My Studio Part 4. Copic storage and inspiring cards

Hello Friends, This is my last  post with my crafting space and I would love to hear what you are doing in YOUR studio and what's working for you.... OR if you have any suggestions for me to make my space even better.

I never throw a card away that was made for me. If my CD storage fills up then I transfer the cards into a notebook. These are CD storage sleeves that I sewed together and nailed to the back of my door. This also works great for clear stamp storage.

I was lucky enough to take one of Jennifer McGuire's classes last year at my favorite LLS.Yes, it was awesome!!  I keep the cards I created in her class here too along with some stamps from Lawn Fawn and a few other clear stamps that I have.

I love markers and over the years have built up my Copic stash. I do wish I started with the sketch though. It bugs me they are mixed up and you can't see the numbers on the Ciao however, I am grateful to have all of these after all my blog is named "The Daily Marker". Lately I haven't had time to color daily but, my markers are very lucky...they go on vacation with me. I take them with me when ever I might have a few minutes to color. 

A sweet friend of mine, Jana uses this swatch book to plan out her cards. With Jana's influence I find myself using this all of the time too..... The  Copic Color Swatch Book...LOVE having this. You can find them here at Simon Says Stamp. I use a paper clip to keep all the pages nice and compact.

The wonderful ladies in my Penny Black stamp club at my LLS use this and carry it with them with shopping for Copics so they don't purchase colors they already have!! These are the last of my studio photos and finally I will have a card for you on Friday from Lily Pad's Color Palette. I am always grateful that you stop by. Hugs, Kathy

My studio Part 3. Button Storage

Hello! Me again. I hope you are finding my studio photos helpful? A month ago my friend wanted to go antiquing for her B.D. Sounded good to me because I wanted to look for some  antique buttons.

Well...I didn't find ONE button but, I saw this in a dark corner. When I laid my eyes on this "Replacement parts" stand I knew it had to be mine.

This is it's new home and gives my corner a nice shot of color. Before I show you more buttons I want you to notice the pencil cans to the left of the lamp where I store my colored pencils. It's so easy and so rewarding to create your own storage cans. If you want to see how to make them go here and here .

 The acrylic boxes on the left are hold my special antique buttons.

Here is a close up of these yummies. I find it difficult to use them because I enjoy looking at them so much.

One rainy lazy day I should make some molds of these. That may never happen but, it's fun to think about.

In the top sections are clear glass buttons, milk glass and some plastic buttons. Such great details.

This is the second box containing the metal ones. Love these too :)

and I have to leave you with a close up. If you are interested you can see three antique buttons cards I created here , here and here. Thanks for letting me share my studio with you. Tomorrow I will show you what I do with special cards from friends. Thanks again! Hugs, Kathy

My Studio Part 2. Going Vintage

This is a vintage ladder I discovered in a little gift shop. It was used as a towel rack but, I thought it would work even better for ribbons.

I tried to get some extra wrungs but, wasn't able to. Keeps me from stocking up on to much ribbon.I display/store some of really elegant ribbon on this antique table.

I store some of my pre-cut paper from Penny Black's mix and match card stock in these acrylic "file" organizers. To the right is my white paper ,watercolor paper, kraft paper and some doilies. Below is envelopes & boxes for mailing, felt, catalogs and some books.

My sister bought me some bracelet holders so I turned them on their side and used them for ribbon. I love looking to the right of my desk and seeing all of these pretty colors.

Lots of cords in this photo but, it works. This antique table I purchased 20 years ago? and it's perfect for my sewing machine. Since I no longer sew quilts this is the perfect set up for a quick card. I just pull up a small stool.

You never know what you will find when you go antiquing.  I love this antique letter holder to hold images that are waiting to go onto a card. Here is a card I made with this blue flower.

This is what it looks like empty. Love the thick glass. Found this with some special friends in Canada!

I found this antique frog recently and thought it was perfect to to hold my go to pens that I use ALL the time.  I am excited to share my favorite antique with you tomorrow. Thanks again for stopping by. Hugs, Kathy

Part 1. My Studio

Hello Friends, Do you have any plans for the weekend or week?
We are heading to the beach so I thought it would be fun to share my studio with you while I am gone. Every other day I will have a series of four posts to share how I organize and antiques I incorporate into my crafty world.

I know what you are thinking...this is a cram jammed room. I so agree but, it's cozy and works. I took over our guest room a few years ago and haven't looked back. This is always a work in progress and I am always tweaking and refining it. I just gave the lamp on my desk to my mom and it really opened up the room.

Let's get started with my desktop and tomorrow I will show you the antiques on the right and left of my computer screen.

I love this self healing mat and one of the great things I can cut directly on this without any worries. Eventually I want to replace mine with this one. I like the lines on it better.

This isn't the best photo but, gives you an idea. I am a big believer that you can't find a bulletin board big enough...or...have enough lamps and light!!  The "create" letters on top are from Anthropologie and they have a special memory that goes along with them. It's the special things like this that I like to surround myself with. My wonderful husband cut and welded the "I love U" sign below on the top shelf. Vintage globes and vintage bingo cage.

I should have removed the stuff under this but, it looks better now. This is a antique postal desk that I found at Anthropologie. Often they will have one of a kind antiques. I watched this for a year and finally took the plunge and purchased it.The stool swivels and there is one drawer on the left.

I fill the cubbyholes with paper sorted by color and matching scraps underneath that matches. The CD holders contain my beloved Spellbinder Dies. They are organized by shapes. For example, dies that are round are together, then square, all the labels etc. The bottom cubbies hold my embossing folders, and paper trimmer etc. The top has envelopes, Tim Holtz dies and 6x6 paper packs.

I have to finish lining the CD cases. Each shape category has a color and it's name of I can find what I am looking for rather quickly.

This is the other side of my room across the desk. I store my stamps in this by category and do my distressing, stamping & embossing. This was a gift from my husband, he purchased it here. My husband is a builder and was so impressed with the workmanship. I use butchers paper to protect the top. My goal is to get glass one day instead.

The butterfly picture is my Ranger Distress "Chart" here and I refer to it all the time. My daughter drew the city scape and the mouth clock she created out of clay. The shelves hold flowers, distress inks and some Penny Black stamps that I love to use and look at. On the left standing up are some backgrounds that I haven't used yet and my "craft spinner" that I use almost daily.

This silly dear was inspired by "Juicy" clothing stores. I found this deer bust a long time ago at Pottery Barn and painted it to match my stamp desk. Added pearls, lips, eye shadow and eye lashes. When I sit at my desk she smirks at me when I look up.
Thanks for your visit and I'll be back with more on Monday. Have a happy weekend! Hugs, Kathy

Congratulations to the winners

Hello Friends, Just popping in today to announce the lucky winners. I am so happy for you all. I made this card in honor of the three lucky winners. I know this Summer Card Camp 2011 with Jennifer and Kristina is going to be AMAZING!!


Inlinkz drew one winner for me so congrats to Angi B. Inlinkz sent you an email. How easy is that. All of the winners will need to email me at kathyrac@mac.com and I will get you your codes. Please put 2011 Card Camp in the subject line.

Edited to add: Angie already won a spot so Paige Dolecki is the next winner. Congrats :)

I drew two people from the comment area. Congrats to

145. Rene' Sharp said...

Because of the horrible Rand Dollar exchange rate it would be quite expensive for me to join up, I would LOVE to win a spot!! :) &

33. Meghan said...

The colours are really incredible on this card. This looks like a fabulous workshop!


Click here to register and get all the details to the Summer Card Camp 2011. 

I'll be back next week to share photos of my studio. Have a great weekend. Hugs, Kath

CARD SUPPLIES:

What do you do with your Christmas stamps?

Hello Friends, Another super quick post today. Copic Creations
is a great and inspiring blog. Penny Black is sponsoring them for their latest challenge.


The challenge is to add some doodles to your card so I added lots and lots of dots. I doodle on a daily basis so I just had to play along but, not for the prizes. Lots of great stamps they are giving away and you can check them out here.


I love using Christmas stamps for everyday cards. I colored with Copic markers listed below. The sentiment is from SRM stickers. I love the twine from Sew Easy it's thicker than so others that I have used. Have a great day!! Hugs, Kathy and thanks for stopping.

Just checking to see if you added your name to the list for the Summer Card Camp 2011. Details here.

SUPPLIES: