I had a great weekend with some fabulous crafty people!!

Friday night was spent with a giggly group of gals creating in the studio and skyping with another crafty friend from Alberta. Saturday I was treated to some more crafty time with another group of amazing gals and THEN I had the opportunity to go into Toronto to meet up with the Canadian Scrapbooker team and work at the CreativFestival on Sunday. Pretty GREAT weekend if you ask me!!

It was wonderful to see so many people I knew at the show. One of those people was Keitha. We had a great chat and she told me about a Halloween project she created this week -- a Halloween Configurations Box. Take a look at this!!

Doesn't it look great? Thanks for sending me a pic, Keitha!! I love it!!

Hope you had a creative weekend!!!

Eye Popping Wonders....

I had a FABULOUS day yesterday creating with some wonderful gals.... JUST LOOK at what they were working on in the studio.....

Pretty inspiring, isn't it?

Hope you have a creative weekend!!

Classes, Classes, Classes

It was quite a day in the studio.

I had a couple of fabulous ladies in this afternoon to create the Isabella Canvas. What fun -- just gotta contain the crackle :) hehe. I love having people in the studio creating. It's completely inspiring!

Tonight I had 13 Pathfinders (and leaders) in the studio to create the Bird's Nest Jewelry Set that I did with the Technique of the Month Club last month. What a thrill and a fabulous group of kids!!

I understand that they will be doing some collage next week as part of their regular meeting. Have fun girls!! And enjoy getting creative! I hope I gave you some ideas!!

Tomorrow I have lots of people in the studio too! Some girls bringing their own projects in to use the space, another Isabella Canvas and someone coming in to do the Card Workshop too!! How exciting!!! A paper and glue extravaganza!! The Studio is OPEN!! I hope to see you soon too!!

Have a creative day everyone!!

Scratch and Sniff Anyone?

I hope you all had a wonderful National Card Making Day!
We had a fabulous day in the studio creating cards and other pieces of art. Thank you to all the girls who joined me - what a wonderful group of women to spend the day with. I can't wait to show you all that I created but that will be for future posts.

As you know, our card making day theme was "For the Sweet Love of Card Making". I chose this theme after deciding to teach the girls a fun little "Scratch and Sniff" technique as a make n take. Yes, Scratch and Sniff -- what will they think of next? Right?

The above card is the cute little cupcake card that the girls made. This one smells like Cherry. How do you do it? Just add some Koolaid to your clear fine embossing powder, shake it up well and emboss away. The 'flavour crystals" embedded in the powder can be sniffed once scratched :) hehe. Very fun! Hope you try it too.

Have a great day everyone and thanks again for a lovely day girls. I love witnessing your creativity!!

What a great day celebrating friends and LIFE!

My darling friend Sue wanted a little friendly day and booked the studio for a little "therapy". Some of her many friends came to join us - everyone was there in spirit. We had a wonderful day.

Lisa and Sandra from ScrapFest were in town today and dropped by to say hi and bring Sue a little something to brighten her day. She was thrilled and it was great to see them. Only a month away from ScrapFest in Oshawa -- Do you have your ticket? Hope you're having a GREAT creative weekend everyone. I'll post a pic of what I created today in the morning. I'm so excited to share!

Leaving on a jet plane......

I am at the airport getting ready to board my flight to Chicago for CHA's Summer Show. I'm so excited! (...even if I was body scanned at security on my way through! *insert eye roll here*) I'll be schmoozing with other retailers, designers, distributors ... and manufacturers too and can't wait to share all the news!

Look for some show snippets here on the website. I will post as often as I can -- BUT ... why not come to the studio on AUGUST 21 for a real peek at what's to come!?

I will be hosting a CHA Craft N Crop in the Studio on Saturday AUGUST 21 from 10am - 10pm. $40 (plus HST) Lunch and dinner will be served. I'll be sure to give the whole scoop with visuals wherever possible *wink*. Wish me luck!! PLEASE EMAIL me to reserve your craft n crop spot

Hope you're having a great weekend

Ho Ho Ho!

It must have been a sight on the weekend to see a Santa Claus on a Saturday in July and in 33 degree heat! Holy Moly! What was I thinking? hehe.....

Yep! Santa came to our Christmas in July crop on the weekend to meet our guests and give them some scrappy gifts! Totally fun!

I had a blast of a day with a GREAT group of ladies crafting and cropping .... people made jewelry, wall hangings, cards, and layouts too. Love seeing creativity come alive! Stunning work ladies and it was my pleasure to host you in the studio.


Monday morning was the start of the studios week with the YMCA day campers. I have a crop room full of kids making a scrapbook of there favourite memories. There are children creating albums about families and about special trips, school -- you name it and its been a delight.

The kids are in the studio every morning this week so the studio will open today thru Friday after the bus picks them up around noon.

This week in the studio -- ART SUPPLIES are on sale 30 % off. These include all paints, brushes, canvas, and more. Hope to see you.

Tis the Season to be Crafty....

....Fa la la la laaaaaa la la la la!

I'd like to invite you to the studio on Saturday July 17th ('cause Sunday July 25th I'm flying to Chicago for CHA!!) for our Christmas in July celebrations. An open craft and crop from 10 am - 10 pm. For $40 (plus HST -- Bah Humbug to the new tax) I'll provide the table space, meals and since it's Christmas after all... some goodies too! Hope you can join us!

There will be lots of fun things throughout the month of July so "stay tuned" I know you won't be disappointed!

Seats are limited for our Christmas In July Craft n Crop contact me at the studio to secure your space (519 954 6620).

Getting Excited!

Sue Sykes will be in the studio sharing her SLR knowledge with us NEXT WEEK!!! Can't Wait! I have been playing with my SLR camera settings and sometimes come out with great photos -- I'll say that again .... SOMETIMES come out with great photos. I can't wait to learn about those settings so great picture taking isn't such a fluke! LOL

If you'd like to join us -- I do have limited space available in the class. The all day class (lunch included) is $65. Click here for details

I am looking forward to hosting a June Card Workshop this morning and then I have some girls joining me for a night of creativity tonight in the studio!! I've decided I'm going to get the paints out again and create a 24x48 canvas for my living room at home. I'm on a mission!! ....and will be sure to post pics! I have spent the last couple of days re-organizing and cleaning the studio so my workspace is calling me!!

Have a fabulous day!

Paper, Paper, Paper.....RAK!

I hope you had a fantastic National Scrapbook Day!

A studio-filled group of ladies and I had a lot of fun crafting, cardmaking and scrapbooking the day and night away!

We played a little game, grazed on lots of food and got down and dirty with a little ink, glue and paper! There were "gift-ies" too! Gotta Love it!

I had so much fun I didn't realize until it was too late I didn't take photos of everyone at the Crop. What's up with that? But here are some shots of the "goings on" -- Love the Garden Party hats ladies!!! :)

I hope you all had as much fun yesterday as I did!

POST A LINK TO A PHOTO YOU TOOK OR A PHOTO OF SOMETHING YOU CREATED DURING NSD in the comment section of this post for your chance to win a mystery RAK from me!! This RAK is open to anyone who'd like to enter - you must post a link to your photo and make sure I have your contact info so I can let you know when you win!. RAK giveaway closes Tuesday May 4 - 5pm EST

Have a great day ladies!!
Can't wait to see what you did to celebrate!!

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!!

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

Crops ... they are coming!!

As you all know, I am having a "GARDEN PARTY" Crop for National Scrapbook Day here in the Studio. I'd like to thank you all for your interest in the crop cause it filled in 4hours!! Yep... 4 hours! How wonderful is that!?! I am taking names on a waitlist right now until I have firmed the attendance.


WOW!! Gotta love it!


But.. WAIT.... There is another one!!

I am SUPER excited to be a part of Scrapfest again this year. A paper crafters DREAM!!!!!ANYWAY.... It's official!! I have some fun things planned to celebrate the return of Scrapfest!

We'll start things off by hosting a
Fun and Fabulous Meet and Greet
with Scrapfest's super douper owner/operator
LISA FURTNEY!!!

Watch for my tweets and Facebook posts on Friday April 9 cause Lisa will be coming by the studio (around 4pm for those who like to plan ahead and are non-Facebook/Twitter users) to meet you all, answer any Scrapfest questions and... are you ready.... she will be staying to co-host a Crop in the Studio too!!


YES, You heard correctly... a Crop with Lisa! There will be prizes and fun Scrapfest Style!! You won't want to miss it!! The crop will begin at 6 and go until midnight -- yes, Toppers Pizza will be involved. Tickets are $25 (payment is required to reserve your space as seating is limited) -- Our plans are super exciting!! Can't wait!!

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL..... With every purchase in the Studio Store between April 9 and April 14 (cause we will be setting up and getting ready for Scrapfest on the 15th) you will have an opportunity "play" for a discount when you visit us at our booth at Scrapfest! We will be in the same spot as last year - booth 510!! Everyone is guaranteed a discount between 5% and 35% to go towards an item for sale at our booth. Good Luck!! And see you in the Studio ...and Scrapfest!

I'm having a Garden Party...

... on National Scrapbooking Day!

Hope you can join me! ;)

We'll be cropping in the studio 10am - Midnight on Saturday May 1, 2010.

Cost is $45 and will include lunch, dinner and treats of all kinds! Spring is Sprung (well, almost :) ) and it's time to celebrate!!

Seating is limited. Space is available on a first come, first serve basis.

What a Response!!

WOW....
The In A Pinch Designs and Go Studio Crop for Haiti reserved their 12 spaces in about... let's see....ummm.... 12 hours! THANK YOU LADIES We are looking forward to hosting this event for you and doing our small part to help the people of Haiti.

Thank you for supporting us in supporting them.

BUT WAIT... that's not all ... we have a wait list in place for this Friday's crop (the last two spots will be confirmed when I land in LA) AND if there are enough of you interested, In A Pinch Designs and I may just be willing to do this again. SO!!!! Let us know if you are interested and look for a future post with details if it's a go. Crossing my fingers.

Okay... time for me to board the plane. CHA or BUST! Right?? :)
Get wait to get an "In Real Life" look at all these Ranger and Tim products. I'll be sure to keep the drool under control!

Crop for Haiti!

Hey bloggers!!!

In A Pinch Designs and I wanted to do a little something for those in Haiti who need our help.

We've gotten together to host a crop at the studio with proceeds being donated to the Canadian Red Cross. Please join us! There's limited seating so, call right away. Crop fee is $20 -- We will be providing pizza, a make n take AND an In A Pinch Kit too!! It's going to be a fun night!

To register call Karen at 519-954-6620 or email .

Day 9... as promised

GUESS WHAT!!!

The Filmstrip Ribbon came in today!! Yippee!!! I got to play, and YES -- I did Tim's Tag #9 as promised! Here's my take.

I am inking here in the studio with some girls who are preparing for their own little tag swap. I have my completed "Tim Tags" securely in my possession so they don't make it to their swap accidentally. hehehehehe (I was just told it would be accidentally ON PURPOSE!) LOL ... go figure!

A great night in the studio! Thanks for sharing it with me ladies!!

I am leaving for Miami tomorrow afternoon.... I am cruising to Mexico and Belize next week and CAN'T WAIT to get away from this snow and spend some precious time with my family before the holidays. I will be posting some short blog entries while I am away... and I will craft (yes, I am bringing some stuff to work on while at sea -- BUT I'll post lots more fun stuff when I return. I promise!

The Studio will be Closed Tomorrow and Next Week -- We will re-open Tuesday Dec 22 at 11:30am. See you then!!

Karen xoxo

Yes, ladies and gentlemen... sometimes creative expression requires sitting in the middle of the floor pounding little pieces of tin with an itty bitty hammer!

Meet Jeannie... one of the 5 fabulous ladies that came to the studio yesterday for a little "crop" session. ...I told her I'd post this! *giggle giggle* She and the girls spotted the Coke Frame I created on Earth Day and wanted to give it a go -- so out came the recycling bin (that I was really glad I didn't put out this week), the Tim Holtz snips and distress hammer and a whole lot of fun! Looking good Jeannie!

I had a great evening with you ladies! Can't wait to do it again soon!

creation after creation!

I have been creating a storm at the studio!!!

For those of you who don't know, my dad was recently diagnosed with cancer. My mind has been in so many different places lately that my outlet has been my art.... sorry, not blogging :) I will try harder I promise ;)

Anyway, I have lots to show you.... and I hope you join us for one of our Canvas Workshops next month where I can show you how to create using lots of mediums, including beeswax. Trust me, its fun and therapeutic! hehe.

Here are two (out of three planned canvas) that I created with photos of my pup. Ain't he cute? hehe

Stephen next door at Bark Avenue LOVES these!! So I think I might break out the paints and the wax to do one of his dogs. He has four... this could get interesting as they all have their own unique personalities!! I'll let you know what I do -- I need to get a few pictures first.

and here is another hopeful one I created too... I got over my fear of painting faces - I am so proud of myself -Yippee! I must be getting paint brave or something!

I even got in a layout or two :) Here's one that I did this week. I just have to add the photos I'll take this weekend. It's all good!

I had a great weekend here at the studio!!

I had two different groups of gals here Friday and Saturday. Such fun!

One of the girls did something special for her 5 year old niece's birthday using our chipboard sheets that I thought I'd pass on! It is such a GREAT IDEA!!

She rescued a stack of used paper that was let over from various print jobs at the office that had little or nothing printed across the bottom of them (so they couldn't be used for anything other than scratch paper). Well... she brought them to the studio where she bound them together using the Bind It All and a couple of 8.5x11 sheets of chipboard that we sell here. This created a FABULOUS steno book for her sketch crazy niece!!! She went on to personalized the book with the cutest patten paper and it made a FABULOUS gift Waste not, want not! I so wish I had a photo to share but I hope I have given you an idea or two!! It's amazing what you can create with a little ingenuity! Hope she liked it!!!!!! I'm sure you're her favourite Auntie now!! :)

Thanks for a great weekend Gals!!! Always great creating with you here in the studio.

Blessings all!!!