Organizing my copics

I have been struggling with my copic storage for awhile now and I really needed something new.
When I fist started collecting them I ordered a clear acrylic marker holder from copic but it really only works for the original(square) ones. Because I love A Muse so much, I thought I was going to buy all originals. Well once I got started I realized that I liked the sketch copics better. They wobble in the acrylic holder and didn't stay put very well. Then I started buying too many to fit in the case for 72. So I had them stuffed in between the slots...it was a mess. I knew my friend Jody had bought a set of cubes from Office Max that had a big X in the middle and so I started looking for them. They are 6x6" cubes that have a metal clip you can use to hook them together. I went to my Office max store and they were no longer available, then I tried Office Depot and Target looking for them. No one had them. They are made by Rubbermaid so I thought they would be easy to find. Nope! I ended up ordering them online. I hate paying postage but I wasn't having any luck finding them. I have to say, Office Max has incredibly fast shipping, like almost overnight. Now when I look at my Copics divided up by color group, I realize I need more LOL! I am really lacking neutrals and I never have the right shade of green either. I have no idea what I will do with my acrylic copic holder so for now it is sitting on top of the blocks on its side and I am sticking a few frequently used inks on it.

If anyone needs an acrylic copic holder for Original(square) markers let me know, maybe we can trade something.

Hoot Hoot

Here is the second card I made from the Hero Arts Big Owl stamp. I was stamping the image to borrow and when I stamped it off the edge thinking I wanted to have just the top so I could cut out the eyes and pop them up on another card, I took one look and liked it stamped off and it gave me an idea for another card. (sorry about the run on sentence, hard to explain) Basic Grey DS paper and some pumpkin paper were used to complete the card. Thank you for letting me borrow him Jody!

Tattered Trio

I have new stuff, can you tell? LOL. I bought this stamp from Stamp Salado, it's a Penny Black stamp, I love those stamps and I have a nice collection of them now. I think it is called Garden Poems. The store also carried the Distressed Crackle Paints from Ranger and I used that on the background of the flowers. The color is called Shabby Shutters. You brush it on , wait for it to dry and crackle, then you stamp over the top. I painted it over a Pacific Blue CS so that it would show through in spots. The designer paper is from My Minds Eye, Bohemia collection. I experimented by coloring the image using copic markers and I like the way it turned out. I distressed all the edges of the card layers with my distressing tool. The sentiment is stamped in Versa mark then embossed in Judi kins Chocolate Sparkle EP. I think next time I want more crackle so I need to figure out how to achieve that.

Big Owl

While my friend Jody was here this week, we went stamp shopping and she bought this Big Owl stamp from Hero Arts and the branch. I wasn't sure I wanted to buy him or or not so I borrowed him while she was here and stamped him a few times. He is so original and cute I just wanted to try him out first. i think I have three other owl sets already LOL. The sentiment is from a PTI owl set that I have never used before. His eyes are colored separately and popped up for added interest.

I am determined to start stamping again. We have been having alot of stuff going on in our lives and I have gotten away from my stamp time. I really need it in my life to keep me sane. I just need that creative outlet. I am ignoring the three loads of laundry that need to be folded right now and doing this instead. LOL. Oh well, atleast I washed the clothes.

Little Birdie Box

Don't faint! I made something! LOL. MFT has a new template for a cute little easel box created by my friend Jody Morrow and it's

FREE!

I used Chipboard from SU's Tweet Talk se, covered in DS paper from Hello Sunshine. I haven't put a treat inside the box yet but I think maybe a gift card would be cute inside this or even money. Hope you like it.

I am not dead

Yet.

Sorry about my absence from blogging lately. I haven't really stamped much of anything lately. My MIL had a second stroke and has been in the hospital so we have been busy. She was moved to a rehab hospital here in Austin and my FIL is staying at my SIL's house. We have been going to the hospital and then to have dinner with them pretty often. I also have my daughter about to graduate from high school so there have been things for her going on as well. I am working on getting the announcements addressed and mailed. Someday I am going to have time to stamp for fun again. I did make my mother a mothers day card. It was cased and so I didn't feel right about posting it. I am hoping I have another Mothers day card in my stash to give to my MIL tomorrow. Yikes, I guess I better go check. Anyway, I am still alive, I just have life getting in the way of my favorite pastime.

Here is a picture of my beautiful daughter that I had made for her graduation pictures. I am so proud of her.