Project Life Organization

I took the photos in this post on my phone some time ago, so please forgive the quality. My supplies aren't quite so neat now that I am in the middle of catch up stage, so I don't want to take new ones.

I use one 12x12 plastic scrapbook storage container to store all my Project Life supplies and I keep it under my bed with the album on top. I tend to scrap on the go, so it can go with me easily. On the go means in front of whichever tv my family is in front of at that time. I wish it meant something more exciting!

I first picked a color scheme for my PL pages to keep it more simple and to give it a "flow". I use all yellows, teals/blues, and corals/reds/pinks. Anything from those three color families is allowed with a little black and white thrown in. I went through all my supplies and pulled things out in those colors that I wanted to use. Then I add whatever comes in my Studio Calico kits each month to this bin that is in the right colors/theme. That way I always have some updated products in it. 

Next, I cut up sticker sheets and full size papers and borders off papers and everything else I needed so the pieces could all fit in my one bin. Here is a picture of it closed just so you can see it actually DOES close!

Here it is open with everything in it. You can't tell, but there are two layers - both of the little bins (stacked) and of everything else. So next, I'll show you the two layers and what I store in each.

On the very bottom of the bin, I have a few sheets of 12x12 papers and stickers. Not many because I cut up most ahead of time so they are ready to go into PL. But there are a few I prefer to keep intact.

Next, I have a few packages of larger letter stickers such as Thickers and a few 12x6 sticker sheets. Again, just a few that match my color scheme to keep the bulk down (and the choices easier).

Next, I have a stack of the borders cut off the edges of patterned paper and sticker borders. They are all cut to a 12" or 6" length and ready to use. Then I have some cut and prepackaged embellishments and letter stickers. I also have a row of washi tapes.

On top of that layer, I have three small bins for embellishments. I precut these items off sticker sheets or patterned papers. They are all ready to go and use as is. I mostly use flat items as I don't want my PL to be too thick, but I do have a few select not too bulky items in one of these bins. And of course I have some sequins - love sequins!

Behind these bins is a stack of precut 6x6 papers organized by color.

Next to that is a stack of 4x6 papers, tags/journaling spots and letter stickers precut.

I also have a small stack of 3x4 journaling cards and scraps of paper to the right of my little embellishment bins. 

The last layer is one more set of three small bins with more cut out embellishments, tags, stickers, etc... by color. These fit into the top of the other three bins.

On top of all this, I put my Dear Lizzy and Amy Tan date stamps and some ribbon. I also put some scissors and adhesive in there. Here is another photo of the box full with everything in it.

The last thing I have in there on the top left of the last photo is a baggie of three things: quotes I have made for PL, photos that are printed, and notecards (just standard 4x6 ones) I keep on each week. At the beginning of each week, I draw out a sketch of which page protectors I am using and then a spot for each day of the week. As the week progresses, I add notes to each day and then I write in the sketch which pictures will go where. When the week is over, I just have to print the pictures to fit in the spots for that sketch.

Here is a picture of some of the quotes I have drawn for my PL.

I hesitated to start PL at the beginning of the year because I thought of it as an overwhelming task that I couldn't keep up with. But I have found that if you are very organized ahead of time and have everything ready to go, the spreads are very easy to do. The key is to have your products ready (and not too many choices) and to have your notes written down about what you did. The rest is the fun part. I hope you are all enjoying PL as much as I am!!! If you have any tips that work for you, please leave them in the comment section as I am still new at this and learning! suzy

Comments

[Melinda T]

Love how organized and contained it is! Cuts down on clutter and time spent searching for items!

[Linda]

You are awesome!

[Photochic]

The thought of Project Life overwhelms me too much!! I feel like I would always have something to do whether I wanted to scrapbook it or not and I don't know if I'd like that... I love your organization of PL tough! ;)

[SandraA]

Thanks! I've purchased everything I need to start PJ, but it seemed too much to have to do, as Photochic points out. I have one of those containers, and may just follow your lead in getting things set up for 2013. You are awesome!

[julie k]

Love this idea! Narrowing down the choices makes it so much easier, and your little box is perfect! Thanks for sharing! :)

[Lillian @ Elle The Heiress]

I love that you've organized embellies by color. That's my favorite way to do it!

[Joyce]

These are awesome! Thanks for the sharing tips how to organize, it is such a challenge for me :(

by the way, i love the quotes you made. I wonder if you have a tutorial on how to make those. I can do "simple" letterings but find it hard to make it as beautiful as those. Can you share some tips or websites for me ?

Thanks so much! All the best!

[Siri]

I love your PLBox! I'll be subscribing to the Studio Calico PL kit, but I think I'll create a box like this for it anyway! The color bins for the embellies are great! What type of boxes are you using?

[Anastasia]

"The key is to have your products ready and not too many choices" - that is so true!
I love your box, I need something like that.

[S D]

Great tips, I think I will be copying you! I did a better job with PL this year but hope to really get the hang of it next year. This system of organizing I think would really work well for me, thanks.

[camille]

Wow that is amazing. Thanks for sharing, i think you've just inspired me to organize my stash too :) and lovely color scheme <3

[Debra E]

Wow! You could start your own kit club!!! What a beautiful and well organized PL. Awesome mix of materials. I can't wait to see your pages.

[Leslee]

II want todo this fir our trip to Disneyland in the fall and I could work on it as we go!