Boys, boys, boys!

In honor of our everything boy sale going on today, we want to showcase some fun LO's and projects featuring some of our favorite boy products!

Here's one that our designer Katie made, featuring the fun and boyish pack Let's Roll, from Imaginisce: (And, check out this other project Katie made—also using the same paper pack...)

And if you think that's fun, check out this darling baby boy mini album using the Little Sprout paper collection from Fancy Pants. Little Sprout is perfect for baby—of either gender, but these pictures really show off what you can do for a boy.

Finally, sometimes paper that you wouldn't automatically think "boy" can be magically made boyish! Check out this LO, by Machelle, that features the "Ooh La La" collection by My Mind's Eye.

Ooh La La is right! So these are just a few of the awesome boy packs we've got available at OMC. Some new fav's? Graphic 45's "A Proper Gentleman." How great is that pack? And then remember when we showed you this layout featuring "The Boyfriend," by Cosmo Cricket?

And that's just paper. We've also got some awesome stud-muffin Cricut cartridges on sale. Dinosaur Tracks? Sports Mania? Superman, Batman? You betcha.

Happy crafting!

Pearls are the gem of queens!

Introducing Oh My Pearls—freshwater, cultured pearls hand selected from pearl farms in Asia! Now you can have that elegant pearl necklace you've always wanted—at a completely affordable price.

Why sell pearls at a craft store? Why not, we ask! First off, pearls are gorgeous, and we're all about that. And second, they're classy! Who doesn't love the combo of scrapiness and classiness all in one stop?

Here's a little about our pearls:

Our pearls come from pearl farms in China, which leads the world in pearl distribution. A pearl is created when a small irritant makes its way into the mantle tissue of a clam, causing it to produce "nacre." Through a process of several years, nacre builds more layers, eventually forming a pearl.

Cultured pearls differ from natural pearls because natural pearls are formed 100% by Mother Nature—and are much more rare and difficult to find. Cultured pearls receive help. Pearl farmers will manually insert an irritant into the clam, thus jumpstarting the creation of a beautiful pearl. Today, almost all pearl sales are cultured pearls. And freshwater pearls tend to be more durable and chip-resistant than saltwater pearls.

Pearls with a "AAA" grade rating are considered highest-quality, with a nearly flawless surface and high luster. "AA" still has a high luster, however the surface may have more visible defects. "A" is the lowest-grade, having a lower luster level and more defects on the surface. Pearls in the "A" grade are often the cheapest priced.

Pearls also come in several different shapes, the most common being Round and Near-Round, however other pearl shapes are found as Oval, Button, Teardrop, Semi-Baroque and Baroque. The shape of the pearl is one of the determining factors of its value; round and near-round tend to be the most prized due to their rarity. The pearls we have chosen to carry at Oh My Crafts are as close to round as possible. (Read more on pearl shapes at Pearl-Guide.)

Interested in pearls but not sure how to care for them? Here's some simple tips that will keep your lovely pearls looking elegant no matter how long you've owned them:

• Always put your pearls on after you've applied your make up, perfume, hairspray, lotions and creams. The chemicals in these cosmetics can dull the luster of your pearls.

• Wipe your pearls down with a soft, lint-free cloth on a regular basis. Extra dirty pearls can be cleaned by dampening your cloth with a mild soap and water solution. Allow your pearls to air-dry before putting them away.

• Never clean your pearls with harsh detergents or cleaners that contain ammonia.

• Do not use ultrasonic cleaners to clean your pearls.

• Avoid storing your pearls with other jewelry, as they can get scratched easily by metal. It is recommended you store your pearls on a soft surface.

So go on. Indulge in the inner queen you know you are! Our pearls come in a variety of sizes (measured in millimeters) and lengths. We just know you're going to love 'em.

Happy pearl-perusing!

Bright and sunshiny—despite the snowy blues!

Here's something cute for spring. Although—spring may seem like it's never going to come, what with all the wild and crazy wintry weather plaguing portions of the country as of late. Well at least this mini album can cheer us all up—especially those of us snowed in!

Using Maya Road chipboard and the Fancy Pants Kraft Kuts Kit: This Girl, we give you the darlingest mini album on the block:

This paper, with it's vibrant style and pastel colors, is like a breath of fresh air for those of us stuck in endless days of cloudiness, snow, sleet and rain. How cute are those owls??

So tell us....which scrapbook paper has been getting YOU through these cold, winter months?

Welp, happy weekend! Here's hopin' it's a bright one!

Spicing it up with Origins!

**********Facebook Q&A this week! Details below!**********

Okay, you're going to love these. These two adorable projects, created by Lindsey Fillmore, showcase Basic Grey's Origins paper. Take a look:

How nice would it be to have a lovely album like that displayed on your coffee table? And that cute little box is the Karen Foster six-pack favor box, and it's perfect for so many occasions, along with adding a nice home decor touch.

Here's some more views:

The Origins collection has lots of die-cut shapes that are just perfect for albums. Also note the use of the stitched brad on the "Real Story" die. How cute is that look?

And the Origins Clips and Bloomers attached at the top of Lindsey's page creates just the perfect touch.

Super fun is right. Here's a close up of the "Pops" (multi-layered dimensional cardstock stickers) and another stitched brad in the Origins collection.

Since we love these projects so much, we've decided to have a Facebook Q&A about them! If you haven't participated in one of our online Q&A's before, now is the time to join in on all the fun! Lindsey will be there to talk about both the favor box and album, and you'll be able to ask her any questions you might have about the projects. So please join us on Friday 2.19.10 at 12 p.m. MST on the Oh My Crafts Facebook fanpage! And come with questions in tow!

Until next time, happy crafting!

True love stories never have endings

Cute quote, huh? That was by Richard Bach, and can be found in our holiday quote bank under Valentines Day. So if you're whipping together some last-minute cards for the day of ♡♡♡, check it out. It's bound to give you some inspiration.

Speaking of inspiration, we've got a few more of Lindsey's Valentines projects to show off, and then we'll leave you to enjoy your romantic weekend.

Get a load of this cute little trinket. Fill it with candy, or sweet nothings. Lindsey used the Making Memories "Love Struck" kit.

And here's a cute layout using Fancy Pants' Vintage Valentine:

And remember the adorable Sizzix purse we showed you on Monday? Well here's another one, using Vintage Valentine again as well as Bazzill goodness. This is another one of the super fun projects that OMC brought on the road to the lovely crafters of Sun City Arizona. (Find out more about the bus tour here.)

So there ya have it. If you have any questions about any of Lindsey's projects, feel free to send an e-mail her way: lindseyfillmore @ yahoo . com.

Have a most wonderful Valentines Day!

XOXO,

Anyone in need of a sugar rush?

Well we've got one for ya.

Cute cards with Basic Grey's Sugar Rush! These were some fun ones we worked on while out and about on our bus tour. Stay tuned for more bus tour fun in the near future. But for now check these out:

Plus, have you checked out the Basic Grey February card kit, also featuring Sugar Rush? You can make a darling card very much like this one, among others. Give it a try! It comes with all the material and instructions you'll need!

Happy sugar rushing!

Contest winners and more for the day of looooove

Happy Monday! We hope you enjoyed our weekend contest—and thanks for all the submissions! You ladies are great! Well we have our five winners, who will be receiving the My Mind's Eye Abby Road kit (Doodlebug glitter and flock not included) that our crafters worked on during the bus tour last week. (View the project here.)

Drumroll please!

• Tami Cole

• Tara Chaussee

• Patricia Hoenighausen

• Kathryn Larson

• Denise Sprague

Congrats ladies!! Send your shipping info to lana @ ohmycrafts . com.

...And do you know what's happening next Sunday??? Of course you do. What female doesn't? It's the day of LOVE! We've been having fun showing off some of our designer's Valentine projects. And naturally we've got a few more up our sleeves. And if you're looking for a cute way to package your love, then you'll want to read on.

Take a look at these charming Sizzix treat boxes, featuring the Bigz XL Dies (view here, here and here) and My Mind's Eye "Be Loved." Created by Machelle Newman.

And then here's the amazingly cute Sizzix Purse, designed by Lindsey Fillmore. And get this: she used Basic Grey's Eskimo Kisses! Who says you have to use Valentine paper for Valentine projects??

And finally, check out how nicely this Jenni Bowlin Town Square paper compliments these projects, designed by Lindsey. The first features the Sizzix box. And the next, she just found some simple cylinder boxes to cover. Talk about perfect for the day of love.

Mkay! TTFN! Happy crafting!

Back from our first bus trip!

***************CONTEST IS CLOSED***************

Oh My Crafts just recently returned from our first bus trip to Quartzite and Sun City, Arizona. It was a BLAST! Here's one of the cute projects that we worked on with crafters while on the road.

Super cute, huh? Well guess what?? FIVE lucky winners will be chosen to win this very project kit (with instructions)! *Glitter and flock not included.

BUT, we're gonna make you work for it.

Here's what you have to do:

First, go to the Oh My Crafts Youtube channel (click here) and watch the short clip of footage from our bus tour scrappin' event. Answer these questions:

1. What product is used to adhere the glitter to the small blue swirl on the "best friend" piece?

2. What product is used to adhere the flock to the flowers?

3. What is the brand of the blue glitter?

4. How long should you wait to let Glossy Accents dry?

E-mail your answers to lana @ ohmycrafts . com. We'll choose five winners with correct answers at random.

This contest runs through the weekend and we'll announce the winners Monday morning!

Good luck!!

Happy weekend!