So sorry to have been AWOL for a while. Our sweet Toby Joe was in real crisis, with the crippling of his back legs, due to arthritis and age. We said goodbye to him on October 17. He will be forever in our hearts. We had him for 14 wonderful years and treasure those memories.
I'll get back to more sharing in my next post. Don't forget to come back!
I've had so many comments on the photos of my studio I've shared. That's been fun. I've had several questions about where I stamp ... standing or sitting. Although, it may seem more relaxing to sit, I usually stand. This is because my first studio was so tiny, I'm not sure you could even call it a studio. I had a rolling kitchen cart in the center of our former nursery and that's where I stood to stamp. It had 3 wire baskets beneath it and a butcher block top. It had two leaves you could pull up to extend the top. It worked fine, but was pretty cramped for a work space. Anyway, I got used to standing to stamp and it is still difficult for me to stamp sitting down. I do have a stool I can pull up for a sitting break when I need it or I can move to my table where I teach classes. I have severe arthritis and can't sit OR stand for too long a period of time, so I designed my studio so that I have to mix it up and move around a little, so I don't get too stiff. My paper trimmer and inks are right behind me from where I stand to stamp. It works for me and I love it. I think everyone has to find what works best for them and use the space you have to its fullest potential.
I'm really excited about sharing today's post because I just finished painting all these new goodies. The far left storage 'cubbies' are from Stampin' Up! The painted ones are all from Stamp N Storage. I use the first painted unit to store Stampin' Spots (15 fit perfectly in each Taylored Expressions box.) + daubers, and the unit with the round tins (Stampin' Up!) stores odds and ends of embellishments. This unit was designed to hold another company's punches, but the measurements work great for my tins. I had to get one more ink pad unit, to store a variety of ink pads and then the caddy is useful for storing lots of little tools. I spray painted the caddy after I put it together. The Washi Tape holder is something I've had for a while (I don't remember the source.) but I recently painted it. to coordinated with all my other storage units.
Today, I'd like to share the front bar in my studio. The bar area of my studio is actually 2 parallel bars, each running 15 feet long. Believe it or not, whenever I'm in the midst of one of my creative storms, I can fill up all 30 feet! I end up with about 1 1/2 feet of stamping area:) Oh well, that's the price of creativity. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Today, I'd like to share a closer look at the back bar area of my studio, complete with some detailed close-ups. I store my Stampin' Blends, ink pads, a few useful tools, and punches here, along with a few of my decor projects on display for inspiration. I like to incorporate useful items as well as pretty objects that bring me joy, such as an old crock of my grandmother's, a handmade pottery bowl from a beach vacation, and old jars that were my daddy's. (I use those for my vintage buttons.) Yes, this is my happy place. It is ever changing and always a joy.
Here is another new item I added to my studio. I absolutely love it! It's a storage shelf for my stamps and coordinating dies. Here again, I've used all Stamp N Storage products. They are just perfect for what I need to have in my studio.
Previously, I'd always kept my stamps in pull-out drawers behind/below the bar. (below the areas I shared in my last post). It worked pretty well, but I noticed that every time a new retirement list came out, I always found a stamp set or two that had not been used. This is just sad. I decided I wanted to have my stamps out where I could see them and not neglect any sets at all. Also, instead of keeping my dies in a separate location, I wanted to try keeping the dies and stamps together, so I could see everything at a glance and be sure I would use it all.
I ordered a custom built shelf (max size) from Stamp N Storage, painted it the same color as my wall, and had my hubby hang it for me. All my stamps and dies fit ... even the new Fall and Winter stamps from our mini catalog. I was thrilled. The large stamp boxes on the bottom shelf (with DSP) are collections of my Paper Pumpkin stamps.
I've taken advantage of having more 'at home' time to make some updates in my studio. I love to have my workspace be functional, yet pretty and inspiring - a place that's fun to be in to work. The first change I made was to part with my Stamp N Storage lock-down punch holders. In their place, I opted for Stamp N Storage 3-shelf units and placed my punches on their sides. I could fit in more punches this way, and yet they're still quite handy and easy to use. I also added a 6-drawer Stamp N Storage unit that I love. Here's a look at these updates.
What do you think? I love it!
I wanted to make some quick cards to show off all our new In Colors, so I chose the Flowers for Every Season Memories and More Cards and Envelopes. I think it was quicker to make them than to type that long name, ha, ha, ha. I not only like our new In Colors, but I love how they pair so beautifully with each other and with colors in our main color families.
I have one more Mini Paper Pumpkin Box to share with you today. This one uses products from our Peony Garden Suite. The 3-D peony is surprisingly easy to create. I've lightly sponged the edges.
