PARTY WEEK !!!

Hi everyone !!
Well the week has finally arrived !! This Friday is the party here at the store. I am busy busy busy getting things ready !
So let's see what's new, shall we ?

KIT OF THE WEEK :
Valentines !! And before I get the comment "I hate Valentine's Day" (I hear that a lot actually) .... Valentine's doesn't have to be all about big romantic love . I think it's a great time to tell family & friends that you care. Now, if you give a big frou frou valentine to the garbage man, he may get the wrong idea but neighbours , friends, and family would love a nice little card or a bag of fun candies !

So here is this week's kit ... it is made using Valentine paper from My Mind's Eye, Echo Park, and lily bee. You get all the supplies - precut, prescored & folded, ready to go - for all 3 cards for $5.

I also have some kits from last year that are for giving treats. They too are $5.

PAPER :
* Valentine paper : lily bee, Echo Park, and My Mind's Eye ... all $1 sheet (going fast !!) . There are also nice packages form My Mind's Eye as well as some cute index cards from lily bee.


* Carolina Breeze from Teresa Collins : very pretty grey, white, yellow, and charcoal. And if you know TC's paper, you know it is super heavy and great quality. Actually it is heavy enough to use as mini album pages on it's own.

* Maya Road kraft owls & calendars, sweet button pins, wonderful ecru vintage style crochet trims.
* lots of new embellishments - valentine's, winter, matching the paper lines that are in stock ... all fun !!
* stamps from Flourishes, Kaiser Craft, CC Designs, Art Impressions, Penny Black
** Just added : Basic Grey "Picadilly" and "Little Black Dress"
BEADS :
* lots & lots of new rattail ... gorgeous colours !! Colours like espresso, strawberry, ... You'll need it for the new ...

* KUMIHIMO braiding ! This is a Japanese braiding technique that is really really easy !! I am adding a link to a YouTube video - you'll be amazed at how easy it is. It works really well with rattail cord. The kits even come with some to use. I have kits for $3.99 and the tools themselves for $2.99. Inexpensive to start !! I hope to have a few samples on Friday and be able to show you how simple it is.


(Here's an update ... my very first Kumihimo braind ... took 10 to 15 minutes and was super easy. I love it !!)

* more semi precious beads ... 6mm round green breciated jasper, dragon's blood, and carnelian as well as larger pieces of other stones.
* LOTS of strands of 6mm fire polished for only $1.99 each. these are great for the "urban wrap" bracelets. I will add a link for that too !! You can also see how these are made on Friday.

* wire wrapped rings ... make one on Friday for just $2 !!! I'm hooked on these !!

And here they are on the wrinkly hand ...lol !!

* more feathers
* restocked on glues .. Goop and others !!
* some nice storage containers.

PARTY :
* all day Friday
* I will have someone (Crystal !) here to help from 11ish on , helping with the wire rings and demos.
* cake
* food
* fun
* laughter
* prizes
* sales
* gifts with purchase
It's going to be fun !!!! Please come !!!

Great Stuff !!

Hey there ! I have some great stuff for you this week ... and even more next week !!
Let's get started ...
All Christmas 12x12 patterned paper ... now ONLY 50 cents per sheet !!! All packaged Christmas embellishments, rub-ons, stickers ... now 50% off regular prices !!!! This week only .... next week it will be packed away !! Get it this week !!!
KIT of the WEEK : "Birthday Cards for Men & Boys"

... this week's kit is for the guys. The cards are made using the new paper form Echo park "Times & Seasons" and works really well for guys as well as for vintage projects. I kept the cards simple and "frou frou free" ... no big bows or flowers ! And they will also mail really well ... not thick or lumpy. You get all the precut prefolded prestamped supplies for all 3 cards for $5. That's not bad !! lol
PAPER :
* Echo Park "Times & Seasons" ...

that's the paper in the kit. I love it ! Some of it looks like beautiful vintage fabrics, some of it is funny ... like the moustache paper. It really is great for many projects and styles. $1 sheet.
* Valentine's Day ...

paper kits and 6x6 pads from My Mind's Eye "Love Me".... beautiful valentine themed papers. I also have individual sheets for $1 each. Watch for this paper next week in the Kit of the Week .... but if you want some, better get it this week. It won't last long !!
BEADS : I am still working on those "urban wrap bracelets" in the Chan Luu style. I love making them ... and so do many of you !! I am also trying a new earring and a ring ... hopefully there will be demos next week !! As well as some Japanese braiding and metal work ... exciting stuff !! Stop in this week for help starting a wrap bracelet !!

Kickin' the Blues Away !! ... Friday February 3 10 am to 5 pm ... here at the store. A chance for us all to get together, try new things, laugh, find our creativity, cheer up, eat a little cake, etc ... I will have prizes, sales, grab bags, demos, "try-it" projects, treats, even lunch !! If you are coming on your lunch hour, lunch is taken care of !! I will have a pot of chili on and will be serving it up. Please come ! Bring your friends !!!

Mid January ...

It's hard to believe that it is already the middle of January !! Time flies by.
This week I got back on track a bit - thankfully !! So there is a Kit of the Week once again as well as a bracelet project. Pretty darned pleased with myself ... lol.
It has been a sad week though. I am sure that many of you have felt grief for the several tragic deaths in our communities. My goodness, the year has been off to a sad start. As I have been talking to many of you the last few weeks, you have had many sad stories to share - of death , illness, troubles. It has been overwhelming. And it falls at that time of year when many find that the days are a bit gloomy to start with. I think we need to have a little celebration ... I know it won't change the sadness some people are experiencing but it would just put a bit more cheerful spin on the days. Just a chance to gather, share some talk & laughter, cake , crafting tales ... anything to chase away the gloom. So I am on it !! I will put on my thinking cap and come up with some sort of "Cheer Us Up " event. Watch here for details ...
In the meantime , here are a few projects.
KIT OF THE WEEK :

This kit uses kraft paper and patterned kraft paper form My Mind's Eye . (Psst ... I ♥ kraft paper !!) All the supplies are included (pre-cut, pre-stamped, pre-folded ...) for all 3 cards for just $5. Let me know if you want one saved.
* Oh ! And see that nice little stitched row of circles on the card ?? Think you need a sewing machine ??? Nope ! IT COMES THAT WAY !!! How awesome is that ?!! Just stick it on !
BEADS :

Have you heard of Chan Luu bracelets ? I hadn't but I had been seeing all these fun wrap bracelets on people on TV and in videos. Well they are made in Vietnam and start at $200 .... hmmm ... not really in my budget. But I did find some You Tube tutorials to make similar bracelets . So I gave it a try. Now it was a bit tricky because I had the help of 2 kittens but once they found something else to play with, it was a breeze !! You only need cord of some kind, strong beading thread, beads, and a shank button. An hour or so will have you sporting a wonderful new bracelet !! I can't wait to try other colour combinations !! Drop in and I'll show you how to make them !!
I am continuing the sales from last week ... check last week's post for info !!
I will be packing up all that is Christmas at then end of the month, so stop in soon if you need any paper or accessories. (and they are still on sale !!)
So ... pop in to see the new bracelet, check out the sales, or browse the new paper. Or just stop in for a chat & a laugh. See you !!!!

Second Week of January ...

Hi !
It's the second week of January ... and I am still lagging behind ... *sheesh*. I have had a whopper of a stomach flu, an eye infection, a cold, a sore throat, ... I am waiting for a plague or grasshoppers ... LOL. Anyway, I am feeling much better & just waiting for the last bits to go away. What a start to 2012 !!
BUT ... I did get a kit done for this week and a bunch of new stuff unpacked !! Here goes !
*KIT OF THE WEEK : This week's kit is a little mini album to tuck all your Christmas memories into. It is very simple and can be completed in an afternoon if you want to keep it simple. It folds out of the box and can be attached into the box or kept as a removable album. Assemble, add your photos & journaling, decorate, pop in the box, and tie up Christmas 2011 with a bow. You could do these every year and keep them all on a shelf with the date along the edge of the box. Your kit includes the pre-scored fold up pages, pockets, pre-stamped tags, ribbon & trims, the box with trim, "tie up ribbon" and instructions. All for $5 !!! This would be a cute kit to make & keep or to make as a gift .



* PAPER :
- My Mind's Eye ... FUNDAY !! ... There are 2 versions of this line. All of it is done on kraft paper though. "Everyday Fun " is done in black, cream, and grey on kraft.I have it in 12x12 paper as well as 6x6 pads.

"Happy Days" is done in brighter colours on kraft. I have it in the 6x6x pads.
Both are excellent !! The graphics include polka dots, numbers, banners, chevrons, scallops and other shapes, tickets, etc... Really great designs - I love this paper. And with it are a ton of great accessories ... 6x6 pads, strands of paper garlands, twine, stickers, tags, etc...

Check it out !!
-Jenni Bowlin Red Black Extension IV ... I really like this paper. It has such a nostalgic feel about it. It would be awesome with black & white photos.

- Jilli Bean Soup ... 2 lines from this company. "Homemade Six Bean Soup" is a sewing/quilting/ friendship themed line. Beautiful colours and graphics. The little journaling cards would be cute on cards.

The other line is "Sweet & Sour Soup" and it showcases letters, word, typewriters, all things typographical. Again, great colours & graphics. Fun !!

- Fancy Pants "Off to School" ... bold fun colours with great images. It would be great, of course, for a school themed album but it will also work well for almost anything.

And I love this sheet of calendar pages ... cut apart to use on scrapbook pages or birthday/event cards.

- Imaginisce "Bon Voyage" ... very nice travel themed paper. Great for masculine themed pages & cards. Planes, nautical, travel. This paper is also varnished so you get a nice shine.


BEADS :
I have unpacked all sorts of things ( things that don't photograph too well !!) .... lots of new findings, new tools, more spacers & metal beads, charms, more pearls from Swarovski, more crystals, .... and I have some big ideas brewing in my head !! I just need to get all this yucky sickness to move on and I'll get on them !! Watch for some fun necklaces soon.
SPECIALS :
- Christmas paper is still 60 cents per sheet ... it will be *poof* gone by the end of the month though so don't wait too long !!
- 40% off packages of Christmas embellishments, rub ons, and stickers.
- 25% off Tim Holtz cases , purses, notebooks, journals and canvases.
- 25% off 6x6 paper pads.
- 25% off Kaiser wooden Christmas items.
- 25% off Christmas Crystal earring kits .... again just until month's end. Then they too will disappear !!
*** Sales are on regular prices & instock items only. Does not apply to lay aways or special orders. ******

Here'a a thought ...

I'm feeling better today and feeling like clearing out more "stuff" ... so
CRYSTAL CHRISTMAS EARRING KITS ... 25% off
CHRISTMAS 12X12 PATTERNED PAPER ... 60 cents per sheet
Come on in and save !!

What a Week !!

Okay ... I am way behind !! The Christmas stuff was supposed to be packed up & gone, new kits were to be ready, and all sorts of wonderful new things would be displayed. NOT SO MUCH !!! A few appointments this week and then a wonderful(ugh) visit from the flu ruined those plans !! So the kits aren't ready for this week and the Christmas stuff is still lurking around. But on the bright side, I did get some beautiful new papers put out from Imaginisce, Jilli Bean Soup, and Fancy Pants. And there are new beading supplies that have been put out in the last week or so.
But I am here and open... ( and serving flat ginger ale ...lol) and will do much better next week !! Hope to see you !!!