The Cutting Club

Introducing The Inspiration Station Cutting Club!

All papercrafters can benefit from joining our new Cutting Club.

• Members receive a FREE 2x2 QuicKutz die every month that is only available to Club members.
• Choose a FREE QuicKutz die from our selected list when you register.
• Enjoy a FREE workshop every month just for Cutting Club members.
• Club Members receive a 20% discount on ALL QuicKutz & Sizzix products for as long as they are a member.

Membership is just $30 for six months.

QuicKutz dies are compatible with Sizzix Big Shot, Vagabond, & Cuttlebug.

A chance to play

I love Wednesdays. It's my day off and sometimes I get the chance to play. After spending a good portion of the other day watching videos of Tim Holtz demonstrating the new Distress Stains; I had to get one of every color to play with!

My first attempt was not impressive. I tried to improvise by using a file folder to cut a tag and found that didn't work so well. The Ranger Tags have a much smoother surface. The file folders sucked up the stain so quick I got a very streaky look. When I tried to wet it to blend the paper just soaked up the water- no blending. So I grabbed my Ranger Tags and tried again. The results were much better.
So for those of you who want to know how I made this tag, here's the scoop:
I stamped the Hero Arts Butterfly (F5158) on to the blank tag using Matte Multi Medium - Another tip I learned from Tim; it acts as a resist. Then I used the Distress Stains in Antique Linen, Wild Honey, Fired Brick, and Broken China and sprayed it with water. I used a heat tool to dry it then I ran it through the Brick Wall Texture Fade. I stamped Hero Arts Friendship Definition stamp with Walnut Stain Distress ink. I used the blending tool to add Wild Honey and Walnut Stain Distress ink to the edges. The sentiment is from JustRite Stamps and is cut with a Spellbinders Die that is made for JustRite.

Now for my favorite part - The flower. It started as three layers of Color Me Crazy flowers from Petaloo. The bottom layer I colored with Spun Sugar Stain, touched the edges with Fired Brick Stain and sprayed with water. The top Layer I colored with Wild Honey Distress ink then sprayed it with water to blend it. While it was wet I lightly touched the center with the Wild Honey Stain. The leaves are actually two petals cut from a large Petaloo flower that I colored with Peeled Paint and Forest Moss stain.

Please note: The Petaloo flowers are paper and they lose their shape and texture when you wet them. I found best results by drying them using and iron and putting them between to paper towels. Make sure you use the paper towels because the stain did transfer when I ironed them. Once they were dry I just scrunched them up to shape them. I put a small pearl and some Scattered Straw Distress Stickles in the center. The ribbon is just a piece of seam binding I colored with Spun Sugar and Fired Brick Stains.

Spring is on it's way

Wow! Can it really be March already? I can't say I'm going to miss the winter when it's gone-I have definitely had enough. Now that spring is almost here, the new batch of scrapbook products that were introduced at CHA Winter show are starting to pour in. I am so excited to see all of the fun, bright colors and great new embellishments. I am looking forward to having some time to play with all of it.

Our next crop is Friday, March 11 from 5pm-10pm, be sure to join us for the fun.

In case you missed it on Facebook here is a partial list of some of the things we've received over the past few weeks:

• Tim Holtz Ideology & Stampers Anonymous
  
• Twinkling H20's & Radiant Rain
• Justrite stamps & dies
• Magnolia stamps
• Glitter papers from Best Creations
• Easter "Peeps"
• Leblanche Stamps from Germany
• 12 New Copic Colors and the new swatch book
• Family & Pet themed papers
• and lots more!

Just an update on our April 3rd Bus Tour - Our Bus is now completely SOLD OUT! We are looking forward to a fabulous day!

Don't forget we have Suzanne Dean coming in April to teach some amazing Copic Marker classes. Sign up today at her website CMCRoad.com

Don't forget about the awesome classes we offer here at The Inspiration Station. You can find our calendar here and a description of classes here.

Coloring with Copics - March 21st

Here are 2 of the 3 cards we will be doing in class on March 21st.
I will email the list of marker colors to those who sign up.

New products on their way to The Inspiration Station

I have spent a considerable amount of time in the past two weeks meeting with company sales reps and ordering new products for the store. For those who don't know, the craft industry has two major trade shows a year where manufacturer's introduce new products and compete for our dollars. The winter show was held in California at the end of January and included stuff that will be in stores now through June.


Crate Paper Toy Box

Crate Paper Portrait
Crate Paper Emma

So what are some of the things you will be seeing at The Inspiration Station this spring? Well, I can tell you I won't be getting anything snow related!!! I don't want to see anymore snow or ice! I am definitely all over the spring and summer colors.
Fancy Pants Beach Bum
How about some new Stampavie stamps?


And then, of course, there's all things Tim Holtz. You KNOW I couldn't pass up anything with his name on it!
Some of the things I'm looking forward to from him included new Paper Stacks, Distress Stains, Alterations Dies, Texture Fades & Texture Trades.
Donna & I will be taking some classes with Tim Holtz himself at the end of March so look for some new ideas to be incorporated into classes.

Snow Day Fun on Facebook

Come over to Facebook and join us for some Snow Day fun! I'll be posting challenges every hour and a day long Photo Scavenger Hunt.

Spring 2011 Bus Tour

The Top Scrapbook & Paper craft stores in Connecticut have joined together to bring you the ultimate shopping experience.

The 2011 Scrapbook Store Bus Tour

Call your friends and get on board for this all-day scrapbook shopping extravaganza. This is one event you do not want to miss!

New England Scrapbook Co., Canton

Papercraft Clubhouse, Westbrook

The Inspiration Station, Stafford Springs

Wiggles & Giggles, Wethersfield

An entire day of Shopping, Laughing and Learning

Sunday, April 3^rd

The fun begins at your host store where you’ll receive a delicious breakfast to get you ready to start your adventure then it’s off to the next store.

At each store you’ll receive a free gift and discounted shopping while you discover the unique characteristics of each shop.

Your ticket includes:

Round trip transportation to all four stores on the tour

Breakfast, lunch, and snacks

Special promotions at each store

A limited number of seats are available at each location. Tickets must be purchased in advance from your host store and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cost is $65 per person due at registration.

Fee is non-refundable unless we can fill your seat.

Registration begins: February 5th at 10am

To register call or visit your host store.

The Inspiration Station – (860) 684-2641

New England Scrapbook Co.- (860) 693-9197

Wiggles & Giggles – (860) 529-5899

Papercraft Clubhouse – (860) 399-4443

Win some Core'dinations cardstock

http://pages.email.darice.com/coredinations/p?eKey=F4R2F1luFg4Ruldlg0XSgE Click above to enter to win a new, unreleased Core'dinations assorted pack.

http://pages.email.darice.com/coredinations/p?eKey=F4R2F1luFg4Ruldlg0XSgE

Valentine's Exchange

And now for something a little different...

Donna is hosting a Valentine Exchange on Friday, Feb 11th from 7pm-9pm

This will be limited to 12 participants. Each person is asked to make 13 Valentine cards and come to a party at The Inspiration Station the night of the exchange. We'll have cheese and crackers, some sparkling wine (non-alcoholic), some chocolate and other treats.

There will be a $5 registration fee to reserve your spot but that will be refunded to you if you choose to make any purchases that evening. We just need to be sure we know who's coming!
Cards should be handmade, A2 sized (4.25" x 5.5") with envelopes.

How fun!

Upcoming class samples

Coloring With Copic - Jan 24th 10am -noon or 6pm 8pm

Valentine Cards - Tues., Feb 1st 10am-noon or 6pm-8pm

Merry January Layout - Friday Jan. 14 6pm-8pm


Cupcake Love Layouts - Saturday, Feb 12th - you will make 4 pages in the class (only 2 are shown below.

Welcome to 2011

It doesn't seem possible that we are in 2011; but it's true. This month marks our 9th year at The Inspiration Station - 9 years!! It has certainly flown by. But that's what happens when you're having fun! And boy, do we have fun here.

So, in the spirit of the new year, I've been thinking about what I want to focus on for the coming year. I decided to go back to what made me want to open the store in the first place and how I came up with the store name. Inspiration. It's all about Inspiration.

I am inspired by all of the creativity in this industry. I am inspired by all of the talented people I meet every day; and the best part of my day is when I can inspire someone to create something new. Enthusiasm is contagious and I love to spread it around!

My plan is to work more classes and demos into the schedule. If you have some thought on what you'd like to see and learn about, shoot me an email (inspirationsta@aol.com). Don't forget to check out our website for classes and make sure that you follow us on Facebook for up to the minute information.

***Weather Alert*** Store closed today (Sunday, Dec 26th) due to expected Winter Storm. Please stay home and stay safe!

Class information

Our 2010 classes are coming to a close this week with the final Card Club class on Tuesday and the final Layout Class with Terry on Wednesday. On behalf of all of the teachers at The Inspiration Station I want to thank you all for making our education program such a success. I believe we have some of the most talented and creative instructors anywhere- and it's wonderful to know that you agree!

Coming up in the New Year you can count on more fabulous inspiration for your cards, scrapbooks, mini albums and more. Our January calendar is already available at the store and online; February is in progress. We are looking forward to offering more great classes and ideas. Treat yourself to any one of our classes and you will be coming back for more!

A sample of what you can look forward to in the new year:
Card Club students will be getting a fabulous cutting die in the January Class! Remember that the morning Card Club will be moving to the 2nd Tuesday of the month. The evening classes will remain on the 2nd & 3rd Tuesday of the month.

Scrap More Layouts classes with Dawn will be held on the first Wednesday of the month.

Monthly Layout Club with Terry will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.

Additional classes for Cricut, Coloring with Copic, Valentine Cards and Printer's Tray and a Taste of Winter mini book will also be offered.

Wanted to share.

For everyone who loved Tim's tags but didn't have time to play along- Donna will be teaching a class based on them on Thursday, January 27th in the morning and evening. Space is limited so plan to sign up soon.