"Get it Together" Organizing with Style: Week 7

It's Week #7 in the LBH Organizing with Style Series.  The challenge this week is Tools, Dies, Embossing Folders, Cricut Cartridges and Punches.  Yes, I (Elaine) got the short straw on this one but thanks to the LBH Gals we have some solutions for you. This is a long post..so grab your cup of coffee or Diet Coke.

HERE WE GO!!

Let's start with Punches...

This is Tracy's solution....

Miss Tracy here, I just wanted to share one of my organizational fav's with you...It's my Punch Racks!

 (designed by my hubby):

Punches are so bulky and I hated keeping mine stuffed in a drawer or box because for me "out of sight" means "out of mind". I am such a visual person...I like to SEE all of my stuff. So my hubby came up with this amazing idea. He went to Lowes (or maybe it was Home Depot) and bought a piece of metal, then he measured the depth of the punches agaist the wall and cleverly bent the metal into shape with the help of his handy vice. He then attached it to the wall with screws and loaded it with my punches.

I currently have 3 punch bars in the Shack and I love them. Now, all of my punches are right there within arm's reach and I find that I use them so much more now.

If you aren't inclined to make one for yourself...you'll be happy to know that my dear hubby will make one for you. We will have these punch bars for sale at the LBH if you would like to purchase them for your scrap space.

This is Susan's solution:

Use an over the door shoe hanger (found at Walmart,Target or Bed Bath and Beyond etc.)  this is a great system to keep the punches handy but out of the way.

My solution put them in drawers by type.

My occasionally used ones go together, then border punches & big shapes and finally Martha's.  The borders and shapes are located in a cart closest to my scrapping table.

CRICUT CARTRIDGES

This one is a little easier.  You can stack the boxes on a shelf,there are clear plastic containers made by Scraponizer (about $12ea - stores 4 cartridges with books & keypads).



 My solution - use the ever versatile photo storage box - put a velcro dot on the back of each cartridge, put corresponding velcro on the inside of the photo box lid.  You have plenty of room for books and keypads.  You'll notice on my cartridges they have large labels - I printed these on my handy label maker   because my old eyes had trouble reading those Cricut labels.  My method allows you to store 20 cartridges for about $2.50 if you get your box on sale.  YEA!!

EMBOSSING FOLDERS

These are pretty standard sized so they are pretty easy to store. At the LBH we put them in a plastic shoe box with the plates for the Cuttlebug and Big Shot.  At home I have them in a tote that is easy to grab when I head off to the LBH or a crop.  I also put my Nestabilities in the same tote. Plastic recipe boxes also work well for the folders but will not hold the plates.

 

DIES

Depending on the number you have will depend on how you want to store them.  Sizzix makes a tower which holds all sizes of dies.  You can just line them up on a shelf.  If you search "organizing Sizzix dies" you will also find a variety of storage boxes similar to our fav photo box.  I have my Tim Holtz dies in that tote with the embossing folders since I am using them more frequently.

TOOLS TOOLS TOOLS

I saved this for last as I really don't think there is a great way to store these items.  The shapes and sizes are not consistent and how you store them will depend a lot on how you create.  I keep my embossing gun, glue gun and Crop-a-Dile close to my work area on hooks.  I keep an empty tote to drop them in if I am headed to LBH or a crop.  One of our customers Lynette, keeps all of her items in a large art bin.  The compartments are segregated by item type.   She keeps this next to her work table and then when she heads out to the LBH, she closes up the bin and off she goes.  

Here's a picture of her tote.

Thanks for hanging in there on a very long post.  A few suggestions...before you invest in new storage items take a minute and sit at your creative area.  Think about how you work and in some cases where you work.  You also have to consider if you travel to crops, the LBH or other locations.  A storage system that is portable and that you do not have to pack and unpack is great for the scrapper on the move.  

Next week will be fun...we will talk about creative ways to know what you already have.  Good luck this week. :)

Post a comment and let us know how you are doing and if you have encountered some great solutions or challenges.

We will post last week's winner early in the week. 

Tracy is out of town at her Grandmother's funeral and she has those details.  Keep her and her family in your prayers.

Prima classes are coming to the LBH!

Hi everyone! This is Lolly and I'm hijacking the LBH blog to share my March classes with you! (shhhhh... don't tell Miss Tracy or she'll bust my chops!!!)

The first class is one I taught at CHA a few weeks ago in the Prima booth... it's a sweet little shadow box loaded with pretties!

In class you'll be making teeny tiny little eggs (don't worry... no egg laying will be required) and a mini birds nest! We'll be working with some truly stunning 2011 release Prima flowers, papers, rub-ons and chipboard (and of course we'll be using 3 colors of Stickles cause a girl needs her glitter)!

Details: This class will be held one day only on March 12
(two time slots)...
11am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm
Cost: $40
Supplies you'll need to bring: Hot glue gun, 1 long stick of hot glue, rolling adhesive, 3D adhesive (like ZapDots), a paper trimmer and scissors!

There are lots of extras in this kit so you'll have loads to take home with you!

Next up...

Live with Prima at the LBH (The Big Ten - Card Class)!
The next class is something totally different (and this time there's no egg making... sorry girls)!

As some of you may know, I teach live classes online every month with Prima (you can check them out HERE)! Tracy and I thought it might be fun to do one of the classes live from the LBH!!!
Since I had actually already scheduled my March class with a guest before Tracy and I came up with this harebrained idea... I'm dragging my guest with me (the poor lamb has no idea what she's gotten herself into)!

Her name is Daniela Dobson and she's a Prima Design Team member! You can check out her blog HERE... and chances are that if you've seen an issue of Cards Magazine from the past few years that you've seen her work! She's been published a zillion trillion times!

How it's gonna work...
Daniela and I will start the card class with you guys at 6:30pm. We'll be making 10 awesome cards (you'll have 2 sheets of sentiments to choose from so you can mix and match till your hearts content)!

Around 8:30 we'll fire up the web cam and get Live with Prima going and do it all over again for the girls online! It's totally gonna be a party (complete with snacks, prizes and crazy props for the class... I have something super special planned... muhahahaha)!

Feel free to bring your laptop so you can join in the live chat and give reports to the girls from the front line! If that's not your cup of tea you can just hang out with us and watch how everything works (and continue to make cards (you'll have enough supplies in the kit to make way more than 10 cards))!

Details: This class will be held one day only (I'm such a party pooper) on March 24. We'll start at 6:30pm and should have all 10 cards wrapped up lickety split!
Cost: $40
Supplies you'll need to bring: Hot glue gun, 1 long stick of hot glue, quick dry glue (Helmar's 450 works terrifically), rolling adhesive, 3D adhesive (like ZapDots), a paper trimmer, ruler and scissors!

There are lots of extras in this kit too so you'll have loads to take home with you!

Call the LBH today at (817) 431-7930 to reserve your spot (cause once they're gone that's all she wrote)! The cards will be on display at the LBH starting this Monday and the shadow box will be there as soon as I get everything in to make up another one!

I hope you girls have a terrific weekend!

HUGS!
Lolly

Cricuteer Workshops at the LBH

Hi, my name is Elaine Sink and I am a Cricut fan! I am so happy to announce that I will be teaching Cricuteer Workshops at the LBH! I have been "Cricutting" just over 4 years but my love of all things creative has been a part of me ever since I can remember. 

 I have always had a passion for art and adore making all sorts of crafts.  Most fun for me though is sharing that love with others.  I've been fortunate to attend many CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) conventions, meeting many people in the crafting industry both on the production side of many of our favorite tools and products as well as many on the design side.  This has only strengthened my love of the craft and my willingness to share that with you.  I have a wonderful scrubby (that's scrapbooking supportive hubby) of too many years to count, a miraculous 7 year old daughter who is well on her way to being a scrap queen and one very old but lovable cat.

Here's some info about my upcoming Workshops!

LBH Cricuteer Workshops:

Fri. 3/4   10a-12:30p

Wed. 3/9   6:30p-9p

Cost: $20

Calling all Cricuteers!  Now is the time to get out your Cricut and really learn how to use it.  Wether you've had yours for ages or just got one for Christmas, we have just the workshop for you.  Your Cricut can cut the most basic of shapes for everyday use to the most detailed, intricate of cuts for amazing projects.  We will teach all basic instruction for your machine as well as discuss all that Provo Craft has in store for you in 2011.   We'll have a fun make and take too, just bring your Cricut, a mat, your favorite cartridge and a very basic tool kit (scissors, pop dots, adhesive, etc.).  

And look forward to Advanced Cricuteer Workshops!  Can we say vinyl, glass etching, fabric cuts, home decor, designing your own t-shirts?  The list just goes on and on!

 

You can contact the LBH to reserve your seats today!

(817)431-7930

 

I look forward to Cricutting with you!

Elaine

Join me for Hot Metal Mama's

Want to take your creativity to another level? If you answered "yes," then consider attending Hot Metal Mama’s. You will have the opportunity to create a project with Ten Seconds Studio’s art metal and learn some fun techniques that are sure to inspire you! The LBH will provide you with the use of our Ten Seconds Studio tools, molds and other equipment during your workshops. Cost : $25

March Meetings:

Tues. 3/1  10a-Noon & 6:30p-8:30p
This month our focus will be on how to use the NEW TSS Design Molds and I will be sharing some tips and tricks with you that will ensure your embossed images come out perfect every time.

"What to Bring" List:
2 or 3 sheets of coordinating printed paper
2 sheets of coordinating cardstock
couple of pictures (optional)
scissors
tacky tape
pop dots
tape runner
paper distresser (if you have one)

I will also show how to create the metal roses from our project last month for those of you who weren't able to attend or just want a refresher.

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Please contact the Little Blue House at (817) 431-7930

 to reserve your seat. I look forward to creating with you soon!

Miss Tracy :)

"Get it Together" Organizing your Inks

Welcome back to the second part of this week's "Get it Together" Organizing with Style feature.  Today we are discussing how to organize your stamping inks.  The system you decide upon will depend on how many ink pads you have and if you like to have them "put away" or out where you can see them.

Since I am primarily a stamper, I use my inks often so I like to have them out on my workspace.  Some of my inks are stored in an old wooden cassette case (remember those?). It has 100 slots but you can remove some of the dividers if the ink pads are too tall.

On my workspace I also have this wooden organizer that swivels.  I believe this was from www.stampinthings.com.  I like that it holds different sizes of ink pads and you can also store ink refills in the smaller compartments.

This is a "parts" case from a home improvement store, made by Workforce.  It is perfect for my large size chalk ink pads.  It's also portable.

Distress Inks are smaller than regular ink pads.  This is the Tim Holtz aluminum case made specifically to hold 24 Distress Inks.  This worked great until I bought the 12 new colors!

Now I store all 36 in this 3-tiered plastic storage box (available at craft stores).  I like that they are all together and, with the labels facing out, it is easy to find the colors needed.  And it, too, is very portable.

Each of the two upper compartments holds 18 pads; the bottom, thinner compartment holds the refills.

 For smaller Cat's Eyes ink pads or "ink spots", I use a partitioned plastic Art Bin case.

Other possible ideas would be to store inks in old cigar boxes, Iris cart drawers, plastic project boxes, baskets or boxes.

We would love to hear how you store your ink pads! Comment on this post and you will be entered into the prize drawing!  

Happy Organizing!

Susan

http://www.susan-artful-musings.blogspot.com/

Get it Together with Style - Week 6 - Stamps and Inks

Welcome to another week of our “Get it Together with Style” Organizational Series. This week we are going to talk about organizing your stamps and inks. This is a huge topic, especially if you are like me (Susan) and have tons of stamps and inks.

Before choosing a storage system, you must sort and categorize your stamps. First sort them into general categories (like holidays, people, etc.) Then if you have lots in one category, you can break them down into more specific categories (ie. holidays could be broken down into Christmas, Easter, Halloween etc.) The main thing to consider is how you use your stamps and what makes sense to you. If you would prefer to have all your birthday images and birthday sentiments together, then categorize that as birthday. Or you could have a birthday images category and then put the birthday sentiments with all your other sentiments.

Once you have the stamps sorted by category, you need to decide if you are going to separate them by type: regular wood-mounted rubber stamps; unmounted rubber stamps (just the rubber, no wood); unmounted rubber stamps on cling-cushion; or clear unmounteds. Each type of stamp will require different storage solutions.

Wood-mounted stamps

They take up alot of room and how you store them will depend on how much room you have or how you function (some people like everything out and showing so they don’t forget what they have or so they can be inspired by their supplies; others want everything put away out of sight).

If you only have a few rubber stamps, here is a cute idea for storing them so they can be out on your desk ready to use (also a good idea for storing small ink pads):

Though the Making Memories embellishment shelf below is sold for embellishments, it would make a great stamp shelf.

If you have alot of stamps, this cabinet will store alot. Closed up it also looks like fine furniture but it's pricey.

www.collectors-cabinets.com

Here's more shelving for stamps, mounted on the wall. I've seen similar ones sold online but you could also have them custom made (or if your hubby is handy...).

If your stamp collection is not quite as extensive, you could also use decorative ledge type shelves found at home improvement and home decor stores like these seen below.

Clear plastic "project" cases sold in all the craft stores make great storage bins for stamps. You can get two layers of stamps in each case. You can also buy units that hold several of these stacked - great if you have quite a few stamps.

I personally store mine a couple of ways. I started using Iris carts many years ago - you can fit two layers of stamps in each drawer.

I outgrew this system a long time ago, but still use the two carts I have. Here's an open drawer of Valentine stamps.

For years I have used acrylic box picture frames (11 x 14") to store my stamps. They are the perfect depth for wood stamps. I had them stacked several trays high but the one problem I had was the inconvenience of unstacking them to reach some of the trays at the bottom.

When we moved four years ago, we had an inexpensive bookshelf that was falling apart and as I was dismantling it to put on the curb, I had one of those "aha moments." I reconfigured it and it has become my wonderful 25-shelf 6' high stamp cabinet. I LOVE it! To save space here, I have posted the entire story and how-tos on my personal blog (Artful Musings) if you are interested in reading more about it. Here is a quick peek.

And this is my storage solution for those tiny wooden alphabet stamp sets. This is an ammo box! You can get these at sporting goods stores for under $5. They come with different-sized partitions for all kinds of ammunition - this one is called the P-100 Series for .44 magnum bullets. It is perfect for holding three sets of complete alphabets! I love that the stamps are separated and easily accessed.

Unmounted Rubber and Cling-Mounted Rubber Stamps

Unmounted stamps take up far less room. In fact many people are now unmounting their stamps due to space issues. (If you want to do this, you can place your wood-mounted stamp in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. This will soften the glue enough to remove the stamp and cushion from the wood. You can buy "cling" to add to your cushion so it will then stick to acrylic mounts.) Many stamps come on rigid pages when you buy them. Tim Holtz stamps come on rigid binder pages which can be inserted in a specially made binder. The photo below shows the refill pages.

You can also make your own binder. Several companies sell rigid sheets for this purpose. You can also use pieces of acetate cut to fit. Another idea is to put cardstock inside a sheet protector and then stick the stamps to the outside of the protector. It's also a good idea to stamp the images on an adjoining sheet so you can tell what's on each sheet.

This same system could be used without the binder and stored in a file cabinet.

CD and DVD cases are great for storing stamps together in different categories. Be sure to label the cases according to the contents and also keep a sheet of the stamped images inside each case.

The CD cases and DVD cases can then be stored in any of the CD or DVD storage shelving available.

Look at the stamps this gal has!!

Clear Stamps

Storage for clear stamps is much the same as for unmounted rubber stamps. Binders with stamps adhered to some kind of nonporous pages work well. Be sure to include an index of stamped images as it's very hard to see what the images are!

Stamps of the same brand usually come packaged in similar sized packages so if you buy alot of one brand, you might want to store these all together. Magazine file folders work well for storing lots of packages upright. Or maybe you have a box just the right size.

If you store rubber stamps in drawers or trays, you can add your clear stamp sheets in with the corresponding categories.

If you have alot of hanging space, several sets of clear stamps can be hung together on a ring and then on a hook so they are easily accessible.

I hope this post has given you some ideas for different ways to store your stamps. 

Your Scrappy Do List for this week:

  Sort, categorize, index and organize your stamps.

 I would love to see how you store your stamps, so please share.

Also be sure to comment on this post and you will have the chance to win a fantastic prize! Speaking of prizes, the winning commenter from last week is...

Cinnamon

Congratulations! Please contact the LBH to claim your prize!

Check back tomorrow for ideas for storing your inks...

Happy Stamping!

Susan