Cafe Cards & Chit Chat

Valentine treats classes

2012-01-27T15:25:00.000-05:00

Be sure to sign up to make these adorable Valentine goodies on Saturday February 11th. The coaster box filled with embellished goodies is perfect for Valentine gift giving. Janis will show you how to transform plain chipboard coasters into this lovely container which could have many other uses after the contents have been removed. The box contains several useful, decorative and yummy treats and will definitely give you lots of ideas for "embellishing" everyday items to make them "gift-worthy" Class begins at 10:30 am and is limited to 6 participants so reserve your space ASAP. Cost is just $15. Why not treat yourself to a whole day of paper-crafting and sign up for the afternoon class too? My photo just doesn't do justice to this cute collection of mini cards in an adorable presentation box, plus a cute treat holder and (my favourite) an adorable tiny birdhouse. This class begins at 1:30 and is also just $15. Sign up for both classes and receive a 20% discount on any purchases made that day! You'll have time to pop out between classes for a bite to eat at one of several great restaurants within a few minutes walk of the store, so why not bring a friend for a really fun day together? All supplies except adhesives are included in the class fee. Janis will be teaching for the first time here at Papercraft Cafe and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone create their own little treasures with her guidance and know-how. Samples are on display in the store. Please register ASAP.

Love is in the air

2012-01-24T10:50:00.001-05:00

Here are the three cards we'll make in the next class. Valentines day will be here before we know it and even if you don't send valentine cards, most of us send the occasional anniversary or wedding card...right? The top card uses a technique called iris folding which we've done in class before, but this is the first time I've used a heart shape and I think it works well for this simple but elegant card. The pink card is so sparkly and you'll love this quick and easy technique for adding glitter that stays on your card rather than migrating to everything it comes into contact with. We'll definitely be using this on Christmas cards this year. the last card makes use of several punches...aren't those doves just perfect for cards???? They are from a large Christmas border punch, which I managed to resist opening until AFTER Christmas, but I'm sure we'll get lots of use from throughout the year (that's my excuse anyway..lol!) The decorative edge panel was cut from a Kaisercraft pad of pre-scored cards which are so pretty, but I find the card-stock a little lightweight for a card base, unless you weren't going to add any layers or embellish it at all; however it's perfect for adding a layer to your cards as I've done here.

So there you are...sign up ASAP for either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursdays class next week to make these cards and if you missed last weeks cards, I still have space tomorrow at 10:30 am or Thursday at 6:30 pm. (Thursday's class will depend on if 2 or more people pre-book so call soon if you are interested)

He's done it again......

2012-01-21T12:23:00.002-05:00

When you have a spare half hour, check out this Tim Holtz video showcasing his new Stamp2Cut software for the Sizzix Eclips machine. I really didn't think I wanted or needed this machine, but Tim just changed my mind. Start saving your pennies folks...I'm going home to roll change tonight LOL!

First Class of the Year

2012-01-11T11:23:00.007-05:00

Here are the first 3 class cards for 2012. It feels really good to have them uploaded almost a week ahead of the first class. There are several dates available to take this class. Next week the class will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm and also on Wednesday morning at 10:30 am. If none of those dates work for you, the class will be repeated the following week on Wednesday January 25th at 10:30 am and also on Tuesday and Thursday evening at 6:30 as long as there are at least 2 people signed up. I will be asking everyone to sign up at least 3 days prior to attending a class. You can simply call or e-mail to let me know when you'd like to attend and I'll let you know if there is a space in that class. I'd also really appreciate as much notice as possible if you need to cancel for any reason. You'll need a stardust glitter gel pen, foam dots (dimensionals)and a glue pen, in addition to your regular tape for layering your card stock. I also used a Memento marker in Desert Sand and a red glitter gel pen and clear glaze pen on the cake card, and as the cake is cut out, you'll need some detail scissors, so if you have these items please bring them along too. I've had lots of new people asking about classes in the past week, so please be sure to book your class ASAP.

Resolutions.....

2012-01-10T10:13:00.004-05:00

It's been a while since my last post and so much has happened in a relatively short time. After spending a lovely Christmas with family, my husband Steve became ill with what we thought was the flu. After a few days of fever, head and body aches, he developed a very scary looking rash and swelling of his lower leg and was admitted to hospital on new year's eve with a bacterial infection of unknown origin. He spent 5 days on IV antibiotics and has just received the OK to return to work. It could have been so much worse and I'm so thankful to have him home again. The day after Steve was admitted, I called my sister Joan in England to wish her a Happy New Year as I always do. After the usual chit-chat, I asked her how she was feeling, as she has been having some stomach problems since her visit here last October. She was pretty sure she was developing an ulcer, but a CT scan done just after Christmas showed that she has pancreatic cancer which has already spread to her liver and possibly her stomach. After the initial shock and many tears, I realized that I need to concentrate on how blessed I am to have been able to spend that special time with Joan and my other sister Pauline back in October before we knew about this; but all I want to do is jump on plane to be with her as she tries to cope with the prospect of only a few months left with her husband and children. I need to wait for her to decide when she wants me to visit, but I'm already wondering how on earth I will find the strength to leave her when it's time to return. I'm really sorry to be posting such depressing news at the start of a new year, but I can't just pretend that this is not happening, and at some point, as I mentioned in my newsletter, I will probably be closing the store for a couple of weeks to go over and see her. I'll keep you posted and would really appreciate any positive thoughts and/or prayers you are able to offer for Joan and her family.
I have two of the cards ready for our next class and will have photos of all three on here by tomorrow. I titled this post "Resolutions" because my main goal for 2012 was to have my card samples ready a week ahead of the scheduled class. It's strange how life has a habit of reminding us that we can plan as much as we like, but a single moment,(or phone call) can completely change our focus and make our plans seem so unimportant. Have a wonderful day and hug the ones you love as often as you can!

Double slider chocolate treat

2011-12-15T12:20:00.002-05:00

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....

2011-12-13T16:17:00.004-05:00

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...

2011-12-13T09:51:00.003-05:00

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.....

2011-12-12T11:21:00.005-05:00

..... 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

2011-12-07T12:32:00.005-05:00

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

2011-12-05T15:50:00.003-05:00

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......

2011-12-01T15:25:00.004-05:00

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

2011-11-25T15:54:00.004-05:00

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.

2011-11-25T14:18:00.003-05:00

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...

2011-11-22T11:56:00.003-05:00

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!

2011-11-18T16:19:00.002-05:00

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

2011-11-12T10:29:00.004-05:00

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!

2011-11-10T16:06:00.002-05:00

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!

2011-11-09T14:05:00.003-05:00

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

2011-11-09T10:01:00.003-05:00

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

2011-11-07T10:57:00.003-05:00

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

2011-11-02T15:20:00.003-04:00

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

2011-11-02T14:49:00.004-04:00

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

2011-10-27T13:49:00.003-04:00

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

2011-10-20T14:41:00.004-04:00

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....

2011-10-20T11:10:00.004-04:00

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

2011-10-13T10:32:00.003-04:00

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..

2011-10-12T09:40:00.003-04:00

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!

2011-10-11T12:49:00.002-04:00

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!

2011-10-08T13:31:00.002-04:00

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.

2011-10-06T10:51:00.002-04:00

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

2011-10-04T10:45:00.003-04:00

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!

2011-09-28T14:29:00.001-04:00

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.....!

2011-09-26T15:49:00.005-04:00

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!

2011-09-24T10:19:00.002-04:00

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

2011-09-21T12:35:00.004-04:00

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

2011-09-20T14:32:00.003-04:00

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.

2011-09-16T12:25:00.004-04:00

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!

2011-09-12T16:05:00.002-04:00

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

2011-09-07T15:07:00.002-04:00

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

2011-09-02T14:38:00.003-04:00

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

2011-08-27T15:49:00.002-04:00

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!

Even when I'm early I'm late!!!!

2011-08-22T13:40:00.004-04:00

Believe it or not, I had all 3 of my cards done by Saturday afternoon and here I am uploading them on Monday afternoon! I do have a good excuse....really! I have spent the majority of the weekend and all Monday morning (it's now 1:30 pm) re-arranging the store! It's still not finished, but at least I have all the important stuff where I need it! I think I'll really enjoy the new layout...hope my customers do too:) Anyway...here are the 3 cards we'll make this week. You can't really tell in the photos, but the shell is heat embossed and then sponged and stamped over. I added a little bit of Flowersoft to the centre of each flower on the butterfly card and the "happiness" card uses the distress Core'dinations cardstock, which I dry embossed and sanded. Hope you like them...now I need to get back to organizing stuff!

Paper Inspirations

2011-08-16T10:05:00.003-04:00

I was looking through my patterned papers for some inspiration this week, because I wasn't getting any ideas from my rubber stamps. I picked up the Basic Grey butterfly print with the intention of using a strip across the card for starters, but then I looked at all the beautiful butterflies on the sheet and thought it might look more striking if I die cut them individually. As soon as I cut this one out with my square nestabilities, I knew I "needed" to open the Fleur de Lis Nestabilities dies and use the large die cut as a mat. (That's my excuse any way:)) I also swiped my versamark pad across the butterfly square and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. Both patterned papers are patterned on one side only and cost just .99 cents a sheet. This is a 4.25 inch square card so you could make a lot of these cards using one sheet of each paper, plus your card stock base and solid colour mat. The Good Friends card uses paper from Basic Grey's Nook and Pantry collection. I've used the plainer back-side of this paper for several cards, but I could never think how to incorporate egg beaters into a card until I was flipping through a card magazine and saw a card with the caption "Good Friends can't be beat." Well...I don't have that sentiment on a rubber stamp, but it was pretty simple to type it out on the computer and then die cut it with the Nestabilities pennant die. The other small sentiment is from a Stampin' Up set which I'd never used before, but it worked well with this card. I've been blessed with many good friends so I may need to make few more of these, but first I need to come up with an idea for our third class card.....

Feelin' hot, hot,hot!

2011-08-07T14:34:00.003-04:00

The dog days of summer are here with a vengeance, but even though hot humid weather is not my favourite, I'll take it over snow and rain anytime. I've been going for my walk earlier each morning to avoid the heat and I love looking at the changes in the neighbourhood gardens (the only change in mine unfortunately is an increase in the number of weeds..lol!) This week I saw several fabulous sunflower displays, so I decided to make a sunflower card for our upcoming class. After stamping the image, I cut it out with a nestabilities circle and coloured it with watercolour pencils and a blender pen. After sponging a little tumbled glass distress ink, I mounted it on a brown petite scalloped circle. I used a piece of Kaisercraft's Spirograph paper (remember playing with Spirograph when you were young? I used to love mine)and the Morrocan lace edger punch. Finishing touches are the narrow satin ribbon and rounded corners. The other card uses a technique called rusted enamel which I learned at a Ranger workshop a long time ago and had forgotten about. The small squares were punched from a piece of cardstock which was treated with the rusted enamel technique. After I embossed each one with one of Tim Holtz' small folders with gears on it, the squares almost look like tooled leather ....very cool for a masculine card. The patterned paper is from Prima's Moulin Rouge Collection. Our third class card is square card with a butterfly image....but you'll have to stop in to see that one:)Have great week!

and even more photos.....

2011-07-27T17:23:00.007-04:00

Doesn't the ribbon look good enough to eat???????

A few more photos from CHA

2011-07-27T16:52:00.002-04:00

Here are a few more things I saw and fell in love with at CHA....enjoy!

A few pics from CHA

2011-07-27T16:29:00.007-04:00

Christmas in July

2011-07-26T09:45:00.006-04:00

I'm still trying to catch up after my trip and sidewalk sales so I apologize for not posting any photos from Chicago yet. I thought I'd better get this week's class cards up first. This month has flown by...it seems like we just did Christmas cards and here we go again! Oh well....some fairly simple designs this week, but we are going to do a little spirelli (Merry Christmas card) and use some of my lovely new stamps. The warm wishes card is a similar design to one of the cards I made in a Hero Arts class at CHA. We used the shadow technique to stamp the snowflakes, and it's one of those techniques I've been meaning to use in class but haven't so far. Thanks to Jennifer McGuire for the inspiration and to Hero Arts for all the free goodies:) I opened a Winter Wonderland collection pack of Cuttlebug embossing folders to use for other two cards. The photos don't do them justice (as usual) but I'm in love with these folders. They are in a pack of 6 for just $28 and there are 3 standard size and 3 - 5 x 7 size. The sentiment is from a new Hero Arts set and I know we'll be using this one a lot for our Christams cards. I'll try to post some photos of the show before the weekend. Stay cool:)

I'm back from CHA!!!!

2011-07-21T09:55:00.002-04:00

This will be a very short post as I have a million things to do today, but I had to let you know that I'm back from CHA and YES.....I got my photo with Tim! Don't we make a cute couple??? LOL! All the classes were fantastic, but Tim's was my favourite of course. I have a million photos to share with you but they will have to wait a bit so I can catch up here and get ready for Sidewalk sales tomorrow...PHEW! Hope you're staying cool. Chat soon:)

One of those days....

2011-07-11T16:16:00.004-04:00

It doesn't happen very often, but sometimes, no matter how I try, I just can't come up with a card design that I'm happy with. That's not really a problem unless you have a class the next day, but........... hopefully tomorrow my mojo will return and I'll come up with something amazing! In the meantime, although I struggled a bit to come up with these two, I think they turned out quite pretty! I had fun with the dandelion frame. I just kept inking portions of the stamp with different colours, starting with the lightest, and I love the element of surprise when I lift up the stamp, because you really can't tell how it's going to look ahead of time. I love surprises...LOL! I've been relying heavily on border punches lately. They add some much elegance to a design with very little effort. I used the Diamond lace punch again on the purple and yellow card, and the paper is from Kaisercraft. The little branch punch from Martha Stewart is becoming a favourite when I need a little extra embellishment on a card. Well...two down one to go!

A sparkly birthday!

2011-07-07T11:55:00.004-04:00

Here is a card I made for my youngest niece Sammy's birthday. I can never forget her birthday because it's the same day as mine..LOL! I cut the cup cake out of a sheet of Kaisercraft's Candy Lane glitter paper and layered it on a lacy nestability die cut. I ran the squares of paper through the cuttlebug in the D'vine swirls embossing folder, then I traced the swirl pattern with diamond stickles. Easy peasy and much more sparkly than it looks in the photo. Happy Birthday Sammy!

Save those scraps!

2011-07-02T14:27:00.003-04:00

If you're like me, you just can't bear to throw out those little scraps of beautiful patterned paper, that are often left over from card making or scrap-booking. Here's a card layout that's perfect for using some of them up. The strip on the front of the card is only 1.5 " wide and the one on the inside is 1 inch wide. I have a couple of other examples of this layout in the store, one uses a scrap of beautiful Japanese paper and each is layered on a strip of metallic cardstock. Splitting up the panel allows you to either stamp a sentiment, or use a peel off sticker as I did on this card. I also used the diamond lace edger punch to show off the paper inside. Another quick and easy card...perfect to mass produce with a variety of sentiments so you'll always have a card ready for any occasion. Or you could make a boxed set of cards to give as a gift. Speaking of boxed cards, my friend Jennifer (Madison Avenue Designs)has sets of cards for sale here in the store. They are just $12 for four cards and right now there are birthday, thank you and baby cards available. Be sure to take peek next time you stop in!

Pretty in pink

2011-07-02T13:27:00.004-04:00

I know it doesn't look very pink, but the first card for this week's class is a lovely soft vintage pink with a subtle pattern in the paper. I stamped the Magenta image with black Memento ink directly onto the patterned paper and distressed the edges just a bit with the Tonic Paper distressing tool. The background is the same patterned paper which was run through the Cuttlebug using the "Textile" embossing folder. I embossed only the upper portion so that I could stamp the ribbon image on the lower portion. Such a quick and simple card, but the detail in this stamp makes for a very elegant looking card. The second card uses one of my favourite stamps. It's from Unity stamps and we've already used it to make at least 3 class cards. It lends itself to several different inking techniques and here I've coloured directly on the stamp with Memento markers. The image was cut out using one of the labels 10 Nestabilities dies (another class favourite.) I sponged tattered rose distress ink around the edges while the image was still in the die. This leaves a beautiful border when the image is removed from the die. The border was punched using the "scrolls and dots" slim edger punch. That gorgeous patterned paper is from Basic Grey's Indian summer collection. I had a couple of sheets of this pattern left, and the colours and pattern were the inspiration for this card! Two down....one to go:)

Centre Easle card- two views

2011-06-27T13:06:00.003-04:00

This was a fun card to make. I don't usually enjoy having to do lots of measuring, scoring and trimming to make a card, but in this case, I think the results are worth it. Having said that I wouldn't want to make these for everyone on my Christmas list...LOL! I played around for a long time before I was happy with it, but the lucky ladies who come to class can just copy the finished design...although they will be doing the measuring and cutting for themselves this week....hope I didn't scare anyone away:) I found the tutorial for this type of card on Splitcoast Stampers, but the measurements there are for a square card and I wanted to try it with a standard size card (A2) so I tweaked it a bit. Well I'm on a roll here...let's see if I can get the third card finished and uploaded before the end of the day......

First Christmas card for June

2011-06-25T10:08:00.004-04:00

Here's the first of three Christmas cards we'll make in class this week. As usual the camera (or was it the photographer?) didn't catch the sparkle and shimmer. It really is very pretty in real life. I opened a jar of the VerdiGris embossing powder from Ranger's Antiquities Line and I know I'll need to order some more in when people see how gorgeous this stuff looks. It's kind of a mix of green turquoise and gold, and different areas of your embossed image will catch more of one colour than another, so that no two are exactly alike. I love it!! Hopefully I'll get the other two cards done for Monday. Enjoy your weekend:)

Finally......

2011-06-24T14:13:00.002-04:00

Here are the other two cards that we made in class this week...better late than never eh??? I used patterned paper from the Kaisercraft English Rose Collection for the first card, and I just love how subtle and elegant it looks on a card. We also used the new Tim Holtz Rosette die in The Vagabond machine to make the rosette embellishment. Yes you can make these using a scoring tool, but this is way more fun...not to mention much faster!!! The second card was created using the same inking technique as the turquoise coneflower in the previous post. The tree is part of a set from Local King Rubber Stamps, that I picked up at Scrapfest last April. This is the first time I've inked it up and I LOVE it. Be sure to stop in soon and pick up your copy of Scrapbook and Cards Today. The brand new Summer Isuue was just released and it's free with a purchase of $20 or more. I have just 50 copies, so don't wait too long or you might miss out!

While the cat's away......

2011-06-21T09:44:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I had an appointment for that wonderful annual physical that we all enjoy so much...NOT!!!! I decided to take advantage of having Danielle at the store for the afternoon and visit my friend Judy, who owns Scrapbook Towne in Amherstburg. Danielle and I had been discussing ways to "show off" products a lttle better...especially the patterned papers, most of which, as you know, have two beautiful sides. Since it was a very quiet afternoon and Danielle likes to keep busy, she got to work and did a fabulous job of displaying some of her favourite products. She's even paired them with inks, markers and embellishments to inspire you even more. Be sure to stop in soon to see what she's done....and please forgive me if I have even more trouble than usual finding things....I actually have an excuse this time..lol! More apologies for being so late uploading only ONE of the cards we'll make this week...that's what I get for taking time off!!! Hope to see you soon:)

Let your light shine.......

2011-06-18T10:20:00.005-04:00

On Thursday June 16th I sat with hundreds of other proud parents, to watch our daughter Andrea, graduate from the 4 year honours program at the University of Waterloo. Andrea received her Bachelor of Arts Degree and is enrolled at Sir Wilfred Laurier University for this September to earn her teaching degree. It was a beautiful ceremony (although a long time to be sitting on bleachers...lol)and I really enjoyed spending the last few days with her, knowing that the store was in good hands. Thanks so much to Wally, Danielle and Jennifer for pitching in so I could leave with a clear conscience:) I really wish I could take better photos of the cards I make. This one is so sparkly and elegant in real life, but it looks kinda flat and boring in the photo:( Anyway, back in our youth ministry days, Andrea and I used to talk a lot about letting your light shine, so that was the inspiration for this card. On Thursday morning, we attended a special Mass at St. Jerome's for the graduates from the Religious Studies program (Andrea's major)and the Scripture readings and Psalm, mentioned the word "Shine" repeatedly! I think I must have had a little "divine" inspiration when I made this card...LOL! Hopefully, the inspiration will continue, so I can get some cards uploaded for the upcoming classes this week. Enjoy your weekend.

2011-06-10T14:54:00.002-04:00

I just had to share this with you because I'm a teeny bit proud of it...LOL! I started watercolouring this image during Linda's class a couple of weeks ago and didn't get too far while she was here. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am the Queen of unfinished projects and I really thought this might end up in the pile of..."I'll get to that one of these days." Yesterday, in the middle of a creative binge, I decided to try and finish colouring the image. I didn't quite complete it, but I went back to it today and Voila....... I still need lots of practice (and more lessons from Linda of course) but I'm so happy with the way this turned out and that I actually got around to finishing it off! If anyone is interested in learning how to watercolour with distress inks, be sure to let me know. Linda is a fantastic teacher with lots of patience and I can't wait to have her come and teach here again!

I scream......

2011-06-07T14:20:00.003-04:00

It may be a play on words, but I really could scream with frustration when it takes me forever to get my card samples made, photographed and uploaded here. However, here are the first two and as I type this I realize that I still didn't post photos of what we did last week.....(screeeeeeeeam!!!) OK I feel better now..LOL! Obviously I am way behind, so I won't bore you with any more details. I'll try to post the pics from last week soon!

Fast learners...!

2011-06-03T17:36:00.002-04:00

Last Saturday these ladies had Linda's teaching skills all to themselves....and it certainly paid off. The two watercoloured cards they completed were absolutely beautiful and they enjoyed the individual attention that Linda was able to offer. Great job Lois and Linda!

The sun is shining.....

2011-05-21T13:49:00.005-04:00

....so I am making Christmas cards!!!!! What is wrong with me????? Well... next week is our monthly Christmas card class so I do have an excuse for this bizarre behaviour..lol! I used two of the Splitcoast challenges for inspiration. The first was to use colours which are opposite each other on the colour wheel, so of course, red and green came to mind immediately, (although I also made a very pretty birthday card for my sister in purple and yellow.) I used the faux silk technique for the background...it's a great way to use up all that white tissue paper that stores package things in. The second was a sketch challenge and when I saw the three boxes at the bottom of the card, I immediately thought of the Martha Stewart snowflake punch I won at the CHA event I attended in March. So there we go...hope you are enjoying this fabulous weather, and please don't blame me if it starts to snow..LOL!

Another great watercolour class...

2011-05-20T15:00:00.003-04:00

Linda will be back on Saturday May 28th to teach her fabulous watercolour technique using Ranger Distress inks. Only 5 spaces are available to allow for individual attention. You will make the two cards pictured here and the cost is just $15 plus tax. Please call ASAP to register.

Just playing....

2011-05-19T14:40:00.004-04:00

This morning I thought I'd check out the daily challenge on Splitcoast Stampers. Today's challenge is called "Fine Tune" and we were asked to create something with a musical theme. As luck would have it, yesterday I'd been doing a bit of cleaning up and sorting out sample cards and stamped images that I hadn't found a use for...yet! I had left out an image of stamped sheet music that I had used the "burnt paper" technique on, so I thought I may as well do the challenge. As often happens when I start "playing" I decided to try a few other techniques, so I incorporated the cracked glass technique and also made a metal flower embellishment, which was a tutorial posted on the home page of Splitcoast this week. I've made the flowers before, but I've never been totally happy with the way they turned out. This time I used Pearl metal and cut it out using Tim Holtz Tattered florals die. Then I ran the flowers throught the cuttlebug using the Music embossing folder. After sanding and curling the petals, I assembled them with a brad and a little jewellry finding from my stash. I haven't used the cracked glass technique for years, but I had great fun with it here. You need ultra thick embossing powder to do this technique (I have some in stock)and it's a bit too time consuming to do in a class setting, but if you ever want to see a demo...just let me know. I looked through my stamps for a suitable sentiment, but ended up printing a quote from the computer. Music is a big part of my life, so this was a great challenge to play with. I could get addicted to the metal flowers, but they definitely don't work for cards you need to mail! OK....the sun just came out....I think I need to run outside and soak up a few rays before it vanishes again. Hope it's shining on you right now:)

Blogger issues!

2011-05-16T12:13:00.004-04:00

Sorry for not posting earlier but I've been having a few issues with my blog program. It's been acting even more strange than usual and to be honest I didn't have the patience to fuss with it till now. So far everything seems to be working so fingers crossed that this post gets uploaded properly. Here are the first two cards for class this week. I thought we'd try a vertical criss cross card for a change of pace. No stamping on this one, but you do need to be extra careful with the measuring and cutting (if you look carefully you'll see I wasn't as careful as I should have been..LOL) I think this layout would work really well for an invitation or special announcement. The paper is from Crate Paper and I added a little strip to the insert along with a small scalloped circle, cut in half for the top. I've been dying to try out the new line of Core'dinations cardstock from Tim Holtz. There are 36 colours to choose from (one for each of his distress inks!) and here I've used Tumbled Glass, which is one of my favourites. I dry embossed the upper portion using the Cuttlebug "Floral Fantasy" folder, then lightly sanded it to allow the core colour to show. The image and sentiment are from Crafty Secrets "Bird Notes" stamp set. First I stamped it in Rich Cocoa Memento ink then cut it out using a nestability die. I sponged Tumbled Glass distress ink while the image was still inside the die to create the ivory border. Finally I mounted it on another nestabilty die cut...this time a petite scalloped circle in chocolate brown. A little satin ribbon to emphasize the embossing and the whole thing was mounted to a chocolate brown card base. I'm loving these colours....what do you think? It's birding season and I've had quite few birding enthusiasts in the store over the past week, so this one is dedicated to them. I sure hope the weather improves for them (and the rest of us) soon.

Last one....

2011-05-04T14:21:00.000-04:00

Last one for today that is.... lol! I changed the colours on this card and I like it much better than the original card I made. I'm not a big purple fan but I kinda like this combo. Added diamond stickles to the buttefly (Nestability)and here and there on the dandelion. Now what to do about the purple fingers???????

More class cards

2011-05-04T12:24:00.000-04:00

Once again I'm late posting samples for this week's class. I've already done two classes, but I'm re-working the third card, so I'll post a photo of it later. The seahorses are coloured with markers directly onto the stamp and stamped on glossy cardstock. I love this technique, because you can literally scribble colours anywhere and stamp a beautiful image every time (my kinda colouring...lol) I thought this would be nice for Mother's day, but left it without a sentiment as it could be used for other occasions too. The second card was so quick and easy, because of the beautiful patterned paper from "3 bugs in a rug." Once again I used a nestabilities die as a stencil to sponge distress ink around the sentiment and I love the soft look it creates. We'll be using the emboss resist on card number 3 and it's also suitable for Mother's day card. Check back tomorrow for a photo. Have a great day!

Squash book class

2011-04-29T12:42:00.001-04:00

This project is way more cute than the pics can show you. Next Saturday, May 7th is National Scrapbooking Day and Danielle will be at the store to teach you how to make your very own Squash book. You can choose your own paper and even bring some photos suitable for cropping to make it more personal. Danielle's sample is called "Things I like" but you can use photos, homemade or store bought embellishments, stickers etc. to create your own cute mini album. Please call ahead to reserve a time between 10am and 4 pm on Saturday. Cost is just $15 and includes cardstock, ribbon, patterned paper and the use of any store rubber stamps, punches, dies, embossing folders etc. to help embellish your squash book. You may want to bring scissors,a ruler and adhesive and any photos/memorabilia you would like to incorporate. If you want to simply make the album and add photos/embellishments at home, it will take around half an hour, but I recommend taking advantage of the tools and toys in the store to dress it up so you can leave with a finished project. There will be some great deals in the store on Saturday as well as some freebies and draws for prizes, so be sure to stop in and check out all the lovely new goodies and fill out a ballot for a chance to win some cool stuff.

I love trees...

2011-04-26T09:43:00.000-04:00

I know I'm a week late for earth week, but I LOVE trees and tree stamps and being as everything I bought at Scrapfest had something to do with trees, I thought I'd better use them in class. I had a request after last week's class for some cards suitable to give to the guys in our lives. Like most of us, these are the ones I struggle with the most, but I often reach for a tree or nature type stamp when creating a card for a guy. These two were very quick and simple to create because the stamps themselves are so fabulous, that nothing else is needed but a little ink-sponging for a background. I decided to go with a sympathy sentiment for one of them, but as always, any sentiment can be substituted for the class. Card number 3 is VERY cute, but I'm still playing around with the placement of a sentiment, so I'll upload that one when it's completed. All the images used here came from a Canadian company called "Local King Rubber stamps." I don't have them in stock as there is a large minimum order requirement. I do have their catalogue though, so if you are interested in pre-ordering any of their stamps, let me know and we'll see about putting an order together. I have lots of lovely new Penny Black stamps in the store right now...be sure to check them out when you come in:)

Watercolour vintage lady

2011-04-20T10:12:00.000-04:00

This is another version of the card Linda came up with for her second watercolour class coming up on Saturday. I really love the colours on this one and I'm so excited to be part of Linda's class this time. Only a couple of spaces are left, so be sure to call in soon if you'd like to join us. Today I hope to get a couple of samples ready for next week's classes. I bought some fabulous tree images at Scrapfest, so I'm pretty sure we'll be using those. I like to use trees for masculine cards so I hope to have a couple of "guy" cards for you to look at by tomorrow.

What a weekend!

2011-04-15T15:42:00.000-04:00

If anyone was wondering why I didn't post any cards for this week, it's because there weren't any to post!!!!! I went to Kitchener on Saturday to attend Scrapfest, and while I was picking up some fabulous new stamps and lots of ideas, I also picked up a horrible chest cold. I'm feeling much better now, but I didn't want to share my germs with anyone so I cancelled classes this week. Next Tuesday we'll be doing catch up cards for those who missed a class and want to make those cards. There won't be a class on Thursday night as I'll be at church for our Holy Thursday celebration, so I have some extra time to play with my new stamps and come up with something great for our next class on April 26th. There are still a couple of spaces left in Linda's watercolour class on Saturday April 23rd at 1 pm. The photos show the two new cards Linda came up with, but participants will have the option of doing the cards in Linda's previous class if they prefer. Photos of those cards are in an earlier post. Be sure to book quickly to reserve your space.

Chloe Borders

2011-04-02T13:47:00.000-04:00

Here are the first two cards we'll make in class next week. The paper is from 3 bugs in a rug and it's called "Chloe borders." I love the vibrancy of these colours and I knew as soon as I saw this paper that I wanted to use it on an Easter card. Well, here are two from the same sheet of paper and I'm working on a third. This week, each person will take a full sheet of this patterned paper and cut the portion of the pattern that they like best for each of their 3 cards. There should be enough left over to make another couple of cards at home too. If you are coming to class and you have Memento markers and/or inkpads in Pear Tart, Rosebud, Grape Jelly and Bahama blue, please bring them along with a trimmer and scissors if you have them. If not...we'll take turns as always. :)

March card contest winner

2011-04-02T10:16:00.001-04:00

Congratulations June....your card received the highest number of votes in the March card contest. The challenge was to use a 3 x 3 piece of Japanese paper as a focal element on a card. June's card really showcases the beauty and versatility of these papers in card making. All of the cards submitted were simply beautiful, and as always, customers had a difficult time choosing a favourite. Thanks to everyone who entered or voted. June has won a $10 store coupon (and bragging rights) The April contest is a much different challenge than usual. April is Paint the Town Pink month here in Kingsville. All the businesses decorate their windows with pink ribbons and products as part of an awareness and fundraising campaign for breast cancer. So the challenge this month is to create a 12 x 12 page on pink cardstock with HOPE as the title and theme. To enter the contest, you need to make a $2 donation which will go to the Wonderbroads Dragon boat team when they come to town on April 30th. I will donate the 12 x 12 pink cardstock and the rest is up to you. The pages will be displayed in the store window from April 15th to the 30th, when a member of the Wonderbroads will be aked to pick the winner. This month's winner will receive a $25 store coupon. The pages do not have to be about cancer, but they need to have lots of pink and symbols of HOPE. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

Watercolour class

2011-03-31T14:25:00.001-04:00

On Saturday April 9th, Linda Saxon will be teaching her watercolouring with distress inks technique at the store. As you can see from the photos, Linda's work is beautiful, and as soon as I sent out an e-mail with a link to her blog, the class was full! Linda will be here to teach a second class on Saturday April 23rd, so be sure to sign up ASAP if you'd like to attend.

Yes I know it's still March but......

2011-03-25T17:18:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, we're starting our monthly Christmas card classes again next week. We'll make 3 festive cards the last week of each month and here's the first one for 2011. Start exercising your fingers girls...those bows are not pre-tied...LOL!

Two more...

2011-03-25T10:21:00.000-04:00

Here are the other two class cards we made this week using the same Unity stamp. The first one is heat embossed using copper embossing powder. I really like the black and copper combo, but I was surprised how much everyone else liked it too. I thought at least a couple of people would opt for a brighter colour. The triangular shape was cut from copper metallic cardstock and dry embossed using the D'Vine Swirl embossing folder, then ink distressed with black soot distress ink to give it a little bit of an aged look. The second card was created by stamping the image with Versamark and heat embossing with clear embossing powder. The colours of distress ink used on this image are Spiced Marmalade, Aged Mahogany, and Peeled Paint. This technique is called emboss resist, because the embossed image "resists" the distress inks and really pops out of all that colour. It's one of my favourite techniques to use with silhouette stamps. Next week we are going to start working on our Christmas card stash. I know it seems crazy when Spring has only just arrived (I think??), but if we make 3 cards per month we'll have 27 Christmas cards by the beginning of December...that's not quite enough for my list, but it's a healthy start. The last week of each month will be Christmas cards, so if that's the only time of year you send hand made cards, why not join us and get a head start? On Sunday I'm heading out to Brampton for a Canadian Craft and Hobby Association one day event. I'm so excited because I'll be seeing and trying out new products and techniques, and I hope to come back with lots of new goodies for the store and ideas to share. The event begins at 7:30 am on Monday and runs until 5:30pm so I'll probably be toast on Tuesday, after the long drive home, but I'm really looking forward to it anyway. Hopefully the weather will be good for driving and I'll tell you all about it here when I get back:) Have a great weekend.

One of Three

2011-03-22T15:39:00.000-04:00

Here's the first of three cards we'll be making in class this week. I'm trying something new this week by using the same stamp, with a different technique and layout on each card. This one was made by colouring directly on the stamp with Memento markers, then spritzing the stamp with a mini mister filled with water, before stamping on watercolour paper. I love the softness of this look and this stamp from Unity is perfect for this technique. The lower portion of the card was run through the Cuttlebug in the textile embossing folder, and the edges are ink distressed with Peeled Paint distress ink. I finished it off with a little corner piercing and a band of purple grossgrain ribbon to separate the embossed portion. The colours are much prettier in real life. I'll post the other two cards later this week. Fingers crossed that we dodge the snow in the forecast...I'm so ready for spring weather!

Spring is just around the corner!

2011-03-18T12:38:00.000-04:00

I think the "springing forward" has really thrown me for a loop this year! I seem to be playing catch up with everything and here I am posting this week's class cards AFTER the classes are over! There is an advantage to this though....two of the three cards shown were actually made by people who came to class! We sometimes make minor changes to the sample card during the class and I often prefer the results that come from those changes, to the original card. For instance, the plant and the butterflies in the sheep card are different colours than I used in my card, and we came up with the idea of using punched butterflies as hair bows, to replace the ribbon tied bows on the original card. We also sponged around the sheeps' bodies with pumice stone distress ink to make them a bit less pristine looking(I've never seen a real sheep with fleece as white as snow...have you?)The tree card was also a slightly different version than the original. My first card had the tree stamped in green and I thought it was a little washed out looking, so I suggested using brown ink instead. I liked the result so much better that I decided to try overstamping mine with brown (without much hope of getting it lined up I might add.) I loved the resulting blurred image, but I don't think it would have been very easy on the eyes when viewing it online... lol! So I photographed the clear image card for my blog, but I'm keeping my original "blurry tree" 'cos I think it's pretty funky looking! Speaking of which, the stamp in question is from Unity Stamps. I just got them in last week and they're gone already! I had to borrow one to do the class LOL! The pink and black card is mine.. a quick and easy one that could work for many occasions.
Well I'd better get busy creating or I won't have photos to post in time for next week's class either. Have a great weekend:)

Happy International Women's Day

2011-03-08T16:27:00.000-05:00

To all you wonderful women out there....mothers, daughters, sisters, cousins, aunts....FRIENDS!!!! Celebrate all the great things about being a woman this week. We all have fun complaining about the downside of being female, but honestly....we have so much to be happy about don't we? In honour of all the women in my life, those who have passed away, those I don't see as often as I'd like to, and those who are always there for me.....THANK YOU! I love the sentiment on this card and I have been blessed to have such friends in my life. I hope everyone who reads this has at least one friend who "Knows the song in your heart, and will sing it back to you when you forget the words."
Have a great week:)

Feeling a bit shabby....

2011-03-04T16:20:00.000-05:00

Yes I do need a new wardrobe (don't we all????) but the title of this post refers to my recent cards. I didn't actually get last weeks class cards posted before the class took place but here's my favourite. I'm lovin' these little birds from the Crafty Secrets "bird notes" stamp set. We used both sides of this Kaisercraft patterned paper from their "Homemade" collection, and the dry embossing on the blue added some great texture. All the edges were ink distressed with Vintage Photo and we also used the scalloped rectangle Nestability as a stencil so we could ink around the birds with weathered wood distress ink. The other "shabby card" is for next week's class and uses a heart punch to create a shamrock. Most of the products out there use a four leaf clover to represent St. Patrick's day when it really should be a shamrock and it's hard to find the real deal( one of my pet peeves ) so I just made my own! I have a bit of Irish in me so I thought I'd just put the record straight LOL! More dry embossing on patterned paper here and the shamrock was actually adhered to the paper before it was run through in the embossing folder, to get that pressed flower look that we did a couple of weeks ago. This might be a bit too grungy looking for some, but you could use a lighter colour for the ink distressing (I used walnut stain) or not ink it at all for a brighter,fresh look.
Well it's been a rainy day here, but the birds were singing up a storm as I left the house this morning, so that means spring is definitely around the corner.....I hope:)

February card contest winner

2011-02-26T16:26:00.000-05:00

Judy is the winner of our February card contest, with her "laugh love cherish" card. Congrats Judy and thanks to everyone who submitted cards and to those who voted. Every card received several votes and as usual customers had a hard time picking a favourite. The lucky winner of the $75 shopping spree is Margaret Hames. Margaret's ballot was drawn by Maggie McLeod at 4 pm today following Maggie's workshop on Intuitive Energy Art. The workshop was thoroughly enjoyed by all those attending and I think it's safe to say that Maggie will be offering a repeat workshop in the near future. If you would like more information about Maggie McLeod's art, please visit her blog at www.IntuitiveWhispers.typepad.com
Have a great weekend:)

I cheated on this one....

2011-02-23T14:54:00.000-05:00

Here is card number 2 for this week's class. I know it looks like I did the background with distress inks but it's actually a piece of patterned paper...I know that's cheating but hey it worked! Of course I know some of you ladies like to get your fingers inky, so you can go ahead and do it the old fashioned way...that way you can choose different colours too. The stamp I used is "Tall Grass" from "Your Next Stamp" and I added little punched elements to make the grass into bullrushes (thanks for the idea June:)) The last card will be surprise as usual....

I'm back!

2011-02-22T17:38:00.000-05:00

Sorry about not posting last weeks cards...the week kinda got away from me and it looks like this one is going to zoom by just as quickly. Just have time to post one of this week's cards right now...hopefully I'll get to the others tomorrow.....? I'm trying to learn how to use photoshop to edit my pics for the web and it's very overwhelming...bear with me OK??????? I used acrylic paint on my stamp for this card and I like the look, but then I decided to cut out the poppies and mount them on the embossed brick wall. I used peeled paint distress ink to sponge some of the bricks and it looks kinda mossy..I like it. The little butterfly was punched out, then pressed onto a scattered straw distress ink pad and edged with peeled paint. Hope you like it...off to get ready for tonight's class:)

A new technique...

2011-02-08T13:47:00.000-05:00

I LOVE learning new techniques and then sharing them with other card makers. I saw this one on Splitcoast stampers last week and just had to run and try it right away. The technique is called "faux pressed flowers" but as you can see from the photo I decided to do my first card with hearts in place of the flowers...I'm sure I'll be posting a flower one soon though! This is such a simple technique and yet it gives a wonderful effect. All I did was stamp the tree and then glue some tiny punched hearts here and there. Then I ran it through the Cuttlebug in the script embossing folder. Any embossing folder can be used, but it looks better if it's one with a tightly spaced design. The machine presses the hearts (or flowers) into the base cardstock and gives the effect of pressed flowers. It doesn't show up as well in a photograph as in real life but I'm going to try it with some fabric flowers from my stash and I'll be sure to post a picture when I'm done. This one is card number 2 for our class and I'm still playing around with an idea for the third one....did someone say "Get on with it Marie?" LOL!

No stamping????

2011-02-05T16:09:00.001-05:00

Another card without rubber stamping...what is the world coming to? I love the simplicity of this card, but it could definitely be "dressed up" a bit more with a punched border or an embossed sentiment. This is just a quickie post because it's snowing like crazy and I need to get home before it gets worse, but I wanted to get at least one of my class cards up before the weekend was over. Hopefully I'll have another up by Monday evening...enjoy your weekend:)

Early card class samples....yes really!

2011-01-29T10:49:00.000-05:00

Can you beleive I actually have 3 samples made, photographed and uploaded by Saturday morning????? Me either..lol! I had the teddy bear one done on Thursday and completed the other 2 yesterday after much mind-changing about papers, stamps, layout, techniques and just about everything else. You should have seen the mess I made on that big table before I finally decided what I was doing! Anyway...here they are. Two cute and cuddly valentines and one bold bright one! Sentiments can be added, changed left off...whatever your little heart desires. I really like the sentiment "I love you the most" on the bunny card, but you can't really give it to your child or grandchild...unless of course you only have ONE...or you want to start a war LOL. The red and white one is a gatefold card and the image and tag are both heat embossed. This one could be used as an anniversary card if you didn't want to use it as a Valentine. The teddy bear card could be for just about any occasion, and I have a number of different sentiment stamps that will work with the bunny card, or it could be left without a sentiment and a ribbon could be added to the panel beside the image. Well, it's another frosty day and I'm kinda glad I changed my mind about driving to Toronto this weekend as we're supposed to get a lot of snow on Tuesday and that's when I would have been driving back. I really wanted to attend the open house at the Japanese Paper Place, but I'll have to wait until the better weather arrives....ahhhhh spring! I can hardly wait! Have a wonderful weekend.

Beyond the page...chapter 1

2011-01-27T15:19:00.000-05:00

How's that for a different post title???? Kaisercraft, an Australian company with a knack for coming up with "different" scrapbooking/papercraft products, has a line they call "Beyond the Page." Made of sturdy MDF, this range of mini albums, shadow boxes, bookends and so much more, is perfect for altering with acrylic paints, inks, patterned paper and anything else your little heart desires. I've sold a few of these items, and recently discussed class ideas with a good customer, who has been playing with Kaisercrafdt products a lot lately. Danielle came up with the sample in the photos and we'll be offering it as a Saturday class on February 12th at 10 am. The pictures don't do this little project justice. It's almost too cute to add photos to (which was the original idea!) The fee for this class is $25 and Danielle recommends using Tombow glue for adhering the paper to the cube as well as adding embellishments. I sell Tombow for $4.99, so participants can buy it here or bring your own along. (Or bring a friend and share the cost of a bottle....it goes a long way!)There are only 8 spaces available and I'm pretty sure at least 2 of them are already spoken for. We'll offer the class again if there is enough demand. The papers used are from Kaisercraft "Hey Birdie" collection. Wouldn't this make a cute Valentine gift for a special someone?????? Danielle is already working on some other Beyond the page project samples so stay tuned for chapeter 2.....

Another flower card.

2011-01-25T10:17:00.000-05:00

Sticking with the floral theme, here's the second card for class this week. This one is stamped on vellum and attached to a layer of cardstock which I dry embossed with my new Time Holtz texture fades folder, "Bricked." You can't really see it in the photo, but these folders emboss a really deep image on cardstock, and I know I'll be using this one often. A different sentiment could be stamped on the oval panel, so if you have need of a thank you, sympathy or even a birthday card, this one could work. As usual, I'm still working on card number 3, but it will definitely have a flower on it somewhere.

I hate cold weather!

2011-01-21T17:10:00.000-05:00

I know that's a very negative title for a post but it's the truth! I can hardly wait for Spring to arrive. I learned a new word on Facebook today...grismal (grey/dismal) which describes January to perfection in my humble opinion! So....to brighten my day (and hopefully yours too) I made a pink flowery card, which we will re-create in various forms and colours in our class next week. This is another clean and simple design, and although I'm not a big fan of pink (the colour, not the singer...I quite enjoy her music!) I love it with black. The vase was made by using a portion of a Christmas ornament punch. I stamped an intricate scroll design on it in versamark and heat embossed with clear EP. I think this is the first time I've used this particular embossing folder. It's one of a set called "Heritage" by Cuttlebug. There four folders in the set, 2 standard and 2 large. It also coordinates with the Cricut cartridge of the same name. I don't stock Cricut products but I carry several different designs of these sets of four embossing folders for just $19.99 each. I'm going to play around with a few more samples for next week's class, but they will all be featuring flowers. It's just my way of thumbing my nose at winter weather!!!

Whoo loves ya baby?

2011-01-18T17:05:00.000-05:00

Ok I'm, definitely dating myself with that line..(does anyone else remember Kojak?) Here's the third card for this week's class. I love these cute little owls, and I finally got to use the new Tim Holtz texture fades embossing folder with the wood grain. I added a little walnut stain distress ink to bring out the pattern. Distress inks and a mask were used to for the sky and moon. I think I'll be doing more of these for various occasions. Phew! 3 guy cards was a real challenge for me. You can count on a flower or two next week..lol!

Guy card #2

2011-01-18T11:46:00.001-05:00

This is a clean and simple layout using a stamp set loaned to me by Janet (thanks Janet:)) I've already used this image for a birthday card and it would make a great Father's day card too. I coloured it with Prisma colouring pencils and then blended with mineral spirits and a blending stump. Those of my ladies who don't "LOVE" this technique like I do may prefer to use markers to colour the image. It's a rainy day out there...perfect for stay indoors and making cards! Have a fun day.

Why are men so difficult?????

2011-01-15T09:44:00.000-05:00

Well....not men in particular (although there are moments... ), but creating cards for men is very challenging for me. I've heard the same comment from many other card makers, so I thought I'd take up the challenge and try to create 3 "manly" cards for this week's class. I left this one sentiment free, basically because I didn't have a stamp that I felt worked with the image, but I think a computer generated sentiment cut out with a small tag punch and attached to the twine would work well. How about.... "To my favourite handy man"? I'm taking suggestions for this one, so how about leaving a comment with your idea for a fun (or sappy) sentiment for this card. If it's too long for the front, it could go inside. Or it could be a two parter. Let's have some fun, but keep it clean girls..lol! OK...one down, two to go.....

Celebrate snow?????

2011-01-11T12:40:00.000-05:00

We're definitely on a winter theme with our card class this week. Card 1 was a sledding scene; card 2 was a winter bird, and here is a big fat snowflake for ya! I don't know about you, but I have a number of friends/family members with winter birthdays and anniversaries, so this is a handy little card to have in your stash. The best thing is that it can be used for a guy or a gal:) It's a dreary day here in Kingsville so I needed to work with something a bit shiny to brighten my mood a bit. I LOVE the way Bazzil silver foil cardstock works with die cuts. The little silver snowflake looks almost like a brad and it really pops with tha addition of the American Crafts mini jewel brad in the centre. I used a Cuttlebug border embossing folder on the white strip, but the camera didn't quite catch the detail.... and by the way that's a navy snowflake...not black! I'm in the process of working on some Valentine ideas and there is a lovely big order arriving tomorrow which will no doubt distract me from my creative wanderings for a while. New 6 x 6 paper pads from Kaisercraft are on their way along with a few new clear mini stamps, LOTS of 12 x 12 paper (where will I put it????) Tim Holtz Texture Fades embossing folders and some lovely rub -ons. Oh... and the new Sew Easy stitch piercer and mats are finally in stock, so look for those on the shelf in the next couple of days. Next week will see the arrival of some great new rubber stamps from "Your Next Stamp" with something sweet for all you Valentines. Enjoy your week:)

Winter birds...

2011-01-07T17:54:00.000-05:00

January with its' chilly temperatures is not my favourite month of the year, but at least I'm not hopping around outside looking for food like the poor little birds outside the store. I don't know how they survive, but watching them makes me feel very grateful for a roof over my head and food in my belly! Anyway...winter birds is the name of the stamp set I used for the first of our class cards for the coming week. I love silhouette stamps and I also love monochromatic cards, so this card came together quickly. More to come...stay warm this weekend!

Happy New Year

2011-01-04T10:08:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone is off to a good start in 2011. Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but you've probably been too busy to check in anyway right????? We had a wonderful Christmas, a very quiet New year's Eve, and the past few days have been filled with taking down Christmas decorations at the store and taking inventory. This was a much bigger task than last year, as I have lots more stuff to count! Consequently, I was here till 10 pm last night and I still have lots of numbers to enter into the computer. The shop has been turned upside down and inside out and I decided I need another day to get back on track. So....I am closed for the day and will not be offering a class this week...sorry! We'll start fresh next week, but in the meantime I have something special to share. One of my customers who used to come to classes regularly and is planning to return soon, (we miss you Marci) has sent me photos of some of the cards she made with the Kaisercraft 6 x 6 paper pad she bought here. She loves the ease of card making with these little books and decided to use them to make photo cards for Christmas. I think she did a fabulous job, don't you? Thanks for sharing them Marci, and your daughter is beautiful by the way! There are lots of Kaisercraft products in the store and I will be placing another order this week. Don't forget to enter this month's card contest...cards are due by January 15th. Call me if you need more info. Have a wonderful week!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T12:28:00.001-05:00

Just a quick post to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. We are heading to Cambridge to spend Christmas with our kids ( I don't have to cook this year...whoo-hoo!)and then on to Toronto for Boxing day with my in-laws. The store will re-open on Tuesday December 28th with lots of lovely specials! Whatever your plans are, may your holidays be filled with joy, peace and love. Thanks for checking in and why not check back again sometime next week to see another card from our first class of the new year!

A few more Christmas cards

2010-12-17T17:02:00.000-05:00

I didn't upload this week's class project because it was supposed to be a surprise. Unfortunately a few of the ladies missed class due to sickness this week, so I'll hold off posting pics of that project for now. Instead,I thought I'd share a few cards I've been making for friends and family. I'm still working on a few last minute cards, as I keep remembering other people I'd like to give cards to. I finally talked myself into cutting into one of my very few 8.5 x 11 sheets of Japanese paper to make some Origami Christmas Tree cards. It's such fabulous paper to work with, and I really loved the colours in this sheet for a Christmas card. The other cards were made with various scraps I've been holding on to....I just love when I can make something pretty from scraps don't you? Anyway, there are no more classes till the New Year now, but I'll be working on some ideas for upcoming classes during the holidays, so watch out for some sneak peeks!

Late again....

2010-12-06T14:59:00.000-05:00

Another late post...sorry! I took my camera home so I could post yesterday and I forgot that we just cancelled our internet at home...duh! Anyway...here are two of this week's class cards, both quite simple and much nicer in real life than they photographed. I'm still working on number 3, which will be a gift card holder. Anyone going to send me photos of their tags from last week so I can post them?....awwww c'mon!

Tag...you're it!

2010-11-29T14:53:00.000-05:00

This week in class, we'll be making all kinds of Christmas tags. The samples are all stamped and are just a few simple ideas to get things rolling, but I'll have lots of patterned paper available and with some punches, glitter and imagination, it should be lots of fun! Sorry about the photos being turned around...I'm not sure what happened there...they were the right way up when I uploaded them...honest! I'll try to get some pics of everyone's creations...I'm sure they'll be awesome!