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January Organize your Space contest!
Congratulations to our winners this month. Be sure to enter this month's organization contest for your chance to win some great Crop In Style Gear! |
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| Congratulations to all of our winners! We had many entrants this month and all of you had a lot to say. There is a lot of great information here and can definitely give you some pointers on organizing. Our contest question for next month is organizing your paper…. Click here to enter! | ||||
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December Winners!!! (In Alphabetical Order) Winner of the Navigator Tote Winners of 10 CIS PSB Refills
December Entries!
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I have re-organized my paper frequently but have now come up with a system that works for me. (I use 8 1/2 by 11 paper). I have two drawers that contain hanging file folders. One is organized by color the other by category. It the first drawer, I have a hanging file folder for each color. Within the hanging folder, I have one
manila file folder with solids of that color, one folder of patterned paper primarily that color, and one which has a page protector full of scraps of that color. In the second drawer I have hanging file folders labeled by category i.e. Easter, Sports, Kids General, Floral, etc. Within the hanging file folder, I have
manila folders that contain paper and other supplies (stickers, die cuts, etc.) consistent with that category. I also have a hanging file for specialty papers (vellum, etc.) and another for misc. patterned paper. Joann Pettigrew I have 2 rolling filing cabinets. One is for 12x12's and the other is for 81/2 x11's. The paper is organized by color and shade first. Any non-themed patterned papers that go well with a particular color are filed in front of the color. The themed patterned papers are filed alphabetically by theme i.e.: birthday, Christmas, Halloween, Wedding.... Any specialty papers (mulberry, vellum, metallics) are filed by type and color. Whenever I get ready to scrap, I just open the drawer and look at the rainbow of colors available. Bonnie M. I have three binders that are filled with page protectors. I usually have 6-8pieces of paper in each page protector. the binders are organized by color and theme. This makes it easy to see everything and choose the right piece without having to actually touch each piece of paper. Kewl doodler I use one of those famous plastic crates like college students use when they go off to school to store my 8 1/2 x 11 paper in. I use hanging folders and put each color into separate folders and label them. I also sort my patterned papers by color so that they are easier to find. The best part is that my paper isn't floating around and getting beat up. I love being able to look into the crate and see exactly what I'm looking for. I also like the fact that I can store quite a large amount of paper this way. I usually keep a good size amount of the same color of paper so that I can use it whenever I want for whatever layout I want. My life is a lot simpler when it comes to keeping my paper organized using this system of sorting. Stampin' in the Sierras, Kristine Parker I organize my 8.5 x 11 paper in hanging file folders. The top drawer has all my cardstock. It is organized by color. My bottom drawer has all the patterned paper. It is organized by season (fall, winter, spring, summer) or by event (school, birthday, Easter, Christmas, etc). It tends to work fairly well. Cathy Gray My method of organizing my paper has evolved over the years as my supply of paper has grown. I have a large letter size file box from an office supply store with hanging file folders inside. I have my paper separated into different sections based on colors - basic colors (white, black, gold &silver), pastels, country colors & bright colors. The reason for separating into different sections is that it is easier to find coordinating colors within a section. Within each section I have file folders for each color. On the file folder is written the name of the color and with a small square hole punch I punch out a square of the color and glue it next to the name on the file folder. This way at a glance I can easily find my colors. At the beginning of each section I have a file folder containing all the patterned paper pertaining to the section. Hope this all makes sense. --- Lori Hodgson I started organizing my paper in 6-drawer (clear) systems on wheels because I wanted them to be easy to move. However, it became a problem digging for paper colors and prints. Pages were getting bent and not easy to deal with. I've just discovered a system from Creative Memories. It/s called File Mate and it's wonderful! It's plastic with elastic straps to hold it shut, like the office filing binders that are made out of heavy paper or light cardboard. It is stronger, though, has tabs to make your own divider titles, and is big enough to accommodate both 12x12 and 8 1/2 x 11 paper. I found out quickly that I needed two, though, as I wanted to divide each color into solid AND patterned papers. I made each tab label out of the color that was in that pocket, and on the printed paper pocket labels, I designed them with a "print" for that color (polka dots) so you could easily tell the primary color in that pocket and whether it was printed or solid paper. For example, my tabs are: yellows, printed yellows,, printed oranges, etc.. I also have dividers for school, Christmas, sports, misc. holidays, and specialty (homemade, etc.) papers. Each File Mate has 13 pockets. Creative Memories also offers manila file folders to stick in, intended to use for scraps, but I have not yet tried them. I love this system because it looks nice, is easy to move, keeps my papers (all sizes) in good shape, and is very easy to match colors or patterns when designing pages. It really works for me!! I suppose you could use one File Mate for solid papers and use manila file folders in each solid color pocket for the patterned paper of that color. Stacey Butcher I have tried many different types of organizational tools to help me control my stacks of paper! I have finally settled on a 12 x 12 expanding file that I can carry with me to the different scraps that I attend. I divide my paper into different categories: naturals; darks; pastels; brights; white; holiday prints; stripes & checks & plaids; baby; and other prints. As for all of my scraps of paper I have put them into manila folders, one color per folder, and have filed them into a plastic basket that can be easily carried to my work station. Dana Selzer I took myself down to the store where I bought a steralite file folder holder. Gathered up all my papers and some folders, and started labeling the folders. I now have all the reds, blues, whites, blacks, etc in their own folder, plus a folder for Christmas, birthdays, etc. I even have a folder in a hanging folder for the paper scraps, so nothing goes to waste. What is really nice about this system, is when I go somewhere to scrap, I can pick up the case and have all the papers I might need at my fingertips. I even have my stickers, die cuts, and idea books in the same case, just in different folders. Hope this idea helps someone. Lisa Bennett I organize my paper in a large Rubbermaid filing tote. It has a flip-top lid that swings open for easy access and inside it has two metal bars on each side to hold hanging file folders. I have about 50 or so files. First is my scratch paper that I use to practice lettering and doodling before I do the final page, and then my paper to trade file. I then have all my cardstock arranged by colors of the rainbow starting with white and ending with black. Next is my specialty papers- Mulberry, handmade, vellum (plain then patterned), embossed, velveteen, corrugated, diamond dust, and metallic. Then I have all my patterned paper separated by categories. I have all my background paper together- stripes, plaids, dots, stars, hearts, etc. and all my seasonal paper- Fall, winter, spring, and summer. Then all of my holiday papers, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Easter etc. Then I have a section for my heritage papers and a section for military types since I have a lot of military photos from my family. I also have aeion, kid section, school and family section. Lastly, I have a section for misc. papers that don't fit into any other categories, and a section for my 5x7 papers. I also have a file for the newsletters and printouts I get online and at my LSS's. This system works really well for me and I have kept it up better than any other system I have tried. My paper is always nice and straight and ready whenever I need it! Sarah I have been scrapbooking for a year now and I am always looking at different papers and buying them for my collection. I finally found the perfect storage solution for these papers and my other scrapbooking supplies. I have an antique dresser that is in my dining room. Here I put the papers in drawers, separated by paper type and size. When I want to work on my scrapbook I have my dresser full of supplies and the dining room table right there to work on. It is a very organized and convenient way to get supplies out and to put them away when I'm finished for the day. Shannon Fennema This is how I organize my cardstock: Each color as it's own hanging file. In the back of each file I also have a Tyvek envelope slit down the side and sealed to hold scraps for the paper from that file. I have the cardstock divided into the following colors: Pink, Red, Peach, Orange. Yellow, Green, Turquoise, Blue, Brown, Cream, Black, Grey, White after using a color I simply place all of the scraps into the envelope behind the color (great to use for punch art and paper piecing) This is how I organize my pattern paper: In the back of each file I also have a Tyvek envelope slit down the side and sealed to hold scraps for the paper from that file. I have the patterned paper divided into the following themes: Each theme has its own hanging file. Animal, Baby, Checks, Child, Christmas, Denim, Dots, Fall, Floral, Gingham, Hearts, Heritage, Misc., Party, Plaid, School, Sports, Stars, Stripes, Travel, Vellum Prints, Wedding, After using a piece of paper from a particular theme I refill the scraps into e envelope behind that theme. All paper is easily visible with minimal effort. I hang the paper on a Tax Storage Cart I picked up last year at the Container Store for approximately $50. This card also has shelves and flat storage space for holding additional supplies. Although this is a pretty immobile system, it works great as I pre-plan all of my layouts before going to a crop and therefore do not have a need to take my paper to a crop. Brandi Webster I just love to organize!!! I bought two accordion style notebook/folders. There are 12 pockets in each one. The first one I broke down into holidays and seasons...New Years, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. The second one I broke down into colors...Yellow, Red, Orange, Green, Blue, Purple, Pink, Brown and Black, ...then I added these miscellaneous categories...nature (i.e.: water, wood, grass), specialty papers (i.e.: vellum, velveteen, mulberry), and cut-outs. I'm sure as I acquire more paper I will subdivide further. Hope this helps! Kim Bears I store all my papers in accordion file. They are sorted by solid colors, designs, holiday backgrounds etc. I use any of my coordinating 8 1/2 x 10 papers sorted with the matching paper. All I have to do is go thru the file to find the perfect background for my future page. Gina Asta There is just no way to get around it; organization is the key to good scrapbooking. I don't know about you, but when I see a cool piece of paper I just HAVE to buy it (I happen to be a bit of a compulsive buyer when it comes to scrapbooking supplies). Well, what is the point of having all of that great paper if you never use it because you have forgotten that it exists at the bottom of that abyss of paper. To avoid "paper disaster", I have come up with an organizational system that works for me, and hopefully it will work for you also.8 ½ x 11 paper was the biggest headache for me until I came up with a list of three necessities, 3-ring binders (in whatever size works for you), acid-free paper protectors, and a Cropper Hopper. I have three 3-ringbinders with the following labels on them: Seasons/Holidays, Celebration &Fun/Plaids/Misc, and Solid Colors. Then inside each binder I have a bunch of acid-free paper protectors. Inside those paper protectors I store different themes of paper. For instance in my Season/holiday binder I have a Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, etc. page protector. In my Solid Colors binder I have page protectors for different shades of Blues, Greens, Reds, Earth tones, etc. Then I store the 3-ring binders in my big Cropper Hopper. 12 x 12 paper is a whole different ball game. I find that I do not have near as much 12 x 12 paper as I do of the 8 ½ x 11. I recently found a new product that I love, and it is a portable container by Cropper Hopper with 12 x 12 hanging folders. I have hanging folders labeled as the following: solid colors, holidays, seasons, and misc. That seems to do the trick with my assortment of 12 x 12 paper. It is amazing to me how my time and frustration this system has saved me. It is so easy to take my paper with me when I go to a cropping party because this system is so portable. This is just an additional piece of information that I hope that you will appreciate. Have you even purchased stickers that match your paper just because they matched and you thought they were just so adorable (not sure whether or not you would ever use them)? Well, what I do is gently paper clip the stickers to the paper so that I do not forget that I have the stickers when I use the paper. Rachel Benjamin I love to collect paper so it's a challenge to keep it organized. I've found a system that works really well for me with both 8.5 x 11 and 12x12. I use a Cropper Hopper for my 12x12 & any printed 8.5x11 papers and separate it in the following categories: Pastel Solids, Classic/True Solids, Background, Flowers, Pastel Mini-Prints, Classic/True Mini-Prints, Themes, Framed Papers, and Specialty 12x12 papers (i.e. Vellum, metallics, etc.). I also have a separate file for Susan Branch and Debbie Mumm since their papers all go together and I use a lot of them! :) For my 8.5x11 paper I found a rolling cart with four drawers. i removed the two middle drawers and placed a large portable file organizer (Office max) in the bottom drawer. I am able to fit all my 8.5 x11 solids and specialty papers in here. The top drawer has a divider in it that stores my pens, adhesives, corner rounder, etc. I placed a hard top on it to hold my CIS PSB - it's the perfect size to hold it open and the whole cart rolls under my table! I love that both systems are on rollers and am able to move them around to where I need them, whether I'm scrapping or stamping. I also have a Highsmith chest of 6 drawers with one drawer holding handmade paper and another drawer holding my Christmas papers. Sharon Smith I recently bought a plastic accordion style folder that has plastic, permanent dividers inside. I categorized the tabs into holidays, such as birthday, Christmas, fall, Easter, summer fun, etc. It holds only 8.5X11 paper but it is very handy. I also had plenty of dividers to have tabs with colors listed. Blue paper is all together, reds, greens, etc. I put the solid cardstock in the corresponding colors with the printed paper or cardstock of the same. It saves a lot of time going through all of the paper to find what you want and it is every economical. It is not very big so storage isnt a major problem, either. I would love to have racks to hold my paper but I just don't have the room for them. I find this systems works very well!! Jean from MA I organize my paper in a portable Pendaflex filebox that has a lid and a handle. Mine will hold about a foot deep in hanging folders. I work with 8 1/2x11 size paper only. I used the clear plastic index tabs that come with the file box to label the hanging folders. In the front on my box I have one hanging folder for each of the solid color cardstock. Behind the solid colors, I have one hanging folder where I grouped the patterned primary colored paper and behind that I hold the patterned pastel papers. Then I have a hanging folder for each group of themed paper i.e. Holidays, sports, vacation/travel, school. Behind all the hanging folders of paper I even have a hanging folder for templates, diecuts, and sheet protectors. Irene Mueller, California I recommend hanging file folders labeled with the paper categories. You can use these in a Cropper Hopper (I have the one with the 2 class totes- 1 patterned & 1 solid paper) or you can purchase file tote boxes anywhere. These you can have either for home storage or smaller boxes with handles to take to crops. I have also used the smaller totes for theme albums such as my Disneyland album I'm working on, I have all my Disney-related paper, stickers and die cuts in one place. This system works wonderfully for 8.5"x11" album users, but if I ever completely switch to 12x12" paper I'll be back to the drawing board :) Felicia Young No matter how many papers the scrapbooking industry puts out, a scrapbook paper lover’s cravings are never satisfied! Give me 500 shades of solid cardstock and 2000 different patterned papers, PLEASE! But then to store it all and be able to remember you have it AND where to find it—that’s a challenge. A couple different things work for me. For 8.5x11 cardstock, I have a poly-plastic file organizer with a flip over cover that attaches to a hook with an elastic loop. The base measures about 4 inches wide, and it has 18 inner dividers. In the first divider is all cardstock in shades of red (reds, burgundy, pinks, raspberry, etc). Behind the second tab is large usable scraps that you could use to make borders or mats. Also behind the second tab is a page protector with smaller scraps inside that you could use for accents (triangles, small squares or rectangles). Following the same pattern, the next 2 sections are dedicated to orange, then yellow, green, teals, blue, purple, black/white, brown, cream, and metallics. I spend lots less time looking for paper now! I also keep 12x12 cardstock organized in rainbow color order in 1 or 2 Cropper Hopper paper organizers. Patterned paper is more of a challenge. It’s easiest for me to divide by pattern type instead of by color. Categories I use are ginghams/checks/lines/dots, small all-over prints, large all-over prints, border prints, scenes, busy prints, Christmas, and other holiday. Then within each category, papers are arranged in rainbow order as best as you can. Another 8.5x11 organizer (like I use for cardstock) works well for this size paper. When I first began collecting 12x12, I used a Cropper Hopper paper organizer. As the collection grew, I switched to a Generations 12x12 accordion paper file. Then I clean up my scrapbook area, that’s a good time to peruse the paper collection and refresh myself on what papers I have. This, in addition to having paper organized the way I do, helps me locate the paper I need when I’m planning a layout. Thank you for the opportunity to enter your contest. I really enjoy the Scrapbooking.com site. This was the first sb site I viewed 2.5 years ago when I began sb’ing, and I still come back to it again and again! Laura Schmidt I have several of the 12 x 12 envelopes that are sold in most scrapbooking stores for just a couple dollars. These envelopes hold all of my solid color paper. One envelope has neutral colored paper, another has primary, another pastel color and so on... I also have a paper rack which has categories for paper other than my solids. Printed vellum, non-printed vellum, mulberry paper, wedding theme, baby, sports, heritage, masculine paper, holiday paper, etc. My envelopes with my solid color paper usually are just stored in my CIS tote. If I'm going to a crop I just take any other paper I need off my paper rack and put it in my tote too. Jennifer Buying and stocking up on paper is my best and worst habit! When I first started scrapbooking a year ago, I ran to the local craft stores and bought several different multi-packs of colored paper as well as patterned paper. My collection became overwhelming! What I did to get organized is I purchased several expandable folders as well as an accordion-style folder. I store the different shades of blue in one compartment, the different shades of green in another and so on. It is very easy to access the shade you are looking for as they are standing up in a file and are not buried in piles and stacks in my supply box. I have a separate accordion-style folder for patterned paper and have labeled each section according to theme. Christmas papers are together in one folder as well as school days in another. Also, I never throw anything away! I save the scraps of paper as well. I have large zip-lock bags full of scraps of blue stored in the blue folder, a bag full of scraps of green shades and so on. Keeping them separate in the baggies keeps the folders from being cluttered and messy. Julia Leahy The best way I found to keep my 8 1/2 x 11 paper is to use magazine holders. They are hard plastic which stands up well to lots of abuse, and they stand by themselves. I keep them on my shelves at home, and I divide the colors (country, primary, stripes, prints, cottage, darks, whites, etc.) with a 6x12 cardboard with the category of color on it. This has worked for me for over two years, and is the easiest I've found. I can pick one up and put it in my Crop In Style XL, along with any idea books I need, and I'm on my way to a crop. With 12x12 paper, I use individual plastic envelopes. You can get them at any scrapbook store, or office supply store. The one I use has two sides, one for prints, and one for solids. It also fits in my CIS but doesn't work quite as well as the magazine holders. Tammie Murray I have US Postal Service Express Mail boxes (these measure slightly larger than 12 x 12 and they were free at my post office) for the following categories: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, Baby, Children. Within each box, I have a jumbo size Ziploc bag. Paper (and stickers, die cuts, page toppers, idea sheets, paper piecing patterns, etc.) that is OBVIOUSLY one of these themes goes into the Ziploc bag in the box. I did this because I only plan out these types of pages once a year and I wanted to put them into some sort of storage until I needed them. When I know that I will be working on Christmas pages, I pull down that box. For other 12 x 12 paper: Then there are all those 12 x 12 papers that are not obviously in the above categories. I use the accordion file boxes by Generations to organize these. The paper is organized by color and within color by solid or pattern. For some colors (blue and green), I even break it down into light, medium or dark. (Yes, I have that much paper!) For 8.5 x 11 paper: I have these organized by color in the bottom drawer of a 3-drawer Iris cart. I will mix in the patterns and the solids of this size because I don't have as much as in the 12 x 12. Scraps of paper: Again, I organize by color in an accordion file. If I need background paper for my pages, I go to my 12 x 12 stash. When I need paper for accents (such as, mats, punchies, paper piecing, etc.), I search through my scraps file first, then through my 8.5 x 11 stash. Chris in Cleveland I have three parts to filing my papers. 1. 12 x 12 papers. 2. 8.5 x 11 papers. 3. Scraps and pieces. I keep an expando-type file with my 12 x 12 solids and a separate file for my 12 x 12 prints. Within the file I sort the colors following the basics....reds, blues, greens, yellows, whites etc..... Each pocket has a file tab that I put a scrap of the basic color for quick identification. The system for my 8.5 x 11 paper is similar. I have only one file system and keep both solids and prints together. There is a separate pocket for plaids and multiple prints. The major holidays have their own folder within the system. When working on Halloween I can pull the folder and have all those great prints ready to pick from. For scraps I use and expando file for the basic colors; reds/pinks/purples; blues/greens; oranges/yellows; blacks/grays; white/tans/browns; prints. These scrap files hold pieces that can be large enough for matting as well as the smaller sizes that are great for punching. Ooops...I forgot one other file I have....."John's Paper" John is my seven year old grandson who loves to scrapbook. He has the best selection of punches and is always willing to punch anything I need. So I keep a special file for John. When he is cropping with me he knows that is his file of paper to use. So if you have any "little helpers", be sure to include them in your scrapping. It creates some great memories to record and cherish. Keep scrappin'. Marie S. Weaver I use two storage products to organize my paper. For my 8.5 x 11 paper, I use a 15" Spacemaker File 'n Store bin from Office Depot which holds hanging file folders. I organize my paper into individual file folders by: color of cardstock (red, pink, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, black, white/off-white, silver/gold), specialty paper (mulberry, vellum, embossed, velvet), and category of patterned paper (nature, animals, seasons, holidays, other celebrations, travel/vacation, baby, childhood, and misc patterns). I also have two folders holding Ziploc bags of scraps based on the above categories. I use a Generations Memory Express accordion organizer for my 12 x 12 paper. Since I use less 12x12 paper, I can fit it all into the 19 compartments based on most of the above categories. I keep pages-in-progress in a Generations 12x12 Craft Keeper poly envelope. Randi Having recently been introduced (and hooked) into scrapbooking, I have found the best way for me to organize all the wonderful paper I have so quickly accumulated is by using the CIS PSB binder. In it I have placed the strip pages to place the CM Short Cuts strips & border stickers, the chunky pages for the corners and rectangles, die cuts, & stickers; the 12 x 12 sheets were perfect for the 12 x 12 paper. Also through a local office store I bought archival safe sheet protectors which I store my 8 ½ x 11 papers & alphabet stickers. I have placed these all in the psb by color scheme. Any left over paper goes into a plastic file tote in file folders w/ the index tabs also by color scheme. That way, whenever I go to a crop, I just place my PSB, picture box and assorted pen box and off I go w/ everything I need! Michelle Although I use a 12x12 album, I keep both 8 1/2 X 11 and 12x12 paper on hand. I organize them differently depending on size and whether or not they are patterned. For 8 1/2 x 11 paper, I purchased 2 9 x 12 folders from Meijer for $1.50 each that each have 8 pockets in it. In one pocket, I keep all shades of blue paper, in another red, in another green, etc. In one folder, I keep all plain paper, and in the other I keep patterned paper. This allows me also to keep small scraps of paper in the same place as the large pieces, which is more cost-effective. For the 12 x 12 paper, I purchased a 12 x 12 clear one-pocket folder from our local scrapbook store for $2.50. I only purchase paper in the 12x12 size with a certain layout in mind, so I don't have a lot laying around, so one folder works just fine for that. I do a lot of my scrapbooking with my sister-in-law, so it is essential that my supplies be mobile, and I have found that these two methods keep me well-organized, but also very mobile. Janelle Collins Due to the odd size of the albums Ii use (11 7/8 by 11 1/8), I never knew which size to use. Recently I got into the 12 X 12 pattern paper, but still use 8.5 X 11 cardstock. I have a 12 X 12 plastic heavy duty folder for my 12 X 12 pattern paper. My 8.5 X 11 cardstock is organized into two plastic accordion folders organized by color. Two pockets in the accordion folder are designated for the scraps from the 8.5 X 11 that I put to use on later pages or in different books. All these folders fit perfectly in my Crop-in-Style Tote! Tara Gangi Hello I wanted to share my idea for organizing my paper. I use both 8 1/2x11 and 12x12 paper. I organize the 8 1/2x11 paper in a Rubbermaid file storage box. I have each color paper in a separate file folder that is labeled with that colors name (easy for thumbing through). I also have (and I am very big on) individual decorative paper (like you would get from Paper Pizzazz or loose at a scrapbook store). Each of these also goes into its own labeled file folder according to categories (Holidays, baby, school, special occasion, birthday, etc...). Since there is plenty of room in the container I also have my Paper Pizzazz books, alphabet stickers and idea books in it also. The 12x12 paper is much the same way except in a container that fits the paper without folding or tearing it. I use a shallow Rubbermaid rectangular container that is about 15x15 so it fits in there really nice. The only difference is the paper and folders are laying flat instead of standing up like in the file storage container. However, when I am working on my scrapbook I stand the folders up and place the other file storage (8 1/2x11) container behind it, that way I have all the paper right in front of me at a hands reach. I also usually don't throw away scrap paper either (you never know, it could be used for something!) this paper has its own file folder too, but I have been finding that a large plastic storage bag seems to be working better for that purpose (it keeps the smaller pieces in there place). These methods have been working for me. Hope they will for you too! Holly The easiest thing for me is to separate my paper into subjects: baby, zoo, plaids, stripes, etc. I usually have lots of plaid, or solids, so I will go even farther and separate them into colors. I use an expandable file folder so I have all my paper at hand to mix and match with the other sheets. Suzanne Olsen I have purchased a large verti-flex file. It's approx 12x12 and has a sturdy handle on it. It has dividers with tabs for labeling inside. I started with one and sorted papers by themes such as holidays, vacation, etc. Now I have another file, and it has all my solid card stock and papers, sorted by colors. It makes it a lot quicker to look for something when scrapbooking or card making. My papers no longer have dog-ears or wrinkles, and they cases carry where I need to go. Michelle D. I use a plastic container (Crop In Style?) with handles that has hanging file folders in it. This container in particular can hold 12X12 and above papers. What I have been doing for the last 9 months or so is separating the paper by theme. I am currently working on my wedding album so I have been putting all paper of the right color or design, regardless of size, in one file folder. The other papers are just separated by theme and color. Sports paper goes with solid colors that I can imagine using on sports layouts, etc. Deborah Root I sort all my paper by color. In page protectors I put the 81/2x11 in page protectors and put all the pink plain and pink patterned then go to the next color. I then put them in binders. for the 12 x 12 I sort the same but put them in the accordion envelopes. Also for themed papers I organize them by season or holiday. Vicki Olson Hi! I have only been scrapbooking for the past three months, but already love it! I store my paper in an expanding file (you know, the cardboard A-Z office type thingy!). You can generally get them in A4 or foolscap sizes. I place my paper into photo-safe polypropylene plastic sleeves, one color to each sleeve, and then file it into the expanding file, one color to each pocket. You can easily rename the A - Z headings with the name of the color in each pocket. I find that these files keep my papers nice and flat and all in one place, and I don't have to 'shuffle' through various sheets of colored paper to find the one piece that I'm looking for! It also easy to see when you run out of your favorite color and need to buy more!! Donelle Burton |
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I had to send in my suggestion for this contest as paper has become my total obsession which has forced me to organize my paper in an efficient and cost effective manner. Firstly I bought a standard
Rubbermaid filing tote, but removed the lid as it will not close with 12 x 12 paper. I then bought a box of letter size hanging dividers which I sliced at the bottom so that my paper would slide all the way to the bottom and the files act as dividers instead of files. I then organize all my 12 x 12 papers at the front by color and all of my 8.5 x 11 or odd sizes in the back also sorted by color. Because this tote is quite a load to carry around to all of my crops, I purchased a 12 X 12 Memory Express "xylophone" like tote in which I place 2 of every colored paper. I then periodically go thru the Memory Express tote and refill from my
Rubbermaid filing tote. Photos included. Jen
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