(Side track example – “Oh look, those are the photos I promised to send Mum, I’ll go do that now”.)

More decluttering adventure tomorrow…

(Fork in the road example – how much space are you willing to allocate to handbags?  Remember, the more handbags you keep, the less room there is for other stuff.)

More adventure tomorrow…

All the best adventures have these things in common.

“Be careful going in search of adventure – it’s ridiculously easy to find” – William Least Heat-Moon

Let’s go on an adventure together, a decluttering adventure.  Who needs GPS?  We’ll make our own roadmap.  You choose the destination – a place of peace and tranquillity/greater productivity/family harmony – and the path to get you there – via the deep dark caves of the cluttered cupboard/drawer/garage/schedule – and I’ll be your guide.

(Roadmap example – towards a good night’s sleep via the overcrowded bedroom.)

The journey continues tomorrow…

Today I have another card to Lisa’s sketch, which is for this month’s

KS Crew Challenge, KSCC#15.

And please take a peek at what the rest of the KSS Crew has created for KSS Monday.

Angela • Connie • Dee • Julie - July’s POM • Lisa • Lori • Lynn • Makiko

Plus: Julie Masse has cooked up something extra special which she will be sharing with us today… July’s Project of the Month.

Materials – Stamps: Multi Step™ Berries from Kitchen Sink Stamps. Paper: Shimmery White, Brilliant Blue and Riding Hood Red from SU! Ink: (Inks are all SU! and stamped in the following order)

Strawberries – Step #3 Purely Pomegranate, Step #2 Riding Hood Red, Step #1 Riding Hood Red stamp off 1x, Step #4 Bravo Burgundy. Strawberries Tops – Step #1 Old Olive, Step #2 Always Artichoke, Step #3 Handsome Hunter. Leaves with Flowers – Step #1 Kiwi Kiss, Step #2 Old Olive, Step #3 Always Artichoke.

Raspberries – Step #3 Riding Hood Red, Step #2 Ruby Red, Step #1 Ruby Red stamp off 1x. Stem – Step #2 Old Olive, Step #1 Certainly Celery. Leaves – Step #1 Certainly Celery, Step #2 Old Olive, Step #3 Always Artichoke.

Blueberries – Step #3 Vintage Violet, Step #2 Brilliant Blue, Step #1 Ballet Blue, Step #4 Night Navy. Leaves – Step #1 Old Olive, Step #2 Handsome Hunter.

Embellishments: Classic & Scallop Rectangle Nestabilites. 1″ Swiss Satin Double Face ribbon – Cranberry. Adhesive 1/2 pearls from K&Company. Clear, Red and Sky Blue Atyou Spica Markers.

My “girls’ adventure” to San Juan Capistrano this past Sat., was fabulous! We all had a lovely day picnicking on the grassy knoll that overlooked the beach. Here is a shot of our view. Fabulous food and wonderful friends!

While I was preparing breakfast, I felt a sudden urge to hear a particular album by a particular artist – it was Masterpieces by Bob Dylan.  I knew I had it.  I knew what the cover looked like.  My CD collection is not vast, so it should have been easy to find.  But it wasn’t there.

I went straight to my son, who has a habit of borrowing our CDs.  He’s a music fan with varied tastes.  No, he hadn’t borrowed it, didn’t know we owned it, but “here, you can listen to Desire by Bob Dylan.  I bought it yesterday.”  Ok, that’s a pretty good substitute, so it got played.  But I was still bugged by the missing album.

Lightbulb moment – maybe it’s in my husband’s car.  He likes to keep a selection there for long car trips.  Sure enough it was there, with a broken plastic cover.

I don’t have many CDs but I would like to find them when I want them.  I would like to know which ones have been borrowed and by whom.  Pretty much everything else in my house can be found when and where I want it.  But I’m feeling a little frustrated about my CDs.

Now my questions for you are – How can improve my CD organisation?  What system do you use?  My CDs need your help.

KSS Crew designer, Connie, has served up a fabulous tutorial for June’s Project of the Month. I have wanted to know how Connie made this awesome Flip Book ever since she first showed it to us here. She has a gorgeous step by step photo tutorial that you will not want to miss! Thanks so much Connie!

______________________________________________

I am slowly coming out of my sugar induced coma due to all the celebrating with several graduations and birthdays that took place this past week! whew!

Today’s card was inspired… and cased from a by a card by KSS Crew Designer Lisa, you can see HERE, which was from a challenge to case an other card you had done. So, the ripples of casing just keeping going – LOL! Lisa’s card was a money holder, I changed my card to be a slide out tag.

For more KSS Monday inspiration, please check in to see what the KSS has served up to inspire you.

Angela

Connie – June’s POM

Dee

Julie

Lisa

Lori

Lynn

Makiko

Tammy

There is still time to play Lynn’s challenge is to Reduce, Reuse, Re-purpose and Recycle! Please leave your link in the Mr. Linky box below over on the KSS Blog [HERE]. Deadline to Lynn’s challenge is Friday eve. – June 19th, midnight EDT. For all the challenge info and prizes, go HERE. The prizes have changed this month, so you will want to go see. Again, this month’s challenge will be picked by a random number generator… so, everyone has a chance to win!

Happy Monday!

Materials – Stamps: 3 Step™ Graduation, Playful Alphabet Buddy, Never a Loss 4 Words, Background & Borders, Swirly Hearts & Stars and Playful Frames & Journaling (for the striped “notebook paper”) from Kitchen Sink Stamps. Paper: Confetti White and Shimmery White from SU! Malmero Perle -Noir. Ink: Graduation Cap & Tassel – Step #1 Danube Blue (Memento), Step #2 Paris Dusk (Memento), Step #3 Tuxedo Black (Memento). Step #1 Marigold Morning (SU!), Step #2 Paris Dusk (Memento). Sentiment (grad) – “g” & “a” Danube Blue (Memento), “r” & “d” Danube Blue and then stamp again with Paris Dusk (Memento). Diploma – Step #1 London Fog stamp off 1x (Memento), Step #2 London Fog (Memento), Step #3 Basic Gray (SU!). Step #1 Danube Blue (Memento), Step #2 Paris Dusk (Memento), Step #3 Tuxedo Black stamped off 1x (Memento). Embellishments: Inverted Scalloped Circles from Nestabilities. Ribbon: Navy velvet from Michael’s. Navy narrow grosgrain from SU! Summer Sunrise Grosgrain and Twill from Papertrey. Slot punch from SU! 1-3/4″ circle punch from EK Sucess. Clear & Blue – Atyou Spica Markers.

This month, take the opportunity whenever you’re on the phone to sift through your files and cull whatever is out of date or unnecessary.  The same goes for email folders and computer files as well.

With the weather cooling and evenings darkening, now’s a great time to sort your photos, both hard and digital copies.  You may not have time to get them in albums but at least make notes/tag them to jog memories down the track.  Think Who?  What?  Where?  When?  And even how did you feel and why?

While you’re at it, be sure to ditch the duds.  You may have 5 photos of the same thing.  Play favourites, pick the top 2 (or 1 if you’re really ruthless) to keep.

Want more photo sorting or cataloguing advice?  Take a look at Ali Edwards blog or Creative Memories.

Connie’s Challenge is: Running with Scissors!
… “Didn’t your mom ever tell you NOT to run with scissors ? Well for this challenge I am saying it is okay!! Okay….maybe not to actually physically run with scissors, instead let’s let our scissors do some running! This week’s challenge is to have at least one cut image on your card…it does not have to be the focal point image, and you can cut one thing or many….that is up to you…but make sure and let your scissors do some running.” - Connie

PLUS, the Kitchen has an extra serving of FUN!!! KS Crew Member, Angela, got so inspired by Connie’s challenge … she took her scissors out for a marathon run … which turned into a surprise Project of the Month – for May! YaHoo!!!!

So, pick up your scissors and join us and play along with Connie’s challenge … again, you will be playing for a chance for one of 3 prizes. 1st prize winner is $50 worth of Kitchen Sink Stamps. You can’t win if you don’t play.

Here is my sample… a tri-fold graduation card.

For inspiration to get you and your scissors snipping, see what Connie and the rest of the KS Crew has carved out for you:

Angela - May POM • Connie - KS Crew Hostess
Julie • Lisa • Lori • Lynn • Makiko • Tammy

Dee will not be able to play along with us for the few weeks. We all look forward to her return to the Kitchen very soon!

Thank you Connie, for the totally sharp challenge! I had a ball trimming away!
… oh, goodness, I am such a cut-up today! LOL!

and … Thank you Angela, for the fabulous Project!

Please note: There is a small change to the KS Crew Challenge Rules. Starting with today’s challenge, you will now have 3 weeks to play. (Whew! ) You can now expect to find a NEW KS Crew Challenge starting the 1st Monday of the month, with 3 weeks to play … as many entries as you like.

Plus, for this month’s challenge … all 3 winners will be picked by a random number generator… everyone has a chance to win!

For all the info, go HERE.

Please leave your link in the Mr. Linky box at the bottom of the post HERE on the Kitchen Sink Stamps Blog. Deadline to Connie’s challenge is Friday eve. – May 22nd, midnight EDT. Please leave one link per challenge sample. You can enter as many samples as you like. When uploading to your favorite gallery, please use KSCC#13, kitchensinkstamps or KSS as the keyword or tag.

Happy KS Challenge Monday!

Materials – Stamps: 3 Step™ Graduation and 3 Step™ Hearts from Kitchen Sink Stamps. Paper: Shimmery White from SU! Metallic Golden Luster and Jade from The Paper Company. Malmero Perle -Noir. Ink: (all SU! unless noted) World Heart – (stamping out of order) Step #3 Handsome Hunter, Step #2 Glorious Green stamp off 1x, Step #1 So Saffron stamp off 1x. Cap – Step #1 Glorious Green stamp off 1x, Step #2 Glorious Green, Step #3 Handsome Hunter. Tassel – Step #1 So Saffron, Step #2 Glorious Green. Sentiments - Handsome Hunter. Inside edge inking with Galaxy Gold – Brilliance. Embellishments: Ticket punch and Round Corner punch from SU! Labels Three Nestabilities.

Why is this such a great organising project?

Success breeds success.  If you’re looking for a way to start gaining control over clutter, this project is perfect.  It’s small and achievable.

Creating a beautiful place for your bookmarks and keeping it in a place you’ll see often, like your office desk or side table, will remind you daily that small steps make a difference.

You’ll know where to find a lovely bookmark when you need it, and where it goes when you’re done.

The principles are the same for any organising project – have a place for everything and everything in its place.

My own bookmark cup was a gift from a dear friend when I went to visit her in Finland.  I love having it on display to be reminded of that happy time.  And even many of the bookmarks inside are special souvenirs from trips or people I love.

Today’s KS Crew Challenge is hosted by Lynn McAuley.   Lynn has double the fun for us today. Her challenge is also KSS February’s – Project of the Month! YaHoo, Lynn!

Lynn’s challenge is: Create a Refrigerator Magnet. Use your computer to generate a favorite quote, witty saying, or scripture and then use your Kitchen Sink Stamps to turn it into a wonderful bit of refrigerator art! Size should be no larger than 4″ x 4″ but can be any shape you choose as long as it fits into a 4 x 4 space on your refrigerator.

Boy, was I stumped with Lynn’s challenge! I knew it was going to be fun … but my two biggest challenge were… what quote or saying was I going to use and did I have 4″x4″ space available on my fridge???!!! LOL!

For the quote, a dear friend reminded me of a quote I hadn’t heard for quiet a while and thought it would make a wonderful magnet. So, I reached for my “Go To” set… 3 Step Daisy and started stamping! After all my pieces were together, I run it through my 510 Xyron using the Laminate/Magnet cartridge. Easy Peasy!!! … and can be wiped clean if some spaghetti sauce should happen to hit it … did I mention I have 2 boys?! LOL!

So, here is my magnet (and I found a spot on my fridge!) for Lynn’s challenge.

For more magnetic inspiration, the KS Crew has more for your viewing!

Kitchen Sink Crew:
Nicole • Tammy • Dee • Angela • Julie

Lynn – KS Crew Challenge Hostess • Lori

….and a fabulous Bonus Tutorial from Lynn!

Thank you Lynn for the inspiring challenge & fabulous project! Your challenge was a blast! A FUN project that can also be a meaningful and quick gift! I thought it would be fun to give the magnet to my friend as a card. With a few glue dots on the back of the magnet … I now how a card and gift all in one.

Please link your challenge projects in the Kitchen Sink Stamps’ Group on Paper Craft Planet. Enter under Discussions – KS Crew Challenge #8.
Please use KSCC#8, kitchnesinkstamps or KSS as the keyword or tag when uploading to your favorite gallery.

Plus, Feb. 25th is the deadline to enter for Jan./Feb. “What’s Cook’n…”. The theme is, Show the Love. HERE for full details.

Materials – Stamps: 3 Step Daisy from Kitchen Sink Stamps. Paper: Shimmery White, Kraft and Chocolate Chip from SU! Spring Moss from Papertrey Ink. Ink: (all SU!) LRG Flowers – Step #1 – Rose Red, Step #2 Purely Pomegranate, Step #3 Bravo Burgundy, center – Elegant Eggplant. SML Flowers – Step #1 – Rose Red, Step #2 Purely Pomegranate, center – Elegant Eggplant. Leaves – Step #1 – Kiwi Kiss, Step #2 Old Olive Embellishments: NONE!!!

The AFL has moved the Essendon v Western Bulldogs game from Darwin to Docklands Stadium in Melbourne in order to raise funds for Bushfire Relief.

My own beauty therapists, Roxy and Claire from My Little Beauty Retreat, are holding a raffle with 100% of proceeds going to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.  Please drop into the salon at 6/486 Whitehorse Road, Surrey Hills, or give them a call on 9830 5025 to organise your raffle tickets.  Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10, and prizes will be drawn on Friday 20th February.  1st prize is a Coconut and Lemon Facial & half hour back, neck and shoulder massage (valued at $105).  2nd prize is a Mancine Hot Body Salt Scrub and Hand and Body Lotion (valued at $40).  3rd prize is a Sothys Sun Shield (valued at $32.50).

If you know of other ways to help the cause, leave a comment.

Here in Victoria, we are facing an inconceivable tragedy.  It’s so great we may feel helpless.  Everyone I speak with wants to help in some practical way.

I’ve heard so many heartwarming stories of people reaching out to help in small and large ways.

There’s the counsellor who has offered help to grief-stricken and shocked victims.  There’s the equine vet who is helping injured horses and with stabling.  There’s the well-travelled businesswoman who’s donating her vast collection of hotel toiletries.  There’s the lone man with his barbecue who went to feed the evacuees, and the butchers who’ve donated the meat.  There are those who’ve prayed.  There are those who’ve reconnected with old friends and are so grateful for survival.

We can all help.  Here are some suggestions…

AAPO (Australasian Association of Professional Organisers) President, Wendy Davie, put out a call to members for help and received an immediate response.  Are you a member of an organisation that could help in any way?

One of the AAPO members, Lysa Wheelan, from Presenting Homes, let us know about a warehouse collating relief parcels at Lot 7 Henderson Road, Rowville from 8 -5 every day this week.  Phone Andrew on 0409 944 220.  Items can also be dropped at Unit 48, 1508 Centre Road, Clayton.

Around the country this Friday, February 13th, Coles Supermarkets will donate their profits to the government’s Bushfire Appeal Fund in partnership with the Red Cross.

Take good quality goods to your local Salvation Army store.  Check locations here.

Donate to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal online or by phoning 1800 811 700.

Please donate carefully.  Sadly, The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is warning of potential scams as people prepare to donate to the various bushfire appeals.  It says people’s generosity was exploited by scammers during the 2003 Canberra bushfires and the Boxing Day tsunami.  The ACCC says people should use their common-sense and refrain from sending money or giving details to anyone who is not known and trusted.

And finally, if you know of someone affected by these bushfires, whether they live in affected areas, have become homeless, are helping to put out the fires or are helping the recovery effort, let them know you care.  Believe me, your kind words help.

First, I would like to share a project which I had loads of fun making and giving as gifts this Holiday Season. Now, I know stamping on shrink film isn’t anything new … but, what about 3 Step Stamping on shrink film? … with all the wonderful colors that dye inks come in?

I found a type of shrink film by “Shrinky Dink”, to be used with an INK JET printer! One side of this shrink film has a special coating for the ink from the printer to adhere …. which means you can stamp on it! So, using my Stampin’ Up! dye inks and this ink jet shrink film, is how I made this rose bracelet. This project really was fun and easy to make!

OH! And where did I find shrink film for Ink Jet printers? … Michael’s!

For the tutorial with all the details, I created a pdf file that can be downloaded HERE. I would love to know which is preferred, the tutorial right here in this post, or a link to download an easy print version of the tutorial? …. please leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

PLUS, I have had many requests for “Color Recipes” for the 3 Step flowers. I thought this would be a great project to share MY recipe list (or cheat sheet) that I use as quick reference when I am stamping roses and don’t have a lot of time to experiment. I hope this pdf file for Color Recipes for Roses you will be find helpful and inspire you to come up with more Color Recipes of your own.

AND, if a project tutorial and the first “Color Recipes” was enough information to digest …. I have ONE MORE tutorial for you! LOL!

Susanna, the creator of the Paper Craft Planet asked me to write a tutorial for the Planet’s Newsletter. You can find this tutorial titled – Multi Step Stamping 101.

How much fun is a game of Tic Tac Toe? A game for ALL ages!!!

I know my boys will love this game… and I think my oldest might even have fun making them for some of his friends!!! Thanks so much Lori for sharing this wonderful project that looks like it is as much fun to make as it is to play with!

Please go to Lori’s blog, Inking Aloud, to see her complete tutorial!

This adorable 8″x 8″ magnet uses crystal clear plastic sheets to protect the photos (so, if you hang it on your fridge… you don’t have to worry about any flying spaghetti sauce!).

Beside giving you all the “How To’s” on her blog, Julie includes a template too! So, please hop on over to Julie’s blog [HERE] to find out how to make the perfect gift when wanting to share those special photos!

Thanks so much Julie for sharing your fabulous photo frame magnet with us! Isn’t her family adorable!!!

• Victoria
• New South Wales
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Western Australia

Where did October go???!!!!

I do feel a bit like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland … I am SOOOO late!!! Hopefully you all won’t hold my tardiness against me?

October’s Project of the Month has been simmering in my head for the whole month … and here it is!

SOAP!!!! Yup! Stamping and Glycerin Soap!

Soap making with glycerin soap is fun and easy … easy enough to even do with kids … provided there is adult supervision. But, I started to wonder, how could I make soap and bring stamping into the mix?

My answer …. laminate the stamped card stock!

How nice to make your own guest soap or bring some home made soap as a hostess gift during this Holiday Season?

So I pulled out my soap making supplies along with my stamps, 3 Step Turkey Trot and 3 Step Autumn Squirrel and got to work making soaps I can use during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Materials:

Paper: Shimmery White – SU!

Inks: Step #1 So Saffron, Step #2 Creamy Carmel, Step #3 Chocolate Chip.

Here is a tutorial on how I made these soaps. If you give it a try, please let me know how your soaps turned out. I would love to see what you come up with. Thanks for looking!

]]> http://creatingorder.com.au/2008/10/28/project-of-the-month-first-aid/ Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:04:27 +0000 creatingorderfromchaos http://creatingorder.com.au/2008/10/28/project-of-the-month-first-aid/

Be prepared.  Get your First Aid Kit in order now so you’ll be ready if you should ever need it.  Keep one in the car, boat or caravan, as well as one at home.  Now’s a great time to book in for a First Aid Course too.

September’s project needed a bit more time to pull together … (on my part LOL!) … I hope you will agree, that it was worth the wait!

September’s project was spotted by Dee Jackson at this summer’s CHA convention … and this project needed a bit more time to pull together … (on my part LOL!). The project itself does not take long at all, and from what Dee tells me, the part that takes the longest, is the drying! To see Dee’s complete tutorial go HERE.

I hope you will agree, that this project was worth the wait!

Thanks so much Dee for sharing this project with all of us! I know what I am adding to my “Gifts to Make for the Holidays” list!!!

PS – Winners for September’s “What’s Cook’n with Your Kitchen Sink Stamps?” will be announced shortly!

Could you afford to lose your home, car or business equipment?  Take some time now to check all your insurance policies.  Be sure they’re paid up and reflect your needs.  Make a note of when they’re due also.  If a better offer comes along you can act accordingly.  An electronic list of all your possessions will make it easy to update your home contents or business insurance.

Want to be first to hear of the next Project of the Month?  Sign up for our e-newsletter.