What's on my craft desk now?

It's been so long since I've done anything "crafty".

For the last few weeks, I've been doing less and less crochet and more "tinkering" around trying to find a new crafty past time.

I have to admit that I stumbled across some craft supplies while trying to clean up my craft room recently.

My name is Marie and I suffer from "sparkly ball" syndrome.

I get easily distracted....

This is what's on my desk now...



I dug up some of my old jewellery making supplies and leather laces and started playing around with tassels and bracelets.

I'm going to use the tassels to make key rings and "stuff" for gifts.


I even bedazzled!  Mind you the little heat tool I had died and so I used a soldering tool to add the rhinestones - it works but you have to be very careful!!

I bedazzled this turquoise colour leather bracelet with tassel

and then I discovered that you can buy the leather strips with stuff already on them like these two.


I found some magnetic clasps and now I've got some nice wrap bracelets to add to my wardrobe.

What are you working on right now?

Until next time,

Directing Traffic

I've made some changes....

If you've come here looking for stamping, crafting and colouring pics and info you are in the right place!  Use the labels on the right to help you find what you are looking for.

If you've come here looking for my renovation pics and ideas and other stuff I'm into click HERE to be redirected to my Maire Loves To Keep Busy! blog.

If you've come here looking for my crochet pics and info click HERE to be redirected to my Marie Loves to Crochet blog.

If you've come here looking for my Wheaten Terrier pics and info click HERE to be redirected to my Sam & Murphy blog.

If you don't know why you've come here I'm sorry I can't help you.

Maybe retracing your steps might help....

Until next time,

HAT SALE!!!

If you're interested in picking up some great Holiday gifts and decor you should check out Elaine's CHRISTMAS SOIREE AND GOODBYE SALE!

I'm also going to be at Elaine's selling my crochet hats.

I've added a few new styles and colours and right now I've got lots of men's, women's, boys' and girls' styles and sizes in stock for this winter season.

Here are the details:

Location  

Elaine’s House – 5634 Eagle Harbour Road, West Vancouver

Dates and Times

Thursday November 20th 5 – 9pm       

Friday November 21st 11 – 4pm     

Busy with Crochet...

Saturday, November 25, 2014

I am in full on crochet mode right now.

I've got a couple of craft fairs coming up and I'm crocheting like crazy to prepare for them!

If you're interested please check out my crochet blog HERE

I do have plans to get back to some paper crafts soon - I'm going to try and make all my Christmas cards again this year (haven't done that for a while!).

Shelley (former owner of ScrapArts) has been hosting Make It Mondays at her house and the next one is Monday November 3.  I hope to "make it" there and get to work on my cards.

If you're in the area and interested, check out the ScrapArts blog HERE for more info on what's going on and how to sign up for these Make It Monday events.

Craft Fair Season Begins!

Monday, Sept 29, 2014

Craft Fair Holiday Season will be starting for me this coming weekend.

I'll be selling my crochet at the West Vancouver Community Centre Pumpkin Fest Artisan Market this coming Sunday, Oct 5 from 10 am to 3 pm.

I've been working all year - crocheting a little at a time - to prepare for this.

If you bought some of my crochet in the past - hats, scarves, gloves, headbands, boot toppers - or if you missed out please stop by and say Hi!

You might find the perfect handmade gift for someone or something you love!

I'll have more of the same and this year I'm adding a different patterned scarf and some beards!

Yes you read that correctly - crochet BEARDS!!

Here's my brother-in-law Mark wearing his.  It looks so natural on him doesn't it?

These are fun for dress up, halloween, or make great face warmers.

See you there!

Marie Update

Saturday, January 25 2014

Thanks for all the positive comments about my purging.

I know you must be getting bored of it - I am - but I promise you that it is coming to an end and that I will start to create stuff again and post on here (or on my crochet blog).

I am motivated to clear up some space in my craft room/office so that I can actually work in there.

Over the years I've accumulated a lot of tools and supplies for the various crafts/hobbies I've gotten into.

For a while now my room has looked like a dumping ground for unwanted craft stuff.  I'm trying to change that so that I can work comfortably & creatively in there.

It may seem like it, but I am NOT getting rid of everything.

I've been "collecting" rubber stamps and papercrafting supplies for over 10 years now and my interests and tastes have changed.

I'm still crazy for paper and my COPICs and hope to share some new stuff with you all soon.

Thanks to everyone who has picked up craft stuff from me through Freecycle and at the ScrapArts store!

 

Stampin' Up! Purge

The purging continues....

I'm making some headway but I still have a lot more purging to go.

Anyone out there in blog land interested in my old Stampin' Up! Catalogues?

I've got 13 Stampin' Up! Idea Books & Catalogues dating back to 2000.

Most of them have been ring bound with protective clear covers put on them.

Send me an email if you're interested.

Sorry only if you're local - these would be too expensive to mail out (due to weight!).

Still Purging....

I am on a mission this week to CLEAN up my craft room.

Did you see the photo in yesterday's post?  Well that is just the tip of the iceberg!

I still have tons of stuff to go through and will continue to drop stuff off at the store.

So if you are looking to add to your craft supplies be sure to check out ScrapArts for some unbelievable deals before the doors close forever on Friday January 31st!!

Best Sale EVER!!!

Sadly my favourite store is closing...

yes ScrapArts is closing it's doors but the good news is that tons of stuff is on sale at rock bottom prices!

Check out Scrap Arts before it closes it's doors at the end of this month - Friday JANUARY 31st!

I went into my craft room today and purged like crazy for the store's used goods section.

If you are looking for some gently used scrapbooking supplies or discontinued and rare Stampin' Up! stamps then you need to go to Scrap Arts today!!

I just dropped off a bunch and have more to drop off this week!

PURGING - It's a Good Thing!

Wednesday January 8, 2014

Happy New Year Everyone!

This year I've made a resolution to do some purging and re-organizing in my house.

I've already made 2 trips to the Salvation Army with household goods and clothing!

Today I tackled the craft room/den.  I cannot believe how much I have - mind you I have accumulated supplies for several hobbies over the years.  But it's way too much for just me!

So I went through all of my papercraft stuff and purged like a mad woman.

My loss can be your gain if you act quickly!

If you are looking to get some new and barely used papercrafting supplies head over to Scrap Arts in North Vancouver.

I just dropped of a ton of Stampin' Up! stamps and paper there this afternoon.  I mean TONS of unused stamp sets and TONS of coloured cardstock.

Good thing my friend Shelley - at ScrapArts - has a second hand section in her store.

Faux Birch Candles

Tuesday, December 24th (yikes!)

I was going to call this post "Buy it when you see it!" but decided to call it Faux Birch Candles instead.

Here's what happened....

I saw some birch posts at Thrifty's weeks ago - I think they were like $10 maybe less for a bunch - and I didn't buy them because I didn't want to put them in my front planters like this...

Pinterest

 Pinterest

But I should have bought them and made them into votive holders to give as gifts like this...

Pinterest

I saw some awesome birch pillars at Home Sense for $12.99 each a week ago but didn't buy them because I had no where to put them.

They looked something like this...

Now fast forward a week and try to follow along....

I moved my living room furniture around to accommodate the Christmas tree and ended up with a narrow sofa table with nowhere to go.

So I moved that in to my family room.

To accommodate the seasonal garland on the fireplace mantle in the family room, I moved a pair of hurricane lamps on to the newly located narrow sofa table - from living room.

But the old green candles in the hurricane lamps had seen better days and my DH complained about how shabby they looked.

Look

On the high fireplace mantle they were ok but now they are lower and more visible.

So off I went last night - yes on December 23rd I'm still shopping - to try and find something suitable.

I cruised the aisles of all the stores that are now open until 11 pm to see if I could find something nice to put in these hurricane lamps.  But found nothing except for one or two pretty holiday candles - all on sale of course - but no MATCHING pairs.

I was thinking that the old green candles would have to make do until I could find something in the new year.

Kicking myself.....Boy those birch pillars I saw - now gone of course - would have been PERFECT!!!

Then I had a light bulb moment - I could make my own birch pillars!

I already had some matching light coloured pillar candles and I have a ton of digital scrap paper.

I actually found some nice birch paper that is perfect!  So I printed off 2 pages and measured and cut and measured again and cut again and finally came up with this....

What do you think?

Here's how they look in the hurricane lamps...

They look ok don't they?  I think they are great!

BUT you know next year I'm going to buy the birch posts when I see them and also any birch pillars I can find!!

I just hope I remember.....

Happy holidays to everyone and thanks for still reading my blog!

Upcoming Holiday Sales Events

November 14, 2013

I've been busy crocheting up a storm for some upcoming craft sales events.

As well as restocking my hats and cowls, I've been making up batches of boot cuffs, head warmers and fingerless gloves.

These fingerless gloves are perfect for keeping your hands warm but your fingers free for driving and texting (not at the same time of course) and they're also great for keeping your hands warm for those late nights on the computer.

I'll be selling my hats, head warmers, gloves and boot cuffs at Elaine's Creative Dimensions Open House at 5634 Eagle Harbour Road,  West Vancouver   (click address for map) Tel 604 921 7881 on Thursday November 28th (date change)  7 -10 pm and also Thursday December 5th  7-10pm.

And don't forget about this awesome family event at the Gleneagles Holiday Artisan Festival on Saturday November 30 11-4pm.  Click HERE for link to Google Map.

Making Cheesey Goodness

November 13, 2013

I made these muffins today using 

a pkg of Philsbury Flaky Rolls and shredded cheddar cheese and bacon bits.  

So good!!

OSW - Sneak Peek

Oct 1, 2013

Here are some samples of simple and quick cards made using the One-Sheet-Wonder technique.

In this workshop we will be using 1 sheet of patterned paper and 5 sheets of coloured cardstock to make 10 different cards.

For an additional cost you can whip up another set of cards for yourself or to give as a gift!

Please note: The cards in my photo are basic examples of the technique.  I will be bringing with me lots of embellishments and greetings for you to finish off your cards.

If you're local and interested in making some OSW cards with me please call ScrapArts at 604 980 8811 (space is limited).

Class dates are Saturday, October 19 2-4 pm and Friday, November 22 6-8 pm

Maybe I'll see you there....

Upcoming Craft Fairs and Classes

Hello everyone in Blogland!!

If anyone is still reading this blog I'd like to let you know that I will be at 2 upcoming craft fairs and teaching All Occasion One-Sheet-Wonder Classes this fall.

Sunday Oct 6 - I'll be at the West Vancouver Community Centre Pumpkinfest event.  Click the link and check out all the great activities planned!

Saturday Oct 19 - I'm teaching an All Occasion One-Sheet-Wonder class at ScrapArts.  Please call the store at 604-980-8811 to sign up (space is limited).

Friday Nov 22 - I'm teaching the All Occasion One-Sheet-Wonder class again at ScrapArts for those that missed it the first time or wanting to do it again!  Please call the store to register at 604-980-8811 (space is limited).


Sunday Nov 30 - I'll be at the Gleneagles Community Centre Christmas Festival.  There will be lots of fun for everyone including an Artisan Market in the main gym area.

Crochet Blog Link

September 6th, 2013

I've set up a separate blog for my crochet craft sales.

If you want to know where to find me click HERE

Thanks and I hope to see you at one of the craft fairs this fall and winter!

Craft Fair Preparations Underway

September 6, 2013

I have been super busy getting the kids settled into their university lives and getting myself organized for the upcoming fall and Winter Craft Fairs.

I'll be at the West Vancouver Pumpkin Fest Market on Saturday Oct 6th selling my crochet goodies.


 

Spring Fling COPIC Colouring Class

Friday, April 12, 2013

If you're interested in taking my upcoming Spring Fling COPIC Colouring class but are overwhelmed by the extensive list of colours - don't be!

If you have a selection of the greens and reds and some other "flower colours" you will be fine to take this class.  I'll also have my markers there for those of you who want to try a colour but don't have it yet.

I'd love to have you join me - Spring Fling COPIC Colouring on Thursday May 9th 6-8 pm - so call the store and sign up today at Scrap Arts 604 980 8811.

Another Copic Class sneak peek!

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Happy Easter Everyone!!

I just thought I would post another sneak peek for my upcoming Copic colouring class at ScrapArts in North Vancouver.

Here's another example of what we'll be colouring.

If you're in the area and you'd like to take this class please call the store at 604 980 8811 and reserve your space.

Spring Fling COPIC Colouring Class

Wednesday, March 27th 2013

Finally!!

I have set a date for another COPIC colouring class at Scrap Arts in North Vancouver.

This class is called SPRING FLING Copic Colouring and will be offered on Thursday, May 9th, 6 - 8 pm.

In this class we will be colouring in lots of spring time floral images and making a quick card - Birthday or Mother's Day - the choice will be yours.

Here's a couple of sneak peeks for you.

If you are in the area and interested in taking this class with me please call Shelley at Scrap Arts at 604-980-8811 ASAP to reserve your spot.

This class is totally hands on so the class size will be limited!

FYI -  here is a list of colours I used to prepare my samples.

B00, B91
BG99
BV23, 34
E09, E31, E33, E37, E47, E51
G00, G21, G24, G28, G40, G43, G46, G99
R20, R22, R24, R27, R29, R32, R37, R39, R81, R83, R85
RV10
V12, V15, V17, V22
Y00, Y11, Y15, Y17, Y19, Y21
YG00, YG03, YG06, YG25, YG41, YG45, YG63, YG67, YG91, YG95
YR04, YR14, YR68

And grays C5, T3, W3, W5, W7

Don't worry if you don't have all these colours - you can either order what you don't have from Scrap Arts at a special pre-class pre-order price (please allow 3 weeks for the markers to arrive in the store in time for the class) or make do with the colours you do have.

ps.  Shelley if you are reading this and I've forgotten something or you want to add something please let me know by email or leaving a comment!