Scrapbook Process: Organizing My Patterned Paper

When I have some downtime, I like to watch videos on YouTube of other scrapbooking and cardmaking designers.  There is such an abundance of inspiration out there when you look for it!  I am continually amazed at the unique ideas and creativity of other crafters.  If you have read any of my past posts, you may have seen my attempts at doing my part of inspiring other crafters with tips, tricks and ideas for frugal and easier scrapbooking via YouTube.

This past week, after watching videos on how some crafters were organizing their craft rooms, I decided to take one of their ideas to see if it would work for me.

For probably the last four years (maybe longer), I organized my patterned paper by manufacturer. This may be due to the fact that while I was teaching at a locally owned scrapbook store, the process of organizing in this way seemed to work best when I was creating classes. A manufacturer's current products always meshed and coordinated well with their other products, so it was easy to mix and match items for designing class projects.

Now that I am paper crafting for just myself, I was finding that many paper treasures I purchased would be forgotten and untouched.  One thing I discovered about myself just recently is that I first and foremost pick patterned paper based on the colors of my photo(s) first, instead of choosing paper and then selecting a photo that can go with it. (Are many of you that way too?)  As a result, I would choose the first paper I would see in my stash that seemed to work with my photo, and not take time to look at ALL the choices available.

After watching the inspiring craftroom videos, I decided to organize my patterned paper by color.  It didn't take too long since I don't have an incredibly large stash. All my 12"x12" patterned paper is stored in one of these great bins from Target, which fits perfectly in my IKEA bookcase:

Cardboard is used to separate the color catagories.  If I were REALLY organized, I would have have made tabs for each section, but alas, that may take awhile:

As I filed by color, I chose to file by the color of the "B" side, since I seem to use that side the most. As in this example, I will most definitely pick the navy before I would choose the floral:

And finally, for those papers that didn't have a "B" side, or just wasn't categorical, there is a section in the front with these few sheets of renegade paper who refuse to pick a team:

And yes, if I have patterned paper left from a project that is still 6"x12" or more, I still file it with the full size paper.  Color scraps are in another accordion file.  That is something I can share on another day.  :)

The next question you may ask is:  "Well, does it work better?"  Absolutely -- for me it appears to work more efficiently.  I finished two layouts where planning time was a little shorter, and I got into some stash I hadn't seen in awhile. One of these layouts I will share tomorrow -- I am submitting it for a sketch challenge at The Memory Nest that starts linking up at that time.  I hope you will come back and visit me tomorrow!

How do you organize your patterned paper?  

Photo Focus: Organizing Tips

I came across a little book at the library the other day called, "The One Minute Organizer, Plain & Simple" by Donna Smallin.  There is an abundance of quick to read, easy to implement organizing tips!

Some of these tips are beneficial for us scrapbookers (or paper crafters, or memory keepers!) too!  I have listed them here, along with some of my own notes:

• Take photos of your child with favorite artwork or school projects. That way you can scrap the photo and let go of the physical item later!
• Schedule a regular time each week (or month) to sort and organize photos until you are all up to date.  Decide how to organize your photos and digital photos based on what type of scrapper you are:  subject/event or chronological.  (I recently just finished organizing ten years of digital photos!  It was well worth the time -- I found things that I hadn't printed that I forgot about!)
• Throw away printed photos that didn't come out right or are unusable.  Scrap and use the ones that best represent your family.  Deleting digital photos you know won't be used makes it easier to archive.
• Throw away duplicate photos.  If you can't bear to toss them, separate them in a different box clearly marked so that you know where to find a photo for a special project or mini album.
• Consider keeping all of your formal or professional photos in a separate album.  
• Get in the habit of developing photos on a regular basis.  Put developed photos in your regular photo album or organizer right away so you are ready for scrapping!

Just like anything else in our home, keeping our scrapbooking areas organized will help us as we create wonderful things for our family.  

Have ideas that have worked well for your photos?  Please post here!

Frugal Scrapbooking: Scraps, Scraps, Scraps!

As a scrapper, I love playing with paper. I am also thrifty, and I don’t want to throw away ANY paper. Like most scrappers, I have lots of small pieces that I just cannot part with.
I shared this my sorting idea with the gals at Crop-n-Chat, because it works so for me. I took me a couple hours to get this system set up, but it has save me a lot of time from searching for a certain scrap of paper or just giving in and cutting into a large piece of paper which then creates . . . . more scraps.

This is my scrap drawer in my rolling cart. I have about a dozen zippered bags with scraps sorted by color. (Blues are sorted by light, medium, dark and bright, since I use a LOT of that color!)

On the side of this drawer are 12” long scraps in different widths that I can use for borders on my 12”x12” pages.
Cost of the project – the price of one box of small Ziploc bags.

Scrapbook Process: Finding the Scrapping "Mojo"

Ever have those days when you want to scrap, but just can't get the inspiration? I have those days too, and sometimes it's just a day or so, or a couple weeks. However, I have found some ways that help get your "scrappin' mojo" going:

• Search the internet for scrapbook blogs that update regularly. Subscribe to their feed so that you get new creations almost daily in your email box. Looking at what they are doing will often inspire you. Some of my faves are listed in the right margin! ------>
• Join a scrapping group. CafeMom, Ning, Facebook and other networking sites have groups with activity in which to participate and new friends to keep you motivated. Also check YouTube for numerous craft videos by some real energetic crafters!
• Clean your scrapping area. By reorganizing or straightening your space, you will often start the excitement when you again see a new stamp you had purchased, papers you forgot you had or other goodies in your stash. Add any finished pages to your photo albums too.
• Go through your photos. If you have taken several photos lately that need to be filed, or edited on your computer, now is the time to sit and do them. For editing, choose a couple select photos, make copies and then use one of your software programs to try something different: black and white, sepia, borders, color tinting, etc. Having a unique photo can create that spark of creativity for a new page.
• Look for new sketches. Many times, I let my photos dictate my layout, but other times, I just need help! There are many free sketches online at scrapbooking sites or blogs. Pagemaps is a great one, with new ideas each month.
• Go shopping. Yes, if you have a little extra spending money this week, go to your favorite craft store and choose ONE new item that will jog an idea. (Don't overdo your shopping, or you'll overwhelm yourself when you need to find your jumpstart!) Stores like Archivers are great about displaying all the newly released products and plenty of ideas for those products (including workshops!) to teach new techniques.
• Try a different media or page size. Always a 12x12 scrapbooker? Try making cards, an altered item and especially, a different size page. Use stamps if you don't normally use them. If you subscribe to new blogs or check YouTube, you'll glean new enthusiasm.
• Do a different type of page. If you always do your pages by chronological events, devote your next pages to purely a specific subject. What about pages about you? Journal thoughts, ideas, dreams, things in your past.
• Finally, don't push it. After all, this is our hobby, and sometimes a break is a good time to allow experiences to happen that will encourage us to scrap and to journal about.