ADVENT CALENDAR PICTURES & SCHEDULE

Here are the pictures of the Advent Calendar. These pictures do not do this project justice. Right now the sample is on display at Carol Jones at 3524 Culpepper Circle Suite E. Just ask for the Hubby, Cliff. Cost is $25. Bring pop dots, Terrifically Tacky tape, a glue pen or Scotch Quick Drying Glue with the small applicator tip, a glue stick or tape runner/double stick tape and a pair of scissors to cut ribbon. A brown chalk ink pad and a brayer if you have one would be handy too.

I'll be teaching it tonight at the Carol Jones training center at 3524 Culpepper Circle, Suite B starting at 5:30p. Friday I will teach it from 1p till they run us out (3p to 4p) at Hobby Lobby south, but you HAVE to CALL to sign up. No calls and I won't be there! Friday night at my studio from 6p till we get done (again, call to register), Saturday any time, but officially I'll be at NorthBridge church from 3p to 7p doing a craft event. You can come and craft with us! Finally, Sunday afternoon from 2p to 5p at the Carol Jones training facility on south side (it's down by Cox Hospital just off of National). You have to CALL ME to come to any of these classes. I have limited number of seats. If you want to come tonight, you need to call me by 2p TODAY! Short notice but sometimes people do... The number is 350-4569 or 833-8760. Email is vconquest@conquestkeepsakes.com. I can do times next week if I have materials left and you don't mind missing a day or three...

NEW ADVENT CALENDAR CLASS

Boy, we're gonna have to get on it! I've got a week and a great project for everyone! A count-down advent calendar that is SURE to be a hit. It's a 16 x 20 canvas board with 24 boxes where you can put little goodies and notes as you count down the days to Christmas. Each day comes off the board and goes into a case for safe keeping until next year. That is, after you pull out your goodies! This project is easy and lots of fun, but I only have enough materials for 8 people! The cost for the class is going to be between $25 and $30. I'll finalize it over the weekend--I'm still making my sample!!! I'll get pictures up ASAP. I'm going to be holding the class Tuesday night 6p-8:30p, Thursday 1-3p at Hobby Lobby North and Thursday evening from 6p-8:30p. Tuesday night's class will be on the south side of town just off of National behind Carol Jones. Call me for directions. Thursday night's class will be at north side at my home studio. If none of those times work, and you really, really want to do this project, give me a call and I'll see what we can arrange! I've already got 3, possibly four seats full, so CALL ME! 350-4569!

New Kits

Just in time for the Holidays I have two kits ready for you to put together! Each kit sells for $12 and I have just a few left of each. Now's the time to get in and grab one!

They are both "explosion" boxes, also known as "fall down" boxes. The first one is for Thanksgiving called Thanksgiving Blessings. With this box you can record the blessings from this year and the family gathering at this year's Thanksgiving dinner. You can write down all the things you are thankful for and put in your pictures and have a treasured keepsake for years to come. The kit includes everything you need to make the box including detailed directions and pictures. The directions include a complete list of supplies and tools you will need to complete the project.


The second box is What Christmas Means to Me. In this box you can put pictures of your family members and have them write on the tags what Christmas means to them. You can put the pictures on the envelopes or the tags, the box is so versatile, you can use it any way you like. Again, everything is included along with complete instructions and a list of supplies and tools needed.

GETTING EXCITED...!

It's getting close to the time of the NCA GIRLFRIENDS IN PARIS crop! If you have not signed up yet to go to this crop, get crackin' and click the link to the right and get registered! You can also find info at both Hobby Lobby stores. You won't want to miss the biggest megacrop in the Springfield area. Your entry fee goes to helping the school fund their new projects and it is tax deductible! There are several new vendors this year, me for one as Conquest Keepsakes, my friend Lori McCroskey and her Clear Dollar Stamps (clear acrylic stamps, affordable and awesome), and the Boutique store stocked full of goodies from your local Hobby Lobby. I never thought I could ever possibly say these words, but here they are, I am sick of shopping! I've set world records in Hobby Lobby. The cashiers have started writing my time in and time out on pieces of paper and David, the North Side store manager told me last week that pay days are on Fridays! Obviously, my accountant hubby has long since expired from sticker shock. He's getting the double-whammy as I am also purchasing product for my booth as well and for fall/holiday classes. I am SO absolutely excited about classes this fall and they will be on display at the crop. You can sign up early, and if you pay the day you sign up, we have a free gift for you! As usual, classes will be held at both Hobby Lobby's, another south side location I am working on right now so we can do evening classes, and an additional north side location we can use for evening classes. So much to tell you, so little time, so come and get the dirt at the crop.

Just so you know, the Boutique store has been working closely with the other vendors so that we don't duplicate product. So, you won't see a mini Hobby Lobby, but we will have a lot of embellishments: flowers, brads, buttons, stickers, Cuttlebug embossing folders, Bazzill cardstock, papers, paper pads, tools, chipboard, tins, storage, adhesives and other products.

To tell you a little more about the Conquest Keepsakes booth, we will be having Make-It-Take-Its throughout the event, we'll have a fish bowl to put your name in for free drawings, and I'll be selling kits to past classes and new kits too. I'll also be carrying some unique products, such as the Princess Mirah line of Batikit fabric "papers" that are adhesive and beautiful and can be used so many ways! We have a Make-It-Take-It using this product and a gift box kit that uses this product. This product can be used with a Cricut and any die cutting machine. You will love it! I'll also have a selection of the Daisey D Autumn papers, and a stunning set of papers from Creative Imaginations that are based on the hot new trend of tattoo art type papers and rubon's. These papers are great for teenagers, girls and boys, and lend themselves to extreme sports pages—they are just awesome. I've been doing some test marketing with them among teenagers and other scrapper friends and the response has been "Can I buy some now?" These papers were featured in the October PaperCrafts magazine where they discuss the new trend towards tattoo art with a flourish. Obviously there will be a paper purse on display with these papers! ;-) I am also featuring the Tonic Guillotine 12" paper cutter. What makes this cutter special? It cuts straight, and it cuts CHIPBOARD! I'll be demoing it and the Cuttlebug at our booth, as well as some other nifty tools you didn't know you couldn't live without! I'll also be carrying raw chipboard for sale in 12 x 12 packs.

You won't want to miss our Make-It-Take-Its, they are going to be extra special and a lot of fun. Some will feature stamps from Clear Dollar Stamps, so when you are done, just step over one booth to see Lori and purchase a set for yourself!

I'll have my computer gear there, and I'll be announcing specific feature demos of Photoshop 5 throughout the day. I'll also have my PictureMate Deluxe and Canon XTi digital camera in case you want a picture of yourself and friends to scrap while you are there! Cost per picture is 25 cents! We are also planning a Photoshop Elements 5 retreat, so if you are interested, let me know. Drop me an email at vickiconquest@fixthatpicture.com or give me a call at 417.350.4569. We don't have a date set yet as we would like to gauge interest first, but probably after the first of the year.

This is going to be an Ahh-mazing fall and winter season! Don't miss out!

A GOOD AUTHORITY HAS IT...

That my new favorite tool, the Cuttlebug, which you can purchase at Hobby Lobby, is eligible to be purchased with a coupon! If I'm wrong, I'm sure the manager will beat me within a pulpy inch of my life, but I think my source was a very knowledgeable source. Now girls, you KNOW what this means, don't you? Don't let me call you a fool for not getting one of these nifty gadgets this week! I just LOVE those coupons that Hobby Lobby puts out. They make it so EASY to liquidate my expendable income. Quickly. Too quickly. Sigh. No fights in the aisles, please. I will be demoing this nifty little gadget this month, so watch the blog for the date (we do know it is NOT the 25th of August--I'll be at the Children's Miracle Network Crop). My guess would be the 18th at the north side store. Hint, hint, wink, wink. :-D

Along the lines of the Cuttlebug, I tried a new type of paper with it, Princess Mirah's new BatiKit fabric sheets with a versatile adhesive backing for "peel-and-stick" ease-of-use. This stuff is cotton and is 100% Acid Free and perfect for scrapbooking and crafting. I saw that they had tested it with the Cricut, Ellison Big Shot, Pazzle Creative Cutter, and Accucut, but the Cuttlebug wasn't mentioned, so I thought I would do a little experimentation myself. I used a Cuttlebug die and cut a leaf. A perfect cut, all the way through the backing, it fell right out of the material. Then I went all out--I made a cut with the ripple square provided with the Cuttlebug (it sort of looks like a postage stamp) and then put it in one of the embossing folders that also came with the Cuttlebug (the Love one) and embossed the BatiKit fabric piece I had just cut. Wow! It took the embossing! Waaaaay coooool! I peeled off the backing and stuck it on a piece of card stock and it looks as good today as it did two days ago when I did it! I am amazed! You are going to LOVE this new kind of "paper" and all the ways you can use it! They have another finish that is velvety and the colors are beautiful. They come in 12 x 12 sheets and 6 x 6 sheets. Hopefully I will have them in stock for the October 6 crop. Two new cool things in less than a week! I think I'm going to faint. But that's not all...

Hobby Lobby just got in their own brand of silk and felt flowers and shapes, along with new brads in sports themes, volleyball, baseball, football, soccer, tennis, golf and basketball. They also have paisley's, some gorgeous new copper leaf brads, felt, crystal, pearl, felt flower, hollow stars, and hollow hearts brads and others too numerous to mention. They also now have their own chipboard shapes. All of these things are under their Spare Parts Embellishments, which you know are cheaper than their name brand counterparts. If you are reading this on August 5th, you will know they are half off this week! Go get'em girls! Stickers too (and lots of new ones there as well!). So you have no excuse to not go blow the budget at Hobby Lobby this week. I give you permission. Don't blame me though, if you have to sleep in the cat house (we don't have dogs here, but we do have a cat house where we put the naughty kittties for a time out).

I've added links to the right for the New Covenant Crop, Hobby Lobby, and Princess Mirah. Print that Hobby Lobby coupon as many times as you like. But try to follow the rules. One per day, per customer. And although you can use it on the Cuttlebug, you cannot use it on either of the Cricuts. Bummer.

A PURSE REFRESHER

As I scrolled through my site, it became apparent that there were no pictures on this blog of my paper purses. I believe they are probably back on my personal blog so I'll post them here. I did spend today with my good friend Kerry Welch and we did some heavy shopping at the FM Store checking out it's FINE selection of beads and trim. Don't, and may I repeat, DON'T go in there thinking you're only going to buy a yard or two of beads/trim after you have made your first purse. That place can suck your bank account dry! I LoVe that store! Those ladies that work there are lots of fun, too, but don't listen to them. They can sell an Eskimo a snowball. Even if I weren't shopping for "sac a main" accessories, I could spend all day just looking at fabrics. I love to sew (I'm not saying I am doing any sewing), and looking at all those fabrics just gives me so many ideas! If I could only follow through on those ideas... I could go on about the days where I had to make my clothes because I was too skinny to buy them off the rack in high school, but I know someone would start throwing virtual tomatoes at me. You can read about that on my macsncats blog.

So, without further adieu, here are two of my paper purses:

GEARING UP FOR FALL

Summer is nearly gone and it is time to start thinking about fall; pretty leaves, cool evenings, pumpkins and mums, cornstalks and horns-a-plenty. Speaking of plenty, we have plenty of things happening this fall that I should take a moment to mention.

First, the Children's Miracle Network "Scrapbooking for Kids" event takes place at the Wesley United Methodist Church on August 25th. The fee for this 9a to 7p event is $35 which includes breakfast, lunch and a couple of drinks, drawings, raffles and goodie bags. There will be vendors on site, and you can get a vendors-only pass for $5 if you just feel like shopping. All the proceeds from this crop, which is co-sponsored by the Scrapbooking Momeez, Cox Health Nursing and Cox Health North Outpatient Therapy Services, go to the Children's Miracle Network. Check out the Scrapbooking Momeez website for more info about this crop [www.scrapbookingmomeez.com]. It sounds like fun to me!

Coming up October 6 is the New Covenant Academy crop "Girlfriends in Paris." I will have a booth at this event and will also be teaching three classes, a Photoshop Elements 5 seminar, the funky Fantasy Box class, and the ever popular purse class. This class is high-style beads and trims, the creme de la creme of sacs a main—purses in French (don't say you didn't learn anything here). Everything is prepared for you, you'll have lots of choices, and we'll have lots of fun! I'm also going to be helping with the trés bien Girlfriends In Paris Boutique, complete with cardstock, paper, supplies, embellishments, tools, ribbons, and more. This year the store will be accepting credit cards. So, if after you've taken the Cricut class and you think you can't live without one, we'll have one waiting for you at the store, and the wide-format one too! And the Cuttlebug, and... well, better not list it all. Suffice it to say, with all the wonderful vendors that are going to be there, you will not want for anything! We're all working together to bring you unique products without too much duplication so you'll have a wonderful range of products to "augment" your scrapbook! Inside joke there. I know we "embellish" but every once in a while I just feel the need to shake it up, so I pulled out a new word. A friend hastened to point out to me that you "augment" your anatomy, not your scrapbook. After I snapped my mouth shut, I had to agree. :-) I tried to explain it away as too much HGTV but they weren't buying... too smart for my own good!

Things to look for in my booth will be new class projects for fall and holiday classes so you can sign up early and save your spot, some exclusive products from some very cool vendors (I'll blog more on that later), and the Conquest Keepsakes canvas bags! Carry your goodies home in limited edition canvas tote on sale at the Conquest Keepsakes booth!

The NCA crop is $40 and includes breakfast and lunch and you can purchase an optional dinner. The crop starts at 9a and runs until Midnight! Hopefully they won't have to run you out like they did last year to me. Too much of a good thing! This is a fund raising event for the new fine arts building, so come out and support this crop. There are several classes available besides the ones I am doing. I'll be passing along more information in later posts. Trust me, you won't want to miss this crop. Especially if you would like to win a Cricut that is being given away...

LADIES, START YOUR FAVORITE SCRAP TOOL!

I couldn't think of a tool that would be everyone's favorite, although my personal favorite continues to be the Crop-a-dile. But, hold on to your seats, I just played with a new Cuttlebug and I may have just been bitten. It did indeed use all my old dies (Sizzix, Sizzlets); and the new dies they have are affordable, but what makes this tool ROCK is the embossing folders. Small ones and LARGE ones. CHEAP! Did I say cheap? Let me say it again, CHEAP! Five bucks-ola for a large pattern embossing folder and they make nice, deep impressions. Even my husband (I would say even a caveman...) said it was cool. Can I get an Amen ladies? When the hubby says it's cool, there is nothing stopping you from robbing your bank account blind and buying out the store! And the folders are cool, and even better, they are matched to some of the dies. Even the dies are reasonable, five dollars for a single die and $12 to $13 for set of four small dies. There are several alphabets for sale around $75, which is much more reasonable compared to past die-cut alphabet dies. I like the crank handle, better than the push handle of the old Sizzix and more durable than the Sidekick and takes the extra wide dies too, from just about any brand of dies. The width of the carriage area is 5 7/8' wide, and it has a nifty handle and sides that fold up which makes it pretty portable. Overall, I give this tool ten thumbs up (since I'm all thumbs most of the time, I'll let you figure that out...). You can come and see this 'bug at the New Covenant Academy Girlfriends In Paris Crop October 6! I'm doing lots of posting tonight, so hang tight, lots of news...

MOTHER'S DAY MAKE-N-TAKES

Well, we couldn't just do something at north side Hobby Lobby and not do something at south side Hobby Lobby, could we? Noooo, so this Saturday we will be at the south side Hobby Lobby from 11a to 3p working on some more make-n-takes perfect for a last minute Mother's Day gift! We will also have the Greatest Mom Mother's Day 6x6 mini-album project available as a kit. It includes everything you need plus the instructions to put it together in about an hour and a half. It's a great gift for Mother's Day, but can be a great gift anytime. All it needs are your pictures! And if you are wondering how to spiff up those old pictures, visit our sister site, fixthatpicture.blogspot.com for classes on using Photoshop Elements to fix your pictures!

Here are pictures of our Saturday make-n-takes and the album project.
Our first make-n-take is a Matchbook Album made using the new Bazzill Bling Cardstock, the Pocket-Full-of-Posies glitter pad, Paper Studio Pastel Flower brads, a Sizzix bookplate die and some garden department butterflies! We'll use the Crop-a-dile with this project, so if you haven't had a chance to get your hands on one, now is the time to see how easy it is to use! Cost for this project is $3.




The second make-n-take is the Initial Flower Accordian Album using the Old World paper pad and matching self-adhesive ribbon, a bit of chipboard for the covers, a chipboard flower, Paper Studio letters and some inking techniques. Just add pictures! Several different colors available. This project costs $2.



The third make-n-take is the BFF booklet (Best Friends Forever). This is for the girls! It has a crystal flower and lots of fibers and some more of that sparkly Pocket-Full-of Posies paper and some Bling Card Stock. This book is perfect for putting all those small pictures in from school! Your girls will love it! Cost for this project is $1.


The forth make-n-take is a Mother's Day card. This is a quick project and free, and the card will fit in a standard invitation envelope.

Supplies for all of the projects are limited and the first project will start at 11:30a. We also have a limited number of the Mother's Day Mini Albums, so get there early!

Mother's Day Mini Album Kit—$14
This 6x6 mini album features the My Minds Eye papers, Prima paper flowers, Swarovski Crystals, some glitter glue, and quotes about mothers with corresponding Bible verses. There are four spreads for you to put pictures of your mom to make it special. A little aging around the papers and loads of ribbons and fibers on the binder rings make this a beautiful, finished project. Complete instructions come with the kit. All you need is adhesive, silver glitter glue, copper glitter glue and a brown chalk pad for inking edges.

NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING DAY AT HOBBY LOBBY

We're going to be celebrating National Scrapbooking Day at Hobby Lobby north side this Saturday from 11am to 4pm. We will have a table set up to demonstrate some of the cool new tools they have just received as well as showing off some of the other new products they are carrying. They now have the Phoebe line of Basic Grey papers, the Bazzill Bling and Cardstock with an Edge cardstock packages (on sale this week half off—a steal compared to the local scrapbook store prices!), along with Glitter Pads, the new Ribbon Iron and other new products.

We will also be doing Make-N-Takes during this time. We have some cute stuff lined up, some with a Mother's Day theme, a MBFF mini book (your daughters will know what this means)—so something for the girls, and other items. You know me, no telling what I'll use. Some of the projects are free and others run $1 to $3. There will be a sign up sheet at the tables. We will be situated back by the scrapbooking aisles, so come find us. If I have time, I'll post the make-n-take projects, but no promises! Time is of the essence...

APRIL CLASSES ARE HERE

April is here and so are the April classes. We're on a bit of short notice for the Beady Easter Basket, but I enjoyed making it just the same. My cat Pewter REALLY liked it—he tried to make off with the Butterfly and ended up with a face full of glitter. He truly is the glamour kitty of the house now! I'll be posting some alternative dates and locations for these classes shortly (except the Beady Easter Basket—time has run out for him). :-( The samples for these classes are on display at the Hobby Lobby southside store, pictures only at the northside store. I found out it takes too much time to make two samples. I'd rather have that time to teach more classes! On to the classes...

HOBBY LOBBY CLASSES



BEADY EASTER BASKET—$6
A cute little Easter basket with glitter and beaded wooden eggs in a small painted pail, with a butterfly to watch over the eggs—all glammed up for the Easter!
CLASS DATES: Northside—Thursday, April 5, 1p - 3p; Southside—Friday, April 6 1p-3p
TOOLS & SUPPLIES TO BRING: paint brush (not a sponge brush), liquid glue (glitter glue or other clear-drying glue), glue dots, and scissors.


BUTTERFLY CLOCK—$12
Back by popular demand! Spring is here and this 8" x 8" Butterfly Clock is sure to bring some spring into your home. You can display it on your desk or table or hang it on the wall (wall hanger included)
CLASS DATES: Northside—Thursday, April 12, 1p-3p; Southside—Friday, April 13, 1p-3p
TOOLS & SUPPLIES TO BRING: Terrifically Tacky Tape 1/2" (red line tape) or tape runner, pop dots, glue dots, brown chalk ink pad or tear drop (Colorbox has one), paper trimmer and scissors.



DAYS TO CELEBRATE—$12
This gorgeous little accordion tag book made with beautiful Daisy D papers and watermark embossed stamping will help you keep track of birthdays and anniversaries of friends and family. It's just the right size to keep with you all the time. Don't miss another important date! You have to see this project in person to appreciate just how cute it is, so take a drive to the southside.
CLASS DATES: Northside—Thursday, April 19 & 26, 1p-3p; Southside—April 20, 1p-3p
TOOLS & SUPPLIES TO BRING: Scissors, corner rounder, glue dots (regular & mini), adhesive runner or glue stick, Terrifically Tacky tape 1/2", brown chalk ink pad, and folding bone.

LOVABLE YOU JOURNAL—$12 (Picture Coming Soon)
Another project you will have to see and touch. This cute envelope journal spells out how lovable your family and friends are to you. Its cute design includes a pull-out tag with word hint to write about the person who is the object of this journal. This would be a great Mother's Day or Father's Day gift, or a gift for any special occasion!
CLASS DATES: Northside—Thursday, May 3, 1p-3p; Southside, Friday, April 27, 1p-3p
TOOLS & SUPPLIES TO BRING: Scissors, glue dots, glue stick or adhesive of your choice, brown chalk ink pad, and folding bone.

THANKS FOR BEING A MOM—$14 (Picture Coming Soon)
This chipboard mini-album is all about mothers! On each spread is a quote about mothers and a corresponding Bible verse. You'll have room to put pictures of your mom along with embellishments, glitter and bling! A must-have gift for your mom! You might have to make one for yourself too! Again, drive to southside and check it out to fully appreciate this project.
CLASS DATES: Northside—Thursday, May 10, 1p-3p; Southside—Friday, May 4 & 11, 1p-3p
TOOLS & SUPPLIES TO BRING: Scissors, paper trimmer, glue dots, adhesive of your choice, brown chalk ink pad, folding bone and brayer (if you have one).

APRIL IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

It's already the end of March! It just seems like it was January yesterday! Maybe it is all those tree limbs still piled up on the sides of the road...

I'm putting together the April Class Schedule and do we have some GREAT classes coming up for both April and May! Lots of stuff for Mother's Day already in the works. I'll give you an idea of what the classes for April and May will be, but you'll have to wait for pictures and full description to be posted as they're done. I'm putting the finishing touches on several of the classes while working on the Mother's Day classes. Here is a list of the classes, with times, dates, descriptions and costs coming later. Most classes are $12,but some are less! Some of these will be offered at Hobby Lobby, but since I only have two time slots with them, I am offering them here at the home studio too. A few of these classes can also be taken at Stampers Studio, and several are exclusive here at the Conquest Keepsakes Studio. I am also planning a three-project all day bash with dinner and a movie May 5th. They will all be Mother's Day Projects, but we'll have some swap options too. Look for the Hobby Lobby board to be up sometime this weekend (March 30/31). Without further ado, here is the list:

Beady Easter Pail (a $6 class and too cute! Comes with a bag of candy—of course!)
Butterfly Clock
Days to Celebrate (Birthday/Anniversary book)
Lovable You Journal
Greeting Card Pail (be ready with a greeting card at your fingertips!)
Altered Clipboard
Paper Purse (break out those Crop-a-diles again and make a spring purse!)
Spring Keepsake Box
Travel Pail with Journal (Picture Pail)
Mom in Flowers Mini Album
Thanks for Being a Mom Mini Album
Support Our Troops/Patriotic Pail (for pictures, letters, and memorabilia)
Love Mom/Love Dad Wall Hanging
Reasons We Love Mom/Dad Explosion Box

New Classes!

Ok, better late than never. Nothing like a few health issues to mess up a good plan! But here we are with the long-awaited chipboard purse! Ta Da! So, the two classes I am doing for what's left of March at Hobby Lobby are the Recipe Pail and the Chipboard purse (yeah, the schedule says Explosion Box but I bumped it to the following week). As you know, you can always call to see if we have any alternative dates for these classes. My good friend Kristi has volunteered to let us use her training room when she is not in class if we need to do a class on a date that is not open at Hobby Lobby. Later, I'll be posting the classes we are doing at Stamper's Studio, so you'll have all kinds of choices for crafting! We have lots of good projects just waiting to burst onto the scene, so be watching. Kristi got KO'd by the flu last week, so here is praying that she will continue to feel better every day! We just LOVE her awesome attitude! To register for any class you see here, call 429-4059. If we can't get to the phone, PLEASE leave a message with your name and number and we will get back to you as soon as possible! You can also email me at conquestkeepsakes@mchsi.com.




RECIPE PAIL
This is a cute pail to put all of your recipes in. The outside is decorated in fabric and ribbons and the inside has divider cards using the Daisy D papers with each of our favorite selections of food across the top of the cards. Inside you will also find four plates with magnets to hold your favorite recipe while you are cooking.

What you will need to purchase: the pail (Item #180729, $3.99) and the ribbons you want to decorate your handle with. It doesn't take much, you can purchase by the foot of each color and have enough to use. I used 7 different ribbons plus one really wide ribbon. Ribbon runs about 25 cents a yard, so it should be pretty cheap! I'll provide everything else, including the ribbon on the pail itself (red velvet and brown/cream stripe).

Cost of this class: $12 I only have enough to do 9 pails with this fabric, so sign up early!

Dates: North Side: March 15th & 22nd, South Side: March 16th & 23rd

Supplies and Tools you must bring: Modge Podge, scissors, emery board (finger nail file, big one), pop dots (foam ones), glue dots, mini glue dots. paint brush for Modge Podge.




CHIPBOARD PURSE
This purse is the same size as the paper purse, but now it has the strength of chipboard! With this purse, I've used hard handles and we've sandwiched chipboard between the papers. You'll have to see it to believe it! A great gift for Mom for Mother's day. This class is not for the faint of heart. It will take approximately four to five hours to complete (maybe longer depending on how fast you work). Lots of punching with the Crop-a-dile, sewing is probably easier on this one than paper. The class is on the schedule either as a two-part class at south side, or a 4 hour class at north side. You can call to see if I have added a weekend workshop, which would be on a Saturday.

What you will need to purchase: 3 pieces of decorative 12 x 12 paper for the outside of the purse, 3 pieces of smooth (not the Bazzill or cardstock with texture) cardstock to coordinate with your outside papers to put on the inside of the purse, approximately 7 yards of 3/8" ribbon to match your papers (no bigger or smaller--you can also cut fabric at about 3/8" wide and use fabric strips to sew your purse as I did mine), any trim you want at the top (still 1 yard for that), and hard handles (or you can still use ribbon--1 1/3 yard for each set). Everything else provided (contact paper, chipboard, grommets, chains, needle, clips, Xyron/Spray Mount and templates).

Cost for this class: $20

Dates: North Side: March 29th 1-5p, April 19th 1-5p, April 26th, 1-5p
South Side: March 30th, 1-3p, Part 1; April 4 1-3p Part 2 at North Side; April 20th 1-3p Part 1, April 27 1-3p Part 2 (all South Side).

Tools and Supplies you must bring: scissors, ruler, pencil, brayer (not a must, but extremely helpful), Tacky Tape and a Crop-a-dile.

FEBRUARY CLASSES

We were supposed to do the new, FANTASTIC paper chipboard purses this week at Hobby Lobby, but due to illness, the Conquest has been laid low. I would be doing better if someone was around to give me the Heimlich maneuver every time I had to swallow the horse pill antibiotic. :-) And fix me dinner. A backrub would be nice, too. Yeah, I'm dreaming. A girl can hope...

So, here are the new dates for the Chipboard Paper purse. But before I give them to you, (does that sound like Ryan Seacrest or Survivor?), let me tell you a little bit about this particular class and how it is different than the original paper purse class that we did last fall. (Insert 10 minutes of commercials here.) Now we're back. This version has three different sizes; an 8 x 6 x 3.5 size for $12 done exclusively at Stampers Studio and Stuff on Scenic and Republic Road and the Conquest Keepsakes Studio, an 8 x 10 x 4 for $15 and a full size 9 x 12 x 4 for $20, with both purses being available at Hobby Lobby, and the Conquest Keepsakes Studio. I will be providing the chipboard, laminate, Xyron (to put paper onto chipboard), punch templates, ribbon needles and grommets. You will need to provide your papers, inside and out, 6 pieces for the large size (I used smooth cardstock on the inside of mine), ribbon or fabric strips (I can tell you more about the fabric strips and you will see it when I post pictures). I can't tell you at this very moment how much ribbon yet. I am putting together all three sizes this week and I will know more by Friday and post that information. You still need a yard of trim for the top if you are doing the large size (hopefully you can extrapolate for the smaller sizes), and you can choose to either do ribbon handles or hard handles. I am doing hard handles on all of my example purses, I might do a fourth purse in the smallest size and use ribbon handles. That's up to you and what you want to spend. For tools, you will need to bring scissors, paper trimmer, double-stick tape (Tacky Tape for trim and to tape down loose ends), brayer (rolling pin thingy we use to really press down the paper and laminate to the chipboard and paper, $9 in tools in Scrapbooking, slightly higher in the architectural art section because they are interchangable), a folding bone and a Crop-a-dile. I have a few that can be borrowed and it's first come is first served.

The purse class being done at Stampers Studio will not require you to bring paper, it will be provided. You will stamp designs on your purse and learn a few new techniques from the stamp diva herself, Kristi Van Doren. We are doing the small size only for this class due to the extra time required to stamp your masterpiece. You might want to visit the store first and talk with Kristi about the type of purse you would like so you can get a better idea of what type of ribbon and handle you will need.

There will be a 40% coupon next week at Hobby Lobby, so if you want a Crop-a-dile ($25), Brayer ($9—I use it a lot in classes), or hard handles (they're about $4 to $5), this is a great time to take advantage of those coupons. You can go to the Hobby Lobby website and print them to your heart's content. Go to both stores in one day! Rubber Stamps and Making Memories are on sale next week too. If they are out of what you want, and it is on sale, you can get a rain check and still get the sale price. Find an associate to help you do this. I don't know for sure if this would apply to a coupon you wanted to use on an out-of-stock item, but worth a try. The worst they can do is say no. I'll be sure to have them order some Crop-a-diles in.

Also, the VersaMagic Jumbo Java ink pads that I use exclusively to age my projects is now available in TWO places here in/close to town. Forever Memories in Ozark ordered some just for us (lots of begging from me involved) in two sizes, full pad size and a small size that looks like a Cat's Eye, perfect for getting into small spaces. Debbie also ordered Midnight Black, my other favorite. I'm going to purchase some to have with me for you to buy. I'm SOOO excited! Kristi also carries the FULL line of VersaMagic chalk inks, includes my two favorites, but they go fast. She also carries the VersaFine pads as well.

Now for the dates for the Paper Chipboard Purses:
Thursday, February 22, Hobby Lobby north side, 1-3:30p small, medium and large

Friday, February 23, Hobby Lobby south side, 1 to 3:30p small, medium and large

Saturday, February 24, Stampers Studio and Stuff, at Scenic and Republic Road, 10:30A, she is advertising the small size only $12, and it will be a stamped version. If you haven't been to her store, GO! She has stuff in there you will not see ANYWHERE ELSE! Plus she's funny!

Wednesday, February 28, Conquest Keepsakes Studio (my house), 2:30p, any size

Tuesday, March 6, Conquest Keepsakes Studio, 5p, any size

Recap on Cost
Small 8x6x3.5 $12
Medium 8x10x4 $15
Large (same as original in size) 9x12x4 $20

If it makes you feel better, I see the paper ones being sold on eBay for $40. Wonder what a chipboard version would go for? :-)

I am going to an every other week schedule at Hobby Lobby starting in March as I begin to ramp up my Photoshop Elements Courses. I will be offering classes paper crafting classes here at the Conquest Keepsake studio (fancy name for my house) that will not be offered at Hobby Lobby, and I am also now teaching some classes at Stampers Studio. At Stamper's Studio, we are taking some the classes I have already done and altering them for stamping and using some of the other goodies that Kristi carries that no one else does, so even if you have done a class before, what I offer at Kristi's will be a different product. You NEED to see some of her stuff. I made a polymer clay pendant last night and it was waayyyy cool.

For the rest of February, here is what I have on tap:
Monday, February 19, 6p Fantasy Box, Stamper Style $12 Stampers Studio, Scenic and Republic Road. Wait till you see what we do to this box! You can't have just one!

Tuesday, February 20, 2p Lovable You Pocket Journal, $15 Conquest Keepsakes Studio. You have to see this, it is waaayyyy cute and can be altered to use for Mother's day, Father's day, Birthdays or just any occasion where you want to show someone you love and appreciate them. I LOVE this journal and I think you will too. It has fibers, beads, stamping, and all kinds of embellishments. It is a kit class. I'll let you know later when the picture is up what tools you'll need, but count on adhesives (glue stick, glue dots, pop dots), scissors, Crop-a-dile or eyelet setter for sure.

Wednesday, February 21, 2p, 8x8 Clock with TIME FLY's theme, $15 Stampers Studio.
This version is completely stamped and uses several techniques (like Twinkling H2O's and a few surprises) not seen anywhere else. Definitely worth the dinero! Scenic and Republic Road.

February 22, 23, 24 Paper Chipboard Purses (see detail above)

Friday, February 23, 5:30p, PJ Party at Stampers Studio $17—You will not want to miss the 2nd annual PJ Party! Wear your PJ's and come and have a lot of fun and chow some Pizza! I'll be doing a Accordion Book as a part of the evening's festivities and Kristi has some other things planned as well. I hope you all like pink and cats...that's what my PJs look like.;-)

Tuesday, February 27, 1p, Lovable You Pocket Journal, Stampers Style, $15 (again, some added touches), Stampers Studio, Scenic and Republic Road.

Tuesday, February 27, 6p, Lovable You Pocket Journal, Conquest Studio, $15

Wednesday, February 28, 2:30p, Paper Chipboard Purse, Conquest Studio, all sizes $12 to $20

There will be samples on display at the south side Hobby Lobby store for the purses, pictures at the north side store and whatever Kristi lashes me into doing for Stampers Studio. :-) For sure you can see a sample of the Purses, Clock, Journal, and Fantasy Box. If you go to Kristi's web site , you can see the box she did with the Princess Mirah papers. Too CUTE!

I look forward to hearing from you! Call if you have questions or want to sign up for any of these classes. 350-4569, or email at conquestkeepsakes@mchsi.com. I'll get pictures up as soon as I can. Both the Chipboard purses and the Lovable You Journals also have dates in March.

New Covenant Academy Red Hot Crop

I just wanted to let you know that Conquest Keepsakes, that would be me, is attending the Red Hot Crop at New Covenant Academy. I am officially cropping with my buddies, but I am also advertising in the directory and giving away two free craft classes and two free Photoshop Elements classes (check out our sister blog, fixthatpicture.blogspot.com). This is a great fundraising event for New Covenant Academy. In addition to the 9a to Midnight crop with a 50's theme, they are having make-n-takes by the Paper Princesses and vendor booths so you can see the latest and greatest and buy the stuff you need to work on your projects. Hope to see you there!

Current Hobby Lobby Classes

CHECK OUT THE NEW DATES!


Our first project is "Love Letters" and it is truly LOVE in letters on a wall plaque. We'll be using decorative papers to cover wood letters, stickers, stamps and flowers, and a new technique with Gel Medium to give an artistic look to our wood letters. In the center of our piece, there is a plaque quoting parts of 1 Corinthians 13, all about love. Hang this on your wall and remember what love is truly about. This project is a kit class. Tools you need to bring are glue stick, exacto knife, cutting mat, paint brush, glue dots, pop dots, folding bone, scissors and sand paper.
Class Cost: $12
Class Dates: February 1, 1:00-3:00p Northside
February 2, 1:00-3:00p Southside
Other dates/times by arrangement (conquestkeepsakes@mchsi.com or 350-4569)

Our second project involves customizing a single letter for a family member. Use it to pick up on a favorite hobby or personality of the person you want to honor. There are many techniques we can use to decorate your letter and we'll have several examples on hand. Purchase your 9" letter in the wood craft section and paper or embellishments you would like to use on your letter. Bring a paint brush, Exacto knife, cutting mat, scissors, and glue dots and we'll show you all the things you can do to decorate your letters. We'll have plenty of scraps, rub-ons and embellishments as well. This particular example is one honoring my neice Delaney who passed away last January from SIDS.
Class Cost: $5
Class Dates: February 1, 1:00-3:00p Northside
February 2, 1:00-3:00p Southside
Other dates/times by arrangement (conquestkeepsakes@mchsi.com or 350-4569)














Our third project is a familar project brought back for Valentine's Day. Yes, the Valentine's Fantasy Box! Pick out your favorite Valentine's paper and let's make a box that you can stuff with candy or jewelry or lovenotes, or all three! As usual, your imagination is required! Supplies you need to bring are 2 pieces of patterned paper (inside and outside of box), 2 pieces of card stock (lid and boxes inside), glue stick, folding bone, scissors, and a trimmer. Class Cost: $10
Class Dates: January 25 1:00-3:00p Northside
January 26, 1:00-3:00p Southside
Other dates/times by arrangement (vconquestcrafts@mchsi.com or 350-4569)

Welcome to Conquest Keepsakes!

This is the first post to our new blog. Here you will find upcoming papercrafting projects, classes and events. You can preview classes being held at both Hobby Lobby stores and view the schedules as well as getting a first look at other projects we will be doing in the home studio. So, check back with us soon and see our current and future projects!