We wish you a merry Christmas ..........

The last few days have been so hectic with ice and snow everywhere that things have fallen a little behind schedule, and now I look at my calender and it is almost time for Santa to come down the chimney! Hope he doesn't burn his bum because I think most houses will have a fire on if the weather continues!

I am putting together a newsletter which will be emailed today - sorry (it will only reach the postal people next year).

We will be closed from lunchtime on 24 December and will reopen on 5 January.

Have a wonderful warm and cosy crafting Christmas inside with lots of hot chocolate!

from Kerry and Kim

p.s.. Save the Date - January 23 &24 - Budget Weekend!

Christmas Discount Shopping weekend and more

Well here is a little update and a funny story......

Tomorrow morning (Friday) is the Christmas coffee morning in the shop - please come, I know it is going to be great fun and it is really extra special this year as we have a guest demonstrator from CX4. Arlene will be showing us stunning ideas from her wonderful decoupage range!

Now for the funny part - I won't be there. I am really sad, but I got the 24 hour clock muddled up and booked my flight for 7 in the morning instead of 7 in the evening. It was just too dear to change! Philomena is going to host the coffee morning which I know is going to be fab - she has bought the food (something different to what I choose) and I know it will be really special!

Don't forget to bring along a gift to swop. It can be something from your stash around 10 Euro in value, and something you would like to receive.

The whole Spiddal Craft Centre is having a discount weekend this weekend with each shop doing something special. At An Siopa Bui, we have decided to extend our weekend to include Friday (and the coffee morning). 20% off everything including all our great Christmas toys and stocking fillers. We have great goodies for crackers and cracker snaps in stock!

Stamping Bellas & Class dates and times!!!

Hi there,

Hope all are well as well as being safe and dry - it was one hell of a week. While many of us are safe and dry in front of the Toy Show tonight in our own homes, there are so many that are in other accommodation tonight, so spare a thought for them!.

Been busy today putting up all the Stamping Bella stamps we have in stock in the shop - take a look at them here - be sure to look at all the sections, you will be pleasantly surprised to find there is more to Stamping Bella than actual Bella stamps.

Also you may have received a newsletter update from Kerry about the rescheduled Extravaganza classes. You can now see them all listed here or on the classes tab at the top of the blog. Also check out the coffee morning tab to find out more about our Christmas Coffee Morning.

Chat soon

H

Extravaganza Update 21st November

Hi guys,

Hope u all still safe & dry!!

There is a much reduced extravaganza timetable happening this weekend. I hear that those that got there today had a ball. Today's card making classes are being rescheduled to next Sunday November 29th. Kits from today's scrapbooking classes will be available in the shop during the week.
Tomorrow's classes are as follows. Judy's Family Scrapbooking class starts at 11am, followed by a short lunch break and then it will be Kerry's Beautiful Book class.
All other classes are being rescheduled and we will keep you informed as we get confirmation of available times and dates.

So keep safe and chat tomorrow!!!

H

Extravaganza Update

Evening All!!

Hope ye are all well, safe and dry!
Due to the adverse weather conditions we are literally taking it one day at a time as regards the Extrvaganza classes. Today we decided to postpone the Cardmaking classes by Siobhan Wilkins & Evonne Reidy that were scheduled for tomorrow Saturday 21st November - they will be now be taking place on Sunday November 29th. The scrapbooking classes with Judy Addison will be going ahead. Judy flew into Galway Airport and bypassed all the traffic and flood issues. Methinks I need a helicopter. I'm also thinking about the silver lining on this cloud - if I manage to get out of the island of Athenry I will be able to do both sets of classes - something that wasn't possible before this weather arrived.
Tomorrow we will make a decision on the Sunday classes.

So keep checking in and stay safe!!!

Helen

Coffee Morning Tomorrow

November Coffee Morning - Friday 13th

Hi there,
Just a quick reminder that tomorrow is Coffee Morning at the shop.
The timing has changed slightly to 10.00am to 12.30. This should help those on a school pick up schedule. Tomorrow the theme of the demo will be the inside of your cards.
There are new goodies coming in for the Extravaganza so there will be some new things to see.
As usual there will be coffee, tea, cakes, magazines and brochures!!

See you there

H

Demo Day coming up...

.... this Saturday 7th November. Boxes have been arriving and I hear there is great excitement about all the new arrivals. Kerry and Helen will be demonstrating lots of exciting new goodies.

Among these will be the new Texture Boutique Embossing Machine from Sizzix as well as some new embossing folders and dies.


There will also be demos with the new Christmas Embossing Boards from Crafters Companion. These boards are designed to slot into the Ultimate Pro - if you don't have one of these already there well worth looking at as a crafty christmas present.



So what other goodies are to be had on Saturday?? If you haven't heard we are now stocking Sugar Nellie stamps - they are only available in the bricks and mortar shop. There are also the delightful stamps from Darkroom Door and other Tim Holtz/Ranger goodies and I believe there is more boxes due tomorrow.


Also there is a lucky draw for every customer - you should win a prize or get a discount voucher.


The latest newsletter and details of the Christmas Extravaganza were emaile yesterday and will be in the regular post in the next day or two.
I have also added the Extravaganza timetable and class information to the 'Spiddal Extravaganza' tab at the top of the blog. Blogspot doesn't allow you to do attachments so I've had to load them on Scribd first. Hope you can download the info from there. If not you can always contact the shop and get yourself added to our email or postal lists.


Think that's all the news for now


Oiche Mhaith!

Helen

Looking up!

The website is back up and running with our new faster server. The Christmas Extravaganza classes are up and open for booking and the Sugar Nellie Stamps have arrived - Wow!!!

And really well priced.

We cannot sell them online so pop into the shop, or contact me for a list!

kerry@ansiopabui.ie

Christmas Extravaganza

I have the class lists and timetable ready, and now my website people decide to move me to a new server - couldn't have chosen worse timing!

If you would like an advance copy of the timetable, email me at kerrycolson@eircom.net or ansiopabui@hotmail.com (not sure about the website one during the changeover!).

The list looks fantastic and as we are limiting places to between 8 and 12 per class, booking early is advised. We have already had people booking in, without even knowing what classes we are offering!

It is going to be fantastic .... I am so very excited .. again.

The website will be up soon.

New products etc....

Hi there,

I've just finished putting up some new products. Cute hedgehog toppers from Flowersoft. I know there are lots of Hedgehog fans out there. Also Kerry is close to finalising the Christmas Extravaganza - had confirmation today that Siobhan Wilkins will be teaching over the weekend. Anyone that did her elegant cards class in Athlone will know she is a fab teacher with really fab projects.

That's it for now

H

Sugar Nellie at the Siopa Bui

Its seems that I have so much to blog about at the moment. I have just finished placing my very first order for Sugar Nellie stamps. These beautiful stamps are going to be available in our shop, (and our mobile shop - in Dublin on 15 November, Cork 5 December and more).

They are a really special range of stamps with beautiful images and we are really proud to be associated with this Scottish company who have some stunning designs.

They will be featured at our Christmas Extravaganza which is reaching the final stages of planning today.

Classes are updated

Hi there,

Just to let ye all know the weekday and weekend class schedule is now available on the classes tab at the top of the blog

H

Christmas Extravaganza - Judy Addison is coming

Just a quick post - to announce that it is confirmed! Judy Addison is coming to teach at our Christmas Extravaganza

Christmas Extravaganza

I have had a great day today planning our Christmas Extravaganza. We have some really nice classes lined up including some very nice scrapbooking ones ..... watch this space.

I just really wanted to invite anyone who was interested in teaching a class to contact me.

We really like to be inclusive in our shop, so if you are interested in teaching, please do get in touch.

We have 2 classrooms this year, which is really exciting!

Please email me or give me a ring at the shop - kerry@ansiopabui.ie

Whiff of Joy Stamps

Last installment for tonight. I've just loaded up the new Whiff of Joy stamps to the shop site.

You can see them here. There are 24 different designs - they are so cute. Here are one or two to whet your appitite.

H

Coffee Morning Tomorrow

Hi there,

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow is Coffee Morning at the shop. The timing has changed slightly to 10.00am to 12.30. This should help those on a school pick up schedule. Tomorrow there will be demos with the new Flower Soft Snow Globe products, the new Whiff of Joy stamps and copic markers.
There will be a raffle tomorrow and there should be more than enough for everyone to go away with a prize. For tomorrow only the tickets will be €2.00 and all proceeds will go to Petra's Trust . As usual there will be coffee, tea, cakes, magazines and brochures!!

See you there

H

New Stock, Copics and 20% sale!!!

Hi there,

Slowly getting back to routine after GBCE - a great weekend but it is over!
So back to business here on An Blog Bui.
A couple of updates for you tonight. As mentioned below Kerry is offering 20% off all online purchases to celebrate World Cardmaking Day. This offer runs out on Monday night (5/10/09).
I've just added some lovely new products to the site and they are nearly all Christmas related - there is no getting away from it now.
The new Snow Globes products from Flower Soft are here and here

The new Winter Tales range from Cute Companions can be found here

The new range of stamps for Christmas from Craft UK are here

And finally a new range of 8x8 paper pads from GCD studios can be found here

Usually most of the posts from Kerry are about being excited and unpacking boxes - well there is sad news for a change! The 4 tier stand of Copic markers is going back to the suppliers on Tuesday next. It came for GBCE and now we are going back to the 2 tier stand. If you are looking for particular colours from the Copic Ciao range to complete or add to your collection, then contact the shop to have them put away for you.

That's it for now, back later in the week with information on challenges, classes and pictures from the last demo day with Phil in the shop!!

Later

H

Happy World Cardmaking Day

Read about this in my American magazine subscription which arrived yesterday! To celebrate we are offering a massive 20% off on all web orders this weekend - ending on Monday night 5th October (as my weekend ends on a Monday).

Enjoy! - Kerry

Mini News Update

Firstly I would just like to thank everyone who worked together to make the GBCE a success. I know it wasn't perfect!, but hopefully everyone enjoyed themselves and had a good time. I value feedback, so any that you have (constructive, positive or negative) send it along, it will all be stirred into the pot to make next year's event even better.

Back to work, other than unpacking boxes, we have lots of exciting things to plan for the autumn winter schedule. We have a newsletter out with all the classes (with the exception of the wedding one, which I left off). If you would like a copy emailed to you, simply drop me a line and I will send it on. I will also be uploading all the classes to the website and the blog in the next day or so.

We are going to have a great challenge this month ... announced in a couple of days. So watch this space!

Oh! and finally - we are very excited to have unpacked the latest goodies from Flowersoft. The Snowglobes are in, as well as the fantastic CD and the toppers. This is one that I will certainly be having for myself!

It's almost here!!

Can you believe it - the GBCE starts tomorrow!!

Looking forward to seeing and catching up with so many over the weekend.

An Blog Bui has been a bit neglected of late, but as of next week we will be back to normal and more regular posting.

So much work and preparation has been going into GBCE, there just isn't enough hours in the day to keep everything going.

Thank you for the entries for the floral challenge. We will announce the winner next week.

Talk soon

H

Copic Ciao Markers on the site

Just a quick post today. Have just uploaded all the colours of the new Copic Ciao Markers - all 72 of them!!

Hope ye all enjoying our little taste of Summer!!

H

Challenge Update

Hi guys,

Missing my broadband terribly - long story!!

But just a reminder about the current challenge - the theme is Floral. The original closing date was 15th September but it is now extended to Thursday 24th September.

Looking forward to lots of creative entries.

H

A Full Season of Classes and Workshops

Our newsletter is out next week with a full season of workshops and classes in a wide range of crafts. To be sure you get a copy of the newsletter (available as a PDF or by snail mail) - send us an email to ansiopabui@hotmail.com and we will make sure you get a copy.

Hero Arts Stock (and more) is In

Very very excited now the first boxes of Christmas stuff started coming in today. All new Hero Arts. (if you commented to get the catalogues, please email me as I am not sure who all of you are?) I have also started unpacking 4 fabulous boxes from RedhotBed which are just the best for those giant stunning, but quick and easy christmas cards.

Don't forget that Phil will be showing us all the goodies at our demo day on 5th of September.

More soon

Where has August gone??

... hard to believe it is the last week before back to school.

Was trying to upload the photos from the cocktail evening but blogger is not letting me.
Ye will just have to go over to Facebook to see some of them.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Spiddal-Ireland/An-Siopa-Bui/208189460095?ref=nf

That's it for now - making a run for it before blogger crashes again

later

Helen

Great Big News!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Helen here, just a tiny bit excited, well actually really excited. Got the class list from Kerry and it is now up on the blog - go check it out!!!
http://greatbigcraftextravaganza.wordpress.com/

Coffee Morning Excitement

We have our coffee morning this Friday and I am even more excited than usual as we have a guest demonstrator. Anne Mullen is coming from Castlebar to do a demo and a bit of 'Show and Tell'

Anne is going to be teaching one of the master classes at the GBCE Athlone and does some really lovely work.

We meet at 10:30 and the demo starts at 12:00.

Hope to see you

Been doing some naughty (but nice) shopping for the shop

Hi Kerry here,

Just wanted to drop by and tell you that in between working hard at getting everything ready for the exciting launch of the class lists for the Great Big Craft Extravaganza, I have also managed to do some buying.

Bought lots of nice goodies for the sale (more about that on Monday), but I also bought some v. v. nice new Hero Arts stamps. The Winter Supplement is out and it is lovely - the creative brain in working in overdrive. Lookout for the pre-buys on the site. We have some Christmas catalogues coming in, and they will be available to order (at a minimal cost), but for followers of the blog, I am giving away a few postage and cost free. Comment on this mail (the first 5) and I will post you your own set free.

I have also bought some new Christmas Teddy Bear things from Crafters Companion that haven't been launched and I am not allowed to talk about - so watch the space for them too.

Challenge winner & details of new challenge.

Hi there,

Can you believe it is August already - you would be forgiven for thinking it was March with the weather we are having!!

Anyway, down to important crafty business.

The winner of the masculine challenge was entry No. 4 - the lovely motorbike was created from scratch (no template!!) by Claudia Short. Well done Claudia.

The next challenge theme is Floral. Again any kind of project - card, layout, book etc.
Prize is a Floral pack - 6 packs of silk and chiffon flowers, Floral papers, floral embellishments, ribbon etc.

Closing date for this challenge is Saturday 15th September - should leave you with a little time to get your GBCE challenges done as well.

Back soon

H

12x12 Demo Day

Here are some of the lovely items that were made with 12x12 paper and cardstock.
I know we all have lots of this lurking around at home - so I hope this inspires you to start using it up!!!

Some gift bags and presentation boxes - Bree Van DeKamp/Hodge better watch out these are fab.











And that's not all!! More pics to come in a day or two!!

H

Bits & Pieces of News

Hi again,

Been doing lots of updating today. There are new pictures on the blog of June's masculine challenge. There are some great ideas there. At least I don't have to choose a winner.

The new Spellbinders pendants & borderabilities are now on the shop site - if you are looking for ideas on these - check out the Spellbinders site - there some fab ideas and blog links there
http://www.spellbinderspaperarts.com/

Also added some new Sizzix accessories and dies.

Will be offline for a few days so I have scheduled some posts to upload later in the week - hope it works

Later

H

Masculine Challenge

Hi again,

Remember last month's Masculine challenge. Well finally here they are. There wasn't the same volume of entries as we had for the Scallop challenge but the quality was definitely there.
The prize was 3 cuttlebug folders.
Not sure when or what the next challenge will be, but will keep ye posted.

Entry No. 1





Entry No. 2



Entry No. 3



Entry No. 4





Entry No. 5



Entry No. 6



Entry No. 7





Entry No. 8





Entry No. 9



Entry No. 10

The Races are nearly here.....

... and as they say around here once the races are over, it's nearly Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!

The time is flying by and our 'summer' will soon be gone.

Was in the shop on Friday and there is lots of new bits and pieces in. I spyed the Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Fillable Pen Markers and Bazzill Quote Stickers. The new Flower Soft is in - it is scrummy. Also arrived today is the new Spellbinders pendants and matching borderabilities.
All will be on the site soon.

As you know the summer extravaganza is next weekend - looking forward to seeing some of you there. There is lots of work going on in the background for the GBCE - so keep checking in for updates.

Just to keep ye going here are some of the cards from the last Dublin workshop.

We are in the Galway Advertiser

We are getting really excited about the Summer Extravaganza next weekend (31, 1 and 2), and we are now even more excited because we have a picture in the Galway Advertiser.

Grainne (who works for us on Weekends and Holidays) kindly modelled some of our cards and jewellery.

A nice update for a rainy day

Hi there,

Helen here, just to let you know that Kerry has sent out an update newsletter - if you not on the circulation list, please contact the shop.

The new Stamping Bellas are in - they are only available in the bricks and mortar shop.

And finally a nice little discount surprise for our online customers. Until Sunday night - all Sizzix stock is 15% off - just because of the rain and because this has to be crafting weather.

Chat soon

Helen

Spellbinders Pendants coming soon

I was just very naughty - you can blame Sarah H - bad (or good influence) and I have just bought the new Spellbinder Pendant range.