Maxine Hazebroek

I've been creating

Hi everyone, well I've decided that it's time for a bit more sharing. But first I should mention Collections Elements have just launched their new 2011 range....and yummidy yum yum yum. The papers are scrumptious (there's even green and pinks) and loads of wonderful chipboard items that Collections Elements are renouned for.  There's a great printers tray that you put together yourself, which makes it easy to insert layers of transparency in between the layers...and of course there's new transparencies too. But I think my favourite new item is the tissue paper, the sheets are huge and it comes with three sheets per pack. The best part is it comes in white, which makes it very easy to colour to your taste with tea, walnut ink, Tim Holtz inks, or even food colouring....so simple to do. And when its coloured or even just wet it gets really strong and very durable. I could chat on endlessly about it...lol. Anyway here's a peak at some of the new items. So if you love this company as much as I do, head on over to your local scrapbook store...and if they don't have it well you can always see the full range here at my own store.

Speaking of my store, I've been busy coming up with  more creative project kits for Maxines Melange.

One creative project kit I've been wanting to do for such a long time is this 12x12 canvas. All the little bits and pieces are packed very carefully in neat little bags so as so not cause any confusion with a zillion items...lol. If you are interested you can see it here.
And then I've been making more creative card kits too. These ones have a touch of vintage, with the gorgeous brown & red tones. They look really lovely sitting together.

 
If you are into cards, you can see these and many more card kits here.

I've also created another vintage tile canvas creative project kit, and a new woodland pincushion kit. You can view both projects here.

 

Well that's it for now, I hope you all had a lovely Easter and got to spend it with those you love.

Until next time...

Take care

Maxine
 

 

It's the universe I tell ya...

Or more like total embarrassment that has led to this post.  Over at Maxines Melange I've just sponsored the Let's Get Shabby challenge blog for this month and it's meant people are coming here for a look-see. And yep, the last time I updated was...eek.....April.  So here I am....clambering to put some inspiration on here.

If you get a chance, please enter the Let's Get Shabby challenge, it is a lot of fun...it totally hooked me in, and well those that know me, already know I'm a bit of a shabby chic girl at heart. So I've designed another 4 new kits for Maxines Melange all with a shabby chic twist.

Here's a glimpse at the first one, it's this gorgeous shabby chic pin cushion chair.

This is the same project that I used for the guest DT position. If you are interested in purchasing the kit you can see it  here.

My second kit is this adorable mini Christmas album. The front of the album is a shadow box and you'll learn how to create the album from scratch with the kit. You can see it here.

And then continuing on with the shabby chic theme is this key chain sander, complete with sweet charms and a tiny cotton reel.  Wouldn't it look just gorgeous hanging from your tote? You can see this kit here.

The Let's Get Shabby challenge is to design a project around one of the following kitchens:-

Kitchen 1

or

Kitchen 2

But there's also a recipe to follow..

One piece of fabric
Two die cut shapes
Three colours from your chosen kitchen. (These will need to be your dominant colours)

For more information about the challenge guidelines head on over to the Let's Get Shabby Blog, 
and whilst you are there, why not become a follower for some inspiration each month.

Good luck to all of you that enter the challenge.

So now back to the sponsorship, I've donated a $75-00 voucher to be spent on any products at Maxines Melange. The prize includes free postage of the parcel anywhere in the world.

As an added bonus we've got these sweet embellishment packs to give away to the first 30 people that place an order at Maxines Melange. They are all packed and ready to go...so much yummy pinkness!

 

And what's a kitchen without a cupcake. So yet another creative project kit,

 this cupcake card kit can be seen here.

Well these days just about all of my creating is for kits at Maxines Melange and I must say it is keeping me really busy. I still have the obsession with laser cuts and we've got over 250 of them in stock at the moment... I am trying to contain myself before I end up buying more.

And whilst I am sharing I may as well share some other kits from the store.

and

 and

 

and

and

I could share here forever...lol...so rather than do that, you can head on over to see these and many more creative project kits here.

Until next time, stay safe, happy and enjoy life.

Hugs

Maxine  


 
 

 

 

 
 
 

   
   

A blast from the past...

And a look to the future.

Hi everyone, well after a very long break I've finally taken the plunge to look at this blog again. I must admit to being back here many many times, but Typepad has all changed. Every time I would open up my blog up, it looked so different and kinda scary (I know big girls blouse!!!...you can say it) so I'd just shut it down again.

Like the little train that could could could I convinced myself I can can can...lol....so here I am.

Well its been a great start to the year, we are all happy and healthy and enjoying life at the moment. The kids are both settled into yet another year at school.  Rick has had it easy at work as his school shut down because of  extensive damage from the bad storm we had here in Perth. It really was an amazing storm. Thankfully no loss of lives, but the costs involved to fix all the damage is unfathomable.

February saw the closing of Wednesdays Wishes, after just over twelve months Audrey and I decided to close it down and move forward on our own projects. It means we both now get to work from our own homes and move in our own directions. We had a lot of fun working together and produced some wonderful creations but its onwards we go, each doing our own thing.

My new venture is called Maxines Melange and like Wednesdays Wishes it is home to my own Creative Project Kits. I've had many people ask about the name. So let me explain; those of you that know me, know I love all things Collections Elements, and I've always loved the use of  the word melange in Julies products. Melange is also a French word and yep you guessed it I looooove France too, I can only dream of going back there one day. Melange means a collections of things, of bits and pieces, so for me it was a no brainer to call my little corner of the world Maxines Melange as that is exactly what it is, a little boutique store, stocking  collections of things I like to use and play with.

If you get a chance, pop over and have a look around, I welcome any feedback. And if you'd like to be kept up to date with what is going on just sign up to the mailing list. I aim to do a newsletter every two or three weeks.

I love that I can share my creations with the world through the kits and that people will end up with something that looks just like the original. I guess its a bit like doing a class without the person to person interaction. All the products and instructions including pictures are included and the outcome is just the same.

Heres a glimpse at some of the new Kits, they've been selling really well so I am not sure if they will last very long. It was a lot of fun going back to old styles and colours.

This one is a 6x6 album and includes 5 plastic sleeves.

This one is an inchie frame. The laser cut frame surrounding this piece is a favourite of mine.

And more on the inchies, this one is a papermache box that has been decorated, ideal as a gift as you can fill it with whatever you like and still have something worth keeping too.

I also have card kits too.

 

I am lucky to have my own source for laser cuts, and to have a supplier that will cut my own selected designs. It also means I can keep the costs down. I've got over 30 of my own designs, which is very exciting. Heres a small glimpse at a few of them. I just love the birds on the wire and the bird cage, actually there are quite a few bird cages in-store along with lots of the gorgeous Dusty Attic and other exclusive designs, click here to check them out.

Anyway enough of my prattles for one day. I sincerely wish you all a safe and wonderful Easter, hopefully with a little bit of creating time thrown in too.

Hugs

Max

Getting ready for Christmas

Are you all getting ready for Christmas, it really is the most wonderful time of year don't you think? Have you started your teacher gifts, we usually like to make ours, heres what we will be doing this year. I think we'll also add in a couple of last years Christmas baubles too, as they really are too hard to resist.

The tree stands about 31cm high, so its quite tall, I am sure they'll love it. If you are interested in making one too, go here.

I'd just like to share our latest creations for our on-line store, actually there have been a few Christmas creative kits at Maxines Melange .

We have  the Enchanted Angel who is truely beautiful, complete with little bird houses down the bottom, and the most amazing details on her dress and wings. We've had great feedback from this kit, and many ladies who've ordered her after seeing their friends creations. Actually there have been a couple of ladies who've come back for seconds....lol. But really she doesn't have to be a Christmas ornament. Here's some glimpses of the detail.

We've also done the most fantastic set of  doors, you can see them here . We did something something similar for a past issure of Stamping & Papercraft magazine. The doors are quite chunky and free standing, which makes them great ornaments. They are also creative kits and are available individually or save by purchasing the set of three. We've also just finished today an add on kit for the doors, even dh thought the whole thing was unbelievable....so hopefully I'll be able to take some pics tomorrow and share the add on kit ASAP.

So here we have the doors, door 23...oh and take a peek inside at the family photo (you can add your own in there, or use the one supplied with the kit) and the sweet Christmas tree.

and also door 25, how cute is that tree and chandelier!

and finally door 27, love that lattice work & 3D window.

There's some fantastic techniques to be learn't with these door kits, the only problem is who would really want to put them away after Christmas. 

Then our last creative kit was this Nicho Creative Project Kit . This one really doesn't have to be a Christmas Decoration, as it could include a family photo instead of the seasonal image.

And then to finish our Christmas goodies, we made a couple of Christmas Cards . A great design to replicate later on for non-Christmas cards. I am still in love with the traditional colours for festive cards. This card has an unusual fold to make a pocket at the front, ideal for a family photo, tag or gift card.

and this card with gorgeous inchies and art moulds and german scrap .

We'll that's it for me, enough Christmas things to keep me going for awhile.

Hopefully I'll be back in the next day or so.

Have fun.

Hugs

Max

xx

 

 

 
  
 

Angel Of Fancy

Hi there,

Just a quick note to talk about our Angel of fancy class at Scrapbook Central next month . The kit for this project comes with oodles of product and is different to the on-line angel at Maxines Melange The angel of fancy is taller, more intricate, comes base-coated and has been professionally cut according to our design. Being a class situation you also have the use of the classroom paints and glimmer mist plus the added bonus of being there with other like-minded ladies (away from the pressures of home). You have myself and Audrey there to show you how to create the piece. For those that are able to, we would love to see you at the class for hours of  laughter fun and a chance to get a little messy.

Cheers everyone

Max 

My latest creation

  

 
  
 I am a little bit excited with how she turned out. She is for Audrey and mines next class at Scrapbook Central. If you get a chance go into the store and see her IRL, she is gorgeous (I can say that can't I...lol) She stands around 60cm high, so quite tall. She would be perfect for Christmas and all year really if you can't bear to take her down and put her away. She is made totally from scratch, so many techniques to learn here.  

For those of you not in Perth, you'll have to look out for something similar but different (now that didn't make much sense) coming up soon at Wednesdays Wishes. It will still be an angel but in different colours, made to match the other Christmas Creative kits we've been putting together.

Here's the ad for those of you wanting more details of the Scrapbook Central class, be sure to book in quickly as places are limited.

 

We are both busy working on new things for Wednesdays Wishes. We have purchased lots of new goodies, just finding the time to photograph and upload them....plus there will be more creative project kits coming up very soon, be sure to join the mailing list to be kept up-to-date.

Happy creating everyone.

Hugs

Max 
  

Another day, another post...

I have been a bit remiss in sharing our class samples lately, so I thought I might just shock my good friend (she knows who she is) with making two posts in two days. This positively stunning shadow box complete with small art box hanging from the bottom is truely amazing. The very very very talented Audrey created it. I must admit there was a bit of coaching going on from the side, urging her to add yet more 'stuff' and it ended up bigger than Ben Hur, so hence it will be an all day class. We will be teaching it at Tomorrows Memories on the 17th of October 2009, so if you have nothing on that day contact the girls to find out more information about it, because we'd love to see you there.   

So the duck story continues,  he was back at our place in fine form today. Audrey and I made the mad dash to the post office this afternoon, to post all of our new September Creative Project Kits , we were both a little flushed as we'd been packing kits all day.....OK I was bright red (I go that way when I am a little stressed, which doesn't really happen much.... I get hot flushes) and well Audrey was just fine...although feeling my flushingness I think. I pulled into the driveway and who is in the garage????? Yep you guessed it....our favourite duck Timmy/Tammy; he'd waddled into the garage and right up to the kitchen door....wack wack wack wack. Rick had to feed him bits of bread and leave them in a trail to get him out of the garage....but he wouldn't budge far (I know he was waiting for me to come home)....tooo funny! I just wish I could understand wack wack wack language as he seems quite a character.

Anyway another late night is looming, who know's maybe I'll be back again tomorrow.

Until next time take care everyone.

Max

Tick Tock

Can somebody please stop the clock from ticking by, I can't believe September is nearly over already.

I've been very busy since posting last and some really amazing things have been happening around the house. When our beloved Tim Tam died last year the next morning there were two ducks feeding off the grains I'd thrown across the road into the paddock, it was really quite bizzare. We named the ducks Timmy & Tammy and didn't see them much after that. Well now one year on there is this duck, we like to think it's either Timmy or Tammy that comes to our house in the afternoon. When I go outside he waddles up to me waiting to be fed, and he hangs around for a couple of hours. The other day he just waltzed into the garage...wack wack wack. Truely I've spent hours with the kids just watching him and when he's had enough he just waddles up the middle of the street going who knows where...too funny.

So here he is or is it a she? Gorgeous just the same and he seems to love us.

And then there was another reminder I saw today, not sure if it was Lauren or Jason but they'd put flowers out for Timmy, kinda pulls at the heart strings that they too still think about him.

And this morning when I left to drop Lauren at school there was a mass of kangaroos across the road, we don't often see them in the morning its usually the afternoon. But by the time I'd got back from school they'd moved on. Tomorrow I'll be ready early with my camera just incase they are back again. I love seeing the mother feeding on the grass and the joeys also feeding on the grass below too.

I really love where we live, it is in the metro area but we are so secluded here its like being in the country.

Well the latest Scrapbook Creations magazine has come out with my Who's Who article. I hate the name and it does embarrass me, but I was asked to do it so I did. I am sure some of the things I wrote make me sound really silly....but it's done.

One of the pieces I created was this art canvas. It has a tissue paper background and the tree trunk has been made out of a piece of rope (thanks Debra for that idea.....I've stored it in my memory bank for quite some time...lol) Anyway I won't prattle on about it.......not the best pics but I am sure you'll get the gist.

 

I was thinking about making this one or something similar into a kit for
Maxines Melange. Speaking of which we've had 6 new kits go on this month be sure to check them out.  I'll have to come back real soon to share more on those as my night has escaped me again.

Warm hugs

Max 

 

Tick Tock

Can somebody please stop the clock from ticking by, I can't believe September is nearly over already.

I've been very busy since posting last and some really amazing things have been happening around the house. When our beloved TimTam died last year the next morning there were two ducks feeding off the grains I'd thrown across the road into the paddock, it was really quite bizzare. We named the ducks Timmy & Tammy and didn't see them much after that. Well now one year on there is this duck, we like to think it's either Timmy or Tammy that comes to our house in the afternoon. When I go outside he waddles up to me waiting to be fed, and he hangs around for a couple of hours. The other day he just waltzed into the garage...wack wack wack. Truely I've spent hours with the kids just watching him and when he's had enough he just waddles up the middle of the street going who knows where...too funny.

So here he is or is it a she? Gorgeous just the same and he seems to love us.

It's Finally Happened

What you may ask???

The most exciting news since sliced bread.....or the birth of my children. Well exciting news for me anyway.

Audrey and I have started Wednesdays Wishes.  Go and check out this little slice of us. Make sure when you are there to check out the Creative Project Kits and sign up for the newsletter to keep up to date with what is going on. Its been a lot of hard work to get there but so worth it.  Here's a glimple of our three new kits this month:

 

 

We are both very excited, although we've been packing orders for over 12 hours today, but we are still excited, with a little less sheen than we started the day, our hair a mess, very thirsty, in need of chocolate but still excited!!  A huge thank you to those ladies who have supported us on our blogs and now on Wednesdays Wishes

We have more great news coming in the next couple of  weeks, cant wait to scream it from the rooftops.

Back soon to share some inspiration.

Hugs to all

Max