Monday, December 16, 2013

Shadow Box for Christmas

Hi everyone, today I have my latest project for Twiddleybitz in Australia using their MDF Shadowbox and a little church, and the mini houses.  
I really enjoyed making this, and just layering and layering and layering.






I hope you enjoyed my little scene, and check out Twiddleybitz products on my website, there are some of the products are loaded, more to come.  

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

December - new website and Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone
December is here already, and has it been a chaotic year for me.   I have to say from where the year started to where we have ended up, it has been amazing.  It is incredible all the things that happen when you stop and look back at the year that has been, one of the biggest things I am grateful for is you all sticking by me and reading my newsletters, supporting classes and buying my kits and my products.  I have so many plans for next year, including a design team, and another really big project,  but I are not going into that now.  I am also thankful that my husband goes along with my crazy ideas, and helps where he can, and Aly my own personal graphic designer, has stayed up really late at night helping to get our first line of product out.
   
Well we did it, after months of work, and stress and trying to figure out stuff that I didn't know how to do, we have a website, and I am really happy with it.  There are still a few technical glitches, although the Face book button is now working, so that is good.  I have gone a little different with our stock, at this stage there is no paper, however in saying that next year there will be some paper kits, where I find products and combine them to make co-ordinating packs.  The products I have gone with are designed for scrap booking, card making, journal work, and mixed media, but not necessarily products you find at your local store.  I am in no way wanting to damage their market, in fact if you have been to my class you will know that I support bricks and mortar stores.  But I like a few random things so this is where my website will be heading, along with our own range of products.

The first product we have designed are stunning A4 pages, they are Quotes and sayings.  The pages are heavy duty white card stock, 320gsm, you can tear them, ink them, water colour them, stain them, spray them, mount them, distress them, or cut them out perfectly from their little boxes.  They are acid free, with different size texts and fonts, you need to have  a play,  and we have the first lot up on the website now.

We are working on original graphic pages at the moment as well as some vintage images. 

So for this weeks links for you to check out we are being totally selfish, they are all about us:
www.imagineif.co.nz

Make sure you check out the quotes and sayings pages, please note, they will be sent without the imagine if watermark text all over them


Classes
I couldn't have asked for a  better response to classes this year, and we only have one class left.    

December 14th Christmas Shadow box, $60.00 includes lunch, all the fun of Christmas in a great shadow box.  Everything supplied.  A great gift.  4 spots left.  Could do as a kit, $50.00 + postage, This looks amazing in real life, the camera has flattened it, which is a shame, as you can see it is going to be an an amazing day.



Merry Christmas to you all, I hope you have a wonderful break, I hope you get to share it with family and or friends.  I have a very busy day planned with 16 for lunch, but we all bring a plate, and then it is game time.  My husband and I have been planning these games for a while, and there are some really hard case ones this year.  But I cannot tell you what they are because a few family get this email.

Some ideas:
If you have little ones take them outside on Christmas eve and plant some jellybeans in the garden, when the children have gone to sleep, go and plant candy canes in the garden (in the same place of course), in the morning the surprise will be worth the effort.

Make your own Christmas crackers and hide a clue inside for a prize or in my case a clue to various sized water pistols, then really watch the chaos erupt.

Just heard about jelly tip pavlova, so i am going to have a go at making that this year.

I made 20 Santa sleighs this year for Christmas for the community house, they were very grateful, but they also make a great project for the Christmas table and as small gifts for friends and family.  Mine were slightly different, however my daughter has my i-pad and I cannot get the photos to include in the newsletter, so i will put them on Face book when i get it back.  



The last thing my friends and I did was make a Santa sack and gave it away, it was redecorated after buying a cheap one form the $2.00 shop and adding a few pretty little bits and pieces.
 

Finally a close up of the Christmas cards I did this year:









I will show you the christmas tags I did this year in the next post.  
all the best

Friday, November 29, 2013

A few projects I have been working on

I love Christmas, I love making Christmas things, so today I thought I would start by showing you a few of my projects I have made for this Christmas.

Firstly I did a printers tray as a gift. Using a Twiddleybitz printers tray as a base,  I made this little project, called In our home.
This is my 2nd printers tray project, using a Twiddleybitz printers tray, and lots and lots of little trinkets I found. 

  
  That's all for today.  I will have a few more projects up on the blog as we count down to Christmas.
 
  

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Newsletter update for November

Hi all,
It has been a crazy few weeks, with the website being built, ugh....photographs taken (that part is okay) however time consuming, a couple of amazing classes, Christmas cards, and a gate book.
I have also been designing my new range with the help of my daughter, and just started designing a 2nd new range, so that is awesome. My labels have arrived so some of the product has been packaged, just awaiting the next lot of product to get here. I cleaned my studio. it is to hard to be creative in a mess that's for sure.

I hope you have joined us on face book, 1st prize has been given away, and I will be offering another prize up soon, so if you haven't joined yet, please do so.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Imagine-If/108504492510663

A couple of links for you today,
This is my friend Christines blog, http://christinebcreates.blogspot.co.nz check it out
and another fun challenge site http://csicolorstoriesinspiration.ning.com

Classes


November classes
Saturday 16th November 10am - 1pm $25.00 per project includes Hot chips and a drink (2 spots left)
Canvas class - this is on a 10x10 inch canvas, using Prima doll stamps, and Twiddleybitz chipboard
if you are under 10 This is designed as a Mum and daughter or big sister and little sister or dad and daughter class. The project will be done together for $25.00
If you are over 10 you can do it on your own $25.00
Adults you are more than welcome to do this class $25.00 still.
Ring and discuss if you have any questions.

The cost of the class, does not include the canvas, which you will need to purchase, or I can get for you for whatever it costs to buy them
I will advise when you book.
The words can be changed, there are lots of sayings, you have a choice of two different doll stamps to use, wings can be added or left off your choice.
I will supply everything including glues. You will need scissors.



Wow
Wednesday 20th November 10am - 12pm $25.00 Scrapbooking or Card making Christmas get together
& Challenge morning
A fun morning of scrapbooking or card making, you will get a box full of scrap booking/card making supplies. You will get card stock, amazing chipboard bauble overlay from Twiddleybitz for scrapbookers and other chipboard for card makers, flowers, brads and bling. The kit will be scrappers and card makers heaven. I will have heaps of sprays and other fun stuff to play with as well. Once you have had a look through your pack, then you will begin the challenge..... no more information, you just need to be there. Don't miss out

Saturday 23rd November - Christmas printers tray - $50- includes lunch. 1 spot. A very cool Christmas decoration or Christmas gift, a printers tray in the shape of a little house, It has a theme, in our home we.....play, forgive, love,laugh etc. It will have a white base and then you can decide on whatever other colour you would like to add, and whatever things happen in your house. You can add photos if you want. or if you wish to make a Christmas house that is perfect as well. We can do what ever, so just let me know. 4 spots left only. If you would like this as a kit, it is $40.00 + postage (you need to supply one piece of paper for your wall paper and you will need your own paint)



December classes
December 4th Christmas tags class - 8 tags, $25.00 includes lunch, FULL all with different looks and different styles, uses so many different products, powders, metal, sprays, inks, etc etc. A really good way to learn. I have suggested keep them and use as a reminder what products do, will come with instructions to repeat the techniques. You can also add to your presents or would make a great present themselves.



December 14th Christmas Shadow box, $60.00 includes lunch, all the fun of Christmas in a great shadow box. Everything supplied. A great gift. 4 spots left. Could do as a kit, $50.00 + postage, This looks amazing in real life, the camera has flattened it, which is a shame, as you can see it is going to be an amazing day.



Prewarning: This is a rough plan for next year. There will be more
February - Wedding cards
scrapbooking
Art journaling - getting your mojo going for the year, creating, painting, playing, making a mess.
March - Easter cards
scrapbooking
April - Mens cards
Time for Tea a Mother's day project (I hope)
scrapbooking
May - Babies and Kids cards
June -
July - No classes here as Senz is in Auckland, shush...I will be there with........not telling yet.

So email me or phone me on 07 8873901 if you have any questions, or you want to book a spot. Leave me a message on the phone if I am out and about or working upstairs.


all the best Jo

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Childrens class November 2013.

Hi all,
Saturday 16th November 10am - 1pm $25.00 per project includes Hot chips and a drink
Canvas class - this is on a 10x10 inch canvas, using Prima doll stamps, and Twiddleybitz chipboard
if you are under 10 This is designed as a Mum and daughter or big sister and little sister or dad and daughter class. The project will be done together for $25.00
If you are over 10 you can do it on your own $25.00
Adults you are more than welcome to do this class $25.00 still.
Ring and discuss if you have any questions.
 
The cost of the class, does not include the canvas, which you will need to purchase, or I can get for you for whatever it costs to buy them
I will advise when you book.
The words can be changed, there are lots of sayings, you have a choice of two different doll stamps to use, wings can be added or left off your choice.
I will supply everything including glues. You will need scissors.



Email me if you have any questions. 
Jo
imagineif@xtra.co.nz

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

October update

Hi all,
Once again the weather is doing its best to confuse us, rain and it's a little cooler at times, though my husband is in the South Island, and he says it is freezing (well for a North Island boy) and he has a beanie on under his hardhat, so I guess some of us cannot complain.

What an awesome week, you know those days where creativity just comes in and wham, the idea is there, it works, everything you need is at hand, and you just go to it!  No, me neither! No that's not true, I have had some amazing days where everything went well, and then my order arrived from overseas, and seems like I did't't concentrate to much when I put the order through.  Firstly, who knew that ranger did tags that were 30cm long, not me, but it turns out that is what size 12 is.  Also Adirondack do an ink pad that is half an a4 page, no didn't' know that either, next time I will order in the morning when my brain may have been hooked up properly, after the coffee has run a course through my veins.  Never mind, there is nothing like a learning experience to make the day interesting.

So hopefully you have noticed the new Logo at the top of the page, I love it.  My daughter works for Tainui Press in Matamata and she designed it for me.  A new logo for a new business for us, still more about that coming soon.

I hope you have joined us on face book, 1st prize has been given away, and I will be offering another prize up soon, so if you haven't joined yet, please do so.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Imagine-If/108504492510663

A couple of links for you today,
This is my friend Robbi's blog, www.scrapsfrommyeverydaylife.blogspot.com      check it out
and Green tara make wonderful flowers http://www.greentara1.blogspot.co.nz/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/donna-downey/31263764156  
Donna Downey facebook page

Classes

  
Saturday November 2nd -a gate book, using a Twiddleybitz gate album. $40.00, all day project includes lunch.  2 spots left, a kit is available for $30.00 + postage.
This is a fun book.  Would make a great gift for Christmas to your daughter, or a grandchild, or someone special even your mum.  This book uses really lovely paper Prima paper, fairly neutral inside, but still very fun to do, with lots of pages that are all different shapes inside. You could making fun of the lessons learned in life from your mother, (tongue in cheek), a small photo album, a recipe book, a positive affirmations book, a wedding gift, a baby book for a new mum, so I am giving you the option to make the book, and then just add your own touch to the book. It would make a great gift for Christmas to your daughter, or a grandchild, or someone special even your mum. The colours are apricots and black, white and a touch of pink.

 

November classes
Wednesday 6Th November - 8 Christmas cards, Picture below is all 8 cards.  This is an all day class. $50.00 for class and lunch. 8 cards, 8 different looks, different products, different styles but all Christmas themed. Class is full

Saturday 9th November - Christmas cards - A repeat of Wednesdays card class.  All day class. $50.00 for class and lunch. 8 cards, 8 different looks, different products, different styles but all Christmas themed.
still space available.



Saturday 23rd November - Christmas printers tray - $50- includes lunch.  A very cool Christmas decoration or Christmas gift, a printers tray in the shape of a little house, It has a theme, in our home we.....play, forgive, love,laugh etc.   It will have a white base and then you can decide on whatever other colour you would like to add, and whatever things happen in your house.  You can add photos if you want. or if you wish to make a christmas house that is perfect as well. We can do what ever, so just let me know. 4 spots left only.  If you would like this as a kit, it is $40.00 + postage (you need to supply one piece of paper for your wall paper and you will need your own paint)



December classes
December 4th Christmas tags class - 8 tags, $25.00 includes lunch, all with different looks and different styles,  uses so many different products, powders, metal, sprays, inks, etc etc.  A really good way to learn.  I have suggested keep them and use as a reminder what products do, will come with instructions to repeat the techniques.  You can also add to your presents or would make a great present themselves.



November Wednesday 20th - New Class - Scrapbooking for Christmas $25.00  8 only.
A fun morning of scrapbooking, you will get a box full of scrapbooking supplies which will include what you need to create two over the top scrapbooking pages (okay you can make more), cardstock, amazing chipboard bauble overlay from Twiddleybitz, plus more Twiddleybitz, flowers, brads and bling.  The kit will be scrappers heaven.  I will have heaps of sprays and other fun stuff to play with as well.  Then it will be game time, no more information, you just need to be there.  8 only.  Don't miss out.
   
December 14th Christmas Shadow box,
$60.00 includes lunch, all the fun of Christmas in a great shadow box.  Everything supplied.  A great gift.  4 spots left.  Could do as a kit, $50.00 + postage, This looks amazing in real life, the camera has flattened it, which is a shame, as you can see it is going to be an amzing day.


Right finally am I feeling brave? What did you do last week that scared you? anything? Did you try something you have always been worried about trying?
So here is my efforts


This is my first attempt at painting, and I am pretty happy.  No I didn't draw the face, I started with a black and whitebase image, I painted the nose in though she didn't have one, and all the other features are all mine.  it looks really good in real life, the camera has flattened it a bit.  So I got brave what about you?


So email me or phone me on 07 8873901 if you have any questions, or you want to book a spot.  Leave me a message on the phone if I am out and about or working upstairs.
If you email me and I do not get back to you within 24 hours I have not got the email, I have different virus checkers and every now and again I am not getting an email.  I do not ignore emails, I respond as soon as I can.

Catch you in class.

all the best Jo

Friday, October 11, 2013

Newsletter October 2013

Hi all,
Well daylight savings has arrived, and now those days are a little longer thank goodness. The light in the late afternoon, great for photography.

Lately I have been reminded just how difficult life is for some people, my friend has PAH, a disease that damages the heart and lungs. I went with her to her appointment and watched people go through their 3 monthly checkup, which includes a 6 minutes walk. Now while that doesn't sound hard, these people struggle to breath on any normal situation, let alone in a hallway where everyone can watch, and they try and walk as fast as they can for 6 minutes. I realised that it would be so easy to give up, to not give things a go. I then wondered how often in life people look at things and say I wish I could do that, but they are so afraid to fail, to look weak, worried that they just wont be good enough or that it will be just to hard, that they never even try. My fear stems from school when I was told I might as well quit art class, as I had no talent. This has really stuck with me, so ladt week I decided to give painting another go. With some very close supervision (oh and I mean close), and some stupid dumb errors on my behalf I am learning to paint. Last week was skin tones, as long as you like speckled skin with tones of purple then it looks quite good, and for two hours yesterday I managed a few streaks in my ladies hair, some eyeliner, eye shadow (not at all like putting my own on) and lips that look as though they have been put through a grater. I will maybe put my finished piece on line for you to look at , Maybe. Now what have you always wanted to do? Why havn't you done it? Is it time for you to have a go. Now if it is a class you have always wanted to do, hopefully I have a few listed here, then maybe it is time to book in and have a go, especially with Christmas coming up. Yes I know that word is being thrown around again.

This weeks challenge: to do something that scares you, that seems a bit to hard, something you have always wanted to do. My challenge this coming week, well it certainly will not be touching a spider I can tell you that, but this week, I might.......try and upload my finished art on line for you all. Maybe......

Last weeks classes were amazing, everyone was so busy creating and playing, and I loved seeing all the techniques being mastered, and I am looking forward to the next class.

This weeks links for you to check out:
http://stucksketches.blogspot.co.nz - If you are stuck for an idea for a sketch, try this link

Do ink pads confuse you? which one should you buy? http://www.atlasquest.com/tutorials/stamping/tools.html

I was teaching my ladies last week how to use the Envelope punch board great way to make envelopes, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akeOz0m8ByU I have spoken to Annemarie at Paper Zone and she will sell them to you for $30.00, the Warehouse has them for $40.00, so ring Paperzone in Frankton and get one sent to you, still works out cheaper to have it sent straight to your home. So if you are a card maker and you don't have one of these, you need one. Seriously great product check out the link.
Envelope Punch Board
Please note there are some updated details on classes, namely a change of date so please check them out, because my diary did not mention Labour Day.

If there are any kids that want to join in a class, let me know and I will see if it is age appropriate. I will do some classes next year specifically for kids.

October classes

Wednesday 16th October layouts class - 2 layouts using clocks and cogs $25.00, 10am. Please note the words on the left hand layout can be any theme. A few spots left.


NovemberClasses

Saturday 2nd November - Change of date - a gate book, using a Twiddleybitz gate album. $40.00, all day project. Please note - This is not finished I just wanted to give you an idea of colours and style of the book. I havn't even titled it yet, or finished the other side of the gates chain.


This fun book, has lots of pages that are all different shapes inside, and is really cool to make, I enjoyed the challenge. Now it was going to be a book Making fun of the lessons learned in life from your mother, (tongue in cheek), however some people have asked if they could do what ever in the book, so I thought it would make a great photo album, a recipie book, a positive affirmations book, a wedding gift, a baby book for a new mum, so I am giving you the option to make the book, and then just add your own touch to the book. It would make a great gift for Christmas to your daughter, or a grandchild, or someone special even your mum. The colours are apricots and black, white and a touch of pink.

Wednesday 6Th November - 8 Christmas cards, Picture below is 5 of the 8 cards. All day class. $50.00 for class and lunch. 8 cards, 8 different looks, different products, different styles but all Christmas themed. Class is full

Saturday 9th November - Christmas cards - a repeat of Wednesdays card class. Picture below is 5 of the 8 cards (just waiting on some product to finish off other cards. All day class. $50.00 for class and lunch. 8 cards, 8 different looks, different products, different styles but all Christmas themed.


Saturday 16th November has been cancelled at this stage. I don;t have enough time in a day to get all the rest done. Sorry.

Saturday 23rd November - House shaped printers tray - A very cool Christmas gift, a printers tray in the shape of a little house, it has a theme, in this house we.....hug, kiss, play, forgive, etc etc. I am thinking all in whites and maybe a touch of what ever colour you would like. You can add photos if you want. if you want to make a christmas house that is perfect as well. We can do what ever, so just let me know.

December classes
December 4th Christmas tags class - 8 - 10 tags different looks different styles, add to your presents or would make a great present themselves. This can be done as a christmas tray if you want as well.

December 14th Christmas shadow box, all the fun of Christmas in a great shadow box. great gift. Brick work, a tree, hanging baubles, so excited about this one.


So email me or phone me on 07 8873901 if you have any questions, or you want to book a spot. Leave me a message on the phone if I am out and about or working upstairs.



all the best Jo

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Jewellery - something a little different

Hi everyone, I have been busy playing with a few bits and pieces from Twiddleybitz.  I decided that I would try making some jewellery from chipboard, so the first piece using a Twiddleybitz frame, which was painted and papered.  Then I made these embossed butterfly wings, and then added the torso over the top.  A few flowers and the word imagine, and a tassel to complete it.   
 No2 piece, was a frame again embossed and inked.  A few metal embellishments, cogs and a pen nib.  A few dangles to finish to off.  both of these pieces have been sent to Australia to use at the craft shows, as ideas.

My last piece, was using spellbinders bezels, which I added a chipboard torso, and some mixed media pieces.  Why create art? why love, is what I asked in this piece.   

I hate to say I nearly ruined this piece.  I accidentally used white resin to cover it all, not clear like I intended, talk about panic stations.  But that is okay just waiting on crystal resin to arrive again, then I can finish it all.    
It has been fun having a play, the final piece will be going on a piece of art, so that will be interesting. 
So that is my jewellery making, first time in ages, but it was fun, even if I am not even get to actually wear any of the pieces.  So chipboard and jewellery love it.   

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Scrapbooking - Spare parts shopping

Hi everyone from a chilly Waikato day.  Since the Americas cup racing got postponed this morning after a fantastic win, we are now on match point, and I had a free 45minutes as I wasn't glued to the television, so I thought I really had better blog this page. 

Today I have a crazy page that I did, using Twiddleybitz new steam punk range, sometimes in life you just have to have some fun.  So I decided to go spare parts shopping.

as you can see, cogs and clocks were just my thing.  I looked at all the pieces and decided that these guys looked like they might need spare parts one day.  So I made a little spare parts stall.  
it was fun to create something crazy and off beat. 



I used embossing powder to give the wings some colour, and then rubbed ink over the top.  I added Prima mini cogs to the wings.  




I enjoyed layering and adding random pieces to this page, including jewellery findings, paper clips and cogs and clocks.  I used some of Kaisercrafts collectables to add a few more pieces, and graphic 45 clocks.    
So a little strange but I love it. 
 
 

Friday, August 16, 2013

Recipe Book Cover


Hi everyone, today I have a fun project I have been going to do for ages, a recipe book.  I am an avid cook especially baking, and I have to say a little OCD with storage of my recipes.  I have all my books coded and with page references so I do not have to spend hours researching and hunting for something interesting to cook.  I even type up all my recipes and print on coloured paper according to what type of cooking it is, I told you OCD.  

I wanted to make a cover that was totally me.  All the pages inside are done with plastic so I just remove the page I want, cook, and then put it back safely, no marks allowed.  The first two photos are from my ladies Afternoon tea party I held a few months ago.  



 So now you see how over the top I am with my cooking, here is my book cover.


This is the cover of the book, I have used a Twiddleybitz original recipe label, and I just added distress stain to add some colour.  It did have a chicken on it, but that wasn't really me, so off came the chicken.
I also used a couple of black nero corners, a butterfly and a chipboard heart, all Twiddleybitz of course.

 
 So now you know I am a little crazy in the kitchen. I hope you have enjoyed my post, don't forget to leave a comment.  Jo