Newsprint Skyline

To continue with the newsprint fad, I created a card using the fabulous Hero Arts stamp, "Newspaper Skyline".  For this card, I just wanted to go black and white with a bit of red.

This so reminds me of Sex and the City!

When I first looked at this stamp, it just screamed NYC to me and I thought it would be fun to add girlfriends to the scene.   After cutting out the ladies from other Hero stamps and putting it all together, it totally reminded me of Sex and the City.  What do you think? 

The great sayings are from JustRite and I even added bits of the buildings to the inside of the card.

What a fun card to send to your girlfriend and celebrate friendship!

Thanks for "stamping" by,
        ~Anna

Large Stamped Flower Embellishments

Before one of our classes started last time, we had a quick Show and Tell.  Carol Chiaramonte brought these wonderful flower embellishments she made.  They were just stunning!  Wouldn't they make a perfect embellishment on top of a gift box, instead of the usual store bought bow?  In addition, you can make a card to coordinate with the package to make it really special.

 Carol pulled out some old, large flower stamps and went to town!  She stamped a whole bunch of these flowers in various colors and then layered them and added some stamped leaves and pre-made paper white flowers and buttons.

 Carol used 90 lb. watercolor paper to give the flowers some stability.

 If you are wondering how she got these different looks on the flower petals, Carol used one of her favorite techniques when she uses solid stamps; it's a variation of the "Kissing Technique".  Ink up the solid stamp. Take another stamp (any design will do, preferably a non-solid stamp) and tap it on the inked stamp AND swirl it a bit.  This is like the "Kissing" technique, but you will swirl one stamp.  The swirl makes a design in the ink and when you stamp the large solid flower, the result is just about different every time.  Try it, it's lots of fun!

 You will now look at your stamps in a totally different light.  Pull out some of those large flower stamps and see what embellishments you can make with them!  Bring them to the next Show & Tell.  We'd love to see what you have created!

See you soon,
   ~Anna

Newsprint in Eyewear!

Maria e-mailed me today to let us know that newsprint is all over, not just in paper crafting!  She sent me this LINK to designer reading glasses; as Maria put it, "check out these adorable glasses"!  I guess we'll be seeing more and more newsprint everywhere!  Thanks for the update Maria!  I can always count on you!

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

"True Love" Heart Card

When I think of lattices, I see gardens and weddings.  This is what I tried to convey in this card; a pretty spring or summer wedding in a garden decorated with a white lattice covered with pretty flowers.

I used several Cheery Lynn dies here:  Two of Hearts, French Lattice (small), Cuties 2, and Fanciful Flourish.  The saying is an Impression Obsession stamp and I made "pearls" with the Bronze, Viva Decor Pearl Pen.

Hope you are having a nice Valentine's Day!
See you soon,
     ~Anna

Valentine Card with Outlines Stamp & Cheery Lynn Dies

 I have seen several cards made with Outlines Rubber Stamps and Cheery Lynn dies and so I tried my hand at it and this is what I came up with.  I looked through my Outlines Stamps and found that the E342 heart fits nicely inside the larger heart of the Cheery Lynn Two Hearts die set. 

 

I seem to be drawn to a pink and white color scheme; I think because it is so dainty.  I only added some color around the white flower which was made with the Cuties 2 flower die.  I used embossing folders to add texture and added ribbon to complete the card.

I love to decorate the inside of the card and this card being so rich on the outside, it definitely needed more than just a saying on the inside.

Enjoy your day and

Thanks for "stamping" by,

         ~Anna

Clean & Simple Valentine for Saturday's Make & Take

Isn't this just too cute?  It's really simple and can be used for Valentine's Day or any other occasion when you want to send a loved one a simple loving message!

Come by tomorrow, make this card and show someone how much you care!

Looking forward to seeing you!

              ~Anna

Punxsutawney Phil Isn't Always Right!

 Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this  morning! :(   Therefore,  according to the little fury guy, we'll have 6 more weeks of winter :(   Well, doesn't that bring us to around March 15?  And technically, according to the calendar, doesn't spring arrive on March 20th?  I guess he's not that far off.

Now, "according to ABC News, Punxsutawney Phil and his copycat counterparts are WRONG more often than right.  And an analysis by the National Climatic Data Center found there is no correlation between Phil's predictions and the actual weather."  Oh well, I guess it's just fun to get dressed up and join the celebrations!  I just keep remembering Bill Murray and the polka playing Um-pa band ; you know the movie, Groundhog Day!  That movie just makes me smile!

Even though, we enjoyed 50 degree weather these last days, and today it's back in the 30's, as long as we don't get any of that white stuff falling, I'm happy!

Enjoy your day!
    ~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

A Tower of Pretty Handmade Boxes

I really like the way my tower of boxes turned out!  Wouldn't you say they came out so dainty and a perfect gift for Valentine's Day?

 Here is a close up of the lace die cut that I cut with a beautiful Cheery Lynn die.  It truly made this whole set so delicate, dainty and girly!

 For the top flower, I used the new Cheery Lynn cuties 4 die and layered it on the pretty Marianne Creatables leaves LR0192.  I used a Viva Decor pearl pen in salmon color, for the center of the flower.

 I also think that this would make a great center piece for a Bridal Shower table.  I would make several of these towers and line them down the center of the table.  Each guest could receive just one small box as a party favor; you may raffle off the towers to some lucky winners, or give them as prizes to winners of the bridal games.   I'm sure you can think up even more ways to showcase this set!

I wanted to make a matching card, so I went with a very clean and simple design.  I cut two extra lace strips and just added it to the card!  I used Spellbinders ovals to showcase the saying (Savvy Stamps) and added some "pearls" with the Vica Decor pearl pen.

Join us on Saturday, February 11th, at 1PM and make this wonderful set.  It will be just in time for Valentine's Day!

Thanks for "stamping" by,
       ~Anna