Thursday, January 22, 2015

5 Days To An Organized Craft Stash–Day Four: Card Stock

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Hi, everyone, I’m back for day 4 of MFT’s 5 Days To An Organized Craft Stash feature. Check out the MFT Blog to see what designers are participating today and how you can win this prize package—there’s a different one every day so don’t miss a single chance to win some MFT goodness!


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So you might have guessed today we’re discussing card stock organization and storage. While there are many ways of doing it, I prefer a filing cabinet. But not just ANY filing cabinet, I want a lateral filing cabinet.

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At one time I had some pretty oak filing cabinets in my craft room but the drawers didn’t pull out ALL the way and I scrapped many a knuckle getting paper from the back of the drawer. I finally snapped, LOL, and sprung for these cabinets that open up all the way.

This drawer holds all of the older colors of card stock. Not only does a closed filing cabinet provide a great way of keeping card stock easily at hand, it also protects it from dust and light so it stays clean and doesn’t fade.

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This drawer has all of the whites plus the newer colors—I’m already prepared for the final colors that will be coming out in the next couple of months :)

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I have paper in hanging file folders and a swatch and the name on the labels. There’s room in the back of the drawer for extra packs, too.

In addition to my packs of card stock, I like to keep A2 size panels in a little file box on my desk, along with some bases, already cut. They’re right at hand and are no extra work since, when I cut a full sheet into quarters, I stick what I’m not using right then into the box. Same with card bases. When I cut a full sheet I make two bases at the same time—one to use and one goes in the box. Next time, I’ll check to see if I already have one cut in a specific color before getting out another sheet.

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Scraps are separated by colors in drawers that used to house stamp sets. I have a drawer for neutrals, one for warm colors, and one for cool.

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Same thing goes for any backgrounds I have already stamped—or scraps of same. I keep any scrap that might be usable in the future.

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And finally, I made a swatch book using all of the MFT card stock colors. When I’m looking for a color combo I can flip these over and around to see what certain colors look like up close and personal :) It was quite easy to make and I completed it in an evening using my Bind It All—I’ll add new colors as they come out.

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Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope I’ve given you some useful ideas for organizing and storing your card stock.


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22 comments:

  1. I LOVE your paper storage!! Those filing cabinets are perfection! Great idea about the A2 panels too!

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  2. i organize my paper the same way - in fact several of your ideas were ones i use too. really am enjoying this week's MFT tips!!

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  3. Like the filing cabinet idea. I keep my scraps filed in a Rubbermaid file box., colour coded the tabs on each file. The bin fits on a sliding drawer on the left side of my desk. Works great.

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  4. Amazing storage system!! I agree that it's definitely important to keep paper enclosed so that dust/light doesn't damage it! Love your scraps drawers and your A2 size file box!

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  5. Love that swatch book, Bar -- great idea!

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  6. Wow, you are so organized. I love that you cut and store the extra card front, ready to use. Never thought about saving any pre-stamped paper, too. But, I love your idea of making the color combo book. Fantastic. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful secrets.

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  7. Love your swatch book - great way to see different colors combinations at a glance.

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  8. Now to implement all the good ideas

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  9. Fabulous paper storage ideas/solutions. Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Barb, how did you make the swatch book? When you make the video, let us know! I have a bind-it-all, cut my c/s into 5x7 pieces (or something), bind them, cut them into thirds? SO COOL!!

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  11. Oh I love your swatch book idea! Gotta try that!

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  12. Thank you for the tips for organizing paper...I will definitely try some of these!

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  13. Love your filing cabinets that open all the way up!

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  14. Oh, the final colors? Does that mean MFT will no longer be releasing new colors after this year? I kind of like the idea of storing card stock in a file cabinet.

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  15. oooh, you use a scraps bin too - I had never thought of that but I like how they's be more at your finger tips. i also love the swatch book idea - I'll need more colors first though!

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  16. I love the idea of the flip card stock binder, that is super to be able to pick colors before you start pulling from the file. TFS

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  17. Love your ideas about the smaller pieces of cardstock, mine are everywhere. I like you, use a file cabinet for me cardstock. And the great idea for the color 'chart', thanks!

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  18. Oh my gosh!!! I love it all!!! Those drawers are perfect. I need to make one of those swatch books...great way to figure out color combos.

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  19. Awesome ideas!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
    hugs, jen

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Thank you for your kind comments--they make my day and I appreciate every one!