Another Week ... More STUFF !!!

Hello !
Well here it is another week ... and there is a whole bunch more "stuff" to talk about !! I have spent the weekend and every night this week trying out all the new goodies ... great fun ! Tonight I hope to break out my Big Kick and the Tim Holtz dies.
Anyway, let's get to it !!
BEADS :
Lots of new charms ... great prices too ! Most are 75 cents and less. Let's see ... I have butterflies, square drops, ribbons, cherubs on hearts, strawberries, ladybugs, teddy bears, fire hydrants, cats, funky angels, sweet elephants, octopus, owls, heart drops, mama cat carrying her kitten, large crosses, swallows, word charms, pixies, more owls, sea horses, mushrooms (wow ! the 70's are calling me ... owls and mushrooms !!), elephant heads, and more word tags. There are also metal beads in swirly ovals, and patterned flat rectangles and ovals. Also some great tubes ... finally the tubes I used on the memory wire with crystals to make the cuff bracelet ... some of you have been waiting for those ! And then I have a new type of charm ... they are words with two loops and would be used in a necklace ... really cute !
I also have more of the Chinese crystal ... 8mm and 10mm rondelles including some opaque colours that are beautiful and still sparkle ! More of the cubes and olive shapes as well.

Here's a word charm bracelet to make... it is super simple but really nice. I call it "the Amy Bracelet" for my niece who came up with the idea. Smart isn't she ? Or, instead of word charms, why not try animal charms or any variety of charms? You could make any combination you like !!
Look around the store for little bins of discounted beads ... I am working on cleaning out the trays to make room for new beads and the last little bits are being MARKED DOWN !!

PAPER : oh, prepare to fall in love !! October Afternoon's new lines are here and they are LOVELY !!! Each line is made up of double sided paper, stamps, flashcard books, wild cards, cardstock shape stickers, rub-ons, word and label stickers, journal cards (that would be cute on a ring as a little book !!), and 8x8 paper pads.
There is Thrift Shop

and Fly a Kite.

I made this coaster banner from Fly a Kite ... it just screams summer ! I also added diecuts from My Mind's Eye.

This star is made form the Thrift Shop papers ... simply Mod Podges onto a tin star ... I have a few of them left here at the store.

And these cards are also made from the Thrift Shop line as well as the great new little stamp sets I have ... more on those later !

This is from the Thrift Shop line using some of the Maya Road mini sewing chipboard pieces and Stickles !!

All the paper is $1 sheet and it is too cute for words !!

The Tim Holtz dies are here ... hopefully I'll have some samples for you this week - if not, you can count on next week !! I also have some more of his stamp sets as well as some more from Ali Edwards. You can also see the new Sizzix dies and sizzlets ... really great designs !
And speaking of new stamps ... I have a collection from Basic Grey that is FABULOUS !! Each set sells for just $2.75 and is made especially for making cards. I used some of them on the cards I made ... "Happy Birthday", "Congratulations" etc ... There are even Christmas sets. At that price, you'll want one of each !! And the other great new mini sets are from Technique Tuesday ... the script Happy Birthday is from one of the sets. I have only used a few of them but I plan to try some more this weekend. These sets are $3.99 and really useful !

Here is another sample for card makers ... Grad cards. I have the 2010 paper in stock as well as some stamps. Check out the super cute brads ... diplomas & grad caps !! The "Congratulations is from the Technique Tuesday set (I believe it is a wedding set !!) ... many uses for that one !!

SALE ... I have been bundling up packs of paper and accessories to clear out the racks for new paper ... great deals ... even half off !! Grab some while they are here !!
And just a final word about all the great entries in the challenge ... beautiful pieces everyone !! Thanks so much & I hope you'll all be back (and more !!) for this month's challenge !! Congratulations to the winners ... and congrats to all the rest of you too - you did a beautiful job !!

The card winner was Elaine ...bottom left corner.

And the jewelry winner was Natalie W (last necklace on the right)... she did a great job using most of the beads and adding others to enhance the ones in the kit. The picture isn't great but the pieces are !!
And ... this is COOKIES FOR C.A.P.S. week so I will have baked treats & hot beverages for a $2 donation this week !! I'm thinking chocolate cake ...

And the Winner is ...

Congratulations !!!
The winner for the cards is ... Elaine C.
And the beading champ is Natalie W.
You can claim your prize anytime !
Watch Thursday for May's challenge.
( the cards & jewelry can be picked up anytime )
Thanks for all the great entries & I look forward to seeing this month's !!

What's new ??!

Hello !
As promised I have a project of the week ... no ... make that two !! And they are "cross-over" projects ... a little bit of beading , a little bit of scrapping !

This is the the first project ... a beautiful bracelet made with chain, jumprings, and a lobster clasp from the beading section. Then I added some items from the scrapbooking section - Tim Holtz Type Charms , some with the included letters and some with 1/2" circles of 7 Gypsies paper, and the new 7 Gypsies mini keys. Cute huh ?! And soooo easy.

This is the next project ... a cute little box ... you could even put your new bracelet in it ! I used a papier mache box and Pink Paislee's "Queen Bee" line. I used the paper to cover the box, added a rub-on to the top of the lid, the pleats to the edge of the top, and then a piece of gingham ribbon around it. I attached the paper with the 1/2" ScorPal tape - it was really quick, easy, and much less messy than using glue.The top was really easy to do and I love the look of the rub-on on the bare kraft of the box. Then I added a 7 Gypsies knob and BEADS for feet ... just hot glued them on. The whole project took half an hour.I really like it ... I may make others in some of the new papers that are arriving ...


Beads : I have more of the beautiful and less expensive CHINESE CRYSTAL . They are gorgeous ! I have more of the rondelles in new FANTASTIC colours and also some new shapes - olives, cubes, helix, and bicones. There are also some 4mm rondelles - I ordered them by mistake ! But they are lovely ... just little sparkly gems !! Since they aren't an item I usually carry, I am selling them by the strand and half strand. If you love them (!), I'll get more. But stock up now - they would be gorgeous in bracelets or as spacers in necklaces. A package of 70+ pieces is $7.99 (only 11 cents each !) or a 150 pc strand is only $14.99 ... 10 cents each for beautiful crystals !! I also have 4 mm bicones in pkgs of 50+ for only $3.99 ... that's less than 8 cents each compared to 20 cents for Swarovski . The cubes are also great prices ... I have a handful of colours but will get more if there is interest ... 4mm are 20 cents & 6mm are 30. The helix are 20 cents for the 6mm and 30 for the 8mm. And the olive ... only have one colour but will be adding more now that I have seen them ... are 25 cents for 6mm. Think of the amazing jewelry you can make !!


And speaking of amazing jewelry ... I have some on display ! They are the entries so far for the April Challenge and you can enter right up to the 24th. The winner will receive a $10 gift certificate ! Why not add your creations to the contest ? See the challenge in the sidebar.


There is also a card challenge ... lots of entries so far ! You have until Saturday !



Also new for you beaders ... lots of new metal beads & spacers, more charms, antique bronze chain - a plain one and a large ornate (and beautiful !) one, bead mats, wire, new stringing materials, and more than I am forgetting !


PAPER :

lots here too !

*Tim Holtz : Adornments & Time Pieces (these would make amazing jewelry too !)

*Kaisercraft : 3D Photo Displays and some very nice paper.

*6x6 paper pads : Wee Bundle form Sassafras "Monstrosity" and from Cosmo Cricket - "Material Girl", "Joyride", and "Garden Variety"

*Lots more stamps

*7 Gypsies : photo trays, book covers, book board 6x6 and 8x8, tags, pockets, journal pages, Vintage Hardware, keys galore ! ( I used the keys on a bracelet & love it !!)

* Cricut replacement cutting mats

* canvases in all sorts of sizes to use for altered canvases or collage work



* sold out of the Scor Pal work pads but I will have more soon. They are great ... they fit right into your Scor Pal so you can cut & glue right on it. I also have the lovely carrying bags for the Scor Pal. You could be the most stylish card maker in the gang !!



There is lots more to come ... just too much to do this week to get to it all. So keep watching !!



My Tim Holtz/Sizzix dies have been shipped ... they weren't all available but I do have at least some of them coming. I'll let you know when they get here ... I am sure they will go really quickly especially since I didn't get all of my order. There will be another order later but I'm not sure when.

Here's what I do know that I will be getting :

* extended cutting pads, texture boutique embossing machine

* Tim Holtz : tattered florals, keyhole movers & shapers, hanging sign, ornamental , regal crest, caged bird, baroque, hardware findings, on the edge (OTE) brackets, OTE ornate, OTE file tabs, OTE scrollwork. I'm not sure how many of each I am getting yet. The other designs have been held up.

* Sizzix Bigz Dies : bird w/wing, flourish & floral w/leaves, pinwheel, birdhouse

* Sizzix Sizzlets : small dragonfly #3, small corner flourish #2, small butterfly #12, small bee #4, small bird swallow



Next week is COOKIES FOR C. A.P.S ... not sure what I'm baking yet ... remember that for a $2 donation you get a baked treat and a coffee or tea. And all the money goes to the Companion Animal Protection Society. You fill your tummy AND help an animal ... win/win !! (And I get to bake and not eat it all !!)

ohhhhhhhhh ....

Okay ! This is a bit of a lazy post ... NO! Strike that ... it is an exhausted post ( and I am hoping you will cut me a little slack and forgive me ! ...*please ?* ) I have been changing, renovating, building shelves, unpacking, dragging, moving, ... oh yeah, and boxing up 450 little chicks ... this week and I am POOPED !!! So this post will give you a quick blurb about new & exciting things and next week I'll have photos.
So there are , once again, lots of new & exciting things. I have just finished redoing the scrapbooking section and next week I start on the beads ... so you can probably expect a big sale soon to get rid of all the odds'n'ends !!
Oh, here's a little tip ... the beaders may want to check out the scrapbooking section for all the great little metal keys, locks, charms, etc... AND ... the scrapbookers should check out all the charms & hemp in the bead section. Switch it up !!! Next week's project will be a great piece of jewelry made from the scrapbooking section !!!
PAPER :
*more stamps - Technique Tuesday ( including some little $3.99 sets), 7 Gypsies, TPC Studios, The Stamp Barn ... Sunshine Designs and Enchanted Hollow ... some really cute little fairies, Impression Obsession ... very detailed -good for those who like to colour in their stamps, Unity Stamp Co.
* more 7 Gypsies and Tim Holtz ... actually 7 Gypsies, Tim Holtz, and Heidi Swapp have their own section now !!
* more ink pads
* Colour Catchers ... a great little mini spray booth
* loads of BEE-YOO-TI-FUL Prima flowers.
* Tombow stamp markers
* Cricut paper trimmers
* ScorPal scoring boards, work mat inserts, and carrying case
* Graduation theme products
I've also re-organized the rub-ons and stickers. They are now neatly hanging from spinners, labelled, and easy to see !! ( So glad about that !)

BEADS :
* **JUST IN ***more more more Chinese Crystals ... I hope to get them unpacked tonight.
* More magnetic fasteners ... old favourites ... round balls and the hearts
* more charms


PROJECT OF THE WEEK
This week the project was a pair of Swarovski Chandelier earrings. They are super pretty ! The are from a kit that I have for $2.99. The kit includes the chandeliers (studded with crystals), headpins, jump rings, and ear wires. You just add the little dangly beads. I added some 4mm crystal bicones. Now ... I will admit that the jump rings are pretty flimsy - I broke half of them so you may need a few extra. And I also broke a loop of the inside the earring part ... no problem ! I cut the others off and liked it better as I found it tricky to get the crystals in the little inner area anyway ! When I was done, I had a very pretty pair of earrings ... perfect for a prom !
( Not that I anticipate going to a prom any time soon ...)

CHALLENGE
There is still a week left to enter this month's challenge ... the entries are starting to come in ! Remember you could win a $10 gift certificate. And, yes, you do get your project back !!

I am SOOOOO excited !!

Do you recognize this place ?



Maybe not. It's the store !! I have been planning some changes ... and this is the first ! This room will be a great place for samples, projects, the monthly challenge, and "Project of the Week". I hope that the first thing you see when you walk in will be something to get you inspired ! Right now it is mostly paper projects but I will also be adding bead projects and jewelry kits ... all in time !

So ... there is lots new to talk about , besides the room.

FIRST ... the CHALLENGE !

Each month there will be a beading challenge as well as a paper challenge. There will be a winner in each category and that person will receive a $10 gift certificate. The challenge will be posted on the blog in the sidebar at the beginning of each month. It may be a colour challenge, or a different technique, or a certain theme ... it could be any thing ! This month it involves a small bag of supplies. The bags are $1 each and contain the basis for the project ... use the items in the bag adding whatever you choose to make the finished product. (I wanted the first one to be easy !) Bring it in for display any time before the 24th of April. The winners will be announced on the 30th. The beading challenge is made with a bag of amethyst colour beads in various sizes ... and remember you can add ANYTHING you want to the mix. The paper challenge is to create a card with the paper & items provided, again adding whatever you want. The paper is the new "Bayberry Cottage" line from Pink Paislee. You can use whichever side of the paper you want, cut it or punch it, stamp it ... anything. Can't wait to see what you come up with !!


BEADS :
*lots of new semi-precious beads as well as new shapes and faceted beads : blue crazy lace agate, blue goldstone, breciated jasper, dog teeth amethyst (who comes up with these names ??), dolomite, iron zebra, carnelian, Canadian jade, kambaba.
*new bookmarks in copper & gunmetal
*LARGE jump rings
*Wildfire in "frost"
*lots of new vials of 8/0 and 10/0 seed beads for all you peyote beaders
*charms : watering can, rake, "Mom", Born to Shop, canoe, motorbike, cats, baby carriage, epoxy vegetables - asparagus & carrots, cake, horse head, cap, school bus, band aid, sewing supplies - buttons, thimble, measuring tape,.
*Glues

PAPER :
Pink Paislee ... 3 new lines from this company and they all include double sided paper (for just $1 sheet), TAPE (!!), punch outs, press ons, cool cork buttons, clear borderlines, flip notes, ribbon pleats, glittered letters, adhesive letters, stamps, 6x6 paper pads , brads, ... so much ! And the TAPE - WOW !!
Here's the first line : QUEEN BEE.

It doesn't photograph that well but it is lovely and time worn. I used it for some layouts with old pictures and it was perfect !! I'll have them on display along with some cards I made with it.
The next is BAYBERRY COTTAGE.

This is a nice fresh combination. I used it for a few cards and plan to use it for lots more.
The last is 365 DEGREES.

This is really nice ... bright and lively.

I made a multi frame piece with it - I love the bright colours ! This was a really fun project ... "BLOOM". Dollar Store frames were perfect . I plan to make other words for other seasons & holidays.
(And I probably should have cropped this photo but I left the little row of cards peeking out below because the pictures I took of them are blurry !!)

STAMPS : Technique Tuesday - including stamps by Ali Edwards and one design entitled "Glee" for all you fans of the show ! And don't forget the stamps from Pink Paislee. Next week I will have some great little inexpensive stamp sets from Basic Grey perfect for making cards !! And maybe even a little deal on them ...
SPELLBINDERS : Nestabilities - new label sets, Shapeabilities - Ice Cream Cone & Apples, Impressabilities - Cherries
Bazzill Die Cuts ... perfect for cards and only 50 cents each.
TIM HOLTZ ... his new book. *sigh* I love it !! "A Compendium of Curiosities"
And more ... Stickles 3 pack, EK Success punch, tags, rings.and maybe even more ... if I get it unpacked !!

Next Week ... 7 Gypsies and more stamps.

Here are a few fun cards ...
these are done with diecuts from My Mind's Eye so they are really quick & easy. They are the ones peeking out below "BLOOM".

These are all done in the same design (obviously!!) but are really quite nice.

I used patterned paper on the top and the reverse side of the paper on the bottom. A great way to use up extra paper that you have ... maybe paper that doesn't seem to have a match. I'll have a little sketch and list of cut sizes for you .

Hope to see you this week !!!