My new rubber stamp shelf...I'm in love!!!!

For awhile now, I've been looking for a new way to store all my rubber stamps so that they are easily accessible and don't take up a lot of wall space. I think I've done it, and I can proudly say I did it ALL BY MYSELF!!! Here is a picture of the finished product, followed by a step-by-step picture tutorial for anybody else who might like to try it. Click on any picture to make it larger. Thanks for looking!

Here is the "naked" shelf, which I purchased from Michael's. The normal price is $49.99 (a little steep, I know), but with all the coupons out there, I know none of us ever buy anything at full price. :)

Here's the label on top of the shelf, to help you identify the correct one:

For my first step, I used a level and a pencil to extend a line even with the top of the first shelf:

I then continued that line around to the side of the shelf, across the back, and around to the other side of the same shelf:

I measured the distance between the top of the first shelf and the top of the entire unit, and figured out the number of tray inserts I could fit in this space. Each tray insert is about 1.25", and I used 1/4" dowels as my supports. Once again using my level and a pencil, I drew horizontal lines showing where each row would be. I flipped my level and made vertical lines representing how far apart the front and rear dowels would be:

I continued the horizontal lines across the back:

I made the same markings on the other side:

I drilled holes for my dowels where the vertical and horizontal lines intersect, except at the level of each existing shelf. Even though there are staple marks showing where each existing shelf is, I still penciled in the word "shelf" to remind myself not to drill holes there:

I used a 1/4" drill bit and drilled holes in the appropriate places:

I used these dowels, also purchased at Michael's. They are 1/4" x 12", and they come 10 to a pack, for $1.99:

I inserted my dowels through one side of the unit into the corresponding hole on the opposite side:

I wanted a "shabby chic" look, so I decided to crackle paint my shelf. I used DecoArt crackle medium and Apple Barrel paint (Satin Cream color), also from Michael's.

Here's the finished crackle:

I used fabric from Hancock's Fabric, along with pom-poms by Offray and a sheet of scalloped Bazzill cardstock to dress up my shelf. The fabric was 18" x 21" and cost $1.99. I bought two pieces, one for each side of my unit. The spool of pom-poms I already had, and I found them on clearance at Walmart for $2.00. The scalloped Bazzill also came from my stash, and I distressed it slightly by dry-brushing the acrylic paint on it.

I pleated the fabric and adhered it the the shelf with my ATG. I also adhered the paper and pom-poms with my ATG:

I loaded my stamps into the trays , divided into themes. The "trays" are actually clear acrylic box frames that I purchased at Michael's and Target. They are 8" x 10". Neither store had the quantity I needed in that size, plus I had a gift card for Target, so I actually got 9 trays for free.:) The cost for these trays are $2.99 at Michael's and $3.19 at Target. I made sure to use one of Michaels' "20% off your entire purchase" coupons. If you do decide to make one of these units, you may be tempted, as I was, to use the 8.5" x 11" frames for your trays. They don't fit in the shelf! On average, I was able to fit about 17 stamps in each tray, depending on the size and arrangement. I chose this particular tray to photograph because it shows a lot of different sized stamps:

I loaded all my trays into my new stamp shelf. I was able to fit 22:
And here's my (almost) finished product. I haven't yet decided how I'm going to label each shelf. I want to do something cuter than using my label maker, I just haven't thought of the right solution. I'm also planning on putting an 8" x 10" piece of paper at the bottom of each tray and stamping each stamp in the proper place. So when a stamp is missing, I know which one it is :

I'd love to hear what you think! Also feel free to ask questions if I left something out. Thanks for looking!

A birthday tip...have your cake and eat it too

Here is a cute little card I made using up some paper scraps I had after making an altered project. I also found in my stash a sheet of vintage birthday stickers by Pebbles Inc., and thought this little sticker was perfect for my card. Kraft paper for the card base is Bazzill, and the patterned papers are from a JoAnn alterable kit. Ribbon is from my stash, the border punch along the bottom is Fiskars Apron Lace, and although it is hard to see in these pics, I used a Martha Stewart punch along the bottom of the pale pink patterned paper.

Another view:

Fiskars Apron Lace border punch:

Pumpkin streusel bread...mmm...

I found these cute little loaf pans at Michael's, and immediately knew I wanted to make pumpkin streusel bread for Halloween gifts. They cost $1.00, are oven- and dishwasher-safe, and Michael's usually carries them in different colors and themes. I also got the clear bags at Michael's, and it just so happened that their credit card machines were down, so everybody in the store got 20% off their entire purchase for paying cash. YAY! Anyway, I used this recipe. And the recipe made enough for 4 of these mini loaves, with plenty of streusel to top each one. I realize there are only 3 loaves in these pics, and you may be wondering about the 4th one...let me just say, it was delicious ;). For the tags, I used a Studio G $1 stamp on patterned paper by DCWV. I used Stickles glitter glue on the word "boo". Ribbons are Making Memories, and I secured the tags to the ribbons with silver brads. I thought they turned out really cute!

Another view:

Orange tag, close up:

Green tag, close up:

Purple tag, close up:

Here is what the cream colored pan looks like:

Here's what the black pan looks like:

A view of all three loaves:

BOO

I know it's a few days late, but here's a Halloween card I made. I love the idea of the Sweet Treat cups from Stampin Up!, but I don't have any. So when Nilda on the Cricut MB thought of using Wilton candy molds, I knew I had to try it. I found a Halloween set at Michael's that had skulls and spiderwebs, and I used the spiderweb mold on this card. The card base is Bazzill Bling, the patterned papers are American Crafts, chipboard letters are American Crafts, fibers are from my stash, scallop punch (under fibers) is EK Success, black pen is Sakura Gelly Roll, and the mold is filled with M&Ms.


Here's a close-up of my "orange widow" spider:

Close-up of the curled corners of the spider paper:

Close-up of chipboard letter stickers: