last post

Hello

This blog will be taken down within the next week or two. If you would like to see the posts or projects that have been shown on here, please come over to my personal blog www.papertracer.blogspot.com where I will be adding them, as well as showing you my new work and continuing to blog personally.  

My personal blog is in no way affiliated with any stores/sellers etc so please do not head over there with the expectation of links to where you can buy products etc as you have found here on this blog.

I hope to see many of you there as you've been so supportive and it's been a wonderful journey with you all.

From the a2z blog, for the last time, 

Goodbye

Linda x

Urgent News

Hello friends,

I have some urgent news to tell you and I'm sorry to have to do it via this blog.

The owner of a2z Scrapbooking Supplies has decided to close the store immediately.  

I am unaware whether the store will ever be reopened.

Of course, this means that this blog will no longer be live. If the store is ever reopened and the owner/s decide to utilise this blog again, it will be run by someone other than me.

On a personal note I'd like to thank you all so much for your support and lovely comments over the past few months.

I'd also like to assure you that had there been any notice given about the store being closed, I would have given it to you, however I was unaware of this decision being made until today. 

If you would like to follow my personal blog www.papertracer.blogspot.com, I would love it dearly as you have all become friends to me. I will continue to show you tips, techniques etc as I have loved every minute of doing it here.

I'm so very sorry to have to say goodbye, but hope to see you on my blog again, and that this is perhaps a "See you soon" instead.

Linda

Guest Blogger Yenni!

Hello!!

Today I'm SUPER excited to show you the work of another one of our gorgeous customers, Yenni!!

She has a fabulous blog http://scrapcollector.blogspot.com/  which I've personally been stalking  *cough* visiting frequently for quite a while now. *wink*

She always has such lovely creations and is just an all around lovely lady so we asked her if she would make something especially for the blog and thankfully she said Yes!

Here's some info about Yenni, written by the lady herself!

Hi my name is Yenni Natalia aka scrapcollector. My name will be pretty strange for you but it is very common in my hometown in Indonesia.
Currently I stay in Singapore with my husband and a cutie Westi named Garlic.   I started as a "fake" scrapbooker about 5 years ago. Why I called it fake? Because I hadn't even heard of the scrapbooker and didn't use the proper products (Such as those called acid free). I have just use all those 'every day' products- office (copy) paper, newspaper, kids paint/colour pencils,etc.
I was introduced to the real "scrapbook" world about 3 years ago. As a hobby, it goes on and off due to my busy schedule but that is where I start my adventure which has ended up with me as a card maker and I am hooked!!! I have been making cards from early 2010.  My card making style features more of colouring images than die cuts, however this year I would love to venture into a new style--shabby chic..I hope I will be success on it :)

And here is the GORGEOUS *sing song voice* shadow box frame she made;

 

I mean W.O.W right?!

OK so let's get right to how she put it together, Yenni was kind enough to take photos EVERY step of the way--told you she was fabulous!

Supplies needed. (a full list will be at the bottom of the post as always)

This is a frame from the $1 shop and the GORGEOUS Bo Bunny Crush Paper Pad 6"X6"

 

Remove the cardboard from inside the frame and paste your chosen Bo Bunny patterned paper. Trim off the extra using a craft knife.

Tips :Use light colour background if you wish to put more embellishment in the end of the projects.

Cut white cardstock to size (mine was 11 cm x 11.5 cm or 4 5/8" x 4 1/2")  Punch the longer edge of cardstock (width 11.5cm) using the Martha Stewart edger punch.  Cut a piece of pattern paper of your choice from the paper pack with size : 11.5cm x 10 cm (This is the brown paper you see). Affix the pattern paper on top of the cardstock as shown on the photo.

Take 3 frames from the maya road chipboard Love Notes series lay them out to check they fit properly as you can see here. 

Cover all the frames with pattern papers of your choice and trim it use craft knife follow the shape of the chipboards (shown below)

 

Once done distress the edges-use Frayed Burlap Distress Inks.

Time to fill each of the Maya Road frames :)

Glue the first small frame on the bottom right of the small pattern paper. "Fill" the frame with pink seam binding. Once done apply glue on top of the seam binding and sprinkle glitter on top of it.

Stamp a Tea Cup image onto pattern paper and colour it with copic markers to your taste. Cut out the image and affix it to the first frame. Do doodling and glitter to bring out the colour from the tea cup.
Cut about 4 cm (1 1/2")of pearl ribbon to create "steam" above the tea cup.

Stamp the sentiment "You're my cup of tea" on to scrap paper and cut as shown and distress the edges. Paste the cut sentiment next to the cup image.

 Paste the other smaller frame on the top right of the (brown) patterned paper and fill the frame with buttons. Stamp "Be Mine" sentiment from Hero Arts "So Sweet" Clear Stamp set on to scrap paper using versafine ink-sepia. Punch the sentiment using a 3/4" dimension Circle punch from EK Success. 

Distress the edges with distress ink.
Adhere the circle on to the buttons. (Glossy Accents would be perfect for this)

Trim a photo to fit the largest frame and adhere together.  Paste the frame on the top left of the brown patterned paper.

Decorate the frames with glitters and flowers. Here I used pink roses to match the theme.

Apply white acrylic paint to the small chandellier stamp. Stamp it on to the transparency and quickly pour glitter on top of it.

Once it is dry cut out the image and leave it aside.

Tip: using acrylic paint on the stamp will give a weathered look.

Create a ruffle of seam binding on the bottom part from the frame like shown on the photo.

Affix heart shape felt on top of the ruffle seam binding.

The final step is to adhere the paint-stamped Chandelier to the outside of the frame.

This is the final product;

Supplies :

Frame (from dollar shop) there are several frames to choose from in our store HERE

Bo Bunny 6x6 paper pack Crazy Love collection. (We have Bo Bunny Crush 6x6 pad in store now)

Bazzill Cardstock White Canvas 12 x 12

Martha Stewart Pinking Scallop Edge Punch

Maya Road frames Love notes (a perfect substitute would be the Making Memories Pitter Patter Sophie Velvet Frames

Hero arts CL276 So Sweet **

Hero arts H 5327 Small chandelier **

dyed seam binding

buttons

flowers

maya road heart trinket **

Pearl ribbons

Tim Holtz Distress Ink-Frayed Burlap

Heart shape pearls (the Hero Arts Hearts Accent Pearls would be PERFECT!)

Martha stewart fine glitter

white acrylic paint.

Ranger Stickles- star dust

copic markers to colour the tea cup.

Transparency (Stampendous Thermo Acetate) 

(products marked with ** will be in store within 1-2 days. Links will be provided when they arrive :))

 I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to Yenni for making this for the blog and especially--for making it SO QUICKLY!! You're the best Yenni :)

OK, I can't type anymore, I have to head to the shop to buy what I need to recreate this :) *teehee*

Have a great day friends!

Take care

Linda x

Cricut Cartridge Presales!!

Hello dears!

Just wanted to pop in to show you these truly GORGEOUS Cricut Cartridges that are now on presale for only $17.99!!! (what an unbelievable price!)

Spring Holiday Cards Mini Cartridge

 

 

 

this one has some SUPER cute images. Can't wait for it to arrive.

And how about this one?

Mother's Day Bouquet

So sweet!! Imagine the paper bouquet you could make mom with these beauties! They'd also make amazingly pretty diecuts for cards, layouts and just about every other project you want to make!

Finally, this sweet baby:

April Showers Mini Shape

Oh. My. Goodness!!! I can't WAIT to get this and I can forsee myself using this one a LOT. That little banner, the umbrella and cute graphic style tree?! THE SQUIRREL?!?! *squeal*

To order your cartridges now, click HERE.

Don't forget these are PRESALES and will be shipped to you when they arrive in store, which are scheduled to arrive in mid-late January.  (That's not too far away really is it?!)

Ok, have to go order mine :)

talk to you soon lovelies!

Linda xx

Happy New Year!!

From all of us at a2z Scrapbooking Supplies (both store and blog!) have a VERY

  

May your holidays be safe and full of festivities, may the year to come fulfill all your hopes, aspirations and plans--and may all your resolutions ones that you can stick to *wink*

I've decided not to do a resolution this year, I'm doing an "Intention". I like the connotation of that word better :) It will make me more likely to follow through too as I'm stubborn lol.

We have LOTS of exciting things planned for you all this coming year, so buckle up and get ready!

Soon to come will be how-to tutorial style updates, Valentine's Galore (YES! Valentine's Day is SUPER close!!), Easter and guest bloggers!!  We can't wait to share it all with you!

As always, if you  have a specific technique or product you'd like to know more about, please email me on lindatrace@a2zscrapbookingsupplies.com OR leave a comment below!!

Speak to you soon and once again, Happy 2011!!!

Linda xx

Christmas wishes

Happy Christmas Eve!!

This is just a short post as I don't want to keep you from your loved ones at this special time of year, but we at a2z Scrapbooking Supplies wanted to wish you all a very safe, wonderful and Merry Christmas.

Even though I'm sure many of you are just waking up or are going about your busy mornings, I (here in Australia) am just about to head off to bed.  Despite definitely NOT being a child any more, I still made my wish to Santa, I love the magic and possibilities that come with this special time of year.  If you can't believe in something unbelievable, then when can you?! Just now as I'm typing this to you, I heard a bump noise on the roof and for an instant my heartbeat quickens and I think "Could it be...?!" I'd prefer to believe than not personally.

Whether this time for you is a religious one or simply a time in which to spend some precious hours with loved ones, I hope you enjoy and are able to be filled (and fill those around you) with the spirit of Christmas--in it's truest form.  Not in the gift giving, but in the smiles of your loved ones, the laughter of children AND adults, the peace that can come if you truly seek it.  I hope your Christmas day's are filled with whatever you hope for.

I only finished this picture a few days ago, it's using all Whiff of Joy Stamps and a few Distress Inks for the backgrounds (and of course, Copic Markers) but I love the sense of serenity it evokes; the joy, the hope.  To be watching over any baby is precious and fills us with a 'something' most can't describe well, but to be watching over this baby--oh my.

I'm not (pardon the phrase) overly religious any more but I think that Christmas is a time to believe. No matter what it's a belief in. This picture (if I may say that of a stamped image) makes me feel belief. There is a relief, an outward sigh, a calmness I feel when I look at it.  I had planned to give it away as a gift but I couldn't let go of the sensation of peace it brings me, so it's now sitting on the wall directly in front of my craft desk. Bringing me that which I wish for you all this Christmas--peace, joy and calm.
                                                                   ---ooOOoo--

We will be back before New Years but in case you don't check your emails or aren't near a computer for the next week or so (as I'm sure will be the case for many of you), please do stay safe over this holiday period and have a truly Happy New Years.

With all our best wishes to you all and your precious people--

Merry Christmas.

Linda and the a2z team xx

Barbi's Apple Praline Pie--Diabetic Friendly!

Hello lovelies!!

How are you all faring in this sometimes-stressful season?? 

I hope you're all able to make even a little time for yourselves, whether that be slipping off to your crafty nook or even just taking a few minutes for a quiet cup of tea/hot chocolate (whatever your favourite is!)

It is RIDICULOUSLY hot here in Perth, it will be...(wait for it)...38 degrees on Christmas day...that's 38 degrees CELCIUS... that is 100.4 F... *don't all rush to buy me a plane ticket to the USA where I can sit in the snow and cool down!!*--actually, feel free to! lol.

Anyway, given that this is a time for family, friends, laughter, love and quite often, a bit of food (or more than a bit! *wink*), I thought I'd share with you the favorite recipe of our good friend Barbi!  I got this recipe from her many MANY weeks ago and I'm sure she thought I forgot about it, but I didn't--I've been saving it!

As I'm sure you all know (but just in case you didn't), we at a2z Scrapbooking Supplies, donate towards Coeliac Disease and Behcet's Disease research--some of our volunteers suffer from, or have family members with these diseases too.  So at this time of year when so many people are being indulgent with their food, people who have Coeliac or Behcet's Disease (which can often lead to diabetes due to the medications required), aren't able to just forgo their normal careful eating.  

Therefore, this recipe is *happily* "diabetes friendly" and I'm sure delicious to boot.  I haven't made it yet, but I will be attempting my FIRST apple pie for my dad in the next day or two :) (wish me luck!)

So, without further ado, here is Barbi's favorite Apple Praline Pie and her (super easy to follow) instructions:

APPLE PRALINE PIE (DIABETIC VERSION)

***crust***

1 box Pillsbury pie crusts

***filling***

6 cups thinly sliced peeled apples

3/4 cup Splenda (regular, not the baking kind)

1/4 cup white whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tbl Smart Balance Low Sodium Butter Spread

***topping***

1/4 cup Smart Balance Low Sodium Butter Spread

1/2 cup Splenda Brown Sugar Blend

2 Tbl Skim Milk

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350°F. Make pie crusts as directed on box for Two-Crust Pie, using 9-inch glass pie plate.

In large bowl, mix apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt; toss lightly. Spoon mixture into crust-lined pie plate. Dot with 1 tablespoon butter. Top with second crust; seal edge and flute. Cut slits in several places in top crust.

Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until apples are tender and crust is golden brown. Cover edge of crust with strips of foil after 15 to 20 minutes of bake time to prevent excessive browning.

In 1-quart saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter; stir in brown sugar and half-and-half. Slowly heat to boiling; remove from heat. Stir in pecans; spread over top of pie. Place pie on cookie sheet.

Bake 5 minutes longer or until topping bubbles. Cool at least 1 hour before serving.

Here is a little bit about Barbi for you to read while the apple pie cools *if you can wait that long*

ABOUT ME:

My name is Barbi and I love to cook, unfortunately I love to eat too. Since being diagnosed with Type II Diabetes I have attempted to live a healthier lifestyle and a big part of that is food. My husband and I love to try new recipes. We love down home cooking and all the comfort foods you remember as a child. I started my blog to feature our attempts to make these recipes, whether they be my own tried and true ones or new ones we find along the way, healthier in some way. Though not every recipe on this blog is Diabetic friendly the majority of them are yet they can be easily adapted for those not looking for Diabetic related dishes.

ABOUT THIS RECIPE
I saw this recipe for Apple Praline Pie on the Pillsbury website and thought it looked so good but being Diabetic I really have to watch my sugar so I decided to try and make this as carb friendly as I could without losing its taste. Since my dear husband is the dessert maker in this house I asked him if he would make it for me but with a few substitutions which he was happy to do.

It came out delicious and was enjoyed by all even though I am the only one watching my sugar intake. If you want the full sugar version you can find it on the Pillsbury website.
                              
                                                                         ---ooOOOoo---

Anyhoo, hope you enjoyed!! I thought it might be a nice addition to your Christmas dessert menu (or give you something to bake if you didn't have any ideas yet!!)

Talk to you soon sweets!! (we have a VERY exciting competition on the way too *cough* Copic Markers *Cough Cough*

Linda xx