Keepin' It Real...

I know y'all have wandered all around the web and seen the gorgeous stamp and craft rooms of the paper-crafting Rock Stars.  Like you, I sit there and salivate as I picture myself in their wonderfully organized rooms full of matching furniture and color-coordinated accessories.  But, in the immortal words of Bob Dylan, 'It ain't me, babe.'

Wanna see my stamping lair?  It's not pretty, but if you're willing, I'm able to take you on a little tour of what I affectionately refer to as 'The Stamp Hole.'  By all means, click on the photos for a big ol' picture to see all the little nooks and crannies which are very reflective of my warped and cluttered mind.  Not one thing has been straightened for your benefit -- I'm keeping it real and letting it all hang out.  This is better than going through my nightstand or my medicine chest, I promise. 

The Stamp Hole is located directly off the foyer of my home.  You enter the front door, turn to the right, and there it is.  It hits you.

But wait!  There's a closet on the right hand side you might be interested in...
Punches hang inside the door, and there's a ramshackle paper organizer with my PTI cardstock and various and sundry junk.  Below, behold all of the alterables collecting dust...  And those of you with an eagle eye (Jody), note that there is a 3/4 of the way altered pumpkin in the midst just waiting to be finished for Kim.  It's kind of an inside joke...
Right inside the door, you'll find the printer on top of an old former bedstand that my husband had when he was a kid.  One of the drawers is broken, so I don't always shut it.  In the drawers are more random alterables and photo paper.  There should be printer paper in there, too, but I've run out.  See that trash bag?  I'm always trying to purge, but somehow, it never leaves the room.  There are also some piles of stuff I tell myself I'm going to sell on eBay one day and other things that don't belong in this room but that I have yet to take to their proper home.  Note the windows.  I have a lovely view onto our street, which is especially helpful for noting exactly when the post man or Mr. Brown arrives with happy mail.

On the shelf above my windows are some especially precious artifacts: my Groovy Girl in her Beetle, the three original Charlies Angels dolls in their original packaging, a ceramic ET mug with a handle shaped like a telephone receiver that has the message 'Phone home!' on it, and a cute little birdhouse.  These are placed up high where little hands cannot touch them.

Behold!  There's more!  Before this was a stamp room, it was an office/library.  I'm one of those people for whom there will never be enough bookshelves, no matter how many I have built in.  Seriously -- it's an illness. 

Oh!  Look!  There's that little computer cart that used to hold my Sew Mini before I decided I hated it (it was always screwing up; I think I had a lemon. Really.  I know how to sew, but I'd get wonky stitches and such and it was driving me crazy, so I brought the behemoth Mack Daddy Singer that my Mom gave me back into the 'Hole.  The little computer cart was too wobbly for the Mack Daddy, so I moved in a big ol' sewing cabinet, which you soon shall see.  Yet, I haven't removed the cart because I need to find a place for everything stored underneath it.  Like the Bind-It-All & Xyrons I've never used.  And see those two wrapped Christmas presents on top?  Those are for Jenn Balcer, but I haven't mailed them yet.  There's likely something in this room for you, too (I know there's an Old 33 Icehouse T-shirt for Jen del Muro somewhere), and I swear, it's on its way... it's just a matter of time...

Hey, there's a lovely rug my hubby brought back for me from Turkey, all wadded up underneath the windows!  Why, you ask?  Well, it's covered in German Shepherd hair and slip-slides around because I haven't taken the time to get a rug pad for it yet.  Add that to the list of things I need to get the next time I hit Target...  And vacuum bags.  For all of the dog hair...

Inside the storage cabinet are tons of clear sets in CD cases and the few remaining SU! sets I'm not ready to part with yet and/or I believe I will one day unmount.  Up above are a couple of binders full of unmounted rubber and Technique Tuesday alphabet sets.  Moving right along...
The doors with the stamps you were just looking at are now shut.  To their left is the mantle and fireplace, which is never used because I don't know how to tell if the flue is open or closed and I'm afraid I'll die of natural gas inhalation if I do it wrong.  Maybe if the room were cleaner, I'd consider it, but as it is...  On the shelf above are various and sundry pics and I'll put RAKs up there until it gets too full, and then I'll take 'em all down and start over again.  Some things always remain, like the altered jar my pal Kristi gave me right before I went on Who Want's To Be a Millionaire.  It says 'Million Dollar Balls' on it, and the idea behind it was that if I won a million bucks, I'd be able to keep Sean's ... well, you get the picture, I'm sure.  (Please send your outraged emails to the Old 33 Icehouse.)

See those doors between the fireplace and the bookshelves to the left?  If you close them, they look like cabinet doors, but they're actual 'secret doors' to the master suite.  Pretty cool, huh?

Look in the upper left hand corner -- see that California license plate?  That's what I had on 'my' car in high school (the one my mother never let me drive).  It reads 'T CAROLE' because CAROLE T and all obvious derivatives were taken (my maiden name is Tillman), but T CAROLE wasn't.  Of course, T CAROLE soon became a nickname, much to my chagrin.  Down in the bottom left hand corner, you can see the Mack Daddy and the sewing cabinet, with the flat part of the table lifted up so I can get behind my desk.  And next to the Mack Daddy is my Clip It Up (which used to be in the floor on the eBay pile, but then I figured a way to re-purpose it) which holds all of my CHF unmounted stamps.  I'm thinking of figuring out a different place to put all those stamps now, because my needs are different these days.  Reminds me of that song from the '80s by Expose: 'Seasons change...'
  Here's a view of the front of my desk (it sits sort of in the middle of the room and faces my windows.  There's that dumb cart with Jenn's presents on it, and next to it is some very old, random patterned paper in that purple storage thing.  I can't tell you how many methods I've tried to store my 12 x 12 papers.  I'm still not satisfied, but it's better.  The stuff in the purple things have yet to be combined into the more recent system, which you'll see in a second.  Next to the purple thing is the one storage container from all of the stuff I took with me to St. Louis that I have yet to 'put back.'  It's got ColorBox inks and embossing powders and some this and that.  Instead of putting it away, I walk around it and pick whatever I need out of it.  Dumb.  There's a little pile of random junk -- inlcluding a pillow case from the sheets in our RV (??????).  And cords, glorious cords! Everywhere!

Back behind my desk is some plastic storage that holds envelopes, paper pads, and what not, and a map chest from Home Decorator Suppy that holds all of my single mounted stamps (think A Muse, Elzybells, Thomas Kinkades & Elvis, Rubber Romance, Inky Antics, random this & that). 

On top of the map chest is vertical Cropper Hopper 12 x 12 paper storage, sorted by color.  Then there's a big table from Sam's on top of which I have my paper trimmer, Cuttlebug stuff, Slice, and where a bunch of junk ends up getting laid until I can find someplace else for it.  Underneath the table is more plastic storage, and beside that is a file cabinet with all of my SU! cardstock and some other 8.5 x 11 cardstock (Prism, GP, Neenah). 

Up above, you'll see a former ribbon storage plan from back in my early days (still working that out.  Most of my ribbon is currently in Cropper Hopper ribbon storage on a bookshelf, but I've got all the stuff to go to the Ribbon Ring -- except the energy to actually do it).  There's also a very nice but cluttered bulletin board from Pottery Barn, and a print from the Black Dog Winery which I've always loved.  Hanging on it that framed print is my sash from when I was crowned the Claremore Cotillion Club Nut Queen for selling the most nuts for charity one year.  Hee. 

At the tippy-top, you'll see a chair rail I had a handy man install with the idea that I would put my favorite cards up there (it needs to be painted to match the crown molding, I know).  Right now, it showcases a bunch of 'em from my first few months in the Dirty Dozen.  I imagine some of those will stay, but some of them I'm now kinda "Eh..." about.

There's my desk top -- where the 'magic' happens.  hee.  Gotta have my my frequently used tools, Copics, two Ott lights, heat gun, SU! Grid pad, and TV remote handy... And there's my trusty trash can.
And here we are 360 -- back where we started, just about.  Right now, I'm sitting at that computer, typing my teeny tiny heart out to you.  Next to me is my tower of inks and reinkers.  At the floor to my side is a bunch of stuff that needs to be sorted through and thrown out.  There's a fan for when it gets warm in the summer (my stamp room is the hottest room in the house due to the full on west sun and no ceiling fan), but it could have been put in the garage months ago.  But the way I figure it, it's practically summer so I might as well save the trip...  Of course, I have my TV, but you know -- I don't watch it all that often because I'm usually trying to concentrate on what I'm doing.  I'm so not a multitasker!

So?  What do you think?  I could be doing a lot better, I know.  I'm sure there are a number of you gnashing your teeth to powder, thinking "If I had that space, the things I could do!"  You're right.  I'm not a good steward of my space.  I do endeavor to get better, and if I ever do?  I'll be the first to show you.  But for all you gals out there who aren't Martha?  I'm here for you.  As much as I'd like to be the Martha of stamping, I fear I'm more the Roseanne.  But you know what?  I'm okay with that, too.  After all, at the end of the day: who do you think would be more fun to hang out with?  Martha or Roseanne?  Exactly! 

Comments

[Megan]

I think it's just perfect!! I like things a little more organized, but I think it looks great if that's what works for you :) I would be willing to organize it for you though....where do you live? :)

[Dawn Easton]

Holy smokes girl! LOOK at the huge space you have and what I wouldn't do for a fireplace in MY stamping spot! I'm in the baseDUMP which is unfinished...rofl
LOL @ Roseanne ;)

[Jody Morrow]

I read the whole post and pout my eagle eye to work looking at all your goodies. LOL It's a great space! It's a little messy, but you know... that's how us stampers are! LOL Mine tends to get bad now and then until I get tired of not being able to find anything and clean it! LOL I will say, you need something else for your punches! LOL One of these nights it's going to scare you to death when it succombs to all the weight and comes crashing down on that beautiful hardwood! LOL Oh and if you ever look at your stamp space and think it is bad... check out my friend Tracy's stamp room. IT is bad! Here is the link: http://meadegirls.blogspot.com/2008/11/tracys-messy-stamping-zone.html

[Denise~Paper Ponderings]

A clean stamping room is a sign of a lazy stamper!!! I LOVE your room. It makes me feel SO much better. Ahhhhh...deep sigh of relief and joy!

[MJ Albright]

Ahhhh, I'm in love. I like how you keep it real. I'm so disorganized that I get so frustrated looking for stuff all the time lol. Great colors too.
I'm definitely showing my hubby that hidden door to the master suite -- that would be so cool to have.
Have a wonderful day!

[Joanne Basile]

You have a door from your stamp area right into your bedroom. That means I could sneak out after he fell asleep and get right back to work. LOL!

Love your space, I'm the same way... if I can't see it, I can't use it. Piles galore because I refuse to thow things away. I only empty my overflowing trash cans when DH gets annoyed and either MAKES me do it, or gives up and does it himself.

Your commentary here KILLS me. You're so funny!

[Rachel V.]

I love it!!! And Waaaahhh!!! I used to have a purple room ...now I miss it. Mine is better at the moment, but 364 days a year it looks very similar to yours. And that secret door is the very very coolest!!!

[Libby]

What a great post! You almost made me feel better about my space, if only you were a little messier. ;-) But then, you're in a big room, I'm in a closet now, so my messes get big fast since they can't spread out! :-) LOVE the purple walls, and LOL'ed at your Jenn gifts, since I have a few things in my own room that were supposed to be mailed before Christmas...! And hey, do I see an Obama doll above your fireplace?!??! LOL!

[theresa forge]

I love your room, and your humor that goes with it!!! my room is also cluttered~ but whenever it does get cleaned up - which is not really ever- nothing productive is going on in there!!! you should be awarder for your wonderful room!!

[Mary C. Anderson]

Holy smokes! That is quite the room that you have. I love all of the white built in cabinets. Awesome.

Mary

[Pam SCS-]

Oh my word! What an incrediable room. Built-ins, fireplace, secret door!, full of sunshine, crown molding!!!....I can only imagine how beautiful your house is. I think you just have too much "stuff". If you ever need to purge some I am here FOR YOU GIRL!LOL. AMAZING JUST AMAZING....

[Elena]

This was one of my favorite blog posts of all time, anywhere. Loved it! Thanks for sharing, and keeping it real.

[Megan]

You live in OK??? Hahaha. I was just kidding--thinking you lived only in internet world! I would totally help you organize! I live in Ponca City, about an hour and half from Tulsa and OKC. My husband works for ConocoPhillips, thus we live close to the refinery. Where do you live? I'll totally be shocked if you say Ponca. I really won't believe that.

[teresa chapman]

You ROCK! I love your creative space - thanks for keeping it real.

Teresa

[Jackie Pedro]

Like the others said, thank you for keeping it real! I mean come on who has a perfect stamp space? I love the color of your walls!!

[Bonnie aka raduse]

I love your space! I have a corner in the living room and the rest of my crap strung out throughout the house. Thanks for the tour.

[kim lenhart]

Thank you, you know you should have your own show!! You are alot better than Roseanne or martha!! and I feel better about my constant piles, although, I'm not near as talented as you, but now I feel better about me! You are awesome!

[Marie Donnelly]

I love it! i feel like I just got off Mr. Toad's Wild Ride! Fun!

[jules p]

thanks for the tour. cool room. it is nice to see where you are creating all the goodies.

[Janet S]

If I had a camera handy right now I would take a picture of my stamp room(former study)and post it to you. I am totally feeling your pain right now. LOL My DH just looks in my room and shakes his head. He is always asking me how I can work in THAT mess. We must start a "stampers anonymous" group with a 20 stamp *oops* step plan(I don't think 12 steps would be enough!). Thanks for sharing!

[Pat J]

Thanks for your guided tour and all the aside comments, which sound very familiar to me. Especially the 'setting aside until something else gets done with it' routine. But I must say you don't have too much stuff, you simply don't have the proper spaces to set your much-needed materials. Or at least that's what I tell my husband about my space whenever he rolls his eyes.

[Donna Bylak]

What are you talking about? You're room is a bit messy, but all stampers share the messiness that stamping brings.

My stamp area is in a dark, unfinished basement. I have cement floors, pipes overhead, and one heating vent for the whole basment. I live in the Chicago area, and it gets very cold down there! It is so cluttered. But everything is handy, and well organized. I feel lucky to have the space I have, as a lot of my friends don't even have that. I call it my Stamp Hole too, but there is a very huge difference between your's and mine, as mine is truly a hole!
Donna

[Shel9999]

Wow! You have a great space! Who cares if it isn't tidy? Mine certainly isn't! You make me feel more normal! :) (LMAO at your eagle eye Jody comment.)

[Darsana]

Wow, thank you for sharing. It's nice to know that there are more inhabitants of the "world of clutter" than just me. My "stamproom" is contains my clothes closet (because DH has as many if not more clothes than me and staked claim on the bedroom closet first)it also contains the filing cabinet, the extra stero, speakers, any junk stuff, a chair that doesn't fit in my daughters room, a computer that works, but is not internet connected right now, and a desk that is the "junk drawer" of the household. I JUST cleaned all the christmas stuff out of there and now I can think again. my motto is "Clutter Happens" Thank you for sharing.

[denise (peanutbee)]

Oh man, look at ALLLLLLL that space!! ...and here I was all proud of my ONE wall of stamping cabinets..ha! Girl, you have such an awesome room. Love all the windows and how bright the room is. Love the color on your walls too. Amazing!!

[Suzanne Dean]

LMAO right now! Your room looks like my room---sh#% everywhere!! I try to stay organized but the messy elves that live in my house keep messin' it up, hee hee! It's always a work in progress when you're a paper crafter--whatever works, right!

hugz,
Suzanne

[tera]

I could only hope to have my room look that clean and organized - its one of my New Years goals (I accually now have about a 12 inch square clear on my work table compared to a few weeks ago at about 4-6 inches - I also vowed to comment more often on my Fav blogs.... :) (I vowed alot of other things too like dusting and cleaning more often, cooking once in awhile instead of letting DH cook but lets get real....)

[Julia]

Holy cow girl! When can I come play? I'd feel right at home! Except for the fact that I don't even HAVE a stamp room yet! LOL

[Lori Craig]

Wow! I don't know what to say - I totally had you all wrong...LOL! I *do* love you! Thanks for keeping it real!

[Bethany Paull]

My head is spinning and I can't stop laughing. You go girl. I'd be lost for weeks in there.

[jen del muro]

i wanna come play! i recognize a couple of your works of art on the wall, too. :) hugs-jd

[joslyn]

i love it when people are REAL! i can't stand the "everything is always clean and organized" crap...i mean really who can create without making a big fat mess!!!

read it all!! loved it.

[Chris]

Looks pretty normal to me! My stamping room is right inside the front door (should be the formal living room, but it's not big enough for modern-day living room furniture). My mess is on display for all to see. I'd love to have a door, or even a folding screen!

[Norma Woodward]

Your stamp room is fantastic and with a fireplace, how great is that. I would figure out how to use it and with a warm fire, coffee and stamps, what more could you need to while away the day:)