Lots & Lots & Lots ... !!!

Hello !
Last week was mainly beads and this week is mainly paper.

BEADS : I have added a few more of the semi-precious as well as quite a few agate slabs with bails attached - ready for a quick necklace !! Check out the samples I've made for some ideas on what to make with all those beauties. I have a few more on the go that should be ready next week ... as well as a new way to make pendants !!

PAPER : where do I start ?!! Wow!! Okay ... here goes ...
* STAMPS ... lots of new stamps from Stampendous (large sets and itty bitty individual stamps), 7 Gypsies, Imaginescence, Inkadinkadoo, The Paperie Girls, and We R Memory Keepers. The designs range from sea shore themes to cocktails to card stamps to cupcakes to music... and more ...

And to go with those stamps ... new Distress Ink from Ranger, Ranger Adirondack Ink Markers, sets of Tombow Stamp markers... Here are some of the colour names : stream, lettuce, crushed olive, tumbled glass, stormy sky, wild plum ... sound good don't they ?!
* Fun Embellishments ... Tim Holtz Ruler Ribbon ... can't wait to use this !!, Sticky Backed Canvas from Claudine Helmuth, fun summer tags from We R Memory Keepers,

* PAPER PADS 6x6 : from Basic Grey - Basic Manila, Basic Kraft, Capella ... great patterns for cards and mini albums. The Basics are just that - basic- but a bit more interesting than just plain cardstock !!
* MAYA ROAD : birdcaeg chipboard album with bird die cuts.
* PUNCHES - butterfly, and my new FAVOURITE!!, scalloped scallop edger. This makes the most beautiful edge !!
* RIBBON - 3/8" ribbon from BoBunny in the double dot pattern. That means dots on both sides so you can tie it easily ! The colours in stock this week are Olive and Raspberry.
* 7 GYPSIES : mini labels. These are great for adding a little bit of journalling or mini titles. They come in several different themes - travel, naked - in black or multi, fleas market, and fill in. I love these !! I also have the Paris Bookcovers from the Gypsies as well as more of their binder rings in chocolate.

* Tea at Elsie's - this is beautiful paper. Soft floral and lace patterns in really nice colours. I think these would make beautiful cards. Sage, apricot/peach, and navy are the predominate colours. The photo doesn't show this paper that well. You'll like it in person !!
* The Paperie Girls -a new company with some great stuff !! I have 2 lines from them and I love them both ! The first is "Paper Girls" and is shabby chic and vintage in style. Florals, ledger pages, scallops and polka dots. The diecut page is a sweet scalloped page of pink dots. There is also a wonderful package of matching stamps.

I made this album from My Little Yellow Bicycle with the line & I love it. I added some flowers and bling from Prima as well as the new Bo Bunny Ribbon and Basic Grey Bling. I love how the pages are all different shapes.

Here are a few peeks inside as well ...

The second line is called "On Holiday" and is fun fun fun ! It is bright but still vintage (does that make sense ??) and has wonderful colours !! Reds, navy, pale blues, greens ... the whole gamut ! It is fresh and summery !
The diecut pages are really fun ... old postcards, a map, and postage stamps. There are also brads and charms that come with the paper.

I made a small "HOME" wall hanging using a Melissa Frances BINGO card and some fun embellishments. Sorry, no photo but it is on display in the store. And I will be selling the cards individually if you want to make one.
* Assorted PAPERS : I have a few odds & ends ... maybe vacation papers or Fathers Day papers. First, a few camping papers from Karen Foster as well as stickers. Then a few sports themes - hockey & soccer. And then a NOVA SCOTIA paper !!

* MAX & RUBY from Basic Grey. This is a pet themed paper and it is super cute !! I have 12x12 paper, 6x6 pads, die cuts, layered stickers, and adhesive letters. It won't last long !!

* Odds'n'Ends ... new embossing powders, more stickles, Stamp'n'Bond Powder (haven't had a chance to try it yet ... I'll let you know !), Design Adhesives, lots of Glue Dots - large, small, vellum.
* A few more PROJECTS ...

A quick little album using October Afternoon's Thrift Shop paper & stickers, a black Cosmo Cricket album, and a gel pen.

A great new album by Doodlebug. The waterfall design and varying page shapes make it really fun and interesting. I used Thrift Shop again along with the matching journalling cards and labels. Here are a few inside pages ...

Lots of room for photos and journalling.
The last album is a "CHEAP & CHEERFUL" album. I made this using 2 12x12 sheets of the Bazill Double Thick paper. Just cut into 4 pieces each of 6x6 paper and then cover each side with patterned paper. The pages are stiff enough that you don't even need to make a separate cover ! I used October Afternoon's Fly A Kite paper and the co-ordinating tags and rubons.The cover letters are old letters that I had but wasn't crazy about ... so I sprayed them with Tattered Angles Glimmer Mist ... perfect !!


So ... I think that's all ... for now !!
This week is Cookies for C.A.P.S. ... $2 donation for a sweet treat . I think this week will be Chocolate Buttermilk Sheet Cake with Fudgy Icing and Golden Rhubarb Cream Custard cake with whipped cream. Come have a treat & help those cats & dogs !!

See you !!!

Made you read all the way down here to see who won May's challenge !!Anyway, the paper projects were all lovely. The layout was so fresh & springy. The sliding flower was really innovative. But the winner is : LAURA H. Her card was so cute & fun ... who wouldn't love getting that card ??

And for jewelry,... AMAZING pieces !! And the winner is TRACY P. Her necklace is an amazing piece of work ... a garland of flowers.

CONGRATULATIONS !! Watch for the next challenge next week !! Thanks for participating & you can pick up your entries next week.

"My Precious" ... semi-precious, that is !

Oh ! So many BEE-YOO-TEE-FUL new beads !! Glorious !
One of my suppliers was in last week and I picked out 2 BOXFULS of semi precious beads !!! They are gorgeous. Let me just list off a few of the stones :
serpentine, pietersite, labradorite, ocean jasper, smoky quartz, rhodochrisite, kambaba (that's just fun to say !), agate and more agate !!, citrine, aqua jasper (delicious!), bronzite, fluorite, tourmaline, GARNETS, larviki, jaspers, amethyst .... AND MORE !!! They are being sold individually as well as in strands. First come, first with the best deals ! And speaking of deals, I have had to clean out MANY trays so there are many many bags of discounted beads ... some REALLY discounted !! Deals all around this week !!
It has taken me all week to sort it all out ( none of it was tagged, just stacked in the boxes in the order of the invoice ... like a big puzzle !!
There are also some lampwork pendants, lampwork owls, new ribbon necklaces, and some earrings.
Here are a few tastes of what is in stock !

And now for some samples ...
This is my favourite !! Necklace of aqua jasper and tons of Chinese crystals. I love it !!
And a pair of earrings to match ... very simple !
Bracelets : left is crazy agate and right is ocean jasper
A few Bronzite bracelets ... the one on the left also has faceted smoky quartz ...

The ever popular Tube Bracelet ... left : bronzite, right : ocean jasper

And how about this beauty ?! Amethyst in all its big beautiful glory !!
That just a small sampling ...
But what if you like the jewelry but don't want to make it yourself? I hope to have pieces like this for sale in about 2 weeks time !!
And now for PAPER NEWS ... none really. Sorry !! The 2 parcels I am expecting are still not here ... but they will be soon. Meanwhile, there is still lots of great stuff in stock. And I'll leave you with a few photos of some cards I made to sell ... maybe some inspiration for your next project !!

I may make up some kits for these cards ... let me know if you are interested !
REMEMBER ... this Saturday is the deadline for the May Challenge. Bring your creations is !! Next month I'll go back to the little kit format - that seemed more popular !!
Well, that's all for this week !! Hope to see you !!
( now, I'm going back to feed my inner crow by gazing at the beads ... sparkly ...)

HI !

Hi everyone ! Thursday again ... seems like every other day is Thursday !! Where do the weeks go ?
I have no big earth shattering photos for you this week ... this has been a hard work week with lots of sorting, ordering, buying, stocking and re-stocking. I have been 'nose to the grindstone' trying to get all the odds'n'ends cleaned up. So you will find more discounted packages in the bargain bins - paper & beads. And there are new items here and there that I have put out as I came across them. I have 2 scrapbooking orders on their way here - it will be next week before they arrive. And I have 2 heavy boxes of semi-precious beads that I just purchased this morning from one of my salesmen but there is a lot of sorting & figuring so you'll have to wait 'til next week for those ... but the wait will be worth it !!
But there are new items, cleaned up bead trays & paper holders, more beading mix bags, and lots of fun samples. Drop in ...
Don't forget your challenge pieces ... dealine is May 22.

Thursday, Thursday ...

edit ...POW !!! (that's PROJECT of THE WEEK !!) I got one done last night !!! The project is on my hand ...hint hint ... I made 2 rings ... 15 minutes tops !!! My photos are way too blurry , sorry ! Just drop in and check out my wrinkly hand !!

I'm running a bit behind ... this has been a busy week ... so there are no photos but lots of words !!!

BEADS :
I have cleaned out the trays - finally - to get rid of all the sand that Nellie the cat dragged in. So that means clean trays and also BARGAINS ! All the last few beads have been bagged up and discounted - check the baskets on the centre table for the deals !!

* Beadalon : new silver coloured stringing wire (really nice !), velour cording for covering memory wire in brown & black, a SPIRAL MAKER for forming decorative coils & spirals, PINCH BAIL PLIERS, sparkle crimp covers -ooo so pretty !! - , size #0 crimps in gold and silver, crimp tubes.
* FRESH WATER PEARLS ... dozens of sizes, colours, and shapes.
* PINK CRAZY LACE AGATE : vibrant pink in various shapes & sizes.
* CHAROITE : everyone's favourite purple stone
* Glass pearls : mixed strands ( both 4mm and 8mm) in various colours - only $1.99 strand !
Beautiful 2 tone glass pearls - these are REALLY pretty !!
* Peacock beads - wavy shape in a lovely clear red.
* PRECIOSA CRYSTAL STRANDS : 4 mm bicones - 31 pcs - $2.99
6 mm bicones - 21 pcs - $2.99
8 mm bicones - 15 pcs - $3.99
* threads : silk and nymo
* more Artistic Wire - the wire is now being packaged on larger spools with a guard. No more
wire springing off the spool when you release the end. Hooray !!
* hardware ... this is a cross over from the scrapbooking section. Coin charms, tiny picture frame charms, label holders, etc... All great for scrapbooking OR jewelry making !!

PAPER :

I have a sale on Scor-Pal scoring boards. The price has been lowered so I am passing on the savings... retail price was $39.99 NOW ... only $29.99 !!! Save $10 !! And with that ten bucks you could pay for almost all of your new ScorPal Cutting Mat and Work Surface. It fits right into your ScorPal scoring board so you can make the entire card on the board. No more scoring, then putting it away. It retails for $15.99. Handy dandy !!

* marker sets for stamping ...Jewel, Retro, Soda Shop, and Groovy... those are the colour sets !
* Heidi Swapp - Crepe Ribbons
* Cosmo Cricket - letters in Paul Bunyan (wood grain) and Extra Extra (newsprint)
* Smooch Spritz - new colours - Pink Sprinkles, Sea Kiss, Spun Sugar
* Hot Off the Press - "Small Stamps" - elephant, teddy bear, Paris, love tree
* Punch - onesie ... really cute for baby cards !!
* American Crafts - new tape runners & refills
* Scor Pal : 8.5 x 11 sheets of adhesive
* 8.5 x 11 photo inkjet vellum
* great new hardware : label holders, clips, coin charms, picture frame charms.
* Zutter : Bind-it-All (yes, I finally have some in stock again !!), Display-it-All stand, and Spinner Album Kit * I will try to get some samples worked up for next week*

So ... something for everyone ! As for the project of the week ... I'm still working on that ... I still have tonight ! Who knows what I'll come up with ?! You'll have to drop in to see !!

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 !!)