Its snowing again!!!!!

Hello,

I am finally back from South Africa, with a few hiccups on the way. and what do have to welcome me, but a lot of ice and snow!

Today I am going to work from home and do lots of planning for the new year. Expect a newsletter in your inbox. I have a really long drive to work on a lot of minor roads and I am just not brave enough today.

When there is a very very cold snap with freezy roads, please call the shop or send me a text on my mobile first on 0872048045. Kim and I are trying to keep regular shop hours as much as we can between us, but there may be times when we just don't make it in on time - so please be patient!

We would hate you to have a really long drive and then to find that the kettle isn't on!

Watch out for some seasonal specials online as we prepare for stocktaking in January.

Friday the 10th is a big day at An Siopa Bui

Firstly, Kerry is back from South Africa having missed 3 weeks of ice and snow, and just in time for the thaw.



Second, there is a special Coffee Morning in aid of Croi, the heart charity. There will gorgeous food, demos and prizes and a chance to catch up with everyone before Christmas. Its a great cause, please come along and support the ladies.


And third, and by no means least, Sarah Holden is doing a class from 2-4pm. The class is called A gift of craft and there is a sneak peek on Sarah's blog. It promises to be a gorgeous class, and something a bit different to card making but of course using all your cardmaking skills! Treat yourself, you've been driving on ice and snow and xmas shopping for everyone else - you deserve it.
Bookings can be done by ringing Kim at the shop on 091 504692. Class cost is 25 euro and includes all your kit plus you make a fab gift to keep or give as a present.

20% of Stamping Bellas

Santa says that there is 20% of all Stamping Bella Stamps for the next 7 days. We've updated the website so check them out here.

Personally, at this time of the year, I always feel the need to buy myself a present in the midst of Christmas shopping for presents for everyone else. Treat yourself!

The 20% offer runs from Sunday 5 December to Sunday 12th December and is for online orders only.

Sandie Dunne's Sunday Class - Sneak Peeks

Christmas Extravaganza Jewellery Class

The picture says it all - learn how to make this gorgeous jewellery. The only hard part will be deciding whether to give them away as xmas presents or keep them for yourself. The good bit is there is a bracelet, necklace and a couple of pairs of earings.

Sunday 3.30 - 5.15pm with Philomena Sullivan

Cost of the class, including everything you see in the photo, 25 euro

Shops Site Updated!!!

Lots of new Christmas goodies and more uploaded!!! Check out the Sassafrass Lass range of scrapbooking goodies new to Siopa Bui. Also we now have our Creatables dies from Marianne Designs, Nellie Snellen and Joy Crafts available on our website. And last but not least we have updated our Sizzix dies and embossing folders almost 30 new Sizzix products on the website including sought after Tim Holtz dies!

Sneak Preview from Sarah Holden for Xmas Xtraganza Class

Retro sewing kit and button boxes....

Sarah has put up a preview of what she's got planned for her class on Sunday 21st November - check it out, and book quickly, this class is going to be a sell-out.

http://boxercreations.blogspot.com/2010/10/siopa-bui-christmas-class-sneak-peek.html

Christmas Extravaganza

The Christmas Extravaganza is back again. It starts on Friday 12 November and runs through to Sunday the 14th.

Why not treat yourself to a full day or even the whole weekend! Discounted rates for the full day are 10% and for the full weekend, 20%.

The Extravaganza kicks off with a special coffee morning, with a Christmas with Clarity Demo, mince pies and more.

I'm most excited about the Friday afternoon class, "Crafts to Make and Sell". It's a cross between a marketing class and a fab crafty class. We will be making lots of items (at least 6 projects) and will also be giving you a manual and tips and techniques on how to price, present and prepare your crafts to sell. If you aren't selling, these will make fabulous xmas gifts to give away.

Saturday and Sunday each have 3 fantastic classes. We will be putting up sneak previews from the tutors in the next few weeks. Download the full timetable and class list here

http://www.scribd.com/doc/39174261/Xmas-Extravaganza-2010-Timetable-Newsletter-Two

World Cardmaking Day

Some fabulous sample cards from our playdate at the shop today...

Back to 'Normality'

So we are back to 'normality' - but what is 'normality' at An Siopa Bui.

We had a great time in Athlone at GBCE and hope that you all enjoyed is as much as us.

All the remaining stock is now back in the shop and unpacked.

I have updated the class tab and the coffee/crop/demo tab with all the upcoming events.
Do check them out and mark them in your diary.

Back soon with updates on new goodies as they arrive!

H

Class Timetable for GBCE is up and Booking is open

The full class timetable is now up on the An Siopa Bui website. Any questions on any of the classes, let us know here, and we'll get back to you. Anyone who attended last year, feel free to post helpful advice on how to plan your schedule.

Remember to leave time for lunch, shopping and the free demos that will run throughout the show.

Bookings can be done online at www.ansiopabui.ie

Have fun trying to choose!

Kids Club designs New Bags for An Siopa Bui

The Kids Club were given the task of designing a new bag for An Siopa Bui, with some fantastic results.

Kerry did explain the reason the bags are kept plain brown is so that husbands are kept unaware of any mad craft shopping sprees!

Complicated Cards Made Simple

We had a great class with Philomena Sullivan on Sunday last.
Once again she had some wonderful projects - the photos just don't do them justice.



This card is a side step card made on the Hougie Board following the instructions included. Phil also showed us a super trick to make that fab 'rosette'. It is very similar to the new die being released by Tim Holtz - sneak peaks on his blog.
But Phil is ahead of the game. The stamp is Baykahbella - she looks great on this card. The paper comes from a fab new CD from Payperbox (available in the shop).
There is also a lovely die cut from the fab new Marianne Designs - you can thread a ribbon through it. These dies sold as quick as they arrived but we will keep ye posted when the come back in to stock.



This next card uses another of the new Marianne Design dies, this butterfly is just fab. The card itself is a bit of a twist on the very trendy easel card.




This beautiful project is the matching gift for the first card. The teacup die is from the Sizzix Scoreboards range. It is just fab.

That's it for now - I couldn't stay for Fiona & Kerry's classes but if anyone has photos I'd love to put them up here for all to see - I heard they were lovely projects.
I have 60+ photos from the Felting class with Christina. As soon as I have sorted them out I will have some more photos for ye - might even be a post or two out of it.

Helen

Hougie Board

Friday was the kick off day to the annual Summer extravaganza.
It was coffee morning and then Sarah Holden did a fab demo on the Hougie Board.
It is a new 12x12 score board with centimetres on one side and inches on the other.
It is fast becoming the craft gadget of 2010.
They are all sold out for now but more have been ordered.

I couldn't get there to see the 20+ samples that Sarah brought along, but Eileen did and you can see the photos here on facebook.

Thanks Eileen

You can also see more photos on Sarah's Blog.

H

Extravaganza Weekend Photos

Just a quick post.
Busy sorting the photos from yesterday's felting workshop and Phil's class this morning.

Will have some up here before bedtime.

H

Mega Coffee Morning Tomorrow!!!!

This Friday is Coffee morning - and a mega one! To form part of the sale week and our Summer Extravaganza we have put together a really exciting coffee morning.

Yes, we have tea, coffee and cake (great goodies ordered from the Cafe - Lemon tart and muffins plus plus plus).

We also have Leigh from Hill coming to bring us some amazing deals from K&Co and DCWV and then Sarah Holden will be doing a very very creative demonstration of the new Hougie Board.

I can't wait!

It's starting to look like parcel time!!!

I have some of the orders placed and the classes sorted for the Summer extravaganza. The Hougie Boards arrived today, and there are some exciting parcels arriving over the next week or two.

Watch this space.

I am really excited about this extravaganza as we have some nice different classes planned as well as the traditional card classes. Look out for the programme which should be out tomorrow which includes felting, heritage scrapbooking and a fantastic die-cutting class with Philomena Sullivan!

Coffee Morning - This Friday 2 July

I am so going to have to get my fingers checked. Everytime I get the newsletter out I make a mistake with a date and day.

This time there were two.

Just to clarify. Coffee morning is this Friday 2 July from 10:30 ish - we have a great demo planned and have some fantantic ribbon specials with new ribbons especially for the day.

Saturday 3rd we have a class - really nice cards featuring some great techniques. - places are still available.

The other date I had confused is our fantastic demo with Fimo - Sarah Holden will be doing a fabulous Fimo demonstration on Saturday 10 July at the shop. All are welcome and it is free!!!!

Mo Manning Stamps at An Siopa Bui

We have a small selection of the most stunning designs from Mo Manning, directly from the wonderful people at Stamping Bella. These first few are my own choices and I am so excited by them. My favourites (probably because I have a boy - sorry young man), are the gamer boy and the dog one. Hop over to the site to have a look - promise you won't be dissapointed.

www.ansiopabui.ie

A Quick Update - Classes, Coffee Morning & Newsletter

Hi there,

Thought it would be a short post but more news than I thought!

1. The latest newsletter should be in your inbox. Kerry emailed them earlier today. Lots of news in there about the upcoming events right up to September. Those on the mailing list should see them in the next day or two. If you can't wait for your real newsletter, you can always contact the shop and it can me emailed to you - 091 504692 or email Kerry on kerry@ansiopabui.ie
2. Tomorrow is coffee morning and the demo for tomorrow is all about keeping the kids busy in the summer holidays and childrens cards.
3. Don't forget Corina's scrapbooking class on Sunday (13th June) at the shop. It is scrapbooking Sunday and after her very successful class at the Spring Extravaganza, Corina is coming along to show us some of her fab ideas and techniques. There is a fab kit with Bazzill and lettering. Bring a general selection of photos. We will be working individually but to the same sketches, so we will all have something different at the end of the day. I for one am looking forward to it!
Corina will be putting up some sneak peaks on her blog later ( I hope!) so do check it out.

Bye for now

Helen

Ranger and Tim Holtz Discount Weekend

It's our Ranger and Tim Holtz weekend this weekend with 15% off absolutely anything from Ranger and Tim Holtz so that means Alcohol inks, Distress inks, paints, Big and Juicy inkpads, Ideaology accents and all sorts of things. There is a lot on the site, but I would advise giving us a call at the shop if you are a real Tim Fan as we have quite a lot of really special stuff that isn't on the site ..... Call either Kerry or Kim on 091504692 any time from 11.00 to 17:30 tomorrow or Andrea on Sunday!

Clarity Samples & Stock

Hi there,

Just a short post for now - but back soon with more news.

All the Clarity stamps and accessories are now available online.
I've included a slideshow of the samples we made earlier in the year.
I wanted to figure out the slide show thingie - have so many photos to show ye of Sarah's class last Sunday and Linda's demo.

Don't forget we would love to see what you are making with your Clarity stamps - you can send them to anblogbui@gmail.com

Helen

Gorgeous New stock on the Shelves

We have so much new stock in the shop, I have been giving people tours this weekend. Lots of flowers from Petaloo, yummy Tim Holtz goodies, the latest stamps from Clarity and finally the clarity card stock that Barbara Grey uses on her programmes. It is just such fun going in to work when there is so many nice things to play with!!!

Helen should be posting a few cards later, and I will have a new newsletter out later this week.

Coffee Morning, Demos and more!!

Morning!

Just a quick post today!

Firstly - tomorrow is coffee morning - date changed due to classes in Clonegal last weekend.
As usual it runs from 10.30am to 12 ish. Tomorrow's demo is all about using fabric on cards.

Secondly - Saturday is a Demo day - Linda Dawson is coming all the way from Cork to show us the fab new BCE templates that have arrived in the shop. These templates have been featured on Create and Craft and you will be able to produce some stunning results from these. She will also be showing us some fab new decoupage.
Demo runs from 11am to 4.30. Kerry tells me there will be lots of special offers on the day and there is lots of new stock in the shop

And finally a card!! When this stamp set came in the images didn't appeal to me but the wordings were fab. You can see it here in the shop. Now the whole set has grown on me. Below is card that Kerry made from the set.

Bye for now!

H

Demos, Pictures & New Stock

Hi there,

Well - where do you start. Lots of news & stuff!

First Kerry tells me she has taken delivery of a new range of products - BCE Templates.
Linda Dawson is coming to An Siopa Bui on May 22nd to demo these along with some new die cut decoupage products! So there is a date for your diary!.

Secondly the new stamps from the Artist Proofs range from Hero Arts arrived today. I am in love with these new stamps and all things Hero Arts at the moment. Take a look at their site for ideas and inspiration. They should be on the site in the next day or two - that's if there is any left. I have a few ordered!!

And last but not least - some pictures of the Spring Extravaganza class makes. Here I have some pictures of the wedding album class that Kerry taught. All the products are K & Co.
They came out really well. They papers and embellishments are fab!

Kerry tells me there is a newsletter coming with lots of news and updates.

Slán

H

Cards from Extravaganza

Hi there,

Well the week has flown by, it only feels like yesteday since I was leaving the Westwood hotel with my head full of new ideas and inspiration. I think at this stage that everyone has recovered and maybe ye are getting to finish the projects that ye started that weekend. We would love to see how your cards, LO's, albums and jewellery turned out. You can send us a link to your blog or a picture of the finished item. I never fail to be amazed at how differently the same project can turn out.
Anyway I taught one class, went to five classes and then had to dash home to other commitments.
I have lots of photos of cards & projects but very little of people - so if anyone has any we would love to see those too. Any pictures can be sent to anblogbui@gmail.com.

Just to whet your appitite here are cards from two of the classes that I went to.

The first was Sandie Dunne's class where we painted with Distress Inks - a technique that I have tried since and will be trying again. She used a lovely Sugar Nellie stamp in the class. I only bought it in An Siopa Bui the day before - very glad I had! Do check out Sandie's Blog for more of her fab cards.



The second card is from Carmen Sheridan's class. In this class we used Stamping Bellas and this time we coloured with Copic Markers! I only managed to get a picture of one of the cards, but you can see more of her work on Carmen's blog.



I have been rubber stamping for a few years and I can never get enough of colouring techniques!

Hope to be back soon with more pictures from the weekend!

H

Communion Cards, Extravaganza & Stamping Bellas!!

Morning!

Well it is nearly upon us - Spring Craft Extravaganza is on next Saturday & Sunday. If you are planning on coming along please check out the site. Classes can be booked at An Siopa Bui.

I have just put a new batch of Stamping Bellas on the shop site and I have seen pictures of the Stamping Bella class from Carmen Sheridan for next Saturday - I'm so glad I have booked that one.

Now, a few cards - these are cards that Kerry did as a demo at the last coffee morning. All supplies for these cards are available in the shop.


Two Communion Cards.



A confirmation card using a 12x12 scrapbook page which decorated the inside of the card, the envelope and the outside of the card.



So keep checking in for any updates for weekend and for more card ideas.

Bye for now

H

More Advanced Cards

Dia Daoibh!
Nach raibh lá iontach againn aris! I'm afraid to say the weather is good or to buy summery things in case I jinx it. But hey, it is great as long as it lasts.
It is all go at the moment getting ready for the Spring Extravaganza. So just to get you in the mood for being inspired here are some cards from previous classes.

Here are the rest of the cards from Phil's Advanced Cards class last month:

This lovely card has a 'recessed' image. We used a clarity stamp and thise style of card is very impressive in reality.

These are two samples of the same technique that she brought along to show us.



And last but not least we did an easel card. We stamped the background paper. And the flower is made using punched die-cuts. A fantastic result - and dare I say it these trendy silver/grey colours are growing on me!



That's it for now

Slán

Helen

Timetable is up and booking is open!!!

Just a quick post for now!!

The timetable for the Spring Extravaganza is now up on the Spring Extravaganza Site.
There you will find all the information for the weekend and you can ask those burning questions you may have.

You can book your classes at An Siopa Bui.

Back later with more class photos!!

H

Lots of news and cards from Philomena's Class

Hi there,

Well it is all go at An Siopa Bui. We have had a die cutting demo day with Sarah and an Advanced Cards class from Phil not to mention the regular Wednesday class and other creative bits and pieces that have come our way - so lots of photos to come.

But first news!!! Well the big news is that a new site has been launched for the Spring Extravaganza. You can see it here or http://www.wix.com/galway/extravaganza.
The class list is up and the timetable will be published soon. You can also see who will be doing demos and who the tutors are going to be as well as take a look at their blogs. Not everyone is up yet so keep checking back for more inspiration.

Yesterday I uploaded lots of new goodies. The new Ranger/Tim Holtz 2010 collection of Distress Inks have arrived in Spiddal. If you do any blog hopping the work that is being done with these colours are just amazing. Also back in stock is the Ultra Fine Flowersoft and with it came the beautiful Moments In Time stamps as well as the Moments in Time toppers and the recipie toppers. So do take a look!!!

Now back to pictures. We had a lovely day with Phil on Saturday last. I finally managed to get a spot in Phil's Advanced Card class and I certainly won't miss the next one. We did five very different cards with loads of new techniques learned along the way. So here is installment one of that class.

Back Soon

H

The first card we did was a magic slider card! A great technique to learn and you will keep all your friends guessing when you send them one of these.

The next card we did was a diamond top fold card. I love what Phil did with this stamp set (A fisherman set from Woodware). She made a background with versamark on the base of the card. Used the wordings from the set to edge the top image. Some of the images were cut out and embossed. And the cutest bit was stamping out some fish and attaching them with fishing line - very clever!!

This bird is so cute!! A bit of fun for Easter. But it makes you look at Nestabilities and punched out shapes in a whole new light!

Free Demo, Nesties & More

Hi there,

It has been all go at An Siopa Bui for the last few days - well it seems to be like that every day now.
Anyway - lots of news and bit and pieces for ye.

First - I've uploaded some new products to the shops site - Darkroom Door stamps and Tim Holtz Crackle paint. Also I've uploaded lots of Nestabilities & Shapeabilities. I have to say my head is well and truly turned by the Darkroom Door stamps. You just have to check out their gallery.

Second - there is a free die-cutting demo in the shop tomorrow (Saturday March 13th). Using Sizzix dies, embossing folders and Spellbinders Nestabilites, Sarah Holden will be making cards, gifts, boxes and more, and showing us how to turn card and paper into something very special.
Amazing Raffle as well with a Sidekick to win, and an amazing second prize of a sweetie box of 500... envelopes in glorious pearlescent colours and all the sizes.
Theme for the day is Cupcakes with a free cupcake for everyone that visits. And if that is not enough there will be 15% of certain Nestabilities & Shapeabilities. Our online customers are not being left out - the 15% off will apply to all Nestabilities & Shapeabilities that are on the site.
We were expecting some new release products from Spellbinders and they will appear online as soon as they arrive.

And last but not least here is a few more of the Clarity samples - these stamps have literally walked out the door leaving us little chance to get them online. As soon as we have some to upload to the shop site we will let ye know.

Bye for now

H

Coffee Morning!!

Morning!!

Just a quick post for now - but I will be back later.

Tomorrow's morning's coffee morning will feature a Clarity Stamp demo.
Just to whet your appetite here are some of the samples Kerry and Phil did last week.

H

New Flower Soft has arrived!!

Hi again,

Hope all are well and getting lots of crafting done in these cold evenings, not to mention being inspired by the lovely sunny days.
I saw it in the magazines last month and didn't expect to see it in the flesh for another while, but it arrived in Spiddal last weekend - what am I on about?? The fab new Ultra Fine Flowersoft!! And the fabby new toppers to go with it. I'm totally smitten with them. They are all on the shop site.
I'm including some pictures sent to us by Flowersoft. We had a bit of a play with it last Sunday in the shop - and it so much easier to work with than the original and that is saying a lot!!

Kerry is in Dublin on Sunday for her classes and a lot of the shop is going too!

All going well we will have some new Clarity stamps to upload to the shop site next week. The first delivery went before we had chance to put it on the shop site. I have some pictures of samples that Kerry and Phil made and these will be here on the blog in the next few days.

Later

H

Play day and new products

Hi there,

Back again - wasn't expecting to be here so soon again, but just had to tell ye the news. Kerry & Kim were having a late evening getting the Yellow club out. They rang to tell me about a box that had arrived - New Ultra Fine Flowersoft!!! I had seen it in the magazines but didn't expect to see it 'in the flesh' for a while. But it is here - well in Spiddal!! You can have a peek here.

Sunday's scrapbooking event has changed slightly. Instead of a kit/class and a crop the crop has been replaced by a Clarity stamp & Flowersoft play day. Clarity stamps are new to An Siopa Bui. You can check them out here. There will be a materials bag for each person to play with and of course the use of the stamps, inks, flowersoft, glue etc on the table.

Coming along for the day will cost €20. Coming along for the play day costs €5 - but it must be booked as places are limited.

I'm off to charge the camera - going to be a busy weekend!

H

A few Wednesday Makes!!!

Morning!!

It is beautiful and sunny out and the frost is melting quickly!!

I just wanted to show you a few of the samples that have been coming out of the Wednesday morning classes.

I hear that Clarity stamps have arrived in the shop - I can't wait to see them. Tomorrow is Friday
Scrapping Morning so might see some of ye tomorrow.

Keep checking back - I believe there is a change to a weekend class to include some new products - details to follow later today.

Bye for now

H


Two similar door signs using a 'Gorjuss Girl' from Sugar Nellie and some 'mad' new card from the Payperbox. The finished item looks realy well! The pink card is made using some new Hero Arts stamps and punches.