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! :)

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.***

New Creation: Ribbon storage!

I am so excited!
I was in need of a method of storing all my ribbon. The boxes were just not working. I went online and saw this. I wanted it SO badly, until I looked at the price and shipping. I kept looking. I ran into this post and this one. I had a handy husband, and thought "Why can't we build this?" SO......we did!

It came out to be a different size than the one in the post, but these dimensions allowed us to build two. They came out to 20" by 24". The second one I am going to see if I need it. If not, I think we will sell it to off-set the cost.

I just love the way it came out, and all my ribbon fits perfectly! I think we will be more apt to build the next piece of furniture I need .......  soon....Thank you honey! You are the best!  :)