Storage & Organization

If you open your eyes and use your imagination, you can find all kinds of things around the house for storing and organizing your scrapbook supplies. Boxes especially are great. They come in different shapes and sizes and can be decorated to look nice. As long as it's in good shape, I never saw a box I didn't like!

CD storage crates : I have a couple of these that aren't being used. One I have on a shelf to hold items and another is turned on it's side on top of my table as a little shelf.

Plastic cassette holder : I've had one of these for years. It's been given a new job holding spools of ribbon!

Laundry detergent boxes : Cover up with some pretty paper. Great for holding magazines and idea books.

Cereal boxes : Another idea for a magazine/idea book holder. Cut the boxes at an angle, tape a few together and cover with pretty paper.

Large, round oats containers : Ribbon spool holder. Cover the length of the container in pretty paper. Make a hole in center of the bottom and in the lid large enough for a thin dowel that's an inch or two longer than the container. In the side, cut a long slit to pull the ribbon through. Push the dowel through the bottom hole, add your spools of ribbon and put the lid on with the dowel poking through. Wrap some rubber bands around each end of the dowel so it stays in place.

Tic Tac and other flip-top candy dispensers : Great for holding eyelets and beads.

Film canisters : Hold small embellishments such as eyelets, beads, punchies, brads, etc.

Old spice rack : Great for holding those tic tac containers or film canisters.

Baby wipe containers : Pens, pencils, markers, ribbon spools, scissors, small tools, etc. The ones made like Legos are great for stacking! Baby wipe containers can be found in different colors - just remove the labels.

Pretty mug : Hold your gel pens, pencils, scissors and other small tools.

Small pails : These might be decorative tin pails, a mini watering can or small beach pails. A fun way to hold pens, scissors, etc.

Baskets : Pretty and practical for holding things.

Baby food jars : Another great item for holding small embellishments. And since they are clear, seeing what's inside is no problem - just remove the labels.

Photo albums : Recycle those old photo albums to store die cuts and stickers.

CD jewel cases : Another way to store die cuts and stickers.

Thread spools : Reuse empty thread spools by wrapping your fibers and floss around them.

Small spritzers (like travel size hair spray non-aerosol) : Fill with stamping ink or colored water and spritz on paper!

Pretty gift bags : I use one to throw my small scraps while I'm working.

Shoe boxes : Great for storing all kinds of stuff in. Decorate with pretty paper.

Clay pots : Use for holding pens, pencils, scissors, small tools etc. Fun to paint!

These are just some of the things you can find around your house that make great storage and organization tools. You'll never look the same at an ordinary item again! Half the fun will be in decorating the items to match your own taste and décor.