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!

What is an ‘Inchie’?

An 'inchie' is a 1x1 inch piece of art. Pick a medium to work on; it can be cardstock, 2 or 4-ply matboard, wood, glass, acrylic, or even tile. Then embellish it using stickles, buttons, ribbon, brads, flock, glitter, etc... As long as it fits with in the 'inchie'; just about anything in a scrapbooking or card making stach can be used on it. These 'inchies' are great to embellish ATC's, cards & scrapbook pages.

At KEPT Creations we have an 'inchie' swap every month. We pick a theme and then make enough to swap with the entire group the next time we meet up. We also have a 'challenge' theme which can be a little more difficult to create but you only have to create one to show but you can also make one for every in the group too. Pretty much anything goes when creating the 'inchie' the only rule we have is that it must fit the 1x1 inch format. Also, when you join the group we give you a little welcome to the club gift with lots of goodies to create your own 'inchies.'

Be sure to join us for the next 'inchie' swap on Sunday, September 15th from noon-1pm. Our September theme is 'exercise' and the challenge is 'healthy food.' The store has lots of supplies to create 'inchies' from the 'inchie' squares to a huge assortment of little trinkets and other embellishments. Call the store to sign up so we can have your 'inchie' goodie box ready for you. 781-447-4010

Conversation Starters...

KEPT Creations Treasures.

Yesterday, my other half was out of town, leaving me to just hang around all day.  I had already signed up for Kristin's Quick Creation (more on that in a bit) which started at 10:00 am. So I just decided to anchor my untethered self down to KC for the day and spend some quality time soaking in the creativity and getting some inspiration.  You know, it had probably been a whole 12 hours since I had been there. I was certain that all sorts of new stuff was going on, and that I was missing it.

I spent a little time poking around the store checking out all of the little treasures. I was on a treasure hunt as it were.  There really are so many delightful things to look at.  Just look at the collage above and that is just a 1 minute turn around the store... Hmmm perhaps a new series is being born as I type... Treasure Hunt.  I like it.  You just might see it again.  

Just look at this adorable tree... 

psst... you can learn to make this, Maria's teaching a class; "Oh, Christmas Tree."!

or how about this little steampunk sweety ...

She was the winner from the Clothes Pin Contest this past September.

  or

Some fabulous inchies...  For sure some of the best things do come in little packages.

  

KC is all about embracing your creative side. I just love it.

As I mentioned before, I took Kristin's Quick Creation... I had so much fun.  I had never really worked with Ice Resin before.  It is really quite easy and the results are stunning... just look!  I know my niece is going to love it and I think her mother might be so jealous I'll end up making one for her too.  Keep an eye for these Quick Creations.  They are so much fun, and who doesn't love near instant gratification!?  Also, Kristin's classes are so great.  Learning to make some truly original and stunning wearable art.  Just so cool.  

Steampunk pendant made using Ice Resin.  

I've only begun to scratch the surface of the wonderful Kept Treasures. Not just the stuff, but the people too... Kristin, Susan, Maria, Donna, Chris, Nancy, Sara, Nicole and OF COURSE THE PINK HAIRED MUSE... Kim.  Definitely check out their work and their classes each one is so inspiring, and has her own unique style.  There is truly something for everyone. 

So lets get the conversation started... What is the newest thing you've tried in your creations?  

As I mentioned, I just used Ice Resin for the first time. The gears are all ready turning in my head (pun totally intended) as to the many ways I can use this product and all the great little gifts I can make with it.   

Drop me a comment, and let me know the fun stuff you're trying out.  I'm always looking to learn something new.

Oh and why not subscribe to the blog? Then you can always be part of the conversation.

Until later, all. 

la.

loveaphid: Sayin' Hello.

Hi!, everyone.  First let me introduce myself. I am Kate, a.k.a loveaphid. That weird looking icon at the left is the loveaphid. One day my husband and I were watching a Nature episode about ants and aphids.  Being goofy I reached over to him and squeezed him and said I am your aphid of love. That morphed to loveaphid. Its a silly story and not all that exciting. But the nickname stuck and so there it is.  I am a teacher, shopper and loiterer at KEPT Creations (gonna call it KC from now on, if you don't mind).  I spend a lot of time hanging out and absorbing the inspiration that is all around me at KEPT.  I tend to work in the less perfect mediums; felting, rubber stamp carving, collage, art journaling and the like but I've been known to throw a card into the mix here and there.  I love miniature anything and inchies are a favorite for that reason.  In the immortal words of Bart Simpson, "I do what I like."  Kim has granted me permission to do a little rambling on her blog.  I am excited, because now I have a chance to share some of the super creative things that other KC fans, teachers and I are doing.  I also get to do fun things like; share designs with you, tell you about my trials and errors with new techniques, highlight the new stuff KC offers and give you some peeks from around the store from my perspective.  (there is always some little treasure I hadn't noticed before.) I hope to create some connections, host some challenges, do a meme here and there and most of all; just have some fun.  So lets start a crafting conversation here at KEPT Creations Blog.  Get to know each other, create a crafting community here and in this wonderful store that so many of us call our creative home. Oh and the more the merrier.  If you know someone who might want to join in, by all means, invite them by.  After all, art is about sharing.  So all are welcome.   I look forward to seeing you around KEPT creations, here in BloggyLand and out there is the real world.

Until Later, all.
la.