Have you tried...

At Spark last fall, one of our classes was on felting soap.  Totally random.  It was also probably the class I did the worst at.   P.S. that is supposed to be a flower on top.  I know...

The technique basically involves taking this super-fine wool and wrapping it over and over again around a bar of soap using nothing but your hands and a basin of water.  It sounds easy but it was kind of a pain because just as I would get it in place, it would start to unravel and I would have to start over.  But my hands got really clean.  Which was probably a good thing considering I did a lot of painting and mixed media that weekend.

Anyway, I tossed it in my bin of soaps and such and kind of forgot about it until a few weeks ago.  I decided that I would never give it away and it was just sitting there...so I figured what the heck and started using it myself.

Supposedly the wool is supposed to act as a natural exfoliant or something, but to be honest I can't really tell a difference and, although it lathered extremely well at Spark while I was making the darn thing, it hardly lathers at all when I really need it to :)

So my review: skip the felted soap and pick up a loofah instead.

Have you tried...

I love making cards (in case you can't tell) but there is no way that I can come up with thousands (okay-- dozens) of new ideas on my own so I've made a folder with hundreds (okay--that is not an exaggeration) of card recipes. 

At first when I started cardmaking several years ago, I would find a design that I really liked I would try to find the same materials used so I could replicate it exactly.  This often left me frustrated.  Then I realized that it probably wasn't what the designer had in mind in the first place.  Like, "Oh maybe this is just to inspire me to do my own!"  Sometimes I admit I'm not very bright.

Anyway, now I will pull a pattern that I like, such as this one:


                          

I'll look at the supplies they used (i.e., 2 kinds of cardstock, 3 patterned papers, 2 accents, etc.) and just rummage through my stuff until I find something I like.  In this example my card isn't identical, but it is fairly similar.  Sometimes there is no resemblance whatsoever.  I guess it just depends on my mood and what I have on hand.

                        

This has honestly cut the time it takes for me to make a card in half.  If you are a cardmaker, try a recipe every now and then!  My favorite sources are Cardmaker and Paper Crafts Magazines, as well as scrapbook page designs.  I've heard some people even use advertisements or catalogs, but I've tried niether. 

Have you tried...

This wonderful tool is called a Silpat.



(Look closely, you can see the outlines of my football/helmet cookies!)

I first heard about it on one of Martha Stewart's shows. It is a silicone baking sheet which essentially eliminates the need for cooking spray and is much easier to use than parchment paper.

They are sort of pricey so I have never been able to justify getting one. But when my aunt gave us money for Christmas this year, I knew exactly how I was going to spend it! It ended up being on sale at Spoons 'n Spice so I was able to afford a new cookie sheet, too!

Try one. You'll love it. Happy baking!

Have you tried...

...therm o web adhesive?


The stuff is amazing.

As in, "where-have-you-been-all-my-life?" amazing.

I love taking classes at our local Archiver's store. I not only learn new tips and tricks there but I am also introduced to new products that I would normally just pass by in the craft store. Such was the story with Supertape. I had never heard of the stuff before and we used it in the latest class I took. Since then I have seen it all over the place. It had just blended into the background until now. So I'm doing my part and introducing it to YOU!

It's as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Cut the length needed for a project. Adhere the sticky side down.

2. Peel off the protective tape. (They aren't kidding, it is SUPER STICKY! So remove only when you know you are ready to stick the next layer down.)

3. Adhere the final layer, whatever it is.


I'm sure it has dozens of uses, but I largely use it for ribbon. I have hated adhering ribbon to my cards and scrapbook pages because it is either lumpy or it falls off. This is the ultimate solution! Try it; you'll love it.