I can't believe I can say this, but I was actually productive at last week's craft night at my house. I usually avoid working on my scrapbook each month at craft night, because I feel guilty that I'm so behind, but I was determined to use my new scrapbooking goodies from Blue Moon before I put them away and forgot about them. Here's the back-to-school layout I did using this year's photo. Crazy, I know. I still haven't finished this kid's baby album!


I used bits and pieces from Crate Paper's School Spirit line (love it!) as well as paper from Basic Grey's Wander line, and of course, more Japanese masking tape (I told you I was obsessed!). I just like using a little bit here and a little bit there. Can you spot it on this page? I'll give you a little help. . .



I've been so obsessed with the stuff that I persuaded Ginko Papers to do a little giveaway for our readers. So let's do it (wow, two giveaways in a row!). Leave us a comment with the name of your favorite tape bundle from Ginko Papers, and you'll be entered to win a bundle of your choice! Join our e-mail subscription list (on the left sidebar) and you'll be entered a second time (no need to leave a second comment--we'll see you on the subscription list).


Okay, so I'll start. This is my favorite NEW item from Ginko. I love the roses overlaid on the polka dots! And they're turquoise polka dots no less! Perfect. So tell me which one you love, but do it by Monday, October 11, 2010 at 11:59pm. Good luck!

Some of the best treasures I found while in Japan were paper goods. My husband spent his "souvenir money" on food, and I bought paper and tape. Shocking, I know. Washi, which is handmade paper, was everywhere. Even in the 100 yen store (you know, the dollar store). But we found this gorgeous little washi shop a little off the beaten path, and it was worth the walk.


An older Japanese woman ran the shop, and she spent at least a half an hour with us, giving us the play-by-play of making beautiful paper by hand. Her husband was a paper maker, so she knew her stuff. It was hilarious to hear her talk, talk, talk at an amazing speed for five minutes, and then motion to my husband to translate to me. Before he could get a sentence or two out, she'd be talking again. I'm pretty sure I missed most of the conversation. But it was a great experience.


In Hiroshima I begged my husband to take me to Tokyu Hands, the self-proclaimed "creative life" store. Love it. Here I found tons of japanese masking tape--my new obsession! It's a wonderful printed tape that leaves no residue on a surface and can be lifted without tearing paper. The great colors and patterns make for fun crafting. And it's all over Japan!


Luckily, I found a US vendor, Ginko Papers, that carries all the new stuff from Japan. She has an amazing selection. I picked up this set in Hiroshima, and she sent me a few more to try. I am in love!


Here's a card I made with this set. I used it as stripes across the card. When I laid down the first strip, it was crooked. But when I slowly pulled it up, it didn't rip my paper. Yahoo!


This is the 2-page layout I made for some of our Japan pictures. It features both the washi paper I bought and the masking tape. I punched circles out of the washi, and used the tape in several places. Can you spot the tape?


Here's one of them. . .


It was fun to do this layout, especially because I did a layout with pictures from the same place in my husband's Japan scrapbook about 10 years ago! (I'm using the leftover supplies from this book, but it's interesting to see how much my style has changed!)


Check out Ginko Papers and their amazing paper tape! But watch out--your wish list will be long!

I'm back! Japan was absolutely fabulous--more on that later. I still have loads of laundry to do and I've got to go grocery shopping--no more eating out every meal! But I had to show you what was waiting for me when I got back. A package from Blue Moon Scrapbooking, my fave online scrapbooking sites. They're one of our affiliates and they are seriously amazing--I love their videos showing the new product they've gotten in. Eeee! I love getting packages!

I've got a ton of first-day-of-school pics to scrapbook, so Crate Paper's School Spirit chip stickers that they sent will be perfect. I love the colors and the funky boy accents, like a guitar and lots of sports equipment. And of course the little bus is adorable.


I also got a set of the Crate Paper Restoration Collection border stickers. I can't help myself--I always end up adding a little something girly to my boys' pages, so these lace borders in the same colors as the School Spirit collection will be perfect. I also got some of the Basic Grey Wander line which uses the same colors. This Wednesday is scrapbook night at my house--check back to see what I came up with using all these new goodies!


Let's take a little poll while we're on the subject: Have you scrapbooked this year's back-to-school photos yet?

I finally found a place mat I liked to make this place mat purse we posted recently (I found it at Anthropologie), but I thought it needed a little somethin' somethin'. My go-to accent these days is a ruffle. Frilly is good! This easy ribbon ruffle fit the bill perfectly. I also love it for papercrafts (see below).

Easy Ribbon Ruffle Tutorial

Supplies:
*Length of ribbon
*Sewing machine & coordinating thread
*Seam ripper, pencil, or other small, pointed object


1.Put your ribbon under the needle and stitch a few stitches (I have used a straight stitch, zig-zag stitch, and a couple of my decorative stitches, all with great results). Stop with your needle down in the ribbon.


2. Using a seam ripper or pencil tip, push an inch or so of ribbon up toward the needle, forming a ruffle.


3. Continue sewing straight down the middle, right over the top of the ruffle.


4. Continue creating ruffles and sewing over them until your ribbon is the length you want it.


I often alternate the direction of my ruffles, as seen below.


To sew my ruffle ribbon on a project, I simply pinned it in place and sewed over the top of the original stitches.


I used a decorative stitch on this ribbon, and stapled it to this card.


I often use matching thread, but sometimes it's fun to use a contrasting thread, like on this scrapbook page.



As a gift to a friend without a sewing machine, I stitched a few feet of several ribbons into ruffles and included it in her Christmas gift (with other scrapbooking supplies). It's fun to stitch different colors just to have on hand. I {heart} ruffles!

We hope you're all having a wonderful Mother's Day! My favorite part (besides my husband fixing dinner!) was the handmade gifts from my boys. My kindergartener made a book called, My Amazing Mom, and one page said, "My mom is really good at_________." He filled in the blank with "crafting."

Recently I made this mini book to celebrate just that. I don't usually take the time to scrapbook myself, but I got a design team assignment to use this mini album and coordinating die-cut pages from Little Yellow Bicycle. I LOVE this line, Fresh Print Clothesline, but it's rather girlie, and I have boys. So I was it.

I decided to record my love of crafting. It brings a richness to my life, it makes me happy. Okay, I'm obsessed. I love that my kids recognize that this is a part of who I am. But I hope they always know that being their mom is the most important thing in my life. I hope this book inspires you to take some time to document who you are, what makes you happy. It's like giving yourself a little Mother's Day gift. Enjoy!

Here is a tutorial for a simple purse that can be used on almost anything.



You will need:

Ribbon
Glue
Sewing Machine (optional)
String of beads--not sure what this is really called. You can find it at craft stores or cake decorating stores and it is sold by the yard



Fold your purse ribbon in half and then make a pleat at the top.

Sew it in place. If you don't have a sewing machine you can either hand sew it or try gluing it.



Next, glue on your coordinating ribbon and then the purse "handles".



Now add this to your card, scrapbook page, or gift tag!