1. Bamboo Fun Med digital Drawing Tablet: I've had one of these tablets on my wishlist for months now. So cool...you can use them as a mouse, for drawing, adding notes, just about anything. I'm really looking forward to trying out drawing some images and doing a little digital scrapbooking. It looks like so much fun! This medium sized tablet is priced at $199.0 and you can also purchase the smaller sized version for $99.99. The Bamboo Fun Medium tablet comes with software including Adobe Photoshop Elements, Corel Painter Essentials and Nik Color Efex Pro making it a great value for your money.
2. Spellbinders Nestabilities - I love these Spellbinders Nestabilities dies. The Spellbinders Wizard is a die cutting machine, perfect for crafting. My favorite dies are the scalloped shapes. I have the ovals and squares but I'd really love a set of the circle dies and the rectangle sets as well. These Nestabilities dies are perfectly scaled to fit within each other and come as scalloped and plain shapes that work together. Matting is simple and easy. To make it even better, you can also emboss with these dies making them oh so wonderful! I love circle and scalloped punches but they have their limitations. The Nestabilities take up less space and you can die cut your shape into the design wherever you wish, as long as your surface will fit through your die cut machine. Another wonderful thing is the flexibility of these dies. They work really well with other die-cutting systems if you already own one. Sets retail starting at $24.99
3. True Color Ott Light - I love designing and crafting but oft-times, it can be late at night. Poor lighting can make matching colors difficult...not to mention the strain on your eyes. Ott lights are fabulous lamps that really limit eye strain and the colors stay true as in daylight hours. I'm really hoping Santa will see this list and bring me one for Christmas! Available online, as well as craft stores, these lamps come in a wide variety of styles to choose from. The portable version starts at $79.95 and is easy to take with you. One of these lamps should keep my colors true and keep me designing well into the night.
4. Robin's Nest Dew Drops - I just came across these darling little embellishments a few weeks ago. They are a beautiful embellishments and come in a wide array of colors. This would be a fabulous stocking stuffer and I can think of so many projects I could use these on. I think my biggest problem with these little beauties is which ones to choose! The Robin's Nest Dew Drops are tiny little transparent "pebbles" that are sooooooo pretty. They can be added to flower centers, adhered to a design and used in the same instances you would use brads or eyelets or used as water droplets on design. The Dew Drops are packaged in nail-polish style bottles and are easy to attach to your design with clear adhesive. My friend Ellen actually counted them for me. At more than 560 dew drops per bottle, this is a seriously fabulous and inexpensive embellishment at $4.99 a bottle.
5. May Arts ribbon - OK yes...I have lots of this. I'll admit it. But for a ribbon addict like me, you can never have enough! The wide variety of ribbons available from May Arts just keeps me coming back for more. May Arts ribbon is available for purchase from many on-line and retail stores and retails at $1.50 for 3 yards and up.Beautiful rich colors, velvets, double-sided ribbons, irridescent, ric rak...a stocking full of this ribbon would be absolutely fabulous for Christmas this year. Hmmmm...I wonder just how much ribbon you can get in one stocking....
1. Rebel XT digital SLR camera - I just adore this camera. I honestly don't know where to begin. This camera has so many fabulous features. I love the digital SLR version, the lenses and accessories perfectly work together with my original Rebel SLR camera. I love the flexibility. I can change my lenses, my settings, the camera can work in a total automatic mode or if I want to take it up a bit, use a variety of manual settings. If you've never used a digital SLR camera, you will be amazed at the speed you can take photos at. My original digital camera was quite an expensive point and shoot style camera. I was so frustrated with it. I have small children and just could never get the hang of getting it to focus before they were off doing something else. You know how fast those little ones move! My suggestion is...visit your local camera store and try it out. They can explain all the features to you.
3. Crop-a-dile: This We R Memory Keepers tool took the crafting industry by storm a few seasons ago. It's bright pink comfort grip handles and super heavy duty construction have papercrafters dusting off their eyelets and snaps and putting them back into their designs. I just love the flexibility of the tool. It is so easy to set eyelets and snaps in various sizes silently without strain. I have quite a few friends with wrist and hand difficulties and they have all had great success in using this product. The Crop-a-dile is now also available in green with a case for storage and portability. The Crop-a-dile is available on-line and in craft stores everywhere and retails at approximately $29.99 If you decide to purchase this tool, you won't want to miss the We R Memory Keepers Designer Eyelets and Snaps that are gorgeous embellishments and will make this present extra special.
4. Autumn Leaves Buttons - Buttons are so hot right now and so easy to add to crafting projects. Scrapbooking, cards, altered items, sewing projects...you name it, you'll find buttons. I love the texture and color they add to a design and buttons are super easy to group together for a bold look. Paired up with stitching, real or faux, buttons look fabulous. One of my recent favorite finds is this great Bag-O-Buttons from the foof-a-la line by Autumn Leaves. Each bag contains 6 oz. of beautiful buttons in coordinating colors in large variety of sizes. They come in a convenient little plastic bag that is resealable, very portable and easy to store. These buttons are sold in three color lines for $6.00 each. Mini versions of these packages are also available in other color lines at a lower price making it easy to fill in those little spaces in a Christmas stocking.
5. Rhinestone Singles: Bling, bling, bling...what is Christmas without a little sparkle?! I love these little packages of rhinestones. Perfect for adding to projects, they add just the right touch of sparkle. Easy to apply, these rhinestone Singles by Me and My Big Ideas, come in single color packs of varying sizes. In fact, each package contains ninety-six rhinestones. These embellishments are high quality, have a great sparkle and their multi-faceted shape is still slim enough to use on scrapbooks and card designs without adding a lot of bulk. With names like Fern, Poppy, Iris, Freesia, Hibiscus... I just couldn't resist buying one of each. These Rhinestone Singles packages retail for $3.99 and can be found in crafting stores or on-line. If Santa needs a little extra something to slide right into a stocking, this is a great little product to fill that hole.
1. Copic Markers: Yes, I want on that band wagon. Actually after trying them out at CHA this summer I knew I needed to have them. I don't really know what's not to love about them. The things I love most; non-toxic (good when you have a 2 year old running around), refillable (less waste in our landfills), replaceable nibs (which can get smushed over time), and double ended. They dry super fast, blend easily, and don't cause your paper to pill as you layer the colors. There are 3 types of marker and tons of colors, so your bound to find what you need. Individual Ciao markers retail for $3.95 and Sketch for $5.95. There are also many types of sets to help you get a variety of colors. 
2. Nestabilities: Another bandwagon here. But these wonderful dies really are a great example about how this industry is constantly changing and improving. For crafters like me, who have an issue with space in their home, these are a must. They are affordable, compact, and come in a great variety of shapes and styles. Sets start at $24.99
3. Bind it All: This is another product that I got to try out a CHA and loved. I've actually been making my own books, of sorts, since college. I worked in the campus copy center and we had several binding machines so I would make notebooks, address books, and more. To be able to do this in my own home would be a joy for me. It would definitely get lots of use, and it doesn't take up much space, which is a definite plus. The Bind It All retails for $59.99
4. Prismacolor Pencil Sharpener: I love using my Prismacolor colored pencils to color my stamped images, but unfortunately, I don't have a good artist quality sharpener and the tips on my pencils break a lot. Which basically means, I'm going to have to buy more pencils. But the Prismacolor sharpener is designed to work with the soft cores of the Prismacolor pencils. And it's small, so it will fit perfectly in my bag. And with a retail price of $3.99, it's the perfect stocking stuffer (a long with a few more pencils, if anyone is asking).
5. Paper Crafts Magazine Subscription: I already get quite a few magazines in the mail, but none are crafty. I would love to get a magazine full of crafty inspiration in my mailbox. This definitely seems like a good place to start, especially since it's the one I find myself being drawn to most when I visit Barnes & Noble. A year subscription (8 issues) is $15.97.
1. Gelly Roll Stardust Clear pen by Sakura: I'm pretty sure I use this pen on every project I make. I'm definitely a glitter girl and this pen adds that little touch of sparkle wherever you need it. And they come in a two pack, so keep one on your desk, and one in your tote. Or keep one for yourself and give one two a friend. Two pack retails for $3.99.
2. ProvoCraft Acrylic Block Set: With unmounted rubber and acrylic stamps becoming so popular, everyone needs a set of acrylic blocks to mount them on. This set by ProvoCraft is a good starter. It contains 4 blocks in a variety of sizes and comes in a neat little case to store them all in. It's a perfect set for taking to a crop or swap. They are a good size thickness too, very easy to hold. Retails around $15.99.
3. Cuttlebug-Yes, you really do need the Cuttlebug. The ability to use other brands dies as well as it's own, do a great job embossing, and a small cute design, makes this affordable product on every crafters wish or favorite tool list. But hey, you already know all the reasons you need it, if you don't own it already. Retails for $69.99
4. Martha Stewart Glitter: I am falling even more in love with this stuff. This is a top notch product from the Martha Stewart Crafts line. With a ton of colors and retailing for $4.99, this glitter should be in everyones craft room. It comes in coarse and fine varieties, and even comes in sets with glittering glue. And one bottle can last a long time. It can be purchased at Michael's stores or MarthaStewartCrafts.com
5. Paper Pretties Subscription: Paper Pretties is a subcription kit club. Featuring stamps from Stamping Bella, My Favorite Things, and Rubber Romance, the Paper Pretties kits come with all you need to make 6 cards (and usually several more). You get cardstock, designer papers, embellishments, and more, plus a design to follow. The monthly kit retails for $39.95. They also feature a Copic Marker club featuring 6 markers a month for $36.00 or a Nestabilities club featuring 1 set of dies (5-7 dies) a month for $30.00. All kits require a 6 month subscription. Your membership also includes access to members only sales, swaps, and contests, a discount at the corner store, access to the clubs Yahoo Group, a gallery to display your work in, and a RAK club. All the details are on the website, you won't be disappointed.
STORAGE:
Look at that pile of punches that equals all the shapes you get from that small grouping of beautiful circle copper plates at the bottom center of the photo –- amazing, isn’t it?!! Consequently, you won’t have the storage issues with these dies that you do with regular punches . . . and what papercrafter doesn’t need more storage space?!! Here’s how I’m storing mine, in a CD case with strips of magnetic sheet (I got mine at Michael’s for $2.99 for a huge roll) adhered to each side of the case. Many thanks to Debbie Olson for this idea! One CD case holds two sets of shapes . . . that’s the equivalent to 10-14 punches per case!
WHAT THEY ARE:
Here’s an example of the beautiful cutting and embossing these dies produce (sets of both large and small classic and scalloped circles):
HOW THEY WORK:
The bonus is that the dies will work in most any die-cut machine you may already own. If you don’t already have a machine, Spellbinders has their own machine (also carried by Ellen), the Wizard universal embossing and die-cutting system. You can view a video at the Spellbinders site HERE on how their Wizard universal embossing and die-cutting system works with the dies. If you’ll be using a different machine, you will also need the Spellbinder Wizzard tan embossing mat, which can be purchased HERE thru Ellen’s online store.
Each set of dies come in either large or small, classic or scallop and range in size up to 4 inches -- larger than any other punch currently produced. They are called Nestabilities, just for that reason . . . they nest in size, and each die in a given set is exactly 1/4" larger then the previous die. Therefore, if you prefer a 1/8” later or mat, then both sets (large and small) will accommodate your needs. All of the individual “humps” of the scallops are spaced to align with one another when nesting one or more scalloped shapes together. Not only do the Nestabilities cut, they feature embossing capabilities as well!
Here’s a photo of a full set of both large and small sizes (photo courtesy of Ellen Hutson):
How do these dies work in a system you may already own? The Cuttlebug is the only die cutting machine I currently own, so I used the recipe shown below (written by Ellen Hutson) for my machine. Ellen compiled a list of many popular machines that she’s tested and the appropriate sandwich recipes HERE.
(Recipes are layered from the bottom, up):
Cuttlebug™ CUTTING Sandwich
1. A plate
2. C plate
3. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
4. Paper or cardstock
5. B plate
6. Roll through Cuttlebug™
CUTTING Sandwich with Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat
1. A plate
2. B plate
3. Spellbinders™ White Spacer plate
4. Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat
5. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
6. Paper or cardstock
7. B plate
8. Roll through Cuttlebug™
Cuttlebug™ EMBOSSING Sandwich
1. A plate
2. 2 sheets cardstock to act as shim. Add extra pieces if needed.
2. B plate
3. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
4. Paper or cardstock
5. Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Mat
6. B plate
7. Roll through Cuttlebug™
EMBOSSING Sandwich with Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat
1. A plate
2. B plate
3. Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat
4. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
5. Paper or cardstock
6. Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Pad
7. B plate
8. Roll through Cuttlebug™
*Shim with extra pieces of cardstock if needed.
I haven’t had any issues yet with my metal dies shifting when moving thru my machine, but if you experience this, Spellbinders has already solved the problem with a magnetic pad!
TIPS:
Some tips I’ve discovered: When working with rubber stamped images, I find it easier to first stamp the image on cardstock and then place the appropriate die size I need on top of it:
Then, I gently press the die (not so hard as to cut your finger!) into the paper/cardstock, to help “hold” it in place. Then flip the two over so the die is facing up when it runs thru the machine. Sometimes I’ve experienced static cling with my B plate when placing it over the die/cardstock but a sweep of the Embossing Buddy on the B plate usually solves this issue.
PRICING:
The complete set of 24 dies (that’s large and small, classic and scalloped) shown above is priced at $79.99 retail -- that is just $3.33 for each die! Individual sets are priced at $24.99 retail -- still a very affordable $4.17 per die.
Retailers selling the Nestabilities:
Ellen Hutson, LLC
Spellbinders
PaperTrey Ink
FranticStamper
CONCLUSION:
Here’s a recent project I completed using the Nestabilities:
Have you tried the Nestabilities dies yet? Make sure and leave us a comment telling us what you thought of this new die cutting system.
