Stamped Christmas/Holiday Card and Tags

I've had quite a few stamps for a while, but I haven't made a great use of them yet.  I guess I really like the idea of stamping, I just never really made an effort to try too much with it.  I would like that to change, so this past week I've been experimenting more with different techniques I see around, and with stamps I may not have thought to use before.

For the most part I'm actually pretty cheap when it comes to stamps.  I shop in the $1/$1.50 section at Michaels, or I get them second hand from thrift shops in my area (I've had good luck at one particular Goodwill 15-20 minutes from where I live).  If I buy more expensive stamps, you can bet I wait until there's a sale and/or I have a coupon!  Let me give couple of examples of things I threw together using cheaper stamps.

This particular card used a total of 5 stamps.  The stamps I used in the background, a variety of 3 snowflakes for some added detail came as a set that I got on sale (probably no more than $1-$1.50 a piece).  The "Seasons Greetings" stamp was only $1 last holiday season at Michaels.  And the snowy homes stamp was a part of a bag of stamps I picked up at Goodwill.  I've been practicing with my distress inks to try and give a cohesive color.  I may add more to this card, but for now I'm keeping it the way it is.

The next 2 projects are more holiday pieces.  The first being a set of stickers, and the next being a set of tags.  Both use the same stamps, I just was experimenting with how I would like everything to look.

The dove with an olive branch, was another $1 Michaels buy from last holiday season.  I also picked up some $1 acrylic stamp letters from Michaels (again).  The to and from are from regular set of acrylic stamps I have lying around.

In the end I kind of prefer the tags to the stickers, maybe because I like the border.  Hopefully when our friend returns our other camera I'll take proper photos and I'll list these in my Etsy shop.

I did have a few more things made, but the photos I took were sub par.  I've been having a lot of fun with stamping this week, and hope to continue experimenting with the materials I have.

Don't forget to check those dollar sections or second hand stores, sometimes you'll score a great buy!

My New Work Space

I mentioned in my previous post that we were rearranging things.  My main crafting station (once my computer desk) and sewing spot (once a foldout table) are now combined in the corner of our bedroom.

I'm still trying to clean it up, but this is kinda close to what it will look like in the end.  I need to reorganize some of the stuff, but for the most part this is it.

We got the shelf, desk, and drawer at Ikea, although the I had the drawer for a while now.  The peg board was from Home Depot.  A lot of the little drawers and containers around were from Staples or Target.

I really like that my sewing machine almost fits perfectly in the shelf, it sticks out a little onto my desk, but I can definitely live with that.  Most of my cloth is stored in a closet, but anything I couldn't fit ended up in the shelf for temporary storage.

Everything that's on the shelf is not necessarily completely organized.  I'm really trying to figure out what works best for me.  I'm also trying to keep the lower shelves somewhat free of anything dangerous to my daughter.  She likes to actually play underneath the desk, so the four shelves there are her toys, books, and random other things she enjoys playing with.

Sorry for my lack of posts recently.  I've been trying to sleep early (with success most of the nights), but that's also my prime time for posting.  Hopefully I'll get a post up soon of some of my recent creations.

Rearranging

So, I'm rearranging my crafting area.  I'll be combining my sewing and crafting stuff into one corner of our bedroom.  So my computer desk will be fro my actual computer stuff.  We've been trying to set up the area for about a week, working on it little by little.  Figuring out what I need and how to best suit my needs.  Once I finish I'll hopefully be back to creating and posting again!

I just wanted to post a quick update on what's happening :).  See everyone when I'm all done!