May Madness Begins!!!!!!

So yes I took a month away from my blog something I though I would never do but given that a lot of things have changed in my life since I started this blog a few short months ago never has a whole new meaning.   I needed April to focus my life and figure out how to proceed. I was very busy with school and my teaching this month as well as home improvements and of course busy being sick thanks to our big news (which I have been keeping secret for awhile now) We are expecting our fourth child this September!  Those who know me know that I get very sick when I am pregnant and the farther along I get the worse it gets. So doing the basics were hard enough this month let alone adding in teaching and renovations.


 Now were into May an already hectic month in my family with numerous events including 3 birthdays , mothers day, anniversaries, not to mention all the school stuff this month and dance stuff........on top of it David has hit the busy point in his schedule and will only have a couple days off. And he will be having his minor surgery next week. Add to it I am going to teach 5 classes , all my doctors appts and blood work appts and ultrasound appts........fun.  Plus I have decided to try out for the Amazing Wall Sugar Design Team. Fingers crossed my supplies get here in time for me to finish and have a chance to be asked to join.


So add to all the crazy fun and to help celebrate a few things this month I have decided to run a few contests.




The Simple Challenge: Ends May 31st 2012


All you need to do for this contest is leave a comment on this blog telling me what product you would love to see me work with for the month of June. 


The prize pack for this will be valued at minimum of $10.  




 The Birthday Challenge: Ends May 24th 2012
(if you click on the company name I have provided a direct link)


Step 1: Leave a post on this blog letting me know the 5 craft items you would most love to have for your birthday.
Step 2: Head over to the The Inked Stamper and let the fabulous Dawn  know I sent you and also let her know the one item you would  LOVE for her to have in her store . 
Step 3: Head over to Wall Sugar Co.  and take a look at the amazing locally made products she carries. Then head back here and let me know which product you would love for me to either teach a class with of just post. If  its for a class let me know what kind of theme you would love to see it in or suing a specific product line. 


This prize pack will be valued at a minimum of $20.

The Obsession Challenge: Ends June 10th 2012


So we all know that Dawn at The Inked Stamper has three designer obsession. Tim Holtz , Dyan Reaveley, and Heidi Swapp  . So in honor of her and the upcoming 1 year anniversary of The Inked Stamper Scrapbook Store being open I am putting out a challenge.


Step 1:

Create something using product from at least 2 of the designers listed above . It can be a card  a tag a page whatever you want.  You must also include your creative obsession  in whatever you create. For example if your like a couple Fab ladies I know you might include Graphic  45 paper or embellishments.  If your obsessed with clouds you might a have a cloud on the page.........it's totally up to you. ( Don't worry Ill be posting some examples as the month continues) 

Step 2:

Take a picture and email it to me willworkforbuttons@shaw.ca  . Please let me know your full name as well as if your ok with your work being published on this blog. Don't worry I will only include first names with the pictures.  

Step 3:

Leave a comment on this blog letting me know you have sent your picture and also let me know what your crafting obsession is. For example , buttons, stickles, pictures of my kids.  Put as many as you want.

Step 4:

Head on over to The Inked Stamper and post on her wall. It can be anything really a congrats on her upcoming anniversary , a promise to visit her in jail if she is caught stalking  Tim and Dyan at CHA...........or just a message letting her know just how Fab we all think she is!

Now don't worry I will not be picking the winner so there will be no favoritism involved. In fact for this challenge we will have 2 winners. 1 name drawn from all the submissions and another selected by my judge.

Both will win prize packs valued at a minimum of $25. But as a bonus to the judges selection I will also be providing you with a gift certificate to one of my scrapping obsessions (and probably yours to) The Inked Stamper!!!!!!

So to get you inspired for creating here is a picture I have done up for this challenge showcasing some of my scrapbook obsessions.

Sorry I have been away!

So sorry I have been away from my blog a lot this month but it has been crazy busy month for me. Between everyone coming down with one of the most nasty chest colds we have had in a long time , birthdays, school trips, renovating and my designing classes and having to say goodbye to our furry baby I just ran out of time and energy to post.  But the good news is I am back!!!

First off if you havent been to The Inked Stamper this week GO she has tons of new stuff in and a bunch of amazing classes coming up in April and they are filling up FAST!!!!  I personally am taking the gorgeous Graphic 45 baby double layout.  perfect if you have someone expecting and want to frame it and give as a give or to use yourself to put those old baby photos .......the words just can't describe how lovely this is. And big thumbs up to Dawn for pushing her boundaries and trying something new , trust me its always hard to go from your norm, and well she rocked it with this double layout.

I also have a couple of classes coming up  April 3rd is the first of my Thicker's alterations classes .......this one is the basic class, using several of the simpler techniques and we will be doing a single layout and you will take home and package of Thicker's . I will be doing two more of these classes and they will be the more difficult techniques , but I do recommend taking this class first because the techniques build on each other.  if the date doesn't work for you please let me know and I will see about rerunning it possibly in the hour prior to the second class.  This class is $20 plus tax. This is also available as a to go kit ($23) but I recommend  taking the class as this is how you will learn your techniques.

On April 26th I will be holding a 6 card Prima class. You will taking home a huge package of 8.5 by 11  Prima paper (48 sheets? 12 dollar value)  with this class so plenty of goodies to play with at home . We will be using lots of the new Tim Holtz dies in this class. This class is $ 27 plus tax  and it is filling up fast!!! This is also available as a to go kit.

To sign up for any of my classes please call Dawn at The Inked Stamper 780-458-2422 or stop by the store.   I am also going to finish up my kits in the next few days. These will be scrapbook and card kits in limited available in limited quantities (so you if you see one you like get it because I most likely wouldn't be able to make another of that exact kit). I will also be making up some of the requested travel friendly kits. These were a huge hit last year , they are kits where all you need is your glue runner and markers and you can assemble them on the plane/ boat / train. No scissors or ink pads etc to be confiscated by security!!!  A great way to pass the time on a long trip!.

And finally here are some photos sneak peeks of  2 of my upcoming May classes. They are both wall are using the amazing Wall Sugar Co. products. They are a local company and they ROCK!  I can't wait to figure out my next project. (Sorry the pictures aren't great) I will also have another Thicker's class and perhaps one more class but May is like March for us full of birthdays and craziness so we will see how well I feel and how much I want to tackle. As always if you have any requests just let me know. My new email address is willworkforbuttons@shaw.ca

And the winner is ...................

PAM HELM




Congrats Pam I can't wait to see what you do with these lovely goodies!!!  For all those who didn't win this time no worries I will be holding a giveaway at least once a month. So stay tuned!!!!! 




Sorry I have been away but I have been sick as have the kids , and what little time I have had has been devoted to making up my classes.  Good news though is the first Thicker's alterations class registration will begin this week. And I have designed but not finished 2 more , just waiting on some orders to come in.  There is just to many techniques to learn in one night!!!  The first class will be $20 for a single layout and will include a package of Thickers to take home with you!!!  Who knows maybe Ill even bring a door prize.............I just love giveaways!!!!!!


Make sure your checking in daily the Inked Stamper Facebook site or www.theinkedstamper.com for daily class updates. She has some amazing ones coming up really soon..........including a very sought after designer who will be in town for only one night (March 16th) !!! And I will be there I have signed up for one of the classes......or maybe more can't remember. So busy !!! As well there is an adorable book class this coming Thursday for only $27 with both an afternoon or evening option..........oh how I wish I was getting to go to this one!!!! But parent duties call........sigh.


Anyway can't wait to see your smiling faces around the store!!!!


Have a great weekend!

A sneak peek..........

So first off let me thank all the lovely ladies who left me comments the last couple of days. Your encouragement means the world to me. I think everyone needs to feel reassured once and awhile that there work doesn't just look good to them. Really it should only matter that we like our own creations , and that others like it is just that added bonus!   Just a couple of notes if you leave a comment please out you name on it even if your logged in , I know blogspot has been having some issues lately and I don't want anyone to miss out.  Serena can't wait to draw the name out of the hat, she has been bugging me daily "is it time yet" ahhh six year olds. Second to all of those who missed out on the crop I totally feel your pain I wasn't able to go because my husband was working. I know she will be planning more in the future (NOT at Hotel S) I believe she is looking at end of September beginning of October for the next big one, ........and yes she already has my husbands schedule so she can make sure I am there.   As much as I hated missing the crop  I did get to meet a lot of new faces when I was working Friday , and I finally got to meet Ros and Pam who I have heard so much about. And Ros I can't wait to see what you did with the Boys This and That pack you bought!  Anyway if you unfortunately don't win this month I will try and hold a monthly giveaway so keep checking back!!!!


Now for the sneak peek...... The Inked Stamper Design team was given 3 sheets of the lovely Neapolitan Line from American Crafts along with a few goodies. As usual we had to make a card and a layout .....but i am not playing by the rules this month LOL. I made a tag and 2 layouts  ( but seriously I made 3 cards last month so I think I am forgiven). I am posting one of the layout and the tag today these will be on display at The Inked Stamper  this month , I highly suggest you go buy some of this line and take part in the challenge before its all gone!   The second layout I will post later ......so you will have to stay tuned.    Now you will have to forgive me all I had my my iphone to take the pictures my powershot finally quit and my SLR and I were having issues and my patience was at a low today so IPhone camera it is. Can't wait till the new Canon gets here its got a wide angle shot so much better for a layout photo.

    

 



So for the layout the supplies are very simple Bazzil Salt card stock, American Crafts Neapolitan paper in Cheerful Notes and Silly Skedaddle. Peeled Paint Distress ink, Glossy accents, Foam Dots, Stardust Stickles, Cadillac Pink Tattered Angels Spray. Letraset Promarkers...and the monkey stamp (sorry cant remember who makes it), Prima Crystals, Thickers ( Sprinkles and Bumblebee?) and Nori Glimmer glaze. And the Flower punch is from the Inked Stamper  Sorry cant remember the name but its small and green and made by EKsuccess

The more I look at this page the more I feel it is missing something by that heart.....maybe a button??? Anyway you will have to stop by the store and see what I decide!

 

For the tag its pretty much the same products, Small Ranger Tag, Tim Holtz Tissue tape, Distress ink in Peeled Paint, Stardust Stickles, Glossy accents, foam dots, American Crafts  Neapolitan Twinkling lights, Silly Skeddales, Cheerful Notes, Prima crystal.



And I know I am going to get a lot of questions about the Thickers Class .......yes I am designing it right now. I know there is HUGE demand for it so I may offer both the afternoon and evening class.  For this though I can not do a to go kit because it is a technique class. You really need to be there to see how it is done.  I will do more than one technique , but there is lots I know so I may break it up to multiple classes. As you all know I like to keep classes relatively inexpensive , but at the same time have you leaving with more than just your project.....who doesn't like extra goodies!  I am also designing a card class , just waiting for the paper to show up, as well as some kits. My health hasn't been up to par the last couple weeks , plus with waiting for the new stock release I have been slower at getting these out than I usually am and I apologize for that.  I promise they are on there way!!!!!

I'm back......and I am having a giveaway!!!

So for whatever reason my posts were just not working for me this week.....every time I would have a chance to do them, the pictures wouldn't load or the kids would pull my cord from the wall causing my computer to crash.  Plus I have been crazy busy with work , DT stuff, and sick kids, and some surprises in my own health . All in all a bad combination.  Plus I have been helping out a friend dealing with a crisis  that was thrown on her........( I hate you Hotel S) . But I am so proud of Dawn and how she made it work when others would have just given up.  She loves her customers so much, and did her darnedest to make sure there weekend wasn't totally ruined at the hands of Hotel S.  I wish  I was with them all today having a blast but I am not, I was just happy to see most of their smiling faces yesterday in the store. What a great group of ladies !!!    So in honor of all of them I am going to hold a little give away.

Here's how you can win...... (its really simple)

1. Become a follower and leave a comment here on my blog.

See how hard was that!!!!

Now here is twist if you were at The Inked Stamper Weekend crop and you are the winner there will be an added bonus in your prize.

The contest will be open till March 3rd.

I will announce the winner on March 4th and let you know where you can pick up your prize.

See how fun is that !!!


Now on to business........first up here is the altered version of the page that just didn't work last week.  I can't say its my favorite I have done but it certainly is better than what it was.   Hope you like it !

Happy Birthday Katie!!!!

This adorable card I made for a birthday my daughter attended last weekend!  We picked up the stamp at The Inked Stamper as well as the paper . I think it turned out great . I had so much fun water coloring the image and loved making each of those little dots jump using glossy accents!!!  I did not however enjoy showing up at the wrong address on Sunday because somebody wrote it down wrong. Thank goodness the PJ clad gentleman and his kids were very understanding of the interruption.  ( Did I mention my daughter was in full princess attire complete with crown........thank goodness I wasn't LOL ). So in the end we made it , a little late (which as most of you know I hate being late). But full of giggles and ready for fun! I wish I could have stayed to join in the pedicure fun but I had the boys and a princess party is so not their thing!


Finally for this post is a shout out to my great new student Dee! I had the pleasure of her company on Thursday night at my class , she braved the snow for it!  It's nice having a small class this time I get to know my students better and give them more one on one time.   Dee as well as others have requested I teach a Thickers alterations class.........so I am working on it right now, as well as designing so new to go kits  including some new travel kits ,and a card class as well as some new layout classes.  And just so you know I still have some kits available from my last class they can be picked up at The Inked Stamper.

 For those who didn't get their hands on My travel kits last year these kits  are designed so you can take them on the plane/ train/ boat with you to keep you entertained.  All you need is a glue runner and in some cases your favorite markers or crayons. Things that wont get flagged and taken when you go through security.

 If anyone has any special requests please let me know via email nmalaka@shaw.ca or leave a message for me at The Inked Stamper.  I do custom work on request including (but not exclusively) customs kits, invitations, cards, mini albums.   All I ask when requesting something custom is at least 2 weeks notice I have 3 small children and I want to make sure I can give your project the attention it deserves.

So a final shout out to the ladies at the crop hope your having fun during this snow craziness!!!  Have a great weekend, and I look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Nancy

Nobody's perfect.

So sometimes you can have all the right products and a great inspiration and it just doesn't work the way you wanted. Today's layout is an example of that......I had a bad day! I had a simple layout plan and some wonderful products I wanted to showcase  I laid it out before gluing and well it looked good then I got it all glued down and it was just  off. I can't say what it is but its not right .......so I will post it to show you even I have a crap day. Now I never give up on a page  so I put it in my book and when inspiration hits on how to correct it or "make it work" I will and re-post it for you. Now for warned I did  have one page that I did and it stared at me every time I opened that book for nearly 2 years till I figured out how to fix it. If it was completely hopeless I would salvage what I could and try again fresh later but I feel this one is more just a "work in progress".

Now the one thing I hate about it is my journaling but this is something I hate about most of my pages.... almost 12 years ago I had a car accident and one of the things injured was my arm. Since then my writing has never been what it was and especially so when i need to write small.........and for this I did.  I used to type out  my journaling but it didn't always work the best especially if I wanted to use a journal tag from a kit. Finally resound myself to the fact that although it isn't my favorite thing it is genuinely me and when my kids or grand kids one day look at these they know it was me who did it and a small piece of what is truly me is in each of them.


Just a heads up tomorrow I will be working at The Inked Stamper so I don't think I will have a chance to create something new since I will also be cutting my kits for Thursday's class . So I may post something I have done recently .....unless inspiration strikes and I can fix this page!!!!

Who says you can't make boys sparkle!!!!!!

So today after a daily sojourn to visit darling Dawn at The Inked Stamper  I was inspired to make a new  boy page and prove that boy pages can most definitely have  Tattered Angels Glimmer Glaze or  Glimmer Mists on it.  And since both boys were pushing my buttons today I thought what better than a brother page.  So here it is ..........really simple to do , great for using those left over scraps.  And as I said in previous posts everything has been altered somehow.

So to start I used Bazzill  Salt card stock as a base with spritzes and flings ( basically a 2 year olds throw the color on the page technique LOL) of Tattered Angels  Glimmer Mist Glaze in Oil Slick, Glimmer Mist Spray in Blarney and their chalkboard sprays in CornFlower Daze , Decadence and Teal High Heel.    I also used Adriondack Color Wash spray in Lettuce and Red Pepper,  as well as some Goosebumps Spritz.  The orange paper as well as the " You Rock" cut out are from Echo Parks "A Boys Life" line the orange paper is "Hot Rod" and the cutout is from the page "Play Time".  The Teal diamond patterned paper is from Crate Paper's "Toy Box Collection" and is called "Build". All of these sheets were distressed on the edges lightly with Tim Holtz's "Vintage Photo" Distress ink and were embellished using Inkessentials Glossy accents (helpful hint this stuff also makes an amazing glue).  Now the Gear symbol is from KaiserCraft's "On the Move" Collectibles pack........it to have been edged out but this time with a black marker and was glossed over with Glossy Accents.  I  finished off with  Ranger Distress crackle paint in Rock Candy applied using my finger...just scoop out a glob and rub it on the page framing the the picture and mating paper.

The three buttons are from the October Afternoon Sasparilla Miscellany pack. ( you know you want one Kari) . I glazed over all these buttons to add a extra dimension to them. All the glazes are Tattered Angels  the green button has "Nori" , the Blue has "All that Jazz" , and the Brown (which was grey) has " Java" on it.

 Now the title "Brother"s is actually using  Thicker's  in the print " Cheetah" these were originally Lime green with pinky black spots....very hard on the eyes.  I would never have bought them but they were in a pack with other I loved at an amazing price...........and I can make any Thicker look pretty.   So I started out using a brown alcohol marker to tone down the green contrast , then I glazed it over using Tattered Angels Glimmer Glaze in "Fuzzy Coconut" I was very thick in the application.....I then dripped in the "Sangria" Glimmer Glaze to add some contrast and to appeal to the voice inside me that kept thinking blood brothers when I looked at the page (long story). I allowed it to dry a bit them sponged a bit off using a Qtip. I then covered each letter using Glossy accents ( I love this stuff I go through it like crazy!!) The only other thing I used was  3D  glue dots to pop up the buttons........the rest was glued down with my ATG gun.  

I have a couple pictures the first is the layout , then there are some close ups of the Thickers and other embellishments . Please leave me a comment to let me know what you think! Also please remember everything posted on this site is my property and please do  not use it with out express permission from me.  Thank you.