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Welcome to Snazzys blog where we hope to offer you regular inspiration using all the latest products both in store and the new Snazzys Online version. Plus, previews of upcoming workshops, product previews and reviews, mini tutorials and so much more.

Thursday 27 November 2014

December Workshops Timetable for Snazzys Studio

Hello again, and to our USA friends a very Happy Thanksgiving, I hope you are all having a wonderful time with your family and friends. I am known for being a bit 'bah humbug' about Christmas, and I have to say I was unimpressed with the supermarkets attempt to market the trappings of Thanksgiving to us here in the UK this week.
But and a very BIG but at that, just as I love Christmas, in December, (not July!) I also think we should steal the best bits of Thanksgiving and take a moment to ponder all we have to be grateful for. It is no secret that with illness, bereavement and the consequences of both on almost every aspect of our lives, the past few years have certainly had their challenges. The flip side of that is how our family pulled together, how our friends, (the real ones, not the fair weather types,) were so quietly there for us to share our tears, and a whole lot of laughter too. Most of all I am grateful to a very fine friend (you know who you are) who, when I was so stressed out with everything that was happening and worrying about all the wrong things, suggested I stop (very unsuccessfully) trying to be everything to everyone, and instead 'spend time with those who soothe your soul' and let the rest take care of itself - those who were my friends would understand my need to do this and those who didn't weren't truly my friends. So, today I count my many blessings and for the first time in a long while I am looking forward to a peaceful festive season with my wonderful family. I hope you are too x
To business and some great workshops if you fancy stepping off the merry-go-round and take a little time out for yourself and perhaps try something new?

I have been working this past month with one of my favourite collections this Winter, Jolly Holly from Basic Grey with co-ordinating stamps from Hero Arts. I have always adored Basic Grey papers, they seem at first glance to contain a pretty eclectic collection of somewhat disparite ideas, yet when you really look through them they are actually beautifully co-ordinated just not in an obvious 'matchy, matchy' way.

The stamps are a really good mix of the elements from the papers but again varied in scale etc so not completely matched.

All of the projects for December were made with these papers and stamps except for the monthly layout workshop. I made these quick cards just from some leftovers from the other projects to illustrate how versatile these papers are whether used by colour.....

....or all mixed up in workshop projects.


Wednesday 3 December 10am to 1pm

Last Minute Christmas Cards £15 or 1SWV

Join me and make five really Clean and Simple Christmas Cards using New Seasons stamps from Hero Arts with Distress Inks, Pan Pastels, masks and stencils.

Saturday 6 December 11am to 4pm

Christmas Block Book £30 or 1 SWVS

We all tend to gather with our family and friends over the Festive season and with lots of photos taken we need somewhere to put them all, not hidden in a box, but in a chunky little book with lots of flaps, slides, flips and pockets to keep them in order, together with any other memorabilia, ready to share and reminisce over.

Sunday 7 December 11am to 3pm

Art Journal Sunday £5

Join me in the Studio for a play with inks, powders, paints, stamps, stencils, masks and the odd idea or two. No need to book this one just drop in, grab a coffee and have a go.

Wednesday 10 December 11am to 3pm

Mini Star Book £20 or 1SWV + £4

Many years ago I designed this project after being very disappointed with a 'kit' I bought to make a book in the shape of a star which turned out to be nothing more than strips of poor quality sugar paper and not very clear instructions. I decided I could do better myself here is a mini version of my original.

Saturday 13 December 11am to 4pm

Exploding Box Book £30 or 1SWV

Ok then is it a book or an exploding box, both really as this is box which opens in the manner of a traditional exploding box but it incorporates a book into the structure. A great way to pass photos etc on at Christmas with a pocket to hold a gift card if you need it to be a gift too.

Wednesday 17 December 10am to 1pm

December Monthly Layout Workshop £15 or 1SWV

This layout uses an acetate layer to add interest, mine is on a festive theme in shades of turquoise and red. Book your space, bring along your photos and have a go.

The eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed no 'Stop by and Stamp' or 'Technique Thursday' sessions in December, partly as everyone tends to be busy preparing for their Christmas celebrations and so we tend to offer fewer sessions in December, but mainly as these sessions have unfortunately not proved popular enough for us to continue with them. We are having a rethink and the New Year will see new ideas, new sessions and lots of fresh ways for us to share our tips and ideas with you. I hope you will join me on my journey through 2015.

Thank you for dropping by, I will be back very soon with some news on our annual Winter sale event which is also having a makeover this time around. Hope to see you in class soon xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday 18 November 2014

November Layout Workshop

Hello everyone, I'm finally back, still no email but everything else is gradually getting back to normal.

Being November this month's layout gives me the chance to feature the photos I took of the 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation at the Tower of London last month, just 10 days before the final poppy was placed on Remembrance Sunday. The day we visited was during the half term holiday and so it was incredibly busy but the thing that stuck you was how quietly and respectfully everyone was moving around, ensuring that anyone who wanted to take photos was given the opportunity. Us Brits at our best lol!

Of course this also gave me the opportunity to use one of my favourite colour combinations, black, white and red, which is featured on the Magazine Monday's Time Magazine inspiration piece this week too!

This workshop however was all about maximising your photos and I used mine, in black and white, to create my own background paper and, in colour, for the paper piecing of the poppies.

 


During this morning's workshop I created a double layout to demonstrate the idea of changing some aspects of the original (left hand) layout, background paper from landscape to portrait and the strip of small photos from the bottom to the top of the page, as a way of getting more from a single design idea rather than just creating a mirror image for the right hand layout. A great way to scrap lift a previous layout idea and generate a new layout on a day when your mojo has left the premises too I find lol!

So, from this....

.... to this.

A great morning's work and here's a peek at how my ladies' versions turned out.

Unfortunately due to illness two of my ladies missed their slot today but this workshop is repeated on Saturday 22 November 2pm to 5pm so hopefully they can catch up then, as I still have four spaces left in that class. The concept will be the same but I will be working with different photos as those of you who know me will know how I always avoid repeating anything!

If you are inspired by this idea and create your own version, do leave me a link in the comments so I can have a peek. See you next time xx