Organizing Collage Images

[mpizzazz]

Since I've been cutting out a lot of images from magazines, I'm wondering how you all organize them (if you do). Right now I have them thrown into a big shallow box and rummage through looking when I want something. I'm thinking of sorting them into general themes and keeping in folders, I don't know, any suggestions??

[ChristyB]

It depends
I use ziploc bags for some--break them down into words, clothing, nature etc. You can squeeze all the air out so they lay flat. Larger images or whole sheets that I rip from magazines I organize in one of those expandable file holders that have several openings (like large coupon organizer)
For collage sheets that I have bought or been given I use a 3 ring binder with page protectors. Each sheet gets a page and I can just leaf through when I want.

[Ruth Ann Landry]

you mean we were supposed to organize those, too??? bwahahah....I have some in an expandable plastic envelope like I keep my monthly kits in....and some in a three drawer tupperware-like container, some in a bag on the bed (my latest acquisitions), some in the envelopes they came in (PIF), some are in a little pile on my scrap table, and some are in the container where I throw experiments, BB technique ATCs....well, you get the picture.....

[ChristyB]

On the flip side I do have this laying out.

[Ruth Ann Landry]

ok, that's more like it...

[ChristyB]

notice I even have some naked barbies lying out

[Monica]

notice I even have some naked barbies lying out

Anatomy lessons?? ROFL!

Monica

[n8tvtexan]

you mean we were supposed to organize those, too??? bwahahah....

That was my EXACT Thought!!!!! My images are all in a plastic bin, waiting to be used. My PIF items received are still in their envelopes too. (well the ones I havent used yet are anyway.)

[EDelValle]

More inspiration in one place if
you just keep them all together
unless you're looking for something in
particular, then that can be frustrating

[Luanne]

When I have full collage sheets I keep the 'master' in 3 ring binders, and make copies at Kinkos. I keep those behind the master. For agazine images, I keep them in a shoebox, no order. I do take them out and mix them up every once in a while, or I just pull from the top and forget about the bottom ones.

Absolutely no order to them.

[mpizzazz]

Yes, there are good points to what Elizabeth and Luanne say. So many times serendipity plays a big part in what I use on a layout or card but stuff is still sorted by color for that.
But I'm finding all the images to be frustrating. I have divided them loosely into several general themes. I can always throw them back into the big box if sorted doesn't work.

Thanks!

[Luanne]

In that case:

People
Animals
food
flowers
buildings
other

[mpizzazz]

That's about right, Luanne. So far I have:

People-I only have 3-guess I don't like people much!
Animals
Asian
Sculptural/architectural
Flowers
Land/seascapes
Background Textures
Maps
Text
Music
Art Reproductions
Black and White sketches from Gourmet magazines-a lot of the magazines were old Gourmets and back then they illustrated the pages with great little sketches mostly in black and white.
Color sketches from Gourmet magazine
Other small Focal points

[Holly]

My pifs are in a bin too, although they now have become rather mixed, I would have a very hard time trying to remember who sent what.