Left-side vs. Right-side

This time each year I am reminded of how weird I truly am.  Maybe "weird" is a strong word. Maybe I should use the word "diverse" or "balanced" based on the photo above. It's funny because I found myself in heaven over the last few weeks.  And not because of all the new product we have seen in the store but because of numbers.  Numbers and spreadsheets have been filling my head while I completed our tax returns!  And I have LOVED every moment of it!  Ha.  Today was the most amazing left-side brain day as I inputted the final numbers and raced to get the files in on time!  Some of you may not know but I am a Certified Management Accountant so the statements above may all make sense now....I know I am sick!  Ha.

And now that taxes are complete for another year, it is time to move onto my other love....my right-side love.....PAPER and beautiful creative products!  Today too was the ultimately, amazing day for my right-side brain as I stopped by the store to get one final number, only to find a box from my Memory Box supplier!  This I knew was THE MASSIVE order I had been waiting for!  

Check out how the order filled my kitchen table, errrr receiving station.  Many of these are brand spankin' new!  We've got bikes, grills, fun drink glasses, houses, flowers, trees, dresses and forms and MORE!  Zoom in and see which one is your favourite!  PS....the Modern Landscape die that I used on the Zonta card is back in stock...but maybe not for long!

Hope to see you soon!
Kim

PS....for all you Peel-Off fans.....In this order, we also received some great new Peel-Off borders (roses, flowers and Christmas designs)!

Store Hours
Wednesday 10-5
Thursday 10-4
Saturday 9:30-3

Zonta & New Goodies Update

Well hello there!  I don't know about you but last week was one busy week!  It was busy in a good way with invitation orders coming together and also a charity event thrown in there too!  Here is a little recap of my week....


Zonta Card Making Extravaganza
The Chatham-Kent Zonta group had their Spring Card Making Extravaganza.  I ALWAYS look forward to this event.  It is a wonderfully organized event for a good cause.  It is the perfect day for a paper crafter with an entire day devoted to learning, creating, shopping and most importantly having fun.

I posted the above photo as a little teaser on The Paper Pickle's facebook page Saturday morning showing the papers I had chosen.  I loved BOTH sides of the double sided decorative papers that I had chosen and could not decide which side to use so I used BOTH!  Participants walked away from the Pickle's booth with TWO cards and some fun little goodies!

Here is a look at the back side with coordinating card stock!

And here is a look at the completed cards!

I worked with the Memory Box die called Modern Landscape ($8.99).  The moment I cranked it through my Big Shot, I knew my design HAD to incorporate this simple outline.  It is funny because I told the ladies at the event that both Julia and I "fell in love" with this die!  Can't you just see me and my 7 year old swooning over paper and paper products in my basement?!?!  Ha.  

I also used various edge punches, baker's twine (which is NEW to the store $7.50 for 100 yards!), regular twine ($0.08 per yard and comes in many different colours) and fabulous wood veneers by Studio Calico.  These just make me so happy and add that perfect little touch to any project.

This is a card that I think you could mass produce and have on hand for any occasion.  I could see these cards being used for a "housewarming" card, "Welcome Baby" card, Christmas card, thinking of you card, thank you card etc.  The possibilities are endless.  Now my card did not have any serious or complicated techniques, but rather I decided to keep with the theme of my week and remind people that cards DO NOT have to be complicated to be effective.  Honestly, these cards make me happy....ahhh!

Speaking of NEW Goodies....

So you guys know that I am always on the hunt for new product.  I will admit that I am even more obsessed than you when it comes to little embellishments, etc.  I have searched high and low for some fun new goodies for you.  Have a look at the gorgeous new trinkets....

We have:

• Buttons - $0.10
• Mini Wooden Clothespins - $0.20 
• Wire Heart Clothes Hanger Paperclips - $0.65 (I wish I had a better picture of these. They are awesome!)
• Wood Veneer Tags - $0.50
• Various Embellished Pins including:  Small pink, red or cream hearts $0.10, large antique crystal $0.20
• Baubles - $0.02
• Wood Veneer Butterflies - $0.50

All of these items can be purchased individually and are just too fun to pick through...just watch those pins!

I am thrilled with the way the beautiful display has come together and I hope you like all the new goodies!  A special thank you to my good friend, Lin for the most perfect tray which she gave me last year.  It is the perfect new home for my finds!

Hope to see you this week!

Kim

Store Hours
Wednesday 10am-5pm
Thursday 10am-4pm
Saturday 9:30am-3pm

The Creative Process - What IS she thinking?

It's funny that I find myself so torn these days. I want to spend time crafting and working on card designs but I have invitation samples due and deadlines to meet. Does work get in the way for you too?  Yes, the invitation design process is creative but the majority of my design time is spent on the computer and not "playing" with my various products or pretty embellishments.  Don't get me wrong.  I absolutely LOVE designing invitations.  Maybe that is not exactly right.  I absolutely LOVE creating that perfect invitation that reflects a person's style and hopes for the event.  And seeing the girl's reaction when I show her the invitation I designed specifically for her...well, it is just the best. Everyone knows the invitation is really a guests "first glimpse" of the party.  The style, the theme, the feel are all reflected in that one invitation.  And when I get it right, we are both just over the moon!  Who knew that a wedding invitation with a fruit image could make someone so happy!?!  I will share once the wedding takes place!

Make the Time
So where am I going with this?  Well, whether you are designing wedding invitations, creating a card or a page layout, the first step is making the time.  I think sometimes we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to create this masterpiece, every time.  Even the simplest of projects can make my day and seem like a masterpiece to me.

Have a look at the "Tiny fingers" card above.  What do you think?  Gorgeous.  Yes, I will tell you that I think it is gorgeous.  It took me a whole 30 minutes to pull together and the majority of that was hunting for the right embellishments to match my theme which was baby.

So here is how it played out.  I had a baby shower to go to and a card was needed.  Of course I was designing THAT morning....you all know, that is just how I roll.  Pressure brings out the best in me.  Actually, having a tight deadline MAKES me make decisions otherwise I "fart around" with the layout and can spend hours on one little project.  I don't have the luxury of time and I think many of you are in that same situation but that should be no reason for not starting.

The Commitment
So I knew I only had minimal time to dedicate to the project so decisions had to be made.  I had this gorgeous background paper by My Mind's Eye (MME).  It was a 12x12 sheet with that gorgeous collage image in one corner.  I chose it because of the word "happy" and because it was so soft and girly.  I know we could all spent hours going through our stashes of paper but commitments must be made to get the job done!

I then hunted through my stash of chipboard, stickers, etc and came across these adorable little die-cut words from MME.  I have had them forever and they just seemed to be meant for this project.  I distressed them a little to play up the vintage feel and finished the card with a button and of course, twine!  The choice for the matting and card itself came together so nicely as I wanted the card to have a soft feel and so I kept with the soft pinks.  I almost always work in layers of three.  The gray seemed to be the right choice.  Have you heard gray is the new black?

The End Result
So she loved the card.  I received more excitement and reaction from the card than I received from the gift.  What does that tell you?  People appreciate when you take the time to create something special JUST for them.  So keep doing it!  People really do notice.

Kim

PS....Oh.  I wanted to let you know that there are still tickets available for the Zonta Cardmaking Extravaganza THIS Saturday (10-4) at St Clair College Thames Campus.  Need a little jump start to get the creative juices flowing?  This event will do just that!  It is the perfect way to spend the day!  Get your tickets at Rubies or register online.  The Paper Pickle WILL be there!  Come and see me and share your creative process!

'Craft-tea' business solution

Oh wow!  Did you see me and Christy in The Chatham Daily News on Thursday?

'Craft-tea' business solution | Money | Chatham Daily News

The Changes Continue

You know how I always talk about how quickly time passes?  My mind is yet again boggled by the fact that one week ago the store looked like the above photo.  The wall had just come down thanks to my good friends, Steve and Drew (Christy, the owner of Dekoko's, dad and husband).  Check them out in action....

They insisted on getting a photo of me holding my paint roller.  Painting was MY job!  Don't I look proud?

.....AND now here we are just ONE week later!

There are still some finishing touches like the beautiful awning and my signage but the bulk of the construction is now complete.  Oh yeah...maybe I better paint that trim too!

Here is a peak at the NEW and EVER changing Paper Pickle!  I hope you approve.

Smash books no longer have to be stacked on top of each other on a little shelf!  Everything will be a little more accessible!

Still have some great sales bins and beautiful projects through the store for you to get inspired by!  Did you notice those fabulous swaddle blankets by Basic Grey?  Have a look next time you are in!

Here is a look from the back of the store looking towards Dekoko's espresso counter.  Did you know that is is NOW only 10 steps to THE best latte in town.....can life get any better?!?

Look how nicely the 12x12 paper racks fill the NEW wall.....it is like it was all meant to be.  AND yes, those are Distress Paints you see on the white display ladder.

And the counter has gotten larger!  This area needs a little work but you can see we will now have lots of room for demos and make and takes!  Yes....they will be happening again!

What?  There is room on the counter for more than the debit machine?  Ha!

Great new baker's twine from Maya Road (100 yards for $7.50....best price I have ever seen from any company!) and fun little wooden spools and rulers!

More photos....isn't it wonderful?

And finally, the ribbon jars are now located INSIDE the store....what a concept!

So what do you think?  I am over the moon about my NEW space!  Can you tell?

Hope to see you soon!

Kim

PS...Store is still open three days per week (Wednesday 10-5, Thursday 10-4 and Saturday 9:30-3).  These hours are going to be under review now that our space has expanded.  I would love to know your thoughts....I am considering being open Tuesday-Saturday but maybe 10-3 each day.  Could this work this your schedules?  Let's figure this out together!