Finally...

Waiting is finally over. Both USPS and UPS men came in almost at the same time. Wanna see what I've been waiting for? Okay, here you go...

THE CINCH by We R Memory Keeper

So glad I didn't buy the BIA binding machine, I know that soon a better one will come out.  I have a heavy duty binding machine that hubby's work planned on throwing away.  He got it and gave it to me but the drawback was you can only cut 11", 8 1/2" and an A4 sizes.  The machine was technically designed for office binding and because of such reasons, it prevents me from making small projects.  I have a box of chipboards waiting to be used up for projects and scrapbook albums.  I am honestly worried that I will ruin the machine.  Thus my chipboard continues to sit in a corner and collecting dust.  My chipboard sheets were as thick as a wooden ruler and I think it's about .50gauge.  It's thick and heavy.  And I feel like BIA couldn't handle it. Maybe I was wrong but I sure glad I waited and didn't buy the BIA.

By the look of Cinch by We R Memory Keeper, I know I found a perfect tool I need for binding.  I haven't tried it yet but by just looking at the handle and base, I'm pretty sure that it will make binding a breeze.  What I like most about it, is you can make perfect customized holes without the need to measure it.  You can punch up to 12 inches long. Isn't that cool!?  Instructions are easy to understand and it was printed on the platform base of the Cinch. Handle are securely lock too, which will make me feel comfortable when the kids are around.  This machine is big unlike the BIA.  The size is probably the only advantage of BIA over the Cinch.  With my experience in punches, I know that the bigger it is, the better it cuts.  The bigger the punch, the sturdier it is.  I know I will love this machine and looking forward to trying it soon...

MARTHA STEWART HALLOWEEN GLITTER PACK

Okay I wish I don't have to spend money on the other colored glitters.  I think I have enough MS glitter that one of them is actually sitting in the box where I put my duplicates.  In this set, I'm only after the Glow-in-the-dark glitters.  But it is a set, so if I want one, I have to get the whole kit.  This is a sold-out bestseller.  Anyways, MS glitters are actually one of the best in the market and I'm sure I'll find ways to use them all.

MARTHA STEWART CRAFT AND EDGE PUNCH

This is one of the items that you have to get as a set.  I love the crackled effect punches, which you can use in alot of projects not just on Halloween theme.  The spiderweb deep edge punch is awesome too for some ribbon/trim effect that you will need for some Halloween projects or treats.  My mind is thinking too fast on the projects I could make out of this purchases but my hands aren't too quick about it.  Well, who says you have to rush your craft projects?  No one right and anyways, Halloween is still a long way.  I still have enough time to get well before I start rushing for this projects...

Overall, I am so happy with this what I bought.  The good thing about this deal is, I was able to get these toys for a plex pay.  I am so looking forward for the bigtime "I", which I bought together with these goodies.  I'm counting the days till I get to see Mr. UPS Man again but until then, I will have to patiently wait for him to ring the bell and hand me my almost 30lbs gift from dear hubby.

I hope I am not too tired and lazy to do any project today.  But maybe later after I get rested, I will find my mojo to finish up my Halloween cards...  I am thinking of making Maryann a nice birthday present and of course I want to use my new Cinch as the major highlight of my project.  But for now, I'm off to bed to take a nap.  Cya later...

Hero Arts 2010

Since I saw the online 2010 catalog of Hero Arts I've been itching to buy a bunch of their stamps.  Since they're stamps are kindda pricey, I have to limit myself to the ones that I really want immediately.  Over the holidays, I've been collecting clear and rubberstamps that has an Asian element design.  When I saw the 2010 releases, I was so overwhelmed and told myself, I need to have those.  Unknowingly, Cuttlebug will release a nice line of embossing folders with Asian element as their theme.   Asian stamps and Asian CB embossing folder was a perfect tools for an Oriental theme cards and projects. 

Here are pictures of my latest toys:

One of the few images I also start collecting are robots and monsters/creatures.  I think they are so cute!

Since I've spent a good amount of $$$, I got the Hero Arts 2010 Catalog for free (Price:$10). Yipee!

BTW those two cling mounted background stamps on the front?  I think those are Tim Holtz designs exclusively for Hero Arts.

Blessed to have such a loving and thoughful husband...

I am proud to say that I am blessed to have such a loving and thoughtful husband.  Over the long weekend, we were literally exhausted from checking all the furniture and appliances store.  And one afternoon on the way home, we were so tired that I told Ed to pull over in front of Target and grab Jackie a gallon of milk.  And he came out not only with a gallon of water but with these goodies for me and the babies.  Yikes, the house has those alpha and flower stickers all over the place.  Hate picking up those little mess because bending down makes me really, really dizzy but kids had fun so I can't complaint all that much, right!?

Another trip to Tuesday Morning

While in search for a store that sells inexpensive linens, I found another Tuesday morning here and look what I got:

 

These are 25sheet/pack American Craft double-sided die-cut patterned paper

The other side of the patterned paper...

I may not find what I was hoping for at Tuesday morning but its always worth the trip because of their good selection for inexpensive branded scrapbook/stamping supplies.

Unity Stamps at Paper Maniac

Same day we went to Austin,  my package from Paper Maniac was delivered in the house.  I got these babies for 50% off and I wish I could buy some more.  But I promise Ed I would limit my purchases until all the things that we need for the house was bought.

   Better start using these toys....

Weekend trip to Austin

On our search for a better place to buy storage and furniture, we did a 60mile roadtrip to Austin to check Ikea.  And surprisingly, across Ikea is a newly build Joann's Fabric and Craft store.  Would Ed stop me from going there?  Of course not!  Like usual, I was given a time of my own to explore the place and buy whatever I need to buy.  Everything about paper crafting was 40% off and here are the stuff that I took home.

The newly release batch of EK Success edge punches.  When will they stop releasing these babies?  I so love the Argyle. 

Also bought 2 Perfect Medium, which is almost like Versawatermark pad, 4 corner punchers and a couple of rubber stamps.

I can't wait to go back to Ikea again... a perfect excuse to go to Joann's :-)

My first Vera Bradley purse

DH took me to the base exchange here at Ft. Hood.  He wanted me to check the craft section of the BX since there are no Michael's nor AC Moore nor Joann's here.  Yes, I am indeed in a craft deprive area.  This is actually worst than Osan.  But DH promised to drive me as far as Austin as long as his work schedule permits.  BTW, I finally got my first Vera Bradley purse.  I actually like a bunch of these purses but limit myself to the most inexpensive one.  Call me cheap charlotte but I think I picked the prettiest one.  Isn't it gorgeous? Love the color combo, makes me want to dig into my craft supplies at the back of our trailer.  DH also took me to a Filipino grocery store yesterday.  They have an awesome supplies and I treated myself and the kids to a great bunch of Pinoy junk foods. 

Romance and Asian Cuttlebug Embossing Folders Series

I just found out this morning that there was already two series of embossing folders that's being released. Okay, I know I made a promise to myself to stop buying for the meantime while, at least until we get settled here in Texas.  But... I can also compromise because I still intend to buy embossing folders, MS and EK punches and Cricut cartridges.  No stamps for awhile and the whole plan is to acquire them before the year is done, so I can take advantage of the holiday special deals. These series are only exclusive and once its gone, they're gone for good.  Make sure to treat yourself with these goodies...

 

Holiday Splurging

1.) Paper - Paper, paper and more paper.  Why can't I just stop accumulating paper?  Now, that I've been using my Cricut alot, I was using more and more cardstock.  I have tried PTI, Bazzill, DCWV, and Martha Stewart.  I love PTI but they have very little assortment.  The price is a big plus for this brand, they are very affordable.  Bazzill is the perfect one for all sorts of paper crafting especially with Cricut.  DCWV, is the perfect choice for layering cards. I honestly don't like the idea that I can see the white core off pieces that was cut by Cricut.  I also love Martha Stewart but the big set back was the price and it's a little bit hard to coordinate with patterned paper unless of course you'll use the same brand for designer paper.  I am thinking once we get settle, I will buy a bunch of colors of cardstock but still not sure what brand to get.  Price and thickness are the biggest factors.  I found that Ellen Hutson's store sells Memory Box and it has huge collection of cardstock but very pricey, $3.99 for 10pieces.

2.) Tools - It seems like crafter's like me who aside from doing crafting are also into collecting.  It is really kindda hard to keep up with what's new in the market.  It seems like before you can actually save money for buying your wishlist, another batch is already out in the market.  Most of my tool purchases were not bought out of impulsiveness.  I made sure that I read alot of reviews and SCS is the best place to do it.  Although I must admit that I also bought some tools that just doesn't serve its purpose.

This season is actually the best time to acquire things that you really want.  You  take advantage of the season, because most stores are getting rid of their inventories before the year end. 

Yehey, DH let me buy a new Singer 2932 sewing machine.  Been eyeing one since Thanksgiving.  Leigh-Ann of Joann's Fabric made sure I would get my toy before Christmas even if the item didn't fall on an Express Shipping promo offered.

 These toys are after Christmas sales from Michaels.  They were 70% plus if I used a 20% coupon from their newspaper ad.  The large lace craft punch is a regular ticked price but I was able to use my 50% coupon for that.  BTW, Michaels has their MS Valentine release displays already.

I bought these embossing kit for my Slice machine and got it at 40% off at Michaels.

 

* Finally, I do not have to cut in a 6X6 glass mat that my Slice Machine came with.  I'm wasting more papers using it.  I finally got this 12X12 and what's great about it, I got it from Joann's at 40% off.

* I also got the Tonic Studio - Tim Holtz non-stick serrated scissors, which is considered as one of my best buy this holiday.  I bought Hot Craft Knife for trimming off rubber from rubberstamps couple months ago.  I find it hard to use and considering I have an injured shoulder/arm, it was not fun at all. I prefer using the scissors over this knife.

* Somehow one of my craft box got lost in the mail and lost my Scor-Pal.  I was debating if I will get the MS Scor-board that crafters are raving about or should I try getting score blade for my Fiskar personal paper trimmer.  Bought the blade but didn't get the result I've been hoping for.  That leaves me with the decision to get the MS scor-board.

Here it is!  I went back to Michaels again couple days ago and I found this in the MS aisle, smiling back at me.  Ticketed price was $19.99 which is really great versus the $39.99 Scor-Pal.  When I was in the counter, I realized I didn't have my coupon but the nice cashier said no worries, I got tons of that here.  So I got this toy at 40% off.  This toy is so much easier to use that the other brand. The extra groves, storage, enveloper and size charts are some of its highlights.  This is a 5-star purchase and a must-haves.

Like what I said earlier, the holiday punches are on sale on Joann's and Michaels.  I also got myself an embossing folder kit for Cricut and a Camp Out solution cartridge.  A good buy for people who are having a hard time making masculine card.  This cartridge has an outdoor theme.

Yummy, got these toys at 70% off at one of the local scrapbook store here.  I guess, they are getting ready for the next release.

Also got these Quickutz goodies for 70% off.

These Impressabilities are the first one that was ever release.  Ordered it from my craft supplier Michelle and unfortunately, she couldn't get hold of the new ones.  I already have 2 of these, so I gave the other two to a friend of mine, Jerosha, as a Christmas present.

An after Christmas deal.  I been eyeing these cartridges but failed to get them during pre-Christmas deal.  Locker talk is needed especially if you are making projects that pertains to school.

3.) Stamping suuplies - When is it easy to tell yourself that you have enough rubber and you don't need anymore?  Well, for me its not that easy.  I just love character stamps and some good deals over the holiday season was just hard to pass.  There's one more box coming and it has High Hopes stamps.  I really have to try harder not to buy anything until I make use of these goodies:

These stamps and Spellbinder dies were 40% off at Joann's before Christmas.  I wish I could buy all of the Crafty Secrets stamps but I instead spent it buying it with big tools that was highly needed.

Who doesn't love Anya of The Greeting Farm stamps?  They are so gorgeous.  These are the bunch that I still don't have in my stash.  The ones on the top was their latest release.

For 2 years now, I been wanting to buy the stamp kits of Pink Cat Studio but they are so pricey.  Finally, over the holidays 7kidscollegefund offered this at 30% plus extra 20% with a coupon.  Another good deal!

These MFT goodies were on sale too and I just love the "Pure Innocence" stamp line.  It just it took them awhile before shipping these goodies.  No complaints though...  I can't wait till I can play with these goodies.

 

These are Inkadinkado, Hero Arts and Hampton Arts rubber stamps that were 40% off.

Finally, I have now the different colors of Memento inkpads and dew drops.  I been wanting these stamps for months now.  Thanks Michelle!

 

Wish I could have the complete set of Memento markers. Well, I can't have it all, right!? I can always add it to my wishlist, right!?

4.) Embellishments - These were the embellishment that I got as Christmas gift and some I picked at different stores here and there during several trips during the holidays.

 

 

 

5.) Adhesives:  I may need to try more adhesives in the market while my ATG gun is out of service.  Adtech mono-refill may be good but I am using it like crazy.

 

 

Hopefully, these will be the last purchases I will do for my crafting for the meantime and should do my best to stay away from buying at least until next holiday.

A side trip to Jo-ann's and Tuesday Morning today

Been hearing so much rave about how great stuff are being sold at Tuesday Morning.  Some people says that its like Ollie's but I think they're alot different.  Tuesday morning is so much neater and everything are on shelves and neatly arrange according to what they are.   Staff are much friendlier and nicer.

Here's the bargain stuff I got from Tuesday morning:

 

Found this set of scissors at Jo-ann's today for 50% plus I grabbed a bunch of Christmas gift wraps, which are 70% off.