Scrapbooking addicts can indulge on Long Island

Wednesday November 11, 2009 12:45 PM By Shawna Van Ness

"You're doing what? For how many hours?"

That's what incredulous people ask Robin Hummel when she's gearing up for an all-day "crop" session at the Scrapper's Playground and Park in North Babylon.

Once a week or so, the educational consultant from Huntington packs up her paper, embellishments and tools from home and spreads out inside the scrapbooking store's workroom, which has glass-topped tables and leather office chairs. She'll spend the next four to six (or more) hours crafting, trimming and layering her way through album pages or other projects. And she'll have company.

"It's a sick addiction," says Chevonne Pannullo of Deer Park, who has a standing Friday morning appointment with a handful of friends who meet at Scrapper's Playground and spend all day working on their albums in an atmosphere that's devoid of e-mail, television and other distractions.

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Martha Stewart, Ford team up for Warriors in Pink

Thursday October 15, 2009 12:01 PM By Corris Little

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia has teamed up with Ford Warriors in Pink to design the Symbols of the Warrior rubber stamping kit. It’s a gorgeous little gift for the paper crafter or any woman who wants to leave her mark in a special way.

Inside the stamping kit, you’ll find ink pads and rubber stamps featuring warrior symbols (angel wings, heart, dove, feather, etc.) that are filled with significant meaning. Use this kit to create unique note cards, inspirational greeting cards, hand-stamped from the heart gift wrap, and more.

The Warriors in Pink stamping kit is available for purchase on www.fordcares.com with 100% of the next proceeds from its Warrior in Pink-themed products to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Tune in Friday, October 16th to watch a special episode of the Martha Stewart Show for breast cancer awareness month, featuring Ford Warriors in Pink products, including the limited-edition stamp kit.

Lucky Cheap Thrills blog readers can enter to win one of several Warriors in Pink items we’re giving away, from clothing to a travel mug – all pretty in pink! Simply leave a comment on this post telling me what makes you feel like a warrior. Entries are due October 22. Winners will be contacted, so please leave a name and an e-mail address.

To get more involved in breast cancer awareness, visit: www.fordcares.com

Photo: Martha Stewart wearing a woven scarf from the Warriors in Pink product line. (Handout)

Crafty tutorial: Create a scrapbook in a box

Monday October 5, 2009 3:51 PM By Corris Little

This scrapbook in a box is adorable and easy to create. My friends have enjoyed receiving my scrapbooks in a box as gifts for birthdays and holidays. Now, I’m going to show you how you can create your very own.

When you’re done, the finished product is a 4 inch by 4 inch square shaped mini scrapbook album in a box which opens or “explodes” into a cool little scrapbook album when you take off the lid. Your scrapbook in a box can also double as a gift box. Fill it with lots of photos, pop in a small gift and present it to the recipient who will be sure to love both the gift and the pictures.

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

* 4 sheets of 12 by 12 inch cardstock. The colors of cardstock can match or coordinate for an interesting look.

* Embellishments, such as paper flowers, buttons, stickers or ribbon to “pretty up” your scrapbook in a box.

* Paper trimmer or scissors and ruler

* Bone folder for scoring and creasing folded paper

* Adhesive or glue stick

Note: We used a Simply Scrappin Birthday Kit from Stampin' Up!

Directions for the box:

Take the first three sheets of cardstock and cut them into the following sizes. The first one will stay 12 by 12 inches and you will score it at 4 inches on all 4 sides and then cut out the corners.

The second sheet should be cut to 10.5 by 10.5 inches, then scored at 3.5 inch on all 4 sides and cut out the corners.

And finally, the third sheet should be trimmed to 9 by 9 inches., score it at 3 inches on all 4 sides and cut out the corners.

Cut the fourth sheet of cardstock to 7 by 7 inches, score it at 1 3/8 inches and cut out the corners and fold it up. You may wish to use adhesive. Set this aside for adding the closed lid later.

So, when you’re done trimming, your card stock will look like a “cross.”

At this point, you can do anything you like to each layer, such as rubber stamping, embossing, glittering, adding photos, journaling, etc.

When you’re done decorating, place each layer on top of each other and fold it up into a box. Add your lid to the top and you may add a box to tie it closed, if you wish.

Photos: Crafter Laurel Carpenter showing off her birthday themed scrapbook in a box at a workshop in New York City. Photo by Corris Little.

This weekend: Craft as Art Festival

Monday October 5, 2009 2:36 PM By Corris Little

The annual Craft as Art Festival offers decorative pottery, jewelry, blown glass and more, Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday and Monday, 10 am.-6 p.m., at the Nassau County Museum of Art, One Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor, $7; $12 and younger, free; museum admission not included, 516-484-937, nassaumuseum.com

It's a bling thing: Gem show in Freeport

Thursday August 27, 2009 2:00 PM By Corris Little

Freeport Recreation Center, 130 E. Merrick Road, hosts a gem and mineral show with beads, crystals, fossils and jewelry for sale, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Continues Sunday. Admission is only $5.50. Call 516-377-2310 or visit online: freeportny.gov

Craft fest in East Hampton

Thursday August 27, 2009 1:50 PM By Corris Little

More than 40 craft vendors will gather at the East Hampton American Legion Hall on Montauk Highway in Amangansett to display their handiwork in ceramic, wood, glass and leather, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Also Sunday, rain or shine. Admission is free. Call 631-724-5966 or visit online: showtiques.com

Photo of the Day: Designer graffiti

Tuesday July 14, 2009 7:17 AM By Corris Little

Dixie Rodriguez's artwork started on New York City streets and subway stations. He quickly found a new canvas for his "street art," using shoes, handbags and shirts.

Learn more about his hand-painted designs helped kick start his business, 1Eleven Designs.

Photo: MCT Photo

Learn Chinese Brush Painting in Greenport

Monday July 13, 2009 9:58 AM By Corris Little

Try your hand at "The Art of Chinese Brush Painting." Classes Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at the deCordova Studio & Gallery, 538 Main St., Greenport. Cost $200, plus $20 materials fee. Call 631-477-0620, deCordovagallery.com.

Photo credit: Chinese brush painting by SilentLotus Creations. A portion of Silent Lotus' profits will be donated to The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees cause.

Artists' studio tour in the Hamptons

Wednesday July 8, 2009 7:58 AM By Corris Little

Take a self-guided tour of about 30 artists' studios in Amangansett, Sag Harbor, Southampton and East Hampton, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, $60 a couple covers both days, buy at Ashawagh Hall, Springs Fireplace Road, East Hampton, 631-324-2225, artistsstudiotour.org