5 Months Ago...

"The Sisters" - February 23, 2019

It was exactly 5 months ago today that we closed "the store" - The Paper Pickle.  I will tell you that it has been a major change.  I will tell you that I miss it....that I miss you!  I was very confident in my decision to close the store but never did I imagine the range of emotions I went through following February 23, 2019. 

A wild 7 days of packing followed.  I must thank Debbie for all her help!  She kept me organized for all these years and she helped keep me organized in the final days.  It is amazing what one accumulates in 15 years. 

One last photo

Then on Sunday, March 2, an incredible team of family and friends helped to move everything out of 44 Fourth Street.  Oh my goodness.  Moving is terrible but I was so very thankful for my crew of helpers.  My garage and home was FULL!

Tilly

Now listen to this story.  You won't even believe it.  So within minutes of everyone leaving my house, I was standing in the garage looking at all my "stuff" trying to figure out where to start...how to incorporate these treasures into my home.  Next thing I knew, Julia was running into the garage telling me something was wrong with Tilly (our cat that we got the year we opened the store).  I ran into the house the find the cat collapsed near all my banker boxes of paper scraps that we just moved in.  I tried to figure out what to do for her but before I knew it, she was gone.  It was wild because she showed no signs of being sick.  I couldn't believe my 15 year old cat died on the day the store was wrapped up for good.  Universe, why don't you kick me while I'm down!

A little collage of memorabilia
I pulled together for the last day 

I noticed I was not myself for the next three months.  My routine was gone.  My store was gone.  I felt like I had lost a friend.  It is amazing that I had to go through somewhat of a grieving process.  Again this seemed so wild to me as it was only just a store, not a person. 

Daddy Daughter Dance with my Bike of course!

Creative kids energizing my spirit

I took part in a few events that really made me happy.  The Zonta Cardmaking Extravaganza, the Mother-Son Date "Knight" and Daddy Daughter Dance allowed me to create and share my love of crafting with others.  This helped me tremendously.  By crafting, I was able to heal.

Fun little tags on the patio Canada Day weekend

The good news is that 5 months later, I am back!  I feel calmer.  I feel I have more time - two full days off in a row feels like a vacation, each and every week!  I can be a Sunday AND Saturday soccer mom! 

And I am crafting again!  Have a look at some of the fun little projects.  These make me so happy. 

A little care package I pulled together for Julia's big school trip

A card for Julia's friend's Grade 8 graduation

Patio fun

 Did you miss me?  I've sure missed you!

♥ Kim

Craftin' Kind of Day

Halloween Fun

It's the perfect kind of day for a little crafting. Halloween is Tuesday and there's still Lots of time to work on some special treat bags for the kids. 

Stop in and see what fun you can get into. Open 10-3 today!  

Kim

Dream Catching

From the moment I brought in this Dream Catcher kit from Kaisercraft, I knew it was something I HAD to create and play with.  I started to work on it one other time but it just didn't come to me.  Last night was THE night.  This beauty was born and oh does it make me happy.

It was one of those days were I found myself frustrated with the mundane.  Work, cooking, cleaning, laundry....blah, blah, blah.  I went into my craft room trying to work on my design for the Zonta Cardmaking Extravaganza but totally got side tracked.   Procrastination?  Maybe.  Just what I needed?  Absolutely!  I find working with paper and pretty things to lighten my mood and set my mind at ease.  Picture this......Here I am.....enter craft room.  Take a deep breath in.  Get fingers all inky.  Breath out.  Feel good....AND proud!

Dream Catcher Kit by Kaisercraft

I started  with this wooden kit by Kaisercraft.  I have worked with many of their "Beyond the Page" projects over the years and they are incredible.  This is a good size project too.  Just to give you an idea, the diameter of the circle is 9.5". 

The next step was to decide how I was going to apply colour.  As you know, I am in love with Distress Oxide Inks.  I love everything about them from the vibrant colours, their coverage, the way their react with water, etc, etc. I sponged colour directly onto the wood and also used stencils for texture and design.  One thing I did notice is that the ink seemed to be absorbed by the wood.  That was fine.  They still look cool but most of the small details from the stencils were lost.  I didn't want that to happen to the main circle portion of the project so I applied gesso.  This helped to seal the wood and allow the ink to sit on top.  I used my most favourite detailing stamp of all time (Script stamp by Magenta Style) and stamped directly onto the gesso using picked raspberry.  I then dusted a little more picked raspberry to add a little more colour. YES!  It was all happening.....

Weddingstar - Mini Circle Garland

I then tied these fun little mini circle banners to the hoop and let them dangle between the feathers.  I loved how they filled the space a little more.  Just what I needed!  As a side, I have used these on everything from scrapbook layouts to cards to tying gift bag handles.  A great staple product to have lying around.

The Details - Flowers, feathers, chipboard,
trim, stickers, film and more!

Then the real fun came in.  Adding all the goodies.  I knew the new Carousel line by Crate Paper would pair beautifully with the teals and fuchsia.  I used these papers to make paper flowers using various Spellbinder and MFT dies. I LOVE rolling these pretty papers to make flowers.  

Prima Flowers - Tales of You & Me

I also added some pre-made Prima flowers.  They were THE perfect size and colour.  It is always nice to have basics like this around.

Crate Paper - Gallop

Did you see how I used this paper?  I made a couple paper flowers at first but knew I had to cut one of these guys out and tuck him in somewhere.  LOVE!  I could see this teal zebra galloping in my dreams.  

Tim Holtz - Film Strip Ribbon

Remember this product?  It has been a staple at The Pickle like forever.  It's funny how I have forgotten about it.  See how I used this?  I trimmed a few small lengths and hot glued them in among the flowers.  It is appropriate too.  Don't you wish you could capture some of your dreams on this film?  You may start seeing this in EVERYTHING I create from this point on. 

This presentation though!
Ruffled fabric trim - We have this beauty in ivory and rose

You will also see some chipboard from Prima's Rose Quartz line, fabric trim, little gold hearts from Crate Paper and my signature twine!  It's all in the details isn't it?  So how did I know when to stop?  I didn't.  I just kept going until it felt right.  Oh....that and the fact that it was midnight and it was time to haul my butt to bed.  Ha.

Sigh.  This was awesome.  It made me feel SO good.  I'm still debating whether I give this beauty away (Jules tells me it would look great in her room) or keep it for me (it looks great in my craft room!).  Actually, the plan is to share this at the store for a while.  Have a look and tell me what you think.  I hope you enjoyed my post today.  Sharing this with you is all part of the fun for me.  You get that feel good therapy while creating and then again when sharing with those who appreciate your efforts.  ♥

Kim

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

Did you PLAY?

Did you play tonight or did you watch everyone else have all the fun?  I said enough surfing and grabbed a few supplies. 

A 6x6 pad of Halloween paper by Crate Paper called "After Dark". 

A 6x6 pad of paper by My Mind's Eye called "Trick or Treat".

A vintage tag Kit by Weddingstar.  This kit includes 10 tags, lots of twine and Kraft stickers. And honestly a few sequins and washi. 

Done. They are super simple but they make me so happy. My day is now complete. It CAN be this simple. 

Kim

Store Hours

Wed-Fri - 10am-5pm

Sat - 10am-3pm