I'm back!

What a wild and crazy week it's been. I didn't have a chance to update my blog or post pics from the anniversary events. I didn't even get photos of last weeks class cards uploaded. So...here we are with a potluck of photos: Browsing the great bargains at Friday night's Clean Up sale; Brigit (aka the Enabler Queen) leading Saturday's make and take projects; and better late than never....last week's Christmas class cards. Brigit did such a great job showcasing all the great products she brought. I'm totally in love with the crafters workshop templates and I used the snowflake one on the blue card for class this week. The Harmonie halloween papers we used for the make and take are so adorable and should be arriving any day...just in time for your Halloween photo layouts! I know it's Halloween tomorrow, but I'm really into Christmas cards right now and I have a bunch more to share with you tomorrow..including two of next week's class cards.
Happy Haunting......

Two more from the same sketch

Here are the other two cards we made in class using the same layout. Sorry about the terrible photos...I forgot to edit them before uploading! I had to change it up a bit on the last one by using a semi circle in place of the triangle (I get bored easily..lol!) but using the same layout made for a very quick and easy class. Not sure which I like the best...maybe the black and green one; I love that colour combo. Anyway, today is store anniversary number one, and I have a million things to do, so check in on Sunday night for photos and stories of the weekend activities, and with a bit of luck, I may have a couple of card samples for you too!

Anniversary Events

Yes it's been one whole year since the doors to my little happy place opened, so we have to do some fun stuff right???? First of all, on Friday Oct 22 at 7pm, customers are invited to come and pick up some "almost new" crafting bargains from my personal stash and those of a few other customers who need to "make room for new goodies." There are some great stamps, embellishments and other goodies arriving so make sure you get here on time to get your pick. These will be cash sales only and you will be paying the individual seller. Everyone selling stuff is making a donation to charity so it's a win/win situation. We'll have some yummy refreshements, door prizes and a raffle for two beautiful hand crafted garden ornaments made by a very special customer and friend (who shall remain nameless as she is very shy and modest)Raffle proceeds will also go to charity. Then on Saturday from 1 - 4pm we'll have a great time with Brigit (aka The Enabler Queen) who is driving all the way from Toronto to do some fun make and take projects with us. Brigit is a certified Ranger Educator and a very talented artist. I'm so happy she agreed to join us and bring her wealth of knowledge as well as some awesome samples and catalogues to drool over..lol! The photos are a sneak peek of the projects we'll work on using Tim Holtz/Sizzix dies, Harmonie's Bal Masque Papers, Crafters Workshop Templates and more. If you'd like to check out Brigit's blog to see her great style, visit her at : http://www.itsjustpaperbrigit.blogspot.com/
It's gonna be a fun weekend so be sure to stop in if you can.

CASED layout

For those of you not familiar with the term CASE as it relates to papercrafts...it's an acronym for "Copy And Share Everything." One of the things I love about this hobby is the generosity of people who share their ideas and creativity...they are genuinely flattered if someone "copies" their idea. Of course, proper etiquette requires that the person using the idea gives credit to the original artist. As much time as I spend browsing websites and magazines for ideas and inspiration, I do very little actual copying of other cards. It's not that I think there is anything wrong with it, it's just that my own ideas kind of take over, and what began as a "case" ends up looking nothing like the original! This week's layout for our class cards is an exception. I LOVE this layout that I saw in "Take Ten" magazine (available in the store:)) and I was amazed by the variety of fabulous cards that were showcased using the same layout. So I decided to challenge myself to come up with three very different cards using ONE layout. It's been a very busy weekend with Migration Fest and such, so I have only one sample so far, but I'm excited to see what I can come up with for the other two. I'll keep you posted......

Happy Thanksgiving

What a perfect weekend to celebrate Thanksgiving. The weather has been fantastic and we finally got some long overdue yard work done. Our poor old ash trees have finally succumbed to the dreaded emerald ash borer and Steve spent much of the day sawing the limbs off one so we can have a campfire tonight. Speaking of trees...the colours in my "Funky Forest" card are a bit off, but it's really quite cute in real life. I keep thinking I should add something else, but I'm going to try to resist the temptation as I'm on a "Clean and Simple" kick right now. (Let's see how long it lasts..lol!)The other card was inspired by our upcoming Migration Festival here in Kingsville next weekend. I always think of Monarch butterflies beginning their long journey at this time of year and how amazing it is that something so delicate can be strong enough to withstand such a flight! We'll be using the faux Mother of Pearl technique for our third card this week. I'll try to upload a photo tomorrow. Hope you have lots of blessings to count this weekend.

Clean and simple card

The creative juices just aren't flowing this week....I hate when that happens. Here is a very simple card that I'm thinking we can dress up a bit for class with the addition of sentiment/ribbon etc for those who find it too plain. Most of the ladies who come to class love playing with distress inks to get this kind of look and there are lots of possibilities for colour combos for the sky. This one was done using Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold and Wild Honey for a very soft subtle look. The image was then cut into four equal panels to get the look of a window view. I deliberately left it sentiment free, because I like having cards like this on hand so I can stamp a sentiment on it as the need arises. Sadly I'm in need of several sympathy cards right now and I think this one may fit the bill, but I can think of several other occasions it could be used for such as Thinking of you, or retirement wishes for example. I really hope my mojo is back tomorrow.......

Monday already......?

After our "Amazing Race" weekend, I'm afraid I've slowed down considerably and almost ground to a complete halt today! Note to self....don't book dentist appointments for Monday mornings when you don't have any card samples ready yet!!! Sorry to you ladies who are waiting to see what we'll be creating in class this week. I managed to get one done and photographed today and the rest will have to be a surprise..(maybe to me too lol!)

We have a winner.....

Congratulations to Judy on winning the September card contest. Her Autumn Splendor card made fantastic use of the Apple cider collection of papers. You know just by looking at all those cut out leaves that Judy is a very patient person, and her creativity really shines in this card. Each of the entries was fantastic and each one appealed to a different group of voters. Judy's card has won her a Basic Gray card kit full of fabulous "Capella" papers and embellishments. I can hardly wait to see what she creates with it:)
As mentioned in my newsletter, the October contest begins today and the theme is "Birthday Cards" just because Papercraft Cafe turns one year old this month lol! Cards should be standard A2 size and must be submitted by Friday October 15th. They will be on display for voting at the Papercraft Cafe booth at the Migration Festival Market on Saturday October 16th and in the store until the end of the month. This month's winner will receive a $10 store coupon!
It's been a very busy week in the store and I still don't have my card samples for next week's class ready. If all goes well I may have one to share by this evening, but I'm away for the weekend so we might just have to "Wait and See" what Monday brings. Have a great weekend:)