There is so much to love about 7Gypsies products. From the subtle colours to their original products. 7Gypsies love to do something different. So it makes sense for this Product Preview event that we do something different too.

Introducing the 7Gypsies printers tray. With 12 ATC sized compartments it makes the perfect, wall hangable Birthday Reminder board.

At this Product Preview event you will be making this useful and lovely project, get to see the new 7Gypsies Venice collection, enjoy a light supper and be in to win some 7Gypsies prizes!

Cost to attend this event is the special price of $49 (kits may be available after the event for $59) which includes the materials/project pack to make this special keepsake.

Product Preview: 7Gypsies Venice Collection
Date: Wednesday 20th January
Time: 7pm
Event fee: $49
Please Bring:

• Basic kit (Paper trimmer, pencil, fine tip scissors, ruler)
• Adhesives (I used Scotch Quick Dry Tacky Adhesive and Selley's Glue dots)
• Tiny photos of friends and family members.
• Brown stamping ink and sponge.
• Black felt tip pen.

Phone 09 912 0665 to book. Limited spaces available so book in quick!

~Kathleen, Linda and the team at NZ Scrapbook

Labels: Art, Classes-and-Workshops, Inspiration, NZ-Scrapbook

Labels: Classes-and-Workshops

Hi all,
Its been a fun week at New Zealand Scrapbook. Monday night I taught a Creative Clock workshop. Check out the class and lovely art clocks produced...

Labels: Classes-and-Workshops

Upcoming Class...


Creative Clock Workshop
Monday 20th April at 7pm
Tutor: Kathleen
New Zealand Scrapbook Company, 6 Link Drive, Wairau Park. North Shore City

At this fun hands on workshop you will learn simple collage techniques, show how you can use texture paste embellishments and teach you how to seal your clock with an an exquisite crackle finish.

Colours and patterns are your choice. I will assist you in selecting coordinating designs from the hundreds of paper designs available in store at New Zealand Scrapbook. Bright or subtle, match with your decor - its up to you!

Class fee is $55 and includes clock and all materials. No craft experience necessary - all welcome!
Phone 09 912 0665 to book your space.



Please bring: Scissors, a few paint brushes (medium/small bristle is fine), apron, gloves (optional) and a heat gun if you have one.

Labels: Classes-and-Workshops

Hi friends,
With the latest Altered Arts Magazine arriving in store, I am offering my Creating with Texture Paste article as a hands on workshop. This afternoon I have been busy cutting and prepping for your kits - Texture paste is such a great product and this workshop going to be a heap of fun!

If you are not familiar, Texture Paste is an opaque medium that holds its form once it dries. That means you can push it through stencils, stamp into it, paint with it. It takes colour beautifully which means we can then paint it, glaze it, emboss over it - so many possibilities!...in fact in the article I list 16 different ways of using this versatile medium, perhaps you can come up with more!

I still have a few spaces available so if you would like to try texture paste under the guidance of a workshop environment the class is running this Thursday 26th March, 7pm at NZ Scrapbook (Wairau Park, Auckland). Cost is $55 and includes materials, a full jar of Jo Sonja Texture paste and the latest issue of Altered Arts Magazine. All you need to bring is an apron and a shallow tray to take your samples home in. All welcome!

Phone 09 912 0665 to book.
~ Kathleen

Labels: Classes-and-Workshops

Got a drawer full of yummy ribbons? Yeah thought so, I knew it wasn't just me!

My fav thing (among many) is making Book Belts. So simple to make, holds my bursting journal closed in my bag and is like my journals changeable fashion accessory. Here's how to use your ribbon stash to make your own Book Belt.

You will need: Your journal or notebook to gauge size, ribbon (I like twill and grosgrain ribbons the best), two metal rings with the diameter about the same or a bit larger than the width of the ribbon, two snaps and matches or a lighter.

1. Start by wrapping your ribbon around your journal to determine the length you need. If your journal is going to bulge or expand as you work in it then allow a little extra length.


2. Using a match or lighter touch the end of the ribbon towards the flame to melt the ribbon and stop it from fraying. Note: This only works with synthetic ribbons. Cottons require stitching to stop them fraying. Obviously use caution with this step :)


3. Take one end of the ribbon and thread it through the two rings and fold over about an inch. Using eyelet setting tools, set the two snaps through from the front of the ribbon to create a ribbon loop around the rings. If you don't have snaps you can hand or machine stitch the ribbon closed. Your book belt is now complete!


4. To use your book belt, wrap it around your journal and thread the loose end through both the ribbon rings.


5. Then split the rings apart and thread the ribbon between the rings and pull firmly


Now your journal is all fancy like and snug!

Stay tuned for how you can personalise your book belts even further.

If you make your own book belt I would love to see, post a link in the comments section so I can stop by.

Byes for now
~Kathleen

By the way, this was one of the six projects we made in my Journals Workshop at NZ Scrapbook last night. If you are in Auckland, keep an eye on our class calendar for upcoming Journal Workshops, I do new techniques and ideas each month. I have just added another date for my Intro to Journals Class 31st March 2009, and my Journals Workshop Class for those who have already started a journal on the Wednesday 15th April 2009. Bookings and inquiries can be made by phoning 09 912 0665

Labels: Classes-and-Workshops, Instruction, Journal-Ideas

Aside from the wonderful opportunity I have to contribute to Altered Arts magazine, I also have a scrapbook and paper crafts store here in New Zealand. It keeps me (mostly!) out of trouble. :) And as you know I have a passion for altered arts, therefore it's something we do a lot at NZ Scrapbook. For the past 4-5 years (I forget!) we have been running an Altered Book Meeting where we get together and share our creative endeavors of the last month, and any techniques we have been experimenting with. We then busy ourselves on our current projects - usually for me that means TALKING! lol. I am notorious for not doing any art! However I DID do some art at this meeting - some packing tape image transfers. I was too busy taking photos of everyone else and their lovely art; I forgot to take some photographic proof of my own!

Anyway, this is a slight repost from our NZ Scrapbook Blog...but since it's all altery (I'm sure that's a word!) I thought it might be of interest here too.

This is Liz and a collection of her lovely decorated boxes. Note the heart one on the lower left - she is ready for Valentine's Day.







Donna spent her evening working on a mini-book created from a children's board book. Donna also creates amazing wall mounted torsos among other things!

These books (pictured right) are by Andrea. It's hard to see it in the photo, but each letter is made from chipboard and beads have been filled in the recess. A very pretty and creative way to use scrapbook paper to cover notebooks and diaries.










Look at all this wonderful purple! Adrienne's current project is; you guessed it - a purple book! She thinks by the end of it she may well be OVER purple.... I dunno, it's coming together great. Check out the tiny purple jandals on that purple page on the left. So cute!








So that's our Altered Book meeting for the month. Not forgetting to mention Paula's daughter and Anne who had super secret B.E. competition entries under wraps, Linda busy downstairs, oh and me - I did art I promise! I have witnesses!

Cya cya!

Labels: Altered-Book-Club, Classes-and-Workshops, Inspiration