Sassafrass Lass Oliver and Friends Stamp Set Review
by Jess

What is it?

This is a seven piece stamp set from Sassafrass Lass that coordinates with the Owl Pal collection. But these stamps that range in size with a total 4x4 area, go great with plenty of papers and themes.

What projects can I use them for?

The stamps are the perfect size for cards and will look great with all the new trendy nature inspired products. Below is a card I made using three of the collections stamps. First I stamped the images and then highlighted them with pastel pencils.

Also branching outside of the nature theme they make cute accents on simple cards like this Valentine card.
The set also works well with other companies stamps so they’ll blend right into your collection. On the journaling tag below I used Autumn Leaves bracket journaling stamp (which can also be found in the Scrappy Jo store) and Technique Tuesday swirls. So have fun mixing these cute fellows with your collection.

But the stamps are not so small that they can’t be used on layouts as well. Owls have long been symbols of wisdom so I used them on the graduation layout below. This time in a more masculine way.

So are there any drawbacks?

The only drawback I have found with these stamps is that they discolor immediately. Each time you use a new color the stamps become that color in my experience. This doesn’t affect the performance of the stamps though. A word of caution: make sure the stamp is nice and juicy for best color coverage. I used Cat’s Eye Chalk Inks to create solid and more faded images depending on the look I was going for.

Anything else I need to know?

If you love these little guys there is a sister set, Olivia and Pals, also available in the Scrappy Jo’s store. So choose your favorite or pick up both and get stamping with these cute stamps!

Sara's Surfaces

Sara's Surfaces by Hot Off The Press are unique little mini boxes that can be easily decorated with many different types
of mediums.

What Kinds of Surfaces?
Combine new scrap product with some of your older "outdated"
paper from two years ago and create a new look. Just be a little "scrappy" with it.

Your altered mini boxes will be great when you need a gift, card or shower
favor idea. A little box plus your wedding supplies would be ideal!

The Appeal
These little boxes are very cute. And each one will be your own unique work of art.

The Sara's Surface mini boxes are not only appealing, they're also practical.
Scrapbooking is a big and getting bigger passion. Decorated
surfaces, dressed up as small gifts or to hold a gift, are an
economical way for you to indulge in your hobby, create something
practical and use up very little of your supplies. Quite cost effective.

Getting the Effect
These little Hot Off The Press'
boxes have a glossy surface. They're ideal
for using with alcohol inks or even stamping directly on them. You can
even wrap a box with patterned paper or ribbons, or adorn it with
stickers, chipboard, brads and tags. The ideas are endless. Get your
Sara's Surfaces boxes today from Scrappy Jo's Scrapbook Supplies.

Product Review - the American Crafts D-ring albums

By Lee-Ellen Cox

As scrapbookers, I think we are all looking for that perfect album. Up until a few months ago, I had a favorite post bound album and I think I had it in every color they make. It worked wonderfully for me until one day I had an epiphany that I was no longer going to scrap in chronological order, I was going to scrap what I was in the mood to scrap, GASP!

So, while my artistic side was thriving on this new found way for me to scrap, my OCD side was stressing about how in the world I was going to keep my albums in chronological order. After researching online for a while, I decided I was going to give the American Crafts D-ring albums a shot.

By the time I made my decision, ordered and received my album, I had about 50 layouts piled on my desk. I began the task or sorting them and adding them to the album. I love the fact that it is so easy to move pages around because of the D-ring rather than post bound pages. This is a wonderful solution for me to still be able to scrap what I want, when I want but to also still be able to keep my albums in order.

The outside of the album comes as raw chipboard so I also love the fact that you can decorate the outside of your album however you want. I had so much fun creating an album cover! I highly recommend these albums! They come in several different sizes and colors! Check them out!