BIG Paper Crafting Weekend, people!

Wowee Kazowee!  What a {HOT} weekend! 

I'm teaching tomorrow at The Collins Group Show, a trade show strictly designed for our independent retailers (Read: to the trade, only).

I'll have the pleasure of working with Kellie McGowan, Customer Service Director at Momenta/Little Yellow Bicycle to introduce some of their {NEW} products.  In addition, we'll be exploring innovative ways to expand into mixed media to enhance our paper crafting projects.

Be sure to be on the lookout at the {NEW} Momenta/LYB products coming to an independent retailer near YOU.

** But that's not all . . .  All the greats are coming to Massachusetts for The Collins Group Show.  While they're here in New England, some of our favorites have planned stops to see US along the way:
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Oh, the #PaperTrail, has set the bar high, my friends.  Eileen Hull kicks off her whirlwind tour TODAY.

• She starts in Connecticut to with her friends Marji Kemper and Amy Bowerman at The Great American Stamp Store, Westport, CT.  
• Following that, she's off to The Collins Group Show on Friday.
• On Saturday March 29th, Eileen Hull and her entourage with be at Absolutely Everything in Topsfield, MA.
• On Tuesday, April 1st, the #PaperTrail heads over for her final stop in New England to see our friends at PaperCraft Clubhouse.

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Karen Burniston "Pops Up" again!  She's partnered with our long-time friend and die-cutting enthusiast, Els Van De Burgt of Elizabeth Craft Designs.  What a dynamic combination.  She's at Kept Creations in Whitman, MA, TODAY, from 6-9pm.

**There are other fantastic paper crafting opportunities that are happening this weekend, too:

Joanne Sharpe has a weekend full of classes at Right at Home Scrapbooking. Oh, goodness, have you seen Joanne's {NEW} book, "The Art of Whimsical Lettering?"  Right at Home offers us the perfect opportunity to glean inspiration directly from the acclaimed artist, herself.

• Friday, March 28th - Decorative Doodling
• Saturday, March 29th - Whimsical Drawing
• Saturday, March 29th - Power Pens and Perfect Pages
• Sunday, March 30th - Artful Alphabet Tag Book & Sampler

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And the online paper crafting powerhouse that is Lain Ehmann is hosting her {FREE} online scrapinar TODAY.  "Ribbons & Lace: From Glam to Grunge with Donna Salazar" can be beamed directly into your home.  And don't we all just love Donna?  **Many thanks to our friends at Paper Camellia Scrapbook Kits for sponsoring this free event**

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For those that want to fully immerse themselves into a full weekend retreat, you can join our friends at Scrapbook Summit, being held in Simsbury, MA.

Wowee Kazowee!  What a {HOT} weekend!  Be sure to schedule some #Cre8time for yourself - let us know what you have planned.  We'd love to hear about it.

Craft On, Laurel

Laurel Lee Pollard, Online Publisher, Promoter

New England Paper Crafts
"Ensuring the inspiring world of paper crafts continues to bloom."

www.NewEnglandPaperCrafts.com

Let's connect!  Find me at:

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Special Announcement: Mixed Media Madness

Two of my active "Inspire! New England Paper Crafts" Cre8time teammates have worked up an INCREDIBLE independent project that I'm thrilled to be able to share with you today.

Catherine Scanlon, of Catherine Scanlon Designs, and Kim Parkinson, of Kept Creations, have collaborated on working up an inspiring weekend art retreat.

Mixed Media Madness is being hosted Friday night, March 21st through Sunday, March 23, 2014 at the historic John Carver Inn and Spa in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The latest information from Kim Parkinson sounds AMAZING:

"Get ready for a total immersion in art, techniques and classes!  Two fabulous artsy classes with published artist Catherine Scanlon, one assemblage class with Mandy Fariello and a fantastically messy class with Kathie DeLuca!  

Each attendee will get their own space in the community room to be able to take advantage of precious "creative alone time" that is perfect for:

• working in your art journals, 
• finish up some projects you might have or 
• work up {new} project by taking advantage of inspiration garnered from other creatives joining you at the event.  

We'll have raffles, goodie bags, trunk show, food, fun and art!  What more could you want from a mixed media weekend?"

I've just learned that Mixed Media Madness has extended their registrations. 

Kim said, "If you've been waiting for those taxes to come in, this is the time. Sign ups have been extended to March 15th or until we are sold out. Call or click on link to sign up today. 

www.mixedmediamadnessretreat.blogspot.com"

** 02/25 Update: A La Carte Retreat Options can be found at http://mixedmediamadnessretreat.blogspot.com/p/retreat-pricing.html

Friday night (6-8PM) mini class and hors d'oeuvres - $25

Mandy Fariello's class - this includes part 1 from 8-11PM on Friday night and part 2 from 2-5PM on Saturday - $100

Saturday Breakfast (7-8:30AM) - $20

Catherine Scanlon's class:

Saturday AM from 9AM-12PM - $60

Sunday AM from 9:30AM-12:30PM - $60

Both Saturday and Sunday classes - $100

Luncheon (12-2PM) - $20

Saturday evening mini class (7-8PM) - $20

Kathie DeLuca's Saturday night class (8-10:30PM) - $50

Sunday morning Breakfast and mini class (7-9:30AM) - $35

There's no doubt in my mind that this event will be a sell-out.  Great work, ladies!

Craft On, Laurel

Laurel Lee Pollard, Online Publisher, Promoter

New England Paper Crafts
"Ensuring the inspiring world of paper crafts continues to bloom."

www.NewEnglandPaperCrafts.com

Let's connect!  Find me at:

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram

Our Cre8time Team Expands our Schedule in 2014

Due to demand, our “Inspire! New England Paper Crafts” Cre8time Team expands our schedule of events in 2014.   After booking successful events this past year, Cre8time’s largest team commits to hosting free paper crafting "Cre8te and Take" events across the region through 2014.

The creative team of designers and specialty art retailers that comprise our "Inspire! New England Paper Crafts" Cre8time Team will be building on their 2013 event coverage which was accompanied by full social media support by New England Paper Crafts (NEPC) and Cre8time.  Promotional opportunities included:

• The Craft & Hobby Association blog, 
• Cre8time's "Take 8" bulletin, 
• NEPC blog & online calendar.

As the Team Manager for our "Inspire! New England Paper Crafts" Cre8time team, I am taking reservations in advance for our Cre8time events.  Whether it's in-store, at a local museum, a consumer event or crop, I look forward to setting the event dates with our team mates and promoting the details of each of event, together.

Each of these free paper crafting Cre8time events will be specifically highlighted in a quarterly NEPC Cre8time Event blog post and social media blitz.  Best of all, our "Inspire! New England Paper Crafts" Cre8time Team members may book as many "Cre8te and Take" events as their schedules allow.

Interested in joining our team?  I'd love to hear from you!  Drop me a note at NewEnglandPaperCrafts@gmail.com - I'll give you all the information you need to jump start YOUR New England paper crafting promotional schedule!

Happy Day, Laurel

Laurel Lee Pollard, Online Publisher, Promoter

New England Paper Crafts
"Ensuring the inspiring world of paper crafts continues to bloom."

www.NewEnglandPaperCrafts.com

Let's connect!  Find me at:

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram

Gobbling at Hands on Tuesday

It was Hands on Tuesday today at the York Public Library in York, Maine.  I found inspiration from Pinterest, which had a wide variety of paper turkeys that had upside-down hearts for the bodies.  I had to prepare 20 kits, so I used as many of my Sizzix dies as I could to so I could make up the project quickly and easily.  

For the tail, I used the Sizzix Bigz Pro "Circle Scallop" to make the back of the turkey plume.  I cut 60 smaller scallop circles from a gorgeous assortment of BoBunny's "Forever Fall" paper collection using Sizzix "Flowers" Framelits dies so the kiddos could have their choice of three die-cuts to enhance their turkey tail.

I used scissors to hand-cut both the oval red faces and the beaks.  I made a stack of 6"x6" dark brown papers as well as 4"x4" rust paper for the kids so they would be able to die-cut the turkey bodies themselves.

Putting the ridge-side down,

 . . . the kids made their Sizzix sandwich, starting with all tabs closed on the Sizzix Big Shot Adapter Pad, adding the base cutting pad, paper, the largest of the Sizzix Framelits "Hearts #2" dies (ridge side down), then adding the top cutting pad.  The whole sandwich gets rolled through the Sizzix Big Shot die-cut machine . . .

 . . . and {PRESTO}: a perfect heart!

Next, they repeat the process with the second-to-the-smallest of the five hearts in the Sizzix die set . . .

 . . . and the turkey bodies are done!

The assembly begins with the tail base, then adding the three Forever Fall die-cuts.

The upside-down-heart turkey body and head get added . . .

 . . . and finish with the red face, orange beak, and googlie eyes.

My kiddos are going to love this little critter when they see him after they get off the bus today.  Our first holiday creation of the season!

Now tell me, do you think I love working up theses project, or what?  Look at these guys at Hands on Tuesday at York Public Library today!  Too fun!

If you have an organization that's looking to bring in a craft project to your event, I'd love to hear about it.  Kids, seniors, professionals, stay-at-home-moms, moms-to-be, and brides to be (heck! even grooms-to-be!) - crafting is fun & creative.  I'd welcome the opportunity to create customized paper crafting projects that fit YOUR theme.  I encourage you to contact me at NewEnglandPaperCrafts (at) gmail (dot) com about collaborating together.

Happy Day, Laurel

Laurel Lee Pollard, Online Publisher, Promoter

New England Paper Crafts
"Ensuring the inspiring world of paper crafts continues to bloom."

www.NewEnglandPaperCrafts.com

Let's connect!  Find me at:

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram

"Brave" Layout Kit for Cre8time at York Street Baptist Church with Sizzix Big Shot Pro

Hello, Gorgeouses!

My goodness, am I looking forward to hosting the free "Cre8te and Take" at York Street Baptist Church's monthly scrapbooking this Friday in York, Maine!  Find all the details HERE.

I am featuring {NEW} ways to consider using Sizzix's Big Shot Pro dies to continue to create fresh layouts.  I have three custom layout kits attendees will be able to choose from, each featuring different elements of the dramatic "Forever Fall" collection by BoBunny Press.

The first layout, "Brave," explores the o of Sizzix Big Shot Pro die, "Square, Ornate" using two photos sized 5"x 5" and 3"x 6.5".  Find the details of the second layout option HERE and the third layout option HERE.

To begin, mark the mid-point of a 12" X 4" strip of BoBunny's "Forever Fall Dot Dot" paper,

Add tic marks on your Big Shot Pro die in the spot you would like to reference, one on each end of the die.

Center your paper on the die.

Align your tic marks from your paper to the ones on the die.  Ensure the steel rule of the die is covered on each end by the paper.

Create your Sizzix sandwich with your Big Shot Pro, starting by layering your Adapter Pad, Crease Pad, Big Shot Pro die, paper, and cutting pad in your Big Shot Pro Sliding Tray, ensuring the cutting pad slightly overhangs the die as it moves through the Big Shot Pro.

Take the 12" X 6" BoBunny "Forever Fall Foliage" paper and repeat the tic marks, this time off-setting the point 2.5" from the left, both top & bottom. 

Slide your new die-cut piece straight across you die so that it slightly overhangs the front edge of the die. Complete you Sizzix sandwich by layering the cutting pad on top and roll your die-cut through the Big Shot Pro a second pass, trimming off a small section.

Die-cut a Sizzix Bigz "Square, Scallop" from BoBunny's "Forever Fall Impressions" double-sided paper.

Using the reverse side of "Forever Fall Impressions," overlay multiple stamped images using shimmering Tsukineko "Brilliance" inks, grounded with a solid "Memento" inked image ~

Add a finishing touch to the die-cut with a border in a coordinating color.

Prepare Bobunny's "Forever Fall Impressions" 5.5" x 5.5" and 3.75" x 7.25" mats for photos, layering components and embellishments from BoBunny's "Forever Fall Noteworthy" and learn how to turn THIS Big Shot Pro "Square, Ornate" die cut shape

into THIS new interpretation ~

I'm excited to share the glorious double-sided papers, immense variety of embellishments and coordinating stamps that complete the extensive collection.  

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the second layout kit available to choose from THIS friday at the "Cre8te and Take" at monthly community scrapbooking at York Street Baptist Church!

Happy Day, Laurel

Laurel Lee Pollard, Online Publisher, Promoter

New England Paper Crafts
"Ensuring the inspiring world of paper crafts continues to bloom."

www.NewEnglandPaperCrafts.com

Let's connect!  Find me at:

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram

We're Hands on Tuesday TOMORROW at York Public Library

Hello, Gorgeouses!

Tomorrow is another terrific free event, Hands on Tuesday, at the York Public Library!  My dear friend, Kate Pfirman, and I, host this event the second Tuesday of every month, taking a bit of a break for summer.

We truly enjoy crafting with the toddlers and their caregivers.  As Kate and I both have young children, we know how important it can be for caregivers to have a few moments of loosely designed play that they don't have to coordinate themselves!

So I encourage you to join us tomorrow for this free, drop-in event:

Hands on Tuesday
Tuesday, October 8th, 2013, 10:15 - 11:00am
York Public Library, 15 Long Sands Road, right in the heart of downtown York, Maine

*Don't forget your play clothes - we're working with finger paints to decorate die-cut paper pumpkins and it's bound to get MESS-Y!

 . . . and I have a leeetle surprise for my friend Kate.  I couldn't resist making up these jack o'lantern treat bags using my Sizzix eclips with ecal software, along with Martha Stewart's American Made 2013 Audience Award Grand Prize Winner, Mary Rudakas' design for SVGcuts.

While the kiddies get to decorate the front, our caregivers will receive a FREE treat bag kit so they can assemble the bags after all the paint dries!  Bonus!

My little angel did up a sample for me last
night.  Her brother saw it and said, "That's not
stinkin' cute - that's WAAY better than stinkin' cute!!!"
Winner!

I encourage you to drop by tomorrow to see me and Kate Pfirman at this free event at the York Public Library, meet your neighbors, get a little creative, and ask me any questions YOU may have about the wonderful world of paper crafts!

Happy Day, Laurel

Laurel Lee Pollard, Online Publisher, Promoter

New England Paper Crafts
"Ensuring the inspiring world of paper crafts continues to bloom."

www.NewEnglandPaperCrafts.com

Let's connect!  Find me at:

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram