Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Upcoming Classes and New Store Hours

Hello!
Here are the classes coming up this week.

Saturday, May 12th
We will be making 3 cards, all using the same technique, just switching it up a bit. I don't have a name for the technique...but we get to smoosh some ink around, so it's got to be fun!



Class Details:
Date: Saturday, May 12th
Time: 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM
Cost: $10.00
Bring: Scissors and adhesive. A non-stick craft mat is very handy, so if you have one and want to bring it, please do.

Tuesday's Layout Class
We will be making 6 layouts using Echo Park's "Note To Self" Collection. Another great set of papers, and the View Master reels definitely take me back...and they are on every page! F-U-N!!
Take a look at the pages Chelsea has created for us:





So come on down and  join us...you deserve some time for yourself, and we'd love to have you!

Class Details:
Date: Tuesday, May 15th
Time: 6 - 9 PM
Cost: $20
Bring: Paper Trimmer, scissors, adhesive and pop dots

New Store Hours
We are going to try something new at the Playground during the summer months.
Starting Tuesday, May 15th, the new hours will be from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM Tuesday through Friday. Saturday hours will remain the same, and we will still be closed Sunday and Monday. 
The evenings are so beautiful downtown, people are out and about and I am hoping this will give those that work 9 to 5 a chance to come in after work.

New in the store
Bo Bunny's Vintage Double Dot 


It's yumm-a-licious! I love the colors, the texture and the weight of this paper. I think this line will become a staple for both my scrapping and card making. Just a few colors in stock right now, but will be getting them alllll as soon as possible!! 

Scor Tape in 2" and 2 1/2"

I know, it sounds big honkin', and it is....but I didn't know how badly I needed it until I was told how wonderful it works to hold rosettes down, or how it holds burlap together so you can use a die cut on it to make fun burlap flowers!  It's going fast, so grab it before it's gone.

Have a great week and I hope to see you soon!!

Let the paper do some of the work

I love patterned scrapbook paper. I loved it long before I ever started scrapping. I fell in love with the colors, the patterns and the textures. I also love the way the pattern can fill in the background of a card so beautifully.  Some papers can practically do the work for you. You gotta love that, right? I do.

I had to whip up a couple Mother's Day cards to send out. A sheet of Bo Bunny's "Welcome Home" really stood out...blues, greens, a hint of white, flowers and swirls. It seemed so feminine and "mothery". (I know that's not really a word...but I like to create...including words.) The inspiration for this card came from the blog of KittieKraft. You are going to drool when you see what this woman does with punches and dies! I found out about this blog from one of my fabulous customers. Thank you, Donna!! This is one of my all time favorite blogs right now.

Here are the cards:




I only needed two...but I couldn't stop. That paper is so perfect for creating cards with! (and I ADORE that little bird!!)
Each card is a little different, but I basically used the same supplies on all three. 

Bo Bunny "Welcome Home" patterned paper
Bird stamp from Layers Of Color Backyard Birds set
Sentiment is from Skipping Stones Designs Beautiful Botanicals set
My Favorite Things Leafy Flourish Die
Martha Steward branch punch

Look what a beautiful, subtle back drop that paper gives. Each card is from a different part of the same sheet of paper, and I was able to work that sweet little bird into each of them. I found cardstock that blended well with the greens and light yellows in the patterned paper, and added the white flourishes to pull out the bit of white in the paper and the base card. 
When I first decided on this piece of paper for my cards, I didn't really think I would be able to use the corner with the white bench in it...but I cut it down and laid the birdy and flourishes down just to see...and I loved it!  When you start to think "What if I...."  - RUN with it!! Do IT! You never know what wonderful discovery is just around the corner! (They won't all be wonderful discoveries, but you will have learned something from it, so it's never a loss)

The way they make scrapbook paper these days, there is always a great flourish, flowers or image that will make a beautiful background for your cards. No muss, no fuss! 

I've heard a lot of you say you aren't creative...you don't have to be...let the paper do the work for you.  No need to fret about the color combination...the paper already picked your colors for you. All you have to do is add more of the same....and that can be card stock, ink, paint, sprays, colored pencils, markers, ribbon, lace, buttons, twine....the possibilites are endless!! (I used Tumbled Glass and Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink to add just a hint of color to my bird so he didn't look like a bird stamped on white card stock...even though he is. :o)) 

So grab a sheet of beautiful scrapbook paper that you love, find colors in your stash that blend well with the paper, find a stamp, sticker, dies and punches that you love and see what you come up with.  I DARE YOU! 

TIPS

A few years back I started to organize all my embellishments by color. When I need a green embellishment, I go to my green box and there is a plethora of green to choose from.  This works so wonderful for me and the way I work. I currently use photo boxes with lids to hold my colors. I now realize I should have used something a little larger and maybe see-through. 

If you have a few uneven spots when you cut out your images, especially detailed images, use a marker to go around your image on the sides and color in the top along the edges if you have to fill in a bit.  For larger, less detailed images, I use a blending tool and ink and just smoosh it.

That's all for now....have fun "what iffing" your way to a new discovery!!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

National Scrapbook Day

Let's do this thing!
I've been fretting about what to do, worried it won't be fun enough or fabulous enough...until the middle of the night last night when I couldn't sleep. That's when the famous Nike words came out of nowhere and smacked me upside the head... "JUST DO IT!"
So, we're doing it....this Saturday...10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
What's happening? Let me tell you!

SALE
The first thing is going to be a sale for all my great customers...20% OFF STORE-WIDE! all day Saturday.

Door Prizes
I have 3 paper packs to give away for door prizes...Bo Bunny's "Alora",  Echo Park's "Charming" and "Graceful". I will be drawing names at Noon, 2 PM and 4 PM.
You don't have to be present to win.

Make & Take
Come on in and make an adorable acetate gift/candy box that will make you look like a gift-giving genius when you present it. Looks great, and so easy to do.

Terrible Tote Turned Terrific Contest
Long story short...I bought some totes from a phone salesman, and when I got them they were less than fabulous...much, much less. Ugly, actually. The plan was to have a fun tote for my customers that they could  get 10% OFF their purchases every time they brought it in with them.
Well, the "ugly" inspired a contest....are you ready for the challenge?

Details

  • Pick up a tote at the store (cost is $5)
  • Do whatever you have to, to make it Terrific!
  • Have the tote back to me by Saturday, May 26th

The following week, May 29th - June 2nd, anyone that walks through the door will be able to vote on their favorite tote. Only one vote per person, please.
The votes will be counted at closing time on Saturday June 2nd and I will contact the winner and post it here.

The PRIZE: Bo Bunny's "Enchanted" Collection pack, black rose ribbon, a LARGE pack of black and white buttons and some seam binding that you can customize to any color. (over $30 retail value)


PLUS...all tote bag owners will receive 10% OFF their entire purchase every time they bring their tote in to shop! You save money, I save a bag, and we all help our environment! ~~~ Winning!! ~~~ LOL!


Ideas for decorating: Glimmer mists, paint, buttons, ribbon, pearls or gems, flowers, applique, stamping, change out the straps if you like...let your imagination run wild! Anything will be a big improvement, I promise. LOL!

Okay...we are gonna do this thing...I am excited to see what Saturday brings and I hope we all have a great time!
Gotta love that midnight inspiration.
See you soon!!