Killing Kits: Utilise Those Cut Files

Hello Counterfeiters. We're nearing the end of the month, so I'm back with some ideas for Killing Kits. This month I've been thinking a lot about cut files and how we can utilise them to help us make the most of our kit leftovers.

There's no denying that Paige Evans is the Queen of the Cut File and she created a a free cut file for Scrapbook & Cards Today that I am sure will appeal to each and every one of us. 

I love how this version, by Paige herself, uses a wide selection of colours and patterns that are unified by the cut-file and how she's decorated the cut file with lots of little die-cuts and embellishments. It's perfect for using all of those last little bits of a kit!

You could use lots and lots of little leftovers to create a layout that's bursting with colour, like this one, or you could tone it down a little by using a smaller selection. You could even use a busy background, with one or two solid colours for the cut file. The variations are (almost) limitless!  

Scrapbook & Cards Today have a a selection of free cut files that you can download so head on over to check them out!

Another of my favourites is the May 2019 Free Cut File from Nicole Nowosad. It's intricate detail means that it can be used with full sheets (let's use all of those bright, busy sheets!) or, as here, with a full sheet of cardstock which acts as a brilliant base for a selection of die-cuts and ephemera.

But, what if you don't have access to a die-cut machine? Well, there are several kit clubs that include cut files in their kits, or will cut them for you and there are also several stores that will supply them to you ready cut. There's no reason not to try one!

I'll be trying some of my own this month, to see if I like them (and if it's worth investing in my own die-cut machine.) I'd love to hear from you if you have one and/or use one to utilise your leftovers. Please leave me your thoughts in the comment section below!

Lastly, if you are still in need of ideas for your kit leftovers, you can watch the full Killing Kits Series or head over to the Counterfeit Kit Facebook Community where the Master Forgers and our friendly followers will be happy to help!

Clair x

Scribbles From My Scrap Studio – 2017 January

Hello, counterfeiters. Susanne here, with the first of a new monthly feature called Scribbles From My Scrap Studio. It will cover a multitude of sins topics, sometimes related to our monthly inspiration kit, and sometimes not. First up, let’s get organized.

Back when I was writing my own blog, all of 30 days ago (heavy sigh of nostalgia); one of my most visited posts of all time was this one about organization. We all organize and reorganize our supplies more than we care to admit, and often start the new year revisiting our methods.

Organization is important. It is not more important than crafting, but certainly capable of contributing to or detracting from the creative process. Organization is also not a static condition, unless a scrapbooker never ever crafts and never ever buys craft supplies. And really, do WE know ANYONE like that?

There were many little items in this month’s inspiration kit, so I thought you might like to see how I deal with die-cuts. I choose them as an example, because I hear scrapbookers complain that die-cuts are the peskiest of supplies to store. 
 
First, when I buy a line of scrapbooking products I store all the items together.



As soon as I open a pack of die-cuts, I put them in a clear clamshell box where I can see and choose from them more easily. This works well as long as I am actively using the product line and keeping it together.



When I am ready to move on, I break down all the elements and store them with other like items. Papers are filed in my vertical holders. Button/ribbon packs tossed into baskets, alphabets are stored in drawers or bins and journal cards are boxed with my Project Life supplies. You get the idea: they are all accessible for when I compile stash kits.

Die-cuts, because they are printed, are often more closely related in design to one another than other embellishments. They often contain many colors, and not only coordinate with their current line, but often with other lines by that designer or company. Here are several cases in point, Dear Lizzy, Amy Tangerine and Maggie Holmes. That is why I put the die-cuts into boxes with previous paper editions by company. I label the containers of die-cuts and place them in a visible location.



That worked well for the last couple of years, until some of those boxes were full. I left the newer  die-cuts, purged a few and sorted the rest by color. In my studio, the last stop on the scrappy train is the bits and bobs box. Here is what it looked like just 2 years ago, when I would not have put most die-cuts in here.



Here it is now. Yes, it is bigger, and items are still sorted by color rather than type of item. Buttons, die-cuts, brads and other assorted doodads are intermingled. This solution is ultra-handy when I am scrapping on the go – something I plan to do more often. Instead of packing half-empty packages of embellishments (I emptied 30+ packs) for crops and often taking too much, I am determined to take only stash kits and this case of boxes. It’s like a mini studio.



Just another little tip, I added a cellophane bag to each box to hold the paper items together, and prevent dents and dings from buttons, brads and other hard doo-dads. I can dump the bag into the lid to access them them easily.



Do you think my system, which gives several opportunities to use supplies by seeing them stored in different contexts, is too complicated? Would you have pitched them without giving them second and third chances? Do you sort by color the minute you get new supplies? Or, are you going to pretend you never have leftovers from your kits?

Weigh in below and tell us how you store those pesky die-cuts. And, feel free to scribble down any suggestions for other topics you would like to discuss in months ahead.

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Remember, tomorrow is the end of the month.  So if you want a sneak peek at what is coming in February then check out our Facebook page or Instagram feeds, which is where we'll preview the kit we've chosen.  It's a good 'un! 

Yet More Stylish Scrapbook Storage in a Snap or Four

It's Saturday, and we simply cannot get enough Stylish Scrapbook Storage in a Snap ideas.  We love that you are joining in on this series of pretty picture posts showcasing stylish and effective storage ideas for our scrapbooking stash.  In case you missed the first, second or third installments, you can find them here and here and here.


Let's start out with some practical advice before we get to the pretty pictures.
 

Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.

A. A. Milne

The trouble with organizing a thing is that pretty soon folks get to paying more attention to the organization than to what they're organized for.

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Eliminate that which is worthless to make room for that which is priceless.

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Leslie is much more likely to reach for her goodies when they are at hand & visible. Her desktop lazy susan includes this vintage jelly jar filled with eye-catching brads.

Julene has used glass jars too, bought from Ikea to store small items.
Because they are glass you can see at a glance what is in them.

 
These glass spice jars were found at a charity shop.

Lisa is all about the pretty as well as practical and likes to find mismatched items for different bits and pieces.

Ikea is a popular haunt and these plant and candle holders are perfect for items such as flowers, ribbons and brads.

And this plastic divider is an reasonably priced but practical place to divide up her pocket page cards.

And her pièce de resistance is this small vintage tea set étagère made by her sister which is the perfect collecting place for all the tiny bits and pieces that end up on the scrap table. Popping them on this means that they are always close to hand and looks super cute to boot. Result!

If you'd like to see more details, Lisa has some close up pictures up on her blog today. Check it out here.


This is our last post in this series, and we hope you've enjoyed it.  If you have any ideas on what you might like our Master Forgers to weigh in on, do send us your suggestions.  We enjoy sharing scrappy ideas with you.

Even More Stylish Scrapbook Storage in a Snap or Three

It's Saturday, and we are back with another installment of Stylish Scrapbook Storage in a Snap.

If you are looking for the second Counterfeit Challenge this month, it will be up tomorrow.  With that extra leap day this year, we thought we ought to get one more day for at least one challenge - it only seems right.

Today, we hope you are happy to see this next installment in our highly visual series of posts showcasing stylish and effective storage ideas for our scrapbooking stash.  In case you missed the first or second installments, you can find them here and here.

Good order is the foundation of all things.

Edmund Burke

Exactness and neatness in moderation is a virtue, but carried to extremes narrows the mind.

Francois Fenelon

Clair definitely believes that 'order is the foundation' and is sharing her system for storing the 'leftovers' from her monthly counterfeit kits. it's simple, cheap and so useful. And, hopefully, we all agree that it's stylish too? Head on over to her blog, Obstinate Pursuit for more details.

 

Elaine, who often plays along with us, has a nifty way of storing her 6" paper pads.  She a bought a pretty box from TK Maxx and keeps each of them in a popper wallet (usually bought from the £1 store with 4 for £1) . When she cuts into a pad, she keeps all of the scraps with the remainder of the pad in the popper wallet. Some of the slightly larger pads, like Kaisercraft ones, don't fit in the popper wallets.  Instead she used zip-lock food bags, but warns us they are not as sturdy and therefore a less successful option.

Tailoring the size of the containers to the contents, is always useful. Using the same type of storage in different sizes to repeat the look is usually attractive.  Susanne uses baskets, lots and lots of baskets, to store various supplies.  Here you can see she has separated her alphabet sheets by size and then fit them into appropriate size baskets.

Leslie loves a little vintage vibe & this sweet hanging shelf

was a steal at a sidewalk junk sale for only $3.00!