Showing posts with label organization. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organization. Show all posts

Paper Organization

Monday, May 13, 2013

I am fortunate enough to have 2 drawers for paper. I had previously stored my paper by alphabetic order (paper color name) as I mainly had paper from one company. But as I have added paper from other companies I needed a better way to integrate all the colors. 


You can also see that the color labels are staggered and there is an occasionally folder of a different color as seen in the picture below with the arrows.

I decided to change and group by the color wheel. So all the neutrals, blues, greens, etc are together. I also decided to put all the labels for the neutrals for example in the same position. It is a great visual clue. I don't know about you but visual clutter is distracting and I don't think we even realize it tell we see the before and after. Don't you think the drawer looks much happier?


The second drawer holds my clear bags, paper bags, transparencies, inspiration files, etc. I had so many plastic bags. I did a major purge. 

The second drawer is once more organized and ready to go!

At the back of the drawer are files with labels that are ready to go for whatever new thing I bring home. Having these in place help keep it going.


How do you store your paper? ~Rhonda





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Things to do while waiting

Monday, February 18, 2013

for your NEW stuff to arrive! Nothing derails an organization system faster than when you bring new things home and you don't have a place set up for them. I have some ideas that will help as you stalk the postman.


 Are you using the Tim Holtz or Paper Studio from Hobby Lobby folders for your stamps? How many sets did you order? Do you have the acetate and white card stock cut and in the folders already? You should get them ready now.


Oh. My. DIE! How many did you order? How do you store them? Do you have the paper in your pouches ready to go? Do you need to make an additional long border die pocket?


What a pretty new color! Did you order the new paper and ink? Get the folder set up for the paper. Put the name on your index label.


 Do you use Evernote? Those new product images are on the company's website. Add your new notes as you wait.


 What set are you going to use first? Did you fall in love with an inspiration piece? Sketch some ideas or print out some favorites so you can get inky quick.

While you are stalking the postman, you could make them a card of appreciation!! Have a great week. ~Rhonda
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Organizing My Dies - Part 2

Monday, February 4, 2013


I am back with the completion of my die storage. Storing the larger and long dies was a challenge, but I hope I have discovered the pitfalls and some solutions that will make it easier if you choose to implement a new system.

I found two different products. The first is the Office Depot clear pockets. I love the weight and the little thumb notch at the top. Problem - some of my dies such as the PTI seed packet and essential pillow box dies wouldn't fit!

The next product is the Staples sheet protectors. I had to do a couple of things to make them work. The first is of my own choosing to cut 1/2" OFF the top to stay consistent with the clear pockets I had started with. The second was to cut off the binder holes. I wanted the clean look in my box. 

TIP for YOU: If I has starting from scratch I would buy the sheet protectors and cut off the binder holes and forgo the clear pockets. 

As I don't have as many large and longer dies I decided to group these by category such as large dies, impression plates, cover plates, and long border dies. 

TIP for YOU: Do you own any of the masks/stencils used for spray mists? I put my Studio Calico masks as a category in their own page protectors. This way I won't forget that I own them.


For the long border dies I used the sheet protectors and my sewing machine to stitch pockets that are 2" wide. I put the name of each one on the outside.


I received several questions asking if the Spellbinder dies would work in this system. The answer is YES. The only set that I own that wouldn't fit in the small pouches is the long rectangle dies seen below.


The only die that I own that didn't fit in any pocket is my PTI - Front and Center die. It is large enough that it just stands on its own.



I keep my top cutting plate, metal shim, and painter's tape in the front of the box. My embossing pads and extra cutting plates on in the back. Just keeping it all together people.


My box is a matching piece to my smaller Target Threshold Tip Towel Basket. This basket is called the "small basket." The dimensions are 9" L x 7 1/4" W x 6 1/4" H. I love that I can store them on my work counter or . . .


in the cabinet above. You can also see some of the organization I have been doing of ALL my craft supplies. It you are interested in "seeing" inside the cabinets let me know.


 
I hope you have been inspired to take control of your dies. I think it was a worthwhile investment of my time. If you missed my first post on die organization you can find it here.

 Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week. ~Rhonda

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Organizing my Dies

Monday, January 28, 2013

 

How are you storing your dies? Have you outgrown your system? This is the predicament that I faced. My old system relied on baseball trading card page protectors in a zippered notebook. I really liked being able to see several dies on a page but that created problems when there was "a series" of dies and they definitely couldn't be put in alphabetical order without a lot of shifting.



The new system starts with Memorex Keepers. A clear CD & DVD pouch. They are sold in a 50pk for $9.99. I found them at Staples and Office Depot. I cut a 4 1/2" square of Georgia Pacific card stock for each pouch.

(TIP: If you decide to use these I would suggest a  4 1/4" square instead so that you could get 4 pieces from each sheet. I didn't think that through and I just couldn't change midstream.)



Next I used my trusty Brother P-Touch label maker to put the name of the die on the paper. I made sure to put how many dies were in the collection. 


I also put a piece of a magnetic sheet in each pouch that contains an alpha or number set. Did I mention that each pouch has a back flap so you don't lose anything?

For collections that have different blooms for example, I traced around the die and labeled them on the page.

I was really surprised at how many of my dies fit the pouch. Even the tiny envelope die that is pretty large fit.

 
I made dividers using lots of different pattern papers. This is a great way to use up the stash. I cut two 5" squares of patterned paper. I sewed them together with the journal tab that I had die cut and stamped the letter with Fresh Alphabet from PTI. I think they are the perfect weight and look cute too. 



I have categorized my dies alphabetically by company. I briefly considered grouping them by floral, etc. but decided my brain doesn't work that way. 

The final piece of this project was the container. I found what I think is the piece that makes it all work-- the perfect file box at Target in the bathroom area. The reason this box is so perfect is the size 3 1/4" x 10". At 3 1/4" it allows me to flip through the box. I tried higher sides but that made them hard to see.The length is great for being able to stick in a cabinet or leaving out on your work area. There are over 100 pouches in this container. Yeah, UM, I know. I have too many dies!



I smile each time I spy my little box of dies in my craft room. I hope you have a beautiful week. ~Rhonda

PS - Want to know what I did with the long dies such as the scallop border dies? Tune in next Monday for another installment of die organization.
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Craft Room Redo - Part TWO

Wednesday, March 7, 2012


The Craft/Office room is complete.The room is basically divided in half. One side is the computer and files necessary for the household and the other side is the crafty space. One of the things you can't see are the new can lights that we added. I have added over 30 to our home during the remodel and they make such a HUGE difference. 

I have a combination of open cubbies/shelves and file drawers. The desk between the bottom cabinets was my MIL's. I had always loved this desk. It was one of the items that she left me when she passed almost 2 years ago.


The left cabinet top is where I take my blog pictures and keep the sewing machine. My Cricut is in the cabinet below for easy access.

Over my desk are the IKEA picture ledges/baskets. They are perfect for ribbon and buttons. I have used a glue dot to attach a button to the top of each jar. My PTI inks are in the metal basket. Easy to reach! The clear frame in front of the scissors is where I place my clear stamps so I don't loose them when all the fun is happening.


I also hang my scissors and rulers from hooks. This next pix shows another ledge with my clear stamping blocks and Memento ink which I am always using. I also have my Copics in a marker rack. A small bulletin board is perfect for keeping necessary info in sight.



The right cabinet is my die cutting station. I keep my impression plates and large dies in the basket. The red and black zippered binder is where I keep all the smaller dies in baseball card and photo page protectors. I use velcro to close the pockets so they don't fall out!! The magnetic knife strip is perfect when I have lots out at one time. I have accidentally thrown one away so this takes care of the problem.


I am in LOVE with this little drawer under my die station. It is only 1 1/2" deep but as you can see it holds my paper cutters perfectly. I can cut paper as needed for using with my dies and reach them from my desk. Keeps everything nice and tidy.


Below the little drawer are two file cabinet drawers. The top drawer holds all my cardstock with room in the back for extra unopened packages. Wouldn't want to ran out!! The second drawer holds things like cardboard, cello bags, etc.


I'll share what is behind closed doors and in the closet another door. Hope you enjoyed the tour. ~Rhonda
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Craft Room redo - Chaos Reigns

Monday, March 5, 2012

We are still remodeling a few areas of our home but my Craft Room/Office is complete. Thought you might like to see the process/results. The room is approx. 11x11 with a small closet and a couple of windows. 

The room has evolved as I have taken over more and more of this space. We used to say it was "our" office--now it is my craft room where my sweet hubby visits to pay the bills! 

I used to have open shelves with IKEA boxes to store everything. Over time this was driving me crazy visually. I do not do well with visual clutter.


The green wall color and picture molding was removed.


A wall of cabinets has been built to hide LOTS of stuff! Notice the nice calming wall color. It lets what I'm making be the focus.


My IKEA picture ledges to showcase my pretty buttons and ribbon have been re-installed.


The magnetic strip for dies is my favorite.


Everything had been stuffed into the cabinets till I had time to get everything sorted. The time is NOW.

 

It always looks terrible before you see process. I'll share the finished room in another post. Good bones make ALL the difference. ~Rhonda

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Card and Die Tip

Monday, September 12, 2011

I LOVE Grey! I mixed it with soft blue and it makes me smile. I made a happy discovery. The Verve Classy Label die is a perfect complement to the PTI Half and Half die. The curve matches perfectly.


How about a great die idea? I recently purchased a magnetic knife holder at IKEA for $8.99. This is a great tool. Right now it is just sitting on my desk. The magnet is SO strong that I can sweep over the top of my desk and all those little dies that got buried just hop onto the strip. I had several projects going on at once and obviously had not taken the time to put the dies away. Perfect containment solution.

Thanks for visiting today!

supplies:
stamps: PTI Half and Half
paper: PTI - Smokey Shadow; Brazzill - Ash; blue  - stash; Paper Studio - BoHo Chic
ink: PTI - Spring Rain; SU - Going Grey
other: Verve - Classy Label die; PTI - Half and Half die; ribbon - seam binding
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My OWN Stamp Book

Thursday, February 3, 2011

We are on day THREE of being iced-in!! and 80+ hours of being below freezing. That allows for lots of stamping time. I decided to tackle a HUGE organization project that I was inspired to do by LeAnn. She has so many wonderful organization ideas in this post.

My OWN stamp book!!! Lots of pattern paper and homemade TABS!!!



I debated on what kind of book - cinch, wire rings, binder? I finally settled on the binder as I felt it would be easy to add more pages.



 I used PTI's mini scrapbook series:tabs and die for the cutest dividers. I also die cut the clear plastic that the stamps arrive on so the white paper would have more protection. I matched the tab color to the paper! The letters for the tabs are PTI's simple alphabet.



I certainly don't have all my sets stamped yet but I am making progress. I have fallen "in love" with some oldies but goodies again and agree with LeAnn that having an accurate example of size helps so much when planning a project.


I have also found that I really like the pages stamped in brown ink better than the black. Just seems easier on the eyes.

I so hope you are staying warm wherever you are!! ~Rhonda


supplies used:
stamps: PTI - mini scrapbook series: tabs, simple alphabet
paper: stash
ink: various PTI colors
other: PTI tab die, clear plastic,
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Texas, United States
Life is full of interesting pieces. I am grateful that I can combine my love of stamping, organization, and DIY projects.

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