D.I.Y.—Day of the Dead Cupcake Toppers

September is half-way over and Halloween is quickly approaching. I have a really cute, affordable, and fun D.I.Y. project using some stamps I purchased from my local craft store for only $1.00! I’ve mentioned before that, Joanns Fabric & Craft stores always has new holiday themed stamps every year and I always love to collect them all. This year one of stamp sets that got me super excited was the Day of the Dead skull and bones. Typically these acrylic stamps don’t produce a clean crisp image with regular black ink so I decided to purchase some black embossing powder for this particular project instead. I remember when I was a novice papercrafter and I’d pass through the isle with all the little embossing powders and just marvel at the variety of colors; and how cute the bottles were—but I never actually knew what they were for. Now that I know what they can do I’m obsessed with them! 

Step 1: Place the stamp on your acrylic block 

Step 2: Generously dab your stamp onto the versa mark ink pad

Step 3: Stamp the image onto your card stock

…You can kinda see the water mark here if you look closely

Step 4: Apply your black embossing powder

Step 5: Shake it off

Step 6: Apply heat

Amazing right?!

Step 7: Color-in using markers, color pencils, or any other medium you prefer

Step 8: Cut the image out

Step 9: Apply to wooden pick and cover the back with matching skull (double sided)

And you’re finished! Wasn’t that fun? 

New Papercrafting Tools

I love shopping for new craft tools and researching different techniques that will make me a better papercrafter; and while video surfing on Youtube I learned of a new technique called embossing. I’ve heard of it before but I didn’t actually know what embossing was; and now I’m super excited to try it. So here is a list of new items I’ve recently added to my craft collection:

A Martha Stewart Heating Tool

Recollections Embossing Power in Snow

Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Fired Brick

Versa Mark Watermark Stamp Pad

Inkadinka Clings Rubber Stamp Set

And, Zots! I wanted to try these clear adhesive 3D glue dots because I hate seeing the white spots from using adhesive foam on cards—so I wanted to give these clear glue dots a try. 

Using these tools was very easy; and, if you’re a beginner here is how you use them. The Versa Mark pad is like slow drying glue. You take your stamp and tap it on the versa mark glue a few times, than stamp your image onto your paper. Next, you sprinkle some of your embossing powder of the stamped image, tap off the access, and heat it up with the heating tool—and these are the results: 

Next I wanted to try out my stamps and 3D glue dots; and so far I think I like the 3D dots. They still have the same 3D effect as the foam adhesive—but I can’t see a big white foam piece when I examine the card at different angles. 

If you’re a beginner papercrafter I hope this mini-review helped. I plan on getting to know embossing a little bit better so I’m going to play around with it until I make something really cute to share. So stay tuned for new projects from me, using the embossing techniques. 

Thanks for stopping by! :-P

Cute Ribbon Stamps for Scrapbooking and Card Making

Hi everyone! I just wanted to share these cute clear stamps I got in the mail. I ordered them for card making and I can’t wait to use them. I’m thinking of making an entire collection of thank you cards using these different types of ribbon stamps. What do you think? Don’t like they look so real? I’ll post pictures of the final product once I’ve created a style I’m happy with. Happy crafting!

A Great Place to Shop for Craft Supplies in Los Angeles

     This weekend I decided to put down my crafting tools to go on a mini shopping spree for my shop. I absolutely love that fact that I only live ten minutes from Downtown Los Angeles because of the amazing craft, fabric, and hardware stores that the city of L.A. has to offer. This weekend I stopped at one of my favorite shops to buy ribbon—Moskatels.  Moskatels is a store that has everything for ones crafty or party planning needs. I like to think that the big-gun party planners of Hollywood stop at this location because of some over the top pieces Moskatels’ carries that only celebrities can afford to buy. However, aside from some of their vases I could never afford; they have a ribbon isle that must have come straight from heaven. The array of colors and modest prices simply have to be heaven sent. I feel like a nerd when I say that I get the chills walking down the ribbon isle, but if you have a passion for all things crafty the way I do you’ll understand my excitement when I walk into this: 

Moskatels, Los Angeles, CA

I wish I had better pictures of this store, but like most places of business downtown they frown upon customers taking pictures of their amazing products. But, I managed to sneak a quick photo with my point and shoot camera—hence the poor image quality. This store has everything you can think of: ribbon, baking supplies, all party supplies, a wide variety of item boxes and baggies for crafters and bakers, and so much more.

I’m so glad I went shopping at Moskatels this weekend because while I was browsing the store I found these clear poly bags that I’ve been looking for everywhere. I wanted these poly bags to hold all the cards, tags, and cupcake toppers I sell, and I’m so happy I found them here. The poly bags I got make my items look so much more professional, and they’re perfect for a craft fair I’ll be doing soon. I want to post more photos of the bags I’m speaking of. Maybe I’ll do a quick tutorial on how to use them to wrap cards and other items.

Thanks for stopping by for a quick read, and if you love crafting or party planning as much as I do this place is a must! Let me know what you think if you happen to stop by Moskatels when stocking up on tools. Also, let me know if you know of other places just like this—I’d love to check them out.

F.Y.I. Moskatels has a parking garage and the parking is free for up to two hours if you spend more than $4.00. If you try to park anywhere else it’ll either be a hassle or expensive.