HELP !!!! I'm buried in boxes of STUFF !!!!

I am quickly becoming OVERWHELMED by all that needs to be unpacked, priced, weighed, sorted, counted, sampled, etc ... YIKES !!!! I have many boxes of beads ... with THOUSANDS of items in each box. There is paper & sparkles and stickers and rub ons ... and so much more ! So I have just put my head down and plowed through ... but I have only made tiny little inroads so far. Oh well ! That just means exciting new things EVERY DAY !!!

Monday I made a sweet little FALL banner out of the new Making Memories Apple Cider line ... this is a beautiful fall themed varnished paper ( shiny parts !) and it comes with lots of great accessories. I also have their Christmas line in there somewhere but haven't come across it yet !! ( One season at a time !!).

Tuesday I sorted through a big box of product & priced it. Then I sorted through another box and didn't price it ... next week. Then I made up kits for the banners.


(and it is much cuter than the photo shows ... I am not taking good pix these days !!)
Oh ! Here's a tip ... I wanted nice glittery letters so I took old letters that were patterned & all different colours. Then I put a piece of 2 sided ScorPal tape on each one, peeled off the backing paper , and dumped on the glitter. Perfect letters without all the mess of glue. Love it !!

And a few little tags using a cupcake punch. How easy are they ?? Punch the cupcakes, wipe on a little Stickles, stamp Happy Birthday and you're done !!

Wednesday ( today) I weighed & bagged THOUSANDS (and I am NOT exaggerating!) of metal beads, beadcaps, spacers, and lobster claws. I have the cutest little tiny gunmetal rondelles all studded with teeny tiny crystals ... oh my ... they make me want to make them into a vintage style bracelet !! I put out new Chinese crystals. I bagged up more crystal rondelle spacers. I am now heading to the seedbead cabinet to fill up that poor depleted raggedy looking seedbead rack.

So that's a quick glimpse of some of what is new ... I decided it would be better to actually get it out than to talk about it !! I'm off to keep unpacking ... please stop in to see what's new !!

P.S. I'm baking tonight ... tomorrow is Cookies for CAPS ... I am trying out a new recipe "Better than CRACK Brownies " ...

P.P.S. Its almost September (WAHOO !!) so get ready for a whole bunch of new products, new samples, kits, some great promotions, and the Twelve Weeks of Christmas. Fall is FUN !!!

On the Fly ... as usual ...

Hi everyone !
Once again, this seems to be a quick post in between unpacking & ordering. Busy Busy these days !!
I have some great new items this week ... here they are !

PAPER :

Sassafras Lass ... I know ... usually REALLY bold & colourful, too colourful for some people. Well, this is a whole new direction for them. It's called Indie Girl and it is beautiful ! Think denim blues, apple green, a bit of brown & pink, turquoise, and mustard. Delicate patterns. Great accessories. This line is perfect ... except it has been selling out like crazy ! My first order I was unable to get any 12 x12 paper . I did get extra 6x6 pads but then I found some of the paper in 12 x 12. The larger sheets should be in next week. For now I have the 6x6 pads, the gorgeous little glittered letter stickers in turquoise, apple green, and pink, as well as the pennants & borders, and journaling stickers. Sitting at my work table, looking at all the beautiful colours & patterns, I had an idea ! The 6x6 paper would be the EASIEST mini album ever !! So I dug around, found some 6x6 page protectors, 2 6x6 pieces of chipboard, and then cut 2 1x6 pieces. From the initial idea to choosing all the photos to completion was 2 hours - Easy Peasy !!!

I used the sheets of paper - no cutting- as well as the adhesive letters & pennants. I also used some of the new Whimsies form Sassafras. Cute ! I used a little bit of 7 Gypsies masking tape to make the hinged cover & then tied it all together with some of their seam binding. The only paper I cut was to mat the photos. It was really quick & fun. The paper lends itself to older photos as well as current ones. I used black & whites and was really pleased. I bet that the album cost me less than $12 to make too. Can't beat that !!

Here are a few other (crummy) photos ... much prettier in person !!

I did get a few other things in ( that I didn't have time to play with ...). New from Cuttlebug is Winter Wonderland , a set of embossing folders. I also have restocked on some of their individual folders. From Cricut I have the 12x12 cutting mats as well as a NEW cartridge "Country Life" . This is a new full size cartridge ... my price is $64.99. Yep, you know how much they usually are - $100+ - but you can get it here for $64.99.

BEADS : oh, I have some beautiful new spacers ... tiny little silver & gunmetal spacers studded with black crystals. And speaking of crystals, more Chinese crystal has just arrived. I haven't opened the box yet but will be doing that as soon as I finish here.

I also have lots of new findings as well as more 10/0 seedbeads, large bugle beads, and Delicas - lots more colours !! I took home a bag of goodies to string up a few new projects but realized I had forgotten some of the parts so ... next week !

Also ... about those nice little crystal studded spacers ... they make me CRAZY !!! They are too small to keep track of & they always get all mixed up so I am changing the way I sell them ... they were 50 cents each but now they are in bags of 10 for $3.99. A better price and a much easier way to sell them & keep them all sorted by colour. This should be much better !!!

SEPTEMBER : I have done up a few more projects for the Twelve Weeks of Christmas ... I think it's going to be a lot of fun !! ( It has been for me so far !!) I have also preordered LOTS of the new scrapbooking stuff ... My Mind's Eye, Cricut, Sizzix, Theresa Collins, 7 Gypsies, Making Memories, Maya Road, Tim Holtz, Imaginiscence, Pink Paislee, Doodlebug, Cosmo Cricket, My Little Yellow Bicycle, Graphic 45, ... to name a few ... It's going to be exciting !!

And for beads , I am trying to get some new projects done and out on display ... a few things to get your creative juices flowing and some ideas for new products. I am also working on some Christmas jewelry for the fall. So many ideas, so little time !!!

This Saturday is the deadline for this month's challenge ... bring in your gift bag or charmed piece ... you could win a $10 gift certificate.

And next week is CAPS week ... more baked goodies !

Hello !

Hi everyone !
New things, sparkly things, Christmas-y things ...
**Just a quick reminder that the deadline for this month's paper & jewelry challenge is August 21st. You could win a $10 gift certificate ! There are some gift bags in already as well as a couple of beautiful charm pieces. Get your piece in soon !!**

BEADS : I am unpacking the box right now (it just came in last night !) but I can give you a quick run down on what's new . I have lots more of the Graphic crystals form Swarovski ... the first batch is almost sold out. There are also new colours !! Here are a few other items ...
* NEW - cut flat ovals with marble edge
* NEW - fire polished fuchsia in 3mm, 4mm, and 6mm.
* Preciosa flatbacks in Christmas colours - great for embellishing Christmas projects !
* round silver metal beads
* round silver filigree beads
* lots of size 10/0 seedbeads in vials ... 15 colours
* more Delicas size 11/0 ... 17 new colours !!
* RESTOCKED - Beadalon Wildfire .006" black
* NEW - bee's wax
* NEW - bead stoppers with coloured rubber tips ... another fun tool !!
* RESTOCKED - sterling silver "noodles"
* RESTOCKED - clasps,toggles, lobster claws, crimp tools, pliers

And ... September is coming !! That means the Swarovski snowmen & trees will be arriving as well as a few new projects !

PAPER :

NEW CHRISTMAS STAMPS from STAMPENDOUS !!!! These stamps are beautiful ... and cute ... and fun ... and affordable ... you'll love them !! I think they will sell quickly ... I have already ordered more but they may sell out from the supplier quickly too so don't wait too long !!

Also new
* more embossing powders & flocking

* heat guns for embossing
* Christmas foil stickers from Stampendous
* more mini ink pads
* Birthday mini stamps, perfect for cards !!
* Liquid Pearls
* Tim Holtz hardware bits & bobs !!
* Preciosa flatback crystals in Christmas colours - perfect for embellishing cards & other projects.

September will soon be here ... and with it will be the Twelve Weeks of Christmas !! I have been busy in my workshop (Santa's was busy !!) making kits for each week. It is going to be so fun !! When you purchase the first kit, you'll receive a little Christmas list to collect stamps on. A full list will get you a FREE kit at the end of the twelve weeks !!
I also just got news that the first of my Christmas paper pre-orders is being shipped ... and so it begins !! There will be lots of great new products in the next few months as well as all the new paper lines and Christmas goodies !!!
Let's go !!

Little Bit In Between ...

Hi everyone !!
This week I am a little bit in between ... between sending & receiving orders. So that means there is lots coming but it's not here this week !!! Even the Christmas stamps that have been travelling the country for the last 9 days are still MIA. sigh
Oh well !! There are still plenty of great things to look at & stock up on !! I have been filling up my new crystal display stand and it looks fabulous ... sparkly & pretty ! There are some nice new papers from Basic Grey - Oliver & Olivia. And all sorts of odds'n'ends ( beads & paper) that I put out as the days go on. So stop in !!

I have been sorting through my stuff at home and came upon a stack of Sizzix Originals Cutting Dies that I bought second hand ... and then ... never... used. So I have brought them in to sell. There are flowers, tags, bookplates, alphabets, etc... The small ones are $6, the larger sets are $10, and the large box of Lollipop Alphabet Cartridges Upper Case is $40. No tax.

And I sat down this week and started planning out the Twelve Weeks of Christmas ... one project each week starting in September. Here's a little sneak peek at one of them ...

Next week I'll get a few more done ... this is going to be a lot of fun !!!

Remember the deadline for this month's challenge is August 21st.
See you !!

a few projects for you ...

Hi everyone !!
I have a few projects for you this week ... and there are new items in stock as well in beads and paper. Edit : The TWELVE WEEKS OF CHRISTMAS will start in SEPTEMBER NOT December !!!
How about these earrings ?

They are made with the new Graphic Swarovski crystals ... they don't really need much more !!! GLAM !!
And here's a mini album using the Girls Paperie Travel paper ... quick & fun, all ready for your vacation pictures, ticket stubs, etc ...

Here are inside pages ...

You can make it with just a few sheets of paper & six pieces of 6x6 chipboard.And what do you do with your scraps ? Make cards of course !!
Here are just a few ideas for you ... I used some of the Sassafras Lass flowers that I got in last week ... love them !!
But if you don't want any scraps I will have kits with all the supplies ... precut & ready to assemble ... $16.50. Let me know if you want one . I just have to type up the directions !!


And now for something completely different ... CHRISTMAS !!! It will be here before we know it ... and if you want to make anything for the holiday, you need to start soon ! So , starting in SEPTEMBER I will have THE TWELVE WEEKS OF CHRISTMAS with a new paper project EVERY WEEK and a small kit for the project. I'll try to keep the kits at just a few dollars each so the whole series would be affordable. You can pick them up week by week if you want them or have a kit reserved for you each week. Just let me know ! It will be a great way to jump in and start getting all kinds of things made for Christmas !!


And for the beaders, I am starting to order in the components for the crystal Christmas Trees and Snowmen. ( I already have orders for 80+ kits !!) And I will have some new designs as well ... angels, snowflakes, etc ... Look for those in September & November.
This year Christmas will not surprise me when it arrives on the 25th of December !!!!
Have a great week. Drop in !!
This week is Cookies for CAPS week ... homemade Whoopie Pies and something not yet decided on ... !!
** the deadline for the Challenge is August 21st **

Oh More Lovelies ...

Every box that arrives holds the loveliest things ... I think I have new favourites every week !!! Here are some great ones this week ...

BEADS : 2 boxes of treasures ... some of the contents aren't really photogenic - you know headpins, eyepins, jumprings, etc... - but oh so necessary !! But there are a few really great things that are picture worthy !!


NEW BEADALON PRODUCTS : Beadalon has introduced a whole line of "Designer Series" products that will take your jewelry making to a whole new level !! There are some wonderful new findings for earrings and pendants as well as a really heavy jewelry cable that will make excellent necklaces for heavier larger stones. Some of the pendant & earring pieces are in the form of pinch bails that will leave beads suspended and twirling. Great for those tricky drop beads. Beautiful !! I hope to have some samples worked up for next week.
Beadalon has also introduced a multi pack of crimp beads ... 4 different colours , 150 pieces each, in size #1. A great kit for those who use different metals.

SWAROVSKI GRAPHIC CRYSTALS ...oh my ! ... these are gorgeous !! Like JEWELS !!! I have 2 sizes and 6 different colours in each. I can just imagine amazing earrings with the smaller sizes and beautiful bracelets with the larger ones ... can't wait to make something with these ... Just look at them

... aren't they amazing ?!!

PAPER : some really fun new products as well as some old favourites !

ADHESIVES & MARKERS :

more adhesives ... Terrifically Tacky Tape from Provo and Tombow's Tape Runner & refills. Also Metallic Markers from American Crafts - great for those Christmas cards that we should all be making ... SOON !

RIBBON :

this is THE MOST beautiful crepe ribbon !! It is 3/4" wide and soft as soft can be. It has a beautifully soft wrinkled texture and colours that will thrill you and get you inspired !! I can't wait to use it !!

TATTERED ANGELS CHALK LINE Mist :

This spray will give you a more solid chalky finish. Great for chipboard ... or, well, anything !! Beautiful colours and so much potential !!

EMBELLISHMENTS :

These have been out for a while but I couldn't resist them ... from Sassafras Lass ... these embellishments are so fun. Just one on a card or page would add so much !! The flowers are thick canvas like paper and the others are FELT !!! Too fun !! (Ignore the prices on them ... I priced them wrong !! The flowers are $4.99pk and the Felties are $5.99 pk.)

PUNCHES, TAGS, etc ...

A few fun punches ... a multi layered monkey (who doesn't love monkeys ??) and a lacy cut-away butterfly. There are also some new metal adhesive tags as well as some metal coin like pieces that would be great for scrapbooking or jewelry. Their verdigris finish is awesome !

And, lastly, here's a sample for the gift bag challenge ... Get creating !!! Kits are ready !!

And don't forget the charm challenge in the jewelry category. And the deadline is not until Aug 21st !!!
Have a great week & stop in !!

*** SALES from last week are still on !! Bead Spinners and Journalling Cards !!

camera ... WORKING !!!

Today I can finally share some photos with you !!! All - well, most- of the camera glitches have been fixed !!
So ... new product this week, new projects, and some great techniques !! Let's get started !

BEADS :
I am unpacking a box today full of headpins, eyepins, jumprings, bails, chains, earrings, pearls, crystals, wire, and threads.
Among the crystals are a new shape called "Graphic" from Swarovski that I have decided to try. I have them in 12mm and 18mm ... they would be great as a focal bead in a bracelet or necklace. Nice and showy but not fussy. Awesome !
I also have long bugle beads - many of you have been asking for them for earrings and long chain necklaces. Well , they're here !!
And now ... charms ... I have awareness ribbons for breast cancer (restocked) , yellow ribbons for Hope (restocked) , as well as new ones for autism.

PROJECT :

How about making your own pendants ? It is super easy and really fun ! These pendants are made with glass tiles, glue, and paper of your choice. I made them with handmade Japanese paper but you can use anything - scrapbooking paper, book paper, collage, ... the sky is the limit !! I have the pendants, glue, bails, small pieces of Japanese paper, and ball chain in stock now. Drop in & I'll explain the steps to you !!! Easy. Fast. Fun.

** SPECIAL **
Buy 6 vials of seedbeads & get a free Bead Spinner. This little baby will string your seedebeads quickly & easily !! (needle not included.)

PAPER:
* Basic Grey : Oliver and Olivia paper. Nice colour combinations. Can be used for baby books without being too cutesy or for adult projects. Very versatile. Great for cards too. I have the sheets of letter stickers for each. I also have the 6x6 pads for each - another great card supply.
Olivia
Oliver
* CRICUT Cartridge "Winter Woodlands" ... I have 2 cartridges here at a great price ... only $59.99 !!! This is the cartridge that will cut out the 3D winter village, among other things. Get it quickly !!
* eyelets, pearl brads, jeweled brads, adhesive gems,
* stamps - mini stamps, card stamps, more Pure Innocence stamps, Inkadinkadoo Inchies sets. These are a great deal. You get 9 1" stamps plus a block that will hold three stamps all for $7.99. There are several different theme packages. Also more from Technique Tuesday including "Dog and Pony Show" ... all pet animal stamps !!! Hmmm ... I know one stamper who probably has almost all of these animals herself ... TC ... are you out there ???
* more Distress Ink, Stickles, ink blender pens
* Embossing Powder Kits - 14 jars of fabulous colour !!!
* Thickers alphabets in various colours and styles
* more Cuttlebug & Sizzix embossing folders
* metallic markers
* chipboard in 6x6 and 12x12
* Crepe ribbon ... oooo ... nice !
* Cosmo Cricket "Delovely" 6x6 pads
* punches
* buttons
* metal words & tags
* Sassafras Lass Felties & Flowers
* Clear Snap Design Adhesives - great product !! 4 sheets per package. Add glitter or flocking to the 2 sided adhesive designs. Great for borders, cards, etc ...
* Smooch - 2 new colours - Pink Sprinkles and Wineberry
* Heidi Swapp - Fastenation Folder & Add-ons
* Tattered Angels Chalkline - a new paintable product that gives you a deep chalklike coverage in wonderful bubblegum type colours. Awesome for chipboard !!!

**SPECIAL **
Buy 10 sheets of October Afternoon paper (Fly a Kite or Thrift Shop) and get a free sheet of matching journaling cards !!

PROJECT : EMBOSSING !!
I am in love with embossing right now - sit still too long & I will emboss you !!! Here are a few projects using embossing ...

Birthday Tag : I just embossed the image in clear then rubbed ink over it. Attach it to a tag & you have a fast and easy tag !!

Various Products : Light aqua - Stamp'N'Bond from Stampendous ... stamp with a slow drying ink like Versamark, sprinkle with the Stamp'n'Bond, Heat until clear. Then add glitter ... also from Stampendous.
Blue - same technique except I used flocking. A furry little butterfly !!
Pink - I used Distress Embossing Powder. Rub the heated embossing powder with your finger to knock off the loose particles and create an aged look.

Butterfly Card : embossed the text stamp with white embossing powder as well as the butterfly. Then I rubbed various Distress inks over the design until I got the colour I wanted.

LIVE Card : I used a chicken wire stamp from Prima for the background with the white embossing powder. More Distress ink on top. I stamped the Tim Holtz LIVE stamp on a tag that I had also inked up. Then I used Tim Holtz Tissue Tape to attach it to the card and added one of his metal flowers. A little strip of Bazzill's Just the Edge Half in brown made for a nice little accent. I also added some of the tape inside.

And here's another little card using the tissue tape ... I adhered it in layers on the front. The tape is so lovely and thin that you don't even get ridges. A very simple card !




**NOTE** I am extending the deadline for this month's challenge to August 21st because ... I have been TOO SLOW getting the kits ready. So you have a whole extra month !!!