Top 10 Scrapbooking Tools

In recognition of National Scrapbooking month, I wanted to give a shout out to some of my favorite scrapbooking tools. Also, to help you get started on your scrapbooking venture or to add to your stash, I am offering a 10% discount on all my favorite scrapbooking tools!!

1. Big Shot Die-Cut Machine - what could be better than a portable machine that cuts all your favorite shapes?
2. Stampin' Up! Top Note die - this is my favorite, most used die! I use this on many scrapbook pages, almost all my cards and even to make those adoreable little faux alligator skin purses.
3. Brayer - I love my brayer and use it every day. I use it to help adhere paper and photos to my layouts with out getting glue on my hands, I use it to help crease paper on my cards, I use it for certain ink techniques, to make bacgrounds and for uniform inking on my large stamps, what a versatile tool!
4. Bone Folder - Such a simple little tool, but I couldnt live without it - get the perfect crease everytime and it scores beautifully when I use it with my paper cutter.
5. Paper Cutter - Everyone needs a trusty paper cutter
6. Crop-a-dial - Remember having to wait until everyone woke up in the morning to set your eyelets? The crop a dial is such a versatile tool, it punches through chipboard, many paper layers, I have even used it to punch holes in a cooke sheet! The best part is that its silent! Its an easy, tool to replace several sizes of eyelet setters, your hammer and your hole punch!
7. Stamp-a-ma-jig - Precise Stamp alignment every time!
8.Versa-mark - My favorite stamping technique is coloring book, I love versamark ink for stamping my images because it dries fast and doesnt smear or smudge!
9. Powder Pals - I love to emboss! I love the beautiful crisp image that clear embossing powder brings out in an image! Of course, the embossing powder can get messy, but with powder pals, you can easily clean up and save your powder, nothing goes to waste!
10. Cutter Kit - This convenient and portable cutter kit is perfect for paper-crafting on-the-go. The kit includes rotary cutter, perforating tool and scoring tool as well as a 7-sided distressing tool, its pefect to throw in your purse or bag and take on a road trip!

Want to get some of these fab tools?

Top 10 Tools

Big Shot Die-Cut machine $90.00 Top Note Die $19.00 Brayer $11.25 Bone Folder $6.25 Paper Cutter $22.45 Crop-a-dial $26.95 Stamp-a-ma-jig $10.75 Versa Mark $6.75 Powder Pals $17.95 Cutter Kit $15.25

Check out these paper bouquets

Check out these beautiful paper bouquets made by my amazing associate Linda McClain, I am so amazed by her talent every day! For more information on Linda, or these beautiful paper flowers, check out her
Blog

SU Scrapbooking

 

Yesterday was the 2nd anniversary of my grandmother's death. I grieved grately when she passed and again this year, on her anniversary. She was my Angel in life and I still believe her to be my angel. RIP Grandmom!

I used SU Simply Scrappin Sweet Nothings, Close as a memory stamp set, Fifth Avenue floral, copic markers and some old chipboard I had laying around, but the SU stuff would work just as well...

Stampin' Jargon

card making & Scrapbooking terms


Below are a few terms, that you may or may not know. Links to tutorials or articles using these terms or demonstrating these tools are included.

Acid Free - Anything that is acid free is perfect for card making and scrap booking as it will not deteriorate or discolour. Acid free is simply a product that is manufactured free of acid.

Embellishment - Any scrapbooking supplies that enhance the pages. (e.g. Brads, Eyelets, Fibres, Charms etc)


Iris Folding - A technique where strips of paper are folded and overlapped to create a background in an aperture card. Iris Folding Crafters

Hand Tinting (Also photo tinting) - A method of applying colour to a black and white photograph. Hand Tinting Tutorial


Quilling - A technique where you roll strips of paper into various shapes.
Quilling Instructions

And the Winner is:

Ok Ladies, I did a very scientific method to draw these!!! (My 8 year old picked)
We have more than one winner!!!!!

THe WInner of the SU Blog Candy is:

Hi and nice candy. I went to your friend's blog and signed up there too. I do follow, but no blog here. Your site is very useful for me! ty for the tips! Cher
hilly77@comcast.net

Cher, please contact me with your address, so I can get your candy in the mail, CONGRATS!!!

The rest of you get 10% off your next SU order using code Blog Candy. So just hop on over to SU and pick out what you want, send me an email with the items and I will send you an invoice for 10% off...

Happy Scrappin & Stamping!

Stampin' Up! Scrapbooking Promotion

Today, May 1st, marks the beginning of National Scrapbooking Month and Stampin' Up! is ready to celebrate with the following three special offers. (Offers runs through until the end of May)

Time to stock up on Stampin' Up!'s gorgeous Designer Series Paper, Designer Specialty Paper, and Textured cardstock. Buy any three packages and get one free! (This does not include Taste of Textiles.)

Join my team by choosing a limited-time Scrapbooking Starter Kit for just $75. As a demonstrator, you will get regular discounts, benefits, and extra income! Click here for contents of the $75 kit and full details!

Enjoy a sneak peek opportunity to purchase the Jumble Alphabet stamp set (set of 52) from the upcoming Fall/Winter Catalog at a 20% discount.

#115199 Jumble Alphabet stamp set SALE $35.16



Please note: When you place an order on-line, add your qualifying product (three packs of Designer Series paper and/or 12" x 12" textured card stock) to your shopping bag. When you check out, you need to click a link in the Special Offers section that will bring up a pop-up window directing you to choose a free pack of paper.

To Place Your Order for Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7,
HERE

Join Stampin’ Up!® in celebrating National Scrapbooking Month with three great offers!

THESE OFFERS END SOON! CONTACT ME TODAY TO LEARN MORE OR TO PLACE YOUR ORDER.

angi89@yahoo.com

1) Buy three packs of Designer Series paper—including Specialty Designer Series
paper—or 12" x 12" textured card stock and get one FREE!*

2) Become a demonstrator for only $75 with the limited-time, scrapbooking Starter Kit!
Click Here to sign up now Use password angia

3) Buy the new Jumble Alphabet stamp set—a sneak peek from the upcoming 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog—at 20% off!

With so many great offers to choose from, your scrapbooking possibilities are endless!

Set of 52 (double-mounted) • item 115199 • Sale $35.16 | Reg. $43.95
*Mix and match your packs of paper

CC165

 

Here is my Chat and challenge from Sudsol tonight, cute sketch, threw this together really fast.

Sayings Sunday

Here are some great sayings for your cards and scrapbooks this month and next:

Who so loves, believes the impossible - Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Father Knows Best
A father is a man you look up to no matter how tall you grow

May all your weeds be wildflowers

To love someone deeply, gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage - Lao Tzu

The Fireworks begin today. Each diploma is a lighted match, each one of you is a fuse - Ed Koch

Remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination - Roy Goodman

More Give Aways!!!

My friend Jacquie has lost her mojo and wants to give away lots of neat stuff to try and get it back.. This is one of several pictures full of stuff she is giving away on May 2nd. Check it out Here and be sure to mention that Angi sent you and then come back here and leave a comment to tell me about it and you will get an entry into both her RAK and another entry in my blog candy, how sweet is that?

Sayings Sunday

Some Sayings and quotes to use on your scrapbook pages and cards over the next few months:

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person - Mignon McLaughlin

THe one I laugh with, live for, dream with, love

THe heart of a mother is a deep abyss, at the bottom of which you know you'll always find happines - Honore de Balzac

The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving - Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr

The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well and doing well whatever you do - henry wadsworth longfellow

A mother is someone you never outgrow

The first and greatest commandment is, dont let them scare you - Elmer Davis

Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude - Ralph Marston

The future depends on what we do in the present - Mahatma Gandhi

It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes fathers and sons - Johann Schiller

Blog Candy

Only 8 more days left to enter a chance for this blog candy..... to sweeten the deal just a little bit, I want you to bring a friend back next time, for every friend who mentions your name and signs up for my newsletter.... (have the link with your address so I can reach you) I will add you in three more entries for this fantastic SU Product..... Good Luck!!!

This just in!!!!! Add a post on your blog telling all your friends about my blog candy and you will get another entry! There are lots of ways to get this great candy!
1. Leave a comment on my blog candy post (one per day)
2. Sign up for my newsletter
3. Sign up to follow my blog
4. Tell a friend and have them mention your name
5. Post an addy on your own blog, with a link here and come back here to tell show it to me
6. Visit my friend Jacquie's RAK give away and leave a comment, then come back here to tell me you did so
7. Host a workship in a bag
8. Sign up for a class-to -go kit

Lots of ways to win this great-fat-free blog candy!

Craft Critique Picks the Big Kick by Sizzix - get $30.00 off TODAY!

The Big Shot is a bit larger machine, and takes up a footprint of 14" X 9-1/2" (including the handle). It weighs 8 lbs and can be used on any kind of surface, from a table top, to a tablecloth, or even carpet. The suggested retail price is $99.00 directly from Sizzix, and for the same price, Stampin' Up! now carries the Big Shot as well.

If you are using a traditional Sizzix "Bigz" die, which is about 1/2" thick, you only need the two clear cutting mats that come with the machine to make your die-cutting "sandwich". These will also cut through cardstock, felt, fabric, foam, magnet, leather, craft aluminum, and many other materials.

Additionally, Sizzix got smart and made the "Multi-Purpose Platform" ($19.99) to use with your dies.
I did not realize how much I was missing this until I purchased my machine from Stampin' Up!. Basically, it takes the place of the multiple plates required for cutting the wafer thin dies (like the Sizzlits) or dies from other manufacturers (like Spellbinders "Nestabilities"). In essence, the Multi-Purpose Platform is made up of plastic pages which you can flip over to use, or to move out of the way, depending on what die you are using or whether you want to emboss. AND, the reason I love it: the instructions are written right on each plate for which ones to use for different dies and different applications. You only have to keep track of the machine, the basic cutting plates, and the Multi-Purpose Platform. You don't need to keep track of other plates or rubber mats and paper manuals. Like I said, I did not realize how great a feature this was until I got my Big Shot and started using it.

The machine is heavy enough that it is very stable while you are cutting. It has a handle that turns easily to pass the die-cut platform through. There is a handle built into the top which makes it very easy to carry.
There is also a "doctor's bag" made to carry the machine and some dies if you are going to a crop. (SU also sells this carrying case.)

And, Stampin' Up! has commissioned some exclusive dies that match some of their stamp set designs. This is a nice touch, to be able to use die cuts and stamped images that coordinate.

My complaint about the Big Shot?

It is truly hard for me to come up with one, but I would say that it takes up a relatively larger footprint on your table or shelves for storage.

To read the entire craft critique article Click Here

Save up to $30.00 NOW
Want to buy your Big Shot Now??? Order your Big Shot from me, before May 15, 2009 and save up to $30.00!

Order your Big Shot (includes standard cutting pad and multipurpose platform) Now for only $89.95 + S/H

Order your Big Shot Starter Kit (A $205.65 retail value) for only $175.95
- Big Shot
- Standard Cutting Pad
- Multi-purpose cutting form
- 2 Stampin Up Exclusive Bigz Dies (Scallop Envelope and Top Note (My Fav!)
- 1 Stampin Up Exclusive Decorative Strip (Billboard)
- 1 Stampin Up Exclusive 4 pack of sizzlits (Birds and Blooms)
- Decorative Strip Cutting Pads
- Extended Spacer Platform

Order your Big Shot Starter Kit with Doctor's bag for only $229.95 (Retail cost of bag $69.95)

The Big Shot works with ALL competitive dies, and the steel rule dies can cut through an impressive list of 50 different materials, including fabric, foil, and chipboard.

See a video about the Big ShotHERE

Big Shot

Big Shot $89.95 Big Shot Starter Kit $175.95 Big Shot Starter Kit with Doctor Bag $229.95

Hurry, this offer ends May 15th!

Blog Candy!!!

 

Wanna win some Blog Candy from SU's retired Sale-a-Bration catalog? How aboout 16 sheets of double-sided delicate dots designer series paper, 2 spools of coordinating ribbon (20 yards total), a brand new set of (4) Stamps (Polka Dot Punches set)and some cute little coordinating embellies?????

All you have to do is enter a comment here, on my blog for an entry before the end of the month. But wait, You can get an additional entry for every comment you enter (one per day please) between now and May 1st. There's more! If you sign up for my newsletter, sign up, or enter your name to follow my blog you can get another entry! If you do both, of course, you get 2 entries!

Finally, if you sign up for one of my classes, either in person or the kit to go option, you can get an additional entry. Look for more great class postings soon!

Hurry, this blog candy will be given away on May 1st! Good Luck!

All ABout Inks: (What do the different types of Ink do?)

There are lots of ink options available and the various selections can be overwhelming to a beginner or even a seasoned paper crafter.

Waterbased Inks (Most Common). They should be acid free (if you are scrapbooking) and they are great for general stamping. I have found that you get what you pay for with these. There are some really inexpensive options out there at craft stores and other retailers, but, I find if you pay for the better quality ink, it will provide a better image and last longer. (I have heard of SU demos that have used the same ink pads for upwards of 4 years with out re-inking) I simply dont believe a cheap ink pad will last long (they tend to dry up fast)or give you teh same quality as the ink that specifically created for creative stamping (like the inks offered by Stampin' Up!)

Dye Based Archival Ink....this is waterproof, non smearing ink. It is great for scrapbooking.

Pigment inks are water based and formulated to stamp on absorbent papers. Ideal for embossing on coated or nonabsorbent papers because they are slow drying which also gives them a long shelf life.

Craft Ink....generally a thicker ink, may have to be heat set to get it to dry quickly. These inks provide a very rich color.

Distress Inks...these are the ones that have Tim's Holtz's name on them. They are alcohol based and are GREAT for doing techniques and inking edges. They don't stamp well because they dry much too quickly. I find other alchol inks are great for coloring book style images, they provide great color and dry fast, so you avoid smudging. (I use copic markers, but I guess I shouldnt say that ;)

Staz On....is great for porous or glossy surfaces. Comes in a huge range of colours. It is awesome on acrylic albums, transparencies, glass, glossy paper and so on. I actually enjoy stamping my coloring book images with this ink because it does dry quickly and doesnt smear as much as the water or craft inks.

Versamark....is a watermark ink. This can be used for embossing, chalk popping, stamping if you just want a very subtle tone on tone look. I love to use the versamark ink to use my stamps to create custom scrapbook paper in any image, easily matched to the color I am working with because the ink takes on the color of its paper.

Fluid Chalk Inks share the resilience of pigment ink but stamp & blend like dye ink, drying quickly on absorbent surfaces. Permanent when heat set, they resist smearing, bleeding & fading even when air dried. They give a very flat, muted finished surface - These inks are becoming increasingly popular, personally, I have not used them very much.

With so many ink options out there, it can be hard to find just the type you need, especially if your crafting is not limited to one style.

I recommend you start with a basic black in each style and some markers. This way you can check out the qualities of each type of ink, in black, before you buy one of each color. Markers are an inexpensive option to color all of your images, you can color direct to the stamp or you can stamp in black and color your images to suit your tastes.

For more information, or personal instructional workshops on stamping or scrapbooking, please contact me at angi89@yahoo.com or
visit my business site to book a workshop

Printable Craft Store Coupon

Check out this website, which collects printable craft coupons from all the chains and more.

Scrapbook and/or Stamping Clubs forming now!!

*Want to earn a FREE STAMP SET and at least $15.00 to spend on any item in the Stampin’ Up! Catalog?
*Want to learn more stamping techniques to “WOW” your friends?
*Don’t want to host your own workshop?
*Want to gradually build up your Stampin’ Up! supplies without spending too much?
*Want to escape for a girls’ night out once a month and make some really special friends?
______________________________

*Come along to a FREE MONTHLY CLASS and simply commit to spending $15 each month for a 12 month period (along with 5-11 other members)
*Each month one club member will take a turn to choose & keep the hostess benefits for that month’s sales.
*If you are interested in joining my Scrap and Stamp club then please contact me at 302-670-7980 or email me at angi89@yahoo.com


YOU MAY EVEN LIKE TO GET YOUR OWN GROUP OF 6-12 FRIENDS TOGETHER … AND USE THIS TIME AS AN EXCUSE TO GET TOGETHER ONCE A MONTH TO HAVE A GIRLS NIGHT OUT…

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS …

*This club will have 6-12 members
*I will be running a FREE technique class (1 - 1 1/2 hrs) for JUST club members once a month
*Each month we will learn a new stamping technique & will create 1 - 2 cards using this technique (depending on difficulty) or a scrapbook page (your choice of cards or scrapbook page)
*There is NO COST to attend the class … BUT each member must commit to buying $15 worth of Stampin’ Up! product each month. (not including shipping)

HERE’S THE BEST BIT …

*Each club member will take a turn to host the the class at her home on any date and time that meets her needs. She will also get the host benefits for that month- once each during the 12 months that the club is running. That means you will *Receive a FREE level 1 hostess stamp set & at least $15 of FREE product!
*The first hostess will be the first hostess to join up! the order of subsequent hostesses will be drawn at random.
*If you choose to spend $100+ (product) on a single order - you will also get to choose ONE FREE classic stamp pad to add to your order
*Take advantage of Club Specials each month
*Build up your Stampin’ Up! products gradually without great expense!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE PART OF THE CLUB? …

Contact me at angi89@yahoo.com or Phone: 302-670-7980 if would like to book a spot in the next class or if you want to start a club of your own friends.

Name:
Phone Number
Email Address:
Which Club are you joining?	Scrapbook Stamp Marker Ink Cardstock
How did you hear about my clubs?	A workshop A friend Cafe Mom Meetup Newspaper Flyer Radio Craft show Other
Are there specific techniques you are interested in?

free forms





Hope to see you at Stamp Club soon!
Stampin’ Hugs,
angi

Earn Free Stamps!!!

Get connected with friends and family by making gorgeous cards and gifts using products from the *NEW* Occasions Mini Catalogue. From now through April 30th, you can choose one item from the "Under $12" page (p. 208) in the Spring & Summer Idea Book and Catalogue for FREE when you buy $50 in products from the Occasions Mini Catalogue OR host a workshop with sales totaling $200 or more.

What can you choose from?


Item Description Retail Price
116209 Note of Thanks Mini Note Kit $11.95
116210
Birthdays Count Mini Note Kit $11.95
114494 Forever single stamp $6.95
114492 Beautiful Baby single stamp $9.50
114486 Birthday Wish single stamp $8.25
114490 Glad Friends single stamp $6.95
114498 Flowers in Silhouette single stamp $9.50
114496 Celebrations single stamp $9.50
114484 Elegant Thank You single stamp $8.25
114504 Merci bien single stamp $8.25
114488 Fun Flowers single stamp $6.95

New Option for Just for Mom Stamp Camp - email tutorial

 
 

 

Email tutorial now available. Are you a Stampin Up Demo, or any crafter looking for some new creative mojo? I have the email class just for you.... You can order this great tutorial to create in your own home, or to use in your May classes.

I will show you how to create this beautiful exploding box, also known as scrapbook in a box. All that will be left for you to do after class, is add your own pictures and your mom or grandmom or even mother-in-law will be thrilled to recieve this beautiful gift personalized just for her, by none other than you! We will also complete these two beautiful cards at the camp for you to present to mom on mother's day.

For the low cost of $25.00, I will provide all of your supplies to complete all three projects (the scrapbook-in-a-box and two cards) Additionally, if you purchase $50.00 of stampin' up! Merchandise, you can put your entire registration fee towards your merchandise. In other words, if you buy $50.00 in product, your class and all three projects are free!

In addition to taking home 3 complete projects, you will also get full instructions to take home, enabling you to make all three projects again, at any time! This is an outstanding value!

Also, don't forget that if you purchase $50.00 in merchandise, you will get the entire package of complete projects (including supplies) and instructions for free!

Hurry, if you register before April 15th, you pay only $20.00! That's right, for $20.00 you get all 3 projects, all supplies you need to complete the projects, and if you purchase $50.00 in merchandise from stampin' up!, you get the entire class, instructions and all the supplies for FREE.

New, tutorial option now available! Have the email tutorial sent directly to your email address so you can create these beautiful gifts for mom, from the comfort of your own home. I will email complete instructions to make the exploding box and three beautiful cards for mom, complete supply lists and instructions with photos. These tutorials will be ready next week, order yours now and be the first to receive instructions for these beautiful mothers day gifts. Order yours now!

 

Don't miss out on this beautiful project and three beautiful cards.

In addition to this great value, you get to meet new people who share a love of papercrafts, there will be door prizes, discounted merchandise, and a host of other goodies. Hurry, the discounted class ends April 15th!

Stamp Camp

Stamp Camp before 15 April $20.00 Stamp Camp after 15 April $25.00 Email Instructions Only $10.00

Discount Scrapbook and stamping supplies

One of my favorite places to shop is create for less, which has some great specials on your favorite scrapbook and stamping wares, at a discount.
Currently, they are offering some great discounts on 250 pc packs of paper and a discount on their entire Fiskars inventory! From April 14-28, thier entire selection of Fiskars products will be on sale. They're temporarily reducing already low prices on hundreds of Fiskars scissors, paper trimmers, stencils, paper punches, rotary cutters and more. Fiskars is one of our top selling brands and when it's on sale, it goes fast, so dont miss out on these deals!

check it out their specials ">here