Papermaze November Kit

Have you seen the new monthly kit is now available online here?

This month, it is packed full of pretty Prima and Kaisercraft goodies but it is not only for Scrapbookers. As you can see below, there are loads of smaller elements within the kit that are perfect for cards or other paper arts.

 

 

Here is the scrapbook page I also created using the kit, and there were still plenty of papers left to do much more!

This is what the kit laid out looks like. All this for only £10!

 

 

Simple Stories ~ Say Cheese :-)

When I first saw this collection by Simple Stories I couldn't wait to get my hands on it! As a family of Disney fans we have been on several trips over the years and I always keep my eye out for Disney scrapbooking products. However it is quite unusual to find new and unique Disney scrapping products here in the UK. As this collection has not been made by Disney itself, it does not include images that fans might expect to see in a 'Disney' themed collection (the mouse himself for example) due to copyright. But its fantastic and has been created by Simple Stories based on their products and style that we know and love themed around a Disney trip but also functional for other day to day layouts too. Take a look at some of  the phrases on the expressions cardstock stickers below and hopefully you will see what I mean... 

   

Having just recently returned from a holiday to Disneyland Paris, of course I am going to be using it to scrap our photos. I really like the style of square photos that is quite popular at the moment so this was the base for my first layout. (I also discovered the other day that photo counters in supermarkets can now print your pictures square too)! Anyway here is my first layout using this collection...

I have brought most of this collection, including some of the project life style papers and I am planning on combining my album with some traditional layouts along with some project life pages too. 

In my opinion this collection is fantastic and a long time coming too, I've never seen anything similar. This collection has proved to be very popular worldwide and several scrapping stores have been selling out fast, but you can still find it here at Papermaze! 

Anna x

Advent House

With Christmas fast approaching what better way to get you in the mood than by making a great advent house calender....

Come and join us on 23rd November at the shop workshop where we will be making this:-

I have painted my drawers with pearlescent paint which is throwing back the flash, but, you can decorate your house how you wish - everything you need will be provided in class - but, if you have a favourite paintbrush, pair of scissors or colours you specifically want to use please feel free to bring them along - you will need to bring a packed lunch, beverages and biscuits will be provided...

Pop along here to book your place...

Hope to see you on the 23rd..

SN@P! - The Scrapbooker

The first thing I would like to ask you today is ''have you seen the SN@P!  ranges by Simple Stories'?

If you haven't, you have been missing out.
I've been a big 'Simple Stories' fan for quite some time now. The SN@P collections though just top them all.

I'm talking layered stickers, badges, brads, lables, lots of alphas, pockets, chipboard the list goes on, for me though the best bits are the little 4x3 cards. The ideas are endless for these.
There are a few to choose from. In each of the 4x3'' packs you get 24 double-sided cards. They look like this and cost just £3.99 per pack.

      You can view the collections here.

Don't be mistaken in to thinking that these are just aimed at those who scrap Project Life style.
These cards are so versatile and are suitable for the 12x12 scrapper, the card maker and for other projects too.
Today I have a LO to share with you using these cards to show how well they work with scrapbooking.

 

 

I love the balance of the 4 cards here. The 2 with the design and the other 2. One allowing me to include a photo and the other for the journaling.

 

The LO can now be jazzed up a little.

 

 

I've continued to use the 4x3 cards to add other points of interest within the LO.

I took this 'Thursday' card and cut down and rounded off the corners with a punch.

 

 

This half circle was also cut from one of the cards. On the reverse of this particular card were lots of little cameras, so I've cut one out and added to this card too.

 

 

One of the attractions to these SN@P collections for me are the fun colours. I just find them so fun to work with. Add a background that contrasts like this dark blue and it's just all so easy to work with.

 

I picked out these yellow thickers that matched and added a little red stitching.

 

 

 

I had so much fun making this.

You can view the SN@P collections here.

 

Have fun!!

 

Lisa x

how to get the most from your dies....

I'm always looking for more ways to use my dies.... the majority of them are a big investment and I need to ensure that I get my moneys worth!!

So, after re-doing my storage for my plastic stored dies I had loads of plastic wallets left over, so I had the idea of creating my own stencils and masks.... so I started by cutting the acetate so that I had flat sections to work with and selected the below die....

I tried to cut the pictured die using the acetate - but, it wouldn't cut.... I tried it with loads of shims, tried to cut thro' the pieces but it just wouldn't work.... not sure if its me or that the die is too thin and intricate to cut acetate.... not one to give up, I found some more packaging and cut out some snowflakes using the alterations die...

the heavier die worked well.... using the acetate and some texture paste I added some snowflakes to a tag..

I then painted the tag using acryllic paint

ummmm - I then added my mask again and painted my snowflakes, gave the tag a spritz of glimmer mist and added some stamping...I then stamped out Father Christmas and a saying onto cardstock, coloured and inked the edges then added same... the tag was finished off by adding some ribbon, a tassle and pearl and gold edging.

TFL

New Dies Coming Soon...

We have some beautiful new dies in the shop at the moment and they will be going online very soon. However, we couldn't help but open one to use for the crop last weekend, and since the pack was open, I just had to bring it home to have another play! :-)

So here's how I created this pretty flower, using white tissue paper and some yellow and green scraps.

 

First I cut all the pieces I needed, which included 9 of the petals.

 

I then used a watered down solution of inks. I used ink blending solution to weaken the colour and then brushed the colour onto just the edges of the petals. I used just plain blending solution brushed on the rest of the petal to allow the ink to fade up into the petals slightly.

 

When dry, I constructed the flower using glossy accents as a glue.

 

and here's how it looks 'in action' on a project. This is a quick art journal page I made using the flower as the main feature.

'Introduction to Altered Art' Workshop...

Have you seen our next advertised workshop on the website? No? Well for a bit of a change we are going to be holding an Introduction to Altered Art Class where you will be provided with all the materials to come away with two altered pieces just like these below.

 

This first is an altered clipboard, and hosts a multitude of different techniques using a range of mediums from inks, pastes and powders.

 

 

That measuring tape strip is even my by hand....

 

...and the second piece we will be creating is this gorgeous altered book with the inclusion of handmade flowers and a Prima stamped doll. You will learn how to structure your book (provided for you) ready for decorating, and techniques such as paper piecing, painting with inks and die-cutting.

 

During the four hours we shall aim to complete both projects. All materials needed are supplied, although you are welcome to bring some of your own tools if you prefer.

 

This is not just open to avid crafters...we are welcoming people of all abilities. This class is an 'Introduction' to Altered Art and although it is crammed full of techniques, we shall be covering everything from the basics up :-)

 

The workshop will be running on Thursday 14th November from 10am. To book your space please visit www.papermaze.co.uk and reserve under 'Workshops'

or call the shop on 01473 892195 Tues, Wed or Fri 9.30-3pm.

 

Refreshments will be provided, although you will be required to bring your own lunch.

We look forward to seeing some new faces there!