My Muffin Tins

Here are a few pics of my tins used for organization. The first two are from this year's December Daily project. Holds bits and pieces and possible numbers for each day.

And here are my latest pics. Used Martha Stewart chalkboard paint on a thrift store muffin tin. Actually I think it the one seen above. Chalkboard paint + muffin tins = awesome!

I have more but they are a complete mess right now. That will have to be in a future post!

***Please Note: I painted mine with a white gesso prior to the chalkboard paint, and it took several layers of the chalkboard paint.

Organization: Flair in a Muffin Tin

And the organization continues. Remember this pile? Well, the next steps from Ella Publishing's Spring Training were to take the pile and sort it according to how we would use it. I am tempted to leave it all in a bowl or jar because then I can see it on my shelf. It just makes me happy.

But just because of the projects I am using these for, I think by manufacturer is how I will go.

Now to decide on a container: my favorite things are a mix of vintage and modern, and repurposing items that one might use in say, the kitchen (if I cooked). Here I have a vintage mason jar (closed and visible), a vintage ceramic bowl (open and visible), an Ikea spice tin (closed and partially visible) and a thrift store muffin tin that I painted with chalkboard paint. hmmm....

I can't help it. I just want to use the muffin tin! It will help keep it organized by manufacturer and I just slide these on top of my category drawer photo boxes on my bookshelf to keep little hands from running away with all my stash! 

And the fun part is I can change it up whenever I need to, yet still be able to remember where a certain little badge is from. 

When I am planning or working on a project I can just pull it down on my table. Easy peasy. One other little thing I love are these antique butter pats. I learned about these from Jenni Bowlin and I just adore them. Pretty and functional. It keeps a few of the items I am working on very close and visible. Which is a good thing for me.

So that's my plan for now. I have used muffin tins in the past for projects that are in progress and that can overwhelm a space, like December Daily. I keep an eye out for them at the thrift store.

And it's National or International Scrapbooking Day! Lots of deals online and in the stores. I'll admit I celebrating a bit! And now, to go scrap a little too. Happy scrappy day to you!

10 Things: November Edition. Vintage Inspiration List

This past spring I took Jenni Bowlin's class at Big Picture Classes, and it opened up a whole new world for me. Gotta say I loved it. I was always a little intimidated by going into antique shops, but after this class it is one of my favorite things to do when I have a little play time. One of the things she suggested was to make a top 10 list of things that inspire us. I am not sure I shared mine in class, so this is what I have so far.

1. Old typewriters and typography.

2. Letters and numbers.

3. Storage containers of all kinds: my favorite are vintage locker baskets and egg baskets.

4. Flower frogs: love having these around to hold up photos, invitations, cards, etc.

5. Wooden boxes, especially tool boxes. See number three.

6. Cute little salt and pepper shakers. Awesome storage for glass glitter. Which was something I never thought I would use until this class and now I love it. And they look so cute on my shelf. Also in the glass category would have to be old Ball jars. I have a green one I just love. It has my "stories of the year" project in it (from Pinterest)

7. Chalkboards. Maybe it's because we had a giant chalkboard in our attic where I would play "teacher" for hours as a kid. I just love chalkboards. Here I am using a vintage chalkboard as an inspiration board.

8. Vintage cookie cutters, pie tart tins, little jello molds, muffin tins. I think it is all the silver. I have always loved silver, but that's another story. And I think it is because I love food. I store embellishments in these and also use them for "beyond the page" projects, like these pie tart tin refrigerator magnets.

9. Old postcards and photos. Especially when they are pictures of my Grandma laughing as she fell down with roller skates on. That is one of my all time favorites. See inspiration board above. I like using the postcards in my minibooks. I found a bunch at an estate sale and have had fun using them.

10. Office and school supplies, yardsticks and vintage cameras. And whatever else jumps out at me that day!

Looking back I would never have thought of using these a year ago. I love how as we learn things our styles can evolve. I wouldn't say I'm totally vintage. Definitely a mix of modern + vintage items. Still love my IKEA and where would I be without the Container Store?

What are some of your favorite vintage items to use either as storage or in your scrapbooking?

For more 10 things on the 10th check out http://www.shimelle.com/paper/1287/10-things-november-2011/