose me to play the wicked queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs because I was so beautiful. (I didn't want to play someone mean) :)

This is the last view of the four walls, aside from an odd corner (5th wall) shown next. The green bins belong to my two granddaughters, they have their pink albums stored along side their bins. The black on on the bottom belongs to my grandson who also loves to scrap. They each have a tote with all their tools and supplies in their bin. The Ikea door and the pink bin below it house all of my Tim Holtz stuff, including my acrylic stamps. The two Ikea drawers hold things for my printer like photo paper and ink cartridges and CD's for software for the PC. The pink bins to the left hold items for Cricut. As you can see, my dh sprayed my Making Memories Emblishment Center black for me. I just hung it up. I think I am the last person on the planet to get one of these. I didn't think I had room for one until I turned this Ikea Expedit on its side to house the printer and the Cricut I got for Mother's Day. I love the cute little Crystal knobs we put on the Expedit. 

This funny little slanted wall became the perfect location for this Ikea desk. The two framed photos are pictures I took of my garden. Two of the things I love to grow Plumeria and Roses. The sticker binders on the bottom are beloved by my grandchildren. They get to go through them and choose things for their pages. My kids bought me the cute plaque, "One shoe can change your life", -Cinderella. It became the inspiration piece for the decor of my room. Cinderella was a favorite movie and story of mine as a young girl. I knew someday my prince would come, and he did. He spoils me as you can see.