May Flaum Designs

Operation clean studio | tapes

May 4, 2012 By mflaum 7 Comments

I’ve talked a lot about multi-purpose storage. Finding things that work in multiple ways and can be used in different ways as your crafting habits change. Well today I have to share something I found out by accident – I was rearranging some things and noting I wasn’t happy with my tape storage and…

Well, I’ll be darned. My thread holder (which was only 1/4 full anyhow) is PERFECT. I moved some stuff around – reorganization really IS like a jigsaw puzzle in here – and it’s in a spot that lets it be seen easily, but isn’t right on top of my work space so it’s not taking up valuable room there.

My tip is this: you need a large spool organizer. Take in your largest tape with you, make sure it fits and room will still be around it. You’ve got to have enough space. This is important. I have a little thread spool organizer – it does NOT work. This one – each dowel is about 3″ high.

Could you make your own? Oh yes, absolutely. Do you want to? I guess that depends. The local sewing store – or a spot like Joann Fabric – has them inexpensive and for me – it was on sale for less than $10.

I have shared a lot of my cleaning, my general thoughts, and now you’ll be finding (sometimes) more specific clean studio posts. Now I’m getting down and into more finessing of this space. More fine tuning.

If you have a great way that you like to store your tapes – I’d love to hear it!

Note: I just saw that Studio Calico has a new class up – and it is all about washi tapes! I’m sure the ideas used will cover any/all washi, tissue, or paper tapes you’ve got.

Looks interesting – you can check it out here.

Filed Under: desk view

layout | Hawaii beach time featuring Tim Holtz product

May 3, 2012 By mflaum 3 Comments

I really loved each and every project that I created for Tim Holtz (CHA) – but this might be my most favorite of all.

There was a lot of play. coloring. mixing metals with die cuts. Utilizing the Hawaii specific bits from Tim’s new line. Good creative times.

I’m really looking forward to using more of his travel products as I go on trips this summer too. I love the retro greetings and how great the stickers are for layering with other things too.

Is it too soon to head back to Hawaii?!?! I miss it so much. What a great relaxing trip that was.

List of supplies used [images link to Simon Says Stamp - a great shopping spot for all things Tim!]:

InLinkz.com

Filed Under: CHA, my craft life, new product, vacation scrapbooking Tagged With: cha2012, tim Holtz; idea-ology

project | Studio Calico journal

May 2, 2012 By mflaum 5 Comments

I could hardly go on a trip without some paper to write on…

I created a video during some of my process on this project – you can watch it here on my blog or at youtube.

This was a lot of fun – and I’m going to put Studio Calico journal kits high on my recommended list! They are easy to work with, customizable, and a lot of fun!

I went super bright on this because… well why not?!

It’s a notebook of sorts – so no photos to balance color with or tone it down for. I went full on brights – and it was easy to do too.

Links to supplies used:

InLinkz.com

My friends at Simon Says Stamp have the Studio Calico notebooks in stock if you want to make one of your own. I’d love to see what you do!

Filed Under: my craft life, new product, vacation scrapbooking, video Tagged With: studio calico

JBS guest!

May 1, 2012 By mflaum 9 Comments

Happy me (may) day!

I’m the guest over at Jenni Bowlin Mercantile this month – and the gallery is up! You can see the six projects I created here.

I had so much fun with their kits – I was giddy with all the pink-a-licious goodness. You can see all of the design team layouts and projects as well over at jbsmercantile.

Filed Under: craft kit

product pick | Studio Calico pretty pink mist

April 30, 2012 By mflaum 12 Comments

Oh Mister Huey, when I want a solid no-sparkle color, you are my go-to mist. Today, I’ve got to tell you guys that the Studio Calico Mister Huey’s mist in Pretty Pink is a must. I LOVE the color. I’ve been misting it right onto my projects, but I’ve also been mixing it with stuff like molding paste (seen on tag below) to use with stencils and get more out of my new pink love.

It’s just the perfect spring pink. Bright without being neon, a nice tone that is lovely with blues, greens, aquas, and other pinks… and it fills a need I hadn’t realized that I had. LOVE.

One of my favorite things to do when I have random stuff or bits of extras left over is to just make a quick tag. This one started because I had some pretty pink mist + molding paste left over from another project (that you’ll see later this week) and so I smeared it over a stencil and onto a tag. You’ll notice some sparkle above – it was misted with some glimmery mist after dry to add a bit of blue shimmer.

If you couldn’t already tell – I had a lovely time playing and whipping up this tag. I used cream paint in the letters (on metal plate) to make them stand out – then I wiped away the paint that was on the top (non-letters) part.

links to supplies used:

InLinkz.com

Filed Under: Monday pick, new product, Supplies, Uncategorized Tagged With: may's pick, studio calico

project | notes featuring Tim Holtz product

April 28, 2012 By mflaum 6 Comments

Here’s a project I created that was first seen in the Tim Holtz Idea-ology booth at CHA…

Take a $1 notebook from the craft store that has a nice thick chipboard-like cover.

Combine with your crafting stash.

Create a notebook that is all your own.

tips:

Avoid loose bits on the front. Use good liquid adhesive to really seal stuff down.
To color the edge of paper, use ink and rub along edges before decorating. I did this with tumbled glass distress ink.
You can apply paper to cover with dry adhesive along very edge of ALL sides, as well as center. Be generous!
Cut off most of the excess paper, then use sanding block to get the bits off and rough up the edges.
Cover inside of covers with paper when finished.
re-color metal with alcohol ink, paint, or embossing powder.
Sometimes simple is good. Especially if you use a very busy paper!