Recipe Binder

From Heidi...I wanted to post this Recipe Binder that Adriel has been working on. These smaller view binders are the perfect size for a cookbook and the vinyl sleeves protect the designer covers. We made the covers for one of these binders using all My Digital Studio, but when we found out that MDS is only for personal use and can't be used for business purposes, we were kind of bummed. MDS offers so many fun possibilities! So, we resorted back to Designer Papers, but we've incorporated the computer into this project. Using Word, we were able to create the oval border to fit into our Cuttlebug cutter, and then matched the color of the border with SU's coordinating papers (BTW, I love this paper, too bad it's retired!) and then played around with different fonts and font sizes to fill the oval with. Thanks for looking!

Thanksgiving Table and Stamp-A-Technique Classes

Here are the pictures of our upcoming classes.
Thanksgiving Table, Thursday, October 15
12:30-3 PM and 7-9:30 PMStamp-A-Technique with Watercoloring

Tuesday, October 20
1-3 PM and 7-9 PM
Thursday, October 22
7-9 PM

Too Long...

From Adriel:

It's been too long since I've posted something on here! My problem is I don't have pictures of new projects... I'm going to go dig around in my photos and see if I can find something to share... be right back...

Okay, I found something! I intended to share this a couple of weeks ago and never did! So, here we go!

My mom was creating cards a couple of weeks ago for the Cracked Glass technique class we are teaching soon. Of course, I had to try my hand at it! =) I used the pretty new set "Charming" from Stampin' Up! and did the cracked glass technique on just the punched accent of my card. For those of you unfamiliar with the cracked glass technique, you basically apply several layers of special embossing powder (Glossy Glaze enamel) and then you apply a cold pack to it or put it in the freezer. When it is very cold, you can quickly crack it and it has this neat effect of "cracked glass". You can go back over the cracks with ink to add to the antique look. Anyway, neat effect and fun to try! Here's a link to a tutorial on SplitCoast.

I like how this card turned out, but after I made it into a friend card I looked at it and wondered why I didn't make it a Christmas card. It looks more like that to me. Don't know! =)

We doing our Tropical Stamping Bunco tonight! I worked on the tag directions this morning and am looking forward to our evening with some of you!

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great day! =)

Razzle Dazzle Misting

From Adriel:

A few weeks ago my mom tried a new technique with stamping called "Misting w/ Markers". We're going to be doing a class in October called "In the Mist" and so I played around with the technique and loved the results! I think this technique is my new favorite! =) The results remind me of watercolor or something and I love the effect. Here's a card I made using the Razzle Dazzle set and the Misting w/ Markers technique. It adds droplets to the image that make it look so unique. I used Crushed Curry Textured CS and just had fun with the bright, bold colors!

Anyway, this is one of the cards we will be creating with our students for this class. If you'd like to join us, you can register for the class through Breaktime HERE. The class is called "In the Mist". We're going to have a great time and I know that this technique will bring out "ooohs and aaahs"! =D

Kayla's Turn

From Adriel:

Of course, the Kayla girl has to have a turn sharing her Build-a-Bear card! =) Again, I can't move my pics... very annoying (wonder if it will ever work normally again?). Anyway, Kayla made this card as a "window card". She said she had been dreaming about making one. (I guess she's already a card-making addict!) I had to help her with the coluzzle and cutting out the square, but she did the rest. She dimensioned the white cardstock behind the frame. She even embossed the bear! I'm not kidding you, she's really into card-making! =D

We had a nice lunch today and I have to correct myself... the place was called "The Olive Mill" not "press", like I thought. We ate lunch outside... it was a bit too warm, but they had misters and we sat fairly close to those so it was alright outside. The food was different, but it was tasty and that is fun to try something new and have it be yummy. =) Forgot the camera, so no pics! Sorry!

My mom and I are just busy working away at our little business! Yesterday I created a couple cards for a class in November... I know that seems far away, but having it done ahead of time gives you time to keep creating and is also nice for ordering. Because we order most of our supplies through Stampin' Up!, we have to have our projects planned at least a couple of weeks ahead of time to allow for delivery of our supplies. We have a white board with the upcoming classes over the next few months listed, and it really helps to plan and create. My mom is a pretty organized person and I'm blessed to be working with her, because I'm not naturally organized. I really do appreciate organization and I just need to practice it more. =)

I guess the only other thing to add to this post is that we have been included in a fun treasury on Etsy called "Funky Fresh and Fun". Be sure to check it out by clicking HERE! =)

Have a wonderful Wednesday! =)

Enjoyable Class

From Adriel:

We had a great time stamping with our stamping friends this past Thursday at our afternoon and evening classes. The response to our celebrate summer cards was very positive and our ladies enjoyed getting creative and making those "yummy" cards! It was fun and I enjoyed seeing everyone, especially some of those whom I hadn't seen for a couple of months. =)

We'll be seeing a lot of our ladies again this coming Tuesday for our special Stamp-a-Technique class where we will be doing brayering. I haven't done all that much with brayering, so this was fun to try something new and create for. Here's the card I will be teaching.

I used a circle template and brayered ink over the card stock and then stamped with a couple of the stamps from Circle Circus, along with some sponging. I don't usually stick to such a limited color combo, but it really worked nice for this card and I like the results. =)

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you're having a nice day. =)

It's Thursday Already?!

From Adriel:

Hi to all of you! This week has gone by quickly... it's Thursday already! Has this week gone by fast for you, too? =)

Right now we're a couple hours away from our afternoon card making class! I'm looking forward to making these fun summer cards with our gals. I think they will enjoy making them! =) Here's what we'll be making today!

My mom and I have been working on some fun stuff that I'm looking forward to showing you! We got our new stuff from Stampin' Up! earlier this week... the Build-a-Bear stamp set (so cute and it got us planning a new class!), the Gobble, Gobble stamp and the Autumn DS paper (can't remember the name)... my mom and I spent part of Tuesday evening designing for our Thankful Table class. We were very happy with our results and will share those soon! =)

We were also contacted by our city's Park & Rec. to see if we were interested in doing a nature journal class at a nature park near us. We've got a couple of dates for that class scheduled now and will be working on the design for that soon. Should be fun!

How about you? What's been happening with you this week? Let us know and thanks for stopping by! =)

Sunbeam Note Cards

From Adriel:

Kristina Werner showed an awesome tutorial on her blog about a paper crafting technique that was so inspiring! When I saw it, I wanted to make it! The Razzleberry Lemonade DSP from Stampin' Up! worked beautifully for this technique and I love the cards!!!

I didn't follow her instructions completely, as I did not overlap any of the paper. I wanted to get as much as I could out of the paper I cut. What I ended up doing was cutting 4 different patterns the size of the card stock backing I intended to use. I made little marks on my card stock backing where I wanted the paper "beams" to go and I then put my DSP squares over the card stock backing and made pencil marks in the same places. I then used a ruler and a hobby blade to cut at each mark. I ended up with 4 "beams" out of each DSP square. I then arranged these on card stock backing, making sure I got my paper beams as close together as possible so there were no gaps. I thought this turned out great and I didn't end up wasting any paper and actually ended up with 4 cards instead of 1!! =D Anyway, had to share because I love them!! =D

These cards and a couple other items from our Etsy shop were featured on DutchTouchBeads blog today! A big thanks to Jenni!! You can find the feature about us on her blog HERE! Go visit them and get a peek at their jewelry! =)

Birds

From Adriel:

I saw this bird idea using punches on SplitCoast awhile ago and saved it to my favorites. We've got a card class coming up at Tumbleweed in the fall using punches, so I decided that this would be a fun card to make for that class. =)

The bird bodies were made using the wide oval punch, the wings were made using the scallop oval punch and the beaks were made using the 1/2" circle punch.

The colors for this card:

Crushed Curry

Barely Banana

Lovely Lilac

Whisper White

Kraft

Soft Suede

Thanks for visiting us today! Have a great day! =)

Tutorial for Making Your Own Patterned Paper

From Adriel:

Today I wanted to share a quick and easy tutorial with you on how to make your own patterned paper using rubber stamps, ink, sponging and color spritzing! Next time your needing some background paper or printed paper of some sort, use the supplies you have and put them to good use!

You will need the following supplies to make the paper I will be showing you today, but you can use different stamps and ink to achieve different results:

Whisper White CS
Razzle Dazzle set
More Mustard ink pad and marker
Summer Sun ink pad
Color Spritzer Tool
Sponge

1. Stamp the large floral image in a pattern on the Whisper White CS using Summer Sun ink.

2. Use the color spritzer tool with the More Mustard marker on the stamped surface. Add as much speckling as desired.
3. Sponge More Mustard ink on stamped surface all over. Apply lightly and go back over areas to darken if desired.
4. Ta-da!! Your patterned paper is now ready for you to create with!

5. I took it a step further and crumpled up the paper and used it on this card.
Isn't that fun?! Okay, now you try it out and show us what you create using this technique!

BTW, I will be putting the card I made up for sale in our Etsy shop within the next day or so!

Cottage Wall 3x3 Cards

From Adriel:

I was inspired by the cute little 3x3 card in the new Stampin' Up! catalog on page 18 (sorry, don't have a link to the picture). We recently ordered and received the Cottage Wall DS paper from Stampin' Up! and it worked beautifully on this card design. I love this assortment of DS paper... it's very pretty and sweet. =)

I did two designs, both nearly identical to one another. I used the largest image from the Fifth Avenue Floral set in VersaMark in the lower corner of the DS paper and embossed the image with white embossing powder. I used the lovely "for you" stamp from the Fresh Cuts set in VersaMark, followed by white embossing powder and punched out with the large oval punch. I then layered this on top of coordinating cardstock punched with the scallop oval and the wide oval punches.

Simple Recipe:

Whisper White CS

Certainly Celery CS

Old Olive CS

Pale Plum CS

Rich Razzleberry CS

Cottage Wall DS Paper (love it!)

Fresh Cuts stamp set

Fifth Avenue stamp set

VersaMark ink pad

White embossing powder

Little pearl stickers from Michaels... brand unknown

Boho Blossoms punch

Cottage Wall DS Paper from Stampin' Up! #115671

You can order supplies from Stampin' Up! by clicking HERE! =)

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

If it looks like I had some fun...

You are right!!

We're doing a Celebrate Summer project class in August and I had way too much fun making this card for our sample!! I'm looking forward to teaching our ladies how to make this, because I know they're going to love it and have a lot of fun, too! =D

I did bubblegum, vanilla and mint chip for my ice cream scoops. I sent my "cone" through my Big Shot using the argyle texturz plate. We have a bunch of DS paper from Sale-a-Bration so I used that for the background paper.

Thanks for taking time out of your day to stop by our blog! Hope your day is going well and that you're staying creatively inspired. =)

Natural Beauty

We recently went on a camping trip with our families. We slept outdoors (in tents, of course!), ate outdoors, visited outdoors, amused ourselves outdoors... did I forget anything? =)

Thought I would share a couple of photos of the outdoors that we enjoyed!

BEAUTIFUL!!!

It doesn't matter how lovely man can create something... nothing compares with the beauty that God creates. =)

Where was my brain?!

From Adriel:

We recently sold our Bargain Birthday Bundle of cards out of our Etsy shop. This has been in our shop for a month or two... at the price, I was actually surprised it took so long to sell. That is until I read back over the listing and realized my HUGE error in the description. Before I let you read it, I'll let you know that we sold this bundle of 8 birthday cards for $12, just to give you an accurate view of the price. Okay, here's the picture of the cards:

And here's the part of the description that made me wonder "Where was my brain?!" (I didn't actually think that, but it was something like "Ohhhhhh!"):

<<"Get a bundle and save a bunch! You pay $12.00 for each HANDMADE card! Unless it's pretty mediocre, you can't get a mass-produced card for that much. Buy handmade and give something special!">>

Did you catch my mistake? I made it big and bolded it so you would find it. ;-)

Oh boy, it's special alright! $12 for each card... wow, what a bargain! LOL! =P I'm sure glad I included so many pictures so the buyer understood that the listing was for 8 cards and the price for all of them was $12. I wonder how many people have clicked on that listing and read that and gotten out of there as fast as they could! Yikes!

Ha Ha!! I thought my blunder was funny and wanted to share (at my expense)! Want to share one of yours? Leave us a comment! We would love to laugh WITH you! =D

If you're looking for something to do...

... head over to Costance Collins' blog Constantly Stamping! She has a great tutorial on making a water lily with the Sizzix Daisy die. Did I mention it a video tutorial?!

You can check it out HERE!

Here's a picture of what she made... BEAUTIFUL! =D