I've been having a bit of a decluttering session in my craft space so before I mess it up again I thought it was a good time to take you for a quick little lap.  I quite enjoy having a peek at where people create and how they store their various bits and bobs so here's my contribution.  

I've been simplifying my supplies and adding lots of nice touches of pretty decor and I'm really enjoying spending time in here with all the colourful additions.  

Happy creating and I hope you get some creative time this month.  Cheers, Sue

Project Craft Room Clean Out has made a bit more progress and I've put together a video to show you how I organise my embossing folder, dies and some patterned paper and frequently used cardstock that I want to keep close at hand.  

Now to tackle the rest of the place!! It is a bit of a never ending job isn't it.  Have you got any craft storage tips?   Pop a comment here or under the video if you'd like to share an idea.

Happy organising!

Cheers, Sue

Ahem - been a bit of a while between blog posts here at Madex Creations.  I've got some new cards to share but haven't quite gotten to the photographing and unloading the camera bit.  On the list for this week.

In the meantime I found this pic of my new sponge storage system. 

(Having a bit of a sort and reorganise things phase around the house so nothing is safe!!  I did clean out the drawer where we dump spare change and bagged up $50 of 5c, 10c and 20c pieces - the most fun find of the spring cleaning so far.)

I've punched a scrap of cardstock and popped it into a compartment container I had here.  Some sponges I can tell looking at them what colour they are, but others are a bit harder to distinguish.

We'll be sponging up a storm for the next fortnight on Wednesday and Thursday nights while we experiment with Crayon Resist technique at class.  Check my class page (click here)  for all the details - there are some spots left if you'd like to join us.  We'll be making two wow cards and a sample for our technique books.   Warning:  I'm sure we'll all have inky fingers by the end of class so white tops not recommended for March class attendees!!

Sending a 'thinking of you' to my customers in flood affected areas. 

Cheers, Sue

Not sure about at your place, but here my two munchkins seems to produce rather a LOT of drawings, stories and other assorted paper creations.  I've been working on some  ways to store them, then to sort and display the ones we want to keep longer term.

I found these 2 cheap tubs at the supermarket and used my Timeless Type sizzlits and Big Shot, along with a box of cardstock scraps to cut letters for their names.  I used contact to attach them to the tub.

Plan is to use these to quickly and easily pack up current papers, projects, drawings, stories and what not.   Then when the tub is getting full we'll have a bit of a sort and pick out some treasures to put into plastic pockets in a folder.

Here's a couple of folders I decorated on the weekend using Island Oasis DSP, and some alphabet stamps - Lovely Letters for Hannah and Just Perfect alphabet for Jack.

Circle punches came in handy too - 1" and 1 1/4".

So we'll see how this plan goes for keeping our papers in a little more order!    Hmmm - should get onto my craft area and set a better example shouldn't I!!

Cheers, Sue

Hello - Back from a lovely time in Seymour where the kids had a ball playing with their grandparents (and I had 2 lovely sleep ins with breakfast in bed and caught up on some scrapbook magazine reading!  Bliss!)  I had fun with my camera too.  (Some pics at the bottom for those who like photos, and any friends/family popping by.)

Thought I'd swing by blogland and say hi. 

Quick Storage Idea -  Patterned Paper

Nothing too original here but I'm working my way round my craft supplies so will continue on! 

I keep my Stampin' Up! Patterned Paper in one of those 12 x 12 sized plastic expandable file thingys.  A set or two in each compartment.

Easy to flick through and find the set I'm after.  I like the range of patterned papers we have currently.  (Til the end of March if you have your eye on some.)  And it's so easy to use with our gorgeous coordinating cardstock, ribbons and inks.   Makes it simple to create a coordinated look for your layout or card. 

Our patterned papers are $11.95 for a pack of 12 double sided sheets (12" x 12" size.)  Here are some of my favourites.  (Spring Silhouettes, Berry Bliss and Brocade Backgrounds.)

My non SU patterned paper is in one of those solid cardboard compartments you assemble yourself.   It has 4 shelves.  I have it all divided roughly into categories (vintage, floral, stripes/plaids, other.) 

Some of my tastes have changed since I started filling it up, so I think I might be adding to Hannah's stash of offcasts supplies!

How do you store your patterned paper??

Cheers,   Sue 

Some family snaps before I go ...

Tuesday's highlight was baking with Maddy.  Jack wanted to make purple cupcakes and Hannah wanted to make a BIG cake.  What a patient grandmother they have!

Yum! 

Jack liked jigsaws too. 

My favourite photo of the trip?

... not a smily one and Jack had a bit of a splotchy face, but really like this one.

Just a quick one for you today. 

More storage ideas for those people who love reorganising their stash.

Remember I showed you my new trolley that I keep my cardstock in - all stocked up for this year's classes and my creative bursts at my desk. 

(Its here if you didn't catch it.) 

Coloured Cardstock Storage - Part 2

I have another more portable storage crate that I keep a few sheets of each Stampin' Up! colour in.  Here it is.  I can grab it and take it to the spot I'm working in, or even shove it in the boot if I'm off to do some craft with someone else.

I got this idea from some lovely lady on Splitcoast Stampers.  Can't recall who but if anyone knows give me a holler and I'll put a link on.

Each colour family has its own manila folder colour, plus another for the neutrals/specialty papers and another for the in colours.

I've used my trusty just about worn out Dymo labeller to make labels for each folder.  Easy to flick through and find the colour I'm after.

I got the crate from Big W, it has a lid too for keeping the dust off.  My sister got an even sturdier version at Officeworks.

Hannah's Scrapbooking

Hannah wanted me to post her latest scrapbooking efforts.  I think she's gotten more done than me this week.  Here's the title page she made for her new album.

And one of her pages.  She rescued some circle photos of Jack from the scrap pile (from my Christmas card making) and added some photos from the 'spare photos' pile.

(Plaster comes off next week!)  OK better go.  Hannah and I are enjoying 'The Magic Faraway Tree' and I think its time for another chapter.

More scrapbooking from me plus some tips for getting more done in 2009 coming soon in my latest Aussie Article.  Keep an eye out for it over at Aussie Scrapbooking.

Cheers,

Sue

Someone in our family has been in hospital this week having an op so we sent this little get well card.  Its a simple one but I like it.

I've used Elegant Eggplant and just punched a window in the front with my Scallop Punch.

Open it up to find ...

The bird is from Fun and Fast Notes stamp set and I've used my markers to colour directly to the rubber then stamped it and matted it.   I left off the greeting, just wanted the bird.

When I make a card from dark cardstock I either pop an insert piece in to write on, or just use my white Signo Gel pen.

Hope you are on the mend again soon sis.

Tools I Use All The Time ...

Do you have supplies and tools that you reach for constantly when you are making cards or scrapbooking?  I do.  I did have mine in a little basket but came across this nifty little board on Deals Direct again and thought it'd be perfect for my desk.  (Thanks Wendy for pointing them out to me and the others in the demo group.) Little hooks and containers and magnets - and all my most used bits and pieces are just at my fingertips.

So what's on my board so far:

• my adhesives - DS tape, those super little glue dots I've only recently fallen in love with, stampin' dimensionals
• my Paper Snips - great little sharp scissors
• my Mat Pack and I think my paper piercer is around there somewhere
• my StampAMaJig!  Now last year that wouldn't have made my 'most used' list but I've been using it heaps on Botanical Blooms and am definitely going to stop being lazy and winging it, and make use of this great little tool more often.  Perfect for getting your stamp exactly where you want it.
• a pencil.  Always handy.
• and there's room for a photo or two as well.  I love to have my favourite photos around.

What are your most reached for tools???  Leave a comment and let me know what would make your top 5.

Cheers,   Sue

Lots to show you today so better grab a cuppa! 

Firstly a big thanks to those people who were coming along to the class tonight for being so understanding about the last minute change of plan.  We had to reschedule as Jack (my 2 yr old) is unwell.   He's sound asleep at present so hopefully will be feeling much chirpier when he wakes up, poor little thing. 

Hannah is busy scrapbooking on the floor here so thought I'd post a few pics for you.  First up storage ...

Storage Ideas - A4 Cardstock Trolley

I came across one of these 10 drawer trolleys at Deals Direct.  (Their website is here.) 

Ordered it and a few days later this arrived by post. (And once again the postie found me in my dressing gown - oops!)

I managed to turn this (left) into this (right) without too many dramas.

Hannah (6) was not convinced of my furniture assembling abilities so I was glad to show her that mummy could follow directions just as well as daddy!

Managed to find a spot in the study to wedge it into - hee hee!   And then the fun bit, filling it up with my cardstock.  (I've been stocking up during SaleABration!)

My sister Lisa and I have both decided that we enjoy arranging and rearranging our craft supplies almost as much as we enjoy playing with them!

Any other craft storage buffs out there?

You might like a site someone recently showed me -  Crafty Storage.  You can find it here.

I think I could browse through all the craft rooms and storage ideas there for days ......

Anyway - I have a couple of drawers for each colour family, the neutrals and one for specialty papers such as vellum and metallics and so on. 

(I'll be back later to show you my other little portable paper storage where I keep a couple of sheets of each colour.  Handy for taking out in front of the TV.)

I think that should keep me well and truly stocked up for classes in 2009. 

Speaking of which - I have a new class to add to the January class list.  Next Wednesday 21st Jan, 7.30pm.  4 spaces left in that one. Check details on this page and here's one of the cards we'll be making as we try 2 Step Stamping and Emerging Colour.

Emerging Colour Card

There are a few spots left if you'd like to grab a chair at the table.

Hannah's Card

Hannah's broken arm hasn't stopped her getting lots of craft fun happening!  This is a card she made yesterday.  She's used one of last year's SaleABration sets - Friendship Blooms.

I've got more storage, more cards and some scrapbooking still to share but will save that for another day.  See you back here soon.

Cheers, Sue

It must be about time for some cards on this blog I think! 

I just can't wait to get back into my inks. 

I'm in the middle of a big craft room clean out and house spring clean though so they'll have to wait just a day or so longer. 

Gotta make the most of this spring cleaning bug - goodness knows it sure doesn't hit me often!!

I've just about found the top of my desk though so not long now.

But I do have some quick cards that I made while I was at the Milleara Craft Market in December.  I took along the new square scallop punch and the matching Say It With Scallops stamp set for a play. 

I wanted to make some very simple small square cards, using minimal equipment and supplies.  Here's what I came up with.

I've used my markers to colour directly onto the rubber, then gave a quick huff of warm breath to remoisten the ink before stamping.  For the congrats one I really didn't want to colour each letter with an individual colour so I just scribbled roughly over the whole thing with 3 different colours.  Super easy but I quite like the effect. 

Here's a closeup.

The square scallop punch punches out the shape - remember to stamp first then flip your punch over to do the punching so you can see how it lines up. 

Using the matching cardstock makes it easy to get a coordinated look, even with simple cards such as these.  I've done some tearing, made a tag, added a couple of eyelets here and there.  I love the look of multiple thin mats of coordinating cardstock.

Back later this week with some cards with a few more bells and whistles but hope you like my quick and easy variety for days when you're in a hurry!

Craft Storage

I'm having quite a nice time rearranging all my craft gear at the moment and thought I'd share some of my storage ideas with you over the next couple of weeks. 

I am lucky that we have a study in this house (so I can tuck everything away from mischievous toddlers!)  I seem to be gradually taking over the whole room ...  hee hee. 

Here's the latest addition that I managed to wedge in to a spare space.  It is actually a DVD/CD unit but my eagle eyes spotted it at Officeworks and thought it'd be perfect for stamps! 

Now the larger sets are a bit of a squeeze, but its working well I think.

Lots of different adjustable sized compartments so I can group my stamps in little groups. 

John screwed it to the wall so that I didn't pull it over when I took out the more snugly fitting ones.

Goodness - my collection of stamp sets has certainly grown over the last year.  To think that this time last year I'd not really heard of Stampin' Up and only had 2 alphabet stamp sets!

Still some spare space there though I think .....

My other piece of storage that I am thoroughly enjoying is my Colour Caddy (pg 151.)  I'd been contemplating it for AGES and was thrilled to reach a Stampin' Up milestone a month or so back that meant I could choose $200 of products free.  This was top of my list and I love it.  Keeps my ink pads neat and tidy, with space for my ink refill bottles and some other inks such as Staz on and Versamark at the top.

I'll be back when my craft room makeover has progressed a little further to show you more storage ideas.

Cheers,

Sue