All Things Cardstock Workshop

Well it is that time of the week when we start counting in days (only 4 more sleeps) until our next Workshop.  

We promised some 'sneaky peeks' so let's not fuss around  - here is some of the scrapping fun we are planning for our Workshop lovelies.....

There will be three gorgeous layouts to complete - Miss Lisa has done absolutely gorgeous work and

we are sure you be excited about getting your

 'cardstock on'. 

We sent out emails to all our participants today with a reminder of what you need to bring along next Sunday, so please check your 'inbox' and start ticking off the checklist and packing your bags.

Miss Lisa has been busy with paint and stamps and punches and so much more.....

She has also designed a male and female version of one layout so that you can choose depending on your picture collection... both are just so gorgeous, it will probably prove to be agony deciding which one .... oh the decisions!

Our second layout will have you jumping for your punches, stamps, embossing and oh so much more... this is just a little snippet of the gorgeousness Miss Lisa has put down on this very special layout.

As we have previously 'Showcased'- our lovely friend and very talented designer Cassie is bringing along a few monsters to keep us occupied on the day... We are very excited to be doing this layout as we especially love anything that makes us think about using our vast collection of punches in different ways - nothing better than tools you can use over and over again!

Our day will conclude with a special off-the-page (OTP) project with Lizzie.  You will be having fun creating a little something for your desk or to give as a present ... you know how much Lizzie just loves getting you out there in blog land finding new ways to use your stash - especially your scraps and all those inks and embossing folders you have multiplying  - this is definitely one for that.

This lovely project will be something we are sure you will visit again and again to make a special present and, when you see how Lizzie has used this many times over to make gifts, decor for her own home and how nicely it combines with a few scrapping layouts - your mind will be racing.

So until Sunday - take care, enjoy the routine of school returning and we look forward to showing off our final projects next week.

Lizzie & Lisa

Five Fab Finds - Week 5

School holiday time and my job in Education has a different pace.  This gives me time home with my DD (in between her very active social and sporting life) and I somehow find time to stalk blog world. 

So let's get down to business and see what I have been visiting this week.  I hope these 'finds' inspire you as much as they have me.




Find #1

I stumbled across these gorgeous roses done by  Helen over at Scrap A Little  based on a Fiskars Tutorial and, just had to have a play.

Now I know you are probably thinking - 'been there done that'... well these little beauties are made our of heart punches.  Having just purchased a set of heart shaped Spellbinders from Scrapboutique

I was keen to see how they would work out and, might I say ... they don't look half bad. 


http://www.scrap-a-little.com/2009/05/tutorial-for-cutest-cardstock-roses.html


Find #2

I always like it when I come across a 'local gal' who has some 'scrummie' scrapbooking goodness to share.

If you haven't visited Pete's Place Blog (Peta McBeth) - then it is time to pay her a visit.  Peta owns Scrapbooking From Scratch and specialises in monthly kits and is setting up some great local retreat options for all us Hunter locals ... 

Here's hoping I can bank a few 'kidlet minding' favours with my family and head to one of Peta's retreats... anyone care to join me?

http://www.scrapbookingfromscratch.com/index.html

Find #3

Even though I love to make my own 'Embellees', I am still a sucker for some handmade goodness to add to my stash.

I just love the ranges that the lovely Haley over at Purple Pumpkin puts together. 

If you are looking for some themed covered buttons, doilies or flowers then you need to pop on over and see what is on offer.

http://networkedblogs.com/gK7xN?ref=nf

Find #4

I recently purchased some gorgeous handmade tags from the lovely Simone over at Raspberry Lime Paperie (on Facebook).  She does gorgeous work and the picture shows just one of her beautiful tag sets. 

All of these  - 8 tags for $6.50... well I couldn't stop at one set - I ordered five beautiful sets - all different themes to share around with some of my Scrapping Girlies...

https://www.facebook.com/#!/raspberrylimepaperie

Find #5

Early last year I stumbled upon this great website called 'Feed Your Soul' where you can download some gorgeous artwork for free.  My first visit resulted in some gorgeous little canvas miniI prints.  I printed the little artworks out on printable canvas paper I purchased from Aldi (of all places).  I then covered 3 small stretch canvas squares I had in my stash.

This year I am printing off yet another couple for the Mum's Day Stall stash I am compiling to take into DD's school when Term resumes.  I am painting and repurposing some old frames that I have hanging around and, well they are looking just gorgeous.  So pop on over and see what takes your fancy - gotta love a freebie!

http://indiefixx.com/Feed_your_soul/downloads.html

Well I hope you have been inspired.  I am going to have a break from 'Fab Finding' for the next 2 weeks as I am very busy with family visiting and oh, yes our next Workshop... but I promise to keep adding to my favourites as I stalk Blog World and, I will come back and 'share' real soon.

Lizzie

All Things Cardstock Workshop - 1 May 2011

Yes, it is true our All Things Cardstock Workshop is full and we have closed registrations and payments as at 14 April, 2011.

We have notified all our regular 'Workshop Lovelies' that come along and let them know. 

Anyone who had paid prior to the 14/04/2011 has secured a 'possie' (we have a couple of ladies who had made arrangements for final payments to come in over the weekend and we have honoured that agreement).

We are sorry to disappoint those that were registered and we could not offer a spot too.  We have moved anyone in this scenario to our 'waitlist' and will contact if we have anyone who cannot make the Workshop.

We feel it is important to have a 'ceiling' on our workshop numbers so that we can provide a cohesive workshop and that our 'Workshop Lovelies' are all catered to with the delivery of our projects.

For now we are getting excited about the projects we are finalising, the kits being packed and seeing everyone on Sunday - 1 May 2011.

Our plan is three layouts ... we are keeping the pace in mind ... so don't panic ... but then again, expect that we want to give you lots to learn from and some 'funky finds' in our Workshop Kits. 

Our three layouts will be followed by a (yes Lizzie promises - simple/easy) off the page project, just in time for Mum's Day. 

For now ... check out these cute little creatures the Lovely Cassie McCumstie will be helping us make for a fun layout... you will be getting out those punches and cardstock from your stash to play with after this fun layout!!  Thanks Cassie we just love your work and so glad you could join us again at this Workshop in our 'guest presenter's' spot... nice to have a change of pace and Cassie is so much more softly spoken than me (yes girls I know I am very loud).



Sneaky Peaks of our final projects will be posted later this week (we are having a bit of a break with all our kidlets home at the moment on school holidays), so please forgive us not posting these sooner.... anyways ... you know we love to just 'mix things up' before we do final 'kitting' and packing to head to Edgeworth.


Here's to a great week of school holiday fun, creating and inspiration....

Be back soon.

Lizzie

Loving our Dressforms....

In 2008 I was all about cupcakes (still love them), but couldn't get myself enough of these - have fabric and lots of other bits still to use with my fetish for cupcakes.

In 2009 it was all about the Babushkas... it all started with my weekend bag that I purchased from Kids Central - bright red with Babushkas all over it... a real 'shopper stopper' - you have no idea how many people stopped me to ask where I got that bag - well it didn't stop there - thank goodness Kaiser brought out some Babushka papers.

In 2010 my fetish for all things Dressforms started to translate from my home decor to my scrapbooking.  I have several gorgeous dressforms in my house - a life size wrought iron one takes pride of place in my bedroom, a collection of smaller ones sit on my amoire  and for Christmas I got a gorgeous fabric padded one to adorn my new sewing space (the spare room).  I have been collecting all things dressfrom from stamps, tags and papers for over a year now (I am so very envious of Donna Downey's draw full of dressform stamps - she better watch out if I come to visit).

My love of dressforms comes from my sewing background - yes it is true I learnt to sew on my Mum's Industrial Bernina Sewing Machine at the age of 5... that trusty machine takes the place of my car in our garage and, I have sewn on it all that time.  Sadly, we are looking at selling it soon as my Mum wanted me to do this and move back to a smaller model as I don't do the amount of sewing I used to (thank god my costume days with Qantas are behind me).  So it didn't seem strange when I fell in love with my first dressform home decor item... Mum fostered this for ages and said it was great I had a theme again.. she always knew what to buy me!

Enough reminiscing....

I was so excited when Tim Holtz and Donna Downey brought out some new stamps that featured dressforms (we are somewhat deprived here in Australia)..... Miss Lisa just knew I would nearly 'pee my pants' when I saw the Donna Downey large dressform stamp and she was right!!! I am just loving this ... so much so, that Miss Lisa featured it on our Kit Packaging, along with some gorgeous Tim Holtz stamps for our 'Keeping Mum' workshop in early April.

Check out what she did to pretty up this gorgeous number... I am looking at translating this into a canvas for my sewing room wall ... replacing the crepe paper with some vintage fabric adding some words like create and inspire ... oh you can see it can't you???!!!  Will  have to show you my end result - but don't hold your breath it might be a few weeks until that gets done.

We love to challenge our Workshop Lovelies with repurposing their Kit Packaging, so it only seemed right that their bonus 'kit' included the pretties to transform their Kit bags into a lovely gift bag just ready for Mum's day....

Miss Lisa stamped the image using paint, added the gorgeous Tim Holtz Papillion stamps, some gathered crepe paper and to finish off a button and bling... so very shabby chic!

Hope you have enjoyed this post - be back soon!

Lizzie

Five Fab Finds - Week 4

Oh dear has it been that long since I did a Five Fab Finds post - well you gotta forgive me ... have been so busy with our Workshops and end of School Term (yes I have a job that keeps me busy) that I just haven't been back to Blog as often as I would like.  But now lets get some creative juices flowing and look at what I have on my Five Fab Finds this week:

Find #1

I am loving these napkin rings by the lovely Jessica over at Two Shades of Pink (thanks Di for leading me to this Blog).  I am spending quality craft time with my DD this school holidays and looking for things to make for the Mum's Day Stall so we have a big box to donate when school goes back.  I am thinking these look like a good one for us to make... and while I am it I have every intention of making some for myself.

http://twoshadesofpink.blogspot.com/

Find #2

We love it when one of our local gals 'sets up shop' and has a great product or service to offer.  We just love all things stamping and the lovely Alex Hughes from Ippity with Alex has some great stamps on offer from Ippity (part of the Unity Stamp Group). 

Alex has started doing some workshops and has a Card Club going  - so why not support this WAHM and buy yourself some great stamps and make some gorgeous stuff!

http://ippitywithalex.blogspot.com/

Find #3

I love finding crafts that combine my using my stash of papergoodness (is there such a word), allows my kidlet to get invloved and is simple to follow.  I am just loving this Spring Butterfly mobile featured over at Kikki Creates, but made by the lovely Rebecca Cooper at Simple As That - how cute is this going to look in my baby great-niece's bedroom above her soon to be new 'big girl' bed.  It will be even more special because the tutorial is so easy that I am going to let my 8 year old DD make it with me.


http://kikicreates.blogspot.com/2011/04/spring-butterfly-mobile-all-about.html

Find #4

Ok, it wouldn't be an Embellees post without another flower to make.  I just love this one and it is a great tutorial.  So pop on over to the Miss Lovie Creations and get out those fabric scraps cause you are gunna be creating.  I am thinking of making some up with brooch backs for our Mum's Day Stall - how nice would it be to find this purchased instead of some of those tragic ornaments we find ourselves hiding away ... (mine was just lovely last year - a real dust collector of a girl with a bird ... sadly not a handmade thing in my parcel - let's see if I can change that this year).

http://missloviecreations.blogspot.com/2011/03/scrappy-no-sew-flower-tutorial_16.html

Find #5

Oh, I know I am indulging my flower passion again - but this is not a make it yourself one.... it is more like a buy it cause you love it one......

I love it when I come across a beautiful handmade item on Etsy that combines two of my loves - papergoodness and well what can I say - jewellery.  Check out this gorgeous brooch by Rebekah over at The Pretties.  I can see this on my winter coat and just love the detail she has gone to.  While you are there check out her beautiful coil artworks - I am inspired to get that quilling tool out from last weekends workshop and start me some coils for a layout.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rebekahholguin?ref=seller_info


Well that should see me all caught up with my Blog posts for the beginning of the week - hope you have enjoyed.

Lizzie

Keeping Mum Workshop - Show and Tell

What a fabulous day we had with 30 ladies joining in our 'Keeping Mum' Workshop last Sunday. 

It was great to see so many new faces and to welcome back our gorgeous lovelies that keep returning. 

Thank you all for the feedback and for the comments on our Facebook Page over the last week - we love that you love the Workshops!!!

The day set a 'wicked pace'... we had so much to show and so many techniques to try that there was no time for rest and, I know we all just 'scoffed' our lunch down as we were so keen to be back at our tables stamping, tearing and who could forget 'chopping' up a few A4 folders ... well let's be honest 30 folders!  Thank you all for your patience (and for those in the know - yes I screwed my desk back together at work on Monday - but you have to admit that was a great metal ruler).

So for our Workshop Lovelies an email is winging its way to you shortly with a link to a special workshop blog with instructions and pics of my album pages as requested.

Here are pics of some the pages from the beautiful 'off the page' project we started called 'Letters from the Heart'... This album was made up of so many repurposed items, great use of recycled stationery, a few coasters from the Club were put through the Cuttlebugs and BigShots on the day.

Handy Hint:  Drink coasters from your pub/club have more than one use... they 'cut like butter' in a BigShot or Cuttlebug using Spellbinder dies - they emboss beautifully - can be 'tizzied up' with Glimmer Mist and make great embellishments.  So be on the look out for the ones that are NOT double sided - you really want the ones that have a plain underside.  Check out how nicely the butterflies on this page came out after being cut out of coasters from the local RSL... they not only look good but have nice texture and great absorbancy when inked.

Yes, you would be right in thinking I might need a 'Tim Intervention' as I am having a  real 'love affair' with my new dressform diecut and stamps.. gotta love some  'Tim Time'.

Another Handy Hint (but definitely not a new one) - remember to look at your scrapbook packaging before tossing it out.  Thanks to the lovely Jenny (from Melbourne) who trawled through the desk bins at the Donna Downey's workshops and gave me all the Prima packaging she could find.  It came up beautifully when 'reinvented' in our Workshop albums.

I have also used some packaging from a recent stamp purchase for another page to keep with the repurposing theme.  Gotta admit it really looks lovely as a background.

We are now very busy finalising our next Workshop - All Things Cardstock for 01/05/2011.  If you are anything like us you have a 'truck load' of cardstock still sitting in your stash, so why not come along and learn some great techniques to reinvent your stash.

Miss Lisa is busy this weekend in her caravan in downtown Wollongong finishing up the most gorgeous layouts - I keep getting picture messages on my phone - nothing like running your business on the road. 

The lovely Cassie McCumstie has a very special layout planned with some gorgeous little monsters made out of cardstock and punches - this will have you rethinking every punch you have in your stash.

As always I will have you working on a fabulous off the page calendar project that is playful and full of fun techniques!

The bookings for this Workshop are already at the halfway mark - so if you are keen to join us, please send an email to:  Embellees@bigpond.com and get yourself registered for another 'jam packed' day with us!

Lizzie and Lisa

Blending Buddies Are In The House

Check out these blending tools

The Embellees Team just love using our distress inks and to add to our addiction we have just purchased some absolutely gorgeous Blending Buddies from the Lovely LollyChops and RonChops over at their Etsy Store...

  

This week our parcel with 48 Buddies arrived here in OZ and we are so excited...

yep 8 sets for all of our lovelies who ordered with us... here they are all neatly lined up and ready for shipping from LollyChops and RonChops all the way from the US of A.

It is just so hard to decide on what colours there are so many to choose from.....

Here are mine all ready to use .... These are great quality, great price and just so darn gorgeous.... thank you so much Lolly and Ron!!!

For those wanting to know where I got my 'spinner' from - check out the Inkssentials Craft Spinner

For all our Aussie Girls, I can't speak highly enough of how great Lolly and Ron were with postage to us here in OZ... we did a bulk/group order and they made sure we got all of our 8 sets here with insurance for $30... so this helped keep our costs down and I am sure it helped at their end ... so get your 'scrapping friends' together and convo Lolly and Ron via Etsy!