Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I think the sentiment in this cartoon says it all... so much to be thankful for -- one day to express it just isn't enough..... especially when I get emails like this:

Hi Karen:

I just wanted to give you a quick shout to let you know how much I enjoyed the retreat. It was awesome and I am so glad I finally had the opportunity to attend. Being beside the window with that gorgeous waterfront view was an added bonus and you sat us with 2 of the best tablemates anyone could ask for.

I have my notebook, address book, post it note holder, card and In A Pinch make’n take all sitting on the dining room table and I find myself going to have a look quite often. I just love them. Your class was one of the few that I have ever taken where I came away with items I will actually use and I know I will use the techniques you showed us as well. Love, love, love them!

Everyone in the group was super friendly and that was certainly appreciated by a first timer to your retreat. I am looking forward to attending another down the road.

Sure wish I lived closer to your Studio!
Diane

Thank you Diane - and everyone else who comes to my studio, retreats and events throughout the year. I am truly thankful for you all. I have said this before, and I'll say it again: you are the reason I do what I do and the reason I love it so much!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Enjoy the holiday!

fuzzy spiders, mobiles and wall hangings....

Welcome to the Dollar Store Club!

This month's crafting adventure revolved around Halloween!! The girls were set loose from the studio last month armed with the instructions to create something -- anything -- for Halloween using dollar store items. They could have chosen costumes, decor, anything.....

The ladies got pretty creative. We had 3 mobiles complete with fuzzy spiders, bats, witches and ghosts, an etched candy jar and a couple of wall hangings. It's all good and pretty "bat-acular" :)
I love show and tell!! It's fun seeing how people create,

This is the little loot bag that we created in our mini class after show & tell last night. Sue had mentioned to me that she had never used Alcohol Inks so... I thought we could get those out and create a fun witch hat for the little gal. I think they turned out pretty cute :)

Next month the girls are to create something with "leaves" in it. The leaves can be in a pattern, they can be floral, they can be anything. The only stipulation is they create something with leaves on it and use at least one dollar store item. Can't wait to see what they create!!

London Retreat Classes

They're Here.......
The Retreat Classes for Go Scrapping's London Retreat November 6-8, 2009.

Are you ready?? Retreat goers are encouraged to register for their classes early as these classes are on a first come, first serve basis.

All classes require you to bring a "basic class kit" (trimmer, scissors, wet and dry adhesive, pencil, eraser, ruler) and any addition materials can be found in the class descriptions below.
Every retreat guest has the opportunity of taking one of these classes as part of their retreat registration. Additional classes may be purchased too. The prices for each class are listed in the description. All additional class fees are payable when you arrive at the retreat.

To register for your classes.. simply email me your selection. It's as simple as that. I will send you a confirmation email once I have received your request.
Happy Selecting!!

Distressing the Holidays - 10:30am
Designed by Tim Holtz, instructed by Karen Ellis











It's gonna get messy!! This class is for all those "technique crazy" ladies out there who would like to play with a little "ink"! Oodles of techniques using Ranger products will be shown as you decorate the front and back cover of this cute Grungeboard Mini Album. As the title suggests, this is a class that Tim Holtz designed and taught for retailers at CHA this summer. If you love technique classes, this ones for you!!

Class Fees: $25 as an extra class, $5 as your complimentary option.

Please bring: Your basic Class Kit and Distress Ink pads (I used Fired Brick Red, Brushed Corduroy (or Walnut), Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint (Green), Weathered Wood (Blue). Bring a nice assortment or share with a friend)


Family Love Layout- 1pm
by Karen Ellis

A fun fall coloured layout to showcase your family photos. We will be using papers from Harmonie -- a Canadian Company (out of Quebec)!! I will be showing you how to create fun embellishments with alcohol inks and glossy papers and you will be getting to use paint in a new "journalistic" way. Not too much messy stuff -- just enough to get you interested :)

Class Fee: $15
Please bring: Your basic Class Kit, Vintage Photo Distress Ink (or similar brown ink for edges) and 4 black & white or sepia photos of your family. Sizes shown are 4x6 (3 portrait, 1 landscape)

Christmas Cards - 2:30pm
by Sheri East of In A Pinch Designs
Ho Ho Ho -- Sheri is thrilled to bring you four Christmas cards that friends and family will love. Sheri chose to create more of a rustic look using distress ink, buttons and jute however, she couldn't help herself and added just a little bit of bling

Class fee: $15

Please bring your basic Class Kit, Vintage Photo Distress ink by Ranger, blending tool by Ranger or make up wedge, and Crystal Stickles by Ranger





2010 Calendar Gift Set - 4PM
By Karen Ellis

I love Graphic 45. Here is another class I designed with this fabulous paper: A bound 2010 Calendar and Note Book Set. The gift set class went over so well in Peterborough I just had to make the calendar into a set too! I think you're going to love love love it!!

I will be teaching lots of ink blending techniques in this class and using some fun templates from Crafter's Workshop too!


Class fee: $16
Please bring your basic class kit, 3D foam dots, vintage photo distress ink (and fired brick red too if you have it)

I will be emailing all our retreat guests these classes so they have them on file.

Ask Karen - episode 2

Happy Tuesday Everyone!! It's time for another edition of "Ask Karen" (incert echo here).

I'd like to thank Tracey for compiling this week's Ask Karen questions from questions that I received while teaching this weekend at Go Scrapping's Peterborough Retreat. Thanks Tracey -- here it goes!!

Question 1: What's the difference between Dye, Pigment, Archival and Distress Inks?? Great question -- here's a "Coles Notes" version for you.

Dye Inks are absorbed into paper quickly and work well on most paper types. Because they are absorbed quickly, they are not suitable for embossing and they are not very blendable. They also tend to fade over time (unless you are using an archival dye). I like them for subtle ink effects.

Pigment Inks are thicker, slow drying and sit on top of paper which makes them ideal for embossing projects. These inks also tend to be more vibrant than dye inks. They won't, however, dry on glossy surfaces unless they are used with embossing powders or spray fixative.

Archival Inks - Oil-based ink that will dry on glossy, non-porous materials as well as remain vibrant on paper and other porous materials. Because it is oil-based, you can spritz mists and work with other water-based products without smudging the image. The perfect ink to use for images you would like to watercolour or "Copic colour"!!

Distress Inks - are a fade resistant dye ink that is formulated to react with water. It's great for antiquing techniques and is slower drying than other dye inks which makes it perfect for blending. Even though it's not, I equate it to stains.... It goes on vibrant but becomes more subtle when it dries. You can also use this ink to tint your photos!! --yep, they are acid-free and non-toxic too :)

Question 2: When using die cuts or chipboard pieces, how do you remove the little nibs on the edges?? Get out your nail files ladies :) They are the perfect tool to sand away those stubborn little nibs off of die cut chipboard pieces. As for paper nibs from die cut sheets -- you can trim those away with your little scissors or.... my fast and easy hiding technique... ink those edges :) A little ink hides a multitude of sins. LOL ...just kidding ... but it does work.

Question 3: Can you use a Rub-On over a piece of chipboard that you have already embellished with crackle paint? Yep! You can. Tracey tried it at the crop and it turned out beautifully!! She made a "crackled" Halloween Moon and rubbed a witch rub-on over it. Perfect!!!

Thanks for the questions ladies!! Don't forget to send me questions throughout the week. I will answer them here on Tuesdays!!

Back from the Pyjama Party!

Hi bloggers!
I am home from the Peterborough Retreat! What a fantastic weekend!
We had a friendly, fun and creative group of ladies join us this weekend. I loved seeing you all mingle, be inspired by each other and experiment with what you learned in classes and from others in the room. I have said it before, and I will say it again: you ladies inspire me with your enthusiasm and creativity! Thanks for a great weekend and thanks again for my special birthday surprises.

Here are a few of your photos you said I could share with the world.
I will post more on the Go Scrapping Photobucket Site this week and I encourage you to do the same. Please feel free to post your comments about the retreat here.... love to hear from you.

and PS... yes, that is me wearing my jammies backwards with rollers in my hair. No one ever said I wasn't a good sport! For those who weren't at the retreat -- this was my dare after we played everyone's favourite slumber party game: Truth or Dare. Yep.. I went to brunch in the Hotel Dining Room like this... LOL There isn't anything I wouldn't do for the "Go Peeps" :)

Special thanks to my helper Jen -- I wouldn't be able to do these weekends without her. And thank yous to Judy and Sheri from In A Pinch Designs. It was great having you at another retreat selling your awesome kits, doing make n takes and teaching the card class. Thanks ladies!!

I'd also like to thank Lucy at Simply Scrapping in Cambridge for letting me raid her store for papers and embellishments to go along with the studio's "messy bits". Everyone loved the product you carry and I know they'll be in to visit you soon!!

Thanks for an awesome retreat everyone!!

Thank you ladies!!!

Hello from Peterborough!
The ladies came, scrapped and ... if some of the pictures they gave me before they left were any indication... they had a great time! AS DID I!! Thanks ladies!!

I will blog more about the retreat tomorrow but... I wanted to say a special thank you to the ladies at the retreat for surprising me with the kindest of Birthday wishes. Yes, today is my birthday and I couldn't have shared it with a more fantastic bunch!


Look what they did -- Cake, presented with lots of singing and picture taking and a card signed by all....

I was shocked.... Yes, surprised.... Or was that because of the whoopie cushion?? LOL

And yes, this is me getting teary at the wonderfulness of it all.....

And this is thankful me. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful group of people who attend my retreats. I love you all. You are the reason why I love what I do!! ...And why I keep doing it!

Thanks to the entire Go Scrapping Family!!!

Look for more retreat pics tomorrow!!!.... Thanks again for a great weekend!

It's retreat time!

Well, I am just about ready for the Peterborough Retreat this weekend. I'm so excited!!

The classes are all prepped and packed, the goodies are too...... all is set for a great event.

Just to remind those who will not be joining us in Peterborough... the STUDIO WILL BE CLOSED this weekend while I am hosting and teaching at the retreat. We will re-open on Tuesday at 11:30 for regular studio hours. See you then.

As for the rest of us -- get out your jammies and fuzzy slippers! It's time for a retreat!