Look what I found ...

Dear Scrap Tales followers:

I uncovered a few secrets at the store today and since I have access to the blog, I am going to let you in on a few -- just don't tell them I was the one who told!

For starters, there are a couple of Tim Holtz's Vagabonds in stock. I didn't get too close (I'm not good at resisting temptation), but the box was almost worth the price of admission all on its own. Hurry in before this batch sells out and you have to wait, again ...

And, as I was getting ready to check out, I saw some really cute pink things tucked behind the counter. Of course, being me, I had to peek ... Here are just a few of the things I found:

It's from one of my favorite companies, Little Yellow Bicycle! Isn't it the cutest?! Perfect for love, baking, birthdays, Valentine's Day and all of those adorable little girl pages. I can't wait to get scrappin'. And, if I was you, I would hurry in to stock up on this collection before it flies out the door because once it is gone, it's gone.

Until I find more secrets to share, this is Candy returning you to your regularly scheduled blog posts ...

Last-minute gift idea

Need one more holiday gift?

There is still time to make an amazing bookmark, like this, with products you probably already have at home. Here's how Candy made this one:

Cut a piece of cardstock to the size of the bookmark you want. (Candy used white)

Place it in the Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders (or one of the Tim Holtz folders would work, too) and emboss with the Big Shot or similar cutting tool. (This is the Christmas and Thin Ice set.)

Round the corners using a corner rounder.

Lightly apply Barn Door Distress Ink with an ink applicator. This will add color to the raised areas and a hint to the rest.

Then, to add a bit more dimension, go over it again, with an even lighter hand, with Fired Brick.

Here's the cool part ...
Turn the Distress Ink Embossing Pad over and lightly run it across the surface of the tag (or bookmark). Don't worry about it being perfect.

Now, add UTEE and heat.

It should look something like this ... almost like the ornaments are glass! When Candy made hers, the ornaments near the edges of the paper didn't get quite as much UTEE, but they still look great.

Now, add Ranger's new Liquid Pearls to the dots on the ornaments for even more texture and dimension.

Candy also added a sticker from the new Seasonal Salvage Stickers by Tim Holtz, a mini safety pin, a strip of ribbon (colored with Distress Ink), a scrap of ribbon and the mini brads by Tim Holtz.

To make the bookmark a little thicker, and to cover the back side, Candy attached another piece of white cardstock to the back, trimmed it to fit, and then went around the entire edge with Fired Brick Distress Ink.

The Crop-a-Dile easily punches a hole at the top for an eyelet. Candy then added some of the Baubles and a Swivel Clasp by Tim Holtz and a bit more ribbon to the top.

It could be a bookmark or a tag for a holiday gift, but it is pretty enough to hang on the tree!

Inspired by Tim Holtz

Tim Holtz just finished this year's 12 Tags of Christmas ... on Day 2, he showed us how to make a custom ink pad for stamps. You can find the instructions here.

Candy was inspired to try the technique using a Santa stamp.

Here's a closer look ...

Candy embossed the image with UTEE (the only clear embossing powder she had on hand) immediately after stamping it. Who knew you could get such unique results by embossing Distress Ink!

Elegant, but easy, ornaments

This year, add an elegant homemade ornament to your tree, or give a few as gifts. You won't believe how easy they are to make!

The base is a Kaisercraft wooden die cut. They come in a few different patterns. Some are slipped together, like this one. Others come with two different flat ornaments in a package. The best part: They only cost about $3!

First, cover the ornament in Art Glitter Glue. This is Candy's favorite glue and she uses it whenever she needs a wet adhesive. It goes on white, so you can see where you put it, but dries clear and shine free. The glue also dries fast, so work in small sections.

After covering a section in glue, apply Art Glitter. Be sure to work over a tray or a piece of folded paper so you can pour the leftover glitter back into the jar. It's also helpful to use a mini spoon (Art Glitter sells them) to pour the glitter over the project.

There are hundreds of colors in several different textures and in both opaque and transparent. Candy used Purple Lame Ultrafine Opaque for this project.

Once dry, put the two pieces together and secure with a thin line of Art Glitter Glue. Then, add a ribbon or ornament hanger and you are done. It's that easy!

Bo Bunny's Cambridge Collection

The Cambridge Collection by Bo Bunny is so versatile. The deep jewel tones give it a regal look, making it perfect for heritage, university graduation and other sophisticated layouts. But, it can also be used for everyday occasions, like this layout from Design Team member Jamie.

Visit Jamie's blog at jamielanedesigns.blogspot.com or stop in the store for a closer look.

Wendy Vecchi Plaid

Blogs are meant to inspire and Wendy Vecchi's recent blog post about making plaid with Tim Holtz's Tissue Tape inspired Candy Spiegel, instructor and design team member at Scrap Tales.

Here are Wendy's instructions on making plaid ...

And, here is what Candy was inspired to create:

For directions, visit Candy's blog at www.candyspiegel.wordpress.com

Then, try making your own plaid!

Christmas tags

Jamie, one of our Design Team members, came up with these simple, but adorable tags using paper from My Mind's Eye's Haunted Collection and stickers from Little Yellow Bicycle. For more details, visit her blog at jamielanedesigns.blogspot.com or stop in the store for a closer look.