Hello to all! It is Tuesday so that means that I have a TIP for you to hopefully make this super fun addiction that we have with paper-crafting a bit more organized.
I would just LOVE to have everything organized but truth be told, I am just like you (probably) trying to figure things out to make them work for my needs and then there is that other thing – TIME…..we all have GREAT INTENTIONS but that TIME THING gets to us just about everyday. 🙁
I have blogged about this before but today I have an updates file for you to use. This is how I keep my Stampin’ Up! paper organized. I do have a new picture for you that shows the paper storage in my work area but before I added this, I simply used (2) of these storage bins for both my single sheets as well as for my scraps!
Please feel free to email me or leave a comment if you have any questions! I am happy to share my thought as to what works for me…and maybe you have an idea that will turn on that light bulb on for me to think in a different way!
This is what I use for my card stock and I keep it organized by color family but I will say that for most crafters…the bins are super and perfect to maximize space. This space it right at my work space….so handy!
These are the bins that I have used for YEARS…...(probably 15+ years) – I think that I bought them at Walmart but I am sure that any office supply store will have them…they JUST WORK and you can easily add more file folders as needed!
Side view…I ask you ???? What is the size of a scrap that you just look at it and say PITCH IT?
Here you can see the labels on the specific card stock – super fast to “visualize”…..it just WORKS!
Click here~ Stampin’ Up! Colors 2017 and you will get the download to print. I always use Avery Labels and the size that you need to print these out correctly is Avery Labels # 8167 ( the 1/2″ X 1 3/4″) but here is another TIP!
Most Office Supply Stores will print these out for you if you give them the file (and let them know the size) and worst case scenario….just print them out of copy paper and adhere them to the card-stock!
I hope that this tip brings you some sunshine today but please make sure you pop back tomorrow as you will be in HOG HEAVEN! Have a great day!
Susan,
I love your “Tip Tuesdays”. I’ve used so many of your ideas and have bought some of the products that you’ve recommended. (Gotta love Amazon!) I currently use a two drawer black plastic file bin for my colored cardstock (neutrals are in the file drawer in my desk because they are the most used) and find that it’s difficult to get to the papers that are at the back of the drawers. I think, on your recommendation, that I am going to purchase two clear file bins and use your storage idea. I love that all the paper is easily accessible AND visible.
Keep the tips on Tuesdays coming. I love them!
Have a wonderful day and the rest of the week.
Nancy
P.S. Thank you for the color download. You make our lives so much easier! 🙂
Oh Nancy….I need “smile cream” as I am getting wrinkles! Many thanks for popping in and I am so happy that you enjoy the tips! I am a firm believer that WHY NOT SHARE…it might not be for all…but maybe there is a nugget that will turn that light on.
This is why I adore blogging, I get to get feedback and ideas from people like YOU!
Good Morning! Love the quote . . . so true. How are you liking the new paper system? Where are your scraps now? Thanks so much for the labels. I’ll definitely be printing these out.
Have a great day.
🙂
You know me….I love motivational quotes….to me, they are the great – fast – pick me up that I need! My full sheets of paper are in the built in by my work area and the bins now hold all of my scraps! I love keeping them separated as it helps me with ordering colors that I am low of but at the same time having the scraps at my fingertips…it makes me USE what I have and not keep “pulling full sheets” and using UP THE SCRAPS!
Love the quote…so inspiring! Your tips are great and so appreciated…..thanks, Susan, and have a smile’ kind of a day.
Oh you…..having a comment from you makes me smile…..each and every-time! I DID have a smile day (pulling weeds and picking up sticks with PEEP JAMES) – it was a GREAT day!
I have the WORST time tossing scraps! It could be an inch by an inch and I keep it! I have to say that I keep my full sheet cardstock in a file cabinet that opens sideways(all colors very accessible) because there is so much light (yea) in my craft room. The paper fades if it is not in a closed area. I store my scraps in much the same way and they are very available which helps me to remember to use them!
You are sooooo funny ! Jeanie called me EARLY this morning ( she naturally wanted me to be impressed that she was up EARLY) and we were talking about throwing away scraps! I cannot tell you how many times I will toss a scrap and then think of Jeanie and pick it out of the trash can!
I think that I could make a million inventing a gadget like they have at airports for luggage….to have one for scraps for card makers! What do you think????
Toss the scrap on the belt and it goes into the correct color scrap folder?!?!? Brilliant! ?Jeanie up early??? I DON”T believe it!!!!
What are the odds she was just going to bed?
I also love your Tuesday tips and have purchased many of the items you have recommended. Thanks so much for the download!! I am going to use that. I do need to come up with a better system for my card stock. I am going to look for those bins you use. Have a great day!! 🙂
YEAH!!!! I am so glad that you are going to use the download – MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! I am sure that you will find the bins – if you can, please email me if you find the source and I will share! Seriously, I have had them for DECADES!
I just bought 2 at Walmart and they look exactly like yours Mike said. Ours has lids but I don’t know if the lids will work yet since I am still working on the labels. They were in the office supply section of the store with the hanging folders. They are downstairs, otherwise, I would tell you the brand name. Later I will. Once I get down the steps I might not make it back up to use the computer. Ted and I took a long walk and we are both a bit stiff and sluggish.
Always love your tips, Susan. I always learn something from you and/or the people who comment. Have a great day!
AMEN….I loved that you said….the people that comment as that is what I adore about our FUN…we share, we learn!
Thank you for Tuesday Tips. I am debating on cutting majority of my dsp to 6×6 but can’t remember if the thinlets that make the bag and the pillow box will fit on that size….trying to make room in my cubes and hoping I will use more dsp by being able to flip thru it mord easily….
I think that you are on a GREAT track…..I will say that you are wise to see if that size will fit for your needs with the Pillow Box.
If you have a storage issue….using the cubes are a great way to go! I love the fact that you can stack the cubes and they hold a TON!
OK, alright I get it! I think this is the way I need to go. I was stubborn and found these cute stand up holders at the Container Store but they are not working out as I don’t have the colors identified and when I pull them off the shelf they bend the corners. I should have done like you showed us. I will print out the darn labels and get the darn dividers. This way the scraps can be in with the regular sheets too. Live and learn, I know. Actually Mike had a longer crate that might be on wheels that I could use. I know there I go changing up things but I want to get away from dragging a tub of paper downstairs. My room has this awful wall paper and I don’t like to spend much time in there. There is no heat or A/C in there either. At least I could put all the files in the longer crate and then just pull out the folders to take downstairs to create-right? I could see where the colors on the label would be super handy-do I cut off a 1/2 inch of my color swatch ring that you made is my question to myself but anyone can answer vs. cutting a piece from the cardstock if I don’t have any scraps. For the new in colors I guess I make my own swatches? For the retired colors leave on the swatch ring but label as retired? I can see a trip to the big box store in store for me today or tomorrow since we don’t have an office supply store. So, next week will you share about the DSP storage? Guess who plans on ordering those magnetic sheets for my framelits soon? Maybe this way I will use them more – there are in a plastic handled storage box but I forget to use them as well as the EF. I will also remember to put their name, the ID # and how many pieces there are. See, I pay attention sometimes. The ID # helps if they get separated and in a pile. I never paid attention to that # on the etched framelits but it makes sense! See, you can teach an old dog new tricks!
Speaking of dogs, I gotta share this and oh I wish I had Mike take a photo with his phone. I was at Target yesterday and they have those big red concrete balls in front of the store to deter people plowing through the front of the store. Anyway, there was a border collie dog standing on top of one of the huge balls, How he got up there and then balanced enough to stay put I have no idea. His owner was standing about 10 foot away watching. The dog would not move a muscle or wag a tail as people went by talking about or to the dog. Then she would say, “Good boy!” and he still would stay up on that ball which has to be 3-4 foot tall. He had to be up there at least 5 minutes and then we left. Amazing!!!!
Well, Mike nixed the red crate downstairs. He thought it looked dirty and he didn’t think I would get it clean enough to use with the cardstock. I guess that was his excuse to go to Walmart and buy new though he really wanted to order them on Amazon. So, I now have two new containers that supposedly the lids fit on with the file folders in there and their labels. The labels are not on there yet. Of course he thought I needed the specific Avery labels you used which he didn’t have and thought we should get them on Amazon since Walmart was out. Honestly, he took the week off to get stuff around the house done. Well, at least he is going out to mow as he donned his minion bibs and shirt. At least that is what he said. Whatever…..So, maybe I will just print and use my snail and see what I can get done when he is outside. I am using all green folders but maybe I need the color ones for the retired cardstock since I have a habit of acquiring it just as it is retiring! At least I can use my full pack of that yummy sage color on some succulents! Boy, am I all about the retired stuff or what? Even the succulent bundle missed the mark!
I am with Judy if something is labeled maybe Mike won’t pitch it in one of his cleaning sprees.
Of course the stuff he bought at the Container Store is still sitting in the bag…
COMMENT #2 – Mike is also a HOOT….now that he is off work this week – ask him to cleam up the RED CRATE for you……
Before you buy them…..please go to a Staples or Office Max etc….and they often have the labels there that you can just pay for a single sheet….no need to buy a whole package if you do not need them!
It is better he leaves the red crate alone as it has some old pyrex pie dishes of my mom’s in it and who knows what else. He would decide we don’t need them and pitch them. Then, in a few weeks he would be asking me for a pie plate to coat something with a flour mixture or something! The wheels aren’t on it either. Going to Staples or Office Max etc. would mean going to Des Moines again. Besides we probably have that size label anyway squirreled away some place. He manages to put stuff in several spots and then forgets.
COMMENT #1 – Again, you are a hoot and the life of this Simple Stampin’ Party! I will say that visuals HELP – BIG TIME because if you can SEE the colors on the tabs…it just works!
The NEW In Colors swatches will be coming to you….hang tight…mailman love will be coming to Iowa soon!
totally works for me!
Thanks, thanks, thanks for the labels! And where do you keep your scraps now? I still have a ring of color swatches with your labels on them – from a while ago!! Thanks for always sharing.
My Scraps are now in the bins….before I added the “built in” to my work area I used (2) folders for each color…one for the full sheets and the other for scraps….now I just use the bins for scraps and they are tucked in a cabinet and I simply slide them out when I need them!
I am thrilled that you love and still use the swatches….I will have them in the NEW Catalog Product Share! (they are a daily for me)
For your hanging files in the bin they used to make hanging files with accordion pleat sides to help the smaller papers from falling out. I will say they look pretty nice in your bin so maybe that isn’t an issue.
I keep scraps in small plastic storage boxes that fit in my desk drawer (Iris slim case) it holds 8.5 x11 sized paper and is only about 1.5 inches thick, so it limits how many scraps I can keep (that’s a good thing). I have them by color family–green, brown/orange, red/pink, blue, yellow/cream, white, glossy which is really just any glossy, glittery, or shimmery scrap regardless of color, and alphabets which is alphabet stickers that I never ever use anymore. Only 6 fit in my drawer so I need to ditch alphabet and glossy so blue and green can stop being shuffled around the room. And now that I write that… why don’t I have blue and green in the drawer and let glossy and alphabet wander around the room? I like that you offer us this chance to reveal our silliness, Susan!
I have the sideways opening file cabinet as well (which I think is called a lateral file) that I picked up at a used office supply stores for cardstock. I took the hanging rails out so I’d have more room. The cardstock is put in on its side from front to back. I get two rows with lots of nice space between them for storing other things. I have my [competing home party] cardstock separated out by color by a file folder and I just wrote the name of the paper on the file tab in sharpie. The folder itself holds the scraps of that color. Since I used to sell that it was important to have it separate from all other random cardstock I have. I like the idea of a colored tab or maybe a punched out dot to show the color. I bought new file folders to switch over using SU cardstock, but that is a huge undertaking and I think I really need more drawer space (not gonna happen, need less cardstock since that is a 3-drawer cabinet already). One of these days……
Also, all your lovely labeling got me thinking that I should make lovely labels for my stuff too. I have lots of hand lettered things, but mostly I need to label those metal hanging file folder rails as to what they are so hubby doesn’t throw them away in a cleaning spree. He already waved them around once this year and asked what the heck they were.
Great comment….I know what you are talking about the accordion pleats but truthfully I do not feel that the scraps fall out. I think that the bigger issue I have is….cleaning out folders that get toooooooooo wide with small scraps (Jeanie makes me feel guilty) but on basic colors – those folders get LARGE…I say – go through them often and USE THEM UP!
You seem to be ON TOP OF IT…and finding a system that works for you….this is what I love – we all find things that make us tick!
Is the thing you use for your cardstock from that place whose name eludes me now (basically Mary Fish’s room is all that brand)? Asking for a friend. No really, my cardstock needs to be hidden from the sun so that wouldn’t work for me. My friend is mad I sold my things that look like that and she didn’t buy them.
Yes, I think that you are talking about Stamp-n- Storage – they are SIMPLY AMAZING and their products are AMAZING and sooooo solid!
I had the built in made from a local craftsman that has done many built in’s in out home…I had this BLANK SPACE…so USE IT!
Yes! Stamp-n-storage is the place. I went and looked at the video of Mary’s new (small) room. I’m so envious! So well organized and she doesn’t own an excess of EVERYTHING like I do. I found it motivating to go home and purge, except I don’t have any time to actually do that. since I have stuff to do every day after work. It would be good to do it now as my big stamp club meets Saturday and peeps there will gladly take useful items off my hands. They can hoard it instead of me.
Well, I have been gritting my teeth and putting non SU CS in a box to give away . I am talking LOTS …I have decided that I won`t order any more 12×12 CS from SU anymore because the 81/2 x 11 is just easier to deal with .
Plus I think I may get into your plan of cutting the DSP into 6×6 size . Again just easier ! I am lucky in that I have a lot of space ,but I have this HOARDING thing and I really need to clear out some stuff . Thank you for the inspiration ! Just for that I will let you wear that dress I loaned Gwen to wear last night on The Voice !! Personally I think I look better in it ! Just saying ……
Yes… Sonny! I feel your pain. I only just became an SU person and I have two giant file cabinet drawers of 8.5×11 cardstock that isn’t SU. I want to get to all SU someday but that time isn’t yet. I’m a hobby demo (who accidentally picked up a few customers!) so I figure I can save things like packs of every CS color for a quarter where I’m not going to meet my quota otherwise–so not this one with a pre-order it in and not next one with the new catalog out.
Hey Sonny, if you think there are any boxes or treat bag things that need a 12×12 sheet you could just maybe buy the one color and split a pack with someone. I find that maybe a red for Christmas and Valentine’s Day useful for this and maybe a black cardstock in this size helpful for Halloween instead of all of them. Or, if the pack is an assortment but the other colors down to 6×6 sheets if you don’t think you will use the bigger size. Just sayin’ from experience!
I have a huge assortment of DSP from another company so I try to use some of those on charity cards and give away to vacation bible schools etc. I am cutting a bunch of these I do want to keep into 6×6 sheets though.
Hi Susan, I am concerned that the SU CS would bend or fold in half when in a hanging file folder or am I wrong. I really would like to use a large bin with hanging file folders.
Thank you Susan for all that you share with us.
No, not at all – I have never had any issues with it bending. I do think that this is a great way to store paper and also it is an effective way for storage issues!
I love you, I have stored mine like this for years…my scraps that is…you can check it out when you come to visit!!!!!!!!!!! Mwah! Di
I’m on my way……with my BOOTS ON!!!!
Thanks so much for the new labels. I don’t have a designated craft room so use bins and hanging folders from Office Depot\Max. They work really well but maybe someday. . . .
I adore your…..”someday” !