the creative closet by cindy lawrence

Copic Storage & Wild Orchids

Hey friends!  

So sorry that I haven't posted in 10 days!  Gosh, that went fast!  I was away at Creativation (formerly known as CHA...and forever known as CHA in my brain) for 8 days.  I had a wonderful time teaching Copic Certifications and the Flowers Workshop, sitting in on the new 2017 series of Workshops, and of course, attending the trade show.  The best part is the people!  I always enjoy catching up with old friends, and meeting new ones as well.  Hey, if you haven't checked out the 2017 schedule of Copic classes, click HERE to see them all.  I DO hope I'll get to see you in a class this year!  (Hint... I'll be in Houston on February 17 & 18 and then in Anaheim on March 10 & 11.)  

Now, on to that card up there!  I created it with the new Ruffled Wild Orchids digital stamp set from Power Poppy.  The pretty patterned papers are from The Sweetest Thing collection from My Mind's Eye.  It's an oldie, but goodie.

I printed the image on X-Press It Blending Card with black ink, and colored it with the following Copic Markers.

I added the opaque white dots to the flower petals with my Pearl White Kirarina WINK Pen.  LOVE that pen...so easy to use and such a brilliant, opaque white!  Oh, and it comes in 18 different colors too...all of them beautifully opaque.

Here's a peek at the inside of my card:


I did my usual simple gussy up of the inside...strip of patterned paper & carefully highlighted sentiment.

Before I go today, I thought I'd share how I organize my Copic Markers.


When I'm at home, my markers rest in little cubbies that sit on my desk right in front of my main work station.  Since I use my Copics on nearly every project I create, it's important to me that they are super easy to access.  

Mine are in four individual Color Cubbies that I purchased long ago from Studio 3 Solutions.  They are no longer in business; however, you can purchase a very similar item at Stamp-n-Storage.  It's called the Marker Nook.  Be forewarned, they have a LOT of cool storage products over there!



Next to my markers, I have my Various Inks stored in a clear plastic divided retail display unit.  I snagged mine at the end of a trade show, before it found it's way into a trash can. :)  


When I'm on the go (which is often), I carry a 72 piece Copic Wallet with me full of an assortment of colors, depending on what I'm planning to color while I'm away.  Unfortunately, the wallets are out of stock right now; but hopefully they'll be back in stock soon!

When I'm traveling and I want more than 72 markers (ummm...always), I carry them in this awesome Art Case from Copic.  It comes in several pretty colors; but mine is the gray one.  It's super durable, secure, and oh-so-classy! :)

You may not realize this; but Copic has a whole selection of wonderful storage solutions for your Copic Markers!  Click HERE to check them out.

I hope you've enjoyed a little peek at how I store my markers.  

Have a beautiful day, friends!

~Cindy

 

MFT Organization for Your Creative Space: Coloring Mediums

Hey everyone~

It's time for the monthly organization post from My Favorite Things.  Today, the design team is challenging you to organize your coloring mediums.  Chances are, if you're a crafter, you have coloring mediums of all kinds.  Coloring is my favorite (spoken like a true Elf fan...); so I have a plethora of coloring mediums.

Here's how I organize mine:


Of course, you knew I'd start with my Copic Marker storage. ;)  These are four individual Color Cubbies from Studio 3 Solutions.  They are no longer in business; however, you can purchase a very similar item at Stamp-n-Storage.  It's called the Marker Nook.  They work beautifully, and keep all of my markers right at my finger tips.  Hubby and I are working on a sweet divider system to go into each of the little cubbies, so I can store them all in perfect order.  This makes my little ocd heart very happy! :)

On top of the Color Cubbies, you'll notice a kit of 72 markers.  These are my travel markers.  I change them out from time to time, depending on what I'll be coloring when I'm traveling; but I always, always have that kit at the ready.

Here's a look at what that kit looks like from the outside.  You can purchase it directly from Copic...HERE.

I also keep my Copic Various Inks handy right on my desk, either for re-filling my Copic markers, or for different ink applications on my work.

That wonderful unit I have the Various Inks stored in is a retail display unit, which I was lucky enough to have given to me at a trade show.  On top, I have my beautiful Copic Anniversary sets displayed.  They're way too pretty to use. :)  

Underneath, you'll notice a piece of wood with a cut-out for my cords.  Hubby created this wonderful little solution for me, which allowed me to store the Various inks right over the cord cut-out in my desk.  One of those cords is for my Copic Air Compressor, which sits underneath my desk, with the trigger at the ready for me at all times.  This is a big reason why I do so much air-brushing on my projects.  It's so handy!  BTW, I fully intend to paint that piece of wood white...someday.  

I've shown you my Raskog cart before; but since we're talking about coloring medium storage, I'm sharing it again with you.



The middle shelf stores lots of coloring essentials:


As you can see, I have my water brushes, paint brushes, blending stumps, and other assorted things that make me a happy coloring girl.


The bottom shelf has my Peerless Watercolors, the entire collection of Gelatos, paint palettes, and more.


I found a fun way to store my pens, by simply turning pretty mason jars on their sides inside one of the cubbies in my studio.  These are right next to my desk, within easy reach.  I have my Spica glitter pens, gel pens, glaze pens, lots of Copic Multiliners, erasable pens, pencils, and colored Sharpies in this section.  It's a very simple, yet super-cute solution.


My last storage solution I have to share with you today is how I store my colored pencils and Letraset Aquamarkers.  These are silverware caddies that I found for cheap, cheap on clearance at Target a few years ago.  The colors are a little kooky for my liking, and I keep meaning to re-paint them; but for now they are doing their job in fine style.  As you can see, I added some pretty patterned papers to the insides of one of them, which not only dresses it up, but it ensures that the pencils stay right where they belong inside the spinner.

I hope you've enjoyed today's coloring medium storage ideas.  Swing by the MFT Blog for links to the other designers blogs, 'cuz you KNOW they have some fabulous ideas!

Have a beautiful day, friends!

~Cindy

An Organized Crafty Stash: Day 5

Hi friends!

It's already day FIVE of My Favorite Things' series on organizing your craft supplies.  I hope you've gotten some great ideas so far for your own stash!  

Today, we're focusing on ink!

Here's a peek at how I store my ink pads.  This is right across the front of my desk; so I have super-easy access to whatever ink  I'm looking for.  These wonderful cubbies are from Organize More.  I have two of the 60 Ink Pad Holders and one of the 48 Ink Pad Holders, which fits beautifully into that space across the front of my desk.  Some of the ink pad holders have wider spaces, which allow you to store wider ink pads OR the narrow ink pads plus a refill in each slot.  I wanted to fit more ink pads into the space that I had; so I went with the narrower slots.  I gotta tell you...I'm in love! :)


Here's are some close-ups of the different sections:


This one stores my MFT Hybrid Ink Pads.  As you can see I have some empty slots.  I am awaiting a lovely package from MFT (shipped yesterday...woot!) that has some of the yummy new colors in it, which will fill in those slots beautifully. :)



This is the center section, which stores all of my MFT Premium Dye Ink Pads.  It is such a beautiful site to behold, isn't it?!


This is a peek at some of my MFT Pigment Ink Pads.  I do not yet have the entire collection (soon, dahling, soon); so I still have some other ink pads stored on this side.  Now that MFT has every kind of ink pad you could ever want in every color you could ever want, who needs any other ink pads?!  They are even carrying the fabulous Delicata Gold and Silver ink pads, as well as VersaMark ink.

As you can see, I label all of my ink pads on the ends, which obviously makes it a whole lot easier to find the color I'm looking for.  I use the same Brother P-Touch Labeler that I use for everything else I label in my office.  That thing is worth it's weight in gold!

Now...let's chat about refills.  I store mine all together in a plastic drawer unit that sits right by my desk.  I like to divide them up with sweet metal tins, which keeps them all upright and in order, regardless of how quickly I whip open that drawer.



Just like everything else in my studio, I've labeled the drawer with the contents inside, eliminating the guess work. ;)


Once the refills are all lined up in the tins inside the drawer, it's kinda hard to tell which color is which without having to take them out one by one until you find the one you're looking for.  So, I've punched out coordinating card stock circles, and adhered them to the top of their coordinating refill bottle with a bit of X-Press It Clear Gel Glue.  After a bit of experimenting, I've found that 1/8" circles are too small, 1/4" circles are too big (over-hang the top of the lid), and 3/16" circles are just right.  I used my Crop-a-Dile to punch the 3/16" circles.  I also put them in ROYGBIV color order, which makes it even easier...and is a pretty site to behold as well. :)


I meant to share this photo with you the other day when I shared my stamp storage; but I didn't, so I'll share it now.  The plastic holder is another product from InterDesign, just like my Fridge Binz.  This one's called a Packet Organizer.  As you can see, I use it to organize my clear blocks.  It sits right on my desk, where I can quickly access the size I need.  Accessability is the key for functional storage, as far as I'm concerned...and pretty doesn't hurt either. 

So, you want a peek at a little more of my crafty organization?  I made a purchase this past summer (spring?) that I am in l-o-v-e with.  It's the Raskog Kitchen Cart from IKEA.  It comes in gray, cream, and aqua, and I just had to have the aqua one...so pretty!


I had no trouble filling mine up, and even found a handy way to store my frequently used paper towels...right on the end of the cart!  I roll this cart right under my desk next to where I work; so it's very handy for me.  I can also take it into another room to work, as it's on wheels.  I think I may need to buy another one soon... :)


Here's a look at what I store on the bottom shelf:  Paint palettes, all of my texture and embossing pastes, Gamsol and other blending mediums, Peerless Watercolors, glue guns, and a big beautiful set of Faber-Castell Gelatos.


The middle section stores all manner of paint brushes, blending stumps, water brushes, distress paints, spray mists, and various other artsy fartsy tools.  I've stored them all in fun little ceramic pots that I also purchased at IKEA.


Finally, the top section (and my favorite) holds everything planner related, including my planner itself when it isn't traipsing about with me.  Stickers, washi tapes, clips, labels, elastic bands, extra covers, gorgeous erasable pens, and my On-the-Go Notebook all fit in there perfectly.  It really makes my planning sessions easy-peasy, as well as giving me a little extra time for creativity.  I have enjoyed it so!

Okay, friends, that is it from me!  I do hope you have THOROUGHLY enjoyed MFT's fabulous series on organizing your crafty stash.  Today's prize is a BIG one!  Check it out:


Isn't that AMAZING?!  Those Hybrid Inks are seriously the best ink pads EVER, as are the Organize More Ink Pad Holders!  That is one of the best prizes I've seen in a loooong time!  Get on over to the MFT Blog for your chance to win, as well as for links to the other designers' blogs.

Have a beautiful day, friends!

~Cindy

An Organized Crafty Stash: Day 4

Hello friends!

Today's organization feature from My Favorite Things is card stock!  There are so many ways you can organize your card stock that it can be quite overwhelming to get started.  Here's a look at how I organize mine:

If you look closely, you'll notice that I have some tidying up to do.  I have been collecting card stock for nearly 18 years, and although I've cleared out a lot, I still have a rather extensive collection. :)  I found these great Fellowes Literature Sorters at an office supply store many years ago.  There are three of them lined up on my shelf with a grand total of 72 slots.  ...and yet I still have multiple colors in some slots...craziness.  


Here's a closer look at one of the sections.  I labeled each section when I first got them with some seriously stubborn labels, that I've had quite a time removing.  So, as you can see, I still need to properly label these sections.  It drives me bonkers not having them properly labeled.



When my beautiful My Favorite Things card stock arrives, it comes in plastic re-sealable bags that are labeled with the color name.  


I prefer a sturdier pocket for my card stock; so I remove it from the bags, and put it into these vinyl shop ticket holders, which I purchased from HERE.  I cut off the top of each pocket where the pre-punched holes are.


I used my fabulous Brother P-Touch Labeler to create new labels for each vinyl pocket.  I then loaded in the appropriate card stock, and filed it onto my shelves.

Neat as a pin, and so pretty too!



I do still have quite a bit of 12x12 card stock and patterned papers, which I store in these wonderful hanging file drawers.  The drawers are designed specifically for 12x12 files.  These were custom made for me by an amazing cabinet maker that my hubby knows.  However, Michael's sells something similar HERE.

I hope you've been inspired to get your card stock organized.  For more inspiration, hop on over to the MFT Blog for links to the other designers blogs, as well as for your chance to win!  Check out today's prize package:


Thanks again for stopping by today, friends!  Have a beautiful day!

~Cindy

An Organized Crafty Stash: Day 3

Hello friends!

It's day three of My Favorite Things' 5 Days to an Organized Crafty Stash series.  Today, we're sharing ideas for organizing your metal dies.  If you're like me, you have about a gazillion of them, and they are way too easily lost!

Does this look familiar?  Yes, you guessed it, I use the very same system to store my dies as I do to store my stamps.  The bins I use are 12" x 15" Fridge Binz.  You can get them HERE or HERE.  The styles are slightly different at the two stores; so if you're like me, and you like things to match, you'll want to buy all of yours at the same store.

This bin has two rows, which perfectly fit MFT's awesome Large Clear Storage Pockets.  You get 50 pockets in a pack; so they go a long way!  Here's another peek at the pockets:
...and a look at the pocket loaded with the Joy Ride Die-namics set. 

As you can see, there are some very small dies in this set; so I needed a storage system that would prevent me from losing those tiny dies.  For me, magnetic sheets do the trick!  Now, I am lucky enough to have a local sign maker who sells me the thin magnetic sheets by the roll, and I just cut it to size as needed.  If you don't have that option, you can purchase magnetic air vent covers at your local home improvement store.

If a Die-namics set has a coordinating stamp set, I always store that on the opposite side of the pocket, with a piece of Smooth White cardstock in between.  This makes it oh-so-easy for me to use them together...no hunting for the coordinating pieces!

Here's another great example of a die set that has lots of pieces that are easily lost:

 MFT has a beautiful selection of Alphabet & Number Die-namics.  I love that I can easily find the letters I want to use on the magnetic sheets, without searching through a pile of letters.  It really appeals to my neat freak side. :)

Here's a look at what I do with my Border Die-namics:
I try to keep similar border dies together; so when I'm looking for grass, for example, I can easily choose the one I want.  I label every die in the package, beginning with the die on the left and working my way to the right.  If they're being stored horizontally instead, I label them top to bottom (just the way they appear in the pocket).

Now, here's something I haven't found the perfect solution for just yet.  I have my extra large dies stored in the very same pockets, and simply allow them to stick out the top.  Does this bother me?  Yes, yes, it does (have you met me???).  Until I have a better solution that is the way they will stay.  I only have a few that are too large to fit perfectly in the pockets.

Finally, just like my stamp storage, I have dividers made from tear-proof and water-resistant plastic folders, which I purchased from HERE.   I rounded the top two corners with a heavy-duty corner rounder, to get rid of those sharp corners.


As you can see, those oversized dies do stick out the top; but it is still over-all a neat and tidy storage system.  ...and it matches my stamp storage system, which makes me extra happy. :)

Here's a look at today's fabulous prize package:


So AWESOME, isn't it?!  Hop on over to the MFT Blog for your chance to win, as well as for links to the other designers' fantastic die storage solutions!

Have a beautiful day, friends!

~Cindy

An Organized Crafty Stash: Day 2

Hi friends!

It's day two of the Organized Crafty Stash series from My Favorite Things.  Did you enjoy yesterday's ideas for storing your stamps?  I hope you found something useful for your own stash. :)

Today, we're sharing ideas for storing stencils.  MFT has an amazing selection of 6x6 stencils, which you can check out for yourself HERE.

I have a very simple solution for storing my stencils, which takes up very little room in my studio.


It's a 6x6 scrapbook album.  Mine is full to the brim now; so I'll be starting a second album soon, which will only take up another 2" of space in my studio.  Sweet, right?!


The album has a two-ring binding, which makes it super-easy to remove, add, or re-arrange the pages as I wish.


Each stencil is put into a top-loading page protector in which I've previously loaded a 6x6 piece of cardstock.  I simply cut up some 12x12 cardstock in a pale blue, and pre-loaded the pages with it.  That allowed me to put two stencils in each pocket, one on each side of the cardstock inserts.  I then labeled each stencil with my awesome Brother P-Touch Labeler.  I ordered mine from HERE.  I also purchased a power adapter from HERE.  That saves me tons of $$ on batteries!  The labeler comes with white labels with black lettering.  I prefer clear labels; so I purchased THESE.


Here's a peek at a single page in the album, where I've stored my Cloudy Day stencil.  As you can see, the stencils fit beautifully into the pockets.  The labels in the top corner make it very easy to find the stencil name.

Now, if you're not in the market for a labeler, or you prefer pre-made labels, MFT has thought of everything!  Check out the MFT customized printable labels HERE.  Now you have NO excuse not to get organized! ;)


I've even added a label to the spine of my album, so I can quickly spot it on the shelf.

That's all, folks!  Remember, there are serious PRIZES on each day this week!  Swing by the MFT blog, and leave a comment for your chance to win!

Check out today's prize package:


Be sure to also click on all the other designers' blogs, because they have some seriously fantastic storage ideas to share with you!  Prepare to be WOWED!

Have a beautiful day, friends!

~Cindy

An Organized Crafty Stash: Day 1

Hey everyone~

Have you been wanting to get your craft supplies organized, but feeling stumped for ideas?  The design team from My Favorite Things has some terrific solutions to share with you, hopefully inspiring you to get your own crafty stash organized.  We're simply sharing storage solutions right from our own craft spaces..nothing too crazy, just some simple ideas that are working for us.  I hope you'll not only enjoy the ideas this week, but find yourself inspired to get organized!

Today, we're starting off with ways to organize your stamps.  After all, most of us began paper crafting because we fell in love with stamps.  When I first started stamping umpteen years ago, all of my stamps were wood mounted rubber.  You can imagine the space that took if you had a large collection!  I'm sure lots of you remember that well....and maybe still have lots of those wood-mounted rubber stamps yourself.  Myself, I have almost all polymer sets now, and probably far more than I used to.  However, I can store them in a much smaller footprint than before, thus my dear sweet hubby has no idea just how extensive my collection actually is. haha

Hey, did I mention there are prizes being offered this week as well?  What?!?  I didn't?  All you need to do is leave a comment on the MFT blog, and you're entered for a chance to win.  We'll have 2 winners each day on Monday through Thursday, and 1 grand prize winner (wait until you see that prize...EEK!!) on Friday.

Check out today's prize package:

Fabulous, right?!!!

Okay, here's a look at how I store my stamps:


I must confess the idea for this storage system is not my original idea, but rather came from the fabulous Jennifer McGuire.  I store the large majority of my stamp sets in the 12" x 15" Fridge Binz.  You can get them HERE or HERE.  The styles are slightly different at the two stores; so if you're like me, and you like things to match, you'll want to buy all of yours at the same store.

It's incredible how much you can fit in this one small space when you store your stamps this way!  They will fit approximately 160 stamp sets in them...best system EVER!

This bin has two rows, which perfectly fit MFT's awesome Large Clear Storage Pockets.  You get 50 pockets in a pack; so they go a long way!  Check them out:


Here's a peek at an individual pocket, once it's been labeled and loaded with a stamp set.


Inside each of the pockets, I have slipped a piece of Smooth White card stock to make it sturdier, as well as to divide the front from the back, allowing room in each pocket for storing two stamp sets if I so desire.  This pocket stores my very well-loved Birdie Brown You're Super stamp set.

I use my Brother P-Touch labeler to create the labels for the outside of each pocket.  ...more on that labeler in tomorrow's post. ;)

I have divided my stamps into sections that make sense for me.  In my case, they are the same sections listed HERE in the MFT store.  They are labeled using the same label system as the pockets.  The dividers are made from tear-proof and water-resistant plastic folders, which I purchased from HERE.   I rounded the top two corners with a heavy-duty corner rounder.  I chose assorted color folders, so I could color code each company, making it very simple for me to find what I'm looking for.  I may have a "few" MFT stamps; so I have a couple of bins dedicated just to them. :)  To create the dividers, I cut off the spine of the folder, and cut them down to the same size as the pockets, except for a bit taller.  

Since MFT has come out with such a fabulous line of Cling Rubber Background Stamps, I needed a storage solution for them as well.  At 5-3/4" square, they are a bit too wide to store with the rest of my stamps; but they are sized oh-so-perfectly to ink up a card background with one fell swoop!  

I found another Fridge Binz that fits them perfectly.  SCORE!  It is their Large Pantry Pulls Organizer, and is 8" wide by 15" deep.  They are just wide enough to store my large square acrylic stamp block right beside the stamps.  I love having everything I need at my finger tips.  They are sized perfectly to coordinate with the Fridge Binz I store the rest of my stamps in.

Another stamp storage system I have in my studio are these clear plastic shoeboxes.  I have unmounted stamps from various other companies in the boxes.  This is a great place for me to store sets from companies that I have several sets from, but not enough to start their own stamp bin.  They have little dividers in them to label the sections.  


Finally, I store some of my tiniest stamp sets in these sweet little tins.  I have stored them here for a very long time, and it works, so I haven't tried to change that system.  Here's a peek at them lined up on my shelf:


Super-cute, right?!  I found those little tins at the Target Dollar Spot.  I have quite a collection of tins from there...can't help myself!  For me, organizing isn't just about finding a perfect place for everything.  It's also about the aesthetics of it all.  A pretty, organized space makes me a happy girl.

I do hope you've enjoyed today's look at how I store my stamps.  Now, you'll want to swing by the MFT Blog to leave your comment for today's prize package, as well as to check out the links to the other designers' stamp organization posts.  Wait until you see some of their fabulous systems!

Have a beautiful day, friends!  ...and Happy Martin Luther King Day!

~Cindy

An Oldie But Goodie and Some Organizing Fun

Hello friends!

Today, I have an oldie-but-goodie to share with you.  I made this card two years ago for a trade show event I was teaching at, and it's been sitting in "draft" mode here for all that time.  I guess it's about time I posted it, eh?

The stamp is Hay Ride Kiddos from Stampendous, and is an obvious choice for the colorist.  It is a BIG stamp; so it requires no embellishments, just lots of coloring fun.  I colored it up with Copic markers...lots and lots of Copic markers.  I do not have the list of colors I used; but I can assure you, it's a looong list. lol

The texture on their overalls was created by coloring them up with shades of blue (probably B90's).  I then used a spritzer bottle full of Colorless Blender to wet a scrap piece of denim fabric, and pressed it down on the colored overalls, creating the wonderful denim texture.  ***NOTE:  Whenever you're using this texture technique, you'll want to be VERY sure it is your first step.  If you've colored other parts of the image before you use this technique, you're going to add texture to those other parts too...just sayin'.  If you like the look of "denim" skin, then, by all means, go for it. ;)

The ground was stippled, and the clouds were hand-drawn and brought to life with a C1 Copic marker along the bottom of each cloud.

This will be my only blog post until next Tuesday.  I will be knee-deep in several home organization projects, which are long overdue for my attention.  I have cupboards, closets, drawers, and an entire studio that are crying out for my attention.  If I don't schedule the time, it's just not gonna happen.  I always seem to find other things that need my attention more.  Well, this week I am an organizing FOOL...as opposed to my usual state of being, which is just plain "fool". ;)

On the organizing front, have you seen the fabulous planners from Eric Condren?  I had switched my life over to a digital calendar; but it just hasn't been working for me.  I think I am a more tactile person, you know?  I got my planner for 2015 about a month ago, and I am slowly but surely getting it ready to roll.  There are SO MANY gorgeous styles to choose from!  Are they pricey?  YES.  Are they worth every. single. penny?  YES.  There are lots of videos and tutorials on these planners out there on the 'net.  Just Google Erin Condren planners, and you'll have more than enough info on what they're all about.  Now, I had decided that I didn't need all the "fru-fru" to decorate my planner, like washi tapes, stickers, fancy colored pens, etc.  Well, let's just say I now have quite a stash of goodies to decorate my planner with.  It's a sickness I tell ya.  I will do another more-detailed blog post in the near future once I've played a bit, and gotten my planner organized the way I want it.  

If you think you'd like to get one for yourself or as a gift for someone you love, you can get $10 off by signing up for the newsletter.  AND, if you shop through my link, I'll get a $10 gift certificate as well.  Pretty sweet, eh?  Here's my referral link for ya:

 https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/cindylawrence0902

You'll want to make yourself a cup of coffee before you head on over there, my friends.  There is a lot to look at, and you are going to want to watch some videos too...promise. :)  
I do hope you have yourselves a FABULOUS week!  I will see you back here next Tuesday for My Favorite Thing's Creative Challenge.

If I don't come back on Tuesday, you'll know I am buried somewhere deep under a pile of my own JUNK.  Send rescue!

Happy days!

~Cindy

MFT Organization for Your Creative Space

Hey everyone~

Are you ready for some organization fun???  This month's My Favorite Things Design Team Creative Space challenge, which is all about organizing your buttons and ribbons.


I'll begin with my button storage.  I kind of have a thing for cute little jars, baskets, and other sweet containers.  Let's just say, it's a very good thing IKEA and The Container Store are a good 2 hours away from where I live. ;)



Aren't they just the prettiest thing?


Here's a look at a 4-pack of jars still in the box.  The only place I can find these exact jars is IKEA; so I am pretty well stocked up with extras.


My ribbon is organized several different ways, starting with these jars of MFT Grosgrain, and lots of pretty striped twine.


All of my loose ribbons are in these jars, organized by color.  It's a rainbow of happiness. :)






I have quite a bit of loose neutral colored ribbon, which I store in these fun apothocary jars.


In addition to all of the jars, I have some closet organizer rods hanging from my paper organizer shelves, with pretty rolls of ribbon organized first by style and then by color.

My last stash of ribbon is cheap rolls of narrow satin ribbon, which I have stored in a divided drawer, organized by color.

That's all she wrote, folks!  I hope that gives you a few good ideas for storing your own buttons and ribbons.  If you're like me, and you could open your own store, you can store them in lots of different ways! *grin*

Happy organization, friends!  Be sure to swing by the MFT Blog for links to the other designers fabulous storage ideas.

Have a beautiful day!

~Cindy

MFT Organization for Your Creative Space: Stencils

Hey everyone~

I'm back!  It's been a week since I've posted anything, which I realize is unusual; but I've been working on some other deadlines, and just generally taking a bit of a blog siesta.  I forget how nice it is to take a little break from time to time. :)

Today, the MFT design team is kicking off a new monthly feature on Organization for Your Creative Space.  That's a topic we are ALL interested in, isn't it?  Organizing is one of my favorite things.  I like it almost as much as coloring...almost.

Today's theme is Taming Your Stencils.  Stencils are all the rage now, and if you haven't started your own collection, I highly recommend you give them a try!  My Favorite Things has a fantastic selection of 6x6 stencils, with new ones being released each month. 

At one time, I stored my stencils in a box with divided and labeled sections.  For me, this took up too much room in my busting-at-the-seams studio.  So, I divised another system that works beautifully to keep them neatly organized in a very small amount of space.

That's right.  It's a 6x6 photo album.  You can find these anywhere albums are sold.  Mine is a navy linen with no fru-fru, mostly because that's what I had on hand; but there are lots of pretty designs out there, or you could gussy yours up with, ummm....stencils! ;)  Check out the pretty albums HERE.  Another benefit of this method of stencil storage is protection from bent corners and dings.  They are snug as a bug in their page protectors.



I added a simple label to the album spine with my Brother P-Touch Label Maker...LOVE that thing!  Here's the model I use:


This one is the PT-D200, and you can purchase it HERE.



I much prefer a 2-ring binder that pops open, and pages can be inserted anywhere.  Don't buy one of those binders with the built-in pages.  You'll want room for adding pages, as well as the flexibility to change the order, remove or add stencils as you see fit.

Here's a look at one of my newest stencils (Jumbled Letters), ready to be inserted into it's new home.  After you've chosen your binder, you'll need 6x6 page protectors.  I've had mine for a very long time; but you can buy yours HERE.  You'll then need cardstock to insert into the protector.  I insert two stencils into each protector, and use the cardstock in between to keep them separated.  I use a colored cardstock, so that it shows off the stencil design nicely.  One 12x12 sheet of cardstock will give you 4 page inserts; so a little goes a long way.


You can see how efficient this system.  I love flipping through my stencil album to see which stencil(s) inspire me that day.  I keep mine in order of MFT's releases; but you could certainly categorize them by style.  Each page has a label in the upper left corner.  Here's a close-up of one of the labels:



I don't know about you, but I would never remember the names of all of my stencils without those beautiful labels!



When I'm out teaching classes where we use stencils, I am often asked about cleaning them.  As you can see from the photo above, I don't clean my stencils each time I use them.  If I'm using them with my Copic Airbrush System, which I very often am, there's no need to clean them.  Once it's dry, the Copic ink does not rub off onto my other projects.  If I were to use a stencil repeatedly until it had a thick build-up of ink on it, then I would clean it.  To clean Copic ink off of a stencil, you can use Colorless Blender solution, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer.

Now, I should mention that if I'm using something thick and messy on my stencil, such as embossing paste, I always clean that off right away.  Obviously, I don't want a bumpy mess on there.

Speaking of embossing paste, I store that in a drawer right next to where I sit for quick and easy access.


I keep all of my different pastes, gesso, and my palette knife together.  Having everything together and easily accessible (meaning I don't have to get off my booty to get it), I am much more likely to use them.  There's just something to be said for not having to get up to get something! *grin*

That's all, friends!  Now you'll want to swing by the MFT Blog for links to the other designers' stencil storage systems.

Happy organizing!

~Cindy