Shari's Scrap Space

Product Review #1 - Fiskars Fingertip Craft Knife...

                                                                              

                                          

                                                                                                                        

Here are a few of the craft knives we'll be talking  about today...

So, like me, you probably all have your favorite craft knife.  The one you always reach for but may not be entirely happy with.  It's just there.  Nothing exciting about it.  Maybe you don't even like to use one...but then that would be a shame because this tool will make precision cutting and covering chipboard so much easier!  Then again, maybe you just haven't found the right one for you yet.  I've been using my trusty Cutterbee Retractable Knife for a little while now and with a 4-year-old, "retractable" is good.  But I'm always up for trying out new products and I especially wanted to see what all the hype was about surrounding the Fiskars Fingertip Craft Knife.   It seems a little odd at first because we haven't seen anything like it before on the market, but let me tell you it has virtually no learning curve as it slips right on your finger and off you go cutting away!  My only complaint/concern would be that if you have little fingers, you'll need to be careful with the slippage...or you'll end up like me with a nice slice on your finger.  I wish they came in standard and petite sizes.  Other than that, this craft knife works great and makes cutting out those popular word books so much easier.  So, for now this is gonna get a great 8 from me.   :)   {A petite size would push it up to a 9, and a retractable blade would bump it up to a perfect 10}  I also like the Heidi Swapp Craft Knife so affordable and so worth it!  This one has a longer thicker blade than some others I've used in the past making for good chipboard cutting.   :)   For more precision work like getting around inside letters or flourishes, I've heard the red Tim Holtz craft knife is the way to go...it's also retractable I might add!   :)  I haven't tried the Bo Bunny Craft Knife yet, but i'd like to add it to my collection.  No, not just because it's pink.  Well, OK.  Yes, I want it because it's PINK!  But it's also retractable and comes with extra blades!   :) 

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that "retractable" is not always good.  It can be frustrating if the slide mechanism thingie is too close to the grip and you accidently hit it {and always when you're right in the middle of an important part!} and the blade retracts!  Argh!!!  So, remember this little tip when looking for your next craft knife...save your time, money and sanity!   :)

Anyway, here's a quick craft knife listing:

1} Cutterbee Retractable Knife {$6.29}

2} Fiskars Fingertip Craft Knife {$4.95}

3} Heidi Swapp Craft Knife {$2.99}

4} Tim Holtz Retractable Craft Knife {4.99}

5} Bo Bunny Retractable Craft Knife {11.99}

6} Making Memories Craft Knife {3.99}  also comes in the Making Memories Tool Kit 2.  Almost forgot to comment on this one...that's how often I use it.  It's not horrible, it's just a little flimsy and doesn't feel safe or comfortable in my hand.  But for being in part of a kit it's not too shabby.   :)

Please leave me your thoughts on these and other craft knives.  Also, what are some other tools or scrapbook items you'd like to see me review? 

That's all for now, I'm currently testing out a new way to store ribbon, a few white pens {by request} and I'm also doing a lttle research on matching the right online photo processing site to your individual needs.  Let me know some of your favorites so I can check them out!   :)

Until next time, keep those emails coming!!!   :)

CK Summer Swap and more...

hi!  hope you all had a nice weekend and stayed as cool as possible!  it sure was hot in the OC!  before i forget, as promised, here is a picture of what my partner fia {from the netherlands} sent me in the ck summer swap.   :)   

thanks again, fia!  i love everything you sent!   :)  next is the purple swap and my partner is Gena from Georgia!   :) 

this weekend we went to the Creative Imaginations warehouse sale in HB.   i'm guessing it's an annual event, but this was my first time.  it was so hot that epoxy letters had condensation in the plastic packaging!   :)

even in the hot weather, it was a fun sale and i was able to add a lot more cardstock & embellishments to my scrapbooking collection!   :)   

here's a picture of about half of the stuff i bought!  as you can see, lots of chipboard letters and embellies!   :)  i also bought a ton of cardstock and patterned paper.   :)

after shopping, we decided to hit the beach...since we were already in HB.   :)   

here are a few pictures of us on the pier.   :)  yes, i was dying when we got home...and for a few days after...i always have to figure in recovery time whenever i go anywhere or do anything...that's just the "normal"  life of a person who has RSD!  we deal.  we do the best we can.  and we pray for a better tomorrow.   :)

well, guess that's all for now...oh! one last thing...i've had several emails asking me when new products are going up in my etsy store???  well, i'm slowly working on it and will be adding more in there later this week!   :)  so, check it out when you get a chance!   :)  sorry it's taken me so long!  i really didn't know anyone was actually waiting to see more of my scrapbooking designs!   :)  thank you for all your support & emails...keep um coming!   :)

Scrapbooking Eye Candy!

I've joined the blogging world! :)

YEAH!!!  This is my very first post on Shari's Scrap Space!   :)  Here I am!!!   :)    I am sooooo extremely excited!!!   :)   I want to thank my hubby Gary for his continuous support and never-ending, unconditional LOVE!   I have RSD/CRPS {have you ever heard of it before?} and believe me, it's NOT easy being married to lil ol' me and having to watch me suffer in so much pain all the time!  {and we are going on over 10.5 years!}    :)    I am sooooo lucky to have the best husband in the world!!!   :)  We are blessed with a bright & happy 4-year-old son, Matthew.   :)  Here's a pic of the Suzuki Family....Gary, Shari & Matthew.    :)

I also want to thank my bff Della for pushing me along...um, I mean encouraging me to get my blog up and running.  {Although I don't know why since I'll be doing a lot of posting about HER!!!}  Oh Yes, you'll really get to know her and I think she's probably gonna become YOUR bff too!!!  {but you can't have her...she's mine!  get your own bff!}  :)   We are both starting out on some new adventures in our lives and hopefully {prayers welcomed} they will be both fun & successful!   :)   You'll hear more about that later and also, I'll let you know what Della's been working on as well.   :)   {see, it's starting already!}   :)

I also started my etsy store at www.ShariSuzuki.etsy.com.  Uh, there are only 3 items listed so far, but hey, I have an online store!!!   :)  I will be adding more things in there soon, so please visit the store often...you might see something you like!   :)   I'm planning to offer 12x12 custom designed mirrors {this one says, "watch me grow"}, 12x12 custom designed clocks, these cute little 3x3 photo cubes, 12x12 custom designed shadowboxes, custom made wordbooks, maybe a few cards and invitations and possibly a couple paper bag albums and tins...and maybe I'll make some kits, too!   :)   Let me know what you'd like to see in there...I welcome feedback!  I've never done this before, remember?  I still don't quite understand how people will start reading this blog...like, how will you find me???  I'm just a little person in a big bloggin' world!!! 

HERE I AM!!!!!!   YOOO-HOOO!!!   I'M OVER HERE!!!

Well, if you heard me, I'd love for you to give me a shout out back!   :)

I'll be waiting!!!  Until then, I'll be back soon with more of my rantings...and in the near future I'll have my first  product comparison review  which is gonna be on    {drum roll please...} 

Craft knives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Yes, I'll be testing out the new Fiskars Fingertip Craft Knife!  I'll be comparing it to a couple of the more traditional blades out there...like the CutterBee Retractable Knife and the Heidi Swapp Paper Knife.  Thanks for reading my first entry!!!  See you next time, Shari   :)