Cross Stitch Update February 2016

WIP's (Works in Progress)

Item: The Nativity
Fabric: 16 count Aida
Started: Jan 1, 2016
Notes: Designed using Picture to Pattern

Item: April's Blue Diamond
Designer: Mirabilia
Fabric: 16 count Aida (hand dyed by myself)
Started: Jan 5, 2016

Item: Love You Always
Designer: Bucilla Kit
Fabric: 14 count Aida
Started: Nov. 9, 2015

Item: Magnificent Wizard
Designer: Dimensions Kit
Fabric: 14 count Aida
Started: Aug 30, 2015

Item: Northern Lights
Designer: Janlynn
Fabric: 14 count Aida
Started: Sep 27, 2015

Margaret

My Yarn Storage and Organization

I wanted to share how I store and organize my crocheting supplies.  I just began crocheting again after over 25 years and found myself in need of storage and organization.  As I have a dog and a cat I wanted to make sure that I could keep my yarn clean and fur free, so I have to become creative.  I do love to organize on a budget so I had to come up with a few good ideas.  Along with the Sterilite containers I also found these items that could work.

These were Stackable storage containers that I found in several sizes but bought these two.  I had my husband drill a hole in the center for the yarn to pull through.  They work great.  I finally received my ball winder and made the yarn cakes with the center pull and they work great in these.  They were purchased at a local store called Marcs for $.99 and $1.49.

This is a bottle bag that I found at Family Dollar for only $7.00.  I use this for my on the go bag.  It is the perfect size.

This is a larger bag that I found at Tuesday Morning for $9.99.  It is a Singer sewing and craft bag.  I use this for my Work in Progress (WIP) items.  Right now I am working on a sweater.  It is made in 5 pieces so I store the pieces here and use the small bags to take a pieces that I am working on in.

 

Margaret

Decorated Baby Girl Mini Album with Box

I wanted to share with you how I decorated the album and the box.  It took me longer to decorate and embellish it.  I really like how it came out.  I was going to buy some baby shoes to put on the box when I came across how to make them.  I practiced on different materials and really liked how they turned out.
I hope you enjoy the video.  This item is available for purchase at my etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/157380730/baby-girl-mini-album-with-keepsake-box?ref=shop_home_feat



Margaret

Project Life Update

I wanted to share with you how I am keeping up with my Project Life.  As with everything elso sometimes life gets in the way and I had to find a way to keep up with what I wanted to include and where to place it.  I am using my family organizer to keep track of everything.  I put the week on the top and beside an event  I add PL in red to indicate that this may be something that I want to include in that weeks pics.  I am still  taking pictures and this way I know what picture goes with what week.  I also wanted to share with you a cart that I found ate Walmarts that I am using to store all my Project Life items. Now I have everything in one place.  I am also in the process ( a never ending) of cleaning and reorganizing my craftroom and as I come across things that I feel would work well in my Project Life album I put it in this cart.  This is working out great.




Margaret

Project Life Organization/Storage

I wanted to share with you the way that I am organizing my Project Life supplies.  I made a chipboard organizer with a drawer to store and organize my supplies.  When I am ready to work on my scrapbook all I need to do is place the organizer on my desk and I have just about everything I need there.  I have become stuck on making organizers.  I like having everything that I need in one spot.

Margaret

Completed Monthly Bill Organizer

I completed the bill organizer and wanted to share it with you.  The paper that I used is bu GCD Studios called Sonate Paris Nights Collection, and Black cardstock from Recollections.  The knobs are from Tim Holtz idea-ology called Curio Knobs.  The embellishments on the front cover is diecuts make of chipboard using the Tim Holtz Alterations die called Gadget Gears umbossed with clear UTEE, Black and Hematite Peridot embossing powders.  The facing on the drawer front is made using the Spellbinders Nestabilities die called Labels Six.  The completed item can be purchased at my etsy shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop/margaretscrafts?ref=top_trail

Margaret

Making the Monthly Bill Organizer Part #1

This is the first of three parts in the making of the Monthly Bill Organizer.  This video shows how I made the bottom box for the drawer.  You can see in the previous post the cutting measurements and supplies.
*Sorry but don't apply the decotative paper to the back of the box until after completing part #3.



Margaret

Helpful Hints #7

Wanted to share with you a few more helpful hints that I came up with and found very useful.



Margaret

Updated Craftroom 2012

I wanted to share with you what I have reorganized so far, still have a little bit more left to do and hope to share it with you soon.  My best advise  for organizing is to put like things together and to make sure everything is labeled and everything has a home.



Margaret

Thin Die Storage

I wanted to share with you the new way that I am storing my thin dies.  I used the same scrap saver pockets as I did for my stamps.  I also found the vent covers that I am using at The Dollar Tree.   These are great and for $1.00 they can't be beat.



Margaret

Added Stamp Storage

I love my new stamp storage but found that as I was transferring my stamps over to this new method I was running out of the pockets and the store did not get anymore in. So I came up with this new method.  Now off to the store to buy more.



Margaret

New Copic Marker Storage Bag

Wanted to share with you my new Copic Marker Storage bag.  It the a bag that is used to transport a CPAP medical equipment.  I found the bag online then called our local medical supply store and and found it there.  Very simular to the Copic Carry Case (mine is a little smaller), but no way close in price.  I so love my bag and it worked out great to carry my markers when going to different appointments.  I even used the case (closed) to do my coloring on.



Margaret

Helpful Hints #6

Wanted to share a few more hints that I use and find very helpful.



Margaret

Make Your Own Scrapbook Page Kit

I have neglected my scrapbooks lately and wanted to get back into them so I printed off a ton of prints from Walgreens. Then I thought now what to do, so I decided to make up kits for my many events. First I separated the pics and placed them in bags, then I added the paper and embellishments.

Her is a picture of how I store them.

This video shows the process.


Margaret

Helpful Hints - Slice & Sneak peek at mini album

Hi all I wanted to share with you some hints I came up with for use with the Slice. Reusing parts of the package and making up a storage box. I also included a sneak peek into a mini album I am making using the Slice for the embellishments. Will post the finished album when complete.

Margaret

Helpful Hints #3

Just wanted to share a new way that I am storing my Tim Holtz Distressed ink pads and how I store ideas that I have found on the net. This is also a File folder mini album that I found the directions for on youtube.



Margaret

My Copic Storage

After seeing the new Copic Marker Storage Bag I wanted to reshow my bag that I put together September 2010. It is a cooler that I removed the plastic insert from. It was purchased from WalMarts for around $9.00. I'm not into football but It was the right size and price. It is very portable but mainly sits on my desk. Right now it holds 181 markers, 14 Spica markers, 16 refills and my color booklet. They are divided by color. I love the fact that it zips closed and has a nice shoulder strap.

This is the outside of the cooler. It rests on its side for easy access.

This is the front pocket that holds the refills, some hand sanitizer, baby wipes, and a jump drive that I store a backup of my digital images.

This is the main compartment for my markers. I have an assortment of holders to fit. I have dividers between the colors.

This is one of the side pockets. It holds my Copic booklet with my colors and notes. In the other pocket I have a photo organizer to hold stamped images.
Here is the previous post of my holder: http://margaret-ilovecrafting.blogspot.com/2010/09/this-is-way-i-now-store-my-copic.html

Margaret

New Craft Table

Wanted to share some pics of my new craft table. It is actually two tables pushed together. I found them at one of our local WalMarts marked down to $29.00. They came in white and block. They measure 39" X 21 1/2". So that gives me a nice large working surface of 39" X 43".

The green chair is also a WalMarts clearance. I needed an extra chair and the green fits right in.

Margaret

Helpful Hints #2

Just wanted to share a few more ideas that I have found very useful. This video shows how to reuse the Cricut cartridge box, how to make bows, and my version of the Idea book. The paper size for the cartridge box it 8 2/4 X 12. This is where I found the video on making the bow:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snCGRqWksbo&feature=related . Thanks Bonnie. My idea book measures 8 1/2 X 6. I also use two ATG tape guns, one with general tape (for cardmaking and crafting) and the other one "Pink" with acid free tape (for scrapbooking). That way I can save on the cost of using the acid free tape.



Margaret

Copic Storage

This is the way I now store my Copic markers. I like to take them with me when I go places but hated to have them all mixed up. This is a cooler that I found at Wal-Marts for $9.00 then used some foam core board to make the dividers. I made the sections different sizes.
This is the inside view of the bag how I have the markers divided. The lid is on the bottom.

This is the side view of how I have the extra images that I want to work on. I keep them in a plastic photo organizer.

This is back view of how I have the straps locked down when I have the case on my desk. I put the lid on the bottom.

This is the front pocket where I store my refills, a small light, my ink pad just for using with my Copic markers and some hand sanitizer to clean my hands from the markers.
Hope that you find this info helpful.
Margaret