We're experiencing a few technical difficulties at Ranger headquarters at the moment.  Our internet connection has been down since yesterday morning, which means that our phone system, website and online ordering are all down as well.  We are working on fixing the problem and we hope to be back online today.  Thanks to everyone for your patience!

Now that it's officially summer, it's time for some beachy crafting!  Head over to RangerInk.com and check out the project instructions for this seaside-inspired tag by Roni Johnson.  You will learn how to use Memory Frames and Memory Capsules to create a tag that is shore to please!

 
Ever wonder what happens in a typical day at Ranger Industries?  Watch this video for a fun virtual tour of our Art Department, Warehouse, Pick & Pack, Shipping and Production areas!

New on RangerInk.com: check out this project by Linda Cain, which combines Archival Inks and Inkssentials Surfaces Metal Foil Tape Sheets along with items from Tim Holtz's idea-ology, Stampers Anonymous, and Alterations by Sizzix lines.  It's sew cute!

This Father's Day, give Dad a place of his own where he can store all of his most treasured items (including the TV remote)!  Check out this wonderful project on RangerInk.com, which was created in a collaborative effort by Ranger's own Bonnie Egenton, Patti Behan and Debbie Tlach.  You will learn how to use Tim Holtz® Distress products along with findings and papers from his idea-ology™ collection to decorate a keepsake box that Dad will be sure to love.

 
You never know when you'll get some awesome freebies just for commenting on our blog, and today is no exception!  We chose three random comments from our Perfect Pearls "Thanks" Card post from last Friday, and the authors will win a Perfect Pearls Pigment Powders kit as well as a bottle of Perfect Pearls Mists!

(Actual colors may vary.)

Congratulations to:

Donna Russell – "love the card."
Victoria – "Great card!"
Lynn Barwald – "Good morning, Ranger! This is such a fun card by Lisa. Thanks! Lynn B"

Thanks for your comments, ladies!  Please email us at blog@rangerink.com with your shipping details so we can send some pearly goodness your way!

Say "thanks" to someone special in a truly personal way: with a handmade card!  In this new project by Lisa Dixon, you will learn how to use Ranger's Perfect Pearls Pigment Powders and Perfect Pearls Mists along with circle punches and old papers to create this bold, graphic thank-you note.

Head on over to RangerInk.com to learn how to make this modern photo frame in a project by Arlene Stump!  You will learn how to use Inkssentials Surfaces Metal Foil Tape Sheets along with Adirondack Alcohol Inks and Tim Holtz Alterations by Sizzix Texture Fades embossing folders to create a frame worthy of your very favorite photograph!

 
Here at Ranger HQ, we have a lovely woman named Maria who works in our Product Packaging department.  During her breaks, she uses Ranger products (including Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabbers, Stickles and Liquid Pearls) to decorate the empty boxes that once contained our bulk #8 manila tags, and she makes them into something pretty to store her work supplies in.  Maria makes them for her co-workers as well, and she is even making a "Congratulations" box for her daughter who is graduating high school this year!  Check out some of Maria's handiwork; maybe it will inspire you to transform something that would normally be thrown away into something beautiful and useful!

Welcome, Craft It Forward blog hoppers!  Today we have a great project tutorial by Ranger's own Patti Behan, where you will learn to make this patriotic thank you note:

First, gather the following supplies:

• Archival™ Ink Pads in Manganese Blue, Vermillion and Jet Black
• Inkssentials™ Non-Stick Craft Sheet
• Inkssentials™ Inky Roller
• (2) Inkssentials™ Gloss Paper cards – 5.5" x 8.5"
• Inkssentials™ Heat It™ Craft Tool
• Inkssentials™ Wonder Tape – 1/8"
• Inkssentials™ Pop It Shapes
• Tim Holtz® by Stampers Anonymous Shabby Stripes and Circle Star stamps
• Hero Arts Thank You Sayings stamp set
• Red grosgrain ribbon
• 1" circle punch
• Red and clear acrylic rhinestones
• Glue Dots – mini
• Scissors

Ready?  Then let's hop to it!

Step 1: Working on the Non-Stick Craft Sheet, ink up the brayer with Manganese Blue ink until the roller is covered all the way around.

Step 2: With the yellow feet (ie, the "brakes") facing up, roll the ink onto one of the Gloss Paper cards until it is fully colored. Reink the brayer when necessary. Heat set with Heat It Craft Tool and set aside.

Step 3: Cut the other Gloss Paper card in half along the score line. Stamp Shabby Stripes in Vermillion onto one of the halves.  Heat set with Heat It Craft Tool.

Step 4: Trim Shabby Stripes image to 5" x 3.25".  Stamp "Thank You" with Jet Black ink.  Heat set with Heat It Craft Tool and set aside.

Step 5: On the other half of the Gloss Paper card, stamp the circle star in Manganese Blue five times. Heat set with Heat It Craft Tool and then punch out circles with 1" punch.

Step 6: Cut a 5.5" length of ribbon.  Attach it to the bottom of the white card with Wonder Tape, letting a hint of the white peek through the bottom. Adhere to the center of the blue card front.  Adhere rhinestones to the center of the stamped stars with Glue Dots, then attach the circles to the card with Pop It Shapes as shown.

Ready for more great patriotic card ideas? Hop to the next blog, or start from the beginning!