Let's get really real about your patterned paper stash! This is often a source of frustration for paper crafters.
See if this tracks with you….
You love paper, you buy paper, you have learned that buying paper in packs is better for coordinating than buying sheets individually. You love some of the paper in the pack, but not all of it. But you hold onto all of it – I mean All. Of. It. because you feel like you have to because one day you just might see an idea using it that magically turns ugly paper into a beautiful swan. It hasn't happened in over a decade, but you still have that paper.
You see more paper you want to buy, but there is this guilt, this weight, this overwhelming feeling of I should use what I have before I buy more paper guilt hanging over you like a dark cloud. You reluctantly buy more paper, hang onto the ugly paper or the paper that will be “just right” at some point to use, but now is not the time.
Fast forward a few years and you have bins and bins, boxes and boxes, racks and racks of all this patterned paper sitting there.
And there we sit, staring at all this paper that there is no way we will ever use all of it, feeling like poop.
If you nodded your head to any of this, let me share some ideas with you that may not be popular, but they have saved my sanity for years. It took me a while to embrace these ideas, and some tears to actually use these ideas. Now these are ideas I THRIVE on and won't look back.
It's starts with Principle #1: Craft Supplies Are Meant to Be Used
Just like clothes are supposed to be worn. Let's dive deeper into that idea, just as a warm up activity.
We buy clothes, right? We often buy more than we truly need. We hold on to some clothes.
The ones we hold onto are either for sentimental reasons – I still have t-shirts from 1994 that I still wear, not even lying about that.
We hold on to clothes that don't fit any longer because cake is yummy, and so is chips and salsa. And being a woman sucks sometimes.
And we have clothes in our closets that quite possibly still have the tags on them.
Am I right about these things?
Overtime, it accumulates to a point where we have to do something about it.
For our Lalapalooza shirts that we will still wear, that may have been 1993 now that I think about it – keep them and wear them. But when they wear out, let them go.
For the ones that no longer fit, we sometimes have to have that real conversation of will we ever fit back into them. And if we do, will we really want those particular clothes or will we want new cute clothes that help us celebrate a weight loss? We know in our knower the answer to that. The hardest part is accepting it. But the clothes that we know need to go, we need to let them go.
Ahhh, the clothes with the tags still on. There are somethings that truly look better on the hanger, right? We go into the dressing room with the cutest shirt ever. It has this cross over thingy going on with this adorable pocket up top. We try it on and think, “What the heck?!?!?” And back on the hanger it goes. And we say things like, yep – that looks better on the hanger.
OR, we try on this super cute shirt that we just know it will go great with this pair of black jeans we have at home because the shirt has some black in it. We try it on, it looks great, we get home and it looks terrible with that perfect pair of black jeans. We try it on with everything else we own, and nothing works. So it sits on the rack in case you ever do find the right pair of pants to pair it with.
ALL of these things and feelings are the same with our patterned paper.
If you have been card making for more than a hot second, you know that you have patterned paper that you will never use on a card.
You know you have bought paper you thought was adorable, it arrives, you open it and think, “what was I thinking?”
And you know you have paper that truly matches nothing else you have.
So now what?
Take a big gulp of that Dr. Pepper and hang tight with me for a bit…
There are two ways to tackle it, but know that a lot of it just needs to go. We will talk about responsible gifting, selling, and such in another post, so don't get ahead.
But we go back to Principle #1: Craft Supplies Are Meant to Be Used
If you aren't going to honestly use it, it equals guilt AND I could take it a step further and dare to say that it even holds you back from greater crafting because you are keeping bad paper and not buying new paper that could help you make more cards! You're not making your best cards because you have guilt paper!
I work very hard to be as transparent as possible. I am both a crafter and I run two craft businesses. So if you are thinking that I am writing this from the perspective as a demonstrator, please know that this is from my crafter brain, not my business brain. I am very fortunate to have two crafts rooms in my house. One for work and one for play. All of this stems from my play room, not my work room. I just want to put that out there so we are clear on where this stems from.
Okay, so let's talk about how to tackle this patterned paper issue…
Step 1: Set a timer. You are going to be sorting into 3 stacks in rapid order. For every inch of patterned paper, set a 5 minute timer. I know some of you have over 15 inches of just patterned paper alone from a recent Zoom in Stamping Family. Some is more than that ❤️
The three stacks you will sort into:
- Paper you KNOW you will use in the next 6 months
- Paper that's pretty and you don't want to get rid of but not sure it will ever make it onto a card
- Paper that needs to go (and where it goes will be another blog post)
You will rapid fire sort these. And you can do all your paper in one setting or do it 5 minutes a day. The goal is for the first stack of what you will use to be a realistic stack and it should be your smallest if you are truly looking to pare down your stash. I personally don't keep more than 1″ of 12″x 12″ patterned paper. If I have more than an inch, I didn't pare it down enough.
Paper that needs to go, goes into a box NEVER to be opened again. Seal it up with tape. Label it: Patterned Paper to Go. Don't go back. You don't need it, I promise!
The pretty paper you aren't sure what to do with… here we go with my best tips:
Idea #1
Invest in an Envelope Punch Board.
This one is by We R Memory Keepers. If it looks like something Stampin' Up! used to carry, it is! It was always created by We R Memory Keepers, they made the Stampin' Up! one for them with their colors. It's called private labeling and We R Memory Keepers allows for public labeling. It's a win/win!
It's about $30 which is dirt cheap you're going to use it and use up patterned paper!
For an A2 size card, you start with 8″ x 8″ paper.
Spend a smidge of time cutting down your 12″ paper to 8″ x 8″ and put the left over paper you cut off into a new box to seal up and mark it to go.
Bring up a movie and make some envelopes with your new Envelope Punch Board.
Okay, and for all of you thinking, “But wait, my envelope needs to match my card.” I will lean back in my chair, put my hand on my chin, and ask you this….. “Why?”
Most of the time it's because someone told you they need to match or because you just feel like they need to match.
BUT…. people keep cards, not envelopes. They are going in the trash! They may tear off your address part and keep that, but other than that – they are going in the trash!
The next question I get asked with this is, “How do you write on them?”
I love the 2″ x 3″ Avery Labels. You can print on them or write on them. They are the perfect size for an envelope and you don't have to worry about the edges coming up on them if you printed on paper and glued it on.
You can have a stash of holiday envelopes and other envelopes. Two stashes total.
With what you spend on envelopes, you will rapidly cover the cost of your Envelope Punch Board.
Idea #2
Invest in a We R Memory Keepers Gift Bag Punch Board.
You can take your pretty paper and make your own custom gift bags for small items such as jewelry, gift cards, and other lightweight gifts.
You can make 3 sizes of gift bags, just make sure you have a strong adhesive like Tear & Tape.
I LOVE these little gift bags and you can make it in minutes. These usually range from $19-$25 – again, if you use it, it's a money saver because you already have the patterned paper!
UPDATE: Many of you have asked about how to use these two punch boards after this post went live. I don't have any public videos, but I do have this great online class, that will walk you though both of these and more!
Idea #3
Make your own crinkle! An actual crinkle paper machine is EXPENSIVE. Like crazy expensive. And crinkle paper is expensive too. But with a little effort and a good movie, you can make your own in no time – because you already have the patterned paper!
Start with this handy dandy little hand cranker thing – also called a Paper Crimper. This one is about $15 and the ratings are insanely good.
Cut your patterned paper into the width your Paper Crimper allows for. Crimp about 10 sheets at a time and then set the aside into a stack.
Invest in a small Paper Shredder like this one.
I like this one because you can use it over any waste bin, it's small and can store easily, and it's only about $30. AND this isn't one that will cross shred, it's not meant for deep level security, it will cut your paper in strips.
So crimp first, then cut the opposite direction.
And for about $45, you can make unlimited amount of crinkle paper! The last bag my daughter picked up was $9!!!
AND… you have the paper.
Three Fun Tips
Okay, so these are my 3 favorite tips for what to do with your second stack of paper, the paper that's pretty – you won't use it on a card anytime soon, but you want to get some use out of it.
Next level tip: Grab a clear box from somewhere, you may already have one, and keep the Envelope Punch Board, the Gift Bag Punch Board, the Paper Crimper, and your Paper Shredder, all in one box and label it so you can easily find it. These are not supplies you will need all the time, so store them.
I prefer a clear box because I need to see what's inside it!
Let Me Hear From You
As I said in my newsletter that started this entire conversation about de-stashing your craft room, I want to know what you need help with. The #1 response was patterned paper. I want you to leave me a comment below and let me know what you think about these ideas. Are you inspired, excited, depressed – anything after reading this? I have no idea if this type of post is helpful or not, so the best way is to leave me a comment!
The plan is to cover scraps in the next post. XOXO, Meg
Wow! These are great ideas. However, I have over 12” tall of patterned paper and I know I can pare down. With so much patterned paper I feel overwhelmed when I want to make a card that I usually turn around and walk out of the craft room. LOL
One question about the envelopes though. I have an envelope builder punch but it seems that patterned paper is too thin to be used as an envelope. What are your thoughts?
Jen, you’ve got this! Do a quick sort of about 2″ a day, it should take you less than 10 minutes. Seriously! If you are determined, you will be done with the sort in 10 minutes. In less than a week you will be done. Since you are walking out of your craft room rather than making, it’s time to start on it today! Some patterned paper may be super thin, but so are some envelopes! But how about this, mail me a card and I will post a picture of how it looked when it arrived to me 🙂
Sounds great! I will do that. Thanks Meg! You are super awesome!
Sweet!!! I get happy mail!
W O W! THANKS FOR THE FANTASTIC IDEAS
If your patterned paper is too light-weight for an envelope, consider using it to line your envelopes.
Perfect tip!
Well I got out my patterned paper and my envelop punch board and made one envelop. Christmas cards are gonna be awesome this year!!!!! That’s what I got to say about that!!!
Woohoo Barbara!!! I am so excited for you! Look at you taking fast action on this. I LOVE IT!!!
Ok, I will have three piles for envelopes! Christmas, birthday, and general. I love all of your ideas 💡 I have everything but the shredder. Where did you find it?
Thank you 😊! Yes, I have over a foot of DSP!
Decorating cardstock boxes and making bags with two sheets of DSP too!
Click on the shredder image and it will take you to the one I recommend. I have it and love it!
I got out my envelop punch board and a piece of dsp and made an envelop! Christmas cards are gonna be awesome this year!!!!
Very good ideas! I used to make envelopes all the time but got out of the habit. Now I’ll add that to the list. One reason I have so much DSP is the free stuff with SAB. When I didn’t like or had everything from the SAB catalog that I wanted I took the paper…especially the dainty . flowers. I also have a bunch of Dandy Designs and hate it so now it will be envelopes. Can’t wait for the next installment on what to do. BTW I have 2 of the SU envelope makes and a new board from WEAre Memory makers (still in wrapper & I was going to sell it, but might make bags now). Thanks so much
What awesome ideas. I’m going to allow myself some time this weekend just to get started!
Fantastic tips. Thank you so much! 🙏🏻🤗🙏🏻
Yay!!! So happy you like these tips Cindy!
What wonderful, practical ideas! Thanks.
Sweet! Thank you so much Julie!
Making envelopes for the odd size cards is awesome too! It takes a little more postage but you don’t have to hunt down a special envelope to go with your card! Win win!
So true!!!
What I just did with some extra DSP is designed some cards for a card buffet. I used up a lot of paper that way. I had 15 different cards with about 15 of each design and they could choose which ones they wanted to make and how many of each one up to 10 cards. With the leftover unmade cards I made the cards and donated them to our church to raise money for missions. They may have made a different card before using the paper but I got rid of more of it.
When facing a new package of 12×12” paper I often felt overwhelmed. So I bought plastic sleeves with an L-cut (ie sealed on two sides and open on one long and one short edge). I immediately cut every sheet of paper at 5.25” because that is the mat size I use. I took each 5.25” strip and its companion piece (6.75”) and put them into the plastic sleeve, and labeled the outside with the paper collection name. Now when I grab my paper, half the cutting is done for me and I don’t feel put off by the large size and “newness” of an entire pack of paper. Hope this helps someone else.
Great tip! The only reason I don’t do this is based on time and money. Those envelopes can be pricey and the time it takes to cut down patterned paper. But many people have these and don’t know where to start, thank you for sharing!
Megan, I have lots of DSP from SU. Do you keep the sets together or just put them in one DSP stack, i.e. keeping all the Dandy Designs DSP together since they all coordinate?? Love, love these ideas. Keep ’em coming.
Great question: I sort them as I open them. Because there is always something I won’t use, so I don’t need to keep it at all. The others I do keep together as I start to use them. As they whittle down, I don’t keep them together any more. Does that make sense? So together while I am really into the paper, then not once I am kinda over it.
What great ideas on the envelope. I do workshops and I am going to introduce them to envelopes thanks to you. Like you said they don’t have to match the card because it will stand out when they get their mail and open it immediately.
Yay! So happy this will help you!
Brilliant ideas!! No more plain envelopes 😉
Thanks Debbie!! Miss you so much!
I miss you too!
Wow! I love this idea for patterned paper, can’t wait to sort and make some envelopes! I know I have some patterned paper from when we were in Round Rock, don’t ask how long ago that was!!
Thanks so much, you’re the best!
Yay!!! Be fearless and go for it! It feels amazing 🙂
This post got lost at the end of my Saved and just getting to them as I recover from surgery. So excited to start within the next 2 weeks!!! Thanks for your inspiration and sharing . I will not go ahead on the next lesson until I start on my paper. Again thanks for your time and talent. 🤗AR
Best wishes for a speedy recovery! And I’m excited that you’re excited!!
Great idea! I think it would be cute to make small envelopes for gift cards to hang from a Christmas tree, for a baby or bridal shower, special birthday, graduation or major wedding anniversary. Have guests bring a gift card to put in one of the envelopes. Wow-you really got me thinking on this one. Thank you!!
That would be super cute! And you’re welcome! Happy to help!
These are great tips. Thanks for sharing. One issue I always have is with organizing two-sided paper when I love both sides!!
I know, right? Then there is ugly paper out there that’s ugly on both sides. The struggle is real!!!
I love your ideas! Need because I’m downsizing I’m moving! Do you have tips for stamps.. hard to let these go?
Yes! https://iteachstamping.com/managing-your-stamp-stash/
So far I have all my patterned paper in colour families and store them in the same 12 x 12 box es that my plain coloured cardstock is stored in. So I have a mountain or 2 of 12 x 12 boxes on my desk. I loved reading your article and I think you have come up with the bestest solutions to the bane of our existence, Thank you so much for sharing with us and now I am ready to get cracking on paring down my stacks of never used papers.
LOVE it!!! You’ve got this!
Love these ideas! Once the 12×12 DSP retires, I cut the sheets to layer size and store in photo boxes. Now I find I rarely use these because I’m using new DSP. I really like the idea of disposing of the designs I don’t like and will probably never use! Going forward, instead of cutting into layer size, I will make envelopes first. Thank you for the inspiration!
Yay!!! And you’re welcome!
I made strings of origami butterflies to decorate my craft room out of paper I knew I’d never use.
That sounds fun!
Hi Megan, Love your ideas! I make my envelopes all the time but the bags and crinkled dsp are great ideas.
I learned the envelope ideas when I WANTED my cards & envelopes to match. When you cut that dsp to 8×8, it leaves 4″ widths…perfect for a card front!! A couple layers of cards stock (previously cut to layering sizes), the dsp, and a larger sized saying, and maybe a couple rhinestone… And you have a lovely card and envelope to match!
I am enjoying your purging blogs!
Yes!!! That’s exactly right! I do that all the time. Keep on purging!
Those are great ideas and I already have those neat tools except the paper shredder but going on Amazon to find one. I have more than a ton of printed paper so it may take me a while but thanks you are making it much easier to work on it.
That’s my favorite paper shredder! Takes up a small amount of space and super affordable!
Hi Meg! Oh my, am I inspired. My craft room was rebuilt recently (by force as a result of a recent flood – I won’t get into that). All paper was replaced and I was so excited to start getting those pretty designer papers back on my shelf. Boy, do those packs start to mount up quickly. Are there paper gremlins that work at night???????? I love, love, love the approach you are encouraging us to take to spend 5 minutes an inch to begin the whittling process. Heck, I spend 60 minutes at least trying to figure out just what colors I want to use in a card (only, of course, to change my mind once I have paper pulled out), so spending 5 minutes to quickly sort a packet will be a challenge. But I want to do it and do it with gusto. I have the SU envelope maker (I was successful in salvaging that and a few hard plastic tools from the flood). Holiday, birthday, and every day cards are now going to have fun envelopes. No matchy-matchy. You know, matchy-matchy clothes outfits are a thing of the past, so, why not make unmatched envelopes. With your encouragement, my motto is going to be – ‘Why not!!’. Thank you again for taking time to guide us out of the massive patterned paper abyss.
They do add up quickly! And perfect, love that you are diving in with this!
Love these ideas Meg. Fortunately, my pattern paper stash is cleaned out but I have that box of has-to-go papers waiting to go.