More Altered DVD Cases

It's been quite a while since I posted...did you miss me? I'm sure nobody noticed but the spammers...seems I get an abundance of spam messages when I don't post regularly...not sure why that is??? I've been busy working outside since we've had such beautiful weather here, so not as much time to stamp.

Anyways...I have some more of the altered Stampin' Up! Clear Stamp DVD Cases to share with you. These make such a nice little gift for someone...perfect for end of the year teacher's gifts, or maybe a stampin' friend to keep track of their wish list in the upcoming new catalog, etc... Everyone I've given them to so far have really liked them. It's been fun for me to make them because I used some of my favorite retired DSP.

The case on the left uses LeJardin papers and the one on the right, Spice Cake. Here's a look at the inside.

I couldn't find pads of paper the right size to fit inside, so I bought 5x8 pads at Staples and had them cut down to 4 1/2 x 7 so that they would fit inside the case along with the pen. (Note: next time I'll be sure to emphasize that it is the RIGHT side I want cut & NOT the margin side.) The pens are Pentel RSVP pens and I inserted a rolled piece of DSP into the barrel so it coordinates with the set. The pocket is perfect to hold receipts, coupons, etc. Here's a couple more...

The case on the right uses Thoroughly Modern DSP and the one on the right, Sweet Pea. Here's a peek at the inside...

For all four cases I also used: Adorning Accents Edgelits Die, Labels Collection Framelits, Designer Frame Embossing Folder, Letter It Alphabet - embossed with White Embossing Powder & coordinating Seam Binding Ribbon.

I thought you might like to see a family that has taken up residence at our house this Spring.

A Robin built this nest on the top of a grapevine wreath I have hanging on the side of our garage. I've tried not to bother them, but I have been checking on them each day and I think there are 4-5 of them in there. They sure keep their parents busy...they are constantly flying in and out of the nest feeding them. Guess who else is extremely interested in this nest...

That's our barn cat Stinker...I sure hope he doesn't get them! Once those babies get bigger and really fill up that nest I'm also worried they'll fall right out...look at how the nest is attached to the top/side of the wreath...I sure hope mama knew what she was doing when she chose this spot.

Have a beautiful day!

Happiness Is...

New colors! Things haven't changed much for me...just like when I was a kid playing with my box of 64 crayons...the more colors to choose from the better! So each year when Stampin' Up! introduces the new In Colors, I cannot wait to get them! It's hard to judge the printed colors just by looking at the catalog, so when they arrive here at my house I have to play with them right away. Yesterday was that day! Here is my first creation using the new In Colors.

I managed to include all 5 of the new colors on this card. The base and the stamped flower are Midnight Muse. The embossed polka dot layer is Summer Starfruit. The large die cut label and the stamped sentiment are Raspberry Ripple. The smaller die cut label and embossed strip is Primrose Petals, and the leaves are Gumball Green.

The die cut labels I was referring to above are cut using the Big Shot and a new set of dies that will be available June 1st in the new catalog. They are called Apothecary Accents Framelits. I used the two largest ones here. (The Midnight Muse layer was cut by hand using the framelit as my template...trace the outside, and cut.) I pierced all around the outside of the largest label using my Mat Pack Template which is on the retiring list. I was quite bummed about that...UNTIL I saw the new & improved paper piercing templates that are in the new catalog. They will be on my first new catalog order for sure!

I'm also happy to say that both stamp sets used above, Mixed Bunch & Loving Thoughts, are in the new catalog! So if you missed getting them from the Occasions Mini, they are still available.

If you are like me, you may be wondering how these new In Colors will work with the other Color Collections? Or maybe how close they are to some of the existing colors? I know just seeing them in print or on the computer screen on their own some of them looked like existing colors to me. I can say now that I have seen them first hand, each one is quite different and they really do blend with the existing colors quite nicely. Here's a little color comparison photo I put together to give you an idea.

It's always nice to have an assortment of different colors...don't you agree?

Have a colorful day!

Saying Goodbye to Fox & Friends

Another one of my favorite sets that is retiring is Fox & Friends. It's such a darling little set to create cards for babies & kids. I went to a baby shower for my niece over the weekend and the theme for her baby's room is monkeys, so it was the perfect opportunity to play with this set. The monkey just happens to be my favorite image in this set too.

Since they already announced the baby's name, I was able to make her a name frame for his room.

The Serif Essential Letters are also on the retiring list, which makes me sad. I have gotten a lot of use out of this set of dies...they are great because you can cut through all sorts of materials. Here, I cut the letters out of chip board for extra dimension. Here's a closer look...

I cut out the little monkey heads and mounted in place with a dimensional to look 3D. The little felt leaves are a retired item from a couple years ago called Sweet Pea Stitched Felt. The brads are the In Color Designer Printed Brads.

The DSP I used is also retired...the Pool Party & Chocolate prints are from the Spice Cake papers, the Kiwi Kiss print is from A Walk in the Park and the Pumpkin Pie print is from the Haiku pack.

Part of the gift was a canvas tote with a monkey printed on it. The name frame fit perfectly inside along with some other little things. I made a tag to hang from the gift basket using the Scallop Circle Die.

Here's a look at the completed gift basket.

For the big gift I made another card using the Scallop Square Die.

I bought the gift wrap and then used Stampin' Up! colors to match. I used retired DSP for this one as well. These prints are from the Delicate Dots pack...it was one of the free selections during SAB in 2009, as was the So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon. Here it is on the wrapped package.

My niece received some beautiful gifts at her shower, and she really loved the name frame. Baby Wyatt is already a lucky little guy...I cannot wait to meet him! She is due on my birthday...wouldn't that be a wonderful gift!?

Soft Creative Elements Pair

Here's a couple cards made using the Creative Elements stamp set. I haven't played with this one too much yet, but really like it! As you can see, I used the same layout, just changed the colors.

The background is all stamped with Crumb Cake ink. I then gave the flowers a little color using my Stampin' Pastels (I cannot believe these are going to retire??? I use mine quite often.) Then a little Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz adds some sparkle to both the background and the butterfly. I used the medium sized butterfly from the Beautiful Butterflies Die and then my Stamp-a-ma-jig to get the butterfly centered. I inked the stamp first with Perfect Plum and then rock 'n rolled the edges in Rich Razzelberry. Here's a closer look.

Here is another card I made just changing the color to Baja Breeze.

I had such a good time yesterday! Went to the Great Lakes Mega Meet Scrapbooking Convention with a friend. We got all kinds of cool new stuff! I think I am most excited about this Cosmo Cricket 8x8 scrapbooking kit. Check it out...

It has not just one...but two 8x8 albums that fit into a cardboard case, plus tons of super cute paper, chipboard, stickers and accessories...that's right, it's 9000 pieces! (I didn't actually count them all...I'll take their word for it!;-)Plus an instruction booklet that shows all kinds of fun projects that you can create in addition to the albums. All this...for ONLY....ten bucks! I know...what a crazy good deal!

I got another one identical to this kit plus a girly themed one. I would have bought more of them, but "their CC machine was down", so it was cash only at this booth. Too bad I had already spent most of my cash elsewhere before we happened upon this bargain. We left the show with only change left in our pockets but big smiles on our faces!

Have a great weekend!

Workspace Wednesday - With a Little Paint

With just a little bit of paint you can take something old and worn and totally transform it into something useful to coordinate with your space. I did that with an old jewelry box that I picked up at at a yard sale for a couple bucks. The small drawers are perfect for holding embellishments and tools. I've had this for a while...here it is in my room before the makeover. (I thought I took a better before photo...but you'll get an idea of what it looked like.)

BEFORE

AFTER

I took out the drawers and spray painted the outside with glossy white spray paint. (It took 3-4 light coats to cover the old wood) The drawers were painted with the same paint I used for the walls and for my peg board, then I sprayed them with a glossy clear coat. The handles were spray painted with metallic silver to coordinate with the drawer pulls on my cube storage below. See how nicely this little jewelry box holds my embellishments and tools?

I can fit 20 packs of SU! buttons & brads per drawer. It was a good yard sale find I'd say! Makes me want to get out there and hit some sales...haven't done that in a while. You never know what kind of treasure you will find!

I'm in the middle of transforming an old chair that had belonged to my Grandma...again, with just a little paint.  It will be my guest chair for when I have a friend over to stamp. Hopefully next week I will have that ready to share with you.

Thanks for visiting my Stampin' Studio today.

Well Worn Lovely Tree

The well worn in my title refers to the paper I used on this card, but I guess it could also refer to the stamp set as well, because Lovely As A Tree has definitely been one of my most used and loved stamp sets. It is by far the only current set I've had since my first year as a demo. I'm glad it made the cut again this year. For those of you who don't have this one yet, you might be pleased to know that it will also be available in Clear Mount in the new catalog starting in June!

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree, Loving Thoughts
Ink: Always Artichoke, Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy
Card stock: Always Artichoke, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla & Well Worn DSP
Accessories: Always Artichoke Seam Binding Ribbon, Labels Framelits, Wood grain Texturz plate (retired), Metallic Brads & Circle Nestabilities

Thanks for visiting today. :-)

Saying Goodbye to Vintage Vogue

One of my favorite sets on the retiring list is Vintage Vogue. I really like the distressed floral images and the how all the images are so useful...I'll certainly be keeping this set in my collection. I made this card for a good friend of mine who just had her birthday.

I stamped the Crumb Cake background using the Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel, which amazingly enough didn't end up on the retiring accessories list (or did I miss it?) I hope not, because I use that one a lot!

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Apothecary Art (sentiment) & Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel
Card stock: Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy & Very Vanilla
Ink: Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy & Certainly Celery
Accessories: Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon, Boho Blossoms Punch & Basic Pearls

Have a wonderful weekend!

Workspace Wednesday - Into the Closet

Wow, you all really liked my plastic drawer makeover I shared last week! My blog stats hit an all time high for page views on a single post. I'm afraid I don't have anything as exciting to share with todays Workspace Wednesday post, but hopefully you'll still like what you see, and possibly pick up an idea to use in your stampin' space.

Today I am showing you the BEFORE & AFTER of the 3rd wall of my room. This is just a very small wall because it is shared by both the doorway to the room as well the closet. Before, I had my TV on top of a large Sauder cabinet. Inside I stored mostly alterable items, retired holiday stamps & retired card stock. It was functional, but as you can see from my BEFORE photo, it was way too large for the space. (In my defense, I always kept the doors to this cabinet closed so you didn't normally see my mess inside)

BEFORE

AFTER

As you can see, now I am using 3 of the Jetmax storage cubes to hold the TV. This is a temporary fix until I find something that works better. (Or maybe get a flat screen to mount on wall!;-)  Even though the TV is small, it's so old that it's really heavy and I'm not too sure that these units can support the weight long term. Do I see another trip to IKEA in my future? The cabinet I had there previously is now in the closet...more on that in a minute.

First, I wanted to show you one of the drawers from the 4 drawer unit. I saw this good tip on Pinterest...use Altoid tins to organize small things that normally get thrown into the "junk drawer". Please tell me I'm not the only one who has a junk drawer?

This has been working out really well for me. I labeled each tin and I can easily find all sorts of little things that previously took up way too much space on my peg board or were just thrown in a drawer. I already had the tins because I was saving them to alter. (along with a BUNCH of other tins!) So at least now they are put to good use.

Here's a look at the right side of my closet...both before & after.

BEFORE

AFTER

I put my plastic 12 x 12 paper storage shelves inside. This holds most of my current 12 x12 card stock and DSP along with some scrapbook pages that are finished or in progress. I no longer have to worry about dust or fading from the sunlight. Here's another look.

In the before shot of my closet above, you can see I was storing my stamp sets on DVD/CD shelving units. A couple of those were able to stay on the back wall of the closet, while the larger units were moved to the main room on the wall behind my desk. I store all my sentiment/word stamps (including retired) on one, directly behind where I sit so they are within easy reach. The rest of my retired stamp collection is now stored in this large oak filing cabinet. ($5 garage sale find) which now sits on the other side of the closet. Check it out...

The two drawers hold a LOT of stamps! Plus I have room in the top drawer for my retired 8-1/2 x 11 card stock as well. This file cabinet is so sturdy that I was able to put my other paper rack right on top of it. This makes it so much easier to see what I have because it is all at eye level...so much better than when it was sitting on the floor.
Before, this 2 drawer cabinet had been sitting behind my desk and I had it cram packed with stuff I didn't even know I had! Here's a reminder of how it looked before.

I think you'll agree that it is much more useful now! So far I've been doing good as far as putting everything back in its place when I'm done, so hopefully my drawers won't look like the above again!
I hate to leave you with the ugly image above, so here's something cute to look at...

Thanks for joining me on my tour!