Organizing Tips and Articles

I have tons of magazines from years ago and am finding more and more. What I have is all scattered and hard to look through when I need to. I tried a 3 ring binder but that didnt work. What do ya'll do to keep all your tips, tricks and articles organized?


Abbey

No advice, I have the same problem.. hope someone out there can help!!!

I had the same problem. I tried the binder.. didn't work for me.. For some unknown reason I found I just wouldn't pick it up and look at it again. BUT I did come across a solution that works for me. I took the LARGE (4 x 6 I think) index cards (unlined), and found a little rubbermaid plastic basket in housewares at walmart for less than $1. I bought the divider tabs and turned them around backwards so that the blank side of the tab would show. I labeled each tab like the sketches labled in BH Sketch book: 2-3 photos, 4-5 photos, etc. THen I created sections for "tags, cards, borders, embellishments, color schemes". SO then I began to go through my magazines. I looked at the lo's closely. IF I liked just one feature on the lo and it really stood out, then I cut it out. I glued to down to an index card, and filed it in the appropriate section. (even if the lo wasn't a sketch, but I liked the overall design, I put it in according to the number of photos). I am almost done with my magazines from the years 1996 through 2003. (it wasn't as bad as it sounds, cuz most of the older ones were so not my style anymore that I basically just glanced and tossed them). THe little basket sits on the front side of my table. I have found that having it at hand, makes it really easy to search for inspiration when I am at a loss for what to do.

I hope this made sense. I got this idea from a sb magazine but they suggested using a rolodex. This system for me was WAY cheaper. I think betweeen the basket ($1), plastic tabbed dividers ($3), and index cards ($1 for 100) I still came out about $10 less than if I ahd bought the rolodex. Plus the basket has a handle so I can pack it to crops if I needed to ..

My system is very similar to lamissy's. I have an index box, though, with categories such as Children, Christmas, Seasons,Vacation etc and then also Techniques and Great Ideas. When I see a layout or technique that I might use, I write down the page #, magazine and issue and then put the magazine away. If it is a sketch, I just copy the sketch onto a card and file in the Great Ideas category. I have collected magazines from the beginning and I can't bear to cut them up or throw away just yet. I actually have MM and CK in binders purchased from the company. All of the others are in binders that I purchased from Staples.

I have three systems going. I have over 400 magazines... I've been scrapbooking for years and years and before that I was a stamper. So I have a TON of stuff. I was home with a workman's comp injury for 4 months. I finally made it through all my magazines. I have a large file box, it is for the 5x7 cards. This is where I keep all my tips and special tricks that I've come across that I like. I have several that I have yet to try yet. This box I have them in is HUGE, it holds over 2000 cards. Mine is full. The second thing I do is whenever I first look at a new magazine I use those little flag thingies and mark any page that catches my eye. A few days later when I pick it up again, if there are no pages marked, I make myself get rid of it. I'm already too much of a packrat. Lastly, of all those 400 magazines... I narrowed it down to 50 that I have kept. I have 3 large binders organized. The magazines are organized by section and put in sheet protectors. In the front of each magazine I've placed a 5x7 card noting what was in the magazine that I liked. The others, before tossing them, I ripped out the pages of anything I liked. I put those pages into another binder. Again, it is organized by section with tabs. I hope this makes sense. I realized that with 400 magazines the odds of me finding something was impossible. I love my system now. I've had it up and running for about a year now. Works great for me.

Wow! Lots of great tips here!!! If only I could be the organized! I love the idea of making a file in an open basket (for easy to reach) with the index cards labelled. Great idea!

Hey, if anyone is interested in getting rid of their old magazines after they go through them and put the magazines into their filing system, I'd be willing to trade stuff for them.

I have a pretty good system that works for me. My husband does computer training. When his office updated their computer program the 3-ring binders were all going to be thrown out. Each binder came in a heavy duty case. I put those on a shelf and stack the magazines in them. Right now I have them organized by month. As I get more magazines, I will adjust.

BTW, I am a teacher, I took the 3 ring binders to school for my kids projects and kept the cases. Pretty good deal if you as me!

I have a system like lamissy's (in fact I think she gave me the idea on an earlier post). The thing I really like about it is that it's easy to take the card out of the box and lay it on my table as a reference. then I just put it back int he box when I'm done. And my "box" is actually a cute little basket that I happened to find.