Make & Take this Saturday!

Hi Everyone! 
Can't believe it, but June is just about over.........oh where, oh where, does the time go?.........But on the other hand,  this also means that this Saturday is the first Saturday of the month and it will be Make & Take Day!

And here is the Make & Take............. that Outlines turtle is just too cute and so I knew I had to do something with him!

Too bad we don't have a stamp that says, "Happy Belated Birthday".  I'll definitely be on the look out for such a stamp, but I guess in the meantime, we'll just use the mini Happy Birthday one.

Hope you'll stop by and have some fun creating this cute little gift card on Saturday!

Thanks and
Happy Stamping,
Anna

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

New Embossing Folders Arrived!

Hi Everyone, 
Just wanted to let you know that some great new embossing folders have arrived at the Creative Corner and here's a peek at them!

Won't these look great on your new cards and projects?  I'm going to have to think of and make some new samples to inspire you now.

Thanks for stopping by,
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

Another Flower Embellishment

Today I finished making this really simple chrysanthemum from felt.  It was easier than I had thought it would be and very cute.

This will be the third flower that you will learn how to make in the Flower Embellishment class.

I have to say, I really like the way the tag turned out too!  Quite simple but fun! 

Have a wonderful weekend.  And Happy Father's Day!
Anna

Handmade Flower Embellishments

Today was a fun and creative day, as I completed 2 of the cards for the Flower Embellishments class that will be held on Saturday, June 25th, and also on Thursday, July 7th.

You will have fun learning how to make these handmade flowers for your cards.

This rose is really pretty and is made from 4 flowers cut from a die.

This flower is made from scalloped circles, also cut from a die, and made from printed vellum.  The button for the center of the flower is so cute.  It is also cut from a Joy Crafts die.

Hope you'll join this fun and creative class.
Anna

Two Great Tips for Cutting your Dies

Hi Everyone,

We all have those wonderful dies that make great shapes and we no longer have to cut each out individually by hand!  Unfortunately, sometimes they just don't cut perfectly in our machines; be it the Wizard, the Big Shot, or the Big Kick .  Here are 2 tips to help you:

1.    When using some dies and they don't seem to completely cut through your cardstock, simply rotate the die a little and run it through the machine again.  It should now cut all the places. 

This really helps when you have a square design.  When you use a die that is basically a square, put it through your machine slightly skewed.  (I think since we are always working with right angles, we tend to put it in the machine perfectly squared, and parallel to the rollers.  Just rotate it slightly......be "off" a little and not so perfect)

2.   Sometimes, when we use dies, the cardstock gets stuck inside the die.  And when they don't make those tiny holes in the die so we can poke a piercer through it, it does get difficult to get the cardstock out.

Here's a solution:  place wax paper between the die and the cardstock.  The wax paper helps pop the cardstock out!

Hope this helps you!
Anna

More Info in the Sidebar

Hi Everyone! 

Just wanted to let you know that I added more information to the sidebar of the blog.

Now, there is a space where you can subscribe to my blog by e-mail.  Anytime I publish, you will receive an e-mail!  Isn't that simple!!!  Sign up now!

Many of you have asked what to have in a class kit.  Now, there is a picture and suggestions for your Basic Class Kit.  Don't forget to add anything you can't live without when making projects.

Lastly, if you need help with Wedding Invitations or some special event, call for a personal appointment with me.  I can help you with ideas and get you that very special cardstock you will need.  Or, you can order a set of very personalized cards/invitations/party favors directly from me.  There is a reminder about this, also on the sidebar.

Let me know if you would like to see any other important information here.

The sun is out and it's warming up here!  Have a wonderful day!
Anna

New Date for Stacy's Classes

PLEASE NOTE:  We needed to reschedule Stacy's Classes to Saturday, August 20. 

Click to this post to see samples of what you will create in these classes.

Sorry for the inconvenience and thanks so much for your understanding!
Anna

I Just Love Rhododendrons

As  promised,  here are two pictures I took of my rhododendrons.  They always bloom for me on Memorial Day Weekend and just in time for Maria's birthday!

Have to say I just love their color!!!

Enjoy!
Anna

Coloring Glitter with Copics

 I just love the subtle color and blending you get when you use Copics to color glitter.  This completed card shows you the glittered butterfly colored with Copics.  (You use Elizabeth Crafts micro fine highlights glitter)

You start with a peel off sticker and the trick here is to place it on a craft sheet, with the sticky side UP.

It is now easy to transfer the peel off to your cardstock that is already prepared with the adhesive.  With the peel off on the cardstock, you then add the highlights glitter; and don't forget to burnish it with your finger. 

Once that is done, you can start coloring the glitter.  You just need one color and the blender pen.  The biggest trick is keeping the glitter out of the tip.  I found that you do more of a dab with your marker.  I start in the edges.  The ink starts out dark there and it quickly spreads.  The color stays within the borders of the peel off and you use the blender pen to pull more color out.  As you are pulling the color out, it simply gets lighter and that is how you get the fine blended look.

You repeat this in each section of the peel off and then just cut out your image.

Once you start coloring and seeing the fantastic results, you just can't stop.  You start looking at your peel offs in a whole new way!

Hope this inspired you to try this fun and fabulous looking technique.
Anna

Stacy Classes are Coming Up!

Hi Everyone!   Just a reminder that Stacy Rich, owner of StacyStamps will be teaching 2 great classes at the Creative Corner on Saturday, June 25th!

This is a sample of one of the cards you will make in the "Border and Solids class".  This border is very bold but makes a great looking card that can be used for any occasion.

This is a sample of one of the cards in the "Flowers, Flowers and More Flowers class".  This card uses the latest flower stamp from Stacy, the snapdragon. 

As you know, Stacy is a wonderful teacher. Besides going home with a great set of completed cards, you will get so many stamping tips from the expert as well as have a ball with your stamping buddies!

Hope you will join the fun.  Just call and reserve your seat today!

Tomorrow's Make & Take

Hi Everyone, 
Just wanted to post a picture of tomorrow's Make & Take.  It's a great tag for Father's Day and you can personalize it!

Hope to see you!
Anna

Masculine Cards

I've been getting ready for the Masculine Cards class and having some fun with them.  I guess it's easy for us to make cards with loads of flowers and the like, but not so when it comes to those masculine cards. So here is what I came up with:

I really like the way this card came out!  It was so much fun making it and it reminded me of the good old days with the VW Bug!

And to make this card really fun........I used sandpaper for the road!  Yup, black sandpaper!  I have to say, it really gives it a great look!

In addition, I know many of you own the A Muse stamp, "Cityscape" and here's another use for it!

This was a very simple card using Impression Obsession stamps and only coloring in certain parts with a white pencil.  Simple, yet very striking.

Hope I have inspired you to get your creativity going for Father's Day; it'll be here before we know it!
Or, you might want to join us for the Masculine Cards Class.......then you'll have the cards all ready!

Thanks for stopping by,
Anna