More Photos for Stamp Organization

Sheri left a comment asking to see my bins.

So I thought I'd post more photos with less writing....

I use these Martha Stewart CD bins (discontinued) to store my unmounted Stampin' Up! stamps:

I've labelled them (yes I will be redoing the labels) and numbered them - the number corresponds to pages in my stamp binder.

Each bin holds 30 CD cases.

I print off 1 page of stamp images for my stamp binder and
another I fold lengthwise and put in the stamp bin.

If the stamp set in the CD case is missing an image sheet then I print off an enlarged copy of the image and include that in the CD case.  Most of my stamps are older and were missing image sheets!

For my non-Stampin' Up! stamps that are still wood mounted I use a different system.

I keep them in Stampin' Up! snap cases (recycled from my unmounted stamps!)

I labelled them by theme and added a code letter.

I pack the case tightly with stamps!

Keeping the lid on I place the stamp case on my scanner/printer/copier and copy it 2 times.

1 copy is trimmed and included in the case so I know what stamps are in there but  more importantly what stamps need to go back in this case!
The second copy is hole punched, labelled with the case code letter and inserted into my stamp inventory binder.

It's so easy!!

As for my clear polymer and rubber cling mount stamps I use a combo binder & bin system. 
I'll share more of that another day when I finish the inventory!

OMG! I finally have a Stamp Inventory Catalogue!

I've been accumulating Stampin' Up! stamps for over 8 years.  I quickly ran out of space for all those cases of wood mounted stamps so I started unmounting my stamps and wheels!

Click HERE to see that post.

I now have 11 bins (that hold 32 CD cases each) of Stampin' Up! rubber stamps (mostly retired).

Plus a TON more loose non-Stampin' Up! stamps.

Sadly I wasn't using my stamps because I had no way of knowing what I had in the bins and I didn't keep the image sticker if it was already stuck on the wood block.

So after reading Kate's amazing craft room cleanse journey I decided to tackle these stamps and get myself more organized.

First I sorted ALL my stamps by theme.  Then I created an inventory sheet (in MS Word) for each bin and printed off a duplicate to keep in my new stamp binder.

To create the inventory sheet I scanned the label sheet for the stamp set (for ones I never mounted them on wood blocks) .  If I don't have labels I look for the images on the internet and insert that image (if I'm lucky an image of label sheets) into my document.

If my CD case is missing the image sheet (because it was a mounted stamp set and I threw out the labels stuck on the wood blocks) I print off a larger image or as true to size as possible and put that in the CD case with the stamps.

Here's what my Stampin' Up! stamp inventory page looks like:

Nothing fancy but it gives me an idea of what I've got and where it is!

For my non Stampin' Up! wood mounted stamps I created similiar inventory pages (in the same binder).  I sorted the stamps and put them in snap cases by themes.  I used my labeller to label the theme and then a code on the side of each case. 

I used my printer/copier to copy the top of the case (without taking the stamps out) and I printed out 2 copies.  One for my binder and the other I trimmed and inserted in the stamp case.  This gives me a quick "snapshot" of what's in the case and what should go back in that case.

I can flip through this binder and get a good idea of what I've got and hopefully find what I'm looking for.

Next I'm going to tackle my clear and rubber cling mount stamps!  I just need to inventory them - I've already sorted them and put them in bins (SU!) and binders (non-SU!).

Until Next Time!
Marie

Getting there...

April 17, 2012

Last night I loaded up my thrift store spinning thingy with my technique swap samples. 

Now all I need to do is give it a spin to be inspired to try a new technique!

Over the weekend I made a quick dash out to IKEA and picked up a couple of kitchen racks to accomodate more punches.  See the new longer rack on the very bottom?

I added a smaller one here for more punches and I found a space for my flat SU! punches too!

I was a bit bummed that they didn't have the same kind of rack as what I started with but this style is ok and with all the punches you can't really see the rack!

I also finished my mother-in-law's birthday gift - I made her a bronze and gunmetal chainmaille bracelet. 

Until Next Time!
Marie

More Organizing!

PUNCHES
Even though I have lots of Sizzix Dies and Nestabilities I still like to use punches.  They are quick and convenient when you have space to store them properly!

I've outgrown my current storage system - I thought I had this under control by using these IKEA racks to hold my "mostly used" punches

and a "behind the door" shoe holder for my border punches and new Stampin' Up! flat style punches.

I love having my punches out in the open like this but now I've run out of room and have gone back to putting punches in drawers.  And they don't get used if they're not in view!

I've cleared a space on my desk and I'm thinking of adding a 3rd row IKEA rack (on the right).  Unfortunately IKEA doesn't sell the kind I bought anymore so I'll have to find one similiar. 

OR maybe I just need to get rid of some of my punches? 

RIBBON

I have so much ribbon you would not believe it.  I admit it - I'm a ribbon hoarder!

I won't even show you how much ribbon I have but I will show you how I store my "mostly used" ribbon.

I have 3 Making Memories Embellishment centres but I choose not to use the ribbon dowels. 

Instead I use these Store In Style Ribbon Spool Stackers and sort my ribbon by colour or theme.

I like this pant hanger idea but I can only use 2 of the 4 rods!

I just used one that I had at home but if you're shopping for one of these I would suggest you take some spools of ribbon with you to test out the space between each rod.

This is only a small fraction of my ribbon "collection" and if I wanted to really organize it I would need one (or more) of these bad boys. 

 Isn't this amazing!! It's made by Patty and her husband.  Click the photo to read more about it.

You can keep it out or slide it into a cupboard (if you had an empty cupboard that is!).

OTHER EMBELLISHMENTS

For other embellishments I use these Making Memories drawers which fit perfectly in the Embellishment centres.

I also use these clear plastic craft jars (large and small)

but mostly I keep my embellishments (stickers, rubons, glitter, brads etc)  in Best Craft Organizer drawer units like this.

STICKLES

I really like how Shannon stores her stickles using a cookie sheet and magnetic circles. Click the photo to read about it on her blog.

But I don't have a lot of Stickles or Glitter Glue bottles so I just needed something smaller. 

I used to keep them on my desk top but in an effort to clear some space for another punch rack I opted for a Best Craft Organizer Dazzle Caddy.  I got mine at Scrap Arts and I use both the base and the lid to store my glitter bottles.

If you have any suggestions to help me (and others) with storage ideas for punches, ribbon, or embellishments please leave a comment.

Until Next Time!
Marie

Spring Fever - Organizing time!!

I've been trying to de-clutter my craft room for the last month or so but it's such an overwhelming job that I keep stopping and starting.

And I've got a few other things on the go right now that keep pulling me away from this task.

Last night I went through my loose wooden stamps (yes I still have some on wood blocks!) and I pulled out a quite a few (this cupboard was full!) but I'm still keeping so many. 

I kind of forgot what I had - out of sight out of mind I guess!

Makes me wish I had kept a catalogue of my stamps from the beginning or finished the ones I tried to start over the years.

When I get overwhelmed in my craft room I move into other areas of the house to de-clutter.

My daughter is moving out and so I've been going through my whole house to see what I can "donate" to her.  This is really helping me de-clutter!

I've gone through my kitchen drawers, linen closet, and garage!

To help keep me motivated I've been watching some videos and following a fellow blogger as she goes through a  "cleanse" of her craft room.

Click HERE to see an organizing expert tour her super organized condo.  Very motivating but kind of extreme!!

Click HERE to see Justine, a scrapbook consultant, tour her organized craft room.  There are some great tips in this video!

Click HERE to follow along with Kate Palmer on her Sparkle Tart blog as she works on a 30 DAY CRAFT ROOM CLEANSE.

I hope this helps to motivate you to keep your room tidy or re-organize if you need to!

Until Next Time!
Marie

TIP - ID your Copic Markers!

One of the things that I tell everyone BEFORE attending a Copic class is to label their markers.

There are a few ways to do this easily.

1.  Use another Copic marker (Black)  to write your initials on the barrel of each of your markers.  The advantage to this is that if you ever need to get rid of it (ie. if you sell/trade your markers) you can just use the Blender solution (or hand sanitizer) to remove it. 
If you don't have a Black Copic marker you can use a Sharpie pen but be careful not to use your blender pen to remove that ink as the Sharpie ink will stain the Blender pen nib and may transfer later when you don't want it to! 
Another advantage is that if you ever leave behind or misplace the marker it will make it easy to identify it with your initials.
The disadvantage to this method is that you can't label the marker your using to label your markers.  In this case I would just borrow someone else's (same colour) to label that marker.  DYKWIM?

2.  Use your label maker (who doesn't have one of these???) or print labels off your computer to make personalized labels and apply those to the barrell of your marker.

3.  Use some kind of coloured tape to wrap around your marker.  I personally use thin purple coloured masking tape for my markers.  I like that I can easily visually spot which markers are mine.

My daughter has her own markers now and I used the tape idea to label hers. 

She picked out PINK hockey tape!

Since she's also taking them away to school with her in the fall I'm going to add her initials to each one as well.

Whatever method you use make sure that as you add to your collection of markers you are able to continue with the same labelling process.

If you have any other ideas for labelling your markers please leave a comment.  I'd love to hear it!

Until Next Time!
Marie

Copic Swatch Book and Work Book

If you are a Copic "user" with a lot of markers then you understand how overwhelming it can sometimes be trying to find the right colour for your projects.

A few years back - when I first started "collecting" my markers - I made myself a swatch book from a file that was shared online. 

It was great for keeping track of all the colours I had and what I "needed".

After the addition of the new colours last year, my book was out of date and so I made myself a new updated one and changed the format to one that worked better for me.

ETA: 08/05/11 I've got a few of these made up and ready to mail out.  Please check out the Copic Reference Booklet page tab at the top of my blog for more information.

As well as updating my Swatch Book I put together a Work Book for myself.  In here I keep all of my stamped and digi images that I've coloured and any blanks I have waiting to be coloured.

If you haven't done this for yourself I highly recommend it!

Until Next Time!
Marie

Question and Answer: Copic Storage

One question I get asked a lot is "How do you store your Copic markers?"

I've posted before that I store mine vertically (yes it's ok to store Copics this way) in a clear plastic retail display unit I got over 2 years for about $50. 

ETA 6/21/11: The measurements for this unit are 10" x 16" x 4"

It fits on my counter under my bookshelf.

When I want to use them I slide the unit out onto the counter and take out the markers I need.

Before I got this unit I used to store my Copics in an over-the-door shoe holder with clear plastic pockets.



But as my marker "collection" grew I ran out of space - I think this one held approx 120 markers.

I really liked how it was out of the way yet easy to access and portable.  I could roll it up and take it with me whenever I needed to travel with my markers or even go into another room.

I CAN take my current display unit out of the house but it's heavy!  I've got all 346 markers in there now. 

Luckily I found this tote bag that is the perfect size to slide the display unit in and it has good strong handles for carrying.



How you store your Copics depends on how many you have, where you have space for them, and how much you want to spend.

Click HERE to see a post I did over a year ago on Copic Storage with links.

Below are a few more new storage ideas that I've discovered - from custom made units to simple everyday containers.

Solutions 3 Color Cubbies
Solutions 3 Colour Cubbie in use

Pampered Chef Rotary Tool Caddy

Beverage Container from Target

Wine Rack and DIY Make Your Own out of PVC drain pipe

Make your own out of Slim Jim containers

Make your own out of a cereal box!

Make your own out of foam core display boards!

Individual buckets


Enjoy!

Until Next Time!
Marie

Bin Storage from Costco

Today I went to Costco with my friend Darlene.  I only needed 2 things so I went along with her for the ride and the company.

She drove so that helped me to only get what I needed. 

Most of the time I go in for a couple of things and come out $300 poorer with tons of stuff I didn't know I needed!  Does that happen to you too?

Anyway Darlene had a big shop to do so while I was there I cruised the aisles and found this....

 It's a bin storage rack system from Whalen. 

Click HERE for a link to the Whalen website for more views on this.

I know that if I had my own car I would have found a way to bring this home with me!  I'm not sure where I would put it but I could certainly fill it up!

Is this more industrial look a trend for residential/craft room storage? 

I just read that Andrea Walford has gone to the bin storage system too.

Click HERE to see her new storage system from Uline.

I think I still like the pretty rather than the practical look for my crafting area but I find myself looking around the house to see where I could put one of those bin racks.  Maybe the garage?

Until Next Time!
Marie

Punch Storage & Custom Craft Space

I often get asked - How do you store your punches?

Storage is an ongoing issue for me because I have soooo much stuff and I keep buying more! 

But as I tell all my crafting friends - keep your craft stuff where you can see it and access it.

Out of sight, out of mind!

Which for me means if I don't have it handy and ready to use I forget about it and I don't use it.  OR worse yet I buy duplicates!

What a waste!

So even though my desk and work area is very cluttered I have most of my tools and supplies handy!

I used to keep my punches in a drawer like this and they hardly got used or more like I'd be too lazy to dig them out and find what I needed.

So what I did a while back was I hung them on my wall!

I bought 3 of the Ikea Kroken kitchen rails and one of the matching magnetic knife rail. 

This is what it looks like "naked".

Unfortunately they are no longer available but Ikea has others that work just as well.

This is the Bygel Rail - it's super cheap and comes in 2 lengths.  Click the photo for more info.

There are so many interesting and different storage ideas on the internet now. 

You can pretty much find anything you need just by Googling it!

And lots of lucky women have their own "custom" or makeshift craft spaces. 

I fell pretty lucky to have 1/2 of our main floor den - I share the other half with my son and his gaming system.

If you haven't already checked out Crafty Storage you should!  There is lots of info and sharing going on there and you may find some ideas that will help you.

Right now I can think of a couple of women who are showcasing their "renovated" craft rooms.  One is Nicole Heady (from Paper Trey Ink) and the other is Mary Fish.

HERE is what Nichole's old room looked like.  Isn't it gorgeous!!!  She is re-doing it but I can't find the link right now so I'll post the link to her updated room as soon as I find it!

THIS is what Mary's old room looked like and now she is installing a custom craft room after her move to another state.  If you are interested in seeing a custom craft room being built please click HERE to go to Mary Fish's blog.  She is setting up her special place - it's amazing - and she uses the Bygel rails for her punches.

Everytime I see an update from these ladies it makes me want to purge and re-oganized my space!

I hope that you get some craft room/space inspiration by visiting their spaces.

Until Next Time!
Marie

Pleased as Punch!

I have a TON of punches! 

They line my walls on Ikea rails,

they fill my drawers,

they weigh down the over the door shoe holder,

and I even have a box of not-so-favourite punches in my storage closet. 

I've got lots of Spellbinder Nestabilities and Sizzix dies that repeat some of my punch shapes but try as I might I can't give my punches up completely.

I really like the ones that have the size printed right on the punch but if not I use a sharpie and write it on myself.

I love to layer them but sometimes it's hard to keep track of what size nests with what and who it's made by. 

This past summer I was looking all over for a 2 inch punch and finally found one made by Marvy Uchida (it's the blue one).

A while ago I found a fantastic blog post from Kerry where she listed her punches and showed how the punch outs look nested together.

I'd like to share that with you today - click HERE to go to Kerry's Craft Blog post "My Favorite Punches".