March Classes at Arnolds

Well the March Classes at Arnolds Scrapbooking Store have been released. I have two glimmermisting classes on this month. The first is a technique class where you'll learn the different techniques of glimmermisting and receive two free bottles of glimmermist and the second is a glimmermist canvas project.

The newsletter is available here: http://www.scrapbooking-arnolds.net.au/ this has pictures of the projects and a calendar and all associated details.

So Tweet

This is a canvas I made using the beautiful papers from Melissa Frances. I had bits left over from a class I did so I used them to make the flowers and then I used two different papers from the range to create my background. The dot bazzill was also left over from the same class.  I love these sorts of chabby chic projects. I hand stitched a word in the title. (this is so easy to do and a cheaper option for titles). I used left over thickers for the other word in my title (So) and then I hand stitched the banner. I used the banner from the paper (which I cut out and popped up using pop dots) as a template for the other banner which I cut out of a different co-ordinating paper to add more flags to the page than just those on the background paper.

I saved on this project by stitching my title, using scraps whereever possible and making my own flowers.

Butterfly Canvas Class Again

Well this is a very popular class. I am now running it for the third time. So if you missed out on previous two classes it's running again this saturday at 10 am.

Contact Arnolds on: 32934390 to book in.

Submissions to Australian Scrapbooking Ideas Magazine - Scrap Chat

Hi Everyone,

A little birdie told me that Australian Scrapbooking Ideas Magazine are looking for submissions to their "Scrap Chat" page right now. So if you have a layout that was inspired by something you read in the magazine, or a new product you bought.... or if you have scraplifted a page send them a photo and an email explaining how your were inspired to: tina.horton@practicalpublishing.com.au

Saturday's class alot of fun.

I had another wonderful class on Saturday.  A new group of wonderful ladies joined me to learn how to handmake three different kinds of flowers and how to use glimmermist with a stencil to create the blue and purple canvas I did of child number 2. Daughter no 1.    One of the things I love about my job is meeting such wonderful people and teaching them something new.

I'm so glad I applied for this job.  The team at Arnolds Scrapbooking store are a wonderful supportive team. Without their encouragement and support I never would of done some of the other projects I have in the wind at the moment. (Will release those details when it's time.)  Plus I am doubly blessed because I never would of applied for this job except for all the texts I received from people I know telling me about the ad in the paper and telling me to do it. So thank you wonderful friends.

This week sees more technique classes learning how to handmake your own flowers and how to alter chipboard in a variety of ways. Hope to see you there.

I am looking for ideas on what you would most like to learn. So please leave me a comment on the topics you'd like to learn about, and after your topic if you could mention either video or class. This will give me an idea of what topics to do more videos for YouTube and which topics people would like to learn at my classes.

Handbag Notebook, Address Book and Post-it Note pad

 

 



















These are some more "handbags" I made for my girlfriend. I did an address book, a notebook and a post-it-note book bag for carrying in your purse.

I used premade notebooks and just covered them with paper and cardboard with a few pearls to set it off nicely.

I love these kinds of rojects as they are quick and easy but they look really affective.

Handbag Recipe Book

This is a recipe book that I made for a girlfriend of mine. She has written a recipe book which she sells on ebay (it's a gluten free, fructose free specialty recipe book) and I thought it might be nice for her to have somewhere to write all of her recipe's. I love the idea of using a handbag as she only ever has one handbag at a time (unlike me who when to the Zellows carpark sale last year and bought 6 handbags for $26 LOL) so she now has a few.... I also made here a notebook, address book and post-it note book all in the shape of handbags...

I mainly used paint to alter the handbag as it would of been a nightmare to try and cut in around the handles and locks etc. (With these cardboard bags alot of the time the locks don't come off like they do with larger items which simply screw into place.) I then used these gorgeous papers from BoBunny to complete the bag and small ring binder book I made for the inside to hold all the info. There are only two categories of recipe here "Delish" and "Sweet" as these were titles I cut from some of the patterned papers in the range. I covered them with dimensional magic to make them sturdier and to give a shine to them. Then I used simple cards from the stationary store to make up my pages. This means she can add to the book anytime she likes easily without me having to make or decorate new pages. I handmade the flower on the front of the bag using Bazzil bling. I love how it looks like it's made of leather now.

Papercraft Show RNA

Well it's that time of year again. There's a SHOW in town.... I might actually be tempted to go to this one.

Karen (Owner of Arnolds Scrapbooking Store) came back from CHA and showed me all the exciting new treasures she's ordered but I'd really like to see what specials all the stores are doing to make way for the new CHA stock.

Karen and of course the lovely Robin will be at the show this weekend. I have a class to teach on Saturday but may pop out on Sunday so I'll see you there. Pop by the Arnolds stand and ask for me.



INFO:
Date: 17-19 February, 2012




Opening times: Friday, Saturday and Sunday,

10.00 am - 4.30 pm



Location: RNA Showgrounds, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland



Admission: $10, $8 Concession

Children aged less than 14 and committed husbands: FREE

Magazines

Hey everyone,

For those of you who have followed me for a long time you will know I don't buy many magazines. You'll also know that my favourite magazine to buy was an english publication because of all the free stuff you got with your magazine.... Well you'll be pleased to know there is an Australian Magazine now that has taken first place in my preferred to buy list. It's called Australian Scrapbooking Ideas Magazine. I love it because when you buy the magazine you get either some free papers, or stamps or some other totally cool freebie with your magazine. The other thing I love is the magazine is filled with layouts and a list of materials on those layouts and then instructions on how to create the layout. Which I think is really cool as it gives you step by step how you can recreate it.... PLUS and here's a really big bonus it's not overflowing with Ads like alot of the magazines are now. 
Don't get me wrong I like a few ads for new products etc but lately some of the magazines have felt like the whole thing was an add with very little content.

So check it out at your newsagent.

Make Your Own Embellishments Class - Part 2

In this class you'll learn how to make the chipboard shape look like lace... How to make the gorgeous flower with lace trim and how to decorate chipboard in a variety of ways. Using paint and ink I'll show you how to make chipboard look like real metal.

You can book into these classes if you're in the Rothwell region by phoning Arnolds Scrapbooking Store on: 32934390

Make Your Own Embellishments Class - Part 1

Hi Everyone, here is a class I am teaching at Arnolds this month. In this class you will learn how to make these embellishments.  You'll also learn how to create this faux copper verdigri paint tecnique and how to make the flowers and finally how to make a piece of plain cream cardstock look like a piece of lace.

Free Scrapbooking Ideas ...: Teaching Post

Free Scrapbooking Ideas ...: Teaching Post at Arnolds Scrapbooking and Craft Supplies at Rothwell QLD Australia

Boys Birthday Card

Well it's been pretty hectic around here craft wise lately.  My teaching post at Arnolds Scrapbooking Store has me creating things and preparing for classes. I'm really enjoying it. I have had some fantastic students who are pushing me in new creative directions which I love!  There is also a new creative outlet for me which I'll tell you more about when it's close to the time..... surfice to say I'm as happy as a pig in mud! And then of course there's my never ending wall of canvas (will get you a photo of this soon I promise! LOL) and all the presents I make for people.... So very busy, hence the lack of posting here.....


Anyway this weekend my son attended the birthday party of a friend of his and I made this card for the party.

front of the card.

inside of the card with room for a gift card.

close up of the stamped coloured image. Sorry it's a little blurry. I was in a hurry as we were literally heading straight out the door so I didn't check that the shot was good before I raced off.

I used leftover  papers from a 6 x 6 paper pad I had  called (Kaisercraft) Seaside Collection.  I then stamped the image and coloured it using watercolour pencils.

I haven't worked with watercolour pencils in such a long time. I used to paint with them alot BS (Before Scrapbooking) and have only just rediscovered them. Now that my scrapspace is all organised I have everything within easy reach which means I am using alot of tools I haven't seen for ages... lol 

Watercolour pencils are a great and inexpensive way to colour your stamped images. You can get a packet from the discount variety stores for under $10 (I wish that option had been available when I got mine). All you do is lightly colour your image (you can colour a little bit heavier where you'd like the shading), then using a paint brush dipped in water (wipe off the excess) lightly go over the coloured part of the image and you'll see the change immediately. It goes from looking like a pencil colouring in to looking like a watercolour painting (just with better control over the light and shade and blending of colours). Unfortunately I was in a hurry so his hair doesn't have the right effect. Ideally you should colour the hair region in one colour lightly. Then come back and add the shade by adding a little more colouring to those areas. Use your brush and water to blend and then allow to dry completely. When dry come back with different colour pencils. One darker and one lighter and your original colour and use your pencil to add individual hairs.

I have a video coming where I demonstrate the simple basic steps of waterpencil colouring. If anyone is interested in more detail let me know and I'll do another video. I also have a video coming on basic stamping techniques. I love stamping as a way of adding interest to elements and backgrounds. It's also great for making card toppers and titles for your scrapbooking.   I especially love how you can buy a stamp and use it over and over and over again whereas a sticker or rub-on is a once only deal.   You can stamp on paper, cardstock, chipboard, canvas, foam, plastic, fabric and acetate to get different effects. Different kinds of ink will also change the effect you get and then when you add embossing powder to the mix, well the effects are endless. At the moment I'm a bit obsessed with glimmermisting and am loving the effect I get when I stamp with a clear ink and clear embossing powder and then spritz glimmermist over the top.

Where to buy supplies

I had an email from one of my readers who lives in a place with no scrapbook stores..... I know a few of your are hyperventalating right now at the scary thought of it.. LOL But I thought I'd share my answer for others who maybe live somewhere devoid of scrapbooking havens.


I work at a local scrapbook store called Arnolds Scrapbooking but unfortunately they don't have an online shop for you. So as to the question of where to get supplies....... I'd have a look at who sells to you online. EBAY is a great resource for this as you can search based on selling to your area. As you'll then be incuring postage it would be in your best interest to buy in bulk so you only have the one lot of postage. I have bought some beautiful embellishments from china (cameo's and cabouchons? these are little resin flowers).

I'd also suggest you check out some of my online videos. There's one there on how to make flowers out of tissue paper and an older one on how to make paper clay. Also check out YouTube for some great videos on how to create your own embellishments. I'm loving the crepe paper roses at the moment (they're a little bit of work but so worth it!)

I'd try and make as many embellishments as I can out of paper if I were you as this will save you lots and paper is available just about anywhere. Check out fabric stores as you can use fabric instead of paper to embellish your page. You can make flowers out of fabric or ribbon and buttons are also a popular embellishment for your pages. I love to use embroidery thread on my pages. If you can embroider then you might like to use one piece of cardstock and then embellish the rest of your page with embroidery. I like to sew my titles as this is a really cheap way to do a title.

Titles will be your hardest part as you don't have scrapbook stores to access all the chipboard letters, thickers and stickers......... For this reason I started out with stencils (I got a stencil book from a bookstore with all these alphabets in it... it's a kids book) and I painted, cut the letters out of paper and used felt pens, pencils or chalks to create my titles. You can also use the stencils as a guide for embroidering a title.

Stationary stores are also a great place to find pens, coloured paperclips and split pins. Art supply stores also have a great range of paint and brushes and other artist supplies. I love using watercolour pencils as this is one of the art mediums I specialized in when doing artworks (BS... Before Scrapbooking) now I don't have time to paint pictures but use the watercolours to create unique backgrounds and to colour in stamps. Chalking is a popular scrapbooking supply for colouring in stamps and colouring the edges of layers of paper. Art stores will have a product called "pastels" the oil variety work like crayons but there is a chalkier variety that I used to love painting with... again before scrapbooking... that is perfect for chalking with.

As far as your scrapbooks go scrapbook paper is Acid and Lignin Free (this protects your photos from deteriorating as quickly). So it is worthwhile if you don't have any stores to buy scrapbook paper from (for your backgrounds and under your photos) then try to buy bulk paper packs from online stores. Several of our department stores here stock scrapbooking supplies so we are spoilt for choices on places to shop. But perhaps if you have any department stores that have chains in other countries and they sell scrapbooking supplies in other countries (check out catalogues online) then you might be able to get them to order it in for you?)

I have also found some great supplies in the kids craft sections. If you follow my video on making your own clay then any chocolate moulds or other small moulds will be useful. I have also found wetting tissue and pushing it into the moulds firmly until the mould is packed tightly with wet tissue then allowing to dry..... this gives you a really light and unbreakable embellishment. (The paper clay I make in the video does break, when dry if dropped).

So I hope this gives you some ideas on alternative places to shop if you don't have the plethora of scrapbooking suppliers that I do....