Flat item storage - rugs for miniatures Update

Keeping with the same idea I had before for rugs and wall hangings for miniatures, I am just repurposing a different solution.
First this is where they were before

The large 8.5x11 size page was sort of floppy when I get a rug out. I felt it would be easier to get to a particular rug with a smaller but same type of solution.

This is a regular three ring binder.

Next this is the solution I am repurposing

It is a case binder meaning the outer edge is enclosed like a box.
All the ribbon and trim were removed and I cut business card size paper to fit.

Next was filling the pockets with the rugs.
To adhere them I used temporary tape. This worked quite well so I stuck with it. The only issue seemed to be when I was working on with certain rugs. Some just didn't stick well, but at least they will stay in a smaller pocket much nicer than the larger sheet.

I am choosing to only use the side of the page that has the openings. It just makes them easier to get to. But if I didn't have enough pages, I would double up on the pockets to use the back side as well. I think I would use two pieces of backing so that I can slide out just the back for front.

I had a just a couple that wouldn't fit in these pockets so I think I will consider buying some other size pockets. A thrift store may have what I am looking for - think photo album for 3x5 or 4x6 photos. Or even a 5x7 would be good.
If I focused on larger miniatures like 1:24 or 1:12 scale - then I would need the larger pockets and the 8.5x11 sheet size would probably just fine.

Ribbon and Trim - update

I did it. I finally made the move to pull the ribbon and trim from the binder in with the baggies. As I mentioned in a prior post just recently I was thinking about doing this. I am really glad I did.
The ribbon and trim was in this binder

It was a great solution - just not cost effective for the volume of ribbon and trim I have collected. The biggest portion of what I have I got at a garage sale of another miniaturist who had passed on.

But I didn't toss out the binder - I will use that later for something else. I already have something in mind.

The photo boxes storage was holding all the baggies including the added in bits, but it was getting really tight.
I decided to go with two photo boxes.

This just gives me space to move the baggies to look at colors.
I already have decided to add more dividers, but since these were cut by me, I haven't gotten around to that part yet. Anything previously combined, I will just turn the card around and write the new label on it.

Ribbon and Trim update

Last year I shared my ribbon and trim storage solutions - you can view that here:
http://theorganizedminiaturist.blogspot.com/2015/01/all-trimmings-day-12-of-31-days-of.html
This past month I decided that the big tin of baggies of trim was no longer working for me. The tin held it all fine, but I didn't like having to dig through it. I tried to store the bags in a row, but due to the depth of the tin and the amount of bags I had, that didn't last long at all.

My newest solution is to use a photo box. 
Here's what that looks like now

Not a whole lot different than the tin, but it does have dividers. I made the dividers from black scrapbook paper that I cut to the right size. Then I used a white pen to write on them.

Right now this box is really tight so I believe the next phase will be to split this into two boxes. When I do that I know that part of that will also be to add in other ribbon and trim stored elsewhere. 

Future ribbon and trim thoughts
I have concluded that my 3 ring binder with the plastic pocket pages is a fabulous but  cost-prohibitive solution for me. I do plan to finally move those items into this photo box solution. It only took me two years to finally accept this. I just loved the idea too much to let go of it. But in thinking about blogging about this and also that I will indeed use two photo boxes, I decided that it was more important to have everything together than to keep the pocket pages.

Another trim stash that I am considering the best solution for is my embroidery thread. I have it in a divided plastic box - 2 of them actually. I rarely use it, but it is there when I need it. Now I am debating do I combine it with the bags of other trim. It looks so neat and organized the way it is. It isn't hurting anything by leaving it there. When I need it - it is still easy to access. But... am I ever going to do needlework again? Probably not. With that answer combining it with the other bags makes sense. Plus I could actually weed out some and maybe sell a portion of it. Wonder if it is worth listing on etsy?...

Happy organizing!
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Keep it Flat - Day 14 of 31 Days of Organizing

Keep it Flat
When storing flat items, it is important that they stay flat.  Today, I want to talk about wallpaper and other paper items.  
My first solution is for larger size wallpapers - 1:12 scale.  I took some art classes in college and I had a leftover cardboard portfolio.  It was a really large size so really too big for these papers.  I replaced that with something closer to the wallpaper itself.  I used mat board and ribbon.  

I tried it with paper tape, but that didn't work very well getting into it without messing up the tape or having to re-tape.
I also added paper to create a hinge instead of having the ribbon cut into the paper.  The ribbon also is not open at the one end.  So there is only three place the ribbon ties.
One consideration I might consider if I made this today is to have more than one section. It could be done with another layer of mat board.

My next solution works for 1:24 scale wallpaper or scraps of 1:12.  It is simply a binder with 8x11 sleeve protector pages. I do add a sheet of plain paper in the sleeve to help it be stiffer.  
For 1:48 scale wallpaper, I using the same binder, but I am also using photo pages.  I think this is a great recycle solution.  I stopped using these photo albums when I started scrapbooking, but I couldn't resist keeping the pages.  I was really glad I did.

Another thing that I use these 8x11 page protectors for is rugs and quilts.  I have participated in many swaps and have a lot of rugs to sort through.  I use temporary type double stick tape to adhere the rugs to a sheet of plain paper that slides in the sleeve.  

Any size sleeve would work if one wanted to group into smaller categories.

I also use my binder and page protectors to store other papers.  For example, in the supply swaps I received some lace doilies, metallic papers, and more.  I have these stored once again by color.  

Since I do scrap booking, I do have a storage solution for that paper, that is basically hanging file folders.  I do frequently dip into this paper to use for miniatures. 

One thing I will say - back to the keeping it flat - don't roll wallpaper unless it is temporary.  Wallpaper that is rolled, and left too long, will be hard to unroll and use.  

Come back tomorrow for another day of organizing for my 31 Days of Organizing.

Happy Miniature Organizing!
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