I thought I would start “Freebie Friday” today. 

My most recent organizational post was on organization of my Project Life style page protectors from all different manufacturers including larger sized 12×12″, 10×12″,  6×12″ and a few other smaller protectors (you can see the post below or click here to read). I was recently at Michaels checking out any new must-have items and I ran across the 6×8″ Sn@p! Simple Stories page protectors… I grabbed the Variety Pack (10 Pack) and went to the WRMK 12×12″ ringed albums (this is what I have been using for my Project Life so far) to make sure the holes would line up and I could use them as part of my Project Life. They do! I used my coupon and headed home a happy girl.

Then, I realized that in light of my newly organized page protector stash that I needed to add these 6×8″ design sizes I just purchased to my system now. No worries… actually I am super excited to incorporate this size into my stash and projects.

So, today I created another FREE .pdf including just these 6×8″ pocket style page protectors and am sharing that with you (you can download this free along with the whole system – just add them all to your cart and checkout). Enjoy! If you want to just cut these apart and add them to your system as needed you can, or you can purchase the .psd files to create your own custom page protector organizational system (and these DO include this latest update of 6×8″ protectors).

If you haven’t yet make sure you download the larger page protector organization styles (3 packed 8.5×11″ printable .pdf sheets I custom designed) FREE here. 

If you love your new system and this post helped you I would appreciate it if you could please share this post with your creative friends, follow my YouTube Channel here, Twitter, pin on Pinterest, or like the Create Scrapbooks Facebook page - see all the links at the bottom of this site as well. Thanks for your support!

The post Friday Freebie: More FREE page protector printable organizational files for you (6×8″ style) for Simple Stories, Project Life, Studio Calico Albums appeared first on Create Scrapbooks with Project Life, Scrapbooking, Stamping, Creating Cards, and Scrapbook Kit Club Information and Layout Ideas.

The first topic I decided to focus on is my ever-growing collection of page protectors and pocket pages. I created this simple organization system that has really helped me refocus my energy back to creating instead of trying to figure out which protector I need to use on which layout and keep an inventory on what I have in my stash to use. I have broken down the steps below with photos and step-by-step instructions on this organization project to take you from start to finish below. By focusing on smaller sections of your stash it really IS easy to start and finish a smaller project and you’ll see results fast… I promise.

Want to LOVE your supplies, storage solutions, and creative space again? I  hope you’ll join me and I will help you get organized during this series!

As I scrapbook throughout the year I continually find the need to plan pages around photo sizes, page protector sizes, and pocket pages… I have found myself searching for the right sizes to print my photos, the correct orientation, and I have found that having easy access and an organized system is key to my positive workflow instead of searching through a stash of odd sized protectors.

Problem: There are so many sizes, varieties and manufacturers of page protectors available now for Project Life (and scrapbooking in general). While years back during the initial years of Project Life – via the great Becky Higgins – there were only a few style of page protectors, and now there are so many (and multiple companies selling them), along with variety packs to boot! This is fantastic, however, as you know it just adds MORE variety and a bigger number of options you have at your fingertips. Choices can be exactly what we need, but it can also get you sidetracked if you can’t find what you need or know what you have in your stash.

While multiple styles of protectors and pocket pages is a huge plus in my book, it seems a bit harder to tackle organization of the page protectors if you don’ t have a good organization system. These are things I was running into as issues:

• Knowing what styles of page protectors I had on hand and how many I had of each – so I didn’t run out of my favorites (or purchase too many duplicates).

• Planning for what projects I have started (and will be starting this year that I have planned), and how many of each style I may need in the future.

• The best way of storing them so that I can have easy access, be able to SEE what I have easily, and the exact sizes of each style so I can print and organize my layouts.

Here’s  what I did to get myself organized this week regarding my page protectors. I even designed some free printables (below) for you to give you a creative jumpstart and show you my solution to storage of page protectors.

Here’s my step-by-step solution to get your page protectors organized for your Project Life scrapbooking as well as any other projects requiring page protectors.

You can break it down even further if needed, but try to tackle it in the next week. You’ll be so proud of yourself – and it will be one less project on your to-do list.

• To start – you’ll need some room on the floor, table, etc. to work, your stash of pocket and page protectors, a pen and some post-it note tabs or paper and scissors. That’s it. Later after reviewing your stash, you’ll need a bin (in my case) or a binder (if you prefer this method).

• Step 1: Find ALL of your page protectors that you own. Yes, all of them… make sure you check each new/empty album as those can also house a few new protectors that are supplied with the album, and all your stash of crafting/scrapbooking supplies. Tip – If you find you have several different types that are NOT 3-ringed (for example, post-bound scrapbook style) you can put those in a separate pile to organize later if needed. We are going to focus on the 3-ringed style this organizational round.

•  Clear off a large enough space to make several piles – use the floor, table, etc. This won’t be a long project, so the key is to just get started. This is to be able to SEE what you have all in one spot and decide what type of bin or binder you want to store the page protectors in to store them ALL in. I decided on some bins as I have a lot of pocket and page protectors. I’ll go into detail below on this. It’s imperative to really see what you have purchased, collected, and get a good idea of how many of each before you jump into an actual storage solution.

• Step 2: Print these organization files I created (free!) here and use regular printer paper and cut apart each design (you won’t keep these, so use less ink and print as a draft). Take the stash of all of your 3-ringed page protectors out of their packages – start organizing them by type – one type per pile – and mark each pile with a coordinating image you cut from the printables for visual reference. Note: There are 3 separate files to print (.pdf’s) that are sized to 8.5×11″ to print and have lots of different options to use.  For example, “Becky Higgins Design A” pile, “We R Memory Keepers 6-4×6″ vertical” pile, “Becky Higgins Design G” pile, and so on. Tip: When you start going through the packages you’ll notice it is not easy to see the divider markings and styles once you get a stack going since the page protectors are clear, so this for me creating this file and using the images in front of the pile was a nice visual and helped me organize into piles much faster. Important: Keep the original packaging under your piles for each – we’ll repurpose some of the packaging in this project. If for some reason you don’t have a printer or I didn’t include the protector that you have on hand in the printable I created:  just do a rough sketch on a piece of paper or use the packaging image that was included with your protectors to help aid you during this process. The point is to get this part done and move on.

•  If you have the envelope-style page protectors decide if you want to keep those in their packages or distribute them out into the piles. Tip: ask yourself how you will try to access these later when you need them – will you remember you have pocket pages and look for those separately or will you want everything together with the protectors? I decided to keep them with the protectors as I will remember to USE them – which is half the battle in organization.

• Now assess the damage and plan accordingly: What do you have? Do you have a lot of the Becky Higgins Design A and just a few other types? Tip: Jot the numbers on a post-it note, on your phone’s list app, or both to keep inventory. Tip: I put the number on a post-it note on top of the pile at this point for reference later.

• Step 3: Find a container, box, folder or bin to store or use an old binder – and get ready to create some simple labels. Use what you have on hand first before purchasing something new. I purchased these Mulit-Use Bins from The Container Store a couple years back (they have a big office sale each year and you can get them for just a few bucks each), and they are super handy and fit the protectors (and lots of other scrapbooking papers, etc.) too. I like that I can see through them so I know what the contents hold, yet they are uniform so they fit nicely inside my Ikea Expedit shelving, and they do not take up too much visual weight on the shelves and in the room. I LOVE these. I have way too many to stick in a binder, but if you want to use 3-ringed tabs or binders with tabs you can modify this a bit to suit your needs.

• Before you add these piles of protectors into your chosen bin or binder, create coordinating labels to match your inventory to your protectors. If you are storing them in a bin like I am it is important to turn each pile so that the hole seam is at the top so that they fit nicely into the bin and so you can see any manufacturers markings clearly. I recommend labeling the outside for easy access and organization with simple tabs – you can punch some out with your file tab punches with cardstock, hand cut them, or use something else. I personally found the Martha Stewart tabs from Avery (at Staples) and the Post-It Note brand small tabs work great for this and is what I used. I also used my favorite scrapbook pens from American Crafts (Slick Writers in black/Ultimate Craft Pen) and they work great on these slick surface labels shown in the photo.

• Step 4: Put everything together! I designed these printable organization sheets to help you in this stage as well. Reprint them if you desire again on nicer heavy weight cardstock (I used 100lb. white that I had on hand) on the best setting for my printer. Set these aside (don’t cut them apart unless you want to) and use them inside the front of your bins or binders (either directly adhere, place in a page protector or whatever you’d like to do in your system that will work for you). Why do this? These are VISUALS to help you remember which pile is where and what sizes for photos, journaling cards, paper, etc. that you have in each binder/bin. I actually printed a set to display in the front of each of my 2 bins filled with protectors (they are clear and I can see conveniently through the front of them to reference sizes). You’ll notice I have labeled (painstakingly as I carefully created the file) what the page protector design is – Becky Higgins “A” – and/or created a number for each one – this is what I wrote on my Post-It Tabs to stick onto a cardboard/chipboard divider or directly onto the page protector and placed the coordinating page protectors behind it. I also printed a second set out to set by my computer so I can REFERENCE sizes to create for photos/journaling cards, etc. in the appropriate page protector. I have found that they are handy in so many ways throughout this organization process for me.

Check out how easy this was and how good it looks (if I say so myself) afterwards – makes me excited to USE this system and keep it organized this way!

Helpful Tips:

• I mentioned for you to save the original packaging to re-use because: I repurposed the original packaging and stored items within the bin that way. For me, I didn’t have a lot of 5×7″, 8×10″, etc. protectors and I liked the stabilization of the Becky Higgins packs with the cardboard inserts they come with – so I used them as dividers within my bin. I did trim off about 1″ on the side to use them individually and just slipped it all back into the clear plastic packaging, attached the tab on the top and cut off the adhesive flap. Works perfect for me!

• I also used one of the cardboard inserts to adhere my printed page protector sheets I created (pages 1 and 2 together) to the front of one of my larger bins. This secured the front of the larger 12×12 bin and allows me to see everything nicely on the two pages together… and it looks great and is such a help for referencing what’s inside each bin. If you have a different configuration that what I have in my bins and the sheets don’t match your bins you can simply cut the sheets apart, keep the styles you need, and adhere those individually to a sheet of cardstock to customize your own system, and then adhere or place the cardstock in the front of your bin. Make it work for you and custom to how you access your own supplies and make it your own.

• The larger boxes of protectors (for example, Becky Higgins “Big Packs” of protectors come in a really nice box) serve as such great storage for in-progress pages, projects, storing kits to use, etc. My teenage son has actually used the back of one for a project at school. They are great… keep them if you have space and know you’ll use them. You’ll notice I have several different sizes of protectors and pockets in one bin (see the photo I took that shows the “above” angle). I stuck the odd sizes back into their clear packaging – some with the original cardboard insert and just cut off the tops where the flap and adhesive is so I can reach in and grab what I need but not remove the whole package – and there is not anything to catch your protectors on when you pull them out. Need chipboard to use for dividers? You could use the original packing like I’ve said before, or the backs of your stacks you have laying around, collected from online purchases, cardboard boxes cut to fit, or even ask your local scrapbook store if they have any “extras” that they stash away for free that come with their shipments.

• If you are still craving some more in-depth how-to on this subject and my method stay tuned and subscribe to the Create Scrapbooks YouTube channel as I will be uploading a new video to compliment this post. In fact, this is a start of a series on scrapbooking organization… so there is so much more to come and I would love for you to get motivated and GET IT ORGANIZED with me! Please use and enjoy the printable files for your personal use… they took too much time to keep them just for myself and to not share!

That’s it! Simple, yet so very effective. You can get this done in a day, or a weekend project. Honestly I am SO happy to have this task all done and it looks so very nice in my studio space. Don’t you just love the function of the finished bin and the ease of seeing what you have? 

If you love your new system and this post helped you I would appreciate it if you could please share this post with your creative friends, follow my YouTube Channel here, Twitter, pin on Pinterest, or like the Create Scrapbooks Facebook page - see all the links at the bottom of this site as well. Thanks for your support!

The post Get It Organized – How to organize your Project Life Pocket & Page Protectors (FREE printable and easy step-by-step guide) appeared first on Create Scrapbooks with Project Life, Scrapbooking, Stamping, Creating Cards, and Scrapbook Kit Club Information and Layout Ideas.

Here’s the latest open box video I made that includes the contents of the March 2013 Paper Posies kit:
Subscribe for more videos at http://youtube.com/createscrapbooks

The post New Video: March 2013 Paper Posies Kit Club Featuring American Crafts Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm Collection appeared first on Create Scrapbooks with Project Life, Scrapbooking, Stamping, Creating Cards, and Scrapbook Kit Club Information and Layout Ideas.

If you missed my last post: I just received my recent Project Life order from Amazon.com this last week… So excited, still! I wanted to do an open box video to show the contents of the kit up close for those of you who are interested in seeing the contents of the Seafoam Core Kit and Designer Paper Pack.

My plan: I am using this Seafoam Edition Project Life Core Kit from Becky Higgins for my 2013 family Project Life style scrapbook. I am in love with the color scheme and the neutral colors are going to work great with my family photos as most are around my son and husband… and I try to squeeze myself in there, too!  I will do an update on how I am putting his album together through a video as well as I continually am working on it.

I will be will be making continual videos about this kit and other Project Life products, how I’ve used them, and other Project Life process and share videos to come, so please subscribe if you’re interested in getting ideas on how to use it. If you already subscribe to the Create Scrapbooks YouTube Channel it will be automatically available in your subscription feed there - and you can also view it below.

More Information & Product Links:

• Seafoam Edition Project Life Core Kit from Becky Higgins, $29.99.
• Seafoam Designer Paper Pack from Becky Higgins, $7.99.
• You can also find both of these items directly on Amazon.com when available and many other retailers online the last half of 2013.

The post Video: What’s Inside the Box – Project Life Seafoam Scrapbooking Core Kit & Designer Paper Pack by Becky Higgins appeared first on Create Scrapbooks with Project Life, Scrapbooking, Stamping, Creating Cards, and Scrapbook Kit Club Information and Layout Ideas.

I just received my recent Project Life order from Amazon.com this week! So excited! I wanted to do an open box video to show the contents of the kit up close for those of you who are interested in seeing the contents… and just because I love the concept and think this kit is awesome.

My plan: I am using this Wellington Edition Childhood Mini Kit from Becky Higgins for my son’s high school scrapbook (he’s a Sophomore this year – time flies!) I am in love with the color scheme (great for masculine album) and the neutral colors are going to work great with my son’s school colors. I will do an update on how I am putting his album together through a video as well as I continually am working on it.

I will be will be making continual videos about this kit, how I’ve used it, and other Project Life videos to come, so please subscribe if you’re interested in getting ideas on how to use it. If you already subscribe to the Create Scrapbooks YouTube Channel it will be automatically available in your subscription feed there - and you can also view it below.

• Becky Higgins Project Life Wellington Edition Childhood Mini Kit, $14.99. You can also find it directly on Amazon.com.

The post Video: Becky Higgins Project Life Wellington Edition Childhood Mini Kit – What’s inside the box! appeared first on Create Scrapbooks with Project Life, Scrapbooking, Stamping, Creating Cards, and Scrapbook Kit Club Information and Layout Ideas.

Hi all! It’s Terri, and I am back with with a kit club review of the newest club! I made a quick video on the box I received and the contents of the September 2012 Sprinkles Craftbox by Webster’s Pages.

If you already subscribe to the Create Scrapbooks YouTube Channel it will be automatically available in your subscription feed there – and you can also view it below:

More Information & Product Links:

Sprinkles Craftbox Kit: http://www.WebstersPages.com

The post Kit Review: Sprinkles Craftbox by Webster’s Pages – September 2012 appeared first on Create Scrapbooks with Project Life, Scrapbooking, Stamping, Creating Cards, and Scrapbook Kit Club Information and Layout Ideas.

The Stamps of Life is a monthly stamping kit club that offers one club set at the beginning of the month and special release sets a week or so after that. The Stamps of Life owner and designer is the wonderful Stephanie Barnard, who is also the Sizzix Spokesperson and Licensed Designer.

Video from Stephanie about the July Special Releases

15 stamps on a 4×6 sheet. This set coordinates with the moretea4us stamp set.

moretea4us

10 stamps on a 4 x 6 sheet. This set coordinates with the tea4two stamp set.

anniversary2celebrate

10 stamps on a 4 x 6 sheet, largest stamp is approximately 2.5 x 2.5.

worlds4crayons

31 stamps on a 4 x 6 sheet, largest stamp is approximately 2.75 x 1.75. This set coordinates with the crayons2stamp set.

The Stamps of Life information

If you would like to purchase any of these stamp sets from The Stamps of Life or sign up for the monthly club, head on over to their website to find out how. The website is chalked full of information and inspiration!

• The Stamps of Life on Facebook
• The Stamps of Life on Twitter
• The Stamps of Life website
• Stephanie’s blog for The Stamps of Life
• Join The Stamps of Life club

Thank you for stopping by Create Scrapbooks!

On a personal note, this will be my last official blog post for Create Scrapbooks. I have enjoyed creating tutorials and posts featuring The Stamps of Life stamps and working with Terri. Feel free to stop by my blog or follow me on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest from me.

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True Scrap 3 Individual Classes Now Available!

The post The Stamps of Life July 2012 Special Releases: Four Fabulous Sets! appeared first on Create Scrapbooks with Project Life, Scrapbooking, Stamping, Creating Cards, and Scrapbook Kit Club Information and Layout Ideas.

Tip: Don’t tie your knot to tight. You’ll want it to shift slightly so you an make sure you can read your sentiment properly.

Supplies: crayons2stamp (The Stamps of Life), Licorice Premium Dye Ink (Stephanie Barnard, Colorbox), Stick Candy, Lavender Sachet, and Speckled Egg (Jenni Bowlin, Ranger), white cardstock (Bazzill), black cardstock (American Crafts), Bee’s Knees patterned paper (Country Drive, Echo Park). Other: black pen, embroidery floss.

If you would like to purchase your own crayons2stamp stamp set from The Stamps of Life or sign up for the monthly club, head on over to their website to find out how.

Thank you for stopping by Create Scrapbooks!

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On a personal note: In April I taught a class for True Scrap 3 and I’m happy to announce that my class – as well as all the other awesome classes – are now available individually. Please click on the graphic for details.

The post The Stamps of Life July 2012 Club Release: crayons2stamp Card Tutorial appeared first on Create Scrapbooks with Project Life, Scrapbooking, Stamping, Creating Cards, and Scrapbook Kit Club Information and Layout Ideas.

chevrons2love

faces4stamps

I’m loving these three new stamp sets and I hope you do too. Chevrons are really popular right now as well as hexagons and the smiley’s are just way to cute! You’ve got some awesome new options in front of you.

If you’re interested in joining The Stamps of Life club or purchasing these stamps, inks, or the Flip-it die, please visit www.thestampsoflife.com. They offer really great, high quality stamps… there’s something for everyone!

Thank you so much for stopping by Create Scrapbooks. If you have any projects that you’d like to share with us, please do so in the Create Scrapbooks Flickr gallery, we’d love to see your creations.

The post The Stamps of Life June 2012 Special Releases: chevrons2stamp, hexagons2love, & faces4stamps appeared first on Create Scrapbooks with Project Life, Scrapbooking, Stamping, Creating Cards, and Scrapbook Kit Club Information and Layout Ideas.