Design Team Call at Right at Home - and Jan Copic Kit now available

Super quick post today!  I'm running out to see "The Grinch" with my boys in Boston (Thanks Mom and Dad!) 

Before I dash out, I wanted to let you know that January's Copic Kit is now available at Right at Home Scrapbooking.  

Also, I thought I'd just mention that they're currently holding a Design Team Search, you can find all the information  here  but hurry, because applications close on Monday December 15th!!

Gettin Cozy with Kraft and Chocolate

I think I have mentioned that I'm into some really non traditional Christmas color schemes this year? Quite possibly because I'm just adoring this line of paper from October Afternoon.  Isn't is just cozy... that an my addiction to kraft cardstock. 

This stamp set is titled "Joyeux Noel" from Cornish Heritage Farms -- eeks when I just went to link it - I noticed its on SALE! RUN RUN!!  

I think is going to be my Christmas Card stamp set. I'm just waiting on one more element that is making its way to me from Polka Dot Plaza to finish the job. Well actually, to start the job, but you know what I mean.  

I'm tempted to go all crazy with layers and buttons and "stuff" but I keep reminding myself, if I'm going to make LOTS of these, I've got to go clean.  I really really want to add machine stitching all over this baby, but its for a class (possibly a kit, we haven't decided) over at Right at Home.  Left to my own devices, every inch of this would be distressed and stitched, and I might even use the cracked glass technique, but that's just not practical for class huh??  

I'm planning on bringing parts and pieces of my Christmas cards to work on during our Thanksgiving holiday... maybe the boys will cooperate by watching Wall-e or playing games?  

I'm also going to be whipping up lots of these, and filling them with chocolate covered cranberries for treats for the mailman, the bus driver etc.  Going to load up on them at Sweet Inspirations. I can taste them already.....Hey, did you know those babies were an Oprah's Favorite item one year? Trust me, they're amazing!!

One more coordinated item left in this set that still needs some designing. First, I've got to clean up this house so that my sweet husband thinks I've done something other than just STAMP while he's been away on business......

Angelic Elzy

How about one more Elzy with Paperie card from my upcoming class at Right at Home?

This little class was so fun to design - the ribbon assortment is just fabulous and the paper is just cute, cute cute.  (I just picked up the blue and green version, so get ready....)

I have to say, it is quick to design when everything is all coordinated like this all matchy matchy..... 

I did mostly 4 1/4 square cards for this class, but I wanted to be able to get a nice bow onto this card (have you noticed my recent penchant for actual bows lately.... not just a knot?  I shudder to think what these poor bows would look like after a mailing... would the recipient know to fluff it back up... hmmm?) and the sentiment here is a little larger so I got to use a standard A2 card for this one.   

I did also streamline the design on all my designs for this class. There isn't a nestie in the bunch (GASP!) and I have only one diecut tag among all five of the cards.  I know, I can hardly believe it myself......

And take a peek a Sara's most recent tweak to my blog... do you see my new little animated signature down there.  aaaak, makes me smile!

I mentioned last Friday how much I love that "Rouge" paper from Making Memories right? Well its the inspiration for my next class over at Right at Home.  Elzybells, Copics and Rouge Paper and Ribbon.  How Sweet!

If you're local, I'd love to have you join us!  All the details can be found here:  Right At Home: Elzybell's Sweetness

I picked up the Fiskar's Threading Water punch for this class and I just love that little scalloped edge complete with eyelets.  I thought it was just the perfect touch for Elzy's no?  

Is it wrong to love paper as much as I do??  What is your particular weakness? Paper? Stamps? Ribbon?  What can you just NOT pass up?   

Heartwarming Bag and Tag

I mentioned the bag and tag set we'd made during my Heartwarmers class over at Right at Home and one of you had asked to see the full item, so here goes......  

I apologize because these oversized objects, and by that, I mean anything larger than a card.... are hard for me to get a clean shot of. The background (ahem, my HOUSE!) always gets in the way.

The lighting in this picture is wonky, but the item now lives at the store, so I can't even try to take a new picture.

This is an ordinary kraft gift bag that the front has been embellished.  This charming designer paper is from Making Memories, and I just loved the richness of it.  All of the edges were sewn.  I brought in my Janome Sew Mini for the girls to play with during class, and I think they enjoyed it.  All the stitching for sure took some time, but it gives such a nice extra touch. 

For sure, my favorite part of the project is the little charm created by paper piecing the ornament in the Kim Hughes Heartwarmers Set, then tying it onto the twill tape with twine.  I know I shared this picture in my preview two weeks ago, but you'll have to humor me, this bag was one of my favorite things I've made in a while, and now it lives at the store. Sniff.  

Last but not least, there is a tag tied to the handle again with some twill tape, this time secured with a gingham ribbon, I've been adding that to everything lately.

What was especially fun was that the shop owners daughter was watching over us as we made our project.  Grabbed an extra bag from her mom, picked her own papers and put a bag together.  Her paper selection was so wonderful, that I had to go buy some (young-enabler/entrepreneur in the making!)  I had a blast showing her how to use the machine to stitch hers up... remember I have boys, I don't get to do that sort of stuff often!  

This bag was one of those things that I spent so much time on that I sure was sad to see it go.  Maybe I'll have to arrange a shopping trip to go visit it at the store.  

Heartwarmers Continued

Here's another sample from my card class this past weekend with Cornish Heritage Farms Heartwarmers stamp set which I taught at Right At Home.  In the class, I wanted to focus on cards that were easily mass producible, so I streamlined...  You'll see that there are not as many layers as I'd make for my usual cards. 

I made up for the simplicity on these cards by going way into detail on the gift bag and tag. Slowed them down big time with lots of sewing and little details, but I think they liked the finished product.  

So, back to the cards, I wanted to stress that quick can still be cute-- right?? Our cards involved lots of paper piecing.

This particular card involved stamping the ornament a few times and cutting it out.  But even still, it was still faster I think that coloring and blending the ornament many times!  To jazz it up a notch, just stickle up that little heart, or add some Spica pen to it.

Here's two that didn't make the cut for the class, but they still fit the theme, so I thought I'd share them here.   Also, several of the girls at class purchased the stamp set, and I wanted them to have a few more ideas to go along with their new stamps!

You know I love white space cards....  this has just a dash of Scenic Route across the top, and some black scallops and grosgrain ribbon for a little pop. Again, stickle up those hearts, or add a little diamond glaze for some shine.  

Lastly, here's one more lotsa white card.  

I thought those trees were just so cute with patterned paper, and happened to have just a few scraps of Scenic Route Roxbury to get the job done.  We'd done them in class with solid green cardstock, but patterned paper is super fun too! 

Hope you have a great day, and thanks for dropping by!

Heartwarming Christmas

World Cardmaking Day is nearly here! (My husband thinks that's totally hysterical by the way....) I've been busy making my next set of class samples for over at the store. 

I'll be teaching a "Heartwarming Christmas" class at Right At Home using Kim Hughes "Heartwarmers" set from Cornish Heritage Farms.  

We'll be working on paper piecing and all the cards are quick and clean! I love sending handmade holiday cards, but when you're mass producing for holiday cards you need those cute, but quick cards!

We'll make three cards as well as a bag and tag set - perfect for those little hostess gifts we all need this time of year!  

I must admit, I really love this little bag and tag set the most, here's just a peeky of the bag, isn't it sweet?  

Hope you're having a great day, and if you're in the Boston area, hope you can join us for a little fun at the store!! If you're not near here, be sure to check the World Cardmaking Day site to find a participating store near you!

Gettin Spooky....

Right at Home now has all the fun Cosmo Cricket "Haunted" line in stock - paper, stamps and ribbons too! I got to play around with it a little this past week.  This was a fun little set to work on and really has me in the Halloween spirit.  Now if only I could get my kids to settle on ONE costume each....

This first little altered tin I was thinking would be cute with those candy corn pumpkins - I haven't seen them in stores yet, just peeps and candy corn.  I stamped the tag with Memento Tangelo ink and then sponged everything with Distress Ink to age it. 

If you can believe it, I made a card with no stamping --- gasp!  The little pumpkins on the designer paper were adorable and I just loved the way they looked all on their own.  hard to see, but all the panels are stitched here...

This project was such a tease for my boys! It was so hard to keep them away from the peeps. They are most certainly not organic, which we let slide this week, because they are in fact a safe candy for their allergies.  and that, is becoming harder and harder to find... besides, Peeps make for a GREAT bribe to get them to eat dinner!  

This wallet o' peeps holds a cello bag of pumpkins tied closed with this fun skeleton ribbon, and the holder itself is held closed with magnetic snaps.  

Its just a modified version of the treat holder that Cammie showed recently... I just switched up my dimensions to hold the peep bag.......

The last item is a kraft takeout box that I covered with a band of the Haunted paper, matted with black cardstock and then all the edges were sewn up.  The band is then closed up with an oval nestie.  To really age this, I stamped it on vanilla paper, then sponged everything with distress ink.  Then went a step further to crack the glass.... I coated it with embossing powder four times, heating it each time, and then set it in the freezer for a half hour.  Afterwards, a little bending and crack... this fun aged look.  

Hope this gets all the shoppers at Right at Home into the Halloween "project mood".  

Have a great day!

Flying By....

With both boys now off to school, and daycare back in session I feel a bit like this little hummingbird flitting from place to place!!   Life is moving fast, but its all good! I've had to cut back on my super late night stamping adventures...  a girl needs some sleep to keep up with all these kids and their activities!

I'm excited though because this coming Saturday I'm teaching a card class over at Right at Home Scrapbooking!    We'll make five cards using the Kim Hughes "Pretty Birds" stamp set from Cornish Heritage Farms as well as the Copic Markers from the September Kit Club.

I'm looking forward to hanging out with my new pal Karen (waves "Hi Karen!") hopefully making some new stamping buds, and of course, checking out the recent additions to the store....

I snatched up this paper the last time I was there in fact, this cute paper is from Three Bugs in a Rug and I scoffed it for this class because I loved the whimsical patterns and rich color combinations.  This is a little pocket card on the inside that you could tuck in a special message or a gift card if you'd like.  

Speaking of CHF and Kim Hughes I finally got to play with my Mocha Chica paper which has been waiting patiently the last two weeks for its turn on the messy desk..... I will have some cards to share with you in the next few days!  

Kickin' Back

This is a sample for My Favorite Things that I forgot to show you!  

This was one of the cards that we created at my most recent card class over at Right at Home.  I totally adore this paper from Collage Press.  

If the layout looks familiar, its because it is Kristina Werner inspired and was Splitcoast Sketch Challenge number 181

Kicking back and relaxing is exactly what I hope to do this weekend. We've got no big plans, and I love that!  

Next week, My Favorite Things has a release on Wednesday, and Gina K has a release on Friday! Looking forward to lots of sample making this weekend, and previews all next week!

Have a wonderful, and most importantly SAFE Holiday weekend, and hope you get to kick back and relax too!

Box o Birds

For the longest time, I've been loving this "Pretty Birds" set illustrated by Kim Hughes from Cornish Heritage Farms. I'm shocked that I'm only just now adding it to my "collection" (okay, I feel a little less guilty when I call it a collection.... that makes it seem a little less gluttonish to hoard all these stamps right??))

So finally I got a chance to buy it!  I've adored it for the longest time, I really just don't know what took me so long.....

I've also been meaning for ages to make one of those little boxes to hold an assortment of 3x3 notecards.   So what a perfect opportunity to pick up the stamps, and create a little box of notes.

All the fixings for this Box O' Birds will soon be available at Right at Home Scrapbooking! I'll be sure to post a link as soon as everything is available, it was just too cute not to share.

If you like the stamp set and live in the Greater Boston area, I'll also be teaching a class in the 

store on September 13th where we'll make five different cards with this set.  I had a lot of fun with all sorts of different papers and tools.  Can't wait to show you what I've been up to!!  Karen, you lurker, ((hugs)) I hope you'll be able to make it!

Tote full of notes....

I wanted to share one of the projects from my class last night at Right at Home Scrapbooking!  This is a little project that I'd made for Kim for her birthday and then decided it would be fun to teach at the store as well.  I just love this paper from Scenic Route's Providence Collection, and thought it would be fun to pair with My Favorite Things Presents Chamomille.

This little tote is originally designed by Leslie Miller, you can find the instructions here on her gorgeous blog "Running with Scissors."  It holds four cards plus envelopes to match.

Be sure to hop on over to My Favorite Things to check out this months' specials. There are some really fantastic stamp sets available, and only while supplies last.  These sets will be limited edition while they last, then gone! So, be sure to pick the following items up if they're on "Your list!"

Baby First
Build a Bouquet
Bundles of Bouquets
Farm Friends
Hare for the Holidays
Hearts Galore
She's Having a Baby
My Favorite 48 pencil collection

I have some great news for anyone following along on my boys allergies... I met with the dean of students, school nurse and the kindergarten teacher. We're all on the same page, both Kindergarten classes will be nut free, epi pens are everywhere and I'm working on a list of safe snacks for birthday celebrations.  For our open house on Tuesday I'm going to bring in some of my son's favorite Soy Butter selections, and bake some safe goodies for everyone to taste! I'm thrilled!  Little guys new bracelet is due here today or Monday.  Feeling like maybe I can get some sleep again! Thanks to ALL of you for your support during this week, its been a rough one!

Stamping Right At Home

I've finished up my samples for my next class at Right at Home for anyone that is up in New England. 

We'll be making a set of get well cards (including one that is a flap card) as well as a little purse holding four notecards and envies!  All the cards are made with My Favorite Things stamps!

The class will be held on Thursday, August 21st beginning at 7pm.  Would LOVE to see you there if you're local (I'm halfway between Boston, MA and Providence, RI!) 

Please visit the the Right at Home blog for more details.  Or 508-695-9290 or via email at  r.scrapbooking@comcast.net  Hope to see you there!

Sweet Treats - Right at Home

I just wanted to thank Lisa and Sharon at Right at Home Scrapbooking as well as the wonderful ladies that joined me for my very first class.  (Hi everyone!!!!) 

I had so much fun, and I hope that  you all liked the projects we made.  I do apologize that we took so long to finish everything.  Ah, me and all the layers, I can't help myself. I'll streamline things for next time so that I don't keep you all so LONG!  

We made five cards, two using "What's Up Cupcake" and three using "Here's the Scoop."  Worked with Prismacolor pencils and OMS.  I'd hoped to show you all how the nesties worked, rather than zipping through myself to save time.  Sorry!!

I hope that you'll all consider coming back next month for another My Favorite Things class! Details coming soon!  

Love to Stamp? Love MFT? Come stamp with me!

I'm so excited to finally announce that I'm going to be teaching over at Right at Home!  My first class is going to use My Favorite Things "Here's the Scoop" and "What's Up Cupcake." 

I've just delivered the last three samples to the store this afternoon.  It was such a surprise, and so fun, to already see my other cards on display! Giggle.

So, if you're local to Boston and you're available, I'd LOVE to see you there.  The class will be July 26th from 1-3 at Right At Home Scrapbooking in North Attleboro.  You can read more details on what we'll be doing on the store's blog located at www.scrapathome.com/scrapathome.html

If you can't make it to the class, but would like to make the items at home, you can order a class kit instead!  Hope to see you there!!