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For those of you that enjoy using a digital organization system (like Evernote), Justine Hovey did a video on a new system made specifically for crafting, Color My Life.
You can enter items manually or just scan a bar code:
Android will be available later this year I believe. I did give it a try and like it very much. Too few companies have availed themselves of adding their codes though but doing a manual add is not too difficult and it does have all of the correct much wanted categories..stamps, dies, ephemera, ink etc. I was able to put in all of my Distress in under 10 minutes.
I’ve been wanting to catalogue my craft room inventory for a while, but I wasn’t thrilled with Evernote and hadn’t found anything better. I actually thought about creating a paper inventory, but that was a daunting task too. Color My Life looks the perfect app for me to use. My only concern is that the app will continue to be supported in the future. Do you know anything about the creators of the app? I’m really anxious to get started cataloging, especially my clear stamp sets. Please keep us posted of the new developments in the app.
I have thousands of entries in EverNote. Is there a quick and easy way to transfer them to this new system? And, what is the cost for a subscription that will handle TONS of entries??
I use a desktop and will until they don't make them anymore. For about 10 years now, I've just kept my inventories in folders on my hard drive. I scan in the outsides of my stamp cd cases (I stamp sticker paper that I adhere to the cases with the stamps inside). I have one folder by stamp brand and then another folder by theme categories. I do the same with my diecuts, chipboard, inks, paints, paper pads and collections. I buy 99% online, so no need for me to take anything to a store for reference. It's become like my card catalog. I always look at my files and make a list before getting up to physically gather supplies. I have the location of each supply built into the file name. It works for me really well and is surprisingly low-tech, really. ;-)
I can't wait to check this out! for the most part i use a manual word doc to inventory my craft supplies. I now use the Copic app to inventory my markers and love it, easy to use and at my fingertips so no more duplicates for me! Thanks for sharing.
I will be eager to hear about your experiences with the app. I hope to try it myself starting in July.
One thing that concerns me is how the search feature works. I hope it is similar to Evernote where you put in the word heart and all of your stamps sets with hearts are displayed. I probably just missed that information but think the ability to search is one of the more important aspects of any index app.
I will be eager to hear about your experiences with the app. I hope to try it myself starting in July.
One thing that concerns me is how the search feature works. I hope it is similar to Evernote where you put in the word heart and all of your stamps sets with hearts are displayed. I probably just missed that information but think the ability to search is one of the more important aspects of any index app.
Not only can you search by tags (like heart), but also by color tags. The app can automatically pick colors based on the image and/or your can also pick colors manually from the image. There's filtering by category (paper, markers, stamps, etc) as well as manufacturer.
I'm the owner/founder of Color My Life. I am an avid paper crafter and I can tell you that we developed this app out of my need to be able to track all my supplies. We did not go into this venture lightly, and after 2 yrs of developing this app, I can tell you we are in this for the long haul. We have a long list of enhancements planned, not to mention I can't see myself ever stopping collecting new supplies!
The Android version is currently in development and we hope to release it by end of September. Other platforms (iPad, tablet) to follow. We are continually updating our barcode catalog (new suppliers, complete catalogs for existing suppliers) so it will be easier to scan an item and quickly add it to the app. New functionality coming soon will allow you to search our barcode catalog and add an item without the barcode (I.e. you don't have the original packaging).
Quote:
Originally Posted by byingst
I’ve been wanting to catalogue my craft room inventory for a while, but I wasn’t thrilled with Evernote and hadn’t found anything better. I actually thought about creating a paper inventory, but that was a daunting task too. Color My Life looks the perfect app for me to use. My only concern is that the app will continue to be supported in the future. Do you know anything about the creators of the app? I’m really anxious to get started cataloging, especially my clear stamp sets. Please keep us posted of the new developments in the app.
I just downloaded this yesterday and started to play around a little bit. It seems very thoughtfully designed with all kinds of crafty categories: stamps, dies, paper, paints, stickers, embellishments, etc. And in Settings, you can remove categories you don’t need so you don’t have to scroll through when categorizing. I tried scanning bar codes of about a dozen different stamp sets from companies like Altenew, Simon Says Stamp, and SU. One one set was recognized. For that set (Altenew Dainty Flowers), the image came up, the company, and title. I could still enter my own tags. I’m sure this database will grow as the company continues, but it’d be great if they could partner with a site like SSS or Scrapbook Pal to get all that metadata info. Even without the bar code scan, it’s much like entering info into Evernote. I feel like I *should* do it, but it’s so daunting. At least with Color My Life, the monthly subscription after the 30 free trial is only $1.49, so I don’t feel I’m being too wasteful if I don’t have my whole collection in right away.
I’d love to hear what others think. Or if anyone who uses Evernote has some tips to make new entries quicker.
I’ve looked at Evernote. Several times I’ve looked at it. I know it works well for some folks but I find it daunting. Not sure how I need to organize to best meet my needs so I never get anywhere. I think I’m fearful that I will miss “something” in setting up Evernote and will find i have to go back and add information, maybe lots of information. I think the app will work well for me, it’s done the organizational setup that stops me from proceeding in Evernote. While it would be great if product possibilities were there to choose from realistically that could never be complete. AND if I were to use Evernote I’d be doing all the input.
I do have a home library database (PC and my phone) which works in that way. Some things exist in the app database but we buy obscure (old) books that often are published overseas (to us) so even with isbn numbers which are worldwide I still often have to add books or information beyond the basic. Once I got going it is fast to do. My input then gets added to the apps database for others who might buy and inventory that same obscure book. Not buying the same book twice pays for the software. Keeping a wish list of books in the app is handy when we find new to us book reference in other works has been great. Having the inventory on the app on my phone for when we are in a used books shop while traveling, or even on the internet when I get notices that books we are looking for are available has saved money. I put a small colored dot sticker on the spine of the books as I added them to the database so I knew what was in the inventory as I went through and added what we owned to the program. I can tell at a glance what I still need to input. (I used different colored stickers for different physical locations which helps out books back when they are off the shelves.)
I imagine that Color my Life will work for me the same way as my book inventory program. If I don’t have to worry about how to set up the database, or if it is “good enough” or “complete enough “ will help me get past that initial start point and actually use the app.
I’ve been playing more and more with Color My Life and was thrilled that I could enter all my Copic markers and Distress Oxide Inks. Since tags are generally the most time consuming and I have to enter that data anyway, it doesn’t bother me that there aren’t more scannable stamp sets.
I like the concept of this app, and appreciate the ease of use. I am looking forward to the database growing to include more companies. For this to truly be useful to me, it would take a fair amount of time to enter all of my supplies. I will continue to play with it over the next couple of weeks and determine if this is the route I will go to truly catalog my craft room.
I'm the owner/founder of Color My Life. I am an avid paper crafter and I can tell you that we developed this app out of my need to be able to track all my supplies. We did not go into this venture lightly, and after 2 yrs of developing this app, I can tell you we are in this for the long haul. We have a long list of enhancements planned, not to mention I can't see myself ever stopping collecting new supplies!
The Android version is currently in development and we hope to release it by end of September. Other platforms (iPad, tablet) to follow. We are continually updating our barcode catalog (new suppliers, complete catalogs for existing suppliers) so it will be easier to scan an item and quickly add it to the app. New functionality coming soon will allow you to search our barcode catalog and add an item without the barcode (I.e. you don't have the original packaging).
I think it would be great if there was a list of brands that the app recognizes.
I believe, if you go to their website, they have a list of brands currently in their database. Also, I've scanned a few items that aren't from a "listed" company and they have popped up.
Congrats on filling a great need for crafters with a new app! I used Page Sage for years and loved it until they abandoned ship. I'm using Pinterest in a modified way to store my stamps and dies only. Keep them in a Private/Secret board which seems to work for me when I'm out and about & don't remember if I bought something. What I'd REALLY REALLY love, is a way to log the cards I've made, to whom they were sent & when, scan of the card with description of the technique or process!
Hi - maybe try Projects for this purpose. You can add images, color palette, items that you have in your app catalog. We do need to add a comments/notes field so you can add your additional information. It's on our list of enhancements and we hope to have it added soon. Fee free to email us at [email protected] with any other suggestions for the app. We are trying to make it better for everyone!
That’s what I use my gallery. here on SCS for! But I do actually also have an Excel spreadsheet to track how many cards I’ve made, mailed, and have in my stash. I track my spending there too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mphb
Congrats on filling a great need for crafters with a new app! I used Page Sage for years and loved it until they abandoned ship. I'm using Pinterest in a modified way to store my stamps and dies only. Keep them in a Private/Secret board which seems to work for me when I'm out and about & don't remember if I bought something. What I'd REALLY REALLY love, is a way to log the cards I've made, to whom they were sent & when, scan of the card with description of the technique or process!
Good to know Android version is coming. After buying a few duplicate stamps (or other supplies), I started categorizing my craft supplies on Pinterest. Not really searchable, but does the job.
You can subscribe on our website: www.colormylife.com or follow our facebook page @ColorMyLifeInc, then you will be notified when the Android version is out.
We don't have Stampin Up yet, but I'm working on it. In the meantime, as people add their Stamping Up products (or any others that are not in the app), we will manually load them into our barcode catalog so it will be available to everyone. It's a community effort and we all get to share in the benefits!
I believe, if you go to their website, they have a list of brands currently in their database. Also, I've scanned a few items that aren't from a "listed" company and they have popped up.
EverNote was daunting to me, also. I have happily used Krafts Inventory (Apple ios, only) for many years. Was only $4.99, one-time charge. Allows me to set my own categories, companies, tags (name whatever you want to define), take up to 2 pictures per item, etc. Only hiccup I ever had was when I needed a new phone--you MUST totally shut down your phone to have data stored in the cloud. So one time ONLY, I had to re-do a fair amount of items previously input. Those hard lessons always stick with you! I now have all the back-up procedures printed and stored; but I also totally turn off my phone AFTER an input session.
Because I couldn't find any program or app, I've been using Pinterest Private Boards. Actually, this has worked pretty well...always have access to it and won't matter when I change phones. Plus I can use my desktop computer as well. Hardest part is remembering to add my new purchases!
I'd love a card database like the old PageSage that cataloged my cards as to who I sent what to with a photo & any details I might add. Using Excel now, and while it basically works, it's not ideal.
Pinterest is basically a visual reminder especially when I'm away from home & wonder if I already have this or that. But you can do a search on your own pins, which is helpful!
Color My Life just updated, which resolved a few minor issues I’d been having with it. I’d planned to use it just for stamp sets, so I could search for themes, but I’ve also found the Projects section useful to note Copic color blends, favorite ink colors for layering stamps, and to record ideas for cards to make.
I know I am late to this post but I would like to know if I can store the “recipes” for some of my cards on there. I have made cards that I have wanted to repeat and can’t always remember exactly which ink or which paper was used.
@3ddesigns Yes, that's exactly what Projects was designed for. You can add images of your card, add items or sets that were used to make it, and color swatches. We have plans for a huge makeover on projects this year, but you won't lose anything you've already added. Feel free to send us any other questions you may have to [email protected].
Thank you. I downloaded it just before Xmas and started trial but got busy and haven’t looked again. Will have to check it out and see if it will work for me
I`ve been using that app for quite a while now. It´s a great idea to invent an app for craft inventory. That way I won`t buy duplicates when shopping in a craft store. The app is easy to use but unfortunately you have to add most items manually. So it`s not as quick as I thought it would be. It`s very disappointing that the barcode scanning doesn't`t work most of the time.Not even with brands that are on the list. Also I think the inventors of this program should add more companies .In January 2019 the inventor said she was working on adding stampin up products. But sadly that hasn't`t happened yet...
All in all it`s a great idea with room for improvement.
Completely agree that the barcode catalog needs improvement. We have recently hired a dedicated person to manage the barcode catalog. We are a bit behind on loading new releases and have several companies that we are working with to get an electronic version of their products. You are correct, we haven't been able to get Stampin Up to share their catalog with us. We aren't giving up yet and are working on ways to incentivize them to do so. I have many of their products as well and would love to have them in the app.
New Digital Organization System - Color My Life
Color My Life
