Holiday News!

Happy Holidays!

May your days be merry and bright!

Kept Creations Holiday Hours:
Monday, December 22nd - OPEN 10AM - 5PM
Tuesday, December 23rd - OPEN 10AM - 5PM
Wednesday, December 24th - Friday, December 26th - Closed
Saturday, December 27th - Open 10AM - 5PM (Don't miss out on Kelly Kilmer!!)
Sunday, December 28th - Open 12-4PM
Monday - Thursday, December 29 - January 1 - Closed
Regular business hours resume on Friday, January 2nd, 2015

Stop in for your raffle ticket on Monday or Tuesday!  We are giving away a basket of product worth more than $250.  Raffle drawing will be Tuesday, December 23rd.

We offer gift certificates in any denomination.  Get them in store, by phone (781-447-4010) or online!

Whitman First Night - 2015

Stop on in and pick up your Whitman First Night button.  All proceeds from the button will go to the Whitman Food Pantry.

Needle felting class Sunday 8/8 1pm

From this....

......To this!

Gifts

My neighbor, Barb, just transformed a plain canvas tote bag into a work of art as a gift to me. I love this! Barb knows that I am a cat fan and that I adore bling. (And she has seen me hauling my junk in tote bags everywhere I go!). So, she took the time to craft a gift that she knew would make me smile. And it most definitely did. Over and over.

This gift served to remind me of one of the main reasons I became so addicted to crafting- it's not just the fun of crafting itself, it is the special blessing of having the ability to make someone else feel good. Barb's gift reminded me of how wonderful it can feel to receive a gift or card that was specifically designed and hand crafted for you alone. When you get such an item, you really feel the love.

So, I am grateful to Barb for the lovely gift, and I am also grateful to Barb for helping me to get back to that special crafting feeling. I will be spending some quality time at my craft desk today, and when I do, it will not just be about entertainment. It will also be about love, and kindness and the greatest gift- the gift of being able to make someone else feel good.

 Some gifts you can hold, and some gifts you can feel.

 Thanks, Barb!

                                      

Magnetic platform + metal wafer thin die = perfection

Sizzix came out with a magnetic platform and I had been wanting it for months.

I have the 'genius' magnetic platform with self healing mats from Lifestyle Crafts so I didn't know if I should get yet another platform.

I broke down and bought the Sizzix magnetic platform and I am so glad that I made such a terrific purchase. I like the genius platform with the self healing mats for diecutting paper but if you have a specific portion of a piece of patterned cardstock it's not the best because the mats are opaque. The sandwich you make is platform + die + paper + mat. The platform is on the bottom the die is cutting side up since you don't want to cut into the platform which means you have to turn your paper facedown. This makes it difficult to place the paper exactly where you need it.

The Sizzix magnetic platform sandwich is platform + clear cutting plate + paper + die + clear cutting plate. Since there is a clear cutting plate between on top of base platform you can put paper down and place the die cutting side down exactly in the place you want it. The magnets in the platform are strong so the dies stay where you put them.

Get in out of the heat!

We've got some fabulous classes coming up this week!  Check these out:

Fan-cy Fans with Donna and Bobbi on Friday, July 18th from 7-9PM.

Come in and create a few Fan-cy fans, perfect for giving as a gift or for keeping cool this Summer.  You'll create a gorgeous card too!

Imitation Leather Journal with Donna on Saturday, July 19th from 10AM - 12PM

Learn a really fun technique of turning cardstock into leather and create a fun mini book with your new-found knowledge.  You will complete one book, but Donna will give you the opportunity to create more book covers that you can complete at home.  This is a fabulous technique!

By the Sea Cards with Guest, Kathie DeLuca on Sunday, July 20th from 12-3PM

Come and make these beautiful watercolored cards in this fun class with Kathie!  We will be using Distress Stains as our medium to create these mini works of art.  We will pair it with some beautiful papers from Graphic 45 By the Sea Collection, and then add some cute embellishments to make 4 amazing cards!  If you would like to order this Time Holtz stamp set by Stampers Anonymous just let us know and we can have it waiting for you on the day of the class.
This class is for any level of stamper.


There's no need to stay inside to keep cool, come play with us and learn something new!

Napkin Art

I've taught this technique several times and I never get tired of the unique decor pieces that come out of it. This technique has been around for decades and the products that we have at the store make it so easy to create these wonderful panels. When people first see them they think they are actual paintings but to their surprise they are beautiful decorative napkins.

When I combine the few items in this photo below.

 I get these great home decor panels that can be framed or hung as it on the wall.

This class will this Sunday, May 4th from 1-3pm. Call the store 781-447-4010 to sign up or pay online. This project is great for a housewarming or even for Mother's Day.

Important Announcement for AAW folks!!!!

Hi Ladies!!! Mark your calendars- there will be no AAW in May. The store will be closed on the last Sunday of the month and Catherine Scanlon will be teaching a class on the Sunday before. So, we will meet next on the last Sunday of June.

We need to decide what we want to alter next. Actually a few good suggestions would be welcome, so we can get the items ready for you. Last month, someone mentioned mousetraps. I think wooden spoons may have been mentioned once. 

Ideas? Thoughts? Suggestions?

Attention Altered Arts Workshop April

Here is my heart! Let's see yours!

We're having a BOGO SALE!

Huge Stamp Sale!  All Stamps are Buy One, Get One 50% off!* Rubber Cling Clear Wood Mounted Singles Sets All Stamps are on Sale! Stop in early for the best selection!  We need to make room for new inventory that's on its way! Sale starts Wednesday, April 9th and ends on Sunday, April 13th.

Buy one, get 2nd item of equal or lesser value for 1/2 off the retail price.  No Frequent Buyer cards will be stamped on sale items.  Pre-order and items held for pick up are excluded from sale. In stock items only. *Some exclusion apply.  Any new stamps received this week or last will be excluded from sale.

Mixed Media Madness

More close ups....

Mixed Media Madness

Book of Secrets

Mixed Media Madness

More close ups of Book of Secrets

Mixed Media Madness

A few close ups of the Book of Secrets.....

Mixed Media Madness

Techniques for altering canvas pencil bags....with Silly and Sillier!!!

Mixed Media Madness

Book of Secrets

Mixed Media Madness

Image transfers with Catherine

Mixed Media Madness

Catherine teaching us water color techniques

Book of Secrets- in progress

Book of Secrets- in progress

Mixed Media Madness!!!

 

Fun altered aprons......

You're no bunny....

....until Somebunny loves you! Coming in April- needle felting Spring bunnies! Hop on in!

Aaaaaaaaawwwww!

How cute is THIS??? Coming in April...needle felting Spring Bunnies!

Soft, sweet and irresistibly cute....

Coming in April......Spring bunny felting!!!!

Felting is back!

                                                     

You asked for it....we plan to deliver. On Saturday, 2/22, we will be having a needle felting class. We will be making cute little owls along with a companion card. Come try out this unique craft. If you have tried this before, come learn new technique tips to make your end product pleasing.

AT&T. Altered Artists

Just a quick reminder that the next Altered Arts Workshop is on Sunday 2/23. The item is large puzzle pieces. If you do not have yours, be sure to stop by the store and pick some up!

I hate winter!

Yeah, this is how I feel, too. But on the bright side, the Mixed Media Madness retreat is only 6 weeks away! Can't wait!

Celebrate Spring with DeNami stamps

Yes, it’s still winter but DeNami released their new stamps in early January and they just scream Springtime! 

I made several cards with this new release and using a couple of die cutting techniques to make these cards ‘swing’ into Spring. 

We’ll also be utilizing a new die cut set from Sizzix that will make these cards easy to cut and assemble but it will look like you spent hours creating them.

I'm teaching this class at Kept Creations in Whitman, MA Sunday, February 9th from 1-3pm. Click on this link for the DeNami class or class the store to sign up 781-447-4010.

Have you heard the news?

News flash!!!!! Artist-crafter guest instructor Kathie Deluca has agreed to join the team for our upcoming Mixed Media Madness Retreat! If you haven't seen Kathie's work, let me tell you it is yummy!  Samples will be in the store soon. Mandy has already dropped off two altered book samples that you need to see to believe. And- I am not telling just yet- but Catherine is cooking up some amazing stuff for her class. 

If you haven't signed up yet, you might want to jump on this now. Space is limited and filling fast. The retreat will be at John Carver inn, Plymouth. Check them out on-line... The rooms look gorgeous. And there is a spa (which I plan to squeeze in for sure). Rumor has it that there will be some cool goodies and surprises. 

March is such a dreary month, but this year I am actually looking forward to it. So, mark your calendars and reserve your spot. March 21-23. Hope to see you there!

Chris

A New Year = A Crafty YOU!

Winter is the perfect time to start something new. 

Did you know that the top 5 most chose New Year resolutions are:
Loose weight
Get more organized
Save more money
Enjoy Life to the fullest
Learn something new

Over 45% of Americans make a New Year resolution.  If you are one of those that are looking to learn something new, we may have some classes for you!

Kept Creations has eight wonderful teachers that are on the schedule monthly and several others that guest teach here frequently.  There is always something fun to learn. 

Don't think your crafty?  No worries!  It's proven that the more you are creative, the more creativity will come to you.  It's like working out a muscle in the gym; use it and it will be more flexible, more fit and ultimately you become happier! 

Are you ready to work out your creativity in 2014?  Check out our class schedule for a class that might interest you.  We have  die cutting, jewelry making, water coloring, Copic markers, wool felting, home decor, quilling, stamping, knitting and more!  We even hold regular swaps for inchies, ATC's, altered arts and cards. (not sure what language I'm speaking?  Inchies are 1"x1" pieces of art and ATC's stands for Artist Trading Cards - these are 2.5"x 3.5" pieces of art).

We have a little bit of something for everyone!

Kept Creations is even hosting it's first retreat this coming March, 21-23rd, 2014.  This is the weekend to immerse yourself in mixed media.  Learning everything from image transfers to assemblage and more!

 If you've been thinking about creating a more crafty you in 2014, you may want to join Kim for Basics 101 on Wednesday, January 22nd.  Kim will go over just the basics you'll need to start.  Cutting, embossing, layering, stamping and more.  If you can't make January 22nd, give us a call at 781-447-4010 and we set up a private class for you!

Get creative in 2014!