Double slider chocolate treat

How cute is this? Fun to make and so much fun to play with, I may not be able to give it away or even eat the chocolate bar myself....(OK that's a stretch lol!) Wally brought this idea in and has patiently showed two classes of ladies how to make this already. She's back tonight for our last class before Christmas. You can decorate however you like, but I'm lovin' my new Sizzix reindeer die. Thanks to Michele for thinking of adding the little red nose...so adorable. We'll have to do these again for Valentines day, Easter and whatever other occasion I can come up with that involves chocolate......

Last class card of the year....

I used the Sizzix Ornament #2 die and American Crafts glitter cardstock to make this card, along with various patterned papers and a beautiful adhesive flat-back pearl. This is the last week of regular classes for the year, but you can still set up a time to come in during store hours to work on your own projects, or just use samples in the store for inspiration.

A Christmas treat for you...

I've been following Tim Holtz' blog for a long time and he makes the most amazing video tutorials which have really helped me learn how to have fun using Ranger products. When I took a class with him this past summer, I really wished every one of my customers could have been there to see the "genius" at work. He's not only super creative, he's also an excellent teacher. Anyway, it finally dawned on me that I could share his videos on MY blog and Facebook page, so that you all get a chance to see the fun you've been missing if you haven't tried these products and techniques yet! This first one is about 13 minutes long and shows how to use the Melting Pot with shrink plastic to make your own fabulous embellishments. Everything used in the video is available here at the store EXCEPT the melting pot, which is due to arrive any day (so they keep telling me!!!) I've already linked a few others to my Facebook page, so why not hop over there to check them out and "LIKE" my page while you're there:)
Enjoy the video:

On the 12th day of December.....

..... Marie began to panic!!!! I have so many cards to make for friends and family and I don't enjoy mass producing the same card, so this week I'm praying that I'll be feeling very inspired and creative, otherwise, many friends and family will be getting their cards after Christmas this year! I finally mailed my international cards and I'm pretty sure they will arrive late, but better late than never. Oh well....I have one sample done for this week's class. I added a few sparkly touches after taking the photo, so it may look a little better in real life. This is the last week of classes until January 10th, and one of the projects we'll be making is a little treat holder. A friend showed me the idea and although I don't have a photo to upload yet...I know everyone will fall in love with this sweet creation!

Free Embossing Folders

I bet that title got your attention didn't it???? It's true...when you buy one of the Sizzix Bigz dies which include an embossing folder like the sample card in the photo...the embossing folder is FREE! Regular price for a Bigz die (without the embossing folder) is $25 and these are the same price with the bonus folder...how cool is that? I have the stocking, a primitive star and holly with berries in stock. Remember that these steel rule dies will cut fabric, thin metal, cardboard and foam...basically materials up to 1/8 inch thickness. Try adhering patterned paper to chipboard and then die cut it...Fabulous! I used Tim Holtz distress Core'dinations cardstock for the red portion of the stocking, then lightly sanded it to reveal the core colour. The top of the stocking is inked with antique linen distress ink and the "merry" is traced over with a red glitter gel pen. I LOVE this technique! There are lots of new dies in stock, including mini movers and shapers and a beautiful Christmas ornament. I also brought in a fabulous new 5 x 7 embossing folder that has a beautiful filigree type Christmas tree design. Lots of choices but only a few of each item are available, so don't wait too long to pop in and pick up your favourites!

Variations on a theme

I thought I'd try two cards using the same embossing folder for this week's class. I still need to tweak these a little and the photos are horrible...sorry. Today is one of THOSE days, when nothing works properly. I finally got the samples finished and photographed after glitter, embossing, gluing and camera issues and then my computer tells me that Blogger no longer wants to talk to my web browser and I need to install a new program....Grrrrr! Rainy days and Mondays AND computers always get me down! (apologies to the Carpenters for changing their song lyrics but it's true! I was going to work on card number 3 and get it uploaded, but the mail lady just delivered a package with new goodies so I think I'll switch gears and see if I have more luck with unpacking and entering new inventory.....wish me luck!

It's Here......

The brand new winter issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine has arrived and it's free with a $20 purchase starting Friday December 2nd, while quantities last! Don't miss out...it's full of fabulous inspiration:)

Pink Christmas

I've said it here before....I'm not a fan of pink (the colour not the singer:)) but every once in a while I try to step outside of my comfortable little box and make it the main focus on a card. I started with a gold peel-off sticker and some very pretty Kaisercraft patterned paper with a swirly pink and olive green design. I was going to layer it onto a green background but it just wasn't working for me. After browsing through all the pink cardstock and feeling totally uninspired, I remembered the stack of Milled Lavender distress Core'dinations cardstock that arrived a few months ago with a dirty streak across each sheet. I had put it in the back room till I could figure out a use for it as I couldn't sell it as it was. As luck would have it, it's a perfect match for the patterned paper (love when that happens!) I ran a piece through the Cuttlebug in the ornaments folder and sanded it lightly, then mounted it on the gold foil cardstock. The sentiment is heat embossed and I popped the little ornament up with a foam dot. If you have any "girly" friends on your card list this year, I'm guessing they would enjoy receiving this non-traditional Christmas card, so come out to class next week and make one! Now to play with the rest of all those other lovely peel-offs on the sheet........

Post it purse.

How cute is this???? It holds a 3 x 3 pad of post it notes and is a great way to use up your paper/cardstock scraps. You know I have LOTS of those (LOL!) so be sure to join us for class next week and make a couple of these for stocking stuffers or "just because" gifts. I'm still working on a couple of other ideas so stay tuned....

An early Christmas gift...

June's Christmas came a little early this year. Hers was the winning ticket in Saturday's draw for the Vintaj Big Kick machine. To say she was excited is an understatement...she has been longing for a die cut machine, and so she picked up her prize and bought a few toys to go with it this morning:) The ladies who attended the workshops on Saturday made some fabulous projects and can't wait for Brigit to come again. Since it's quite a trip from Brampton, we decided to do something in late April or early May for her next visit. In the meantime, I apologize for being so late getting photos of this week's cards up, but here are the first two. I finally got a few of Tim Holtz Limited edition holiday inks in stock. The colours are gorgeous, as you can see on the Pointsettia card, so don't wait to get yours...they won't last! The stack of 3 is just $18. The snowman card is an adaptation of something Brigit did in her workshop. I think he's super cute and if you made a few of these you could have a fabulous garland! Speaking of garlands, there are still a couple of spaces available for Danielle's stocking garland class, this Saturday, November 26th at 1pm. Call to book yours ASAP!

New goodies have arrived!

Sorry I haven't had time to upload any photos yet, but it's been a busy week with classes, Ladies night last night, Christmas decorating and getting ready for tomorrow's workshops. I hope everyone gets a chance to stop in and see all the samples Brigit is bringing, as well as all the lovely new stamps and embossing folders that arrived this week. Right after closing tomorrow, Steve and I are heading out to Cambridge to celebrate our boys 30th birthdays (YIKES!) with them and then to Toronto on Sunday to celebrate his Dad's birthday. Needless to say, class samples may be a little late finding their way here this week......

Ladies Night and Sizzix/ Vintaj workshop

Kingsville BIA is having a Ladies Night Out on Thursday November 17th from 5 to 9 pm. Several stores in town are offering free gift wrapping, refreshments etc. I won't be having class that night so that I can offer a FREE make and take here at the store. Every purchase made at the participating stores will earn a ballot to win a Giant Christmas Stocking filled with gifts from local businesses. The draw will take place on December 10th. There will be lots of new product in the store by then, so be sure to stop in and browse and take home a cute little home made holiday project. While you are here, you can also make your Christmas Wish List and sign up for the Sizzix/Vintaj workshop on Saturday the 19th. Three times are available: 10:30am; 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm so be sure to sign up soon and get a chance to win the Vintaj Special Edition Big Kick Die cut machine worth $120. The workshop cost is $20 and you should bring your own adhesive.

So sparkly!

Why can't I take a photograph that's shows shimmer and sparkle on a card???? This is so much prettier than it looks in the picture, but I think it still needs something...maybe a small embellishment on the lower right corner of the music panel? I'm sure the ladies coming to class next week will have lots of ideas:) The tree image and sentiment were stamped with "The Essential Glue Pad" and then covered in Glitter Ritz Dark Gold. The patterned paper is from My Minds Eye's Lost and Found Christmas Collection. I've been dying to use this on a card and I love the results. Well that's two done for next week...maybe I'll get number three done tomorrow! Miracles can happen...right?

Early Bird!

I'm making up for being so late getting last week's card samples uploaded with an early peek at one of next week's cards. Isn't it a beauty...thanks for the inspiration Janet! I love when my customers bring me ideas and suggestions! I may not get around to all of them, but I do appreciate each one so keep 'em coming:)

More class cards

I was really running late with my cards for this week's class and had to come up with two very quick and easy cards, but I really like both of them. The navy and white one didn't photograph well at all. It's super sparkly in real life and such an easy card to recreate if you have any winter themed embossing folders,(unfortunately this one has beeen retired). Speaking of embossing folders, I just unpacked some beauties from Sizzix and more new designs will be arriving soon. If you don't have a die cutting/embossing machine, be sure to put one on your wish list for Christmas. Dry embossing adds so much to a handmade card and embossing folders are relatively inexpensive and come in a huge range of designs. Pop in soon to check out our great selection:)

Peaceful Wishes

Here's one of the cards for this week's class. I often have to remind myself that not everyone celebrates Christmas and yet we sometimes want to send people a card during the holiday season just to let them know they are in our thoughts. I love this sentiment "Peaceful Wishes"..it's from one of my Stampin'Up sets so I don't have it for sale, but it works well with this image from the Kaisercraft December 25th collection. This is the fourth card we've made from the same sheet of paper and there are lots more images left. It's obviously been a popular design because I've had it on back order for a few weeks now. The background is stamped and lightly sponged with Tea Dye distress ink. I'm not sure if I'll get the other cards uploaded today as I have a huge list of things to accomplish today.Wish me luck!!!!

November 12th watercolour projects

Linda will be at the store on Saturday November 12th for this special class. Isn't this little tote adorable? I love the way Hedgie is coloured and these little totes are so quick and easy to make, so if you can't bear to give this one away, you could make some more using some pretty patterned paper in place of the image:)
The card is so beautiful and has a detachable bookmark inside. Who wouldn't love to receive something so special? Be sure to register early for this class as space is limited.

More Origami Trees

Here are two more Origami Christmas tree cards we did in class this week. The top one is my favourite...love this vintage style Christmas paper from Kaisercraft. All the ladies who took the class so far this week enjoyed making these cards. I think that's the one and only time I've ever done a class with NO STAMPING.........!!!!!

Origami Time

This card looks much more complex to make than it is. A few simple folds make this lovely tree and the background of the card was embossed with a Cuttlebug folder and the centre oval was die cut with a Nestability. Since this type of card gets easier with practice, we'll make 3 of them in next week's class, but each will have different papers and background layouts. Bring a bone folder if you have one, or something to help burnish the folds.

Leaping for Joy

How cute is this little guy????? I stamped him in sepia archival ink and coloured him with a Memento marker then die cut him out. Then I partially stamped again in red and cut the sweater out to glue over the brown one. I stamped the trees with versamark on green paper and clear embossed them. The reindeer is popped up with foam squares. I'm hooked on these stamps with matching dies. So many possibilities. This set has two reindeer stamps with dies, two tree stamps and three different size tree dies, two snowflake stamps with matching dies and a sentiment.....all for just $25! How about that fabulous Distress Core'dinations cardstock for a funky sanded snowflake background? Be sure to sign up for this class and don't forget Saturday's anniversary sale....20% off all regular priced stock...Whoo-hoo!

A few days off....

I took a couple of days off this week to spend time with my sisters. Pauline lives in Cobourg and I don't get to see her nearly as often as I'd like. Joan lives in England and I hadn't seen her for over 7 years!!! Now we are all completely sleep deprived from staying up so late to try and catch up...lol! I've promised myself AND my sisters that I'm NEVER going to leave it so long without visiting again. The time goes by so quickly, but time spent with family is too important to be put off. I was very sad yesterday after they had left, but life goes on and I'm so grateful that we had this chance to be together again. This morning I made a card for next week's class and it was so much fun using the new Sizzix/Hero Arts stamp and die sets that I'll probably make a couple more today if I have time. I noticed after I took the photograph that my layers are not very straight, but as the stickles are still wet I can't fix it, so just pretend it's perfect OK???? It's going to be pretty much Christmas cards till the end of the year now so get ready for lots of snow and glitter folks:)

Two Page Fall Layout Class

I'm so excited to have Judy Laffin on board to do some Scrapbook Layout classes. Judy has years of Scrapbooking experience and is such an awesome lady. We had a blast driving to Chicago together this past summer for the CHA trade show and now that she has "retired" from the retail end of scrapbooking and is spending her weekdays caring for her grandkids, she has accepted my offer to do one class a month here at Papercraft Cafe. This is a very versatile layout making use of the fabulous Imaginisce Apple Cider collection. Only 5 spaces are available for this month's class on Saturday October 22nd at one o'clock. Only $20 and while you're here you can help me celebrate 2 years in business with 20% off all regular priced merchandise in the store. Call soon to reserve your space:)

...and here they are..

Here are the missing photos from my previous post! I used the same stamp and basic layout for both cards, but there are a couple of options for technique here. The first one is a favourite of mine....emboss resist. I stamped the image in Versamark, heat embossed with clear embossing powder and inked over the image with distress inks. I also used a strip of pleated satin ribbon for an added touch of elegance. The second card is stamped with black Archival Ink and highlighted with Worn Lipstick distress ink. Instead of a blending tool I used a sponge dauber to make the little circles and then I coloured some of the leaves with a Sakura glitter pen. The edge is inked with Shabby Shutters Distress Ink.There are lots of possibilities for a totally different look with this type of stamp. You could colour all the flowers and leaves or apply a variety of distress inks with a blending tool over the entire stamped image. I think this will be a fun class as each person will have a different take on what looks best with this image. Don't forget your markers or other colouring medium if you'd like to do your own thing:)

Ooooops!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. I did a lot of driving and visiting, but the weather was just perfect and it's the first time in over 7 years that all five of us brothers and sisters were together, so it was well worth a few hours in the car:) Now, about the oops.... I came in today already to work on my other two class cards and get them uploaded here and on my Facebook page. Well I have cards, but no camera:( it's still packed with my weekend stuff, so I'll have to wait until tomorrow to do the photos. Sorry folks, but the memory jusn't isn't what it used to be..lol! If you are coming to class this week, be sure to bring your favourite markers along. The image we'll be using can be coloured in several ways, including regular markers and/or glitter gel pens. Your distress inks in forest moss and stormy sky and a blending tool will also come in handy if you have them. I promise I'll get the photos up ASAP.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just a quickie post to show one of the cards we'll make in next week's classes. I used Flowersoft on the trees and I love the colours! I'm leaving early today to see my sister who arrives from England this afternoon. Have a wonderful weekend!

Sanded tree bark.

I keep reaching for this Tim Holtz embossing folder because it works so well with the Core'dinations cardstock. My friend Lucille loaned me the Spellbinders leaves to use for class this week and I know I'm going to have to order them for myself. The detail that shows up on these die cuts after embossing and inking them makes them look so real. If you think they look realistic in the photo...wait till you see them for real! Needless to say everyone (including me) has been leaving class with very inky fingers this week..LOL! Don't forget that the store will be closing early this Saturday so I can go meet my sister who is arriving from England this week. Happy Thanksgiving everyone:)

Clean and simple Fall designs

After a wild and crazy weekend doing our Amazing Race, I'm late getting my cards uploaded....AGAIN!!!! Here are 2 of the three we'll be making this week. The third one will be a variation of the square card, so all 3 are clean and simple designs which would be easy to reproduce if you have a lot of occasions that you'll need cards during this fall season. If you have a brown marker for the faux stitching and any fall type colours of distress inks, why not bring them along to class along with your adhesive. Hope to see you this week:)

New Sizzix Goodies!

Look what th Fed-Ex man just delivered. Aren't these awesome? Now you can stamp and then die cut your stamped image. Can't wait to play with these. Limited quantities so hurry in and grab yours:)

It's snowing indoors.....!

OK...it's not really snowing ....but there is Polar White Flowersoft floating around everywhere in here after making this window card! I made the first part of the card last week using one of the Sizzix Movers and Shapers dies to cut the window in the card. The "glass" is a piece of transparency which I added white flowersoft to. It looks like real snow and if you look closely, you can see Santa has just arrived down the chimney inside the card. The front of the card was embossed using Tim Holtz' brick wall texture fades folder. I sponged the edges with walnut stain and added a bit more Flowersoft to the bottom edge of the card. The sentiment was stamped and framed with one of the die cuts from Tim's Tag and Bookplates die. I had so much fun making this card and I'm sure the ladies who come to class will enjoy creating their own version. I used a new clear stamp from Prima to make the second card. The image was heat embossed then cut out with a scalloped circle Nestabilities die. I added silver dots to the scallops with a gel pen and tried a new ribbon treatment in place of the usual bow. It's simple to do and not as bulky for mailing. The background was embossed using the Cuttlebug snowflakes embossing folder. Now I'm off to make card number 3, which will feature the new Glitter Ritz "burnished velvet" technique. So....in a little while, it will be snowy AND sparkly in here!.......and people wonder why I love to come to work...LOL!

The new fall issue is here!

The brand new Fall issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine is here and it's FREE with a purchase of $20 or more. Sometimes I forget to mention it when customers come in so please remind me to give you a copy when you take your next class or buy some new goodies. Yesterday the power was out for hours so I didn't get any of my Christmas samples made for next week's class. I may be a bit late uploading them here but I can promise you at least one card featuring some super gorgeous Glitter-Ritz. I'm still experimenting with this new product....so many techniques, so little time! I've gone home sparkly for the last few days so be prepared!!!! Only 13 weeks until Christmas....I can't believe I'm saying that but it's true. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Mix and match edgabilities from Spellbinders

These just arrived yesterday and I haven't played with them yet, but check out the videos at spellbinderspaperarts and be sure to let me know if this is something you'd be interested in. Better still...put them on your Christmas Wish List:) New Craft Concepts embossing folders are here along with Glitter Ritz Ultra Fine glitter in 12 gorgeous colours. I'm off to play with them so we can use them in next week's Christmas card class. Stay tuned....

Long leaves

I rarely make long cards because there is so much wasted cardstock, but every now and then I get tired of making standard size cards and attempt something different. This layout was a real challenge for me because of the length and narrowness of the card, but I'm happy with the way it turned out. I used distress inks over patterned paper for the leaves. The sentiment is from a new stamp set, but another sentiment can be substituted if anyone wants to use the card for a specific occasion. Now to try and get the ink off my fingers.....again:)

A quiet week.

It's been very quiet in the store this week so I have a couple of cards ready for next week's class already. I used the spellbinders shapeabilities dies to make the birds on the first card. The patterned paper is actually the back of some Halloween paper. It's amazing how often I end up using the "back" side of the paper for my cards. I love the black and aqua colours together and it worked nicely with the floral fantasy embossing folder. The "Bee Thankful" card could also be Bee Happy. I got this cute little stamp set from a class I took in Chicago and this is the first time I've inked it up. I used paper from Basic Grey's Max and Whiskers Collection which has kind of a fall colour palette. Both of these are quick and easy cards, so I may have to come up with something a bit more challenging for card number three. Stay tuned!

Here are two more cards we'll make in class this week. The top one uses the "kissing" technique. If you haven't tried this one before, it's a great way to get more mileage out of stamps you have sitting around feeling unloved...lol! You need a solid, silhouette type stamp and a line art stamp. I used the leaf stamp for the solid and inked it up with a lighter colour of ink. Then I inked up a script type stamp with a darker colour and "kissed" the two together. I used distress inks so the ink stays wet enough to stamp, but if you use regular dye based inks, you may need to re moisten the ink before stamping, by breathing or "huffing" onto the inked stamp. The line image transfers onto the solid stamp and adds some extra interest and dimension. I used the Tim Holtz Tattered Leaves die to cut out leaves from Kraft glassine paper for the second card. This paper is so much fun to play with. the more you scrunch it up and wrinkle it, the more leathery it becomes. The wrinkles will accept ink, which I added by swiping a memnto dew drop inkpad over the leaf. The panel behind the leaves was run through the Cuttlebug using a Tim Holtz Texture Fades embossing folder which had a tree bark pattern. As trip of dotted swiss cardstock and three little matching brads and there's our third "leafy catd for the week. Hope you can join us to make these. Tuesday OR Thursday evening at 6:30 pm or Wednesday morning at 10:30 am. Call or e-mail if you plan to join us:)

Indian Summer

It's pouring rain today, but I'm looking forward to those crisp fall days ahead, so I thought I'd use Basic Grey's Indian Summer paper to make a card for next week's class. This paper has been around for a while, but I don't have too much left and I really love the colours! I also used Tim Holtz' Tattered Leaves die to cut out the leaf, which I ran through the Cuttlebug in the D'vine Swirls embossing folder and popped up with foam dots. I got the layout from the sketch challenge on Splitcoast Stampers today and I like it so much I may just use it for the other two cards...we'll see!

Watercolour class with Linda

I'm taking a week off from classes next week so I don't have any new cards to share with you, but here are the cards that Linda designed for her upcoming watercolour class on Saturday September 17th at 1 pm. Aren't they beautiful? Space is limited so be sure to book early. The store will be closed on Monday September 5th for Labour Day. Have a wonderful long weekend:)

Telescoping card

I've been seeing these cards around a lot lately so I thought I'd give it a try for our upcoming Christmas card class. It's a fun technique and would be a great way to add extra photos to a scrapbook layout. The other card is very simple and makes great use of an embossing folder and a white gel pen. Bring your own white gel pen to class if you have one....there's a lot of dots on that card and you may not want to wait around for someone else to finish:) Just have one more card to do, but I'm off to enjoy some of this wonderful sunshine first...have a great weekend!