Limited Edition, Summer Distress Ink Pads Have Arrived!

Yes, you heard it here!!!  The Limited Edition, TIm Holtz Summer Distress ink pads are here!!!  The colors are so pretty and they go so well with the Spring colors.

The cool summer shades are:  Picked Raspberry, Mowed Lawn and Salty Ocean.








 



 And the yummy spring colors are:  Peacock Feathers, Squeezed Lemonade and Shaded Lilac. 







Look at these fabulous tags made by Dyan from Art from the Heart!

Dyan used both the spring and summer distress colors.   I can't get over how pretty these colors look together; a great color palette.  These tags are simply awesome!!!


Looking forward to see what you'll create! 
So stop by and pick up your pads today, before they are all gone!

Beautiful Hummingbirds!

Today I wanted to show you the great pictures I was able to snap a few days ago!

First off, I have to tell you about this wonderful hummingbird feeder I got when I was in Belleville, Ontario.  It was from this great little shop called, A Place to Perch.  The owner was so knowledgeable and friendly and she told us about this simple red feeder.  Soni and I both bought one, as well as the nectar and a "waspinator".  The hummingbirds find this feeder easy to use and even like to perch on the little rail.  There also is a moat in the center to prevent ants from getting into the nectar.

Sure enough, hummingbirds came to my feeder within a day of me hanging it up!  I've had a different feeder years ago, but I haven't seen as many hummingbirds as I do now!  Birds come to this feeder all day long.  It is so exciting to see these little colorful birds fly over and take a drink.  It just puts a big smile on my face.

I then became determined to snap a picture of these beautiful birds.  It's not as simple as you may think.  These birds are so fast.  You have to be ready with your camera at a moments notice.  I would sit out on my deck, but no birds in sight.   But I didn't give up.  I was determined and was hoping that by the end of the season, I would have a picture or two.

Last week when I was out on my deck taking pictures of the "round wall hanging", I turned around when I heard the humming.  And since I already had my camera in hand, I was able to snap a few pictures!!!

Aren't these birds just gorgeous!!!

Now remember, the hummingbird is very popular and so is the hummingbird die that is from Elizabeth Crafts.  It is perfect for your summer projects like for example this beautiful card Els Van de Burgt made.

She used the hummingbird and fern dies, shimmer sheetz and micro fine glitter; all of which are presently in stock!  Stop by today to get your supplies.

Oh yes, as for the "waspinator", it works great.  It's a large grey bag that is supposed to look like a wasp's nest.  Wasps are very territorial and when they see this "nest", they turn away not wanting to trespass on what they think is already claimed ground.  So far, it is working.  I don't see any new nests being built and I have always had wasps building nests on my house siding.  Thank you Tina and Susan for your expertise!

 Thanks for "flying in"
         ~Anna

A Visit from Maria & Gary

I so look forward to my visits with Maria and Gary.  Like I said in the previous post, it's hard when your loved ones live far away.  But at least they don't live too far away; Virginia is only 6 hours away by car.

We always have such a nice time together and this time was no exception, though this visit was a short one.  Oh well, we still were able to get in some retail therapy at the Galleria and meet up with some friends for a relaxing dinner out.

The following day we spent the afternoon at West Point and my friend Pete was even able to join us.  Here are some pictures from the day:

This picture may look like we were there for a parade, but it was really taken in front of a huge mural in the West Point Museum.  It would have been awesome if there really was a special event going on!   I guess we can dream.........or there's always next time.

 And don't Maria and Gary make such a cute couple?

Thanks for stopping by and hope you are having a wonderful day,
                                   ~Anna

Round Wall Hanging

Good Morning Everyone!
Hope you had a wonderful weekend and got to spend some time with your Dad!  I did the next best thing......talk with my Dad on the phone.  He was happy and he did get to celebrate with my brother and his family.  It's hard when family don't live close by, but I take what I can!

Now, back to crafting.  I finished the round wall hanging and am very pleased by the way it came out.

I wanted to keep the color palette simple and I love white on white with some color; this time I chose pinks and a pale green..

The fabric was a wonderful find and I wanted you to see a close up of it.  See the beautiful texture and even an embossed rose in random places!  The paper flowers came out so nice using the Cheery Lynn Sweet Williams dies as well as all the sizes of the Roses (B152, 154, & 155).  I am sure you recognize the Hero Arts butterflies that I colored with Copics and added stickles for sparkle!

I am sure you will agree that this would make a great bridal shower gift or a wonderful gift for your own wall!

Join us Saturday, June 30th and complete this stunning project yourself.  Call to reserve your seat today.  Also remember, these dies are in stock, pick them up now if you can't wait til the end of the month!

Thanks for "stamping" by!
        ~Anna

Another Glittered Butterfly!

Today I just wanted to show you another color combination for a glittered butterfly.  This time I used  bronze, orange and sahara micro fine glitter.  I really like how bold it came out.

 And below is a close up of the micro fine glitter.  It was really sparkling in the sunshine today!

For your chance to learn how to use this fabulous glitter, join us this Saturday.  Learn how to add more than one color to an image resulting in a truly unique piece.  Call today to reserve your seat!  It's going to be great!

Totally Glittered Butterfly!

Glitter, glitter and more glitter!!!  I just love the way it sparkles!!!  Only wish you can see it in the photograph just how MUCH it sparkles!

But join us on Saturday, June 16 and you will see for yourself !  Here's your chance to learn how to use the Elizabeth Crafts micro fine glitter.   You will also have a choice of colors for your butterfly; a purple/ lavender one or a bronze/gold butterfly.   Call today to reserve your seat!  You will not be disappointed.

Looking forward to seeing you in class!
            ~Anna

Sneak Peek at Upcoming Class

I've been working on this new and exciting project!  My goal was to create a wall hanging.  I started with  an embroidery hoop covered with this gorgeous white embossed fabric.  I was thinking of how to add the  handmade paper flowers I made in order to decorate it.  Unfortunately, there was no theme  until I thought of using this saying: 

"Live Simply

Love Generously

Speak Kindly

Care Deeply

Leave the

rest to God"

And then all of a sudden things started to fall into place. 

I was still wrestling with color choices, but I made a whole bunch of flowers cut from Cheery Lynn dies.  I then started to place them on the canvas.  I looked for leaves and flourishes to cut out.  I added butterflies, of course.  Now, it is almost complete and here is a sneak peek of it:

I just love the way this flower came out.  It came from the "Sweet Williams" die from Cheery Lynn.  I added the "Darling Daisies" (also from Cheery Lynn) and a pearl dot with the Viva Decor pen for the center. 

Won't this look great on your empty wall?  Or what about a wonderful wedding gift?  Join us Saturday, June 30 to create this wall hanging!  Stay tuned for some more surprises with this project.  You are going to love this!  Call and reserve your seat today!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

               ~Anna

Round Zentangle Card with a Pretty Butterfly

Zentangle is so much fun, relaxing and even addicting.  It seems once you start, you just can't stop.  You want to try more and more patterns (tangles) and see how they can work together.

I decided to make a round card this time and add some color with a pretty butterfly.  I cut out the white "doughnut" from Spellbinders classic circles and covered it with 3 tangles.  I then layered it onto a black scalloped circle and added the butterfly that was colored with Copics.

I think this makes a very unique and pretty gift tag.

Thanks for "stamping" by,

         ~Anna

Cupcake Shaped Card

Cards that are not the regular rectangle or square shape are popping up all over now!  I tried my hand at it with the Hero Arts cupcake die set.  This set is so much fun since it has the basic cupcake shape, plus a candle, a cherry and a heart that can be used as embellishments for the cupcake or for other projects!

Here's my chocolate frosting cupcake card!

I used the Viva Decor pearl pen in bronze to make the frosting swirls and the Hero Arts chevron background stamp for the paper cup.  And of course stickles was added to make the whole cupcake sparkle!

Here is a close up of the "chocolate frosting" swirls.  Yummy!  And no calories here!

Hope you are having a "chocolatee" kind of day!

              ~Anna