This month for Studio 5 I was asked to go searching for what’s new or cool in the scrapbooking industry. Here are my top picks.

the Letterpress by Quickutz is AMAZING! Typically letterpress machines cost thousands of dollars. This “do it yourself” machine costs around $69. You need to use it with the Epic Six die cut machine. If you do not have one, then you can purchase a combo pack for around $140-150. This machine both prints and embosses at the same time to create a very elegant upscale look. It is perfect for making invitations or other projects that you need duplicates of. This is one of the coolest things I’ve seen in awhile.

check it out at http://www.scrapbooksteals.com/

I LOVE any tool that let’s me create custom embellishments. The possibilities are limitless with this tool that allows you to create your own brads. They have gone one step further and created punches to make it extra simple. You can also purchase plastic die cuts as well that are great for use with fabric. this tool runs around $29.99 and you can purchase it at any craft store. Here are just a few projects I made using the i-top. I loved playing around with topping the brads with epoxy and glitter.

On this page I used the template punches to create flowers and then I added the custom i-top brad to the center. I then topped it off with a bit of glitter.

This is not the greatest pic and I apoligize. However, I had a blast making custom cupcake wrappers using the template that I’ve provided below and creating an elegant scalloped border around the top using on of EK Success’s border punches. I also used their large scallop punch to create the pages shown.

This was also a really cool find! Cricut came out with an acrylic type material for use with the Cricut cutting machines. I found that you can use them with regular punches to make really cool acrylic stamps. You can literally turn all of your punches into stamps. This is available on line and also at Robert’s crafts.

I love working with sheet metal. It makes really cool home decor’ as well as awesome magnet boards. The only downside is that the edges are often really sharp. I LOVE the new Chomper by We R Memory Keepers. It is available in several styles. However, my favorite is the corner rounder. It is perfect for working with sheet metal. The punches are strong enough to go through wood, plastic, metal, and leather. It makes rounding the edges on projects like the magnet calendar shown below a breeze. To download the instructions and templates for the calendar simlply click the instruciton download pic below.  To purchase the paper kit used in this project you can check out my etsy site at   http://www.etsy.com/shop/kmckaydesigns   I have a few left.  It is the no nonsense collection from We R Memory Keepers.  It is over 60% off!

You can easily scallop the corners on notebooks for a fun unique touch! To purchase the paper used in this project go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/kmckaydesigns I have a few kits left.  It is the Explorer collection from We R Memory Keepers.  The kit is over 60% off!