Dear January,

04 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by Sara in Cards, Classes, Mini Album, Mixed Media, Yearlong Album

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Canvas, Classes, Impression Obsession, Mixed media, Ranger, The Paperie

Please don’t kick my ass.

I know you’re going to be a busy month.

Hugely busy.

Remember in December when I did 5 new classes in 10 days? Well January, that is kind of what you’re going to be like.

On top of the 6, count ’em, 6 new classes I’ll be teaching at The Paperie, I have my regular Design Team work for Simple Scrapper and am working on a special project for them as well.

And I still have Paperie Picks posts to write and of course, this place here.

So please be kind to me, January, I’m going to need it!

I’m looking forward to the final Yearlong 2012 class and to just being able to say goodbye to that one after a year.

2012 Album Cover (& Ella!)

I’m already planning, planning, planning for the new one and can’t wait for all the fun techniques we’re going to do in the 2013 class! I do know that brand new Crafter’s Workshop stencils and mixed media gels and gesso will be a small part of the new kit!

And I’m really excited for the 4 classes I’m teaching in one giant fun-filled weekend. Ranger, Impression Obsession, Dylusions, canvases, cards, mini albums, and more on January 19 and 20 for what I call the Orlando classes. There will be great products included, awesome techniques, and fabulous projects. I know I’m going to have a blast but boy oh boy, I have some major prep work to do!

But first, I’m teaming up with Cathie once again for a Designer Duo class in Mixed Media! She’ll being using those techniques on a LO while I’ll be teaching a canvas. This is my favourite type of project to do so I’m stoked to get everyone else loving this art form too.

Happy Memories

So yes January, I’m excited and looking forward to you but please, don’t throw anything else my way for a week or two!

You can learn more about all of my January classes at the Paperie here and call them to sign up for any or all. Sign-ups are still open for the new technique filled Yearlong Album 2013 too but call quick if you want to be part of that always sold out class!

Bring on a Neon Christmas!

19 Monday Nov 2012

Posted by Sara in Cards, Classes

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

cards, Christmas Reindeer, Classes, Hero Arts, Miracle of the Holidays, neon ink, Stamps

I’m teaching a new class next Tuesday night at The Paperie and it’s going to be a fun and bright one!

In the class you’ll receive this Hero Arts stamp set:

Miracle of the Holidays

credit: Hero Arts

and we’ll be playing with pieces from this one too:

credit: Hero Arts

And to go along with those, we’ll be using the new Neon Inks!

credit: Hero Arts

It’s going to be a bright night, my friends! 🙂

Now, I’ll be honest, I lived through the 80’s and when these inks were released I said, “Never, no way, not gonna happen. Been there, done that!” However (and this is a big however) I played with them and have learned ways to tone them down so they’re just gorgeous colours, not in your face, need-to-wear-your-sunglasses bright! Yay!

Meet RJ, Rudolph’s boy. When I gave him a red nose, it was brought to my attention that Rudolph does not wear a sweater (cough, cough, Liz, cough). Picky, picky. So this is Rudolph Junior and he gets cold up there in the North Pole, a sweater is a necessity!

The colours are brighter when stamped on white instead of kraft…

Ornaments

…but are not totally in your face when in a small dose like this!

Now, most of us have teens, or preteens, or even littler ones in our lives and they didn’t live through the 80’s. And that means they actually like the neon colours – true fact, my friends! So for those on your Christmas list, I made this card, loosely based on one I made in Orlando at the Collins Rep Show:

Patchwork

Trust me, those kids in your lives will love this one! And, be honest now, it is kind of fun instead of traditional red and green, hey?!?

Finally, subway art is really big right now and it’s so easy to make your own. Here’s my neon twist on it!

Subway Art

On top of the 4 cards, you go home with the stamp set, and you get to play with the neon inks (which will also go home with one lucky person!) – it’s going to be a fun night!

Call or email The Paperie to sign up and hopefully, I’ll see you next week!

Do you ever wonder where the Creative Team gets their class ideas? Well, I can tell you that this class was inspired by a card I submitted for publication – the theme was non-traditional Christmas card colours. After using the neon inks in Orlando, I decided that would be the direction I would take this class. And that card I submitted? Check out page 47 of Create: Christmas Cards to see it – it’s also a Hero Arts card! 🙂

A new kit and a LO update…

22 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by Sara in Classes, ScrapBook

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Classes, kits, Layouts, Scrapbooking, The Paperie

I took another class at The Paperie this past weekend – this one was all about how to make your own kit and Krista did an awesome job of showing us how to pull one together from both new products and from your stash.

Mine is a bit of a combo – I found the large patterned paper, the one on the top right, at the shop and loved it, so that was my starting point. I added 3 more papers, plus the washi tape and letter stickers I got in class, and came home to finish it off. Love all the bits and bobs that were forgotten in my scrap cave – a kit is the perfect way to get them in sight and use them up!

What I really loved about this class was being able to customize the kit to my preferences. All the colours are ones I want to use and since I owned most of the stuff anyway, I know I like (or used to like!) all of it.

I’m calling this one Carnivale!

Carnivale! a kit by sarathings

The name seemed to fit with the colours, the banners, and the fun patterns, especially the large one.

There’s lots in here but I’ve had some of the chipboard and stick pins for longer than I care to say! If I can get on the ball and pull together another kit or two before the retreat, I’ll be able to pack a lot lighter than I usually do!

Now, an update from last week. I finished the second LO from Rae Lynn’s Book of Me class and I love how it turned out! I had to hide the “s” on the end of “simple pleasures” and extend the title and it all worked out really well.

An Unexpected Simple Pleasure

Plus, I really like the dimension of the banners and the shine of the glossy accents in the camera.

And yes, Rae Lynn, the journaling is done but I forgot to take a pic!

If any of you have a better name for my kit, throw it out there – I was a bit stumped, titles are not my strong point! 🙂 Also, I am planning a technique post tomorrow, fingers crossed I get it done in time!

An update, brownies, and a class I took…

17 Wednesday Oct 2012

Posted by Sara in Baking, Mini Album, Mixed Media, ScrapBook, Uncategorized

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

7 Gypsies, Baking, Basically Bare, Bazzill Basics, Bo Bunny, Book of Me, Brownies, Canvas Corp, Classes, Creative Imaginations, Graphic 45, The Collins Rep Group, The Paperie, Viva Colour

Sorry for the little blog break here – I’ve been crazy busy since returning from Orlando and there just aren’t enough hours in the day…

I’ve been completing the few unfinished projects from the show – I made 7 mini albums plus other items so there was a lot of little odds and ends that needed a final touch or two!

Bazzill – Christmas Lickety Slip Album

Creative Imaginations – Beautiful You Mixed Media Album

Basically Bare and Graphic 45 – Nutcracker Suite Easel Album

7 Gypsies and Canvas Corp – Epicurean Library Drawer

Creative Imaginations – Holly Jolly Altered Album

I’m only showing you the sneaks here of a few things but if you want the full reveal, all the details, and to hear about the fun we had then you need to sign up for the Show and Tell at The Paperie on Tuesday, October 23! I think there may be some giveaways too…. 🙂

I’m heading over to have wine and chit chat with a friend tonight so I thought I’d bring some goodies with me – brownies!

Brownie Batter!

I took two of my favourite recipes, made a change or two and combined them to make gluten free mascarpone brownies with ricotta topping. They look and smell yummy and I’ll post an update later with how they taste! I already know the batter was good….

And they really should be good because if there’s one thing I know how to bake well, it’s brownies! That’s not ego my friends, it’s just the simple truth! 🙂 But I can’t roast a chicken to save my life…. UPDATE: They are the bomb…. 🙂

yummy, yummy in my tummy!

Finally, I carved out a little time on Saturday morning to take a class from my friend Rae Lynn, the queen of clean and simple LO’s – her work is always gorgeous! She has started a new class series to do a Book of Me and the two LO’s we did are awesome!

I only took one picture with me for the class but the sweater I was wearing was the perfect colour for the papers and since Miss Smarty Pants Rae Lynn brought her camera and Canon Selphy printer, we took a snap, printed it and I was in business! It always feels good to go home with a completed LO!

i am…

I changed this second one a little – the background paper was a light tan/brown and I had a piece of Bo Bunny Vintage Double Dot paper that was the exact shade of my shirt so I used that instead. Also, I think I’m going to change the title to “An unexpected pleasure” and do my journalling on one thing rather than do a list of several “simple pleasures.” I could have had this one done but I was really uncertain about the journalling and decided that focusing on one unexpected pleasure – my camera – would work better for me for this LO. So now that I’ve settled on that, it will be done tonight, RLOK, I promise!

an unexpected pleasure

I love how the bright background paired with the black title, splatters, and stars make my camera pop!

And that’s been my life this week, crazy and full – how have you all been?

Clean and Simple Stencils

10 Monday Sep 2012

Posted by Sara in Classes, ScrapBook

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Balzer Designs, Classes, Layouts, Stencils, The Crafter's Workshop

I love mist. I love the randomness of it and how it’s intense where you spray and then fades out – love it!

I also love molding paste – the dimension, the cool effect, the sharpness of the image yet it’s jagged on the top. Awesome!

But I know people who hate getting their hands dirty.

Yes, it’s true, there are crafters out there with clean hands, my friends! They’ll never understand the Julie Fei-Fan Balzer Dirty Girl apron…. Heck, they’ll never need one! 🙂

And so, for those people, and for those of you like me who can swing either way, I have a new class this Wednesday night!

Clean and Simple Stencils.

You can do it, you can stay clean, and I have two LO’s to prove it! Better yet, I incorporate at least 4 different techniques too!

If you haven’t signed up yet, this class is selling fast – call The Paperie ASAP to come join in the fun. If you can’t make it, we can get you a kit with instructions!

You know I love a big and crazy class so come on – what are you waiting for?

See you Wednesday! 🙂

Things on Thursday…

07 Friday Sep 2012

Posted by Sara in Classes, Things on Thursday..., Uncategorized

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Classes, ICAD, ICAD2, kindergarten, Printstagram, Project Life, The Crafter's Workshop, The Paperie

Yes, yes, I know it’s Friday (late on Friday!) but yesterday was a big day and it got away from me!

1. Miss M started school yesterday! There’s no pre-k here so it was truly her first day ever and she was uber excited!

Me, not so much… However, it hasn’t been as bad as I thought it would and she loves it!

2. I’m starting Project Life. Yup, today is the last day of week one for me and I’m still not sure how to go about organizing it all. Please help me! Anyone who is doing this or has done it, give me your best tips – the things you’ve learned that work well and the things you’d do differently next time. In order for me to do this, I’m going to need all the help I can get!

Already I’m overwhelmed with the amount of content for this week alone: long weekend at the cabin, school starting, swimming starting for G… Go ahead, ask how many pictures I’ve taken!

3. I’m doing a new class at The Paperie next week and it’s all about stencils! Better still, it’s all about clean and simple stencils! So, those of you who hate to get your hands dirty (I know who you are!) this will show you how to use this great tool without getting mist under your nails! 🙂

4. I’ve started in on the last 10 ICAD’s I have left to make. I promise a blog post on Monday for the next one on the list!

5. I’m considering getting some stuff done from Printstagram – has anyone used it? Thoughts? Shipping and quality good? What size do you like?

The tiny books look neat and I thought they might make fun gifts for the kiddies at Christmas!

Have a great weekend everyone!

12 on Twelve and a Class

12 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by Sara in 12 on Twelve, Classes

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

12 on Twelve, Classes, The Paperie

This is a super quick one but I’ll be back later with a full Tuesday Techniques post!

Today is the 12th and I remembered this month – yay! So who’s with me for the 12 on Twelve? It’s easy, just take 12 pictures through the day and then share them tomorrow. I love this project – it’s quick, easy, and gives me a fun overview every month!

Also, I’m teaching at The Paperie tomorrow night. It’s a fun technique class all about Distress Markers! We’ll be making 10 tags with instructions so you can go home and play later, plus the techniques can all be transferred to LO’s, cards, etc.

Don’t worry if you don’t have the markers, there will be some to share and lots to buy (you’ll want to when you see how much fun they are!) Call Meghan at the shop to sign up or get a kit!

See you all later today!

Rainbow Tag Class

14 Saturday Apr 2012

Posted by Sara in Classes, ScrapBook, Techniques

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

American Crafts, Classes, Fiskars, Lily bee design, October Afternoon, Ranger, Scrapbooking, tags

I’m teaching at The Paperie tomorrow morning and there’s still a spot or two available!

We’re playing with lots of Ranger goodies and October Afternoon Sprinklers so if you’re interested, swing by at 10 am and join us!

Classes and some stamp tips…

09 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by Sara in Classes

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

7 Gypsies, Artist Printer's Tray, Classes, Cruising Through Life, Lawn Fawn, Simple Stories, The Paperie, Year.o.graphy

A little while ago, I taught a class where we made a LO and a card using the Lawn Fawn Cruising Through Life stamp set. The best part? Everyone got a stamp set to take home!

This is a seriously cute set – a bicycle, pinwheels, flowers. Really, what’s not to like?

For the life of me, I can’t find the card, but here’s the LO:

Cruising Through Life

There’s some extreme paper piecing happening here – every individual flower, the bike basket, the clouds, all the bike parts: handles, pedal, frame. I don’t think I was very popular at first but luckily, everyone loved the results! 🙂

It’s one of those LO’s that at first glance looks easier than it really is. It’s the final details that make it pop, like the glossy accents over the bike frame, the popped up basket and clouds, the button sun.

Here’s a little stamp tip – make the stamps do what you want, not what you think they were meant to do. For example, I made the butterflies from the heart and exclamation point that are in the set and I cut the sentiment in half so it fit the space I had.

All in all, worth the time, I think!

I also have another new class coming up at The Paperie at the end of the month – a 7 Gypsies Artist Printer’s Tray filled with Simple Stories Year.o.graphy paper:

Lots of die cuts and stickles on this one – a great Spring piece to display!

Looking forward to the Canvas class on Sunday – only 1 or 2 spots left in that one. I also have another few class ideas up my sleeves, unfortunately, more ideas than time!

Have a great weekend and hopefully, you get a chance to be creative in whatever way you prefer!