Storage for Distress Ink Pads

Recently I shared how I made an ink pad storage box.  However, I outgrew it when I got several more distress ink pads.  I decided to make an ink pad holder specifically for Distress Inks and save the original box for the others.   I created the distress ink storage the same way as the previous one EXCEPT -

1. For each small "cubby" I used a piece of card stock that measures 6 5/8" x 4 3/4".  
2. Score each of the long edges at 7/8" from the edge.  
3. Score each of the other two edges at 2 7/8" from the edge.
4. Continue as for the previous one to make cubbys & glue them together.

I made my distress ink pad holder with 32 slots (4 columns, 8 high).  I had figured I'd make a little drawer to slide into the slot to hold sets of 4 minis, but I decided for the time being (until I have enough that I must consolidate the minis), to arrange my ink pads with similar colors in the same column - lightest to darkest.  For the minis, I created a "shim" to put in the back of the slot and keep the mini pad from sliding back too far where it would be harder to see & to reach.  I made these shims with scraps I had left over.  For each one:

1. Cut a leftover piece to 3/4" by 9 1/2".  
2. Score across this strip at 1 1/2", 4 1/4", 5 3/4" and 8 1/2", and creased each score line well.  
3. Glue the first 1 1/2" part of the strip to the outside of the 1" strip at the other end, forming the edges of a rectangle. 
4. This can then fit in the back of the slot so the mini's don't slide back too far.

After putting the first "shim" in a slot, I realized I wanted to make it easier to remove them if I rearranged my ink pads.  So, I took a small scrap (approx 1" by 1/2") and folded it in half to create a square.  I then glued one part of this to the inside of the middle of the shim, so it formed a "flag" sticking out from the front of the shim.  I could easily pull on this to remove the shim as needed.

Here's a picture of the shim before I added it to the slot:

Larger Stampscapes Cards

I had a Christmas Party to attend for which I wanted to take some Christmas cards - but didn't have a lot of time to make them.  I started by making these rectangular pictures (started with glossy card stock cut to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2") using Stampscapes stamps.  I created them basically the same way I did when making the small scenes for the snow globes (see this post).  I cut black card stock  to 6" x 4 3/4" and centered the pictures on one side of them.  I then printed a message on white paper that I cut and glued to the back of the cardstock.  While I varied them some, I made them in 5 basic themes.  You see one of these at the top of this post.  Here are the others:

I did try one like a sample the Stampscapes creator did in a video I watched, but decided not to do any more like it.  It was pretty, but more work than I really had time for:

 

I liked the way they turned out, but was afraid I would forget what I did by the time I tried to do something similar again, so here are my Coloring Hints:

• Start by stamping images with black StazOn ink (other archival inks may work, but some of the others I've tried don't dry as fast and tend to smear a bit).
• Finish adding color to the background before adding detail.  Otherwise things sometimes smear.
• I like adding background color with distress inks & the round foam applicator from Ranger.  Other dye inks are okay, but most of the others that I have dry faster than I'd like.  You CAN add pigment ink over top, but be careful.  It doesn't dry or blend the same way and takes a long time to dry.  You might speed this drying time up with a heat tool.
• For the background, start with lightest shade & blend from there with shades getting progressively darker & staying progressively closer to the edge.
• Background colors can be added with Zig Scroll & Brush markers, but this works best over the top of the distress ink, and you must move quickly to blend it in.  Shadows can be created by adding a bit of marker at the darkest point & then blending out with your finger.
• Dab bits of color from the markers to add shading
• Often my pictures look a bit drab until I use the white marker to add spots of reflected light, snow, and/or stars.  You can soften the look (for instance on the top of rocks) by dabbing the white pen & then immediately tapping it or wiping it with your finger.

DIY Ink Pad Storage

I recently bought some more ink pads & realized I was running out of room in the drawer I was using for storing ink pads.  I decided to make something to store them right on my desk so they would be more handy.  It was SO easy to make & SO handy to have them all at my fingertips!!!!

I made mine 8 high and 3 wide, but the size is up to you.  I wanted it to be able to hold any of my ink pads, so it is made to hold: Distress inks, StazOn inks, Brilliance Archival ink, VersaMark, VersaFine, Colorbox, and some dye inks from Ranger.  Here's a view from another angle:

And here's how to make it:

1. For each small "cubby" you need a piece of card stock that measures 7 1/8" x 4 3/4".  
2. Score each of the long edges at 7/8" from the edge.  
3. Score each of the other two edges at 3 1/8" from the edge.
4. Crease all score lines with a bone folder.  
5. Cut along the red lines shown in the first picture below.
6. Fold in the little flaps this creates.  
7. Rotate card stock so that a 4 3/4" edge faces you (1/4 rotation from the first picture below).  
8. Put double-stick tape on the outside edge of the two long flaps at the top.  
9. Put double stick tape on both edges of the little flaps that have been folded in. 
10. Fold the card stock to create a cubby like that shown in the 2nd picture below - long flaps with no adhesive attach to the flaps that were folded in, then the other long flaps attach on the outside of all of them.
11. Then simply glue them together.  I glued 8 on top of each other so I had 3 stacks - then glued each stack to the next one to create my storage container.  
12. To finish it up, cover the outsides with decorative card stock (I added ribbon along the top edges to hide the joins!).