Organize your Tools Challenge

Challenge#4 - Wednesday - Week #1: Tools (This includes cutting, die and embossing machines, punches, paper trimmers, brushes, scissors, cropadials, tool kits etc.)

TOOLS AT YOUR DESK: What tools do you use 100% on every page? Exacto knife, bone folder, files, paper piercing tools, cropadial (finally totally stoked mine is the orange one and not pink cause it matches my room now...LOL), compass, adhesive eraser, bone folder, etc... These can be stored in a drawer, on a shelf or on your desk the key is to try to keep them in arms reach.

DESK TOP STORAGE SOLUTIONS:

Pegboard:
http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=242155...

http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=227246...

Tool Caddy:
Altered Making Memories Carousel By Jill

Baskets and buckets:

Pen Holder full By Hanging By A Moment
http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=207749...

http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=199858...

Home made (for those handy with real tools): http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=161339...

CUTTING AND EMBOSSING MACHINES:

These need table top space. If you don't store them on the table top you at least need a sheared space you can use when you bring the machine out to use it. The dies and cartridges need to be stored close at hand to the machine. If you have electrical cartridges store them in a dry, temperature controlled, dust free environment. The cricut needs storage for the tools and a place to store the mats flat as well.

Cricut: The biggest thing about this machine is that it needs room to work. Make sure you have a clearance in front and behind for the mat to go in and out.
http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=226609...

Cartridges and books:
Space saver: http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=258816...

http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=258022...

In boxes: http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=173015...

Sizzix:
Machine needs a flat surface with enough room to operate it.

Dies:
Cubby and shelf storage: http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=228940...

http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=153177...

http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=163798...

http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=101273...

Thincuts container: http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=229450...

Cuddlebug: Similar storage to the Sizzix. Please share your ideas.

Spellbinders:
Magnet strips: Spellbinder Die Storage By Mother Goose

CD cases: http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/image/scrapro om/331037...

CD book case (this one is well organized and portable) - http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/image/scrapro om/281807...

Magnetic Storage book: Quickutz Storage - Nestabilities By CreativeJamie

PUNCHES:

Can be stored just about any where! They are durable though they are bulky.

Towel rack or curtain rods:
punch storage By Scrappin Kitty

Punch storage By Mercytiara

Baskets:
http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=199858...

http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=391769...

Thumbtacks (Cheap and ingenious): Punches By Rosita

In a drawer:
http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=146730...

Door hanging shoe rack:
Punch storage By Jopadiet

On a shelf: http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=138264...

CropinStyle Punch Pall: http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=875359...

PAPER TRIMMERS:

Paper trimmers must have a flat surface to work correctly. They can be stored else where but when operating them they need to be on a hard table top. Some paper trimmers come with decorative blades that can be switched out. These blades and extra strait edge or perforated replacement blades need a storage place out of reach of little ones.

Bind - it - all... the only thing about these for storage is to make sure you have the room to use it where you want to. It would be nice like all machines if you don't use it that often to have a cover for it or a bag to store it in, but not necessary as long as you clean it occasionally with some air in a can.

Lamination Machines - I could not find anything about home lamination Machines. I know the refill material is usually heat sensitive so I would suggest to store that in a cool place. You few that have one might want to check your product guide to see if there are any specifications.

OTHER: Did I miss anything? Lamination machines etc... does anyone have those?

Lets Do this!!! (I have a lot of work to do... new machine and where the cricut goes is a disaster! LOL!)

CHA 2012 Folded book projects with My Minds Eye and Helmar

Hello readers!
Today I am going to briefly share with you two of my projects I created for the Helmar booth at CHA Winter 2012.

The bird house was created with the lost and found line from my minds eye and some wonderful Helmar Acid Free Glue and Helmar 450 Quick Dry.  Folding and tearing book pages seems to be consuming my life lately LOL!

This next piece was also created for Helmar's booth but it was also donated to Charity Wings Organization for the carnival raffle at CHA Winter 2012. The winner of the raffle for this item was from the Neatherlands... I'm an international artist baby! LOL. Just kidding... but I thought that was pretty cool.

Challenge #3 - Week #1 - (Monday) Color Altering Items

Challenge #3 - Week #1 - (Monday) Color Altering Items - Inks, pens, mists and paints.

This is the day we sort out our colors! Any color altering items or ink.

Color Altering Items Challenge #2 By Hanging By A Moment

Lets discuss and figure out what we are going to do with these items.

• Pens - Storing Scrapbook Pens and Markers (quoted from scrapbook.lifetips .com)
  "One of the most important things to remember when storing pens and markers is to store them horizontally so that the ink flows evenly. Most people may be inclined to buy containers that stand vertically, but storing them this way will make all the ink flow to one end. If the ink is at one end of the pen or marker they may not last as long or work as well. Storage drawers will allow the markers and pens to be stored horizontally. You can leave your markers in their original box and store them in a desk drawer or plastic organizer drawer.
  
  Another suggestion is to buy a marker storage case that holds pens and markers; these cases are portable and make it easy to keep all of your coloring and writing utensils in the same place for quick access."
  
  Once you have decided where to store them you will need to TEST every pen quickly to make sure they still work. Trash the ones that don't! Make a list in your binder of ones that need to be replaced.
  
  Sort pens by: Color or color families
  
  Storage Solutions: Organized within a drawer, wine bottle holder, Altered Cylinder containers form the kitchen.
  
  ZIG Pen Storage and In-Progress Paper Shelves By Reyasunshine
  
  PVC PIPES - http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/image/scrapro om/257893...
  
  Mason Jars - http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=222965...
  
  Crystal Light Containers: My Alteration Project! By Vh678
  
  Plastic 1$ pen boxes: http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=377743...
  
  Acrylic cups: http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=377743...
  


• Ink pads and refills - (quoted from Scrapjazz)
  "Ink pads are best stored flat. Each pad is filled with liquid ink, and this ink can travel throughout the pad over time if not stored properly. For example, if you stored your ink pads vertically, over time the ink would drop to the bottom edge of the pad, and you would no longer be able to get a fully-inked image when you tried to use the full surface of your ink pad. For this same reason, it is highly recommended that you store your ink pads upside down (unless you have Stampin' Up they already are designed to do this). This will keep the ink flow at the surface of the pad, rather than allowing the ink to seep down to the bottom. This is especially important for dye-based ink pads, as this ink is thinner than some other inks and will migrate through the pad at a faster rate. Ink pads containing thicker inks, such as pigment ink, can be stored face up."
  
  How to sort your in pads? - By color, manufacture, ink type or size
  
  Storage solutions:
  
  Wooden Cassette holder - (top half of photo, its fuller now I will get a new pick when I am done with this challenge) Color Center By Hanging By A Moment
  
  Cat Eye Storage *response to forum thread* By Kanary
  
  custom built holder, store bought rotating caddies, or simply stack on a shelf (make several smaller stacks. This will make it easier to access without towers of inks toppling down when you need the bottom color.)
  
  Ink pads can be cumbersome at your workstation. Most people store them off to the side. Why not have a reference guide at your table so you know exactly what color you will need?
  
  This is a MUST SEE IMAGE of a great Color Swatch for your Inks.
  
  


• Mists/Paints - These can be stored or displayed nicely on a shelf. Putting them in a color order would make it appealing. If you have the mini misters you can store them on a counter top in the store bought holder or have your resident handy man drill some holes into a block of wood and don't forget to alter it to match your space decor.
  
  Shadow Box storage: http://www.scrapbook.com/myplace/index.php?mod=gallerie...
  
  Mini Mister holder: http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image& id=253612...
  
  Drawer Sorage: Though I love the organization of this option I don't like not seeing the colors of the mists. Maybe if you put a dot sticker (used for yard sale pricing, found at Walmart) You can spray it as a sample and stick it to the top of the lid.
  
  Shelf Unit... simply maid yet holds so much!



• Other (?) - Did I miss anything? Please bring it to my attention.

REMEMBER: Always leave room for your stuff to grow!!! Especially you collectors!

Have fun and hey! Maybe you can alter something to store your pens in... Get creative!

Angel Wings created for CHAW 2012 for Charity WIngs with Helmar

Why so long since I posted? Well two weeks prior to CHA my hubby's assignment out of town got postponed! Which meant I could go to CHAW 2012! So I left him with the kids... However prior to that I went from having a few things to do for my bookstore and my daughters B-day to having an ever growing list of to-dos. The great thing about it though was that most of them were creative projects and art.

This post is about one rather large project! I built functional angel wings to donate to the Charity Wings Organization. I may not have been able to do these wings justice but Elena sure could...

Here I am in the Helmar Booth with the wings open and closed.

Here they are from the back open:

Here are the three people who made this a hit at CHA!Elena Lai Etcheverry, Tracy Weinzapfel Burgos, and myself in the middle. This is during the Live from CHA interview Elena had with Tracy from Helmar USA.

First lets take a quick look at the construction of the frame work... Supply list:

• 1 - kids back pack (up-cycled in this case from last year)
• 2 - 1" PVC pipes 2' long
• 1 - piece of hobby board
• Nuts and bolts and some brackets
• 1 yard of white strap (from a fabric store) (it shows black here but for this project I switched it out to white)
• 1/2 a yard of white the cheapest white fabrick to cut the shape of the wings
• Wire
• Tools to cut the wood, pvc pipe and fabric to the right shapes
• fishing line
• and of course some HELMAR USA glues - I used Acid Free and 450 Quick Dry.

Now lets talk about decorating it.  hundreds of hand made feathers from old books and pipe cleaners... 5 feather boas and some sparkle ribbon, gems, and fabric... and of course Helmar 450 Quick Dry and Premium Craft Glue.

 And then there was the building of the box my hubby took care of that.

Perfect fit. I hope you enjoyed a sneak peak!

 Have a Happy Helmar Day!

Challenge #2 Week #1 - FRIDAY PHOTOS AND FUN CHALLENGE

Challenge #2 Week #1 - FRIDAY PHOTOS AND FUN CHALLENGE - Photos & Memorabilia ( I will not re-post this every Friday however we will be working on it every Friday in February)

DUN DUN DUN... are you ready for this? It is a huge undertaking that we will be working on every Friday for the rest of this challenge. (accept this week for whatever reason it didn't post so it is now Sunday! SO SORRY!)

SET A GOAL: Some of you may be the type who want to sit down and get it all done at once. That is fine if that is your goal. Note: You will have Fridays for fun the rest of the month if you do this . However if you are like me I can only take so much of one thing for so long. SET A REASONABLE GOAL! It maybe working on photo organization for 1 or 2 hours, maybe it is to get 1 or 2 boxes organize tonight. Maybe you want to get an entire album planned out with your photos pulled and placed in the albums. No matter what your goal is... MAKE IT, DO IT and CELEBRATE IT... tell us you did it and move on to create something fun. There is a creative challenge at the end of this post by a Guest Challenger.

BEFORE BEGINNING: IF YOU HAVE MOSTLY HARD COPIES OF PHOTOS PLEASE FINISH THE OTHER CHALLENGES FIRST BEFORE STARTING THIS ONE. I want your space to be clean and free of small pieces of metal, chipboards and such items. These are you memories and the most precious part of our scrapbooking. Care for them well.

Photo Preservation:

Image Master's website -

"PHOTO STORAGE . . .

When possible, keep photographs in enclosures that protect them from light and dust and provide physical support during display or use. Chemically stable plastic or paper enclosures, free of sulfur, acids, and peroxides, are recommended. Plastic sleeves should be constructed of uncoated polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene.

For most photographic materials, unbuffered paper enclosures are preferred over buffered enclosures. Alkaline buffering is added to archival storage papers to absorb acidity from the stored material or the environment surrounding it. However, some photographs may be altered by the buffering in alkaline papers, so unbuffered paper is recommended for most processes.

Film-based negatives, which can produce acidic gasses as they age, should be placed in archival, buffered enclosures and stored separately from other photographic materials. Store cased objects, such as daguerreotypes and ambrotypes, in their original cases or frames with the addition of custom-made, four-flap paper enclosures to reduce wear and tear on fragile cases. Place individually housed prints, negatives, and cased objects in acid-free, durable boxes that will afford further protection from light, dust, and potential environmental fluctuations.

The storage of photographs in albums serves the dual purpose of organizing groups of images while protecting them from physical and environmental damage. Albums can be wonderful sources of historic and genealogical information. Preserve them intact when possible and store them in custom-fitted archival boxes. For the storage of family photographs, albums constructed with archival materials are available from conservation suppliers. Magnetic or self-adhesive albums can be detrimental to photographs and should not be used.

HANDLING PHOTOGRAPHS . . .

Most damage to photographs results from poor handling. A well-organized and properly housed collection promotes respect for the photographs and appropriate care in handling. When images can be located quickly, there is less possibility of physical damage. The enclosures should be designed in relation to the intended use of the photographs, as well as their type and condition. Establish handling procedures and adhere to them whenever photographs are being used. View photographs in a clean, uncluttered area, and handle them with clean hands. Wear white cotton gloves to lessen the possibility of leaving fingerprints and soiling the materials; however, gloves may reduce the manual dexterity of the user.

Keep photographs covered when they are not being viewed immediately. Do not use ink pens around photographic materials. Mark enclosures with pencil only. If it is necessary to mark a photograph, write lightly with a soft lead pencil on the back of the image."

Now that we know how to store and handle photos... just a brief reminder... we need to sort them. Sorting them by event and chronological order is usually the most common.

I think I am going to sort mine by color... J/K. Some people sort them by person, family and events. Especially if they are doing albums for each child etc.

There are not many photo storage options out there I will link some products below. The key is to keep them in a dry dark place.

MEMORABILIA - Many of these items are not asid free or photo safe, though with paper in between them (acting as a barrier) and the photo you can scrap them onto the page.. I would suggest also storing them in a dry dark place for the sun and moisture can damage these as well.

The storage options for this could be the same as your photos. You may not be able to keep them all in the same boxes mixed together but you can put them on the same shelf in matching boxes so they are handy.

Cross referencing - Sorting memorabilia the same way you sort your photos will help with the easy of finding what you need when you need it.

If you have a piece of memorabilia for a certain date or event. Place a 4x6 piece of scrap photo safe paper in with the photos with a reminder that you have the memorabilia item in the other box. This will keep you from forgetting the memorabilia when you go to pull your photos for that event or person.

If you have tons of memorabilia you may want to do a page of just that. If you keep a log of what pages you need to create for what albums make sure you add these memorabilia pages to that log. This would be a great thing to use you binder for.

LABELING - Use dividers frequently. This is very important for ease of locating the photos you want. If you don't have any or you don't want to buy more then make your own out of some of your photo safe scraps. Add a tab at the top so you can easily see what you write on the label above the tops of the photos.

NOTE OF STORAGE PLACEMENT: I know there are only a few of you who have your scrap areas in the basement and have fear of flooding. I live in a flood zone with no basement and I want EVERYONE to be aware of this. God forbid if any of us have to deal with this but even a broken pipe can cause excessive water damage and I would hate for any of you to loose your photos or your albums. The higher the better. If you are in a place that never floods I would suggest only a foot or two minimum off of the floor but if you have a greater chance place place these items higher accordingly.

DIGITAL PHOTOS: Sorting would be the same way. Since you can't put a place holder next to the photos with memorabilia then maybe just adding a word document with a memorabilia log for you to check and save it within the file your coordinating photos are in.

BACK THEM UP BACK THEM UP BACK THEM UP... I don't care how you do it... external hard drive, USB memory stick, a photo hosting website, CD... ONCE YOU HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO ORGANIZE IT PLEASE BACK THEM ALL UP!!!!!

Okay Ladies! Lets get BUSY!!!