Organization Tips: Paper Scraps

Patterned paper, cardstock, stickers, die-cuts, brads, buttons, flowers, chipboard, tools, and the list goes on and on. Most scrappers have a huge stash of supplies. If you are like me, you buy supplies faster than you can use them. So, how do you organize all of these items? I know if I don’t have my supplies organized, I forget what I have, I cannot find what I want when I need it, I get frustrated and then decide it’s easier just not to do it.

Organizing all your supplies is a big project. I suggest doing it in baby steps, organizing one item at a time. Before you know it, you’ll have everything organized and be ready to scrap. First of all, decide what bugs you the most. For me it’s paper scraps. So today, I’m talking about scraps. I’ll give you some ideas of what’s worked for me. If they work for you, great! If not, or if you have an even better idea, please share it with me. I love new ideas and I’m sure some of yours are better than mine.

Organizing Scrap Paper

Every scrapper has scraps of patterned paper and cardstock. It’s hard to throw them away, but unless they are somewhat organized, you’ll never be able to find what you need and the scrap pile will just keep growing and growing. What should you do with them? What size is okay to throw away? How do you organize them? Read on for a few ideas.

First, I purchased an expandable storage case made for storing 12x12” paper. I keep a 12x12” sheet protector in each pocket, with the open side up so I can slip scraps in. This helps me quickly pull out an entire section to look through, without making a mess.

First, I separate cardstock from patterned paper. I don’t sort the cardstock. I just throw it all in a plastic bin set aside for cardstock scraps. It’s fairly easy to look through and find the color you need. Next , I separate my patterned paper scraps by color. Then I file each color in alphabetical order. It is very simple and easy to find what I need when I want to use scraps.

As a general rule of thumb, I keep any scrap over an inch wide. I use them for everything: die-cuts, accenting cards and layouts, matting photos, and journaling.

I also have a second plastic bin where I put scraps I know I won't use. This is for the kids. They love having their own scraps that they don't have to ask permission to use.

I’ll have a series of organization blogs coming up to help you get your scrap space organized. In the meantime, sort those scraps and come back soon!

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