Watercolor Tag Card and A Funny Story

Here's a closer look at one of the cards we made at my last Saturday Stampers class.  Check out the detailed embossing.  

Our new Cable Knit embossing folder is an entirely new way of embossing.  It's super thick, therefore using only one cutting plate with the Big Shot.  The results are a deeply textured embossing for your project.  I love it!

I have to share the funny story behind this pretty card.  One day, I was happily working away in my studio, playing with inks and watercolor paper.  I was big into Fall cards and, therefore, using lots of Cajun Craze.  I wanted to test how dark I'd mixed the ink before working on my card, so I grabbed what I thought was a scrap of watercolor paper.  After I'd added a little ink, I realized I'd mistakenly grabbed a good tag ... so ... I quickly continued my color on to cover the main portions of the tag.  I already had out the text and leaf image stamps in my work area, so the inspiration hit quickly and the next thing I knew, I had created a beautiful Fall card:)  I love it!

If you haven't worked much with watercolor, I hope you'll give it a try.  You are only limited by your creativity ... and ... I think watercolor seems to be my best inspirational motivation.  It sets my creative juices on fire.  I hope it will work that way for you, too.

Don't forget these upcoming events:

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top to see my class schedules. 

- Look on the left for sneak peeks and registration policies. 

- Please sign up to follow my blog and/or leave a comment. 

- Come  back often for more creative inspiration. 

Dip, Dye, Emboss, Spritz and Glitz, Part 2

We've been having such a busy summer this year.  After Bill's accident, I have worked on learning a new way to try to keep organized and still get everything done that I need to do.  It works... most of the time.  I'm thoroughly enjoying my time with the boys.  They are a constant delight.  Let's hope I can keep Bill feeling better so things continue to look up a bit for us!  The accident was a bit of a wake-up call to us that we'd slipped way too far from what we should have been eating.  I've been dedicated to changing that... for both of us.  Because of it, I'm feeling better, have more energy... and have lost 10 pounds!!!  Gotta love that!

I'm thrilled to say that I've actually been able to work in my studio a few minutes each day this week and then, after dinner last night, I worked the entire evening until bedtime in my studio.  It was glorious!  I'm big into working on all things spritzed, dipped or dyed right now, so I am kind of going around with greenish, blueish, yellowish, orangeish, pinkish hands... hee, hee, hee.  That's the life of an artist... and I love it.

Now... back to my little series I started sharing with you in my last post.  Let's take a look at the next 3 pages from my techniques album.

Page 2:
Ombre technique, using Blendabilities markers, then spritzing with shimmer.  This gives a graduated dark to light shading of color on the ribbon.  (Tag is just for display.  It was spritzed.)

Page 3:
Ribbons are colored with an Aqua Painter dipped into a reinker/water mixture.  The cotton ribbon takes much more time and effort to color, because it doesn't take the color very fast.  There is a type of coating over the ribbon.  It is pretty and, I think, worth the effort.

Page 4:
Dipping Technique:  
1st ribbon:    
  Dip into reinker/water mixture.
2nd ribbon:   
  Dip a little longer into the same mixture.
3rd ribbon:   
  Leave in same mixture for 5-10 minutes. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Come back soon for part 3, as our series continues.  Have a great day. 

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Tag Topper Punch Closure Card

The title for my post today is probably more difficult to say than it is to make the card.  I've been seeing a lot of cards made with this design and decided to jump in and give it a try.  We'll actually be making this card at my class this Friday.

The card was fun and easy to make and I love how bright and cheery it is, as we've been having some drizzly days here lately. 

I used my wire cutters to cut off part of a round toothpick.  I attached it to my banner and tied a ribbon around it and now I have a cute little pennant flag.

Because a portion of the inside of your card shows when you use this design, it's good to add a piece of CS inside the card.  You can stamp a little something on the inside and still have room for writing a nice little message.  I mostly do hand written messages on the inside of my cards because I know people really appreciate hearing from you with a personal note.  You still have room for a little stamping, so the inside can look good and have something special to say.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Very Hungry Caterpillar Party

As I mentioned in my previous post, my daughter-in-law and I get together each year (for 3 years now) to create all the party stuff for Olive Jane's birthday.  It is so much fun.  This year, I was delighted when Olive chose to have a Very Hungry Caterpillar party.   There were a lot of ideas out there that sparked my creative mode and, with the help of many, wonderful Stampin' Up! products, here is what I designed and then Jen and I made them all.  Spoiler alert:  If you're coming to the party and want to be surprised, stop here!

The book:
This is a big anniversary year for Eric Carle, so Olive Jane has great taste! 

The invitations:

The treat bags are from our Celebration Basics Kit and then I added the coordinating invitations.  I got out one of my most favorite (retired) stamps sets ever (Bugs and Kisses) to use the caterpillar stamp for the envelopes.

The treat bags:

The thank you cards:

The color story:
Chocolate Chip
Crumb Cake
Garden Green
Gumball Green
Old Olive
Real Red

The finishing touch --- personalization:

It's difficult to read the second stamp at this angle.  It says 'Thanks from Olive Jane.'

We decided not to make a birthday banner this year and try our hand at making a caterpillar from big lanterns.  I can't wait to see how it all comes together!
Perhaps, if you have a little one, this post will give you some party theme ideas.  I think we're going to have a great party.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

... and yet more treats!

Yes, I did.  I made more treat holders.  These are just stinkin' cute!  The first treats were made with the Scalloped Tag Topper punch and the box-shaped treat holder has a treat bag inside from our Twisty Treats kit (free Sale-A-Bration item).  I have Hershey Kisses inside my treat boxes, but they would hold a variety of little goodies. 

I knew how to make a treat holder, but Julie Davison showed how to make a little box inside it, so the treats are held nicely in place.

I've seen a lot of boxes and treat holders online lately and lots with the word bubbles on them.  I added a word bubble to my tag, as well.  The tag is part of the Twisty Treats kit.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blog world.
Have a great day and come back soon for more design inspiration.

Click here to learn about my Stampin' Tokens program.

Now, go stamp something beautiful. 

Click here to learn more about upcoming classes.

What's in The Box?

I have LOTS of exciting news in today's post, so be sure to keep scrolling so you don't miss a thing!  Previously, I gave you a sneak peek at this next project over on the side of my blog and in my last post.  Did you guess what's in the box?  If you guessed an organized card keeping system, you are correct!  What better way to start off the new year than to get organized.  As I've been sprucing up my studio, I decided to include improved organization wherever I found a need.  Having cards more easily accessible was at the top of the list for me.  I had them organized all along, but they were in a basket inside a drawer.  Sometimes out of sight really is out of mind.  I decided that if I made a pretty box that coordinated with my studio decor, I could keep it out and actually use it!!!

Are you wishing you could make one, too?  Well, you're in luck!  We'll be making this at the first session of my brand new class --- Monday Night Stampers.  We'll begin on Monday, March 3, 6:00-8:30.  I'm very excited about offering this brand new class.  We will focus on a special project, theme or technique at each class.  Class fee is just $18.00 OR free with your order of $35.00 or more (before tax and shipping).  Orders or class registration must be paid at least 2 days prior to the class and may be placed from any current catalog or special promotion -- online through my website or directly through me.  These wonderful boxes are from my retired stash, so I have a limited number of them.  Class spots are only available while my supply of boxes lasts, so hurry to sign up for our first Monday Night Stampers class.

We'll be adding a title to each card, to label the sections in our box.  You'll know at a glance which cards are low and what you'll need to make next. 

The tabs for each file card are made with one of our new tag top punches.  I used the Scalloped Tag Topper punch.  (Say that 5 times in a row, fast:)

We also have an Angled Tag Topper punch.  It would work for this project, as well and give an entirely different look.

Aren't these new punches just fabulous?!!!  I'm already working to fill up my new cards box.  Whenever I need a card right away, I can go to my cards box and find just what I need.  Here's how the labels will look for our dividers.

I used the Scalloped Oval Punch to punch out typed labels.  I decided to type them so they would all be a uniform size.  I added an extra divider in the front with a pocket.  This pocket is for stamps, etc. for your cards.  You'll have no excuse now for not getting that card into the mail on time.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

What have I been doing? Part 2

I've been putting my MDS journals to good use lately, in working on my class plans.  I cannot physically work a long time in my studio, so I work with pen and paper.  I've written down ideas of things I want to make for my Prairie Treasures booth, too.  So many ideas... so little time.  I cannot understand at all why some people get bored being at home.  I just won't have it!

I designed these journals using My Digital Studio and had them printed up for me.  I've used them a lot.  It's more fun to stay organized when you have cute journals:)

The bulk of my planning has gone into upcoming classes.  I can't wait to share some of my ideas with you!

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Time for New Toys!

My order for our new Occasions Catalog came last night, so I guess it's time to break out some new toys --- stampin' toys, that is.  Check out my new punches!!!

Click to see a video about these two new punches.

You can use the punches to create a decorative top on 2" strips of CS.  Use varying lengths of CS to create a variety of projects, such as belly bands, gift tags, bookmarks, treat holders and more.

Come back soon to see what I'll be making with these new punches!  With yesterday's delivery of tons of new toys, I am super encouraged to keep progressing with my recovery so I can get back to stamping.  Have a great day.