Creative Moments

A few months back now, Claire agreed to be guest blogger on a craft blog, this is a copy of the post that she submitted:

Wow!

I am privileged today, to be the guest blogger here today, we are going to have so much fun!

Firstly, a little about me. I am Claire Smillie and I have a serious addiction to crafting! I work for Creative Moments, Yeovil (www.your-creativemoments.co.uk) and you can usually catch me prepping for a workshop, demoing at craft shows or making a mess in the corner! I LOVE playing with all the newest products out there and you’ll often hear a lot of “oooh’s” and “ahh’s” as we open the delivery’s to reveal some stunning products, which just keep getting better and better!

Not only have I got one treat in store for you, with hands on project today, but I also have a behind the scenes look at what really happens for us at a Craft Show!

Shall we start by getting our hands dirty? Go on then!!!

Take a look at these pictures, aren’t they just gorgeous?!? And best of all they are sooo easy to make, it’s unbelievable – you’ll be whipping them out in no time at all! They are a great way to start to take your crafting up a gear and moving off the scrapbook page to a beautiful display of art – they can make fabulous presents!

The creations are made upon a canvas, which can be available very cheaply from us here at Creative Moments. I have used a canvas which is 20cm x 20cm – although it is a little smaller, it still maintains the classic square shape of a scrapbook page. Canvases are available in all shapes and sizes, but this is my favourite to work with – not too small as not to fit anything on, but not too large where it seems you are forever trying to fill the gaps!

Before adding any colour to our canvases, I love to add a texture to the surface which adds interest to the creation. I do this by using ‘Gesso’ from the Claudine Hellmuth collection. Gesso is artist quality primer for surfaces such as wood, canvas, chipboard, paper and fabric. It dries exactly how you put it on – so if it is all lumpy and bumpy, so will the end result, if it is thin with scribbles, then so will the end result. Have a play with the Gesso as there are so many different ways you can put it on for different effects – my favourite is to load it on in a random fashion creating unusual and interesting effects. Experiment with putting gesso onto your canvas in different ways too, for example you could use a splodger (which is like a credit card) to slap it on (!) or use a brush for thin coatings –ALWAYS wash whatever you use immediately as once gesso is stuck it will be a permanent addition to the object! Make sure you keep it away from your clothes too – as it is impossible to remove! (And my favourite pair of jeans told me just that!)

Once you have an interesting background, you must leave it to dry naturally (probably overnight is best) as it will bubble up and ruin if a heat gun is used. Whilst it is drying, it gives you a great chance to think about your colour scheme.

If you are not quite sure, what to colours to use consider the following points:

• Who are you making your canvas for?
• What you want to put on your canvas?
• Which embellishments are you thinking of using?
• Why you are making the canvas?

You shall, then be able to begin by choosing your background colours – ideally you want more than 1 colour to give a nice painterly mix – I usually use two or three so that you can get some lovely blends and textures.

My FAVORITE acrylic paint, has to be the Claudine Hellmuth range. My reasons? Well, the colours are absolutely gorgeous , it can be used on so many different surfaces such as paper, chipboard and FABRIC (yes, I did say Fabric!); it has a semi-gloss and can be mixed with multi-medium to change its outlook and the colours can be mixed again and again without becoming muddy to create even more fabulous colours! (Check out Claudines website for her colour mixing guide). It is really gorgeous and has a lovely creamy consistency – it looks yummy enough to eat!

Start by painting your lightest colour onto your canvas with a paintbrush – I use a fairly large paintbrush for this job. It doesn’t matter if parts look inconsistent or are not completely covered- that just adds to the painterly look. I then start adding my next colour before the first has dried to get some awesome blending effects, just paint how you feel – there’s no right or wrong in this part. A little here, a little there – adjusting as you go. Before adding your third colour – which I usually just use as a slight accent for edges and to highlight certain areas of the canvas – let the first two layers dry, so that the third colour does not quite blend in as much.

Continue layering the colours until you think, yup – I like that!!! The greatest tip, I can give is when you get to this point STOP!!! As I guarantee you will go one step too far and will find it almost to alter it back again!

Once you are happy with your painted effect, I love to spray a Glimmer Mist over the canvas to get a beautiful glisten. Look at the difference you can see here.

Let the Glimmer Mist dry and then to make the most out of your texture, run an Adirondack Ink Pad over the entire canvas. This should pick out the raised area of the design and create an interesting texture. Any areas, which look too dominant, can merely be rubbed in to the canvas with your finger.

Now the fun part and the part you are all able to do with confidence – EMBELLISH!

That’s right, pull out your scraping stash and embellish until your heart’s content – remember often the simplest designs look the best! Like this one, which I absolutely love and was so easy to do. I used the die-cut Silhouettes from K&Co’s new Handmade collection and adhered these onto the canvas. The best medium I have found to use as an adhesive is again down to Claudine Hellmuth! Her Multi-Medium will stick onto many surfaces including canvas successfully. I have used it here by painting the canvas entirely in it, placed my flat embellishments in place and painted over them again using the multi-medium to sandwich them in place.

I have then created 3D centres for my flowers using the same die-cuts and put a brad in the middle of each to secure.

Creating Canvases can be very addictive! Try adding photos, text, fabric and more. I have even used Donna Downey’s iron-ons! The options are really endless! Experiment with the painted background too – why not try creating your own polka dot/flower backgrounds?

This has been fun! And I hope you’ve enjoyed my quick tutorial on creating canvases – you can see more examples of canvases and other projects at Creative Moments blog at www.your-creativemoments.co.uk/blog

Now, go find your stash and get creating, I’d love to see what you create. And after you’ve finished, why not settle down for tomorrows post with a cup of tea and enjoy my insiders look at ‘What really happens at a craft show for us’.

We had an absolute blast at Scrap-A-Mia 2010 which was actually unbelievably over three weeks ago now! We have been really busy here getting things back to ‘normal’ (haha!!!) but with no shows until September we have a golden opportunity for lots of workshops and time to work on our new project (which should be revealed oh so shortly….think July). During Scrap-A-Mia, we were so busy whizzing around that unfortunately we neglected our duties of been photographers during the weekend (might actually be a good thing!!! Did anyone ever see that photo I tried to take for Shimelle whilst spinning on the chair!?!?)

So with great thanks to Jo Lys who attended Scrap-A-Mia and has very kindly donated the use of her photos from the event for this post, I am now able to show you just some of what we got upto during the weekend! (All photos belong to Jo Lys, with exception to photos as individually noted that have been taken from the blog indicated next to the photo)

First up the classes:

This gorgeous 20cm x 20cm canvas was Cleo’s popular class which combined vintage music paper, Webster pages, ribbon, paint, sequin waste and lots of intricate cutting!

This beautiful Scrapbook page was Ifa’s sample (picture from the blog of Ifa Zainon at http://ifazainon.blogspot.com/) isn’t it just gorgeous? In this workshop we experimented with Lego, Paint, Distress Inks, Bannana Frog Stamps, Beautiful Papers, Beads, Buttons, Thread and Chipboard.

Shimelle’s class was in true Shimelle Style, a mini-book absolutely filled with great details and lots of layering. There were many more pages that were completed in addition to these shown, but these three (and I was only meant to choose one!) were my absolute favourite with the handmade flowers and beautiful layered butterfly embellishments. (Pictures taken from Shimelle’s PDF Handout which was emailed to attendees).

We were very lucky to have Jane Dean join us on the Sunday and just look at this unique project which she brought to show us! Pizza Boxes, embellishments and pretty papers were the key to this fun class…..oh and lots and lots and lots and lots of Staples!!! (I think we used over 3000 between us all!!!!) Picture of Jane’s project from her blog, http://www.seabreezes.typepad.com/

This layout which opens up was taught by Claire on the Sunday. It featured 12″ x24″ paper, water (!), tearing, chipboard, jewels, flourish templates, birdcages (not real ones!!!) and more! Everybody had the chance to create their own take on this and my, there were some fantastic variations.

The three pictures above show Kirsty’s Layout – which was sponsored by Inspire Me Papers – in all of its glory. It was a very clever layout that was almost like a little mini-book on a page and was finished with a beautiful ribbon ruffle.

(Picture of Ifa demoing from Tracey’s blog at http://vixensscrapping.blogspot.com/)

The workshops were held throughout Saturday and Sunday and everybody who attended participated in each workshop, on the Saturday evening we had a little fun with Ifa doing a demonstration on how she created her apron, Kirsty making some beautiful flowers with girls in the crop room, Cleo and Jane teaching fantastic mini-books with lots of clever folds and Shimelle hosting a Design Challenge, where the winners will be appearing in the next issue of the Scrapbook Inspirations Ideas Book, so make sure you keep an eye out for that to hit the shelves! You can see some of the fantastic entries below waiting to be ‘judged’ by Shimelle:

In the evening, we also hosted a Prize Draw, where products were donated from a variety of companies from within the industry. Tickets cost just 50p each and we managed to raise an astonishing £240.50 for Cancer Research, so thankyou to everybody who donated a prize or brought a ticket J

Even the teachers got into the swing of the prize draw, with Shimelle donating a place on her NEW class (so new, there is not even a title yet!!!) due for release later this year, Kirsty donating a free photoshoot and Jane offering up a fantastic piece of art…….THIS CREATIVE APRON!!!!

(Picture from Jane’s blog – http://www.seabreezes.typepad.com/)

WOW-STER!!!! The aprons were another special touch unique to Scrap-A-Mia, as each teacher was sent a Prima Apron prior to the event for decorating in any manner they wished. Well, Jane Dean – what can we say!!! It was absolutely fabulous and really helped boost sales of the tickets for the prize draw. Each teachers aprons were so so different, here are a few snapshots below…..(can you guess who they belong to?)

(Picture from Ifa’s blog – www.ifazainon.blogspot.com)

(Picture from Kirsty’s Blog – www.limegreenbogiegirl.blogspot.com)

(Photo by Claire Smillie)

If anyone has any pictures of the aprons by Shimelle or Cleo, we would love to post them, so please send them to us at sparkleandscrap@yahoo.co.uk

As you can see, Scrap-A-Mia was one very very hectic weekend and we could probably go on with this post so much more as there is just so much to tell…but perhaps some secrets just have to stay within Scrap-A-Mia. Here are a few last photos below which help sum up the weekend below:

Shimelles class cutting their papers

Shimelles class creating pretty flowers

All smiles from Kirsty and Cleo

Creating boxes with Jane

Working on Janes class with the fabulous shop in the background

Beautiful Decorations

I’ve just noticed, we don’t seem to have any pictures of the Inspiration Station – now this was a very exciting room which was laid out with layouts, mini books and makes from the teachers and other attendees who wished to participate – there was just so much inspiration in that room on the Saturday night it was hard to choose a favourite and I think that everyone who entered went away with lots of ideas that they were eager to try out!

We had lots of beautifully gift-wrapped scrappy prizes up for grabs throughout the weekend and their was a lucky winner during each session. There were also some little extra suprises for us too!! Like the lovely gift Sam W brought us, full of chocolates (our favourites as well!) and some beautiful paper clips which were created by Denise for everybody in the Butterfly Group. They were absolutely gorgeous and we have ours right here by the till to remind us of our great weekend.

We had an amazing time and rest assured that the all the brilliant ladies who joined us this year at Scrap-A-Mia 2010, will be the FIRST to know if another similar event develops for next year.

Wow! Where has the time gone, since our last proper post!!! We have been so busy here at Creative Moments and have lots to catch up on with you all. I am just awaiting some promised photos from Scrap-A-Mia and then you can expect a loooooooonnnnnnnggggg post to come your way!!

You’re probably thinking, well where does the title fit in with this post? Well, Marg is currently sunning herself in Rome, Italy so I thought we’d have some fun of our own!!! I have uploaded a discount code for you to add to your shopping baskets this weekend which will entitle you to 15% off your order if you spend over £10 Aren’t I good to you!?!?!

So, get those orders coming in as after such a lovely holiday (jealous, me?!!? haha!!!) we want Margaret to be working extra hard on her return on Tuesday getting them all out to you!!!

Have a great weekend

P.S. Did you spot the new items I have uploaded to the website today? Cosmo Cricket, 7gypsies, Prima Flowers, My Minds Eye – Lush, Stix 2? I have splattered some pictures in this post for you to give you the idea!!!

Due to our Scrap-A-Mia event this weekend, please note the following changes to our opening hours.

Friday 21st May – 9:30am until 12noon
Saturday 22nd May – 9:30am until 17:30pm
Monday 24th May – 12noon until 17:30pm

Normal opening hours of 9:30am until 17:30pm will resume on Tuesday 25th May 2010.

DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES WE NOW HAVE ONE SPACE AVILABLE FOR OUR SCRAP-A-MIA EVENT NEXT WEEKEND (Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd May 2010).  THIS WILL BE SOLD ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS AT A COST OF £190.

PLEASE PHONE US ON 01935 422499 OR EMAIL US AT sparkleandscrap@yahoo.co.uk AND WE CAN CALL YOU BACK  TO RESERVE THIS LAST REMAINING PLACE (full payment must be made to reserve this place).

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: www.scrapamia.wordpress.com

With less than two weeks to go until Scrap-A-Mia 2010 we are absolutely rushed off our feet here making sure all the kits are prepared and ready to go! (Hence the lack of blogging in the last week or so!!)

Well, in between preparation for Scrap-A-Mia, we are also busy in the shop (open Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 5:30pm) and holding our workshops. In fact, we have a workshop tomorrow that is now sold out, but I thought it would only be fair to give a sneaky peak to those of you who may not have managed to secure your place.

Since the new distress inks arrived and Tim Holtz himself graced UK TV’s across the nation, these little ink pads are fast becoming our most popular item in store. And in tomorrows workshop, you will start to see just why! As this picture proves, there is so much more to use these ink pads for rather than the traditional stamping, we have all become accustomed too….

I’ve had so much fun creating the samples for tomorrows workshop and I can’t wait to share the secrets with you too!!! (If you didn’t managed to make this workshop, then watch out for similar workshops in the near future)

Until next time, happy crafting

Those eagle eyes among you, may have just noticed that the NEW Workshop Listing is now up on our website, ready for you to book your place at one of our popular evening’s. So go!! Book your places, then make sure you come straight back here, as I have a feeling this is a workshop that you may just wish to join us for!

Take a look at the photos on this page – they are a clue to two NEW workshops we will be holding this summer. The photos are some snippets of work in progress from Claire’s personal Art Journal. Two of the workshops this summer, will be focusing on the technique of Art Journaling. Don’t stop! Keep reading! Once you start, we promise you will love it and the creative mind that you begin to release!

Art Journaling has been used by artists for century’s as a way to play and experiment with color, texture, words, layout, orientation and other elements related to creating a masterpiece.

It is becoming more and more common for Scrapbookers (& cardmakers to an extent) to Art Journal during their everyday life. The reason why? Well, to experiment, to play and create in your own personal space, without having to think or worry about what is going on the page. Mistakes happen in Art Journaling, but that is how we learn from them and make sure that we avoid them happening in our Scrapbook pages.

The art of ‘Art Journaling’ (!) is to let your mind be free, do what you want with the pieces you have around you – not worrying if it’s a perfect match and whilst working in this way, we begin to create new techniques and generate new ideas for layouts, color schemes & journaling.

If you are to take one workshop this summer, then make sure you book your place onto “Art Journal – Creating Backgrounds”. We will use Gesso, Paint and Sprays to create some gorgeous textured background – techniques that you will be able to transfer to work on cards and scrapbook pages. The following week, we will start to add layers to our pages by adding collage and text. It is during this workshop, that we will look at examples of Scrapbook pages that have been inspired by Art Journaling and how we can use our Art Journal to improve our Scrapbook Layouts.

This really is a workshop you will enjoy! You are guaranteed to get messy and have fun – there are no rules or restrictions in Art Journaling…oh apart from one – MAKE SURE YOU WEAR AN APRON OR REALLY OLD CLOTHES!!!

Please note: Pictures show collage images (inc. Ladies) which have been taken from a variety of Magazines, Scrapbook papers & Embellishments.

And, if this still hasn’t convinced you – take a look at the blog of Dina Wakely (http://dinastamps.typepad.com/)– she is great inspiration to Art Journalers everywhere! And you know what? She too, like us, is a scrapbooker – who you can even find on the Hambly Screen Prints Design Team. We LOVE Dina! Such an inspiration to us x

See you at the workshop

We WILL have so much FUN!!!

Yesterday, we showed you Kathey’s take on the Summer DT Challenge. Well today, Sara steps up to the task as we show you some of the fantastic creations she was inspired to make by this challenge.

First up is this beautiful bracelet – this lovely cluster design works well with the beautiful warm colors that are just gorgeous together.

And what about these fabulous earrings! We love the gold balls which Sara has used and then complimented rather subtly with a gorgeous pink flower. The flower adds a lovely detail which really makes you look twice.

We think that these Earrings would look absolutely great worn with this Chain-Maille Birdcage Bracelet – isn’t the birdcage just so sweet! And what a great use of jump-rings Sara found to create this gorgeous bracelet. Considering that jumprings cost just 75p for 50- this just proves that great jewellery really can be in-expensive!

Now, take a look at this unique pendant that Sara has created her next necklace. This focal point has been created using wire and a variety of beads to create a real statement hung fashionably on Black Ribbon.

And what about this double layered necklace containing lots of bright, funky and fresh beads. We love how Sara has encapsulated smaller beads in the square ones, adding even more layers to this necklace.

Its back to a little more wire work – although this time, Sara has cleverly used her chain as a base and wire wrapped beads within the centre of each link to the chain to make this a unique bracelet.

Lastly for Sara’s final creation, we will end with this Sweet pair of earrings….how cute are they?!?

Now, some of you may remember this picture:

That’s right, we are preparing for Shepton Mallet craft show at the end of this week. This is our most local craft show, so as a treat we have decided to have two stands pushed together to create one HUGE stand so that we are able to showcase all of our lovely beads alongside our papercrafting products. It’s been rather like a production line here for the last week and you can see a sneak peak of some of our lovely beads been packed above.

We have now sent all of the Scrap-A-Mia information packs out which should start arriving on your doormats this week! We have lots of blog posts planned for you this week, so keep an eye out for some great Jewellery and crafting inspiration coming your way…..

The Tim Holtz dies are selling so fast that it seems we will not manage to get them on our website until they have all sold out – so if you do want one, then please call us on 01935 422499. We currently have the following (although some we are down to our very last one):

• Gadget Gears
• Heart Wings
• Elegant Flourishes
• Hanging Sign
• Fanciful Flight
• Movers & Shapers – Keyhole
• Movers & Shapers – Ornamentals
• Ticket Stripe
• Vintage Market
• Film Strip Frames

Lastly, don’t forget the shop will be closed from 4pm Tuesday 20^th April 2010 until 12noon Monday 26^th April 2010 as we will be exhibiting at Shepton Mallet Craft Show. The craft show is held less than 20miles from our shop, so if you get the chance on Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday then make sure you visit us there on stand B35.

We’ll see you tomorrow with a hint of summer inspiration!