Ribbonrie :: A Book Review

Reported by Lexi Daly

I have a huge collection of magazines and not many books, so when it came time for book review articles, I had to go in search of something newer than what I already had. I also wanted something with more than what I get out of my magazines. As I strolled up and down the aisles of Michael's looking for just such a book, Ribbonrie by Making Memories caught my eye. While it has card making in it, the main focus is on using ribbon, and it includes scrapbooking, home decor, and gifts as well. Here is how Making Memories describes it:

"From the purely functional to the highly decorative, ribbon is the hardest working embellishment out there. In this book, we've set out to push the limits and discover just how versatile and wide ranging it can be. Learn from our award-winning artists as they show you how to weave the textures, colors and patterns of ribbon into your everyday living and the most special of occasions. Whether you use a hint here or an entire spool there, you'll start using ribbon in ways you never imagined."

Beginning with a beautiful cover, Ribbonrie is a paperback book with 126 pages full of beautifully photographed projects. It is divided into ten chapters as follows.

• one :: all about ribbon
• two :: cards & stationery
• three :: tags & wrapping
• four :: home decor
• five :: scrapbook pages
• six :: party ideas
• seven :: gifts
• eight :: fashion & jewelry
• nine :: children & teen projects
• closing :: supply lists and artists & author

Like my favorite magazines, the focus is on the projects with large beautiful pictures and caption-like instructions. The opening chapter, All About Ribbon, provides a nice overview of ribbon types and a focus on specific tips and techniques that are shown up close without projects, such as finishing the ends, gathering and pleating, printing on it, making flowers and tassels, and storing ribbon. Each chapter that follows focuses on projects that fall in a given category. A specific technique is shown in projects on a page or spread and some spreads include projects that demonstrate intricate, moderate, and simple uses of the same technique.


One of the reasons I chose this book is that I have tons of ribbon (and since it's so light, that's a lot of ribbon!!). I was eager to find new ideas to get me using it more often and in more interesting ways. And this book did not disappoint. Actually the only disappointment is that I didn't have time right now to do more of the projects to share with you! Here is what I did have time for. I'm primarily a card maker, so they're all cards, but I was inspired by projects in different sections.

One project that caught my eye was creating "custom striped" ribbon by layering a smaller ribbon over a larger one. They used a striped ribbon and added a different color solid ribbon over the center stripe to match a photo for a scrapbook page. For my card, I also incorporated another technique from the Cards & Stationery section--cutting slits and weaving it in--and finished it off with a v-cut highlighted in the opening chapter.

I was inspired by a tag in the Fashion and Jewelry section to create this little ribbon purse. The artist used it as an embellishment, tied to a purse with a birthday tag, but I immediately pictured it on a card. Using the same custom stripe technique from the last card along with the same base ribbon, I created a different color combo and a different striped ribbon. Isn't that purse cute? If you glue or sew the edges and add a magnetic closure, you could even tuck a treat inside!

With the end of school and graduations looming, it's no surprise that making tassels caught my eye! Following the directions in the opening chapter, I created my tassel and used it on a card. I remember doing this with yarn and embroidery thread when I was younger, but I love the look of ribbon. I chose to cut the ends of mine, but the author also suggests leaving the loops sometimes for a different look. I can't wait to make more and use them on gifts and home decor projects!

There is so much more I didn't get to try. Some that top my list for summer projects are looping ribbon to make a topiary (p. 63), ribbon monograms on cards (p. 21), ribbon belts and lanyards (p. 114), and refrigerator magnets with ribbon backgrounds (p. 102). I could go on, but these will get me started! In closing, here's a final break down...

Pros:

• inspiring projects
• easy to follow instructions
• beautiful photography
• supply lists

Cons:

• most supplies are Making Memories
• some ideas are pretty basic
• published in 2005, it's not exactly "new" anymore
  

Okay, so the cons are a bit of a stretch, but I figured I should come up with something! Ribbonrie retails for $19.99 and is available at Michael's or online directly from Making Memories. I highly recommend it--especially if you hoard (I mean collect) ribbon like I do! If you've read this book, leave a comment and let us know what you think or, better yet, show us something you were inspired to create.

Amigurumi World : Seriously Cute Crochet

Reported by Melissa Norris

I've always been quite intrigued by crochet, but I never thought I would be able to do it. I sort of knew how to knit, and thought that crochet was much more difficult. Boy was I wrong.

A friend got me a copy of the book she was using to make crochet animals and I was hooked. Amigurumi World : Seriously Cute Crochet by Ana Paula Rimoli is all about using crochet to make Japanese style Amigurumi animals and toys. The directions are easy to follow, even for a beginner like me, and the results are great!

I didn't know how to crochet a bit before starting with the book. The instructions in the book along with a few tutorials I looked up online were enough for me to be able to make any of the projects in the book. Most of the projects only use 3 or 4 basic stitches, and a few other more difficult ones are used but the directions help you figure it out.

I chose to start just by practicing and not trying to make an animal. Did I ever need that?! My first attempt at an egg looks more like a marshmallow. But my daughter enjoys it so that's really all that matters. But that practice really helped me figure out my stitches and tension on the yarn. And you don't really need much to get started. Just a few crochet hooks (E and F are used mostly) and some yarn. You can even use scraps that you may have left over from making something else. Just be sure that it is worsted weight.

Amigurumi is all crocheted in the round, so you start with a few chain stitches then form those into a circle. You increase your stitches and then do several rows that are all the same, then begin decreasing. At one point before decreasing you make faces for your animal. Some involve embroidering mouths and noses. Other patterns you sew on felt for cheeks and muzzles. All are quite simple. All of the projects have safety eyes. However none of the stores in my tiny town have any, so I sewed on some buttons. In the back of the book on the resource page, the author includes links to websites where you can find supplies online. So next time my animals will have pretty, shiney, safety eyes.

When you get toward the end of your pattern, it's time to stuff. These projects can hold some stuffing! I had to make multiple trips to my closet because I kept needing more. I just used regular polyfil but you can also add poly pellets (similar to what is in beanie dolls) to add some weight.

The final step of my octopus project was to make the 8 arms. These are all crocheted separately then sewn on to the project. They are also done in the round and stuffed.

TaDa! A happy little octopus. This is only my second project and I really liked how it turned out. My daughter really likes it too! With over 30 different projects, from animals, to cupcakes, mommies and babies, there's something for everyone.

Pros:

• Colorful pictures
• Different sizes of projects
• Patterns and instructions for faces
• Great list of resources
• Patterns are easy to understand and follow
• An abbreviations reference page to refer back to
• A good variety of projects that can be modified in to other animals
• Pages are large and easy to read

Cons:

• The crochet instructions were difficult for me to understand at first. I had to look for other resources online then come back to them. However experienced crocheters shouldn't have a problem.
• I would have liked a bit more detailed instruction for sewing on the extremities. Or at least a photo to see how it is done.
• I would love to see the book in some type of spiral binding. Especially when working off of a pattern you need the book in front of you at all times, and mine kept flipping closed when I wasn't looking.

Amigurumi World retails for $18.95 US and can be found through Martingale, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. It may also be found at local book stores, but I haven't looked.

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who wants to try crocheting toys for their children or gifts for friends and family. They are too cute and easy and fun to make! And I hope she comes out with a sequel...I want more!!

Do you have this book, or have you tried making amigurumi? Let us know!

Teasury of Tips and Tricks

Reported by Heidi Kingery


Today I'm going to give you a run down on Paper Crafts & Stamp It's 'Treasury of Tips and Tricks'. This book is 288 pages long with over 650 projects and ideas included. All of the samples are taken from pages from the Paper Crafts and Stamp It! magazines throughout the years. I found some of them familiar because I have had a Paper Crafts subscription for quite a while.

The book is very organized and had 34 different sections. Here they are:

Stamping Basics
Color Tips & Techniques
Watercolor
Chalking
Background Stamping
Quotes & Alphabet Stamps
Foam Stamps
Stamping on Fabric
Embossing (with several sub chapters for all of the different types of embossing)








Ink Lifting
Bleach Stamping
Stamping on Clay & Dominoes
Making Stamps
Dimensional Media








Glitter
Crumpling & Tearing Paper
Layering
Stitching
Accents
Shrink Plastic
Paper Finishes
Aging
Decoupage
Collage
Patterned Paper
Vellum & Transparencies
Handmade Paper
Card Swap
Books/Albums/Journals
Tags
Altered Projects
Design Challenge
Tips & Tricks

Whew! That's a lot of chapters! Each one covers their tips or tricks with full color, fantastic photos. But then again, you wouldn't expect any less from the makers of Paper Crafts. You get several samples on each page and you will find lots of names that you might not recognize and quite a few that you will! That is going to give you a nice array of styles to peek at. The title of the chapter will appear on the top outside corner of each page that way you can skip to it pretty quickly. If you're anything like me, time is always an issue!

Some of my favorite chapters were Watercoloring, Stamping on Fabric, Embossing, Stitching (teaches you how to make silk ribbon rosebuds), and Patterned Paper (shows you how to make paper beads and paper bows). The Design Challenge sections even shows you how to make little treat bags! Another thing I really love about this book is the fact that on the very last page it divides the projects shown in the book up into themes like Christmas, Friends, Thanks...and so on. I think they really covered all of their bases with this one.

Here is my try at stamping on fabric. Yes, yes, I know I ended up putting it on a card anyway, but at least I tried the fabric right? Baby steps. It stamped surprisingly well.

{Paper Trey Ink and smARTworks stamp used}

Pros

• Lots of samples and ideas
• Nice price for the quality
• Helps you remember all of those 'cool things' you wanted to try but never did or forgot about!
• It has over 650 samples! Need I say more?!
  

Cons

• A little outdated. Some of the samples were from years ago that don't really follow the current trend
• Might not be necessary for someone who keeps all of their magazines {yes, I'm talking to YOU!}

The retail price for this book is $18.95 but you can find it online even cheaper at Amazon, JoAnn's, and Scrapbooking Warehouse.

All in all, I have really enjoyed looking through this book and marking things that I want to try or try again. Do you have a copy that you'd like to talk about? Wanna recommend it or wish you hadn't bought it? Let us know!

JustRite DIY Monogram Stamp Kit

Reported by Simone Collins

The JustRite Stamp Company has released a new DIY kit for creating your own monogram stamp. This system enables users to design their very own monogram style. You can also create other circular designs using the letter stamps to spell out various greetings or even personalizing it further by spelling out a full name.

This kit comes complete with the Monogram stamper as well as 4 border designs and two sizes of interchangeable type. The stamper is equipped with a channeled plate that the letters and borders are easily locked into and also features an ink pad which automatically inks the selected design each time the stamper is used.

One of the things that immediately grabbed my attention is the box that the kit is stored in. This box is not only highly functional for storage and organization but also very sturdy and features magnetic closure. Each item in this kit has a specific area of the box, which keeps it organized and tidy.

There are also many accessories available for this kit such as various borders, ink pads which can be filled with your own ink, various borders and even smaller DIY monogram stamp kits.

The separate mini monogram stamp kits feature 3 borders and also two size type and can be used on their own without the DIY stamp system. Unlike the large monogram stamper, these basic kits come with their own small wooden stamp pad that works the same way as the larger system but does not come with the self inking feature.

All of these products are easy to use for any level of stamping. I recommend lightly sanding the stamps before using and also trimming the letter stamps to eliminate any chance of inking outlying rubber. The trimming also increases the number of letters that can fit into the allotted space.

The only issue I had with the stamper was determining how to clean the stamps effectively. To clean the borders and type, I had to remove the stamps, while trying not to get ink on my hands and then I had difficulty cleaning the stamps well since they were now removed from the base. There may be a better way to clean them, but I did not find information about this in the instructions or on their website. Perhaps, with a little more usage, I will discover a way to get the stamps clean without getting my hands dirty in the process.

I used the letters to create a card that features my entire name, the trimming of the letters before stamping made this a breeze.

You can also use the stamps to create backgrounds as I did on this card.

Pros:

• Very versatile with many combinations possible of both color and type.
• Easy to use for stampers of any level.
• Many accessories available.

Cons:

• Difficult to clean without getting ink on hands.

These products are available directly from the JustRite website as well as The Stamp Castle and Stampers Dream. The DIY Monogram kit costs $34.95 and the accessories range from $5.95 to $15.95.

If you have the monogram kit, we'd love to hear what you think of it and what you've been creating!

In Stitch'z by Bazzill

Reported by Heather Strenzwilk

Recently, In Stitch'z templates caught my eye at a scrapbook store. The four-pack of themed vinyl templates make it simple to add a hand stitched design to a card or scrapbook page. The In Stitch'z product line by Bazzill makes it easy to follow this popular paper crafting trend, especially for those on a budget. Simply place cardstock on the piercing mat, overlay with a template and use the piercing tool to follow the pattern. Then use coordinating floss or ribbon to stitch the design.

In Stitch'z templates are available two ways: a themed four-pack containing 6-9 designs (templates measure 3 x 5 inches) or in a four-pack of 12 inch stitch templates. The templates are made of a durable, medium weight vinyl. For my review, I used the Favorite Things set which featured whimsically styled birds, paisleys and a butterfly. The templates do tend to curl a bit along the longer edges but this did not affect their performance. The templates are punched in the corner and come with an O-ring to keep them organized.

For those who don't wish to use templates, Bazzill offers several colors of their famous 12x12 cardstock pre-punched with patterns such as scallops, flowers and hearts. For around $1 per sheet, this is a cost effective way to experiment before investing in tools or templates.

Fans of Bazzill colors will like the coordinating floss. The 48-yard floss sets are comprised of 2 needles and six rolls of floss from two color families such as pink/yellow, red/orange or brown/blue. This takes the guesswork out of coordinating colors and are perfectly matched to their cardstock line. Some of the more popular colors are available individually on 100-yard spools. According to the package this floss was manufactured for use with paper so it won't leave dust and the fibers won't separate or shred while sewing.

The In Stitch'z line has a tool kit contains a piercing tool and a large foam piercing mat which is marked with 1-inch gridlines for easy alignment. HSN carries the In Stitch'z Embroidery and Templates Kit which contains 2 sets of templates, cardstock, floss, tools and a clear carrying case for $24.90. These products can also be purchased individually online or at a local scrapbook store.

I already own a piercing tool and mat from another company and I used these with the templates, floss, needles and cardstock from the In Stitch'z line. The templates were fairly easy to use and the manufacturer printed outline on the template was a helpful guide as I stitched. I stitched about nine graphics from the templates and I have barely used any floss- a yard? of each color. My sewing skills are limited to buttons and hems.

However, of the nine I stitched, only five were usable because cardstock is not as forgiving as fabric and I either mis-stitched or ripped the cardstock. It definitely got easier with practice and my almost-eight-year old daughter was able to create something usable on her first try (with a little help from me!) It also helped to "connect the dots" with a pencil on the back of the punched cardstock to help keep track of which color went where.

Pros:

• Lightweight, portable and durable templates which are reusable
• Color-coordinated products make it easy to match
• Pre-punched cardstock was a time-saver
• Older children can do this with supervision
• Reasonably priced

Cons:

• Mistakes are nearly impossible to correct on cardstock (tears, rips). However, the floss is reusable if removed from the cardstock)
• Limited number of colors of floss available-- regular embroidery floss or thread can be used
• Curved shapes such as paisley or butterfly won't look the same as the template since the way from hole 1 to hole 2 is always a straight line

Adding stitching to a card of scrapbook page is a unique way to embellish it. The pre-punched cardstock is a cost-effective way to try this technique before buying many supplies. For non-sewers or those who want to add some simple stitching, the In Stitch'z line from Bazzill is an easy way to add elegant, color-coordinated stitching to a project. In Stitch'z is a fun product line which requires a bit of practice.

Have you tried this product? Share your opinion with us!

Making Memories Slot Punch

Reported by Katie Renz



Today I am reviewing the Making Memories Slot Punch Tool Set. The set includes a handle (or stem), 4 magnetic attachable pieces - 3 slots and 1 slit punch, and a small paper piercer. The 3 ribbon slots are sized at 5/8", 3/8", and 1/4" in length. The slit punch is a 1/2 circle that is 1/2" wide, as in a 1" circle cut in half. This tool set does not include a hammer or a small healing mat, which wouldn't be a problem if you already own the Making Memories Instant Setter or a different Making Memories tool kit or already owned a separate self healing mat. This kit was produced as an attachment to the Instant Setter (the attachments just slide into the Instant Setter handle), but it is not necessary to own one in order to use the Slot Punch Tool Set. The function of this tool set is pretty cut and dry - it makes slots for paper and ribbon weaving for your cards, scrapbook pages, or paper projects.

I think I've had this tool set for about 5 months now and I have to say that overall, I really like it. I use it quite often when using ribbon and paper. I purchased it after seeing so many beautiful cards out there that had an interesting way of using ribbon. I liked the idea that it had multiple sizes and also liked the fact that it had the slit punch too. Again, I had seen a lot of cards that held gift cards using that punch.

Another aspect I found convenient was the fact that the punches just slide into the handle. Since the stem is magnetic, I didn't' have to worry about any fasteners or screwing and unscrewing of components. An extra bonus for me was the fact that I already had the coordinating tool set (Instant Setter) if I didn't want to use a hammer. Although the slot punch set was made to work with the Instant Setter, in my experience, I get a cleaner punch with the hammer. The punches do not work well when using multiple layers of cardstock, so its best to punch separately and then mat or be aware that it is necessary to realign the punch to work through more than one layer. Another important tip to remember is to clean out the centers of the punches. I would forget and then get frustrated when I wasn't getting a good cut. Usually, it was because I had too much cardstock stuffed into the tip.

My kit did come with a small hiccup. When I first purchased this tool set, I was not happy with the 5/8 punch. The slot was not smooth on all sides and there was a significant notch on the right side every time I punched a slot. It REALLY BUGGED me. At first, I thought I could just deal with it and make sure that I used the ribbon so it would hide it, but I finally decided NO, it wasn't acceptable. So, I contacted Making Memories and followed their easy step by step directions to have my tool set replaced and had absolutely no problem with it. Soon after, I received a brand new set that was much better. So remember to go back to the manufacturer of any product and let them know if you are truly not satisfied and why. In the end I was very pleased with my Making Memories product and have to commend their customer service.

Here are a few pictures of what the slots look like and how I incorporated them into my cards. With this first card, I used it in a very simple manner. I cut out my sentiment piece, matted it and then punched my slots. The punches look a bit jagged and that is because I attempted to punch through 2 layers of cardstock. One layer works best.As you can see here, the ribbon hides any edges.And the finished card.For the second card I used the 3/8" slot punch because I wanted more ribbon presence. I again cut my frame and then drew a faint pencil line to help me line up my punches. The line erased just fine.
And here is the finished card. I just wove my ribbon through the holes and tied it in a bow.
And finally, my third card uses both the 5/8" slot punch and the slit punch. This is a card/gift card holder that I will be giving to a friend of mine. The outside uses the slot punch.
And I've used the slit punch to house my (will be) coffee gift card. The slit punch can also be used to punch out a half circle on the edges of your cardstock too for some added interest or even the creation of a scalloped edge.
Pros:

• Allows for an easy way to weave ribbon and paper
• Allows for specific positioning anywhere you want on your project
• Easy to use and affordable
• Multiple ways to use the punches

Cons:

• Doesn't work well with multiple layers of cardstock
• Requires an additional mat and hammer
• I feel that the punches need to be cleaned out (where the paper gathers) often to ensure easy and smooth cuts

You can purchase this tool set in large variety of online and brick and mortar stores. I purchased mine at my local Michaels (with coupon), but I have seen them at my local Joanns as well. You can find them online here: Making Memories, Eclectic Paperie, Scrapbook.com.

The retail cost for this tool is $11.99 and I give it a rating of a 9 our of 10 as it's very easy to use.
I don't regret purchasing this tool set at all and believe that it has added that extra little something to my paper projects (for me mostly cards), but in all honesty, you can incorporate ribbon into any project and this tool set makes it easy to do so.

So do you think you see this tool set in your future? Share with us why or why not. As you can probably tell, I love it, but do you? We would love to read your comments whether they be yeah or nay for the Making Memories Slot Punch Tool Set. And if you've found a unique way of using this tool set, please share.

Martha Stewart Crafts Screw Punch

Reported by: Martha Bonneau

As a scrapbooker, I often find it necessary to cut or punch a hole in various locations on a 12x12 layout...I have the original Crop-a-dile, which of course only reaches in about 1" but this is often not far enough. There are various styles of drill/screw punches on the market, this review will focus on the Martha Stewart Crafts version .

This handy little tool lets you punch holes in various sizes anywhere on your project. I tried it with success on paper, cardstock, overlays (i.e. Hambly) and cardboard. I used it to cut multiple holes with ease in a piece of corrugated cardboard that I used on a layout. It is advertised as being able to cut through thin metal, leather and wood although I did not try it on any of these.

There was a little bit of a learning curve with the tool as I quickly found that it was necessary to secure the item you are punching through as the drilling motion of the tool tends to whip the piece of paper in a circle as you are cutting it. I also found it was easier to use while standing when cutting through thicker surfaces like cardboard. Even when cutting through the cardboard, the tool was comfortable to use due to the soft, rounded handle. Don't get me wrong, this will in no way replace your Crop-a-dile, if you are wanting to add eyelets, grommets etc. and cut through just about anything you will need an additional tool to do so. For me the ease of adding a hole where ever I need and in the rare occasion use an additional tool to add an eyelet (which I don't think I have used for 2 years!) out weighs having a large tool like the Crop-a-dile Big Bite take up even more valuable space in my scrap room.

Pros:

• The ability to punch a hole anywhere you want one.
• 3 different size punches are conveniently stored in the handle.
• Comes in a handy storage box.

Cons:

• I found that to get enough pressure to cut through thicker items such as cardboard I had to be standing to get enough pressure.
• A little pricey...but Michaels now lets you use their coupons on Martha Stewart Crafts products.

This tool retails for $24.99 and can be purchased at Michaels or through Martha Stewart Crafts and at any local scrapbooking store that carries the Martha Stewart Crafts line.

Have you tried this tool? Let us know what you think!

Altered Surfaces

Reported by Tami Bayer

This beautiful book, Altered Surfaces retails for $16.99 and was not as easy to find as I had hoped. I purchased mine online from Cat's Craft Cupboard. I'm happy to tell you that this 2008 book is currently more widely available online at Stamping Details, Amazon and Target. You may just need to add this to your library, and I'm hoping you can purchase it locally.

I was fortunate enough to have taken a class from the author of this book, Chris Cozen. She is a working artist with Golden Artist Colors, Inc.. I really wanted to learn more from her, so I'm enjoying the process of taking in the information in her book. It is small, but mighty. Each of the 50 pages is filled with useful information and vibrant samples for inspiration. I would classify it as a reference book. It covers mixing paints and using different types of acrylics, glazing mediums, gels, pastes, and grounds to achieve different effects. Honestly this is a whole new area of art for me. I only have a few of the products in the book to work with, but found that I can do so much with them.

This is a card I made based on the section for making handmade papers using interference colors. The background is made completely with paint on watercolor paper, and the tag is also painted before I stamped it.

The book covers working with paper, canvas, board, and plastic surfaces. So far I have played with canvas and paper. I found her writing style to be just like her teaching style--fresh and inspirational. She discusses what doesn't work right along side what does work. I love reading about the creative journey she has taken working with artist grade acrylic paints. Even if you don't have Golden products, I believe that there is much to be learned from Altered Surfaces about color, texture, and form. If you have any interest in mixed media , art journaling, or canvas, this book is a must have.

Do you have this book or have you taken a class from the author, Chris Cozen? I'd love to hear your opinions, if you have.

Tim Holtz Non-Stick Micro Serrated Scissors by Tonic Studios

Reported by Dana Vitek

At the risk of sounding like a Ginsu knife infomercial, the Tim Holtz Non-Stick Micro Serrated Scissors by Tonic Studios can do (almost) anything! I've used them for things well beyond the scope of the crafting world, like trimming my daughter's bangs, cutting apart the 150 twist ties they use to hold toys in packaging, and yes, I'll admit it, even...trimming my toenails! (I know... too much information)

My husband earned his very own pair for the tool box after I found him cutting carpet with mine. And you know those plastic blister pack nightmares that everything is packaged in these days... no sweat for these beauties. Double-sided carpet tape, red-line tape, clear packing tape, strapping tape... no problem!

Now then, back to crafting.... I've used them for trimming unmounted rubber stamps (no turtles were harmed in the trimming of this stamp...):

(their points are sharp right down to the ends, so they can get in there close)

and soon-to-be-wood-mounted sticky-backed rubber stamps:
(they have an awesome non-stick coating so they don't get all gummed up!).

I've even used them for ribbon (their micro serrations grip the ribbon as they're cutting, so it doesn't slip), and for cutting yarn while crocheting.

Pros:

• Non-stick coating makes a huge difference when cutting stamps with sticky-backed foam. Just give them a swipe with a baby wipe and you're good to go.
• Well-engineered pivot point give these scissors enough oomph to cut through tough stuff.
• Light weight and sharp points give them enough finesse for detail work.
• They come with a protective slide-on cap to keep the points covered when not in use. (Safety first!)
• I'm left-handed, and these scissors don't seem to mind. No trouble there!
• Price...retail price is $11.99 and they're worth well more than that in my opinion.

Cons:

• Their micro serrations will leave marks on paper and cardstock; there are better tools for those media.
• I'd love to see a variety of handle colors to keep them organized by task. With multiple pairs in my household, I'd like to know at a glance which ones are mine and which are my husband's. Plus, I'm partial to pink things.
• Getting them sharpened might be tricky, but since one of the blades is not serrated, maybe it wouldn't be. I've not tried it yet.
• I lost the protective cap. But that's not their fault.

I got mine at White Swan Rubber Stamps, the cutest little stamp shop in Delaware (home of tax-free shopping!). I encourage you to shop locally whenever you can. You can also find them at these small, independent web-sellers that I can personally recommend (not affiliated, just a happy customer): AllThatScraps.com, EclecticPaperie.com, and CornishHeritageFarms.com.

I love my Tim Holtz Micro Serrated scissors, and highly recommend them. What do you think? Have them and hate them? Love them to pieces? Let us know!

The Paper Garden

Reported By Lauren Meader

My review today is on the book called The Paper Garden by Susan Tierney Cockburn.

The purpose of this book is to teach you how to make many different paper flowers, using various paper punches. You would not believe that you can make the most beautiful paper flowers from a snowflake, pear, balloon, and even heart shaped punches. Then there is of course the obvious different flower/leaf punches.


Here are a few details on the book:

• The features in The Paper Garden are the Summer Blooms collection. You will find the step by step directions on how to make the following flowers: Buddlegja* Dahlia* Daisy* Geranium* Hydrangea* Lily* Magnolia* Nasturtium* Rose* Sunflower * Poppy You can view all the punches used to create everything in this book -->HERE
• 24 pages of color photo's
• A list/visual guide for the punches/tools you will need
• Clear and detailed step-by step photos and written instructions.
  

Here I have my page opened to create a paper Poppy. I want to create one for the cover of my Poppy Seed packet. You can see the visual list of punches needed at the top.

I assembled my supplies, I realized that I didn't have all of the correct punches so I always attempt to use what I have on hand that is similar.

Now you can see this how the photo's/directions make each step so easy to follow.

I begin to follow each step. The directions/photos guide me through the creative process.

In just a few steps I have a beautiful paper poppy that will embellish my Poppy Seed cover.

After using this book, I believe a crafter of any skill level can attempt these projects. They simplify each step to make it so easy. With the photographs, you can also see what your flower should look like after each step is completed.

You can view all the punches used to create everything in this book -->HERE

These paper flowers can be used on cards, boxes, bags, tags, frames, and all sorts of gifts. Another neat thing is, if you purchased some of the recommended punches, like I did, they are used in numerous flowers throughout the book! So that is really cool too. You would be surprised at the variety of looks you can get with some of the same punch shapes.

I am very happy with this book. I feel that for me it was a truly great buy. It allowed me to branch out into another area of paper crafting, as well as add some great things to my projects.

If you are interested in purchasing it, you may find it in the following places:

The Punch Bunch site recommends Scrappily Ever After. You can also find this online at All That Scraps which will be carrying this book with punches/tools as well. This book retails for $15.25. If you enjoyed this review you may also like to view my review on the Punch Bunch HERE.

Thank you for taking the time to read my review. I hope you are as excited about this book as I am! I would love to hear what you think, and if you have, or plan to purchase this book.

Martha Stewart Edge Punch - It's a Good Thing

Reported By: Julie Campbell

The Martha Stewart Crafts Collection debuted last year and brought Martha's creative, distinct style to hundreds of Michaels retailers across North America. One of my favorite products to hit the shelves was the Martha Stewart Edge Punch.

The Edge Punch comes in several different styles and is used to create a beautiful die-cut border design for cards and other paper crafts. Some of the punches are designed to even emboss and cut simultaneously. Guides printed on the tool ensure perfect alignment so that you get a neat, continuous pattern.

I've purchased several of these punches and really am impressed with the design. I've always had good results and get crisp, clean cuts every time. The lever is comfortable to use, but sometimes requires a little extra pressure when punching heavy card stock. Over time, the company recommends punching through several layers of aluminum foil to sharpen the punch. After sharpening, it's best to punch through wax paper to condition the die.

I most commonly use this punch to create added visual interest or layers to my hand-made cards, but it's also perfect for other projects as well. I made a quick stationary kit for my son's first grade teacher and this Edge Punch cut my time in half!


One thing I love to do with my Edge Punch is to create "paper ribbon". In the project above, I punched one edge of my patterned paper and then flipped the paper and punched the other edge. This created a decorative paper strip that I could adhere to the top of my stationary box. This technique would be perfect for holiday gift wrapping!

I wanted to show you how crisp this die cut looks after punching through multiple layers. For the card above, I was able to easily punch through both sides of my note card and patterned paper all at once. I love how this punch can quickly turn plain note cards into matching stationary.

Pros:

• This product comes in a variety of designs and styles.
• The quality of the design produces clean crisp cuts, even through heavy card stock.
• Punches can be used universally for multiple paper crafting projects.
• Product can be purchased locally or online.
• Printed guides & raised "bumper" make it easy to get a neat, continuous pattern.

Cons:

• Punching through heavy card stock might be difficult for those with arthritis or other similar medical conditions.
• Punch may need sharpening/conditioning after continued use.
• Punches are approximately 6" wide and require adequate storage space.

I purchase my Martha Stewart Edge Punches from my local Michaels craft store. The punches retail for $14.99, but customers are now allowed to use Michaels coupons for Martha Stewart Craft products, making this punch very affordable. If you do not have a Michaels store in your area, this punch can also be purchased at the same retail price at Martha Stewart Crafts as well as some local scrapbooking stores.

Overall, I would give this punch a rating of 9 out of 10. I feel like it's a high quality product and adds a lot to my paper crafting projects.

If you own this product or find this review helpful, please leave a comment below. I would love to hear your opinions!

The Organized & Inspired Scrapbooker - A Review

Reported by Kristine Fowler

Since I've been waiting for over a year for my basement to be renovated, I've had a lot of time to think about how I want my combined office/hobby room to eventually come together. I've perused the web and the blogoshpere to see how everyone else organizes their space. I've asked around to friends and browsed magazines looking for storage ideas. But...until I read "The Organized & Inspired Scrapbooker" by Wendy Smedley & Aby Garvey, I never gave much thought to how I actually scrapbook or why. It was this book that made me realize that understanding these things would actually help me create a productive and inspiring space.

Published by Simple Scrapbooks, The Organized & Inspired Scrapbooker is available for purchase at their web store, and at $19.95 (USD), the 156-page, hard-cover, spiral bound book is a great buy. But, at Amazon.com, you can get it for considerably less at $13.57 (or $14.90 Canadian at Amazon.ca). So definately shop around and take into account the cost of shipping before you place your order.

The book is organized into three basic sections.

Section 1: Focuses on analyzing and defining your approach to scrapbooking, or your creative 'process' and explains clearly why understanding this should impact the way in which your space is organized if you wish your time there to be productive. There is general talk about various types of storage (e.g. open and visible, open and not visible, closed and visible, closed and not visible) and how your choices can impact the way you work and feel. There are specific storage solutions for basic scrapbook layout page elements presented (photos, memorabilia, stories, products, tools), and then there is even a chapter about your reference library, and how you can organize and display it in a way that makes it more effective.

All of these things however, are discussed in the context of presenting a consistent message....how you use an item should impact how you store an item. Section 1, in my opinion is the meat of the book.

Section 2: Talks about the actual process of planning your space. Encouraging you to reflect on all of the concepts discussed in Section 1, it is a 'call to action' of sorts. You then get a peak into the spaces of 5 'professional' scrapbookers (plus those of the authors) and learn the why behind their organizational approach -- what inspires them, how they approach the craft, and see how this impacts the way in which they store their supplies.

A cautionary note about Section 2 --- with the exception of one (who like many of us is a kitchen table scrapper), all of the spaces presented are quite large and are dedicated to scrapping. Despite this, the section does show how you can put concepts discussed in section 1 into practice, so is definately worth the read.

Section 3: A bit of a bonus section really, focusing on creative projects that you can use to decorate and/or inspire your space. Some of the projects include how to create a Journal Kit, an Inspiration Board and a Workspace Design File {take a peak into mine below}.

Another great bonus item included with this book, is a workbook - tucked into the back cover sleeve, and referred to frequently in the text. Full of quizzes and questions, the workbook is designed to help you assess your scrapbooking approach and inspiration, and help you determine what currently works for you (and identify what doesn't). It helps you see where you can potentially improve your work flow by simply changing the way you store/access things, and how making even a few minor changes could improve your overall scrapbooking experience so that you are inspired to create even more.

So, the bottom line, would I recommend this book to someone looking to set up or revamp their hobby space? Absolutely. Even further, I would recommend it to all scrapbookers - even if you think your current space is working just fine. There is nothing entirely innovative about the actual storage solutions presented in this book and you are not likely to see items discussed here that you haven't already seen elsewhere, but the book will force you to understand that storage and organization are not the same thing, and that being organized is ultimately what you should be striving for. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach to scrapbooking organization but rather a guide to developing a personal approach and finding out exactly what will work for you.

Now as I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I have yet to put these ideas fully into practice as I'm still waiting for my hobby space to come to life, but I have made some changes to my temporary space and have seen positive results. I also know that once I am finally settled -- it will get even better -- and why shouldn't it? My design file is bursting with plans & ideas that complement my personal approach.

Have you read The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker and managed to complete the task of organizing your space? Let us know!

Stacy and Friends: 40 Techniques for Making Cards

Reported by Carolyn King

I love books, magazines and anything I can touch that shows me different card designs or ideas. So when I saw this book, Stacy and Friends: 40 Techniques for Making Cards, at my local stamping store, I was intrigued. I almost didn't purchase it because it was wrapped in clear cellophane and I couldn't look through it before buying it...but I am glad I did.

The author of this book, Stacy Croninger, is the Editor in Chief of PaperCrafts magazine, so I knew this would be a quality publication. The 180 page book features 120 cards using 40 different techniques and includes designs by many familiar names in the design industry. Although many of the techniques are basic, there are lots of fun out-of-the-box ideas that even more advanced card makers will enjoy. The book also includes a CD which features 40 additional projects.

The hard cover, spiral-bound book is designed to stand up like an easel, making this a great choice for beginning designers who want to create as they read. The book is divided into several chapters, divided by colorful separator tabs.


Here is a look at the book standing up. Note that the easel design makes it easy for you to work while watching the how-to photos.

The chapters include:

Chapter 1: Embossing (Features dry embossing, metal embossing, heat embossing, adhesive embossing, thick embossing)

Chapter 2: Stamping (Features masking, bleach, resist, markers, solvent ink, soot, brayers, stamping on ribbon)

Chapter 3: Aging & Inking (Features Walnut ink & washes, chalk, inking, sanding, tearing/fraying, other household items)

Chapter 4: Creative Backgrounds (Features monoprinting, marbling, collage, paper paint, textured backgrounds)

Chapter 5: Color & Shine (Features pearlized paint, pigment powder, watercolor, glitter)

Chapter 6: Do-It-Yourself Embellishments (Features hot glue, microscope slides, shrink plastic, transparencies, fonts & computer-generated items)

Chapter 7: Unique Additions (Features stitching, dimensional glaze, fasteners, tissue paper, vellum, run-ons, shaker boxes)

The back of the book includes an index which makes finding specific projects by designer or theme simple to locate.


Here is a project I created using a few concepts in this book:

Pros:

• This product is a great book for the money. In my opinion, the quality of the photos and instructions are well worth the price tag.
• I love that the book is covered in plastic. I was apprehensive to buy it because I could not see the inside of it but after purchasing it and seeing that the book was in pristine condition, I felt that it was a good idea.
• This is a great resource for both beginning card makers and more advanced ones. It is a nice refresher of a lot of techniques that you just forget about using. The directions for different techniques are very well described AND photographed (a plus for visual learners!)

Cons:

• I really like the innovative easel design of the book and can see that it would be a great feature for a new card maker or stamper who can follow along as they create. However, I would prefer if the book were more of a reference book and spiral bound without the easel.
• At times the pages are difficult to flip over when in easel position but it works fine if you get to the page you want to work with and then set it on the table for reference.

I purchased this book at my local Hobby Lobby for $19.95. You can also find the book at Amazon and Papercrafts.

Overall, I give this book a rating of 9 out of 10. The book is very nice and I would recommend it to someone looking for a good technique book with beautiful pictures.


If you own this book or find this review helpful, please leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing YOUR opinion!

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Texture Hammer

Reported By Julie Fei-Fan Balzer



The moment I saw the Tim Holtz Idea-ology Texture Hammer advertised online, I knew that I had to have it. The package describes it as, “an instrument used to give texture to grungeboard, papers, metal, and more to achieve a distinctive texture or character.” The package contains the hammer, four interchangeable tips, and a mat.

The hammer itself is surprisingly lightweight. As for the tips, Tim Holtz gives you four of them: rubber, metal, dots, and lines. At the store I bought the hammer from, their website says that the rubber tip is for smoothing, the metal tip is for flattening and attaching, the dots are for a bumpy texture, and the lines are for a canvas texture. Each of the tips screws on and off of the double-sided hammer (so you can have two of the tips attached at any given time). Switching them out is incredibly easy and does not require any particular finger strength. The mat is a hard little square that’s meant to take a beating. Mine became fairly nicked up after light use, but that doesn’t seem to affect its usability.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARD
I used the texture hammer on the paper flowers and the brad centers.


Here are the results of my road testing:

On Grungeboard
In his online tutorial Tim Holtz recommends wetting your grungeboard before you hammer it. He says that it holds the texture better. He’s right. However, I discovered that if you hammer while the paint on the grungeboard is wet, it behaves in the same way as if you had spritzed it with water. For my personal taste, the dots tip does the best job at distressing the grungeboard, dinging it up to look like metal.

On Chipboard
Chipboard takes the texture hammer much more literally than grungeboard does. You can see each dot and stripe, rather than a general distressing. I found that water or wet paint definitely makes for a stronger impression here as well.

On Metal
I love, and this is not an exaggeration, love, love, love how the dot tip dings up brads and makes them look all smushed and old. The metal tip does a great job of flattening out wire. I do a lot of jewelry work, so I’m very familiar with working with wire and a hammer and this tip does a nice job. One note: I found that the tips had little to no effect on certain harder metals. However most papercrafting embellishments are made from tin, so there’s no problem.

On Paper
I used both the dots and lines tips on paper and I love the distressed results. Two tips: use a mouse pad instead of the mat that comes with the hammer, and wet the paper a bit for best results.

Tim Holtz has also made a video on how to use the hammer and it's available here to view.

THE GOOD GIRL
I used the texture hammer on the grungeboard title, the chipboard flower, the large brown brad, and the wire stems.


After playing with the texture hammer for a few days, I have a few thoughts to share:

1. It’s noisy. I know it’s a hammer, but unlike an anywhere hole punch, you are banging repeatedly over and over and over again. So, it’s not a late night tool.
2. I never really discovered a use for the rubber tip. Maybe if I had made jewelry instead of papercrafting items….
3. I like the dots tip the best. It’s the most effective on the most surfaces and I’m sure I’ll use it a lot.
4. Tim Holtz recommends that you use the lines tip at an angle, rather than straight on but I didn’t see a huge difference between the two stroke types.

You can find the texture hammer at around $14.99 at Scrapbook Express, Frantic Stamper, and
Rubbernecker.

In the end, for me, the texture hammer is lots of fun, but I’m not sure how much I’ll use it. It seems like one of those tools that I’ll enjoy when I remember to use it. But, it’s not an every day, every project kind of tool. What do you think? Do you have one that you simply love? Share your experience with us!