HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY!

To my dear husband & all his comrades in arms, at home & abroad.
To all the spouses of said soldiers who in turn also make quiet sacrifices of their own.
To all the children of said soldiers who count the days til' their soldier returns.
To all the families of said soldiers who with heavy hearts commend their soldier to a cause much greater then themselves.
For Country, For Love, For Peace...we thank you with Love!

Here's a meaningful prose from:Walt Whitman

A Nation's Strength

Not gold, but only man can make
A people great and strong;
Men who, for truth and honor's sake,
Stand fast and suffer long.

Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly --
They build a nation's pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.

Remember to thank a Veteran!
Freedom is NOT free.

"TOOL TIME TUESDAY" The Shape Studio -EPOXY BUTTON MAKER

Hey there!

This week's tool is brought to you by Epiphany Crafts and it is the:Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio and Button Studio line of tools which will allow you to create your own custom epoxy shapes or acrylic buttons in just a few, quick, easy steps.

There are several shape options. If you would like more information on the other options please head over to the Epiphany Crafts website
here for more details.

As the video below will show, you basically slide your paper through the slot, stick one of the round bubbles or acrylic in the little hole on the top, place the plastic insert tool into the punch, close the cap and push just like a regular punch. The bubble has adhesive and as it punches the shape to fit the back of your bubble the adhesive attaches to your paper and poof, you have a wonderful round epoxy shape! Or in the case of the button it is basically the same concept except it also punches the button holes for you & your are using acrylic.



The round button maker makes a round button that is 20mm = 3/4 inch.
Epiphany Crafts sells it for $24.95. I am sure other online retailers sell it as well.
Other shapes include: hearts & flowers. They also come in 2 sizes.
This is great for custom designing buttons to match & coordinate with all your projects.
Lots of possibilities!

So fun!

CRAFTING TIP OF THE WEEK (#62) What to do with prickly tools...

Hello Bloggers!

Ever have sharp tools like the Quick Stik, a paper piercer or needle laying around your work space give you a prick or a poke?
OUCH!
This week I share one little thing you can use to help you keep your "prickly" tools handy but not hurt your hands when reaching for it.
Ready to read what can help solve this dilemma?

...WINE CORKS! If you don't have any, ask a friend or relative to save you a few or you can even get a few from a local restaurant that serves wine.

Just insert your pointy quick stik, paper piercer or needle into the wine cork & your done. No more pokey, sharp ends waiting for unsuspecting fingers. Your tool will still be able to be stored in an upright or horizontal position and you will always know that the tool with the wine cork attached is the tool with the sharp tip.
I happen to think they will look cute too- maybe that is the wine talking!
Okay everybody, hope this helps someone out there.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hope you stop by tomorrow for the tool time segment.
Have a great week.

FABULOUS FRIDAY FIND-A Video of a Pop Up Slider Card being made

Happy Friday Bloggers!
This week's find is a video of a surprise pop up slider card made by DAWN @ Dawn's Stamping Thoughts.
It is so cute!
She's always got something unique & creative up her sleeve.
I thought you would enjoy this different take on a card.



Have a great weekend!

"TOOL TIME TUESDAY" The Vagabond!

Hello There! Thanks for stopping by.

Today's tool is brought to you by: SIZZIX.

It is the Tim Holtz VAGABOND MOTORIZED DIE CUTTING & EMBOSSING MACHINE SUITCASE.
Check this sweet thing out from the king of crafts:


It can cut paper, cardstock, fabric, grungeboard, chipboard, book board, acrylic & more. The idea that with a touch of a button you can die cut &/or emboss just makes my heart feel super happy. I know, I know...cranking isn't that difficult but I must admit I love the look of this machine. The functionality, form and automation just make this an all around winner.

The price point on this is $249.99 retail (I know...yikes!) on Sizzix.com or Simon Says Stamp.com.
I did find it at a pre-sale price at A2Zscrapbookingsupplies.com for $199.99.
It is slotted to begin selling in November 2010.

I for one have the Cuttlebug & the Texture Boutique but can't help wanting this one too. Is that so wrong?

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

CRAFTING TIP OF THE WEEK (#61) Protecting Your Craft Surface

Happy Monday Bloggers!

Here are a few tips on how to protect your crafting surface without costly expense. Keep in mind if using a heat gun or glue gun you don't want to expose your wax paper or contact paper to the heat for an extended period of time.It will probably melt.

1-Buy a roll of contact paper and adhere it to your work surface. I think some dollar stores sell them. When it gets all used up you can easily remove it and apply a new sheet. You don't necessarily have to cover the entire table area either.
OR
2-Use a sheet of wax paper taped on to your work surface. Even if just temporarily it will help protect the surface. Especially when crafting with items like paint, inks & glitter.
OR
3-Go to your local hardware store like a Lowe's or Home Depot and purchase a single 12x12 marble, ceramic or porcelain tile square. Often times they allow this as a sample purchase or when they have tile squares that don't make up a full case they discount them deeply as in .77 cents. Before I got my craft sheet 2 years ago that is what I did and I dare say it worked quite well. I purchased a marble tile. It stood up great to the heat gun and the glue gun. It cleaned well too. When I got my craft mat I gave the marble 12x12 square to my former neighbor who swears by it til' this day. She won't spend the money on a craft mat.

4-One other thing you can use in place of a craft mat specifically for when you use your heat embossing gun or glue gun is a silicone oven baking mat. They sell them at Big Lots for much cheaper then a ranger craft mat & it works super well!




I hope you find this helpful.
Until next time!

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!