Butterflies Take Flight

Today is the last of my August classes at Kathy Davis Studios. We'll be making a Close To My Heart Mini Album.

It's an ambitious project for sure -- perhaps I'll show you pictures tomorrow of the album and the class in action. 

The card I made (at left) uses Kathy Davis Studios papers, manufactured and distributed by GCD Studios. They're available exclusively at Joann Stores, with the greatest selection online at www.Joann.com. 
 
KDS has invited me back for as many classes as I can handle this Autumn, plus they're adding more instructors to their schedule. I'm so looking forward to taking classes, too!  Watch this space for my announcement on Labor Day of the upcoming schedule. Enrollment will be limited, so be sure to register as soon as you see the course list.


DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

Lovely Fancy Fold Card with Class!

"Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens ...
these are a few of my favorite things." 
Remember the song, from The Sound of Music?

One of my favorite things is crafting with excellent paper such as that which I used on this "fancy fold" card that I've made using Kathy Davis's "Journeys" paper by GCD Studios.  This paper is available at Joann Stores, both in-store and online (www.Joann.com). 

You can also find this beautiful paper at Kathy Davis Gallery (303 Horsham Road, Suite G, Horsham, PA), where you'll also find me this evening, teaching students to make this card along with four or five others. Truth be told, I love this paper so much, I just keep creating so up until I leave for class, that number might go up.

Our classes are intentionally intimate. They're held in the Gallery (the retail space) itself, where many of us crafters derive tremendous inspiration. So our craft tables dislocate the retail displays temporarily and the shop is held open for up to 8 crafters at a time. Today's class (6-8:30 p.m.) is the third of the August Thursdays where I've taught.

Now next Thursday, our last in the August series was to have been mini-albums. There was just one enrollee as of yesterday, and frankly, I don't know if it's the topic or the timing that has made it our least popular class. I've asked Bill (KDS's fantastic and enthusiastic VP!) to postpone it until after the upcoming Labor Day holiday.  In the meantime, we'll be knocking heads (and his is hard -- and bald, LOL!) to come up with a schedule for my classes this autumn. And the FABULOUS news is that there will be other instructors brought in this autumn too ... It's especially fabulous for me, because I want to TAKE the classes, not just teach them!! 

The retail space is adjacent to the actual Gallery where Kathy Davis Studio artists display their immense talent for a month in personal shows. The new shows go up on the last Friday of every month. What talent! And many of these exhibitors (KDS staffers, all) will be the instructors!

I encourage you to let me know if you'd like to be on an Art or Craft Class e-mail list at Kathy Davis Studios.  I just can't wait to let you know what we're cooking up for the fall!

Be Inspired!

What great fun I had teaching the first in my series of Craft Classes at Kathy Davis Studios! The class was held in the KDS retail store (303 Horsham Avenue, Suite F, Horsham, PA) last Thursday evening, for 2.5 hours of crafting camaraderie.  

 Thank you, Kathy, for inviting me into your Studio
to teach these classes. You are an inspiration!

 

I designed six cards for the students to make. The cards feature KDS's "Ambrosia 1" line of paper which is available in the US via Joann Stores online site. I also incorporated some of my most beloved stamps from Close To My Heart, as well as some paper cuts using the brand new Cricut/CTMH "Artbooking" cartridge. 

I prepared kits for the students to use in the class ... and the good news for CardMonkey fans is that I have SIX kits leftover, and I'm making them available for sale to the first six who express interest. 

The price for the prepared kit is $20 which includes shipping in the US. (I will ship internationally for payment of the difference in shipping cost.)  For that, you will receive an instruction guide which includes color pictures and step-by-step instructions on how to make the cards. You will receive the 9 sheets of 8x8" cardstock for you to cut; any specialized cuts using the Cricut cartridge will be done ahead of time. You'll also receive 6 card blanks for you to build your card. The embellishments are provided too, including the IKEA red/white bakers twine, Stampin' Up white baker's twine, double faced red satin ribbon and sparkle gems. While you will have to provide your preferred adhesives, I do provide a sheet of foam adhesive dots.

There is no club to join at this time -- which means no long term commitment -- as these kits will only be made available if I have remainders after my Craft Classes. So far, I have SIX kits available (and I'll update this blog post as more are sold) -- first come, first served. Please send an e-mail to me at cardmonkey@comcast.net if you are interested in purchasing a kit; I'll accept both PayPal payments and checks. Details will be provided in your confirmation e-mail back. 

Sound like fun?  C'mon, give these a try!  You'll see how much fun they are to make -- and be hooked on papercrafting just like me ... oh nooooo!  :)

Yours in the jungle, 

Happy Birthday to the Krazy Crafting Crew!

I have been honored to be one of the original members of the Krazy Crafting Crew (KCC) which came together to virtually craft together and to show our projects in monthly blog hops. Well, about a year ago at this time of year, the group became "official" with its name, thanks to our founder, Lissa Marie. 

We've been together -- supporting one another through thick and thin, living pretty much drama free (thank goodness!!), and inspiring one another with challenges that have made us each reach our personal goals.  Thank you all for the time we've spent together in this fun group.

So this month, we were asked to make anything "birthday" or anniversary related. And since I'm a cardmaker, that's what I made. Let me tell you a little about this simple card, and why it represents where I am in my life, at this time.  Here's the card:

For this card, I used a beautiful paper from the GCD Studios' Kathy Davis Scatter Joy line called "Journeys."  I stamped the cardstock with a sentiment from Close To My Heart called "Card Chatter - Birthday". The dragonfly was fussy-cut from another of Kathy Davis' papers in the same collection (shown at right). These papers are distributed exclusively at Joann Stores nationwide and online. I drew the dragonfly's flight path, and dabbled the centers of the flowers using CTMH's Stardust GLITZ.

So why does this single, simple card "represent" where I am in my crafting life today?  It incorporates many of the new paths I'm exploring ... with Close To My Heart as a business and lifestyle; with Joann Stores, teaching crafters of all ages.  And today, I will be having coffee with Bill Lessa of Kathy Davis Studios to see how I may be involved in teaching at their studio and possibly volunteering with them, to follow their dream to develop a community art center!  

Life is so good. Enjoy the journey.

Leave a comment here ... follow if you care ... and one day, you may find a Random Act of Crafty Kindness coming your way. RACK it up and pay it forward. It is so good. It is so kind ...

Follow along on the hop, below, to please wish my fellow members of the KCC a very happy birthday! 

YOUR NEXT STOP

is my very good friend,

LORI

who is the newest member of the KCC!



Your Host:

Lissa Marie So many crafts, so little time!

...and the full line up, following Lissa Marie:

Katina Martinez Loving Life's Little Blessings

Lucy ~ Love 2 Create it all

Janet ~ Janet's Creative World

Ellen ~ Card Monkey's Paper Jungle

Lori ~ Scrappin' my stress away

Liz ~ Tryin' to Craft

Miranda ~ Nana’s Scrap Spot

Robin Lane ~ Create-a-Latte

Pam ~ Scrapple Tree

Cicily ~ Pink Dalmatian Scrapper

Jearise ~ Lorby's World

Jessi ~ My Life in Arts n Crafts

Robin Scott ~ Scrap and Chat

Zenita ~ Scrappin' with Z

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,