That's a good idea, Mg! I made my own storage from heavy-duty cardboard covered in leatherette on the outside, then I stuck An A4 sheet on both insides, and I can stash absolutely loads of dies in a relatively flat space, and see them all at once when I open it up. However ...1 wasn't enough, I now have four folders, along with a selection of un-stored dies :P

Sue, when I first learned to crochet, about 2 years ago, I couldn't get enough of making blankets, I had black binbags full of them. I put a selection of them in the clothes recycle container, as I guess they might go to someone needy, and the rest I offered to the maternity hospital's newborn intensive care unit where my eldest spent the first couple of weeks of her life. They use them for keeping the babies warm when they are in their parents' arms, or gift them to some babies on their leaving day.

Storing dies is always a problem - Mum uses plastic wallets, with the reliable magnetic sheets to keep track of them

I have found that not all dies are magnetic so using a storage method that relies on dies sticking to a magnetic sheet in a file, for example, doesn't always work well. But with the storage cases, even if the dies are not magnetic, they are still contained within the case.

I keep my dies in a CD/DVD storage box - this one was purchased for about $6 AUS at the Reject shop (one of those variety stores that stock inexpensive merchandise). As you can see, it stores all sorts of dies. It also has dividers to help keep them upright and to help with categorisation.

From left to right, Stampin Up dies (in the plastic envelopes they come with), Memory Box and Tattered Lace dies (in the paper envelopes and cardboard sleeves they come with), the Stampin Up/DVD cases (containing miscellaneous dies, as illustrated in yesterday's photo), then Sizzix cartridges.

My friend uses the same system but she uses CD cases instead of DVD cases. I prefer the taller cases because you can fit more in them and they are easier to "flip" through without taking them out of the storage box.

If only mine would fit in such a neat container, alas I have far too many.

All the same, that's a good compaint to have, Sue

Very neat, MG!

Moi?

Sorry Ren, I'm with Sue on this one .. if it's craft purchases it's not mere "stuff"!

Mine is getting fairly full and I don't want to cram any more dies in there because then you can't flip through them so I am going to have to buy another one of these containers very soon.

I also have one of these containers full of embossing folders.

Third and final photo in the series - just showing the container with the lid on. I like the raised lid because when you remove it, the DVD cases protrude above the bottom container, making it easier to flip through. There are locks at each end for secure carrying and they stack nicely if you have more than one.

I've always been fascinated with reproducing the effects of glass.

Not easy to paint, especially crystal.

It's World Cardmaking day/weekend, and on one of my favourite forums there's a "one-sheet wonder" challenge which might interest you cardmakers out there.

The aim is to cut one single sheet of patterned paper following this scheme.

You then use cardstock and your stash for embellishments (die-cuts, stickers, stamps, whatever), and make up 12 cards. You must use the whole of your chosen pattern-paper, the piece marked "1" is to be used for the first card, "2" for the second, "3" for the third, All the "4"s for the 4th, etc.

Time limit for making your twelve cards: 48 hours.

Here's a photo of the first 6 I made :



And if you click on this link you can see the rest.

Great cards Toni.

I lost my card mojo and am into crochet just now.

I lost my everything-mojo due to serious lack of time, these are about the first thing I crafted this year! & I love your crochet!

I love them Toni So subtle and stylish!

Right, just over two weeks to produce this! I just worked out that it is well over 36,000 stitches.



To see it spread out you will need to wait for tomorrow.

Love all that colour, makes it look ever so cosy!

The pattern is called Cosy Striped Blanket.

Proud of you! What a splendid effort! Thw colours are lovely So warm and cozy!

Great cards - I wish I had some time to do card-making but have just been too busy lately.

I love your gorgeous blanket Sue! I just picked up my knitting needles again to finish off a jumper I started three winters ago!

Here it is spread on a bed, not the size bed that it is intended for, it is for a twin.

Amazing cards, Toni And loving the crocheting, Sue xxx

As an amateur artist I painted this labrador retriever with acrylics using toothpicks as opposed to paint brushes. I paint images on rocks and on canvas. This dog, Dakota, was being put down due to terminal cancer, so I made the painting for the owners.

That is gorgeous.