Julia's Kingdom Assignment - Kits Available for Sale

Hello Everyone.  What an unusual time we are living in right now.  I hope you are keeping well and using your love of the hobby to calm your mind. Paper crafting has always been my stress reliever. I love escaping in the creative process.

So our little stamper is growing up! My daughter Julia asked me if I would help her spread the word about her Grade 8 Kingdom Assignment here on the blog and through social media. I am so proud of Julia's ideas and I am happy to share her project with you. Have a read and let us know if you are interested in helping!

♥ ♥ ♥

Hello, I am Julia, a Grade 8 student hoping to make a difference. For the annual Kingdom Assignment project, our teacher gave each student $25 to put toward making a difference in the lives of others. So I decided with everyone’s current situation, for my Kingdom Assignment I will be selling craft kits to help keep people busy and have a little fun. Each kit is $5 and includes a total of 4 projects. There are 4 different kits to choose from and all the money raised will go to ACCESS Open Minds Chatham-Kent.

Kit Details
Each kit includes: step-by-step instructions, various scrapbooking paper, and other needed craft supplies.

How to Order
You can order kits by emailing thepaperpickle@gmail.com

Delivery of Kits
I want you to have fun and keep busy while everyone is self distancing but I also want to keep everyone safe. We have decided to deliver the kits right to your house. Orders will be taken and deliveries will begin on March 27.




Here is a little information about ACCESS Open Minds - I chose Access Open Minds because it supports youth dealing with mental illnesses. This is a very important cause to me because it’s something I know many people could use. People ages 11-25 can go to “the one-stop-shop” to feel safe by talking with professionals. -♥ Julia

Have a look at their beautiful and creative space! More information can be found at: https://accessopenminds.ca/our-site/chatham-kent-on/


Here are the 4 different kits:

Kit #1 - Bright and Cheery (Spinner Cards and Bookmarks) - $5
You will receive enough supplies to make 2 spinner cards (including envelopes) and 2 bookmarks.  There will be detailed instructions and you will have so much fun making these bright and cheery projects!

Kit #2 - Easter Fun (Cards and Gift Tags) - $5
You will receive enough supplies to make 2 bunny cards (including envelopes) and 2 Easter tags.  There will be detailed instructions and you will have so much fun making these projects just in time for Easter!

Kit #3 - The Creative Baker (Cards and Gift Tags) - $5
You will receive supplies to make 2 cards (including envelopes) and 2 gift tags.  There will be detailed instructions and you will have so much fun making these sweet projects!

Kit #4 - Origami Bookmarks - $5
You will receive enough supplies to make 4 origami bookmarks.  There will be detailed instructions and you will have so much fun making these little monster bookmarks!  Here is a photo of the bookmark in action!

Thank you for taking the time to consider supporting my daughter.  She has such a kind heart and she makes me proud everyday.  Please note that we will be assembling kits in a clean environment and will be wearing gloves.  We are doing everything in our power to follow the rules of our leaders.  We want to keep everyone safe.

Take care of yourself.
♥ Kim

Halloween Treats ONLY - No Tricks here!

 

The best part about Halloween being on a Monday is that you have the entire weekend to prep your treat bags!  I know.  I know.  There are many of you organized people out there that have had your treats prepped for weeks.  Well for all you "just-in-time girls" like me, stop into The Pickle to grab your supplies.  These were the little make and takes Jules taught a couple of weeks back.  We sell the kraft bags ($0.30each), twine ($0.10 per yard) and paper ($1.25 per 12x12 sheet) used to make these super cute.  We filled our small kraft bags with 2 dum dum suckers, 5 caramels and a few gummy worms.

Here is another similar design.  All supplies can be found at The Pickle.  And for all of you good girls and boys who stop in this week, make sure to say "Trick or Treat".  We will just HAVE to send you home with one of these bags.  Feel like a kid again....I dare you.

PS...We have Laura's scrapbooking class going on tomorrow (Thursday) night and I will be open late.  Stop in by 8pm for all your crafty needs!

Kim

Store Hours
Wed - 10am-5pm
Thurs - 10am-8pm (open late for class)
Fri - 10am-5pm
Sat -10am-3pm

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

ZONTA Love

My 2015 Zonta Christmas Card

Remember that fabulous event I told you about a little while ago?  The Zonta Christmas Card Making Extravaganza?  Well Event #1 happened last Saturday, November 7th and guess what?  It was fabulous (no surprise there!).  Many of the usual suspects were there and it was so nice chatting and catching up with the ladies.  Thank you for a wonderful day.

When it comes to creating my card for this event, I put a lot of pressure on myself.  I want to make sure there is enough technique and people will be wowed by my design.  The designs are always my own so a lot of "playing" happens before I get to my finished product.  The challenging part is making sure the card takes no more than 30 minutes as this event rotates people from station to station with 8 projects in total.

I was very happy with the way the card turned out.  I heard many positive comments and the one that stood out for me was "It is VERY Paper Pickle".  Now I will take that as a compliment!  In true Paper Pickle fashion, I created a card that was both elegant AND rustic.  I don't know what it is about this combination, but I feel it is a MUST at Christmastime!

Deer Trio - $15.50

Word Edger - $14.99

The design really began with these two Impression Obsession dies.  I knew I wanted to work with these and then I set out incorporating them into my card.  I must tell you that both dies are IDEAL for an A2 size card (4.25x5.5") and I adore both.  I have also tried the Deer Trio die on a place card and it too is fabulous.  

How To

I cut my shimmer brown card stock to 10" in length (4.25" wide) and scored at to 5.5" (top crease).  That left 4.5" on the front of the card.  This allowed an extra 1" for the cream shimmer word edgers to "hang".  I loved how the cream shimmer popped of the dark background.  

I then worked with various stencils, stamps and ink to create a design on my canvas textured card stock.  This technique is one of my favourites.  I used it a couple of spring sessions ago and HAD to bring it back for the Christmas crowd just in case they hadn't seen it before.

The design was tied together with my signature move....twine and my new favourite embellishment....cheese cloth! Oh and a little star and rhinestone in the top corner completed the creation.  What do you think?  I've got this card at the store if you want to have a look for yourself.

Event #2 - Saturday, November 28

Want to learn how to make this card and 7 others?  Sign up for the event!  You can register by clicking here or visit Rubies on Grand Ave E in Chatham.  All of the projects were wonderful and I know you would have a lot of fun!  Register by Nov. 20 (date extended) and receive Early Bird pricing of $45 which includes all projects and a nice lunch from Maple City Bakery.  There is also shopping at the various booth.  Honestly, make some time for yourself!  You will be all inspired and this creativeness will carry you through the holiday season!

Memory Box and Impression Obsession

A couple of orders arrived today.  I am happy tell you that the IO Deer Trio is in stock but unfortunately we are waiting on the holiday word edgers shown above.  Just let us know if you are interested in this one and we will set it aside for you when it arrives.

FYI....lots of great Christmas dies are back in stock.  Come on in and have a little look.

Christmas Open House - Dec. 5th

Mark your calendars form Saturday December 5th .  Join us 10am-5pm for The Paper Pickle and Homebaked Kitchen's Christmas Open House.  There will be make and takes, samples etc.  More details to follow.

Kim

Store Hours

Wed-Fri - 10am-5pm

Sat - 10am-3pm

Trick or Treat Craftin'

Halloween Treats for the School

I had a wonderful Sunday afternoon wreath making at a friends house.  I wanted to keep the fun going so I prepped the paper and the treats and the kids and I sat down at the kitchen table to craft.

I can tell you that Julia will sit with me for hours pasting and drawing etc.  She worked diligently on her 27 treats for the class and I was proud watching her glue her tags and write (in cursive I might add) her Happy Halloween message.

Coulter on the other hand, does not sit still for quite as long but he is always eager to listen and please his mom.  He wrote his name on all 16 halloween tags along with his sister.  What a good boy!

The treats were very simple.  Two mini freezies wrapped with an adorable paper from Crate Paper (including many Halloween words).  The tags were then fastened to the treats with bakers twine.  Not too much but just enough for the kids I believe.  To me the exercise was about teaching my children the importance of thinking of others and taking the time to show we care about them.  It is not about ME rushing around for them to get the job done.  As I get older, I think (and hope!) I am figuring out what this life is ALL about.  Score one for the good guys.  Remember....no tricks only treats!

Kim

PS....We have amazing 12x12 paper grab bags for $2 this week and many items added to our clearance table.  It's all beautiful product that has been in the store...just time to make room for all the new!  Check out the treats.

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

Rainy Day? No problem. It will be SMASHING!

I often tell my kids that there is no point worrying about things you cannot control, like the weather for instance.  It is all about embracing what life and mother nature throws at you and making your own FUN.  And that is exactly what we did on a gloomy Sunday afternoon. 

Actually, Jules and I had a "smashing" date on Sunday and we would have probably just moved the party out to the patio table if it had been a gorgeous day.  This smashing date was LONG overdue!

 I really hope you guys are not tired of me and my smash book addiction because I will tell you it will never end.  And really, maybe it is not the smash books I love, but the way projects like these are so random and really lack structure and thought and they just work.  Hey, lack of structure and thought is VERY important after the wild weeks in the office or even just running the race of everyday life.

Want to know how you do it?  Here's how you Smash according to the pros (Jules and Me):

1. You collect goodies.  
2. You set aside some time to craft.  Smashing Dates are the best dates!
3. You put the random pieces of your life where they fit best in your book.  
4. You add a little journaling and embellishments.  
5. You admire your work and how wonderful you are.
6. You smile and cherish the time you spent together.

Wow Jules!  Your book is getting big!

You will be happy to know that my Smash Book that I started in December 2011 is now complete.  Yeah, it may sound like it took me a long time to complete but this is paper crafting.  There is no prize given to those with the most books or those completed in record time.  Competition is not allowed here.  This is my book filled with such sweet things as ticket stubs, beautiful stationery, photos and stamps, lists and more.  These are all things that mean something to me and I just love it.  And yes, I have been carrying it around the house with me over the past two days admiring it.  Ha.

I'll bring my book to the store this week so you can have a look if you like.  "Show and Tell Time" on Saturday is always welcome.  Stop in and share your work.  It will be "SMASHING", I promise.

Kim

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

Kill them with Kindness - Gift Idea #1

This is the time of the year when I am scrambling to keep my sh*t  stuff together.  School is still in.  The kids fall/winter/spring activities are still happening.  The kids spring/summer activities have begun.  Hubby's office is hopping.  "Gardening" needs me.  "Crafting" needs me too.  There are BBQs and reunions popping up like no one's business.

This is also the time of the year that I need teacher gifts, hostess gifts, birthday presents....STAT!  I'm sure you, too, are "running the race" as I like to say.  Let's get through this....together!

Today, I am here to:

1. Calm you down (If I can do it, YOU can do it!)
2. Show you how to be a rockstar...at life/crafting etc.
3. Show you how to win brownie points with friends, teachers and the like

What do you think of this little project?  It literally took me 10 minutes to prepare.

• Memorable gift?  Check!  
• Nice gift?  Check!  
• Useful gift?  Check!

This is a great craft for all those people you need gifts for in the very busy month of June.  The best part, I think, is that with 5 products MAX, a very nice, memorable and thoughtful gift can come together.  Honestly, every time your friend/teacher/acquaintance looks at this gift, they will be reminded of how caring and thoughtful YOU are.  Give yourself a pat on the back, you rockstar you!

Products Required:

We R Memory Keepers Wooden Frames are available in two colours.  The teal may be a little feminine (but seriously one of my favourite colours these days!) but the gray is nice and neutral and can work with any photo, and in any room!  The opening holds a 4x6 photo and the frame measures approximately 8.5x11.

Heidi Swapp has some beautiful wood veneer words including:  Beautiful, family, celebrate, remember, journey, you are here, best day ever.  They are nice and bold and work well on this size frame.  They are also perfect on a 12x12 layout.

Have I told you how much I love Prima lately?  I used a grouping of three paper blooms from the Bedtime Story collection.  Aren't they the prettiest things you have ever seen?  You could also make these blossoms yourself but for me, it is all about time.  Kim-1.  Time-0.

So what cha' think?  Want to try one?  I dare you to be a rockstar.

I will leave you with a funny little story.  On Saturday I had the brainstorm that I was going to work on this frame over the weekend.  There was this white little thing (seen above) that was included with the frame.  At first I thought it was a piece of chalk (hey, we all know how hot chalk is these days so it could have been possible),  But it was wooden.  My mind next thought it was some kind of distressing tool that the company so nicely included.  I mean the frame does have a distressed look and maybe they gave you a tool to distress a little more (quite possible for a girl who "destroys" everything I touch).  My friend Liz was in the store and she can tell you how I was working my tool all along the sides to give a nice "white" distress to add to the "brown" distress already on the frame.  Well it wasn't until tonight while about to begin my blog photo shoot that I realized it was the POST to hold up your frame on a table top!  There are also multiple hooks to hang the frame but this was the little post!  Wow.  I guess you guys now know how this brain of mine works!  I look like an idiot so you don't have to!

FYI...construction is still going on on our road.  Feel free to park in the lot across from the store (old Chatham Daily News lot) and DO NOT PAY.  If you get a ticket, let me know I will personally take it up with the city.

Kim

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

All that Glitters.....

My mason jar made I showed off at The Wedding Show

...is gold!  Oh gold.  Beautiful gold.  Anyone else a gold girl like me?  It is SOOO pretty.  And have you fellow gold girls been noticing the latest trend?  Gold is everywhere and I'm loving it!  From fashion to home decor to paper crafting!  It is the perfect compliment to any ordinary item.  Look how the gold flake gave a mason jar an almost regal appearance.

I took on another project the night before the Chatham-Kent Wedding Show (hey, why not?)  Have a look at this Kaisercraft MDF cut-out..... in gold!  It is almost 3' in length and I knew it would give our booth that perfect touch.  Can't you see this on a dessert bar table at a wedding?  Or have a look at it as a prop in a photo...

 I told the kids they had to help me with my blog post this week.  They are always such good sports.

Closer look

Here is a closer look that shows how beautiful the gold flake can be.  You will notice that I added some foil washi tape to finish the base of the project.  I love the gold honeycomb design with the gold flake.

How to: 

Adding gold flake to your next project is very simple if you use the right product.  The secret ingredient....

US Art Quest's Duo Adhesive

The Duo adhesive is THE glue to use and makes addition of gold flake fool proof.  It "stays open until it is closed".  This means you apply a thin layer to your next project using a foam or paint brush and then you leave it to dry.  It is ready to use once it turns white to clear.  The gold flake will stick to the project 15 minutes after applied, 1 hours after applied, etc.  It is like it is waiting for you.  And don't let the small bottle fool you....a little goes a long way!

Here is what gold flake looks like.  It comes in a bag and you basically just "smash" it on your project. The excess gets brushed away using a textured sponge or stipple brush to use on future projects. 

Here is a video from Susan of US Art Quest showing how you use her product....

So what do you think?  Are you in love with gold too and ready to take on some projects of your own?

Kim

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

Christmas Activity - Idea #1 - DIY Advent Calendar

So I thought it was time for me to post a few of our holiday creations over the next couple of weeks to inspire you.  I will admit that this is not new but they are so FUN I just HAD to blog about it!

Check out this DIY Advent Calendar ($23.99).  It measures 8.5"x8.5"and is made of a nice coated cardboard and includes clear stickers with black font for numbers 1-25.  It starts out all white....a nice blank canvas.

The Concept
I'm sure everyone has had an Advent calendar at some point in their lives.  I remember the ones as a kid that were in a thin cardboard box with the little perforated doors that opened to reveal a chocolate.  From December 1 to December 25, I remember being so excited to open that little door to get my "treat".  I know kids don't mind those waxy boxed chocolates but really?  I'm sorry....they are terrible.  I guess it is more of the counting down part that was the real "treat".

So today there are tons of companies with their own Advent calendars.  Did you see the ones from Lego?  Pretty cool.  I think they are around $50 but in the end you get all the Lego pieces to build your scene.  I think these kits are smart and practical (kids get great toys to play with) but once you open the little doors, it's kind of done.  Next year you have to buy another one.

Now here is why this kit is so much better....

You Get to be Creative!

This Advent Calendar was created by Kell
using traditional and classic colours.  How fun!

What I like about these kits is that you get to choose your own decorative papers to decorate the box based on the person you are creating it for.  The entire time you are choosing the paper and adding the little goodies, you are thinking about the person you love....that is just good for the soul.

 They Last!

Another reason why I love this project is because once you design it, you can use it over and over again!  This one I designed for Coulter about 4 years ago.  I chose the great blues because he is a boy (I know....not very original or creative but he loves it!).  Anyone remember these papers?

You get to SHOP! 

And finally this project is AWESOME because YOU get to fill the little 1.5"x1.5" cube drawers!  Just think about that concept.  Think about the possibilities...

This one was created for my daughter and so I decorated it with great fun, girlie colours.  I also filled the cubes last year with Littlest Pet Shops, money, candies, Squinkies and even a little ornament for the tree.  Every day the kids got to open the corresponding date.  They loved it!  They loved the count down and I think they loved seeing what I chose for the particular date.  Side note.....and parenting tip #48 - if you have two or more kids, make sure you put equivalent "treats" in each kids corresponding dates or you may be setting yourself up for potential meltdowns.  Ha.  "Hey.  Why did Coulter get a toonie and I only got one jelly bean?"  Yeah.  Not cool.  Not cool at all.

The Challenge

I know you guys are all like, "OK Kim.  You do realize there are only 5 days left in this month and December less than one week away?  There is not enough time to complete this project".  Now this is where the challenge comes in.....  

I decided that I am missing one very important person in my life when it comes to these holiday creations....my hubby!  I use to make tons of handmade projects for him when we were dating.  You should see my cross stitched Mustang Football player wall hanging and my hand stamped scrapbook (like EACH letter was stamped to created my album...what?!?).  These days, everything is created for the kids and not really for Trev.  This year my plan is to make him a little calendar.  Just think of the fun things you could add in that little 1.5"x1.5" cube for your honey.  A little love letter?  Traditional chocolates?  Something a little more risque?  (Hey...hey...hey....I know you guys were all thinking it!).

So I will begin my Advent calendar tomorrow after work.  Truly, I vow I have not yet started and I challenge myself to create one and have it done and posted for December 1.  Anyone else want to do this with me?  There is time!  We can do it.   PS...I know a great place you can pick these up.  **Wink**Wink**

Kim

Store Hours

Wed-Fri - 10am-5:30pm

Sat - 10am-3pm

FREE Make & Take TODAY!

This picture does not do this little tag justice.
Come in and make this tag and see how cute it is in person!

You guys have to come in today!  We have only THE cutest little make and take FULL of technique. 

We will be using Tim's acrylic paint daubers (which are fabulous and so easy to use...my kids even painted rocks last summer using these!).  Then we will be stamping using Unity's adorable new party stamp and them adding colour with Prisma pencils!  The tag is then dressed with sequins, a brad and ribbon!  

This is the same technique as shown on our Penny Black idea boards that many of you have asked about.  Welcome to all so come out and have a little fun!!  Open from 10-5 today!

Kim

PS...a memory box order came in yesterday. A few new releases including some Christmas have arrived!

Sweet Summer Time.....Insta-FUN!

Adorable little projects using the
Farmer's Market Instagram jouraling cards

What a beautiful day!  We have been incredibly lucky to have such amazing weather!  It's funny, but why do we feel guilty this time of the year working on our scrappy projects?  This is no time to give up on crafting people!  This is when you take your projects outdoors.  On days and evenings like this, you can find me working on simple little projects on the patio table with the kids.  The other week, we worked on our Smash Books.  It is so easy to throw in some concert tickets and a few little thoughts.  I feel productive and my creative needs are satisfied.

Instagram Albums by We R Memory Keepers
Here is another product that I find to be quick and easy given the size (4x4) and cool accessories that go with it!  Instagram albums by We R Memory Keepers...

There are 5 yummy colours to choose from!
I love the faux leather finish.

Scrapbooking can be a snap with
SUPER cute albums and pre printed journaling cards

Here is a photo showing the album, journaling cards and pages

Various Instagram Journaling Cards (2x2 & 4x4)

What a quick and simple little project!

These products are in store now.  Pull together a quick album of your family vacation, trip to the beach or fun summer shots!  Not sure what Instagram is?  Don't worry about having an Instagram account.  You can use any of your photos and create something special.

Scrapbooking not your thing?  Have a look at how I used the journaling cards on a greeting card.  This was actually my Mother's Day card design with matching gift card holder (these cute bags are in store and come in kraft and white).

If all goes well, I will post a picture of me on my patio tonight with these sweet little goodies.  I can't wait!

Kim

Store Hours

Wed.-Fri. - 10am-5pm

Sat. - 9:30am-3pm