Will My Paper Stash Ever End? (Probably Not)

 Continuing with my paper reduction act, I've found that making starter junk journal bundle kits is an easy and fun way to do so. From staining paper with coffee, making pockets and envelopes, and going through assorted varieties of ephemera, it makes me feel good to find uses for my stash. Plus, it's perfect for anyone who wants to try junk journaling but doesn't know where to start. No need to buy a ton of stuff, just grab a kit and go!

I had started making this bundle a few weeks ago, so the paper mess is still all over my craft space and floor. I was going to clean it up this weekend, but I cleaned the rest of the house instead and then started binging a new show on one of the streaming channels. Priorities!

Yikes!

My craft supply spending from last year? Let's just say it was a motivating experience. It definitely it confirmed why I'm going to try and not buy anything until I use up most of what I have! I have things I bought for projects I can't even remember. I swear, I spend more time organizing my craft space than actually crafting. It's a vicious cycle.

Too Much Paper

My current messiness is paper. I haven't met a paper pad I didn't like. I tend to gravitate towards ephemera paper for some reason, even though I own nothing that has to do with ephemera. Which means I have a lot of it, and it's totally unorganized. I've tried organizing by style, color, theme, you name it! I've tried storing the paper in a organizer that hangs on your door. That was a fail. Then I tried organizing in some plastic boxes. That sort of worked, until it became too overwhelming. I bought some portable paper storage with handles. That is the current storage solution, but only if I put the paper away once I'm done using it. Sometimes, those little scraps of paper find their way out to other parts of my house. I'm pretty sure my dog has eaten some of them.

I have a lot of ephemera embellishments. I have no idea why. They were probably on sale. I've been making some junk journal beginner bundle kits to get rid of them. I don't junk journal or do any kind of journaling, in fact. I just like making them. I've tried journaling, but when I read back what I wrote I a) can't read my handwriting, b) I ramble, and c) I end up shredding what I wrote because I wouldn't want anyone reading what I wrote after I croak! Ha! Ha! But, I'm getting off topic here.

I'm in the process of making another junk journal bundle kit. I was looking for that lace ribbon in the picture, but couldn't find it. I know it's in that room somewhere! Unfortunately, not in the spot where I keep all my other ribbons. What a surprise! I'm sure it's right in front of me. Le sigh...

My Craft Room: Where Chaos Reigns Supreme.

 

My craft room. Where I spend more time looking for things than creating. Looking for things that I just had in my hand a second ago. Looking for things that are right in front of me, but can't find. My craft area is a small room that has a built-in desk and shelving. I couldn't fit the whole room in the picture, but you get the idea. I have organized and reorganized my craft room more times than I can count. It never lasts.

The floor is full of paper scraps and things that I drop and can't find. I don't even know what's on my desk. Probably one of everything. Projects tend to creep over into other rooms. I'm trying my best to avoid that. You know how they say you should clean up as you go. Yeah, right. Thank God I don't use glitter.

My goal is not to save every piece of scrap paper because I might need it. Another goal is to try and not to buy anything new this year and create products from items I have previously bought years ago that never turned into anything. I'm also going to try and not start eight gazillion projects at once, which is most likely why my craft room is a mess. Squirrel!

But I still manage to create (with a few choice words) amidst the chaos.

I've somewhat learned to embrace the mess. It's a reflection of the creative process, I guess. I save a lot of pins about organizing a craft room. I should probably read them.