"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/

Clean colors, design in Kathy Davis papers

Have I told you about one of the newer ventures I've undertaken?  I've signed on to become a Papercrafting Instructor at our local Joann Store (in Warrington, PA). 

I'm set and ready to go, but so far, no one has signed up for the classes that Joann Corporate thinks their customers in this area wants to learn.

It's frustrating -- I only need ONE customer to teach the class -- but so far, no go. 

Frankly, I think it is that the classes aren't ones that seasoned crafters might want. My frustrations echo that of the store's Education Coordinator; unfortunately, there's nothing she can do to override the Corporate decisions -- she is but a cog in the wheel. So, oh no!, she quit!!  

This is what I'd like to teach: using a favorite paper pack to make a set of cards from that single pack. For this pack, I went to my Joann Store and bought one super paper pack by Kathy Davis. Actually, I bought both of the 12x12" pack, and the 6x6" pack. I also bought a package of Kathy Davis glitter epoxy dot stickers and inspiration cards. 

For this collection of eight cards, I used a few sheets of the 6x6" pack, 4 pieces of white 12x12" paper, and some of the dots and inspiration cards:

  
Aren't they pretty?  They are all 4x6", and I plan to make a gift box for them to give them to the "retiring" Joanne Store Education Coordinator.  

Here they are individually:

Featuring white Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon

I also used white gel pen and a Martha Stewart Edge Punch

Foam dots also used

Lovebug Creations Caddy Blue Rumple Ribbon, and CTMH stamps
(for the "Shower of" and butterfly); foam tape also used

Lovebug Creations Green Leaves Rumple Ribbon,
Martha Stewart Edge Punch; foam dots also used

I love this beautiful set of cards with the fresh colors and clean design. 

When I purchased the Kathy Davis paper at Joanne, the cashier told me that Kathy Davis was once a teacher at Hatboro-Horsham High School, a local school ... and has since become quite an enterprise selling a whole line of goods, including inspirational posters, giftware, tableware, linens, books, etc.  AND her studio is local ... about 5 minutes from my home ... as is her only retail store!!  OMG!  I WILL be visiting soon!!

Cookin' It Up in "The Card Kitchen" for January

...as promised, here are the final four (of eight great cards!) I made using January's card kit from "The Card Kitchen" by Jillibean Soup. 

Have you tried using card kits?  I really enjoy them, for the "jump start" they give to my mojo when it's waning. Every so often, I toy with the notion of making (and selling) my own card kits, perhaps using cuts from the Silhouette as embellishments. Is this something that might interest you?

January "Card Kitchen" Valentine's Cards

Hi Bloggy Friends!

I hope you're having a good Monday.  Here, it's a bit dreary -- but at least there is no snow in the forecast. Have I told you how much I detest winter??

One redeeming feature of winter is Valentine's Day, a time to remember loved ones. Some might refer to it as a "Hallmark Holiday" ... one just designed to sell cards.  For me, it's a time to make 'em and send 'em!  Last week, I showed you one of The Card Kitchen aqua-and-pink Valentine's Day cards I made from the kit.  Today, here are three more (and stop back tomorrow for the final four).

Do you like the color combination, or are you more of a traditionalist?  

One of the things I like about The Card Kitchen kits by Jillibean Soup is that they will incorporate other companies' cardstock and/or embellishments that go with their own -- expanding possibilities and ideas. This month's kit has paper and goodies from Bo Bunny as well as from Jillibean Soup.

Stop back tomorrow to see four more cards made from this kit ... and also, stop back on Saturday when I'll show a Valentine's treat box I made from the scraps from the kit! 

Here's a little sneak peek at the box:

'Til tomorrow .... 

Using Card Kits to Make Your Cards

Have you ever watched a cooking show on television, where expertly prepared meals are made in the course of a half-hour or hour, and wished that you could do something similar with your cardmaking?  

You know ... take the thinking out of the equation, leave the shopping for ingredients to someone else, and the chopping and dicing would be done for you, and all you had to do was saute, stir, and serve?

The same concept is available, in the form of monthly card kits.  I am a subscriber of two such services. Each is different in the way the ingredients are provided, and both produce nice finished cards.

This week, I'm going to introduce you to the two cardmaking kits I receive monthly, and I will show you the finished cards.  I'll share pros and cons, as well as some research I've done on the other kits that are available. 

Please note: I am not affiliated in any way with either of these card kit companies, and I pay for my subscription. I've received no compensation for these endorsements, and my opinions are only my own. 

First up, let me reveal my favorite card kit company: The Card Kitchen, by Jillibean Soup.  

Here is the promotional picture of what the kit a subscriber received in September:

This is a fantastic assortment of goodies! Just in case you're still curious as to the value, let me show you my view of the Card Kitchen goodies as they arrived:

Packed nicely in a reusable corrugated pizza-sized box, the kit arrives in a branded cello-envelope that includes 8 full sheets of 12x12" paper (That's usually. One month, I received a very nice, full 6x6" paper pack as well as other 12x12" papers to match.) ... along with full sheets of stickers ... a bag of hand-picked ribbons, buttons, Candi, and other embellishments ... and this month, a sheet of clear stamps.  There are full color instructions, with complete instructions on sizes of paper to cut, measurements as to where embellishments are placed, etc.  

Each kit includes 8 pre-made (cut/scored) cards and envelopes in a variety of colors to match the project papers. The paper and embellishments provided will make far more than the minimum 8 cards -- and is thus, quite a good value, at $22.99/month (+ $5.25 shipping) for subscribers.  For subscribers, there is guaranteed availability; a limited number of extra kits are sold ($2.00 surcharge above the kit cost) after the subscribers' orders are filled.  

Let's take a look at HALF of this month's cards that I made using the kit's supplies and instructions. (I'll show the other half tomorrow .. stop back!)  ... Sometimes I change my cards up a little ... it's part of the adventure.  

Made by CardMonkey, as designed by Card Kitchen

Made by CardMonkey, as designed by Card Kitchen;
I added the S-M-I-L-E letters to the pennant, and the twine bow.

Made by CardMonkey, as designed by Card Kitchen;
I extended the green and red pennants a bit.

Made by CardMonkey, as designed by Card Kitchen;
I put Stickles dots at the tip of each pennant, and
changed up the buttons a little with my own supply.

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

Day 2: Flowers, Flowers Everywhere Blog Hop

Flowers, flowers, everywhere flowers...Don't you just love flowers? They bring color and beauty along with fragrance to our world and that is why this hop is celebrating them in all their glory. Hop along to see how the crafty people in our line up have used flowers in and on their projects.

Our Hostess for this hop is Lissa Marie (So Many Crafts) and her site is the place to start if you've happened upon this hop by accident and want to see more pretty flowers. Otherwise continue on and enjoy all the color and beauty of flowers everywhere.

Yesterday, I introduced you to "The Card Kitchen" cards kit from Jillibean Soup, and showed you this principal card I made for this hop:

"Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you
get flowers."

In addition to the other 3 cards I showed you yesterday (scroll down on my blog for that post, if you missed it), here are the other cards I made too, all from the same kit:

And believe it or not, I still have paper and embellishments leftover to make even more cards. I'm raving about The Card Kitchen card kit because it offers instant inspiration and everything you need to make so many cards in one sitting.

I've subscribed to THE CARD KITCHEN kit club because I think it's worth the $22.95/mo membership (plus S/H). In fact, I'm glad I did ~~ because the May kit is already sold out!  A subscription ensures that you'll get a kit before it's available to the general public, much like getting season tickets to your favorite sporting event!  {*GO PHILLIES!*}

How about you? Have you ever tried a kit in your paper crafting? Is there one you might recommend? 

Now continue on the Hop to LIZ.

In case you've gotten lost, here is a full line-up for this Hop:

Lissa Marie ~ www.somanycrafts.com/

Ellen ♥ CardMonkey ~ http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/ YOU ARE HERE

Liz ~ http://tryin2craft.blogspot.com/ GO HERE NEXT

Jearise ~ www.lorbysworld.blogspot.com/

Robin ~ http://scrapandchat.blogspot.com/

Cicily ~ http://pinkdalmationscrapper.blogspot.com/

Tina ~ http://twochicsandacricut.blogspot.com/

Anna ~ http://todittledattle.blogspot.com/