Organizing Sequins

I love using sequins.  So, it's no wonder I like to hoard them. Hahaha.

 

 

A Muse Studio carries fabulous sequins in various colors.  The Holiday Catalog is filled with new sequins including shaped sequins.  You can check them out here:

 

2015 Holiday Catalog PDF

 

Webstore - Sequins

 

          

 

     

 

 

This is how I am storing the sequins.

 

 

 

 

 

I used the 24 Box Storage System from Harbor Freights.

 

There are 24 small boxes that fit into a larger box in 2 layers. 

 

 

 

A bag of sequins fits perfectly into one of the small boxes.  I used my trusty label maker to identify the colors.

 

 

 

 

At $4.99 per box, I picked up a few of them to store other embellishments.  If you sign up for their mailers or subscribe via email, they send out notices on sales and 20% off coupons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Sparkle & Shine Challenge ONE: Sponsored by Pretty Pink Posh

I'm here today with my first submission to a challenge that is not an A Muse Studio challenge.  What encouraged me to enter was the idea of using sequins.  I'm really loving using sequins on my projects...so pretty!!  Secondly, this is the very first challenge on the Sparkle & Shine Challenge Blog.  And finally, it's a challenge sponsored by Pretty Pink Posh.  The winner wins a $25 gift certificate to use at the PPP Store.

 

 

 

 

The inspiration for this challenge is in the following S&S Challenge Badge:

 

 

 

 

Here's my submission:

 

 

 

Not only is this my first non-a|s challenge submission and the first S&S challenge....but, it's also my first shaker card.

 

The stamps I used are Denami Froggy, a|s Essential Sentiments and a|s Calendar Fun.

 

I used a|s Papaya ink on the sentiment and a|s Grass for the clovers and Froggy.  I colored Froggy with Copic G20 Wax White.

 

The base of the card is a|s Papaya cardstock.

I used one of the Spellbinders Circle Nesties to cut out the circle for the shaker.

 

 

 

I wish I had some Pretty Pink Posh sequins to use, but the only sequins I have on hand is from A Muse Studio - lime sequins for this challenge.  Hopefully (crossing my fingers), I can win some PPP sequins with this challenge. :)

 

Hope you'll celebrate and join in on the fun at the Sparkle & Shine Challenge Blog.  The details of the challenge can be found HERE.

 

 

 

Blessings,

 

 

 



A Muse Studio February Consultant Challenge - Shine Bright

This month's challenge is called "Shine Bright".  We were challenged to create something using product that make it shine....Glitter, Crystal Clear Glaze, Twinkles & Pearls, clear cardstock, heat embossing, etc.  I chose to use sequins.

 

 

I did a single die cut of the largest star in the Star Trio die set.  I used the negative piece to create the top layer of the card.  Then, I cut a piece of cardstock just a bit larger than the star die cut.  I layered it with Bermuda Sequins.  Then, it was just a matter of putting it all together using foam tape on the top layer.  That's it....very simple. 

 

 

I really like the CAS (clean and simple) style of this card.  Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

 

 

 

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Valentine Treat and Organizing Embellishments

Happy Friday the 13th!!! :)

 

 

For Valentine's Day treats, I made these adorable mice treat toppers. 

 

 

I used a couple hearts from the Spellbinders Classic Heart Nestabilities to make the body and ears.  The cardstock is A Muse Studio Blush and Stampin' Up Real Red.  I just folded the large heart in half to make the body.

 

 

The eyes and nose are from just a regular hole punch.  I colored the eyes with a Copic marker.  The whiskers were made using the handle part of a Memory Box bucket die.  And the face (where the whiskers would come out of) was stamped using A Muse Artstamps Heart Trio and Cherry Ink.  The sentiment is from Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes.



 

 

I slipped in the top part of the packaging of the Gilliam Candy Stick into the body and adhered it with glue dots.  You could use Dum Dum lollipops as treats, too.

 

 

 

 

 

I wanted to share how some of my embellishments are stored.  I bought this storage carousel at a garage sale a couple years ago.  It came with all of the containers.  They are exactly the same size as Stampin' Up embellishment containers.  The unit sits on a base that allows it to spin.

 

Unfortunately, when I bought the carousel it didn't come in the original box so I don't know who the maker is and if it's even available for purchase.  I would love to find another one for all of the embellishments that I'm hoarding....LOL!!!  I also have a couple of the Stampin' Up Stack & Store Caddy for my SU brads and buttons.

 

Available HERE

 

 

Have a great weekend and Happy Valentine's Day!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Organizing Bling (gems, pearls, rhinestones)

I don't know how, but I've accumulated so much bling!  I love, love, love bling!! :)

 

 

They were overflowing the box I stored them in, so I decided to take some time to organize them.

 

 

I found a couple of these photo storage boxes at a garage sale about 3 years ago.  At $5 each, I couldn't pass on buying them...but, I never figured out what to use it for....until now! :)

 

 

 

 

 I used the pockets to organize them by color.

 I adhered a "sample" bling on the spine of the pocket so that I can easily see what is in each pocket.

Amazingly, I am actually using more bling now that they are organized and I can easily pick out a color/style.




Blessings,







 

 

 



A couple more masculine cards - August a|s Consultant Challenge

Woohoo!  Got a couple more cards completed for the challenge.

 For my first card I cut 1 1/4 inch squares of Winter Sky and Sage cardstock and created the background on Onyx base.  I used the "Hello" sentiment from the Say it With Style stamp set and stamped it with Winter Sky, Sage and Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  You can't tell from the photo, but the sentiment panel is adhered with foam adhesive to give the card a little dimension.  Finished the card by adding some pearls.

For my second card, I used the Star Trio Die Set.

The stars were cut on French Roast, Sage and Vanilla cardstock.  I added some pearls and organdy ribbon.  The sentiment is from the Friends Fur-Ever stamp set which I cut using one of the dies from the Word Window Die Set.

  

Would love to make a few more cards to add to my masculine card stash....we'll see if I can find some free time tomorrow.

Bye for now.

Blessings,

I'm Back!!!.....I think.

I can't believe it's been this long since I posted anything to my blog.  I had hand surgery in July.  I spent most of June preparing for the surgery...meaning, getting the house ready as I knew I wouldn't have the use of my right hand for a while.  Now, with August at an end I am almost fully recovered.  I still have a hard time picking and lifting things up with my right hand.  But, the hand is doing much better.  I can't believe how frustrating this has been...you don't realize just how much you use your right hand until you can't!!! LOL!!!

To celebrate the return to the land of crafting, I thought I would make a card for the A Muse Studio Consultant Challenge for the month of August.  The theme for this month's challenge is "Hey Mister".  For me, coming up with a masculine card is difficult....it's so natural for me to create flowery or cutsie cards.  

Here's the card I made:

It's an elongated card (8" x 4").  All of the images are from the Sea Shell stamp set.

I created the background using the coral image in Fern.  Then, I used Memento Tuxedo to stamp the other images.  Using Square Nesties Dies, I cut the images and the French Roast layers. I used Tombow Markers (850 Shell, 942 Latte, 912 Nutmeg) to color the images.  After putting the layers together, I finished off the card by adding some French Roast Pearls.

That's it for now.  Maybe I'll find some time to make some more masculine cards this evening.  

Hope everyone is having a fun and safe Labor Day weekend....where did the summer go??????

See the 2014-2015 catalog HERE.
 

Blessings

Washi Tape Craze

I am in love with Washi Tape!!!  The designs and colors are fabulous.  I'm one that can't seem to lay down the tape in a straight line (when I want a straight line), so it's a huge bonus that the tape is removable. :)


I have seen some awesome cards and scrapbook pages using Washi Tape.  But, what else can you do with them? 


I apologize for the somewhat blurry pictures.  I tried changing settings on my camera and now I can't figure out what I did. UGH!!!

Make Washi Ribbon to match the colors on your project.  Just fold the tape in half lengthwise, giving you a "non-sticky" strip.  TADA!!!  You've got Washi Ribbon. :)

Add a little flair to your files.  Sharpie markers work very well on Washi Tape.  

Do you have children who use index cards to help them study?  They can use them to categorize their study cards!!  I keep recipes on index cards and love using Washi Tape to mark my favorite recipes!!!

Having people over?  I don't know how many glasses get piled up because people can't remember which glass belongs to what person.  Use Washi Tape like the wine glass charms!!  For glasses like in the picture, I probably would have put the tape on the bottom...but wanted to show you want it looked like.  For wine glasses, just wrap the tape around the stem and make a "flag".

Washi Tape is quite handy to keep dies in place when cutting through a die cutting machine, like the Big Shot or Grand Calibur.  I don't know how many times I've had the dies shift out of place when putting it through the machine.  Well, no more!!!  My cuts come out the way I want them every time.   Why not die cut Washi Tape?!?!?!?  All you do is place the tape on the cardstock....I overlapped the tape, to make sure it stayed in place.  Then, choose your die and cut!!  So easy and you get a great patterned die cut.

I'd love to know how you are using Washi Tape.  

Here are the Washi Tapes available through A Muse Studio:

Spring Collection

Summer Collection

Fall Collection

Winter Collection

Metallic Collection

Holiday Collection

Make Your Own Washi Tape Tutorial

Washi tape has spread like wild fire.  Seems like more and more companies are coming out with decorative tape.  How would you like  to make your own Washi tape?  You can choose whatever design and ink color you want!!  The only thing is that it's permanent, not removable like the true Washi tape....still, if you're using it on a card, it works.

What you need:

Plain white tissue paper

Double sided tape (I used the 1 1/2 inch Scor Tape)

Stamp of your choice

Ink of your choice

I used the a|s Sweetheart Background and Grapefruit Ink.

 Cut a strip of tape and adhere to a piece of tissue paper.

Flip the piece over and stamp.

Cut the piece out (hint: flip it over to the unstamped side to cut along the edges of the tape).

You can cut the "washi tape" to whatever size you want.  I kept mine at the 1 1/2 inch.

Peel off the backing and adhere to card.  Decorate as you wish.  Done!!!  Easy Peasy.

Hope you liked this tutorial.

Oh.....I found these at Michaels today.  I love the one a|s has in the catalog, but red is one of my favorite colors!!!  With a 40% off coupon, I got it for less than $9. 

   

Here's a picture of the a|s enamel marker bin.

Have a great weekend!!!

Blessings,