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I got some new stamp sets for Christmas (I picked them out myself! <G>) and I suspect I'm not the only one! I'm sure most of you have heard this before, but I think it's worth repeating.
Before I remove the sticker labels and the label with the name of the set, I use my computer's scanner to scan it in and print out a copy of the sticker sheet, and I put that in the bottom of the box of stamps, so you can see the pics by looking at the bottom of the box. Sometimes when you're using a bunch of different sets, it's hard to remember which of the "Set of 7" stamps you're missing from the box. And if you're working with flower sets, it's hard to remember which leaf goes with which set (of course you can always refer to the catalog).
I have some canary yellow cardstock that I bought at WalMart for cheap that I use to print these out. You can make two copies of the sticker sheet and put one in a binder so you can flip through and see all the stamps you own!
Here's another tip that's on my To Do List for the new year - I want to index my stamps by categories. For example, I want to stamp a sample of all my sentiments (those in sentiment sets like AYC and those in image sets like All Natural) on a sheet of WalMart white cardstock and put it in a page protector in my binder. You can make categories that fit your needs - hearts, leaves, flowers, animals, wedding-related, etc.
Great reminders!! It is always my intention to scan/copy my sticker sheets before cutting them up, but I often get carried away with excitement and forget!!! LOL!
I am new to Stampin Up and love the idea of copying the sticker sheets before separating and using them! Does anyone have a sheet for "Thanks Snow Much"? I'd love a copy so I can start my own catalog of what I own. This site is an overwhelmingly GREAT inspiration!
This is a great idea for new sets. For assembled sets, you can put your stamps sticker side down onto the glass of your scanner and scan that. (Cover them with a piece of white paper since the lid won't close so you won't get a black background)
__________________ It's only a paper moon shining over a cardboard sea!
What a great idea. I always have good intentions to stamp them as a set and keep them in a book binder. But still have not gotten around to doing it. LOL
I learned this from a previous thread, and I have adopted it as my personal policy!
I make 3 copies of each sticker paper.
1. On white paper for the box
2. On white paper for my album, so if I am looking for something, I am not tearing through the stamp drawers
3. On on neon yellow paper for the box top to highlight current sets. When something is retired, I just throw away the neon yellow paper and it becomes retired
__________________ Many Blessings & Much Joy! Michelle
Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12
Such a good idea! I am usually so lazy that I don't often get them copied before I rush in and mount my set.
Another idea if you don't get them copied:
Stamp the images with StazOn the bottom or lid of the stamp set boxbox. If you do it in the bottom of the box, position the images in "puzzle" formation for tight-fitting sets. Then, if your kids or friends dump out the whole set, you don't have to worry about remembering where each stamp fits.
Sometimes the stamp sheet isn't always the best way to get them back in the box.
I use this idea, too. For those sets already mounted, I took my catalogs down and copied them right from the catalog, then cut them out to fit the box making an extra one for my own file. Some of the pages even had two sets I own, conserving paper! I think it was established on here that you could do this (copying the catalog) as long as you were only using the images for your own personal use!
Another thing I do for word stamp, especially for my 3 sets of All Year Cheer, is print out the set name on my label maker and attach to the stamp itself. For instance on a stamp from All Year Cheer I, I put a sticker/label on the stamp that says "AYC1". This way I don't have to look at the sheet to know which set to put it back in.
Thanks so much for posting this these are all great ideas I think I am going to stamp all of mine on white card stock from wal mart and then place them in a binder also so i dont have to go and look at 160 plus sets to see what has what in it
I too have found a way to keep track of all my stamps. As I get a new set/box of stamps I catalog them onto a spreadsheet (which can also be alphabetized) in order of purchase. Then on each block of wood, on one side, I place the same number that corresponds with the number on the spreadsheet. This way if I am working with 2 or 3 sets at one time I can put them back in the right box. And with the spreadsheet I can see at a glance if I have a set or not and if not then I can add it to my “collection�? which is growing. Or if DD ask’s if I have a stamp I can look at the list and see. I received a wonderful gift certificate from DD and SIL to spend on my “collection of SU stamps, my list is going to grow. woohoo
Thanks for the great tips. I always have to count to make sure I have all the stamps in the set I use especially when I use so many at one time. I usually have to look in the catalog to make sure I put it back in the same place. I never thought of scanning the sheet and putting it in the box before hand. I will definitely do this now. Thanks again.
__________________ Happy Stamping and Scrapping, Maria
SCS #10724
what a good idea. I never had a problem needing to look at all my stamps when I got started. it only took a second to look at my 3 or 4 sets. but now I have to look through 12 drawers, and a small bookcase to see if I have what I'm looking for. the binder idea would save me so much time! and I'll never have to worry about stamps getting mixed up between sets with the images in the box with them. I'm so glad I read this. thanks!
Michelle
Great ideas! Is there a place on this website where people could post scans of the sets? Then others could go there and print them off, if we've already mounted them...
THats a great idea, however we can't post scans of the images from the set because they are a copyright of Stampin' UP. On those sets that I didn't print out a set key for I just stamped the all of the images on white cardstock and stuck it in the box. Works like a charm!
Great ideas! Is there a place on this website where people could post scans of the sets? Then others could go there and print them off, if we've already mounted them...
Or you could go look on eBay for someone selling an UM set & copy/print their pic. ;-) I usually look there first if I see a set listed here that I don't recognize, rather than dig through several old catalogs to see what it looks like.
I seal my wood blocks with a wipe-on poly. If have time I apply three coats - two if not.
On my old sets I would number them on the edges example " 1 of 9" in maker but it looks tacky. Know I think I will use Vera Marker to write my intials and the number of stamps in a set. This way if I ever do trade or sell my retired sets that can be sanded lightly off.
I also try to mark each setup with a label that says the price, pieces in the set , stampe set name, catalog with year and if retired or where the set came from. This steps takes a bit more but really helps me see at a glance if a set is retired.
But I like several of the ideas such as the neon paper. Very immediate visual clue of current sets.
Now I just need to find time to place all of my stamps in Excel. Does someone have a sample worksheet they can post??
Thanks for sharing all these great ideas. I never thought to catalog but I'm just now starting to build up my stamp supply. At this time I know which set each stamp belongs but I can see how that could quickly change.
As for retired sets, I place a neon orange sticker dot on the side of the box that is exposed as it sits on the bookshelf. It's quick, cheap, and easily identifiable (is this a word?) :oops: .
I get the little white removable labels and put the following information for each stamp set:
(upper left corner) the stamp set number
(upper right corner) the amount of stamps in set, circled
(middle of sticker) the price of set
(bottom of sticker) the page number
This is nice to use when the new catalog comes out, so that if the set retires, you just pull the sticker. Also if a set remains, the only thing that should change is the page number, so you just replace the little sticker.
It also helps when I'm doing a workshop. The information is right there at my fingertips. (and sometimes they even think I've memorized it!!!)
Another thing I do for word stamp, especially for my 3 sets of All Year Cheer, is print out the set name on my label maker and attach to the stamp itself. For instance on a stamp from All Year Cheer I, I put a sticker/label on the stamp that says "AYC1". This way I don't have to look at the sheet to know which set to put it back in.
HTH, Mary
What an excellent idea! I think I have to invest in a label maker now!
__________________ Heidi My gallery There's no 'I' in 'team'. But then there's no 'I' in 'useless smug colleague', either. And there's four in 'platitude-quoting idiot'. Go figure.
After I mount my stamps. I use clear fingernail polish and paint the wood around the rubber. Wood will stay clean for a long time. I came up with this after letting my kindergarten students use my stamps.
Tip for new stamp sets...
