I learned this great technique from Naomi Smith, an amazing CTMH leader, at one of her unit meetings. It's hard to tell in the video, but the paper really looks and feels like suede. Give it a try! You'll love the effect.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Classy Crafts Video Tutorial - Faux Suede
I learned this great technique from Naomi Smith, an amazing CTMH leader, at one of her unit meetings. It's hard to tell in the video, but the paper really looks and feels like suede. Give it a try! You'll love the effect.
September Card Class Cards
Here are the cards I'll be teaching at my card class in September. The dates are Sunday, 9/14 (2 pm), Monday, 9/15 (7 pm) and Tuesday, 9/16 (7 pm) if you'd like to attend. Class attendees make all 3 cards for $5 or for free with a $15 order.
This is one of the cards that Corp designed for consultants. I typically don't use their creations for my classes, but I really liked this one. It features the Magic Moments papers and Thoughtful Seasons stamps (from the new idea book)
This card has an interesting fold to it to make 2 pockets. Another consultant (and friend) Amy Ulen showed how to make this at our last big unit meeting at Naomi Smith's house. I'll also be doing a Classy Crafts video tutorial on this card in the coming weeks. It features the Perfect Day papers, including Tulip, Juniper and Sorbet (3 of our new colors) , and the September Word Puzzle stamps and Adorning Corners stamps.
One of the pull outs is a bookmark and the other gives a place to write a greeting.
This first card was inspired by Lisa's great creation a few weeks back. It features the Sept Stamp of the Month "Treasure Life". Colors are Olive, Cocoa and Desert Sand. It's using a resist technique that I will teach in a Classy Crafts video in a few weeks.
This is one of the cards that Corp designed for consultants. I typically don't use their creations for my classes, but I really liked this one. It features the Magic Moments papers and Thoughtful Seasons stamps (from the new idea book)
This card has an interesting fold to it to make 2 pockets. Another consultant (and friend) Amy Ulen showed how to make this at our last big unit meeting at Naomi Smith's house. I'll also be doing a Classy Crafts video tutorial on this card in the coming weeks. It features the Perfect Day papers, including Tulip, Juniper and Sorbet (3 of our new colors) , and the September Word Puzzle stamps and Adorning Corners stamps.
One of the pull outs is a bookmark and the other gives a place to write a greeting.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
New Layouts
With Dave on vacation, I've had some time to do some personal scrapping. These are the first layouts I've done for Sam's book in MONTHS.
They all feature the new "Notebook" papers from CTMH and a little contraband stuff as well. I love how well everything looks together!
Layout with Notebook papers, Narrative stickers, and some funky chipboard elements (the girl and sayings) I picked up about 4 years ago that I was saving (read: hoarding) for the right layout.
The other 2 pages from the Notebook Level 1 kit: I added Narratives brads (the flowers) and rub ons from Wholy Cow. These pages took 5 minutes - literally.
They all feature the new "Notebook" papers from CTMH and a little contraband stuff as well. I love how well everything looks together!
These pages are from the Notebook Level 1. I added dimensionals covered - the bird covered with b&t, and the swirls stamped. These pages are spruced up with some goodies (the alpha stickers, rub ons, journaling sticker and scallop paper) by Karen Russell's Narratives collection:
Layout with Notebook papers, Narrative stickers, and some funky chipboard elements (the girl and sayings) I picked up about 4 years ago that I was saving (read: hoarding) for the right layout.
The other 2 pages from the Notebook Level 1 kit: I added Narratives brads (the flowers) and rub ons from Wholy Cow. These pages took 5 minutes - literally.
**OH!!** A quick tip - using the empressor with rubons works amazingly well.
You're Invited...
To the unveiling of CTMH's new Fall/Winter 2008 Idea Book!
Friday, September 5th
7pm
at Nona's house
There will be free goodies for everyone who attends, including a New Idea Book, a make and take, and refreshments!
There will also be an AWESOME auction - where you can bid on fabulous products from the new Idea Book!
Earn Stamp Bucks for the Auction the following ways:
RSVP - ($10)
Bring a Friend - ($30 each)
Arrive on Time - ($20)
Do the Make and Take - ($10)
Sign up for a workshop - ($20)
Sign up to host a party - ($40)
Sign up as a consultant - ($100)
Make an Operation Smile Donation - ($10 for every $1 donated)
For every $25 in orders ($30)
Purchase the "Just Because" card kit or Friendship stamps - ($30)
Email Nona for more information, or to RSVP and get directions.
nonapearl@myctmh.com
Friday, August 29, 2008
Christmas Cards Round 2
Here is round 2 of my Christmas Card workshops. They feature the *new* Notebook papers and Shining Star stamps (my FAVORITE set in the new book).
Customers will make 5 each of the 5 cards shown. Price will be $25 for the 25 cards. I'll also be selling pre-stamped kits and will be taking orders for these soon (early September) after designing the other rounds.
To see the first set of cards, scroll down - I posted about 2 weeks ago. They were using the Evergreen stamps and It's a Guy Thing papers.
Enjoy!
Customers will make 5 each of the 5 cards shown. Price will be $25 for the 25 cards. I'll also be selling pre-stamped kits and will be taking orders for these soon (early September) after designing the other rounds.
To see the first set of cards, scroll down - I posted about 2 weeks ago. They were using the Evergreen stamps and It's a Guy Thing papers.
Enjoy!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Another Quickie
Here's my latest "Quickie" card tutorial. It's just a fast, simple and sweet card featuring watercolor crayons applied with a waterbrush.
I had scribbled the crayons on waxed paper for a class and picked the color up with the waterbrush. You can also color directly on your project and blend with a waterbrush (or paintbrush dipped in water).
The music is a flashback to my jr. high/high school days. This was one of my all-time fave songs. Does that date me a bit? :) Enjoy!
September Scrapbook Kit - and a quick look at New CTMH Product
Starting in September I'll begin doing an exclusive Scrapbooking Kit of the month from Close To My Heart. Customers can purchase the kits to make at home, or come to my monthly kit making class the last Sunday of every month. I'll explain more about kit prices in a later blog, but here is a sneak peek at September's pages. Sorry the photo quality isn't the best... I took the pictures at night at my white balance was a tad off.
The new papers are from the Perfect Day paper pack. Embellishments include the Perfect Day stickease, new chocolate rub ons, holiday buttons and new tulip embroidery floss. You'll notice three of our new colors in these pages as well: Tulip, Sorbet and Juniper.
Our 3 Parks Layout (on the kit, you can select your own title)
The new papers are from the Perfect Day paper pack. Embellishments include the Perfect Day stickease, new chocolate rub ons, holiday buttons and new tulip embroidery floss. You'll notice three of our new colors in these pages as well: Tulip, Sorbet and Juniper.
Our 3 Parks Layout (on the kit, you can select your own title)
An Original Layout
Positively Perfect Day Layout
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
A Jaunt Over the Mountains
Dave has been working like crazy the past few months on a huge project. It was wrapped up last week, and now he's taking a few weeks off.
We decided to splurge just a bit, and celebrate his accomplishments (along with another birthday treat) and go to Leavenworth for 2 days. Sammie stayed with Grandma so we got to relax just the two of us.
We stayed at the Solstice Spa and it was absolutely incredible. The boutique and spa were a touch on the new agey side for me, but still very comfortable and relaxing. Our room was one of the nicest I've ever stayed in (so you'll have to forgive all the pics!). It was just slightly better than our suite at Abigail's Bed and Breakfast in Victoria, where we honeymooned 8 years ago.
We arrived on Monday morning and shopped and walked Leavenworth. If you don't know, it is a Bavarian themed town about 20 miles east of Steven's Pass in Washington state. It's about a 2 hour drive from Seattle (without traffic). We had lunch at the Mexican place upstairs in the Alley - great food as always. We splurged on ice cream in the afternoon, and then had a terrible dinner. If you are in Leavenworth do NOT eat at the Alley italian place. The service is horrible, the place isn't clean (food on the floor and flies on the tables), food tastes like it is all out of boxes and cans, and it's really overpriced. But I digress...
After dinner we relaxed and enjoyed cable tv... something we don't have at home. We watched 2 episodes of project Runway - what a fun show!
This morning we had a light "organic" breakfast in our room, and then finished our stay with a couples massage. Oh boy it was grand. It started with a steam, then a hot stone foot scrub while we sipped sparkling cider, and munched on apple slices and truffles. We then got side by side 1 hour massages. Yum. We felt all calm and relaxed for the nice drive home. We know where we'll be going to splurge again. We highly recommend it for a 2-3 day get away!
Now for the pictures...
us all happy after our massages
Our fireplace - which we didn't use because it was a scorcher of a day (thank the Lord for AC)
Dave reading on the couch by the windows:
Our soaking tub: (our next house WILL have one of these)
No Bavarian Village would be complete without a Starbucks:
This just cracks me up:
We decided to splurge just a bit, and celebrate his accomplishments (along with another birthday treat) and go to Leavenworth for 2 days. Sammie stayed with Grandma so we got to relax just the two of us.
We stayed at the Solstice Spa and it was absolutely incredible. The boutique and spa were a touch on the new agey side for me, but still very comfortable and relaxing. Our room was one of the nicest I've ever stayed in (so you'll have to forgive all the pics!). It was just slightly better than our suite at Abigail's Bed and Breakfast in Victoria, where we honeymooned 8 years ago.
We arrived on Monday morning and shopped and walked Leavenworth. If you don't know, it is a Bavarian themed town about 20 miles east of Steven's Pass in Washington state. It's about a 2 hour drive from Seattle (without traffic). We had lunch at the Mexican place upstairs in the Alley - great food as always. We splurged on ice cream in the afternoon, and then had a terrible dinner. If you are in Leavenworth do NOT eat at the Alley italian place. The service is horrible, the place isn't clean (food on the floor and flies on the tables), food tastes like it is all out of boxes and cans, and it's really overpriced. But I digress...
After dinner we relaxed and enjoyed cable tv... something we don't have at home. We watched 2 episodes of project Runway - what a fun show!
This morning we had a light "organic" breakfast in our room, and then finished our stay with a couples massage. Oh boy it was grand. It started with a steam, then a hot stone foot scrub while we sipped sparkling cider, and munched on apple slices and truffles. We then got side by side 1 hour massages. Yum. We felt all calm and relaxed for the nice drive home. We know where we'll be going to splurge again. We highly recommend it for a 2-3 day get away!
Now for the pictures...
Here's the spa...
us all happy after our massages
This is in front of the boutique...
This is our room:
The view at dusk from our private deck:
The view at dusk from our private deck:
Our fireplace - which we didn't use because it was a scorcher of a day (thank the Lord for AC)
Dave reading on the couch by the windows:
Our soaking tub: (our next house WILL have one of these)
No Bavarian Village would be complete without a Starbucks:
This just cracks me up:
Monday, August 25, 2008
Hank and Molly
We were back at Mom's on Saturday night to celebrate Dave's birthday and got to see the puppies again!
Here is little Hank. He is such a love sponge. He's not as playful as Molly, and much prefers to snuggle up near your feet. He's also smaller than Molly - she's got long, long legs and Hank is a little more squat. My mom says that Molly is shaped like a gazelle and Hank is shaped like a potato. Hehe.. It isn't far off from the truth.
Molly is checking me out with Hank behind her in his favorite spot next to Papa Rick.
Doggies wanting in on the treats - Happy Birthday Dave!
Molly watches Sammie doing silly things in the yard. I have such a little lady.
Hank is looking for kisses.
Here is little Hank. He is such a love sponge. He's not as playful as Molly, and much prefers to snuggle up near your feet. He's also smaller than Molly - she's got long, long legs and Hank is a little more squat. My mom says that Molly is shaped like a gazelle and Hank is shaped like a potato. Hehe.. It isn't far off from the truth.
Molly is checking me out with Hank behind her in his favorite spot next to Papa Rick.
Doggies wanting in on the treats - Happy Birthday Dave!
Molly watches Sammie doing silly things in the yard. I have such a little lady.
Hank is looking for kisses.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Humble Artist Swap Card
This is my contribution to the Humble Artist Swapping group I'm involved with. This month we had the following challenges:
1. Card must be 6"x6" (not my favorite size by a long shot, but I'm pleased with how it turned out.
2. You must use something "clear" - I used clear detailed embossing powder on the star.
3. Card must feature new papers from the Fall Idea Book - I used a patterned sheet from the new kit "Perfect Day". Isn't it fabu?
4. Card must have round design elements of some sort - I added scallops.
5. Card must have some kind of dimensional element - I used the brackets from the fresh shapes collection of DEs.
6. Card must have at least 3 stamped images. I used the Spot on Backgrounds to give my brackets polkadots. I stamped the star and embossed with clear powder (then used cocoa ink on a sponge to bring out the detail of the stamp. Finally, I stamped the sentiment and sponged the edges. The star and senteiment are both from the new set "Shining Star". Also you may recognize that the paper and ink is a new color. "Juniper" is one of 4 new colors in the CTMH Fall/Winter book and it is DELIGHTFULLY DELICIOUS!
I also pulled out my ol' trusty sewing machine to do the stitching around the cocoa frame and outside edge. Overall - one of my favorite cards I've made in a long time.
1. Card must be 6"x6" (not my favorite size by a long shot, but I'm pleased with how it turned out.
2. You must use something "clear" - I used clear detailed embossing powder on the star.
3. Card must feature new papers from the Fall Idea Book - I used a patterned sheet from the new kit "Perfect Day". Isn't it fabu?
4. Card must have round design elements of some sort - I added scallops.
5. Card must have some kind of dimensional element - I used the brackets from the fresh shapes collection of DEs.
6. Card must have at least 3 stamped images. I used the Spot on Backgrounds to give my brackets polkadots. I stamped the star and embossed with clear powder (then used cocoa ink on a sponge to bring out the detail of the stamp. Finally, I stamped the sentiment and sponged the edges. The star and senteiment are both from the new set "Shining Star". Also you may recognize that the paper and ink is a new color. "Juniper" is one of 4 new colors in the CTMH Fall/Winter book and it is DELIGHTFULLY DELICIOUS!
I also pulled out my ol' trusty sewing machine to do the stitching around the cocoa frame and outside edge. Overall - one of my favorite cards I've made in a long time.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Just Because Card Kit
Last night Christine, Jen, Sparkle, and Bridgette came over for a little creative time. We had a blast and I think we all actually got some artwork done too!
I worked on putting together my "Just Because" card kit cards. These are an exclusive kit made by Close To My Heart in honor of National Stamping month (September), but they actually started the celebration early by selling them in August. You get all the supplies (including a stamp set) to make 16 cards (2 each of 8 designs). I just love the papers and the stamp set. If you want more details check out my CTMH website.
I'm going to be offering a special card making brunch for all my customers who purchase this kit. It will be on Saturday, Sept, 13th and after having breakfast together, we'll put the cards together. I think it will be a fun and appropriate way to celebrate National Stamping Day.
I was also able to finish 6 scrapbook pages today, but I'll have to post those on Sunday after Scrapbook class, because they always get the first peek at next month's layouts. Hopefully this means I'm back on track for daily posting. Thank you all coming back as I've slacked off in the blogging department for the past few months. I think I'm finally getting back into a creative groove.
I worked on putting together my "Just Because" card kit cards. These are an exclusive kit made by Close To My Heart in honor of National Stamping month (September), but they actually started the celebration early by selling them in August. You get all the supplies (including a stamp set) to make 16 cards (2 each of 8 designs). I just love the papers and the stamp set. If you want more details check out my CTMH website.
I'm going to be offering a special card making brunch for all my customers who purchase this kit. It will be on Saturday, Sept, 13th and after having breakfast together, we'll put the cards together. I think it will be a fun and appropriate way to celebrate National Stamping Day.
I was also able to finish 6 scrapbook pages today, but I'll have to post those on Sunday after Scrapbook class, because they always get the first peek at next month's layouts. Hopefully this means I'm back on track for daily posting. Thank you all coming back as I've slacked off in the blogging department for the past few months. I think I'm finally getting back into a creative groove.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Molly
My mom and dad lost their dog Casey last month to cancer. It was hard because Casey was a really good doggie. But this week, they decided they were ready for a new pup. This is Molly! Isn't she just ADORABLE?!?! She's an 8 week old chocolate lab. They are also off tonight to check out another golden lab puppy so that Molly can grow up with a friend.
Sammie and I got to go play with Molly today and she is the sweetest little girl. We just love her - almost enough to get a dog too. Almost.
A new challenge for me
Double pointed needles - oh how they have daunted me in the past!
But there are such CUTE things you can make using them, and I was determined to try. So this week I tackled the double points, and WON! =) This is the beginnings of hat #2 that I made. I'll have to show off the finished product - infant hats with ear flaps. They turned out adorable! I'll be selling these at my craft fair in November.
Next challenge: socks!
Monday, August 18, 2008
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