Fabulous Felt

The March Scrapaholics class is already upon us and the techniques this month are using felt and a monochromatic style. What a challenge this turned out to be! Once upon a time I was a Bazzill scrapper and then something happened - I discovered that patterned paper is not only fun to own but great to use too! I have become so use to scrapping with patterned papers that to face a kit of only Bazzill, felt and ric rac was a bit scary. Mind you it was very yummy Bazzill in 6 different purples. So, if you are up for a challenge of scrapping in a monochromatic manner join us for the class. Email for details if you are in Albury/Wodonga region or if you would like to buy a kit

I had a lot of fun in the end with using my photos as the focus of the page and not letting patterned paper be the focus. I used passport sized photos on the expecting Em page and let them tell the story of my joy while pregnant. The look is really quite effective. I guess it isn't truly monochromatic as it has green paint on it, but it is close enough.

For my second layout I really wanted a double page and this proved a challenge as I have never done a LO with 2 pages that are different colours. In the end I decided not to have two different coloured pages and cut away at the Bazzill creating two 12x12 papers from strips of Bazzill. The effect was just want I was after and it suited these great photos of Emily at the Swan River perfectly. Man she was a chubby bubby!

In both cases the felt has added a bit of dimension to the layouts. It is an interesting fabric to work with. I found it works well in the Sizzix if your dies are thick but when you try to do fine cutting it easily loses shape. Also I tried stamping on it but wasn't thrilled with the result. In the end I found the best result came from using acrylic paint.

Next month we are using wet embossing and then the following month Scrapaholics UK has designed the most gorgeous, nested, star acrylic stamps. Get in quick to own this fantastic set as there was a limited run produced.

Retreat Bookings and more exciting Cricut news

It has been a busy week since I last wrote. Our Scrapaholics class on Friday night was a huge success with some stunning pages created. There were kindy and newborn photos scrapped as well as beach and picnic photos, showing how versatile these Scrapaholics kits are designed to be.

At the end of this week is the Rutherglen class working with the scrumptious Crafter's Workshop scallops and swirls template. If you'd like to join us just email me.

The Retreat Grand opening is in a couple of weeks at the Feb 29 class and the champagne will flow in celebration of having finished the renovations!

Retreat bookings are steadily arriving and we have also introduced a class option at the retreats. You can choose to have one or two Scrapaholics retreats included in your weekend for only $5 a class. On that note we are also seeing our inaugural Scrapaholics Retreat in June filling up. For more info on Scrapaholics Clubs click here.

About a month ago I shared with you all the trial version of the Design Studio program allowing you to weld letters from cartridges you already own. This time I have some even bigger news. I came across a program that allows you to use your Cricut to cut any true type font down loaded on your computer - HOW AMAZING IS THAT! I know! The link is Sure Cuts A lot Now I haven't downloaded it yet but I have heard it is pretty good. As this is an early version I think I may wait for them to iron out any flaws before I buy it!

Great Products and Fabulous Classes

The month of February is full of great classes you are sure to enjoy. It is looking to be a very busy month with Scrapaholics classes on Feb 8 and 29 in Albury and Feb 15 in Rutherglen.


Feb 8 class is using beautiful Hambly overlays and stunning black and white papers.

The Feb 15 and Feb 29 classes both use a Crafter's Workshop Scallop and Swirls Template and some gorgeous 7 Gypsies Papers. In this class we explore doodling as a stylistic element and the template makes it easier for those who are a little intimidated by freestyle doodling.

There will also be a class in early March (14th) where we we explore using felt to add texture to your pages. The pages we will create in this class are monochromatic. With so many fabulous patterned papers on the market it is rare to complete a totally monochromatic layout with only the use of Bazzill and so this one is bound to challenge you to think outside the box. Sneak peak coming later!

If you are in Albury or Rutherglen (and surrounding areas) and would like to join one of these classes email me. There are, at the moment, only vacancies in the Scallops and Swirls and Felt classes

Scrapaholics Retreat

How exciting! The date has been set for a Scrapaholics Retreat.

This is a chance for

• Those of you who are interested in having a look at a Scrapaholics class
  
• Those of you who attend Scrapaholics workshops and would love a weekend away scrapping
  
• Anyone who wants to come to a retreat at the Scrapping Away House and doesn't have 7 other scrapping friends available when you are to share the cost with!

The dates are June 27-29

The Cost $170 per person (plus a $25 security deposit refunded after retreat)

Price includes:

TWO Scrapaholics workshops with instruction and enough materials to make 6 or more pages (these will not be kits already completed at other Scrapaholic workshops but one off kits)

Accommodation in our comfy self contained retreat house

Space for scrapping your days away - one trestle per person

Full use of the studio with all of its wonderful tools

There are strictly limited places available so please contact info@scrappingaway.com.au as soon as possible to reserve your space.

Resolutions

This is the time of year that everyone makes plans to improve, do better, achieve something. I tend to stay away from making official resolutions but I guess I still look to make positive changes in my life in general.

Did you make any New Year's Scrapbooking Resolutions?

I have seen a few around from the general

Do more scrapping

To the specific

Complete 24 LOs a week

Wow! Imagine having the time to do 24 LOs a week. I am a slow and steady scrapper most of the time and so I doubt there are enough hours in the week to finish 24 LOs. Lately, if I do more than 36 in a year I count it an achievement. I must have a weekend retreat to get some more done. Anyone want to join me for a retreat at scrappingaway.com.au Retreat House. I have been so busy setting it up for others that I have neglected to factor in some time for myself. Guess it will have to be later in the year as I am sure to be rather busy with a new baby in the early months.

I would like to catch up on some of Emily's photos before the new baby arrives. Heck, I still have photos from her first year to do and I hate that I have forgotten the stories behind a lot of those images. Perhaps, my resolution should be to jot down more of the stories of our life. I use to be good at that. Once upon a time I had a little booklet full of anecdotes all ready for journalling. Sometimes life takes over though and you forget to take the time to record these incidents.

Cricut Design Studio

I have been playing with my new toy this weekend and what a great toy it is. The new Cricut Design Studio program introduces a new level to what you can produce. Sure it is restricted by the cartridges you have, but if you already have a number of cartridges on hand this is a great addition to your scrapping room - and to the Scrapping Away Retreat House. I just love being able to weld my letters to make connected titles. Also you can play around with the size of the letters - width and height, and you can combine images from different cartridges.

If you think this may be interesting to you but you just aren't sure yet there is a trial version available at
http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=1311421&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
It only allows you to use the cartridge that came with your machine e.g. George if you bought the initial personal cutter. But at least it gives you some idea of the potential of the program before you buy.

Here is a box I have made for Emily's daycare mum for the title I used George and the Design Studio program to weld the letters.

Classes galore, kits and more

Wow, what a month it has been.

Scrapaholics Australia launched this month and the December kits have sold out already. I have bought in some extras for January and so we are set for the increasing number of clubs that are joining up.

In Albury we have 2 Acrylic Album classes this month before Christmas. If you are interested in joining one, I still have a couple of spaces left. Email me at info@scrappingaway.com.au

The Rubons Workshop was fantastic with some amazing layouts completed. It was also great to have some new faces join our going group of eager scrappers.

The January Scrapaholic workshop in Albury has sold out! If you would like to join us get your name down for February as soon as possible.

And, Scrapping Away Retreat House has had a lot of interest and weekends are starting to be booked.

What a great way to be ending the year.








One page done with the January Scrapaholics Kit