New Year, New Projects

I thougt I was doing good to be so on top of it with Holiday Projects, until I realized that January was right around the corner and I had nothing planned! So despite a cold that has robbed me of most cognitive processes, here are the examples of our January projects!

2009 Explosion Box

Create this explosion box album for the new year. It has place for a photo from each month, plus a place to journal! The project features Season Brads from Around the Block and Year 'Round Notes from Flair (now discontinued), plus your choice of papers from 29th Street market. Plus the design of this explosion box is more advance than the one taught earlier.

Saturday, Jan 10th & Tuesday Jan 20th; Anytime, All Day; $20

"One & Only" Accordion Book

This book features paper and embellishment from Laundry Line and makes a great heartfelt gift for the holiday season. Class kit features Crocheted Flowers, Rub Ons, 5 sheets of Paper and Journaling cards from Laundry Line, plus a yard of ribbon to tie it off.

Friday, January 3oth, Anytime, All Day; $20

Glimmer Mist Coup

Ok - maybe coup is too dramatic, but I did manage to order the Limited Edition Fall colors even though they're retired as of the end of November. That means if you missed out on any of the 6 Fall colors you should call me ASAP and reserve yours, because once these are gone, that's it!

Also, coming in are the Winter '08 Limited Edition colors and the new Spring '09 Limited Edition colors, Glimmer Screens, Glimmer Chips as well as 6 regular Glimmer Mist colors.

I'm expecting the order to arrive Friday or Tuesday, so I'll keep you posted.

Holiday Craft Faire

Here's a glimpse of all the goodies at our Holiday Craft Faire yesterday. We had everything from Magnet Frames, Cards, Custom Albums, Handmade Dolls and Crocheted Cupcakes. The crafters will be back Friday, December 12th from noon -6pm & I hope you have time to come check them out!

Be Dazzled by the Pazzles

Ok, I'm going to be totally honest. I've never used the Cricut. I know, gasp, gasp! And I call my self a scrapbooker. But I have used the Pazzles and I love it! So when people ask I tell them, folks who have the cricut love the cricut. Folks who have the pazzles love the pazzles.

As for me? Which would I buy? I'd buy the pazzles. Its more money up front, but its a better investment in the long run because the images are more affordable and there are a lot more options when it comes to letters and words. And let's face it, we all want die cut letters and words.

So I know lots of you have been contemplating a Pazzles Inspiration and I'm getting lots of great email offers from the company for end of the year deals on this great machine. If you're interested, or just want more details, let me know!

Meanwhile, here are some more fun facts about the Pazzles...

• You can design and cut your own images!
• Cuts up to 12" wide
• Cuts cardstock, vinyl, iron ones, Pazzle stamp material, chipboard and more
• download images online
• Cuts most true type fonts
• Not just for cutting, accessories allow you to Draw, Emboss, Engrave, Pierce, Distress
• Image CDs are $20-$30
  

Santa's Workshop

This December I'm hosting five, $5 projects over the course of 10 days!!! Stop by anytime on Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Sundays to make any or all of the projects. These are also great projects for the kids, so bring them with, too!

Paper Cone Tree

6" version of our paper cone trees in 5 different themes, including Hannukah. Candle base not inlcuded

Acyrlic Photo Frame

various paper styles available

Holiday Box

CD or 4x6 Slide Box

Glimmer Mist Snowflake or Melissa Francis Christmas Collection

3 Piece Ornament Assortment

here's some styles...

Also, there will be a stamped card set available, but I haven't done the examples yet.

Styles may very per project. Projects subject to availability and supplies are limited. Projects offered 12/2, 12/4, 12/7, 12/9, 12/11, 12/14, 12/16, 12/18, 12/21 & 12/23. Reservations are accepted.

Handmade Holiday Craft Market

Pia introduced me to this nifty movement and its such a great idea. Here's what it's all about (quoting from their website)

Buying Handmade makes for better gift-giving.

The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that canbe seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing.

Buying handmade is better for people.

The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.

Buying handmade is better for the environment.

The accumulating environmental effects of mass production are a major cause of global warming and the poisoning of our air, water and soil. Every item you make or purchase from a small-scale independent artist or crafter strikes a small blow to the forces of mass production.

Feeling inspired? I sure am. And here's the perfect place to buy handmade. Stop by our:

Holiday Craft Faire
Friday December 5th & 12th
noon - 6pm
Center Court - Howard Hughes Promenade

Besides a great selection of handmade gifts, there will be lots of activities for the kids. Here's the line up for December 5th

Photos with Firemen & decorate a frame – Noon-3pm
Kid’s Holiday Card Workshop 3-6pm
Marionette Show 4:30 & 6:30pm

Hope you can join us and buy handmade (or make handmade) this holiday season.

Sonja

Christmas & Winter Themed Mini Albums

So I've got these great mini albums in. They're 6x6 albums with 10 pages/20 sides! And they're only $3. That's right...you read it right. 3 bucks. So I sat down and decorated one as gift idea, using some goodies from the American Crafts Christmas Collection.

I accented the cover with some of the Epoxy Dots from Kaisercraft...

Title page featuring Tinsel Thickers in red

Tinsel Thicker accents in Silver...

Rubs Ons, Thickers & Epoxy Dots

Tinsel Thicker Accents

Ribbon & Tinsel Thicker Accents

Rub ons and Tinsel Thicker Accents

Tinsel Thicker Accents...do I sound like a broken record yet?

Epoxy dots and Tinsel Thicker Accents

Rub Ons, Ribbon & Tinsel Thicker Accents

Paper Accents & Tinsel Thickers

Tinsel Thickers

The point is, you can whip out mini albums for your friends and family in under 30 minutes each. Just cut 6x6 sheets of double sided paper, like those pictured from the American Crafts collection, add some embellishments and have fun!!!

Look What I did Today....

Ha ha, I feel like a kid coming home from school saying, "mommy, mommy, look what I did..."

Anyhow, I took extra Glittered Chipboard shapes from my My Mind's Eye Be Merry Collection and Glittered Alphas from the Laundry Line collection to make a festive holiday banner. It was really simple!




Step 1 - layout your design on your work space. Tip: we never have enough letters to spell what we want to, so think out of the box, like I did, with this French Holiday greeting. Also, you can alter letters. One of those pictured used to to be a "Q" but was easily converted into an "O"

Step 2 - use your crop-a-dile to punch 2 holes in each letter/item at the center point. Have 2 holes keeps the garland more steady when its strung together. I used the tiny hole punch, I think its 1/8"

Step 3 - String your garland together. I used white tulle from Bazzill. I thought it was nice and wintery. Tip: tying a small knot at each end of the tulle will make it much easier to thread. Also, the closer your items are together, the more stable the garland will be.

Step 4 - Hang and Enjoy!

This is an easy project to do with all your project "scraps" and is simple enough to keep the kids occupied. Just a thought....

Sonja

Fall for these great ideas...

Let's face it...it's fall for about 2 seconds in LA...and that's after our cycle of hot/cold/hot/cold...well you get the picture. Still I can't resist this time of year. I love the colors, even if we don't have a bunch of colorful leaves on the ground. And I love the concept; being thankful for one's many blessings, and settling in for the winter.

So with that in mind...here are some fun fall ideas, sort of. While not explicity autumnal, like our so cal weather...they're some easy ways to celebrate the season and bring a touch of the season indoors.

This layout features Offbeat from Basic Grey and Thanksgiving stickers from SRM Press. I love the funky fruit and flowers, a nice twist on your traditional fall motifs.

Thank You Note place cards featuring Wild Asparagus paper and ribbon from American Crafts. Instead of traditional place cards, place a note at each person's seat, with a few sentiments of gratitude for who they are in your life!

Paper-copia featuring Sassafras Lass. My sister made these last year for her flower girls to carry and I thought it was such a good idea. Simply roll the paper into the desired cone shape and glue. Use the decorative edge from the paper to cover the seam. You can lay this on a table and fill with fruit, veggies or flower for a simple centerpiece. Or you can attach ribbon and hang it like a sconce.

Blessed Wall Decor/Banner featuring Wild Asparagus. This could not be easier. Use the Wild Asparagus letters to spell your sentiment & cut coordinating 3" squares, distressing the edges. Use your crop a dile, or another whole punch to punch holes on the top for your favorite ribbon; mine is may arts. String the letters together and arrange them, using glue dots or pop dots to secure. Easy as pie!!!

I fell in love with these stars during the MME star garland class over the summer. I made this one from 29th St. Market paper and it can be used as a centerpiece or add some ribbon and hang it on the door.

Happy Fall y'all!

Free Ice Cream

Bring your "I Voted" Sticker to Ben & Jerry's On Tuesday, Nov 4th for Free Ice Cream. Its been confirmed that the scoop shop at the Promenade is participating.

Also, as a special for all of you faithful blog readers, bring in your "I voted" sticker any time on Tuesday and recieve 1/2 off all adhesive!!! Wow - that's a good deal, but you have to mention this blog post...

Also, there's more. When you vote for me on the Fox LA Hotlist, make sure to print the "vote confirmed" page and bring that in for 30% off one item!!! But hurry because voting ends November 8th!

See you Tuesday!

Sonja

The store was on TV!!!

Yay - here's a link to the Good Day LA clip.

http://www.myfoxla.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=7707648&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=5.2.1

yay, yay, yay!

15 days left to vote...

Kaisercraftyness

Freestlye Beyond the Page Album with Bird Song Collection

Superhero Paper & an Accordion Beyond the Page Album

Flutterby Collection

Extreme Collection

Plush Empress Collection

Oh, How Exciting

Good Day LA is coming to film the shop tomorrow in conjunction with the My Fox LA Hotlist competition.

How fabulous is that?!?

If you haven't voted yet, please do so, soon. We're still in the Top 5, but wouldn't it be grand to take #1 in our first year???

Sonja

Take a Bite Out of Your Next Project

At long last the Paper Gator has arrived at the store. This is the coolest corner cutter to hit the market yet! And for a limited time, you can have yours for $45; that's $5 off retail!

This groovy gadget comes with a 3/8" corner rounder. It'll cut through tons of stuff from stacks of photos to chipboard & more. Tomorrow I'm going to try it on acrylic sheets, Beyond the Page projects and anything else I can find.

Plus its easy to use. No force required. You can work the lever with your pinkie; I pinkie swear!

You can also change the blade for 1/6" rounder, 1/4" rounder and straight cut.

This is one of the coolest tools on the market today.

So hurry in and scoop this one up!

PS - since this is already quite a deal, please no coupons or other discounts on this gadget!

Scrapper's Market

Here's a glimpse of today's Scrapper's Market. We moved the festivities inside because of the weather but look at all the wonderful, creative things.

Pia's Enchanted Musings

Darcie's Creations

Bev's Paper Addict

Ann's Abundant Creations Die Cuts

Michelle's Creations!

The Scrapper's Market continues on Sunday Oct 5th so stop on by! Also there are still a couple free layout kits left!