Doily Love!

Have I mentioned that I love doilies?  Well, I do....there I said it!  I used one on this baby card as a background layer and think it adds charm.  And, "How cute is that elephant?"...I know!  He is from a Hero Arts set called Playful Animals #CL155.  This card went together in a jiffy with scrap strips of paper, the doily, a scalloped circle punch and the elephant; some pearl bling, the saying and bow and it's done.  Easy-peazy-lemon-squeezy as my 6 year old nephew would say ( you KNOW you'll be saying that at some point in the future and think, "What tha....")  

Enjoy!  And the baby for whom the card was made should be making an appearance into the world sometime in the next couple of weeks...how exciting!

So Many cards to Share.....

It is hard to pick just one card to share!  But, I decided to post this card tonight, one I made for my dear friend Deborah for her most recent birthday.  I love this card for many reasons; aqua blue is one of my FAV! colors, I sewed on the card ( yes, like with a sewing machine, another FAVORITE thing to do), it has glitter (cuz EVERYTHING is better with a little glitter!)  and it is stuffed ( Yup, just like we used to stuff our bras with tissue, this one has some tissue sew behind the scalloped circle it to give it a puffy look...crazy huh?!?)  There are just so many fun bits to this card.....I almost didn't want to give
it away ;-)
Enjoy.....I know I loved making it and since it still graces her desk at work I think she liked getting it too. 

I stamped the image in white and embossed it in white then water colored over it.  The embossed image will resist the watercolor...so cool!  Glitter was added to the leaves with a glue pen and glitter plus the (required) bits of bling.  HOW did we live without these little babies??  I own them in like a thousand colors....really!
Thats all for now.....

2 Flowers Card

I have a tiny love affair going on with this Wendy Vecchi Studio 490 stamp from the "Art from the Heart" collection. I adore it and have used it alot lately. Here is a card I made with it a while ago...apparently its an on-going affair! It's so simple, fun, easy to layer colors and add dimension. Oh....and Im into black and white and polka dots...just thought you'd like to know.
I could go on and on...but I won't. Just enjoy a couple of flowers, I know I do.

Class Kits available and Pretty Blog Changes

Well, you might notice the new blog look? I'm trying to figure out Blogger settings and customization options, so it may look different each time you visit...smile...until I know what I'm doing anyway ;)

Good news! Class kits are available from my recent classes at the Rubber Stamp and Scrapbook Expo. Stash Cards $18 and Mini Chunky Album $20. Shipping is $5. Shipped on a first come-first served basis. Any parts that need stamping will be done for you so the kits may be put together easily outside of the class. Email your order to artfulhands@gmail.com with your contact info and which kits you'd like.

Here are pictures of the cards. See the Mini Chunky Album pics in the blog archives on the left.

Cards to Share.....

I thought Id start blogging more by sharing pictures of some cards Ive made in the past. Here's a tip: take pictures of the cards you make a give away. There will come a day when you look back on them and realize, " Wow, Ive made loads of beautiful cards!!", it's fun to look back and see the progression or stylistic changes in my art over time. Those pictures become inspiration for future cards and easy cards to copy should you need a card in a jiffy.

Here is one I made for my Mom. And here she is...

Her kitchen has accents of copper in it so I went with some metallic papers, decorative edge punches and a stamp that Ive had for years and not used much (anybody know what I'm talking about there?) Its Stampers Anonymous # U205. I have always LOVED Stampers Anonymous' great images, some classic and others way cool. This one reminded me of a woodcut block image. The 3 women in it remind me of me and my 2 sisters. I bought it with my Mom in mind and finally sent her a card using the image. It is embossed in black and light color is added with a watercolor brush and markers. If I made it again I'd go with a brown ink to enhance the look of a woodcut block but my Mom loves black and it seemed to pop with the metallic papers.




If you love the image, let me know and I'll stamp it out a few times and mail them to you. Yes people, we can share stamps and create together. Art brings people together with a chance to share the hobby that unites and inspires us all.

Art Journaling Video

This amazed me; Ive watched it more than 5 times just today. Art journaling is beautiful, I love the results of the countless number of generous bloggers who post their work on line. The END RESULTS are layered, textured, colorful; in a word: mesmerizing. Ive never quite known HOW those ARTISTS got the pages to be as gorgeous as they were. This video exquisitely shows that process in all its artful, messy, do-over (and over) glory. I LOVE it! makes me want to get out my supplies and play.

And I will....just as soon as I'm done teaching at the Expo this weekend.
If you missed the on-line registration for classes you can still pay for the classes and register at the door. Hope to see you there!

Watch the Process - I LOVE THAT Art Journal Page from Roben-Marie Smith on Vimeo.

Chunky Mini Album Sneak Peek

Don't forget to sign up for classes today. Registration closes Aug 17th. http://www.rubberstampandscrapbookexpo.com/shows/registration.php?ShowID=38"

Here are a few peeks of the Chunky Mini Album. I just love this little album, perfect for pictures, gift cards, journaling in a mini way that is as cute as can be. Bring your camera to class as I have a few samples of the mini album in different color papers and styles.


A view of several chunky pages. Each page has a pull out tag insert.


Beautiful layers and colors!




I hope to see you at the Expo. Follow my blog for class and workshop updates. Ive got some Fall and Holiday classes in the works that you will adore.

Class Sneak Peek #4 and #5

I can hardly stand the excitement! These are sneak peeks of cards #4 and #5 from the "Stash Cards" class. Tomorrow Ill post peeks of the Chunky Mini-album.....lovin' this lil' baby in soft blues/greens/browns.





Registration for classes closes on Aug 17th...that's this Wednesday...yikes! Take one or both classes, you'll still have time to shop the show. Register for classes here, click the register now button. http://www.rubberstampandscrapbookexpo.com/shows/registration.php?ShowID=38"

Follow my blog for future local class and workshop updates.

Class Sneak Peek #3

Here is another sneak peek at a card from the 'Stash Cards' class. Classes are on Sat. Aug 20th at the Rochester Rubberstamp and Scrapbook Expo. Make 5 cards that will give you ideas of how to use all of the great supplies you already own! Work stations will be set up to allow for a self-paced classroom experience.


Register for classes by clicking on the Register Now button here: http://www.rubberstampandscrapbookexpo.com/shows/registration.php?ShowID=38"


Become a follower of my blog to see more sneak peeks and updates on future classes.

Class Sneak Peek #2

Here is another sneak peek at a card from the 'Stash Cards' class. Classes are on Sat. Aug 20th at the Rochester Rubberstamp and Scrapbook Expo.

Register for classes by clicking on the Register Now button here:http://www.rubberstampandscrapbookexpo.com/shows/registration.php?ShowID=38

Become a follower of my blog to see more sneak peeks and updates on future classes.

Class Sneak Peek!

Here is a sneak peek for one of the 5 cards you'll make in the "Stash Cards" class. In this class you'll learn fun techniques to use your stash at home. Learn what to do with those papers that are too bright and not a color you like, make at home the hottest embellishment trends and products on the market and more.

Class are on Sat, Aug. 20th at the Rochester Rubber Stamp and Scrapbook Expo.

To register for classes go here: http://www.rubberstampandscrapbookexpo.com/shows/registration.php?ShowID=38

Follow my blog for more sneak peeks this week and next.