A Paper Hoarder No More - My New System

I don't know about you but one of the things that's happened to my stamping mojo this year is that I'm overwhelmed by stuff......….too much of everything. When that happens I can't focus and I procrastinate. This escalates and suddenly visiting my craft room just isn't as much fun.  

Take paper for example.  Right now there's a big DSP Sale with 15% off.  I have a love/hate relationship with this.

Every time Stampin' Up! comes out with a new catalogue or a sale like this, I tell myself "no more paper", and then I buy more because I just have to have them.  

One day while I was browsing YouTube I stumbled across a video by Kylie Bertusi called "#Love It/Chop It".  I'd heard this term before but I wasn't really sure what it meant so I was intrigued. 

I watched Kylie's video which specifically focusses on organizing DSP and card stocks and a funny thing happened.  That video and her fun and vivacious video style, grabbed me and re-fired my "want to stamp button".  The #loveitchopit system is a way to get organized by pre-cutting DSP and card stock so when you're ready to stamp and have fun you're not hung up on what to use.  Here's the link to Kylie's video: 

Here's My Old Paper Organization System: 

Clear plastic storage boxes for 12 x 12 paper.

I can count the number of times I've ordered Designer Series Paper and once I shuffled through the package, and finished "oohing and aahing" over all the beautiful designs and textures, I'll put the papers back in their wrapper and store them away for the "perfect time".  

When the "perfect time comes" I start by choosing card stock and searching through these boxes for DSP that works with it.  Most of the time, I get so tired trying to match everything up, that when I do find something “perfect” I generally cut the paper to the exact size I need for one card, and then file it away again.  The joy has gone out of the event.  Because I've failed to plan ahead, I've set myself up for failure and frustration.  But, not anymore, I've changed.

Here's My New “Love It” “Chop It” “USE IT” System:

• The "new me" opens the DSP package and separates the 12 sheets into two stacks of 6 sheets.  Each stack has one of each of the DSP designs. 
• I gather 2 of each of the coordinating colour card stocks and separate into two stacks. 
• I cut the first stack of DSP into three 4" wide strips and then cut each of these strips at 5 1/4".  You get two 5 1/4" x 4" mats from each strip and have left over strips that measure 2 1/2 x 4".  
• Once the paper is cut I sort it and then place it into a  4 1/2" x 6" plastic photo box and label it with the name of the paper.  

These are a sample of the 5 1/4" x 4" Mats I recently cut from the Trimming the Town DSP package. The great thing about this cutting system is that withing minutes of cutting my DSP I could be making at the very least 36 cards.  

This is the Photo Storage box that houses all my cut paper.  As you can see I've been busy.  There are 16 boxes per case and I now have two of these cases.  If I've cut a lot of embellishments to go with a particular DSP design, I'll sometimes have two photo boxes on the go and labelled for embellishments or additional mats. 

Cutting the Card Bases, DSP and Card Stock Mats: 

• Cut the 8 1/2" x 11" card stock on the short side at 4" and 8". Cut each 4” x 11” strip into two pieces at 5 1/4" and 10 1/4". You now have four 4” x 5 1/4” mats.
• Cut the second pile of card stock into standard A2 card bases. Cut the card stock to 4 ¼” x 11” and score at 5 ½” for a top fold card base or cut card stock to 5 ½ x 8 1/2” and score at 4 ¼” for a side fold.

Note: I don’t like to waste card stock so I cut out the mat centers with my punches and or dies (circles, ovals, squares, etc ). Make sure to leave enough of a margin around the mat center so that any cut away area is not visible.

DSP Mats:

Before I cut the DSP into mats, I decide whether my cuts will be portrait or landscape to ensure the design is going the way I need it to.  Once I've decided on the cut direction I cut each 12 x 12 piece of DSP into three 4” inch strips.  Each strip is then cut into 4” x 5 1/4" strips.  Each strip will give you two 4” x 5 1/4” layers and with three 2" by 4" strips that can be used on the card front or inside panel.  

Honestly "Love It" "Chop It" has changed how I make cards, my paper storage system and my productivity.  

So you can see all kinds of "Love It" "Chop It" examples on Youtube or Pinterest and Kylie Bertusi great ideas and videos and examples on both her blog and Facebook pages.  I know because I've been inspired with all the pictures and ideas from her site.  

If you join Kylie's Facebook site make sure you check out the files section as there are some very useful templates for cutting and storing.  Oh and before I forget, some people do "Love It" and "Chop It" using the old One Sheet Wonder (OSW) formulas for their cutting on either 12 x 12, 8 ½ x 11 or 6 x 6 paper packs.  Whatever works. 

Well this was a long post, but I've been wanting to share this information with you for some time now.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on how you organize and cut your paper supplies.  I'm always up for new ideas!

Here's an example of a card I made with my Love It Chop It system. The trees and labels were cut out of the mats before everything was glued together so there's absolutely no wasted paper and card stock.  Also, I pre-cut mats from Whisper White card stock for the inside of the cards, and have a tray of those ready so the cards can be assembled quickly.

So there you have it.  If you have questions just comment on this post and I'll get back to you.   Thanks for dropping by.  

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Penny Hanuszak, Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator 

October Hostest Code:  MM72ZKPM

Use this code on your On-Line orders ($50 - $195.00) during the month of October and I'll send you a gift and card as a token of my appreciation. 

October is a great time to purchase DSP at a 15% savings on selected designs. Now that you know how to store it, why not take advantage and get your favourites from the Annual Catalogue or Holiday Mini. Visit my online store at: