$1 Wed + Craft Room Pt. 1

Posted on | November 17, 2010 | 13 Comments

I have a couple things I want to share today. The first is the above layout which was created using Echo Park’s digital kits sold at Jessica Sprague’s website today for $1! There are other kits for sale too, like Cosmo Cricket, Carina Gardner and Kitschy Designs. Jessica also has a new FREE class starting Nov. 29th so while you’re on the website do check that out!!

The second is… my still in the making craft room re-organization. Let me share what I’ve got before I ruin my room because who knows when I’ll make it to IKEA again to get the other pieces I need.

When you walk in this is what you’d see. And yes, the corner fixture is often like that. Jovie loves to be read and that’s one thing that hubby insisted on being in this room, his red chair so that he can read while I craft/be on the computer.

Then here’s my oh so clear desk. The two things in front of the chair are the keyboard and Wacom tablet. The desk was hauled from the US. It’s vintage but the two drawers are the new IKEA Alex drawers. I got these on sale, IKEA Family members only, for £37.50 or about $60. The lamp and paper tray are also IKEA. On the top of the right drawers I have a portable paper trimmer, mat, and Scor-It. There’s a 3-4 cm gap between the table leaf and drawers.

Here’s a close-up of the tray. They each slide out which is nice. You can see what’s on the top. On the second tier are embellishments that I need to return to the Clip-It-Up. The last tray are paperwork, mail, photos, etc.

The inside of the left drawers are the goodies below and the fifth drawer, lowest one, is filled with clear or onsie rubber stamps that I’ve randomly purchased here and there.

Here’s the big shabang, the Expedit. I used three different bins: The green and orange Kassett, the black Drona, and the leather looking Kotebo. On the top is a basket filled with felt and yarn, also IKEA but I can’t find it on their website, some framed pieces (the dog is my first dog and my ex-hubby drew that for me since Kato was our dog while we were together, my ex is a VERY good visual artist), and my portable carry-on. I used to have this green thing on my desk but now that I have drawers it’ll stay up there until I go to a crop.

Next to the Expedit is another Alex and the Clip-It-Up.

Below is Jovie showing you what’s in the Kotebo. All three of the Kotebo are filled with Stampin’ Up! stamps. Now, these stamps were in the Drona, which I think was better for the stamps (a tad bit more room), but I had to use the Drona for my kits. The 1/2″ made a difference!! The Kassett has Thickers and the other one refills/extras.

Here are the kits in the Drona. It’s not a perfect solution but it’ll do for now. I think though in terms of this the most perfect thing to do is to use what I purchased!! Three of the Drona are full of Scarlet Lime and Studio Calico kits, one is filled with 12×12 paper and wins and the last has all my Pebble’s DT beautifulness.

Here’s a close-up of the bottles that I have on the Bygel baskets. This is their temporary home.

The above are there now because we still have these to hook up. I have a couple shelves + brackets, a couple Bygel rods, and a Grundtal magnetic knife rack. We’ll put these up after we get a desk or the Hemnes. So that’ll be in Pt. 2 of this post. I just don’t want to hang stuff prematurely because these wall are not easy to put nails or screws into. Plus I want them centered with whatever I purchase. I need something to put here, where all the junk is so that I can replace the bookcase next to it which is falling apart.

I’ve had the bookcase since I was married to my ex-husband. It’s a really functional piece but although not quite showing it’s coming undone. The baskets came from WalMart/Target and the top holds misc. office stuff, the bottom left has cables while the right has unfinished sewing projects. Oh, the center, M made that and it’s a picture of her little penpal Sofie. Ok, they haven’t been writing but M’s got a soft spot for Sofie ha ha… I have a few things I need to put away next to the red basket and after that’s done hubby will have a little spot to put his book (under all my crap, see?) and tea/hot cocoa. I still have books on the shelf too but after the office is all done they’ll all go there. I am considering a desk to replace this piece because I want to put my laptop, sewing machine AND Klik-N-Kut on this table. I ran out of outlet space on the other end. Hubby said I’ve got too many electronic crap! If I go with the desk route I’ll get more drawers. The Hemnes is very nice but it’ll be cool if I can sit and sew. We’ll see…

See where the KnK is? If I merge the two bookshelves together the room will be a bit more spacious and just more organized. Like how I made use of the Cards and Scrapbook Trends mags? Those are the months I got published in he he… I had to lift the KnK up a bit so that when cutting the mat won’t hit that wooden piece (you can see a bit of it on the left) on the back). The piles of things… hubby calls them the Savitri piles. I don’t have homes for them yet. I need more drawers. The two boxes are scrap paper from projects. I’ll go through them soon. Then there are misc. scrapbook kits on that back corner too. Old Studio Calico stuff.

Then there are still things on the window. Yes, that’s another paper trimmer!

On the left of the window are my buttons. I got some Rajtan spice jars for really cheap at IKEA. After I get some shelves these will go up there although I don’t mind them where they are.

This is old but it’s where I keep my paper, clear stamps, Nesties and die-cut + embossing folders. The brown and tan pieces were from Pottery Barn.

Well, that’s it. I still have a few things to do but for the most part I now have a more functional and organized room. Also, just FYI, there was nothing removed from the room before I took the pics. What you see is what I now have. Oh, let me show you what my stuff were in before I go:

The first two bottoms were Stampin’ Up! stamps, the next ribbons, then the big bins held kits. Inside the big bin is another bin that was the home of my Pebbles DT stuff. The smaller ones were other little things. The above were what I lived on since I started blogging and collecting paper and stamping goodness. I’ve purchased a few things before I blogged but it was just the last few years that I really went on a collecting spree.

Have a great one and I hope this post can help you organize your own space!!

IKEA Bookcase

Posted on | November 7, 2010 | 6 Comments

Hi!! Hope you all had a great Saturday! We sure did!! The bonfire + fireworks at our friends’ were great. There were mixed reviews on the Smores. Some, most of the kids, thought it was great and some other thought it was just a bit odd and overall too sweet. Whether they liked the Smores or not we all had fun toasting marshmallows! Jovie was ok for the most part but then the fireworks got loud and got scared but with some love she was fine. She eventually fell asleep. I would too if I were in her seat. She had a Wallaboo and Thermolite lined coat so she was cozy in front of the fire.

Today I want to share the above photo. M did that with Jovie and while M wanted to share it with the world, Jovie wasn’t on the same boat as her sister it seemed. Jovie kept grabbing at it and looking cross. I hope they’ll be more in agreement next time {::SMILE}. All the “noodles” as M call them were Jovie’s and the rest, the mix media and coloring, were M’s. The girls spent a good 15-min on this. I was surprised that Jovie kept going at it with sissy.

Then I want to ask those who has an IKEA Expedit… do you store everything you have except for paper in it? I am trying to decide how many drawers and doors I need or go with baskets. I’m also trying to figure out if I need the big 5×5 cubbies or go with a smaller one. I have wall space for either but if I get the smaller one I can fit a chair in the room but I might need that extra space. I think everything I have will fit best in a 5×5 although if I have to I can do with a 4×5 and other arrangements. It’s not that I use the chair but if I can’t keep it in this room there’s no other place I can fit it.

I seriously need to organize my room because although cozy and there are plastic bins for things it’s just not tidy and I want to get rid of little boxes, the plastic bins (those Rubbermaid ones that you can get at WMart or the sort), and have less clutter. Plus I need to find a home for the Thickers below. I think I got a bit carried away and I didn’t order every Thickers in the catalog!! When I opened the box I could have sworn I ordered other stuff but when I checked my order form they’re right. It was really hard to resist a generous offer for us Pebbles DT gals by American Craft (Pebbles is part of AC).

Well, gotta go. Need to do some DT projects and other things. Laters!!

FABULOUS News + Candy!

Posted on | August 7, 2010 | 29 Comments

BLOG CANDY!! This is a sticky. Scroll down for newest post!

A lot of things have been happening in my crafty and personal life the last two weeks and I am over the moon happy. I’ve been keeping everything a secret, one for over a month now, because I have to and also because I don’t want to jinx it. So without further ado, I know that some people are just about ready to jump and shake my secrets out of me, here they are…

We got our house SOLD!! Yes, we closed last Wednesday and our paperwork got to the bank Friday afternoon CST. UPS International express ain’t cheap I tell ya! After our failed renter (they backed out due to personal issues the day before they were suppose to move in) we didn’t want to share this sale until it was all done with so not to jinx it. It finally closed, earlier than scheduled, and what a relief for us!! It’s tough having a house across the miles. It wasn’t just the mortgage but there’s also maintenance involved. We’re lucky that we have awesome neighbor friends to help us while we find a renter/new owner but if we didn’t have them, who knows. We’d have to rely on others which although paid to manage properties for a living cannot watch over our house as well as our neighbors. It’s also hard on our finances to maintain two homes. Granted we still have extra each month I had to really tighten up. I might be laid back with a lot of things but when it comes to finances I am really strict. For the grown-ups it hasn’t been bad. Me not buying new stamps every month was no big deal. But even though M’s been really good it’s heart breaking for me to tell her that she couldn’t have something just because it’ was an extra expense. She never ask for much to begin with so saying no to the little she asked was more tough on me than anything else. Seeing her sad face was no fun! The sale of the house also opens up something for me: a Ph.D. program. But we’ll see. I can’t do much right now that requires that much commitment and brain cells because Jovie still needs a lot of attention. I am hoping though that next fall would be a different story. We’ll see. I need to talk to somebody first. I need to go to London, to a University that has the program I am interested in!
I got invited to be a Waltzingmouse Mischief Maker!! What’s that? Well go check it out!! The team was by invitation only and so how surprised and excited was I when one morning I saw the email invite?! I’ve always loved WM’s stamps and it’s an honor to have been asked to be a part of their wonderful and talented team. Do visit their blog tomorrow. There’s a great new sketch AND a prize for one lucky winner. You don’t have to use WM’s stamps to play but if you do and you win who know, you might get an extra goodie or two {::SMILE}.
Last but not least I have been accepted to be the 2010-2011 Pebbles Inc design team!!! I was soooooooo excited when I received the email yesterday for a few reasons. The first was because: Their stuff is so cute!! The second was because this was one of my goals after I got here. I have more time now to craft and I thought that it’d just be great if I can design for a paper manufacturer. I have to mention two people here, they might not know that they had any influence on my decision but they did: Sasha Halloway and Sarah Martina. Sasha got accepted into a team recently and she said that if you don’t try you never know. After Sarah got her Crate Paper gig I told her I’d like to try and she said to go for it. So I went for it and gave it a shot. I really didn’t think I’d get it though because my email to them was lame. I basically told them that I have no examples using Pebble’s stuff (and I looked!) but I’d like to be a part of their team. I guess they must have liked my gallery because here I am!!! You should check out who’s in the team with me. I actually don’t know any of them but from quickly browsing their stuff they are very very talented. When I mentally compared my craft resume to theirs I think I’m the least published with the least amount of awards to be in the team. The third reason was just cause the news came after two other happy news. It was just a tad bit overwhelming.

So there they are. Nobody but our neighbor friends in MO know of #1. We just really wanted it to happen and if the sale fails it’ll just be less people to tell.

Have I gotten Miss M something? She was THE first to get a special treat. Thursday we went to this place called Scribbles. She’s been wanting to paint a ceramic box for weeks. She was so happy at Scribbles. She took her time and really enjoyed the process. It was fun watching her too while chasing Jovie around the safe side of the shop (mostly under the table). If you’re wondering what M drew, she was drawing her face, stitches from her 3-yr-old accident included.

To celebrate my wonderful news and also a 6-month stamp company anniversary I have a blog candy that’s sponsored by WPlus9! To win just leave me a comment and tell me which of WPlus9′s stamp you’d like to win (you can change your mind on which set to get if you win the candy) and what’s made your day this week. Remember that there are FOUR new sets coming out in a few days and if you haven’t been keeping up, go to the previous posts to see the new releases’ peaks and the links to the other DTs creations. Have a great one and thank you all for being wonderful blog friends and readers!! If you’re new to my blog and would like to subscribe, look to the top right of my blog and you’ll see an elephant’s butt. Click on it.

Deadline: August 12th by 12 p.m. CST

Etsy Sunday: Tape

Posted on | July 11, 2010 | 4 Comments

Ooh ooh, I am on Etsy again! Have you ever seen Lost in Space? Remember the scene where Robot said something like: “Danger, danger, Will Robinson”? Well, if I have a robot that would be what it’ll be yelling at my husband. “Danger, danger Drew Wilder”. Ha!! I haven’t been buying much on Etsy, just a few bucks here and there, but my husband loves it too. He totally supports my Etsy love and whenever it’s present time he’d go on Etsy and find something that I’d love. He bought me an apron the last time and it was just PERFECT! It was yellow, designer fabric (funny thing is that I don’t remember who now although it might be Anna Maria’s), and french style. LOVE!

Today I got into looking at Japanese fabric tapes. You know I have a thing for cutesy Kawaii stuff and that’s what I was oogling at. Here are some I want to share… Imagine them on your projects… any projects!

Miso Soup: Ships from Japan, around $3 shipping and tape ranges from $4-$5/meter, around 3 feet.

Wan Wan Corner: Shipping is $2 (from Hong Kong) and the tape prices are really good from $2.20-$2.50 for 2 meters

Apples an Eggs: One of my favorite store from all the ones I looked at today. Shipping from China is $3.50 and the tapes go for $2.20 to $3.20 per yard… or around a meter.

Kawaii Goodies: You HAVE to see what this store has! My favorite is the fabric tape below. I believe they are regular fabric that the store owner create tape from. Shipping is $2.40 from the U.S. and the price varies although no higher than $4.95. The length is as long as the fabric. Then there are other tapes too AND Bento boxes!! I’ve been making bento box lunches for M. I’m not good at it so so picture. Plus M’s been only into sandwiches and so the boxes gets old… little variety.

Here are some Bento examples from Cute Obento. I want to be that good, ha ha!! So M doesn’t have the best Bento content but she’s got the best lunch boxes in school he he he… Bentween buying and gifts this girl has six Bento style lunch boxes I think.

1. Seagull Bento, 2. Honda Super-cub Bento, 3. Three Pigges Bento, 4. Rainboot and Hydrangea Bento, 5. Peanut and apple Bento, 6. 3 Chickens Bento, 7. Anpanman&Shokupanman Bento, 8. 2 cookie cutters, 9. Fluffy Lamb Bento, 10. Bento for sports festival, 11. Corn dogs again!!, 12. Another angle, 13. Cheep,cheep!!

The above created using the Big Huge Labs Mosaic creator. FREE!

Last Etsy bit… do you like the baker’s twine that I’ve been using on a lot of things from projects to gift wrapping? If yes, Annie42 where I got it from has a dollar sale… or for $3.99 you can get 100 yards worth! I love mine and I want a huge red and white one for Christmas wrapping!! Shipping is only $1.68 ($2.99 for International) and the more you get the more worth it buying from Etsy is!

Have a great Sunday and I can’t wait to play with some Japanese tapes and while I’m at it I might get a cute mold for M’s Bento {::SMILE}.

It’s 1 a.m.

Posted on | May 22, 2010 | 3 Comments

I really want to make something crafty but it’s a bit tough. I’ve got a craft room so what’s the problem, right? Well, I ain’t got light!! I have no lamp, left them all in the U.S. cause I didn’t want to always plug them into a transformer and the only light I have here is not bright enough. We haven’t gone to an electronic/Home Depot kind of store cause hubby’s been working tons of hours. Yes I can buy lights but I can’t seem to unhook this current one so I just figured I’d leave everything to him when he gets the time. I might though pick up a lamp or two tomorrow cause this is killing me! Also, I’m kind of semi set up still. I have all these 110-220v gadgets but the cables that came with them are all 120v. WHAT?!?! So now I have to buy 220v power cables. Nice, huh? I am trying to avoid the transformers if I can. I read that they shorten the electronic’s life and increase electricity usage.

In the mean time I’ve been swamped with unpacking + organizing (still) and taking care of Jovie and M. I’m finding that I feel bad being on the computer/crafting while the kids are with me. So “my” time is night time as usual but it’s the light that’s making me not want to craft. Also with the house still a semi-disaster zone it just doesn’t seem right for me to craft regularly.

Oh, the friend of mine LOVED the card and another friend of hers ordered one for her little girl. Hmmm… maybe I can just make and sell cards!!

I have been taking pictures of the kids, I have gotten more adorable models for my portfolio lined-up, trying to decide if I want to use my name or have a “cool” business name, and figuring out the paperwork so that I can legally work as a self-employed person who will be working with children. People were telling me I’ll need this thing called a CRB — basically a background check if I want to photograph kids — but the criminal bureau people said that if he parents are there (which of course they will be) I don’t need one. If I were to do school photos then I’d need one but then the school who hires me will take care of the paperwork. So now I just need a national insurance number which is the same as the U.S. social security number. I don’t like paperwork!! I’m usually afraid I’d miss something and I’d have to pay a huge fine or be blogging from behind bars ha ha ha…

To make this post more interesting I’ll share some photos of the kidlets taken at an oooooold graveyard.

I am still trying to find my style. It’s kind of like papercrafting. When you first started out you’re not sure what your crafting style is. This is where I’m at in photography. I’ve been trying to take different shots, do different crops and play with different post-processing techniques. I think I’m getting there but not quite yet.