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Post by CardBoxer on Jul 15, 2021 16:31:13 GMT
I have all of mine stamped out, by categories into binders. Its the same categories I keep them in, in their tubs. I love this method, its been at least a year now. I just go to my binders and can see every image I have. I've found I use my stamps more often too. Now it's easy, when I buy a new stamp I stamp it before I put it away. It took a few weeks to get it started since I had 100's of sets to stamp, but I enjoyed it! How do you locate the stamps you want to use after finding them in the binder? A big part of my searching for a stamp for a card is size. I’ll pull several sets - leaves, sentiments, etc. - to check scale and balance. And I can’t see that with a digital inventory. And while I spend far too much time on my iPad, for some reason I balk at a digital inventory. But I haven’t figured out the best way to connect a paper inventory to the sets in pockets by theme. I understand peoples’ coding systems but when I buy a new stamp set I sometimes want to plunk it in the middle of similar stamps - not at the end. Sentiments and tiny “extra” stamps are actually the main ones I’d first want to inventory. I can always find the right leaf or geometric shape. |
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Post by tealpaperowl on Jul 15, 2021 18:09:30 GMT
I have all of mine stamped out, by categories into binders. Its the same categories I keep them in, in their tubs. I love this method, its been at least a year now. I just go to my binders and can see every image I have. I've found I use my stamps more often too. Now it's easy, when I buy a new stamp I stamp it before I put it away. It took a few weeks to get it started since I had 100's of sets to stamp, but I enjoyed it! How do you locate the stamps you want to use after finding them in the binder? A big part of my searching for a stamp for a card is size. I’ll pull several sets - leaves, sentiments, etc. - to check scale and balance. And I can’t see that with a digital inventory. And while I spend far too much time on my iPad, for some reason I balk at a digital inventory. But I haven’t figured out the best way to connect a paper inventory to the sets in pockets by theme. I understand peoples’ coding systems but when I buy a new stamp set I sometimes want to plunk it in the middle of similar stamps - not at the end. Sentiments and tiny “extra” stamps are actually the main ones I’d first want to inventory. I can always find the right leaf or geometric shape. I wish I was home to take a picture. My binder is set up with the same categories as my stamps are in their plastic sleeves in bins (Mcguire style). So my binder will have the category say "Halloween" and each stamp is numbered. So I know when I look through the binder if I like it, I go to the bin and get Halloween 12 or whatever number stamp. It wouldn't work if you didn't want to add new ones to the end. I just add the newest stamp set to the end and they get the next number. It's a "never ending" system this way as I know I'll never stop buying! |
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Post by janamke on Jul 15, 2021 19:25:26 GMT
I have all of mine stamped out, by categories into binders. Its the same categories I keep them in, in their tubs. I love this method, its been at least a year now. I just go to my binders and can see every image I have. I've found I use my stamps more often too. Now it's easy, when I buy a new stamp I stamp it before I put it away. It took a few weeks to get it started since I had 100's of sets to stamp, but I enjoyed it! How do you locate the stamps you want to use after finding them in the binder? A big part of my searching for a stamp for a card is size. I’ll pull several sets - leaves, sentiments, etc. - to check scale and balance. And I can’t see that with a digital inventory. And while I spend far too much time on my iPad, for some reason I balk at a digital inventory. But I haven’t figured out the best way to connect a paper inventory to the sets in pockets by theme. I understand peoples’ coding systems but when I buy a new stamp set I sometimes want to plunk it in the middle of similar stamps - not at the end. Sentiments and tiny “extra” stamps are actually the main ones I’d first want to inventory. I can always find the right leaf or geometric shape. I have my stamps sorted into categories by size and manufacturer. So a Studio Calico stamp that is 3x4 is labeled SC34.001. I left spaces in the numbering when I expect to buy more stamps. When I want that stamp, I go to the 3x4 sets, and grab the first SC one. My card making stamps are sorted by theme and I left those alone. I don’t use them for scrapping and they are easy enough to find and sort. But I don’t make a lot of cards. The system I’m using would be prohibitive for adding new, specifically themed sets. |
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Post by don on Jul 15, 2021 20:39:57 GMT
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kiavonne
Full Member
Posts: 112
Mar 10, 2021 3:23:12 GMT
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Post by kiavonne on Jul 15, 2021 20:41:09 GMT
Thank you, Don. I appreciate the response and link! |
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Post by CardBoxer on Jul 15, 2021 21:42:07 GMT
How do you locate the stamps you want to use after finding them in the binder? A big part of my searching for a stamp for a card is size. I’ll pull several sets - leaves, sentiments, etc. - to check scale and balance. And I can’t see that with a digital inventory. And while I spend far too much time on my iPad, for some reason I balk at a digital inventory. But I haven’t figured out the best way to connect a paper inventory to the sets in pockets by theme. I understand peoples’ coding systems but when I buy a new stamp set I sometimes want to plunk it in the middle of similar stamps - not at the end.
Sentiments and tiny “extra” stamps are actually the main ones I’d first want to inventory. I can always find the right leaf or geometric shape.
I wish I was home to take a picture. My binder is set up with the same categories as my stamps are in their plastic sleeves in bins (Mcguire style). So my binder will have the category say "Halloween" and each stamp is numbered. So I know when I look through the binder if I like it, I go to the bin and get Halloween 12 or whatever number stamp. It wouldn't work if you didn't want to add new ones to the end. I just add the newest stamp set to the end and they get the next number. It's a "never ending" system this way as I know I'll never stop buying!Thank you! I think that’s the way I’d need to do it. And worst case scenario, if I really really wanted to shuffle the order of stamps in a category, the world wouldn’t end, at least not for that reason. Labels could be moved on the pockets or re-made if any got messed up, and re-written in the catalog. Maybe I’d even write them in pencil in the catalog. If you do end up taking a photo great, but you explained it very clearly. (I colored your response blue.) |
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Post by CardBoxer on Jul 15, 2021 22:13:00 GMT
How do you locate the stamps you want to use after finding them in the binder? A big part of my searching for a stamp for a card is size. I’ll pull several sets - leaves, sentiments, etc. - to check scale and balance. And I can’t see that with a digital inventory. And while I spend far too much time on my iPad, for some reason I balk at a digital inventory. But I haven’t figured out the best way to connect a paper inventory to the sets in pockets by theme. I understand peoples’ coding systems but when I buy a new stamp set I sometimes want to plunk it in the middle of similar stamps - not at the end. Sentiments and tiny “extra” stamps are actually the main ones I’d first want to inventory. I can always find the right leaf or geometric shape. I have my stamps sorted into categories by size and manufacturer. So a Studio Calico stamp that is 3x4 is labeled SC34.001. I left spaces in the numbering when I expect to buy more stamps. When I want that stamp, I go to the 3x4 sets, and grab the first SC one. My card making stamps are sorted by theme and I left those alone. I don’t use them for scrapping and they are easy enough to find and sort. But I don’t make a lot of cards. The system I’m using would be prohibitive for adding new, specifically themed sets. Thanks - how you handle sizes is helpful. My stamps are sorted by theme and I don’t mind small and large sets in the same bin since the same size pockets are used for all sets or even singles. A piece of cardstock inside each pocket keeps it upright. I’ve even cut stamp backer sheets vertically for large sets that otherwise wouldn’t fit in a bin. But I have background stamps and a few huge stamps that are in a larger sized bin. Adding a notation - like X for extra large - to the category letter (like L for Leaves) would do the trick. Elegant solution that would work even though our systems would be different - thanks! I’m also going to copy entire sets - just using the backer sheet and my printer, since sometimes glancing through sets is all I do. It’s easy to flip through pockets in bins, but I could bring a catalog with me and look it in other rooms. |
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Post by bossymom on Jul 16, 2021 18:59:43 GMT
There's a new app I'm going to try. It's called Color My Life and it's specifically for organizing craft supplies. I've used Evernote in the past but didn't keep up with it like I wanted to so I want to try Color My Life and see if it works for me. I can link some YouTube videos of stampers who have used it if you like. OMG thank you for this recommendation! |
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Post by lasteve1 on Jul 16, 2021 20:31:50 GMT
I have all of mine stamped out, by categories into binders. Its the same categories I keep them in, in their tubs. I love this method, its been at least a year now. I just go to my binders and can see every image I have. I've found I use my stamps more often too. Now it's easy, when I buy a new stamp I stamp it before I put it away. It took a few weeks to get it started since I had 100's of sets to stamp, but I enjoyed it! How do you locate the stamps you want to use after finding them in the binder? A big part of my searching for a stamp for a card is size. I’ll pull several sets - leaves, sentiments, etc. - to check scale and balance. And I can’t see that with a digital inventory. And while I spend far too much time on my iPad, for some reason I balk at a digital inventory. But I haven’t figured out the best way to connect a paper inventory to the sets in pockets by theme. I understand peoples’ coding systems but when I buy a new stamp set I sometimes want to plunk it in the middle of similar stamps - not at the end. Sentiments and tiny “extra” stamps are actually the main ones I’d first want to inventory. I can always find the right leaf or geometric shape. I have saved highlights on my stories showing how my stamps are coded if you're interested in seeing it (@lindalovescreating saved highlight called "organize"). I don't think there is a way to add a new one in the middle, but you can always break down your stamp sets by something other than manufacturer. I have a mix of codes some are manufacturer, but specific themes are coded other ways. For example I have an "ALPHA" code that includes all alpha stamps regardless of manufacturer and a "BASIC" code for stamp sets that include lots of basic items like frames/checkboxes/numbers/days of the week, etc. Each stamp in my system has 3 identifiers a symbol which designates the stamp size, a category which designates the manufacturer or category such as alpha or basic + a number which is the number of stamp in that size/category, continually counting up so that I always have room to grow. |
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Post by lasteve1 on Jul 16, 2021 20:36:50 GMT
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Post by CardBoxer on Jul 17, 2021 13:13:19 GMT
How do you locate the stamps you want to use after finding them in the binder? A big part of my searching for a stamp for a card is size. I’ll pull several sets - leaves, sentiments, etc. - to check scale and balance. And I can’t see that with a digital inventory. And while I spend far too much time on my iPad, for some reason I balk at a digital inventory. But I haven’t figured out the best way to connect a paper inventory to the sets in pockets by theme. I understand peoples’ coding systems but when I buy a new stamp set I sometimes want to plunk it in the middle of similar stamps - not at the end. Sentiments and tiny “extra” stamps are actually the main ones I’d first want to inventory. I can always find the right leaf or geometric shape. I have saved highlights on my stories showing how my stamps are coded if you're interested in seeing it (@lindalovescreating saved highlight called "organize"). I don't think there is a way to add a new one in the middle, but you can always break down your stamp sets by something other than manufacturer. I have a mix of codes some are manufacturer, but specific themes are coded other ways. For example I have an "ALPHA" code that includes all alpha stamps regardless of manufacturer and a "BASIC" code for stamp sets that include lots of basic items like frames/checkboxes/numbers/days of the week, etc. Each stamp in my system has 3 identifiers a symbol which designates the stamp size, a category which designates the manufacturer or category such as alpha or basic + a number which is the number of stamp in that size/category, continually counting up so that I always have room to grow. Thank you - and for the photo of the categories too. It disappeared very quickly so it took a few tries to grab a screen shot to enlarge it to read. My stamps are sorted by theme, with the exception of a few sets I reach for so often they’re in the front. But either way the system would work. Do you separate by size because you keep them in different containers? With the exception of 6x6 background stamps and a few massive stamps, my stamps are in the same size pockets, whether one single stamp or a big set. A pice of cardstock gives stability, and if it’s just one or a few loose rubber stamps, I stamp them at the top of the cardstock so they’re visible when I flip through. So size doesn’t matter. |
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Post by lasteve1 on Jul 17, 2021 20:17:41 GMT
I have saved highlights on my stories showing how my stamps are coded if you're interested in seeing it (@lindalovescreating saved highlight called "organize"). I don't think there is a way to add a new one in the middle, but you can always break down your stamp sets by something other than manufacturer. I have a mix of codes some are manufacturer, but specific themes are coded other ways. For example I have an "ALPHA" code that includes all alpha stamps regardless of manufacturer and a "BASIC" code for stamp sets that include lots of basic items like frames/checkboxes/numbers/days of the week, etc. Each stamp in my system has 3 identifiers a symbol which designates the stamp size, a category which designates the manufacturer or category such as alpha or basic + a number which is the number of stamp in that size/category, continually counting up so that I always have room to grow. Thank you - and for the photo of the categories too. It disappeared very quickly so it took a few tries to grab a screen shot to enlarge it to read. My stamps are sorted by theme, with the exception of a few sets I reach for so often they’re in the front. But either way the system would work. Do you separate by size because you keep them in different containers? With the exception of 6x6 background stamps and a few massive stamps, my stamps are in the same size pockets, whether one single stamp or a big set. A pice of cardstock gives stability, and if it’s just one or a few loose rubber stamps, I stamp them at the top of the cardstock so they’re visible when I flip through. So size doesn’t matter. Yes, I sort by size because they are kept separately. They are in the same organizer, but I have sections with 3x4, sections with 4x6 and sections with 6x8. There are images on my instagram stories saved highlight if you're interested in seeing how they're arranged. But if you kept all sizes together I don't think you need that code, unless you thought it would help you find it more quickly because you could flip past the other sizes more easily. |
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Post by CardBoxer on Jul 18, 2021 0:37:21 GMT
Thank you - and for the photo of the categories too. It disappeared very quickly so it took a few tries to grab a screen shot to enlarge it to read. My stamps are sorted by theme, with the exception of a few sets I reach for so often they’re in the front. But either way the system would work. Do you separate by size because you keep them in different containers? With the exception of 6x6 background stamps and a few massive stamps, my stamps are in the same size pockets, whether one single stamp or a big set. A pice of cardstock gives stability, and if it’s just one or a few loose rubber stamps, I stamp them at the top of the cardstock so they’re visible when I flip through. So size doesn’t matter. Yes, I sort by size because they are kept separately. They are in the same organizer, but I have sections with 3x4, sections with 4x6 and sections with 6x8. There are images on my instagram stories saved highlight if you're interested in seeing how they're arranged. But if you kept all sizes together I don't think you need that code, unless you thought it would help you find it more quickly because you could flip past the other sizes more easily. I saw the organization highlight - very nice. You’re right, since I use one size pockets except for the background stamps and very few others, I wouldn’t need to code for size - maybe just an X for extra large, but I’d know they’re in the larger bin anyway by looking at the image. The pockets are easy to flip through - and I sometimes enjoy doing it anyway - sometimes a set I’m flipping past is an inspiration to go in a different direction. Though being distractible that’s not always so good - too many options.  |
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Post by janamke on Jul 18, 2021 12:58:38 GMT
View AttachmentHow do ya'll sort stamps like this one, where all the stamps kinda 'go with' the others? Stamp every stamp? Just the tag, and remember it has all the extra stuff that goes with it? I had a couple sets like that from SC. I stamped each piece where appropriate. Numbers in numbers, sayings where they fit, etc. then I stamped a complete tag as an example. |
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Post by lasteve1 on Jul 18, 2021 13:53:19 GMT
View AttachmentHow do ya'll sort stamps like this one, where all the stamps kinda 'go with' the others? Stamp every stamp? Just the tag, and remember it has all the extra stuff that goes with it? I stamp all the pieces where appropriate, but eventually I think I might come up with another system for the "frame" stamps because they are so big they take up a lot of room in my inventory binder. That is the one section I'm not thrilled with. I haven't yet come up with a way to do it, but I was thinking maybe to stamp them on white paper and scan + print it out so I can make them smaller? But also that would be extremely time consuming so not sure. I'm still thinking about it, but would love ideas. For now, I just have a category called "frames/shapes/labels" for all the shape stamps. Sometimes I don't stamp all stamps if it would be extremely repetitive and instead will just make a note by the one I stamped, for example if there is a frame stamp and 5 or 6 patterned ones (e.g. dots, stripes, solid) that you can use to fill it in I will stamp the frame + one pattern then add an asterisk and write "additional patterns" so I know. |
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Post by honeypea on Jul 18, 2021 15:28:39 GMT
View AttachmentHow do ya'll sort stamps like this one, where all the stamps kinda 'go with' the others? Stamp every stamp? Just the tag, and remember it has all the extra stuff that goes with it? What I’ll be doing is stamp the journal block stamp on my journal block reference cheat sheet, stamp the numbers on my number reference cheat sheet, and the tags on the tags reference sheet. At some point, if I keep adding cheat sheets I might have to revisit my method. For now, pretty new at this, it’s working really well. |
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Post by mom on Jul 18, 2021 15:36:56 GMT
janamke lasteve1 honeypea Thank you! Im still working it out in my head how I want to do this and wasn't sure what the best practice would be.
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Post by Skellinton on Jul 18, 2021 16:27:54 GMT
I am going in this week! I bought sleeves that hold 6x8 sheets of duralar and finally found fridge bins the right size, so I am excited to get this going!
Those $5.00 Baby Boy bakery albums all came with 20+ sheets of thick cardstock prepunched so I am putting them all in one of those albums. I had 3 or 4 of them, so I should have plenty of paper to stamp on.
Thank you everyone for sharing tips and tricks and lists!
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Post by mom on Jul 18, 2021 16:40:18 GMT
I am going in this week! I bought sleeves that hold 6x8 sheets of duralar and finally found fridge bins the right size, so I am excited to get this going! Those $5.00 Baby Boy bakery albums all came with 20+ sheets of thick cardstock prepunched so I am putting them all in one of those albums. I had 3 or 4 of them, so I should have plenty of paper to stamp on. Thank you everyone for sharing tips and tricks and lists! yay! I bought a notebook yesterday and will probably start today finally. For sure by tomorrow. I don't have a ton of stamps so I don't think it'll be too bad. I am not going to stamp the stamps I have for card making as I don't have a bunch. PL and travel stamps are where the bulk of my designs are at. I would love to have it done by Thurs when I go to Vegas. Not sure if that's realistic, but I don't have to be anywhere this week so I can devote a ton of time to it. |
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Post by songbird on Jul 19, 2021 1:31:03 GMT
I use the Color My Life app. I also have spreadsheets for some brands, since I own so many of those because it’s so easy to ctrl+f and check to make sure I don’t buy a duplicate. However, the more I get entered into Color My Life, I’m using the spreadsheets less and less.
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Post by janamke on Aug 26, 2021 1:48:47 GMT
Update in op.
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Post by mom on Aug 26, 2021 2:10:42 GMT
Your update gives me hope. I am about 60% of the way done. And it feels like I will never be done. Congrats on finishing up!
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msupea
Full Member
Posts: 419
Aug 21, 2020 13:12:25 GMT
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Post by msupea on Aug 26, 2021 12:08:37 GMT
So I’m about 75% done with stamping all of my stamps onto 6x8 paper for inventory purposes. Some thoughts: It takes MUCH longer to do this than I originally estimated it would. Hours of time. My fingers are constantly stained black. Those tiny stamp sets from Studio Calico may be the death of me. Lawn Fawn stamp shammy is the best thing ever. That said, I absolutely do not regret this project. I can very clearly see the kinds of stamps I no longer need to buy. I have tons of ideas for layouts and projects just from stamping, now I know what I have. It’s going to be awesome…when I finish. Linda has been so great and encouraging through this! Your feedback has convinced me to do this. It will be the last part of my reorganization project. I also need to get something to clean the stamps (baby wipes?) and find a binder or notebook that is expandable so I can add to it as I buy more. I’m going to have to look at the videos linked above again. |
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msupea
Full Member
Posts: 419
Aug 21, 2020 13:12:25 GMT
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Post by msupea on Aug 26, 2021 13:13:26 GMT
I wonder if these cases would be good for the small SC stamps that aren't 3x4? Maybe put a cardstock backing in and hold each stamp (2x3, small square stamps and those long thin ones from way back in the SC hey days?) with a glue dot to the card stock? I have more SC stamps than I care to admit and this might be a good way to organize/house them all. |
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Post by Citygirl on Aug 26, 2021 14:39:15 GMT
Thanks for the update! I’ve been on the fence but this is good to hear. We’re moving next month so I’ll be re-organizing my craft space. I’ll add this to the to-do list along with swatching my inks.
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Post by Skellinton on Aug 26, 2021 15:56:00 GMT
I finished mine yesterday and already used several stamps that have never been used before.
I just keep my reference sheets in front of the fridge bins that hold the stamps. Much easier, for me, then having to store a notebook and flip through that way. I did put a loose ring binder on one hole to keep them in order.
This was insanely time consuming, but so very worth it.
Thank you everyone for all your suggestions and tips!
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msupea
Full Member
Posts: 419
Aug 21, 2020 13:12:25 GMT
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Post by msupea on Aug 26, 2021 16:49:16 GMT
I finished mine yesterday and already used several stamps that have never been used before. I just keep my reference sheets in front of the fridge bins that hold the stamps. Much easier, for me, then having to store a notebook and flip through that way. I did put a loose ring binder on one hole to keep them in order. This was insanely time consuming, but so very worth it. Thank you everyone for all your suggestions and tips! Do you have pics of the bins you used for your stamps? I'm debating which ones to use. I feel like I should find one that holds 6x8. The one I have right now only holds 4x6 well. |
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Post by Skellinton on Aug 26, 2021 17:22:02 GMT
I finished mine yesterday and already used several stamps that have never been used before. I just keep my reference sheets in front of the fridge bins that hold the stamps. Much easier, for me, then having to store a notebook and flip through that way. I did put a loose ring binder on one hole to keep them in order. This was insanely time consuming, but so very worth it. Thank you everyone for all your suggestions and tips! Do you have pics of the bins you used for your stamps? I'm debating which ones to use. I feel like I should find one that holds 6x8. The one I have right now only holds 4x6 well. I took my Avery Elle pockets to Home Goods and tried them out in bins there. The ones I got are just about 8.25 x 14. I took all the paper off of them, so I don't have anything more specific than that. They were just in the fridge bin aisle. They had several that were actually wide enough, but these were the cheapest and I liked the length. Sorry I am not more help! |
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Post by Skellinton on Aug 26, 2021 17:23:37 GMT
Oh, and they hold the 6x8 pockets perfectly, the 8.24 measurements is for the outside. The inside is perfect. Not to wide that they slosh side to side but enough wiggle room that they are easy to get in and out.
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Post by marg on Aug 28, 2021 13:22:52 GMT
I use the Color My Life app. I also have spreadsheets for some brands, since I own so many of those because it’s so easy to ctrl+f and check to make sure I don’t buy a duplicate. However, the more I get entered into Color My Life, I’m using the spreadsheets less and less. Same with me. I've been using the CML app for well over a year and its been a game changer. The spreadsheet that I was also using accidentally got deleted from my computer and I'm not even mad about it anymore lol. The key is the tags you use. I type in each sentiment as a tag, so if I'm searching for "best wishes", all of the sets with "best wishes" in it come up. I also tag each image, so, for instance, I can search for "maple" and pull up all the maple leaf and tree stamps I have, or just "leaf" and pull up all the leaf stamps I have, including maple. I've added my embossing folders and dies to it, and I'm working on my inks now. Once I add a product to the app, I put a little pink dot sticker on the product so that I know it's in the app. Once all of your older items are in it, its super quick just to add any new purchases as you get them. For cards, I take a photo of the card that I made and add it to the stamp sets and dies that I used on it so when I pull up that stamp set I can see the picture of the card I made with it and who I sent it to (I add their name as a tag). I may have worded that poorly but hopefully you get the idea. My only complaint is that the app can be a bit slow to load when I go to add an item, but once its loaded then its fine. |
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