I finally have a system in place that I love for organizing my scrapbook paper and scraps!  Previously, I was using these Cropper Hopper Scrap Storage envelopes and had one for each color family. (updated: Since these are out of stock at Amazon, here’s a link to Joann’s.) After seeing Jennifer Payami’s system on Pinterest (no longer available) I decided to update my system.  I use only Close to My Heart cardstock now.  It’s simpler because I am familiar with the colors and I love the weight and white core.  Here’s how it turned out:

Create labels:

I cut the labels for the front of the boxes out of my CTMH Idea Book.  (updated: As colors change, I remove theses labels and update with new ones, applying with double-stick tape.) For the most part each group fits in a box.  One or two are a bit tight but I’m stocked up on cardstock now so that will change as I use some of it up.  The basic colors (not pictured) take up two boxes because I have more of those and I have one scrap storage envelope for each color.  For the rest (seen above), I have two colors in each scrap storage envelope with the color separated with a divider.  So the scraps for the first color are kept in the front pocket and scraps for the second color are kept in the back pocket.  Scraps larger than 6×12 are kept in the front of that color.

Here’s a picture of the labels:

It can be difficult to differentiate between similar colors and this system has solved that problem.  Before I would have to dig for scraps because I only had them separated by color family.  Now with each color in it’s own place it is very quick and easy to find exactly what I need!  Dh saw what I was doing and said it looked too organized…what’s that!?! 🙂

If you want to do something like this, the holders often go on sale at Joann’s.  You can see them well on Amazon.  They come 3 to a pack.  The larger holders and dividers are sold separately.

What I use for added scraps:

Here is a picture of the envelopes that I use, pink is the front and blue is the back.  It holds 12×12 paper and there is a pocket in both the front and back that is 6×12 where I keep scraps.  I put a tabbed divider in the middle to label the paper name.  The second tab is on the envelope.  Seems like the correct term is “paper file” like these on Amazon but they don’t have the pocket for scraps anymore.

Organizing paper scraps
This system organizes all of your cardstock and scraps together, making it easy to use and find exactly what you need.


13 Comments

Jennifer Payami · 03/06/2012 at 7:28 am

WOW!!! That looks AWESOME!!

Romaine · 03/06/2012 at 9:02 pm

Brilliant, Wendy! Mine have NO organization- I asked Nikka to put me last as I hope to have my storage set up in my room by then! Now, mine might be a replica of yours ;0)!

Dana H · 03/16/2012 at 5:31 pm

LOVE your organization!!

Debbie · 07/09/2014 at 10:35 am

I love your idea and would like to try it for my paper. I can’t find the scrap storage envelopes that you mention to separate the colors. Are they called somthing else?

Wendy · 07/09/2014 at 12:15 pm

I’ve updated the links again but if they become outdated again, the organizers are by Cropper Hopper. The are simply called “Paper Holders” and “Dividers” or “Tabbed Dividers”.

Sandy · 01/11/2015 at 6:37 am

I use page protectors to store scraps separated by color. I find this to be way cheaper.

Charlene Danks · 04/11/2015 at 5:32 am

I have only been card making for 6 months and have tried and tried to find better ways to organise my ever increasing card stock etc. I saw your picture on Pininterest and knew immediately this was for me. Unfortunately, I have been unsuccessful in finding anything like your system. I live in Wales, UK and could not afford to order from the U.S. and so I had to improvise. I do not scrapbook and so most of my card stock is A4 in size. I found online some relatively inexpensive A4 clear plastic wallets and started to put my cards in these but when I put them on the shelf they took up loads of space due to the poppers and so I started again and took off the poppers which did take quite a long time and have damaged the folders but it was the best I could do. I then placed acetate in the front and have put the scraps in the front so that I can get the most out of my card stock as I mostly make charity cards from my own pocket and if I have any expensive card stock and very small pieces that I know I can still use I have put these in small clear plastic bags and have also put them in the front. I did have all of my scraps in a folder but this got out of hand. I was amazed how little room has been taken up by this. At present I have 100 wallets and it has not even taken up one shelf. Where I do not have a lot of stock I have doubled up using both sides where I could but in colour coordination. I do not have the magazine holders like you do and so I have just used a book rest to keep them upright and hopefully the cards will not bend and get damaged. Where I have a lot of one colour I have put the bulk in clear boxes which I can easily see. My craft room is tiny and so I have them in a landscape position so that I can get more out of my bookcase. I still have a fair way to go but I now have an idea what stock I have as I used to get very stressed and frustrated looking for a particular piece of card and they were also getting damaged taking them in and out of the drawers when searching. After I have completed this I am going to have to look at finding a way to store my ever increasing stamp sets. I cannot put any shelves up due to the type of walls we have and so another idea I have is to make a storage hanger out of strong material to put things like my cans of spray glue in, my die cutting plates, etc in purpose made sleeves so that I can easily see everything. Thanks for posting your idea!

Deb · 05/05/2016 at 5:46 pm

Wondering if you could show a picture of the envelope you use for scraps. I am having a difficult time understanding what you mean. Love this idea and Thanjs for sharing it.

Wendy · 12/29/2016 at 9:32 am

Sorry it took so long but I have updated the post with pictures of what I use for scraps. Hope this helps you. Another option would be to use a gallon size ziplock bag in the front. Or you could use large bags that fit 12×12 and just keep the scraps in the front. This would allow you to skip the envelopes and just use the big holders but I like things more divided so the smaller scraps don’t get lost at the bottom.

JAMIE honley · 02/28/2017 at 8:05 pm

WOW, what a great idea mind if I steal?? I have been looking for a way to store my 12 x 12 and maybe my 8 x 10 cardstock, I have it running out of my ears (SO TO SPEAK).Actually I am in the process of re organizing all of my craft supplies and I have a ton. Thank you for your ideas!!!

Regards,
JMIE

Gloria Baker · 04/07/2017 at 1:24 pm

Great idea. I do something similar but use job ticket holders from staples. No front pockets but I just put scraps in the front. Love this method.

Irene Burden · 03/29/2018 at 2:46 am

What a fantastic idea! I have been a CTMH consultant in New Zealand for 3 years and never realised those 12×12 pockets existed. I currently store scraps by colour in Cropper Hopper scrap pockets, but these are now unavailable, so I shall certainly take up your wonderful idea. Thanks so much for sharing.

Wendy · 03/29/2018 at 8:57 am

I’m so glad to share the idea Irene, I love organizing!

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