Whim So Doodle

I'm excited to share with you a bit of my visit to Whim So Doodle in St Petersburg, Florida today.  Jill and I have been friends since we met at Ranger U back in 2010.  Even though St Petersburg is on the other side of the country from me, I would see Jill at events we were both attending, like at CHA and Quilt Market.  Fast forward to 2013, when I first taught at Whim So Doodle.  I was amazed at the sheer size of the store and the stock (I think we like the same things!). 

Each year the store has an Holiday Open House - with make and takes, a huge spread of food (and the best punch I have ever tasted) as well as a winner of a 30 second shopping spree!

 I set up a small holiday display.  You might recognize some of the projects from the blog.

The classroom is set up with the make and takes - 8 to choose from this year.

Lynette, who works at the store was in charge of the Tim Holtz make and take.  She had mini burlap panels as the base.  Then used the Speckles Stencil to create texture paste "snow". 
Do you notice what Lynette has in her hand?  It's one of those tea infusers that Tim used in this months 12 Tags series...if you didn't see this technique to add Distress Glitter to a project, you can see it here on Tim's blog.  Super clever.

Everyone colored in the Mini Blueprint Holly with Distress Markers and used a detail Waterbrush to create depth on the Ranger Watercolor paper.

A Hinge Clip, Mirrored Star, Jute String and a Tidings Token were added to complete the little panel.  Oh, and a little Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  How cute is that?

Whim So Doodle also has an entire room (yes I said room) dedicated to fabric and sewing.  They have sewing machines and teach basic sewing classes.  

There was a darling key chain being made using the Stephanie Ackerman Sizzix - Banners and Hearts die and wool. 

Jill also has all the Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements fabric - To be honest I have never seen the entire line in a retail shop!  Thank you Jill! 
If you are looking for Eclectic Elements - WSD ship's nationwide, so don't be afraid to place a phone order!

 Eclectic Elements Fat Quarters

 Back out to the main store - there is every imaginable Ranger, Tim Holtz product.  I love that the Distress products have the colors displayed.

 

  One each please.

This is me standing in front of just 1/2 of the Ranger section!
I am sad I did not take a picture of the Stampers Anonymous wall - I have never seen that many Stamper Anonymous sets in one place.  Jill had stamps I don't even own!  I loved just standing there looking at all the sets to choose from!  Just awesome!

Everyone lined up to make purchases!

The lovely Karen on her way to her car...I think she might have found a few things to buy! Karen has a Christmas tree at her house that has all the Tim Holtz Christmas tags she has created over the years.  Wouldn't that be something to see?

 That's me in the top left corner - drawing the name of the shopping spree winner.

 

And Carol, who won the 30 second shopping spree!  What did she go for?  Straight back to the Tim Holtz section for a Vagabond and Stampers Anonymous Stamps (her friend was carrying the rest of the bags!)

CLASSES
I taught 4 classes at Whim So Doodle over 2 days.  I admit it freely, I'm terrible at remembering to take pictures in class.  This was the only one I got of the Folio class.  Lots of technique in this one and everyone did exceptionally well!

The Assemblage clock was after the Folio - It's funny how people might be apprehensive about doing a clock but this class is so much fun with all the Alcohol Ink!  Everyone seems so tickled when they leave!

Marlene, Carolyn and Jackie were so fun in class - so glad they came.  Marlene's clock in all it's Mermaid (alcohol ink) glory came out out wonderful.

 We also had Johnna from Scrappy Camper Sisters join us.  What a super nice person to have in class!

And Suzette.
Suzette has taken at least 6 classes from me over the last 2 years.  When she walks in, it's always a good thing!  Her sister Margaret was with her again and this year she brought 2 niece's too.  What a fun class.

 On to the Christmas class - Winter Wish Shadowbox.

It was a full house for this one - lots of mothers and daughters, sisters and friends!

Marlene and Carolyn bought Iced Spruce Distress Spray Stain to color the trees in the box - which came out amazing!  Seriously the perfect tree color!

 Carolyn, who was on crutches, used them for more than walking...

Lori had a "Chicago" winter going on in her box, which was appropriate since she grew up there!

And some like Christine and Carol brought vintage Christmas pieces to add to their box.  Notice the Santa has a snowball in his hand?  What a great added touch.

 This one was just as cute with the vintage snowman!

We got a group shot but I still think we were missing about seven.
What a fun class - everyone's was just a bit different, from the fixings, to the colors to the amount of snow...and that is good!

Then it was time to pack up and fly home to CA.  Lots of work is waiting - since CHA is only a month away.  I promised myself I would get a tree this year, so that is my goal this week - a tree up by Saturday!

I also wanted to say "Thank You" to my sister who flew from Fort Worth to help keep me organized.  The baskets of Ranger product are changed out before each class and that can be quite a task keeping all the products in check.  Between kits and Ranger, a little over 240lbs of goods were shipped to Florida for the 4 classes!  So thank you Patty for your help!

If you are interested in the 

 Winter Wish Christmas kit

the remaining kits have been posted in my Etsy store.

Thanks for a great Weekend Whim So Doodle - see you next year at the Holiday Open House!  

now carry on,
paula

Scrapbook Island

Just a quick recap on the weekend at Scrapbook Island.  What a fun group of ladies that came to class.  I taught 3 classes over the two days.  My friend Richele Christensen drove almost 3 hours to help in the classroom and provide comic relief.  Thank you Richele for your kindness, friendship and the amazing sample you brought to share with everyone!
I thought I could share a few pictures from the classes that were taken by Laurie (the amazing owner of Scrapbook Island) and Richele.  Thanks girls!

Thank you to all who came!  Kathi, Julie, Bonnie, Connie, Frances and Maryl and of course Ruby.  Jayne and her Neighbor (notice I capitalized it Jayne?).  Sharon and Lisa, Sonja and the other Sonia, Jamie, Gretchen, Donna, Terri, Kelle, Joyce, Jan and Tammy, Veronica and Florence, Erin and Rocio, Christine.  Laurie, Linda and darn it I am missing one of the three "L" names!  I know I have missed some others but glad you all could come!

 Again, a huge shout out to Laurie at Scrapbook Island for inviting me to be a part of the Island family.  I loved every minute of the weekend and I can't wait to come back.

I'll be back tomorrow with a project so stay tuned.

now carry on, paula

Out and About

(pronunciation - oot and aboot)

We will soon be making a return visit to "The Great White North".  Last year we had the opportunity to teach some classes at The Scrap Yard in Calgary for our good friend Lori Wilson-Bunda.  This year she has asked us to return for a special event being held at this lovely resort.  

Nakoda Lodge, is nestled in the Canadian Rockies on beautiful lake Chief Hector.  We are so excited, not only to get to go to this gorgeous place but to spend time with this fun lady as there will never be a dull moment.

We have never seen anyone make a Charlie Chaplin moustache out of a scalloped metal paper edge (until now).  Convenient that the metal paper edge comes with a sticky back.  Although this picture doesn't show it, she had the matching eyebrows at some point during the class.

Just to give you an idea of how colorful she is, check out her cool boots.  

We got to celebrate her birthday while we were there....it was great fun!

While we are there we will be teaching our new class called,

"My Ten"

This new 7gypsies mini drawer has 10 numbered cards with journaling lines on the back to write out your own unique "TEN".  It might be 10 things I love, 10 people I love, 10 places I have visited, 10 people who have inspired me, 10 Ways to Leave Your Lover (oops! sorry, that's a Paul Simon song and I am sure it is copyrighted, so we can't use it), but you get the drift, right?  We will be using 7gypsies new paper line Lille in the 8 x 8 scale for inspiration in creating the cards with a bit of ephemera thrown in.  We also will be using a whole 'lotta Ranger products from Perfect Pearls to the new Distress Stains in combination with Perfect Pearls Mists,  just a bit of 10 Seconds Studios Metal and Alcohol Ink thrown in for good measure.  We will create enough cards and tags to fill the mini drawer with a bit of room left for photos representing your 10.  Each drawer will be unique, using words, numbers and initials you choose to make your own personal statement.

even a little compartment in the center for treasures

We are teaching the class twice on Sat. April 9th, (10am and 7pm) come join us for one or two....IT'S GOING TO BE A FUN TIME! (but you have to bring your own metal paper edge moustache)

You might also notice there are a few other scheduled stops coming up.  

Paper & Metal Scrappers 

in Payson, AZ

We are teaching the  

My Ten Class 

Friday, April 29th

10-1pm

Making Memories Unforgettable

in Tuscon, AZ

We are teaching the  

My Ten Class

(call for times)

Saturday, April 30th

as well as another brand new class

Abundance

Do you live a life of Abundance? We don’t mean dollars in the bank but plentifulness of the good things of life; family or friends...love and compassion. Celebrate what is good about your life right now by deconstructing a 7gypsies portfolio into what looks like a neat package, yet opens to reveal a “movable” feast of individual parts. Each fold of the stage opens to reveal hidden journaling spots, tiny pictures and eventually a small book for more introspection. Personalize your project with your own pictures, words and thoughts to make this project unique to you, a friend, or loved one.  We will be working with 7gypsies new Lille paper, Collage tissue (fabulous) and Ranger’s new Distress Stains (can you tell we love this stuff?) So get ready to put on your apron, get your fingers dirty and celebrate the abundance of life.

Oh, how I love this project!

Our next stop brings Debbie to California

We will be with our friends in Clovis at 

Pocketful of Treasures

Saturday, May 14th

Abundance

9-12:30

My Ten

1:30-5:00

Then on to 

Art Inspired Studios

in Brentwood, Ca

Saturday, May 21st

where we will teach both Abundance and My Ten (call for times).

We have never taught in the Northern California so we are looking forward to meeting some new gypsy girls and maybe finding some fun things to do along the way.

We may add a few more dates to the schedule for these classes so just keep watching (still finalizing dates).  If you are not in the area where we are teaching, just email us and we will put you on a waiting list for extra kits if they become available.