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!!

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!!

Step Cards and Just Fabulous

Step Cards Class
Step CARDS...not KIDS. Both are fascinating...but we are doing the Step CARDS for class this Saturday. I have fallen in love with step cards. Once you get the cutting and scoring down, you can switch up the colors and embellishments and the possibilities are endless.

I love endless possibilities.

Here are the 3 cards we will be making on Saturday:

The one on the left is a Dresser Side Step Card, the center card is a Center Step Card, and the one on the right is a basic Side Step Card. Along with learning these 3 different "Step" cards, I will be sneaking in a quick watercoloring technique and you will get to try out the Cover A Card stamps and the big honkin' MegaMount block from Impression Obsession. 

FUSSY CUT ALERT: See those donuts and butterflies? Yep, we will be cutting those out with scissors...just lettin' ya know ahead of time. ;o)

Here's the details:

Step Card Class

Date: Saturday, April 28th

Time: 10 AM and 1 PM

Cost: $12.50

Bring: The usual paper trimmers, scissors (for the fussy cutting) adhesive and pop dots.

You can reserve your spot by stopping by the store, calling 721-7529 or emailing me at scrapandplay@rushmore.com

Tuesday Layout Class is "Fabulous" from Simple Stories

It really is Fabulous! I love the colors of this paper, the embellishments....Just Plain Fabulous!!

Check out the Fabulous layouts Chelsea put together using this paper....they are to-die-for!!!!

I couldn't help it....here is a close up....and it is, yes, FABULOUS!!!

Okay...I will quit carrying on about these layouts. (but I do really love them)

We will be making 6 layouts with this paper pack, and here are the rest of the details:

Fabulous Layout Class

Date: Tuesday, May 1st (Happy May Day!)

Time: 6:00 PM

Cost: $25.00

Bring: paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive and pop dots.

Stop by, call 721-7529 or email scrapandplay@rushmore.com to sign up for class.

I hope to see you soon!!

"Graceful" Layouts for Tuesday's class

Hi everyone!!

Here are the 6 layouts we will be making in Tuesday's Layout Class. Chelsea did a great job on these, as usual.  She also added photos to her layouts and they are just so precious! I love them.

Come join us, take some time for yourself, and have 6 more layouts done than you do today! ;o)

Aren't they just too stinkin' cute? 

Here are the details of the class:

Date: April 17th

Time: 6-9 p.m.

Cost: $20

Bring a paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive and pop dots

Call 721-7529 or email scrapandplay@rushmore.com to reserve a spot in class!

See you soon!

New from Spellbinders and Smash

Here's a quick peek at a few new things here at the Playground.

Spellbinders M-Bossabilities

Spellbinders just came out with new REVERSIBLE embossing folders! They are called M-Bossabilities, and they have some fabulous patterns! They also have 2 sizes, A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") and 5" x 7".

(I may have just found my favorite embossing folder of all time...LOVE!)

This is such a cool idea! You only have to find a place to store 1 folder, but you get 2 patterns. And, if you pair one M-Bossabilities folder with the Easy Frames ....you could  fill a whole afternoon with creative fun!

Stop by and check them out, I'd love to show you how they work.

More SMASH!

EK Success just released some fun new SMASH items, too.  Here are a few that came in this last week, but there is more...so come check it out! 

Two new SMASH books...

One for Babies 

and one for Weddings

 
They also added some fun embellishments for your SMASH books...

Magnetic Clips

Page Inserts to add another page or photo to your book.

Plastic Pockets with a zip top closure.

New Top 10 journal cards

DEW DROPS

These aren't new to the crafting world, but they are new to the store.  I have been using them for a few years now and I love the way they jazz up any project. A fun little bit of bling to whatever you are working on. 

That's all I've got for now.  I hope you all have a great weekend and see you soon!

Spring Classes

There are Saturday Classes on the schedule again!! Yay!!

Here is a quick update of the upcoming classes and a few photos to entice you. :o)

Call 721-PLAY (7529) or email scrapandplay@rushmore.com  if you want to reserve a spot in any of these classes.

Spring Paper Bag Mini Album

The last paper bag class we did was sooo fun! We had some really fun ladies in that class, and they were interested in doing another, but with some spring color. (I seem to be drawn to very subdued and boring colors) Thank you ladies for pulling me out of my dreary box...because this is what we are making this time:

We will be using Pink Paislee's SPRING JUBILEE to adorn our paper bags. Bright, fun and full of color! What says SPRING better than bright colors, flowers, birds, butterflies and bees?? 

Okay...I forgot to take a photo of the bee...but it's the coolest bee I've ever seen, and I'm NOT a fan of bees at all. 

Class Details

Date: Saturday, March 31st

Time: 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Cost: $10

Bring: A paper trimmer that will accommodate 12x12 scrapbook paper, scissors (there is just a tiny bit of fussy cutting),  lots of adhesive and don't forget your sense of humor....we like funny girls!!

Boxed Card Set

This is a great gift idea, and the drawer box is so easy to make you won't even believe it! (seriously, it's the easiest part of the whole project!)

We are going to be making the drawer box, the easel card that is attached to the top and 4 cards to go inside the drawer. I know...more dreary colors, but I fell in love with Graphic 45's Kraft Reflection papers and just had to do something with them! I did add a little pink in there for some color...does that count? 

Class Details

Date: Saturday, April 7th

Time: 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Cost: $15

Bring: The usual...paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive and pop dots. You will want a strong adhesive to hold your drawer box together.

Tuesday's "Charming" Layout Class

Here are the pages we will be creating with the CHARMING collection pack from Echo Park. This was a smaller pack of papers, but Chelsea was able to put together 6 layouts...with plenty of leftovers! I have no idea how she does it, but am so thankful for her talent!!

Take a look at these fun layouts:

Class Details:

Date: Tuesday, April 3rd

Time: 6-9 p.m.

Cost: $20

Bring: Paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive and pop dots.

I'm so excited about these classes, and can't wait to see you so we can PLAY!!