PaperFections

5 Days to an Organized Crafty Stash: Stencils

Thin, versatile, durable -- Stencils are all of that and more! If you haven’t amassed a collection of stencils yet, we’re confident that once you give them a try, you’ll become quickly addicted! Whether you use them as a mask for applying color or a texture medium, or run them through your die-cutting machine to add subtle texture (using the Embossing Pad Combo), you’ll never run out of creative uses for these supply staples. Today the My Favorite Thngs Design Team is sharing their storage solutions for stencils!

I've changed my storage solution for stencils slightly since the MFT team shared their solutions back in September. You can find that original post HERE. When available, I still use the original retail packaging and just slice the top hanger portion off, as seen on the left in the photo below. This just makes the stencil quicker and easier to access -- I'm all about things being quick and easy to be put back in their place!

Stencils for which I do not have the retail packaging, I've started using 6x6 scrapbook page protectors. Considered a top-loading protector, turn the protector so the opening is on the right or left (your preference) and this provides an area at the top (where the binder holes are) where you can label the stencil, if you choose. Since the name of MFT's stencils are already "engraved" on them, I skip this extra step!

Since my Stencil categories were pretty much the same as my Background Stamps (<= Link to yesterday's Stamp post) and I had room in my background stamp container, I decided to combine the two!  

EDITED TO ADD: The dividers I used here are the same kind I use for my stamp bin. They are white plastic and came from another type of stamp storage system I purchased several years ago. Unfortunately, they are no longer being made and I haven't been able to find them even on the secondary market or close-out stores.  :(  Alternately, you could cut down plastic report covers/pocket folders from any office supply store -- that's what I plan on doing when I need more!

Divider Categories:
Alpha-Numeric, Chevron, Dots, Floral-Frilly-Patterned, Geometric, Stripes, Squares, Texture, Text/Words, Wood/Nature/Animal

So behind each category, I file my background stamps, then the stencils:

The clear plastic storage bin I use is the InterDesign Fridge Binz 8" x 15" (approx interior dimensions = 7.50" wide x13.50" long x 4" tall, also known as the "Wide Deep"). These bins can also be found at Bed Bath & Beyond, The Container Store, or Amazon, which I've linked above). This option at Amazon doesn't have the pull handle mine does, but a hole in it instead. Here is an option with the pull handle, if you are doing a lot of reorganizing and need six bins at a discount!  

This bin sits in the center of my IKEA Expedit/Kallax (5x5) storage unit, so it is easy to pull out and work with the stencils on my table, within easy reach of my die cutting machine.

My stencil pastes are stored beside the stencils, in another long, narrow Fridge Bin (approx 4.25" wide x 3.75" tall x 14" long).

Be sure to head over to the MFT Blog, to find a list of all the MFT designers participating in today's blog hop AND find all the details on how you could possibly win today's prize package:

Check back again tomorrow for another day and area of organization!

MFT Stencils

Die-namics Embossing Pad Combo

6" X 6" Page Protectors

InterDesign Fridge Storage Bin, 8"x4"x14.5", Clear

Interdesign Fridge Bin, Clear 8"x4" - Qty 6

InterDesign Refrigerator Storage Bin, 4"x4"x14"

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5 Days to an Organized Crafty Stash: Stamps

This week the My Favorite Things Design Team will be focusing on getting different areas of your crafty stash organized!  I'm looking forward to seeing all the different suggestions from the team this week as we focus on a different area each day, and we hope these solutions will inspire you to get organized as well.

You know we couldn't have all this fun without there being something in it for YOU!  There will be a different prize package offered each day -- just check the MFT Blog for all details on what you need to do in order to be eligible to win that day's prize package!

Today's area of organization is near and dear to every stamper's heart: Stamps! Knowing what you have goes a long way in allowing you to maximize your limited crafting time. Do you know what you have and where they are though? Today, the Design Team will share their systems with you!

My clear stamp sets are stored in an InterDesign Double Fridge Binz clear plastic container (measures approximately 12" wide x 15" deep x 4" tall and can be found at Bed Bath & Beyond, The Container Store, or Amazon which I've linked above). Many thanks go out to Jennifer McGuire, my organizing idol who turned many a stamper on to this great storage system!

Above, you can see how the size of large stamp sets compare to the white plastic dividers I already had (which measure 9" tall x 5-5/8" wide and are, unfortunately not being made any longer). My dividers are catagorized pretty much the same as the MFT store, with a few additions I reach for most often: 

Divider Categories:
Alphabets/Numbers, Backgrounds/Borders (Fillers-Patterns), Birdie Brown, Die Companion Stamps, Florals/Nature, Laina Lamb Design, Lisa Johnson Designs, Miss Tiina, Pure Innocence, Sentiments.

I used my label maker for the category dividers. The stamp sets are stored in MFT's Clear Storage Pockets, both Large (left) and Small (right):

Above is what a large and small stamp set looks like in the each of the storage pockets. Below shows how I trim down a very large/tall stamp set to fit into the Large Storage Pocket. When I have the retail package, I just trim that down a little to fit inside the pocket:

For my design team stamp sets (we receive first run samples of the stamp sets, before they are packaged for retail), I print out the stamp set image from the website onto heavy white cardstock, trim that down and insert it into the front of the package (example shown in the top left of the photo below). Alternately, you could also just ink up the entire stamp set at once and stamp it onto the cardstock.

The top right of the photo below shows the back side of the stamp sets in their Large Storage Pockets. There is plenty of room for the coordinating Die-namics, extra die cuts, and stamped images:

The photo below shows the Small Storage Pockets and smaller stamp sets. There is still plenty of room in the back of the pocket to store the coordinating Die-namics, masks, extra die cuts:

This stamp bin sits on top of my white IKEA Alex drawer unit, between my desk (left) and IKEA Expedit black storage unit/table (right), for quick and easy access from my desk:

My larger MFT cling rubber Background Stamps (which measure a generous 5-3/4" square and won't fit into the double stamp bin above) are stored in another size of the InterDesign Fridge Binz -- the singe wide measuring approximately 8" x 15". I made divider categories here, too:

Divider Categories:
Chevron, Dots, Floral-Frilly-Patterned, Geometric, Stripes, Squares, Texture, Text/Words, Wood/Nature/Animal

In the front of the bin (lower left of the photo above) I store extra stamped backgrounds.  I label the backs of my background stamps with the SKU sticker from the retail package, when available. Otherwise, I use my label maker:

For my monthly MFT design team stamps and dies, I keep myself organized with a file box that sits on my desk, divided into each Release Countdown Day, Launch Night, Release Rewind, Monthly Challenges, etc.  Wouldn't you like to see what's behind that Next Month divider?!!  :)  Check back next Friday, January 30th!

Thanks so much for joining us today ... I look forward to seeing you each day this week, as we tackle and help you organize different areas of your crafty stash!

.

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Copic Vintage Background

Today over in Ellen Hutson's the CLASSroom I'm sharing this vintage background technique achieved with Copic markers . . . I hope you'll join me there, to find out how!

MFT January 2015 Release Rewind

Hello and welcome to My Favorite Things January Release Rewind!  The design team hopes to inspire you with more ideas for those new January products you've purchased and are patiently awaiting to be delivered, or to help you finish up your shopping if you are still on the fence about anything!  :)

My first project today uses the awesome new Tag Builder Blueprints 3 to make four sweet Valentines! (All bold products are linked below in the supply section):

I began by stamping the beautiful new Damask Background with Sweet Tooth Pigment ink onto the new Cherry Crisp and Black Licorice cardstock with the new Sweet Tooth Pigment ink, then die cut the damask cardstock with the large scalloped and rounded rectangle dies. Next, I cut four more scalloped and rounded rectangle bases out of Smooth White cardstock. 

Next, The white pieces were adhered behind the Damask pieces, to serve as a base to adhere the other colors of die cuts back into. This die cutting technique is called Inlaid Die Cutting and you can find a full tutorial for it that I did many moons (7 years!) ago, here.

I LOVE all the possibilities this new Tag Builders set has!

My next project uses Miss Tiina's Love You More stamp set:

The pretty new Lemon Chiffon is my card base. It was topped with a gold metallic Sun Ray Die-namics die cut, with Banana Split sun insert. The Hello Sunshine sentiment from Love You More was stamped with Black Licorice Hybrid ink onto Smooth White cardstock, then die cut with a Jumbo Cloud STAX.

The cloud was machine stitched with gold thread and popped up on Copic X-Press It Foam Tape. These Copic Sketch markers were used to color the sentiment: Y13, Y17, B21, B23.

Thanks so much for joining me this last week ... I hope you've enjoyed the My Favorite Things January release!

Head on over to the MFT Blog for a complete list of the other designers who also have projects to share on today’s Release Rewind. I hope you have a fabulous weekend and THANK YOU again for your very kind comments over the past week of release projects and posts – I always love hearing from you!

{Tag Builder Blueprints 3 Valentines}--------

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{Hello Sunshine}------------------------------------

 

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Other Supplies: Copic Y13, Y17, B21, B23 Sketch markers, gold metallic cardstock & thread, sewing machine

Season's Givings Blog Hop 3 Winners!

Many thanks to all of you who entered my Season's Givings Blog Hop 3 Giveaway of Gina K Designs ink pads -- I loved reading what all of you were thankful for last year!

The lucky winners, chosen by Random.org, are:

Who is:

29 - Celeste Goff said...

Happy New Year! Great recap of the year's wonderful projects! I am most thankful for my wonderful family and friends!

And #2:

Who is:

148 -

Maria Johnson said...

I am thankful for my wonderful, supportive husband! He supports me in everything I want to do or try. I'm also thankful for my wonderful dogs that love me unconditionally. I love your cards, especially the birthday wishes card. Oh and that giveaway! That would be my DREAM prize! I LOVE Gina K and would love those stamp pads. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw that prize!

Congratulations, ladies!  I've emailed you both at the addresses you provided ... please let me know if you do not find that email (contact me via the envelope icon/email link under my photo above).

BLOG UPDATE:
It appears Bloglovin' finally got my feed repaired and new posts are showing up there again. If you would like to follow me there, just click on the first blue heart icon under my photo or HERE.

Also, I installed a carousel sliding viewer of my 5 most recent blog posts at the top of my home page. You can easily page through those by clicking on the left or right arrows, to quicky scan and see which of those posts you may want to investigate further (just click on the photo). OR you can scroll down past the sliding viewer to find a chronological listing of posts.  I hope you enjoy this new feature, but please feel free to let me know if you don't (in the comments below) or if you are having any trouble with my page loading.

I'll be back late tonight with my Release Rewind projects for the My Favorite Things January Release ... see you then!