We Will Always Have Paris

Additional Nancy Drew Date Books Added To Etsy

I'm still receiving requests for additional Nancy Drew Date Books for 2012, so I've added a few new kits to the store.  For those of you that are (ahem...) running late in getting organized, you'll be thrilled to know that these Date Books include pages through January 2013, so you'll still get to enjoy Nancy for a year!

The Secret Of The Wooden Lady kit includes beautiful green and dusty mauve papers & embellishments.  I love the ominous water on the front cover -- great for the boating enthusiast or anyone who loves the water!  You'll find it here.

The Invisible Intruder kit offers up sky blue and espresso brown papers & embellishments.  The cover is classic Nancy Drew... perplexed Nancy and creepy background.  Fantastic!  You'll find it here.

I had a few others prepared, but they sold before I could even get them to Etsy.  These are probably the last that I will put together before this Fall.  Grab them while they last!

Two For Tuesday: Ali Edwards 52 Creative Lifts and Becky Higgins Project Life

I'm feeling super creative this week, gathering inspiration wherever I can.  Here are two things that might help inspire you:

1.  Ali Edwards' 52 Creative Lifts Newsletter.  Ali Edwards has inspired thousands of scrapbookers with her innovative scrapbooking ideas.  Her December Daily album has been replicated across the country.  Now, she's offering up a weekly inspiration newsletter for free.  FREE PEOPLE.  FREE.  I was so appreciative of the most recent issue that I actually sat down and wrote her a fan letter (well, a fan e-mail).  She's that cool.  You can subscribe to her Creative Lifts newsletter here.

2.  Becky Higgins' Project Life.  I started Project Life last year as a way to preserve more memories in less time.  I was initially resistant to the concept because I love traditional scrapbooking with big beautiful layouts.  However, I'm only cranking out 10 - 20 layouts a year and the rest of our memories are being shoved into file folders or, worse yet, left as unprinted images on my computer.  Once I started getting into the groove with Project Life, I discovered that this system can be anything you want it to be.  I love this.  If you are unfamiliar with Project Life, check it out here.  I'll be back soon with pics of my Project Life system and how I'm making it work for me.

Printab Coupon Links Updated (AC Moore, Hobby Lobby & Michaels)

Printable coupon links have been updated for AC Moore, Hobby Lobby and Michaels.  You will find them all under the "Hot Links" section of the left sidebar on my home page.  Happy shopping!

Printable Coupon Links Updated (AC Moore, Hobby Lobby & Michaels)

Printable coupon links have been updated for AC Moore, Hobby Lobby and Michaels.  You'll find them all under the "Hot Links" section of the left sidebar on my home page.  Happy shopping!

Photo of the Week: Meow

I was sorting through pictures this week, getting ready to upload to MPIX for my upcoming crop, when I stumbled upon this shot.  This is my Scottish Fold "Magpie", the older of my two cats.  She is hands-down the prettiest cat I've ever seen.  She has the personality of a bitter 70 year-old chain smoking waitress with a Brooklyn accent, but she's gorgeous to look at.

Two For Tuesday: Jenni Bowlin Punches & Taylored Expressions Dies

I am heading out of town for a girlfriend's weekend scrapping retreat, so I am in a crafty mood this week.  I'm printing pics, matching papers and trying to figure out how to bring my entire studio with me.  In the midst of all of this, my fellow Paper Slut Suni sent me images of some new products that I simply MUST HAVE:

"Blue Ribbon" (source)

1.  New Jenni Bowlin Punches by Fiskars.  I'm a punch whore.  I don't care who knows it.  I have drawers of punches and I'm happy to say that I USE THEM.  These new punches by Jenni Bowlin are on trend and fresh.  I can't wait to get my hands on them!  Check these out:

"Jester" (source)


"Ticket Please" (source)

"Tab" (source)

I knowthat you can buy these wonderful punches directly from Jenni Bowlin Mercantile.  If you stuble upon any of these punches at local stores, please let me know.  Mama wants!!

2.  Taylored Expressions Layering Doily Die.  Sure, you look at this die and think, "cute" and then move on.  Hold your horses and check out these sample cards:

Artwork by Jodi Collins (source)

Gasp!  How have I been able to live without this die?  They are currently out of stock, but expecting a new shipment in a couple of weeks.  Get on the list now!!  I know I will.

Hope I've enabled one or two of you.  It makes me feel better when I spend your money as well as mine!

Printable Coupon Links Updated

Printable coupon links have been updated for AC Moore, Hobby Lobby, JoAnns and Michaels.  You will find them all under the "Hot Links" section of the left sidebar on my home page.  Happy shopping!

New Shoes

Officially the most comfortable pair of shoes.  Ever.

Lynne Suprock To Teach Local Soldered Charms Workshop

(Edited 1/5/12 with correct dates -- classes are on Wednesdays, not Saturdays!)

Many of you attended my 2010 "Summer in Paris" retreat and oohed and aahed over the amazing soldered charms by jewelry artist Lynne Suprock.  I respect and adore Lynne and I am delighted that she is starting to teach local workshops.  I'm trying to sweet talk my hubby into letting me run away from home in February to take one of her two (TWO!) $85 workshops at Wentz Stained Glass Studios in Gettysburg, PA.

Lynne will be teaching her "Silver Solder Charm Design" classes on Wednesday, February 8th and Wednesday, February 15th.  Both classes will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.   Here's the description:

Create your own photo charms, vintage ephemera, or nature scenes under glass to wear on a necklace or a bracelet as a one of a kind piece! This class will teach you how to make single and 3-D charms, from beginning to end.

Students must bring the following supplies to class:

• 100W soldering iron & stand
• personal charm art such as pressed flowers or small photos (no glossy photos) printed onto copy paper for class (all art must fit a 1" x 1" or a 1" by 1.5" charm)
• chain or bracelet for charms
• mini clamp to hold charms for soldering
• needle nose pliers
• a cookie tin, 16" x16" ceramic tile, or a Silpat rectangle mat for the work area
• non-latex gloves.
  

 

 

iPad Love: My Top 5 Accessories

My "iPad Love" series was so popular last year that I decided to keep it going in 2012.  I regularly receive e-mails asking for iPad advice (and a number of you received iPads as holiday gifts this year), so here are my Top 5 Accessories:

1.  A good case.  I have bought a couple of cases for my iPad, but the one pictured above is my hands-down favorite.  It props my iPad up, so I can watch TV while doing dishes, it has a great snap closure and it protects my iPad everytime one of my kids drops it.  Most importantly, it is so stinkin' cute that I get compliments on it everywhere I go.  AND it was cheaper than anything I found at Best Buy or Target.  Unfortunately, it is no longer available through Amazon, however, I did find similar cases for iPad 1 and iPad 2. 

If you prefer a keyboard case, my hubby has been tremendously happy with this:

It pretty much turns his iPad into a laptop.  The hard case works well for heavy use (and it really protects it from little hands).  It allows you to do heavy typing without having to deal with the touch screen.  You can find it here at half the price we paid for it!  If you do a lot of travelling, you will probably find this case to be too bulky, but it is perfect for home use.

2.  A 5-in1 Card Reader.  Want to see your digital images on the large iPad screen, instead of the little screen on the back of your camera?  Just use this handy 5-in-1 card reader.  Insert your camera's SD card (it also accepts other formats) into the reader and you can see all of your images in larger format.  I wish I had this when we went to Disney World with the kids a couple of months ago.  Hubby just received one for Christmas this year and I'm sure it will see plenty of use.

3.  A stylus pen.  My mom complains that she struggles with touch screens because of her fingernails.  Here's the solution:  a handy dandy stylus pen that allows you to type accurately and comfortably.  If you're going to get one, why not make it pretty?  You can find them in pink, red, green and so many more colors! 

4.  PQ DVD Software.  Want to watch your favorite DVD on your iPad?  This $40 software will let you convert your DVDs to iPad-playable files.  I found it worth the money because I was able to combine the DVDs I don't have time to watch with my boredom on the gym treadmill!  Look at me!  I'm speed walking to "The Good Wife" on my iPad! 

image source

5.  A Cookbook Stand.  I know I said that my iPad case has it's own stand, allowing me to prop it up to watch TV, surf, etc.  However, I use my iPad regularly in the kitchen.  I share this kitchen with two little people and an oblivious man.  It is so much easier to protect my iPad from spilled drinks and kitchen messes by putting it up on a cookbook stand I already had.  It is a good two inches off the counter and I have peace of mind when my youngest insists on drinking out of a non-sippy cup. 

I'll be back next month with my new Top 5 Favorite Apps!