brads … next to buttons and ribbons … they’re my favorite embellishment. i’d venture to say that i use brads on 90% of my layouts. don’t hold me to that … but it sounds about right. so a few days ago i re-organized my brads. took me all day … in between kids, naps, lunch, etc!

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so i received one of these MM embellishment boxes in my goodies last week. they actually had another version that’s been at michaels for quite some time now … it’s like a kraft color with a black lid. but for some reason i never gave it much thought.  then i pulled this out the other day and realized just how much i could fit in there and how it’s so much better than what i’ve been using. you could store so many different things in there … but i decided to just go with the brads since i have so many. for the record … i will at some point alter this. with paint and papers and all that fun stuff. i actually had the chance to alter one of these a few months ago for an upcoming thing … so i feel like i already know what i’m doing. lol!

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what … you want to see everything?!?!

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how’s that for some brad-goodness?!?! i’m noticing that 2 spaces are empty in this photo … but trust me, they’re all filled up now. with the exception of the one narrow, horizontal spot in the second drawer … these are all making memories brads! i’ve collected them for years and years … so some of them are super old. but trust me … i use them all. actually, i never use the gold ones. lol! i actually debated putting them in there. i may actually take the gold ones out … because i can’t remember the last time i used a gold brad. plus, i totally forgot to put my rhinestone brads in there.

one big thing i love about this box … is that the little compartments have this slight slop upwards on one end. so that when you’re digging them out … you can literally "scoop" them out with your fingers. i have been using THIS embellishment box for years … i have 3 of them. and i hate trying to dig things out … because things get stuck in the corners and your fingers are too big to get to them. lol! plus … i love that some of the compartments are larger. so much easier to search for the brad color you want.

random fact #1 for today – remember the pics of my hair from thursday? today is saturday … and it looked the exact same as 3 days ago. without washing it. i went 3 days and 2 nights … sleeping and everything. and my hair looked the exact same! which is awesome!

random fact #2 for today – see that first picture up there? that goes to show you that i havn’t scrapped all week (up until today … but i actually took that photo thursday). because if i was scrapping … i would have stuff all over that black mat! and see that last photo up there … the blue and green scalloped paper on the right side? that is one of 3 layouts that i finally did today … and will share tomorrow with you!

random fact #3 for today – tonight sarah was complaing about how boring it is at our house when alyssa is at her dad’s. then she tells me "don’t tell alyssa how much i miss her"! too cute!

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16 responses to “brads, brads, and more brads . . .”

  1. Marissa Avatar
    Marissa

    That is a cool box! Don’t throw out the gold brads, you can paint or heat emboss them…although looks like you won’t be running out of others anytime soon…I love the Love Story layout…now I wanna see some Garden Party!

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  2. wendy sue Avatar

    I LOVE this idea, Laura! Not only does it look great, it’s such a great system! My brads are just all in one big basket – I think I may have to completely copy your idea! Thanks for sharing it! :o)

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  3. Katy Avatar

    Oooooooo Laura those photos are pure eye candy … all that colour … I love your brad storage … it’s got me thinking about mine! But my whole area needs a bit of an overhaul I think … I just need some motivation to do something about it!
    Hope you are having a great weekend.

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  4. Chris Avatar

    I just love your creative blog.I was surfing today and found your site. I have added you to my typepad list and will be back to see all of your creations. You are so talented!! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  5. Laura T. Avatar

    I love brads too. That compartment is way too cute — great job on the organization.

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  6. karine Avatar

    wow ! What a collection, I just have a few ones even if I love use it and if I put them in most of my pages…
    I ma very happy for your hair, and find children so funny with their words.
    Have a great day and impatient to see your creation tomorrow.
    Karine

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  7. Carla Avatar

    Wow Laura…that’s a nice collection and such a pretty box to put them in. I think it actuallys look nice white, but I’m sure you can make it better, i couldn’t!
    I use the cropper hopper organizer…remember the one with the little small boxes that were impossible to get? If I had the space, I would certainly love his for all my metallics!
    That’s funny what Sarah said…cause Alyssa might read this! LOL!
    Oh, and I love your picture on the front!

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  8. Deneen Avatar

    Always love Sarah’s comments too funny!
    Great job with the brads can wait to see what you have come up with on the layouts.

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  9. Lisa D Avatar
    Lisa D

    Great brad box Laura.
    Oh and your hair looks fab! Love the scrunchy look on you. Not having to wash it daily is a total bonus, too.
    Sarah is too cute with her comment! I think I’d be tempted to tell her sister she was missed anyway 😉

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  10. Sara Avatar

    And I thought I had a lot of brads!! I keep mine in the cropper hopper cases & the tiny little boxes are a pain to get my fingers into.
    That’s great about your hair! I hate the days when I need to wash mine since it takes forever to blow it straight! BTW-I took more pics of my hair today–we’re getting there…
    So cute that Sarah misses her sister!! Even funnier how she doesn’t want her to know!! LOL!

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  11. Molly Avatar

    Ok, now I need to get one of those for my brads! WOW! So very cool!

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  12. Nichol Avatar

    WOW!!! Lovin’ your brad storage! I am seriously thinkin’ I need one of those storage boxes…. 😉 You have an amazing collection of brads. I am with ya on the gold ones…I think I gifted mine away the last time I reorganized. 🙂

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  13. Sasha Farina Avatar

    My God!! Laura!! Share some of the brads goodness!!! huge collection you have there.. and yes, I never used my gold ones either.. haha!

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  14. Heather Ruwe Avatar

    Okay…you have done it again. I have one of the kraft ones and now I think I need a white one to match my carousel. Thanks for the eye candy! 🙂

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  15. Erika Follansbee Avatar

    Whoa, that’s some serious bradness!!! LOL!! That box is really cool, love how it folds ALL the way out so you can see everything.

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  16. Tracie Avatar

    Just dropped in to say hello before I head to dreamland. Love the MM Storage boxes. Just got the shelf & jars from Michaels not too long ago. Love them. Now I’m looking to get the tool rounder. Do they send you those goodies free for doing their layouts. If so, you so rock sister!!!! I’m jealous!
    Take care,
    Tracie

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