I posted this over at my NZ Scrapbook Company Blog but I really wanted to post it here.. had some Blog issues though - all seems to be sorted now.

I am loving doing as many handwritten titles as possible in my journal at the moment. Of course, combined in with my standard date titles (I like the uniformity). In particular I like font styles that give you space to colour in. Enter the glittery of glittery gel markers I discovered we sell at NZ Scrapbook! I had never tried them as they were previously sold in sets and well I have a bunch of pens so wasnt really looking for more beyond recommendations. But once we started selling them as open stock and I gave them a try... and well they are not going to last long - I got one of every colour! Super cheap too!

Labels: Journal Tips, Product-favs

oooh I must be organized if I have time for a quick blog post before running off to the airport!

I know I'm always interested in peoples art materials and kits. So I thought I would show you what I'm taking with me on my trip.

From left - down then right down:

• Selection of journalling pens. I prob should streamline more but what if I need a particular colour? hehe
• 3 Sharpie Markers. Mainly for the edges of cut items. Black, Maroon, Turquiose.
• Small portable watercolour set. I love the antique tin its in.
• Eraser. I never use it but I like having it
• A small bulldog clip or two
• Tiny scissors. Not in carryon luggage... I forgot one time..
• Thin tape. Handy if I journal on the plane.
• Scotch Quick Dry Tacky adhesive. My fav.
• Pitt Brush markers. For sketching in 3 shades of grey.
• 3 Sketching pens Black. In case 2 (!) die.
• 2 sketching pens red and sepia and two sketching brush markers also in red and sepia.
• Regular pencil H. Would normally have a mechanical pencil but they appear to have walked.
• Funny cutting tool. For carry on purposes.

• Plastic Bags. Enough for one a day.
• Dates. Ready for journal entries.
• Tape reappeared in this photo.
• Post it notes. Why? cos they're cool.
• Journalling notebook. Handy for quick notes.
• A sampler pack of cardstock from a older product release.
• My current journal/s
• A few prepared cut out images I think I may use.
• Printed gaffer tape. To tape hinges and extentions.
• A few pieces of black ribbon and twine.
• A rubber band
• Small selection of appropriate rub-ons and stickers.

All fits in a plastic bag and pencil case!

Oh and of course my camera, awareness and sense of adventure :)

Now I really must fly... for reals!
ttfn!
Kathleen

Labels: Art, Journal Tips, Materials, organization, Product-favs

Weeelllls Happy New Year! Hope yours is starting exactly as you wish. I am so fully confident that 08 is going to be a great year - I have a number of events and personal goals lined up and it is very exciting!

I thought today I would continue with my little studio tour. Yes, if you have read my early posts I usually call it a workroom but since I wish to live the life of my dreams having a studio is such a step up! LOL :)

I SOOOO love colour, I love little boxes, I love collections... so you know then I am bound to have a weakness for stamp pads right? A girl can not have too many little boxes of pure colour pleasure! and yes you have permission to tell your husbands that! This is my stamp pad station. I could say stamping station but since I tend to spread out the actually stamping tends to take place on my work bench. Also my acrylic blocks, unmounted stamps and wood stamps are hiding somewhere else!


This is the top part of that kitchen unit I talked about in my adhesives draw blog entry it is situated basically in the center of my studio. The adhesives draw is immediately under this bench top and then there is another drawer under that which holds ribbon.

The plastic drawers you can see hold my embossing powders and re-inkers with the rest of the space being used by stamp pads. Each stamp pad is stored by brand and type and if you look real close you will probably notice some favorites there: Stampin Up, Colorbox, Chalkink, Versacolor, Tim holtz to name a few.

The plastic storage box on the top holds lesser used stamping tools like stazon cleaners and masking tools. That's my daughter in the photo - shes 6 now!

To lay my hands on just the right pad I will either grab the closest one - ooops! I mean I will refer to my handy dandy stamp pad index. Each page is grouped by colour and then I will look through to find one in the shade and qualities that I need. I find using my index spreads the usage of my pads around more rather than reaching for old favs also sometimes memory and the colours on the top of the pads are not so accurate so by referring to an actual stamped image gives a true result. My stamped index is simply using a shadow stamp to give a solid block of colour.


Now I know I'm not the only one with a weakness for ink! Do tell!
Have a great day :)
Kathleen

Labels: organization, Product-favs, Studio-peek

~This is a repost from my Altered Arts Blog, original date 17 Nov 2007~

I just LOVE peeking in other people's workrooms. I can't QUITE bring myself to call it a studio since to me that just sounds too fancy for what to me fluctuates between wanna-be order to creative chaotic multiple project MADNESS!

Rather than a photography tour I'm going to give it to you in bite size pieces...it'll be more fun that way I promise!

Number One Fav Workroom possie: My adhesives drawer!



This is an adhesives drawer like no other... it is BIG. And I mean BIG. I'm not sure how much a meter is in yards but see the green tray inside it? That is a large tool tote so perhaps that gives you an idea. When I say I like the right glue for the job... I mean business! One of my staff loooves my adhesives drawer a little too much... can you see the fingernail grooves from me prying her away on the edge?? LOL (You know who you are!!).

Anyway, it's a deep drawer in a freestanding kitchen cabinet. Fits in my workroom just dandy, like right in the middle, so I can lay my hands on whatever gluey stuff I need easily.

Adhesives and seal coats are probably the thing I get asked about most so I took a pic of my favs...


From Left to Right:

• Spray Shellac. Yum. Here in NZ the Bulls Eye brand is available but I'm sure there are others around. Gives a very sheer application and gloss finish. Light honey color, no mess, and you can build up coats easily. Did I say Yum already??
• Scotch Quick Dry Tacky adhesive. Tiny tip for easy application, clear drying white glue, dries quick and fav thing - works GREAT as a foiling or leafing adhesive. Draw with the tip!!
• Terrifically Tacky Tape. Clear, strong, no mess, works great with micro beads, ribbons, and embellishments. VERY handy.
• Mod Podge. Here we are with that word again - BIG. I love being able to use a product without skimping because it's too "precious". This is my must-have glue for creating niches and drawers or glue pages together. Says it's a seal coat but honestly, just save it for heavy gluing.
• Perfect Paper Adhesive Matte. SATIN SMOOTH FINISH. So so nice. PERFECT is true when using tissue, serviettes, and other sheer items. Not so good for regular paper gluing but for thin gluing with a divine subtle finish there is no other choice for me.
• E6000 Glue. Super strong glue. This is my heavy embellishment adhesive. See how my tubes are all screwed up like? I shall be crrrrying soon since I will be out and my current supplier no longer stocks it.
• Xryon X2 roller adhesive. FAST no mess!! This gives a bit of a scrapbooky result in that it's just too neat! I just can't beat how quick it is to use though. NO WARPING. I use this to apply flat sheets of paper to smooth surfaces like book board or chip board. There is no drying time - can't complain about that!
• Diamond Glaze or similar. Diamond Glaze just happens to be the one sitting on my bench at the moment but there are lots of variations on this type of clear glaze product. Ranger's Glossy Accents, Crystal Lacquer, Dimensional Magic, Papier Glass Finish all find their way out of my stash to adhere tiny beads, hold embellishment clusters, create glass like seals and so on.

hmmmm... not pictured: Brown paper tape! See I just keep thinking of more. A girl can't have too much glue! :)

Labels: Product-favs, Studio-peek, Workroom