January 1, 2008

Valentine's Inspiration Station

Happy New Year everyone!!! I wish you all the best year ever, filled with extraordinary days, lots of good memories and tons of crafty creations!! You may have heard me talk about what inspires me, where I get ideas from and my inspiration stations. Well, here's my latest Inspiration Station set up. I use this Pottery Barn shelving collection that I got at ridiculously low clearance prices (thanks for the heads up last year from my friend Cami!).

So what's an Inspiration Station, you ask? This is the space that I have created in my craft room that I place all supplies that currently inspire me. This time I chose Valentine themed goodies. I gather up all of my Valentine themed papers, stamps, embellishments, ribbons, etc and place them all in one little spot. It's easily seen so I have a visual reminder of what I want to use. I go through all my drawers and baskets and piles (ick, I hate piles) and pick out things that fit the theme. Then the great part is, I can then go *shopping* in my own craft room. My Inspiration Station looks like a little boutique shelf and I just head over there when I want to create a project. I have told ALL of my friends about this and they just love the idea. It really helps to get out those already purchased and probably much neglected supplies that you've stashed away. Plus it just looks cute!! So my wish for you this year is to get organized, get inspired and get to stampin' and creating!!

Here's a little plate that I keep in my craft room. I piled it up with a few single stamps, Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint, Dew Drops from Ellen's store, Stickles, eyelets,etc.

I hung ribbon spools from a piece of pink netting and created a garland across my bulletin board. I also used cute pink and brown thumb tacks(from Target) to hang little single acrylic stamps. I just love stamps with brackets by the way!

Here's some cute K & Company chipboard stickers that I can't wait to tear into. Those will probably go onto Valentine notebooks at some point and time.

So how do you create your own Inspiration Station? It's simple: just find a space in your crafting space and get started! If you don't have a lot of space, you can use a nice basket that you can tote around to where you craft. Shelves work great to display items as well as bulletin boards to tack things up. The idea is to get your supplies out where you can SEE them. Remember......we're visual people here, we need to SEE our stuff!! I hope you try to my idea, I can guarantee you that you'll be INSPIRED and probaby surprised at all the supplies you've been tucking away. You'll probably even save some money because you'll have an entire collection of goodies to use....and you might just realize that you need to use up some of those supplies you've been hoarding! No HOARDING in 2008, use it up!!

Speaking of shopping...stay tuned for my THEMED SHOPPING topic. Another fun way to get inspired!!

42 comments:

Libby Hickson said...

I wish I could go shopping in your craft room! This is a great idea, thanks for sharing!

K said...

What a brilliant idea! I think sometimes we forget exactly what we have and so buying more is the option...at least for me anyway! I am on my way into my craft room to set up some inspiration! I was working on a card earlier and just pitched it but this excites me! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

What an awesome idea!!! I HAVE to find a space in my craft room for an "inspiration station". Thank you so much for sharing your idea and space with us!
Happy New Year!!!

Dottie K. said...

Thanks for sharing. Such a darling setup. I'm going to reorganize since my hubby put up cabinets for me in October and I knew I didn't have time to rearrange - may have to do a mini verse of this. I put my stamps on a shelve for each holiday to inspire me but love the ribbon, paper and embellishments. I'm staying tuned to see what's next. Happy New Year!!! TFS :)

Tricia T said...

Fabulous post Mish!! My goal is to use what I have this year... except for the crop-o-dile that I don't own. I *will* be getting one of those!! (My neighbors in the duplex will thank me!!) This is just a great way to organize your room!!! TFS!!

Anonymous said...

What a great idea! I don't have a craft room...I use my dining room table. Therefore, everything has to be put away all the time (sigh) unless I'm in the middle of a project. I think I'll use your idea of using the basket to pull out all of my Valentine's related stuff. Thanks for sharing!!

Unknown said...

Fabulous idea Mish! I am in the process of moving house and in my next craft room this is exactly what I will be doing! Only just found your blog over the holidays and find it very inspiring. Happy New Year! Rosie in the UK x

Janine said...

What an absolutely fabulous idea. I am going to do this tomorrow when I get home from work and I will post a pic.. Thanks for all your wonderful ideas.

Janine

Erin McKinney said...

Awesome idea!!!! So cute to look at and it helps you use what you have!! Thanks for all the inspiration!I really enjoy your blog, creations, ideas, and recipes.

Anonymous said...

Wishing you a blessed New Years!!!

What an absolutely WONDERFUL idea!!! TFS!

Chris said...

What a wonderful idea!! I was going thru my stuff today an thought "I sure do have a lot of stuff". My goal this year is to use up stuff. I just want to find the space to do this, I will have to give it some thought. My brain is whirling now, coming up with a plan for my own "Inspiration Station".
TFS!!

Anonymous said...

This is a great idea Mish! I did something similar (but in a basket) for my Xmas cards and projects this year. It was great to have everything "related" together. I'm going to keep my Xmas basket out all year long so that I make my cards throughout the year. (I plan on being more organised this year)!

msfitzie said...

FANTASTIC!!! Can't believe I didn't figure this out on my own. DAH!! I love the idea of having everything out and visual. No more hunting in the middle of a project which stops the flow of creativity. THANKS for the great idea. If you have more....please SHARE.

Bev said...

Great idea. I started mine by putting all Xmas paper/embellies together in a paper holder. I put all my stamps and other stuff in a plastic container and labeled all.
This is so much easier.
Thanks for sharing!
Bev

Anonymous said...

I am so glad that I put you on my list for blog spotting..you are so inspirational. I love to be organized and yes, not having stuff in front of me can be frustrating. I will take your advice and get my stuff ready. I am making Valentine cards for my daughter's school as well as Sick Children's Hospital in Toronto. I love the bulletin board..right now it holds cards from RAKs and friends..it will be Valentines....share the love...
Thank you...
Bela
belascreatingplace.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

This is such a good idea, TFS!!

Sharon Harnist said...

Love your inspiration station idea, Mish -- and this is a beautiful one!

Rachel said...

What a great idea! An Inspiration Station! I'll probably spend too much time shopping since I have so much craft stuff everywhere! Thanks for sharing! Love it!

Christina Fischer said...

You're brilliant! I love coming to your blog -- you always have such creative ideas for organization and projects -- thanks for being an Inspiration Station for all of us! :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing this wonderful idea. I check your blog every morning from work before I start my day :) I can't wait to get home today and set up my inspiration station!

Lori

Lynn Put said...

What a fantastic idea, I love it!
Looking forward to seeing your Valentine creations :)

Anonymous said...

WOW! I read about 400 (ok, give or take 10-20) blogs a day and this HAS to the best idea!!! I love you blog anyway, but this had me rushing home to look for stuff to put in my own corner!!! Thanks bunches!!

Pamm

terry said...

Your station reminded me that my children, 3 boys, now grown, never gave out purchased Valentines. We took great delight in making our own. It started with preschool. I had stamps made with their names, so they could stamp the back and the receiver would know who had given the valentine. Thanks for the old memory.

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

Michelle, I love your inspiration stations that you show! I keep thinking I am going to do one and now I think I will make this a new year resolution. How fun to change it with the season/holidays.

Anonymous said...

Pure Genius. I'm a neat freak and love to have things organized. Yet I never ever could have thought of such a brilliant idea!! I'll be using a basket since I don't have the space. Thanks a bunch

Genevieve said...

What a great idea! I'm going to do that tomorrow! Thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

your space would definitely inspire me! and I need to find some of that crackle paint - it intrigues me! maybe you'll use it this month and I'll see what it looks like. :)

Tiffiny said...

I love this idea. It's brilliant. I hope you post pictures of the rest of your craft room. I could use the inspiration.

I think I can use your inspiration corner in small corner of my bedroom where I have my supplies.

Anonymous said...

What a marvellous idea. Thanks for sharing.

Kay

Unknown said...

You are genious! this makes me want to go SHOPPING! Beautiful setup, I'm so envious.

TCake said...

i'm so loving this!!....where are your ribbons from?....absolutely delicious! yum
Tx

Tina said...

What a wonderful idea, i always end up buying new stuff every time a new occasion comes round, now i'm going to go through my drawers and find out all of my valentines stuff and work with it for a few weeks see what inspiration i get from my own shelf!!!! thank you for a brilliant idea... Tina

Kathy W said...

Thanks for the idea of using the netting strung across to hang rolls of ribbon. Great idea and looks cool, too. I can totally relate to shopping in my craft room; sometimes I forget what I already have.

Card~I~ology Creations said...

Love it.. Thanks for the great idea.. I will be moving my studio as soon as my son goes off to college in late July early august... I will definately build this into my design.. What and inspriation.

tina

Anonymous said...

I have a similar set up and really love it. You're right - it's like a little boutique in your own home.
Thanks so much for sharing your ideas/creations.

Sewflake said...

Absolutly marvelous, I am currently organizing my creating room and will "try" to add an "inspiration station". When I take down my old pc I will have a couple more feet on my work counter.

Adriann said...

What a fabulous idea! I can't wait to set up my little area!!

Trudi said...

Wow your inspiration station looks much better than a store. Love the idea, I always find stuff after I needed it in my stash. I hope to do this to my area tonight, I have the perfect spot to do it too. I can't wait to get at it.

Anonymous said...

This has to be one of the most inspiring post ever! I just love this idea and will do it myself. Best part is it has inspired me to clear up the mess on my desk so that i can then create a little Inspiration corner of my own!
WOW..this is brilliant! LOVE IT!

Sharon (notimetostamp) said...

Oh, I love your inspiration station!!! I do basically the same thing, but I don't have any space to dedicate to seasonal supplies, so I just basically taken them out and leave them exposed on my table, in full view, but it's not the neatest or most organized system. Sometimes I do use a cardboard box -- LOL!!! You've inspired me to seek out a nicer box -- thanks!!!

craftsbyjodi said...

totally beautiful stash!!! And I love your craft room it looks beautiful!!

Bridgett Owens said...

I am in the process of organizing my craft space. This is such a terrific idea! I have to try this!! I know it would help me create more scrapbook pages, cards, gifts and projects! It's wonderful! Thank you for sharing this!
Hugs,
Bridgett

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