Featured Class

Background Class | Brayer Techniques
Friday, March 20, 7-8pm 
Teacher | Nathalie Kalbach

Turn your cardstock into art with Nathalie Kalbach from Germany. Learn brayer techniques used in mixed media art. This technique based class will teach you how to turn a drab background into an exciting medley of color.

Students will learn to:

• mix paint and roll the brayer
• wrap the brayer with rubber bands
• wrap the brayer with ‘magic mesh’
• wrap the brayer in bubble wrap

Get ready to get messy and have lots of fun on Friday night. Join us for a some wine & beer (in honor of Nathalie’s German roots) and a crafty good time.

This class is the same evening as the Friday Free Crop. Continue to paint, create, and scrap after the class.

Price: 20.00 per person
Call 212.699.0889 or sign up at portraitbug.com

Events

Scrapbooking Breakfast Club
Every Wednesday morning from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Our Breakfast Club Crops will be held every Wednesday from 9am to 11am and are free with any $10 purchase (adhesive, paper, whatever you need). Free use of our fantastic Toolbar is included. Occasionally we will have special guest speakers and teachers!
 
If you are new to scrapbooking this is a great place to start. We will help you create the projects you always dreamed of.  
 
We’ll bring the coffee and bagels, you bring (or buy) your supplies and your creative self.  Don’t forget your photos!
 
Reservations are suggested but not required. Call 212.699.0889 to reserve your spot or go to our meetup page to rsvp online.

PortraitBug’s Inaugural Crop Night
Saturday, February 7 at 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM

The crop room is open and ready to be broken in! Celebrate the grand opening of our crop room with a free crop night on Saturday February 7th from 5pm until 1am.
 
Don’t miss the food and prizes. Giveaways will include Cosmo Cricket lacing kits which you can turn into a mini album, photo display, or even a cool little house (which is on display in the store), paper packs, and goodies from our CHA 2009 trip. You could be the first to have some of the new products we score.
 
On this special night, the toolbar is yours to try. If you ever wanted to try out a sewing machine or test drive an electronic die cutter (we have the Silhouette & the Slice), please come and use ours. You can bring your stash from home, or simply bring your photos and buy what you need as you crop.

There will be staff on hand to help you whether you’re a beginner creating your first layout or a savvy veteran eager to learn new techniques.

Call 212.699.0889 to reserve your spot or go to our meetup page to rsvp online.  This is a FREE event.

Ladies Night Out | Valentine’s Photo Card
Thursday, February 12 at 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  
PortraitBug will be hosting a Ladies Night Out Event on February 12th.  Join us anytime between 6-8pm for wine, cheese, photos, and FUN. We will introduce you to on-site, photo gifting services and everyone will have the opportunity to make a personalized valentine card for FREE. And it can be ready for you in a matter of minutes! In addition, photo books, frames, calendars, journals, and home accessories can be designed and produced in our store that night. There will be an opportunity to purchase a discounted gift card. Don’t forget your digital camera, memory card, or CD.
 
RSVP on our meetup page or call 212.699.0889.  This is a FREE event.

Book Club |  We Dare You by Kristina Contes, M. Dymock, N. Fiin, G. Simmonds
Wednesday, February 18th from 7:00-9:00pm.
Beverages will be served.

PortraitBug is pround to sponsor a monthly book club. Join us for fun and conversation about craft books. This free event will occur every third Wednesday of the month.
 
There are many book clubs out there for fiction, so we here at PortraitBug thought it fitting to get a group together to discuss craft books. We’ll chat about the chosen book, the techniques and projects it offers as well as fresh new ideas to take away from the book.  You are welcome to bring any projects you’ve created in response to that month’s selection, to share with the group.  In addition, exclusive scrapbooking kits, coordinated with the book, will be available each month.
 
Our first book will be by our very own design team member, Kristina Contes: We Dare You: Scrapbook Challenges About Real Life. Kristi will join us in a round table discussion about the infamous “Dares”.
 
Please read the books in advance of book club just as you would for a fiction club. (Or bluff so you can join in the fun.)  Books will be available for purchase at the store.

RSVP on our meetup page or call 212.699.0889.  This is a FREE event.

PortraitBug’s Friday Free Crop Night
Friday, March 20th at 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM

In honor of our international design team member (Nathalie from Germany) coming to NYC, PortraitBug is hosting a free crop night! Starting at 5pm on Friday night until 1am, let’s show Nathalie how we do it NYC!

On this special night, the toolbar is yours to try. If you ever wanted to try out a sewing machine or test drive an electronic die cutter (we have the Silhouette & the Slice), please come and use ours. You can bring your stash from home, or simply bring your photos and buy what you need as you crop. 

There will be staff on hand to help you whether you’re a beginner creating your first layout or a savvy veteran eager to learn new techniques.

EXCLUSIVE: From 7:00-8:00pm Nathalie will be conducting a technique based class (in the portrait studio) to teach you how to jazz up your backgrounds with paint, brayers, and a handful of household items. There is a $20 charge for the class.

RSVP on our meetup page or call 212.699.0889.  This is a FREE event.

After School Classes

After School Class for ages 8-12: Friends are Sweet Cupcake Album
Tuesday, February 10th 3:30 – 5:00
 
Friends really are sweet. Create a cupcake album to show your friends. Each cupcake has lots of frosting!
Learn to make a cupcake mini album in this afterschool class. Students will play with scrapbooking paper, adhesives, and embellishments. Ink the edges of the frosting with distress ink to make it super sweet. And create a cherry top out of buttons.
 
Bring (5) 3 inch photos to cover the backs or 4×6 photos that can be cut down to size and finish off this album to include all your friends. Each mini album will have 5 pages.

Fee: 45.00 per person
Call 212.699.0889 or sign up at portraitbug.com
 

After School Class for ages 6-11: Handmade Photo Valentine
Thursday February 12th 3:30-4:30pm
 
Make a last minute Valentine! Join us for some after school craft time. Learn to cut paper using a paper trimmer, make embellishments pop with 3D foam squares, use an adhesive roller, and create a title with Thickers.
 
Each child will also have an opportunity to personalize his or her card with die-cut letters. They will use a die-cutter called the Quickutz Revolution.
 
Please bring at least 1 4×6 photo or smaller. Photos may be trimmed in class.

Price: 25.00 per person
Call 212.699.0889 or sign up at portraitbug.com

After School Class for ages 8-13: BFF Book
Tuesday February 17th 3:30-5:00
 
Bring your best friend for an afternoon play date, or come alone and make a new friend while you create your own BFF book. In this 1.5 hour drop off class you will make your own chipboard mini book using Bam Pop! papers and tons of embellishments. Learn how to use scrapbook adhesive to add paper to chipboard, adhere photos, and make your own embellishments. Round your corners and die-cut your letters, too. The finished book will be an absolute hit to show your friends.

Students must bring at least 6 4×6 or smaller photos of them and their BFF. Please make sure the photos are copies that can be trimmed/cut-out to a smaller size.

Price: 45.00 per person
Call 212.699.0889 or sign up at portraitbug.com

Afterschool Scrapbooking 101 | Ages 7-14
Scrapbooking Basics for Kids
February 18th, 3:30pm-5:00pm
Teacher Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Learn the basics of scrapbooking from paper to embellishments to tools. This series will start with the basics and teach you how to create your first layout. Bring a 4×6 photo, horizontal orientation.

Price: 35.00 per person
Call 212.699.0889 or sign up at portraitbug.com

Afterschool Urban Getaway Paintable Layout | Ages 8-14
March 20th, 3:30pm-5:00pm
Teacher Nathalie Kalbach

New York City! – tour the city with German workshop instructor, Nathalie Kalbach, in this class tailored for students 8-14 years of age. Working with lots of paint and Prima Paintables paper, your workshop will teach you to create a fun city layout. It includes the paper and necessities to start you on your way to applying the cool techniques taught in this one-of-a-kind class. The sky-is-the-limit and you’ll leave this workshop with artsy techniques that will show off the wonders of the city!

Bring several passport sized photos of you and your family.

Price: 35.00 per person
Call 212.699.0889 or sign up at portraitbug.com
 

Adult Classes

Getting Started with Your Baby Book  
February 15th, 11:00am-2:00pm
Teacher | Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
 
Baby photos. There’s just something about those sweet photographs and wonderful (though sleepless) memories that deserve an album all their own. 
 
How do you get started on a baby album? Learn where to start with your baby book or get that push to actually finish it! Julie will teach you several tricks to jump start your creativity and make your baby book as unique as your child.
 
From choosing an album, organizing the baby pictures and the firsts, and learning how to personalize a baby book to make it truly special, take this 2 hour class and get going!  NOTE: This is a technique and inspiration class.  You will not finish your baby book in class.
 
Students may bring their photos, albums, and keepsakes for personalized help with their baby book, or you may purchase supplies at the store. Please bring prints that fit in your album.

Price: 40.00 per person
Call 212.699.0889 or sign up at portraitbug.com

Scrapbooking 101 Series
Every other Thursday from 7:30-9:30pm
Teacher Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Thursday, February 19 at 7:30 PM – 9:30PM | Basics & Layouts
Thursday, March 5 at 7:30 -  9:30 PM | Using Paint
Thursday, March 19 at 7:30 -  9:30 PM | Stamping
Thursday, April 2 at 7:30 -  9:30 PM | Journaling

Are you interested in scrapbooking but do not know where to start? This class is for you! Learn the basics of scrapbooking from paper to embellishments to tools. This series will start with the basics and teach you how to create your first layout. Bring a 4×6 photo, horizontal orientation.
 
This series is in 4 parts every other Thursday night.
Individual Class Price: $45.00 per person
Series Price: $120.00 per person

Call 212.699.0889 or sign up at portraitbug.com

Week in the Life Workshop – Maya Road & October Afternoon Journal Book
A Week in the Life | February 21, 11:00am-4:00pm
Taught by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
 
Like a modern day time capsule, this 8×8 album will capture an average week in your life.  While in class, you will create the basic album. When you leave class with your completed base, all you will need to do is choose a start date and fill in the album as you go!  It’s a quick and easy way to complete a memorable album.  This is a great gift to give too.  Give a friend the album and a let them enjoy filling in the blanks!  Absolutely no experience needed.  
 
Project: Maya Road Chipboard Mini Album

Students will Learn:

• About mixing and matching papers
• How to prime and use the Adirondack Dabbers
• Ideas for capturing every day memories
• Stamping with Alphabet Stamps

Price: 75.00 per person
 Call 212.699.0889 or sign up at portraitbug.com

Doodling: Titles and Lettering 
February 25th, 7:30-9:30pm
Teacher | Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
 
Have you ever wanted to create your own titles and lettering? Whether you’re already an accomplished font artist or hate your handwriting, this class will have you doodling script and block fonts in no time at all.  Come and learn all about pens, paper and the easy steps for creating lovely letters every time!
 
Project: 12×12 layout
 
Students will learn:  

• About the different pens and paper choices.  
• How to do two kinds of script doodling.  
• How to do two kinds of block lettering.  
• How to color their letters.

Price: 35.00 per person
Call 212.699.0889 or sign up at portraitbug.com

Get Your Photos Organized! with professional organizer Jennifer Zwiebel
February 26th 7:30-8:30pm
 
Are your photos stuck in shoe boxes, on your phone, or on CD? Do you have more photos then you know what to do with? Let professional organizer Jennifer Zwiebel teach you how to sort through your images to make amazing albums and easy to use photo solutions. From digital to old photos you inherited, there are many techniques to preserve your memories.
 
Bring a box of photos, CDs, and get ready to be organized. Students will have an opportunity to start sorting their images and learn where to go from there. Please do not bring more then you can easily organize in one hour since many topics will be covered in this class.  
 
An optional album or photo box can be purchased at a 20% discount for this class. All scrapbooking materials will be 10% off on the day of the class.
 
Price: 35.00 per person
Call 212.699.0889 or sign up at portraitbug.com

Three Layer Star Book
March 8, 11:00-1:30
Teacher | Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
 
Have you ever wondered how to create a professional looking mini book from scratch? With just three sheets of paper and a little bit of know how, you can create this adorable little book in no time at all!  Give it as a gift or keep it for yourself, but this three-layer star book will have jaws dropping!  You will be able to use the sewn binding technique on many future projects.  This is a project that looks complicated, but is startlingly simple.
 
Students will learn:

• How to sew a book binding.  
• How to use scissors to trim papers to fit existing pages.  
• How to use a circle punch.  
• How to create a ribbon closure.  
• Tricks for dealing with tiny alphabet stickers.  
• How to use rub-ons.

Price: 65.00 per person
Call 212.699.0889 or sign up at portraitbug.com

Doodling: Flourishes & Paisley
March 8, 2-5pm
Teacher | Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
 
Doodling is a fun and easy way to add a personal touch to any project.  Whether you’re already a Picasso or can’t draw a straight line, this class will have you doodling flourishes and paisley motifs in no time at all.  Come and learn all about pens, paper and the easy steps for creating perfect embellishment doodles every time!  
 
Project: 12×12 layout
Students will learn:  

• About the different pens and paper choices.  
• How to draw three different kinds of flourishes.  
• How to draw a paisley.  
• Several variations on the paisley.  
• How to combine the flourishes and the paisley together.

Price: 35.00 per person
Call 212.699.0889 or sign up at portraitbug.com

Background Class | Brayer Techniques
March 20, 7-8pm
Teacher | Nathalie Kalbach

Turn your cardstock into art with Nathalie Kalbach from Germany. Learn brayer techniques used in mixed media art. This technique based class will teach you how to turn a drab background into an exciting medley of color.

Students will learn to:

• mix paint and roll the brayer
• wrap the brayer with rubber bands
• wrap the brayer with ‘magic mesh’
• wrap the brayer in bubble wrap

Get ready to get messy and have lots of fun on Friday night. Join us for a some wine & beer (in honor of Nathalie’s German roots) and a crafty good time.

Price: 20.00 per person
Call 212.699.0889 or sign up at portraitbug.com

Urban-Get-Away Altered Art Workshop 
Saturday March 21st 1-4.30pm
Nathalie Kalbach

This altered art workshop teaches you scrapbooking isn’t just about pages in an album. Learn how incorporate stretched canvas, acylic paints, and scrapbooking materials to make a showcase piece for you wall. In addition to painting primed canvas, Nathalie will teach you how to paint paper using acrylics and watercolors on Prima Paintables. Create stamps out of bubble wrap! Find out how gel medium works with scrapbooking to seal, stick, transfer, and make anything archival. Trim your photos and paper to make fun pop-out embellishments. Take a tour of the city with this urban styled layout. The sky-is-the-limit and you’ll leave this workshop with artsy techniques that will show off the wonders of the city!

Price: $65 per person

Call 212.699.0889 or sign up at portraitbug.com

Background Workshop: Make It Flatter
Saturday March 21st, 6pm – 8 pm

Straight from Germany, Natalie Kalbach

German scrapbook designer, Nathalie Kalbach, will bring her flashy Hamburg style to NYC in this innovative workshop that will teach you how to change the backgrounds of your favorite photos. Do you have photos where you love the persons expression but hate whats in the background? Learn how to make the person pop and mask the rest of the photo. Combining techniques with alcohol inks, acrylic paints, water-soluble crayons, and versatile Prima Products provided in your workshop kit, you will be able to create stunningly artsy layouts that will bring new life to your favorite photos.

Price: $45 per person
Call 212.699.0889 or sign up at portraitbug.com

What A Wonderful World Workshop
Sunday March 22nd, 10am-2.30pm
Teacher | Nathalie Kalbach, from Hamburg, Germany

Oh what a wonderful world it is – so let’s scrap it! In this “What A Wonderful World” workshop you will create an acrylic album with lots of Prima goodies, paint, and markers. Nathalie’s design expertise will instruct on how to overcome the challenges of working with an acrylic album and turn it into an instrument with playful depth and charm that reflects today’s wonderful world. This album was inspired by Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”. Tell a your story about a vacation, a field trip, or just how wonderful your life really is!

Whether is a recent trip to the zoo or a your child’s first baseball game, bring 4×6 photos of your wonderful life.

Bagels and coffee will be served to help get your morning started.

 Price: $75 per person

Call 212.699.0889 or sign up at portraitbug.com

DIRECTIONS: We are located on Broadway between 91st and 92nd. You can take the 1/2/3 to 96th Street and get off on the southmost exit. We are just 2 blocks from there.