a nose for news

I am so excited to announce the creation of our e-mail newsletter! Want the inside track to tips and tricks, special events, coupons, new arrivals, and overall announcements? Then you'll want to be sure to enter your e-mail in the lovely white box to the right. (It would look a bit prettier if I could figure out the HTML code, but after staring at it all morning, I'm still baffled.)

The service we are using requires you to verify that you are signing yourself up and gives you the ability to permanently unsubscribe if you wish at some point in the future. But I promise to keep the e-mails to an appropriate limit. Once it is up and running, you will be able to select the specific topics you are interested in being informed about.

Now, for the good stuff....

the first 100 people to sign up for the newsletter

will be entered into a drawing for a

$25.00 gift certificate!

Yes, it's a win-win situation all around -- the latest juicy tidbits from Alice Adair and a prize. The winner will be announced on the blog (and in the newsletter) once the 100 sign-ups are received.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend -- I think I'm going to take a little jaunt and see if I can come up with some new goodies for the shop. Will post some more pictures on Monday!

collage wonders

We held our first collage class in March and it was a huge success. Another one will soon be scheduled for a Saturday afternoon in the month of May. Don't want to wait? We will gladly schedule a private class as long as there are four people per class session. For time constraints and attention, class size is limited to no more than six. So grab some friends and be creative. You'll have an afternoon of laughter and a self-created wonder that will add personality to any room of your home.

the details

Cost: $15 (pricing includes class, adhesives, and cut-to-size board)

Time: Approx. 2 hours

Suggestions for ephemera and elements: Vintage flowers, photos, pages from antique books, engravings, smaller frames, jewelry, bird nests, twigs, trading cards, lace, buttons, letters, german glass glitter, unusual bits, postcards, feathers, ribbon, pressed flowers, and sheet music.

There are countless theme ideas if you want to center your project on something specific -- or perhaps fill it up with things that inspire and make you giggle. Since it's all about you, you get to make up the rules.

Participants are encouraged to bring a frame or shadowbox and any pieces they wish to work into their collage. If in need of a frame, please let me know so that there will be suitable options available for purchase. I will gladly look for specific sizes and within a budget if you wish.

All collage ephemera and elements purchased during the class will be given a 15 % discount.

Some things to note: With items of high sentimental value, such as a rare family photograph, I encourage you to have a digital copy made at the local photo shop. I would hate for you to regret using the original at some time in the future. Reproducing the images is not limited to sentimental, irreplaceable items either. It is a great way to resize or recolor those images that "speak to you", whether you are actually related to the subject or not. (For those of you who might not know, I've been "adopting" discard photographs for several years. But I'll save the reason why for another post entirely.)

Now I know some of you are thinking, "I don't have the (fill-in-the-blank) to be able to do something like that but I would LOVE to have one." Don't be alarmed! We will gladly create a collage for you! All it takes is a brief little chit-chat about what you like and what your goal is for the project and then we'll get to work. You'll still be able to provide any materials you would like incorporated and any additional goodies added will be given the 15% discount. And if you need instant gratification, there are even collages in the shop for sale! Some on display have already been spoken for (pesky co-workers), but fear not -- more are coming!

Here are some pictures to get your inspiration bubbling!