April 17th newsletter

The Inspiration Station April 17, 2014 Welcome to The Inspiration Station Dear Debra, Hello again! Just a reminder that we will be CLOSED this Sunday to celebrate Easter with our families. We are open regular hours on Friday and Saturday. I hope you have a chance to stop by! As always, our teachers have great classes planned and you can read all about those below; however, many of you have been asking when we could get Nathalie from Magenta back because you love her.  I am happy to say that she will be driving through the area and making a stop at The Inspiration Station to teach a class and bring a trunk show of products on Wednesday, April 23rd from 6pm-9pm. **There are only 4 seats left- call today to register** The class is $35 per person and the store will be open during the class for everyone to shop the trunk show. ********** If you are looking for new product we just got our hands on the new Mini Distress Ink Pads in the second release of colors, Lots of new Sizzix dies and embossing folders, a great Americana line from Pebbles and a gorgeous Seashore line from Prima. Upcoming Classes     Advanced Zentangle    Zendalas Saturday, April 19 10am-noon $35 Prerequisite: Zentangle Basics Please bring your basics class kits **Only 2 seats left!**       Advanced Zentangle   Adding Color Saturday, April 19 1pm - 3pm $45 Prerequisite: Zentangle Basics Please bring your basics class kits       Intro to Gelatos    Tues., April 22 10am-noon or 6pm-8pm $28  All levels welcome! New dateadded! Sunday, May 18th Advanced Copic Techniques Reflections Saturday, April 26 10am-noon $28 Pre-requisite Beginner Copics Advanced Copic Techniques Metals Saturday, April 26 1pm - 3pm $28 Pre-requisite Beginner Copics May Card Club   Tues., May 6 10am-noon 6pm-8pm $30 For the May Card Club class, Donna is going to do something a bit different. She will be teaching this "Card in a Box".  Participants will receive an 8x8 pad of Graphic 45's By the Sea paper to use and take home.   Kim has been working hard on preparing 2 classes for you using Twinkling H2O's.  She's taken several classes and is quite excited about them.  Please join her for her teaching debut on Saturday, May 10th where she will offer 2 separate classes. Twinkling Floral Canvas   Sat, May 10th 10am-noon   $28   Twinkling H2O's can be used on many surfaces. Kim is excited to show you some of the possibilities in this beautiful canvas class.  You'll work with canvas, wood, watercolor paper, and more. All levels welcome!         Twinkling Art Panel & Mail Art   Saturday, May 10th 1pm-4pm $30 Learn how to combine materials to create a very unique textured background and then paint and embellish with Twinkling H2O's All levels welcome!   Class registration can be made in person or by calling (860) 684-2641 (Please do not call or text the instructor personally) All classes must be pre-paid at the time of registration. Your spot is not held until payment is received. Sunday Crafting As always, Kim will be hosting the afternoon crop on Sunday from noon to 4pm. If you would like to come in and work on a few projects.  You don't need to be a scrapbooker to come; card makers, mixed media, ATC are all welcome.  It is only $5 and if you spend $20 while you are here we give that fee back to you so really, it's FREE! And now weekday crops are available too! ********************** NEW COFFEE & CRAFT DAY   Every Wednesday at The Inspiration Station Join us from 11am-5pm Every Wednesday And craft to your heart's content. Cost is $5 prepaid (at least 2 days before) or $7 walk-in Spend the day crafting with friends and if you spend $25 while you're here, we'll give you a $5 coupon to spend on your next visit! So grab your friends and bring your favorite mug. We'll provide the coffee, tea and cocoa. You can bring your own lunch and snacks or visit one of the area eateries for lunch. In This Issue Store Hours: for 2014   CLOSED EASTER SUNDAY   Monday CLOSED  Tuesday 10am - 6pm Wednesday 10am - 6pm Thursday 10am - 6pm Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 12pm - 4pm Weather Closings Reminder: In the event of inclement weather, we may need to open late or close early if we feel the roads are too bad to be out.  Please understand that this is for the safety of our customers and staff.  For the latest information regarding weather closings please visit our Facebook page.  When in doubt, please call before coming.  We want you to be safe. .   We are now on Pinterest    This is the best place to see up- to-date info about everything at The Inspiration Station.  Become a Fan today! Be sure to "Check in" on your smart phone whenever you visit.  If you are not seeing our posts in your news feed please go to the page and change your settings to "get Notifications" We appreciate your referrals!  Please tell your friends about us. Forward this email or suggest they "like" our Facebook page.  Thanks! GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE    Pocket Scrapbooking    If you are interested in learning about the hot new pocket scrapbooking trend, call and ask about our Project Life Meet up group that gets together one Saturday a month.  We are a loud but friendly bunch and we love to share our ideas!   Next meeting:  Saturday, May 3rd 10am-5pm *********************************** Open Crop/Craft Days Sundays       Bring everything you need to crop/craft in our classroom Noon - 4pm.  We have people scrapping, stamping and creating mail art! $5 registration fee payable at sign up will be applied to your $20 purchase during the crop.So it's like cropping for FREE! Please pre-register to reserve your seat.

Debby Riendeau The Inspiration Station 860-684-2641 www.the-inspiration-station.com

May Card Club And More

For the May Card Club class, Donna is going to do something a bit different. She will be teaching this "Card in a Box".  Participants will receive an 8x8 pad of Graphic 45's By the Sea paper to use and take home.

Call to register today.  Class is Tuesday, May 6th from 10am - noon or 6pm - 8pm and is $30.

Upcoming Classes - April 2014

Tuesday, April 15

Tim Holtz inspired Tags

Thursday April 17

Spring clock

Saturday, April 19th

Advanced Zentangle - Zendalas

10am-noon

$35

Saturday, April 19th

Advanced Zentangle - adding color

1pm-4pm

$45

Tuesday, April 22nd

Intro to Gelatos

10am-noon

6pm-8pm

$28

Special Guest, Nathalie Metivier from Magenta

Wednesday, April 23rd

6pm - 9pm

$35

Thursday, April 24

Mixed Media Playground

10am-noon

6pm-8pm

$28

Photo coming soon

Saturday, April 26th

Advanced Copic Techniques - Reflections

10am-noon

$28

Advanced Copic Techniques - Metals

1pm-3pm

$28

Tuesday, April 29

Christmas Cards

10am-noon

6pm-8pm

$28

Photo coming soon

Guest Instructor - Nathalie Metevier from Magenta Rubber Stamps

Join us on Wednesday, April 23rd from 6pm - 9pm for a class with one of our favorite guests, Nathalie form Magenta.

Nathalie and her husband, Philipe will also bring a trunk show with lots of Magenta products for you to purchase that evening. Everyone is welcome to shop the trunk show and the store will remain open that night for shoppers.

If you would like to be in the class, SPACE is LIMITED so you must pre-register and pre-pay. Class is $35 per person an is non-refundable unless we can fill your seat.  Call The Inspiration Station today at (860) 684-2641.

*Please note: all the card sayings will be in English for the class!

This week's news

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The Inspiration Station March 22, 2014 Welcome to The Inspiration Station Dear Debra, It's been a busy week or two here at the store with new products coming, attending a trade show and classes and making arrangements for guest instructors.  There's so much to tell I just don't know where to start! As always, our teachers have great classes planned and you can read all about those below; however, many of you have been asking when we could get Nathalie from Magenta back because you love her.  I am happy to say that she will be driving through the area and making a stop at The Inspiration Station to teach a class and bring a trunk show of products on Wednesday, April 23rd from 6pm-9pm. I will have the photos of the 3 cards in next week's newsletter but I suggest you not wait to sign up as space is limited and I expect the class to sell out quickly. The class is $35 per person and the store will be open during the class for everyone to shop the trunk show. In other news, we are also expecting a visit from Tammie Wilson from Faber Castell on Thursday, May 15th.  I do not have specifics for the class yet, but you should plan to save the date for some Mixed Media Fun. ********** If you are looking for new product we just got our hands on the new Dylusion Spray Ink colors and the Mini Ink Blending Tools from Ranger. Check out the video below from Jen McGuire to see how great the mini tool is. Video ********** Project Life/ Pocket Style Scrapbooking We have a monthly meet-up group for anyone interested in doing pocket style scrapbooking.  We are meeting thisSaturday, April 5th it is free to all to attend but in order to have enough space we ask everyone to pre-register. *********** For those of you who made the Altered Halloween Clock and Winter Clock with Donna and asked for her to make a spring version she will be doing that on Thursday, April 17th at 10am.  Please call for more information. Upcoming Classes     Card Club   Tues., April 8 10am-noon or 6pm-8pm $30 includes stamp.   All levels welcome! Technique Thursday    April 10th 10am-noon or 6pm-8pm $28 This week we'll be trying out Gelato techniques All levels welcome!       Elizabeth Crafts Class     Saturday, April 12 1pm - 3pm $28 Join us and learn techniques for using glitter, dies, shimmer sheets and more.   Advanced Zentangle    Zendalas Saturday, April 19 10am-noon $35 Prerequisite: Zentangle Basics Please bring your basics class kits       Advanced Zentangle   Adding Color Saturday, April 19 1pm - 3pm $45 Prerequisite: Zentangle Basics Please bring your basics class kits       Intro to Gelatos    Tues., April 22 10am-noon or 6pm-8pm $28  All levels welcome! New dateadded! Sunday, May 18th Advanced Copic Techniques Reflections 10am-noon $28 Pre-requisite Beginner Copics Advanced Copic Techniques Metals 1pm - 3pm $28 Pre-requisite Beginner Copics Kim has been working hard on preparing 2 classes for you using Twinkling H2O's.  She's taken several classes and is quite excited about them.  Please join her for her teaching debut on Saturday, May 10th where she will offer 2 separate classes. Twinkling Floral Canvas   Sat, May 10th 10am-noon   $28   Twinkling H2O's can be used on many surfaces. Kim is excited to show you some of the possibilities in this beautiful canvas class.  You'll work with canvas, wood, watercolor paper, and more. All levels welcome!         Twinkling Art Panel & Mail Art   Saturday, May 10th 1pm-4pm $30 Learn how to combine materials to create a very unique textured background and then paint and embellish with Twinkling H2O's All levels welcome!   Class registration can be made in person or by calling (860) 684-2641 (Please do not call or text the instructor personally) All classes must be pre-paid at the time of registration. Your spot is not held until payment is received. Sunday Crafting As always, Kim will be hosting the afternoon crop on Sunday from noon to 4pm. If you would like to come in and work on a few projects.  You don't need to be a scrapbooker to come; card makers, mixed media, ATC are all welcome.  It is only $5 and if you spend $20 while you are here we give that fee back to you so really, it's FREE! And now weekday crops are available too! ********************** NEW COFFEE & CRAFT DAY   Every Wednesday at The Inspiration Station Join us from 11am-5pm Every Wednesday And craft to your heart's content. Cost is $5 prepaid (at least 2 days before) or $7 walk-in Spend the day crafting with friends and if you spend $25 while you're here, we'll give you a $5 coupon to spend on your next visit! So grab your friends and bring your favorite mug. We'll provide the coffee, tea and cocoa. You can bring your own lunch and snacks or visit one of the area eateries for lunch. In This Issue Store Hours: for 2014    Monday CLOSED  Tuesday 10am - 6pm Wednesday 10am - 6pm Thursday 10am - 6pm Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 12pm - 4pm Weather Closings Reminder: In the event of inclement weather, we may need to open late or close early if we feel the roads are too bad to be out.  Please understand that this is for the safety of our customers and staff.  For the latest information regarding weather closings please visit our Facebook page.  When in doubt, please call before coming.  We want you to be safe. .   We are now on Pinterest    This is the best place to see up- to-date info about everything at The Inspiration Station.  Become a Fan today! Be sure to "Check in" on your smart phone whenever you visit.  If you are not seeing our posts in your news feed please go to the page and change your settings to "get Notifications" We appreciate your referrals!  Please tell your friends about us. Forward this email or suggest they "like" our Facebook page.  Thanks! GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE    Pocket Scrapbooking  If you are interested in learning about the hot new pocket scrapbooking trend, call and ask about our Project Life Meet up group that gets together one Saturday a month.  We are a loud but friendly bunch and we love to share our ideas!   Next meeting: Saturday, April 5th 10am-5pm *********************************** Open Crop/Craft Days Sundays       Bring everything you need to crop/craft in our classroom Noon - 4pm.  We have people scrapping, stamping and creating mail art! $5 registration fee payable at sign up will be applied to your $20 purchase during the crop.So it's like cropping for FREE! Please pre-register to reserve your seat.

Debby Riendeau The Inspiration Station 860-684-2641 www.the-inspiration-station.com

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December documented project

So a few of you came back again, I thank you very much!

Friday night we had a private crop at the store and I took advantage of the time to try out a new Cricut cartridge from Anna Griffin.  It has some beautiful words and images on it that I think I can use in my project. Sizing them took a bit of time since I didn't have my Gypsy with me and I really should have used a new cutting mat.

So today I started pulling some things together to make cards.  I thought I had corralled all of my Christmas stuff together last week, but found a few more stashes of paper in my "themed" paper drawer. I have a couple of plastic photo boxes that I have been throwing all of the little embellishments and things I think I might use in but they are over flowing so I had to find a bigger box.

Once again, I am torn when it comes to style decisions.  My little squirrel brain starts making something with one color palette and then - ooh, something shiny....  and I'm off on another tangent.  So my cards and pages have been deviating from what I intended originally and I'm not sure how, or if, they will all work together.  I guess I will just have to wait and see once the photos start materializing.

So here is what I ended up with for today.  What do you think?

The Holidays are Coming!

Did you miss me? I haven't updated my blog in so long, I wonder if anyone still reads it! Well, in case anyone is still out there, I thought I'd post something I am working on for the holiday season.

I am sure most of you have heard of the December Daily project, originally conceived by Ali Edwards.
If not, I encourage you to visit the link I posted above.  She has been doing this project for several years in order to document her family's daily activities during the month of December.  Each year, she creates an album dedicated just to December's events; some are holiday related, some are the ordinary everyday kind of family stuff.  Her style is simple and I love to get inspiration from her. But I am not Ali Edwards...

My style is not quite so clean and minimalist; but it is not all shabby and vintage either.  I love looking at everyone's projects on Pinterest, but I never seem to find one that is exactly my style.  I love bits and pieces of them all.  If you look at my Pinterest board, you will see what an eclectic assortment I have pinned. This is where I struggle.  I have a really hard time trying to come up with a plan for my own project.

The other roadblock I struggle with is the concept of "Daily".  Don't get me wrong; I love the idea - but I know it will never work for me.  Anyone who knows me knows what a squirrel I am (also known as adult ADD). There is no way I can do something for 25 days straight!  Take a photo every day? Sounds easy enough, but no, it won't happen. Write a journaling card out each night? Nah, can't commit to that.  Heck I can't even manage to make dinner more than 2 or 3 nights a week and that takes MAJOR planning!

So, should I even attempt this project at all?  Well, of course!  Because it just looks like fun, and squirrels just wanna have fun!  It may never get finished... but it will get started!  Actually, I'm already ahead of the game on that one.  I committed to using a Sn@p! binder in red and even decorated the cover.  Of course, choosing what is going on the inside has been a little like going to a midnight buffet on a cruise ship - I want a little of this and a little of that, and oh! I must have THAT!  Before you know it my plate is overflowing, I've gained ten pounds, and haven't eaten even half of what I picked up...

I couldn't decide on a single paper line, I couldn't choose either gold or silver accents, I don't really want a vintage look but I do want layers. I found this paper on the cover from Bo Bunny's Silver & Gold line (Ha! they used both) which I thought was perfect.  It went well with some older LYB Winterings paper I had, and the Heidi Swapp Believe line had great cards to cut up for accents. Then I found some stickers from Echo Park that I like that had grey in them, I thought those worked well. And I was off! I made a couple of 3x4 cards and collect a huge box of embellishments that I may or may not use. 

Because I know the daily approach won't work for me, and because my kids are all grown and moved away, a lot of the pre-made kits didn't make sense for me; we don't have Santa and school activities etc.  So I think my book will be more about Christmas memories.  I'd like to do a spread on favorite music, favorite recipes, and special decorations.  We'll see how it evolves.

So, if you would like to encourage me to keep up with this project, follow along, leave me nice comments, and share your adventures.  I plan to work on it some more tonight and if all goes well I will post again tomorrow.  Thanks for joining me!

March Magic Creative Retreat 2014