Long time, no post and bargains galore

Just an update to let you know why you haven’t heard from me in months …

First, I closed up my retail business. I just had too many irons in too many pots and I something had to go. As soon as I finally put that behind me, my hand started acting strange.

You may know that I retired from teaching Copic classes earlier in the fall because I was no longer able to color at a professional level. I couldn’t seem to stay in the lines and my blends were uneven. I could still color good enough for personal use, but not good enough to teach.

That little problem spiraled out of control in November when my hand swelled to twice its normal size. I thought perhaps I had sprained or pulled something and went to the ER. After several appointments, X-rays, a steroid injection and a few wrist braces, we are still unsure what is going on. The swelling is gone and the pain is manageable, but my fine motor skills are gone. I can barely hold a pencil and the more I write, the worse my writing gets. Picking up small things like buttons, pennies or pieces of paper is slow and painful.

The good news is my doctor assures me it is fixable, once we pinpoint the issue. The bad news is I haven’t been able to do any sort of crafting since November. All of my classes have been put on hold since I haven’t been able to make any samples.

At this point, I have no idea how long I will be out of commission. I have a test next week see if they can pinpoint the nerve damage and then we’ll go from there.

Until then, I have decided to clear out some of my stash — namely stamps, papers, dies and embellishments. I try to always work with the newest products and I figure by the time I get going again, there will be new stuff to use. So, I’ll be participating in a huge New to You Sale on Saturday, Feb 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Swartz Creek.

I will be selling some discontinued and duplicate dies, paper packs that were never opened, stamps that were never used, as well as lots of leftover and/or gently used products. If you’re looking for Christmas stuff, I have tons … I overbought to make cards and then wasn’t able to use any, so I have plenty to choose from!

I hope to see you there … and until then, please keep me in your thoughts and show me pictures of what you create. I’m going crazy not being able to do anything and I would love to live vicariously through each of you!

On the Road: Marshall, Michigan

I am so excited to take Candy Scraps on the road. I have always wanted to travel and teach and now I am finally going to do it. My travel trailer is another year in the making, but thanks to the encouragement of Els Van de Burgt, creator of Elizabeth Craft Designs, I am starting small and heading out to stores within a few hours of my house.

My first stop is the beautiful town of Marshall, Michigan, located near Battle Creek. If you have never been, it is worth the trip! This town is filled with historical and architectural landmarks, unique nationally known museums, and some amazing dining. (Win Schuler created Schuler Cheese Spread here!) Most importantly, it is the home of Paper and I, which is where I will be teaching. Along with papercrafting supplies, Paper and I, offers journals, stationary, greeting cards, unique gifts and kitchen items — a little something for everyone.

I am offering two classes Saturday, Aug. 19, along with a FREE demo. The first class will teach several techniques using Elizabeth Craft Designs Microfine Silk Glitter. This is NOT your momma’s glitter — trust me! It is soft,sparkly, smooth and silky and, once applied, does not shed. I’ll show you four different glitter techniques using dies, lace, masks and more.

In the afternoon, we will work with Elizabeth Craft Designs’ dies and Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks to create two cards and a small gift/candy box. I’ll show you how to make your own stencils, give you a few tips on die cutting, and show you a few different ways you can color with the inks.

After that, I will demonstrate how you can use Copic markers (or any alcohol-based marker) to color on ECD Glitter. The demo is free for anyone, whether or not you take the classes. Paper and I will, of course, have all of the products for you to buy. You can even preorder the products you want to make sure they don’t sell out before you get there.

Oh, and did I mention there will be giveaways??? All class participants will have a chance to win a few fabulous prizes … Those who take both classes have a chance to win a bonus gift, as well. It’s my of saying, “thank you.”

I am really excited for this new opportunity and I am so thankful Audrey, owner of Paper and I, is allowing me to teach at her store. I would love to have a few friendly faces in the group as I take on this new venture. So if you are at all able, please contact Audrey and sign up, shop or stop by. I cannot wait to see you!

For complete details, visit Paper and I, here. Or call Audrey at  (269) 781-8200​.

West Coast (Michigan) Classes

I’ve been neglecting my blog … I apologize for that. March is one of my busiest times of year (just behind October). Getting ready for all of the classes and crops means February is also very busy and I can’t seem to keep up with my blog …

One of the reasons I have been behind is a new venture in Muskegon, Michigan.

I’ve teamed up with Bayview Scrappers (a new papercrafting store opening in Traverse City this month!!!) to bring classes to one of the best west Michigan crops — Krop Around the Klock March 10-11. Bayview has rented a classroom at the Holiday Inn in Muskegon and we will be offering classes all day Friday and Saturday.

The classes (and shopping) are open to the general public, so if you want to sign up, just drop me a line, or stop by and say, “hi.” There is a limit of 12 per class, so be sure to contact me for prices, supply lists and reservations.

Of course, I am still behind, so I can only show you a few of the classes, but here they are …

This one features products from Pink Fresh Studio. I’ll show you a technique to get perfectly stamped images, and a couple ideas for using washi tape. As an added bonus, you get an entire package of Pink Fresh paper to make additional pages!

Next up is a pair of layouts from Echo Park. Except for the photo mats, these pages were made entirely with the products from one mini kit, which sells for less than $7! I’ll show you how easy it is to work with these kits and Bayview Scrappers will have a variety of them for sale.

Of course, I will also be teaching Mosaic Moments with this two-page layout featuring summer strawberries and picnic baskets. I’ll show you how to cut by hand and with the dies.

Card makers will enjoy this class which uses Elizabeth Craft Designs stickers and glitter, along with alcohol ink markers. We’ll also learn the transfer technique so you can put a little bit inside …

I am also teaching a shaker card class using a new ocean die from Memory Box (I am so into fish right now!), but I don’t have the sample finished yet. However, this technique will show you how you can make a shaker card with any die or punch … no special kits or products needed.

Lori, from Bayview Scrappers, will also be teaching card classes and some of the other vendors will be offering classes as well — some of which are free!

Since I will be teaching much of the weekend, Matt will be on hand to do demos and make and takes with you at the Candy Scraps booth. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he would be a crafter, but when left with nothing to do but play with my “toys,” his creative side has come out and he is quite good. He’s also good at diagnosing problems with machines, cutting tools, cars and even GPS systems during crops. (It’s amazing the things that can wrong …) So if you have a question, don’t be afraid to ask him.

I hope you get the chance to stop by, take some classes and explore all of the wonderful new products that will be available! Happy cropping!

Sign up for Graphic 45 class

It’s been awhile since my last post … there has not been a lot of crafting going on around here lately … I have been setting up my fall schedule, ordering new products, evaluating new releases and planning classes, but there has not been a lot of actual crafting going on.

So, I thought I would share my latest Graphic 45 card class that will be taught at Scrappy Chic in Livonia on Wednesday, Sept. 2. I do these classes each month using the Time to Flourish paper line from Graphic 45. The company puts together two cards and two tags and sends them to local stores to offer as classes. I use them as inspiration to create four cards. The classes are less than $20 and I try to include several techniques, tips or short cuts in each class, so they are a good value. And there is a great group of ladies who take the classes each month! Contact the store to sign up. I would love to see you there!

I have also been busy with my family … my son, Christopher, is in the process of getting out of the U.S. Navy. He is living in the continental U.S. for the first time in five years! And, he brought home his fiance, Ola, from Hawaii with him. She is a wonderful woman and I am enjoying getting to know her.

Of course, they have virtually nothing, so we are spending a lot of time going through things we have put in storage for hand-me-downs, looking for bargains and shopping yard sales and thrift stores to help them set up their new apartment.

They are also vegan, so I have been searching for vegetarian recipes … that part is easy, but they do not eat any animal product, which means no butter, eggs or cheese and that part takes a little searching to find the right recipes. Fortunately, they enjoyed my first meal — cooked with fresh produce and herbs from my garden.

So now you know why the delays on my end … how has your summer been? Are you ready to get back into the groove? The holidays are just around the corner … get ready by stocking up on adhesive and pick up some new papers, tools and techniques to create holiday decor, gifts, cards and more. Contact me for classes and products. If it isn’t in my store, please ask … I can order from almost every company!

Breaking News!!

I have great news to share!

You may have heard that I will soon be teaching in Millington, MI (east of Birch Run).

I will also begin teaching out of my home! These classes will be small, but I will try to help you with new techniques, make projects and more.

My first class will be Copic 101. In this class you will learn what these special markers are, how to use them, how to keep them cost-effective and much, much more. This class is just $20 and is set for Saturday, June 22 at 10 a.m. You must register for this class by e-mailing me at candyspiegel@yahoo.com.

I am also offering to teach at your house, church, business, etc. Wherever you can gather a few of your friends, I can come and teach. I can even work up unique projects just for you.

Until we meet again, here is one of my recent layouts.

Last year, my nephew was obsessed with fireworks. He kept smelling them and telling us how much he love the smell. He was so excited to send them off, I had to showcase the emotions of the day.

This layout features the new line by Authentique and corrugated cardstock by Fancy Pants.

I used cutouts from one of the sheets of paper as embellishments. I distressed them with the Tonic/Tim Holtz Distress Tool and Distress Ink and added staples with the Tiny Attacher.

 

Upcoming Classes

Happy Mother’s Day!

I hope all of the moms out there are having a nice day, today.

I wanted to share my latest heritage class … Home.

This page is perfect to highlight a family home, your grandparents’ house or you own house for future generations. It is simple, but filled with layers punched from pieces of paper, a Lifestyle Crafts’ die, a Cricut title and two different Crafter’s Workshop templates. It’s scheduled for Wednesday, June 6.

Don’t forget, I also have a Copic 101 class and my custom-made supply book class scheduled for May. Be sure to call Capture A Memory at 810-733-0716 to reserve your place.

Classes, classes and more classes

Learning is fun — if you know where to look. And crafting classes are always great fun.

Personally, I like real classes — not ones that are more like project kits — but ones where the instructor provides tips and tidbits while helping you make a project or learn a new technique. It doesn’t really matter what I make, it’s the process that is rewarding.

I could listen to Wendy Vecchi, Colleen Schaan, Tim Holtz or other experts teach all day long. I could take the same class again and again and always learn something new.

Sure, I can follow the directions and place a brad at a certain spot, I don’t need an instructor for that. But when the instructor adds tips for lining it up just right or telling you what not to do (because they’ve done it and it was a minor disaster), well, that’s what I expect to pay for when I take a class.

I remember taking a class from an EK Success rep years and years ago. We were working with products that aren’t even made anymore and the layouts I created never did receive photos or make it to my album. But, that rep taught me how to tear paper — a simple technique that you wouldn’t think you would need help with, but I’ve taught it over and over again and everyone seems thankful for the tips.

It’s moments like that that make the class worthwhile. And, since that is what I expect, that is how I model my classes.

And, I have quite a few classes on the horizon … I’m going to add a space to my blog for them to reside permanently, but for now, here are the classes I have coming up:

Art Glitter Lace Notebook

Sunday, Jan. 22 1-2:30 p.m.

Copic Airbrushing

Tuesday, Feb. 7 5:30-7 p.m.

Heritage: Holding Documents

Sunday, Feb. 19 1-2:30 p.m.

Adding Texture with Copic Colorless Blender

Sunday, March 18 1-3 p.m.

Cricut: Layers & Masking

Tuesday, Feb. 21 5:30-7 p.m.

To register or for more information, contact Capture A Memory at 810-733-0716 or click here …

I look forward to seeing you there!

 

Art Glitter Class

I have been working on bringing Art Glitter classes to Capture A Memory, a scrapbook store in Flint Township.

For the first one, we’re going to be making a notebook that makes a perfect gift for a teacher, mother, friend or yourself … it’s just the right size to tuck into your purse so you always have paper handy.

This class is being offered on Jan. 22 from 1-2:30 p.m. Space for this class is limited. Contact the store for more information or to register.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Copic Class Scheduled

FINALLY!

I finally have a place to teach and have started to create classes!

My new “classroom” is at Capture A Memory in Flint.

Now, if you’re like me and you grew up thinking you should never, ever go to Flint, relax. Capture A Memory is located at the border of Flint Township and Swartz Creek in a plaza designed for medical professionals. It’s practically in the country and not that far away. In fact, if you take the back roads, which are all paved, by the way, you will never see the city at all! But, should you want to, just about every store and restaurant you can think of is a bit farther up the road — between the scrapbook store and the Miller Road exit off of US-23.

And, if you’re coming from the Lansing area, I-69 is just up the road.

The store is very nice — much like ScrapTales was — with two floors, a beautiful crop room and all of your favorite products. They also seem willing to do special orders and welcome suggestions for the types of products you want to see in the store.

As an extra bonus, several customers who visited ScrapTales also frequent Capture A Memory, so you get to see some “old” faces as well.

Now that I’ve convinced you to make the trip, let me tell you what I have planned so far …

My first class is an advanced Copic class focusing on using the Colorless Blender Solution to create texture. We’ll learn five new techniques, practice, and then put our new skills to use on these two cards.

It’s Jan. 11 from 1-3 p.m.

Contact the store, here, http://www.capture-a-memory.com/Capture_A_Memory/Capture_A_Memory.html for details or to sign up.

And, I have one using airbrushing planned for next month … along with some classes using Art Glitter and some heritage designs. Keep checking for details!