3.11.2012

Kit Ritual

People often want to know one another's process with a purchased kit.  And I am a die-hard kit girl these days.  I've been getting the Studio Calico monthy kits since March 2010 and more recently, the Jenni Bowlin Studios kits as well.  I've tried to stay away from Cocoa Daisy but I hear very good things from over there.

There is something special about the day I receive my kit.  Most times, it doesn't come until around 5:30 or 6:00 so I have to wait ALL DAY LONG!  Which is truly painful.  This month however, I got lucky and my kit came around 3 PM and so, as I pulled it from it's box, I thought I'd document for all of you what I do once I get it.

This time around it was Studio Calico's Story Hour kit.  Now.....don't judge.  But I usually buy all four add-ons plus extra Patterned Paper.  Depending on the offerings from the shop, I usually pick up a few things there as well.

This month was the same.  I picked up 4 add-ons, extra Add-on Paper and More Patterned Paper and SC Paper.  In addition, I picked up the new Dear Lizzy roller stamp, the JBS medallion punch, some of the new Hero Arts inks and a couple of sheets of the POW paper.  I don't shop much anywhere else these days so that helps me feel justified.  (like I said, don't judge! And I'm not a clothes or home dec shopper!)

So here is my ritual.  First, I open the box and take all of the bags out and open them up.

I lay all of the papers out in line according to the ROY G BIV order.  It's just the way my brain thinks.  Yes, I mix all my kits together.  If it came that month, I call it part of that months kit.



I admire it from all angles and decide which papers are my favorite.



Aren't the colors just delicious.



I also arrange the embellishments by type so I can see what I have.  Alphas, labels, borders, etc.  (btw, in love with those Gold Thickers I tell you.)



Then there are stamps, buttons and whatever other odds and ends are in the kit.



Then, they all get scooped into one stack and placed into a Recollections Crop Bag purchased from Michaels.  I love these are they are sturdy and inexpensive and some what stiff so they help things hold their shape.



I place one of the pieces of chipboard that comes with the kit on top of the stack and then add the remaining items.  First go the large alphas and sticker/label sheets and borders.



Next, all the embellishments go in.  I try to keep things flat so they get stacked vertically.  Doesn't that look yummy all together.



And finally, I take all the stamps from the kit and stamp them onto a sheet of copy paper.  That way there is less stuff in the envelope and I can use my stamps with whatever else I may wish to but I still know what kit they came from. The paper slips in with the kit and I'm good to go.



And here it all is together.  I tend to keep it out on my desk for a while so I can work with all of it. Once the next months kit gets here it tends to go with the others to be pulled from when the fancy strikes.  I label each one with a standard address label so I can quickly find the kit I'm searching for.



Now that I've built quite a collection of kits, it's easier to just use the 'special' items in the kits and not hoard them.  I actually have been trying to use my favorite parts right off the bat lately and not worry that there is only 'one' of a thing like I used to.

Product builds up quickly if you don't use it so I've been trying to just be free with it's use.  I've also found that I can scrap pretty much any theme with any collection of products so for me, a kit is a giant playground inside which I can do whatever my mind imagines.

Hope that was fun for you.  I'll see you tomorrow.

39 comments:

  1. LOVE your process im going to do that this month. Im a bit worried though as it is such a blue kit , not girly like i love :)

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  2. Wow whatan awesome idea! I haven't subscribed to any kit clubs yet, but I like how you store them. so if in the future I decide to...which there are a couple I have been thinking about....I now have a great idea for how to store them. I might even make some kits out of paper stash and embellies that are from the same mfg. Thanks!

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  3. Wow! Looks so pretty out on your table! I love kits too. I tend to leave it all out on my countertop in my scraproom and try to use all I can within the month, because I have found that if I don't use it quick it just starts to pile up and then I don't really use it later. Love seeing it all spread out across your table!!! Thanks for sharing your process!!

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  4. I would be so overwhelmed by all that stuff in one go. Love the way you sort it. And your idea of stamping for the kits is genius!!

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  5. Thank you for sharing this ! I'm impressed ! I'm hardly able to scrap the whole main kit !

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  6. Thanks for sharing your ritual! Mine is pretty much the same. The stamping idea is great.

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  7. Great post... And oh how I love that I am not the only one with a ritual... And now I really cant wait any longer for my march kit to arrive... Considering moving to the US :)

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  8. Love how you do this!! I'm going to start doing this!! Do you ever rotate out OLD kits or just keep buying new sleeves? Just wondering!! :)

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  9. I think we all have our rituals with our kits! My cardstock is in ROYGBIV order but my PP must be by manufacturer! SC first and then by order of high to low by number of sheets of paper. Kind of silly!

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  10. It was great seeing your process. Mine is exactly the way that Brenda does it. I don't know why, but those darn pp have to be by manufacturer and in order from least to most. Crazy!

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  11. I enjoyed sharing in your process thanks!

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  12. That's a good idea to stamp the images and stick them down in the kit. I always print the photos and supply lists from the kit and the add-ons I get to slip down in the back of each of my recollections file folders and file them so that I can see that side as I'm flipping through. I think I'll start adding the stamped images.

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  13. very fun to see!!!!

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  14. WOW! I've never been into kits because I like 'certain' products, but you are making it sound very worthwhile! Maybe it would expand my horizons ... :)

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  15. WOW, that's a LOT of neat stuff. I Love how you stamp the images out too!

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  16. Nice haul! My only question is, how can you scoop it all up and put it up?! I'd have to begin playing with it immediately! lol

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  17. Wow I'm in LOve! Wish I could get a new kit each month!

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  18. What a great idea, thanks for sharing!

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  19. That was a fun read Ursula, thanks for sharing :)

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  20. Fascinating! I love those crop envelopes. I need some so desperately! I have been trying to use what I have, too, and not save my favorites for "later". If I run out, I have to have faith that more fantastic product is just around the corner!

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  21. i like your process. definitely going to use some of your ideas.
    looking at all of your loot makes me wish i had been able to get some add ons. lol! oh well, maybe for april...

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  22. Have no fear, I shall help you use them!

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  23. Absolutely fun! I love your process! I keep all my kits in those wonderful brown bags and label them with the kit name and date. I think I may adopt your stamping solution because I often forget to use my stamps since they are tucked away! Thanks so much for sharing your process!

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  24. How fun & it looks so yummy all spread out that way!

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  25. Oh, wow! This is such a cool post. I'm sure I'll be back and reread it again and again.

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  26. Wow - I just love the photos let alone the gorgeous contents...have lots of fun with it :)

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  27. Love seeing what you do with the kits, and I promise I'm not judging, but you are quite a shopper! ;)

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  28. I enjoyed this post very much! Last month I just got the main kit, but in March I ordered two of the add-ons and some other things, so when it all came it was a bit overwhelming at first. I ended up doing much as you, separating paper from letters and embellishments and stamps, mixing the kits together and organizing it all as one large kit. Now I have to not just admire my organization, but get scrapping with it!

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  29. Seriously, so much fun to read your process. I will have to think about that and do a post myself one day. :)
    Enjoy your kit....this one is absolutely fabulous. Can't wait to create with it.
    xoxo

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  30. Wow, I'm curious how much of the monthly kit you generally use? I can see myself drowning in paper after just a few months! I've never purchased a kit from a kit club for that reason.

    Would you share how much you usually use, and what do you do with the leftovers? I know you touched a little bit but some elaboration would be so cool!

    I've been admiring your layout for a while, so it's great to see your thought process!

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  31. Ha! Love the idea to stamp the kits stamps!!! Genius!
    KarenP(kphike)

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  32. I LOVE to see other folks processess! (maybe because I am nosey! LOL) And there is NO judging here, only jealous of all your goodies! : )

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  33. I love your post. I got the main kit and all four add-on's and lots of shop items to. I'm in Australia and haven't got my kits yet :(I just hope I can get all the add-on's next month to. I don't care what other people think either as scrapbooking is my 'main' and most expensive hobby. Can't wait to play. Have fun with yours..... Lisa Leray from SC......xoxoxo

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  34. I found your blog through SC's blog. So glad I did. What an amazing talent you have. I'll be visiting you often! I also really appreciated this post about your receiving and organizing your kits!
    Jeannine H.

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  35. Funny! That is exactly how I store my kit contents in my Recollections bags!

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