Everything but the kitchen sink

I love Roberts Crafts!

2005-04-01T09:02:00.000-08:00

I just returned from a trip to Utah and I want to say WOW! You people in Utah don't know how good you've got it! Roberts Crafts carries such an extensive collection of Provo Craft supplies! Of course this isn't surprising since they are owned by PC, but still, their selection surpasses anything I have seen here in SoCal. I purchased a new eyelet setter and will be playing with it this weekend. Check back soon for my head-to-head comparison of two new eyelet setters, as well as some other surprises!

All hail Roberts Crafts!

2005-04-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Alternative Stamp Storage--Sunday International

2005-02-23T10:30:00.000-08:00

Here's the scenario: You come home from your favorite craft store one day with your bag of goodies, excited to try them out and wow your friends. Then you try to put them away. Where? Your craft room (don't I wish!) is overflowing with boxes of stamps, stacks of paper, heaps of embellishments. How can you keep all of your treasures but store them in less space?

The new year has brought an abundance of storage ideas from the craft magazines which has been somewhat helpful in corralling the clutter, but my latest idea came by way of eBay. Sounds strange? Read on.

I frequently check out eBay for Stampin' Up products and have been very successful in the past. I recently bid on a set without thoroughly reading the description. Shame on me, but as I have learned, some of the best finds come from my own little mistakes. (Remember that great store you found when you took a wrong turn?!) So I won a stamp set that didn't come with the traditional wood blocks. Instead, the rubber stamp part was stored in a regular old CD case! Could it be? A way to keep all my sets without the huge boxes?

Not really knowing what to do with my unstampable stamps, I e-mailed the seller. Her information was so helpful! She had mentioned getting an acrylic block to use with the stamps in her listing, but then she told me about Sunday International. Sunday International is a California based company that makes stamps. But they aren't the same old stamps you're thinking of! They sell the unmounted stamps, stamping blocks, and storage systems that will really let you go crazy.

The jewel in their crown is the EZ Mount Stamp N Stor system. This allows you to mount your stamps on a special material, EZ Mount Static Cling Mounting Foam, which in turn allows you to stick them on an acrylic block when you are ready to stamp and store them in a 3-ring binder on a plastic panel when you aren't using them. I was beside myself when I thought of the possibility of having all of my stamps in 1 or 2 binders instead of a storage tote that I can't really get to anyway.

Of course, this would be a fairly expensive change over, but once the initial change was made I think it would really be worth it in the long run. Especially if it means I could have more stamps!

You can check out Sunday International on the web at www.sundayint.com ; I would also encourage you to read their history. It is really fascinating!

Creative Ideas for Stampin' Up at splitcoaststampers.com

2005-02-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

Every day I am amazed at the creativity and resourcefulness of others! Thanks to my friend Mindy for telling me about splitcoaststampers.com ! For those of you who love Stampin' Up stamps and accessories, this is the site of your dreams! If you click on the Gallery link at the top of the page, you will be taken to an alphabetical section where Stampin' Up stamps are listed. For each set there is a gallery of photos of cards other stampers have made!

For example, I wanted to see what I could make with the new "Farm Fresh" set I just got. I clicked on Gallery, then on the "D-F SU Sets", then on "Farm Fresh." WOW! There are ideas galore! You can click on cards you like to get a closer look, as well as look at other cards that crafter has made and posted. People can also add their comments on the cards in the area below the card. No more excuses for why I didn't make any cards to take to the stamping club! And maybe some of those sets I've got that are collecting dust will actually get used.

I haven't had time to explore every nook and cranny of the site, but I did notice there is an area where people are buying and selling stamps, forums, resources, contests, and news. I am very excited about the resource section; it has instructions and tutorials on all kinds of techniques.

Wow! I can see this is going to become a favorite site!

Eyelet Setting Tools

2005-01-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

Of course, every paper product looks so much better when you use eyelets. Up until recently, to set an eyelet you had to use a hammer and an eyelet setter. Now there seems to be an explosion of eyelet setters coming into stores that don't require the use of a hammer. Is it really possible that we can get gorgeous, well-set eyelets without our hammers? Will we have to resort to some other form of therapy to relieve our aggressions?

Here are a couple of the products I've noticed so far:

#1 Karen Foster Design Clikit Spring Action Tool--This was one of the first "springy" eyelet setters I came across. The basic kit includes the tool, several tips, a mat, and a wooden box, all for about $40. They also carry metal sheets, strips and tags for embossing on, which actually looks pretty cool. As with any new product, I am reluctant to part with $40 for something that may just be wishful thinking.

From their website: "Clikit™ comes with ten (10) interchangeable tips, a starter set of two (2) size of eyelets, a punch pad and complete instructions all in a handy custom wooden box. Additional embossing alphabets and six icon sets are also available."

The advantage to this set is the versatility. It looks like you could really do several things with the set, but once again, sight unseen, the tool may be difficult to use. Of course, this was sold out before Christmas, and I haven't tried to see one in action since the new year started.

#2 Provo Craft Silent Setter--At $17.99, the Silent Setter looks much more appealing to my wallet.

From their website: "A Silent way to set your eyelets. Quickly and quietly sets eyelets without misshaping the metal. Works best on aluminum eyelets.

8 piece set includes:

* 3 hole punch tips (micro, standard, and large)
* 3 eyelet setting tips (micro, standard, and large)
* Setting Mat
* Silent Setter
* Zippered Case
* 50 Free Eyeletz"

It is really difficult to tell from the picture whether or not this tool would really be worth even $18. I do like the large handle; it looks like it would be easier on your hand if you were setting tons of eyelets. I also like that it is specifically for the eyelets, and that they recommend the aluminum eyelets. It makes sense that those would be easiest to set without misshaping the metal. Unfortunately, this is out of stock right now on the CreativExpress website. My local craft stores have a pretty poor selection of ProvoCraft items, so I'm sure the only way I will see one in action is if I buy it myself!

I will add more as I discover new tools and try these out!

Paper Source Camden Fair Collection

2005-01-21T17:30:00.000-08:00

Just got an e-mail from Paper Source with their upcoming Valentine's Day products. I absolutely flipped for the Camden Fair collection. It is a set of patterned envelopes with matching cards in a red collection and a sage collection. If you love paisley and prints with a retro feel, you should check it out.

http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/46610004.html

The only downside is they are currently out of stock. Hopefully, this won't be the case for long. The collection would be great for your own personal notes, a gift for a friend, or a jumping off point for cardmaking. I wish everyone made products that were as vibrant and exciting as this!

I Love Walmart!

2005-01-21T17:00:00.000-08:00

Call me frugal, call me cheap, but I love Walmart! Especially when I find a crafty bargain. I have been looking for packages of buttons to use in card making and other crafts. I have found some packages at Michaels and JoAnn's, but they are always rather pricey and not what I am looking for. Well, I should have thought to look at Walmart first! In their fabric department, they had a package of over 100 flat buttons in a variety of sizes for about $1.50!! Serendipity baby! The packages were in single colors, as well as mixes. Just what I had been looking for! I love those moments! I found exactly what I wanted and it wasn't expensive. I will be the first to admit that Walmart doesn't have everything I need for crafting, but I never go there without taking a quick run through the craft section. You never know what you'll find. Walmart is also the only place I have found that carrys fiberfill puffs for stuffing pillows, toys, etc. This is the finely shredded, non-clumping fill that doesn't get lumpy. So the next time you are looking for something, don't forget to make a detour to the craft section while you are in Walmart!

Paper Source

2005-01-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to sing the praises of Paper Source. How can you not love a company whose motto is "Do something creative every day"!? If you are unfamiliar with Paper Source, as I was until very recently, you should really go to their website and request a catalog. They carry the most wonderful selection of papers and envelopes you can imagine, and their catalogs are full of ideas of things to do with all their products. I am particularly fond of their envelope selection; they carry the kind of envelopes that open along the short end instead of the long one. They also carry square envelopes which are not easy to find.

If you enjoy the style of Martha Stewart, this is a company for you. Products range from classy to whimsical and are all spectacular in their style. Customer service is also great; I e-mailed a question about a product of theirs I saw in a magazine and they told me how to recreate the look!

So go do something creative today!

Welcome!

2005-01-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog! This is where we can talk about anything: crafts, music, family history, more crafts... everything but the kitchen sink! Quite simply, this is a place to channel my insomniac energy, as well as share my thoughts and ideas on things that interest me. Thanks for stopping by!