I have a “slight” problem with random bits of papers being strewn around my sewing room. They are patterns that I draft and have no home. In the past I have been taking a gallon ziplock bag, writing on it and storing my patterns in one of them. They don’t stack or store the best, however.
I decided to try storing them in a binder. Here is my method (this would work for any of those tutorials or patterns that you may print off the Internet, as well).
Supplies:
– chalkboard contact paper (bought off of Amazon)
– chalkboard markers or if you can’t find anything local…silver paint sharpie (I was too cheap to pay the shipping on the markers…I couldn’t find the markers anywhere local)
– cutting tools (scrapbooking supplies – paper cutter and corner cutters – should be able to find at Target or Michaels)
– clear top load presentation folders for 3 ring binders (Office Max)
– 3-ring binders
I decided to do a binder for each kid, one for me and one for random crafts. I have a bunch of binders leftover from conferences, so there was no shortage of choices available! Unfortunately, they don’t all match, but they were free and that is better than matching.
Step 1 – Cut labels. I decided to make them fancy by using the corner cutters I have in my abandoned scrapbooking supplies. You can just leave them plain, though…your preference. I cut labels to put on the binders and labels to put on the envelopes. I’m sure those of you that have a Cricut or Silhouette machine can make them much fancier than I. This is the much cheaper version of making something look a little fancy.
Step 2 – Attach labels to binders and envelopes
Step 3 – Use chalkboard markers to label everything. I have read online that these are not always adept at being “washed off” and may be permanent. If it matters to you, test on a sample first. As I couldn’t find them, I used a silver Sharpie. It is permanent, but I have plenty of chalkboard paper leftover and they seem to be pretty easy to remove.
Step 4 – Assemble and enjoy your OCD behavior!
brilliant. i need to do this.
Stacy, I tried binders in the beginning, but I wasn’t very good about it. I was trying to get it all in one binder, and then move on once it was full. I like your idea of having binders for each of you, though.
I’m currently filling 6×9 envelopes and labeling, but they have no home. The nice thing of using binders like you are is that the sheet protector is bigger and means less folding.
The Container store, and I think Amazon, sell these labels called “Label Once”, and use a regular fine line sharpie, and can be erased with a white eraser. They use to come in sizes like mailing labels, but I believe I have seen them bigger. Maybe try a white eraser on your contact paper if you ever have a desire to change a label, it might work.
Thanks for sharing, I love to see other methods.