Cataloguing Cardstock...

I love Stampin' Up! cardstock, that's no lie. There's such a lovely selection to choose from in various colours with such delicious names as Soft Sea Foam and Bubble Bath. Who wouldn't want it all?

I particularly like that they bring the packs together in packs of 20 sheets, with 2 of each of the ten colours in the pack. You can buy Subtles, Regals, Brights, and Neutrals, as well as the current In Colors for 2026-2028 and 2025-2027.

I have a Kallax unit that, when we recently converted our basement into Ruth Gets Crafty Headquarters (yeah, so I share it with my husband's model railway room and the utility room, but most of it's mine, OK?), I moved into the space. I added some drawers and some shelf inserts into a few of the cubes, and turns out, they are great for putting your cardstock into.

All of the cardstock I put into poly pockets to keep them nice and clean, and have catalogued them by colour in almost rainbow order. The In Color cardstock that I have I've kept in a magazine file, like my white and watercolour cardstock, because I seem to have more of it than the other colours. I've even organised my scraps neatly too - no more just shoving it into an IKEA tub!

Because they're not always on display, I decided that I wanted something that I could easily refer to when deciding on what colours to use for different projects, so I used a 2 3/8 inch circle punch to punch out a circle of cardstock, used my Crop-a-dile to punch a small hole in it, and wrote the name on the front.

I kept the colours together in colour groups with a piece of baker's twine that I can use to hang it up somewhere if I feel like it, or just leave it on the desk next to my craft mat.

I am so happy with this. I can refer to really easily, as it's close to my craft desk, and see quickly what colours match.

I do love a bit of organising - I am a librarian by training after all! - and what nicer way to organise than with all the lovely rainbow colours that Stampin' Up! provide us with.

Happy crafting, and happy organising!

The Colo[u]ring Challenge Road Trip - Edinburgh and craft room news

Back in August, after some deliberation I booked a rail ticket and some cheap accommodation in Edinburgh for the first ever Coloring Challenge Road Trip with Kathy Racoosin and Debby Hughes. I decided it was too good an opportunity to miss out on seeing some superb colourists and crafters so close to home.

The day itself was beautiful and we sat in a room upstairs in the Botanic Gardens colouring in chatting. 7 of us plus Kathy, her sister and Debby, it was a small affair, but I liked the intimate atmosphere.

We all got given a little zip up bag full of goodies, including a Lawn Fawn Stamp Shammy and a cute little clipboard and some images to colour.

Kathy and Debby are inspirational people and really really lovely. They even agreed to pose for some crazy photos with me (and Morag too)

 I even got to use Kathy's favourite pencils....

 and the famous rag....

A lot of time and effort went into this event, I could tell, and I appreciate all that both did for us.

If you are thinking about it, I can tell you it was definitely very very very worth it! Meeting Kathy and Debby in person, as well as the other ladies who had travelled to it (one from Minnesota!!!!!), was wonderful. I'm the kind of person who needs a kick every now and again with my crafting and colouring and I find these kinds of events help. I get the chance to get away from the house and small people to spend time to myself - it's the headspace I need to give me a boost. Doing it with some amazing crafters was the icing on the cake.

I had to leave early just after Debby's demonstration of watercolouring a galaxy background (I want Daniel Smith now!), so unfortunately I didn't get in the final photo, but I didn't mind. I got to Waverley station to find my train was late but this lovely Black 5 came in on platform 20, so that was the perfect end to my day.

And in other news, my craft room currently looks like this....

I can get to my desk and know where a lot of my stash is! I hope to actually get making again within the next week, with luck. I need to start getting on with Christmas cards.

I've also received some more wonderful happy mail this week from Tina and Niki
B. Thank you ladies. It's so lovely to be reminded of why we make cards - they have made me smile!

 
That's all for me for now. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Crafting everyone!! xx

Magazine Makes #6 and a Craft Room UPDATE

Hello! I think all the horrid germs we have all been fighting for three weeks have gone. Been pretty miserable for a while, but the weather has perked up no end just in time for Mother's Day and so I have a card to share that I made with one of the sets of my magazine stamps. I'll also have a craft room update at the end of this post too.This is quite a long post, so maybe get a cuppa ;)

You can tell just how nice it's been with the sunshine as I managed to take a picture of the card outside for once. If you're curious about those bunnies, they are from Raindrop Crafts on Etsy.

On to the card! I started out with a piece of watercolour card and smooshed some Picked Raspberry and Spun Sugar distress ink onto it using an old cellophane wrapper - all I could find at the time. I added some splatters from my white and white gold Gansai Tambi and also some of my Pink Champagne Sparkle Pen.

Once dry I die cut it with my WPlus9 Sunshine Layers die. I also die cut the tea cup from the magazine set in some scrap grey card I had in my Raskog cart. I stamped the flowers from the set in Ranger Archival Jet Black ink onto some scrap watercolour card and coloured with distress inks very lightly.

I adhered the panel with fun foam to a pink A2 card blank and glued the tea cup and then the flowers on top with glossy accents - my multi medium matte is running empty, and I think this is a great alternative.

I stamped the sentiment in Versafine Onyx Black onto some scrap card and popped it up on foam pads. In case you're wondering what happened to the Happy, I didn't like the font it was in, so decided not to add it. It was very different to the Mother's Day. I then added some enamel accents in pink and white.

Not bad for a last minute card made on Mother's Day morning!

I'm going to link this up to the 30 Day Colouring Challenge and also Pixie's Snippets Playground Week 273 and 274 (happy to just play and not be entered for the prizes)

Now onto my Craft Room. So the last post had me wallpapering and I'm happy to tell you it then got painted and my husband started moving his stuff in and I started moving my stuff out into what was his room. I posted a picture over on Instagram 10 days ago to show I had my desk in my new room and I finally managed some colouring a couple of days later. I moved my last box in and I'm now using it every day, for colouring and also to tidy up and work out where everything is going to go. 

Here's the view from the door - the room is in the garden so you can see the sunshine flowing in! I have two bookcases my husband no longer wanted which have doors, and another Billy bookcase that a friend was wanting rid of. I still have stuff in boxes, and there are also some boxes and a large storage unit that is my husband's in there, but I have projects under way, so it is being well used already.

Here's my desk - look at that big window! Yay! The other room wasn't dark, but having my desk at a window is such a joy. I can look out and get light in at the same time. It is not a very big room, but it has enough space for me and my toys and it is so nice not to have to share space with the spare room. My husband is much happier with that and has started listening to his CDs again and reading his books. It is such a win win situation. The only downside is that when it rains I have to wear a coat and run out, and also I can't come out here if I'm the only adult in the house as the kiddies aren't quite big enough to self supervise, BUT these are minor issues in the grand scheme of things. I am very happy indeed.

Would you like a video tour when it is all up and running properly? I need curtains and to get my video arm up again, so it may be a month or so before I'm completely happy, but I'd love to share my happiness with you all then.

Thank you so much for popping by today and I wish you all a marvellous and sunny week ahead! 

Here is a list of the supplies used on this card. I have signed up to affiliate links on some products (currently only Simon Says Stamp). If you purchase any item after clicking on an affiliate link, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps in a small way to support the running of my blog and is very much appreciated, thank you!

Simply Cards and Papercraft Issue 159	Arches Not Sheet 185gsm 56 x 76cm Multipack	Mini Distress Ink Pad - All Colours	WPlus9 Sunshine Layers Die	Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens - Shades of Spring	Gansai Tambi Starry Watercolours	Kuretake Gansai Tambi 24 pan set	Assorted Fab Foam Sheets
Simon Says Stamp Card Stock 100# SET OF 26 COLORS 26Cdsk	Ranger GLACIER WHITE Enamel Accents GAC48978	Ranger PINK GUMBALL Enamel Accents GAC48954	Versa Fine Onyx Black	Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black

InLinkz.com

Craft Room Goings On - An Update!

Hello Everyone! If you follow me on Instagram, you'll have seen me posting pictures of things happening in the craft room that mean I won't be doing much crafting for a while. I thought I'd do a longer post and explanation and update all in one on my blog.

In short, I'm moving out. Moving out of the craft room that is! I've been sharing space with the spare room and it's time that room had a bit of TLC. When we got our loft conversion on 4 years ago, our builder put his foot through the ceiling into this room. He fixed it and replastered it, but it still hadn't been properly painted (I know, I know.....). 
 

So that is finally being done. One corner has been prone to mould, so that was stripped of wall paper...
 

You can tell that there were shelves there at one point - and nice yellow paint.... Today I papered it with lining paper ready to be painted and I have to say I'm pretty pleased with my handiwork - not bad for a first attempt and some super cheap paper and paste from Poundworld!

I am excited to get painting!  

Once it is all clean and fresh, and we have new curtains, my husband will move his things out of a room which we built to replace the old garage (asbestos panels, so was quickly removed when we moved in) and I will move my things in. It's a fully insulated room, and although not huge, it will all be mine and suit both of us better - and I can finally get curtains in it after 5 years ;)

So, I won't be creating too much, other than a post I have for the upcoming Flower Challenge on 4th, but once I am done with IKEA furniture building and my crafty mojo is back, I will share a little craft room tour on my YouTube channel.

Thank you for taking the time to read. The colouring challenge started today so I am also excited to be taking part tomorrow - painting walls counts!

Craftroom Update - the big move + A viking invasion with Avery Elle

Well, here we are again! After my last post I found myself some extra energy and so after the kiddies were in bed, I went a bit crazy in the spare room and started taking things off shelves in order to move some very heavy furniture to finish my set up. I forgot how heavy the sofa bed was and I got my husband to help in the end, as last time I moved it I pulled several muscles in my back and it was decidedly painful for quite a while.

So, now the big bookcase with a lot of storage boxes of various shapes and sizes is next to the desk. I've been reorganising what's on it, putting things on my Trofast unit and also into my little Moppe cabinets. I'm still working a lot of it out, but I like where the furniture is now and will continue to reorganise and get storage I'm happy with. There is certainly a lot more room now in here, and all my craft stuff is in one coherent space. Oh and you can see I removed all the lovely cards I got last year (they are safe!!!!) and left space for hopefully more. As you can tell, I'm doing OK so far and it's only January :)

Thank you for all your lovely comments on my craft room. I am considering braving a video and doing a little tour at some point in the next couple of months. I hope you might join me. 

So, in terms of card making, I made a little purchase of some things that were on my wish list. I did it through Seven Hills Crafts. It's the new branding for Make The Day Special that I used to order from a lot. I love the new name - makes more sense to me - the website is so much better and the customer service is just as excellent. If you're in the UK and have never ordered from them before, I can highly recommend.

Anyway, one of my new purchases was this cute stamp from Avery Elle. I saw it on IG when it was released and it just called to me, so I decided to crack it out as soon as I could and get some colouring on. Let's just forget they pillaged much of the UK .... they did settle down in the end ;)

I stamped the Viking in Memento Tuxedo Black and then put three of the little hearts on a small acrylic block and stamped them around him. There is a small boo boo which if you're eagle eyed you will notice, but I couldn't be bothered stamping again!! 

I then coloured the Viking and some of the hearts in with Copics. I added some sparkle and shine with Wink of Stella and Glossy Accents to the coloured hearts. 

I then trimmed the panel and attached it to a blue card base.

[Supplies: Avery Elle Viking Stamp; Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb card stock; Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic Markers; Wink of Stella; Glossy Accents; Blue card stock; Double Sided Tape]

I hope you like him as much as I do. I'm definitely going to colour him again!

If you love colouring as much as I do, you'll be excited to know that the 30 Day Colouring Challenge, hosted by the supremely talented and lovely Kathy Racoosin, is back. Set your calendars for 1st February and get colouring. 5 minutes every day is all that is needed! I'd love to see your creations and the best place to do that is via Instagram, so come on over :)

Thank you for your continued support, and for all your lovely comments. I hope you have a fabulous week!

Craft Room Update - More storage and another card

Hello! Welcome back :) Glorious sunshine outside and beautifully crisp and frosty. But you didn't come here to discuss the weather, you wanted to know (I hope!) what I've been up to crafty wise. 

Well, deep down I knew that when I moved the craft desk into it's new space, the reorganisation and sorting out would tail off a little. I was right. Having things closer to hand meant I could get crafty easier. But, it's not all forgotten, and I have added in a little IKEA Trofast Unit to my craft space. It's designed as children's storage but it is flexible enough to be used with plastic tubs and also shelves. I've decided to go with it rather than the Alex drawers, because if I find I have to move to another space in the house sooner than expected, I can move this to the children's room without any trouble and it will have another use. We have to be quite flexible with space around here, as there isn't a lot of it!

  
I've not quite decided what will go into it yet as I've another large bookcase full of stamps and other crafty things that I need to go through and move, but the space is coming along nicely. More sorting next week I hope!

I have another card to share using those highly versatile Sugar Pea Designs I got before Christmas. I managed to use quite a few new things on this card!

I stamped the little bird (it's a calling bird, you get it??) onto some Neenah Solar White 110lb and coloured it in with some Copics. I then cut it out using one of my SSS stitched circle dies. I then stamped the CB Hello in Altenew Ocean Waves and die cut it out using the matching die - sensibly I bought this one!. 

I then took a grey card base and rounded the corners with my WRMK Corner Chomper 1/2" and adhered the bird, then the Hello on top and stamped the sentiment in VersaFine Smokey Grey. I added a few enamel dots for effect.

[Supplies: Sugar Pea Designs Every Day is Christmas; Clearly Besotted Congrats to You stamp and die; Copic Markers; Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb; Simon Says Stamp Shapes with Stitches; Altenew Cool Summer Nights; VersaFine Smokey Grey; WRMK Corner Chomper; Echo Park Enamel Dots Hello Winter; Double Sided Tape; Ranger Multi Medium Matte]

Simple yet effective, don't you think?

Thank you so much for your lovely comments as always. I hope to be back soon with more cards and more craft room updates.

Enjoy the rest of the week :)

Craft Room Update - The Return of the Desk... and a card too

Well, my crafty friends, here we are three weeks into 2016 and it's stopped raining and is back to blue skies and sunshine - let's not worry about the freezing wind, ice and snow that some parts of the UK have, it's just nice to not have cloud all the time. Really lifts my mood.

OK, so this amazing thing happened. I made some cards. Yep, really, I did! I cleared the kitchen table and got all my stuff out and played while baby slept and had a lovely long nap - she needed the sleep, I needed the crafting.

Here's one of them:

But before I go into details on this, another amazing thing happened. I got a craft desk into my craft space! Yay! I had a look at it last night to see if we could bring it downstairs as one, but in the end had to dismantle it and rebuild. It didn't take long. Looks good, eh? I still have lots to do in my craft space, but I shall keep you posted and when it's finally finished, give you a tour. I love seeing other people's craft spaces, so I hope you won't object.

Anyway, back to the card. So on Sunday I had a bit of free time after church and before my concert rehearsal started (just a little bit of Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat as a charity fundraiser). The kiddies went back home for lunch with their Dad, I ate a sandwich and got out all my Copics and some images I'd stamped before. There was quite a bit of interest generated and I coloured in a few images whilst waiting. One of them was this little frog from my Sugar Pea Designs Christmas stamps. They are so versatile and have non-Christmassy sentiments to go with them if you want.

I cut him out from some Neenah 110lb card stock with my SSS stitched circles leaving a straight edge on one side. I then cut out an equivalent circle from a panel of green card stock, removed the green circle, popped in the frog and cut them out with the largest SSS stitched rectangle die. 

I stamped the Birthday from my CB Happy Birthday set in Ranger Cheese Puff (more colours are coming out in these finally - they look yummy!) and happy in VersaFine Onyx Black. Foolishly I didn't buy the equivalent die and had to fussy cut it out - I'm going to buy the die!. It was simple to put together on a white card base, lining up the circles and adhering the frog with some foam pads for some height. I added the Birthday with foam pads as well. I thought a few enamel dots were a nice touch, as well as some white dots on his waistcoat.

[Supplies: Sugar Pea Designs Every Day is Christmas; Clearly Besotted Happy Birthday; Simon Says Stamp Shapes with Stitches; Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb; White Card Stock 250gsm; Copic Markers; Ranger Dye Ink Cheese Puff; VersaFine Onyx Black; Double Sided Tape; Foam Pads; Echo Park Enamel Dots - The Story of Our Family; Sakura Gelly Roll Pen - White]

It's got an Irish feel, don't you think?? Be a good design for St Patrick's Day!

Thank you so much for reading, and for all your supportive comments on my cards and my ongoing craft space reorganisation. It's getting there, even if it's a bit frustrating at times not getting any crafting done.

Have a lovely weekend, wherever you are.