Back in Stock!

We just got the Crop-A-Dile back in the store! These are a great tool that everyone should have in their tools. Eight tools in one!

It punches 1/8" & 3/16" holes and set eyelets, snaps and more! It's portable and there is no setting mat required!

One of the neat things I really like about it is that in can punch through different materials, including paper, leather, wood and even CD's!

The Crop-A-Dile has a punch depth setting as well. That way you can get consistent depth punch holes.

Consider getting this tool. It's a valuable addition to any tool collection!

Happy Belated Valentine's Day

Here is the Valentine's Day layout I just finished for Adalyn's scrapbook. I used sewed on a red scalloped heart from Bazzil. I cut a heart using my Cricut and sewed on it as well. All the paper and embellishments are from My Minds Eye. I used my new Tim Holts paper shredder or distresser on all the edges. Distressing adds texture and definition to the edges of the papers.

Many of you have asked me how I keep up and get all my pictures scrapbooked having two little girls. Well this is my secret. First of all, Adalyn sleeps from 1 pm - 4 pm in the afternoon. I use this time to get my layouts done. While I am working on a layout Hailey is usually right beside me. She has her own kit with glue, scissors, ink, and stickers. We share the paper trimmer, border punches as well as her new favourite tool; the distresser. As I cut my paper I pass over the scraps to her. I also let her choose a few embellishments, ribbon or whatever she needs. I also give her duplicates or extra pictures to use. It is a great way for us to spend time together. I get my stuff done. She improves cutting, glueing, writing and best of all creative expression. She also learns confidence, independence and to share her side of the story. She gets to choose the titles of her layouts. Most of the time I write down her journaling as she tells it.


I am afraid she might appreaciate her layouts more than mine when she is older!

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Clear Display Trays

A great way to display your 12x12 papers for easy viewing. These acrylic trays are sturdy and stackable.

Do you ever find yourself looking for paper you know you have but you can't find it? Well then these are the trays for you.

They come 10 in a package and they are priced just over $110.

Use them to organize your paper collection today!

New Frames in Stock

We just got in a large selection of frames store. Two different shadow boxes sized 5x7 with either an orange or teal insert, 12x18, 16x20, 24x36. Prices range from $16.99 - $45.49. The great thing about the 12x18 frames is that they are a true size so you won't loose any of your image.

So now you can get your prints and frames in one location. Stop by and check them out!

Magnetic Discs

From Basic Grey comes these handy magnetic discs.

"Self-adhesive, super slim and seriously strong. Magnetic discs are not only super slim and seriously strong they are extremely versatile. Perfect for any craft or utility project. Use anywhere you wish to add a closure or an attachment. Consider for use in paper crafting, general crafts, home repair, school projects, presentations and more."

These are really handy and lots of fun to use. Check them out today!

Using up the scraps

Here's another 'using up my scraps' layout.  I hate to waste paper when it's as fun as this Little Yellow Bicycle line. 
The circles are a 12" acrylic 'clear cut frames'. It was  a little tricky finding photos that would work with the wing pattern coming in from both sides, but I think I managed it.

I made my title with some foam alpha stamps and that same orange Making Memories paint I used on my last layout.  'museum' is some old Chatterbox alpha stickers I had in my stash.
I was checking back through the blog and found this post about eyelets.  I haven't used eyelets in ages.  I have tonnes, but I keep them in a container on a top shelf in my scraproom. It's a case of  'out of sight, out of mind'.  So I pulled them down and randomly applied a few eyelets to the bottom right and top left corners of my layout.  I think they add the perfect touch. 
The white star ones pictured here in the same post would look great with this LYB line, don't you think?

Great Deal!

Check out your newsletter this week for an amazing deal in the coupon. Remember to use your coupon you have to either print it off or mention it at the time of purchase!

If you don't receive the email newsletter than contact us today by email today!

Making Red Icing!

OK so every time I go to make Red Buttercream icing for cakes, cookies or cupcakes it's such a challenge to get the red red color.
Found a neat tip on the Wilton Website though about how to get it Red, Red so I thought I would share....

A Piece of Cake - Ideas from Wilton

How to Make Red Icing Red
October 27th, 2009 by Mary Gavenda
Do you ever have any problems getting red icing red? I know I do. It can happen for a couple of reasons: didn’t add enough icing color or used shortening with a high yellow dye content, such as butter flavored shortening. Do you have a lot of minerals in your water that could make a difference (like well water)?

In the Wilton Decorating Room, we get the best results for a brighter red color using a combination of Red-Red Icing Color with Christmas Red Icing Color, equal parts. It will take a large amount of the icing  Click here to read more.......

Happy Decorating,
Lynette

Individual Sponge Daubers

Back in store are individual Sponge Daubers. These little tools are great for inking edges of paper and for adding ink to specific areas. They are also for very effective for adding shading.

Sponge Daubers fit right on the tip of your finger that allow easier handling and finer control of placement.

Come by and pick up one today. The possibilities are endless!

Freestyle layout

I've been doing a lot of challenges lately.  And using sketches as a starting point for my layouts. 
This layout is just for fun.  I started with the background patterned paper by Little Yellow Bicycle and just started putting stuff down. 
I grabbed a bottle of dark orange Making Memories paint that went perfectly with this line and dropped splatters from the end of a paint brush.  The yellow splotches are made by dipping a big straw (frosty sized) in to yellow paint, putting it close to the paper surface and blowing. I was just experimenting here.  I think I like the yellow splotches better than the orange splatters.
I didn't want to use the entire 12" of the Acrylic 'clear cut frame' so I tore one third of it off.  I had to start the tear with a small scissor cut.

I placed some torn pieces of LYB pp under my photos and a length of pleated ribbon.  

Then I started scrounging through my stash to find odds and ends that would go with my photos.  There's a Chatterbox 'card' and a leftover epoxy sticker from a pet sheet that was half used, a couple of Prima printed leaves(love these), some Prima blooms and a Prima glass pebble, a Rusty Pickle scroll rub-on and a couple of MM flag pins from the Expore line.  And what layout would be complete without some punches?  Out came my favourite butterflies.

I used up lots of bits and pieces from my stash on this layout, and had a lot of fun doing it.  I hope you try a freestyle layout today.