Materials Needed The Challenge

Get Organized
Get Organized Week #8
Projects in Progress & Kits
Materials Needed
Containers, files or large zip-style bags, and a label maker to label containers
The Challenge
To gather all kits and unfinished projects into one location, and implement a system
that will keep them contained until completed. You’ll decide on the system to help you
get projects and kits started, and completed, too.
This week’s challenge is two-fold. First, to sort any unfinished layout, home décor piece,
card, gift, or kit you own. And second, to organize these projects and kits into systems
that will help you work on them regularly so they don’t fall through the cracks. This challenge is one Stacy and I both wrestled with for years so if you struggle, you’re not alone.
In scrapbooking, we can hit an occasional creative roadblock. We work on a layout to near completion, but it needs something more to be finished—we’re not sure what it is so we set it aside.
Where does that layout go in your studio? Where is your “aside?” Monthly kits come in
the mail, or you purchase them from your local scrapbook store. Where do they get stored in
your studio? How do you remember you have them? An altered project we started needs additional supplies, or more time to complete than we originally thought. We set it aside and lose
interest. Do you have a shopping list for scrapbooking supplies? Where does it end up in your
studio? These examples are projects in progress and in order to keep them from becoming clutter in our studios we need to have:
1. Smaller containers where we store individual kits, layouts in progress, cards in
progress and larger projects
2. A larger container or area where the smaller containers are stored until used
3. A way to remember what you have and what you need
Where to begin
Sort what is left over into specific project piles (one pile per project) and place the contents into
a size-appropriate container. Each bag and/or container then gets a label. Start with #1 and continue with however many containers you have. You can put larger projects in an Iris cart or other
system and label the drawers by specific projects or by theme (i.e. Baby Album). In the end,
every project should be in its own bag, case, or drawer and these should be stowed in larger
containers, bins, baskets, towers, etc. Now, you can easily pull one out to work on when
you have time.
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Shopping List
Start a shopping list that contains every item needed to complete each project you located. This
list needs to always be in the same place; on your cell phone, by your grocery shopping list, on
the wall in your studio, etc. It also needs to be portable, not written on a chalkboard,
so you have it when you run errands, or shop online. Stacy suggests you take a picture of the
contents of your bags and cases so you’ll know what you have, and what you still need to purchase before you start working on each project. She spreads the contents out on a table and
takes a picture. If you use your cell phone you’ll have the picture, and you can also add items to
a shopping list on your phone to use when you’re at the store.
The Containers
This system requires two types and sizes of containers. You’ll need one size and type to hold
layouts or cards being worked on—one that you can get in and out of easily and doesn’t take
up a lot of space when empty (or full). They will need to hold paper and some embellishments
for up to a two-page spread. Stacy recommends zip-style bags. I’ve used page protectors and page arrangers. You’ll also need some larger containers or drawers to hold album
supplies, home décor materials and some large kits. These containers can be the same zip-style
bags if they will hold everything you need, if not, find something wider and deeper.
All of these containers will then need to be “contained” in a larger container (see “The Center”
below). Small container options might include:
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Zip-style bags - 2 gallon or 13 x 15 (the thicker the plastic, the better)
Craft Keepers
Snap-top Iris boxes
pizza boxes (new ones, not greasy left-over boxes from dinner)
3-drawer chests
Page protectors
Expandable files
Cropper Hopper Paper Pouches
Cropper Hopper Page Arranger
Cropper Hopper Paper File
Note: Some containers are only deep enough to hold the paper for your layouts in progress (i.e. they aren’t deep enough to hold bulky embellishments).
Others are deeper and a better container for projects with lots of
embellishments, album kits, or 3-D altered projects. At the
base of Stacy’s system are 13 x 15 zip-style bags, and deep storage containers. The zip-bags are large enough to hold papers and some supplies, and
are thick enough not to tear. The Iris boxes she uses are for her larger projects
(like handmade albums), and are sturdy and roomy enough to hold lots ofsupplies. She likes Iris boxes because they stack and she can put a ton of stuff,
including memorabilia, inside the drawers.
The “Center”
The place you put all of your projects in progress can be a piece of furniture, canvas bins, fabric
covered boxes, tiered or single skirt or pants hangers (to hang zip-style bags filled with supplies on a closet rod), stacking cubes, a filing cabinet, upright paper holders (such as Cropper
Hopper Paper Holders), or a shelf with heavy-duty book ends that are capable of holding a
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fluctuating stack of packets. Make sure these containers have room to grow, and decide where
in your space they will be located. It’s a good idea to keep all of your projects in progress in
the same area to make life easier. If you decide to use page protectors to hold layout
supplies, look into sturdy 3-ring binders to hold them in. Stacy chose Cropper Hopper Vertical
Paper Holders to hold her zip-style 13 x 15 bags. She says her supplies fit inside beautifully and
they aren’t too heavy when full.
The Motivator
Both Stacy and I have similar systems for storage and organization but we have different systems to help us keep track of our projects. I use a system explained in “More Insightfrom
Jill” below, and Stacy uses a “Start Here” jar that is explained in Stacy Julian’s Photo Freedom
book and class.
“Start Here” Jar Supplies:
1. A small can or jar to hold the Popsicle sticks upright. Stacy uses a small wooden
planter.
2. Popsicle sticks (found at a craft store)
3. A drill or a Crop A Dile hole punch (to make a hole in one end of each Popsicle
stick for an optional ribbon tie)
4. Ribbon (for the optional tie in the hole of each Popsicle stick)
5. A label maker (which might be permanently attached to your hip by now)
Set up your “Start Here” Jar
You’ll need one Popsicle stick for every project bag and project case you have. To make the
sticks:
1. Drill a hole in one end of each stick (please put a thick piece of wood under the
sticks when you drill so you don’t drill into your table).
2. String a piece of ribbon through the hole and tie it in a knot for decoration (optional).
3. Label a stick for each project container you have. For each number on your bags
or box put the corresponding number on a Popsicle stick.
4. Once you have all your sticks labeled, put them in the jar you’ve decorated or
purchased for this part of your system.
You should have a #1 Popsicle stick, #2, #3, etc. which will never change. Then you’ll have other
sticks labeled with larger projects, i.e. “Baby Album” (for example). Use your label maker so you
don’t have to make a new stick every time you finish the project and reload the bag or case.
This jar full of sticks is going to be your little scrap angel who gets you moving in the right
direction when you don’t know where to begin to work in your studio. You know those moments
when you have two hours of freedom and you walk into your CLEAN studio, and think “Oh my
goodness, where do I start?” Well, now you’ll have your “Start Here” system to help you get going so you don’t waste time. Instead, you’re going to randomly pull a stick out of your container
and do what is says. Say your stick says “#6.” You’ll go to your bins and grab bag #6. It may be
a layout kit you got in the mail a few months ago, so you’ll get some pictures out of your picture
files and create a layout. Or #6 might be the page you set aside last year. Work each project as long as you have time, and then re-file it when your time is up. Once the file bag
or case is cleared out, recycle that bag for the next project or page. If you’re “not feeling” the
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project you picked, grab another stick that does pique your interest. You don’t HAVE to use the
sticks every time you work but you will now have a system that is organized and will help you
get things done. This system is a great way to prepare projects you want to take to crops, too.
Now I’m sure there are those of you who are questioning “Why do all of this work?” Or, “Can’t I
just pick out a bag and get going?” Or, “Isn’t it just as effective to keep a list in my day planner
or on my cell phone?” Of course you don’t need decorated popsicle sticks to nudge you along;
it’s just a creative idea that is a possibility. But, please have a reminder somewhere
that is functional (on your phone, the calendar, etc.); that’s how out-of-sight projects get in front
of you so they get worked on.
More Insight from Jill
My projects in progress Center has several components because it also includes work-related
projects and assignments. One of those components is my take on a “Start Here” jar. Instead of
popsicle sticks I have a motivation center on the wall that I see when I enter my studio. The center is a frame with a magnetic surface that holds 33+ embellished ATC-size cards with magnets
on the back. I assembled some of the cards in a Gypsie Chicks class using 7Gypsies product
and then made the others to match. Even If I never read what’s on the cards, they are great
eye candy for embellishing ideas. I added extra pockets, tags or flaps to each card to hold the
information that would be on a popsicle stick, plus inspiring information and some maintenance
items. Every morning when I enter my studio, I remove one card from the magnetic frame. It has
a motivational quote, one nice reminder I should do for my health, the number to an unfinished
project, and one maintenance item that needs to be done in my studio on a monthly basis (see
the Bonus Handout for this week for my list of maintenance jobs). Sometimes I need ex-
tra reminders to keep me, and my studio in shape.
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My Projects In Progress System
After reading the card I move to my Scrapbook.com assignment boxes and get the materials
I need to work on that day. Anything in my assignment box is what I address first. If I need to
finish up a work project I was working on the day before, I go to my projects in progress tower
where it will be on a tray (or it may still be on my workspace). If I don’t have deadlines pressing
I get to work on the items on my card. I find that on the days I work on deadlines, the possibility of taking a break to do the items on my card keeps me excited and working at a
steady pace.
An integral part of my projects in progress system are my “In” and “Out” bins and the two work
assignment bins that hang on the wall as I enter my studio. They have chalkboard fronts so
I can change dates and make notes. When something comes into my studio (new
product, mail, etc.) it goes into my “In” Box (I clean this out daily). Completed assignments that
go to the office and outgoing mail go in my “Out” box. Work assignment materials go into one
of the numbered assignment bins and I write the deadline date by its corresponding number
on the chalkboard front.
My project tower is the hub for most projects. The top cube holds binders full of layouts for albums in progress, and numbered Cropper Hopper containers for layouts and cards in progress.
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The second cube has pull-out trays that can hold layouts or projects I have quickly cleaned-up
and will get back to within a day or two. These are VERY temporary holding trays. The
trays were made from frames that used to be screen frames in a vintage food dehydrator. The
third cube holds labeled ArtBin satchels for projects. Album kits from kit clubs are in numbered
zip-style bags in a crate I purchased at The Container Store. I also have some bins and drawers
in a shelf that hold seasonal supplies and projects.
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I have four of my six suitcases available for themed gift albums (more than one album for my
friends and family or materials for our perpetual ABC albums).
When I need to get a new perspective on layouts I’m working on, I hang them from one of my
layout displays to get a better look. They may hang there for a few hours, days or even weeks;
whatever it takes to get the inspiration and perspective needed to get them completed.
Summary
The point of having a studio is to have a place where you can work on projects and get them
done. Having a fun and functional system that will help you be successful in your endeavors is
invaluable to your studio flow and your personal well-being.
Congratulations! Your piles of projects and kits will soon be functional! It will feel so good to
get this part of your space in order. We’ll see you back here for Week #9. Get ready scrappers,
we’re going to focus on embellishments! Also, if you finish this week’s challenge up early, remember to work on photo organization, or finish up previous weeks challenges. See you soon.
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Get Organized Week #8 Bonus Handout
Jill’s “Start Here” Motivational/Maintenance Card Contents
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
Clean and sharpen scissors
Scan 20 heirloom photos
Sharpen dull pencils
Update personal items
Re-ink dry ink pads
Dust North wall
Dust South wall
Dust East wall
Dust West wall
Dust island inside and out and clean top
Wipe off floor mats and vacuum
File 50 printed photos into albums or photo drawers
Print out 40 photos at home or from Walgreens
Straighten six bins in embellishment center
Clean out four drawers in the drawer tower
Straighten Projects in Progress and Kit bins
Straighten ribbon organizers
Clean chalkboards and change motivational cards
Update idea books
File 50 digital photos
Clean out tool and adhesive carousels
Clean and replenish totes
Order supplies (cardstock, ink, adhesive, etc.)
Update and add favorites to my account at Scrapbook.com for 20 minutes
Put away contents of odds-and-ends bowl (a bowl on my island that is the catch-all and quick-clean-up for items I don’t have time to put away for the day)
26. Straighten centers: office, sewing, stamp, embellishments, in-boxes
*You may repeat any of the items above to achieve 30-31 total items if you’re setting up a “dailystyle” calendar of tasks.
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