Cardstock and Paper Pad Storage Ideas

One of my very favorite things to do (besides stamping and coloring) is organizing things!!  And it's always fun for me when I get to combine my passions and organize my stamping goodies.  I have such a small creative space so I really need to be organized.  And since I also have quite the cardstock and designer paper collection, I thought I would share with you how I keep it all together.  :)  Grab your favorite drink and get comfy... it's a pretty photo heavy post. 

I was SO excited when Corinna decided to start carrying Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock in the Ribbon Carousel store.  When I first received my Sampler Pack (3 sheets of each color) I knew that I was going to start using the Bazzill cardstock exclusively.  I fell in love with the texture-free smoothness and 28 yummy colors.  The 100lb. weight can also easily handle layers and embellishments without sagging.

So that I could "play" with all of my new cardstock, I decided to create a cardstock swatch book.  

It was really easy to do...and all I needed was my Cuttlebug, a tag die and my printer.

I started off by cutting each sheet of cardstock in half lengthwise (4.25") so to not waste any.  :)

I opened a simple Word document, typed out the color name and printed it directly on the cardstock. Yes, it did take a bit of time (maybe an hour) and you could also use clear labels to save some time, but I know this is going to get LOTS of use and I didn't want to risk the labels peeling.   Not to mention, visually this was just more my style.  :)  Next I aligned my die on the cardstock and cut it out.   

My little swatch book hangs on my tool caddy and is always within reach.  

Next, I'm going to show you how I store the sheets of cardstock and their scraps.

  

I use two plastic hanging file folder storage totes to keep all of my cardstock.  The tote shown above holds the colors that I use the most often.  (You can find these plastic locking file folders at Staples or Office Depot.)  I've also labeled the folders with their cardstock names.  Each tote holds 7 of these plastic hanging file folders;  which means that I can store up to 14 different colors in just one small tote.  

Each folder can hold approx. 60 sheets of cardstock.  And since the Bazzill Card Shoppe cardstock comes in packs of 25 sheets, I'm able to store two colors in each folder.   The picture above shows Cotton Candy and Candy Hearts all in one folder.  I really love these plastic folders because they keep my cardstock from getting bent and it's also a great place to keep my scraps in too.  

You know how you always hear, "there's an App for that"?  Well, there really is!!  LOL

I found this Bazzill Cardstock App on iTunes the other day.  You can find it HERE if you're interested.

And since we're on the subject of paper...I'm sure you all know by now that the Ribbon Carousel also carry's a large selection of the newest and hottest 6x6 paper pads from some of my favorite companies like Echo Park and My Mind's Eye.  So I thought I'd show you how I store my paper pads.

I use these fabric lined baskets (found at Michael's) that are the perfect size for my 6x6 Paper Pads.  Each basket comfortably holds 30 paper pads....and I have 5 baskets that are almost FULL!!  LOL  :)  I like to keep the baskets organized by companies.  The basket on the left holds my Echo Park, Glitz and Cosmo Cricket pads.  The one on the right is all My Mind's Eye...can you tell that I LOVE MME?  :) 

Now that's all nice and good but I think the biggest problem with paper pad storage is what to do with the scraps, right?  Well, it's really an easy and simple fix.  

A few years back I got a great deal on over 500 6x6 envelopes to use for all those 6x6 cards I was making.  I soon realized that I would never be able to use them all and didn't know what I was going to do with them.  Not long after, I was cleaning up my desk and came across some scraps and couldn't remember which pad they were from so I tucked them into an envelope to sort out later.  That's when inspiration stuck and I spent the next day taping those envelopes to the back of all my paper pads!  :)

Now even the tiniest of scraps are neatly organized and easy to find.     

I hope you've enjoyed taking a peek into my craft closet and seeing how I keep my paper organized.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!