Today’s Crafting fun

Out with the markers and aquash brushes today to paint up these cards designed by Sharon. It was challenging as we had to try out different techniques with brushes, markers, crackle medium and pearl paints. Topping this off with the new white distress marker made this something really new for our ladies. It was a little daunting to think we had to “paint” colour onto our flowers, but we were all so very impressed at just how lovely each one turned out.

One lady in class commented during a section that we were all finding tricky,  “This is difficult”.
Another replied ” I guess if we all knew how to do this we wouldn’t be here”.
So wonderful and positive,  I just love all my wonderful customers. Thanks for a great morning.

 

 

Valentine idea

One of my beautiful customers handmade this and gave it to me…

Isn’t it just beee-u-tiful? Sweet little sentiments like this are just the best, they make my heart smile and the beautiful friends in my life know just how I love receiving them.

It would also make a perfect gift on Valentine’s Day, not that’s it’s here yet, but the weekend is fast approaching and it’ll be here before you know it. I can’t crochet to save myself, but I do have an idea for a card to add to that box of chocolates to give to the love of your life, you still have a few days left.

How about something like this?

I’ve embossed the background, and stamped the hearts twice each. Once on the embossed background and again on a flat card then coloured and cut out, ready to attach with foam tape. Add a greeting ( iheartyou ) and a little ribbon.

Sweet!

We have plenty of cardmaking products all supplied right here at your favourite scrapbook shop!

Hoppy Birthday

We love it when our scrapbooking friends share what they have been working on, and recently there have been a few shares that I have been quick enough to photograph. Maree shared some cards with us to show you. This one is her Hoppy Birthday card, mostly hand cut, and a flower punch. (Imagine her delight when I showed her the cuttlebug machine and how quickly a rosette can be created now)

All those reeds, they’re handout and double layered for strength.  I know Maree must have put a lot of love into making this card for her friend. This card folds in 3 layers, pretty special.

Thank you so much for sharing Maree, I am sure your card was received with pleasure.

 

Prima Doll Card Kits

Viv’s Prima Doll Cards are so sweet. We had fun in class making this cute trio and as our card making kit has instructions and the stamp too we can take it home and make more!

We coloured the hair and skin using a waterbrush and distress inks, aged Mahogany,Wild Honey and Spiced Marmalade for the hair tones, and Tea Dye  for the skin and edges of the patterned papers. Waterbrushing the dolls give that lovely blended soft look.

Have a sweet day!

 

Busy little people

These little hands were very busy today making cards for their Mums… I loved how they carefully chose colours Mum would like and were thinking about them throughout the process.

 

In another life I might have been a kindy teacher, I just adore being amongst these gorgeous little people, they impact my day with such positiveness and leave me feeling so happy. Mind you I am only there for an hour or so… it’s pretty easy for me to say.

Happy Mothers Day to all those wonderful Mums out there!

 

 

Mothers Day cards for kids

I’m lucky enough to be volunteering at a local school tomorrow morning to make Mothers Day cards with the little ones. I love doing this so much!

I had to come up with an idea quickly, one that little fingers would be able to do easily and that I had enough stock for 20 kids to play with. We have LOTS of packs of buttons in the shop all staring at me wishing I would choose them… so I did. Do you love that “button saying”? It’s an oldie but a goodie.

This won’t take long for them to do, each child will choose a patterned paper and then choose their own coloured buttons to stick on… Hoping they will have fun. x

New tool for papercrafters

If you use intricate dies for cardmaking or scrapbooking, I highly recommend you have a look at this tool.

 

Cool huh? Those pesky teeny pieces used to annoy me too! 🙂 If you would like one of these, let me know, the supplier is sending them when they are available and it’s first come, first served.

Have a great day!

Stamped butterflies

This card making class last week was sweet, designed by Shelley,
using the Hero Arts butterfly stamp that we’ve come to know so well.

We have 2  one kits leftover from this class, and because the butterfly stamp is not due into store until the end of July, we have stamped every butterfly you need (and some).
Have a great day

Quick easy cards with stickers and markers

Viv has created some card samples using the peel off 3D foil stickers – she makes it look so easy! The trims and words have been around for donkeys years, but I haven’t seen the flowers and other pictures used so well before. Makes me look at these little stickers in a different light now.

Using stickers, card and markers you can make a gorgeous card like this! Peel off the stickers, (there are transfer sheets to make the job easier if you have a tendency to warp them) and stick them on card. Colour inside the lines with distress markers!

Viv darkened sections of the colour by going over it again whilst it was still drying. The gold resists the marker to keep the colour inside the lines, how helpful!
Another sample here has the stickers on clear acetate, and it’s coloured with sharpies. You need a permanent ink on the clear film, this could also look good coloured from behind. Alcohol ink works well on clear film too.

A terrific look you can achieve with some simple stickers.

Thanks Viv!

Going to the Chapel?

If you live near our area and are getting married soon I hope you enjoy the Bridal Expo on this weekend, held as a fundraiser for the RFDS. Don’t forget us for your Wedding Invitation needs. We can help you with design, colours, sizing, envelopes and more to make your invitation as unique and special as you are. Many of our brides are choosing our popular pocket design where a reply card, wishing well and accommodation information can be added for guests.

So many styles and ideas… It’s hard to choose just one! And when you are ready, bring some friends along to enjoy the free use of our studio to put them together.

Come and meet with our friendly staff for the stationary needs to suit you and utilize our spacious studio and it’s tools to create your own special invitations, announcements, thank you cards and more.

Page of the Month – April

The basic grey page of the month is using the Plumeria range of papers and embellishments. It’s a lovely floral with touches of purple.
I don’t seem to use purple often, but I immediately liked it, and I loved the buttons and borders in the pack too. Last Monday night for our Open Scrap Night, I set to work on this layout, and again came home with a layout almost complete, again without photos, title or journaling. I promised myself not to go on until it was finished and I found that no photos would suit.

The colour purple just was wrong. Do you recognise these photos? They are from our Red Dress shoot. Red most definitely does not go with purple… Unless you are in the Red Hat Society… then of course it goes! So I opened a few photos in photoshop and switched to black and white, thinking this was the fix-it-all solution. Usually works, but I felt it was lacking just a little, so back to photoshop I went with the original. Being dedicated to the cause of getting this layout done I kept at it, and ended up deciding to alter the colours ( for those who want to know, I reduced the saturation, then i picked out the ‘red’ hue only and altered it to purple.
Not only did it work for this layout, but i still have a bunch of ‘red dress’ photos that I can use on another layout and one might not even notice it was from the same shoot.

Funny faces – dontcha love them? I tell my kids off for this sort of behavior! The journaling was printed on the back of some leftover, it took me a couple of tries, but there was plenty of paper to play with… Give it a go.

The leftovers were destined to be the kind that got put in the stash never to be play with again, so I thought I may as well do something with them also… and it wasn’t midnight yet. 🙂

Then with the last few ( and because by the time I got to this it was well after midnight, I put this simple card together. The flowers are cut from the back of the borders packaging.

Thanks for looking. Have wonderful day! I’m working in my garden today, it’s beautiful gardening weather here.

Tania xxx

Happier and happier

Do you find sometimes that you have a great idea for a layout but have trouble finding the photos to suit?
Or perhaps you’ve done a fabulous class (at let’s say a fabulous store), and you can’t choose which persons photo to put on such a special layout?
Or, you’ve signed up to do Page of the Month, and have now have a stack of photo-bare layouts? Or worse still, a bunch of kits waiting to be done?

Ok… Maybe it’s just me.

But I am sure I am not alone. I am sure this happens to many of us and you know what? Its okay! Yes, it is okay.
One day, one fabulous day, you will get out that layout and have the perfect photo for it, or one day you will find yourself with 2 hours to spare one night and get out that kit, and put it together.

You might even get out a finished but photo-bare layout and decide to spend half a night looking for 4 photos of you and your hubby to suit. Then realize that over the years you take hundreds thousands of photos but there are only a few of you together, and even less of your family all together. ( side note to my family- when we are at family events, please take my camera and get. A shot of all of us together, thank you)

I did this… But then you knew this list was going somewhere right? well, at least you were hoping. This double page layout from last years Basic Grey (Little Black Dress range) was complete, all but the photos. It sat and sat, then one night I decided to spend some time looking and I found 4 photos of the King and I together but none of them matched…. Solution? Make them all black and white. Problem solved. Layout complete. Happy Mamma.

Leftovers? I have tonnes of them, and I never seem to use them, but can’t throw them away, so I took them along to my friend Sharon’s house and made a few cards. So these are just using our A5 card stock in white, with all Basic Grey leftover, and I did borrow Sharon’s Martha Stewart punches. Also had to add a couple of Crochet by Kim flowers too… Love these!

So remember, one day you will find the perfect photos for that layout, but for now… Just enjoy the creative process and the rest will follow.
Have a wonderful day. xx

Feeling the love

The box of chocolates my beautiful husband left on my pillow this morning was bigger than my pillow. He had figured out that I like chocolate and doesn’t hold back when it comes to indulging me, God I love that man!
Valentines Day is a day he has always despised – for years and years, he didn’t want to be “told” to buy a gift on a certain day to prove his love for me. For many years I pouted and spent Valentines Day sadly watching the flowers for my co-workers at the pharmacy being delivered, and listen to their romantic tales of a special lunch date or dinner for two that was planned. Man I was sad, and it bothered him that I was affected like that, so it made him despise Valentines Day all the more. He hates flowers, he hates jewelry, he hates cards.
I knew he loved me, I had no doubt, but I really really wanted the romance that came with that special day. He wanted me to be the girl who didn’t care if she was remembered on Valentines Day or not. I tried to be. I failed.
So he tried.
The first time, about 20 years ago he gave me a “practical” valentines gift. It was a weekend, and before I awoke he drove off somewhere. He returned to my bedside a little while later, proudly saying Happy Valentines Day and presented me with a garden plant in a pot. A big pot. On my bed. I still smile at the memory of it.
He hates buying flowers. Hates it.

Soon I became accustomed to empty valentines, and it no longer bothered me, he spoils me with chocolates all the time, and never says “no” to anything, (well almost), heck he even brought home the Smurf movie the other day because he thought I’d like it (seeing as I waste so much time on the game).  But for some reason, he had a change of heart over the years, and I have now had a number of valentine gifts, chocolates, flowers, even the occasional card. A pink heart clock came home one year, and that year it broke his dear daughter’s heart that he bought it for me and not her. I still have it by my computer, it’s pink and very childlike, but I love it so very much. Last year a small pink pig fluffy toy, I didn’t quite know what to make of that one… But he bought it, and presented me with it, and by goodness I put it on my bedside, ugly, stupid pink and a pig! You know what? It’s still there.
You know what else? Those stupid and ugly gifts, that he chose thinking I would like them, mean the world to me, even more because I know how much he doesn’t like buying them.

I made him homemade cards (and I snuck a peek in his undie drawer – he still has many of them) Those hand made cards are a winner.

Pretty brave of me huh? To go in his undie drawer.

Happy Valentines Day, sending you love!

 

Can you resist?

Thursday nights cardmaking class and we will be making these using White embossing resist techniques and Distress inking. All the colours you see are using ink – we start with white cards!

Come learn with us.

Thursday night – 8th September 2011
6.30 – 8.30 
Cost $20.

Boot Polish & Masking Tape

What can you do with boot polish and masking tape?
You can find out in class tonight!

You’ll be amazed what you can do with some simple items.

Thursday nights and Wednesday mornings

Tonight we are and creating some unique cards with our terrific leather look technique. Come along if you can – we’d love to see you tonight.

Click HERE for the printable Current Timetable   

Next Wednesday we are making loopy flowers with felt. Gorgeous!

love from our house to yours

Cardmaking here today!

Just thought I’d do a quick share – these are the cards (and envelopes) we are making here today. I might have a kit or two left over after class- let me know if you’d like one. Class includes all 3 houses and 3 matching envelopes- all pre-cut and ready to go, they all just need ‘dressing’ with embossing, paint and stamps.  Even the envelopes are darn cute… looking like doors!

Like these and want to make them yourself? You can if you own the Cricut Expression! These houses are on the Wild Card Cricut Cartridge, along with plenty of others! Wish I could play all day!

Wednesday is cardmaking day.

Look what we made in class today. What a lovely way to spend the morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love making cards, and a love it when we get to use different papers and products to make them unique and special. I believe cards need to be special.

 

 

Do you love handmade cards?

 

 

Why?

 

Here’s a couple closer. What a lovely job these ladies did in class today.

 

 

 

New things…

I feel new things coming my way… fresh new things. I feel happy and excited, with a hundred ideas in my head and I can’t wait to share.

I have been looking around for some links for this blog, to share some of my favourite designers and bloggers. This has to be my first! Love this canvas… made by Patricia.

When I get a blog roll… she will be on it! I love her use of Glimmermist, can’t wait to get some of that Glam too! This canvas is excellent and not only do I LOVE the saying on it… I love how colourful the lettering is. Now it’s got me thinking my next canvas might have stamping on it instead of painting.. uh oh… another project to do.

You can visit Patricia Komara at http://plkomara.blogspot.com/

I also think I might need to buying one of these…

Who says advertising doesn’t pay? God he’s hunky! I’d buy whatever he’s peddling.

And here is a little something I have been working on lately for our Wednesday Cardmaking Class. I do love tulips!

Enjoy your day.

 

Time to Paint

I do hope you are enjoying your Easter holiday. Our holidays are spent at home with the family, not that we have a lot of choice in that matter, but we enjoy it just the same. Being the ‘working Mum’ my home is often neglected and my kids miss out on a lot of ‘fun Mum stuff’, so each holidays I try to make it worth the wait and do stuff with them. Simple ‘fun Mum stuff’ like swimming, watching tv and hanging out together. My girl child is away with friends and I do miss her! Being in a house full of boys, completely outnumbered is challenging and I have had to put up with all manner of conversation and fart jokes. Today seemed to flow so well, and my number one rule was to ban tv and computer (for all our sakes) till after dark. What a difference that makes! We cleaned and tidied and I got 3 loads of washing done (Josh watched… lazy bugger) as they pulled out the Kings’ birthday present – model airplanes, and they painted and glued and sanded the afternoon away. After lunch we all headed for a swim next door (even Josh) and then came back home for more painting. I decided to finish off a painting that I had started earlier this year.. it’s sat and sat, waiting for me. So today I finished it and was happy with the result. No idea what kind of bird that is… haha, but I made it for a special lady who likes red breasted robins. I should have googled robins perhaps, but copied from a picture of a bird I liked and made it’s breast read instead. Ah well, it’s kinda cute and she will like it I am sure. She has no idea that I have done it for her, hopefully she won’t think I’m just plain weird.

 

We also watched a movie, but child #3 headed off to bed unwell, it seems my kids are guaranteed to get a cold 2 days after going to the aquarena. He goes about 2 or 3 times a year  and EVERY time gets sick, and he is not sick in between! Grrr… they must get the water up their nose or in their throats. I just pray it doesn’t go through the house. Makes me want to avoid that pool.

 

I have been working on card classes too, last night and tonight. It’s easier creating when you’re not under the pump and much more enjoyable too. Maybe by the end of tonight I will have one full class done, with additional samples. (yes.. I tend to overdo things, I know, but “class” has to be good!)

 

Enjoy your weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Today was such a lovely day hanging out with my boys. There seemed time for everything. They put together some model airplanes so I got out my paints and finished off my ‘bird on a branch’ that’s been sitting on my easel for the longest time.

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Back on deck

Kids go back to school in a couple of days, one more weekend and we are back into classes at the shop. I’ll feel like I am back on deck again real soon. Soon. SOON. Haha

I have taken a bit of leave from the blogging scene this month, and will be back into it in no time I am sure. Only 5 posts from me this month, a record I think!

Many things have gone through my mind and I have typed and deleted so many times. It’s hard being an emotional girl sometimes! I swear I worry about things I really shouldn’t worry about, but can’t help it and worry anyway! Stupid girl. I’ve keep telling myself lately though to “run your own race” and I am trying to do just that. Not to concern myself too much with what others think, or say, or do. Just be “me”.

I haven’t been away from the computer though and have found myself quite obsessed with ‘facebook’ I love it that I can upload photos there in files and am really enjoying how easy it is and how interactive it is. If you head on over there (link on the right) we have a competition running at the moment – you might just snag yourself a prize!

We have the Basic Grey Card Kits and Page Kits… click here to see more.

I just love these kits.. they are so easy to put together.. just follow the numbers, picture or instruction and you’ll end up with no fail gorgeous pages! 4 of them!  Each page works out to cost less than $7.50!  The card kits are just as easy, other than adhesive there is nothing else needed, not even a trimmer! And individually the cards work out at less than $3 bucks each.

So while we are on the subject of cards I have made myself a little promise. I am going to put aside all the cards I need for the year. All in one box. My plan is to work out the months of the year, write up all the birthdays of close family and friends who receive cards and get them sorted! That’s the plan. The best laid plans… I seem to always be scratching around looking for the perfect card or grabbing any old one because I am late.. always late. Worse still, I have missed  so many in the past years it gives me heart palpitations. The guilt! Oh the guilt. It just about kills me.  I wonder how many I will need?

So my aim is to have the year (February to February as January is always a bit of a write-off) all done. Am I aiming too high? Or just plain nutty?