October Afternoon

Check out the new "Report Card" collection from October Afternoon. I love the bright fun colors and the fact that is can easily be used for a boy or a girl.

The patterned papers are double-sided cardstock and super fun to mix and match!







Here's some rub-ons:

A super cute cardstock sticker sheet:

...and alphabet stickers to match.

Here's some layout ideas:

I love the papers that look like they came out of an old textbook. They are perfect to use as the background for a layout or to cut apart and use as embellishments (think punched flowers, stars, etc.).

Cut tiny elements from the gameboard paper to accent your page with. It's also fun to place the cardstock stickers on pop dots for added dimension.

For more project ideas, visit October Afternoon here.

Join us for Scrapbooking Class!

What: Scrapbooking Classes by Kathy & Stephanie
When: Thursday, January 28th, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Where: Rexburg Store
Bring your basic scrapbooking tools.

This year in our scrapbooking classes, we want to focus on teaching you some different techniques to vamp up your layouts. This month we are highlighting "Stamping."

In Kathy's sweet Valentine class, you can learn how to deboss beautiful designs into velvet ribbon using your rubber stamps and an iron.

Here's a close up. Notice the detail of the debossed ribbon...beautiful!!

Once in awhile, you might run into a problem finding matching ribbon or embellishments for your project. In Stephanie's class, learn how to stamp and heat emboss your own accent pieces to match perfectly!

Here the "lace ribbon" is actually stamped and then heat embossed using American Crafts Zing embossing powder. Using this technique, you can make as much ribbon as you want and it won't break your budget!

Here's some detail on the journaling envelope that was stamped with VersaMark ink and heat embossed with clear powder.

We have a few other tricks up our sleeves, so join us this Thursday to learn all about them! Sign up at the scrapbooking counter to reserve your spot.

Introducing Jillibean Soup

Jillibean Soup is a fairly new company in the scrapbooking industry that has caught our eye. They offer fresh and innovative products with fun designs. Their products are all creatively named after soup...so fun!

Here's a peek at some of the products we currently have in stock:


Cream of Mushroom Collection (choose from kraft or white background)











Black Bean Collection








There are Cool Bean buttons...



Bean Stalks Ribbon & Fibers...







Don't forget to check out the super cute selection of clear stamps. Here are a few...






Kathy designed some cute layouts using Jillibean Soup. Love them!

I love how Kathy stuck with a circular theme throughout her design. The stamped images on the background paper lead your eye through the page.

The Black Bean Collection leaves so much room for the imagination! Because it is neutral, it is so easy to mix it with any color and any theme.

For more great ideas using Jillibean products, visit their blog here.

Love is in the Air

Introducing our newest Kit of the Month!

Designed by Tara Lehmann, this 12x12 layout is sure to make you smile! She will have a new project for us each month that can easily be placed in one of our 12x12 calendar frames. When the month is over, just remove the layout from the calendar frame and place it in your regular scrapbook album.

This month's kit is a super bargain at only $5! It comes complete with instructions and a color photo of the finished project AND all the stamping is done for you. You won't find a better deal, so hurry in! There are a limited number available and once they are gone, they're gone.
(Available at our Rexburg store).

4th Saturday Make and Takes

Come into our Rexburg store this Saturday, January 23rd, at 1 p.m. and learn how to make identification tags for backpacks, scrapbooking bags, etc. These tags are a great advantage in making sure children at school get the right backpack, and if lost, the information on the tag helps it to be returned to the proper owner. One side can hold your child's photo which makes it super easy for a preschooler to recognize.


Certain businesses around town request that all backpacks be placed in a cubby or dropped off at the service desk while you do your shopping. These identification tags insure that you get the right backpack returned.

Come make one with us and take the added measures to keep your belongings safe. Hope to see you there!

2nd Saturday Recap

Stamps, Stamps, and More Stamps!

We had our first 2nd Saturday class for 2010 and had lots of fun!

So many of us have a collection of stamps that are neatly put away and haven't been used for some time. We talked about getting them out and putting them to use once again. It's a shame to have spent money and not be using them.

As well as using your old stamps there are new incredibly cute stamps available.

Porter's has a Stamp of The Month program by Great Impressions. If you buy two Great Impression's Stamps, you are able to get the stamp of the month for 50% Off. What a deal! Be sure to check out these stamps and the adorable examples on display.


This year when you sign up for 2nd Saturday, you will get a shadow box and a transparent calendar overlay. Each month your assignment will be to make a page to go inside the shadow box that matches a given theme for the month. The assignments will be given one month ahead so your calendar will always be current!

January's assignment is to make a February page using stamps.

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Following are some examples of different ways you can use your stamps.

On this page, flourishes were stamped behind a vellum butterfly which creates a feeling a flight.

Sometimes it's hard to find the perfect embellishment for your layout. Use stamps and ink that match your papers to create a unique accent. On this layout, flowers were stamped and layered to create accent pieces as well as an eye catching title block.

Use various stamps with small patterns to create accents such as the flower petals that are shown here.

The VersaMark ink pad is very versatile and so much fun to use! This ink creates a "watermark" effect wherever you stamp, making it a snap to create your own backgrounds on any colored cardstock.

Another fun technique you can do with your stamps is to use bleach instead of ink. For some ideas on how to do this, click here for a great tutorial. Be sure to clean your stamps well after using bleach, as it will dry them out and cause them to crack.

There are a lot of useful journaling stamps out there. They are great for just that...journaling! But think outside the box, too. There are many cute accent pieces that can be made from a journaling stamp.

And don't forget all the great alphabet fonts that are perfect for creating titles and such.

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Show & Tell

Chris Brown made a very cool star album for her January "Bling" assignment. Check it out!

You can find instructions all over the internet by searching for "Star Album Instructions". Thanks, Chris, for sharing your talent with us!

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Here's a peek at next month's assignment...

For 2nd Saturday in February, we will explore different uses for a variety of inks (besides the obvious technique of stamping with them). I can't wait to see you there!