IMPORTANT UPDATES / A BLUEBERRY BUSHEL CARD

Usually, this is a great time of year, as we look forward to moving into spring weather and fun activities.  Our world has turned into a crazy, scary place where we worry about keeping our loved ones safe and well.  We can easily feel a bit walled off from everything and everyone.  Let's use technology to keep in touch and keep a positive spirit.  I'm posting my updated schedule, although it is all tentative, at this point.  I have cancelled my Paper Pumpkin Club for this next week and April classes are tentative.  I will try my best to keep inspiration coming your way, even though I'm really struggling with the worst cold I've had in my life.  It's not the virus, but it's certainly no fun.

I thought I'd post a bright and springy card for you today, to keep a bit of sunshine in our day.  This was made with some of our Second Release SAB dies.  I've used Blueberry Bushel to keep it bright and cheerful.
Enjoy, stay safe, stay well and God bless.

I've cut my die cut piece from watercolor paper, for added texture. 

I used Stampin' Blends to color all the flowers and cut extra flowers to add to the inside of my card.  I embossed the CS piece for the envelope flap and also a strip for the inside of my card.  I used a paper piercing tool to lift all the little cut pieces around the circle, for added interest.  It looks a bit involved but was actually pretty easy and a lot of fun. 

UP NEXT:

Mark your calendar for a lot of creative fun headed your way.  
Take some 'me' time and sign up for some great classes.

PAPER PUMPKIN CLUB / FREE FOR MY LOCAL PP SUBSCRIBERS

March 17 / 1:00-3:00 / BRING YOUR KIT. / CANCELLED

SCRAPS AND PRAYERS / 5:30-7:30 / $18.00

April 13 / Pay to register by April 6. / TENTATIVE

ONE SHEET WONDER TECHNIQUE - FUN CARDS.

PAPER PUMPKIN CLUB / FREE FOR MY LOCAL PP SUBSCRIBERS

April 21 / 1:00-3:00 / BRING YOUR KIT.  / TENTATIVE

SCRAPS AND PRAYERS / 5:30-7:30 / $18.00

May 11 / Pay to register by May 4.

Cards:  Note cards Stamp-A-Stack!

PAPER PUMPKIN CLUB / FREE FOR MY LOCAL PP SUBSCRIBERS

May 19 / 1:00-3:00 / BRING YOUR KIT.

SCRAPS AND PRAYERS / 5:30-7:30 / $18.00

June 8 / Pay to register by June 1.

Cards and projects / New products sneak peek!

PAPER PUMPKIN CLUB / FREE FOR MY LOCAL PP SUBSCRIBERS

June 16 / 1:00-3:00 / BRING YOUR KIT.

ANNUAL BIG CATALOG PREMIER EVENT / 2:00-5:00 / $18.00

June 28 / Pay to register by 21.  It’s a party.  It’s a class.

Enjoy all the fun of a party and the creative fun of a class.

We’ll have prizes, party favors, new inspirational displays and great projects!

ORDER $35.00 OR MORE AND YOUR $18.00 FEE WILL BE DEDUCTED.

ORDER $50.00 OR MORE:  YOUR $18.00 FEE WILL BE DEDUCTED 

     AND YOU’LL EARN DOUBLE TOKENS.

SAB SECOND RELEASE

AVAILABLE THROUGH MARCH 31 / WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

COORDINATION PRODUCT RELEASE

AVAILABLE THROUGH MARCH 31 / WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

Click here to place an order through me.

Click here to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin.

CLICK HERE TO SEE:

-- CLASS REGISTRATION POLICIES

-- EARNING TOKENS AND CHIPS

-- HOW TO JOIN MY FREE PAPER PUMPKIN CLUB.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY UPDATED
CLASS SCHEDULE.

Click here to place an order through me.

That's it for now.  

Thanks for stopping by my blog neighborhood.   

Have a beautiful day!

Poppies and Watercolor

I've been really sick for the last few days ... head ... chest ... stomach ...  I'm still struggling to breathe.  Ugh!  I'll spare you the details.  Fortunately, I had several posts ready to go.
Thanks to dies, DSP and a splash of watercoloring, this is an easy card to create.

UPCOMING CLASSES / EVENTS …

SAB SECOND RELEASE

AVAILABLE THROUGH MARCH 31 / WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

COORDINATION PRODUCT RELEASE

AVAILABLE THROUGH MARCH 31 / WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

Click here to place an order through me.

SUBSCRIBE TO PAPER PUMPKIN NOW (before March 10) AND GET A KIT IN MARCH TO MAKE 12 CARDS (3 EACH OF 4 DESIGNS) AND A FREE STAMP SET!!!

Click here to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin and to get the free downloads for your stamp cases.  

SCRAPS AND PRAYERS / 5:30-7:30 / $18.00

March 9 / Pay to register by March 2. / REGISTRATION CLOSED.

We'll be making some great cards, including a couple of really pretty birthday cards.

PAPER PUMPKIN CLUB / FREE FOR MY LOCAL PP SUBSCRIBERS

March 17 / 1:00-3:00 / BRING YOUR KIT.

CLICK HERE TO SEE:

-- CLASS REGISTRATION POLICIES

-- EARNING TOKENS AND CHIPS

-- HOW TO JOIN MY FREE PAPER PUMPKIN CLUB.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY UPDATED
CLASS SCHEDULE.

Click here to place an order through me.

That's it for now.  

Thanks for stopping by my blog neighborhood.   

Have a beautiful day!

Brusho and Spray Starch Butterfly Card / Tutorial

What do you get when you add a watercolored butterfly to a Brusho/spray starch technique?  You get a beautiful card ... for sure!  I love the blues and greens together.

Here's how you do it:
- Spray starch over Glossy White CS.
- Sprinkle on your choice of Brusho colors.
- Watch the beautiful bursts of color begin.
- Add more starch, if needed, to get the blend of colors you want.
- Cover your CS with plastic wrap and scrunch it up.
- Press it down and leave it for 30 minutes or so.
- Uncover the magic.
- Set aside to finish drying.
Note:
When you remove the plastic wrap, your CS will still be quite wet, so you can just leave it to air dry or heat set it.  I left mine overnight, to be sure everything was ready to be used for my card.  Sometimes, heat setting can move and change the color formations in a way you don't like as well.  If  you leave it to air dry, the CS will stay exactly as it looks when you first remove the plastic wrap.

I stamped my butterfly onto watercolor paper, heat embossed it with Gold EP and then watercolored it with Brusho mixed with water in my paint palette.  I did not add any sentiment at all on the front of my card.  I just wanted the butterfly and the beautiful background to be the stars of my card.  I hope you'll try this technique.  It's a lot of fun.

UP NEXT:

June 10 -- Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $18. 
Pay to register by June 3
We'll be making some more beautiful cards and enjoying using some fun, new products.  I'll have a couple of really fun ways to use the Stamparatus to share with you, as well as a new fun fold card design.   I hope you can join us.

SAVE THE DATES: 

June 23 --- 2:00-5:00 / Get ready for fun!  

Summer Open House / New Catalog Party

June 28-29 --- 8:00-5:00 Friday / 8:00-Noon Saturday

MY ANNUAL GARAGE SALE

I'll have lots of stamping and paper crafting products for sale.

Come and find a good bargain!

RETIRING PRODUCTS

 CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LISTS:
     Occasions Catalog Retiring Products List
     
     Annual Catalog Retiring Products List

Lots of products are already sold out so shop now if there's something you still want to try to get.  Be sure to check out the Clearance Rack, too.  You'll find lot of great bargains.

3 Hearts Cards / Card Three

Before I get started with my sharing today, I'd like to let you know that the mailings for our new catalog have gone out.  If you are a regular customer with me, you should start watching your mailbox.  Yay!  Happy days are on the way!

And now ... here's my third heart card for you.  Again, I've used watercolor paper and shimmer paint to achieve a special look to my design.

For this card, I used the heart frame to frame the embossed foil sheet.  I left the frame (watercolor paper) white and colored the background with the shimmer paint, reinker mixture.  I also colored the gems with it.
By the way, do you remember the large heart I used on the card (Card Two) in my previous post?  It was cut from the center of the top layer of this card.  I cut and inserted the embossed foil heart in its place.  When you make two or three cards using a variety of die cuts, it's fun to mix and match the pieces and make multiples that are not duplicates.

TIP:
This card has a little more bulk to it, with the bow and the gems.  It's best to use 'lumpy' cards like this for times when you add the card to a hand delivered gift or just give a card in person.  If you must mail it, add a layer of bubble wrap over the front of your card and take it directly to the Post Office to check what postage you need for it.

So ... hearts ... they're not just for Valentine's Day.  I hope you've enjoyed my three cards.  Now, go stamp something. 

UP NEXT:

June 10 -- Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $18. 
Pay to register by June 3
We'll be making some more beautiful cards and enjoying using some fun, new products.  I'll have a couple of really fun ways to use the Stamparatus to share with you, as well as a new fun fold card design.   I hope you can join us.

SAVE THE DATES: 

June 23 --- 2:00-5:00 / Get ready for fun!  

Summer Open House / New Catalog Party

June 28-29 --- 8:00-5:00 Friday / 8:00-Noon Saturday

MY ANNUAL GARAGE SALE

I'll have lots of stamping and paper crafting products for sale.

Come and find a good bargain!

RETIRING PRODUCTS

 CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LISTS:
     Occasions Catalog Retiring Products List
     
     Annual Catalog Retiring Products List

Lots of products are already sold out so shop now if there's something you still want to try to get.  Be sure to check out the Clearance Rack, too.  You'll find lot of great bargains.

3 Hearts Cards / Card Two

Here's another heart card for you to enjoy today.  I actually gave this one to my MIL for Mother's Day.

I used a mixture of Frost White Shimmer Paint and Lovely Lipstick reinker to color the largest heart and the heart frame, as well as the Floral Romance Seal.

Isn't the stitching pretty on the heart frame?  I love it.  The little die cut heart is gorgeous, too.  I cut all the harts from watercolor paper, to give more texture and interest to the card.

UP NEXT:

SAVE THE DATES: 

June 23 --- 2:00-5:00 / Get ready for fun!  

Summer Open House / New Catalog Party

June 28-29 --- 8:00-5:00 Friday / 8:00-Noon Saturday

MY ANNUAL GARAGE SALE

I'll have lots of stamping and paper crafting products for sale.

Come and find a good bargain!

RETIRING PRODUCTS

 CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LISTS:
     Occasions Catalog Retiring Products List
     
     Annual Catalog Retiring Products List

Lots of products are already sold out so shop now if there's something you still want to try to get.  Be sure to check out the Clearance Rack, too.  You'll find lot of great bargains.

Butterfly Thinlits as Stencils for Shimmer Paint

I have a pretty card for you today that was easy to create ... using thinlits as stencils, reinkers and Shimmer Paint.  I saved the butterflies I cut for the stencil and will use them for a future project.

I mixed the Coastal Cabana reinker with Frost White Shimmer Paint.  What a pretty color!  I love the light blues and greens together -- a dramatic look of Spring.

The little flowers are totally flat, so easy to mail.

UP NEXT:

May 13 --- Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $18.
We'll be making 3 beautiful cards ... with watercoloring and trying fun, new techniques using the Stamparatus and we'll try THREE fun 'tricks' with embossing folders.  It won't be all Brusho for this class but it will be all fun! 
PLEASE PAY TO REGISTER ASAP.  
CLASS SIZE WILL BE LIMITED TO 10 MAX!!!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LISTS:
     Occasions Catalog Retiring Products List
     
     Annual Catalog Retiring Products List

SAVE THE DATE:   

June 23 ---  2:00-5:00 / Get ready for fun!

Summer Open House Party 

with our new catalog. 

Another Way to Use Butterfly Dies

Today's card isn't quite as messy as Brusho, but still has a fun surprise / wow factor.  I have some tissue papers in various colors that I got a while back (from Amazon) called 'Bleeding Tissue Paper.'  I didn't save the wrapper and don't remember the brand, but I know that's where I got it.  It caught my eye when I was looking for some other craft materials to use with my sweet Olive Jane.  It's such a blessing that she loves to come to Nanna's house and 'do projects' together.  We have so much fun.  I'm working on my son to give us another sleepover together.  Before she left last time, she had already planned a list of what she wants us to do next time.  One project she wants to try is a dream catcher.  What a girl!
Anyway, back to the bleeding tissue.  I carefully cut out the butterflies using the die.  It was really tricky to pick them up, once cut, and lay them onto a piece of watercolor paper - because the tissue is pretty thin.  All you do after that is spritz it all with water and watch it start to bleed.  What fun!
Once it's dry, you lift off the tissue paper and see what magic is waiting for you.  I love it.  Olive and I each experimented with several different colors.  She chose pink, green and turquoise and they turned out gorgeous.  She took them home before I got a photo.  I used blues, greens and purples - also gorgeous.  For this card and have just the blues and purples.  Here's what I ended up with after it dried and I put my card together.

As with my previous post, I haven't decided if I want to add a sentiment to the front.  Sometimes, I just like the clean, simplicity of it and let the image be the star.

What do you think?

UP NEXT:

April 8 --- Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $18.
We're going to have a blast playing with BRUSHO.  We're going to make several beautiful cards using Brusho ... AND ... I'll show you how you could make your own Swatch Book at home, to highlight some of the many fun ways to use Brusho.
DON'T FORGET:
We're going to have a '25 Cents Sale' for anyone in the class wishing to participate.  Bring your stamping goodies in a box or container and we'll put a little cup in front of it.  We'll 'shop' on the honor system, dropping quarters in the cup for each item we wish to get.  We'll see if anyone goes home with anything left in their cup:)  You may still shop, even if you don't have anything you wish to add to this fun little sale.  It's a great way to build your stamping supplies.  You may want to bring a shopping tote:)

SAVE THE DATE:   

June 23 --- Summer Open House Party with our new catalog.

Butterfly Window Card

Let me begin today's post by saying how much fun we all had at my Spring Open House Party last Sunday.  I feel like I have the best people ever coming to my classes and events!  We enjoyed visiting, seeing displays (in my 'new' studio), refreshments, a fun game sheet, and - of course - creating together.  I'll share our 2 card projects in another post.  (You saw the Mini Pizza Box in my last post.)  My next party will be in June, so go ahead and put June 23 on your calendars. 

IN MY NEXT POST, I'LL ANNOUNCE THE PARTY WINNERS.  COME BACK AND CHECK IT OUT.

If you could not attend my Spring Open House, here is our Hostess Code.  It will be active through March 19.

HOSTESS CODE:  4PJMD44D

Now... on to today's project...

Sometimes you get a design idea in your head and, even though you know this will be an involved process to create, you just have to do it.  Thus, my 'Butterfly Window' card was born.  I love it and it was one of the class favorites at our last Scraps and Prayers class.  We had so much fun!!! 
And ... speaking of fun ... the Scraps and Prayers class is almost full already for April.  If you are thinking of signing up for this one (We'll be working with Brusho!!!) please pay to register ASAP so you won't miss out.  I can't wait for this one.  OK, back to the window card ...

Behind the oval window is a gorgeous, soft shimmer of Coastal Cabana.  It's Coastal Cabana reinker mixed with Frost White Shimmer Paint.  You just pour a little bit of the paint onto one of our Silicone Craft Sheets, add 2 or 3 drops of reinker, and mix them together with a toothpick.  It's quick and easy and you can probably get several card projects out of your mixture.  You apply it in a circular motion, using a Sponge Dauber.  I used watercolor paper for this part of the card, to give it just one more touch of texture.

The subtle texture added to the Coastal Cabana layer of the card just adds so much to it.  The TIEF is actually called Subtle.
TIP:
Lightly spritz your card stock with alcohol before embossing it and you'll get an even deeper texture when you run it through the Big Shot.  I just put some rubbing alcohol into a travel sized spray bottle.

UP NEXT:
If you could not attend my Spring Open House, here is our Hostess Code.  It will be active through March 19.

HOSTESS CODE:  4PJMD44D

April 8 --- Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $18.
We're going to have a blast playing with BRUSHO.  We're going to make several beautiful cards using Brusho ... AND ... I'll show you how you could make your own Swatch Book at home, to highlight some of the many fun ways to use Brusho.
THIS CLASS IS ALREADY ALMOST FULL, SO DON'T WAIT TOO LONG TO REGISTER.  YOUR PAYMENT HOLDS YOUR SPOT. 

SAVE THE DATE:   

June 23 --- Summer Open House Party with our new catalog.

CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED A CATALOG.

Aaron's Brusho Creations

Recently, I had the pleasure of having my sweet Olive Jane come for a sleep-over.  The 2 older boys were here for the day as well.  Ben was busy with 'teenager things' but Aaron and Olive were eager for one of Nanna's projects.  They both love art and that makes my heart sing.  I told them we would make magic pictures.  I kind of think of using Brusho as working magic and this seemed like a good name for their projects.  I had some 12 X 12" watercolor paper and set them both up at my studio table.  I showed them how you could sprinkle on the Brusho and then spritz it with water.  Olive exclaimed:  "It is like magic."  I agree!  Soon, they were using it all by themselves.  They had so much fun ... and I did too!  Olive took all her creations home with her, but Aaron left his here to dry.  He also made some another day when his homework was done.  I took photos of all his creations.  I even framed one of them.  I just love them!

October Events: 

Oct. 8 / Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00
     Christmas Project, showcasing the Timeless Tidings Kit poinsettia.
     CLASS FULL.  REGISTRATION CLOSED.
Oct. 20 / Saturday Stampers / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 
     6 Beautiful Christmas Cards
     PAY TO REGISTER ONE WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS.

November / December Events:
Nov. 12 / Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30     Mixed Media Christmas Project
     PAY TO REGISTER ON WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS.
Dec. 10 / Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00
     Christmas Cards, showcasing the Timeless Tidings Card Kit.
     PAY TO REGISTER ONE WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS.