New Things, and Broken Thing

Okay going to start with the new things. 

This is a rolling cart by Recollections. Picked it up at

Michael's using a gift card that Sarah got me for Christmas. 

Using it to store the Big Shot, and misc supplies. 

I had to move some of the stuff I normally keep on my desk because.....

Dear hubby got me a Gemini electric die cutting machine for Christmas. 

So happy with it, but it weighs 15 pounds so it has to sit on my desk as

I'm not strong enough to move it from the shelve to the desk. The 

reason I wanted one is because turning the crank on the big shot was hurting

my neck and shoulder. I'm still keeping the big shot as the Gemini will

not accept the large foam mounted dies, and there are several of them

that I use and still want to keep. 

And now for the broken. One of the hanging shoe organizer that I keep

my punches in broke from the weight, and hit the floor. I wasn't in the room at the time. 

So now I have to get another shoe organizer, or find a different place to store them. 

Lets face it....I really need a bigger craft room. This one is bursting at the seams, and just

between you and me I'm not going to stop buying craft stuff! LOL 

Stamping trails

 

Karen 

New Trash Bag

When my friend Kat was here we

took a trip to Jo Ann Fabrics where I found

this cute little bag. 

Its a bit smaller than the standard size reusable bags that you 

can buy in the grocery store. At first I was going

to leave it in the car so I could reuse it when I went to the craft stores, but

then I decided that I wanted to see it everyday, so I turned it

into a waste container for the stamping studio. Just lined it with 

a plastic bag. 

I may have to buy another one to leave in the car for those shopping emergency's.

Speaking of reusable bags....

 

I got this Cleveland bag for Kat. Thought she might need

a bag to hold her Pat Catan goodies. Since she has visited me several times I thought

she needed a Cleveland bag.

Stamping trails

Karen

Taking a Look Back

I cleaned up the library file drawers. They 

use to have flowers on each of the drawers that were 

punched out and decorated, but I thought it looked to busy and 

 

I just wanted a clean look. 

 

Pulled out one of the writing surface's  and put a button jar (thanks Kat), and

the basket that holds some of my trims. 

Funny that I'm posting this as the file chest was the very first post

that I had on this blog back in 2007

You can see it here

Can't believe I've been blogging for so long! 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Homemade Ribbon Spools

Look what I made yesterday afternoon. 

Ribbon spools. 

I cut cream cardstock with the large mason jar die, and

then stamped them with different stamps and sponged the edges. 

All the stamping done with Soft Suede ink. 

I even found a little basket to hold them that I had tucked away. 

I debated if I should have cut the jars from heavier weight kraft

cardstock or cardboard, but the trims that I have are

lightweight so I think they will hold up okay. I wanted 

to use the cream cardstock as I like the Soft Suede in on it. Makes

it look more vintage. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Paper Pumpkin Mini Binder

Still organizing. This is my Paper Pumpkin binder. 

I used an Avery mini binder that I found at Wal-Mart.

I used a retired SU designer paper pack for the cover. I thin its

called Apple Cider. Used the dymo label maker on the binding. 

Of course I had to carry over the designer paper to the inside. 

I like that the Avery mini binder pages are the perfect size for the paper pumpkin

instruction sheets. 

I did a little mixing and matching with page protectors as I didn't like

trying to fish out the stamps with the longer protectors. Instead I used

the pocket pages from Project Life. Used the label maker again to label everything. 

Very happy with it. The mini binder pages also leave some room to add

leftover pieces from the kits. 

Hubby and me are off to the Home and Garden show today. So I'm sure I'll have pictures to post

on Sunday. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Organizing the Stamping Studio

I've been organizing some items in my stamp room. 

Been meaning to do this for sometime now, but just didn't get to it. 

The drawers have been labeled and contain stamping sponges, and daubers

for all the SU color families. I had to shorten the color names to get two

to fit per drawer. 

Here is what each drawer holds. I was going to include the matching reinker, but

found that it made the drawer to crowded. 

So here is a view of the left side of my desk. I have three sets of drawers. The ones 

not labeled hold different embellishments. 

Right side of my desk. See all those cardstock holders on top of the drawers?

My friend Kat made them for me. They are great for holding the 6x6 paper packs, embossing folders, 

and completed cards. 

The ink pad holder sits on the left side of my desk. I labeled the ends of the ink pads

so I can find the color I need easier. I still have some of the old style pads so I didn't 

have to label all of them. 

I have my blendabilites in this wooden holder. Since SU is not making them any longer I'm

using the extra slots to hold in line color markers, and other writing tools. 

You can also see the washi tape holders sitting on top of the drawers. 

Last thing I wanted to share today is the desk top. Remember back in the day when 

printers had large paper with holes along the edges? Well we still have a ton of that printer paper. 

I'm using it now as a stamping pad. Great to design on, and keep the desktop clean. 

I was going to make a Hollo's run to get a pad of scratch paper, but then saw this paper instead. 

Now I have to find another reason to go visit Hollo's. Oh wait I know I need more white cardstock!

And now for the sad news of the day...I found out that Michael's craft store has bought all 34 

Pat Catan's stores. Pat Catan's has released a statement stating that the stores will remain independent

from Michael's even though that store has bought them. I hope that is true as you all know

I love Pat Catan's. It has the best deals in town for craft supplies, and is based in Strongsville, Ohio.

A family owned business that began in 1954. Makes me sad to see that it was sold. 

Stamping trails
Karen

Organizing

I found these cute little molds at the Goodwill a few weeks ago. I thought they would look great on my desk filled with stamping embellishments. I was right! Just adore them!

I was in a cleaning and organizing mood yesterday. So I cleaned up the house, did some wash, and found some homes for all the new stamping goodies I received during Christmas.

I even redid the clear stamp cases. I did have all background stamps going across these organizer drawers, but since I really don't use background stamps much I took most of them down. I kept a few that I do reach for and put them in between the stacks of clear stamps. So nice just to reach for a stamp set with out having to leave my chair. 

Stamping trails
Karen