Scrapbookers - do you have any organization tips / ideas you'd care to share?

[Belle0101]

My New Year's Resolution is to de-clutter and get organized. I'm going through my stickers and die-cuts now and realized I have duplicates on top of duplicates and "found" die-cuts I had forgotten about!

Obviously my way isn't working and I need a new way. So how do you keep your things organized - theme, holiday, season, event or another way? I have a Crop in Style PSB, a filing drawer ... I have enough space. I'm just not using it wisely.

I have to get myself organized soon so I can start scrapping again. My "baby" is 4 and I haven't even scrapped one picture of him - I'm really far behind. My dad and step-mom want me to make an album from their wedding. My sister wants one from her wedding too. DH's older boys want an album each from our December 2002 Disney trip ...

 

[Mamu]

I wish I could tell you there is a easy way to be organized.

I purchase plastic or paper folders try to keep things in order. A plastic folder with different compartments for papers. A plastic folder with different compartments for stickers and die cuts. A plastic folder with different compartments for letters and words. Try to label each compartment. The problem is the more you scrap the more supplies you acquire, the more space you need. I am now using a piggy-back carrier for classes because one is not enough.

The key is labels, I try to label everything. Solids-in order. Prints- holidays in order, other prints-flowers color codes, vacations-beach, theme parks, camping, baby color coded, etc, etc. I also do this with my stickers, die cuts, letters and borders.

I share a lot of my supplies with other scrappers at class and can usually put my finger on something within a few minutes. The more folders you have, the more you can separate and label what you have.

 

[JudithM]

Just this morning I decided to go through my stickers, diecuts, etc. I use manilla folders & label the topic - Americana, birthday, borders, Christmas, Disney, flowers, travel, weddings, etc.. I was keeping all the folders in an oval wicker basket. That worked well until I started to accumulate more & more items. I found an old Tupperware container & have now split up the folders. So now I have to containers with folders of stickers, sayings, diecuts, etc.

Now I need to figure out what to do with all the paper bsides keep it in a box !

 

[welovemickey]

To separate die cuts and stickers, I bought a plastic crate at Office Max with legal sized folders. I divided everything by theme and labeled each folder. That helps with stickers and dies.

For paper, I have a Cropper Hopper and it works very well for me (except I keep running out of 12 x 12 folders)

For my embellishments and such, DH bought me a tool caddy that hangs on the wall with drawers.

Even though it sounds organized, I can't seem to get anything done!

 

[pattyT]

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?gallery=1&cmd=display&layout_id=146547&show=2

Above is a link to my 'Bucket' that holds a TON of stuff and stores easily. Even serves as a stool with the lid if you need it

I also LOVE
My Target Cube for 12x12 paper storage
and
My Iris Carts from Staples for the sizzix dies, a drawer for adhesives, stamping stuff etc

and the newest trend I have going on that I love -
I have been reusing the 'pizza' boxes I get in swaps and through clubscrap to make 'kits'

I put ALL my 4th of july - Americana Paper, stickers, fibers, specialty eyelets, die cuts, EVERYTHING red white and blue into that box -
and the same for Christmas, Fall/Halloween, Disney, and so on!
it works GREAT!

 

[crazyforpooh]

I just reorganized my scrapbook area. I suppose it all depends on your style crop away or at home and if you have an area where you can leave things out.

I can leave things out and have a designated area plus I do go to crops but, not as much lately.

On my table I have various baskets (that I have boughten on clearance after certain holidays) A Basket each of - CM cutting Templates, different scrissors, fibers and eyelets, one of all my CM Punches and adhesives, I have a basket that you use for cultery (sp) with my glue sticks, tweezers, and some pens, then in the back where you would put the napkins I have some boarders, then I have a basket I just added for scraps when cropping.

I have the target cubes, idea from PattyT will all my different ways I sort my paper extra supplies, page protecters etc.

Then I have two 3 drawer 8 1/2 by 11 units with paper, and embellishments by seasons kind of I have these on a small table behind my chair along with my Sizzix cutter. I still need to purchase I bin to put all my dies in but they were out at Walmart today.

Then I have my desk lamp and wastebasket.

Good luck,

Laura

 

[Spinning]

at this point I am the portable scrapper...Dreaming of a scrap area thought....

Any way I swear by my tackle box...best thing I bought yet! It holds almost all of my embellishments and cutting tools! and is very easy to work out of!

I also have the crop in style XXlarge bag in that I have 3 paper takes...one for solids, patterns and specialty paper
I also have a CIS sticker binder which I have semi organized by season, holiday, event..you know all Disney goes here....

I personally think the best organization tip is....Go through each and everything you own. Take all you paper out and sort it different if it is by color then change it to theme or event... The reason I say this once you actually touch everything you realize how much you have! I did this before the holidays and it has made a world of difference in my spending!

 

[soccerchick]

How do you store your 12x12 paper? Are the Target crates mentioned those colored milk crate ones?

Welovemickey -- Who makes the Cropper Hopper? CM?

I haven't made it to Staples or Office Depot yet to see if they have something suitable for the paper. I went to the Container Store and they had a Scrapbook Paper Organzier for $39.99. Ouch!

I just convinced DH to left me take over half his basement "den" for a dedicated scrapping and sewing room. I bought a bookshelf and some organization containers/cubbies/drawers at Target and DH is going to make me a table from our old kitchen island countertop.

 

[kaygela]

Originally posted by soccerchick
How do you store your 12x12 paper?
Who makes the Cropper Hopper? CM?

.

Cropper Hopper is the name of the company and they make all sorts of organizational products. I have there work station which comes with file folders and I organize things by theme in that. I also have three paper takers...one for solids and one for patterns and handmade papers. I keep disney paper in the 3rd one. I also have two CIS stickers books which I keep die cuts in. I bought refills that have large pockets. One sticker book is all Disney, the other is organized by theme. I keep embellishments in plastic containers and tackle type boxes. I bought a large bag on wheels made by Art Bin that comes with several embellishment boxes that pack neatly into this bag. It is lightweight and on wheels and is the best thing I own for organizational purposes. I bought it from Joanne's.com. They very often offer 40% off.

 

[crazyforpooh]

Well if I knew how to add a picture to my message I would post the Target bins that I am refering to but I have no idea how to put a picture in my post from "my pictures" area of my c drive. If someone would like to tell me how I'd be happy to post a pic for you.

They are not the crates. They are wire grates like that you put together then add tie wraps to add your shelving.

Laura

 

[heathrow42]

..to organize (sigh!)

I have a few of the clear 12x12 acrylic stackables that I got from LSS (expensive though! ) I love them but they are soo full. I tried the wire cube thing, and really liked it for holding books, magazines, The Slab, and my tackle box thingy that has all my punches in it. I never found it so useful for paper because there just weren't enough shelves. The wire cube eventually collapsed when i tried to move it across the room, and I haven't tried to get it back together.

I just got 4 of the 8.5x11 white plastic drawer thingies -- they were $4 ea at big lots! Compared to $16-20 ea at Bed bath and beyond. I have all the stuff i constantaly use in them as well as paper in the higher up ones. I think that is one of the important things about organizing.. identify the things you use most and arrange it so they are close at hand.

As to the Original Post.. I saw on 2peas a woman who sorted her and then stored them in cd cases - then put the cd cases in a pretty cd holder. The cd cases were the clear jewel cases you can get in office supply places (sometimes free after rebates!) Because it is a cd case, you can slide a sheet in to the case and label it on the front and the spine.

I also know of a woman who uses a photocopy machine, she places the diecuts on the machine and then shrinks them down and makes a copy.. she then puts this in a little binder she carries with her. That seems like a whole lot of work for me... but it works for her.

Checkout 2peas though-- in the gallery, they have a whole section for scraprooms

2peas scraprooms

--heather

 

[aurora19]

I use many of the ideas already stated here but wanted to add one.

I use a Pampered Chef Tool Turnaround for pens/markers/ scissors, rulers, and eyelet tools. I find it keeps all of those things handy, easy to get to, and organized.

 

[chessie]

I was a portable scrapper until about 8 or 9 months ago when they closed the cropping room at my LSS. That was when I became a collector. I would bring my wonderful purchases home and just stash them wherever they would fit. This fall I began pulling things together to form a workable place to scrap where I can keep everything.

I have about 5 feet of wall space on each side of a corner in my computer room. I have to keep close to the wall so my scrapping area goes up. My paper is in an 18 shelf paper rack like you see at the scrapbook stores. They are stackable and I am just about ready for a 2nd one. I sort my paper according to the color wheel.

I purchased an inexpensive bookcase. The kind that you can change the height of the shelves. The bottom shelf holds albums, project folders, templets, an accordion file for scrapes and my PSB. The next shelf holds 6 clear Rubbermaid containers and 2 sterlite drawers stacked on each other. The containers are sorted by Categories. One is fibers, ribbon, wire, mesh and anything else that might fit into that category. Another is beads, buttons, charms, eyelet's, metals and again anything that could belong to that category. I also have an entire container dedicated to different kinds of adhesives. The drawers contain punches and stamping supplies. The next shelf will hold idea books and magazines. The 4th shelf has been left empty to store pages in the making. The top shelf stores tools like my cutter, light box, embossing gun and others. I don't have anything on the very top as yet.

I have 3 milk crates stacked on each other with miscellaneous stuff I haven't tackled as yet.

My work surface is a rectangular Samsonite folding presentation table.

I still have a bit of fine tuning to do but I am happy in my space.

Chessie

 

[ToDisney]

I'm a mobile scrapper because I love going to crops... so I couldn't live without my recent tackle box purchases. It's a Plano 1234 from WalMart. I only have my fibers in the top now because I've bought another tackle box for my Paper Bliss and flat Making Memories stuff like frames... it has my Magic Mesh and other similar items that I can "file" through easily. It's another Plano and the colors match , but I forget the number.

 

[giatocj]

Since I scrap in my dining room I need to be creative with my organization. I keep stickers, paperpiecings, etc. all in 3 ring binders divided by theme. I have another binder for letter templates, one for frames and tags and one for alpha stickers. All these are kept in my scrapping armoire along with my Xyrons, Shrinky Dink Machine and other larger items. My rubber stamp sets are in a Rubbermaid 4 drawer unit, my Sizzix Alphas are in Sizzix Towers (I have 2) while the rest of my dies live in yet another Rubbermaid 4 drawer unit, my diecuts are in Photo Storage boxes, my pictures are in a Cropper Hopper Photo Storage Box and my 12 x 12 Colorblocking Templates are in my PSB along with store bought paperpiecing patterns. My paper is all stored in a big Rubbermaid tote which holds about 2000 plus pieces of 12 x 12 paper (and mine is chock full!!!). For embellishments I have my WONDERFUL Plano tacklebox from Wal-mart and a smaller Cropper Hopper Embellishment box. My pens, scissors, pencils, etc. are kept in a very special gift from my 4 year old grandson...a clear Thomas the Tank Engine pencil tote!!! It is my prize possession because we all know that most 4 year olds don't part with things very easily=)))

I know it sounds like a lot of different stuff, but it's all handy in one room and all strategically placed so it doesn't interfere MUCH with everyday life!!!

HTH,

Donna C.

 

[rvoto]

although I do not have any pictures I will expain as good as I can. I have one of the white cabnets that you can buy at wal mart or target for about 40.00 it has a tun of room. Just last week with my holiday money I bought (at walmart) in the office area some large divided trays they were 3.98 them I have one for my punches, I have one for all my metal embelishments one for buttons and fibers and one for extera tape and glue They stack on top of each other. so each is labled. they fit 5 high I now have tuns of room I have my 12x 12 paper in the cubes from target The wire ones and I have the matching cart to the white cabnet for my 81/2 paper in file wire cubes fron target. I have the aveery cart for my pens and I have a nail organizer from walmart with 16 med drawers it is yellow for my die cuts and have them by theme. birthday sports etc. I hope I was a little help I wis I could figure out how to post photos but I can not get it.

 

[kessieann]

DH built me a scrapbook room this past summer and it is pure heaven. Nothing too fancy just a room in the basement. I actually sold my XXL crop-in-style tote because I never felt all that organized with it. I rarely find time to go to cropping parties so this is working out nicely for me.

I got a really huge cafeteria style table from a local school when they had a big sale so that has made spreading out very easy. I have seen them at Sam's for around $75.00. On my walls I hung peg board so that I could hang up all of my scissors. I purchased an inexpensive silverware drawer insert and keep my pens and misc. long things separated in that. I have not started purchasing a ton of eyelets yet so I still have room for those in a large round pill of the day container. I also got a large Lazy Susan for 25 cents at a yard sale this past summer and I put my punches on that and can spin them around to find what I want.

I have been making my dd's Autograph/Scrapbook for our upcoming trip and it has been wonderful having everything right where I want it. It was also the best year I have ever had wrapping Christmas gifts-no sore back from trying to do it on the floor.

 

[craftyscrappinqt]

originally, i thought i was really ingenious to think of the target cubes, but i see i am not the only one with that idea! if you are having trouble finding them, they are with the organizational storage items like for bathrooms and garages. they come in 14-1/2 square panels with a choice of either white, black, or chrome. there is also a smaller set of cubes in with the stationary or craft area of the store, unless these were a seasonal item... they make 6 by 6 cubes..... PERFECT for storing your scissors through the top of the cube.

since i travel between stores, school, and home, i cannot afford to use too "permanent" ways of storing items. i have a rolling drawer cart that is just wide enough for my 12 by 12 paper in... i have it all sorted by color, and put each color group into a 2 and a half gallon ziplock bag.... this works GREAT for me, since i dont have to worry about messing up the order of them. they just stay in their bags... i also travel with my eyelet case (see next section) and a fiskars tote that runs about 40 dollars at michaels. also, you can use the silver eyelet cases at michaels to store small die cuts in.

for those of you who love to use eyelets, here is what i did...

i wasn't very impressed with alot of the real eyelet storage, so i went on a hunt.... which lead me to bead organizers.... the best one i found is at michaels. in the bead aisle, on the bottom shelf are all of the storage boxes for beads. one of them is a strange looking one.... it has 5 small tackle boxes around the outside of it with a divided tray on the top that has a lid.... i thought it was pretty cool.... until i got it home and realized how great it was! the 5 bins on the outside have dividers in them, so you really have 20 sections to play with just on there.... not only that, but they come off the main part of the storage unit and can be taken individually if you need to... the top bin is divided as well, and can be taken out... when done, you see there is a large storage area INSIDE the thing that you can fit a standard setting mat and your setter and hole punch. this works great for me and was 5 dollars... what a deal!

hope this helps some of you!

 

[scrappinMickey]

Ya'll have tons of great ideas and I can't contribute much more. I bought plastic 3-drawers (big ones) from Target. They hold all my big stuff. You can stack two on top of each other for 6 drawers and put a set on each side of your table. Then you can put a piece of board across the top, over your desk, for extra storage space.

Also, you can nail the lids to baby jars under the board and store eyelets, buttons, etc.... in the jars for easy access.

 

[linda_pizzuro]

Ok, everyone keeps talking about the target cubes. I am not sure what these are. I imagine they can be purchased at Target Stores - what size are they, what are they made out of - are they the wire grid things or solid plastic cubes. Does anyone have a picture they can include? I tried going on Targets website and could not find them.

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions. I really need to get organized.

Linda