Egg cups.
Who knew?
I didn't even know until I saw this craft on the THE MAGIC ONIONS blog

These are the things that fill up our lives.
And there is a website which celebrates that.
With an amazing team of fifteen women (which includes Ali Edwards, Elsie Falnnigan and Emily Powers) you are sure to find inspiration every day.



I was recently asked to join this stellar team and my first article is up.
Many times people ask me "Do you sleep?" They can't imagine where I find time to do a variety of cratfy persuits and be a full time Mommy. Well, the answers are in my first contribution to the site.

Click here to read RECLAIMING YOUR TIME where I share three easy steps that have helped me to find time to do what I love.

And don't forget to browse the rest of the site. Articles include recipes, craft projects and tips in many different categories. You are sure to find something which inspires you today!

I have previously owned a laminator made by Purple Cows and was quite happy with it for quite a while. It was a hot laminator and came with a variety of pouch sizes. I used it SO OFTEN, much more than I would have anticipated upon first getting it. But then, after 2 faithful years I put something into the feed crooked and the thing got jammed...permanently.

I was so sad that my Laminator died that I hopped online to replace it and, what do you know, they have a new model with better features and an anti-jam button! Woot! And it laminates both hot and cold. Seems great! So I snatched one up and started in. Here was my experience with this product.



Supplies Software: Adobe Photoshop CS2, Tool: Purple Cows Laminator on Medium Heat, Ribbon: Bo Bunny, Other: Adhesive backed velcro

 First off, it can't get much easier to use. You plug it in, select the temperature you want...either cold, warm or hot. A green light glows when it's heated and ready to go (in 5 minutes) and you feed items into the slot. I did not find anything particularly complicated about this machine. My 5 year old could probably use it (on the cold setting of course).

Here's something which is also cool. The old Hot Laminator which had just one feature, laminating, cost the same as the current model with its extra features and improvements. I am really impressed that Purple Cows made it better without make it more expensive.

Supplies Software: Adobe Photoshop CS2, Tool: Purple Cows Laminator on High Heat, Ribbon: American Crafts

I laminated four different items with this laminator. I tried the cold setting, which had a few air bubbles. I am not really sure what one would use this setting for, unless it was to laminate old documents that were possibly heat sensitive. I tried the warm setting, which is recommended for one to layers of paper. It also turned out fine, with just a few air gaps around the edges of the paper. I ran it through again and those edges sealed. I also laminated thicker items with the hottest setting. This setting produced no air pockets.

It is NOT recommended that you use this product on items thicker than 1 cm. And I would probably say even less than that. I tried three layers of mid-weight cardstock and got a lot of air gaps.

Supplies Cardstock: WorldWin DoubleMates, Software: Adobe Photoshop CS2, Tool: Purple Cows Laminator on High Heat, Other: clip art, binder ring

What I liked:

- I liked the convenience of having a laminator at home. I ended up using it a surprising number of times for various projects and home crafts.

- It is sleek and not too bulky, lightweight and portable if needed.

- I especially like the new features. They really improved this from the last version.

- The price is pretty good. I think for the amount of use I have gotten from this machine, how durable it seems and the additional features that $60 is pretty darn reasonable. Also, these are hitting JoAnns stores in your area as we speak and I am sure you could probably use a 40% off coupon to make it really affordable.

- I could really see myself using this a lot. This weekend my daughters are having a joint birthday party with a ROCK STAR theme and I am creating and laminating a back stage pass for each guest. It's so convenient to do it at home with so much else to plan.


What I disliked:

- There were some air pockets in nearly every project I made. This was easily solved by sending through the machine again, but should you have to?

- As with ALL laminators, some of my projects got a slight bow in them as they came out of the laminator feed. I sent them through again, upside down and that solved the problem. Maybe this is wishful thinking, but I kind of wish they had included a sort of extender arm, like those that catch paper coming out of your printer. If they had one on the front and one on the back which could be retracted, it would solve the slight curling problem, but I think that may be asking a bit much from such a small and home use laminator.

- This product could have MUCH better instructions in the manual that comes with it. As previously stated, it IS very easy to operate, but I tried pushing the release button a few times (which is supposed to fix jams) and it didn't seem to be doing anything. I wasn't sure if that should be pushed while the machine is running or after you turn it off. They also don't give clear recommendation on which heat settings to use for which types of projects. This can be figured out based on experience and I will probably just rock the hottest setting every time.


Where and How Much
Product Name: 13" Hot and Cold Laminator
Manufacturer: Purple Cows
MSRP: $59.95
Currently only available at: purplecows.net or in JoAnns stores (I recently saw this at my local JoAnns in the clearance section for $19.99....go get one people...for real.

Okay, so I have not been a huge fan of all Purple Cows products in the past, so you know I am being straight with you, I really love my laminator. I have used it quite a bit, I love the convenience, the pouches come in a good variety of sizes and are reasonably priced and it works pretty well. I would definitely recommend it to a friend and have already recommended it to a Kindergarten Teacher friend of mine.

What do YOU think? Can you see yourself using a laminator very often? Do you think the price is reasonable?

Yes, that could be the Action Movie title of what I did last night until 3:24 AM.
But look at just ONE of the cute projects I busted out for my article today on The Scrap Review.

I made and laminated this personalized luggage tag inno time using Photoshop and my laminator.

Supplies Software: Adobe Photoshop CS2, Tool:Purple Cows Laminator on High Heat, Ribbon: American Crafts

Wanna see what else I made and read the full review?
Click here!

Japan seems magical.
Based on their textiles, craft items and art.
I got a package from Japan once and the packing tape had small dancing animals on it.

There is something to be said about making a project and have it completely finished and bound in one sitting. I have had a love affair with bound digital scrapbooks for a few years. And the good news is, you can make these scrapbooks with a drop in template and it will take under an hour AND if you sign up for a Shutterfly Account you will periodically get coupon codes fro FREE 8x8" Photobooks.

I ordered this book today. I used this drop in template by Paislee Press called Defined Baby Quick Album in Pink.

Click here to view this photo book.

The finished book will be hardback and after my promotion code cost me a whopping $8.47 for shipping. Oh yeah! That's a deal!

I made a photobook from Shutterfly once before and my children look through it the MOST of any other scrapbook I have ever made. Maybe because it feels like a real book. You can find drop in templates in many themes and styles.

Have you ever made a photobook at a photo site?
If so, did you like the finished product?

There's nothing like a flea market.
Especially if you're a crafter.
I recently found this book, brand new for $5.00
Score!

I was really disappointed with this book.

Although it was filled with beautiful photographs and cute design ideas, the designs themselves were so totally elementary that I am pretty sure you could google and find a free pattern for everything featured. For example, sewing coasters? It's 2 pieces of square fabric sewn together and then top-stitched.

Perhaps a VERY new and beginner level seamstress might like this, or a very young teenager, but to have an entire page dedicated to cutting a letter out of fabric and sewing it onto a white tee shirt seemed like a cop out.

The cute little sewing kit (as pictured on the book's cover) was something I would make, but it is definitely not worth purchasing this entire book.

Have you read this book? If so, did you like it?

Seriously, did you SEE this amazing project from this week's entries of the online craft competition, So You Think You're Crafty?


It's a used suitcase that has been transformed into a dinosaur playland that can close and be stored away. FULL INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE FOUND HERE.

I don't know who made it (it stays secret until voting closes) but whoever did is a genius!
Now, if only we had a little boy so I could make one!
I'm not trying to be sexist...my girls are just NOT INTERESTED.
I've tried.

Maybe I could whip up a Barbie version....
hmmmmmmm.

I used to scrapbook professionally, creating pages from paper and products given to me by magazines and manufacturers. I quit last year when the pressure had made me realize I just wasn't enjoying it anymore. I resigned from many teams, but one stayed.

Paislee Press Digital. Most paper scrapbookers turn their noses up at digital, and I did too until I saw products by Paislee Press and I fell in love.

And now, years later, I am still in love.
Paislee Press is releasing a new Collaborative Kit today at oscraps.com called Everyday, Ordinary. I adore it, especially with my newly found love affair with Mustard Yellow.

Here are three layouts I made using the kit.
Purchase the kit by clicking here.