Butterfly Hello

Day Two... don't worry, I won't be starting each blog entry with a countdown!
This is a recent card I made to thank a hostess for her workshop during Sale-a-braton.
The hostess had selected the Punch Potpourri set as her hostess gift so I made a card with it to give her an idea. I have also used the Level 1 In Colour DSP .
I stamped the butterfly image then punched it out with a circle punch. I stamped two more butterflies then punched them out, layering them on the original stamped image with a dimensional between each layer.
I don't have the Pinking Hearts corner punch so improvised by rotating the borders to give a bit of interest. To finished I added a Tiny Tag with 'Hello' on it to the centre of the flower and used a glitter brad to hold it together. I really like how it turned out.

CCMC118 - A Tea Time Treat

Anyone that knows me, knows I might not drink coffee, but tea is a completely different story! It is my one true vice.
There's nothing like coming home from a busy, hectic day and unwinding with a cup of tea. Tea is a refreshment, it's fuel (it keeps me going) and it's a social institution. Whenever guests arrive at my house, nearly the first question I ask, is "would you like something to drink?" Even if I know they don't drink tea, it is an excuse to put the kettle on and have a tea myself.
My first choice is Earl Grey and I start every morning with a cup. I have to say though, that one of my friends recently gave me some tea she had got out West when she was there and I was very taken with it. It was a Stone Fruit Blend from a Tea company called Murchies. I'll be paying them a visit!

But what does tea have to do with cards?? Well, in the new Catalogue there is a stamp set made just for me (well, that's what it felt like anyway when I first saw it!). It's called 'Morning Cup', and has images of tea cups and tea pots and some coffee related images (but I just pretend they are not in the set, because it's all about the tea). So, I just had to have the stamp set which means I had to come up with something with it!

I have had an idea for some time now to make a gift box for other such tea lovers as myself. It's taken me a while but I have finally finished it. I am SO thrilled with how it has turned out. I might even go as far to say, it's as good as a cup of tea that's been brewed to perfection.
These are the four cards that are included in the Tea Box. All have water coloured images and I have left them fairly generic so people can use them. I just had to include this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt on one of the cards... "A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water". It's so true!
Also included in the box are tea bags (yes, Earl Grey) and some gift tags with tea related images on them.
So what do you think? As good as a cup of tea or just as good as a cup of coffee?!

'Scallop Me Beautiful' Class

When my customers ask me what one punch I would recommend as their first purchase, I always say the same thing... "the circle scallop punch is the one I use the most". It can turn a plain card into something special and it's a fantastic way to highlight a stamped image, especially if it's small and might otherwise get lost on a card front.

So of course, since I have said the circle scallop punch is the best, I felt I should do a class showcasing just why I think it is. With two circle scallop punches now in the SU! range, it just means twice the "bestness".

The inspiration for this scrunched scalloped flower comes from my Upline Carol (thanks Carol!!). She demonstrated it to us at one of our meetings. It reminds me of the Chrysanthemums (Mum's to all you Canadians!) that are all about at the moment. I made the wee card to fit inside the box by folding a piece of card stock and then punching it out. Teeny tiny but perfect to go inside this box with a treat.
This card showcases with a few snips with scissors, you can make yourself a garden of blooms. For the Orange flowers I have cut between each valley of the scallops and for the red flower; every second one. Super simple but super sweet!
Made using several circle scallops; folded and cut, you end up with this floral masterpiece. Isn't it just beautiful? I got this idea from the SU! demonstrator site that I have access to.

The projects for this class are made using some of the new In Colours. Mmmmmm. Not only are the colours delicious looking, but their names conjure up thoughts of food too! Concord Crush, Peach Parfait and Pear Pizzazz. Time to eat!

Class: Wednesday October 27th, 7 - 9.30 pm. $15. Email to save yourself a seat.

The Wonderful World of Watercolouring

I have been busy beavering away on some cards for a long overdue Watercolour class that I have had many requests for. Since doing a custom water colouring card order of thirty, I feel I have a pretty good grasp on all things water coloured now!

For the class you'll make three cards and learn basic water colouring techniques - how to watercolour using watercolour pencils, markers and ink pads.

CARD ONE...
As soon as I saw this set in the new catty, I have wanted to water colour it! For this card you'll be using watercolour pencils. I found the tiny end of the pencil lead great for the smaller areas.
Don't those cakes look good enough to eat?!

CARD TWO...
This gorgeous card uses the Stampin' Up! markers to achieve the rich and vibrant colour required to imitates nature's beautiful Poinsettia. I think it is absolutely stunning.

CARD THREE...
Isn't this too cute? For this image I have used ink pads. It might now be Fall but this card is a wee reminder of Summer days.

Given the nature of the class I will be running it on a Saturday as an extra to my regular bi-weekly schedule.

Date: Sunday November 7th, 1 - 4pm.
Cost: $30. (This includes an Aqua painter that you will keep after the class).

PLEASE NOTE: Because I have to pre order the Aqua painters, payment is required when you register for the class, and registrations close Friday 22nd September.

I've been Busy!

Sorry for not posting in a wee while but I want to assure you that I have been busy!
I have a few projects on the go at the moment and have started making things for the Christmas Market I have a stall at this year.
I want to share some chipboard gift boxes I have made for the fair. They are nice and sturdy thanks to the chipboard (and thanks to Sue and Rebecca for their copious supply of chipboard!) so the recipient will be able to keep it or re use it if they desire.

'Black Tie Embossing' & PPA 56

Before anyone asks, 'Black Tie Embossing' isn't the name of some new kind of embossing technique, but rather a tempter of the goodies you'll be making in my upcoming class. They all have some kind of embossing on them AND they are formal like a Black Tie function!
Even better, when I checked out the new look Pals Paper Arts site I discovered their latest challenge... Day to Evening. Perfect!

For this class I have used the beautiful new set 'Just Believe' as it lends itself so well to being embossed. Nice strong, solid images to work with.

The first card incorporates heat embossing which gives the image that gorgeous 3D glossy effect. Teamed with SU!'s new vintage brads and oh so gorgeous satin ribbon, this card can show up to any Black Tie function with confidence.
















The accompanying wee milk carton is like the little black dresses clutch purse! It was also made using heat embossing. So simple to do, yet so elegant.

















Another form of embossing is Resist Embossing. This is where you stamp an image first (I've used the words) then you stamp another image over the first with Versamark. You then heat emboss clear powder over it. Just stunning if I do say so myself! The idea for this card came from Wendy.





























A class on embossing simply wouldn't be complete without some Dry Embossing, so the last card for the class lets dry embossing shine.
Day or night, this card makes a statement.
The sweet paper flower is made using the scallop circle punch. It's an idea I discovered on Mary's blog while checking out the latest PPA challenge. It's the perfect embellishment to finish off the card.
So, if you have some black tie events coming up or just want to create these beauties for yourself, email me to register for the class.

Wednesday 15th September 7 - 9.30 pm. $25

Oh baby, baby!

In the new catty there is the cutest wee set called 'Hand Knit'. Being a knitter it caught my eye and I couldn't resist ordering it.
As soon as I saw the wee sweater image I knew it would be perfect for some baby cards I had been meaning to make (Now, where I come from we call this item of clothing a jersey or a jumper, but I would be talking in a foreign language if I used those terms here in Canada, so sweater it is).

I water coloured the sweaters, cut them out and raised them with dimensionals. I cut a hole through the top layers on the front of card so when you open it, the image is on the inside. It's a great way to jazz up a fairly simple card.


I'm really happy with how these turned out. Pretty in either pink or blue!

Fabulous Folds!

I've had some of my new products now for a little while now and have been busy playing and creating to see what I can come up with. I've been working on a class of cards that open in all sorts of different ways and here it finally is... If you are looking for a card that is eye catching and bound to get you compliments, then these are for you!
The stamp set I have used for these cards is called 'For Everything' and it has so many pieces in it. I created three fabulously folded cards for the class and I still haven't inked all the stamps in the set yet! Just means more creations to come ;).
So what fabulous folds will you be learning?
This card is one of my favourite folds and it is called an Easel card. It lies flat for posting (always important!) but sits up like this once open. Isn't that just so cool?!

I call this next card a Triangle fold card. You undo the bow and the two triangle folded sides open up to reveal your message. This card is super elegant and definitely one you won't find in a store. I have added a small stand to the back also so the card can be shown off.

Lucky last on the list is a Tri - Fold card:
Once again you untie the ribbon and this is what you get:
Super cute and simple!
Class is Wednesday August 18th from 7 - 9.30 pm. Cost $15. Email me to reserve your spot!

He's Just so Hoot, Hoot, Cute!

I know I said that the remaining two cards for the Card Keeper would be a surprise, but I just have to give you a sneaky peak as this guy is so darn cute!
Can you also find all the new products I've used? I'll give you a clue, there's 5 of them.
So, what do you think?! Cute enough to hoot about or not?

New Catty Sneaky Peek

The current PPA challenge is Summer themed cards and when I think of Summer, images of the ocean are conjured up... waves in those gorgeous turquoise colours tipped with white foam, and of course, sand!
Here I have used a brand new colour Marina Mist combined with Bashful Blue, Whisper White and Cake Crumb (formally Kraft).
The stamp sets are two Hostess gift sets - a cute wee set called 'Cute By the Inch' and another called 'Occasional Quotes'. I see you flicking through your catty looking for them, but alas, they aren't there.
That's because they're from the soon-to-be released new Ideas Book & Catalogue!
Demonstrators were given a sneak peek to some of the new Hostess Stamp Sets, and even better, we got to order some to tempt our customers with.
If you'd like to get your own stamping sneak peeks, consider signing up as a demonstrator and joining my team. Are you tempted?!