My Workspace on the Road

When folks first heard about the adventure Russell and I were embarking on, people were astonished that I was going to be able to take my supplies with me, given the shear volume of things I own.
I have been asked by a number of times how I manage to have enough space in the RV for getting creative.  I’ll be honest… I miss my desk and all the creative space I had in my house, but I manage.  I just get creative.

While we were in Georgia, I was busy getting my craft on working forward on a number of the Spring Seasonal Expressions projects I have planned for upcoming club projects and Express Kits for 2017.  Just in those 2 weeks while in Georgia, I made 14 2-page layouts, 56 cards, 1 wreath, 3 months of calendar kits and some other items for my upcoming Scrapbooking in Wonderland Retreat that are top secret.  (You'lll have to attend to see what they are.)
In spite my small workspace, I was able to get a lot accomplished.

In the RV, we have a small dining room table.  It accommodates Russell and I for meals and is my work space during other times. Against the window above the table there is a shelf, where my Cricut and Cuttlebug sit when I am crafting, ready for use, as I work on various projects.  My laptop is usually under the shelf safely tucked away, but easily accessible for referring to as needed.

As you can see from this picture, every ounce of space at/around the table is being used.  On the chair, I have a box filled with new products from the Seasonal Expressions Idea Book/catalog, which just went live on the First.  I’ve got stamps, inks, blocks, markers, tools, etc. that I was working with at the time I took the picture spread across the table.  Yes, things are on top of each other, but they have to be.  I can’t spread out like I once did, but it works for me and that’s all that counts.

Above my head where I sit to work in storage compartments, I keep some of my smaller Close to My Heart organization boxes that contain my “go to” tools, stamps, ribbons, already made cards, team gifts, my travel journal, etc.

In our ½ bath (We only use the ½ bath for storage, so don’t get creeped out on me… We have a full bath in the back of the RV that we use for our business.) I keep my large organization boxes stacked neatly inside my rolling tote.  These larger boxes hold everything from blocks, ink pads, markers, Cricut cartridges, embellishments, punches, embossing folders, thin cuts, water colors, daubers, hot glue gun, etc.  I have easy access to them in the RV, but they are out of the way for day to day functioning and travel.  Other non-crafting items stored in the bath are dirty laundry, extra water, sodas, snacks, etc.  A lot goes in there, but is out of sight and out of mind.

Items like my Cricut and my Cuttlebug only make an appearance when I am using them.  Otherwise they are stored underneath the RV in my dedicated craft storage compartment, aka “the basement”.  My paper bin and project boxes are underneath as well.  Everything has a purpose and place in the RV.  I have little to no inventory these days, and I don’t keep scraps of paper like I once did.  I find creative ways of using my scrap paper… just ask my team, who got a surprise challenge from me this month, so I could get rid of a bunch of scrap paper left over from the Sugar Rush paper pack… they’ll tell you.

No matter if you use your dining room table to get creative, or have a dedicated craft room in your home, it’s important to use your space wisely and use it OFTEN!  Crafting is therapy, whether it is scrapbooking, crocheting, beading, glass work, ceramincs or some other form of crafting!  Get creative in 2017!

Share with me a photo of where you craft or a picture of you crafting!  I want to see.

Until next time, and more creative fun,

Roberta

The Traveling Crafter