Monday, December 22, 2014

Merry Christmas everyone

Merry Christmas everyone

Well the tree is well and truly up, the presents all two of them are under the tree (okay there are some hidden ones, but we cannot discuss those as we agreed not to buy for each other, because he got me a new spa pool - but it seemed fair since really the spa is for me). We have a couple of huge days planned, we are all going kayaking for one day and eating the other, sounds like a good way not to spend two days eating.  My family get together is always fun, and this year it has got a bit bigger again, we are lucky enough to have a lovely guy join us, Samantha's partner Sean.

I am pleased to say that the shop has gone from strength to strength and classes are nearly always full, and for that I am truly grateful, that you put your faith in me.  I have enjoyed doing some really cool projects this year, and when someone says to me that they feel inspired, and that I gave them a new purpose, then I can honestly say I am very proud of what we are doing.

Pauline has been amazing this year, from running the make n takes at Senz to taking classes for Children every week, it makes my life a lot easier, not to mention she makes my coffee perfect, although i do blame her for the slip up on the diet when she feels like a cake, I never feel like one till she mentions it.

We have a lot of new products in, and the job over the next week or so of the Christmas break is to get more stock loaded.  It has been a major struggle this year to keep up with that, the shop, the classes, the design team, and the custom cutting we are doing.  So will have to address that next year.

We have booked into Senz, a large stand, a whole classroom, so that is going to keep us busy, and I am off to Nelson to the Spa retreat to teach as well.  I am in discussions with about coming to Northland to teach, and a few other places.  We will be looking at doing scrapbooking kits as well, as we know a lot of people cannot get to our classes.  Plus other kits as well.

Please if you are following us on facebook, make sure your notifications are turned on for us, as you wont get to see our posts if they aren't.  When our post comes up, top right is a little arrow, click on that and a drop down box shows one that says turn on notifications.   Congratulations to all our winners this year.

We are now closed until the 13th of January when we will be on limited hours, and then we re open on the 20th January properly.  Classes start with the school term.

I want to wish each and everyone one of you a Merry Christmas, please stay safe.  Forget the diet Christmas day, spend time with friends, family, have lots of fun.  Lick your knife, and the bowl clean.  I hope that 2015 is Amazing, that the world is good to you, I hope with all my heart that we do not go to war, that the goodness in people will prevail, and that we can all look at strangers and smile.

I decided to add a little game that we like to play when we are all together, it is really simple.  Everyone starts with a present, and you stand in two lines or a circle, and everyone time you hear the word left, you pass your parcel to the left, if you hear the word right, you pass to the right, and if you hear the word across you pass your parcel across.  It is a great game, and so much fun to play, doesn't matter if you are young or old. So if you are having a big get together or a medium one, try it out.

I have added the game below, so you can print it out, to play.

Thanks for all your support.
Jo
Imagine If...             


This is a story about Mr. and Mrs WRIGHT. One evening they were baking cookies. Mrs. WRIGHT called from the kitchen, "Oh no, there is no flour LEFT! You will need to go to the store." "I can't believe you forgot to check the pantry," grumbled MR. WRIGHT. "You never get anything RIGHT!" "Don't be difficult, dear," replied Mrs. WRIGHT. "It will only take twenty minutes if you come RIGHT back. Go along Studholme street, and turn Right at the stop sign. Then go to Thames Street and turn LEFT, drive along there and there it will be ACROSS the street on your Right," declared Mrs. WRIGHT. Mr. WRIGHT found the store and asked the clerk where he could find the flour. The clerk pointed and said, "Go to aisle four and turn LEFT. The flour and sugar will be on your LEFT, or perhaps it may be ACROSS the aisle, on your RIGHT, I just don’t remember for sure."
Mr. WRIGHT made his purchase and walked RIGHT out the door. He turned LEFT, but he couldn't remember where he had LEFT his car. Suddenly he remembered that he had driven Mrs. WRIGHT'S car and that his car was in the driveway at home RIGHT where he had LEFT it. He finally found Mrs. WRIGHT’S car ACROSS the parking lot and to the RIGHT. Eventually, a weary Mr. WRIGHT found his way home. Mrs. WRIGHT had been waiting impatiently. "I thought you would be RIGHT back," she said. "I LEFT all the cookie ingredients on the kitchen counter, and the cats got into the milk. You'll just have to go RIGHT out again. " Mr. WRIGHT sighed. He had no energy LEFT. "I am going RIGHT to bed," he said. "Anyway, I need to go on a diet, so I might as well start RIGHT now. Isn't that RIGHT, dear?" MERRY CHRISTMAS
 

Monday, December 15, 2014

9 sleeps till Santas comes,

Merry Christmas everyone,
Well the jolly fellow is on his way, and we have a giveaway.
The design team have all been busy creating, so all you need to do is go to each team member to get the complete list, and they will have a clue, write the answers down, and then go to the Imagine If face book page
https://www.facebook.com/ImagineIfNZ 
go to the post about this weeks hop and write I WANT IT ALL.  If you are the one selected then I will ask you to list all the prizes and if you get them right, you get it all.  It is that easy.   Do not put the answers on facebook until you are selected as the prize winner. 

So here we go:

Katrina Hart http://randominkings1.blogspot.com/2014/12/its-nearly-christmas-time.html
Brenda Morgan: http://thyme2craft.blogspot.co.nz/2014/12/twelve-days-of-christmas.html
Ngaere Bennetts: http://nysbiz.blogspot.co.nz/2014/12/imagine-if-design-team-project-mdf-box.html
Tash Chanwai  http://withallmyartandsoul.blogspot.com/2014/12/merry-christmas-everyone-this-is-my.html
Carol Noakes: http://4carol.blogspot.com/2014/12/i-love-christmas.html
Beth Barnes:  http://www.bethbarnes.co.nz/christmas-recipe-book/
Lilian Clifton    http://amysticaltouchnz.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-hideaway.html


Good luck everyone.

  

Sunday, December 7, 2014

On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me........7 stockings ....... 7 ways.....from 7 designers

Hi all and it starting to look a lot like Christmas.  There is starting to be magic in the air, lots of hustle and bustle and present buying has begun and hopefully your cards are made.

This week the design team were given a christmas stocking each to decorate.  Then to make things a little harder, I got them all to guess what each other was going to do.  This had awesome results, some decided they were to predictable, and wanted to step outside the square.

So what have they been up to?

I guessed Lilian would use lace, beads and pretties, cream and red, maybe a dash of green.
Did she? Click on her link.  
 http://amysticaltouchnz.blogspot.co.nz/2014/12/burlap-christmas-stocking.html    

Beth I guessed would use simple clear clean lines, stencils.  Red and green. Click on the link to see if I was right. 
http://www.bethbarnes.co.nz/christmas-stocking/

Now Ngaere was always going to be a hard guess but I said.. tricky - traditional with a dark underlying theme, very grungy.  Click on the link to see. 
http://nysbiz.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-stocking.html

Next up is Tash was I right?   Red with lots of beads, stitching, material
http://withallmyartandsoul.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-stocking.html

Katrina was never going to be an easy guess 
boy orientated, not to much but not as clean as Beths, traditional colours.  What do you think?
http://randominkings1.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-stocking.html

Carol is next I said quirky but smart traditional colours but maybe with a winter feel.
http://4carol.blogspot.com/2014/12/hang-it-herethereand-every-where.html

Brenda had me stumped a bit.  Red with an unusual base on it, maybe pine cones glued on it. what did she do?
http://thyme2craft.blogspot.com/2014/12/stocking-for-santa-to-fill.html

So how did they do?  leave us a comment.





Sunday, November 30, 2014

On the 1st day of December......

Hi and welcome to December everyone.  Can you believe it! The 1st of December 2014.  Next thing you know another year will have passed and we will have to write 2015.

I have just finished putting up my Christmas tree, just one this year as I have the painters here, and to be honest the dust is everywhere, I warned them that the kitchen family area had to be completed by today, and it was.  So now after my husband spent yesterday cleaning up the dust and mess, (Oh I couldn't help unfortunately had to work..darn that was well planned) I got to do the hard part and put up all the pretty things.  So I have a gold, white and black tree this year.  Not sure where all the colour went, I just decided that was this years look.  Though the shop tree which I hope to get up tomorrow will be purple and silver.           

This has been a crazy month, well actually a crazy year.  I don't feel like I have stopped, and even when I have managed a bit of time off, the brain has continued to churn.  I don't look at anything now with out imagining where the cut lines are, where it needs to be embossed, will it work as a stencil.  Just as well I love my job I think.

We have have just finished our last class Saturday class for the year, we have 3 weeks left of scrapbooking classes, and one more card class.  We still continue with out UFO class (Unfinished objects class) on Thursday nights, until the 19th of December excluding the 11th December, as we have a private function that night.

Stock arriving is sort of slowing down finally, though we have got all the new Kasiercraft ranges, as well as graphic 45, and much more.  I hope that by closing on the 20th of December, we will have a chance to load all the stock on line, as we will finally be ahead, instead of constantly being behind.

Beth Barnes has designed a couple of Christmas stencils, which I managed to cut some on Saturday morning, but then promptly sold them in my tag class, so I didn't even get to photograph them and they were gone.  So I will post them on facebook as soon as I re cut tomorrow.  There is a holly stencil and a bauble stencil.  They are both $6.50 each, and obviously they were popular.
I will try and load them as soon as I can.

The design team has been very busy with more projects and if you click on the links you will get to see what they have been up to.

Carol, http://4carol.blogspot.com/2014/11/oh-christmas-tree.html
Brenda, http://thyme2craft.blogspot.com/2014/11/xmas-tree-oh-xmas-tree.html
Tash  http://withallmyartandsoul.blogspot.com/2014/11/christmas-tree-album.html
Beth     http://www.bethbarnes.co.nz/merry-christmas-jacobs-ladder/
Katrina   http://randominkings1.blogspot.com/2014/11/oh-so-different.html
Lilian    http://amysticaltouchnz.blogspot.co.nz/2014/11/family-christmas-recipes-journal.html







     

     

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Christmas Trees and some tags


Hi everyone,
I have just arrived home from a weekend in Queenstown, and seen what I think is probably one of the most amazing places in the country.  The old saying Don't leave home till you have seen the country is really true.  I was amazed with the beauty of the area, and a little bit a of rain did nothing to dampen my spirits down there at all.

As the title says it is now the countdown to Christmas and if you haven't starting on your cards and gifts...you need to start now.

We have done a last minute christmas kit... it is $45.00 plus postage of $5.00

This kit comes with paper, and all the embellishments you can see here, some will need to be painted or coloured.  It includes our new acrylic mirror candles, chipboard, and paper pictures,  bows, trees, clock etc.  it does not include glitters or paints.  The kit is 30 x 30cm in size.
  
Limited kits, to purchase click on here. 
http://www.imagineif.co.nz/imagine-if...mdf-3d-projects/      
Adult Class Lists:
Wednesday scrapbooking class is full. 

Friday
This Friday 28th we have a card class.  We will be making a beautiful Christmas card and box project this week.  The cost is $12.00 and everything is supplied, except your tap and tools.   We have 2 spaces left for this class, Then the next class and final class for the year will be 12th December.
Other classes:

Saturday November 29th  - 10am - 2pm $30 for 8 tags.  My very popular techniques class from last year.  We will be making tags using lots of different products, mediums, patinas, inks, sprays, re-inkers, paper, stamps and wacky ideas to make a set of tags.  Photo is from last years class.  This years will class will be different.     Two spaces left. 

December  Cake decorating class with Cheryl Owlsley-  Due to the death of Cheryls mum this class has been cancelled.  We feel deeply for Cheryl and her family.    

Please note:  We close on Saturday December 20th, so we can get ready for all the amazing things we will be doing in 2015.
We have lots of classes ready to go, new projects, and so much more, but we need some serious planing time, for Senz, as well as the retreat in Nelson, and more very cool projects. 
Classes sorted so far are
Recipe book
Art
Photography
Mixed media
Scrapbooking Layout day
Card days
Art journal

and more.

So what have the design team been up to! Christmas trees and tags on the blog hop today. 
Katrina http://randominkings1.blogspot.co.nz/2014/11/christmas-trees.html
beth      http://www.bethbarnes.co.nz/christmas-tree-advent-calendar/
lilian     http://amysticaltouchnz.blogspot.com/2014/11/mdf-christmas-tree-all-ready-for-santa.html
ngaere http://nysbiz.blogspot.com/2014/11/a-tale-of-three-tags.html
tash http://withallmyartandsoul.blogspot.com/2014/11/christmas-tag-and-small-gift-tags.html
carol   http://4carol.blogspot.com/2014/11/its-nearly-christmas.html
brenda   http://thyme2craft.blogspot.com/2014/11/lifes-beach.html

Sunday, November 9, 2014

The next lot of sleighs are up on the blog, and some christmas cards.

Hi all,

I hope everyone is keeping well, and enjoying the lovely weather.  I got to spend the afternoon in the sun with family today which was lovely.  Although the swallows who live on the deck seemed put out, that we were in their space, and they couldn't get to their babies.  After being swooped at, and bombed for a while they finally got brave enough to sneak in and feed while we sat quietly.  The things we do to make peace with others living in our world.   

Just a quick email this week to let you know that we are clearing out our range of felt products this week, we have 50% off all felt in stock, all flowers, leaves, and other bits and pieces.  We have so many more ideas and we have no where to put them, so it has to go.  If you want to order anything on line, please select the product and we will add the discount afterwards.  It is only on the felt this week.  

I was also going to show you a new kit we had out this week, however I left the photos at the shop, so I will put up next week. A Christmas project, easy to do, and makes a great piece.  

Product watch: 


I just couldn't pick one today, so i thought I would show you some of the products we just received from Bobunny.  We also have papers from Kaisercraft arriving in stock,  and we stock Paper Arts paper.   

  AltitudeRose cafe
Starcrossed. 
I love them all. 
Senz 2015 VIP tickets have gone on sale check them out here.  
http://www.senz.co.nz/
 

It is all official - check this out, I am one of the tutors.  Now I really will have to be creative to earn my keep. 
https://www.facebook.com/scrappingandpaperarts


Adult Class Lists:


Friday
This Friday we have a peelcraft card class.  We will be making 3 cards for $12.00 using peelcraft stickers.  Then the next class will be 22nd November we will be making two more different cards, and then the final two cards on the 12th December.  We usually make 2 cards for $12.00. 
Other classes:

Saturday November 29th
  - 10am - 2pm $30 for 8 tags.  My very popular techniques class from last year.  We will be making tags using lots of different products, mediums, patinas, inks, sprays, reinkers, paper, stamps and wacky ideas to make a set of tags.  Photo is from last years class.  This years will class will be different.     

December  1st and 8th - Cake decorating class with Cheryl Owlsley- $45.00.  Learn to make poinsettas and berrys for the top of your christmas cake, and how decorate your cake with icing and glitter.  The class is over 2 weeks on a Monday night 7pm - 9pm.   Make your decorations one week, and add to your perfectly iced cake (she will show you how) the next.  You will get a kit to be able to make more xmas decorations at home. You will need to bring a 6inch christmas cake on week 2, and some royal icing and almond icing.    

Photos up next week. 

 
2015 - we have lots of classes ready to go.
Books
Art
Photography
Mixed media
Scrapbooking Layout days
Card days

and more.

Look what the design team have been up to today.....  We have more sleighs and some cards on the blog.  Click on each link to take you to each designers page, or you can follow the hop along.  

Carol: http://4carol.blogspot.com/2014/11/santas-sleigh.html
Brenda: http://thyme2craft.blogspot.com/2014/11/watch-out-here-comes-santa.html
Tash: http://withallmyartandsoul.blogspot.com/2014/11/christmas-sleigh.html
Ngaere: http://nysbiz.blogspot.com/2014/11/imagine-if-gothic-sleigh.html
Beth: http://www.bethbarnes.co.nz/christmas-cards-imagine-if-style/
Katrina:http://randominkings1.blogspot.com/2014/11/christmas-cards.html
Lilian:  http://amysticaltouchnz.blogspot.co.nz/2014/11/christmas-cards-and-gift-card-tag.html


Monday, November 3, 2014

November is here, and Christmas is coming.

Hi all, and welcome to this weeks design team projects.  The girls have been super busy and I have given them lots of Christmas projects to complete.

First up, all the girls were given sleighs, but only 3 have them up this week, the rest have layouts, so you can see what to do for your Christmas pages. Next week the other 4 will show their sleighs. 


this retails for $10.00

So what have the girls been up to? 

Katrina -http://randominkings1.blogspot.co.nz/2014/11/christmas-sleigh.html
Beth:    http://www.bethbarnes.co.nz/santa-and-his-elf-are-on-their-way/
Lilian :  http://amysticaltouchnz.blogspot.co.nz/2014/11/shabby-chic-sleigh.html
Carol: http://4carol.blogspot.com/2014/11/christmas-layout.html# 
Brenda : http://www.thyme2craft.blogspot.co.nz/2014/11/meeting-santa.html
Tash : http://withallmyartandsoul.blogspot.co.nz/2014/11/christmas-layout.html
Ngaere :
http://nysbiz.blogspot.com/2014/11/dear-santa.html

Enjoy the day.
Jo

Monday, October 27, 2014

November is on it's way!



 Hi all,

Happy Labour day to all.  I hope you all had a chance to have some time off and a relax.  I actually spent a whole day removing the entire population of spiders homes from my house.  We have the painters coming in tomorrow and really didn't want them to see how much wildlife lives here at the moment.  So we are now cobweb free.  My husband is home at present, and thought he would be smart and make fun of the fact that I like lists, I find it is the best way to get everything done, so I have books of lists, work lists, things I would like to do lists, party lists, Christmas list is just being started and more.  So Mr Smarty pants wanted me to tell him what I wanted done around the house, and then when I mentioned a few he said he couldn't because they weren't on the list.  So I made him a list....a long list, in fact I pulled an old till tape out and wrote it on that.  You have heard the saying list longer that your arm...yes it was.  Haven't heard from him again,  probably wishing he was back in Christchurch.  I see the list has a pen attached to it now, and there are lines through several jobs, might be a really tidy house when he is finished.  Now what other jobs can I find him... seems a shame to let that list get much smaller. 

New shop hours
Things have been crazy, we do so much custom cutting and we are struggling to fit it all in.  I have found I am back working an 80 hour week, and that will end up in a disaster for me physically, and we will end up closed again.  Also with trying to custom cut I find we are out the back, and after losing quite a bit of stock a few weeks ago to a light fingered person,  I have made the decision to change the hours to suit the pattern of shoppers and to give us more custom cutting time.   However if you are coming to town on a day or a time we are closed please ring me, make a time and we can be open for you.  I will put the phone number on the shop door and if you ring me I can open up.   Phil and Jo at the prepare shop next door, can call out to me at the back of the shop, so pop in and see them if you do not have a phone.  I am sorry that we are not open all the time, but with the cost of staff we just cannot man the shop all the time.

How do you get hold of us?
You could print and cut this out and put it on your fridge to contact us....
_________________________________________________________________________________

Shop Hours and Contacts:

Phone: 0274991485
25A Canada street, Morrinsville.

Hours Open:
Monday: 10am - 1pm.
Tuesday - Closed  all day.
Wednesday - 10am - 4.30pm.
Thursday - 1pm - 4pm
Friday - 10am - 4pm
Saturday - 10am - 12pm.

Any other time by appointment only.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Product watch
Sprays:  There are a lot of brands of sprays out there now, it seems everyone has their own version out there.  Radiant rain and tattered angels was one of the first sprays out a few years ago.  i thought I would give you a bit of a heads up of what they are all about.
In general terms the sprays are a MICA, in water or alcohol.  That's it.  So what is MICA  - it is the colour in your product. I wont go into the scientific bits and pieces, but it is in your makeup, colour hairsprays and your paints.  It adds the colour, sometimes it has glitter added and sometimes not.
When adding sprays to card or paper there are a couple of things to watch for.  If you product you are spraying is absorbent then the colour will soak in, and you don't really get a bright colour it can be dull, however that is not a bad thing sometimes. If you want it to be brighter try adding gesso as a sealer, and then your colours will stand out more.
DONT SHAKE BOTTLES WITH GLITTER IN - hold nozzle in fingers of one hand, and knock the bottle against the palm of your other hand, shaking the bottle the mica and glitter goes up the tube and blocks it.

Now my personal opinion, and please this is not gospel - just what I think.
Lindy's stamp gang do sprays with glitter and flat sprays as well.  These are quite a delicate spray, softer colours.
Dylusions sprays are intense colours, strong, not glittery and good colour over your work. 
Mister Hueys sprays are more like a paint than a spray look.  Love love love the gold and the white.

When using sprays on mixed media, a little of everything is good.  If you want your colours to stand out, dry between spraying different colours, just like mixing paint you can mix colours and you can get great results, however just like paint, you can get mud colour if you are not careful.
 

What else is new:

Trinkets are coming in all the time,and they are proving very popular.

Also we have been cutting these wall pieces as below.  Always kiss me goodnight, and other new ones coming  along as well.  This one is approx 30cm but we are cutting them bigger as well.  Made from 3mm MDF.  This size is $20.00.


Kits
New release this week, is the French Patisserie. $45.00 I absolutely love this project.  We made 9 and have sold 2 already, so if you are interested in keeping your collection going then this is for you. It comes with bakery building, windows, doors, and has built in counters,  cupcakes and cakes, baking set, flour,  pearls, word, pink tape for awning, and either pink or blue ribbon for sun shades.  It does not come with paint or paper, this keeps the postage down.    This week it is freight free anywhere in New Zealand.
  

I am going to add snow to mine, to add to my Christmas village.  The cost of the kit is $45.00 including postage.  The building of the kit is $30.00 with out all the little bits and pieces.

Please purchase a kit here http://www.imagineif.co.nz/imagine-if...kits/
Term 4 Children's After school classes -
Wednesday 15th  

$12.00 per week.  We will be playing with different craft ideas and mediums and making christmas gifts during the term.  You must sign up for the whole term.  Children must be of school age, primary or intermediate.  Not college children I am sorry.

Adult Class Lists:  New Classes added.  

Set classes
Wednesday 10am - 12pm  Scrapbooking class
This is a set class, and we have 10 permanent spaces booked out of a possible.  If you are interested please ring and book, if you can only come casually, you can ring and see if we have a space that week due to someone being away.  The cost will be approx $20,00 per week, everything supplied, but that price depends on what we are doing.   Friday
Every 2nd Friday card class.  $12.00  This week we are making an exploding box with a christmas theme.  Then on 14th November we will be making peelcraft cards, then the next class will be the 28th November, and the final class on the 12th of December.
Other classes Thursday 6.30pm - 9.30pm UFO night $5.00 - unfinished objects night, between now and Christmas.
This class will run every 2nd Thursday night starting 6th November, then the 20th November, 4th December, and then we will see.  Come in and finish a project or start and finish a project it is up to you.   

Saturday November 8th - 10am Christmas House class, make your own Christmas house with Imagine if.. own MDF base house.  $45.00 everything supplied, including snow and letterbox and more.  Please note there may be a few changes depending on product availability on some pieces like the tree and the clock.  If you have done the house and would like to do the church instead, you can but it is an extra $10.00 for the church.  1 space left.

Saturday November 22nd - Mixed media class with Michelle Maggs - Postponed to March 2015

Saturday November 29th  - 10am - 2pm $30 for 8 tags.  My very popular techniques class from last year.  We will be making tags using lots of different products, mediums, patinas, inks, sprays, reinkers, paper, stamps and wacky ideas to make a set of tags.  Photo is from last years class.  This years will be different.   


Photography class:  is now in February 2015. 

December  1st and 8th - Cake decorating class with Cheryl Owlsley- $45.00.  Learn to make poinsettas and berrys for the top of your christmas cake, and how decorate your cake with icing and glitter.  The class is over 2 weeks on a Monday night 7pm - 9pm.   Make your decorations one week, and add to your perfectly iced cake (she will show you how) the next.  You will get a kit to be able to make more xmas decorations at home. You will need to bring a 6inch christmas cake on week 2, and some royal icing and almond icing.

Booking essential 0274991485 for questions or we prefer you to email to imagineif@xtra.co.nz
 




This week we have two projects from the design team, the first one will just be pictures but the 2nd will be a link to their pages and a blog hop.
I did this heart for the kids school holiday program. 
 




1410B Birthday Puzzle 1
Beth did this cute card for her nephews birthday

Brenda did this cute book, check out what is inside

Carol got all spooky with an atc


Ngaere made this cute little book


Lilian went boo





Lilian went BOO

Tash went shabby for her teapot


Katrina made this beautiful layout

Now for the blog hop:

Katrina Hart : http://randominkings1.blogspot.com/2014/10/windy.html
Brenda Morgan : http://thyme2craft.blogspot.com/2014/10/lets-upcycle.html
Carol Noakes : http://4carol.blogspot.co.nz/2014/10/storage-ideas.html
Lilian Clifton : http://amysticaltouchnz.blogspot.co.nz/2014/10/haunted-house-book-shelf.html
Tash Chanwai : http://withallmyartandsoul.blogspot.co.nz/2014/10/easel-card.html
Beth Barnes : http://www.bethbarnes.co.nz/art-for-my-phone
Ngaere Bennetts : http://nysbiz.blogspot.co.nz/2014/10/imagine-if-3d-mdf-outhouse-project.html



Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Newsletter and frames and nearly christmas

 Hi all,

Sorry about the newsletter title, but hey Christmas is coming again.  I do so love term 4, it is all about those amazing gifts you can make, I would say cheaper but lets face it.  These days not necessarily cheaper, but perhaps more personal.     The team and I have been busy with christmas projects underway, and I am very pleased that the design teams packs left today.  So they are on a Christmas schedule starting in November.
Wait till you see what they have done this week.  

I have added a few classes and some kits some make sure you check that list out.  I just had a very busy couple of weekends, I was teaching in Dunedin, and last weekend in Hamilton.  So check out my new kit that i designed for the Hamilton class. I have been asked for more, so here is your chance.  So see blow for mor e details.

Product watch
Glues: one of those items you just have to have.  So what is the difference between them all.
I guess the first thing is acid free and non acid free.  Used mostly in scrapbooking, it basically means the glue is not going to breakdown your photos when you use it, which of course is important.
PVA - I have nothing good to say about this product..so if you cant say something good don't say anything at all.  So the good part is that it is cheap (that is because it is pretty much water) , and the bad - it does yellow over time and doesn't dry clear, and you will not find it in my shop.

Gel medium - how I love thee.... yes this is one of my favourites, originally an artists sealer, for covering paintings to protect them over time.  Now it is used for mixed media as a glue and may I say a good one.  It holds metal, plastic, paper, and ephemera of all sorts.  dries clear, and comes in different thickness.  You can stencil with it, colour it, and if you use glossy accents, that is a gel medium.

Now everyone has there favourite glue and i am not going to say you should use... but I do recommend Helmar tacky glue and my ultimate favourite product is Art Glitter glue (which is not glittery at all).  it dries clear, has a precision tip, and it holds most things done, with no strings attached.  Look I have even managed a link to the glues and adhesive page.  I think i am finally getting on top of things.
http://www.imagineif.co.nz/glues-adhesives/

What else is new:
If you have joined us on facebook then you will see I have been putting things up there as they come in.  I have also been getting the website sorted, and I have loaded so many products this week, with another 200 odd to go.  The chipboard is starting to get sorted, and loaded.  So check out how we are going www.imagineif.co.nz   if you follow us on face book make sure you click the get notifications buttons or you wont always get the posts.
Stencils are now on line - http://www.imagineif.co.nz/imagine-if...-stencils/       a change of size to make posting easier, and more coming.
and check out some of the new stamps in store.  http://www.imagineif.co.nz/stamps/

Did you know we custom cut... for example we make books out of chipboard...as many pages as you want, bound or unbound up to you.  Want a 6x6 album or a 12x12 album 10 pages or 5, what about an A4 album we can make it for you.

Kits
New kit for Christmas this is a one time opportunity to purchase an advent calendar kit.  You can choose the whole kit for $45.00 plus postage of $7.50 or a half kit (no paper or decorations only the chipboard pieces) and instructions for $30.00 plus postage of $4.50 in both cases rural an extra $3.50.


You only have one week to order this kit and then we cut, and that will be it.  it is a very time consuming kit for us to cut, so we only want to do it once more.  we also have to order all the embellishments in, and we want to make sure you have it in plenty of time to do for Christmas.

2nd kit - I just made a couple of these for an order, so I made a few spare ones.  So if you would like a kit it is $45.00 plus $7.50 postage.  Please email me for mor information.  Does not include paper or paint or cameras or angel,  the rest is there.  But you could add your own things for your family, makes a great gift.


 
This week Friday 10th October - Crop Night   7pm - until midnight. $10.00 per person.  Bring a plate, tea and coffee supplied.  
Bookings essential.  Crop to your hearts content, make cards, paint, play and catch up with friends, the shop is open.  Giveaways every hour,  as well as a chance to finish those UFO's (unfinished objects). 

Children's classes
This week we have the final 3 children's classes
tomorrow's mixed media is full but we have a few spaces left on Friday
Friday 10.30am - 12.30pm Stamping fun $20.00
Make a christmas decoration using the Prima doll stamps and then make to make lots of fun pictures and tags and whatever else you want, and We can do a boys doll stamp as well. 

Friday 1.30pm - 3.30pm Heart fun - $25.00
Make a beautiful MDF heart, covered in paper and decorated with lots of handmade flowers and other pretty things.

Booking essential 0274991485 for questions. 
 
Term 4 Children's After school classes -
Wednesday 15th  

$12.00 per week.  We will be playing with different craft ideas and mediums and making christmas gifts during the term.  You must sign up for the whole term.  Children must be of school age, primary or intermediate.  Not college children I am sorry.

Adult Class Lists:  New Classes added.  

Set classes
Wednesday 10am - 12pm  Scrapbooking class
This is a set class, and we have 10 permanent spaces booked out of a possible.  If you are interested please ring and book, if you can only come casually, you can ring and see if we have a space that week due to someone being away.
The cost will be approx $20,00 per week, everything supplied, but that price depends on what we are doing.  This week we are doing a mixed media piece, the following we are using metal and inks, and the following utee embossing.  Friday
Every 2nd Friday starting on the 17th October we will be doing Christmas cards this term.  This class is $10.00 per week, and we try to make 2 cards, with everything except your tape and tools included. The first week we will be doing two ways to make shaker cards, with a Christmas theme.  Then on the 31st October we will make an exploding box card, 14th November we will be making peelcraft cards, then the next class will be the 28th November, and the final class on the 12th of December.
Other classes
Sunday 19th October 
(FULL)  Vintage  Bound Book the cheats way $45.00, learn how to make your own book using my cheats way of putting it together.  We will be using Paper arts paper to make this book. It will be a 6x6 but once you have learnt the technique you can make any size.

This is a kit if you would like one as well... $45.00 delivered anywhere in NZ.  Full instructions supplied.
Please email me to request one.

Thursday 6th November 7pm -  Make a gift or Christmas decoration night
You can either make a a wine bottle and wine glass or two wine bottle holder,
or a sleigh or a lantern or a sleigh.  The choice is yours.  I am there to help you sort out how to put it together, and to help you with your decorations.  Check out the link to see what you can choose to make.  http://www.imagineif.co.nz/imagine-if...mdf-3d-projects/  

Saturday November 8th - Christmas House class, make your own Christmas house with Imagine if.. own MDF base house.  $45.00 everything supplied, including snow and letterbox and more.  Please note there may be a few changes depending on product availablily on some pieces like the tree and the clock.  If you have done the house and would like to do the church instead, you can but it is an extra $10.00 for the church.  2 spaces left.

Saturday November 22nd - Mixed media class with Michelle Maggs doing a canvas using stencils, and pens learning great new techniques either the wonky house or the vintage dress.  Price to be advised, but around $45.00.



Saturday November 29th  - My very popular techniques class from last year.  We will be making tags using lots of different products, mediums, patrinas, inks, sprays, reinkers, paper, stamps and wacky ideas to make a set of tags.  Photo and price to to follow.    

Photography c;lass:  is now in February 2015. 

December  1st and 8th - Cake decorating class with Cheryl Owlsley- $45.00.  Learn to make poinsettas and berrys for the top of your christmas cake, and how decorate your cake with icing and glitter.  The class is over 2 weeks on a Monday night 7pm - 9pm.   Make your decorations one week, and add to your perfectly iced cake (she will show you how) the next.  You will get a kit to be able to make more xmas decorations at home. You will need to bring a 6inch christmas cake on week 2, and some royal icing and almond icing.    

Booking essential 0274991485 for questions or we prefer you to email to imagineif@xtra.co.nz
you will have a few days and then the places get advertised in the school newsletters so please do not wait to make bookings as places are limited. 
  

 
Design team Creations

There is no such thing as a mistake in scrapbooking, come over and see how I turned an almost-disaster into a beautiful layout using the Imagine If… frames.









Katrina Hart - http://randominkings1.blogspot.com/2014/10/spring.html
Katrina here with a layout using some awesome Imagine If's chipboard frame, cogs and flourish,pop on over to have a look and check out what the rest of the team has being up to.







 Brenda Morgan  - http://thyme2craft.blogspot.com/2014/10/we-are-family.html
We are family - Here I've made a masculine page showing how versatile the Imagine if chipboard is, I've put these lovely little frames thru my cuttlebug and they've held the embossed pattern very well, adding extra texture and more interest with the colours, 












Hi all, this week its all about frames
come check out my blog and see what I created
 











Christmas is coming! come on over and see what I have  created using upcycled CDs and the pretty frames from Imagine if 









This amazing piece from Ngaere uses buttons and frames 










Tash - http://withallmyartandsoul.blogspot.co.nz/
Tash made this awesome little canvas. 








Sunday, September 21, 2014

Back to nature this week

Hi all, today the girls have been busy making their projects with a nature theme.  I was a bit lucky that I had the mixed media class on and I was able to have a play while demonstrating all the different products on my canvas.  I didn't get a chance to finish it, but I felt that I really needed to have something up on the blog today

My project I did step out of my happy place, and I used orange....; now for me that is like one of my least favourite colours ever.  But I picked this calendar up at the $2.00 shop, and there was this beautiful fairy picture that I loved, well half the group did fairies so I guess it was a popular calendar.
Add caption


The picture was still wet when I took this photo and I do have a few additions to make but you can see where is is heading.  I have added NZ fern, the mushroom, the birdcage, and the large flourish, as well as some rectangles and some stars.  I used the circle stencil bottom right, and some stamping.  Imagine if flowers and metal embellishments, lots of sprays, pearlex powders, kindy glitz, gel medium, gesso, modelling paste and leaves.

So I still have some work to do, but I am liking where is is going and no black or purple in sight.  
But I will be having a play with a few more branches and some leaves, so lets see where it gets to next week.  

The rest of the girls have been having a play, so time to check out what they have been up to.
 
No link from Tash today as she is away.  So what do you think, amazing different design from the tea again.  Enjoy everyone.     
 

Monday, September 15, 2014

Newsletter and design team creations with tags.

Hi all the first part of this post is my current newsletter, but if you have already read it, then check out the design team blog further below.

Hi all,

This was a very productive week, we started it with a massive leak, which then got worse when the landlord cleaned the windows in the roof while he was up there, and water came pouring into the shop and down the light fittings.  That was not the way to start my week, but it ended with a lovely bunch of ladies, telling me how wonderful it was that we were back and open again,  so it ended better than it started.

We have had lots of new and different stock coming in, and I was going to tell you all about the new mediums, but I SOLD it all, so I will get some more and then give you a head ups about it.  Below is a picture of the latest embellishments including resin frames, little tiny rabbits and birds in



A lot of people are asking me what we stock, if it is not on the website just email me, find out  if we can get it, and how much or if there are other options.  I am always telling people to watch out as there are a lot of products that are the same thing just with different names.  So if there is a [product that you have heard of and want to know more, send me an email and I will tell you what I know.

For example Gesso..It was originally an artists product, it is used traditionally to add a cover over canvas or other products, to stop the paint from soaking in. Gesso is a white paint mixture consisting of a binder mixed with chalk, gypsum, pigment, or any combination of these. We use it to add tooth to something as well now,  so if you have chipboard and  you don't want your paint or sprays soaking into the chipboard, put a layer of gesso over it, and it works a little bit like a sealer and the colour will be so much better, and you will use less of it.

We now stock black gesso $9.50 and white gesso $9.50.
We also stock whipped spackle $12.50 which is relatively new on the market is actually just a gesso, but it is very light, a lot less liquid in it, so it dries extremely quickly.   It is also very very light, so you can use it on your pages, to add dimension through stencils and with a palette knife, dry it off and work on it straight away.

The cheaper gesso that you buy the thinner  it tends to be, so watch what you are buying and where from.
The thinner it is, the less chalk it has in it, and over time it will not hold together, and if you have done an art piece, and it starts to crack and fall apart, that could be why.  Cheap canvas that comes with gesso, probably has to be re done. SPA Retreat

Join us at Scrapping & Paper Arts Retreat, a luxury weekend in the heart of New Zealand’s premier wine region, Marlborough.  Enjoy time with friends, classes, being pampered, and enjoying some ‘you time’.  There will be a mixture of classes and kits available, or bring your own projects.
For more information, see our website: www.scrappingandpaperarts.co.nz
There are a limited number of places at this exclusive event, so book your place now!

I wonder who is going to be there! i wonder who the tutors are!


Class Lists:

Set classes
Every Monday - Scrap or Card making Crop and play, knitting, crocheting sit and chat time up to you.   1pm - 3pm
  $5.00 come and play, share the space, use the tables and sit and make cards or scrapbook or whatever you feel like doing (except dancing on the tables).  Get a few friends together and paint, get crafty.  free coffee or tea. 

Wednesday 10am - 12pm  Scrapbooking class
This is a set class, and we have 7 permanent spaces booked out of a possible 10.  If you are interested please ring and book, if you can only come casually, you can ring and see if we have a space that week due to someone being away.
The cost will be approx $20,00 per week, everything supplied, but that price depends on what we are doing.  This week we are Painting using gesso and watercolour paints to make your picture match any paper, also gel medium and string on a 2nd layout.    No classes in school holidays.  Bookings essential.
last week we did this project.

Friday
Every 2nd Friday we will be doing cards of some description,  these are $10.00 for two cards, everything except your tape and tools included.
Last week we made   This will start in Term 4 again.
 Saturday 20th September Mixed media class -  10am - 3pm $45.00
you will need to supply your own canvas, but everything else is supplied to make a piece of art, that is unique and full of colour and products.  You will learn the basics of using the mediums, what they do and how to get  great results.  You can bring a laser printed photo or a picture that you like, from a calendar or we can discuss other options.
Friday  26th September in DUNEDIN Christmas house refer to Creative Dreams for more information, see the picture below.Saturday 27TH September Dunedin - Vintage  Bound Book the cheats way at Creative Dreams.
www.creativedreams.co.nz
Saturday 27th September - The market in Hamilton we will be there, not me but Aly will be.

Saturday 4th October -  Christmas classes 9am-6pm .
Christmas tags with Sharon, then my advent calendar then a Christmas Card Creation (book) with Jane.Cost $120 including lunch.  Contact Paperzone for bookings 021875678 Annemarie

Friday 10th September - Crop Night   7pm - until midnight. $10.00 per person.  Bring a plate, tea and coffee supplied.
Bookings essential.  Crop to your hearts content, catch up with friends, the shop is open.  Giveaways as well.
Sunday 19th October   Vintage  Bound Book the cheats way $45.00, learn how to make your own book using my cheats way of putting it together.  We will be using Paper arts paper to make this book.It will be a 6x6 but once you have learnt the technique you can make any size.  Please note this book picture is an example only  not the actual papers used.


Saturday November 8th - Christmas House class, make your own Christmas house with Imagine if.. own MDF base house.  $45.00 everything supplied, including snow and letterbox and more.  Please note there may be a few changes depending on product availablily on some pieces like the tree and the clock.  If you have done the house and would like to do the church instead, you can but it is an extra $10.00 for the church.


Saturday November 22nd - Mixed media class with Michelle Maggs doing a canvas using stencils, and pens learning great new techniques either the wonky house or the vintage dress.  Price to be advised, but around $45.00.
Photography c;lass: Sunday November 9th , 23rd and 30th $120.00 for the 3 lessons.  10am - 12pm. 
Three classes where you learn to take your camera off automatic and learn how to get the best of the of your camera.  
Keith from Shifting Light photography has agreed to come over and teach you some of the tricks of the trade, starting from the beginning and working towards giving you the skills to get those amazing photos every time.  Keith is very talented, and teaches in Hamilton and has won award for his photography.  https://www.facebook.com/ShiftingLightPhotography
December - Cake decorating class - learn to make poinsettas and berrys for the top of your christmas cake, decorate your cake over 2 weeks.  Make decorations one week, and paint them the next.
Dates to be confirmed.

I have a Pottery lady keen to do a class
and a spinning and weaving lady may be keen as well.

 School holiday program - I hope these dates are right, from the Ministry of Education website.

No children under 5 in class unless accompanied by an adult at all times.   You will need to drop off and pick up your child.  We have a very safe and secure space for them to create in peace and safety.  

Wednesday 1st October
10.30am - 12.30am  Stencil fun.  $25.00
You will be learning to make scenes and have fun with stencils, how to use them, what to put through them and how, and you will go home with your own stencils so you can keep playing.  We will use inks and pastes and more.

1.30pm - 3.30pm  Card class $20.00
We are going to make at least 4 cards for any occasion, using lots of fun products including chipboard and felt and lots more.

Friday 3rd October  10.30am - 12.30am Painting class messy fun.  We will be making a beach canvas $25.00, you will need to bring your own canvas. 30x30cm or 12x12 inches, lots of fun painting a beach scene and then adding lots of fun sea creatures and bits and pieces to make this fun canvas.

1.30 - 3.30pm  3D Santa Sleigh $25.00, we are going to make santa sleigh and decorate it with presents and a reindeer.  Painting, papering, and christmas fun.

Wednesday 8th October Mixed media art class $45.00
10.30am - 3.30pm.  This is a full on busy class, including hot chips for lunch.  You will need to supply a canvas, and a picture of your cat or dog or horse or ?  .  A busy day where you will learn lots of fun things to add to your art work.

Friday 10.30am - 12.30pm Stamping fun $20.00
Make a christmas decoration using the Prima doll stamps and then make to make lots of fun pictures and tags and whatever else you want, and We can do a boys doll stamp as well. 

Friday 1.30pm - 3.30pm Heart fun - $25.00
Make a beautiful MDF heart, covered in paper and decorated with lots of handmade flowers and other pretty things.

Booking essential 0274991485 for questions or we prefer you to email to imagineif@xtra.co.nz
you will have a few days and then the places get advertised in the school newsletters so please do not wait to make bookings as places are limited. 

 
Term 4 Children's After school classes -
Monday 13th or
Wednesday 15th (if i have my dates right)  

$12.00 per week.  We will be playing with different craft ideas and mediums and making christmas gifts during the term.  You must sign up for the whole term, for this class either Monday or Wednesday.  Children must be of school age, primary or intermediate.  Not college children I am sorry.

If  you need to book, as soon as you can to ensure a space.  I would prefer by email, but if you need you can ring me on 0274991485 preferably during working hours.

The design team has been really busy, so check out what they have done.  If you want to check out more, click on the designers name at the top of the page and go and check out how they made their tags.


Carol -  you are lovely    
                         








Katrina -  Bridge and groom tag

















Brenda textural tag
















 Lillian steampunk girl tag
 Tash another steam punk tag
Marilyn love the white

















Beth - tag journal


Ngaere
And there is always one who likes to cut up
my products! Normally that would be me, but i would never have thought of this.  










All from the new chipboard tags $1.00 each.

happy crafting
Jo