OUCH! This economy hurts!

While I can't do anything about the creepy oil prices and rising cost of groceries I can help to make your crafting and entertainment more affordable. I have created a "punch card" system. Take 4 classes, over any period of time, and the 5th class is free. It's that simple! This applies to any of the classes I teach :Newington, North Hampton, Manchester or the class can be as part of a private party.

Classes that include take home products can be taken as the free class, you'll just be responsible for the cost of the products included.

We are putting this into effect retroactively so those of you who have taken a class from me already, you'll get your filled in "punch card" the next time I see you. I hope this helps your budget and more importantly I hope this means I get to see you more frequently in one of my classes.

We are all in this together! Connie

Father's Day Card Classes

Father, husband, brother or son; these cards will provide for all your Dad’s Day needs. We’ll make four cards using some of the newest products and papers. Three “greeting” cards and a gift card holder perfect for that gift card to…Where Ever. You’ll need your favorite cutting scissors and mini glue dots. If you have tweezers and a cropadile you’ll want to bring those as well so you don’t have to share! Fee is $25. Class dates to the right: June 9 in Manchester and June 12 in Newington.

Click on the photo for a closer view of the cards.

Exclusive Designs for May 21st Private Party

Glittered chipboard flowers, FUN!

Flocked paisley paper, REALLY FUN!

Penguins are HOT HOT HOT right now. This incorporates some new papers by Imaginesce into a fun matchbook style card.

Private Party Fun : Wednesday the 21st of May

I was honored to host a private party for six gals celebrating a college graduation . The girls got to catch up with each other, giggle , make three projects and have pizza and beer. The cards for their party were exclusive designs (photos above). Each gal took home three beautiful, handmade, works of art. They best part? They didn't have to clean up.

A "card party" is a great Girl's Night Out event. My Newington studio can easily hold up to 8 students. The crafting portion of the event usually runs about 2 hours and then the laughing, eating and drinking goes on as long as you wish. Students need to bring nothing, everything required is supplied. Call to discuss your ideas for a "GNO". 431-3322

Big News!

I have been accepted as a member of the Craft and Hobby Association (CHA). Even better than getting a wallet ID card is that I can now attend the GIANT semiannual trade shows for vendors and I can take advantage of their educational opportunities. These classes taught by the product manufacturers and some of the hottest designers in the industry. I am thrilled! I will be in Chicago July 16-20 to attend the Summer show and I've already booked tons of classes. So, the late summer is sure to bring lots of new class ideas and I'm sure I'll find all sorts of must have products to tell you about.

We are getting close on gettng the %#@& slide show to work. Now that Tom is back from his Florida fishing weekend we'll attack it in earnest. Also, we'll be posting photos from a private party I'll be doing tonight for seven gals celebrating a college graduation. Stay tuned!

Hey Connie, where are the photos?

Scroll down through the posts to see more photos of cards and techniques. We are trying to figure out how to get the "slide show" working. Once that happens you'll see rotating photos of lots of different creations in the upper right corner. Until then, indulge me with your patience?

Private and "By Request" classes

How's this for a deal?

Option #1) If there are three or more of you I'll come to you with all the supplies for you and your buddies to have a private class. Think Girl's Night Out or "drinking with a purpose". We would generally make 4 complete cards or one larger project. Everyone goes home with really cool stuff that they made themselves! Results are guaranteed. Call or e-mail me with your request and we'll figure out a date and per person pricing.

Option #2) If you are two or more we can schedule a private class at my studio in Newington. We can do anything you'd like : learn something new, create some extra birthday cards to have on hand or just have fun playing with all my art supplies. We'll customize the project(s) and technique(s) so they are exactly what you want. Call or e-mail me with your request and we'll figure out a date and per person pricing.

Daytime office phone 603-431-3322 E-mail WickedYup@aol.com

Glitter Class #1 Wednesday May 14, The Paper Tree, Machester

I've been preparing for the upcoming class, the first in the Glitter Artistry series, and I am covered head to toe in glitter. (So is Paul E. Walnuts, of curse) Not complaining, a little sparkle is always a good thing!

This class is going to be FUN FUN FUN! I've got the demos done, the card stock scored and cut and the transparency selections ready to go. If you are still on the fence about this, trust me when I tell you that you will amaze yourself and your loved ones. Everyone will think you are so clever and that you spent loads of time on their card or package decoration.

I am excited about my debut at The Paper Tree and looking forward to a fun filled, technique based class, on Wednesday.

Just a little somthing I "threw" together...

These butterflies are done on transparencies, cut out and then mounted with "red line tape". The first card is a hand stamped background and the second has the butterfly mounted on a pre-printed card. These are so much fun to make, I even had the husband unit glittering this past weekend. It must not be fishing season yet! Paul E.Walnuts was very sparkly;that damn cat cannot bear to leave me alone if I am A)concentrating or B) using glue!

We will do one of these transparencies in class #1 of the glitter artistry series. We will make a more complicated, shaded transparency in class #3. Watch the blog for a sample of that technique. Click on the photo for an upclose and personal view!

Gratitude

I would be lost without my fabulous assistants Larry and Ali. Girls, please know that even when I am running like a crazy woman I am honored to work with you and humbled by all that you do for me. You have made the "Cards by Connie" dream become a reality. Thank you over and over.

Art Institute Glitter classes

I am SO excited. Art Institute Glitter comes in over 400 colors and I NEED them all. They are easy to work with and the looks you can achieve are just endless...all you need is some imagination and their special glue applicator tip.

See the schedule to the right for the class schedule for The Paper Tree in Manchester. I also have two spots available in a class I am holding at my home on Saturday, May 31st. This will be a marathon session and we'll do all three classes. That day begins at 9am and we'll have lunch and finish up about 2pm. You know you want to master these techniques!

Three examples of what we will create are posted below. Come get glittery with us.

3D Butterfly

The photo doesn't start to do this justice...

Glittered Lace background with fabric details

This is so easy! Really! You will be amazed at what you can create with the right products and a little instruction!

Glittered background with embellished fabric

Alcohol Ink Class Thursday May 8 5:30

We will be making 4 cards in this class and you have products to take home to get you started on creating hundreds more. Two of the four project cards are shown below. There are still 4 seats left for this class! Call me at 431-3322 or email me at WickedYup@aol.com to register. Fee is $35; class will run 5:30 to about 8:00. Hope to see you there!

Alcohol Ink background, wood filagree with Tattered Angels

Alcohol Ink Background

Who is Connie?

A few years ago I had an assistant that decided I needed a nickname. She started to call me Connie, or Constance when she was frustrated with me, and it stuck. When I began selling my cards it seemed natural to call the business ...Cards by Connie. So, that's the story. I also answer to "Moo" thanks to all the children in my life, Mrs. QT Pie thanks to the wonderful husband, and hey you if someone is serving dinner.

Recently, I have begun to take my art more seriously. I am increasing the number of classes I teach and I am designing more. My hope is that through this blog I can share the schedule and photos of class projects with all of you. I am a virgin blogger so all comments and advice will be gratefully accepted.

New Blog

Testing colors and layout.