Tim's Crazy Dogs

Hi All,
Hope you are enjoying your summer!

I've been having a ball with Tim Holtz's "Crazy Dogs" stamps and dies!!!

I had several different occasions to make cards; birthday, graduation, congratulations and even thank you and these fun dogs fit the bill for ALL of them!

Here they are:

Birthday card for Maria 

Graduation card for Mark

As you can see, the layout is the same for all of the cards.  I layered the pencil colored dogs on a piece of card stock that was embossed with the appropriate saying for the card.  Added some extras and most importantly added the sunglasses!!!  And don't forget to add glossy accents to the lenses to make them look shiny and like real lenses!

Hope you're having a great day and finding some time to craft!!!

Thanks for stopping by,

       ~Anna

Welcome Fall with Impression Obsession's Wreath Die

Even though autumn doesn't start until the 22nd, I had this card design and layout in my mind for several days and finally created the card!  I am really happy with the results and am thinking that I'll have a class where we will create different cards with this wreath die and decorate them for fall and Christmas and possibly for spring/summer.  I think it will be lots of fun and help you stretch your supplies! 

Hope you enjoy this and join us for the class!
                       ~Anna

Great Christmas Tags

Thought I'd get you into the Christmas mood with these great tags.  They were fun to make and will make your gift truly stand out!

Here, I used Stacy Stamps, Mini Poinsettia and attached it to the middle of a JustRite Christmas Ornament stamp. The poinsettia was colored with Copics and the ornaments were cut out using Spellbinders 2010 Heirloom Ornament dies.  To make it all sparkle, I used stickles!

For the next tag, I used JustRite, O Christmas Tree stamp set.  I also stamped the Holly Background with Hero Arts and then used the matching embossing folder to give it lots of dimension.  This is a wonderful set from Hero Arts and Sizzix!

I also saw somewhere that someone had used a part of a rosette and so I tried it here, using one of the smaller rosette's from Tim Holtz.  Also used lots of stickles and Elizabeth Crafts, Canadian Blue micro fine glitter for the finishing touches!

For the third tag, I used Dee's Candle die (from Elizabeth Crafts), the pine punch from Nellie Snellen and Spellbinders Large Ovals. 

Of course, stickles was added to the pine branches and the flame.  It's a simple design yet impressive.

Hope this gives you some ideas for the upcoming holidays and get you started on your projects.  Christmas will be here before you know it!

Thanks for stopping by,
       ~Anna

Pretty Birdhouse Shaped Card

It's May and this Saturday is the first Saturday of the month; which means it's Make & Take Saturday!  Join us and you too will be able to create this pretty birdhouse card that says, "There's no place like home."

You will use the latest stamps and die from Impression Obsession.  Add the Tim Holtz embossing folder, some distress inks, some colored pencils or Copics, Viva Decor Pearl Pens and stickles for embellishments and you'll have a unique card!

Now these house shaped cards are so awesome because they can be used for so many occasions!  Just think, "Good Luck in your New Home", We've Moved" or what about using the door and window dies (also from I/O) and create a "Christmas Front Door"!  The possibilities are endless!

Looking forward to seeing you Saturday for this fun project!
                                    ~Anna

You're a Classic Type of Girl!

I really like the way this card turned out.  I know it's very girly, but it's perfect for our girlfriends!

I colored the girl from the Hero Arts Enchante set with my Copics and layered it on a Tim Holtz die that I stamped with the Hero Arts Newspaper Eiffel Tower stamp.  I just love that background stamp.  The saying is from Impression Obsession.

I used these stamps on different cards.  You can see the girls used HERE and you can see the background stamp also used HERE.  It always nice to get a bigger bang for your buck by getting multiple uses out of your stamps and supplies. 

Thanks for "stamping" by,
         ~Anna

Newspaper Print Images Make it Big this Year

Newspaper print is seen all over the paper crafting world this season.  It is being used in background stamps as well as inside images.  I made two cards today using such stamps from Hero Arts.

This newsprint owl is so very appealing and it is appropriately named, "Big Eyes".  I stamped it in black on kraft card stock and added more color for depth with distress inks (brushed corduroy & vintage photo).

The Tim Holtz  wood grain embossing folder made a perfect background.  I'm also hooked on making the neat looking roses with the Cheery Lynn Cuties dies, so I had to add one to the branch.  It made me think of spring; I therefore found a saying to go along. 

I've seen "Big Eyes" made in different colors; I want to try that next.  I think it will be lots of fun.

 For the second card, I used "Newspaper Eiffel Tower", also by Hero Arts.  Not only is the newsprint popular, but it seems like every stamp company released Eiffel Tower stamps this year.  I paired the white embossed background stamp with the butterfly thank you stamp from the "Greetings" set.  I colored the butterfly with Copics and layered a second butterfly over the image and raised the wings.  (Both butterflies are colored.)  I also distressed the cream card stock with Antique Linen.  I think the romantic in me is daydreaming and enjoying Paris!

Stay warm and think spring........it'll be here soon!
              ~Anna

Great Demos from CHA, 2012

Check out these great informational videos, straight from CHA : 
       
         

*****Tim Holtz demoing his new distress markers.

 

EK Success came out with a VERY cool stamping system!  Watch the video HERE.

Spellbinders new dies are here

Nellie Snellen came out with very similar dies to the Spellbinders fold and tuck dies.  Below are pictures of these new dies:

 These will be in NEXT WEEK!

Stay tuned for more updates!

         ~Anna

New Cheery Lynn Spiral Flowers

I received the new Cheery Lynn Cuties 2 die and couldn't wait to try it out.

The spiral flowers turn out so dainty and once you get the hang of rolling them and stop worrying about all the glue you get on your fingers, the rest is a piece of cake!

Besides the Cuties 2 die, I used a leaf punch, the multi-square frame die from Nellie Snellen (MFD006), Marianne Creatables LR0157 and Tim Holtz's rosette die.  I also used some distress ink to give the rosette some depth and cover the white core of the printed paper and age the cream card.

All in all it was fun creating something new!

Rosette Turkey

It is Thanksgiving Eve and Tim Holtz made these cute turkeys with his rosette dies!  Aren't they awesome!

So.......how many will YOU be making tonight?  Tim says there is still time and they're not too difficult to make.  Plus, it's another use for your rosette dies!
Check out Tim's blog; there's a video, picture tutorial and even a turkey body template sheet you can download!  You better get cracking......time is "gobbling" away!

Gift Box for the Rosette Ornaments

As promised, here is the box I made for the rosette ornaments.

 These hand made square boxes are so easy to make.  You start with a square piece of card stock and make several folds with the points of the square and you make a professional looking box with no adhesive, in a color of your choice.  For the top, use a square piece of card stock 1/4 inch larger than the piece for the bottom .

In class yesterday, everyone was very pleased with the boxes they created; each one was beautiful, yet different.  Everyone used different color combinations for the rosette and it's backing and gave the box it's own personality.

Decorate the top and the sides, add some tissue paper to the inside, stack the ornaments and you have a fabulous hostess gift.

These hand made square boxes are just perfect for so many things.  What about filling them with special chocolates and using them as bridal shower party favors.  Any small square or round shaped object fits perfectly inside.  The possibilities are endless plus the finished product looks so very professional.

Join the Christmas Ornaments class and be ready for gift giving time.  You'll be happy you did!

Thanks for stopping by
and
Enjoy the beautiful warm weather today!
Anna

Rosette Style Xmas Ornaments

I really like the way my paper rosette ornaments came out.  And they were quite easy to make.

I made the rosettes with the Tim Holtz mini paper rosette die (the larger one on the strip die).  The centers were stamped with Just Rite Stamps and colored with Copic markers.  I then matted the rosettes on round scalloped circles from my Spellbinders Nestabilities.  Lastly, I added glitter because for Christmas ornaments we need glitter!

Here is a close up of one of the ornaments.

Later I thought of a great way you can package and present 3 of these ornaments.  Since they are relatively flat, you can stack 3 ornaments and place them in one of those cube hand made boxes made out of card stock.  I'll have to make one and post a picture of it soon. 

These would also make great gift tags!   Attach them to a gift and then the recipient can use it on their Christmas tree.

Join tomorrow's Christmas Ornaments class and you'll make one of these!  Just don't forget to call to reserve your seat.

Thanks
and
Happy Stamping,
Anna

The Limited Edition Distress Ink Pads

Hi Everyone,  Just wanted to let you know that the Limited Edition Winter Distress Ink Pads have arrived at the Creative Corner!

The three colors are:  Evergreen Bough (a beautiful green with a hint of blue), Festive Berries (a true Christmas red), and Iced Spruce (an incredible greyish blue).

Those of you who have pre-ordered a set, they are ready for pick up.
And don't worry, there are still several sets left for anyone else; so hurry in before they are gone!

Also, check out Tim Holtz's blog!  He even has a video on there showing you more ideas using these great colors!

Another Flower Embellishment

Good Morning Everyone!

Yay, finally sunny weather is here!!!  The rain these past days have really been a bummer!

My 85 year old dad is visiting and we are having a grand time.  I have to say he is enjoying my cooking and we are spending quality time chatting and relaxing together.  Yesterday, he met the ladies who came to class and even sat in and watched us make one of the flower embellishments...........the chrysanthemum made out of felt.  He had a kick out of  watching everyone getting excited with their finished flower.

And here is the fourth card from the "Flower Embellishment" class.

We used Hero Arts' Fabulous Flourish stamp, Tim Holtz' new mini rosette die, and those great butterfly punch and embossing sets.

This class is going to be repeated again on Thursday, July 7th, at 6PM.  Call and reserve your seat today!

Well, I'm off to get ready for church.

Have a wonderful day and
Happy Stamping!
Anna

More Info on the Sewing Room Canvas

Barbara reminded me that you will also be using the NEW Tim Holtz Distress STAINS in the Sewing Room Canvas class.  It's a great new product and here's your chance to try it out in class!

Have a great day and
Happy Stamping,
Anna

Sewing Room Canvas

As you know, Barbara Thomas loves to take Tim Holtz's classes and this past March when we were in Boston, she took 4 with him!  She made wonderful, artistic, collage canvases that make perfect wall decorations.

Here is the Sewing Room Theme canvas and you will be able to make one in Barbara's class, on Saturday, August 27th!

It uses the Tim Holtz sewing room die set as well as Tim's new tissue tape and lots of embellishments.
Now, isn't it just so clever that you use part of Tim's birdcage die to create the skirt on the dress form?  There you have it,  another use for that die!  I just love it when we can use our dies or stamps in different, imaginative ways!

Call the shop to reserve your seat!

Thanks for stopping by and
Happy Stamping,
Anna

Tim Holtz Style Canvas by Barbara Thomas

Hi Everyone,

As you know, Barbara loves taking Tim Holtz classes, and here is her take on a canvas that she will be showing you how to make on Saturday, June 11.

You will learn how to make flowers using the new glassine papers, glitter sprays and more! Unfortunately you cannot see how this whole canvas just sparkles.


When you are done, this 5X7 art canvas will be ready to decorate your wall.
Call to reserve your seat today!

Barbara and Tim Holtz

 Barbara took the Tim Holtz classes and decorated 4 different canvases. This is just one of the canvases she made and they are great for home decor!  She used lots of different techniques and is planning to share them with you in upcoming classes.

Don't forget, you can always just take elements from these samples and create a card or decorate a box top!  The possibilities are endless!

New Cards

Yesterday, the Hero Arts order came in! Yeah!!! So, I finally got it all sorted and today I was able to sit down and play!

I started with the saying stamp set, "Truly Appreciated". I was so waiting for this set to come in because the sayings are a nice size and a bit long. I knew I needed something longer to fit in those great Tim Holtz labels dies. And I really liked the way they worked inside them.

I used the new Hero Arts envelope pattern background stamp and two Impression Obsession background stamps for the base of these cards. I then used the same ink color to edge the die cuts after I embossed them with the Cuttlebug Swiss dots embossing folder. And then I edged the die cut with a gold or silver Krylon pen. I really liked how that pen made the label pop.

To finish the cards off, I added a butterfly or dragon fly that was colored with Copics and accented with stickles.


These two cards were also made with an Impression Obsession background stamp, stamped several times on different colored card stock. It was then pieced together to make a bold background. Again, I used a saying stamped on a die cut (used Nellie Snellen multi-frame dies)
and added a few pearls and string as accent.


Here's the stamp set. Not only are the sayings so nice, but it comes with a few accent flowers and leaves. These sayings help you make quick cards. You only need a bit of decoration around the sayings and you're done. I think this will become one of my favorite saying sets.

Stay tuned for tomorrow, as I'm hoping to get one or two more cards done for you.

Thanks for stopping by,
Anna

Tim Holtz Roses Class

This past Saturday, Barbara Thomas taught the Tim Holtz Roses Technique again and here are some of the completed frames. The ladies did a great job! They are just wonderful.....and each one turned out different, showing a personality of their own.

The first one was made by Maryanne Sullivan and.......

Nina made this very pretty one. No one would believe that Nina is not a stamper nor has she worked with distressed inks! You go girl!!!


Here's our Ceci working hard to distress her frame.

And here are Maryanne and Nina admiring each others work.

Thanks ladies for a fun day with distress inks and thanks Barbara for another wonderful class!

Tim Holtz Roses

These are the ever so popular Tim Holtz Roses. Barbara Thomas took Tim's class when we were away in Boston in March and made this artsy frame decorated with the roses. We are lucky that Barbara will teach this class on Saturday, July 17 at 1:30 PM and give you all the tips she learned from Tim himself! Everyone is very excited about this, so please call the store and reserve your seat.......the class is filling quickly.

Thanks,
Anna