Yummy New Papers!

New Basic Grey Papers!

We are happy to report new paper has arrived and is now available for purchase. It's from the Sugared line of Basic Grey - and frankly, there's nothing basic about it - it's simply adorable!

Enjoy!

Perfectly imperfect with some pizazz

So yesterday's Work It Wednesday was about having a little perfection in your craft. I admitted that I'm not as picky as I used to be and sometimes a little imperfection is ok. Sometimes we are just too worried about making it "just right" that we don't let ourselves explore or enjoy the process. So, while I like my lines cut straight and my bows perfect (see previous post), most other things I let go. Don't believe me? Here's a good example:


Do you see it? Can you find the flaw? (I'm sure there's more than one) When I stamped on the layout I rocked the stamp a little too much and I didn't get a crisp image. But ya know what - I let it go. I love this layout for what it is. It's my daughter to a T. She's not going to care about the stamp but she is going to be glad I took the time to document something special about her.

And, as an added bonus for myself, I tried something new. I branched out. I stamped on glitter paper - did you know you can do that? If not, try it, it's pretty cool. You can buy it at Judy's and it really does add a nice touch and a sense of pizazz. Look for it and many other cool surfaced papers at the store.

I hope you'll always remember why you started scrapbooking and not worry so much about getting it perfect. And remember, if you comment on the post below about a scrapbook tool or item that you love, you just might win a prize.

Enjoy,
Amy

Work It Wednesday - perfection!

Aaah, bow tying Perfection....

I learned a long time ago that scrapbooking and paper crafting weren't about perfection. However it wasn't always this way and I admit I've come a long way by coming to terms with imperfections in my crafting, I embrace them, well.... kinda! I still have to have straight cuts and I need perfect bows. For the cutting I rely heavily on my trimmer and now, thanks to Judy, for my bow tying I have a handy-dandy little gadget to help me out there too. So for Work It Wednesday I ask you what tool is it that you rely on for creating a little perfection in your crafting? Post a comment and let me know - maybe I'll feature your favorite next week. And maybe I'll even have a little prize for you. In the meantime though, here is a photo collage of a step by step for making perfect bows with the Bow Maker. You can pick one up for yourself, the Bow Maker, not the collage, at the store. And, as an added bonus, I've included a card idea that uses a bow and it's perfect - the bow that is!

Hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday!
Enjoy!
Amy

A tisket A tasket....

...it's a cute paper BASKET!

Would you like to make one? Judy made these and I was going to save this idea for a Work it Wednesday but it's just too cute. Plus, since Easter is tomorrow I thought maybe you might be looking for a quick, last minute paper craft idea. Now, don't just classify this project as an Easter thing, Mother's day is coming up. And, if you pop into the store you can see other paper baskets Judy has made plus see how she stuffed them with gift items for things like baby showers and such - she is so clever. So here's how you do it....

1 - Grab a 12x12 piece of paper.
2 - Score the paper according to the directions on the diagram below with the pattern face down.

3- Once the paper is scored crease your paper in the following ways:
a) corner pieces which where scored on a diagnol should be creased up like a Mountain fold (mountain folds go up like a mountain) When creased you should have the pattern sides touching.
b) all other scored lines will be creased inward so that when folded in the back sides of the paper touch. Crease each line and then open them before creasing your next line.

4- At the point of each creased corner you can add an eyelet or punch a hole . (This gives you a place to add ribbon or other item to make the handle)

5- fold basket together as shown in picture here and above. Add ribbon through eyelets or holes to tie basket together.

There you have it.
Enjoy!
Amy

P.S. - thanks Judy for this awesome project! I can see all kinds of future gift ideas because of this paper craft creation.

Easter's coming

It's hard to believe that Easter is this coming Sunday. If you are looking for a little something special for someone special be sure to pop into the store. We have lots of cute things, like these bunnies pictured above, in stock. And, I'll leave you with a visual of another cute Easter item I love; these little ducks are just too cute. Happy Thursday everyone!

Work It Wednesday - Address book

Work It Wednesday - Address Book

As you all know I love to use my supply stash for more than just layouts. So today I wanted to share an idea with you on how you can make your own address book. Now, some would argue that address books are out of date, I however, disagree. Yes I have phone numbers stored in my cell phone and I have address info on my computer but it's just not the same.

So, if you are like me and still like having an address book in hand here's what you need to make this:




Supplies:
2 - 7in x 10in chipboard pieces
14 to 16 white or natural cardstock
pattern paper you love
2 binder rings
1 full sheet of giant alpha stickers (I used a full sheet but you could use up various leftovers from a bunch of different sticker sheets you have on hand - that's a good way to use up what you have)

1- Cover your two chipboard pieces with your pattern paper. I used mod podge to adhere mine in place but you could use a glue stick or sticky tabs and just wrap your paper around the edges.

2- Open the pdf (see note below) I've designed for you and print it out. The pdf is two pages, the first is the page that will hold the alphabet letters with an empty space in the upper left corner. The second page is similar only it is filled all the way up and there is no empty space. I printed them double sided with one on each side.

*I used a hosting site called mediafire to hold the pdf so that the download would be easier and safer. However, please note it is for hosting purposes only and I'm not personally supporting nor is the store linked to any of their advertisers. Again, I'm only linking you to them as a way for you to access pdf I have created.

3- trim printed pages down to measure 7in x 9.5in.

4- add alphabet stickers to upper left corner of the pages and add tabs to the end of the pages.

5- Punch two holes in all the pages and in the cover and assemble book using binder rings.

There you have it, that's the basics. You could add anything else you want to it.

Enjoy!
Amy

St. Patrick's Day!

I see green

Hey, just a quick reminder that Monday is St. Patrick's day. Don't forget to wear a little green that day. And, if you don't have anything to wear, we've got you covered, stop in for a little bracelet, lucky pin, or fancy little jewels. We've got other things too but you'll have to come into the store to see them.


Smiles,
Amy
p.s. - thanks to everyone who left well wishes at the store, on the blog, and through email for me. I'm happy to report that we are on the mend and doing much better.

Work It Wednesday - Not!

Hey all! I'm still under the weather and fighting the flu so I'm officially putting off today's Work it Wednesday post. I hope to be back to regular posts soon.

Amy

Anyone else confused?

Is anyone else having a hard time keeping track of the dates and events this year? I am! A week or so ago we had an extra day because of leap year. Two days ago we had daylight savings - which now comes earlier in the spring than it used to. In less than a week it will be St. Patrick's day. And then, less than a week later it's Easter. Whoa! That's a lot of things happening in a three week time period, don't ya think? So, if you are as confused about things as I am you might want to check out the calendar items shown here. You can complete them anyway you'd like and I'm certain they will help you keep track of things.

Perfect Pets

First of all, my deepest apologies for abandoning the blog this week. Judy is on vacation and my family and I have been down with the flu. This week as I laid on the couch all cuddled up with my kids there was a theme that was repeated and it reminded me of something we sell at Judy's. Something that you might not know we carry. Every time we'd see an animal on t.v. my girls would start talking about wanting a pet. Now, as much as I'd love a dog myself, we can't have pets. Nor are we up for the commitment right now. So, here's where Judy's comes in. Wouldn't you love one of these...
Judy's has started carrying Perfect Petzz. These are little animals that look real, sound real and feel real. She carries all different kinds. Different breeds of dogs and different cats and they are all so cute. The best part? Other than changing their batteries every once in awhile there is no upkeep. No walking and no changing litter boxes. Here is the carrier they come in and if you are so inclined to get a family pet today, be sure to check out the pet themed stickers to match. You may want to scrapbook your new addition.

Enjoy your weekend, and look for more fun blog posts next week.
-Amy

Work It Wednesday - Cheaters

It's Work it Wednesday and today's feature is all about cheaters. You know that old adage "cheaters never prosper."? Well, I say they do when it comes to scrapbooking. Kinda, sorta, and with in reason of course. Here's what I mean:

When you are scrapbooking and you can use a pre-made item that you can buy, then do. Use it! Enjoy it! Celebrate the time you just saved.

We just recently started carrying these adorable Disney items. They are pocket pages that you hook right to your page and it holds all your ticket stubs, itinerary forms, and misc. items you want to save from your trip.

It's a huge time saver, it's a pre-made pocket page. You unwrap the package adhere it to your page and Viola! your done. Some might call it cheating, I call it working your craft so you can move on to your next masterpiece. Why make your own pocket page when someone's already made a cute one for you?

So, for Work it Wednesday I ask you, what pre-made items do you have in your stash that you can take out and use today.? Go look.
Enjoy,
Amy