Hi Everyone! Today I thought I’d share with you how I organize/store my card stock and scrap papers. It’s nothing fancy-pancy, but at the moment it works for me!
First of all, when I receive my new packages of {fabulous} Stampin’ Up! card stock, I place it in the filing cabinet beside my desk. This is handy for when I’m planning classes and need to see how much paper I have and/or need simply by pulling out the drawer and taking a quick peek. It’s also convenient because I can take a quick look through as I’m placing my orders to see if I need to add a package of Whisper White or Very Vanilla, Early Espresso or other card stock that I use on a constant basis. There’s nothing worse than running out of Whisper White or Early Espresso when you REALLY need it. So I ensure this NEVER happens! LOL
I organize my card stock by colour, not family (ie: Regals, Brights, etc).
You may be wondering WHY I have the tags listed TWICE – well, truth be told, when I first set up my files I used pieces of neutral coloured card stock to write on the names of the colours. After the first few days of using this system I decided a ‘visual’ colour system would work better so I added new tags, using pieces of corresponding card stock (ie. blue tag for the blue paper). I just never bothered removing the original tags *wink* FYI: I used my Round Tab Ex-Lg Punch for making the tags
As I create my projects and when I prepare for upcoming events, I ALWAYS end up with scraps. I have a VERY hard time throwing out paper. If you saw all the bits and pieces I kept, you would surely think that I have a deep fear of a massive paper shortage on Earth one day. I admit it’s a problem – and I’m working on it. Hee hee. I actually did give away a huge box FULL of scraps to a friend for her kids to play with. That’s progress! Anywho…as I create I put my scraps into a plastic container that I always keep out, next to my tabletop paper cutter.
Once the container gets full, or when I am inspired to organize it (whichever comes first), I take out all the card stock and make little piles on my table.
My piles go by colour (reds, pinks, oranges, browns, etc). I have piles for DSP (Designer Series Paper), Specialty Paper (Glossy White card stock, Vellum, Silver, Shimmery White, etc), stamped pieces and unfinished projects.
I have hanging folders in a large 4 drawer lateral filing cabinet. As you can see from the photo, I file all my paper scraps according to colour and the aforementioned categories.
This is the file for my Designer Series Paper.
My stamped pieces. These are great pieces to make a quick card or add an embellishment to a project when I’m really rushed. It’s also just fun to pull out and play with and challenges me to create all kinds of pretty cards and scrapbook pages.
My ‘unfinished projects’ file. Bits and pieces left over from classes and projects that have been started, but not finished, go into this file. Another fun folder to pull out and play with! Also handy when I need to make a quick gift!
This is the file for my ‘specialty’ papers.
I also have a whole drawer in the filing cabinet reserved for all of my 12×12 card stock and DSP.
And that, my friends, is how I keep my papers organized. I hope it gave you some ideas and inspiration for keeping your collection of paper scraps handy and in order.
Here’s a card I made using scraps from my files:
Using retired DSP cut into 1 1/2″ strips (glued onto scrap card stock) I cut the Top Note with my Big Shot. Then I adhered it to a piece of Crumb Cake card stock which I had wheeled with my Friendly Words and Soft Suede ink. The butterflies were also made out of scraps and my Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die. Warning: you may have noticed a lot of my recent cards feature these butterflies….and there’s going to be a lot more butterflies in the days to come. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya. I can’t get enough of them and have been using this die non-stop (in fact, DAILY) since I got it (only a few weeks ago – what took me so long to order this die???!!)
Aren’t these butterflies just gorgeous?!!
I added some BLING with a Rhinestone Jewel and a little mist of Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (mixed with rubbing alcohol). I love how this card turned out!
Have a marvelous day & HAPPY STAMPING!
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