Snow Update-Wednesday, Dec. 31

Well, here it is snowing again...so it looks like we will have to postpone the last of the Tim's Tag classes that was scheduled for today, Dec.31 at noon....we will be rescheduling for a Sunday in Jan or Feb, as soon as we can fit it in.

Also, there is a staff person, Sue, at the store now...and Barbara will arrive shortly...both live nearby and they will stay as long as it seems safe to, so you can call the store today to check on what their plans are (978-887-6397)...the sale is continuing today, Friday, and Saturday. Everything in the store is 25% off, and certain areas, including christmas, are 40% off. This is a great sale!!

In terms of more snow in the next few days, watch this space.

We are closed Sunday, Jan 4, for inventory...speaking of inventory, we are looking for  some help on Sunday, Jan 4, beginning at 9 am...I will give store credit per hour into your store account, which you may use to purchase items at a 20% discount...we will be counting items that are in the store...no computer work necessary...but we do require that you can count...I will serve you a great meal for lunch...I am hoping to get about 30 people in total to help...if you can do this, I would be delighted...the way to sign up is to e mail me (absolutelyeverything@gmail.com) and I will let you know if we can use you or if we are too full...I am trying to get inv. over with quickly, so would love the help...if we get enough volunteers, it may only take a few hours...maybe til after lunch sometime......and if I already have you on the list, you do not need to respond. Don't call the store...just e mail me. thanks...we will make it fun, I promise!!

DeNami Class Report

I have received fantastic reviews from all those who took the DeNami classes...but I would love to have everyone be able to read about the classes themselves...so, to all you who took those classes, please put a comment here about how you enjoyed the classes...and I will randomly select someone to win 3 jars of DeNami glitter--your choice of the colors we have here.

Also, we have the Tim Holtz new stamps in stock...but they are going fast..see my newsletter from Nov. 12 for photos and ordering info. You can find the newsletter on our website, www.absolutelyeverything.com, just go to the "news"  page and read current newsletter.

AE First Random Drawing Stickles Winner!!

and the winner is...

" angelabranon (who) said...
Does it count if I once went on a bus trip?"
Apparently, Angela , it does..we will mail these to you or hold them in the store...let us know what you prefer.

Meanwhile, I have some good ideas to share with
the rest of you. I'm sure many of you have seen
the die-cut lace look papers, from a bunch of
different companies. Here is a photo of one of them.
I am refering to the blue piece in the photo.

So, from Ali Edwards, (thanks, Ali!) I learned the following technique. Spray the back of this lacy paper with glue spray (Vellum spray works great here) and place it in top of the cover of your album, or piece of cardstock. Paint the whole thing one color, and you will have a mono-chromatic look with embossing...I added some Stazon Black Cherry to my original Ranger Dimensional Pearls, so I could have a mottled look.. Below is a photo of the cover of my latest Christmas album.

Also, we did this in the store-- on a white piece of paper, we added a white die-cut sheet that was glittered...and then we used our new 3-d snowman die cut...very cool...pics tomorrow of that.



Below are some photos from the book. The left hand photo shows a piece of printed clear acetate, covering a page with the poinsettia stickers. On top of the acetate, I placed the green bling over where the centers of the flower is, and when you turn the
page, the centers move with the page, ( it is a good idea to match the exact bling on the reverse side of the acetate so you don't see the unfinished backs of either)but when it is lying on top of the page, the bling creates flower centers.

Another page shows the American Crafts "Thickers" (chipboard stickers) covered in Platinum Stickles, also from Ranger...a technique introduced to us from Mr. Tim Holtz himself. This creates a great vintage look.






Finally, one more idea...actually, one of my very own!!...using the faux postage sheets we have here, distress the edges, layer on top of each other a bit and put a Christmas postmark over it....we did this on the "letter to Santa" page.

Deadline for the Stickles Drawing

I will give you guys until Monday morning, November 3, at 10 am for posts to the blog about the bus trip. Any post will count. I will announce the winner shortly after 10am, here on the blog. I will do a random picking , by number, and that person will win. If you are, by some odd chance, not the winner, there will be many more chances for different prizes...and , yes, Stickles will appear again sometime.

The Holiday Express Bus Trip Was Fab!!

Thank you to all of you who participated in this cool event...and thanks to the other stores, Colorful Creations, Stamp Act, and Scrapbook Cupboard...great shopping, great food..and great customers. Hats off to all the "bus mothers," Melissa, Denise, and our very own Barbara and Gloria...

We will definitely do this again, but for right now...I need a bit of a rest after that day!

Would anyone like to win the three new Stickles below?...just put a comment on the blog about the bus trip, and you will be automatically entered...we will do a randram drawing from all the entries...and I will post the entry and ask for your address.

Some examples of our Artful Cafe...

This past week, Claudia created what could either be an apple or a pumpkin by altering a paperback book. Basically cut along the spine to make the book about half size...i.e. you are removing half the pages...go through the book adding color to the edges on both sides of the pages...glue the front and back sheets together, clamp and leave til dry...when dry-open the book up and spread the pages around in a circle...I found this on the internet, wish I could remember where so I could give credit. Oh, and don't forget to add a twig with a leaf for a stem.

Another class we did recently was this great Fall leaf in UTEE hanging ornament. Basically, take chipboard, color it with pigment inks, add Utee-one layer, and while it is still hot, set the leaf, or leaves, into it so they stick. Proceed to add 3-4 more layers of Utee--it sticks to the previous layer if it is still hot...if you get a phone call and have to answer it..add more emb. ink, and another layer of the UTEE...I like to sprinkle a bit of fine glitter in the top layer. I also reheat one area where Iwant to stamp (put emb ink on the stamp first as a release agent.) Stamp and let the stamp sit in the UTEE while it cools...about 15 sec. Then take any color, (I used white in one image and brown in the other) of Ranger acrylic paint dabber , smear it all over so it works into the impressions, and wipe the top off with a wet paper towel...now you will see the ink only in the word (or image) that you stamped.

Calendar Problems

Sorry to say...the calendar link is misbehaving a bit for the November & December pages...those classes that look very out-of-place probably are...be aware.

Tim Holtz Make-and-Take

Here is a photo of one of the very cool projects that Tim had us make at the "Holtz Holiday Festival. " It is a hanger that holds two pieces together. The top layer is one of the largest Fragment pieces, which is 4x4.( You could easily substitue the heavy acetate sheets, which will cut on your 12 inch trimmer.)

Behind it, but not glued to it is a piece of chipboard, or Grungeboard that has been collaged with holiday images. The Heidi Swapp alphabet is placed on top of the acrylic piece. Just add ribbon on top. Because it is not glued, you can change out the photos at your will.

We have the hangers in stock, $2.50 apiece. We have great holiday collage papers, and the Heidi swapp letters are due in soon.

Keith LoBue's Visit to AE

We are all delighted with our weekend experience in classes with the not-only-talented but the serene, wise and actually very cave-man-esque Keith LoBue. Keith spent an entire day teaching how to drill, etch...(did I mention that we drilled thru glass?...OK, maybe I impress easily, but that was way cool...in fact, it was Sweeeet!)...in all kinds of surfaces and materials. So much info...I could see some of the heads were happily stuffed at the end of the class. It was a lecture and demo class and I'm pretty sure everyone was thrilled with the amount of info.

On day #2, the students did all sorts of Wire Working, learning connections, chain elements, cleaning and aging...another home run by Keith LoBue. He & I are already plotting on how and when to schedule a return visit. I will give you all plenty of notice, because he will be having a three-day Precious Little Class , a Friday, Saturday, & Sunday...and we will fit in two other classes, on Wednesday & Thursday...the decorating with paper class and the Metal Etching Class. The first news will be seen in the newsletters, so keep reading and memorizing those for now.

Additionally, Keith brought along pieces of his art jewelry for sale, a Folio of photos of his work, digital collage prints, as well as a Dvd which shows him creating a jewelry piece. We have copies of the Folio and the DVD here in the store for sale. I think if Keith puts a comment here on this blog, he can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the price of each is $50.

As is my way with visiting artists, males, we did get briefly engaged, but broke it off rather quickly, and we will make every effort to remain just friends. Keith did get a chance to meet my husband, Greg, so, I guess it all worked out for the best.

The Holiday Festival...is over!

I'm pretty sure everyone had a great time this past weekend...special thanks to our guests, Tim Holtz, a man of many talents, and Mario Rossi, a jack-of-all-trades. We were treated to six fantastic classes, and three make-and-take projects at the Friday party. I will post pictures and directions of the three m&ts...as soon as I get my energy back. Hats off to my great staff for doing it all...more to come...

Looking for Hotel Rooms for the Tim Holtz Holiday Festival??

If you are coming from out of town and need hotel rooms, here are four options for you.. The first one is the closest. I believe, the others all about the same. The first two I know about...quality-wise, they are fine. The other two I do not have any knowledge of...they may be better or worse...talk to them.
Courtyard by Marriott-978-777-8630
Sheraton Ferncroft-978-777-2500
Residence Inn-978-777-7171
Comfort Inn-978-777-1700

Tim Holtz Holiday Festival

Just in...Tim has photos of all the projets on his blog. Go here:

http://timholtz.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/09/holtz-holiday-f.html

Tim Holtz Holiday Festival Information---You might as well just print this out...and get comfortable...

Here is all the info about the classes, the meal plan, and the "Friday Night Before Christmas" Holiday Party!!Please check it out carefully, and sign up for the classes that you want.

We are unable to give refunds for these classes. Think of it like a theater ticket or a football game...if you can't go, have a friend go in your place.

Saturday, September 27th

9am-12noon-
FESTIVE WINDOWS – $65 Currently this class is full. Waiting List available.
Layer your holiday memories, and images behind frosty and translucent layers in this one of a kind mini book. Discover the many uses for fragments and transparencies to create a journal filled with your most treasured memoirs. Learn painting with alcohol inks, distressing with dabbers, and layered elements as you adorn and embellish this see through book. Explore the possibilities and take a peek into the festive windows of Christmastime…

1:30pm-5pm
HOLIDAY REFLECTIONS –$75
Are you ever reminded of a certain moment simply by seeing an element of the past? In this workshop you will create a very timeless and holiday-inspired mosaic mirror filled with vintage treasures and Christmastime carols to make your holidays merry and bright. Learn uses for grungeboard, fragments, and some distress techniques with crackle paints and inks. We will assemble this home décor piece to display throughout the season. Be reminded by the nostalgic treasures of your holiday reflections…

6:30pm-10pm
CHRISTMAS PAST – $105
Get ready to deck the halls with this holiday keepsake box. Learn techniques with pearlescent paints, stamped imagery, and dimensional collage as you create a one of a kind treasure. Capture the nostalgic memories of this favorite time of year with vintage ornaments and décor as you create this illuminated assemblage. Remember the twinkle in your eyes as you experienced the magic of Christmas morning? It’s time to reminisce your Christmas Past…


Sunday, September 28th

9am-12noon
CHARMED TRINKETS – $65
Sometimes finding the perfect holiday gift for someone is one of the most difficult things. Well, not to worry – in this workshop you will learn how to create a very unique gift that anyone will treasure. Learn techniques on collage, and jewelry assemblage as we create a wearable trinket adorned with charms and findings that doubles as an art piece as we also design a mixed media frame to display this little treasure. Explore the creative wonders of these charmed trinkets – you might even have to keep this first one for yourself….

1:30pm-5pm
SEASONAL MEMOIRS – $75
The holidays bring such memories that seem to come and go in the wink of an eye. Capture those memories in this festive journal where you can tuck away those cherished keepsakes for years to come. Learn techniques on distressing, working with grungeboard, crackle paints, and more as we assemble this mini book full of pockets and pull outs. We will also collage a tiny windowed tin with timeless ephemera to house our creation. Cherish the moments of the holidays in your own seasonal memoirs…

6:30pm-10pm
WINTER WONDERLAND – $105
It’s time to bundle up and frolic in the snow – creatively speaking of course. Create a sparkling yet nostalgic canvas collage in this mixed media workshop. Learn techniques on painting with dabbers, masking, beeswax collage, and creating dimensional snow on this canvas creation. You will incorporate hand leafed accents, vintage holiday elements, and numerous letters to spell out the words of the season as you create a collage like never before. Be whisked away in a winter wonderland of your own creative muse…

Don't stop reading here...

There's an additional "Event" called The "Friday Night Before Christmas." We will have it here at the store on Friday evening, September 26, from 6-8:30pm. Basically, it is a social get-together with Tim. (Let's call it a Christmas Party--bring your own lampshade...and don't even think of making copies of any of your body parts...my office will be locked!!)

There will be three make-and-take projects which you can do at your leisure throughout the evening (we'll have all the materials & tools out, with directions, in the classroom--you need to bring nothing!!) Tim also has a little "holiday surprise" for all who attend. The cost of this event is $25, and to be able to register, you must be taking at least one of Tim's classes, as described above. However, spaces are somewhat limited for this event, and we will have to close the registration when it fills. If you are signed up for all six of Tim's classes, you will receive the Friday night party for free (if there is still room.)

As a bonus, there will be store specials available only to the party-goers on that Friday evening.

This will just be a congenial "hang-out-with-Tim" evening...but do dress accordingly. There will be a prize (a good prize!!) for the gaudiest holiday outfit...I know you've got that ugly christmas sweater in your closet...it looked so cute in the store, didn't it? But in the light of your real life...well, let's just say it hasn't gotten much wear, has it? ...Now is its time!!!

We will have holiday refreshments, holiday music, laughter in the air, and whatever else we can pay someone to do. Special Note: the store will close at 2 pm on Friday, September 26, to prepare for the festivities. There will not be any free demos scheduled as we are all going to be too busy having parties. Come take a class!

Meal Plan

We will be taking reservations for a meal plan for those of you who would like to eat here between classes, or just before or after a class. Lunches will be sandwiches, fruit drink, and dessert, possibly chips. Dinner will be a hot meal with bread and salad, drink and dessert. Last year the food was terrific. I will say no more.

I am anticipating that we will be eating outside in the "cafe by the lake" (By lake, I mean parking lot--use your imagination.) Here are the prices for different arrangements.

Saturday lunch-$8.00
Saturday dinner-$11.00 Saturday-both meals-- $18
Sunday lunch--$8.00
Sunday-dinner $11.00 Sunday both meals-$18

All four meals, Saturday & Sunday--$34

Pease sign up for the meals when you register for the classes. We will be able to add late meal decisions up to about two days before the events.

You may register here at the store, in person, or over the phone. NO E-Mail registering. Also, please be patient with us as we are expecting a lot of phone calls on Saturday morning. Use either of these numbers:
978-887-6397, or
978-887-5047

Wow!!

Thanks to everyone who came to our Annual Yard Sale Sunday morning. We had a truly successful sale, as did the sellers outside the store. Also, huge thanks to my staff, who set the whole thing up...I wasn't even allowed to browse or shop...they slapped my hands...and the weather was great..not too hot. So, Happy Memorial Day...I hope everyone had some down time to catch up on rest, art, reading, yard work...whatever makes you feel good. 

So, looking ahead, we have Mr. Michael deMeng arriving here Friday night this week, for three classes. All the info is in the recent newsletters, which can be read through the website,  www.absolutelyeverything.com  on the "news" page.

I am devoting this week to developing projects in the Creative Cafe, and I will post pictures as soon as they are ready. Also, I am lucky enough to get to go to CKU-Houston this year, which is coming up in early June. I will see my ex-fiancee (we are "just friends" now...really, does that ever work??) Tim Holtz at the event and will say "hi" from everyone. You all know he is coming to teach 6 terrific classes at our first ever "Holtz Holiday Festival!!"  This will happen over the weekend of September 27-28, 2008,  and the classes will be Christmas related, with a possibility of one or two being winter-themed.  I will give everyone plenty of notice for class sign-ups. All the info will be posted in the weekly Wednesday E-Mail. Class descriptions and costs will be posted 2 or 3 weeks before registration. You can sign up for the e-mail newsletter also at the above-mentioned  AE website.

The following teachers and events are  lined up, so far, for the rest of 2008:

May 30-31-June 1-Michael deMeng (a few spots left)

June-all month-come in to enter a give-away for a Disney vacation for 4 people. More details to come.

July 8-12-- A Museapalooza--release of the new holiday images from A Muse along with classes

contests, make-and-takes.

July 12-13-Chrissie Hines returns for bookmaking

July 26-27-Irina Kitaeva-bookmaking-Gypsy Journal & Metal Work Book

August 3, Sunday- Dave Brethauer, from Memory Box- coloring classses, pencil & watercolor

August 9-10- Caroline Lao, owner of Maya Road, multiple classes using cool Maya Road stuff

August 23-Diane DiTullio, designer from Prima-clear and bling-filled books

September 27-28-His Highness, Tim Holtz, "Holtz Holiday Festival"

October 18th-Marissa O'Brien-a full day of Precious Metal Clay-15-20 pieces of silver jewelry (think holiday gifts!!!)

November 15-16- Lisa Engelbrecht (visit her site, www.lisaengelbrecht.com) Incredibly talented  lettering artist, and to say that really understates her art. From her website, connect to other places she is teaching to view samples of her work. (This will be a fantastic weekend because I am turning 60 on the 15th!  (Actually, as a retailer, I think I am only allowed to turn 59.95)

I am in negotiations with a few others. Details will be forthcoming.

The best way to get the latest news about what is happening is to sign up for the newsletter, which I send out weekly. See notes above on how to do this.

German Scrap

Here is the German Scrap that I have found. (i/s means in stock, o/o means we sold out already so it is "on order" and it will be back here in a few days.) I am trying to describe it as well as I can, so I will list how many rows and how long it is as well as the price. Sorry this is such a long post but I am a novice in setting up these blog pages.

6 rows small florets-20 inches $6.50 i/s

12 rows tiny florets-20 inches $6.50 i/s



10 rows scalloped 22 inches $6.50 o/o


multiple styles 7 rows 12 inches $8.00 i/s


holly 10 leaves per row, 5 rows, 15 inches $6.50 i/s



wings, set of 4 6x6 inches whole set, $3.75 i/s



really a bright metallic pink, 23 in., tiny scallop, 16 rows, $6.50 i/s


same size as above, white, $6.50 i/s


jagged scallop, 23 in., 12 rows $6.50 i/s


jagged scallop, 12 rows, 23 in., $6.50 i/s



lattice border, 4 rows, 23 in. $8.00 i/s


red mini scallop, 23 in., 16 rows, $6.50 i/s


set of 24 wings $3.75 i/s


set of 24 medallions, all different , 6x8 in. whole sheet, $10.75 i/s

very narrow, blue metallic, 24 rows, 26 inches, $6.50 i/s

black scallop border, 23 inches, 10 rows, $6.50

Things to Do With a Recovered Book

Click the title of this article above to see what I wrote in a recent newsletter about recovering an old book. Now, here are some ideas of what to do with this gorgeous paper masterpiece.
1. Sew some new pages (made from folded cardstock) back into it, with waxed linen. Decorate the outside with beads as you attach the pages.
2.Take one of those metal page attachers (long skinny, with two prongs that reach up and you slip a long metal piece over both of them and then push each one down flat...clear??...we sell them here.) and attach cardstock in waterfall fashion (each successive page is a bit longer than the one on top of it, and make a photo album.
3. Use the "bind-it-all" machine to create a "booklet" with the right size pages for your cover, and glue in the last page to the back cover. (Now these pages can be anything..all envelopes, sheet music, old postcards...) Be sure the coils you use will fit inside the closed book.
4. If it is a thin book cover to begin with, use it as a double frame for photos, to stand open on the mantle.
5. Be crazy and put in paper that is too big for the cover so it sticks out on the sides or top.
6. Add pages that are folded so that when you open the book, the page folds out, or up, etc .
7. Glue the bottom of a properly-sized-for-the-book box-just the bottom piece (after you have painted or covered it to match the book) onto the back cover so that it becomes a book box.
8. Make an accordion fold that just fits the top and bottom edge of the book, about 4 folds, each about 3/4 inch, and as long as the book is wide. Glue this into the book to create a big accordion holder, for important papers, or love letters (well, if you are going to do love letters, I would throw in a perfumed hanky or two, just for effect.)

So, now I am inviting all of you to make additions to this list. Just go to the comments area below and throw in your two cents. I would love to see some new ideas!

Please give me your feedback!

I am writing now about the bus trip and the newsletter that I send out every Wednesday evening. If you do not get the newsletter, you can sign up for it on the website, www.absolutelyeverything.com...just go to the "news" page and take it from there.

My newsletter for tonight, for which I am seconds away from pushing the "send" button, is long-ish. But that tends to be my style. Please let me know what you think...too long?...too stupid?...not enough pictures?...pictures are too big...I will listen to everything you say.

Also, we had what I would consider a very successful bus trip last Saturday, among our own store and four other Mass stores. I have been hearing great reports about it all...even the other store owners were pleased...apparently none of my customers threw any of the tantrums they are so famous for displaying here...but that's another story.

Thank you to our wonderful "bus mothers," Gloria and Barbara, and to the other four stores for opening up to all of us. I am pretty sure we will do it again. Please let me know if you liked it, what you would change, what you would keep the same. I am happy to hear from riders from the other four stores, too. I have to say that I truly enjoyed meeting everyone and loved all the enthusiasm. There's nothing quite as nice as when someone else really loves exactly what you love.

This Week in Kate's Neighborhood!

We have had a very exciting week here...Robin Beam, from Ranger, was here all week, and this past Saturday was the five-store Bus Trip. God bless Robin for being here to help with everything. She ran the make-and-take table, teaching everyone her trademark "bandana technique," which we were all quite taken with. In addition, she taught 3 classes, decorating assorted chipboard elements with paints, inks, etc to create flying creatures, owls and birds, as well as a 16-month calendar. As a bit of icing on the cake, Robin created a "tableau" on our artist's wall, called Kate's Neighborhood (as I said in my newsletter, Eat your heart out, Mr. Rogers...altho I did love Fred Rogers.) Check out the photos for some for the details.
If any of the students would like to tell everyone about Robin's classes, feel free to leave comments at the end of this blog. Robin's "bandana technique" can be seen on the chipboard pieces, where the chipboard was covered in the new Ranger pigment inks, stamped with the pigment black ink, dried, and accented with the new Ranger white pigment ink pen. It really livens up the images.
Additional tidbits and samples of Robin's art can be seen on her blog, www.pearlesq.blogspot.com. Robin has promised to return for melt art and jewelry fun, hopefully in October of this year.

On April 19 & 20, we have Wendy Vecchi visiting the store for four classes. Check out her art at her blog! If you go back in time a bit on her blog, she talks about coming to our store, and shows a few photos of her projects. Other views can be seen in my newsletter coming out on Wednesday, April 9.
Wendy is very talented and will be sharing lots of her grunging-up techniques with us.

A Great Idea

OK, it's official, I'm a terrible blogger..but I am determined to do better...meaning post more frequently. That said, here is a little inspiration for you. At the last meeting of the Not-Your-Ordinary-Book-Club which we had here at the store, Teresa brought back in her album that she had shown us the month before so I could take a few photos.She also explained what she did and I am paraphrasing here.

This is an "Entire Family" project, as Teresa says, and people are disappointed if they have failed to send in their entry. It is a yearly Family Recipe and Activity-Update album. Teresa tells everyone in the family, well ahead of time, to send in a recipe of their own along with whatever happened to them that year. So everyone gets to choose what to say about themsleves. Then Teresa puts it all together in an album (12 x 12) and decorates all the pages. The album makes its yearly debut on Christmas Eve when everyone is present. Teresa keeps the original and makes color copies for everyone to take with them. So, these guys not only have all the treasured family recipes, but also an ongoing history of everyone in the family, year by year.
Below are some photos of some of the pages in Teresa's album.

It has probably happened to all of you at one time or another. You are explaining to your ______fill in the blank-husband, wife, children, parents, neighbor, college roommate, best friend, mailman (Wow...if you are telling the mailman, maybe you should try to get out more and make a few friends.)....anyway, you are trying to tell them exactly what it is you do with all these art supplies you have....and they are looking at you like you have three heads (not that there's anything wrong with that, for those of you who really do.) It is truly each other within this art form that really understands and "gets" what it is all about for each of us.

To illustrate, I will relate a little story about what my children (all in their 20s) think we are all like. They think we sit around and tell jokes and funny stories about our art supplies, using language known only to us! We would probably say something like (according to them)..."So, you guys are NOT going to believe what happened in my art room the other day..." and on & on the story would go, until by the end of the incredibly captivating story to all my listeners, with everyone on the edge of their seats waiting to hear the next word...I arrive at the punchline of the whole thing...and blurt out.."it was...it was... (now tears of laughter are forming in my eyes, and everyone else is ready to explode)...it was the EMBOSSING POWDER!!!""....at which point everyone within earshot screams with delight, some people even falling off their chairs in hysteria...

Yes, this is how they see me. I mean, really, embossing powder??? How funny has embossing powder ever really been?. .Now, glitter...that's a whole different ballgame...

Coordinated Papers & Stuff!

In, from American Crafts, is a set of papers and matching embellishments, in spring colors and fancy textures. Some of the paper is either embossed,foiled or glittered. The felt stickers are layered,...there are matching rub-ons, stickers, alphabets. This is an easy way to coordinate your card-making or scrapbook pages.
I don't know if this will work on everyone's computer, but when I double (left) click on the photo of all the paper, it enlarges and I can scroll over and up and down to see it all...that should also work on the other photos, but you may not need it for them. If you are rolling your eyes because this is so basic, well, I just learned it, so just stop rolling those eyes.

These are photos of some of the samples from Magenta, of their newest images. These stamps, along with many other images, have just arrived in the store

More CHA News

I just noticed that Tim Holtz has posted all of his new stamp images on his blog. (www.timholtz.typepad.com) He has designed some smaller images and created some collages from other images...but there are lots of new images, and they are all available on the cling with foam, so no wood...We have ordered all, every one, of his new stamps and sets...so feel free to do a pre-order.
Also, Quickutz has a new "part" coming out for the revolution...it is a "longer than 12 inch" tray, and it will hold all the new long borders that they introduced at the show. These can be pre-ordered also.

Just in today are the 12 new small and 12 new large stencil designs from Crafters Workshop. You can use these to create doodles and lots of other designs , both on 12 x 12 pages and on cards. I am thinking these would work well with the glue pen and glitter...just a thought.

The new Outlines stamps are here...very fun.



Three new books have arrived today:the first is The Conmplete Book of Retro Crafts,
the next is Creative Collage, by Marie Browning(Stunning projects!!), and last, but certainly not least...in fact, I plan on disappearing for a few hours tonight with this one...it is Crowns & Tiaras...I KNOW!!! How fab is that??? I better order more asap as I suspect that there are a few others out there who consider themselves royalty also!!

Another cool find at Cha was this roll of ballchain, that can be cut to whatever size you want, and there are connectors with it, too...the thing is , this ball chain is huge, as you can see in the photo...so it is great for bracelets, necklaces, or as chain on altered projects or tags.

New Photos From CHA Winter 2008

I will put up lots of the photos from my trip to the winter buying show over the next few weeks (after all, there are 400...really how long can you sit at the computer right now???) Lots of new stuff has been ordered and some is already here. I will keep you up to date via the weekly E Mails about what has arrived. These photos will just be to get your mouth watering.

Well, really, any news about the stamping world would have to start with this guy, right? Below are a few of the new "hardware" items in the Tim Holtz collection from Advantus. I am told they will be shipping at the end of March.

A Muse Card Classes

Here are some photos of some upcoming classes here at the store. Jenn Shurkus will be teaching two A Muse classes on Saturday, February 23rd. Check the calendar at the left for details.

CHA

I am still in CA, flying home tomorrow, so there will be reports and photos in a near future blog. A bit of news--Quickutz has a new long tray for long borders, for the revolution...it will also cut lots of pieces together.
Also, there is a corner rounder that cuts multiple pieces of chipboard at once---cool

Great new papers from Teresa Collins, Cosmo Cricket...new accu-cut dies---think butterflies...
I will wait on telling more til photos are available...I was only able to take about 400 photos..come into the store for the slide show, beginning on friday, Feb.15th, I hope!!

Here's a Chance to Help Someone Else

Bernie Berlin, one of our visiting teachers here at AE is also in the process of establishing a safe haven rescue place for dogs in Tennessee. It is called A Place to Bark, and hers is one of the possibile organizations to win some grant money for her animal saving place. Tim Holtz has put out a word about it all on his blog, which is where I found out about it.
Bernie has a heart of gold and has poured almost all of her own money into this program. There is a video that you can see, in a link from Tim's blog. She is asking for donations of $10 per person (you do have the option of making it a monthly donation...which for many of us would be painless) but the contest is based on getting the most people to donate, not the highest amount. So, every person counts here. I am told that at last tally, Berrnie was in the top few.
Below is the link to Tim's message about Bernie. I would love it if you could take a minute to read about it. You will need to copy & paste here as I couldn't get the program to create a link.

http://timholtz.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/01/paying-it-forwa.html

Dry Embossed Valentines

Here are some enlarged images of the cards on the board. The class is on February 9th, from 10-1 pm. Cost is $25. You will make all 5 cards from the board.