What to do with all those PAPERS!! {and WIN!}

So as you know I've been sorting, sifting, moving, re-arranging and creating my new space. I was unable to give my undivided attention to it last week due to camp...but this week has been different. For the past two days I've spent nearly every waking moment getting it just right.

And I LOVE it!

I do.

It is so "Me".

I look around and see my favorite idea books all in a row.


I see pretty shoe boxes stacked high with stamps, stickers and other ephemera inside.

I hung my inspiration board up...just above my computer and filled it with images, words and photos that give me that "I want to create" feeling in my tummy.

There are bins filled with patterned paper and cardstock. Baskets with glue, Mod Podge and colorful pens. 


It is PERFECT for me.


Now as awesomely terrific as it is now I know myself...I'm a clutterbug. I have so many papers I want to keep but don't know what to do with. These papers always, always, always end up in piles on my desk, a bookshelf or by my bed. 

But not anymore.

Nope.

Because I have a system.

And I want to share it with you.

Sarah Ban Breathnach, author of "Simple Abundance" dedicated June 11th to "Creating a Plan for Personal Papers". Here is a bit of what she says...

"If you don't have a plan for keeping track of your personal papers, take two hours this week to establish one that will. Think of all the time you waste when you don't know where something is when you need it."

I took Sarah's word to heart and along with creating my very own "sacred" place to write, create and find peace I went through my papers and filled my very own filing cabinet with all my piles. I have enjoyed it and am not sure why I hadn't tried this before.

Maybe I wasn't ready??

Here are my folder categories... These are in the top drawer...

addresses and e-mails
bloggyland inspiration
computer/digital photo how-to's
Em's awards and honors
instruction manuals and warranties
J's awards and honors
journaling class handouts
journaling prompts
keepsakes
Kelly Rae's class
Oprah inspiration
poems/quotes/phrases
recipes
Seminary/church
voter cards/tax stuff
words
Words of Me ideas


These are in the bottom drawer...

Ali inspiration
all about me inspiration
church inspiration {any talks we give I put here}
dental/medical
fitness challenges {any workouts I want to try}
fitness/food ideas {healthy food ideas, diets, etc}
Flylady organizing
HCG ideas
My kid's quotes/stuff they do {anything my kids say that I want to remember and use on a scrappy page}
receipts/theater tickets I want to keep
scrappy ideas
writing inspiration

Sarah ends the chapter with this...

"Now reflect on all the time that you'll be able to ransom simply because you do." {have the time}

I can't tell you how relaxed I feel knowing that all those paper piles I have had taking over my kitchen table...the kitchen island, my night stand, my desk...they can all be filed away.

Genius.

{no photos of my space yet. i will have them soon}

Have you tamed the "paper monster" or are you like I used to be...a "piler"? I would love to know!! Be sure and leave a comment below.

Oh and speaking of comments be sure and read this!!

We leave for vacation July 10th...about 4 weeks from now. Currently my Blog has 64 followers here and 65 on Facebook. I would LOVE to raise both those numbers to 80 before I leave!! So here's how it's gonna work!! I have TWO fabulous prizes to give away!!

The first one is Jillian Micheal's book "Master Your Metabolism". It is brand new!! If you are a Jillian fan you will love this book and gain new knowledge about what you should be eating.

The second prize is a bag of collage and scrappy goodies!! Chipboard shapes, stickers, random ephemera {including old postcards}, papers and MORE. I will be posting a photo of both prizes later in the week!!

Here's what you need to do to be eligible to win...

*leave a comment here {one entry}

*leave me a comment on my Words of Me fan page {one entry}

*Become a follower here AND on FB {2 entries}

*If you are already a follower here and/or FB you get 1 entry {be sure and leave me a comment, too!!}

So to be clear...for every comment you leave me on every post I write from today through July 7th, 2010 you will get an entry!!! Yep, you have LOTS of opportunities to WIN!! And I would appreciate the help to grow my blog!!!

Thanks girlies!!!!