I cannot sort by colour because my scrap quilts are never ever controlled! The only rule I have is that I will not sew two pieces of the same or similar colour together. And that has also failed on occasion, when I'm putting blocks together. I cut 1.5, 2, 2.5 inch strips and squares. I also cut 3 inch squares to use in making 2.5 inch HST's. Some people would say that I am crazy for the 1.5 inch stuff, but I make a lot of totes and they are perfect for miniaturizing a pattern. I store them in clear plastic shoe boxes. I like that the boxes stack.
A good friend and fellow quilter gave me a great hint. I often draw out a block using graph paper, but also, often do not include the info as to where I saw the block or the name of the pattern if available. And I often end up with a piece of paper that I cannot decipher. My friend told me to take some scraps and make a sample block, then put it and the graphed pattern together for future reference. Genius!!!