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:

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Momenta's on the MOVE!

Momenta, New England's largest paper crafting industry supplier, headquartered in Portsmouth, NH, is packing up and heading to the Craft & Hobby Association's Mega Show, happening THIS weekend, July 10 - 14, 2014, in Anaheim, California.

When craft retailers and designers from around the world stop in to the Momenta Booth #813, they'll be greeted by some of the most knowledgeable people in the business:

(L-R) Michael Barker, President; Kellie McGowan, Sales and Customer Service Manager; and Jackie O'Connor, Art Director and twelve-year member of the Momenta team ~

Kellie (middle) not only supports sales representatives and
retailers, but she's the real, live person that answers consumer
questions at Momenta's 800 customer service number!

I got to fly through their studios for a sneak peek before all the {NEW} goodies were packed up for the show - and I'm sharing the piccies with YOU!  First on the list is the wonderful selection of stickers, for which Momenta is famous for ~

They pay particular attention to ensuring they have a great mix of textures within the selections, from gloss finish, to glitter, and foil ~

Next up are the "thicker stickers."  Already mounted on solid foam core with an adhesive backing, doing all the "fussy" work for you. 

Look at the detail in these foam core embellishments.  I almost made off with those owls, I'm telling you.  Unbelievably cute - and the colors are right on trend.

The layered embellishments have so much detail ~

These dimensional stickers were absolutely gorgeous.  There's a mini-album right there, right?  

Yes, the Momenta team appreciates the consumer demand for quality wooden rubber stamps - and they're taking them to the next level.  See the doily and frame stamp sets?  These are nesting stamps that separate into three individual sizes, while being able to stack together into the space of one.  It is a huge help for storage and organization in a studio.

Oh, the paper stacks - I think this is the segment of their product line that truly shows the amount of professional design, trend-tracking and consumer responsiveness that Momenta puts into each item they bring to market.

When you hit the Momenta booth at CHA Mega Show, there's a reason you're going to be remarking about how attractive their product line is.  They've done their homework, well in advance.

I've saved, what I believe, is the best for last:  Momenta introduced these cut-and-emboss dies last year and they are expanding on the selection.  The dies cut the shapes and each comes packaged with interchangeable inserts if you wish to emboss the shape with different reliefs.  Or, as another option, you can take advantage of just using the embossing pieces separately.  True customization for your project.

So there's Momenta's 2014 CHA Mega Show Sneak Peek!  What was your favorite item of the preview?

Momenta invites retailers and designers to join their continued success in Booth #813 as they celebrate the recent acquisition of an acclaimed boutique paper crafting brand, Little Yellow Bicycle (read more about that HERE).  **BUYERS: be sure to ask Michael, Kellie or Jackie about Momenta's SHOW SPECIALS!

I can't WAIT to see where the Momenta team takes that in 2014!

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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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

eclectic Paperie Enjoys Success

Kim Schofield of eclectic Paperie has expanded AGAIN!

Starting as an online retailer, she opened a small part-time studio early this year.  Now, her mixed-media studio is firmly established in the vibrant downtown Exeter, NH business district.

Join Kim {TODAY} for eclectic Paperie's Grand Opening at 121 Water Street, Exeter.  She's offering a TERRIFIC free make-n-take from 10am - 1pm!

Artists if the seacoast rejoice!  We have a LOCAL resource!  

Remember, Kim's bountiful offerings can be found online 24/7 at www.eclecticpaperie.com.  

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

Momenta Acquires Little Yellow Bicycle

Momenta, a leader in the scrapbooking and crafting market, has announced the acquisition of the Little Yellow Bicycle brand and product line.

Recently launched in 2009, the critically acclaimed Little Yellow Bicycle brand has now become synonymous with beautifully designed scrapbooking papers, stickers and embellishments.  Post acquisition, the team responsible for the brand's creative vision will work with Momenta to continue designing new Little Yellow Bicycle (LYB) branded products.

"We are very excited about adding the Little Yellow Bicycle brand and its outstanding products to the existing Momenta portfolio," commented Michael Barker, President of Momenta.  "The LYB designs and products are a perfect addition to Momenta's extensive selection of paper crafting product lines in collaboration with the LYB creative team."

Ross Zachs, Vice President of Little Yellow Bicycle adds, "This acquisition will allow the Little Yellow Bicycle brand to flourish in new ways.  I'm thrilled that LYB found a home with Momenta and that they are committed to developing new and exciting LYB branded products for crafters everywhere."

Momenta welcomes all sales and service inquiries at their headquarters in Portsmouth, NH.  Wholesale orders and inquiries for LYB should be directed to Momenta's Customer Service at (800) 448-6656 or info@momenta.com.

Founded in 1979, Momenta (www.Momenta.com) is a leading designer and distributor of innovative crafting products to retailers world wide.  Based in the seacoast of New Hampshire, Momenta's acquisition of Connecticut-based Little Yellow Bicycle firmly cements the brand in New England.

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:

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"Retreat! Retreat!"

No finer words were ever spoken to a crafter, am I right?

I joined the lovely Kim Enck, Creative Memories Consultant, at her semi-annual Scrapbooking Retreat at Purity Springs Resort in East Madison, NH, this past weekend.  Oh, I was so thankful for the long stretch of dedicated time to work on some of my paper crafting projects.  

In preparation of the excursion, I packed up just about my entire Sizzix die-cutting tool table so my fellow Retreaters could enjoy these wonderful, inspiring products that I'm blessed to be able to work with every day.  A few extra trips to the car, and I was loaded with Sizzix crafty goodness to share with our group.

After a full-on scrapping on Friday & Saturday, we woke up early to a winter wonderland at Tecumseh Lodge on Sunday morning.  It was an inspiring sight, especially for those working on their holiday layouts ~

The most memorable part of the weekend?  Escorting our furry visitor from the second floor of the lodge and out the front door.  The text from Nancy Stearns, barricaded upstairs with her roommates read, "Help! Just tried to leave room and a big fat raccoon was there!!!! HELP!"   

First priority of a scrapbooker in this situation?  Get a photo, of course!  Meghan Harriman did not disappoint ~

I recently added the Sizzix Big Shot Pro Accessory - Solo Platform, Shim & Wafer Thin Die Adapter to my tool collection and, BOY, did they make an incredible addition to the versatility of the Sizzix Big Shot Pro die-cutting machine.  With the {new} adapter pad, we worked with the Big Shot Pro non-stop all weekend.

We used the full selection of Sizzix dies through it, including Karen Burniston's "Pop 'N Cuts," Tim Holtz's "On The Edge," as well as Framelits and Sizzlits, not to mention the wide spectrum of Sizzix Bigz Dies I had on hand to share.  By the end of the weekend, even the Sizzix Textured Impressions and Texture Fades Embossing Folders were getting a workout through the Sizzix Big Shot Pro!

Here are a just few examples of some creative works that we were able to personalize with all those beautiful die-cuts:

Melanie Sperry's double-page layout, using both the
positive AND negative from the die cut of
Sizzix "On The Edge - Tree Line" die by Tim Holtz

Debbie Moores' cover page is grounded with her die-cut
from Sizzix "Bigz Pro Die - Square, Ornate"

These little dandies kept me busy on Sunday with customizing
cards from die-cuts from
Sizzix "Pop 'n Cuts" by Karen Burniston

Left - Right: Kim Enck, Laurel Lee Pollard, Melanie Sperry
Front: Debbie Moores

As many of you know, Creative Memories is finalizing a reorganization process. I'm happy to announce that Kim Enck remains committed to the company that has brought so many of her creative friends together over the years.  She will be helping to launch the newly-introduced Ahni & Zoe by Creative Memories Collection throughout her Gorham, Maine-based area in 2014.

I can't wait to see "in-real-life" what creative options Kim Enck will be offering scrapbookers here in Southern Maine, can you?  Let me know what you think of the Ahni & Zoe preview.  Is it something you're considering to use to preserve your treasured memories in the coming year?

** Want more from New England Paper Crafts?  Find me on the web from your favorite creative social media site.  I share creative tidbits on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram - I invite you to join me there!

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