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Saturday, July 14, 2012

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!

25 comments:

  1. wow you have alot of space for all your creativity here!! Thanks for sharing your space with us!

    I finally have a little space for moi and would love for you to drop by and see it if you have time!

    bee blessed
    mary

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  2. Oh my! it looks entirely stocked up and ready for me to come and shop for supplies! wow! I love it...and I also think it's really great that you and your hubby share your creative space. Both hubby and I are artistic and very creative...but our spaces are separate .... for now!

    thanks for the inspiration. stop by to visit with me if you have the time!!!!

    ciao bella
    creative carmelina

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  3. I love all the great storage you have. The paper atorage in the file cabinet is brilliant. I'm so sorry about the flood. Hopefully you can be up and running again soon!

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  4. This is a wonderful space and I love that you were able to make it fit both your needs so you could be "together" but separate. Well done!

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  5. Yikes! So sorry to hear about the flooding. You have a great attitude about it. I'm sure you will be back to creating in no time. Best wishes, Tammy

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  6. Awesome creative Space ♥
    *hugs*deb

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  7. Oh what a bummer about the flood!!! I'm glad to hear that most things can be saved. The space is so nice, and I hope you join again next year and share the new and improved space!!!

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  8. That was a pity about the flooding.You have some great storage ideas.

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  9. Sorry about the flooding, but at least most of your stuff was okay. It nice that you can share your room with your husband. Thanks for the look around.

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  10. Ugghhhh.......thats a shame. I hope you keep all of your favorite things up high. It is worth it so you have all of your things in one place and out of the living area. I love that you share the tv.....too cute!

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  11. It looks like you have everything so organized, everything right where you need it.
    Sorry to hear about the flood, glad all of ok.
    Thanks for sharing your space and happy studio hopping.
    Michele

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  12. How awful your basement flooded! Glad to hear not too much was lost, but on the other hand -- AWFUL to loose stuff. LOVE your storage -- TFS

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  13. I think it is great the you and your husband can share a creative space, working side by side on what you both love doing. Thank you for the tour.

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  14. Your studio is phenomena.The storage spaces
    are the most extensively organized systems I have ever seen. I also share a creative space with my husband he plays jazz in the room while I work. He has a room full of guitar equipment and jazz CDs and etc. I love the combined creative process we can share . Arn't we lucky ? I love your scrapebooks and inspiring cards . I would like to stop back and see more of your creations Thank you Pat Beglin

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  15. Wow..... I again have paper envy..... and organization envy! Great space. Thank you so much for sharing!

    Will be back again!
    Blessings,
    Stacey

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  16. So sorry about the flooding of your basement. I lost some Christmas decorations that way a few years ago. Keep calm and carry on! Your space has every girls dream storage! Thank you for the tour.

    ♥ ஆєℓєηα

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  17. Forgot to mention your beautiful fur-baby Kara. My sweet Sheltie, Topaz passed away last July...They are the most lovable softhearted companions anyone could ask for...

    ♥ ஆєℓєηα

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  18. Yikes! I don't know what I'd do if I had to deal with water in my basement! But then here in Texas we don't have that problem...drought...and no basements for that matter! ROFLOL I was really charmed that you share a creative space with your husband...must make for some interesting conversations!!!
    just me...sendin' kudos your way for a job well done...jan
    oh...I'll be expecting a bit of a change come next year! LOL

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  19. Oh you may have more bins than me! I enjoyed visiting your studio. Cheers

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  20. First off so sorry about getting the water in your space we just have to get through these hiccups. I am so loving all of your organizational ideas and your space. I can't wait to start looking for some of the items, the only problem is I need your expertise in how you did it! Thanks so much for having me into your home and studio I can see where you get all your creative inspiration...
    Charmaine

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  21. Sorry that your basement flooded! It is so nice that you and your husband share the space - I have let my son into my room but my husband is not allowed, lol. He has his own office because he is pretty messy :) I look forward to seeing more ideas from you!

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  22. Oh noes! So sorry to hear about the water damage... that sucks. I am glad you got to take these photos before that happened; it was a very nice space and I hope you can get it all back in order soon! Thanks for the tour... but I must ask. Does your hubby ever fly his planes into your space? I know mine would not be able to resist if it were him ;)

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  23. Thats no fun at all to have your space flooded, I hope that you were able to save most of it. You had a great space to create in, but now you have a new open canvas to create a new space in to and start up again with your card designs.

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  24. I love that you and your husband can work side by side. The shelves are genius, storage is always the key for creative collectors of good things. Your desk looks busy, and a busy desk is a happy place. Thanks for sharing, keep smiling and creating.

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  25. Oh I enjoyed my visit with you today. What a wonderful space for you and your crafty hubby.

    hugs
    cindy@stitches

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