CRAFTING TIP OF THE WEEK (#74) Keeping Rub-on Sheets in their place

Hey bloggers~Happy Monday to you!

Today's tip is going to help keep your rub-on sheets in their place & in tact.
How so? you say- well, I'll tell you.

Punch a hole in the upper left hand corner of your packaging including the rub-on sheet being careful not to punch through the rub-on images. Then place a brad through the hole securing the rub-on sheet with its' backing/support packaging.

This will help keep your rub-ons secure yet you can easily slide the rub-on sheet back & forth to cut out or use the rub-on of choice leaving the others protected. The brad acts as a hinge allowing you to slide the entire rub-on sheet away from its protective packaging for easy access & use.
If for some reason you should lose or discard your packaging or find some rub-ons in your stash without the backer sheet, use wax paper in place of a backer sheet. That will allow for easy gliding of the rub-on sheet, provide coverage & the rub-ons will be more likely to stay on their original sheet.


That's it for this week's tip.
Hope it's a helpful one.

Have a good week.

FABULOUS FRIDAY FIND-Prima Product Line

Hi everyone!

Today's find is a new product line coming out soon by Marion Smith from A PIECE OF CRAFT.COM for PRIMA.
She has designed a gorgeous line of embellishments.
Take a look at a few of her pieces:







They are so beautiful & due out in retail in February of 2011.
She recently did a USTREAM video where displayed the collection. She quoted a price per pack of $4.99. Sounds reasonable for the fine quality and beauty of the product.

I hope you enjoyed this find.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Hope you stop back soon.
Crafty Hugs to you!

My First Completed Project of 2011

*Warning* Lots of Pics in this Post!
In an effort to share more of my creations with you I am posting my first completed mini album of this year.

It began life as chipboard & manilla envelope tags which I bound together with my Bind It All.
*Here it is from start to finish*
-You will have to get to the bottom to see the completed album-


















********Supplies Used*******
Chipboard (Had in my stash)
7 Gypsies Quandrant Tablette Papers
Rayher-hobby kunst : Music Note Papers
7 Gypsies Open Door Knob, Brass Key & Elastic
Tim Holtz-Tea Dye Distress Ink, Hardware:Lock, Clock Hand w/ Brad, Trinket Pin
Maya Road- Watch Dial
Recollections-Flowers, Pearl Studs, Bling
Crafters Square-Lace Trim
Michael's-Twine
Heidi Swapp-Clear File Folder Tabs
Jolees-Mini Gold Lock
Joann's- Black Feather
K & Co.- Flat Key(s)
Joann's Brand-Word Squares
Basic Grey-Paper Lace (Black & White)
Mini Wax Paper Bags-from my local scrapbook store-no brand name included

I think that covers everything. I used an assortment of adhesives from Glue Dots, Glossy Accents, This to That & Zip Dry. I used my printer, some antique linen cardstock & printed in Blackladder font the tabs for each of the file folders. I tried to keep it simple as far as the pages were concerned so that it could be used for photos and memorabilia. The little wax paper bags can hold tickets, buttons and even a lock of hair. The bag lifts allowing yet even more real estate on the page to document what is in the mini bag.

I really love how it turned out & hope you do too.

"TOOL TIME TUESDAY" The Position It Tool

Happy Monday!

Today's tool is quite new.
It is called the: Position It Tool.
It was created by a fellow paper crafter named Cathie Allan.
It looks like this:



As its name implies it helps you position "everything" for better alignment and placement of your stamped images and then some. By that I mean that this is not only a stamp positioner but it can help enhance your stamping and allow for new techniques. You can perfectly place stamped borders, make kaleidoscope effects and layered stamping. It will allow for professional, clean, crisp stamping every time you use it. It is also NON-SLIP which is a big plus. Rumor has it that a similar tool in the market at the moment slips so this apparently solves that problem.

It is being sold by HSN and you can find it by clicking here for $26.95.

I have to say ...HSN is on fire when it comes to scrapbooking, cardmaking & crafting. They are right up there with the latest in the hobby and crafting industry and releasing hot new products. Love that!

I do not own this or the stamp-a-majig but my guess is that they are similar in what they can help you achieve with your stamping.
Since it was a new tool in the industry and there are so many crafters that are stampers I thought I would share it with you all.

Have a great week.

CRAFTING TIP OF THE WEEK (#73) Silica Gel Sachet Packs Can Help You in the Craft Room

Good day bloggers!

Today's tip is an odd discovery for me, allow me to explain.
I like to buy fabric squares and keep them and my ribbon in a 3 drawer caddy. I noticed one day that the humidity was affecting the fabric squares in particular.

So,I decided to try something. You know those silica gel sachet packs that come in shoe boxes when you buy a new pair of shoes?
They look like this:


OH...yes I did. I went there.

I knew that the silica gel sachet was used to absorb moisture from the atmosphere and helps aid against mold so I thought why not use it to combat the humidity in my fabric drawers.Turns out those little sachets pack a big punch when it comes to humidity. So I slipped a couple in the drawers containing fabric and it worked!

I highly recommend using them especially if you store lots of fabric & ribbon in drawers or jars.

That's it for today.

Join me tomorrow for Tool Time Tuesday.
Have a great week!

Cards for my Soldier & Company

Hello Bloggers!

Some of you may or may not know that I am a military wife.

That being said, in honor of my husband's recent deployment status in service to our Country I would like to collect cards to send to him & his squadron.

This is where YOU come in.

I was hoping that I could start a card drive to send them "hand & heart" crafted cards to lift their spirits and as a show of support and solidarity. We may not be there with them in body but we certainly can be in spirit.What better way to demonstrate that then with a lovely card.

Unlike Operation Write Home, these cards are going directly to the soldier for the soldier.

I know that my husband LOVES hand crafted cards. He appreciates the quality, time and attention to detail that crafters put into their creations. That is just the type of person he is and I am very proud of him on so many levels.

If you are willing and able to join me in this venture, please e-mail me at: archivingangel@yahoo.com telling me so and I will provide you with my address. I will collect the cards and mail them to the Squadron APO.

I am sure that all the soldiers will be so appreciative.
It would mean so much to me as well to have your support during this time.

Thank you in advance for your kind consideration.

God Bless You & the USA!

FABULOUS FRIDAY FIND- A Freebie!

Happy Friday Bloggers!

This weeks find is a FREEBIE!

Who doesn't love free?

It is brought to you by the fantastic CRAFT SECRETS WEBSITE.

Seeing as how it is the beginning of a new year and some of you may be contemplating crafting calendars for a myriad of reasons. I found this great little free download so you can print as many as you want on any paper you would like, cut & craft in any way your creative little hearts & minds desire.

You can find it:here

I hope you find many uses for it and enjoy it.

"TOOL TIME TUESDAY" The Yudu Card Shop

Hi Bloggers!
This week's tool is brought to you by none other than PROVOCRAFT.
It is the: YUDU CARD SHOP. It is a compact, lightweight,personal card screen printer.
Instead of screen printing t-shirts you will use this to screen print cards.
The Yudu Card Shop looks like this:


Go here to see it in action.

HSN will launch this cutie on January 20, 2011.

Rumor has it it will be a special bundle package that will give you everything you need to start using it immediately upon receipt & the price point will be approximately $59.99 but don't hold me to that price. HSN is known for giving you a lot for your money and they usually make their bundle packages on craft tools hard to resist.

Find your way back for Friday's Fabulous Find!

CRAFTING TIP OF THE WEEK (#72) Need a particular color item but don't have it?

Hello Bloggers & thanks for stopping by.

Today's tip is a quick tip.

Do you ever find when you are crafting that you want to use a particular color for an embellishment or paper but just don't have those items in those colors?

Why not customize your "whites"?

By that I mean, if you have white cardstock, flowers, brads or ribbon just use your inks, acrylic paints, glimmer mists, smooch paints, chalks or any coloring method you wish to customize the color you want your item to be.

You probably thought to do this on your own many times when in a pinch but did you ever think it was good enough reason to keep lots of "white" embellishments & paper on hand?

So, for this very reason when buying embellishments like flowers, paper & ribbon you might want to consider keeping "whites or other neutrals" in your stash as a staple. They will go a long way.
Based on my crafting experience, I have found that more often times then not I will have whites or neutral products on hand and instead of racking my brain or spending more money trying to find the perfect match, I make it instead using what I already have on hand.

I am in no way discouraging the use of color. That would go against the invisible crafters code of ethics! I am simply suggesting that when you are in a pinch, just bring color to the colorless..or whites...or neutrals.

Have a great week.
Hope you stop in tomorrow for Tool Time Tuesday!

FABULOUS FRIDAY FIND-Darcie Heater's Acrylic Ornament Frame

Happy Friday Everyone!
Today's find is by Darcie Heater & it is an acrylic ornament/frame. If you don't know of her or her wonderful products you must check out her blog here where she shows a tutorial on this Friday's find...her acrylic frames!
Look at how gorgeous this one is:



She has many more and makes lots of other products as well. I was lucky enough to stumble upon her blog & just fell in love with all of her beautiful acrylic frames.

You can find product information on her blog where she has a supply catalog list.
She is truly amazing.
I hope you enjoy her FABULOUS products as much as I do. For the moment it is from a visual viewpoint as I have not purchased any but plan to real soon.
Hope you enjoyed this week's find.
Have a great weekend!

"TOOL TIME TUESDAY" Page in Progress

Hi There & Welcome to Tool Time Tuesday!

Today's tool is the: PAGE IN PROGRESS BOX by Cropperware.

This has been out since 2007 but I have never really seen it highlighted or even in the big box craft stores.
It keeps your pages in progress in place. You basically place your scrapbook page in progress into the P.I.P. box when you need to stop scrapping and it will keep loose elements secure with the super-powerful magnets which are included.

Its unique design keeps photos, paper and embellishments in place until you’re ready to adhere them to your scrapbook page. It will even hold your 3-D objects as well.

The base features guides for common scrapbook page sizes to help give you a sense of placement within the parameters of your layouts.

Its shallow box and lid work together so you can keep your page in progress in your bag,briefcase, take along scrap tote or desk top.
It stores vertically, it weighs less than one pound & is about 3/4 of an inch wide. It includes 15 magnets.
You don't have to limit it to scrapbooking uses either. You can use it for crafty endeavors too like card making, quilting, beading and stamping.
Take a peek at how it works:



At the time of this post I spotted this great tool here on scrapbook.com for $19.96.

I would love to add this to my tool box. Guess it is going on the birthday list.

Catch you on Friday for the fabulous find!
Thanks for stopping by today.
Have a wonderful day.

CRAFTING TIP OF THE WEEK (#71) Cleaning up pesky bits in our craft space

Happy Monday Bloggers!

Today's tip is designed to help you clean up those pesky little tidbits left behind when we craft.
I mean the ones that often times don't want to get sucked up in our vacuums and we are forced to get on our hands & knees to pick up. You know, things like:
glitter, embossing powder, remnants from our punches, talc powder,tiny beads, fabric fuzz balls, sequins & on & on...
If you find you have trouble getting these cleaned up from your desk, carpet, work surfaces & glass mats try using a: LINT ROLLER! Keep it on hand and just roll it over your surfaces as you would over your clothes. You will be surprised at how much it picks up.If you find you are in a pinch & don't have a lint roller, some scotch tape will do.

Hope this helps!

Happy Crafting!
Don't forget to tune in for tool time Tuesday.
Have a great week.

FABULOUS FRIDAY FIND- The Flip Pal Mobile Scanner

Happy First Friday of 2011!
This Friday find is indeed fabulous.
It is the: FLIP PAL MOBILE SCANNER.
It looks like this:




This self-contained mobile scanning unit runs on batteries and stores both the images and the software on the included SD card. It’s compact, about the size of a Kindle, and surprisingly lightweight, approximately 2lbs. All you have to do is open the clam shell packaging, pull the tab to activate the batteries and turn it on!
You can scan photos, kids artwork, museum art, newspaper clippings, coin collections, 3D objects & more. In spite of it's small size you can scan items of all sizes in sections with the included "stitching software" you will be able to "stitch" your scanned images into one have it looking just as your original scanned image or object.

It requires 4 AA batteries, is portable, lightweight & easy to use. There is a small screen on the device which shows your scanned object or image. You can easily remove the SD card when done, insert it into any computer and transfer the image, edit it,print it, forward it and have it in digital form for years to come.

Think of how amazing it would be to scan family heirlooms, a special keepsake, wallpaper from grandma's house to turn into scrapbook paper. The possibilities with this incredible scanner are endless.

It works like this:


I liked this demonstration done by CRAFT TEST DUMMIES.COM:




You can find it for sale here on HSN for $149.90. They offer an option of breaking up the payments,giving you the opportunity to try it for a full 30 days without shelling out payment in full. HSN also offers free shipping on the item.

"TOOL TIME TUESDAY" The i-bond

Hello Bloggers!
This week's tool is brought to you by: IMAGINISCE.
It is one of their latest tool releases...
THE i-bond .
i-bond Cordless Glue Gun




The new i-bond is the perfect crafting tool for all sorts of projects.

- It's Cordless
- Uses 4 AA Batteries
- Has a Lighted Nozzle for Easy Application
- Ergonomic Design for a Comfortable Grip
- It Uses Standard Mini Glue Sticks
- It Comes with 3 Glue Sticks

MSRP $15.99

It began shipping in December 2010 so you may very well be seeing it in your local big box craft stores or local paper crafting shop.

Can't wait to see what other fabulous new tools are in store for 2011.

Thanks for stopping by today.
Come back for Friday's Fabulous Find.

CRAFTING TIP OF THE WEEK (#70) Storing Medium & Large sized die cutting plates, platforms & folders

Happy New Year, Happy Monday!

This crafting tip is just an idea for storing medium to large size die cutting plates, platforms,dies & folders.

It's a quick & simple idea borrowing something you can easily access.
Here are a few clues:
-It is used to store things in our kitchen
-Can be wirey (Is that a word?)...is now
-Comes in white, silver finish, chrome, black & sometimes in colors
Have you guessed it yet?
It's a dish rack! Or a plate rack.
Can you picture it?
Look at these images:






You can use a dish rack to horizontally store your dies, plates, platforms, etc...
It will allow easy view & access. Dish racks come in a range of sizes and finishes.
If you purchased one with the utensil holder you could store your small dies & embossing folders in the utensil holder. I have to say...I love that. The idea came to me when I was putting away my dishes & I thought I should write it down. Now I am sharing it with you hoping it helps one of you out there just looking for a storage solution for your dies, embossing folders, platforms & plates.

Heck, you could also use a toast rack too. Those were more popular in the "old" days. Those are smaller of course but could definitely handle the job. I love their tailored, petite, sleek look too. How cute would it be to have 3 or 4 lined up. I like it when my "scrap crap" (as my mom says) is organized but looks good too.
Here's a peek at the toast rack:


Come to think of it, you could use a dish/plate rack to store 8 1/2 x 11 paper or the toast rack to store 4x6, 6x6 or 8x8 paper.
Things that make you go... Hmmm!

If you try it & it works for you-let me know. I have not tried it yet. I am in the process of reorganizing my room ...again...

Have a wonderful week!

Tune in tomorrow for Tool Time Tuesday.
Thanks for stopping by.