nichol magouirk

Storing Copic Markers (what works for me)

I know there are a ton of storage options out there for storing your Copics. I won't go into all those options out there but instead focus on what I actually use and what works for me when storing my Copic rainbow of colors. :)

At home I like to keep my Copic Markers in THESE wire stands specifically made for Copics. For me these work really well because I like to see exactly what I have and have them available right at my fingertips for ease of use.

They line up nicely on my shelf. I also like everything to have a place. They are a little slanted when in the stand so it's easy to see the number and color name. It's easy to use a color and put it back in its designated spot.

As my Copic Marker collection has increased so has the amount of Copic stands I have to hold the markers. I just bought a couple more of the stands from Simon Says Stamp to hold some new markers I purchased from Ellen Hutson. (I am all about sharing the love between my two favorite stores for purchasing Copic products and supplies).

I love the way the little Copic rainbow is so bright and pretty in my studio. To see a photo of how these look in my studio check out THIS blog post. (photo is the 3rd one down after the video).

Black Wire Display for Copics (holds 72)

There are times, however, where this storage method won't work.

For example, I am getting ready for a scrapping/stamping retreat and need to be able to transport some of my markers with me to use while I am there.

I won't need my entire collection but I still want to have choices.

Copic has these fabulous Wallets available that hold 24, 36 or 72 markers.

Copic Empty Wallet 72 pc.	Copic Markr 36 Pc. Empty Wallet
Copic Empty Wallet 24 pc.	Copic Markers Storage Wallet 24 Pc.

I picked up the wallet that holds 72 markers to take with me on the retreat. I am all about having choices while away from home.

I also think these would make nice storage solutions if you are someone who likes to hide your supplies away in cabinets and drawers. I could see grabbing these from a drawer, propping them up on your work surface very easily. Then they would simply just slide right back into the drawer until you needed them again.

I like sharing my organizing solutions every once in awhile because I am sure we are all the same in that it's essential to be organized so we can get as much done as possible in the crafting time available. :) Nothing worse than spending the allotted crafting time searching for something that wasn't properly organized. Speaking from experience here. ;)

I have a super busy week here so I better get going on my to-do list!

Have a super day!

Stampin' Fun Friday | Feel Better Soon (Hedgehog Card) + Stamp Storage

This Friday's card features two of my current favorite things: Penny Black Hedgehog stamps + Papertrey Ink Stamps & Products.

I also used Copics. Still addicted. Still collecting a few markers at a time. I just ordered a few more from Ellen Hutson (links below in the supply list). I also made sure to link the individual markers that I used. I know that helps when trying to find a specific color to add to your own collection. :)

HOW TO

  

SUPPLIES

Scoring Board	Sizzix Big Shot	Copic X-Press
Memento Tuxedo Black	Metallique Gems & Brads	Wonderful Day
Copic Markers	Copic Markers	C1 Cool Gray
C3 Cool Gray	C5 Cool Gray	C7 Cool Gray
YG13 Chartreuse	YG17 Grass Green	BG01 Aqua Blue
BG02 New Blue	BG10 Cool Shadow	V01 Heath
V09 Violet	E0000 Floral White	E000 Pale Fruit Pink
E01 Pink Flamingo	E11 Bareley Beige	E17 Reddish Brass
E97 Deep Orange	E99 Baked Clay	0 Colorless Blender
R20 Blush

PAPERTREY INK PRODUCTS USED:

• Mat Stack 3 Collection Stamp Set
• Limitless Layers 1 3/4" Circle Collection Dies
• Edgers #1 Collection Dies
• Mat Stack #3 Die
• Woodgrain Impression Plate
• Spring Rain, Smokey Shadow CardstockS
• Spring Rain Satin Ribbon

OTHER PRODUCTS:

• Stampin' Up Basic Gray Stamp Ink
• Close to My Heart 

Someone recently asked me about my stamp storage, specifically my clear stamp storage. I had briefly covered it in THIS post that showcases my entire studio but wanted to give a bit closer look at my Clip it Up Floor Spinner now that I have transferred all my clear and cling stamps onto it.

The Clip it Up Floor Model fits neatly into an unused corner of my craft room and makes good use of an otherwise empty space. Plus, it opens up my shelving and other storage spaces for other things. I did purchase two additional Clip It Up Arms to give me even more storage. 

I love how I can quickly and easily find what I'm looking for with this system. I also am in the process of adding the Clip it Up Tabs to be even more organized.

Lots of questions on the clear envelopes I use to store my stamps. I use THESE. You can also get them on Amazon.com HERE. They are made to fit in 3-ring binders but I cut them in half and use them to hang from the clips as shown here.

Currently I have some of my favorite or newer Wood Mount Stamps in these postman cubbies from Pottery Barn. I don't have near as many wood mount stamps as I used to so this is an easy way for me to see my newest stuff quickly and easily. 

All my Stampin' Up stamp sets, Design Block background stamps are stored in THESE Artbin Double Deep Clear Storage Boxes. They are easy to store, easy to see through and work great for me.

All my other wood mounted stamps are stored in THESE Artbin clear boxes.

Wishing everyone a fabulous weekend.

More soon. :)

My Craft Studio in Photos (and Video)

Welcome to Day 1 of Blog Reader Appreciation Week!

Today, I'm sharing my creative space, complete with my newly painted walls (Sherwin Williams Raindrop is the color). 

Let's get started.

First, the video:

My studio in pictures, including links to product (where available):

This is my favorite wall in my studio. Loads of color + inspiration (and many of my favorite things: buttons, Copics, ribbon, etc.

• The brown postman cubby organizer is from Pottery Barn HERE. I use it to store mini jars filled with Papertrey Ink Buttons, specialty laces & trims and my big spools of string and twine. The top shelf has a jar filled with chalk  pencils, my empty jar I use to photograph Copic Markers used in projects, a frame with a quote I like, pink jar with small ephemera and the flower frog (spikey metal stand thing) used to photograph cards. Right now it's holding some extra projects waiting to be made into cards, etc.
• The white organizer is also from Pottery Barn. It's usually available around the holidays (or has been the last few years) so it's not on their website right now but I'll look again closer to the Christmas season). I use it for the rest of my buttons (stored by color in jars from Hobby Lobby), rolls of ribbon (these are mostly Papertrey Ink, American Crafts and other random spools of ribbon) and magazines or catalogs that I like to keep handy (like my Stampin' Up Catalog and Copic Marker Color Chart). The silver "imagine" letters are from Target. Picked those up like 5 years ago.
• The hutch on top of the desk is also Pottery Barn (the Bedford Collection). It's also about 5 years old. I don't think they carry this particular model any longer. They have the Smart Technology ones now. I just have the good 'ol regular not smart one. ;)
• I store my Sizzix Steel Rule Dies, cards, 8 1/2 x 11 paper, PTI felt rolls and such in the hutch.
• This is also my manual die cutting central. My Big Shot sits here ready to work. 

• Ranger Inkssentials Applicators on the Ranger Inkssentials Craft Spinner: Totally stole this idea from Jennifer McGuire. I love it because I am lazy and don't like switching out the foams for the ink applicator. This way I have a tool for almost every ink color (I use mine A LOT). I also store my address stamp, date stamp, etc. here. I connected 5 spinners together to make one tall tower. In my video I think I said that the ink applicators connect the spinners. Um, no. I MEANT that the craft spinners hook together to HOLD all my ink spinners. My bad. I'll share my ink storage here near the end of my post.

• Copic Marker Rainbow: I love them. I use THESE racks for storing my markers. I have three of them, each holds 72 markers. This solution works well for me because it doesn't stand too tall or take up much counter space. I had limited space to work with and these racks work well for me + I am a little OCD (obsessive-compulsive) and like everything lined up, by color + number). Dont' judge. LOL

• Buttons: Stored by color in cheap glass jars from Hobby Lobby. The glass jars make them pretty to look at, don't ya think? :)

• Ribbon: By manufacturer, by color. OCD again. I know I have issues.

• Papertrey Ink Buttons: I store these in these cute little Slanted Mini Jars from Crate and Barrel. I love these. They are the perfect size. The lid is see-through and they look cute in the cubbies.

• This is also a piece from Pottery Barn that they no longer carry. Boo. I wish they did. I have gotten more questions regarding this one item than anything else combined! The glass jars come out. Easy to take one to the work table and then put it away. I keep my American Craft Stamp Markers here (the ones you can color on the stamps and then stamp), watercolor pencils and paintbrushes (all Claudine Hellmuth's...I threw out all my others hers are SO good!).

• Pottery Barn Bedford Hutch: I keep my Neenah Solar White Cardstock, Hero Arts Notecards + Envelopes, Hero Arts Layering Papers and Papertrey Ink cardstock. Pretty rainbows, no?

• Paper scrap storage is all in this Cropper Hopper rolling cart with 12x12 file folders. Easy to roll out and then put back away. And, yes, the scraps are stored by color as well.

• Embossing folders and extra die storage on the shelves of this cabinet. Also my Project 365 album. I sort of need to update about that here on the blog. Oops. 
• Extra paper cutters, glass mat, etc. all stored here as well.

• A view of that whole wall. TV mounted in the corner. My iMac & Printer (Epson R1900). 
• Pottery Barn Daily System in White. Wipe off Calendar and mail bin, etc. The pieces that PB carries for this Daily System come and go. Pretty sure these 3 are all still available, though.

• Sewing Center: Looks out over the driveway on the north side of my house. (Garage is below me).
• More Pottery Barn Daily System: Corkboard & Postman Cubbies. The cubbies are currently empty. Doing a bit of rearranging still.
• Peek at the new Simply Renee Clip It Up Floor Model in the corner. Fits there perfectly. Storing all my clear & cling stamps  here. Getting another arm (or two) to go on the top. 

• Some of my fabric storage. The rest is in plastic bins hidden away in the closet.

• Sewing Machine: I've had this baby for a few years. Still works great with a couple of trips to the sewing store for cleaning and maintenance. Singer 6038 Model.

• Simply Renee Clip It Up Floor Model: This is where I am moving all my clear & cling stamps. This holds a bunch and I chose the Floor Model over the table top version because I simply didn't have the counter space. It fits perfectly into this corner of my room. So excited to be able to "shop" from my own studio. :) I cut THESE sheet protectors in half to hang from the Clip It Up Clips. I thought they may hang "as is" but they folded in half so I just cut them in half. Perfection!

• Next up is my big shelving system: This unit was custom built for me. It holds a ton of stuff and I love it. It holds all my paper, stickers, rub-ons, embellishments, ribbons, florals, punches, chipboard, brads, wood-mounted stamps and more.

• I label everything. Makes finding what I need a breeze.

• I store all my alphabet stickers/rub-ons, etc. by color in THESE clear storage boxes from The Container Store. I also store sticker sheets/rub-on sheets, etc. by theme (girl, boy, Holiday, Fall/Halloween, etc.) in these.

• Brad/Eyelet/Clip Storage: I keep all of my brads, eyelets and more in THESE Craft Mates Organizers. I was NOT crazy about the purple to begin with but I love this system so much that these have grown on me. I've been using this system for about 3 1/2 years and I love, love, love them. Perfect for so many little things. :) I keep them in the binders by type: brads, eyelets, clips, etc. and then sorted by color within the binder. OCD at it's best, baby!

• Florals are all kept in Plano storage boxes.
• Punches in these mesh bins from The Container Store and/or Target. I know the bigger (dvd size) are from the Container Store. The smaller (cd size) ones are from Target & the Container Store. Punches are sorted by type: border, circle, hearts & stars, etc. 
• Extra adhesives are in the smaller bins.
• Journaling tags, pages, etc. and American Crafts Flair are in the small bins as well.

• Wood Mounted Stamp Storage: I am using THESE boxes from Joann's. They are the Artbin Super Satchel Slim Single Compartment Box. They are 12 x 12 and a ton fits in each.

• I sort them by theme or brand, depending on how I use them. Mostly by theme, though. And here's a glimpse of one of the boxes. I usually save the 12x12 cardboard that come in my paper orders from 2Peas and put them in the bottom of the box. Looks like this one still needs some cardboard. ;) The cardboard is good because there are some "ridges" in the bottom of these boxes and over time your rubber stamps could warp if they sit on the ridge. If they sit there a long time. Just a possibility. 

• Design Block Background Stamp Storage: Artbin Super Satchel Double Deep Storage Box. It is the perfect depth for these stamps.  And I all these Artbin boxes stack and store together. :)

• Ribbon: I am keeping ribbon by color in Artbin Super Satchel Slim Compartment Boxes. For regular width ribbons, I keep them wrapped on floss cards. For bigger, thicker ribbons, felt trims, etc. I usually just roll them up and stick them in a compartment. I sort the ribbons by color. One or two colors per box depending on how many ribbons of that color I have.

• Embellishment Storage: For anything that doesn't fit into any other storage above (metal embellishments, pre-made die-cuts, tags, etc.) I use the same containers as I do for the ribbons: Artbin Super Satchel Slim Compartment Boxes. I can get lots in a box so takes up a lot less storage. Plus, I downsized a bunch. I like making my own embellishments with die cutting machines, etc. so I just really don't need that many pre-made things.

• Florals: I've been storing my florals in these Plano Clear Storage Boxes for several years now. Love it.  Each color gets it's own box. These boxes can be found in the outdoors/fishing department at many discount stores.

• Work Table: This is where I put together projects. It was a regular (smallish) kitchen table from Pottery Barn. I had longer legs custom built for it so it sits counter height. I also just had a piece of glass cut to fit the top. I wish I had done this years ago so that I hadn't ruined the table's finish in a few spots with inks, paints, etc. Probably going to have to refinish it one of these days. I love the glass top though. A little glass cleaner and it's good as new. 

• Often used tools: I like to keep those things I use the most right at my fingertips. Corner Chomper, scissors, pens, tiny attacher, etc. I use a carousel I bought from Pottery Barn years ago. I don't *think* they sell these any longer. I couldn't find them online anyway. 

• Inks, Stamping Tools, Cards, Photos & More: This cabinet is one that went with an old dining room set that I've repurposed into my craft space. It holds a hodge podge of items and I use the top for display. It's tucked into one of the little nook and crannies of my office (a bonus space in this house) and is behind my office door.

• The black ink carousel is Best Craft Organizer Dual Swivel Traveler. I think it's meant to be portable but I didn't attach the handle because I never move it. It stores ink on both sides: SU & CTMH on one and Hero Arts, Memories Ink , Versamark & Memento on the other.
• The smaller carousel is from Wisconsin Stamp Supplies HERE. It holds all my Distress Inks and Staz-on inks. I labeled everything to make them easy to find. I love my label maker.

• I keep all my paints, Stickles, flocking, glitters, etc. in THESE magazine plastic containers from the Container Store.

• Embossing powders, clear acrylic blocks, stamp tools go in these plastic baskets from a discount store.

• Cards ready to be mailed: Any cards I've made that aren't for a particular person get filed in THESE mesh baskets by theme. I can easily find one to mail or give at a moment's notice this way.

• I keep idea books, inspiration binders and film 4x6 prints on the bottom 2 shelves in this cabinet.

I hope you've enjoyed this peek into my craft studio.

I'm sure there are things I've forgot. If you have any specific requests or questions, please let me know and I'll add to this post as needed. :)

Giveaways start tomorrow and don't forget new video tutorials every day through next Monday.

Have a super Monday and a great week! xo

eta: Questions from Blog Readers & My Answers

Q: I have a simple question about how you store your PaperTrey Ink stamps: do you store them in the CD cases they come in, or are you also putting them on the clip it up in the sheet protectors?

A: I don't use the cd cases. I store them in dvd sheet protectors just like everything else. I like the sheet protectors because I can store just about all my clear or cling stamp(s) and/or sets this way. I like the way everything looks uniform.

Q: I do have a question -- where are your albums?

A: I keep my albums in our family room instead of my studio. I find that by keeping them where we hang out, that they get looked at a lot more. Plus, it frees up storage space in my studio for other things. :)

This is a photo as it is today. I have some layouts on shelves that need to be put away and stickers/packaging to remove from some albums but this is real life. :)

I almost exclusively use We R Memory Keeper Leather Albums, found HERE.

Q: You have all of your embellishments out of the packaging and in those cute boxes..How do you know what products are made by who for supply lists and things.. I feel like for submissions I need to keep everything in the original package so I know whats what..?

A: I have a freakishly good memory for what product is from what manufacturer.  I wish I had a better answer than this but I don't. Now, how to do 6th grade math...not such a good memory. ha!

 

Q: One question I have is how you store your pattern paper, by company, theme, colour etc?

A: I store almost everything by manufacturer except for Fall/Halloween and Christmas. Any paper with those themes gets put together in a file. I tried sorting and storing my patterned paper by colour but I had such a hard time with patterns that have multiple colours that I went back to storing them by mfg.


Q: If you have a chance can you share a little more in depth how you organize the clear stamps? Do you keep the sets together or do you split them up to store by theme/type instead? (Like all journaling stamps together, sentiments, etc.) Also I'd love to know what you're storing them in (the protectors or whatever that you have hanging on the Clip it Up). 

A: I keep my clear stamp sets together, I don't break any of them apart. I store them by manufacturer as that seems to be the way I search for them. I cut THESE sheet protectors in half to hang from the Clip It Up Clips.









 

 

Share Your Space | GG Blog (Storage Supply List)

A couple of days ago I shared a video of my creative space HERE.

I have received numerous questions regarding the different storage components and containers that I use so I am going to answer them all here. Please note that I didn't purchase all the components of my studio at one time but rather this has been an ongoing project for over 8+ years so some items may no longer be available. 

FURNITURE

Bedford Home Office Components from Pottery Barn (corner desk, rectangular desktops, file cabinents, hutch)

Wall Mounted Organizer (White) from Pottery Barn (this is available usually during the holiday season)

Cup Holder from Pottery Barn (no longer available)

Work Table by Pottery Barn (this was a small standard height kitchen table that I had a friend build new counter height legs for it)

Daily System by Pottery Barn (Wall Cubbies, Bulletin Board, Wipe Off Calendar & More)

Shelving Unit (these were custom built by a friend to my specifications for my studio)

Stamp Cabinet by Broyhill the Attic Heirlooms Collection (this was actually a piece that was part of a dining room set I no longer used so I moved it to my studio and use it for all my stamp storage)

EMBELLISHMENT STORAGE

12X12 Paper Storage Cases from the Container Store (I keep large chipboard sets, large florals, felt in these)

Clear Storage Cases from the Container Store (I keep paints, chalks, glitter glue, etc. in these)

Translucent Project Cases from the Container Store (I keep my alphabet stickers/rub-ons + themed stickers in these)

Silver Mesh DVD Bins from the Container Store (I keep my punches in these)

Silver Mesh CD Bins from the Container Store & also Target (I keep cards & envelopes, embossing folders, dies and miscellaneous jouranler's notebooks/pads in these)

Plano Storage Boxes (I bought mine in the Fishing Department at Wal-Mart) I keep ribbons, florals, loose embellishments in these.

Memory Dock Scrapper's Box by We R Memory Keepers (where I keep memorabilia)

Craft Mates Locking Caddies Organizers in Purple Suede (I purchased mine at my local Hobby Lobby) I used these for all my brad, clips, photo turns, eyelet storage.

Clear Glass Jars from Hobby Lobby (for buttons storage by color)

PAPER STORAGE

Cropper Hopper Paper Holders (I keep all my patterned paper and cardstock in these)

Cropper Hopper Hanging File Trolley (I keep all my scrap paper here)

STAMP STORAGE

Clear Stamps are all kept in 3 ring binders.

Wilson Jones CD DVD Sheet Protectors (this is what I keep all my Hero Arts Clear & Cling Stamps in)

Best Craft Organizer Black Ink Storage Carousel (I keep all SU, CTMH, Memories, Hero Arts ink pads here)

Wisconsin Stamp Supplies White Ink Pad Carousel ( I keep all Distress Inks & Staz-on inks here)

Inkssentials Craft Spinner by Ranger (I keep blending tools and similar items here)

White baskets for SU and Hero Arts Stamps (purchased at Wal-Mart)

Thin Clear Cases with White Handles for foam stamps (purchased at Target)

SEWING MACHINE

Singer Machine Model #6038 (nothing fancy but I do regularly take it in for maintenance)

Savannah Utility Baskets from PB (I store some fabrics here)

If I missed your question please post it here and I will add to the list. 

Thank you! Good Night!

Ink Organization + Silhouette Inspiration

I purchased one of these Dymo Label Makers this week. I know, I know...these aren't new or anything. I don't know what gave me the wild hair to buy one but I did. And I love it. (I sort of have a thing for all organizational aids and products.).

 

I have a couple of different ink towers that I like to use for my stamp ink pad storage. My Stampin' Up and CTMH ink pads are just fine as they label their pads and it's easy to know what's what. However, every time I want to use a Distress Ink or Memories Ink or Staz-On Ink I have to go through them all to find the color I want. Not fun. So, I labeled them. Now, I can see and find the color I want easily. I am all about labeling everything for ease of use!

 

The inks above are my Staz-On inks. 

And here are some of my Distress Inks:

And here's a view of them in my stamp cabinet (this is where I am currently housing all stamping related product: inks, stamps, etc.). 

And here's how I'm storing the new Hero Arts Cling Stamps. I love the whole Cling Stamp concept: rubber stamps that work like clear ones. Love.

I am keeping them all in a binder, like I do my clear stamps. I am using these CD sheet protectors from Office Depot:

 

And here's how they look in the binder. I used the label maker to label the pockets so I could easily reference the item #/stamp for projects.

 

Silhouette has a brand new blog address: Silhouette Machine Blog. Kerri Bradford shared an amazing project and tips on Thursday's blog post. Check it out HERE. 

See those darling Print & Cut Advent designs Kerri used?

Um, girls who play along with Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas of Ali Edwards' December Daily every year....can you just imagine how CUTE these will be for your daily Christmas Journal?!!!! Can you guess what I'm using this year? :) And just imagine creating a wall art advent calender design. SO FUN. 

Christmas_calendar_1_2281

 

Christmas_calendar_2_2282

Christmas_calendar_3_2283

Christmas_calendar_4_2284

Christmas_calendar_5_2285

 

Christmas_calendar_6_2286

Look for a preview of my Christmas Journal coming soon (I hope next week). I'm ready for the holidays already. :)

And want to know the BEST thing about these Advent Print & Cut designs? You see the how the days of the week are on each design? They are totally customizable. They can be moved around (i.e. next year) or removed completely if you just want to use them over and over and don't want to re-print/cut them each year! How cool is that? 

Speaking of holiday projects, I have a Halloween project that I'm hurrying to finish up. I am creating a bunch of tags to hang on this cool PB frame thing I have. I using a bunch of the Silhouette Print & Cut's for this as well. I can't wait to share it here next week!

Have a great weekend!

what do I do...

...when I am procrastinating assignments?
Create something completely random.
I have been wanting to customize the binders I'm storing my clear stamps in forever. Just never got around to actually doing it. Last night, after what could only be described as a horrendously terrible day that I'm glad is over (and yes things are wonderful and much, much better today), I sat down and just played. I grabbed some patterned papers I've had for awhile and never touched, some of my favorite alphabet dies and a couple of embossing folders and came up with this:

Close up of the spine. I used the Houndstooth Cuttlebug Embossing Folder to emboss the green paper and then added my title and embellishments on top. Nice, subtle texture.

I added punched tabs which I stamped the manufacturer info at the top of each and stapled the tabs to the top of the sheet protecters.

Here's a close up of the front cover. The title is alphabet diecuts plus stamping/embossing. The accents were cut from the patterned papers. Easy. :)

Supplies used:
Patterned Papers (American Crafts)
Diecuts (Magnolia and Mary Jane, Quickutz)
Embossing Folders (Cuttlebug)
Play Stamp (Heidi Swapp)
Alphabet Stamps (Hero Arts)
Tab Punch (McGill)
Ribbon (American Crafts & Making Memories)
Scallop Punch (Stampin' Up)

***eta: the links are now working. Thanks Bonnie & Kathy for the heads up on the bad link!***

And just in case you're wondering how I store the stamps inside the binder, HERE and HERE are the links to the blog posts where I show how I store them. I just moved all my sheet protectors/stamps to larger binders. :)

Jennifer McGuire also stores her clear stamps similar to this. Check out her storage system by clicking "Clear Stamp Storage" under Video & How To in her sidebar. (I would link you directly but for some reason I wasn't able to. Bummer.) :)

***eta: HERE is a link about Jennifer's storage system from 2Peas.***

Hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday! Take care!

Brad Storage

While I am on the subject of re-organizing and how I store stuff in my space I thought I'd share my brad storage. This is something I had struggled with for a long, long time. I used to keep my brads in little watch tins (but some of the newer bigger brads didn't fit well in those little tins) so I had to keep the bigger ones someplace else. I kept those in the clear plastic storage boxes.
Two problems with this system :
1. If you accidently knock the clear divided box on the floor, it's a big, awful mess to clean up. (Don't ask how I know this. :))
2. In keeping with my system, I really like having all like items together and my system wasn't working.

I tried a couple of things before I finally settled on these Craft Mates organizers.

They have a handy dandy little space to put a piece of cardstock so that I can tell at a glance what is inside:

I sort all my brads and eyelets by color/type. Most are by color with the exception of themed ones like Christmas and Halloween. I find that just like with buttons, I usually look for a certain brad by color rather than brand.

There are 8 compartments in each orgnaizer so it's easy to just pull out one row at a time to get the brad I need:

What I love about these caddies:
1. Each compartment opens individually. No more huge messes when I drop it on the floor because no matter how many times I say it won't happen again...it does. :)
2. ALL my brads fit in the compartments. As do my metal photo turns and findings and my eyelets. All like items are in one place. I love that.

Finally, this is what they look like on my shelf. Another plus? The compartments do not open easily so little hands can't get in and make a mess. I keep these on the bottom shelf and little man can't get in them. :)

Organization & Where To Buy Q&A

I had intended for this post to go up yesterday but I got the hair-brained idea that I should rearrange my studio and I pretty much spent all day cleaning, moving and re-organizing. If there's one thing I love it's re-organizing stuff. I'm funny like that. ;)

Anyway, this will be the first of two posts today (to make up for the no-post yesterday!).

Q:I have wanted to ask how you store your Cuttlebug dies and embossing folders?

A: Originally I stored them in a drawer at my diecutting center but the obsession and collection has grown so much that it ended up a jumbled up mess so I purchased the Cuttlebug Storage Binder and inserts to store not only my Cuttlebug dies and embossing folders but many of my Quickutz dies and folders fit in it so I can have almost everything in one place.

This is what I refer to as my "die-cutting center". This is where I keep my die-cutting machines (except for the Silhouette which is by my computer) and all my dies.

This is the Cuttlebug Storage Binder. It sits on the shelf below my die-cutting center.
Cuttlebug Embossing Folders:

Quickutz Goosebumpz Embossing Folders:

Cuttlebug Dies & Embossing Folder Sets:

Quickutz Dies:

I purchased my Storage Binder and inserts HERE.

For those Quickutz Dies that don't fit in the Cuttlebug Storage Binder I use the following:
Quickutz Magnetic EZ Store Die Sheets and also the Magnetic Storage Books.

And for those long 12" Quickutz Border Dies, I use the EZ Store Die Sheet for Border Dies.

Q: I was jsut wondering if you would share where you order your Cuttlebug Embossing dies?

A: I have purchased them from Croppin' Paradise HERE and also from Wild Ivy Memories HERE. I do purchase quite a few from my local Hobby Lobby, especially when they are offering the 30% off Cuttlebug items or the 40% a single item coupons. :)

Q: Where did you get the wall-mounted ribbon organizer?

A: I just noticed that Pottery Barn is carrying this again. It's the Wall Mounted Craft Organizer. I LOVE it.

Punch Storage

I mentioned last week that I just changed how I store my paper punches and I thought I'd share some photos of my new system today. :)
I was storing ALL my punches in two relatively small canvas bins on a shelf in my studio. Each time I needed a specific punch I would have to dig through the bins to locate the right one. Didn't work so well and I forgot about some of the punches I had that fell to the bottom of the bin because I couldn't see them. I am very visual and if I don't see something, I don't use it. :)

My new storage system may not work for everyone because it requires a door or doors in your scrap space. I have a couple of doors in mine so this works perfectly for me.
I bought two inexpensive clear pocket shoe organizers at my local discount store and hung them on two doors. For sharing purposes I hung them with the punches on the outside of the doors but normally I would have them hang on the other side, hidden from view, yet readily accessible when I need one for a project.

The only punches not pictured are my border and corner rounder punches which were being stored in another basket on my desk. I just moved them to these clear pockets, though. I like for all my like tools to be stored together. :)

Hope everyone is enjoying their Monday. I've got to go put together a meal for one of our employees and his wife who welcomed another baby girl into their family last Friday. :) I'm making lasagna...yum!
Have a great day!

the clean studio = motivation.

I still have a bit of work to do sorting through a couple of remaining piles (the outgrown children's clothing and some scrapbook supplies recently purged) but all in all my room is back in working order. :)
I can now see my desk. The piles have found "homes" and I feel inspired. Yea!

I enjoyed my clean studio so much that I made a quick card for a friend so that I could get it mailed out today. :)

This is a standard sized card cut down to make a 4 1/4" square.

I folded the card so it's tri-fold.

Supplies:

Tree and Leaves Stamps: October Afternoon

Ledger Paper, Kraft Patterned Paper: Making Memories

Stamp Ink: Ranger Distress & Colorbox Chalk Inks

Heart Diecut: Cuttlebug

Scroll Stamp: Hero Arts

Other: String & Pop Dots

I better get going...it's almost time to go run a few errands (always!).

I'm looking forward to this evening...it's "my" night. Free from kid-duty, I can lock myself away in my studio and create to my heart's content!

Until tomorrow...