MIA ... for over two years!

Life has a way of getting in the way...  With my eyesight getting worse due to cataracts (aka 'cadillacs') I had to put Tangling on the back burner.  Thankfully, surgery in Jan 2017 and March 2017 gave me renewed vision, however I didn't return to Tangling (still vowing that I will, one day) but instead developed a "passion for paper" and onward to custom card making and all things paper craft related.

It began when I purchased a Cricut Explore Air2 and began making items with paper (and vinyl) for the classroom and school.  Of course, I couldn't stop with just one machine, and have now built up an inventory of machines including (but not limited to):
Cricut Air 2
Cuttlebug
Big Shot Plus (12" wide)
Xyron Creative Station (sticker maker, cold laminator, magnet maker)
Envelope Punch Board
Scoring Board
2 paper cutters
Hot Laminator

Then there are the countless smaller, can't live without (well, maybe one can), "tools" such as:
Misti positioner w/ the additional Creative Corners
Stamp Shami
Heat Gun (like a mini hair dryer)
large tweezers
Daubers / Blenders
Teflon Bone Folder
Cutting Mat
many embossing folders (for dry embossing)
many die cuts
many stamps
many ink pads of various types and colors
many embellishments (ribbons, trim, jewels, beads, sequins, glitter-sparkle, shimmer, shine-bling ...)
anti-static powder
embossing powder(s) (for heat embossing)
crystal drops
foils
many adhesives, gules, tapes, dimensionals ...
colored pencils, pens, markers, watercolors ... and
too much paper!

Deciding to retire in June 2018 - I then had the pleasure of organizing it all ... Multiple "bins", drawers, and organizers later and I have a well appointed craft room (and could practically open a store)!  My favorite work space is still the kitchen counter, so my every-day usage items are in the dining room (We don't use that room anyway so, why not?) with the rest of the inventory upstairs in what used to be the computer room/office.  Now I have time to return to blogging as well.

Many people have seen my recent work and asked, "How did you do that?"  Or, "I want to do that!"  So ...

Let's Talk Paper

While a yellow legal pad is good for taking notes from the many YouTube videos (a future post) I've watched since June, and sketching out ideas, and making lists of material wish lists; and 20 lb. bond is good for the printer, for "scratch", folding to catch embossing powder and using as a protective pocket to put foil through the laminator in, there are many other "papers" one needs in their stash to satisfy the creative urges ...

Card Stock - comes in various "weights" (and colors, and designs) - at least 65 lb - both 8.5 X 11 and 12 X 12.  At the vary least: white, black, and kraft (like brown paper bag color).  This is used for card bases, fronts of cards, envelopes, to cut die shapes, to stamp ...  (The higher the weight, the heavier the paper.  Depends on the project, but 110 lb is probably the heaviest used.)

Designer (or DS) - single sheet or "pads"; 6 X 6 or 12 X 12; HUGE variety of prints and patterns; sometimes bond weight, sometimes card stock weight.

Bristol - smooth finish, 100 lb.  This is used for a heavier card base, and can be used for watercoloring on if not using a lot of water.

Watercolor - heavy, slight texture, used for front of card or when a heavy paper is needed.  Due to the texture it can be a little more difficult to stamp on.

Vellum - transparent, at least 40 lb.  It can be used as an overlay, can be stamped, colored on, embossed on, and foiled.  One can also make a transparent envelope for other projects as well.

Acetate - not really a "paper", but can be used with paper as a base, to create a "window" in a card, or even a decorated card front when a transparent look is needed.

Photo - glossy finish - tricky to dry and not smear ink and markers (having a heat gun is a necessity), but has it's purposes as a card front.

Other "Tools"

These are personal preferences.  Some make crafting easier, some are not necessary but nice to have, and some you can live without.  The various YouTube videos (a future post) make suggestions and demonstrate them in use and the decision is up to the crafter.  I would definitely recommend:

a good paper cutter / trimmer

a score board

a Teflon Bone Folder - they really do make nice creases in the paper without 'scaring' it

a Misti (or similar) if you are going to be doing a lot with stamps

And eventually you will probably want a die cut machine.

Suppliers

Again, personal preferences ... There are the local craft stores - Michael's, Joann's, Hobby Lobby, for basics.  However, the more I explored, the more variety of materials I discovered out there, I found the local establishments limiting.  Enter the on-line sites.  Amazon has almost anything (key word, almost) and shipping is fast if you have Prime.  

** [Quick side track:  Did you know if you go to https://smile.amazon.com/ Amazon will make a donation to a non-profit organization of your choice based on what you spend?  No cost to you.  It isn't a lot, but every little bit helps.  Along the top, black bar there is a Support: spot and a default will be listed, but clicking on the little down arrow allows you to change to your choice - may I suggest Vision of Vets in Prescott Valley, AZ?  Yes, I have a personal connection to the project, but no kick back ... just FYI - Your contribution won't show until your order(s) ship, but they do eventually :) ] **

https://www.scrapbook.com/  has a HUGE inventory, a user friendly site, sales all the time, free on-line classes once you register (that I have learned a lot from), and they ship fast.  Items arrive well packaged and in great condition.  Another plus, they have videos and examples of their items being used on the description pages.

https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/  also has a HUGE inventory and ships quickly.

I have found if you do a Google search for the name of an item you are looking for, you will find it somewhere on-line.

Enough rambling for today - I will return soon with YouTube links where you too can learn the many techniques for crafting and being creative... and pictures of recent projects!