Sidewalk sales

I'm heading to Kitchener tomorrow to celebrate my daughter Andrea's birthday with her. After that I'll be spending a few days in Burlington with a good friend who I haven't seen in way too long. Looking forward to some "girl time" and lots of laughter. When I get back I'll be sharing some info regarding my participation in the Kingsville sidewalk sales on August 7th and 8th. I still have lots of goodies to sell and their will be some amazing bargains so stay tuned!

Who wants it?

Here is the fabulous custom made stamp shelf I bought just last year but have decided to let go. It has an oak veneer finish and is 56" wide by 55.75" high and just 4" deep. I need at least $150 for it, but if there are several people interested I'm open to a bidding war ...lol! I've posted this on Facebook too ...just call or send me an e-mail if you are interested.

Organized Chaos!

Well folks, there is now a big screen TV where the wall of dies used to be and my class room looks like a yard sale in progress! I still have tons of inventory left but I'll worry about that when I get back from visiting my sister in Cobourg this week. I won't be blogging again until next week but I'll have lots of news and info then so stay tuned. Have a great week :)

End of the road ....

Well here we are! It's the last day of welcoming friends and friends-to-be into my shop. My heart is so full right now I don't even know what I'm feeling exactly ... but mostly, I feel gratitude for the opportunity to get to know so many wonderful people since October 2009. Rainy days usually make me feel a little sad, so I'll blame the rain and look forward to sunny days ahead. I don't know what the future may hold for me, but I do know that the past 5 years have been some of the happiest and rewarding of my working life, and it will be very hard to find something I could enjoy as much. All good things must come to an end though right? Thanks for being part of my journey ...it's been a joy!

Last week of business ... great deals for you!

I hope no-one was trying to get in touch yesterday. We were without power after the storm Monday night until 1 am today so I had no e-mail or phone. The good news is, the computer still works (yes I was panicking!) and there are HUGE markdowns in the shop today until my last day on Saturday. Many items have already been marked down by 50% or more and starting today (with a very few exceptions, which I will list here) - everything in the shop will be marked down by 40%. Dies and adhesives will be marked down 30% (with the exception of Scor Tape products) so stock up on your tape runners and refills. Individual sheets of 8.5 x 11 metallic cardstock are now .75c each and Bazzill 8.5 x 11 cardstock is now .40 cents (regular .50c a sheet) Also if anyone has any of the brown string handle bags I use hanging around, it would help me out if you could bring a couple in when you shop, as I am running VERY low with only 4 days to go! Hope to see you soon:)

Bargains galore!

I've packed some 12 x 12 solid colour and patterned papers into bins so I could remove some of the racks that have been sold but the place looked a bit bare so I put up a bargain table. Everything on this table has been reduced by 50% or more. There are so many great deals in the shop and only today and next Wed- Saturday to take advantage of them ... hope to see you soon:)

6 days left to shop!

Well, I had my final evening class here yesterday and I felt absolutely lost when the girls left! Good thing I'm starting up classes again in September at the Artisan Studio of Kingsville as I can't imagine giving up card class! There are only 6 days left to shop here ... I'm closed this Saturday till next Wednesday and Saturday June 27th will be the final day of sales. Payment is by cash or cheque only and all sales are final. If you have asked to have paper racks set aside they should be available for pick up any time next Tuesday afternoon or later. Please call ahead to make sure we are home if you plan to come outside store hours. I still have quite a few racks left so let me know if you are interested.

Going, going ......

Whew! That may have been my busiest day EVER in the shop.Lots and lots of dies went to their new homes (still plenty left though) Shimmer Sheetz are all gone, Distress markers have been selling like hotcakes at $2 each! Peel off stickers and metallic cardstock have also been selling fast. Thanks so much for being patient with me as I entered all those lovely discounts ... I'm very grateful to have a working computer today but there are still a couple of glitches ( like the tape printer not printing out receipts) which I hope to get fixed on Monday while I'm closed. I've decided to just give up on the debit/credit card processing for the last two weeks of business so please remember to bring cash or a cheque when you come in next week. Enjoy your weekend ... I believe it's almost time to put my feet up:)

OPEN TODAY!

Open from 10 till 4 today. There are tons of great deals so be sure to stop in and grab some bargains. No debit/credit payments today ...sorry:(

A sigh of relief!

My computer is back and behaving itself (so far!) but sadly my debit machine is still not running yet. It's been a very hectic afternoon and I haven't had a chance to try a couple of things that may get it working again so far, but if you plan to shop tomorrow (Saturday 10 - 4) please bring cash or a cheque just to be safe.

What a nightmare!

Just a warning to anyone coming to class tonight or to shop this afternoon .... my computer is down, my debit machine is down and I will need to process all transactions the old fashioned way and with cash payments only until I can get this sorted out. Have I mentioned how much I hate technology and Windows 8 in particular?????

The Last Class!

Well here are the final three cards for class. I will really miss Wednesdays with my wonderfully fun group of ladies!The first two cards are called "latch cards" as the piece on the top left holds them closed. They are so much fun to make. I finally got around to using one of my Tim Holtz "Bird Crazy" stamps on a card. This would be a fun Father's Day card and I left space to add die cut letters spelling Dad if anyone wants to do that. I used a new Impression Obsession background stamp for the rocks and I really like it. The shop will be open from 10 till 4 this Saturday so why not stop in and check out all the great markdowns before they're gone? Hope to see you soon:)

Time to stock up on savings

Some serious markdowns this week. I spent the day moving a few things around. There are still lots of dies and stamps available at 25% off plus deeper discounts on items on top of the desk. This week just about everything else will be marked down by 30% ....PLUS ....
Glitter Ritz opaque ultra-fine glitter is just $4 ... regular $7!
Distress markers - buy 4 or more for just $2 each ... regular $3.50
Embossing powders now $4 ... regular $6
All regular price (1.25) patterned paper now .75 a sheet.
Yes I know you already have lots but I have more ....lol!
Don't forget the new hours I'm still closed Monday and Tuesday and I have a class Wednesday morning but the good news is I'll be open Saturday June 13th from 10 - 4!

See you soon!

Let the sales begin ....

Almost everything in the store including all dies will be marked down 25% at the cash register (excluding adhesives.) Regular priced patterned paper (was $1.25) is now just .75 cents a sheet! Tim Holtz Bigz dies for just $12 and most magnetic movers and shapers are just $5 each! I have some bins on the big table with everything marked down 50% or more. It's a great time to stock up on goodies! I even dragged the Christmas stuff out ...!!!!

It's time .....

I've been struggling with this decision for a while now but I'm afraid the time has come to close Papercraft Cafe after 51/2 awesome years. Last day to shop will be Saturday June 27th and I will be selling most of the fixtures and paper racks too. This week all markers and embellishments will be discounted 25%.
Please redeem your loyalty points and any gift cards ASAP. If you cannot make it to the store during regular hours (Wed, Thurs, Fri 10 - 5) please call for an appointment. I will not be ordering more inventory so when it's gone, it's gone.

This week's cards ...

For this week's card  class I used the same sheet of patterned paper for all 3 cards and there's a nice big piece left over for extra projects!

Open Today!

I'm here from 10 until 4 today and you can get a 15% discount on your entire purchase Today Only!
See you soon:)

It's a looooong weekend!

We are off to Peterborough and Toronto this weekend to visit family. Don't forget that new store hours are now in effect. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays (except by appointment) and open Wed, Thurs, Fri from 10 am until 5 pm. The shop will also be open next Saturday (May 23rd) from 10 - 4. Hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend!

Beauty lies within

 I used a new set of dies from Taylored Expressions called "Beauty Lies Within" to make the cards for this week's class. We used a gelli print background for the first card and embellished it with a bow made with the WRMK Envelope Punch Board. The second card is much prettier than you can see in the photo because the layer of glittered vellum didn't really photograph well. For the final card I used the Spellbinders curved borders die to create the decorative edge. The striped paper is an embossed pattern from Core'dinations and worked so well with the white bling cardstock. I got 5 sets of these dies in yesterday and they are all gone today, but don't panic, I've already got them in my online shopping cart for my next order so they should be back in stock within a couple of weeks. This class will be repeated next Wednesday at 10:30 am so let me know ASAP if you'd like to reserve a space.

New hours begin next week!

This is the final week of Monday to Friday noon till 6 pm hours. Following the Victoria Day weekend the new store hours will be Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10 am until 5 pm plus at least one Saturday per month to be posted one week in advance. If you need an appointment outside of those hours just call or send me a message and I'll do my best to help you out.

Mother's Day Sale

Wishing all the lovely mamas a very Happy Mother's Day this weekend. How about we celebrate our awesomeness with
20% OFF ALL REGULAR PRICED PRODUCTS TODAY ONLY!!!

More new dies, stamps and stencils.

So many wonderful new products have been arriving over the last couple of weeks. Hop over to the Facebook page for some photos. I now have over 200 different dies in stock. I rarely get more than 4 of each in at a time, so hurry in if you see something you like. I also had a request for the long stem lavender die from Memory Box. It has been on back-order for ages and it finally arrived today but I can't find any record of who asked me to order it. I was sure it was in my Facebook messages but apparently not. Please let me know ASAP if you ordered this die. I have set one aside.

National Scrapbooking Day

We had a great turnout and lots of fun at our first Papercraft Party on Saturday May 2nd to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day. A big thanks to everyone who attended, donated auction items, purchased ballots and helped out in any way. Rachelle was the lucky winner of the rolling tote bag ... actually, her Aunt Jennifer's name was drawn but she gifted her prize to Rachelle ... isn't that awesome???? Best of all, we raised $460 for Shelby ...woo-hoo! I am going to try to book the same facility for World Card Making Day on October 3rd this year, so stay tuned for more info. Here are some photos of the day... thanks to our friendly volunteer photographer BethAnn (she's the shy one with her head down in the last photo...lol!

Changes coming .....

FYI.
I'm looking into changing my days and hours of operation. Since I seldom have customers on Mondays and Tuesdays, I'm considering switching my business days to Wednesday Thursday and Friday all day, and once or twice per month on Saturdays. As always, I am happy to open the shop outside these hours (with the exception of Sundays) as long as you call ahead and I am available. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I will be updating my info on Facebook and the website soon so watch for the new hours of operation to begin after the May long weekend.

One sheet wonder cards

 This beautiful patterned paper from Kaisercraft has been calling to me for ages and I finally figured out how to use it for card class ... give everyone their own sheet and make 3 cards from the same paper. Looking at the finished cards it's hard to imagine that they are all from the same piece of paper and that there is plenty left for another card and/or tags. I also used the new bird bath die from Cottage Cutz and several other dies. The sentiments are all heat embossed using my favourite Liquid Platinum embossing powder and both the glitter strip on the first card and the hot air balloon on the third card were made with Scor- tape and Glitter Ritz, so you may be leaving with a little more sparkle than when you arrived (don't say I didn't warn you!)

Who wants to win?????

Some lucky lady is going to win this awesome tote valued at over $100 when we  draw the winning ballot on May 2 at our Papercraft Party. There will be lots of opportunities to "earn" a ballot (or two!) that day, but even if you can't make it to the party, you still have a chance to win. Beginning tomorrow until the draw at 5:00pm on May 2nd, you can earn a ballot by attending a card class, or by buying 10 sheets of regular priced patterned paper, or a pack of Sizzix embossing folders ($14.50) ... including Tim Holtz designs. All in stock  6 x 6 paper pad purchases will earn 1 ballot each and if you purchase any in stock Sizzix die ( yes Tim Holtz too!) you will receive 2 ballots. Make an additional  cash donation of $5 to be given to Shelby and her family and you can fill out 2 extra ballots ... woo-hoo! 

A day of fun and a really good cause!

In addition to the fun we will have at our Papercraft party on Saturday May 2nd, I am hoping that we can raise some funds to help out a local family who really deserves a break! All profit from registration fees and prize draws etc will go to Shelby and her family in addition to 10%  of Papercraft Cafe product sales that day. Shelby and her husband Dan leave for Germany today. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. 

Shelby has been suffering from Lyme disease for more than 3 years, but unfortunately it took 18 months to diagnose, causing further problems. She was forced to travel 11 hours to receive treatment as Lyme is not clinically recognized in Ontario. She has found another option, the Klinik St. Georg in Germany. Unfortunately this is a very costly treatment.

Prior to Shelby's illness, she was a nurse in the neonatal unit, caring for newborns struggling to survive. Due to her disease, she has been unable to work for over 3 years. With Lyme disease, Shelby has been struggling to be herself as she is constantly dizzy, in pain, extremely tired, and requires the use of a cane. This is a very debilitating disease that has taken away the small privileges life offers such as driving, shopping with her daughter, and simply spending time and playing with  her daughter, son and husband.

Her family loved to golf, ride bikes, go swimming, skating, and really, just hang out.  They would like to have their mom (and wife) return to the wonderful life she once cherished. 

National scrap-booking day- Papercraft Party!

Did you know that Saturday May 2nd is National scrap-booking day? If you'd like to spend the day working on your layouts, making cards or other paper projects, sign up for our first Papercraft Party. It will be held at the Essex Retirees Centre (corner of Russell and Day in Essex) from 9 am until 6 pm. The cost is just $10 and only 20 spaces are available. Everyone will have their own 6 foot table to work on and there will be draws, contests, door prizes, goody bags and demos. Make and takes will be offered for an additional fee. BYO lunch. Registration is now open with payment of the $10. Don't miss out on the fun!

Gelli Stamping Layered Circles!

Calorie Free Easter Treats

Have you caught the Gelli plate bug yet? I've been posting lots of videos etc on the store Facebook Page. I only have one 8 x 10 and two 6 x 6 plates left from my first shipment a couple of weeks ago, but look what arrived just in time for Easter ... 4 inch round plates and 3 x 5 plates! These are perfect for mounting on an acrylic block and using as a stamp. I've been playing with the 8 x 10 a lot lately and I just love it, but I think I neeeeed the 4 inch round one too. It's just so darned cute! If you'd like to learn more about Gelli Plate printing, just visit gelliarts.com and click on videos, or type in gelli plate printing on you tube. Be prepared to experience a "neeeeed" to get your own gelli plate very shortly after viewing the videos ...lol! 

I'm open until 6 pm today and then I'm closed until noon on Monday. Happy Easter!

Where does the time go?

It's April tomorrow and I feel as if we just started March! I've had a hectic few days so I decided to use two cards I designed for a private class a week ago as this week's class cards. One is a spinner card and last time we made one everyone loved it, so I thought it would be OK to make another ... it's been a while.

The cupcake on this card is coloured with gelatos and an aqua brush ... easy and fun!

The last card uses a new stamp from Taylored Expressions. It will be my sister Joan's anniversary in a couple of weeks and Calla Lilies were her favourite flowers, so I was thinking of her as I was colouring this image. It's hard to believe she's been gone for almost three years ... I still think of her each day.

This stamp comes with several sentiments and could be used for so many occasions. I love it!

Open this Saturday!

We're open from 10 - 4 tomorrow, Saturday March 28th which is the last Saturday opening for a while. (I have lots going on in April!) Stop in and see the fabulous new stamps and dies ... just in time for spring and Easter!
The shop will be closed on Monday March 30th as I will be in Toronto on Sunday and heading back Monday afternoon. I'll also be closed on Good Friday but open again on Easter Monday (April 6th)

Alcohol Ink Marbled Eggs

Three new cards and a sigh of relief!

Everything is working again ... hurray! Now I just need to recover my address book from the old computer as it didn't copy over to the new one when we did the data transfer. If you want make sure you are still on my e-mail list, please send me a quick e-mail and I'll add you to my contacts again. So I had a request for some masculine type cards and this is what I came up with for this week's classes

We had a lot of fun in the Wednesday morning class (as always) and I hope the Thursday night girls will enjoy making these cards too. Have a wonderful day ... enjoy the sunshine:)

Update

e-mail is up and running again, which is more than I can say for myself ... or anything else around here. Please bring cash if you are shopping for the next few days as my debit machine needs to be re-configured for the new computer. Something tells me this is going to be a long week ......

Technical difficulties.

Just a quick heads up. I have a new computer and I'm unable to access my e-mail at the moment, so if you need to get in touch, or you've sent me an e-mail and haven't heard back, please give me a call.

Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate has arrived!

and a few more ...

A few new arrivals ....