No Time To Stamp?

I just listed my challenge below and had an immediate question, so I’ll address it here in case others have the same question. It was: How do I store my scrap pieces of paper?

I know my system may not be to the liking of many, but I have found it to be the most efficient way that allows me to use up scraps OFTEN, and we all know how those scraps accumulate.

8.5 x 11 Paper Storage: 99% of the paper I own is SU. I have a regular office type 2 drawer file cabinet with the hanging folders. I have a folder for each of the SU colors. I keep my packs of paper in the cellophane they come in — slit open nicely across the top with a craft knife, then insert the pack into it’s proper file. Some files have many packs in them. I only slit open one pack at a time. Yes, I have to pull out the pack each time to slide out a piece, but they are always in perfect condition, never bent orfolded corners.

As I accumulate scraps of this paper, the scraps get thrown loosely into the same file folder. I know a lot of people keep separate containers for scraps, organized by color families, or whatever. I tried that and it didn’t work for me. I hated to dig through a box of multi colors mixed up. I like keeping all my scraps with the same color paper. It allows me to pull the file out of the drawer, lay it on the table, and SEE exactly what sizes I have, checking to see if I really have to cut into a new piece!

The file folders in the cabinet are NOT organized by color family — that always made me think too hard as to which color family this certain blue is in — YKWIM? I organize by color. Greens, reds, blues, purples,neutrals, etc. I find that to be much easier for me!

12 x 12 Cardstock Storage: Again, I keep them in their cellophane wrappers, pulling out a sheet as a I need it. If a cut piece is left 12″ long, I keep it with the 12 x 12 paper. If it gets cut so it is less than 11″ long, then it gets transferred to my 8.5 x 11 file for that color. So only the full 12″ scrapsget left in the 12 x 12 cello wrap.

I just purchased a new system for storing the 12 x 12 packs — these clear boxes that slide into a cart type thing — looks like it would be drawers, but you have to pull them out and open them up like a box — I love it — made by Iris. I purchased mine at Fleet Farm, so NOT a stamping/scrapping store — LOL — it’s a farm supply store in the midwest!!! Love this system for 12 x 12 storage. I have 2 units, which gives me 6 *drawers*.

12 x 12 Designer Paper Storage: Again, neatly slit the cellophane wrapper on top so in essence my paper is left in its bag. All DP scraps go back into their own *bag*, always together, never separated or mixed with any other DP. These *bags* are then stored in the above Irisdrawers.

OK, that’s my paper storage system! And I am currently working on:

Ribbon storage: I have been put to shame by so many organized people whose Blogs I check out, so I decided it’s time to try tobetter organize my ribbon– I purchased these boxes at Michaels (which is a trip for me!). I only got 6, knowing it wouldn’t touch all that I needed, but it was a start — more next time! I love them because I don’t like when a ribbon spool is in something that needs to be pulled out, like as if the ribbon is threaded through a hole. When I’m working, I like to pull out my entire spool and have it on my work surface. These boxes are perfect for that. The ribbon comes out of the slit created where the lid meets the box, but the lid opens up easily so I can remove the spool I want. Love these boxes and can’t wait to get more — also love that they nest and stack securely on top of each other!!!

Oh, and I organize my ribbon by type first, then color — I put together all the same types — organdy, satin, grosgrain, checked, etc — then by color within the type. I hang my velvet. I drape it into large loops and hang it — I do NOT like lumps in my velvet that come when wrapped around a card — I am fanatical about that — so I always keep it loose and hang it — currently on an old pole lamp — LOL — got to work on that!!! I don’t like wrinkles or crinkles in any ribbon — if it’s wrinkled, I iron it — yes, I know — but I just can’t help it!!! LOL!!!

Oh, I still have so much organizing to do — but it’s a work in progress — never ending!!! It just feels so good with each little new accomplishment!

Challenge No.5 - Keyword SSnotime05 (stands for Stamp Simply notimetostamp No. 5) There is no time limit. You can play this challenge and upload your card at Splitcoastand/or your Blog, anytime at all! You can play as many times as you like!!! The point is to keep it simple, quick and have fun!!! Please link back here.

Challenge suggestions:

• For this challenge I want you to try to use up scraps of paper and use your punches tocreate quick accents. This challenge works best if you have a messy stamp room witha lot of scraps and other things laying out in open view — LOL!!! Please read more about what I did and what I’m aiming at here in the description of my sample!
• Keepit simple and quick!!!Nothingelaborate simplicity at its best!
• Use whatever stamps or designer papers you so wish.
• You can use any tool or embellisment you like, just remember, the overall theme is simple, quick, trying to use up pieces you have laying around, and trying to employ your punches for quick accents.
• You are welcome to copy my layout or use your own the layout doesnt matter.
• My sample isshown below.

Thats it create away!!!

Remember when you upload to use the keyword above, followed by a comma.Please come back here to post (as a comment) that youve played, and provide a linkso I can check out your card right away. You can find all cards uploaded for this challenge by clicking Gallery Submissions Here.

Some wanting to play said they have never uploaded before. If thats you and you need help uploading, just go to my Challenge No. 1 and instructions are there.

This card was super quick to make. I needed a really quick card (talking like 15 minutes here) as we were headed out and I wanted to get it done before I left. So what to do in such few minutes — THINK QUICK! I had a scrap class yesterday, and that mess was not yet cleaned up, so the rust/brown inks and sponges on the table caught my eye — this needed to be a guy card, so the Outlaw paper would go with those colors — and it wasn’t far, right in sight, with all my scrap pieces right in the bag — so Outlaw paper, of course, makes you think of Wanted, which made me think of the scallop punch — perfect — quick — then we need a star, too! The panel with the hemp on it was a scrap in the bag — it only needed to be trimmed about 1/8″ to fit properly — the same with the chocolate layer under it (yes, I know I was very lucky) — then the 2 scalloped circles, the 3/4″ circle and the stars were all stamped on scraps and punched. The main DP sheet was about twice it’s size, so it had to be cut in 1/2. That piece of hemp was even a scrap that was left on my work desk — how handy — just put tape on the back of my panel and wrapped till it was all wrapped up!!! The slowest part of this card was using the SAMJ to split the Happy Birthday sentiment so it fit properly. And I did sponge all my papers before attaching and that was super quick!

I was very pleased with how quickly this card came together! I have a long list of possible Stamp Simply Challenges, and this was NOT one of them — but it just all clicked so well, using what was out, using paper scraps and punches — that I decided it might be a fun challenge — however, the stamper with a little bit of a mess might be at the advantage here — LOL!!!

• Stamps: Wanted, It’s Your Birthday
• Paper: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Naturals Ivory, Outlaw DP
• Ink: Black Stazon and Timber Brown Stazon, Really Rust, Cholocate Chip
• Accessories: Hemp, Vintage Brads, 3/4″ Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Star Punch, Crafter’s Tool Kit, Sponges, Mounting Tape, Pop Dots, Dimensionals.

Thanks much for looking — hope you can find some time to play — this is a fun one — you feel so good when you use up scraps!!!

A NOTE TO MY LOCAL CLASS ATTENDEES: There is a change in the Football Scrap Page date. Please check the tab above for schedules. If anyone has a problem with the new date, please email me right away — thanks!