Friday, December 21, 2007

ScrapWest Christmas!

Tonight's theme for ScrapWest is "Christmas" and a perfect opportunity to scrap the photos I took of myself and my DD baking Gingerbread Cookies on Monday.

I used Daisy D's Snowflakes and Holly papers and Telling the Story Rubons with some Bazzill Pomegranate Cardstock for the handcut title. I used a sheet of Making Memories die-cut paper as the template for the shape on the right of the layout. The background is a sheet of Scenic Route background cardstock.


If you haven't checked out the ScrapWest blog yet, why not have a look now. Each week the team try to inspire you with a new theme and we love it if you join in a leave a link to your layouts and cards with your comments.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

Decided to do something non-paper crafty today and baked a batch of Gingerbread cookies.



If you fancy making some all you'll need is the ingredients listed below, cookie cutters and some flat baking trays:

Christmas Gingerbread Biscuits – Makes 25

Ingredients


1lb/450g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
2 and a half teaspoons ground ginger
1 and a half teaspoons ground mixed spice
2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
4oz/115g butter, plus extra for greasing the tin
3 and a half ounces/100g golden syrup
4oz/115g light muscovado sugar
1 beaten egg

Preheat oven to 160°C/325°F/Gas Mark 3. Grease 3 large baking sheets and put to one side. Into a large bowl, sift the flour, ginger, mixed spice and bicarbonate of soda. Put the butter, syrup and muscovado sugar in a saucepan over a low heat and stir until melted. Pour onto the flour misture and add the egg. Mix together to make a dough. The dough will be sticky to start with, but will become firmer as it cools.

Knead the dough and then roll it out on a lightly floured work surface to about 3mm thickness. Cut out about 25 gingerbread shapes using shaped cutters. Transfer to the prepared baking sheets.

Bake the biscuits in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they become firm and slightly browned.

Leave to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes and then transfer to wire racks and leave to cool completely. Decorate with icing, chocolate buttons, smarties, raisins, glace cherries or whatever you have to hand.

If you want to hang them on the tree piece a hole in the top of each biscuit with a skewer as soon as you remove them from the oven. Then thread a ribbon through the hole. Make a cup of coffee/tea and pour a few glasses of milk for the children, sit back and enjoy.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Altered Pegs using Love, Elsie! Zoe Collection

Got a chance to work on the giant pegs I got at Scrap-a-Ganza at the weekend. I decided that the new Zoe Collection from Love, Elsie! would work well as it has loads of funky colours and designs. The whole collection is now in stock including papers, rubons, tiny ribbons, embossed cardstock and fabric paper.

The pegs are from Creative Imaginations and the fantastic chipboard frames are from the new range of Big Shot Dies. The alphabet letter was cut from chipboard using the new Big Shot Four Die Alphabet called "Boss O". I definately think I need to invest in a Big Shot especially now that it can cut thick chipboard!






Tuesday, November 27, 2007

A busy couple of weeks!

It sure has been a busy couple of weeks but I'm finally getting a chance to update the blog.

Two weeks ago I was in Derry giving a beginners class to a lovely bunch of women. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the class and they were all really enthusiastic about scrapbooking. I had a thoroughly enjoyable day but unfortunately didn't get a chance to do any sightseeing which is a pity as I had heard it's a beautiful City.

On the weekend of the 16th I flew off to Amsterdam to Scrap-a-Ganza in the company of a great bunch of Irish scrapbookers (you know who you are!). We had a really fantastic weekend. I did two very exciting classes with Karen Burniston, using Making Memories and Scenic Route products and one with Jen Starr from Rusty Pickle. It's great to get a chance to take classes with such talented tutors that you normally only get to see in magazines.

Me and Jen Starr from Rusty Pickle


Me and Karen Burniston


Then last weekend myself and the shop were in Killeens in Cork at Caroline's Crop and Class. Caroline did a fantastic class with a transparency layout and mini book. She had a huge crowd there and everyone looked like they were having a ball and were in no hurry to leave! Many thanks to Eva for the B&B! Caroline will continue to hold crops every month from January 2008 so if you're living within driving distance check out her blog for full details. Thanks for the invite Caroline and I hope to get back to Cork early next year.

To finish off the month, my monthly Workshop will take place this Thursday 29th November in Whitehall Parish Centre, Dublin from 7pm to 10pm. Places are still available so email me at workshops@thescrapbookstore.ie to book in.

Monday, November 12, 2007

November Kit Layout Ideas

The very talented Lainey (who is now designing the most fantastic jewellery too) has created these gorgeous layouts for us using the new November Kit. I'm totally loving those felt shapes, and there's a whole 12" x 12" sheet of them in the kit. Thanks Lainey :-)

There's only a few of the kits remaining in stock so get your order in today!

Everything you see in the layouts is included in the kit, ribbons, buttons, rubons etc.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

November Kit from TheScrapbookStore.ie now in stock!

The November Kit (or maybe it should be called the "Anti-November Kit" has just arrived in stock. It's packed with goodies from the new Fancy Pants Designs Botanical Collection. Fancy Pants are well known for their gorgeous floral designs and this Collection is no exception. The colours and patterns should cheer up the cold November days and it's perfect for scrapping a variety of themes.



Everything in the Kit co-ordinates and it includes:

5 sheets of Patterned Paper (Poppy, Daisy, Tulip, Bluebell and Wall Flower).
1 pack of Botanical Rubons (8" x 8" sheet.
One 12" x 12" sheet of cardstock Tags and Titles.
One 12" x 12" sheet of Felt Shapes (the picture shows the Pink sheet but colours may differ)
18 assorted buttons
9" of assorted ribbons (6 different designs as shown in the picture)

The Kit is priced at €30.00 and is available until stocks last!!

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Loads of new stuff just arrived at TheScrapbookStore.ie

Had a great day last Saturday at the Midlands Craft Club crop in Tullamore. Debs and Sandie really made it a fantastic day out with lots of home baking, chat and cropping. I even got a Christmas album half finished and will post it up when it's complete. I don't know what date they're holding next month's crop but I'll post it up as soon as I know.

Then on Monday morning I was at Elaine's Monday Morning Crop in Castleknock. Nearly managed to finish my Christmas album and would have done if I hadn't been so busy chatting and drinking tea. Love these Monday morning crops!! What better way to start the week. The next one is on Monday 19th November from 10am to 1pm and admission is only €5.

This Saturday myself and the shop will be at the Cabra Crop from 10am until 3pm. The class is full up for this month but if you're interested in coming along to the next one on December 8th then you can email Elaine at happydaymemories@yahoo.com

Finally, the new stash:

Christmas papers, rubons, stickers, ribbons and buttons from Daisy D's:




Christmas papers from Junkitz:



Great bargains in the paper sale from American Crafts, multi packs of The Goods Collection in Pinks, Blues, Pastels and Wedding designs for only 30c per sheet!

Also, arriving soon ... goodies from Prima Flowers, Making Memories, Creative Imaginations and more.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

TheScrapbookStore.ie at the Midlands Craft Club on Saturday

This Saturday TheScrapbookStore.ie is heading to Tullamore for the first meeting of the Midlands Craft Club. It's a new Club which has been set up by Deborah and all papercrafters are welcome. It's being held in St. Mary's Youth Centre, Harbour Street, Tullamore from 12.30pm to 4.30pm. There's a large crowd already booked in and if you'd like to come along you can contact Deborah at dehadley@gmail.com or by telephoning 083-3323273.

Why not bring your tools and stash and come along and meet some other crafters. It's a great chance to get some projects done and to stock up on some stash too! Well done Debs on getting the whole thing off the ground, really looking forward to it!

Friday, October 26, 2007

Congratulations to the Cyber Crop Winners!

Many thanks to everyone who participated in last Sunday's Cyber Crop on the ScrapWest blog. So many of you put in a huge effort, joining in the classes and uploading your work to the various forums for everyone to see. I hope you enjoyed the classes and well done to the ScrapWesties who did such a great job preparing the classes. I'm proud to be a member of such a talented team.

The winners have been announced over on the ScrapWest blog tonight and congratulations to:

Littlebit/Liz ... the winner of a €30 voucher from The Scrapbook Store

Tracy Kedney ... the winner of a prize from Craft Supplies

Evonne R ... the winner of a €30 prize from the Crafteire shop

To a very special small person called Lucy who won a special prize (sponsored by Crafteire) for being the top up and coming young scrapper and finally to .....

Jackie C for being voted Queen of the Crop. Well done Jackie for all your hard work and enjoy your €50 voucher from The Scrapbook Store.

ps. I've been tagged! Thanks Kate!




Wednesday, October 10, 2007

ScrapWest Cyber Crop Kits and October Monthly Kit - Now on Sale!

Just a quick post to let you know that the three ScrapWest Cyber Crop Kits are now on sale at The Scrapbook Store. The Cyber Crop will take place on the ScrapWest blog on Sunday October 21st and there are kits for the other classes available at the Crafteire shop. Look out for further details on the SW blog.

Also The Scrapbook Store's new October Kit featuring Love, Elsie! Jack & Abby is now available. It's packed with papers (including embossed cardstock and fabric papers), chipboard, rubons and cardstock stickers and we've posted up loads of ideas (created by the very talented Eva Birdthistle) on the gallery to show you the kind of things you can get up to!

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

I've won 1st Place in the Daisy D's Back to School Competition!!

I was recently checking out the Daisy D's website - as you do - and noticed that they were having a Back to School competition. As luck would have it I had just finished a layout for ScrapWest using some gorgeous Daisy D's paper from their new Autumn range (it's also the layout that I used as a Layout Idea with the September Kit). So I submitted the layout and was absolutely thrilled to get an email from them at the weekend telling me I'd won 1st place. As it turns out 1st place doesn't actually mean 1st place as there was a Grand Prize Winner and two 1st place Winners?? but I don't care ... I love the layout and I won something!! The results are up on their blog so you can take a look at the other layouts. Plus you might be interested to see that they're looking for people to join their Design Team which would be fantastic as their stuff is really yummy.

This is the layout I submitted ...



It really topped off a great weekend in Cork at ScrapFest by the Lee. Mary did a brilliant job organising such a fantastic event. There were 7 brilliant classes, challenges and prizes galore. I even won a beautiful pack of new Rusty Pickle papers which I was delighted with. It was great to meet up with everyone again and meet loads of new scrapbookers. The Ambassador Hotel where the event was held was really lovely and the staff were so attentive they even helped me to unload the shop.
Thanks again Mary - looking forward to next years event. Can't wait to see how much she raised for Action Breast Cancer.

Monday, September 17, 2007

ScrapFest by the Lee - Saturday October 6th 2007

The organisers of ScrapFest by the Lee have been on to let us know that the event will now take place on Saturday the 6th October, 2007 only. If you're interested in coming to this great day of scrapbooking and papercrafting, please contact Mary at 086-8261506/086-3201021 or by email at scrapfestbythelee@eircom.net. All profits from the event go to Action Breast Cancer.

An all-day ticket costs €40.00 and entitles you to dedicated scrapping space in the Scrappin' Studio PLUS light lunch, morning and afternoon refreshments PLUS a goodie bag!!

They also have 7 optional classes available to book. None of the classes overlap which means you don't have to miss out on anything. Classes cost €20.00 each.

There'll be plenty of shopping available (TheScrapbookStore.ie and Crafteire for starters!!) and there'll also be great prizes throughout the day.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

September Kit now in stock plus Workshop Dates available

We've just finished packing up the new September Kit and it is lush!! This month we've used the gorgeous Autumn Collection from Daisy D's Paper. The possibilities are endless with this kit as the colours are so versatile. Back to School layouts, Autumn layouts, Heritage or Wedding layouts will all look fantastic with these beautiful detailed papers and accessories.

Everything in the kit co-ordinates and this is what's in it:

  • 2 Sheets of Bazzill Cardstock - White and Lily Pad
  • 7 Sheets of Daisy D's Patterned Paper
  • 1 Pack of Cardstock Die-Cuts
  • 1 Pack of Rub-on Transfer
  • 3 Yards of Assorted co-ordinating ribbon.
  • 36 assorted co-ordinating buttons.
I used the kit to make this layout for last weeks ScrapWest "Back to School" challenge and I have to say it's one of my favourites. I've even included an instruction sheet in the kit to show you how to do it.


The whole lot including postage costs €25.00 and you can buy it by clicking here.

WORKSHOP NEWS ....

September:

17th - Ratoath Community Centre, Main Street, Ratoath, County Meath from 11am to 12noon. All are welcome to our Free Scrapbooking Demonstration and for anyone interested in starting to scrapbook it's a great chance to see what it's all about. Monthly Workshops will commence in Ratoath on Monday morning at 10.30am on October 22nd.

27th - Whitehall Parish Centre, The Thatch Road, Whitehall, Dublin 9 from 7pm to 10pm
At this month's Workshop we'll be making a calendar using the new Karen Foster Special Occasions Calendar Base and Micro Bundle Calendar Kit. The Workshop costs €25.00 and with this month's kit worth €22.00 that's got to be good news!

October:

20th - The Silver Bear Centre, Bawnboy, County Cavan. We're back in Cavan in October for a fabulous Halloween themed class. This is an all day Retreat in the beautiful Silver Bear Centre and a great chance to chill out and scrap. The day runs from 10am to 6pm with two classes and loads of cropping time. It all costs €35.00 or €15.00 if you just want to come along and crop.

22nd - Ratoath Community Centre, Main Street, Ratoath, County Meath from 10.30am to 12.30pm. We'll be making some gorgeous Halloween goodies at this Workshop, just in time for the witching season!!

25th - Whitehall Parish Centre, The Thatch Road, Whitehall, Dublin 9. We're back in Whitehall for our regular monthly workshop.

If you'd like more details or if you'd like to book a place at any of our workshops just email workshops@thescrapbookstore.ie we'd love to hear from you.

Friday, August 31, 2007

ScrapWest Blog Celebration!!!


Over at the ScrapWest blog this week's theme is a celebration of blogs! So we're asking everyone to join in and share some of their crafty secrets on their blogs and we'll link to them.

I love downloading free fonts from the internet and use computer printed journalling in most of my scrapbook layouts. It wouldn't be possible to have stickers, stamps or rubons for every occasion but I can always find the perfect font to match every project. One of my favourite sites for free fonts is http://www.dafont.com/ and one of my favourite fonts is called "Mom's Typewriter". I find it suits lots of layout styles as its kind of rustic and distressed!!

I hope you can see the screen snapshots ok - they seemed to get smaller once I uploaded them!!! BTW I used Windows XP.

Step 1 - Go to http://www.dafont.com/ and find the font you're looking for either by style or by name. In this case I put the words into the search facility. Once the font appears you'll see a box on the right hand side of the page which you click to download the font to your pc.


Step 2: Once you've clicked "Download" a pop-up box will appear asking if you want to "open" or "save". Always choose "save".



Step 3: Once you've clicked "save" you'll now have to choose where to put the file containing the font. It's best to keep all your fonts in the one place so you should use the "Fonts" folder which should already be on your hard-drive. It contains all the preinstalled fonts which you use in Microsoft Word e.g. Arial, Times New Roman etc. If you're having trouble finding it, it should be at C:\WINDOWS\Fonts. Once you've opened the fonts folder click "Save" and the font will be saved into the Fonts file as "Mom's Typewriter".



Ok, you've now saved the new font in the proper folder. Now it's time to install the font into Word so that you can use it in your journalling.

Click on the "Start" button at the bottom left of your screen and go to "Control Panel". If you're not using Windows XP you might have to get to your Control Panel another way.



Once you've clicked "Control Panel" this new screen should appear. What you're looking for here is the "Appearances and Themes" category. Once you've found it, click on it once.


Once you've clicked "Appearance and Themes" this new screen should appear. On the left hand side of the screen there is an icon for the "Fonts" folder. Remember this is where you saved your new font to. Click on the "Fonts" folder icon.

You'll now see a screen which has a listing of all the fonts which are currently available to you and saved in your fonts folder. Just because a font is saved doesn't mean you can use it though, it first has to be installed. You should be able to see your new font "Mom's Typewriter" in the list.

To install the font so that you can use it in Word. Click "File" at the top left of the screen. Now move the mouse down and click "Install Font".


A new pop-up window will appear asking you to choose the location of the fonts you wish to install. Again choose C:\windows\fonts


The list of fonts will then appear in the top left window of the pop-up and you simply click on the name of your new font "Mom's Typewriter" and then click OK and voila! your font is now installed.


To check if you've done all of it right open up Microsoft Word and from the drop-down Fonts menu you should be able to find the name of your new font in alphabetical order all ready to use.



Once you've done all the hard work just type in your journalling in your new font. Then to make sure it fits into your layout print the journalling onto a plain A4 sheet. Choose the paper you want the journalling on in your layout and cut it to a size to fit onto the layout. Then, using removable!! adhesive, stick the piece of paper or card over where the journalling printed and run it through the printer again. The journalling will now be exactly where you want it. Just remove the cut piece and add it to your layout, card or other project.

I hope you find this useful. It looks so good it encourages me to add in that priceless journalling without having to use handwriting.

Don't forget to check out all the other crafty ideas on the ScrapWest blog and leave your comments with a link to your creations (if you're feeling inspired).

Anyone who leaves a comment here will have their name put into a raffle for a gorgeous prize of a new Basic Grey Collection Pack and I'll announce the winner next Friday.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

A great day in Cavan yesterday!

We had a brilliant day at our August Scrapbooking Retreat yesterday in The Silver Bear Centre, Bawnboy in the County of Cavan. Even though the weather didn't live up to expectations it was warm with a few bits of sunshine. I don't think many of the scrappers noticed though because they hardly left their seats! It was a very productive day and everyone seemed to be getting loads done.








One of Julie's stunning LO's:



A sample of Linda's gorgeous cards:



The class was a 12" x 12" boy themed layout using the gorgeous Crate Paper Zoom Collection and the finished layouts looked amazing. The mini book in a CD tin class used the same papers and again the finished books and tins looked fantastic.





Even though we were there from early morning until after 6pm the hours flew by. I don't know how much tea and coffee we all drank but we got through about 3 litres of milk between 20 of us. I think I had about half a dozen cups myself!! That must've been what kept everyone going, that and the chocolate, buns and craic :-)



Many thanks to everyone who travelled from near and far to make the day so special. We had scrappers from Cavan, Kildare, Dublin, Louth, Galway, Belfast and Donegal and what a brilliant crafty bunch you all were. I hope I'll get to meet you all again soon. Thanks also to Linda K who brought along her shop packed with mini books and other goodies.







TheScrapbookStore's next outing to Cavan is planned for October so keep an eye out for the dates and details on our workshops page. If you'd like to be notified by email about any of our upcoming classes just send your details to workshops@thescrapbookstore.ie