Organizing Your Big Shot Dies

It's been a crazy summer and unfortunately that means I haven't been spending as much time on my blog as I should. I've been doing an article each month about organizing your stamping supplies, but didn't get the June article on Big Shot Dies done until now. Better late than never!

I LOVE my Big Shot! I use it the most with the embossing folders, but it gets used a lot with the dies as well. I would have to say my favorite is the Top Note Die, followed by the scalloped squares. Did you know you can use basically any die in any machine? It’s just a matter of finding a “sandwich” that works. So even if you don’t own a Big Shot (gasp!) you can use the dies that are in the Stampin’ Up! catalog in whatever machine you do own.

The dies are different sizes, so finding a way to store them can be challenging. Stampin’ Up! has storage boxes on page 226 of the Idea Book & Catalog. There are three different sizes that hold various sizes of dies. Each comes with a plastic insert that organizes the dies like file folders. And they have covers! Nice and neat and everything inside stays clean!

I need something to store my dies in that is portable, since I take them to the Building with me when we have Stamping Weekends. What works for me right now is a canvas bag that originally came with plastic boxes in it to store fishing tackle. Don’t laugh when you see it! Remember, my husband and his parents used to be beer distributors!

I have all of my dies standing up so I can read the labels on the sides. Big ones are together in the back, smaller ones are in rows in the front. And the Movers & Shapers are stacked in the corner. I have one Decorative Strip Die and the plates and spacer for it- those sit right on top and are easy enough to move to get to the others.

The Timeless Type Junior Alphabet (page 224 of the Idea Book & Catalog) comes in it’s own little storage box.

There’s room for all 12 dies of the alphabet, plus a few other Sizzlits.

I’m sure there are lots of other ways to store dies, but the main thing is to keep them together and where you can see them or get to them easily. You don’t want to have to move a bunch of stuff to get them when you want to use them. You’ll decide it’s too much work or forget you have them!

Happy Stamping!

Next up: Ink Refills