Living my dream

5 minute card for the holidays

Hi everyone. How are you? It has been a while since I blogged huh? Well I thought it was about time I did! I hope you've had a wonderful Xmas, and a happy and safe new year. 

Over the holiday period we tend to want to do more crafting, but still have a hard time finding time to be creative. 

So I've put together a little tutorial to enable you to get your creativity on while you're on holiday, and/or when you've only got 5 minutes to spare, but 'need' a card or just want to create.

Here's what you could make in just 5 minutes....

Ok, ok, so making both will take you a little longer, but one, just 5 minutes! Here's how....

White cardstock
A few favourite stamps (I used one as mentioned below, plus Stampin Up! Amazing Birthday.
An embossing folder
A butterfly punch/die
Wink of Stella
A black inkpad (I used Stazon)
A gold metallic inkpad (I used Prima Metallic chalk edger gold)

 Take a piece of white cardstock and trim to size to fit the stamp you're going to use. In this instance I've used a set by Couture Creations called Stamping, Embossing & Die cutting 3in1 set - Dreamboat collection, Ornate frame. And so my card is 6" tall x 9" wide. Folded in the middle along the horizontal axis.

What's great about this set is that it has everything you need in one go. Of course, you don't need something like this, you can use whatever dies/embossing plates you have in your stash, but this set (and others like it) make things really quick and easy....


Stamp one image in black ink....

Then stamp a second image over the first one, in metallic gold ink...

Using your embossing folder, create a raised area on your card.

Use a craft knife to cut the middle piece from the inside of the stamped area.

Punch or die cut a butterfly from some white cardstock

Ink with the gold metallic inkpad, then use a Wink of Stella pen to give it and the stamped image on the front of the card, a glimmer/shine.

Adhere the butterfly to the bottom right hand side of the main area of the stamped image.

Inside the card, stamp a 'background' image in gold. Then over the top of this image, choose your sentiment and stamp that as well.

Aim to have it so when the card is folded closed, you can see through the 'window' in the card to the greeting.

Use the metallic gold ink to create a border around the outside of the front of the card.

And that's it. 

It looks like quite a few instructions, but just take them step by step and you've got a beautiful card in just 5 minutes....

Enjoy!

T

National Scrapbook day - Frank Garcia DT blog hop with PRIMA

Welcome to my blog and the Frank Garcia International Scrapbooking Day Blog Hop! We have some surprises in store for you in this hop! Along the hop, we're featuring some of our favorite Frank Garcia projects from the design team and right here I have some of my own favourites from a recent scrapbook cruise where I was teaching some lovely classes with Franks designs.

We also have a giveaway up for grabs! To take part and be in to win, simply follow along on each blog, leave a comment and/or follow each of the fabulous designers to be entered to win! There may even be additional give aways on the designers blogs.... like right here.

Prima - www.prima.typepad.com
Frank Garcia - www.frankgarciastudio.com/new-blog-1/
Trina McClune - www.trinamcclune.typepad.com
Lisa Novogrodski - www.lisas-livingincolor.blogspot.com
Delaina Burns - www.delainas.blogspot.com
Cari Fennell - www.meandmymaryjanes.blogspot.com
Beatriz Jennings - www.iralamija.blogspot.com
Jennifer Snyder - www.scrap-escape.blogspot.com
Lisa Gregory - www.what-a-beautiful-mess.blogspot.com
Prima - www.prima.typepad.com

So you should have arrived here via Frank's blog. My name is Trina and I've been addicted to this crazy hobby of ours... scrapbooking for many years now. 

I love to use lots of patterned papers, beautiful flowers, texture paste, stencils and well, let's be honest, anything pretty!

Recently I've been on a cruise from Sydney, Australia to Noumea in the South Pacific where I taught several scrapbook classes with Franks beautiful products. Here's a wee look at a couple of items that I taught.....

First a few simple tags....

After creating the tags, we used one of them as the base for a single layout. Tales of You and Me was perfect for these projects.

The tag opened up meaning you can put a photo inside, on the front of the tag, or even down in the right hand corner. 

As a bonus, I also threw in some extra teeny tags instructions that could be used as gift cards for some presents...

Alongside this, I also created a 'from scratch' mini album using Franks French Riviera Collection and some packaging for the front. Take a look.....

I adored the little charms I found which matched our cruise perfectly.

Making this album on the cruise meant all the attendees could go home, print their photos and put them straight in. And the sea side theme of Franks collection worked perfectly for this!

With plenty of pockets, and hidden journaling spots and fun interactive pages to add extra photos/journaling and/or ephemera.

There were 20 pages plus covers in this class so everyone was kept very busy! But everyone also got most if not all of their pages done. WTG ladies!!!

So if you'd like to be in for a chance to win, please leave me a message below and come back to check the winner in a few days. I'll be giving away some of Franks beautiful products so you can have a play yourself.

Please don't forget to hop along to the next person's blog to see what they've been creating with Franks lovely collections. You'll be heading off to Lisa Novogrodski next. Just click on her name and it should take you right there. 

Have a fabulous day all. Happy scrapping!

Hello hello hello......The Frank Garcia Design Team Blog hop

It's been a while since I blogged hasn't it? Well I've got a great reason now. As part of the inaugural Frank Garcia DT, we are holding a blog hop so everyone can meet everyone and see all our wonderful styles, PLUS get to see the stunning ranges that Frank has released as part of the Prima Marketing team.

I'm hoping you've come here from Frank Garcias blog?! If so, welcome! I'm excited to welcome you to my little corner of the webosphere. Today I'm going to show you a bit of my scrapbooking style and also give you the opportunity to win a prize... But that can wait until the end....

First I'm going to show you a cute little album I made earlier this year using one of Frank's lovely albums and one of his stunning collections, Archivist....

 

I taught this album as a class in July and it was very popular.

It had a ton of different aspects to it, from hidden pockets, openings, extra pages etc etc.

I especially loved the trim Frank designed for us to use....

It really finishes off the side of an album.

To see more samples of work I've done using Franks delicious designs, just scroll on down to the next post where you'll see a class I put together using A Victorian Christmas. It was a fun set of tags to make, and we managed to get all 7 done in 3 hours.

Teaching is one of my passions and I'm lucky to do this on a regular basis throughout NZ, Australia and even further afield when the time arises. Next year I'll be teaching on a cruise through Needlepoint Tours and Cruises that goes out to Vanuatu. What an amazing time we're going to have!

Talking of amazing times, who wouldn't want to win a gorgeous prize from Frank Garcia for someone who joins us on the blog hop.

Just leave a message to us on our blogs and we'll be choosing a lucky winner in due course. I'm sure you'd like to see what your might win? Here it is.....

Perfect for that last minute Christmas card/gift.

Well, because this is a blog hop, you're going to want to know which blog to hop along to. I'm sending you to the lovely Jennifer at this blog addy: http://scrap-escape.blogspot.com/

Enjoy the hop and have a wonderful day!

For all the coaches out there.... a card tutorial.

With the end of the sports season upon us, it's time to get out those card making skills to make your child's coach a card.

Or, if not for a coach, then this cute card is also great for kids too.

I've used a variety of product. Bazill, Prima, Cherry Lyn, and Stampin' Up! Martha Stewart.....Let's take a look at the card and how you too can make it....

1. Take a piece of Bazill and cut so it measures 6x12". Score in the middle of the 12" length and fold.

2. Use the Cherry Lyn grass die and cut out a pattern of grass. Throw this grass away (or keep for another card/project), and using the 'negative' piece, and some different coloured inks, create a grass pattern on the front of the card.

Do this by placing the negative piece across the bottom of the card, then use your ink across the spaces to create a pattern. Move the negative 'stencil' and do again and again, changing colours of ink to create a full pattern you are happy with. 

3. Do the same, but this time use some cloud pieces to create the white fluff of clouds in the 'sky', using blue ink for the background colour of the sky.

4. Use a Stampin' Up! soccer ball stamp to create the soccer ball (or your child's sport ball of choice), add to the front of the card over the grass.

5. Stamp a Julie Nutting Doll stamp from Prima. Cut out. Clothe it. Add to the card so it looks like the child is interacting with the ball.

6. Use the Martha Stewart punch that has one largish flower and two small flowers on it to create a few small flowers. Add them into the grass area.

7. Add a small stamped 'Thank you' in the clouds. 

And that is a very basic version of a thank you card. It came together in about half an hour including time to find all my product/tools.

I've added an insert into the card so there is plenty of room for the whole team to sign it.

For another simpler card, I also made this one for the second coach....

This one was much easier. I stamped versamark on the black cardstock with the base design, added some white embossing powder and then heat set it. 

Then I added a soccer ball made from some silver ultra thick embossing powder.

Cut out, add to the middle of the base pattern on foam tape, and you're just about done.

Just add a set of fake stitching around the edges and you can call it done.

Because the card is black I also added a white insert into this card. Not only does it give plenty of room for all the boys to write on it, but it means you don't need a special pen to be able to see the writing.

I know that I usually do quite layered, in depth card making/scrapbooking, but there is nothing to say that you can't make a card quickly and easily and for it to still be heartfelt!

Hope you've all had a great weekend! I'm off tomorrow to see a friend I haven't seen in a while. Yay!!! Plus drop off our bee hive to her / her hubby so they can split their bees and we'll get some for the new house. I can't wait to get them back once we're all settled in. Exciting times!

A tutorial for a boy themed scrapbook layout

It's been a while since I created 'just for the fun of it'. But recently I managed to give it a go and created this cute layout about my son using the Prima April Special Delivery kit. 

It was pretty simple to put together but had a few little tricks to it so I thought I'd show you how it was done. Let's take a look:

1. Use a black piece of cardstock as your base.

2. Choose a paper which has a little pattern, but not too much to 'take over'.

3.  Use at least two border punches and without looking, punch in the 4 corner areas to create a great distressed look to the page. Use your fingers to roll the left over edges and create even more of a distressed look.

4. Either use 4 pieces of paper that you cut (from your stash), or journaling cards (either way, size is 6x4"), and lay them on a diagonal, horizontally across the page from the bottom left to the top right.

5. Take some medical gauze and ink it with some brown ink to match the papers you're using

Tip: lay the gauze on some scrap paper, and just dab the ink pad over the gauze until you have the colour you are looking for.

6. Place the gauze in the left and right corners (approx. 3" from each corner).

7. Over the top of the gauze, and the initial journaling spots, add another journaling spot (mine this time is wood, but you can use paper and just add height by adhering with foam tape). This time on an angle.

8. In the top left and bottom right corners of the wooden journaling spot, add a cluster of flowers/embellishments. I've used a Prima vine, Prima flowers, and Prima cogs.

9. Add your photo into the middle of the wooden journaling spot, first distressing the edges to give it a look like it's on a mat.

10. As a final touch, add some journaling/words/title to the page.

Tip: I've added some journaling by cutting the Prima packaging and adding that into the cluster of the flowers/cogs.

Finally as I didn't think there was a place that would suit journaling on the front, I've added it to the back. I talk about this in my classes a lot. I know we all scrapbook for different reasons, but even if you don't want those stories on the front where everyone can see them, there is nothing wrong with putting some basic information on the back. That way, those vital details aren't lost.

Tip: When choosing a photo to use on this layout, choose one which has a splash of colour in it to make the photo stand out.

This is a really quick and easy layout to put together. The 'hardest' part being the flower clusters. But don't be worried when putting them together. Just have fun.

As I said to someone recently. Our scrapbooks should bring us joy. They are our art, our memories, our stories, our 'time off'. They have so much of ourselves in them that sometimes, we think about them too hard. But if you can look at a page and it brings you joy, none of the 'rest of it' (the newest, latest, cutest embellishments) just don't matter!

Have a wonderful weekend all.

SENZ class release

Yippeeeee! After months of ordering product and designing classes, SENZ details were released to VIP customers yesterday.

Tomorrow (Wed May 20th) the day pass holders will get details, and on Friday 22nd May classes will be released to the wider public.

If you are wanting to become a VIP or get some day passes, then just head on over to the SENZ site to sign up....

In the past I've sold my classes through Create and haven't undergone the tension associated with a release.

Waiting for the email to go out, then for people to look over all the classes, visit websites to get more information and to then see the orders start coming in.

In the past, I've got my information to Fiona, then forgotten about it. Not so yesterday.

As always with such a subjective industry, this type of time is fraught with insecurity. Have I created something good enough? Will people like what I've done? Will they like me? LOL!

It's crazy! After so many years of being in the 'business' it's still such an uncertain time highlighted by actually being able to see the orders arrive in my inbox.

I have to constantly remind myself I do this because I love it. Because I'm passionate about sharing my knowledge, my love of scrapbooking, or ideas that could help with future projects, with people. And really being liked or 'wanted' doesn't come into it.

But isn't it funny how insecure/silly we can get?! Jeez!

So, just wanted to do a quick post about SENZ, show you a little insight into how I cope (or not), about my little part in it, my excitement and nervousness and insecurity and joy and and and to remind you that it's on and you can take a look at all the work we tutors (and there are some GREAT tutors!) have done over the past weeks and months to bring you some amazing classes that you will LOVE!

And just cause I can, here's a couple of sneak peeks.... for now I can't tell you what or when they are on, you'll have to wait for the release you are aligned with, but I can tell you, they are going to be so much fun.

I can't wait to see you in class!

 

 

Prima Special Delivery February Kit projects

I love this latest kit. I said to Frank when I first saw it, "Gosh, this kit is so going to suit us "'downunder' scrapbookers". It's so pretty. So "Prima".

When you see it, you'll know what I mean.....

Swoon. And yes, that stamp is one that we've all been looking for. Yes!

So I've made two projects with it so far. One has step by step instructions and can be found on the facebook page I've set up to share all SD projects and be inspired by others. Just search: "Prima Special Delivery Kits - a place to share ideas" on facebook.

This is what it looks like:

As I said, full instructions are available on the facebook page, under the files tab. Along with two other amazing ideas you can create using the kit.

As a note.... the idea to use the LP was originally floated when I was talking to a friend Wendy a few years ago. We were talking about different ideas of things we could make into layouts/OTP stuff. Then when we came to the LP idea, I said, oh man! That is gold. Do you mind if I do it as a class one day. It became my goal to do that, but as I haven't, this seemed like the perfect time.

The LP is one I brought in Vancouver. I arrived there at something like 3.30am after a long day of waiting and then driving and catching a ferry from Vancouver island. Due to the fog, out of Vancouver island I missed my flight and had to wait hours before deciding to drive and do the ferry idea. Then when I finally got to Vancouver I was waitlisted for my next flight. It was my birthday. I was feeling down, but I went into Vancouver to have a look around and enjoy my day. I found the most fabulous shop where I brought this LP. Thus the foggy photo on the front cover.

The other project I created with this months kit also has a bit of a story to it. Instead of telling it here. Let me show you the inside cover......

Inside are the postcards I sent home to the family each day. It was funny because even though I was away for over two weeks, there were still cards arriving when I got home. Each card was chosen for it's 'message' ie when I went to Universal Studios, I got a postcard from there. etc etc. It's almost like a diary.

I wanted a simple cover that still looks pretty, so I fussy cut some flowers and the banner off some of the papers in the kit, then did the same with the second piece of paper that comes in the kit and layered them slightly off centre from each other.

I also used some dies to create the centre 'cluster' of items and title area.

To bind it, I used the Zutter Bind it All. (LOVE that machine)! And for the covers I used a piece of cardboard given to me by Daniel from his latest Lego packaging.

He looked at the cardboard when it came out, and I could see his brain ticking over, then he said, Mum do you use cardboard in your scrapbooking? I replied: Yes. He then said, ok. Here you go. You can use this in your scrapbooking Mum. It was pretty precious and I knew no matter what I HAD to use that bit of cardboard somehow, somewhere.

Sooooo, please do join us on our facebook page. Get inspired by what people are up to using their kits, what step by step instructions are available to you from Prima and get involved in the fun!

If you want to buy a kit, just take a look at the "Shop" menu bar on the Live with Prima website.

I'm afraid I've done 'our' order for this kit, but if you are a Kiwi/Aussie and want to get them cheaper than being sent individually, keep an eye here or my facebook page for details of each kit each month (usually around the 15/16th). I put in group orders to keep the shipping down.  

Have a lovely day!

Prima Art Venture Anaheim 2015

At the beginning of January, I was lucky enough to be in Anaheim, USA to teach for Prima at their biggest event. Art Venture Anaheim.

It was held at the Hilton, just next to the Anaheim Convention Centre which is where CHA is held. It made it really simple for all of us Scrapaholics to do both!

When I got there, I had a wee holiday first with some friends (must do a post on that! We had so much fun!), and so it was quite surreal to walk in after a day of fun and see the announcement board with details of the Prima event on it. 

You know that feeling when you know something's happening, but then you SEE it and it all becomes so much more real? That was this for me. Although to be honest,  it happened a number of times over the event! LOL!

Another one of those times was when I went downstairs to help set up and Denny pulled out the huge posters to show people what room each teacher was in.

Uh huh! That's little ole me on that there poster! I had to bring it home with me. It's going in my scrapbook room! And that's a story for another day!

And yes, we had a lot to set up and prepare for. I was lucky to have my friends help me later in the day.

Lucky for two reasons. One, we got finished so much quicker and two, they kept me laughing! Check this out!

There are just rows and rows of boxes! I think there was something like 150+ students at the event, and we had to repack the kits for each one of them.

I know we like to keep all the nitty gritty behind the scenes, but so much work goes into an event like this I thought it would be nice to see some of that!

And this is just what happens right before. Months before you're creating classes and writing instructions. Mine were 10 pages long!

Uh huh! Lots of tips and tricks as part of what I do.

Aren't the boxes delish?!

And yes, I did do some work too.... in my old smelly work out clothes.

I like to set up each class so it looks inviting and pretty. Welcoming my students.

Who spots one of my hand made goodie/prize bags? I love to give things away. So when I have stock left over, I put it aside, then when I have classes coming up, I make a bag, decorate it and do a prize draw in class.

And we all know what a prize draw in class means right? Oh yeah! Lots of shouting and whooping and clapping and fun! As usual when I teach somewhere new everyone was wondering what all the noise was about. Making it all the more fun when they finally joined the class and learnt the secret!

I also like to treat my students with home baking or when I'm overseas, NZ lollies/candy/chocolate.

So once the classroom was set up, it was time to teach. I created my projects with lots of little tips in mind. The idea being that people here in NZ/Aussie like to get a lot of layouts done in one class. Plus I was trying to give the students a point of difference, in that I knew no one else was doing layouts.  Due to the time frame, it made each individual layout quite 'simple', but you get a lot done in a short time and more importantly, you get lots and lots and lots of tips to help you as you continue to create.

This class was not planned as a big indepth project. But as lots of little bits to have fun with. 

This was by far my favourite layout. I loved how I used a stencil, glue and beads to create an amazing pattern across the page.

This one was all about design placement. Groups of items, design triangles etc.

This one was great in learning how to get more from your paper stash.

And this one was a bonus because I didn't think three layouts was enough! Gotta love a freebie.

Of course no event is complete without the people. Here's a few photos of the 'people'...

The organizer extraordinare...from Prima. Denny!

My friends Michelle and Pip with me.....

And checking in at registration....

During class.....

 

This clever lady on the right was worried about her language skills so brought an interpreter along to help out. I think we have another scrapbooking convert!

Lovely ladies.

This group of amazing ladies, traveled from all over the globe to meet at Art Venture and have some wonderful times together. Just LOVE it!

The very last class of the event. This is the 'brown' group (each group was a colour). I have to confess I was a little worried about the last class of the event. We'd all been working so hard, that I wasn't sure how it would go. People were tired! But we had a WONDERFUL class. We had many laughs and while I don't think we got a lot of the class done, it was fun and the learning continued.

And that was my event. It was a lot of fun and I met some wonderful people. Thanks everyone for making it so much fun!  I'm so pleased to have been given this opportunity. And hope that one day I will get a chance to go back and teach again.

 

It's not too late for a quick Valentines card

 

I've had some product on my desk for a few days now and I've wanted to play with my new dies, so I thought what better way to do it but make a couple of cards? I started off with the second one shown here, but decided that actually, the best way to show my husband I love him it not to spend a ton of money (hey, we're building a house!), but to spend some 'time' on him and make him something.

So that is exactly what I did. I also sat the kids down and they had a play with my Prima Color Bloom sprays and heat gun too! So much fun!

Anyway, here's a quick little tutorial so you can create the same card.....

1. Start off with a piece of white card that is 6" tall x 8" wide. Fold in half.

2. Spray 'Gold Foil' prima Color Bloom sprays on the front of the card.

3. When dry use Prima's Gold crackle texture paste and a stencil to create a pattern on the front of the card.

4. Add a couple of pieces of wire trim to the middle of the card, then a piece of frayed cheese cloth on top.

5. Die cut a medium sized heart using scalloped hearts from Spellbinders, plus two mechanical hearts from Cherry Lyn dies.

6. Add the larger Cherry Lyn die cut on top of the Spellbinders die cut heart. Add to top of cheese cloth. Add the smaller mechanical die cut heart to the right of the larger one.

7. Die cut a sentiment 'Love you' (from Die-Versions), add a piece of patterned PP behind it and adhere on foam tape to the middle of the card.

8. Add a couple of circles of string, and finally some gold sequins randomly around the edge of the design.

And next is the first card I made. I loved this one as I tried something a little bit different. I'd seen the lovely Mrs Frizz use a particular die that I knew I just needed to get and it had finally arrived. It was the lovely loops die from Memory Box. I saw the circles and thought I'd need to somehow incorporate more circles. I'd just been using some of those plastic circles you put on paper in ringbinders (what are they called?) and thought, hey, they're circles.

So, I stuck them onto the front of the white cardstock, sprayed the Gold Foil Color Bloom over them and then took them off leaving little white circles. Love it.

I also added more gold texture paste to the front of the card in random splodges. Then you can see the cool loopy circles. I just adore this die and in fact got a couple of others which are slightly smaller. They are so much fun!

The 'Hello' is also die cut and I've used two different sprays on it to get the speckled darker colour but still the same gold tone.

Then inside the resin frame I've added a heap of glitter to create a great backdrop to the cards sentiment.

Both of the cards took just a short time (maybe 30-45mins?), and bearing in mind that they are both created from left overs, they cost me next to nothing to make.

Righto, gonna leave it there. Enjoy your weekend. Whether it be celebrating Valentines Day or the Cricket world cup (yes!) or maybe just a relaxing weekend, have fun and I hope you get a little bit of creative time in as well!

A new mini album

Just after Christmas, I created a new mini album using Prima's new Bella Rouge range of product, and Frank Garcia's new chipboard album (there are several to choose from). The albums are incredibly easy to use and are already made for you, so all you need to do is decorate. I love em.

I took it across to CHA and saw it on their stand. It was a lovely feeling.

But more importantly, I now have a cool mini at home of our Xmas's together.

As you can see the range is beautiful. I LOVE the reds in it. It is a range full of bright colours, so it would be great for all sorts of projects. For me though, I loved that I could pull the reds out and make a Xmas album.

Frank often uses large beads on his projects, and this release Prima has got his beads for sale. They are divine, and you can see them on the front cover of my album above.

There are a ton of other new products that I've also used, like the trim, the chain, the metal and my favourite, the vellum butterflies. Just gorgeous.

Inside, I've made each page a photo or series of photos about one year. I explain about it in the front cover....

I've kept the album quite simple. Sure I've added in pockets, stenciled beads, flaps that open to reveal journaling, but it's mostly about the photos. And as the inside front cover shows (below) it's all about the Xmas!

I know that Xmas has just been and you might be thinking about all those photos you took, and how on earth you're going to scrap them all? Well, this is my way of enjoying just a few and taking the pressure off having to do it all. Whatever you plan to do, enjoy the process!

Later. T

**SOLD OUT** Thank you! Kits for sale.... Two layouts..... Boy themed

I'm excited to announce my latest scrapbook kit which is available to buy now.

It has been made with my usual love and care and is full of goodies to make the following two layouts:

Layout one:

A beautiful layout incorporating the following techniques: punching, using texture paste, layering, creating clusters, ripping etc etc.

I have also included a couple of die cuts which I will cut for you and add to the kit.

Layout two:

This layout includes the following techniques: using a border punch, spraying flowers, layering, using packaging and more.

You can see that I've still included a couple of things in my trademark style.... flowers. I still think you can add flowers to a boys layout! But the colours are muted which suits the male figure in your life.

(I will be doing more male styled kits in the future, but need to source some fun bright boy colours)

I have pulled together a variety of 12x12 papers from Prima's collections, some resin frames, paperclips, vines, flowers, tags, colour bloom spray, texture paste, wire trim and some of my own inclusions too, such as the cardboard, sequins and black cardstock. 

The price of the kit is $55 NZD plus postage. Within NZ it's a flat cost of $8, for international orders, please ask for a confirmed price.

What you'll need to complete the kit: your standard tool kit, adhesives/glue, a couple of favourite border punches (please ask if you don't have any, I may be able to help), foam tape (if you like a more dimensional look), a palette knife/plastic knife/something to spread the texture paste and a couple of photos.

 To order, just leave a comment on my post on my facebook page, personal message me on facebook or flick me an email using the link above.

As usual, the kits are limited.

I look forward to hearing from you!

A quick and easy Tag using Prima's new watercolour pencils

This season's release sees Prima bringing out more products that can be used in your everyday scrapbooking that you might not 'normally' use. Such as their new water colour pencils.  

I have to say for me, it's a bit of a new thing. I've always wanted to be an artist. Like a for real artist that paints with paint. Ya know. Sure I'm creative, but as a child I wanted to be able to paint paintings (which my sister is very good at!).

Anyway, it meant when I saw Prima's new pencils, I thought I would never use them. I mean how? Right? But at CHA I was given the opportunity to take a couple of packs away with me and I was dead keen to give them a shot, so when Prima asked for a few of us to create something using them, I jumped at the opportunity.

Because I'm still learning myself, I decided to just use one colour as a contrast on a tag. I was using a ton of beautiful gold, and know how well red goes with gold, so used the red pencil (number 25) to create the following tag.

It was a pretty simple process which even I could do! Grin.

If you'd like to find out more on how this look can be achieved simply and easily, just click on over to the Prima blog where my full instructions are on how to make this tag...

As an aside, the pencils come in 6 different colour packs so you can get a full range of colours from skin/face tones, right through to bright and bolds. Ask at your local scrapbook shop to see when they'll be getting them in!

CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) --- A Kiwi Viewpoint

 
Ever since I started scrapbooking, CHA was one of those dreams that I never thought I'd get to see.

After all, at the end of the day, it's a retailers/manufacturers event. However, saying that, there is so much hype each year about the new releases that are coming out and all the people who are going to be teaching/demoing etc etc there that it became a dream of little ole me to go along and see it for myself. Be part of it. See the new releases as they are released etc etc. And this year, I got to be a little part of it.

To say I was excited about going along was an understatement, but to then realize I was going to be one of those people doing the demoing was something else altogether. Especially having taught at Prima's Art Venture prior. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Let me set the scene.

CHA was held at the Anaheim convention centre. It's a huge place. Inside, much like a warehouse which can be changed up to suit anything that needs to go on there. If you've been to the Brisbane Scrapbooking Expo, it's the same sort of thing.

From the event centre's front doors, you look down through a fountain, towards the Hilton on the left hand side. It's a huge hotel. And possibly the closest to the event centre. It's also where the Prima Art Venture was held.

From the Hilton looking back, it's like this....

You can see a heap of little food trucks at the top of the photo. They were apparently really good. But I didn't get a chance to eat from them.

Once you go inside it looks a bit like this:

Oh hang on, that's me being a little bit crazy with Prima's divine Alberto. Let's try that again...

 You know you've come to the right place right from the get go.

This is the lobby, and there are a billion doors that you can choose to go through to get into the actual CHA floor. Once inside, there are what feels like a billion different 'stalls' that you can visit to see what is their latest and greatest. Walking in for the first time it looks like this:

or this

Why yes, that is Prima just over there. Grin.

Do you want to see what Prima looks like close up?

Prima has a lovely large booth, with plenty of room for people to come in and look around. On either side at the front, they have a demo table and a make n take table (but we'll get to that shortly).

Yep, that's one of my layouts on the wall! Eeeek!

This was a new range from Sandra Evertson. A gorgeous selection of antique styled artifacts that can be easily coloured or changed to suit a project. Pretty cool.  See down the end there, that's Frank Garcia's new line. It's called Archivist and is pretty darn cool!

Prima initially became well known for their flowers. And each release they bring out more beautiful creations for us to create with. I'm loving this release! 

So back to the make n takes I did. I created the gorgeous little mini albums that I've taught before. This was a wonderful idea for retailers to take back to their shops to teach their students, and at the same time is a cheap way to impress as it only uses one piece of paper.

When I got there, I saw this sign. And it had my name on it! Hehehe....

It was pretty surreal to see my name on this sign and just quietly I brought it home with me. Thanks Prima for letting me do that!

Above was my very first group of ladies. And below was I'm pretty sure my last (including a lovely lady from Art Venture!)?

When you're at CHA, you get to meet a ton of people that you only usually know and talk to online. I got to meet a ton of people....

L-R: Keren Tamir, Delaina Burns and myself. Some of the lovely Prima DT!The lovely Pom, Prima's owner - who I have met before. But was lovely as always to meet her again.

Lisa Bearnson. I was asked to do an 'errand' for a friend, and I have to say it was one of the best errands I've had to do in a long time. Find Lisa, have a photo and collect something to bring home! Easy!

 I even managed to chat to Tim Holtz during one of his demos.

 Yes, his signature really does look like it does on all his packaging!

I also got to meet the lovely Marisol from Prima. If you're into the Julie Nutting dolls you will know that there is a new doll this release called Marisol. It's named after this lovely lady!

 So yes, I got to see and do a ton of stuff that I never thought I would. But, and here's the weird part. It was just like any other show you and I go to here in NZ and Aussie. SENZ is a great show here in NZ. CHA was just like it, but bigger and with manufacturers instead of retailers. But it's the same vibe. The expos in Aussie are the same.

So yes, you get to meet people that you wouldn't normally. And you get to see products IRL that haven't been released yet.

Yes, there were some things that you don't get to see unless you are there. So it can be quite eye opening. I don't know if that is a good thing? Do you really want to know/see all the 'messy' bits of your favourite brand?

But I think we are getting wonderful events right here in NZ that are equal to similar ones in bigger countries!

 So if you're feeling a little bereft cause you didn't get to go. It's ok. Just make the most of the next big event here in NZ. I assure you, you won't be disappointed, and you'll even get to use all the new products that were seen at CHA.

As a final note, I thought I'd show you this amazing decoration that tickled my fancy...

                                                                                   

CHA - ME - Make N Takes

I can't believe that after however many years I've been in the Scrapbook industry I'm finally going to CHA. I hear that it's changed a lot over the years, but I'm very much looking forward to going along!

And even more exciting for me is that I'll be teaching make n takes at the Prima Booth. Yay!

So if you're going, come along and see me. I'll be there at the following times:

January 10th - 10.30am - 12 noon

January 12th 1pm - 2.45pm

January 13th 9.30am - 10.45am

See you there!

 

Prima's Special Delivery December Kit

Hi everyone. The December Special Delivery kit by Prima is now out and I'm taking orders for it to be delivered in January.

It looks like this:

Again, it's another stunner! I'm going to be away when it arrives, so please be aware that it will be late being sent from me to you. But I will get them out asap on my return.

This month I created a cute little mini album using the ATC wooden pieces that are in the kit. Here's a look....

Inside I've made a few pages, mostly into pockets or pull outs or tags so that there can be added space for journaling/tickets/photos etc.

So normal deal. If you'd like a kit, please get in touch with me on my email (or through facebook). My email is just up to the right up there. Kits to those in NZ are $71 and to my Aussie friends it's $83.

There are instructions up right now for this mini album, plus another two cards that could be made from this kit, by other talented designers. Just click here to find them.

I'll be sending my order off on Monday night so please have your details to me by then. Thanks so much.