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!

KISS Me Again...AGAIN!

Friday, February 15th, 2013

Tomorrow I'll be teaching another stamping class at Scrap Arts in North Vancouver.  This one is called KISS Me Again and you can see the original post and samples  HERE.

This class filled up so quickly that a waiting list was started and so Shelley and I decided to run it again.

So if you missed out on taking this class with me on February 16th (tomorrow) don't worry we're running it again on Saturday March 2nd.

But don't delay - call the store today and reserve your spot or you'll miss out again!

You can call the store at 604-980-8811 to register.

Prismacolour Colouring Class

Friday, February 15th 2013

On Saturday March 9th I'm going to teach an intro class on colouring with Prismacolour art pencils at the Scrap Arts store in North Vancouver.

It's a 2 hour class and we'll be colouring in a lot of reference/practice images.  We'll use 2 of those images and make them into completed projects - quick cards probably.

Here's a peek at one of the cards we'll be making in this class.

If you're local and interested in doing some colouring with me, call the store at 604-980-8811.  Space is limited so call today!

KISS Me Again Class Sneak Peek

Thursday, Feb 7, 2013

I'm teaching another class at Scrap Arts on Saturday Feb 16.

This class is called KISS Me Again and it's part 2 of my Keep It Simple Stamp classes.

In these classes the participants make 12 cards + a Bonus seasonal holiday card a total of 13 cards (with envelopes!).

Here's a sneak peek of the cards we'll be making in this next class.



















Here's the Bonus card sneak peek:



If you're local and interested in signing up please call the store at 604-980-8811 (space is limited).

Until next time...

 

KISS Class Sneak Peeks

Thursday January 10, 2013

Happy New Year!!!

If you're still reading my blog - thanks - I appreciate your support and interest!

I probably should change the title of this blog to something more generic since I'm not just stamping anymore.  Any suggestions for a new title?

I haven't quite put away all my crochet yet.  I'm in the process of building up inventory for next craft sale season and testing out some new patterns.   I'm expanding and adding men/boys and baby crocheted items.  I'm very excited about all that and I'll post as soon as I have something to show you all!

In the meantime I've been busy planning some card making classes.

I'm going "old school" and designing some "back to basics" cards for my upcoming card classes at ScrapArts in North Vancouver.

On Saturday January 19 I will be teaching a class called K.I.S.S. which stands for Keep It Simple STAMP.

In this class I will be showing some basic stamping techniques and keeping it simple with just 1 layer cards - yes you read that right - just the card base.

There will be 6 designs and we'll make 2 of each card plus 1 Bonus card for a total of 13 cards!!

Here are a few sneak peeks:

I'll post the 6th card and BONUS sneak peek tomorrow!

On Saturday February 23 I will be teaching the sequel to this class called KISS ME AGAIN and we will be making another "bakers" dozen of 1 layer cards.

Sneak peeks for KISS ME AGAIN will be coming soon!

If you're in the area and feel the need to stamp up a stack of simple yet fun cards please call ScrapArts at 604-980-8811 to register.

Until next time...

Handmade with love!

Monday, December 10, 2012

How are your holiday preparations going?  Are you ready?

Have you been crafting up a storm to give your special loved ones some handmade gifts?

This holiday season I've been super busy rekindling my love of YARN.

I have been knitting and crocheting for years and I think it's the perfect craft to take along with you.  Especially if you've got kids who play sports in indoor facilities - like volleyball and basketball tournaments or waiting in the car for them to get out of their activities.

It's great for kids to learn to knit and crochet too.  When I was 10 my aunt's friend from Paris came to stay with us and she taught me how to crochet with yarn, my other aunt taught me how to crochet with cotton thread.  After that, learning to knit came easy for me and I've even taught some basic kids knitting classes using a knitting tool.

And it's easy to pick up and put away - for years if needed - yarn and needles do not expire!

Last year I made myself a crochet flower pin and enjoyed it so much that I made a bunch and sold them.  I ended up having 3 different kinds of crochet flowers so I wouldn't get too bored.  Here's a photo of one of them.

I had some flowers leftover this season so I decided to make some hats and added the flowers to them.

Then I started making scarves, and then I made a few toques and then I just couldn't stop myself.  I became I crochet machine!

I had some set aside for gifts but I made so many that I decided to participate in a few craft fairs and sell them.  Here I am at the Makers Market on December 1st.

As well as making & selling my own stuff I've been going to a quite a few craft fairs this season and picking up some "not Marie made" stuff.

My friends and I were just at Got Craft! on the weekend and I got some awesome stuff - a Mozzarella making kit, a jar of Tomato jam, a BuBu bag, some chocolate trufle cookies and some cards (yes I do buy cards from local vendors!).

If you've looking for some "not from the mall" gifts you need to check out your local craft fairs and help support your local artisans.

There are 2 more craft fairs coming up in my area - The Great Canadian Craft Fair and Last Chance Christmas Craft Fair.

To see a listing of craft events "Around Town" (in the Vancouver area) please click HERE.

If you're local and looking for some awesome handmade stuff you need to check them out!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Where's Marie?

I know I haven't been posting on here much but I've been very busy getting ready for some upcoming craft sales.
I like to crochet and I've done so much over the last year that I have enough for Christmas Gifts and Craft Sales!

Here's what my table will look like - it's in my dining room but I've got it set up for a show.

If you are in the Vancouver area and love to shop the craft sales please come visit me this Saturday, November 24 - 10 am to 1 pm - at Scrap Arts in North Vancouver (3rd and St Georges) for the Designers Marketplace.

I'll be at Makers Market at St Monica's Church in West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) on Saturday, December 1 - 10 am to 3 pm - too!

Stop by and say hello!