321 Stamp: Launching Creativity

Clear Mount Stamp Storage

I love Stampin' Up's clear mount stamps -- a new option that started last spring with selected sets and then in July with most sets in the new catalog. Since the sets come in a plastic DVD case, storage systems that hold DVDs are the perfect answer to where to put all those stamp sets.

I found these neat DVD holders at the IKEA store in nearby Orlando. Love IKEA -- once I can find my way around! They're called LERBERG CD/DVD holders -- item #10035 and they are inexpensive. The photo above shows two of them mounted side by side. Each one holds 32 stamp cases between all four compartments.

They're made of metal and attach to the wall with screws (wall screws not included so plan for that). It was a little tricky to screw the unit into the wall because you have to reach around the metal bars using a long screwdriver. I got my husband to help -- man work he says -- he calls that the "fatal flaw" in our equality arguments but he means that in a very good-natured way.

Here you can see the little bars that come with the holder and that you attach yourself so it stands out from the wall. Click here for the link to the exact IKEA item.

Happy organizing -- now I just have to straighten up the room AROUND these organized stamp sets!

Amazing Convention

It WAS a lot of fun -- and no one lost an eyelet!

I loved this shirt that someone made to wear to Stampin' Up's 20th anniversary year Convention in Salt Lake City. What a great time -- full of ideas and exciting news.

You will all love the new Fall/Winter catalog. Lots of the stamp sets are die cut for easy mounting and big news -- come the Spring/Summer 09 catalog -- ALL the stamp sets will be die cut. How cool is that? I expect my boxes of catalogs any day now and ordering from it begins on Monday, Aug. 11.

SU announced a partnership that will bring the big, beautiful Big Shot die cut machine to SU with exclusive dies that are, well, to die for! My machine is on the way with several exclusive SU dies that I cannot wait to show off.

Also we got a sneak peek into a great expansion of our Decor Elements wall vinyl line -- so watch for more on that this fall.

SU co-founder Shelli Gardner is blogging now so check out her great personal style and take part in her first Creative Challenge. You'll find her new blog here so bookmark it and visit often.

UPS donated the new Ronald McDonald House fundraising stamp set so that EVERY demonstrator at convention could have� one to take home free! We are such a big shipping customer and it was so gracious of them to say thanks in that way. You should have seen the yellow confetti dropping from the ceiling and 6,000 demonstrators screaming madly when the UPS guy told Shelli he had to deliver his box to EVERYONE! Can't wait for you all to see the set -- and the matching square scallop punch. Just put it on your wish list now!

I wanted to share a very cool organization idea that was on display at Convention featuring a made over IKEA cabinet with sliding drawers, a table on a hinge that was added on as a pull up stamping area. This is a do-it-yourself idea that packs a lot into a small tower shape cabinet. Enjoy the photos and I'll share new project ideas soon!

Clip it Up goes Faux

I love clever storage ideas and this one is clever. It's a homemade variation of the popular Clip it Up system for storing flat packages of things such as die cuts, scrapbook kits, paper, etc. Click here to check out the link and you will marvel at her ingenuity.

I want this Stamp Studio!!

I dream of a perfectly organized place to stamp. Someplace where there is a place for everything -- and of course I'm inspired to keep everything in its place. Look no further as the amazingly talented paper crafter Nichole Heady has just designed the perfect studio. Check it out here! Scroll through all the great photos for some inspired storage ideas. Check out the curtain rod/punch holder rack! Meanwhile, I'll keep dreaming that my somewhat messy space will magically transform itself!

Getting Organized

Now maybe some of you are that rare breed of naturally organized crafter. I am not. I have the start of a good system and am pretty good about putting things back in the logical way that works for me. But I sort of fight a constant state of disorganization and this wastes valuable crafting time. My dream is to get everything all nice and neat and then keep it that way.

I wanted to share a great series of three online articles about Organization for crafters on another blog. Click this link and then look at the June 5, 6 & 7 postings. There are some wonderful ideas shared.

Happy crafting -- and organizing!!

Paper scrap organization

I promised some paper organization ideas and I want to start with one of my favorites and one I rely on. I inherited a lateral filling cabinet and it has been a godsend next to my cutting area as a place to organize paper scraps. You'll see from the two photos in this post that I have a hanging file folder for all 48 basic SU colors — then there are files for categories such as Naturals, Confetti, White, Vanilla, the In Colors, etc. Each is labelled with computer printed labels that are made by Avery to fit perfectly inside the plastic tabs that come with the folders. They are easy to see and it's very easy to just drop scraps into the proper folder as I cut. This system, which takes up one drawer, has saved me so much time and card stock when I'm looking for just a small piece for a project. If you're tight on crafting space, a file box with just a few hanging folders, maybe by SU color family, would get you started with a similar system. Getting a handle on scraps is one of the first things you should think about when organizaing paper. Dumping them in a box does not make it very easy to find what you need later. That's why it was worth the time, money and space to devise a system that meant the scraps ACTUALLY got used later — not just saved with hopes of ever using them! More ideas to come for storing your whole sheets....