Taylored Expressions Studio Challenge

It's time for the Baker's Dozen Studio Challenge.  This is a monthly opportunity for us to share what makes our stamping studios hum.  Each month we will have a fun, crafty question so we can share our favorites, some tips and tricks, stamping advice and more.

This month's theme is:  Within Arm's Reach - What do you keep within arm's reach at your stamp table?  Show us what you have access to without leaving your seat.  What organization methods do you use?  Tell us which ones you love and which ones you'd like to change.

Here is a picture of my view as I sit at my desk.  As you can see, there is a lot of hooey on my desk and that is the way it typically is.  I create tons of cards/projects and then clean off the desk when it gets unmanageable.  I am not a neat as a pin crafter and I am not even sure how one accomplishes that.  I don't clean the ink off my stamps. Never have.  It honestly started out as a lazy thing--I used to pile the used stamps in the corner of my desk and clean them when the pile overwhelmed the desk.  But after awhile, I noticed that the dirty stamps held the ink so much better and stamped better--so now I prefer to leave them inky.  I will, however, clean a stamp off before using a color other than black.

I keep all the current pub calls in the black file bins on the wall.  The call that expires next is usually the one I have on the magnetic part to keep me on track.   You can see a few of my Taylored Expressions sets/cards out.  I was working on a card today for a post later this week (shhhh!) using Party Monsters (one of my favs!): 

If I look directly to my left while sitting down, I have a stack of stamps that I am working on creating samples with.  I leave my newest release sets out on the desk in a stack so I can work through them.  After the release, they get filed away by manufacturer.  There is also my magnetic board filled with containers of embellishments and my ribbon carousel.  If you look closely---you can see the NEW Taylored Expressions stamps and dies that will be released next week.  (JK!--they are in the shipping box...made sure to put them away before taking the pic!):

To my right, the top drawer of my desk holds all my Copic markers so I can pull the drawer out when I want to color an image:

Right above my desk is my peg board storage that my sweet husband made for me for my last birthday. I love it because it holds a ton of things and keeps them out in the open so I can see what I have:

Finally, here are some clear blocks I leave out for stamping.  Tip:  One of my favorite tips for cleaning these blocks is to use Goo Gone to easily remove the adhesive, ink and all the mess that collects on these blocks:

I cannot wait to check out the view's from the following members of the Taylored Expressions Baker's Dozen:

Taylor
Charmaine
Jen
Jodi
Karen
Melody
Regina
Sankari
Shannon
Shelly
Stephanie
Wanda

Thanks for stopping by!