The official shop opening celebration event was yesterday from 10am – 10pm and it was really wonderful. I hope you all had a great time. We had 32 ladies in the morning for Betsy’s Box workshop. The boxes were such a hit and one day I will get mine finished…!

We crafted in the afternoon and enjoyed hearing some tips from our designer Lowri McNabb. Lowri came from Blenheim for our celebration and it was fabulous to have her with us. She has been contributing lots of ideas on the Artfull Crafts blog and now we’ve got some of her samples instore on display. Lowri ran a CD tin workshop with Christmas Carnival and Belle papers and embellishments from Kaisercraft (on 40% discount on the website too!)

We are very grateful for prizes that were donated from Memories Forever, Kays Company, Kaisercraft and Sanzi Imports. We enjoyed having little challenges, answering trivia and playing Pass the Parcel with the prizes.

The evening was most enjoyable with some friends and family joining us for the evening’s events. We had pizza dinner followed by some live entertainment and a Christmas Carol singalong. We moved my piano into the foyer and invited our musical friends to form a band! Tony on the keys, Graham on bass, Lauren playing Saxaphone, Charlotte singing and me on trombone. It was such fun that we have decided to keep the piano at the shop for a little longer. We might provide more entertainment on other evenings.

The crafters continued until about 9pm and when we did the prize draw for the Collection packs donated by Kays Company and the album from Sanzi. Well done to Carlene who won the card challenge, Viv who won the layout challenge and Kathy who won the album.

I’m already looking forward to more wonderful events in the new year. The new classroom is superb – we hope you loved the extra space and the great view!

This last week’s theme was Christmas Favours. We only had a few entries – so we’ve decided to share them on the blog. There are only 2 more weeks to go and we know people are getting busy this time of year!

Xanthe made this lovely little box to fill with chocolates

Zoe created this cute little purse

Xanthe made the red and pink box and is going to fill with homemade bath crystals.

Aimee made the red and pink milk carton boxes which she is going to fill with lollies.

Sue has made the purple and green milk carton boxes which are now ready to fill with little chocolates.Zoe made the purple and green box,she is going to fill it with mini Christmas mince pies she is making.

We have drawn a name from these entries and the winner is…. Zoe! Well done and thanks for the entry. We'll send a prize pack off to you this week.

This week’s theme is table decorations. It’s time to think about the little details that make the table look a little special for the big meal! Show us what you can create and we’ll share it on the blog and put your name in the draw to win a Christmas Prize Pack from Kaisercraft (value $30). Please email it to us at artfullcrafts@gmail.com by Sunday evening, 19^th December.

Even I’ve got an idea for the table – I just hope I manage to get it made!!

Have a great week

:-) Liz