MIXED MEDIA MONDAY - Dauber Storage

Okay... I know the Mixed Media thing is a bit off course. I've just been so intent on getting things organized to use them that I've not done the mixed media art like I want to. I guess it's an OCD thing for me that I never realized I had until a couple of years ago. Things have to be 'just right' for me to work.

So for awhile my Mixed Media Monday posts will showcase some of the organization techniques I've been creating.

This week, it's all about Dauber Storage

I knew I wanted to use a dauber for each of my Stampin Up Ink Spots (which they've seen fit to retire - GRRRR!)

The challenge was how to bring the two together. How to store a dauber with its matching color? I didn't want them tossed into a dish to be dug through (that OCD thing kicking in again).  So after a bit of thought, I headed to my local hardware store and came up with these:

These are 9/16" diameter cork disks. They fit perfectly inside the finger hole of the dauber and they have adhesive on the back.  One cork is not thick enough to support the dauber. So I stacked them 2-high:

Then stuck one 'stack' on top of each spot lid:

I store my SPOTS, REFILLS and WaterColor Crayons by color family in their own Sterilite tub - minus the lid:

Next to each of the refill bottles, I have a piece of rubber mat like you put under exercise equipment that has a texture. The box of watercolor crayons store underneath the spot box.

With the retiring of the spots, I'll continue to use the available colors and my favorite colors. I don't think I'm going to purchase the full-size pads. I just don't have the room to store them... not even if I were to use one of those vertical storage units. I'd have to have a place to put that. LOL I'll purchase the refills and create a stamping pad with a dense sponge square whenever I need a color.

All the retired spots (I have all of those from when SU did a complete color family overhaul a couple years ago) are going to get their own daubers. Then I'm going to make a tray out of foam core to store them (along with their refill) with my Mixed Media supplies.

I'd love to hear how you store yours! What works for you?
Creative Blessings! - Kel

WOYWW #206 - What Do I Keep In Those Little Drawers?

I really love What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday. Hostess, Julia Dunnit at Stampin' Ground has created this awesome web of participants that allows us to peek inside each other's studios every week. Just click -> WOYWW to see what it's all about.

In the mean time... some of you have asked about my little drawer units at the back of my desk. These are 2 separate units of 6 drawers each... 3 over 3. I found them at a Goodwill store for $5 each. Not sure what I would do with them at the time, but I knew I couldn't leave them there. When I brought them home and sat them on the table, I knew they'd be perfect for items I use a lot but didn't want just sitting about. I later found these same drawer units in Oriental Trading for $30 each! Now I really wish I'd bought them all! So here we go...

Top Drawer - Glue Dots & Red Tape

Bottom Drawer - Pop Dots

Top Drawer - Acrylic Blocks

Bottom Drawer - Piercing Tools & Replacement Cutting Blades

Top Drawer - Hammer, Eyelet Tools, TH Sanding Block & refills

 Top Drawer - Shape Punches (May donate)

Bottom Drawer - Charms & other Metal Hardware

If I donate those hand punches, I'm going to use this drawer for the little ID Stamps I use on every card... you know the ones that say 'Stamped With Love', 'This Wish Stamped For You', etc. as well as my 2 most used large ink pads - VersaMark and Memento Black

And just in case you guys think my desk is never messy, I shot this pic after my crafting session on Saturday. I finally got the cards done up I was behind on... every one inspired by a card on Pinterest. I'll show them another time.. but here's my desk before clean-up:

I left just enough space in front of me to bring in the paper trimmer when needed. You can just see the stack of images to the left that I'd printed off my Pinterest board - Paper Playhouse. I've since done something else with them I'll be showing one day next week. Today, my desk is back to normal. 

And here's a puzzle for you... look to the upper right side of the picture.. just in front of the green corner punch. Can you tell what that might be? I will tell you it's one of my new organization tips I'll be showing soon. In the mean time, I'd love to hear what you think it is.

With hubby home a day early and two deadlines looming, I'll get around to as many of you as I can. Happy WOYWW!

Creative Blessings!

Kelly

BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY - Courtesy of Kezzy's Crafty Journey

Okay y'all! I know you LOVE FREE stuff and my WOYWW bud, Kezzy has an AWESOME assortment of goodies to give away.

There are no hoops to jump through... just stop at her blog and wish her a Happy Blog Anniversary! Though if you want to stalk... I mean follow... her, she wouldn't mind. Hehe
So cruise on over to Kezzys Crafty Journey for your chance to win. Winner will be selected by Random.org on May 23rd!

Good Luck & Creative Blessings!
Kel

TEAPOT TUESDAY - Bring On the Wine!

Today's card is for a lady in Canada. Marie thought she had the flu, only to be diagnosed with H1N1. She's use to being active so the rest required for her to recuperate is not going to be easy. So we decided to bring food & wine.

I thought I had the perfect image. I had several 'kits' left over from a Make & Take back when I worked at Michaels. With everything cut this card should take me all of five minutes to put together.  HA! All the pieces were cut... but none of the images had been stamped. All I had was the sample but not the stamp.

PrintShop to the rescue. I do not know what I'll do if I ever have a system that will not allow me to load my PrintShop. I LOVE this program have used it a lot over the past 15 years. I found this image with wine and cheese and fruit. Yum!  Since I've recently discovered I enjoy a glass of wine in the evenings, this was a card right up my grape arbor - one I'm still hoping to get planted soon! LOL

The kits had all been cut from the Heritage Collection pak of the ValuCardstock and a single 12x12 sheet of adhesive-backed cork (found with the scrapbooking paper). I replaced the P A R T Y sentiment originally used in the kit with this sentiment from Heidi Grace Sentiments CS collection. Brads for texture. 

While I was printing the image, I printed enough to finish up the remaining 9 card kits. I can stamp a sentiment on the inside for birthday, anniversary, promotion... 

But that's one more UFO project put together... and it only took me 2 hours to make all 10 cards!

I already have tomorrow's post ready to go. Technically we're suppose to take a picture of what our desk looks like on Wednesday morning for the Whats On Your Workdesk Wednesday.  But some of you keep asking what I keep in those little drawers and I promised to share them with you tomorrow. Pics are done, resized and I'll write that post up next.

And it's a good thing. Bob called to let me know he'll be home either really late tonight (okay wee hours of the morning) or mid-day tomorrow instead of tomorrow night... Which means I'm cleaning like a whirlwind today! LOL

Happy Tuesday!

ARTIST KAYLAN BUTEYN - Win a set of her watercolor cards!

One of my fav places to cruise on WOYWW is The Emerald Homestead.

Kaylan is a fabulous watercolor artist, loving wife and mother, (in my mind) a bit of traditionalist. Today is offering you the opportunity to win a set of her beautiful cards (with envelopes).  I hope you'll pop over and introduce yourself.

Good Luck and Creative Blessings!
Kel

LIVING ART AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT - and a chance to WIN!

Good morning, everyone!

I have a special surprise for you today.

I love ANYTHING having to do with paper, ink, paint, assemblage, etc.  I also appreciate Pam Carriker's ability to share her talent with anyone wanting to learn. Watching one of her videos is like sitting down to your crafting table with a friend. Her easy-going style and passion for what she does is contagious.

I was introduced to Pam through this video I ordered from Interweave. I had a question about acquiring a 

tool she used. She responded right back in a friendly manner... just like the woman on the video. Yep. I was hooked on Pam Carriker and her teaching style.

You may have seen her book- ART AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT - maybe even own a copy.  Book 2 is due for release in September.  But Pam is NOT waiting to share goodies with you. She is offering ONLY 2 on-line CLASSES this year. And she's giving everyone the opportunity to win their choice of which one.

All you have to do is go to THIS post and follow the instructions for entering. They're easy.  You'll also get an overview of the courses Pam is teaching this year.  

To help you out, I've created a couple of Tweets. Feel free to use these as you Share to Win!

Chance to #WIN on-line class by @pamcarriker http://pamcarriker.com/2013/05/07/online-workshop-giveaways/

@pamcarriker wants to put #FUN in your summer. #WIN a free class http://pamcarriker.com/2013/05/07/online-workshop-giveaways/

Get your #ART on with @pamcarriker. Chance to #WIN #FREE class http://pamcarriker.com/2013/05/07/online-workshop-giveaways/

But HURRY! THIS GIVEAWAY WILL END ON FRIDAY @ 12PM CST

Creative Blessings!

Kel

WOYWW #205 - Room to Play!

It's WOYWW - aka snooping other people's work areas to see what they're up to. The tour is directed by the multi-talented Julia Dunnit. You can read about our journey at Stamping Ground.

Yep, as you can see from a couple of previous posts I've had room and time to play. My task for today (or tomorrow - which ever day the rain moves in and I can't be on-line) I am behind in some cards. A friend of mine graduates from college this weekend.  I totally spaced it, which is sad because Sal has worked so hard to earn his teaching degree. He's going to be AWESOME!

 I also belong to a local (state) group called ShowMeStampers. We started as a Missouri group of stampers. Some of us have moved out of state but are still a part of the group. We do a lot of things one of which is, if we choose to participate, is we are each assigned someone on our list to send a card to. Just some happy mail amongst the mountain of bills and junk. I've not reciprocated a single time this year because my studio has been such a disaster. This is month 5. So I have at least 5 cards to get done. I'm hoping for more as I'll not get any crafting time except with Adrian once the girls get here Memorial Day weekend.

So here's my desk:

The printouts are of cards off my Pinterest board - Paper Playhouse - that I want to make. I got them off so I could craft even if I couldn't get on-line. There are about 30 samples there.

I'm so excited to be playing on a regular basis again! Can't wait to see your spots. Weather permitting I'll be cruising your spaces.

Creative Blessings!

Kel