Craft tool must-have!

I have a lot of craft tools that I've accumulated through the years. I have a sticker machine, a laminator, several punches, paper trimmer, envelope maker and two die-cut machines. But if I had to give it all up and just have one. It will be the Sizzix manual die-cut machine: The Big Shot.

I don't have a name for her but she's my trusty crafting companion. It's because of her that I can make lovely craft things. Here are a few examples:

The banner was pre-made but the letters were hand-cranked by me using large dies per letter-similar to the ones that teachers use in school - huge foam dies.

This butterfly card was made possible because of thin steel dies. Punches would not have worked because of the intricate details of the butterfly wings. 

I mentioned earlier that I have two die-cut machines. The other one that I have is a Cricut electronic one. That one has stayed in its box, unused still, but I do plan to use them for digital files. It takes a bit more planning to use electronic cutters- electricity, cutting mat, spatula (to scrape off the finished product) and setting up my computer to do the formatting. With the big shot, you just take out your paper, the die and the "sandwich" makings and you crank the machine yourself. When I mention "sandwich" I refer to the accessories that come with the machine like the acrylic pads and platform so that the die can go through the machine to cut the paper. 

If you have questions about dies and what it can do, leave me a comment! 

Conferences!

I love going to conferences. Specifically those that pertains to books. This is me last year in San Francisco at the annual American Library Association conference.

The thing is, I haven't been to BEA or Book Expo of America, which I heard is BIGGER than ALA because of course, it focuses on books. I like to bring my family with me when I travel and this is no exception. My husband is a budding Sci-fi writer and he and I have the same idea of books: You can never have too much! I love interacting with authors and the library marketing peeps. Some of them are super cool and I love seeing them each time I hit the exhibit floor.

Do you have any thoughts on BEA vs ALA? I'd love to hear from you!

Also, do you have any tips for a newbie like me? Comment below! Thanks!

Happy Friday and Happy Planner 2016-2017

Home sick with sick kids. I also noticed that I haven't written in a looong time.

First of all, it is Friday and here is my #fridayreads:

Missing, Presumed coming in June 2016

Today is a great day to curl up with a suspenseful book, except I will be playing nurse to my two sniffling kiddos. I am also finishing up a YA book, something light and fun to balance the melancholy and dark:

Love and Gelato coming in May 2016

In between reading, I have also been gripped by the planner bug. Specifically those planners from Me and My Big Ideas. I am anticipating the new planners for the 2016-2017 period and grabbed a screenshot from Kaitlyn Steffus:

I have too many craft and stationary items to count, but I guess deep down it's what I really like since I was a kid. Stickers specifically, I loved stickers, although I can't recall how I used them. I must have just collected them and admired them from their shiny rectangle sheets. Nowadays, I use them to decorate my Happy Planner and scrapbooks. I make handmade cards, but I usually stamp them or use pretty printed papers. 

Anyway, will keep you guys posted on more books and crafts in the coming days ahead! Happy crafting/reading!

Valentine's day gift idea

I've been busy with reading lately, but I can't forget my other love: crafting!

I'm also an independent demonstrator for Stampin' Up and I just wanted to share with you this cool promo they are having.

3 months prepaid crafting kit for $55! It already includes shipping.
Here's what I got this month:

Aah! So cute! I can't wait to make them. Everything is included: stamps, paper, ink, acrylic block, adhesives and embellishments. 

If you are interested in buying a prepaid kit (no recurring subscription) click here: http://bit.ly/1RAfYh3 you also get to choose a free deluxe stamp set 

to add to your kit! Check them out below. How fun is that? Happy crafting! 

Disclosure: I'm an independent demonstrator for Stampin' Up and I receive a small commission from your purchase. 

#Libfaves15 starts today!

Librarians all over are posting their top 10 books starting today!

#10 - The Dress Shop of Dreams
Coincidentally, this book was my pick that landed me a spot on Library Reads January 2015

A sweet story about Etta, a seamstress who sews a little magic onto her customers' clothes in the hope that the wearer will find love/happiness. Her granddaughter, Cora is the love interest of Walt - a sweet man pining for her for ages. When Cora finally realizes that Walt is truly her love, readers would have to find out if she has lost her chance to be with him or would her grandmother's touch give her a chance to find true love.

Librarians, share your best book picks of 2015 on Twitter using the hashtag #libfaves15, TITLE in caps. One book per day from 12/7 to 12/16. Then head out to Earlyword to see which one is voted #1 by librarians at the end of the period.

See you on Twitter!

New Order Book: I need this!

Today is Cyber Monday and normally, I would be up at the crack of dawn looking at Lightning Deals. However, today I am basking at the organized chaos that I was able to corral last night thanks to an ARC that Penguin Random House sent me over the weekend.

I seem to be the person who is perpetually tidying up. With kids to raise and a household to run, it's pretty much the bulk of my mommy duties. Wolf has written a book that is like a helpful nudge spiced up with some "go girl (or guy) remarks" that creates a more relaxed attack of clutter. 

I have banished from my mind that other people don't have the same heartache that I do. I have let go à la Elsa all crazy notion that my house should look HGTV-magazine-ready at all times. I am also resigned to the fact that I.Will.Always.Clean. Not too much of a downer isn't it?

I was still able to glean precious nuggets of decluttering wisdom from this book despite the numerous organizing books in the market already. Wolf makes it fun and easygoing - she reminds us that stuff is just stuff without glossing over it too much (it's okay, we have stuff but don't sing kumbaya or anything!). I particularly loved her suggestion that containers should not have any lids. And the labeling format where all the tabs are off to one side (good!) versus a stair format (bad!). Eureka! Easy reading and still a good addition to the decluttering drama of people's lives. 

I love books like this as a reminder that clutter exists because of stuff. And that the Creative Fairy doesn't like to touch down and scatter fairy dust in an already dirt dusty home with nary an empty desk/open space in sight. 

My ARC didn't come in this rainbow cover of loveliness, so I will have to purchase my own copy. Now...to find a way to store my copy....

*Penguin Random House did not compensate me to write this review; it is provided directly out of the goodness of my librarian heart. The book comes out in January!

A few deals that I'm excited about

So not to be a hypocrite, but there are some deals that I do look forward to. One is the easy referral coupon for lovely stuff. Which stuff? Planners. Inkwell Press wowed me with their paper and their simple approach to organizing your day. Pic from Inkwell Press

So for 2016, if you want a stylish planner with pretty colors and thick paper, here's a code for you (no spamming I promise): get $10 off your $50 purchase with no expiration date. 

Then for craft stuff, there's so much here for all crafters/paper lovers:

Stampin' Up! Online Extravaganza - it opens a PDF of some great items up to 50% off. 

And for some lovely #fridayreads reading, I heartily recommend "The Portable Veblen" - a quirky novel full of squirrels, impending marriage woes, a spirited and eccentric heroine with a very enjoyable story. Coming in January from Penguin. 

**Disclosure, I am a demonstrator for Stampin' Up so I will get a small commission from your purchase. The referral for Inkwell Press will give me some points that I can exchange for a coupon.