Keeping Coordinated Paper/Embellies together - ugh!

I also like to keep collection items together, and like CMPeter said, I keep them in clear bags or envelopes. Target has 2 kinds of Ziploc bags that are larger that the 1 gallon standard bags. They're perfect for 12x12 pads, embellishments, and other items. I have also used the translucent 12x12 plastic envelopes from the organizing section at Michaels. You can buy a pack of them with your coupon and they aren't very expensive - again, perfect for 12x12 pads. All of mine are just on a shelf, but they could be organized in holders to make them look pretty.

Cropper Hopper used to sell these project keeper things that had a big pocket for 12x12 stuff and smaller pockets on the outside for 6x12 sticker sheets or other embellies. These would be perfect for what you've described, and they can be filed in a bin. I've had mine for a long time so I don't know if they still make them, but it would be worth Googling.

ETA: They are made of thinner plastic with what looks like file tabs at the top, and they fit inside the CH vertical paper holders.

I store mine in the Cropper Hopper product you are talking about. They came two in a box and were on clearance at Hobby Lobby for $4.99. They work perfectly. I have about 10 and they hold an entire line. They slide in my XXL or in an ArtBin.

I use those large plastic envelopes from Michaels that oaksong mentioned.

Christmas and Baby Book items each have a drawer in my scrapbook armoire, because there's so much stuff!

well, my method may not work for you, but here's what I do....I store my paper in the Cropper Hopper vertical holder things. My generic stuff, I have one for blues, greens, aquas papers, one for orange and yellows, one for red and green ( Don't ask why, it made sense at the time, LOL!) one for neutrals and one for pink, because apparently having two boys doesn't mean a thing to me.

For my collections, I keep them in their own Cropper Hopper, and have dividers labeling them. I also have a clear plastic container, ( got most of my containers at walmart, don't remember the brand, they come in multiple sizes, have lids and lime green handles, if that helps) While I do have most of my embellishments separated into these containers by type, I have one that is labeled "collection extras." In this container I keep all the embellishments that go with collections that I have stored in that one CH containter. Right now there's only about 6 collections in it so it's working for me, it's small enough to manage rummaging through one box. So, when I want to use a collection, I know to look in that one particular Cropper Hopper container, and all the embellishments that go with it will be in that one particular storage box. Once I've used up enough papers and extras that I feel it isn't really worth it to keep it all together anymore, I break it up and put the extras in it's respective box ( brads, stickers, enamel dots, etc) and the papers in whatever color category it needs to go to.

That works for general collections, like all my Maggie Holmes stuff and misc. collections without any specific theme.

For specifically themed stuff...kinda the same thing. I have a CH full of girly paper collections, one of manly man, (yep, that's what I call em, ha!stuff specific to my kids - garage, dirt bike, etc) and one that holds all other holidays and themes together,(thanksgiving, dogs, musical, school, Easter, etc) since I don't tend to buy a ton that stuff... except for Christmas and Travel/Beach/Summer ....I'm an absolute maniac in buying travel themed collections, UGH! Travel and Christmas have their own CH for paper, and container for embellishments. So, again, I have one cropper hopper full of my themed/collection papers, and one container full of all the themed goodies for that category.

When I want to work on a theme or with a collection, I just have to pull the cropper hopper that holds the paper with that theme, and one box of all the goodies that go with it.

Like I said earlier, once a particular collection is worn down enough, I'll break it up and it joins the general population.

I'm a big fan of the IRIS containers, but I get what you're saying - sometimes they're just too big for the few things you want to group together.

I'd say I'm with those who suggested the large sized baggies - I am by no means organized, AT ALL - but those huge baggies sure come in handy when you want to group together those awkward sizes