Good morning!  Do you ever buy 12x12 papers because you think the B side would make an excellent base for a layout?  I know I do.  For the most part, I tend to use white or grey cardstock as a base to my layouts, but there are other patterns I reach for quite often.  I love a good woodgrain in any shade as well as stripes.  Here are a few examples of papers I save for background use.

 

As you can see, they tend to be very neutral allowing for the photo and journaling to be the focus.  Below, are pictures of the A sides of the very same papers.

 

As you can see, there are some very attractive patterns here.  For me, I often have the 6x6 papers for these papers and can use those for pops of color and interest on my page.  Also, if I really like a paper, both A and B side I tend to buy 2 of the same one.  Here is the key for me however.  I store anything I want to use as a background paper on a separate shelf than all of my other papers.  No matter how I choose to sort (i.e. by brand, color, collection and so on), I put all of my potential background papers on the same shelf.

 

 

Here is where I store all of my 12x12 papers in my craft room. When I am ready to make a layout, my first step is always to have a look through that upper right hand shelf to see if anything sparks my interest for a background.  Do you have another way of storing papers?  Let me know in the comments below.  Happy Scrapping!

 

Organizing 6x6 paper pads

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I've been in my new scrap room since April and as I've worked in it, I am learning what organization is working for me and what needs improvement.  I have been making a lot of cards lately and in doing so, I've realized that the loose papers that have already been cut into in my 6x6 pads are becoming a mess!  They always fall out of the sides of my pad and get crushed.

 

I looked online for a possible storage solution and came across these cellophane packaging that can also be used for cards.  I bought 200 on ebay for around $15.  Here is where you can find them.

 

 

 

On any pads that had sticky residue from the stickers manufacturers use to hold the pad closed, I covered the stickiness using washi tape.  This helps the pad move in and out of the cellophane with ease.

This is what the front and back of the pad looks like all packaged up with the scrap papers in the back.

 

A quick tip is when you are trying to put the pad back into the cellophane after use, use a ruler to cover the sticky strip and it slides right back in.

 

Now my pads are nicely organized and easy to use!

 

 

 

 

--Nicole