September 2018 Card Class

Wow, this summer has been SO busy! I can't even try to catch up, so I'll just move on from today. Next Saturday, September 15th, from 1:00 to 4:00 will be our next card class at the Rawlings Library in Pueblo, Room Brett Kelly B and these are the cards we'll be making.
   

Denise and I have been discussing whether or not to continue posting pictures of the cards we'll be making at upcoming classes. What do you think? Any input is welcome!

Until later,

Saturday Class

Today I'm putting together kits for next Saturday's card class. These are the cards we'll be doing, using new stamps, inks, and other products from the new 2018-2019 FSJ collections:

Should be fun, and although we haven't heard back from anyone yet, we usually have around 8 ladies attend.

Other than preparing for class, I've just been kind of puttering around. I'd like to start some sewing projects, but need to clean up and organize in my craft cave before I allow myself to do that. I've also set myself a goal to blog at least once every week, but I'm finding it hard to get back into the swing of things.  I just looked back at some of my photos - maybe I'll pick one or two every week and use that for inspiration.

Bits 'n' Pieces

Boy, I sure haven't done anything here on the blog lately. Summer always seems to be so busy that I don't want to be on the computer much. I'm still crafting now and then, but my garden seems to get more of my attention.

Since I last posted, I attended the FSJ Convention in Phoenix, AZ with downlines Denise and Sue and upline Nanette. This was my third one, and the best so far, I think. It's so much fun! Our new catalog is really amazing too. I love it! Check out the online version by clicking the link at the right.

(P.S. If you'd like to go with me next year, contact me about joining FSJ. You can join for as little as $50 and the minimum required purchase/sales are $150 per quarter. Coaches get 20% off everything, too. It's really a great company to work with - a very helpful, friendly, family-type organization.)

Denise and I had a very enjoyable July class the week after we returned. These are the cards we made:

Colored with Color Splash Pencils

Create-a-Palette Inkpads

Pan Pastels on Clear Embossing Ink

Die-cut Cross with Washi Tape

I haven't been using my Scan n Cut a lot lately, but I did use it to cut out the whale for the "Get Whale Soon" card that Denise designed. (I don't have time in class to completely make the card kits she brings, so I do the stamping and preparation, then put them together when I get home.) I also stamped some sentiments, drew a pencil line around them, and used the SnC to cut just inside the line. I should take some pictures of that process some day!

I guess I've rambled long enough, so I'll say bye for now.

June Card Class

I just realized tomorrow is our June class, and I haven't even posted pictures! Time sure can get away from me in the summer. I end up outside more than in my craft room or at the computer.

Anyway, here are the cards we'll be making. And, I've changed the location to the big library - Rawlings - in the Brett Kelly B room at the far end of the hall on the main floor. Our regular room at the Barkman library was getting too small. (Now watch - the size of the group will drop down again!! Hope not, though. I love getting together with everyone.)

AND...I have the new catalogs!!!!  They're $10 each, but that will be refunded with your first order of $50 or more. Let me know if you'd like me to send you one!
  

May Card Class

Here are the cards we'll be making Saturday May 20th at the Barkman Library, 1:30 to 4:30. We'll be doing three different coloring techniques: watercolor smooshing (yeah, that's a technical term!), colored pencils and Gamsol, and FSJ fusion ink.

I'll be moving to Rawlings library, Brett Kelly Room B, for next month's class. I really like the Barkman branch, but that room's getting pretty crowded now that more people are coming. The new location should give us more room to spread out.

  

March Class - Masculine Cards

Thanks to a suggestion from the lovely ladies in my February class, we'll be focusing on some cards for the menfolk in our lives on March 4th. I'll be sure to take a selection of sentiment stamps also, so they can be personalized a bit. I'm glad they mentioned this idea - I tend to focus a bit much on flowers. If you happen to stop by, let me know what you think!
  

February Card Class

February card class coming up next week - these are the cards we'll be making.

Inspired by/CASEd from Jenny Watson,
http://stampingjourneywithjenny.com/1/category/leadership%20retreat/1.html

Inspired by/CASEd from Char Leasor
http://charsjourney.com/index.php/2016/08/14/can-case-133-color-challenge/

Add caption

January Class Cards

I just realized I hadn't posted pictures of the cards we made last weekend at our January class!  It was a fun day with a great group of ladies. I always enjoy getting together with them.

Watercolor lift

Pan pastels and stencils

Inspired by (and totally copied from!) Jeanne Bobish,
fellow FSJ coach

December Card Class

Today we did these five projects at card class.  Since I haven't been able to have a card class since August, I decided to add the blue angel and the treat bag as an extra little gift to the ladies.
    
I provide a two-page instruction sheet to my class participants - this month I had to shorten it, so it doesn't include the dimensions of the layers, colors, etc., but I've shared it in my DropBox here if you would like to download it: December Card Class Instructions
Hopefully I'll be back posting more regularly now that we're home from various trips.  I'll post pictures from our Thanksgiving visit with family in southern Oregon soon.

Facebook Group and August Class

I follow several Facebook groups, mostly stamping and card-making.  I enjoy seeing what others create, and think it's a good use of social media to gather together those with like interests, but I had never considered creating a group of my own.  My friend Carrie suggested I start a group for stampers in the Pueblo area as an easy way to communicate information about my monthly classes, our FSJ club, etc.  So I did...and it was EASY!  I don't know if many people will join, but it's a public group so others may find it.  If you'd like to check it out, here's the link:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/315796892088019/

I've made up the samples for the August 20th class. Seems like I always end up making 6 or 7 samples before I can decide on the three to take for class!  My mom (86 and counting!) was here, and helped me pick the "winners."  These are both ones that evolved from others.  I used my computer to print the sentiment for the light bulbs.  For class I printed four different sentiments in both landscape and portrait orientation so participants can choose what they want.  The butterfly card uses pan pastels, heat embossing, and vellum - it was a lot of fun to make.  I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut the mask for the sentiment, just to see if I could make it a bit different from the layered die. 

   

This one I copied directly from the February Bloom Box.  I loved that kit, but it came out the month before I signed on as a coach.  I bought the stamp set as soon as it came out.  I love that the stamps are available three months after they debut in the kit - and hate that I had to wait THAT LONG, lol!!

Variations on a theme

I had an amazing group of ladies at today's class, and I couldn't resist posting a picture of some of their cards.  The one at the top is the sample I made, and the others are the beautiful creative results when each one put just a bit of their own design spin on the matting.  (Thanks to my up line, Nanette Mueller, for the original idea.)  The FSJ combination piercing and cutting dies allow so many variations.

Notice the one with the rose buds?  That was made by a lovely young lady going into 6th grade this fall.  Amber, you're growing up SO fast!

July Class - 7/16/16

Here are the three cards we'll be making at my July class:

Inspired by my up line, Nanette Mueller. Simple & easy!
Glass Blooms (SS-0273) and Ink Splat (AT-0108)

I received this as a swap at Convention, but it has no
 contact information on the back.  If anyone knows
who designed it, please let me know so I can give credit
where credit is due.

Hello Lovely (SS-0192) and Honeycomb (AT-0090)

This stamp is retired now, but I like it, and the
matching die makes it a quick and easy card for class.

Don't Sink (Retired ATS)

Convention Give-aways and Saturday Class

Just one last Convention post.  For some reason this morning I woke up thinking - it's over. (Yes, I'm kind of slow realizing that!!) But the experience lives on.  I had a blast, I learned new things, I have loads of great ideas from the cards and ATCs I swapped, and I met so many wonderful people.  AND I have a bunch of STUFF!  Here's a picture of all the items I received at the convention.  I didn't include gifts from my uplines and roommate, or the items I purchased to bring home.

There are SIX stamp sets in there!

Now I'm getting ready for Saturday's class and Sunday's team meeting.  I haven't even started my swaps for Sunday, but I know I want to use one of my new sets that will be coming out in the new catalog, Delightful Light (SS-0344).  I had to figure out the class cards fast and on the fly, as I needed to get notices out ASAP when I got home.  Here are the ones we'll be doing.

If you're in the Pueblo, CO area, class will be 2:00 at the Barkman Library!  Comment here if you'd like more information.

May Class

I wasn't sure I would be able to have a class this month - May's calendar filled up early with lots of those things life seems to bring: doctor appointments, trips, birthdays, and other family responsibilities.  But then I discovered ONE empty Saturday! And what was even better?  Our room at the library is available on that same Saturday.  So we're on for next Saturday, May 21st, 2:00 to 4:00 at the Barkman Branch Library in Pueblo.  Here are the cards we'll be making.

I've been having fun playing with color and texture, so these two Fun Stampers Journey cards will include lots of patterned papers, bright colors, sequins, glitter and glaze.  Your mermaid will need a place she can dry safely, so if you happen to have a small box, bring it along.
 
This is a card from one of the Stampin' Up Paper Pumpkin kits.  I'll bring along alternate sentiments that you can use on any of the three cards.