How Did I Live Without These?

Okay, between my new Slice, my newly "discovered" Pazzles and my new Texture Boutique, I am in total craft heaven!  Really, how did I ever live without them before?

I have fallen in love with accordion-fold flowers and have been dying to try my hand at one using my Fiskars scalloped edge border punch.  Here is a thank you card with this technique. 

I added a die cut made with my Slice, a vintage button from my grandmother's collection, a crimped strip of white paper, some ribbon and some inking for dimension - voila, a striking flower.  I matted it on cardstock embossed/inked with a Tim Holtz clock pattern which I think is just gorgeous.  (I seriously need more embossing folders; they are just too awesome!)

New Toy

I'm having fun with my new toy - my Making Memories Slice die cut machine.

I know it is a little late for holiday cards, but I had some holiday colored

Bazzil scraps that just begged to be cut.

I used The Stamps of Life Penguins4Christmas and Butterfly2Build sets,

some embossing powder and bling to decorate the negative cut of a present.

Thought it came out pretty cute.  Can't wait for some new design cards for

more fun with my Slice machine!

How to be a Miser

I am a big fan of discount stores like Big Lots and Tuesday Morning.  They are generally a good deal in comparison to retail for the same brand but certain brands charge a premium - some deservedly so and some not so much.

I find it is always important to have a price point in mind of what I am willing to pay for an item.  My rule of thumb is no more than 10 cents per sheet of scrapbook paper/cardstock; less than $10 for a full scrapbook kit (12x 12 album included); $1 for a sheet of stickers (5x7); $6 for a sheet of acrylic stamps (5x7), etc.  This keeps me from going overboard even when the product is adorable.  I'm not tempted by a price tag that boasts 40% off retail.  Retail is often over-priced.

My latest toy is one example.  My local Tuesday Morning has had the original Making Memories Slice starter kit (with embossing tips, embossing mat, 3 pens/pen tips, etc.) for $129.  Original retail was $149.  It went on clearance for $99.  Score, right?  Not really.  It is not their newest model.  I just couldn't justify a hundred bucks especially since I would have to invest even more money in design cards to make the Slice really useful.

So, I waited and waited and this President's Day, Tuesday Morning offered an additional 40% off clearance prices.  I grabbed it and am very glad I did.  The little machine works great and there are good Ebay deals on the older design cards ($10 per versus the original retail of $50).  All good things to those who wait!  Skrimp N Skrap!