A Crafty Shower

When it came time to have a bridal shower, my first instinct was to pass. Everything about my wedding up until then had been rather small and unconventional so I felt having a shower would contradict that. Then the combination of my mom insisting I have one and me realizing that it was my wedding and I could do whatever I wanted, changed my mind. What was important was that I stuck to my guns: no restaurant brunches and no shower games.

Instead I wanted to do something fun and different. Obviously, crafting is such a large part of my life and it was something I thought the other ladies would enjoy too.

Off to Paper Source we go! The store on the Upper West Side has a large side room and since my shower would be in the summer, I wanted my theme to reflect that. We went with a Moana/Lilo and Stitch tropical shower. I chose a basic card making class that people at all levels would be able to do. The folks at the Paper Source let us bring lots of food as well as decorate the space and honestly, it was the best time. Not everyone knew each other, but the activity was something fun they could do while chatting.

 I'm so glad I decided to try something different because it was such a great afternoon with the most important ladies (and gentleman) in my life. Below are some pictures of the day.

Here are the supplies for making the invitations!

Embossing and washi tape made for simple and quick invites. Also, Disney font because, obviously.

Our treat table/favors table! I created decorations based on Moana and Lilo and Stitch quotes.

Tiki brownies and Tamatoa treasure cake!

This is from his song, Shiny which is one of my favs. 

Kevin is one of my closest friends from college and also my officiant!

Table set up!

We're all busy crafting!

All the smiling faces was exactly what I wanted.

My creations!

My wedding party!

This handsome guy showed up at the end to help with clean up.

Champagne favors with my personalized tags.

Everyone's creations for the day!

The Mommas!

My lovely group of women (and Kevin <3)

Adventures in Watercolor!

Apparently, March was National Craft month. OK?! I had to do something about it! I wanted to do something like that Valentine's Day card making class I did with my friend Gale at Paper Source so long ago. Unfortunately, she couldn't join me but I decided to sign up for an Easter card making class anyway. Suffice to say, it wasn't as enjoyable and I've decided not to write about that particular experience.

However, they mentioned having a class on water color creations and I knew I wanted to try that.

How lovely do these projects look?

A few Facebook comments later, I had five friends signed up with me and we actually ended up being the whole class apart from one other person. So it definitely felt like a private class. I find that these experiences are better if you do it with a buddy.

Ignore our plug for Subway there. We all had cravings after work!

Our supplies and some examples for us to draw inspiration from 

Our instructor showed us some water color techniques before we started which honestly, wasn't much. She was chatty and informal and while it made for a comfortable atmosphere, I remember thinking that the instructor at the Upper West Side Paper Source seemed more professional and knowledgable. Each experience is subjective and each Paper Source store works autonomously. While this location is close to my job, I may try to explore other venues.

Soon we were off to work!

Chloe was looking forward to creating her poster with the water colors!

The Force was however not strong with water colors.... Tracy stuck to stamping and embossing ;-)

Jennifer had clear goals! She needed a birthday and anniversary card!

It got a bit messy....

I just love Rachel's face here....

All in all, did I enjoy watercolors?


Hmmmm.... no. I went into it thinking it would be similar to Copics but I was dead wrong. First off, the amount of control you have with water colors is very limited. I kept over saturating my paper until it curled up into useless messes. Then blending wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. Usually with Copics, I just keep adding color until I like the blend, but I couldn't do that here. I used regular brushes as well as their special water color ones that had water already in the brush- all I had to do was squeeze. No luck with either method. The one thing I walked away from was kind of hideous, but at least it was a good learning experience!

I got the song in your head, didn't I?

I did however discover these wonderful Martha Stewart glitter pens that I purchased with the 10% off coupon they give you after every class so it wasn't a total loss.

The girls had way better luck!

She may not like water colors, but Tracy will be invited to the next embossing event!

"I Am Inimitable" from the best song in HAMILTON. No really, it's the BEST  song.

Rachel is the sweetest...

Jennifer's water color birthday card came out lovely!

My coworkers have problems with expletives, but didn't Melanie's rainbow come out so well?

So maybe I won't be adding water coloring to my card making repertoire, but that doesn't mean I didn't totally enjoy this random Wednesday night with friends!

Valentine's Day Treat

When my friend Gale asked me if I wanted to take an arts and crafts workshop with her, I quickly answered, "Well, duh, of course I will!" Truth be told, I have always wanted to do something like that, but I've been too scared to do it alone. (I know, so lame....)

She sent me a link to a store called Paper Source and I was very surprised that I hadn't already heard of them. They have many different locations in the city and they were offering a workshop to create Valentine's Day greeting cards.  I quickly purchased two tickets.

This was their Upper West Side location

I do have to warn about the lack of decent photos with this entry. We were halfway through the workshop and I was so carried away with everything I didn't even remember to take photos! I definitely had a "Oh crap!" moment and started snapping away, but I really wish I had remembered earlier. Ah, well, there's always next time.

We had two instructors, Dasha and I want to say, Chloe was the name of the second instructor? Again, my manners are atrocious. My focus was on the cards and I wasn't thinking of the details I needed to write this entry later on.

When we first walked in, everyone was very nice and welcoming. They had snacks and drinks waiting for us and ya know, I'm all about the food!

Front of the store. The workshop was in the back left corner.

When we took our places, they explained that in front of us were materials for four separate cards. Dasha then started explaining how to emboss for those of us who were new to the game. (I let myself feel smug for about two minutes there. It swiftly vanished when I realized I was sitting next to two Martha Stewart clones. Ego, people. It'll kill ya...)

The beginning....

 The instructors then encouraged us to be creative. We didn't necessarily have to follow the rules if we didn't want to. We could mix and match as we liked, but seeing as how this was my first hand at public card-making, I stuck to the plan. So did my friend Gale.

My fellow Paper Diva!

 And then we were off! They were always there for guidance or help, but for the most part, both instructors were as involved as you wanted them to be with your particular project. I kind of liked that actually. Since I always craft alone, I didn't really want someone on top of me asking me if I needed help. On the contrary, Gale and I experienced exactly what I wanted the evening to be- a carefree girl's night out. There were plenty of inspiration images around and already made cards if we wanted some ideas.

Dasha giving us some pointers!

Our messy embossing station!

Towards the end, (ah the fun always ends too soon!) we had both made lovely cards for our significant others and friends. I actually made an envelope liner! When Gale and I were making shells for her wedding invitations, we had flirted with the idea of making envelope liners as well, but I was always hesitant, thinking they would be too complicated. Psh, girl, come on. It was so simple! Can you trace? Can you cut? Well, you can make a liner! It's so silly the things we don't attempt before even knowing all the facts. (Craft lesson that is a LIFE lesson?) Anyway, I was thrilled with the outcome!

The aftermath....

This was an ORIGAMI HEART! I was so excited that I could actually make one. (Don't ask me to do it again though. I can't remember a thing) I used a special pen to write, "ditto, ditto" because this card is for my Dad and that's how we say I love you.

This gold background is actually Washi tape which was so simple and it really made me wonder why I don't utilize it more often.

We are happy crafters. (excuse my scruffiness!)

All in all, I would definitely do another workshop at Paper Source. It was so much fun to be around other crafty ladies, some experienced, some newbies. It was also awesome to receive a 10% off coupon to use for store merchandise, which I totally used on the spot. (Self-control? What's that?)

Gale and I have already decided to try out their Wedding/Special events workshop when it rolls around next month. I promise to document that workshop a bit better!

Great Advice!

Have any of you ever been to Paper Source? What was your experience like?

Also, as a fun parting image, I must share this gem:

I mean, COME ON! Genius.