*** GIVEAWAY POST FOR 500 OR MORE FOLLOWERS IS DATED SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2011***

Please leave your comment under the GIVEAWAY post for consideration in the drawing. Once I reach 500 followers I will select a winner! Thank you kindly.

Friday, October 29, 2010

FABULOUS FRIDAY FIND-Ribbon Storage System

Hi Bloggers!

This Friday find is the Spool & Store Ribbon Storage & Dispenser System.
It looks like this:





I included photos of the items separately as well so you could get a closer look.
This system works easily allowing you to spool your ribbon then store up to 4 yards per spool in the compact ribbon dispenser. You then pull out your ribbon to the desired length, cut & use. By purchasing the system you get the tray to store the ribbon storage case hence the system.

You can find it HERE
The entire starter system is $19.99 at their site.
You can buy the pieces separately.
The spooler is $6.99
The tray is $1.49
The storage dispenser for the spools is $12.99
If you do the math you are probably better off getting the starter system especially when you factor in the cost of shipping.
There is a video on the scrapbookshelf.com website & some illustrations depicting how this system works. Check it out.

Their site also offers many other crafting organization options. You should give them a browse.

Hope you enjoyed this week's find.
Thanks for tuning in.
Have a great weekend!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

HALLOWEEN CRAFTING

Hi all!

Just thought I would share a few rosettes I made for some Halloween fun.
I attached some to stir sticks for stirring up some devilish drinks & some to toothpicks that will be inserted into creepy cupcakes to help set the ghoulishly good time ambiance.




(p.s. Sorry for the poor quality photo-I desperately need a new camera)

I also made these cute little banners which I plan on attaching to some skewers. Then I will insert the long skewers in glass votive candle holders filled with black stones to help hold them up from end to end. Then a platter of those delicious cupcakes will be slid directly underneath the banner.




Wednesday, October 27, 2010

THE CSN GIVEAWAY WINNER IS...

After using Random.org to help me with the process...

LUCKY #7

stefeni said...

What a great site. I have been wanting end tables myself. I always think you can never have too much storage so I love the Powell magazine end table. You could probably switch out the handles to make it more contemporary. I also like the Anthony California side table. Not sure if it's just to store your cricut or to be used on there as well because then that wouldn't work out with the storage :)

spunkycrayon at yahoo dot come
October 17, 2010 11:18 AM


CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you to all who participated!


Tuesday, October 26, 2010

"TOOL TIME TUESDAY" GLUE GLIDER PRO-GLUE GUN

Good Day!

Today's tool is the Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro. It is an adhesive applicator perfect for bonding, joining, mounting and assembly of any paper, plastic, wood, metal, stone, glass, foam and more! It has an easy glide-on dispensing action.
# Acid free
# Photo safe
# Non-toxic

Look how cute it is!


Here's the scoop:


There are many online retailers that carry it as well as A.C.Moore. When it is not on sale @ A.C. MOORE you can use your 40% or 50% off coupon.
It retails for $14.99 and I have seen the refills run from $6.99-$8.99 but you get anywhere from 40 feet to 60 feet depending on which adhesive you select.

I have one & I love it. I had really wanted the ATG gun but was afraid that the size was going to be overwhelming for me with my carpal tunnel so avoided it. When this came out I had to give it a try and I am glad I did. I love mine. It is a mini ATG. It is light and easy to refill. I love that you can manually advance adhesive in the portion you need.
This tool is a gem but that is only my humble opinion. If you are in the market for a good adhesive applicator product this just might be for you.

Thanks for tuning in today.

Monday, October 25, 2010

CRAFTING TIP OF THE WEEK (#60) DOUBLE TAKE FOR YOUR PHOTOS

Happy Monday Bloggers!

For this week's tip I offer a way to use duplicate photos in one layout.

Adhere your first photo on your layout where you want it. Then using a duplicate of the same photo, CUT out the main subject of your photo and adhere it with foam or pop up adhesive over the exact portion of your existing photo which you already had affixed to your layout. In other words layer the scenes or the subject of the photo using your duplicate photo. By using the duplicate photo you can select what part of the picture you want to really stand out.

Instantly you will give the picture dimensionality and focus. It will "POP" off the page and you will use up the duplicates.

Have a great week!

Friday, October 22, 2010

FABULOUS FRIDAY FIND-CRAFT SCRUBBIE

Happy Friday Bloggers!

This week's find is "The Inkssentials Craft Scrubbie".



It's a cleaning bar which cleans in a gentle but effective way to easily remove inks, paints, glues, and mediums from your hands. Used with liquid soap and water, the Craft Scrubbie makes quick clean up after a crafting session of inked-up, paint-stained or glue-covered hands.
This little helper measures 2½" x 3" x 1" which should make it easy to store & contain.

You can find it online here @ Simon Says Stamp currently priced at $4.99. I think it is reasonably priced. I don't know how many uses it is good for but at that price I plan on finding out.

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

CSN Giveaway Chance Extended...

Hello everyone!
If you are just joining me and did not have an opportunity to weigh in on my latest giveaway post, here's your chance.
I am extending the giveaway announcement to allow more time for my faithful followers and visitors to join in on the fun.
In case you missed it, on Sunday, October 17th I posted about CSN stores generous donation to me for one of my lucky viewers.
Head on over to the post to get further details.
Keep your opinions coming!
I appreciate them all and have loved seeing your selections.
I will now be selecting a winner on Wednesday, October 27th!
So as you can see, there is still time!

Happy hump day!


Tuesday, October 19, 2010

"TOOL TIME TUESDAY" THE MAGIC MATTER

Hi There!

For this week's tool I found something to help us with our matting skills.
Since yesterday's tip was all about how matting matters I just couldn't pass up the neat little gadget I found to help you mat like a pro.
I don't own it nor have I ever used it but it seems pretty interesting to me.
It is called the MAGIC MATTER.



It is a set of disks in 3 different sizes with a hole in the center that you use as a guide along your photos.You simply trace and cut. This set offers matting options in 1/8", 1/4" and 3/8".
I found it on Paperwishes.com for $7.99.
It sure peaked my interest. I hope it has yours.

Monday, October 18, 2010

CRAFTING TIP OF THE WEEK (#59) MATTING YOUR PHOTOS

Hi There Bloggers.

Today's tip is designed to help you mat your photos or cards quickly and precisely because matting matters.

Place your photo or image to mat on the corner of the paper. Space the edges evenly on both sides using the width you would like for your border. Use removable adhesive to tack it down because at that point two of your edges will already be measured & "cut". Lightly mark with a pencil your measure for the two remaining sides then trim & you are done.

If you want to save money when matting, you can cut out the centers of your mats, leaving the border behind your photo intact. Use the scraps left over for smaller accents, mats or letters. When you create a frame by putting your mat behind the picture, the paper directly behind the photo doesn't show anyway; so cutting the centers of your mats will save you paper.

I hope you found this tip helpful.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

SUNDAY SPECIAL...featuring a CSN Stores Giveaway

Hello Bloggers!
Thanks for tuning in today.

I don't regularly post on Sundays but a funny thing happened on the way to my inbox
recently.


The kind folks at CSN Stores.com contacted me to offer me a giveaway for one of my lucky blog friends.
Now how could I pass that up?

You see, I need an end table in my craft room and I do believe I have quite a task ahead of me in selecting one. I plan on purchasing the end table from CSN's specialty store www.allcoffeetables.com.

What better folks to help me then my fellow bloggers & crafters? After all, it is going in my craft room. Since we all share love of crafting I thought you could help me decide on this one special piece for my space.

CSN Stores has actually over 200 web stores to meet just about all of your shopping needs. I have heard and read great reviews on their products and services and have been wanting to purchase a special little something from one of their specific sites.
From a single little end table to a fabulous, trendy purse they have got it all.

If you are reading this right now you have just as good a chance as anyone to win a $35 gift code to use toward any CSN Store purchase. They have many fantastic stores that suit specific needs.
But don't take my word for it, head on over and see what they have to offer.

All the CSN Stores have such a wide variety of products, name brands and reasonable prices.

So here's what I am going to do. For your chance to win the giveaway, go to CSN's
http://www.allcoffeetables.com, their premiere end table & coffee table store and tell me which end table you think would work to house my Cricut machine.
Then come back to my blog leaving me a comment telling me which model you would chose for my space. NO purchase is necessary. Just looking for your honest opinion.

I will use random.org to help me select the winner to keep it as fair as possible. So it's anybody's game. BE SURE TO LEAVE ME A WAY TO CONTACT YOU!
I will draw & post the winner on Wednesday, October 20, 2010.

Can't wait to see your selections!
Thank you so much everyone.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS GIVEAWAY IS CURRENTLY OPEN TO U.S. AND CANADA RESIDENTS ONLY AT THIS TIME. Thanks for your understanding.




Friday, October 15, 2010

FABULOUS FRIDAY FIND-OTT LIGHTING

Hey there & Happy Friday!

This week's find is not something new on the market but it may be new to you if you don't own one already.
It is an OTT LITE. Now, this isn't just any light source. This light provides high definition natural light. The difference is "clear".

Ott Lites come in different styles, sizes & colors. They have a proven technology that simulates the element of natural daylight.
This light is the HIGH DEFINITION of lighting sources.
It allows you to see fine details in fabrics, prints, papers & more.

For us crafters, that can be very important when we are trying to match colors, embellishments, ribbons & other items to our cards, layouts & projects.


Prices vary from $29.99 & up.
I have seen it at Michael's, A.C.Moore & JoAnn Fabrics.
Often times when it is not already at 40% or 50% off you can use the store coupons.
It is well worth it. I have one and it really works.

That's all for this week.
Until next time.
Have a great weekend.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

"TOOL TIME TUESDAY" THE LONG REACH STAPLER

Good Day Bloggers.

This week's tool is brought to you by Memories Direct and it is the:
LONG REACH STAPLER.


Memories Direct Long-Reach 12" Stapler can be used at home, school or the office. It's the perfect papercrafting tool, giving you more options than ever before.
* Long reach lets you staple up to 12" from the edge of a layout
* Use the handy guide to ensure all your pages are stapled in the same position
* Staple fabric, ribbon, photos, tags, foam, thin cork, and other thin items

HSN.COM is the only place I could find this great configuration.
It is item # 959-770
The current HSN price is $24.95
What You Get

* Stapler with paper guide
* Box of 1000 red staples
* Box of 1000 blue staples
* Box of 1000 purple staples
* Box of 1000 green staples
* Box of 1000 zinc silver tone staples

Having 5 different colors of staples allows you to color coordinate like crazy.

I do know you can find long reach staplers at office supply stores but they are more expensive starting at $29.99 & up and do not come with a bundle of colored staples.

I hope you enjoyed this week's tool.
Until next time!

Monday, October 11, 2010

CRAFTING TIP OF THE WEEK (#58) NEED SHARP PUNCHES?

Hello!

This week's tip is designed to help you keep your punches sharp and in great punching shape.
If you find your punches are not cutting quite as crisp or that you are having difficulty with your image cutting as it should; maybe it's time to show those punches who is boss.

Run your punches through aluminum foil or wax paper a few times. That seems to help restore the glide factor in punches. Also, if you punch through paper which is glittered or flocked you should gently wipe your punch with a baby wipe but be sure to dry it after. Leaving it wet may rust out the punch so don't do that. You can also just blow the debris off yourself, use a Q-tip to gently remove the glitter or flock powder or run a quick blow dryer on your punch on the cold setting to help blow out the debris. Finally, you can use a little WD-40 if they get a stuck or difficult to punch with.

Just a few things to consider to help keep your punches in their best working order for a long time to come.

Have a great week.

Friday, October 8, 2010

FABULOUS FRIDAY FIND-CRICUT SEARCH.COM

Hello there~ thanks for joining me on this edition of Fabulous Friday Find.
I have found something for all Cricut lovers that was a labor of love to one genius family.
It is CRICUTSEARCH.COM .

It's a website with a searchable database of all of the images on all Cricut cartridges. So say I had 22 Cricut cartridges and I needed an image of a violin but could not remember which cartridge it was located in,normally I would just look through my cartridges until I found it. But with this, I don't have to. Cricutsearch.com to the rescue. What a time saver!
Check out the video below:



What a fantastic & innovative idea! This family initiative was pure genius and I for one am grateful to them for having put this amazing, thorough database together. They certainly have given us a wonderful "tool" and reference system.
My thanks to them!
Hope you enjoy this as much as I do.
I have this bookmarked, it's a favorite. Make it one of yours! As a Cricut user you will be glad you did

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

WINNER, WINNER- CHICKEN DINNER!

Hello Bloggers!
It is time to reveal the winners of my blog hop giveaways.
To clarify:
I actually printed out all the comments and made a spread sheet using excel. After weeding out all those that posted in duplicate I was left with 92 comments as of midnight, 10-7-10. Each was numbered on the spread sheet in the order they were received.
I then used Random.org to select the winners.
And they are...

Drumroll please..............

#56 Denise Jensen- Winner of the Merry Glo Round Light Box
#49 Valine Campbell- Winner of the Autumn Leaves Kit
# 9 Christina of Christina Scraps- Winner of the Scrappy Moms Stamp Set

***A special thank you to the following:
* Stephanie @ Always Crafting for asking me to be a part of the blog hop, it was my first ever!
* All those who visited, commented & decided to follow!
* As always, God!


Crafty hugs & best wishes,
Sonia

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

"TOOL TIME TUESDAY" EVERYWHERE WINDOW PUNCH SYSTEM

Hi Bloggers!

This week's tool is brought to you by Fiskars.
It is the Everywhere Window Punch System.


Here's how it works:


The Everywhere Punch Window System is the only punch system on the market that makes it easy for creative crafters to punch perfect windows anywhere on the page — even the middle! With this portable, battery-free punch system, creating window cards, adding special effects to scrapbook pages and personalizing paper craft projects has never been easier. The secret to its versatile punching power is in the unique three-piece punch system:

* Easy-to-use, clear placement tool positions the punch on the paper
* Magnetic base slides under the paper and locks the placement tool down
* Top locks onto the placement tool and punches the paper with a push of the button

The Everywhere Punch Window System starter set includes a square punch. They also carry the circle, scalloped square and scalloped circle punch designs to take creative crafting to the next level. Best of all, switching out the punch design is completely intuitive and takes just moments.

Monday, October 4, 2010

CRAFTING TIP OF THE WEEK (#57) HELP-THE EMBOSSING HEAT IS ON!

Happy Monday Bloggers!

It's a quick tip.

This week's tip is going to help you from getting burned when heat embossing punched or smaller stamped images.

If you have acrylic blocks temporarily adhere your versa-marked/inked image to the acrylic block using removable adhesive. Then sprinkle your embossing powder, shake to remove your excess powder & apply heat with your heat gun. You will not burn your fingers or risk having your embossed image blown away. You will also get the entire surface of your image embossed.

Hope this helps!

Have a great week.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

WELCOME TO THE HALLOWEEN/FALL BLOG HOP HOSTED BY STEPHANIE @ ALWAYS CRAFTING!



Thank you for stopping by today. If you are participating in the Halloween/Fall Blog hop hosted by Stephanie @
Always Crafting you should have started at her blog. If not, just click on her link to begin. She has a list of all the participants with their blog links as well.
Remember she is having a grand prize giveaway sponsored by the lovely ladies of:
SCRAPADABADOO ! You won't want to miss your chance at winning a Tim Holtz-On the Edge Die-autographed by the king of crafts himself along with a paper pack by Kaiser Craft-the Jades Garden Collection.
DON'T FORGET THAT IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THE GRAND PRIZE YOU MUST VISIT & LEAVE COMMENTS ON ALL 11 BLOGS!
If you are already following along then you should have arrived here from the talented, Trish's blog @ Techniques By Trish . Wasn't her project fabulous? I adore pillow boxes.
Before I reveal my project I just want to dispense with the logistics.
I will be having 3 GIVEAWAYS of my own as part of this hop. One lucky participant will win the EK SUCCESS - MERRY GLO ROUND LIGHT BOX, another will win a stamp set from SCRAPPY MOMS CLEAR STAMP SET- THE ONE YOU CAN USE WITH YOUR CREATE A CRITTER CARTRIDGE and another will win a BEAUTIFUL COORDINATED SET OF PAPERS,RUB-ONS,RIBBONS & DIE CUTS BY AUTUMN LEAVES.

For those of you who follow me, I highlighted the Merry Glo Round under my tool time segment not too long ago. Here's a little informational video on it:





Here's a sneak peek picture of the Autumn Leaves Kit which includes well over 100 pieces of coordinated goodness & the Scrappy Moms Stamp Set.

All you have to do is leave a comment under this post telling me what your favorite part of any blog hop is & become a follower of my blog. That will enter you in the drawing for one of the 3 terrific prizes. I will close out the giveaway drawing on Wednesday, October 6th @ midnight so you will have time to hop along,spread the word, leave your comments & follow my blog. I will use Random.org to help me select the winners. I will post the winners on Thursday, October 7th. The order of the prizes listed is how they will be assigned. So if you are selected by random.org 1st you will win the 1st prize listed (Merry Glo Round), etc, etc...
*DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE ME YOUR E-MAIL OR CONTACT INFORMATION SO THAT IF YOU ARE THE LUCKY WINNER I CAN LET YOU KNOW!

***Now on to my project***
I made a Halloween Wall Hanging. I like to call this little number:
"BOO TIME".



Supplies Used:
Silver Ceiling Tin Square- Lowe's (cut to size)
Clock Face-Maya Road/ Jewel Center on Clock by Nicole
Black scallop background on clock face- Bazzill cardstock & EK Success oval, scallop punch, also used Liquid Pearls
Chandelier with bling sticker & bat stickers-Martha Stewart
Self Adhesive Black Pearls- Want 2 Scrap
White glittered pearls-Reflections
7 mm Silver jump rings- Nicole
Crystal Dangles- Melissa Frances
Boo! Sticker- Colorbok
Scroll Ribbon-unknown (Had in my stash for a long time)
Flowers- Recollection Boutique Fleur Collection
Adhesive: Glue Dots, Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear, 3M Foam Squares

I hope you enjoyed viewing my project.
Thanks so much for joining us.
Your next & final stop of the blog hop is Sarah of Live Love and Scrap . She is a delight! You will love what she has in store for you.

***HAVE A BOO-TIFUL & BOUNTIFUL FALL SEASON!***

Friday, October 1, 2010

FABULOUS FRIDAY FIND AND BLOG HOP REMINDER

Hello Bloggers!

This week's find is all about preserving all works of art. I am featuring some super pretty & practical frames called Lil DaVinci Frames. What makes them unique is the ability for you to store & display works of art by your kids, scrapbook pages & even photos, up to 50 in all per frame.
Take a look:



A discreet hinge allows you to open the front of the frame and easily swap out
pictures or artwork. The spring-loaded corners make it possible to hold 1 to 50 pages, so you can archive all of your kids' creativity and/or even your own. The frames are made from wood and come with different finishes from black matte to oak & cherry. The frame can be latched closed to prevent unwanted tampering.

Reduce refrigerator clutter, encourage all artistic talent, and transform art into framed masterpieces.

You can find these versatile, showcase frames at these & other fine online retailers:
Amazon.com
MiFrames.com
dynamicframes.com

Prices vary from $22.95 for an 8.5 x 11 size frame to $34.95 for a 12x18 size frame.

I cannot wait to get mine.

NOW ON TO THE BLOG HOP REMINDER...


WHAT:HALLOWEEN/FALL BLOG HOP HOSTED BY STEPHANIE @ ALWAYS CRAFTING
WHEN:SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3RD BEGINNING @ 8AM EASTERN TIME
WHERE: BEGINNING ON STEPHANIE'S BLOG HERE
WHY: BECAUSE WE WILL BE HAVING SO MUCH FUN, AWESOME GIVEAWAYS & CRAFTING FUN WITH 11 FANTASTIC PAPER CRAFTERS!

***DID I MENTION GIVEAWAYS?***
The wonderful ladies of SCRAPADABADOO will be donating a terrific grand prize that Stephanie will be giving away on her blog.
Some of the participants will be familiar faces but how will you know if you don't come join the fun?
Hope to see you all on the blog hop trail.

Have a great weekend!