Happy Thanksgiving To you all!

Hello sweet friends!

This will be a short post today because I want you to all get back to your families and loved ones on this special day. (Don't forget to follow us on Twitter for all the super prices we've got for you today and over the next few days *wink*)

We at a2z Scrapbooking Supplies would like to thank each and every one of you for your support, friendship, loyalty and all around loveliness.  It's been so wonderful to get to know you all over the past few years and months and we're so thankful for you all.

This is such a special day and how wonderful to have an entire day dedicated each year to doing nothing but give thanks. (And I believe, watch a certain parade on TV?!?)

Happy Thanksgiving to you all and THANK YOU for being you :)

The a2z team xx

Copic Copic Copic Crazy Prices :)

Welcome back!!

Today is a shorter post than yesterdays, but that's only because once you see the prices of the Copics below, I think you may need medical attention--to help you recover from the fall from your chair *teehee*

Copic Ciao Marker 12 Set Basic Colors $29.95  (MSRP $51.48) What a fantastic price!!!

 

The Ciao is the perfect entry level marker.  It has a great color selection and a lower price! Ciao markers feature a Super Brush nib on one end and a Medium Broad nib on the other. The alcohol based inks are permanent, non-toxic, low odor and acid free. Ciao markers have a 3 year shelf life and are guaranteed for color consistency. See HERE for my earlier blog post about Copics :)

Copic Marker Atyou Spica Glitter Pen Set A and Copic Marker Atyou Spica Glitter Pen Set B Only $20 each!!!

These fantastic glittery pens are water based pigment markers inspired by the star of Virgo; twinkling in the night sky.  They are just the thing to bring that finishing *glittery* touch to your project--at this price, you can get both sets!!

 

Copic Ciao Markers (individual)   $3.20 each

For all the other Copic Ciao Markers at SUCH a wonderful price, you can easily complete your collection in no time at all!  What more do I need to say!? Click the link above to see the full range of colors for you to choose from!


Well that's all for me today lovelies!

I'll be back again tomorrow with even more :)

Take care and see you again soon

Linda x

Machines and tools to make your crafting easier...

Hi there friends!

As I'm sure you're all VERY aware, this week is Thanksgiving and that means...BLACK FRIDAY!! Shopping at this time of year can definitely save you a HEAP of money, especially with all the great sale prices I'm sure you'll find all over the place.

At a2z Scrapbooking Supplies, we're no different!! This week we'll be highlighting some of the BEST prices you'll find anywhere.

Today we'll be focussing on the tools and machines that can help to make your crafting experience easier and lift a simple project to something really special.

Spellbinders Grand Calibur Cut and Emboss Machine

This machine is the cats pyjamas--SUCH a fantastic tool to have, it does practically everything for you!  The Grand Calibur cuts and embosses up to 8 1/8″ wide! It accommodates 8 1/2" x 11″ paper without needing to trim it down and can cut OR emboss multiple shapes in a single pass! It’s compatible with all Spellbinders die templates so you'll have no need to waste money buying replacement dies--PERFECT!

At this price, you can afford to get one for yourself AND a close crafting buddy :)

Scrap-Ma-Bob Clamp-On-Holder For Cup and Bag  

Now THIS is something I definitely need--I might even get one for my mum and she doesn't even craft! It's so perfect for every day 'non-craft' use, (not that I really understand that  term...I don't think I do anything non-craft *wink*!!)

The durable steal holder attaches to the edge of most flat surfaces and is designed to hold a drink and reusable trash bag (included). Holds 32 ounce drinks.

The Gypsy Sit Upon

How about an item you can use to strengthen core muscles (which means a nicer tummy and better posture) as well as allows you to craft for longer, more comfortably?!

This is it! Place the softly inflated disc in your chair to prevent fatigue, reduce pressure on the tailbone and help to relieve lower back pain. Place the smooth side down on your chair. The texture allows air flow for cooler seating and promotes improved blood circulation. Air filled and will stay soft and comfortable.

This isn't just for your craft chair, it can be used in any area that you sit for extended periods of time!

Stampendous Pail Quart 

The Stampendous Plastic Pail Quart is so cute and versatile!! It can be used for storage or decoration and can be purchased in various sizes to create a set. Each pail has a transparent side with a tin top and bottom. Use them as decorations that you can alter to fit any style or color-palette, or as great storage containers-- with the clear side you can easily see the contents and the snap on lid keeps items safely inside. Quart 4 X 5 inches.

Sizzix Big Shot Express

The same fabulous Big Shot machine we've all come to know and love for it's versatility, ease of use and outstanding results, but this has gone another step further into fabulousness--it's electric!! Say goodbye to the crank mechanism of the original and hello one-touch button die cutting and embossing!

The Big Shot accepts most dies-no matter the manufacturer, cuts paper, cardstock, fabric and much more, The Multi-Purpose Platform makes all Sizzix components compatible with the Big Shot and even works with other brand dies and embossing tool--not to mention has a fantastic easy-to-follow picture guide 'how to'. At this price, it's a steal!!

**This product is only compatible with power requirements found in the USA and Canada and as such, may not work in international electrical outlets.**

Zutter Bind-It-All Machine Version 2 

This is my personal favorite binding tool.  You can create one of a kind albums, calendars, journals and recipe books. Numbered register marks allow for punching accuracy for projects up to 12.5". Left and right hand application. Weighs under 3 lbs.  So easy to use and perfect for all projects! This price is simply outstanding!

Please note that the sale prices for all the above items start November 24th and are valid until November 30th!

Well, I think I'm sure to have overloaded you (and your shopping list *wink*) with that lot of goodies, so I'll leave you for now. Be sure to check back again tomorrow for even more great products and awesome prices!

Take care sweet friends!

Linda x

GIVEAWAY!!!

Hello everyone!!

I have some VERY exciting news for you today!!  *claps hands* As I'm sure you all know, Black Friday is coming....SOOON!!!  We at a2z Scrapbooking Supplies have gone a little Black Friday Crazy!! So crazy in fact, that we thought, what better way to celebrate the coming of one of the busiest days of our calendar by having a GIVEAWAY!!!

All you have to do is sign up to be a follower of the blog (or in our way of putting it, join our "a2z Craft Club") before November 30th and you could win a huge Hero Arts Prize Pack worth more than $50!!!

ALL of the following stamps:

Hero Arts Happy Holiday Tags

Hero Arts Bold Pumpkin Stamp

Hero Arts Christmas Cookies Stamp

Hero Arts Decorated House Stamp

 

Hero Arts Winking Reindeer

AAAAAND as if all those stamps weren't enough...what about a pack of these:

Hero Arts Acetate Cards
NB: These cards are clear acetate. The picture used is only for illustration purposes

HOW AWESOME IS  THAT?! 

You'll have everything you need to get your cards made for the rest of the season! *yay!!!*

SO--to recap, all you need to do is sign up to be a follower of our blog (if you're already a follower, you have an entry already) 

Want an extra chance to win?!?! Thought so *wink*

..if you get a friend (or two, or three...) to follow us too, put a comment at the bottom of this blog entry  AFTER they've signed up,  tell us the 'screen name' or username (the one they'll use) and YOU get an extra entry for each friend!!

NB: If you send us the name of your friend but they don't sign up, you'll only receive the entry for your own 'following'.

That's it!!

Happy "Following"!!! *wink*

PSSSST: Make sure to sign up for our emails on the right hand side of the blog (over --->>>there!) and check back regularly over the rest of this week (till November 30th), because we'll be hosting plenty of contests and games with PRIZES to be won!!!

Linda xx

Christmas cards to inspire Day 4: Distress Ink Swiping

Hi there,

Welcome to day four of my Christmas Cards to Inspire!!

Hopefully I got the look of the snowy night correct, here in Perth, we literally NEVER have snow.  I've seen snow a total of twice, once it was falling in the distant mountains when I was in Hiroshima, the other time it was on the ground, in Niseko (a small town in the North of Japan).  I was in heaven and can't wait to see it/be in snow again. Till then, my little snowy christmas card will have to do! *wink*

Here is today's card;

This card is SO easy and perfect for mass production;

First I took the Hero Arts Starry Night stamp and wiped Black Soot Distress Ink from left to right. I then stamped it onto white cardstock.  The 'wiping' created a look of a snowstorm/a windy snowy night around the trees.  *LOVE*

Next I rubbed a tiny bit of Mustard Seed Distress Ink over the largest star in the top right corner, to give it a glow.

Then I added some Diamond Stickles to the ground and stars (a tiny bit to the tree branches would work too, but I left mine bare).   I tied some red and white striped bakers twine around the image, tying it to a button.

Then I adhered the white stamped cardstock onto a slightly larger piece of black cardstock, to create a matte.  Then I adhere both layers onto a piece of white textured cardstock that I had cut to size and scored in the centre to make the card.

On the inside (not pictured), I stamped a Christmas sentiment with Versamark ink and embossed with Stampendous Red Transparent Tinsel Embossing Powder.

That's it!! Like I said, super easy and perfect for mass production!

Hope you like it!  Let me know what you thought :)

See you tomorrow with another card!

Take care lovelies 

Linda xx

Christmas cards to inspire Day 3: Distress Resist

Hello again my dears!!

How are you all today? I'm DYING of heat exhaustion here in Perth today.  We're not even out of Spring yet and it was 36 degrees Centigrade here today. (That's 96.8 F) I was quite a bit like the Wicked Witch of the West this afternoon when I went out the front to get the mail...I'M MELTIIIIIIIIIIIIING *wink* (but without the socks and green skin haha!)

So anyhoo--welcome to Day three of my Christmas Card Inspiration Week!  Let's get straight to the card--I'm pretty happy with this one :).

The techniques I used on this one are Heat embossing and a technique called "Resist".

Here's how I did it:

• I cut a piece of Bazzill Kraft Classic Cardstock down to 5 1/2" long by 3" high. 
• Then I took my Versamark watermark inkpad and applied it to my Hero Arts Wreath of Leaves Stamp (I LOOOOOVE this image!)
• I then stamped multiple times over the surface, going off the edge quite a bit on all of the images to give extra effect (I re-inked my stamp with Versamark each time).
• I shook some Mustard colored embossing powder over the whole image and blew off the excess then I heat set it with my heat tool.
• Taking my Ranger Inkssentials Blending tool, I then added a light layer of Peeled Paint Distress Ink and Walnut Stain Distress Ink to the cardstock, blending it in well.  

The embossing will resist the distress ink you put over the top. Just make sure you wipe over your embossed areas to remove any excess distress ink that might be there and to really make your embossing powder's color shine through. (this is the technique called "Resist). 

• I lightly distressed the edges of the cardstock with my scissors (or you could use a Tim Holtz tonic distressing tool) and added some Black Soot Distress Ink to the edges, to sharpen up the colors.
• Next I added some Red Hero Arts Ribbon, a little twine and a couple of buttons from my stash.
• Then I stamped the 'Merry Christmas' sentiment from the Hero Arts Merry Christmas Trees Clear stamp set and in Versamark and used red embossing powder on that before heat setting it.
• I attached my inked, embossed and 'ribboned' cardstock onto a folded card that I'd made out of kraft cardstock (which I cut to size and scored in half).
• On the inside of the card, I used the 'Best wishes for the season' sentiment from the same Hero Arts Merry Christmas Trees Clear Stamp set in Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

I'm starting to really utilise the insides of my cards now. I love adding a little something extra wherever I can.

Anyhoo, that's it! Super easy and it would really be easy to make multiples of these! I'd just stamp the Wreath image all over a bigger piece of cardstock and emboss it all, then cut it down to size! 

One more quick note--You can do the first few steps in the opposite order; the distress inks first and then add the embossing over the top.  This will only work when you are using colored embossing powder, but if you're using clear powder (so that the color of the cardstock underneath will show through), you must do the embossing first, then go over with your distress inks second.
(Because if the embossing powder is clear--and on top of distress inking- the distress inks will show through and you wont see your embossed image, it will just blend in with the distress inks colors.)

**A tip!!  If you do go the other way around (Distress ink first, then emboss over top), make sure the Distress Inks are completely dry before stamping the 'Versamarked' image (and most importantly, the embossing powder). If it's not dry, when you pour the embossing powder on, it will stick to the entire cardfront, not just the image you've stamped with the Versamark--very annoying...trust me *wink*

Have fun with this! It's a favourite technique of mine!

Talk to you tomorrow!

Linda xx

Christmas cards to inspire Day 2

Hello!!

Welcome to day 2 of my Christmas Cards to Inspire week!

Yesterday I showed you the pretty effects if you use Distress Inks as Watercolor paints on standard Cardstock (When I say standard, I mean Copic Marker X-Press Blending Card--I use this for all my stamping).

Today I want to show you the difference when you use watercolor paper, which has much more texture and thus, a better ability to tolerate more liquid.  It also leaves a pretty textured LOOK about the image, which I think is perfect for animals like...(you guessed it!! That cute little reindeer again) *wink*

Let's get straight to the card shall we?

This card has a really cute rustic feel about it, which I love. Sometimes I absolutely hate cards that--how can I put this the right way?!-- Take themselves too seriously.  Does that make sense?! I love cards that are pretty or cute or even whimsical--but no matter what, I love them to have a hand-made look, which this one does I think.

I used two techniques to create this one.

The first is using the watercolor paper with Distress Inks.  The second, is using my Acrylic Block to create that bluey-grey background.

To achieve this second technique (which was actually my first step), I dabbed some Tumbled Glass and Stormy Sky as well as Weathered Wood Distress Inks onto my acrylic block (Yes, I said ONTO the acrylic block---not the stamp).  Then I spritzed the acrylic block with a good 6 or 7 spritzes of water using my Ranger Mini Mister and then 'stamped' it onto Hero Arts Bright White Watercolor Paper .

I then cut my cardstock a 1/4" larger than the square of ink my acrylic block created (to leave a border of white). Then I edged my paper with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

When the paper was dry, there was a really clear space in the color from the acrylic 'stamping', so I used that space to stamp my Hero Arts Fancy Reindeer in Black Stayzon Ink.

When the Reindeer image was dry, I used the same painting technique mentioned yesterday. I put the Frayed Burlap Distress Ink Pad upside down on my Ranger Inkssentials Craft Sheet to put the ink directly onto the craft mat, then spritzed with water.  Using a fine-tipped paintbrush, I painted the reindeer.  To give some shading, I waited for the ink to soak into the paper a little before putting a slight second 'coat' of ink down around the bottom of the reindeer's stomach and legs.

I used Fired Brick Distress Ink again for his scarf and nose (which I also popped a dot of Glossy Accents on).

Next I stamped the sentiment from Hero Arts Sprinkle Your Holidays with Black Stayz on Ink.

Then I adhered the watercolor paper 'layer' onto a  Hero Arts Cerulean (sky blue) notecard which I had trimmed down to size.  I edged the notecard in Walnut Stain Distress Ink after distressing the edges of the card.

Lastly I added some Hero Arts Small Accent Pearl (mine were white so I colored them with a Copic marker, but you can get some beautiful Light Blue ones that would be perfect)as well as some dots of Ranger Icicle Stickles to look like snowfall (and to add just a little bling *wink*).

I couldn't resisite popping a cute little blue and silver button from my stash in the corner, threading it with some red and white bakers twine for a final touch.

Hope you liked this one! I love the homey and textured look and feel of it!  I hope my explanation of the steps makes sense to you all, if you have any questions, PLEASE feel free to email me or leave a comment!

Please leave comments to let me know what you think!

See you tomorrow!

Linda xx