Organize Scrapbook Magazines and Books

Scrapbook magazines and idea books can be a huge help when you're stuck with scrap block. Unfortunately, too often the magazines and books accumulate in piles and are only looked at when you first get them, or in times of great desperation. It is important to find a system for organizing these valuable resources so that they are convenient to use. There are a number of different ways to organize your magazines and idea books - be sure to choose the one that will help you get the most use out of them.

Before you begin organizing, be sure to take the time to really read the magazine or book. Soak it in and enjoy yourself. Once you've done that, you can decide if there is anything about this magazine that you want to save. If an issue strikes you as boring or you can't really find anything in it that interests you...throw it away! There's no need to hang on to ideas you never plan to use.

One way to organize your magazines and idea books is by creating an idea binder. Tab the binder based on how you look for ideas. If you are a theme person, organize by season, event, or color. You can also organize by page element (borders, titles, photo mats, etc.). However you organize consider adding the following categories for those articles or ideas that don't fit into any other category: Album Ideas, Journalling Prompts, Organization, Photography, and Techniques. As you read through each magazine or book, clip out the articles or ideas that really interest you and put them into your binder.

If you just cannot bear the thought of cutting and tearing apart your magazines, creating a magazine index might be for you. Rather than cutting out the articles that really appeal to you, as you read write down the title, page number, magazine title, and volume or issue number of the ideas you like. You can then create your index on the computer - a spreadsheet works well. Or, use index card to create your own card catalogue system. However you index, be sure to sort the ideas into categories. Otherwise, you'll simply have a stack of index cards you'll never use instead of a stack of magazines you'll never use.

If you are a scrapbook artist who really enjoys staying on top of the latest trends, organize your magazines by staying current. Try keeping only about 3 months worth of issues and toss anything older than that. This is a great way to challenge yourself as an artist. Once a month, look through the current magazines and challenge yourself to try out a new technique that is described.

If you are planning to keep the magazines (rather than create an idea binder), you'll need some way to store them. You can find magazine storage containers at any office supply store. Most of them have a little label spot on them - make sure you use it - especially if you are using the indexing system.

Memory Dock - Cargo Collection - Magazine File - Eggplant - $ 11.99 This Magazine File will help you organize all your publications for quick and easy access. Memory Dock, a division of We R Memory Keepers, has joined forces with Resource International to bring you a line of Cargo products especially for scrapbookers—but scrapbooker or not, these great products can make organizing fun and easy. Magazine file box measures approximately 10 x 4.75 x 12.25 inches.

However you decide to start organizing your magazines, remember to do what works best for you. Keep in mind your space limitations, how your creative juices flow, and the amount of time you have when choosing a magazine and idea book storage solution. If you're not sure which way you'll like best, try them all out at different times with current magazines. Once you find the solution that works for you, you can always go back through the piles and piles of back issues you have lying around.

If you live in the Greater Chicago Area or Northcentral Wisconsin, professional scrapbook consultants are available to help you get organized and stay that way.

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