Updated - Where IS it made??

Hello Crafty Friends,

Recently, I have been feeling more like i should be more aware of what I'm buying and where it comes from.  Why you might ask?  One of the local Grocery stores is going out of business.  I can only imagine it is because of the Walmart down at the next exit.  I started to think...what could I have been doing any different?  My answer is I could be more aware of what I'm buying and where it's made.  Even non-crafty products we pick up.  So, I made a decision that I am going to be more aware.  If I buy American Made...and I pass the word along...maybe we can help boost our economy?  We as the craft community have the power to do so!  I was a little discouraged when I started looking on the web today for companies that make their craft products here.  More than a few of the ones I found...have gone out of business.  This was so sad to me!!  I know that the craft explosion to me anyway...seems to have just gotten bigger and the big name companies of course will most likely continue to manufacture overseas.  I have been pleasantly surprised by some of the product names that I recognize and now will be trying to support those companies more than I have in the past. 

So, I'm asking you...if you are an American and you want to help our economy...look at the label before you buy it.  I'm not asking for a complete boycott of your favorite products...but be more aware.  Yesterday when I went to the store, I picked up items just to take a peek! I was shocked.  The stores brand was made in South Carolina and the name brand...that I won't name...was made in China.  These were non-crafty items, but still...it goes for all the things that we as consumers pick up and need for daily lives.  Even some TOOTHPASTE if you can imagine that!!

So, here's my list of products that I've been able to verify are American Made...some of them have split products.  I did my best to list these as well. 

Graphic 45 - http://g45papers.com/
Technique Tuesday - http://techniquetuesday.com
Mrs. Grossman's - http://www.mrsgrossmans.com/2-0_category-summary.cfm
Fancy Pants - some made here...rub ons i have are made in China - http://www.fancypantsdesigns.com/
Luxe Designs Inc. - closed but I found websites that still have some of their products - Here's 2 places I found them online - http://www.blackberrypaper.com/lx.html
http://thescrappygourmet.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_328
My Mind's Eye (unsure if all are USA still trying to verify what products the die cuts i have are made in China) - http://www.mymindseye.com/
Rusty Pickle(They have closed :( according to a post on their blog as of Feb 3, 2010, still some of their
products out there to be bought)
Tim Holtz Distress Inks and adirondack felts for aplicator - unsure of other products by Tim Holtz at this time - http://www.timholtz.com/
Hero Arts - http://www.heroarts.com
Some Pink Paiselee products
Stampin Up - http://stampinup.com/
StazOn All Purpose Cleaner
Basic Grey - http://www.basicgrey.com/ - I have noticed my newer stuff says made in China, might be a split product as well...some here some over seas
Bazzill - http://bazzillbasics.com
Cosmo Cricket - http://www.cosmocricket.com/
Echo Park - http://www.echoparkpaper.com/
Karen Foster - http://karenfosterdesign.com/
StampingStation - http://www.stampingstation.com/
Creative Options - http://creativeoptionscrafts.com/
Beacon Adhesives - http://www.beaconadhesives.com/cgthree2.html
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists
Ranger Liquid Pearls
Boxer Papers (also liquidating) - http://www.boxerscrapbooks.com/
Keller Creations - http://www.acidfree.com/
Paper Trey Ink Dies - http://www.papertreyink.com/
MFT Dies and stamps - http://www.mftstamps.com/
Shimmerz Paints - Verified with rep ALL PRODUCTS are made in USA - http://www.shimmerzpaints.com/ - i prefer these to Glimmer mist.  I've never had a Shimmerz clog on  me.  :)
Paper Trunk - Closed :(
Daisy Bucket Designs - Closed/liquidating
Piggy Tales - unable to verify this so far - Thanks to Tinacome on sb.com looks like they are closed
Glue Arts - http://www.gluearts.com/
Jillibean Soup - papers, stickers, soup labels and die cut seets (peapods are made in the USA) all
others come from overseas - verified with Jillibean rep - http://jillibean-soup.com/site/index.php
Three Bugs in A Rug - verified with rep - http://www.3bugsinarug.com
**Update**
Offray Ribbon
Bella Blvd - from owner - papers and stickers printed in USA, other over seas - www.bellablvd.net
We R Memory Keepers - website says albums made in United States...leads you to believe all are, but I'm not sure...gonna check my stamps! - checked my stamps they are made in China
Scotch - ATG Refills www.3m.com/glider
October Afternoon - got this from SB.com board, but has not been verified with the company yet.  :)
Websters Pages - got this from SB.com board, but has not been verified with the company yet. :)
Authentique - got this from SB.com board, but has not been verified with the company yet. :)
Clear Scraps - www.clearscraps.com
Leaky Shed Studios - http://www.leakyshedstudio.com/
Red Line Tape and dimensional boosters from TexasJodyLynn! - check her out guys! http://confessionsofaribbonaddict.blogspot.com/2008/10/october-sticky-sale.html
Sugar Tree Papers - http://www.sugartreescrapbook.com/
Folk Art Products - http://www.folkartpaint.com/
Bow Maker from Cathie - www.creativecutterroom.com
Paper Bliss / Paperbilities - couldn't find a website for them.  Not sure they are still in business but I have some of their older items such as tags that say MADE IN USA. 
Sad to see that some of my favorites were made in China.  Like Bo Bunny and K&Company.  I have been told that Bo Bunny is also split.  Part in the US part overseas. I'm trying to verify more products.  I've sent emails to some of the companies with no response yet.  I think that most of the ones that are made in the USA will proudly display it, but I did have to dig for a few places to find on their websites.  The ones I couldn't find...I am only assuming they are not made in the USA.  There are some great companies in foreign countries!!  But, I'd like to buy as much Made in the USA that I can.  I realize Canadian scrappers don't have much of a choice in products.  Most of their products have to come from outside of Canada.  I do also purchase Canadian products such as Forever in Time.

I have emailed the following companies to try and verify where their products are made:

October Afternoon
Simple Stories
Crate Paper
Lily Bee
Teresa Collins

There's also several that I'm still Researching:

Lindy Stamp Gang
7 Gypsies
Daisy D's
Hampton Art(Caron International, South Carolina)
Adorn It
Anna Griffin
This list could go on forever, but you get the idea

Here are some I know are made in China/overseas:

The Paper Studio by Hobby Lobby (This one HURT for sure!!  I have tons of this product at home now)
K&Company
Part of Bo Bunny
Part of Pink Paislee
Part of Jillibean Soup
Part of We R Memory Keepers
Part of Bella Blvd
Zva - confirmed email
MAMBI
Recollections
Making Memories - China
American Crafts - China
Creative Memories - looked on my punches I have
Tim Holtz Reinforcers - China
Prima vines - Thailand
Petaloo - Thailand (Petaloo International - wasn't expecting those to be made here)
Basic Grey Bling
Fancy Pants Rub Ons - Taiwan
Mark Richards
My Minds Eye - checked on some die cuts I had lastnight - China
My Little Yellow Bicycle - China and Taiwan
Martha Stewart Punches - Taiwain

If you know of anymore products that are made in the USA...please comment.  Or if there's a correction that needs to be made to my list above.  There's also a running thread for updates on Scrapbook.com.  Please click here if you'd like to keep up!  I will also try to keep a running list and add it to my links section when I get more responses.  Thank you so much!

Friendship Page Swap for Susie

Hey Y'all!!  So, what have I been working on?  Another friendship page.  I actually had this one ALMOST done for a long time.  I found this paper that was PERFECT for Susie because she loves tie dye!  So, I snatched some up at Micheals and it was the start of my page for her.  I didn't wanna cover the paper because it's so sparkly and pretty.  It's bright and cheery!  Just like Susie.  I kept the embellishing to a minimum.  I feel so lucky to have met Susie so the quote I found fit her PERFECTLY!  She's a wonderful lady and a blessing to me. 

I took the 6x6 Chipboard and added the pretty papers on front and back.  I used a Spellbinders die to cut out the shape for the paper the quote is on.  It's just plain white textured cardstock.  I added a little dusty concord distress ink to tie in with the darker purple color on the paper.  I add dimensional boosters to the back of the quote then added my flowers, bling and a velvety butterfly! 

Here's a still shot of the front:

Then for the back, didn't wanna cover the paper again...so I added a piece of acetate on the bottom half to hold a tag.  Added a few more flowers in the corner..another butterfly and some trim across the bottom.  That was it!  The tag I used is plain white tag by the paper studio.  I stamped it with a butterfly stamp, colored a little and stickled of course!!  I plan to add a photo in the corner. 

Here's a still shot of the back:

Here's a slide show of close ups

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_POE5wihAc

sorry...blogger wasn't cooperating to insert the actual video!  AAAHHH!


Here's a list of products used:

Recollections Paper
Making Memories Green Trim
Prima Flowers
Green Flowers from Paper Wishes
Tag by Paper Studio
Micheals $1 bin butterfly stamp
Susan Branch Brush Tip Markers - Pruple and Yellow(These are so old surprised they still work!!)
Purple Bling by Forever In Time
Chipboard
Miscellaneous trim/fibers(used on the tag)
Spellbinders Die

Friendship Page Swap for Renea

Hey Y'all!  Here's my 4th friendship page.   It's for a wonderful and very creative lady named Renea!  You can visit her blog HERE.  You can also visit her etsy HERE.  I met Renae on Scrapbook.com and you can visit her page there HERE.  Renea is a very talented lady that is part of many design teams.  We actually don't live that far apart!!  So, when I sat down to make her page...I wasn't really sure what direction to go in.  With the other friendship pages, I have basically created the page based on each person and their particular style.  Doing this for Renea proved challenging to me and I'm not really sure why that is.  Well, I hope she likes what I came up with!  I absolutely love the page she sent me.  You can see what Renea made me HERE. 

So, I used Dream Street Papers and it kinda reminded me of old tin ceiling tiles.  I know it's colored, but the design reminded me of the tiles.  So, I cut out several pieces and added dimensional boosters to give me a little added interest.  Then, I went around the main shape with stickles.  I added a Prima Vine that I cut up a little to make the shape I wanted.  I added a butterfly I punched out with my Martha Stewart punch and I put it on a piece of acetate to make it sturdy.  I then applied stickles in all the punched areas on the butterfly.  I added some Darice bling in the corners of the mail "tile" and also backed it on some paper from a small stack I got from Hobby Lobby by the Paper Studio.  I wanted a little more BLING so I added a little tiny bling by Basic Grey for the butterfly trail.  That's about all I did to the front...so here's a still photo of the front.

Then on the back I used more of the green paper from the Hobby Lobby stack and I have seen Renea and other scrappers do this eyelet and lacing technique.  I wanted to try it out...so I used another piece from the stack in a darker pink and cut out a V shape to tuck my tag in and to use for the lacing.  A little hard to explain, but I think it will work better once you see the pic.  I didn't have enough eyelets of the same color to use...so I used some white, pin and silver eyelets.  I used white Organza ribbon and laced it up.  Then I added another one of those Martha Stewart butterfly punch outs on acetate and also used a smaller butterfly punch by American Girl Crafts.  I added a white twisty rose in the corner.  I purchased these from ebay.  I used more of the Basic Grey bling and 2 small green roses purchased from Paper Wishes.  I cut out one of the "tiles" from the Dream Street paper to use for my tag to add my personal info on.  I added some blingy brads in the corners and some button style brads too.  Slipped the tag in the laced up section and I was done!  I forgot to get a small pic printed out...so I just slid a 4X5 pick of myself behind the tag for Renea.  I didn't adhere it so she could remove it if she wants.  Here's a picture of the back of the page.

Here's the slide show of close ups

Here's a list of the products I used.

Paper Studio Paper Stack
Dream Street Paper
Cotton Candy Stickles
Prima Petite Fluer Vine
Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch
Acetate(recollections)
Basic Grey Bling
Folk Art Metallic Pink Paint
White Organza Ribbon
White Curly Rose(ebay)
Green flowers from Paper Wishes
Miscellaneous Eyelets(white, pink, silver)
Dimensional Boosters(purchased from JODY)
Chipboard
American Girl Crafts Small Butterfly Punch
Hot Glue

Thanks for taking a look!!!  Hope you have a wonderful day!

Native American/Southwestern Mini

Hey Y'all!  I came up with the idea for my uncles Navy themed mini and box and it was pretty simple to do after I found the embellishments.  Kinda hard sometimes to make something more plain when you are used to going all out with bling and flowers, but I managed to do it.  So, i didn't wanna give my uncle a handmade and time thought out gift without doing the same for my aunt.  I know one thing she loves is the Native American and Southwestern decor.  I even got her a wall hanging one time that was just beautifully hand stitched with wolves.  When I decided on this theme...I found out how HARD it is to find embellishments and stamps and even PAPER that matches this theme.  I found a few things online and actually found a few sheets of paper at the same outlet that I got the Navy themed paper from.  So, from there...that was my start to see what I could find that was kind of natural feeling and outdoorsy themed.   I found one indian Chief stamp that I think I used 3 times in the mini.  I didn't want to pay a lot for stamps because I knew I wouldn't be making one of these types again unless someone specifically asked for it.  I had some horse stamps already because of my love of horses.  So, those fit nicely as well.  I printed a few images from online that I found of wolves and a totem pole.  I pought a bunch of natural flowers from the dried section at Micheals and applied matte Modge Podge.  I did this in hopes that it won't completely lose all the little pieces.  I used a couple charms that I found on clearence at JoAnn and some brown Primas that I also got on clearence.  I kept it VERY VERY simple.  Not a whole lot of interaction on this one because neither my uncle or aunt are scrapbookers.  I also made a box for this mini.  The basic design and layout is almost exactly the same as the mini, but there's a larger heavier element on the top of the box.  I found a really cool dream catcher ornament!  I covered the sides with left over paper and modge podged over it.  Added some animal fur looking trim from Hobby Lobby and topped it off with some more of the braided cord.

Here's the front of the mini

Here's the top of the box

Here's the slideshow with photos of the box and inside of the mini

Products Used

Olive pigment ink by Colorbox
Cigar box(from Susie visit her blog HERE)
Modge Podge
ATG
Red Line Tape
Eyelets
Twine - Natural
Burlap Ribbon by My Minds Eye
Buttons(JoAnn)
Dimensionals
Craft Cardstock
Paper House Productions Patterned Papers
Hot Glue
Bead Landing Charms(JoAnn)
Mini Grapevine Wreath
Feathers(Micheals & JoAnn)
Turquiose Ribbon(JoAnn)
Brown Ribbon(JoAnn)
Brown Fringed Trim(Hobby Lobby)
Mini Roses(Paper Wishes)
Corrugated Tattered Florals Die Cuts(From Renea visit her Etsy HERE her blog HERE)
Acetate
Braided leather cord(Hobby Lobby)
Indian Chief Stamp
Dream Catcher Sticker(The paper studio)
Inkadinkadoo Horse Stamp
Burgandy Cardstock
Dried Natrual Flowers
Recollections Flowers
Prima Flowers
Dream Catcher Ornament(Hobby Lobby)

Thanks for taking a look!  I appreciate each and every one of you.  :)  Have a wonderful day!

Altered Cigar box for Navy Dog Tag Mini

Hey Y'all!!  Today I wanted to share with you the altered Cigar box that I made for my uncles Navy Dog Tag Mini.  I still have to add the closure, but I haven't  made it to the store!!  I wanted to give this to my uncle already, but I want it completed before I do.  So, I'm holding it until then.

So...here it is!

The slide show is below for more photos of the inside and outside.

I started out with a paper covered cigar box.  This was my first time to alter one of these.  My GREAT friend Susie sent me 2 boxes to get my creativity going!  Thank you so much Susie.  You are really the BEST!  I peeled off a lot of the paper because when I tried to cover with paper, you could still see the embossed paper underneath that the box was covered in.  So...I painted with folk art Silver Metallic paint over the parts that would show.  Then I found this GREAT paper from JoAnn's that was also a little bumpy.  It kinda reminded me of waves?  LOL!!  Ok, maybe a stretch, but I liked it anyway and it's NAVY.  :)  So...I put that on the top.  I used the large Navy emblem sticker from K&Company in the middle.  I used pop dots to raise it off the box and put it on hammered silver texture paper by Hot of The Press.  I also covered the sides with this paper and used screw head brads on the paper joints on the front of the box.  I used mini spools for the legs on the box.  I painted them a darker blue, but not navy.  I didn't have any paint that color.  I used rope in the corners and more stickers from K&Company(the stars) and I also backed these on the silver paper.  I had already covered in the SILVER when I decided to use the K&Company stickers that were GOLD!  LOL  but I think it came out just fine.  I still am not THAT thrilled with the end result...but no bling and flowers on something for a MAN!  LOL  I added the same hammered silver paper to the inside of the lid and added gray felt in the bottom. 

Here's the products I used.

Cigar Box(courtesy Susie.  Visit her blog HERE)
Navy K&Company Stickers
White Rope(JoAnn)
Hammered Paper by Hot Off The Press(I purchased at JoAnn)
Navy colored wavy paper?  (I purchased at JoAnn)
Folk Art Metallic Silver paint
Wooden Spools
Screw Head Brads by The Paper Studio
ATG
Red Line Tape (purchased from Jody.  Visit her HERE)
Dimensionals (purchased from Jody)
Gray Felt

You can find the Navy Mini HERE.

Thanks for taking a look!  If you have any questions please feel free to ask.  :)

Have a GREAT DAY!

Navy Dog Tag Mini

Hey Y'all!!  Keeping with the military theme...today I am sharing the mini that I have just completed for my uncle for Christmas.  He was in the United States Navy and very proud of his service.  I'm very proud of him too and greatful for his service.  So, I wanted to collect the pictures from his Navy days that I have and put them in this mini for him.  I really think he will enjoy it. 

I first saw a dog tag mini created by Regan (EmoraDesigns) on youtube.  Click HERE for a link to her video.  She cut her mini out using the Stand and Salute Cricut Cartridge...me however, I cut mine out by hand.  Didn't even think of using the cartridge until AFTER I cut it out by hand!!  woo!  My hand was hurting.  I also do not have the deep cut blade for the Cricut.  I cut out from chipboard, made my hole for the ball chain to slip through, painted the edges with blue folk art metallic paint, then I added my papers and embellishments.  This was a challenge for me to do this mini.  Not a WHOLE lot of embellishments you can use for Navy that I found.  I didn't wanna use the same things over and over in the book, but some stuff I did have to repeat.  I was lucky enough to find some of the Creative Imaginations Navy Themed paper line at a discount closeout store!!  I paid 10Cents a sheet!!  Can you believe it?  I was so glad to find it.  They did however only have 2 styles.  Navy emblem and Navy words, so I basically used these through out the book.  I also found the Jolee's Navy stickers.  I must say these are my favorite out of all the Jolees Military themed stickers.  So, a manly book...no bling or stickles or lace or flowers!!!  WOW!!  How does one do that?  Well, I'm very happy with the way it turned out and I hope you enjoy the slideshow and will leave a comment or suggestions.  I hope to have this completed for him by December 24 to give to him at our family gathering.  Just have to finish up the box!

Here's the Front Cover - Kept this pretty simple...no frilly touches. 

This page I have to give special credit to....

My friend Susie...visit her blog HERE ....suggested that I do a Shaker box like a Port hole....well, I didn't have any beads or microbeads, so I left this open to fill at a later date, or just to use as a frame.  If she hadn't given me the idea I would have been stuck on this page!  So, thank you Susie!!  You are the best.  :)

And here's the inside slide show:

Here's the supply list:

Navy colored cardstock
Navy Stickers from Jolees
Creative Imaginations Navy Signature Collection
Screw head brads by the Paper Studio
white puff paint
Gray pigment ink
White cardstock
White dimensional boosters from Jody(visit her store HERE)
Black Dimensional boosters from Jody(she has redline tape too!)
Modge Podge
Navy Bazzil Dots Paper
Star embossing folder by the Paper Studio
Rope trim from JoAnn
Twine
Blue Pigment Ink
Timeless Moments Navy Themed Stickers
Star Buttons
Anchor Buttons
Stand and Salute Cricut Cartridge
Chain
Star Brads
Acetate
Ball Chain
Creative Imaginations USN Themed Brads
Karen Foster Metal Tag Lines
Glossy Accents
K&Company Navy Theme Dimensional Stickers
Anchor Eyelets
Battleship Eyelets
Gray Cardstock
Navy Ribbon
Pioneer Metal Navy Emblem
EK Success Wave Edge Punch
Medium White Tags by the Paper Studio
Small Silver Eyelets
Star Shaped Paper Clip
White Round Velcro
Extra Large Eyelets(from the sewing section)

Thank you so much for visiting!

Wounded Warrior Project Minis

Hey Y'all!  Well, again, I'm so far behind in posting.  I think I get one project complete then 2 more get added to my list!  WHEW! 

So, if you have visited me before then you know how much of a supporter I am of our United States Military.  :)  I just completed these books for the Wounded Warrior Project.  This was started by Karen Petersen on the {scrap}beach.  I warn you to be careful where you send items to if you are trying to get something(cards, care packages etc) to a service member.  There have been lots of BAD addresses floating around out there and the items will just be thrown away.  There are several places you can send cards and I will list them below, but this was the first time I had ever been able to make a mini to send in.  I was so glad to get in contact with Karen for this project. 

I kept it pretty simple since these will be going to people who may not be crafters.  I went with a Holiday Theme and this was my first Christmas Mini.  I have to say it was a CHALLENGE not to make it so busy and chunky like my others!  I ALWAYS struggle with my covers on the minis.  This one...i'm still not that happy with, but I had to get these in the mail.  So, just had to put it down! 

Here's a photo of the front of the book.  I made basically 2 just a like(first time for me)

And here's the slide show of the inside.

Products used
Bo Bunny Father Christmas 6x6 Paper Pad
K&Co Christmas Tag Pad
Handmade Mulberry paper trees
Jolees Bells
Making Memories Glittered Brads
Glossy Accents
Acetate
Making Memories Gold Paint
Folk Art Christmas Green Metallic Paint
Harmonie Chipboard Reindeer
Prima Flowers
K&Co Star and Snowflake Embellishments
Recollections Bling
Christmas Red Stickles
Paper Studio Binder Rings
Tulle
Making Memories Lace
Making Memories Trim
Pearls
Pearl Teardrop Trim
Aunthentic Stamp Die Cuts
Recollections Pearl Flourishes
Recollections Buttons
Prima Flowers and Leaves
Rock Candy Distress Crackle
Matte Modge Podge
Garment Pins
Clear Beads
Snowflake die cuts
micro beads
Making Memories Red Glittered Trim(topped this with glossy accents)
Websters Pages Sparklers
Small Key Charm
Kanban Christmas Die cuts
Pleated trim


So, there's the list.  If you'd like to make cards for a service member or get involved in supporting them in anyway...please visit Operation Write Home or Soldiers Angels

You'd be surprised how much a small and inexpensive gesture can mean to a total stranger!!  You might even  make a friend and who can't use a friend?  :)

Thanks for visiting! 

Happy Holidays!