For the Sweet Love of Card Making.....

...we will be celebrating World Card Making Day at The Art House Studio!

Just in case you aren't aware - the first Saturday in October is recognised as being World Card Making Day. For the last few years I have hosted a retreat on this weekend but, since I changed my schedule, I'm free to offer something "sweet" in the studio. And I can't wait.

So ... calling all Card Makers!

This day is for you! Come join us in the studio for a full day of card makin' fun. Create for a full 12 hours (10 - 10), you'll be fed (lunch and dinner of course) and even treated to a sweet smelling card making technique (or two)! It's going to be a great day!

The Card Making day started, in part, as a launch to the Christmas Card Making season. To honour this and to give something back ... I'd like to invite everyone attending (and in fact, everyone reading this post) to create a Christmas Card that I will take to the Grand River Cancer Centre and Hope Springs to give to their patients and families using their services over the holidays. You can bring your card(s) to the event or drop them off anytime in the next couple of months (if you're from out of town and would like to do this ... I encourage you to bring them to ScrapFest Oct 15&16... I'll be there ...or mail them to me ) Thanks everyone!!

The Sweet day of Card Making is $40 (plus HST). I hope you can join us. Space is limited. Please contact the Art House Studio early to reserve your space. Happy Card Making Everyone!

Technique of the Month Club

WOW!!! Where has the summer gone!? The next Technique of the Month Club "meeting" is THIS Wednesday, September 1.

This month we will be creating something inspired by Cathe Holden's Wire Nest Pendant. It is a bird's nest made with wire and beads that you can create for a necklace or to decorate cards, decor items and mixed media projects. It's an introduction to wire for when we get into making jewelry, etc (as I know that's something of interest for many of you). PLEASE BRING needle nosed or round nosed pliers. And don't worry -- this is not difficult at all - it will introduce you to the world of wire wrapping without needing to be precise or perfect. Looking forward to it.

I will be running a technique of the month club this Wednesday, and if there is enough interest, next Wednesday as well (after the long weekend).


If you'd like to join us, please let me know which day works best for you. The class will run, as usual - 7pm - about 8:30 and is $10 (plus HST). All are welcome!! contact Karen to reserve your space

Hands on Photography Fall Workshop

I am excited to announce that Sue Sykes will be teaching a workshop at the studio on Saturday September 18 -- If you have an SLR camera and would like to learn more about taking photos without the automatic setting, I hope you can join us!

Sue has been behind a camera for more than 25 years, working professionally as a ...photographer for the last ten years. She writes the "Hands On Photography" section and keeps a photography blog for the Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine and also taught at this year's Kitchener Scrapfest. I can't wait to have her join us at the studio. The workshop held at The Art House Studio will be similar to Sue's Scrapfest class. She will take the beginner/intermediate SLR camera user through photography basics, getting you out of the "automatic setting". This 5 hour class will include approximately 3 hours of instruction, time for Lunch (which will be provided) and a chance to take your new found photography skills "on the road". The Art House Studio is located across the street from the Grand River and Park Trails - the perfect setting for a photographic excursion. Let's hope the weather cooperates!

Saturday September 18, 201011am-4pm
Workshop Price: $65 (plus HST) due upon registration
Contact the Studio for more information and to register519 954 6620

Harmonie - Summer 2010 CHA Release with Stephan

I am thrilled to have IN STOCK some paper and embellies from Canadian Company - Harmonie. I have created classes with their product before but I am IN LOVE with this season's releases.

Here is the owner of the company, Stephan, to show you what I have here in the studio!!
Take it away Stephan... and see you in the studio Soon for some Harmonie Therapy!! Enjoy!

He's an Artist!!

This is Kevin's art.

He likes to play with Fractals. ....it's a geeky thing :)

Anyway, he entered this in a contest and won. His design "fractal flame" will be the cover of an upcoming Math Text (probably post secondary) - I'm so proud. He's had writing published but never his art! hehehehheee... it must run in the family!

Kevin found out that he won the cover contest today which also happens to be our 15th Wedding Anniversay. So -- Happy Anniversary, hun. And Congrats!!!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU

The Art House Studio received enough nominations to be listed as "Favourite Craft Store" in the KW Records Reader's Select Awards!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT EVERYONE!! That is so exciting!!

The voting is open. If you'd like to vote for your favourite local businesses, please follow the link and complete the online voting form.

Thanks again and congrats to my fellow business owners here in the Plaza. Floor One Salon, Bark Avenue Dog Grooming and the Baby Boutique also received nominations in their categories. Yes, we have one rockin plaza now and I'm loving it!

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE. HAPPY VOTING!!

Coming Soon....

Claudine Hellmuth's Creative Layers Stamp Sets
6 Sets Polymer and Foam Coordinating Sets
I am super excited to be getting these 6 new stamp sets from Claudine Hellmuth in the studio. They will ship sometime in September so stay tuned to when they actually arrive.
Here's a great video I found on youTube of Claudine Demonstrating her new stamps at CHA that I thought I'd share with you. Claudine does a great job showing you what these stamps are all about.
You'll be hearing a lot more about these when they arrive in the studio. I am planning some classes and samples for you all to see and do. ENJOY!!!

VIVA DECOR

Now Available in the Studio!! Yes, it has arrived and I am thrilled and can't wait to play!

We now have 4 collections from Viva Decor. Croco is a one step crackle paint, the thicker you frost your item the bigger the cracks! Inka Gold is a soft metallic paste that can be rubbed on with your finger, or painted with a paint brush. Buff to a shine. Pearl Pens is a liquid pearl product that can be used on any surface including your cards and layouts but also fabric (yes, fabric... it can be washed!!) and Modeling Grass which looks like, well... GRASS when applied. Totally cool textural product!

These products are acrylic based and are compatible with all surfaces and each other. Try on wood, plastic, acetate, acrylic, metal, canvas, grungeboard, clay...you get it...on anything! All products clean up in water. Yumm Yumm!!

I have samples in the studio, so please drop on by during studio retail hours to have a peek for yourself!!

New at Graphic 45 - Summer 2010 CHA

Today is my big release day!!
What's coming to the Art House Studio.... well....
Stay tuned all week for my official peeks. Some of the product has already arrived and I will let you know as the rest does on our Website and will also post it on the "Available at the Studio" Page.
This is Aimee.. She works with Graphic 45 AND if you know me, you know how much I love this company!! Currently at the studio we have the Halloween in Wonderland Papers shown in this video (We also have On the Boardwalk, A Proper Gentleman, and Romantique Collection Packs and selected papers). The 8x8 Christmas Past Collection Pack and the entire Steampunk Debutant Line will be in the studio soon. Also coming to the studio... the envelope albums in their "staples" line. Yummoooooooo....
Thanks for taking us through the booth, Aimee!! Enjoy everyone.

It's Here!

The new issue of the Canadian Scrapbooker - and it looks Spook-tacular! .."Batty" even! :) Can't wait to get reading!

When the Summer Issue hit the stands, I posted that everyone who purchased a copy of that issue from me would be entered into a draw for a FREE ISSUE of the Fall Magazine. Well... I put everyones name in a hat and drew....

LORI J!!

Congratulations Lori. I'll be emailing you in a moment to let you know you won. I have your issue here in the studio waiting for you to pick up. ENJOY!!

The Nottawasaga Retreat Registration is OPEN

Yes, it's that time again -- and I'm so excited!
Our 7th annual Nottawasaga Resort Weekend Retreat will be held on Feb 25 - 27, 2011. Registration is now open for the event. The Theme? Asian -- lets just say it will be "Zensational"! *smile*

This retreat is the perfect getaway for scrappers and cardmakers - paper crafters of all kinds. Hope you can join us!

Details are Here ... but please feel free to contact Karen (that's me) at the studio for more information. Save $25 off the posted price if you register before November 25th.

Can you help?

I created this on Friday in the studio. I fell in love with this woman's image when I saw it on the GraphicsFairy blog. She looked so feminine, perhaps even a little vulnerable -- anyway, I just had to use the image in a piece and this is what I came up with.

BUT

It's not done. I would like to add some words, a word or a saying to the top right of this piece (under the fleur de lies) but I'm not sure what I'd like it to say. Can you help?

The working idea at right now is to add the words: "Embrace the Beauty Within" but I'm open to suggestions. Hope you like.

On another note -- I did get a chance to pop into my family reunion last night after the canvas class. It was wonderful to see the family and meet new members I really only know through Facebook. Fabulous! My dad's cousin came right over to tell me that she bid and won on my canvas (pictured below in an earlier post). That's fabulous, Janis - I hope you enjoy it!

Cheers all... hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!

I'm so proud!! AND inspired!

I was privileged to instruct a wonderfully creative group of ladies in the studio today -- the subject .... textured canvases!! WOW!! Stunning work ladies!!

Each canvas was as unique as the woman creating it.

I showed them all how to use Light Molding Paste to create the initial texture on our canvas, stamp in it, etch in it... then ... the BIG thing -- blending paints right on the canvas!! YAY Way to go girls. I know that took guts. You did a great job!!

From there we used some of Claudine Hellmuth's Matte Medium to adhere the papers chosen for the canvas. And when I say papers... I mean paperS! Scrapbook paper, napkins (decorated and someone even used their McDonalds napkin too), tissue paper, dress patterns, paper bags - you name it, it was used. How FANTASTIC!!

The girls used some Golden Bead Gel to add some additional texture to their pieces. It goes on white but will dry clear... PLEASE send me final pics ladies. Love to see them cause their stunning!

Proof's in the puddin.....

Thanks for a GREAT day ladies!! You're very inspiring!!

The Art House & Unity...

Well, I have a real hard time keeping secrets -- or so it seems. hehe

The fans on my Facebook Fan Page found out I got a shipment in the studio today. OMG. I'm so excited! And can't wait to play!

I WAS going to keep my CHA purchases quiet until the big REVEAL but... oh well, you can hear one... right? ;)

New to the Studio is UNITY STAMPS!

I got a selection of fun Itty Bitty Stamps. These are cling mounted red rubber stamps at a great price. I brought in 10 different Itty Bitty Stamps to start including these:

And I also got in some SUPER Donna Downey Stamps too!

These are Super Sized Stamps (Sizes as marked). They are wood slide mounted (thinner wood mount) and simply delectable. I have projects roaming around my brain at a dizzying speed. Just check them out!!!

And I also brought in a couple of Donna's New Stamp Sets too. These are also Cling Mounted Red Rubber Stamps. Yummy

Check out what Donna did with the She Set!! You can find this and other Donna Creations on her blog . You should check it out. I know you'll be inspired :)

Okay... that's it!!
Can't spill the beans again. Don't worry, lots to come!! Ekkk! So exciting!!

August Cards

Well, yes, they are a little tardy in being announced BUT good things are worth the wait? right? *smile*

These are the 4 cards that will be available to take in the studio this month. Let me know if and when you 'd like to come in to create them and I'll start up a class time. You are welcome to come in any time we're open as long as another class, crop or workshop isn't happening at the time. Have a group who would like to come in to the studio after hours... we can do that too. Just ask.

Cards are $20 -- Create all or your selection of them ... and make multiple cards! You are welcome to create as many cards as you'd like in the 2.5 hour workshop.

Looking forward to seeing you.
Call 519 954 6620 to register or email

Family Reunions....

Like many families this time of year, our family reunion is coming up soon.....
We have a reunion every few years in different parts of the country to incorporate family that has settled in other regions. Anyway, it's been a tradition to hold an auction at the reunions - the proceeds go towards funding the next reunion. Pretty cool actually. I volunteered to create something for this auction. Insert my "family" canvas:

I hope they like it.

The flower is embossed grungeboard (can't image why I thought of doing that? *wink*) and a quilled flower I created using the New Cuttlebug quilled flower kits. OMG, I'm in heaven. I see many more of these in my future.

Anyway, I had fun creating this little beauty. I hope it fetches a couple bucks at the auction. I'll be late arriving at the reunion as I have a canvas class here in the studio earlier that day BUT... maybe I'm glad I'm not there while people bid on my artwork. That's a little nerve wracking. just sayin.... *smile*

Hope you're having a creative day!!!

An Embossing Extravaganza

I had a lovely evening last night in the studio playing with embossing folders with the gals from the Technique of the Month Club. We welcomed some new members and I'm thinking as the popularity of this group grows... we'll have to add two classes a month starting in the fall -- SO if you are interested in coming out and playing with us every month, let me know. Love to have you here.

So how did we play with embossing folders you ask?

Well....

First I showed the gals how to use the Ranger Blending Tool and Distress Inks to create a background for cards. This is my "go to" embossing technique and I wanted to share it with the ladies. Together we created this card. (You may remember it from another post) The stamps are the Scrolls Work Stamps I have here in the studio. Love it

After our cards were created we played.

I showed the girls that if you added Distress Ink right on the flat side of the embossing folder and then embossed the paper you'd get a cool inked effect.

Then... conversely, if you add ink to the bumpy side of the embossing folder, you'd get a letterpress-like de-bossed effect.

Here's a better view of the whole de-bossing thing:

Add the two together and you can create some funky backgrounds

BUT... be careful when you de-boss. De-bossing will create a mirrored effect. If there is a folder with writing on it that you'd like to use be prepared to see it print backwards *smile*

I like that... but I know many of you don't. Just thought I'd give you the heads up *smile*

Next we embossed paper with the folders and then added embossing ink to it to heat emboss over it. I got this idea from a Blogger I admire (Linda Cain) and thought... yep -- this is fun. Here is the beginnings of a bookmark embossed with Gold UTEE. Love the gilded effect.

And Here is a little piece I created with Yellow, Tiger Lily and Gold UTEE.

It's all good. Finer images can be embossed with fine embossing powders too. Take time to play with it!! Here's a tip: Do not press your embossing ink onto the embossed card to ink it. You just want to add the ink to the top of the embossed image. I like to apply it lightly in a circular motion just to "kiss" the edges. ...Did I say lightly? *smile*
Now, Tim Holtz's new embossing folders by Sizzix are, I believe, a little deeper than other brands out there. Try running your Grungepaper through it!!!!

OMG -- LOVE that. Now picture embossing your Grungepaper before making Grunge Roses and layered flowers. Eeeekkkk.... Guess what I'll be doing in the studio this week! LOL
I have Tim Holtz's current folders in the studio now for $12.50/pkg. Each package contains two embossing folders. Come and check them out and PLAY
Have FUN!