How to Become a Kit Killer and a Stashbuster!

We recently just moved houses and I had to sort through and pack up my whole craft room. Yikes! What an undertaking! As it turns out I might be a bit of a crafty hoarder! And I'm also a kit keeper, rather than a kit killer. Is anyone in the same boat? If so, then you might be interested in my latest class at Big Picture Classes called "Kit Building and Stash Busting."

Here's a couple of hints you might be a hoarder....

• You set certain products aside to use 'for something special'.... only to find them months (or years!) later still in it's packet! 
• You keep the smallest scraps of a patterned paper still grouped together with the rest of the kit contents it came with.
•  You own eyelets ;-)

 

So my idea for the class came about when I made a resolution to break my hoarding habit and start actually using up some of those hidden treasures deep within my stash, and I can't tell you how satisfying it is to let these products see the light of day!

My solution was easier than you think.
Since I've always been a big believer in kits (makes all the difficult colour and product decisions for you before you even get started) then I figured I would begin by making up my own kit with all the bits and pieces that I've been 'saving'. 

The first lesson in my class "Kit Building and Stash Busting" will teach you how to go about doing this. I'll answer such questions as 'Where do you start when you're building your own kit?' 'What do you include in your kit, and what should you avoid?'

In the four subsequent lessons I'll share with you how I actually went about creating with my kit! This includes four videos where you'll see my process for making my projects, as well as hints and tips, and challenges along the way.

I ended up with two layouts, a pocket-page spread and three cards... and I pretty much killed my kit! Each project looks different, and each project looks as fresh as if I'd just created it with the latest releases. And the best part? I actually used up a bunch of my stash... and I ENJOYED it!!

So if you're looking for a way to challenge yourself this weekend, check out "Kit Building and Stash Busting" over at Big Picture Classes!

If you're not already a member you can sign up for a FREE 14-day trial, and you'll get access to the whole back catalogue of classes to try out. I've got some other ones over there as well. These include:

• "Creating with Kids | Cards"
• "Documenting Your Newborn"
• "Minc | Beyond the Basics"

Have a great weekend!

The Story of Creating with Kids

Have you seen the all-new Big Picture Classes website yet? With its recent launch, I wanted to share a little bit about the site with you. I'll be teaching some classes online with Big Picture Classes this year, and I'm so glad to be able to work in such an all-around amazing place to find inspiration, advice, and creative content from experts all over the world.
If you're not familiar with Big Picture Classes, it's an online learning platform for all things crafty, offering classes that cover all the crucial topics about crafting, creating, and documenting memories that you'll need to excel and then some.  Become a member of our learning family, and you’ll get access to as many classes as you want for only $9.99 a month.  Each class brings you a variety of topics and ideas, not to mention videos, PDFs, prompts and so much more! Stop on by the BRAND NEW Big Picture Classes website to find out more about how you can learn everything you need to know to document your memories beautifully every time!

The first class I'm teaching this year has already launched and it's called 'Creating with Kids'. This installment focuses on Cardmaking. Yes I'm giving you a great big hint there! ;-)
I'm really excited about this topic. I think there's something very special about sharing your talents and imparting your passion to your kids. My girls were so chuffed to be invited to collaborate with me on this class, and every morning they were asking me "what project are we going to do today?" They pretty much consider themselves as co-teachers in this class now!

The way the class is structured is that I teach you 9 different art and craft techniques that you can do with your kids. They're fun and different and messy and awesome! They'd work great just on their own for keeping kids busy during boring weekends and school holidays. But then I take it a step further by showing you how you can take their finished pieces and turn them into 9 different greeting cards that you could give to anyone.

And no, you totally don't even need to have kids to do this class! I've had plenty of women say to me that they're excited to try out the techniques for themselves, and they're coming up with some spectacular results.

Big Picture Classes is also offering a FREE 14 day trial at the moment where you can take my class and as many other classes as you can handle during that time. So what are you waiting for?! You can find out all the information about Creating with Kids | Card Class here.

Happy Scrapping,
xx

Flashy Cards Fast

This gives me goosebumps to even say this out loud but in November I'm going to be teaching my very first online class with Papercut Labs called "Flashy Cards Fast"!! Eeeeek! Can you hear me jumping up and down squealing with delight over here?

Card making has become a real passion of mine recently (you may have noticed!!) to the point where I would say I am just as comfortable and excited making cards as I am scrapbooking. That's something I never would have imagined a couple of years ago. I always thought you were either one or the other ;-)

But I live a busy life, and as much as I love crafting I just don't have hours and hours to dedicate to it. As a Mum of two girls with another on the way, and still working full time I'm lucky to make it into my craft room some days at all! And let me tell you, those girls have hectic social lives. Just this weekend gone we had two birthday parties to attend, and received invitations to two more for the following weekend. There's 4 birthday cards I 'need' to make right there!

So that's why I love this idea of being able to create Flashy Cards Fast. Is it possible to make a decent card in under 5 minutes? I think it is!! Let me show you...

        

This is the card I whipped up for the video. Layers of torn tulle is what I've added under the journaling card ('cos I know it was a little hard to see) It adds some lovely soft texture, plus I'm all about using up whatever supplies you've got on hand.

During the 5 weeks of November I'll be showing you how to make 25 different cards on a time budget. These will range from cards made in 1 minute to cards made in 20 minutes. Each will include step by step instructions, and many will come with a video sharing my creative process from beginning to end.

Every week will focus on a different occasion including Babies, Birthdays and Bereavement. There will be feminine cards and masculine cards. But every single one will be totally adaptable to your own occasion and particular style. There won't be any prescribed supplies for the class because I want you to be able to take whatever materials you've got in your craft room and put them to good use! This class will also be about using up your hoarded stash ;-)

There will be lots and lots of techniques covered too. Paper layering is a favourite of mine, and I'll share some tricks on how to match different colours and patterns. But other techniques include stamping, die-cutting, creating shaker cards, origami and a good healthy dose of Mixed Media!! Check out some of my other sneaks here to see what I mean.

REGISTRATION for Flashy Cards Fast is now open!
And to celebrate we're offering you a discount! For this week only you can sign up for only $24.95 which is less than a dollar a card!! On Wednesday 22nd October it will go back up to it's regular price of $30 so get in quick!
Classes will start on 1st November and go for 5 weeks, but once you're signed up you'll have access to it forever so you can come back and take the lessons at your own pace. Or return for a refresher whenever you feel the need.
There will be a private forum where you can ask me any questions you like and to chat with other participants. You'll be able to upload your own cards to our gallery so you can 'show and share', and see what other people are creating. It's going to be so much fun!


And lastly, what's a advertising post without a good GIVEAWAY?!!
 

Studio Calico have generously donated this fabulous prize which includes items from their September Card Kit to get one lucky winner stashed up for their card making journey! I've actually used this same kit in a few of my cards for the class and can vouch for how handy it is. Especially that stamp set - it's a really useful one to have on hand. So far I've used it on an Engagement card, a New Baby card and a general Congratulations card!

To WIN everything you see here, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post. Tell me whether you consider yourself a cardmaker or not, tell me what you'd like to see in a card class, let me know if you feel confident making Flashy Cards Fast.... I don't mind what you say! Just leave a comment!

Want a second chance to win? Pop over to the Papercut Labs blog and leave a comment on this post to be entered again!

Open internationally. We'll draw a winner on Wednesday 22nd October at 8pm AEST. Good luck!

The Story of the Brushscript Class

Are you someone who takes a lot of online classes and enjoys learning new tricks and techniques that way? I have to admit that it takes a pretty amazing-sounding class description to get me to sign up for these sorts of things. Only because I know my time is fairly limited so I have to choose carefully.  

Oh, and really... it's also because I often lack the enthusiasm to see it through all the way until the end. I'm too inpatient I think. I'll take the first few lessons and then decide I've learned enough and I just want to do it my way now ;-) I admit... not really the best tactic!

So with that insight into my thoughts about online classes then you must believe me when I say this..... the Kal Barteski Life Scripted class at Studio Calico is one of the best classes I've ever taken! It's totally rocked my scrapping world! Yes I saw it through to the very end. I watched every video, taking notes as I went. I bought some supplies and I've practiced the techniques she taught. And then I've actually applied what I learned and included brushscript into a number of projects now.

I was just mentioning this on the Studio Calico forum, but here's some of the reasons why I loved this class...

1. It's obvious Kal is completely in love with the process, and her enthusiasm is contagious. I've never seen anyone so excited about stirring paint around before!

2. It is a new skill. It's something completely different than many other classes. So once you've learned it, you've got the opportunity to really change the way you create. At least, that's what I've found. 

3. Apart from the class, you really don't need to invest in a whole lot of new tools or other equipment to keep it up. Kal will take you through all the materials she prefers to use, and she's got lots of good reasons for that. But in all honesty, I've had just as much fun using an ordinary paint brush, black ink (misting ink.... like Mr Hueys) and some ordinary printing paper (although I do like the drawing paper better).

I was practicing my newfound skills at my recent Escape 2 Create retreat and it caught the attention of lots of interested bystanders, including my fellow teacher Kim Archer. Earlier this week she published a bit of a behind-the-scenes look at my practice and process of creating this layout on the Jot Magazine blog. You can see that feature here.

Even though the Kal Barteski Life Scripted class has finished running in real time and the message boards have closed, you can still sign up for the class today. It's proved so popular (with good reason) that Studio Calico are going to continue to provide you access to it. You'll still be able to watch all the videos, download the PDF's, get the digital files etc etc, so I think it's definitely still worthwhile investing. You can find out more information and sign up here. If you've taken the class already... what did you think?

The Story of Life Scripted

Script art is a big trend right now and I for one love it! You may have seen it featured in paper collections like Studio Calico's Printshop, or the new Basic Grey Highline. The latest name to be popping up in scrapbook circles, and the lady who really embodies brush script art is Kal Barteski. She recently helped design the new Amy Tangerine Plus One collection, and in February is offering a class at Studio Calico!!

I am absolutely jumping-for-joy, over-the-moon excited about this one and I reckon it only took me about 2 milliseconds to decide to enroll! The only problem with the class is it doesn't start until February 1st and I'm finding it hard to wait that long!

Lacking the proper supplies, and not even knowing the basics of script art yet, but I couldn't help but try my hand out at it already. There's a number of obvious failings in this, but not a bad starting point I think. I can definitely work from here up.

Can't wait to learn some proper technique from the master herself, along with plenty of other inspirational Studio Calico girls contributing too.

Here's some info about what you'll get if you enroll in the class. The message board is already buzzing with excited folk, and you'll get access to the digital files straight away. You should see them, they're fabulous! I reckon I'll need to be investing in another Silhouette blade at the rate I've been cutting ;-)

Here's a link to all the other proper supplies you can pick up at the same time:

Life Scripted Class Mister Huey's Inky Black Acrylic Paint: Bone Black Bamboo Brush: Size 4 Bienfang Drawing Paper Pad

InLinkz.com

So I might see you there right? ;-)