There's been such a flurry of activity lately is seems almost impossible to sit down and get anything done. Not true, I've finished four 12x12 layouts, got the new organizer in place and well stocked, and have accomplished quite a series of hauls.
Most everything revolves around an incredible discovery at TM. They had retail packs (24 each) of almost then entire "A Proper Gentleman" collection. Martin actually stumbled across this treasure, bought two packs, and made the mistake of telling me they had stacks of other G45 retail packs in different designs. At the end of the quest I have twelve full 12x12 pads of this collection, minus two pages... for less than what a single pad would have cost. Profit time!!! We were also able to pick up almost half the "On the Boardwalk" collection in retail packs. I think we've exhausted the bonanza. There were arm fulls of book board, but I stopped at six sets. They had Tim Holtz Grunge Paper sets, retailed at $40; I paid $8. Finally, a 5 inch Xyron. A couple of adorable embellishments and the run ended there.
I decided to hit JoAnn's because we were in town it's rare we make it that far south. Phew! Almost all paper crafting supplies are 50% off this week, plus a coupon in the paper allows an extra 10% off from the total purchase. 60% savings?! Heck, yeah!! I managed some control and walked out of the store with only two large bags. A wider variety of adhesives, the first alcohol inks, specialty paper, and yes a Crop-A-Dile II (Big Bite).
The stamps, ink, paper, embellishments, etc never quit coming in; however, it's hard to imagine any other tool needed to carry on
this business. Maybe a Zutter Cutter for the extra weight chipboard?
Maybe, but not a necessity.
I'm attempting to design my first, original mini-album. It's sketched out, roughly, but I'm finding it hard to cut that first page; there seems to be so little room for error, which, in itself, is an error. How, besides looking amateurish, can a person go wrong with G45? For sure it won't be the best album I'll ever create, and will quickly prove true, but it's all part of this glorious process called creative expression.
Showing posts with label sales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sales. Show all posts
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Discovered UTEE
Something about funds, or lack thereof, altered my plans to attend the SSD warehouse sale. It wasn't meant to be. I did, however, stop by the tiny TM in Rogers and found the Crop-a-Dile Main Squeeze for pennies on the dollar. Upon further inspection, I'm not sure the investment was a good one. The concept is great, and if embellishments outside what the company offers work, the story changes. Otherwise, this will be a very expensive press... for garlic maybe??? What's really needed is the Crop-a-Dile II.
I've owned Glossy Accents for a number of months now, but let it set because it seemed too expensive to use, and embossing powders gave a bit of shine where needed. In the making of the mini-album, I hauled the bottle out... and WOW! How did I do this without the glossy bling? What I didn't realize after this discovery, until seeing it on YouTube, was that the surface had only been scratched, so to speak. The next step up is the Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE). Playing with it when it comes into the house will probably set the album back a few days, but this is a tool to master. I'm wondering if this could change the way I look at charms; they are much too expensive for general use right now, and want to change this.
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Speaking of the mini-album (what else these days?) I decided to make the ABC Primer documenting my husband's childhood days photographs before starting the one intended for me. I found a video with step-by-step instructions on YouTube (where else?) that's perfect for my current skill level.
This is a great introduction since the lines run very straight, without all the flourishes and complicated cuts planned for the other book. I'm learning exponentially at present, and it's all to the good! I'm lifting the book straight from her design, but can't help but think that anyone who makes 18 videos outlining every step and cut minds being copied. (Trying to sell the album as my own design would be less than ethical, but that's not a problem.)
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I absolutely adore the two stencil sets bought from Kiwi Lane Designs. Since discovering the site, they've had only one sale, just before Christmas, nothing since. This Saturday they're having another. There would be nothing more pleasing than having everything they make, but that's unreasonable. I will settle by buying only one more set to add to the collection this go round... darn.
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I'm having a blast decorating containers and house decorations. One of the latest creations, for the coloured pencils collected over the past 20 years or so:
I've owned Glossy Accents for a number of months now, but let it set because it seemed too expensive to use, and embossing powders gave a bit of shine where needed. In the making of the mini-album, I hauled the bottle out... and WOW! How did I do this without the glossy bling? What I didn't realize after this discovery, until seeing it on YouTube, was that the surface had only been scratched, so to speak. The next step up is the Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE). Playing with it when it comes into the house will probably set the album back a few days, but this is a tool to master. I'm wondering if this could change the way I look at charms; they are much too expensive for general use right now, and want to change this.
Speaking of the mini-album (what else these days?) I decided to make the ABC Primer documenting my husband's childhood days photographs before starting the one intended for me. I found a video with step-by-step instructions on YouTube (where else?) that's perfect for my current skill level.
This is a great introduction since the lines run very straight, without all the flourishes and complicated cuts planned for the other book. I'm learning exponentially at present, and it's all to the good! I'm lifting the book straight from her design, but can't help but think that anyone who makes 18 videos outlining every step and cut minds being copied. (Trying to sell the album as my own design would be less than ethical, but that's not a problem.)
________________________________
I absolutely adore the two stencil sets bought from Kiwi Lane Designs. Since discovering the site, they've had only one sale, just before Christmas, nothing since. This Saturday they're having another. There would be nothing more pleasing than having everything they make, but that's unreasonable. I will settle by buying only one more set to add to the collection this go round... darn.
__________________________________
I'm having a blast decorating containers and house decorations. One of the latest creations, for the coloured pencils collected over the past 20 years or so:
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| Quickie Photo |
Thursday, March 29, 2012
75% Off Haul
Oh. My. Goodness!
The warehouse portion open to the public wasn't as large as it might be in the future, but was still larger than their flagship store.
What did they have? What not, indeed?
12x12 sheets @ 3/$1.00, including some Graphic 45 papers... Most of these run between $1.00- 1.50 each in the store.
An area with assorted size papers and envelopes. Pick up an extra large 20x20 inch Ziplock bag, and as long as the papers fit and the bag zips, pay $3.00 total.
Sticker and chipboard packages, varied between $0.25 and $.75 each pack.
Small tags regular price...about $2.50 for less than 20, today's find, 100 tags for $0.50.
Ribbons for $.25 per roll.
A sealing wax monogram stamp, something I've search the world over, (well, for awhile, anyway) all of $2.00
Christmas, Easter, and Halloween decor... way, way cheap!
Little decorations to spice up the home decor... even less than cheap.
I bought everything that I wanted and could possible use, but despite that, I barely put a dent into any of the inventory. I came out with a goodly sized box (estimated at 12x12x24) almost filled to the top with paper, and a large reusable cloth bag... stuffed and overflowing.
This was the very first day the warehouse was open to the public. The everything 75% sale ends Friday. They are thinking of opening the warehouse a couple of days each week, but prices will only be cut to 50%. Even so, this delights my treasure hunt obsession.
Oh, did I mention everything brought home cost right at $60? Oh, yeah! Not the $240 the supplies would have cost full price.
Now, whew, I have to find a way to organize all the new paper from the fill-it and seal-it bag; the goods there had six different sizes, not including the tags. Ye-haw!!!
The warehouse portion open to the public wasn't as large as it might be in the future, but was still larger than their flagship store.
What did they have? What not, indeed?
12x12 sheets @ 3/$1.00, including some Graphic 45 papers... Most of these run between $1.00- 1.50 each in the store.
An area with assorted size papers and envelopes. Pick up an extra large 20x20 inch Ziplock bag, and as long as the papers fit and the bag zips, pay $3.00 total.
Sticker and chipboard packages, varied between $0.25 and $.75 each pack.
Small tags regular price...about $2.50 for less than 20, today's find, 100 tags for $0.50.
Ribbons for $.25 per roll.
A sealing wax monogram stamp, something I've search the world over, (well, for awhile, anyway) all of $2.00
Christmas, Easter, and Halloween decor... way, way cheap!
Little decorations to spice up the home decor... even less than cheap.
I bought everything that I wanted and could possible use, but despite that, I barely put a dent into any of the inventory. I came out with a goodly sized box (estimated at 12x12x24) almost filled to the top with paper, and a large reusable cloth bag... stuffed and overflowing.
This was the very first day the warehouse was open to the public. The everything 75% sale ends Friday. They are thinking of opening the warehouse a couple of days each week, but prices will only be cut to 50%. Even so, this delights my treasure hunt obsession.
Oh, did I mention everything brought home cost right at $60? Oh, yeah! Not the $240 the supplies would have cost full price.
Now, whew, I have to find a way to organize all the new paper from the fill-it and seal-it bag; the goods there had six different sizes, not including the tags. Ye-haw!!!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Punch Drunk
I went to JoAnn's this past Friday in small hopes of finding We R Memory Keepers brand new Lucky 8 punches. I hoped there might be just one. Foolish faith.
While over in their Fiskars punch area I happened to see a clearance tag on a small corner punch. Lacking a goodly supply of these, I snatched it up. The punch was originally listed at $12.00, but was marked down to $2.98. WOW! What a deal. Initially it appeared I'd come in too late in the sale to take advantage of other great deals after seeing so many of the arms with clearance tags empty. Undeterred, I began looking more closely at the clearance tags. They didn't hang on the front of the arm, but each was pushed against the back wall. The search was on!
In the end, I found: 1 regular shape punch, 2 small corner punches, 2 3-in-1 emboss plus punch, 1 4-in1 emboss and punch, 1 medium squeeze punch, and 3 different border and corner punch sets. Oh! And a Sizzix Original dye. Over $150.00 retail value, I spent less than $50! A 66% savings value!!!
In the past, I've hesitated over buying corner punches. They just seemed so dog-gone expensive. At the same time, I've also felt the loss of these tools, especially when matting photos. Small rounding and large rounding was to the largest extent of photo and matting ability before now. While nice, there's just so much creativity to be had. Between the newly acquired tools, and the couple of other punches I owned, I now have the ability to create no less than 18 corner designs. And that's before combining punches for extra depth.
And this is the way I've built a huge inventory in such a short time, by taking advantage of really great deals. They almost always come in bulk of one tool or element. If I buy one, and find others, I stock up.
There's still one of the WRMK Lucky 8 punches I really want, but the last purchase ate this month's remaining allowance.
Before ending the discussion of punches, I found posted somewhere a nifty tip about how to know whether a particular punch in the store is not already sitting in the closet, or punch bin, whichever applies.
For every punch bought, punch an index card with the new punch. Each card then gets a general round punch so each card as acquired can be added to a opening/closure ring. When heading out to a craft store, take the entire ring. Then, when wondering whether the punch on the shelf is something already owned, all it takes is pulling out the ringed set and flipping through the punched cards
I've taken this idea to a higher level and write the brand name and title of the demonstrated punch to make putting together the "supplies used" sheet easier to write up after the page or card creation.
(Sorry for the mess. Actual scrapbook page creation in progress)
While over in their Fiskars punch area I happened to see a clearance tag on a small corner punch. Lacking a goodly supply of these, I snatched it up. The punch was originally listed at $12.00, but was marked down to $2.98. WOW! What a deal. Initially it appeared I'd come in too late in the sale to take advantage of other great deals after seeing so many of the arms with clearance tags empty. Undeterred, I began looking more closely at the clearance tags. They didn't hang on the front of the arm, but each was pushed against the back wall. The search was on!
In the end, I found: 1 regular shape punch, 2 small corner punches, 2 3-in-1 emboss plus punch, 1 4-in1 emboss and punch, 1 medium squeeze punch, and 3 different border and corner punch sets. Oh! And a Sizzix Original dye. Over $150.00 retail value, I spent less than $50! A 66% savings value!!!
In the past, I've hesitated over buying corner punches. They just seemed so dog-gone expensive. At the same time, I've also felt the loss of these tools, especially when matting photos. Small rounding and large rounding was to the largest extent of photo and matting ability before now. While nice, there's just so much creativity to be had. Between the newly acquired tools, and the couple of other punches I owned, I now have the ability to create no less than 18 corner designs. And that's before combining punches for extra depth.
And this is the way I've built a huge inventory in such a short time, by taking advantage of really great deals. They almost always come in bulk of one tool or element. If I buy one, and find others, I stock up.
There's still one of the WRMK Lucky 8 punches I really want, but the last purchase ate this month's remaining allowance.
Before ending the discussion of punches, I found posted somewhere a nifty tip about how to know whether a particular punch in the store is not already sitting in the closet, or punch bin, whichever applies.
For every punch bought, punch an index card with the new punch. Each card then gets a general round punch so each card as acquired can be added to a opening/closure ring. When heading out to a craft store, take the entire ring. Then, when wondering whether the punch on the shelf is something already owned, all it takes is pulling out the ringed set and flipping through the punched cards
 |
| Punch Ring - Organization |
I've taken this idea to a higher level and write the brand name and title of the demonstrated punch to make putting together the "supplies used" sheet easier to write up after the page or card creation.
(Sorry for the mess. Actual scrapbook page creation in progress)
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