A Million Little Things

Get Shaped!

Good Wednesday Evening All.  My post is coming to you about 12 hours late because I have had a super productive day.  Sounds weird and I must apologize for my tardiness!  Luckily I have much to show for my being late because I have sold a couple of homes today; so please forgive me!!!

I {HEART} STARS!  I simply cannot get enough of them.  So when this assignment came up, I grabbed on to it.  I know that in a few weeks I will have stars all over my home for Christmas.  And I think you should too.  Most likely, I will be using these to decorate a tree.

So without further ado, here are my photos (these were taken hanging from a mirror in my living room). 

With both of these items I used mostly Jenni Bowlin Studio products.  I also punched eyelets in the tops and bottom.  The top will hold the ornament hanger and the bottom one has a vintage Christmas ball hanging.  I purchased these in a large package on ebay several years ago. 

You could use any shape and these would be lovely on your refrigerator as a magnet.  I love to whip a couple of these up as grandparent gifts with a magnet on the back.  They are perfect to get rid of those small pictures you don't want to use on layouts.

So go rummage through those left over scrap papers & pictures.  'Cause here is another idea.  Have a good night...at least what is left of it!

Blog changes

I just wanted to give you all a little heads up that the blog will be undergoing some changes for the next few days so please excuse the work in progress. ;)

We hope you like what it's changing into. Thank you for understanding!

Studio Calico Preorder 20% off MSRP

Hi Everyone

With much thought and a bit of nudging from some of you lovely ladies I've decided to do a preorder one the Studio Calico Line.

I'm only offering a preorder for those that would like to reserve the entire collection.  I'm offering 20% off this listing only until the products arrive.  I will have all items available individually when they arrive at our normal 10% off price.  When the products arrive the buy it all discount listing will be deleted, so if you intend to buy this entire release, do it now so you can save :)

The entire Release includes 6 patterned papers, one 6x12 sticker, one 12x12 alpha sticker, one set of fabric rip strips, and one set of journaling cards

The products will be arriving on thursday NOVEMBER 12.  There are a few restrictions, these are also listed in the listing details.   PLEASE READ BELOW :

• THIS IS A PREORDER OFFERED AT A SPECIAL DISCOUNT PRICE (20% off msrp), THE ITEMS WILL BE IN STOCK ON NOVEMBER 12, AND WILL NOT SHIP UNTIL NOVEMBER 13 AT EARLIEST. 

• SPECIAL DISCOUNTED PRICE WILL ONLY BE OFFERED AS A PREORDER FOR THE ENTIRE COLLECTION.  I WILL HAVE ITEMS AVAILABLE SINGLY AT OUR REGULAR DISCOUNTED PRICE ONCE THE ITEMS ARRIVE, AND THE PREORDER LISTING WILL BE DELETED.

• PLEASE ORDER THIS ITEM BUY ITSELF, IT IS IS ADDED TO ANY OTHER ORDER THE REST OF THAT ORDER WILL BE HELD UNTIL THE ITEMS ARE IN STOCK.  If you do order this set as a part of a larger order I will charge the entire amount of the order when it is pulled.  If you want the shipment to NOT be charged up front please order it alone.

• NO SHIPPING ESTIMATE HAS BEEN ADDED TO THIS ITEM AT THIS TIME BECAUSE THE ITEMS ARE NOT IN HAND TO WEIGH FOR ACTUAL SHIPPING.  ACTUAL SHIPPING WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR ORDER ON SHIPMENT, YOUR PAYMENT WILL NOT BE PROCESSED UNTIL THE ORDER SHIPS UNLESS YOU HAVE PAID WITH PAYPAL WHICH REQUIRES UPFRONT PAYMENT.  IF YOU ORDER THIS ITEM WITH PAYPAL I WILL SEND YOU AN INVOICE FOR SHIPPING CHARGES BEFORE THE ITEM SHIPS.

• I WILL ALLOW YOU TO ADD OTHER ITEMS TO THIS ORDER TO REACH $75 FOR FREE SHIPPING, BUT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR ENTIRE ORDER WILL BE HELD UNTIL THE STUDIO CALICO ARRIVES.  IF YOU ARE OVERSEAS I WILL ADJUST SHIPPING TO ACCOUNT FOR THE WEIGHT OF THIS SET BEFORE I APPLY YOUR DISCOUNT.

I'm sorry, but other than the shipping discount, I can not apply any other discount coupons to this preorder.

HERE IS THE LISTING

PLEASE EMAIL ME at info@amillionlittlethings.com if you have questions.

Please, please scroll down and check out Katie's one minute monday featuring felt, I apologize for tromping on her post, I hoped to have this up before she did, but she beat me!

Jill

One Minute Monday

Hello Everyone...Katie here again! Today I am going to talk about one of my new favorite things to use on my scrapbook pages...felt! I am just slightly obsessed with all things felt right now and luckily many scrapbook manufacturers are helping me feed that obsession:) So many great felt products out there now. Among my favorites are "Woolies" from Basic Grey:

 

(felt from the "Nook and Pantry" line)

And American Crafts...love these trees:

 

And Sassafrass has been coming out with awesome felt sets...here I used the animals:

 

(and I also used felt thickers from American Crafts)

And Susanna shared a layout use a large piece of felt to to frame her photo:

I just love the instant texture that felt adds to a layout. I hope we have inspired you to use felt on your layouts!

And don't forget to scroll down and check out the links to all the new product Jill added to the store this weekend...some awesome new stuff!

New Products Galore!

Hi there.

Lots of work to do in reference to new products this weekend, so I'm starting a new list of links:

Jenni Bowlin  Fall Release

Making Memories Chipboard Borders, Gem Collections, GLitter Alphas/Swashes, Glitter Bling Frames, New Metal Words/Shapes

Collage Press Joyride

American Crafts Letterbox Line

American Crafts I Heart U Collection

Webster's Pages Trims, and Embellishments

Creative Cafe Calendar Line

Little Yellow Bicycle 6 New Styles of Say What Journaling Books

Scrapbook Trends November Issue/Christmas Cards Special Issue

Creating Keepsakes December 09 Issue

 Also coming by midweek are the New Jenni Bowlin Release, and the new Studio Calico Home Front.  More links for the additional items will be added as soon as they are in the store.

Thanks!

Magazine Spolight

Hello everyone! Katie here and I am sharing with you a really great idea that I saw in the November 2009 issue of Creating Keepsakes.  In the "Tips and Tricks" section of the magazine they shared a great way of combining your square punch and your corner rounder to make a leaf looking shape. When I saw it I thought it would be a great way of making flowers! What you do is first use your square punch to make a square shape. Then you use your corner rounder on two opposite corners. Here is a layout I made using a couple different sized square punches to make different sized and layered flowers:

 

(Bazzill cardstock: Bella Blvd and October Afternoon patterned papers: American Crafts and Little Yellow Bicycle letter stickers; Bella Blvd stickers; Basic Grey Buttons: Fiskars and Creative Memories punches)

And another flower on a card:

 

(Bazzill Cardstock; KI Memories patterned paper: Basic Grey Button; American Crafts Thickers)

And I also used the idea to make a cute butterfly:

 

(Bazzill Cardstock: KI Memories patterned paper: Basic Grey jewels: KI Memories chipboard: Doodlebug letter stickers)

The possibilities are endless!

Happy Friday everyone!

November Gallery Time!

Hi everyone! October flew by and now it's once again time for a new gallery to go live! We hope you enjoy this month's projects. :) You can find them on the left sidebar of the blog.

This month's assignments were:

• Stripes! Mix and match stripes for this assignment, you must use at least 3 different striped elements.
• Use Paint on Your Layout/Project

These assignments were fun and we hope they inspire you! Thanks so much for stopping by! If you have a second, we'd love for you to leave us a comment on this post about what you thought of the gallery! Have a wonderful day!

Your Friendly Sketch it Reminder...

Hey Everyone,

Remember the Sketch it challenge?  Not many of you have, I only have  SIX entries for tomorrow's deadline.  (insert pouty face).

So... looks like another deadline extension... If you would like to enter I'll give you until Monday at midnight.  Monday November 10.  Got it?  Good.  Please enter!!  As of right now, your chances are very good, and maybe this time there will be a random prize and a readers choice prize.  We'll have to see how many people take me seriously.   You're chances are good, and you could win a cool prize.  I'll be honest, I haven't come up with one yet, but I will, my prizes are good aren't they?

If you need the sketch it is from Inspired Blueprints sketch 30 here:

a little DT Q&A

It was FUN to see your comments and questions recently when Jill asked for them in a recent giveaway post here on the blog!  So we thought we'd put together a little (or big) post to answer a few of them.  EVERYONE on the design team participated as well as Jill so we have a MEGApost for you to answer a few of your questions.  We'll try to get to them all eventually.

So here we go:

1. What is your favorite product?
Monica: I use a lot of cardstock, but I drool over rub-ons and Thickers!
Elizabeth: probably letter stickers, but patterned paper would be a close runner-up
Kristina: I'd have to say Thickers.
Shelby: definitely patterned paper. I can cut it up to use as accents, or use it whole on a page Susanna: Patterned paper, not one page starts without it.
Amanda: journaling blocks
Rebekah: patterned paper for sure.  it's just so pretty. :)
Jill: definitely patterned paper, but I have to say that I love product period, that can be a bad thing as too much tends to clog your creativity, I always want to use so many things and there just isn't room for it sometimes.
Katie: a tie...patterned paper and thickers...can't live without those!
Courtney: cardstock. Always was. Always will be. If nothing else it looks really good on my shelves as it collects dust these days.

2. What is your favorite technique?
Monica: Tearing paper, I guess. I got tired of it quite a few years ago when the shabby chic hype peaked, but I think that a few teared ends every here and there makes scrapbook pages more interesting, especially when your a "square" scrapper like me.
Elizabeth: photo collages (boring, but I like linear )
Kristina: I love using white space and like Elizabeth, I love photo collages. :-D
Shelby: right now i would say doodling on a page
Susanna: Does using scraps count as a technique?
Amanda: today...sewing or painting on a page for cheap added texture
Rebekah: trendy or not, i still love ink.
Jill:  I don't really know what techinique is quite honestly. All of that passed me by 5 years ago, I'll tell you what I like to look at though.. I love sewing on pages, and I love layery styles that are done really well.... see I just love product.. Why is it I do this for a living??? LOL
Katie: sewing on layouts...love the texture it adds.
Courtney: I've never been a technique user, I go as far to ink or punch, that's about it.

3. How many hours a week do you scrapbook?
Monica: Sometimes nothing, sometimes every night.
Elizabeth: it varies, I used to scrapbook everyday, but lately it is has about 3-4 hours a week Kristina: It definitely depends on what I have going on in a given week, but it's usually just a few hours a week.
Shelby: probably about 2-3
Susanna: I can go three weeks without scrapping and then set a day aside for it. On that one day I'm likely to crank out 8-10 pages.
Amanda: 4-5
Rebekah: it really varies.  i go some weeks without scrappin' at all and then i'll get into a groove (or have deadlines! lol.) and i'll get with it for a while.
Jill: 0 most of the time.. it's more like a few hours in a year really. Sad... BOOOO...
Katie: Since i moved my scrap stuff to my daughters playroom I have been scrapping a ton! It seems like i do a little everyday but probably adds up to 4-5 hours a week.
Courtney: lately. 0. *sad face*

4. Do you plan your pages ahead of time or just dive in?
Monica: I never plan. I gather photos and supplies that go well together and go on from there! Elizabeth: I have been using sketches lately, but I do not create the sketches myself!
Kristina: I do both. Usually I just dive right on it and let the creativity flow as I'm making a page and sometimes I have a sketch and a better idea of what I want to document, say, etc.
Shelby: I plan ahead and lay out pictures and papers at the end of one scrapbooking session for the next time
Susanna: Dive in head first.
Amanda:  i try to plan color, picture, paper and general layout...then dive in.
Rebekah:  i pretty much just dive in.  i start with a photo, grab some supplies and start moving it around.
Jill: I am definitely a dive in person when I get time to scrapbook. I am usually inspired by products or photos I want to use and I gather all of that up and play. For me that is the reward, getting to play. I have a hard time with sketches, I find them confining sometimes, but I love what other people can do with them. I think my fear of sketches has alot to to with my inexperienence scrapping these days added to the fact sometimes the things I want to use just don't fit with the sketch. Do you see a recurring theme here???
Katie:  Usually the only thing i know ahead of time is the title..my title is usually whatever pops in my head when I look at a pcture...then i go from there.
Courtney: swan dive... right in.

5. What item can't you live without when it comes to scrapbooking?
Monica: My paper cutter (Fiskars).
Elizabeth: my Creative Memories sticker lifter
Kristina: Definitely gotta agree with Elizabeth on this one - LOVE my Creative Memories multi-purpose tool!
Shelby: pens for journaling and doodling
Susanna: Paper cutter.
Amanda: glass of ice water and my paper trimmer
Rebekah: my American Crafts Slick Writer pens and my paper cutter
Jill: glue, patterned paper and a paper cutter. My husband bought me the coolest paper cutter years and years ago with a self sharpening blade. He was so proud of himself and I have to say it is the most useful thing ever, and not just for scrapping.
Katie: Like Elizabeth and Kristina, i love my CM sticker lifter thing...I use it all the time for letter stickers!!
Courtney: white cardstock, my hermafix, and chipboard embellies.

6. What is your favorite adhesive?
Monica: Scrappy glue and double sided tape
Elizabeth: 3M tape runner
Kristina:  I love foam squares (I'm all about dimension these days) and also the CM tape runner adhesive.
Shelby: Tombo glues and CM tape runner
Susanna: I'm boring, I use mounting squares for everything.
Amanda: 3M tape runner in red
Rebekah:  i'm pretty old school and just use the little mounting squares. yep, the ones will the little annoying tabs that you have to peel off and they stick everywhere.  :)
Jill: You all need to clue me in here, I use whatever I have, and I'm embarassed that sometimes that is just a good old school gluestick.
Katie: 3L tape runner
Courtney: hermafix tab dispenser. Cannot live without it.

Are you insecure about your creative work? Do you ever get stressed thinking your pages have to look or be styled a certain way before you post them?
Monica: I never feel insecure. I did when I first started sharing my work on the internet. I've come to realize that every scrapper, or any other craftsman, has something to give. The more we share, the more we get back!
Elizabeth: if I know they are going to be posted I do put a little more thought behind the final product, but I wouldn't say I am insecure about my work.
Kristina: Nah. I think that if I thought that way it would really set me back creativity and stress me out so I don't even go there. I just create layouts that I love and sure from time to time I struggle with finding the happy medium, but more times than not I am happy with what I create and don't let the pressures of posting them get in the way!
Shelby: I am so insecure about my work. I try to remember that I am creating for my girls but I still want my pages to be stylish and current.
Susanna: I used to get that way, but these days I try to let that feeling go. If I really don't like something, I'll set it aside for a few weeks and look at it again with a new perspective.
Amanda: i am not insecure about my work, but i do look at my pages sometimes and think...what was i doing when i created this mess???
Rebekah:  i used to be and was hesitant to even get started sometimes but now i'm just creating for me!  i'm not worried about how it will viewed or is it trendy enough.  it's going in my album (eventually...right now they're just stacked up!) and i'm the one who will be looking at them. :)
Jill: ABSOLUTELY, 100% yes. I was from the very beginning. I think that I started with that mindset we all had a few years ago when scrapping really seemed like a creative competition, and since I don't post often, or even scrap often that is a hard mindset to get past. I used to stalk my own layouts on 2 peas to see if people like them and gave them praise. Yes, I am pathetic. Everytime I post something on our own blog which is rare, I worry everyone will think I'm a horrible scrapper, which I know is not the point, but to be quite honest I am an insecure person by nature and that runs into many aspects of my life. Including the way I run the store, I am petrified of not pleasing someone, almost to my own detriment. I'm sorry, I'm just being honest, but look at what I have to compete with!!
Katie: I used to be insecure but I am not so much anymore...I feel like however they come out they are all apart of me and my family. I definitely have an "embrace imperfection" mentality with my layouts:)
Courtney: maybe at one point in time where I did so much work for editors, I'd always worry what they'd think of it. Now I consider a finished page a success and move on.

8. Any particular routine when scrappin'? Do you watch tv, listen to music or just enjoy the peace?
Monica: Music, music, music! I also tend to scrap late at night, even now that my children are big enough not to make a mess when they're around! :-)
Elizabeth: usually the TV is on in the background, but it is just background noise
Kristina: Nope, no real routine. I've actually really enjoyed scrapping with my almost 4-year-old daughter by my side. She loves to scrapbook too and it's fun to just chit chat and hear her reaction to what I'm creating as I create it. She's even given me some really good ideas! ;)
Shelby: just enjoy the peace most of the time.
Susanna: Peace and quiet... sometimes tv.
Amanda: i have the TV on for the noise
Rebekah: i usually either have pandora on or i pop in a dvd.  i've watched so many gilmore girls episodes and have seen how to lose a guy in 10 days a million times this way.  :)
Jill:  step one, find a clean spot to work... that may take a few hours, I don't have a scrap space ironically, so my work desk is it. It always has lots of crap all over it. I can't do anything without noise, including work, so I have to have the TV on, or music. I'm finding alot of "new to me" shows this way. TLC is my latest obsession. Someday Stacy and Clinton are going to tell me "what not to wear," lol.
Katie: In my new scrap space I now have a TV with a DVR so I now catch up on all my favorite shows while scrapping!
Courtney: Rock out to music and tell my kids Mommy is off duty.

9. Do you have any other crafty hobbies and do they provide inspiration for your work at AMLT?
Monica: I can't write the complete list here! I have soooo many hobbies, and they all inspire me. Reading, writing, knitting, sewing, cooking, baking, interior design...
Elizabeth: I used to do cross-stitch and some crocheting but I haven't touched those in years.
Kristina: I love digital scrapbooking and design and I also love fixing up my blog and making it my happy little spot on the world wide web. I also love felt and am starting to get into sewing more. All of that most certainly DOES inspire me!
Shelby: my photography is one of them, but I have also recently taken up sewing (not going too great, I am frustrated because my machine keeps jamming) and embroidery
Susanna: Photography of course. Couldn't do one without the other. I also sew and make dollhouse miniatures. It's all inspiring.
Amanda: i like taking pictures and cooking
Rebekah:  definitely my photography.  i'm also getting into DIY projects around the house and repurposing items.  i love to find new ways to use things!
Jill: I Love anything creative, I just wish I had more time for it. Before this business I was a "professional crafter" and painted all day everyday getting ready for local craft boutiques. That however, is something I have never missed and never looked back from.
Katie:  I used to quilt but don't really have the patience for it any more...I'd much rather sit down and finish a layout.
Courtney: Between my kids and school any time I have left is reserved for bubble baths or watching recorded tv episodes.

10. What trends do you think we'll be seeing in the future?
Monica: Digital scrapbooking for sure. Mini albums.
Elizabeth: I am SO not a trend-setter so you tell me so I can be somewhat on top of things!
Kristina: Hmmm... you know - I've never really been that clued in when it comes to trends. LOL. Usually I am the last to know. Ha! I definitely think maybe hybrid/digital scrapbooking is going to continue to be popular and other than that - I'm not really sure.
Shelby: not sure....
Susanna: Now where's my crystal ball.. hehe.. honestly I couldn't tell... I'm noticing alot bulk and texture coming back, so I think we might be looking back for more trends. Kind of like all the 80's fashion that is now back.
Amanda: re-vamped paper piecing maybe. things seem to go in cycles. those have been out for a while, so maybe they will make a come back. i am not a trendy person, i just like what i like in style or not!
Rebekah: i'm with elizabeth on this one.  i'm so out of the trendy loop.  :) 
Jill: This is a scary question to me, I see more and more digital popping up, I just hope some of you will still prefer the good old paper method. I also see a new trend of using what you have which also doesn't translate well for me in particular! I've found in doing this for 5 years though that everything tends to recycle itself, I'm still waiting for something really wow and new to pop up though, it's been awhile since we've seen a new rage like rubons, or chipboard or stamps were back in there debut
Katie: I also agree in the trend cycles...everything comes back around!
Courtney: I'm with Elizabeth... I've never been a trendsetter so I have no idea.

Thanks, readers, for all your questions and comments.  We love to read them!  Later this month we'll be sharing a little Q&A with questions you all wanted to ask Miss AMLT herself, Jill!!  So be watching for it and who knows what you'll learn from her and about her. :)  So glad she joined us on the DT Q&A today!

{One Minute Monday}

Hello, Elizabeth here once again with some simple cards to show off some neat products. Have you seen these cool papers from Bella Blvd  

and this... 
 

i made some cards using a few imagines from these 12x12 patterned papers,

 
 
 

Just imagine how many cute boy cards you could make with that robot paper for only $.70! You can find more here. Have a great Monday everyone!