Yesterday morning when I went onto the Stampin' Up! Website I saw something that I have been wanting to post about and I figured that today is the perfect day to bring it to your attention! What am I talking about?
I am all about finding ways to make life a bit easier and as you know, I consider myself computer challenged so when I find something that saves time and frustration – I do the happy dance!
Go to the side bar and slick on that SHOP NOW button and it will bring you to the below screen…..now hang tight – all I want you to do is click on that button that the arrow is pointing to…."Shop by Occasion".….
Why is this such a big deal of ease to me? I think it is great to see the stamp sets that Stampin' Up! offers as if you are like me….there are so many different names and sometimes the names do not "ring a bell to you" for what occasion you are looking to use!
By having them broken down to general themes like Birthdays, thank you etc….makes it so easy! I know that this might not be super exciting to you but to me it is a very useful way to see what we are looking for!
I often get asked, "How to you store your stamps" – I have 2 shelves for my stamps. One for the stamps in the annual catalog and the other area for the holiday catalog. I then have them all in alphabetical order, this just works for me!The best advice I can give you is find a system that works for you…then roll with it!
I truly think that when we find something that works and makes finding things easier…the best thing to do is SHARE …..so there you go – I hope that you learned something today! How do you store your stamps?
Happy Friday….
I have a binder with dividers by subject/occasion. When I get a new stamp set I stamp the images into whatever category they are and write the name of the set that stamp is in. Some go into multiple categories. This way when I need “get well” for example I just open to the get well section and all the get well images and sentiments are there for me to choose just the right one. Then I get that set out and start stamping. I rarely get rid of old stamp sets so storage is always a challenge. Sometimes I combine sets in one box to save space. I have my wood block sets together and my clear sets are arranged alphabetically. All holiday sets are together alphabetically in a separate area. I can always find just the stamp I am looking for with this method.
I store mine alphabetically too. But because the images on the spines of the cases are so small, I photocopy the fronts of the cases (2 per sheet), cut the two apart, 3-hole punch and keep in a small ring binder. This way I can flip through pages instead of straining my eyes looking for a certain image.
So I just can’t leave them in piles around the house as I use one or get a new set? I am not really that bad but still have no system. I do have a huge pile of Christmas/winter sets in a storage container but then I just have to rummage through it looking for something. Of course that is a pain. My bookcases are open in the back so that is not working for the ones I did have in rows as they fall down in back. I do have most of my CTMH ones in little storage boxes with handles to carry to wherever to work on. Maybe I need to take my TV time and sit and stamp images and make a notebook like Shannon commented on. That would help with some of my old ones that are at the bottom of my closet floor in a storage tub. Maybe this will help me weed out some I really do not need or want and give to a church card ministry. But, where to start – maybe the Christmas and winter holiday would be a good place to start since I am using them now.
Then, do we need a master copy of all the titles and maybe reference them to year? I am not a demo so current vs. older doesn’t apply to me. But, I need to make sure I don’t buy the same set twice esp on carry over.
So, if I ever get organized, what will be my excuse then for not making great stuff?
I have two pull out drawers with stamp sets, but frankly, I’m trying to come up with a better method to find what I want. I like the binder idea. I guess I’ll have to pop back to see the rest of the great ideas to come. Thanks for sharing your storage ideas.
Hi Susan, I have never noticed that choice either!! I happen to organize my stamp set with “Evernote”. You have to log in/enter all your stamp sets, but I did a few at a time and it was so much fun, it didn’t take long at all. The offer many options, but I only use the FREE one. You also put a picture of the stamp set, (copied from SU catalog or the internet) and any notes you like, called tags. Then you just type in what you are looking for and all the stamp sets matching pop up. Eg: bird, all stamp sets with a bird will pop up. I especially like hearts because sometimes I’m just looking for that specific one! I do not get rid of stamp sets yet. I do go back into the file and mark it “R” for retired. I know this sounds like a lot of work, but in the end it has truly saved me time. I keep my stamp sets in alphabetical order too, all seasons. I might want that little winter hedgehog to say happy birthday to someone. Hope this was helpful.
🙂
I store my stamp cases on shelving alphabetically. I also store images in a binder…I photocopy the front cover and then put it into the binder under the specific category. By photocopying it’s easier to make multiple copies in case they can be put into more than one category.
I’m anxious to see how others do things. I finally made a comment on yesterday’s post…better late than never, right? We were running full speed ahead all day yesterday and although we looked at your post as normally yesterday AM, I didn’t have the time to write. Have a wonderful day!!
WOW, there are some great ideas here. I just keep mine in a stand that is meant for DVD’s. Works for me!
I store my stamps alphabetically for current stamps and have a red dot on the spine indicating current. I store my retired stamps alphabetically as well but with a blue dot indicating retired. My retired stamp sets that are just greetings get a yellow dot. And finally my Christmas stamps get a green dot- whether they are current or retired. Makes putting stamps away a breeze!
What great ideas . I think I might try Elisha`s method for a change ….much easier than stamping each image . Just print the front picture on the box and put it in the binder . I store my sets in photo boxes labeled according to holiday ,event , or subject .
This was fun reading all these neat comments !
Sharon, I also use a binder, however, I just take the picture of the stamps out of the container, photo copy it, write on it the catalog it is from and the price paid, and if it’s a bundle whether it is dies or punch and then file it in the binder.
I store my stamps in drawers by occassion and alphabetically. Works for me, but after reading your post I think I need to sort by catalog too. Great idea! I have used the side bar to sort by occasion. I stumbled upon it purely on accident!
Julie, I also keep mine in DVD holders I got online from Best Buy, and keep my stamps in alphabetical order,mI must be old school ?
I like your idea, Shel, of using the dot method, think I’m going to look into that one, thanks.
Great tip abt shopping for occasions. I’ve been wanting to alphabetize all my sets and start a binder “index” but have been to lazy. I’ve thought abt photocopying the images but I thought ideally I’d want the stamps true to size. Susan, I’m curious abt storing cards that have been made up. Been using a plastic container. Can’t say I Love it …maybe I just need a better size or better dividers for occasions??
Hi Chris. Sharon here. Thanks for responding to my post. I feel your pain. It is a huge undertaking but so worth it in the end. If you decide to go with the binder method, do as Susan always says and break it down into small jobs. Step 1- buy a binder 1 1/2 or 2″, paper ( I use the copy paper that already has the holes punched) and as many sets of dividers as you need. Make a list of categories. For example anniversary, animals, birthday, botanicals (all flowers, leaves, trees go here) Christmas, etc. I also have “graphics” that are pictures of objects and “motifs” for design stamps. Once you have your binder set up start with 10 sets at a time. Then do another 10. Don’t worry about how long it will take, just keep at it and as the weeks or months go by at some point you’ll be done. Don’t forget to write the name of the set next to the image and organize your sets alphabetically so you can grab that set in only a moment. Just like a librarian! You can do this. Make it your New Years resolution.
Thanks Sharon for great tips! I would love to see one of your pages! I like Norma’s idea of noting a punch or framelit to got with the image.
Thanks everyone for your ideas. Maybe there is hope!
I ordered the variety pak of the “Life” scrapbooking stuff to organize my Paper Pumpkin stamps. Connie Stewart has a video on that type of binder. Then, I want to use some of the boxes at Christmas time turning them wrong side out and either mailing them or just add ribbon and a tag for presents!