Clearly iStamp: Cardinization with Clear Dollar Stamps

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Hey friends, its Katie here to welcome you to our first Tuesday Tutorial of 2010. I know that many of you have organization goals of one kind or another on your mind just like I do. Today, I'm going to show you the perfect stamps to get your masses of cards organized and ready to go.

But, let me tell you a story... Once upon a time, there was a wonderful stamp company owner named Lori McCroskey. The special thing about Lori is that she has ears that are open to suggestions. Early on, I asked Lori about a little stamp set that I really wanted personally to help me get organized and soon after, there it was. The moral of this story is that Lori likes suggestions... many of the stamp sets that are released are directly from and/or inspired by her customers.

So back to reality... You really don't need a lot of supplies here and the most important ones are really the stamps. The main set that I used to create my card organizer tabs is called Card Categories. Card Categories has just about any card theme that you could think of all within this very affordable stamp set.

The smaller set above that one is called Card Categories Too which was created to work with the first set to expand your options. Putting these two sets together create perfect little sentiments and in my opinion they are both a must have.

So, a lot of these steps are adjustable for your own needs and/or personal taste. For my card tabs, I cut plain white cardstock to 4" x 4 3/4" pieces. My objective for card organization was based on A2 or 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" cards. This is the size card that I make the most of.

To create the tabs, I stamped the sentiments I wanted and what makes this set so versatile is that each sentiment can be as specific as you want. PLUS, they are super easy to align with each other. Look below.

Once the labels are stamped then it is just a matter of punching out. The Stampin Up! word window punch (I think) works for every single sentiment, but any punch will work that fits the length of your label.

In this case, I punched the stamped label and an extra one for each tab.

Next, I used Scor tape to the backside of my stamped label. The reason why I used scor tape was because I did not want these tabs going anywhere. They do tend to get jostled around a bit and if you do it right the first time then you won't have to replace the tabs later.

Then I placed the label on my cut cardstock. I varied where I placed them (left, center, right).

Then just flip the divider over and add a bit more score tape... this time the 1/8" and adhere to back of divider.

Add your 2nd punched piece and your divider is done.

I decided to cut my dividers at only 4" wide so it would give me room to adjust the dividers to the left or right so I could see all my labels when my cards were placed in their proper categories.

Here's a picture of some dividers using an oval punch and colored cardstock.

Now, while I was going along here, I thought of something else that might help your organization and one thing I love to make are lists. So using the stamp set below - quick lists...

The lines are so easy to line up...

I took my already made card divider and added some pretty designer paper and my lines and I now have an excellent way of keeping track of birthdays or who cards are sent to etc.

I bought some A2 card envelopes in a small case that came in this awesome box. I decided to alter this for my friend... I hope she likes the papers I chose.

Now the altering part is just a matter of taking the dimensions from the item you are altering and cutting. For me there is always a lot of tweaking though... a little off here, a little off there, etc.

But here it is all done.

Now, I did have to add an addition to my box though so it would be tall enough for my card dividers that I made. I used Chipboard to create height for my box. Again, just measure and go.

I opted not to decorate the inside, but you could if you wanted. I used Scor tape to adhere my extra pieces to my box.

Close up of the card dividers.

Now for a picture of the way I store my cards. I found these baskets at Michaels and what I like about them is that they have straight sides and handles on the side. They fit 3 rows of A2 cards perfectly. I just store any odd sizes (larger) in the back corner.

So get yourself organized... this is a great way to find and SEND the cards you make yourself and it is a great way to present your cards at either craft fairs or anywhere you might want to sell your cards.

And here is closing question for you... can you think of any other types of labels you'd like to see or other small additions to Card Categories and Card Categories Too?

Thanks for stopping by today. This is Katie signing off for Clearly iStamp.

Comments

What a great idea!! Love what you did.

Posted by: Kristie | January 08, 2010 at 05:40 PM

Thanks a million for your organization tutorial. My New Years resolution is I have to make at least two cards out of every stamp set I have and this will be a perfect way to organize them.

Thanks again,
Tonie

Posted by: Judith Barrett | January 08, 2010 at 08:24 AM

Ok, so I love everything you do....this turned out so cute! Oh, and I have HUGE CARD ENVY looking at all your cards!!!!!!

Posted by: Lori McCroskey | January 06, 2010 at 09:11 PM

IF I WAS THAT ORGANIZED, I WOULD NEVER HAVE TO BUY TWO OF ANYTHING! YOU DID SUCH A PERFECT ORGANIZATION OF YOUR CARDS.

Posted by: Sandy in NH | January 06, 2010 at 04:56 PM

What about funny, Invitation, announcement, romantic, no sentiment/blank, fancy fold, shaped, Grandparents, moving parts, friendship, hannukah, Kwanzaa, 4th of July? I'd also prefer masculine or man to male as well as feminine or woman to female. Female and male sound very clinical to me. I think the other terms are friendlier!

Posted by: Rebecca Ednie | January 06, 2010 at 12:58 PM

Awesome Katie! Love your ideas and the new stamps!

Posted by: Shawna | January 06, 2010 at 10:29 AM