Me and My Space #7 - Punches Part 1 and a favorite tool.

Happy Wednesday - my feet are moving a million miles an hour, but I am not getting anywhere - actually feels more like I am moving in slow motion! Do you ever have that feeling. I get this way when I am overwhelmed with a long list of need to do's.  Best way to get over it is to tackle things on my list and feel like I am accomplishing things.  So first is blogging!! Priorities you know :0)

Today I wanted to start showing you how I keep some of my punches. This is going to have to be done in sections... You guys just thought I had a lot of paper a couple of weeks ago!! Punches is a real weakness!! So today I am going to show you my best and favorite way I store my EK Success and Fiskars squeeze punches.

I love that the EK Success punches will stand on their own, but seriously I don't have that much desk space available. I have a "punch drawer" I will show at a later time, but I found this jewelry organizer at Tuesday Morning earlier in the year I loved it. I hung it off my paper basket on the side of my paper cabinet I showed two weeks ago. This sits just to my left behind my Crafting chair. I just spin around and see some of my favorite punches. The clear slots are just the perfect size to hold the EK Success punches as well as just a few of my Fiskar's Squeeze punches. Three of the pockets are larger at the bottom, again perfect for the larger squeezes. Now the new Jumbo EK Success punches do not fit - boo hoo.. then again I am pretty much all full.... I noticed that there are two empty pockets at the top after I took this photo... those punches were on my desk.  I have punches in three other places as well. I just have WAY too many of them, and I keep buying more! Just this last week, they were on sale at Micheal's and I came home with the Jumbo cupcake punch! I blame those 40% off coupons! I tell you this hobby and supplies are a real sickness. But I am happy in my weakness :0) I'll clean up my other punch areas and show them off in future weeks.

Now I thought I would also share some favorite tools and products from time to time on my Me and My Space post - Today I thought I might show off one of my oldest and newest favorite tools that is always left on my desk - and I use all the time! I have talked about this tool many times in the past, but just recently got an updated version of it - LOVE IT!!

 I have had my Fingertip Kraft Knife for years now, I just love it. I have given away at least a dozen of them over the past couple of years. Some love it too.. others it just feels odd. For me, the control you get in cutting out little details is really amazing, In my scrapbooking days, before die cuts and fancy machines, I use to print out titles and then cut out the letters and fonts... Also now when cutting out images, for masking or building scenes, my hand cramps and hurts.. never did this when I was younger.. hmmm....  But when got this, no more cramping!  Mine is worn looking, and the lid has been cracked. But I still use that original knife! It holds regular kraft knife blades and changes out very easily - But then... I received something new.... and well... I do believe my old fingertip knife is going to go into the drawer... (insert shocking face here!!)

 

Meet the new and improved fingertip kraft knife!! I will admit this knife I had to get use to, it is a bit longer than the original, but hold on to your hats... it is retractable! Yep.. that dangerous, sharp knife - slides into the handle! No worries for cutting myself when laying in a mess of papers and the lid falls off... yes that has happen to me. No getting stuck under my desk looking for a clear tiny lid in the dark ... yes that has happen to me. No poking my fingers when trying to put the lid on the end of the knife and not paying enough attention ( oh or having no depth perception and missing the lid completely ) yes that has happened to me too... Now this knife has a little sliding button on the side, and as soon as I am done cutting, I just slide the knife away! Love it!  

Do you have a Fiskar's Kraft Knife? Do you like it? Love it? or Hate it? 

Thanks for visiting my rambling today - hope you like my idea of a jewelry organizer for "some of your punches" and thanks for letting me share one of my favorite tools too! 

Have a wonderful Wednesday... me... back to that long list, next is starting the laundry... then feeding the puppies - 

HUGS and-

Ismaki Challenge with some Chocolate!

Today I have two cards again, the first is for the Ismaki Challenge. I am going to admit, I wasn't sure about the sketch at first I don't do a lot of pocket cards with tags. But liked the samples and thought I would give it a try.

I decided to use a card base left from last years Christmas cards. I pulled out a this adorable set of Hanglar stamps, I just love them, I think it is the polka dots. I colored them to match the base and the dark chocolate brown card stock with my Copics and white gel pen. I also used a clear Sakura glaze pen to color over the lock and the key, I couldn't get this in the photo... but it looks kind of cool in person.

A Martha Stewart punch to make the scalloped border for the top of the pocket, and placed a satin ribbon around the pocket. I doodled the edges of the pocket and base.

Now to the tag. I was lucky to find a chipboard tag from Basic Grey in my stash that was the perfect size. I inked it with Brilliance Cocoa ink pad and "stitched" the edges of it as well.

The sentiment is from Paper Inspirations and was one I purchased on a clearance rack months ago and have never inked up, $2.49 well spent now! I thought it fit perfect with the image and colors of this card. Tied some fibers to the top of the tag and done!

Love the colors and the chocolate them. And love this sketch and now plan to use it again. Wonder why it threw me at the start so much?

My second card was just plain for fun. I got a new toy yesterday! I was quickly passing through Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon. Thinking wow... nothing to buy this time, then I found on the punch isle.... the brand new Fiskars corner/border punches! I have really been wanting these since I saw them online, but knew they would take forever to get in the stores here! Well surprise surprise! I found them hanging there just waiting for me!

As soon as I got home I pulled out a scrap piece of card stock and punched. Yep this is my first punch from that scrap! If you haven't seen these punches... run and see if you can find one, or come here and I will let you play with mine =)

It punches the corner, then also the border to match in perfect one inch increments, now to get all of the other patterns!

I layered the purple decorated piece with a light pink to show off the punched design. Then laughed, cuz I had no other plan for anything else just ran around showing off how cool it looked. Well I didn't want to waste it so I colored up a Sweet Ebony image with my Copics and white gel pen, and cut it down to the correct size. Now I quickly found that if I cut to the correct size the slits on the corners of the punch are designed to be corner holders! Wow cool! I had to cut through the pink behind but loved the look. I doodled the edges, added a plastic iridescent flower and leaves on the bottom corner with a purple brad. Then I stamped the sentiment from Hanna Stamps. I then placed everything on a pre-purchased kraft paper base, fit perfect. From start to finish.. maybe 30 minutes! That is fast for me.

Hope you have a great Wednesday, Hubby is off again today so who knows what I have planned. It is just easier that way, most all of my plans get thrown up in the air when Hubby is off, so I am just going to go with it =)

Hugs and -

Happy Birthday Little Sister!

Yep today is my little sisters Birthday, so Happy B-day Melanie!!! This is not your "real" birthday card.. I am waiting to post it until after you have received it! he he he Hope the kids served you breakfast in bed, your husband brought you roses and cleaned the house while you were sleeping, and all your work was done by little elves. Ok, then after the dream you woke up and hauled the kids to the bus in the cold - Have a great day around the normal stuff!

I have some fun news!!! I won the March Fiskarscrafts sketch of the month! You can see my sketch in my post HERE I was so blown away! I loved the sketch challenge as soon as I saw it, and the photo has been saved forever waiting to use, it had to be perfect as this is one of my favorite photographs. Well it all came together, and I personally loved the end result. But to have won, makes it even more special!!! Thanks Fiskars you prove to me you are the best everyday!

Ok, to the card of the day... this started for the Rubbernecker Challenge and for my sisters Internet Birthday Card... then I realized as it was done it also fit the Papertake Weekly Challenge as well!!!

Rubbernecker Challenge was to use Lavender, Pink and Green - done

Papertake Weekly Challenge was to use Scallops and/or zig zags - done done!

How fun it that! This card is based with a Lavender Bazzill card stock, I just purchased a piece of Making Memories pink and green paisley paper, I wanted this to have the feel of an old handkerchief... so I layered the paisley paper on a scrap of Bazzill Scalloped edge paper and punched holes in each of the scallops. I bordered this with some vintage rick rack in the same bright green color. The image... isn't she a hoot, is a Rubbernecker Character stamp, again with those same baggy pantyhose. She is colored with my Copic Markers and high lighted with a white gel pen. I just love the pink foam rollers in her hair! I used my Nestabilities petite ovals to cut the image and the pink card stock. I put everything together and then "stitched" the edges with the same white gel pen. Then just for fun I added three pink gems to the oval! I just love this line of stamps! And it is all in fun... I am not saying my sister is this old! After all she is younger than I am and we all know I am only 29 - - - -

Card Info:

Stamps: Rubbernecker

Ink: Brilliance Graphite black

Accessories: Copic Markers, Uniball Gel Pen, Sakura Souffle Pen, Pink Gems, Ric Rac Ribbon

Clean desk - Crafty Mind

Doesn't it feel good to have a clean desk to work on? I spent a lot of my time last night cleaning and sorting my desk off. I found some more of my clear plastic desk accessories on clearance yesterday... so I had to buy them. The ones I had were more than full. You see I have greatly added to my CDs of stamps over the past year. I had maybe 50-60 CD's cases of stamps when I set up my desk last Spring. Now... Well lets just say I am closer to 200 than 100 of them now. Good thing I have a hubby that don't mind my addiction. He laughs and says well you don't drink and you don't smoke... so you have to spend money somewhere. Gotta Love him! Anyway now all current sets that I own have a home in a case and are labeled on a shelf right in front of my work space! Last summer hubby helped me put all my wood blocks on the wall with metal roof edging, so I could see them all. Now if the rest of my house was this organized life would be perfect! But as long as my stamps are I can live happy.

Ok now you can't tell me that this image isn't cute... I fell in love with Cornish Heritage Farms new Friendly Kritters that were just released as soon as I saw the sneak peak on Sherrie's Blog Card Creme. If you haven't ever seen her blog before make sure to check it out she is great. I knew I wanted to get them as soon as they were available. Oh they are even cuter in person! The detail in these stamps is just amazing.

I have really gotten into these square cards! Reminder to self.... I need to order more envelopes... The card stock is Bazzill and the pattern paper is again Basic Grey Blush I think. I can't believe I had these packages of pattern paper for so long and didn't even open them. I am really loving the colors in them. That is another reason to clean and re-organize once and a while. Anyway I used my Fiskars Border/Embossing Punch to create the lace edges, and stacked the pattern paper with a green card stock. The image is colored in with my Copics and then once again I "stitched" the edges with the Sakura souffle Pen. I have been doing that a lot.. guess it is my thing at the moment. I love the saying that is available with the Friendly Kritter stamp "Serve One Another in Love Galatians 5:13" How cute is it all!

I can't wait to show you the next project I have been working on.. it should be ready to post in the morning... I am calling it my Magnolia Savings pail. It is to sticking cute.

Card Info:

Stamps: Cornish Heritage Farms Friendly Kritters

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black

Accessories: Fiskars Border/Embossing Punch, Sakura Souffle Pen

I've gone square!

Yep... I've gone square! This is my first square card. I found some Bazzill square envelopes for a really good price, so I just had to get them and give a try at some square cards. Well it was just perfect timing, because my square Spellbinders Nestibilites Die Cutters came in today as well! Fate! I first colored my little bee hive from Rubbernecker Stamps with my copic markers, then went to put it with some patterned paper. Well that blue ended up being a little bold against the green. So I added some matching blue card stock to the stack on the card to help tie it in. I used my Fiskars Corner Squeeze punch! Man I love that thing! And once again I "stitched" the edges with my gel pen. I know I do that a lot, I don't know why it just doesn't feel finished with out it. OHHHH and what do you think of the honey??? I took my Tim Holtz Ranger alcohol ink and some diamond glaze and mixed it, then drizzled it out of the hive! It really looks like honey in person.

Well I have to cut it short today - My local Scrapbook store (see the link to the left for Scrapbook Corral) is having a "garage sale". And I have rented a table, so I need to get my stuff together. Then we are having a crop til the wee hours. Can you say Fun? Oh I hope I make some money! There is suppose to be two stamping people set up and bringing lots of stamps to sell! Wish me luck!

Card Info:
Stamps: Rubbernecker
Paper: Bazzill; Flair Designs
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black
Accessories: Copic Markers; Ribbon; Uniball Gel Pen; Pop dots; Diamond Glaze; Ranger Alcohol Ink

Celebrating Fiskars with some Blog Candy

Ok, today is one of my Certified Fiskars Demonstrator Training. And to celebrate my love of all things Fiskars I am have a little "fun" Blog Candy contest. But first I want to show you a card I made.


I will be honest, I didn't make this last night - nope I MADE myself clean my desk off. As I sweep a look that direction it doesn't look much better at this point but it is I promise. I am re-organizing things. Picking things up and dusting just a little. Man I love those prima flowers but those bottles sure get dusty! Today's card is one of my favorite Magnolia stamps of all time! She reminds me so much of my niece Kaylynn. I just wish that Teddy Bear had been a stuffed puppy dog, then it would have been perfect! I have used this stamp many times and I always do it in shades of red. You see red is her favorite color and everything is always red for Kaylynn. I colored her with my copic markers and used stickles to bling her wings. I also used my new Fiskars admission ticket corner squeeze punch, just tooooo much fun! You also can see I pulled out those cute Aud Designs Circle sentiments!





Now to some candy!!! Today is one of my Certified Fiskars Trainings and to celebrate the fact that I have 22 signed up I want to spread some Fiskars lovin! I have pulled together some of my favorite things from Fiskars. One of my favorite new tools the Squeeze Punch! And I love my Corner Rounder, so I went out and bought one for one of you. I also found some fun Fiskar acrylic stamps, some Heidi Grace Chipboard flourishes and alphabet letters, Cloud Nine paper clip embellishments and bravely from my own stash I am going to share some cloud nine rain dots. This is really big of me, cuz I hoard these!!! I love them.

Ok so what do you have to do to win this loot? Well my hubby needs some new material. He needs new jokes, as I grow tired of all of the same ones over and over and over. All you need to do is leave a "clean" joke in the comments of this post. And on Wednesday, March 12th 9pm central time, he will read them all. Then he will pick what he think is the funniest and I will be sending you all my favorites!


Card Info:

Stamps: Magnolia; Aud Designs
Paper: Bazzill;
Ink: Versafine Onzyx Black
Accessories: Copic Markers: ; Velvet Ribbon; Ranger Stickles; Pop Dots

Anyone up for Jump Rope?

I just love my Magnolia's Stamps! When I got this little "angel" I just fell in love with the jump rope and flowers, but always felt it needed to be 3-D. Well last night I inked her up and did just that!

I colored all the images with my copic markers. The house and girl are from Magnolia, the tree is Rubbernecker, Stamps by Judith for the grass, and the wording is Aud Designs. I use the circles set a lot! They punch out with my medium Fiskars squeeze punch perfect! (scallops are with my nestibilities). I used a piece of copper wire for the jump rope and attached prima flowers with brads. I put pop dots behind her and to hold down the "rope". The birds are done by hand with a glaze pen. And the of course I had to use some stickles on the angel wings.

I am pretty happy with how this one turned out. I would like to do a whole school yard! I worry about how big the card would have to be though :)

Well gotta run today - It is what I call "MIL" day. My Mother-in-Law and I run all our errands and do what shopping we can. I think today we are heading to the outlet malls. Lots of walking, but hopefully lots of deals as well!

Card Info:

Stamps: Magnolia, Aud Designs, Rubbernecker, Aud Designs
Paper: Bazzill
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black
Accessories: Copic Markers; Copper wire; Prima Flowers; Glaze Pens; Fiskars Squeeze Punch; Nestibilities; Pop Dots; Stickles

Sleepy Sunday

Well I had a ton of fun at the Crop this weekend! Didn't get a lot of sleep but had lots of fun and got SEVEN layouts done!!! Yep 7! These were two I did about my "babies" I have an album for my donkeys and love doing fun pages for them as well as family members.




Male Bonding is from a sketch at Fiskars Crafts. I don't use many sketches, I am more of a wing it type of scrapbooker. But I love the fiskateer site and from there I have gotten familar with the fiskars crafts site. The monthly challenge sketches have just been hard to resist lately! And this month I just fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. Of course I always stray and go with my style as well - Anyway this is what I came up with when I did the sketch. I think this is going to be one of my favorites. Then again I love the subject matter. This is Craig (my DH) with two of our boys, Miguel and Rico Suave. As you can tell in the photo Miguel is a hugger. He loves to lean and "hug" you when you get down on his level.





The second LO I am posting is one that I had to do, cuz I just love this photo of my three standard donkey. We with love call them "The 3 Stooges", mainly cuz their are only three of the standards, they roam the entire property. I think they really believe that they own it and we are here for the purpose of making sure they have fresh hay and water twice a day and just to fix what ever they have broke by rubbing and scratching on. Cocoa is the dark one, she is the leader.... now please note that "she" is the only female of the three and that is probably why she is always the one in the lead and control. Valentine McKee, named for Kevin Bacon's movie character from one of my favorite movies Tremors, he is Cocoa's son and he is ALWAYS right next to her. At the age of 3 he is and probably will always be a Momma's boy. And then there is Ted E. Bear, our greeter and deffinately the friendliest and most well known on our place. You don't visit us with out getting to know Ted! He loves to meet knew people and will be your friend for life if you bring him peppermints. This Layout started out so much different, and then turned and ended up not at all like I had imagined it, but sometimes those end up high on my list.



Well I hope you enjoyed two of my Layouts from my crop, and doing double duty meeting 5 more of my donkeys!



I have lots of new stamps to play with this week, so I am hoping to have some new cards to share this coming week. Not only the Rubbernecker Stamps that arrived, but My Favorite Things stamps came too! Wonder if hubby will notice if we eat sandwiches all week and he doesn't have clean clothes?