More Notebooks

Now that everyone (except for Pickle's Mom...sorry...I am getting yours sent with the shirt you let me borrow!) has received their RAKs, I can post them!

I made this notebook for Christy. I actually know her IRL! We met through scrapbooking when I lived in Colorado Springs. She is an awesome girl with a gorgeous family! Since I moved away, she has become a SU demo, so I knew I wanted to make her a notebook that was mainly SU. In addition, I just had to use purple, as she adores that color! I am so glad we have reconnected through this blogging world!

This notebook was made for a dear friend here in Japan. (BTW, I am addicted to making these little notebooks! They are so fun!)

Sorry it has been a week since my last post. I have actually been creating my hind end off, just procrastinating the actual uploading of the proof of my work! ;) This week I have completed 8 scrapbook layouts! I am 2 years behind...I need to get crackin'...plus, it uses up my paper stash!

(If you don't know about my little paper addiction, you can read about it here. Quite frankly, that post will probably make you feel a lot better about yourself, kind of like watching Dr. Phil and thinking "Yeah, my life is not so bad after all...look at that person"...I am "that" person!! I am on a self-prescribed paper buying sabbatical. **sigh** So many pretty papers...and I have to resist...)

Remember this Post?

So, remember back to this post where I said I would make a little something special to the first 5 people who commented? Well, the projects are complete and all mailed out! 2 of my invisible friends have received their goods, so I thought I would post what I made for them. :)

As a side note, I have never altered anything in my life! What possessed me to do so for this little project is beyond me! I was just thinking that I wanted to do something more than a card.

This notebook was made for Heather. She is an amazing woman who not only has 7 children, but she is also a demo and Girl Scout Leader. (I am sure she does more, but I was exhausted after just typing that out!) At any rate, I thought she would like this notebook with Girl Scouts on the cover.

This notebook was made for Naomi. Naomi is not only in one of my blogger groups, but we chat on Facebook as well. She is an energetic person and talented crafter! I have also learned she has a fondness for coffee! Her notebook had to have a coffee theme. I know, this is difficult to admit, but I only have ONE coffee stamp, which is Christmas themed. I masked out the candy cane and hope I gave it more of an all season feel.

There are more projects to come, but I don't want to spoil the surprise for those that have not received their packages yet. :) Thanks for looking!

More ATG Information

I have had several questions arise based on my ATG comparison, so I wanted to take a moment to address them:

If I am right handed, will I like the ATG 50?
Rest assured, you will like it! I own the ATG 50 and I am right handed. Until I used my friend's 714 for the comparison, I did not know about the difference in where the tape sits on the roller. Honestly, you get used to your product. I do think based on where the tape rolls you are able to get more precise with the 714, so if you like to apply tape right to the edge of something, you might consider spending the extra money for the 714. If you just want tape within a 1/4 inch or so, the ATG 50 will be fine. There is no real learning curve with the use of this product. One card and you will be good to go...and wonder how you survived without it!

Can the ATG 50 hold 1/2" tape?
Yes, the ATG 50 can be used for 1/4" and 1/2" tape, and I am pretty sure larger, but I am not sure a crafter would use anything bigger than that. You can even change the roll mid-way if you like. Just note that if you take a roll out when it not completely used, you will not have the leader to thread it back through when you re-load that size. This is not a big deal at all, but it would "waste" about 10" of tape.

The ATG 714 (red gun) is only for 1/4" tape, but you could get the ATG 700 (yellow gun) and run 1/2" tape with that. It has an optional adapter you can purchase to use 1/4" tape with it.

What size tape do you prefer?
I like the 1/4". If I need wider, I can just lay down another line next to the first one. :)

Are the ATG's Cost Effective?
YES!!! (I am jumping up and down as I write that as well; can you see me?!) I checked prices this AM and for one roll of ATG-7502 tape, which is the 1/4", it is $1.95. That is for 108 feet of tape!

For comparison, the SU SNAIL adhesive refill is 39.3 feet and sells for $4.50. You are getting 69 more feet of tape for less than 1/2 the price.

Scotch 1/2" double sided tape is $4.08 for 75 feet. Again, you get a ton more tape for less cost.

The initial investment of the gun pays off after a few refills!

Bottom line: You "need" a gun! Just pick one and go for it! :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It is March 17th in Japan, so I can get away with sending you "early" wishes for a pinch-free day! :) And who better to do that with, than Bella?!!

Stamps: Goodluckabella
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, Mellow Moss, PTI Ivory, Spring Flowers
Ink: Nick Bantock Lamp Black, Copics (W1, E47, E37, E33, R22, R20, BG96, BG93, E00, E93, Y11)
Accessories: SU Hodgepodge Hardware, Twill Ribbon, Stickles

Wishing you pots of gold behind every rainbow...
Thanks for looking!

Retail Therapy

I always get really, really excited when Just Cards arrives in my mailbox. I have been submitting cards there regularly for almost a year now. I get a little hopeful that by chance, one of mine will get picked up.

Volume 13 arrived today...and I tore into it right in the Post Office parking lot! Woo Hoo! 4 cards made this issue!

DH and I had a chance to Skype earlier so I shared my excitement with him! He emphatically said "That's great Babe, but how much is this going to cost me?"

Oh, he knows me so well...LOL...how 'bout some new Nesties?? :)

True Friend

When I was looking for a project o post tonight, I came across this card I made a few weeks ago. How little did I know at the time it would be perfectly suited for such an evening!

Deployments are nothing new to me. In my 12 years of marriage, DH and I have been apart probably half of that time. What makes this one more "special" is that we are living in a foreign country. On a day to day basis, I hardly notice (except for not being able to read the street signs!). Then...you get sick...and don't have another adult to help you out, or family even remotely close by!

This past week my 2 older kids and I got sick with some yucky URI. It really kicked me in the rear! I was blessed to have friends that brought groceries, homemade soup, took my 3 year old so I could rest, gave me flowers...seriously, I was SO appreciative. Military spouses ROCK!

So, here is my card with a sentiment that is fitting for all my "girls":

Stamps: True Friend (SU)

Paper: Sahara Sand, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Blue, Chatterbox DSP

Ink: Marker to Stamp: Really Rust, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Blue

Accessories: Rhinestone Brads, Kiwi Kiss Ribbon

Thanks for looking! I promise to make it by all my blogger girls shortly with some love!