computer stash organisation

Hi Amber,

I have the Organized Expressions software and really like it. After I entered all the stash I had (time consuming) it has been very easy. When I get new stash, it has to be put in the program immediately. I like that I can easily look and see all the charts from one designer or all the charts in one category, etc. It really helps with not buying duplicates in threads, etc.

I had previously bought a program called Stash Can and didn't like it at all.

Organized Expressions was well worth the money!! IMHO

just me, Cathy from KY in CA

I used Organised Expressions several years ago. I just found that it is still in my computer; it is version 3.1. I liked it, and really don't know why I stopped using it. Probably when I dcided to put evrything in Excel.

I got Stash Can for Christmas, and really disliked it; it was so unwieldy.

Gillian

Question I have about these programs: sounds great for keeping track of what you have, but how do you remember to put something in when it's used up? Linda

Gil,

I agree, the Stash Can was too much trouble. If you registered your Organized Expressions when you purchased it...you get free up dates to download. She upgraded the Threads section a few months ago. You can go to the homepage and check it out.

just me, Cathy from KY in CA

There's also one for threads at

tend to prefer the the lns software best of the canned programs both for as-is features and their technical support. But everything I have tried, including the two mentioned above, has disappointed me in terms of keeping up with new colors from the needlework markets and such (and turn around time for adding new product lines has been horrid).

I'm much happier placing my inventory in spreadsheet programs (Excel, Lotus

1-2-3, Quattro Pro or even Works). Time spent concurrently setting up the inventory items and inputting amount on hand seems to be about the same as inputting items on hand into any of the commercial programs. Easier to have a file for different categories like fabric, threads, embellishments, pattern-specific supplies, etc. -- for example, you don't need fabric count and fabric contents columns for your DMC threads.

Anything that turns out to be difficult or time consuming with your custom files, just change your mind and do it another way. With the software programs, you have to hope the next upgrade takes care of.

But I also am very familiar with my spreadsheet programs including the database features for custom reporting like shopping lists and a lot of experience taking manufacturer's lists from websites or scanned forms and converting to spreadsheet without retyping.

(Okay, I learned to pull from the online lists when I worked for a shop--I finally nagged into getting permission to re-make labels when new colors came out for threads, for example the DMC drawers, and made them really BIG lettering and not in various crabbed handwritings on tiny price sticker size labels. Our average customer, and all of us, was in bifocals and it was appreciated. *sigh* shop closed before I got to the Kreinik spools in tiny fishing tackle box drawers -- but that was next, lol)

Does it allow you to print off your requirements for a pattern?

Eimear

Thanks for all the comments. I'm going to order it tomorrow, :-)

Amber (Pansy Pillow)

I just use excel - one book for fabrics, one for threads, etc.