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