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My original post about my scrapbook room transformation is here but since I’ve worked in this room for six months now I’ll also share some of the things that worked and didn’t work for me.
The transformation was done over the course of a few weeks. This is the room my oldest son had been sleeping in for a year or so. (He has since moved to college. ~sigh~) Many of his clothes and things, though, were still in his brother’s room. You can tell from the before pictures that my stuff and his life were all crammed in together! I didn’t scrapbook in here because there was no available space. I had all my “stuff” but nowhere to work! The room contained a full bed which was entirely too big for the room. The space is 10′ x 12′, fairly small for a bedroom, but we live in an older house and that’s as good as it gets!
I spent weeks devouring websites and magazines trying to plan out my space. I was possessed with this project, probably more than any other one in our 21 years in this house. My husband and I enjoyed countless hours talking through my options and ways to keep the remodel as cheap as possible. We actually transformed the room in stages, moving out the full bed, chest and bookcase and replacing them with a twin bed. This immediately gave us a tremendous freedom in space! My husband also painted in stages as we repositioned things around the room. I also cleaned out my supplies BEFORE we started moving things around and sold the extras on Craigslist. (First mistake, not selling my supplies for more money. The lady who bought my extras got a great deal!)
BEFORE
AFTER
And voila! Here’s the most important wall in the room. (You can click on each picture for a closer examination). If you look carefully in the “after” pictures you will see many items reused and recycled in my new and improved room.
This picture highlights the same wall with some of my goodies, prices and where I obtained them. Many, many of my storage solutions came from yard sales.
You will notice that my counter is waist high. I scrap and create standing up and there was much consternation over the exact height of the counter. Luckily, we figured right and it is perfect! I bought this desk chair at a yard sale and it was a great buy and the most comfortable chair. (My cats like it, too!)
The biggest splurge was the flat screen TV. The screen doubles as a computer monitor. Without this we couldn’t figure out a place to put the old TV without losing a ton of space. This was a great purchase. I also splurged on an Ott-lite because I had heard wonderful things about them. Half price at Jo-Ann’s. The countertop was discounted at Lowe’s and I adore it! Blends in with the room without showing lots of dust and “mistakes!”
I used many glass jars (mixed and matched) for storage of small embellishments, buttons, brads, etc. I think these were from a spice rack I found at a yard sale.
Inside one of my miscellaneous baskets.
I bought several square baskets at the dollar store and love them for the uniformity and ability to store many different objects. Below are chipboard pieces.
Love my label maker for tags!
Clear stamps
I have had these black drawers for several years and love them for organizing so many different things including patterned and solid paper scraps (separated into small and large). Can I just say I’m in love with my label maker? I destroyed the one I started with so I bought another one just like it.
Journaling and memo pads, note cards, lined decorative paper
Stamp necessities
Sticker sheets
Brads and eyelets
Small solid paper scraps (I also have drawers with large solids and both patterned small and large scraps).
Stamp pads
This is one of my favorite storage solutions! I adore ribbon and have far too many rolls that I have gotten at yard sales and craft stores. I wanted to be able to see as much of it as possible because it inspires me and I use it often on cards and layouts. My husband rigged the dowel rods and hooks. A perfect solution plus it’s pretty to look at!
I use a Making Memories Desktop Carousel for all my crucial items. When I go to a crop I just take it with me like it is! It includes my adhesives, glues, notepads, corner rounder, etc.
I have a stool here in case I want to scrap or work sitting down. One of my top goals for this room was keeping my Cricut out to use whenever I wanted. Score! This little table was in our living room and I repurposed it for my room. Perfect!
My husband is a painting contractor and often brings home things others are getting rid of. He was given this rolling craft table that stores underneath my counter but also opens to give me a tremendous amount of space if I want to invite a friend over or need extra room. Free!
My husband built this wooden shelving unit for paper but I now use it for idea books stored in the closet. I used two of the tackle boxes for alphabet letters and misc. small embellishments. It’s not the most immaculate closet but I can get to everything!
Most important storage: my secret stash of chocolate (the little green box)! Every crafter needs one of these!
I use these hardware organizers for storage of individual letters and other misc. embellishments.
My scrapbook room’s design ended up revolving around the two units I bought at Goodwill for $20 total (below). The unit had 6″x6″ cubbies with removable partitions. I removed several of them to allow the units to be used for 12×12 paper. Absolutely perfect solution for my massive collection! (I am slightly paper crazy.) This also allowed smaller compartments at the top for some of my other supplies.
Below this unit is storage I already had. All these units combined to give me one perfect storage unit that just thrills me to death! Inside the shelves and drawers are card products, pens and embellishment storage, etc. Don’t you just love it? I am beyond thrilled!
Pen storage
Chipboard embellishments
Quote packs
Cards and envelopes
We bought the twin bed with headboard from my niece and used a mattress and bedding we already owned. Best feature: more drawers for my ribbon stash! It seriously was taking over the world!
We painted the room a neutral color and when I found these brand new window treatments, unopened, at a yard sale for $2 I was elated! Perfect touch.
I wanted a place to display recent layouts and this was our solution. I love the inspiration and feeling of accomplishment it gives me.
Recent layouts
This wall was a work in process. I got the black shelf at a yard sale for $3 and used pictures I already had for the inserts. I used half off coupons and bought two 12×12 frames at Michael’s and found a couple more at a yard sale. I then used free collage prints that I had gotten at Walgreen’s, matted them and used the Cricut for the date. I love this wall and it only cost about $15!
SCRAPBOOK ROOM REMODEL
TOTAL PRICE:
About $500!
Lessons learned from my remodel:
**time spent researching and dreaming and planning are not spent in vain!
**use your space wisely and evaluate where to put your most used items
**decide whether you want open or closed storage (I used both)
**if you want to do things as inexpensively as possible you have to be prepared to take your time and collect storage items over a period of time
**the room is always a work in progress
I’m linking with: Funky Junk Interiors Thrifty Decor Chickhttp://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-before-and-after-party.html
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Welcome! What started out as a little family journal in 2008 has turned into a passion for sharing my life, faith, adventures and dreams as a DIY, crafty, bargain hunting, homeschooling, memory keeping mom of both biological and adopted children. Make yourself at home! 
Your room is so neat. When we got the call that our now 2 year old had been born the first thing I did was put all my scrapbook stuff in storage. It will be a long time before I will ever get to get it out. I sure miss it. Someday I will scrap again. For now the pics just keep piling up.
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Wow, I’d say you made every dime count. Your room looks fantastic. I know what you mean about some things working initially and some you find out over time that what was good in theory doesn’t work as well in practice. I seem to give my studio a mini revamp of moving things around about every 9-12 months because I keep bringing in more supplies that I had before. I’m sure you don’t have that problem.
wow!! I´d like I had such a room!!
very nice!!
http://lacasitadmaria.blogspot.com/
María from Spain
Awesome!! So organized! That is GREAT!!! Now i need to organize my craft room!
Katy
http://jillysstampinstudio.blogspot.com
OMG what a transformation!
That is really a dream craft room. Love what you did and how organized it all is.
Wow, that is a dream craft room! I love how organized everything is.
What an amazing room!! Beautiful and so organized!!! I’m sure it’s a lovely place to create in! And reminds me that I really need to clean my craft room….!
Hows one of my farorite bloggers? I hope you will come & Help me?, hahahaha. Minnesota ?. It has inspired a few of us Maria & myself to get our room a hand at it. Dont have a big room so I get ideas from your great room. Thanks.
This looks so good! Great job! So organized!
Wanna come over and do the same at my place? 
Melody
ChattyChics.com
This Poem is beautiful!! Your family is too. Room is envious to a lot of us. Ive done some changes to organization problems. Thanks.
Wow, where to start? I love that memories carousel and how it’s also portable. The ribbons look pretty and yet they’re practical stored like that. Those baskets – can’t believe they’re from the dollar store. It came together so well — totally jealous from over here.
Thanks so much for sharing at our party this week.
It’s such good use of space and pretty too. thanks for sharing!
Stopping by from Blissful and Domestic. What an amazing room! You’ve thought of everything! I think it help you to be more creative if everything looks organized and of course, if you know where everything is! I will hopefully have a room like this in my next house. Stop by and visit my blog if you’d like!
Love lOve loVe lovE! Bythewayjenngray.blogspot.com
What a craft room! Great job.
I wish I had such a room too:)Lucky you.
Maria
Greetings from Greece
Ps I am your newest follower.
I can see hours of creativity going on in that room! I have a craft room as well but its a small room with just a bookcase and set of drawers really to organise all my crafty bits and pieces. But still it works for me and I like being able to make a mess and then leave it and come back to it when I’m ready
Wow you did a awesome job! Thanks for sharing this with us at The Sunday Round Up.
Rose
@ http://www.arosiesweethome.com/
Wow, nice job. I love your new space.
Looks amazing. I can’t wait to have my own craft room.
Wow! This is amazing. I wish my craft room looked 1/2 as nice!
Oh my gosh! I love this room! This is exactly why I want to get a bigger house! Haha!
I would love for you to link this project up at my link party – Well Crafted Wednesdays! You can find it here:
http://thewellcraftedhome.blogspot.com/2012/04/well-crafted-wednesdays-link-party-1.html
Crafting is so much more fun when you can actually find what you’re looking for right? Thanks for sharing at Beautify it Monday, we hope you’ll be back next week!
Wow! All of that organization and materials would be motivation for sure! Beautiful job!
What a lovely place to work! The transformation is fabulous!
Wow! Your scrapbooking room is awesome. So neat and organized. I would love to have my room looking like this. Maybe one day I can get it looking like this.
Whoa that is amazing! And cheap for the amount of work! Very jealous!!
Beautifully and creatively done! I just finished my studio redo and you can’t go wrong with counters and wall shelves. I mod podged book pages on dozens of boxes for my storage (over 4 dozen at last count). Having everything organized and at hand is a great feeling.
Absolutely amazing! So glad that you shared. Thanks for helping make Things I’ve Done Thursday a success!
Thanks so much for linking up to Your Whims Wednesday, I featured this on my blog today! Come check it out and grab a featured button: http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/2012/05/your-whims-wednesday-58-and-features.html
I love all the baskets! It turned out beautiful…Thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday
I would love for you to share this on my linky party!
http://www.igottatrythat.com/p/blog-hop-linky-colde.html
Thanks, Marcie
I would love for you to share this on my linky party!
http://www.igottatrythat.com/p/blog-hop-linky-colde.html
Thanks, Marcie
Wow, so colorful and organized. Bet you are loving it. Good work. Hope you enjoy the space and create lots of works of art there. Stop and see me at Quirky Vistas some time.
Liz
Came over from DIY – did not expect to be blown away by this craft room. Thank you for sharing what worked and what did not. My official craft room is about the same size and doubles as a guest room. My supplies have over-run into other rooms in the house. I dream of having your organization skills!
Distressed Donna Down Home
Everything is PERFECT!!! When can I move in?
Thanks for sharing at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!
So happy for you. The room turned out beautifully and your patience and planning really paid off. Right now I have to craft in my bedroom and I can’t do this, but I really enjoyed seeing the transformation and how you did it on a budget!
Glad to have found your blog and will be following from now on!
Awesome job! Love how everything was so reasonably priced! I’m a fellow thrifter and I’m always on the lookout for items that can be used to organize my craft space.
Wow!!! You are so organized! The matching baskets give it such a nice finished look. I love the yard sale curtains, the ribbon storage, and that free table? Sweet!
Seriously amazing! that was truly a LOT of time for a wonderful return! thank you for sharing at Uncommon!
I am totally jealous of that room!
Thanks for linking up to The Cure for the Common Monday. Hope you stop by and say hello!
~TailorMade
what a great work space can you come do mine now? lol! So is painting in stages as you move things around a good way to do it or would you suggest doing it all at once? Painting is one of the main things holding me up. I dread it! Yikes!!! thanks for sharing at cap creations i love that you got lots of things on the thrift for this makeover. the spice rack jars are the best.
Looks awesome! I love your organization =)
Visiting from Ladybug Blessings
I imagine it feels good to get it done. I have managed a scrapbook store for the last 5 years and am in the process of selling my house and buying a new one so most of my supplies are boxed up and boy do I have a TON of supplies. One of the stipluations of our move is that I get a huge studio and I can’t wait to be able to design/organize it the way I want.
This rocks! Thanks for joining Creative Bloggers’ Party & Hop
What a fantastic space and so nice to have a crafting room of your own!
just wanted to let you know I featured you at cap creations! have a great weekend.
The room looks great! We are so happy to have you join us for our “Strut Your Stuff Saturday”. Please come back soon!! -The Sisters
This is awesome! I’m in the middle of my craft remodel! I wish I was done already!!
Love it!
Love your blog header! I’m a new follower would love if you follow back to check out my blog at http://www.iheartpears.blogspot.com
wow, that is some crazy organization! i am so jealous!
We are running a Before and After Link party to support Habitat for Humanity, with a chance to be featured on other big blogs and win gift cards. Would love if you entered! http://www.oneprojectcloser.
Yay, thanks so much for linking up!
Feel free to grab a button and share the contest with your readers!
I am having serious craft room envy! This transformation is great! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Marty!! Sorry I haven’t visited in so long. I saw your sweet comment and thought…hmmmm. Then I realized I hadn’t been getting notifications of your new posts. I had SWORN I was a follower, but I’ve been getting kicked out of follower’s lists lately. It’s happened several times on different bloggie friend’s blogs! Oh well, I’m hooked up again!
Thanks for checking out my post. I’m currently in the lead! I know what you mean about some of the “worst” craftrooms. That doesn’t breed inspiration for me. It would be hard to create in some of those. I really need to take new pics and do an update on my room. It’s evolved a lot (and filled up a little too much) since those original pics were taken last fall. I keep threatening to do a video…maybe soon.
You have a BEAUTIFUL creative space! I love the way you documented your expenses to help show that people can have a magazine ready room without spending a ridiculous amount on it. That’s what it’s all about for us frugal girls!
I love love love all your baskets and wall of embellishments!! The colors are extradinary too! And you can still put someone in there to sleep! How cool is that?!?!?1
Great use of your space! I actually started a blog all about my craft room transformation and go figure, now I’m combining households with my daughter, SIL and soon-to-be first grandchild! We decided to make a multipurpose room in the basement for all of our hobbies. Fortunately my daughter also loves paper crafting, drawing, painting and sewing, so we can merge all our “stuff” to save space. Anyway…. I hope to document what we’ve done there and update my blog in the next few months. When you have a chance hop on over! It’s at http://craftroomtransformation.blogspot.com
You’ve given me some GREAT ideas! Thanks!
love the set up in your scrapbooking room. We are the process of getting back to getting my quilt room put together now that our Horse Rescueing has died down for now. I was only pretty much stuck on how to do my counters for working as far a placement and my cutting table. I am going to use your idea if it’s okay with you? Our room is pretty much set up as far as the window goes and possibly the closet as well. I was also adding in shelving and other storage items in the closet as well. As soon as we get going on it i will take pics and post for you to see. We are in the process of opening up a western decor store at Our Trade Days for 1st Monday of the Month in Canton, Texas. All the stores are built on a Mountain and to look like an old western town. On Saturdays we all dress up in period clothing of the 1800′s and its alot of fun.
http://cantonmountain.com here is the web site if u want to see where our shop is.
deana
Deana, I hope your quilt room will be as wonderful a place to create as my scrapbook room is! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
What a great spot to be creative! I especially like the fact that it evolved, using the things you had on hand. It is not one of those showcase, picture perfect rooms that look like they have never been used! Seeing what you accomplished with what you had to work with is a great encouragement to me. I have an 800 sf space, over a detached garage, that will never be “picture perfect”, but it is a great space to work in. All I need to do is get in there and reorganize it using the things I already have in a creative way!
Hi, Norma. You left a great comment on my scrapbook room makeover and I wanted to thank you for taking that time to connect! I hope you will stop by Marty’s Musings again in the future!
Marty