I answered you question in more detail but got kicked off when I submitted the answer. short version. Use the computer just like a file cabinet in ABC order. Ther may be folders inside others. Ex. Main folder: Christmas, inside may have FSL ornaments, fabric ornaments, Nativity, santa & etc. Hard copies in notebooks with same titles.

all my organising into different categories of designs are on the pc some backed up to cd I need to spend some time to transfer everything Jo

I have binders with my printouts. They are in categories (birds, animals, floral, children, miscellaneous, lace, etc., etc.). The more caetgorise, the less I have to search - I reach for that binder. I have dividers to seperate sections.

My project instructions are in a separate binder labelled as such. I keep important info in that binder too - like tips in placement for monograms, stabilizer comparisons and uses, etc.

Finally, my templates are kept together in a "page protector". I have written on the back of them what pattern they are (name and #). On my test pattern sheet I have made a note that template is available for that design. (My mom stores her templates behind her printed papers in the page protector in her binders...)

Hope that helps! What ever system you come up with - YOU have to like it since you are the one using it. :) Good luck!

I use binders for my printouts. In catagories such as animals, birds, children designs lace etc. My projects are in a separate binder and my designs are catagorized in Buzz Tools - alphas, animals Christmas, etc. all have sub catagories and my back up is on an external hard drive. It took awhile to set it up but it was well worth it for me Now I do not have to search very far to find what I need. Good luck