Christmas is closer than you think! Card classes to get you started...

September 7, 11am, The Paper Tree

September 17, 6pm, Newington Studio

Get a jump-start on your Christmas cards in this fast paced, fun class showcasing stamps by some of my favorite companies. We'll use Hero Arts, Magenta, Penny Black and Printworks stamps for our creations. You go home with four cards and a tag. You’ll want to bring tweezers, detail cutting scissors, pop dots or foam tape if you have them and don't forget your holiday spirit!

Tuesday September 16 "Feline Frenzy" Newington Studio $15

Four cat themed cards including a get well card and a gatefold note card. We’ll use some direct to paper techniques on grungeboard; we’ll explore perfect pearls; we’ll use chalks to add dimension and we’ll be coloring with Copic markers. We’ll play with stamps from The Cat’s Pajamas, Rubber Stamps of America and American Art Stamps.

Tuesday September 9 "Gone to the Dogs" Newington Studio $15

Dog lover or know someone that is? This is the class for you. We’ll make a dog-themed birthday card and three general purpose cards all featuring lovable mutts! We’ll play with stamps from The Cat’s Pajamas and My Favorite Things; we’ll learn some coloring techniques for Copic markers; we’ll add layers of color with chalks and explore color dusting.

Monday September 8 Outlines Baby Cards : Newington Studio $20

If your friends and family are like mine, you need baby cards! Not only the welcome baby kind but some for showers and the "unexpected news" too. If you like Outlines, you’ll love this class. If you are not familiar with this stamp company this will be a great introduction! We’ll make four baby themed cards using the newest Outlines stamps. We’ll start out simple with a green & yellow Onesie and progress to an Outlines collage incorporating windows and Amuse bling.

When is a clipboard more than a clipboard…?

When you’ve taken this class and embellished a custom, hourglass shaped clipboard! We’ll use the latest printed papers then play with Tim Holtz’s newest Trinket Pins and Philosophy Tags. Toss in some grungeboard, distress inks, fun ribbon, Basic Grey rub ons and a couple of secret ingredients and you’ll have a finished project to be proud of. This would make a super gift for a special teacher, student or…yourself! Hey, you can even customize these for a right or left handed person. Sweet.

Clipboards are here, September Schedule and other hints to tempt you

I should have pictures of the FAB custom clipboards posted tonight. These classes will fill up fast so get your spot! You'll be able to customize your clipboard with rub-ons, stamps, ribbons, inks, embellishments and lots of fun paper choices. There will be a couple of classes in Newington and at least one in Manchester.

The September calendar is available and JAM PACKED with fun classes. You can check out the offerings by clicking on the link to the right.

As a reminder, the open studio times are for you to work on any project(s) you would like. I just need 48 hours notice to be able to prepare for you. You can make something you've seen here on the blog, makeup a class you wanted to take but couldn't or we can work on a technique you would like to master.

I'm taking some classes in September and am REALLY looking forward to some of the new techniques I'll be learning. You'll see projects incorporating those here on the blog shortly.

My trusty assistant, Hillary, has posted blank color charts for the most common coloring tools. You'll see those links to the right. Just click on the chart that you want and hit Crtl-P and it will be sent to your printer! Cool, hun? For best results print the color charts on the same quality of white card stock that you usually use to stamp on. It is important for the Copic markers that you use a very good quality, smooth, heavyweight cardstock (Like Papertrey 110#) for the best results from your markers.

My order from Ranger placed at the Chicago CHA show has arrived and there are LOADS of fun goodies in the boxes. I have been anxiously awaiting this arrival and will be creating October classes from the contents.

Whew...where is the summer going?

I've been crazy busy with private classes, some orders for custom gift card holders and birthday cards and some classes to expand my own skills. The private classes have been a ball and we've created some things that are outside the usual. Take a peek.

The frames were created with a glue backed copper sheet. We put some elements under the copper, heated it and once we had it adhered to the frame and burnished we went to work with ink, rub ons and other embellishments.

The journal is covered with a beautiful handmade paper from Mexico. The glob is stamped on a scrap of that fabulous paper. The photo doesn't 'do the texture justice. It looks and feels like a very smooth leather and has gorgeous color variations.

The Hawaiian shirt is actually a birthday card for my Priest bother-in law who is a surfer in his spare time!

The supplies for the clip boards have arrived! Tom is busy at work cutting the blanks. Keep an eye out for photos of samples and dates to create these on my September calendar. Think of the possibilities a kitchen themed clipboard as a recipe holder, a pink sparkly clipboard for a special little girl returning to school or just something fun and unique for yourself.

Also coming up will be a coaster making class. We'll take tumbled marble tiles, stamp and ink them and turn them into fabulous coaster sets, just in time to get your holiday gift giving stash started!

In September and October I'm going to try something new. We'll have some open studio nights and weekends. You can make any items you see on the slide show OR you can just come and play OR we can work on a particular technique you've been wanting to master. I will need you to sign up at least 2 days in advance for these "events" so I'll be prepared for you. In general the Studio time will be $10/hour and will include all supplies necessary to complete whatever you have selected. (Coasters and Clipboards will be slightly more) Maybe this is just the ticket to get a jump on Christmas cards? How about filling out your stash of birthday cards? Or, create some amazing custom frames that will absolutely WOW the recipients. (The metal for the frames is available in Copper as in the photos above or in Brushed Stainless Steel).

The "Free Class Deal" is still in effect. Remember every fifth class is free. Now, it's time for you to get back to school!

It's raining cats and dogs, Oh My!

The samples are all ready and photos should be posted soon for the cat and dog card classes (August 13 Gone to the Dogs and August 20 Feline Frenzy). The classes will each be four cards and we'll explore lots of different techniques including coloring with Copic markers. There are still a few seats left in each class. I'd love to see you in the studio...