Tuesday, January 08, 2013
The Planning Part 1 - My Craft Room
In our last house, I had a small craft room. Ok, some would even call it a closet. It was on purpose in our Master Bath. It was large enough for a work desk and tons of crafting supplies. But, we knew that such a space might never aid in the sell of this house down the road. But a huge closet would. :) And it would be a THIRD closet in the Master Suite. (And it did help sell the house . . . for sale by owner . . . in 60 days . . . God is good)
At first I thought it would be so awkward to have my craft room in the Master Bath. Just typing it sounds hilarious!! But, as it turns out, it was genius! Our master set on the end of our house. So my craft room was far away from the rest of the house. My getaway . . . my retreat . . . it allowed this stay at home mom some much needed get away time (think husband works 60 to 80 hours a week most weeks). And when you don't really have a lot of money to get away with, you can understand what a blessing this space was to me. Free . . . always available . . . and with immediate access.
Here is what that space looked like and how I used it.
I had this huge bank of amazing shelves. I tried my best to keep things nice, neat, and tidy. I grew to be in love with the ability to grab everything with a slight reach.
So here I sat . . . builder and husband asking me what I wanted to do. Armed with lots of prayer, dreaming on Pinterest, and my past experience - I had two obvious things to decide. How big? And where in the house did I want this space?
How big? After much soul searching, praying, thinking and deliberating, I realized that I did need (and could and would use) a bigger space than a closet. But making it the size of a bedroom seemed inappropriate as well. Although it would be amazing, I knew in my heart that it needed to be something in between.
Where? This was at times really hard for me. I love my family. I have literally given me over to them - above my own career ambitions, above my own sanity some days. And to be truthful . . . I love it!!! I love serving my family. Nothing (well crafting does run pretty close to the top) gives me more satisfaction. So on one hand, I wanted my space to be an extension of my world with in the main flow of the house. But on the other hand, I love having a retreat and my own little haven. For me, crafting is so therapeutic. It keeps my sanity . . . keeps me balanced. Life is so hard and stressful at times. In the end, having a place to retreat and reload was more important to this mom. So, I decided it would be off of the master suite somewhere.
As it turns out, it was placed at the back of my closet. So in order to find me in my crafting world, you have to come into my house. Walk across the living room. Go through my bedroom. Walk through the bathroom. And when you get to my closet, take a deep breath, open the door and head to the little hidden door at the back. Pause . . . open . . . and you are in my oasis. My fun room!! My craft room.
Saturday, January 05, 2013
The Dream - My Craft Room
We are 75% through the actual construction phase of our home. It has been crazy, fun, heart-breaking, humbling, amazing, awesome, tedious, treacherous, and tons of fun. By far the largest point of stress and time has gone into my craft room. From the dreaming phase, to the planning phase, and then to the building phase - my craft room has remained a high priority and at the forefront of a lot of planning, thoughts, decision, and budget. Can anyone say HUSBAND OF THE YEAR!!!??
The cabinets are officially in!!
But before I jump right to it, I thought I would take a couple of posts to show you what went in to this room. I hope that the long and tedious hours I spent might somehow or someway help even one person in their journey to craft room heaven.
It all began with a dream . . . my very own craft room. It would be this amazing 250 sqft space of high ceilings, bright lights, and more storage than you could shake a stick at.
I mean . . . who wouldn't want a room like this. It has custom cabinets, a large island, amazing work space, lots of light - both natural and artificial.
Or how about this one . . .
This room takes my breath away. So beautiful. So clean. So pristine. In the end, it became my capstone of inspiration. I kept coming back to this picture somehow. In a dreamers world, the sky is the limit. So why not dream BIG!
Then . . .
. . . reality hit . . .
What could or would I actually appropriate to such a space? How much square footage did I really want to ear mark in my home for my craft area? How much was I willing to spend? How much could I spend? What is wisdom on how much this room should eat into my planning time, budget, and mental capacity? How important is a craft room, really?
So, I stopped thinking. I went to the Pin Boards and started my dreaming journey back up. I only pinned things that inspired me. Things I could see myself doing. Things I enjoyed. Even if it was clever or beautiful, if it didn't fit me . . . it didn't get a pin. I didn't worry about budget, space, or reality. What was it that I truly loved in a craft space?
I loved the separate work spaces here. I really like the idea of having my computer work station right in my craft room.
Or how about these amazing drawer units. Such great space!
I will not put all my pins in this post. (I can hear the thank you and hallelujahs now.) If you want to see my Craft Room Inspiration Board, please have a look. You can see it here: http://pinterest.com/leannjolliff/craft-room-ideas/
After pinning for several months, it became clearer to me what I tended to gravitate towards. I learned that I love to keep things compartmentalized. I like having everything orderly, in its place, and behind some sort of storage (rather it is a bin, box, drawer, cabinet - but not showing). I learned that I couldn't do an overly cluttered space where my buttons, embellishments, ribbons, etc. hung out for all to see. I learned that just about every craft room on Pinterest is done in white. And that was ok because I LOVED the white. I learned that I didn't mind wall to wall furniture . . . as long as I couldn't "see" the stuff. -- Do you see a major trend here? -- I learned that I was blessed to even have a "problem" such as what kind of craft space do I really want.
So . . . I could begin to see it . . . my craft space . . . an orderly space . . . a white space . . . a space where I could relax . . . a space that inspires . . . a space that allows me a retreat . . . a space for a passion . . . a space to read my bible . . . a space to call my own . . . a space that made me feel good . . .
Friday, November 30, 2012
Outta Here
I wanted to show you one of two last cards I made before officially packing up my craft room. See you on the other side of the digital world once I am moved and the computer is all set up and going!
And of course a peek at the inside . . .
Credits: Pattern Paper - Digital Paper from Silent Night Collection by Connie Prince; Die Cuts, Stamps, Ink, and Ribbon - Papertrey Ink; Flowers - all sorts of places and finds
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thankful . . .
Thursday, November 15, 2012
It's My Life . . .
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
Digital Scrapbooking - The Easy Way
I have a few loves in the crafting world . . . all things Papertrey Ink . . . all thing Shabby Princess! These are two things that I buy without fail. I just buy and buy and buy. Papertrey Ink is a physical product company that has the MOST adorable things. The entire team is amazing (yes, I met *stalked* them at CHA a couple of summers ago). Shabby Princess is equally amazing in the digital world. Her designs like Papertrey Ink are timeless, beautiful, and always look amazing. And the SP team is equally amazing. Although I only know them in a digital/online sense. **I feel like I live half of the time in the real world and the other half in the matrix!!**
I was looking around a few months ago for something specific that I was needing for a digital book I was going to scrapbook. I ran across something I found amazing!! Pre-made elements . . . all the hard work done for you . . . I had been under a rock. Where had this been all my life? So, I ran over to the store that was carrying the digital genius products. That is when I discovered Connie Prince Designs. She has this amazing blog where she gives out freebies and showcases her amazing stuff. Seriously, go check it out here: http://scrapinfusions.blogspot.com.
Let me show you something I made that I was super happy with:
Now let me show you how easy it is to do this for yourself in a simple graphics program like Photoshop Elements.
I bet you didn't realize that all the hard work was done for me. Amazing right??!! I have this totally amazing layout that anyone . . . and I mean anyone . . . could totally do. The best part . . . if you head over to her shop at Gingerscraps, you can get all the pieces for this layout for only $3. AND you will have enough stuff to do lots more pages. Paper scrapbooking doesn't hold a candle to the budget friendliness or the ease for the finished product.
Thanks for looking today. I have a HUGE post that I am working on all about the big move . . . coming sooner than I would want. And, I have started designing my new studio!!!!!! I am hopefully going to have the time/energy to share all about that as well.
Sunday, November 04, 2012
Thankful for Teachers
So, what did I come up with? Well, let me show you.
I made this little gift sack from a regular lunch sack. I cut it down and dressed it all up in Thankful, Christmasy paper crafting goodness. Both of my kids have 4 (Yes, you read correctly, FOUR) classroom teachers. Not aids, certified teachers. Then you throw in the amazing secretary (who is amazing by the way) and the PE teacher (who is my son's favorite PE teacher so far) and the music teacher . . . and I made 11 of these puppies. I still need to get some more gift cards, but I have a little time before Thanksgiving (which is my goal to have these done and delivered). Each teacher is getting a Sonic gift card. Otherwise, we are somewhat tailoring it to the teacher as to what we get. Fun!
Look at that amazing decoration. It was so super easy and relatively quick. As I cheated. It is actually a digital image that I put together and then printed 11. Yeah!! I also made the tags with the names, printed them, and then punched them out with a 1.75 inch circle punch. So, this project went a bit quicker than you would think.
Credits: Brown Lunch Sack, White Tissue Paper: Target; Digital Papers and Word Art: Connie Prince (you can get the digital kit at GingerScraps); Black Gingham Ribbon and Scallop Circle Die Cut (Limitless Layers): Papertrey Ink; Red Ribbon: Hobby Lobby.
Thanks for stopping by.
Friday, October 05, 2012
Blast from the Past
I was first of all impressed. :) But it struck me because this looks just like my 4 month old son . . . today. This was my precious daughter at 8 months old. And my son is playing in this as I type.
Thanks for joining me on my blast from the past. I wish I could tell you where the digital elements from this layout came from. Sadly, I cannot. If I figure it out, I will update this post.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Thanks so Much
Credits: Digital Papers, frame, and butterfly from Shabby Princess, Font - Some Weatz, Envelope Liner Die, Vintage Cream Card Stock and Hawaiian Shores Ribbon - Papertrey Ink
I am still loving making complete cards. (LeAnn's definition of complete = (outside + inside + envelope) designed) Yes, pull out your 6th grade math skills. You can do it! :) I love how the liner adds the perfect and sophisticated (yet totally easy) touch to the card. And hold the phone, operator . . . long, heartfelt inside sentiments . . . LOVE! I will definitely be doing this one again.
I found a new love . . . my favorite paper products, Papertrey Ink, paired with my favorite digital products, Shabby Princess. Love!
Monday, September 10, 2012
4 months
Monday, August 20, 2012
Gratitude
As some of you are aware (mostly because I have been blogging about it), I am a digital scrapbooker. It is a passion of mine almost as much as card making (and sometimes more than).
I love to make my own pattern papers. It is so fun. So rewarding. So freeing. I have been making my own patterns to coordinate well with the PTI colors lately. This is one of my favorite color combos. So, I am happy to share this card with you today.
Credits: Dots Paper, Ribbon, Stamps (Pretty Peonies) - Papertrey Ink; Plaid Pattern Paper - SillyLeAnn Designs (that's me!!)
I thought it might be fun for me to share my plaid paper with you. I hope this works and you enjoy.
Ok, I think I have it now. Try THIS and see if you can download the plaid paper. Thanks for stopping by today.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
First Day of School
Here is a card that I made using my very favorite cover plate die. This card was so fun to make. It just seemed to come together effortlessly. Oh, how I wish they would all do that!
Credits: Again, all papertey ink except the pattern papers which are from Basic Grey.
I am loving the coordinating envelope with the stamps and the lining. Such fun touches! Thanks for stopping by today!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
A Year in the Life
I have shared a little hear and there about my digital scrapping. My blog has mainly been about my card making endeavors, but I would like to branch out from time to time. Today would be one of those days. I was applying for a blog team position with a digital scrapbook designer that I really like, and it hit me that I don't blog about my digital scrapbooking. I don't really know why except that I am, for the most part, a private person. It is like bearing my heart and my soul. But, I would like to share what divides my crafting time.
I had this idea a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to make a book for my mom about our family for each year. It is like a yearbook so to speak. She has 9 grandkids and 3 great-grandkids. So, she doesn't have room to put up that many photos. And face it, in this digital world, it seems counter-intuitive to print photos. Where do you put them once they are printed? How do you store them? If you do put them in traditional photo albums, how do you mark them for date, occasion, or faces. If you put the info on the back of the photo, you are forced with removing them from the album to find out any info. Ok, you get the point. So, I think making this for her will be genius. And, if I am already doing one, I can just print one more and give it to my mother-in-law. Brilliant! Or so I think. I'll let you know.
Here are my January, February, and March pages. Enjoy!
I used the 8.5 X 11 templates from Weeds and Wildflowers Everyday Life Series. The digital kits are from the Capture Life series by Tracie Stroud.
I would share my April, May, June, and July pages. But . . . they are not done. I will catch up eventually. Thanks for looking today at a small peek into my world - or at least the other side of my crafty world.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Thank You for Your Kindness
Credits: Pattern Paper - Basic Grey; Ribbon and Stamp - Papertrey Ink; Embossing powder - White Filagree
Thanks for taking a peek today. Happy crafting!
Friday, August 10, 2012
A Very Happy Birthday
I made this card for my sister-in-law (who had a birthday in April and I am ashamed to admit that I am just now blogging about it). Her and I began card making together several years ago as a way to make extra money. She sadly quit about 2 years later. I couldn't give up card making for anything. :) So, it is always fun to give her one of my hand made cards. Mostly because she ALWAYS rants and raves at how amazing it is. I am more convinced she is impressed because she knows the heart and soul put into each handmade card more than she actually likes the card. But either way, I love to see her run her fingers over all the layers, examine each and every stamped image, and sometimes ask a sincere (and impressed) how did you do that. Don't you wish all your recipients would react like that? :)
Credits: It is basically all Papertrey Ink except the tag which is a chipboard tag from a set of Maya Road chipboard pieces.
I have always been an on again off again blogger. But so many things are happening right now that I cannot decide what to blog about. So, instead of fretting, I just need to start blogging. I now have a 3 month old!!! Time is flying by for sure. We are in the process of building our dream home and by extension my dream craft room. I have been doing way more digital scrapbooking than card making. It is just easier to tote around the MacBook than to tote around the craft supplies. We are gearing up to start back to school this next week. Life . . . it is such a fun and beautiful thing.
Wednesday, August 08, 2012
Storing Paper Scraps
Enter my method for storing scraps. I have using this system almost since I did my big organization post. After I had all of the initial organization out of the way, I began to tackle the smaller (or larger in my case) problems that I couldn't find an easy solution for.
Let me show you.
This little cardboard magazine holder sits on the side of my desk right next to my stamps. I use plastic sheet protectors to store scraps. Each color of card stock has its own sheet protector. I wasn't sure when I started if the sheet protectors would stay stood up over time. But I can say after a year and a half, this is the photo I snapped of them the other day. Still going great.
Here is a closer look so that you can really get a feel for how each color has its own "file".
I pulled it apart so that you could see that the scraps just fall to the bottom of the sheet protector waiting to be used.
Let me pull one out so that you can see how this is so useful to me.
This is my Summer Sunrise scraps. I am diligent to place larger pieces to the back of the sheet protector and the smaller ones to the front. It honestly takes about 2 or 3 seconds longer to quickly arrange your scrap as you slide it in. I have also been using this system to keep my pattern papers with their respective color. I wasn't sure if it would work out or they would require their own sheet protector. However, I find it to work so well in my flow and set up.
What makes this system work so well is that I can see at a glance what scraps I have available. If I need to cut a small butterfly, I can size it up before I reach in. I can also see at a glance if I have a piece that would work for a card base or not. It helps me to actually USE my scraps and keeps them under control.
I hope you can glean something from my system. Isn't that what makes this so fun? Take a bit of what I do, add it something else, mixed with your own thoughts and you can come up with an amazing solution that really works well for you.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
SAF DIY
My son came in my craft room today asking me about the badges on my desk. He wanted to know what they were for and if they were all that important to me (I secretly think he wanted them for his scout uniform, but who knows). I paused and realized. Yes, they are important to me. I worked hard on each of my projects. I had fun in the process.
I learned a lot of new crafting techniques and more importantly learned a few things about me. For instance, I work SO much better under pressure. I do better when there is a set plan laid out in front of me. I know what I need to do so I can just get to work. No guess work. I learned that I should really take a little more "me" time here and there. (I currently take none. Seriously. I am a mess!!) And most importantly, I learned that despite my short comings, my exhaustion, and the feeling like I could disappear tomorrow and no one would notice because I am just the cook, maid, and nanny - my family loves me and appreciates me. Although I don't get to see a lot of the fruits of my labors right now, they really do value me as mom in this family. (But it sure would be nice to get a "thanks mom" here and there)
Wow. It is over with this post. Just like that. Gone. As fast as it came. Goodbye Stamp-a-Faire festivities. I will hopefully see you next year.
Oh, and here is my DIY card. :) I used Betsy's medallion technique. Have I mentioned how much I adore Betsy? I totally do.
Thanks again for the comments, support, and visits. It tickles me to pieces to be a part of such a fun community.
SAF Rainbow Badge
YES!!! I am so happy. Thanks for stopping by to see all my projects and things. The sweet comments put a smile on my face. Thank you.
SAF Farewell
Here is a look at what I was able to accomplish today.
I officially earned 5 of the 7 badges today. You can see that I have started the Rainbow Badge or Tie-Die Techniques. I am still letting it dry. Otherwise, I still have the Homemade Embellishments left. I haven't even watched the videos or read the blog post for it yet. :)
All in all, I am proud of myself for all of the accomplishments. Oh how I wish I could talk my husband into an all day craft day more often. It was fun and SO VERY needed today.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope to finish up and get around to everyone else's blogs and things.
Farewell . . . it is lights out.
SAF Correspondence Badge
Here is a look at the set of notecards.
I stamped each of the cards the exact same way. I only varied the sentiment and ribbon color.
Here is a look at them all packaged up.
Thanks for looking. The comments have meant so much to me today. Thank you again!!