Happy Labor Day Weekend!  Can’t believe we are cooking into September already!! Back to School and all kinds of other things!

I have to tell you September is my all time favorite month – and I just love the Labor Day weekend holiday!

Well I’ve been on the lookout – and I have found some deals I thought I would share with you all!

First of all Craft-E-Corner.com is having a Labor Day Sales event Today until Monday!  They are going to be giving FREE SHIPPING as well as an additional 10% off when you use the code: LABORDAY – now this sale ends Monday and you can read up about all the details at their site directly.  They have a fun package combo on the Gypsy and Gypsy DVD as well as – THEY JUST GOT VIVA DECOR IN STOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was jumping up and down when I heard they ordered and would be carrying it – so Go get VIVA Pens!!! They also are doing fun things with the Bottle Caddies and other items as well….so go check it out for some at home shopping with FREE Shipping this weekend.

For those who want to GET OUT AND SHOP!  Michaels is having a TWO DAY Sale (Sunday and Monday) where you can get 50% off any one Regular Priced Item in store.  Now this does exclude Cricut/Slice/Gypsy items and several other things as well – but good stuff if you have been eying up different things to add to your craft room.  They also have 40% off going on for many of their stickers as well – which i find dun to spice things up from time to time!  Michael’s ALSO Has a SPECIAL Bonus Coupon on Martha Stewart Crafts stuff – so punches, stamps, glitters etc… all 20% OFF your ENTIRE Purchase from the Martha Stewart Crafts line – have SO much fun with that!!!!  And then if THAT is NOT ENOUGH – they have an additional 25% off coupon for your entire Ribbon purchase!  Some exclusions do apply to this – but you can read up all about it RIGHT HERE! So Get Your Michael’s coupons and have fun SHOPPING!

AC Moore is also doing GREAT Things for Labor Day but I know its not across the country – but I’ll say this – they WILL take Michael’s coupons for one – and TWO They are doing a FANTASTIC Sale on your Scrapbook Paper and Cardstock, Adhesives AND Ink Pads!  You’ll LOVE this SALE so check that out right HERE!

And I was JUST out in Minnesota at Crafts Direct – so for all you locals out there – Head on over for Their amazing Labor day Sale!  Whollly Smokes I wish I was closer!!! Even though it would be horribly DANGEROUS – Oyy GREAT Sales and you can do some shopping online – so you can check out….Crafts Direct in Minnesota HERE!

Oki – so there is some fun shopping for you all this Labor day Weekend!  I’m excited to share some more fun project ideas from my scrappin’ time this weekend as well as all the fun stuff we keep working on with Club Ruby and so much more!

Have a great day!

I hope you all are enjoying the day so far and ready for a great weekend, I know many people will be out and about picnicking and other fun things, and I wanted to share a few things with you for holiday shopping Specials, some giveaways and a lot more!

First of, I want to start by telling you about a Giveaway at Jen Young’s Blog – RIGHT HERE!  She is giving away a Gypsy A to Z DVD, a Cricut A to Z DVD and a ScrapCessories Bottle Caddy (and you all KNOW how I love those bottle caddies!!!)

Secondly Lets talk about some PLACES TO SHOP!,

• CustomCrops.com is having a sale that I’m VERY Excited about AND – They JUST got in the NEW STAMP CADDIES!!!! AND They are now carrying Viva Decor Pens!!!!!!!!  YAY!!!!!!!!
• Craft-E-Corner.com is having an AWESOME buy more, save more sale!!!!!  They have some great products and great discounts with the more you buy – I’m sure you’ll love it – check it out right HERE – Offers Expire May 31!
• AC Moore is having some FANTASTIC in-store specials AND you can shop online – I can’t wait to get my coupons and get into that store on Monday for some great dollar deals and MORE MORE MORE!!!   Get your coupons and see your local store specials right HERE!
• Michael’s – TSHIRT for $1.99!!!  Excited about a bunch of stuff that my local Michael’s is offering and I may just have to make a swing in there this weekend as well!  Check out the specials right HERE! AND From what I UNDERSTAND – Michaels is having a 4 HOUR Only Madness Event on Monday from 9am-1pm! Check your local store for more info on that!!!
• Big Lots $25.00 Cricut Cartridges!!!  YAY!  Sunday and Monday Only!  Check your Local Ad HERE!

So there you have it – some REALLY great places to go shopping for some GREAT deals feel free to tell us about more that you come across!  I’m also wanting to hit up my local Premium Outlet Center stores – I was there today and there is already some great stuff out on side walk sales and other fun stuff!  So if you’re interested in some clothes for kids, or grandkids, or yourself – that would be fun tooo!!!

Have a WONDERFUL Memorial Day Weekend!!!!!  Remember to take time to give thanks for those who gave their lives for the freedoms we have here in America!  And Thank those who continue to serve and have served in our Armed Forces!!!

Let’s look at a picture!

(click to enlarge)

Now let me list just a FEW of the benefits and AWESOMENESS’SS of this product!

• Holds hundreds of stamps on 6 double sided trays!  So great because I can fit them in any order and organize them just how I want! (I have three caddies holding more than 1,600 stamps!!!)
• Black trays make it easy to see the stamps clearly. They really considered what would work here – and the black trays are just awesome!
• Efficient – Over 440 Sq. In. of space for stamps – again – holds TONS of stamps!  Just sooo cool!
• New multi-rail system keeps your trays secure and evenly spaced.  Stamps slide right in and out of this easy to use rail system!  Sooo much easier than a bunch of cd cases!  Holds a TON more stamps, and way more organized!
• Holds  stamps in securely, releases them easily. No more tearing or stretching!!!!  SO COOL!
• Finally, according to the makers of this caddy, they shouldn’t ever yellow in the stamp caddy tray system!  Which is sooo cool!!!  Keep those stamps nice and new for a LONNNGGG time!
• The caddy keeps them dry, clean, free of dusts, hair, etc…again – just REALLY GREAT!

Ok – I’m done enabling!  I just think they are SO awesome and I get passionate about things like this, so I hope you find it helpful for you and just enjoy learning about new things like this!

Seriously is the scrapbooker’s “5below” or something awesome and they have GOOD stuff too from what I can see online so far!

I’ll have to actually order something and let you know for certain, but Holy Shamokes!!!!

The website is called www.Scrapbuck.com

You just have to check it out and let me know what you think.  Also, if anyone has ordered from them before, let me know your take on it as well!  Would love to know about their customer service and such too!!!   But I’m going to try ordering and report back on that as well, but it’s just another fun resource I felt I couldn’t keep to myself when hearing this from Janice!

So thank you Janice!

We FINALLY have them back in stock and we are going to be shipping all weekend and we have a crew coming to ship while we are out at CHA!    Finally get your copy, but hurry!!!  We have already sold out twice and with CHA coming – we have no idea how many are going to sell! We are going to do our best to stay fully stocked, but you never know!

Don’t get stuck waiting any longer! Starting getting more from your Cricut Today!

I seriously need to tell you that the number 1 secret to scrapbooking, card making or paper crafting in general is Paper Color Coordination!  It can literally make or break your projects.  Here is a little list of websites that will help you take some of the guess work out of making papers match.  Now what you can do is find a color palette that has already been put together and then go with those from there…

Here you go with 5 great helps!

1. ColourLovers.com – My husband introduced me to this site a long time ago when we were making website templates together, he is partially color blind so I would make the color palette choices and he would make the template.  Anyway, this site is absolutely awesome for ideas.  There are patterns and color palettes that you can use for all sorts of inspiration.
2. DeGraeve.com – The ultimate tool for scrapbooker’s and that was NOT even what this was intended for!  You can actually upload a picture into this site and it will give you a coordinating color palette, very fun to mess with!
3. Scraptitude.com – There are two options on this site for different brands of scrapbook paper.  Close to My Heart and Stampin’ Up.  All the colors they make are listed and coordinated into color palettes for SUPER Easy color matching!  It doesn’t get much easier if you are using these paper brands
4. Colorschemedesigner.com – Make the color wheel work for you This is AWESOME – there are several sites like this available, but this one is REALLY nice.  What you do is select your color you want to work with on the color wheel by click on it.  Then there are several options at the top of the website that help you decide what colors are complimentary, the colors that accent and much more…just click and see…you’ll have fun just playing around I am sure and you may come up with some great color schemes all by yourself!
5. Kuler.Adobe.com – another color scheme website that is really helpful, already put together color palettes much like colourlovers…buts it a lot of fun.

Getting an actual color wheel for your scrap room can be of huge benefit as well!  But you don’t have to go out and buy one in most cases, they are usually available for free at many hardware or paint stores.  With some basic color wheel knowledge, you can mix and match better than the pros

Let me go ahead in case some are not aware, and give you a break down what colors are what on the color wheel…No I am not talking Red, Yellow, Blue, I am talking about what the words Triad and what are “complementary” colors etc…

Complementary colors are the colors that are opposite each other on a color wheel.  If you look at a color wheel, you will see that Red is directly across from Green – when you mix green and red together you are back to all of the primary colors in one.  Complementary colors always balance back to the three primary colors being together.  So if you take the color purple for instance, to make purple you need to mix blue and red together, to balance or “complement” the purple you need to add the yellow.  Make sense?

Analogous colors are the colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.  They are close in shade/color and can create a soft or warm feeling.  Usually use the color in the middle as your main color and then the two colors on either side to support the main color to create a really nice look.

Triad colors are three colors that are evenly spaced out on the color wheel to form a triangle.  These colors used together can give you a really bold statement, for example taking green, purple and orange (these are the main tertiary colors off of the primary colors) creates a very bold effect that can be quite pleasing.

I could probably go into a lot more, who knew I could use some much of my color theory classes from Beauty School for my scrapbooking projects!??!   I think this is a good base for you, if you are interested in more, let me know – I have been thinking about the possibility of teaching  a Color Theory Class for Scrapbookers myself

Hope that helps you and gives you yet more great resources and tips!  Do you have any color tips you would like to share???

Ok I am being TOTALLY dramatic here, and really just kidding, but that line is absolutely my favorite mantra from movie.  Anyway, I love shopping, even when it is just looking around, I certainly have no budget to buy everything out there that I see…however, I am very patient and work my angles to get good deals on things and keep my eyes open on what is going on price wise in the crafting world.  You truly should never have to pay the full sticker price on anything when you shop smart!

Let’s talk about my favorite places to swoop in and get some great deals and steals!

1. AC Moore – Let me tell you about this favorite place of mine.  Now I realize AC Moore is a east coast kinda store and may or may not be in your area, so I am sorry for that (you can still check out some stuff online)…but I adore my local AC Moore, my local one happens to be about 20 minutes away, but it is right next to a Target and Starbucks, so talk about a fun girls day out! (Of course this is MY idea of a fun girls day out – Car Drive with some GREAT Music that I can sing along to, Starbucks Latte and then….PAPER!  Cricut Cartridges! Aisle’s of STICKERS and Embelishments!!!  AHHH!!!)  Now the BEST part of AC Moore is their weekly specials and weekly coupons.  More often then not, they have 50% off any one item (this has exclusions and limitations, and Cricut Cartridges happen to be one of them… bummer I know…but then let’s move onto…)
2. Custom Crops – They have always had awesome prices on Cricut Cartridges if you find that there is one you need and you can’t wait for a sale or making a last minute bid on ebay, Custom Crops is your way to go.    They also give you so many great tips and their Design Team is amazing (and I am not just saying that because I am on their Design Team! oh and PS – I am not just telling you about them because I am on their Design Team either, I really like shopping here! Ebay – If you are up for the hunt, ebay is a great place to get Cricut Cartridges.  You have to be careful which buyers you choose.  You want to make sure that you are buying a brand new Cricut Cartridge that has never been opened or linked to a Gypsy.  Also check they seller’s feedback before bidding, and if you are unsure of something, ask the seller.  I also recommended placing in your maximum amount you are willing to pay for that cartridge (I never do more than $25 – 28.00 esp if there is shipping being charged) and then let it be.  Don’t get yourself addicted into “winning that cartridge”!  It can be dangerous – I know someone who got so sucked into outbidding someone else they ended up paying $30.00 more than if they would have just gone over to AC Moore and paid full price!  So be careful!
3. Times To Remember – A wonderful store that is about one hour from my house that I just LOVE to go to. It’s located in a Outlet Shopping center right between Coach and Starbucks!    I am a girl who loves to be in a store. I do a lot more shopping and feel like at times, I get better deals in store than online, but of course that all depends and that is all about knowing your prices.    I just love the size and selection of this store and they also have a online website that you can check out.
4. New Clear Dollar Stamps – I simply adore their stamp sets, they have very reasonable prices and they have wonderfully beautiful scripture stamp sets as well…I also noticed they have decent prices on Copic Markers…they are not something I have invested in yet, I’m thinking about it someday, but there is a place to look into them if you are interested in them yourself.    I have to lump this into the number 4 shop Sweet N’ Sassy amazing stamps that I just find adorable, and again with the Scripture stamps that I love. 
5. Hallmark Scrapbook – I love checking out their store – some great prices and sales from time to time as well   Fun stuff!

Anyway, there are millions more stores available, I have also heard really great things about buying from TwoPeasInABucket and Scrapbook.com I have never purchased from either, but I hear great things and I have scanned through a few times

Anyway, I hope that helps you if you are looking for something particular   I really love shopping, not necessarily buying, but shopping is such a relaxing thing for me, especially when I am out just looking for new ideas.  I like coming up with my own do it yourselves instead of buying everything that is available  – try to find ways to get the same effects without buying something new.  Although I do always love trying something new

Have FUN!

Anywho, that isn’t really what this post is about.  I want to do a REALLY thorough post on color scheming and layouts later…I know some of you are ANXIOUSLY awaiting it, but I am still putting it together and want it to be full of GREAT resources for you

This blog post is about other blogs…blogs that I love and visit often to feel part of this AWESOME community…I almost feel it unfair to say I only have 5 favorites – because I have WAYYYYY more than 5!  There are SOOO many talented crafters out there…oyyavey I love so much!  So I am just going to start listing them a bunch!  There are TONS upon TONS out there, but this is a START into my world…what I was checking out, what gave me juice – I love so many!  I am not on all these sites everyday, but they are great!

1. Tim Holtz – I loved Tim Holtz designs and videos from day one of ever looking at a scrapbook or cricut or card making video – so much inspiration and wonderfulness he designs and I just love it!  I don’t always make what he creates nor do I try to always mimic it or anything…I just truly admire his work!
2. Obsessed With Scrapbooking – HappyHappyJoyJoy – she was the FIRST blog I ever came across when I was looking into Cricut info and inspiration.  Joy has become such a huge part of why Above Rubies Studio came about, and I don’t think she has a clue how much I adore her!    I am totally honored and THRILLED that she has been apart of the growth of Above Rubies Studio and that she would take time to also have THREE amazing Projects in the Above Rubies Studio Cricut A to Z DVD!  She is just awesome and has AMAZING projects, resources and info constantly!   I love her!!!    If you haven’t been on her blog recently – you need to go check her out again or for a first time if that so happens to be!    Her original cutting guide is what put the fire under me that there was even more of a need for a guide for cutting with the Cricut and I don’t know if I ever gave her public recognition for that inspiration!
3. Jennifer McGuire Ink – when I was looking into dreaming about someday owning my own studio, Jennifer McGuire’s scrapbooking room was a first that I had found and fell in love. I found her by doing a search for scrapbooking rooms, and I absolutely adore all that she does with stamping.  Jennifer was seriously the biggest reason I decided I had to start stamping!  She also does amazing things with Tim Holtz inks and such and I just love what comes out!   If you have never seen her scrapbooking area/room – you NEED to check out this link - I am IN LOVE and can’t wait until our Studio is completely done being designed to show you our finished project – for now enjoy Jennifer’s!
4. My Cricut Scrapbooking – Beth has done some amazing things over there with free .svg files for Sure Cuts A Lot I get a lot of .svgs from her and she is always a great resource   Great stuff!
5. Christmas with the Cricut – Joy, Tammy and Melanie do an AMAZING job posting a new project everyday for your Cricut Christmas projects, decor, layouts, and tons of cards – they are just SO awesome!  You need ideas for Christmas, you check them out – I can’t even begin to give you the resource they give you – PLUS they do weekly giveaways BONUS!
6. Craft Junkie Too – Tracy is a sweetheart!  You will love her posts I am sure – she is just great!
7. Kristina Werner - Card inspiration CITY over there!  Kristina is AWESOME at wiping out ideas for Cards.
8. My Pink Stamper – Who doesn’t LOVE Robyn???  She has some really cute card and scrapbook page layouts and she is always a bundle of spunk in her videos
9. Capadia Designs – Diane has amazing Cricut Design Studio work on her blog, it truly amazes me how much work she puts into some of her Design Studio projects, GREAT Inspiration – she also has some amazing projects in the Cricut A to Z DVD that you will NOT want to miss!
10. Joy’s Life – Another Joy in my life   She has given me some amazing inspiration over time and she was the one I learned about numbering your Cricut handbooks through. I asked her awhile back when I was first doing videos if I could user her method and make it my own, and that’s exactly what I did   I did a little video on how I number my Cricut Handbooks, changed up her way a little bit and you can find exactly what works for you!
11. Custom Crops – I didn’t know if I should put this link here or wait and then I decided I just had to!  Custom Crops has a ROCKIN’ Design Team of Crafters and they are a HUGE inspiration!  You need to check out all their awesome design team members and see what I mean! Click here to check it out!
12. CreationswithChristina – She has done an awesome series on Wild Card Cricut Cartridge – Love it! 
13. Chic N’ Scratch – Believe it or not, I only recently found Chic N’ Scratch and she is awesome if you have not yet heard of her!  Great stampin’ up demonstrator with great tutorials on stampin’ up projects!
14. LiveLaughScrap – Lori is someone that has sorta found me and I found her through that – but she has such AWESOME stuff on her blog!  Someone who I have grown to greatly admire in this HUGE online world of crafters, but I have to share her!  She is just great and I love her ideas!
15. Courtney Lane Designs – Melanie can whip out those cards!  I was introduced to Melanie through Joy Tracey through Christmas with the Cricut – I can’t tell you how sweet and awesome all three of these girls are and you have to check out each of their blogs!  Ok, but Courtney Lane Designs – seriously, awesome stuff, regular posts of just amazing card projects and much more
16. Creative Critters Club – Tammy is yet another one that simply amazes me in her work – I follow her mostly through Christmas with the Cricut and her other design team projects, but you can check one of her blogs out here

Ok, so that is a SHORT list of the many blogs I visit – There are many more – so please don’t be offended if you read this and i didn’t mention you!    This is just such a HUGE awesome online world and I am SO blessed to be a part of it – what an AWESOME gift this technology is that we can share our ideas with the entire world with a few typing words and a click of a button!!!

Keep sharing your ideas, keep creating and keep inspiring!!!  You are wonderful!

Adhesives seem to be the bane or glory of every scrapbooker out there, especially if you are using your Cricut machine.  Sometimes it’s hard to decide on what adhesive to use and when, why, how, all of the above!

I would like to say I can help you take away all your worries and troubles with adhesives, but that would be slightly unrealistic!  Each situation, each cut, calls for something different it seems.  So what I can do for you is give you my 5 top favs on adhesives and give you the reasons why.  You can do what you like with those reasons and the tips for making them work for you.

I see many O’ Questions on what adhesives to use with your Cricut cut outs and I receive at least 2 emails a day asking what adhesives I use, so that is why I decided to do this post next.  I love adhesives and playing with different types, I like learning about new things and re-visiting some “oldies but goodies”….

If anyone knows of any other adhesives that I should try, tell me about them, I would LOVE to hear it!

Let’s just get to the favorites!

Five Favorite Adhesives for my Cricut, Scrapbooking and Cardmaking!

1. ZIG Squeeze and Roll Two-Way Glue Pen – I have seen many comments and concerns and questions about the Zig, but it is by far my favorite!  I have four different sizes and tip types on my ZIGS, but my favorite is the Squeeze and Roll Pen.  It allows me to squeeze out and have precision control of where my glue goes.  It has very low mess and it gives me great flexibility in use.  If you are unfamiliar with a two-way glue pen, it works simply like this, when you apply the glue to your surface it comes out blue, and when you adhere it to your project while it is still blue, it is a permanent bond.  If you wait until it dries clear or “white” it is a temporary repositionable bond, great for making cutting mats sticky again,and other things.  The “complaints” have been that the glue dries to fast to be “clear” before you get to the end of your cut out and then it’s only temporary hold.  I like to beg to differ especially if you are using the Squeeze and Roll!  It comes out perfect and you should have PLENTY of time for it to stay blue while you finish all corners of your images!
2. ATG 700 – My yellow ATG 700 is the BOMB diggity!  Adhesive applicator or “gun” for a two sided adhesive tape…You can check it out in many of my videos   I have an ATG 700 which is the yellow “gun”.  Many crafters use the ATG 714 which holds 1/4″ tape.  Let me explain why I use the 700   I started using the 700 simply because of the price of under $30 that I paid for the gun at a local framing store that I purchased it from.  But, why I love it so much now, is because I have the flexibility with a simple adapter that came with my gun to use three different sizes of tape.  It is SO awesome!!!  The tape inside there lasts FOREVER on top of being SUPER sticky and permanent, I can feel assured knowing my pictures, embellishments, etc… aren’t moving from where I put it for a LOONNNG time!  With my ATG 714 I keep the 3/4″ tape inside, I love it for almost everything, except for small intricate cuts, but then I use my ZIG for those anyway!
3. Xyron 2.5″ Sticker Maker – Woot Woot for the Xyron that I use ALL the time with my intricate or “thin” Cricut Cuts.  Things that are just too detailed for me to want to take the time to individually glue, like small words, letters, phrases or silhouettes.  I love the 2.5″ maker size, I feel like anything bigger I use my ATG or mono-adhesive glue runner on.  Anything smaller I use my zig or the size is just fine in there   You simply place your cut out or paper in the front opening turn the crank and out pops your “stickered” image.  It is SO much FUN!!!  “Complaint” to it, sometimes it leaves extra glue “boogers”…while that can be true, I don’t find it to be a lot or overly annoying.  To rectify that situation, just use a WHITE pencil eraser over the edges of the image you made a sticker and it pulls the “boogies” right off. (and YES, in case you where wondering, BOOGIES are the technical term for the access glue lol!) In all seriousness though, I have never found there to be an over-abundance of glue on any image no matter the size that would ever make me turn from my Xyron, it’s purple, it’s helpful and it is sticky!  I <3 it!
4. Pop Dots – Whatever your brand of choice, Pop Dots, Dimensionals, 3D Foam Dots, Zots, etc… POP UP YOUR IMAGES!!!  I LOVE them!  You can get a variety of sizes and shapes for Pop dots and I’ve tried a gamut!!  You can get them in dollar store bins and then pay as much as $6.00 per pack!  I will tell you that my favs to use are the actual “Pop Dots” from the All Night Media or Plaid Company, I really like their size and thickness, they stay on well and I just enjoy them for the price. I also use a lot from Target, they are really reasonable and multiple sizes come in one pack, I’ve been told to “watch out” that they loose their stick, but I’ve had them in my albums for over two years and have not yet had any loosing stick problems.  I like to be fair and tell you about that, but it has never been my experience with them.
5. Adtech Glue Runner - I must sound like a serious nay-sayer to many people because I have  seen more than several comments of people hating this glue.  I don’t know if it’s the climate in my house, or the way I keep things, but I LOVE the Adtech Glue Runner from Walmart!  This is the glue runner I started with years and years ago when I first started scrapbooking, between this glue runner and photo splits, I was a happy scrapper!   It is so inexpensive and the permanent bond has thus far (at least the past 5 years) has been permanent for me!    I have heard peoples complaints of it not holding up, so again, to be honest with you I will tell you about that, but I truly can say for the less than $2.00 refils, I have always been happy with it!  My favs!

So please, do share with me your favs!  I will mention to you that I have been using several other adhesives more often lately than I used to, I may make more mention of them later, but don’t be surprised when my top 5’s turn into top 10s!  I just love so much!!!   Can I mention it now, Stick and Spray by Crafter’s Companion, Glue Dot Stamper by Elmer’s and Zip Dry Glue all creeping up on my lists, but not enough to take over

(*just an FYI side note here – these are all just the opinions of Above Rubies Studio, non of these products was I in anyway paid to review or plug, I just love sharing my thoughts and getting yours here on this blog! Have an awesome day!*)

Top 5 Favorite Papers

• Best Occasions Textured Card Stock from walmart – It is really reasonably priced, and it comes in beautiful colors.  I have found it to be good quality for the price and it cuts like a dream in the Cricut as well as holds up nicely for handmade cards.  Their Color Pallets are nice too coming in brights, neutrals and pastels that all seem to go together like chocolate and pretzels!

• K and Company Designer paper – I could do a top five of just my fav K & Company packs!  I love the Urban Pack and the Sparkly Sweet, Simply Sweet and Carolina Gavin’s designs AND Amy Butler’s designs are ALL to DIE for!  Their double sided design paper is great in the Cricut and you can do so much with it.  The double sided is great too because you don’t have to work at making papers match at all. You can also get these paper packs really reasonably at AC Moore, Michael’s or Hobby Lobby with a coupon.  Target has also been carrying K & Company paper in my area and has always had wonderful prices on it as well.

• My Mind’s Eye has been a recent favorite in designer paper as it is a really good weight and I have become especially fond of the “Fall In Love” collection and their winter theme paper is just beautiful.  I have found these papers to almost always go great with the Textured Card Stock from Best Occasions!

• Stampin’ Up Cardstock – it’s only been in the past 3 months that I have used stampin’ up at all.  I have heard of it and seen it around, but never purchased it because I always felt it to be too expensive.  It’s not horribly priced though, and since having a friend as a demonstrator, things in the Stampin’ Up area of my life is increasing   I really like that they have taken the guess work out of coordinating as well.  I sometimes like putting together the color scheme that I like, but it is great to not have to think about it and have someone else do it for me.  I personally think that many Stampin’ Up papers blend great with many K & Company packs too.  Bonus for me!

• Die Cuts With a View Glitter Paper – I love DCWV Glitter Papers.  Their Glitter Stack designer paper is awesome and just using the solid glitters is so much fun as well.  I really enjoy these papers   As you may be able to tell, I am a big fan of buying packs of paper.  I find that it saves a LOT of money over buying individual sheets.  Single sheets can cost as much as $3.00 per sheet, where as in a pack you can get them as cheap as $0.09 per sheet depending on the brand and where you buy.

So there you have it, my five fab brands of cardstock, quick and simply to the point!

What are your fav paper brands and why!!??!  Do tell do tell!

I am working on a really special surprise post for later this week that will help you with your Coordinating woahs too!  I know it is the hardest part sometimes figuring out what makes a project great with your paper selections so keep checking back, I’ll give you some secrets that you won’t want to miss!