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Post by MichyM on Oct 12, 2022 16:41:54 GMT
I'm putting things away from the Crop and Create weekend, and am a little stuck with how to store a few things, but today it is the TE stencil, stamps, etc.
We have: 1. set of 3 large sized stencils 2. set of tiny stamps that only are used with those stencils 3. set of tiny leaf dies 4. set of small autumn sentiment stamps
I have stencils in one place, stamps (and their coordinating dies) in one place, and stand-alone dies in yet a third place. However, all these things go together - particularly #1 and #2.
So, do you make a new storage space for everything to be put together, or do you put them in the designated spot and make notes that there are other components of the set and where to find them stored?
And ya know, I have one more question too. How do you keep track of your sentiments that are part of a stamp set? Say you have a stamp set that is lovely flowers, but there are also a couple of sentiments (that you could use on different cards) included that you want to keep track of?
Thanks so much, and if you too have storage questions that you've wondered about, please add them to this thread and maybe we can all help each other out!
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Post by don on Oct 12, 2022 17:28:32 GMT
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GiantsFan
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Post by GiantsFan on Oct 12, 2022 18:52:10 GMT
I have a large bin for oversized items, so the stencils will go in that with the stamps and leaf dies. The sentiment stamp will be filed with the sentiments. For keeping track of everything I use the free version of Evernote. I create a new note with the company and product name and which bin it's located in. I take a photo and upload it to EN. I create a "tag" for each sentiment (word for word), critter, flower, leaf, etc. in the set. When I can search for "leaf" all sets with a tag "leaf" will show up. Or if I search for birthday all sets that I have tagged for that word will show up. I created I used to keep track like Don mentioned, but this works better for me now. Here is a link to a YT video that helped me get started. I tried and didn't like the app Color My Life because at the time it was new and it didn't have a lot of the stamps I owned. And I couldn't figure out how to tag items. It may have added that feature since. I haven't checked because I'm already invested in EN.
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Post by CardBoxer on Oct 12, 2022 19:03:09 GMT
I bin by category. If a die needs a stamp to make sense, it’s placed in the stamp pocket behind cardstock that’s in the pocket for stability and to provide a place for samples, extras or notes.
If a die can stand alone, it lives with the dies. Both pockets are labeled (notes until I get around to labeling) that there’s a stamp/die in the pocket and under which category. So the die would have an S for stamp and the category name. The stamp would have a D and the die category name. (The categories are similar but not identical.) I haven’t done it yet but think I’ll switch to using a different color cardstock to indicate there’s a die friend and vice versa for the die pockets. Then I’d jot the category on the pocket. Just more streamlined, less labeling busy work.
The stencil would live with stencils unless it couldn’t stand alone and could fit in the stamp pocket. Mostly they wouldn’t, so they’d live with their stencil friends, and the stamp pocket and stencil pocket would refer to each other. (My stencils are in 45 rpm record sleeves.
I’d note “SCT 03/22” on all pockets. That would remind me of the SCT book.
For sentiments I’m going to 100% copy someone in a Gina K. FB groups and make a small 3-ring binder reference, sort of like Don’s, again by category. 7x9” binder and insert sheets. Some people use Evernote, Color My Life or the app I’m forgetting the name of [ETA it’s Air Table] but I really don’t want to use a computer/device. I want to see the stamp size on paper to help with card design.
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Post by mbanda on Oct 12, 2022 19:05:35 GMT
Great question as I am also putting my things away from Crop & Create. I think I am going to keep the stencil, vein stamp and leaf dies all together and stored with my stencils. I will keep the autumn sentiments stored with my stamps.
I keep my inventory in Evernote as well and I will "tag" the sentiments on each stamp set so if I am looking for a sentiment that says "missing you" I can search that phrase in Evernote and it will pull everything I have tagged with that phrase.
I'm curious how everyone stores their stencils. For now, I have been using a 6x8 3-ring binder for my smaller stencils. Now after C&C I have the larger Spellbinders stencil as well as the Taylored Expressions layered stencil (plus the TE Christmas layered stencil set I bought). I found an old SEI horizontal 8.5"x11" scrapbook in my stash & I think I am going to slip the larger stencils in there inside the page protectors and see how that works. I keep the books above my Kallax which is where I have my stamps & dies so they are all in the same vicinity.
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azcrafty
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Post by azcrafty on Oct 12, 2022 19:07:15 GMT
MichyM *I keep my little stamp set with the stencil set it come with its not really usable on its own- I keep my stencils in a binder the bigger ones in a magazine/paper holder *the sentiment stamp with sentiments or fall( I don't have a lot of fall themed stash, so for now everything is related to fall its in a iris box. Its super easy to take it out when I'm ready to make fall cards, I have the same for Halloween, valentine's day and Christmas-but this is multi boxes. *the little dies will go with my leaves dies- I don't want to limit the use of them just for this specific stencil set I hope this helps and I will watch this thread for ideas.
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Post by bc2ca on Oct 12, 2022 19:39:15 GMT
So, do you make a new storage space for everything to be put together, or do you put them in the designated spot and make notes that there are other components of the set and where to find them stored? I started off keeping things that came together in one spot and then the collection grew, so I went to Evernote and storing most things by type (stamps, dies, stamp/dies sets in one place, stencils in another, embossing folders in another). I do subdivide by theme or manufacturer. I keep my inventory in Evernote as well and I will "tag" the sentiments on each stamp set so if I am looking for a sentiment that says "missing you" I can search that phrase in Evernote and it will pull everything I have tagged with that phrase. Evernote is a game changer and the key is to tag the heck out of everything (product manufacturer, type, name, contents, theme, etc.). It is so easy to scroll through on your phone or computer. Some things like "heart" might pull up a lot of hits, but you can quickly scan for the size & shape you want or find something you completely forgot about and like better. With my system and your products, the stencils would go in one place, the stamps & dies together in another along the sentiment set. Using an Evernote inventory, the search for "autumn", "leaves", "leaf", "stencil" and "Taylored Expressions" would pull up all these products.
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pinklady
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Post by pinklady on Oct 12, 2022 20:00:52 GMT
I keep my inventory in Evernote as well and I will "tag" the sentiments on each stamp set so if I am looking for a sentiment that says "missing you" I can search that phrase in Evernote and it will pull everything I have tagged with that phrase. Evernote is a game changer and the key is to tag the heck out of everything (product manufacturer, type, name, contents, theme, etc.). It is so easy to scroll through on your phone or computer. Some things like "heart" might pull up a lot of hits, but you can quickly scan for the size & shape you want or find something you completely forgot about and like better. With my system and your products, the stencils would go in one place, the stamps & dies together in another along the sentiment set. Using an Evernote inventory, the search for "autumn", "leaves", "leaf", "stencil" and "Taylored Expressions" would pull up all these products. I'm another vote for Evernote. I create tags for images and sentiments in a stamp set. I also copy the stores picture of the stamp set and add that to my note. This way I can search for something and see all my related images. Evernote is super easy to use but I will warn you that if your stash grows you'll eventually have to upgrade from the freebie version. I haven't put away my C&C stuff yet but I was planning to keep the stencil and stamps set together. The sentiments stamp set will get put into a storage pocket and filed under my Taylored Expression section. The dies will probably be in their own storage pocket and filed under the Leaves/Flowers sections of my dies. ETA: most of my stencils are 6x6 so they fit in a square storage pocket in clear bin. I have the bin in my Kallax cube. For oversized stencils, they are just stacked in the same cube but off to the side.
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Post by bc2ca on Oct 12, 2022 20:26:49 GMT
I also copy the stores picture of the stamp set and add that to my note. This way I can search for something and see all my related images. Definitely pull in a product photo. I want to see all my options and pick one (or two) to work with. I'm just getting around to adding my stencils to my Evernote. Some are well labeled but discontinued TCW, MFT and TE stencils from 2013/14 and I can't find photos online, so take a photo with my phone and add it.
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Post by Embri on Oct 13, 2022 1:17:37 GMT
I start with the question "Will I use these things independently, ever, or *only* together?"
If the answer is at least sometimes independently, I'll file them with their type - stamps with stamps, dies with dies, stencils with stencils. Sticky label with a sample onto any bits that have coordinating parts. So the stencil would get matching die cutout and stamp stickers, for example. If its too tiny for a sample sticker then just a small label with 'stencil' or 'stamp' or w/e.
If the two things are only used together and never apart (like stamps and their coordinating dies) then I'll store them together. They'll go in the storage section for the more versatile item or whatever fits best. Ex. keeping coordinating dies in stamp storage.
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Post by riversong1963 on Oct 13, 2022 11:24:07 GMT
I keep coordinating items/sets together for storage, and I also use Evernote. Game changer.
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Post by Linda on Oct 13, 2022 14:13:18 GMT
I don't have any sets like that but I store stamps with their coordinating dies - mine are in with dies in general. I have both my dies and stamps in boxes with labelled dividers so leaves would either go in Autumn (if they were the sort I would ONLY use for Autumn themed cards/layouts) or more likely Garden with other leaves/flowers/trees. I would probably include the stencil with the others.
Sentiments - I have a sentiment section for both stamps and dies - sets that have both images and sentiments I look at how I would use them. If I primarily think of the set as sentiments that happen to have a couple of images then they go in sentiments, if the set is primarily images, then they get filed where the images would go.
BUT I don't have a huge collection - I have two bins, one each for stamps and dies and there's still space in both.
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Post by MichyM on Oct 13, 2022 17:48:03 GMT
Thank you ALL, it sounds like I need to look into Evernote in a big way. I have a feeling that once I do, I’ll regret not starting with it 6-7 months ago when I first got into this hobby! Should I assume that you all also use it for stand-alone dies as well?a don , thank you for sharing your method of keeping track. GiantsFan, a special thank you for the link to YouTube. I’m very much a visual learner. CardBoxer thank you for the suggestion to add ‘SCT fall 2022’ to the labels. So smart! I think I will try using a binder with sleeves for my stencils. Right now I have the 6x6 in a bin with the larger ones next to it, ala what pinklady does. I’d like them all contained in one single place. Thank you again!
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pinklady
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Post by pinklady on Oct 13, 2022 17:58:35 GMT
Thank you ALL, it sounds like I need to look into Evernote in a big way. I have a feeling that once I do, I’ll regret not starting with it 6-7 months ago when I first got into this hobby! Should I assume that you all also use it for stand-alone dies as well? I don't know that this is necessary but I have 4 notebooks: Stamps, Dies, Stencils, Embossing Folders. When I search my tags, it searches all notebooks so I'm not sure if this was necessary. My Die notebook only contains stand alone dies. I don't log a separate entry for coordinating dies. When I log a stamp set, I always include the note "Includes coordinating dies" in the body of the note if I purchased coordinating dies.
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GiantsFan
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Post by GiantsFan on Oct 13, 2022 19:18:12 GMT
I have lots of notebooks in Evernote. Get ready for the list...Alphas & Symbols, Background Dies, Background Stamps, Christmas/Winter, Embossing Folders, Mini Sets, Oversized Sets (for 6x8's), Other Holiday, Sentiment Stamps, Shape Dies, Specialty Dies, Stamps (which includes matching dies), Stencils, Wooden Block and Word Dies.
Each of the notebooks above is a labeled bin on my shelves. So I know exactly where the item is filed. (and in alpha order by company name, set name.)
The free version of Evernote lets you add 60MB of uploads a month. 60MB is actually a lot of data. When I first started I think it took me two months to upload everything and I've been stamping for many, many years.
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Post by CardBoxer on Oct 13, 2022 19:27:24 GMT
MichyM you might want to also look into one that targets crafters/artists as well as Evernote to decide which you might glom on to more. They’re AirTable and ColorMyLife. I’ve heard very good things about both, though have no experience with them, and just was curious about them when they appeared. There are a lot of videos if you do a quick search, but here are a couple. Of course if you’re an Evernote fan, ignore this suggestion, and I know people who have their whole lives on Evernote, practically. youtu.be/O4DF8mzsDKwyoutu.be/o1Ch539pNfYPC Magazine says AirTable may be the simplest database you’ll ever use.
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Post by Embri on Oct 13, 2022 19:54:59 GMT
I use Symphytum: github.com/giowck/symphytumIt's a light database app, not unlike Evernote but far more basic and not subscription limited. It doesn't have keywords/tagging. I use mine mostly to keep track of AliEx things I'm interested in rather than their wishlist because products like to disappear, but I also have checkboxes for things I've got on order and own. I'm leery of Evernote because it doesn't offer CSV/TSV or other standard database data dump options. I don't want to put a lot of work into a database only to have it held hostage by revoked features or a subscription. It does have a HTML export but that would take extra massaging to get back into another application that could use the data properly again. My storage is pretty simple since I mostly have just one thing - dies. They go onto magnetic sheets in planner sized binders, sorted by category. I do break up sets where appropriate/possible.
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Post by scrapperal on Oct 13, 2022 20:24:46 GMT
I thought Evernote was the bee's knees, but I switched to AirTable. It just fits my mind better and I find that I can upload faster, which is a plus. BUT I am still thinking about making a binder for my stamps (similar to Don's) because I am a "flipper" and I think I would be more inspired if I had a binder to flip through rather than tags online.
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Post by MichyM on Oct 13, 2022 21:02:41 GMT
MichyM you might want to also look into one that targets crafters/artists as well as Evernote to decide which you might glom on to more. They’re AirTable and ColorMyLife. I’ve heard very good things about both, though have no experience with them, and just was curious about them when they appeared. There are a lot of videos if you do a quick search, but here are a couple. Of course if you’re an Evernote fan, ignore this suggestion, and I know people who have their whole lives on Evernote, practically. youtu.be/O4DF8mzsDKwyoutu.be/o1Ch539pNfYPC Magazine says AirTable may be the simplest database you’ll ever use. Ahhh, thank you! I'll poke around those as well to see which of them all feels the most intuitive. I've only used one app to keep track of crafting stuff, the name escapes me but it's specifically for embroidery threads, so I'm definitely a newbie. I like the idea of "simplest database I'll ever use."
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Post by MichyM on Oct 13, 2022 21:05:14 GMT
I thought Evernote was the bee's knees, but I switched to AirTable. It just fits my mind better and I find that I can upload faster, which is a plus. BUT I am still thinking about making a binder for my stamps (similar to Don's) because I am a "flipper" and I think I would be more inspired if I had a binder to flip through rather than tags online. Definitely will look at Air Table too....and I'm going to try the digital way first, but may end up with a physical binder myself. Plus, with a binder, one can actually see the size of the item.
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Post by CardBoxer on Oct 13, 2022 21:26:55 GMT
I thought Evernote was the bee's knees, but I switched to AirTable. It just fits my mind better and I find that I can upload faster, which is a plus. BUT I am still thinking about making a binder for my stamps (similar to Don's) because I am a "flipper" and I think I would be more inspired if I had a binder to flip through rather than tags online. Definitely will look at Air Table too....and I'm going to try the digital way first, but may end up with a physical binder myself. Plus, with a binder, one can actually see the size of the item. Yeah, stamp size is a large part of why I’m going to make a sentiments notebook like the one made by the FB member. The stamps will stay in their pockets in bins, but the sentiments will be stamped on pages in categories. If I actually complete it, I may do the same for the tiny often generic extras included in sets. I love the 5.5x8.5” binder size since I’m 99% a flipper (bins) rather than a leafer (binders), like scrapperal, but that small binder won’t take up much room if open, and the front cover folds around to the back fairly well, so won’t be double the space. Not that anyone asked but it’s an Amy Tangerine notebook on Amazon called Watercolor Rainbow. The swoosh watercolor stripes in ROYGBIV order make me happy.
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Post by Embri on Oct 13, 2022 22:40:46 GMT
I love the 5.5x8.5” binder size since I’m 99% a flipper (bins) rather than a leafer (binders), like scrapperal , but that small binder won’t take up much room if open, and the front cover folds around to the back fairly well, so won’t be double the space. If you're a flipper, set up your binder for flipping! Just use the long edge as the top/bottom, so you can hold your binder spine down and browse the pages that way just like a bin.
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Post by joblackford on Oct 13, 2022 23:03:06 GMT
I'm curious how everyone stores their stencils. For now, I have been using a 6x8 3-ring binder for my smaller stencils. Now after C&C I have the larger Spellbinders stencil as well as the Taylored Expressions layered stencil (plus the TE Christmas layered stencil set I bought). I found an old SEI horizontal 8.5"x11" scrapbook in my stash & I think I am going to slip the larger stencils in there inside the page protectors and see how that works. I keep the books above my Kallax which is where I have my stamps & dies so they are all in the same vicinity. I keep my stencils in a binder in page protectors and I like that it keeps them safe and easy to flip through. Do I often think to look at them? No. But I didn't think of them at all when they were stored in other ways either! I do have one kit that has stamps, dies, and stencils and I do keep that all together in the same storage as I use for big stamp and die sets. I think of that more as a stamp set with accessories so it never occurred to me to store it as a stencil set with accessories, with my other stencils. It's the same size and shape as my other big stamp sets so it fits well with my stamps. I guess it's all about where you would look for it first, or where you would see it and think to use it. I would be inclined to separate out the items that could be used independently so they get more general use.
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Post by CardBoxer on Oct 13, 2022 23:49:25 GMT
I love the 5.5x8.5” binder size since I’m 99% a flipper (bins) rather than a leafer (binders), like scrapperal , but that small binder won’t take up much room if open, and the front cover folds around to the back fairly well, so won’t be double the space. If you're a flipper, set up your binder for flipping! Just use the long edge as the top/bottom, so you can hold your binder spine down and browse the pages that way just like a bin.
LOL! 🏆
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MDscrapaholic
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Post by MDscrapaholic on Oct 14, 2022 1:30:41 GMT
I must be the odd ball here - I keep all those Crop & Create sets together by class in vinyl envelopes. Mainly because I'm not imaginative with cards like I am with layouts. I need to have something to go by for cards, whereas with layouts I will experiment and use whatever.
I keep each class together in a folder/envelope (stamps, dies, stencils, whatever) and usually have a card in there with it so I can see what the end result is.
Now the C&C scrapbook one - I separated all the papers when we were done and just put them in with my other patterned paper.
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Post by Embri on Oct 14, 2022 7:01:24 GMT
As long as your storage works for *you*, there is no wrong way to go about it. I'm an absolute heathen who feels no remorse at splitting up sets if any part of it looks like it belongs with something else. I cannot see myself hunting through thousands of dies in search of each snowflake I own, or a heart, or dozens of tiny stars. That's just how my brain creates.
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Shakti
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Post by Shakti on Dec 5, 2022 19:48:30 GMT
Right now, my collection is small enough that stamps, dies, stencils, and embossing folders are all in one bin. But it’s filling MUCH faster than I expected.
Like many, I store frame cut type dies behind the card stock liner in the coordinating stamp sleeve.
My question is about the embossing folders. I started putting them into sleeves. Then I saw a video in which Jennifer McGuire clearly had a label directly on the embossing folder. Given that they look pretty sturdy and the “business” surface is on the inside, it seemed fine to label them and file them in a bin.
Then, in another video, I saw her clearly take an embossing folder out of a sleeve.
So now I’m completely unsure again.
How do you store your embossing folders?
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Post by CardBoxer on Dec 5, 2022 19:57:32 GMT
Shakti, embossing folders are in a bin, not in pockets. They’re upside down with a sample inside, often smaller than a card, just to get a visual. Some have name/code/company written in Sharpie on the back, some have labels. A piece of packaging with that info is kept inside the folder until I mark them, which I’m doing now more than labeling. It’s my simplest storage. Would only it be like that for everything. The only exception to no pockets is a set of three narrow folders that were a set since they’d be wonky in the bin without one.
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Shakti
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Post by Shakti on Dec 5, 2022 21:49:02 GMT
Thanks!
Altenew’s helpfully come prelabeled.
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Post by Linda on Dec 5, 2022 22:08:32 GMT
Shakti - I bought a storage binder for embossing folders some years ago when AC Moore was closing and had deep discounts - it was a rather hopeful purchase since at that time I think I only owned 4 embossing folders - all of which I had also bought on closeout. This is the one I have www.amazon.com/Darice-CN2033-994-Embossing-Folder-Organizer/dp/B005SEEX3I?th=1I do have a few folders that are just a smidge too wide for the pockets but I just store them loose in the binder. And while my collection has grown since then, I still have space to continue expanding.
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