Being somewhat confined at home these past few weeks due to Carter's recuperation, I've had time to do a smidgen of online shopping.
Er, um... yeah. So, anyway, a week or so ago, I bought several new (to me) colors of cardstock from Papertrey Ink, and replenished some I was getting low on. For several days, the new packages of pretty paper sat on the floor of my craft room, waiting for me to create file folders so I could put them in their place in my cardstock filing cabinet. I'm not organized about too much in my life, but those things I am organized about? I'm fairly anal retentive.
Cardstock is one of those things for which I actually am organized. I have a tall, four-drawer filing cabinet that I keep my cardstock in. Each color has its own hanging file folder, and within each folder, I keep a page protector to hold scraps of that particular color.
My card making process usually begins with stamp selection, then patterned paper selection, and then I head for the cardstock cabinet to pick papers I think will coordinate. The problem is, my cardstock cabinet is in a dark corner of my craft room. (Is there EVER enough light for us papercrafters? I think not.) Typically, I'll look at the patterned paper I've selected and think, "I bet MFT Banana Split is the right yellow for this, and SU! Regal Rose would coordinate..." or whatever. Then I go to the cabinet, grab the scraps plus one full piece of the cardstock. I look at everything under my Ott lights to make sure they match as closely in reality as I envisioned in my head. If so, we're off - if not, it's back to the file cabinet with me saying to myself "I need a darker yellow with a little green in it..." or what have you. In other words, it's a lot of up and down and relying on my memory.
For some reason, as I was getting ready to file my new purchases in the cabinet, I thought, "There has to be a better way..."
And that sent me down the rabbit hole for a couple of days. Fortunately, though, I've returned with something I think is going to be incredibly handy...
I created a swatchbook of all of my cardstock! Now, if I'm debating in my head, "Should I use New Leaf, Wild Wasabi, or Gumdrop Green?" I'll just grab my handy-dandy swatchbook (located conveniently on my desktop) to make my decision...
Putting this sucker together was no small accomplishment. I cut out 2 1/8" x 3 1/2" pieces of each color of cardstock (191 colors, in all), then rounded a couple of corners for flair, and adhered identification labels made from trimmed down mailing labels; font = Walkway Bold. Most of my 8.5" x 11" colored cardstock is from Stampin' Up!, Papertrey, or My Favorite Things; I also have many colors of 12" x 12" cardstock from Close To My Heart that I keep in a rolling file unit. The CTMH cardstock often gets forgotten about unless I can't find anything else that will do. It's a shame, because CTMH cardstock is white core, and thus great for vintage-y stuff when you want to distress, plus there are some really bright, beautiful hues.
I put the swatches in ROY G. BIV order with subcategories for pinks and aquas, and with browns and neutrals in the back. Then, I made a cute little 'cover' decorated with circles punched from scraps. I hole-punched all the swatches with my Crop-a-Dile then put them on a large jump ring, with lots of room for growth.
I really think my new little friend will help save me time, put together new color combos, and utilize heretofore forgotten colors. Plus, I just like to look at it...
This is totally on my to-do list...especially with the new Bazzill cardstock...be still my heart!! Awesome!
Posted by: Jessie/knightrone | May 24, 2012 at 01:15 AM
OMG Carole, this just makes my OCD heart sing! This is something that I have been planning on doing forever! I can't believe you used a corner rounder too! That's a lot of punching! You are amazing!
Posted by: Julie Dinn | May 24, 2012 at 02:17 AM
Love this!! I used to be so organized with my paper when I was an SU demo ages ago and it has really gone downhill. You inspire me!!
Posted by: Libby | May 24, 2012 at 06:21 AM
How fabulous is this?! Awesome Carole!
Posted by: Kerry Johnson | May 24, 2012 at 06:35 AM
LOVE this! You know my address :o)
Hugs
Karen
xo
Posted by: Karen | May 24, 2012 at 07:11 AM
Ok, I have to do this!! You've inspired me! :)
Posted by: Julie Masse | May 24, 2012 at 07:37 AM
What a great idea - I have so much trouble keeping straight all the different shades of one colour. I've done it before with SU! but never thought about adding in other company's colours..... genius!
Posted by: Ardyth | May 24, 2012 at 07:51 AM
LOVE this. good for you and thanks for sharing. Think I should make myself one....but then, maybe not! lol!
Posted by: Lisa Henke | May 24, 2012 at 08:29 AM
Love it! And, I'm sure well worth your efforts
Posted by: Jean | May 24, 2012 at 09:17 AM
You must have incredible patience. I'd never make it halfway through.....
Posted by: Nancy F. | May 24, 2012 at 09:51 AM
Great job! Have thought about doing this for a long time...I will definitely keep yours in mind when I start working on mine. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Angela Bear | May 24, 2012 at 10:22 AM
this is adorable! what a labor of love, that must have taken ages!
Posted by: Joanne B | May 24, 2012 at 11:58 AM
OOOH! What an awesome idea and it's SOOOO pretty! LOVE seeing all those yummy colors!
Posted by: Jodi Collins | May 24, 2012 at 12:33 PM
This is AWESOME Carole!! Such fabulousness!!
Crafty Hugs!
Meredith
Posted by: Meredith Winston | May 24, 2012 at 03:20 PM
That's an AWESOME idea!!
Posted by: Denise M. | May 24, 2012 at 04:59 PM
What a great idea. I used to have one of these when I first started and only had about 20 colors. I used to bring it with me shopping so I knew if I was getting a new patterned paper if I had any solids to go with it. I am now inspired to make it again. I need to move some of my supplies to the closet (gasp) and having this will enable me to put paper in the closet without disrupting my creative process. Thanks for posting!
Posted by: Linda Monroe | May 24, 2012 at 05:18 PM
Wowzers! That meditation stuff sure has you clearing your head....and your craft room. That is a great idea. I would never be able to do it because the thought of cutting a new piece of paper to get a swatch would make me have a mini panic attack! So glad to see that you are posting again on a more regular basis. I always get a chuckle out of your blog. Hope your son is making progress with his recovery and that you are seeing results. Hugs to you, Robin B.
Posted by: Robin Barwacz | May 24, 2012 at 06:59 PM
OK now you have me wanting to run down and start this project! It's perfect! I have one for my Stampin' Up stuff but really just need one all together like this. You are brilliant! TFS!
Posted by: Dawn Easton | May 27, 2012 at 07:11 AM
I'm starting one today.
Posted by: Selina McGinn | May 28, 2012 at 10:25 AM
Mwen toujou jwenn yon glousman soti nan blog ou. Espere pitit gason ou lan ap fè pwogrè ak rekiperasyon l ', li ke ou ap wè rezilta yo. Mwen bezwen pou avanse pou kèk nan Pwodwi pou mwen nan klozèt la (alte) epi ki gen sa a pral pèmèt mwen mete papye nan klozèt la san yo pa deranje pwosesis kreyatif m 'yo. Mèsi pou afiche!
Posted by: maillot nba | July 30, 2012 at 03:03 AM
This size edge is perfect for framed cabinets since that thickness edge can cover the gap between.
Posted by: countertops | March 21, 2013 at 12:02 AM