THIRD THURSDAY TECHNIQUE CLASS

I've been attending a technique class at Cyndy's house, my SU demonstrator, (for several years now) on the third Thursday of the month.  This card was a way to use the Festival of Trees set and coordinating punch featuring 3 different trees on one card.  Nothing tricky this time, just a nice quick card in a mod color combo.  I've been seeing a lot of these colors online this year, and they're a refreshing change from the traditional red and green.

TIP:  To make a tree smaller (as shown here in the glimmer paper) using the tree punch, simply punch the tree out, reinsert it partway and punch again.  Thanks for showing us that, Cyndy!

I'm continually amazed at how versatile this set has been.  I've used it exclusively for the past 11 weeks at Mothers Class without repeating a design.  Plus, I've made a few more at home.

MOTHERS CLASS CARDS

 Last week in class, Jackie brought materials to make these cute mitten cards with the fold at the top.  It was fun being a student for a change!

For my card, after adding the dsp, thumb tip and cuff to the plain white card provided, I ran the top piece through the cuttlebug with a snowflake ef.  The bow was a die that I ran through the cb and attached with a glue dot.  The snowflake and gem gave it that final touch.  Every card was different, thanks to all the choices we had in dsp; and all were adorable.



For the second card, I brought one that was quick and easy for the class to do after finishing their mitten cards.  First, we laid the stamp upright on the table, inked it with Versafine Smokey Gray, and pressed the white cs on it. 

After trimming down the image (I purposely cut the white cs larger than needed to make it easier) we used colored pencils on the evergreen tree and the deer. We mounted the image on the green cs, and dimensionals were used to pop it up on the kraft cardfront.  Once the snowflake and gem were added, the cards were done in less than 15 minutes!

We decided afterward to cancel today's class since it would be the day before Thanksgiving.  Now that it's snowing (5 inches already!) it seems we made the right decision.  Next week's class will be our last for 2014, a stamp-a-stack of  5 Christmas cards.

CHRISTMAS STAMP-A-STACK

 
This is the card I designed for our last Mothers Class the first week in December.  It's easy to assemble and should make a nice finale for our Fall sessions.

The top-fold card base is Always Artichoke, the die cut window is white cs, and the tree is stamped on light green cs and punched out.  The bottom corners are rounded.


To make the tree sparkle, I brushed it with a light coating of TomBow mono glue and sprinkled it with Sugar Coating glitter.  You can see how much it glistens in the sunlight in the photo below.  The star is punched from silver glitter paper and attached with a glue dot.  The tree is mounted with SU dimensionals, and three rhinestones were added for balance. 

 The inside greeting will be stamped on printer paper with Versafine Olympia Green ink.  After rounding the bottom corners, it will be attached with snail.

This year's class has been a lot of fun, and I look forward to reconvening in February.  Hopefully, the worst of winter will be drawing to a close by then!

ANOTHER FESTIVAL OF TREES CARD

First I stamped the trees with Versafine Smokey Gray, three times without re-inking.  Next I stamped the greeting in Memento Paris Dusk and added the various sizes of snowflakes with the same blue ink.  Once the stamping was done, I tore a narrow strip of white cs and added it to the bottom of the white panel and sponged the edges on the top and two sides.  Then I glued it to the dark blue panel and mounted it on the gray card front.

The Mothers Class will be making this one on Wed.

FESTIVAL OF TREES

This was an easy card for Mothers Class featuring another way to use this SU set and matching punch!

After stamping the tree, punching it out and adding rhinestones, we mounted it with dimensionals over a narrow strip of red foil paper.  Then we attached the first half of the greeting on the front, and the second half inside with a gold star holding it down.

Simple but elegant...

Z-FOLD HALLOWEEN CARD

The second card we made last week was this one for Halloween.  It couldn't have been easier!

First we folded back the front to form the Z.  Next, we used the Candy Corn die cut from Simon Says Stamp by attaching it to a white panel with rounded corners, coloring in the candy corn with markers and adding tiny black gems in the spaces.  After attaching the Halloween dsp to the front and inside panels, being careful to put adhesive on the left side only, we stamped the greeting on the inside over stars stamped in lilac.  For the final touch, we added the black twine bow.  It was a fun class!

MY COMPUTER IS BACK!

...AND SO AM I!


Even though I haven't been able to post photos, I have been busy stamping.  I now have 40 Christmas cards done (60 more to go..)  YAY!

This Z-fold card was for Mothers Class last week.  Although easy enough to do, it was time consuming because of all the steps and fussy cutting of the packages.  The dsp is from a 12 x 12 pad from Hobby Lobby that I had left over from last year.  The same Festival of Trees stamp set and punch has been (and will continue to be) used.  They had fun sanding the Swiss Dots embossing.  We added Stickles on all the red ornaments for extra shine.

It's been fun coming up with so many different ideas from the same stamp set.  Stay tuned for more...

ONE LAST CLASS

Mothers Class is done for the year.  This is one of the designs we used for yesterday's class--after the wonderful breakfast we had!    First we stamped the flowers branch in white and colored over it with colored pencils.  They all came out different!  This one I did today, using a new die set that came in the mail.  (The cost will be covered by the gift card from the class.)

The other card we did was with the French Foliage set and three shades of green ink, one for each stamp.  The strip on the left was done with double stick Score tape.  After applying it along the edge of the fold, we pulled back the paper covering and added some green mini confetti and two shades of green glitter.  Next we stamped a panel (3 3/4 x 5 1/2") and popped it up on the card front with dimensionals.  Unfortunately, the photo doesn't do the card justice here--the glitter really sparkles and the raised panel adds dimension.

Both cards were easy for the Advanced Class to do and complete quickly (as usual!)  We were all amazed at how many new techniques we learned this year and look forward to even more next year.

HAPPY SPRING SLIDER CARD

This card is going to a friend in Florida, but is also the card we'll be making in Mothers Class next week.  The card base is from a kit I purchased at the Allentown Stamp Show from the Paper Cut booth.

For class, since we've already done a card with the tulip stamp, we'll make it an Easter card.  The kit makes it easy to assemble once it's stamped and decorated.  I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with!

IT'S BEEN AWHILE!

I've been extremely busy, but not too busy to stamp.  Just too busy to post (sorry.)

This card was done with colored pencils, and we made a bunch of these at Mothers Class last week.  It's always fun to see how everyone's cards all look so different.  The stamens were added later with black Stickles, and a Spring-time sentiment was stamped  inside.

Most of the snow around our house has melted--finally!  There's still a few clumps here and there, but we can see the grass again.  I saw one of our purple crocuses in bloom today, too.

The cats were out for a bit this afternoon while the sun was shining on the deck.  They looked soooo happy.

MOTHERS CLASS SUCCESS!

Everyone had a fun time making their box cards in class yesterday.

Here's a tip when completing a box card:

Mount decorative items to pieces of acetate with glue dots.  Then place them (using glue dots on the bottom of the acetate strips) higher in the back and lower in the front.  This gives it a fuller look.  I even placed two items on one strip, one below the other, in the back so that the acetate wouldn't show.

Try making one of these box cards--you'll have fun decorating it!

See the March 3 post for more info.

(Don't forget to click for a larger view!)

SYMPATHY CARD

Unfortunately, this is a card we all need to keep on hand.  This one is done with sponging over a simple stamp and sentiment.

After stamping the image, I stamped just the bird portion on a scrap of blue cs and added it over that part with a glue dot.  Then I trimmed down the white panel, added the jute and rounded the corners.  The panel is attached with dimensionals.

All that is left is to write a few words of comfort on the inside.

I also made another one with a birthday sentiment inside and out.  This is so easy to make, it's a good beginner basics card also.

Inside and Out--Flowers and Butterfly

Connecting the inside of a card with the front really makes it seem more finished.  This card features some sponging of three colors on a separate panel which is then attached to a wider piece of white cs trimmed with a lacy edger punch.  After adding a thin strip of black cs on the top and bottom of the panel, I stamped the birthday greeting and attached the panel to the card front with dimensionals.

The flowers from the Morning Meadow SU hostess set are stamped, punched and mounted as shown.  For the inside, I stamped a small Hero Arts butterfly on a white cs scrap, sponged it with the same yellow inks, and fussy cut it.  I then mounted it to the inside with a glue dot on the left wing.  Lastly, pearls were added to the flower centers.

I'm enjoying this online class and looking forward to the next lesson.  Meanwhile, I'll be teaching what I learned to the Mothers Class today!

THANKSGIVING CARD

Using a long-retired SU set, "Bountiful Blessings", this is the card I came up with for the members of the Mothers Class this year.  Rather than color in the image, I decided to keep it simple and rustic looking.  After tearing the edges, I sponged brown ink on the sides, then added some black sponging just on the very edges over the brown to give it a little more definition.

For embellishment, I used 2 pearls and a gem in the lower right corner.  Inside, I first stamped the wheat sheaf of the set in brown, then stamped "bountiful blessings..." in black over it.  The embossing folder on the front gave it a bit more texture.

I am so thankful for the members of my Mothers Class.  They truly are an inspiration and make Wednesdays the highlight of my week.

SIMPLE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT

For the next Mothers Class, we'll be making these Christmas ornament cards--soooo easy!

After punching out a circle of dsp,  add a gem in the center and set aside.  Next, take a piece of white cardstock cut to
3 3/4"x5" and stamp the greeting on the bottom in an ink to match the cardstock base (SU Choc. Chip in this case.)  Then attach a piece of red metallic cord on the top of the card, taping it securely on the back.  Use a dimensional to attach it on the front underneath where the ornament will go.  Then add the  ornament on top of the dimensional.

The "pine branches" are done with a Martha Stewart fern punch and glued into place with TomBow mono glue.  A bow is added for the finishing touch with a glue dot.

Although you could use red or green cs for the base, I thought this dark brown made it a little richer looking and a bit more unusual--who would have thought!

NEW TOY, OLD TECHNIQUE

The new die that I ordered from Penny Black came the other day, and I finally got a chance to try it out today!
This is the design I came up with for Mothers Class next week.

Using scraps from our previous Christmas bargello card, we'll snip them and place them on a piece of cardstock that was run through the Xyron machine.  Leaving spaces between the pieces, we'll add gold embossing powder on the remaining glue and heat.  After trimming and mounting the mosaic piece to the upper left of the card, we'll color the holly sprig and gently glue it to the card, add the tag and gold or red twine bow.

UPDATE ON JACKIE:  She should be home this weekend, thankfully, and plans to be in class next week.  Meanwhile, one of the other moms was in the hospital with an obstruction--what are the odds of two from the same class being in the hospital with the same problem at the same time.  Her issue resolved itself without any drastic measures, however; and she was released on Tuesday and in class yesterday.  Thanks for all of the prayer support that I'm sure helped in their recovery!

BARGELLO CHRISTMAS CARDS...

...TWO FOR ONE!

Next Wednesday, the Mothers Class will be revisiting the Bargello technique which they learned last year and requested that we do again.  (See Splitcoast Stampers for this technique.)

After cutting all the pieces and mounting them on a piece of white cardstock, we'll run it through the Cuttlebug with the Christmas Tree die.  Using the negative space shown on this first card, we'll cut some trees from Pear Pizzaz cs to place in the opening.  Students will have the choice of taping it to lie flat or using dimensionals to raise it above the background.  After gluing sequins, a star and the greeting to the front of the card, we'll go to the second card.

Using the tree that was cut out of the Bargello panel, we'll then make a horizontal card.  (The red background is a richer shade of cardstock than it looks here.)  After attaching the star and a lime green gem, the tree and greeting will be mounted with dimensionals.  This one should take no time at all to complete!

I just love the way this came together so that none of the bargello panel was wasted.

SPECIAL NOTE:  Jackie will be missing some classes because of being in the hospital.  Instead of heading for a trip to Oregon to see her new grandchild as planned, she had to have emergency surgery to remove a blockage in her intestines.  She was in a lot of pain and is still recovering.  We're hoping she'll be out of  ICU soon.  Please keep her in your prayers.

FUN HALLOWEEN CARD

Here's the card we'll be doing at Mothers Class today--too cute!

The Candy Monster is from a set I just received in the mail from Taylored Expressions, along with some orange candy dots.  The matching die made this card super easy to do.  The small details are colored in with Gelly Roll glitter pens.  Jackie is bringing her large googlie eyes to class--they'll look much better than the small one I had on hand.

The polka dot dsp behind the circle opening is from a 12 x 12 K & Co. pad I picked up last year.  (Unfortunately, it looks washed out in this photo.)  It is mounted on the inside of the card to show through the die-cut circle behind the one-eyed monster.  I attachd him to the card front with a piece of foam tape below the opening.  Notice his green teeth, probably rotten from eating too much candy *lol*!

Should be a fun class!

HAPPY STAMPERS!

 Today at Mothers Class, I not only remembered to bring my camera; but I also remembered to USE IT!






Evelyn donated her card to the package I made up for the pastor.  I had only three, so hers was the fourth.  Thanks, Evelyn!

Jackie gave the camera a big smile, while Bambi finished working on hers in the background.

Kim's card came out great!

Each stamper used a different Bible verse for her card, so it was a nice variety.

Finally, the class worked on their Christmas cards.  Nicole is on the left.  Although she arrived late, she caught up quickly and finished all three of her cards.  (We do two of the Christmas cards each week so that everyone has a nice stash by December.)


If you click on the photos, you'll see why they're called the Advanced Class!

MOTHERS CLASS CHRISTMAS CARD

This should be an easy card to do in class.  First, we'll stamp the image in Versamark and gold emboss it.  Then with just red and green markers, we'll color in the word and the holly leaves, mount it on a green panel and attach it to the card base with dimensionals.

This is the original card I came up with but later modified it a bit to improve the scale.  The card base is a side fold, and the stamped panel is cut smaller.  I also rounded the bottom right corners of all three layers instead of using the diagonal strips.  One strand of red embroidery floss is wrapped around the left side of the top panel with a small bow at the top, allowing the image to stand out more. 

For the inside, we'll be stamping "Wishing you all the blessings of this happy, holy season."