To be really successful and not get overwhelmed, you should take extra steps to get your stuff organized.  In the long run, it will save you time, leaving you free to work, brainstorm, and of course, do more shopping.

The first thing every scrapbooker needs is shelves.  You can organize your odds and ends into all kinds of containers, but it you don’t have shelves to put them on, that stuff will still be all over your table or desk, taking up your work space.  Make sure your shelves are sturdy so you don’t end up trying to sort through a giant pile of paper scraps, buttons, and ribbons.

Next, you need storage containers to put on your shelves.  You can find all sorts of different drawers and containers at your local scrapbooking store, craft store, fabric store, and even hardware store.  If you don’t do all your scrapbooking at home, the best way to organize is in containers than can be easily transported without spilling your supplies out everywhere.

If you’re not looking to spend a fortune, why not use items you find around the house instead of expensive organizers and drawers you find at a craft store?  You can use jars, small boxes, and even old baby bottles.  You can also re-use old toolboxes, tackleboxes, or plastic sealing jewelry boxes (caboodles).  Just as long as what you’re using has enough space for separating different items and is easy to get into, there’s really no rule about what you can and cannot use.

Files are a great way to organize paper, cardstock and anything else that’s flat.  The easiest to use are plastic expandable file organizers.  They usually have a harder plastic on the outside to keep your stuff safe, several pockets to keep it organized, and a securing device like an elastic band to help hold everything inside.

If you go to scrapbooking meetings, or do your scrapbooking anywhere that isn’t at home, you need to have a convenient way to transport your materials easily and safely.  Remember, you don’t need to take EVERYTHING with you when you go, just enough to work on a few layouts.

You will want to get a bag bigger than you think you need, because you’ll inevitably remember something you haven’t considered.  Then you’ll be grateful for the extra space.  Another good idea is to label everything you take with you.  That way your can easily find your cutting tools or ribbons without having to sort through the whole bag.

The most important thing for keeping your stuff organized is to pick a system and stick with it.  You can organize by color sizes, themes, patterns; you can even use multiple schemes to organize.  Someone you know might have a system that’s great for them, but that doesn’t mean it’s great for you.   All that really matters is that it’s organized in a way you can easily find what you’re looking for.

Group your supplies by theme. Create one general supplies container that has all your essential tools and materials in it. Then sort your stickers, special papers and accessories by category. Depending on what scrapbooks you are working on, you could organize them by particular scrapbook (i.e. wedding scrapbook, child’s scrapbook etc.), or you could organize them by season (Christmas stuff, summer themed supplies etc.) or overall theme or color scheme.

Get the pictures you are planning to use as well. I usually sort them into separate envelopes, or small boxes for each scrapbook I am working on. If you are organizing your supplies by scrapbook, it’s a good idea to keep your picture box for that scrapbook with the rest of your supplies.

I like to use clear plastic bins to store my scrapbooking supplies, so I can easily see what’s inside. Clear, descriptive labels on the outside of the box help as well. Store the boxes of supplies for scrapbooks you are currently working on close to the area where you like to scrapbook. This will keep you from running back and forth for supplies.

Store any supplies for books that you are not currently working on, or any extra supplies you may have purchased on sale, or for future projects in a dark, dry place. A closet in a spare room makes a great storage place. If you are considering storing your scrapbooking supplies in the basement or attic, make sure the area is not damp and doesn’t get too hot or cold. You don’t want to unpack your supplies in a few months and find out that everything has been ruined by mold, bleached from being exposed to light, or warped from heat.

Take a little time to set-up a scrapbooking organization process with your scrapbooking supplies. You’ll find you will enjoy scrapbooking even more when everything you need is right at your fingertips. Go out and get some boxes or plastic bins to store your supplies and start organizing your supplies this week.

• Keep all of your scrapbooking supplies, albums, photos and negatives in a cool, dry place. Humidity and liquids will destroy these sensitive scrapbook materials.
• Handle your photos carefully. Oil from your skin and fingerprints can become visible after time. Wash your hands frequently or wear thin cotton gloves.
• Store your memorabilia in acid-free envelopes or plastic sleeves to prevent scratches, tears and bending. Direct sunlight will eventually diminish the quality of your heirlooms.
• Use sheet protectors, binders, photo enclosures and photo corners that are made of acrylic or polyester. Some of these items could be made of PVC that will eventually corrode your photos and historical items.
• Remove any items that you may have in a magnetic photo album and put them in a safer place. Magnetic albums have an acidic adhesive that may be difficult to remove from your photos. High levels of acid in items like newspaper, regular paper or other memorabilia can cause a chemical reaction with your other photos. Use acid-free paper next to or behind these items.
• Portraits are not usually replaceable. Scan and save all portraits before putting them in an album. Use photo corners to mount on acid-free paper. Do not crop Polaroid photos. When the protective seal is broken the image will eventually disappear. Document and file all photos as soon as possible without writing on the back of the photos.
• And finally, for long-term album storage, do not lay albums on a flat surface and stack them. Doing this will damage the bindings and put pressure on your photos and embellishments.

Knowing how to care for your scrapbook materials can save you much time, money and effort in the end.