Spellbinders Storage

Hello there.  While I’m nursing my bum knee I thought I’d share some pictures I have in my camera.  I’m usually busy posting cards but I keep a list of Becca Bits that I want to publish and many of them are in progress.   This is one that has been asked about frequently and now I’ve finished it up so I can tick it off my list.

My Spellbinders are one of my most used tools and I have a hefty investment in them so I want to make sure they get their use.  My Spellbinders storage probably looks like your Spellbinders storage, the fat CD cases make for perfect storage!   But, I found that after I color coded mine – I had a solution that really, really worked for me and it has saved me time and frustration.  When I’m in the middle of creating, my desk becomes a mess and I could never seem to put my hands on the dies I needed – now they each have a place.

I group my dies in categories – Standard Shapes, Pendants, Labels, Flowers, Nested Shapes, etc.  All of my circles are all stored together and at the top of the label I left a place for two colors – the first color is the same for all circles – the second color changes depending on if it is a smooth circle or a scalloped circle.  All of my scallop shapes have a lime green label so that I can find them.   If you ever decide to color code yours, tailor the colors to what works best for you.  Below you can see some of the items I used and the pictures are clickable if you want to see a larger version.

I keep my storage within an arms reach of where I sit because I access them frequently.  Here I’ve stacked up CD holders that I purchased at Target.
I also store my Borderabilities and long dies within an arms reach.
Here you can see the color coding a little bit better.
I simply make an excel spreadsheet, drop in the colors and cut the grid out so that it can be applied to the  spine of the CD.   These are ready to apply.

The spreadsheet is printed on an inkjet printer on Full Sheet Avery Labels (8165) before being cut out.  This is what I started out with.

For the longer nested dies I use CD Cases – I covered them in another post HERE.
I simply apply my spine label to the front of the CD Case.

I store my 6″ borders in a magnetic album.

This one was picked up in the scrapbooking section at Hobby Lobby.

I hope this helps those of you who wanted to know :-)  Don’t forget I have current blog candy that you can read about and comment to HERE.

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  • bonnie weissApril 7, 2010 - 3:13 pm

    Organization is often the key to success … maybe that’s one of your secrets, Becca! Success and perfection are what we always see in your projects and creations and I have to admit that I get excited when I see that there is a new blog update from you. You go girl!!!ReplyCancel

  • Sue LankfordApril 7, 2010 - 3:13 pm

    Could you come to my house I need organization BAD!!!!!ReplyCancel

  • kraftychicApril 7, 2010 - 3:18 pm

    Becca, I agree with Sue! How soon can you come over & help me organize? I’d love to have you! Hope your knee gets better soon!

    CherieReplyCancel

  • emilyApril 7, 2010 - 3:26 pm

    Your system is amazing! I have a pretty good handle on my Spellbinders at the moment…all one set of them! I was a little unsure of how well they worked but after using my set, I love them!
    As I keep adding to them I will have to take your ideas and put them to work for me.
    Thanks for sharing! :o)ReplyCancel

  • NevaApril 7, 2010 - 3:28 pm

    I love your organization tips! Keep ’em coming. I knew I was saving all those CD cases for something!ReplyCancel

  • JannaApril 7, 2010 - 3:33 pm

    Wow, Becca! You really do have quite a collection! Great ideas! You are very organized!ReplyCancel

  • marie in CtApril 7, 2010 - 3:34 pm

    great sotrage ideas you are the best!!!

    thanks for all the hintsReplyCancel

  • Wendy PedersenApril 7, 2010 - 3:37 pm

    Thank you for sharing this! Right now my organization consists of piles of things. This is very helfpul!

    I am loving your blog Becca… I never realized the community of blogging christian crafters was so big. What a fabulous way to make great friends.

    Love it!ReplyCancel

  • Barbara in FloridaApril 7, 2010 - 3:43 pm

    Thanks so much for sharing. I would love to hear more of your storage and organization ideas. What about clear stamps? I also see off to the side in one of your pictures above, your copic marker storage. What do you use for them? Thanks for sharing!ReplyCancel

  • Ree DonnellyApril 7, 2010 - 3:44 pm

    WOW, thanks for sharing that Becca… organization in key, I think. Bless you! :o)ReplyCancel

  • MarisaApril 7, 2010 - 4:02 pm

    You are an organizational wizard, Becca! Loved checking out your organizational tips on all things. Can I borrow you for a day or two — Vancouver is a beautiful city to come and visit and my hubby is a great cook LOL!ReplyCancel

  • Glenda BrooksApril 7, 2010 - 4:05 pm

    Love your ideas! I never seem to be able to find anything! I try to keep everything together, however, the best laid plans……. Well you know. I am very pleased to see that you are not unorganized!ReplyCancel

  • LizApril 7, 2010 - 4:16 pm

    love your ideals and I too would like to see how you store your copic’s I know this is not the place but I was at my joanns today and they know have spellbinders in the store and right now 40% off sp thats 14.99 for the 25.00 ones I have only seen them at this price on line last june. I do buy most of them on line but there were some I wanted to see in person first . Becca you make us spend more, and I’m so excited that I just ordered the wedding book you have your wedding ideals in my daughter just got engaged last week I can’t wait to get it and start .ReplyCancel

  • JudyApril 7, 2010 - 4:19 pm

    Great ideas Becca. Storage and space is a big problem for me. I really do love those dies and use them a lot (tho’ nothing fancy like you do).
    Thanks for all the great inspiration. Take care of that knee!ReplyCancel

  • Audrey IsamanApril 7, 2010 - 4:36 pm

    Fantastic. What a great idea. Now I just need to get to work and organize mine. Thanks.ReplyCancel

  • Maxine DApril 7, 2010 - 4:41 pm

    My mind is boggling with the amount of spellbinders product you have – mine is fairly neat, but much less than yours – must keep this system in mind for when my collection grows – as it is bound to!!ReplyCancel

  • Laurie WApril 7, 2010 - 4:47 pm

    Whoa!! I didn’t know there were so many Spellbinder forms. No wonder your cards are always so great, you have all the right tools.ReplyCancel

  • MichelleApril 7, 2010 - 5:07 pm

    WOW! That is fabulous! I keep mine in CD cases too, and I have a large CD tower that spins that I store mine in.. I’m going to have to duplicate your labeling system… Love the color coding!ReplyCancel

  • Michelle RApril 7, 2010 - 5:16 pm

    Thanks for sharing that, Becca! We ALL love organization tips…and you do that organizing thing so well! :-) Now I need to color code mine, for sure!ReplyCancel

  • Kelly MassmanApril 7, 2010 - 5:25 pm

    Thanks!ReplyCancel

  • LindaApril 7, 2010 - 5:30 pm

    Holy Cow….what a collection! Awesome organisation too Becca…they certainly are a wonderful tool and you use them so proficiently…love the things you do on the SB DT. Thanks for sharing your set up. xLReplyCancel

  • Maxine NaumannApril 7, 2010 - 5:44 pm

    Becca, I am more convinced than ever you are not only wonderfully talented, you are also ingenius with your organizational skills. I have been using the CD cases for a while with strips of magnetic tape. You sure tweaked that idea with the spreadsheet format on adhesive paper. WOW!!!ReplyCancel

  • DebiApril 7, 2010 - 5:46 pm

    I love all of your storage ideas. Where do you get your “fat” CD cases???ReplyCancel

  • Linda BApril 7, 2010 - 5:52 pm

    Aren’t you the
    ONE? You must have added mind-reader to your list of talents….this is just what I need. I have put mine into CD cases as well but the color coding strikes a chord as a real timesaver. I don’t have a lot of nesties…..yet(:-) but…….. also wanted to let you know that a store I truly love is Trader Joe’s. Whole Foods is way too over whelming and pricey for me. However if you live in an area with a Whole Foods and are looking for a special fish or seafood, check them out. My husband had to revive me after my first and only visit. Whew!ReplyCancel

  • Marilyn NimmoApril 7, 2010 - 5:53 pm

    I had just decided this week to put mine in CD cases – so, you have given me even more ideas!!! THanks!ReplyCancel

  • SuziApril 7, 2010 - 5:58 pm

    Looks like you studied medical records! That color coding looks like patient files! Love it!ReplyCancel

  • KaryleApril 7, 2010 - 6:02 pm

    I love this idea and am going tomorrow to buy some CD cases. Thank you for all your ideas that you share, this will surely help me get organized in my small crafting area. I hate when I am in the middle of a creative storm and can’t find what I need….don’t you…lol.ReplyCancel

  • Shelly SchmidtApril 7, 2010 - 6:03 pm

    I need to do this so badly!!! Wonderful organizational idea! I love the idea of color coating the CD cases- great idea! Thanks BeccaReplyCancel

  • PatMApril 7, 2010 - 6:08 pm

    WhoooHooo….now I know how to store my Spellbinders! I just started my collection and I will work on using this idea to keep me organized. Thanks for sharing great talents, ideas and inspirations!ReplyCancel

  • Gloria WestermanApril 7, 2010 - 6:11 pm

    Love this…..thank you for sharing….I will have to do this myself soon…..ReplyCancel

  • JackieApril 7, 2010 - 6:15 pm

    Maybe you should start an orgnizational tour. think of all the
    places you could visit. Thanks for the tips. I ditto what Bonnie
    said.ReplyCancel

  • Charlene DahlbergApril 7, 2010 - 6:24 pm

    Great idea for storage — It helps sooo much to be able to know where you can put your hands on what you need to finish a project and yours are just gorgeous !!!ReplyCancel

  • Sarah StainbackApril 7, 2010 - 6:28 pm

    I store a lot of things in CD cases, including unmounted stamps, but my
    Nestabilities are in a drawer. Now they are coming out. I had forgotten about color coding. I used that in the 1950s-60s to identify Xray films when I worked at a large hospital. In fact, I set up the system for it. And don’t know why I haven’t thought of that before. thanks for the idea.ReplyCancel

  • Corrie WagnerApril 7, 2010 - 6:42 pm

    Wow what a great system, I only wish I had so manyReplyCancel

  • Glenda JonesApril 7, 2010 - 7:25 pm

    What a terrific idea to color code the holders and it makes them so easy to see and access. Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea. Now all I have to do is figure out how to make the labels – thanks for those instructions too! You are awesome and so generous!!!!!ReplyCancel

  • Ladybug LindaApril 7, 2010 - 7:26 pm

    I also store my Nestabilities (I have the grand total of 4. lol), as well as clear stamps, in the CD cases, but I never thought in a million years to use the color-coding system or even just the labelling system you have. That is simply awesome!!!! Thanks sooooooo much for sharing!ReplyCancel

  • Tonya F.April 7, 2010 - 8:01 pm

    I store my Nestabilities in CD cases as well. I wasn’t sure what to do with the longer Nestabilities. Thanks for the solution and for the resource for the longer CD cases. Color coding the CDs is a great idea too. You are awesome!ReplyCancel

  • janeyApril 7, 2010 - 8:05 pm

    I love this idea about the color coding….thanks for ideas and for the site to order the DVD cases.ReplyCancel

  • esther sApril 7, 2010 - 8:05 pm

    Becca, Great ideas on storage, thanks. Hope you are feeling better but the “lounging” you did on Sunday is a GOOD thing! Permission granted to do it as much as you need to feel better… estherReplyCancel

  • Donna H.April 7, 2010 - 8:08 pm

    This took a lot of work but I’m sure it is well worth the effort. I have never seen anyone use Spellbinders as creatively as you do.ReplyCancel

  • Val WApril 7, 2010 - 8:14 pm

    Wowsa! That’s quite a collection! I can see how the CD cases would be the most efficient for you. The color-coding really looks like it’s a good idea for you to keep track of what you have, and where. My collection of Spellbinders is small by comparison but growing, thanks in part to all the wonderful die cut inspiration I see on your blog. So far, my zippered CD album is working well for me. Each set of dies is mounted on a magnetic sheet, and slipped into one of the CD pockets. Thanks for sharing your Becca Bits with us.ReplyCancel

  • MarshaApril 7, 2010 - 8:41 pm

    This is weird because I had just been looking/searching for some of my dies, I knew I had them but couldn’t find the set I needed…..and then they are all jumbled up in a drawer……by themselves, but still loose in a drawer. This is perfect……thanks so much.
    BTW, I love your blog and your work is such an inspiration.ReplyCancel

  • Candy MillsApril 7, 2010 - 8:46 pm

    Becca your storage ideas are as well thought out as your cards are!
    Thanks so much for sharing them with us. I agree with Bonnie W. – that having things close at hand makes it much easier to get your job done well.
    Hope your knee gets better soon!
    Hugs, CandyReplyCancel

  • Maxine NaumannApril 7, 2010 - 8:47 pm

    With regard to storing copics, I bought some clear Iris plastic containers at Michaels. They are apparently made for photographs but each box holds 16 copics perfectly. I made a list of the color with a sample of the color that goes in each box with the copics. What is great is the containers are completely clear to easily identify the colors and the containers lock securely. These containers have come in handy for storing several other things also. At my age, if I can’t see something, I forget I have it.ReplyCancel

  • CindyApril 7, 2010 - 8:51 pm

    Wonderful Becca. I love your system. I’ve got them in cases, but couldn’t figure out how to quickly ID the ones I wanted. You did it. THANKS THANKS THANKS! Take care of that knee.ReplyCancel

  • Susan GApril 7, 2010 - 9:10 pm

    Thanks for the tips. I had heard about the cd cases (not sure how to get the insert out) but I did not know about the longer ones, I appreciate the website.

    AND…I learned something else…i didn’t know there were borderbilities or piercibilities…WOWZA!!

    SusanReplyCancel

  • Linda wApril 7, 2010 - 9:37 pm

    I love your organizational ideas Becca. Now I just wish I had the space to set up a system like yours.

    stamp on…ReplyCancel

  • JulieApril 7, 2010 - 10:20 pm

    I am in the middle of moving my craft stuff to another room so needless to say it is a mess. You have some great ideas and I am going to use them. ThanksReplyCancel

  • ChinnuApril 7, 2010 - 10:27 pm

    Becca, you’re just amazing. What great ideas for storage – thanks very much for sharing! Gotta try them.ReplyCancel

  • Jane TApril 7, 2010 - 11:13 pm

    You have not only gorgeous cards to share, but fabulous idea as well.ReplyCancel

  • Susan NelApril 7, 2010 - 11:28 pm

    this is a brilliant idea Becca, i’m going to share this with all my girlfriends. have a wonderful day.ReplyCancel

  • Maryann LaursenApril 8, 2010 - 12:55 am

    WOW what a pleasure to watch your storeing, so neat and organized. I wish my place looked just anything like this, but it sure don´t LOL. Thanks sooo much for sharing all your great ideas always. I love to warch here.ReplyCancel

  • Janet CastleApril 8, 2010 - 1:51 am

    Great storage tip!!!! I am presently storing my Spellbinder dies on magnetic sheets and stored in 3 sizes of photo holders pages that fit in a 3″ zipper notebook…works okay, but have to be soooooo careful they don’t fall out as the notebook is really full – and heavy!
    Do you use magnetic sheets inside the plastic cases for the Nestabilities dies?
    Jan CastleReplyCancel

  • ph meyerApril 8, 2010 - 3:29 am

    wauwww, it’s a wunderfull idee this looks so much better than the simple cases i store them in, this is a great way of organising. thnx for charing this with us.
    are the dies on magnetic sheets or just like they come in the cases??

    greetings from holland
    XOXO petraReplyCancel

  • LouiseApril 8, 2010 - 3:59 am

    I am DROOLING!! Your storage looks fabulous and your stash looks even better :) No wonder your projects are so fabulous with everything at your fingertips. I would certainly like to see more of your crafting space but, watch out, you may turn me green with envy!!!ReplyCancel

  • Karen from OntarioApril 8, 2010 - 4:41 am

    thanks for sharing…hoping your knee feels better….ReplyCancel

  • Connie NealApril 8, 2010 - 5:06 am

    keep sharing your organizational ideas! I also use the cd cases but not quite as organized as you are!!ReplyCancel

  • Susan BugalskiApril 8, 2010 - 6:24 am

    Great ideas. I thought I was organized but you are beyond.ReplyCancel

  • mom2hApril 8, 2010 - 6:34 am

    I thought since I filled my little plastic storage bucket with CD cases full of Spellbinders dies, that I had to quit buying them….NAAAHHHH. I was so excited that while on a recent weekend trip, the scrapbook store in that area had the crosses, the curvy rectangles and the new oval dies (#10?). Anyway, I loved getting them and not paying shipping AND supporting an LSS…(they have been dropping like flies in this economy.)

    NOW. To locate a retail store carrying those big CD cases….hmmmm…

    love ya Becca.ReplyCancel

  • Carol RApril 8, 2010 - 7:15 am

    Great system! I’m just starting to reorganize my Spellbinder dies now that my collection is growing. I saw how you were using the CD cases in a tutorial not to long ago. Thank you for this timely tip! Love your creations and hope you feel better soon.ReplyCancel

  • Cindy H.April 8, 2010 - 8:05 am

    Thanks, Becca! What great tips!! Somehow I must have missed your previous post on storage for the longer Spellbinder dies, so I looked at that post, too. I’ll be ordering those DVD cases very soon :) tfsReplyCancel

  • Diane LApril 8, 2010 - 8:42 am

    Wish I was organized like you!! Wow!That’s alot of spellbinders!
    Hope you feel better!!!!ReplyCancel

  • Claire BrennanApril 8, 2010 - 10:39 am

    Not only are you just the queen of all things crafty, you are Mrs Organization 2010!!! Wow! I aspire to be as tidy as you!!! I think you’d faint if you could see the mess I’m in LOL!!! Hugs!ReplyCancel

  • MaggieApril 8, 2010 - 11:38 am

    Thanks for the pictures and info. I did purchase the CD cases and magnet sheets but need to get my dies in them.ReplyCancel

  • AlisonApril 8, 2010 - 1:31 pm

    Wow I am so jealous of your collection! I too have mine stored in CD cases and the colour coding is such a really good idea. I think I will have to pinch that idea too! I live in the UK and so far it is really slow getting hold of the new ones but they are slowly filtering through. I hope your knee gets better soon. I know that feeling well. I have needed a new knee cap since I was 19 and was told to wait until I was 45. At 45 they discovered I needed a total knee replacement and last month I got the news that I had been waiting for – the operation is to go ahead in the next 12/18 weeks and I am so thrilled at the thought of being pain free for the first time in over 30 years! So take it easy and keep the samples coming even if you do give me headaches trying to find some of the things you use over here!ReplyCancel

  • Margaret B.April 8, 2010 - 1:32 pm

    Thank you for sharing how you organize your Speelbinders. I have just started using them and am starting to get a large collection…so now I can get them organized and ready to find…that way I will use them more….Love…Love Love your work!ReplyCancel

  • Maxine NaumannApril 8, 2010 - 1:44 pm

    Hi Becca – hope each day finds you feeling better. I am busy now making 45 baby shower invitations. Our first granddaughter is having our first great granddaugher in July so of course grandma gets to make the shower invitations. Having lots of fun with it.ReplyCancel

  • Linda GApril 8, 2010 - 2:35 pm

    This is absolutely amazing! My Cuttlebug folders are stuffed into old cigar boxes and plastic storage boxes, so I have to drag all those out and sift through them! You have inspired me to try something new! Thanks! ~LindaReplyCancel

  • Sharon BaderApril 8, 2010 - 3:18 pm

    thanks for the storage tips……..i find that i work better if i can find what i want right away!ReplyCancel

  • KayApril 8, 2010 - 4:11 pm

    WOW! Wish I had that many Spellbinders/Nesties to contend with. What a great storage system.ReplyCancel

  • Kate StockmanApril 8, 2010 - 6:36 pm

    What a neat way to store your Spellbinders. Where did you buy your large magnets for the cases?
    kateReplyCancel

  • Patty WApril 8, 2010 - 9:24 pm

    Wow Becca, I wish my craft area looked like yours. I think your color code and CD case storage system are so smart! I can’t wait to do that to my dies. And how may I ask, do you store your embossing folders? You are amazing with your creative ideas! Thank you for sharing. I sure hope your knee is feeling better! And is your hubby still getting better? I still think of you two in my prayers. Blessings!ReplyCancel

  • Karen LinarezApril 9, 2010 - 12:01 am

    Sorry your laid up! Miss seeing your creative genius!ReplyCancel

  • AnnieApril 9, 2010 - 1:49 am

    Hi Becca!…Sure hope things are getting better health wise for you and yours…That is just a great idea with your color-coded cd storage system!…I wish I had that many spellbinders!…I’m thankful for all of your creativity and sharing…Blessings…annieReplyCancel

  • Ann I.April 9, 2010 - 5:55 am

    I love this storage solution!! I just spent at least an hour going over your other storage solutions. How I missed some of those posts, I don’t know but glad you have the tab at the top for easy access! Would love to see how you deal with paper storage. I am a paper addict and need some ideas on how to store solid colored cardstock as well as patterned paper (singles and packs). Thanks for sharing your beautiful creations with us and your clever hints and tips. Love your blog!ReplyCancel

  • HeyGirlyApril 9, 2010 - 8:28 am

    Love your color coded storage idea. Is is possible that we could see your whole craft area? You have so many great ideas, I’m sure I am not the only one who would love to see your entire work area.

    Blessings,ReplyCancel

  • DottyApril 10, 2010 - 11:32 am

    I am SO glad you shared this with all of us…. the color coding solution is going to be a life saver. And to see how you put or the Borderabilities together is a nice idea too.
    I have one question??
    How do you store the Grand 12″ Borderabilities?? Do you have a easy solution for that, (I hope so) I have a few but there so hard to store I’m afraid I may not get anymore because they may get damaged.
    Thanks again of ALL you posts!!ReplyCancel

  • Betsy ClineApril 11, 2010 - 3:46 am

    I just went thru all your organization ideas and thought they are great. Reminds me of the way I organized alot of my teaching things at school before I retired. I am in the middle of redoing my stamping/scraping/quilting room to make it more user friendly. I have some things from IKEA (kitchen organization items) and now just getting it all where I can find it. Your ideas are most helpful and will be included here. I, too, would like to know how your store your copic markers and do you use others like the tombows?ReplyCancel

  • Deebi27April 12, 2010 - 5:48 pm

    Your blog got me to thinking. Thinking of the magnetic strips (I already have) and I could use with my CD cases (already using). Gosh they lay sooo much nicer. You are sooo much more than a creative genius! Thanks!ReplyCancel

  • JoanneApril 18, 2010 - 12:07 pm

    Great storage. I have been looking for dvd boxes like these (with removable centres) for ages with this idea in mind and could never find them. I have now discovered Stampinup do boxes like this blank for about the same price and no centres to remove, lol.

    hugs from France,
    JoanneReplyCancel

  • joanna johnsonMay 23, 2010 - 12:28 pm

    Hi has anyone used the little cd boxes with the hanging files for cds. I am unable to leave my home to shop much so I sent my husband looking for a spellbinder storage solution and he brought back a file box that is only 5in. x 5in. each holds 80 cd’s so far I have two boxes. I also can color code because the little hanging files are in four colors. I use one color for nestabilities one for shapeabilities etc. and each has a wonderful file lable at the top so it is easy for me to find as long as I keep it in the file box it came from with the color it came from I don’t even need to put it back in the exact right spot every time. I love them. they take up so little room and they hold so much each box gets heavy with eighty sets of spellbinders so have only put 40 to sixty sets in each box. I also use the thin magnet paper to keep them in place. My five year old granddaughter can access the ones she wants easily and can see them without having to open anything . I love these. joannaReplyCancel

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