Sunday, June 29, 2008

A Saturday well spent..........and a laugh


Stamp organizing.............


I am so happy at this morning, I finally completed a task I've had on my list for a few weeks. I spent the day and most of the evening yesterday organizing my acrylic stamps. I absolutely LOVE PaperTreyInk Stamps, as if you haven't already figured that one out. When the sets first started coming out in 2007 there we no labels except for a spine label to go on the CD holder. All of 2008 sets have beautiful labels showing you where to place the stamps in your holder. Last month they released labels for all of their 2007 stamp sets. I was so excited to get these; they are so helpful in putting your stamps back where they belong, being able to see if you are missing a stamp and enabling just a quick glance at the case for a project. Anyway, I spent yesterday putting all the labels on my 2007 collection, that was 31 sets for me. The spine label is clear and difficult for me to see so I came up the the ingenious idea to put a white label on the inside of the spine (see photo below).








This took a LOT of time but was well worth it. Now I am in the process of transferring all of my clear stamps to CD cases and labeling them. My other acrylic stamps, MSE, Autumn Laves, Technique Tuesday, don't come with labels so I made spine labels with my Dymo Label Maker and cut the plastic sheet they come on and taped to the inside cover (see photo below). I made a copy of my stamps on the copier with the black outline before cutting it up and have them in a binder with the number and name of the stamps coordinating with the CD case so now just a quick glance through the binder to find the stamp of my choice. I have a file drawer full on these stamps to go but excited that I am finally getting to organize my system.




and a laugh............My Shipping Department............

In the previous post I have some photos of my scrap room(s) and said I would be posting more, which I will, but thought I would go ahead and throw this one in for a good laugh. Everyone who knows me knows that I am addicted to products and take up every available square inch of our house for supplies. When I started selling some kits online and shipping them out I needed a "shipping area" for my supplies (boxes, tape, labels, bubble wrap, etc). Well, I was not giving up any of my scrap space for this so I found some unused space...................







I know, I am crazy. My son moved away from home so his bathroom goes completely unused......so why waste space. Behold, my Shipping Department was born. I can close the curtain and no one is the wiser ( I just pray for no water leaks). Just thought you might enjoy a little look into my maddness................and a good laugh ! Have a great weekend and I will be back on Monday with BLOG CANDY !

Thursday, June 19, 2008

My Scrap Space or Spaces

I have been wanting to post some photos of my scrap space but wanted to wait until it was completely organized. Well, that day, I have decided, is not going to happen. I will get one part organized and then I will mess up another area. I am already working on Christmas orders so I see no end in sight to stop and clean so here it is.......mess and all........
Room 1 (12x14)



1. Walking into my main craft area. My DH ripped up the carpet and installed hard wood floors, installed shelving, wooden blinds, lighting, counter tops, etc... He is sooooo good to me !



2. A closer look at my Island. My DH and I built this from an idea I had. We bought three separate units at Wal-Mart; a 4-cubed unit, a unit with a drawer and 2 cabinet doors, and a unit with 3 long drawers. I put them all together and flipped them upside down and anchored them together from the bottom with 2x4's. I installed 4 coasters so I could push it around the room depending on what I am doing. I then bought a piece of counter top and secured it to the top. Shazamm - an island.



3. A closer look at the top of my island. I try to protect the top when I am making frames and such with 22x34 quilting mat. Please excuse the mess, I was working on some frames this particular night.




4. Counter top work station with 23x17 Making Memories Mat. I have the capability to have 3 of these stations on this L-shaped counter top. I mounted it onto 4 rolling file cabinets and a bracket across the back against the wall. It measure 10 ft long with the L being 5 ft. I have 2 rolling office chairs that glide across the room. When my nephew who is 3 comes over, we race around the island in these, it's great to be a kid sometimes.



5. I wanted to separate my stickers from my rub-ons but ran out of room so I hung 2 curtain rods on the end of my island where 2 unit sides came together and hung my rub-ons by book rings. Sticker storage will be shown later on another post.




6. These are 2 book shelves as you enter the room. I used to have my 12x12 paper stored here but I am in the process of moving it to Room 2 (coming up ). Click on the photo to enlarge it and notice the old hat boxes on top, I love the look of them with my Comstock chipboard letter boxes from We are Memory Keepers. I also have 3 sets of drawers that have my stamping blocks, embossing powders, flock, etc. On the other side I have 6 clear boxes that holds my transparency's, titles, chipboard and die cuts from MME. There is a lot more stored on these shelves but I will be moving it all shortly into my other room.




7. My beloved PTI Shelf. Notice I am running out of room and getting ready to expand down a shelf when I finish moving my other paper. I put my ribbon on a tension rod above my paper so everything is easily accessible. The blue box holds my extra rolls of ribbon, inks, etc.





8. These are 6 CD shelfs from Big Lots. My ceilings are slanted so I like the extra height I gained by stacking 2. I store my Prima flowers, 6x6 and 4x6 paper pads, 7 Gypsies albums and other craft kits here. It is just the right size so that my closet door opens. You will have to stay tuned to see what is behind the closet.




9. This is behind the entry door to the room. I have a rack used in pantries where I house my Marvey punches and PTI stamps in their CD case. On the wall I have a rack that houses blank mini scrapbooks and kits as well as a little of everything else.





10. This is more ribbon stored on tension rods hung between the wall and the end of a entertainment center. It is neglected of late thanks to Nichole's beautiful ribbon selection.




11. I stole this from my DH's garage. I store my large brads, buttons, embellishments, etc. in here.


12. This is a spice rack attached to my peg board where I store my mini buttons and other attachments and a wooden crate where I store my ink pads. This is right above my work area so everything is within reach.






13. This is my son's old entertainment center that holds a little bit of everything. I use the large drawer to hold my wood mounted stamps ( that haven't been touched in over a year ), I use the TV area for my 4 white boxes from Target (similar to cropper hopper storage cubes). I have scrap paper, blank cards, various tools, punch strips for my Quickutz, .......in these units. The sides of the unit still houses some 12x12 paper kits, magazines and such.


Room 2 (10x12)

My DH again, remove the carpet, painted, and installed hard wood flooring for me ( I didn't even have to ask he just offered one day and did it all in a weekend).




14. One side of my paper racks. This is the 2nd best find of my life ( in terms of scrapbooking). I purchased these from a store that was moving and changing out their storage system. I received such a good bargain that I loaded my moms Escape with all that would fit, 6 total, and was tempted to go back for more. This is where I am in the process of moving all of my 12x2 paper to from the other room. This will make Room 1 looked less cluttered I hope.


15. The other side of my racks, there are 3 across and stacked 2 high. Five of the racks are for 12x12 and one for 8 1/2 x 11. I use the far corner rack for colored cardstock.





16. This is my BEST find! Again, it was a discard from another LSS that I was able to rescue, clean up and put to good use. I store all of my MME (My Mind's Eye) collection here. ( Don't forget I still have a few kits for sell, scroll down to previous post) . My DH came to my rescue again and helped me remove all the plastic holder and wash, dry and re-hang all 64 of them.





17. This was my first shelf unit when I stated scrapbooking. I have just purchased more Cubes from Target and Photo Boxes form Hobby Lobby and am in the process of moving some of my things from Room 1. Again, I am trying to achieve a less cluttered space. Yes, that is more ribbon (from QVC) that is waiting to be given it's proper home.






18. My son helped "set me up" with an awesome new computer and printer recently so I moved my old printer/copier in here next to the filing cabinet. My husband can now make copies without changing any of the settings or paper in my main printer. Next to it is 2 small racks that hold my Christmas Paper. I sell a lot of Christmas items and get started early therefore I like to keep this out year round and easily accessible.



That's it for now, hope you enjoyed the tour. When I get the rest a little more organized I'll be back with more...... peg boards, tool storage, overstock supplies, stickers, computer area, etc..............and yes, I know I have issues and have just a "slight" addiction to craft supplies. My life long dream is to open a store in my hometown some day; for now, I sell out of my home, at shows, parties, and some on the internet so I consider this a prelude to my dream. Please feel free to leave a comment or question about your favorite part or just to say hi and you enjoyed the tour.







Tuesday, June 10, 2008

RAK's, Flowers and a Card

I know this is a long post but please be patient, I have a lot of updating to do:

FIRST, let me start by apologizing for not saying thank you and posting the following RAK cards sooner. I have been very busy with the My Mind's Eye merchandise coming in. Sit back and enjoy the photos:

This was from my blog candy winner, Sandy Dayhoff. She said she saw the idea for the card on Dawn McVey's blog and Sandy actually used some of her winning kit for the stripe across the top of the card. Thanks, Sandy.

I received this card from Carrie Bohrer (Craft Crazy Carrie). I love the colors, brown and blue and my favorite. The coordination of this card was wonderful, the inside and the envelope were both inked and/or stamped to match. Carrie said the design for the card was from her Craft Crazy Sister Suzanne. Great Job !


I LOVE this card that I received from Katherine (Katie) Renz from My Paper Haven. I actually saw this card in the gallery and really admired it then to actually receive one put me on top of the world. The photo here and in the gallery does not do this card justice. The embossing on the Kraft cardstock is amazing and the color of yellow and pink with the Kraft is beautiful. The card is scored across the top and bottom of the front of the card. I am so going to CASE this card so I hope you don't mind Katie.



This is a Thank You card I received from my friend Niki Estes at mypapercreations.blogspot.com I so admire those brave enough to create their own pattered paper. This is a very cheerful card that added a bright spot to my day.




NEXT - A card I made. This was made for a friend of mine, Farrah, to send to her husband who has just returned to Iraq. He had just been home for 14 days to see his new darling daughter Colie Jean. She was born while he was in Iraq. The photo was taken the day he had to return and was at the airport saying goodbye. Farrah ask for me to make a Father's Day Card to send and I couldn't wait to break out my PapertreyInk Father Knows Best stamp set as well as to use my new PTI Kraft cardstock. I wanted something very personal from Colie so I decided to use a photo. I think he will love the card and can show off the photo to his pals.


(the photo is not very good quality so I will tell you the sentiment stamps I used were the "Happy FATHER'S DAY" and at the bottom of the card "you are my HERO", the inside sentiment was "any man can be a FATHER it takes someone special to be a DAD". )

And LAST just a few photos of my Lily's. The first photo is of the Lily's that my Dad started at their house and were a vibrant orange. Yes, I said orange. After his passing my mother separated them and gave all the kids some cuttings. Up until last year they always bloomed orange in my flower bed but this year to my surprise they bloomed yellow. The crimson red are 1 year old. I am beginning to wonder if Lily's are like hydrangea's and change color according to the soil content. If you have an answer to that please leave a comment. Anyway, just thought I would share some of my photo's, enjoy.