*NEW* EllyKids at Home

November EllyKids at Home kit!

Subscribe your child to receive monthly EllyKids at Home kits! These are fabulous PaperArt kits especially made with your child in mind! They will look forward to the parcel in the mail every month!! Kits include full step-by-step instructions including color photos of the project.

These subscriptions also make fun & unique Birthday or Christmas gifts!

Subscription Options
Sign up to receive 3, 6 or 12 month subscriptions at $10.00 per month
You will be billed monthly and your kits will be automatically shipped every month for the duration of your subscription.
* Fully pre-paid subscriptions save 5% at $9.50 per month *

Month-to-Month payment plan also available at $10.00 per month
You will be billed monthly and your kits will be automatically shipped every month until you cancel your plan.

The above options will guarantee a kit delivered to your child each month.

One-time kit purchases are available at $10.00 per month
Upon receipt of payment, we will ship out your kit.

Prices do not include shipping and/or applicable taxes.

EllaBella Designs is a Scrapbook Studio located in Nanaimo, BC. In November of 2009, we expanded our services to include a subscription-based EllyKids, called EllyKids at Home. These kits are based on our popular EllyKids Program which we have been running since May of 2008. We enjoy seeing kids explore their creativity and are thrilled to offer this service to our out-of-town customers.

Click here for more information on EllyKids at Home!


To view our EllyKids projects, click here!

Q & A for Ann

I am at the beautiful Harrison Hot Springs Hotel on a scrapbook retreat and thought it would be a good time to answer some Q&A Questions about me! (Sorry it's so long!) Enjoy...

EIGHT QUESTIONS FOR ANN

What product do you make and sell?
I love the challenge of designing new projects, whether it be layouts, mini albums, altered items, home décor, etc.!! I love to add my own twist to the projects and I will then incorporate these projects into kits and/or workshops for customers. Thanks to Karen, I have expanded my horizons and have added mixed media elements and have learned to see product packaging in a different light instead of in the recycling bin!

How long have you been creating/selling your product?
I have been playing with beautiful papers and embellishments since 2002, when I decided to make a memory album for my Mum. I became addicted after my daughter was born in 2004. Then I met Karen…and in May of 2007, we started selling our pre-made products at the Nanaimo Farmer’s Market; we then added the Parksville Street Market, Randerson Ridge/McGirr Craft Fair & Kris Kringle Christmas Market in Qualicum Beach to our market circuit.

We opened up our studio in May of 2008, after receiving positive feedback at the markets. We now offer workshops, project kits, fun crop nights as well as an EllyKids Program (just this month we have added EllyKids at Home to our line of services, which is a subscription-based EllyKids offering monthly kits mailed to your child). We do offer a small amount of scrapbook supplies as well to supplement our workshops and kits.

This year we are hosting our very own market! Our 1st Annual Christmas Gift Market, Sunday, November 22nd 1-5pm! We will be showcasing other local “Mom-preneurs” as well!

You all have families... when do you set aside time for your creative work?
I have just recently set aside Saturdays as my creative time, this is when I will actually sit down to create the projects I have had in my head all week! LOL! I have a very supportive and loving husband, who has helped me out so much! (Thank you!) I am a night-owl by nature (and much to my husband's chagrin), so during the week you can find me in the studio once the kids are in bed; I use that time to catch up on blog posts, computer work, organize kits, as well as do some creative & business brainstorming! LOTS of work! LOL!

What or who are your influences?
Hands down, the most influential person in my life was my Dad . He had the most impact on me and the most amazing positive outlook on life! This is also where I get my entrepreneurial spirit from!

How important is it to have a creative outlet in your life?
It is absolutely a huge part of my life! Whether it be fondling paper late at night or creating a stunning layout, mini album or other project, it is very satisfying and it adds just the right balance to my life. After my son was born in January, I took some time off and after a few months I found I was really missing that creative part of my life and ready to get back into the swing of things here at EllaBella Designs. I found I missed interacting with our customers as well.

Does your background relate to your current endeavours?
I have a Diploma in Office Administration then pursued a career in travel and was a Certified Travel Consultant for nine years.

My Diploma in Office Administration helps greatly with running the business and computer aspect of what I do. The creative side seemed to have taken years to grow inside of me. I was one of those people that thought I never had a creative bone in my body, but when I took on the memory album project for my Mum, then when my daughter was born, I knew I had it inside of me waiting to be unleashed! LOL! And now I can’t imagine not having this creative side to me!

What other activities do you enjoy?
Time is not something I have a lot of at this point. My “new” baby is already 9 months old (and I am enjoying him so much), so having a baby and a busy 5 year old doesn’t allow much time to enjoy other activities!

Photography is a huge passion of mine as well as travel! Our favorite destination is Kauai, though would head back to Punta Cana (DR) in a heartbeat given the chance! :-)

Future plans....goals?
To enjoy life, travel, and watch my children grow. Scrapbooking allows me to capture and hold life’s little moments which I would have otherwise forgotten, and I just love to share this with other people!

Business-wise, there are a lot of avenues I would like to explore. I would love to offer our services at other locations on Vancouver Island, such as instructing my workshops and offering my project kits at crops, retreats, & fundraisers.

I have been published in print as well as on-line, and would love to go that avenue again in the near future. I think designing would be something I’d like to pursue at some point as well.

Pip 'n' Milly Creations

Here is the link to Pip 'n' Milly Creations' website for you to view her work (see Nov 11th post).

www.pipnmillycreations.wordpress.com

HALLOWEEN KITS AVAILABLE!

We have some fantastic Halloween projects just waiting to host your Halloween photos! So get them printed and choose a kit...

Click here to view all Halloween kits!

Featuring Pip 'n' Milly

Today we are showcasing the Q & A session with Fiona of Pip 'n' Milly Creations:

1 - What product do you make/sell?

I make bibs, bags, aprons and much more - all with a functional, practical focus.

2 - How long have you been creating/ selling your product?

I have been making things all my life, but having children as spurred my creativity. My focus has always been on practical things, so the business has grown out of a need for aprons for baking time, diaper bags for all the baby paraphernalia and well-designed bibs that are comfortable, easy to use and actually keep food off the clothes! My range of products will continue to expand over time. I started Pip 'n' Milly Creations after the birth of my second child.

3- You all have families....when do you set aside time for your creative work?

Once the children have gone to bed, my personal, creative time begins!

4 - What or who are your influences?

My grandmother is probably my biggest influence in terms of workmanship. She set high standards and I trust she would be proud of the work I do. I am also influenced by the needs of my daughters: when they need something, I find a way to make it happen. From felt story boards, dress up clothes and accessories, storage, clothing and bedding to travel goods, decor and a "Creation Station" to foster and facilitate their own creativity. Any excuse to be sewing or making things! I am also influenced, inspired and encouraged by the world-wide creative community, through the blogs of many talented individuals.

5 - How important is it to have a creative outlet in your life?

It is essential for me to have a creative outlet in my life. I absolutely love what I do.

6 - Does your background relate to your current endeavors?

During my early years we often made gifts for one another and creativity has always been encouraged, but I never felt I was "artistic" at all. I studied languages at university. A far cry from what I am doing these days!

7 - What other activities do you enjoy?

I love to garden, read, take walks along the beach with my family, bake and make lists.

8 - Future plans....goals?

My goal is to continue my creative journey, inspire a love of learning and exploration in my children and do my best to live a fulfilling life, socially - and environmentally - mindful life.

1st ANNUAL CHRISTMAS GIFT MARKET!!

Be sure to mark it on your calendars and tell all of your friends! It's going to be an amazing afternoon as we showcase four other local businesswomen in the studio! (Click to enlarge)

DESIGN TEAM CHALLENGE

Our Design Team Member, Sue, will have a challenge for you on the second Monday of each month. We hope this will spark your creativity and encourage you to get out your supplies and scrap! :-) See the bottom of the post for a special prize this month!

Sue has a great challenge for you this month! Here it is...

My challenge will be to create your own flowers to use on a LO, using either patterned paper or cardstock. This is a great, inexpensive way to co-ordinate your flowers with your LO!!!

There are lots of different ways to do this from cutting, folding and adhering strips of paper to cutting different sized circles, distressing the edges, and layering! Either way the effect is great!!! For special effects try using something other than brads for the centres of your flowers - the choices are endless!! Buttons, stickers, bling, etc.


Here are Sue's instructions for the neat flowers on the above Christmas layout!

Supplies: hot glue gun, scizzors, ribbon or fabric (approx. 15 - 20 inches long, or paper 2 12 inch strips), a scrap of card stock about 3 inches square. I used patterned paper and found the lighter patterned paper worked better than the heavier kind you can get.

Fold your paper strips in half lengthwise. Twist the strips down the full length with a scrunching kind of motion as you go. (I crumpled up the strips first then twisted them)

On your cardstock scrap, add a spiral of hot glue about 2 1/2 inches diameter. Now you have to be quick, the glue dries very fast!!! I ended up having to put more glue down!!! Start in the centre of the flower and gently press the twisted paper strips onto the hot glue spiraling outwards as you go.

Add the second strip starting where the first one finished off. Once cooled you may need to add a dab more glue after checking to see if your twists are secure. As I said the glue dries very fast!!! I tried using other glue, but it didn't dry fast enough to hold the flower in place.

Then cut around the base of your cardstock. If you wish you can add a light spray of color mist or a gem, etc. to the centre. I sprayed mine lightly with cinnamon tattered angels glimmer mist from EllaBella Designs.I also made a smaller flowers, just made the strips of paper shorter! These flowers are so cool and easy to make!!

Thanks, Sue, for the wonderful challenge this month!! We hope this inspires you and we want to see your creations! Make a comment and leave a link to your Sue-inspired project and we will enter you to win a prize! It’s that easy! You have until Nov 30th to show us your projects! :-)

SCALLOP CIRCLE ALBUM WORKSHOP MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Join us this Monday, November 9th, 7-10pm as we make the most beautiful scallop circle album. Folded out this album makes a wonderful centrepiece display!

We will be using Amy Butler's patterned papers & fabric! Learn how to incorporate fabric into your projects and make your own embellishments including a sewn quilted heart & button flower! You will also receive a full sheet of Friendship rub-ons from Kaiser Craft, and we'll play with some bling and pearls, too! We will bind the album using the ever-popular Bind-It-All machine and finish it off with more fabric & 7 Gypsies beautiful ribbons!

You won't want to miss out on this fabulous album! Perfect for a centrepiece display and think Christmas gifts!! :-)

As always, kits are available for purchase should you not be able to make this workshop!

Click here to register or contact Ann at 250-751-8932!

Q & A with Karen

We are very excited to be opening up our studio this holiday season for our 1st Annual Christmas Gift Market. As we will be sharing our space with 3 other talented ladies we thought a question and answer blog post would introduce you to them all and you could become familiar with their work and products they make and sell.
To get into the swing of things I'll start off with myself:

EIGHT QUESTIONS FOR KAREN

What product do you make and sell?

I love making anything with paper...it's a creative challenge to design and develop new workshops that we can offer to our customers at our studio. I also love working on canvas and incorporating mixed media elements.

How long have you been creating/selling your product?

I started making and selling our often one of a kind paper albums at the Nanaimo Farmer's Market in May '07.

You all have families... when do you set aside time for your creative work?

Usually, for me, most things happen in the afternoon during nap time (like right now). I generally create at the kitchen table and find small pockets of time throughout the day.

What or who are your influences?

I love the work of Donna Downey - she has a fantastic way of mixing paint, cloth and paper together. I have always loved collage and mixed media and those artists like Rauschenberg. I also appreciate anything that involves nature and natural elements like the works of artisan Heather Shaw.

How important is it to have a creative outlet in your life?

Huge! I find doing something creative everyday very satisfying. Life is a balance and being creative is part of that realm.

Does your background relate to your current endeavours?

I think so... I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Fine Art. I love learning new things, also writing which comes in handy when journalling for scrapbook projects.

What other activities do you enjoy?

Gardening (another open canvas), going to the beach, yoga, spending time with my children/family.

Future plans....goals?

To continue with EllaBella Designs, furthering our EllyKids workshops (now they are available in kit form for at home use), to design scrapbook elements like decorative papers and stamps. The list and ideas are endless