Happy Halloween

Have you made your treat bags yet? There is still time and here's an idea - use the Marianne icicles die (LR0135) to create the border!  By using green card stock, the border looks like gooey goop that is dripping off the paper.  I just love it when I get multiple uses out of my supplies.

Even though yesterday Monticello had snow showers and we are bracing ourselves for a snowstorm tomorrow, hope you have a fun Halloween!

One good thing is that we can be warm inside and stamp the day away!  The other good thing is that this time of year, the snow should melt in a day or so!

Have a good one
and
Happy Stamping,
Anna

"A Very Merry Christmas" Ornament Card

I used the "Romantic" Marianne Designables embossing/cutting folder to create this quick and easy Christmas card.  The white pearlized, "wedding" card stock gives it a very elegant look.

The purple ornament was heat embossed in white, sprayed with sparkle shimmer spritz, and cut out with a Spellbinders 2011 Heirloom Ornament die. 

I'm sure you'll like it; it's quick and easy, yet elegant.  What more can you ask for?

BIC Mark-it Pens

Hi Everyone,  Just wanted to share with you these great markers on a budget.  I first heard of the BIC Mark-it markers from Gina K of StampTV.  Since these markers are alcohol based, they work great with your Copics!  (Click here to see one of Gina K's videos on these markers.)  What a great way to expand the colors in your collection OR get to try alcohol markers before you decide to invest in Copics.  Of course, Copics are a high quality marker, but this is a great start for many of you.

They come in Ultra-fine point and fine point, in several size packages.  I have tried the Ultra-fine ones, in the 36 pack.  They work and color wonderfully, especially in those tiny spaces that we need sometimes.  Plus, what a great range of colors!

The good news is that Staples carries these markers AND they are on sale right now!  They normally run for $20, though until Saturday, you can get 36 markers for $15!  What a deal!

Just sharing the good news!

Have a wonderful day
and
Happy Stamping,
Anna

Marianne Designables

I'm happy to share with you another card I made using the Marianne Designables (DS0907  Swirls). 

I ran parchment paper through my Big Shot and then added JustRite stamped and colored images to it.   This gives you a different look that you can get with these wonderful embossing/cutting folders.

This is a close up of the doily I used to back the JustRite heart above.  It is just beautiful and it is a great bonus when you cut out the Polynesian Sails border.  You see, when you cut out the Polynesian Sails border, you also get this gorgeous doily.  Click here to see the Birthday Card I made using the Polynesian Sails die from Cheery Lynn.

This doily die looks great with so many things.  The round JustRite stamps  fit perfectly in the center!  Just think of all the different layering you can do with this die!

Have a wonderful day
and
Happy Stamping,
Anna

Happy Birthday

Now that Ginny's birthday has passed, I can post a picture of the card I made for her.

 I used the Polynesian Sails die by Cheery Lynn to make the pretty oval frame.  To make the flowers, I used the stacking flowers #4, Swarovski crystals for the centers and various punches and dies for the leaves.

Since the card was quite thick, I made a box for it and here is a picture of the cover.  (Of course, I had to decorate it.)  The lettering are peel offs that I colored and adhered to the oval clip punch.

Thanks for stopping by
and
Have a wonderful day,
Anna

Parchment Craft Gift Cards

I've made the following Parchment Craft (Pergamano) samples using the Pergamano Multi Grids.  These metallic stencils are used with embossing and piercing tools on parchment (a bit heavier than vellum) to create very pretty and delicate designs.  I really love the look.

 I just love the way the flower came out, as well as the design around it!

This pretty gift card would dress up any present.

And this is a sample of the one you can create tomorrow.  You get to learn some basic techniques and still come up with a very delicate & beautiful card. 

Looking forward to seeing you!
Anna

Show & Tell Saturday

Hi Everyone,
I'm so excited to share with you some of the wonderful card samples and new items you will see this Saturday at the Show & Tell.  Between Soni and me, we made 16 card samples in Canada and here is just a small sample of what you will get to see on Saturday!

 This beautiful card was made with the new Marianne Designables, called Swirls.  This is a fabulous die that embosses AND cuts at the same time.  You get this wonderful look with only one pass through your Big Shot machine.  I then "dry embossed" the bell by hand.  The card looks like you spent hours on it, when in reality, you only hand embossed only one part of it.

 Here, you can see the beautiful detail you get using this die and parchment paper (heavy weight vellum).

 On this card, we used the Marianne poinsettia die set and added peel offs and a bow to complete it.

On this card we pierced the design  and used the new mini poinsettia punch and embosser to add the flowers onto the pre-printed design.

 Here is a close up of the punched 3-D flowers and the pierced design.

 Saturday, you will be able to get this card in a pre-packaged kit.  The kit will include the pre-printed designs, the patterns for the piercings, the card stock & envelopes to make 4 cards; all for the special price of $4.00! That's only $1 per card!

For this card, we used a brass embroidery stencil and ran it through the Big Shot to get it dry embossed.  Then we pierced the holes and embroidered the design.  Add some peel offs and you have a very beautiful and unique card! 
You will be able to get this brass stencil to make this card for only $6.00!  (And these embroidery stencils come in the following designs:  Xmas tree, bell, Xmas ornament, and candle).  What a variety!

Looking forward to seeing you and sharing these wonderful ideas. This will be the year that you'll make some truly stunning Christmas cards!

Have a peaceful evening,
Anna

Saturday's Make & Take

Saturday's Make & Take will be a fabulous "Snowflake Window" card.  We will use a hexagon die and acetate to make a window in the card, as well as the snowflake embossing folder to make a pretty texture for the background.

We'll attach this beautiful snowflake peel off and color the acetate to create the window.

Here, I tried to show you that the completed window looks like stained glass.  If you want yours in a particular color scheme, you can bring your Copics and try them out.

Looking forward to seeing you Saturday!

Anna

Tutorial - Using Glitter and Peel Offs

Many of you have taken the "Fun with Glitter" class and learned the various techniques to use the Elizabeth Crafts Micro Fine Glitter.  You also have asked for a refresher, and so today I took some pictures as I was making a card.

Start off with a piece of card stock and your double sided Be Creative Adhesive.

Next, you carefully place your adhesive on your card stock.  (You don't want to touch it, as oils from your fingers with later prevent the glitter to adhere.)

Cut around the peel off design you would like to use.  And then take off the excess around the design.  You only want the peel off that you will be using.

Next, you need to transfer the WHOLE peel off with the transfer sheet.  Use your bone folder to transfer all of the parts of the peel off.  (If you want a refresher on transferring a peel off, see my video here)

Here is a picture of the peel off that is transferred onto the clear, transfer sheet.

Now, place the peel off onto the card stock that has the Be Creative Adhesive on it.  You will now transfer the peel off onto it.

Now that you have the peel off on the adhesive, you are ready to use your fine, pointy tweezers and pull of the sections you want to glitter.  Starting with the darkest color, (here I used Bronze) you will pour it onto your leaf.  Tap off the excess and don't forget to burnish it with your finger.

Here is a picture of the second color of glitter put down (orange) and again burnishing it with my finger.

Once you have all of the sections of the peel off filled in, you can cut out your image.  From there you use the images to create your card!  Your friends will be amazed on how it SPARKLES and wonder, "How did you do that!"

Stay tuned for more tutorials on how to use this wonderful glitter!

Thanks for stopping by,
Anna