Open House R/S for Sunday

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to post this important update......

because of the snowy forecast.......we are rescheduling the Open House for TOMORROW, SUNDAY, Dec. 6. It will start at Noon and run all afternoon!

Hope you'll be able to join the festivities!

Tomorrow is December!

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. Eventhough Maria was not able to come home this year (this was the first year without her), I did have a lovely Thanksgiving dinner with friends; and the guys even got to play football in the unusually warm weather.

Well, I guess, now the rush is on for many to complete their Christmas cards. (I know that there are many of you out there who have started and completed your cards in the summer!) But for those of you who still haven't figured out a design, I hope you will get some inspiration here.

I've finally put together this Christmas card! Yeah! It did take awhile to come up with the completed card, but I am happy to say that I am pleased with the way it turned out. I used a clear, glitter, ornament sticker, and stuck it to plain white card stock. I added a few stitches in dark metallic red and green and layered it onto Memory Box and gold paper. Then everything was layered onto the shimmery, fancy, white card stock that we all love to use and call "the wedding paper". It was finished off with peel off sayings. (The scan doesn't show the glitter, but believe me, it REALLY sparkles.)

This really turned out elegant, yet it's very simple to make! You should be able to make at least a few of these! Good luck!

More Christmas Cards

Just wanted to post 3 ideas to help you with your Christmas cards. All of the samples were colored with Copic markers and unfortunately, not all of the scans show the true colors. (here's a list of the colors used: R37, R39, YG13, YG 17, C1, C4, & YG03)

This great gift tag was made with Stacy's Gift Stamp --- it's so simple, yet very lovely with the glitter accents. (Here, the gift was colored in the two shades of green: YG 13 & Yg17)
This tag was made with the Outlines Poinsettia stamp. And I just love those Spellbinder Nestibilites Labels ... it really makes the tag unique!
For this card, I used the Bird Tree stamp by Memory Box. Simple and quick!

Hope you get some inspiration for your cards!

Some Great Christmas Cards

This is a beautiful card made by Ginny Behrens with the latest "Poinsettia Stamps" by Outlines, using Copic markers. The dot background was embossed in gold, also an Outlines stamp.
This elegant, yet simple card was made by Soni Larson using 3-D Chickadee pop-ups, Memory Box printed paper, gold peel offs and white Flower Soft for the snow.
And here's a Shaker tag that you could make in the "Spirelli Tin and Tags" class. It's simple to make these shaker tags with the self adhesive plastic shaker covers. (The Chubby Bird was colored with Copic markers and the red overlays were cut from the Classic Circle Nestabilities. ) Flower Soft was also used here to fill the shaker with "snow".

The Comfort that Comes from Creation

Last week I was in NYC at the American Folk Art Museum. Thought you'd love to see this beautiful quilt, The National Tribute Quilt, which is on continuous display at the museum. It represents the response of the Steel Quilters of United States Steel Corporation to the events of September 11, 2001. This small quilt club conceived the monumental undertaking, ultimately receiving quilt blocks from all fifty states as well as Canada, Spain, Australia, and Denmark. The quilt measures eight feet high by 30 feet wide, and is constructed of 3,466 blocks in six panels. The four central panels form a montage of the twin towers of the World Trade Center against the New York City skyline. These are flanked by panels dedicated to the lives lost on the four flights and at the Pentagon. Each three-inch-square block bears the name of one person who perished in the disaster. This project started on Sept. 13, 2001 and was completed on July 4, 2002.
It truly is a beautiful piece of work that surprisingly took less than a year to complete. You can tell that the ladies put their heart and soul into this quilt as well as probably worked through their pain of the events that occurred.
As I took in this impressive and moving work, I thought about the times that I have turned to my craft to help me through challenging times. As crafters, or artisans, we sometimes take for granted the comfort that comes from creation. So often we make a card, a quilt, or a painting, to make others feel good - rarely do the recipients realize how good it makes us feel. With the season of gratitude and good cheer upon us, I'm asking you to tell me what you've made over the years that made you feel better. What have you gifted that gave you something as well?
Wishing you a peaceful day...

Spirelli Decorated Tin

In the "Fun Day of Stamping" class, you'll decorate a tin with spirelli and then fill it with tags. Here are just some of the tags and cards that you'll make. It can make a great gift. Call the shop to reserve your seat!

Another Video of Stacy

Here's another short Video of Stacy, demo-ing her new Sleigh Stamp. Enjoy!

Tomorrow is Make and Take Day

Hope you'll have time to stop by and do the Make & Take tomorrow. You'll even get to use the new, white Flower Soft, to make the snow on the branch. I'm sure that this wull help you get a jump start for the upcoming holidays.

Stacy Rich's Visit

We had a blast when Stacy visited us yesterday! She had so many SIMPLE, yet elegant ideas to make our cards extra special. And Stacy's new sleigh stamp is just gorgeous. Here's a video of Stacy showing you how to mask and then create a pretty winter scene with her sleigh, evergreen trees and moon stamps. The black and white card, with just a bit of red is truly striking. I'm sure you'll get some great tips, so sit back and enjoy! Thanks so much, Stacy! As usual, you did a GREAT job. We love you and look forward to your next visit!

Stacy's Coming Tomorrow!

I spoke to Stacy on Sunday and all is set and ready for tomorrow. Stacy is so excited about seeing you! She is planning some cool demos and they just sound BEAUTIFUL. Hope you'll have time to stop by and say hello. (Friday, Oct 23 from 3-5:30PM) See you soon.

And here's Zack!

I know many of you have asked how Zack is doing..........well, here's a short video of him!
Enjoy!

More Penguin Cards

Here are 2 of the penguin cards we made in Canada! Aren't those penguins cute!

We dry embossed the penguins on the left side of the card, using a brass stencil (unfortunately, it doesn't show well in the scan), added pre-printed translucent vellum behind the circle opening, dry embossed some lines on the vellum to "pop" the picture, and lastly, added glitter peel offs to finish off the card.
This card was done with the metallic, 3-D Pop ups, where you keep adding different parts of the design with foam tape to make it 3-D. It was then finished off with silver peel off borders. I have to say, everyone, really likes this card!

Pictures of our Travels through Ontario

Here is a great picture of the St Lawrence River, with the cruise boat leaving the dock. Unfortunately, we weren't able to take the cruise since it rained on Sunday. (I took this picture Monday morning, just before we headed back home) Oh well....but we did other stuff......
We took the scenic route to Gananoque, and we had to go on a ferry......so technically, we did get to go on the river. Here's a picture of the other ferry going in the opposite direction, while we were on the sister ferry.
And, Soni found the Winery!!!
And we couldn't leave without buying some wine to take home!!!

Some of the Sample Cards we made in Canada

This spirelli card was quick to do, yet the results are very pretty. The border was done with a snowflake border punch that also embosses.








The Christmas tree card is done using the Iris Folding technique.











This pergamano card is very labor intensive, but it's very pretty. (It's done on translucent vellum)














I just love that angel....it's 3D pop outs and the bells were a single punch where you can link the bells together.

Back from Canada!

Soni and I had a wonderful trip to Ecstasy Crafts, all the way up in Shannonville, Ontario. We made lots of samples and learned new techniques! And thankfully, we even had some time for R&R! Here are just a sample of the cards we made. Well, I thought that I would be able to post some card samples and pictures of our trip.......but no. I'm having computer issues......I even was on the phone with HP, Norton and my internet provider....and it still seems that certain things are not functioning:(

Well, the Show and Tell is still ON for Thurs, Oct 1 at 1PM......so, if you have the time you can see everything up close and personal. Meanwhile I'll continue trying to get into secure web pages.

Speak to you soon!
Anna

Different Looks with the Bramble Wreath

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to show you the bramble wreath made with different color schemes and how it gives each card a different look. For me, the card with the red "berries" makes me think of winter. And doesn't the brown/orange card make you want to get ready for your Thanksgiving dinner? These cards would also make great thank you notes.

Well, I guess summer is slowly coming to an end and I'm looking forward to making cards for the upcoming holidays!

Stamp, paper and pearls by Memory Box

Here's tomorrow's Make & Take!

I had so much fun making this card! And that penguin is just soooo cute! Actually, all of those penguins from Memory Box are so cute.

Here, I colored him in with KOH-I-NOOR woodless pencils and gamsol and added glossy accents to the helmet, so that it would give it that sturdy, plastic look.

And for the field, I used green Bazzill cardstock and added fine strips of white paper for the yard lines.

Stamps: Football penguin is by Memory Box and the saying is by A muse Art Stamps

Beautiful Cards from Dave

Aren't these just beautiful? Dave Brethauer, owner of Memory Box sent me these 2 great cards.

The bramble wreath is stamped in brown ink and different colored crystals were added to complete this beautiful winter card.

The twizzle tree is stamped with brown ink and colored with Prisma pencils. Clear colored crystals were added for the lovely finished look. Unfortunately, the colors are not showing up well on the computer. If you get a chance, you can see the actual cards at the shop!

Check back soon, I'm planning to get some more new cards up!

Fun Day of Card Making with Sherry

Thank you so much Sherry, for a fabulous day of card making! Everyone had a wonderful time. You wouldn't believe how many times I heard the ladies say, "Aw, isn't that so cute!" We are all hoping that you will return and give us MORE lessons on those Copic markers.

(These pictures were from the morning class.)

I also want to thank all of you for your support --- you are just wonderful. Thanks to Ann for the delicious dessert (as always), Barb for your help in class and bringing the extra table and chairs, Soni for your help during the week for all of the preparations. And I thank everyone for your special help in the afternoon, when you all held it together terrifically!

If I forgot someone, please forgive me. You are all so special!

Sherry's classes tomorrow!

• Well, we are all looking forward to Sherry's classes tomorrow! The store is set up and more new goodies have arrived! I want to thank Soni for all of her help.....she came down on Wed and Thurs and helped me open orders, rearrange the store and displays and get things done for tomorrow! I could not have done it without her! Thank you sooooo much!

Here's a list of some goodies that came in:

• Lots of A Muse stamps and paper
• Memory Box stamps and paper
• Flower soft --- more diamond white and autumn colors
• the mini Scor-it, with a free carrying case

So, let's get ready for a day full of fun!
And check back to see the pictures from the day.....you might see yourself on-line!

New Goodies Arriving Daily

Lots of new goodies have been arriving at The Creative Corner!

• Some more cute stamps from A Muse, including the surfboard
• An order from Impression Obsession with some great new and large, "cover a card" background stamps
• The new Fiskars punches that create wonderful borders
• Smooch
• The "Wedding" paper from Paper Cut as well as other beautiful, shimmery card stock, perfect for your Christmas cards
• Bar 4 envelopes

And there's a Special:
Buy the mini Scor-it and receive the carrying bag for free. That's a $9 value, for free!

More A Muse stamps will be in next week, just in time for Sherry's class. In addition, Memory Box should be in any day with lots of fall and holiday stamps.

Will keep you posted! Anna

Summer Isn't Over!

This has become my favorite card......at least for now. I was inspired by a sample I saw on the Amuse Art Stamps site, but I added real sand and a layer of "glossy accents" (by Ranger) over the surf boards to make them look like they were just waxed and out of the ocean!

I also love the saying; "Enjoy the Ride".

Stamps by A Muse Art Stamps
Gingham paper also by Amuse

Quick and Easy Gift Card

I'm so excited to post cards today.

This a quick and easy gift card that many of you have seen. It has been very popular and so I wanted to post it here.

The large, bold flourish, is by Hero Arts and it is a background stamp. In this case, you only use part of the stamp.
Ink: Versacolor Evergreen

The butterfly is by Memory Box and is stamped on colored vellum.

Happy Birthday is by Outlines Rubber Stamps

Embellishments: Pink and green jewels and pink pearls, also by Memory Box.

I always love to find different ways to use a stamp!

New Blog!

Hello Everyone! I'm excited about creating this new blog! I will do my best to keep you posted with new card samples as well as new product arriving at the shop. Please be patient, as this is a new venture for me and I need to get familiar with this new program.

Speak to you soon,
Anna