We Will Always Have Paris

Two For Tuesday: Berry Boxes and "Learn With Jenny" Blog

Two fantastic new things to check out (with videos!!):

1.  My Favorite Things Berry Box Die:  My daughters had so much fun during our Spring Tea last year that I think I'm going to do it again.  Once I laid eyes on this cute die, I knew what my theme was going to be -- strawberry lemonade.  Think giant red and yellow tissue paper pom poms... Think red and white striped paper straws... Think chocolate covered strawberries on tiered plates...  Think little strawberry boxes filled with tasty treats!!!

This will die cut a little treat box that folds into a strawberry.  IT EVEN EMBOSSES ADORABLE LITTLE SEEDS FOR YOU!  For an amazing example, check out Karen Giron's sample here. 

2.  "Learn With Jenny" blog:  I love reading blogs for inspiration.  I find great cupcake recipes (which I never use), card ideas (which I never make) and great ideas for my kids' playdates (I actually do use these!).  Every once in a long while, I stumble upon a blog that knocks my socks off.  If you haven't seen "Learn With Jenny"'s blog, you must.  Absolutely must.

My friend Suni uses a number of shocking phrases that always make me laugh.  For example, her computer never crashes.  It goes "tits up".  Nobody ever has an unpleasant look to them.  They "have a face like a cat's ass".  One of my favorite Suni gems is "balls outside the pants".  She uses it when she's done something completely over the top, without regard for what others might think.  I love it.

I love Jenny's blog because she completely lives with her"balls outside of her pants."  Diagnosed with cancer 6 years ago, Jenny sat down and wrote a "life list" of things that she wanted to do with her life.  She battled and won her cancer battle, and then set about living her life -- work, kids, everything else that comes with it.  Several years later, she realized that she hadn't accomplished much on her "life list" and changed her way of thinking.  There was an amazing life to be lived!  There's so much to learn!

I love watching Jenny cross items off of her "life list".  Some are small (hold a bake sale with her kids) and some are really "reach for the stars" dreams (dance with Ellen DeGeneres on her show).

One of my favorite Jenny list items was to dance in front of all of the Washington Monuments.  Watch this and tell me that you don't love Jenny too:

Now, that's living with your balls outside of your pants...

I'm off to do something on my "life list".

Two For Tuesday: Valentine Twine and Ribbon Cutter

Two must-haves this week:

 

1.  Peppermint Divine Twine.  Gasp!  Those lovely people at Whisker Graphics have just released a new style of bakers twine in red, pink & white.  Just in time for Valentine's Day.  $15 for 240 yards.  Mama wants!!  (While you're buying yours, make sure you add some polka dot bitty bags to your shopping cart.)

2.  i-magicut Ribbon Cutter.  I've been using a ton of ribbon (may God bless you Offray Ribbon Factory Outlet) on my projects lately and I hate sealing the ends of my ribbons so they don't fray.  I tend to be a little heavy handed with the flame and end up with wonky ends.  The other day I discovered a new tool to help me solve this problem!  It cuts the ends perfectly (in various styles) AND SEALS THE ENDS FOR ME!

Enjoy!

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!

Kokuyo Available Again!

Michelle at Cherry Blossom Studio (a retail store in Coconut Creek, Florida) just informed me that they just received their first shipment of Kokuyo adhesive in well over a year!!!  Although they do not have an on-line store, she assures me that orders can be placed by phone at 954-247-0020 or e-mail at cherryblossomstudio@ymail.com. 

As a heads up, Michelle warns that the price has gone up substantially.  However, you are receiving much more adhesive on each roll.  The Red is 32 feet and $9.01 per refill.  The Blue is 118 feet and $11.58 per refill.  Each dispenser is now $15.45. 

Michelle promises to send me a couple of samples.  I'll be sure to let you know how it compares to my beloved Kokuyo from years past.  I can't wait to get my hands on a new supply!!  If you do order from Cherry Blossom Studio, please drop me a note and let me know how it goes!

Two For Tuesday: Paper Straws and Martha's New Punches

These goodies made me gasp and grab my credit card!:

1.  Paper Straws at Bake It Pretty.  There's something magical about drinking a soda out of a paper straw.  Rather than sipping from ordinary old plastic, why not treat yourself to the new striped and POLKA DOT straws from Bake It Pretty.  Mama loves....

2.  Martha Stewarts New Punch Around The Page Punches.  Suni (the Ethel to my Lucy) is killing me with her Martha Stewart punch sightings.  She found this cutie at her local Michaels the other day. Look at the teeny tiny dots around the bracketed border!!  MUST HAVE!   Regardless of whether you love her or hate her, Martha makes a great punch.  Check out all of the other new releases here.  If you're local, be sure to leave a comment and let me know which Michaels (or AC Moore) stores have the new punches.  Unless Suni's bought them all....

Bow Makers Now Available In My Etsy Store

 
A number of students oohed & aahed over my Bow Maker during the recent "Summer in Paris" retreat.  I finally had time to order them and add them to my Etsy store!

For only $5.00, the Bow Maker makes 7 different size bows.  You can use any width ribbon (it is perfect for those teeny tiny bows using 1/8" ribbon) to make bows up to 2 3/4" wide.

The Bow Maker comes with full instructions and links to on-line tutorials.

Head on over to my Etsy store and get them while they last!!

Two For Tuesday: Martha Stewart Doily Punch & Tin Picnic Baskets

I've been so busy prepping for my "Summer in Paris" retreat, that I haven't had much time to do any personal crafting.  That being said, I always, always, always have time to shop.
1.  Martha Stewart Doily Lace Trim Double Edge Punch.  I picked up this beauty at my local Michaels (may God bless your printable coupons....).  Rather than the standard border edge, this punch actually punches both sides at the same time, leaving you with a strip.  I love the fact that it adds a touch of femininity to whatever project you're working on.  The possibilities are endless with this punch!  Now, if I only had time to use it....

If your local Michaels doesn't carry it (where you can use this week's 50% off coupon -- see my Hot Links section), you can order it from Scrapbook.com.

2.  Vintage Picnic Baskets on Etsy:  You know that Etsy is the go-to source for all things handmade.  Did you know that many of the vendors also sell vintage goodies?  I found this (pictured above) tin picnic pasket the other day.  I need it.  Neeeeeeeed it. I love picnic baskets.  I'm envisioning this basket filled with a thermos of hot apple cider, a crunchy baguette and a ton of delicious cheeses as my family departs for some Fall letterboxing. 

Or what about this one?  Once warmer weather hits, you'll find the kids and I at the park several times a week.  I  have an amazing group of Mommies that get together at least once a week.  I'd love to give them each a vintage picnic basket at the beginning of summer.  There's nothing better than hanging out on a big blanket, gossipping with your friends while your kids run wild in the park.

We keep a red & white gingham picnic blanket & a picnic basket in the car at all times.  The basket is loaded with a sharp knife, a small cutting board, napkins & silverware.  If we're out & about, all we need to do is swing into a grocery store & we have our picnic ready to go.  Most spring & summer weekends, we're out exploring the area with our kids.  We letterbox, hit up national and state parks, and discover all of the little unique places the metro-DC area has to offer (some favorites include Caverns, Catoctin Wildlife Preseve & Calvert Cliffs State Park).  I'd rather stop & give them a healthy meal than grab fast food.  Keeping the picnic basket in the car allows us to do that. 

Why not grab yourself an old fashioned tin picnic basket & get ready for warmer weather?  Check out the other vintage tin picnic baskets available through Etsy here.
 

Two For Tuesday: Sand Paste & Felt Roses

I'm changing things up here at "We Will Always Have Paris".  In an effort to, oh, I don't know... actually do some paper crafting, I'm changing my "Friday's Favorite Five" posting to a "Finish It Friday" posting.  I have a lengthy laundry list (see the right column of my main page) of things that I have half-assed worked on over the past few years.  My goal is to focus on cranking out some of these projects this year.  I can free up the space being taken up by these half-completed works & actually feel good about finishing something!  Plus, my girlfriend Amy might actually get the graduation book I started for her when she received her doctorate in 2003.  2003, people.  Seriously.

Instead of my "Friday's Favorite Five" postings, I'm going to start writing a "Two For Tuesday" post.  Same idea, just fewer things on a different day.  So, without further ado, here are the two things I don't think you can live without this week:

1.  MudPuddles Sandcastle Book Kit:   I first heard about MudPuddles on the Paperclipping Roundtable podcast.  MudPuddles creates a sand paste that you can apply to most anything.  Once it dries, it feels just like sand.  Those of you who are familiar with embossing paste are gonna love this!  Unfortunately, the stuff is just plain hard to find.  You can find the paste at www.scrapbook.com (most of it is backordered) or you can buy a kit directly from MudPuddles via E-Bay.  The full $25 kit has a ClearScraps sand castle album, one applicator and five jars of your choice of paste.   

If this hasn't sold you, take a look at this:

This was made using the MudPuddles sand paste and a ClearScraps album.  I saw this & thought of you Larcy!  If you're interested, you can order custom made (up to 8 letters) chipboard books for $2.99/page.  Suni, I think we should order albums that say "Rohoboth" and make them together one weekend!

 
2.  Purlbee's Felt Rose Tutorial:  I stumbled upon this website a couple of weeks ago & I am obsessed with these little roses.  Her amazing tutorial includes step by step photos and a printable pattern.  I whipped up my first rose a week & a half ago and I even convinced my little tomboy, Baby G. to wear one in her hair:

 
Now, if you're going to invest the time in making these beauties, please invest the money in some decent felt.  Don't buy the craft felt you find at Michaels or Wal-Mart.  You'll want good quality felt.  I buy mine from Etsy seller FeltCraftStudio.  Once you order, it takes a while to get your stuff (the orders are shipped from Australia), but it is well worth the wait.  

Let me know if you've been inspired to use the sand paste or make one of these roses (I'm thinking of putting them on a nice sweater)!  

Cool Tools: Dots Templates & Flower Papers

I did a little happy clap the other day when I stumbled upon this at Scrapbooks Plus in Chantilly, VA:

They have the Dots All Around template by The Crafters Workshop in both 12" x 12" and 6" x 6". I, of course, had to have both. The mini dots template is only $3.99 and the larger one is only $6.69. I haven't had time to play with it yet, but the possibilities are endless!

Then today at Jo-Anns I found this:

The Colorbok "Garden Party" pack -- 40 sheets of flower die cut 12" x 12" paper and 24 pieces of raw chipboard flowers.  For $19.99!  Combine that with my 40% off coupon and it was a steal!

Hope I've enabled some of you!

Cool Finds

One of the tools that I can't live without is my "Perfect Positioner" by Westrim Crafts.  I had a handful of them (courtesy of my friend/student Marlies), but they have disappeared over the years.  In my recent "Murder On The Last Train To Paris" class my students oohed and aahed over the little tool.  I mentioned that I was running low on the little things and I had no idea where to find them because I didn't know what they were called.  One week later my friend Larcy (God bless you Larcy!) found them for me.  She and my friend/student Larcy ordered them for all three of us!!

If you've never used one of these, you don't know what you're missing.  It is basically a long pointy plastic stick with a tacky tip.  It is perfect for adhering rhinestones to paper (note:  this is not the tool I use on my bling T-shirts).  Just put your glue down where you want your crystal and then pick the crystal up with the tacky end of the stick.  You can use the pointy end to adjust and get it just where you want it.

I've since found them at a number of sources (now that I know what the little buggers are called!):

Art Beads has them for $2.25/pack.

Scrapbook Creations has them for $1.60/pack.

Widget Supply has them for $1.97/pack.

Why not buy your own stocking stuffers this year?  Thank you Marlynn and Larcy for re-stocking my stash.  I love these things!