creatologie from carol wingert studio

a peek at the inside...

I thought you might want a peek at the inside of the mini accordion that fits in the memory box.

Do you see the awesome flourish background?

Guess what?  You will be getting the stencil to make that in your kit...something you can use over and over again.  Fabulous!

I feel like a kid in a candy store surrounded by all of the beautiful products that will go into this kit.

Just thought I'd whet your appetite a bit.  If you haven't ordered your kit yet, there are still some left...just head over to the PayPal storefront on the left sidebar and click on "Buy".

Thanks to all of you who have placed your order...and thanks also for writing to me about the projects that you have created with your kits...knowing you are actually making your projects totally makes my day!

"JUST A THOUGHT" FOR MAY!

Brand new for May is a domed memory box.  You will be starting with a papier mache box, 5 1/2" x 7 1/2" x 4" high...quite ordinary...until you add the paper, ink, title, dome details, ball trim and darling little feet...that puts this box into the realm of extraordinary!

What's so cool about this box is that is large enough to be useful, yet has a small enough footprint to fit comfortably on a shelf or table.

And, do you know what else is so cool?  There is a domed lid on the top where you can insert your fabulous treasures.  The kit comes with the things you need to create a dome just like my sample, but there's nothing to stop you from inserting some of the things you would love to display.

GUESS WHAT????  THERE'S MORE!!!

There's also a 4x6 accordion book to decorate and insert into your box!

Think new papers from graphic 45 married to the always fabulous 7 gypsies papers, fun chipboard shapes from Maya Road, old book paper, and vintage lace and trims, all beautifully coordinated to create this fabulous little keepsake.  There are also punch out letters from graphic 45 and rub-on letters from 7 gypsies to help with journaling your thoughts.

When you complete your project, all you need to do is to add a few photos and some journaling and you have a unique and funky memory box complete with a beautiful interior mini book.

"Just A Thought"...that's what I've called this project.  So, instead of large pages with long, drawn out stories, this one will allow you to include a random thought about many random memories.  Pretty cool, don't you think?

The box and book project kit comes with a full set of instructions with color photos.  The kit price is $40 and shipping within the US is $9.00 (in Arizona, that amount includes sales tax too).  As you probably know, the US Postal Service is raising their rates on May 12th which is why the cost of shipping has gone up.  But, consider this.  The project that you will be receiving is really a class delivered to your door...and how much is that worth when you consider the cost of gas these days, plus the wear and tear on your vehicle.  Shipping to Canada is an additional $6.00 and overseas is an additional $11.00...not a bad deal when you compare it to flying to the US to take classes...:)).

Here's something else to consider:  I received an email the other day from someone who is stockpiling all of the kits she ordered since January.  She told me that she won't be taking a vacation away from home this summer so she is taking her vacation time to build the kit projects.  She's really excited about dedicating her time just to create.  I think it's an awesome idea!!!! :)

The project kit is up for pre-order right now...kits will begin shipping May 27th.

Thanks so much for looking and for your orders!

 

update...

Kits are gone...picked up earlier today by the postal service.

It was a harried week....and it was all about the birds.  Turns out that, because birds are in, they were out...out of stock, that is.  Maya Road was anxiously waiting for the container...and obviously, so was I.

Because they weren't exactly sure when the birds were going to arrive, I decided to do something extra in case I had a delay in shipping kits.  So, I ordered some Distress Crackle Paints in worn lipstick...and included a jar in each kit as a thanks for your patience sort of thing.

The birds arrived at 6 p.m. yesterday, making for a long night of stuffing and packaging.  Fortunately, it wasn't a long delay (just one day) and kits went out today...and if you ordered a kit, you'll be getting some fun paint to play with. To whet your appetite a bit, I've included a little snippet of something you will be making.

I did make several extra kits for those of you who sometimes email me after the "sold out" sign appears in my storefront.  So, if you're liking the snippets and you'd like to order your very own album kit, they are available!  Treat yourself to a small indulgence...and have fun creating too!

For those of you who ordered, be on the lookout for those birds coming home to roost!  And, many thanks for your order.

5/1/08 ETA:  The last kit sold last night...this is the 4th month of total sell-outs!  Thank you very much!

Do you want to see some snippets?

I thought I'd share some interior snippets of the April album. 

This one is chock full...8 spreads, each 8"x8", for a total of 16 pages, plus the cover. 

I just couldn't help myself...I ended up adding some of my photos and, as soon as I photograph it for the instructions, I'm putting in my journaling.  I think I inspired myself! 

If you are thinking about ordering, I still have a few kits left...but I'm guessing they will probably go pretty quickly this week.  If you've ordered your kit (or kits!), thanks so much!

APRIL = SPECIAL

What is it about April that's so special?

When I think of April, I think of the wonderful colors of spring that are beginning to emerge...the flowers, the special hue of green on the new tree leaves, the new sprigs of spring grass and how brown takes on a new shade against all of that beautiful green.  That was the inspiration for the colors of this book.

This month's kit is all about those gorgeous spring tones...think pink, spring green and gorgeous chocolate brown...can I just say yummy?!?  (I have to tell you that I spent a lot of time browsing through new product before I decided on this combo.)  The base of the project is an 8" x 8" chipboard binder from Maya Road (it's a great size for photos and journaling).  Add to that the brand new Sultry line from Basic Grey, large and small chipboard birds from Maya Road, silk and satin ribbon, tulle, buttons, vintage flowers, Basic Grey rubons and chipboard alphabet and a fabulous clear stamp from Fontwerx...and of course, all of those little surprises that come in each month's kit...may I just tell you that it's a glorious project?

I titled my book "special" and the little pink tag says "you are".  Because you will have a full set of letters, you can customize the title...after all, it's your book.

So, think about spring...think about Mother's Day...think about special moments, special days and special people and you will have your own special binder filled with great colorful memories.

Shipping cost within the USA is included in the cost of the kit...shipping to Canada is an additional $3.00 and all other international locations require an additional $8.00.

Pre-orders begin today...KITS BEGIN SHIPPING APRIL 24TH.

Thanks so much for your interest and your orders!

what's happening?

Just wanted to give you a quick update on the newest kit...it's in process and due to ship out on March 26th as promised.

I'm also collecting, scheming, browsing for the next kit...I hope you will really like it!

Just the other day, someone asked me the question about why it took so long for me to ship my kits after I posted the project on my site.  She said she wasn't criticizing, but was just curious.  It really was a good question so I thought I'd address it in case others wondered the same thing.

There are a lot of kit clubs out there and the majority of them are product based rather than the creation of an actual project.  Most of those are sold by subscription so that the club owners know exactly how many kits will going out each month.

I offer people the option to buy every month rather than doing a subscription.  The reason for that is that I want you to have a choice about whether you purchase that month or not.  The reality is that in any given month, there may be a project that you may not like or need, colors that don't fit within your scheme or maybe you just don't have the time or dollars budgeted for another kit that month.  The result of that is that I need to wait several days after posting to even have an idea about how many kits I will need to prepare and then order/buy my products accordingly.

The other thing is that these kits are custom project kits (created especially for selling online-not previously taught so these aren't leftovers :)) with step by step instructions...it's like a class that is delivered to your home in a box.  That being said, sometimes you sign up for a class at your LSS months before the class actually runs...it builds anticipation, plus allows the instructor to complete the steps necessary to prepare for an awesome class.  And just like prepping for a class, these kits take lots of time (not complaining...I love the process!).  I scour all sorts of stores and sites shopping for unique, non-scrapping items and sometimes create custom papers for that month's kit.  For example, the pic in this post is my kitchen table with custom papers drying on it (if you ordered a kit, you will LOVE the feel of this page!!!!)...this is just one installment of many that will be drying on there today.  March's kit has two such custom papers...not printed but actually made by me by hand.  I love doing it...love the idea that you will have custom items each month.  The bottom line for you is that you have projects with totally unique items and papers...isn't that fun?

In addition to the custom stuff, there are shapes and journaling blocks to die cut,  steps of techniques and pages to photograph, instructions to write and print and then finally, kitting it all together, boxing it up and shipping it.  Just like a class, only way more kits and delivered to your door!

For me, it's worth the time.  I hope that you think it's worth the wait!

 

Welcome Spring!

With Spring and Easter just around the corner, it seemed only right that March's kit be one that is bright, sunny and happy.

Enter the wooden easel mini book!

It starts with an easel base which is handcrafted especially for you by a local Arizona artist...add seven lightweight chipboard pages...then design to your heart's content.  The papers are from Jenni Bowlin (plus some custom ones created just for you) and the embellishments are a little whimsical and dimensional...just perfect with the bright colors featured in this kit.  There are some techniques using Diamond Glaze...so pull out the old bottle and get ready for some fun!

Wait until you see the textures...you will want to keep touching!  And, there are plenty of butterflies to make you smile...some look like they're ready to take flight!

The theme is up to you...whether it's Spring, Easter, Nature, Garden or even Beach...the book is designed so that you can display photos on each page.

If you're looking out your window and you still see snow, you definitely need this kit!  It will quickly bring Spring into your home...definitely.  And, this book has enormous reuse potential...this fall, if you want to change your theme, simply remove the pages, attach them together with rings or ribbons to hold them together as a book, repaint your easel and you've got yourself a base for another theme.  Wow!

Kits are selling for $40, with $6.00 shipping within the USA (due to the weight of the easel), $9.00 shipping to Canada and $14.00 shipping to all other international locations.  if you are ordering from outside the US, you can just place your order through the storefront and I'll send you a PayPal money request for the additional shipping cost.

KITS BEGIN SHIPPING MARCH 26TH.

Thanks so much for looking, for your orders and your wonderful emails and comments.  You are the best!

Happy Spring...Happy Creating!

March Preview...

If you've signed up to receive advance emails, you'll get to see the project tomorrow...I'll also let you know when it's going to be posted.  Sneaky, eh?  See, I told you that you'd be the first to know!

This month's kit formula:   spring + creatologie = happiness

kit update

I just wanted those of you who ordered kits to know what's happening.

We are still on target to ship on February 26th as promised...just waiting for a few stray products from manufacturers who weren't shipping because  of CHA...but they should be arriving in the next few days.

Here's one of the interior pages...it definitely makes me smile.

I have to tell you that buying for this kit was a little like how I usually buy for Christmas.  I start well ahead of time and buy a little here and a little there and by the time Christmas arrives, I have this huge pile of gifts, some of which I had forgotten I bought.  Such is the case with this kit. 

You can expect a paper design I custom printed for this kit, plus gorgeous papers from Anna Griffin, Carolee's Creations, Autumn Leaves and Making Memories.  Add to that, a new chip shape from Bazzill, lots of ribbons and lace, flowers, unique buttons and prestamped and vintage images...a large frame charm with glass, plus, a sheet of sticker labels, a sheet of rubons and 2 sheets of alphabet stickers.  OK, there's more...but you have to wait and see for yourself.  Definitely like Christmas.

I still have some kits left so if you have a scrapping friend who may be interested, let them know.  Just like last month, once they're gone, they're gone.  I make a limited number and then it's on to the next month's kit!  I know that some of you emailed me after the kits were sold out last month and were disappointed that I really didn't have any more...so, if you're fence sitting, now's the perfect time to place your order.

Thanks to all of you who ordered a kit (or two!) and for all of your amazingly kind and enthusiastic emails about last month's Feathered Nest kit.  I totally appreciate all of you.

February's Theme: "I Love"

Well, here it is...February's mini book kit.

As I had mentioned before, it's really a two prong kit:  first, building the book, then decorating it.

The style is classic and girlie combined...lots of black and white/ivory, accented with bits of fuschia here and there.  The theme of the book is "I Love" and it's a great way to capture the people, places and things you love.  It wasn't styled to be a true Valentine book...just a book about your loves.

The structure that we will be building is called a Jacob's Ladder book and it's based on the little wooden clacker toys that have been around forever.  To be honest with you, I actually had never built one of these until I decided to use it for this month's kit.  Why didn't I?  Well, quite honestly, every time I looked at the instructions, I felt overwhelmed.  So, what I decided to do was to photograph each step of the book building process, to mark each of the boards so there wouldn't be any question as to whether it was the correct side and basically to write up the instructions in a simpler, easier to understand style.  I sometimes think that professional book artists like to murky up the waters a bit...then you need them to help you figure out how to do it. :))  The steps that I took to make this book will hopefully demystify the process a bit.

BUT, from all of the classes I have taught over the years, I know that there will be some that will freak out when they see that there are over 20 steps.  So, to take care of that, I will be including instructions to build an alternate book...it won't be a Jacob's Ladder book with all of it's grand properties, but it will be a ribbon bound accordion that will allow you to build each page as shown and won't raise your blood pressure or cause you to down a whole bottle of wine in the process. :))

Here are some inside peeks.  There are 12 6"x6" pages in all.  Hope you enjoy the kit as much as I've loved putting it together. 

ETA:  Since I just completed the book, it will take several weeks for the product to come and for me to create the kits so they will be going out February 26th.  Thanks so much for looking and for the orders that have been flooding my inbox in the past few minutes!