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Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Freshly Made Sketches: Tall Type Birthday

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by me and here’s what I did with it!
 
Tall Type Birthday


I usually put my sketches together with a very strong idea of what I'm going to do with it (if not actually having the card made in advance!)  This card was not it.  I had planned on a long narrow image and a tiny little sentiment in the strip. But I have been in the midst of a major re-org and these alphabet dies popped out at me.

I have kept my dies in three-ring binders in the clear pockets that Martha Stewart used to sell.  They were 8 1/2x11 and they had four pockets each with a flap. For sets with lots of pieces, I used magnetic sheets to keep the dies displayed in the pocket.  As my die stash got bigger (and as Martha Stewart quit selling the pockets), I started putting dies on the back side of each pocket and it became harder and harder to get to them.  I had to lift the flap from the front but pull dies out from the back.  Ugh.  Consequently, many of my dies almost never came out to play because it was just too darn hard.  (And who am I kidding - new dies keep coming into my house too!)  A big problem were alphabet sets. Now my new organization method makes it all SO much easier and this alphabet came out on this card.

I decided to go with pocket sleeves and came up with these on Amazon (equivalent to Avery Elle) and for slimline dies, I'm using these. I also use these magnetic sheets.  Note that they are strong sheets but they aren't quite the right size.  The sheets are 8x10 so cutting them into 4 pieces is only 4x5 and the standard-sized pocket sleeves can fit a wider piece.  But they are the cheapest and strongest that I've found so that's what I use! (ETA - I just noticed that the price is higher on these right now than I usually pay.  I also see these which are $10 cheaper and the specs are the same.  I've ordered them but won't be here until tomorrow to compare.)

Then I had to figure out how to file them. I was going to go with refrigerator bins and they'd probably still be easier, but I saw these at Target and thought they would be gorgeous in my craft room. 


The first two notebooks I changed over were the word dies and the basics, then I used some of my favorite cardstock colors to add dividers. The flaps on my pockets are up - I think I'll leave it that but it was more because the magnetic sheets I took out of my 3-ring binders were just slightly too tall for the pockets and I just wanted it done so didn't take the time to shave off a bit from the top so my pockets closed. 

I saw something else at Target that I'm experimenting with.  I have tall spaces for storage and the pretty little bins in the above picture don't stack.  I combined a bathroom shelf with some containers with handles for this storage.  It's not quite as convenient but it fits my space!  I just got started on floral dies and still have space for leaves and Christmas!


Sometimes I think that "organizing" might be my favorite part of this hobby (I'm obsessive that way), followed by "collecting" (I'm compulsive that way) - with the actual card creation coming in third!!  Actually it's all a really nice mix - my left brain and my right brain are both involved!

So back to my card (since I'm guessing all of you already have favorite storage methods and probably not my level of obsessiveness!)  I do love this alphabet set by Concord & 9th.  I love the look and I love the coordinating tagalong sets.  The tagalong dies have the balloon I used and also things like a rainbow and a star and a pumpkin - it works for everything! Then the tagalong stamps have words like "birthday". So the combination gives you everything you need. I just pulled out my favorite colors and put together a cheerful "happy birthday"!

Tall Type Birthday

I hope to see you playing along with us this week at Freshly Made Sketches. I just love seeing the creative and unique ideas in the gallery!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Concord & 9th Tiny Tagalongs

Dies: Concord &9th Tall Type Alphabet and Tall Type Tagalong

Paper: Stampin' Up Flirty Flamingo, Mango Melody, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green and Coastal Cabana, Taylored Expressions Cupcake

Other: Studio Katia pearls in Lemon Burst and Apricot Glace, Pretty Pink Posh pearls in Sea Foam

10 comments:

  1. A fun sketch and a very fun card! I love the colors you've used and the sweet letters.

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  2. This is a fabulous card Kim! I love those letter dies and the pretty rectangles! So fun to celebrate a birthday! Love those die holders! They are so cute!

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  3. CUTE card, Kim! Love your cute storage solutions too. I LOVE organizing my crafty space. It's small, so I have to keep organized to keep sane LOL!

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  4. Kim, I love organizing my stuff, too! Love the cute boxes you've found for your space - especially these little 'tool boxes'!
    Darling, colorful, cute card, too!
    =]

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  5. My organizing skills are a wee bit hapazard compared to yours...maybe you should come visit me, LOL! Anyway, I LOVE those little alphabet letters and they look perfect on top of your pretty color blocks! Caught my eye right away!

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  6. Love seeing your space and organization! I love the colors on your card- just HAPPY!

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  7. Your die organisation looks very similar to mine - except I'm running out of real estate in my office to keep everything! Thanks for a fun sketch - your card is fabulous. So bright and cheerful with the stripes.

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  8. Yep I get lost in organizing as well! I love your new bins! Notebooks never worked for me - I like bins! oh yes - your card - bright and happy!

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  9. Such a beautiful card for a wonderful sketch. And I just love seeing your organization.

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  10. I love organising things Kim (although you wouldn't know it if your saw my craft room right now lol!) so appreciate the peek into your world! Love this card too - this is a 'go to' sketch for me, although I've never used it in this way, especially with the cute balloon on the end. Idea duly pinned - it's now in my pile!

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