Spring Wreath

Inspired by the wreath on the Annual Inspirations Idea Book I created a Spring version. My customers really liked the red and white version and wanted a class. I will be teaching them how to make this wreath on Saturday from cutting all the pieces on their Cricuts to lots of hot glue assembly!

I chose some pretty colors for my flowers of pinks and yellow. The ladies will get to choose whatever colors they wish. I could see this wreath in red, white and blue perfect for the Fourth of July!

Hopefully, I will remember to take pictures of all the completed wreaths to show you the variations! Have a great week!

April Crate Card Club

This past weekend I held my April Crate Card Club. There were 5 of us total participating this month. As always we had a nice mix of cards with different themes and ideas! Let me share what we created.

First up is my card. I knew that I would showcase this month's Stamp of the Month, Typed Note. I also knew that I wanted a taller card for something that we haven't done yet and I figured the larger typewriter image would work great on tall, skinny base card.

Here are the other cards. You will see a great mix of papers, sentiments and styles. The ladies do great work and we enjoy each others ideas. If you like their creations, please leave a comment and let them know!

You are...

One of the stamp sets from the Seasonal Expression 2 book has been getting lots of attention in my craft room this week. It's called Shower Flowers. (C1612) The flowers are fun to ink up and create little clusters with. I wanted to try a little different color scheme with them other than what was shown in the idea book. I used the sketch at Freshly Made Sketches this week and a variety of some cardstocks with some Snowhaven papers. 

The sentiment is from the stamp set included in the Blossoms Cardmaking WOTG kit. You'll see more of that kit in my next post!

(C1612)

First Ever Crate Card Club

Last month I introduced my customers to a new club I was starting. I call it the Crate Card Club!

This is the original photo I made for the flyer and introduction. I did an example and explanation of the club and handed out 6 colorful crates that day.

Our very first club met this past weekend and it is already a success! In fact I already gained an eighth member for our next club in January!

Here is how the club works~

Each member brings their crate filled with a sample card and all the materials for all other members to create their sample card. Each person gets a turn to be the teacher. We rotate to each member around the table until we have completed everyone's cards. In the end you create/design one card yourself and get to make 7 (depending on how many members you have that day) more cards taught by other members. They can be any occasion they desire, I only require that they use mostly Close To My Heart products.

Each member received a plastic crate that they could decorate as they desired. I gave away all the brightly colored crates so I used an older clear one that I dressed up in some black gross grain ribbon and a Base & Bling pendant.

Inside I had my designed card (inspired by the Snowhaven card making WOTG) the papers already cut, stamp set, embellishments and envelopes. I also had all the stamps we were going to use already mounted on blocks.

Here are the cards that were created from all the members~

My card

Nanette

Pat

Tommie

 

 

Barbie

Janet

Lori

What did we learn from our first get together?

1. We get to use stamp sets that we don't already own

2. We learn different styles as everyone has unique ideas

3. We learn clever and creative techniques we never tried before

4. Everyone has a different way of teaching

5. Several cards can be made in a little amount of time

6. We will have a variety of cards for many occasions

7. We laugh and have way too much fun being members of this club!!

I can't wait to meet again in January!

Also~

In conjunction with the Crate Card Club I held a Holiday Open House where I showcased some of the Autumn and Winter collections available in the Annual Expressions Idea Book. I also hosted a Base & Bling buffet and gave a sneak peek to several products that will be featured in the newest Seasonal Expressions Idea Book. Whew!!! Yes, it was a big day for me!{and that's only the half of it!}. Stick around and I will have photo's from my Open House soon!

Dotty Peeps

This cute card uses the Peeps stamp set again and some of the new Dotty papers! I matched the colors of the peeps with the actual marshmallow treats! I've also used the adhesive spring to give my card extra dimension. I am entering this card in the Ribbon Carousel Spring challenge this week. You will see that I have added some green twine to the bottom of the card and also used it to tie a knot in my button.

Celebrate Spring

The cold wind stopped blowing and the warm sunshine was out yesterday so I was inspired to create this card for a couple of challenges.

The sketch is from Mojo Monday, the spring theme and colors are inspired by...well, Inspired By Blog and I've added the sweetest little pink felt flower for the Ribbon Carousel Challenge.

Inspired By Photo



Spring/Summer Idea Book is Here!!

During my last club meeting I gave all the ladies a sneak peek at several new goodies from the brand new Spring and Summer Idea Book. Here is just a quick peek for you. I will show more of these projects up close later in the next few weeks.


Be sure to browse the new book, see all the new products and enjoy the spectacular artwork!

Spring Inspired

I love the change in the weather lately, with the exception of the few windy days. We had to mow the grass once already and the bushes and trees are full of new growth. Any day now I'll have beautiful roses blooming. Last night we enjoyed dinner on the patio... grilled steak and sweet potatoes...YUM!!

This season has also inspired some playful and cheery artwork. I will try to post more this week with little bits of Spring Inspiration! Enjoy!

Did you notice the pretty butterfly? It is made of Irresistibles Chipboard Die-cuts that will be offered soon in a new kit to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month.

March ~ Back to Basics

Back to Basics Club meets this Friday to make this spring 2 page layout. The colors are nice and light, but are anchored by chocolate brown. The design is graphic and will allow the pictures to be the center of attention. Club members will learn chipboard cheating as well as paper piecing. There is also a bit of tone on tone stamping with background stamps, but it's hard to see in this photo.

Spring Has Sprung

I can hardly believe that we had snow falling just a week ago. I took these photo's exactly 1 week from our snow day. The weeping willow filled in with bright green leaves and the bee's are humming all around it. I also have this little asain pear tree that was looking quite pitiful at winter's end. I honestly thought it had met it's doom. Look at these gorgeous pink blooms on it though.

Here's a fun card to celebrate the first day of spring. It is inpired by a similar card I saw in Paper Crafts magazine. The rainboots have liquid glass on them to make them appear slick. It's difficult to see, but the sentiment stamped tone on tone says: Happy Spring!

Spring Discovery!

This is amazing. As the weather gets warmer {a sure sign of spring} my children discover mother nature's beauty. The kids head out to play every afternoon, I'm already busy pulling weeds and tending to newly budding plants. My husband has mowed the grass for the first time this year {thank goodness he was able to start the mower after sitting idle all winter} it looked like a hay field. Our beagle is also happy with the change of season, her naps in the sunshine are extra long these afternoons.

For the last couple of days though our beloved beagle has been barking non-stop at one of the trees in the backyard. My son decided to investigate. He was quite taken by surprise when a bird flew in his direction, darting from the tree. Upon careful and cautious investigation he discovered a tiny birds nest nestled in the upper branches. I took a moment when momma bird was away {probably eating dinner} to snap these pictures. The nest is amazingly intricate and the 5 little blue speckled eggs are just delicately darling. I will keep an eye on the nest and eggs and keep you updated.

Spring Inspired!

Here are the results of a recent "Spring Inspired" card exchange. The ladies could create cards for easter, decorate them in flowers & blooms, or simply apply a spring inspired quote or colors! The first card is my own and it's the one I gave you a sneak peek of last week.