Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Stampscapes ... my first card class!

On January 30, 2010, I had my first card making class ... we used Stampscapes stamps, chalk inks, cotton balls and cotton swabs to create 3 cards.  This time around ... the class was full ... there were 12 people registered!

As preparation for this class, I worked on creating a card for my friend's birthday.  I had so much fun trying out techniques and things to get the effect I was looking for.  The Stampscapes website gives you great tutorials and inspiration ... I just used different inks and tools ... cotton balls and swabs :)  This is the 1st one I created ... nope, this is not my friend's card ... I can't seem to give away my 1st ones ... lol.


Here's my friend's birthday card ... I made the scene brighter and mounted it on brown cardstock.  BTW, I almost kept this one too!


Once I got started, I couldn't stop ... even after I created my class samples.  Some would say I went a little crazy ... but I wanted people to see the possibilities with these stamps ... it's endless!  I wonder what these people would say if I told them that I'm still not finished ;)





Well, everyone seem to enjoy the class; I received good feedback.  I even got some unexpected feedback a couple of months later from 2 sisters that came to my make & take's ... the eldest one said to me "Oh, that's the class everyone is talking about ... I heard it was great."  Now, how cool is that!

I had a great time giving the class!  At the end of the class, I could not shut up ... surprising, huh?  But it's true ... just ask hubbie, he had the pleasure of hearing me go on and on.  Good thing hubbie is so supportive of my hobby ... however, I think he did give me that "you are crazy" look that night :)

Sunday, September 26, 2010

My first class ...

Over the years, I've done workshops/funshops at work.  My first workshop was an Origami workshop in 1995 ... I was quite nervous ... I still remember my hands shaking as I held the paper. 

Last year, I restarted the funshops when we were going through stressful times at work in hopes this would allow us to have some fun!  This also help me make the decision to give classes at one of my local scrapbooking store.  In preparation, I did make & takes twice a month at the store to familiarize myself with the customers and for them to get familiar with me and my style. 

My first class at the store last December was to make a set of 3 Origami boxes.  This was something very familiar, so I was not that nervous ... I guess having only 3 people helped the nerves as well :)   The store owner was not sure many people would register for the class since it was a bit short notice; however, I did not mind ... I just wanted to make a go of it.  It was a lot of fun, and I realize that my funshops have help prepare me for this.  Here's the class sample:

Friday, September 24, 2010

Ketto stamps ...


Let me introduce Ginger, Sake and Wasabi ... they're my favorite Ketto stamps.  These stamps are designed by a Quebec artist (http://www.kettodesign.com/).  I had seen some plates a few years back with some of the characters on them; I thought they were cute.  However, when I saw the stamps, I just could not resist ... I liked them so much I pretty much got all of them ;)

Aren't they cute!  You know what the worst thing is ... these are not all the members of the Ketto family ... I still have quite a few that I have not used on a card or something yet :)

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Papercrafts to share ...

Thought I'd share with you some things that I've made over the years.  Here's a birthday card I made ... it's a big matchbook ... I "borrowed" one from my dad (BTW, I still have it) ... took it apart to see how it's done and replicated it ... I had so much fun making it!  My friend said something to the effect of it being unique ... not getting anything like that ... I think that's a good thing.

Here's an emergency coping kit I made for the same friend for his birthday ... I made the box and card ... he loves coffee, so when I saw the paper, I thought it was perfect ... it's brown and the pattern reminded me of cups.  His birthday card was a list of items in the kit :)


Last step, fill it up with goodies ... chocolate and coffee ... and of course a box of coffee filter ... after all it is an emergency kit.  I got the idea since he was the only guy in his team ... working with a bunch of women who seem to enjoy bugging him ... so I thought it would be a good way to help him cope :)


As for the items below ... nope, I did not make them ... I'm not that creative!  I just covered it with paper and ribbon, etc.  The mailbox was for a birthday; and I filled it with a postcard, small package, flyer, registered package notice ... you know, things you would usually find in your mailbox.  The paint can and flower pot were for Christmas.  We picked names at work and made a Christmas container for the person, and we all put little gifts in each other's container.  What!?  It was a way to have some fun ... guess, it doesn't take much to amuse us ... ok, I confess ... it was my silly idea to do this.  I think everyone had fun ... either that or they were humoring me ... everyone was quite creative with their containers and the gifts!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Registered for Jennifer McGuire's classes ...

Guess what!?  Jennifer McGuire is coming to Montreal to give 3 classes, and I'm registered for all of them ... I can't wait!  For those of you who don't know, she's quite well known in the scrapbooking/stamping industry and a very creative and sweet person.  I had the pleasure taking a couple of her classes when I was in Framingham.  It was fast paced and a whole lot of fun!

She showed us how to make a box card in one of the classes, which I've made a few of since.  It stands on it's own and can be folded and put into an envelope ... really cool!


Here's one where I added a bit of a twist to ...

Monday, September 20, 2010

New addition to The Paper Room

Hey there,

Don't have a new project to share today, but I did want to share this ...


Hubbie and I went to Michael's last Monday, and I bought a ribbon rack ... more storage space ... yipee :)  What's amazing is that he put it up <24 hours after I bought it!

Have a great evening!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

New cards to share ...

Here's a recent card I made from my mom's birthday.  The card is made with alcohol inks by Ranger on glossy paper ...  I love these inks ... it's so easy to make a great background with them.


And here's the birthday "card" I made for Mei Mei.  Ok, so it's not the typical card ... yup, it's a snow globe!  I got this as a make & take when I went to a show in Framingham in March.  Right away I knew what I was going to do with it ... so I took apart what I did ... added the happy birthday ribbon and the cards inside with a personal message and ... voila!  (Sorry, they're not the best pics, but you get the idea.)


Friday, September 17, 2010

Finally!!

Before I get into why I created this blog, let me just wish my best friend a very Happy Birthday!  Happy Birthday Mei Mei!!  Wishing you all the best on this very special day and always! 

For years now, a friend of mine has been telling me to create a website to display the cards, albums and other papercrafts that I do.  My excuse was I did not have a camera ... well, I've had one for some time now ... at least 5-6 years :)  I guess I just wasn't ready.

However, a recent visit from my aunts made me think about this again.  During their visit, they stopped by "The Paper Room" to see what I've been up to since their last visit (3 years ago).  It was fun sharing with them what I've been up to.  One of my aunts requested that I make my latest creations available for viewing, so she can put in her orders ... lol.  I guess that request and something she said to me made me realize that I was ready to do this as well as the reason I wanted to do this ... basically, this will allow me to share with family and friends what I'm working on ... an important part of my life that requires a room dedicated to it :)

I've spent the last couple of days wondering what I should write/put on my blog ... then I spoke with Mei Mei this morning ... she's pointed out it's just to share with family and friends, so it does not need to be perfect ... it's a work in progress and I should add things when I have time ... so I'm taking her good advice and taking the plunge before it takes another 5-6 years to enter my 1st post ;)

Well CHG, I finally took the plunge ... my "show & tell" can now be virtual!