Happy (BEAUTIFUL!) Saturday Morning!

It is incredible out there!  A perfect day to be enjoying what autumn has to offer!  Here's a picture of the kids last Sunday helping me pick out pumpkins for my fall display!  No jackets required today...so get out there!!

I have heard that rain is in our forecast for tomorrow so while you are on your way to pick apples or do the Corn Maze, don't forget to pop in to grab some goodies to keep you busy inside tomorrow!  I have already been told we are Smashing again THIS Sunday. That's three in a row and I couldn't be happier or thankful!!

Enjoy it!  Don't waste it!

Kim

CRAFTY Ideas for Fall!

So I absolutely LOVE decorating for fall!  I spent the entire day Sunday running around to the various produce stands and DeGoey's to grab items to decorate my front door and other areas around the house.  Here is a picture of my front door.  I love the look of decorating with an eclectic mix of gourds, pumpkins and squash.

I have never decorated near my garage/front walk but I am very happy with the look of this display. Nice and showy from the road.

So all this decorating around the house has me inspired.  Last night I began to "play".  Decorating gourds and small pumpkins with glitter is not a new idea.  I know we have all seen in it various magazines, etc.  I had never tried it so I thought "what the heck?"

My first attempt was the pumpkin on the left.  I took Perfect Paper Adhesive (only THE most amazing paste glue perfect for collage, mixed media, etc.) and basically coated the pumpkin and then dusted Glitter Ritz all over to cover the pumpkin.  I like the look but almost feel like it is too "pretty" maybe even too "Christmas-y" (if that is possible).  It was almost lacking in colour.  I am also a very impatient crafter and did not take the time to coat the top portion and then allow dry time before doing the bottom.  It is a little rough but hey....it was my first attempt!

I do like the little craft paper flower on top though!  This was made using the "Blossoms Die" from Spellbinders!  Yes, the same dies I used for the Fashion and the City craft!

My next attempt was the pumpkin at the back.  With this one, I wanted a subtler look.  I mixed Glitter Ritz glitter AND Perfect Paper Adhesive and then brushed it onto the pumpkin.  It is hard to see here but the results are fabulous!  The pumpkin is so nice and shiny and I think finishing the look with the twine and craft paper flower made it look so "romantic".  There is also a little washi tape to add to the vintage look.  Have a little closer look....

My third attempt was the pumpkin on the right with the little white flower and bakers twine.  This pumpkin was decorated using the same glitter ritz/PPA paste and then I sprinkled some of Tim Holtz's Distress Glitter on the top (green chunkier glitter).  This little guy is SO adorable!  The die used here is from MFT.  It was the perfect size for this guy!

So see....product at The Pickle is NOT just limited to scrapbooking and card making!  Use the products you have to add a little charm to your home!  Can you not see these as little place card holders at your Thanksgiving table or as a centerpiece?!?

Want to see these beauties in person?  Stop by the store!  Open today until 8pm!  Fourth Street Market is on TODAY from 4-8pm!

Kim

PS...Keep those suggestions coming!  Contest is closing on September 30th!  Over $150 in prizes are up for grabs!

Fourth Street Market - LAST CALL

To those of you who came out and shopped The Fourth Street Market...thank you!  You may not realize that by supporting a local artisan, farmer or entrepreneur, you are encouraging their efforts and thus helping our community!  Why not come out tomorrow (Wednesday) for THE LAST market night of the year?!?  Stop in anytime between 4-8pm. 

We will be open from 10am-8pm tomorrow!  You know what's coming next...

New Product - Memory Box & Couture Creations!

It is unbelievable the number of dies in the store at this moment.  There are also some fabulous embossing folders!  All in preparation for THE biggest and most creative time of the year for card makers....Christmas!  Have a peek at some of the latest dies from memory box NOW in store!

Couture Creations - Embossing Folders

Trust me when I say these folders could simplify and yet step your Christmas cards up a notch!  I mean aren't we all out to impress our non-crafting friends.  We want them to be blown away with our latest design but at the same time I know we all have limited time and cannot spend FOREVER on the 20+ cards we need to send out!  These folders emboss beautifully and come in A2 and 5x7 size!  I brought in a few different designs and patterns to see what you think.  So what do you think?

Tell Me What You Think - Contest Closes September 30!

Thank you SOOOO much for the great suggestions so far!  I am flattered with the kind words and I am thankful for the words of advice.  Keep them coming!  Contest will close September 30!

See you tomorrow!

Kim

Store Hours (for this week anyways!)

Wednesday - 10am - 8pm

Thursday 10am - 4pm

Saturday 9:30am - 3pm

WASHI Obsession?

Washi Tape Jenga going on at the store this morning!  Over 50 different styles of washi tape are now in stock. 

Have a look at how I used this coral floral washi in my smash book!  So fun. So easy!

Speaking of Smash Books, I got a reminder text from my 7-year old to bring home my smash book so we can "smash" ALL day tomorrow while daddy is watching football!  Ha. Well twist that rubber arm of mine!  Sounds like THE perfect day to me!

Hope your weekend brings much JOY!

Kim

Open until 3pm today!

CONTEST - How are we doing?

Whoa!  Stop the train!  We have been moving FULL SPEED AHEAD ordering product like crazy, bringing you THE latest and greatest that the paper crafting industry has to offer.  Beautiful dies, a nice eclectic mix of embellishments, unbelievably gorgeous papers are all in stock right now.

PRODUCT
But my question to you is "Are we bringing in THE RIGHT product?"  Are we missing anything?  I would love to get your feedback on product.  Please comment below or send me an email to let me know your thoughts.  The only way for The Pickle to be the premier paper crafting store is for customers to happy with the product and service we provide.

HOURS
That leads me to my next point...."what do you think of the service you are receiving?"  How are the store hours?  Would you like to see us open Tuesday-Saturday again?  Do you like the later hours one night a week (like we have been doing this summer on Wednesday nights)?

CLASSES
Are you interested in classes?  What types of classes (card making, scrapbooking layouts, special projects for gifts)?  Would you like to have a special guest artist teach at The Pickle?  Who would you like to see here in Chatham?

SPECIAL EVENTS
We just got through a pretty big event (Fashion and the City) but are you interested in other special events including product launch parties, open houses, etc.?

Are you enjoying the Craft-Tea Time?  This takes place on the SECOND SATURDAY of each month and costs $5.  You stop in anytime between 10am-2pm for a 15 minute craft and you get a beverage from Dekoko's!  Sounds like a great deal to me!

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
Do you remember back in our early years when we had those Christmas tag exchanges?  This was where you would make 10-12 of the same tag and those tags would be exchanged with 10-12 other people so in the end, you will have 10-12 different Christmas tags to add to your gifts this Christmas.  I loved that!  Did you?  I have been thinking a lot about this and am tempted to get this going again.  Let me know your thoughts!

Another thing I was thinking about was having a place online where we can all post our creations!  The blog is kind of a one way conversation with me posting my thoughts and designs, etc.  It would be nice to see all of your work!  Many of you bring in your cards, layouts and special projects for us to see.  I LOVE THAT!  I mean isn't that why we do this?  To make others and ourselves happy.  Wouldn't it be nice to have a place that the Pickle People can go to see what to do with the products that are available locally?    I am just starting to look into the best avenue for this.  But if you want it, I will set it up!

FEEDBACK INCENTIVE (aka CONTEST)
We value your time and appreciate any feedback we receive!  This is why I will be running a little draw to go along with this post!  For each comment received below or in store or for each email received (I know some of you are shy!) you will receive one ballot for a chance to win a super awesome prize!

You could win this gorgeous plaid rolling tote filled with some pretty cool paper products!  The prize is valued at over $150 so tell me what you think now!  The contest will be open until September 30th with the grand prize winner being announced on the blog on October 2nd!  You can enter as often as you like between now and then!  

HOUSEKEEPING

One last housekeeping item....a few of you were wondering who won the $250 gift basket from Fashion and the City and how many inches of ribbon were in the jar.  I can tell you that we had TWO winners who guessed the exact same amount.  K. MacDonald and S. Livingstone were the big winners!  They guessed 1,050 inches and I had 1,029 inches in the jar.  Thanks to all who participated that night!  We may have to do that again sometime!!

Thanks again for taking the time to read this and respond to my request!  It really is my goal to be THE most super coolest paper crafting store in the area and maybe even the world!  Ha.

Kim

LOVE this Time of the Year!

I absolutely love this time of the year. The summer can be so chaotic with events planned every weekend. The routine gets thrown off with the kids being out of school. The first week of September can be insane with all the back to school preparation and activities. 

But by mid September.....ahhhhh. I feel like life is easing back into the speed that I like.

Crafting - So much better when Shared with a Friend!

Those of you on Facebook would have seen this photo already, but I had to share on the blog. Sunday was spent Smashing with my favourite crafting companion!  As you can see, she has discovered WASHI TAPE!  Ha.  So beautiful and so easy to use!  I too fell in love with it this weekend. It truly made my heart smile when I added it to my smash book. Check out my pages!

This is the pink floral washi tape.
So feminine and OH so perfect for my Barefoot Venus page!

So what Smashing is about?  Clip images of your favourite product or things that make up your life
and JUST ADD IT to your pages!  Trust me....NO thinking is required.
Just do what makes you happy!  You can see this page is not yet complete but that is ok.
A Smash Book is a work in progress.  One day it will be full once I find another product
worthy of mentioning in my Smash Book.

 Another Reason Why I LOVE this Time of the Year

Another reason why I adore this time of the year is because the new product just keeps filling the store!  You want Halloween?  Sure!  You want Christmas? Ok. You need chicken wire?  You got it! Ha. 

Maybe this part of the post is best left to photos!  Enjoy!


Embossing Folders

Brand spankin' new EMBOSSING FOLDERS from Sizzix.  The packaging is unreal!
Come on in to see why I got SO excited - $12.99

EMBOSSING FOLDERS from Cuttlebug.  This comes with a 5x7 folder and one very cool border strip.
Someone was asking for Chicken wire so I brought it in.  That's just how I roll!

Embellishments

More Washi Tape  by Doodlebug
This tape is $4.50 per roll but you get 12 yards (our other rolls at $4.00 for 10 yards).
This is the washi that was used during the August CRAFT-TEA TIME on my little tags!

Halloween Washi Tape - $4.50
Can't you see using this on adorable little white paper bags
filled with special treats for special Trick or Treaters?!?

Doodlebug Washi Tape - $4.50
Great for Halloween or any kids card or gift!

Prima Brads - $5.50
I fell in love with the Prima brads that we got in 2 weeks ago
so I decided to order more lines.  Aren't they gorgeous??

Prima Cardstock Tags - Great for back to school pages!

Prima Cardstock Tags - You were asking for "guy" embellishments...so here you go!

Paper Pads

Kaiser Craft - 6.5x6.5" paper pads - $9.99
This pad is gorgeous with the vintage inspired design.
Great specialty papers and die cuts included which makes card designs a snap!

12x12 Frames

Prima 12x12 frames - $15.50
These frames come in white, black and brown and I loved the price point and quality!
There is no glass so this is the perfect way to show off your very dimensional pages!
Perfect idea for Christmas gifts for those hard to shop for people.  Make them a beautiful framed page!

Stampers Anonymous - Cling Mount Stamps

Tons and TONS of Stampers Anonymous Christmas Stamps are in!!!
Have a look at these card designs using these amazing stamps

Die-namics

Here are just a few of the new dies.  I would bet that we are one of the largest suppliers of dies in the area.  We carry Spellbinders, MFT, JustRite, Memory Box and more!  Don't see the one you are pining for?  Just ask!  I would love to bring it in for YOU!

Fourth Street Market
The market is on from 4-8pm tonight!  This is the SECOND LAST week to enjoy the market so please come out!  Rumour has it that Homebaked Kitchen will be back!  Heard something about Chai Snickerdoodles?!?

The market is on so that means we are open late too!  Shop The Pickle from 10am-8pm today!!

Lots of great news coming up so make sure you stay tuned in!  We will

Kim

Store Hours
Wednesday 10am-8pm
Thursday 10am-4pm
Saturday 9:30am-3pm

CRAFT-TEA it's on!

A few of you mentioned that you wish you could have done the make and take from Fashion and the City. Well here is your chance. Between 10am and 2pm join The Paper Pickle and Dekoko's for our monthly Craft-Tea Time. For $5, you get to make the great craft above and a drink!  As an added bonus, anyone who does joins us for Craft-Tea Time today, will save the tax on all your entire purchase!  Today only between 10am and 2pm. 

See you soon!

Kim

Picture Story Time! Open Late TONIGHT!

Anyone ready for a little picture story?  I have always LOVED the picture books best of all! 

Oh...before I get started, I better warn you that there has been some SERIOUS ordering going on over here!  Grab a tissue.  You will be drooling over this amazing product!  ALL available at The Pickle right now!

Prima Cling Stamps - Delight Collection - $7.99

Prima - Bark Hearts are to die for! $4.50

Prima Bark Butterflies - Can't you just see these on a special card? $4.50

Prima - Real Wood Disks - Perfect for those vintage weddings (think table numbers or place cards)
or for a special project for a man or nature lover! - $4.50

Prima - Allstar Brads - LOVE the Vintage Look - $5.50

Prima - Delight Brads - Feminine Vintage - $5.50

MME - 6x6 Paper Pads - $6.50

MME - 6x6 Paper Pads - $6.50

MME - 6x6 Paper Pads - $6.50

Memory Box - 2013 Christmas Tree Die!  LOVE!  LOVE!  LOVE!

Memory Box - 2013 Ornament Die - There is also a complimentary die to cut out the simple outline shape.

2013 Spellbinders - Noble Rectangles - $25.99

2013 Spellbinders - Majestic Circle Dies - Gorgeous! $25.99

Spellbinders - 3D M-Bossibilities - $14.99

I just LOVED that story?  Trust me when I say it is even MORE beautiful in person!  Want to see? Stop into the store!  Open TODAY (Wednesday 10am-8pm), Thursday 10am-4pm and Saturday 9:30am-3pm!  Fourth Street Market is happening today fom 4-8pm!  Get out and support our local artisans, bakers, farmers and more!

Kim