A Few Videos for you ...

Hi !
Second post this week !!
In lieu of a card kit , I made two videos and have the products you need to try them yourselves. So the first is homemade washi tape ... and I have tissue mounted on 2 sided adhesive (approx 5x12) for $1 a sheet. All you need are your stamps and ink.
The second is colouring seam binding . I show 3 different methods. At the store you will find bags of white seam binding 10yds/$2.99 as well as the Glimmer Mists, Distress Stains, and text stamps .
Have fun !!

Hope you enjoy them !

The Beauty of VINTAJ ... and "Cross Overs" ..

Hello everyone !
Another busy week with lots to show you, lots to explore, and lots to get done ! Let's get started !
PAPER & JEWELRY ...
The first thing I want to share with you is Vintaj. This is a company that makes the most beautiful metal components for beading & scrap booking. The blanks can be embossed, stamped, punched, coloured ... almost anything. Several scrapping companies have joined with Vintaj to create some wonderful complimentary products ... Sizzix and Ranger. Sizzix has made a line of DecoEmboss folders that will emboss a design on the metal. Ranger has created Patinas, a line of inks that will add the most gorgeous colour to the metal pieces. So last weekend, I experimented ! And I fell in love with these products.

Here is a pendant I made ... this one comes pre-embossed and actually looks great as is ... but look what you can do with the Patinas !! For this piece I used the "Victorian Gable" set. They are just dabbed on with a brush and then wiped with a soft cloth. You use only a very small dot of each colour. Then when the colour is dry, you use a Vintaj Metal Reliefing block to gently remove the colour from the raised metal areas. Gorgeous ! This can be added to a scrap booking project or used in jewelry like I did here. FAB !






Here is another blank that I added Patina to, this time with the "Weathered Copper" set. It's hard to stop !! lol.



I have 4 different colour sets in stock "Weathered Copper", "Victorian Gable", "Rusted Hardware", and "Antique Window". There are a few more that I will have in soon as well.



You can also add colour with alcohol inks and  embossing powder  ...  See ? Limitless !!











And then ... what if you could make your own embossed pattern on the metal ? Well you can !! With a Cuttlebug, Vagabond, or Big Shot, you too can create embossed blanks. The little folders from Sizzix are made up of various designs and you simply place your blank piece in the area you prefer.
So this means you will get several different designs from each folder. Just place the blank in the folder where your favourite design is, place it in the embossing 'sandwich', and run it through your embossing machine. Voila !  Here is a butterfly blank that I embossed, then gently sanded with the Reliefing Block. Either side could be used. Limitless possibilities !!

I still have more experimenting to do ... I know, it's rough, but it's a sacrifice I will make ... lol...
One of the other things you can do with these blanks and the others I have from metal Complex is stamping - as in with metal punches. I have letter sets in stock that will enable you to create tags and pendants with words of your choice. I am also working on getting a few sets that can be rented ... so you can give it a try & see if you want to invest in a set of punches. There are several inexpensive starter sets though for those who wish to jump in !! MORE possibilities !!

Vintaj also has smaller findings, wire, beads, charms etc ... so there are plenty of items you can incorporate into your work as is. So much fun !!
I would suggest you check out their blog ... lots of tutorials & projects and the Idea Gallery is amazing !! www.vintaj.com/wpblog/

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Another "cross-over" is the new tiles from Prima. These are made to be put in layouts, on cards, and on altered art ... but I love them for jewelry too ! Here are a few ideas ...
* add a small pinback for a tiny pin.
* add a glue on bail ... and you have a pendant or charm !!


* add 2 glue on bails and you have a link ... perfect for a bracelet or a bookmark !


* glue it inside a pendant blank for an interesting pendant with a little more presence.

I have these tiles for sale in packages, individually, and some with bails already added. They come in about 6 different themes so there is lots to choose from !!

Also ... I am cleaning out boxes and bins ... so watch for various items REDUCED TO CLEAR !!!

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Now ... on to other things ... how about Washi Tape ? If you aren't familiar with it , it is a Japanese masking tape that has become very popular with scrapbookers & card makers. It is translucent and comes in all patterns & colours. BUT, you can make your own !! I did that on the weekend too and was thrilled with the results !
So here's a step-by-step.
You will need ScorPal tape (or a similar 2 sided tape) and stamping tissue.
I have the tissue here in cream & kraft and will be selling it by the sheet and/or package. I used the really wide tape but you can use any width or the sheets. I will have some sheets of tissue already backed with the tape for sale here if you want to give it a try but don't have the materials. So ... now ... I cut my tissue/tape combination in 4 pieces. You can cut it whatever size you wish. I knew I would really only use shorter pieces, so that was fine. But you could make lengths the full 12" . Then choose stamps and inks. I used Archival ink but I think you could use any inks. Small stamps work well - just stamp randomly all over the tissue, varying the direction and the colour if you want. Allover large stamps also work well because they are going to be cut in strips and that seems to make the pattern more unique. Here are a few examples of my tape pieces.
I used various colours on the cream and then just black on the kraft. They have to dry for a while .. the ink seems to stay wet longer on the tissue and could smear if you aren't careful. I dried some with a heat tool but really just leaving them seems best. When the ink is dry, simply slice into strips, peel off the backing, and HOMEMADE WASHI TAPE !!!
* The only real difference is that original washi tape can be removed and your homemade tape is permanent ... but less expensive !!
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Lots of graduation papers, stickers, diecuts, rub ons , etc ...
KIT OF THE WEEK :
PAPER: * I will add this info on Wednesday ...

JEWELRY :

Here are some lovely dainty earrings using a Vintaj dragonfly finding and a few crystals. They look so vintage !! I think they are beautiful ! The materials + photo are available as a kit for $5.25.

So ... that's it for now ... I hope to add a little bit Wednesday after I have had a chance to work on a card kit ... keep watching !!

Some Great "Guy" Stuff, Some Kits, and a Few Specials !!

Hi !
EDIT !!!! Only 3 of these sets left ... Tim Holtz Seasonal Distress Ink ... Spring !

Hope you all had a great long weekend ... recharged your batteries ... and are ready to go !
And let's do just that ...
PAPER :
* new "manly" paper. Perfect for Father's Day , masculine birthday cards, scrapbook summer road trips & camping trips.
The Great Outdoors ... lots of wonderful animals & woodsy designs.

Even some that are simply nature inspired.

MUSTANG Fever !! Mustangs, retro cars, retro Ford advertising ... cool !!

I love the line on this paper "Got mud ?" ... perfect for off roaders !

This line is called "Gentler Times" and will appeal to many. I love the old phones and the teapots. The vintage cars would be perfect for men's cards and the vintage florals are so pretty. A great line !!

Here's an adorable cowboy line of paper & accessories !! YEEHAW !!!

* new paper from Teresa Collins .... soft and feminine ... lovely blues and yellows. The colours are much prettier in person. And, of course, her paper is super thick and excellent quality. I will have an instruction sheet for a one page mini album - free with purchase of her paper.

* STAMPS STAMPS and STAMPS !!!
New stamps from Inkadinkado ... only $1.99 set
Look at all of these ... only $1.49 a package !! What fun !

More stamps ... mermaids, lounging but oh-so-distinguished cats, great quotes, the Great Outdoors ...

And how about this one ? I love it ! Imagine sparkly icicle Stickles on the winter tree, embossed pink flocking on the spring, lovely reds & oranges on the fall, and vibrant greens on the summer ... a whole year of ideas !!


BEADS :
I am still unpacking things ... always something out back to bring out !! More new items will be put out this afternoon !!
And I am waiting for the Vintaj to arrive. .... and sooooo excited !!

SPECIALS !!! :
* Buy one Lawn Fawn stamp set ... get a 2nd* for 50% off !!
* Buy one Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist ... get a 2nd* FREE !!!!!
... and what can you do with Glimmer Mist ? Well !! You can colour paper either by spraying on it or through a mask. You can dye ribbon VERY easily !! (And I have the ribbon here !) And I use it to make chipboard letters work together ... I take any letters and give them all a quick spritz ... voila ! Common colour and a lovely shimmer !!
* ORI Crystals ... those are the gorgeous chinses strands I got in last week. Great prices too ! But now even better ! Buy one... get a 2nd* for 50% off !!!
  * equal or lesser value

KITS OF THE WEEK :
Card kit ...
this week's kit is masculine ! The cards are either Father's day or birthday ... some kits contain 3 birthday cards and some have 2 birthday and 1 Father's day. Let me know which you want if you want one saved. you get the supplies for all 3 cards for $5. The photo shows the Father's day versions but the same cards are also kitted with birthday messages instead.
Jewelry kit :
Swarovski Drop Earrings ... made with beautiful drop crystals and antique brass findings. I have these earrings in erinite, emerald AB, lime AB (which is a lovely vintage yellow), a pretty violet AB, and gorgeous montana blue AB. The supplies + picture are $4.25.

And it just gets more fun !!!

Hi !
I have been getting in so many great new products and have really enjoyed trying them out. I try to created every day ... even it is just an hour or so ... even if it almost the next day  ... whatever ! It all works !! I find it keeps me happy & feeling full of ideas.
So let's get started with what's new this week ...
PAPER:
* Graduation paper & stickers. Beautiful dignified paper and some amazing stickers . I used the stickers on the bags in this week's kits. They are stunning - they could easily be framed as amazing words of advice.

* more new stamps
* more distress ink pads in stock.
* Tim Holtz Distress Markers ... now available individually !!! Remember how I had a deal on the sets last week ? Well I have a deal on the individual ones this week !!! They are $3.99 each but if you buy 4 or more they will be just $2.99 !!! Save $1 each !

* masks & texture paste. What do you with texture paste ? How about this ...


This is a canvas I did using Christi Tomlinsons'  She Art Doily mask ( got 'em for sale !), texture paste, paint, and other She art products. I sell all the supplies here ... canvases, brushes, paints, masks, paste, tissue, stamps ...  It was a really fun piece to do and I can't wait to do  more !!
* I will be working on another video over the long weekend. Keep watching !!
BEADS :
* CHARM LINKS BRACELETS are back in stock !!
* also back in stock : memory wire, ring memory wire, silver plated non tarnish wire in ALL sizes.
* bulk crimp tubes and size #0 crimps
* Agate facetted large beads ... beautiful !! They look amazing strung as a bracelet using the spacers included. I'll try to add a link to the one I saw !


JUST IN !!! Chinese crystals in strands from $1.99 to $4.50. Briolette, round, and rich cut. I am very impressed by these beads !!!
* summery shell and mother-of-pearl beads in all sorts of glorious yummy colours !


* abalone pendants


* 10mm, 12mm mixed M.O.P. beads ... so pretty !


* cleaning cloths
* 1.5mm leather cord in 6 new colours : teal, grey, khaki, red, brown, turquoise

* cutters
* new Art Wire eggshell coloured wire and stainless steel
* mesh

KITS :
Paper kits ... 2 this week.
Kit #1...

Graduation Gift bag, Tag, Card ... all the supplies ... $5

Kit #2 ...

Sympathy on the Loss of a Pet cards
The kit makes 3 cards like the ones pictured. The papers & colours vary in each kit but the designs are the same. Check the label on the kits to see if the cards are for cats, dogs, or either. Supplies for 3 cards ... $5.

Jewelry Kits ...

Earrings using a cool round metal bead & new Swarovski crystals. They come in antique brass and the new ferngreen/topaz mix crystal OR antique copper and the burgundy/blue zircon mix. Supplies and a picture for $2.25 pair.

Last week I told you I had metal blanks from Metal Complex ... and I do ... lol ... but they didn't work in all the applications I had hoped. So I have placed an order with Vintaj and it is on it's way ! I am super excited as they carry the most amazing products. So ... I should soon have some samples for you involving Sizzix embossing on metal as well as a whole bunch of other techniques !!

So ... lots of new things and  new ideas. Hope to see you ... stop in for some crafting supplies for the long weekend. Make something great & enjoy the holiday !!

A Busy Busy Week !

I am so happy to be typing up this blog ... it means I am finally sitting down ... heehee. This has been a super busy week with long days. I finally bit the bullet and started doing the face-lift in "Bead World". Everything had to come down off the walls and be re-organized or moved. I have it almost done - I ran out of the new peg hooks so I will have to leave a few sections until more arrive. But I got a lot done & am really happy about it !
This will be a brief post as I still have all the signage to get done for the new bead sections ... so hang on - I am going to be quick !!
PAPER :
* Tim Holtz Distress Markers are here !!
 
I received a few sets ( and will have more in a while) . these initial sets I am offering for $100 per set. Individually the markers sell for $3.99 and the tube/case is $5. So 37 markers would be $147.63 if bought individually. A great deal if you would like the whole set !! If you want one, let me know. I will happily set it aside. My only request is that they be picked up this week.
* restocked on Distress Ink pads ... *hint* ... they will be featured soon in another video !
* great Father's Day/Dad stickers.
* I am unpacking some really fun texture products ... watch for them next week !
* coming soon ... Art Chix !
BEADS :
* newly organized beads ... much easier to see & choose from !

But before it gets better ... it has to get worse !! LOL. It all had to come down !!
All the metal spacers, caps, and beads at eye level in one place ...and sorted by colour !!
Starting to come together ... and I have gained so much space !! Findings together ... and small bags below bulk bags ... easy !
Stringing supplies all together .. wire, crimps, covers, clasps ... * lots of new  strands ... glass & metal
* new metal beads in the trays ... great cat faces, curved ornate tubes, spacers, bails, etc...

*METAL COMPLEX !!!
 
These are really fun ! They are metal blanks that come in a big variety of sizes & shapes as well as in 3 metals - brass, copper, and German silver. You can do almost anything with these. They can be punched /stamped with metal stamps (coming soon !), embossed with embossing plates (also coming soon ... my supplier sent the wrong things !!), patina-ed ( not a really word ??), stamped with embossing ink & embossed, decoupaged ... etc ! In the next few weeks the lost products will arrive & I will get some samples made ... I promise !!
* coming soon ... Art Chix !!
Kit of the Week ...
Sorry folks ... this week really got the best of me ... I ran out of time. Watch for card kits next week as well as a jewelry kit.
Be sure to stop in & see the changes I've made ... and all the pretty stuff I've got !!
Have a great week !