PRODUCT REVIEWS
Bella and Unleashed Designs - Review by Jody Urquhart
Our wholesale sponsors for the month of August are the wonderful “Bella!” and the new kid on the block “Unleashed Designs”. I really enjoyed creating with the gorgeous product from these sponsors.
Bella!
The new ME & YOU collection has some gorgeous new patterned papers, lace papers, ribbons, stitched cardstock, felt trim and flowers, new cork embellishments and a funky new cork/chipboard alpha.
The papers are all double-sided making them great value for money and so easy to work with as they are all coordinated with the other papers and embellishments from the collection.
For some inspiration, check out the August Creative Team layouts in the gallery, or pop over to the Bella! blog http://www.fynmark.blogspot.com
Unleashed Designs
I must admit (and I am going to be really honest here) when I first saw the die cuts from Unleashed, I was a little disappointed. Whilst the die cuts are cut from a great quality cardstock, they were very plain.
However, once I added some ink they suddenly came alive! On my layout “My Dog DUDE!” I have inked the edges of the word. I love the way that the second “D” was back to front – just suited me to a tee. On my “Chick-a-dee” layout, I stamped a flower numerous times over the die cut and mounted it on my layout with 3D tape giving it dimension on the page. So the fact that the die-cuts come 'undressed' is actually a plus because it allows you to add your own personal touch.
A huge thank you to our August Sponsors! We would love to hear your feedback if you have used the product yourself!
To see all the gorgeous creations from The Creative Team's August pack click here
Introducing the Mijemoo Brad and Eyelet Template AKA Stitch Assist
With Mijemoo being one of our Wholesale Sponsors for April we were lucky enough to play with these wonderful tools. Such a simple idea! They are a4 sheets of Clear acetate with patterns printed and the spaces for the holes are all marked out ready to go.
Have a look what Rondelle did with them - they're so versatile!
Step 1 - Place your template over your paper. Using a piercing tool (or if you can't find your piercing tool a large thumbtack works perfectly). Pierce through the template, leaving a hole in the paper. OH and be sure to have your piercing matte under your paper for ease of use. Mijemoo have also just bought out a new 12x12 Piercing matte which the Scraplounge team are just in love with! Check out the product review page ;)
So then pierce all the holes you require, remove the template and your base pattern is there ready to go.
You can then add your stitching TIP - when I'm using the older version templates known as the 'Brad & Eyelet template' I add an additional hole between every hole for a closer stitch but that is a personal preference.
As well as stitching, and using as a Brad and eyelet template, I've found they work FABULOUSLY with Gemstones!!! Why buy the more expensive 'pre-shaped' gemstone circles and flourishes when you can make them yourself for a fraction of the price!
Whatever you decide is your favourite way to use these templates, I assure you that for under $10 each, it will be one of the best scrapbooking tool investments you ever make!
And they're Australian Designed and owned!!!!
Check out www.mijemoo.com.au for a stockist near you
product review ~ A2z Scraplets Clear acrylic 'love' plaque
reviewed by Rondelle Downing
This product was such fun, and so easy to decorate. As soon as I saw it I thought ‘Wedding Photo’ and that’s exactly what I did. I used StazOn ink to stamp with, which ensured it took to the acrylic, and added a few little embellishments and the photo and it was done!
I love that you also get the clear stand with the plaque so there is no need for worrying about how to display it.
And, with the beautiful swirls all around the edge, the plaque was always going to have a classy look; it just has such a nice finish.
This plaque would make a gorgeous gift for newly weds, or even alter the plaque to give as a wedding gift and leave space for the photo which they can add later.
And it doesn’t stop there, A2Z have several different themed plaques including ‘My Girls’, ‘My Boys’, ‘Family’ and more.
Visit www.a2zscraplets.com.au to see their full range of wonderful products or visit two of our sponsor sites who stcok A2Z Scraplets
product review ~ Julie's craft stop felt corners and acrylic embellishments
reviewed by Karen Sweedman (scraplounge Creative Team member)
Felt photo corners
These are the grooviest photo corners. They peel easily. They don’t stick to themselves, just to the layout. They are easy to use as a whole or, my preference; they can be cut down into individual flowers. I will definitely be buying these again. I loved the textured feel they gave to the layout. With the addition of a bit of bling, they moved from soft and touchable to trendy. Just being able to manipulate them without having to unstick them from themselves really sold them to me! I loved this product.
Acrylic Plaque
This plaque was fun to use. Because it is acrylic you could overlay it on the patterned papers and get a lovely layered effect. I found it easy to apply using double sided tape on the printed edges. The groovy font in the middle really suits these papers. My verdict: fun and easy to use
visit www.juliescraftstop.com.au to see their full range of products and visit some of our sponsor sites who sell Julie's Products
*note - the gorgeous papers used by Karen in her creations are from another wonderful Australian company www.paperinklings.com.au
Product Review ~ Lulu's Scrapbooking
'Photo Calendar Album'
Reviewed by Rondelle Downing (Scraplounge Creative Team member)
Lulu’s Scrapbooking have a fabulous new product on offer which is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
The all new Photo Calendar comes in a handy, easy to scrap size of 8x8” so that you won’t be overwhelmed at the prospect of scrapping all twelve months calendar pages plus the cover in the traditional 12x12 format.
With a beautiful white finish from front cover to back cover AND the spiral wire binder, you are guaranteed to have a stylish finish before you even begin!
Each page has pre-slit spaces where you can add just a photo if you choose (allows for landscape and portrait) or simply scrap the entire 8x8 page, covering the slits.
This product has been designed with ‘keepsake’ in mind, so once the year has passed, the calendar pages are simply ripped out, leaving a beautiful album, making this item a perfect gift for someone special.
Now this extremely versatile product also has another use for those of you who, like me, are a bit ‘Calendared Out’ from Christmas just gone. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find each month’s page set out neatly in two parallel columns, which to me jumped out and said ‘Birthday Book’!! This is what I’ve chosen to use the album for and it’s an absolutely gorgeous keepsake for remembering all those special dates throughout the year.
So whether it’s a lovely Birthday Book for yourself, or simply a matter of giving yourself a head start on Christmas ’08 Calendar Presents, this great new product is definitely a winner!
check for your local stockist at Lulu's Scrapbooking
product review ~ Lulu's Scrapbooking Double Frame
Reviewed by Karen Sweedman (ScrapLounge Creative Team member)
Lulu double frame
Now….You know that I am not really a double layout kinda girl so I was worried about using the Lulu double frame. I mean, it is SO BIG. It measures 12 inches x 24 inches and that is a lot of frame to fill…or so I thought!
I loved using this double frame size. I laid the backing wood out on my scrapping table and worked from there. Because I used layer upon layer of ripped paper, this made placement easy. Double sided tape easily adhered the paper to the backing wood.
I used a large knot made up of three ribbons on one of my photos. The frame accommodated this perfectly without any bowing. It also accommodated bling and a popped up brad.
I liked that the frame gave you the option of freestanding or wall hanging. To create the freestanding frame it’s just a matter of pulling out the s-curl stand and placing it back in at a 90 degree angle.
I also liked the safe acrylic facing on the front of the frame. No more unsafe glass with a toddler around.
So………………………….would I recommend it? YOU BET.
visit www.lulusscrapbooking.com.au to see the full range of frames, and check out their stockist list to see where you can get yours!
PRODUCT REVIEW ~ Bella Clipboard
Reviewed by Sara Noendeng (ScrapLounge Creative Team member)
When I received the Bella clipboard to review, I thought oh it’s just another clipboard to alter.
But when I looked at it properly I realized that this little clipboard cutie wasn’t just another “altered project” that would gather dust it could actually have a function as well.
There is a nifty magnet on the back so you can pop it on the fridge for shopping lists or calendar reminders. I painted the edges and added patterned paper to the middle. Both stuck fantastically without the need for Mod Podge and I had no concern about it falling off.
The ease and speed of this project makes it a perfect fuss free gift for the time restricted scrapper – one I am sure the recipient would be happy to receive, display and enjoy.
Visit the Bella Blog for more inspirational ideas for this Clipboard and other fabulous Bella products:
http://fynmark.blogspot.com/2008/01/clipboard-cutie.html
