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Unzipping kits/Organizing Tips?

Kat

Kat

Seeking wine/shopping/teeth brushing support group
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Oct 1, 2010
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I feel like I spend more time unzipping and organizing kits/product than I do actually scrapping. A big problem I have had for years is being somewhat disorganized and so I am trying to take the time upfront to organize. I use Bridge for sorting through and viewing but the unzipping and naming folders is so tedious. Even more so I am finding on my macbook because I can't open the zip folder, it just auto unzips (which is okay just changes my workflow). Usually I open the zip file and pull all the elements and papers into one folder and pull in folders for alphas, cards, word art, etc.

How do you do your unzipping/organizing/naming?
 
I've been thinking about this lately; I'm a Windows user.

I have a main Lilypad folder, then I have a folder for each designer I have kits from, inside the designer folders I have a main folder for the kits and inside those folders I have a folder for elements and papers (I do like keeping the papers separate from the elements), if I have the journal cards I have a folder for those etc.

I also have a folder for Halloween kits and a folder for Christmas kits (again broken down by designer) that seems to make it easier to find like items.

I did create a Collab Folder as well to keep the large collab kits and the blog hop kits separate.

I don't use any programs to search or tag anything; when I'm making a layout I just use the search bar in the upper right corner of the folder and type in a keyword, I know I'm probably missing things this way since not everyone puts a "flower" etc in the file name so sometimes I need to rely on memory LOL
 
I have a NEED to USE folder. ALL new things go in there. I do not file it UNTIL I use it! this pushes me to use.
Every BYOC time, I file the things I have used.
 
bbymks5 said:
I've been thinking about this lately; I'm a Windows user.

I have a main Lilypad folder, then I have a folder for each designer I have kits from, inside the designer folders I have a main folder for the kits and inside those folders I have a folder for elements and papers (I do like keeping the papers separate from the elements), if I have the journal cards I have a folder for those etc.

I also have a folder for Halloween kits and a folder for Christmas kits (again broken down by designer) that seems to make it easier to find like items.

I did create a Collab Folder as well to keep the large collab kits and the blog hop kits separate.

I don't use any programs to search or tag anything; when I'm making a layout I just use the search bar in the upper right corner of the folder and type in a keyword, I know I'm probably missing things this way since not everyone puts a "flower" etc in the file name so sometimes I need to rely on memory LOL
Click to expand...

This is sort of how I've been doing it. I had a main folder for TLP and then each designer had a folder. This time I've changed it to have one TLP folder and then inside is the other folders. I've been naming like this... designer name/product name and if it is a BYOC or DYD I'll add that to the beginning before the name. Helps keep all the similar schemes listed together. Inside each folder is the elements/papers and folders with other items. I want to tag items but I'm struggling with the time involved in what I'm doing. I also have older folders (lots of them) title scrapbooking, scrapbooking 2016, TLP, designer folders, scrapbooking 2014, Organize, Organize this, Zipped files, All Zipped files, More Zipped files (these are all folder names by the way)... lol... I've moved these ALL to one location now for organizing but I haven't even looked in those b/c I am still unzipping everything I bought in the last month.

This is really bad isn't it? lol
 
I have a TLP folder and under that I have all my Lilypad kits. Most designers name their folders first with their names and then with the kit name, so designer goodies sort together. I also have all my preview files in the TLP folder, so I just search (view) through those until I find something that works and since all designers are together in the same folder, it just works so easily. I don't tag either, and if I need something specific, I'll either search for it in the store and then see if I have it in my stash, or else use the Windows search feature (like Timmi said, I might be missing some items this way, but most designers do use a descriptive name for their elements).
 
Oh, and I actually have a unused folder underneath TLP for those items that I still need to use. They don't get moved until I use them on a layout. I usually don't buy something unless I need it for a specific page, so they don't stay in that folder very long.
 
bbymks5 said:
I've been thinking about this lately; I'm a Windows user.

I have a main Lilypad folder, then I have a folder for each designer I have kits from, inside the designer folders I have a main folder for the kits and inside those folders I have a folder for elements and papers (I do like keeping the papers separate from the elements), if I have the journal cards I have a folder for those etc.

I also have a folder for Halloween kits and a folder for Christmas kits (again broken down by designer) that seems to make it easier to find like items.

I did create a Collab Folder as well to keep the large collab kits and the blog hop kits separate.

I don't use any programs to search or tag anything; when I'm making a layout I just use the search bar in the upper right corner of the folder and type in a keyword, I know I'm probably missing things this way since not everyone puts a "flower" etc in the file name so sometimes I need to rely on memory LOL
Click to expand...

Pretty much all of this, except I don't like my papers separate and I don't have theme folders for holidays.
 
I'm also a Windows user. On my C drive I have my main folder "Digi-Scrapping". Inside that folder I have folders for photo downloads, kits, layouts, and 4 other folders for photos.

Inside the "Dig Scrap Kits Most Used" folder I have a folder for each store that I have kits from. Any store that is no longer around but I still use kits has a z- in front of it so it sorts last. I also have a folder in here called "ZIP Files". After unzipping, I put the zip files in here (and, yes I have gone to this folder to find something).

The store folders have a folder for each designer that I have kits for. I also have a folder for collabs. Each designer folder has a folder for each kit. Everything except alphas are unzipped into this folder. The alphas are in a sub-folder. If a kit has been retired I put the z- in front of the name so it sorts last.

I use Picasa (no longer available) to view my photos and kits when scrapping. I just right click on the item and have it open in PSP. I have looked at using the PSP organizer but it wants to pull in every folder every single time and that just bogs down the program. I am a kit scrapper so this method works the best for me.

I also have this main folder backed up to the cloud and 3 EHD's. I also have on 2 of those EHD's, a folder for kits that I bought but no longer use on a consistent basis. And, I have gone to those kits recently to find something so I'm not getting rid of them yet. Picasa does not load these files into it when I open it so I view them using Windows.
 
I organise my kits by store, then designer, and then by kit. I also add 'xmas' or something to the folder title so i can search them later.
Ive just started a Preview folder. Make sure you rename the preview image if its called 'folder'. I have all my previews in one folder. Then when i want to scrap a page i look through my preview images to see what might work or kits that match. Its a good way to cycle through my kits and also to make sure kits get used a few times. Im also planning on adding an R to the name when its retired, so that i dont have to reorganise my files, i just have to check the preview folder. Some of my folders are a bit of a mess, but as long as i can search them up i can spend more time scrapping and less time filing!
 
First of all, please don't judge my shopping problem! (Yes, I had that problem before I became a CT) But, here you go. (Windows user)
My process:
Buy the kit. Open my Downloads folder. Unzip it there. Combine the pieces into one folder - all papers, elements, alphas, word art, etc into one folder. Fix name as needed (delete pp or ep, add BYOC/DD if needed). Then move it to the Designer Folder.

I have a folder on my hard drive called _Scrap Stuff. _ because it shows up first!
Then inside that is Store Folders.
Inside my TLP folder:
Screenshot 2018-01-01 14.50.52.png


TLP Collab is exactly that: Any Store Collab. Individual Collabs are stored in the Designer Folder.
TLP Month Kits: Memory Pockets Monthly, Create Crate, Mixed Media. The Add-ons by designers go in their folder, but the main kit goes here.
Retired Designers get an xRET in front of their name so they go to the bottom. I can still use their stuff, but it helps me remember it's not current for challenges.

Inside Pink Reptile's Folder. I combine all the kit pieces into one folder. If there's multiple alphas, I will leave 1 folder with the alpha inside the kit folder. But only one alpha? I'll drag the whole thing in one folder. Also, you can see Bakers Gonna Bake was BYOC so I added that to the end of the folder. Falala was Document December 2017, so I added that to the end. That way, I can just open my Lilypad folder and search BYOC 0717 and all the folders that match that will show up for me. I started this in 2017, so some of my older kits don't have this designation yet. I'm slowly getting those all added as I use the kit again.
Screenshot 2018-01-01 14.54.34.png


The last trick I use is to add an underscore _ to the beginning of the previews. Okay, 2 tricks. I also make sure the preview says "preview". Because I can search preview in Windows and they will show up for me. Sure, it takes awhile if I search the whole TLP folder! But I can, or I can search a designers folder for a specific designer challenge. And see the kits I have from them.
Screenshot 2018-01-01 14.53.26.png
 
I have a folder for my digital scrapbooking. This has sub folders that each have a number at the beginning so I can keep them in the order I prefer. 1 is the prefix for general stuff - actions/styles; classes; digital layouts; hero arts (stamps); hybrid (eg cut files); misc (some old fave basics from retired designers such as scribbles, stitches, masks), then prefixes 2-10 are for a particular store to keep my faves at the top rather than alphabetical order. Prefix 20 is for other stores I may have the odd item for. Prefix 90 is for retired designers. Prefix 100 is for templates.

Designers within each store have their own folder. When designers move from one store to another I just cut their folder from one store folder and paste to another. When a designer retires, they go into the Retired folder. If the designer comes out of retirement back into a store I simply add their folder back into a store folder.

When I download scrappy stuff it all goes direct into my downloads folders. I try to be good and deal with them straight away, but when I don't have time, they can stay there ready for me when I do.

I cut the zip files from the download folder and paste into the designer folder, unzip then delete out the zip files straight away. I will move all folders for the kit into the elements folder and rename the elements folder to kit. I like to open up a kit folder to see all the elements, but keep the alphas, cards and papers in their own folders within there.

I do not tag or organise any other way at all. I use the windows explorer search and it does a pretty good job of allowing me to identify items that will mix and match, as I will generally start off with a kit and then do a search to fill in for bits and pieces I want. I really can't imagine having the time or inclination to tag things at all.

ETA after reading Courtney's post my process is pretty similar. I also add in if things are from a byoc at the end of the folder name (eg byoc1217) so I can quickly pull up co-ordinating items in a search.

ETA again I also add in NIS (not in store, eg blog hop or other freebie) or RETIRED at the end of a product name - when I remember! - ready for MOC!
 
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I sit here and unzip as I buy...I know if I don't do it right then and there, I'll miss something because it's happened before LOL!!

I really should add BYOC to the file names, it would make it so much easier!
 
bbymks5 said:
I sit here and unzip as I buy...I know if I don't do it right then and there, I'll miss something because it's happened before LOL!!

I really should add BYOC to the file names, it would make it so much easier!
Click to expand...
I've learned I have to do it right away too. I am finding stuff I have bought and didn't even realize it and no clue where I put it.
 
bbymks5 said:
I sit here and unzip as I buy...I know if I don't do it right then and there, I'll miss something because it's happened before LOL!!

I really should add BYOC to the file names, it would make it so much easier!
Click to expand...
I need to do that. I'm bad at unzipping and organizing...
 
I am seriously sitting here unzipping and have been doing this literally for hours tonight. I'm also trying to go back and add which ones are DYD and BYOC and stuff. Totally should do that when I buy them!
 
gonewiththewind said:
Making a mental note that this would be a good thing to talk about at one of my Watch Cheryl Scrap Live sessions. :)
Click to expand...
I was actually thinking that last night watching you go through your kits in ACDSee. I've started using Bridge in a similar way but I am still searching and searching for things.
 
AnneofAlamo said:
I have a NEED to USE folder. ALL new things go in there. I do not file it UNTIL I use it! this pushes me to use.
Every BYOC time, I file the things I have used.
Click to expand...
This is SUCH a good idea! I horde kits and still have so many I haven't used yet. >_<
 
Kat said:
I was actually thinking that last night watching you go through your kits in ACDSee. I've started using Bridge in a similar way but I am still searching and searching for things.
Click to expand...
I want to use Bridge. Do you like it?
 
I have a main folder named TLP designers and in then each designer has their own folder. If I need something specific, I go to the store and search there and go back to my stash to see if I have it.
Kits that I haven't used are on my desktop until I use them - the only downfall there is if something were to happen and I'd lose them since they aren't backed up on an EHD at that point - but there aren't usually many I haven't used at one time.

I also have a folder for "TLP Pages Complete" (one for each year) and a "TLP WIP" (work in process). The WIP folder has all of the pages created saved before the layers are merged. I name my pages by the date they were created and the designer / kit name (1.1.18_BellaGypsy_LovelyDay)

It's fun to see how everyone organizes their digi-stash!
 
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