A new year...new space

I started off the new year without any resolutions. I think more than anything, I want to continue to simplify a lot of areas in my life. After my grandfather died in '07, I decided I needed to "let go" of things whether it be actual "stuff" or even just feelings about things I can't control.

After Pappa died, we had to clean out his home for the estate sale. I knew that Mamma's sewing counter/cabinet would likely be tossed by the new home owner. I decided to bring it home with me to use for my scrap space. It was a true '70s style row of cabinets with a very '70s yellow countertop. I have to admit it was an eyesore, but it was Mamma's and I enjoyed doing my craft where for years she had done hers.
After Christmas, I realized that the set up in my scrap area wasn't really working for me. I felt like my area was continually growing and taking up more of the bonus room and cutting into the available play space for the boys. Although everything started out with a space for storage, it wasn't set up in a way that made sense. I realized I was just making due with the space/drawers/cabinets I had. Shortly after bringing the cabinets home, I realized the counter wasn't a functional workspace and I added a table to form an "L". It worked. For a while. More importantly, I was able to put something meaningful to me to use during a time I couldn't part with it.

After Christmas, I stumbled across a 50% off scrapbook storage sale at Michaels. I realized the money I'd been saving for my dream piece of storage furniture - and Expedit shelf from IKEA (for which the nearest store is hours away from me!) - could be put to better use with this customizable cube system.

After much thought in the store imagining the perfect set up in my head, three trips to two different Michaels (I realized I could use more than I orginally purchased and then after reconfiguring it, I still needed just one more!) and a lot of hard work with some help from Blake and Kevin, my space now looks like this:By positioning my table/workspace parrallel with my wall of cubes, I feel like I can more easily access my supplies which will make for easier use and returning unused items back to their space. This set up is a lot more functional. Plus, my table is pretty much clear so I can really spread out my projects.

I'm a happy girl.

January 1 marked the tenth anniversary of Mamma's death. It's been hard for me to celebrate New Year's since she passed away. Ironically, I started scrapbooking after attending a Creative Memories party less than three weeks after she died. Scrapbooking was a great distraction for me during my mourning process and today it continues to be my "escape" when I'm stressed.

Mamma's cabinets and counter were donated on New Year's eve. I was able to let them go. In doing so, I've started simplifying my scrap space. I have a few bags of items to donate and giveaway.

That's a good start to a new year.