World Card Making Day 2018 - My Work Space

Hello my Inky Friends!  

Happy World Card Making Day 2018!!!

Challenge #1 - My Space

I am participating in a joint WCMD celebration today with Joy Clair Stamps.  They challenged us to post photos of our work space...  Normally I wouldn't do this because my space is a controlled chaos...I say controlled because it is contained in my room - LOL!!  Beyond that it's just plain artsy chaos.  

Here goes....(remember what your Mother said...if you can't say anything nice - LOL!!)

My work table...yes I know...

I told you controlled artsy chaos.

It doesn't all match, 

it's not fancy,

it's not a show place,

 expensive or exactly an organizational success

but it works for me.

I have tried to get rid of the piles but they always return...

I have given up on trying to eliminate them, 

I just try to keep them tidied up enough 

so they don't come crashing down around me ;)  LOL!!

This piece is one of my main storage/display cabinets. It holds a special place in my heart because it came from my grandma's house. It was in her old house, in the kitchen, when I was a little kid...brings back fond memories.  It has glass slide doors for the upper portion but I never put them in...I knew it was going to be full.

This is what I really wanted to show you - it's my new way to store my clear stamps. I got tired of trying to find more trays to hold them so I went this route.  It is a metal sock dryer that came with little spring clips (to hold the socks for drying).  I removed all of the clips (and saved them for a future project) (a.k.a. - pack rat) and hung it up so it swung freely and could be twirled around as needed.

I bought some bull nose clips with little hooks on amazon and clipped one to the top of each set of stamps...

Then I hung them all up on the rack!

It works like a charm and it's so easy to locate just the set I want.

I am so happy with the whole set up.

So there you go...

a rare peek into the creative chaos I call home!

Back To School - CS Artist Team Challenge

Back to School Time!  

That is the challenge for the Club Scrap Artist Team this month.  I must admit I'm VERY thankful not to have the stress and worry of sending my children back to school this year.  I hated seeing the summer come to an end and shipping the kids off to school that first morning back.  I cried each and every year clear up to their senior year.  Silly I know but I loved spending the extra time with the boys and I think they enjoyed it too. 

Well to help ring in the new school year we were asked to create items like organizational projects, planners, calendars, teacher gifts, etc.  I thought about it and decided to make a combo project...it's a little note holder with a desk top calendar - great for teacher gifts or really for anyone including yourself!

And here it is....

I used a wood sunflower button that I colored with Memento Markers as the prop to hold the calendar in display mode.

It's filled with cream note cards under the calendar.

The calendar folds flat if you don't need to see it all the time.

I started off with some Club Scrap book board pieces.

These were sized perfectly so I didn't have to do any cutting at all!

I covered the top of the note holder...

Glued the base together and covered it with a couple different papers.

Inked all of the edges with Spice Chai StazOn ink and

adhered the top to the base.

I then used the twisted twine included in the kit to give a bit of detail to the note holder.

I found a 2017 calendar page, trimmed and glued the top edge.

It was then affixed the calendar to the tent card for the top.

It makes a really fun gift idea for friends, family, teachers, etc. and can be personalized with any theme you can image.  Hope you enjoyed my project.

Your next stop on the hop is

Pam

and if you get lost along the way

the entire list can be found here...

Club Scrap Artist Team Challenge

Food Saver - Stamp Storage Alternative

Today I wanted to share a storage tip that I've been doing for a while now but just haven't thought to share it until I read a comment on FB about how expensive stamp, die-cut and stencil storage bags are.  For me, clear stamps are always a problem when it comes to storing them.  The cellophane packages that they come in tear easily and just don't last.

Several companies have come out with stamp storage envelopes that are to say the least pricey.   These ones are Simon Says Stamp storage envelopes which are 10.00 for 50.  It doesn't take long to rack up the $'s if you want to store many stamps/dies this way.

The other issue I have with these bags are that not all stamp sets are the same size... It's kind of a waste to use a big bag on smaller sets of stamps.

So, a while ago when I was replacing some of my page protectors I had a thought...  I removed these page protectors from my stamp binders because the holes were getting ready to break through...  If you don't have any used page protectors you can buy the cheap ones for like 12.00 - 200 on amazon  (that's where I get mine - I usually go for the 35.00 & free shipping deal).

So I decided to give something a try and it worked!  What did I do?  Well, to begin with I cut the PP along the binding side from top to bottom.

Then I pulled out my handy-dandy Food Saver...

I measured the page protector to fit my stamp set.

Closed the lid and hit the seal button!

And I had the beginnings of a brand new stamp envelope!

You need to make a second seal close to the first.  This allows you to use the rest of the page protector for a 2nd envelope.  Simply cut between the two seals to separate them.  I usually get 2 larger envelopes or anywhere from 3-6 smaller sized envelopes from a single page protector.

In no time at all you'll have loads of custom fit storage envelopes for virtually any tool in your stash - stamps, dies, stencils, etc.

Normally I don't use the flaps because I have my stamps stored upright in a shoe box sided container but if you want to seal the envelopes I have in the past used my ATG to run a strip of adhesive on the binding strip and used it as a re-sealable closure.

And now all my stamps are safe and sound in their very own custom sized stamp envelopes!  I have been using these for approx. 6 months and so far they have all held up very well.

So there you go - Quick and Easy storage envelopes for 

just a few cents!

Ott Light - Amazing Deal!!!

I've been busy cleaning my desk this afternoon after I got home from work today.  Why?  Because my 2 new OttLites arrived!!!  This is what they look like....

and you'll never guess what I paid for them.   

$12.99!!!!

How cool is that?!?!?  These are $45.00 lights - OttLite 15w Telescoping 360 Light (70.00 - 80.00 other places).

But I wanted to share where I got them....  Cleaners Supply  (while supplies last).  I don't know how many they have in stock but I'd hurry if I were you.  You're not likely to find a deal like this again any time soon.  I've been searching for YEARS for a good deal on OttLites but never bought any because they are always too expensive.  

I found these by chance - I was buying some thread for our business and when I hit the check out button - it came up on the - "You might like these items" page before taking me to the cart.  Well I sure do like it - AMAZING!!!!

Now I had enough stuff in my cart for free shipping so I can't say how much shipping will be but at that price it'd be worth it to buy several and share with friends.  They are just too amazing!!  And I've ordered from this place several times with great results.

BTW, I'm not getting paid to put this on my blog...it's just a great deal that I wanted to share.

Vintage Baby Bottle Sterilizer - Colored Pencil Organizer!

I know some people think I'm nuts because I like to organize things.  I think I've got a touch of CDO (OCD with the letters in alpha order) because there are just somethings that have to be a certain way.  I have to have my colors organized by ROY G BIV - paper, cloths, pens, etc., I have to have certain things alphabetized and there's a bunch more stuff but that's for another day...

Anyway, my oldest ds bought me the new Spectrum Noir colored pencils for Mother's Day...o.k....he doesn't know he did but he gave me some $'s and told me to buy what I wanted so I did - LOL!!  They arrived on Monday and I tell you what all of the colors in the sets were mixed up!  I know that's because each set was designed for a specific purpose but dang I opened them up and whew...drove me nuts so I knew I had to do something with em.

So, let's roll the clock back to last summer... Youngest DS, his fiance and I were at an auction that had all of this wicked cool old stuff.  In one of the boxes was a really great vintage wire baby bottle sterilizer...that still had some of the glass bottles in it!  Well, I knew I had to have it...not just because of that but they were selling in lots by that time and there was some really great junk in the lot ;)  So I bid and won ~ got the whole pile for $5.00 -  Yeah!!!  Fast forward to yesterday...I happened to think that it would be perfect to hold my pencils if I could figure out how to keep the pencils from falling out the bottom.

I worked on this last night and just finished it up a bit ago and I LOVE it!!!  It's now sittin' pretty on my shelf by my computer.

Here's what I did.  I used some foam that was from some "thing" I bought many years ago (don't throw anything good like that away - you'll need it someday!).  I had to cut it in two pieces for a couple reasons - one so it was easier to slip into the sterilizer and two because the foam I had only went a little more than half way across the organizer.    I traced the outside of the organizer on the foam then I traced along the inside as well to get my semi-circle.  Cut it out and it worked!  Bottom taken care of...

Next came the cup parts.  The wire was too low and let the pencils fall over so much I thought it would spill out easily so I dug through my packing material and came up with a few pieces of clear plastic.  I cut them to size, taped the ends together and made little circle inserts for each section.  You'll notice there are 2 that are cardboard....I ran out of packing material that was long enough so I'll be on the look out for some to replace the cardboard ones in the future.

I sorted all my pencils and it's done!

I love how nice it looks all for less than a $1.00!!!

Sure beats a 40.00 - 80.00 store bought organizer.

I have something special in store for tomorrow...

I have a way cool Steampunk Altered Trading Block project to share with you that was possible because of a great pairing of Altered Pages Design Team and the Artists on the Block blog!

Black Berry Designs #3 - Crackled Glass Organizer

I have another fun project using Black Berry Designs Tissue Paper Collage Images!

This is a fun way to recycle and create a fun organizer at the same time.  I am using a mayonnaise jar as the base for my project!  I know...do I keep everything?  pretty much - lol...  I am having a real issue though, I keep things to make stuff out of then I have the stuff I created too!   I'm considering opening a booth at a semi-local craft market...it's $50.00 a month ~ I'm not sure if it would be worth it or not.

Anyway, I'm rambling.... on to the project.

Crackled Glass Recycled Organizer

Supplies:

Mayonnaise or other glass jar
Tissue Collage Images
Rock Candy
Distress Stain
Embellishments

Instructions:

1. Wash and dry the jar so there are no oils from your skin on the jar.

2. Trim the desired images from your collage sheets.  I am using roses and vintage fans for this project.

3. Now using the Rock Candy as your glue, apply a coat of the RC to the area you will be placing the first image.   Press the image into the RC and smooth the tissue image out using your finger.  Yes, this is messy but it's the best way I've found to apply these images.

4. Apply any additional images on this side of the jar you desire. 

5.  After all images have been added to this side apply a second coat of the Rock Candy to this side of the jar.  Let it dry completely.

6. After the first portion of the jar has dried, rotate the jar and continue adding additional images and layers of Rock Candy until the entire jar has been covered with images.

Let it dry completely.  You can't really see the crackles all that much but just wait....

7.  Now pounce desired color of Distress Stain over the jar.  You'll notice that the crackle REALLY pops now!

Here is what my jar looks like at this point.....

8.  Finish the jar off by adding whatever extra embellishments you would like around the top of the jar.  I added a nifty beaded garland mom and I found in Shipshewana, a bit of ribbon, a vintage key and key hole.

And here it is.....  Filled with my vintage rulers.

And there you go...

another way cool way to use those tissue paper collage images!

Now, it's time for another give-a-way!

Go to the Floral & Foliage section and tell me what your favorite image(s) are....

Mine are any of the Vintage Cabbage Roses and DL201 the Pansies.

Just beautiful!

You will have until  6-6-12 to post your favorites to be entered to win one of 5 sets of Blackberry Design Collage Sheets!!

Good Luck Everyone!

Quick & Easy Organizing Tip - Distress Stain

Hi Everyone!!!

Happy Friday!!!!!!

I hope you've had a wonderful week so far and are preparing for a super weekend.  I spent yesterday (my b-day) with DH...we went and explored Grabill - a small amish community not far from Fort Wayne.  We checked out an Antique Mall where I found a goodie I'll share with you next month as well as an antique flower frog and a few vintage postcards which I will again share with you when the time is right :)  We also hit a vintage style general store, a bulk food store and Michaels (woo hoo!). 

Today I wanted to share a quick and easy way to help organize your Distress Stains.  I keep all of my stains in a couple of vintage game boxes that fits on a shelf right above my desk.  I love how accessible they are but it's a pain in the butt trying to find the color I want....  I have to lift each bottle up to see which color is which.  Not convenient at all so I decide to do something about it.

I cut out lots of little circles from some white labels I had laying around.  I used my 1/2" circle punch which fit perfectly on the lids!

I placed a label/circle on each lid; removed the lid from the bottle and inked it up!

And now at a glance I can choose just the right color....

You could put the color initials on each label as well but I go more by color than name so I skipped that step.

Now I don't have to waste anymore time trying to figure out which bottle of ink I need.

I have to tell you I have started using the Distress Stains for watercoloring my images instead of the Distress Ink Pads.  I find that using the stains instead of the pads is so much quicker and easier.  I either dab my Niji Waterbrush on the DS dabber or pounce a small pool out on my non-stick craft mat if I'm needing larger amounts of ink.

It's my new favorite way to color stamped images!

Stamp Organization

Lots of people asked to see how I was storing my stamps in the binders I shared yesterday so I thought I would share how I store all of my stamps.  The um rubber stamps are all stored on Stampers Best Cling Storage Cards.  I have stamps on both sides of these cards.

I am sorting stamps by mfg. ~ I keep all of my sets together in one section, singles in another....

Border stamps and background sets at the back of the binder.

I store all of my kit stamps sorted by month in month order.

And yes, I even store my clear stamps this way as well.  Those are also sorted by mfg.  I have an entire binder of Inkadinkado and one for Autumn Leaves.  The rest of the clear stamps I have are still sorted by mfg but they are in alpha order together in the rest of the binders. 

All of my clear stamps are stored on Alluring Impressions Stamp n' Stash Storage Sheets.  I have stamps on one side only so that when I hold the page up I can tell what each stamp is (see photo below).

And I mentioned that I was starting to make these tag books for some of my stamps. 

I am also doing something a bit different with some of my other stamps.  If you're lucky you get a index sheet with some stamps.  I have been storing these index sheets in their original packaging on book rings.  This is an instant catalogue of stamps!  

These are my Stampers Best set....

And here is my Artistic Outpost set of indexed images!

Of course I do still have some stamps I can't bring myself to unmount.  I have all of my older TH stamps still on the wood as well as B-Line Designs; Judikins; Stampington & Co and a few others. 

 They are all stored in shoeboxes by mfg.

So there you go....

Now, how do you store yours????