Lots of Pictures

Tuesday March 24th is the "Glitter Card" class, and we thought you might like to see what we'll be doing.  In this class you'll make two cards and decorate a clear A-2 card gift box to put them in. You'll be using microfine glitter, peel-offs, dies, and Shimmer Sheetz, and hopefully some of the techniques we use will be new to you.

                                             

                                        

                                                          

The featured flower in the "Sculpted Flowers" class on March 26 will be the iris, but since making that flower doesn't really take too long, we've thrown in a bonus flower.  You'll be making a mini Easter basket with the Iris attached, and in addition you'll make a card using the dogwood die.

 

March 31 is the "Alcohol (Ink That Is)" class and we're going to do some beautiful things with alcohol ink.  We'll use different techniques to make two cards and two pillow boxes to hold your favorite Easter treat.  You can adapt these techniques to use with all your favorite stamps.

Great news for those of you just lying around with nothing to do------------

We've gotten in some new papers from KaiserCraft so you can get back to your scrapping and card making.  We have three new lines: Betsy's Couture, On Stage, and Furry Friends.

By the way, thanks for all the great comments about the dog pictures. Jazzy and Kelly have become quite famous now and some days they get more emails than we do. Today, Kelly even got a phone call!  We just can't let it go to their heads.

More Photos

I hope you're all staying warm this winter.  At least if you have to stay inside, you have plenty of time to work on your cards and scrapbooks. If you come in, the girls will show you where to find more supplies.


It's time to post more photos, since we have finished samples for more of our upcoming classes.  Hopefully you'll like some of the following and you can call and sign up for a class or two.

Above is the accordion book both closed (top) and open (bottom).  This book gives you a cleverly folded 6x6 inch booklet in which to put photos or memorabilia. It's fun to make and would make a great keepsake or treasured gift.

In the last blog entry I posted photos of two of the cards for our "Cards ---Just Because" class. Below is the third card you'll be making.  Each of the three features a different way to use your paper and all three techniques can be used with a wide variety of stamps and papers.

Don't forget that Saturday is our monthly Make 'N Take. Drop by anytime between 10 and 4 to make any or all of the four cards pictured below.  The cost is only $2 per card. 

                             

                                        

If you're in the market for a bargain, make sure you come in to shop on Saturday, March 21st. That's our tag sale day, and so far we have about 25 customers bringing in their gently used stamps, papers, stamp pads, punches, stickers, embellishments, and more.  People price their items to sell and if you're looking for some good deals, you can't afford to miss this.  Come ready to shop!

                                                     

There are only 5 seats left in the April 13th Graphic 45 class. If you're interested, make sure you call now and reserve your spot. If you have already reserved a seat, please make sure you get your payment in before March 20th. You can send a check, stop in and pay, or call with a credit card.

March Schedule

The schedule for March is finally ready and we've given it to our typist to finalize.  She says any spelling errors are a physiological problem stemming from a lack of thumbs.

Due to technical problems (Susan just got back from vacation), we don't have samples for all of the classes yet, but we do know everything will be adorable.

• March 12 - Accordion Book - I can't post the photo quite yet, but the book is very nearly finished and I should be able to put the picture up very soon.  This folded photo album is made from 3 sheets of solid 12x12 cardstock embellished with the beautiful BoBunny "Madeline Songbirds" line. It folds up to a 6x6 booklet with decorated black photo mat covers. It is fun to make and even more fun to use or give as a gift. For this class, besides your scissors and tape, you will need to bring a bone folder, a paper cutter (one that cuts 12"), and a score it board if you have one.

• March 14 - Stencil - We will be making three gorgeous cards using the Dreamweaver Pussy Willow stencil and a variety of techniques. These photos don't do the cards justice.  Check them out when you visit the store.

                           

• March 17 - Cards - Just Because- This isn't a stencil class or a glitter class or some other specialty card class, it's just a chance to make three great cards.  One will be a triple-decker, one will involve some paper piecing, and one hasn't been born yet. Come join us for a class that's sure to be fun.

                    

• March 19 - Intro to Copic Markers - For those of you who have never tried Copic Markers or have used them a little but would really like to know more about them, this is an introductory level class.  You'll learn about the numbering system, which ink and paper to use, and the proper techniques that will help you create beautiful colored images. The cost of the class is $40 and you will get 5 markers to keep, a $40 value. If you already own any of the colors you receive at the class, you may use your own during the class and trade the duplicates in for other colors.

• March 24 - Glitter Cards - Although the cards for this class haven't been made yet, one thing's for sure.  They will sparkle!  Susan always designs something cute, creative, and fun to make and this class is always in demand.  I will post pictures as soon as they're available.

• March 26 - Sculpted Flowers- We will be using the Susan's Garden Iris die from Sizzix to create a couple of stunning projects.  These flowers look incredibly real and after all of this snow, it will be a pleasure to work with them. The picture below is the sample from the die package, but I guarantee yours will look even better. Photos available soon.

• March 31 - Alcohol (Ink, that is)- One of the most versatile mediums we have is alcohol ink.  Among other things it can be used to create backgrounds for cards and scrapbook pages, to color brads and other embellishments, and even to add detail to metal. In this class you will get a chance to try different colors, techniques, and tools to create a couple of cards or projects. It's just one more skill to add to your repertoire. 

Don't forget.....................

1.  If you haven't already signed up for the Graphic 45 class on April 13, now's the time to do so.  We need to have a final count by March 20th.

2. Our annual tag sale is March 21st.  Many of you have called for a number and are busy cleaning closets and craft drawers.  If you aren't selling, what a great opportunity to buy items new to you at fabulous prices. (If you are selling, here's your chance to buy more stuff to replace the stuff you just got rid of.) Kelly has been sorting her things and is getting ready.

She seems to know which ones she wants to keep.

New Merchandise

Mom and Dad have been on vacation so we've been having a sleep-over with Sharon and Pat. It'll be good to get back to our regular routine.
       Life is rough!

















We've been receiving lots of new merchandise lately, so we thought we'd share some photos with you.  Many of you have been waiting for the new Graphic 45 papers to come in, and THEY'RE HERE!!  They have three totally new collections and two re-releases. Below are four of the eight beautiful sheets from each of the new collections.
         
     Artisan Style -     
  
                   



     Home Sweet Home - 

     Precious Memories - 

They have brought back "ABC Primer" and "Once Upon a Springtime", each one grouped with a new sticker sheet and chipboard pieces.  For pictures of all of the new papers, see their website   www.g45papers.com/products.


We have also received some new dies from both Memory Box and Elizabeth Craft.  From Memory Box we've gotten a golf bag with clubs, a golf cart, lavender, sea shells, and sea horses.  All are really cute and would make great additions to your die collection.  memoryboxco.com

Elizabeth Craft Designs has added a few new critters to their lineup including a cat, a dog, and a crab. ecraftdesigns.com

Don't forget to sign up for our April 13th class with Graphic 45.  You know you want to.

Some Advanced Dates

 While we're in between snowstorms, we'd like to fill you in on some things that are coming up.  We don't have our complete calendar done for March yet, but we do know some of the classes and events we will be offering and when they will be.







We will be having our annual tag sale on Saturday, March 21st!!  This is always a very popular and successful event and we've already been receiving inquiries about it.  This is your opportunity to sell those paper-crafting items you've outgrown, gotten tired of, or don't use anymore. 

• You'll gather all of your gently used and still working punches,stamps, papers, and embellishments.  
• Call the store for your special identification number (860-658-9023).  
• Clearly mark all your items with your number and price.  
• All prices must be in $1 increments (no partial dollars please). 
• Make sure all tags are firmly attached. We cannot be responsible for lost items with no tags. 
• Bag together loose items like papers and ribbons and embellishments. Sell as a bundle. (Please do not mark items with prices like "4 for $1".) 
• Bring your items to the store during business hours between Wednesday, March 18 and Friday, March 20.  
• Pick up any unsold items by Tuesday, March 24th before closing.
• Any items not picked up will be donated to a charity of our choosing.  Let us know if you'd like to donate.
• You do not need to be here to sell your things.  We will take care of that BUT I am sure you'll want to see what your friends have for sale and get some great deals.
• You will be issued a store credit for the amount you sell.

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In other news, here are a few dates to plan for.  We do not have samples yet but we will post the complete calendar with photos and details as soon as they are available. (That is, when Susan gets back from vacation.)

• March 12th - We will have a class in making an accordion book.
• March 14th - Stencil class
• March 19th - Intro to Copic Markers (Beginner class for those who would like to learn to use these wonderful additions to our coloring arsenal.)
• March 24th - Glitter Cards
• March 28th - Open Crop

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Don't forget, the Graphic 45 Class is filling up. In order to know how many kits to order, we must have your registration by March 20th.  You will be making a Mixed Media Book using the "Home Sweet Home" collection of papers.  The class is being held at 10:30 am on Monday, April 13th, at First Church in Simsbury (the big white church on the corner of routes 10 and 167), and the cost is $60.

And you'll also get.......

When I posted photos yesterday, I neglected to post photos from the "Spring Cards Class" on Thursday, Feb. 19th. These cards are done with a new line of stamps from Great Impressions.  These are the people that used to bring us the "Stamp of the Month."  We fell in love with these stamps and will be making three cute Spring/Easter cards.

                         

Call now to register.  Operators are standing by.............

Make 'N Take

I hope you're surviving all the snow and cold weather.  We've had to close three different days because of the storms.    :(

This Saturday is Make 'N Take and we wanted to give you a preview of the cards we're going to make.  

            

We are holding an advanced Copic Coloring Class on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at both 10:30 and 6:30. In this class we will work on shading, coloring faces, and other advanced techniques, so you need to have already taken a beginner class. Bring your Copic markers with you and if you don't own a color you want to use, try out some of ours.  You'll be making the following cards.

                             



On Thursday, Feb. 26, we will be doing an Iris Folding class. Some of you have tried it but don't remember how to do it, some have never tried it, and some of you are real pros. This class is for all of you.  We will be making three cards.

                               

 Wishing you a happy Valentine's Day from all of us at the Nest.  Kelly is ready for the occasion with her ear-brushed heart tattoo courtesy of Lori Vincent from Valley Dog Grooming Salon in Granby (413-977-2362). To see photos of Kelly and Jazzy being groomed, visit them on Facebook.