Stuff i ♥ - Envelope Punch Board

I have to be honest, I bought this without trying it out and not actually seeing it in person.   At less than $20, I figured it was worth the risk.  HSN had an awesome deal and it included 40 sheets of cardstock.  I think they sold out on HSN but a number of other retailers carry it online. I am telling you, if you are a card maker like myself or if you want to add cute envelopes to your scrapbook pages, this is the tool for you. 
I have a Martha Stewart Scoring board which I cannot live without and I could easily use it to make envelopes.  However now that I have the Envelope Punch Board I don't think I will be going back to using the MS Scoring board for envelopes.  There are plenty of things that the scoring board is better for so I am glad I have both.
If the Envelope Punch Board just scored lines, it would probably not be worth it.  Luckily, it does so much more.  I ♥ the fact that measurements for a ton of envelope sizes (60 sizes of envelopes) are printed right on the front of the board.  This is beyond handy. 
It is also super easy to use.  I always found when making envelopes using just a scoring board the most difficult part was cutting away the tiny triangles so I could properly fold my envelopes.  The Envelope Punch Board takes away the need for tiny detail scissors.  The dual sided punch not only notches the envelopes in the proper place, but the other side rounds the corners of the paper to create the perfect finished edge.  Additionally, the paper scorer fits easily in the side of the board and locks into place so no worry about losing it.
The instructions that came with the Envelope Punch Board are easy-peasy to follow and you'll be making envelopes in no time.
I rate the Envelope Punch Board ♥♥♥♥ out of ♥♥♥♥!

Crafting STUFF - it is craft month after all.

My goal for this month - Craft stuff, as in make stuff.  March is craft month.  Now to be honest, every month in my life is craft month but I am trying to create more and collect less.  Ironically, March 1st was the start to the Northwest Paper Chase and I managed to hit 14 stores in two days and effectively added to my craft supplies collection (*more on the paper chase later).  So I set a goal for the month - create stuff for at least seven people in addition to any other special events I would normally make something for.  I was inspired by a post on facebook.  Sometime back in January, a friend of mine posted a sort of pay it forward offer to create something for people if they promised to create something for at least five other people.  I think the original post may have intimidated some people.   People don't think they have the time or the creativity to create stuff.  I totally get that.  I used to be a really private crafter and still have a hard time going to crops or crafting with anyone else.  It is something I plan on working on this year.
Yesterday I posted an offer to create something for seven people, no strings attached.  I am really excited to make stuff.  So far four people have responded to my post and I am totally brainstorming all kinds of ideas.  I don't want to spoil the surprises so I will take pictures and post them once the gifts have been received.  I have given myself until the end of the month to get all the projects done and in the mail.  I have three spots left.  Readers of this blog, feel free to post in the comments if you would like something crafted by me.  If you need to provide your address, message me at ihearthello@hotmail.com.
Now to craft stuff, as in stuff that I use to make crafts.  I think I may make this part of this blog, where I talk about craft stuff.  Here's where I make a confession: I collect craft stuff, a LOT of craft stuff.  Anyone who has seen my craft room in person can attest that the bins are filled with a lot of stuff.  Nicely organized stuff, but quite a bit of it. 
Here is an example, I love Copic sketch markers.  Now, I am totally late to the party on this.  Crafters, especially stampers have been in love with Copics for quite a while now.  I had some knowledge of fancy alcohol markers because I have friends who are super artistic and my husband has a significant collection of Prismacolor markers and colored pencils but only recently came across Copics.  I should also admit that I don't really stamp a lot, but I suppose that is besides the point.  I now have a sizable collection of Copics.  My most recent purchase was the 25th Anniversary Copic Sketch collection.  It is 36 markers and I will admit I scored them for an excellent deal.  Anyone who lives near a Dick Blick Art Supplies store here's a tip, they accept competitors coupons.  So I took my 50% off Michaels coupon and got this incredible set for $99.  An amazing deal when you think that single markers sell for $8.  This set is special because instead of the chisel tip of most sketch markers, these have a brush tip and a fine point tip. 

But I needed somewhere to house my collection of markers.  Copics when you buy them in sets come in awesome plastic cases, but managing different sets can be cumbersome.  Copic sells wallets, but the largest wallet only holds 72 markers.  A reasonable person who doesn't feel the need to collect stuff could probably manage with a wallet that holds 72 markers.   Clearly I am not a reasonable person or sane :)  Lucky for me ArtBin just released marker holder inserts for their Super Satchel totes.  Unlucky for me, these things are terribly hard to find.  I know, I could order them online and they would be delivered to my door in like a week, but like Veruca Salt "I want it NOW!"  I found one at Dick Blick and two more at Scrapbook Nook in Kent, WA.  I am on the lookout for a fourth.  Each insert will hold 64 markers.  Four inserts will fit in a full size ArtBin Super Satchel.  I don't need the fourth insert yet, but soon.  As you can see my Copic markers are stored on the left and my husband's Prismacolors are on the right.  It is the perfect storage solution and makes it easy to bring my markers out to living room from my craft room to color in front of the television. In my next blog post, I'll talk about the Northwest Paper Chase and some cool new techniques I learned to utilize my Copics. 

One of a Kind Mini Album

One of my goals for 2013 is to spend more time creating and crafting.  Lately I have been obsessed with making mini-albums.  Thank goodness for YouTube.  There is so much creativity and talent out there.  I found this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiOSgydczVo and thought the pocket pages on this mini album were genius and I set out to make my own. Additionally, I discovered a new way to bind my mini-albums on YouTube as well.  I highly recommend searching for "hidden hinge binding".  It is a brilliant and easy way to bind albums and the binding can be scaled from mini book size all the way up to 11" albums.
This album measures 6 1/2" x 6 1/2".  I used Basic Grey "Fact" papers to cover the pages.  Joann Fabrics and Crafts carries this Basic Grey line in 12" x 12" paper stacks as well as 6" x 6" stacks and loads of fun embellishments.  In my craft supplies I also had chipboard stickers from Basic Grey's "Junebug" line from a few years back.  It is possible I am a craft hoarder. I really liked how the colors of the new line and the stickers from the old line blended seamlessly.  The vellum sticker on the cover is from K & C Company. 
 My favorite elements of this mini-album may be the pinwheels I made for the cover, followed by the whimsical birds.  This album has six pocket pages, three with flaps with tags and three simple pocket pages. 

Kenley's Birthday Book

My closest friend Melissa's daughter Kenley's first birthday was this past weekend and I wanted to make something extra special for her.  I will be the first to admit that I am not a scrapbooker.  Honestly, I mostly make cards.  The scale of cards is easier for me to manage and the thought of creating 12x12 scrapbook pages is very overwhelming.  Recently though, I discovered that I do like making mini-albums and after watching a great tutorial video on the "Stack the Deck" binding system I put this book together in no time.
I used October Afternoon's Cakewalk papers, stickers and chipboards, along with some crochet trim I got at Michaels and some striped washi tape. 
The only thing I would do different is that I would have covered the cover entirely first, before adhering the bound pages.  I got a little overly excited about putting the book together and had to go back and add trim pieces to cover parts of the center binding where the inserts didn't cover.  There are tabs and six pockets with tabs to add additional photos.

 

Craft room organization 2013

While I haven't updated my blog in a while (how did 11 months go by? Seriously, 2013 will be the year blogging about my crafts becomes a priority) I  have been busy making a bunch of crafty things and organizing my ever evolving craft space.

So my craft room originally re-purposed my dining table and hutch.  Well, it wasn't enough storage and the dining area looked like it could use a table again so I had to come up with another solution.  I wanted it to be a space that was functional and relatively inexpensive to outfit.  The solution was simple and available at my local Target; plastic storage drawers.  They come in a range of sizes and shapes.  They are easily stackable, which is important if you have as many craft supplies as I have amassed over the years.  I absolutely love them. I store all my paper in upright bins that I found at Joanns.  My paper is organized by paper line, alphabetically.

For about $100 I was able to outfit an entire wall of my craft room.  The best part about the plastic bins is the amount of storage space the drawers offer. The drawers are deep enough and long enough to store a lot of stuff.   I used one of the smaller drawers to keep all my alphabet stickers arranged by color.  It is an easy way to quickly assess what colors and sizes of alphabet stickers I have available.  I use the same size drawer to organize any stickers, chipboards, and other accessories by paper line as well.  I use photo boxes inside the larger drawers to keep things separated.
I have an IKEA bookcase lining the other wall of my craft room.  I recently mounted a peg board on the same wall.  I use the storage cubes to keep larger items like my Cuttlebug, Xyron and photo albums organized.  I recently purchased some plastic paper trays from a local scrapbook store and use them to organize my scrap pieces of paper by color.  I find it is the easiest way to keep track of small pieces.  I use an IKEA desk for my crafting surface and set up another 4 foot table along the adjacent wall for additional crafting space, or for someone else to come over and craft too.  I love my space and have been using it quite a bit.  

2012...keeping old promises, making new ones

Oh my craft heart.  How have seven (7? really 7?) months gone by and not one crafty blog post?  I must admit, many crafty things have occurred and yet I have not documented one of them.  Shame on me.  I promise 2012, I will try harder and make this blog more of a priority.  I had high hopes of updating you weekly with adorably creative projects and witty posts when I started you.  My hopes are still high.

Here are the highlights of the latter part of 2011 and the beginnings of 2012:

- Decorated some blank notepads for gifts.  So easy and functional, everyone needs a little notepad for writing grocery lists and to-dos.  I used Basic Grey's Nook and Pantry paper and embellishments for these notepads.  They have a little magnet on the top to close them.  Sadly, my favorite place to obtain the blank notepads, The Paperzone closed.  I will need to find a new place to source the blank notepads for future projects.

 -I also made a Halloween home decor piece using a cheap wooden frame and Echo Park's Apothecary Emporium paper line.  I especially like the picket fence detail. I used the tops of the pickets to make a banner for the top of the frame.

 - In October I also took a Wilton cake decorating class at my local Michaels.  I can't wait to take more classes.  It was a lot of fun and my co-workers enjoyed all the cupcakes and cakes I brought to work.  This cake was my final project.  I made a spiced cake with caramel apple filling.  The top is supposed to mimic an apple pie. Surprisingly the hardest part of making this cake was getting the frosting to be a true red color for the apple decorations.  There are three more classes in the Wilton series.  In the next class I will learn to make royal icing and flowers.  Then I believe it is onto fondant and fondant flowers. 

- For Halloween co-worker treats I also made hand sanitizer holders.  I got a great deal on Halloween mini hand sanitizers at Bath and Body works (I think it was 8 for $2).  I will have to track down a photo to post along with easy directions. 

- The best part of 2011 was selling my crafts for the first time.  I was nervous at first when Holly asked me to be involved in her holiday home shopping event.  Would my stuff measure up? Would anyone want my hand crafted paperstuffs?  I worked furiously making wreaths (like the one on the left), notepads, gift card pop-up boxes, Christmas tags, and ornaments.  All the late nights I stayed up working was all worth it though.  Even if I didn't sell a thing, it was a big step for me to even put myself and my crafts out there.  I ended up making some cash and bartering with other vendors for some delightful stuff.  I hope to get my business license this year and start selling at local craft fairs.  That is certainly one of my goals for 2012.  I want to one day open my own crafty boutique.  A girl can certainly dream. 

- Finally, what I think it my greatest craft organization idea ever.  I love ribbon.  I hate trying to organize all those ribbon spools.  I could never really figure out the best way to store my ribbon collection and also be able to visually see what colors, patterns, textures I had on hand.  After combing Pinterest for a while (where I saw a number of amazing ideas) I came up with the best solution.  I used three sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 photo paper, a 1"circle punch and the bottom of an old roller shade to create this ribbon organizer.  I folded the paper in half width wise and then used permanent adhesive to glue the halves together.  I was careful not to glue to the fold, because I knew I wanted to be able to slide the wooden piece through the top.  I punched holes and threaded my many ribbons in rainbow order through the holes.  My sweet husband mounted it to the wall and viola!



So my hopes for 2012 include updating this blog more frequently and taking more pictures of the projects I am working on. 

I most bummed that I failed to take photos of the baby shower I threw for my dearest friend Melissa.  It was adorably owl themed and the invitations and decorations all coordinated so well.  Hopefully this is a lesson learned and I will take more care to remember to take photos. 



Half way through 2011 and I am a little behind.

As far as my crafting resolutions for 2011 go, I am a little behind. 

I did succeed in creating a Birthday/Anniversary Calendar and have mailed a number of cards out this year.  In fact, I just mailed three cards out this morning.  I made lovely Valentine's day cards using Echo Park's Be Mine collection. I am getting a little better at taking photos of my work as well.

 

 

I did submit work to Papercrafts magazine and although I did not get selected, I plan to continue submitting work.  Hopefully one day I will see one of my cards published.  Here is the birthday card I submitted.  It was a color challenge and the project need to incorporate teal, yellow, light blue and green in one card.

I set out to accomplish ten goals and so far I have managed to complete four, not too shabby and I still have 5 months left!  I probably won't be at any craft fairs or farmers markets this year.  I simply cannot produce enough product to fill a booth.  Maybe one day. 

Clearly my intentions of updating my blog regularly has fallen by the wayside.  I am not quite sure how it ended being the end of July, but I hope to get back on track now.  I am still a little overwhelmed at the thought of scrapbooking.  Cards I find to be less daunting.  The massive amounts of photos and ideas for our wedding scrapbook may simply be too much for me to start to imagine tackling but I plan to muster up some courage soon.  We are going to be celebrating our 4th anniversary in September and it is a shame all those memories are squirrelled away in boxes.

And finally, a lot of blogs are talking about Christmas in July.  Here is one of my projects from last Christmas.  I was invited to a cookie exchange and made pizzelle cookie packages using American Crafts Merrymint paper. I am enamored with pleated paper flowers.

I hope to post some pictures of my craft room in my next post.  I am really proud of how organized it is and I am planning to paint the walls and do a little more decorating in there soon.