Thursday, January 16, 2014

Thursday Tip: Making a Stamp Set Catalog

Stamping can be a lot more fun if you can find the perfect image you're looking for. When you only have a few stamp sets, it's easy to browse through your sets to see what you have. As your collection grows, finding a particular image can be more difficult. Sooooo to help me in my task of finding images, I created a stamp catalog for myself. My stamp catalog contains only images that I own.

To create a uniform look for my catalog, I designed a template that I fill in when I get a new stamp set. You can download a copy of my template HERE. My template has a spot to put the stamp set name, number of images, catalog where the stamp set was first available, when the stamp set retired, the price and a place to put notes. I like to stamp each of my images on this page (see image at right above). If you don't have time to stamp each image, all you have to do is photocopy the cover sheet of your stamp set with the template (see image at left above).

Once I have my catalog page ready, I place it in a sheet protector and organize the pages alphabetically in a binder. I have one binder for all my current (still available for purchase) stamp sets. I organize this binder into categories like: sentiments, backgrounds, mini catalog sets and holidays.

I have several binders that house all the catalog pages for my retired sets. I label the spines of my binders with the categories that each binder contains. One of my most common uses of the catalog is to find the perfect sentiment for my cards. With my stamp catalog, all I have to is pull the binder off the shelf and quickly flip through the pages to find exactly what I need. A little time spent organizing your collection when you have spare time, will help you when you're in a time crunch. I hope you like this Thursday tip. :)

To find more stamp sets for your collection, check out my Stampin' Up Store:

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11 comments:

  1. DebJanuary 16, 2014 at 8:33 AM

    What a GREAT! idea! Thanks for sharing the template, too!

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  2. June in KSJanuary 16, 2014 at 9:48 AM

    Hi Brenda!
    Thank you SO much for this great idea! I have tried to do something similar in the past, but have not been very happy with the results. Thanks to you and your template, I now have a great way to organize my stamps!
    Thanks so much for sharing!
    June in KS

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  3. MaryJanuary 16, 2014 at 4:43 PM

    Great tip, tis! :)

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 17, 2014 at 8:31 AM

    This is the best idea yet on how to organize stamps. What a great idea to leave room for notes etc. Char

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  5. DonnaJanuary 17, 2014 at 9:29 AM

    Thanks for your take on your system. I started something like this a long time ago but then got out of the habit of doing it as soon as I got a new set and so my catalog is VERY out of date. I'd love to refresh it and you've given me the idea to move forward. My question though has to do with sets that are multifaceted; they have some images and maybe a background stamp and sentiments. Hoe do you catalog something like that? Do you make multiple sheets for one set and put them under every category? I have lots of sets like this. Sentiments is my big thing. I am always on the look out for the perfect one for each card. Thanks for the motivation to get re-started.

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    1. Brenda QuintanaJanuary 17, 2014 at 11:35 AM

      Hi Donna, Thanks for your comment. I only have one sheet per stamp set in my binders and try to find the most appropriate subject to put it under. You could photocopy your sheet and have it in more than one place though. If sentiments are your big thing you might want to create pages where you stamp all your Birthday sentiments (for example) with a reference to the stamp set underneath. This would take some work, but for frequently used occasions like birthdays, it might be worth it. :)

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  6. DonnaJanuary 17, 2014 at 12:50 PM

    Brenda - Thank you for a great system. I've often thought of doing something like this and this may be just the nudge to get me going. You're so sweet to share your template with us! Thank you so much!

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  7. JenniferJanuary 17, 2014 at 12:50 PM

    I can't get the template to load. :o(

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    1. Brenda QuintanaJanuary 17, 2014 at 1:21 PM

      Jennifer, just send me an email and I'll send it to you. :)
      BrendaQstamps@yahoo.com

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  8. Jean Fitch from jlfstudioJanuary 19, 2014 at 7:39 PM

    Brilliant Miss Brenda! Thanks for showing your system and sharing your document file as well. Time to get back to the organization I once aspired to. Thanks for the New Years kick in the pants to get started on it. :D

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  9. seagrassNovember 15, 2015 at 3:02 AM

    What a great idea! I started doing this with my favorite or most used recipes so I don't forget them.
    Thank you.

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