Stamp Storage

Posted in Organization and Storage by lisababitz

UPDATE 3/17/23 – I STILL STORE MY STAMPS THE SAME WAY TODAY AS DESCRIBED BELOW. HOWEVER, I NO LONGER USE BINDERS WITH PAPER COPIES OF MY IMAGE REFERENCE SHEETS. I HAVE SINCE SCANNED ALL OF MY IMAGE REFERENCE SHEETS AND THESE DIGITAL “SHEETS” ARE NOW ORGANIZED IN “FOLDERS” ON MY COMPUTER. (THE FOLDERS ARE THE SAME AS THE DIVIDER CATEGORIES FROM THE BINDERS, AND THE STAMP SETS ARE CROSS REFERENCED THE SAME WAY AS DESCRIBED BELOW.)

I’d like to share my system for stamp storage with you!

(I’m going to show you the types of containers I use for storing my stamps and my system for easily locating all of my stamps when I need them for projects. My system is easily adapted for using any containers you either prefer or may have on hand. Here’s what I use …)

This is the corner of my craft room where all of my stamps are located. (You can click on the photo to get a larger view.)

I have 4 different types of containers where stamps are stored: BINDER POUCH, VHS CASE, CD CASE, and BOX (with number).

The first type of container is a BINDER POUCH filed alphabetically in baskets on the shelf unit. These binder pouches (actually called binder pockets) are from Staples and are the perfect size for my Gina K Designs stamp sets and for most of the other larger unmounted sets I have. I use Gina K binder sheets to store my unmounted rubber and acrylic stamps, and they fit in these pouches perfectly The pouches have velcro to keep the stamps or sheets of stamps from falling out. I make a label with the name of the stamp set and company for the outside and a copy of the stamp images for inside. (I would have used all clear pouches, but usually Staples carries more of the colored ones at a given time.)

The rest of my stamps are stored on the tall VHS storage shelf or in the media cabinet.

The second type of container is a VHS case filed alphabetically and stored on the tall VHS storage shelf. (I had more than would fit on this shelf so they continue into the cabinet to the right.) All of my wood-mounted Stampin’ Up stamps are stored in these cases. I ordered these cases online where they came with flat interiors (no hub). I put labels containing the names of the sets on the spines of the cases.

The third type of container I use is a CD Jewel case filed alphabetically in the media cabinet. I bought these at Staples. They need to be the standard (thicker) cases, not the slim ones. The inner part that normally holds the CD in place is removed and the stamps stick to the inside. A picture of the stamp set is copied (and reduced if necessary) and attached to the front. I put labels containing the names of the sets and the companies that make them on the spines of the cases. These are for smaller sets of unmounted stamps.

The fourth type of container I use is a plastic box that is often used for school supplies. I purchased a bunch of these at Walmart when they had all of their back to school stuff out. These boxes have numbers on them. These contain miscellaneous wood-mounted stamps. I don’t worry about separating these stamps by theme; I just fill up a box and move on to the next one.

Here’s how my system works.

All of my stamp images are located in this “Stamp Index” binder. I’ve divided the binder into the categories I use when looking for stamps.

I either stamp the actual image on the page in the binder, or I use a copy of the label or image sheet that came with the stamp set. I make a note on the sheet of the location where I store the stamp.

Here’s an example of a page in the binder.

For this one, I copied the original image sheet that came with the stamp set. I made multiple copies of this sheet and placed them in all of the categories that I would look when looking for these stamps. This particular sheet can be found in the following sections: flowers, leaves, encouragement/sympathy, and GKD sets (alphabetical).

When I need a stamp, I look in the category in the notebook to find the image I want. Then I note where it is stored (binder pouch, vhs case, cd case, or box#). Then I simply find the corresponding container and get to work.

Here is a card sample and how I would have found the stamps to create it:

If I wanted to make this Christmas card, I would first look in the binder in the Christmas section. I would flip through the pages until I found the image I wanted to work with.

The deer image is on this page. The sheet tells me it’s in a binder pouch and is in a set called “Christmas Silhouettes” so I’d go to the baskets and pull the alphabetically filed pouch with that label.

In addition to the deer stamp, I also need the sentiment stamp to create the background. I found that in the Christmas section in the binder as well.

The sheet containing the stamp I want says this set is in a VHS case and is part of a Stampin’ Up set called “Star Santa” so I’d go to the shelf and find it alphabetically.

Here’s another sample card.

This is a birthday card so I’d look in the birthday section for my stamps. (This owl could also be found in the “Birds” section.)

I can see that this stamp set is in a CD case and is called “Birthday Hoot” so I’d find it in the cabinet filed alphabetically.

Another example:

This card required a number of stamps, but if I were just looking for the pumpkin stamp, I’d look in the fall section of the binder.

This is an example of an image I stamped directly on the page in the binder. Next to the image, it says it is in Box 14 so I’d go to the box labeled 14, and this wood-mounted stamp will be in there.

Another one:

This is another Christmas card so I’d look in the Christmas section in the binder. The santa image is in box 19. Notice that all of the Christmas stamps on this page are stored in different boxes (which contain non-Christmas stamps as well). The number next to the image in the binder makes it easy to find this particular stamp regardless of the theme or category.

To find the greeting stamp, I’d find it in the Christmas section of the binder as well.

According to the sheet, this one is in a CD case.

A final example:

The images on this card would be filed under Miscellaneous in my binder. (It would also be in the birthday section.)

This system makes it very easy to locate stamps quickly. Browsing through the binder in each section also helps me to remember what stamps I have. It does require a little work when I first purchase a stamp or set, however. A sheet needs to be added to the binder in all of the sections that would help me find it later. I also need to prepare a label. However, once it’s categorized and “filed” in the appropriate container, it is easy to locate.

Thanks for checking out my post!

26Sep2014

Darice 32 Compartment Storage Container

Posted in Organization and Storage by lisababitz

I’d like to share a storage idea with you!

The product is the Darice 32 Compartment No Spill Organizer Storage Container.

I use them to store my Memento Dew Drop ink pads and my sponge daubers.

What I love about these containers is that these items fit into the compartments perfectly. They stack for easy storage and close to keep the contents secure. I also like that they fit perfectly into my IRIS 6-Drawer Scrapbook Chest.

While not a problem for me based on how I use these boxes, I just want to point out that the compartments are not adjustable, and the box itself is pretty shallow. Thirty of the compartments are 1.5″ x 1.875″ and are about 1″ deep. (The two by the “hook” that closes it are smaller.) I think the box itself is about 1.5″ high.

I purchased my Darice Organizers at Walmart in the craft department with the beads and jewelry-making supplies. You can order them online at amazon.com or walmart.com.

Thanks for checking out my post today!

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25Sep2014

My Craft Room

Posted in Craft Room by lisababitz

My Craft Room

(Click on a photo to see a larger view.)

The room is pretty small (about 9.5′ x 9.5′) so it needs to stay organized or I wont’t have any place to work! My goal is to always have a clean desk when I walk into the room. After I get started, all bets are off! It gets cleaned up before I leave, though!

I use a kneeling chair when I craft. It helps my back, and it allows me to sit higher so I can look down on my projects while I work. That helps me keep things straight! There is a second, “regular” chair for when my kids or husband visit me while I craft or when I work on my laptop. (I can’t type when I am so high.) I would love to have a sofa or big comfy chair in there, but there is just no room – too much stuff!!!

My Desk

I bought this desk at Staples (Whalen Reed Collection Desk, Walnut), and I LOVE it! (Unfortunately, it is no longer available.) It has a large work surface with one drawer that is large and organized. This is where I keep all of the basic tools that normally would be cluttering my work surface: pens, scissors, adhesive, etc. Additional supplies are stored next to the desk.

Behind My Desk – Basic Supplies and Storage

This is the area directly behind my desk. It has my most commonly used supplies, all within reach or very close. The brown bins contain my 12×12 paper; you can only see six of the nine. (Two of the bins contain scraps stored by color.) Adhesive refills and glues hang on the pegboard or are in the dresser drawers. The “drawers” on top of the dresser are 12×12 boxes that fit into the storage units. There are 3 large units (6 drawers) and 1 smaller unit (2 big and 2 half-szed drawers) pictured. Ink pads are stored in these plastic “drawers” or on the racks on the pegboards. The large dresser drawers are filled with ribbon, adhesive, paper trimmers, and misc. supplies. The plastic drawers are all labeled with supplies or contain projects in progress. This is how I keep my desk cleared. When I am finished working for the day, I place the unfinished project and all of the supplies I am using in one of the plastic drawers . The next day, I pull the drawer out with all of the stuff I was using and can pick up right where I left off.

Over-the-Door Hanging Storage

In the corner by the door is another pegboard on which an over-the-door shoe organizer with clear pockets hangs. There is another shoe organizer hanging on the door. These pockets are great for storing tools and supplies.

Die Cutting Station and Shelves for Storage

To the left of my desk is where I keep my manual die cutting machines and supplies. The piece of furniture my die cutting machines sit on was the changing table I used for my children years ago. It is really cool because in addition to the fixed shelf on top, the table portion actually slides out when you need it and slides in when not in use. (Perfect for a tiny room!!)

The binders contain all my Spellbinder dies, and the drawers contain embossing folders, dies, and cutting plates/platforms.

The shelf unit to the right contains (among other things) more paper, more plastic “drawers” of tools and supplies, and baskets of stamp sets.

Markers are stored here as well. (Since the original photos were taken, I’ve rearranged things slightly to make room for my Copic Marker storage unit. )

My Decorated Paper Boxes

The boxes I am using to store my 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper and other specialty paper are basic file boxes that I covered in printed paper and distressed to make them look a little more decorative.

Stamp Storage

In addition to the baskets on the shelves to the left, stamps are also stored in the media shelf and cabinet here. A more detailed view of my stamp storage system can be found HERE under my “Organization & Storage” tab in the menu above.

Electronic Die Cutting Machines

My Cricut and Silhouette machines (and supplies) sit on the rolling metal cart in front of the closet. Since the cart has wheels, it can easily be moved for closet access or to get it closer to my desk when die cutting.

Additional Supplies

Another pegboard. I LOVE these for keeping supplies visible and easily accessible!!

The Closet

All of my scrapbooks along with drawers of embellishments are stored in the closet. Unfortunately, there are a few “non-crafting” things that are in there as well. I am hoping to find new homes for this stuff soon since I can always use more storage space for my stuff!!

One of the Most Important Tools in the Room!

With things stored from floor to ceiling, I use this a lot!!

The following was posted on my Shutterfly Share Page when I first set up my craft room if you care to read it.

My Craft Room

April 27, 2014

For 15 years, I had used my dining room to scrap and later to complete cards and other paper crafting projects. When the dining room got really messy, I’d take over the kitchen table but had to work around meal times. My supplies were everywhere – in the basement, in the dining room, in my bedroom, in the garage, and in the “extra room” upstairs. The “extra room” was a small bedroom (roughly 9.75′ x 9.5′) that was basically used as a big storage closet that also contained old exercise equipment and a huge weight bench with accessories and attachments, luggage and travel stuff, laundry baskets and drying racks, old clothes, bulk toiletries and paper goods, and anything else that didn’t seem to have a place! What a mess!!

For my 50th birthday, Marty gave me “the extra room” for my craft room. He and the kids helped me empty the big stuff out of there that I couldn’t move on my own. Then I began transforming this mess into my own little space. Because the room is so small, I really wanted to get it super-organized so I could find stuff and still move around in there. I had quite a bit of storage stuff and furniture already, but I added a few things as needed/wanted. That’s the great thing about this room being my birthday present – I didn’t feel too guilty buying stuff. It is my birthday gift after all!!! (My Michaels discount really helped.) It took about three weeks, but I finished it today! I cannot wait to start crafting in there. (I’m waiting until my birthday next week. As I said, it is my birthday gift after all!!)

I have two regrets: that I didn’t do this sooner and that I forgot to take “before” pics of “the extra room” and of all of the places I had my crafting stuff. I really would have liked to have had them, but Marty and the kids didn’t really want to bring all of the stuff back to recreate “the before” for me to get the shots. Oh well! I guess a third thing I may regret is that I didn’t paint the room before moving in. I was pretty creative in hiding most of the scuffs, but I probably should have taken the time to do that first. There was so much stuff in there, though, and let’s face it – I was pretty anxious and impatient to get started!!

About the room:

The most important “tool” in the whole room is probably the step stool. With things stored from floor to ceiling, it is a must-have!

I used peg boards for organized storage. It puts everything in full view with easy access, and the hooks can be moved as needed.

The two over-the-door shoe holders were great for storing odds and ends as well. I actually still have two more in the basement with all of my Cricut cartridges. Since my carts are all synced online and in my gypsy, I don’t use the physical carts that often so I just left them down there. They fit in the pouches perfectly, though.

The large, metal shelf unit was in the room before. I decorated the file boxes with printed paper and distress ink. I happened to have the sheet metal and book plate die in my stash so I used them to make the labels. The baskets were a new treat to hold my acrylic stamp sets.

The two pieces of furniture with drawers were actually from Eric’s (and later Kelly’s) nursery. The changing table is being used for my Cuttlebug and Bigkick and to store my embossing folders and dies. It’s great because the “table” pulls out for extra work space but pushes in when not being used.

The desk is new. I love the large, shallow drawer which allows me to keep organized and store all of the stuff that I would normally put in containers on top of my desk. My goal is to keep the desk completely clear unless I am actually working.

The “cube” shelves with the cloth bins are also new. I needed something big enough to keep all of my 12 x 12 paper without it being exposed to the light.

I love the plastic storage drawers. I already had two and got the rest as I realized I had the space for them and stuff that needed homes. Several of them are empty so I can store half finished projects (to get them off my desk when I’m not working in there).

The closet has some non-craft stuff in it along with all of my scrapbooks and the drawer unit of embellishments. I wish I had all of the closet space for my supplies, but there was some other stuff I just had to store in there. I think I did pretty well getting rid of, or finding other homes for, most of the stuff that used to be in the room. There were some things that we use all the time though and needed to keep there.

I am so excited to finally have my craft room and plan to be in there a lot!!

Thanks for checking out my craft room!

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