Birthday Card Mojo

Hi CardMonkey Fans!

Yes, I said spine surgery. I had a discectomy at C5-C6 with
a fusion (plate/screws). To access the spine, the orthopedic
surgeon made an incision in the front right of my neck with
just a few stitches necessary. "Minimally invasive" surgery
is so much safer (no spinal cord involvement) and it's easier
to recuperate. The redness around the Steri-Strips is from an
allergy to bandage adhesives.  I DO feel much better now!

I had a "wee bit" of spine surgery last week which has knocked me for a loop. It has taken a lot of determination to get up the steps to visit The Paper Jungle and try to find some creative mojo. I'm doing fine ... though I'm in the "sleepy and weepy" stage that makes me just want to sleep the day away.

Luckily, I have many resources and machines that make my cardmaking easy. I owed a few birthday cards to a Birthday Card Club I'm in.  I found this sweet cut on the Silhouette Online Studio; cut out of CTMH "Smoothie" cardstock, I coupled it with some light seafoam green in a cardstock pack from Kathy Davis Studios.

"Christmas in July" Workshop Coming Soon - Sign Up Today!

In two weeks, I will kick off the Holiday Season with the first of several cardmaking classes. Here are the cards and "Box in a Bag" we'll be making on Saturday, July 25 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Scatter Joy Center for the Arts:

The featured paper that we will be using is called "Yuletide Carol" from Close To My Heart. Participants will first make this "Box in a Bag" to hold all of the cards we'll be making. It has a Colonial White base/box, a neutral beige from Yuletide Carol for the wrap, and Ruby for the handles and top portion. All necessary cuts and instructions will be provided; all you'll have to do is glue/tape!

Then participants will choose five of the nine designed, pre-cut cards that they'd like to make in subsequent class time. Some are a bit more complex, and some are easy-peasy. All come with instructions and necessary cuts. I'll be providing the stamp sets and inks where stamping is required.  

Let's look at each of the cards:

 I've pre-cut the word "Believe" from CTMH's gold glitter stock using the Cricut/CTMH cartridge called "Artbooking.".  It is glued to a Colonial White panel,  under which you'll adhere five strips of Yuletide Carol paper. Top with a bow of red satin ribbon and a red pearl, all provided in your kit. The panel is then adhered to a vertical folded A-2 card to finish.


This card looks more complex than it is. Actually, it's cut from a corner of the Yuletide Carol paper. The sentiment is stamped with Versamark and gold embossed -- techniques you'll learn in class. Add some provided red seed pearls, mat on green, and on a card and voila, you're done!



For this cute card, the background is cut from some Yuletide Carol paper, and then the borders are inked with Cocoa ink and a sponge dauber. The center is three layered papers, topped with a wreath that you'll stamp and "fussy cut."  Color the beads on the wreath with marker, and affix the birdie.  The sentiment is stamped and fussy cut as a banner, under which you'll layer a piece of CTMH gold shimmer trim. 


This is one of the more complicated designs, but because the paper is all cut for you, I've taken the guess work out of the project. You'll need to stamp your sentiment in Versamark, heat set your gold embossing powder, and adhere.  The gold panels are metallic papers that you'll be running through an embossing machine that I'll provide. 

For this card, I'll provide the ornaments to be stamped; they have been cut from a Cricut/CTMH cartridge. Then, top the ornament with a bit of Topiary Chevron ribbon. Ink the edges of the provided paper and add the ornament. Easy!

This "Merry Christmas" card has a large stamped sentiment tied on a tag that has been layered on Yuletide Carol paper. The paper has been inked on all sides with Topiary ink. A bit of twine and glitter trim offer a seasonal juxtaposition that makes the card merry and fun!

This card will take a bit of patience to glue in place, but once you're done, you'll see just how elegant the holly die cut makes this card. I'll provide the pre-cut holly topper that you'll glue in place atop a musical note paper. The sentiment is stamped in Whisper Ink and topped with a bow cut using the Cricut/CTMH Artiste cartridge.


This pretty card is stamped with the angel using Desert Sand ink, and topped with the sentiment stamped in black. Add a few (provided) sequins and you're done! 

And last but not least is this easiest of cards. The design with the stockings is cut from a corner of the Yuletide Carol paper, and topped with a cut-out from the versatile Zip-strip at the top of all CTMH paper. Inked edges give this project some definition.

Sign-ups for this class are being handled by the Scatter Joy Center for the Arts. There is a $30 fee, which includes a donation to the nonprofit Scatter Joy Center and all materials.  To enroll, please click on this link, but hurry, because space is limited to 10 crafters:  http://www.scatterjoyarts.org/event/christmas-in-july-greeting-card-workshop/

The Buckle Boutique sparkles in the New Year!

In December 2014, it was my great honor to be an independent crafter chosen by Kathy Davis Studios to participate in their annual "Joy Market," a craft exhibit/sale held at the KDS Gallery in Horsham, PA.  This year, the Joy Market was extra-special, because it was held in the new Scatter Joy Center for the Arts, in a beautifully restored barn just behind the KDS Gallery.

One of the products I sold at the Joy Market was this sweet Post-It Note holder, that I made using Dazzling Diamonds rhinestone resin adhesive sheets from The Buckle Boutique.  The sheets cut like butter -- using standard scissors (as I used in this case) or even an electronic cutting machine such as a Cricut, Pazzles or Silhouette Cameo.

As a gift to the Scatter Joy Center for the Arts, I made two banners, including this one that hung over the Center's stunning stone fireplace. The banner also features TBB's Dazzling Diamonds -- can you see them?  Subtle, and lovely!

Here's a close-up of the banner. Up top, I cut the sheet of clear Dazzling Diamonds into strips of three rows high, then peeled off the adhesive backing and affixed them to the top of each pennant. I cut the pennants themselves on my Cricut Explore, and the snowflakes from Close To My Heart's Colonial White paper, using my Silhouette Cameo.

Have you had a chance to use some of the terrific products from The Buckle Boutique, whether the adhesive sheets or rhinestone bling like buckles and pins?  Well, WHAT are you waiting for?  Perhaps a brand new and exciting product???

If you're waiting for that, do *I* have a sneak-peek for you...

this weekend at the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA, booth #2535), The Buckle Boutique and "The Modern Surrealist" Marisa Pawelko are unveiling a line of printed rhinestone sticker sheets with incredible new designs: 

Check out this Graffiti print:

Isn't that nifty?!  There are other sweet sheets, with lips, leopard prints, flowers and more. Do swing by The Buckle Boutique, either at CHA or by hopping over to http://thebuckleboutique.com to see what fun is available to you now.

For more information, here are links to The Buckle Boutique:

The Buckle Boutique’s Website . . . click HERE

The Buckle Boutique Blog . . . . click HERE

Facebook Page . . . click HERE

Twitter Page . . . click HERE

Pinterest Page . . . click HERE

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

The #PaperTrail starts here at the Paper Jungle

Today is the day! 

CardMonkey is pleased to be the first stop on Sizzix Designer Eileen Hull's PaperTrail. 

What's it all about?  Pulling a vintage (1976 -- I guess that makes me "vintage" too, because I was in college then) Serro Scotty trailer stuffed with crafty goodness, Eileen is traveling to 20 stops (so far) in the month of June, demo'ing and teaching craft techniques.

At right, here's one of Eileen's photos taken yesterday, as she was loading "Scotty" to ready for her month-long journey to teach crafting ...

Our plans for today start with a visit to introduce Eileen to Kathy Davis (www.kathydavis.com) and have her tour the inspiring Kathy Davis Studios (KDS) in Horsham, PA.  

Source: www.kathydavis.com

Kathy has been an inspiration to me long before I first met her last summer. Her poignant messages on her greeting cards along with vibrant and heartwarming art fill my spirit. The funny thing is, until last year, I never realized that Kathy and her team at KDS are practically in my backyard. 

KDS Gallery, in Horsham - Open to the public. Source: www.kathydavis.com

How it happened is serendipity: I signed up to be a paper-crafting instructor at the new JoAnn Store in Warrington, where JA Corporate decided what crafts those local to me wanted to learn. Frankly, it wasn't working, and I blogged about wanting to work with KDS papers, which were then carried exclusively at JA. 

Kathy found me through Facebook, and had her friend and VP Bill Lessa hunt me down -- to tell me that I certainly could teach papercrafting at KDS, and so our journey and friendship began.

I'm happy to share that with Eileen, who I also met rather serendipitously through Facebook!  And now, Eileen is on her way here!

Source: https://www.facebook.com/eileenhulldesigns

After touring KDS, the plan is for Eileen to stop back at the Paper Jungle for a brief "real world" tour of what a crafting room really looks like (LOL!).  Then we'll hop in Millie, my intrepid 2013 Honda Accord, for a trip -- maybe to Rice's Market, maybe to Eileen's old stomping grounds of Easton, PA (and my first-ever visit to Hobby Lobby).  Then back to the Jungle to freshen up for this evening's Technique Tuesday class.  

YES, Eileen will be teaching some techniques in embossing and die cuting -- a class I sorely need!  There are 15-20 crafters joining us at Frank's Pizza in Warminster (because everything goes better with food!) from 6-8 p.m.  We'll not only be taught by a master (that's Eileen!) but we'll also have a chance to tour her vintage trailer -- I assume one-by-one, LOL.

So stop back tomorrow for more on the techniques we're learning. And thank you, Eileen, for making this fun event happen here in the Paper Jungle!




DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

TBB Friday: Gorgeous Daisy Pin as a Card Embellishment!

Good, happy Friday morning, Friends and Followers!

It is a beautiful day here in finally Springtime in southeastern Pennsylvania. Flowers are in bloom! We finally can see that light fresh green tint playing across the budding trees -- gorgeous, my favorite time of year!

In honor of gorgeous Spring -- and celebrating her birthday of sorts -- I've made this lovely card using products from three of my most favorite suppliers:  The Buckle Boutique, Kathy Davis Studios, and Close To My Heart.

First up: that YES, it's a Brooch PIN from The Buckle Boutique!  The beautiful daisy-shaped rhinestone pin is one of many inexpensive bling items you can purchase from The Buckle Boutique to dress up your cards, layouts, 3-D arrangements, and lapel!  Imagine this lovely on a wreath full of them!! 

You may know that I have the privilege of serving on The Buckle Boutique's Design Team. My good friend Shawn Mosch is our team leader and she's done a terrific job of organizing us -- trying so hard with even me, the ultimate organization/planner disaster.  With Shawn's scheduling prowess, you can look forward to seeing creations I've made for The Buckle Boutique posted here on my blog, and on TBB's social media sites, on the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month. 

This card also uses Kathy Davis Studios scrapbooking paper -- that's a piece of soft blue on the background, and the hand-trimmed leaves popped up under the flower.  The sentiment is from a stamp set by Close To My Heart.

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

The Buckle Boutique’s Link Listing

The Buckle Boutique’s Website . . . click HERE
The Buckle Boutique Blog . . . . click HERE
Facebook Page . . . click HERE
Twitter Page . . . click HERE
Pinterest Page . . . click HERE

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,

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, 

My first KDS Card Class is This Week!

I have had a joyous summer dreaming up classes and cards to teach at the invitation of Kathy Davis Studios in Horsham. Now, those classes are reality ... the first of the series of four begins this week, on Thursday, August 8 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The first of the classes features the basics of card making. We'll be using Kathy's beautiful "Ambrosia" line of papers to get a jump on our Christmas cards, including those shown here. 

And of course -- why wait until Christmas to send a few of these?  The "love" and "beauty" cards can be sent the whole year through.

Thank you to Kathy Davis Studios
for taking these pretty pictures of the cards I've made for the class.

To enroll in the class, you may contact me via my blog (comment below) or via e-mail to cardmonkey@comcast.net.   Or, go right to Kathy Davis Studios' website (click HERE) for the Registration Form and for more information. I hope to see you there!

Upcoming Classes:

Thursday, August 15 - 6 to 8:30 p.m.
FABRIC FLOWER NECKLACES using Kathy Davis textiles

Thursday, August 22 - 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Getting Fancy with Flips and Folds (Card Making)

Thursday, August 29 - 6 to 8:30 p.m.Maximize your Memories with Mini-Albums

Register Now!