Friday, March 28, 2008

And then there was MORE! New Products this week

Hi All! Here's the bloggy version of this weeks email update

What a fun week here at NZ Scrapbook and it’s leading up to a great weekend!

Here’s how you can enjoy your Saturday at New Zealand Scrapbook:


10am -12noon Jo’s Fresh Technique: Doodling Class

Jo is quite the super whiz scrapper teacher these days! She will be appearing on the Goodmorning Show for Up2Scrap and Canon soon promoting a printer that scrapbookers will love. (Check out this recent link on her blog where she shares the story - and doesn't she look fab!) Her work is featured in many magazines and websites so it is a real privilege that she teaches for us here. This class will teach you some tricks for using the doodling technique in your scrapbook layouts and you will create a fabulous page using one of our favourite new brands – Bisous! Class Fee is $30 including materials, there are still a couple of spaces available so phone 09 912 0665 to secure your place.

1pm -3pm Parent & Child Class:
Enjoy so creative time with your child. Suitable for the 4-7year age group. Linda shares a new technique every class. $20 including materials.

3pm – 5pm Kids Class
This week Fenn will be showing our pre-teen participants a technique using transparencies. Always a popular class, this ones not to be missed! $12 including materials.

Also you could…
Ask Wendy tricky Cricut/Cuttlebug questions – she knows these great machines backwards!
Scrapbook in store by just hiring a chair - $10 and scrap for as long as you like
Wander our store and see all the new goodies – don’t forget we are open till 9pm!
Find out more about searching your family history or inquire about one on one Photoshop Training – Ian will be in store until 12.30pm
Try our free Make’n’Take – A new technique and something to take away, free of charge!
Cut yourself a whole bunch of die-cuts using our Accucut Machine - $5 for 10min
Take a leisurely browse through our many new books and magazines
Enjoy one of our free coffees
Bring in some photos for a page and get some friendly advice
… or just hang out – you are very welcome!

New Products: SO MANY!

Glitz Design

This is our main delivery for the day. VERY modern rub-ons – flourishes, grids, journaling lines. Bright bold 12”x12”papers. This is an up and coming company with their finger on the button of what’s hot, I’m sure we will see a lot more from this company. In store now or on our website at www.nzscrapbook.co.nz


Dimensional Embellishment Stickers from Nicole Crafts
118 New designs to be exact! Lots of themes from countries and holidays to parties and flowers. Only $4.95 per pack. Awesome value and so cute.

Die Cuts with a View

Released at our Product Preview Event: Die Cuts with a View, All that Glitters. All items are now available in store. 246 Papers in 11 themes plus Quote Stacks, Mat Stacks and Stickers there really is something for every occasion. Love the glitter, love the range, love Die Cuts with a View – check it out!

New Magazines
For Keeps, Somerset Memories, Digital Scrapbooking, Stampers Sampler, Somerset Workshop, Haute Handbags and more!

Restock of Bisous Products – including the Chip Shapes and NEW On–the–go Journaling Pads

Thanks for visiting our New Zealand Scrapbook Blog :)
Have a great weekend!
Kathleen, Linda and the Team at NZ Scrapbook

Things that make me smile Friday...

Hi All!
Ever take note of the things that make you smile? Here's a few from my day...
  • The gentleman I saw power walking early this morning with a giant headlight caving type helmet on so he could see where he was going. He made me smile.
  • The sign at the gym telling you to put the weights away when you've finished written in reverse so you can read it while you look in the mirror. Some clever person thought of the details!
  • My 4year old boy who loves to have his haircut, requesting he have it cut today. Who doesn't like a bit of pampering?!
  • Coffee with my girlfriends!
  • The cute co-incidence of young Sam drawing a shark (with lots of teeth!)... WITH lights on the front so the shark could see where IT was going! There must be a lesson here about headlights!
  • The man behind me at a red traffic light this morning hurriedly putting his shoes and socks on before it turned green. Been there, done that!
  • What my Mum, Linda buys when left with a sales rep alone for two minutes... Giant clothes peg anyone??!
What makes YOU smile? Think about it - it would make a great scrapbook page!
Happy Friday everyone!!
~Kathleen

PS: Ok I admit the clothes pegs are cool (Mum, they're HUGE!)... already the girls have some ideas for them. Available now in store $24.95
Fun customer Karen gets pegged at New Zealand Scrapbook :)

So you think you can't doodle?


ahhh but you can. You see I thought that too until I learnt a few doodling secrets...which I am willing to share with you tomorrow at 10am down at the store in my fresh techniques class, and not only that but you will learn how to make your scrapping supplies go that much further. Here's a pic of what we are creating and I am willing to bet by the end of it your doodling confidence will have increased a lot. You don't have to use my title and this layout would suit virtually any photos. See mine even has a bloke on it lol! Would love to see you there but numbers are limited so get in quick. We had such a ball at my last class and I am so excited to catch up with you tomorrow.


doodley, doodley doo...


Jo x


Thursday, March 27, 2008

Oh so gorgeous twinklies, glitteries, shinies yummy things!

Hello fabulous ones :)
Our Product Preview: Die Cuts with a View, All That Glitters was a sparkling sold out success! Here's the recap...


Pink lemonade and silver sprinkled marshmallow cones started the evening with a fun atmosphere as our participants browsed the store leading up to the main release part of the night.
We had a few recipe requests, and they are so simple to make - here's the recipe for those who didn't catch it on the night:
Marshmallow Cones
1 heaped tablespoon of gelatin, 1 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of boiling water, vanilla essence or flavouring of your choice and ice cream cones. Pour boiling water into your mixing bowl, add gelatin, sugar & flavouring. Beat until thick and pour into cones and top with sprinkles or lollies. Alternative idea pour onto biscuit or shortbread base for a marshmallow slice.

On with the creativity!
Up to the main classroom area, do I see a sugar flush happening?? hehehe

At the top of the stairs each participant was loaded up with goodies and then found their seats at gold dotted tables.

Once settled, on with the sharing of the new product. We bought in ELEVEN ranges from Die Cuts with a View. I did a proper count and thats 246 DIFFERENT designs in all with approx 2/3rds being glittery or foiled in some way. I shared my favs (I like A LOT) and there was much oooing and ahhing -very fun to share!

Then the scrapping began! Each participant had the option of a cat or dog pack - lots of great pages were created!
Talk about some cute pets!
In between the layout project and card project we gave aways some cool prizes!

Our lucky winner Barbara with the main prize of a BabyG watch (thanks Fiskars for sponsoring!)


Then back to creating a very cute baby card before heading back downstairs for a closer look at the new product, coffee, and pink biscuits with sprinkles (gotta love those - not just for kids!)


We had a great time hosting this event for all of you who attended. For those who couldn't make it we will be posting extra packs on our website. Product permitting, extra class packs will be a regular offering after many of our events and classes.

Thank you to so many of you who have offered such positive feedback about our events. Our number one purpose is that you will leave our store having had an enjoyable time and we are so glad that you did! I wonder what will be on next here at NZ Scrapbook... Not to mention Product Preview Number Four!! Stay tuned :) :)

Anyways, byes for now... I have a rather large store covered in glitter to vacuum... the girls are laughing at me cos they think I will be vacuuming till Christmas!!!
~Kathleen

Sunday, March 23, 2008

We are OPEN Easter Monday


Just a wee note to let you know that YES, we are open this Easter Monday, 24th March from 9am – 9pm. We know many of you use your free days to enjoy some great scrapbooking fun and productivity so if you need any help or inspiration be sure to pop in, we would love to see you!

Also don’t forget, just by shopping with us over this Easter weekend you will receive 3 Easter gifts and any purchase of Fiskars, Heidi Grace or Cloud9 Products puts you in the draw to win a BabyG watch.


Hope you are having a wonderful long weekend!
Happy Easter from Kathleen, Linda and the Team at NZ Scrapbook

PS: Our Product Preview Event: Die Cuts with a View, All That Glitters running on Tuesday 25th March at 7pm has just about reached maximum numbers (our biggest to date!) so if you haven’t booked your place give us a phone on 09 912 0665. Tickets are just $15 which includes a product/project pack valued at $25. This is going to be a fantastic night of fun, creativity, gifts and prizes, sweet treats and AWESOME product – I can’t wait!
More information can be found on our Blog at: http://nzscrapbook.blogspot.com/

Friday, March 21, 2008

Check us out! World famous - well at Bisous!

Hi All,
You and I know the Bisous Product Preview Event was AWESOME - well Bisous know now too! Suzanne Carillo, owner and designer of Bisous products have put our Bisous Product Preview Samples/Blog link on her front page. You can check it out here!

By the way, re-stock of the fab Bisous Products and the brand new On-the-go Journaling Pads are winging their way here so be on the look out for those. We are happy to take pre-orders to avoid disappointment - I'm sure these journaling pads are going to go fast!

Happy Easter!
~Kathleen

New Products - More info!

Heya All!
In an earlier post I mentioned the new products we have received in the past couple of days. There is some really great things!!


The Crop-a-dile Punch
Many of you will have heard already of this wonder tool but for those who haven't, it is a eyelet punch and setting tool that makes the process effortless. Where it REALLY comes into it's own is its ability to punch an set eyelets on usually difficult or impossible surfaces. We recently did a Kids Class where Wendy had the kids making CD mini books. I can't remember exactly how many she punched but it was alot - Every CD had two punched holes which were threaded like a spine. There is no way you could do that with regular eyelet setting tools - you would shatter your CD's and damage your tools in the process. The Crop-a-dile punched them all. Awesome for regular book binding too!


Miniature Easels and Canvas's
There are some things I just HAVE TO HAVE...hehehe and these were it. Things that are small, tiny, baby, miniature - JUST SO CUTE! Tiny easels maybe 3"high, with little matching canvas's varying sizes starting at about 2"square to about 2"x 3". Little photos, tiny collages - I can see it now! (If I get into the store later I will take a wee pic for you)


Helmar Crackle Medium
I love the crackle effect. This type of crackle medium gives a flat cracked surface with an awesome aged effect which gives a fab result to book covers, backgrounds, trays - most off the page items! Now I haven't used this brand before but I'm looking forward to trying it at the next Altered Book Club on the 5th April. Donna, one of our regular attendees uses it alot and is sharing a demo with the group. All welcome, 5pm and Free to attend!

LOTS of new books from Creating Keepsakes

I won't list them all since there are just too many but here are some highlights. Many of these books are the latest releases from Creating Keepsakes. We have been stocking Creating Keepsakes books for years and they are consistently great value and on the button with current trends. All featured books here are in stock now :)

Photo Freedom: A Big Picture Approach to Organizing and Scrapbooking Your Photos
by Stacy Julian

Are you tired of feeling like you’re drowning in a sea of photos that may never get scrapbooked? Stacy Julian throws you a life preserver in her new book, Photo Freedom. Teaching you the system she teaches in her successful “Library of Memories” class, Stacy gives you a “Big Picture approach” to prioritizing and organizing photos. With Stacy coaching you through this book, you’ll get those piles of photos off the computer (and out of shoeboxes) and into your scrapbooks quicker than you ever thought possible. Through Photo Freedom, you’ll gain the freedom to scrapbook the memories you wish to preserve and have fun in the process.

Best of Becky Higgins Sketches
by Becky Higgins

Finally, all of Becky’s Sketches in one book!

Scrapbooking celebrity Becky Higgins is well known for her beautiful page designs, classic and timeless layouts, and her easy-to-follow scrapbook-page sketches.

In this book, you’ll find:

  • All of Becky’s sketches in one easy-to-read format! This sketch compilation includes all of Becky’s sketches from Creating Keepsakes magazine and from Becky’s best-selling books, Creative Sketches for Scrapbooking, Volumes 1 and 2.
  • 195 never-before-seen scrapbook layouts that illustrate every single sketch included in this book.
  • Hundreds of Becky’s favorite scrapbooking tips, including creative ways to use acrylic paint, brads, circle punches and more.


  • Life Artist
    by Ali Edwards

    Scrapbooking celebrity Ali Edwards is well known for her charming ability to capture the everyday moments of life on beautiful layouts. In her third book, Ali explores scrapbooking as a form of life art. Follow along with Ali as she teaches you how to scrapbook your life moments and share your stories in a way that’s real, authentic and a true reflection of your personality. This book is a must-have for anyone who wants to take their scrapbooking to the next level! Features include:
  • Hundreds of new ideas to incorporate into your scrapbooking lifestyle

  • Ali’s guiding philosophies behind becoming a life artist

  • A variety of unique projects, including layouts, mini-albums, home décor and more


  • Super Fast Pages with 4"x6"Photos
    Creating Keepsakes
    $39.95
    Scrapbook your pages straight from the photo lab! You won't need enlargements to create these beautiful scrapbook pages, albums and more! In this comprehensive guide to scrapbooking 4 x 6 photos, CK's experts and contributors share their secrets for creating stunning and effective page designs as well as capturing the perfect photos. Plus, we'll share ideas for easy and beautiful home decor and mini book projects. This guide is simply a must-have for anyone who wants to scrapbook and display their 4 x 6 photos in beautiful and creative ways.


    101 Things you can do with your scrapbook supplies
    Creating Keepsakes
    $39.95
    Get more out of the products in your stash with these inspiring tips and fun ideas for using your supplies! Jennifer McGuire and her team of talented scrapbookers will take your product use to new heights—showing you over 150 cool new ways to turn your everyday scrapbooking products and tools into fabulous projects! Based on Jennifer's popular CK column, Tools and Techniques, this special issue provides quick and simple ideas for every product in your stash—from stickers and rub-ons to ribbon and brads.


    Computer Tricks for Scrapbooking2
    Jessica Sprague & Creating Keepsakes
    $$39.95
    Want to sharpen your photo-editing skills? Learn how to add creative flair to your page titles? Create your own custom page accents and more? CK contributing editor Jessica Sprague shares even more great tips and tricks for scrapbooking with your computer. Follow along, step-by-step, with Jessica and her team of talented contributors as they create fantastic hybrid pages in no time at all. Bonus: Jessica shares great ideas on how to create complete album projects!


    Family History Scrapbooking
    By Becky Higgins
    $59.95

    Becky Higgins makes preserving family heritage fun. In her book, Scrapbooking Your Family History, Becky shows you how to get started without getting overwhelmed. Explore family connections and learn about scrapbooking with timelines, handiwork and much more.

    Becky shares her checklists and helps you find your way through the maze that is family history. There is a time and season for everything in life and if you’re working on your family history, this new book is a must-have as you preserve your cherished heritage.

    Inside you'll find:

  • Scrapbooking to connect present and past
  • Becky's solutions for getting organized and checklists
  • Tips on sorting photos, preserving negatives and damaged photos
  • True-history scrapbooking letters, recipes and documents
  • Journaling and interview tips
  • Research ideas that work


  • The Joy of Card Making - a second helping

    Enjoy another hearty helping of creative card-making recipes from Wendy Johnson in this second volume of The Joy of Card Making. Whip up dozens of homemade cards using one of the basic designs, spicing it up with whatever "ingredients" you like!


    Included are also ideas to use the recipes for more of your favorite paper crafts, such as tags, envelopes, gift bags, and more. With The Joy of Card Making: A Second Helping you’ll be able to make an impressive batch of cards and other paper crafts to suit your style and anyone’s taste.

    Great Easter reading! Hope everyone is having a lovely Good Friday.
    See you soon
    Kathleen

    Thursday, March 20, 2008

    Fiskars , Heidi Grace and Cloud 9 Easter Inspiration!

    Hi All and Happy Easter!
    In keeping with our Easter Fiskars, Heidi Grace and Cloud9 Promotions we have running this long weekend I thought I would share some Easter inspiration for using these gorgeous products!

    Trina McClune, Lead Fiskars Ambassador for New Zealand came up with these oh so cute Easter tag cards:


    Trina explains her process "I used my ultrashape Xpress and an oval template to make the egg shape, then the new finger craft knife to cut a zigzag line as though the egg has broken. Inside I used some gorgeous Heidi Grace rubons to accentuate my greeting."

    There is an abundance of Easter Fiskars, Heidi Grace and Cloud9 Inspiration on their Fiskars Craft Blog you can check out their neat ideas at this link.



    Don't forget, every purchase of Fiskars, Heidi Grace and Cloud9 Products over this weekend puts you in the draw to WIN a very cool Baby G watch and Product Pack. Mention that you read it here or in our email and get DOUBLE BONUS BUCKS! And you get three Easter gifts from us too!

    Happy Easter!

    Product Preview Event: Die Cuts with a View – All That Glitters Party!

    We love sparkly, we love glitz, we love glitter and boy, do we LOVE Die Cuts with a View… they have completely come to the bling party!

    You are invited to our Product Preview Event: Die Cuts with a View, All That Glitters celebration THIS Tuesday the 25th March at 7pm.

    This will be our BIGGEST product preview yet! OVER 200 DIFFERENT paper designs have arrived ready to be shown at this event, yes, you read right OVER 200! – let me assure you that was A LOT of boxes!

    At this Product Preview you will enjoy an evening of glitzy fun from the moment you arrive right through this great evening.
    You will receive:
    A Product Preview, Die Cuts with a View product/project pack valued at $25
    A memorable sweet treat to enjoy at the event
    A fun mini class which includes a layout and a card project
    A Die Cuts with a View product demonstration
    A FREE Easter gift
    Hot tea or coffee and biscuits
    Automatic entry in to a number of prize draws including our main prize of a Baby G Watch!

    ALL this for just $15!
    Strictly limited numbers so please phone you booking through to 09 912 0665

    If you are unable to make it to this event, Die Cuts with a View products will be available for general store release from 9am Wednesday 26th March.


    Hope to see you Tuesday!
    Kathleen, Linda and the team at NZ Scrapbook.

    PS: Sneak peeks of the Die Cuts with a View range :

    These are all glitter papers - sparkly in real life!

    Easter GIFTS for you! Prizes, new product & events!


    Great things come in 3’s!

    3 Fabulous events happening at NZ Scrapbook over Easter (and a little after)
    3 Yummy gifts per person just for shopping with us over Easter (…and a little after)
    3 Baby G watches are being given away as prizes over Easter (…..and a little after!)


    Hold on, that’s 9 awesome things!







    1. Fiskars, Heidi Grace and Cloud 9 Easter Promotion
    This long Easter weekend any Fiskars, Heidi Grace or Cloud 9 purchase will put you into the draw to win a Baby G and Fiskars product PRIZE PACK! Also, when you include any of these great products in your purchase and MENTION or PRINT this email and we will DOUBLE your Bonus Bucks on your ENTIRE purchase! PLUS, over our Easter period when you make any purchase in store we will give you three Easter gifts in a goodie bag for you FREE!


    2. Another Product Preview Event: Die Cuts with a View – All That Glitters!
    If you thought the last Product Preview Events were great, well this one will knock your socks off. HUGE, I mean HUGE range of very beautiful papers and goodies. We have another cool Baby G Watch which we are giving away at this event, plus there will be Die Cuts with a View prizes and your purchase of this ticket will give you our FREE Easter gifts ON TOP of the Product Preview Pack you will receive. I am sending a separate email about this event with all the details so look for that in your Inbox.

    3. Making Memories Tool Mania class is a GO
    While technically not a special event, this class is going to be FUN. If you have ever wanted to find your way around some of the great tools Making Memories produce but not sure where to start then this is the class for you. We will be using the Fifth Avenue and Noteworthy ranges of products; class fee is $35 and includes materials. Phone (09)912 0665 to book your seat – numbers limited! Keeping with the pattern – ANOTHER great Baby G watch and Making Memories Products will be given away at this class! And yes, Easter Gifts with your class or product purchase too!


    New Products In brief
    The Crop-a-dile Punch
    LOTS of new books from Creating Keepsakes
    Miniature Easels and Canvas's - so cute!
    Lots of new reality papers - palms, stones, dirt, water, flowers and more
    Helmar Crackle Medium
    Metallic linen look cardstock
    Quilting Arts Magazine


    Join us for an amazing Easter weekend of Easter gifts, product prizes, tool demos, more gifts, double Bonus Bucks, new product, creative education and inspiration, and even perhaps walk away with a Baby G Watch! So much good fun and activity!

    Easter Opening and Promotion Hours:
    Thursday, March 20, 2008 9am – 9pm Fiskars/Heidi Grace/Cloud9 Promo and Easter Free Gifts (From 3pm)
    Friday, March 21 (Good Friday) Closed
    Saturday, March 22 Open 9am – 9pm Fiskars/Heidi Grace/Cloud9 Promo and Easter Free Gifts (All Day)
    Sunday, March 23 Closed
    Monday, March 24 (Easter Monday) OPEN 9am – 9pm Fiskars/Heidi Grace/Cloud9 Promo and Easter Free Gifts (All Day)
    Tuesday, March 25 Open 9am – 9pm Fiskars/Heidi Grace/Cloud9 Promo and Easter Free Gifts (All Day) Product Preview Event: Die Cuts with a View “All that Glitters” – 7pm, bookings necessary
    Wednesday, March 26 Open 9am – 9pm Fiskars/Heidi Grace/Cloud9 Promo and Easter Free Gifts (All Day) Making Memories Tool Mania class – 7pm, bookings necessary


    Bye for now and look out for that Product Preview email – we will look forward to seeing you.
    Happy Easter!
    From Kathleen, Linda and the team at NZ Scrapbook