Thursday, October 28, 2010

Christmas Memories!!

Howdy friends and a Happy Thursday to you all!  WARNING--this is a long post of yaketty-yak from me and a long post of a holiday project!  But if you make it to the end there could be a sweet treat for you in it!!! LOL!

For some reason lately I've had more emails from folks asking me how I got started in this crafty business and blog world, lol! I don't know if its a coincidence or if someone might be gathering info to write a book or a tell-all tale about me----ha ha ha, not much to tell!!  Not that I mind sharing because most of it was just happen-chance KWIM?  I had started scrapbooking over 14 years ago when my daughter was first born as a way to pass time while she was napping and to document her young life.  Of course back then there weren't too many products available to us scrapbookers and Creating Keepsakes magazine was just starting out as well.  But I persevered and created many pages that today I'm embarrassed to show because they LACK embellishment, lol!  But they are important because they have so much info on those pages that I might have forgotten about.  A few years after my son was born I was introduced to Stampin' Up by a friend and I was hooked (don't most of us get introduced to stamping by SU?).  I loved all the stamps and matching inks and papers so much that I became a demo myself for a few years (more for myself than anything, lol).  When we moved to our house here in VA I kinda fell into card making since I had moved on to digital scrapbooking.  While I love to scrapbook I AGONIZED over each page, each memory and each picture so it could take me a week to do one page.  Digital scrapbooking allowed me the ability to change things around and if I didn't like it, one click of my mouse and it was fixed--ta da! LOL!

So I discovered Paper Crafts magazine and thought it would suit my "instant gratification" self better and I was off.  Someone gave me a Stamping Bella stamp and I was like "What the heck is that piece of rubber & what do I do with it?", lol!  So I turned to my loyal friend called "GOOGLE" and found the website which led me to a blog (my first) which led me to another blog, which led me to another web store!  And before you know it the UPS man was delivering packages to me EVERY DAY--Christmas at Suzanne's house, LMBO!  And hubby wanted to know what the heck I was doing?  But he never questioned me, has always been super supportive!  A few months later I was in my chair and said to hubby "I think I'll start a blog!" and he was like "Ok--but why?" and I said "I have no idea, but I feel compelled to", lol!  I figured it was a way for to document my journey, my crafts, and my life so I found Blogger and dutifully built my blog by trial and error, lol!  A month after that I realized that some crafters were using Copics which I had used in college and I was "AHA"--I know them and I LOVE to color so I set out to buy me some of course!  There is no enabler greater than myself TO myself, lmbo!  That was trial and error as well but I had the knowledge and the know how to teach myself---there was NO info out there on Copics for crafters 3 years ago--NONE I tell ya!  So I felt compelled again to help via my blog.  So my blog became not only a journal for me but a way to help and teach others how to make, create and color with Copics and other paper crafts.  It truly is a passion for me and I love it in so many different ways.  And of course along the way I picked up DT opportunities, got published a few times, started teaching classes and make my way thru the large maze of shops, blogs and crafters.  I've met lots of wonderful crafters and got to make a whole heck of a lot of friends along the way and for that I will always be grateful.  But for those who think they might, or want to follow in my path I will be honest with you---it's hard work! When you take your hobby and turn it into work, it changes and you have to make sure you are comfortable with that change or you will start hating it!  You also have to treat it as a job 24 hrs/a day and market yourself, participate in lots of challenges. improve your work each day and MOST OF ALL be honest, hardworking and loyal and kind---and you will create the job you love!  And a top secret that I tell everyone---I FLY BY THE SEAT OF MY PANTS most days, lol!  NO lie--I think of an idea and I just go with it no matter what but I'm not good at planning.  If I did plan things out more I think I would talk myself out of it.  That's how the Online Copic Classroom was born and the On the Road Classes--one minute it was a tiny see of a thought and the next day I was working on it, LOL!  Sometimes you just GOTTA ROLL WITH IT KWIM!!  And that is the shortened version of my crafting life!!!

NewsBitz:

-7 Kids College Fund keeps getting more good stuff's in I tell ya--its a problem, lol!  Cuz I WANT it all!  New stamps by Crafter's Companion called "Cute Companions" and NEW holiday Popcorn Bears (so cute)!!

-Winner of the "Peppermint Kisses" Blog Candy is VICKY of Sticky with Icky (luv that blog name, lol)!!  Please email with your address information and email so I can get the gift certificates to you! Congrats and thanks to everyone--it was so enjoyable to read about your holiday traditions!

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Christmas Memories


So awhile back my friend Della who is the fabulous owner of I Brake For Stamps asked me if I'd be interested in creating a circle album!  I'm always up for trying something new so I checked out the video and liked it enough to say YES!  Della sells these Circle Album kits in her store HERE and they come with the whole kit and caboodle--so you get everything you need to make the actual album.  **IF you decide you MUST have one or NEED one then use the coupon code "SAVE10SUZANNE" to get 10% off your entire order!!**

I decided to make my album into a Christmas Album that I could display during the holidays each year.  We always have so many pictures and this is such a beautiful way to have them out on a table for everyone to view!  I used the paper kit by My Minds Eye called "Holly Jolly" (I got mine from Emma's Paperie which is my absolute FAVORITE place to order my papers and paper kits from--super fast shipping and free gifts) which comes with all the papers and die cuts I used in my album---a great way to simplify your choices and create faster!  After I add my pictures I will go in and use some of my holiday stamped images as well but I'm going to emboss them in gold to go with the holiday theme (make sure to check out the holiday stamps HERE at I Brake For Stamps, I adore those old Santas)!

The front page & back page have pull-out panels as well but I'm going to write up all our favorite memories after Christmas comes and goes and add that to the panels.  The scrolls I used throughout are by Marianne Designs and I added some buttons and holly cut outs as well---the holly punch is a jumbo punch by Martha Stewart that I am in LOVE with--love it I tell ya, LOL!  I added some fun rhinestone bling courtesy of ZVA and I pulled my decorations right over onto the pull-out panels--this creates more symmetry and cohesion.  Just make sure you cut them apart or add in pieces so when the side panel is pulled out it doesn't yank it off the whole book KWIM!

(the slide out panel paper looks white but it's actually cream with music written on it--dumb camera,lol)


The cool thing about this Circle Album is that it has side panels that pull out creating space for all those extra pictures or memories you want to write about!  I haven't added pictures to my album yet as I want to use this year's holiday pics in it but that will be the easy part!!  Now don't get SCARED--this album is super easy to put together and my good friend Mary Giemza did one as well and created a pictorial tutorial that will help you HERE (and check out her beautiful version while you are there).

A few tips that you need to keep in mind though:  1) Use a strong adhesive to hold your pages together--I used both the strong Scor-tape and my fave Scotch Quick Dry Glue (I use it on all my cards, love it and have used it for 3 years--a nice combo with the Scor tape)!  2) trace your shapes and cut out all your cardstock/papers first and then adhere them to the album pages FIRST including the pull out panels  3) Once you've added all your papers to the different parts THEN glue/adhere it all together--trust me this will save you time and headache later!




After I was done I took my Tsukineko Shimmer Spray in Sheer (love the super sparkle of this stuff, and no smell either) and sprayed each page including the front & back and all the panels so it has a beautiful, subtle sparkle to it.  Holiday Magic is what I call it!  I can already envision this album sitting on our coffee table in the living room just waiting for everyone to take a look!

But wouldn't it also be a FABULOUS gift for someone special?  You can CREATE THIS IN A DAY--no lie cuz I did (well minus the ribbons and sparkle, lol)!  Who wouldn't love to receive one of these for any occasion filled with pictures/memories or without so they can add their own?  OR--you could buy the kit and give it to a crafty friend to make their own AND if you wanted to make it extra special you could include a paper kit as well! Lots & lots of ideas for this fun album and it is SUPER easy to create!

Hope you enjoyed my LONG post and just for making it to the end I'm going to give someone a treat!!  If you leave a comment on my blog on this post only by Sunday telling me--

"What your favorite storage or organization tip is for your crafty supplies?" 

you could win a $15 gift certificate to Emma's Paperie to get your own paper kit and a $15 gift certificate to I Brake For Stamps to buy yourself a Circle Album too (or some other stamp goodies)!! Whoo hoooo---whatcha' waiting for ladies, give me some ideas, lol!!  You never know I might use them in my room and in the Through the Craftroom Door magazine soon (of course you will get full credit, lol)!

See you back here tomorrow for the NEW ARTIST RELEASE from SCACD---it's a BLOG HOP full of fun!!


71 comments:

  1. I store my papers in a portfolio like folder used by designers, these have pockets where I organsie my paper in different color families. my ribbons are stored in zip lock bags again in color families and then put into a box, easily sorted and quick to find and use.

    Happy to share

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  2. Beautiful round album!!! I love those slide out panels.....How clever! My favorite storage is my Univenture binders for my stamps.....but even more so, for my Spellbinder Nestabilities. I simply cover each binder sheet (front and back) with a 1/2 sheet of magnetic printer paper that I buy at Staples (I think they come in packages of 6). Then I put my Nesties right on top and flip through the pages when I need them. Since it is a closed box, they don't fall anywhere and I have them all in one place. This also makes them very easy to take to crops. ;-)

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  3. Here is my tip for organizing unmounted rubber stamps: I place them on storage panels in three ring binders. Pages are organized by theme and binders by company. for each page I stamp all the images onto white cardstock and label each image with the company name and stock number. This way I can referene my posts for each dt in order.

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  4. My favorite storage thing is the clear box like a dvd box that SU sell to put away your stamps. They are genious and all your stamp are easy to find.

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  5. What a wonderful project Suzanne. I love the tabs that pull out.

    My favorite organization that I have in my scrap room is my 3 paper racks that each have 30 slots. I'd be lost without them.

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  6. Suzanne, thank you fo sharing. I love your cards and your blog.
    ~Shannon

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  7. Suzanne I am really glad you followed your heart and came to the blog world...you have taught me so much in my short time with rubber and copics ah yes you have helped me dent my checking acct as well but I will be forever grateful for all the great memeories and friends, as well as the awesome little gifts I have been able to make for those very special ones in my life.

    My favorite storage tip is a spinner rack for all of my embellishmets( it is about 4ft high ) with all the little clips and makes it really easy to see what I have, and then my ribbons are in plastic cubes that have holes so I put dowels through them and have all the ribbon on them with the pieces hanging out so you can easily match to the project.
    Hugs

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  8. Hi Suzanne. Great project, I love it! I just posted on my blog last week about how I store all my little alphabets that I have had forever. I use Craft Mates storage binder and I used rub-ons to lable each compartment A-Z. You would not believe how many letters you can fit in each compartment. You can see what I mean http://gobeagirl.blogspot.com/2010/10/abcs-of-my-storage.html Hope you get this. Have a great day. Hugs, Lisa G

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  9. What a lovely circle album! That will be a great place to display treasured Christmas memories for sure!

    My favorite organizational tip is to store ribbon in Ziploc freezer bags by color. When I need a pink ribbon, I just grab the bag with pink ribbons and select the one I want. Easy peasy!

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  10. That circle album is gorgeous!! I really appreciate all the sites you reference, etc., you are such an enabler (hehehe)!!

    I organize all my ribbon and buttons by color, used to have a big fish bowl that held everything, but it is so much easier to have it all color coordinated. Obviously nothing earth shattering as I am sure most people coordinate by colors.

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  11. First to comment, WOWOWZERS. Well, you did an amazing job on the circle album, just beautiful. I love the paper collection, and the pull outs of this album are amazing. Lots of room for pics and stuff, great job!

    My fave storage for crafty supplies are my jetmax cubes I LOVE all the drawers and room for scrap (as my hubby calls it). I also use lots of plastic bins from Walmart to sort and secure little things like rhinestones, flowers, etc. They work great!!!!!

    Thank you for the opportunity to win, and for your constant inspiration and creativity.

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  12. I divide many of my craft supplies-brads,ribbons etc -by color.

    Beautiful album--would make a great gift.

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  13. Hi Susanne. I love the little album you made. I make these kinds of crafts quite often as gifts. It allows me to show my creativity and send pictures to family members that are spread across the nation if you know what I mean.

    My favorite storage tip has to me my "Clip it Up" rotating storage organizer. I have two and I use it for my unmounted rubber and clear stamps. I love the way I can see the stamps all in one place and they are right at my fingertips.

    Cathy Lee

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  14. LOVED hearing about how you got into crafting.. Its a great story.. I started digi scrapping cuz it was 3:00 am one morning and I wanted some green paper.. (of course everyone was closed..) and I Googled.. only one place was available online back then.. but I was hooked... My fav organizing helper is photo boxes with labels.. I have so many LITTLE things that they get scattered everywhere.. I stack them by holiday so I can just grab em when I need.. BTW LOVED your daughters homecoming dress. The pics were beautiful. Have a great weekend..

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  15. Sorry to be posting under anonymous, but word press isn't allowing me to use my profile right now! Anyhoo...love your work and it is beautiful as always. Now to the question at hand:)
    I don't know if I'm cheap or lazy (I'm leaning towards cheap), but I re-use the large Cascade containers (action paks...110 count) to store all of my embossing plates and folders as well as the large embellishing packages (before I rip them open and start plastering them everywhere). They aren't the prettiest containers available, but they work wonderfully for what I need and they fit perfectly on my storage shelves!
    Laura Howell

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  16. Absolutely beautiful circle album Suzanne!

    My new favorite storage item is for my clear stamp sets and cling stamp sets. They are called "stufftainers" and they allow me to keep the entire set together (without cutting them apart) and keep them on the acetate too. I can get two large sets (5x7 or 6x8 approx) in one 'thin' clear unit. They come in thin, thick and thicker. You can also use them for embellishments. I like to stand them up in a standard size magazine holder. They stay safe and clean and I can see the whole set together. I keep all the same stamp company together too.

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  17. my favorite way to stayed oraganized in my room is to keep things i use most often nearby and in easy to access storage. so my unmounted stamps are in binders at my feet. Punches are in a bucket in hands reach. Brads are in one of those nuts and bolts kind of thing that you can get a tool stores.

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  18. Hello Suzanne!

    I am just an Antique little girl here (Just love that stamp and card you made) wish I had one too...your blog is my best inspiration daily...I have learned so much from you, and thank you ever so much. This round album is really darling...I must win this one so I can make for for my holiday coffee table. A wonder parade of ideas are now flowing through my head as I am typing this...thanks so much

    lynn hamon

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  19. Fabulous album, my friend!

    I'm not great with organizing. But I do like to store little embellies like brads, eyelets, buttons, etc... in old baby food jars.

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  20. Gorgeous album! Hmm my favorite organization is a $5 clear plastic makeup organizer I found at Tuesday Morning. It has 6 compartments for makeup and it now sits on my desk so I can easily see all of my adhesive rollers, glue, scissors, pens, foam squares and small items like smooch paint, stickles, bow easy, adhesive remover. I was always losing these things to the bottom of my bigger storage organizers and baskets but now everything I use most frequently is right on my desk and I can see every item because the organizer is clear!

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  21. I love this circle album...very cute! I like the pull out pages..very sneaky. My favorite storage idea is for clear stamp sets. I use overhead transparencies and page protectors with a 3-ring binder. I put the stamp set on the transparency, put it in the page protector and insert into binder. Keeps them all together in one area. I have three 3" binders full of stamps (one for Christmas, one for other holidays and one for miscellaneous).

    Heidi (cardsbyheidi@gmail.com)

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  22. amazing beautiful !! great creation !
    greetings, martina
    x

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  23. Loved your story and your project!

    Lets see storage. It looks like a lot of us store things in a simalar way. No one has mentioned scraps so I will tell you how I do those. I keep my paper in a 12 x 12 drawer in folders by color and keep paper scraps in a big ziplock back also 12 x 12 and I keep it in front of the paper that way I use the scraps of paper before I use the full size sheets.

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  24. What a great project! Thanks for sharing all the details. I was into recycling before it was hip (I just thought I was cheap and found ways to repurpose). :o) My most recent aha storage method is for my Copics. Since the collection continually grows, it can be challenging to keep them together. I splurged on the Daisy Tools Caddy from Creative Memories and created my own method to store the markers. The bottom portion has dividers, but wanted something smaller. I simply take an empty cracker box (usually Wheat Thins); cut it in half and tape up the ends. I group my Copics by color in each box, and they all tuck in neatly to the case. I fill in the extra space with my other markers and Copic refills. The best part is that I can zip it closed and take it anywhere! I use the zippered top portion for my chalks, watercolor pencils and such. This way all my coloring tools are in one spot.

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  25. Remember when it was impossible to get the plastic storage bags for the Spellbinders and Quickutz dies and they were on backorder forever? I would give credit where credit is due, but I don't recall who gave me this idea. I went to Bass Pro Shops and bought black softbound binders with 2 rings that hold plastic bags. These have a velcro close tab and come in small, medium, and large sizes. Perfect for storing dies and I imagine they would work great for acrylic stamps too. AND, let's not forget the huge savings in cost. I believe they were in the fishing area of the store. Hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to stay organized, right? Thanks for the opportunity to win and LOVE your creations. You are on my fav list and I check it every day. Lista Shattuck

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  26. Hmm, not sure if this qualifies, but it does cut down the time you spend making cards/layouts. I made a swatch of all my cardstock colors and border punches and 2 binders - one that holds a copy of all the stamps I have and the other holds pics of cards/layouts/photos that inspire me.

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  27. I am the queen of organization, so I'm told! I store ribbons in small plastic zip bags (found at Wal-Mart in the beading section) by color family and the in a larger plastic tub. I store my clear stamps on acetate sheets that are then placed inside page protectors and into a 8.5x11 notebook. I can also include the stamped sheet that comes with the clear stamps inside the protector. I separate the sections with tabs. I also list the stamps on a sheet slipped into the cover and on the spine I list the topic (Holiday, General, etc.) My nesties are in CD cases that have a magnet sheet inside to hold them. These are a few of my storage ideas. Feel free to use any or all of them.

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  28. I use a 10 drawer Iris Cart for all my embellishments, sorted by color. I love opening the drawer and there is all my ribbon, buttons, fibres, flowers, glitter, stickles, brads, eyelets, rhinestone and bling, etc. in that color. I got this idea from Stacey Julian and it works great for me.

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  29. My favorite storage solution, is my homemade clip it up, that goes under one of my shelves, above my desk. It holds all my Thickers, other alpha stickers, and rubons. I am the type of scrappper that if I do not see it, I don't use it... Of course I borrowed this idea from someone on a message board. We are so great at helping each other out, such an awesome community we are!

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  30. Great album!!!
    I'd have to say may fave organization....as is a lot of others is my stamps in a binder. Makes them so easy to get to.

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  31. Fun to hear how you got into crafting and cut circle project.
    My favorite organizational purchase is actually a heavy-duty lazy susan with a rubber covering that sits in the middle of my craft table. I have jars full of scissors, markers, rulers, bone folders, tweezers, stylus, pens, water brushes, pencils, glue pens. I have staplers, tapes of all kinds, scratch paper, paper towels, mister bottles (water and metallics), glazes, toothpicks, glue dots, glue sticks...and more--all at my fingertips. I'd be lost without my turntable. :)

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  32. My friend in FL gave me a rolling suitcase with about 100 different compartments, and I love it! I love things with compartments!the album is beautiful Suzanne!

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  33. What a lovely card! And I love how it pulls out. My favorite organization tip is the bar that have on the back of my desk. I hang my punches on it and they are within arms reach and I can see them all easily. Thanks for the chance to win! Have a wonderful weekend! Out favorite part of the week!

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  34. I store my copics by color family in the wonderful towers found here:http://www.studio3solutions.com/
    They are slightly slanted, so it is easy to read the number on the ends and pull one out without several falling out at the same time!
    I love your round album, as I love everything you do! I especially appreciate that you give links to supplies you have used in your projects! Thanks Suzanne!

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  35. Gorgeous circle album! My favorite storage solution is using the over-the-door shoes organizers with clear pockets. I have 3 in my scrapbook room (one on the bathroom door and two on the closet door). I store all my punches in them so I can see what I have. I also use them to hold my SU rubber stamps. I'm a visual person so it helps that the pockets are clear so I can see them all.
    Also, CTMH just came out with 12x12 VERTICAL photo storage pages with six 4x6 pockets. I plan on using them for my Maggies. :)

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  36. What a fabulous album! Love the pull outs. I may have to do one of these and you're right...they'd maje a great gift, as would so many of your creations!
    I have bought lots of organization supplies....not using them to the best of their abilities tho, I'm ashamed to say! But I did pick up a small wooden kitchen cart at a tag sale for my expression. it's great! It has a pull out shelf for when I use the big mats, hooks to hang mats on, a shelf for the cuttlebug and CD box that holds the folders. Added plus is it rolls around. Also love the jetmax cubes. Have a ton of them!
    Thanks for the fabulous giveaway. sorry to prattle on for so long!
    Sue Brailey

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  37. I loved reading your story. It is inspiring to see how you decide things. Your album is amazing. I can see this many occasions.

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  38. Oh I just love that circular album, Suzanne! It would make a really nice giftie too.

    I love to use pretty boxes & little cute 'suitcase' type boxes for a lot of my craft supplies like Nesties, Copics, beads, baubles, embellies, lace, DP, etc. I know exactly what is in each one. Most are sitting out in my bedroom & shelves since I don't have a craft room....boohoohoo & it's all right at my fingertips. Pretty yet functional. That's how I roll! LOL

    Happy Huggies ~

    Sharron♥

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  39. I loved reading your story. It is inspiring to see how you decide things. Your album is amazing. I can see this many occasions.

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  40. tpatti@windstream.net linda pattiOctober 28, 2010 at 9:22 PM

    i think i spend more time organizing than anything else. I recently put a clear shoe holder near my stamping table to hold lots of my punches, and i can put extra punched pieces in the section along with the punch!

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  41. Love the album. So cute! My favorite organization tool is a 39 drawer storage cabinet my dad got me to put all of my charms in. Each drawer has 2 sections, so I can fit a lot in them. Luckily there are still a few empty ones...guess I'd better fill them up with something!

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  42. The circle book is so cute, you're right it will make a great present.

    My favorite storge is the plastic contains with about 18 compartments. You can store so many small things in them and it is easy to keeps things sorted by color or theme.

    Thanks,

    Linda I.

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  43. Love that album & the slide out pages! Thanks for the chance to win the gift certificates!

    I always forget what colors of inks, which punches, or which stamps I have, so I made a ring of index cards that I can take in my purse. I've stamped the images I have, make lists of ink colors & punched the cards with the punches I have so that when I shop I don't buy the same thing again.

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  44. Your album is beautiful and I loved reading how you got your start in the crafty world :)

    My current favorite storage is for my Copic markers. They are stored in a round basket that I picked up on clearance at Michaels a few years ago. It has held many different crafty items up til now, I was so happy to find that my markers all fit in it since I outgrew everything else. (Won't be long now until I need something bigger though LOL!!!)

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  45. The circle album ROCKS! Amazing stuff... I have to say like some of the other posters, I like to sort stuff by colors. I have a corkboard on one wall with all of my ribbon hanging up on it in ROY G BIV order plus neutrals. My favorite organization tool is my pegboard. I begged dear hubby to put this up over my work station 2 years ago and do I love it! The racks which hold hammers, screwdrivers and such are PERFECT for holding upside down Stickles bottles. I love the idea I can customize what is hanging on my wall at any given time. This way I can maximize my crafting area and let's face it, if I can see it, I might use it! LOL

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  46. Suzanne, I love your blog, and your honesty! I love all your projects and I'm very grateful you started this blog. My favorite organization storage unit, is my Pampered Chef Tool Turnabout. I love this things. I have it on my desk and it holds all my little tools, tweezers, pens, pencils, scissors, markers, and so much more.
    Rox

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  47. I certainly need help in the organization department but the one I love is that whenever I buy a new stamp pad, a new Stickles or a new Copic marker I put them on index cards that I put on a large ring and slip them into a plastic bag. Now if I remember to take it with me then I never buy duplicates again. Of course that is a HUGE if. lol I really enjoyed reading your story. So interesting and I love the fly by the seat of your pants. It gives me hope! And your circle book is really very cool.

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  48. My favorite storage tip is to use the little plastic tubes that roses come in (y'know, the tube that has a small amount of water in it) for brads, eyelets, anything small. They hold a lot, you can see what you have, and because there's a small hole in the top you can even put a piece of ribbon through it, tie it in a knot and hang the tubes. :>)

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  49. I have to tell you, I have agonized over how to store my nestabilities - tried all kinds of ways, and hated them. Then I remembered this cute little antique barber's shelf that I have - It has a little bar under the shelf (to hang towels off of). I put each set of nesties on a utility/curtain hook, and hang them from the shelf, with a tag on each one listing the name, how many dies are in the set, etc. I keep all of the labels together, the circles, ovals, etc. I don't have to close the clips - they just hang there, so they are really easy to pull off and use and then put away.
    hugs,
    Gini

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  50. Your circle album is so unique & beautiful! What a keepsake! My current favorite storage is jewel cd cases! I use them for clear stamps and nesties.

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  51. I take my ribbon off the rolls and place them on 2" x 2 1/2" Piece of poster board. I then place them in 2 locking plastic containers. The containers have a handle to carry, making it very convenient. It has really saved me alot of room in drawers. I got the idea from Becca of Amazing Paper Grace's blog.

    Love your work. It's something to aspire to.

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  52. I love your circle album! Thanks for sharing this.
    I am the most unorganized person on the planet, I'm sure! :) But, I bought some wire paper racks from a scrapbook store and it's the greatest thing I've ever done. I'm a paperholic and this helps me to see all the wonderful paper that I have. (so I can run out and get more)!
    Sylvia A

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  53. I love the mini album. The pull is so fun.

    I have 2 tips. I stor my Cricut cartridges on a media shelf. The are the same size as the old videos.

    I store my brads and eyelets in a jewelery bead container by craft mate.

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  54. Thanks for the opportunity to win. Here's my tip: Fortunately for me, my husband wears a size 12 sneaker and those boxes are perfect for wood mounted stamps, ribbon, glitter/flock/paints, punches, dies, stamp pads, or other embellishment storage. The brand he prefers comes in a box with an attached lid, which makes them sturdy. They stack neatly on my closet shelf or under the bed (I don't have the luxury of a separate craft room.) If I don't care for the sneaker box color combination, I cover them in DP or contact paper. The sides are wide enough so that I can attach an index card with the box contents. Thus, I have a coordinated closet that is ecco-friendly and didn't cost me a cent!

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  55. Your work is lovely as always, Suzanne! Thanks for the chance to win! :)
    The best decision I have ever made to use for storage in my studio is when I bought 4 Iris units each with 8 drawers in them. I had an open cabinet made with rollers on the bottom of it and it has 4 spaces to slide the units into it. (2 on top and 2 on the bottom) It has handles on the side so I can move it if I need to, but most always it sits beside me at my stamping desk. The 32 drawers store most of my many stamping "must haves":), except paper, card stock, ribbons, ink and large punches. My punches are stored on little towel racks going down the one whole side of the cabinet. I have all the drawers labeled on the front & the best part is that it is all within an arms reach. I love it!

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  56. Suzanne, I love your blog, and am so happy to hear your story to date. I know you have many wonderful adventures ahead of you.
    As for organization, I think color coding my Cuttlebug folders with a stripe of Sharpie across the fold (red for Christmas folders, black for Halloween, pink for flowers, blue for backgrounds, etc.) has been one of the best time savers I've come up with. It allows me to store them in a Creative Memories Daisy Tool Caddy, and go quickly to the section with the ones I want, without having to sort through dozens of mixed up folders. Easy! The A2 and 5x7 fit perfectly in the bottom, and the smaller ones fit in the top section. I've added small dividers found at JoAnn's.
    Thanks for a great question!

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  57. Boy, do I ever love that Circle Mini Album. That will be another project on my list of things to do that never seem to get done!

    Ribbon is but one of my many obsessions so I needed a way to organize many, many different ones. I bought round, wood clothes pegs (the old fashioned kind with no spring) and every time I buy ribbon, I cut a 5 yd piece from the roll and wind it around the clothes peg. The pegs are stored flat in a drawer and by color. Each time I want a ribbon piece, I bring the entire drawer to my work area and sort thru until I find the one I want. It's easy and cheap to organize this way.

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  58. Hmmm, I wish I could give you some organisation tips ... I don't have a dedicated craft room and use my kitchen table, so unfortunately my stash is all over the house in various boxes and cupboards!! However, on the plus side I'm always discovering 'forgotten' goodies!

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  59. I love your album and can't wait to try try to make one! I am always looking for better ways to organize my scrap stuff and least expensive way that works!! I am one of those who loves it all and attempts to have it! LOL! I think one of my favorite organizing items is the organizer I found in the hardware area of walmart, it is a little cabinet thing with 9 clear plastic big drawers and 30 clear plastic smaller ones, that I use for letters and embellishments. This way you can see things and I also label the drawers. thanks for the chance to win.

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  60. wow how cool does that look.

    my current favorite storage tip is that i have my ribbons on a piece of dowel suspended from the ceiling studs, so it is out of the way but there at the same time (my crafty room is in the basement)

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  61. I really love this Christmas album, especially the pull outs!

    My favorite organization is my four storage cubes that are a combination of vertical and small square sections. I put my papers in the verticals by color and then I have a small box in each square for my scraps. Two are stacked on each side of my work space and fit perfectly under the desktop. All my 12 x 12 papers (not my kits, specialty packs, 8 x 11, etc) are right at hand and all my scraps are sorted by color.

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  62. I love wood mounted stamps and never intend to unmount them, but my space is limited so to store them compactly I use the 8.5x11" Scraponizers lined up on a bookshelf. It's amazing how many you can fit in each case!

    I need things to be "at a glance" for me so I sort by occasions (keeping sets together) and label the spines with the categories so I can easily find what I am looking for. If I don't know what I want and am needing inspiration I can easily and quickly slide each one out a bit to peek and see a bunch at a glance til something jumps out at me!

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  63. The album is beautiful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and talents with us!

    I store my ribbonon a dowel hanging from the rafters... insert the ribbon on the spool and Wa-la! Not in my way on the craft bench :)

    Jenn

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  64. My favorite organization tip for my crafty supplies is....REPURPOSE!!! I have a plastic Velveeta Cheese Container (which I kept forgetting I had) which holds my Sizzlets. A wooden, stripped down dollhouse (the tall one that is 3ft) houses my fabrics. Finally,my girls' colorful plastic bins from the old toy room holds my Sizzix dies and stamping materials.
    It may not be magazine photo worthy, but not spending on storage gives me money for stamps!!! LOL. ;)

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  65. Wowwie is this a FAbulous project and Grand Idea for photos!!!
    Love the paper choices and beauty you brought to each and every page!!!
    STUNNING!!!
    It is kinda neat to look back at starting crafting items to where we take ourselves~~Smiles :D
    Blessings and thanks

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  66. Ooops forgot to answer the question~~~~ my fave organization item in my craft basement is my wall hung pegboard 4'x6' with hooks to hang my SB baskets of Viva, ribbon etc.
    Smiles

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  67. Lovin the round album!!! I can already see it in a beach theme for our family vacation! You always start my day with a smile...thank you!!!

    My favorite organization tip is I store my themed scrapping things in color artbin 12 x 12 bins...red holds all my Christmas (well actually I have a green one too...love Christmas!), orange has my halloween and fall things, light blue holds all my baby boy things and pink holds all my baby girl! This freed up so much precious space for my ever expanding scrap stuff!

    Thank you for all of you inspiration!

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  68. Love your blog and all the things you share. Your latest circle album is really unique. I store all my wood mounted stamps in one layer clear Art Bin containers, then put 5 of these in Sterilite file containers and label the containers ....... by holidays, months, and/ or categories such as flowers, animals or manufacturer etc. I have five Snapware ribbon containers and keep color familes together. This enables me to take the container off the shelf and to wherever I am crafting since I do not have a craft room.

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  69. I love your circle album I think it would really make a great gift!! I love the paper you used.

    My favorite way to store my punches and trust me I have many I must have an addiction........but anyway my husband just put up a nice deep shelve in my craft room and now I have them all lined up so that I can actually see what I have and maybe use them all.......lol...
    This was really great because I just loved reading everyone's comments on how they store their craft supplies I have picked up a few great ideas that I will be doing. Thank you. :)

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  70. Your creative posts make my day at work and I look forward to each issue of Through the Craftrooom Door!!

    One of my biggest challenges is having my little scissors handy. I use the cutter bee mostly and I "date" the handle part with a sharpie. The older dates I know I can cut wired flowers or foil (or some other no-no) while the latest dated one is sharpest for my papers. I have a woman figure that has a bunch of hooks around her designed to hold necklaces. It takes practically no room on my desk and all the scissors are easily hung, removed, and put back rather than scattered all over my desktop. ...and it looks kinda chic.

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  71. ooooo such a beautiful album. It's great idea for a gift. Thanks for sharing.
    Ok how I storage my paper or stamps... maybe you will laught, but i use my boxes from the cat food, boy I tell you they are very useful for paper scrap and my ready cards.
    I also use any other proper packing from food, sorry but I don't buy stuff for storage, if I can re-use something... then I can spend my money on stamps or some gorgeous paper or Copics :) lol
    Hug's
    Renkata

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I appreciate all your lovely comments and taking the time to stop by! hugz,Suzanne

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