Favorite Products

Lately, I have been finding some really great products.

I cannot say enough good about Fresh Ink by Impress Rubber Stamps. It is supposedly identical to the new A Muse inks that everyone is raving about. Talk about rich coverage, great colors, and NO blotching. I bought mine in Seattle where I could actually try them first at the store where the clerks were so very helpful.

I also had 50% off coupons so that I could get 2 of the new Hero Arts/Sizzix stamp and die combo sets. Love, love, love them. The really cool thing about the die is that it cuts on the inside line so you stamp first, line them up, and get a perfect die cut every single time. They are pricey, but well worth it, and with coupons they are a real deal. I am also enjoying the stamp/embossing folder duos that Hero Arts is producing.

New stamp companies I have been very happy with are WPlus9, Clear Dollar Stamps, Graphic 45, and Lost Coast stamps. Also, after not being very inspired by the Waltzing Mouse Stamps for the last half year or so, I recently placed an order for several of their Christmas stamp sets that I love. The nordic style is really appealing to me this year and I also got a couple of nordic sets from WPlus9.

Favorite vendor these days is Simon Says. Everytime you order you get a coupon for $5 off the next order which means basically your shipping is free. Prices are decent, I don't have to pay sales tax, and they ship very fast. Customer service is excellent and they have a huge selection and restock quickly.

I am moving away from punches, particularly Martha Stewart, due to space issues and I because I really find dies more versatile in that you can cut things like felt with the dies, in addition to coasters, and thicker papers.

I am holding back on Papertrey for now until they address and solve their customer service issues that have so many people really disgusted with them. I still LOVE their designs and cardstock, but trying to get a defective product replaced or a refund is like pulling teeth. I did get some of their Christmas stamps a couple of months ago, but have been avoiding buying since then.

Images I am into right now are quilts, sewing, school/teacher, reindeer, mittens, and lots of vintage things.

My favorite cardstock colors right now are SU's Cherry Cobbler, PTI's Autumn Rose, and Fresh Ink colors Pool and Island.

Still using my Cuttlebug a LOT. Using the Slice now and then. My ATG never leaves my side. Using dies almost every day. Still loving my Copic markers, and am totally obsessed with Baker's Twine on everything! (BTW, I still have one Divine Twine Sampler set of 8 colors in one package for sale for $12 plus $2 shipping--email me at rubyslippers@neofast.net if interested).

Papers from Graphic 45, October Afternoon, and K & Company are at the top of my list right now.

I am pleased that companies are tweaking products (like the Hero Dies) to make them more user friendly, easier to store, and versatile.

I rarely, rarely, buy a wood stamp anymore. I much prefer clear, followed by cling, but will buy a wood mount if I just have to have the image (probably about 3-4 times in the last year).

Off to work on Christmas cards!!