Expedit Handmade Number Labels

Remember these Expedits?

I said I made numbered labels for the cubes. Here are the tricks to doing this! There are several supplies needed...a punch, number stamps, ink, dauber, stamp cleaner, cardstock, glue dots, and a stamp block if you're using clear stamps or unmounted rubber stamps.

I punched out 50 - yes really 50 - of these labels using one of my punches from EK Success. The size is perfect to fit on the edge of the Expedit shelves. I used the top label and only put the cardstock in the punch far enough to punch those out. I was using scraps of Colonial White cardstock from Close To My Heart.

In this dvd case are the clear number stamps I used. No idea who they are from. Judging by my post it (I love those things!) inside the case, the stamps are from either Clear Dollar Stamps (no longer in business) or Studio G. I used Black Distress Ink from Close To My Heart. That ink is still available and comes paired with a Chocolate Distress Ink cube.

I decided to number the cubes with a 3 digit number. I have 2 Expedits so I figured starting with 101 would let me know something was in paper Expedit in the 1st cube. So I had to stamp 101 -125 and 201 -225. The 200's are my albums and cardstocks.

Here they are all stamped. That took the longest amount of time because I had to keep swapping numbers and cleaning stamps. I used a dauber to make the edges a distressed, roughed up black. I didn't want them to look brand new. I attached them to the Expedit shelves with glue dots! So they are very easily removable and won't damage the finish on the face of the shelf.

I tried for weeks to find some cute metal numbered tags. I didn't want to spend a ton of money. I found some cute Tim Holtz ones, but the package didn't contain enough numbers. I looked on Etsy and found great stuff, but they were over $50 for I needed. No way was I spending 50 bucks on some numbered plates. That's 50 bucks I wouldn't be able to use on scrapping goodies!!! Then I realized something.....how on earth do I attach them? What if I drill holes into my Expedits and hate them or need to make a change later? I'm totally up a creek with holes! No thanks. What I came up with cost me zip. Zero. Zilch. Nothing! I used scraps of cardstock even! I'm very happy with this system and I can always change it and there's no damage.

BIg Shake Up at the House

Seriously. I am a tad on the crazy side. I'm downsizing my studio! I have gone through everything and have parted with lots of things....there maybe more as I move. Yup. I'm leaving the largest room in the house and moving to a room half the size. Gulp.

Not everything is moving with me. Our albums are staying put. My quilting is also staying put. My business has moved out of the room as well.

Here's hoping this all works out! I did buy some new furniture. I have been working on loading them up today.

There will be a tour when I'm done....

Have you any idea how many ink pads I have? Oh good grief! There's inks I didn't even know I had. I still have the first inky pad I ever bought!

Normally, I just use my Close To My Heart ink pads because they are handy. I keep them out so I can use them. But I have inks from all kinds of places. I put my Close To My Heart inks in the bottom of my drawer units. Shock and awe, right? I plan on using other inks for awhile and getting some rotation in there. I have soooooo many colors to choose from. It's crazy!

The embossing powders were also moved and now I can find them without digging through a bucket of them. The glitters and flock are up next!

Hold onto your hat! It's going to be a bumpy ride. :)

Round #2: Handmade Journaling Cards

Ready for another round of handmade journaling cards? This batch is also from Crop on the Cape. I said I was busy! It was one productive crop. That's for sure. I really can't wait for it next year! 

Here we go!!!

This card is made from a cardstock base. There's a glittered baby quilt sticker and yellow/green twine. The "Bundle of Joy" stamped image is from Close To My Heart (not sure which set - I don't have it anymore).

When I was into traditional scrapbooking, I never used alpha stickers. They just weren't my thing. Now with pocket scrapbooking, I've been using them here and there. This card is built on cardstock. The stickers are all from Echo Park. The heart and arrow are enamel dots.

This card is super simple! It's just cardstock with several stickers from Echo Park along with a clear sticker that says "cute". 

Super cute card! I love this one. Something about yellow cardstock just makes me happy. The stickers are from Echo Park as is the tab on the right hand side. To make sure it stays attached in my album, I used my tiny attacher from Tim Holtz. Love those teeny staples! On the bottom left corner, there are 3 enamel dots.

A baby boy card! Cardstock is the base. "Baby Boy" is a bunch of stickers from Echo Park. The twine is yellow/white/blue. To keep the twine in place, I used my handy dandy tiny attacher again. The upper right corner is a giant brad. The bottom left corner was stamped with a roller stamp from American Crafts in white pigment ink.

The next few cards have photos included. The face has been blurred to protect the identity of the child. I'm not into posting photos of children online. There's far too many freaks in this world! Sorry if this upsets some viewers, but I need to protect those in my life when I blog. 

The photo was cut down to 4"x4" and attached to a 4"x6" cardstock card. The blue and white is washi tape. I cut the tape along the chevron blue line to make it look like an arrow. To help keep the end attached to the back of the card, I used a couple of tiny attachers. The stamped image is actually 2 different stamps. The ticket is one stamp. The circle with "baby" is the second. Unfortunately, I don't know who made either one! I wish I did because I really like this ticket stamp. 

This card was made with a 4"x6" cardstock card and a 4"x4" photo. The navy blue polka dot washi is attached with tiny attachers. The little elephant stamp is from B1391 Zoology from Close To My Heart. The little stars stamped under the elephant are also from this stamp set.

The photo is 3"x4" and the cardstock card is 4"x6". The stamp is from S1201 Little Reminder from Close To My Heart. It's actually 2 stamps. The number in the center is one stamp. The outer ring of months is another stamp. The writing was done with a chalk marker.

This is the final journaling card with a photo. It's 4"x4" on 4"x6" cardstock. I made a little banner on the side with white/green twine with pennant stickers from Echo Park. The twine is attached with tiny attachers. 

Super simple card alert! It's made from striped paper with glitter and a "Bedtime Stories" sticker.

I love making these simple cards. They are a great way to use up stickers that I've had in my stash for ages. they are also really fast to put together. I have an organizer with just precut cardstock. This on is 3"x4" with a clear sticker and 3 enamel dots. Easy peasy! 

A 3"x4" cardstock card. The upper left corner has a sticker from Close To My Heart. I don't know who made the stickers on the bottom right corner.

Sticker party! This card is 3"x4". Not sure who made the stickers. The stamp is from American Crafts.

A 4"x4" cardstock base had a get together with some rub ons. I love the calendar stamp! I really do love calendar stamps. I wish I knew who made this one so I could see if they have others. The washi on the bottom is cut on the left side and the right side is held on with tiny attachers.

Another 4"x4" card. The stickers are all from Echo Park.

This one is 3"x4". In the center, it's all one sticker from Echo Park. The grey heart and arrow are enamel dots.

This final card for this round is 3"x4". The sticker is from Echo Park. The stamp in the center is a mystery to me! The green polka dot washi is held on with tiny attachers.

Be sure to check back for Round #3!

Handmade Journaling Cards

Many moons ago, Crop on the Cape happened. I used some premade journaling cards. I also made a ton of cards that weekend. All of the cards I made were immediately used and are in my album of my nephew.

So today I'm going to show you a ton of the cards I made! I hope you enjoy. I tried to keep track of what items were used on each card and which stamps were used, but I wasn't always successful. I do have the info on most of them though! Feel free to ask me any questions about them.

This card was for the beginning of the album for my nephews. I started with the baby shower from nephew #1 who is now seven - yup 7!!! - years old. Sadly, this is the first I've scrapbooked him! In one weekend, I finished the first 11 months of his life. It was over 600 photos. His mom and I would scrapbook together every week or two so I saw him lots and cough cough my camera was busy. :)

The base of the card is just Bazzill cardstock. 

Next, I stamped the pregnant lady in chocolate onto the cardstock. The stamp is from Studio G.

I stamped " Mommy to be" in navy ink next to the pregnant lady. Don't know who the stamp is from. Sorry!

The journaling image was stamped next in navy ink. I think it's a stamp from We R Memory Keepers, but I'm not 100% sure about that.

To finish this card off, I added polka dot washi tape and a brad. I did journal some, but I'm not sharing the personal details. 

Up next is a fun card! I looooooooove calendar stamps. I seriously can't get enough of them. I hunt for them every time I go stamp shopping. 

This card was made from Bazzill cardstock, the calendar stamp (no idea who made it), a diaper pin stickers, and a bit of twine.

This card is super cute! I love little ducks. This card was made from Bazzill cardstock, 3 washi tapes, an adorable ducky sticker, and the april stamp is from Close To My Heart's S1111 Cherish the Day. 

Who doesn't love booties? Even better when they're not attached to a swinging foot! This card is made from Bazzill cardstock, a bootie sticker and then I stamped a blank ticket. Not sure who made this stamp. I used a white chalk marker/pen to write the name and date.

This cards is made from Close To My Heart cardstock and a rub on. Simple, easy, and fast!

Bazzill cardstock is the base. A little rhino sticker from Animal Crackers from Close To My Heart and red and white twine. 

The base is cardstock along with a lion sticker from Animal Crackers from Close To My Heart. A few simple embellishments include a red button and red and white chevron washi. The stamps from from D1378 Notice the Details from Close To My Heart.

Pale green cardstock is the base of this card. The alligator stamp along with the "Cloud I be any Cuter?" and hearts are all one stamp from C1501 New Arrival from Close To My Heart. I finished this card off with 3 enamel dots and yellow/white twine.

I love the phrase "Cutie Patootie." The base of this card is scrapbook paper. The "Cutie Patottie" is a rub on. The bottom of the card has navy polka dot washi along with a huge pearl brad.

This card is 4"x4". I have tons of pocket page protectors and they have pockets in a variety of sizes besides 3"x4" and 4"x6". The base of this card is paper. The stars on the right hand side are rub ons. There's a sticker from Echo Park in the center. The calendar stamp on the left is from D1468 On This Day from Close To My Heart.

This card is also 4"x4". The base is scrapbook paper. The "baby sweet cheeks" is a rub on. I finished off the card with 3 enamel dots and baby blue foot print washi.

I made this card as a 4"x4" as well. It's a very simple card made from paper and stamped from D1468 On This Day from Close To My Heart.

This pair of cards are both 4"x4" and they are placed in pockets next to each other in my album. they are made from scrapbook paper and stickers that spell baby.

Remember how I love calendar stamps? I warned you about that. :) The base of this card is cardstock. There's a sticker and some enamel dots. The stamp is from D1468 On This Day from Close To My Heart. 

I did some freestyle journaling. I know many of us are less than excited about our handwriting. I'm part of that crowd! I always feel like a 4 year old wrote for me. It is what it is! One thing I love about Project Life and pocket scrapbooking is the journaling. I've never journaled much at all in my 12 years of traditional scrapbooking. I couldn't stand doing it, but now I actually journal quite a bit! I'm not so afraid of it. I figure my handwriting is mine so deal with it. :)

I totally can't get enough washi. This card is made from cardstock, a sticker, and 3 washi tapes that I cut. The stamp is from C1338 Just for Boys from Close To My Heart.

This card is made from Close To My Heart cardstock. The sticker is from Echo Park. I really love their cardstock stickers! They have some really great graphics and colors. The little blue glitter hand is a brad. The date is handwritten on lines from D1378 Notice the Details from Close To My Heart.

Well, that's all for today. Be sure to stop back tomorrow and I'll be sharing more handmade journaling cards. 

Pocket Scrapbooking Handmade Cards

Crop on the Cape was fabulous as always. It's so great seeing friends and others I only get to see once a year since our store is gone. This year was sooooo darn cold that I didn't go to the ocean even though it's only a few blocks away. I had to leave a few days early to go and my travel was completely messed up because of a crazy March blizzard we got hit with in Western New York. Yup, an ACTUAL blizzard! Then I had to get out ahead of an ice storm. UGH! Then I woke up to an inch snow outside my hotel. At least I made it to Ikea! And to the Crop on the Cape. 

I worked on my first nephew's first year of life. I now have three nephews! And the first one is going to be seven years old shortly. It would be nice to get all of his photos printed and into an album before he's 40. Pocket scrapbooking to the rescue! 

I lived on the edge while at the Crop. I didn't bring many printed journaling or filler cards with me. I did bring mountains with me though. I spent a few weeks cutting up all of the baby boy paper I bought for him. Yes, I really cut up an entire Ikea Expedit cube full of paper into 4x6 cards. I didn't cut any into 3x4 because I figured I would cut them when I need them and I was really sick of cutting paper! I spent about three weeks doing it. And to think, there's only 27 cubes of paper and 10 cubes of cardstock left! I know you're totally jealous. :)

I brought several stamps, stickers, rub-ons, and embellishments with me. I knew I would make some of my own journaling cards. Some of the embellishments were washi tape (can't get enough of that stuff!!), buttons, brads, and twine (another fave). Instead of full size ink pads, I brought ink cubes. They take up far less space and weigh less. Two things to think about when going to a crop. It always feels like you're moving which is not fun.

I made several journaling cards over the four days and will be sharing them all with you in a series of posts. There's far too many to put them all in one post.

Journaling Card #1
Stamps from Close To My Heart
Stickers from Close To My Heart
Button

Journaling Card #2
Enamel Dots from My Mind's Eye
Stamp from Close To My Heart
Baker's twine

Journaling Card #3
Rub-ons
Large brad from Oriental Trading Company
Washi tape

Journaling Card #4
Rub-ons
Stamp from
Sticker from

Journaling Card #5
Enamel Dots
Washi tape
Rub-ons

Journaling Card #6
Stamp from

Journaling Card #7
Double cards!
Stickers
Buttons

Journaling Card #8
Stamp from 
Stickers
Enamel Dots

More cards revealed tomorrow!!!

Pocket Scrapbooking

There are so many companies that have jumped on the pocket scrapbooking party train. Most make pocket page protectors and journaling cards (filler cards fall into the same overall category). Here are the companies that I have stumbled across that make all these goodies:

Project Life/Becky Higgins

Studio Calico

American Crafts

We R Memory Keepers

Teresa Collins

Close To My Heart

Kaisercraft

Papertrey Ink (brand new this month!)

Echo Park

My Mind's Eye

Simple Stories (their entire philosophy is simple scrapbooking)

Crate Paper

Now there are also companies who make 12x12 papers that have journaling cards on them. You simply cut them up yourself. 

About that mountain of 12x12 patterned papers and cardstock sitting in my studio? Yeah, about them. I'm slowly working my way through them and cutting most of them into 4x6 journaling cards/filler cards. Yup, even the cardstock. Why? Perfect for using some of my stamps and stickers/chipboard pieces on to make my own cards! 

I have started my first album. It's a week long vacation in the Smoky Mountains. Over 600 photos and they ALL fit into one - yup one - album! I used a mix of Project Life, My Mind's Eye, We R Memory Keepers, and Kaisercraft journaling cards along with the ones I cut up myself. 

Here's the fun part. Journaling. I hate it. I stink at it. But guess what. Doing pocket scrapbooking is making me journal! I've even Googled places we went for historic details. Crazy I know! 

Oh and the best part. I spent less than 12 hours on this album. Normally, I could spend two entire weekends doing traditional scrapbooking to get that many photos done. I also still would have to do all of my embellishing. And there's no way this would all fit into one album....probably not even two. So I saved a ton of time and shelf space.

I'll have photos of these projects soon! I want to finish my album before I post pics. But stay tuned!  

One last thing about pocket scrapbooking. I also collect postcards from all of my trips and travels. I’ve been looking for a few years for something to organize my collection in. I haven’t had any luck except for plastic envelopes and those were ugly. There are pocket pages that hold 12 postcards! There are page protectors that will hold 12 horizontal or vertical. Thank you We R Memory Keepers! I have been able to give hundreds of postcards a lovely home finally!

Cyber Monday Sale

The Cyber Monday Sale begins at midnight EST and ends Tuesday at midnight EST. Have questions? Send me a message! 
Don't forget you must join our Facebook group to see what items are available. Join us on Inky Hot Mess.

Close To My Heart Stamps sizes A, B, C, and D are $3 off! 
Close To My Heart Stamps E size and kits are $5 off!
House Mouse stamps over $5 are $2 off!
SEI ink pads are $1!
Close To My Heart cardstock alphabet stickers are $0.50 each!
All 6x6 paper pads are $3 each!
Close To My Heart Background & Texture papers are $2 off!
Close To My Heart Level 1 Kist are $2 off!
Close To My Heart Base Pages are $2 off!
All albums are $2 off!
We R Memory Keeper stickers are $1
Washi Tape is $0.50 off!
Studio G stamps are $0.75!
Ranger Adirondack Ink Pads are $1!
Karen Foster Design stickers are $0.50!
Cuttlebug die sets (set of 4 dies) are $3!

Black Friday Sale!

Happy Gobble Gobble Weekend! 

HUUUUUUUUGE Black Friday Sale is happening NOW here at Inky Hot Mess. 

This sale runs from NOW until Saturday at 12 midnight EST. 

ALL items are 25% OFF!!!

EXCLUDING the paper boxes! They are 10% off and shipping is included!

You MUST join the Inky Hot Mess Facebook group. Just ask to join and once approved, check out the photo albums. Everything available has a photo, description, and price listed. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/211504655531278/

Why do you have to be approved to join the group? It's nothing personal. Really it isn't. I'm trying to keep spammers out. People live to spam others and it's just plain annoying! 

Lots of creations will be back next week. Along with some announcements. Something huuuuge will be announced in January. I'm super excited about many things that are in the works! 

Happy Shopping! 

Grandmother Birthday Card

Two of my grandmothers have birthdays this month. No need to visit a Hallmark store when you have a studio full of supplies! I ended up making six of these cards. I figured I had everything out and making multiples is easy. It's the first one that is challenging. My extra four cards went into my Operation Write Home stash. Maybe someday I'll become famous and sell my cards.

Until then, I'll let you know what went into these cards. They're all the same card. A few things are different on a couple. I had some issues with my Vagabond. I finally used it! Talk about a learning curve. It doesn't work anything like the Cuttlebug! Lots of reading and video watching is necessary with the Vagabond unlike the Cuttlebug which is all trial and error. 

The card bases are Colonial White Die Cut Cards from Close To My Heart. Upon them I built several layers of papers and cardstocks. All of which came in the Chantilly Paper Pack from Close To My Heart. I used the Champagne, Buttercup, and Lagoon cardstocks. 

All of the inking was done in Regal Rose from Stampin' Up. The cardstock base was sent through my Vagabond and I used the Sizzix Texturz Fancy Fan plate from Stampin' Up.

The twine is Pink from Queen & Co. The stamps inside and out are from the Birthday Tags set from Papertrey Ink.

I used two die sets for this. The first one I used cut out the larger base that the stamped cardstock sits on. That first layer was cut on the Vagabond using Labels Fourteen from Spellbinders. The stamp cardstock layer was cut on the Vagabond with the Tabs and Tags set from Clear Dollar Stamps.

Apparently, I've come up with some sort of style that's my own. I haven't seen anyone else do this, but I'm sure there's at least one other person on earth who's done this. There are, after all, something like seven billion people here. Surely, I didn't create this, but it does seem to have become a signature for myself. 

I've been stamping a small sentiment in the bottom corner of the card. Then a stick on a row of washi tape. I have no idea who makes this washi tape. I probably should try to keep track of that somehow. Not sure how since all washi doesn't come wrapped up with a label when purchasing it especially online.

Valentine's Day Card for Operation Kuwait

Today's card is the one for Valentine's Day I made for Operation Kuwait. I sound like Walmart pushing holidays months in advance I know! But my friend is shipping these overseas and we will only be doing it twice a year. Gotta stockpile while I can!

The card base is made from Colonial White from Close To My Heart. The cover cardstocks are Hollyhock from Close To My Heart and a scrap of Bazzill.

The "love" stamp is from Studio G and is stamped in Victorian Velvet from Tim Holtz's Distress Inks. The "Happy Valentine's Day" is from the hearts2love set from The Stamps of Life and it's inked in Fired Brick from Tim Holtz's Distress Inks. The cardstocks are edged in Worn Lipstick from Tim Holt'z Distress Inks line. 

First time alert! This was my first time using baker's twine on a card. Shocking I know. The pearls are from Basic Grey.

I was asked what I used to score the cardstock to fold it over into a card. I have the Martha Stewart Scoring Boards. I was skeptical when I bought it. Some of her products are ok, some are good, and some are stinky. This one actually works really well. It even comes with a scoring tool and an envelope making tool. I do recommend it. I know others have used it for making rosettes.

The stamp on the inside is from One Plus One Equals Love from The Stamps of Life. Worn Lipstick Distress Ink from Tim Holtz was used to stamp onto the Blush cardstock from Close To My Heart.

Dimensions:
Card base: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Hollyhock base: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Pink cardstock: 5" x 3 3/4" 

I do not receive any compensation for the products used on Inky Hot Mess. I use what I like. The products are not given to me. I have purchased every item used. So if I think something stinks, I'll tell you to save your money and go elsewhere. If a product is given to me to test out, I will let you know.