Punches

Isn't that a pretty site? Every since my high school interior design class I've been a fan of items that follow the principle of gradation. These punches do just that thing, if you punched out a circle in every size and then stacked them, they'd gradate perfectly! And, while I have most of these, I'm coveting that 2-3/4" punch - that, my friends, is a the Holy Grail of the circle punches.

And, while I'm on the subject of punches, these are cool too....

All the shown punches are available at Judy's. If you see one you want give Judy a call and ask her to set it aside for you. Or, better yet, just stop in and pick it up and let her know you saw them on the blog.

Smiles!
Amy

new products

I know several of you are Cuttlebug fans so we wanted to show some of our latest arrivals. Aren't they cute?! And, don't forget, you don't need the machine to use the embossing templates - a rolling pin will work. Ask Judy about that, she'll give you a quick demo - it's pretty awesome!

Work It Wednesday - Jan. 21

I've been reorganizing my stash of supplies and thought I'd share a stamp storage system that has worked well for me. For about a year now, I've been storing my stamps in binders.

This is not a new concept or idea. In fact, I know many other people who do this too. However, since it is Work It Wednesday I thought this idea might be one that could help you work your craft a little better as it has certainly helped me. I don't have a ton of stamps but finding the ones I did have was becoming a problem. I'd have to dig them out or search for them in piles and that just wasn't working. Putting them in binders helped me to 1) - better organize them. 2) - Helped me remember what stamps I have. And 3)- It takes up less space in my room.

To make this work, I grabbed two binders - one for Alphabets and sayings and one for designs. I also used page protectors, cardstock and a little scotch tape.

Here's what I did:

On cardstock, tape down the edges of the plastic sheeting that comes with your acrylic stamps. Place stamps in their places and then cover with a second piece of plastic sheet. Label as needed and slide cardstock into page protector and add to binder.

To use the stamps, you simple turn the pages until you find the set you want to use and then slide the cardstock out of the page protector, remove the stamp and craft away.

While I have mostly acrylic stamps, you can do this same thing with wood mounted stamps, you just need to remove the rubber stamp from the wood block (see below) and then stick it to the plastic sheet. You can then use it on your acrylic stamping blocks as needed.


This is pretty simple, and since all wood mounted stamps are currently on sale for 50% off this is a good way to stock up on some cool designs but also to save space.

Another way to use rubber stamps without the wooden mount is to buy a converter kit - these are awesome! We actually have a hard time keeping these in stock and if you are interested you can read up about them here.

Enjoy!
Amy

New Product

Have you ever wanted to try your hand and making your own custom paper? We have a new product in stock that can help you do just that. And easily too! This is really easy to use and very versatile. You can use it as is or mix other items into it like glitter, dried flowers, paper shreads, ect...

I've linked a video from the DecoArt website, you can check out some project samples and see "how-to's" here: DecoArt Video

The part of the video that intrigued me the most is the part where it shows how to use this product on a page protector. It's towards the end but such a cool idea it's worth the wait! (plus the video isn't very long so stick with it.)

Amy

For Mona!

In the post from Wednesday I showed how to use the packaging from little Glad bowls to make a candy dish. In the comments Mona asked about what to do with all the extra little containers.

Personally, I use them for school lunches, kids snacks and left-overs. However, that all seems too practical and boring. So, I thought I'd share a quick little gift my daughter made using them. In Mona's comments she mentions just this thing and now, thanks to my daughter, we have a visual.

Enjoy!

p.s. Her she is proud as can be at her creation. And, if you are interested in finding cute stickers to decorate your own Valentine's projects, look for them at Judy's - She's got a lot of different options.

Brrrr.....

I don't know about you but I'm COLD!!! It's winter, I know. It gets cold in winter. But it's really, REALLY, cold today. So, as I was looking through the photos that Judy sent of new product these little cuties stood out. (sorry for the slight blurr) Even penguins sometimes dream of warm weather and days of hula dancing in bikinis, flip-flops and popsicles. Maybe I'll scrap some summer photos today just to remind me that there is hope of warmer days to come.

And, if you think these little stamps are cute too, stop in and check them out. They are very reasonably priced and would look really cute on your current project or on a well-wish card to a friend who could use some warm thoughts today.

Work It Wednesday - Candy Dish

With Valentines coming up I thought I'd show this idea now. That way if it appeals to you, you could actually make it before Valentines day. It would be great on a desk or counter space. You could even wrap it up in some cellophane and give it as a gift.

So, how do you make it? First gather your supplies. You'll need some paper (I used plain red cardstock), some embellishments, ink, ribbon, and some discarded packaging.



1- Remove the plastic bowls from the packaging. If this seems familiar, I've used this packaging before for a different project. See it here.

2- Trace circles onto center of your paper.

3- Carefully cut out your circles

4- Wrap paper around container packaging. Be sure to line up the cut out circles with the circles on the box.

5- Decorate box any way you'd like and add two of the little plastic bowls so they rest inside the circles.

6- Fill with yummy treats.

If you want to take this idea a little further, you could eliminate the candy and turn this into an organizing tool for small items that you use while you scrap. Or keep office supply items like paper clips out in the open on your desk.

So, there you have it. Enjoy!
Amy

oh so CUTE!!!

Judy's been busy.... aren't these adorable.

With Valentine's day coming up these would look so cute attached to a card, the outside of an envelope, to a note in a lunch box, or on a layout celebrating love.

She doesn't have many so get them quick!

(click on the photos to see them larger)

New Papers

Valentine's day is just around the corner so I thought you might want to see some of the new love-themed papers we just got in. These are all by Fancy Pants and are pretty awesome. My personal favorite? That's a hard one but I do love the black-on-black that is second from the right. I can envision using that paper for so many projects.

and, remember, it's never to early to start on your Valentine cards.

Comments

Hey all, we got a heads up about our comment section on the blog and we've made some changes. You should be able to leave comments more freely now! (Thanks Lindsay!)

Amy

SALE!!!

WOODEN STAMP SALE!!!!

We are happy to announce that all WOODEN stamps will be 50% off for the whole month of January. We've got a great selection ranging from the very small to the very large so pop in and see what we've got.

** Please note that House Mouse stamps and clear stamps are NOT included in this sale.**

Work It Wednesday - Jan. 7th

It's time!

I haven't done a Work It Wednesday post for a very long time. So without further delay, here's today's post....

At the last crop I showed a quick way you can use a wooden block to make a stamp. It's just a fun way to add a personal and artsy twist to your designs, and perhaps, will be a topic for another day on the blog. However, as I was looking at my supplies the other day, that wooden block was calling out for some love. If you have a wooden block on hand (you can buy them at Judy's if you don't) here's a quick little project for you.

First, gather your supplies:
block of wood, a photo, paint, paint brush, decoupage, rub-ons (optional), paper trimmer, sand paper (optional)

Step 1: Paint the edges of your wooden block and a slight little bit around the edges on the front surface. Let dry.

Step 2: Trim photo to the size of your block and set aside.

Step 3: Add coat of decoupage to wood surface. You want to spread the decoupage out evenly and avoid puddles or excessive amounts.

Step 4: While decoupage is still wet, add photo and smooth out. Let dry.

Step 5: Finish as you wish. I added rub-ons and used sand paper to distress the edges.

The end result will look something like this:


There you have it. Enjoy!
Amy

P.S. Check back tomorrow for some SALE information at Judy's!

It's been declared a snow day for our schools so Work It Wednesday is coming but won't be posted until this evening.

Stay tuned!

In the meantime if you're feeling brave, go make a mini snowman, take a photo, and smile at the chance to be creative with nature.

Smiles,
Amy

M.A.P

I think I'll start a new post topic called M.A.P. I love maps but M.A.P. on this blog will stand for Making A Point. Perhaps it will get you thinking and introduce a new challenge or idea for your creative juices.

One of the last assignments I accepted from the magazine I worked for was to hand over the camera to one of my kids and let them take pictures and then I was to scrapbook with the photos they took. For me, it was easy. My oldest daughter, she's 11, got the photography bug this past summer so all I had to do was take the photos she'd already snapped and do something with them.

However, since it's usually me behind the camera, it was really fun to see her perspective. I really thought she'd take pictures of her friends posing in silly fashion poses, or her sisters pulling faces - you know, kids stuff. But she didn't. She actually took some really great shots. (The stop sign photo from the previous post was one of hers)

So, in Making A point, why not hand your camera off to someone else, a kid, a husband, a friend, and have them take the photos for awhile. Don't tell them what to take photos off, just give them the camera and wait patiently for them to give it back. Perhaps you'll be surprised by what they shoot and hopefully it will give you some new material to scrapbook with.

Then, of course, pop into Judy's to pick up the supplies you need to scrapbook the photos. And, you can even send me an email of the completed results and we can share them on the blog.

Enjoy,
Amy

P.S. The fun papers used on my layout are from Judy's - they are warm and friendly and make me happy.

Just thinking....

Life seems to slow down the week between Christmas and New Year's. At least it does for me. I've had plenty of time to stop and think lately and thought I'd share a few of my thoughts. Perhaps you've been thinking too.

I'm by no means a scholar so even though what I'm about to say sounds smart, I'm no smarty-pants. If you want to know the names and difference between various shades of Bazzill card stock I'm your girl but Greek Gods, well, they aren't really my thing.

With that said, (here's where I sound smart - brace yourself!) did you know that the Roman God Janus was said to have two faces, one facing forward, the other back? It has become a custom on the first of the month that bears his name, January, to reflect on the year just past and to look forward to what lies ahead.

I've been thinking about just this thing. I'm not sure about you but I really struggled in 2008 to find that perfect balance between all areas in my life. My creative side was miserably left out and I missed it. As I look forward to 2009, I'm determined to make some changes and play a little more. I'm happier when I'm creating. And, in turn, so is my family.

As I looked back this last week and turned the pages in old albums I realized that 2009 marks 10 years of me being a working scrapbooker. In 1999 I had my first layout published in Creating Keepsakes Magazine and have had fortunate scrapbooking job opportunities along the way ever since.

It was a hard decision to make but as I look forward to 2009 I've let go of being a working scrapbooker. I've walked away from magazine publications and have committed myself to scrapbooking life, not trends and products, and because of this decision I'm really looking forward to actually scrapbooking for fun. I will continue to manage this blog and help Judy out with crops and projects but that's not work, that's fun and always has been.

Anyway, in thinking ahead I've made a list of projects I'd like to complete and work on. These aren't really goals or resolutions as I usually sabotage myself on those kinds of commitments, but instead, it's just a starting point. A place for me to get back into the hobby I love.

My first project is a quick look back. I've found family photos from every year I've been married and will do a quick, simple layout for each year. In looking back I can remember all the big events and even some small details for each year. I can never scrapbook (nor would I want to) every photo from every year but I can still document those things that stand out. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

So, that's me. That's where I am headed for 2009. What about you? What scrapbooking and paper crafting projects are you planning on completely this year? If you don't know, take a quick look back on what you've created in the past and then make a list that will help you look forward to the upcoming year.

And, while your creating this year keep checking our blog. Judy and I have lots to share with you in the upcoming year.

Happy New Year to you all!
Amy