It’s the Icing on the Cake Workshop

If you have ever wanted to make your child’s birthday cake, a cake for a special occasion or just one to impress your friends and family, then this workshop is for you. In this workshop you will learn how to level and ice a cake to a smooth beautiful finish. You will learn several different types of borders, how to make a basket weave, and a beautiful spray of roses, rosettes, and rose buds. You will receive a fabulous starter kit complete with 9 Wilton decorator’s tips, 2 icing bags, rose nail, and enough knowledge to make beautiful cakes & treats to impress your family at those holiday gatherings that are just around the corner. 

We're getting creative with frosting, please join us! 

Icing on the Cake Workshop
Instructor: Cheryl McCarson

Saturday, October 15, 2011  10a-12:30p
Tuesday, October 18, 2011   6p-8:30p
Cost: $40 (includes starter kit valued at $20)

Please stop by the LBH or give us a call to reserve a seat for this yummy workshop!

(817) 431-7930

Calling all Scrapstashers!!

Scrapstashers Anonymous is a special workshop aimed at helping you use your "Stash" of Supplies in inspiring, creative ways! I will design a specific project each month and provide you with a list of "what to bring" to create the project! You will bring the items on your list from your own "Stash" of supplies!

There is an interesting twist with this workshop...You won't know what we are making until you come to class! ...but hey, a little mystery in life is good for you!  You will really enjoy seeing everyone's finished projects in a variety of papers, colors, etc. and it's a great opportunity to put your "Stash" to good use! So come and let me show you how to achieve
"Success with your Excess"!
The cost to attend is only $5 per Stasher.

Please contact the LBH at (817) 431-7930 
to reserve your seat. 

October Scrapstasher Meetings:

Tues. 10/4
10a-Noon 

& 

6:30p-8:30p

Are you ready to put those scraps to good use?!? You're sure to "FaLL" in love with our project this month. I'm certain there will be "PiLeS of SMiLeS" in the studio as we create together! Below I have posted your beloved "what to bring" list.
Check it out...

October "What to Bring" List:

*Leaf Dies & Leaf Punches
(any that you have...any shape or size)

*Leaf Stamps & Blocks if you need them
(singles or backgounds...any types of leaves will do)

*Six pieces of corrugate (cut into 3x5 pieces).
 If you don't have any boxes at home, I have plenty that I can share

*Printed Paper Scraps that are the colors of FaLL (6x6 or smaller - bring 8 to 10 pieces so that you have several to choose from)

*Scraps of Fabric (Bring a 6x6 piece of Burlap, Felt, and Denim
(old jeans are fine) If you don't have these, I will bring extra to share.

*Crimper, Trimmer, Scissors, Cropadile or Hole Punch

*Floral Wire

*Chalk Inks for edges of papers (be sure to bring brown)

*Three of your favorite mists (glimmer mist, maya mist, etc.)

*A Variety of Fall colored ribbons (about 4...at least 12in. in length)

* A couple of old book pages (tear them out...any text)

*Versamark Stamp Pad, StazOn Ink Pad &
 Two other Ink Pads (fall colors for your stamps)

*Heat Gun

*One of your favorite embossing powders & a coffee filter

*Favorite Adhesive, Quick Dry Tacky Glue, Glue Dots, Pop Dots

Don't panic if you don't have all the items on the list, Stashers are never stingy and always willing to share. I will have plenty to share as well. If you have any questions at all about the "list", please don't hesitate to give me a call at the LBH. (817) 431-7930

See you on Tuesday!

Miss Tracy :) 

Announcing our Grand Prize Winner!

I want to thank all of you for joining us this past weekend for our Happy Fallidays Open House! It was great to see you again and it was awesome to make some new friends too! I also want to thank you from the bottom of my little blue heart for all the kind words, hugs, hand-made gifts, goodies, etc. that we rec'd from you! We were all so touched by your kindness and generosity...It will never be forgotten! Thank you for celebrating our 1st anniversary with us!! We look forward to creating with you gals for many years to come!

Speaking of crafting, if you didn't make it by for Open House, no worries! You can now see our NEW Fallidays projects here on the blog. Just click on the tab above labeled LBH Buffet projects to view. Be sure to check out the Specialty Workshop tab as well for other great creative opportunities! Pictures hardly bring them justice, so make plans to stop by and see them in person when you can this week! Some projects are limited and available only while supplies last...so don't delay, sign up soon and create with us during this fabulous Fall season!

We gave away many prizes this past weekend but of course saved the best for last!! We have a fabulous Grand Prize to give away to one lucky gal that entered our drawing at Open house! The Grand Prize is a $75 LBH Class Credit!!  The lucky gal that was drawn is..........

Sheila Walker

Congratulations Sheila!! Stop by the LBH to claim your prize and let us know which classes you would like to sign up for! What a lucky girl!! Be sure to congratulate Sheila and follow the LBH blog for more chances in the future to WIN, WIN, WIN!!  We will be having another give-away here on the blog very soon!
More info soon to follow...

Come shop, crop, and create with us!

Thank you for being such wonderful customers...but more importantly, such wonderful friends!!

Miss Tracy :)
& the LBH Gals

Join us TODAY for our Happy Fallidays Open House!!

Stop by and see us TODAY!  We are celebrating our 1st Anniversary and having our Happy Fallidays Open House...Come by and see all the NEW Class Projects and NEW Products & Collections! While you're here, you can enjoy a FREE Make & Take and some yummy refreshments...and you will LOVE all the wonderful PRIZES we are giving away today! We also are giving away a Grand Prize this weekend...a $75 class credit...Woo Hoo!!

Here's a peek at our Too Cute to Spook Minibook...

Hope to see you today!!

Feel free to bring your friends and come hang out with us!!

Follow me to...

 the Little Blue House

118 W. Olive St.

Keller, TX 76248

(817) 431-7930

It's finally here!!!

Today is the first day of our

Happy Fallidays Open House!

The LBH Gals were all working like crazy yesterday to prepare and

I think you will be pleased with what we have in store for you!!
The feature projects are oh so SpooKtaCuLar & WonDerFaLL... and we have some really unique Designer Decor projects too!! The store has taken a little bit of a transformation to better serve you and now we can feature even more NEW products, collections, lotions& potions, and so much more...
"Web"ster wants you to come check it out and let him know what you think...

I hope you will join us today and Saturday

to help us celebrate Fall and our 1st Anniversary! I can't believe how fast the time has gone by...guess time flies faster when you're having so much creative FUN!

Thank you and big hugs to all of our wonderful supporters, vendors, and

my amazing team of creative talent. The LBH wouldn't be here without each and every one of you!

Happy Anniversary Little Blue House!

Let's Keep it Going!!!

Much love too you all,

Miss Tracy :)

Happy Birthday to The Little Blue House

Your Invited

to LBH's Happy Fallidays Open House

 Friday Sept 23rd 10-5pm & Saturday Sept 24th 10-5pm

Come celebrate All things Fall on our 1 year anniversary!! :)

We will have prizes, food, and a super cute FREE Make & Take going on through out the day! Come see all of our NEW fabulous  class projects & check out all the NEW product in the house!
Can't wait to see you this weekend!!

I hope you have enjoyed the Question of the Day this week!
It's been fun reading all your responses! :)

Thursday's Winner is...

CATHY!!!

Congrats Cathy on winning today!
Come by the LBH to recieve your prize!!

We have one final Question of the Day for you...

ARE YOU COMING TO OUR OPEN HOUSE
THIS WEEKEND????

BIG Thank you to everyone for supporting our Little Blue House! We LOVE you all so very much!! We have had such a great year creating new things and making new friends! :)
I hope you come along with us as we venture off into
another year and many more to come!

Love,

Miss Tracy, Susan, Elaine, Rhonda, and Kristyn

Its Wednesday and we have another WINNER!

It brings me so much joy to know that my customers are making friends with one another! Fellowship with kindred spirits is pure happiness in my book!! I'm so glad that the LBH has been a part of you making friends with other fellow crafters! I can say that I have made SO many new friends at The Little Blue House this year...in fact, I consider all you gals like my extended family!
We have all created a "Blue House Bond"!!

Time to give away another fabulous PRIZE!!! :)

Tuesday's winner is...

BETHANY!!!

Thank you Bethany for commenting!! :)
Come by the LBH to pick up your prize!!

Now for Today's Question...

What was your FAVORITE PROJECT that you created
at the LBH this past year??

(This could be a Scrapstashers, LBH Art Group, HMM, LBH Buffet or Specialty project... Any project you've ever made at the LBH) Post your answers here on the blog for a chance to WIN!

Speaking of project,the girls and I have been creating

 our little fannies off this week! We can't wait for you to see our creations...Come join us this Friday and Saturday to see all the NEW class projects and all our NEW paper collections & products. You will also enjoy a free Make & Take and we will have some awesome Prizes to give away! (Yummy refreshments too!) I look forward to seeing you at our Happy Fallidays Open House this weekend!!! :)

Stay true to your passion -- Keep Creating!

Miss Tracy :)

P.S. Just a friendly reminder that the LBH will be closed Thursday to reset for our Open House...We will re-open on Friday at 10am.

A WINNER and a NEW question for YOU!

I have truly enjoyed reading all of your responses to the question of the day! It has been so much fun for Susan, Elaine and I to create the tags! We can't wait to show off another NEW tag set at our upcoming Happy Fallidays Open House this weekend!
 Hope you can join us!

So I know you're all waiting to find out who won!!!

Our LBH winner of the day is.....

JENNY BOOTHE!!!

Congratulations Jenny! Your prize is waiting for you at the LBH :)

Dont forget we will be giving away prizes every day this week in honor of our 1st anniversary so make sure you answer today's LBH Question of the Day!

Today's Question is...

How many new friends have you made at
The Little Blue House
this past year??

Can you name a few??

Leave a comment with your response and you may be our next WINNER!

Keep Creating!
Miss Tracy :)

Countdown to our 1st year Anniversary!

Hello everyone!!  Our Happy Fallidays Open House is quickly approaching and so is the 1st year Anniversary of the Little Blue House! We're celebrating ALL WEEK long and as a THANK YOU for your love & support, we are giving away some PRIZES each day here on the LBH Blog!

We thought it would be fun to take a little walk down memory lane...Each day we will ask a new question, post your answer for a chance to win.
Today's question:
What is your favorite LBH Tag Set from this past year??
We will randomly choose a commenter to WIN a PRIZE!

and...speaking of Tag Sets?!?! 

 Here is a look at our NEW Fall Tag Set for your Words for All Seasons Blocks & Base.

  Can't wait to read your comments! Will post the WINNER tomorrow!
Become a follower of the LBH blog today to be sure you don't miss out on the FUN!

Keep Creating,

Miss Tracy :)

Super Saturday School Sale!!!

SUPER SATURDAY SCHOOL SALE!!!

Come by The Little Blue House and enjoy 40% off of all School papers and embellishments!

Fancy Pants- Back to School

Basic Grey- Oxford

Nikki Sivils- School is Cool

KellerISD High Schools

Sale begins on Saturday Sept 17th 10am-9pm

Follow me to...
 The Little Blue House
118 W. Olive St.
Keller, TX 76248
(817) 431-7930

Our little friend has a name!!! and we have a WINNER!!!

Oh my goodness!!! You gals made it SO incredibly difficult to decide on our favorite spider names!! All of your suggestions were just so darn cute...but a final decision had to be made. I want to thank everyone for playing along...your comments always bring us joy, a giggle, and put a big smile on our face!

**************Drumroll please **************

The Spider has been officially named

"Web"ster

Submitted by: Micah Robertshaw

Congratulations Micah!

Your Gift Certificate is waiting for you at the Little Blue House!

 A close second was (L)arry (B.) (H)airy submitted by Jennifer Stewart. We loved how you craftily incorporated the LBH into your spider name Jennifer! ..so we have a special prize waiting for you too!

Thanks again for commenting gals!

Hope we see you soon! Make sure to mark your calendars for our Happy Fallidays Open House

Fri. 9/23 & Sat. 9/24

10a-5p

Keep Creating,

Miss Tracy :)

Elaine, Kristyn, Susan, Rhonda

Upcoming Specialty Workshops...

"Scrap With Style":

Tues. 9/20

10am-1pm

Layouts & Photography Class with

Designer: Jennifer Yates

Do you have a little monster in your life?!?! If you said yes, then you will absolutely LOVE the layout you will be creating in Jenn's workshop this month. Take a lookise...
 "My Little Monster"

Cost: $25

Too cute!! Don't forget to bring your camera too!

Jennifer will be giving tips on taking better pictures

along with creating this marvy monster LO.

Stop by or call the LBH at 817-431-7930 to

reserve your seat today.
_____________________________________________________________________
___________________________
"Learn to Crochet" with Laurie Healy
(aka Mom Chops)

Come and learn just how easy this fabulous art form is! Laurie will provide you with an adorable starter kit...it's too cute! She will assist the beginners as well as the veteran crocheter's with various techniques to create fabulous crocheted edging, doilies, etc.

All Skill Levels Welcome!!

Fri. 9/16  10a-Noon

and

Wed. 9/21  6:30p-8:30p

Cost: $25

Please bring a good pair of scissors. MomChops will provide you with everything else! Stop by or call the LBH to reserve your seat.

(817) 431-7930

There's a NEW tag set in town!!!

Happy Saturday my friends!

I'm feeling a little wicked today (in a good way!) and have decided to do an early release of our NEW Mini Tag Set for the Words for All Seasons Blocks & Base. It's Spooktacular!

Blocks & Pedestal Base: $30

Spooky Mini Tag Set: $15

 They are currently on display at the LBH so come on up and take a look....if you dare!!! We will begin sign up's today...kits are limited, while supplies last! Stop by and reserve yours today or give us a call at (817) 431-7930.  We will begin teaching these in our LBH Creative Buffets as of this Thursday, 9/15.

Here's a closer look...

 and YES...you will receive this eight legged little guy...(name to be determined) with your kit! I'm trying to decide what to call him...please leave your suggestions in the comments! If I choose your suggested name...YOU will win an LBH $15 gift certificate!!!!

So what are you waiting for?!?!?!  It's time to get your "SpooK On" at the Little Blue House!

Come shop, crop, and create with us!!

Have a SpooKtAcuLAr DaY!!!

Miss Tracy :)
P.S. Fall Mini Tags will be released next week!!
Stay tuned for the reveal!!

A Front Porch Kit Tutorial...Masculine Style!

Hi, this is Susan posting today to show you some fun techniques that I used when creating this card for the Inspiration Gallery for the current "Time To..." Front Porch Kit.  If you haven't seen the kit yet, you can order it online at http://www.frontporchkits.com/ or call the LBH at 817-431-7930 to order while supplies last.  This kit is fantastic and my favorite to date!

The first technique I want to show you is for the background layer of the card.  The card is a regular A2 black card and the background is a piece of white cardstock cut slightly smaller than the front of the card (4" x 5 1/4").  For this tutorial I used the Sizzix Postcard Alterations embossing folder (although I used the collage folder for the sample above).  

First you need to open the embossing folder and ink the top piece (yes, the folder itself).  You can use any ink, but I like to use Distress Inks because they stay wet longer than other inks and give you more working time.

Then center the white cardstock inside the embossing folder and run through the Cuttlebug.

Your cardstock will now be embossed as well as colored!

Here's a quick tip for you:  you don't need a fancy "reverse corner punch" - just use a small circle punch!

Now on to the little kraft cardstsock gears that were included in the kit.  These are exclusive Front Porch Kutz!  (If you purchased a kit and would like more, or if you didn't get a kit and would just like some gears, you can purchase the SVG file on the website for a minimal fee and cut as many as you would like on your Cricut.)  Here is a closeup of all three gears.

The gears were not very grungy looking, so I used three different techniques to get them to look old and used.

I inked the first one with Versamark (embossing ink).  The easiest way to do a small piece like this is to place it face down on the ink pad and press it into the ink. (Don't mind my dirty pad - it's well-used!)

Then sprinkle with Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powder, completely covering the cardstock.  Tip: when using Distress Embossing Powder, be sure to shake it well before using to completely mix the release crystals in the powder.  Heat with a heat gun until set.  Cool, then gently wipe off the gear with your fingertips, removing the crystals that did not melt.  (Distress powder differs from regular embossing powder as it contains crystals that won't melt, thus giving the distresssed look.)

Use a blending tool to swipe Vintage Photo Distress Ink over the gear.

Your first gear should now look like this - nice and old and rusty.

I painted the second gear with black acrylic paint.  You could also just start with black cardstock and skip this step.

Once it is dry, ink it with Versamark ink by pressing it into the pad as shown above. Then sprinkle with regular silver embossing powder. (Tip: transfer those embossing powders you use often to a small plastic container for easier and faster application.)

Heat with the heat gun until "grainy" - not completely smooth, if possible.  While still hot, sprinkle with UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) or place face down in UTEE in container.

Heat again with heat gun until it starts to melt, but not too smooth.  If it gets too smooth, you can blot it lightly with a paper towel to make texture. Cover with black acrylic paint, removing most of it before completely dry.  The gear will look something like tarnished metal. Remember, each will be totally unique!

I also painted the last gear, this time with dark brown acrylic paint. You could also cut the gear from brown cardstock to eliminate this step.

When dry, ink with Versamark ink as shown above.  Completely cover with Rust Embossing Powder.

Heat with heat gun until melted.  Then swipe over the gear with black Staz On ink, wiping any excess off if desired.

The gear should now look something like this - another rusty look.

Here are the three gears again. I think they look pretty cool and grungy!

I hope you will try some of these techniques to add some masculine flair to your projects.  Please share with us if you do! Our newest Front Porch Kit is still available for purchase! This kit is called Time To... and you can order online at http://www.frontporchkits.com/ or you can purchase at the LBH!

Thanks for reading!

Susan

NEW Mix & Match Cards & Embellies from Doodlebug Designs!

Looking for a fun & easy way to create Spooktacular Cards & Invitations?!?!

Check out our NEW Mix & Match Cards & Embellies from Doodlebug Designs...

They're Too Cute to Spook and you will love the fabulous variety of embellishments and wait till you see all the various stylish cards & coordinating envelopes!

Talk about Frightfully Delightful...Check out these adorable Monster Pops!
 I love their "boo"tiful Googly Eyes!

We will be carrying these throughout the Halloween season and soon, we will be

premiering our Christmas Mix & Match assortment.

Hope to see you in the House this week!
Come shop, crop, and create with us!

Keep Creating,
Miss Tracy :)

Hello,

Rhonda here today. 

Now that you have had "Time To" order your kit.  We are back to show you some of the amazing projects that the design team has made with their kits. If you would still like to purchase the Time To... kit go to http://www.frontporchkits.com/ or call the LBH at 817-431-7930 while supplies last. This kit is jammed packed full of crafting goodness. I was able to complete 5 different projects from the Time To kit, and still have enough paper to make another LO or two for my scrapbook.  (Plus lots of extra embellies.)

For now, I want to show you my Altered Frame.

At the Little Blue House we have had many classes for altering frames and I had yet to make one.  So I made my way to the craft store and they were nice enough to have a black frame similar to this one on the clearance rack for me.  I love when they do that!

I liked this frame for the wide area around the glass. It would allow me to show off the great patterns in the papers and made for a very quick and easy alteration too.  

All you do is measure the length of each side and divide by how many squares you want to run down the sides.  Mine were about 2-1/4x3-1/4. I picked 5 patterns to use: Basic Grey-Glicee, Tickets-Daily Junque by Pink Paislee(both sides), the pink side of the Basic Grey-Lithograph, and Cheerful Words from the Victoria Gardens by Echo Park.

I cut my squares(well, their really rectangles...anyway) and kept arranging them until I found a combination I liked. Attaching them to this frame I used the tacky tape because it sticks well on the smooth surface. 

For the large flower embellishment I used my new Sizzix Die, Flower Petal Power by Eileen Hull.

I cut about 9 large petals in the printed paper and 3 large in the solid pink cardstock. And 5 smaller petals from the printed paper and 3 small from the pink cardstock.

To give them their shape I used a skewer to pressure roll them.

Place petal in your hand laying flat.

Take skewer, and from the middle, start rolling skewer across the petals with moderate pressure.  (Use a sturdy skewer, too thin and the skewer might break. A dowel or pencil will work too.)

Curl all of your petals.

To arrange my flower, I punched out a 2 inch circle (from scraps) to give myself a base before placing on the frame.  This way I can move and make errors without damaging my framework.

Start with the large petals on the outer edge of your base circle and work inwards, staggering then as you go.  There should be two rings of the large petals and two rings of the small petals. 

I then embellished the middle of my flower.

That's it! Nice and easy, and gorgeous

Thank you for joining me today

and

Have a wonderful Labor Day. 

Rhonda