Featured in Studios Magazine

I am proud to announce that my studio has been featured in the Summer issue of Studios Magazine.    I was honored to be asked by the editor to share my creative space in her publication.  

Studios Magazine brings together artists of all mediums; painters, quilters, printmakers, potters, jewelry makers, etc. to share their creative spaces and how it works for them.  If you are looking to design a creative space this is where you want to look.  Since I originally introduced my studio on my blog and YouTube way back in April 2010 it became a source of inspiration for other artists.  I have received many questions over the years about how I designed it, where I purchased items for my studio, etc.  I did my best to answer all these various questions plus include some of my organization tips and tricks. You can find it at any book stores like Barnes and Noble or at craft stores such as Hobby Lobby, Michaels or JoAnns Fabrics.  The magazine will be on newsstands till mid August and is also available in a digital version at Paper Cloth Scissors. Enjoy!

Project Bins

 

While I was on the Paperclipping Roundtable show the subject of how we keep our workspace from getting over run with mess while working on projects.  I, like many of you, work on muliple projects at a time so I had to come up with a way to contain the clutter.

I picked up a dozen black dish pans from the dollar store quite a while back. I use them constantly! These cheap dish pans or "bins" as I call them, are probably the most efficient way I get things done in my studio. I love being able to contain a project per bin. They seem to be the perfect size, 13.5" X 11" X 4.5" H, I can even prop a full size layout in it to dry or to work on later. As I am often working on multiple projects at once with these I can grab a bin work on that project, set it aside and work on another. Beside bins with projects I usually have a bin with busy work for me to work on during tv time. To keep my counters clear I keep a bin handy, usually in the middle of my room, to toss items in that I think I may be done with and need to put away. I then can take my bin around and put things back where they go at the end quickly and easily. And on a bright and sunny day I will take a bin full of stuff outside to work on.  And as you can see Addie thinks that they make the perfect cat bed.

This shows how easily these cheap tubs stack together.  On the left I have 4 tubs stacked together and on the right is one.  You can see that they take up minimal room when stacked.  I have about a dozen of them but rarely are all put to use at the same time. 

Tissue Tape Explained

I have gotten lots of questions on what exactly Tissue Tape is and how I use it.  Let me first show you this awesome way that I store my tissue tape.  I started with a paper towel holder that I found at TJMaxx.  The top flourish unscrews to have access to the long metal pole.  I then found some awesome vintage receipt holders on Ebay and Etsy.  I used Glue N' Seal from Inksenntials to affix the receipt holders to the base of the paper towel holders.  That way I can move my collection of tissue tapes and washi tapes around my room to wherever I am working.  I love it!  I am going to keep looking for 2 more of the receipt holders.  I want to keep a space free so I can access the bottom tapes on the long rod without having to remove them.  

Now that I have them perfectly stored what to do with them...  You use them any way you use Washi tape but tissue tape has some really awesome characteristics.  They are slightly transparent so you can layer them over prints or color and it will show through.  I like to color mine with my Distress Inks. 

I tried to color the tissue tape with Distress Stain but it beaded up on the top and didn't take to the tissue like the Distress Ink does.  After blasting with the heat gun it did keep some of the color and gave it a more distressed blotchy color, I kind of like it but not for all projects.

My next one, I added Distress in using the applicator.  This give a light hint of color.  I was using the dark Aged Mahogany and the color was nice and subtle.

The third piece of tissue tape I used the Distress Ink pad directly on the tissue tape for the true color of the Aged Mahogany!  This is by far my favorite!  I love the deep rich color!    

This close up pic you can see the differences of the 3 techniques for adding color to your tissue using the same color but different methods of achieving the application.

I couldn't let this beautiful tape go to waste so I made a little notebook with it.  I layered the tissues on the bottom and created a rosette by simply pleating the tissue tape and adding a button to the center. 

Here are a couple other posts using Tissue Tape

http://creationsbychristie.blogspot.com/2011/02/configurated-configuation-boxes.html

http://creationsbychristie.blogspot.com/2010/06/fragments-tag-challenge.html

http://creationsbychristie.blogspot.com/2011/08/weeks-grungy-monday-challenge-was-using.html

http://creationsbychristie.blogspot.com/2010/10/dabber-resist-tag.html

Color Labeling the RANGER STATION

I made further improvements upon the Ranger Station.  I color labeled the tops of all my lids so that I could easily find just the right color for the project.  It was quite easy and terrifically fun to do.  I ran a scrap piece of  white card stock through my Xyron sticker maker so that it was ready for my lids.  I then cut out a bunch of 5/8" circles using my Marvy round punch. 

I decided to start with the Distress Stains first.  I placed all the stickers on the lids and colored them in place.  You can, of course, color them first and them adhere them.  I just find it easier this way.  And here is a great TIP... to get the backing off of the sticker, stab the back in the center with a pin and remove.  Not only is it way easier to remove the backing but you essentially are shish-kabobing all the left over backings making clean up a breeze!

My next step was to simply start staining all the tops of the stain lids. So quick and easy.  And a great reference to have at a glance!

I also added a drop on the tops of my Dimensional Pearls.

 Next came the messier, which for me is the part I really enjoy! I used one of my favorite and probably one of the cheapest tools you can have in your craft studio...Q-Tips!  You can get a huge bag at the $1 store or on sale.  I use them all the time to mix try out a color.  Add a little of this or that.  You get the picture! 

 I use the Q-Tips to add just the right amount to my stickers that I had already put on to my Adirondack Paint Dabbers (1st picture in the post) and the Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paints.  I  am in love with my new Ranger Station!  Now it's time to CREATE!!!

Distress Station!

I'm updating it already.,.  the Distress Station name has been changed to the "Ranger Station"  since it's not all Distress products and it is mostly Ranger.  I thought it was more appropriate as the Ranger station.  And as a camper, I like the play on words too.

The Distress Station has been born!  I'm always rearranging my studio to best suit my needs.  I have several stations in my room, such as my die cutting area, an area which I keep all my tiny adornments and all that I need to attach them, computer area, etc. Probably the area that I love the most is my messiest and most used.  My "distress" area for lack of a better name.  It has all my Distress inks, stains, crackles, etc.  I did some rearranging so that on the counter in front of me is my Studio paints, Daubers, Shimmer Sprays, Crackle Paints, and Distress Stains.  To the right of me is all of my Distress Inks and applicators.  In the drawer under the counter is my well loved collection of Alcohol Inks.  And with a swivel of my chair I have full access to all of my Embossing Powders.  I  think this is going to work for me!  My crafty heaven my not be as pristine as before but now I can have access to all by favorite things at my fingertips. 

What I used for my display trays are Cabinet Organizers from the Container Store.  They are a 1/4 round and have 3 tiers.  I just placed 2 together to make a half circle against the wall.  Now I have a eye appealing display that is also extremely functional!

Making choosing a color EASY!

 This is a bit off topic for me but I know you can all relate to having those inky fingers. I have them daily! If I don't I know that I just haven't been very creative that day. I have been wearing more nail polish to mask the inky nail syndrome. It's easy to get the ink and glue off my hands but under the nails is another story. I always end up with a tiny bit way under there so a coat of polish masks my daily creativity and I'm off to dinner. :) I used to try one color and then another trying to decide which I wanted to wear but then came up with a great solution!
 

I went out and got the cheapest set of fake nails I could find. I then used each of my nail polishes and painted 2 nails the same color. On the back of one of them I wrote with thin permanent marker the brand of polish.   This way I could quickly find which polish I was looking for.

When they were dry I punched a hole in all the nails towards the tip not the base. For that I use the Tim Holtz Drill Punch. It drills a tiny hole in just about anything (even metal), I use it to make charms for my projects all the time.  For this it was perfect for attaching the nail to the bottle of polish. 

I had the second set of nails as a complete reference with names of the brands on them to find just the right shade without having to rifle through all my bottles of polish!

 

#66

Organizing my Movers & Shapers

This morning I worked on organizing my Alteration Movers & Shapers. I had picked up this metal board from Ikea and hung it on one of my studio walls. It was only $12.99. I originally just hung it plain but then gad a great idea to cover it in Tim Holtz's Composer tissue wrap.  I used ripped off pieces of the tissue and attached it using matte medium overlapping the layers.  The metal board fit perfectly on the wall under the hanging cabinet and above my Vagabond. I now can see all my Movers and Shapers at a glance instead of sifting through a box to see which ones I have. Great for inspiration too. Sometimes I will get a great idea and then realize Oh No, I don't have that die. I can now just glance and grab what I want to play with :)

Sorry I was gone so long....

I have to apologize for being gone so long.  I have missed all of you so much and OMG have I missed getting my fingers good and inky!!!  As many if not most of you know that when I came home from the cruise in September I was met with horrible news of my old friends passing.  I stepped up when others looked the other way.  We did what was the right thing to do, providing medical, dental and emotional help for the family.  The youngest was ,at times,with us almost full time and had extra help with tutoring, got braces, and  involved in karate.  He is now back living with his family and they are hopefully on the road to recovery.  Thank you all for your prayers and wishes for us and their family.  You are all so kind.

I am not going to CHA winter this year, Boo.  But I have been trying to keep up with the sneak peeks.  I was thrilled to see that Tim Holtz is releasing the Compendium Of Curiosities vol. II.   Linda Ledbetter of Studio L3 hosted a Compendium of Curiosities challenge having us all do one technique from the book a week. I loved it.  I got so inspired by it, last Christmas I caught up on all the past 12 Tags of Christmas, making 48 tags and having you all naming them.  Remember that, what fun!  You can bet that I will be doing all of these new techniques from his new book and sharing my tags with all of you.  If you don't already haveTim's first book I would definitely run out and get it now.  It's outstanding!

Here are a couple ideas on how to use your tags for future reference.

This is how I have all of my 12 Tags of Christmas' displayed

Click on the picture or HERE to see the original post

I keep all of my Compendium of Curiosities tags handy for reference or creative block.  I write on the back the technique and page # for quick reference.  You can click the photo or HERE to see the original post.

How to Label Your Distress Ink Pads

I have received lots of questions about how I have labeled my Distress Ink pads.  Well, here I am to answer all your questions...I have created a short video to help you see how easy it is.  I also created a free PDF file for you to download with all the Distress Ink Names on them so you can label yours.  Sweet! 

You can get a copy of my Distress Ink Labels HERE 

 I store all my blenders right next to my Distress Inks.  I place clear velcro on the wall and then white on one side of the applicator.  On the side that is facing out I place a sticker with the color family that I use it for.  Red, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Blue, Green, Tan, Brown, Black, 2 for Alchohol Inks & 1 unlabeled for Misc.

To answer another question, I got my ink pad storage from Ebay. I bought it for $40 each (I have 2) each holds 72 ink pads. Each slot is wide enough to hold the average size ink pad or a distress pad and refill bottle. The seller is called Pastimeworks and ships from Brantford, Canada. The item is called Stampin Storage Rack Up to 72 Ink Pads Stamp Pad. It comes natural wood color and then I painted it white. Hope this helps

Happy Blog-aversary

Happy Blog-aversary to me!

This has been quite a year! I have learned sooo much and I hope that I have taught you all a thing or two. Starting a blog was kind of a challenge for myself and a type of diary of my creations. It has turned into such a rewarding experience where I have met some really great people and learned tons of things along the way. I have posted 294 blog posts, I can't tell you how many followers or subscribers I have because I have a variety of ways to subscribe, email, facebook, blogger, feedburner, etc. Also this year I learned how to work my video camera and created 50 YouTube videos and now have over 1000 YouTube subscribers. That just amazes me! Thank you everyone for all your support. I had wanted to do more but I have also had so much going on in my own life too that sometime time wasn't on my side. My youngest son, Nick, bought a home and my oldest stepson, Keith, became a father. What a wonderful year it has been!

Since all of you have shared this past year with me I thought I would share with you too. Every day this week I will be doing a give away. P.S. I have some goodies in store for you!!! All you have to do is leave a comment each day in the comment box for that days post. The comment button is at the TOP of the post. Please leave your email address or a way for me to contact you so I can send you your goodies if you are a winner!!! Good Luck! I thought I would start out with some of my (and yours) favorite posts from this year. If you are new to my blog some of these may be new to you. They are in no particular order...just click on the title or picture to be brought to the post. Then click back to view the next one. Enjoy!

I'd love to hear what your favorite post is. Todays prize is 3 items that comes from the Make your own glimmer mist video!!! I will be sending a happy winner A Complete Ranger Pastel Perfect Pearl Set, 3 Ranger Mini Misters and 1 Darice Metal Bead Scoop that I use in the video. Be sure to leave a comment to win this great prize. I will be choosing the winner tomarrow. And then there will be a new prize offered then. :)

Plus, through May 15th get 30% Scrap N Tote with coupon code CREATIONS1

and a free project tote with your Scrap N Easel.

Some of my favorite Posts from the Past Year!

My Scrap Studio Tour & Video

Quickly Clear Your Cutting Mat

My Inventory Book

Scrap N Easel & Scrap N Tote

To celebrate Contain Ya Crafts is offering

30% off the Scrap N Tote with coupon code CREATIONS1

and Get a free project tote with each Scrap N Easel

Make your own Shimmer Mists

Organizing your Cuttlebug Folders

Pressed Tin Coffee Table

Never Ending Card Tutorial

Better Than Pop Dots

12 Tags of Christmas Tag Carousel