Floss Storage Cards for 3x4 baggies

I got a request for cards to fit the 3x4 baggies you get at Hobby Lobby near the jewelry section.

These should be cut to 2.75 x 3.75 inches.

DMC floss storage cards - 3x4 baggies - color - as of 2015

DMC floss storage cards - 3x4 baggies - b&w - as of 2015

WDW Floss Storage Cards - 3x4 baggies - color - as of 2015

WDW Floss Storage Cards - 3x4 baggies - b&w - as of 2015


Happy Stitching! 

DMC Floss Storage Cards

Hey Stitchers!

Here are the files I have been promising....

I have 4 files to share with you today.  My original DMC snack-size baggie color file has been revised to include the 16 colors added in 2013, so now it is all in one file instead of two.  I also created a version with the color swatches removed, for anyone who either cannot or doesn't want to print in color.  Then, this week, Stitching Mae asked for the cards to use with her Floss-a-way bags.  So I modified the spacing for the smaller cards, and created color and b&w versions.

DMC Floss Storage Cards - for snack-sized baggies - color - as of 2015

DMC Floss Storage Cards - for snack-sized baggies - b&w - as of 2015

DMC Floss Storage Cards - for floss-a-way size baggies - color - as of 2015

DMC Floss Storage Cards - for floss-a-way size baggies - b&w - as of 2015

As with all created and shared things, you are more than welcome to use for your personal use.  I am happy to share these with all stitchers to help you enjoy your hobby more.  Please, no selling of my works and ideas.  Thank you!

And for those who have found their way here someway other than linked via my Flosstube videos,  and would like to see them, here they are:

Cross-stitch / Flosstube #8 - My Floss Storage and Handling System

Cross-stitch / Flosstube #12: Printing and Cutting (the cards that go into the storage baggies)

Cross-stitch / Flosstube #7: Home-made modular storage for floss

Happy Stitching!

My floss organization system - part 2

Today as I was reviewing last night's post to ensure it made sense (I was up pretty late working on it), I realized I didn't include an overview photo, so here it is:

 

It is currently being housed on a shelf next to the entertainment center because my craft cave is going through a massive reorganization.  Ultimately, once I decide which shelf they will be on in the craft cave, I'm thinking about building a mini shelving system out of foam board so that I can pull out a box towards the bottom of the stack without have to relocate the ones above it as I have to do now.

My floss organization system

Last year, when I was getting back into cross-stitching regularly, I realized that I needed a much better system of organizing, storing, and tracking my floss inventory.  What I had just wasn't working very well.  When I wanted to start a new project, instead of pulling from my stash, I would just go buy the floss.  So began the scouring of the internet for ideas.  I spent a couple months searching for ideas, formulating possible scenarios and running them through my head.  What supplies were needed?  How much will they cost? Where will be able to get these supplies?  How easy will it be to use and maintain?  Some of the systems were just too expensive to consider.  I couldn't bring myself to use the floss bobbins.  While I would have no problem winding all those bobbins, and the storage containers are great, I know that I just can't handle all the kinks in the floss caused by the bobbins.  So keeping the skein intact was the way to go for me.  The little zip-loc type bags sold specifically for floss storage wouldn't work for me, because I really wanted to not have to fold the skein in half, and they couldn't hold many skeins.  In fact, I didn't find exactly what I wanted detailed anywhere, but I did use elements from other folks systems and designed my own system. Since it is unique to everything I found online during my research, I want to share it, in case someone else finds it useful.

Most simply put, I have the skeins in snack size Wal-Mart brand baggies, in photo storage boxes I got from Hobby Lobby.  Inexpensive, easy to obtain materials, scalable, easy to implement, use and maintain.

I started by creating a card to go into each baggie to give it some structure.  I used MS-Word, and Snipping Tool to grab the graphic for each color floss from the DMC website.  I typed the color number above the graphic and the color description below.  Then I printed it out onto cardstock.  It took awhile to complete, so if you want a copy of the file, just email me and ask; I'll be happy to share.

 

 

Then I used my paper trimmer to cut the cards to 6" x 3".

 

And placed them into the snack-size baggies.

 

 

Then I loaded the floss into the baggies, keeping it straight and untwisted.  The cardstock gives the baggies structure and make it easy to keep the skeins straight and lined up nicely.

 

I can fit 7 skeins on the front side...

 

 

and 7 skeins on the back, for a total of 14 per each baggie...

 

and if there are more, I cut blank 6x3 cards and write the color number and which baggie it is (color 310 is up to 4 baggies at the moment).

  

The filled baggies are loaded into a standard photo storage box.  I load enough into each box so they're just slightly snug front to back.

 

This is what is looks like from the side (I started out using plastic bins, but switched to photo boxes because they are currently stored on a shelf that gets several hours of strong New Mexico sunlight through a window).

 

 

Most of the colors have between 3-7 skeins so they are single sided thickness baggies.  There are roughly 31 double thickness baggies.  They are all currently contained in 13 photo boxes, with number 13 being about 2/3 full.  I have 14th photo box that houses the skeins of DMC Varigated, Variations, Linen, and Satin. 

 

I created an Excel spreadsheet to keep an inventory of my stash. It tells me how many skeins I have, plus how many skeins are allocated to projects. It also tells me what I need to buy in order to cover new projects and maintain a buffer.  This spreadsheet was incredibly helpful during my shopping trip to Joanns this past weekend.  I was able to ensure I had enough skeins to cover my planned projects plus have a 3 skein buffer on all colors.  That way if a pattern uses more than initially called for, I'm covered.  Or if a new pattern gets added I won't have to run to the store for any of the colors.  This way I can keep my floss buys limited to the times of the year when I can get the best prices on them.  Here is what the spreadsheet looks like:

 

 

If the pattern indicates how many skeins of each color are needed, I put that number in the block.  But not all patterns do this, so if not, I just put an X in the block.  I have totals at the bottom of all the columns.  Right now, according to my excel sheet, I have 2,641 skeins of regular DMC floss.  I keep a separate tab for the special DMC floss varieties.  I've recently started using specialty over-dyed floss from other companies.  For right now, I order what I need for a specific project, but I figure soon enough I will have to add another tab and another photo box for them. 

 

If you'd like a template copy of my inventory spreadsheet, just e-mail and ask. 

 

I really hope this explanation of my system is helpful for some of you fellow stitchers out there.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

 

Happy stitching!

 

 

Sunday Status + life stuff

Another week gone...

I got some done on Tree Frog, not much though, still working on the first green:

Sunny Thought is coming along... got all the x-stitching done, so now onto the backstitching and a few French Knots. 

I've been thinking about changing up the design a little bit.  The sentiment block is supposed to be cut out like a picture frame and a slip of paper with "Smile" printed on it to be placed in the frame.  I'm considering filling in the section that is supposed to be cut out of the "frame" with a lighter color and stitching a sentiment in.  I'm thinking something like "Live in the Sunshine" or "You are my sunshine".  I will have to see if I can make that come out good.  If not, I can always remove the changes and go with the original design.

I also gridded out a project that I've had stuffed away for quite awhile.  It is the free pattern from Golden Kite designs:

 

I downloaded this some time ago, got it started and then put it away.  It was still in the hoop, so that is an indicator of how long ago that was.  I had only gotten one length of the first color done, so I pulled out those few stitches, removed the hoop and spent about an hour ironing it to get the hoop marks out.  Then I gridded it, and tried out one of my q-snap configurations; that is the creases you see in it now.  I am having a little trouble deciding on whether to use q-snap, stretcher bar or scroll bars on this one.

While I was on the Golden Kite website to obtain a fresh copy of the Rose pattern, as I had lost some of the pages, I came across a pattern that really spoke to me, and it was on sale, so I ordered it.  It is called Garden of Delights:

I so love that it is a repro of an actual tapestry.  It is gorgeous!  This one will certainly be a long-term project.  Adding another one to list.

The other craft thing I did this week was to buy some more DMC floss.  Now that I have my floss organized, I have an accurate inventory of what I have and what I need, including needs for future projects, all on a spreadsheet.  I love Excel.  So when I saw Joanns was having floss on sale 3 for 99 cents, and I also get an extra 20% off for being military, I bought floss to fill in any gaps in my stash and prep for future projects.  So, Friday I was at Joanns buying the floss, and the next 2 days incorporating the new floss into my system.  Which reminds me, I haven't explained my system yet.  I should start drafting that post tomorrow.

My major non-craft activity was prepping for the swimming pool.  We decided to install an above ground swimming pool this year.  It will give something for Alex to do during summer break.  Our backyard is landscaped in river rock, which it quite popular in this region.  That means we had to clear the rocks out of the area we plan to put the pool.  It was a bit of work but we managed to get it done in 2 days.  Here is what it looks like:

 

Tomorrow we are going to pick up the pool and the filter system from Walmart.  We picked up 20 (50lb) bags of sand from Lowes yesterday.   We'll need to get 20-30 more bags.  Once we get a good sand base put down and leveled, then a pad on top, we can start setting up the pool.  Jason has to call about getting a tanker to come by to fill up the pool.  City ordinance forbids filling pool from the house water system.  Besides our water pressure sucks, so filling with the hose would take a week. 

Hopefully, everything goes well, and we're swimming in our pool by the end of the week.  Keeping fingers crossed.  Now I just have to find a swimming suit I feel comfortable in.  ugh.