Re-organizing my Crafty Space

Good Morning!

It is a bright, but chilly day here in New Hampshire. One of my New Years Resolutions is to clean, eliminate clutter, organize and use the crafting items I have on hand. Prior to the New Year, I went to JoAnn's when they were having their huge sale on totes and organizing systems. I was able to purchase two storage units designed by Iris for less than half price (SCORE!).

New System-Iris

 Here is a picture of the door organizer I purchased. These organizers replaced the drawer system I had originally purchased from Wal-mart. My old system of the Sterilite drawers was great until I stated to accumulate paper. The amount of paper I needed to store was getting too heavy for the plastic. It began to warp, crack, and break down. Plus it didn't give me the flexibility to organize the paper by theme/season/color that I really needed to.Due to the length of the drawers, I could fit a stack of 12x12 paper with about 5-8 inches of unused space. Paper was getting damaged when I opened or closed the drawers.

Old System-Sterilite

The new system of doors from Iris is a stronger plastic and has individual containers that lock shut. This provides me with an easier way to sort and organize my paper. If you enjoy purchasing the slabs from Michael's or JoAnn's, each drawer on the Iris system holds 4-5 180 sheet slabs. My two organizers sit on the floor verses on the wheels. These new organizers take up less room than the Sterilite drawer system by about 6-8 inches in depth and 12 (unused inches) in length. These means that by replacing the old Sterilite system with the new Iris system I save about 12 of floor space along the length.

Now I'm able to find what I need for paper, when I need it. I highly recommend the Iris system of drawers. Keep your eyes out for coupons in the Michael's or Jo Ann flyers. The Iris drawer carts are usually around $90 USD. However, you can get them for 50% with a coupon or during sales.

My next step is to reorganize my craft closet. It's kind of scary in there.

Thanks for stopping by. Make it a great day.

2012 Holiday Gift Bag-Winter Landscape

Good Morning Everyone,

It's a busy day for me here in New Hampshire. Outside it feels like Old Man Winter is gearing up for a little snow. This inspired me to create a winter landscape gift bag.

 I used paper from the Core'dinations Chocolate box collection to create the trees and sky. The trees are cut at 3" and 3.5" using the Christmas Cheer Cartridge for Cricut. The snow landscape is embossed using the Swiss Dots folder for the Cuttlebug.

The ribbon is from Michael's.

 I found the snowflake jewels at JoAnn's last year.

Steampunk Culture-Card #2 A Victorian Romance

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Here in New Hampshire it is sunny and 73 degrees. I can't believe it! So before I enjoy some sunlight I'm posting my newest card creation.

This card measures 4x5.5 inches. I used metallic bronze embossing powder to create the image of the dancers over the stamped music image. I used paper from Graphic 45's Steampunk Debutante collection and a jewelry finding from Jo-Ann's. The finding I chose represents a Claddagh ring. 

The following is quoted from Wikipedia in regards to a Claddagh ring:
"The Claddagh's distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart, and usually surmounted by a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown). A "Fenian" Claddagh ring, without a crown, was later designed in Dublin. Claddagh rings, with or without the crown (most commonly with a crown), have come to denote pride in Irish heritage, while continuing to be symbols of love or marriage.
Claddagh rings may be used as friendship or relationship rings depending on the intention of wearer and, in the case of a gift, of the giver. The way that a Claddagh ring is worn on the hand is usually intended to convey the wearer's relationship status:

1. On the right hand with the heart facing outward, the wearer is single and may be looking for love.
2. On the right hand but turned inwards, the wearer is in a relationship, or their heart has been "captured".
3. On the left hand with the heart facing outward, the wearer is engaged.
4. On the left hand but turned inwards, the wearer is married^."

2011 Holiday Layout

Good Afternoon Everyone!

This layout uses paper from DCWV 2011 Christmas and Winter Paper Stack.

I hope you enjoy the video.

Card Series-- Post #1

Welcome to the first episode of my summer card series. It is my goal to design a card and post a video every week this summer. Thank you for stopping by my blog.

materials used for this project
       Making Memories Tool Kit
       Making Memories Coordinating Papers--over coordinating papers of your choice on sheet of three styles 12x12
       Favorite Adhesive--I used photo mounting squares from Scotch and a Glue Runner from Ad Tech
       Coordinating brads--I bought mine from JoAnn Fabrics
       Card stock in appropriate color--I used black
       Sentiment Stamp--I used "Celebrate" from a Stampin' Up set
       Coordinating ribbon--I used a light purple that is 1/8" in width
       Card and Envelope--I used a 5x7 when folded card

measurements
      striped coordinating paper--3 1/2 x 2 1/4 inches--mount is 3 3/4 x 2 1/2
      paisley coordinating paper-- 5 x 1 1/2 inches-- mount is 5 1/4 x 1 3/4
      argyle coordinating paper-- 4 11/16 x 6 11/16-- mount is 4 15/16 x 6 15/16
      ribbon is cut at 4 inches

The Resourceful Paper Crafter

Here are someways to save money while being able to create stunning paper crafts.

1. Clearance-Every season stores change their inventory to meet the themes of the season. This is the perfect time to find and purchase clearance items that you need, like, or want to try using without breaking the bank.

2. Remodels-Every five years Wal-mart remodels their stores. This is the perfect time to find items marked down. Recently Wal-mart decided to cut back their Fabric and Craft department. Many items are being clearanced out because there is no shelf space for them.

3. Clubs and Groups- Join online groups and clubs that offer discounts on items you are interested in. Borders, Michaels, Jo-Ann's, and A.C. Moores all offer e-mail clubs that are free.

4. Coupons-Check out your Sunday paper for coupons. Sunday papers are the thickest with coupons and information because that is the day most people buy and read the paper.

5. Swap Shops-That's right "dump pickin.'" Many town dumps now have a "Swap Shop" where you can place items you don't need or want for others to have free. Often these are items that did not sell during yard/garage sales. I have found unfinished furniture in my local swap shop.

6. Yard and Garage Sales-Everyone has things they don't want any more or the item just needs a little fixing up (i.e. fresh paint). Yard and Garage Sales are a great place to find items like furniture, glasswares, yard, fabric, stamps, and more.

7. Gifts-Someone in the family just had a birthday and gifts came in bags with tissue paper. Save the tissue paper and use it instead of Mulberry paper to give your paper crafts texture.

8. Crops-Arrange crops with fellow scrappers and card makers. have each person RSVP with a different tool (i.e. Sally brings her Cricut and cartridges, Ruth brings her punches, Jane brings her Making Memories Tool-kit, etc.) and share them. One sugestion if you plan on using Sally's Cricut bring your own mats and save them for next time you all get together. Rotate who brings what or have Croppers sign-up like a pot-luck.

9. Buying online-Websites often give discounts if your purchase over a set dollar amount or even free shipping. Try Amazon, E-Bay, and other sites for these types of discounts.

10. "Slitly Used"-I love the slitly used aspect of Amazon's website. I have been able to purchase books and materials for fractions of the "New" price. For example, a college textbook that costs $150 was $35 "slitly used" and the book was like brand new.

11. Saving-Saving wrapping paper that you liked from a gift recieved or clasp envelopes from the mail can also be used for other projects and organization