A New Month & A New Adventure

Hello! It's been a really long time since I posted anything to this blog but I have a really good reason.

A little over 8 months ago my husband lost his job. At first it was a really upsetting time - we went through all the emotions but once we caught our breath and could think clearly we decided what to do next. A dream I have had for a while was to open my own scrapbook/paper craft store but it was never the right time until now. 

The dream started to take shape the more we talked about it. The more we talked about it the more we realized that we could actually do it. 

Fast forward to June 1, 2018 - the day we took possession of our new retail space!

The Paper & Ink Boutique

Behind the scenes my husband, Glenn & my dad have been building display fixtures and my demo bar and front counter.

Demo Bar - under construction

Cable Reel Tower Display

Product Display Fixtures

Follow us on the road to opening by keeping an eye on The Paper & Ink Boutique social media.

Facebook: @thepaperandinkboutique

Instagram: @thepaperandinkboutique

Pinterest: The Paper And Ink Boutique

Twitter: @PaperInkCalgary

You may be thinking "What does this mean for Paradise Lost?"

Paradise Lost will be taken over by Heather - my very good friend and co-host of Paradise Lost Crops & Retreats. She is new to blogging so hopefully, with a bit of guidance and encouragement from me, she will keep the blog going with her beautiful scrapbooking and cardmaking.

Stay tuned as I'm not quite finished with Paradise Lost yet!

I'll be back on Wednesday, June 6 with a project for the Wild Whisper Design Team.

~~stay crafty~~

julia 

Cherish Moments - Mixed Media Layout

Welcome to my blog!

Today I'm here to share a 12x12 mixed media layout I created for The Scrap Shack.

The Scrap Shack now carries a selection of chipboard from Southern Ridge Trading Co.

I created this layout with a couple of Southern Ridge Trading Co chipboard die cuts;
some discontinued papers from my stash in reds & browns & a
Found Relative card from Tim Holtz Idea-ology.

I started by trimming down one patterned paper down to 11.5"x11.5" to layer over a darker

12x12 pattern paper.

I used my Tim Holtz Distress Tool on the edges.

Next I sprayed some Prima Color Bloom (Worn Leather) randomly over the 

11.5"x11.5" pattern paper & I dried it with my heat gun.

I took the spray cap off the bottle of irRESISTible Ink (Danube Blue) and 

dripped it over the paper next.

I torn a page out of an old novel and used inks & stains to age it before

layering it under the distressed edge of the patterned paper.

The chipboard from Southern Ridge Trading Co is amazing and can be altered by painting,

staining, spraying, ink. It can also be distressed by sanding. The photo on the left shows the chipboard after one layer of paint. The one on the right shows the chipboard after 2 coats of paint.

After the paint was completely dried, I took my sanding tool and roughed up 

the paint before adding some Ground Espresso Distess Ink with a blending tool.

The butterfly on the right was first sprayed with Prima Color Bloom

 (Summer Sky) then I stamped over it with a texture stamp &

Ground Espresso Distress Ink.

I distressed the Found Relative Card by sanding & inking it. I used the Tim Holtz 

Distress Tool on the edges then inked the edges with Ground Espresso Distress Ink 

and a blending tool. I then spritzed some ink over the card.

You can see this layout on display at The Scrap Shack in Ponoka, Alberta.

A Visit to the Scrap Shack

If you have attended an Paradise Lost Crop or retreat over the last 2 years you have probably met Debbie Lamey & shopped at her Scrappin' & Cardmakin' mobile store.

Debbie has been travelling to retreats, crops, farmers markets in central Alberta for years but last year she decided a more permanent space in her hometown of Ponoka would allow her to do what she loves while spending more time at home.

So the Scrap Shack was born ~ 450sq feet of crafters heaven in Central Alberta.

I had the opportunity to visit The Scrap Shack a few weeks ago.

It is a cozy spot located in the backyard of Debbie's home in Ponoka.

Debbie carries a wide variety of products including stamps & dies.

There are lots of inks choices - including Archival & Distress.

Debbie carries a beautiful selection of cardstock colours & adhesive choices.

Debbie also carries product from Calgary manufacturer Emerald Creek Craft Supplies.

Debbie also carries a fabulous selection of mixed media products - great for art journalling!

If you find yourself in the Ponoka area, I highly recommend a visit.

To check The Scrap Shack hours & upcoming classes visit the blog.