12 hour working days… I guess the Christmas break is well and truly over.

… but someone mentioned the other night that there is a public holiday coming up. Wait, what? Already? Haven’t we just had a public holiday and a whole bunch of time off?

Certainly not complaining, I’ll take it.

Our break between term 4 and term 1 is so long, and I do love it, I truly do, but I really love it when term starts again, when the shop is bustling with people taking classes and back into the swing of crafting again. It means working an extra couple of  12 hours days a week for me, like today, but if you enjoy it then it’s not really like work, right?

This week’s page beautifully designed by Sharon was a fun and joyous Christmas layout using an interesting mix of colours and everyone enjoyed it very much. What looked so simple and easy, actually had loads of extra little things in it, that take just that make it just that little extra special. Our morning ladies did take a lot longer to complete, but then, they also had a whole lot of serious chatting catch-up to do since the last class. Tuesday night’s class was done and dusted in 2 hours even with  4 new scrappers in class, (mind you they were all so good at what they were doing, I don’t think they really count as ‘entry level’ students)

Sharon had die cut the trees using her Silhouette machine, (saving everyone buckets of time) then we had everyone using the included template to cut the patterned papers to fit. The finished product, wrapped in blue twine, and tags and ornaments added, looks so good!

The second page Sharon created is also lovely, using the Pink Bazzill provided in the kit, and then a third and fourth pocket page using some of the leftovers. Sharon has also included the pocket page in the kit – bonus!
You can see these lovely pages and close ups too on the store page soon.

With a plethora of product to use and choose from, there will be enough in this kit to do a  whole album of Christmas! Just look what there was, from gemstones and die-cuts to cut-outs and tags plus a whole 12″x 12″ pad of patterned paper.

Thanks to our lovely students for a great week back to class

The kit will be available online to purchase soon, check here to buy.

Have a great day

 

A new home online for our class kits and more

Class kits are our unique point of difference, we have fabulous classes and many a student has enjoyed them and the different directions they take us in, stretching our skills as we learn new products and alternate ways to use old products. We have kitted up over 6000 scrapbook class kits since our extension classes began, not to mention our easy class kits, and our card making class kits. That’s a whole bunch of kits. All these years later and we are still kitting new ones and our design team dreams up new classes every fortnight.

Previously these classes were so exclusive that you had to ‘be in the know’ to receive them, book in advance for your remote term, attend class, have them saved or sent to you. This still applies.

but…

I am so proud to share with you our latest news for The Scrapbook House. Many hours of  work and planning have finally resulted in a new webstore, where we can sell our beautiful class kits and other products. So you can now go online, check out the page, products, the requirements and even see the second page suggestions online. These can be purchased individually, but you can add as many as you like to your order, you’ll only pay one postage fee.

Catch… the new classes for each term are still run in store, and anyone who has signed up for the full term will be guaranteed the kits. Not all kits will make it to the webstore. Then once the term is done, those kits will go up on the store for sale, after the class is run.

So what are you waiting for? Head on over to the webstore now and check out the scrapbook class kits – posted anywhere in Australia!

 

Have a great day!

Kind regards

 

 

 

School Holiday Classes

We have kids classes on Monday and Wednesday next week – and they are going to have fun! I’ve been busy getting some new art journal classes ready and there are some terrific pages by Sharon and Michelle.

Inking, painting, stencils and more.

See the flyer which is printable here 

 

 

New Layout Kit – Handmade Quality

Here’s a layout I created with a picture of my Dad at home in his shed. I just loved the set of stamps (they are included in the kit) and our trusty brick die cut got another workout.

I have a limited kits available. Click the picture for more information on how to purchase, or message us.

I thought it was time for a masculine page, this one suits the handyman or the tradie. With embellishments like tools, bricks, gears and wood elements there are a variety of subjects to use. It would also suit a home building or renovations style theme.

 

 

Prima Tales of You and Me

The most beautiful stories are always the tales about you and me. Prima’s new “Tales of You & Me” collection is all about the wonderful stories of all the special people in your life. Floral patterns, vintage designs, and a sweet colour palette make this collection a must have! Once you see the fantastic embellishments you’ll find this line perfect for all those shabby-chic, romantic, and sweet projects you have lined up.

We are using this range in our first class for Term 2 with a beautiful page designed by Celeste. It has a beautiful chipboard frame from Dusty Attic which we will be heat embossing with white powder and features a stunning pleated paper design.

Grab these beautiful products as soon as you can – they won’t last long!

Scrapbooking Time

This Saturday night the shop and workroom will be open for late night scrapbooking, bring your own project and stay as long as you like. There’s a $5 fee, and a seat and table space will be all yours!

We also have a Scrapbook Page class on tonight, where we will be creating this lovely page designed by Sharon. We have plenty of places and kits if you would like to join us from 6:30, please ring to book. Kits are available as takeaway if you can’t make it in store.

Have a great day

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.

 

 

Weekend Fun

This weekend was rather busy with the shop, family and friends. How blessed I am to have so much to do!

Friday night was the Art Journal class, using Distress Ink, Paint and Stain. Here is Kim’s page – I’m loving the colour tones in this.

Saturday after the shop had closed, we had a children’s birthday party scrapbook class held at the shop where we shared the afternoon with 13 little girls (and some helpers who didn’t quite know they’d signed up) as they crafted and chatted the afternoon away. Jo shared a photo with us afterwards – so cute as they left, walking to afternoon tea, hand in hand in rows of two.

The Nagle Year 12 Ball was held this weekend too, and how wonderful it is to see our beautiful young people dressed in their finest, on their special day. I think half the town heads out to the Marina, it seems to be “THE” spot for photos, the perfect venue for “Pre- ball greeting and photos”

I had the pleasure of shooting with some friends – they all looked so beautiful.

At the beautiful Marina and also the 50 cent ‘seat’ (more commonly known as the 50 cent swing)

And my darling hubby had his beloved old car out tonight.

Then we all went out to dinner for my Mum’s birthday – we were late… but we were there! Happy birthday Ma xxx

I’m not sure where Sunday went, but it whizzed by far too quickly. I did go see The INKS at the Freemasons as usual for a few hours – chill time, so good 🙂

 

 

 

 

Art Journal Class

So… last night was great, we had a room full of enthusiastic creative ladies all getting painty and inky with stencils and stamps doing the “Tim Holtz thing”. They had such a fun time, learning a few new things along the way with their teacher Michelle being very patient and informative.

We had 3 generations attend tonight, I can see that the creative streak runs strong in that family, all newbies to Art Journaling and they did a fabulous job! Looks like we have some newly addicted crafters.

I remember the days when Mum and Nanna would come along with me to Ceramics all those years ago… I treasure those memories of cold nights out in the ceramic studio (the shed) where we would painstakingly sand back our creations then try not to mess them up as we painted them. Oh I loved our nights together.

Thanks so much my art journal friends, it was a great night to spend with you all. I loved catching up with you again, some I haven’t seen in a long time, some I see all the time – its always nice to see your smiling faces.

That’s it for photos tonight, my phone is exhausted and so am I… it’s been a very big couple of weeks.  Time to hit the hay. Tomorrow is another day to share more.

Class with Michelle

These look so different don’t they? In Michelle’s Art Journal class on Friday 20th February you’ll see that everyone’s work will be unique, all using the same techniques. Different colours, stamps and stencils will make it individual. I’m looking forward to seeing all those finished pages!

Have a great day!

Golden Christmas

This week we introduced the texture tool by Ranger, and our students ran it through the wet gold paint to create their background.

I can’t wait to try these out on texture paste, I think the scalloped one would look terrific!

Once the texture tool had done it’s job, done white Dylusions were splattered about, then left to dry whilst we worked on the rest of the layout.
I really enjoy my classes, this Thursday night class is small and relaxed and I sure have missed teaching these past months. I appreciate the ladies who spend some time with me creating, I am very lucky to be with such nice people. It’s a hard job I know, but someone’s gotta do it.

We have quite a few of these kits available as “takeaway kits” or if you have a group of 5 or more who would like to get together I can arrange to teach it on a day/night that suits you.

Have  great weekend… I hope you get the chance to get crafty.

Christmas Page Workshop

Want to make this great page using Gold Paints and the new Texture Tool? Come along to our Scrapbook Class on either Tuesday morning, Tuesday evening or Thursday Evening and get painty! Classes start Feb 10 2105

See our timetable (link above on the webpage current timetable) and ring us to book.

Design Team – Baby album

Last night I came home on such a high after being with 6 talented and lovely ladies. We had a Saturday night designers night and all those who create for The Scrapbook House currently came together. We began with dinner (thanks to China Moon – yum) and then we began working out what we would do to make my idea come to life.

What then happened makes me so proud to be amongst them and honoured to be friends with these creative ladies.

Celeste Glover – Vivienne Crudeli – Sharon Drown

Shelley Epps – Michelle Hearnden – Pamela Haggas

I rambled on about what I had in mind, a baby album that could be completed in as little time as possible, using the best products we could get, and looking as fabulous as one would expect from our designers. (they let me ramble too, I’m always scared I’ll forget something so its easier to just not take a breath)

Oh… and I wanted 20 pages or more.

Having spent a long time to think about this, and had clear idea of what would be best for our customers, and who this album would suit. I excitedly waffled on about the details and they all just looked at me for a long time.

Yes, I wanted 20 pages….

or more…

This has been in my mind for years and years. (I’m not going to tell you how long, because that just shows you how I overthink things, procrastinate and don’t follow through with my ideas… and that’d make me look bad –  hehe)

So, I didn’t know how to do it, I just knew that I needed help. The Wedding Album Class I ran a few years back literally took me months to complete and kits. Months.

I had 6 designers , all with varying strengths, talents and styles, who I wanted to work together.  Could they do it? I was sure they could, I was sure they would create exactly what I had in mind. The next hour or so would tell just how well it would work.

What you wouldn’t expect was that we would all work together on all the pages at once.  So there was 7 of us, all at once, all pitching in, cutting, sticking, helping on all the pages. All in one go. I’ve never seen this before and what a wonderful experience it was to see everyone working together and for this beautiful album come together so perfectly. Each offering ideas and helping on one another, and supporting each other even when the inks and gesso, stamps and die cut machines were put out of reach. It was hard – challenge accepted and completed!

All 24 pages. Twenty four! These ladies are amazing!

We have a complete album, ready for display and it’s exactly what I dreamed of. This is going to be the most epic baby album class ever seen. One kit, for the whole album, easy for anyone to complete, with the option of doing it in class, or take-away kits.

I can’t wait to share it with you!

Thanks to Celeste, Shelley, Sharon, Michelle, Viv and Sharon for a great night!

 

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!

 

Class One

These ladies are embarking on the art journaling journey, and as I left the store they were all introducing themselves. In just a few short weeks they’ll all get to know each other and be sharing and inspiring each other with the arty directions they take.

And getting grotty fingers… Hehe

I hope they love their kits and have a lot of fun!

Here’s a couple of pages in my art journal, I was inspired by someone but I can’t remember who… all I know is that it’s not my original idea.

I’ve painted the background with acrylic paint, then added scrap paper circles and triangles. Leaves, stems and petals are drawn on in pen as well as the “hills and foreground”. I’ve also added random stamping too, and then a little bakers twine for the banner.

Each is stamped in the centre with a cute stamp “I’m an artist”. I figure if you say it enough, you might just start believing it. Haha.

And here’s one from my “Class 1” Backgrounds class with Michelle from way back.

The tags are only stuck on the ends, so you can flip them up to read the journaling underneath. Fun and bright hey?

Have a good one!

Crafting with kids

Today we had 2 kids classes and the aftermath on the floor of our workroom shows us how much fun we had cutting and sticking.

Out first class had us using Modpodge and paints in collage art.

Then this afternoon the girls created this scrapbook page.

I hope your day was great.

Art journaling to share

Some friends have a little art journaling to share with us from a few classes ago.

This is another take on one of our classes, I do believe this us from Eva’s Janice’s book (correct me please if I am wrong  thanks for the correction) and I love the “hands” and the play on words.

the journaling reads

A Mothers hands can tell a story.
The hands of strength is a Mothers hand
You may hold my hand for a short time but you’ll hold my heart forever
A mothers hand never let’s go
Two hands are better than one
❤My Mum

Just lovely, a nice dedication to Janice’s Mum!
Next we have Janice’s page, using the “positive” image and boy… she has picked up the texture paste thing and “run with it”!

These pages have layers of goodness! I love the silhouette of the cowboy.

The journaling reads

The world of reality has its limits; but the world of imagination has no boundaries
Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of the things that matter the least
Life is not about waiting got the storm to pass, it’s about learning up dance in the rain. Life is what happens up us while others are still making plans

And Julie has a lovely lady to share

Julie’s lady had beads and pearls and feathers too! The script stamps are a favourite, I don’t think I would ever tire of them.

Thanks to these lovely ladies for sharing with us –
Have a great day

Class Kit Prima Divine

Nat’s most recent class kit was jammed with gorgeous products, all chosen by Nat herself from the superb range Prima releases.
Her class is lovely, using bits if everything and there is so much left over, that there are bonus layouts using more of the products all with Nat’s beautiful style.

Gee there are a lot of products in this kit – two classes in one!

We have these class kits for sale, each has instructions for the class page as well as photographs of the additional pages and cards completed.  Kits $39.95

Note – because not everyone has the crackle template and texture paste for the first step, I have used my template and done this step for you – I know I got the fun of it, but really didn’t want anyone to miss out on the overall look of this layout, the texture is lovely!

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

Turning on the Texture

This page in our Art Journal was an exploration of some different mediums that most of us hadn’t tried before. I love new stuff!

There are a bunch of new mediums on the shelf at the shop, flakes, beads, sand, stucco and more!

Oh and so many different Mod Podges your head will spin!

This is Shelley’s art tonight “Patience”.
We all had a pick a word for tonight, as if picking a colour wasn’t hard enough. I struggle with this, straining my head and all it’s contents for the perfect word, which if course doesn’t exist. Pick a word. Heck, Michelle sure knows how to throw me a curve ball. Of course I want a word that is meaningful to me, for today…My first word was going to be “Procrastinator” but I needed spending a little more positive. I went through a dozen in my head, like “Blissful”, “Relieved”,”Perfect” to “Valium”, “Drained” and “Alone”, (Yes it was a big weekend in our home) until I decided on “Celebrate” – lets celebrate the painful end to having to pick just one word!

We all enjoyed this class so much many of us decided to begin a second page. This time (inspired by Suzie’s colours) I have used a red and yellow ochre mix, next thing you know, there’s browns and terracotta happening as we’ll. Fun! But it’s too late now tonight to do any more… Goodness gracious me… It’d take me another 45 minutes to choose a different word!

Be good and sleep well.