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Journaling Helpers

Due to the popularity of the Christmas card inserts, this month we've designed a set of inserts for birthday cards.

There are six different inserts, available for both portrait and landscape cards. And as with previous Journaling Helpers you can purchase them as a PDF file so you can print them over and over at home or they will be available in store printed and in packs.

These inserts are so convenient! No more trying to come up with something to write in your cards - we've done it for you!

Point, Shoot, Play

February sees the first of our workshops with Point, Shoot, Play for the year and we're starting at the beginning with the Photoshop Basics 101 class on Tuesday 23rd. This is the first class you need to take if you want to take some of the more advanced classes later.

Mel will also be running another Photography Basics class on Sunday 21st where you learn all sorts of tips for better photography. See our class descriptions for more information.

Ngaire Bartlam Classes

We're very excited to welcome Ngaire back to teach classes at Blossie's again this year. She will be teaching two classes on Saturday 17th April.  Book now to avoid missing out on this great opportunity to learn tips and tricks from one of the industry's best known scrapbookers!

Best of Blossie's 2009

It's very close to being finished and it's HUGE (over 50 pages).  In our annual Best of Blossie's disc you will get the best scrapbooking layouts, cards and projects from our 2009 classes including clear photos, hints and tips. You can view or print our ideas as much as you want!

As a special bonus, you will receive a Blossie's Journaling Helper (which I can now reveal is called Spotty Labels) created especially for Best of Blossie's 2009!

To reserve your copy you can pre-order yours now. The pre-order cost will be $30 (normal price will be $35) and the discs will be available for pickup or posting by the end of January 2010.

MM Slice is Nice

Mark your calendars for a special class on Saturday 6^th March.  Annette will be running a workshop for Making Memories Slice owners who want to get more out of their die-cutting machine.

Guest Teacher Sam Hauzer

We are so honoured to welcome Sam back to teach two amazing classes in our store this month.  You will know Sam's work from our 2009 Creative Team and also Kaisercraft's Design Team.

Sam is Mum to 2 adorable energetic kids, and loves photography, animals and of course scrapbooking!

Pop into the store to see Sam's amazing class samples and book your place in these fun classes.

Blossie's Recipe

Chocolate Brownies With Sour Cream Frosting

Ingredients -

125g butter

185g dark chocolate, chopped

1 cup castor sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla essence

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup plain flour

½ cup chopped pecan nuts

Sour Cream Frosting -

100g dark chocolate, chopped

¼ cup sour cream

Method -

Grease a deep 19cm square cake pan, line base with paper; grease paper.

Melt butter and chocolate in saucepan over hot water.  Transfer mixture to large bowl.  Stir in sugar and essence, then eggs, sifted flour and pecans.  Pour mixture into prepared pan, bake in moderate oven for about 30 minutes, cool in pan.  Turn brownies out, top with frosting, refrigerate until set before cutting.  Store in refrigerator.

Sour Cream Frosting -

Melt chocolate in heatproof bowl over hot water, stir in sour cream, stir constantly until mixture is smooth and glossy.

Keeping time - 4 days.

CHA New Releases

It's around this time of year that the Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) has their BIG winter show in the USA. This is where all the scrapbooking manufacturers release their new ranges for the year. What this means to us here at Blossie's is that over the next six months or so, all this new stuff trickles into the shop for us to play with! Yippee!

There seem to be two styles or trends that we've noticed. On one end of the spectrum there are lots of vintage inspired papers, based on dress patterns, old wallpaper patterns etc. On the other end of the spectrum there are also lots of cute, whimsical and almost "cartoon-like" designs. There are still lots of owls, birds and robots emerging!

We've been regularly checking our favourite manufacturers' blogs for sneak peek of their new releases and there is some fun stuff coming! Here are just a few of our favourites:

My Mind's Eye

Cosmo Cricket

Loads of new Distress Ink Colours

Don't forget to check out our jam packed February Class Timetable by clicking HERE.