Diary of the Stampin' Pretty Stamping Zone

January 6

Start with a Blank Canvas:  I promised to share my progress during the creation of my new stamping space.  I'm still working on the final details.  However, so many of you are asking that I thought I would toss out a few ideas and pictures that may interest you.

Here's my "blank canvas."  It's a 7' 6" x 19' 8" hallway in our basement that's finished off.  It originally was a library area to store our books (hence the bookshelves).  However, my stamping wheels began to turn and I felt it would get much better use as my  Stampin' Pretty Stamping Zone.  TIP:  I used masking tape to lay out office furniture and a paper storage rack in the space.  As with a good card sketch, thoughtful space planning is a must.

The bookshelves are a puzzlebox style (from Crate and Barrel), meaning they slide to "expand and contract" in width, with lovely little cubbies for easy access to storage.  They will be used again in the Stampin' Pretty Stamping Zone.

From order, there is chaos.  This is the uninspiring view after my work space furniture was delivered and I began to move many supplies into the work space.  Confession:  Messes make me freak out.  My family runs for cover. This motivates me to stay on track :)

For each desk/hutch combo (one on each side of the hall), I purchased long tackboard.  I found this funkalicious material (www.warehousefabricsinc.com) called Dandie/Sweet Potato (is that a cute name or what?), that I "attached" to the tackboard with a staple gun (upholstering would be an overstatement).  My task chair will get the same treatment.  TIP:  This adds some instant polka dotty razz-ma-tazz.  When I feel like a new look and colors, I can take off the old and pop on some new material.

January 7

TIP:  I wanted to share a quick and budget friendly storage tip today from my new Stampin' Pretty Stamping Zone.  These 39" rails were $3.99 each from Ikea and are "the bomb" for organizing punches. There's a smaller version for $1.99.   The sad part for me, is that I don't have an Ikea store nearby and the shipping was as much as the four rails.  I had to look past that detail since they were essential and still cheap relative to how efficient they are.

January 9

Remember this fabric from my previous post?  It's called Dandie Sweet Potato Natural, a burnt orange background with big, natural colored polka dots.  I discovered it on-line through Warehouse Fabrics, Inc.  Click here for details

See where it ended up?  All the mahogany (darker colored) office furniture was purchased recently at 60% off as a result of scratches on the panel of the hutch area.

Solution?  I purchased inexpensive tackboard and covered both of the open hutch areas with my Dandie Sweet Potato . . . just the pizzazz I wanted.  Even my budget task chair (Target), get's in on the polka dot action.

The polka dot tackboard is not only "dishy" (as my friend, Karren would say), I can pin up my sketches and ideas (note the inspiration page from a Grandinroad catalog for today's card) when I'm working on a project.  Along with adding 48" strip lighting under each set of hutch cabinets, moving these pages off my work area is divine.  Otherwise I wind up with the dreaded "heap" and I can't find a thing.

January 13

 

When designing your own stamping space, inject your own personality among all the practical ideas (and you thought giant polka dots were enough for me)?  I have lots of cubbies that will be filled with tool storage, ribbon holders, accessory organizers--the essentials for the Stampin' Pretty Stamping Zone.  However, I still wanted a few special (and inexpensive) things to make it mine.

I'm a big bird lover (always a bird book ready at our back window for quick identification).  This simple ceramic bird was marked down to $4.98 at Pier 1 (from $25).  It slips into my storage landscape without chirping for too much attention.

I tucked in this pretty glass bird (also Pier 1) next to an accent light I purchased at Target years ago.  The glass bird looks lovely in the reflection from the light.  The light warms up the overall look.

Does everything need to be modern?  If you love modern, toss in a touch of traditional--and vice versa.  I loved the colors and pattern of this grouping of traditional vases (Pier 1--I tend to shop in one place when I don't order on-line) and thought they added a sophisticated touch. 

Last but not least, I stopped at Staples to grab a postal scale (enough trips to the post office finally convinced me).  I glanced at the clearance bin and found all kinds of funky things for $.50.  My favorite? These lady bug push pins are now proudly flashing their spots on my tackboard. 

January 16

Today's post highlights a bit more of my Stampin' Pretty Stamping Zone and hopefully inspires a few ideas to make your own stamping space more organized and efficient. 

NOTE:  My designer paper and ribbon look a little sparse right now.  I just cleared out most of the retiring accessories and the open spaces are ready to welcome the beautiful new options in Stampin' Up!'s Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book and Catalog, available Jan. 19.

Once and for all, I wanted clear and open 12 x 12 storage for Stampin' Up's Designer Series Paper and 12 x 12 card stock.  However, it doesn't come cheaply.  These stackable, lipless, clear storage bins run $60 for 10.  I purchased them for $49.99 (per set) on sale at Scrapbook.com.  If you can get past the price tag, they are wonderful combined with Stampin' Up!'s 12 x 12 Dividers (105528, sold in packs of four).  Perfect for additional organization and labeling.

I divided my 12 x 12 Textured Card Stock by color family (108697-Earth Elements, 108695-Soft Subtles, 108696-Rich Regals, 108698-Bold Brights).  Stampin' Up!'s Die Cut Blooms (111376) are tucked in below.  The stackable trays keep both my paper and open storage shelving looking neat and tidy.

I use lots of In Color Textured 12 x 12 card stock (111345) so each color gets it own little home.  TIP:  On a budget?  Stampin' Up!'s 12 x 12 Paper Holders (115528, one is featured on the right) are a less expensive alternative.  They hold up to 200 sheets and accommodate the 12 x 12 dividers (105529).  I'm using mine here to keep paper scraps organized.

Stampin' Up!'s Ribbon Keepers (107634-Small, 107635-Medium, 107636-Large) turn ribbon storage into a little grosgrain and taffeta library.  I love how they stack and are sized to coordinate with three different sized "wheels."  With the three sizes stacked (large, medium and small on top), they are approx. 12" high, 6 3/8" wide and 4 3/4" deep.

These Rubbermaid X-Cube Shelf Savers are divine for marker storage and much more.  The top box divides the markers by Stampin' Up! color families (105539-Bold Brights, 105539-Earth Elements, 105540-Rich Regals, 105537-Soft Subtles) and the lower holds the neutral markers (Neutrals, 109126), my blender pens (102845, right) and gel pens (non-SU, left). 

These dusty blue magazine holders by Cargo are luscious to look at and keep my magazines and catalogs ready for duty.  I purchased many different Cargo storage options (to be shared soon) at 50% off (plus free shipping that particular week) HERE.  The colors choices are delightful.

I use Stampin' Up!'s Forget-Me-Not Keeper (105525, in the background) for organizing and storing my completed cards.  It includes perfectly sized dividers which I label by occasion.  I plan to get another as my valentine collection expands (and it was overflowing during the holidays).  Since Miss Isabel (my aging pug) kept wanting her belly rubbed every time I got down low to take the picture, I allowed her in the shot once she willingly "struck a pose."

January 26

I spruced up my Stampin' Pretty Stamping Zone today using the smallest Thoughts & Prayer Tree (116002, in Chocolate) from Stampin' Up!'s Décor Elements (a budget-friendly line of vinyl wall coverings).  The English Major in me couldn't resist the quote from Henry David Thoreau (116076, Chocolate) either. 

The process was surprisingly easy (think rub-ons on steroids) and the results rival hand painted.  I love the latest additions (and more colors) to the Décor Elements Catalog.  It's available for download on my right side bar or email me if you would like me to send you a free copy (US only).

January 29

The good news?  Hooray, my Stampin' Pretty Stamping Zone is complete and all my beloved supplies have been tucked into their comfy, new homes.  I made a video to take you on a little tutorial tour.  The not so good news?  The "stamper cam" isn't going to win any Oscars . . . very homemade--but we all love homemade, right?

For those that prefer things that don't wobble, I took still photos for you.

    These Dusty Blue Cargo Boxes are from www.shopwer.com

Remember when this was an empty hallway?

A separate work area for my Paper Cutter, Scor-Pal and Big Shot is divine.

My desk is clear for designing, coloring and assembling.

Having excellent paper storage is key. 

The organization question I get asked most is about stamp storage.  Here's what I do:

• Remove retired stamp sets every six months (watch for my retired stamp sale in the upcoming weeks).
• Stamps are mounted, stacked in their cases alphabetically and tucked out of sight in the hutch featured above.
• I keep a 3 ring binder which holds images I stamp for every set.  It's organized by nature, greetings, occasions, etc.
• When I start a project, I grab the binder and flip through in a flash.  No need to dig through my stamp sets.

Thanks to all of you who have been so supportive during my Stampin' Pretty Stamping Zone journey.  For the details from it's bare beginnings, CLICK HERE.

UPDATE:  July, 2009.  We moved to Tucson AZ . . . fortunately most of my "zone" could go with me.  Here are the full details and more photos of my Stampin' Pretty Stampin' Loft, complete with view of the mountains.

The inspiration:

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7,  CLICK HERE.