Simple Scrapbooking Sketch

One of the easiest ways to put together a scrapbooking page is by looking at sketches. I often sketch out how I want a page to look before I start cutting. Thus saving me money and I save the sketches so that I can refer to them later. Here are a few that I have done recently.

Here is an example of the first one. It's for sale in my etsy shop

Another great resource is 500 Scrapbooking Sketches.

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Review of Scrapbooking Die Cut Machines

I am in the market for a new die cut machine and need to do some research to see which one as they can get really expensive. I used to have a Cricut Personal Electronic Cutting Machine but got tired of having to cut my paper down to use it (I regularly buy 12x12). My sister-in-law has the bigger Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter that allows for you to use the 12x12 paper and she seems to really like it.

I have been leaning towards buying the Sizzix Big Shot Cutting-and-Embossing Roller-Style Machine

I researched the  4 machines and here is what I found:


Product: Sizzix Big Shot Cutting-and-Embossing Roller-Style Machine
Rating: 5 stars
Price: $77.39
Pros: Cuts through just about anything
          Cuts other brands of dies

Cons: Can only cut through one layer of fabric at a time so not good for quilters

Read all reviews here: Reviews


Product: Cuttlebug Machine V2 (Pretty new product so not a lot of reviews yet)
Price: $66.90
Pros: Compact for storage
         Easy to use
Cons: Handle doesn't turn as smoothly as the first version

Read all reviews here: Reviews


Product: Cricut Expression 290300 Personal Electronic Cutter
Rating: 3 1/4 stars
Price: $168.01
Pros: Cuts at 1/4 where most other machines start at 1/2
          Very intricate shaped catridges, other machines seem to have basic shape
          Layering options available


Cons: The price of the cartridges are expensive ($60-$90)
          The cutting mat loses it's "sticky" quickly
          Does not cut chipboard or fabric as the video suggests

Read all reviews here: Reviews






Brand new machine that has 5 stars is Vagabond Machine Inspired By Tim Holtz
Price: $199.00

The machine cuts dies from other companies and so far the customers are raving about this product, there were only 3 reviews so not enough to get any cons

Back To School Mini Scrapbook Album Featured on etsystalker

I am so excited, my Back to School Mini Album has been featured on etsystalker.com along with some other too cool items. Check them out! (oh and drop by my etsy shop as well while you are at it ). :)

Paper Punches for Scrapbooking Review

I've recently started selling die cuts that I make by handpunching cardstock and decorative scrapbooking paper in my etsy shop and have quickly discovered that not all punches are the same. I am going to give you my favorites and not so favorites of ones that I have used.

At first, I wanted to make handmade tags so I headed to Joanne's and purchased a Fiskars punch like this one. Boy was this punch ever hard to use. I thought at first that it may be the size of the tag and then discovered later that I had some smaller Fiskar punches that I have hardly ever used. It is too hard to punch and by the tenth punch you are wondering if it's worth it.

I have some Martha Stewart border punches like this Daisy Chain Trim punch that I rather liked. They punch smoothly and you don't feel like you are working too hard for it. But it's Martha so I wouldn't expect any less.

I also have a couple of EK Success punches like Mickey Mouse Punch that work very well. You can do repeated punching without feeling like you are working too hard for it.

So what your favorite punches?

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Brown Paper Bag Embellished Pens

I am always looking for ways to embellish pens and this is such a cute and inexpensive idea! I have got to try this. Get the instructions here.

Would go great with my handmade notebooks on etsy.