Piles of Papers: How to Get Your Paper Stash Organized!
By Sara Naumann
If you’re like most paper addicts, you can’t get enough of paper,
from patterned designs to vellum, cardstock to metallics. Maybe you started
out with a few sheets. Then you bought some more, then a few more and your collection
grew. You started supplementing your stash with specialty papers, books and
pads of papers, collections of coordinating designs. You began frequenting stores
(any stores!) that sold paper. You lost all control.
Yes, things are definitely out of hand.
Does this sound familiar?
“I‘m starting the overwhelming task of organizing my scrapbooking
supplies. Yikes! I'm starting to freak out! I could easily scrap for 2-3 years
without buying a thing!! Right now I am sorting paper. There are so many patterned
papers I don't know where to start!! Any suggestions?—Delia
Never fear, Delia! We’ve got a few tips for you from organized scrapbookers:
Decide on a storage system
Yes, this means you will probably have to go shopping. Resist buying more paper!
(Oh, all right, just a few sheets.) Check out your favorite craft and scrapbooking
stores for storage systems. Don’t forget to check out office supply stores
and wholesale stores like Costco too. Paper
Wishes catalog also carries a variety of organizers.
Look for hanging files to organize paper for easy access, handy labeling and
to keep papers smooth. File folders are available for both 8.5”x11”
and 12”x12” papers.
Look to the future—buy a storage system to grow into, rather than one
that holds only what you have now.
Organize by theme and color…
Creating files for Christmas, Halloween, Zoo, Birthday, Sports and other themes
is a great way to organize your patterned papers. But what about those plaids,
stripes and ginghams? Separate them into files by color or predominant color—it’ll
be your judgement call if that blue and pink plaid goes into the Blue or Pink
category! “I’m such a color matcher that I find that having my papers
in folders by colors, or themes makes it much easier and quicker to do projects,”
says scrapbooker Terri.
Tina agrees. “For me, it works best to organize by color or theme. I
have a separate file for each color, then files for birthday, holiday, baby,
wedding, etc. That way, if I need pink patterned paper, all I have to go through
is one file!”
And don’t worry if a few sheets end up a category all their own. “I
also ended up having a miscellaneous category,” says Tonia.
…or organize by paper brand
For matching dye lots and easy manufacturer labeling, you can organize your
paper by brand. This is a favorite method for paper crafters who regularly submit
projects to contests and magazines. “That way I can keep track of who
makes what when it comes time to list sources for page submissions!” says
one organized designer.
And those paper scraps?
You know those paper strips, scraps and snippets you can’t possibly throw
away? Plastic zippered sandwich bags are ideal for keeping those tiny pieces
organized. Separate them as you do your larger papers, then use them for paper
piecing, borders and matting.
“I save all my paper scraps,” confesses one scrapper. “I
just can’t throw them away—but it’s too tedious to organize
them. I have a large clear plastic box that I keep right under my scrapping
table. After I’m done for the day, I’ll recycle the pieces that
are too small and toss all the rest in the box. Having it out and accessible
means that I’ll always dip into it when I need a small piece.”
Rubber Stamper? Create a separate system
Mulberry paper and handmade papers aren’t always acid-free—or even
labeled at all. Keep acidic papers and those “who knows?” papers
in their own system for use in stamped projects. Acid can migrate over time,
so keeping these papers in their own file(s) will give you peace of mind!
Scrapper secret: stay on top of it!
“Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance!” says scrapbooker Jennie.
“Every few months I find I’m almost drowning in paper, so I go through
my papers and either make a point to use them (which can be a fun creative challenge!)
or swap them or give them to a friend. If all else fails, I’ll just give
it to my seven-year-old!”
| 
Email this Page to a Friend!
