Thursday, December 16, 2010

Christmas Time it is!

Wow - that is about all I can say! It has been a very busy last month (or so) and it doesn't look like it is ready to slow down anytime soon! You have all kept me hoping in the shop (hence the lack of posts on the blog)! Aside from the shop - my family has been doing the same!

There is a ton of new stuff at the shop and there will be nothing new coming in now until the new year...inventory is at the end of the month so I really do not want anymore to count than I have to!

With everyone jumping on the Tim Wagon - I restocked the Stampers Anonymous stamps so you too could have some fun. I didn't get to as many as I had wanted (I only got to two) as life as usual got in the way. Here are the two I was able to do...

Notice the difference from this one to his original? Of course it is not a cool as his - but I will say I like my bird better! I didn't have the proper die so I went a hunting on the net for a cardinal (which for some reason means Christmas to me) found a good one - printed it off and traced the image onto grunge board and followed the rest of his steps! Don't be afraid to adapt the tags to use what you have as well. The whole purpose of the tags is simply INSPIRATION (and of course techniques). If you don't have the exact stamp he uses - look through your stash of stamps or stickers and use them!

I did have some great brain waves of what I was going to do with all the ones I was going to make though...wanna hear?

How about displaying them on this? Clip them on and show them off!Or why not try the Photo Carousel?

You've worked hard on these tags - why not show them off?! You can even simply use a bulletin board that hangs in your craft room for continuous inspiration...you decide!

Another brainwave I had - was why keep it to 12 tags of Christmas? Why not do the same for Valentines Day, Easter, Halloween, Summer, Winter...you get the idea?! Use your stamps, papers, stickers, inks and paints - go ahead, have some fun!

Other new items include - Tim Holtz's Color Wash, Idealogy, Re Inkers, Alterations, Grungeboard Elements ; KI Memories Sew Cute Die Cut Calendar pages; Maya Road; Bazzill Envelopes and so much more!

Monday, December 6, 2010

How are you doing?

Has anyone done any of Tim's tags? I have done two (not totally finished, but close - pictures will come) - but I have also been frequenting another blog over the last week that is also doing a Twelve Days of Christmas theme - Pink Paislee - check them out for some cool inspiration and free downloads!

Okay, I will fess up - it hasn't been just one other blog...there have been a few!

Ali Edwards
Teresa Collins
Maya Road
My Mind's Eye

Some of these links are over to the right here...'other shiny objects' - but be careful, you may not get anything done today!

A great tip is if you have a favorite company - check out to see if they have a blog and head over there for some inspiration - there are some pretty talented people out there that are always willing to share, take advantage of it on those days when you have none of your own!

On that note - I am off to actually work in the shop for a change vs the Internet....wish me luck!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Interesting Trend...

Not sure if you have noticed it or not...but it seems with every blog or site I have been on lately the major inspiration seems to be packaging!

This one really caught my eye....Jillibean Soup. Bo Bunny has an ongoing segment called Recycle Reuse. There are tons more out there...but I would have to go through my history for hours to try and find them all. I know even at the class I took on the weekend (see previous post) the instructor used the packaging in three different elements. I guess if you really think of it...the possibilities are endless.

I remember over a year ago Tim Holtz made a comment on one of his videos that he uses the plastic outer packaging from his line to use as keepsake holders or even the larger pieces he will cut and run through his dies or even texture fades...kinda makes you want to create a bit doesn't it?

Now if I could only find the time...SQUIRREL!

...on that note - I'm outta here!

Monday, November 15, 2010

I took a class!

Yippee...I took a class! Everyone once in a while - I too - need some inspiration! So off to Edmonton I went for the weekend. Hooked up with Holly on Saturday and the two of us got inspired together. The class was for a 2011 Yearly Organizer (taught by Kathleen Sandby & held at Treasured Memories). It was loads of fun and I must say it made my creative juices...juicy! Most of you who know me will know that of course I didn't follow the rules...it is pretty close - but of course I have changed it a bit. I am not totally done yet - but the basics are there and I just have to finish with stickers and ribbons.

Here are a few pictures of what I have done so far...


This is a small (approx 5x7") coil bound scribbler that has been gypsified and is a cool addition to the project.


Products used: 7 Gypsies - Library Drawer, Gaffer Tape(s), Paddington Paper Collection, Gypsy Market Papers, Tags (97% Complete), Antiquarium Journal Pages, Photo Carousel Dividers, Transparencies, Stickers (97% Complete - Year), Paddington Clear Stamp & misc metal embellishments; Tim Holtz - Tissue Tape, papers; Maya Road Kraft Envelopes; misc office papers & embellishments (as well as some made by Kathleen herself); misc ribbons (Maya Road, Making Memories & Prima...I think)!

I am thinking I would like to do another - but this time not do the yearly theme...make it a PHOTO theme! I think using the 7 Gypsies Photo Carousel product line could prove to be very interesting!Just imagine...Photo Carousel General Cards, Gypsy Market Photo Carousel Cards, Photo Carousel Index Tabs, Photo Carousel Office Cards, and so on (just do a search on the site for photo carousel and it will all come up).

**Blog Edit...I just had yet another shiny moment (gotta love those...squirrel!....), what about combining two favs - 7Gypsies AND Tim Holtz! My heart is a twitter! I am seeing loads of metals and those B E A U TI FUL paper stacks cut with On the Edge Dies and ...!** 11/16/10

Remember a few days back I had said I was going to actually scrap? Well I did...not much, but I did - just need to take a few pictures and post. I will try later this week. It is a busy week so no promises!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Pending Pre Orders!

Hi everyone - I just wanted to touch bases with you and let you know what is still pending on my pre-orders. One can never be guaranteed when I will get them as the dates always seem to vary (at first I am told one month, then next month and then I don't know). But rest assured...I will get them!
Here is what is still on Pre-Order:

Ranger/Tim Holtz Adirondack Color Wash (available in 12 intense colors) is water based and comes in a 2 oz spray bottle and can be used on almost any porous materials. Check out the Ranger video for more info!


Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 is one of the newer releases for the winter and you will not be disappointed in the usual quality of Cosmo! This collection is vintage inspired and the complete line along with some inspiration can be found over at Cosmo Cricket's Blog.
UPDATE: NOW IN STOCK!

Graphic 45 Staples - this line is going to be worth the wait (for sure), not too sure what the problem is with getting it out but it seems everyone is impatiently awaiting its release! Could have been that they didn't expect the huge response and didn't make enough or perhaps...who knows - i just know I want it!
UPDATE: NOW IN STOCK!
Right now all I have in stock is the Policy Envelope Album.

Tim Holtz Alterations (by Sizzix) are yet another item that seems to be hard to get right now! I have several of the items coming: UPDATED - NOW ALL IN STOCK!

Texture Fades - Snow Flurries/Snowman; Merry Christmas/Vintage Holiday; Postcard/Sheet Music; December Calendar/Holiday Words

Dies - Reindeer Flight; Tag & Bookplate; Mini Baroque; Carved Ornaments; Snow Tree; Winter Wonder

One the Edge Dies - Townscape; Snow Flurries

And finally some more ranger...Dabbers! If you have been following the 2Peas Thinking Inking you will find some pretty cool ideas or once again head over to Ranger and Tim will show you some interesting tricks! I only have two colors in right now...but more are on their way (they promised me)!

Oh, and one more thing that seems to be hard to keep in stock are the Ink Blending Tool (foam) - I have 2 dozen on order and they too hopefully will be here soon! There are refills in stock though (thankfully)! On a cool note - when I was surfing the Ranger blog the other day I came across this..way cool! Thinking I may have to get some more of these too!

I'm off....tootles!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Pure Excitement!

Life is good....really it is! Finally got all the new stuff up on the site and had a chance to look at all the emails, and one really caught my eye....a photo of Tim Holtz! Big deal you say? Well, heck ya! One lookyloo at my site and you can see just how much I love this man's product (and inspiration)! Anyways, back to the point - he is coming to a event in Edmonton March 2011!

**insert - Wendy doing the happy dance!**

Now, to check out my calendar to make sure I can go - three days of bliss, am I going? Hell Ya!
Okay - now back to the good stuff - more Tim! Finally all the new Tim has arrived ....Seasonal Paper Stash, Seasonal Salvage Stickers and Lost & Found Salvage Stickers!
Then there is the very cool Configurations! I really had a hard time visualizing what exactly these were. Well can I simply say...COOL! They are smaller than I imagined (a good thing) and with samples of this I have seen all over the net or simply head over to his blog for some inspiration.

There are four configurations available ranging in sizes. Whether you decide to put in trinkets, photos or both - the configurations are endless!

Now onto some more of my favorite lines...did I hear 7Gypsies? uhuh....how about the 12 Days of Christmas Advent Kit? Along with it and some of your stash (it really is okay to part with it) - you could make this!


I am sure most of you are like me and have a substantial stash of 7Gypsies (and Timmy) but really...what if I could not get anymore of it? My goal is to actually use it this year (you don't have to remind me that this year is almost over)! Okay then, that will be my goal for 2011! Happy now?


Ranger products - paper, canvas, ink, paint...scrubbie? huh?

With some warm water, soap and this scrubbie - all those inky fingers are gone gone gone! This scrubbie not only removes ink but paints, glues, mediums and solvents!
How about that Basic Grey? Finally got the rest of the Basics line! Tabs, Stickers, notes, doilies, embellishments galore! Whether you want to use them on your layouts or maybe creating a unique mini book....I dare you!
There is so much more - but instead of boring you with my whimsy chit chat - head over to the site and check it all out for yourself!
tootles....


Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Can I have some more please...

...TIME! That is! You ladies have been keeping me uber busy lately! Between new items coming in and going out...life is pretty busy! Now don't get me wrong - I am not complaining...I just need a few more hours in my day.


I keep saying how I want a day to create...then I say I want a day to create...now I am saying I NEED A DAY TO CREATE! Can anyone else relate to that one? I have so many ideas busting out of this pea brain of mine - one day I will surprise you all with some actual visual inspiration for a change!

So - new stuff....


Tim Holtz's newest Distress Stickles - all the 'new' colors!
Get these while you can - cause once they are gone, they are not coming back in stock!


Some cool new miscellaneous tools are here - Tonic Studio & Lucky Squirrel:

Loads of new Bazzill cardstock! The idea behind these new color choices was that they matched many of the current paper packs in stock and that I have some ideas that I want to make mini books using some of these paper packs and thus need the cardstock! This is where the Bazzill Matchmaker comes in handy! Simply pick the company and then the voila...below it will list the bazzill cardstock matches for that particular line. Here is an example using Jillibean Soup. There is also several packs of Dotted Swiss cardstocks. These are amazing packs of textured papers in a monochromatic color scheme.


Speaking of Jillibean Soup - how about some corrugated shapes - buttons, flowers and arrows!

The much awaited 7 Gypsies Mini Ephemera (Gypsy & Vintage) has finally arrived along with the long lost Paddington Tags!


How about trying something new on your next Christmas card? How about Flocking? Stampendous is one of the best. I just brought a few in for you to try. Not sure how to do it? Head over here to see just what it is all about.
Some new Bo Bunny - most of the embellishments but no paper!?! Got to love those companies now don't ya!

Finally - one that I am very excited about...


This is a talented lady out of the states that creates amazing tags and paper embellishments out of recycled papers and prints with soy ink! Her footprint on the environment is pretty small - something to be very proud of! Check it out here!

So now onto some ideas....

The one thing I am thinking of right now is mini books (like that is new) - but the twist I think would be cool....drum roll.....

You know all those kits you have kicking around - completed and not - how about taking the instructions from one of the completed ones and using a DIFFERENT paper pack (and embellishments) to make a new and different version! If you can't do that - with any luck next week I will have a few ideas ready for you to try!

Thinking of making some Christmas cards this year? Head over to Two Peas in a Bucket and check out Jennifer McGuires Thinking Inking class - it is FREE! She has a ton of ideas and several that I am going to try! Note there is a 2009 edition as well!

So that is about it for now - supper time is here and I have nothing pulled out or even a clue what to make! Drake is downstairs and keeps coming up asking what is for supper and I think Bob has given up on me actually making a hot supper again! So I am off to kitchen land to see what I can create (that will have to do for now)!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

New Product & New Inspiration!

Loads of new and replenished product!

Loads of new Craft & Glitz Microfine Glamour Glitter! If you haven't used this before...you are in for a treat! This glitter works amazingly with either the Be Creative, Scor-Tape or Terrifically Tacky Tapes (all found here). Try using the adhesive sheets with your cricket, sizzix or favourite die cutting tool! Once this glitter has been applied to the adhesive - it does not come off (or shed)!

There is a great selection of colors just waiting for your Christmas or Halloween project. For all you cardmakers out there - this is the one for you!

Speaking of Christmas - loads of new papers and embellishments from Bo Bunny and Lily Bee Designs



Loads of restocked Distress Inks, Tim Holtz Idea-ology, Paper Collections (Fancy Pants & My Mind's Eye), and adhesives! For all you ladies that were at the retreat earlier this month and fell in love with the crazy coil brads from Karen Foster Design! Just a few came in so get them while you can!

Now for the inspiration...

I have been looking for a while now for some different ideas on how to use my 7 Gypsies Library Drawer. I have found a few - some of my favorites over at 7 Gyspies themselves...check it out here.

You can find loads more inspirations and uses for this item here!


Have you thought about Halloween lately? I don't know about you, but I always like to make some cool little goodie bags for some of my favourite kidlets! One of the ladies at the retreat earlier this month made some cool punch art halloween candy covers. To give the proper credit..you can find several of these over at Splitcoast Stampers (that's where Dianne got her inspiration & these are her creations) and this is what I found! If you do a search for "halloween punch art" you will find some fun stuff!


More new and restocked items due in later this week!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Ditto...

yes...once again it has been a whirlwind week! I am so tired...I am getting way too old for all this travelling. So here we go again...what is new this week?


A great selection of papers and embellishments from three of the newest lines released from Pink Paislee:October Afternoon's newest release - Seaside. Just waiting for your summer photos.

Webster's Pages has several amazing new paper kits and coordinating ribbons & fibres too! The coordinating fibres, ribbons and such are amazing~
One of the newer companies out there - The Paper Company (TPC) Studio has a release that of course I found interesting... Grandma's Attic ~


I was only able to get my hands on a select few of the papers (6) but I will say they are my favs! There are also coordinating gems and ribbon!

Finally got the rest of the m.i.a. Making Memories "Noel" papers and ribbons - soon I will have bonus packs up too!
Oh, and one thing many of you that were at the retreat will be happy to hear...you remember that flip flop envie mini I did and you all loved the paper...well was able to get more! Yippee - get it before they all go bye bye!

There are three extra coordinating textured cardstocks as well that I am pretty sure you will want too!


...and yet another hot item from the retreat that are in LIMITED stock - so grab it now as I have not been able to find more (yet)!



The McGill Paper Drill... it is HOT HOT HOT!


Speaking of hot...how about 3L's newest adhesive treat - MyStik! Make it yours today.

NEW Tim Holtz! Yes finally some new Timmy! Idea-ology (five new items) and Sizzix (5 new items)...sorry just teaser for now!




Head over to W2 Scrapbooking now to see the eight new pages of NEW and restocked items!

That Other Neutral Triptych

  That Other Neutral Triptych wrapped canvases 10x10x1.5" (x3) professional grade artist materials I worked on this smaller series at ...