Product Review: Photobook Creater by Unibind

This past weekend, I went to a event hosted by the Scrapbook Warehouse.  It was the Photobook Creater Make-N-Take in store demo.  There was a new letter announcement and my sister-in-law really wanted to go.  So said, sure!  I haven’t been doing anything creative since we started our house building project.  This is what I ended up taking home with me:

The demonstrator Ken Oliver, is a great guy. He told me my book was beautiful, when I know he’s just being nice. I had trouble using the supplied distresser ink.  I still don’t know what distresser ink does.  And certainly you can’t tell I used it on my book I made!  I’m a origami enthusiast and novice Graphic Designer, not a hard core paper crafter or stamper like Ken and my sister-in-law.  Still, I enjoyed myself, he made it fun!

The Photobook Creator is a neat product.  You can bind your own books.  You buy the special book covers that has a resin embedded in it’s spine.  You print photos on any paper, organize them and then heat the spine and the resin binds the paper into your customized book.

The photo books covers themselves aren’t un-reasonable priced either, they range from $5.00 to $20.00 for covers ranging from 4 x 6 inch size to 12 x 12 inches sizes. 

** Note: I received no compensation for this review.  The opinions expressed are 100% my own. 

My Nephew Turned One Year Old

My nephew turned one and this the card he got for this first birthday from Aunty Twyla!  I love the dinosaurs!  Love how she made the body suit.

Tutorial: Snowman Magnets

 

More Snowman Crafts! This Time…Magnets!

Another tutorial generously offered by Eyeballs by Day, Crafts by Night.

The Paper Place: The 2nd Great Chiyogami Giveaway!

Yay!  The Paper Place is hosting another paper pack giveaway!

The prize this year is one 8.5 x 11 inch sample sheet each of over 700 patterns they carry online!  Of course I entered in hopes to win!  I have such a paper addiction. 

If you haven’t heard of The Paper Place, check them out! It’s a Canadian based store based out of Ontario, Canada.  They have such variety of paper and designs on their online store.  One day I’ll be visiting the East Coast and definitely be visiting

Cards of Christmas Past: Aunty Toy’s Treasures

One of the great things of handmade cards is that you tend to keep them because you know the card giver put his or her heart in making it just for you.  I was sorting through this year’s Christmas decorations and found the cards Twyla made for the past four years.

She started stamping at least 4 or 5 years ago.  She gave started to give out her cards pretty much when she started this hobby.  Because I keep them, I just noticed how much she has improved each year.  My favourite is the one she gave me in 2009, the snowman is actually in it’s own snow globe. 

I can’t wait to see what card she decides to bless me with this year.

2007	2008
2009	2010

West Coast Origami on Hiatus

If you’ve been following me or my Cindy Ho Designs Blog for a while, you’ll recall that my family decided to rebuilt our house and in a year, I’ll get my new studio!  We just moved out and the reality check is sinking in.  I have to give up crafts.  He knows this is painful.

My brother and sister in laws were very generous to allow our family move into their house to avoid renting.  It has been made clear that space is limited and clearly defined space allocated for our things.  I have many boxes of supplies, books and paper and unable to bring any of them.

It was a difficult decision but West Coast Origami shop is on hiatus.  It wouldn’t be so bad because I’d craft for fun.  I’m sad because I have to stop entirely.

My new focus secondary to my family are on any projects that don’t require a lot of workspace.  Anything involving my laptop, my sketch book and my cross stitching.

However, have no fear, I will be back and hope you support me in this decision!

Have you ever had to stop doing what you love in order to grow that passion in the future?

Origami Caravan Project–Auction Oct 25 to Nov 10

Origami Caravan is a volunteer humanitarian effort geared toward children affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.  Read more about the Origami Caravan project here

To raise funds, top origami artists in the world are donating personally folded origami and auctioning them off on Ebay!

If you not an enthusiast but still want to help, you can still donate to the cause!  Please click here and look for the PayPal button.

I could fold some of the models they are auctioning, but it’s different when you own something folded by a world famous artist.

For me, I got my eye on this one, Ren-Jishi (Kabuki Lion Dancers) & Makoto Rose folded by Makoto Yamaguchi

Being Canadian, I also have a liking to Bernie Peyton’s Polar Bear as well.

Thanks for reading.  Please let me know if you donate!