Thursday, April 1, 2010

Easter Card and Organization

With just a few days to go, I still haven't finished my Easter cards! Yikes!

Well, I got ONE done so far. Just a simple card with no extra drawings this time. I guess I'd better get busy tonight to get the other two finished...

Here is a closeup of Tilda on this one. I used lavender Stickles on the egg, and popped her up on dimensionals over some cute paper. These sheets perfectly matched a heart I had previously made for another card but never ended up using - made from a Spellbinder's scalloped heart die, then run through my Cuttlebug for the dot embossing. Copics were used to colour it and then I sanded it down a tad to highlight the dots. Of course, Tilda was coloured with Copics.



I thought I'd include a few photos of my Magnolia stamp organization today. I have 34 of these cute stamps already, and I soon outgrew the small container I was storing them in. So I went out and bought another D ring binder to match the others in my room, plastic dividers and heavy duty top loading full sheet plastic pockets. I cut off the tabs on the dividers and adhered regular copy paper to each one to make them more sturdy to slide in and out of their pockets.

Binders
Each page has two stamps; I stamped a sample and then labelled them with some peel off sticker file folder labels. I then keep the stamp itself on the package it came in; it sticks nicely to the outside of the clear envelope! So when I want a certain stamp, I simply pull out the sheet and peel it off the package. Easy peasy!

Magnolia binder
You may have noticed that spreadsheet on the left... yes, I keep a spreadsheet of all the stamps I have, and want to get in the future. I record the stamp name, an image, where I bought it, when I purchased it, and a few comments about it. It's an easy way to ensure I don't accidentally get a double! (Yes, I AM OCD, how'd you guess???)

I found that when I stacked up the pages though, that I had to alternate the location of packages on the pages; so I adhered the packages on the top of one sheet, the bottom of the next, so the pages would lay flat. I have already nearly filled this binder! (Oh what a shame....) ;)

Magnolia binder side view
You may have noticed I have a binder for my Spellbinders on that shelf too. I only have six sets so far, but I store them in a similar way. I purchased full page size magnetic sheets, adhered them to the plastic dividers for stability, then slide them into the same heavy duty plastic pockets. The dies snap to them very well, and it's so easy to see what I need and where it needs to go back! I didn't like that sticky tape they come on; it would often get stuck on my cardstock when I ran them through my Cuttlebug.

Spellbinders

Here are the card details:

Background purple paper: K & Co
Matted paper: Magnolia
Stickles on egg: Milled Lavender

Copic colours:

Skin: E00, E11, R20
Hair: Y21, E25, E31
Dress: BV00, BV11, BG10, BG72, N0
Boots: BV00, BV11, N0
Egg: BG10, BG72
Chick: Y11, Y21, YR23

Well, time to get into gear and start thinking about those other cards I need to do. Oh yeah, and plan Easter dinner and some egg painting too...

Looks like it's going to be a busy, but fun holiday weekend! Happy Easter everyone!

12 people wrote stuff:

Sandy said...

What new can anyone possibly say about your work!!!!!
You are extremely creative and talented and I adore your cards.

sandy

Linda S. said...

Hi Maureen, Your #1 Easter card is just darling. Very well put together with everything coordinating. Tilda looks so proud, doesn't she? I am curious as to the finished size of your card. It is refreshing to see a non-square Magnolia card for something a little different. Thanks in advance. Linda S. in NE
lsfouratwindstreamdotnet

Pen to Paper said...

This card is very cute. I love your page and I like how you organize everything. Very cool.

XOXO

Jackie

Patti Jo said...

She's a cutie! Love your teal/purple combination! Another terrific card Maureen! Always enjoy everything you create!

Christine Riley said...

So pretty, I love the papers and colors you chose.
Hugs, Christine

Eulanda said...

Oooh wow she's cute! I love the glitter you used on the egg and your coloring is so nice. I really like your organization skills. That seems to be the only way I can work is in an organized mess. LOL! Happy Easter!

Nancy said...

Oh my your card is gorgeous and your coloring is even more gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your storage tips.
Hugs,
Nancy

Only By His Grace said...

Hi Maureen!
Your tila card is beautiful. Your shading is perfect. I wish I could get my shading as good. (more practice needed for me).
Always a pleasure to see your creations.
Hugs
Marion

Only By His Grace said...

Oh Maureen!
I forgot to mention about the way you store your Tilda's. This looks great and I may just have to copy it. My Spellbinder dies are on magnetic sheets on my cupboard doors in my craft room. If I put them away I will forget about them. Like other things I have.
Hugs Marion

Gina K said...

Wonderful design. Adorable card! Gina L

Bengelmama said...

Gorgeous card, I like the cute image, wonderful papers

Nadine

"Kirby" (KrB) said...

Ooh, Maureen, I like this! I like that you store them with a stamped image of the stamp and that you keep a list. I found I had to have a list as well, although mine doesn't record vendor or price- yet, but I did save all that info, speaking of OCD. Your card is adorable too! TFS all this wonderful organization.

My Magnolia Cards