I think we all turn to organizing with the new year. I know I love the feeling of everything having it’s own “place.” My die cut shapes have been a mess for a long time now. I searched on Pinterest, and nothing really hit me as a solution that would work for me.
A year ago, I organized my embossing folders. I removed them from a big embossing folder storage binder, and put them into an easier-to-thumb-through case. (Which I still LOVE, by the way.) You can read about that by clicking here: How to organize embossing folders.
So I had these binders left over. Well, guess what? They are absolutely perfect for my die cuts! I am so glad I held on to them like the good little crafting hoarder that I am!
I am going to walk you through how you too can get your dies out of that box and into a system that works!
Supplies needed to make your own die cut storage: 
- Embossing Folder Storage Case for 5 x 7 inch Folders
- Core’dinations 6×6 Kraft Cardstock
- 2 inch Snap Rings
- Round Hole Punch
First of all, let’s revisit the mess I have been working with.
All of my dies were in a plastic bin. Every time I used them required me to dig through the box to find the die I wanted to use. Occasionally when I dug through the box I ran across a die that I FORGOT I EVEN HAD.
Most die cut companies now package their dies with a magnet sheet included. That is the brownish piece you can see in the photo. If you have dies that did not come with a magnetic sheet, you can purchase rolls of thin magnet sheeting. This will just need to be cut down to 5 x 6 inch, or 4 x 6 inch. Larger dies come with the larger size magnet, and smaller (border dies, etc) come with the smaller size.
If you are making your own magnet sheets, I would suggest the larger 5 x 6 size. It fits better in the binder.
Combine your dies into sets.
I combined several like borders on one magnet sheet.
There are 40 slots in the binder, so keep that in mind.
The magnet sheets slide right into the 5 x 7 inch embossing folder pockets. The magnets hold the dies in place.
The top row of binder pockets opens at the bottom. At first I was concerned that the magnet sheets would slide out if I turned the binder upright. They didn’t. The larger magnet sheets definitely fit better, the smaller ones have potential of falling out. I just made sure all my top rows were the larger size magnet sheets. And I am planning on storing my binders laying flat.
(This picture has the magnet sheets pulled out on purpose. Normally they slide in flush, and stay put.)
I organized my dies according to theme.
I filled two binders, and I am working on a third.
I wasn’t really excited about thumbing through multiple binders to find the die I was looking for (although it still beats digging through my box!) so I thought of a way to make that easier too.
This took a little bit of time, so find a show on Netflix and trust me that it is worth the finished product. I made “sample sheets” of all of my dies.
Cut some cardstock into 6 x 6 inch squares. Or, go the easy route and just buy it already done here:
Core’dinations 6 x 6 Kraft 80 lb Cardstock
Run your die sets through your die cut machine.
Adhere your cut dies to another 6 x 6 sheet of cardstock. Make sure to leave some room in the upper left hand corner of the 6 x 6 sheet.
I chose to arrange some of the die cut shapes on the sheet when I cut them so I could have the negative space instead.
Here is why, and I think it is genius, if I do say so myself.
Now I have a perfect template to see if my sentiment stamps fit the die!
When you are finished making your die sample sheets, punch a hole in the top left-hand corner of the 6 x 6 sheets.
Load the sample sheets onto a snap ring, and attach the ring to the binder. (The embossing folder binder comes with a loop on the top of the binder- almost like it was made for this!)
Now all of my dies have a “place.” I can easily see what die cut shapes I have, and what binder they are stored in with the sample sheets.
I hope this solves your die organization needs too!
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Shaunte is a 30-something, chocolate-loving, SAHM from Utah. She has been scrapbooking since 1997, the dreaded era of photos cropped with deco scissors. Since then, her work has evolved into a clean, linear, photo-focused style. Her favorite subjects to scrap are her husband and five kids (never a lack for subject material there).
Shaunte, you are such a crafty inspiration! I just simply LUV your projects and organizational ideas! We have seen how you handle dies, embossing folders and baker’s twine, but can you help me with cling stamps? Would LUV to see a post on how U handle that challenge! Thanks!!
where can I find the rolls of thin magnet sheeting?
I like this idea, but not understanding what you are doing with the sheet that the cut die shapes are on. You have the cut out sheet and the sheet for die cuts?
Thanks
Do you mean the magnet sheets, or the sample sheets? The magnet sheets came with the dies. The sample sheets I made to remind me what shapes I am containing in each binder. Hope that helps.
This looks GREAT and I love some of your dies. When I first started collecting dies I knew they had to be organized from the start or I would never know what I had. I came up with a more crude system that really isn’t as attractive. At work we got tons of catalog shipments which always had an 8.5 x 11″ sheet of chipboard in the box for protection so I started collecting those. I then purchased a 3-ring binder, protector sheets and magnet strip. The magnet strip holds the die to the chipboard which slides into the protector sheet. The protector sheet also has a dual purpose which will catch any die that may slip off of the magnet. I have a visual of every one that I have and when in use I leave the chipboard slid out just a tad so that I know quickly where to return the die.
My newest obsession is collecting Waffle Flower Stamps and Dies since they coordinate, so I have used the same method only I store the die on one side of the page and coordinated stamp set on the opposite side facing it. Any additional cut pieces can be stored in protector sheet with the set.
Good for you for keeping on top of it all! I think that is the key- find a system that works, and be consistent when you add to your collection. 🙂
OH, and GREAT idea cutting the banner so you can see if a sentiment will fit into it 🙂
Although I don’t have a lot of dies, this is a great idea! I, too, organized my embossing folders in a new system (which I got here) and have these binders just sitting around. Have been wondering what to do with them besides selling them on eBay. Now I have a way to repurpose them. Thanks!!