There's been such a flurry of activity lately is seems almost impossible to sit down and get anything done. Not true, I've finished four 12x12 layouts, got the new organizer in place and well stocked, and have accomplished quite a series of hauls.
Most everything revolves around an incredible discovery at TM. They had retail packs (24 each) of almost then entire "A Proper Gentleman" collection. Martin actually stumbled across this treasure, bought two packs, and made the mistake of telling me they had stacks of other G45 retail packs in different designs. At the end of the quest I have twelve full 12x12 pads of this collection, minus two pages... for less than what a single pad would have cost. Profit time!!! We were also able to pick up almost half the "On the Boardwalk" collection in retail packs. I think we've exhausted the bonanza. There were arm fulls of book board, but I stopped at six sets. They had Tim Holtz Grunge Paper sets, retailed at $40; I paid $8. Finally, a 5 inch Xyron. A couple of adorable embellishments and the run ended there.
I decided to hit JoAnn's because we were in town it's rare we make it that far south. Phew! Almost all paper crafting supplies are 50% off this week, plus a coupon in the paper allows an extra 10% off from the total purchase. 60% savings?! Heck, yeah!! I managed some control and walked out of the store with only two large bags. A wider variety of adhesives, the first alcohol inks, specialty paper, and yes a Crop-A-Dile II (Big Bite).
The stamps, ink, paper, embellishments, etc never quit coming in; however, it's hard to imagine any other tool needed to carry on
this business. Maybe a Zutter Cutter for the extra weight chipboard?
Maybe, but not a necessity.
I'm attempting to design my first, original mini-album. It's sketched out, roughly, but I'm finding it hard to cut that first page; there seems to be so little room for error, which, in itself, is an error. How, besides looking amateurish, can a person go wrong with G45? For sure it won't be the best album I'll ever create, and will quickly prove true, but it's all part of this glorious process called creative expression.
Showing posts with label chipboard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chipboard. Show all posts
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Too Much Time
I somehow injured myself Thursday afternoon, and am still on the mend as of Sunday. There's not much to do during recovery but sit in the most comfy chair in the house; a chair that, by happenstance, resides in the craft room. (Bed rest can become quite painful after long stretches.)
And so, stuck in the craft room all weekend long, I spent the time trying new techniques; which has paid off handsomely... and organizing project where possible.
I completed the rooster/shot reminder page. There's a few areas most would call mistakes, but since it's not going anywhere but the inside the house, they remain as is.
At long last, I played with the chipboard available from my considerable cereal box collection. Pre-cut chipboard costs unimaginable pennies at the craft stores. I have Cricut, Cuttlebug and many Sizzix Bigz dies on hand. Both Cricut and Cuttlebug claim the ability to cut light weight chipboard, but until now, I've never put either to the test. The Cricut worked wonderfully. It requires a very stick mat and three multi-cuts. The selected image came out crisp and clear. The same goes for the Cuttlebug. I shouldn't've doubt, but the tendency to protect the equipment overrules challenges. I've also saved a fair amount of "white" chipboard from Sweet-N-Low packages that will finally be put to great use.
I also picked up my tatting materials, neglected for months now. Surprisingly, it all came back quite easily! The reason for review stems from the desire to use homemade lace on the mini-album planned. How sweet a touch this offers. Fortunately, I have the perfect pink, green, cream coordinating threads already on hand, but will need to search for baby blue and yellow; a far harder challenge than imagined. I can knock out several inches of lace in under an hour, so now I have something to do when there remains not an iota of creativity in store.
Loosely related to tatting was beading again. This, too, will add a personal touch to any layout in mind. Gosh, the only skill not put to use was using a floor loom to weave a carpet or something. :)
On to organization...
It only took a month, but every single scrap of paper bought at the 75% clearance sale last month is now put away and sorted. This took much, much longer than should have. But the exercise proves need for more storage solutions.
An essential tool for any scapper would be a clear pocketed, hanging jewelry bag hanging in a closet of or the back of a door. Small rubber stamps, bottles of embossing powders, ink pads, small packages of bling, tatting shuttles, ribbon scraps, and any number of small crafting items fit nicely in these relatively inexpensive bags. Target has a line of very sturdy organizers, and during a sale make them down-right cheap. At present, I only have one, but will pick up several more over the next few months.
After reading the post, it's scarey what gets done when my body is up to task!
And so, stuck in the craft room all weekend long, I spent the time trying new techniques; which has paid off handsomely... and organizing project where possible.
I completed the rooster/shot reminder page. There's a few areas most would call mistakes, but since it's not going anywhere but the inside the house, they remain as is.
 |
| Cute & functional medication reminder |
At long last, I played with the chipboard available from my considerable cereal box collection. Pre-cut chipboard costs unimaginable pennies at the craft stores. I have Cricut, Cuttlebug and many Sizzix Bigz dies on hand. Both Cricut and Cuttlebug claim the ability to cut light weight chipboard, but until now, I've never put either to the test. The Cricut worked wonderfully. It requires a very stick mat and three multi-cuts. The selected image came out crisp and clear. The same goes for the Cuttlebug. I shouldn't've doubt, but the tendency to protect the equipment overrules challenges. I've also saved a fair amount of "white" chipboard from Sweet-N-Low packages that will finally be put to great use.
I also picked up my tatting materials, neglected for months now. Surprisingly, it all came back quite easily! The reason for review stems from the desire to use homemade lace on the mini-album planned. How sweet a touch this offers. Fortunately, I have the perfect pink, green, cream coordinating threads already on hand, but will need to search for baby blue and yellow; a far harder challenge than imagined. I can knock out several inches of lace in under an hour, so now I have something to do when there remains not an iota of creativity in store.
Loosely related to tatting was beading again. This, too, will add a personal touch to any layout in mind. Gosh, the only skill not put to use was using a floor loom to weave a carpet or something. :)
On to organization...
It only took a month, but every single scrap of paper bought at the 75% clearance sale last month is now put away and sorted. This took much, much longer than should have. But the exercise proves need for more storage solutions.
An essential tool for any scapper would be a clear pocketed, hanging jewelry bag hanging in a closet of or the back of a door. Small rubber stamps, bottles of embossing powders, ink pads, small packages of bling, tatting shuttles, ribbon scraps, and any number of small crafting items fit nicely in these relatively inexpensive bags. Target has a line of very sturdy organizers, and during a sale make them down-right cheap. At present, I only have one, but will pick up several more over the next few months.
After reading the post, it's scarey what gets done when my body is up to task!
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