Dear January,

04 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by Sara in Cards, Classes, Mini Album, Mixed Media, Yearlong Album

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Canvas, Classes, Impression Obsession, Mixed media, Ranger, The Paperie

Please don’t kick my ass.

I know you’re going to be a busy month.

Hugely busy.

Remember in December when I did 5 new classes in 10 days? Well January, that is kind of what you’re going to be like.

On top of the 6, count ’em, 6 new classes I’ll be teaching at The Paperie, I have my regular Design Team work for Simple Scrapper and am working on a special project for them as well.

And I still have Paperie Picks posts to write and of course, this place here.

So please be kind to me, January, I’m going to need it!

I’m looking forward to the final Yearlong 2012 class and to just being able to say goodbye to that one after a year.

2012 Album Cover (& Ella!)

I’m already planning, planning, planning for the new one and can’t wait for all the fun techniques we’re going to do in the 2013 class! I do know that brand new Crafter’s Workshop stencils and mixed media gels and gesso will be a small part of the new kit!

And I’m really excited for the 4 classes I’m teaching in one giant fun-filled weekend. Ranger, Impression Obsession, Dylusions, canvases, cards, mini albums, and more on January 19 and 20 for what I call the Orlando classes. There will be great products included, awesome techniques, and fabulous projects. I know I’m going to have a blast but boy oh boy, I have some major prep work to do!

But first, I’m teaming up with Cathie once again for a Designer Duo class in Mixed Media! She’ll being using those techniques on a LO while I’ll be teaching a canvas. This is my favourite type of project to do so I’m stoked to get everyone else loving this art form too.

Happy Memories

So yes January, I’m excited and looking forward to you but please, don’t throw anything else my way for a week or two!

You can learn more about all of my January classes at the Paperie here and call them to sign up for any or all. Sign-ups are still open for the new technique filled Yearlong Album 2013 too but call quick if you want to be part of that always sold out class!

The Final Batch

18 Tuesday Dec 2012

Posted by Sara in Cards

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

cards

I was down in my Scrapcave the other day and found a stamp that was randomly lying around – not unusual given the mess down there! Anyway, I saw it and thought, “I know what to do with that!” and less than an hour later I had ten more Christmas cards!

I said I was taking Christmas off, and by that I meant I was taking out the stress. So far, so good. 10 cards in 45 minutes? No stress at all!

First I stamped the sentiment in Versamark on red scrap paper, embossed in Silver, then punched it out. I misted a kraft card base with Calico White Mister Huey’s, added a bit of washi tape, tied some twine, and popped off the punched piece.

A bit of colour, a bit of shine, and a bit of dimension – what more do you need?

Inside I stamped a sentiment and some snowflakes in brown then slipped in the family pic.

And that’s it – the final batch of cards for this year!

Hope you all have a holly jolly one yourselves!

Party Cards!

14 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by Sara in Cards

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

cards, Christmas card, October Afternoon, Stampin' Up

I went to a great party last night with an awesome group of friends and laughed until I hurt. We crafty types, we know how to have a good time!

This was the party I mentioned a couple of days ago that I made cards for. Almost half the cards I made in total this year actually!

Again, I went super simple (and check out the cute photo bomber):

Kraft paper, naturally, with snowflakes stamped in Colorbox Pigment ink in Frost White (the best white ink) and then tied up with baker’s twine. A strip of October Afternoon washi, a mist of Blizzard Mr.Huey’s and done.

Inside I added a sentiment from the My Mind’s Eye Winter Wonderland stamp set and more mist, plus the twine gave me the perfect spot to stick the family photo:

And the shimmer from the Blizzard is awe-some! Love the iridescence of it!

Unfortunately, I thought of misting after writing names on all the washi in non-permanent ink and so some of them were blurred and smudgy. Going with my “taking Christmas off” vibe this year, I shrugged and said, “Meh.”

And I didn’t feel guilty at all. 🙂

Remember, you have until Sunday night to comment on this post and maybe win a spot in the Home Blessings Big Picture Classes workshop with Courtney Walsh! Don’t miss out!

Christmas Card Fail…

12 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by Sara in Cards

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

cards, Christmas card

So, in previous years I’ve been really good about making Christmas cards. Not necessarily as good about sending them but good about making them. Usually, I do 10 of the same ones each month so by the time December rolls around, I have about 100 done. Easy, stress-free, and still fun to do.

This year, well, I ~~kind of~~ really fell off the bandwagon.

Christmas Cards = epic fail.

Apart from the one-offs I did for classes here, here, and here, I have made 38 cards. And 16 of those I made yesterday for a party I’m going to tomorrow night. A party full of crafty, scrappy friends. AKA, hang your head in shame if you don’t bring homemade.

Now I feel I need to say that if someone going to that party gives me a store-bought card I won’t mind at all! Really, I won’t!

But….. I may curse you under my breath for being a stronger girl than I and saying, “Shag it all – I’m buying!”

Back to my point. Only a few cards got made this year. And I’m ok with that. To be honest, I’ve decided to take this Christmas off – who’s with me? 🙂

Oh, I’ll still be decorating – but it hasn’t happened yet.

And I’ll still have cookies – but I won’t be baking (thanks Mom and Taffety!)

And I’ll still go to parties – but I’m not throwing one of my own.

Yup, taking Christmas off this year, my friends, and I feel no guilt at all! Try it, it’s actually liberating!

That being said I do have a few cards so here are the first ones I made, while at the Paperie retreat in November.

Super simple, but I love that Charlie Brown tree, it makes me happy, as does kraft paper.

And the teeny tiny sentiment inside also makes me happy:

So happy and merry easy Christmas to you all, may everyone have as guilt free an epic fail as I do!

Remember, you have until Sunday night to comment on this post and maybe win a spot in the Home Blessings Big Picture Classes workshop with Courtney Walsh!

More cards…

05 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by Sara in Cards, Classes

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

cards, Elizabeth Craft Designs, Impression Obsession, Papertrey Ink

…for the last Paperie class of the season!

I used an Impression Obsession die set, and three different stamps with a kissing technique. For these first two I used the mitten and the knit background.

For the last one, I used the mitten and the Nordic Stripes background

The holly die is from Papertrey Ink – it’s the largest in the set.

I love shaped cards and this one was so fun and easy to do – plus it looks like real mittens. Now, if only Impression Obsession would do trigger mitts I’d be all set here in NL!

The last card for tonight is the finished sneak I showed in the original post.

It’s a pop-up card so the first picture is when it’s closed, and this next picture is once it’s opened!

Cute, huh? Lots of Elizabeth Craft Designs here and fine detail glitter, with Copics – I love the sparkle!

For those of you coming tonight, we’re going to have fun, I can’t wait to see you all! And for those of you who can’t make it, I’m sorry – you’re missing out. 🙂

I think there’s one spot left in class so if you want in, call The Paperie ASAP!

My last Paperie Class…

03 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by Sara in Cards, Classes

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

cards, interactive cards

… of 2012 is Wednesday night and its going to be an awesome one!

We’ll be doing at least 3 cards, maybe 4 if time allows, and they aren’t your regular everyday cards either!

We’ll being making a flip gift card holder:

A window card (excuse the smudgy interior, little fingers grabbed it before the ink dried):

A pop-up card (that’s still under construction!):

and if we get time, I have another simpler one up my sleeve as well!

Plus, we’ll be playing with paper piecing, stamping on acetate, using Copics, and learning how to make two interactive cards.

I’m kitting this class tomorrow night so make sure you call the Paperie before then to sign up. I think there’s a spot or two still available, but I know a lot went today so hurry if you want in!

Bring on a Neon Christmas!

19 Monday Nov 2012

Posted by Sara in Cards, Classes

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

cards, Christmas Reindeer, Classes, Hero Arts, Miracle of the Holidays, neon ink, Stamps

I’m teaching a new class next Tuesday night at The Paperie and it’s going to be a fun and bright one!

In the class you’ll receive this Hero Arts stamp set:

Miracle of the Holidays

credit: Hero Arts

and we’ll be playing with pieces from this one too:

credit: Hero Arts

And to go along with those, we’ll be using the new Neon Inks!

credit: Hero Arts

It’s going to be a bright night, my friends! 🙂

Now, I’ll be honest, I lived through the 80’s and when these inks were released I said, “Never, no way, not gonna happen. Been there, done that!” However (and this is a big however) I played with them and have learned ways to tone them down so they’re just gorgeous colours, not in your face, need-to-wear-your-sunglasses bright! Yay!

Meet RJ, Rudolph’s boy. When I gave him a red nose, it was brought to my attention that Rudolph does not wear a sweater (cough, cough, Liz, cough). Picky, picky. So this is Rudolph Junior and he gets cold up there in the North Pole, a sweater is a necessity!

The colours are brighter when stamped on white instead of kraft…

Ornaments

…but are not totally in your face when in a small dose like this!

Now, most of us have teens, or preteens, or even littler ones in our lives and they didn’t live through the 80’s. And that means they actually like the neon colours – true fact, my friends! So for those on your Christmas list, I made this card, loosely based on one I made in Orlando at the Collins Rep Show:

Patchwork

Trust me, those kids in your lives will love this one! And, be honest now, it is kind of fun instead of traditional red and green, hey?!?

Finally, subway art is really big right now and it’s so easy to make your own. Here’s my neon twist on it!

Subway Art

On top of the 4 cards, you go home with the stamp set, and you get to play with the neon inks (which will also go home with one lucky person!) – it’s going to be a fun night!

Call or email The Paperie to sign up and hopefully, I’ll see you next week!

Do you ever wonder where the Creative Team gets their class ideas? Well, I can tell you that this class was inspired by a card I submitted for publication – the theme was non-traditional Christmas card colours. After using the neon inks in Orlando, I decided that would be the direction I would take this class. And that card I submitted? Check out page 47 of Create: Christmas Cards to see it – it’s also a Hero Arts card! 🙂

Some cards…

15 Wednesday Aug 2012

Posted by Sara in Cards

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

cards, Friendship, Papertrey Ink, Pink Cat Studio, Sympathy

I thought I’d post a couple of cards today that I’ve never shared. I don’t really consider myself a card maker but now and then I do one that I really like – here are a couple!

Note: Sorry for the pics – I took these ages ago and the lighting was terrible!

one of a kind

Come on! Those owls are seriously cute! They’re from a company called Pink Cat Studio and they have cling rubber stamps that are totally fun – go check them out! If you’re not sure, get a digi stamp from them for a “test run!”

As I was linking this I saw this stamp – may have to break down for that one!

With Heartfelt Sympathy

This is a stamp set from Papertrey Ink and it’s perfect for sympathy cards, though I have made some nice birthday cards too, with a different sentiment obviously! I love how the shading turned out.

I have another project to share tomorrow – a super simple and quick mini album so come back to check it out!

Love Cards that I Love!

11 Friday May 2012

Posted by Sara in Cards, ScrapBook, Techniques

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Ali Edwards, Distress Ink, Hero Arts, Ranger, stamping, Technique Tuesday, The Paperie

And I love them because they are made with the brand spanking new Spring Seasonal Distress Ink Colours – Peacock Feathers, Squeezed Lemonade, and Shaded Lilac. Seriously though, don’t they sound awesome, even before you know what the colours are? Yup. They do!

I wanted to give the inks a test run, see how the colours dried and blended, so I made two super simple cards using the Hero Arts Lotus Background (one of my faves!) and an Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday set – Love Always Wins.

For the first one, I simply added ink randomly to the stamp, misted with water to allow the inks to blend, and stamped onto watercolour paper. Once it was dry, I added the sentiment and some twine:

For the second, I wanted to see more of the true colour so I swiped each ink pad over the stamp to make three lines of colour. I lightly misted with water to get some slight blending and again stamped onto watercolour paper. Another awesome sentiment from Ali Edwards and some twine and I called it done:

So…. simple, but I love the colours and the texture of the watercolour paper added just enough interest!

Have a great weekend, see some of you at The Paperie tomorrow for the sale and Taffety’s baked goodies!

Some crafty goodness…

04 Friday May 2012

Posted by Sara in Cards, Classes, ScrapBook, Techniques, Yearlong Album

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Adirondack Color Wash, Distress Stain, Paperie, Ranger, Stamper's Anonymous, The Crafter's Workshop

…as promised! Here it is!

Last weekend we had a birthday party to attend and I had to teach the Yearlong Class at The Paperie that day as well. Unfortunately, I had no card made for the party before hand. Oops! Luckily, as I was teaching one of the two bonus cards we made…

… Cathie mentioned the Distress Stain splats would make good monsters. Ummm, yes, they totally would! And I had coloured googly eyes at home – awesome! Here’s how that 3 minute card turned out:

Monsters!!!

So yeah, I totally *love* it! And I think Pine Needles might be my new favourite colour – see that fantastic greeny blue guy? He makes me happy… 🙂

The other card we did on Sunday was made using The Crafter’s Workshop Mini Fragmented Flower Stencil and mists.

I get a lot of people asking me how to mist properly and I always say to press on the nozzle. Seriously.

It seems to me that a lot of people are scared they’ll get too much colour or spray in the wrong place or something and they gingerly press down on the nozzle. Slowly. And that’s guaranteed to get you splats and drops, not mist. So just give your mist a good, solid press, people – go for it! And if you’re worried about too much colour, place your paper in a box, aim the mist at the back of the box, press down, and just let the mist drift down on your page. It’s much finer this way, but you’ll have more control about the intensity but since it’s mist, it will go where it wants, for the most part – you have very little control there, my friends!

All that being said, I thought we should have some misting practice in class! I used Adirondack Colour Wash in my sample – I love the colours and intensity of these. The trick with mist and stencils is to go light. The more mist, the more liquid, the more seepage under the stencil. So, go light and get a great impression! And use colours that will blend nicely together! And if you don’t think you have enough colour down, trust me, you do – do not spray again, it will be fine! 🙂

Anyway, simple cards, both done in about 5 minutes each, but fun techniques that can be used for a bunch of different things! If you want to see more techniques with Distress Stains, check out my Paperie Picks post from last week.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone – I’m at the Retreat and I know I’m having a great time!