Cherish

I made this card for Paper Craft Planet's Sketch Challenge today. Again, I'm drawn to the upcoming season of Valentine's Day, so I grabbed whatever was near me which included Webster's Pages and Making Memories papers, a favorite image stamp from Somerset Studios called "The Kiss" and an Outlines word stamp Cherish. I cut out the butterfly from the reverse side of the Webster's Pages paper and made it 3d by cutting into its wings and then embellished it with gold Stickles. The sweet little ribbon flower was something I've had forever which worked beautifully tucked in the corner. The velvet ribbon was a perfect touch to give the appeal I was going for. This just may be my swap card for Club this Wednesday!

I'm supposed to be working on my craft space re-org and did manage to do a little bit today. Progress is definitely being made, but I'm not ready to show you new photos just yet. Actually, I was finalizing our Club cards for this Wednesday and I think you'll just love them! Lot's of fun little added tricks and techniques to add to your card making skills!

Flirtatious Love

Responding to a challenge on Paper Craft Planet, I immediately thought of Valentine's Day, Graphic 45 papers and creating something green. What better green medium is there than corrugated cardboard with the top layer of paper ripped off? I wanted to create a journal and reference book that can sit next to my computer to serve as a calendar and a place for my numerous passwords that are now written on bits of paper. Since my craft space is in total chaos and my supplies are in bins in other rooms, I had to work with very little and am totally pleased with the result. I even added an old pin I had that is very Jenni Bowlin! The scallop frame is from Scenic Route and you are seeing the reverse side that I sprayed with Glimmer Mist. The little chipboard word is also from Scenic Route that I sanded to add a distress look. Well, that's my little green project and I hope this inspires you to grab your corrugated and have some fun with scraps!

Craft Space Re-Org

Day 1: I managed to "waste" 4 hours before I actually began the project I set for myself--to gut my craft space and re-think how my room can best work for me. Suffice it to say by the BEFORE photo that this space is definitely not working!
I decided to begin just inside the door and work my way down the wall and around the perimeter of the room. I'm trying to stay within the rules of organizing using the theory of keep, toss, give away, or sell. So, the work began and my first wall became visible again! Thoughts of being a hoarder and a total organizational failure were springing into my mind, but I managed to keep my resolve and press forward and focus on what I was accomplishing, and not on what a freaking mess I had before me.
Day 2: I only dallied one hour today and hit my re-org project with lots of energy and enthusiasm. Since I'm gutting the room, I'm creating piles in other areas of the upstairs, but I know this is a temporary measure. I can't believe the crap I've accumulated over the years and as I said to my friend, Ann, why do we hang onto stuff we haven't touched in over ten years?!?
This situation reminds me of the Biggest Loser standing on a scale half dressed for all the world to see the shocking reality! So, good-bye old stuff! Once the space is cleared, my brother inlaw is building desparately needed shelves in the walk-in closet. Next, I'll remove a half wall of wallpaper so I can re-paint the room. Wish me luck on that job! I envision a soft tint that quietly sets a calming yet creative tone. I love vintage, yesteryear and girlie things and this room will speak LYN!
Day 3: More of the same clearing and tossing and organizing for several hours. I just can't believe how daunting all this stuff is when trying to organize it. I'm also struggling to understand why things became disorganized in the first place so as not to repeat this nightmare again. For example, buttons. I have a zillion buttons that are in two separate plastic containers - one is primarily dark buttons and one is lighter shades. The problem with these containers is that if you see a button in there, you can't get at it 'cuz the container is too deep! So, what is the answer? I don't know, but I'm going to throw everything in a cookie tin. It is sturdy and easy to see the buttons and easy to reach them. Now, that that's settled, let's talk about ribbon. Like buttons, I hoard ribbon and love collecting them. Storing ribbon is quite another matter. The ribbon already on spools is easy to keep tidy. It is the shorter lengths that becomes a huge problem for me. I have some solutions in mind, but for now, they are all stuffed in a plastic drawer waiting for me to make sense of it all once my room is painted.
Day 3: Progress Photo! The dresser is being removed to another
bedroom and I'm selling the tower and most of the stamps in it!The ugly banquet chair will be replaced with a flee market find.

I feel empowered looking at this photo and the nightmare of the "before" photo is far behind me now. I am also putting myself out there for all of you to share in my transformation project. Perhaps you'll be encouraged to tackle a similar project along with me. For those of you who are already totally organized, I'll be there soon enough! This experience can also lend itself to share what organizing tricks work for you; specifically, button and ribbon storage. I'll be posting again next week on the next phase of my craft space progress. Meanwhile, take a look at your stuff and see what you can do to get organized in 2010!