I used to buy tons of old quilting magazines at garage/estate sales and antique shops. The patterns I liked were flagged at the top with those little colored flags. The magazines themselves were organized by title and date which I kept track of in Excel. I'd print the list out every time I added new magazines and I carried that around with me so I wouldn't buy the same one twice. But, the quantity of magazines became unruly! So, I started scanning the patterns I liked and then donating the intact magazines to the senior center. The scanned patterns are organized by themes (Christmas, 4th of July, Table Runners, baby quilts - however I would use the pattern). Those patterns which I think I'll use sometime soon I print out and keep in a folder. I still keep the Excel list updated.