Poppies and apples

It's been a busy week and I finally got my second card for next week's class finished and photographed. The colours on the poppy card are really washed out compared to real life, but I didn't have time to play with the software to fix them...sorry! I will post again early next week with news about classes and new products!!!! Have a great weekend:)

Butterflies, daisies and Christmas trees....?

Last night's class was so much fun, although we missed the company of a few ladies who are normally with us on Thursdays...(see ya next week girls:)) After making the first 2 emboss resist cards with the large coneflower, everyone got to choose a different image and colours to work with on the last card. Aren't they all fabulous?
I know I've said it before, but my favourite type of class is when everyone has a chance to "do their own thing" I'm so inspired by the ideas that come out of these nights, that I often lay awake dreaming up new designs for cards. Fortunately, I did manage a good 7 hours sleep last night and my Christmas cards for next week's class are ready, so here are 2 of the 3 for you to take a sneak peek at. The final card is a one layer card and I'm still working on ways to pretty it up a bit more without adding bulky embellishments. I'm hoping to come up with a few designs that are easy to mass produce and won't cost extra postage, because Christmas is expensive enough, dont'cha think???? Anyway, thanks again ladies for making Thursday so enjoyable.
Hope everyone has fantastic weekend:)

Folding with Max & Whiskers

I had a request to do an iris fold card at our upcoming class and as quite a few of the ladies have already used this technique quite a bit, I was trying to think of some way to change it up a bit. I broke out a few sheets of Basic Grey's "Max & Whiskers" paper and one sheet of Indian summer, (because the colours just look like they were made for each other) and cut it into strips. Like most double sided patterned paper it's quite thick so I chose not to fold the strips and just laid them down on the pattern instead. When my pattern was finished I had a tiny diamond shaped opening that I just couldn't decide what to do with, so I decided to cover it with a die cut shape and then use some of the leftover scraps for an accent on the lower portion of the card. The most challenging part of this card was not mixing up the patterns while working with double sided paper, but I'm really happy with the end result and this is the type of card that could be used for several different occasions. I am now officially in love with Max & Whiskers papers and plan to use them on more cards soon:)

Coneflowers

I was playing around with this great image from Stampin' Up yesterday and decided to use one of my favourite techniques...emboss resist, along with some lovely distress inks. I had planned to add some clear crackle paint over the image, but then I rememberd this great background stamp from Local King Rubber Stamps called "Crackle."
I stamped it over the flower and background in a darker shade, then wiped the excess ink from the embossed image..Voila! I LOVE this look, so guess what we'll be doing in class next week???? I have to try a few other colour combos, but I really like these two so far. Stay tuned for more inky antics......

Fruit squares

Here is the third card we are making in class this week. I used this yummy paper fron Basic Grey's Nook and Pantry Collection (from last year...I'm amazed it hasn't gone off ..lol!)and a square card base. I LOVE square cards but I don't make them as often as A2 cards as they are a bit wasteful on cardstock and sometimes cost more to mail. Anyway here it is! The apples were coloured with Prisma Pencils and the basket is cut out and shaded with a memento marker. I also sponged the edges of the image panel with tattered rose distress ink and added a little die cut leaf. Hope everyone enjoys making it as much as I did!

New class cards and some cool sand sculptures

Here are 2 of the cards we'll make this week. The first is called a tent topper card. You begin with a smaller than usual card size (I used 4 1/4 square)and add the focal image so that it stands above the top fold of the card and the total size equals a regular A2 size card. The next card is a simple but elegant design. the central image is heat embossed and mounted on gold leaf cardstock and onyx black metallic. The front of the card is trimmed to reveal a strip of the patterned paper inside and I added onyx metallic die cut photo corners for a bit of interest. I like it as is, but there is definitely space for a sentiment or additional embellishment below the image, so we'll see what our creative bunch of gals comes up with to make it their own:) The only thing I'll say about the surprise card this week is that it will be a square card. Our class size will likely be a bit smaller than usual this week as I've added a Wednedsay morning group and a couple of ladies have switched to that one, plus a a few people are on vacation right now (lucky ladies!) Speaking of vacations, I had a mini holiday last week while my leaky ceiling was being fixed. I visited my sister Pauline and her husband John in Cobourg, and had a lovely relaxing couple of days. Sunday was the most perfect weather with none of the humidity we've been experiencing lately. After driving for just over 5 hours, I arrived in time to take advantage of the sunshine on the deck and shortly after I had settled in, my two brothers, Peter and Tony along with their wives Sharon and Kathleen arrived, so it was quite the re-union, since I haven't seen any of them since Christmas. I also had a lovely chat via Skype and webcam with my other sister Joan who lives in England so I felt very blessed to have spent a bit of time with each of my siblings. On Monday, Pauline, John and I went to the beach to see the sand sculptures that were still standing following the annual contest. I took a lot more photos, but these were my favourites so I thought I'd share them with you. As someone who has trouble getting a pail of sand to come out in one piece, I was completely amazed by the detail in these creations. I wish I'd been there to watch the artists build them.... maybe next year. On the way home I stopped by my daughter Andrea's place and took her out for a birthday lunch. What a great couple of days it was. Hope you are enjoying some good family time this summer too.