Finding the Will Power to get Organized

Being organized, Getting organized, and Staying organized, have so much to do with finding time and motivation.  In the hectic world we live in extra time is very difficult to come by and staying energized at the end of a busy day for an organization task can be less than motivating.

   If you’ve taken any of my online classes or you’ve come to see me speak live, you know I’m constantly talking about your brain and the power it wields in your organization process.

  Since we just concluded the first “Get OrganizedChallenge” of the year, I thought this would be a good time to share with you my latest, greatest find in motivation;  The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal, Ph. D.

  This book does an excellent job explaining how willpower works and the importance of not only “will” power, but also the importance of “want” power, and “won’t” power.  It’s always easier to follow through on something when you have better understanding and this book was an eye-opener.

 The Willpower Instinct uses humor, history, and entertaining anecdotes to explain what is happening in your mind that either aides or impedes your success.

  One of the best parts of the book are the “Experiments” at the end of each chapter. These small tasks give you the step-by-step instructions for putting your new knowledge to work.  I initially purchased this book on Audible so I could listen while I was walking.  After completing the listening I purchased the hard copy so I would have continued and easy access to the “experiments.”

  What would I recommend for you?  If you have a hard time finding time to read, I would certainly recommend the Audible Version.  It’s better to at least “hear” the information than it is to buy the book and have it collect dust on your nightstand.  Truthfully I do this regularly; listen on Audible and then buy the book.  It’s kind of a good “test” for me.  If I listen and then continually go back to try and find the “to-do” part of a book, I know I’ll use it, so I’m okay with buying the hard copy.  I usually visit the Half Price Books Store in Tacoma before buy a brand new copy.  You can of course purchase new and used editions on Amazon.
  Thanks so much for stopping by today!
  Tif

Tiny Tasks, Big Results - Preparing for Unwrapping

  Okay, I know, many of us haven't even wrapped our gifts yet and I'm already writing about unwrapping.  I was going to save this post until closer to Christmas, but all around me people are having early celebrations as friends and family get ready to head off on holiday vacations, pack up to move, or prepare for a military deployment. 
  If you're hosting the holiday, you'll be the one that misses out on the joy of unwrapping it you're constantly having to jump up and get things. 
   Make the Unwrapping event a little easier by preparing a tray of "tools" that can slide under the couch.  You can do this at any time - as long as you don't have small children around. If you do have small children, create the tray, but stash it somewhere else until after the kids are in bed on Christmas Eve.  During the Unwrap, you can pull the tray out and have easy access to anything you need.
My little tool tray includes:

1. A pair of scissors for cutting through ribbon.
2. A pen and note pad - for keeping track of who gave what to whom
3. A garbage bag or 2 - keeping the wrapping under control helps to insure that things don't get lost and/or thrown away by mistake.
4. A box cutter - for getting through those "clam shell" type packages.
5. A pair of wire cutters - So many things are packaged using zip ties or twist ties, this make getting toys out of their packaging quick and easy.
6. One reuseable shopping bag for each family member.  This provides and easy place for everyone to corral their small items together.  It also makes it much easier for everyone to haul their stuff into their rooms at the end of the day.

  How do you handle the "madness" that can often accompany unwrapping? 
Thanks so much for stopping by today!
  

Tiny Tasks, Big Results - Day 12, Holiday Decoration Swap

Do the Decoration Swap
   Empty your Christmas storage totes onto the kitchen or dining room table.  Using the now empty totes, go through the areas of your home you plan to decorate - clear coffee tables, mantles and shelves of your everyday decorative items. Put these everyday items into the Christmas totes.

Since these totes already have a home in the garage, attic or a closet, you’ll be able to store them easily.  Your holiday decorations will present themselves even more beautifully when the everyday items are gone.

After the holidays, just reverse the process.  This will make it easy to dust, and tidy up before you replace the everyday stuff.  My guess is that you probably have more Christmas stuff than you have "everyday" stuff.  This will leave you with a couple of extra empty totes. You can use these empty “decoration” totes to store/hide Christmas gifts, just don’t forget you put them in there.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!  I hope your holiday season is going well.  If you have comments or ideas about holiday organization, I hope you'll take a moment to share them with me.

Tif

 

Tiny Tasks, Big Results - Organize your Purse, Organize your Receipts.

  YIKES - how do you take control of all of the receipts that end up in your purse, wallet, pockets, etc.   It's simple to keep your receipts organized if you just do a little planning in advance.  Your Tiny Task for today is to find a tray, box, or some type of container that you can literally DUMP your handbag into at the end of each day - if you don't carry a handbag, it's a place to empty your pockets.
  Why dump you ask? Because we collect things in our handbags that don't actually belong there. Yet once they make it in, it could take weeks or even months to get them out.  By dumping your handbag each night you're forced to "re-load" each morning. 

  This "re-load" will lighten your load and help you stay organized.
  What does all of this have to do with receipts?  I use the dump tray all year round, but during the holiday season, I leave an envelope in the tray, along with a pen and some sticky notes.  Each night I dump my bag, sort the recipts by store and put them into the envelope.  I use the sticky notes to indicate the stores, and occassionally to tag a receipt that is unclear.
  This is a simple task, an EASY task, But it will go a long way toward keeping your handbag and your holiday receipts manageable.  There's a little added bonus here too ladies, if you're like me, and you love buying handbags, but you get in a rut carrying that same black bag all winter, this simple little task will make it easy to use a different bag each day.

Budgeting Tip - If you're trying to stay on a budget this year, buy yourself a Visa Type Gift Card for the amount of your budget.  Only use it for Christmas Expenses.  You'll be able to check you spending online, and stay within your budget. 

  Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I'd love to hear how you're managing your holiday receipts and maybe your handbag too!
  Tiffany

Tiny Tasks, Big Results - Day 7, Wrap-n-Roll

Be ready to Wrap-n-Roll this season.
It never fails, there's always a last minute party, event, or some other situation where you find yourself buying a gift "on the way." 
  The biggest problem with this - you can often end up buying wrapping paper, tape, ribbon, - and maybe even scissors, at the same time.

    Save yourself some time, money and stress by packing a Wrap-n-Roll tote and putting it in the trunk of your car.

 

Fill one side with ribbons, bows, tags, pens, scissors, etc.

Fill the other side with paper, tissue, cards, gift bags, and gift card holders.

 

I used the Tote-tally Organized 13x13 Tote.  I filled one side with Wrapping Paper, Gift Bags, Cards and Tags.  I filled the other side with Ribbons, Bows, Pens, Scissors, Tape etc.  Everything needed to create a beautiful gift at a moments notice.

Want to hear my whole "Wrap-n-Roll" Tote story.  Watch the Video.

Do you need a good Wrap-n-Roll tote for you car?  Shop for your tote now - click here.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by to read today's tip.  Feel free to add a comment and let me know how your holiday season is shaping up!

Tif 

Tiny Tasks - Big Results, Day 6 A list you can check twice!

   Lists, lists, lists and more lists.  That's what the holidays come down to, how to manage the long lists of things you need to do.  Today I want to talk about your Gift List.  With holiday sales starting earlier and earlier each year, keeping track of purchased gifts can be overwhelming.  Here's a simple solution for taking control of that Gift Shopping List (GSL).

  Start with a small notebook. Once that will easily fit in your handbag or pocket.  I love the Moleskine (3.5"x 5") notebooks that can be purchased at bookstores like Barnes and Noble or at office supply stores like Office Depot.  The thing I love about them is their "thin-ness".  Because they don't have a spiral binding or a book type binding they are pretty flat and easy to carry.  They also have perforated pages, so when the season is over you can pull out the pages easily.  The one I'm using this year is the same one I used last year.


Step 2 - Create "sticky note" tabs for each major category of shopping.
   These might be individual people or groups of people.  For example, each of my children have their own tab, as I buy the most for them.  Then I have a tab for; FAMILY, one for FRIENDS, one labeled HOSTESS - Little things that are appropriate for taking to a holiday party, one for SERVICE - these are people like Teachers, Postman, UPS Driver, etc.  My last section is tagged with a "?".  This is where I keep a list of things that I've purchased that have yet to be assigned to a recipient.   This doesn't mean I'm out buying "willy-nilly" items, it means that I found something that would be perfect for more than one person.  As I get closer to Christmas, I'll assign the gifts and/or return some of them if I've found something better.  This little section is GREAT if you've forgotten someone or need a gift sooner than you had anticipated. 

Step 3 - Controlling your list information
  Some gift lists are easy to manage.  Hostess, Service, etc - these generally include one name, one gift, and no need to "hide" the gift in the process.  Create a "code" list on the inside of your notebook. I use a pretty simple series of letters to identify where I am in the process with each gift:
P = Purchased
W = Wrapped
D = Delivered
S = Shipped
  If you spread your gifts around the house for storage, you may want to include a note as to the location of the gift.

   With kids, I use one side of the page for "Gifts" and one side of the page for "Stockings". 

Step 4 - Storing your purchased gifts
  If you can keep all of the gifts you don't have to "hide" in one place it will make things much easier. I use labeled boxes in the garage that follow my "tabs" FAMILY, FRIENDS, HOSTESS, SERVICE, etc.  If you have room in a spare bedroom or closet that's even easier.
 With gifts I have to hide, I use two large boxes in the garage.  One is labeled "Baby Clothes" the other is labeled "Travel Stuff".  I actually use these boxes all year for things I don't want my kids to find, birthday gifts, Easter treats, etc.  Max is my youngest, so all of his things go in the Baby Clothes box, London - obviously gets the things in the Travel Box.  This system has worked well for years.  If something is too large for the boxes - like a bicycle or skis, I usually leave those at my office until Christmas Eve.

List Tips -

Try to leave a line or 2 between each entry in your gift list - this will provide extra space if needed.

Write in pencil.  I try to keep a mechanical pencil clipped to my list.  That's another benefit to using the thin Moleskine notebook.

If keeping track of your spending/budget is important to you, add a column to each page and/or a section to the back of your notebook for an easy reference. I assign a budget to my kids pages for both Gifts and Stockings.

I hope your holiday season is getting off to a smooth start.  I'd love to hear how you're applying these organizing ideas and others to your life.  Please feel free to share a comment and to share this post with your friends and family.
Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Tif
  

YIKES! I've become a Collector

Bags, Bags everywhere, which one will I use?
  Probably the same one I have right now because I can't find the one I need. :-(
A confession:  – “I don’t always practice what I preach.”
For those of you who have taken my classes, participated in webinars or just follow along with posts on FB/Twitter you know EASY is a key word in most of my presentations.  When you make things easy to get to you’ll use them, if it’s difficult those things will just become “stored” items. I had a little epiphany about this in my own home just last week. 

Another confession, I have a problem with handbags.  I LOVE THEM!  Its the first department I go to in any department store. They are the thing I most often search for on the internet. They are the piece of any woman’s outfit that I notice first.  It’s so bad that my boys actually have a plan to run visual interference of handbags any time we’re shopping together. Max wraps his arm around mine and guides me away from the accessories department while London walks sideways waving his arms to obstruct my view.   I'm sure it's quite a site to the observing shopper.

In my old house I had a few glass front cabinets where I kept all of these fabulous treasures. They were visible and accessible. I used them! In my new house, all I have are shelves high up in the closet.  This means that all of my lovely ladies have to be stored in their dust bags, out of reach.

Last week my darling girlfriend Heidi Hurst, who just happens to be the best real estate agent in the South Puget Sound (no, I’m not biased), came over to help me with some wardrobe issues.  (She was supposed to convince me to return a number of new purchases – but being the good friend she is, she was able to help me justify keeping everything.)

Okay, I digress.  With one of the outfits, I said, “Oh, I have the perfect bag to go with that, let me show you.”  I went into the closet, scanned the shelves of dust bags, looked around for the step stool, decided it was out in the garage, you get the idea.   I emerged from the closet and said “I don’t know which bag it’s in, but it’ll be really cute.”

After Heidi left I started thinking about those bags, and about the fact that I had carried the same black bag all winter last winter and the same pink bag all summer this summer, and that the reason I hadn’t changed bags was because it was too much work to find the bag I needed.  Something had to be done! I had become a collector, not a user.

When I got up this morning I decided to make a change.  I wanted to use those wonderful bags, but how could I make them visible and accessible while still keeping them clean and protected from dust.  Voila!! It came to me.

1. I would photograph each of the bags.
2. Print the photos and pin them to the dust bags.   
3. Arrange the bags in some sort of “rainbow” on my shelf.  
4. Purchase one of those small collapsible step stools so I could keep it handy.

BONUS: I can upload the “handbag” album to my phone so when I’m shopping I can pull up the pictures of the bags and match them to scarves, shoes, belts, or any other accessory without having to guess at the color. YEAH!!!

As I’m writing this post, an email has just popped up with a subject line: Get Carried Away with Handbags from MICHAEL Michael Kors.  Do you see, I am literally haunted by handbags!

Here’s the result:
Step One - Take Photos.

Quick snap shots of each of the bags.

Step Two / Three - Print Photos, Attach to dust bags, Arrange in color groups.

Step Three - Purchase a step stool to keep in the closet.

 

SUCCESS!!! I'm on my way to a 50th Birthday Party tonight.  I know which bag I want to use.

Finding it on the shelf took just a few seconds, and my new step stool made it quick and EASY to reach. 

 

One other helpful hint.  If you're going to change your bag on a regular basis. Encourage yourself to do it by designating a place to "dump" the contents of your bag.  I used a tray at the end of my bed. Another bonus to the "dump" tray, you're almost forced to clean out your bag on a regular basis.

(This is my dump tray, do I really need 3 hair clips and 4 pair of glasses?)

 

If you have questions about organizing something in your home, office, car..life, I hope you'll take a moment to post a comment.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Tif

"Tiffanize" your handbags!

 

 

Practicing what I preach...preparing to "scrap-away"

 Hi Crafters -
 In about 10 days I'll leave for a family vacation in Moab, UT.  If  you've never been there, I would strongly recommend a visit.  It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.  All of that aside, my goal for scrapping this trip is to do it while I'm there.  So I'll be packing up everything I need in one TravelPack with a couple of Spinders.  I've never attempted to actually complete the pages for an event while I'm there, so I thought I'd do a blog post(s) documenting the whole process. 
  First things first.  In order to bring enough without bringing too much, I'll make decisions about the number of layouts I'm going to do before I start packing.  To do this I just need to sort of "map" out the trip.  Here's our itinerary in a nutshell.
July 31 - Travel to Grand Junction, CO (1 - 6)
August 1 - Drive to Moab, Visit Colorado National Monument on the way. (1 - 6)
August 2 - Full Day River Rafting Trip (2 - 12)
August 3 - Monument Valley hike and tour (2-12)
August 4 - Canyoneering (1- 6)
August 5 - Day hike into Arches National Monument (1 - 6)
August 6 - Full day Razor Rental (2-12)
Augutst 7 - Hang out in town (1-6)
August 8 - Drive back to Grand Junction and fly home
  When I plan pages, I plan for 6 photographs per 12x12 page.  The numbers following the days events indicate the number of pages I plan to do for that event and the total number of photographs I'll choose for each of the layouts. I'll have a "Title" page in the beginning and 1-3 "snapshots and scrap traditions" pages at the end.  This is where I put fun pictures that don't necessarily fit in with any of the specific event pages.  The "snapshot" pages are a great way to include random fun shots, but avoid scrapping whole pages about one little thing.  "Scrap traditions" are the included with most of the big family events.  These cover a couple of categories - everyone writes about what they liked most about the trip, we make a list of the restaurants we visited and rate them, we generally include our road maps with notes, highlights, etc.  and then a final section that usually has tickets, memorabilia, etc.
  Next I'll do a little sketch to be sure the pages will layout properly in my album.  If they won't layout correctly, I might move a snapshot page into the middle so that the 2 page spreads are always facing each other properly.  I actually use small "sticky" notes to do these so I can get a really good sense of how things will go together. This "sticky note" layout plan will be really helpful when it comes to picking, purchasing and packing.

                    Click to view a larger image on our website.
  With this trip my plan is to do 12-14 pages.  Just knowing this allows me to be sure I have enough background paper and other "continual" elements to get a lot done, and it will be really easy to pack everything I need.
  In my next post I'll start pulling things out of my current supply collection and begin making a list of things I'll need to purchase and add before we leave town. Hopefully I'll be able to find everything I need at the Lancaster, PA CK Convention next weekend.
  I'll also be posting these directly to a page on our website.  Click here to bookmark that page on our website.
Thanks for stopping by,
Tif

Project Organization - Lesson 3 is posted

  Project Organization was designed to give small manageable organization tasks throughout the year.  Each Monday a new lesson will get posted.  Some are just articles, some will include a video component.

 This week's lesson outlines the 4 Section System.  The 4 Section System is your Road Map for getting and staying organized.  One of the reasons organization systems fail is because we tend to organize to the "container" size or shape we are filling rather than to an actual system.  A system allows your supply collection to remain flexible. Adding in new categories and eliminating categories you'll no longer use.

  I know many of you have taken the time to learn about the 4 Section System, but for those of you who haven't, it's the perfect way to "think" about organization.  I would strongly encourage you to read this week's Project Organzation article.  In the article we discuss how the 4 Section System works in a ScrapRack, but you can apply the ideas to any number of storage tools.

  Visit the Project Organization Home Page now - click here.
  Want to go directly to the 4 Section System Article - click here.

  You'll be amazed at how easy it is to find what you need, when your brain knows where it is located.

Organize your Brain - Remembering what was on your shopping list

Do you ever find yourself making a list of just a "few things" you need to pick up at the store, but when you get to the store you've forgotten to bring the list?

Here's a simple trick to help you remember.
When your list is complete, review the list and count the number of items that are on the list.

When you get to the store, if you've forgotten your list, you'll find that if you look into your basket, and count the items, it will be easy to remember what you're missing, if anything.
Conversly, for some reason, it's simple for your brain to identify things that weren't on your list.  So when you're counting the items, your brain, will say, "that wasn't on the list."
I don't know why it works, but it does.  (I'm not claiming any scientific research, just personal experience.)

Try it the next time you go shopping. 

1. Make a list, count the items on the list, put the list in your handbag, or pocket. 
2. Try shopping by the numbers. 
3. Just before you get in the checkout line, count the items in your basket, if you've got the right number pull out your list and verify that you've got the right items. 

 I use this trick for 10 items or less, but now that I'm blogging about it, I may try to "up the ante."
Give it a try and let me know how you do.  Maybe we'll ge a little "memory challenge" going!
Tiffany

Don't leave your embellishments out!

I'm always amazed when I talk with ScrapRack customers at a show or convention and as they look through our sample ScrapRack they say  - "I never thought I could put my embellishments in my ScrapRack."
   If you have a SR or you're considering a SR purchase I hope you'll get the most out of your SR by using it for "EVERYTHING!" and that includes embellishments.  Even things like Glitter can be included.  Simply put these tiny things, eyelets, brads, beads, glitter, charms, etc.... in small ziplock type bags.

Glitter, eyelets, buttons.....

Once you've filled the ziplock bags, you can just slip the bag into a pocket page in the correct section of your ScrapRack, whether it's Rainbow, Theme, Holiday, or Alpha-numeric.  The next time you Craft, you'll be far more likely to use more of what you've got because it's at your finger tips.

  

 

Learn more about storing your embellishments in our 4 Section System. 

Visit the LEARN page on our website for help with your organization questions - Click Here.

Tiny Tasks - Huge Results, 3 things you can organize in the next 30 minutes.

Sometimes the idea of getting organized is overwhleming in and of itself.  The truth is, if you can tackle a few small tasks you'll be inspired by the results. Try these easy to accomplish projects to see if you catch Organization Fever.  Each of them should be completed in less than 10 minutes.
All you'll need is a garbage bag and a recycling bin.

1 - Medicine Cabinet

Medicine cabinets tend be a safe haven for all kinds of things we don't want to think about.  The truth is, most things in the medicine cabinet including cometics have a manufacturer suggested expiration date or use by date.  Other products stack up in the medicine cabinet even though we weren't happy with the results or because they were given to us as a "gift with purchase".  Before you open the cabinet, or drawer jot down a quick goal.  "I'm going to throw away any product I haven't used in the last _______". The blank may be 6 months, 9 months or a year.  Regardless of the goal you'll feel great about finally getting rid of the stuff you've been knocking off the shelf each time you reach for something you really need.

2 - Junk Drawer
Most homes have a JD somewhere in the kitchen.  As you go through your JD, you'll probably discover everything in it actually belongs somewhere else.  Put those things away.  Throw away those outdated coupons, put the recipes in your kitchen binder, move the pencils and pens (if they still work) to the pencil holder by the phone.  Set another goal - if you haven't used it in a certain amount of time and it doesn't have a home elsewhere, toss it!  If your Junk Drawer is filled with Owner's Manuals, Recipe booklets and other similar items, get a package of Ring Binder Insert Strips and put all of those things into a notebook or two.

Click here to purchase Ring Binder Insert Strips

3.) Mail Call
  Grab that giant pile of mail on your counter, walk directly to the recycle bin.  THROW away everything that isn't addressed specifically to you or a member of your household.  Open each envelope, toss away the advertisements, if you pay your bills on line, toss away the return envelopes.  What to do with the advertisements and catalogs that do have your name on them?  Is there anything on your current shopping list that might be in those advertisements? If so, put them in a pile separate from the bills.  If not, toss them away as well, trust me, you'll have another advertisement offering the "best price of the season" in your mailbox within the next 14 days.  Finally file away the papers you need to keep; Bills to Pay, Statements, Coupons, etc.

Ready, Set, Organize!  Let me know how it works!
Tiffany

Cricut Cartridge Storage and Organization

The best way to organize and store your Cricut Cartridges is by using a Catalog and Numbering System. This system allows you to add cartridges to your collection, without having to “rearrange” or “re-organize” your existing cartridges. To use this system, you can either leave your cartridges, booklets and overlays in their original cases, or you can remove them from their cases and store them in a Cricut Cartridge Tote or Cricut Cartridge Storage Case. Regardless of the storage method you choose, the catalog system will remain the same.

The first decision you need to make is whether you plan to keep the cartridges in their original box or if you plan to condense them down using one of the storage tools mentioned earlier. If you plan to use one of the storage tools mentioned earlier, you may want consider keeping the boxes stored elsewhere, just in case you decide to sell the cartridge at a later date.

Start by numbering each of the Cricut boxes, cartridges, booklets, and overlays. If the box is labeled # 1, then the corresponding cartridge, booklet and overlay will all also be labeled #1.

Your next step is to collect the images of the shapes on each of the cartridges you own. You can either photocopy the back of the box or you can get the images directly off the Cricut Website. In either case it will be helpful and beneficial later to have the images stored both digitally and physically printed out. At minimum I would recommend 2 copies of each printout. The first for the appropriate section in your 4 Section System, and the second for a separate catalog. When you print out the image(s), give that printout(s) the same number as the corresponding cartridge, in this case #1. Generally most of the cartridges deal with a single “theme”, but in some cases, they may be appropriate for multiple themes. If the cartridge is appropriate for multiple themes, you will want to print out an equal number of images, so you can include one labeled (numbered) image in each section of your 4 Section System where appropriate. For example, if you had a Travel cartridge, that included lots of travel icons and also an alphabet, you would want to include an image of that cartridge in both the Travel Section and in the Alpha Numeric section.


Once you’ve printed out and numbered the images to match the numbers on the Cartridges, Booklets and Overlays, you can put the images into your 4 Section System, and into your Cricut Catalog (this may be easily combined with your stamps, punches, etc…catalog).

Your final step is to label the Cricut original box (if that is your storage method of choice) or the containers (Cartridge Tote or Storage Case) that you have chosen. Once this is done, you can put the cartridges, booklets and overlays into the appropriate container.

When you’re ready to crop, the image of the Cricut cartridge will “pop up” in the appropriate section(s) of your 4 Section System. In our example Travel; when you are scrapping Travel and you go to that section in your ScrapRack, you’ll see that cartridge image, the number on the image will tell you exactly where to find the cartridge, whether it is in a box or in a storage tote or case.

Simple!

Organizing Photos for Multiple Albums

For those of you who have been a part of the Get Organized Challenge, you’ve heard me talk about the value of creating “holding albums.” Holding albums work great especially when you’re on track with a particular scrapbooking project. However, I, like most scrappers tend to be just “slightly” behind . My project last week was to get all of my photos that had been sorted by year and by event into groups by album. This was somewhat challenging on a number of levels:
1.) I create 3 sets of albums, one for each of my sons (London and Max) and one for myself.
2.) I have 2 different sizes of albums going (8.5 x 11 from when I first started and now 12x12).
3.) I had created some pages of some events for all 3 albums, but wasn’t consistent. 
The hardest part:
The biggest challenge was just sitting down with a notebook and listing what I had created for each album and what still needed to be created. I have to admit while I dreaded this part of the project it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it might be. I started by opening all of the albums together and flipping through them so I could see each event in each book. That made it easy to list what was completed and what was missing. This part of the process actually only took about 15 minutes. I scribbled down notes in 3 columns; Family, London and Max.   

Next Step:
My next step was to cut lots of sheets of 8.5x11 paper in half and label each piece of paper with the themes/events/holidays, etc. that were missing from each album. I used a different color of paper to represent each person’s album. This isn’t necessary, but it helped to keep me focused when I was choosing pictures. I also noted which size album and how many pages I wanted for each event. As I created these labeled half sheets I crossed them off the list.

  

Choosing pictures:
My goal was to choose 6 pictures for each 12x12 layout and just 4 pictures for the 8.5x11 books. It really helps to make this decision in advance. You want to try to avoid creating 6 pages of your adorable 18 month old eating an Ice Cream cone. If you know you only get to choose 4 pictures for a single page layout it will be much easier to decide and move on.
Since the photos were already sorted into chronological order it was easy to go through them and make selections for each album. Any pictures that were left over went into my purge box. It was easier than you might think to put them in the purge box, because I knew I had what I needed for my scrapbooks. I was also able to comfortably toss out “bad” pictures.
As I choose the pictures I wrapped them in the half sheets of labeled paper and put them in my READY to SCRAP photo box – again, in chronological order.
I tried to keep the “purge” box in some type of chronological order. When my family visits, I’ll let my mom, sister, mother-in-law, whoever is interested, look through the photos and take what they want. After the purge box has made the rounds, I’ll be able to confidently throw whatever is left away.

The Big Benefit
I’ll confess that it did take a few hours to get through the literally thousands of pictures that I had, but it was sooooo worth it! I went from over 4 photo storage boxes, down to just 2. There were several Labeled sheets, that I didn’t have printed photos for. I left these “empty” sheets in the photo boxes, in chronological order so when I come across them again, I will know I need to track down the photos on the computer.
Maybe now I’ll get “caught up” – LOL.

 

Tips and Tricks

Start with the list!
Invest a little time in making lists of what is in your books and what is missing. This will REALLY help in the sorting process. If you have to constantly be going back to the albums to verify what you have / have not done it will get frustrating and overwhelming. My list initially just had “what was missing,” but I found myself constantly going back to verify what was “done”, so it ended up being more efficient to include both “missing” and “done” on the list.

Prior to sorting:
Decide how many pictures you will allow yourself to choose for each page size / layout.
Decide how many layouts you will do for each event prior to sorting through the pictures.

Set yourself up for success.
Be sure you have all the tools you need; photos, photo storage boxes, paper, pens, etc. before you sit down to get started. If you have to leave your project to hunt for things you’ll get distracted.



ScrapRack Scrapbook Room

I know I've been promising to post something about my Scrapbook Room at the office for a couple of months.  Well, I finally got around to doing it.  Here's the first picture.

Click here to see the start to finish pictures. Thanks for your patience while I got this done!

 Tif

PS - Do you need help getting organized? Join our FB Get Organized Challenge group!



Spellbinders Nestabilities - How to store them in your ScrapRack

Hi Crafters -
 Are you looking for a great way to store and organize your Spellbinders Nestabilities?  The ScrapRack is your perfect solution.  It's so easy - you just need a few basic supplies:

Magnetic Cloth
Scissors
A Ruler
A piece of chalk or other marking devise
Your Spellbinders or other brand of dies



It's so easy.  The magnetic cloth can be cut into the perfect shape to hold each of your dies or die sets.  Once the cloth is cut, put the dies onto the magnet and then slip the magnet sheet into your pocket pages.

Get the step by step details on how to do this on our website. 
Organizing your Spellbinders Nestabilities Dies with your ScrapRack - Click here to read the article and learn more.

If you've got other great ideas about how to sort, store and organize your supplies into your ScrapRack please email us your ideas.  We'd love to share them with our crafting community.  

Tiffany
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