Organizing our digital stashes seems to be a hot topic nowadays.  I don't know about others but I'm always looking for a time-saving frustration-less way to organize my growing collection.  It is so easy for me to forget what I have when I'm in the scrapping zone; and really dislike letting most of my stash go unused.

So... where did I start.  I started with a quick realization of how my scrapping mind works.  What is my process when I sit down to scrap a page?  I often start with my photos then move onto a template/sketch and then a single kit only because I can't find or I forget about what I have.  I love to add lots of layers and things tucked in here or there.  I'm absolutely addicted to flowers and strings.  For me I need a system that will allow me quick easy access to my stash when I am wrapped up in the heat of the moment scrapbooking.  I know that if it isn't easy I will give up on finding something.

Now, I have been browsing the forums for a while taking note what other were doing and how it was working for them.  I think by far most people I read about were "tagging" their items in some program or another.  I did briefly try my hand at tagging using the Windows Photo Gallery.  I quickly realized  this method was very time consuming and I would "lose" the tags if I moved the original files.  What I do like about this system is the ease of finding and seeing my stash.

The next organizing system I tried is for my templates and sketches which are quite the headache for me.  My templates were organized by designer and I often would have to search many folders to find a template that would strike my fancy to use.  My sketches were just grouped by the size so I would often have to scroll through many to find that perfect one to use.  I did find myself using some of the same templates and sketches over and over again due to frustration.

Once again, while reading over organizing posts in one forum or another, I came across this individual who organized her templates in folders by the number of photos. My first thought as I read about this organizing system was "oh... I can't take my templates/sketches out of their designer folders" but then I thought to myself "why can't I?"  Now, this project was a big undertaking to sort thought the hundreds of templates and sketches I have, but it has been so worth the effect.  I absolutely love it!   I spend so much less time searching for the right template/sketch for the number of photos I have.

How did I set my system up?  I created a main template and sketch folder.  Inside those folders I have more folders labeled from "no photo" up to "10 photos or more".  In the template folder, I have a separate folders for two-page templates as well as 4x6 templates.  In the sketch folder, I have separate folders for card and tag sketches.

The success of this organizing method for me has just encourage me to move onto organizing the alphas, elements and papers.  I have a method in mind, but I'll save that for another posting.

Care to share your organizing method?  I would love to hear about them.  Leave me a comment about how you organize your stash or maybe about your failed organizing method.

I can't wait to hear all about it!  Happy Scrapping!!!

Tis the season... for Holiday kits! I love holiday kits. I would say that I have a slight addiction to anything Holiday related. I've got quite a stash, and I'm sure that I've not used them all either.

Well, Miss Mint's (Peppermint Creative) new Holiday kit - Christmas Past - is just to die for! I love the vintage feel... totally right up my alley.



I love the new alphas that she's created to go with... her alphas are a must have in my book!











She's even bundled the whole collection together.



Also, if you haven't tried Miss M's goodies... she's got a new freebie kit out too... and it's perfect for scrapping those holiday movies I know I'll be watching this season!



I'm using this collection for my December Daily Album - really more of a Christmas 2011 Memories album. Check out the first few pages - images linked for full credits:







Well folks, that's all for today, but I'll be back soon with more new goodies! Until then... Happy Scrapping!!!

Tasha

Hey Folks! I'm back with another awesome spotlight of a fellow Pencil Lines Design Team member! This week you can learn all about Leah Farquharson! Leah also supplied this week sketch on the Pencil Lines Blog:


Here's my layout using this sketch:



supplies:
Holiday Party by Shabby Miss Jean
Muffin Tin Charm | Baked with Love by Shabby Miss Jenn
Little Pockets by Valorie Wibbens
BiggieBet Alpha - Tomato by Peppermint Creative (recolored)
Push button Alpha - Sand by Peppermint Creative
Stapled Tabs by Peppermint Creative
Word art | Kitchy Kitchen by Sahlin Studio and Jenn Barrette
Font: DJB Jennifer Script by Darcy Baldwin

Well, that's all for this post... but look for me real soon with new goodies to show off! Until then... HAPPY SCRAPPING!

I'm a little behind on posting my Pencil Lines pages. I do love working with sketches, but I'll admit that I'm not always crazy about them or even inspired by them. You want to know something strange though... those pages that I struggle with turn out to be some of my favorites. This was most definitely the case with sketch 258. I struggled to find a vision of where I would take this page. Here's the sketch inspired by fellow Pencil Lines Design Team member Jennifer Mattot:



If you'd like to read more about Jennifer Mottot, the above sketch is linked to the Pencil Lines Sketch 258 Blog posting.

For my page... I really struggled to find a starting point. It wasn't until I flipped the sketch that my vision came... check out my finished page:



I just love how the Autumn page turned out! For this page, I used Autumn Flea Market Vol 2 by Shabby Miss Jenn with Snipettes: Fall by Sahlin Studio. Stitches by Anne Delong and the font is Grown Up Girl by Darcy Baldwin.

Up next, Sketch 257 was one of those that pretty much I had a vision of before I began the layout. I love the paper blocking style... especially when I can use a lot of pattern papers. Here's the sketch inspired by fellow Pencil Lines Design Team member Jennnifer Chapin:



If you'd like to read more about Jennifer Chapin, the above sketch is linked to the Pencil Lines Sketch 257 Blog posting. Here's my page:



For this page, I used Bountiful Blessings by Melissa Bennett with Snipettes: The Perfect Pumpkin by Sahlin Studio and the font is Grown Up Girl by Darcy Baldwin.

Well, that's it for now... be sure to stop by again soon!

Happy Scrapping!
Tasha

I'm so excited... this week is my Featured Spotlight at Pencil Lines! Make sure to check out the PENCIL LINES BLOG to read all about me! This week's sketch is based on a layout I created. Here's my original layout:



Here's the sketch Anna created:



Here's the products I used:

Dear Santa Elements by Miss Mint | Peppermint Creative
Dear Santa Papers by Miss Mint | Peppermint Creative
Bingo Cards - Christmas by Miss Mint | Peppermint Creative
Jellybets - Christmas by Miss Mint | Peppermint Creative
Spaghetti String - Bold by Miss Mint | Peppermint Creative
Candy Cane Alphabet - Red by Miss Mint | Peppermint Creative
Push Button Alphabet - Snow by Miss Mint | Peppermint Creative

I'm so thrilled to be a part of this team... and I'm just amazed by what the other design team members created. Now, I can't wait to see what you all create based on my layout. It's so much fun to see where everyone's vision takes them.

Happy Scrapping!
Tasha

Well folks I'm back with another amazing sketch from another one of the amazing Design Team members at Pencil Lines! This week's sketch was created by Evgenia Petzer. Make sure to check out the Blog Posting to read all about her! Here's the sketch:


For my layout, I really wanted to scrap with my youngest daughter's first Halloween photo. That year she was Blue from Blue's Clues. She was totally too cute.


Aren't here ears to cutest! My husband used bendable straws to make them stick out.

If you are interested in the digital supplies I used... here's the links:

• Snipettes: The Perfect Pumpkin by Sahlin Studio
• Autumn Moon Papers by Sahlin Studio
• Autumn Moon Ephemera by Sahlin Studio
• Clementine Rolled Blooms by Sahlin Studio

Well with that folks, I'm out of here for today! Until next time - Happy Scrapping!!!

Well... it's that time again... a new Pencil Lines Sketch! I really love seeing all the different takes on the same sketch - it's so interesting to see how differently we see the same picture. This week's sketch is another one provided by one of my Design Team members - Cathy Brancieq. Make sure to drop by the Pencil Lines Blog to read all about her!



Here's my take on the sketch:




The goodies I used for this layout have all been retired by Jady Day Studio.

Til next time - Happy Scrapping!