New April Kits tonight!

This is a little hint at the Project Kit for April. This is how I have displayed it (on my new "old" settee that desperately needs to make it to the upholstery shop)! It is a Spring banner made from old wallpaper scraps and the mini scalloped banner chipboard pieces (and a beautiful glittered butterfly thrown in for good measure)! Here is a close-up:

This is the Add-On kit. This one has lots of fun mediums to play with including the petal pink Perfect Pearls paint and the ultra fine glitter from Art Institute (you get a full jar). It is the most perfect shade of yellow!

Here is an overall look at the Papercrafting Kit as well (below). We have a few more than last month so I think we will go at least into tomorrow before selling out.

We will also have at least one mid-month introduction so keep checking in to see previews!

I will also take some photos this week of my auction finds and some very cool things I found while antiquing in New England this past weekend. You won't believe what I found!!

A little preview. . .

just to tide you over - here is a peek at the Papercrafting Kit for April. This paper from Anna Griffin was one of my favorite from show (and the goodies in the pillow box are good enough to eat)!

We traveled to my in-laws for Easter this past weekend. They live in a rural area and it happened that there was an auction that weekend for an old general store that closed in the 1960's (I believe it had been in operation since the late 1800's). Everything had been stored until now. There were many great things among a lot of dirt and dust (and a little junk)! The old cash register was there, but it was in horrible condition - you couldn't even read the numbers any more through the dirt and the rust. There were tables and tables of "stuff" - my heart skipped a beat as I went through everything. I only had two hours to be there - not enough time (although my mother-in-law's Easter dinner was certainly worth leaving for)! We were there for no more than 5 minutes when I heard the auctioneer say "ledger". Much to Jared's embarrassment I started throwing up my number (I had to get an education on how it all worked later). In the end I took home the thick ledger (dated from 1917), boxes of old writing tablets (still wrapped in tissue) and two boxes of dusty cards of mother of pearl buttons. I was one of probably three women there in the midst of about 100 gentlemen in overalls- oh what they must have thought of me!

I hope all of you had an equally wonderful Easter weekend!

Hey there. . .

I finally updated Stacey's gallery so you will see some new things in there (lots of techniques)!

We took the boys to Disney World this past week (just got back yesterday) - hence the crickets chirping here. I promise to share some hints about next month's kit next week. The project kit will be a Spring banner (much requested- ask and you shall receive!) and I have a special memory jewelry kit that you will LOVE!!!

AND. . .I am putting a few more March Papercrafting Kits up for sale as well a couple of March Project Kits right now (8:30 central time). As I always say, it pays to read the blog! We always end up with a few extra after billing, but only a few (sorry I don't have more)!

Have a great Easter!

Mary Engelbreit

Have you seen it?? I just picked up my issue yesterday. I was THRILLED to have been asked to do the Crop, Paper, Scissors project for the month of April as I love this magazine so. I also really loved this project - the most fun I have had "playing" in a long time! Here is a link to the online version of the article: http://www.homecompanionmag.com/hands_on/paper_scissors_crop/fly_away_home.asp

You should also find a link to Jen Cushman's blog - she edits this column.

I have had a lot of requests for the instructions for this. I have good news and bad news. Good news first- I am going to make this into a kit with all of the pieces and parts including the instructions. Bad news - you will have to wait until then to get the instructions. I wasn't required to write these so I have none at the moment. I am working on getting the little bird book pages laid out and printed. I will keep you posted here and let you know the day and time they will be available. Most likely next month sometime. And, in case you tried to purchase the bird chipboard at the site and saw it was sold out, they will be back in stock in about 7 days. I will post here as well when they get back in (bad timing to go out of stock, eh)?? Truly sorry about that!

We are working on a face lift for the website and a few new features and changes. One of the things I am working on is a new arrangement for the gallery each month. I am seriously lacking in the inspiration department and I need some help (although I will continue to have my own gallery)!! I will be introducing the ideas as we implement them and we will be running some contests this summer to find guest designers! For this month however I did want to introduce everyone to Doris Sander. She is going to be taking over the Journaling Jumpstart gallery each month. She is brilliant and I know everyone will enjoy seeing what she creates each month. Here is a little taste of something she whipped up last month:

Speaking of the gallery, by tomorrow you will see some parts and pieces loaded (including the instructions to the Project Kit). The rest will be filled in a little later (on the 17th) this month. Sorry for the delay. We did get the kits out a little early this month to make up for it!

I hope you are having a great weekend!

Website issue. . .

Thanks so much for posting and sending e-mails about the site error! It takes us longer to notice these things without the e-mails so I really appreciate it!

The site was apparently down yesterday (Wednesday). As of 11:00 this morning (Thursday) my programmer says it is good to go.

If you continue to experience problems today, please post it here but all should be well now.

Thanks so much!