Cuttlebug Tips via Videos

If you've read just a little bit of this blog, then you should know that I'm a big fan of the Cuttlebug. I've seen the new one, but I have no interest in it since the old, original one is a fine and sturdy specimen.

I think I've only purchased one new folder in the past year. But you can chalk that up to the fact that I'm not currently living in the U.S. Actually, I have three new folders if I include the two from Tim Holtz. Again, the classic early Cuttlebug folders go a long way. Some of the new Cuttlebug folders are too 'scrapbooky' to me - for lack of a better term (I can't seem to find a link for the news ones).

All that to say, sometimes I'm seeking to do something different w/the Cuttlebug. Enter two videos that can add some 'umph' to your projects.

The first one uses ink on the folder. I'm on the fence about this one. I like the look, but if all of the ink does not come off (even with cleaning), I'm afraid that I'll mess up my next project. Still like the technique and the videos really short.

Using Ink with your Cuttlebug Embossing Folders by Tania Brown

The next technique is also cool, but a bit more advanced. You'll also need Nestabilities for this one.

Double Embossing with the Cuttlebug and Nestabilities by Nilda

Hope that you like those vids. Please feel free to share the projects you've created using these videos.

Hero Arts Artists Proofs Catalog

Has anyone seen one of the latest catalogs from Hero Arts? It's called Artist Proofs. I've taken a liking to it. I like the 'artsy' feel of the stamps. They remind me of some of Tim Holtz's stuff.

Hero Arts Artist Proofs

Craft Critique: K&Company's Que Sera Sera Papers

My apology for the late post, but my Craft Critique article was originally scheduled for Friday and not Thursday.

I bought the K&Company Que Sera Sera Specialty Paper Pad and Designer Paper Pad at Michaels a few months ago. Love them. I have a complete review of them on Craft Critique. Make sure you check out the review there because I am also giving away a 4.75x6.75 paper pack Only comments submitted on Craft Critique will be eligible for the giveaway (no international shipping on the giveaway).

I made several cards to compliment the review. Check out my slide show of the cards.

"You're The Best" Card
cardsctock: craft supply and Die Cuts With A View (DCWV)
patterned paper: K&Company Que Sera Sera designer paper
heart die cut: CuttleKids
cork: Quartet Cork Craft Sheets (at Michaels)
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
ribbon: Hobby Lobby

"Take Good Care" Card
cardstock: craft supply and Die Cuts With A View (DCWV)
patterned paper: K&Company Que Sera Sera designer paper
dry embossing: Quickutz labels embossing folders
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger

"Many, Many Thanks" Card
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Company Que Sera Sera specialty paper
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
ribbon: May Arts
scalloped circle die cut: Quickutz
circle punches: EK Success

"Happy Everything" Card
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Company Que Sera Sera designer paper
circle punches: EK Success
butterfly punch: Martha Stewart/EK Success
twine: Darice
buttons: unknown

"Hello" Card
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Company Que Sera Sera specialty paper
letter stickers: American Crafts Thickers

Tag Book
See the Que Sera Sera Tag Book short video including all the pages from the tag book

Thanks for looking.

2 Peas Stamp Camp :: Week 3 and 2 Sketches 4 You

I'm double dipping for this card. I like it.

2 Peas' Stamp Camp continues this week. The technique is background stamping. Very nice video and examples from Nicol Magouirk. The background stamping on this card came out more subtle that I would have liked. I guess I could have used black ink to get it to pop. I had wanted to heat emboss it, but I could not find my VersaMagic ink.

I also decided to combine Stamp Camp w/this week's 2 Sketches 4 You sketch. This week is Laura's sketch. Like always, the sketch allows for lots of improv.

I love my Tim Holtz stamp ... I am trying real hard not to purchase more of them. Just not really my turn to stimulate the economy. But that ribbon was a good get. It was something like 15 cents a yard at Cord Camera. I might go back and see if they still have some because I really like it.

And how about that journaling spot ... Jillibean Soup. I plan to get more of these. I know that the come in circles too. And maybe different colors.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply and DCWV
dry embossing and die cut heart: Cuttlebug
ribbon: Amercan Crafts
stamp and ink: Tim Holtz
journaling spot: Jillibean Soup

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 27

This week's Cuttlebug Be Inspired Challenge involves numbers. I don't own the Cuttlebug numbers embossing folder. That would be nice to use.

But I just got this Tim Holtz stamp and I've been wanting to use it. So maybe you thought that the paper already had numbers on it, but no, that's me and my stamp. Nice. I like it. But that's the look I like: a bit messy and antique-like and fun.

So I used the Cuttlebug for the heart die cuts. I used one from Cuttlebug and one from Cuttle Kids. Also, there is embossing on one of the hearts and that is the Cuttlebug as well.

Make sure you check out the Cuttlebug Challenge blog and get in on this week's challenge.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill and DCWV
patterned paper: K&Co.
heart die cuts: Cuttlebug and Cuttle Kids
embossing: Cuttlebug
stamps: Hero Arts (sentiment); Tim Holtz (stamping on the paper)
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
ribbon: American Crafts

2 Sketches 4 You :: So Thoughtful

I'm trying to get in early on this week's 2 Sketches 4 You. This sketch is from Kazan. I love the simplicity. It allowed me to do something quick and simple.

I decided to make a mini-card. This card is 4x4. I like that, though I don't currently have any 4x4 envelopes. Guess I could make one to match, right?

There's not much more to say. That's what happens when 'simple' speaks for itself.

Oh, and my mom has her card done already this week too.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
patterned paper: K&Co. and DCWV
rick rack: Creative Impression
stamp: Hero Arts (acrylic)
ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink/Ranger
flower: Bazzill or
twine and button: unknown

Memories Scrapbooking Expo = A Bust

That title may seem harsh, but no ... that's gentle compared to how I really feel. It was nothing like the scrapbooking convention that I attended last year. Not to mention that I've been to others and this visit just did not stack up. I plan to share this very blog post w/them.

I recently attended the Memories Scrapbook Expo in Columbus, OH. I've been to it in the past, but I don't remember it being as crummy as it was this time around. My friend said it looked like stuff from someone's basement. Not good.

My experience was not pleasant:

• getting to the parking lot was hectic; there was no signage to point you to the expo facility
  
• parking was $5; I only had $6 ... paid for parking, but told to exit the lot; huh? After that slight detour, I eventually made it to the right building
  
• they would only accept cash for admission (that was not listed on the promo material)
  
• bank machine in the lobby had a $4 fee
• paid $8 to get in (had a $2 off coupon)

All that to find less than desirable goods on the floor. There was very little 'new' stuff. Scrap Happy had a nice booth with some Quickutz stuff and a few Basic Grey lines. I did not find any good 'deals'. Not even on the old, basement-y stuff.

Archivers had a booth and they were handing out literature and calendars of their upcoming events. Are you kidding me? They can do better to drive traffic to the store; they have in the past. Cord Camera was not there, which was disappointing since at least once in the past they had a booth and had really good coupons to use throughout the expo weekend.

NOTE: someone just mentioned in a craft forum that Archivers was giving out coupons for free cardstock and % off coupons. Maybe they were all out by the time I got there; it was after 2 p.m. on the last day.

There were some demos and some booths had make and takes, but ... it was just a let down. They should at least have given me a door prize for looking and feeling so woeful, right?

Whah, whah, whah ... I'm just pouty because I should have called my friend before I went to the expo. She went to the expo the day before. I forgot to call her and she forgot to call me. Now I'm down nearly $20 for a big hassle and headache and not much to show for it.

So the one good thing to come out of it was I bought a Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Components Collection stamp. I got the Tim Holtz Components Collection Ledger. Love that collection. I think that is where my next paycheck will go.

Crazy thing is I ended up going to Hobby Lobby and Michaels and spent another $40. So who's stimulating the economy ... ?

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 16

This week's Cuttlebug Challenge is to create a card using distressing. You can sand it, ink it, tear the edges and/or use a distressing tool.

Well, I've had some fun w/distressing in the past. Not that this card was not fun because it was, but it was not elaborate in the area of distressing. It does not really live up to my 'distressed past'. (lol).

Actually, the stamped panel I had laying around - torn edges and all. I guess I had planned on using it and just had not gotten around to it. I thought that the yellow would add more color. It has a white core, so I did sand it though it is not so visible.

That's about it for this simple one.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill and Die Cuts With a View/DCWV
patterned paper: Basic Grey
stamps: Whispers (to my friend) and Inkadinkado (flower)
ink: VersaMagic and Tim Holtz
other: sewing

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 14

This week's Cuttlebug Challenge is to make a card or whatever you wish using your favorite Cuttlebug embossing folder. Super simple for me. I love the Swiss Dots. Who doesn't. It just has that classic look. Running a close second though is the Textile Texture.

So here you will find me using them both. This is a design that I've used before and one that I scraplifted from Jodene over at Splitcoast Stampers.

I had wanted to stitch on both layers, but the sewing machine would not cooperate. You do not hear me when I say that I kept trying to eat up the layers. But crafty me was able to forge forward and create this nice little card.

I am so loving this stamp set from Hero Arts. Lots of different sentiments and they are acrylic. I am not so crazy about acrylic stamps these days because I like the Tim Holtz inks and some of the acrylic stamps don't stamp as nicely, in my opinion. But I digress.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
ovals and scalloped oval: Nestabilities
ribbon: Michaels
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: Tim Holtz
other: sewing

What I've Got Bookmarked

I have tons of bookmarks. I use Mozilla as my Internet browser and I like that it allows me to tag my bookmarks. That is helpful since I have a craft communities folder as well as a craft blogs folder along w/a craft inspiration folder. But once I bookmark the site, I could tag it w/'scrapbooking' and I could locate something in one folder that is not in another folder. Does that make sense. We all have our organizing nuances, don't we.

Point is, if I thought that my life was a bit crazy, it's about to get crazier. More hectic. It's inevitable. I can already feel the slow down, hence, that's why I'm writing this post and not crafting and/or writing this post and not posting about a card that I made.

But back to the bookmarks. Although I have not been crafting, I have been lurking around the web and checking out these places. Most of them are well known.

• Kristina Werner's Design Blog - love the Color Inspiration Challenge (I could sit all day and click through the Color Inspiration submissions) along w/the short and sweet video tutorials: KWerner Design Blog

• Two Peas in a Bucket - I still visit 2Peas daily. I check out the daily poll along w/"The Pub" and "General Scrappin" forums and I frequently check out the Garden Girls projects: Two Peas In a Bucket

• Hero Arts Club Blog - I like the daily posts on the Hero Arts Blog. There are often chances to win prizes too (though I have not been so lucky yet). Just good ideas and I am anxious to see the 2009 catalog: Hero Arts Club Blog

• 2 Sketches 4 You - It's kind of obvious that I check this site out at least once a day. So many wonderful participants globally. Love that: 2 Sketches 4 You

• Splitcoast Stampers - I have not been to Splitcoast as much as I'd like, but it's one of my favs. I like to go and search the gallery under "Cuttlebug" or "Nestabilities" or "labels". Splitcoast Stampers

• {capture the moment} - I love to gawk on this blog, just wonderful ideas and in some cases much detail and precision. It gives me inspiration to make more than cards, though I usually still end up only making cards: {capture the moment}

• One Pretty Thing - how I like this site. It's really an aggregator of how to make things. There are all sorts of ideas for making things - I really nice this in this economy. And often there are seasonal sections like now there's a section for Handmade gift ideas as well as a Hanukkah section: One Pretty Thing
  

And actually, I don't have all of these bookmarked, but I do subscribe to their feeds. There are others too like Donna Downey's blog, Tim Holtz' blog, Keisha Campbell's blog, etc.

Thanks for stopping by.