Punch Report

Just wanted to share a little tidbit with you about the Martha Stewart Punch Anywhere punches. I have a few of these and some are random in design, like a group of stars or pinked circles but some of the newer ones are designs which, when punched in a row or rows, can make for some pretty fancy paper. In the rather blurry punch picture (sorry for that), the punch on the left is a newer one because you can see on the base it has the design shown so you can line up those punches to get an unbroken row. The punch on the right is an older one that doesn't have this but it is still quite possible to punch the continuous rows. On the green paper you can see a single punch made from the Caning Pattern punch. Below that on the rust is a row of the same punches and another punch also shown in a group. You could do a row down one edge of paper, then start making rows across until your whole sheet was punched! Just like the fancy sheets we buy that are $2 a sheet. Now you can do it yourself. I particularly like the two shown on the rust paper but there are many more in flowers, snowflakes, hearts, etc. Make sure you use your JoAnn's and Mike's coupons on these because they are $20 at Mike's and $24 at JoAnn's. Has anybody else noticed that JA's prices are higher on almost everything these days. BUT today I have to tell you, I used their current coupon which is good until May 5 (it came in a mailer) for 50% off and bought a VAGABOND!!! I'm so excited. It's regularly $249 and I got it for $125 which is a steal. I only decided to get it because I continue to have problems with my right shoulder even since the rotator cuff surgery and I thought it would be easier. I have been very happy with my Big Kick by Sizzix. It works like a charm. If there's anyone out there who would be interested in buying it used, let me know. Meanwhile I'm looking forward to trying out the Vagabond and see if it's everything it's cracked up to be. Have a great day everyone!

Easter Egg Pizzaz

I was in IKEA recently and at the check out area they had these bins of colored paper mache eggs. The outside paper is very gaudy and shiny. So I scored the paper lightly with an exactly knife and peeled every bit off that I could. There is a very nice tiny pale green print on the interior as you can see. I then painted it with glue and rolled it in glitter by Martha Stewart. I sealed all that with some spray acrylic sealer, although I can't say if it helps hold the glitter on or not. Then I added ribbon, trim, flowers and leaves, beads and pearls. Everything is glued on the lid so you can still open it and put a small gift or easter candy inside. Just thought I'd let you all know in case you have an IKEA near you and would like to give it a try. Covering them with strips of an old book or newspaper with glue or patterened paper would be very vintage looking too. And there are many many vintage Easter images on the internet and Pinterest you could use as well. If you'd like, go to Pinterest and look at my Easter and Spring board for all the ones I've saved. Have fun!

Whatch Doin' This Spring???

What has everyone been up to lately in this unseasonably "spring" weather in March? My daffodils are already done and I have azaleas with buds which I will run out and cover with blankets if we get a freeze! It's been crazy, hasn't it? Now this weekend we've had solid rain for two days but the water table is low, so it's a good thing.

I've spent the last week taking the Tim Holtz Creative Chemistry class with my daughter. I have learned soooooooo much it's crazy. Many of the things Tim has done I've seen before but now understanding the chemistry behind all of his wonderful Ranger products has been a real eye opener. The pictures above

represent some of the tags we have done. Each one represents a lesson, a technique using the Ranger products. We were also given (in .pdf form) small labels for the back of each tag explaining how to do the technique on the front. For all the information and instruction you get, the cost was well worth it.

Well enjoy the upcoming week and be sure to find some time to be creative. It feeds the soul.

Antique Singer Red Eye

Twenty one years ago when we moved into this house I had purchased the cabinet and iron base shown in the picture. Many years later I had the chance to buy the Singer Red Eye machine and fit it into the base. I got it on ebay at a good price and it is in almost perfect condition as far as the decals go. Even later I had my husband add the brass lamp fitting and shade. By coincidence my valances in this room are the same fabric as the shade! Serendipity!

She Art 4

Here's another in the she art series. I love the background on this one and the girl ain't bad either! Make sure you double click on the image so you can read the sentiments.

Tres Chic!

I finished the second hidden hinge album. It has a Paris theme and uses the Tres Chic paper line from DCWV, available at JoAnns. This was beautiful paper and I enjoyed working with it. I bought about 4 different sets of embellishments and filled in with gems and items I already had. It would hold a minimum of 50 pictures or more depending on how you wanted to arrange them. Don't forget each page has a top mat and a side mat for photos. Each mat is two sided. The Eiffel Tower on the front is sooooo glittery and light reflective. I don't think the pics capture that too well. I'm just going to put up the pictures beginning with two of the cover and one of the spine and then they are pretty much front to back. Some show the pages folded out. If you have any questions, please let me know. Have a wonderful weekend!

A New Die!

Got a small order from Stampin' Up! today, mostly paper, but this die had intrigued me especially after I saw some of the things being done with it. This idea is a CASE from Penguin Stamper (thanks for the inspiration!). The legs and base are a small bulldog clip. Her hat was just cut freehand and I added a little bling. Imagine all the possibilities! I can see an all white one with the body run through one embossing folder and the wings in a different folder. Glittered wing on a plain bird. Add stamping on the wing or body. Such fun!

The price of getting old......

I hope to be starting another album next week after a paper order comes. Some of you may remember back after Thanksgiving I had rotator cuff surgery on the right, my dominant side. Apparently, it didn't work because I'm still having problems and undergoing further studies to see what the problem is. It's kind of cramping my lifestyle (crafting, driving, vacuuming, etc) so things are slower than usual. I hate not getting around to posting because I really like staying in touch with all of you.

I do have a tip today. I've always used Liquid Pearls or Dimensional Pearls in my crafting but recently found a new product (new to me anyway) that I like even better. It's called a Viva Pearl Pen. Shaped more like a pen or crayon than a little bottle and I like that it dries quicker and is comfortable in your hand if you're squeezing out a lot of those little babies. Apparently it has been around awhile, especially in Europe but they are available here and I urge you to try them. I think they're really cool!