This is a close-up of my "Distress-Ink-foam-applicator-storage-device" a.k.a two pieces of laminated card with sticky-back velcro.
Unfortunately I don't have the money or space for 36 applicator tools with dedicated foam pads so I printed out Tim's handy colour swatch guide and laminated it. Then I drew grid lines on another piece of paper to fit 36 foam applicator pads and laminated this too. I attached sticky back velcro to the grid boxes and now I can stick my colour specific foam pads down alongside the reference table.
Its really useful because I can then store it in a ring binder or magazine rack and it is always easy to grab. Something else I noticed was that it makes me see which colours I go for the most and encourages me to use others...
Worn Lipstick and Spicy Marmalade look to be my favourites while poor old Dried Marigold, Old Paper and Pumice Stone have been rather neglected...
For more WOYWW shenanigans pop along to Stamping Ground
Love your storage idea - and Pumice Stone has now grown on me, not so Old Paper. But .. I love Dried Marigold - try it over the top of some of the others - it really makes them pop. Rusty Hinge and Tumbled Glass/Broken China are my faves.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Neet #4 xx
thanks for including your number it does help.
Very clever idea with the foam pads.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting me today.
HAPPY WOYWW
Hugs, Sarn x
PS: Did you know you have the dreaded Word Verification left on for comments?
Thanks, have now removed it!
DeleteGreat idea on storing your pads! I don't have the desk space to store them either, so I used velcro to store mine on the underside of each ink pad. Dani32
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea! I've got my foam pads velcroed to the underside of the ink pads. #77
ReplyDeleteI've just got visions of a group of product developers sitting in Tim Holtz's office. A woman is riffling through her handbag, 'Wait, I've got a worn lippy, some old paper and a dried marigold. Whaddya think of THOSE as product names..' :) How's about old tart (raspberry, of course), scrumpled tissue, lol. This is a great game!!
ReplyDeleteAnd we are within spitting distance of one another. I'm waving!! :)
Hugs, LLJ #68 (who's in a really daft mood today, apologies...)
ROFLROFLROFL Jan!!! Love it. What about "Old Biscuit Crumbs," "Creased Cheque Book," "Dog-eared Puzzle Book," or "Empty Purse"?? (Just some of the interesting things that find their way into Shoshi's handbag lol!)
DeleteHappy WOYWW,
Shoshi #14
ROFL too!!! How about Sticky Mint, Spare Tights (Barely Black of course!), Leaky Pen (blue or black?)........
DeleteThat's a great storage idea Sophie! Envious of your always tidy desk - I must learn to work less messily - I waste so much time clearing up!!
Caz
#160
xx
Well, that's Tim's next Seasonal Limited Collection sorted out!!
DeleteLove it, thanks ladies x
What a fabulous idea with the blending foam ;) Have a great day 3 ;)
ReplyDeletexoxo Sioux
A very cool foam storage solution, I love it, seems alot of us are playing along with Tim, it's great isn't it :)
ReplyDeleteHaPpY WoYwWiNg
Minxy #23
Ooooh clever idea with those foam pads. I've been trying to figure out a better way to store mine so thanks for the hint.
ReplyDeleteThe white 'buckets' you see hanging above my desk are cutlery storage bins from Ikea. In fact my whole craft space is made up using bog standard Ikea kitchen units....it's absolutely perfect for what i need it for and didn't cost the earth either.
Thanks for sharing and happy WOYWW
Jackie
Great Tag! love your storage idea, very handy! x
ReplyDeleteI should do something like that, wild honey is my go to colour!
ReplyDeleteWOW how uber organised are you?!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog, yes it is owl fabric and it is beautiful. I made an owl cushion for my Mum for Mother's Day.
Enojoy your course
Jakix
What a fantastic idea - my favourites are spun sugar and tumbled glass. Thanks for visiting my desk xx
ReplyDeleteLovely clean desk, where do you keep all of your supplies? Brilliant foam pad storage, and I think we all have our favourite colours of DI, mine are Bundled Sage and Vintage Photo.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Brenda 2
Thanks for the lovely comments. My supplies are all boxed away in the cupboard...will do some photos next week x
DeleteOMG I just read Jan's comment and I'm rolling around on the floor with laughter which isn't at all funny as I'm at work!!! Old Tart, lol!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a clean organized desk, Love the storage idea.... I must join Sir Timmie's class it looks such fun, Happy WOYWW, Hugs May x x x No9
ReplyDeleteThat does look like fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. I must confess, I haven't used Tim's blending tool yet (at all). Your storage idea sounds perfect though. I like seeing all the colors on one sheet and knowing immediately how to get that effect. Very clever!
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW
Hugs,
Kay
#15 (you've already visited - thank you!!!)
Hi Sophie thanks for popping in at my desk. Just following the link back to yours. Absolutely love the storage idea - I will be making one of those. Thank you so much for sharing. Enjoy your course this week. Helen♯35
ReplyDeleteOh my Sophie you look very neat and organised! I wish. Thanks for sharing, happy WOYWW, Erika.
ReplyDeleteHi Sophie
ReplyDeleteLike everybody else I love your blending tool storage idea & I think along with them I will also have to try that idea. When I wanted more than one applicator I found some wooden drawer knobs at B & Q - a pack of 10 for £5. A square of white felt from the craft shop for 50p & I was away. I already had sticky back velcro strips in my stash.
Thank you for visiting my desk - & yes it was a bus you could see. Not a scrap lo - but the start of a card.
mistys mum #100
Hi Sophie!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time visiting your blog and can tell by looking around I'll be back again... Gerat storage idea too!!! I just became a follower, and Thanks for stopping by my blog too and hope you become a follower for me too!!
That sounds like such a fun class! Your desk looks so nice and clean!
ReplyDeleteSophie, I love the way you organized those foam pad, I can never find mine, they are all over the place. How did you get the original color chart of Tim's? I've seen it at a scrapbook store, but have never seen it online. I use antique linen every day! I had thought about signing up for that class, but feel like I have too much going on right now. Glad to hear that it's good. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm following you, would love to have you follow me! barb
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and your lovely comments. The colour chart is a downloadable PDF from the Ranger website, they have one for most of their inks etc. I did a Google search for Tim Holtz, Ranger and Colour Chart and it came up as one of the results.
DeleteHi Sophie, what a great idea for the foam pads. It's like a piece of art on it's own.
ReplyDeleteLynn
Ps thanks for visiting my Doodly birds
Your foam pads look like a piece of art mounted like that - would look great mounted with a frame around it!
ReplyDeleteLove the font on your blog too. I'll be back for another look soon.
Take care, Suzanne #105
pretty and practical i just love it. happy crafting XX Sharne#71
ReplyDeleteanother crafter who likes to be organised like me :)
ReplyDeletebrilliant idea and thanks for visiting me
#51
Hehe - love the chart thingy but Jan's comment had me giggling!! Have a good week. x Jo
ReplyDeleteThat's a GREAT idea, Sophie! You don't need wooden handles for all the pads - you can easily change them and you only need one. I love the chart - it's so organised, and the pads look so decorative too! Hope you keep it out, and not in a drawer, as it's so pretty.
ReplyDeleteI used to use those, and each one is in a separate zip-lock bag with a label on it with the colour, but I rarely use them now, preferring my Inkylicious Ink Dusters which do a totally awesome job of blending, and they are so easy to use too.
Thanks for your comment on my blog - chaos is the word for it lol! It's better now, since the photo, as the boxes are all on the landing! No more tidying done today because I'm now knackered after a day out with my mum and dad.
Lol at LLJ's comment! What a hoot.
Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #14
Hi Sophie! That's ingenious! It's good to see what you have. Sometimes I forget my pads and they dry up! Patsy from
ReplyDeleteHeARTworks
your storage idea is really clever, I think I will try it at the weekend, look out for it next week
ReplyDeletejanet #13
Good idea for that storage, but it would not be much good for me at the moment as I only have 5 Distress inks. so they sit quite happily on the shelf until I want them. Thank you for you visit and kind comments about our new stamp. Have a good week. xx Maggie #5
ReplyDeleteHi Sophie, isn't Tim's course great? I have not had much chance to do any practical because I have a craft fair on sunday but come sunday evening I can play catchup!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea of your inkers. I have the main ones on a holder and a few spare, the rest are velcroed to the back of the ink pad in an old biscuit tin. All ideas are good ideas ey!
Thanks for visiting x
Wish I had time for Tim's course but wasn't going to happen this month! Love the storage idea for the pads, just been talking about a way of doing this somewhere else but I think you may have cracked it. Like you, I can't afford (or store) loads of applicators but can't find a satisfactory way of keeping the pads under control!! This job will go to top of list now I think. TFS and for popping by to see me (by the way, I don't think my little chicks are free range all squashed in their box but they do look quite happy!! - Cindy #17
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever idea :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for calling by on me yesterday and for your lovely comments. I am playing catch up today with blogs and of course my huge sewing mountain :-)
Hugs,
A x
Great idea! Thanks for calling by yesterday - the trousers are finished, yay! Di xx
ReplyDeleteSophie, that is not only dedication to your craft, but a solid and b****dy good idea..I have a pot of foam pads and they drive me nuts!
ReplyDeleteLike the tag all on its own at the table too. I had to put my glasses on to read your font...don't get old!
What a fantastic Idea !
ReplyDeleteI have a plastic bag full and every now and then they just go in the sink for a wash but like you I cannot find the space for all those applicators but I really like your idea
now where do I find the print off bit LOL
Thanks for passing by
have a happy week x
Thanks for you lovely comment on my AB. I use foam pads too and stack mine in an old wooden cutlery tray on their sides with the names written on the sides. We all find a way to deal with them but I don't even have all 36! I did get DH to put a special distress inkpad shelf up for me at Christmas though. Perhaps I ought to make sure my photo shows that next week! PS I have noticed you reply to comments on your own blog, however if you reply to this comment on your blog I don't believe I will know unless I come looking again. Just a thought as I am finding this blog comment thingy difficult to know where to look as I am quite a newbie. Thanks BJ
ReplyDeleteUber neat and tidy! Very impressive. I'll be back next week for more tips!! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat idea, and a great space saver (and money saver)
ReplyDeleteHave a great week
Sally H 152
Love your foam applicator storage idea. I have a few of the applicators loose in a tub and tend to double up on the colours. I may just have to copy your idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks for already visiting my desk this week WoYwW #8
Wow, you so cleverly made your own storage "unit"! Excellent idea. And I'm amused that you name your colors...I did that with my crayons as a child...they do become your friends for sure. Magenta was always my best girlfriend! dix---
ReplyDeletep.s. great hearing about far away places when I'm way over here, deep in the heart of TEXAS!
that is a wonderful, clever, idea for storing the pads, you go girl! I like it better than an appilcator for each color and seeing the shades of ink is inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI like your idea for storing the ink pads. Thanks for the peek at your desk! Linda #121
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great idea! What a wonderful way to store them! Mine are all tossed into a little bin and get mixed up far too often!
ReplyDeleteNow that is definitely a good idea - and I'm totally hearing you with the cost/space issue! I have one applicator, and one only, so I think I might just magpie your idea if that's ok!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Great storage idea, I have one applicator tool, but several foam squares well enough for the colours I have anyway! Thanks for sharing this WOYWW, It's Thursday and I'm still snooping through the list! Take care Zo xx 22
ReplyDeleteWonderful ideas and some fun comments. I see how my time gets away from me!!!! Thanks for sharing and have fun with the techniques. Happy WOYWW
ReplyDeleteHeya! Glad you are having fun in Tim's class.... I'm there also, but playing catchup right now. My fave seems to be the marmalade too... well mostly.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to store your foam applicators! And your desk looks a lot neater than mine! LOL!
ReplyDeleteHow clever of you with your chart. I must break down and take a Tim Holtz class, as I have many products that I do not use because I don't know all that they can do.
ReplyDeleteVery clever storage idea, I may just have to try that myself. I keep mine in colour families so that I don't have to get one for each colour either. It seem to work. Regards, Anne #66
ReplyDeleteGreat storage solution for those foam pads. I love your tag, it is quite the winner. Lots of WOYWW folks showing off their creations from Creative Chemistry.
ReplyDeleteClever storage! Your Creative Chemistry tag looks yummy - I 'm way behind and haven't started yet. Ack! Thanks for the visit. I'm officially jealous of your knob bin.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Susan
Gosh, Sophie, you're a hit with the WOYWW gang with your very clever distress ink foam applicator chart! Thanks so much for sharing! It's brilliant!
ReplyDeleteWow, thats some serious organsing there...very impressed!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying Chemistry 101 also and thanks for visiting my desk.
Kyla #58
Hello!
ReplyDeleteI can see why a workshop titled Creative Chemistry 101 would appeal to a "retired" biochemist! :<) It looks like it would be great fun! I love your idea - I am always looking for new storage ideas! Wishing you sunshine today!
Hugs,
Barbara Diane
Fab storage!! Your desk is still very tidy - can never show you mine!
ReplyDeleteNow that is such a great idea with the foam pads! Ha ha I love it! I wish I had time to do the Tim stuff, not started yet, catch up time for me next week! You will love using the Union Jack stamp. Enjoy. Amy #140
ReplyDeleteLoving all of the ink colors, I can see why the more vivid tones are your less neglected! Happy creating!
ReplyDeleteThose distress inks are fabulous! So many great colours. I'm pretty sure I must need more of them!
ReplyDeleteRosA#29
Thanks for sharing the storage for the Distress Foam Blenders.
ReplyDeleteI love organizing my stuff so will file this away for when I buy myself some.
Thanks for the kind words about my DH. He is getting a bit stronger each day!
Thanks for checking out my workspace! Yours is veeeery tidy! How do you manage that?! Your storage for your ink blenders is pretty cool...I haven't gotten very far into Tim Holtz inks and stuff yet but when, as if IF was even an option!, I get more into them I think I'll do something like what you've done so I can keep things straight and neat. Very nice...#186~Deeyll-QL
ReplyDeleteVery organized--alas, far more so than I will ever be!
ReplyDelete:)trisha
#163
What a clever idea for storing the ink pads.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment about having a stamp made.
Von #43
What a great idea for the foam pad storage! Mine are all stuffed in a mug which I then have to empty out to find the right one, lol! I see you also have a clean and organized desk! Very nice place to craft! The tag is looking awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting me earlier!
xoxo Karen
I love that idea for the foam pad storage, love your desk too:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping in x
Great idea for storage. I cant get over how tidy your desk is! All those made up names fot the ink pads made me giggle :)
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great little system you have come up with. TH would be proud.
ReplyDeleteLots of people seem to be doing Tim's class, it looks fascinating. I love your foam storage, mine are just chucked in a box and yours look like a work of art in their own right!!
ReplyDeleteFunny how we all have different favourites, mine has to be Bundled sage and Broken China but that may change today, lol.
Happy WOYWW
Hugs Lisax #123
Thanks for the visit - I have just joined Tims class! Loe the way your pads are stored - I have mine velcroed to the back of the boxes but then they don't stand properly so may 'pinch' you idea
ReplyDeleteThanks for hopping by my blog this week - I love your foam storage. LOVE! you've inspired me. Lori #115
ReplyDeleteWow! What a great idea, makes me want to run off to my study/studio and create my own.
ReplyDeleteSO late late late desk hopping from last week! Sorry about that! Love you storage idea for the foam pads, great way to keep them in order, might nick that one :) I would like more Tim pads, really love the colours he brings us!
ReplyDeleteLavinia
x
I'm getting around late this week, apologies, I've been fighting the flu. Your desk looks so clean and organized! And what a great idea for storing your foam pads. Happy belated WOYWW.
ReplyDeleteYour desk is so tidy! And what a great storage idea, much better than my "just toss them in a basket and hope for the best" approach, lol. #174
ReplyDeleteAAHH another Tim class buddy! isn't it great? I like your foam blender storage, and like you Pumice Stone just doesn't get a lot of play at my desk. I'll have to work on that. thanks for stopping by my desk last week, sorry I'm late! Becky 153 (this week!)
ReplyDeleteWow what a great stoarge idea! but oh much too organised for
ReplyDeletea fairweather tidy upper, please send someone to organise me!!
Happy Crafting, Sue xx