Etsy Thursday: Baker’s Twine

Posted on | August 19, 2010 | 14 Comments

Photo taken from Cupcake Social at Etsy

Urgh… I am on Etsy again… so not good for the pocket book!! But… found a few things and want to share!

Didn’t I tell you, back in May, that baker’s twine is in? If you haven’t gotten any you should! They’re fun and even if you don’t ever use them on your cards/scrapbook you can use them to wrap presents. That’s what I’ve been using lately for my gifts. I’ll just wrap the item(s) in old newspaper, tissue paper, or whatever inexpensive paper I can find around the house and tie it with baker’s twine and a tag/card.

After the May post I noticed a lot of places are selling baker’s twine. It was easier to find on Etsy too compared to my initial search. Even though my favorite place for baker’s twine is still Annie42 (you can’t beat $1 for 40 yards or $3.99 for 100 yards + $1.75 shipping), today I found a few more that I can see myself purchasing from since they have different colors.

Oh, before I get to baker’s twine, if you’re wanting to get the jute twine that I’ve been using a lot of (cause it was only $1.20/225 yards + $3.25 shipping) there is still more at Wind Rose Fiber Studio. Jute twine is more course but it makes such wonderful texture and accent to any project. I also use this for gift wrapping.

I am no twine expert but there are two types of twines. The least expensive ones, usually the red, blue, black, brown, green, are not made in America. The ones that are brighter (although the red looks pretty close), or as I like to call them: fun colors, are by Divine Twine/Timeless Twine and they are eco-friendly and made in the USA. So if you’re wondering why the same looking twine cost a lot more do check the brand and where it’s made in.

Ok, here goes…

Cupcake Social: This store has cute cute cute cupcake supply making stuff. Under their packaging section you’ll see the baker’s twines. There are different ones. The generic red/white or blue/white twines are $2.25/25 yards. But, this store has the fun and bright ones, like yellow, orange, and pink. The cost is a bit more, $2.25/5 yards + $1.50 shipping. Want the whole spool? Get 240 yards for $15. But really? Unless you’re going to be wrapping a butt load of shtuff with this you’d be better off getting 100 yards of a variety pack. Less expensive and by the time you’re done with your variety pack there’ll be some other new trend, ha! Now, if you want to buy more than one item, this place is the place to be because any item after, shipping is only $.10!!
The Twinery: Has the Divine Twine for $14.95 + $3 shipping. You get eight bright colored twines at 15 yards each, 120 yards total. If you want a whole spool of Divine Twine, you can get 240 yards of it here for $14. A few bucks cheaper than the other stores if you add shipping.
California Craft: By now you’ve probably noticed that the Divine Twine are slightly thicker. In this store you can get 10 yards for $1.99 + $1.99 shipping (and $.25 with another item). A good price if you just want to try a bit of it.
Bella Creations: Buy the spool of Timeless Twine for $10 (160 yards) or for 100 yards (20 yards/color) you can get fun pink, yellow, blue, green and purple for $8.99 and $2.50 shipping. You can get 50 yards too for $5.50. So far this is the sweetest deal on the fun colors!! Ok, if you do the math the Divine Twine at $14+$3 shipping is a tad bit cheaper per yard than the Timeless Twine ($.708 vs $.075). But not much different, it just now depends on the color(s) you like.
The Gilded Bees: Need cream twine? This place has it, 30 yards for $2.99 + $2.25 shipping.

That’s it for now. Remember, the stores above sell other things besides twine. Do check them out!! They’re great and some are for paper crafters!!

Signing Time

Posted on | August 16, 2010 | 10 Comments

When I learn something or if I find something useful I feel the need to share and/or show somebody how to do it. When I am interested in something I research it to death. Hubby said it’s to the point of being overly overwhelming but he lets me be as long as he doesn’t have to hear every single detail or read a 100 page summary.

After I was pregnant with M I got a whiff of baby signing. I researched and researched, learn a few signs along the way, and concluded that it’s one of the best thing after diapers. Right now we’re focusing on signing with Jovie. Like most babies her age Jovie can’t speak (M was an exception, she babbled well and woke up talking one day at about 14.5-months). Jovie makes noises which some I can understand but for the most part she sounds like a little cave girl. The good news is that Jovie’s been really good about learning how to sign the last few days. Even though she got milk and change down the end of January it just recently clicked that all the different hand movements we’ve been doing mean something.

So here’s the educator in me sharing with you: If you’re expecting or have a little one I highly recommend teaching your baby how to sign. Research and personal experience have shown that signing does not slow speech development. M talked at 14-mo but she still signed until she was 18-mo because a few of her words I had a hard time understanding. M actually still signed a few words, “please” included, until she was three. She was a thumb sucker and she’d have her thumb in her mouth and politely ask for things with her other hand (cute at first but hubby and I decided that the thumb needed to be out of the mouth when asking for something). Jovie is much much happier now that she knows a few more words. When she wakes up she’ll ask for milk, then a change of diaper and then cereal. A few weeks ago she insisted on ice cream for breakfast. She’ll ask to go outside or to play. It’s wonderful!!

You don’t have to know American Sign Language. I didn’t. I just watched the videos, Signing Time or My Baby Can Talk, (this site has a wonderful video dictionary of different words) with M and we learned together. Plus it’s not like I was going to sign in full sentences. It was a word or two here and another one there. I did take a signing class just for fun last summer. It taught me a lot about ASL and and Signing Exact English (SEE) but that didn’t teach me a lot of new things in terms of baby signing. Do do do try this! So far Jovie knows: Milk, change, more, eat, cereal, outside, play, hot, cold (with “brrr” as the sound effect), sleep/night-night, ice cream, and potty. It’s a third less than what M knew but they’re better than nothing.

Here’s little Jovie showing off her teeth, cheesy smile and a few :

Page details:

Although the page might look complicated it actually wasn’t. It’s just the paper that’s busy. Then I added a bit here and there, mostly scraps, and came up with this piece. The left photo is of her saying “all-done“. The right is “more“. Both were not done correctly but that’s how Jovie signs.

This little corner was just layered with random bits of leftovers. They used to be a part of a Studio Calico kit (except for the flower and the doile) -- mostly Making Memories travel kit stuff. A little piece here a little there and voila.

I also want to show you this part. Just stickers here with the edges a bit curled or unglued. It wasn’t my idea. I guess cause the stickers are 2-3 years old the adhesive were non-existent. After I adhered the stickers started peeling off. I liked the peeled look and so I added more glue but just to half the side. This just gives the page a bit more 3D look.

That’s it! Oh, isn’t Jovie getting so big?!?! She’s looking more and more like her daddy… the prettier version.

My Favorite Kit Clubs

Posted on | August 9, 2010 | 7 Comments

From left to right:
Scarlet Lime | Studio Calico | Midnight Roosters | A Million Memories
Created using Mosaic Maker

Now that new release stuff’s over I can post other random stuff {::SMILE}. Today I want to share some of my FAVORITE scrapbook kit clubs… whether I am a subscriber or not. Although crafts in general makes me happy there’s something about a fabulously put together kit that makes me extra giddy (it also increases my hoarding tendencies). It’s like cooking. One knife gets you really excited about cooking but a great set makes you just want to chop all day. Or, a great lens would make any photographer jump for joy but a set of them would give that person a heart attack — it’ll be too overwhelming I think, ha!

Before I get to sharing some of you might wonder which kit is best for you. My answer is, it all depends on your style and my suggestion is to try first before committing (some kit clubs have a 3-6 months commitment). A few years ago I bought a kit. LOVELY kit but then I found that it was a tad too hip for me. As much as I want to be hip and do stuff like the DTs it was just not me. Even though I did pay a bit more, one time purchase v.s. subscription price, it was well worth it because I saved in the long run. Also scroll through the previous kits and give the Design Team gallery a good look. If you like what you see, kits and what others have done with them, chances are you’ll be a happy customer too.

So here are my FAVORITE kits:

Scarlet Lime: If you like colors this is the kit for you. I’ve been with Scarlet Lime for 2+ years now and I am still addicted. Even when I was tightening our budget I kept my membership — and I could have cancelled anytime. I know, bad, huh? I don’t know how Christy does it but she packs in so much stuff in each monthly kit! The last few months they’ve also came up with a new smaller kit called the Frugal Fab and it’s FAB for only $19.95!! I think of all the clubs that I’ll be mentioning, SL is the least social. There’s a newsletter but there are no challenges, Facebook, Twitter, etc. like most other clubs. I wouldn’t mind challenges every month from SL!
Studio Calico: Classy is what I think of them. I subscribed to them before Scarlet Lime. I did a 6-months deal and quit because my favorite scrapbooker, Christine Middlecamp, quit the DT position. I joined because she was the DT. Now another favorite scrapbooker is their DT, Sasha Farina (she currently is making me want some ink splatters!!), and oh it’s so tempting to join again!!
Midnight Rooster: They’re new and style wise they’re on the calm side with a splash of delightful colors. I’ve never purchased from them but it’s calling me big time. This club also has an exclusive rubber stamp in each monthly kit and from what I’ve seen, they’ve been wonderful.
A Million Memories: This place has some lovely kits and each time I look at their DT’s work I keep wanting to get me at least one kit but I haven’t. Beautiful beautiful stuff and I think this club’s kits would be perfect for the more whimsical and fun kind of scrapbooker.
Little Red Scrapbook: Very affordable and fun kits! I don’t know why I haven’t gotten anything from here yet but for $22.50/mo + shipping you can sit back, relax, and wait for a kit to show up each and every month.
My Creative Scrapbook: Although the DT examples didn’t scream it I do see a lot of vintage possibilities with this club’s kits. Who knows, maybe it’s just me but the good size kit seems to have a lot of flowers, ribbons/lace and very soft neutral tones. They also have a main kit, mini, album and a special edition. The kits are sold out quite a bit so I haven’t gotten a chance to grab one. Maybe if I sign up for their newsletter I can be one of the first on release day. Hmm….
Paper Posies: Very fun kits. I think the only one I really don’t care for is July’s kit. Just too blue for me. Besides that, lots of goodies. I do wish the photos of the kits are bigger though, esp. the past kits. I’d like to inspect the content better. They’ve got some 2008 kits for sale, $15. Deal I think.
Noel Mignon: Noel’s kits has a fluid style. One month it can be vintage, another retro, and another blasting with colors. Very fun!?Prices varies too, the price is a bit more but you get a tons of stuff. It’s basically you get what you paid for in this club.

Then there are others that I’m not sure about, for myself that is, but worth mentioning:

Freehand Scrap: Coordinates well but the kit seems small.
Cocoa Daisy: For me personally the kits are hit and miss. I love some and not care of the others much.
Scrapbook Nook: It seems nice but I can’t really tell from the photos

There are others that I’ve liked too but are now closed. Some do come and go but I think the ones I’ve listed as my favorite have been around for a while.

How about card clubs? I am a scrapbooker and card maker so when I buy kits I go for the scrapbook ones — 12×12 paper vs 8×8 or 6×6. If you’re just into card making then there are a few nice ones out there. Personally I haven’t really looked.

In general though being a subscriber to SL has saved me tons of money and time. Granted I still LOVE to shop for scrapbook stuff I’ve found that $40 later I felt like what I’ve purchase were useless just because they’re a hodge podge of none coordinating pieces. Yes I’ll use them eventually but I’ll have to work harder on mixing and matching where if I get a kit everything’s been coordinated for me and all I have to do is scrap. Also, since the clubs get the materials at a discount the kits are usually worth more than the price tag. I paid $31.50 for my Scarlet Lime kit but I think if I price everything they’d be over $40… probably more $50. If the Frugal Fab at $20 is worth $40 then the main kit should be a bit more, right?

Anyhow, thought I’d share that bit of info with you. Have a great one and I’ll post a project later on. Have a good one!!!

Etsy Sunday: Tape

Posted on | July 11, 2010 | 4 Comments

Ooh ooh, I am on Etsy again! Have you ever seen Lost in Space? Remember the scene where Robot said something like: “Danger, danger, Will Robinson”? Well, if I have a robot that would be what it’ll be yelling at my husband. “Danger, danger Drew Wilder”. Ha!! I haven’t been buying much on Etsy, just a few bucks here and there, but my husband loves it too. He totally supports my Etsy love and whenever it’s present time he’d go on Etsy and find something that I’d love. He bought me an apron the last time and it was just PERFECT! It was yellow, designer fabric (funny thing is that I don’t remember who now although it might be Anna Maria’s), and french style. LOVE!

Today I got into looking at Japanese fabric tapes. You know I have a thing for cutesy Kawaii stuff and that’s what I was oogling at. Here are some I want to share… Imagine them on your projects… any projects!

Miso Soup: Ships from Japan, around $3 shipping and tape ranges from $4-$5/meter, around 3 feet.

Wan Wan Corner: Shipping is $2 (from Hong Kong) and the tape prices are really good from $2.20-$2.50 for 2 meters

Apples an Eggs: One of my favorite store from all the ones I looked at today. Shipping from China is $3.50 and the tapes go for $2.20 to $3.20 per yard… or around a meter.

Kawaii Goodies: You HAVE to see what this store has! My favorite is the fabric tape below. I believe they are regular fabric that the store owner create tape from. Shipping is $2.40 from the U.S. and the price varies although no higher than $4.95. The length is as long as the fabric. Then there are other tapes too AND Bento boxes!! I’ve been making bento box lunches for M. I’m not good at it so so picture. Plus M’s been only into sandwiches and so the boxes gets old… little variety.

Here are some Bento examples from Cute Obento. I want to be that good, ha ha!! So M doesn’t have the best Bento content but she’s got the best lunch boxes in school he he he… Bentween buying and gifts this girl has six Bento style lunch boxes I think.

1. Seagull Bento, 2. Honda Super-cub Bento, 3. Three Pigges Bento, 4. Rainboot and Hydrangea Bento, 5. Peanut and apple Bento, 6. 3 Chickens Bento, 7. Anpanman&Shokupanman Bento, 8. 2 cookie cutters, 9. Fluffy Lamb Bento, 10. Bento for sports festival, 11. Corn dogs again!!, 12. Another angle, 13. Cheep,cheep!!

The above created using the Big Huge Labs Mosaic creator. FREE!

Last Etsy bit… do you like the baker’s twine that I’ve been using on a lot of things from projects to gift wrapping? If yes, Annie42 where I got it from has a dollar sale… or for $3.99 you can get 100 yards worth! I love mine and I want a huge red and white one for Christmas wrapping!! Shipping is only $1.68 ($2.99 for International) and the more you get the more worth it buying from Etsy is!

Have a great Sunday and I can’t wait to play with some Japanese tapes and while I’m at it I might get a cute mold for M’s Bento {::SMILE}.

Traveling with Craft Supplies

Posted on | May 12, 2010 | 2 Comments

I know a few of you were wondering what kind of stuff were in my craft bag after the movers picked up the last of our stuff. Well, here it is…

I know it looks like a pile of mess but the above was what I had with me since April 5th. Everything but the ribbons and burlap + that brown sack fit in the black bag. The bag is more less this size but it’s not a rolling bag. I have one compartment to put my ribbons and stamps in and another one behind it for the Scor-It and a portable cutter. I checked this bag in and because it was so packed nothing moved! You want to make sure that your bag has a front and side buckles or a zipper all around. Just to make sure nothing falls out.

The ribbons I took with me were the most frequently used ones and those that matched/compliment my ink. The stamps were WPlus9, Clear and Simple, and PTI. They take us less space. The wood set wasn’t in my original stash. My friend borrowed it and returned it to be fore we flew out. Don’t forget the blocks too. I took four with me, one is a long one for background patterns.

For ink I just had 7: Rasberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst, Fresh Snow (PTI’s white is AWESOME!!), ripe avocado, blue, red and black. I wish I had more ink but they did work out. Then there’s the ATG glue gun, two size dimensionals (1/16″ and 1/8″), fabric glue, and glue dots. I also grabbed some buttons, the PTI variety pack, CSS’s variety pack, Rhonna Farrer pack that I’ve had for forever and Dawn McVey gave me some red ones when we met up.

In the paper department I just brought a paper pack that I got from CSS although I did have plans to buy the 2009 variety pack form PTI. I just never made the order so I lived with one paper pack and some extra white ones. The pattern paper I brought were ones I randomly purchased from different LSS the last few months. A bit of everything is in there and I probably have about two dozen of them. There’s also a PTI pack that I also got from Dawn and an 8×8 October Afternoon pack.

I did grab my leftover pile and those are what you see on the bottom right of the photo. I have a stamp cleaner (from CSS) and before I flew out I ordered some goodies from Etsy. When I got to the UK some were already at the house and some I had to pick up at the base post office. It was a very nice welcome home from me to me ha ha!! Seriously though, if you’re planning on a big move or an extended stay I highly recommend the buying for yourself and arrange it so that they’ll be there before you get there so that they’ll either be at the house or the post office waiting for you.

Oh, I also brought some nice scissors. My sharpest, smallest, and pointiest… my SU trimmer scissors… this way I can use just one for cutting everything. I also brought a cheapie one to cut my dimensionals. I conserve although some might think I am stingy but I cut my dimensionals in half most of the time and I need something else besides my main scissors to cut.

That’s it. The only thing you can’t see in the photo are the ribbons. Pretty light huh?

I’ll have some crafty stuff soon (I hope). Our household goods came and I have to tidy up before I can craft… hubby’s rules (URGH). I got to go, it’s 11 p.m. but I’m going to work some more. Laters!!