Introduction {Killing Kits Series}

Hello lovelies! I'm so excited, because today I can finally share the introduction to my new video series, Killing Kits, that I'm working on in collaboration with The Counterfeit Kit Challenge.

Before we start, I wanted to share a little overview of how I store all of my unfinished kits – because, once I found a system that worked for me, it made everything so much easier. Well, until it didn’t … but more about that in a minute.

Normally, I’ll have two or three monthly kits in use and I, most often, will have some leftover at the end of the month. Of course, I could sort the leftovers into my stash, but I tend to think that after all of the effort of co-ordinating a kit, it seems a waste to break it down.

It used to stress me out. I had two or three kits in use – all over my desk – and the leftovers from (at least) the last month, sat around in little dishes or boxes making me feel guilty.

Eventually, I found a solution.

I store all of my kit leftovers in these Wilko A5 Binders. These frosted binders, came with a small exercise book, dividers and, a set of four removable wallets. I removed the exercise books and dividers (I still have them somewhere!) and found that the wallets were about the size I needed for most of my kit leftovers. They are surprisingly roomy. I went back to the store and, now, I have a set of four folders and a total of sixteen wallets.

The small size of the binder has made it really easy to store them on a shelf, next to my desk – and, of course, it’s so easy to snatch a couple of them of the shelf on my way to a scrapbooking crop. No need to spend time co-ordinating supplies, more time crafting! Yay!

But, here’s the issue. Those little leftovers eventually built up and, when I finally filled the last wallet, I found out that these little binders aren’t available anymore. What?! I really didn’t want to start over with a new system – and, honestly, I would rather spend my money on new stash (or new shoes!) So, I realised that I need to start making more an effort to use those leftovers – and it’s been a lot of fun to take a fresh look at some older kits. It’s even more fun to finally kill a kit.

Whether you choose to use the ideas in this new series to help you finish off your current kit, or whether you haul out the remains of some of those older kits, it’s up to you. But, I hope that the Killing Kits Series will help you to make the most of those little leftovers!

I'll be back on the 30th with the first of the inspiration videos!

Kitted Out!

Recently, I shared some tips and techniques for Creating DIY Planner Kits From Your Own Stash, with Amy and Jenn over at the Planner Squad. Over the last week, I've finally had the time to sit down and make something with the kit that I created and I am thrilled with the results. Want to see?

The base for the kit was a small ring-binder, which came with some standard (rather boring dividers) which I replaced using some of the bright, colourful cardstock that I had in my kit. You'll notice that I didn't add tabs, as I like to move my dividers around when I'm bored! Normally, I'll use clips on the tops or sides of my dividers as 'bookmarks' instead. 

I've added some cute notes to the dividers/dashboards - and the front pocket is the perfect size for a small set of alpha stickers, die-cuts and a few additional embellishments.

The binder is perfectly sized to hold a set of lined notecards, so after punching them all to fit, I decorated about a third of them using the craft tapes, stickers, tags and stamps from my kit. I love including a wide selection of embellishments when I make mini-albums, because I love how wonderfully fat these little beauties become when full!

This beautiful, button clip is easily my favourite item from the kit (the chevron washi from DoCrafts is a very, very close second) because it's stunning! I bought it at a local haberdashery such a long time ago, but wasn't sure how to use it. It looks so lush in the binder - and I'm thrilled to have found the perfect spot for it! 

I'll be using the rest of the kit to decorate the remaining notecards, but I think I'll also end up using some of it for cards (it's such a bright, happy mix of colours!) So, I've stored some of the more substantial cardstock and embellishments in the little binders that I use for 'Keeping Kits' and there's a small selection in the binder, to use 'as and when'. 

I'm really looking forward to using the binder - and am wondering whether I might use it as the basis for a small mini-album all about my planning obsession! Watch this space! 

Keeping Kits {Plan With Me}

Over the last few weeks, the team at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge have been sharing some of their most Stylish Scrapbook Storage. Having talked a lot recently about Creating Kits, I thought that it might also be worthwhile to talk about how I keep them!

I'll usually have two or three Counterfeit Kits in use during the month (using the current kit and working ahead on projects for the next reveal.) When I was working with substantially smaller kits, this worked well. I could 'kill a kit' successfully, then move a new kit into the box I had been using to store it all.

However, at the end of January, I still had a box full of lovely, luscious product from the Planning For Perfection Kit and, having created a kit that continues to inspire me, I didn't want to break it down and 're-home' it all with the rest of my stash.

I was also still working with my kit for Document December (in fact, I am *still* working with my kit for Document December) but, it was nearly time to start working with a new kit for February. I desperately needed a storage solution that would allow me to keep all of the lovely leftovers from each kit in one space before I became overwhelmed with boxes, envelopes and dishes full of kit leftovers!

Document December Kit

Eventually, I found the Wilko A5 Binder, a frosted/clear binder, which comes with a small exercise book, five dividers and four 'ziplock style' envelopes. Once full, four envelopes are perfect for the size of the binder, so I removed the exercise book and dividers and I'll no doubt use them in another project sometime soon.

 I needed two envelopes for the leftovers from the Planning For Perfection Kit!

The clear envelopes make it really easy to find the kit that I want to work with and their 'ziplock' style keeps everything secure. The size of the binder also means that it's easy to store in my craft room and, as a bonus, is easily transported to my local scrapbooking club. I love taking my kits with me - it makes it so much easier to plan and pack!

I am thrilled to have found a solution that works and have, obviously, been back to buy a few more of these little lovelies! I can't wait to see them fill up with lots of little leftovers!

Head on over to the Counterfeit Kit Challenge to see more Stylish Scrapbook Storage solutions that work for the team!

That Messy Inbetween Stage {What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday #352}

Well, hello there What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday folks! Unusually, I have an 'inbetween' shot of my desk looking messy this morning, because I haven't had chance to catch up (or clean up) after working on several things at once over the weekend.

On the left-hand side there's two new little binders, which I use to store all of the leftovers from my counterfeit kits and behind them, a small stack of scraps which have been stamped on. I'll be taking those to my local scrapbooking club in a week or two! I find that stamping onto my scraps at the end of a crafting sessions means that I use up the smaller scraps more effectively - and cutting them out at the crop means I can be productive but still have a nice old natter with the ladies!

In the centre is a small kit box, containing the kit that I made up for my article 'Creating A DIY Planner Kit From Your Own Stash' which is now live on the Planner Squad. I've been using it this weekend, so check back later in the week when I'll be sharing how I've used it!

Behind the kit box, is a stack of chocolate wrappers (I ate them all and they were delicious!) which I'm saving for 'something' because I hate waste and, finally, on the right-hand side is my tool box - which currently appears to be sat *on* all of the tools, instead of keeping them all in one place!

I'll need to clear everything off the desk before I can start on new stuff this week - I'm really looking forward to making a start on my March Counterfeit Kit. What are you looking forward to working on this week?

Visit Stamping Ground for more information on What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday.

I Like Organising! {The Organisation Celebration Blog Hop}

Hello! Hello! Today I'm delighted to be part of The Organisation Celebration Blog Hop, organised by the lovely Jennifer of Jennifer's Jumbles. If you haven't just arrived from Jennifer's, you might want to pop back there for the 'official' start. Either way, I hope you'll be able to join us, as we'll be sharing our craft organisation secrets - and there's an amazing collection of October Afternoon and Studio Calico goodies to be had! 

So let me start by sharing a secret - I like organising. Sometimes I enjoy the organisation as much as the crafting (but if anyone asks I will swear I didn't tell you that.) Anyway, since I find it incredible difficult to be creative in an untidy environment – it's probably a good thing. But, my main advantage in maintaining a well ordered and organised craft room actually lies in a 'deplorable' habit I picked up from my dad – I don’t throw anything away.

While this is a habit that could, quite easily, have toppled me across the line into the disorganised, hoarder cohort, I’ve managed to find a few ways to make it work for me – both creatively and organisationally.

Here’s How -

First of all, I now almost exclusively work from a kit. Joining in with the Counterfeit Kit Club has revolutionised my life. There’s no more rummaging around every time I want to make something and no more leaving papers and embellishments all over the room. I keep each of my kits in a zip-locked bag – cardstock, patterned papers, alphas and embellishments.

To further prove my anal retentiveness, I have a smaller bag which I use to keep all of my kit scraps together, meaning that I have them on hand for additional cards or layouts (and let me tell you, there is no scrap too small.) This, smaller bag, gets popped into the larger one to keep everything together. Whenever I need a smaller piece of patterned paper or cardstock, I will rummage through the smaller bag to see if I have anything suitable, before I attack any of the larger pieces with my scissors!

When I ‘retire’ my kits, I spend a little while sorting the remaining items back into the rest of my ‘stupidly organised’ space. Cardstock and papers are organised by colour - and anything that's larger than around 5x7 will end up back with the full sheets.

Anything smaller than that will end up in an old shoebox, which I will occasionally rummage through  when I need to add to my Counterfeit Kit. When the box gets full, I have a little 'session' with my paper trimmer, corner rounder and some loud music - which results in little stacks of card in 5x7, 6x4, 3x5 and 2.5x3.5. Perfect for mini-albums, artistic trading cards or a small greetings card.

Teeny, tiny scraps and anything that looks a little bit awkward (which would normally end up in someone’s bin) are not overlooked in my craft room! I tend to use them with some of the smaller stamps or punches in my collection, which provides me with additional embellishments and leaves me with very little wastage.

Now, About That Amazing Giveaway -

You may, or may not, have noticed a little letter hidden away somewhere in my post - can you see it? Well, in order to be entered into a prize draw for this amazing collection of October Afternoon 9-5 and Studio Calico Take Note goodies, all you have to do is 'collect letters' from each of the blog hop participants, then e-mail Jennifer with your answer. Don't worry if you don't have time to complete the entire hop today, you have until 11:59pm (BST) on the 2nd of July.

So, ready for a little bit more organisational fun? Then head over to visit Leanne at My Little Life Of Scrap, who has some more organisational tips and techniques for you, along with that all important new letter!