A step-by-step Christmas Layout using 3 photos!

We hope that you had a safe and peaceful Christmas and now that the last of the turkey and ham has been eaten it's time to think about getting those Christmas photos scrapped!  Here's a simple single layout created using the new Basic Grey Jovial papers and alpha stickers. 

It's suitable for three 4" x 6" portrait format photos or you could adapt it to take two 5" x 7" portrait format ones.

To complete the layout you'll need:

• 4 sheets of Basic Grey Jovial paper (or similar) - Coal, Snowball Fight, Merry Maker and Flannel Pajamas
• 1 sheet of Basic Grey Jovial Mini Mono Stickers (or similar) for the title
• Scissors and paper trimmer
• Acid-free adhesive for paper e.g. Scrappy Glue or Herma glue runner
• Three 4" x 6" portrait format photos with white border or two 5" x 7" portrait format photos with white border.

Step 1

• Use a single sheet of Coal (black side) as your background. 
• Trim a sheet of Snowball Fight to 10" x 10" and stick it down, centred onto the sheet of Coal paper.

Step 2

• Cut 1 big flower and 3 small flowers from the sheet of Merry Maker paper. 
• Cut the biggest of the flowers in half.

Step 3

• Cut two .5" x 8" strips of Flannel Pyjamas and make a "v" shaped notch in the ends of both strips.

Step 4

• Arrange your photos centrally across the page then stick the Flannel Pyjama strips above and below the photos as shown on the layout. 
• Make sure you have enough room for the alphabet letters at the top of the page.

Step 5

• Next, arrange the flowers around the page, using the layout above as your guide. 
• Arrange the Basic Grey Jovial letters into a title of your choice.

I used an Ikea frame to frame this layout.  The frame measures 21" x 21" and the mount measures approx. 11.5" x 11.5" so it's the perfect size to hold you layout.  Just make sure that no important details are obscured by the mount by not placing any items too close to the edge of the layout.

Why not give it a go!  The papers and stickers are available at TheScrapbookStore.ie HERE or you could use any Christmas papers you may have in your stash with co-ordinating solid cardstock as the background.

Sneak Peeks of our November Scrapbooking Workshop!

Our Whitehall Workshop takes place next Thursday 18th November, 2010 at 7pm.  This Workshop is also being held in Athlone on Sunday 21st November at 12pm.  This month we'll be creating two layouts using the new Crate Paper Restoration Collection.  The layouts have an open theme so just bring along a selection of your favourite photos in the sizes listed below or alternatively you can add photos when you get home.

One of the layouts has a small frame and we'll be using it to frame a piece of journalling.  You can handwrite your journalling on the night or if you prefer you can type it on your computer beforehand and bring it along. 

Here's what you'll need to do:

1. Open a blank Word document
2. Change the page size to 3" x 3"
3. Change the margins to 1" on all sides
4. Type in enough text to fill the page
5. Print out on some textured white card.  Remember you don't need to put a 3" x 3" piece in your printer (it'll probably get stuck anyway), just cut a piece of card big enough so you know it won't get stuck in your printer and print onto that and then cut out the part you need.  I usually cut a piece of 12" x 12" cardstock in half and put that through the printer.

To take part in the Workshop you'll need to bring:

• A paper trimmer
• Sharp scissors
• Crop-a-dile or hole punch (I'll have one which you can borrow on the night too)
• Distress Ink (Walnut Stain or Antique Linen works best - these are available in the shop on the night)
• Glue for sticking paper
• Two 5" x 7" photographs - 1 should be portrait format and 1 should be landscape format - printed with a white border.  I've used Holy Communion photos (modern, colour) on the sample layouts but the papers would also be suitable for black & white, sepia, wedding, kids, vintage photos.

Workshop places cost €25.00 and include Workshop Kit, tuition and refreshments.  This is what's included in the Kit:

• 6 sheets of 12" x 12" double-sided patterned paper from the new Crate Restoration Collection
• 1 12" x 12" pack of adhesive Chipboard Stickers from the Restoration Collection
• 1 6" x 12" pack of Border Stickers

The Workshop is suitable for beginners or advanced papercrafters and if you have any questions please email workshops@thescrapbookstore.ie or telephone 086-2065346 and we'll get back to you.

Guarantee your place by BOOKING ONLINE!

Hope to see you there!

October Scrapbooking Workshop - Thursday 21st

Counting down to this Thursday's Scrapbooking Workshop in Whitehall Parish Centre at 7pm.  Here are the layouts:

This month we're using the new My Minds Eye, Union Square Collection.  We'll be creating two layouts as follows:

Layout 1

Titled "Love".  You could add another word to make the title "Brotherly Love", "Forever Love" etc.  For this layout you'll need to bring:

• A sharp scissors
• Paper Trimmer
• Glue
• 1" circle punch and 2.5"/3" circle punch (if you have them, I'll have the Slice machine on the night so you can use it to cut these circles)
• Pinking scissors (again, if you have one, otherwise you can cut the edge with a sharp plain scissors)

Two photos measuring 4" x 6" (no border necessary), portrait format, black & white preferably as they'll suit the papers better.

Layout 2

Titled "Simply Perfect in every way".  For this layout you'll need to bring:

• A sharp scissors
• Paper Trimmer
• Glue

4/5 small photos measuring approx. 4" x 2.5" or smaller.  If you don't have small photos you could substitute them with one 4" x 6" or 5" x 7" landscape format photo.  All photos to be black and white.

The papers are gorgeous and embellished with red glitter so if you have a thing for bling, then bring along some red stickles or similar.  The layouts would look great with wedding photos so blow the dust off those photos and bring them along.  As always, you don't have to bring photos on the night as they can be added later.

Some places are still available and you can book your place online here.  Workshop places cost €25.00 and include a full kit, tuition and refreshments.  If you fancy coming along to crop, Crop Spaces are available at a cost of €10.00 including refreshments.

Hope to see you there,

Announcing our October Workshops in Dublin & Athlone!

Athlone Workshop

We're really looking forward to our first Workshop in Athlone on Sunday 10th October 2010 from 12pm to 5pm at Coosan Eco Cottage just outside Athlone Town.  We'll be creating a two page layout using the new Cosmo Cricket Togetherness Collection.  The first layout is open themed and the 2nd has the title "I love you ... to the moon ... and back".   For full details of what you'll need to bring and what's included in the kit, please see our previous post!

Here's a few sneak peeks:

    

Workshop places cost €25.00 including kit, tuition and refreshments.  After the class you'll have plenty of time for cropping and shopping too!

If you'd like to attend the Workshop you can BOOK ONLINE NOW.  The Workshop is suitable for intermediate/advanced papercrafters.  If you have any queries please email workshops@thescrapbookstore.ie or telephone/text Annamarie on 086-2065346.

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Dublin Workshop

Our very popular Dublin Workshop at Whitehall Parish Centre, Dublin 9 takes place on Thursday 21st October 2010 from 7pm to 10pm.  This month we're using the new My Minds Eye Union Square range of papers and embellishments.  Workshop places cost €25.00 and include kit, tuition and refreshments.  If you'd like to attend you can BOOK ONLINE NOW and if you've any queries please email workshops@thescrapbookstore.ie or telephone/text Annamarie on 086-2065346.

Here's a sneak peek of the Workshop kit, and more details of the class will be available later in the month!

Hope to see you there,

Whitehall Crop & Workshop - This Thursday 16th - Sneak Peeks!

If you haven't booked your place at this Thursday's Workshop in Whitehall Parish Centre, there are a few places left.  Just email workshops@thescrapbookstore.ie to make a reservation or buy your ticket online!

When: Thursday 16th September 2010

Time: 7pm to 10pm

Where: Whitehall Parish Centre, The Thatch Road, Whitehall, Dublin 9.  The Centre is fully wheelchair accessible and has ample free parking.  It is five minutes from the M1 exit off the M50 and is served by a number of bus routes including the 16/16A.

How much?  Workshop places cost €25.00 including tuition, kit materials and tea/coffee homebaking.  If you don't wish to take part in the workshop but would like to attend to work on your own projects, chat and have a cuppa, crafting places cost €10.00 for the whole evening including refreshments.

This month's kit includes:

• 5 sheets of Cosmo Cricket Togetherness Double Sided Paper (Birds of a feather, All a Flutter, Kites Strings, Making Plans & Pinwheels)
• 1 sheet of Cosmo Cricket Togetherness Double Sided Borders
• Co-ordinating Cosmo Cricket Chipboard Pieces
• Half a yard of Divine Twine

You will also need to bring with you:

• A paper trimmer or guillotine or craft knife & craft mat
• Sharp Scissors
• Black felt tip (fine nib)
• Acid Free Glue for sticking paper or double sided sticky tape (also on sale in the shop)
• Small sticky foam pads (we have plenty of these for sale in the shop)
• Distress Ink & applicator sponge (we used Antique Linen)
• Small piece of sandpaper or sanding tool
• A corner rounder (if you don't have one we'll have one to borrow on the night)

Photos needed:

• Two 5" x 7" landscape format photographs with colours to match the papers (or black & white photos if you prefer)
• One 4" x 6" portrait format photograph (with white border)
• One 3" x 3.5" portrait format photograph (with or without white border)

I just wanted to share a few sneak peeks of this month's layout.  The papers and chipboard are very colourful but they all have an old fashioned cream colour running through them so they would be suitable for black and white photos if you can't find colour photos to match!

Contact me at workshops@thescrapbookstore.ie or telephone/text me on 086-2065346 if you have any queries!

Hope to see you Thursday,

New Beginners Cardmaking & Scrapbooking Classes!

Well, we've finally found a great venue in the North East to commence our Beginners/Improvers Cardmaking & Scrapbooking Classes.

The Barbican is a new centre at the side of the Laurence Town Centre Shopping Mall in Drogheda town.  It's bright and airy, fully wheelchair accessible and there's ample free parking (after 6pm) on William Street and Fair Street in the vicinity of the Barbican.

Course Details:

When: September 15th 2010, each Wednesday for 6 weeks

Where: The Barbican, St. Peters Parish Centre, William Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth

Time: from 7pm to 9pm

Cost: €90 including all materials

The course is suitable for:  anyone who'd like to make their own handmade cards, scrapbook pages, memory books or mini books.  You will learn about the tools, materials and techniques necessary to achieve really professional looking projects and each night we'll be completing a different project including cards, a scrapbook layout and a mini book.

You don't need any artistic skills as anyone can learn papercrafting skills over time and with practice.

Here's just a selection of what you will be learning over the six weeks?

Paper & Card: Identifying the different types and weights of paper and card.  Matting, tearing, inking, sanding, chalking and embossing paper.  How to choose papers to match your photos or embellishments and how to use plain and patterned papers.

Embellishments: You'll learn all about the different materials you can use to enhance your cards and scrapbook pages e.g. chipboard, buttons, eyelets, brads, ribbons, metal, string, charms, glitter, thread etc.

Tools & Inks: Identifying all the different tools, glues, diecutters, inks, paints, punches and more and how to use them.

Identifying themes:  How to identify and create themes for your cards and scrapbook layouts and how to create imaginative journalling for your memory books and scrapbook layouts.

and more!

How do I book my place?  You can book your place online here or by telephone on 086-2065346.  The course fee of €90.00 is payable in advance by cash, cheque, postal order, Mastercard, Visa and Laser.  If you have any queries about the course you can of course contact us by telephone or email at workshops@thescrapbookstore.ie

A couple of cards!

Thanks to a crafty evening invite, I got a rare chance to make a couple of A5 cards, plus I was handed a cup of tea and a homemade chocolate chip cookie for good measure!

The first one was made using one of my favourite paper ranges, Cosmo Cricket Earth Love.  The background card is Colorcore Rustic Cardstock, on top of that is a piece of Cosmo Cricket Earth Love Paper.  The centre of the card is made up of a Bazzill Bracket Cardstock Diecut.  Simply place the diecut onto a piece of Bazzill Java cardstock and then cut around the edges.  Using Ranger Distress Antique Linen Ink and a piece of sponge, rub some ink around the edges of the diecut to give some nice shading.  Next, tie a piece of string around the centre of the card.  Mount the diecut on foam pads and stick down as shown.  Finish off the centre of the card with an Earth Love Chipboard icon from the Ready Set Chipboard Pack.  The "congrats" word is from a stamp I had in my own stash.

The second card is a lift of a scrapbook layout I saw on Keisha's blog.  The background of the card is an A5 piece of Bazzill Thunder Cardstock, a smaller piece of Bazzill Raven Cardstock and a smaller piece of Bazzill White Textured cardstock stuck down onto an A5 card blank.  The butterflies are cut using the Making Memories Slice Machine with the Vintage Findings card.  I cut two 2" butterflies from Bazzill Vellum and then two 2.5" ones from Bazzill Black Smooth Cardstock.  First I stamped the vellum butterflies with black ink, you could use any type of pattern you have in your stamp collection e.g. dots, script etc.  I joined them to the black butterflies with a single stitch of white thread.  The smaller butterflies were stamped from an Inkadinkado stamp I had in my stash.  Finally I finished the card using the "Thinking of You" sentiment from the Hero Arts Message Bubbles Stamp pack.

TFL

August Workshop - Thursday 19th August 2010 - Sneak Peeks

Hi everyone,

Our August Workshop is this Thursday 19th August 2010 from 7pm to 10pm.  This month it's all about the photos!  You'll need to bring along a selection with you on the night, because you can't assemble the layouts without them.

We'll be creating a double 12" x 12" layout, each page will have a collage of photos and we'll also be using a diecut title plus we'll be finishing the layout with some hand stitching.

Here's a few sneak peeks to give you some idea of what we'll be doing and there's a list of what you'll need to bring below:

• Photographs!! Very important!! You won't be able to complete the layouts without them  The photos should all be part of the same theme. I used photos from a family holiday but you could use any occasion e.g. holiday, wedding, birthday etc. or you could choose a related theme e.g. family, brothers, sisters etc. The photos should all have a connection to the title. The cardstock colours (and we're only using cardstock!) are kraft, black and red so they'd suit either colour or black and white photos.
  For each double layout you'll need to bring -
  Three 4" x 6" (10cm x 15cm) photos (1 landscape format and 2 portrait format) - no white borders this time!
  Two 7.5cm x 10cm portrait format photos
  One 10cm x 5cm landscape format photo.
  For the small sizes, you can either print them this size or cut down some 4" x 6" photos. I cut down some 4" x 6" ones which were pretty rubbish but had some detail in them which added to the story e.g. a landmark in the background.
• Basic Tools: You'll also need to bring:
  A cutting knife and mat
  Scissors and paper trimmer
  Corner Rounder
  Distress Ink
• The layout is hand-stitched. If you'd like to do some hand-stitching you'll need to bring:
  a paper piercer, a sturdy sewing needle and a few yards of thread. I'll supply red thread on the night but you might like to use a different colour so bring along a selection of whatever you have.
  If you'd rather have teeth pulled than hand-stitch then just bring along a bright red gel pen
• For the title: you'll be cutting letters with the Slice but if you prefer you can bring along some alphabet stickers (preferably red) to use or alternatively bring along a Slice/Cuttlebug/Big Shot machine to cut your letters. Letters should be between 1" and 2" high.

Some places are still available if you'd like to come along.  Just email workshops@thescrapbookstore.ie or telephone/text 086-2065346 to book your place.  The Workshop is suitable for beginners or advanced scrapbookers.

July Scrapbooking Workshop - Thursday 22nd at 7pm

We're looking forward to our next Scrapbooking Workshop this Thursday 22nd July at 7pm in Whitehall Parish Centre, Dublin 9 and thought you might like to see a couple of sneak peeks (I am soooo loving those Cuttlebug Cut & Emboss Butterfly dies):

At this month's class we're using the new Cosmo Cricket Delovely Collection to create a gorgeous scrapbook layout perfect for black and white or colour photos.  We used photos of a child for our layout but as the theme is open you can use whatever photos you think suit the colours.

The Workshop is suitable for all levels of papercrafter and you'll need to bring:

• a sharp scissors
• a paper trimmer
• acid free glue (for paper)
• a white gel pen and a black felt tip pen (we have them on sale in the shop too)

We used three 4" x 6" portrait format photos (the size includes a white border) but you could just use two if you prefer.

For anyone who's never been to a Workshop before, we'll explain the format:

7.00pm - 7.15pm Registration/Shopping

7.15pm - 8.15pm Workshop Part 1

8.15pm - 8.30pm Break for tea/coffee and home-baking

8.30pm - 9.30pm Workshop Part 2

9.30pm - 9.45pm Time to tidy up your crop space, Workshop complete!

During both parts of the Workshop, Annamarie will give you step by step instructions and one-to-one guidance through the techniques involved in creating the layouts. You don't need to bring photos with you as these can be added at a later stage but if you think you have suitable photos then of course bring them with you.

The Workshop costs €25.00 and includes 1.5 hours tuition, a kit containing all the papers and cardstock embellishments, refreshments and home baking.

Places can be booked by emailing workshops@thescrapbookstore.ie or telephoning/texting 086-2065346.

Looking forward to seeing you there,

Finished Layouts from June Workshop!

Thanks so much to everyone who came to last night's Workshop in Whitehall Parish Centre.  It was a packed house and I hope you all enjoyed the layouts.

We used the new Pink Paislee 365 Collection to create two layouts and the bright reds, greens and blues were perfect for holidays photos!  We completely sold out of all the kits but you could use the layouts as a template to complete your own Summer layouts.  The gorgeous "FRANCE" chipboard letters are available in four different patterns and they would look good on any project!

The scalloped edge at the top of the layout above was created using four 2" punched circles cut in half and then overlapped across the top of the layout.  We also created an accordian flower by cutting a 1" x 12" strip of paper and creating tiny accordian folds along the full length of it before gluing it to a diecut shape with a cork button on top.

Layout 2 featured a crepe paper flower, created by twisting a length of crepe paper into a rose shape before gluing down onto the layout.

Our next Crop is July 22nd 2010 at 7pm in Whitehall Parish Centre and full details will be posted on the blog and forum www.scrapbooking.ie nearer to the time.

TFL

June Scrapbook Workshop - Thursday 10th 2010 at 7pm

We're getting set for all those Summer holiday photos with our June Workshop which will be held next Thursday June 10th 2010 in Whitehall Parish Centre, The Thatch Road, Whitehall, Dublin 9.

This month we're using the gorgeous new 365 Degrees Collection from Pink Paislee to create two bright and colourful layouts, great for scrapping those photos you took at the beach or by the pool. The papers and embellishments are packed with reds, blues and greens so if you've holidayed in France or Italy or are planning to this Summer, then these layouts will be perfect for you.

The Workshop costs €25.00 and includes a kit (worth €12.50) containing:

• 1 sheet of diecut paper - 365 Degrees Believe
• 5 sheets of patterned paper - 365 Degrees Dream Big, Imagine, Be Free, Daydream and Think Big
• 1 pack of 365 Degrees diecut Punch Out Tags
• 1 pack of 365 Degrees Ribbon Pleats
• 1 Bazzill Basics Mini Bracket diecut shape
• Crepe Paper and a Cork Button

The Workshop is suitable for beginners or experienced papercrafters but as we're going to be completing two layouts you will need to be familiar with using a paper trimmer to get both finished. We'll also be making crepe paper and accordian flowers which are great techniques you'll love!

For anyone who's never been to a Workshop before, we'll explain the format:

7.00pm - 7.15pm Registration/Shopping

7.15pm - 8.15pm Workshop Part 1

8.15pm - 8.30pm Break for tea/coffee and home-baking

8.30pm - 9.30pm Workshop Part 2

9.30pm - 9.45pm Time to tidy up your crop space, Workshop complete!

During both parts of the Workshop, Annamarie will give you step by step instructions and one-to-one guidance through the techniques involved in creating the layouts. You don't need to bring photos with you as these can be added at a later stage but if you think you have suitable photos then of course bring them with you.

Here's a couple of sneak peeks of the layouts:

To complete the layouts you'll also need the following (Note: We have all of these items (except the punch) for sale in the shop online or on the night)

1. A paper trimmer and scissors
2. Adhesive suitable for gluing paper to paper
3. Adhesive suitable for gluing fabric to paper e.g. Scrappy Glue or Aleenes Tacky Glue
4. Small foam pads e.g. 5mm x 5mm
5. A 1.5" or 2" circle punch or circle cutter (we will have one that you can borrow too)
6. Ranger Distress Ink (we used Antique Linen) - we can lend you one!
7. If you wish to bring photos, we used one 4" x 6" and one 5.5" x 3.5" portrait style photo in the first layout and one 4" x 6" and one 4.5" x 4" landscape format photo in the 2nd layout. All photo measurements include a white border.

Bookings:

We hope you'll be able to join us and if you'd like to book a place please email workshops@thescrapbookstore.ie or telephone/text 086-2065346.

May Scrapbook Workshop - Thursday 20th - 7pm to 10pm

We're back in Whitehall on Thursday 20th May 2010 at 7pm for our monthly workshop. This month the layout has an open theme and we'll be using the new Crate Paper Brook Collection and chipboard embellishments.

The colours of the papers would suit a black and white photo perfectly or if you're lucky enough to have colour photos to match then bring them along. As always, the layout can be completed and the photos added later so don't worry if you can't find anything suitable for the night.

The Workshop costs €25.00 and that includes a full kit containing papers, chipboard embellishments and stickers plus to keep the energy levels up, tea, coffee and home baking. All you'll need to bring with you are a scissors, paper trimmer, paper glue, liquid glue e.g. Aleenes, Scrappy Glue, a pencil and a border punch if you have one (we used the MS Loops border punch) and bring along an ink (either one to match the papers or a Tim Holtz Distress, we used Antique Linen). If you don't have the ink or punch then you can borrow ours on the night and we have plenty of glues to buy in the shop!

Places are still available and can be booked by emailing workshops@thescrapbookstore.ie or telephoning/texting 086-2065346.

If you are a crafter and would like to come along to Crop and Shop then crop spaces are also available at €10.00.

Hope to see you there!

Looking forward to Mina's Painting With Distress Workshop this Thursday!

I hope you're all looking forward to Mina's 2nd Painting with Distress Inks Workshop this Thursday 22nd April 2010 in Whitehall Parish Centre. The class is now fully booked and apologies to anyone who put their name on the waiting list, but there were NO DROPOUTS! Now that's no surprise! We do have some crop spaces still available for anyone who wants to come along to crop, shop, chat and eat cake. Not bad for 10 euro! Email us at workshops@thescrapbookstore.ie if you'd like to book a crop space.

Mina sent me a few sneak peeks of her class and here they are:

Gorgeous! I'm hoping to get a chance to take part myself this time as I love the distress painting technique.

We're bringing the full shop with us on Thursday night too for those of you who like to indulge in a little shopping! The brand new Pink Paislee Collections have just arrived. The full Queen Bee Collection is in store and we're using the 365 Collection in our May Workshop but we do have the 6" x 6" pads, brads and Cork Buttons on sale in the store (we're saving the papers for the class!). Plus we have new Stampendous Stuftainers and the gorgeous new Tim Holtz Paper Stacks. If you'd like to have your order ready for collection on Thursday night, you can shop online and put the code COLLECT in at the checkout and you won't be charged postage. Then we'll have your order all packed up and ready for you to pick up on Thursday night.

Hope to see you there,

Girly Layouts, a mini book and some cards! Thanks Sandie!

Need to create a layout for a little girl, or a mini book for a proud Grandma or Auntie then get your hands on the new Crate Paper Doll Collection Pack and take a look at Sandie's fab layouts, cards and mini book, all made from half of one pack! Each Collection Pack contains 16 double-sided papers, 18 title stickers, 22 journal stickers, 6 border stickers and 22 journal stickers.

On the 1st layout Sandie used strips of Paper Doll Papers, with two Designer Diecuts (Sweetie word and flower) and a journalling sticker. On the 2nd layout she used Paper Doll Papers, together with Prima flowers, one Title Sticker (All Dolled Up) and ribbons/lace from her own stash.

These three gorgeous cards were made from Papers and Designer Diecuts from the Paper Doll Collection with lace and pearls added. If you like adding pearls and gemstones to your cards and layouts, check out our new range of both from Kaisercraft and we also have beautiful new lace from Prima now in stock.

I think my absolute favourite has to be the mini book, titled "Little Girls are a gift" and packed with papers, photos, Prima flowers, lace, ribbon and pearls. Mini Books are a great way to pack lots of photos into one project and they're ideal for giving as gifts. Sandie used a Mini Book from her own stash but we have a beautiful 6" x 6" Scalloped Chipboard Book in stock (Irish-made) which would look just as good!

As if all that wasn't enough, to finish off, she created this great tag:

and just to prove that crafters hate to waste anything, she sent me a photo of all that was left! Not bad eh?

Thanks again Sandie for sharing your gorgeous projects with us :-)

TFL