Get Organized with Deflecto Storage Craft Solutions

How important is it to have things organized?  In my opinion it pretty darn important.  I'm one lucky crafty designer, who has a wonderful space to work in, though that was not always the case!  Whether you have a corner of a room to work in or anything larger, being able to find things and have materials in sight and quickly in hand, is something I find very important.

In this post I will be sharing some ideas I am using in my own personal workspace with the help of products by Deflecto.  You can find information about their products use this link to visit the site: Deflecto Craft Solutions.

Two Interlocking Tilt-Bin storage units fit perfectly above one of the workspaces.  A white 6-bin unit and white 5-bin unit will hold many spools of crafting wires for jewelry making and other projects, plus other supplies that I would like easy access to. As of now I am still in the process of sorting the wires and other items that will fill the tilt-bins. The space these items were taking in my cabinets will now be free for other crafting supplies.

Stackable Clear Cube organizers found the way to the area of the workroom were I keep my die-cutting machines and other die-cutting accessories.  One shelf on a bookcase will  hold four cubes to help organize several different things.  The 4-drawer cube holds several loose Sizzilet dies, cutting shim squares, miscellaneous tools.  A X-divider cube will hold embossing plates and larger, thin dies.  One plain cube holds a good number of embossing folders. Another plain cube will hold small sets of dies that come in a plastic envelope.

Magnetic Craft Sheets can find many uses in crafting but how would you use them for organizing?  There are a couple of ways I found to use them.  To keep thin, nesting dies together, lay then onto the magnetic sheet and cut to fit the collection.  Apply the package information to the opposite side of the magnet sheet for size information.

Smaller strips of magnet sheet are cut to hold the pieces from multi-piece die sets.  This helps keeps pieces from getting bent or falling from the packing envelope.

A Carousel Organizer can be used in many ways in many different locations.  It will officially be used in my workroom for storage of a variety of different items.

Here are a couple of other ideas on using the Carousel Organizer -

For ideas from the Deflecto Designer Team, check out their Pinterest Board.  Check out all other Deflecto Pinterest boards.  For more information and ideas visit the groups Facebook page and "Like" it so you can always see and read about our shared ideas.

Arnold Grummer's Papermaking - Embedded Background Paper

Playing around once again with paper pulp to create an interesting paper that can be used as a background for a photo or special verse.

A pile of leftover white card stock scraps from another project, were used to make the pulp for the paper.  Because the scraps were from a heavier paper, I used fringe scissors that cut  paper into thin shreds then soaked them in water before placing them into a blender to make pulp.  The pulp, along with some water, was then placed into a squeeze bottle. NOTE: The blended pulp, along with water, can be poured into a bowl and a baster can be used to squeeze the pulp onto the screen.  To form the sheet of paper, use the large dip handmold and place it on a large cookie sheet with a lip.  Squeeze the paper pulp onto the screen - keep layering the pulp onto the screen, covering the entire surface.  NOTE: I didn't worry too much about it being a bit thicker in places. For a background paper I wanted some uneven areas. 

Remove the top wooden deckle frame from the pulp.  Place the gray screen over the pulp and press with sponges to remove some of the water. Before pressing out more of the water, place dried leaves onto the surface in any desired pattern.  NOTE: Use a single layer of leaves (the small fern pieces had to be removed because they would not stay in place). Replace the gray screen or use another paper making screen and press again to embed the leaves into the paper and also removing more water from the sheet.  NOTE: If no extra blue paper making screen is available, use a sheet of waxed paper or parchment paper under the gray screening to press.  Continue to process the sheet of paper just like any other sheet.  Instead of ironing the sheet to dry, place the sheet between layers of cotton fabric and couching sheets and weight it with heavy books till dry.  NOTE:  Check  after several hours and change fabric and sheets if needed to help the drying process.

Use the finished sheet as a background in a floating clip frame for a special photo or stamped or handwritten verse.

For supplies and information go to the Arnold Grummer website.  Use this coupon code for your order this month: OWL20

Kunin Felt/Beacon Adhesives/Buttons Galore & More Manufacturer Challenge

Another challenge presented itself this month.  When the package arrives it's always a surprise to see what is sent and then to come up with a finished design with the materials provided.  I'm anxious to see all the ideas from the participating designers and thrilled to be sharing mine with everyone!

Three manufacturers were gracious enough to provide materials to work with.  Here is a list of the three with links you can go to for information and ideas.

Kunin Felt

http://kuningroup.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kunin-Felt-Products/259966984033282

https://twitter.com/KuninFeltFC

http://www.pinterest.com/kuningroupgeorg/

Beacon Adhesives

http://www.beaconadhesives.com/chaven.html

https://www.facebook.com/beaconadhesives

https://twitter.com/BeaconAdhesives

http://www.pinterest.com/beaconadhesives/

Buttons Galore & More

http://buttonsgaloreandmore.net

https://www.facebook.com/buttonsgalore

https://twitter.com/ButtonsGalore

http://www.pinterest.com/buttonsgalore

Products used here are:
        Printzfelt™Blooming Floral
        Rainbow Classicfelt™ Bright Lilac, Yellow, Fuchsia
        Beacon Adhesive Felt Glue
        Beacon Adhesive Fabri Tac
        Buttons Galore & More assorted coordinated buttons


Now to share three home decor ideas with the materials I received.  Each of these can take on a completely different look by using any of the felt designs.

A simple, no-sew table runner was made from a length of burlap fabric as a base.  The Blooming Floral Printzfelt and yellow Classicfelt was die-cut for the scallop design and rick-rack design on the two ends.  Three other dies were used to cut the larger flower and leaves for the ends and the layered small flowers.  Either of the glues listed can be used for this project.  Both will work extremely well to adhering the felt pieces to the burlap.  NOTE: A tip when gluing, place a piece of waxed paper underneath the burlap for protection of residual glue.  Once felt flowers are in place, glue a button into the center of the two large flowers on the ends.  Use a glitter glue to add a dot to the centers of the smaller layered flowers for a touch of sparkle.

Recently I have seen several ideas for "candle mats", "candle rugs" and "candle wraps".  I made a no-sew version of my own to share.  For the mat or rug, cut a square piece of felt.  For the border pieces I cut small squares and cut each in half on the diagonal.  Fold and glue the two corner points to the top point on each of the triangles.  NOTE: I used Fabri Tac for this step. If needed weight or clip with something to hold them in place till dry and ready for next step.  Glue the folded triangle pieces onto the cut square, placing them even around the edges.  Two are placed side-by-side on the corners of the square.  Finish decorating with die-cut leaves and flowers.  Glue a button onto the center of each flower.  NOTE: Beacon Felt Glue can be used for these steps. 

For the candle wrap, cut a rectangle from a piece of felt, approximately 3 1/2" x 12".  The length of the piece should fit around the circumference of a pillar candle or large jar candle, with about a 1/2" gap for tying it closed. Cut two strips of felt about 1/2" wide x 3 1/2".  Glue the strips to the end edges of the rectangle.  If desired, cut along the length of the piece with scallop scissors. Fold the felt piece in half, matching the ends and punch two sets of holes for threading ribbon through.  Die-cut
3-D flowers from felt.  Roll and form the flowers and glue together using Fabri Tac. Hand or die-cut leaves.  Arrange leaves and flowers as desired and glue them into place.

List of other materials used:
Sizzix Big Shot
Sizzix Dies - Eileen Hull Leaves, Eileen Hull # 657721 Borders & Hydrangeas, Flowers-3-D, Flower Layers w/ Leaf, Flower-Build a Lilac
Ranger Ice Stickles-Silver Ice

There are 14 different designers taking part in this challenge, please go to each of their blogs or websites and find more fantastic ideas!  Use the Designer Craft Connection button to the right of this post to allow you to hop through to each of them.
  
Please enter to win a prize package valued for over $100.00 using this link:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Entries for prize drawing will be accepted through September 14th. 

Designer Craft Connection September Edition - Preserving Memories

When it comes to sharing "memories" in my house you won't find photo albums or scrapbooks.  The walls and shelves through out the house are what I use.

Whether it be photos or keepsakes from trips taken, family favorites, occasions, moments shared, special times, I like to show them in more ways then on pages of albums or boxes of filed photos.

A wall of photos that extend down the stairs with plenty of room for additions.

Create of wall of framed photos if possible.  My house has a large wall leading down to the basement that has become the place to display a combination of family photos.  Added shelves give a bit of variety to the wall display.  Mix and match are fine, combine a variety of framed pieces to make the statement - This is my family!

Pick out a few of your own favorite photos or postcards from trips and frame them for display.

Use a collage type frame to fill with photos or tiny memoribilia of a family member to tell a little story.  Fill a display box with memorbilia such as an old pocket watch that belonged to a grandfather, a cutting from an old crocheted bedspread by your grandmother.

Use a collection of old and new photos in an antique frame with a small keepsake added for dimension.

Alter a child's board book into a piece that tells a story of a member's life with some copied photos and verses.

Memories should be shared and seen, and my way of sharing them, is to use photos and special items throughout my house that are a part of my life and worth remembering!

EXTRA, EXTRA!!!
Next Sunday watch for the next blog hop, plus a chance to win some prizes!