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Beth (bjeans) mentioned in another thread that she needed to find a better way to organize inspiration and ideas, so I thought that I'd start a thread on that for her (and me).
I like to save photos of cards that I like in a folder on my desktop, but I tend to forget what made me save that particular card when I go back in to look. What I've started doing recently is adding a cue to the name of the photo when I "save as______". For example: "Layout_Bjeans_Christmas soldiers" or "Embellishment_tag and button_Fionna51_Fall Leaves" so I can remember what struck me as something that I'd want to replicate.
I have another folder that is strictly inspiration photos that are not cards, but I still add a tag: "color combo", "pillow in left corner," or whatever.
Since things get auto-sorted in the folders, all of the layouts will sort together, all of the embellishments will sort together, etc. This is still a new enough system for me that I'm not sure how it will work out, and I have to go in and re-name stuff that I added to folders before I thought of this plan.
What do you all do to know why you saved something for future reference?
Nothing ... I like to see what inspires each time I look. This is true (and a main reason I have old magazines) but also I haven't thought about being that organized (yet).
Problem: Most of the time I’m on an iPad instead of my PC, due to convenience/location.
I’d been taking screenshots using the iPad of on-line inspirations: cards, art, quotes, etc. I’ve taken cell phone photos in real life: ducks in a row, a color combo in the sky or upholstery...
I’d save the screenshots/photos on my iPad in Photos, but without identifying info since there was no way to do it. (There may be now.)
Better to have taken screenshots, email them to myself and add notes. They could be filed in folders on the PC by category, instructions too. The drawback? They’d be on my PC upstairs. I hang out on the main level: kitchen/living room/master bedroom. (The app I had that gives access to a PC through the iPad didn’t work well and items were too small. Maybe apps have improved.)
I don’t want to use a photo site.
It would be fun to print out pics/instructions for a binder. I don’t know if that’s realistic, and the photos wouldn’t be as sharp. I’m a total binner, not albumer. But I’d make an exception. It seems fun to have real paper to flip through, add notes, etc., like we have real cards.
I got rid of my Silhouette because I found I wasn’t an e-crafter, so maybe it’s related.
I’d love to hear how others successfully keep their inspirations.
I have more than one way to save. :rolleyes: I've thought about the need to tag my pictures on my computer but that's a daunting project that won't get done. So here's what I have, for what it's worth.
On my computer: Folders. Lots of folders.
...First, folders by designer. Please don't ask how many designers I have folders for. I don't want to count. Sometimes I just want to channel Julie Ebersole, or Birgit Edblom, or...whoever.
...Second, folders by stamp company. Any ideas for stamps/sets that I have go in here. I have recently saved a bunch of ideas for SU Waterfront that I love. Easy to find. I won't count how many folders I have here either. Sorry. ;)
In Pinterest: Yes, I have a lot of card ideas boards. Many are smallish and manageable. Florals...not so much. Here, I have ideas arranged differently: by style, by event, by technique. I intentionally did not duplicate my computer folders.
I will check my computer, or Pinterest, depending on what I'm thinking I want to do.
I keep recent favorites from SCS in my favorites folder here on SCS. I keep those for only a year, sorting them onto my computer all year long, and saving those I want to share on the annual "Best of..." thread. Even then, those are deleted the first of every year. So that is never unmanageable.
What hasn't worked for me...Notebooks and notebooks of ideas. Takes more time to print and arrange those ideas, and to search them, than it does to make the cards. Plus, the space those notebooks take up! You should see all the binders on my office supply shelf in storage that are available to be used for other things. (they will get used, believe me)
Okay, I'm pretty sure that both Sue and Beth have mentioned a disinterest in this, but I thought I'd post it anyway, in case it helps someone else.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record... Evernote is perfect for this. In addition to all of the other things I use it for, I also have a folder for ideas and inspiration. I can add to it from any of my devices, add notes and/or tags as desired, etc. I can link different notes together, such as "this design, but maybe with this other color combination". And, of course, Evernote's best feature is its incredible search function. Any word I put into the description can be searched easily and quickly.
I also have WAY too many cards saved on Pinterest, and I do refer to it from time to time, but eventually, I think I'll just save everything to Evernote. Evernote is one of those tools that becomes infinitely better the more you use it.
For old-school, though, I also have a plain ol' spiral notebook where I've taped pix from magazines. I don't use it much these days as most of the stuff is really old now, but it's fun to leaf through every now and then. You never know what might inspire you.
And, I have a bullet journal / planner that has a place for card ideas, especially helpful for scribbling a rough sketch.
It's interesting to see everyone's method.
__________________ ~ Kitty ~ "If you can dream it, you can do it." - Walt Disney
I have folders on my computer desktop where I save ideas and the folders are named things like �color combo� or �layout�, etc. The ones I want to CASE are in one that just says �to make�.
However, my favorite way to store ideas has become my iPad. I received one for mother�s day along with a pen stylus that makes it possible to mark up photos. So now I can write notes, circle things, draw arrows - just like you would on a physical piece of paper. I love it! Bonus is that I can take it where ever I am crafting and it doesn�t take much space.
Good topic, Sue...I still have physical folders full of magazine pages of layouts and cards I just knew I would CASE some day, but rarely pull out. Right now I mostly use Pinterest, sorting cards I like on to boards with fairly generic subjects, again, finding I don't refer to it real often. More recently, I have started using Evernote since I like that I can add lot of notes about what appeals to me about the card and even include photos of other, similar cards to the same note. It's an evolving process that I hope I'll actually use.
I know it was said no to, but it is what I do for the general group:
Pinterest. I have several sub folders under card ideas...like "I have this stamp", "Learn technique", "like layout", "I want to case", "I want this stamp", and even a "just to look at" one of things I find stunning but I am honest to say I either never could or just dont want to learn the process. But I like looking at it like I like looking at art.
It allows me to put in a comment too so I can zero in on a particular aspect if I want.
I am visually oriented so having pictures makes ALL the difference for me.
I went to this after I realized I had a bazillion favorites here and no way to sort them. Which reminds me-I have to go back through those and either pin or release them....add that to the to do list this winter....
I do have a folder of a particular stamp company to help me understand how to color them.
I am not a computer person but perhaps saving the info to a thumb drive would allow you to access it away from the PC? I dont know if ipads can read externals.
Pinterest is totally wonderful for so many people. So I shouldn�t admit that I dislike it, its ads and tracking, and subtract it from on-line searches. (You type a dash - like a minus sign - in front of any word to eliminate it: -pinterest.)
Evernote should be something I�d embrace, given some [ancient!] past work wih databases, and the ability to sort by key word, etc. But weirdly, when I explore it I get the same negative reaction as when learning to use my Sillhouette. Of course that�s 100% illogical, given how much I use my iPad and to a lesser extent, PC. Maybe I�m just not up for another learning curve unless it includes ink and paper. Beats me. :confused:
I have folders on my computer desktop where I save ideas and the folders are named things like �color combo� or �layout�, etc. The ones I want to CASE are in one that just says �to make�.
However, my favorite way to store ideas has become my iPad. I received one for mother�s day along with a pen stylus that makes it possible to mark up photos. So now I can write notes, circle things, draw arrows - just like you would on a physical piece of paper. I love it! Bonus is that I can take it where ever I am crafting and it doesn�t take much space.
Since I use my iPad more than PC, maybe this is the way I should go, basically continuing but expanding what I�m doing. I do have quite a number of screenshots in iPad albums. I noticed the ability to draw, write, etc., on iOS 11, and was just writing using my finger, but I�ll pick up a stylus.
It wouldn�t be as robust or searchable like on Evernote, but it would be extremely fast and simple.
I prefer PC folders, maybe because I�d used them for centuries for work, but as you point out, the iPad can be taken anywhere - like in the kitchen, while the PC is in an office. And when following instructions while crafting it�s often next to me. The PC is only in front of me when I�m die cutting.
My computer isn't even on the same floor as my stamping room, so I download & print cards that I like. Then I place the sheets in 3-ring binders ( I have about 8 of them) by category. When I want to use a card for inspiration, I take it out of the binder & have it before me on my desk. Similar to women who like to peruse cookbooks, I enjoy going through my books getting ideas for my next project.
Whether on my computer in Documents under Card Ideas or things I've gotten out of magazines and adhered to 4x6 index cards and keep in a card file, they are categorized the same as my stamps, as I explained in the thread dealing with stamp organization. Since I make cards by theme of the stamp, that's how I organize. What ever way you think when starting a project, should be the way you keep things organized. I'm all about stamps, so my organization revolves around that.
Forgot to mention that my computer is a small laptop, so it can go with me, sit on my work table, or be taken to the great room when I watch TV. I haven't had a personal office sized computer in over 25 years. I love my little MacBook Air so much as it is a bit larger than an iPad, but has all the memory and capabilities of a full-sized computer.
Since I use my iPad more than PC, maybe this is the way I should go, basically continuing but expanding what I�m doing. I do have quite a number of screenshots in iPad albums. I noticed the ability to draw, write, etc., on iOS 11, and was just writing using my finger, but I�ll pick up a stylus.
It wouldn�t be as robust or searchable like on Evernote, but it would be extremely fast and simple.
I prefer PC folders, maybe because I�d used them for centuries for work, but as you point out, the iPad can be taken anywhere - like in the kitchen, while the PC is in an office. And when following instructions while crafting it�s often next to me. The PC is only in front of me when I�m die cutting.
Get a Mac laptop or desktop. Then anything you do on your iPad can also be saved on your laptop if you are on wifi & file share. It will be automatic! Also if you have an iPhone photos etc will be saved from it to the other Apple devices!
I print card ideas from Splitcoaststampers, Pinterest, and stamp websites and store them in file folders in a magazine holder. I have the files labeled: floral, masculine, birthday, anniversary, Sympathy, embossing folders, dies, my stamps, printed paper, Valentine's, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Other holidays, and one folder labeled miscellaneous for anything else. I can flip through the file folders very quickly and take out whatever sheets I want to use. I used to keep them in binders but the binders got too heavy and I needed too many and don't have the room to store them; the file folders work perfectly for me plus I have tons of them.
I use pinterest to store cards or other designs that are of interest to me by category; in separate boards. Works the best for me. I sort through my folders on occasion and delete those that I have made or have no interest in any longer.
__________________ Have a creative day, every day.
I have 2 places, my laptop and Pinterest. There are folders on my laptop like card quotes (sentiments I like), CAS cards, Coloring Tips, Cards Misc. and in those folders I've saved tons of things. I especially like that I have saved a lot of videos because I seem to do better with the visuals.
My Pinterest categories are Northwoods, Kids Birthday Ideas, Misc. Cards, Shoebox (more misc. cards LOL), Quotes (such as I'm not aging, I'm marinating!).
I'm in the process of taking my stamps off the wood, it's a big job, I'm wondering if your binders are all the same type,style,color, or like mine; a mix of different sizes and styles. I don't like that, I want to have them all identical. Is that being too fussy? I can buy albums/binders at Goodwill really cheap. A lot of them have the plastic sheets and/or trading card pages already in them but they don't match!
__________________ We can't all be stars but we can all twinkle.
I have 2 places, my laptop and Pinterest. There are folders on my laptop like card quotes (sentiments I like), CAS cards, Coloring Tips, Cards Misc. and in those folders I've saved tons of things. I especially like that I have saved a lot of videos because I seem to do better with the visuals.
My Pinterest categories are Northwoods, Kids Birthday Ideas, Misc. Cards, Shoebox (more misc. cards LOL), Quotes (such as I'm not aging, I'm marinating!).
I'm in the process of taking my stamps off the wood, it's a big job, I'm wondering if your binders are all the same type,style,color, or like mine; a mix of different sizes and styles. I don't like that, I want to have them all identical. Is that being too fussy? I can buy albums/binders at Goodwill really cheap. A lot of them have the plastic sheets and/or trading card pages already in them but they don't match!
I agree---they should all match!!! It comes with the craft, just accept it. Besides they look so nice all stored together and looking the same!
The binders I used to store my thousands of stamps(there's always another good one, isn't there?) are several left over from my children who no longer need them as well as several bought at Staples because I wanted the large 3" 3-ring binders. The would look better if they were all the same (I wish mine were), but on the other hand, I can also quickly identify them by their color -green for floral-even though I used a labeler to categorize them. I LOVE having all my words together in one book now so I can quickly see which "thank you", etc. fits the space.
Thanks to all of you, I know about Evernote. I was in a meeting today and the Lead was sharing his way of keeping track of meetings (topics covered, etc). I was the only person in the room who knew what he was talking about! LOL
Get a Mac laptop or desktop. Then anything you do on your iPad can also be saved on your laptop if you are on wifi & file share. It will be automatic! Also if you have an iPhone photos etc will be saved from it to the other Apple devices!
Me: Hon, I need to buy something to better store my inspiration images, ok?
He: Why are you asking - you can buy what you need.
Me: It will cost $1,000-$2,000.
He:
I really like my custom Lenovo PC. And my Windows smart phone will have to be pried from my... ;) But I use my mini iPad 4 tons and like the portability and ability to read comfortably (Kindle app).
I print card ideas from Splitcoaststampers, Pinterest, and stamp websites and store them in file folders in a magazine holder. I have the files labeled: floral, masculine, birthday, anniversary, Sympathy, embossing folders, dies, my stamps, printed paper, Valentine's, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Other holidays, and one folder labeled miscellaneous for anything else. I can flip through the file folders very quickly and take out whatever sheets I want to use. I used to keep them in binders but the binders got too heavy and I needed too many and don't have the room to store them; the file folders work perfectly for me plus I have tons of them.
Diane, do you take a screen shot (or do a print screen), or copy the photo and add notes?
I have 2 places, my laptop and Pinterest. There are folders on my laptop like card quotes (sentiments I like), CAS cards, Coloring Tips, Cards Misc. and in those folders I've saved tons of things. I especially like that I have saved a lot of videos because I seem to do better with the visuals.
My Pinterest categories are Northwoods, Kids Birthday Ideas, Misc. Cards, Shoebox (more misc. cards LOL), Quotes (such as I'm not aging, I'm marinating!).
I'm in the process of taking my stamps off the wood, it's a big job, I'm wondering if your binders are all the same type,style,color, or like mine; a mix of different sizes and styles. I don't like that, I want to have them all identical. Is that being too fussy? I can buy albums/binders at Goodwill really cheap. A lot of them have the plastic sheets and/or trading card pages already in them but they don't match!
I had a variety and it was driving me nuts, so now I have pretty aqua binders that all match (like it matters - they're on a shelf in the closet...) We do what we do so we can enjoy our hobby, and if it means replacing perfectly useful items with others purely for aesthetics, so be it!
Me: Hon, I need to buy something to better store my inspiration images, ok?
He: Why are you asking - you can buy what you need.
Me: It will cost $1,000-$2,000.
He:
I really like my custom Lenovo PC. And my Windows smart phone will have to be pried from my... ;) But I use my mini iPad 4 tons and like the portability and ability to read comfortably (Kindle app).
Maybe you can give me some pointers on how to get my husband to give me sole custody of the office/craft room again. I gave up half of the space when he got a job that allowed him to work from home. He has changed jobs and this is no longer the case... :lol:
Maybe you can give me some pointers on how to get my husband to give me sole custody of the office/craft room again
Serve him with an eviction notice... ;)kidding:-P
Does he actually go in there or has he just never cleaned stuff out. Maybe you could inch by inch steadily begin to spread out and take over more and more areas.
Maybe you can give me some pointers on how to get my husband to give me sole custody of the office/craft room again. I gave up half of the space when he got a job that allowed him to work from home. He has changed jobs and this is no longer the case... :lol:
I like Stacy’s stealth approach. Going along with that, first eliminate the word “office” and just call it a craft room. Words have power! ;) Does he really want to be in a craft room? With embellishments? Try sprinkling some on his desk. Pink.
That aside, where was his desk/etc. before he was allowed to work at home? Or did you have to buy furniture for him to do that?
Beth, I do print screen and add notes. I am computer challenged and have no idea on how to do a screen shot.
Diane
I like the Windows snipping tool - very easy to use after seeing it one time - since just what is wanted can be cut out to exclude ads or superfluous info. Maybe I’ll try that.
Alternatively, using the iPad I can email myself the photo and instructions and add any notes. Then they can be put in a Word file in the “right” category.
As usual, the toughest part for me is choosing an option out of many. Situation normal!
I like the Windows snipping tool - very easy to use after seeing it one time - since just what is wanted can be cut out to exclude ads or superfluous info. Maybe I�ll try that.
Alternatively, using the iPad I can email myself the photo and instructions and add any notes. Then they can be put in a Word file in the �right� category.
As usual, the toughest part for me is choosing an option out of many. Situation normal!
The snipping tool is THE best invention EVER!!! I use it all the time at work AND all the time at home. Sometimes I'll get annoyed having to look at one photo at a time in a folder, so I snip, copy and paste into a Word doc that I can either print (if I need to take it somewhere) or scroll through. You can resize the snips, too, so I have them all consistently-sized in the doc. I have one exclusively of Jessica Rone (knightrone) cards, for example. She uses patterned paper in all kinds of great layouts. I don't embellish as much as she does, but the layouts are wonderful inspiration, as are her color combos...
Sue, so tell us how you really feel about the snipping tool. ;) Maybe more snipping is in my future! And I’m most comfortable with Word folders. But then they won’t be on my iPad. Maybe an app that accesses your PC from iPads has improved since I last had it. Everything was SO miniature but it’s been several years.
Organizing inspiration/ideas
