My Rubber Stamp Storage

As most of you stampers know, storing stamps takes alot of space something most of us have very little of. This storage solution came from many sources and forums etc. Jennifer McGuire gave me the idea for the holders. She has since just changed her system. But that is what Crafty Storage is about, using methods that work for you and if they don't change to one that does. I just took and modified it to work for me.

This is not a project that can be done in a day. This did take me a few weeks and I prepared myself for that. Since I kept my stamps by type the first sort was easy.Sentiments, objects, birthdays etc. I then stamped each image on a 8 1/2 x 11 inch piece of cardstock. I then began to unmount my wood stamps by category. I put the stamps in the microwave for about 30 seconds. I then would remove the rubber from the wood and set aside.(There a numerous sites that can give you specific directions, just use a search engine and type unmounting wood stamps)

When I was done with the unmounting I used Alene's Tack over and over glue and put on the back of my unmounted stamps with a foam brush. I let them dry overnight then I used acrlyic sheets as a backing for the stamp. Then I used the Loose Leaf binder sheets from Office Depot to slide the sheets into. See below.



I then labeled each holder Objects 1, Objects 2, Sentiments 2, Sentiments 3, etc. This allows my system to grow because each new binder holder becomes the newest number and gets added the inventory notebook.

I then placed my stamped sheets into a notebook and used dividers to section them. I placed the stamped sheets in a sheet protector. I then used post its on the stamped images and then I counted how many object 1's I had and printed everything on the round labels that were made for the printer. I used a fun font. I then placed the round sticker on each image.






To keep my stamps sorted and organized I covered manilla file folders with decorative paper. I ran the tags thru my computer and then used my Nestabilities for the labels.

So when I get ready to stamp I pull out my Inventory Notebook and go to the category I need and I look at my choices and then I see the stamp is in Objects 2 then I pull the Objects 2 out and grab my stamp.

No more digging thru stamps. Easy peasy! Again remember that it was a long process but the results are so worth it. Please feel free to visit my blog

My Craft Studio

My studio is located in what use to be our dining room. It is the first thing you see as you enter the front door so I wanted the space to look neat and tidy.

My sewing area is made with an Ikea computer desk that I placed an Ikea tabletop on the top for the main section. The other section is connected to my work table with brackets. The Michaels cubes fit perfectly underneath. I also have other plastic storage underneath. The shelving hardware is from the Elfa system from the Container Store. The actual shelves were purchased from Lowes since they were much cheaper. The clear containers were purchased from Joanns at 50% off. The containers are categorized by thread type then by color. The white boxes are from Michaels and holds many sewing notions.

My work table is a table that is 4 feet by 2 feet and was purchased from a thrift store for ten bucks! The actual top is genuine butcher block. I placed a piece of glass taken from a desk I use to have. It makes clean-up easier and makes the table look better. I also love this table because it is counter height. The sorter was purchased at the swap meet for $10 and is perfect for my frequently used things. I hid all of my unsightly stuff underneath the table which I covered with a curtain I made. The material was purchased at Wal-Mart and used for curtains too.

The Michaels cubes are stacked with more shelving from Lowe’s. These shelves were about the cost of one of the cubes tabletops. So more bang for the buck. The paper storage was purchased from a friend for $40. She purchased the sorter from a scrapbook store that was going out of business. The sorter holds all of my patterned paper. The very bottom has a Dunn Edwards paint chip sorter that I bought from Habitat for Humanity for 5 books. When I first saw it I thought I would just use the sorter, but the paint chip samples make great paper for borders and punches.

The embellishment center has an old wooden cassette storage that I bought at the swap meet. I purchased the clear container boxes and store all of my embellishments by color. The plastic containers with the white tops were purchased from Smart & Final for about a dollar and some change.

The dresser was another swap meet find. I paid $25 for it and it holds lots of stuffs. I have 2 drawers that hold my Cricut cartridges and overlays. I use the top to display my glass jars. One of jars holds my ornaments that I use for wrapping gifts and one holds cheap embroidery thread that I was going to throw away and I thought it would make a great decoration.

The apparatus behind my table is a quilting machine that I inherited from my mom when she passed away last year. She was an avid quilter. I have since taken up quilting so since this machine at its smallest is 5 feet wide it took away valuable real estate. I also used bed risers to raise it up since my back tends to hurt if I don’t stand at counter height. So I decided to store things underneath and hide-it with a curtain. A simple tension rod and material from WalMart. I store all my rubber stamps in baskets and I will describe my stamp storage techniques in a near future post.

My cutting center is a drafting table I purchased for $50 at Joanns after a coupon. I love it because I have my QuiltCut2 cutting system on it as well as my Cricut. Since I like to stand I raised the table up with bed risers and this made a tremendous difference for my back when I am working on my cutting projects.

The gift wrapping center is a Christmas gift. It was on sale at Michaels for 50% off and I had a gift card so I paid $30 out of pocket. I have all of my gift wrapping supplies in it. The shelves above are also Elfa harware and the shelves are from Lowe’s.


The beige caddy holds some of my ribbon collection and was also bought at the swap meet for $5. It use to be a Deli stand the held salami. The other ribbon stand is made from a dowel purchased at Lowe’s and a piece of spare wood. I used a wood screw from the bottom up through the dowel.

If you have any questions, please feel to e-mail me.

Thanks for looking.

The Cuttlebug Challenge July 27, 2009

This weeks challenge was to show the inside of our cards. I have sometimes neglected the insides, but it is starting to become trendy to decorate the insides. I make alot of cards for work so everyone signs the card and makes remarks so I really can't decorate the insides like the outside.

This card was actually the inside of a card I did for the Taylored Expressions Cupcake Friday Challenge. Yahoo for working smarter this weekend. We have been having very warm temperatures so I can't be in the studio for long periods of time without breaking a sweat. The outside is actually cooler than out!

Thanks for looking.

TECC75 Challenge

This is the newest challenge from the Taylored Expressions Cupcake Friday Challenge. Good thing you don't have to use cupcakes cause I think shoes are just as yummy as cupcakes.

I paper pieced the stamped image, which I can't remember the maker of. I used DCWV cardstock and paper from Provocraft made for the Cricut. The ribbon was a gift and I don't know who it is by.

Anyway, I hope you like it.

The Cuttlebug Favorite Technique Challenge

Welcome to The Cuttlebug Spot Blog Hop! Our blog hop is sponsored by Kathe from Katz Designs.

Now hop on over to Marcelle at Stamping Thyme!

This week the challenge for the design team was to pick a technique previously done. I choose the double embossing for two reasons. First, I wasn't on the design team when previously done and second I really think it is neat. Please click here for Nilda's video. This video was great and I stopped and started it for each step. It was very helpful.

I stamped my Sweet Nellie image with Memento Tuxedo ink and colored her with my Copic Markers. I used the Hero Arts stamp for the sentiment. The papers used are unknown since I received these at a SWARM.

I am sorry that you really can't see the embossing, I am no photograhper LOL! You get the idea.

Mojo Monday Challenge

This is the first time I have participated in this challenge. You can see the fabulous cards here at Mojo Monday Blog.

I stamped this cute High Hopes little girl with Memento Tuexedo Black Ink. I colored her with my Copic markers.

I wonder where she got her watermelon because I cannot pick a good one. I have tried all of the tips and tricks and still find it's a crap shoot.

Cuttlebug Spot Challenge

Our challenge this week is to make a bag or box. This fit so easily on what I was doing for Easter. This bag is a template from Scor-Pal called the 2-4-6-8. It is so super easy and the results are great. I filled the box with the mini bags of jelly beans the tag reads:

The Jelly Bean Prayer

Red is for the Blood He Gave
Green is for the grass He made
Yellow is for the sun so bright
Orange is for the edge of night
Black is for the sins we made
Purple is for His hour of sorrow
Pink is for our new tomorrow

A bag of jelly beans colorful and sweet,
Is a prayer,
Is a promise,
Is a special treat

May the joy of Christ’s Resurrection fill your
Heart and bless your life

Hope your Birthday Rocks

This was a gift ensemble that I did for a guy at work. He always comes into my office for mints, so I recycled this Chinese take out box and filled it with mints. I used this guitar stamp form Safire Designs. The sentiment stamp is one from a birthday kit from Michaels. The paper is DCVW Glitter Stack. Ribbon is from the Fabric Barn in Long Beach.

Here are the close-ups.

Serendipty Challenge

Here is my entry for the Cuttlebug Spot Serendipty Challenge.

I stamped this High Hopes tea girl and colored her with my Copics. I used the airbrush system around the image and the green parts of the card. I did choose to be organized with the random patterned paper rather than tearing bits of paper.

My First Official Cuttlebug Spot Challenge

Here is my first entry for the Cuttlebug Spot.

I used speciality paper from Kelly Paper. I used the Textile Texture Cuttlebug embossing folder and my Nestabilities oval and scalloped dies. The beautiful ribbon is from the Fabric Barn. The names are computer generated.

Buttons Challenge for TCS

This card is for this weeks Cuttlebug Spot Challenge.

I used this darling image from Sweet Nellie Stamps. I colored the image with my Copic markers and of course used 2 different Cuttlebug folders. The buttons are vintage from my mom's button stash. She had so many buttons so I will need to try to use buttons on all of my cards. The paper is from DCWV and the polka dot ribboon is from Michaels.

In Honor of my Mom

My mother passed away the day after Thanksgiving. Black Friday has a new meaning to me now. My mom was diagosed with renal cancer in March 2008 and had surgery to remove her kidney, spleen and part of her pancreas. After undergoing surgery she went thru radiation and chemotherapy. September 2008 she had a follow-up and was then told the cancer spread to her liver and lungs. She was admitted to undergo a drastic form of treatment called IL2. This treatment required her to be hospitalized for this type of chemo. She then went into a coma and we were called since my brothers and I live in other states. She did come out of the coma and was sent home with hospice. Well her battle ended on November 28, 2008.

Above is the card that I made that I sent to everyone that showered my family and I with gifts of love, time, and money. This card was inspired from one of my favorite blogs Amazing Paper Grace.

Great News!!!

I have been selected to be a member of the Cuttlebugspot Design Team! This is my first design team and I can't wait for all the challenges. Here is my entry that was submitted for the design team try-outs!

Day 3 Gina K Designs

This is day 3 of items for Gina K Designs. I just love these Festive Labels. I use them in most of my gift giving. This item was actually inspired by Gina's own blog entry sometime ago. I gave this to a girl at work who was new to our department and I didn't know very well at the time. The jar is filled with gloves, lip gloss, nail polish and other diva needed necessities. It turned out to fit her to a tee!

RECIPE:

INK: Versafine red and black ink

ACCESSORIES: Jar from Target, ribbon, gift items.

I have arrived!

My entry was choosen for the JustRite Champion Weekly Challenge. You can get all the info here: Just Rite Champion. I feel like I just one an academey award! I just love these stamps, they suit every occassion.

Day 2 Gina K Designs

This is a card that I made for my mom's birthday. She just loved the sentiment! I just love the Tickle your funny bone from Gina K.


RECIPE:

STAMPS: Gina K Tickle your funny bone

INK: Brillance, chalk inks

PAPER: Michaels

ACCESSORIES: Ribbon from Michaels, Nestabilities oval, Prismacolor pencils

First Design Team Entry for Gina K

(Not)

Gina K is looking for new designers. I am very excited to submit my entries. I just love her stamps. They are the good ole fashioned red rubber! Nothing stamps like it. Of course you have to mount them on EZ Mount which kind of gives you the best of the acrylic and red rubber!

Any who, this is a hostess gift that I decided to do 5 minutes before we headed to a off-to-college celebration. I already had the girls gift and thought I should give mom and dad a little something too.

RECIPE:

STAMPS:Gina K Festive labels,Just Rite monogram

INK: Versafine

PAPER: Imagience

ACCESSORIES: Cellophane, black gross grain ribbon, silver cord

I just love the festive label set, they are great for every occasion.

Kraftin Kimmie Friday Sketch Challenge

I have had this Carousel Horse image from DOTS. I don't think they are in business. I had a DOTS home party back in 1995 and this was one of the stamps that I purchased!

RECIPE:

STAMP: Dots Carousel horse, Angel Company sentiment
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, Hobby Lobby pigment ink, Copic Markers
PAPER: Neehah Classic Crest, DCWV Stacks, Js cardstock
ACCESSORIES: buttons, silver cord, Janome sewing machine

Cute Card Thursday Challenge 21

I made this card for a challenge from Cute Card Thursday. The challenge was to using something found in a home. This image reminds me of a good old fashion farm and apple pie. You can't get more home than apple pie.

RECIPE:
STAMPS: Apple from Serendipity Stamps, Sentiment unknown, from some kit
INK: Memento Black Tuxedo
PAPER: Neehah Classic Crest White, DCWV yellow, and green from pre-made Michaels cards in a box.
ACCESSORIES: Copic markers, Dr. Ph Martins bleed proof white, ribbon unknown, apple die cut from Plantin Schoolbook cartridge (Expression), Cuttlebug swiss dots and circle embossing folders.

Frank Day

Frank in our office celebrates his company anniversary by giving us a pizza lunch yum yum. Well he scheduled his pizza lunch on a day that we had something else going on. So instead of today the actual anniversary date we will have pizza tomorrow. Anyway I thought it would be nice to make tags that everyone in the department will wear in honor of his anniversary. Then I decided to make something for his desk so I re purposed the Michaels find from Saturday which is a little metal thingy. It cost 39cents after 90% off! I used the same paper on it as I did the card.

RECIPE FOR METAL HOLDER:
STAMPS: Just Rite Monogram Desk set, Monogram font
INK: Versafine red and blue
PAPER: Cricut Rainbow and Provo Craft red
ACCESSORIES: Ribbon from Js and Fabric Barn in Long Beach, scallop from Mini Monograms Cricut Expression

RECIPE FOR CARD:
STAMPS:Just Rite Monogram Desk set, Monogram font
INK:Versafine red and blue
PAPER:Cricut Rainbow and Provo Craft red, Georgia Pacific, Sizzix stacks
ACCESSORIES:Cuttlebug swiss dot folder, scallops from Mini Monograms Cricut Expression


RECIPE FOR TAGS:
STAMPS:Just Rite Monogram Desk set, Monogram font
INK:Versafine red and blue
PAPER: Georgia Pacific and DCWV
ACCESSORIES: silver eyelets, crop-a-dile II