I enjoy using scraps of cardstock and patterned paper on my layouts. For several years, I had 8 1/2" x 11" page protectors that I slipped scraps into, sorted by color. I kept the page protectors in the file cabinet drawer with my 8 1/2" x 11" papers. However, as I evolved into creating more 12x12 layouts and often had scraps that were 12" long, this system did not work well. About a year ago, I read about the system I now use. The idea came from the book
Scrapbooking Solutions
put out by Creating Keepsakes. There was a photo and these simple directions:
Put a colored sheet of cardstock in a page protector. Place solid-colored paper scraps in front of the cardstock and patterned-paper scraps in back. Store the scraps in an acrylic container.
I use 12x12 page protectors and store them in a basket underneath my craft table, right next to my chair. I can simply flip through them and pull out the color I want anytime.
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| My Scrap Basket |
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| Easy to flip through and pull out the page protector of the color I want. |
Here are a few of my page protectors. I have a 12x12 sheet of cardstock in each protector, then in the front I have all my solid colored scraps and behind the sheet of cardstock, I have my scraps of patterned paper. If a paper has more than one color, I choose the color that is most prevalent or just choose one of the colors if it is a multi-colored paper. I do not have a scrap file for multi-colored papers. You might notice also that I include themed papers here as well.
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| Red solid scraps. |
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| Red patterned scraps. |
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| Blue solid scraps. |
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| Blue patterned scraps. |
Since I have set my scraps up in this system, I am constantly using them. It is the perfect system for me, however I know there are numerous ideas of how to store scraps. Here's a link to a recent article at Practical Scrappers that shows several ways to store scraps:
Scraps - Storage Solutions.
How about you? Do you save and use your scraps? How do you store them?
I love this idea! I'm forever searching through my scraps! Then I forget what I have! I keep patterned papers stored by colour in a folder but I love this idea of combining the two. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI sort mine in folders that sit in a bin in ROYBIV order plus white, black and assorted (for those patterns I can't decide where to put). I can easily flip through them too. I like the idea of having the solids on one side and patterns on the other. It seems there is always a way to perfect every system.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea - I have been looking for a better way, thanks for sharing. I found your blog from 'Snaps & Snippets'. It's great how organized you both are!
ReplyDeleteHi! I was looking through your November 2010 posts, for the "Blog Friendship" party post. And I found this!
ReplyDeleteSuch a clever system - I hope you don't mind, but I have posted a link to it on my blog - in the "Clever Stuff" section in the right-hand sidebar.
Now I read it again, I think I remember it was a good idea then! I'll have to ponder how I could make it work for me, thanks for linking got it again for me!
ReplyDelete