I'm a former Civil Servant, so me and acronyms, we're tight, man. GIIGU : Good Idea(s) in Good Use.
See, on my so far limited travels around WOYWW world this week, a couple people have talked about their plans for saving, filing, using scraps. Born from these very sorts of conversations a couple years ago, I devised my system. It was a very Good Idea. And has been in very Good Use ever since. it worked for me. It's not rocket science. I have a shoebox size RUB and I store my scraps standing up, in that. If it's too big for the RUB, it's not a scrap and goes back into the proper sheet supply section. Colours are loosely separated in groups:
Patterned papers are stored similarly, in a smaller length of box but are not divided under any theme..colour/maker..too much argh! for me! Are you a grammar fanatic? Have you noticed that the past tense had been adopted in describing the Good Use? Hmm. That's because I stopped playing my part in the system and inevitably, it then breaks down. It's usually after a workshop or such that I let it go ...when I unpack my supplies and have to put away unused stock....they tend to just be thrust in wherever they'll fit on the 'I'll see to that later' basis. Well, look and see where I am with that:
Yep this is a corner. Ignore that I've slotted other stuff between the left box and the wall....I don't really even know what it is. On the left is the patterned scrap box..and you can't see the demarcation line, but truly, that other mess is my plain scraps box. For a sense of depth, there's a bottle of mod podge on the worktop in front of the box. It's fair to say it's not working for me anymore. And that I've just about had enough of it. This is not to herald a big change in my modus operandi. No. I know that this system works for me, it IS a Good Idea in Good Use. and that I use my scraps up fairly well if they are within reach, or even sight. So all I need to do is tidy it up, sort it out, get a grip. I know it will make me feel better. And probably many of you too, who right now are speechless at how I let it get like that and wondering why suddenly, your teeth itch. Have a super weekend.
What's making my teeth itch is the thought of actually sorting out my scraps into colour order... Perhaps I just don't have enough scraps (yeah, right!) .... Hope you do what needs to be done, whatever way you decide that is!!! have a great weekend.
I've always hoarded my scraps and tried to use them but inevitably they get shuved in a box and neglected.. I like your tabbed idea so might have to give this a try.. thanks for sharing x
I think you summed it up when you said kept within reach in sight the scraps will be used up, if they were hidden away they might not.Looks great to me although I'm not a scrap saver anymore, I once was, big time!!
About once a year I go through my mess and devise a new storage system for scraps. usually start by getting rid of small scraps, then find a use for them on my current project and off we go again saving them only to ditch them and so on. Die cut scraps are reaching that level!
I wish I could find an easy system for storing all my fabric bits. I have been raiding the stash for my scrapbox dollies and now I am knee deep in it!! x Jo
heeheeehee...yep...my teeth are itching...itching to come over and do it for you!!!
Cuz I love jobs like that.
My little die cuts are just a teensy segment of my scraps...I think I did mention that I was working on it...that I had more to do...well.....hangs head in shame...the rest are stored in one 1/2 full drawer of a filing cabinet, separated by colour as you have done. (minus the lovely tabs, though). Oh my...now I've spilled the beans!!! Working on it is the very best description!!! I rest my case. teehee
lol love it..you hav emade me LOL it was all going so well then ...its a fab idea one day you may sort the 'other' pile !!! I have a very tiny stash of scraps but guess the will grow and grow as I continue with crafting. I cant believe people throw them out I just cant .like the tab idea and if too big go back with the proper papers .. mines are sitting in a folder waiting for that moment when they will get used ...it hasn't came yet !..but I know it will;-)
I use a set of deep plastic stacking drawers to separate all my colours. Each drawer holds everything I have in that colour, whether it be papers, buttons, threads, crotchet flowers, paper flowers, ribbons, beads.... All sorts of craft things Works for me Lynn :)
I fully understand - I usually have a section on the left hand side of my desk that looks like this - thats why you don't get to see that bit in my WOYWW photo!! Speaking of which I was disappointed not to have met even one WOYWWer yesterday at the NEC - maybe we were all just too busy looking at all the lovely stuff to notice each other! Back to the scraps storage - I have a filing drawer in my desk for storing all my scraps in, with a different file for each colour - its just that sometimes they don't actually get that far, and pile up on my desk instead! Bernice
Hi Julia, Scrap, Scrap, Scrap (Sing to monty python's Spam song)Oh Wonderful Scraps! Not really! your scraps do look lovely in thier color coding! I have a special system. I only keep the printed papers that I absolutly love and they all fit in one drawer. For Colored cardstock scraps I only keep peices that are 90# or over. they go in they go in tow drawers - Colors, and neutrals. Every thing else, because I make a lot of cards goes in a big box, that gets delivered to a friends house that she and her adult daughter go through and make cards, and what have left goes to an elementray school for the kiddos to paste up and have fun with. With my scraps I make a lot of donated cards for our troops so the smaller peices are great for the A2 size cards. Honestly unless the paper is very special I don't want to be bothered with 'Maybe' using the scrap. the Clutter of it boggels my brain! and I don't have room. Have a great weekend!! I am still folding and scoring the stacks for woyww#177 or 8! Cheers
I was so impressed with the first part of this post, and then was so relieved when I read the second half. It is so comforting when someone who is so organised also has bad days. Have fun resorting all those scraps. xx Maggie
Definately true when you say 'keep them in reach or in view' The scraps in my box don't get used as much as the ones beside my cutting mat... man that makes me sound really lazy!
I'm experiencing the same problem with my fabric, only I've never HAD a good idea or a way to separate it. I feel a massive clean out is probably in order for both of us. Best of luck with yours, I'm sure you'll make a lot of headway, since paper doesn't take as much room as fabric.
Oh gosh I would love love love to sort it all out for you 'cause that's what I do best. My scraps are stored right in front of me in a five drawer unit that is A4 size and it has clear acrylic fronts to the drawers so I can see what colour is in each drawer, works brilliant. Elaine
Are you serious why don't you pick out the really important bits if paper and card stick the rest is a big box fund some other stuff you really don't need and give it to the handicapped centre for the disabled to use they will live you forever you feel good and they are really happy win win win
Well, Julia, I was impressed with the first photo but then I got to the second and realised that your good idea was not in good use :)) It's still a good idea, and I'm taking on board that if it is bigger than shoe box size it shouldn't be considered a scrap - putting that rule into practice will make a huge difference to my scrap mountain and that, in turn, will make me feel much better about them. Now I just need the time and inclination to start sorting them out yet again! Hugs, Elizabeth xx
Its a fab idea, mine are shoved in boxes or on a rack in absolutely no order at all! Maybe I will have a go at your system. Good luck with your sorting and thanks for the idea and for the smile too! xx
Oh yes I was so impressed at first! And then I just really liked you for letting the system down! I have so many systems in place that I forget which one is for what and of course I let them all down at various times! Can't see it, don't use it. I have a really hard time putting paper that has been cut into alongside paper that hasn't. I have a young teacher who will take what scraps I can't manage, I like that a lot! Hugs,
I tackled this scrap thing a few months ago, and it has changed my life. I don't keep pre-stamped sentiments, but I did reorganize my solid scraps and patterned paper scraps. I have bad pics of the process here:
Thank you for making me chuckle. I have a scrap folder, which is actually several. Small scraps in one (which I use all the time), larger scraps of metallic card in with the whole pieces of metallic, etc, etc. White card/paper is in a slot of the paper sorter next to my printer. I do throw away bits that are just too small to bother about, or a pattern that I don't think I would be using again. It works for me, as long as I tidy up every day to stop piles building up. Ali x
My own personal solution is to keep all decent size scraps in a large basket (standing upright) and then when I move country I chuck them out... LOL... it works for me!!
you are a woman after my own heart... I have all my scraps sorted by colour family in a plastic wallet for each. The plastic wallets have a self made tab on - with, of course the colour name on. These are then filed in an IKEA cube box in order of the 'I can sing a rainbow' song (I know!). I put all my metallics in another, cream in another, black, white - you get the picture.
Patterns are filed with the most dominant colour being filed in the appropriate colour family. Inside the wallets, I even sort them out so the big scraps are at the back, all descending to the smallest of scraps at the front (well, you never know when you only need the smallest of pieces do you?)!
As you know, all these scraps, particularly the patterns are created from CD crafting. If I have stuff left over from My Craft Studio - it has it's own wallet - as does Funky Hand, Pink Petticoat and anything from Serif CA. The latter are in the wallet but kept in their separate collections in a poly pocket.
Do you think it's overkill? lol
I'll come and do yours if you like. It's a system that works and one that I actually keep to (surprise, surprise).
I could have written my own post about this by the time i've finished this comment... I do apologise.
I'm sure you'll find a way to create a system that works.
Top Tip... I think your box isn't deep enough. Because you can see so mych of the paper - that in itself might be making it look more untidy. Just try the same but in a deeper box - you can always lift the whole colour family out to see what you need rather that flick through it like a filing clerk! You see, that's where the wallets come in handy for me - it doesn't look untidy per se, and I only need to remove the wallet of the colour I need. If I need more that one colour - I don't get them mixed up because I take the two wallets out and so forth... I'm going too far now aren't I... I'll stop there cos I'm sure you get the picture. I'd love to sort them out for you though.
You can tell I've got nothing better to do can't you?
My teeth are not itching, but I'm wondering why I haven't organised my scraps before now so that they don't take up space in the "full size sheets" draws....
Julia I was buried in scraps again this weekend too! Dont know what possessed me to try and re arrange them but next time I am going to try the color thing, makes sense!
Here's me, never entirely speechless, as you know, but with itchy teeth all right. Itchy because I'm that demented woman who wishes she lived close enough to tidy up that horrific scene for you so you can resume your GI in GU. In situ. Imagine the immense satisfaction and (fairly) instant gratification. Aaaah.
Its one of craft life's little annoyances isn't it? That need to put bits of paper away. I hate it. Yet I get such pleasure from using things from within that box. What we need is self sorting papers....
What's making my teeth itch is the thought of actually sorting out my scraps into colour order... Perhaps I just don't have enough scraps (yeah, right!) .... Hope you do what needs to be done, whatever way you decide that is!!! have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI've always hoarded my scraps and tried to use them but inevitably they get shuved in a box and neglected.. I like your tabbed idea so might have to give this a try.. thanks for sharing x
ReplyDeleteI think you summed it up when you said kept within reach in sight the scraps will be used up, if they were hidden away they might not.Looks great to me although I'm not a scrap saver anymore, I once was, big time!!
ReplyDeleteAbout once a year I go through my mess and devise a new storage system for scraps. usually start by getting rid of small scraps, then find a use for them on my current project and off we go again saving them only to ditch them and so on. Die cut scraps are reaching that level!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could find an easy system for storing all my fabric bits. I have been raiding the stash for my scrapbox dollies and now I am knee deep in it!! x Jo
ReplyDeleteHah, by your size definition, just about all the paper I have is scraps!
ReplyDeleteheeheeehee...yep...my teeth are itching...itching to come over and do it for you!!!
ReplyDeleteCuz I love jobs like that.
My little die cuts are just a teensy segment of my scraps...I think I did mention that I was working on it...that I had more to do...well.....hangs head in shame...the rest are stored in one 1/2 full drawer of a filing cabinet, separated by colour as you have done. (minus the lovely tabs, though).
Oh my...now I've spilled the beans!!!
Working on it is the very best description!!! I rest my case. teehee
Oh Julie you made me chuckle! I believe every scrapbooker has a box or two of scraps lying around....it is normal...i think?
ReplyDeletehappy sorting TFS
lol love it..you hav emade me LOL it was all going so well then ...its a fab idea one day you may sort the 'other' pile !!! I have a very tiny stash of scraps but guess the will grow and grow as I continue with crafting. I cant believe people throw them out I just cant .like the tab idea and if too big go back with the proper papers .. mines are sitting in a folder waiting for that moment when they will get used ...it hasn't came yet !..but I know it will;-)
ReplyDeleteI use a set of deep plastic stacking drawers to separate all my colours. Each drawer holds everything I have in that colour, whether it be papers, buttons, threads, crotchet flowers, paper flowers, ribbons, beads.... All sorts of craft things
ReplyDeleteWorks for me
Lynn :)
I fully understand - I usually have a section on the left hand side of my desk that looks like this - thats why you don't get to see that bit in my WOYWW photo!! Speaking of which I was disappointed not to have met even one WOYWWer yesterday at the NEC - maybe we were all just too busy looking at all the lovely stuff to notice each other!
ReplyDeleteBack to the scraps storage - I have a filing drawer in my desk for storing all my scraps in, with a different file for each colour - its just that sometimes they don't actually get that far, and pile up on my desk instead!
Bernice
Hi Julia, Scrap, Scrap, Scrap (Sing to monty python's Spam song)Oh Wonderful Scraps! Not really! your scraps do look lovely in thier color coding! I have a special system. I only keep the printed papers that I absolutly love and they all fit in one drawer. For Colored cardstock scraps I only keep peices that are 90# or over. they go in they go in tow drawers - Colors, and neutrals. Every thing else, because I make a lot of cards goes in a big box, that gets delivered to a friends house that she and her adult daughter go through and make cards, and what have left goes to an elementray school for the kiddos to paste up and have fun with. With my scraps I make a lot of donated cards for our troops so the smaller peices are great for the A2 size cards. Honestly unless the paper is very special I don't want to be bothered with 'Maybe' using the scrap. the Clutter of it boggels my brain! and I don't have room. Have a great weekend!! I am still folding and scoring the stacks for woyww#177 or 8! Cheers
ReplyDeleteYou know what? i've never thought of toring scraps standind up so I can see them!! Doh! Lightbulb! Thanks
ReplyDeleteI was so impressed with the first part of this post, and then was so relieved when I read the second half. It is so comforting when someone who is so organised also has bad days. Have fun resorting all those scraps. xx Maggie
ReplyDeleteDefinately true when you say 'keep them in reach or in view'
ReplyDeleteThe scraps in my box don't get used as much as the ones beside my cutting mat... man that makes me sound really lazy!
I'm experiencing the same problem with my fabric, only I've never HAD a good idea or a way to separate it. I feel a massive clean out is probably in order for both of us. Best of luck with yours, I'm sure you'll make a lot of headway, since paper doesn't take as much room as fabric.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh I would love love love to sort it all out for you 'cause that's what I do best. My scraps are stored right in front of me in a five drawer unit that is A4 size and it has clear acrylic fronts to the drawers so I can see what colour is in each drawer, works brilliant.
ReplyDeleteElaine
This is a great post. It's me versus the scraps and they always seem to win ;)
ReplyDeleteLol, love it! No, really! Keep writing, the scraps can wait ;)
ReplyDeleteLol, love it! No, really! Keep writing, the scraps can wait ;)
ReplyDeleteAre you serious why don't you pick out the really important bits if paper and card stick the rest is a big box fund some other stuff you really don't need and give it to the handicapped centre for the disabled to use they will live you forever you feel good and they are really happy win win win
ReplyDeleteThis is what I do and it works for me
Hugs Eliza
Bin them all! Then this skip diver can POP over and rummaged to her hearts content!
ReplyDeleteKyla
If only it were just a small box here..
ReplyDeleteWell, Julia, I was impressed with the first photo but then I got to the second and realised that your good idea was not in good use :)) It's still a good idea, and I'm taking on board that if it is bigger than shoe box size it shouldn't be considered a scrap - putting that rule into practice will make a huge difference to my scrap mountain and that, in turn, will make me feel much better about them. Now I just need the time and inclination to start sorting them out yet again! Hugs, Elizabeth xx
ReplyDeleteIts a fab idea, mine are shoved in boxes or on a rack in absolutely no order at all! Maybe I will have a go at your system. Good luck with your sorting and thanks for the idea and for the smile too! xx
ReplyDeleteOh yes I was so impressed at first! And then I just really liked you for letting the system down! I have so many systems in place that I forget which one is for what and of course I let them all down at various times! Can't see it, don't use it. I have a really hard time putting paper that has been cut into alongside paper that hasn't. I have a young teacher who will take what scraps I can't manage, I like that a lot! Hugs,
ReplyDeleteYou just haven't got enough locations for it....smaller piles are less notiable. :)
ReplyDeleteteeth itch - ha!
ReplyDeleteI tackled this scrap thing a few months ago, and it has changed my life. I don't keep pre-stamped sentiments, but I did reorganize my solid scraps and patterned paper scraps. I have bad pics of the process here:
http://thecrookedstamper.blogspot.com/2012/09/just-call-me-scrap-wrangler.html
Thank you for making me chuckle. I have a scrap folder, which is actually several. Small scraps in one (which I use all the time), larger scraps of metallic card in with the whole pieces of metallic, etc, etc. White card/paper is in a slot of the paper sorter next to my printer. I do throw away bits that are just too small to bother about, or a pattern that I don't think I would be using again. It works for me, as long as I tidy up every day to stop piles building up. Ali x
ReplyDeleteMy own personal solution is to keep all decent size scraps in a large basket (standing upright) and then when I move country I chuck them out... LOL... it works for me!!
ReplyDeleteJulia
ReplyDeleteyou are a woman after my own heart... I have all my scraps sorted by colour family in a plastic wallet for each. The plastic wallets have a self made tab on - with, of course the colour name on. These are then filed in an IKEA cube box in order of the 'I can sing a rainbow' song (I know!). I put all my metallics in another, cream in another, black, white - you get the picture.
Patterns are filed with the most dominant colour being filed in the appropriate colour family. Inside the wallets, I even sort them out so the big scraps are at the back, all descending to the smallest of scraps at the front (well, you never know when you only need the smallest of pieces do you?)!
As you know, all these scraps, particularly the patterns are created from CD crafting. If I have stuff left over from My Craft Studio - it has it's own wallet - as does Funky Hand, Pink Petticoat and anything from Serif CA. The latter are in the wallet but kept in their separate collections in a poly pocket.
Do you think it's overkill? lol
I'll come and do yours if you like. It's a system that works and one that I actually keep to (surprise, surprise).
I could have written my own post about this by the time i've finished this comment... I do apologise.
I'm sure you'll find a way to create a system that works.
Top Tip... I think your box isn't deep enough. Because you can see so mych of the paper - that in itself might be making it look more untidy. Just try the same but in a deeper box - you can always lift the whole colour family out to see what you need rather that flick through it like a filing clerk! You see, that's where the wallets come in handy for me - it doesn't look untidy per se, and I only need to remove the wallet of the colour I need. If I need more that one colour - I don't get them mixed up because I take the two wallets out and so forth... I'm going too far now aren't I... I'll stop there cos I'm sure you get the picture. I'd love to sort them out for you though.
You can tell I've got nothing better to do can't you?
Hugs
Paula x x x
My teeth are not itching, but I'm wondering why I haven't organised my scraps before now so that they don't take up space in the "full size sheets" draws....
ReplyDelete....shuffles off quietly to plot and plan.....
Julia I was buried in scraps again this weekend too! Dont know what possessed me to try and re arrange them but next time I am going to try the color thing, makes sense!
ReplyDeleteHere's me, never entirely speechless, as you know, but with itchy teeth all right. Itchy because I'm that demented woman who wishes she lived close enough to tidy up that horrific scene for you so you can resume your GI in GU. In situ. Imagine the immense satisfaction and (fairly) instant gratification. Aaaah.
ReplyDeleteIts one of craft life's little annoyances isn't it? That need to put bits of paper away. I hate it. Yet I get such pleasure from using things from within that box. What we need is self sorting papers....
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