Creative Adventures Downunder - Part 5

The second big name tutor over from the US for the Creative Adventures Downunder Event 2013, was Teresa Collins, a name I am very familiar with in terms of her products as I stock several ranges in my shop.
Teresa was due to teach us two classes as well over the event.
My first impression of Teresa... beautiful long blonde hair, gorgeous smile that just lights up her face and OMG is she expecting to wear heels that high while teaching all day... and the answer was YES!!
Like Heidi, Teresa is incredibly open and forthcoming about her private persona. I certainly appreciated the openness and honesty as well as the story behind her designs and creations. I have to confess that I haven't really thought much about why I scrapbook other than the fact I enjoy the creativity as well wanting to keep a record of our life and events for future generations. So hearing Teresa's reasons for why she scrapbook's has certainly given me food for thought as to why I scrapbook and what I really want my scrapbooks to say.

Class 1 - Memories Layout:
In this class we created a two page layout using some of Teresa's "Memories" range. Right from the start Teresa was very insistent that although we were following her page design, we were more than welcome to change it or step it up however we wanted. As someone who NEVER follows a recipe this was somewhat of a relief to me... so I did!!

Once again the class was quite speedy, especially when for those of us who did extra things such as inking the edges of embellishments, that were outside of the page design. I was impressed with the explanations Teresa gave us about some of her page designs. Not only did she give us the "why" of the page design, but she also gave us a number of different ideas as to "how" we could then use the pages she had designed. This showed me that she had put a great deal of thought not only into the image design, but also how the pages and other products could be best utilised by the end user of her products.
Like all my other classes, I didn't get the layout finished and I definitely still need to add some photographs, but I was still pleased with the way the double layout turned out.

Class 2 - Far & Away Travel Journal:
This class was our final class of the event. Despite this, the enthusiasm level was still very high from all of our group. This time we used Teresa's Far and Away collection. I had one complaint about the kit and that was that one of the cardstock pieces wasn't cut well and I ended spending far too much time resolving this problem. Part of this was my being such a perfectionist and crooked lines and edges really bug me but I accept that sometimes when you are making kits in bulk there are going to be one or two bits that goes a little awry. It wasn't a big deal (despite the fact that is noted a comment in here) but it was a flaw in the otherwise great class.
Once again Teresa used her "this is my design, but change it up however you like" class structure. Although we were sent the photo requirements prior to the event, she did still offer alternatives for those who didn't have photos (like me) so you didn't feel completely out of place or unable to bind your finished project.
Again the class was a little rushed but that was because half of the class time was reserved for the binding of each of the journals. Although I didn't get mine bound there as I have my own binding machine at home, it was certainly essential for everyone else who was not so lucky to have the access at home.

The travel journal pages expanded out to see all the pages created. This includes a sheet of plain cardstock which I have not shown below as well as some of Teresa's mini file folders which we didn't do anything to, so additional photos have not been included of these either.

The front of the journal is supposed to be two photos backed on to each other... but as I didn't have any photos, this is for now the front page. I just LOVE the pack of bling - "Tell Your Story - Medallions". So totally gorgeous... I could have used a dozen packs of these!!
Very simple treatment but doesn't it just look so smart!

Page 2 -  the addition of the border strips just really finished this page off. More of the gorgeous bling. One thing that has come through from all of the classes is simple ways of adding extras photos onto the one page though the likes of mini file folders, openables and photo-flips and this page is no exception.

Page 3 - another simple to way to add lots of pictures without having to add a lot of extra pages or bulk; and very cute with the use of the ribbon to hold it closed. With these being pockets they are also ideal for holding some of all the memorabilia you collect while on your holiday. I love the variety and the number of borders included in the pack (we received a full pack which included 12 different borders).

Page 4 - pocket pages are perfect for mini albums regardless of the theme. You always end up with odd or unusual things that you want to keep but which you may not want to put any holes in and pocket pages are the perfect solution to storing these and keeping them within the album.

Page 5 - I love this as an alternative way of using up some of those journal block pages that so many companies are now including as a part of their collections. Rather than cut them all up into individual journal blocks, cut them into a larger block of four journal blocks and use this as a page.

Here I am still looking haggard while the lovely Teresa looks cool, calm and collected... yes I aspire to look this pulled together!!

Creative Adventures Downunder - Part 4

We were lucky enough to have some incredibly talented crafters over from the US of A for this event. All three ladies are names that I have heard around the scrapping scene for a number of years. All three names produce 'oohs' and 'aahs' when mentioned in scrapping and crafting circles. And all three names design and create not only incredibly popular products, but countless inspiring videos, photos, blog posts and pins on pinterest.
As soon as I saw the names of the three US tutors that would be here for the event, I just knew I had to find a way to be a part of this event. None disappointed! There are as inspiring in real life as they are on the internet. So let me start by sharing the two classes we had with the wonderfully humourous and ever so chirpy Heidi Swapp.

I just want to say upfront, that Heidi comes across as being totally down to earth and incredibly honest about who she is, especially in her role as a wife and mother. Her stories and anecdotes elicit from peals of laughter to tears of understanding. And I could happily listen to her talk about crafting and family and anything else for many an hour. The fact her husband plays and coaches rugby (yes as in NZ rugby) and she kind of understands the game is also a huge bonus for us Kiwi's and the Aussies in the room.

Class 1 - Memory Files:
This was the first class we had with Heidi. Our class kits consisted of a selection of her memory file products including Memory Files, Mini Memory Files, Instaframes, Openables, Banners, Definition Stickers, Clear Pop Bare Pockets, Clear Pop Tags, some Serendipity 12" x 12" papers, Window Frames. (I hope I managed to remember everything there!!)

The class started with some equipment failure. And though perhaps a little panicked, Heidi really didn't let it slow her down. The stories kept coming as she pushed buttons and plugs and eventually resolved all the technology issues... and yes Heidi, perhaps it wasn't your best idea bringing a brand new and completely untested laptop to teach way over here in New Zealand... but we got there.

A few personal stories down, and a lead in as to why and how this product range of Heidi's came about and then we were soon into cutting and folding and sticking and placing and measuring and generally trying to keep up with the ever energetic Heidi. The instructions were clear and easy to follow though sometimes we did struggle with knowing which product we should be using. Heidi refers to items by their product name which is great once you know what she's talking about, but until she holds up an example of an "openable", if you've never seen one before it can be a little bit perplexing.

I did manage to take one picture of Heidi in action as she showed us examples of what we were about to create.

The colour range is terrific, nice and bright even though they are what I would call "candy colours" and if you are at all familiar with my dislike of washed out colours (especially pastels), you are probably already guessing this was a plus for me.

Here are the two File Folders were created... from the outside. They are still both incomplete but this will give you an idea of what we did in class as well as just how colourful all these terrific products are.

These two pictures show the inside of the left hand file folder. (Rainbow striped front cover)
There are heaps of places for photos and journaling not to mention a lot of space to add some of the banners and clear pop tags that I still have left over after the class.

And this is the inside of the second file folder. (Chevron with grey and white striped edge)
Like many scrapbookers who put hours of love and devotion into their scrap books I am very precious about them, and they do tend to stay tucked away safely in the cupboard in my studio mainly because they are just so big and bulky.
What I really loved about this range from Heidi is that you can create individual file folders on an event and still hold just as many photos, but without all the bulk which makes them just so much easier to share and leave out where people can look at them.
These will also make ideal gifts for non-scrappers who just want somewhere to put photos and maybe write a bit about who is in the photos. They are definitely way cooler than a boring old slip in photo album but don't need all the trappings of your usual scrapbook page. Perfect for scrapping on the run as well.
I don't know that they will replace my traditional albums completely, but I do think that these will make useful addition to my scrapbook display and I will make some more and add some photos to these in the near future.

Class 2 - Shadowbox Frame:
This was first thing on day 2 for the pink group. We had all had a taste of file folders the day before and had been carrying around the naked shadowbox frame since then as well so we were all really keen to get stuck in to the class and see what we were going to create. The other cool thing was that on the desks as we walked in a sampling of some of Heidi's Colour Shine Mists... and who doesn't like to play with mists??
Today we were re-introduced to some products we had met the previous day but this time we got to experience the full versatility of them and what can be done when Heidi's Colour Shine is misted on and wiped off. The colour resist patterns are so amazing and really do come to life when sprayed with the mists and this means they can truly be matched to whatever colour scheme you want.
We misted the frame as well as some of the paper and fabric products. Then put together a mini file folder to fit inside the frame.

Here is the shadowbox frame misted in Tinsel and Black Velvet. There is just so much you could do with it. The tray is about 1 inch deep so you could fill it with some reasonably substantial items.

This is the outside of the mini folder we made to fit inside the Shadowbox frame. You can see it inside the frame, further down the post. The pennant, flowers and two of the scalloped trims have all been coloured with Colour Shine Mists.

Inside the mini folder there are more openables, instaframes and flip-ups for photos and journaling. You can add even more of these inside each other or add photos with washi tape hinges to include countless extra photos as well.

And right in the centre is a gate-fold opening with a frame for another picture... closed...

And then open. Many others put this particular paper the other way around, but I loved the sheet music so much that I made sure more of it would be seen.
And finally here is the mini file folder inside the shadowbox frame.

With something like this you could easily and quickly change the mini file folder inside the frame each season, or after each event. You can add additional decorations to the frame to match the colour scheme of the mini file folder inside it as well. So many options!!
This blog post wouldn't be complete without my obligatory picture with the lovely lady herself...

Isn't she just lovely... me... well I'm just looking a little grungey around the edges already :-)

Fifty {Two} Shades of Grey - Week 22

As promised... more battery charger...
I just need to add at this point in time, that this was surprisingly difficult to photograph as they are really quite small.

The negative end of the charger for the AA and AAA batteries. When you look at the unit as a whole, the design really is quite ingenious. It is so compact yet can charge either 2 x 9 volt batteries or 4 x AA/AAA batteries at once. Or maybe I'm just showing my design-nerdiness just a little too much!!

Creative Adventures Downunder - Part 3

Now we are getting down to the good bits... the actual classes.

My first class was with Maggie Armstrong a tutor from here in New Zealand. In Maggie's class we created a "Creative Adventure Commemorative Layout" with a little bit of mixed media Kiwiana thrown in for good measure.

We had 3 hours to create this layout which sounds like a lot of time, but really, really isn't in a class room situation. This is my still to be completed layout... but I wanted to share (publicly) what I was able to achieve in class at the time. I will finish the layout (especially some fussy cutting I managed to get half done during class) and post a picture of the completed layout once done.

Note:

1 - My little camera charm fell off. It is supposed to be attached to the grommet but it decided not to cooperate so I need to re-attach it.

2 - I didn't get my photo taken at the photo-booth at the dinner on Friday evening. Too many people, not enough time, but I will find a picture to add to the pull out photo mat which is hidden inside the camera. I also need to add a paperclip or turning mount to keep the camera in place (it flops down otherwise, by design).

3 - There is some fussy cut flowers and scrolls to be added, a chipboard logo for CAD and some more feathers as well.

Close up of the mixed media detailing we added with the paua shell and feathers. Can I just add these a really teeny tiny pieces of paua and they were not  easy to work with which is why I think I fell behind in class... but they still look really good!

This part was definitely my favourite. We learnt a new technique and tried out a new product (that I had never used)... melted bees wax with Perfect Pearls over a wooden laser cut word.

I really enjoyed this technique, so have bought some extra bees wax to try this technique again in my studio, so I will post a tutorial on what I create.

The delightful Maggie Armstrong and myself. (And yes she was bending so as to not look so tall next to me)

Creative Adventures Downunder - Part 2

Rather than overload you with my glowing about the Creative Adventures Weekend, I've decided to split is up into segments... hence part 2. You can see the introduction in part one here.

Somewhere in all the pre-event discussion it was suggested and then decided that as an optional extra, those who wanted to could make ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) for swapping/trading with other participants over the weekend's events. As I had time on my hands I decided I definitely wanted to join in.
Around this same time, a discussion took place in Facebook about the anticipation that everyone was feeling leading up to the event... which inevitably lead to a discussion about the Rocky Horror Picture Show (yes I may be showing my age here) including links to clips on YouTube and various comments about who attended what shows and who went to the midnight screenings all dressed up in costume.
I took my lead from this discussion for the theme of my ATC and I created...

 I made 144 ATC's all of the same design but all of which looked different. Here is just a sample of the finished ATC's.

 The front:

I worked out I could make 12 ATC's from a 12" x 12" sheet of cardstock as each ATC needed to measure 3.5" x 2.5". The base was Bazzill Kraft Cardstock. I then adhered torn strips of Bazzill "Antique Sheet Music Paper". I coloured the entire back ground using Ranger Industries Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Antique Linen, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany and Black Soot with my Foam Ink Applicators. I spritzed them generously with water to blend the inks then dried them off with my trusty heat tool.

I misted the backgrounds in patches with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Lobster before trimming the backgrounds down to the individual ATC sizes.

I stamped each ATC with a "Kiss" stamp I picked up second hand on TradeMe and embossing ink then sprinkled them with a Red Glitter Embossing Powder which I have had in my stash for probably 8 - 10 years. (Source unknown). Once heated to emboss in place, this still gave the lips a glittery look, perfect for the theme! (Yes I had to do this 144 times!!)

I printed from my laptop onto cardboard the sentiment "I see you shiver with anticipation!" the infamous line from Frankenfurter. I hand cut these out for a distressed uneven look, then applied Ranger Industries Tim Holtz Distress Inks Black Soot directly to each sentiment. 

The final step for the front was to hand pierce then hand stitch cross stitches along the edge of each card. These were my homage to the laced corset that Tim Curry wore as Frankenfurter for most of the movie.

On the back of the ATC (mainly to hide my stitching and any over inking marks) I adhered a ATC summary as shown above. This listed the Series and name as well as giving all my contact details. You can also see that each card was individually numbered and signed.

Throughout the event I managed to trade some of my ATC's with other participants as well as giving a whole lot to those who hadn't made any. (I made enough so that everyone would be able to get one). Above are the ATC's I traded with some of the talented people at CAD.

Creative Adventures Downunder - Part 1

I have been waiting for this event for six months.
At first it seemed like it would never get here. It was months away. No need to worry about it, just keep it somewhere in the back of the mind.
But then it was very soon and very nearly here and the time just seemed to be full of anticipation that it would be here.
And then it was the week before and time to get organised, pack and suddenly it felt like it would be here too soon and I wouldn't be ready and I needed more time...
And now it's over.
But they have announced there will be a 2014 version so I have that to look forward to now.

Until then and while I am still surrounded in the glow and happy feeling of a weekend full of crafting and spending time with like-minded people, I want to share with you some images and thoughts about the weekend.
It started officially on Friday 24 May 2013, but for those who were in Auckland and available could go through the registration process on the Thursday afternoon instead of rush through it all on Friday morning (at 8.00am - who's idea was that???). As I was available and had the time and so I could check out where I had to go and what the parking was like, I rocked up Thursday afternoon to complete my registration and check out the lay of the land.
There were a few others with the same idea. Some were local (Aucklanders) but there were a few who had come in from out of town or from overseas early as well. We checked in our name, received our name badge and group allocation (pink, red or orange), picked up our pre-ordered goodies, did a little extra shopping if we were so inclined and then were given a goodie bag of items donated by the generous sponsors of the event.

I was stagging it (didn't go with anyone else in particular) though did meet up with some friends that I made online during the lead-up process. They ended up in the orange group... and I was in the pink group. (As it always ends up).

I resisted the urge to check out my goodie bag until I got home, though it was very tough to resist!! Look at all the amazing goodies we received. The Cappuccino and 6" x 6" paper pack were given to us at the dinner of Friday night, but everything else along with our timetable and last minute updates were all included in the bag. I have to confess that I did remove things from the bag before taking my photograph, but hopefully I managed to get most if not all the things back together for the photograph.

We received...

Bazzill Basics "In-Stitchz" bag to hold everything in with a lovely blue ribbon around it so they all looked pretty. Bazzill "Just the Edge" Cardstock Stripes - mine are black with embossed spot - 12 pieces, 2 of each. Bazzill clear gemstones and a bag of "Punctuation" die cut chipboard also from Bazzill.

Pair of 8" Orange Handled Scissors from Fiskars.

Inkessentials Glossy Accents 18ml bottle from Ranger Industries.

Permanent Adhesive Glue Stick from Xyron. This has a curved edge as well as a corner so is a very interesting design.

Teresa Collins washi tape - grey with globes on it.

Clear mist bottle and a wooden block with velcro to attach felt ink blending pads (some were included). These were both labelled with the CAD logo. The wooden block had the logo burned into it - a detail I loved.

KaiserCraft file set.

Mini flowers in burgundy, cream and mauve.

Some wrapped lollies and a chocolate bar, which unfortunately did not make it through the weekend alive!

I hope I managed to capture everything there, my apologies if I didn't. This was a fantastic goodie bag with lots of useful items for the weekend of crafting and beyond. Thank you so much to all the sponsors who donated the goodies and for the organisers for preparing the bags for us. I know we all appreciated your generosity!!

Happy Mail

A week or so ago I received a strange email which at first glance I thought might have been spam or an attempt at sending me a virus or the like. It was a notification from the US Postal service that my parcel was in the post and here was the tracking number so I can check on progress. Given my current tight financial situation and the fact I haven't whipped the credit card out for some time I was a little dubious at first... one might even say suspicious. I very nearly blocked it and sent it straight to the junk folder never to be seen or heard from again... but I hesitated. The sender's name didn't look that suspicious, I mean it was quite a nice name and had connotations of a possible link to something crafty, so I figured I would do some digging instead.
I googled the sender's name and then also searched it in Facebook as Google was being difficult at the time. Low and behold there was indeed a company page on Facebook and I had liked the page (definitely a promising sign). When I scrolled down a little there was a message announcing the winners of a competition the company had run on Facebook. Well colour me surprised when I discovered my name as one of the four lucky winners.
Long story short, I entered a competition on Facebook run by Heartfelt Creations (a US Scrapbooking Company) and I was selected as one of the four lucky winners. The prize... a full set of their about to be released collection "Sun Kissed Fleur" worth over USD$180.00!!
Needless to say... I then waited somewhat impatiently for my parcel to arrive. While waiting I sent a heartfelt thank you to the company via email, as well as on their Facebook page and then I went looking to see what the prize consisted of. A few YouTube videos later as well as a look at their company website and before I knew it, my not so mystery parcel had turned up.
I've made a video of the opening of the parcel so you can see that on my YouTube channel shortly... (I will edit and add the link when it's there)... but for now here are some pictures of these wonderful products which I will be christening over the upcoming long weekend (if not before).

WOW - Look at all that crafty goodness. This is the complete "Sun Kissed Fleur Collection" the latest release from Heartfelt Creations. Their website is http://www.heartfeltcreations.us/

The 12" x 12" Paper Collection Pack. You can see all the pages (both sides) in my YouTube video. 

The paper is a very nice quality, heavyweight, textured paper and the colours are so intense and vibrant despite being a muted colour palette. I think the designs are ideal for both masculine and feminine pages so would be perfect for a layout for a couple.

The pack consists of two sheets of every design including the tags page and the 3" x 4" journal block pages both of which can be used as whole pages or cut apart.

The two Spellbinders Dies included with the collection.

 More on this die later... but wow... it cuts 12 flowers at once!!

Cut four of this die, adhere the lacey side edges together, then interweave the top and bottom flaps for a totally adorable gift box! I will make some examples so be sure to check back on the end results! 

 Can you believe this?? SIX sets of rubber stamps...and all coordinated!!

 Tags and background stamps.

Clusters and corner/borders .

Two sets of flowers.

But wait... don't they look vaguely alike??

Why yes they do. The set to the left has a textured/shading look when stamped, while the set to the right produces flowers with stripes. 

But why are the flowers exactly the same shape and size I hear you ask...

The two stets of individual flowers are designed to be stamped images which are then die cut with the coordinating die plate. So one press of stamp for 12 flower images and then one pass of the die through your die cut machine and instantly 12 stamped individual flowers ready for colouring and shaping into 3D flowers for your layout or project. 

Now doesn't that sound exciting. Guess what I will be doing over the long weekend!! Flowers, flowers everywhere I am predicting!!

Once again I want to publicly share my gratitude to Heartfelt Creations for their generosity. This collection is beautiful and will definitely be used in my crafting. Thank you so much for the opportunity. I can't wait to get all your products out to finally start to craft with them.