Our New Studio

Good morning Doodlebugs fans!  Have you heard the news?  We are in the process of creating a Studio / Classroom above Doodlebugs .  That's right, we're going up!  It's a "work in progress" at this time.  One we hope to have complete by April 1st.  We plan to offer an assortment of classes including mixed media, cards, mini books, and an extended version of our Creative Cafe.  We will also be able to offer custom workshops for groups (ie Girl Scouts, Church groups, you and your crafty friends etc.)  Please give us a call if  you may be interested in a custom workshop.  We already have a list started and you'll want to be at the top!

We've been busy cleaning as you can see in the image below.  Once we are finished with that, it's time for the paint.  Watch for updates!  We'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, we'll be taking a break from our Make it Monday and Creative Cafe.  We'll be spending that time getting the Studio ready.

What's New Wednesday

 Archival inks have become so popular due to their waterproof properties.  These can be used with Tim Holtz Destress Markers, paints, sprays, and other wet mediums and they won't run.  They are permanent and waterproof.  We now have them available in all the colors Ranger offers.  (Made in the USA)

We have a few Valentine Die Namics and stamps left from MFT Stamps.  These arrived while  we were at CHA and many of them disappeared quickly.  The die above is the Lollipop Treat Die and the the coordinating Valentine/Love stamp.  The stamp is also available in other seasons/holidays so that this die can be used year round.  (Made in the USA)

I can't believe how quickly the new products we ordered from My Mind's Eye arrived!  I love their new collections (four total).  We've moved their rack, up front, with all the NEW papers and embellishements so you won't miss it.  It's right by the front door.  If you don't see it on your way in, you'll certainly see it before you leave!  (Made in the USA)

  

Basic Grey's Valentine collection arrived while we were at the CHA Show.  Love the mini bottle caps and heart seal stickers.  Wouldn't those be perfect for sealing a glassine bag of goodies?

Copic Marker Update:

We started off 2013 busier than we expected.  We completed inventory, removed all (well most) the Christmas merchandise, put out all the NEW Valentine merchandise, changed the windows, got everything ready for our taxes and then headed off to the CHA show, all before January 10th.  We returned a week later, tired, and sick with the flu.   What does this have to do with Copic Markers you ask?  Copic Markers raised their prices effective January 1st.  The Ciao markers have gone up in price to $5.49.  The good news is, we've been so busy, we haven't had a chance to make those changes.  The bad news is, we have to do.  So,effective February 10th, we will no longer be able to offer the "volume discount" we offered (buy five get the 6th one FREE).  However, we will sell the pens individually at $4.99, so you can get them in any quantity, any time, for a discounted price.  We will still offer refills.  That price will increase to $1.50 each refill.

You still have a week to take advantage of the "volume discount" at the old price.  Purchase 5 pens and get the 6th one FREE!!  That makes each pen only $3.99!!! 

CHA Product Review

We are finally back from CHA, unpacked, and over the flu!  What a trip!  We've got lots of new stuff that will be arriving over the next few months.  I thought I'd post a CHA Review for those of you who don't follow our Facebook page.

Here were some of our Favorite Finds:

I'm loving the new products we found in the Ranger booth.  On their way now are the NEW Dylusions Ink Sprays from Dyan Reaveley and Distress Paints from Tim Holtz.  These are NOT just another paint.  Wait until you seem them.  We'll be demonstrating them as soon as they arrive (hopefully this week).  Already arrived and not so new (but NEW to us) are ALL of the Archival Inks from Ranger.  Best of all, Ranger's products are MADE IN THE USA!  We love that!  Thanks Ranger!

The Idea-ol-ogy booth was full of great new products and lots of fun ideas.  These empty and alterable clocks were one of my favorites.  These products should be shipping in March.

Of course, Mary loved Graphic 45.  Especially the French Country Collection.  These two collections are due to arrive mid February.

Yippee!!  No more trying to draw those cute figures for your mixed media projects.  Prima has introduced these wonderful "fashion stamps" from Julie Nutting.  She's known for her "Fashionable Collage Art".  These should be arriving in March.

More "SNAP" products from Simple Stories.  I loved the samples they had in their booth.  Their albums were beautiful, yet simple and QUICK!!  I think of them as a mini version of Project Life.  They'd be great for a trip or a single event.  The books and some of the products are in stock now.  New products are shipping in March.

Sizzix has some great NEW dies shipping in June.  In my opinion, spring would have been a much better time to ship these.  However, won't they be great for the Holidays.  That basket and canning jar will be great for packaging up your Holiday treats!

Finally, we are so excited to introduce Project Life.  Becky Higgins is releasing her Project Life kits to retail stores and we "jumped" at the chance to order these.  These are shipping in May and will sell out quickly!!!  We'll let you know as soon as they arrive.  In the meantime, if you are not familiar with Project Life, take a minute to watch these quick videos from Becky Higgins: Project Life Video and Project Life Products

Make it Monday Project

We're using the Hero Arts Stamp and Die set to make this cute card today.  Use it for a Valentine, or give it to someone as a "Thank You" for doing something "sweet".  Stop in between 1PM and 3PM.  This week's project is $2.

Supplies Used:
Background Stamp- Impression Obsession
Patterned Paper- Doodlebug Designs
MFT Die-namics Squiggle Border Die
Hero Arts - Stamp and Die Set
Spellbinders Nestabilities- Heart and Scallop Heart
Pink, Green and Red Cardstock
Brown and Pink Ink

Friday's Creative Cafe

Look what we're making today.  It's a Valentine for that someone special.  Stop in today between 4:30PM and 6:30PM and we'll show you how to use your dies to make fun shaped cards.  This week's project is only $2.

Supplies Used:
Spellbinders Nestabilities- Scallop Heart and Heart
Technique Tuesday Stamp Set- Simply You
Liquid Pearls - Rouge
Sizzix Embossing Folder- Vine and Flower
Black and Pink Cardstock

Make It Monday Project

We're back from the show, and ready for Make it Monday again.  Stop in between 1PM and 3PM today and make this cute Candy Jar Treat Bag for your special Valentine.  We'll  be using Sizzix dies and embossing folders to create this fun project.  This week's project is $3.

Supplies Used:
Sizzix Candy Jar Die
Spellbinders Nestabilities - Heart and Scallop Heart
MFT Die-Namics Faux Crochet Border Die
Lifestyle Crafts Embossing Folder
Technique Tuesday - Simply You Set
Red and Kraft Cardstock

Mixed Media Canvas

Before we left for CHA, I was having fun playing with all the new (and some old) mixed media products we have at the store.  Be sure to stop in and take a look at our NEW MIXED MEDIA section (still a work in progress).  We've got some exciting products to share with you.  Several Faber-Castell products arrived last week (Gelatos and PITT Big Brush Pens), stencils from Crafters Workshop, tissue wrap from Tim Holtz, and much more.  So, stop in for a look.

Here's a canvas I created last week with some of the new products.  It's currently in the store window.  After looking at it again, I think it needs a bit of doodling around the words.

You are Simply the Best- Card

I saw this idea (sorry, I can't remember where) on the internet last week and thought I'd recreate the card using supplies we have in stock. It's a great Valentine or Thank You card, but can be used for just about any occasion with the right sentiment.  Anyhow, here's what I created.

Brief instructions are located at the bottom of this post.

Supplies Used:
Water Color Paper
Cream Cardstock
Galaxy Gold Brilliance Ink from Tsukineko
Script Background Stamp
Sentiment Stamp from Technique Tuesday-  Ali Edwards Collection
Pink Paislee Frames
Gold Twine
Gold Glitter Brads
Gelatos from Faber-Castell (Bubble Gum)
Spellbinders Heart Nesting Die
Foam Dimensional Dots
Stickles (Golden Rod)
Black Ink

1. Stamp your background cardstock with gold ink and a script stamp.
2. Die cut or punch a heart from water color paper.  Water color the heart with pink gelato.  I rubbed some on my craft mat, and diluted it with water.  Then applied it to the paper with a brush.
3.  Once dry, I added some of the gold Stickles to one edge.
4.  Make a small hole in the heart.  String he heart on the twine and secure to the polaroid frame with two brads.
5.  Attach the frame to the front of your card with foam dimensional dots.  Secure the heart the same way.
6.  Add your sentiment at the bottom with black ink.

We're Off to the CHA Show

Hi everyone!  Tomorrow we are heading to the CHA Show, in (hopefully) warm and sunny California.  Be sure to follow our Facebook page for updates on all the new products. 

https://www.facebook.com/doodlebugswa

We'll be back on the 17th, and will return to our regular Creative Cafe and Make it Monday schedule on the 21st.  See you then.

Altered Heart Box

Last week we received some cute heart boxes from Martha Stewart Crafts.  So, I took one home, and "dressed it up".   There are so many fun things you can do with these.  You can paint them, ink them, or cover them.  Keep reading for a quick step by step tutorial on how I made mine.

Image 1 and 2:  Cover box with Tim Holtz Tissue Wrap and Multi-Medium (matte finish) from Ranger Ink.
Image 3:  Once the box is dry ( I used my heat embossing tool to speed up the process)  paint with a pink wash (watered down pink paint).  I used Painterly Pink from Cluadine Hellmuth's Studio paints from Ranger Ink. 
Image 4:  Again, once the box is dry, add some red Distress Ink from Tim Holtz.  I used Festive Berries, but it was a bit bright.  I think Barn Door would have been a better choice.  No worries, I just toned it down with some Vintage Photo.
Image 5:   Spray the box with Perfect Pearls (Pearl or Biscotti) from Ranger Ink.
Image 6:   I used a felt flower from EK Success for the top of the box and added some of the brown and red ink that I used earlier.
Image 7:  Stamp a sentiment on a strip of paper with archival ink and add some of the distress inks over the top.  I added a bit of blue to the mixture ( Broken China).  Then spray with the Perfect Pearls.
Image 8:  Add some Stardust Stickles to the felt flower and Liquid Pearls to the top of the box.  Once dry, add the flower, leaf, and sentiment banner to the top of the box.

New Stamps and Dies from Taylored Expressions

We've got some GREAT new stamps with coordinating dies from a wonderful company called Taylored Expressions.  This is going to be one of my "favorite finds" for 2013!  Their stamps are fun and whimsical and great for coloring with the Copic Markers.

Here are a couple of peeks at some cards I created using their new "Plane Awesome" set.

Stop by the store for a look at some of the new samples we've been busy creating.  We were so excited to finish up with Christmas and move on to some new, everyday products.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!   We hope 2013 brings all that you wish for!