Fun Expressions Blog

Ready, Set, SALE!

Just in time for wishlists and gift lists —We've slashed prices so you can cut corners on getting and giving some "way cool" cropping gear!

Why brave the crowds when you can do all the damage from that comfy little chair of yours? On your mark, get set…SALE! With so many embellishments, papers and tools costing less than your skinny latte, now is the time to pack those pages and projects full of scrap-happy, low-cost frill!

Find a few of my favorite scrapbooking sale items (and so much more) right here!

                 

65/85137 Snap Bin One Drawer	65/65581 Summer Rubber Zipper Pulls	65/60292 Winter Die Cut Card Set
65/70188 Valentines Accessory Stickers	65/65193 Inspiration Woven Labels

Go ahead! Indulge! While supplies last...it's guilt-free!

Your friend,

(Markdown) Mary

Upload Your File!

Name:
Email Address:

create web form

Fun For The Whole Family

Ahhh familia! That weird and wonderful band of characters with whom we all trudge through life - sharing toothpaste, borrowing money, loving, laughing and defending! No matter the make up of your household, the upcoming holidays will no doubt provide countless opportunities for documenting each humiliating situation and anecdote that only family can incite. I, for one plan on capturing every last holiday mishap and mistletoe kiss.

Oh! and all those pics I've stockpiled over the years...the ancestors (most with names understood only in the "Old Country"), embarrassing childhood moments, sibling rivalries, wayward family vacations and a myriad number of stray pets — the ones our parents begrudgingly let us keep — Yes, all of them are going on the pages of our NEW Family Heritage Line! I'm counting on those classic, yet contemporary papers, ribbons and flocked stickers to give our motley crew at least some refinement.

Because at the end of the day, when I look back upon the brood that's brought me this far (most of them sweet...but there are a few nuts), I know how truly blessed, lucky and brave I am!

Family Tree Finished Page

1. Start with the 12 x 12 Family Tree page as your background. Set aside.
2. Using the largest scallop from the Paper Shaper Rulers, trace out a 4 x 4 square with scalloped edges onto the square, covering the edges with one of the photo frames from the flocked stickers. Ink the edges with brown and adhere with the tallest foam adhesive squares to give height to your page.
3. Using a smaller scallop from the Paper Shaper Rulers, cut out another 4" x 4" scallop mat and mount another 3½" x 3½" photo onto the square, covering the edges with one of the photo frames from flocked stickers. Adhere with a slightly shorter from adhesive square.
4. To the right of the second frame pick out two 2" x 3" photos and use the chipboard corners to mount two of the edges.
5. Lastly, add your favorite stickers. Example used: "Home is where the heart is" and "Our life".

Supplies used:

• Family Heritage Paper Pack
• Family Heritage Flocked Stickers
• Family Heritage Alphabet Stickers
• Family Heritage Clear Stickers
• Family Heritage Printed Chipboard

Get crackin' on the croppin' and don't forget to call your mother!

Your friend,
Mary

Howdy Pilgrim!

    Thanksgiving is a time for togetherness. It's an occasion spent in the warm and loving company of family and friends, remembering, cherishing and being thankful! Which is all well and good, but we all know the main event on Thanksgiving is the MEAL! So before you give your family the bird — you know, the one loaded with sleep-inducing fixins — set the stage with my invites and place cards.

    New & fresh from the Creating Keepsakes Convention, I whipped up these fun & easy paper projects in less time than it takes the fellas to fall asleep in front of the football game! Let's talk turkey! While these invites extend the promise of goodwill, the place cards ensure good behavior and favorable mingling.

Thanksgiving "Pocket" Invites: 

Outside
1.  Cut 7 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangle from Apple Pickin' paper.  Fold 4 1/4": from right side.
2.  Punch square shape into bottom left hand corner (front side only approximately 1/2" from the card's fold).
3.  Cut scallop trim out of green plain paper and adhere along the front.
4.  Attach brads to create pocket.

Inside:
1.  Cut 3 3/4" x 4 3/4" rectangle from patterned cardstock. 
2.  Cut a 2" piece of ribbon from the Fall Ribbon Card and adhere with brads. 
3.  Place card in pocket and attach "Give Thanks" word brads as your message.
4.  Remove cardstock to stamp invitation details.

Products used:
65/60614  Apple Pickin' Paper Kit
65/65843  Fall Ribbon Assortment
65/65857  Fall Embellishment Box
65/60084  150 Super 150 Sheet Paper Pack
65/75079  Large Square Punch
65/65241  Fall Paper Leaves
65/65855  Thanksgiving Painted Word Brads
65/80190  You're Invited Stamps

Place Cards:

1.  Cut 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" of the striped patterend paper from the Apple Pickin' paper.  Fold in half.
2.  Cut 2 7/8" x 1 3/4" of the yellow polka dot paper and adhere to the center. 
3.  Attach a piece of green ric-rac or green sticky ribbon to the front of the card 3 1/4" long.  Adhere. 
4.  Attach either a punch out from the kit or paper leaves with a leaf brad to the front.
5.  Writer or rub on the names of your loved ones.

Products Used:
65/60614  Apple Pickin' Paper Kit
65/65843  Fall Ribbon Assortment
65/65838  Fall Sticky Ribbon
65/65857  Fall Embellishment Box
65/65241  Fall Paper Leaves

Enjoy the festivities, and bring on the pumpkin pie!

-Your friend,
Mary

Fall Brings Bunches O' Fun!

Hello friends!

I'm dizzy! Cuckoo! bonkers, in fact! For the bunches of fun I'm having now that fall has begun! What is it about this time of year that reduces me to a rambunctious child let loose in a candy store? If I had to pinpoint the single reason I get so hyped-up — its gotta be the orchards set ablaze with juicy-red apples! Then again...there's the rustling of leaves — that crackle and crunch underfoot! The laughter of friends and family while picking out, then primping the silliest of jack-o'-lanterns, and, of course, the hair-raising ghost stories told 'round the warmest of campfires! Yeh, that's it! But wait...Ooh! All the delicious smells! Roasted marshmallows, mulled cider and tummy-warming stews! Ugh...who am I kidding? There's no single reason why this is the most pleasurable season for myself and so many others!

With all the sights, sounds and smells to make each moment uniquely special, It's a good thing we don't have to settle for just one autumnal sensation! Now that we're adults, and don't have our parents limiting the good times up-for-grabs, we can gather all the fun our happy hearts can hold!

Much to the chagrin of my closest pals, I've pulled out the camera and have taken no prisoners! Every plucked apple, hayrack ride, burnt marshmallow and pumpkin-decorating mishap is caught on film — ready to be paired with my favorite fall cropping treats —The APPLE PICKIN' paper kit, Fall Embellishment Kit and Apple Pickin' Rub-ons! There truly is no better way to unwind as the drifting leaves turn to drifts of snow! (With hot tottie in hand) I kick back by the fire, with my collection of scrap-happy treats, and crop the memories (comedy of errors) made with friends and family.

Oops! Almost forgot...I just returned from the Creating Keepsakes Convention! WOW! I learned so many new and "fabu" cardmaking techniques and paper-making tricks! So, stay tuned! Because in the next several weeks I'll bring you the scoop to make your holidays oh-so "hobby"!

Now get out there and jump in the leaves!

-Your friend,
Mary

The Witching Hour Is Soon Upon Us!

Hello ghouls and goblins!

Halloween is fast approaching, and I cannot wait! It’s the perfect excuse to play dress-up and stuff yourself full of candy treats! (Wait! On second thought, too many of my favorite treats and it’s going to take more than a few tricks to fit into my costume!)

Ok, once you’ve put the candy down, pick up that pen and start planning YOUR wicked party! Make sure to invite all sinister souls and menacing characters (a.k.a. your friends) to have a frightfully good time at your haunted house! I've made two "witchcrafty" projects that will make you howl!

My easy-to-assemble "Ghouls Night Out" party invitations require no special skills - except a wicked sense of fun! Dead ringers for graveyard markers, they're more animated than ghastly! Simply follow the haunted path I've laid before you...if you dare! Mwahhhhh! (Sorry! This is one holiday that brings out the devil in me!) 

For my second scrappy sensation I drew on my dark side (I know you all have one as well) to create a truly bewitching home accent! This "Witching Hour" timepiece is a fun way start the countdown to midnight...the hour when you party monsters most like to make mischief.  Just follow my easy to assemble instructions.

Not only will these cropping projects make your favorite spooks stark-raving glad to be on your hallowed list, their easy-make style will afford you plenty of time and energy to "scare"!

Get crackin' on the croppin' and happy haunting!

EEEEK! Halloween Card

Supplies Needed:

• Spooky Halloween Paper Pack
• Spooky Halloween Ribbon Card
• Polka Dot Button Box
• 2pc Scissor Set
• Permanent Adhesive Tape Runner
• Mini Glue Dots
• Make it 3D!  Foam Dots

Steps:

1. Take 12x12” orange paper from Spooky Halloween Paper Pack and fold in half.  Cut card to be 6x6”.
2. Cut out various sayings and images from the block sheet of the Spooky Halloween Paper Pack using scissors.
3. Cut 4 strips of ribbon from the Spooky Halloween Ribbon Card using scissors.
4. Layer paper cutouts onto the ribbon using the permanent adhesive tape runner.
5. Adhere ribbon and paper onto the card using either the tape runner or foam 3D dots.
6. Attach various buttons from the polka dot big box of buttons usin

Top 5 Reasons I'm Getting "Scrappy" With You!

Hi Scrap-happy friends! I'm Mary, your resident Oriental Trading Company Scrapbooking expert. As a member of the team, I'm in close proximity to all the finer things in the life of cropping. State-of-the-art tools, classic and contemporary papers, embellishments... and much more - I like to call it my own personal "scrap-topia", and lucky for you, I'm willing to share.

Top 5 Reasons I'm Getting Scrappy With You:

1. I've got more than a few ideas I'd like to impart. (My co-workers didn't knight, I mean nickname me Resident Expert for nothing)

2. Our uniquely creative cropping team has fun ideas for start-to-finish projects!

3. All projects are fun, easy and hassle-free! As people who understand the demands of work, home and most importantly - a social life, our team designs projects that feel more like a care-free hobby, not a to-do list!

4. Tips, Tricks and Trends! We've got more than a few up our sleeves and like all juicy secrets...they're begging to be told!

5. Our very own Exclusive, too-good-to-miss products and previews of up-and-coming seasonal items! Quality paper packs, tools, embellishments and storage -  all high-quality and value-priced.

Check back every Tuesday and get crackin' on the croppin!

Your friend,
Mary

Creating Keepsakes Reader's Choice Awards

My name is Denise Hallquist, and I’m a paper junkie. 

I’m sure many of you can relate to my weakness.  Since I was young I’ve been a sucker for papers, pens, add-ons (known today as embellishments), cutting tools…you name it, I own it.  I’ve got an office full of STUFF.  I’ve always enjoyed receiving hand written cards and letters, so recently I took to making cards.  I’ve discovered I’m addicted to giving someone something handmade and from my heart.

So why am I sharing this with you?  Because besides being a closet ‘scrapper’, I’m also Oriental Trading Company’s Brand Manager.  That means part of my job is to promote our FUN products for EVERY occasion.  I work closely with newspapers, publications, TV shows, etc. to showcase our product to the public. 

Which is really why I’m blogging – Oriental Trading Company has been nominated for Created Keepsakes Reader’s Choice Awards in the Mail Order/Online category.  Because I think we’ve got the best selection of tools and products at great prices, I want EVERYONE to know about the nomination and vote for us.  It’s simple – just click here to vote.  Hurry!  The deadline to vote is October 15!

Thanks for taking the time to vote for us.  Check back frequently for more information from Mary and the scrapbooking team and occasional updates on my paper addiction.

Trick or Treat, Smell my feet, Give me something good to eat!

Our new Halloween collection is full of paper, stickers, embellishments and more to help you capture all of those special memories of you and your special goblins at Halloween. All products will be acid and lignin free and will be available by September 1st 2007. Make sure you check back then at www.orientaltrading.com or watch for your copy of Scrapbooking! in the mail.

Happy Mother's Day

A handmade card is a great way to show your mom just how much you care. To make the card above start with a Scalloped Greeting cards as your base. Use the May Mother’s Day Stickers and mount them on white cardstock and trim. Next, cut a piece of the Home Cookin’ Patterned paper to fit as noted. Punch holes in the scallops and glue on Pastel Flowers and rhinestones. Lastly, add a strip of the Pastel Ribbon on the inside flap of the card.