PERFECT level of crafty inventory

 

Today, I've got two things going on.

First,  I've got 6 questions to ask ourselves when we're trying to optimize our crafty inventory levels. Whatever the 'perfect' level is for you - these questions can help!

Second, while I was chatting about all that, I made my own temporary layering stencils for simple shapes! I created a fun pattern with an Altenew tulip stamp. I stamped it again on 3 post it notes, and then used them to create temporary stencils for ink blending!

Crafty Habits I'll STOP in 2023

 The other day, I did a quick review of my crafty shopping in 2022, and found some interesting things (and made a couple of cards with some new, never-used goodies!)

Die Storage Update

I've been using a lot of the same dies (word dies and basic shapes) over and over and I finally got tired of digging them out of their storage pouches (and then putting them away again!).

I purchased 2 12x24 magnet sheets with plain white frames (all from Amazon) and hung them with Command strips. 

I put my favourites up on the wall right over my die cutting 'station' (aka old dresser! lol!). I've been living with this for about a month now, and I'm loving it!

But I was also storing any leftover die cuts in the same storage pouches, so I was still digging every time I wanted a die cut. I changed that by putting my 'extras' into a hanging jewelry organizer bag. This is a new solution, so I haven't decided whether it's perfect yet, but I will let you know!

What's the latest update you've made to your crafty space?

Craft Room Tour - 2021 Update

Good morning! I thought it was about time to share a craft room tour update - thanks to the pandemic, I've made a couple of significant changes (and those resulted in some other minor changes). Here's a link to the video:

Save Time and Money by using a crafty inventory System!

 

Good morning! Today I have a new video on my YouTube channel showing how I use Evernote to keep track of my stamps and dies - this saves time and money and allows me to be more creative!

Ink Swatch Update!

In anticipation of 8 NEW Catherine Pooler inks arriving next week, I updated my swatching methodology to allow me to 

1) insert new colours when they're released

2) re-sort them in any way I like

3) easily select a small number to test out colour combinations.

I was inspired by magnetic fridge poetry - check it out!

If you're looking for my Copic colour matches:

Weekend Project - Dauber Organization

Do  you have pet peeves in your craft room? I do! I have a few areas in my craft room that just don't work well, but a solution either doesn't seem obvious or I can't find the 'perfect' container or I think it's going to take too much time.

This weekend I finally organized my daubers.

I have kept them for years in the appropriate 'dauber' storage which works well - don't get me wrong. But I wanted them in my acrylic drawers next to my inks and within reach. As you can see, the storage containers don't fit that well in the drawer.  One doesn't fill the drawer, but I can't fit two in. And there's only 40 places for the daubers (and I have 58 CP inks!). So I would keep the extra daubers around the container and I could never find the ones I was looking for.

Last night, as I watched some tv, I cut about a million (96, actually) strips of white cardstock that were 3.5 inches by .75 inches. I scored each one at .75, 1.5, 2.25 and 3 (you need a square that is .75 inches for the dauber to fit into). Then I had a half inch flap that I put glue on, and I overlapped one of the other flaps, to create little squares like this:

Then I glued them together in rows of 8, using tape runner:

Then I glued the rows together with liquid glue, and I used tiny binder clips as clamps while the glue set:

I kept working until I had them all together, moving the clips from the dry areas to the new, wet areas (who knew I had so many binder clips?!). When I had my 8x12 grid, I cut strips of .75 inch cardstock to create the outside edges. I adhered these with strong double-sided tape:

I cut a piece of white cardstock for the bottom of the drawer and then set the grid in, along with all my daubers. They are in the same order as my ink pads so they will be much easier to find now!

I love this custom solution that fits perfectly in the drawer. In total I would say I spent about 3 episodes of "Parenthood" doing this.

And here they are in their drawer above my CP Minis:

Craft Room Tour 2020

Happy 2020! I thought I would start the year off with a quick craft room tour and show you how I store some of my tools and supplies. If you're interested, you can click on the 'Craft Room' tab above to see previous posts about my room. 

Photos and links to some items are below, and here's a link to the video on my YouTube channel.

PHOTOS

Desktop view

Dresser with DT stamps

Copic refill storage

Mixed Media storage

Stamp storage

Amazon items (not affiliate links):

Baby Wipe Dispenser
magnets for stamp positioner
acrylic 5 drawer organizer
Really Useful box (Copic refill holder)
Dahle paper trimmer
Sequin holder
Brother Label maker
Double fridge bins (for stamps)
Shallow fridge bins
8x8 bins
Pencil case (92 slots)
Spice rack for Mixed media storage