I'm such a pack rat for books, fabric, tools, magazines. I can't bear to throw anything away. I keep all my magazines in a bookcase with holders I bought at the dollar store. I've labeled each holder with the mag. titles and date range.
Then I set up an Excel Spreadsheet. Each subscription gets it's own spreadsheet page. I go through each magazine and list the date/issue number, title of quilt pattern, basic block or construction information, then one comment column-in red print-stating if it's something I may want to try.
I've used that index so many times when I am looking for a particular block I want to try or a pattern I want to do. It has saved me a lot of time searching for just the right one.
Okay, I know, it's obsessive/compulsive behavior, but I'm such a nut for organization. But it works!!!
(ps. I've done the same for all my books.)