Sharing a card we did in my awesome Art Impressionclass last week! In class we scribbled Marvy LaPlume markers on a pallet, added a little water and brushed color on to the fence and grass. To finish coloring this cute little scene, I used pencils. This was such a fun card and the class gave me more ideas on how to use my AI front & back images.
Organization Tip: I store my pencils so I can find colors quickly and grab them. My husband cut up pieces of PVC pipe. Feeling the way I do about color, I painted the pieces with acrylic pant to match my pencil color categories. :o) I adhered them to a lazy susan and filled them up.
It was great to revisit all of my Stampin' Up! images!! I have renewed ideas of how to use them. I've grown in my knowledge and experience with different techniques - it's like have some new images! I actually did give two whole sets away. :o)
I did not have enough supplies. When I first ordered the SU! storage cases, I really had no idea how many I would need. They come four to a package. I had 12 cases and I ordered 44 more - that was not enough. :o) I also had to re-order EZMount. On average I put 3 to 4 sets in each case and used one sheet of EZMount/case. I laid the images out for best usage of space - there's always some small sections left over. I saved those sheets for the smaller images.
It seemed to take a loooooooooooooong time. I had to remind myself why I was doing it. When my fingers were tired of peeling off rubber and I had piles of wood in cases in the floor that I had to step over, I kept telling myself it's only temporary and I'm going to be so happy when I'm done, AND this was my decision - no one made me do it. :o)
I am very happy with my results!! All my SU! images are together in one space. I now have more space for other supplies and for growth (insert big cheesy grin). I moved my other plastic binders with un-mounted stamps from the top of the CD/DVD Case into a section and made better use of that shelf space. To the right is a photo of what it looked like before.
I already knew my husband was a patient man and that really came out as I worked through this project. I really appreciate him!!!
Final numbers..... Started with 214 wood mounted thick cases. Ended with 88 un-mounted slim cases!
I'm making progress! I had to change my process though. Rather than un-mounting, mounting on EZMount, then printing the label and stamping the cover. I started focusing on un-mounting - that way I did not have to clean up my space and change out my supplies often. I decided to focus on un-mounting.
Where I am now: I have un-mounted the rest of my Stampin' Up rubber stamps (except for a few I decided to keep mounted)! I had to order more SU! cases and more EZMount. :o) As I was un-mounting, I used an empty SU! case to arrange the images and also printed label sheets. After un-mounting and arranging sets, I put the images back into their original plastic bins with the wood for now.
If the cases arrive first, I'll place the rubber and name stickers in the cases and wait for the EZMount. Once I get my EZMount, I can mount the rubber and stamp the images on the label pages.
If the EZMount arrives first, I'll mount the rubber, stamp the images on the label pages and wait for the cases. Once I get the cases, I can just place the images and name stickers inside.
UPDATE: 3/7/2011 Please see the comments section of this post from my stampin' sister Linda for additional tips for cutting out rubber images. She also makes a suggestion of what to do with the wooden blocks. I have a post on that - click here.
For some time now, I've been been thinking about un-mounting my wooden stamps. Wooden stamps take up a lot of space! I was recently inspired by my stampin sister Linda to just do it!
There are some images I will choose to keep on wood. For example, I have several that have colored images on the wood - I want to keep those as a color guide. There are others that may be side & top mounted, or that I just like mounted. As I go through them, I'll decide. One area where I'm moving 100% of mounted to un-mounted - my largest collection of wood mounted stamps - are my Stampin' Up! stamps. Sending a BIG SHOUT OUT to Stampin' Up! for adding un-mounted images to their product line!! They call them "clear," however the images are the same good quality rubber as on their mounted version. You can see through the acrylic block, thus clear. ;o)
For the last couple of years I have not mounted my SU! images. I've placed them on EZMount. There are two types of cushion - regular and thin. It's a matter of personal preference. If you like a lot of "cush" when you stamp, pick the regular. I have my mounted images stored in their cases on a CD/DVD case and my un-mounted images stored in a binder. Looking forward, they will all be together. I like togetherness. :o)
My journey begins....
First I made the decision that I really wanted this change and acknowledged to myself that it will take time and effort. I also wanted the benefit of having all my SU! together in one area. I would not have to try to remember if a set was mounted or un-mounted.
Next, I thought about the time table - I wanted to set up a schedule that is attainable. I received a request that helped me with my time table - it's something I'm excited about. I'll share more about that in a future post. Back to my journey....
Because I have so many SU! images, I choose to keep them in alphabetical order. To get maximum storage on the CD/DVD case, I organized my sets by size, then alphabetical order. Another driver for this change is that I want to save my energy for creating, not use it on searching. :o) I started stacking all the As, Bs, Cs, etc....
I took the As and put them in alphabetical order.
Now comes the tedious part - the un-mounting. The good news with SU! images is, they come off the sponge mounting pretty easy. I found three scenarios. (1) they peal right off without any residue - clean, (2) they peal of with some sticky residue. It's very similar to Aleene's tack it over & over glue, and (3) they peal right off with a dry coating.
For scenario (1), I placed the rubber directly on EZMount. Scenario (2) I left the residue on and will use as is. It sticks nicely to the acrylic block and does not leave any sticky. Scenario (3) I found I could just rub the majority off with my thumbs. I did have to use a little "elbow grease," but it comes off clean. If I can not get it off by rubbing, I use an adhesive remover (I use Duck Adhesive Remover). NOTE: If you do decide to use EZMount for your images, I highly recommend purchasing a hot knife. It makes cutting out your images so easy and quick. You can also use quality craft scissors. You can precondition them with a non stick spray (I've heard some people just use PAM) or you'll have to clean them often.
After my images are ready to store, I started placing them in storage cases. I decided to use the SU! cases. That way, when I buy new SU! images, I'll just stick them in alphabetical order on my CD/DVD case. Depending on the size of the set, I can get three or four sets in one case!!
The SU! cases have a space to slide paper or card stock in so you can label it. Using my PC, I created a template. I update the template with the name of the sets that will be in that case. I stamp the images in the blank area - using a different color ink for each set. For the sets where I saved the little sticker with the number in the set, I peel it off and place it inside the new storage case.
What a great reduction in space!! In the photo I now have 28 sets in the a much smaller space!
If anyone has any ideas on what to do with the wood pieces and all the plastic cases, please leave me a comment.
I got that title from my stampin' sister Linda V. :o) I've been busy organizing. I am my mother's daughter - one of those people who believe that everything has it's place (my poor family). AND, I have to start with a clean area. Whether it is crafting a project or cooking a meal, I need a clutter free surface - at least to start with.
I'm including some photos and tips for how I organize. I hope it helps someone. I've gotten great ideas from crafting blogs, YouTube, and organization books. It has taken me YEARS, lots of crafting allowance (I have not bought new clothes in three years), sales, and coupons to get to this point. I started with shoe a box of stamps, grew to a plastic drawer storage bin, and the rest is history. This is what works for me! :o)
Stamp Storage: I have both wood mounted and unmounted. I started buying unmounted when I saw the cost and storage benefits. When available, I buy rubber only and mount the stamps on EZMount. I prefer the thin. I even stopped mounting my Stampin' Up! stamps. Click here for an idea of what to do with those wooden pieces. My wood mounted stamps are stored in plastic cases in sets by manufacturer, by size, in alphabetical order, on a CD/DVD storage case and also in drawers by stamp manufacturer. It may be a bit much for some people, but it works for me. :o) AND, that's the wonderful thing about having your own space - no matter how big or small, you can organize it the way it works for you! :o)
My unmounted stamps are stored in a few ways; Notebook binders, Plastic Bins, and Clear Translucent Enclosed Mini Binders . In all solutions, I use storage panels. They are made for cling mounted stamps. I also have several clear stamp sets and some cling mount sets that I keep in their original containers on the CD/DVD case. Once I decided to go unmounted, I invested in a hot knife tool. You can also use non-stick scissors to cut out the EZMount foam.
Paper Storage: After digging through piles, forgetting where certain paper was, or what paper I actually had, I decided to invest in Jet Max storage and I love it!! It took me several weeks, several Michael's coupons, and sales to collect the ones I have. Visit your Michael's store, or on-line, for unadvertised sales. Last week all Jet Max storage was on sale for 50% off! I am happy to share that I never paid full price for one piece. :o) I store my paper by manufacturer and color. I also have a wire rack unit that I store my 12 x 12 paper in, by color. :o) I set my Cuttlebug on top of one of the shelves, ready to use, and my Spellbinders dies right next to it. The dies are in a Clear Translucent Enclosed Full Size Binder. I bought some self adhesive magnet rolls and sheets at Hobby Lobby and stuck them to same type panels I use for stamp storage. I can turn the pages and find the die I want.
Ink and Marker Storage: Several years ago I read a book called Clutter Control. It is a most excellent resource when you get ready to spring clean, clean out your basement or garage, closets - clean out anything. One of the many good things I started practicing from it was, make things you use often easily accessible. A big light bulb went off for me. :o) Such a practical thought, but how many times have we had to dig through stuff we we don't use often to get to something we do use often? :o) Back to headquarters...like my paper, many of my ink pads and all my re-inkers were in a drawer. Last year I got this really cool wall unit from Organize More at a reasonable price. I also have a Stampin' Up ink pad carousel right on my desk. It's so nice to glance up and grab the color I want. I use my markers on almost every project I do, so of course they need to be easily accessible. They are right in my face. I first found these X Cubes at Office Depot and only bought two. Little did I know how much of a 'romance' I would have with markers. :o) I went back and got a couple more. Just recently when I needed more, I could not find them at my local stores. Thanks to Suzanne, who has a fabulous Stamping Headquarters (to see it click on All About Me at her blog site), I found them on line at Amazon.
Ribbon, Paint Storage, and more: A few years ago I used a 50% coupon at Michael's to pick up a Making Memories Embellishment Center. A lot of my ribbon is stored on that, as well as in a Stampin' Up ribbon keeper. I have to admit, I have a bunch of ribbon in a drawer and piled up on top of the ribbon keeper. :o) One year I got a gift card for Michael's (seems like I shop there a lot, doesn't it?) and picked up a wire paint holder. It's really nice and compact. I keep my open bottles in a drawer. On top of one of my Jet Max towers, I have area set up for Copic air brushing. I like having it at a standing height - I don't have to bend over and I can see. :o) When I air brush, I put paper in front of the wall. I got my cute little air compressor on sale at a large local hardware store.
I hope in some small way I have helped you with your organization. Have fun organizing your space!!
This scene reminds me of my Aunt Dorothy and Uncle John's house in the country in Jackson, Michigan. As I was growing up, and even now when I visit them, we'd sit in their living room and often see deer across the street in the meadow. This card was inspired by a lovely card that the talented Darsie did. Click here to see it.
Tear scrap paper for edge of snow – should be the width of your card stock. It should not be perfectly straight. Tear one side to create a hill.
On white card stock, lay paper where you want snow edge to be and sponge on light blue ink. Start on the scrap paper and move the sponge across on the paper edge - so the line will not be harsh. Move the scrap paper around in different areas and make more snow “lines.”
Lay paper back over hill area to create a mask. Ink up small trees of large tree image with black craft ink. TIP: black craft ink creates a very, very dark image. Ink up image and stamp on scrap paper and then re-ink again without cleaning to make sure you have good coverage on your image.
Stamp the smaller two trees over hill while the rest of the image will be off the card and on the scrap paper. Allow to dry completely. Can use a heat tool to quicken drying time. DO NOT use that scrap paper again. It will cause smudges.
Lay paper back over area where the deer will be standing in the snow. Ink up deer image with black craft ink and stamp so that their legs are slightly over the scrap paper. Allow to dry completely.
Lay clean scrap paper below their legs and sponge a little more blue ink. Lay clean paper to the left of their legs and sponge some ink to the left – so it looks like a trail where they were walking.
Cut a circle for the moon out of low tack sticky paper. Lay circle tacky paper for moon on the card stock over the deers’ heads. Also lay clean paper over sky line of snow. It does not have to be a perfect match - there are layers of snow in the background and nature is not perfect.
Use a Copic Airbrush System to create sky. Start with lightest shade and spray in even circles for coverage. Can use two or three different blues for variety. This example used three shades of blue. There’s no need to mask the trees and deer because they are so dark. NOTE: You can also use sponging to create a nice sky.
Sponge dark blue around the edge of the card to create a soft frame.
Adhere layers of card.
ORGANIZATION TIP: For those of you who keep a variety size of sponges, here's an idea to help keep them organized. Sort them by color family in a plastic storage container with sections. Write the colors on top. You will be able to quickly and easily find the right sponge for the job you need.
This cute Santa bag image is from Stamps By Judith. It is actually designed by Heather - two very talented artist in the same family. I was in the mood for bright colors and had so much fun coloring this image! Being able to choose my colors is my most favorite thing about stamping!!
Stamp image on white card stock with Memento ink.
Add color with Copic Markers, blending colors together in the
same color family using two to three markers to create shading, e.g.
R24 and R27.
ORGANIZATION TIP: Cut shapes of all your base card stock colors and label them. You can easily use these samples when trying to match to design papers.
Adhere layers and ribbon.
Stamp sentiment with Versafine ink pad - very nice ink for detail stamping.
Place white card stock on inside of base card for message. Color piece of stamp image with black marker and stamp in corner. If you are very, very careful, can add color with Copic Markers. Try not to touch sides - it may bleed.
***Updated 12/17 to include photo of Copics.
Stamps:Stamps By Judith , Papertrey Ink Believe Paper:Stampin' Up! whisper white, only orange, & ballet blue, Club Scrap, DCWV Paper Prints design paper Inks:Versafine Onyx Black ink pad, Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad Accessories: Copic Markers (see numbers in photo), Stampin Up! ribbon, Creative Memories silver metallic pen, Marvy LePlumeII marker 1
Over that last few years, with the assistance of coupons, I have purchased a variety of watercolor (WC) papers and mediums. I love the look of watercolor painting and have been inspired by many artists and crafters. It was not until I took a class from My Creative Classroom with Colleen that I actually started playing and practicing with all my WC stuff.
I had the idea (actually Marriane inspired this idea with her suggestion of creating a sample book for Copics) of developing sample pages of papers and mediums. Please Note: Had I thought about sharing this idea BEFORE I started doing it, I would have cut the paper uniformly, written much neater and right side up - I'll think you'll get the idea even if you can not read my writing. :o)
1. I used StazOn Stoned Gray to stamp several images on the various WC papers. I chose a flower stamp (Stampin! Up!) because I wanted to use the petals to show the different mediums. You can use any stamp you have that works for you [use what you have!! I'm learning that.... for a period of time, I was purchasing ever new tool, paper, and medium I saw. I have not bought new clothes for three years - all my clothes funding has gone to crafts. :o)]
2. I created a KEY to show which petals of the flower I colored with which medium. I put a dot in the
upper right hand corner of each paper, so I would keep the correct orientation of the papers as I colored.
3. After completing, I put my samples pages into my little Art Porfolio (Hobby Lobby). I removed the black sleeves so I could read my writing on the back of my WC paper.
Many times I'm in a coloring mode, just want to color and color, and color. So, I have lots of images that I have colored and cut out. They are waiting for a card to be placed upon. I used to keep them in a little plastic bin. I would get frustrated looking for that one image I colored just that way.
This idea hit me when I was organizing my stickers. I bought a package of clear page inserts for stickers (I didn't get the album, just the inserts). The package included different layouts of pages to accommodate different size stickers. I thought I could also use this for my images!
All the Images and Text on this site are owned by the original creator, Trena Brannon. Please do not copy or use anything without asking permission. These projects and stories are shared for inspirational use only. Designs may not be copied for the purpose of publication or contest submissions. Thank you for your support!
