Die Storage
 

I am converting my die storage from magnetic sheets in CD cases to magnetic sheets in Avery Elle storage folders. I plan on storing them in a Fridge Binz I recently purchased. My problem is categorizing them. I'm not sure how I should approach this. Shapes for example, or more specific like Squares? Anyone have some tips they could share?

I think I will file any stamp sets I have with their coordinating die while I am at it!

Thank you in advance!

There was some discussion about die storage recently in this thread: //www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/mission-organization-f256/die-organization-group-size-instead-theme-t608285.html You might find some good suggestions there...

I think storage all comes down to the way you work and think. I make a lot of cards, so I use my rectangle dies all the time. I also love circles. So when I go to pick out a die, it is easier for me for each shape to have its own divider. Then for other categories, I just thought of what I reached for most often. I used to have my hearts and stars in my "shapes" category, but since I use those a lot, I made them their own dividers.
My dividers are just made out of cardstock, so I don't mind making new ones when I change my mind.
I suggest thinking about which dies you use the most, what you can do to make them easy to find and remember you can easily re-arrange!!

I'm with Stacey. Store how you would look for them.

That said, I store mine kinda like this:

Nested shapes...like the nestabilities and stampin up's nested shapes.
Ones that go with stamp sets (just a few here)
Floral sets
Scenery sets
Words
Christmas
Edges and stitching
Labels and tags

You get the picture, I'm sure.

I just did a blog post on my organization of my dies. I agree, it depends on how YOU look for your dies. What makes the most sense for you!

If you want to see my new storage:3 Monkeys throwing around some....PAPER!!!: Organizing Ideas: Stamp N Storage Die Tote, Organizing Dies & Framelits

I agree with the others; it's about how you think. When you reach for a die you can ask yourself how what came to mind. Was it, "I need some circles" or "XYZ Company has a die I like." Do you think "I need a medium die cut" or "I'm in the mood for flowers."

For me it breaks down into Sentiments, Shapes, Subjects, with Subjects subdivided: nature, flowers, animals, birds, etc. At some point I may divide Sentiments into large and small, but knowing myself I'll overthink it and wonder if something is a medium and if I should add that category, and what's the difference between medium and large, give up, and happily live with them all together.

I used a plastic placemat (from dollar store) cut up for my dividers. It's cheap and sturdy.

My categories are : square/ rectangles -'circles/ovals - butterflies - stars - hearts- words - other shapes - accents - borders - background.

Also I cut chipboard. Covered with paper - then glued the thin magnet sheet on it -

I put all this in a cardboard box. It's very easy to sort through

Michelle - my system is similar to yours but I don't have stamp n storage. I love having my stuff at fingertips ready to use.

I wish I could have everything out on my desk ....
Ps I like your blog

I keep all my basic shapes at the front. Since I have a number of Spellbinders sets that coordinate (i.e. plain circles, scalloped circles, lacy circles, etc.) I divided them into circles, ovals, squares, rectangles. After that are all of my other dies grouped by flowers, labels, butterflies/dragonflies, tags/hardware, words, motifs (medallions, etc.), Christmas (includes snowflakes), scrapbooking (for dies I would probably only use for that purpose) and miscellaneous for dies that don't fit into the other categories. If I get enough leaves, trees, and animals, I'll probably also create a "nature" category. HTH
Dea

My dies are organized much like StamperDea, I have some "recipe boxes" from Michaels that they had a couple of years ago, and one has squares, rectangles, ovals, circles, another is labels, another is nested ones and flowers, etc. Then I also have a couple of boxes from Ikea which fit the larger dies. they are sturdy clear plastic with lids and inexpensive. I have colored index cards that I made from cardstock, and one color for each type, like blue circles, yellow squares, etc.