Where Bloggers Create

This is the 4th year in a row that Karen has assembled a list of creative bloggers that wish to show off their creative spaces. I decided that our little space was woth sharing, so here it is! 
When we bought our home we were looking for a large space that my husband and I could share.  He builds and flies radio controlled ariplanes and I scrapbook, make cards and various papercrafts.  In this instance we found a basement space that fit the bill.  So come on down!

At the bottem of the stairs, turn right...  Welcome! My husband's space is directly ahead as you enter the room and my area is to the right. The first thing I did when we moved in was to purchase Ikea shelving and MANY Michaels 12x12 plastic storage boxes to store my stash.

We placed a TV at the halfway point along the facing wall so we could watch while working away.  This is also where our CD stereo and printer are stored.  There was a built in niche that I took advantage of to place some drawer caddies in the bottem, with my Cuttlebug and box of embossing/cutting folders on top. Also stored here are my magnetic folders with the Spellbinders, a box of Sookwang tape and glittering supplies, books, and at the top, rolls of paper and card blanks of different sizes.

Years ago I found that storing 12x12 paper was a pain, and heard that some lateral file cabinets allowed for a 12 inch clearance.  I went into Staples and measured each one until I found one and purchased it!  Only the top drawer clears 12" but that's ok!  In the bottem I store my 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock. 

Under my work table I placed two drawer type units that hold those same 12x12 stoage boxes from Michaels. I keep my projects in process in these.  And the right hand picture is the far wall unit.  All connected together.

I used a labeller to label the storage boxes as to what is inside.  and for smaller groupings of items, I place them in a plastic 12x12 envelope.  I tend to group my stash by colour primarily.  My favourite and large collection of themed items go in separate bins.  (Christmas, Halloween, Disney, Snow, Oriental, Vintage, in my case)

So, left going down then over, a current project, some coloured items, (Pink, Purple, Blue, Beige, Red, White) Next column, paints, chalk, pencil crayons, themed envelopes, tools and ephemera not able to be sorted.  Two rows od colured and themed items.  Last row, albums and pages.  And along the top are assorted tools, storage and items...light desk, spray box, finished cards, unsorted stuff and empty storage cases.

And along the facing wall I keep my stamp binders, ink pads and reinkers, magazines and books, finished projects, specialty paper and more stuff.  To the right is the TV stand and our CD collection and the door you just came in!  This is also a pretty good shot of the plane my husband is currently making air worthy.

Bored yet?  Almost done! 

This is my typical work area.  What I'm working on is at the top, my most used tools is in the desk top spinner (also from Michaels), the box contains recycling, more tools...

And of course CHOCOLATE!  I keep my bowl of smarties ready for munching as I can quickly pop one in my mouth while working and not get my hands or work dirty.  Another Blogger " Sparkle Tart by Kate Palmer" gave me the idea of cutting all my non standard 'scraps' into 8x8 and 6x6 inch squares, ready for use in future projects.  I LOVE this system!  I go for these bits before I touch my full sheets and my stash gets used!

So that's my space.  At least how it was...

I took these pictures preparing for this post last week.  Good thing too!  We had a big storm come through and we ended up with an inch of water pretty much all over the basement.  Thank goodness it was not a sewer back up or more water!  But it does mean that some shelves will have to go and some of my supplies not in plastic bins will have to be tossed.  The majority of it will be fine, eventually, but it means I will not be creating for a while.  Next year will see a new and improved area! (Maybe elsewhere in the house! )  Enjoy the other sites and inspiration!  The button at the top right hand side of the page will bring you to the main party page!  Hugs!