I don't usually talk about products if I don't love them, but I felt like this might be an elephant in the crafting space no one is talking about. If you've been around the card-making world a minute and you love alcohol markers specifically Copics, then you've heard about Neenah Solar White. It is professed to be the magic paper for color with alcohol markers. For me, it is not. When I first bought my Copic markers I had to have the magic paper. I drank the cool-aid and bought a small package of Neenah Solar White 80-pound. I was so excited to get the paper, I couldn't wait to try it. Was it magic? No, I hated it. I still have most of that small ream and it's collecting dust on the shelf. How could I hate the magic paper? I struggled with marker bleed. On every single project. No matter how careful and lighthanded I colored with my amazing alcohol markers, I ended up with marker bleed. I was so frustrated and terribly disappointed. I began to ques...

Over the years, letter writing and snail mail have become a lost art. Then came the chaos of 2020, and we saw a bit of a resurgence. I enjoy sending cards and handwritten notes and don't do it anywhere near enough. 2022 is the year I'm trying to change that. Are you a sender of handwritten notes, cards, and letters? If you aren't, I'd encourage you to start. They mean so much more to people than the mundane email or text message, read more about the value of sending handmade notes here. Today's post is about a few tools that might make letter writing and card correspondence more enjoyable. The Lettermate Envelope Addressing Guide will help you get the address straight every time. I love mine when I remember to use it. If your goal this year is to learn hand-lettering, this could be an essential tool. If you're looking for some beautiful hand-lettering examples and great resources, check out The Postman's Knock , she does some amazing lettering an...

Ask any maker, everyone has their favorite inks. The inks you love depend on your style and the techniques you love creating with. I have several brands and types of ink in my studio, but I really love five of them. These are the inks I reach for the most to create the perfect blends or stamp the perfect image. I've used affiliate links below if you're interested in snagging a few of these for your collection. Gina K. Designs Amalgam Ink - This is my go-to for stamping images I'm going to be coloring. This ink is ideal for all the coloring mediums I use including Copics, colored pencils, and watercolor. I love the new obsidian black because it's such a true sharp black, a very black black. VersaFine Black Onyx - I have one word - sentiments. I stamp nearly every sentiment with this ink. In my opinion, there is no better ink for a sharp, crisp sentiment. It's especially good for tiny text stamps. VersaFine is also great if you want crisp black embossing...

Abandoned Cart Syndrome is a real thing, right? Well, it may not be a real syndrome, but it is a real phenomenon that happens to every online shop. Don't pretend like you haven't done it. I'm pretty sure we're all guilty of it at some point. So what is Abandoned Card Syndrome? Abandoned Card Syndrome is the art of filling an online shopping cart and then leaving the site, never to return and complete the purchase. Is that really a bad thing? I'm not gonna say it's a bad thing, but from a shop owner's perspective, it's a bit frustrating. Would you go to a big box store, fill a cart, and then leave the cart and walk out of the store? I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. As an online shop owner, I can see every sale that wasn't completed. If I'm lucky the shopper went far enough through the checkout process to leave an email address. If an email address was entered and then the cart was abandoned an automated email is sent out to ...

We're never too old for stocking stuffers!  I'll not disclose my age, but if we're home at Christmas time I always remind my Hubby he has to fill my stocking for Christmas morning.  I think he rolls his eyes when I'm not looking, but he fills it anyway. Today's Gift Guide is a one-stop-shop kind of thing, all little goodies for you stocking stuffing needs from Scrapbook.com .  All of the products are linked below!  Happy Shopping!!

I know what you're thinking, who wants storage solutions for Christmas.  Honestly?  Only EVERY MAKER I KNOW!  This is like a secondary hobby for any maker.  We're always looking for ways to sort or supplies.  These are just a few of my faves. Wire Baskets - Not just any wire baskets, but wire baskets that fit a pegboard.  These have been a game-changer for me.  I store my Distress Oxide pads right next to my desk in these baskets and I use them so much more now. Rolling Storage Cart - This is only one version of rolling cart in my studio.  These were part of the upgrade that I did over the summer.  I wanted more surface area for things but wanted it to be mobile.  When I don't need the surface they roll under my desk.  I store my watercolors, ink refills, paper scraps, label maker and so many other things in the drawers. Metal Pegboard - I love these so much!  They look pretty, are super sturdy, and secure to the wall in six...

These are what I feel are the must-have tools of 2020.  Some of them are tools I own and a few of them are on my own Christmas wish this year. All of the links are affiliate links to Scrapbook.com.  Using my links won't cost my shoppers anything, but I will earn a little commission if you choose to use them.  Ready?  Let's dive in!    Sizzix Heat Tool - Perfect for embossing with dual settings.  My heat tool died after 20 years of love and use and it's time to add a new one to the tool stash. Tim Holtz Craft Knife - Newly redesigned to use standard blades and it's retractable.  Is there anything better?  I would love to add this to my crafting tools this holiday season, as I'm tired of keeping track of a craft knife lid.  We won't even mention accidental stablings I've done to my hands over the years. Fiskars Trimmer - I've been using this trimmer for YEARS!  I love this version with the wire and how easy it is to use.  I ha...

We all have our faves, right?  Your favorite inks depend on your creative style and how you make.  I have lots of inks in my studio, but I only have five that I use nearly every time I create.  Let's talk about why these are my faves and what I use them for.  Gina K. Designs Amalgam Ink - This is my go-to for stamping images I'm going to be coloring.  This ink is ideal for all the coloring mediums I use including Copics, colored pencils, and watercolor.  I love the new obsidian black because it's such a true sharp black. VersaMark Watermark Ink - I grab this ink anytime I'm going to do some embossing.  I've tried other embossing inks and always go back to Versamark.  The results are clean and crisp, even with fine detail stamps. VersaFine Black Onyx - I have one word - sentiments.  I stamp literally every sentiment with this ink.  In my opinion, there is no better ink for a sharp, crisp sentiment.  VersaFine is also great if ...

Hello Lovely!  Who doesn't love a good sale?  What's better than a good deal on crafty goodness?  Let's have a little peek around the interwebs and see what's happening. Scrapbook.com -  is offering 20% to 50% off all Stamping Supplies (Sale ends July19, 2018) My Favorite Things  - is Celebrating their 12th birthday by giving away a FREE Birthday Ballon Die while supplies last. Simon Says Stamp - Now is the time to start your Copic habit or stock up if you're already an addict.  Simon is helping you save with their  25% off Copics Sale ! What are you doing still reading this?  Go grab some of these great deals.  

Letter writing and snail mail are becoming a lost art, but I still love sending cards and handwritten notes.  Do you send handwritten notes, cards, and letters?  If you don't, you should.  They mean so much more to people than the mundane email or text message.   I'll admit I've gotten out of the habit myself as of late, but I'm working my way back into sending "Happy Mail".  Handwritten notes can brighten the toughest of days.  Writing a note and dropping it in the mail, whether it be a card, letter or even post card can also bring you, the writer, joy.  Here are a few tools to make letter writing and card correspondence more enjoyable. The Lettermate Envelope Addressing Guide will help you get that address straight every time.  I love mine, when I remember to use it.  This is essential if you're into the art of hand-lettering.  If you're looking to learn hand-lettering I would suggest you visit  The Postman's Knock , she...

We all have that list.  You know, this list of items you'd have to take to a desert island with you, that list of items you use in nearly everything you create.  I thought I'd confess the ones I can't live without.  These are my nine most used, can't live without tools. Affiliate links are used at no additional charge to yo u Kokuyo Tape Glue Dot Liner Long tape, Refill cartridge 5 Pack, Shop at: SSS | AZ Kokuyo Tape Glue Dot Liner Long-Blue Shop at: SSS | AZ Ranger Ink - Multi Medium - Matte - .5 Ounce Shop at: SSS | SB | AZ Scotch Indoor Mounting Tape, 0.75-inch x 350-inches, White, 1-Roll Shop at: AZ Simon Says Stamp STITCHED RECTANGLES Wafer Dies Shop at: SSS Tsukineko VersaFine Pigment Ink Pad - Onyx Black Shop at: SSS | AZ Tsukineko Versamark EMBOSS INK PAD Watermark Shop at: SSS | SB | AZ Strathmore - 9 x 12 Bristol Smooth Paper Pad - 20 Sheets Shop at: SSS | SB | AZ Dahle Vantage 10671 Self-...