September 11th...

Yesterday was a sad day. A day for remembering. A day I thought about all of the firemen I knew - my favorite customers from when I used to work at Starbucks. Men who risk their lives every day for someone else. Good men. Good Americans. Heroes.

It seems a little silly, or ill placed to mention 9/11 on a craft blog. Or maybe, its completely appropriate. Maybe everyone should talk about that day 10 years ago with whatever forum they have. Whatever way is most appropriate for them to share on.

I didn't make any crafts yesterday. Or, for yesterday. I thought about it afterwards and will do so next year. But, I thought I would share some of the things other crafty women made in honor of this day. (Click on the photos to go to the site and get details on these items.)









Take a look...

And remember...

Looking forward to Fall

I know it's not Fall quite yet but once school starts, I can't help thinking that it might as well be. I want to buy all new folders, packages of pencils, and sweaters in whatever autumn colors are my current favorite. This is usually a mistake in Las Vegas because it's still 109.

When we, at Paperdolls, think of fall crafts, we think of wreaths. Lauren and I have made several lately and we wanted to show you a few of them. We've been using felt, fabric, or yarn wrapped forms with silk flowers, ribbons, buttons etc. Anyway, take a look, and let us know what you think about them. Or just tell us what your favorite thing is about Fall.

Back to School!

Tomorrow's the first day of school! I need to return to work just so I can keep my days straight! It's my 10th year, and I know it'll be a good one.

I've been wracking my brain to come up with back to school gift for my friends at work.

A while ago, I saw a Valentine's Day gift idea for teachers here, and decided to use the idea to make gifts for my co-workers.

1. You'll need chinese take out boxes, fortune cookies, tissue paper, glue, ribbon, a 4" scalloped paper punch (I used the "Accent Essentials" Cricut cartridge), and this print out.

2. Cut out the print out, and glue to the scalloped black circle.

3. Add tissue paper to the Chinese take out boxes.

4. Add fortune cookies to the boxes.

5. Glue scalloped circles to the boxes.

6. Tie a bow to the box's handle.

7. Glue gun 2 pencils to the tops of the boxes for chopsticks :)

Ta-da! :)

Happy first day of school!

We SCOREd!

This evening, Ruth, Gracie and I walked up the steps of the Flamingo Library not knowing what to expect and feeling ill prepared. We had no idea that 15 minutes later we would be shaking the hand of a very helpful and knowledgeable man who gave us some very sound business advice. For free! Have you heard of SCORE ?

"SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and has been mentoring small business owners for more than forty years."

Ruth and Gracie were told about SCORE's workshops at the Department of Taxation Basic Training class last week. So, we made an appointment and met Dr. Norman Brown. We gave him some basic info about Paper Dolls, our product and where we want to be in a year. He helped us sketch out our timeline a bit, gave us some funding advice (Gulp!), informed us of the entire SCORE schedule of seminars, and even offered to show his son our Etsy shop to get his advice on our niche! We will be meeting Norman again soon.

Its the beginning of another great relationship and we left feeling so grateful that there are so many resources and altruistic people around us that want to help! I guess Goethe was right: "At the moment of commitment, the universe conspires to assist you."


Click here to see the SCORE seminars available in Las Vegas. Happy Wednesday friends, fans and readers! Until next week.

-Lauren

"I'm not lying, I'm just stunnin' with my love-glue-gunning"

It's true, I like Gaga... even more when I was playing "Rock Band" a few weeks ago and finally paid attention the lyrics to "Poker Face" with Lauren. During the part,

"I won't tell you that I love you

Kiss or hug you

Cause I'm bluffin' with my muffin

I'm not lying

I'm just stunnin' with my love-glue-gunning"

We looked at each other and thought, "BLOG TOPIC"! haha. Yes, we are nerdy and are easily amused by silly Lady Gaga lyrics and are thinking about our little business all. the. time.

In all of my years of crafting, I have had a healthy phobia of glue guns. True story. Stop laughing. (Raise your hand if you've ever had a blister from a glue gun burn! Yup, you probably sucked it up, healed, and continued to use the gun to make pretty things.) Not me! I could give you a list of other adhesives that I've used to avoid the dang gun... Tombo Aqua liquid glue, Aleene's Original Tacky Glue, ZOTS clear adhesive dots, Amazing GOOP Craft Contact Adhesive and Sealant...

This summer at the sweatshop, I decided to give the glue gun another chance. It's cut down on drying time for projects, and I've probably gone through 200 glue gun sticks making exploding cards! May I recommend one? Here's the one I've been using:

It's the SUREBONDER Hi-temp detail mini glue gun. It's got a fine nozzle for detail work and a built in stand. :) I never thought I'd say it, but I love it.

Take a peak at what I've been working on:

What pretty things have you been making?

P.S. We sold another item on Etsy! Shout out to Candy from LV! Thanks for your support, it means a lot!

(Owl hoop made with felt, embroidery floss, and buttons)

P.P.S. Happy birthday (8/18) to an honorary Paper Doll, my Paper Mama, Mama Baula!

(She's still got it... I got it from my mama.)