Lucky find at Marshalls!

Hello,
I am enjoying my summer. I love the three days weekends. (yes, I am teaching summer school again...uuggh) BUT! I am determined to get some crafting done! I decided that I was getting a bit disorganized, and I needed to cut white card panels and have them on hand ready to go. I needed a container of course? What do I store them in?

Jennifer McGuire recommended more clear storage bins. Why not run to Marshalls, and take a look around!  I may just find the perfect thing?! Well, I did! Take a look!

I found what I think was a storage container for the cupboard for gravy packets. It fits perfectly for card bases....three different sizes too! I used red cardstock to separate my watercolor paper from my Neenah Solar white cardstock. Then I cut thick craft dividers a bit taller so I can label each size. 

In my head, the back section is the card base size. The middle section is the dark mat size. and the front section is the light panel size. A majority of the cards I create are A2 size. I do other sizes once in a while, square mostly, but I try to stick with A2.

I am switching my storage from this way. Man, that was 2014?! Time flies in the craft room!

I may have to run back and purchase another one for my birthday and sentiment panels for the inside of the card. hmmmm. It was only $5.99!

Thanks for stopping by, I would love a comment! It would make my day!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!
My husband asked what I would like for Christmas this year. Before I could answer, he walked me to my craft room and said "I'm building you a craft bench. No more folding and card tables for you!" and walked away. And that is exactly what he did! Take a look:

These are actually 2 pieces connected together. Each are on wheels and can be re-arranged as my needs grow or change. Mark did mention that they could be work benches for him down the road. (I don't think so, buddy! lol)

I love all this space. I had a bit of trouble using the drawers and cupboards to their fullest. They are really deep, and crafting supplies are in many multiple shallow containers. I am still playing with my storage. I love that my CPU is hidden in the far left cupboard, and he even mounted my monitor on the wall!  More to come!

Sick of the clutter!

Hey Everyone!

As I mentioned in my last post, I am on spring break. All my co-teachers are enjoying the beach, traveling, visiting family. What am I doing? I am SPRING CLEANING! 

I am so tired of trying to find what I am looking for, or re-buying food that I already have simply because it was buried in the back of the cupboards or the pantry.  

With the end vision in mind, I emptied out the entire pantry, and washed it all down. Then I lined the wire racks with thick sheets of white ruling mechanical board that a friend gave me a stack of. Last, I wrote down the measurements of the pantry (and while I'm at it) both fridge and freezer.

Then off shopping I went! (love this part). I went to two different dollar stores, Walmart, Lowe's and last Hobby Lobby. I found the perfect containers at Walmart and Hobby Lobby. Take a look:

 

Thank goodness the containers at Hobby Lobby were 40% off, or I would have walked on by. I love that store, but the prices are so high. Reorganizing the pantry, the fridge and freezer cost a total of $140.00.

Well, yes that is a lot of money for re-organization, but I will have them forever, and the peace of mind that I am not a total slob at my age, and that I have begun to simplify my surroundings for the long haul!

Leave a comment, I would love to inspire you to do some spring cleaning too!

Frugal Storage for Embossing powders

Hello Friends,
This weekend, I was bound and determined to get organized so that I could produce some Holiday cards! As I was cleaning my workspace, there was embossing powder EVERYWHERE! I then thought "I need a dedicated space for embossing AWAY from my workspace", so that I won't get powder all over it again.

Then I remembered a blog entry I came across from Jennifer McGuire. I loved her idea and storage method, but I thought I could go smaller and cheaper. Click here for her storage method.

Then I ran across this blog entry. I loved her small containers. I evened owned some of those green lid containers. I knew how expensive they were, and how difficult it is to take the tops off without spilling the contents. uggghhh.

So, off to the dollar store I went. Here is what I found!

Sterilite  1969 Clear

Perfect for my powders!

Six for a dollar each!

They were a dollar each and the tops are snapped on with the handles. I also found these:

Bag of spoons for a buck!

Pack of regular spoons for a dollar. I knew they were too long for the containers. I thought I could snap the handle in half, or cut them to make them shorter. I liked the idea of velcro rather than the expensive clips that Jennifer used. Again, a dollar.

Velcro to adhere the spoon to the underside of each lid

six containers, six spoons

Here is the final product:

Velcro holds the spoon to the underside of the lid

finished product!

I was excited to show this frugal way to store your embossing powders. This set of 6 colors cost me a total of $8.00. I think I may have to go back and pick up 6 more containers.....hmmm.

Pre-Cut Card Layers & Original Storage Boxes

Hello Everyone!

I was in the mood tonight, not to make cards, but to make card-making faster, and more efficient. I searched on google for one question:  "if pre-cutting white and black cardstock was smart, and if it was a good idea, to what size?" I don't have TONS of high quality cardstock to cut and store, but I have a little bit I can use to see if it will make my creative process a bit faster.

I went online onto Splitcoaststampers.com and in a forum. I found a discussion thread about whether most stampers indeed pre-cut their layers. in general, more stampers said "no" than "yes".  phooey. That did not discourage me. I am used to not finding what I am looking for right away. I make my own path sometimes.  :)

After that, I decided I was going to pre-cut a dark mat size that was quarter inch smaller than the card base size on each side, and then the next layer would be a quarter inch smaller than the mat. This layer would be my Neenah Solar white cardstock.

The next question became: "How do I store small amounts of pre-cut cardstock of different sizes, without having the paper warp or bend?" and "I have to have them labeled so not to get them mixed up" Again, google offered no information on this topic that I was impressed with.

So.....I created my own to share. (I am very good at making my own...lol) Take a look below:

 I created two to begin with with the sizes posted on the front. I was afraid with the small box full, the container might topple over, so I glued it to a base. The finished box is 5.5" by 1.25" by 2.5".

 This is a side view of the box with the base to keep it from toppling over.  :) I wanted to create one more to hold the preprinted sentiments that I run through my laser printer for the inside of my birthday cards. I decided I would so you step-by-step how I created it.

 The finished box is small. I cut a piece of thicker cardboard (like cereal box thickness) and I cut it to 10.5 inches by 6.25 inches.

 I scored this cardboard at 2.5 inches on all four sides using my Martha Steward scoring board.

 I cut up on the short sides and folded all the score lines

 I used my ATG tape gun on all four corners. This will ensure that it does not fall apart.

 Bring up the four corners and glue the box together

 Don't forget the piece of cardboard to keep it from toppling over!

 I took some pretty pink flower patterned paper and printed labels for the front of the storage box.

 The label fits perfectly on the front of the storage container.

 Here is a picture of all three containers. The first box on the left is the traditional 1/4 inch smaller layers. Numbered 1,2, and 3.The second box skips a layer (hence the gap) the next layer is 1/2 inch smaller layer. Numbered 1,3, and 4.

 The third box holds regular 20# copy paper pieces that have birthday sentiments in it (in the back) the front ones are the small message size that are blank.

Here are all three pictured together. I am so impressed with my little creations. Now-  I need to decide if I want to pre-cut other color cardstock in addition to black and white. (decisions, decisions). I already have a container FULL of card bases in ALL sorts of colors. I only make A2 sized cards. I rarely make other sizes. I will let you know if I am pleased with my pre-cut layers and if it made me a bit more efficient! :)

Frugal Storage tip: Storage of clear stamps!

How do you store your clear stamps? I have a penny-free way to store you stamps without spending a dime!
I purchased two new stamps.

 The clear plastic sleeve that each stamp comes in is the key. The glory of modesty stamp comes in the sleeve with a hang hole at the top, the free flight stamp does not. Both will work. Take the stamp and the thin cardboard sheet out of the wrapper. Grab a pair of scissors and cut off the hang hole above the crimp mark. This is the bottom of your pocket. 

Open the top of the sleeve, and cut off the fold to make the opening of the pocket. Slip your cardboard and stamp back into the pocket, and store them upright within easy reach and poof, you have a easy storage solution that did not cost a penny!

 I store mine in a little wooden box. I am quickly outgrowing it.  :) I love having them at arm's reach, and pulling them out of the sleeves helps to clean up quickly!

Featured: Organizing blending pads - follow-up!

Hello Everyone,
     I have several comments asking for dimensions and how-to's on my blending pad books. Click here for the first post. I have put together a few pictures to help you create your own!

Steps: I was given a few large pieces of black poster board from a teacher. I am not sure the thickness, but it was very rigid, not like science project poster board. Mine was thick enough that you cannot curl or bend it. I am sure you can find it in a craft store, any color will do, you will cover it with your favorite patterned paper anyway.

I cut the sheet down to 20 inches long, and 10 inches wide. The spine is  2 inches wide. I marked the spine with pencil from the left side at 9 inches and again at 11 inches.

With a ruler and a exact-o knife, I cut on each of the lines, but I DID NOT CUT all the way through. This creates a hinge. (I fortified the cuts with clear packing tape because I knew the cardboard will be weak since I cut almost all the way through.) Your pencil marks are now on the outside.

For my stampin' up book, because there are so many colors, I needed to add a page in the center on the spine. I took another piece of poster board and cut it 8 3/4 by 10 inches. I scored it 3/4 inches in on the left to make a hinge again and taped it onto the spine as seen below. I used clear packing tape on both sides. This page is NEVER coming loose!!  (lol)

I decorated the outside first with some designer paper from SU! and wrapped the paper around the edges into the inside of the book. Once the outside was finished I used some sparkly silver paper on the left inside, right inside and a smaller piece for the spine. 

 I am sure you think the ink will transfer from one pad to another, honestly, the spine is wide enough they don't even touch each other. I have not had an issue. I really love this project. I don't dread searching for the correct pad anymore, and I don't have to worry about smearing the wrong color on my current card. It also shows me which colors I use the most, and which colors I shy away from. I left space on the last page for additional colors and growth! I have used a label maker to add additional colors. I hope this has helped! Enjoy, feel free to ask me any questions, I will be sure to answer you!

Featured: Craft Room Highlights from Cindy II

Welcome to Part 2,
 As I mentioned in part one, (you can click here to take a look) I am showing highlights of my craft space. Much of my craft space is not that exciting, but I believe I have a few highlights that may get you thinking.

I had a terrible time trying to store all my punches. I am a very frugal crafter, but I bought out another crafter and gained all of her punches at a great price. But how to store them?

I found my solution at Ross. Take a look.

These are actually hanging shoe storage, (left) and jewelery (right). I placed the stampin' up punches in the left one (front and back) Man, is it heavy! and the smaller other company punches in the right one. The back is empty.  Room for more punches to come, right? :)

Featured: Craft Room Highlights from Cindy I

     I was thinking of creating a full post displaying my entire craft room. (Everyone does it right?) But my craft room is really not spectacular, with the exception of a few highlights. So I thought I could just include a picture or two of the highlights of my craft room that I think are very handy and may be useful to you!

Here is my first one:

With the use of nails (four total) I can hang up my most used tools. Now they are off my desk and easily accessible.

      My ink pads I wanted on the wall also. With the help of my husband, he mounted an old cassette storage system and I slid all my ink pads into the slots. If you notice carefully, the bottom row had the horizontal grid piece is missing. I did that purposely so I could fit odd sized pads also.

I sanded down and painted a wooden cassette holder to create an ink pad storage unit.
The only pads that don't fit are distress inks and minis which I store on top of the unit.

     I have one or two more highlights coming. I wish I could afford to have one of the more beautiful craft room, but alas I don't. To be honest, I appreciate all the space I have, and would rather invest my money in stamps and tools rather than expensive cupboards and elaborate storage systems. I guess I am more frugal than others. Enjoy, leave a comment if you felt this was helpful to you! It would make my day!

Featured File: SU! Inks Excel spreadsheet

Hey Everyone,
As I stated before, I am new to the blog world. I am testing to see if I can share a document with you through my blog. In this post, I am inserting a few ways to obtain the file, and see which method works best. Please bear with me.

What am I sharing you ask? I created a list of EVERY Stampin up color, retired to current. I couldn't locate one online that I could manipulate. (they were all .PDF's). I attempted to add which collection each color belongs. This proved to be challenging because Stampin' up changed their collection names a bit at one point. Not only that, but the collection the color fits in seems to change depending on who you ask!?! lol. Long story short, the list is most likely not 100% correct. But it is a good start.

My sheet has all the colors I own at the top, but if you alphabetize them again, they will be all the colors.  Again, if I went to all this trouble to create it, maybe it can help you! Here is a preview of the excel spreadsheet below:

1.  Try this link to see if you can obtain it: Can I upload an excel sheet?

2.  Try this one to see if you can obtain it:  http://www.mediafire.com/edit/?5haaag8apb69dkjmeln6lo43wxfdiv8

Featured: Organizing blending pads!

Happy Friday everyone! Happy Memorial Day Weekend,

     I am very pleased with myself and this item I envisioned, designed and put together. It took me about three weekends to get enough time to complete it, but it was well worth it! I am excited to share it with you. Maybe you were looking for this idea as well...

     I looked all over blog-land, pinterest, websites, stores and everything in between for ideas to store blending pads. I was not impressed by anything. I knew I didn't want a three ring binder, or a container full of random colored pads. I wanted them easily accessible and labeled with the colors I currently owned, with room for more colors as my collection grew.

    A while back, Jo-ann Fabrics.com had a 5¢ shipping sale, and the blending pads were on sale too. (4.99 down to 2.99) I purchased 7 packs.  Yup...seven packs with ten pads in each...do the math...70 pads.

     I wanted to have enough for the 51 stampin up pads I have, the 12 distress pads, and a few for the other multi-colored pads that I use for blending. Not to mention room to grow...

PROJECT STEPS:

     I started my project by designing a four by four grid in Microsoft word. Then printed twelve of them on neenah cardstock and ran them through a heavy-duty laminater.

     On top of the lamination, I placed small rectangles of commercial grade Velcro that I found in the sewing department of Joann's. Using my coupon, I got three feet for less than $5. Of course, don't use the loops half, stash that away for another project.

      Then I downloaded and printed out the stampin' up labels, cut them apart and placed them alphabetically in order on four sheets. Be careful, I learned the hard way that tape is preferred over glue with the labels. The glue actually discolored the labels because it couldn't soak into the lamination. I had to peel them all off and print them out a second time and adhere them with clear scotch tape.

     I created a binder (not three ring) using a large sheet of cardboard (like science board) and decorated it with Stampin' up paper. I inserted an additional page in the middle and duck taped it in. (see photos)

     As you can see from the above photo. the bottom corner has my first blending pad on it. Each page hold 16 colors, 4 pages...do the math....64 colors! That is more than the 51 colors I currently own. I know, I know, stampin up just released their new colors. I JUST ordered the new catalog today. I can't wait to see it!

Here is an added photo of it full of pads. I placed a new pad for each color. The velcro works like a charm! 

     I have one more binder to create. I need binder to hold all my distress inks, and all the multicolored pads I own. I will be sure to add those photos too. I also re-organized my metal dies, and my acrylic stamp sets too, with minimal amounts of money invested. I will share those in my blog this weekend too. Check back soon!

****I have added details, and how-to's on this project. If you would like to make your own, click here.***