The use of tags has become a chosen embellishment for use on scrapbook pages by many scrapbook crafters.  Tags represent a great way to extend and enhance the function ability of your pages.  They can become their own mini-page on your page.  Tags allow for the addition of photographs, captions, decorative mats, journaling, page titles and much more . . . let your creative juices flow.

Tags can be purchased ready made, or you can cut them from templates–as well as create them freehand.  There are die-cuts too to help you make needed tags. They can be made from paper, wood, fabric, card stock, metal, sponge, press-board, or other craft materials you can easily cut.

Shapes of tags are primarily: rectangle, square, oval and round, but are not limited by these boundaries.  Your own imagination will create the right tag for the right project.  Tags can be various sizes: small, medium and large–depending on what your specific need is.  They should be so large as to overpower your page, however.

Pre-cut tags can be purchased and your favorite craft or scrapbook outlet, or from a supplier online.  There is a myriad of colors, shapes and sizes to choose from.  You’ll just have to do some looking.

Tags are easy to attach to your scrapbook page projects.  Use staples, fibers, ribbons and brads to name a few special ways to affix your tags to your pages.

You can keep them plain–for journaling, or gussy them up some to add to a photo you may be using, or as a simple embellishment of its own.  The uses for tags is limited mostly by your own imagination.

While eyelets have been around for what seems ions of time, they have on recently become a standard fixture for scrapbook and personal card crafters. We have the newest innovations in eyelet tools to thank for this evolution. The hand crimp eyelet setter, while useful for many applications, has limits because of the lack of being able to set eyelets much beyond factions of an inch from the border.

Our newest iterations of the eyelet and punch setter tools has expanded our capacity to place eyelets just about anywhere we choose on our scrapbook pages and personal cards. Having one of these versatile tools in your menagerie of helps is almost a no brainer. There are three eyelet products that should be able to accommodate your crafting needs:

Clikit from Karen Foster Design	Now you can set eyelets, punch holes and emboss–quietly–with the help of Karen Foster Design’s Clikit multi-purpose spring action tool. This patent pending tool provides the same pressure as a hammer, but you only have to press Clikit’s handle. Clikit comes with ten (10) interchangeable tips–including a duel tip; lacing tip; an eyelet splitter tip; an eyelet rounder tip; a piercing tool; six (6) hole punching tips (from 2 mm to 5 mm in diameter); a starter set of two (2) sie of eyelets; a punch pad; and complete instructions–all in a custom wooden box. Additional embossing alphabets and six icon sets can be purchased separately. How to set an eyelet using the Clikit Tool: Place you item to receive the eyelet on the setting mat that comes with the tool kit. Select the appropriate size tip for making the needed hole to receive the eyelet. Place the tool on the item you’re punching the hole in– where you want the hole to be and press down on the toll handle until you hear the click of the completed punch.  For thick or layered items you’ll want to keep the tool in place to allow for another push on the tool to complete the hole through all the material.  You may have to do this a couple of times to complete the hole. Select the eyelet you wish to use and place the eyelet into the hole you’ve just created with your Clikit Tool.  Holding the eyelet in place, flip your material over and rest it on your setting mat. Change the hole making tip in your Clikit Tool to one of the two eyelet setting tips. Place the tool with the new tip down onto  the backside of the eyelet protruding through your hole and press down on the tool until you hear the click.  You may need to set the tool more than once to spread the eyelet open (securing your project with the eyelet). In addition to setting eyelets, you can emboss metal  and stitch–just follow the instructions provided.
Instant Setter from Making Memories	Instant Setter from Making Memories is an easy tool to use. The Instant Setter has a magnetic head for easy tip changes and an adjustable tension control. The kit includes: 3 hole punch tips 4 setting tips (punch and setting tip sizes are: 1/16, 1/8, 3/16) A cone tip that works with the Stamping Set (for paper or ribbon weaving and corner slot punching) A setting mat, and An adjustable spring loaded setting handle/tool with tension control for easy hole punching and eyelet setting. All of these components come in a tin storage container.
Silent Setter from Provo Craft	Provo Craft’s Slient Setter Hammerless Eyelet Tool Set will help you papercrafters set eyelets without the bother and noisy process of pounding your setter to set eyelets. Now all you need to do is push and twist the selected punch tip through your project to create a hole. With the magnetized tips, changing to an appropriate sized setting tip is simple and quick. After creating your hole and inserting your chosen eyelet simply give a push down on your tool with the setting tip to secure the eyelet. Provo Craft’s Silent Setter Hammerliess Eyelet Tool Set includes: The Silent Setter Tool Three (3) sizes of punch tips A mini craft mat 50 eyelets in assorted colors A zippered carrying case (measures: 2-1/2″ by 5-1/4″ by 10-3/4″inces).

Getting Away to Scrapbook and Create Personal Cards

Just about every serious scrapbook and personal card crafter has considered sneaking off to a secluded dedicated place where they can get totally engrossed in there crafting. Retreats are one way to get away to do just that. There are advantages and disadvantages to going to a retreat to work on your craft. Here are some tidbits of the why’s and why nots:

Reason to go to a retreat:

• The Prime reason to go to a retreat would be to engage in your scrapbooking craft by removing distractions at home.
• The opportunity to be around others with similar interests:
  • The chance to share talent and information with others, and
  • To learn new techniques and tips from others.
• The chance to see, and perhaps use, new tools and supplies, in addition to sharing what you may have to offer.
• Perhaps the chance to see and experience other sites and activities where the retreat is located–a mini-vacation.
• Not having to worry about preparing food or taking care of housekeeping chores.
• Opportunity to participate in classes to learn more.

Reasons Against A Retreat:

• Cost
• Time – requires too much time, or not enough time based on your needs.
• Location is not where you’d like to go–too close or too far away.
• Number of participants–too few or too many.
• Lack of services, tools and supplies, which might require you to have to take more than you would want to take.
• Lack of classes or learning experiences.

Other Considerations:

Be sure you understand what is being offered by the retreat.  What services are provided for your fee:  Food, lodging (private room or dorm style–where you may have to bring your own bedding, etc.), supplies and tools they offer to use–or do they rent them, and are there items for sale?  Where is the retreat located–is it close to an airport if you’re flying, and do they offer pick-up service or do you need to rent a car?  What are their group rates (and the minimum number to create a group-you may want to do this to reduce costs)?

Be sure to understand the “fine print” when signing up.  The primary concern would be the cancellation costs should that be necessary.

By-all-means be sure to correspond with the retreat by phone or email to ensure you have all the details clear in your mind.

Assuming you’ve decided going to a Scrapbooking Retreat is the thing for you, where do you go.  First, check with your local scrapbook supply stores.  They often have listings of retreats in you area.  IF you are looking for sites in other states, here are a few links to retreats you may want to consider:

This list is not all inclusive, but should get you started on your search for a retreat or event that will suit your needs.

Geographic Location	Website Links
United States	Scrapbook Retreat Directory Scrapbooking-Directory CK Scrapbook Events and Conventions Scrapbook EXPO
Alabama	Paper Crafter’s Corner Backpage.com Magnolia Park Retreat
Alaska	Alaskan Leopard Alaska Highland Glen
Arizona	My Scrapbook Retreat Sedona Scrapbooking Retreats Two Peas in a Bucket
Arkansas	Scrapbook Patch The Scrapbook Attic and More Croppin Train Sassy Scraps
California	Scrapbook Crops and Events Fullerton CM Scrapbook Meet Up Wrightwood Guest Ranch Scrap-N-Away Scrapin’ Escapes Meet-ups Scrapbooking Retreats Camp Get Away Crop Til You Drop
Canada	Crop Across Canada Unique Country Retreat The Art House Studio (Home of Scrapbooking Retreats and Crops) Memory Workshop Scrapbook Crops
Colorado	Scrappy’s Retreat My Scrapbook Retreat Stamping To See You
Connecticut	Captain Stannard House Celebrate Memories Scrappetizer See Also New England Scrapbook Retreats
Delaware	Cropology.com – Wilmington, DE See Also Mid-Atlantic Scrapbook Retreats
Florida	All Seasons Scrapbook Resort Hypolita Villa Nana’s Scrapbook Retreat CK Scrapbook Convention – Jacksonville Scrapbook EXPO PaperCrafter’s Corner – Florida
Gulf States (Highlighted in Red)	Scrap Camp Gulfcoast Stampers and Scrappers – Naples Scrap & Paper Corner HobNob Gulf Shores
Georgia	Camp Crop Alot The Croppin Cabin Scrappin Cabins Legacy Lodge Scrappin Retreats
Hawai	No Current Posted Retreat Offerings
Idaho	Down-at-a-Hot Springs Winchester Lodge
Illinois	Let’s Get Croppin The Paper Doll House River House Heart and Soul Memories A Passion for Scrappin
Indiana	In At Windmere Crop-A-Doodle_Do Girls Night Inn Memories Retreats Bed & Breakfast Michelle’s Memory Loft Bear-Scrap Retreat
Iowa	PJ’s and Pigtails Craft Cottage Iowa Regular Baptist Camp
Kansas	Wishes of the Heart Maple Memories Craft House The Scrapbook Inn
Kentucky	Scrappers Getaway Scrapbook Memories Hummingbird Hills Retreat Around the Corner Scrapbooking Retreats
Louisiana	Camp Crop A Lot Pine Lily Retreat The Acadiana Croppers Memory Mania
Maine	Point Sebago Camp Cedarbrook White Cedar Inn
Maryland	Cropmania Ocean Retreats All-day and Weekend Scrapbooking Events Creative Crops
Massachusetts	Scrap-A-Way SBV Scrapbook Events Crazy For Croppin Heirloom Pro
Michigan	Memory Makers Retreat Great Scrapbook Events Quick Quotes Private Reserve Weekend The Gathering Place White Lake Scrap Palace of Romeo
Mid-Atlantic States (Highlighted in Blue)	Creative Expressions Get Croppin Scrapatoulas Street
Minnesota	Duluth Scrapbook Retreat Breezy Meadow Retreat Forest Haven Retreat Skyline Vacation Rental The Pine City Scrapbook Company Craft Directory
Mississippi	Mid South Scrappers Crop Connection
Missouri	Koinania Valley Ranch Scrapbook Generation Just Croppin
Montana	Priceless Scrapbooks Etc Wispering Pines Retreat Lake Ellen Camp
Rocky Mountain States	Mountains and Memories The Gingerbread Cottage D’Arcy’s Heavenly Retreats Tintic Goldminers Inn
Nebraska	Scrap-A-Teers Calvin Crest Camp Scrapping U.S.A
Nevada	Rubber Stamp and Scrapbook Expo Papercrafter’s Corner of Utah & Idaho Scrap Crackle Crop
New England States	Crazy for Croppin – Cape Cod The Quail Hollow Inn – Chester, Vermont Austin Hill Inn – Mount Snow, Vermont Celebrate Memories New England Scrapbook Weekend – West Greenwich, Rhode Island
New Hampshire	Camp Spofford
New Jersey	Ain’t She Crafty Scrapitizer’s “Cream of the Crop” N J Crop Weekends
New Mexico	The Inspired ReTreat
New York	Paper Angel Craft RetreatsCrop A Lot New York Scrapbooking Retreats Meet-ups Queens Sassy Scrappers Group
North Carolina	CropCircles Nationwide Scrapbook RetreatsThe Country Crop Retreat Scrappin Cabins Matthews Manor B&BElite Scrapbooking Retreat
North Dakota	Dakota GetawayCrystal Springs Baptist Camp
Ohio	A Crop For All Seasons Zane Trace Inn and Craft Farm Stratton House Inn Leaving A Legacy Retreats My Hobby Farm Retreat
Oklahoma	Scrappin Pad Retreat Inn
Oregon	Scrappy Chicks Scrapbook Retreats East Sode Scrappers Scrapbook Retreats Scappoose Creek Inn Scrap and Paper Corner (CK Srapbook Convention)
Pennsylvania	Hobby House Retreat Scrap and Paper Corner (CK Srapbook Convention) Fancy That Scrapbook Denise’s Crop Cave and Scrapbook Retreats Local Memories of Lancaster
Rhode Island	Rhode Island Scrapaway Celebrate Memories Cropitopia Get-A-Ways
South Carolina	Got Memories Scrapbook Cottage Scrappy Angles
South Dakota	The Prairie House Manor Lutheran Outdoors in South Dakota Retreats Meet Up Retreat – Souix Falls Meet Up Retreat – Coleman
Tennessee	Mama Bear’s Scrapbooking Retreats Wispering Winds Scrapbook Retreat Petticoat Junction Retreat House & Scrapbook Haven Scrappin In The City Wispering Winds Scrapbook Retreat
Texas	Scrap HappyLone Star Retreat and Events Center Scrapbook Heaven The Scrapbooking Factory Crop-Paper-Scissors Thelma & Louise’s Scrapbook Retreats Scrap & Paper Corner CK Convention Rockin Retreat & Event Center
Utah	D’Arcy’s Heavenly Scrapbook Retreats Paper Crafters Corner of Nevada and UtahRed Rooster Scrapbook Barn Retreat Tintic Goldminers Inn Digital Scrapbook Memories Creative Cutter Room
Vermont	The Quail Hollow Inn Savory Memories – a gourmet paperpcraft retreat Mountain Meadows Lodge
Virginia	Virginia Scrapbook Retreats Scrappin Retreat Blue Ridge Creative Retreat Orchard House
Washington	Fogcreek Lodge Soaring Eagle Lodge Meet Up at Hip 2b Square
West Virginia	Scrap Camp 3 Cheeky Chix Heavenly Scrapbooking Retreats
Wisconsin	Green Haven Retreat Bridge Creek Cottage The Scrapbook Manor
Wyoming	No Current Posted Retreat Offerings

CutterPillar™ Pro

The new products for scrapbook, personal card makers and paper crafters never seems to end.   Here is one of the newest of the paper cutter/trimmers on the market.   Here are some of the details on this newest cutter:

• Lightweight aluminum construction for strength with soft rubber feet to lessen the cutter’s movement, and to protect table top surfaces.
• There is a storage drawer  that will accommodate 12″ paper, extra batteries, or other items of your choosing.
• Will trim a full 12″ sheet of paper down to even the smallest scrap safely and effortlessly.
• There is a powerful LED light track which illuminates the cutting edge for accurate cuts (even double sided or up-side-down).
• This cutter provides the best of both worlds with a gear driven rotary blade which passes smoothly by a stationary blade for clean cuts through nearly any paper stock.

Some additional general comments about this cutter/trimmer that may be useful for scrapbook and paper crafters:

The grid calibration markings on the cutting table measure only down to 1/4″ which some crafters may find a detraction.  Going down to 1/8″ markings would increase its functionality and accuracy for certain cuts.  That having been said, the CutterPillar™ Pro cuts smoothly.  You don’t need to put excessive pressure on the blade to cut–just glide the cutter along the cutting bar.  The back lighting is a nice feature to help you see where pieces you have cropped off went.  (The LED back light is powered by 5 AA batteries.) The construction of the cutter provides for a great deal of safety when cutting because so little of the blade is exposed to where a finger could be injured.  (The trimmer blade is on one side and a plastic housing on the other with very little of the cutting blade showing.)   This cutter/trimmer produces very clean cuts.  The drawer on the underside is a useful storage area for extra paper, scissors, etc.  There is a built-in handle on the box the cutter comes in for handy carrying. A great value for the price.

Should you feel the need to have one of these super scrapbook cutting tools – click here!

Paper crafters, whether your creating scrapbook pages, special invitations or handmade cards you are always looking for ways to add embellishments, a special touch of class, to your works.  brings you several wonderful tools to help you with your many craft projects.  Each tool has a specific use and are easily managed.  They are petite and ergonomically designed for comfortable handling.

For details on each tool simply click on the image below.

	i-top Brad Tool
	i-rock Cordless Hot Fix Bling Tool
	i-bond Cordless Mini-glue Gun
	d-stress Cordless Sanding Tool
	Petal Roller Tool (Stylus end – Slotted end)

Paper crafters, whether your creating scrapbook pages, special invitations or handmade cards you are always looking for ways to add embellishments, a special touch of class, to your works.  With this wonderful tool that opportunity is easily possible.  The Petal Roller Tool from is double-ended with a stylus on one end and a slotted rod on the other (5 mm ball and quilling tip).  The thin, or slotted, end is the perfect tool for making tight paper curls–perfect for use with Roly Rosies and Pop-up Posies paper flower die-cuts.  The broader, or ball, end will make delicate curls on petals and leaves, or where ever you want a subtle curl . . . using the slotted end you can then roll them in on themselves.  If you’d like to purchase one of these super quilling tools, and what paper crafter wouldn’t,  just click on the image above to take you to a well priced dealer.

Paper crafters, whether your creating scrapbook pages, special invitations or handmade cards you are always looking for ways to add embellishments, a special touch of class, to your works.  With this wonderful tool that opportunity is easily possible.  The i-top from helps transform an ordinary brad into that custom accent you may want in just 2 easy steps.  All you have to do is place your chosen brad (16mm and 22mm) where you want it on your paper and give this fantastic tool a little squeeze.  You now have made, via a simple process, a brad to add elegance to your works.  This versatile tool comes equipped to make 16mm and 22mm brads, but can make 28 mm brads when you purchase the large carriage (Imaginisce item 001310).  If you’d like to purchase one of these specialty tools, and who wouldn’t, click on the image above.

Paper crafters will find the i-rock from a handy dandy tool for adding bling to your creation.  This fantastic little tool with its stylish pink design is a cordless hot fixing tool, and allow you to add bling to almost anything.  Now you can permanently affix rhinestones jewels pearls or mirrors to paper, fabric or even furniture to create a dazzling and elegant work of art. It’s so easy! No need for messy glue. Uses AA batteries (not included).  If you’d like to purchase one of these super hand tools, and what paper crafter wouldn’t,  just click on the image above to take you to a well priced dealer.

Paper crafters, whether your creating scrapbook pages, special invitations or handmade cards you are always looking for ways to add embellishments, a special touch of class, to your works.  With this wonderful tool that opportunity is easily possible.   The i-bond by is a cordless mini-glue gun.  This fantastic petite tool has been ergonomically designed and has a lighted nozzle for easy application.  The tool uses 4 AA batteries (not included), and comes with 3 standard mini-glue sticks to get you started.  Now gluing those items to pages and cards will be a snap.  Because this wonderful tool is cordless, you can take it with you–you’re not bound to work where an electrical outlet is required.  If you’d like to purchase one of this super cordless mini-glue guns, and what paper crafter wouldn’t,  just click on the image above to take you to a well priced dealer.

Paper crafters, whether your creating scrapbook pages, special invitations or handmade cards you are always looking for ways to add embellishments, a special touch of class, to your works.  With this wonderful tool that opportunity is easily possible. The d-stress cordless hand-held sanding tool from may well be the answer to adding a bit of distressing to your projects.  This sanding tool is perfect for both paper and wood projects.  A great tool for fitting in those small spaces on chipboard alphabets.  This tool also lets you engrave.  Let your own imagination guide you in ways to use this fantastic little tool.   Your cordless sanding tool uses 2 AA batteries (not included), and comes with 3 different crafting tips.  The ergonomic design helps make this a comfortable tool to use.  If you’d like to purchase  of this super cordless hand sander tool, and what paper crafter wouldn’t,  just click on the image above to take you to a well priced dealer.