My NEW favorite tool........

There it is, doesn't look like much, huh?  But let me tell you, this is one amazing, MUST HAVE new thing-a-ma-bob!  It's the newest toy from We R Memory Keepers, the Sew Ribbon.  This is THE coolest thing ever!  I thought I loved the Sew Easy, but this surpasses that and then some!  I am doing a scrapbook on my garden & flowers and I thought this particular Sew Ribbon would be perfect, it is the Leaf.  It is SO easy to use and that is the honest truth.  The tool itself is very easy to manipulate & line up, it has a ruler on it and being that it is magnetic, it is impossible NOT to have it lined up with itself.  The punch is quite sharp, so be careful in the presence of children, but it certainly does its job.  I tried it through several weights of paper and even doubled up and it worked beautifully under all circumstances.  

Each tool comes with 3 "needles".  They are also sold separately & they are basically just adhesive acrylic pieces that help weave the ribbon through the punched holes, but although one could probably rig up his/her own version the "needles", they are imperative to using the tool with ease and really aren't that expensive so I will definitely keep myself well stocked with these handy-dandy little thing-a-ma-dos!  We R have special ribbon to use and although it isn't necessary to buy their ribbon, it sure is a heck of a lot easier to always know you have the perfect size ribbon.  The ribbon comes in 10 different color families with 3 shades and textures on each "spool". There are 6 different Sew Ribbon designs, each as beautiful as the last and guess what?  I have them all, and guess where I got them?  You betcha, Susie & Scrap Happy!  She has the full line, everything!  Not only that but she and the girls at Scrap Happy will be doing some awesome make-n-takes with the Sew Ribbon this weekend at the Fall Open House.  

Here is my project with the Sew Ribbon on the bottom and then a close-up image. One side note, I used sheer ribbon for a more tone on tone affect, just my preference, but I used my Tim Holtz Distress ink in Peeled Paint and my sponge dauber and inked the holes that were punched so it didn't look so stark.  That step would not be needed if using a more opaque ribbon, but I still think it looks great!  Like I said, my new FAVORITE tool!

OPERATION WRITE HOME

We have some exciting news to share with all of you.  Scrap Happy is SO pleased  & excited to tell you we will be participating in the Operation Write Home project.  If you are unfamiliar with Operation Write Home, it is an organization that collects handmade cards from around the country and sends them in care packages to the troops overseas.  They can be cards to the troops or blank cards for the troops to send home to their loved ones.  Either is more than welcome.

To help you get started, Scrap Happy will be hosting a FREE card class on Sunday, June 19th @ 6pm.  This will be taught by Susie and all the cards you make will be donated to the troops.  Then, the following Sunday, June 26th, you can come into the store anytime from 12-6 to make your own cards to donate.  Both of these are free, however, we would appreciate if you would still sign up, either online or at the store, so we can keep track of supplies, etc.

If you can't make it to either event, we will still be an official "drop zone" for any and all cards donated by you, up until July 2nd.  That is the deadline as we have to ship these out by the Fourth of July!  

If you want to donate your handmade creations, please note there are some simple guidelines to follow when making your cards.  These are for the safety and ease of handling of the troops, so please take a look by clicking the "guideline" link above.   They are in need of Birthday, Thank You, Missing You, Thinking of You and generic & Blank cards.   Especially blank cards so they can write to their loved ones.  Also, please include masculine colors and themes, as well.

As if this fabulous organization wasn't enough, IF, and ONLY IF, Scrap Happy donates the most cards during this time YOU the kind, creative, generous person YOU are will be eligible for a chance to win a FREE Cruise 'n Crop on Royal Caribbean, thanks to one of our favorite scrappy companies, We R Memory Keepers!  Can you imagine?  Not only could you be cruising along in paradise, but scrapping at the same time!!   It is almost too much for me bear, I think I am going to faint!...............................................Okay, I have recovered................................................

For more information please check out the Operation Write Home website and we really hope to see you at one of our events to donate to this worthwhile organization!