Carol Chiaramonte's Unconventional Valentine Card

I received Carol's Valentine card the other day and I was totally blown away with it!!! I just LOVED the color and I NEVER would have thought to use this color combo for Valentine's Day.  I've used the traditional red or pink, and even red, white and black, but this idea of teal just was totally out of the box and again, I just loved it! It also is a very simple design and you can create multiples of it.

I have emailed Carol to tell her that this card was out of this world and she was the usual Carol.  I know she loves easy, not many layers and nothing that is messy! She shared with me that she wanted to GET RID OF HER SCRAPS, and so she used up her scraps!!! She ended up with many cards and in many colors.  I should have asked her, how did she know I love teal blue???

Well, that's about it.
Thanks for stopping by,
         ~Anna

Sweet Christmas Wishes Topped with Love

Love this cute card - the Make and Take for this weekend's Christmas Open House.

Supplies used:
Dies:  Impression Obsession's take out coffee and Christmas charms sets
Stamp:  Impression Obsession
Other:  Stickles, smallest Marvy's heart punch, Sizzix/Hero Arts snow embossing folder, peel offs

Looking forward to seeing you!
                 ~Anna

"Pergamano" Snowflake

Today, as promised, I am sharing a "Pergamano" snowflake gift card.  Whenever you dry emboss on vellum, you get the white lines.  I used parchment vellum here, which is of thicker weight than vellum, cut out a window and added some peel offs.  Again, quick an easy.

Hope you'll join us for this special Pergamano Make and Take on Saturday, Oct 5 from 11AM - 1PM.
Now is the time to start thinking about your fall and Christmas projects.  And don't forget Chanukah, which is very early this year - starts Nov 28! 

Thanks for "stamping" by,
        ~Anna

Lavender Christmas Trees!

Yes, I said lavender and don't they just great; all sparkly and waiting to be attached to your gifts or hung on a tree?

Christmas tags do not always have to be traditional colors.  Try something different and have some fun!  We have lots of Elizabeth Crafts glitter available in all sorts of colors for you to try your hand at this!

Stop by and pick yours up today!
           ~Anna

A Sample of the Cards We Made in Canada

I'm happy to post some of the cards we made in Canada this past weekend.

This is a close up of one of the 3-D Pop up cards we made in a clear dome; notice the new glitter swirl peel offs!

 And I just love this new die, Anja's Roses Centerpiece, that was used to make the "window" in this sample.  There is also a matching Anja's Roses Corner die!

Here, we used this new beautiful shimmery card stock and the rose flower punch and embosser set.  We used 2 different size punches, even though there are 3 sizes available.  Notice the beautiful embellishment inside the flower!  It is so elegant and simply made with a silver spacer and a mini glitter brad.  I am sure you are going to love these!

I'm thrilled that the goodies have arrived from Canada today!  I'm going through the order and getting it out on the shelves for you!  Join us on Saturday, May 19 for the big Show & Tell and see these and more up close and personal.  (The pictures unfortunately do not do them justice.)   In addition, we will have a Make & Take  and give away the new Nellie Snellen Catalog to the first 10 customers of the day! 

Looking forward to seeing you!
               ~Anna

Fabulous Card Made with Shimmer Sheetz

I have been wanting to post this card so you could see the beauty in those wonderful shimmer sheetz we have from Elizabeth Crafts! 

It's a bit difficult to photograph because they are so shinny, but I think you get the gist of it.

These sheets are made of mylar and come in a wide range of pretty colors.  This one is amethyst gemstone and it was put through the Big Shot with a Sizzix embossing folder.  It embosses so nicely and then I lightly sanded it so that the design would pop.  When you sand the shimmer sheetz, the white core comes through.  The core of the gemstone series is silver.

Stay tuned as I post more samples with Shimmer Sheetz!  Or, better yet, join us for some fun classes where you'll get to use these wonderful sheets!  So far, there are two scheduled classes for shimmer sheetz; Thursday, May 24 or Saturday, May 26!  Looking forward to playing with you!

(You can click HERE for the full calendar of classes & events).

Thanks so much for "stamping" by,
                ~Anna

Easter Make & Take this Saturday

Here is another reason to join us on Saturday.........an Easter Make & Take.......create this pretty card just in time for Easter!  Don't miss this opportunity!

 We'll use  these pretty peel offs, a few markers and some stickles (of course) to make this pretty card.

We'll even decorate the inside of the card with the "negative" parts of the peel off.

Looking forward to seeing you!

              ~Anna

Pretty Pergamano Butterfly

Just wanted to post the pretty Make & Take from Saturday.

Everyone loved the idea and colors of this card.  It brought spring to every one's mind.  We really needed it after the weird weather we had this past week.

The window opening was made with Nellie Snellen's die set, MFD005.  We used parchment paper to emboss the butterfly and the flower was made with the Cheery Lynn cuties 2 spiral flower die.

This was such a hit that I will repeat this Make & Take this Saturday!  So, if you missed it, now is your chance to create this great gift card.  Join us Saturday and don't miss it again!

See you soon,
   ~Anna

Clean & Simple Butterfly Card

I just can't stop making these "chip board like" embellishments that Jennifer McGuire showed us in class.  They are so much fun, easy to make and they look so "cool" on your card; and for those of you who have a Cricuit machine, or a Silhouette or a Pazzles, it is even easier for you since you can cut multiple images at one time!

Here's a tip for those of you who don't have any machine:  find a PUNCH you like and punch out several images and layer them.  You will get the same effect!

For this card, I used the Cheery Lynn butterflies set DL112 and the matching "angel wings" set, DL112A.  I cut several butterflies in white, one in black and one angel wing in red.

 I adhered it to white card stock that was stamped with the saying "May your dreams take flight", added a few peel off red gems and layered it onto a Bar4 size black card.

I have seen this layout on so many simple but elegant cards in TJ Max.  That's right, TJ Max!  TJ Max  sells pretty note cards and this is a classic layout!  Now is the time to start using this layout and make a bunch of note cards.  Won't this make a great gift? 

After I completed the card, I stepped back and thought that the plain white card stock was just a little too plain for me.  I know, I know, it is supposed to be Clean & Simple.  But you know me! 

I therefore went a step further...................

and used the Swiss dots embossing folder to texture the white card stock, leaving a space for the saying.  I also used my Scor-it to score the lines to make a finished border for the space for the saying.

Basically, the same layout, just a little texture added for some interest.

So, get those punches and dies out and start cutting some images and have some fun!!!
Please post your cards on our Facebook wall................everyone would love to see what YOU have created!!!

     Thanks!
        and
Happy Stamping,
     ~Anna

Chanukah Card made with Peel offs and Spellbinders Labels Two

Isn't this a great card that Soni made for Chanukah!

I really like the way this card is folded.  The front half of the card is folded in half to expose part of the inside of the card.  By placing the Spellbinders Labels Two strategically in the center, you cover the inside saying.

Below is a scan of the inside of the card and you can see how it was all put together.

This is a very nice layout and I need to use it more often!

Thanks for sharing, Soni!

Time Flies!

Here is a great card that Ceci Prange made for her DH's birthday, which was at the end of November; hence the fall colors.

Wasn't it clever to use the Marianne Designables, Classic (DS0911) and make it into a clock!  Now, change the color scheme and you can use this clock for New Year's Party invites.

Thank you Ceci for sharing!

Saturday's Make & Take

Join us on Saturday for our Annual Christmas Open House and you can create this fabulous gift card!

You'll use a "non-Christmas" stamp to create a Christmas gift card.  This may help you look at your stamps a whole new way.  Remember, by changing a color scheme, changes the entire look and feel of your art.

In addition, learn how to make this pretty 3-D flower by using the new Cheery Lynn Cuties 2 die.  These spiral flowers are so dainty and a wonderful embellishment for so many things.  The possibilities are just endless!

Looking forward to seeing you Saturday,
Anna

Thanksgiving Day Card & Matching Candle

It is always fun to use our craft to make more than just cards. This was true this past Saturday when everyone went home with a beautifully decorated candle as well as Thanksgiving Day cards.

Place the decorated candle in a clear plastic bag, tie a beautiful ribbon to close the top and you have a great hostess gift!  Think about a Christmas themed candle for more wonderful hand made gifts from your heart.  I know we all run out of ideas on what to get everyone.  Hand decorated scented candles are always appreciated and as you can see, they are not too difficult to make.

Hope you'll take some time to make some hand made gifts for the upcoming holidays.

Another Christmas Card

I have been wanting to make a Christmas card using the Marianne Creatables LR 0182 Christmas ornament die (the set comes with this ornament and the bell die) with the Marianne Creatables LR 0181 pine tree branch.  And this is what I came up with:

I kept it simple with just two colors for the card and glitter, of course!  Elizabeth Crafts micro fine glitter in Sahara makes the ornament really sparkle.  I highlighted the pine branch with stickles, embossed the shiny white card stock with the snowflakes embossing folder, added a greeting and ribbon and voila, I was done!

Hope you're getting in some craft time for your Christmas cards!

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

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

Glittered Snowflake Card

Creating is the fun part of my job and as you can see from my posts, I've been busy making samples. Actually, last Saturday night I had so many ideas running through my head that I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep until 5AM! (I hate it when that happens.)  Thankfully, the week is progressing nicely now.

Today, I used the beautiful Marianne Creatables snowflake die and Elizabeth Crafts micro fine glitter in Canadian Blue and Cool Highlights to create this card.  I also embossed the white pearlized cardstock with snowflakes to made the background layer.  I finished it off with Swarovski crystals and silver peel offs.

It's quite simple, yet very sparkly and perfect for Christmas.

Have you started making your fall or Christmas cards?  Don't put it off..........all of the fall holidays are just around the corner! 

Have a wonderful day
and
Happy Stamping,
Anna

Fall is Definitely in the Air

There is a definite nip in the air, which means that fall is here.  I always hate to see summer go.  I just love summer; the warm weather and all of the activities that go with it.  Unfortunately, we have to say goodbye and welcome the new season.  But with it comes the beautiful colors fall, especially here in the northeast. 

Today I finished a fall card using the wonderful micro fine glitter that we all love.  I adhered the different colors of glitter into the many parts of the peel off leaves.  I also used the new embossing folder, scrollworks and one of my favorite layouts.  This layout is simple, yet elegant and works well with so many themes.  And to top it all off, it's quick.

And if you want to make your leaves in no time, use only one color of glitter, as Soni did in the card below.

Soni layered the glittered peel off leaf onto embossed cardstock that was sanded and distressed.  If you took Sherry's class last fall, you may remember we made a similar card.  Soni now took it to another level by adding the glitter and decorative peel offs.

I only wish you were able to see all of the sparkle in these cards.  The pictures do not do them justice.

So, put on a sweatshirt, get a cup of hot tea and start making your fall and Thanksgiving Day cards to warm your spirits!

Thanks and
Happy Stamping,
Anna