HSM and Hannah Montana

Who hasn't heard of the Disney Channel and:
High School Musical and Hannah Montana!
PLAID has come out with clear stamps featuring HSM characters and Hannah Montana housed in a CD case. I was so excited when I saw these clear stamps at the CHA convention. My daughters enjoy watching these Disney shows. What's so fabulous is that we can make our own crafts now using these stamps.
All the characters from High School Musical are featured: Troy Bolton, Gabriella, Sharpay, Wildcats, and the catch phrases they used.
Hannah Montana stamps show Miley Cyrus in various poses along with catch phrases and guitars.
Both sets are great for all ages. My little ones just giggle making their own scenes and putting the phrases onto their back backs. My older girl (she's 14) is too cool for HSM and Hannah Montana (although she does watch the shows), she got into the guitars and other phrases. We used fabric paints and permanent ink to stamp her school bag. She just started high school and she wanted to wait until school started to see what everyone else is wearing before she'd buy anything new. Personally, that concerned me and disappointed me. I know that it's important to fit in, but it's a shame that she feels that she needs to "blend in". After a few days of high school, she said that most people are quite boring. The only people that stand out, really stand out: multi-colored spiked hair, piercings, etc. This weekend we bought several t-shirts and some new jeans. We are decorating them using the Disney stamps pads. She's really into guitars so we are using silver, gold and bronze fabric paints and we are stamping the shirts and jeans. I am so happy that she is getting more creative and trying to show her personality. We will not go over board, she is a teenager and still trying to find her identity, but she does like to get compliments.
What's also great is that these clear stamps come in a CD case. Besides being easy to carry and organize, you can use the CD case as the stamping block. Just pull out some markers, pull off the clear stamp you'd like to use and place it onto the CD case and stamp on anything! What can be easier? Wipe it clean with a wet paper towel. These stamps do not take up much space. Use them anywhere. I've added a few of the Disney Clear stamp CD cases to my Tote-Ally Cool Shoulder Bag. I've talked about this shoulder bag before. It's fabulous with the removable mesh pockets. I keep it filled with various supplies. Having two little girls, I need to keep them entertained. So now I keep the following items inside: snacks (lately it's Yogos), kleenex, lipgloss, crayons and markers, blank paper and coloring books, books, and 4 clear stamp CD cases, and clay or Play Doh. Wherever I go, I take this tote-ally cool shoulder bag. It zippers close, it's trendy and I am always ready. Maybe some of you have small children that sit still for a long time; I don't.

Latest News

Here's the latest from Advantus the company that makes all the AMM products.
They are eliminating camera bags. I was really shocked by this news. The camera bags have been great sellers. They are really cute and functional. At www.toteandbrag.com we'll have to find a different vendor. So basically, whatever is currently in stock is all that there is.
The blue tote-ally cool 3 bags are also being eliminated. The pink is being produced.
Vituri Lifestyles will only be available in the oatmeal color both regular size and demi. We currently have all the colors in stock with matching wallets but once they are sold out we will not be able to replenish any of the colors except for oatmeal (which is really cute).
The Tote lite collection will be shipped out in September. Tote lite is made from a different material, nylon instead of the canvas.
For a limited time only, AMM is coming out with some really hip handbags: Vituri Urban in Patent leather. They are hot! Available in black patent leather and red patent leather. They will be available for the holidays. Matching wallets will be sold as a set. Did I mention they are really hot?
Check back for more updates.

Product Updates

I attended the first day of CHA (Craft and Hobby Association). My first stop was with my suppliers: Advantus, Provo Craft and Notions.
Here's the latest news:
AMM is selling off all the camera bags. They are not planning on carring camera bags any longer. I told them that they have been quite popular with our store. They may revisit the idea next year. I have ordered what I could, however, once they sell out that's it!
AMM is coming out with a limited edition patent leather bag available in black and red for the holidays. I'll post more about this later.
The new AMM Tote Lite collection is scheduled to arrive September 1st. The tote lite collection includes a lighter tote available in two popular colors: raspberry and black. The tote is made of a nylon material instead of the canvas. It cleans up nicely. Also, it is slightly shorter than its predeccessors Tote-Ally Cool and Tote-Ally Cool 2. There is no carousel hence making the tote lighter. The other two new items are fabulous. They are both available in black with an accent of color. Both are made out of the nylon material. The shoulder tote has ample storage space and pockets for larger tools. The folio is great. It has a side that opens up for easy access to materials when you're sitting at a table. Set the folio on the table and access items from the top or open the front which lays flat to access the entire folio.
Lastly, AMM will only be producing the Vituri Lifestyles Handbags in Oatmeal. They are selling out the other colors: sage, blush, brown and black. They say that AMM has other items in the works but they have not released that information.

BACK TO SCHOOL

LOOK COOL GOING BACK TO SCHOOL!

We have added some really cool bags at www.ToteandBrag.com. Skull Messenger Bags, Animal print messenger bags and backpacks and a fun zipper purse.

No matter what your age there is a messenger bag or backpack to fit your style. The skull messenger bag is a favorite of both boys and girls. Someone I know embellished the bag with glue-on rhinestones to add her own flair. It really looks great.

Animal prints are in style. The pink leapord backpack is a favorite of the "Cheetah Girls" fans. If you really want to get noticed then the tiger print backpack is for you.

A really neat bag is the zipper bag. It's a small bag until you need something larger. Unzip the zipper and the bag transforms into a shoulder tote. This is a must have! Great for travel too. How many times have you gone on vacation and purchased too many souvenirs? Or gone out with your kids and somehow accumulated more things than you left with? Now you can just unzip the zipper bag and you have a great handy tote. It's also great to take to the market. The zipper bag makes for a great gift too.

Tote Lite

Tote-Ally Cool! Tote Lite!

AMM is debuting some new collections. The Tote-Ally Cool Tote Lite collection will be available in August. The Tote Lite collection has two colors of tote bags: raspberry and black licorice. Raspberry has been a hit color for AMM. These tote lite totes are lighter so that larger tools can be toted. Also, albums and 12x12 papers will fit in the tote lite tote. The tote lite totes still fit onto the roller bag which is always a plus. The other two pieces in the collection are a Tote lite shoulder bag and a project tote. Both are chic and functional. They can be filled with large tools, albums, papers, etc.

A friend of mine recently told me that she is looking for a briefcase that isn't a brief case. She wants to look polished going to meetings but doesn't want to carry a briefcase. She often gives presentations so she needs to carry folders filled with reports. She is very excited about both the tote lite shoulder bag and tote lite project tote. She said that they are perfect for her needs. Another friend of mine is starting high school in August. She saw the Tote lite project tote and put her order in. She said it'll be perfect to carry her papers, pens, and of course lipgloss, in. She already has plans on how she will embellish it to personalize the tote. She has some cool ideas.

I really think that the Tote lite collection will be a hit. I am eagerly awaiting their arrival at our store.

Next we will be unveiling another new collection from AMM (formerly All My Memories). However, you'll have to check back for that information at www.ToteandBrag.com.

Summer baseball

BASEBALL SEASON!!!

CROSS TOWN CLASSICS

GO CHICAGO WHITE SOX!

It's summer! The weather has improved (although in Chicago it can go from 90 to 60 all within one day). But I'm an optimist and my family lives in Illinois. For now, I'm not moving.

This summer has really been fun for the baseball fans in Illinois. Both of our teams (Cubs and White Sox) are doing really well. We couldn't get tickets to the Crosstown Classic game, but we are watching it.

We did go to the home opener this year as we do every year. We have some really great pictures from the game. I hate to carry a purse when I go to sporting events. I carried my camera, ID, and lip gloss in the black camera pouch. It worked out perfectly. I carried the camera pouch on my wrist and later put the strap through my belt loop. I was hands free to cheer for my team, the Chicago White Sox!

My cousin, who is now 12, likes to carry a purse. She has the red camera purse. I asked if I could peek inside her camera purse. She let me. She has her digital camera (she takes great pictures), High School Musical lipgloss, Hannah Montana hair glitter, a pen and a HSM notebook. Seems like every girl needs her lip gloss no matter what her age. My cousin, Alexandra, enjoys crafting and sports. For her birthday I gave her a scrapbook kit to encourage her to save all her great digital pictures. She's also into lots of sports. She can document all the great sports moments. Maybe one day she'll be at Wimbeldon or in the Olympics (Olympics 2012?)

MEMORIAL DAY

MEMORIAL DAY IS A DAY TO REMEMBER ALL THE HEROES THAT HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES FOR ALL OF US IN THE GREAT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

It is a day to remember and honor all the men and women who are currently fighting for our liberty. Please salute and thank everyone you come across that serves in the military. Treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Thank you.

Graduation

Congratulations to everyone about to graduate!
I have received my first invitation to a graduation party. My cricut is ready to create a stunning card. I'm planning on putting together a great gift. My friend really likes pink. I think I'm going to fill the Tote-Ally Cool 3 roller bag with goodies. I will include two accordian style albums and two Metro Albums, some stickers and rub ons, two book clips, and some extra pages. The pink camera clutch will be the perfect little extra to start off her summer. Plus I learned that the grad's parents are getting her a digital camera so she'll need a camera bag.
She is a soccer star. The girls from the team hang out together often. I think they will really have fun putting together memory books filled with pictures of the team as well as a place to save some of the ribbons they have won. Plus she can use the roller bag for sleep overs or while traveling to soccer games.
My little one is graduating preschool. We are not having a big party for this event. My husband thinks that would just be silly. However, starting kindergarten is a huge milestone. With summer about to begin I think I'll give her a little gift. She too loves pink. The tote-ally cool medium tote will be perfect. I'll add crayons, markers and stickers, scissors and glue. I'll surprise her with some beads for stringing too. She'll not only have fun during the summer but she'll be ready for kindergarten too. She won't even know it; She'll be working on all the skills she needs to get ready for kindergarten. Mom's are so sneaky.

Non crafter Mother's Day gift ideas

Mother's Day is coming up soon. We've been putting together tote-ally cool totes filled with brads, stickers, and pretty papers. This got me to thinking about my own mom. She isn't much of a crafter. At first I didn't think she would like anything like this, a filled Tote-Ally cool tote. But with further thought, she always writes thank you cards or letters to friends and customers. I'm sure she would love to receive a Metro Keepsake box. I could fill it with pretty stationary, blank cards, envelopes and pens and possibly an initial stamp and colored stamp pads, scissors, tape and some postage stamps. This Metro Keepsake Box is beautiful to display and she'll have everything she needs without having to go to the store each time.
Thinking further about my non crafting mom...she has grandchildren. I think all kids enjoy to color, cut and glue. Mine sure do. But Grandma does not like the mess this produces. I could fill a tote-ally cool shoulder bag with supplies. She can bring out the bag with all the supplies and then everything gets put back into the bag when the little artists are done. Also, this bag will always be ready to take with in the car for easy travel too. The Tote-Ally Cool Shoulder Bags have a removable insert that has three large mesh zippered pockets. I could fill the mesh pockets with crayons, markers, glue sticks, scissors, colored pencils, stickers, etc.
Of course the Metro Memory Albums or Urban Memory Albums are great gifts too. Add some photo corners or glue sticks to the gift box and let Mom add her own photos. Add embelishments later or leave the albums as they are. Both make a beautiful presentation filled with wonderful memories. My mother had mentioned that having to glue the pictures just takes too long. I reminded her of the beautiful albums she had from before I was born. The pictures in these albums were attached using photo corners. To this day the albums look amazing. I couldn't help also reminding her why we have boxes filled with loose pictures. The magnetic albums fell apart. So did the other plastic pocket albums. She had to agree that I was right. Occasionally, I am with my mom.

SPRING CLEANING!

It's finally spring!
The fresh air.
Sunshine.
I feel exhilerated.
I took a look around...wow! How did this happen? Everything is all over the place and looking cluttered. I give advise on organizing and storage on a daily basis. What happened in my own home?
It was time to take my own advise. I set out a few empty boxes and began sorting. I realized that I am quite the pack rat. But I know why my creativity was at a low. So much clutter.
Once the old papers and used up supplies were out of the way I was ready to organize. I pulled out several storage units and varies containers.
I started with the Metro Keepsake box. This box is not only beautiful but functional too. I have two that I keep near my desk. The first one contains various items such as paper clips, tape, stationary and post its, calculator, stamps, etc. The other keepsake box contains items items to make cards: ribbons, stickers, paper, glue, brads, scissors, and punches. I keep these items upstairs near the tv because I like to keep busy while watching tv but I don't want to drag everything out.
My medium tote-ally cool tote holds my beading items. I like the medium size because I can take it everywhere; into the car, over to my friends house without looking like I'm moving in.
The Crop-In-Style P3 Tote/Organizer holds all my pretty papers. This item is fabulous. It opens up for easy access but then closes up so tiny hands don't get into it. To complete the tabletop I have two Mackinac Moon Open Top Craft Totes. I put my tape runners, some often used punches and scissors in these totes for easy access. The colorful storage blocks were filled up quickly with photos, die cuts, stamps and ink pads. I set these onto shelves about four feet off the floor. I'm in the process of labeling everything.
I feel the creativity coming back. I just need more time!

NEW ITEMS!

NEW ITEMS HAVE ARRIVED!

We are so excited with the new Tote-Ally Cool 3!

The totes and bags have been redesigned with some fun colors. The Tote-Ally Cool 3 totes have a new look to them with the great swivel base and lots of pockets. They are available in two colors: teal and black and pink and black. AMM has also added different style bags in the same color scheme. A mid size bag and a shoulder bag. Both are great for carrying craft items or to use daily as a regular purse.

The Vituri Lifestyles collection has eliminated the black Vituri Lifestyles handbag (not really sure why) but have added a new color: Oatmeal with black faux leather trim. AMM has added a smaller version of this great canvas bag: the demi Vituri Lifestyles bag also available in oatmeal with black trim. The demi bag features two picture windows. The demi is a great everyday purse. We're sure it'll sell great especially since there have been so many people asking about two picture windows.

The Vituri Urban line has added a new color to their collection. The handbag is available in Chocolate. It is trully fabulous! The picture windows have a tan trim. The chocolate Vituri Urban is also available in a shoulder bag and matching wallet. The raspberry color is no longer being produced.

And, the Black Black Vituri handbags have finally arrived!!!!! It's been months. These purses have really been hot sellers.

Snow Day

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
It seems like this winter we've had more snow...and it keeps on snowing. It's so beautiful to watch the flakes falling from the sky. The trees twinkle from the snowflakes and ice. Children sledding, building snowmen, and making snow angels. These images need to be captured.
Spend your snow day capturing these memories. Pull out your Tote-ally cool tote and scrapbook album and have fun. Pull out some glitter or embossing powder to mimic the twinkle of the snow. Cut out shapes using your Sizzix die cutter or the Cricut Expressions. Add your own photos or draw pictures. Snow days are great fun.
Call all your friends. Tell them to hop into their SUV's, snowmobiles, horses, whatever it takes to get together for hot cocoa and have fun making cards, calenders, jewelry...whatever your heart desires.

Making Valentine cards

VALENTINE'S CARDS



My preschool daughter will be handing out her first Valentine's Day cards to her classmates. She obviously has Mommy's crafty gene. After I announced that her class is having a Valentine's Day party and everyone will be handing out Valentine cards, she asked, "can we make them"? I smiled, then my wheels started turning. I had to slow my thoughts down. My little one is four. I cannot come up with wild intricate ideas. We need to come up with ideas that "she" can do (with a little help).

Pink and Red papers. Tape runners. Stamps. Glitter. "Good start", I thought. She wanted princesses for the girls and footballs for the boys. "I like it". Now my dilemma. Should we use the Sizzix Big Shot or the Cricut Expressions.
We used the Cricut Expressions machine to cut out Princesses for the girls. I let her use my Sakura pens for added pizzaz. Then she embellished the Princesses even more with glitter. With the Sizzix Big Shot we punched out footballs. I helped her use the Crop-A-Dile to punch out holes for the laces. She used pretty ribbons from my ribbon box to thread the laces. (This is a great dexterity exercise for children). With heart stamps she stamped the inside of the card and signed her name. We had so much fun and giggled the whole time.
Every day she asks, "can I give out the cards Mommy"? "Not yet dear", I answer.

Be My Valentine

Valentine's Day!

Yes, we all love chocolates; but remember your New Year's resolution?
Flowers are always appreciated...but they don't last.
Doesn't your sweetheart deserve something special that will be appreciated for a long time?
Buy your sweetheart something pink:
Raspberry PInk AMM Vituri Urban Handbag and matching wallet
Raspberry Pink AMM Vituri Urban Roller Bag and shoulder bag
Pink Blush AMM Vituri Lifestyles Handbag and matching wallet
Raspberry Pink Vituri Fashion Camera Satchel
Pale Pink Camera Clutch or a
Toteally Cool Pink Medium Tote
Toteally Cool Pink Shoulder Bag
Toteally Cool Tote 2 in Raspberry Polkadot
Toteally Cool Tote 2 Raspberry Polkadot Shoulder Bag or
Pink Urban Memory Album
Pink Metro Memory Album or
Pink Ribbon Chest
Pink Metro Suite Chest
PINK IS IT FOR VALENTINE'S DAY!