Decorables

My New Career - in pictures!

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:09:00 +0000

Sharing pictures taken for my first class. I'm really looking forward to teaching MANY, many, more!

possible promotional pic?

Thanks for stopping by!
~Roberta
Decorables

My First Blog Award- Editor's Choice

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:10:00 +0000

I recently received this email and would like to share it with you:

I just stumbled upon your blog and you have a really great craft site! I like that you showcase so many different card making ideas and your other craft projects are interesting too.

You have great photography and your instructions are easy to follow...and (thought) your site was particularly exceptional. I wanted to give you a button for your site for being an “Editor’s Choice.” Thank you for your time and keep up the great work!

Blogger and Editor,Renuka Crafter's Corners and Become.com

It was really nice to receive 'happy email' :)

~Roberta

Multi-technique Valentine's Card for my Honey

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:11:00 +0000

I have entered my paper flowers and card in the February favecrafts blog hop. Please click the bloghop widget and click 'LIKE' for my project - it's #4

"That's when you know for sure somebody loves you. They figure out what you need and they give it to you -- without you asking."

~ Adriana Trigiani, Very Valentine

Author

Can you find all of the following?... Glitter, glue, paper-folding, paper punch, paper quilling, misting, calligraphy (inside), embellishments, stickers, embossing!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

~Roberta
Decorables

My First Class is Wednesday!

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:35:00 +0000

aka Promotion and Advertising Pays!

When I was at my store today I discovered that someone had signed up for my Spotted Canary School scrapbooking class ( scrapbooking 101)!!! Yay!

PLUS,

she signed up after seeing my demo on Saturday! I hope there are more students, but I am thrilled to be able to start teaching! My manager is UBER supportive and wants me to be able to promote myself and develop a 'following'.

Most of you know I am a 'night owl' - so I have many classes scheduled for the evenings!

It is so important to have positive reinforcement and I am really grateful that my effort yielded such a positive result. I placed an 'email/newsletter' sign up sheet on my table and there were 10 names on the list by the end of my demo. Over 40 people viewed the demo and I found I 'had' to give away many of the flowers I made! *smile.

Oh, did I mention that we 'sold out' of the punches I demoed? Yes!!!

Thanks for stopping by,

~Roberta

P.S. Don't forget to enter my contest! http://decorablesart.blogspot.com/2012/02/win-my-blog-candy.html

CROP with Me at Michaels! Saturday February 18th in Markham

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:05:00 +0000

SPOTTED CANARY SCRAPBOOKING CLASSES! Take a class with me!

I have a NEW Introduction to Scrapbooking class starting THIS WEDNESDAY Feburary 15th 6:15pm - 8:15pm for 4 weeks and it is only $25 plus your supplies

My next Introductory Scrapbooking class starts on Saturday, February 25th

from 3-5 pm for 4 weeks

There are LOTS of wonderful new things happening at Michaels. As soon as my updated list of classes is available I will post it. There are fantastic new product from CHA coming in soon and BOY is it going to be exciting!

Besides following my blog, if you WANT TO STAY INFORMED AND UP-TO-DATE ON ALL MY CLASSES AND EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS AT MICHAELS,

please send an email with your name, email address and your 3 Favourite crafts to:

michaelsinstructor@gmail.com

Happy Monday Everybody!
~Roberta

Bonus LOVE from Michaels

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:57:00 +0000

Here's some extra love for your Valentine's purchases (see coupon details)

VALID Feb 13th and 14th only

This is the CANADIAN Bonus Coupon

Get your 25% OFF your Purchase coupon HERE

Here's your Michael's 50% OFF coupon Valid February 11, 2012 through February 17, 2012

Your weekly ad

Happy Shopping!
~Roberta

Win my Blog Candy

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:03:00 +0000

Follow Decorables and WIN THIS PRIZE!

($100 retail value)

This prize package includes a Fiskars border punch, Xyron sticker maker, Martha Stewart storage binder, stamps pads, wooden stamps, small paper punches... and lots more)

I have set a goal of 150 followers on my blog by the end of the day February 29th. I am experiencing many wonderfully positive things in my life now and I would like to give away some wonderful goodies. Help me reach my goal and the candy will be given away!
This is open to everyone.
To be eligible you need to be a follower.
If you are already a follower you are entered.

You can gain an extra entry for each of the following actions:

share the link to this post on your blog or facebook page
refer a friend - If your friend follows me you get TWO entries for EACH referral so you will have to leave a comment telling me who your friend is
share on Twitter

You may enter each day.
Leave a comment on this post for each thing you do.

For referrals, please give the name of the person you referred so you get your entries.

The 'share' buttons are below this post or you may use this direct link : BLOG CANDY 150

Thank you for stopping by, and good luck!
~Roberta

Thought for Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:32:00 +0000

"Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet."

~ Plato (423-347 BC)

HOW TO MAKE: beautiful 3D paper flowers

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:47:00 +0000

Making gorgeous paper flowers in a flash!

EK Success Brands has 2 excellent paper punches that not only make beautiful borders, but beautiful 3D Flowers! I only have this punch for now - the Carnation punch.

3D Flower punch - Carnation

One strip of the pattern. I am using K&Company papers.

Two strips, 12" long each

I suggest you use double sided pattern paper

You will glue all along the bottom 'bar' of the strip. You will then attach the second strip to it but make sure you stagger your starting point. Your top piece will start at the halfway point of the first petal. The top strip will 'cover' the spaces between the petals of the bottom strip.
Let the glue dry.

Slowly roll up the strip, holding it at the bottom. I then place a dab of glue every couple of inches as I'm rolling the paper to give it added adhesion.

...rolling, rolling, rolling...

a complete bud - made with one strip

a flower made with 2 strips and a little mulberry paper rolled in for good measure

I added Stickles

experiment with different centres - this one is from Maya Road

wrapped a wire up for the pistil

a pretty green spotted brad

I thought the 'scraps' from the punch looked really cool so instead of throwing them out, I made a topper for a card

This has to be my new favourite project!
Thank you for stopping by,
~Roberta
Decorables

**To view the video I made to demonstrate this project, please visit this blog post for the link to the replay of the show.

Learn how to make paper flowers and use core'dinations cardstock

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:58:00 +0000

Here is the replay link for tonight's show:

Thanks to everyone who came to the show! It was such a fun one! If you missed it, check out the playback:

Roberta on Cynchronicity Live with Cyn Gagen

TONIGHT!

CLICK HERE AT 9 PM EASTERN TO TAKE YOU TO THE SHOW

SEE YOU AT 9.

IF you cannot make the show, it will be taped and a playback link will be posted here and in Facebook.

Thank you,

~Roberta

Decorables

Valentine's Day Card - Steampunk with Peek-a-boo window

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:54:00 +0000

I participated in a Valentine's Day Steampunk card swap with Cynchronicity and I was happy to learn that I was making something special for my friend Bambi.

I love the 'gears' envelope from ProvoCraft for the Cuttlebug!

Here's the card that I can now publish because she has just received it.

I started with plain white Superstock (thank you, Cathie Allen) and inked and stamped my colours on as I pleased.

love the resin flower from Maya Road.

little watch parts added to washers and enhanced with alcohol inks and Stickles

I cut out one of the gears to make a little window for my steampunk bird to show through.

This adorable stamp is part of a 4 part plate from Queen Kat Designs.

I stamped the image twice to have a shadow piece underneath. Coloured with Copics and then gave a glossy finish with Glossy Accents.

Sentiment was printed on my laser printer, in 'Steampunk Font', on cardstock. I crumpled the paper and then distressed it with Tim Holtz distress ink and added some pink marker.

Thank you for stopping by!

~Roberta

Decorables

Robi recommends...DITTO. Excellent price.

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:23:00 +0000

Do you remember the video I made last week about the wonderful new line of stamps and inks at Michael's? And I was thrilled that they were 40% off - well today they are 50% off. They have these honking large wooden block stamps at an excellent price.

I really like this new line and just wanted to share the info with you.

Thanks for stopping by,
~Roberta
Decorables

Have you heard about mul-tex™? New Craft Product!

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:57:00 +0000

Using alcohol inks and my Cuttlebug, I was able to transform a plain sheet
of mul-tex™ into a functional clutch!

Being on the C&T Publishing Creative Troupe has MANY advantages. One of them is being one of a select few who get to see and experiment with new products before they come to market.

mul-tex™ Craft Pack

Laminated Mulberry Fiber Sheet, 18" x 1 1/2 Yard Roll

Notice the beautiful design embossed into the material. I swear there's nothing I won't try to run through my Cuttlebug! :)

This is what mul-tex™ looks like when you get it. I placed it down on my cutting board, and using the large envelope as my template, I traced and then cut out my working material.

Ranger alcohol inks, Liquitex ink and Glimmermist sprays were applied liberally.

Embellishments are needed!!!

Once the flowers were attached and glued to the front of the clutch, I added Liquitex glass beads which I coloured, and added Glossy Accents to the petals. A few added gems (to match the one on the back closure) completed the project.

The material is pliable and very easy to work with. The flower is sitting on some plain mul-tex™ - do you see the fibres?

I loved experimenting and playing with this wonderfully versatile material, and I'm sure you will too!

For more information or to order this wonderful, multi-use textile, visit C&T Publishing

Also, if you are interested in becoming a member of the C&T Creative Troupe, please click HERE for more information.

Thank you for stopping by,

~Roberta

Decorables

Announcing - My #1 Favourite Project of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:40:00 +0000

For many reasons this creation stands out for me as my favourite!
The back story has a lot to do with my affinity for this little flying object.

Where: Daytona Beach, Florida
Found: walking along the beach with Bambi Pro.
Created: back at Bambi's beach house in her glorious art studio on LIVE webTV

I love it because I thought of the idea less than an hour before I was going to be on my Live WebShow. Bambi and I were walking along the shoreline and we noticed 2 plain crab shells. I picked them up, looked at them, and immediately thought, 'butterfly'!
We rushed back to her house and started planning as I shouted out my ingredient requests: alcohol inks, hot glue gun, rhinestones and some Tim Holtz clock pieces!
Bambi was a most skilled co-creator and together we created a butterfly from a crab. :)

It makes me happy every time I look at it, because I think it's really pretty and it represents a wonderful visit with a wonderful friend.

Thanks for stopping by,
~Roberta

Decorables

I Start Teaching This Month!

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:34:00 +0000

Learn how to Scrapbook with me!

I am thrilled to tell you that I have 2 Scrapbooking101 Classes starting in February!
My First Demo will be in one week: Saturday February 11th where I will have wonderful Scrapping Ideas for Valentine's Day (Love theme)

I will be teaching at the Michaels at Woodbine and Hwy 7 in Markham, Ontario!

Wednesdays 6:15 -8:15 starting February 15 (4 week class)
Saturdays from 3-5 pm commencing February 25th (4 week class)

I will also be doing Demos In-Store most Saturdays from 3:30-8, but I will post the exact dates.

A little bit about the classes:

4 weeks for only $25+supplies
You get 10% off all supplies purchased for the class
You get ME!!

Let your creativity take flight! Learn the essentials of great scrapbook design in this exciting 4-part course. Improve your skills as you go. Discover how to use easy techniques to build your own one-of-a-kind designs.

Complete all four classes and achieve graduate status. You'll even receive an official diploma during an in class ceremony.

Class 1 Scrapbooking Basics

Learn the elements of scrapbook design.

Tools
Organization
Focal point and matting

Class 2 Building Blocks of Design

Create layouts that complete a balanced and unified story.

Color methodology
Layout design
Principles of element placement

Class 3 Power of the Pen

Explore the influence of type and journaling on scrapbooking.

Creative writing
Decorative pen tricks
Journaling and titles

Class 4 Finishing Touches

Embellish your project with stickers and punch art design.

Finishing a page
Sticker Art
Punch Art

Store Location:

Store #3406

3135 Hwy 7 E

Markham, ON L3R 0T9

(905) 470-1129

I hope to see you!

~Roberta

Decorables

Quickie Cards forgotten...

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:33:00 +0000

While cleaning up my blog post lists I came across another post I forgot to publish.
I have been unbelievably busy. This is a selection of cards I sold and each one can be made in under 5 minutes!

Stampendous Marble Texture Cube

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:28:00 +0000

Investigative Crafting 101

The Subject: Stampendous Marble Texture Cube TC01

I have had my eye on these intriguing rubber blocks for quite a while now. Whenever I browsed the 'stamp section' at Michaels I would see some on the shelf, but at a regular sale price of $22 I repeatedly snubbed that rubbery block and proceeded to the $1.50 bins.

Today, with my 50% off coupon (good today only) clutched in my left hand, I decided to finally buy one and see 'what exactly it did'.

I never realized there were actually instructions written right on the block; that made my investigation move much more smoothly, for sure.

I also happily plucked 2 CraftSmart Pigement Embossing Ink Pads from the Clearance shelf (one yellow and one blue) for $1.49 each (regular $7.99)!! These babies are SUPER juicy! I used the yellow one in my investigation.

Introducing my newest FREE digi character: MARSHY!

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:09:00 +0000

WARNING! You do NOT want to mess with Marshy.
She's one, tough broad and she 'sez it likes she seez it' --- that's a direct quote from Marshy.

The digis are FREE for your own use to download and play with.
It is a PNG file and a clean, uncoloured digi (or clip art), whatever you prefer. I mean, who cares what you call it cuz IT'S FREE! :)

How do I download these images???
Click on this link and it will take you to the site where I store all my sharing images.
http://www.box.net/shared/hapjsuy93t

Click on the 'download' button and you will get the image.
Thank you for stopping by,
Robi :)

ATC - Theme: Metal

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 09:10:00 +0000

I participate in a monthly ATC (Artist Trading Card) swap organized by LisaLizaLou Designs. This month's theme is 'METAL'.

Ingredients: card stock, alcohol ink, brads, sandpaper, Cuttlebug, glue dots.

How I did it

I started with black card stock and ran it through my Cuttlebug making that (x and o) pattern. I randomly sanded the embossed parts, to varying degrees and also added some green alcohol ink. Using the Cuttlebug 'Alphabet folder', I made my letters. I love this folder because it automatically perforates all the letters for you, so you just have to fold and rip. The letters were sanded and inked like the base of the ATC. I attached the letters with 3D clear adhesive dots.
A metal brad enhances each corner. I cut another piece of card stock, inked the edges, applied glue runner across its surface and then attached my ATC.

Thank you for stopping by,
~Roberta

Decorables

I work for Michaels now! (and Life Lessons Learned)

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:49:00 +0000

Over the years my husband has jokingly suggested I get a job with Michaels because of how much money I spent in the store and how much time I spent in the store each time I was spending in the store. :) Michaels has always been my 'happy place'. When things were a little 'blue' I could always depend on a trip to Michaels to pick me right back up and again.(making sure I always had a coupon in my wallet, of course).
As of today I am a Classroom Instructor at the Markham, Ontario location (Woodbine & Hwy 7). It has a very large classroom and is beautifully stocked with everything an artist/crafter could possibly need.
I will be teaching Scrapbooking 101 (Spotted Canary Course), but I will also be doing demos, make & takes, and having classes on mixed media, fancy card making, embellishments ----
It means that I will have to adjust my sleep schedule, which will be a major adjustment, but it is worth it.

OTHER GREAT STUFF:

When I am there, the world is my oyster! I can use/try any product or tool, experiment, and I am going to learn how to use and teach the YUDU system! Maybe Gallery Glass will pop onto the schedule?
It is a very busy store ---FANTASTIC--- more friends to make!

I will have to promote myself and the classes I will be conducting. This will be done through the demos, make & takes, word-of-mouth, spending time in the department meeting/helping people, and of course, social media.

I intend to start a Facebook page for my classes. This way all participants will have a place to share ideas or ask questions, and I can also keep clients/potential clients updated on upcoming classes.

This HUGE change in my life took place over the course of just 14 days.

LESSONS LEARNED

I love meeting people; everyone knows that. When I went to SCT's Crop and Create 2 weeks ago, I didn't know one person. After 1 day I made so many new friends. After 1 day I met someone who would give me this life-changing opportunity.
So,

1- Always be nice to people
2- Be willing to 'put yourself out there' and strike up conversations with strangers
3- Try to always look presentable when you are in Public
4- Promote yourself because no one else will.
5- Smile.

Thank you for stopping by,
~Roberta

Decorables

Homage to Klimt -watercolour/mixed-media

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:12:00 +0000

I painted this mixed media piece several years ago and thought it was gone, but discovered it one of my 'watercolour graveyards'. (the large bins I (unceremoniously) throw my paintings into that I don't feel are ready/worthy to be framed).

Besides watercolours, I used gold metallic pen and black ink. The paper is 140lb Strathmore cold press.

Thank you for stopping by,
~Roberta

Decorables

Digi image Valentine Card

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 09:34:00 +0000

This is the card I created for the Jan 18th stamp release for ATS.

Digi artist- Heather Valentin
Digi - Love - found at Addicted-to-Stamps

Thank you for stopping by
~Robi

Decorables

New Products and Ideas from my Crop & Create Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:55:00 +0000

Tonight I was a guest on Cyn Gagen's "Cynchronicity Live" show and reported on my wonderful weekend and all the great things I learned, products I used, discoveries I made, and examples of projects I worked on.

To view this video you may follow this link :
Roberta Jan 18 appearance Cynchronicity Live

I loved being on the show and sharing my experiences with all of you.
Here's a quick sampling of what I covered tonight on line:

Wonderful sponsor XYRON

Get your subscription today! It's worth it!

Fantastic ideas and inspiration

ideas and inspiration for scrapbooks and cards

Core-dinations - Wonderful Sponsor

Wonderful Sponsor

Wonderful Sponsor Maya Road

Card Challenge and Zipper Flower make & take

Card Challenge and Stampin' Up sponsor

Make & Take index Card

Blindfolded Card Making Contest

Technique Savvy Class - 3D ATC

ATC's featuring MANY techniques

Lifebooking Class with Angela Urbano

The BEST Glue - EVER!!! Made by BEACON

Centering Ruler

Embellishment from class with Becky Fleck!

Thank you for stopping by,
~Robi

Decorables

WATCH - Tonight at 9 PM EST - I'm a Guest on Cynchronicity LIVE

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:46:00 +0000

I am so happy to be on Cynthia's show tonight. I will be sharing highlights from my Crop & Create weekend -- products, freebies, inspiration, classes -- PLUS "Things I learned or loved and want to share!"

Here is the link to join the show:

http://www.linqto.com/rooms/creativeedventures

OR http://apps.facebook.com/creativeedventures

See you then

Roberta

HOW TO make a LOVE Easel Card - fancy shmancy!!

noreply@blogger.com (Decorables) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:56:00 +0000

...And Valentine's Day is just around the corner!
This is the card I made for my husband and I followed the design I learned from Cathie Allen.
LOTS of Pictures Alert!

I loved making this card.

TIP #1 - start with EXCLELLENT CARD STOCK - At Scrapfest Oshawa 2011 I discovered, thanks to Cathie Allen, this SUPER CARDSTOCK - it's white, strong and beautiful!

I only used white cardstock - no patterned paper.

I started with a 12x12 sheet of white card stock and for the front of the card cut it to 6X6.
For the BACK of the card ( which will form the base of your easel) I cut longer because you have to allow at least one extra inch where your acetate piece will be attached.
So my base measures 6x7"
I chose a beautiful butterfly pattern acetate and this needs to be 6x6.

I covered all surfaces of the cardstock with inks, some chalk, some metallic paper and various patterned stamps.

- Select your sentiment - keep it short because you REALLY don't want to have to be cutting out little nambly pambly letters, and LOTS of them.
i.e - JOY, LOVE, ME & U (YOU) --
-Select your chipboard letters - I didn't make my letters from scratch because there is already enough cutting, pasting, assembling, etc to do! :)

You will trace your letters onto the cardstock. Remember that if you choose to mark your paper with pencil on the reverse side, place your letters BACKWARDS! -- you're welcome :)

Whatever shape of frame you choose, remember this important instruction: All the letters have to be attached to each other AND attached to the outer frame.
You can see that I added 'tabs' to certain letters ( like the 'E') because I couldn't attach it directly to the frame.

Peaking through the acetate window!

View from behind so you can see the acetate sheet which forms the easel.

Very carefully cut out your letters.

As you can see I traced my letters backwards onto the back so I don't worry about erasing all the pencil marks.

Stamp, ink, chalk all surfaces (before you cut) --- I just find it easier.

I used a pink and gray polka-dot pattern for the chipboard letters. Using gold embossing powder I covered most, but not all of the surface of the letters.

Back of the card. I adhered the ribbon to the back and will cover it with a left over piece of stamped card stock (i.e 1" x 6" strip)

I 'ran' the ribbon through my ink to dye it pink

I started with cream ribbon and thought the pink would look better.

Affix the embossed letters to the front of your card.

To attach the front, base, and acetate: Fold the base and crease so you have a 1" fold over. The acetate is glued to the top of the base card where it meets the crease. The 1" allowance will cover where you have glued the acetate.
Glue the bottom of the acetate piece to the BOTTOM of the back of the front of the card.

Cut whatever size of card stock for the inside sentiment and use thick pop dots to attach so you have a raised platform which will act as the 'stopper' for your easel.

I added a key embellishment to the front as a closure. You may just tie yours off in a bow - personal preferences, you know?! :) I attached it with a brad I embossed with the same gold powder.
Embellish to your hearts content!

Present your card tied, and make a custom envelope or box to enclose it.

This card is also participating in the FaveCrafts "Love is in the Air" Blog Hop for January.

Check out all the excellent entries for this month for inspiration -- If you would like to vote for my card and click 'LIKE" - please do! If not, I will still be your friend :)

Thanks for stopping by,
~Robi

Decorables