SCS TECHNIQUE LOVERS CHALLENGE 124

Today's SCS Technique Lovers Challenge (124) was to make a background from leftover strips of paper. I chose to make a QUILT Background using paper scraps from Pallete 'o Prints which is available in the new catty as Prints Designer Series Papers on pg. 173, available in 16 different colors! Look for a TUTORIAL on my blog within the next couple of days on how to create this quilt background. SUPPLIES:
Stamps: All Through The Year, and "just a note" is from All Year Cheer III (retired)
Paper: Pallete 'o Prints or Prints Designer Series Papers, Basic Black and Whisper White CS
Ink: Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate
Embellishments: Black Eyelet, Tag, Black Embroidery Floss
Tools: Eyelet Setter, Paper Piercing Tools, 1 1/4" Square Punch
Supplies: Foam Tape or Stampin' Dimensionals

MY CRAFT ROOM

I cleaned my Craft Room top to bottom the other day and did some re-organizing. Here are some overall photos. In the coming weeks, I'll be sharing with you more detailed organizational tips for your stamping supplies and work area. Sorry about the photo quality ... I just can't seem to get decent indoor photos with my camera.

My craft room is an extra bedroom measuring approximately 10 x 13. My craft room is defenitely DESIGN ON A DIME style ... nothin' fancy, but it's mine & I love it! I function very well in this space and am so grateful to have it! The things I do in this room besides STAMPING .... scrapbooking, posting to my blog, stalking the SCS website, other computer stuff, and any other family related paperwork.

My DH and I constructed this u-shaped work space a couple of years ago out of three pieces of white formica countertops cut to our specs, supported by homemade beams. We hung pre-fab cabinets on both sides of the room. The cabinets are from the garage organization section of the local hardware store so they are extra deep to hold tons of stuff! I'll be showing you what's behind the cabinets bit by bit here on my blog!

This first photo was taken from the doorway. To the left is my computer/paperwork area. There are two-drawer filing cabinets built in on each end of the u-shaped work space. The space facing the window is where I usually stamp. The counterspace to the right is where I cut & score cardstock, emboss, and is mostly overflow space while creating.
More of my computer workspace. This filing cabinet is for personal paperwork. My printer is below the desk on a shelf near my feet.

To the right of my computer are two magnetic boards from IKEA. I hang photos there, and stamped samples (usually recent designs, or swaps I want to duplicate).

The overhead cabinets on this side hold office supplies, miscellaneous craft supplies, 3-D items begging to be altered, designer paper, stamping publications, cardstock scraps, and more.

Facing the window is where I usually do most of my stamping projects. I can see my small television from there (which is usually tuned in to HGTV or TLC), and my computer is within reach. The natural light is a plus too! My ink pads and markers are within reach at my right. The four-drawer rubbermaid container in the corner holds punches, extra adhesives, overflow ink pads, and more.

One of these days, I'm going to add some personality to this space and hang a curtain or valance. I just haven't found the RIGHT one yet!


This is the right side of my workspace. One of my favorite things about my room is my inexpensive pegboard! It makes everything so accessible, and I love finding new ways to hang my supplies!

Below this space, I have some miscellaneous shelves (found at garage sales) that house my Cuttlebug and other supplies.

This filing cabinet houses all my Stampin' Up! cardstock, patterns, and SU business paperwork.

At a later date, I'll be posting close-up photos of the pegboard showing how everything hung.

The cabinets above this space house more stamping supplies like embossing, embellishments, adhesives, envelopes, daubers, samples, chipboard, and scrapbook supplies.

These two bookcases house my stamp sets, wheels and more. Both bookcases were puchased at garage sales! woohoo! Top left shelf: SU Wheels, Jumbo Wheels, and Background Stamps. Second left shelf: Stamp Sets with Words or Sentiments on the left, and Alphabet & Number Stamp Sets on the right.

Those big black organizers --- yes, I'm a scrapbooker from WAY BACK! ... years ago before discovering Stampin' Up! I don't scrapbook as often as I SHOULD, but DO keep my photos organized with good intentions to do so!

The shelf on the right houses Stamp Sets by size, then alphabetically. My Monogram Alphabets and stamp sets designed for the Tag Punch are seperate on the fourth shelf down.

It's hard to see in the photo, but I've put a small yellow sticker on all the retired sets that I'm keeping for now so I'm not questioning when I pull to use it!

My stamp set shelves look pretty bare to me. There are two reasons why:

1. I'm STILL waiting for my SU order from the new catty to be shipped!, and

2. I've pulled all my retired stamp sets that I THINK I'm willing to part with! (See above photo).
I am NOT going to show you what's behind the closet doors! ... it's jam-packed ... organized, but jam-packed! There are about 50 completed scrapbook photo albums in there, my sewing machine (collecting dust!), family memorabilia, more scrapbook supplies, 3-D stamping samples, and ebay inventory. Yes, I also sell on ebay!

This has been a general overview of my craft room. I'll be adding posts throughout the following weeks showcasing specific areas of my room.

MORE STAMPIN' BLOGS

I've added several new Stampin' related blog links to my sidebar. These are just a few of my favorites! Check out the blogs of these talented ladies! Their blogs are packed full of ideas and information!!! If you have a Stampin' related blog, and would like me to link it, please leave a comment, or e-mail me at nrileycm@cox.net !

ANOTHER SCS LIMITED SUPPLY CHALLENGE 123

Here is another challenge card SCS Limited Supply Challenge 123. See my previous post for the challenge criteria. This CASE is from pg. 141 of the New Catty. View the NEW SU Catalog & Idea Book online HERE.

I had someone special in mind for this card, my good friend and fellow SU Demonstrator, Lorri Heiling. Lorri won the SU February Absolutely Alphabet Contest, and her entry was published in the SU onstage publication January - March 2007! WOOHOO!!!! I just got my onstage in the mail today, and was so thrilled for Lorri! I can't think of anyone more deserving! Lorri is an incredibly talented stamper, and an even nicer person! I hope she doesn't see this post, as she'll be receiving this card in the mail within a couple of days! See Lorri's NEW blog, dream BIG, HERE.

Did you notice that both of my cards for this challenge used Cool Caribbean? Do ya' think I'm having a hard time saying goodbye to it?!

Supplies:
Stamps: Happy Everything
Paper: Cool Caribbean, Pretty In Pink, Petals & Paisleys DP
Ink: Cool Caribbean

Embellishments: Pink (Fire) Circle Rhinestone Brad, Aluminum Circle Metal Edge Tag

Tools: 1/16" Handheld Circle Punch, Spring Flower Bouquet Punch

Other Supplies: Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, On Board Accents

Note: Instead of stamping the heart as shown in the catty, I covered On Board Accents Heart with Petals & Paisleys DP and inked the edges of the heart with Cool Caribbean Ink. Simply cut the paper portion of the Aluminum Circle Metal Edge Tag so that only the metal rim shows.

SCS LIMITED SUPPLY CHALLENGE 123

This week's SCS Limited Supply Challenge 123 was to CASE a sample from the NEW '07 Fall-Winter Stampin' Up! Catalog & Idea Book (Catty). Here are the guidelines for this challenge:

Layout: CASE a catty layout

Layers: The same number or less (Do not add more layers.)

Embellishments: They can be changed. Use the same number of embellishments or less. (Do not add more.)

Colors: any

Stamps: any

My CASE is from pg. 115 of the New Catty. I'm not real pleased with this card ... seems quite plain to me. Oh well, sometimes you got it, sometimes you don't! View the NEW SU Catalog & Idea Book online HERE.

Supplies:

Stamps: Office Accoutrement, It's Your Birthday

Paper: Cool Caribbean, Pretty In Pink

Ink: Cool Caribbean, Old Olive

Embellishments: Old Olive Button (Earth Elements), Pink Embroidery Floss (DMC #776), Pretty In Pink Brad (Soft Subtles)

Tools: Spiral Punch, 1/16" Punch, Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Pack

Other Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Little Reminders Accents & Elements (Spring Mini '07, NLA)

Techniques: Paper Piercing, Distressing

Note: The large flower is stamped in Cool Caribbean and cut out. The smaller pink flower and the "note paper" are self-adhesive accents from the Little Reminders Accents & Elements.

SU COLOR COMBOS

Here is another resource I use that I wanted to share with you today, SU COLOR COMBOS. I have added the link to my blog sidebar, or click HERE. This website provides all the Stampin' Up! colors ... all 48 + last year's In Colors + this year's In Colors + Neutrals. It is a really neat website with endless possibilities! You simply choose one or more colors and it will show you all the possible color combinations, based on an artist's color wheel. It's amazing to see all the possible combinations!

SCS COLOR CHALLENGE CC121

With a few SCS Challenges under my belt, I feel like my craft has gone to a whole new level! I have always been such a CASEr (Copy And Steal Everything), and have only designed when I had to. These challenges are just what I needed to motivate me to design my own work! Of course, there are so many FABULOUS designers on SCS that provide so much inspiration! Special thanks to Chat Wszelaki (nitestamper on SCS), friend and fellow SU Demonstrator, for encouraging me to try the SCS Challenges! Chat is an incredible designer! Her work is just amazing! (I stalk her gallery!) See her SCS Gallery HERE.

Today's Color Challenge (CC121) was to use the colors PRETTY IN PINK, CHOCOLATE CHIP, AND OLD OLIVE. Here's my design for the SCS Color Challenge CC121:

I was thrilled that BUD BASICS stamp set and BASICS OUTLINE JUMBO WHEEL made it to the new catalog! They were first introduced in the Summer '06 Mini Catalog. The Bud Basics stamp set has been such a versatile set! Unfortunately, the Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon is no longer available in 1/4", and is now only available in 5/8". The Au Chocolate DP I used on this card didn't make into the new catalog either, but IS available in Red and Basic Grey.

SUPPLY LIST:

Stamps: Bud Basics, Basic Outline Jumbo Wheel, Hugs & Wishes

Paper: Pretty In Pink, Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Au Chocolate DP (retired 6/30/07)

Ink: Pretty In Pink, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive

Embellishments: Pink Circle Rhinestone Brads (Fire), Chocolate 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

Tools: Horizontal Slot Punch, Scissors, 1/8" Circle Handheld Punch

Other Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

Note: It's difficult to see in the photograph, but the small flower from the Bud Basics Stamp Set is stamped off in the background on the Very Vanilla CS. The Basic Outline Jumbo Wheel is stamped in Pretty In Pink on the right-hand side of the card, vertically, on Pretty In Pink CS.

Making Your SU Catalog & Idea Book YOURS

My Stampin' Up! Catalog & Idea Book is a HUGE resource and tool. I thought I would share with you how I make mine work best for me.

Today, I popped into Staples and asked them to SPIRAL BIND my catalog. They were able to do it within a few minutes, and the cost was approximately $1.99. I like that the spiral binding allows me to view the catalog FLAT. Because mine gets so much use, I think the spiral binding increases it's longevity. This is a tip I learned several years ago from my SU Upline, Barbara Welch.




Another thing I do to my catalog is take a highlighter to everything I own. (I simply highlight the name of the item and product number). That way, when I go to order product, I don't duplicate items. Sometimes it's easier to refer to the catalog than to dig through drawers, cabinets, etc.
I also highlight the stamp sets I own in the Index on pg. 195, and the wheels on pg. 196-197.



Another great feature to the catalog -- there are recipes/supply lists for all the samples shown. You'll find these on pg. 198 - 206.

SCS Featured Stamper Challenge FS21 & Color Challenge CC120

This is my attempt at this week's SCS Featured Stamper Challenge (FS21) AND Color Challenge (CC120) on SCS.

This week's Featured Stamper is markie's mom. OMG! ... she is so-o-o talented!

If you're not familiar with SCS Challenges, the idea of this challenge is to CASE (Copy And Steal Everything) a card from the gallery of the featured stamper, and change two or more things about the card.

The Color Challenge (CC120) was to use Pretty In Pink, Marigold Morning, and my all-time favorite color, Cool Caribbean. Cool Caribbean retired yesterday, and I will miss it terribly!

I can't believe I've waited so long to play along with these challenges!!! They are so fun, and really help me to think outside of the box! Anybody can do it .... I strongly recommend you to give it a try!

See markie's mom's original card HERE. I changed the obvious, the color scheme, added silver brads, embossed the Doodle This swirl, added paper piercing, and changed up the message a little.

This is my CASE: Supplies Used
Stamps: Doodle This, Small Script
Paper: Cool Caribbean, Marigold Morning, Pretty In Pink
Ink: Black Staz-On, White Craft
Embellishments: Silver Brads, Pink Gingham Ribbon, White Narrow Organdy Ribbon, Winter White Embossing Powder
Tools: Paper Piercer, Pad & Template, Small & Large Oval Punches, Ticket Corner Punch, 1/16" Handheld Punch, Scissors, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy
Technique: Embossing, Paper Piercing
Note: The Doodle This Swirl is Heat Embossed.

DESIGNER SERIES PAPER COORDINATING COLORS

Here is a list of the NEW Designer Papers in the NEW 2007 Fall-Winter Catalog & Idea Book showing the coordinating cardstock colors. This list is so-o-o helpful when using DP's!

Designer Series Paper and Coordinating Cardstock Colors

Brocade Backgrounds: Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, River Rock

Cerise: Real Red, Very Vanilla

Charbon: Basic Gray, Very Vanilla

Creepy Crawly: Basic Black, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust

Cutie Pie: Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, So Saffron

Darling Doodles: Brocade Blue, Groovy Guava, Rose Red, Wild Wasabi

Dashing: Old Olive, Real Red, River Rock, Very Vanilla

Fall Flowers: Old Olive, Really Rust, Sahara Sand, Soft Sky

Flowers for You: Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac, Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise

LeJardin: River Rock, Soft Sky, So Saffron, Very Vanilla

Linen Prints: Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Pink Passion

Notations No.2: More Mustard, River Rock, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi

Outlaw: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla

Petals & Paisleys: Certainly Celery, Cool Caribbean, Rose Red, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Taken with Teal

Prints: Monochromatic papers available in Almost Amethyst, Always Artichoke, Blue Bayou, Brilliant Blue, Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa, Groovy Guava, Lovely Lilac, More Mustard, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, River Rock, Rose Red, So Saffron, Soft Sky, Tempting Turquoise

Porcelain Prints: Blue Bayou, River Rock, Wild Wasabi

Uptown: Almost Amethyst, Basic Gray, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi

Wintergreen: Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Sage Shadow, Soft Sky