Michelle's Paper Creations

HOW I ORGANIZE MY INK, RIBBONS & TRIMS

As a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, I love having all current Stampin' Up! cardstock, all current ink pads, all current refills and all current Stampin’ Blends markers. That way I can coordinate my projects with the Designer Series papers. Having all current colors also allows me to create color combos I find online, in magazine pictures or even in my clothes closet.

Of course, each time there's a color renewal, like in the release of the 2018-19 Stampin’ Up! annual catalog, I need to reorganize everything. Like my cardstock, I organize my ink pads and markers by the rainbow method. See my ink pads below.

Click here to shop for all  Stampin' Up! ink products currently available.

All of my wood storage shelf units (for stamps, ink pads, punches and markers) are from StampNStorage, who is currently offering a 10% discount for their 10th anniversary. They have storage solutions to suit nearly any paper crafting enthusiast. 

I store my ink refills, aka reinkers, in wood-mount stamp cases. I sort my reinkers alphabetically since sorting by the rainbow method isn't feasible. The ink colors are too color saturated to tell which they are without reading the label. 

After sharing about my reorganized cardstock yesterday, I realized that I needed to reorganize my ribbons and trims too. The clear plastic containers I store my ribbons and trims in were from Costco. I haven’t seen them there lately, but I know you can get similar containers at Office Depot or The Container Store, to name just a couple sources. 

Click here to shop for ribbons and trims.

As with papers and ink, I like to have a lot of trims. I could probably fit them all in just 2 containers, but as you’ll notice in the 6 pictures directly above, you can clearly see the contents in each of the 3 containers from the top and side views. Sometimes finding things easily is more important, and expedient, than saving space. 

Organizing things in a way that works for you really is important. You’ll not only save space when your things are tidy, you’ll also save a lot of time. Sure, organizing can be time consuming, but you’ll make up that time in the long run when you know right where to go for that specific thing you need at any given time. 

BTW, you don’t have to buy anything fancy, and certainly not expensive, to be organized. Much of my tools, materials and supplies are organized and stored in upcycled food storage containers. I mostly use clear plastic, but there are some things I store in cardboard boxes. Organizing your things just depends on your available space and budget and how you prefer to work when you’re feeling creative.

For your paper crafting needs, click here for current Stampin' Up! products

or click here for my Retired Stampin' Up! inventory for huge savings.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Shopping!

 

HOW I ORGANIZE MY CARDSTOCK

Gosh! I thought I shared about this already! Apparently not, so, here you go . . .

With the release of the 2018-19 Stampin' Up! annual catalog, the colors of their consumables, IE papers, inks, trims, etc. were revamped. So it was time I reorganize all if my papers. Firstly, I made sure to order all of the new colors of 8 1/2” x 11” cardstock, including the 2018-2020 In Colors and any current colors I was missing. Secondly, I separated all of the retired colors from the current colors, to store separately. I have very little 12” x 12” cardstock, so I keep it in a handy 12” x 12” storage container available at the big craft stores.

Lastly, I completely re-sorted my current cardstock. I keep all of my 8 1/2” x 11” cardstock in a file cabinet for easy access and protection from dust. I used to sort alphabetically by color name, but now I organize it by the colors of the rainbow. The rainbow method makes it easier to see all the colors I have in any given hue, thus saving me time.

As you can see in the picture above, I keep a single color, including scraps, in each hanging folder and I label each folder with the color name. I positioned all of the labels along the left side, allowing as much work space as possible to set a work-in-process when looking for matching/coordinating cardstock. 

Isn’t the side view of my cardstock drawer pretty?! As I stand at my work bench, conveniently to the right of my file cabinet, I never know which color will inspire me next. 

I don’t always have much 12” x 12” or 6” x 6” patterned (DPS) or solid specialty papers (glimmer, metallic foil, etc.), so I keep them in a vertical desktop organizer. I like them in view and handy so I remember to use them. 

Huh! Now that I think about it, I’m need to reorganize my ribbons & trims by color instead of by style. That should be more convenient and prettier too. See tomorrow's post for details on that.

Thanks for stopping by!

RETURNED TO MY RETIRED INVENTORY

After holding the items listed below for a very long time without receiving payment, I've taken them off hold. If you're interested in these items or anything else in my Retired Stampin' Up! inventory, please email me at boxer3086@sbcglobal.net with the item name(s) and number(s) and I'll reply with your total. I need the description and # to assure you're getting what you really want. Please include your zip code so I may figure shipping accurately. 

BTW, if you haven't checked my Retired Stampin' Up! inventory lately, you ought to know that I have further discounted many items in all categories. 

Catalog	Pg	#	Description	Qt	Price
17–18	215	137360	Butterflies Thinlits Die set	1	$16.20
17-18	212	137547	Mini Treat Bag Thinlit set	1	$24.00
16-17	22	140273	Endless Birthday Wishes Photopolymer	1	$9.60
17-18	199	144189	5/8" Crinkled Seam Binding Night of Navy	1	$4.80
16-17	188	139682	Festive Flower Builder, Flat Punch	1	$13.80

OK, that's all for now. Feel free to email me if you have questions about anything on my Retired Stampin' Up! inventory lists. Happy Shopping!

 

 

CLEARANCE RACK RESTOCKED, MOST AT 60% OFF

WOW! WOW! WOW! Check out all of the newly added items in the Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack! Many, possibly most, items are discounted 60%. That's Huge! How's that for a Christmas present from Stampin' Up!

Click the graphic below to see the clearance items in ALL product categories. 

Remember to check out the Year-End Closeout Sale products too.

Note: I no longer have my own Stampin' Up! online store. I was barely using it. However, you can still order using my name and/or demo number. Simply log-in with your already established online account. If you don't have an account with the SU! online store, please select me, Michelle Gray, #5412, as your Stampin' Up! demonstrator for your online Stampin' Up!  purchases. 

Thanks for stopping by and happy shopping!

 

CARD CRAFTING SUPPLIES USED FOR 3D ORNAMENTS

As crafters, we unique lot enjoy finding alternate uses for our materials/supplies in addition to card making. With that in mind, I found 3 Youtube videos for making beautiful ornaments with my paper crafting supplies, esp. my glimmer paper. After using it for cards, I have a number of nice sized scraps. 

Note: the first 2 videos demo with glitter foam, but I'm 99.99% sure you can use the Stampin' Up! glimmer paper to make the same or similar ornaments. You may need to handle the glimmer paper with a little more care than glitter foam, but I think it's well worth a try. Please let me know if you do. I'd love to see your projects and here how it goes for you.

Also note: if cutting your glimmer paper with punches or steal ruled dies, be sure to position the cutting edge toward the back of the paper for the best result. 

Check out the below videos I found and enjoy using up your glimmer paper scraps and other leftover materials. 

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by.

Have fun using your supplies for these and other lovely ornaments.

Don't have any glimmer paper or glitter, shop here.