Flowers ..... Flowers....

and more Flowers....

...on my window! I painted some fun and friendly flowers on my studio windows today -- Its the first time I tried that! Totally fun!

Looking forward to the Garden Party Crop for National Scrapbook Day tomorrow!!

See you soon gals!!

Looky Looky....

What was in the KW Record this Tuesday.

Yes, this is me... in my glory ... standing at the studio door by my trusty Block Parent Business sign. Did you see it?

Besides some obvious editing errors (my name is Karen, not Kim -- I was called both) and a few other grammatically incorrect things that spell checker missed.... IT WAS A FABULOUS ARTICLE for a fabulous organization.

My dear friend Scrubbie ( I know some of you out there read his blog ) just happens to be the president of the Waterloo Region Block Parent group (I hope I got the title right). He and a new crop of energetic volunteers are trying to give the local BP program new lease on life. As a result, Block Parents are becoming a little more "visible" every week and I hope that, in time, this organization thrives once again!!

Are you a Block Parent? Is there one on your street? How about a local business? Yes, I am a Business Block Parent. Essentially it means that while my studio is open people in trouble, who are lost or otherwise need assistance (hey, maybe this is why people choose to ask me and not my plaza neighbours for driving directions all the time! And here I thought it was my welcoming nature and winning smile! *wink* LOL) can come into the shop and ask me for help. Notice I said people, not kids.... It is becoming apparent that adults, SENIORS especially, are also using the program -- it's logo is a recognisable symbol for assistance... Makes sense to me. I haven't had anyone come into the studio for help as a result of the sign in my door -- but I'm there if they need me and that's what matters.

Anyway... just thought I'd share the photo and my thoughts... :)

Barrie Day Crop.....

Hello Scrappers and Card Makers!!!

I'm in the studio getting things prepared for my upcoming day crop in Barrie to be held at the Allandale Rec Centre on May 15 from 10 am - 8pm.

I have tickets on sale here at the studio or you can pick up tickets at SCRAPS OF JOY in Barrie. Tickets are $50 (tax included) and you will be treated to 10 hrs of cropping, treats, prizes and yes, meals and snacks are included in that too! You may even get a surprise or two! Can't wait to see you.

This is my last planned day crop in Barrie (annual day crops will continue in the Waterloo Region). I hope you can join Scraps of Joy and I to celebrate our time together!! See you there!!

and the other cards are.....

These ones!
I told you I'd post the two additional cards for the May Card Workshops this week..... I just didn't think I'd be able to this weekend! hehe....

They are also using Graphic 45 papers -- this time from the "On the Boardwalk" collection. See.... they don't have to be "beachy" to use them! LOVE the colours in this line. AND they go perfectly with two of the new distress ink colours: Rusty Hinge and Tumbled Glass. Yummo!!

I also used Tim's butterflies and Scrolls Work's flourish on these cards... but I also broke out the Wendy Vecchi Stamps. The one card (on the left) was heavily inspired by the art provided in this release's stamp packages. I took elements I loved from a couple and mingled them to make this card. Totally up my alley. Hope you like! *cheers*

Note: the 4 cards from the last two posts will be the Cards for our Monthly Card workshop. Contact me in the studio to create these cards anytime throughout the month of MAY 2010. Come anytime arranged during regular studio hours or we can get a group of 4 or more together to do them after hours on your schedule... It's all good -- LOVE to see you in the studio! -Karen

Peaches and Greens....

So, I spent some time today creating a couple of cards for next month's Card Workshop. As it is Mother's Day month... I thought I'd do something a little feminine with Tim's Stamps.

Inspired by the Peaches and Greens of Graphic 45's Le Romantique line.....

... here are two cards I came up with. LOVE the "drippy" butterfly stamp.
Another two cards to come and they will be in another colour scheme. Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

Art with meaning....

Okay.. this saying from Einstein (Life is like riding a bicycle ... to keep your balance you must keep moving) is soooooooooooooooo appropriate for my family and I this week.

I have been scurrying around getting things put back together from a FANTASTIC Scrapfest and ... doing my civil duty (aka paying taxes) that I need to create something - just keep moving!

My hubby (an Einstein wannabe) just got his bike out of hibernation and is riding to work once again -- trying to keep that precious balance in his life. See... "Art with Meaning" I think this will be a little gift for Kev if he plays his cards right. I know it's something up his alley ;) - nice and collage-y

What is it?
A wood canvas painted with Claudine Hellmuth's Studio Paints, some Ideaology Sprockets and the big chipboard Sprockets are pieces I put through the Big Shot Machine. Yep! Tim's new Sprocket Big Shot Die. Yummmmmm.... The bike is his too -- from one of the New Tim Holtz Stamps Collections distributed by Stamper's Anonymous... add ink and Bob's your uncle (well, in my case, my father *wink* )

See... not creating for a while puts me in a weird mood.
Now... back to the taxes......

What a Great Show!

WOW! What a great weekend... I love ScrapFest!

I posted this on ScrapFest's facebook page but I thought I'd post it here too....

(I wanted to) add my thanks to everyone on the ScrapFest team! It was a fantastic show... Lisa, you and your crew just seem to out do yourselves every year! Thanks so much for allowing me to be a part of it!

And, thanks to everyone who attended the event this ...year! Your excitement and enthusiasm for all things "scrappy", your participation in the classes, contests and events within the event truly make ScrapFest something special - an event I look forward to every year!

Speaking of participation .... I had a GREAT time hosting Minute to Win It challenges in the crop. Here are a couple of Photos of that -- ALL PHOTOS we took at the event are posted on our Facebook Fan Page. I hope you check it out and become a fan too!


Thanks again !! See you in the studio ..... oh, the studio...... guess I'd better go there tomorrow and set it back up! *wink*

it's Festive at ScrapFest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi all from ScrapFest!

I am having an absolute fabulous time at ScrapFest again this year!!! It's so great to share this little passion of mine in this venue. Everything about it rocks!! Yahoo....

The above picture is a great one of Sue in our booth right before the Marketplace doors opened. Looking good Sue!!!!

And this photo is of me (I'm the one on the stage in the middle wearing a blue shirt ....just in case you didn't see me ;)) teaching a make in take to all 200 croppers in the crop area at the same time :) LOVED IT!! I had many of them using the blending tools and distress inks for the first time and yes, we even spritzed some pearls on it... Such fun

Here's one complete :)

I didn't get any photos of me teaching GrungePaper Roses at the Interactive area..... Gotta do that tomorrow. I'm teaching again at 11am in the Scrapbook and Cards Today Interactive Area... drop by and check it out. AND... I will OF COURSE be demonstrating all things inky throughout the day in the booth.

See you tomorrow for ScrapFest day 2!!! off to get some zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

And so it begins :)

Scrapfest starts tomorrow and I'm almost ready! My team and I will be ready to go when the marketplace opens up to the VIP ticket holders at 2pm tomorrow.

Here's a pic of Kelly and Amber getting a start on things in the booth.... It's looking more like a real, functional booth now. It's all good!

For those with VIP tickets - be sure to drop by our booth (#51o) at 4-5pm tomorrow... Vicki Boutin will be dropping by to do some demos in the booth (giving me a welcome break :) ) It will be great to have her there. It's always great to see Vicki.

I will be doing "GrungePaper Roses" as a make n take in the Interactive Studio Friday at 6:30 and Saturday at 11am. I'm not sure how tickets for this will be handed out so be sure to check out the interactive area early so you don't miss out on your favourite project!

I will be instructing Canada's Largest Make N Take in the Crop Friday at 10:30 pm - after the marketplace closes. Be sure to make your way back into the crop area and not miss this! We will be blending ink and spritzing away -- you and 200 of your fellow croppers. This is going to be FUN!!

Better go get some sleep! :)
See you at ScrapFest!

A Packed Car....

And are you ready for this??
Everything in this PACKED van isn't for sale in my ScrapFest booth... NOPE... Everything in this PACKED van is to GIVE AWAY at Scrapfest!!! 500 items for the VIP shoppers and 200 items for the VIP croppers. I had to get it to the Aud this afternoon so they can be stuffed in the gift bags. I hope you like them. *wink*

Are you getting excited yet?

Just a reminder that the studio is closed tomorrow (Thursday) for the weekend. I'll re-open Tuesday for regular studio hours.

Technically Tuesday....

It's after midnight now and it's Technically Tuesday :)
I've been busy today checking things off my to do list. I just wish the list wasn't so long! LOL

Here are some more samples I made tonight... or is that last night? *wink*
I created it using Stamps from the New Tim Holtz, Wendy Vecchi (Studio 490) and Scrollswork Stamps. Tuesday's preparations will be pretty boring in comparison -- I'll be making up signs and price lists. But it's all good.
at 6pm I have a group of ladies coming in to create the cards from this month's card workshop. I'm looking forward to showing them how to create the cards. I love getting inky.
More later..... It's time for me to get some zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's ;)

Sample Heaven... told you so.....

I had fun creating this sample board Saturday -- Monica came in and helped me by inking these cute little "Art Houses" (get it? hehe) with every colour of Distress Ink. Yep.. there are 36 yummy colours!! I know a few more are on Monica's list after seeing just how they look in person. Yummo.....

And today... I created this 6x12 Layout Sample of our Puppy Mozart at the Beach. Collective Awwwweeeessss..... *big smile*

I used the new "On the Boardwalk " paper line from Graphic 45, some glossy Accents to accent the BEACH logo and the sailboat the little boy is playing with in the top pic... I also used it to adhere some fun paper to the back of a fish mobile piece I got while in the Caribbean last fall with my dad. And yes, you see that fish hanging from a Memory Frame with "Mo's" pic in it. The Glossy Accents adhered the photo and the Memory Capsule together too -- keeping in all that good sand :)

Off to do more samples. Be sure to pop by our Scrapfest booth (#510) to see more!

I'm so excited!

Believe in Yourself

I am in sample heaven right now... getting ready for Scrapfest and all :)

Here is a little something I created at Friday Nights Crop - It will be displayed in my booth (#510) at Scrapfest if you'd like to come and take a peek.

I created this canvas using:

- Claudine Hellmuth's Studio Line: Acrylic Paints, Matte Medium to adhere the "music paper"

- an Identipen - to write something inspirational (teehee) across the canvas

- Prima Flowers, separated and adhered with my fav 3 In 1 Glue

- a Tim Holtz Ideaology "Ornate Frame" was attached to the top left of the canvas. Inside the "frame" is Wendy Vecchi Stamp "Believe in Yourself". I stamped it onto Claudine's Sticky Back Canvas and "Puffed" it inside the frame using cotton batting in the back to retain its shape. Love how that turned out.

- the flower stems were created by braiding twine and attaching it to the canvas....

I had fun! I hope you come check it out! I'll be demoing at the booth all day Friday and Saturday. I'll show you the products and how to use them ... I know you'll love them as much as I do!

My Feet Feel Like Dancing ... part deux

Well, the Roosters were crowing, the meatballs were spicy and yep -- my feet felt like dancing!! LOL

If you read about or were at our Nottawasaga Retreat in February you'd know what I mean. I got out the prompts and we had a little fun in the studio last night with our super duper crop co-host Lisa Furtney from Scrapfest! Yes Kim, I got the dancing one!! ..... and I feel your pain LOL My prompt was anytime someone stood up I had to stand up and exclaim - "My feet feel like dancing...." and I, taking a cue from Kim, did a little jig too and here it is caught on "film". Now, if this shows up as an entry in the Layout Contest at Scrapfest this year I will know there is a conspiracy! LOL at least I'm not dressed as Elvis in his signature white one piece jumpsuit! oy vey! lol... I digress...

Thanks for a fabulously fun evening ladies -- I LOVED having you all in the studio creating away! I got a call from one of you this morning saying how nice it is to go to a place where you feel comfortable doing your own crafty thing. Recently she has been to "crops" at my studio where people have created ATCs, worked on canvas, created cards, coloured with their Copics, and yes, scrapbooked too. She just liked the fact that it all happens in the same space and we all feel comfortable doing it!! Thanks babe... I'm so happy you feel that way!! That's what I want people to feel when they come to the studio: comfortable to be creative on your own terms in this shared space. HUGS!

See you all at SCRAPFEST next weekend!! and thanks again Lisa!! Can't wait!!

ONE WEEK UNTIL SCRAPFEST!!

Are you coming?

I LOVE this show... and not just because there is nothing else like it here in Ontario..... but because its a great place to meet up with people, see what's going on in the industry and BE INSPIRED! Yahoo!!

The owner of Scrapfest, Lisa Furtney, is in town today to take care of some final deets for next week's show and then she will be swinging by the studio to co-host a crop with me here.... and get into the spirit herself! Right on! Can't wait until she arrives. I'll be tweeting and FBing her whereabouts today so I'll be sure to let you know when she's at the studio. Drop on by and say HI!

I've been in FULL swing getting ready for the show. Jen has been in helping me get ready too. Here she is prepping the BIG make n take I will be doing Friday Night in the Crop Room... for over 200 of my closest scrappy friends ...at the same time.... wowsers!!

This will be fun and if you have a crop ticket, you won't want to miss it. I personally can't wait for that but I think Jen will pass-- no matter how cute it is.... I think she's cut one too many pieces of ribbon and paper! *big smile* And I love her for it! I'm not going to show you what we're doing until the show BUT let's just say we'll be blending a little ink on a super cute keepsake -- and yep, we'll be providing you with said ink... and it's all just "new" and a little "distressing" -- nudge nudge, wink wink

Technique of the month Club

Well... I am changing things up a bit... shocking, I know *wink*

I LOVED the Dollar Store Club and will continue to create things with found items -- some even from everyones favourite dollar store (hehe) but... we were together for over a year and now it's time to parlay that into something else ... something as fun and hopefully exciting!!

The Technique of the Month Club starts up today -- and will continue on the first Wednesday of the month.

I decided to create a notebook with the girls tonight and show them the art of "Drunken Scotch" - LOL. No, there will be no scotch drinking... the technique gets its name by using scotch glue (we will be using my favourite 3 in 1 Glue) and Alcohol Inks -- Get it?

I first read about this technique on one of my bloggy friend Kat's site. She has a fabby tutorial on her blog so be sure to check out the link. Love it!!

Kelly emailed last night to confirm that she's coming to the workshop tonight and in that email she asked if we could sometime soon create another note book -- Well, here it is Kelly..... the stars were aligned and you got your wish!
See you all tonight ladies!!
If you'd like to join us for the Technique of the Month Club -- just let me know. We will meet on the first Wednesday of the month but if there's enough interest, maybe we can open it up on another day too! Who doesn't LOVE a new technique? heehee.

Lots and Lots of New Stuff!!

I'm so excited!

I went to the States this weekend (taking advantage of the beautiful weather and the long weekend) to pick up product waiting for me at my mail depot. WOW! Where is it all going to go??

NOW IN...

Tim Holtz Ideaology Paper Stacks

Tim Holtz Sizzix Dies, Sizzlets and Movers and Shapers

Tim Holtz Ideaology Charms, Memo Pins, new Locks and Keys.... etc etc

and something I am uber excited about...

NEW STAMPS from SCROLLSWORK

These stamps are unmounted rubber and range in price from $1.65 - $9.75 (most between $2 and $5) Fabulous, huh? This is my first order with the company... I will be making more. I am loving the collage feel of these stamps. Great backgrounds and fun card and ATC sized tidbits - including Alice in Wonderland!! Yummo.

I am taking these to Scrapfest but I only have 6's of each. These will go quick! I sold one today and the studio wasn't even open ... and I've been getting orders already! Yippee! Let's have some fun with stamps and ink!!

So come on in and be the first to see the entire selection of new goods!!

I've also stocked up on new to me Prima Flowers and bling and Ice Stickles too... I got a great deal on them so I'm passing the savings on to you!

See you soon! The studio re-opens after the long weekend tomorrow (Tuesday) at 11:30!

Happy Easter

Hello all!
It's Easter Weekend and (as it is a long weekend) the studio is closed until Tuesday. Hope you enjoy the day with friends and family... maybe even have a little egg hunt of your own.
Karen :)