Potted Poinsettias

Hello Crafty friends,
It's been a while since my last post :( It's been busy behind the scenes getting the house ready & decorated- yes, barely and the general school crazyness!
My Grammy asked me to make some Christmas cards for her & she needed them in a week to be able to send them out on time. She said just to make some "simple cards". Ummm, has Grammy not taken a look at my cards?! Simple is my Kryptonite... ah well. I was making my rounds about town when I noticed all the potted poinsettias & then it hit me! So off to my craft lab I went to get started on those cards :)

Here's the first:

What's easier than the flower pot card! These were super popular a while back & they were all over the web cuz they're easy & super cute :)

Here's the second:

I used gold cardstock to look like the gold wrap on the real poinsettias I saw. I used the MS embossed zig zag border punch along the edge. The Poinsettias are the Layered Poinsettias dies from Heartfelt Creations.

Here are the inserts:

When sending these type of cards I like to include a stand or easel of some sort. So when I saw an easel die by T!m Holtz that would fit A2 cards, I had to grab it!

Here's the one I use to photograph my cards- you can see the removable adhesive to secure the cards. (But adhesive isn't really necessary.)

I include an easel along with the card in case the recipient would like to stand the card. It is gold cardstock to match the card base.

OK, so this is MY version of simple and you know what?--- these flower pot cards really are simple :)
You can find the tute for this card ---> HERE.

Thanks for peeking!

I've got some Romance...

Howdy friends,
Yesterday, I got my new CB Embossing Folders in the mail. This is the Romance Collection & I wanted to share them with you.
Sorry I had to take pics under less than satisfactory conditions :( but I hope you're able to see the images well. Here they are:
Chandelier - A2

Emily's Bouquet - 5"W x 7"L

Conversations - 5"W x 7"L

Meadow Lark - 5"W x 7"L

Romance - A2

and one more. But I decided to make a speedy quick little project with it.
The Queen of Hearts - A2 Card Box:

Inside:

It's my A2 Pizza Box to hold playing cards (No, that is not my pic- Hee! Hee!) note pad, & pen.
I used coordinations cardstock & sanded to expose the red. Easy as pizza pie :)
Just in case, you can find the folders --->here.

Thanks for peekin' today! 2 more days until CHA!!!

Organization: Copic Ciao Markers

Hey there friends,
Today I thought I'd share how I organize my Copic Ciaos. I have labeled them & organized them by color families.

I did this with my Ciaos because I like being able to see the name/number of the marker. That's one thing I LOVE about the Sketch markers- the name & number are printed right on the caps. 
The deets:

I printed the chart from here on White Cardstock & I used the broad tip to make one broad stroke in color. Print it out in the same paper you usually use to color your images. This way, you'll have the same color tones because papers differ manufacturer to manufacturer.

I organized my markers based on the chart. I divided my markers by the 4 boxes. (I wanted to keep them in the boxes they came in.) For example, if I want BV09 I can go straight to "Box B" and find that marker quickly. This also helps me to know where to put it back as well. 

The deets continued:
I typed out the numbers in a word doc, printed it out on white cardstock, punched each out with the 5/16" hand punch, & adhered them to the top of the caps with mini glue dots. I did that to the end with the gray band. This is the brush tip side which I use 99% of the time. This way I know to open this side of the marker. The 5/16" circles fit absolutely perfectly & the mini glue dots are super strong so these are there to stay! 
Yes, this did take about 2 hours to do, but I'm soooooo glad I did! It makes my coloring life so much easier!
Here's the final result:

Now for a little background & a very important question: So are you Team Sketch or Team Ciao??? I'm very fortunate to have both Sketch & Ciaos, but I opted to get the entire collection of Ciaos. Why? Well, after speaking with a Copic Rep at a store (and asking her a bazillion questions) I decided Ciaos would be better for me. Here are the main reasons why I'm Team Ciao:
1) Cost (they're cheaper -about half the price- because they hold less ink---> the SAME ink, just less). I use different mediums for coloring, so I don't always use markers.


2) Colors (She said Ciao colors were selected based on the best selling/most popular sketch colors) So I figured I wouldn't be getting any duds :) I also like the fact that it's not SO MANY colors. I get intimidated by too much. I'm speaking from my Prisma pencil experience. I own the 132 colors "Big Daddy Set" and when I open the box, I get a bead of sweat forming on my brow when I see so many shades of color to chose from. Ciaos come in 144 colors, Sketch come in 322 + new released. Even though I "only" have 144 colors I have not used many of them! If there's a particular color I would use a lot, not in the Ciao collection, I'd buy it individually. (Remember my skin & hair collection---> here).

3) Safety: If you notice, the Ciaos have little vents along the cap. See?

That makes it child-safe. If a child accidently swallows a cap, he/she will still be able to breathe. Not so for the sketch. My boys are older so *hopefully* this isn't an issue, but it's nice to know this feature is there.


4) Can use the ABS: I HAVE used my Ciaos in the ABS (Air Brush System) by simply adding a couple of foam squares in the ABS chamber. You can find several videos on You Tube on how people have done that (which is where I learned to do that :)


5) Both share many of the same features: both refillable, both have replaceable nibs, both use the same ink, get the same results- quality, and have the same shelf life.


NOTE: I'M NOT TELLING YOU WHAT YOU SHOULD GET OR THAT ONE KIND IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER! I'M JUST SHARING THE REASONS THAT LED TO MY DECISION TO CHOSE THE CIAO COMPLETE COLLECTION. I happen to like the shape of the barrel of the Sketch, but the Ciao round barrel doesn't bother me like it does other people. So enjoy whichever you decide on :)

***I've bought my markers from Carpe Diem Store. They've got great prices (and when they have sales---> they have amazing sales!) they're a local store, & they've always been helpful & nice :)


I hope this inspires you to think of ways to organize your markers & not have Sketch envy anymore! (Hee hee!) Speaking of Copics... I'm off to a Coloring & techniques class at my LSS. After all, the key to coloring with Copics is lots & lots of practice. Knowing techniques is gravy baby. 
Gotta Go!




Oh, of course I'm sharing, friends! :) click here for the Copic Ciao Chart & the Numbers List I created  you can download. 
COPIC Ciao Number Labels 1

Organization: Embossing Folders Strike back (Part 2)

Hi friends,
Today I'm sharing ways to organize your smaller embossing folders. I don't have anywhere near as many of these as I do the A2 sized folders (are you disappointed?) and I hardly ever use these little 'uns as well. But, I wanted a place where they wouldn't take up valuable space & be organized. So, today I'm sharing 3 different ideas on how to organize & store your smaller toys. Why three? 'Cause I like three---> 3 is a good number :) How about we get on with the deets:

IDEA #1: You know I luuuuv boxes so that was my first go-to idea. I bought this super cute Mary Engelbreit recipe box at Mikes (dollar section.) I love her whimsy style :) I just typed out a title for the top of the box & popped it on the lid- so easy peasy.

I cut the divider cards that came with the box in half to create dividers for my folders. I have 2 basic types of folders: 1) Medium sized folders that come with a coordinating die (3 3/4" x 3") and the small ones that come in a 4-pack (2" x 2 3/4"). I put the medium ones behind a tabbed labeled divider and the smaller ones I actually attached to the divider itself. Here's what it looks like:

Here's how I attached them onto the divider:

I added a REMOVABLE glue dot to the divider & simply placed the folder on top- voilà!

Here's the front view & the back view:

Don't like the idea of glue dots? Then you can do the same thing, except use a binder clip to hold them on to the divider:

Now just pop them into the box & when you want to use them, you can just pull out the one labeled divider & all 4 little folders will be at your finger tips. Putting them back will be a breeze too :) It's your own little folder Rolodex :)

Idea #2:

I saw this cute little bin while making my rounds at Aunt Joann's. I bought it with the "Miranda Mantra" of "buy now, think of something to do with it later." I think this would also be a great way to store these little folders:

Idea #3
Storing them in a 4x6 photo album/brag book.

I bought this one for $1. All you do is pop them into the sleeves & you're done!

As you can see, 2 of the medium folders fit perfectly in each sleeve and the 4 small ones fit in one sleeve:

You can now pop this album in the back of your A2 box & have all your folders in one place!
Speaking of A2 folders... you can also store your A2 sized folders in here as well:

They fit just perfectly! They're pretty secure because they fit so snuggly in the sleeves, but I would always keep the album upright to be sure. This is a great option if you don't have too many in your collection yet. It's also a great way to take them with you to crops & such. A much cheaper option too :) BTW, the SU!/Sizzix folders don't fit in the sleeves :(

There you have it! Are any of these ideas helpful or inspiring you to think of your own way to organize your toys? I sure hope so :) If you missed my previous post on organizing your A2 sized folders, you can check it out---> here. 

Thanks for peeking today! I'm off to work on report cards (which take 4-5 hours to complete- all on the computer- because I have to input 67 grades per student. Gotta love standards based report cards :( I may be MIA for a while...
Gotta Go!

Organization: Embossing folders

Hi friends,
Today I want to share how I organize my embossing folders. I luuuuuv embossing & these folders make it quick & easy to do! I have a few ;) so let's get on with the deets:

I began with a bare wooden box I got from Michaels for around $3 (with coupon.)

I painted it white & then added Tim Holtz Distress Crackle paint on some of the surfaces to give it that look of "I've had this for years." (It looks soooo cool!) I didn't want to do anything else to it-- just kept it clean & simple.
A little closer look:
I took inspiration from my SU! Swatch Book


to create a swatch book of my embossing folders.

I punched them out on white CS ('cause I've got loads of it & you can see the embossing really well on white.) & put them on an O-ring. The swatches are numbered & correspond with the number on each folder. (It is very helpful to also write the name of the folder.)
I printed the numbers on clear labels so the number was visible, but didn't block out any of the pattern. (I simply wrote it on the card before embossing.)


Another plus of having swatches is that I can see (at a glance) all the patterns I have & can easily choose the one I want. I also get to see the embossed & the debossed side as well. The numbering system makes it very simple to both find & put away folders.


As you can see, it all fits nicely into this little box.
As I get more folders I add the next number label & swatch and add it to my stash.

Now I have a little surprise for ya :) Here's a sneak peek at the new Cuttlebug Embossing folders being released. (click on the pic to see greater detail.)They are: 30.Victoria, 31.Fleur de Lis, 32.Morrocan Screen, 33.Diamond Plate, 34.Harlequin, 35.Herringbone, & 36.Stars.


These are the folders for a full A2 card. They are: (top)Flourished Frame, (left)Celtic Knot, (mid)Journaling Card, & (Rt)Owl Flourish.

Aren't they awesome!! I was so excited to see all these great designs! Seriously, it's so hard to pick a favorite one. Be on the lookout for these and they are available for pre-order at many online stores.

I hope this inspires you to think of ways to maximize organization of your toys. Thanks so much for taking a peek! We're going to the Bay Area for a few days & I've gotta get everyone packed up --- Gotta go!

Edited To Add: To answer a few questions...
YES! The new 5 x 7 embossing folders will fit in this box. They stick up a little out of the top, but since there's no lid, there's no problem :)

This box is in the wood crafts section of Michael's next to the recipe card, & file folder boxes. They're $5.99 each. (but I used a coupon :)