Sunday 26 April 2009

Thinking Outside the Card

It's High Hopes challenge time! I am hosting this one too! This week we are thinking outside the card so basically, anything that isn't a card! Here is what I made:

This is my stamp index... I have been using this for almost a year now to show me what stamps I have and where they are. I couldn't possibly keep up with them all so instead of rummaging through my drawers I just flip through my little notebook. Up until this week it has just been raw and uncovered but now it is finally pretty!

So, this is how I store my stamps, all in drawers and categorised. So I know where everything is I have categorised my stamp index too.

I have little front pages for each category... like this....

Then I have little thumbnail pictures of all the stamps that live in the drawer. To tell you the honest truth... without my stamp index I can never remember where anything is and I never remember what stamps I have!! Each page is printed on regular printer paper and lightly glued in. That way if the page changes with new stamps I can easily remove the page and replace it with the new one. I have purposely spaced some stamps out on some pages to leave room for more to fit in without having to pull the notebook apart and insert another page.



My animals category keeps all of the animal stamps that are not from the latest few releases or don't fit into Farmyard or Fairytale.

Everyday things is the spot where I keep trees, flowers, balloons and general bits and pieces that don't fit specifically and only in one category. This is the area I come most to... usually when I am looking for a filler for a card and can't think of something to occupy the spot!

The latest category is Garden... these new release stamps are so cute!! I also have a category for people but I haven't quite finished that one yet so it isn't in the index. I have started Christmas from the back because that is going to keep on expanding so it wont outgrow its area. When the book gets too big for the spirals (that might be soon!) I am going to take it to a binding shop and see if I can get bigger spirals for it. That way I will never have to change it! Well hopefully anyway!!

30 comments:

Cheryl said...

WOW,this is amazing!!! What a fabulous idea and you are so very organised,I love it!
xx

Nicoline said...

Fantastic, I love it!!!

Hugs,
Nicoline

Tracey said...

This is incredible Amy!! I have to make myself one of these indexes too!! I always forget what I have as well!!

6 wacky women said...

Wow, Amy.
This index book is fabulous!! The images on the index pages are just amazing.
You did an awesome job of it.
Love how organized you are too!!!

Karen x

Anonymous said...

You did a great job on your little book!.. Love the idea!..

Unknown said...

Wowwwww fantastic, I love it!!!

xx Suze

Danni said...

What a clever idea! I have a stamp book where I stamp all my images, but it's no where as neat and organized as this!!
Wonderful job!

Crissy Armstrong said...

Not only is it neat and organized, its a work of art in itself! I cannot imagine the time this took, but as well, it will save you time in the future when choosing stamps to use. I am extremely impressed! WOW!

Tab said...

OMG Amy, how organised are you, my word your book is amazing! Such a good idea and what amazing little scenes that you have created and coloured to perfection, just love it!
Hugs Tab xxx

Sue Strozyk said...

This is so awesome!!! How did you get your images be be "thumbnails", and not the full size? and what size is your notebook? I've been really needing to make one of these, and yours is just perfect!!

Nikki Fairbairn said...

Oh wow Amy, your book is awesome! Big Hugs, Nikki x

Lacey said...

Amy, this is amazing! What a wonderful idea. I need to get a little more organized. Your book is very creative as well...love your coloring!
This was a very fun challenge...thanks for hosting it!
~Lacey

Heidi in California said...

Amy-the is beautiful. How big is the notebook?

Tracy.H said...

OMG!!! You are truly amazing! :0)

Connor said...

Your index book is AWESOME!!! TFS! I would like to know how you have an indexed copy of the stamps you print out. Do you stamp the stamp, then scan it into your computer?

I have SOOOO many stamps, that I need to create an index, but at this point, I think it would take me a few months to get them all categorized!

Debbie Pamment said...

OMG Amy - I just want your book - LOL! I have my stamps stamped onto A4 and slotted into a folder - but this is way better!! Am having enough trouble sorting my room out - let alone my stamps - and decorating the book - so not going to happen at mt place - am very jealous - LOL!!!!!!

Mich said...

I love this theme of thinking outside the card. It was so intresting to see what you all were going to come up with. And what you did was truely amazing. Such a nice book. I love the way it looks, I love the green, and I love all the headings inside and the idea of all your stamps being stored together at one place, so you can easily watch and remember them !!! What a great job !!

Mae said...

What a great idea. When it gets to the point I have that many..I am doing this. Great job!!!

Niki Estes said...

This is amazing, Amy!! I have a stamp guide, but it is just boring white cardstock with each image stamped on it. Yours is gorgeous! Your coloring is always so amazing!

Heide Dronchi said...

Amy,
This ia just amazing! I love how orginized you are. Thanks for showing us this wonderful, and fun catalog of your stamps.

CraftyC said...

Just stunning Amy, must have taken you forever to complete but work every second. Love it!
Clairex

Oma said...

Awesome! Excellent idea!

Ezieta said...

Amazing!!
I like it!

Smiles
Ezieta

Sally Cicada Designs said...

Amy,
Thanks for the great challenge! Your stamp index is fantastic! I love how you've done a title page for each section and taken the time to colour and decorate it! It really looks awesome!
Blessings,
Sarah

Janna said...

Um Wow, wow, wow!!! Amy this is just amazing!!!! This book is a work of art! It is so detailed and beautiful! Your coloring is fantastic and the layouts are incredible!!! Wow, wow,w ow!!! i am truly blown away! I want one! LOL!

smiles,
janna

Powerful Search Engine said...

Amazing book so much work has gone into it and it is such a marvellous idea so organised hugs pascale

Rach said...

oh my word.. my jaw has just hit the floor.this is amazing what a fabulous project firstly and how organised are you!
fantastic.. hugs rachxx

Kathy said...

This is fabulous!! I love the whole idea of this!! Love your title pages ~ how gorgeous your coloring is!!!!
I think I will have to attempt this!! Thanks so much for sharing such a beautiful project!!
:)Kathy

Unknown said...

WOw Amy-- that's a fabulous index book!! I dig through piles of stamps to find what I'm looking for and can never remember what I have!! Great idea and beautiful pictures on the title pages!

Fe Louis said...

It looks great!!!! I have often tried to contemplate being organised but didn't know where to start. This is a fabulous idea and something I am definitely going to try. Thanks again for the inspiration.