Scrapbook.com was having a 40% off sale on the Fiskars Threading Water border punch last week so I jumped at the chance to own this hot new scrapbook punch. At the same time, I decided to get the Fiskars Lacy Days of Summer border punch since I wanted to get that one anyway.

The punches are a little awkward to use at first, but once you do a couple test punches you start to get the hang of it (view the finished layout using the Threading Water border punch). Also if you don’t already have a self-healing cutting mat, now would be the time to get one especially if you want to get one of these border punches. And if you’re wondering how a border punch like this works, you can actually see a demo video of the punch here at Scrapbook.com.

Just to let everyone know. I’m really not lazy at all. I’m sitting in an SEO and blog feed session at SES San Jose realizing I don’t blog enough. I promise I will have a huge update when I get back.

BTW the Google Dance was awesome.

Get Well with Fun & Fast Notes, originally uploaded by krisalis903.

What a weekend. I really needed it though because I was really lacking some R&C (rest & creativity). I finally got around to unpacking my stuff from the retreat earlier this month. Yes, you heard that correctly. My craft supplies were still packed from the retreat I went on almost 3 WEEKS AGO. No wonder I wasn’t getting any scrapping or cardmaking done.

I took photos of some of my scrapbook layouts today. The book is still coming along slowly which isn’t going so well since pretty soon 2008 will be over and then I’ll have to start working on that. Anyway, you can find my pages here.

Anyway here’s one I made using Kristina’s latest color challenge. I definitely need to get back into doing challenges. They really get me thinking creatively.

Welcome to my Sickness!, originally uploaded by krisalis903.

So I have seen the dark side… and I discovered I actually kinda like it!

This is one of my finished pages and my favorite so far. I do like scrapbooking so far, but boy, it’s definitely more frustrating than making cards that’s for sure. I mean you have more elements to think about: the photos, the layout, the journaling, the embellishments, etc. I don’t know how anyone can actually look forward to it.

Still, I have to admit I have a lot of fun with it. I guess it’s somewhat like a sadomasochistic high. No matter how much torture I put myself through just thinking about a page, I ultimately enjoy it. Yep, sicko I know.

Fun & Fast Notes, originally uploaded by krisalis903.

My first card with the Nestabilities. Loving it!

Cardstock: So Saffron, Old Olive, Rose Red, Very Vanilla (Stampin’ Up); Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes (Stampin’ Up); Embellishments: Papaya ribbon (The Ribbon Retreat), S.E.I. Button, Paper flower (American Crafts)

Nestabilities!!, originally uploaded by krisalis903.

YES!! They arrived earlier than I expected! Nevertheless THEY’RE HERE. I’m so excited. Unfortunately in all my excitement I completely forgot to buy the tan embossing mat, but that’s ok. I should be able to pick it up at my local scrap store tomorrow.

I’M SO FREAKIN EXCITED!!

Ribbon Weave Card, originally uploaded by krisalis903.

I’m really excited about this year’s scrapbook retreat at the Lakeshore Lodge. Honestly it’s been a couple months since I’ve sat down at my craft table and done crafty things so it’ll be nice to just get away and spend time with friends and craft away.

I’ve started preparing already. I’m buying all the supplies I need this week. And guess what? I’ve also ordered two complete Nestabilities sets (rectangle and circle). It was a huge splurge but I know it’ll be worth it. I’m SO excited. I’m even getting all my stamps in order for the retreat. I’m going to finish unmounting them this week and next week once I get a few more sheets of the EZ Mount which are currently on order. AND i’m printing more photos for my scrapbook. These next couple weeks will be PACKED.

Ribbon Weave Card: Inspired by this one. Cardstock: Soft Sky, Old Olive, So Saffron (Stampin’ Up); Ribbon: Papaya (The Ribbon Retreat); Embellishments: White paper flower (American Crafts), Flower Fusion felt flower (Stampin’ Up), Crystal brad (Making Memories); Stamps: Lots of Thoughts (Stampin’ Up).

What happened to Craftmemo.com? I was going to update my inventory when I discovered the host wasn’t resolving. Gone for good? That makes me sad.

My First Layout!!, originally uploaded by krisalis903.

So I made my first attempt at scrapbooking this weekend. This was the second meetup I went to at The Scrapbook Barn and I had a great time. The crop room was pretty packed that night. I only wished I could’ve met all of the members of the social club. The group of ladies I sat with though were still awesome though.

Nice and Neat, originally uploaded by krisalis903.

Several weeks ago I began the task of unmounting my rubber stamps. It’s been a pretty easy albeit time consuming process, but the rewards are well worth the effort. I have about 22 stamp sets total, all of which I kept in a 12×12 drawer that was intended to be for paper but was converted for stamp storage instead. I’ve unmounted over half of it already. Here’s a photo of what my storage drawer used to look like:

And here’s what the drawer looks like now:

The ones I have left to unmount are the really small rubber stamps that would require the thinner EZ Mount. It’s recommended to use the thinner foam cling on stamps smaller than 1″ to prevent “rocking” and uneven images when stamping.

Storing Unmounted Rubber Stamps

I’m still trying to solve the problem of storing my unmounted rubber stamps. Right now I have them in old CD cases with the CD tray removed, which is working right now. But when I think about longterm storage and portability, I may have to think of something else like using the Stamp ‘N Store storage panels. It would suck having to find a way to carry 20-30 CD cases to a scrap night or retreat.

Another thing about storing stamps in CD cases is the cases are rather flimsy. If you don’t have a full case, or if your stamps are on the thinner EZ Mount and therefore not thick enough to hold up the case walls, you may end up with some cracked stamp cases. When closed, CD cases also have a gap at the hinge to allow them to lay flat when opened (see below).

However, when the CD case is opened flat, there’s minimal gap between the two panels:

So far I haven’t seen any reason to go back to the way I was stamping. I’m really loving the unmounted stamps not only for the ample storage space it’s freed up, but also for the ability to see where the stamp is being place. Granted, there will still be a need for a Stamp-a-majig
for even more precise stamp placement, but being able to see through the stamping block is a great help. Mine is already ordered. I can’t wait!

Thank You, originally uploaded by krisalis903.

I haven’t done much stamping lately. I actually made this card a few weeks ago prior to my computer crashing. This is my favorite color combination so far.

Supply List:
Stamp Set: Short & Sweet

Card Stock: So Saffron, Groovy Guava, Very Vanilla

Embellishments: Paper flower from K & Co.; American Crafts ribbon

Tools: Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots embossing Folder

Emily from JoyfulAbode.com featured my studio area in her Creative Spaces series on her blog. I’m so excited to be a part of it! She’ll be highlighting creative spaces on her blog throughout the month of February so please make sure to check out all the lovely ladies who’ve been featured.