My Craft Room... A slice of HEAVEN!!

Hi everyone!!! :) Here is my slice of HEAVEN... I'm grinning from ear to ear with finally having my craft room completed. I have a few photos, links, and details to share with you. Click on the photo's for a closer look and to see more details!!

NOTE: This post is long so grab a cup of coffee or just brows threw if you wish... :)

First off I want to THANK my dear hubby, Mark, for building storage/shelf units, hanging peg-board, setting up wireless Internet, floor to ceiling shelving in my closet, and just helping me on ideas I tossed at him. The first photo is my craft table with peg board and open back shelving I designed. The size of my room is 11 1/2' x 10 1/2'... originally a bed room, but now my craft room... I tried to get as much function out of the dimensions I had to work with. The shelf unit above my table is for holding jars of ribbon, (each ribbon is put on a clothes pin, then organized by color.), displaying cards I've made and cards received by "super talented" stampin' friends!! I have a few storage boxes ready to fill... room for growth!!

The curtain rods hold my punches and ribbon, which I purchased at Wal-Mart... only $1.99 to $2.99 a rod. The idea to hold my punches was seen at iStamp as Nancy uses peg-board to hold lots of her tools!! You can see I have my rods FULL OF PUNCHES! But, I have a solution to that, you'll see in another photo! (I have seen other crafters buying IKA rods and attach them to there walls!) The ribbon with the curtain rods was seen at Stampin' With Markie's Mom. I have 4 stacked storage cubes with draws in front of my peg-board. I decide to run the peg-board the same length as the top shelving unit to give me more options if I want to change this around in the future. LOVE options!... Doesn't any women!! :)

This photo is a full view of my craft table. I have a small oak shelf unit serving as an END-CAP to hold my baskets of embellies, re-inkers, an misc. items. My cardstock is sorted by file folders in this plastic tote on the floor. I would like to have something on wheels someday. I tried to work in a short file cabinet, but room was an issue.

I set up my work area in a "L" shape. This works the best for me, as I have a work surface behind me with access to stamping supplies. Under the window I have a narrow shelf unit that holds my SU! back ground stamps, MORE PUNCHES, CuttleBug, misc. items and scrap paper. I have my embossing gun hanging on a 3M adhesive hook next to the black bag under my table. (It's kinda hard to see, but works great when I need it... I find I emboss more now!!) The 2 portable totes on top hold my ink pads (old SU! Pads). I have each draw labeled with the name of each pad color and took a pencil eraser to stamp a sample so you can look at-a-glance. Now my goal is to get this ink storage unit (seen on iStamp) to hold the NEWER SU! pads, markers and reinkers. This is why the shelf is lower to accommodate the height of the unit. Right now they have a 10% off sale... Woo, Hoo! I just might get my unit ordered from Storage Unit, Ink & More today!

At this angle you can see a better view of how my room is flowing. I found storage baskets for my shelving unit, behind my chair, which I purchased at Target. They have wire frames and the weaving is hand twisted paper... going GREEN BABY! The smaller baskets have fabric liners and the large baskets are Milk Crates. I also have 2 -12"x12" containers to hold DP's!! I have my lap top close by to get any challenges or surf my LARGE file of favorites when I'm ready to stamp!! This photo gives you the idea of where my closet is located and the start of the second half of the room. I chose not to show the world my closet... LOL! Mark did put floor to ceiling white melamine shelving inside. I have tons of stamps sets, gift wrapping, card stock, holiday stamps and embellies in totes to grab when I'm ready for them. I do have room for growth!! I did get rid of some 12x12 DP which I donated to the YMCA's day care. I will be getting rid of SU! stamps and other embellies soon. I have two more blogs that have "great" craft room inspiration... My Favorite Things by Dawn McVey and Stampin' Pretty by Mary Fish... check them out!!

This photo shows my two paint colors in my room... a lite tan and a color matching Certainly Celery. I LOVE THIS COLOR!! (My photo's show the green as bright, but NOT I.R.L.!) I did accent my room with bright orange, pinks, yellows, and blues! Don't worry, the rest of my house is earth tones colors!! :) My hubby built me "FLOATING SHELVES" for this area that I seen in a magazine 3 years ago. I decide to use this as a focal point when you walk into the room. Plus I have my little library of craft magazines ready in hand!! (My hubby thinks I have waisted space... one shelf made for "2" vases... he shakes his head!) I just smile and say "It's a girl thing!"

Last photo shows my accent wall with 3 Iris storage carts tucked under a unit made just for them. It hold stamps and has a work surface!! :) I do have my sewing machine on it now. So maybe you'll see more stitches on my cards... :) The lamp works perfect for light on the ceiling and counter. I have a few funky retro wall pieces that I just couldn't pass up. In the future I want to add some SU! vinyl decor elements below the wall grouping. I love the mini circle mirrors hanging on fish line... when the sun is just right I feel like I have a disco ball in my room... he! :) That's it!!

If you have any ??'s about my craft room e-mail me and I will reply as soon as I can!! Or leave a comment, but make sure the comment links your email address!! Otherwise I can't reply back. I hope you enjoyed seeing my craft room and get inspired to organize... this will be the last time you will see my craft room CLEAN! :)

Enjoy your day and thanks for poppin' in for a visit!!

SMILES everyone... Michelle :)

Together Forever... :)

Happy Wednesday!! Hope all is going well in your neck of the woods... :)

Monday night was Julie's SU! card class and we used SU! Texturz Plates, yummy Organza Ribbon and the Pretties Kit. I changed the card up a bit by adding the chip-board flourishes embossed with Iridescent Ice for sparkle and the blue silk flower I had on hand... I like how it turned out!! :)

Great for a Wedding or Anniversary card... I enjoy the look of the flourishes!! Have a super evening ladies (gentleman too!) and thanks for visiting!!

Smiles... Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Together Forever Paper: SU! Whisper White, Basic Gray Ink: SU! Basic Black, VersaMark Other: SU! Iridescent Ice EP, Pretties Kit, misc. blue flower, adhesive rhinestones (Hero Arts), SU! Rhinestone brads, SU! black grosgrain and Organza Ribbon, SU! Texturz Plates (Backgrounds 1), Making Memories chip board Flourishes, glue dots, etc.

Happiness Always... :)

Hi Everyone!! Did you have a great weekend? A start to the new week and I have a card to share using the Top Note, CuttleBug and Nestie dies. I found a card in my collection of FAV's and CHASED one of Silke's cards at My Life. (Note: She has 3 cards on this post and the last card is the one I chased!)

I changed it up a bit by adding the Top Note in the background, the colors, added butterflies and embossed a sentiment ver's Jumbo Eyelets and brads. Pop into Silke's post to check out this card I chased!! She has such creative ideas with such a SWEET style to her lay-outs! :)
Click on the photo's for a closer look. Tonight I have Julie's SU! card class, and can't WAIT... we are learning watercoloring technique's. I'll be sharing! Thank for the visit and lovely comments my stamping buds!! Always a joy for me... chat again soon!

SMILES... Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Happy Harmony Paper: SU! Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Mauve Mist, DP (All my Memories) Ink: SU! Pretty in Pink, Markers: Eggplant Envy, More Mustard, Rose Romance, Old Olive, and Craft Whisper White Other: SU! Detail White EP, CuttleBug Swiss Dots folder, ribbon (Target Club Wed), Martha Stewart Butterfly punches, flat white pearls (Michael's), SU! Top Note Die, Nestie Dies, dimensionals, etc.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Happy Mother's Day!! Are you enjoying your special day? The day of pampering, relaxation, STAMPING and sunny weather... right? :)

My card was started at Julie's stamp class a while back and I decided to make it into a Mother's Day card for my MOM!! Plus I just had to use my NEW SU! scallop oval punch... it worked so well with the sentiment. I added die cuts from the Vintage CB collection. Some paper piercing and embossing the flowers popping out of the Hodgepodge Hardware... Julie's FUN idea!!

Click on the photo's for a closer look!! Have a fabulous day ladies and enjoy... :) Thanks for poppin' in as I love it when you do!

Smiles... Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! More Great Greetings (retired) Paper: SU! Rose Red, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette, DP (SU! Raspberry Tart) Ink: SU! Rose Red Other: SU! Sweetest Stem (Embosslits), Hodgepodge hardware, SU! Scallop Oval Punch, CB Vintage Die, paper piercing, dimensionals, Stampin' Pastels, etc.

CC217 & CAS13 Challenges...

Happy Friday my stampin' friends... YES, the weekend is here and time to enjoy it!! :)

This week I made a card using the CC217 (SCS color challenge) working with Garden Green, Cameo Coral and Ballet Blue colors. Then I decided to use the CAS13 (Clean and Simple Challenge) for the layout!!

The card base was given to me by a friend which is a Martha Stewart "Thank You" card (lace edge). Found on clearance at Wal-Mart!! Such BEAUTIFUL lace details... :) The butterfly stamp was from an old retired SU! set Rose Rhapsody! Remember that set?? I cut an extra butterfly out in Cameo Coral to give some dimension!!

Have a super evening and get some stamping time in this weekend!! I'm watchin' Happy Feet right now... SO cute.... ENJOY!!

Smiles... Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Rose Rhapsody, A Little Birthday Cheer Paper: SU! Cameo Coral, Whisper White, Martha Stewart (card base) Ink: SU! Cameo Coral, Garden Green, Ballet Blue Other: EK wave border punch, dimensionals, etc.

MoJo Monday Week 85... Chocolate!

Happy Thursday!! Last night I had a chance to make a card using the MoJo Monday sketch challenge. I used a $1 stamp that I recently purchased... I fell in LOVE with it! (I'm a chocolate lover... my weakness. LOL!) :)

When I think of chocolate and sweets I decided to use my SU! Candy Lane DP. I did some paper piecing on the chocolate and used crystal effects over the heart. The YUMMY ribbon is from American Crafts. Plus I used my new EK border punch that worked perfect, love them!

I hope your day is full of sun, smiles and stamping!! Enjoy your day and thank SO much for poppin' in...

Michelle :)

Stamps: Studio G ($1 stamp), Judith (Chocolate is my Life), Hero Arts (You make me Smile) Paper: SU! Ruby Red, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, DP (SU! Candy Lane) Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip, Craft Whisper White Other: SU! Detail White EP, Paper Piercing, EK border punch, Ribbon (American Crafts), SU! Crystal Effects, dimensionals, etc.

RAK from Lisa... SO Sweet!

Morning! Happy mail to share with you... I received this RAK from Lisa... a dear friend of mine in blog land!! We became friends not long after I started blogging last October. She has such beautiful creative talent that will knock your socks off! I so enjoy visiting her blog The Craft's Meow . Pop in for a visit... more stunning "eye candy"!! This card is GORGEOUS!!

My camera couldn't capture the Tempting Turquoise color, even after editing I still couldn't get a close match. Also the damask background is embossed with VarsaMark Dazzle in Champagne... such a beautiful effect! Sparkles... :) Thanks for stopping in for a visit and enjoy your day... I hope the weather is nice your way! Chat again soon...

Smiles.... Michelle :)

Blog Awards!!

Hi everyone.... :) These blog awards go as far back as March and I accept them with such GREAT HONOR... everyone of them has made my day!! Pop in for a visit to see these lovely ladies time, talent and treasures they share with us!! ENJOY... :)

This award was given to me by two wonderful blogging friends Jenn and Gvendalen ... they bring fabulous paper beauty into our daily live with such SWEET card creations. Check out
Gvendalen's blog at Ocean of Imagination and Jenn's blog at Craft Royalty Corner!! Thanks SO much Jenn and Gvendalen!!

This award I received from Ruby & Deb... they both have such fun and talented style to there cards that puts a SWEET smile on your face!! Pop in for a visit at Deb's blog at My Muse and Ruby's blog at Ruby 2 Shoes! The Lemonade Award is given to a blogger who shows great attitude and gratitude. Thanks SO much Ruby and Deb!! :)

This award was also given to me by two wonderful blogging friends Debbie and Lynn... they both have such inspiring talent and beautiful cards!! Check out Lynn's blog at The Queen's Scene and Debbie's blog at Debbie P's Place for some spectacular EYE CANDY... Thanks SO much Debbie and Lynn!! :)

Now I pass these awards on to YOU my followers, blog surfers, card makers and anyone who would love to receive an award!! You deserve it... :)

Thank you so much for stopping in for a visit! I have more cards to share and a lovely RAK I received in the mail... Thanks Lisa!! (*wink*) Dancing with the Stars is on tonight and I plan to watch... Yeah!

SMILES stamping friends... Michelle :)

Friend to Friend... and Cooper!

Morning and happy Monday! Well, I must say the weekend flew by so fast and with such nice weather it's hard to be on the computer... LOL!

I made this card for a friend of mine (Hi Diane!) over my Stampin' weekend. Petra came with all this BEAUTIFUL DP from Anchor Paper and she asked if I would like a piece... I HAD SUCH A BIG SMILE AND SAID "YES"!! It matches Kiwi Kiss so well and being we were sharing I asked Sherri if I could use her CB embossing folder. I don't have this one yet, but it's on my list!! This gave my the chance to CHASE a card from Nancy at iStamp who used Beate's Sketch Challenge. I decide to create a flower using my 5 petal Flower, Boho Blossoms and Scallop circle punches. Add the Filigree designer brad for the center. Love the Baja Breeze and Kiwi Kiss combo... :)

I just had to share a couple photo's of Cooper who was groomed this past week. He's a new MAN now and enjoys the girls at the Four Legged Lodge. I just LOVE his soft coat after a bath... doesn't last long! Cooper is 4 1/2 years old and an outside dog mostly, but does venture into the foyer to enjoy the evenings with us or sleeping through the night when it's to cold or to hot. In the first photo he is watching the bird feeders from the "Observation" Deck...
The second photo I think he is getting sick of me taking photo's of him... I'm getting that LOOK! Thanks for poppin' in for a visit and the weather will be GORGEOUS here today... ENJOY!!

Smiles... Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Pocket Silhouettes, Polka Dot Punches Paper: SU! Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, DP (Anchor Paper) Ink: SU! Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip Other: SU! 5 Petal Flower, Scallop Circle, Boho Blossom, and Word Window Punches,
Filigree Designer Brad, Baja Breeze ribbon, CB embossing
folder (?), Scallop scissors, dimensionals, paper piercing, sponge, etc.

Happy Saturday... to YOU from me!!

Happy Saturday everyone! The weekend is here and how cool is that... :) Sunny skies this morning!!

This bright cheery card I chose to use the Pocket Silhouette and Best Yet stamp sets. The DP is from Target and I think is was the Hot Hue's line. (Clearance!) The colors go very well with Groovy Guava, which I must tell you a secret... I never cared for that color much!! But I had a piece of ribbon that I don't know how I came upon it, but it works GREAT for this card! My inked images and sentiment are Baroque Burgundy and Chocolate Chip.

Have a super day my stamping friends! Thanks for stopping in for a visit... remember to STAMP & SMILE this weekend!!

Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Pocket Silhouettes, Best Yet Paper: SU! Whisper White, Real Red, Blush Blossom, DP (Target -Hot Hue's) Ink: SU! Baroque Burgundy and Markers Baroque Burgundy and Chocolate Chip Other: SU! Groovy Guava ribbon (retired), paper piercing, dimensionals, etc.