Did you all have a fun Christmas? Our's was good. Lovely homemade vegi dinner and I came second at Monopoly.  It's almost the end of 2010 so I need to start working on the mini album I am planning to highlight the most memorable moments of the year.  I have the vision of what it should look like in my head - I just need to make it.


And I have about 7 or 8 birthdays cards to make. (From January's birthdays to March birthdays)! To end this post with I will just lightly remind you about our first layout scrapbook class.

Sign ups are being taken now. 

I gave this layout (found a frame from Aladdin's Cave) to my Gran on Christmas Day.  She loved it.  It was completely unexpected because she didn't know that I had that photograph.  And she will be adding a photograph of herself to one of the paper blocks, and I will add journalling when/if we can find some more information about her (ie date of birth, place of birth etc).

I doubt I will be blogging again this year - definately not before Christmas so wanted to get this wish out to all of you now.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Here's hoping to a wonderful, festive, warm, 

tear free and accident free holiday.

Should we take bets on how many photographs I'll take this year?  I've been looking through my scrapbooks from 2008 and so much has changed.  I am planning to do a couple 2010: Year In Review albums since this year has been hectic by itself. 

For 2011 I am hoping that our craft classes really take off and we all have a lot of fun making wonderful mini albums and layouts and cards.  My first baby nephew will be born early next year too :) So even more photographs to take and more to scrap.

What are you planning to do in 2011?

Jeni & Janet

Just A Little Quickie

Do we need a logo?
My brother pointed out that I don't have a picture of the Guernsey flag on here.  So I quickly made this logo of the Island on PhotoShop.  Do you like it?

I might have to try it in different colors. Maybe a slightly different shade of green (I want to use green because we are Guernsey! and Guernsey is definitely green).  A more blue background?

What would you suggest?

February Double Page Layout

We are now taking bookings for February's double page layout class. This layout will be so gorgeous! We are going to use lots of ribbons and hearts (cut from the papers and felted ones).

This layout can be about anything you love: shoes, clothes, a person, drink or pet. Do you love your car? Or have you fallen in love with your redecorated kitchen or lounge? You can always could choose a topic that suits you if you don’t want to use this theme.

I'm thinking about using photographs of my newest pair of boots....

Aren't these patterned papers just gorgeous! Such wonderful bright colours and so many hearts.  We will be cutting out some of these hearts and using foam tape/dots to add dimension.

LOCATION: The Hut Rex Printers
DATE: Saturday 5th Feb 2011
TIME: 2 - 4pm
COST: £28

I will be ordering the supplies from England on 1 February (to make sure that they arrive in time).  I need payment by this date. You can send a cheque (email for details) or pay via PayPal.

January Class Kit

We are now taking sign ups for the January double page layout class.  There are a limited amount of places so make sure that you book in early to avoid disappointment.

In this class we are distressing and ripping paper! Adding rubons to wooden words and playing with lots of pearl bling! You will be getting the full instructions to make this double page layout, and can use the left overs to make wonderful cards.

Please remember that you can use this paper collection for hundreds of photographs - weddings, celebrations, parties, new born babies or heritage.

LOCATION: Our Home
DATE: Saturday 15th Jan 2011
TIME: 2 - 4pm
COST: £25

I will be ordering the supplies from England on THURSDAY 6 January 2011 to make sure that they arrive with the Christmas post. So I need payment before this date. You can send a cheque (email for details) or pay via PayPal.

Hope to see you there.
Jeni & Janet

Our Crop

went off without a hitch.  Setting up didn't really take long. Gave out a few of the info packs I'd made and had some good chats.  I made the little paper gift bags and put in three small sweeties.

Just before 4pm a newspaper photographer showed up. NOOO we're getting our photo taken! It's good to get the publicity but always the same reaction.  There are no mirrors and we don;t get to see the photos until their published! Ironically we were holding the same type of album as the photograph in the Cooks Strait.  But at least I get to add another part to this page.  And hopefully lots of people will see this and contact us for classes.

Our first class is in January 2011.  One space has be taken but there are still more available for you.  We are teaching this elegant distressed double page layout (It's framed in the above photograph because I will be giving it to my Gran for Christmas - sshhh).  I have used a heritage photograph but it would work for any celebration or festive photographs.

This class is £25.  For this price, we teach you and help you make this layout.  You also get the full instructions and a color copy of the layout in case you don't finish in class you can finish at home because you know what to do.  We are available to help too.

Do you want to come to class?
(15 January 2-4pm Rex Printers, Ruette Braye)
Please contact me. Either leave a comment below or send an email.

I've also been thinking of changing the name slightly. From Craftin Gsy to Craft In Gsy?  What do you think?

Christmas Crop Reminder

We have been busy getting everything ready for this Christmas Crop tomorrow.  It is going to be a fun 'drop in' afternoon.  To see our layouts and cards, pick up our info packs, warm up with some hot chocolate and craft away.

We are hosting our first

Christmas Crop 

on December 12th 2010

2pm - 4pm

at Rex Printers 
Ruette Braye

Come along to finish your last minute

cards and gifts.

We will be available for help and advice on your projects.

Donations for drinks/food

Lots of space for free parkin

Email for more details 

Sign up for our free newsletter



See you there,
Jeni & Janet

Re-Scheduling

In my defense New Zealand celebrates Mothers Day in May. So I was planning a layout for Mothers Day for May. Then I realized that in the UK Mothers Day is in March (well April in 2011) so I've had to rearrange some of the classes.

February is staying the same - Valentines falls on the same day all over the world.  We will be making a really lovely double page layout with lots of ribbons and hearts. I can't wait to put some glitter on all these hearts and make them sparkle!  We are taking bookings for this class now if you want to jump in and save your space or two. (I love our Mother/Daughter craft days). 

Also in February, we will be teaching the first altered mini album. Staying with the Valentine theme we are using this wonderful heart album. You have a choice of three sets of paper to make it more you. Just need figure out how many photographs can go inside. We are taking booking for this class now. Space is strictly limited to 6 and it will be a two part class as these albums can take ages to finish. They look so amazing when they are finished!

The examples for February's class with be available to see in person at the January class.

The altered layout class for March and Mothers Day. I really love the papers we will be using for this class. They are called "Le Romantique" which just seems so perfect.  I love the soft pinks and blues.  This layout will be so wonderful when it is finished! Just imagine these flowers covered in a little shine.

Don't forget that our Christmas Crop is this Sunday at 2pm.  Will you be there?

It's almost time for our Christmas Crop!

This Sunday myself and my Mom will be at the Hut at Rex Printers from 2pm to 4pm.

We are inviting you to come round and finish your handmade Christmas (or non Christmas) projects. You will also see the layout that I will be teaching in January's class, a few examples of other cards, layouts and mini albums we have made and are willing to teach you.

On Tuesday I made some shortbread cookies and they do taste real good so I might make some for the crop - a little Christmas treat for you crafters.

If you don't have any project to finish (or start) we'd still love you to come and visit us. See the layout for January and pick up a info pack I have put together. I also have leaflets for the future classes that are planned. You can sign up for classes right now if you wish.

To keep up to date with the latest info please sign up to our monthly newsletter.

Hope to see you Sunday.

A Christmas Layout

Obviously I haven't taken any photographs of Christmas Day and the surround elements yet but I am getting a head start on a few layouts. This one is for one 6x4 photograph. I've left space to add a title and journaling. I might add some glitter and I'm not sure about adding doodling around the scallop circle in white pen.

What do you do to pre-prepare for Christmas craft-wise?

Shortbread

I've been making and baking today. I made a couple layouts for our Christmas photographs and I just finished baking some shortbreads.  There are thousands of recipes online so I used the one that caught my eye first.

There are three cinnamon ones, two plain and two with cranberries.  Not sure how they taste - leaving them to cool since I burnt my mouth on my coffee yesterday.  They smell lovely.  If these taste okay I might make some to take to the Christmas crop on Sunday.

I don't like the taste of cinnamon. I've only had one apple and cinnamon muffin (made by a lovely lady in Pounawea, NZ) that I liked the taste off.  My Mom can be the guinea pig for these.  Really need to get a rolling pin though.  I put the mixture into little ball shapes and pushed them down with a spoon, but they could look prettier.  Mom should be home in about an hour so I will get her to taste test and let you know her reaction.

Getting Ready

Our Christmas Crop is this Sunday at 2pm.  If you have any last minute Christmas items to craft or just need to catch up on Summer layouts then you can pop in from 2pm to 4pm and have a nice restful relaxing couple hours of crafting.

We picked up some sweeties today for the crop.  Just need to get some hot chocolate, tea and coffee.  I am working on the leaflets and posters for the future classes.  We've had a good responce via phone and email so really hope that a lot people show up.

You get to see the layout that we will be making in January's class.  I am giving this to my Gran for her Christmas present (will borrow it for January).

I have the classes planned and leaflets ready until June (just a little obsessed with paper craft)! Need to finish the layouts for the mini album classes.  I have two planned (a heart album and a tea pot album) but we might be making more of these depending on how popular they are.  We will teach you what you want to learn!

Oh, and on last Friday I turned 26. A little scary that I have to start acting more grown up *shudder* It's a good thing I have paper craft - at least I can still play.

Are you coming to the Christmas Crop?

WOW! It is nice coming back to Guernsey after three years of sunny Christmasses to wonderful snow, but it would have been so much more enjoyable to have the right snow wear.  My lovely furry Ugg style boots are in the shipping back to Gsy.  Currently in the UK. 

All these photographs are from this morning.  It is cold!! I was tempted to go make a snowman but it just looks so perfect and complete.  If I could make a snowman then place it on some untouched part - then I would, but I don't want to have lots of mess around my snowman.  (Some foot prints would be cool!)

I had to make a couple birthday cards today.  The first one is using leftovers from a KaiserCraft layout kit I did in New Zealand.  I really like how sophisticated it looks.

This one is again using left overs from a layout kit.  It's for a little human bear girl's first birthday.

And a special Christmas card for a special person.  It's an easel card.  That's all your getting! It's a semi-secret.

I found one of my favorite Christmas albums hiding on my iPod today.  Beauty and The Beast's Enchanted Christmas.  My favorite song is "As Long As There's Christmas"

As long as there's Christmas I truly believe
That hope is the greatest of the gifts we'll recieve
As long as there's Christmas we'll all be just fine
A star shines above us lighting your
Way and mine

My Crafty Blog: How to make your own Christmas Wrapping Paper?

I just wanted to direct you to this blog post from my other crafty blog from last year.

My Crafty Blog: How to make your own Christmas Wrapping Paper?

It really is easy to make your own wrapping paper. This year I will probably be buying some commercial Christmas paper since all/most of our crafting supplies are still in England.

Hmmm... maybe I should see how much tissue paper costs? I don't like using commercial machine made products if I don't have to.

When The Snow Comes Down....

.... we stay in and craft.

Doesn't it look lovely?

It was lovely waking up to the snow on Saturday morning - but cold.  My mom and me were having a girly weekend in with lots of time devoted to crafting.  We had to make our Christmas cards and tags.  But we don't have any clear tape so we can't wrap up any pressies yet.

I took this photograph just after midnight this morning. It was so wonderful!

Looking forward to 2011

We haven't even done one class yet and I have the kits until June planned! Yes, I admit that I am addicted to scrapbooking and shopping for craft supplies.

I am freezing cold and it seems difficult to move a lot. I try to stay all curled up to keep warm. I am positive that I was a cat in a former life. Give me some nice warm spot and I will curl up and sleep.

For the February class we will be using these papers from KaiserCraft.  They are so lovely! For boys as well as girls.  Full of hearts and we'll be using the felt embellishments and ribbon too.

I have also planned a mini album for February too.  The picture of the album is in the sidebar and you have a choice of three paper collections.

In March (we are moving house, but will still find time to fit a class in) I am going for a natural, Spring themed layout in soft greens and browns. We will be using handmade mulberry paper and some really lovely fabric (linen I think) flowers from Prima.

April's class are these bright warm Summery papers. I will teach you how to make a really cool and elegant flower from paper and will overload you with buttons.

Depending on how popular the February Mini Album class is, I would like to do another one sometime in April, a teapot mini album.

To keep up to date with all our latest news and ideas - and to get reminders of the classes (and this Christmas Crop in 3 weeks) please sign up to the monthly free newsletter.

If you would like to sign up for the above classes please email me and I will reserve a space for you.

Cards

These are the cards that I was able make with the leftovers from my January layout kit.  I made five cards, and I still have quite a lot left over. (In your kit you will get these card instructions too).  If you are planning on dropping by at the Christmas Crop you can see these great handmade cards as well as the double page layout.

Please remember to book your place so that you don't miss out.  This class is limited to 6 - 8 people.

Sneaky Peeks

I am going to give you another sneak peek at the Elegant Distressed Vintage layout that I will be teaching in January.

The cost for this class (which is on 15 Jan 2011) is £25 which included the full kit and instructions.  We are even providing drinks and nibbles for you.  Because I will be ordering the supplies from England - you need to book and pay by 21st December.  (If you wanted to give this as a gift to someone I could make a little gift card).

I have been busy writing up the instructions for this layout along with the instructions for cards.  This is a little exhausting - making sure that each step is written in order and that it all makes sense!  And especially that I don't miss anything out.

Are you interested in coming?
Comment or email me.

Wow.  I took this photograph a couple weeks ago.  It doesn;t seem this bright anymore.  I'm trying to decide on layout designs for March and April.  Color (I can't stop writing this the American way - it looks weird with a 'u') wise March is a green/brown Flowers Nature theme and for April I'm drawn towards an urban slightly grungy orange.

I would take some new photographs but I can't find my camera!  I used it sometime last week but I can't remember!!! and I have no idea where it would have been left if not on the crafty table.  I am going to crash at home tonight - I don't really want to go out for a meal today.

I'm trying not to promise anything but I am tempted to make a little gift bag to give out at the Christmas Crop.  It's the Christmassy season - I feel like this crop should be festive and warm.  

Ooh... just had a great idea.

Christmas is Coming

Anyone is welcome to come along to our First Christmas Crop. You don't even have to be working on Christmas items.  Just come along and have a coffee and chat.

You also get the first look at the full double page layout that we will be teaching in January. (Space is limited for this class so you can get in early and book your place).

Hope to see you soon.

January Layout

I just finished this example of the Elegance Forever layout for January.  It was so much fun to make.  The papers are so gorgeous, as are the rub-ons and the distressing.  The photograph (which I printed onto white card) is my Gran's Mum.

I am not going to be showing the whole of the layout for a while.  It will be on show on December 12 between 2pm and 4pm at our Christmas Crop  along with the cards that I made with the leftovers, so please pop down to Rex Printers to see it.

The papers are wonderful shades of dark grey, black and cream.  In the kit I will make up for you - you get everything you need to make this layout (including instructions and a photocopy of the layout).  The papers, cardstock, pearl bling, rub ons and wooden words.

Our class will be 2 hours long and I think we'd all be able to finish this layout.  If you don't finish then you have the instructions so you can finish later at home, and you can always email/call if you need help.  If there is time left over then we will be making cards with the left overs.

If you would like to order this kit, please email me for more details. I have just booked our hut at Rex Printers. This class is on January 15th 2011 from 2pm to 4pm. Spaces are limited so please book well in advance.  The price for this kit is £25.00.


Please contact me if you would like to come to our class.  I need the payment in advance as I have to order the supplies from the UK.

You can always contact me through our Facebook Fan Page or Twitter.

Christmas Crop

We will be hosting our first

Christmas Crop 

on December 12th 2010

2pm - 4pm

at Rex Printers

Come along to finish your last minute

cards and gifts.

We will be available for help and advice on your projects.

Donations for drinks/food

Lots of space for free parking

Email for more details 

Sign up for our free newsletter

If you would like a mini kit could you let me know
by Dec 4th and I will get something together for you. 


See you there

The Latest

I am busy planning the January layout class, but I have so many ideas about what to use - but I also need to keep the price down! You don't want to pay 40GBP (I need to find where the pound sign is on this keyboard).

I will have my example ready for our First Christmas Crop on Dec 12th so you can all see it in real life. I can't wait to make this layout - it is going to double as a Christmas present. I have to keep a bit quiet about this so that no family members tell the recipient.

I just need to finalise the details (again) and check the price.  Then I can buy the supplies and get to the fun part of creating it!

Future planning is making me a little crazy. I'm trying to find supplies for a card making class in Feb. It's just one card that is pushing the price up - but it will be an absolutely gorgeous card!

It's these gorgeous swirl with pearls and roses!

This is the album I made yesterday. It was lovely to craft again. I don't have any photographs yet - I was thinking that since the album is green and brown to use photographs of my Dad's garden. But maybe I should wait until Spring to take some photographs. Or it could be 'through the seasons'

I want to get back to it today and add some more patterned paper and little bits to the inside.

An Example

Would you like to make a layout like this?

This photograph is from our Easter holiday last year in Napier, New Zealand. I am planning out only scrapbook layouts and cards that I personally would make. You only get the best!

I used quite a few techniques on this layout, but don't worry.  To start with I am planning simple layouts that make a great impact without taking hours and hours. 

It would be great if you could come along to a class next year.

Planning

I have been busy today working on a leaflet to promote this new group (you can it here and cover all the community notice boards in Guernsey if you'd like).

I have also been 'shopping' online and getting ideas ready for kits.  That way it doesn't matter if you know the first thing about scrapbooking or not.  You will get everything, including instructions, in the kit!

For January I am planning a monotone black, white, gray layout.  (New Years, Parties, Ball Gowns, Elegance)

I already know which photograph I will be using for this layout.  I can't wait to do it!!!

For February, we will be doing the standard Love Valentines layout.  This paper is screaming to be used in such a funky way!

March is planned to be a cute Spring layout.

Soft browns and greens.  With paper flowers, epoxy (glazed) brads and handmade papers.

I hate to say it but these are all subject to change.  I'd love you forever if you live nearby and can come over and craft with us.


Thanks for reading.

The Welcome Post

I am attempting to create a paper crafting group in Guernsey Channel Islands.

To focus on scrapbooking, card making and altered albums/items.

If you are interested please email me or comment here. 

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