Thursday, February 21, 2013

Embossing Folder Storage -The Sequel


You may be familiar with my first post about embossing folder storage. This is the long-awaited sequel!! Since my original post, I have collected many more folders from several companies and a new cartridge that makes this storage solution SO much easier. I'm so excited I thought I'd share the info.

To store my embossing folders I create a tabbed file folder that I emboss with the folder's design. It allows me to see the design embossed and debossed as well as find specific folders at a glance. Using the Cricut cartridge Fabulous Finds, pg 131, blackout - there is a middle tab and using shift you can access the right tab.



As my collection grew, I didn't notice the differences in sizes for the embossing folders from one company to another. Here's the low down...
  • Cuttlebug A2, The Paper Studio -  4.25" x 5.75"
  • Darice - 4.5" x 6.25"
  • Newer cuttlebug and Anna Griffin - 4.75" x 6"
  • Indentz - 4.75" x 6.75"
  • Sizzix (regular) and Tim Holtz - 4 7/8" x 6"
  • Sizzix - 4 7/8" x 6.75"
  • Cuttlebug - 5" x 7"
  • Anna Griffin - 5.5" x 7.5"
4.25" x 5.75" and 4.5" x 6.25"
4.75" x 6"  and 4 7/8" x 6"


4.75" x 6.75" and 4 7/8" x 6.75"


5"x7"


5.5" x 7.5"




When making the folders keep these tips in mind. You can create a left tab by folding the (right tab) folder the opposite way. If your cardstock is patterned, be sure to place the patterned side face down on the mat to make a left tab and face up to make a right tab. Use cardstock heavy enough to hold the embossing (paper or linen cardstock won't work) but not too thick that it won't fold down neatly. I used beige cardstock for my A2 folders because I had a lot of it and barely use it. You can also use cardstock from your purge box or ones with designs you do not prefer. As long as one side is both smooth and one solid color. The cardstock shouldn't even have a subtle design in the paper or the embossing will not come out as well. Cut in the direction of the grain of the paper of you will experience a lot of cracking in the embossed design.

I used the E2 Cricut to cut the folders. REAL DIAL SIZE ON! Here's the sizes:

  • Cuttlebug A2, The Paper Studio, Darice  -  6.50
  • Newer cuttlebug, Anna Griffin, Sizzix (regular) and Tim Holtz - 6.75
  • Indentz, Sizzix - 7.00
  • Cuttlebug - 7.50
  • Newer cuttlebug, Anna Griffin - 7.75

  • When you cut the folders they come out with score marks. I hand fold mine anyway to save time but always flatten the fold with a bone folder. Use your embossing machine - I am using my Anna Griffin cuttlebug and the eBosser - to emboss the front of the folder only. Be sure to write the names/set with a sharpie somewhere on the folder as well as label the cardstock folder. When the set has a name but the individual folders do not, I called it "set name (1 of 4)." All my folders have the name of it written on the front with a sharpie. Here's a look at a completed folder.



     



    Next, I sorted the folders into the 4-section organization system I learned from Tiffany Spaulding at The Scrap Rack.  Her free organization seminars run year round. It's the best hour I spent each week learning to get more use out of all these supplies I hoard. First step is admitting you have a problem (my hand is raised LOL!) The folders live in 2 photo storage boxes that are shoe box size. I am working on typing in the labels (return address labels) to include the folder name, code for the manufacturer and the section it belongs in.  For example, here's one of my labels:

    Honeycomb (TH)(Backgrounds)

    The folder name is honeycomb by Tim Holtz (TH) and it is supposed to be stored in Backgrounds. I am not yet done with all my folder making or labelling but it's a work in progress.

    Hope this helped you get more organized!

    If you'd like to see where I started and the things I learned along the way, check out:





     



    La-Vie

    12 comments:

    1. Awesome post, La Vie! I haven't sorted my Embossing folders yet, and while I have more than 10, you have me beat on selection! I have that Cricut Cartridge (YAY! One benefit to "Collecting"), and plan to use your system when I get to that point. STill having trouble deciding how to deal with my punches. They are so heavy, so many sizes, finding a sensible storage solution for them is proving tricky for my space.

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      1. Thanks! I've really gotten in my groove with this organizing thing LOL! Have you seen my post on punches? I didn't show where I keep them but I can post pics. It shows how to create a representation of each punch and put it in a scrap rack page or binder. Next I'm moving on to dies and pens, glitter glue, etc

        Stay tuned!

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    2. Fantastic organizational skill. I love that you can see what it looks like both sides without having to 'test' each one. This is great and if I ever have enough of them, I will be using it. Now....I have to go look at your punches. (My Stickles all have Velcro 'dots' on the bottom of the bottle and hang on the underside of my shelf that way I can see my colors with a glance, easy to get to, and best part is they don't take up room in a drawer, bin or on a shelf.)

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      1. Thanks so much Sue! Wow, I love how you store your Stickles!!! I might have to scraplift that idea!! Thanks for sharing. Let me know what you think of my punch organization techniques.

        La-Vie

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      2. http://cestla-viedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/organizing-your-punches-with-scraprack.html

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    3. This is a great idea... Thank you for sharing.. now off to check out that stickle storage mentioned above...:)

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    4. Well, I did it! Cut and embossed all the folders to store-ganize my Embossing Folders! I'm very pleased, and think I'll use them more now that I can more easily find what I want. One suggestion, and this may depend on your embossing machine and/or paper choice: When you fold the embossing folder over the paper folder to emboss the design on it, you will probably have a section on one side of the paper folder "left over", that is, it will not be embossed. I recommend feeding that leftover section in to the machine first to prevent it from wrinkling when it is being embossed.
      Thanks so much for posting the measurements and instructions, La-Vie! My scrappy girlfriends were so "impressed!" LOL! Have a great week! -Rhonda H

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      1. Hi Rhonda H! I'm sooooo glad this helped you! Thanks for the tip for the wrinkling. that is driving me CRAZY! I could also use the eBosser probably and it probably won't wrinkle since the platform is wider. hmmm.

        La-Vie

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    5. Did you make different folder sizes or did you keep them all the same size? I love this system and plan to begin working on it real soon. I just got a Silhouette and thought I could use a cut file from the Silhouette store to do a similar project. :-) Do you recommend using all the same color paper? Just curious.

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    Your comments bring me SO much Joy! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and view my creations. If you love what you see, please share my posts and invite your friends to follow me as well! ~XXX La-Vie B.