A while back ...

... I decided I was going to try 12.7mm magnetic tape for my nestie storage instead of the 25mm I had been using.  Today I finally got around to trying it. I've been collecting sets but not wanted to 'decant' them until I'd found the notebook I'd lost and in which I'd listed all the dies/punches/folders that I own. Today I was going through cards that need to be finished and what did I find amongst them? Yep, my notebook! It was on the cards I would have to do it again (already bought another notebook) and it took an age to do it in the first place.  Anyway, back to topic .... 

I wasn't too sure how successful the narrower tape would be but I can report that, although it's not quite as strong as the 25mm (less surface area so wouldn't be), is lighter (less bulk) ... it does work effectively. I will now stay with the 12.7mm tape as you can get 10m for virtually the price of 5m of the 25mm, so works out cheaper as well.  Wish I'd bought that in the first place now as I wouldn't have had to buy any more for a good while but .... I reckon I've now got enough to last for as long as I shall need it as most of my dies are bought and it's only odd sets, when I buy them, and not nearly the 100 odd I had to deal with when I first started storing them the way I do now. 

At this point I should say that I do have another item for nestie storage .... Joy Crafts! A3 Magnetic Metal Die Storage Folder.  Yes, that is A3 (there is an A4 version as well) but I needed something to store my 12" Grand Borderabilities and .... some Grand Label Dies.  My CD wallet just doesn't cut the mustard for such long/large dies :0)  I'd already got a few of the Quickutz version for my mega/long nesties but they're not even A4 size so really didn't work for the long borders.

I don't have a Grand Calibur or any other A4 sized large cutting machine but I checked out the measurements of some of the dies for the Grand Calibur and found that some weren't far off the maximum size that the Cuttlebug would take. I figured that there were 4 sets where all the dies would fit so I bought one to try (Grand Labels Four, set of 6 dies) and all but the very largest die goes through the Cuttlebug. By my reckoning that means that all of that set may go through the Big Shot as I believe the slot it slightly wider but it will need to be a Big Shot owner that confirms, or denies, that.  It is only the overhang around the cutting edge that makes it too wide for the Bug. Being quite happy that there was only one die I couldn't use with the bug I bought Grand Labels Eleven (set of 6 dies) and that has the same result. Only the largest die won't fit the bug.

I've revisited my estimations of the other sets as the narrowest cut measurement should be 5¾ inches or less. If it says 6 inches technically it should go through but that bit of overhang will stop it - and the plates are only 6 inches wide - *LOL*  The only thing that may be needed are extended plates or running the die through the Bug twice - top and tail.

Anyway, here's what I reckon will fit, and won't fit the Bug from the available Grand dies (but I won't be held accountable if they don't -*lol*)

Grand Large Label - all of them (all fit - I've bought, I've tried and they do!)
Grand Ovals - all of them (all fit - I've bought, I've tried and they do!)
Grand Labels Eleven - 5 out of 6 (have proved this one as I have them *grin*)
Grand Labels Four - 5 out of 6 (another proved as I've these as well * bigger grin*)
Big Scalloped Circles - 3/6
Big Scalloped Ovals - 3/6 definitely.  Possibly 4/6
Creative Book Pages - 4/6
Grand Labels One - 4/6
Grand Scalloped Ovals - 4/6 definitely.  Possibly 5/6
Grand Circles - 4/7
Grand Scalloped Circles - 3/6
Grand Squares - 4/7
Grand Scalloped Squares - 3/6

OK, there's only 4 sets where all will fit through but reckon there's enough choice to make it worthwhile buying some without buying an A4 machine to use them with - unless you really, really want/need to use the very largest in the sets *grin*

Anyways, that's been my day today. Listening to Harry Potter while sorting my cards into order of needing inserts, matching with envelopes or just general finishing and then, once notebook came to light - decanting my newer dies into their new home, labelling them, updating notebook and revisiting my list of what will and what won't go through the Bug with the Grand dies.  Tomorrow I'll get it looking more like a work area than a dumping ground and I might even get some crafting done .... but then again?

Oh ... and we had a visit from prospective new Grand-daddy Philip and his soon to be wife Paula (eldest son and future daughter-in-law), eldest grand-daughter Chloe and future step-grandson Ben ... followed by a visit from youngest son, Wayne and our little Emma. Zac and Amy were safely tucked up in bed fast asleep - *grin* Lovely day!

Thanks for dropping by .....

There's a ...

... drought!  Nothing exciting happening, just boring, mundane 'stuff'.  Nothing doing over the weekend except I did get to see the littlies for a while.  First time I've seen them properly since I've been back from the holiday.  Events, colds and chickenpox had conspired against us getting together until this weekend - ooops!   Weather has been total rubbish.  I know we needed the rain but couldn't it rain just at night and leave it dry through the day?  Mind you, guess it's not been too bad today but I've been ensconced in my little crafty area decanting stamps into CD and DVD cases.  

I've now run out of CD cases so using DVD cases for some clear stamp sets. Not what I'd planned but I'm not buying any more just yet.  I've filled 50+ CD and 40-ish DVD.  Got the labels and DVD covers to put together and print and that's a few more done.  Need to reorganise the shelves to accommodate all the new cases now!  Decanting the stamps can be a boring job when there's a lot to do so I've kept myself amused by listening to Harry Potter.  I've got the full set of ebooks so I've uploaded them to my Kindle and had that playing while I've been working.  Really enjoying listening to them as well.  I've read all the books and seen all the films.  Now I'm getting to listen to them as well *grin*

Paul had his post-op appointment with the orthopaedic surgeon this morning and he's quite pleased with the progress and he feels that there is no longer any infection.  Paul's to see him again in 3 months.  Only problem is, he may need an op on his elbow!  We're hoping not but it's now looking as though he's got a touch of tennis elbow due to the strain it's been under.  Doc gave him a cortisone jab while he was there and a support to wear.  He's going to reassess in 3 months when Paul has to go back.

Anyway, time's now tipped over into tomorrow so I'm off to my pit!  Dad day in the morning .... wonder how that will go :0)

Thanks for dropping by .....

Punch storage.

A work in progress - *LOL*  I started this job middle of last year.  It got interrupted and hasn't been finished  .... yet!  

I have a plethora of punches having bought Susan Tierney Cockburn's book on floral craft with punches - Paper Bouquet.  I already had a good collection of Leone Em punches but I went through Susan's book and the Punch Bunch catalogue and bought every punch I didn't have so that I could make every flower in the book.  These, on top of all the other punches I have, border, corner and so on and so forth.  I needed a way of finding a particular punch easily rather than just having them all thrown in very deep drawers and this is what I came up with.  I also needed to be able to find the punch by name, hence the labels on the punches.  I have another box load of this type of punch to deal with (thinking cap is on for the Martha's and odd shaped punches).  I plan to number each drawer, punch a shape with each punch, stick the shape in a notebook, name it and then write the drawer number next to it, in much the same way that I numbered and catalogued my unmounted and clear stamps.

The small/medium/large punches sit in these drawers neatly in 2 layers but only with the help of plastic peel-off boxes used as trays. The base and lid of the peel-off box sit next to each other perfectly.

The giant, large punches fit more in by sitting them on their sides, rather than flat, which wastes space as there's not enough room for another layer above them and not so many fit in the drawer.  (Still need to label some of these - oops!)

I should say that these plastic drawers (purchased from my local Wilkinsons store) actually take A4 paper/card ideally and I have several sets bought  just for that purpose - as this set was originally.  You may be able to make out that the top drawer of this unit is holding some A4 cardstock - but not for long!  

Enjoy!!

ProMarker storage

UPDATE: I've put this update at the beginning as it's important and it should have been mentioned in the following post but a commenter has brought it to my attention (thanks Sonia) and I'm going to shout this .... PROMARKERS (& Copics or any other alcohol based marker pens) CAN BE STORED EITHER HORIZONTALLY OR VERTICALLY!  It is only waterbased markers, like Aquamarkers, Marvy Le Plume etc. that are better stored horizontally ie.  flat, on their sides.  I queried this directly with Letraset having read this so many times that ProMarkers had to be stored flat and being sure it wasn't the case.  On 7th June 2010 Martin Gibbs from Letraset replied to my question as follows .... " It makes no difference which way you store ProMarkers.  The confusion probably comes from the fact that the water based AquaMarkers are best stored horizontally"  The Copic site actually state the same for their pens and both Letraset and Copic sell storage for their pens which allows for them to be stored either way, which is not something they would do if they should be stored flat.  I hope this clears up any misconceptions and confusion and if still unsure of what I've said then please contact the respective manufacturers and ask the question, as I did, to have your mind set to rest.  Now, on with the post ...

The following was an idea I saw on a blog some while ago. Unfortunately I can't remember which blog so can't point you in it's direction but I thought I would show you my adaption of the idea. The original idea uses a much larger box, with 3 sections (holding around 240 CDs I think), which is ideal for a full set of ProMarkers however, I don't have a full set and at the moment have sufficient quantity for my needs. As such I went on a hunt for a smaller box and found one on eBay. One section only and it holds up to 91 ProMarkers - at a squeeze. I have 84 ProMarkers, blender pen, gel pens and fineliners in my box as well as a colour chart.

The boxes are aluminium DJ CD cases and come complete with the index cards and sleeves. The one I found suitable for my needs is one that holds 120 CDs ... this one. 

The sleeves hold 7 ProMarkers each and I've put a slip of paper with a colour sample and it's name in the back of the sleeve. The colour chart is kept in the lid with a list of the colour combos for skin, hair and colours that blend well together. The dots on the top of the ProMarkers are just punched dots, coloured and stuck on with glue dots but it allows me to see the rough colours at a glance (not true colour as they're not coloured onto the card I use). I also try to keep the colours in the order they appear on the colour chart I printed off of the Letraset site.

It's small and compact enough to sit on the top of the CD tower that holds my clear stamps and is easily portable.

UPDATE #2:  I now know where I saw this idea originally.  Thank you Nicky, of Stiggys Cards.  You actually helped me at the time as I asked you for measurements of your box to work out whether this one would work for me!

Enjoy!!

Clear and Unmounted Stamp Storage.

Warning .... long post and photo heavy *LOL* (click on any photo to enlarge for more detail if needed)

I've seen a lot of storage ideas for clear and unmounted stamps and tried some of them in the past that have lasted a nano second. I found ring binder files filled up too quickly and I lacked space to store them.   I've done the laminated storage sheets in binders or flat in boxes.  Yesterday I met up with some crafty friends and we got to talking about storage for different things and one was with regard to stamps, both clear and unmounted rubber. My latest attempt at storage is working well for me at the moment so I thought I'd pass on what I do. It's not new by any means and is one of the ways I've found in my blog travels but with my twist added. I'm sure somebody else has this twist as well but I've not seen it anywhere before.

I use a combination of CD cases and Multistorage cases (DVD cases without the inserts). Bought in bulk they are very reasonable and, if you don't need the amount of them that I did you could always share the costs with a friend. I bought the unassembled CD cases found here and the Multistorage cases found here.  My workspace shelves are CD & DVD shelves so these all fit well and within reach of where I craft.

I store clear stamps in the CD cases and generally you can fit 2 sets of stamps in one case.  Occasionally only one set will fit.  I label the spines with the make and set names and number it. (I was going to use peeloffs for that bit but decided against *hehe* but it is a way of using any number peeloffs you've got, especially if you don't have many cases)  The reason for numbering will become clear nearer the end of the post.

Rubber unmounted stamps (including those mounted onto Eazimount/Klingon or similar) I store in the Multistorage containers.  The only reason for this is because the spine is wider so gives room to take the thicker stamps.  Because there is a facility for adding a paper sleeve to these cases I made a template and I type the make and any detail that I can fit onto the spine area.  I then either stamp the image or go find the image on the internet and copy onto the sleeve (naming it if possible).  I print it off, trim and slide it into the cover.  I then add a number to the spine but you could add this at the time of printing details onto the spine area.

To finish and to make it easy to find the stamps I want, or to sit and choose what I want to work with, I either stamp the image onto paper or use the package images (pictures will give a clearer idea of what I mean).  I try to keep them in categories ie: Christmas, Greetings/sentiments, Female, Male etc etc.  I then put the CD or Multistorage case number that they are in next to that image/package image.  I put them all into plastic wallet sleeves and put them in a ring binder ... mine's an A5 one.  All I have to do to find a stamp is to browse through my 'catalogue', choose the stamp, take a note of the DVD/CD case number and go find the relevant one on my shelves.  Easy peasy and saves the grand hunt that I used to have.

I hope you find this of some use/help to you, even if it's only to take a few ideas from or points you in a direction that will work for you.

Enjoy!!

Birthday Card!

A birthday card and not a Kenny K image in sight *LOL!*

This was made for youngest son's birthday. He reached middle age today. He's now 35 *hehe*! I've used, for the very first time, one of my own background papers & toppers made from my own photograph .... see here. I've recently printed off a selection of my sheets and now know where I can improve them when I get round to doing more. Anyway, here's the card.

Ingredients:

Cream, hammered, deckle edge card blank

Sepia car topper and backing paper - here

Gold mirri card (screw heads made using punched circles and embossed)

Craft Too General Greeting embossing folder for greeting

I've been 'decanting' unmounted stamps into CD & multimedia cases (DVD cases without the inserts) today. Takes up so much less room but it means - shock, horror - I've had to take them out of their packets! Mostly I've managed to get 2 stamp sets into a CD case and varying amounts of unmounted, on EaziMount, in the multimedia case depending on how big they are. Magnolias generally go 8 to a case. I'm labelling them as I go as well and with the multimedia I've made a template (just adapted one of my insert templates) and I'm dragging piccies of the stamps onto it, captioning them with their individual name, putting a title on the spine, printing off and inserting it just as if it were a DVD inside. Only problem is, I'm now surrounded by the smell of acrylic stamps! Why do they have to smell so much?  I've also got sore fingers from releasing the ones that stick like stuff to a blanket to the acetate that they're mounted on in their packs!  Not finished yet as loads more to do - the odd ones that aren't in sets, or at least, not large sets.

Enjoy!!
 

Storage Update - Spellbinders dies (including Nestabilities)

Remember this? Good starting point but it didn't last long *LOL* A few weeks later my collection had increased and my wallet was too small so on to version 2 - a 96 CD wallet ....

Version 2 is now no more 'cos I've moved on to Version 3 and think this is the one that works for me now, and into the future. Version 2, although not having every pocket filled, was crammed and I was growing concerned that the dies would eventually bend out of shape. When I got version 2 I also bought some 1 inch self-adhesive magnetic tape, cut it to length and stuck onto pieces of card, which added to the bulk. The tape is a stronger magnet than the magnetic paper and holds the nestie pieces a little more securely. I now use a mixture of tape and the paper (which isn't) depending on the dies.

Version 3 is still a CD wallet but it's more of a case and will hold 240 CDs. There are versions for 300 and 500 CDs but the case dimensions were the same. It's just the number of 'pages' that made the difference. In this wallet a set of nesties can take up one side of the page and the other side can be left empty and there's still plenty of room. I loved the fact it's a ring-binder so gives more movement and less crushing - and other methods of storage can be added for different makes of dies. There's a pocket in the front which is ideal for storing my tan mats (of varying sizes) and the 'sandwich' needed (in case I should forget *LOL*) I just love it ........!

Dimensions? Approximately 31cm x 30cm x 9cm. Where did I find it? Good old eBay! Cost? A bargain! Just £7.99 with free p&p. I ordered it Sunday and received it Tuesday. Excellent seller (Daisychain Supplies - 100% feedback with thousands of sales) and I think it's worth buying just for the case *LOL* .... Now, there's an idea - mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Enjoy!!

Greeting Card Organiser - Update

..... and a Happy New Year!!
I've now managed to work out the measurements for a box large enough to accommodate A5 cards as mentioned here ...

I've calculated 2 sets of measurements. One using A3 card and one using 12x12 so there is a choice depending on what cardstock you have available. The method will change slightly if 12x12 is used but not significantly. It just means that the 2 pieces of card are joined in a different place. If A3 card is used the method is exactly as per the video.

Using A3 Cardstock for the Box
One piece cut to 13½" x 10". With the 13½" side going across the top, score it at 2½", 5", and 12" (from either the left or right hand edge but measure from the selected edge each time).
One piece cut to 9½" x 10". With the 9½" side going across the top, score it at 2½".
Two pieces cut to 6" x 6¾". With the 6" side going across the top, score it every ½"

Using 12x12 Cardstock for the Box
One piece cut to 12" x 10". With the 12" side going across the top, score it at 2½" and 5".
One piece cut to 11" x 10". With the 11" side going across the top, score it at 1½" and 4". ***
Two pieces cut to 6" x 6¾". With the 6" side going across the top, score it every ½"

*** This is where the method of joining the pieces together will change as the tab made by the 1½" scoreline will be stuck to the largest area of the 12x10 piece of card and not the section as detailed in the video instructions.

All other cardstock, papers and ribbons used for decorating need to be adjusted accordingly to fit with these measurements but, they can be calculated once the box has been made.

Footnote: Why stop here. Make a box for any specific size card by just adjusting the measurements. Would make a lovely gift filled with square notelets, for example. If anyone would like a box for a different sized card and has trouble revising the measurements just leave a comment with a request and I'll see what I can do.

Enjoy!!

Greeting Card Organiser

I found this video tutorial while I was searching for a card organiser tut for a fellow imag-e-nationer and thought it too good to miss. Fill with cards and what a lovely gift! For better quality click on the vid to go to YouTube where you'll be able to choose to 'watch in high quality'.

... and here's a link to the actual blog that has all the materials and sizings on - Dannies Designs

Update: Having thought about this one overnight I've realised that the box made here measures 7x5 inches so will accommodate 6x4 inch (A6) cards (allowing for the loss of space caused by the concertina'd sides) really well but, if you wish to 'organise' larger cards then the box will need to be somewhat bigger. I would suggest that A3 card would be needed to make a box large enough to take A5 cards. When I get 5 minutes I will put together some measurements to make a box for A5 cards but the procedure will be the same.

Update 2: Measurements for a box large enough to accommodate A5 cards, using either A3 or 12x12 cardstock, can be found here

Enjoy!!

Storage - Spellbinders Nestabilities & Wizard dies

There's been a thread on the imag-e-nation forum recently asking how people stored their nestability dies. I own several Spellbinder (Wizard) dies including sets of nestabilities and I had to find some way of storing them that took up as small a space as possible whilst having them portable to carry around so, I thought I'd show my storage system for them. A search of t'internet brings up various suggestions from hooks on rails or pegboards to the usual CD cases. I found CD cases, whilst being OK and convenient indoors, still took up a fair bit of space and didn't make for easy transport. I decided to stay with the CD storage idea and purchased a cheap 'Value' 24 CD wallet from Tesco. I've managed to store all of my Wizard dies (at least those that I've opened) in this wallet and still have space for more. If I ever get round to opening my Petite sets of nestabilities I will need to buy another of these wallets - or buy a bigger one - but the space saved is amazing and I can just pick up the whole thing to carry around. That has proved very useful - LOL!!

In the front of the wallet I keep my chipboard/cardboard shims and my tan mat (I've still to cut another larger piece for the larger dies but it will still fit in the front). The dies are stored on magnetic sheets, cut to fit, so I can just slide them in and out as needed. One set of nestabilities fit in each side so you can keep the relevant shapes together. 2 of the small Wizard dies will fit in a section as do the large Wizard dies.

I wrote the stacks, needed to cut and emboss in the Cuttlebug, onto a large sticky label and stuck it on the inside back cover. Currently, in this wallet, as well as my shims and tan mat, I have the Classic scallop and plain sets of circles, ovals, rectangle and square nestabilities (8 sets), abstract and octagon geometrics, 2 spirabilities, flutterby's, buckles, fan, charms, hearts, 2 edgeabilities, car/flag and the christmas sleigh. I still have half a side and 3 double sides available.

I now have neat, tidy and organised storage that I can just pick up and go with! Easy to flick through and, easily labelled if I so choose.

I purchased the magnetic sheets from eBay. They are A4 sheets that I have cut to size. The bonus here is that they also double up to hold a die in place for embossing the middle of a card or for cutting an aperture. I chose matt magnetic paper and found that I can write on it, which has given another method of labelling.

UPDATE: Storage has moved on and this version is no more so if you want to see what I'm using now then visit here to see versions 2 & 3 *LOL*
Enjoy!!