Tuesday 6 November 2012

WOYWW 179 A Sea of Christmas!

Well, this week finds my workdesk finally cleared of the gardening cards and swept into a frenzy of Christmas bits and bobs.
There is a lot going on here today and I am busy trying to be organized in the midst of the Christmas excitement. Warning, this post is a bit picture heavy!
You are being greeted with a sea of stamped images...some stamped better than others...sigh...I seem to have an uneven hand at times...usually it is on the sentiments and today is no exception...hence the whole strip of sentiments to get maybe 2 good ones.


Just over to the right you can see some hot pink stripey photo albums...that is how I store my stamped images which have been already cut up into die cut shapes.


Here is a little peek into one of the stamped image albums.




Other albums contain snippets which are cut up into diecuts and filed away for later use. I cut dies for myself and for the evergrowing card making addiction of my little 6 yr old grand daughter,  Little Miss C. Sometimes even my girls will come and make a card. I like to have a hearty supply of dies,  it is just so much quicker and easier to make a card if you have supplies on hand.

So here is what is stored inside my little albums right now. I would like to eventually roll off dies cut and then do up each album by colour theme...pastels, white/ivory, primary, fall colours, etc But for now they are just cut and placed in a sleeve to protect them.


These next ones are full of the bits and bobs I have cut for my Christmas cards. I plan to bury myself in making Christmas cards for the month of November. I think I am going to have a lot of fun.


I even save the negative images as you can see below. Every now and again there is a challenge that asks for negatives...but I think I just like the look of them on certain cards.

On some fancy borders and corners, I even save the little cast off bits...like this...

I hope you enjoyed my tour today...and hopefully I haven't bored you to bits...pop back next week for some finished Christmas cards.

If you want to pop across and see what Little Miss C is up to, I have entered a post for her too, right behind me. Stop by the lovely Julia's blog to see all the other workdesks and make sure to leave her some bloggy  hugs http://stamping-ground.blogspot.ca/





63 comments:

Unknown said...

Looks like lots of fun!

Craft Donkey
#15

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Maureen,

You have given me a GREAT idea on how to store dies that I will punch a lot of. Thank you!

Also, thanks for visiting me already. I think I fixed the photo problem - at least I hope I did!!!

Hugs, Kay

sandra de said...

OMGoodness you must be the queen of organisation. Your system is brilliant. Unfortunately I have the attention span of a gnat and would never finish the folder.
Sandra @10

Tracy said...

This is a great way to store your die cuts :)
Great tips.

SandeeNC said...

You have been busy, and so organized! You will be rocking Christmas! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

Glenda Atkins said...

Thanks for a trip around your desk! I laughed at the sentiment comment, I too have problems with a straight line, even stamping etc. Nice to know there are other out there too:O)
hugs
Glenda

Pia S said...

Hmm.... Maybe I should die cut and punch a lot of scrap papers and store the elements like you've done? Thanks for the inspiration!

Unknown said...

Hi there Maureen, you've really inspired me to get some little albums for the die cut shapes, such a fab idea and thanks for sharing that. You mentioned my copic storage, I got that idea from another blog ages ago, works well.
Cheers,
Elaine #6

Helen said...

wow, that is some organising.. I just hoof it as I go!! Happy WOYWW, Helen 4

Andrea said...

what a great idea im getting a die cutting machine for xmas and love to be organised. the folders with all prepare dis fab and i can sympathise re the stamping.. not only do I not like ink but my stamping often ends up in the bin,, but great idea getting them all pre prepared an die cut as I stamp in bulk to ( avoid inky fingers as much as I can !) have a great creative week x #67

Sandy said...

Oh cool, all ready to just hop on in and have some crafty fun.. Sandy :) #44

Sunshine Girl said...

Great organisation there I store all my bits and pieces like that too! A tip on the stamping - always stand up to stamp and use a foam mat/phone book underneath if you can - definately helps! Thanks for sharing - Sunshine Girl No. 54

Jules said...

What a brilliant post Maureen .. .. everyone will be setting up albums now!!

They look great and so practical!

Pleased I'm not the only one that saves every little scrap of anything!!! LOL!!!

Have a lovely day.

Love Jules xx

Minxy said...

OMG How organised are you, What a brilliant idea, i thought i was being good with some die-cuts in a box but this idea is genius, you have some lush die-cuts BTW
Happy WOYWW
Hugz Minxy #1

Julia Dunnit said...

Most certainly not boring!! fascinating..I find that pre-cutting and being so beautifully organised completely losses up my mojo...it's worse than a blank page to me! Isn't it amazing how different we all are. I find the one line stamps are very wobbly and if on clear polymer, I tend to over squish one end..I seem to have a right hand lean! These days I over ink and then touch the stamp to paper with out letting go with my right hand and apply equal but not for long pressure with left hand fingers...it helps. It's hard!!
Oh and no, no rules and absolutely no problem about you posting for your lovely grand daughter, my word it would be a sadder place without her creations.

JoZart Designs said...

Such a super way to store your die cuts and it will be so handy when you are in a rush for cards or have to make lots, as for Christmas.
Jo x

Caro said...

What a fantastic idea for doing the production line stuff...I love those albums and may well have to do something similar if I can ever get myself organised enough! Thanks for sharing. Caro #73

McCrafty's Cards said...

Well it looks to me like you are going to be very busy, I like the folder idea for the die cuts.
Kevin xx

jill said...

love the tour of your lovely stash & the stamped images are lovely jill #61

Anonymous said...

ok girl, you blew my mind! I love the idea os storing your stamped images in a binder, why not? I store my thin dies and UM stamps that way but never thought to store image and die cuts like that , brilliant! Happy WOYWW Lindsay #16

Anne-Elise said...

Wow, you are so well organized! Great way to store all the die cuts! Thanks for sharing! Hugs

Neil said...

Wow, you're really organized! Thanks for the peek.
Neil #49

J said...

I keep my die cut pieces in a photo album too, trouble is its so full it doesnt close any more.
Maybe its time to invest a couple more.
Jan S 94

Anonymous said...

Fab system - I always toss the negative bits in the bin... DOH!

BTW, your blog address is wrong when filled in as the URL on my blog, anyway. Might fix it to make it easier for people to track you back vi your comment (or add your WOYWW number)

I found you anyway :)

MA (2)

Julia Aston said...

what a great idea to have everything already stamped and die cut! You are quite organized!

Anonymous said...

Gosh that is some organization system you've got there! I'm very impressed, I'm much more slapdash, stamping and cutting what I need, when I need it. But I do collect and use all the bits too, and the negatives, but you know that already! I love PB for Christmas, really cute.

Hugs
Brenda 3

Louise B said...

Great way of storing die cuts. Love that you can just grab something quickly. #92

Laura said...

Hi Mo, thanks for the lovely comment you posted on my blog, I am now one of your newest followers also :-)
What a great idea having an album with pre-cut and pre-stamped images! I bet it saves a lot of time.
Laura xx

BJ said...

Loved my tour and can't wait to see what you make with all the pieces. Like how you do it all in stages. I'm not a stamper at heart but to do a job lot up front and deal with it all later might be the way for me. Thanks BJ#30

Jo said...

Hi Maureen, great to see you're getting back into the swing of things and oh my, you're gonna be busy in November making Christmas cards lol! Love your die cut storage idea....mine are all in boxes but usually end up all dog eared with me & Miss Rebecca looking through them! Any ideas for storing stamps?
big hugs Jo x

Darnell said...

Clever girl! You know I get weak with excitement over organization and your setup has me all atwitter! Go you!!

Darnell said...

No, not sciatica. Fibromyagony as on off-shoot from Crohn's Disease. It's really hard to get Lyrica here unless you have diabetes. It was a months-long struggle with the insurance company, but I'm glad my doctor and I stuck it out because it's worked a miracle for me. Although it's done nothing for the mental goofiness! (Thank God.) All be best! darnell.knauss@gmail.com

Nan G said...

So organized! I too would not have the patience to precut and file by color shape or stamped image! You go girl! Nan 19

Lunch Lady Jan said...

I like all the organisation!! If I crafted, I'd do the same as you if there were a lot of cards to make..it save time doing all that preparation. And I love the negatives you've saved, they'll make fab cards.
I think it would be an amazing life skill for Little Miss C to learn how to sew. Take a look at www.freeneedle.com for great, free patterns for all levels of sewing abilities! Good luck :D
Hugs, LLJ #58 xx

okienurse said...

WOW great organization of dies and die cuts! I wish I was half as organized then I wouldn't be losing things all the time. Thanks for visiting my desk this week. Have a great week and thanks for sharing. Vickie #77

Craftychris said...

ooh you are so organised! The die cut storage is genius! Love your stamped images, especially the little mice. Thank you for visiting me, the Splodgeway Mat is on the right - its a fairly new blending mat that makes blending and brayering easier and you use less ink. Have a good week. xx

Unknown said...

For the metal corners, I used Tombo Multi Adhesive glue. I get it from Stampin Up.

Mary Pat Siehl said...

you are so organized for the upcoming holiday!! love it

Unknown said...

Love your storage idea.
You are going to be a busy bee.
Thanks for visiting.

Carol

Jennifer Grace said...

What a brilliant way to store your dies! I'm going to definitely do that! Your dies and stamped images look like they'll make some great projects, x

Angie said...

WOW! You are so super organized, I'm impressed. That's a really great idea for pre-cutting!
Angie #31

Morti said...

I'm rapidly realising that I need to organise my craft room better - nearly bought a die the other day, had a moment of self control and then was thankful when I got home and discovered I'd already bought it! Phew!!

Love the way you store your images - can't help with the sentiment thing other than to suggest that if you're using cling mount stamps, put the one you are stamping at the top of the block, and put one you're not stamping at the bottom. Then ink up the one you're using and stamp it where you want it. The one you're NOT inking acts as a balance and helps keep the stamping even. It's hard to describe, and I'm at work right now so can't do a demo photo to blog, but I've made a note and will do one later for you! Hope that helps....

Mary Jo said...

I love how you have organized your albums! :)

Tamika said...

What a brilliant idea~

Sandi McLean said...

I love how you have organized everything! I am not a great stamper and my handwriting - ha! so I usually take a collage approach to cards LOL I often punch my leftover bits and save the negatives - these go into an envelope for the grands to have some art fun with. Tks for coming my way! Sandi #37

Connie Mercer said...

looks amazing:):)

Barb King said...

You are so organized, I have everything all over the place and then can never find what I need! Have a great week!

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

What an exciting desk, all those cute images. You have a lot of work there to colour them in and put things together. It is not only Canadian companies that farm these things out to India - the UK does it too. I am afraid I am not very patient with the cold callers. They have no right to push into our lives and cause distress with calls at stupid o'clock. I am with your DH on that. Have a good week. xx Maggie #40

Daniella said...

thank you for giving me such a good idea for my pumpkin!! I'm glad you liked!!
Those albums are a great idea!
xxDaniella-35

Neet said...

Love that duck - she has to be saved from the table!

I often use the negatives as stencils. Just put them down and pounce some foam with ink on it through - makes lovely shapes for the background to a card.

Tip - I stamp on a thick foam pad, quite a dense foam - you could try a mouse mat.

Following your comment on my blog - I have some tutorials on my blog - see RH column to find them.

Thanks for visiting me - have a lovely weekend.
Hugs, Neet x 43

VonnyK said...

What a great idea and so neat and organised. Love the Christmassy stamps.
Have a great week.
Von #39

Morti said...

Glad to have been of assistance! I hope it worked for you...

I've just realised I never answered your question - the drumming out of school thing kind of IS the norm. At the time, we were living near a town called Warminster (clue is in the name!) and Lil Miss B went to one of several primary schools there. Warminster is on the edge of Salisbury Plain (where all our military come to practice their war play) and is home to the 3rd Yorkshire Regiment. Their main barracks is there, and many of the army children go to primary schools in Warminster. I think there's 5 or 6 primary schools which feed into a big 1000 strong secondary academy.

So, on the last day of term, a platoon split up and send several soldiers out to each of the schools and drum them out. It's a lovely custom, and not only pays homage to the children themselves, but the links the schools have with the families and the soldiers themselves. 3rd Yorks in particular have suffered heavy losses in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the schools have to deal with the fall out on the children of the soldiers who have died... We've now moved to the other side of the plain, and it doesn't happen over here, even though there are lots more barracks!

Hope that answers your question? Actually, I think I'll go and post that up on my blog...

Connie Mercer said...

came here to answer your question~you leave the packaging tape on the die. Once you have it on, leave it on and make your cuts. You will love the results!

lisa said...

Goodness I feel very inadequate after seeing how organised you are. I love that you cut out all these dies and stamped images and store them ready for your card marathon. I know if I did this I'd probably forget all about them and still end up being a slow coach. Have fun.
Happy WOYWW
Hugs Lisax #71

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness you are organised!! I couldn't do that - not programmed that way!! Wish I could but I'm just not that tidy. You'll have to come holiday here one time and help organise me ;-)

Sarah

Hettie said...

Gosh Mo! You have a lot of stuff done in preparation! I put all my stampings into a basket, C at the back and everything else at the front but I do like your idea!
As for my Poinsettia, I am not sure if I answered you, a bit topsy turvey this week and on top of everything I have a heavy cold to contend with! It is a new Tim Holtz die and I love it!
Hugs
xx

Anonymous said...

Happy Very Belated WOYWW. Very impressed with your organisation. I have files with scraps, extra stamped images in etc. Always go to them first when making a project, and it is amazing how many times I find what I want. Ali x #63

Hazel said...

Wow Mo - how organised are you - want to come and help me!

Thanks for popping by my blog to see me and leaving me some lovely comments.

I hope you have a great weekend.

Take care

Toodle pip

Hazel xx

Betty Wright said...

Great idea for some storage solutions!

You won the blog candy at my blog! The CardMaker card kit. I need your address to mail your kit to you! gbedwrightatgmaildotcom

downrightcrafty said...

blimey I envy your organisation "mental note" must try some of it myself
Hugs Kate x

Sarah said...

Goodness, you are so super organised!!1 Look forward to seeing your Christmas cards!! thanks for visiting me earlier today!! xx

Amy E said...

What a busy desk you have this week! I love your idea of having books of things already cut out and ready to craft with. What fun!!

Amy E. #41
scrapthissavethat.blogspot.com

Shelby said...

Now that's some serious crafting going on!

Shelby