Imitate, Assimilate, Innovate
Learning new skills takes time and practice to master. It is always a road of discipline, triumphs and failures. As long as you aren’t scared to fail however, that journey of learning will go a lot faster, even if there is a whole lot of self-editing going on. Come with me as I take you on my journey from imitation to innovation, and expose some of my weak spots, and my strong spots, so that maybe you can recognize your own gifts of greatness along the way. I plan to look at three things today. Organization, Tools, and Projects.
Organization
My Status: Imitation
Hello, my name is Becky Oehlers, and I am slightly disorganized. Always have been. I mean, I am not a hopeless case, but this has definitely been one of my weak spots of life in general. When I started crafting, I knew all to well that this would be an area I would need to do a lot of research on. I would definitely have to get ideas from others, and imitate exactly what they did because honestly, I didn’t want to think for myself on this one. It was just too dangerous! So I cruised blogs on ideas from storing ribbon to cardstock. How to house your stamps. How to house your die cuts. I did all of this, and it has helped. Imitation has helped me a lot in this area. I now have ribbon jars and smaller matching jars for my buttons, a nice way of storing my carstock that isn’t cumbersome, and an easy way to store my dies. I’ve learned a lot. I have recently come across a problem though with being able to read my labels on my stamps. I use some old plastic CD holders for them which are black, so it is very difficult to read black type on a cd case when it is housed in a black cd tower. I can’t invest in a better way of storage now because we will eventually be re-doing that room. Although I have determined that this, in itself, would still be a problem for me. So I thought I would share with you something that I didn’t imitate! Papertrey has these great White Adhesive Sheets. They are very handy for lots of things, and by just cutting a few of these as strips, I was able to use the sticky side of the sheet, and place them right behind the label on the spine of the cases. I am able to read them now perfectly. Here are some side by side. With the label sheets and without:
See the difference it makes! I now keep many strips of these white label sheets in a glassine bag ready to go when my new stamps come in. Maybe I am finally learning to assimilate some new organizational skills for myself!
Tools
My Status: Assimlation
I am comfortable with my tools. I have assimilated them into my daily crafting life, and they have become easy to work with. Tools perform specific functions, so it has proven to be a bit difficult for me to think creatively with them in terma of their use, but it certainly is possible, especially with embossing folders and die cutting machines to get innovative. While looking at some recent cards by some other artists, I noticed a cute theme. The use of a notebook paper punch. I don’t have one. I wanted to make a project using this look, so I had to think out of what I usually use my tools for, and came up with a pretty nifty solution. All it takes is a hole punch and some scissors. Just punch a line of holes down the side of your paper, and snip one snip from the side of the paper to the center of your hole, and you have a notebook punch! OH! You like the square holes? Have a Bind-it-all? That punches square holes! So using tools you already have you can achieve the same effect as a trendy punch!
Projects
My Status: Innovation
Papertrey has so many wonderful images, tools and acccents to play with that creating in an innovative way is so simple to me. I am one of those people who are up in bed with their minds racing at the 100 things they can do with a set or a template. Are you one of those kinds of people? I am eternally greatful for that. I love innovative ideas. One idea I came up with recently was born out of starting an assignment. I was putting together the My Timeless Template “Keeping Tabs” and noticed after I had cut out the scrap piece from one of the inner envelopes how strikingly pretty it was. Lauren always does such an incredibly innovative job with making these templates. It was no wonder that the scrap I cut out was just as beutiful as the template. So I kept both of them, as there were two holders in this template. I used them to make mat for the label die cut found on this card:
ETA: this cute hedgehog was bought by me in Germany. I wish I could tell you I got him here.
Now, after I realized I can use the templates not only as templates, but as elements on my cards, I used the envelope mat from the very same template to create the envelope which holds mulling spices on the front of this card:
I will never look at my Timless Templates as just a box design ever again. I plan to encorporate a lot of these elements from these templates in my card designs as well!
What will you innovate today? If you have an innovative idea, won’t you share it with all of us in the comments section? We would love to hear it, and learn something new!
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October 8th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
I would rather imitate something already so well done then even try to come up with something on my own, it would just turn out as one giant mess!
I don’t know what your current method of organizing ribbon is, but I wanted to recommend the following post from Blue Cricket Design, I fell in love with the Dress Drawer Ribbon Organizers!
http://bluecricketdesign.blogspot.com/2009/09/dresser-draw-ribbon-organizers.html
-Jennifer
October 9th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Becky, this was a great post! It is almost like you were talking about me. Your idea for the stamps sets spine is so terrific. I have been trying to figure out how to do something like this because it is so hard to read the names with the clear labels. Thank you for sharing your ideas.
October 9th, 2009 at 1:31 am
Ha ha, are you talking about me??? I am disorganized and my crafting space is a mess! Now I have to post a photo of it with an interview… this is soo embarrassing! “Der Genie beherrscht das Chaos” ??? No, it rules me! And I am lying awake every night, because all the ideas are racing in my head… But it`s the time I have the best ideas. Thanks for sharing this!
Hugs,
Vanessa
October 9th, 2009 at 3:00 am
Becky – how spooky! I recently did the same with bits of white labels on my CD cases too – they are kept in a very dark corner of my room. I also keep my small collection of Nestabilities (yes they will fit) in CD cases and write the name of each on the case spine with a permanent marker then add a label behind. Brilliant post – Assimilation idea is so cool!
October 9th, 2009 at 5:37 am
So very well said, Becky. We don’t always think about how we learn, but just being aware of where we are in the process is encouraging. Thanks for taking the time to share with us your observations!
Hugs!
October 9th, 2009 at 5:48 am
great ideas tfs
on a seperate note, where did you get the cutie hedgehog?
gotta get one. please email me the info if you have it
thanks for your help
lois
October 9th, 2009 at 5:59 am
I can’t wait to put the white paper behind all my label spines: brilliant! Love your cards, as always.
October 9th, 2009 at 6:22 am
Quick question Becky….Where on earth did you get your hedgehog? I love him! I have been adding a strip of colored cardstock to the inside of my CD holders ever since I started purchasing PTI products….I’m not 20 and had trouble seeing them then after I had them all done…I thought I could change colors as the years go by so I know what I purchased when or I might even change that to do different colors for different themes…I just cut the thin strip of cardstock and run my ATG 714 tape gun down the strip and then stick in inside the CD holder. Works for me…
October 9th, 2009 at 6:24 am
Great post Becky! I think even the best “organizers” can feel a bit overwhelmed sometimes. But don’t the smallest solutions (like your labels) make you feel like you’ve accomplished the world!! Excellent idea with the whole punch. I was trying to figure something like this out just a few weeks ago – with your idea I think I’ll give it a try again.
October 9th, 2009 at 6:32 am
Wow, Becky! You’re so clever! Love all the ideas from this post! When I get time (that’s a big when!) I’m gonna try these myself! Thanks for the inspiration.
October 9th, 2009 at 6:33 am
Great post…great ideas. I love the one with the white adhesive ‘behind’ the label. I had been planning on re-doing all of mine but it’s such an undertaking, I haven’t. This is a perfect solution!
Love the little hedgehog holding your card. Sorry, that was off topic but he’s so cute!
Thanks again for your fabulous post!
October 9th, 2009 at 6:50 am
Thanks for the ideas, Becky! Love the label idea..I’ve been using a label machine but think this would be cost effective.
Loving your hedgy here, too!!
October 9th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Great thoughts to ponder! I enjoy all that you share! I don’t always comment but, I check your blog everyday. Your wonderfully talented!
October 9th, 2009 at 7:06 am
These are fantastic tips! Thank you so much!
~Lacey
October 9th, 2009 at 7:23 am
I LOVE all your ideas, but the one that stood out to me the most was the notebook punch. I have a Bind it All. Never have time to use it and have always wanted a notebook punch- DUH! You are brilliant! Thanks for sharing. Looks like I’ll be pulling my machine out soon!
Sarita
October 9th, 2009 at 7:29 am
THANK YOU! The white strip behind the PTI stickers is incredibly obvious and yet I didn’t think of it. DUH! Love the notepaper idea too. And would seriously kill for the hedgehog – he was worth whatever it took to get him back from Germany!
October 9th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Becky you rock! Thanks for sharing your insights and you are DEAD ON RIGHT!! I just recently also used the white label behind the title technique for my PTI stamp sets cause I couldn’t read the writing either. It was exciting to see that this idea has real merit (beyond just for me)! Have a lovely weekend.
October 9th, 2009 at 7:43 am
Wow I love the coffee cup protector Im going to make some this weekend
October 9th, 2009 at 7:48 am
WOW thanks for the inspiration and new ideas….
October 9th, 2009 at 8:09 am
I don’t know WHY I can’t see the forest for the trees sometimes. Your idea about the white strip behind the clear label on the CD cases is BRILLIANT, and I will be doing that this weekend.
I’m always squinting, trying to find the one I want, but no more! And thanks for the other ideas as well.
October 9th, 2009 at 8:13 am
I love the idea of having the white behind the tab. Is there a way to fix the ones that already have the clear lable?
Cute card and cup holder!
October 9th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Excellent post Becky. I have been using the leftover portions from address label sheets to place behind the titles of the PTI stamp sets for a long time. Your suggestion to sue leftover scraps from the templates is great.
October 9th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Thanks for all of the tips and inspiration…the CD case labeling is such a great idea!
October 9th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Thanks for the tips!
Can’t wait to see more
October 9th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Becky – I am intrugued by others work/play space. I need to do something with mine. I was hoping you would publish a picture of how you use your space. Very good ideas, thanks.
October 9th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Thank you for a great idea to help these old eyes. It makes so much difference in your picture. I’m going to try this. Papertrey is my favorite company right now and I always enjoy reading your blogs and seeing your ideas for the cards.
October 9th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Thanks for saving me $16 on a punch. I love the look of the BIA holes!
October 9th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
I did the same basic thing for my stamp sets, but I just use an inexpensive white cardstock and a couple glue dots on each end to secure mine. It makes it so easy to spot & grab just the one you’re looking for!
October 9th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Thank you so much for the tips! Definetely relabelling mine – I can never read them!
October 9th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
The BIA holes, great job I never thought of this;)
Wonderful post!
October 9th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
That was so interesting! You sound so much like me, but much wiser! Awesome ideas! Beautiful projects! TFS! My hardrive went bad on my computer(only 2 yrs old), and thank goodness my husband could replace it. But I lost everything!!!Including YOU saved in my favorires, and RSS feed! All MY Timeless Templates downloads-ALL MY Downloads, All My Favories, EVERYTHING!!! I’ve been really sick over it! I am SO Disorganized!!! So I relied greatly on being able to save things on my computer! I only wish I could have found the time to actually make or do more of the ideas,etc, prehaps then being more stored into MY memory or the actual project to look at! If anyone is like me, invest in a cheap ($15.00 and up) flash drive, and frequentlty
“back up” your pictures, downloads, everything! so prehaps all is not lost! Thanks for sharing! I feel better having gotten your email, and “favoriting” you once again!
October 9th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
If I was there with you right now I would hug you! As much as I love my PTI stamp sets and their storage CDs I have never been able to read the labels on the spine. You have come up with a brilliant idea and I can’t wait to run downstairs to my craft room and try your tip. A million thanks for sharing this fabulous idea!
October 10th, 2009 at 12:44 am
Thanks so much for the idea of the solid sticker strips for backing the labels, to see better. I so needed that tid bit of advice! My vision is not what it once was, so that really helped, Thanks!!
The one suggestion I have is I save all my little scrap pieces of paper. I then save what could easily be used for other projects, but have found even the onces I would have thrown out before, I can still get some of my most used labels or tabs punched out of. I keep those punches handy and just punch away and store those punched out pieces. I always have a stock of the most used punches on hand that way!
October 10th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Becky!!!! I have been struggling with being able to read my PTI CD cases since they changed the labels from translucent to transparent and had not been able to figure out what to do with them!!! Yeah, I am about to IMITATE you!!! Thanks so much for sharing this idea! Now off to my studio to label away!
October 10th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Becky, I love your ideas! Imitation is the best flattry!
When I receive my PTI stamps, I do as you do, however, I the stick the stamp label directly onto the label sheets then cut them…they fit perfectly.
Another thing I do when I receive my stamps, I copy PTI’s stamp sheet to Word, print it and put it in a sheet pocket for protection, and place it in a loose leaf binder. Next to this page, I also print the PTI TIPs, AND a couple of the examples from PTI’s gallery featuring the stamp. This has given me many ideas and I can see exactly what stamp sets I will need!
Thank you for your ideas!
October 10th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Becky: Hi!!!
i love all the ideas you gave on this post….. i definitly agree with you with every aspect.
Thanks for sharing!!
October 11th, 2009 at 3:01 am
I try to keep organized and I try to keep my workspace tidy, especially after I finished a project. I found I have trouble going into my room when I know it’s a mess. An organized house (craftroome) is an organized mind. And I too love reading tips in how to organize supplies. I have ordered some PTI stamp sets and I’ll follow your idea on how to make the stampset names more clear to read.
Eveline.
October 18th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Oh Becky, I cannot thank you enough for the tip about white tape behind the stamp titles!!!! I was thinking I was doing something wrong because I could not read the titles OR the sentiments after putting them in the CD holder. I needed to copy the images of the stamp set off the PTI website just to be able to visually scan the sets. This should really help with the titles, but still need advice on the stored stamps themselves! Thank you, thank you! Love your work!!!
Sue
October 19th, 2009 at 2:04 am
Thanks for the great tips. I included a link on my blog so others could read your great tips too.
October 19th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Glad I discovered your blog. Looking forward to all your posts