Society of Stampaholics

MPE: Box Challenge #1 - Tools

 I attend a crafting retreat in Cincinnati twice a year. When we started this about four years ago, we all brought everything we owned and ended up making very little because, let's face it, we were mainly running around and visiting! (Which is what it's really all about, anyway.)

It can be exhausting - packing all that stuff up, dragging it out to the car, dragging it into the hotel conference room, setting it up, then repacking it, dragging it back out to the car, trying to make it all fit again, dragging it back into the house, and then unpacking it and putting it all away.

One year I never fully unpacked from one retreat to the next... and I never missed the stuff I didn't unpack.

Hmmmm....

 

This I need (and use) every single day.

 

 

Oh, and I left out one very important aspect of this whole traveling supply show: when you get to the venue, your staging area is one conference room table - which is about 2' deep and 6' wide. 

And there you are with a car that is bursting at the seams with all your most "vital" stuff.

Hmmmm....

 

This has "pay it forward" written all over it. (Image Source)

 

So what have I learned from this semi-annual experience?

• I spend 90% of my time crafting with about 20% of my supplies.
• I store 90% of the stuff I use within arm's length of my work surface.
• I have a lot of stuff that is within arm's reach but is rarely used.
• I can easily create great cards with materials and tools that fit on or around a 2' x 6' area.
• If I can't see an item, I won't remember I have it (READ: I won't use it.)
• I can't "see" about 80% of my stash.

Conclusion: I have waaaay too much stuff that I'm not even using! Ever.

How about you? I'd say that if you can answer "yes" to at least one of the questions above, you probably need to consider a cleansing purge.

The problem is, of course, where to start.

Never fear! I have a plan. It's been working for me, so I figured I'd share it here. Our supplies are our darlings, so we're going to leave them alone for now. So anything that gets used up (paper, embellies, etc.) and dies, punches, and stamps are not included at this stage.

Instead, let's start with our tools because (1) there are less of them; (2) we're not visually attracted to them (like we are to all those pretty patterned papers); and (3) this shouldn't take more than 30 minutes - and anybody can handle that, right? 

B O X   C H A L L E N G E   #1  -  T O O L S

1. Place tools that you use 90% of the time on your work surface. (Read: you use it every time you make a project. Examples: paper trimmer, centering ruler, etc.)
2. Now add the tools you use 50% of the time. (Read: you use it every other time you make a project. Examples: heat tool, stapler, etc.)
3. Inventory what tools didn't make the cut and, more importantly, why.
4. Put everything that didn't make the cut into a box and stow it someplace you can easily access but at least 6 feet from your work surface.
5. Put the other tools away.

That was easy, wasn't it?

The point of this exercise is to identify those tools that are not being used. By corralling them in a box, you free up prime real estate near your work surface. By stowing the box where it can be accessed easily, you can still use the tools within; keeping the box out of arm's length means you have to leave your chair to retrieve it, so you won't pull anything out unless you really want it.

Very important: write the date on the box.

This pseudo-purge allows you to experience the benefit of a purge without the pain of giving anything up... yet.

If you use anything in the box, note the item and date on the box. In six months, revisit the box. Anything that wasn't used clearly needs to go. Donate or sell it so somebody who will use it can use it. (Because it's kind of sinful for a perfectly good tool to go unused when it could be giving someone else all sorts of creative pleasure, right?)

So there you have it! I urge you to do Box Challenge #1! It should only take 30 minutes, and you will feel very good about yourself afterward.

And please share your experience in the comments as we'll all benefit from your findings. What did/did not make the cut? Were there any surprises? How much real estate did you liberate? How do you feel?

Thanks for stopping and have a blessed day!

Deborah

This is a series of articles concerning some changes I've made to increase the quality of my papercrafting experience. I hope something here will speak to you!

• Maximizing the Papercrafting Experience
• MPE: Cardstock and Ink Reformation
• MPE: Box Challenge #1 - Tools

MPE: Cardstock and Ink Reformation

Cardstock.

If you create with paper, you gotta have cardstock.

It's the foundation of every project. It's also relatively inexpensive, and it comes in oodles of colors, weights and textures. It's available at the big box stores, specialty shops, stationers, and online.

It's a gateway drug for papercrafters, and this addict's cardstock stash takes up four feet of shelf space.

Which is insane!!!

It's also inefficient. Case in point: I start out a project with a piece of patterned paper. I then attempt to find a perfect color match in my FOUR FEET of cardstock. I'm immediately stymied! If I only had two or three shades of, say, pink, I'd be fine. But I have 27 shades of pink because I've got Bazzill and ColorMates and Memory Box and... the list goes on for-freakin'-ever.

I also have a similar problem with ink. Which is equally insane because I find myself reaching for the same ink pads repeatedly - and they account for less than half of my inventory. Again, I yearn for the perfect match.

Clearly my methodology is dysfunctional. I get so bogged down in choosing between all those options that I'm robbed of the pleasure I should experience when making design decisions.

Then there's the guilt of wasteful spending. I don't care if I got these supplies for pennies on the dollar at defunct scrapbook store liquidation sales. As long as I keep them, I'm convincing myself that I will eventually use them (which means I didn't waste money after all).

You can see how this could drive a person to self-medicate.

Luckily, I'm not going to have to do that. A solution has been staring me in the face for years, and I finally got a clue several months ago. Like all great solutions, it's simple.

T H E   S O L U T I O N

I ordered the Perfect Match Cardstock Sampler from Papertrey Ink. For $15 you get two pieces of each color they offer (and it's all 110-pound weight). It's an affordable and easy way to see if you like a product before making a long-term commitment. While I was at it, I ordered a few of their $2 cubes of coordinating ink to see how well they matched their cardstock counterparts. (They were a perfect match, so the hype ain't tripe.)

I've slowly been buying the different colors of cardstock in the $3 packs (12 8.5" x 11" sheets) and the $2 ink pad cubes because this new system is working for me! Instead of being paralyzed with too many choices, I've been quickly and decisively making design decisions, and I've been having a GREAT time. I've also not come across a patterned paper (no matter which company manufactured it) that at least one of these 36 colors didn't match.

W H Y   I   C H O S E   P A P E R T R E Y   I N K

Papertrey Ink is not the only stamping company that makes coordinating inks and cardstock, etc., so why did I go with it?

• I like the selection. The PTI collection is big enough to meet all my color needs but not so big that it's overwhelming. Now if I want to consider using pink in a card, I have three choices (not 27) - and I can handle three choices!

• I like the color palette and that it's all 110-pound weight. I can make a card base out of any color I want and it's got substantial heft. In addition, anything I die cut from this cardstock looks great because it's heavier.

• I like being able to order "starter" amounts of supplies at a very reasonable price.

• I'm quite confident that this company and its selection of supplies are going to be around for the long haul, so I'm not worried about committing to this relationship.

A L T E R N A T I V E   S C H E M E

Create your own "line"! If you buy all your paper from a chain retailer, go with what they sell. If you like ordering Bazzill, use that. To guide you, look at what colors you use most. Or if you're a big fan of an ink line - say, Distress Inks, find colors that coordinate with those products. If you're like me and have an obscene amount of cardstock, shop from your stash and fill in with future purchases as needed.

You can start out very simply with this download: Download Make Your Own Design Palette. (This is a guide/jumping-off point not a one-size-fits-all solution so feel free to play around with it.)

If this sounds like something you're not quite sure about, give it a trial-run. Select (in advance) a palette of no more than 30 colors (not including black and white) and then use nothing but that selected cardstock for a month. (It takes a few projects to acclimate before seeing how freeing this method is.)

W H A T   A B O U T   T H E   G U I L T?     

If you feel guilty about the size of your stash, purge and donate! There are many organizations that will be blessed beyond measure at receiving your crafting supplies. And, if you like, you can even write it off on your taxes as long as you get a receipt from the organization. Schools, hospitals, churches, and retirement homes are the most obvious beneficiaries.

T H E   R E S U L T S    

I cannot describe how much more productive I am as a result of limiting myself to one cardstock line with coordinating inks. I'm spending my time delighting in the process of making design decisions rather than agonizing over them. (Let me also note that although I'm purging most of my inks, I'm not purging ALL of them; no way am I parting with my Distress Inks - LOL!)

Oh, and there's a bonus. Check it out:

My personal cardstock supply (36 colors) only takes up two magazine holders - a whopping 8.5" x 10" of space.

 Get your own magazine holder. (This is the one I wish I had.)

My go-to ink supply can now sit on my desk, leaving only a 6" x 6" footprint.

I really like this set-up because the drawers are shallow enough for one layer of inks, and it fits easily into my travel cube. Get your own acrylic drawer unit.

So give it a shot. You have nothing to lose but dead weight.

Thanks for stopping and have a blessed day!

Deborah

This is a series of articles concerning some changes I've made to increase the quality of my papercrafting experience. I hope something here will speak to you!

• Maximizing the Papercrafting Experience
• MPE: Cardstock and Ink Reformation
• MPE: Box Challenge #1 - Tools

Maximizing the Papercrafting Experience

I originally started this blog with several objectives in mind - one being the need to get my craft supplies under control. I was looking for outside support and even partners in my endeavors to buy less and use up more of what I already had. Unfortunately, all my friends and readers were as supply-crazy as I was, so my mission to downsize was an epic fail.

As a matter of fact, as a result of making new online friends, submitting cards to challenges, and joining design teams, etc. my stash grew large enough to open a very large kiosk at the mall (with plenty of additional stock in storage).

I don't mind one bit that I failed in my mission because I've had a wonderful time here on the 'Net, made wonderful friends, and learned wonderful tips and techniques. It's all good!

My former craft space in the attic. That's not ALL the cardstock, I'm sorry to say. There's about twice that much on the other side of the room. it's really shameful....

However, since I moved my creative space downstairs to a much smaller area, I've been quietly learning what I need and don't need. I also travel to Cincinnati twice a year for a crafting retreat, and packing for this semi-annual event has really clarified my whole need-don't-need observations. A major seismic shift is in the making, and I'm going to share my findings over the coming weeks.

Since I've made some of the changes I'm going to share with y'all, my creative mojo is definitely on the upswing. I'm also faster, less torn between design choices, and generally a happier cardmaker. I also have a much easier time finding things and cleaning up my mess.

I know that all of this is attributable to downsizing/refining. It's all a matter of being smarter about what supplies I choose to have at hand. And, if you like to shop, never fear! I ended up replacing some supplies after wrestling with massive amounts of guilt, but the result is so fantastic I no longer feel guilty.

So I'm thinking I'll post my findings on Monday mornings, (look for "MPE" in the title) and let's hope that some of what I'm sharing will be useful to y'all.

Thanks for stopping and have a blessed day!

Deborah

This is a series of articles concerning some changes I've made to increase the quality of my papercrafting experience. I hope something here will speak to you!

• Maximizing the Papercrafting Experience
• MPE: Cardstock and Ink Reformation
• MPE: Box Challenge #1 - Tools

Project Stash: Die Organization

Hi there! I've decided that I need to do some major reorganizing of my tools and supplies. As a member of the Memory Box Design Team, I am the recipient of more dies than I can shake a stick at. I love my dies, but I now have over 300 of them.

Yes. That's right. 300+ dies. And my storage system ain't cuttin' it anymore. (Ba-dum-BAH!) 

I started with a system of paper envelopes (sealed and cut in half) that were arranged in alphabetical order in an accordian "file" I custom-made from the sides of cereal boxes. And this worked... in the beginning. But now the system has been more taxed than a fat lady's girdle, my envelopes are in shreds, and my patience is GONE. 

I've been researching various storage methods but my options are limited by a very tight budget. I've done a little tinkering and have come up with something that is affordable for almost any crafting budget. (You can store 100 dies in a container for under $9.00.) 

 

If you'd like to try this system, I've included a few downloads to help you out: Download Categories, Download FRONT INSERT - PDF, Download BACK INSERT - PDF, Download Dividers.

Thanks for stopping and have a blessed day!

Deborah

R E C E N T   P O S T S . . . .

A Luau Pop-Up Card

July Card Chain Challenge Sign-Up

June Card Chain Challenge Reveal 

C O M I N G   U P . . . .

Memory Box Blog Blitz - Introducing the Fall 2013 Release! (Saturday, July 6)

The Craft's Meow July Blog Hop (Sunday, July 7)

A chance to win a Hero Arts clear set (Tuesday, July 9)!

If you enjoyed this post, please hit the G+ button below (listed next to the Twitter button right above the comments). I need to establish my author rank ASAP for professional reasons. Thank you so much!

Freebie Download: Hero Arts Ink Pad Labels

A few people at the Hero Arts Flickr Group wished there were some easily printed labels for the Hero Arts ink pads, and I have to admit, I could use something like that, too! So I made a PDF document with labels for the Hero Hues Shadow Mid-Tone, Chalk, Dye, and Shadow inks, and I thought I'd share it with y'all!

Download HA Ink Labels 

I N S T R U C T I O N S

1. Download the labels document above.
2. Print the document on an Avery 8160 label sheet (or comparable brand).
3. Trim (there are two names per label) and adhere to side of ink pad.
4. It's not a bad idea to spread a little ModPodge over the label as a protective skin. This will (a) prevent the printer ink from running (if the label gets wet); (b) make the label easier to clean; and (c) keep the label corners from peeling up.   

TIP: After you've cut your labels apart, turn them over and gently make a vertical cut down the center of the wax paper backing with a craft knife. (You just want to cut through the wax paper backing to assist its removal.) After you make your cut, bend the label a wee bit and the backing will lift up along the cut!

NOTE: If you don't have a label sheet, print the document on regular paper, trim, spread some ModPodge on the ink pad's exterior, put down the label and apply more ModPodge on top.

I used my cell phone to take a picture of one of my ink pads with its new label (sorry it's not higher quality):

If you want to make your own labels for other ink pads, and you like things in your studio to look uniform, I used Caviar Dreams font (12 pt). 

Thanks for stopping and have a blessed day!