Dining Table Scrapper
I just realized I never explained why I named my blog “Dining Table Scrapper” (dining table scrapbooker is a mouthful, hence scrapper). I envy those I meet on scrapbook forums. Many of them have craft rooms with crisp white Ikea, Target or Crate&Barrel bookshelves, lined with hundreds of paper, stamps, die cuts, and tons of cute little glass jars full of embellishments.
I don’t have the luxury. I have a desk with my computer in the den, which also triples as the family library, and the piano room. There’s an Ikea Expedit bookshelf and I have 1 cube of it designated for my scrap stuff storage. Maybe 1.5, since my Becky Higgins Project Life binder is sitting in another cube.
Needless to say, most of my stuff is on the floor. But since I also have a curious toddler, I can’t leave my stuff out. Worst of all, I don’t have any room on my desk to scrapbook, so every night I lay out everything on the dining table, and put them away before I go to bed.
The situation is not ideal, but I manage. The advantage of having no room is I don’t buy a lot, which makes putting together a layout that much faster. I don’t stamp, and only use a xacto knife and scissors to cut shapes, instead of a die-cut machine. To show what my dining room and the den look like in the middle of the workflow-
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| Dining table in action |
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| 1.5 cubes for my scrapbook stuff. Good ting they don’t stand out too much. |
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| 3 small containers to house embellishments |
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| I walk back and forth between the desk to the dining table, and this is about the distance. Not too far but a good mild workout considering I walk between them at least 50 times a night. |
Believe it or not, I always clean off the dining table and put all the boxes away. Having a toddler in the house forces good habits. I vow to have a craft room when I retire and move to a ranch; but for now, I am just a dining table scrapbooker.
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I first started at the kitchen table, then the corner of the office, then the dining room, and lastly we did combine rooms and shift around so I have a room now. But it is nothing pretty and very small. My 3 1/2 year old has to do everything with me. It's not ideal but it works.
Love how you are making your space you have work. It's a lot to have to clean up after each time. I used to have to do it but thankfully not as much anymore.
But we do what we have to to scrap!
You may not feel your space is ideal, but I have to say I envy your organization. I have a scraproom but it's not nearly so organized. Good for you for making it work!
I spent years scrapping at my dining table and kitchen table, hauling everything out and putting it all back. Now that we are empty nesters, I finally have my own dedicated space. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving comments! In answer to your questions:
1) I listen to the Paperclipping Roundtable regularly and have been a Paperclipping member, but am not currently a member. The library of videos is extensive, and very educational, especially if you are newer to scrapping.
2) I link my supplies through InLinkz Link Manager. Here's a great little video on how it works: http://nicholmagouirk.typepad.com/things_that_really_matter/2011/09/inlinkz-link-manager-giveaway.html
Hope this is helpful!
You know that is how I started too…but I was rubbish about tidying up, and fortunately when we extended I managed to get a small space so I am even messier now!
I started out in the dining room and have had a craft room. Now I have a scrap desk in my laundry room. You do what you can, especially with a toddler, eh? Your work looks as good as someone who has a scrap studio!
Thanks for sharing! I hope you will get to get your scraproom as soon as possible! In the mean time, it makes for a great name!!