Saturday, February 27, 2016

NEW NEW NEW....Look out!


It's all happening.  A HUGE order of CHA goodies has arrived.  It is an eclectic mix of beautiful products to appeal to those who love projects, and to those who love to play and create.

We R...In LOVE

When I saw this project above by Tessa Buys using the new We R Memory Keepers Ruler Studio, I just HAD to bring them in!  I brought in two colours:  white and natural.  They come in three lengths:  6", 9" and 12".  These measurements are the length of each section of ruler.  There are 10 lengths which bend to form any shape you can image.  Is that not THE cutest grouping of prettiness?  I will confess that I have been addicted to embroidery hoops these days.....ask my kids.  We hit up the thrift stores on a regular basis and I have, I mean HAVE to buy every one I see.  If they are wooden, they are mine.  I now MUST make this prettiness above....somewhere....anywhere.

Tim Holtz Treasures

 A wonderful offering of Tim Holtz goodness is steadily arriving.  The splatter brush is in and I cannot wait to use it.  The long, firm bristles will achieve results not seen by my old toothbrush.  AND it's much more stylish.
 We have all been watching how Distress Inks are being used these days.....not just for colouring edges any more!  And thanks to the smaller sized minis, you can economically own them all!  We now have all groups of monthly colours and other great groupings.
 If you want to use your products and keep your products lasting as long as possible, storage is a must.  I know some of my minis have been thrown in my craft drawers and next time I look, the lids are off!  That means dried out pads and that's just not cool.  These storage tins will keep me organized and my ink staying fresh longer.
 Tim's watercolor paper is back in stock.  I love the quality of this paper and that you are able to stamp nicely on it.  The colour is also "whiter" than many of the other papers out there.

A friend asked me to bring in these stamps for her Bible journaling and I am so glad she pointed these out to me.  I am picturing these on the cover of a journal or special wall hanging.

Prima Pretties

Honestly, the wheels in my head are turning a mile a minute as I look at these wooden trays by Prima Marketing.  There is a nesting of three sizes in two different shapes.  The rectangles are 4x6, 5x7 and 6x8.  The squares are 4x4, 5x5 and 6x6.  They are a raw wood finish about 3/4" deep.  It's time to get playing.


Now can't you see using these pretties in the wooden trays above?


 Or these?
 Or using these on a Ruler Studio project like Tessa did on her star wall hanging?

Easter is Coming - Get Hopping!
 We have some adorable Easter stamps in the store for purchase.  Look at these from Gourmet Rubber Stamp.



Seriously.  There are just too many pretty things I can barely handle it.  Get in and get creating with these wonderful products.  Oh and while you are in, check out the fabulous new items from Homebaked Kitchen.  Jen brought in these incredible cloth pencil carrier that roll up and are tied with a ribbon.  Seriously adorable.

Kim

Store Hours
Wed-Fri - 10am-5pm
Sat - 10am-3pm

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Rescheduling Tonight's Class


Hi Everyone.

We are in the process of calling people who have registered for tonight's class but thought I would post here as well.  I would rather be safe than sorry and have made the decision to reschedule our class for tonight.  We will tentatively reschedule for Wednesday March 9th but need to check with Pauline before confirming.  I hope you understand.  The March 2nd class is now FULL....let's hope for better weather next week!

New Goodie Alert!
Many new items are starting to come in from CHA.  We have received  some beautiful new dies from Elizabeth Crafts and Memory Box.  I expect a big order tomorrow afternoon with new goodies including Easter stamps, mini distress inks, Prima flowers, decorative rulers, stencils and more.  Hope you don't mind the teaser....♥

Kim

Store Hours
Wed-Fri - 10am-5pm
Sat - 10am-3pm


Thursday, February 18, 2016

A Great Class - Register Today!


Just in case you missed my last post, I thought I would give you a few more details about Pauline's gorgeous card class. Guys, you do not want to miss out on these truly stunning cards with fabulous technique.  You will be working with Distress inks to add incredible colour to your creation.  You will also be colouring, splattering, pop dotting, sequencing, stenciling and die cutting.  Now that's a lot of "INGS"!  Yes....you can do it.  Grab a friend and enjoy an evening out.  YOU deserve it.  All supplies are included (please bring your Prismacolor pencils if you have them though).  Plus....plus (!) you will enjoy a cupcake of your choice from Homebaked Kitchen Company.  Rumour has it that these cupcakes are calorie free if eaten during class at The Pickle.  We kind of have magical powers if you haven't noticed.  Ha.....

Also, I know a few of you have been a little worried about inclement weather.  Well I believe it is not worth risking your life over getting to a class.  If the weather is terrible, we will most likely reschedule and if that doesn't work for you, we will refund your class payment.  No worries....we're good like that.

Anyways, here are the details.

Dates:  Wednesday, February 24 OR Wednesday, March 2
Time:  6-8pm (we'll get you home in time for American Idol!)
Cost:  $22+hst
Includes all supplies and a Homebaked Kitchen cupcake
Please bring scissors and adhesive.  For specific pencil colours, please see post directly below this.

You can call the store to register (519.351.5220) or stop in during store hours to see these beauties for yourself.

Many more classes are in the works too.  I am exploring options for guest teachers.  Please let me know if you have any ideas as well.  I'd love to hear from you!

Kim

Store Hours
Wed-Fri - 10am-5pm
Sat - 10am-3pm

Thursday, February 11, 2016

A Card Class!



Are you guys interested in a card class?  It is my goal to offer more classes each month.  If you have any ideas for classes you would like to see, please pass them on.  There are classes currently in the works but I will put this one out there for today!

Have a look at the beautiful card class offering from Pauline.

Sweet Summertime by Pauline
Pauline's colour choices have me dreaming of summer and warmer weather.  These are so refreshing!  Work with various distress inks, stencils and more to achieve gorgeous backgrounds on your wonderfully white card stock.  You will also learn colouring tips from a girl who lives to colour!  Various stamps, dies and embellishments will also be used.  Great for all levels and ages.

Dates:  Wednesday, February 24 OR Wednesday March 2
Time:  6-8pm
Cost:  $22+hst
Required Supplies:  scissors, adhesive
Suggested Supplies:  various Prismacolour Pencils ( Light aqua, parrot green, aquamarine, peacock blue, copenhagen or china blue, limeade, kalp green, marine green, dark green, slate gray) - Please note that I will have some Prismacolour pencils available for use during class but not enough for everyone.  These colours are available at The Pickle and you can purchase before class ($1.95 each).

Please stop into the store or call (519.351.5220) to register.  As always, your registration fee includes supplies and a delicious treat from Homebaked Kitchen Company!

Come into the store to see these beauties for yourself.

Kim

Store Hours
Wed-Fri - 10am-5pm
Sat - 10am-3pm


Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Will you be MY Valentine?

A girl can't help but smile when she receives a Valentine.  Whether it is from your best friend, kids, boyfriend, girlfriend or even a secret admirer....a Valentine's Day card can mean so much.  Are you going to make one (or MANY!) this year?  The kids and I are still contemplating our designs but I know we will have a blast stamping or maybe just adding fun heart stickers to goodie bags.  After my post the other day, you may guess that our design will be simple and sweet.  I promise to share.

Memorybox - Penelope Heart
Poppystamp - Heart Frames

There are some wonderful dies in store if you want to get a little creative!  I just adore the two above.  

MME - 8x10 Frameables
You could also have some fun creating a custom 8x10 framed piece using the My Mind's Eye frameables.  You get 6 designs to have fun with!  
And don't forget the incredible sweets from Homebaked Kitchen.  Jen's sugar cookies are adorable!  She has hearts, foxes, birds and even skunks! 

Kim

Store Hours
Wed-Fri - 10am-5pm
Sat - 10am-3pm


Saturday, February 6, 2016

Life CAN be Easy...trust me.




Sometimes when I create, I feel GUILTY.  Last night, as mentioned, I pulled out my Valentine's Day stamps but decided to go a completely different route in designing my greeting cards.


Over the past couple of weeks I have been chatting with people (at the coffee shop, car repair place, with Trevor...basically anyone who would listen) about how life is now overly complicated and that I hate it.   I have been craving simplicity.  I will admit that I am almost at that BIG birthday mark but  I don't think this wave length has been prompted by that.  And its funny because the complications that have been bothering me are the little ones.  For example, so you know when you go to the grocery store and you are looking for orange juice and you come across this HUGE freezer section.  There are cans with added vitamin C, no pulp, EXTRA pulp, with other fruits added, etc.  Like really?  And that's not even all.....I forgot all about the section in the fridge area with the cartoned OJ!  People.  I do not need these added choices in my life.  I want to go to the freezer section, grab the proper fruit juice and celebrate the fact that I REMEMBERED!  So many other areas of our day to day world are like this and the cumulative effect can be very draining.  Now don't get me started on the added complication now on my debt card (like why does it now say VISA!?!?!?)....

So yes.....fewer decisions.....more time to get things done and feel good about yourself.



This is where I finish my Friday night design story I started above.  I had pulled all my Valentine's stamps up into the kitchen so I could hang out with the family while designing and doing what I wanted.  My small craft room is in the basement and I hate being removed from them (at times!).  Then I brought over a piece of Crate Paper, a sheet of fun burlap and that's where the decision came in......complicated stamp choices to my left with added hauling of products up the stairs or simplified designing to my right with limited product options.  I chose the path less travelled by me.  I took a sharp RIGHT.  I chose less technique.  I chose using familiar design embellishments.  I chose PURE, simplified FUN.  Just what I needed on a Friday night.



The guilt factor came in when I realized I designed 6 cards effortlessly.  And why should I feel guilty about this?  When you work with quality products like the incredible art work by Crate Paper and Maggie Holmes and interesting textured burlap by Jen Hadfield, your incredible designs can be a snap because THEY did the work for you!  Here are the main products I began my creative process with:

Jen Hadfield Printed Burlap (12x12 sheet)

Crate Paper - Wonder Chipboard

Maggie Holmes Confetti Stickers

So the moral of the story?  Don't feel guilty EVER when you are designing.  You are spending time doing something you LOVE and whatever happens in the moment happens for a reason.  You know that little blob of ink that decided to jump on your nearly complete card?  Well guess what?  Time to view that as an opportunity to think outside the box while figuring out ways to "hide" it.  You want to pull out all one million shades of Distress Ink to create with?  Go for it!  If that is what you are feeling....you go girl.  This hobby is about adding joy in YOUR life.  Stop looking at what everyone else is creating  and start doing.  It's doesn't take much to get that creative release.  Trust me.


Kim

Store Hours
Wed-Fri - 10am-5pm
Sat - 10am-3pm


Friday, February 5, 2016

Creativity in Progress



Funny. I pulled out my Valentine's Day stamps and got sidetracked by this fun sheet of burlap and an adorable Crate Paper sheet. I cannot believe I have not worked with this yet!  Not sure where this is going but having a blast in the meantime. 

Creative Journey in Progress...to be continued. 

Kim