I love Framelits – what a treat to be able to stamp an image and cut it out perfectly with the Big Shot! I have enjoyed this technique with our punches for years, but the Framelits let you do the same thing on a larger scale. I use Framelits with coordinating stamp sets, to frame sentiments, and to provide matted shapes that are just a bit more interesting than plain old rectangles. LOVE them.
But I HATE the way they are stored.
Framelits all come in a nice translucent plastic envelope, but they are attached to a piece of heavy cardstock with little pieces of double-sided tape. This piece of heavy cardstock is sandwiched between a couple layers of thin glossy paper that have the product information and directions for use on them. The double-sided tape sticks to this glossy paper and makes it very difficult to get to the Framelits without ripping the glossy paper all up. This is torture for someone as OCD as me about keeping things in nice condition. Then you have to remove the Framelits from the super sticky tape and half the time it feels like you have to pull so hard to get one unstuck that you are going to bend that precious little thin piece of metal out of shape. Finally, after several repetitions of removing and replacing the Framelits on their little sticky spots, that double-sided tape starts to lose its stickiness and you are left with loose Framelits rattling around in the bottom of the envelope.
Argh! You all know I love Stampin’ Up products, but this is a mess that I do not care to deal with when I’m trying to use these products in a class or workshop.
I have seen some people use our empty clear stamp cases (same size as a DVD case) with some strips of magnetic tape in there to hold the Framelits, which is a great improvement over the double sided tape fiasco. However, I forgot to add any of the empty cases to my last order…and then I spent a little too much time surfing Pinterest while watching the Olympics the past couple weeks and ran across this little gem of an idea: Cover magnetic sheets with DSP! Then you have a nice little assembly that’s both functional storage and easy on the eye:
Here is what I used to make mine:
- Adhesive Magnetic Sheets (one 12″x24″ roll is enough for at least seven sets of framelits, I got it at a big box craft store with a 40% off coupon)
- The original dreaded piece of cardstock with double sided tape still clinging to it
- DSP of your choice. I would recommend DSP over thick cardstock here, you want something nice and thin because it is going between the magnet sheet and the Framelits, you want them to be able to cling firmly to the magnet and not have anything too thick in the way.
How I did it:
- Cut a piece of magnet sheet to match the size of that terrible little piece of cardstock with the double sided tape on it). Mine were mostly 6 1/4″x5 1/8″, but check yours to make sure your magnet sheet gets cut to the correct size.
- Peel the paper backing off the magnet sheet and adhere it to that piece of cardstock to give it some stiffness. I made sure to put the side with the sticky tape remnants toward the magnet sheet so the back remains nice and clean and smooth.
- Cut a piece of DSP to match the size of the cardstock+magnet sheet and adhere it right on top of the magnet sheet. Your final assembly will be three layers thick, with the cardstock on the bottom, the magnet sheet in the middle, and the DSP on top.
- Put your framelits on top of the DSP (they should cling easily to the magnet), and slide everything right back in the envelope!
Note: I also consolidated all my Edgelits into one envelope to conserve my magnet sheet – it was easy to fit five Edgelits on one sheet rather than split them up into their original three envelopes.
Now you can see your framelits through the envelope so you can grab the set you need right away (I even chose DSP that matched the relevant occasion, if any (so, my Holiday Ornament and Holiday Collection Framelits have red and green DSP, my hearts have pink, etc.). Best of all, when you get your Framelits out to use them, it’s easy to keep them all in one place on your work surface without having to worry about sticky tape!! I am so excited about how easy it’s going to be to use these guys from here on out!
Brilliant! I love this idea over the stamp cases…so much better and more practical for me. Thanks so mcuh!
Thanks, Becky! I appreciate all the tips and ideas I read on your blog, too! 🙂
The OCD in me loves the OCD in you! Although I have been combining my clear stamps for awhile so I have extra clear stamp cases, I think I’ll stick (no pun intended) with your idea.
What is DSP?
Good question! DSP is short for designer series paper, basically any patterned paper like you’d use for scrapbooking. You can see Stampin’ Up!’s selection of DSP here: http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryID=1002&dbwsdemoid=2071917. This is what I used (mainly scraps left over from other projects).
Thank you Stephanie. I am planning to buy a Big Shot or a Big Kick and I will have to organize all of the “stuff” that I will buy to use with it. Do you happen to know the advantage of buying a Big Shot or a Big Kick? I am having trouble finding the difference between the two.
Both the Big Shot and the Big Kick will accept all the same dies, embossing folders, etc. – the only real difference is cosmetic. Stampin’ Up! sells the Big Shot, which is what I own, and I love it!
The advantage of buying the Big Shot would be that you get Stampin’ Up!’s fabulous customer service on top of Sizzix’s in the event you ever have a problem with it. Also, if you make a Stampin’ Up purchase through a demonstrator’s website, you will receive Stampin’ Rewards for purchases of $150 or more. This will give you $25 or more for your choice of free products (you could choose a new die, embossing folders, or cardstock to use with your Big Shot!).
If you don’t already have a relationship with another Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, you can purchase a Big Shot from my website and have it shipped straight to your house: http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=113439&dbwsdemoid=2071917
Have fun shopping, I know that whichever you choose, you are going to have so much fun die cutting and embossing! My Big Shot is by far the most frequently used item in my craft room.
Thank you so much for all the information!
This is a great idea, but I have not been able to find the self adhesive magnetic roll. Any suggestions on where to find it?
I found mine at Michael’s. I cannot find it on their website but it was in the store in the craft supplies area. Hobby Lobby carries it as well: http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/12-x-24-adhesive-magnetic-sheet-495754/
It comes in sheets and rolls and I found that the 12″x24″ were most economical for my purposes. I do have scraps of magnet left over; I plan to adhere them to some patterned paper and use my Big Shot to die cut some cute refrigerator magnets.
Menard has it where they sell furnace filters and register covers.
So…..are you talking about the plastic case that the spellbinders dies come in? Is that your “envelope” or are you referring to the cases that unmounted stamps come in from Stampin’ Up? And can you buy those stampin’ up cases by the dozen or so? I’ve got my spellbinders dies in cd cases on magnetic strips and its okay but I keep breaking cases and am looking for a new solution. Thanks for your help!
Hi Marsha! The envelope I used is the translucent plastic one that the Framelits come in originally when you order them from Stampin’ Up! What I have done is just add a magnet sheet that fits right in that envelope. You can see the picture of my finished product inside their envelopes at the bottom of the post. I did refer to putting them in the clear mount stamp cases with magnetic strips as another option. If you like that way better, you can buy those empty cases (same size as a DVD case) from Stampin’ Up! in sets of 4: http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=119105&dbwsdemoid=2071917 Hope that helps – happy stamping!
Sitting here at work and wish I was home to do this!! Will do when I get there or at least this long weekend! Great idea!! Thanks & Happy New Year!
What a wonderful simplistic idea!! Will be getting my framelits organized very soon. Thank you for sharing this wonderful idea.
AWESOME idea! I can’t wait to do this with mine! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Lowes or HomeDepot have magnetic vent covers. Cheap no they work perfectly.
That is what I use.
I bought my plastic envelopes at joanns fabrics on line, and didn’t use the dsp, but it does make for a prettier way to store everything
one of the best ways to keep my thinlit dies easy to find and use this way!!
I found magnetic sheets (at Lowe’s, a big box store) that were intended to be used as vent covers. They come 3 to a pkg. & you can easily cut them to the size you want. The best part? They’re only a few dollars!
Thx!!!! Cece
Awesome! Your explanation of the framelits packaging is spot on. Those were my words exactly. And frustrating! Thank you for a fantastic idea! Now some OCDers will want to keep original packaging – this is the time I say fellow OCDers time to get over it you will never sell your framelits and this is for your convenience so do what works for you and don’t get bogged down with original packaging. Thank you!
I made small file folders to fit in a photo box. The picture is taped to the front of the file folder..I also used the magnet sheets cut to size and mounted on medium thick chipboard and filed in alphabetical order. I can find them in a glance. Now I have to go back and cover the ugly magnet with DSP. Love that idea.
Where do you buy adhesive magnet rolls, please??
I think you can find them at any big box craft store, but I bought mine at Michaels.
This is a fabulous idea for organizing it. It is not only so practical but beautiful and classy at the same time. I am using it and love it. Thank you for a great idea.
Looks great but what is DSP?
Designer Series Paper. It is usually sold in 12″x12″ sheets, can be patterned or solid color, and is thinner than cardstock. You don’t want to adhere thick paper to the magnet sheets or the framelits will not cling very well. Thinner paper works best.
Great idea, Stephanie 👍
I share your fear of bending the thin metal dies trying to pull them off that darn sticky tape!!! Love my Stampin Up! products and want them to last a lifetime! Thanks for sharing.
Fabulous idea. Can’t wait to try it.
oooOOOooo, thank you. Much nicer than just the mag sheet.
I buy magnetic sheets at JoAnn’s or Michaels (I forget which store); cut them to fit in the plastic pockets in a CD binder and put my dies on them.
That way I can carry them with me to crops.
What a perfect idea. While I don’t have OCD; not being able to find my tools or breaking the tools because of their storage, does drive me crazy. This is one way to help. Especially when I start buying a perfect storage solution only to have the creator stop
I keep my framelits in sheet protectors in a 5-1/2″x 8-1/2″ binder and use magnetic sheets to hold the pieces in place. A half sheet of black card stock is placed in the middle so you can easily store two sets in the same ‘envelope’.
You can save some money by purchasing the 3 pack of magnetic vent covers (then cut them to your own size) found at Menards or like places.
Where do you find those envelopes in which you store your dies?
The dies come in the envelopes when you purchase them. However, I find that taking my dies in and out of the envelopes all the time is cumbersome so I leave them out of the envelope.
I love this idea, and actually have done the same thing, but love the DSP idea, and will be doing it soon. However, I’m thinking about cutting off the top flap of the case because those are just a pain in the butt to open and close!! Easier access for me….miss little impatient…Lol.
What do you use to adhere the DSP to the magnet sheet
I just used snail! If you handle yours very frequently and are afraid that snail adhesive is not strong enough I think you could use a liquid like Tombow Multipurpose, or even something like Fast Fuse or Tear & Tape. Really, anything that you’d use to adhere two layers of paper together on a card would probably work fine.