Random Ramblings of a Scramping Addict

Reminder: Craft Sale Extravaganza!

We're getting close now - there is only a couple of weeks left to get your items in for consignment sale.  Don't miss this change to get rid of some of your unloved supplies!

2nd Annual Craft Sale Extravaganza!

When:   Friday July 16th 8am - 8pm
             Saturday July 17th 8am - 6pm
Where:  301 Parkwood Crescent
              Hamilton, Ontario (view map)

Do you have craft supplies that you're not using?  Don't keep them - sell them! Make room for more!

We are still accepting items for consignment sale.  All 'for sale' items must be in our hands no later than Friday July 9th (one week prior to sale). We'll take:

• Stamps
• Paper
• Tools
• Dies
• Inks
• Embellishments
• Storage
• Handmade Items
• Kits
• And More!

How it works:

You gather your un-loved craft supplies or handmade items, price them, label them, package them up and bring them to me and I'll add them to the tables at the sale.  Once all is complete, you receive the proceeds from sale less 20% to cover administration and advertising.

It's that easy!

If you're interested in contributing items to the sale, let me know and I'll send you ALL the details and the forms you'll need to submit with your stuff.  You can reach me by email me or you call me at 905-317-8823. 

Last year's sale was a huge success, and this year is shaping up to be even better!

Even if you don't have items for sale, be sure to mark July 16 and 17th on your calendar and be sure to stop by and see what's available.  You just might find exactly what you're looking for at a fraction of retail prices!

Tips, Techniques & Upcoming Events

Want to be in the know about all of these things and more?  Join my monthly mailing list!

Want to see what this might look like before you commit?  You can now view my recent newsletter archives online - here's the links so you can check them out.

May 2010
June 2010

Each month I try to include all the information you need to know.  Each month's publication is different, but you'll find things like Stamping Tips, Technique Tutorials, Scrapbooking & Card Project Ideas/Samples, Upcoming Events, CTMH Campaign details and Trends Talk just to name a few.

Don't miss out on another mailing!  Use the sign up form on the top left corner of this page to stay informed.  And don't worry - I'll never share your personal information with anyone, ever!

Patchwork Pandemonium

I am so thrilled that I actually completed my Patchwork Pandemonium project from my Buffalo road trip last weekend to see Tim Holtz - and in less than a week!.  I swore this wouldn't be a UFO (unfinished object) and I made good on my promise to myself and it's done!

I may decide to add a bit more stitching here and there, but I'm loving it!  This was my favourite class of the three I registered for.  As I said before, if you ever have an opportunity to take one of Tim's classes, run, don't walk to the registration line - they are worth every penny!

Did you attend the Buffalo class?  Have you completed your patchwork?  I'd love to see it!  Leave me a comment and a link and I'll check it out!

Sharing our Fancy Folds

I don't have an FAQ Friday for you today, but instead I thought I would share the full set of cards we made last night at the Fancy Folds card class.  We had 6 ladies here who got a crash course in creating a gift card holder, a Tri-Shutter Card and the ever-popular paper rose.

Here we go.

This is the Gift Card Holder - made with the Close To My Heart Silhouette paper pack, and black cardstock, the gift card holder is held closed with a simple knotted ribbon with a hanging tag.  The tag sentiment is from D1187 For Every Occasion.

The second card was a Tri-Shutter with a masculine feel and featured the retired "Vintage Father's Day" from CTMH as well as the current D1422 "Wonderful Friend"  The front focal image was stamped with Versamark and dusted with Pearl Ex. The image was then sealed with a Krylon Matte spray to prevent smudging and Pearl Ex transfer.  Honestly, if you know Pearl Ex at all, you'll probably also know that it doesn't photograph well.  There is so much shimmer and shine that you just can't capture in a photograph - it is absolutely stunning up close. Because this card is for a man, embellishments are kept to a minimum. I used waxed linen thread, a button, some brads and a hinge.  I also stitched a few x's using embroidery floss.  End panels are embossed with a Cuttlebug folder.

Last but not least, here is the card featuring Tonya Dirk's paper rose.  I can't take credit for the card design, since the very talented Pam Klassen did it first and I lifted it. (Thanks Pam for letting me do this! The card was a big hit!)  We used the X5810 CTMH Cherry-O Creative Basics paper along with some distressed blush papers for the rose from retired Cocoa Cafe collection.  When Pam created her card she used Colonial White cardstock for the rose, sanded both sides and sponged tulip ink.  I tried this approach, but decided to go with the patterned paper instead since it's a bit easier to work with - and since it was distressed looking already - I didn't need to worry about that.  Isn't it awesome though that I was able to pull Blush paper from an older kit and it matched the new paper perfectly?  I just love that!  The rose is adhered to the card with glue dots and nests in a chipboard slide frame covered with paper.  I've had these slide frames kicking around for a while so it was nice to use them up on this project.  The stamp set we used was D1416 State of Mind

All in all, everyone was super pleased with what we created, and they learned a ton.  I do have a couple of class kits left over though so if you'd like to get your hands on one click the Buy Now button below.  Kits are $15 each and include the materials you'll need to put your cards together as shown (stamps, inks and Pearl Ex not included) and complete step-by-step assembly instructions. If you don't own the stamps that I used, don't worry, most are available in my online store (see item numbers above) or you can substitute stamps from your stash. The $15 kit price includes shipping to you. To order you class kit, simply use the PayPal link below.

Back from Buffalo

Well, I'm back from Buffalo and had the most amazing, awesomely creative weekend taking classes at Buffalo Stamps and Stuff with Tim Holtz!  Honestly, I'm still on a high!  His style and his techniques, products, all of it are so creatively freeing.  There is definitely no room for perfectionism there.  I was only scheduled to take 2 classes initially, but lucky for me I was able to get into a third class at the very last minute - and as it turned out this was my absolute favourite of the three.

Saturday morning's class was Tim's Journey Journal.  Here is my finished project.

With painted Grungeboard covers, pages made from the Shabby Vintage paper stack, Journaling Tickets and plastic sleeves, and embellishments from the Idea-ology line - it is just too cute!

On Saturday afternoon, we created another mini-album (Generation Grunge), working again with Grungeboard for the cover, and used Grungepaper for the inside pages.  Instead of paints, this time we covered the Grungeboard and Grungepaper with paper from the Lost and Found paper stack, sanded and distressed all the edges (loads of sanding here) and embellished with die cut grunge, paint, and more Idea-ology metals.  Here's a peak at my finished book.

On Sunday afternoon - the third class I took (and my personal favourite) - Tim instructed what he calls Patchwork Pandemonium.   This is a series of Grungeboard pieces in varying sizes that are distressed with a multitude of techniques and then pieced together like a quilt. We used paint, distress inks, sandpaper, metallics, distress Stickles, and more.  This was truly an all-in-one kind of class, and was definitely worth every penny.  I'm not ready to share my creation just yet as I haven't finished adding all of my metal embellishments.  I will though for sure - and soon.  This is NOT one of those projects that will sit unfinished in my craft closet (you know the UFOs that we all have) that's for sure.

All in all I had an incredible weekend - had great fun, laughed lots, got dirty (you know the inky fingers), ruined a pair of pants (from getting multi-medium on my butt of all places), ate lots and slept little and so much more.  I am so glad that I had this opportunity to learn from Tim Holtz himself.  As you all know he is an incredibly creative man, but he is also an amazing instructor.  Anyone that can keep 100 crafters on task has some serious talent.

Thank-you to Sharon and the staff at Buffalo Stamps and Stuff for bringing Tim to us and organizing such a fantastic event....and here's the man himself.

 

Reminder: Fancy Folds Card Class

Just a reminder that tomorrow (June 13) is the registration deadline for the Fancy Folds Card Class.  In case you missed it, here are the details once again and remember to contact me to reserve your seat!

June 17, 2010 (7:30pm  - 10pm)

What is it?

* learn some new techniques
  (including how to make this beautiful Rose)
* do some fancy folding that has big impact
  (ever heard of a Tri-Shutter Card?) and
* one of the cards doubles as a gift card holder

*PLUS!  You'll receive detailed PDF instructions
 for each card's construction to take home so
 you can duplicate these styles again and again.

When:   June 13, 2010
Time:     7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Where:  Hamilton, ON (email me for directions)
Cost:     $15 per person

What to Bring:  Scissors, Adhesive (Liquid & Dry - contact me for my recommendations), Glue Dots

Class seating is limited and reserved. Class fees are due in advance (no later than June 13).  Register now by clicking through the PayPal link below, or contact me by email or telephone 905-317-8823 to reserve your seat.

Jackpot June! Foam Die-Cut Numbers

If you hit the Jackpot today you'll receive a package of Foam Die-Cut Numbers!  A collection of 51 foam number, approximately 1 1/4" x 2 1/4" in Tulip, Dutch Blue and Sunflower.

Use these to embellish scrapbook layouts, cards or 3D items like canvas wall art!

Today only!  Shop Jackpot June.

Click here for all of the Jackpot June details.

Tilda's Tulips - Colouring With Copics

I promised I would share some of the cards I made Tuesday, in my Copics colouring class - so I figured I'd start with the one I loved the best!  The stamp is by Magnolia, and is called Tilda's Tulips I believe.  Isn't she adorable?  I just love how here shoes cross - it makes her look so shy and innocent.

This was actually my very first Copic-coloured image, and it was tricky indeed.  It turned out pretty well though if I do say so myself - with only one real visible boo-boo where her dress colour bled onto her arm.  I used the colourless blender to correct it as best I could, but it's not quite perfect.

I think the flowers (which are gorgeous!) and hat pins are from Wild Orchid Crafts in the UK - but I can't be 100% certain about that since I didn't buy them.  Dawn, our incredible Copics instructor designed this card and provided all of the supplies.

The Copic colours used are:

Hat: R20 / R21 / R22
Tulips: R46 / R81
Dress & Shoes: E50 / E51 / E53
Hair: E25 / E57 / E59 / E29
Skin Tones: E0000 / E000 (Cheeks R20)

The sentiment is from CTMH - For Every Ocassion - one of my most loved sets!

What have you tried recently that is new to you?  Leave me a comment and let me know!

Colouring with Copics

I took a Copics colouring class yesterday afternoon, and it was FAB!  I learned so much about these incredibly intimidating markers.  I gotta say though, that while I really like what I know about them so far, I'm just not sure that I'm ready to convert 100% just yet.

Here's one of the images I coloured.  I'm not totally happy with the way her skirt is shaded, but that is why I need to practice right!  It can only get better (at least I hope so)

Sorry that I haven't made her into a card just yet, but I was a bit preoccupied watching the GLEE finale last night (LOL!).  I will though soon, I promise, and will also share a couple of other projects that I worked on yesterday at the same time.

In the meantime, be sure to pop over to my CTMH online store and check out today's Jackpot June customer special!

Only one week left to Link Your Layout!

Just a reminder that I'm still looking to see what you can create based on my sketch (click thumbnail for larger view).  The deadline is quickly approaching - with only one week left to link your layout!

And remember, there are prizes to be had on this one - so go get creating and add your link back to my original challenge post or email me a picture of your creation.  You can take the sketch literally and design a layout, or otherwise draw your inspiration from it to create a card or other project.  If you choose a layout - you can do classic (paper and glue) or digi. It's your choice.

What are you playing for?

• a B-size stamp set of your choice (retail value $16.50) or,
• a CTMH My Reflections paper pack of your choice (retail value $15.50).

Deadline for submission is June 15 to be entered in the random draw!

Here's a link to a recent hockey layout that I created using this sketch!

Now Go!  Get creative and show me what you create!