Getting Organized

Getting Organized

It's great fun to spend time crafting and creating.  Every once in awhile, though, I have to take a deep breath and re-organize things in my craft room.

After two years as a CTMH consultant, I have collected almost 200 stamp sets.  It was becoming nearly impossible to locate "that stamp with the wedding bells" or "lighthouses" or "Sorry for your loss" sentiments or... you name it.  I spent more time pawing through my large organizers looking for things than I spent making things!  SO, I took several days and organized my STAMPS.

Excel Spreadsheet

This Excel spreadsheet catalogues stamps by number, title, description of each stamp, how many (yes, maybe I'm the only one who does it, but I wind up with duplicates because I forget what I have and buy another one) and whether there is a complimentary Cricut cartridge.  Using the spreadsheet, I can search by item or phrase ("Christmas", "Congratulations", "Happy Birthday", "cake", heart") to locate the stamps that most closely match what I want to portray.

Stamp set with project example

 Next, I went through old catalogues and found examples of how the stamp set can be used.  Having a picture on the FRONT of the stamp envelope allows me to file the stamps by catalogue number, rather than by event, season, holiday or other designation which might not come to mind when searching for a specific stamp.

Large Organizer with stamp sets

As I catalogued the stamp sets, I filled CTMH large organizers (Z1834) with them.  A and B sets in one, C and D sets in one, 2012-2013 Stamp of the Month (SOTM) in one, 2014-15 SOTM and Cricut cartridge stamps in the last 2 organizers.  I didn't label the organizers since I may have to change them out later.

Slide out cabinet drawer with organizers

Finally, I put 4 of the 5 organizers in the slide out drawer of my lower cabinet - they fit perfectly!  Since the lower slide out drawer holds my Cricut machine and cartridges, there is no room for the fifth organizer - it's on the floor.  One step at a time, right?

Perhaps this will energize you to get organized with your stamps.  It certainly makes it easier to find what I need without going through all my stamps.

Thanks for looking and keep enjoying summer!

Blessings,

II Corinthians 4:15-18

Summer Birthdays

Happy Birthday!

Summer birthdays are always fun.  this year I made cards for the grandchildren using my Cricut machine with "Tinkerbell and Friends" and "Cars" cartridge layers.  I made two of each card so I have a "spare".  Using my Gypsy to lay out the different layers, I was able to get many of them on to one 12"x12" Cricut cutting mat.

Ready to cut Tinkerbell layers!

Oops - can you tell which one is "cross-eyed"?

Love the little Teddy Bear!

The inside sentiment is CTMH "Teddy Bear Birthday" (A1143)

Happy summer time to everyone.  Hope you enjoy this project.  If you have any questions, drop me a note.


 
Matthew 7:1-12

Remains of the Day, Part 2

Father's Day 2014

Last week I showed you a birthday card and two inspirational cards made with remains of an Ivy Lane project I did for Mother's Day.  Now Father's Day is upon us and here are some more examples of how to use leftover papers and embellishments for great looking cards.

Supplies needed:

Ivy Lane Papers (X7178B)
Colonial White Cards (X1410)
Ink - Chocolate (Z2111)
"Perfect Fit Dad Holiday" Stamp (C1542)
"You've Got A Friend" May 2014 SOTM (retired)
Copic markers Y19 (Napoli Yellow) and B18 (Lapis Lazuli)
3D Foam
Cricut Artiste Cartridge (Z1790) for moustache outline (optional, p. 67; I just cut them freehand)

Hm-m-m-m, how to arrange the papers?

Here are four cards of the same general design (finally, after some lip chewing and arranging papers) with a couple of different sentiments inside for the "fathers" in our family.

Final Look

Perfect Sentiments for Father's Day!

These cards showcase the masculine prints in "Ivy Lane" papers.  Please use these ideas to generate your creativity and imagination.  Blessings, Adrienne  Romans 8: 38-39

Remains of the Day

A few posts back I showed you a great card box with five inspirational cards.  Well, like most projects, after making 4 of those, I ended up with a lot of leftover paper odds and ends.  I don't know about you, but I just go nuts trying to figure out what to do with all that paper!!  The Ivy Lane papers are so beautiful, it was easy to come up with some more cards.

Supplies needed for  "Light" Cards:

Ivy Lane Papers (X7178B)
Ivy Lane Complements (X7178C)
Colonial White Cards (X1410)
"Illuminate" November 2013 SOTM (retired)
Ink - Pansy Purple (retired - may use Smokey Plum Z2147 instead)
Bohemian Assortment (lace and brass button - collection retired, other embellishment will work)
Bitty Sparkles (Z1263)
Copic markers Y38 (Honey) and Y21 (Buttercup)
3D Foam

All of the cuts are made by hand or using a simple paper cutter.

Two finished cards

Inside sentiment

 Additional or Alternate Supplies needed for Birthday Card:

Art Philosophy "Happy Birthday" Stamp (Z1686) included in collection
"You've Got A Friend" May 2014 SOTM (retired)
Ink - Sweet Leaf (Z2153)
Bohemian Assortment (green button - collection retired, other embellishment will work)
Copic marker Y06 (Yellow)
CM Corner Rounder (OK, it didn't come out exactly right)

Finished Birthday Card

Inside sentiment for my husband!

This card  demonstrates the use of more masculine-looking papers in the Ivy Lane collection.

Most of you have "stashes" (do we use this term in papercrafting like we do in knitting for squirreling away yarn?) of papers and accessories you can use to create equally nice projects from "leftovers".  "Use it up, wear it out, make it do" is a phrase I was raised on and now live by.  Please use these ideas to generate your creativity and imagination.  Blessings, Adrienne  Matthew 7:7 

Easter Fun

While this is a bit late for THIS year's Easter celebration, these ideas will still work in years to come.

Supplies used:

Lollydoodle Cardmaking Workshop On The Go (G1080)
"Be Still" Stamp (A1141)
"Faith, Hope, Love, Peace, Joy" Stamps (retired)
White Daisy (1385) and Colonial White (1388) Cardstock
K&H Embellishments
Sure Cuts A-Lot (SCAL) Computer program

The Lollydoodle cardmaking kit comes with a nice set of stamps.  By using some of them, combined with more "Easter-oriented" theme stamps, I was able to use some of the Lollydoodle cards for Easter.

Cardmaking kit in progress

Finished card with Easter sentiment

Finished card using Lollydoodle kit stamps

Inside of card for Easter

For the grandchildren, I used the  SCAL program to create bunnies and words for the bunny cards.

Screen View

Computer connects to Cricut machine, just like Cricut programs

The SCAL program only works with older Cricut machines.  This is the first time I've used it and I was very pleased with the results.  The program is intuitive, very similar to using a Gypsy or one of the other Cricut proprietary software programs.

Bunny before "bling"

Dressed up in style for my grandloves!

Finished Bunny cards used K&H embellishments and retired CTMH stamping on the inside.

The finished Lollydoodle cards have 3 variations.  They are all very bright and perfect for Spring celebrations.

The card on the right was perfect for my husband's Easter card

If you have any questions about this project, please contact me and I will do my best to answer them.  Blessings for a beautiful Spring!  "He Is Risen, Indeed!"  Adrienne

Variation on a Theme

Ivy Lane Papers

Last month I showed you the lovely box with 5 cards I made in a workshop.  This month, I made several more of those boxes and cards to give as Mother's Day gifts.  To stay in the theme, I used some of the leftover papers to create Mother's Day cards.

Supplies used:

Ivy Lane Paper Pack (X7178B)
Ivy Lane Complements (X7178C)
Look To The Light Occasions Stamp (B1428)
Perfect Fit - Mom Holiday Stamp (C1543)
Bitty Sparkles (Z1263)
Cricut Artiste Cartridge (Z1790)

The Artiste cartridge was used to cut the stamp shape and background frame.  Accent 3 Row 1 Column 3 at 1 1/2 and 1 3/4 height, using real dial size.  the inside sentiment is from the "Look to the Light" collection.

The final collection was combined with this card to send to my family "moms".

Although my own mom has left this mortal coil, I enjoy sharing these beautiful cards with loved ones still here.  May you all have a blessed Mother's Day.

A Box of Inspiration

Last week I went to a workshop hosted by Gina Brandstetter.  We made these great boxes and filled them with five different cards stamped with Bible inspirations from the "Look To The Light" collection (B1428).  Supplies needed:

Colonial White Cards and Envelopes (Value Pack - X1410)
Journaling Box (Z1953)
Ivy Lane Paper Pack (X7178B)
Ivy Lane Complements (X7178C)
Bitty Sparkles (Z1263)
Bamboo Ink (Z2103)
Smokey Plum Ink (Z2147)
Look To The Light Stamp (B1428)

Ivy Lane Complements (X7178C)

Ivy Lane Paper Pack (X7178B)

Look To The Light Stamp (B1428)

The measurements for folding paper to cover the journaling box are here. 

The cricut cuts are as follows:
"I CAN DO ALL THINGS...." - Ivy Lane Purple Cardstock - Artiste 2 1/2" Accent 1 <I LOVE YOU>
Bamboo Cardstock - Artiste  2 1/4" Accent 1 <I LOVE YOU>
"Come Unto Me......"   Art Philosophy - 1 1/4" <Shape3>

I don't have measurements for the papers on the cards or for the paper backing for the "flower" on the box.  When making new cards, I'll have to "wing it".

Pictures of the completed project:

Covered Journaling Box, to hold cards

"Come Unto Me All Who Labor"

"Cast Thy Burden Upon The Lord"

"I Can Do All Things Through Christ"

"God Is Our Refuge and Strength"

"Thy Word Is a Lamp Unto My Feet"

The Collection

This project was lots of fun.  Since all the paper pieces were pre-cut for us, the entire project took 2 hours.  When figuring out all the measurements and creating the pieces "from scratch" it will likely take double the time.  I have ordered all the supplies to make MORE of these great little boxes and fill them with cards - they will be terrific gifts!

Thanks for joining me on this project.  Enjoy Spring, create something wonderful every day!  Blessings, Adrienne

Days of Spring and a Facelift

Spring is certainly making an appearance - every day new blossoms shoot up, trees are leafing out and our GRASS is growing.  It seems folks can't WAIT to get out on their riding lawn mowers.

For quite awhile, now, I've been longing to clean up my craft room and I finally did it!  Our local cabinet maker Larry fixed me up with a GREAT set of cabinets.  Yesterday, my new HON task chair (sits higher than a regular desk chair) arrived from Costco and now I'm STYLIN'.  Here's what the room looked like in January:

The OLD Look

This is a view of the same wall this morning:

The NEW Look!

Yes, I realize it's a mess - but WHAT a mess!  To the left, the lower cabinets have 2 roll out shelves that hold my Cricut machine, cartridges, and 3 large organizers full of CTMH stamps.  The four drawers to the right hold my paper supplies, watercolors, and assorted implements of construction.  The upper cabinets go all the way to the ceiling, holding books, ink pads, scrapbooking papers and sets, my little crafting sewing machine, fabric, more painting supplies (paint box, drawing paper).  The cabinets at the VERY top hold extra things I couldn't bear to part with, but really don't need right now - and a bunch of plaques from awards at work, ha-ha!

NOW all I have to do is decide whether to leave the old white tables in the middle of the room (right now my new cutting board - 5' x 3' - is relaxing on one) or find another place for them.  Since my husband immediately covered the top table (the other one is a "typewriter return" on wheels that nests under the main table) with assorted cables, computer parts and "guy stuff", I suspect it may stay there!

I know you all are as excited as I am with all this new storage and a great work space.  Next up - custom made bookcase with sliding doors for the little cubby room that is my sewing haven!  Thanks for looking.  Adrienne

Birthdays Are Special at Any Age

Now that we are grandparents, it is more of a challenge to come up with interesting cards for our "children" who are into their 40's (sh-h-h, don't tell them - they still think they're teenagers!) and parents themselves.  Here is a bright card I made for our daughter's birthday using papers from the Lola Workshop On The Go.  That collection isn't available per se, although Lola papers and embellishments ARE available.  Ink colors are outdoor denim and black.  I distressed the edges of the papers used on the card front and sponged the white with denim ink. These links will take you to my Close To My Heart website where all the products may be purchased.

The inside of the card uses the "Birthday Cheer" stamp.  This was my first attempt at coloring with my Copic pens and I was VERY excited about using them.  I'd list the colors, except I used so MANY!  In all, the card turned out very well - and my daughter liked it!

Thanks for joining me on this project.  Blessings, Adrienne  Psalm 8

Be My Valentine

Here is one more card for today.  This one is for my sweetie.  Close to My Heart supplies used include:

• Pear and Partridge papers (retired)
• Cranberry Ink (Z2116)
• Dimensional Elements Hearts (comes with Art Philosophy Collection - Z1686)
• Red Glitter Gel (retired)
• Pemberley WOTG Stamps (retired)
• January 2013 Stamp of the Month Valentine Greeting (retired)
• Colonial White Card (X1410)

The heart was sponged with cranberry ink, then covered with red glitter.  The top piece was sponged on the edges with cranberry ink, which was also used 2nd and 3rd generation to stamp the bottom 3rd of the card using the Pemberley leaf stamp.  Inside the card, a tried and true sentiment, also from the Pemberley set:

With best wishes to everyone for a blessed Valentine's Day.  Adrienne