Stand UP and SHOW yourself!

Stickle, Viva Pearl Pen, bottle -  Organization

I seem to use my products, when I can see them.  If they are in a drawer….for me, it’s like out of sight, out of mind…must be my age…

Today, I was working with my Viva Pearl Pens and went to put them back in the drawer…and a light went off…I wondered, would the magnets hold that big pen…

Yes!  SCORE!

I found this idea on Pinterest, but changed it up a bit.  They took a cookie sheet and store the pens upside down.  Well…for me, I tried that, and could not see my colors…so I thought, how about a vertical mount…

As you can see in the side view photo above, you can easily see your colors!  The photo below, is a shot from right in front, and again, I can see my colors!  Whoopee, from two angles, I can easily see what colors I have.

So easy to do thisl  First find something that is metal, like a old cookie sheet or use a magnetic board.

Hot glue a magnet to the bottom.

Stick it on your board!  DONE!!!!!

Boy am I messy!  I found it took the larger magnetics to hold my bottles in this position.  When I empty a bottle, the magnetics pop off, so you can glue it to it’s replacement.  Easy Peasy!

This is how I use to store my bottles:

Velcro’ed to the bottom of my shelf…problem is they fell off from time to time…grrrrrrrr.  I did try the magnet underneath, but I could not see anything but the front row…grrrrrrrr

I spend more time organizing than I do, using this marvelous stuff!

If you enjoyed this post, please comment below.  I love to read your comments, and it also let’s me know that someone read’s these!

Make your own Memo Pads!

This was SIMPLY to much FUN!

Recipe for Memo Pads

Ingredients

8 1/5 X 11 Bright White Paper (regular ol printer paper)
8 1/5 X 11 Chipboard (not to thick, for backs, can even use cereal boxes)
Paper Cutter
Glue
Wooden Shims
Clamps (even binder clamps work)

Design your paper!

You can use any “typing” program you have!  Here are the directions for Creative Memories Storybook 4.0.  Now, don’t worry.  The concept I have done for Storybook 4.0, is really, the same for pretty much any software…like word..or publisher for example.  I just love love love Storybook!  I have very expensive graphic draw programs….but…..after working in IT and coming home, the last thing I want to do, is learn another program…..these graphic programs, I found hard.  Not simple to us…..I did, however, find Storybook very very SIMPLE to use….kinda like a no brainer….and the link I gave you….you can try out for free for 30 days…what more can you ask for!

Printer your design!

I print 22, so that I have a pad with 40 in it!  I get 2 pads from this print job.  I usually make 2 of one design and two of another.

Cut your paper into quarters (4 1/4 X 5 1/5)

I have to tell you….I got out my Zutter Dreamcut machine!  because, it cuts papers evenly each time.  As you probably already know, using a paper cutter, doesn’t really do this, when you are going to stack 40 ish papers together….its very hard to cut them all the same.  My dreamcut machine does this soooooooooooo nicely.  I bought it for production type activities and this was certainly one of those events!
Stack, Clamp and Glue
Notice from the first photo, I took some pieces of wood (I used shims) for 1.57 all I did was lay one, one way, and the other, the other way….you know, so that it was squared up.
Stacked my paper as even as I could get it in this order:

• blank piece of paper
• chipboard
• 40 or so pieces of my very own designer paper
• blank piece of paper…marked where the top is, so I glue the correct side….

Clamped it so I could then glue.  Now, for clamps, you can just use something very heavy and put the edge of your papers right on the end of your table so you can glue the edge….or you can clamp like I am going….or you can clamp with those big binder clips you get in the office area of stores…  the point here, is stack your paper crisply and evently, hold down the paper stack tight so that the glue only goes on the edge….(use clamps, books, anything that will hold it tight)
Now for glue.  All over the internet they tell you to buy padding compound.  Well, I could not find it.  oh, I could on line for about $20.00 or so…enough to last 5 lifetimes….heck!  then I found you could make your own…
My inspiration came from Andrea Arch, however, when I seen the glycerin, I did not even try….Glycerine…I have shopped for in the past, hard thing to find…
so, I used good ol Elmers.  Now, don’t go out and buy this one….look in your stash, look for glue that is thick not runny.  When you find it, take brush, or a sponge brush and paint the edge.  After you paint the edge add some more clamps so that the edge stays straight.
Let it dry to the touch and remove only the clamps on the edge so that you can paint another coat, then clamp back down.  Dry and there you go!
I got the biggest kick out of that notepad you see above.  We were going to my brother-in-laws for dinner.  He is a retired butcher…so, I thought, he might like a notepad….I went to google and searched butcher silloute (notice I did not even spell silhouette correctly!) and found these…to dang cute, so, yeppers, I used the one of the pig chasing the butcher.  He loved it!

When looking for images I often go to google.com, then click on images (on the black ribbon, third one from the left), then type in my search words…in this case it was butcher silloute and STILL found some images…wonder what I would have found if I spelled it correctly!  HA!

Color Swatch your Distress Stains!

I can go forever without blogging.  This is my second day home, sick with goodness knows what, son and hubby came down with it today, I refuse to say it’s the flu.  Don’t laugh, over this blog. 

It’s so funny to me, what I see on the internet, and decided I HAVE TO DO THAT…how about you?.

I was visiting RosA from Paperchase, and spotted her distress stain bottle. and decided I had to do that!

I2 of these came in a few weeks ago (got a deal on a package).  I am so loving the distress stains in a bottle, except, when grabbing for a color, I have to try several…trying to find the right color….

Anyway back to RosA.  I visited her site, and low and behold, right there in front of my eyes was her bottle with a color swatch on top!  I knew mine did not have that…..so, I wrote her, and she took the time to write back and let me know (humbly) that this was her brilliant idea!

Well, I thought her idea was just the best thing I had seen all week!  So, notice, I am still working on those dern pins, which have a deadline…..off to another project I went…

yes….I have been told I am a butterfly, by sweet people and at work, I have been called Dory…….

But, it took me about 15 minutes to accomplish this. 

• I grabbed my 3/4 circle punch and punched some circles from some white card stock that was already laying on the table (hey, lets not get out a new sheet of paper, right?  I am also called a piffer, although I have never seen a definition for that word….I was told it was someone who always used scraps…)
• Ran 12 circles through the Xyron sticker maker
• Stuck them on top of the bottles and colored them in

of course, it took me longer than that to blog it…  Hope this helps you, if so, can you comment?  it lets me know, you read this….I truly appreciate any comment you leave.

Any idea, that organizes me, makes my day, Thanks RosA!

Vinyl Monthly Calendar

Once in a while, I run into problems that I know, from past experience is due to being unorganized. I needed a calendar that my family could “see at a glance”.  After researching on the internet, I found my inspiration.

Inspiration

Etsy often provides not only fun and unique purchases, but inspiration for me.  I found Cano Designs Shop on and fell in love.  I had the Vinyl, Chalk Pens and Pazzles!  If I had not already invested in all the tools laying around the house, this was the way to go.  The price was very reasonable for vinyl wall art 36.8”w X 23.2'”h

 

Calendar in a Frame

The Toasted Coconut has an outstanding Chalkboard Vinyl Calendar Tutorial.  I loved the idea of the calendar in a frame.  I had the perfect spot, so off I went trying to find the perfect frame to repurpose.  Found one in our storage.  After taking out the oil painting and protecting that, I knew I would have to go to Michaels to purchase something to replace the canvas.  However, when I go to Michael’s my wallet suffers.  So still on the journey to look for something that would not cost anything..

Calendar on the Fridge!

I own a wonderful Pazzles die cut machine, that always gets used in spurts!  I purchased this brand, due to the outstanding training they offer.  Pazzles Craft Room, is one of the best purchase choices I have made.  The teacher for Pazzles is named Klo, not only does she teach live, but she records them so that you can ALWAYS catch her classes. There is a Pazzles Fans group in Facebook that I also love.  Pazzles, even has live support chat! 

After searching and searching for a cut file for ANY machine (yep, pazzles can handle that to) I gave up and posted for help in the Facebook group.  A hour later, Klo responded with a file to check out!  My quest was nearly ending.  It had a place for a shopping list and notes!  But again, it was in a frame, which would mean I would have to go shopping to pick something up to back my frame. 

The recipe included with the cut file, gave me the confidence to make my own with my Pazzles Machine.  (the link for the recipe will work if you are a Pazzles Craft Room Member)

The following steps assume you want a 30” wide calendar.  Just measure your spot and revise the numbers to suit your space.  They also assume you are using Pazzles and Pazzles Inspration Pro 2010 Software Updated to 8/12/2012.  If you are unsure if you have the correct version OR higher, just check to see if you are updated!   Choose Help | Internet Pazzles Online | Software Updates and follow the directions!  If you run into trouble, use the Chat feature of Pazzles Craft Room.

 

 

 

1	Start up Pazzles Inspiration Studio Pro 2010
2	Choose Create Choose Paper Size of 12X24 Make sure you select the 12 X 24, You will need a 12 X 24 Mat, although you could use any size Mat and do the same thing…..
3	Choose Type
4	From the Popup box, choose the TrueType button Then locate your favorite font (I used Inspiration) Type: This Month choose OK
5	Choose the Select Icon This will be the top icon on the left hand side of your screen. If you do not see this, choose your menu bar | View | Toolbars | Make sure a check mark is next to Tools
6	Choose your text.
7	Right Click Choose Height
8	Choose Condense Enter your Width and Height. Choose Apply	I measured my Fridge, and knew I was going to make my Calendar 30” wide. I also knew I was going to make each square for the dates 4X4, because I wanted a lot of space to write in birthdays, appointments and menu plans. So I created a grid to help me with this space.  I wanted 4” Blocks of “space”
9	Menu |View |Grid
10	Width and Height	for step six above.  I new I wanted to make my letters at least 4 Inches high….so for Height I entered 4.  I also knew I needed a square to enter the name of the Month.  that had to be a bit over 12” approx. 13 or 15 for the width.
11	Shape for Squares Choose Image Gallery
12	Double Click  Tags
13	Double Click D8 Close this window
14	Select the new image and ungroup the image Menu |Shape |Break Group
15	Zoom in by selecting the image and  and choosing the zoom selected tool from the bottom of your screen
16	Change your Height and width by referring to steps 6 - 10 This will be my Month Tag.
17	Remove Hole Choose the “hole” and press your delete key
18	Move this out of your way
19	STOP AND SAVE Rule of thumb, when you have created ONE item, you should save….We have gone to far, to have not saved!  Save your file Menu | File | Save As Take note:  where did you file it?  Name it something you can remember
20	Create Days of the Week Select the Month tab Choose: Menu | Edit | Copy Then Paste Menu | Edit | Paste
21	Change your Width by referring to steps 6 - 10
22	Duplicate Select image Right Click Choose Multiply Number of copy's enter 4 Choose the stacked pattern Choose ok Move this group out of your way
23	Create days Select any of the tags copy and paste as you did in step 20
24	Change your size refer to step 6-10 I wanted mine 4 X 4
26	Viewing trouble My computer started having problems… Just choose the refresh icon from your menu bar
25	Multiply your days Follow step 22
26	I think we are done! Now to cut Place your images on the mat so that you use up all the best space
27	Use your space well.
28	If you want to be lazy….like me….I have posted my cut file, This Month Calendar.
29	If you use my file, you may have to rotate things.  Here are the directions. Select the image/images you want to rotate.  Right click and choose rotate See the “cross hairs” icon. just click and drag to rotate it, don’t worry about where it is right now. When done.  Choose the select icon again (refer to step 5. Move to where you want to place it on your mat.

This has truly been a journey.

First Photo…My first cut…I ruined my 2 sheets of my chalkboard vinyl.  I was to impatient to wait until I ordered more…so…I used a color I was not really fond of to get an idea what it would look like.

Second Photo

I had to piece my chalkboard vinyl to try save as much as I could.

Third Photo

Used every piece I could…Still need 8 each of the 4 X 4 “tags” to replace the orange and the bottom three.  Working on updating my pen box…to house my chalk pens!