Scrapbook Creations Cottage - weekend retreat review

Two weekends ago I went to a MUCH needed girls scrapping getaway weekend.  It was a gift from a friend so I had no expectations, had never been to the place before, but I walked in to the door of Scrapbook Creations in Spartanburg, SC and was TOTALLY blown away.  So I'm going to tell you all about it!

Scrapbook Creations is a 10,000 sq ft (yes - you read that right!) store located just a few minutes off of I-85.  If you are familiar with the Gaffney Premium Outlets or the Gaffney water tower (aka the big peach butt) then you are not too far away.  Don and I lived in Georgia for many years and we traveled 85 often to visit our families, and I had NO idea this place existed!  

The store is amazing.  They have the latest products, a huge section of Bazzill paper, an entire wall dedicated to individual embellishments and ribbon by the yard, the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, and they always seem to have something fun going on.  Check out their calendar and you'll see what I mean!  Did I mention they have an ice cream/coffee/sandwich shop in the building?  AND a section with man tools so your husband has something to do while you shop?  GENIUS!  Free wifi is also available throughout the store.

only ONE side of the wall o' Bazzill

embellies and ribbons galore!

fabulous eats at the ice cream/coffee/sandwich shop!

If you are looking for a place to crop - for the day or for the weekend - then this is the place for you!  Let's start with the crop room.  It has room for 48 croppers - with everyone guaranteed at least 4' of cropping space. There are a variety of tools available to use, including punches, dies, a journaling computer, a 12x12 printer, and a Silhouette - which the staff will work for you!  They also have on-site photo printing in case you didn't have time to get your pics printed beforehand, need duplicates, etc.  

cropping area 

It is an easy, comfortable, creative environment to spend the day or evening, but if you REALLY want to treat yourself - come for the weekend because...

They have a retreat house ON SITE!  Yes my friends - you can literally walk across the parking lot and arrive at a 4 bedroom (two double beds in each room), 2 1/2 bath cottage with a little kitchen area.  The beds are comfy, the showers are good, and - if you sign up for the weekend crop package - a continental breakfast is included! The house is locked at all times, and each bedroom is locked as well, so you don't have to worry about your personal belongings while you are up at the store. Scrapbook Creations makes it SO easy for you - you can leave all of your scrappy stuff in the store at night, and if you don't want to cook at the cottage or go offsite to eat - their ice cream/coffee/sandwich shop is DELICIOUS.  I ate four meals there during the weekend (and too many snacks to count) and everything I had was fantastic.  My favorite?  The house sandwich - turkey, lettuce, tomato and pimento cheese on grilled wheat.  Hello!

front hall of cottage

one of the bedrooms

A few other random thoughts:

You are going to have to take a shower and put on normal clothes.  :)  I have been to a few retreats where people wear their pajamas for 48 hours and look like they've just rolled out of bed.  That is TOTALLY fine if you are at a private house or cabin or something - anyone who has ever cropped with me knows that I am describing myself.  HOWEVER - you will be in a place of business and there will be people milling about who will wonder why there is a crazy homeless lady standing in line to buy a strawberry smoothie.  Don't be that person. Take a shower and put some clothes on before you head over to the store to crop.

If you are there for a weekend retreat, you have to leave the store at midnight and can come back at 8am the following morning.  For those of you who are night owls and like to scrap all night - there are a few small tables in the cottage so you can bring some things back and work on them, but you aren't going to want to drag everything over to the cottage each night.

Along those same lines - there is no tv in the cottage, so if you like to stay up until the wee hours, bring a book or your ipad.

If you are sleeping four to a room - remember that you are only there to sleep.  The bedrooms can geta little crowded - so leave all of your scrapping stuff up at the store.

There is no alcohol allowed either in the store or in the cottage.  I know a few of us like a glass or two of wine while we're scrapping...that isn't happening here.

If you do want to cook while you are staying at the cottage - you will want to bring your own pots and pans.  They have plates and silverware and glasses and such...next time we'll probably bring paper/plastic because there is no dishwasher - and who wants to waste precious scrapping time doing the dishes?  :)

So if you live in the GA/SC/NC (maybe even VA) part of the country, I would love for you to head on over and check out Scrapbook Creations next time you are passing through. There are far too few independent retailers left in this industry, so I am excited to find one that knows how to do it right.  If you are interested in a weekend crop package check out their website here - and don't forget to invite me!  :)

Disclosure - Scrapbook Creations did not give me anything for this review.  They did not know who I was (what I do for a living) until I called them the day before I arrived and offered to do some MnTs.  They don't even know I'm writing this - so you can rest assured that this is totally unbiased!

Make a Change Monday - a New Holiday Tradition

I spent a good part of last December (well - ok - every December) obsessing about Christmas cards. Handmade or store-bought?  Intricate or simple?  Mass produced or individually created? I wrote about an article from Dear Abby on this very topic, then justified not getting them finished by making some New Year's cards instead, and then just putzed out altogether...and felt guilty about it the whole time.  We can talk about my weirdness at a later date.

This past weekend I went away for a much needed scrapbooking retreat and in my "projects to work on" pile was the list of people who didn't get a Christmas or New Year's card. I was ignoring it - and feeling guilty, when I came across this image on the Canvas Corp blog:

I had just been working on some MnTs using crepe paper and finger folding, so had all the supplies I needed with me and thought "what the heck - why not make some Easter cards"?

You know what? I actually ENJOYED it. I loved working with the spring colors and new papers and fun techniques.  I loved being able to work on 30 cards instead of 300.  I loved being able to finish the whole thing in an hour or two instead of setting aside an entire day or weekend to plow through my list.  I loved that it reminded me of WHY I enjoy paper crafts and surprising someone I care about with something hand made. It got my creative juices flowing, got the cards off my to-do list, and gave me an idea for a new holiday tradition.

Instead of scrambling to make hundreds of Christmas cards during an already jam-packed season, I am going to make and send cards during different holidays throughout the year.  No minimums, no time line, no pressure - I'll do it when I have time and when I am inspired.  People "expect" cards around Christmas - but what a wonderful surprise to get an unexpected card for Easter, or 4th of July, or Halloween! I can make 2 per holiday or I can make 20, and this will also give me the time to personalize each card instead of just signing my name because I am in a hurry to "get it done".  I am SO EXCITED about this - and can't wait to spread the word to my other card making friends. Wouldn't you love to know that people are thinking about you throughout the year?

So to the 24 people on my Christmas list who thought I forgot about you, look for this little spot of springtime in the mail this week.  The rest of you...you never know when a card full of love will arrive from the Kingstons!

(products used: WRMK Cotton Tail collection - Thicket and Bunny Tail patterned papers, Bazzill Basics Dotted Swiss cardstock, Xyron 510, 250 and Mega Runner, Silhouette Cameo, crepe paper, scrap paper, Gelly Roll clear pen, May Arts ribbon, tag, joy stamp)

Happy Easter to all!

Make a Change Monday - Using your Gifts...and ANOTHER giveaway!

I am always amazed by people who find a way to use their gifts to help others...and my friend Amanda is no exception.  She has recently turned her interest in crocheting in to woobiesfor.com:

"Woobies for" is a project that hopes to spread positivity from your creativity, talent and generosity. I was unable to sleep one night and an idea hit me. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could gather a community of people who knit, crochet, quilt or sew to create blankets, or woobies, powered by a specific positive emotion. Knit a blanket while focusing on love. Sew a quilt dedicated to hope. Then we could gather those beautiful works of art and donate them to children in need. Children's hospitals, homeless shelters, and the families of our brave troops. Giving children in need these woobies filled with such powerful emotions to give them strength to face what's ahead. The recipient would receive their woobie and a one word explanation like "bravery" or "comfort" so they know what the woobie represents.

One of the things I love most about this project is that Amanda is not asking for money - she is asking for gifts from the heart.  She is not asking for a specific amount of time or commitment - she is asking for creativity and love. For blankets and quilts and cards created out of joy and strength and a sense of reaching out to someone in need. I am proud of her for starting this - and am honored to share it with you.

To celebrate the launch of woobiesfor.com (and because you know I love a giveaway!) - please leave a comment here and tell us about how you've shared your creative gifts, or if you know of other charitable organizations that crafters might be interested in supporting (Operation Write Home is another of my favorites).  Someone is going to win an Anna Griffin Fabric Squares Collection - and these patterns are gorgeous!

I have offered to make cards to go with the blankets and quilts, and to spread the word about woobiesfor.com - because those are my gifts.  My hope is that you too will be inspired to share your creativity and bring a little joy to someone who needs comfort.  What a wonderful way to make a difference!

Have a great week everybody - woobies for all!

PS - deadline to enter is midnight Eastern on Wednesday February 22nd. Good luck!

Heading back to HSN! Check out my schedule and some great savings!

I am SO excited for my friend Andrew Hiller - Andrew is the owner of We R Memory Keepers and Thursday is the WORLD LAUNCH of their eagerly awaited Lucky 8 punches.  Andrew will be on about a bajillion times during the day (first airing is Midnight Eastern time) and I'm excited to be a part of it.  See below for my schedule and the CRAZY savings on some of our favorite Xyron products.  Hope you'll tune in!

PS - Be sure to check my FB page throughout the week - I will be giving away some of the great products that air on Thursday!

*all times are Eastern - Thursday February 9th *

Midnight - Xyron 2.5" create-a-sticker plus refill - $18.95 - lowest price they've ever offered!

1am - Xyron Creatopia - $59.95 - retail is $99.99!

(then I will be taking a short nap!)

8am - Pink Paislee Sweetness Papercraft Kit (how PSYCHED am I to be airing some PP product this month - I love them!) - $24.95

Noon - Xyron Runner Bundle - $29.95 - this bundle includes a Mega Runner plus refill and a Tape Runner plus refill - it is a CRAZY deal!  The Mega Runner alone is $24.99 retail!

Noon - Pink Paislee Nantucket Cardstock Crafting Kit - $26.95

3pm - Xyron 1.5" create-a-sticker plus four refills - $12.95 - this is the lowest price they have EVER offered.  The machine alone retails for $10.99!

3pm - Xyron Creatopia - $59.95

6pm - Xyron Creatopia - $59.95

7pm Xyron Runner Bundle - $29.95

(then I will pack up, grab dinner/drinks with Donna Stork and Holly Fossen - and Andrew if he sells out! - and be in bed by 10pm!)

I'll end with a shameless plug/plea...as much as we all want you to buy our product, what we REALLY want you to do is buy our product while we are on-air.  I can't tell you how giddy we get (for ourselves and for each other) watching the numbers go up on the screen in the studio, and it makes HSN think we are REALLY cool when we have big numbers.  Just putting that out there.  :)  On behalf of all of the craft guests on HSN - thanks for watching!  We love you guys!

CHA Giveaway Friday (and a bonus giveaway from Xyron)!

Who is ready for a CHA giveaway?  I posted on my FB page earlier this week that I was SO excited and lucky to meet Jen Allyson who is one of the designers for My Mind's Eye.  Here she is below - standing next to her newest line - Miss Caroline.

Now - I don't know how many of you out there are like me - I have no daughters and so really have nowhere to use pinks and purples and flowers and butterflies in my scrapbooking - but I LOVE THEM ANYWAY!!!!! I have piles and piles of pretty pastel papers and embellishments that I only break out about once a year, but they just make me happy - and so does Jen's new line! She was SO incredibly generous to let me bring some home with me - so I am sharing them with you!  Reply to this blog post and tell me how YOU would use these papers.  Contest will end at midnight on Monday (February 6th) and on Tuesday morning I will randomly pick a winner who will receive the following from the the Miss Caroline Dolled Up collection:

6 sheets 12x12 paper
6x6 pad
pins & buttons 
twine
pearl shapes
rub-ons
wooden die cut butterfly

I mean - come on...look at this stuff!

In addition - to celebrate Xyron's new collaboration with the fabulous Teresa Collins the winner will also receive one of her new Xs - pink with a houndstooth pattern!  These are GORGEOUS!

The winner will be announced on my FB page and notified by email.  Good luck everybody - can't wait to send this to a lucky winner!

**BONUS GIVEAWAY!!!!!!** Xyron is celebrating our collaboration with Teresa too!  Head to this link on Xyron.com and be entered to win one of three prize packs that include a Xyron 9" Creative Station, a Teresa Collins Signature Series Book and a 3-issue subscription to the rest of the series! 

Stay tuned for more CHA giveaways next week!

 

 

Death of the Christmas Card?

I LOVE handmade Christmas cards.  LOVE them.  Almost as much as I love family Christmas letters - give me a handmade card with a family Christmas letter inside and I am yours forever!  But I digress.  Handmade cards - I eagerly anticipate them, display them, talk about them, and - at the end of the season - put them away carefully in a box as inspiration and ideas for my own future Christmas cards. Since I work in one of the biggest "handmade" industries in the world - I always looked forward to LOTS of handmade Christmas cards.  So last year, when the handmade cards were coming in few and far between, I mentioned something about it to Don. I ranged from the paranoid (no one likes us) to the over-scheduled (I bet people are just late getting their cards out) to the blame-the-post-office (well - we DID move - so maybe they are all just lost in the mail).  Then Don, in his blunt, wise way said "Maybe people just don't make them any more".

I was CRUSHED. Could it be true?  Could one of my favorite holiday traditions be disappearing in front of my eyes?  In the world of digital this and downloadable that was my Christmas joy being lost in the shuffle? Was I the only one who still cared?

Then - a few days before Christmas, I came across this article about how the internet is, in fact, killing the Christmas card industry as a whole.  I stayed strong - finished up my last batch of cards (because while I love getting handmade cards, I often procrastinate and/or underestimate the number I need to make and so I completely stress myself out and sometimes they don't arrive until...say...New Years) and merrily made my way through the holidays, enjoying and appreciating the handmade cards I received even more.

With the holidays over I set aside my cards, made grandiose plans to start my 2011 cards in February, and - I admit - sort of forgot about the whole thing. Until, a few weeks later, I found something between redemption and clarity in the form of Dear Abby.  On page B7, right next to the comics, was this...

Dear Abby: Five years ago, when my niece was 9, we came up with the idea of making Christmas cards and sending them out to special friends and family members. We both work hard to make sure each is attractive and in good taste, and we handwrite a personal note inside. We also print on the back that the card was “handmade with love.” This has become a tradition for the two of us, and the cards are quite beautiful.
Last year, after we sent them out, I received a card from a friend with a small check inside. The card read, “I’m sending you this check so you can afford to buy ‘real cards’ next year.” I was, to say the least, hurt and offended. I wondered if others felt similarly, so I asked around and was shocked to learn they, too, thought I was “cheap.” Although it cost more money and time to create each card, no one appreciated them.
We won’t be making the cards this year, but how do I tell my niece why?
Blue at Christmas
Dear Blue: Tell your niece what you were told — and by whom — so she won’t waste any more effort on these rude and unappreciative individuals. Better she hear it from you than one of the recipients.
As to the “friend” who sent the check, I hope you returned it and deleted her from your Christmas card list. What she did was uncalled for. 

I was further heartened when, a few weeks later, Abby printed an entire column full of letters from readers who thought the "friend", for lack of a better word, sucked.  Many readers commented on how much they enjoyed receiving handmade cards and Abby herself thanked fans who sent her handmade holiday cards.  And then it hit me.  Some people DO care about making and receiving handmade cards - but not EVERYONE. It doesn't have anything to do with how much they like me or whether I send them a handmade card or whatever other reason had been whirling around in my mind - it just isn't that big of a deal. And you know what? That is a-ok.  In fact, it is more than ok - it is actually quite freeing!

So this year I've vowed to make some changes to my Christmas card list.  I'll still be sending out my bajillion cards, but some will be handmade and some won't.  I'm sure Don's single 25 year old brother doesn't give two hoots about a handmade card, but I know his elderly aunt treasures them, and that brings me a lot of joy.  My pre-school teacher and Don's grandmother would both disown me if they didn't get a handmade card (in fact - one year when we had just moved and I didn't send out any cards, Don's grandmother called my mother-in-law pissed off to ask what was wrong with me), but I don't think my hairdresser will miss it.  Will I have to fine tune my list down the road?  I'm sure.  Will I still have years when I am behind schedule and feeling stressed and wonder why I do it in the first place? Guaranteed.  But then I'll get a handmade card from my friend in Germany, and a photo card from our friends in New Mexico, and an ecard from my boss who has five kids, and I will remember the most important thing of all.  We are loved.  Electronically, mass-producedly, or handcreatedly. We are loved and remembered and treasured with glitter and singing elves and video clips, and I couldn't be more grateful.

Unless it includes a family Christmas letter.

Crafty Canvas in Canada!

A few weeks ago I had the joy of teaching MnTs at the innaugural Crop & Create event in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  While I love teaching techniques and showing people how to use Xyron products in new and creative ways - my own creative spirit is re-energized when I see people take a project and make it their own...and those fabulous Canadians did just that!

One of our MnTs was a darling fall tag using a Canvas Corp canvas tag, Maya Road mists, and the Xyron Creatopia (see bottom of this post for directions). While I created a basic project to encourage crafters of all levels - I was tickled that so many people felt comfortable experimenting with the techniques and products to create something that expressed their own personalities.  Take a look and see for yourself!

The original project:

A sampling of the projects created by Crop & Create attendees:

Thank you wonderful Saskatchewanians (yeah - I made that up...it works - right?) for sharing your weekend and your creativity with me.  I left you feeling excited and motivated and re-engaged - can't wait to come back!

Want to make a tag of your own?  Get out a few items and start creating!

Fall Canvas Tag Canvas Corp canvas tag Maya Road Mists misting mask (if desired) background stamp (this project used Hero Arts La Lettre) black ink pad assorted scraps of fabric (approx 6x6) Xyron Creatopia with fabric adhesive refill leaf die (this project used Sizzix Bigz Die Tattered Leaves) die cutting machine (this project used the Xyron Creatopia Shapez component) coordinating buttons, rhinestones, ribbon, assorted embellishments

Instructions Mist canvas tag to desired coloring, using mask for additional shading if desired. Set aside to dry. Run fabric through the Creatopia fabric adhesive. Run fabric through die cutting machine using leaf die. To get an assortment of leaf colors you will repeat this process at least three times using different colored fabric. Set extra leaves aside for another project. Determine approximate placing of leaves but do not adhere. Using background stamp and black ink pad, stamp image on "blank" areas of tag where leaves will not be applied. *Hint - for less of a "blocky" look, use a baby wipe to wipe off ink on outer edges of stamp before stamping on canvas.* Peel backing off of leaf die cuts and adhere to tag. Embellish as desired and enjoy!

Creatopia infomercial...take two!

The day we filmed the Creatopia infomercial was one I'll never forget.  Loren and I arrived early for hair/makeup and wardrobe and were treated like queens...people were fetching us food and coffee, our stylists were veterans of the industry and kept us entertained with stories and tips (our makeup stylist was getting ready to launch her own line of brow-care products and voiced her concern about my "sparse" eyebrows - better than a uni-brow any day I say)!

They kept an eye on us throughout the day - touching up our makeup and hair (I was told I am a high maintenance make-upee because I kept touching my eyes and licking off my lipstick), pulling up our brastraps (apparently I was "droopy") and generally making sure we looked lovely.  It was so weird to be so fussed over!

The shoot was SO much fun - Loren was a blast to work with, the crew was fantastic, but what thrilled me the most was meeting the "everyday crafters" who joined us for the shoot.  Karin gave a hysterical play by play of how these girls got chosen, but she and Gail and Denise (who has some other great photos of the day here) blew me away with their creativity and their excitement and their love of the craft.  Sometimes our industry gets so wrapped up in the ridiculousness of "scrapping celebrities" and it was such a gift to be reminded that there are INCREDIBLY talented people out in the world who just create because it brings them joy. 

I would, of course, be remiss if I didn't talk about the food.  If I wasn't already married I would still be stalking our craft services guy...a darling 20-something California dude who cooks better over a campfire burner than I could in a gourmet kitchen.  His breakfast burritos were like manna from heaven, and anyone who will serve me chips and homemade guacamole on the same plate with bacon wrapped sausage is a rockstar in my book.  Yeah, sure, there was "healthy" food like fish and salad and such for lunch, but if you look down to the end of the table you'll catch a glimpse of the homemade chocolate frosted brownie deliciousness. 

As the day drew to a close and things were slowing down the wardrobe stylist and I were chatting and I asked her advice about what to wear on HSN.  Apparently the joke around the office is that John (my boss) had to pay me to buy some clothes that weren't grey to wear on air (which is sort of true - but whatever).  So I wanted her thoughts on what colors looked good on me, etc, and she took a long pause and then said (prepare for the humiliation):

"I feel like we've become friends over the past two days and you seem really cool so I hope this won't hurt your feelings.  I will give you all the clothes on this rack AND the outfit you are wearing today for $150 if you burn the outfit you wore in here this morning."

SHAZAM!

Now - don't get me wrong...I took the clothes.  In the pile were two cashmere sweaters, three pairs of pants, two dresses, four shirts, a belt, my dignity, and a variety of other goodies.  

But I also took away the fact that I apparently cannot dress myself and am so far behind the fashion curve that I have to be bribed to dress right.  But it makes for a good story and the trip out to LA made for a lifetime full of memories, a few wonderful new friends, and a kick-ass wardrobe that...funnily enough...is mostly grey.

Lights, camera, action...it's the Xyron Creatopia infomercial (part one)!

A few months ago on FB I hinted that I was out in LA doing some TV to-do but couldn't tell anyone what it was.  FINALLY I can spill the beans, because the Xyron Creatopia infomercial premiered this morning on national TV! (below is this week's schedule in case you want to check it out - I believe national channels are for Eastern and Pacific time, the rest are local time)

It was one of the coolest things I have done in a long time.  We filmed in a studio not too far from Disneyland, and I walked in expecting a small room, a few dudes fiddling around with cameras, and maybe some bottled water.  What I got was a HUGE studio that had been decked out in Creatopia colors and personalized with our logo, a 28-person crew, a full craft services area, a make-up artist, a hair stylist, and...wait for it...my own wardrobe stylist!  I actually jumped up and down and squealed while clapping my hands when I got there -I am so LA cool.

We were there for two days.  The first day I got to meet my co-host Loren Chase.  I knew she was a professional actress and I expected her to be sort of aloof and stand-offish...but the moment we met it felt like we had known each other forever. From the beginning of our script reading we were cracking jokes and bouncing ideas off of each other - she made me feel so at ease and I can never thank her enough for that.  

The script reading went pretty quickly - especially once the director said to me "we've seen some of your other work and decided to just let you ad-lib everything" (meaning - you won't memorize any of your lines anyway - so we didn't bother).  Then it was time for Loren and me to try on clothes - the part I had been looking forward to/dreading the most!

I should have known I would be in trouble when the wardrobe stylist (who was also SUPER cool and nice) called me the week before and said she was going shopping for me (awesome!) but wanted to give me a list of what she had in mind in case I had any of them in my wardrobe so we could "incorporate it" in to our selections.  I got my pen and paper ready and she rattled off a list of about ten things - and I had NONE OF THEM.  Not one. Grey slacks?  No.  Crisp white blouse?  Nadda.  Anything from Anthropologie?  Do the knobs on my garage sale dresser count?  No?  Then nope.  She knew she was in for a challenge.

So Loren and I walked in to the room - and we each had our OWN RACK of clothing that had been selected just for us.  I almost cried I was so excited!

We spent the next hour or so trying on different outfits and it was like a bunch of girlfriends out at the mall.  We had SUCH a blast! It is however a test of personal self-esteem to walk out of a dressing room to a group of size-0 to 4 Californians in your size 8 pants and have them turn up their noses or tell you to turn around so they can look at your butt. :) They got us both outfitted up in coordinating clothes - complete with accessories and jewelry and shoes - and we were ready to roll!

Tomorrow...the actual shoot...and the most humilitating (yet comical) conversation I have ever had.  I love LA!

wordle.net = endless creativity!

My mother-in-law is working on a project for my Dad's birthday next week.  I'm not afraid to tell you this because my Dad doesn't even know what a blog is - much less how to find mine - so the secret is safe with us.  :)  ANYHOO - she is creating it on this FABULOUS website and as soon as she pulled it up on her computer I knew it would offer papercrafters and digital artists a fun way to express themselves.  So I give to you wordle.net!

By its own definition, wordle is a toy that allows you to create "word clouds".  But it does so much more than that!  Imagine creating your own background paper, creative text for cards - you can use it digitally or print it out on cardstock for a variety of uses (please read their terms of use so we don't break any rules) - the possibilities are endless!

Because I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, my MIL gave me a set of instructions for not only printing out the text but adding photos right on to the image.  Thanks Marianne - enjoy everybody!

DIRECTIONS:

Put a list of words in a word processing document (like Microsoft Word).  The more times a word appears the bigger the font in the final outcome. To get two words to stay next to each other (for example, great husband) use the "~" charcter instead of a space between the words (great~husband). 

Go to Wordle.net and click on CREATE.

Paste your list of words into the box and select GO.

Play around with the colors, fonts, word arrangement until you get what you want. Then do a print screen and paste it into an image editing program (like power point).  Edit out the headers and stuff you don't want and then do what you want with the page, like add photos or graphics.  

Set printing to size you want and print. 

Have fun!

Xyron Creatopia Full Page Embossing is HERE!!!!!

I know so many of you have been waiting for this feature to become available on the Xyron Creatopia...FULL PAGE EMBOSSING IS HERE!!!!!

I saw it with my very own eyes last weekend at the Heirloom Stamp Expo in Grapevine, TX.  I went down there to demo Xyron for Scrap-Mart (who - I have to say - has AMAZING prices on their stuff - but I digress) and when I arrived - there it was in all its glory!  The first full page embossing roller for the Creatopia!

Can I just say that it is totally disturbing that I have the same freak-ball face in this photo that I do in my blog photo?  I need to stop making this face...I think I might be scaring children.  Anyhoo...

I demo-ed the embossing roller for two days and it worked like a DREAM!  It is SO SO SO easy to pop in to the Creatopia and works just the same as the Border Patternz. This first release has a heart design on it - with more designs to come!

So if you are going to be at CHA this week come on over to the Xyron booth, say howdee, and try out this great new addition to the Creatopia family!  And if your crafty travels take you to any expos this year, stop on over at the Scrap-Mart booth and say hi to Jonathan, Howard and Laura!  Be sure to give them a big kiss for me!

new year...new blogs and websites to love!

One of my many New Year's resolutions was to keep up with my favorite blogs - which will hopefully motivate (or shame) me in to keeping up with my own!  So when I was working my way through my "faves" (see the list on the left) I was super sad but not totally surprised when I realized that many of them had either stopped posting altogether or changed their theme (from, for example, mostly crafting to mostly a personal/family blog).  So I have cleaned up my list, added some new loves, and added another set of "info" sites for your viewing pleasure as well!  So I am tickled to introduce: (drumroll please....)

Beth Quinn Designs - I've known Beth for years, she was one of the "old" (and I mean that in the greatest way possible) IRW consultants when I started working there many moons ago.  She left to start her own jewelry company - and she has become a total star!  Her creations are AMAZING and looking at them just makes me happy.

Design*Sponge - If you are awed by those "do-it-yourselfers" who can turn a $2 chair they found at a yard sale in to a work of art, RUN TO THIS WEBSITE for some love and inspiration!  This site is so good it even motivated my HUSBAND to help me create a fantastical furniture find for our mud room (I'll post pics when it is done).  YAY used furniture and junk!

Emma's Paperie - with monthly color challenges and sketches and a seemingly endless supply of projects (with instructions!!!) - this site is a little slice of heaven for paper crafters!

Last, but CERTAINLY not least...I introduce to you...

Cheesecupid.com - It is a well known fact that I heart wine and that I would marry cheese if it were at all possible.  So when I found this website my heart did little flips and angels started singing and my cholesterol shot up about 10 points.  WINE AND CHEESE!  Simply click on either wine or cheese on the home page, select the "type", and it will help you mix and match the perfect combinations for your palate's pleasure.  This is THE PERFECT SITE if you are a novice wine-and-cheeser and want to host a cocktail party or girls night out.  With the witty text and the clever voice overs this site tickles my fancy and my tummy!

I'll continue to add sites as they catch my eye...I look forward to sharing my finds with you throughout the year!