#Craftroom tour for Graphic 45

When people come to visit my studio, I show off the space that holds my finished pieces and where I do all of my computer work. I dare not show off my workspace… aka the #craftroom.

My #craftroom isn't pretty. It’s usually an absolute disaster! (I did a serious clean before these photos BTW) But it’s my disaster and within that chaos, there is some form of organization going on.



While I oogle over the pristine, perfectly organized, beautiful studio spaces I see on Pinterest, I know they wouldn't work for me. I'm not maligning those gorgeous spaces, they absolutely work for a lot of people. However, my messy creative cocoon is exactly what I need.

So, when I was asked to share my #craftroom, I started to think about my space and why it works for me. Perhaps some of these creative chaos tips will work for someone else too.

Hidden behind this amazing quilt I have a whole bunch of bins. I like using bins because I can grab them when I need something, and toss stuff in them when I’m done. Easy peasy!

I organize the bins in a way that makes sense to me, storing items I often use at the same time together.

These stamp pads are stored with embossing powders, next to rubber stamps. I often use those items together, so it make sense to keep them together.

My main work surface is a kitchen table. It’s big and I’m fortunate to have enough space for it. On top, I keep things I use most often. All of the tools, brushes, tape, glue, and paint I use regularly are within arms reach. I have a bazillion paint colours, but only a dozen or so are by my side. Same goes for glue. I might have a glue for every purpose, but only those three I use all the time are ready to go the moment inspiration strikes.

This goes for paper too. I have a vintage record holder that I use to store papers that I’m using or will be using soon.

One thing that really keeps me organized is storing papers in the celophane bags they arrive in. I unseal the bag from the bottom rather than ripping them open from the top. When I've finished a project, I can tuck any scraps and extra fussy cut bits inside, and reseal the bag.

My main paper storage is this vintage metal flatfile intended to keep blueprints and things like that.

It’s big enough for two rows of 3 12” pads. It’s large enough to store about 150 12” pads in all.

While I keep most of my papers sorted by collection if I only have a few papers I will organize by theme instead. For example, all Christmas or Halloween papers are kept together.

A little bonus tip: when I have a project in mind but don’t have time to get to it right away, I will gather and store the supplies I need for it in a cardboard box (or large ziplock bag) with a note/sketch. I’ve found this really, really useful when I have a sudden urge to make. Coming across an old brilliant idea with the supplies ready to go? YES PLEASE!

Besides organization, I think there are two other factors that are really important in a creative space.

Is it comfortable? Having a comfy couch is nice, but it’s more than that. Does your bum or back hurt at the end of the day? Do you have enough light so that you aren’t straining your eyes? Does it smell nice? These are things that can make a big difference in how productive you are.

Finally… are you inspired? While others might be inspired by the serenity of a white space, I love being surrounded by things made by others, things that are quirky and cool, doodads made with passion and talent.

I love being surrounded by things that make me think, feel and laugh in my crafting cocoon.

So, no, my #craftroom isn't pretty. It definitely wouldn’t work for everyone. But, I'm 100% ok with that.

Love Notes Micro Albums with tutorial

There are areas of crafting that I am not particularly adept at. Scrapbook layouts are one, albums are another (knitting is another weakness but lets not go down that road). While I’m not very good at creating albums, I do enjoy making books, and miniatures.






And so, I’ve made some micro albums with Love Notes. The littlest books that you ever did see!



They’re quite tiny, at just a smidge over 1” wide. Some may think they’re far too small, but that’s ok, I think large albums are rather daunting! These are just big enough to tuck tiny notes, a lucky penny, a little feather or four leaf clover.



Perhaps you might include some teeny tiny portraits of imaginary relatives.



Or photos from you were little.



If you’re feeling adventurous, you could make a sweet little art journal.



Or add a string to tie your memories up tight and safe.



Like most good things, these require some fiddling.



But the results are adorable, and sweet as can be.



If you’d like to make your own batch of teeny tiny micro albums, I have a video tutorial HERE.

Here are all the bits you’ll need:


Graphic 45 Supplies:
Love Notes 12x12 Collection Pack
Floral Symphony
Love Notes Stickers
Love Notes 8x8 Paper Pad

Other Supplies:
Cardboard
Glue
String


Measurement notes:
Inside pages: 1.25” x 12”, scored at every inch

Card for cover: 2 pieces just a smidge larger than the finished folded page size inside (add about 1/16” to the length and width). 1 spine piece approximately ⅛” wide

Paper for cover: approximately 3.25” x 2”



And that’s everything you’ll need to make a big library of tiny books!

Good luck! 

Kate Bush / Radiohead ATC SMACKDOWN!!!!

Ok, it's not really a Kate Bush/Radiohead smackdown because they are both lovely and I'm sure they wouldn't bodyslam one another, but I digress...

I watched the new "Suspiria" movie the other day. It's a remake, or rather a re-imagined version, of a 1970's Italian film of the same name. Its a horror/thriller with quite a bit of gore so it won't be everyones cup of tea. The thing is, it stuck with me for days... the visuals, the music the themes... they're all knocking about in my head.

The soundtrack was stuck in my head, and I saw that it was done by Thom Yorke, songwriter/lead singer for Radiohead. A magic sort of music combined with all that dancing and I immediately thought of  Kate Bush. All that to explain why Radiohead and Kate Bush lyrics are all over this new set of ATC's.

So, do you know your Yorke from your Bush? I'll post the answers at the end of this post. If you'd like to own one of these, pop over to my etsy shop, all my cards are listed HERE.

How do you think you did? Here's the answers:

"I should be hoping but I can't stop thinking"This Woman's Work - Kate Bush

"Kill me again with love"

Lucky - Radiohead

"Standing in the shadows at the end of my bed"

Kid A - Radiohead

"You crush the lily in my soul"

Moving - Kate Bush

"And true love waits in haunted attics"

True Love Waits - Radiohead

"I was dropped from the moonbeam and sailed on shooting stars"

Sail to the Moon - Radiohead

"All the dreamers are waking"

Nocturn - Kate Bush

"Wax me, mould me, heat the pins and stab them in"

Bulletproof... I Wish I Was - Radiohead

"We let the weirdness in"

Leave it Open - Kate Bush

"No more under the quilt to keep you warm"

The Kick Inside - Kate Bush

"If I could be who you wanted all the time"

Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead

"I'm having dreams about things not going right"

There Goes a Tenner - Kate Bush

And here is the gorgeous song "Suspirium" that has been in my head for days and started all this smackdown business.

On Cuban Time

I rarely do scrapbook layouts. It's not my forte. But after our vacation to Cuba, I was compelled to do something with those photographs.

There was a saying we heard over and over from locals: "on Cuban time". Things happen a little slower there, at their own pace, but they'll get done eventually. Normally I'd be well meaning and craft with these pics eventually, but it was a bit of serendipity that this month's AlphaStamps kit is Letters from the Sea and I was prompted to get to them a little more swiftly.

All that age, those shells and scrolls, and I was taken right back!

I added loads of extra bits like the Mini Wrought Iron Flourishes and Wrought Iron Shadowbox Header which totally reminded me of the swirly decorative elements we saw on the buildings in the city of Ciego de Ávila

I also added our baggage claim tickets... because God forbid I throw out any little bit of paper that might possibly be sentimental.

The layout basically started as a few ATC's that got out of hand. Everything just sort of got added in layers from there.

Note: I've said it loads of times, but it bears repeating, these super thick ATC blanks are amazing. They will take an absolute beating and not warp in the least.

Those seaside chippy bits were chopped from an Under the Sea Chipboard Border.

Some sploshes of Cuban colour, layers, notes and memories, and, despite the fact that I am not a scrapbooker, I have a nice reminder of our trip.

All the bits used in this layout can be found HERE.

Seeds of Love Scrapbook Paper
Seaside & Me Scrapbook Paper - Floral & Pale Shells
Vintage Telegrams Scrapbook Paper
Mini Wrought Iron Flourishes Set
Under the Sea Chipboard Border
Wrought Iron Shadowbox Header
Chunky ATC Blanks

Need an alternative to real shells? Try Beach Beauties Seashell Buttons Mix or or Silicone Mold - 7 Seashells

Thank you Cuba for the amazing pina colada's, the stunning beaches and rum... oh god, all the rum!

P.S. If you're a sucker for punishment and like looking at other peoples vacation photos, hop over HERE to gander at our adventure

More ATC madness and a FREE download!

I posted my earlier set of ATCs to a group and had loads of requests to trade. I decided to make a special set specifically for trading.

Like the last batch they are made with vintage papers, gold embossing powder, paint, postage stamps and more.

I had a few questions about my cards, and I couldn't fulfill every trade request, so I thought I'd put together a collage sheet for those who are interested in making similar ATC's for themselves.

If you click on the image above you should be able to download the full-size/high res image. The vintage images on this sheet were sourced from thegraphicsfairy.com which is an amazing place to find free, high quality vintage images. All of the words and phrases included are from an afternoon of snipping from discarded books.

So hop to it! Cut and paste and paint and make yourself some papery bits of 2.5" x 3.5" pieces of magic

And if you'd rather not get your fingers grubby, or would like to own a little original piece of art, you can find some of my cards available in the etsy shop HERE.

Hope your weekend was wonderful. Mother Nature is still drunk here.