Martha Stewart - Organizing Tip of the Day

Martha Stewart - Organizing Tip of the Day

Managing March Maddness

Does your desk or table look like this one?

 Well, this isn't my desk but I'd be happy if my desk only looked half this good! What was the phrase I read the other day---oh yes, " Soooo many cards to make and sooooo little time!" Oh my! How very true that is.

 

We seem to have a card making crunch in March... who knew?
 In this month we have some holiday deadlines: St. Patrick's Day and Easter. We have our OWH  Operation Write Home www.operationwritehome.org)  deadline for Mother's Day cards due by the end of March. In addition to those I have some personal deadlines for birthdays and so forth...there are other community events, spring school events, gardening events, all to do as well.

 With this said, how can we keep the maddness of March  or for that matter any other month from taking over our lives and feeling overwhelmed?
 

One Giant step toward sanity is going on-line and view various card ideas and  tutorials:

Let me  tell you that the OWH website has many good ideas for us, so let me refer you to their website for some organizational tutorials and how you might keep your supplies organized so they simply don't overwhelming you when you get busy like this. Sandy Allock (OWH and CEO) has more than ten ideas for organizing your supplies but I can share at least ten that helped me. Go to her website for more.
 

These are my top ten organizational cues:

1. Make sure  you go over your equipment and supply list. Some times the best way to begin is just to start fresh. Look into those cabinets and drawers and see what you have. Throw away anything broken, remove what is dried up, or otherwise unusable.
2.  Have a paper place-- one place for 81/2" x 11", as well as 12"x12" card stock. Look on Martha Steward's website organizational tips by Darci Miller. She posted a neat paper idea you can get at the local office supply.

3. I  keep this idea of a color wheel in mind when I organize the plain card stock and my scraps too. Keep -------------------------------------------------->
one of these in front of you for paper storage and design planning at all times, they are very helpful.

4. Collect all your dies in one place, paper punches for edges and shaped punches all in seperate bins.  Think of your design, then you can go the right bin to find the right tool. 

5. Clear flat pencil boxes help me find the right pair of scissors; straight cuts, or decorative edge cutters. I also use clear  boxes for different brands of inking pens.
There is nothing more distrubing than to reach for the exact color you need, only to use it and see the ink ran through the paper onto the inside of the card. To prevent that, store the pens in different marked boxes.
 

 6. I use clear large flat boxes ( at least 12"x12") to store certain holiday stamps and holiday papers such as, Christmas, Easter, Valentines, Spring, Fall, and other.

 Stamps that are more topically, like steampunk, vintage, or subjects I don't use them all the time are stores like this too.
 

7. The one thing I 'm still neglectful in doing, not very good at doing this, is labeling. Usually, that's the first thing most of you do. What can I say---label, label, label.  It really helps save time.   I have a sign saying, " Label, it's for your own good!" I should take my own advice.

8.Use a file folder for general colors of card stock scraps.( I usually toss them all in a little shoe box and then shuffle trying to find the small scrap of pink I need for the center of a flower.) By using this file folder scrap system and a color wheel, you might locate what your looking for sooner.
 

9.Keep projects and supplies together in a  plastic 12"x12" project box. This keeps glue at hand, the right glue for the right project make a difference.Gather your supplies accord ing to your designer information and you'll know where everthing is when your ready to pack up for the next card making party. 
 

10. When you are finished with the box, the bins, the file folder, pens and scissors---clear off your desk. Looking at a clean desk is inspriational if not divine.
 

 

 

"March is maddness"  around here, but with so many beautiful cards to make begin with your favorite website for inspiration. Select a new card plan or design format and then, get some  colors ready for your own interpretations. Go for it.

and as they say " I'm wishin' you good luck for this month of maddness !"  Happy Card Making---Gloria

 

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Card Makin' Cuties: Everday Tools for Making Valentines

Card Makin' Cuties: Everday Tools for Making Valentines:    It is coming...February 14th, that is.  How can I entince you to start making home made cards?  Would you try if I said they can s...

Everday Tools for Making Valentines

 

 It is coming...February 14th, that is.  How can I entince you to start making home made cards?  Would you try if I said they can save you some money in the long run?  Don't laugh, over 25 years ago when I began making my cards I didn't have any stamps, dies, or equipment. Just some glue, paper, pencils and scissors---elementary school supplies.  It's developed into a wonderful journey for me sooooo- can I help you begin by saving you a little and  by offering some ideas with everyday tools and start making some fabulous cards.

START OFF VALENTINES WITH HEARTS!

The card above was made with a few scraps of colored paper.

Get to know a card maker who will always have scraps for you. Each piece  of paper was large enough to fold in half and make these tiny little 1". By remembering what you learned in elementary school,  start the point of the heart at the fold of the paper.

Cut away from the fold by making a curved cut  and round the top back to the fold line. Open it and see where the second one might be adjusted.  

It's a heart!  The hearts up and a sentiment saying

"Thank you so much!" was added. This can be typed on the computer and printed, then cut and applied seperately if you aren't savvy on printing it directly on the card stock.

 

 LIKE TO ADD A BOW

 

 You want to add a bow to your card? And what's that... you don't have a bow maker? 

Do you remember this little tutorial we saw on-line about a year ago---well, here it is again! No need to purchase a bow maker or a bow template, in this little on screen tutorial all you need are the tines of a fork and you're in business. Tiny bows---needed---voile!

 

This is always a good way to start the February, with a review of what we've learned in class. Try this highly efficient way of making a small bow with you utensils. (Better than eating with them--- after the holidays--- I'm just sayin'). I've forgotten the primary source of the tutorial, but I did fine the picture and printed instructions an older post. Let's get three or four of these ready in red ribbon!

 

 

 DO A FLOWER AND A BUD WITHOUT A PUNCH...

It's always a great idea to place paper within reach to make little flowers for your spring pictures. A simple  picture like this inspires all sorts of ideas for spring cards, Valentines, and Happy Birthday cards.  

 

Make a stem on the card front with a dark colored pencil ( dark brown or black). Just use this as a line without too much fussing.

 No punches at your disposal for a flower---then, use a  coin/ a penny and trace around it. Make 5 .

 Adhere them slightly over-lapping one another in a circle to the stem you drew. Next, place three or four dots with a dark colored pencil in the center of the flower. A bud can be formed with punching a hole with a paper hole punch, using a small scap of paper from the same colored paper. Punch it out, add the dot of paper to your branch and draw a "V" on the bottom with a colored pencil used on the stem.

Leaves are easy. By  using a penny or coin, this time draw only one half of the coin on a scap of green paper.  Slide the coin over the drawn line, then, draw the second side of the coin which will form the other side  of the leaf. Cut it out. Make 3 or so.  If you have  the inspiration, making the card becomes a little easier.

 

MAKE CIRCLES (and squares!)

 

It's never impossible to make a card, even if you don't have punches... or    you never have the correct size you need. Look for different household items to use as circle templates. Start with a range of plastic tub lids, butter lids, or tops of jars, or small coins..this can get you started. With a little look around you can find several tools that will help you form a circle.

AND SQUARES

Squares are easily measured--- remember they are the same on all sides. Rectangles are the figures with the two short sides and two long sides. One size I keep on file all the time are the 2.5"x3.5" rectangles in various colors. They are so great for stamp features and focal points.



 

 

 

 What about an image? PUBLIC DOMAIN IMAGES 

We are so lucky to have so many public displayed images that are free for us to download. You can use many of the images for use on your personal cards. Although, you need to check with the "vintage server" to see if their images are freebies, many are just as long as you use them for a personal card and not to sell. They are available for you to download and make yourself a card with the image.

 

I found this one  provided  on Flickr. I plan on making my special beau a Valentine using this image and adding a red ribbon bow and the sentiment words "I Love You" in a larger size script font with red ink! By adding a large rectangle behind the print and adhereing it to the card front, the idea is simple, but effective.

OPERATION WRITE HOME

OWH has already posted their ideas for Valentine's Day inspiration; go to www.operationwritehome.org and click on their posts for inspiration. While you're on the site find out more about making cards for this organization. They are ready for Mother's Day cards now, yes in February, they must be mailed out to deployed military posts all over the world. The service is to provide the military with access to cards free of charge, all hand made and donated by people who love to make cards. They are now working on their second million cards. Two Peas in a Bucket is one of their designers, and they contribute to OWH often with special designs.

 

 

 

SAYING "I LOVE YOU" IS A BLESSING FOR ME...

Whether the cards are fancy like this one , www.twopeasinabucket ,  using stamps, dies, and paper trims; or  the card is simple using things we can find around us. I wanted you all to know the meaning of the card is the same.

"... this card was made by hand, by a person who took the time to tell you how much you mean to them. They turned off the outside world for a few minutes  just to think of you, and made this card for you because this person loves you." 

 

Have fun making some cards, take a look around and see where you might begin your journey too. And by all means,  Happy Valentines Day to all of you

 who have stumbles upon us

 or are now watching for our posts regularly.

 Thank you all! Gloria

 



 

 

 

 





New Year, New Resolutions, New Ideas!

 

I hope everyone has had a positive, healthy and happy start to this New Year.
We've started our 2013 classes with new ideas and new members to the Card Makin' Cuties group.
A little reminder, our "Open Class" starts on January 12 at 1:00. It is a two and half hour class with ideas on how we make our cards,that is, the system we use to put our cards together and new ideas for cards we make for Operation Write Home. We'll have some new card designs ready. ( I like to call the card designs-- our little road maps---because at times we never end up exactly where we wanted to be, but we had fun getting there just the same.)

This is a good example of the cards we made last week---our first OWH card making of the year. It's a card made by one of our members. She used the Martha Steward punch www.marthastewart.com/crafts to design as her sentiment.The entire card was a cut paper or a punch paper design with lots of color and interest for children. You can't tell from this photo but she set her card off with a little bling, In the star following the word happy is a gem stone. FUN!  We made cone shaped hats and added a punched design of candles. So very cute. The design could easily become a New Year's card, as well as a birthday card shown here.

 

NEWS ON THE HOMEFRONT BLOG. FROM OPERATION WRITE HOME

 

Operation Write Home has already started their New Year with their first deadline which was  Dec. 29th for Valentines cards. Our studio was  a little snowed under at the time, however we managed to mail a small amount of cards to our station ( about 50 cards); thanks to our the folks who make cards at home and give them to us. Thank you so much for your help in meeting this deadline. It was above and beyond for the start of OWH's season and our card makers. You are so appreciated!

 

PLANS IN THE PROCESS FOR 2013

We expect to go to the Heritage Rubber Stamp Show  in Indianapolis during March, We went last year and had a wonderful time. Last year there were classes during the session, plus many of the east and west coast stamp companies which many of our stores in the mid-west do not carry.  It was a chance to expand your art as well as your craft stash! It was great, we are looking forward to this little day out for our group.

 

CARD DESIGN FROM OWH

 

This is one of the design maps we'll be using in January and February to complete our St. Patrick's day cards and begin make spring and Easter cards. Operation Write Home has provided us with the measurements for the paper pieces. Look at the measurements in this design sample and cut to their specification. You can use any sentiment or stamped design you want, then arrange your paper pieces just like our sample.  Colors and subject matter are what ever you like, one example is this simple Spring card. 

If you'd like to be a member of our blog news letter, sign up as a follower and you will receive a copy as soon as they are ready for deliver. You'll notice the section to the right of the screen--"followers"

 

Plans and procedures are in place, come join us soon at the studio. We'd love for you to stop by and see what we're doing. Until later stay warm and dry---healthy and well ---and keep making your wonderful cards. Gloria

It is sooo very Christmasy Here!

Why I'm starting to sing Christmas carols... and I'm thinking of tasting fruitcake...it is feeling so very

Christmasy around here! Maybe it's these little paper houses I've been making for our open house on Dec. 1st. from 1 to 4 pm.  We've been decorating and trying to get the studio all decked out with holly and tree trimmings. And these little paper crafts seemed to add so much to the look of hosting our first holiday Open House.

You know it's real easy to make these scalloped ornaments... All you need is your scalloped die cutter and a bone folder for them.  

Rejoicing Crafts has posted all the directions on their website. Once you have your scalloped ( 6 or 8) then, you fold in half and attach two sides together. once three are attached, then, do the second set of three. Finally attach the cord for hanging before placing your two sections together. The paper bow is a plus. We hope to have several paper patterns available and instructions for all who stop by on Saturday, Dec 1st.

                Our little houses and trees are used to decorate a winter scene picture box. Some of the Santas are another paper craft using spools or paper towel rollers. A little paper for hats and trims and this is a very primitive looking decorations, don't you agree?    These white minature feather trees were bought and placed in the curio box, but I'm sure some of you who are very clever can figure some design with spools and trims.

I have put other things I want to make on hold so I might get a few cards designs put together too. One of the designs is thinking in terms of "3" as a challenge of Christmas cards. I have had my eye on one of the Fisker punches, it's a little gingerbread man die punch.

 

By using the punch, cut three gingerbread men, adhere them to a red one inch square and add a second background of  one and one half inch of white. To an A2 size card ( 4" X 5.5") We've cut a red check panel and glued it to the outer edge of the card stock. to the folded edge we've added a ribbon with a sentiment and a second ribbon in a brighter red color, leaving a narrow space between the paper and ribbons. I usually get supplies at Micheal's, Hobby Lobby or Archiver's...so I'm sure you can find these trims there.

Here is another design using the theme of "3's". This example was by creator Korin Sutherland for Sweet N' Sassy stamps:

 

 

Our colors and materials have varied from the all reds in the gingerbread card to these bright reds and greens of our more traditional Christmasy colors, but the design

has only added a few additional steps as the gingerbread card.

Punches are nice! But then so is using our Christmas stamps and creating a theme of "three" card. I leave it up to you , what will you make  your "3's " in.... We've so much to choose from 

 Three wreaths, three bells, three snowflakes or mittens, oh sooooooo cute.   Well this is fun for me... how about you.             

 

Who is having fun with these ideas?

 

 This little penguin card used some great ideas with the lime green baker's twine in the sentiment tag...then matching the pop of green in the stamped design and filling in the background for the stamped sectionwith this lime green paper...pair the embossed paper with the same color as it's background. IT really makes this simple design card ---"POP" with fun.

 

Christmas is a special time of year for all of us and for many different reason.

While I was gathering my thoughts of this month's blog

I saw this little poem about the Spirit of Christmas. I wanted to pass along the words to the poem in hopes you might also find them meaningful too.

 

 

I've always said Christmas isn't about a date or one day a year no matter how much the materialistic commercial parade might try to sell us on this idea. It's really all about giving ourselves to others that makes Christ's birth meaningful. Otherwise, we could just simply walk away the day after Dec. 25th and feel empty, like, what happened and where did  all our efforts go? 

By  keeping Christmas in our hearts for family and friends, and charity toward other fellow travelers on this planet --- all year long--then you always have a little Christmas with you.

 That's my paraphase, it's not exactly what the reading says, but that's the essence of it.

Making cards is my way of doing this for real.

It's not just lip service for me--it's keeping Christmas all year through.

When you help make cards for Operation Write Home  you are giving a message to the members of the military and their families that says we keep you in our hearts ( not just with cards at Christmas---but cards all year through!)

In fact, our next bunch of cards will be mailed on Dec. 31st for a Valentine's theme. And let me confess, we may have to combine a little gingerbread men with a heart to tell these heros how much we love them

and make sure they in turn tell

 their family and friends at home.

The next time I post  or  until 2013, we hope you will long on to  this blogsite and share some of your comments. They have been very helpful to us . We look forward to the coming of a New Year so from myslef and Garry and all the card makin cuties of Gestner Studio, we  wish you a happy holiday in a bright and sparkling way.

 

 

Card Makin' Cuties: October Fun, Fall leaves, and Football

Card Makin' Cuties: October Fun, Fall leaves, and Football: The announcer cries out, "Are you ready for some football?" The fans go wild and the game begins. Well, the nip in the air would also ask...