California and CHA here we come!

After a stressful weekend wondering if we would make it out of Chicago, we finally made it. Our flight was an hour late due to the fact that the pilots had a difficult time getting to the airport from downtown. Then we had a crazy ride from the airport to the hotel. We went to areas I wouldn't go by myself. 

It feels like a heat wave here. When we left it was -12°, the temperature here is balmy 65°. The bad part of that is most of the week will be spent inside at the trade show, the good part is we will have classes and new products to share with you. 

What would you like to see? What should Craft Matt be on the look out for?
 

Can you guess where Craft Matt is?

Merry Christmas

My 12 Tags of 2013 for December.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

New Classes for November 2013

Exciting News!!

Jen Starr will be traveling in the area and will be stopping by to teach two classes.


Mixed Media Christmas Book
Wednesday, November 20th 6pm-10pm
We will be using Jen's absolute favorite products from Viva Décor, Art Anthology and Ranger to produce a beautiful and unique 6x9 (and 3” thick!) chipboard book with boxy extensions that will flip out to the sides for even more interest and room! While incorporating mists, Distress stains, Inka Gold, a variety of shimmering texture mediums from Viva and Tim Holtz dies and stamps to embellish you will learn a plethora of mixed media techniques to create some fabulously festive effects to celebrate the holidays in an artistic way!
Click here for more details and a list of materials needed for class.



Mixed Media Canvas Class
Wednesday, November 20th 1pm - 3pm

 (every canvas will be unique... these are just 2 examples!)

Working on a 12x12 stretched canvas you will create a mixed media masterpiece full of color and texture with a variety of surfaces! You will learn fun and unique ways to use a variety of mists and paints from Art Anthology and beautiful mediums from Viva Decor to create gorgeous dimensional effects that will bring your art and photo to life! No previous painting experience is needed!
Click here for more details and a list of materials needed for class.

Call Cafe Crop (219-661-1624) or stop by our new location at the Old Lake County Courthouse.

October 2013 Tag

This month's tag used the new Distress Glitter. I had a jar of Victorian Velvet, which just didn't scream Halloween. So my challenge was to try to use the glitter I had. The more I thought about it snowflakes came to mind (I do like snow).

First, I created the background with Chipped Sapphire, Picket Fence, Victorian Velvet and Brushed Pewter Distress Paints.  I stamped the snowflakes using Adirondack Pigment Ink in Snow Cap and Distress Ink in Victorian Velvet. Next, I cut out snowflakes out of Grungeboard and stained them with Picket Fence, Chipped Sapphire, and Victorian Velvet. Then, I added Victorian Velvet Distress Glitter, Distress Stickles Glitter in Clear Rock Candy. Finally, I stamped the "let it snow" and added ribbon stained with Victorian Velvet.

Cafe Crop Special Events for November 2013

Thoughtful Thursday
Thursday, November 7th all day no reservations needed
Thursday, November 21st all day no reservations needed

Stop by to make to cards, one to give to Operation Write Home and one to take home. Operation Write Home provides handmade cards to our troops overseas to send home to their families. This is your chance to give back. The cost is $2 and all you need to bring is your tape runner.

Operation Write Home provides handmade cards to our troops overseas to send home to their families! This is your chance to give back. - See more at: http://www.cafecrop.com/event/thoughtful-thursday-give-n-take/?eID=6506#sthash.ZkF1yQiT.dpuf

Operation Write Home provides handmade cards to our troops overseas to send home to their families! This is your chance to give back. - See more at: http://www.cafecrop.com/event/thoughtful-thursday-give-n-take/?eID=6506#sthash.ZkF1yQiT.dpuf

Operation Write Home provides handmade cards to our troops overseas to send home to their families! This is your chance to give back. - See more at: http://www.cafecrop.com/event/thoughtful-thursday-give-n-take/?eID=6506#sthash.ZkF1yQiT.dpuf

Pumpkins on Parade

Remember our Pumpkins on Parade from last year.  There were some unique entries.
We will be having our second Pumpkins on Parade in November. Pumpkin art (no real pumpkins) can be dropped off beginning November 11th, voting will begin November 18th and winners will be announced on November 23rd. Click here for complete details.

Eclips Cutting Machine Demo

Saturday, November 9th
Stop by to see the Elcips in action. I will be demonstrating many features of the Eclips machine.

Crafter's Home Bag Day
Friday, November 29th

Bring in your reusable Cafe Crop / Crafters Home Bag for your purchases on Bag Day and receive a surprise . . . it may be a gift or a percentage off your purchase. . . you'll have to come in to find out! - See more at: http://www.cafecrop.com/event/cafe-crop-bag-day-crafters-home/?eID=6602#sthash.3RmNtmWY.dpuf

Bring in your reusable Cafe Crop/Crafter's Home for your purchases on Bag Day and receive a surprise .... it may be a gift or a percentage off your purchase... you will have to come in to find out.

Bring in your reusable Cafe Crop / Crafters Home Bag for your purchases on Bag Day and receive a surprise . . . it may be a gift or a percentage off your purchase. . . you'll have to come in to find out! - See more at: http://www.cafecrop.com/event/cafe-crop-bag-day-crafters-home/?eID=6602#sthash.3RmNtmWY.dpuf

New Location and Classes for November 2013

It has been a busy few weeks at Cafe Crop. We began moving into our new location on Thursday, October 10th and were open for business on Monday, October 12th. We still had a few boxes to unpack, but were back in business. New lights have been installed in the store and are being added to the classroom. 

We have had our first Give-N-Take and Make-N-Take. Next week we will begin our classes and crops.



  

Fall Card Class

 
    Tuesday, October 29th 11am-1pm
    Wednesday, October 30th 6pm-8pm





Very Merry Christmas (2 page layout)

Tuesday, November, 5th11am-1pm
Wednesday, November, 6th 6pm-8pm






Christmas Mini Album (using the envelope punch by We R Memory Keepers)

Make a mini album with lots of secret places for pictures and journaling.



Tuesday, November, 12th and Tuesday, November, 19th11am-1pm

Wednesday, November, 13th and Wednesday, November, 20th 6pm-8pm
          This is a 2 part class.





Zentangle 101

     Friday, October 25th 1pm-3pm
     Tuesday, November 26th 11am-1pm










 Crops
     Friday, November 1st 5pm-11pm
     Friday, November 15th 5pm-11pm
     Saturday, November 16th 10am-11pm


If you are interested in signing up for a class or crop, please call 219-661-1624 or stop by to reserve your spot at least 24 hours in advance. This allows us to prepare materials or plan for meals.


Watch for my next blog post. It will have information on special events at Cafe Crop for the rest of November.

September (and August) Tag of 2013

It has been a busy 2 months at Cafe Crop.  I finished my version of Tim Holtz'a 12 Tags of 2013 for September. The technique this month was using stencils. I haven't purchased any of Tim's new stencils yet, so I used some of the many stencils I have in my stash. I like how the 2 tags turned out  slightly different.  

I was so busy I didn't get my 12 Tags of 2013 for August finished in time, but I did make it. I shortened the tag to make it fit on an A2 card, which I sent to my sister for her birthday.