Filing our designs really comes down to personal preference. Yes, the basic core is the same but everyone thinks and visualizes a bit different. Under my basic file of animals, I've added new folders as needed thru the years but I don't separate funny & realistic. I have all the big cats in one category (lions, tigers (oh my!), ceetah... in one folder. Probably because I don't use them too often. Now applique is totally different. Lots of subfolders. One is Marie's from My Embroidery Haven. She's given tons of free applique's to her Yahoo group and those are all in one folder. I will also put the same design in different folders, especially if it is a design I think I will use. I keep my purchased designs in a separate folder than my freebies. I also have separate folders and subfolders for some of my different forums that I belong too. I do need to start mergering some of those though. I also have a folder that I put designs that I am considering on using for project-in-the-planning or use on a regular basis. I make lots of baby projects so most of my favorites are in there. If I'm making baby projects for a friend Mary, I label the folder Mary - baby. It makes it easy to find the designs I picked out or edited for her & the baby.

Lori

Karen, I didn't add my two cents worth yesterday, cause I thought you had plenty, but I'll put mine in today. hehehe... Someone made a comment to me a few weeks ago (might be months now.LOL) that they separate their ABC's individually, I hadn't thought of that, but I started doing that and it really is sooo much easier, cause I can compare different fonts of the same letter and choose which one I like best, instead of having to go to individual folders for the same letter. Does this make sense? That's my two. hahaha...I think keeping the files and folders is an ongoing way of life for the embroiderer. :)