Centre Easle card- two views

This was a fun card to make. I don't usually enjoy having to do lots of measuring, scoring and trimming to make a card, but in this case, I think the results are worth it. Having said that I wouldn't want to make these for everyone on my Christmas list...LOL! I played around for a long time before I was happy with it, but the lucky ladies who come to class can just copy the finished design...although they will be doing the measuring and cutting for themselves this week....hope I didn't scare anyone away:) I found the tutorial for this type of card on Splitcoast Stampers, but the measurements there are for a square card and I wanted to try it with a standard size card (A2) so I tweaked it a bit. Well I'm on a roll here...let's see if I can get the third card finished and uploaded before the end of the day......

First Christmas card for June

Here's the first of three Christmas cards we'll make in class this week. As usual the camera (or was it the photographer?) didn't catch the sparkle and shimmer. It really is very pretty in real life. I opened a jar of the VerdiGris embossing powder from Ranger's Antiquities Line and I know I'll need to order some more in when people see how gorgeous this stuff looks. It's kind of a mix of green turquoise and gold, and different areas of your embossed image will catch more of one colour than another, so that no two are exactly alike. I love it!! Hopefully I'll get the other two cards done for Monday. Enjoy your weekend:)

Finally......

Here are the other two cards that we made in class this week...better late than never eh??? I used patterned paper from the Kaisercraft English Rose Collection for the first card, and I just love how subtle and elegant it looks on a card. We also used the new Tim Holtz Rosette die in The Vagabond machine to make the rosette embellishment. Yes you can make these using a scoring tool, but this is way more fun...not to mention much faster!!! The second card was created using the same inking technique as the turquoise coneflower in the previous post. The tree is part of a set from Local King Rubber Stamps, that I picked up at Scrapfest last April. This is the first time I've inked it up and I LOVE it. Be sure to stop in soon and pick up your copy of Scrapbook and Cards Today. The brand new Summer Isuue was just released and it's free with a purchase of $20 or more. I have just 50 copies, so don't wait too long or you might miss out!

While the cat's away......

Yesterday I had an appointment for that wonderful annual physical that we all enjoy so much...NOT!!!! I decided to take advantage of having Danielle at the store for the afternoon and visit my friend Judy, who owns Scrapbook Towne in Amherstburg. Danielle and I had been discussing ways to "show off" products a lttle better...especially the patterned papers, most of which, as you know, have two beautiful sides. Since it was a very quiet afternoon and Danielle likes to keep busy, she got to work and did a fabulous job of displaying some of her favourite products. She's even paired them with inks, markers and embellishments to inspire you even more. Be sure to stop in soon to see what she's done....and please forgive me if I have even more trouble than usual finding things....I actually have an excuse this time..lol! More apologies for being so late uploading only ONE of the cards we'll make this week...that's what I get for taking time off!!! Hope to see you soon:)

Let your light shine.......

On Thursday June 16th I sat with hundreds of other proud parents, to watch our daughter Andrea, graduate from the 4 year honours program at the University of Waterloo. Andrea received her Bachelor of Arts Degree and is enrolled at Sir Wilfred Laurier University for this September to earn her teaching degree. It was a beautiful ceremony (although a long time to be sitting on bleachers...lol)and I really enjoyed spending the last few days with her, knowing that the store was in good hands. Thanks so much to Wally, Danielle and Jennifer for pitching in so I could leave with a clear conscience:) I really wish I could take better photos of the cards I make. This one is so sparkly and elegant in real life, but it looks kinda flat and boring in the photo:( Anyway, back in our youth ministry days, Andrea and I used to talk a lot about letting your light shine, so that was the inspiration for this card. On Thursday morning, we attended a special Mass at St. Jerome's for the graduates from the Religious Studies program (Andrea's major)and the Scripture readings and Psalm, mentioned the word "Shine" repeatedly! I think I must have had a little "divine" inspiration when I made this card...LOL! Hopefully, the inspiration will continue, so I can get some cards uploaded for the upcoming classes this week. Enjoy your weekend.

I just had to share this with you because I'm a teeny bit proud of it...LOL! I started watercolouring this image during Linda's class a couple of weeks ago and didn't get too far while she was here. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am the Queen of unfinished projects and I really thought this might end up in the pile of..."I'll get to that one of these days." Yesterday, in the middle of a creative binge, I decided to try and finish colouring the image. I didn't quite complete it, but I went back to it today and Voila....... I still need lots of practice (and more lessons from Linda of course) but I'm so happy with the way this turned out and that I actually got around to finishing it off! If anyone is interested in learning how to watercolour with distress inks, be sure to let me know. Linda is a fantastic teacher with lots of patience and I can't wait to have her come and teach here again!

I scream......

It may be a play on words, but I really could scream with frustration when it takes me forever to get my card samples made, photographed and uploaded here. However, here are the first two and as I type this I realize that I still didn't post photos of what we did last week.....(screeeeeeeeam!!!) OK I feel better now..LOL! Obviously I am way behind, so I won't bore you with any more details. I'll try to post the pics from last week soon!

Fast learners...!

Last Saturday these ladies had Linda's teaching skills all to themselves....and it certainly paid off. The two watercoloured cards they completed were absolutely beautiful and they enjoyed the individual attention that Linda was able to offer. Great job Lois and Linda!