Category: trends and new products

My friends at Scrapbook.com contacted me and asked if I would check out the Spellbinders Platinum 6 machine and some dies. Always looking for a good new tool – I thought of course! I am delighted to tell you that this surpassed my expectations and definitely has my recommendation.

note – affiliate links are used in this post

What I really liked about the Spellbinders Platinum 6 machine:

• sides fold up for easier storage and transportation
• all the plates I could possibly want or need were included
• great cut on thick paper with one run through
• will work on all the embossing folders and dies that I have already

In short – it did exactly what I’d want from a die cutting machine! I created a video showing it in action (in my new studio setup!) as well as a project idea with the Tammy Tutterow flowers.

I prefer to die cut first, then emboss. You can do it either way but I find it can “smoosh” or otherwise damage the quality of your embossing to die cut after embossing.

One of my favorite (but rarely used) techniques is to ink die cut shapes over paper (vs a craft mat) so that I can get depth of color and build layers on my background. I just love how subtle this is! I also love that by embossing a shape you get different color when applying ink to the raised areas.

I have several more ideas for this die cut set and embossing folder – and I’ll be sharing projects with them as I love to show you more than one idea for any given product – so do stay tuned! If you’re looking for the Spellbinders things that I used I worked with the Platinum 6 machine (on SALE at time of this post!), Posies dies, and overlapping circles embossing folder.

Thank you to scrapbook.com and spellbinders for inviting me to check this out – I always love a good craft tool!

It isn’t often I walk into my local scrapbook shop and find something I have no idea exists – and it delights me when it happens! On this particular day, I became totally smitten with Doodlebug “mini icon” stickers. Basically, you get two (identical) sheets of adorable stickers that match their lines, and are sized much smaller to better fit projects of mine. Color me excited!

Note: affiliate links are used below. Should you choose to use them, they help support this site so thank you in advance!

There are a few key differences namely that the stickers are on a much thinner paper (vs heavy cardstock), and of course the size. The decorative strip down the side isn’t “cut out”- but you can easily cut it yourself into a sticker which I think is a lot of fun. You could punch shapes into it, use a die cut machine to cut it, or just use scissors and cut a strip!

I really like them for journaling cards, and I think they’ll be great on greeting cards as well. I’m always looking for little decorations for my scrapbook journaling cards and this is much faster (and let’s be honest  – better done) than me stamping, coloring, and cutting out all these images. Lovely!

I also know these will be great in my planner! I like that I can mix & match some to fit any design or spread. Immediately I claimed the really cute cherry on top cake for my own birthday.

Simon Says Stamp (link) has a great assortment of the mini icon stickers- including the dragon ones my daughters just can’t get enough of.

Scrapbook.com just got the new Yankee Doodle ones that have the cutest little camper and fun fireworks too.

Both girls have taken sheets (lucky that there are 2 sheets of each design!) to begin adorning their school year planners for next year. It’s June after all – and that means the new planners are out (terrifying! time flies!) and they’re having a blast decorating special dates and just the corners of things where it would otherwise be plain.

I really hope we continue to see these from Doodlebug because this size (along with the absolutely adorable designs) works so well for gift wrap, tags, cards, journaling cards, planners – and more! I love seeing long time favorite companies continue to update and adjust products to work for even more kinds of paper crafting.

I get overwhelmed with all the AMAZING products that seem to come out constantly! This being my favorite season, it’s even more intense! As all things pumpkin take over I’m getting cozy here in the studio and getting crafty! Here’s the goodies that have me most excited right now – aka my fall crafty picks! Of seemingly 100s of new options it is never easy to narrow it down – but these are all things I’ve purchased recently.

From the pumpkin everything stamp (clearly made for me!) to the awesome stitched leaves you’ve seen me use to the wonderful buttons – Loving all this stuff and what it adds to my collection. I really try to limit actual “themed” items that I bring in because I find I can mix with color mediums and general products like the sequins and buttons above. My top recommendations to you when considering new (seasonal or themed) products:

• Three projects you envision using it on right away
• If you have anything already that is similar
• If it has life outside the season/theme

For example, the new Lawn Fawn stitched leaves can be for any season. Adding in metallic, orange, or rusty type colors are the same! Even the Pebbles round stamps will work for food projects year-round! Some of these products have already shown up here, with more to come!

In case you’re drawn to any of these things as I was here’s the list of links. Note that when available I use affiliate links – no cost to you it just helps me keep things running around here!

Neat & Tangled “pumpkin everything” stamp

Crate Paper After Dark paper (bluemoon scrapbooking)

Pebbles Harvest Stamps (Blue Moon, Scrapbook.com)

Lawn Fawn Stitched Leaves (Ellen Hutson, Simon)

Lawn Fawn Happy Harvest (Ellen Hutson, Simon)

Lucy’s Cards sequin mix

Crate Paper “house” (Scrapbook.com)

Buttons Galore & More Orange Haberdashery (Scrapbook.com) or another good option is tangerine (Amazon)