Stamps and Ink Over Flow

I have done a post about making storage boxes for my stamps and inks, but sadly I needed to make another set. (I have even more stamps in a box from my move (when I had to move home) that are still boxed up.) Since I had too many to deal with in my current boxes I wanted to make another set. I thought it would be boring if I made them look the same, so I went out and got new designs (ironically more items to put in my boxes). I made a Celtic design and a more classic look.
I painted the tops the same pale blue that I did with the other two, that I did want to do over again.

I used a Celtic Knot and a swirl stamp on one box. I did the pattern all the way around the box sides and a little different version on the lid.

 

 

The other box has a flower swirl design all over the sides and a large post card bird stamp on the lid. I made the lid look a little more vintage by not letting the stamp press the whole image down.

 

 

They have the same feel as the other two boxes, but with their own distinct look. I don't see the point of having boring storage. Especially when you can make it your own! 

Personal Storage Touch

Since I have started helping my mother get thing a little more organized and under control, I have started to find (time and again) things of my own I could keep more organized.

I find it more personal to make my own cards. This normally entrails that I have a lot of supplies (such as stamps, inks, blank cards). I found these plain photo storage boxes at Hobby Lobby that I thought I could dress up to make them fit better in my craft area.

I took the covers off and painted them a light blue color to go with the overall color theme of my room. Once I had completely painted the covers I set them aside to dry.

I had one box that would hold all my stamps and another that would keep all my inks and paints. It only seemed appropriate to decorate the stamp box in a decorative stamp. For the box that would hold my inks and paints I went with a more vintage, old English look for the main box sides, front and back.

Once I finished doing those stamping, I took the lid that was dry and picked a slight eastern looking stamp and positioned it several times on the lid. Then I stamped the sides of the lid with the same stamp, but in different positions in order to see different parts of the detail on the side of the lid.

This is the completed version of my storage box for ink pads and paints that I use.

The stamp I picked for the box that would hold my stamps looks much like a letter. I used that all over the main box, but not on the lid. I also used a stamp that looks like postage stamps and paid markers. I used that in certain sides of the main box and positioned between another stamp on the lid. I used a new stamp I found that is two pens together with wings. I used that only on the lid of the box.

They feel more like.... me now. I like that. They are practical, but also creative and personal. I don't like having random, boring, lifeless items around me, especially if I can make them SOOO much more.

Treasures refound

The area of Colorado that my family and I live in is just up historic Ute Pass in a city nicknamed "City above the clouds." Woodland Park is a typical mountain town and we couldn't love it more. The people are so friendly and very down to earth. Just about every weekend, and this goes on for several months past summer time, there are yard sales and estate sales all over the place. My mother and I have been big believers in them, but we have recently  'sucked' my father into it. (Especially when he learned he could get tools for cheap!) Some times you get sales during the week, as was the case this week. I didn't have a super early shift, so mom and myself dragged dad out of bed (he doesn't enjoy the early hours) and went exploring. I was able to find some real treasures. Fine additions to my collection.

I LOVE camios, but they are hard to find in good condition and just hard to find period! Mom actually spotted this one. I am, at the moment, trying to work up a design. Going to try and get started on it tomorrow.

I found this clasp attached to the most UGLIEST beads I could even imagine. So naturally I got rid of the beads (donated them to the ARC stores, so I get the tax bonus) and kept the only part I DID like. The detail work on it is hard to see in the picture, but its very pretty work.

Not sure if I ever meantioned that I collect classic tins. I had them displayed in my kitchen when I still had my apartment. I have a vintage country cottage kitchen theme going and the tins are part of that. I found a two new ones that I think are very cool. My collect consists of old candy tins, coffee tins, thread tins, and even game tins.

The detail work on this next tin is what caught my eye. Its got all the characters from the comic strips.

The bonus about this tin, other than the decent condition its in, is that it contains about 30 sets of cross stitch floss inside. Twice score on that, especially since it was 50 cents!


The other day I meantioned to a friend my earring frame holder. She wanted to see a picture of it, so I'm posting it for her and I thought you all might enjoy it too.

They are SUPER easy to make. Just find any frame that you like, this one has some great gold detail work. One great place to find really interesting, but cheap frames, is the ARC stores, or goodwill thrift stores. They are marked way down and most of the time you can get them without the glass, which will save you a step. Once you find a frame you want, if it still have the glass and backing you just have to take that out and put it aside. They measure the frame, or the glass if you have it, so that you can cut out the right size chicken wire to fit inside. Take the chicken wire once its cut and staple it to the sides of the frame. Make sure that it is secure at every corner and will not sag. If you don't want to use the hanger from the frame, nail a length of chain at each end and hang it from that. Mine has a chain attached, but since I'm a semi-visitor I didn't want to put a hole in the wall to hang it. Its just leaning against the wall on top of my dresser.

One bonus is that you can have ANY size you want. Mine is a little too full to be that useful, but only because I have been making my jewerly and so I have more now. I will have to make another one soon, or I will be over run with earrings.
This can also be used to store pins and hair clips. You just have to use bigger chicken wire, or use lengths or ribbon overlapping each other. I have one of those for my bathroom, but sadly that is boxed up with everything else from my apartment. (hence all the brooches and pins at the bottom of the picture)

I sure hope that some of you will find these to be useful and will make one of your own. Happy project-ing!

Moment of Zen

Grace wanted the sunlight and to be near me while I was making jewerly.... so she feel asleep in my tool box. The box is no more than 12 x 10 and she is sleeping on pliers, needlenose, bent pliers, crimpers, and a few other random tools.

The power of the sun.



Craft box

I made this as a birthday gift for a coworker.

Found this nice chest at Hobby Lobby for about $4, but it was boring looking, so I decided to paint it and stencil something on it. The girl I made this for is very goth and wears only black and really has no other color she likes. Red is the next closest. Not very helpful for creative ideas, but I managed.

I got glossy black paint (only one bottle and I didn't finish it) and glossy red paint for the stencil. I painted the entire outside black.

I didn't know what to stencil on it because I didn't really have anything I thought she would like. However I found a swirl stencil I forgot about and used that to make it more fun.

  

She enjoyed it and it only took me a few hours to do. Mostly because I had to stop and let it dry otherwise I would get paint all over my fingers. She uses it to store her crochet supplies, so I feel as is I have helped a fellow crafter.

K