Workbox3.0 magnetic panel review (and my stamp storage system)

Ever have one of those "duh" moments in life?  This was another one for me.  LOL!  When I picked up the Workbox3.0, I said I didn't need the panels.  Of course I did!  What was I thinking???  They arrived today.  Super easy to put in.  Perfect fit.  I am really glad that I ordered 2 sets - 1 set per door.

The center seam is barely noticeable.

Right side panel - went on just as easy.  And, as you can see, I loaded them up completely and STILL have 5 sets of dies that didn't fit!  YIKES!

And just look at all my old spellbinders nestabilities.  I have one of their "mystery" dies left from my Design Team days.  And I still have some of their very first dies in the squares. I still use their Hanukkah dies from 2005.   Also a few of the first Quickutz dies.  How great is it that the dies now come in individual shapes?  I sure save on my paper!

I think I will love this.  Dies are easy to see, not hidden away.  I might actually use them a little more often.

And this will be the normal view as the dies are on the outside of the outer doors.  Easy to access, easy to hide.  Love it!

So what about those 5 sets that just didn't fit?  I kept out the dies that have matching stamps.  I'm using the new Sizzix envelopes that have magnetic panels that fit inside.  And - bonus, they fit in the storage boxes in that very center column.  Did they plan this?  It certainly works!!

I'm using the 5x7 envelopes - available at hobby lobby.com - come in a 3pack.  The panels are also on their website.  The white side is for cling stamps -

The black side is for dies.  Perfect for sets.

And you can get several sets into each container.  Yep, I have way too many stamps (and dies)!  

For my longer stamps, i.e., Julie Nutting dies, I use the 6x9 sizzix envelopes and I cut the panels from 8.5x11 cling sheets from Crafter's Companion.  They all fit nicely into one of these same storage bins.  

I don't have a lot of the larger stamps, so I was able to stuff other things in this bin as well.  I just love it when different companies work together to make crafty organization so easy!

I use this for all my unmounted stamps - if there are no dies, I just cut up the cling sheets to fit either the 5x7 or the 6x9 envelopes.  

Did you find time to play today?  

JLo:)

Add a little color to your world

Do you love paper dolls?  I always have!  Janet Lennon used to be my favorite, but a few months ago, Graphic 45 came out with a line of paper doll paper that was just too cute.  And while the paper was nice, I love to cut up their stuff and re-engineer it into something even better!

This 8 x 5 1/2" journal took quite some time to finish.  Tons of paper dolls to be cut out.  I hope you can see from the photos and explanations just how interactive this journal is.

Starting with the cover, the dolls will lift out of the paper doll's arms.  Silk ribbon covering every ribbon on the paper.  Feel free to click on the photo to enlarge it and see the details.

This is the "sister's page.

A couple of postcards lift out for future journaling

Next is the family page.....little tiny daisies sprinkled about....

The 2 center "cards" fold up and down for more journaling spots.

This is the "mother" page

The tag on the top pulls up, the card opens to the left and bottom, the cut out paper dolls all come out.

 Next is the father's page.  I love the tiny banner across the top!

A page folds down

then it folds out and the paper dolls come out

And the "brother" page.  Nothing folds out, but the paper dolls and clothes come out of the pocket.  The hats can be found in a variety of spots.  

This is the "friends" page with 2 pockets for the dolls to tuck down inside.  3 paper dolls, 3 outfits and 3 hats.  Can you find them all?

 The back page....all blue and cream....and then the sentiment.  Think it's perfect!

Someone once told me that if you can hear it, you will retain 25% of it.  But if you can see it, hear it, touch it, feel it, and interact with it, you will remember 90% of it.  No idea how much time I put into this journal....but what fun!  Definitely adds a touch of color to my life!

Southwest style

I have a very old Pendleton wool navajo jacket that I got at a thrift store years ago.  It has plenty of moth damage.

And I had an even older vest - probably had it at least 20 years.  I love Pendleton wool.  Can't get rid of it no matter what condition it's in.

The very last thing Kerry bought me was a Pendleton Wool blanket in Bend, OR.  It had denim hues to it and we both thought it would look great in our denim-themed art pod.  When I sold the r-pod, I had to keep the blanket.  The pattern is called "star watchers".  Kind of appropriate as we would sit outside and watch the stars at night on that last trip.

I started out with the tan jacket at the top.  When I took the lining out, the inside was primarily black.  I had enough to make an entire pillow and an insert to put on a denim pillow sham.  There was absolutely no moth damage on the inside and you cannot tell that it wasn't the outside.  One of the things I love about Pendleton wool.

And I was able to make a pillow insert from the vest.  I think they turned out perfect.  You can see the front side of the original jacket on the left, the inside is the black pillow and the pillow on the right is the vest.  I've had the bear for years.

I'm trying the bed out as a "daybed" in the event I move into a studio apartment

Think I have enough pillows? Those tan "wedges" in the back also allow me to convert the bed into a recliner or lounge.   They each have 4 possible positions.  We had them in the art-pod as well.

The rug is hand woven - we bought it in Hualtuco Mexico on our last trip there in 2009.  That's the year Kerry had his first heart attack.  I am surrounding myself with memories of places we've been and things we've done.  I really like the pendleton pillows.  Never throw anything out!!

The iKross for my Workbox3.0

I just got an iKross and installed it in my Workbox3.0.  I absolutely love it.  It frees up my workspace and holds my iPad at eye level.  I think it's perfect!

It folds up almost flat against the workbox.  I centered it right under the middle drawer.

 This is the slot that the stand goes in.  It came with 2 holders and I bought 2 extra as I plan to mount one next to my bed, one under a kitchen cabinet.....maybe even on beside the bath tub!  LOL!

You can take the stand out of the holder and use it on your table, or desk, or anywhere.

And it will pull out quit aways from the workbox shelves just in case you want to watch a video up close.  I think I can also use this to create youtube videos.....if I ever get enough time.

It's going to be perfect for watching how-to videos or Hallmark movies on youtube while I get crafty.

Here's a link to the one I bought on Amazon....but there are other versions as well.  Just google i-pad 12" wall holder.

I also cut a Joann's self-healing cutting pad to the size of my workspace just for added protection.

To the left, you will see that I've attached a Tonic Studio's Table Tidy with the 2-pocket Tidy and the Tiny Tidy.   Just some more table height storage.....must keep my workspace clear!

Very happy with today's addition to my Workbox3.0.

To see my scrapmabob makeover click here.

To see my new workbox3.0 chair with heating pad pocket and storage saddle, click here.

To see my review of the workbox3.0, click here.

To see my upcycled denim scrapbook caddy, click here.

To see my paint bucket, click here.  These last 2 items are on the floor and hold tools for everything I need.  Altered to go with my denim themed accessories for my workbox.

Hope you've had a crafty day!

Tonight is Hanukkah

I used to do a video a night on each of the 8 nights of Hanukkah.  You can google this blog to find them.  But tonight, I want to share a different story.  It's the story of "what-if".

What-if Jesus was conceived on Hanukkah because He is the Light of the World?

What-if Jesus was born 9 months later on the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukot, because He came to tabernacle among us?

What-if the "inn" was a sukkah- a temporary dwelling that is put up for the Feast of Tabernacles?

What-if the "manger" was a food-storage-crib, the place where food is kept inside the sukkot?   What better place for the "bread of life" to be placed.

What-if Jesus died on Passover because He is the Lamb who died for each of us?

What-if Jesus kept these Jewish feasts His entire life because it was what was commanded of Him?

We know that there was no "new testament" when Jesus was here on earth.  It had not been written yet.  We know that there were no "churches" as they had not been built.  We know that the Hebrews were in Jerusalem and Bethlehem and Nazareth and Galilee at that time 2000 years ago and that there were Synagogues and there was a Temple in Jerusalem.  There was no Christmas, no Santa, no tree lighting.



But there is proof of the Feasts.  Historical proof.

What-if you lived the life that He lived, not the life that's been created since His death?  Be sure to click on the links to read more.

Hanukkah - because He is the Light of the World.

Adding on to my Workbox 3.0

A couple of years ago I took up watercolor painting.  It's been slow.  The classes have been a blast.  And of course....more crafty stuff to store.  I have one of these over the door paint tube holders.  It works great!

 But if I want everything I'm keeping to go in the Workbox3.0....this just doesn't cut it.

When you open the Workbox all the way out, there is still empty space on the exterior sides.  Way too narrow for the paint tube holder.....but I do have a sewing machine.....

Yep, I cut that thing down to 5 pockets wide and 5 rows.  I did give up some storage, but I managed to get 3-5 tubes of paint into each pocket.  Note - it's important to store paint tubes like this so that they don't leak out.  If you've had that happen once, it's more than enough!

Is that a perfect fit?  For the most part, it's completely out of site....yet easy to get to when I need to refill a palette.  

I took the seam binding off the part I had cut away and used it to finish off the piece I'm keeping.  Hard to tell that it was cut.  Gotta love a good seam ripper!

And for now, I'm using command hooks to hold it up.  5# each hook - it stayed overnight so I think it's good.  But I'll come up with something a little more permanent down the line.  (Time for a run to Home Depot?)

I know that I'm going to be moving.  Maybe sooner than I'm ready (ok, are you ever ready to move?) I have my name on a waiting list for an apartment in a 55+ community.  A whole block away!   It's where mom lived and my youngest sister lives there now.  I told them I'd take a studio, but I know I would then move into a 1 bedroom when one came available.  I've told myself that ALL my art stuff (excluding sewing) has to fit into this Workbox.  When I first said that....I really didn't think I meant hanging from the outside as well.  But it works!

Maybe I should come up with a business designing add-ons for the Workbox3.0.  This is kind of fun!!!  Hmmmm....what can I hang from the other side???

LOL!

Hope you are having a fun day!

The chair for the workbox3.0

It has been quite some time since I've been office chair shopping.  I decided on this one as it was half off and the arms will lift up.  Bonus - it rocks!  LOL!

But get a load of the back of it!  That is just beyond wierd!

Brand new....but I recovered the arms and seat in denim and made a slip cover to go over the back.  Look closely and you will see a cord coming out the right hand side.  That huge pocket across the front has a heating pad stuck down in it!  There are slits on either side, so I can use an outlet no matter which side it's on.   Added bonus, the heating is in the perfect spot for my back.  Second bonus - the arms flip up so it fits under any height table.

The back side has 2 pockets that hold the controller and the rest of the cord.  It tucks down behind that weird back frame.  I've been trying it out and I really like it.  Comfy enough to work from.....reclines enough to make it great for watching TV.

I also have a couple Walmart student chairs that I recovered in denim.   My sisters need chairs when they come to play.

One of them has it's own heating pad cover just like the top one.  But it also  a "saddle bag" on the seat and I can keep a tape runner down in one of the gigantic pockets and my ATG gun on the other side.

It is so much fun customizing things to make them work better for what you need!  What have you altered lately to meet your needs?