Cards 4 Him Online Class Blog Hop

As most of you know I make lots of masculine cards, and love to share them with you.  Why?  Simply because there aren't a ton of ideas out there for making masculine cards.  Catherine, Maureen, Iwona (Chupa) and Sandy Allnock have teamed up to create a class just to show us some fabulous ideas for making cards for the men and boys in our lives.  It's called Cards for Him.

This is by far my favorite Online Class from these ladies!  I was able to get an early peek at the class and now I have so many ideas swimming around in my head.  You will likely see me using the class for my Masculine Monday posts all month long.

Can you guess what lesson this card is from?  To make my textured background I used embossing paste and a stencil, then poured black embossing powder over the paste.  The paste was still wet so the embossing powder stuck to it.  Before the paste dried I used a heat tool to melt the embossing powder and "puff" up the paste.

You can join the class today by clicking HERE now.  (or after the blog hop)
Remember StampNation members get 50% off the class for the first 30 days it's open, so go to StampNation to pick up your code before you purchase the class.
FYI- Sign up for StampNation at the same time as the Cards 4 Him and the savings will cover your first month and a half of membership.  ;)

To celebrate this new class we have a blog hop with Sandy Allnock, The StampNation Dream Team and the Reverse Confetti Design Team.  It's going to be epic!

PRIZE ALERT:  There are TEN FREE class registrations and a $15 Gift Certificate to Reverse Confetti hidden along the hop, so make sure you leave comments along the way.  The more comments you make, the greater your chances are for winning!

You have until 11:59 pm on May 2nd to leave a comment to be entered to win!  Winners will be announced at on May 3rd on Catherine’s Blog.

Next up on the hop is the fabulous Amy Kolling.

Catherine Pooler    >>>Start Here<<<
Sandy Allnock  
Maureen Merritt 
Iwona Palamountain  
Kristie Goulet
Heather North  >>>>You Are Here<<<<<
Amy Kolling  
Susan Liles 
Jen del Muro
Stacey Schafer 
Amy Sheffer 
Sarah Gough  
Amber Hight
Lisa Henke 
Leigh Penner 
Allison Cope 

Card Supplies:
Stamps: Lots To Say (Reverse Confetti)
Paper: Sahara Sand (SU), Early Espresso (SU), Very Vanilla
Misc: Heart Note Die (Cas*ual Fridays), Black Metal Sheet, Burlap Ribbon, Embossing Paste, Embossing Powder, Texture Diamond Stencil (Memory Box)

Hello Sunshine ~ Hero Arts New Release

Hello my creative friends!  I got back from my StampNation Live 2014 retreat late last night, and I'm still not exactly sure what time zone I'm in.  It was a blast and I came home so inspired!  As soon as I sleep for 24 hours straight I will be back in the zone and ready to create.

Today is a special challenge day for StampNation.  We moved the challenge to today so we could be a part of Hero Arts new reveal.  I just love how my card turned out for today's challenge.  Here is a sneak peek at what the rest of the team came up with.

If you are a StampNation member be sure to check out the challenge forum to see how the entire design team used their new product.

If you aren't yet a member, what are you waiting for?  :)  Be sure to come back tomorrow for an awesome blog hop with the crew from Reverse Confetti, StampNation's own dream team and Sandy Allnock from Operation Write Home.

Click here to learn more about membership benefits and to join now.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for an awesome blog hop with the crew from Reverse Confetti, StampNation's own dream team and Sandy Allnock from Operation Write Home.

Weekend Getaway

Right now I am on the trip of a lifetime with some of my creative friends from StampNation.  I would like to tell you I have been stamping up a storm, and I have, but even more than that I have been laughing, and visiting and having a ball with some of the best papercrafters I know.   As soon as I get home and catch up on some sleep I promise to share more.  :)

My hope was to have a card up to show you, but it may have to wait until I get back home.  I didn't want to leave you high and dry without a card though, so I am sharing a card Catherine Pooler made for her newest class being released on April 20th.  

Can you guess what it is?  Catherine is giving away 2 free classes for those who comment on her blog with a guess for the theme of her class.  I'll give you a hint; it's a type of card I need lots of ideas for.   CLICKY to go to go there now and see if you can guess.

Retirement List Released

Clicky to shop now!

Stampin' UP! has just released their retirement list.  All items on the list are while supplies last.  To help you fill your wish list SU is offering free shipping April 21-26.   Here are some of my favorites on the list.

Scallop Trim Border

EnFrancais

Perfectly Penned

Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon

Hearts A Flutter

Oh, Hello

Vintage Trinkets

Loving Thoughts

Blessings From Heaven

Did any of your favorites make the retirement list?  Are there any items you must have before they sell out?  Check out the retirement list and let me know what you think.  If there is something you must have, please don't wait until it's too late.

Clicky to check out the list now.

Blessed Easter

Happy Easter my friends.  I hope your day is blessed with joy!  Easter is such a special time for so many of us as we reflect on the first Easter Sunday and the price that was paid for our ultimate freedom.

There is such joy, peace and hope in the promise of salvation.  

One more picture, just because it's pink.  

May your day be blessed with joy, family and perhaps a little crafty time.  ;)

Sew Saturday

April is more than half over, and I am working on my metallic challenge.  Can you guess what this is going to become?  I do have a plan, but I think I will wait until next week for the "reveal".

In the meantime, great progress has been made on my baseball quilt.  Just in time too.  Michael had his first tournament today.  It got rained out, but not before the boys played in the POURING rain for 30 minutes.  I need to get that warm quilt finished fast!  Baseball season does not equal sunshine in the Pacific Northwest.

Sorry for the blurry pictures.  Here you can see the flannel back.  I just need to sew my 2 halves together.  :)

Then I can bind it and clip all those edges.   I'm debating on adding one more row to make it just a little bit wider.   The quilt is a very simple pattern on the back because I wasn't sure how many rows and columns I was going to need. (I'm still not.  lol)

While I had the quilt on the bed to decide just how wide I want it to be, I got the cat's seal of approval.

Believe it or not that is her "happy" face.  I think we have our very own grumpy kitty, but she sure does love my sewing projects.

I must have missed last weekend, because I have one more sewing picture to share.  Our boys requested to watch the TV Series "Lost".  This was the perfect chance to get the binding sewn on the South Sound Modern Quilt Guild charity quilt.  I volunteered to do the binding because I love having something to do with my hands while the boys watch TV/movies.

Stampin' UP! and Project Life

Just wanted to give a quick update.  Stampin' Up!'s retirement list comes out on Monday, April 21st.  All retiring items will only be available while supplies last, including the stamps.  To give you an incentive to order early, before your favorites are sold out, SU is offering free shipping!!! April 21-25, 2014 except on expedited orders.

April 21-25, 2014

Raspberry Ripple ink refill is already sold out.  If there is a favorite you don't want to miss out on, be sure to order early.  

As an old catalog goes out, a new one comes in.  Stampin' UP! has announced something exciting coming to us with the new catalog release in June...

Project life is coming to Stampin' UP!!!!!  Becky Higgins has created an exclusive line of Project Life products just for Stampin' UP! to coordinate with SU colors and stamps.  I've been a fan of Becky since I saw her first sketch and have followed her career since then.  I'm excited to see what this team will bring us.

***Note- If you are reading this post in an email or reader, you may need to visit my blog to view the video above.  

Thanks

The new challenge is up at StampNation and it is certainly "on trend".  Can you guess what this one is?

A week from today I will be at the StampNation retreat meeting Catherine Pooler and the rest of the Dream Team in person for the first time.  I'm so stinkin' excited and a little bit nervous too.  The swaps are made, but I still need to decide what I am going to bring to work on.  What do you take with you when you stamp away from home?

Stampin' Celebration ~ Sketch

Time for the mid-month sketch at Stampin' Celebration.  It's another great one that can be used so many ways.

SC77S

There are so many possibilities with this sketch!  What will you do with it?  Here is how I used it.

The flower was too plain on its own, but when I used patterned paper I didn't like it, so I decided to "gild the lily".  My friend, Shea, gave me the idea in one of her tutorials on StampNation.

First I punched out my flower, then dipped the edges into my Versamark ink pad.  Next, I sprinkled gold embossing powder over the flower and heat set it with my heat tool.  The center of the flower is another punched flower from the bitty punch pack that has been covered with Crystal Effects. While I had the CE out I added little drops of  "dew" or "raindrops" on the petals and leaves.

You can barely see it, but on the inside of the card I added a thin strip of the same pattern paper I used on the front.  There is also another flower that is hidden from view.  ;)

Need more tips and ideas for using patterned paper? Last week a new classroom opened up at StampNation for using patterned paper.  I added a tutorial to the Patterned Paper Classroom that gives you tips and ideas for using sketches with your pretty paper, and that is just one of the lessons available to all members.


Supplies Used
Paper: Lost & Found Blush (My Mind's Eye), Rose Red (SU), Whisper White (SU)
Stamps: Really Good Greetings (SU)
Misc: Gold Embossing Powder (SU), Labels 18 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Leafy Branch (Savvy Dies), Petite Petals Punch (SU), Punch Pack (SU),

Vacation Mojo

Last week the kids were on Spring Break.  The sun was shining all but one day, so we spent most of the week outdoors.  It was wonderful, but I did miss my craft room.  This morning after the kids went back to school and hubby to work I headed to the room to play with the new Mojo Monday sketch.

MM#341

There's nothing like a good sketch to really get your mojo flowing.  :)   Here is what I came up with.

The paper pack I used made coordinating the patterned papers easy.  :)  

Tomorrow I will be back with a new sketch for the Stampin' Celebration mid-month sketch.

Need more tips and ideas for using patterned paper and sketches?  I have a lesson up in the StampNation forum right now in the Patterned Paper Classroom to help you out.  Not yet a member?  Clicky for more information.  

Supplies:
Paper: Classique Elegance 6x6 Bundle - (Authentique),  Basic Black, Smoky Slate (SU)
Stamps: Tea Shoppe (SU)
Misc: 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Artisan Label Punch (SU), Stitched Scallop Borders (Lawn Fawn), Silver Embroidery Thread

Spring Break

This week my kids are on Spring break, and I am taking the next 4 days off to be with my family.   Hopefully I will get some crafty time in, but I probably won't be posting on the blog.

I'm popping in today to show you a picture that a friend of mine from high school posted on Facebook today.   (TBT or Throw Back Thursday)  That's me on the left, and my very photogenic friend on the right.  We could almost be sisters we look so much alike.

 
Then she posted another picture from our graduation with all 3 of us.   The one in the middle is the person who posted both of these.  It's funny to see this as my husband and I prepare for our son to graduate in a couple of months.   Seems like it's only been a couple of years ago.  The outfit I was wearing in the photo above was his favorite.  Now we are married and our son is the age I was when we started dating.   Time flies when you're having fun.

Thanks for taking this walk down memory lane with me.  Do you like discovering old pictures you didn't know existed?  Has anyone ever posted or sent a picture of you?  

Patterned Paper & Sketches

Hello, my name is Heather and I am a "pretty paper" hoarder.   (I can hear you echoing "hello, Heather".  :)

Actually, since switching from scrapbooking to cardmaking I have been much better about using my patterned paper.  It goes a lot further on cards than on a scrapbook page.   Getting over the first cut is the hardest part.  Once you cut that 12x12" piece into a 4 x 5.25" rectangle and see how much pretty paper you have left for other cards it becomes easier to just use it.

Have you ever tried to use up a paper pack making only cards?  You can make a ton!   Now that we are over the fear of cutting into that paper, let's talk about how to actually use it.   That is what today's lesson in the StampNation classroom is all about.

Patterned Paper & Sketches

...and I am the teacher.  Scary, I know, but at least your teacher speaks from experience.    

All week long different teachers will be showing us how to use patterned paper on our cards.  Yesterday Allison Cope had an awesome tutorial on paper piecing showing how to use both traditional and digital stamps to achieve this technique. I chose a lesson on sketches, because I LOVE SKETCHES.   They do the hard work for you.  

In this free class for StampNation members I will show you how to break down a sketch and make it work with your own supplies.  We will discuss layering patterns on top of each other, achieving contrast and balance.  

Not a StampNation member?  What are you waiting for girlfriend?  Members get access to all areas of the classroom, gallery, videos, tutorials, and so much more.  You can check it out and quit your membership at any time.  

Masculine Monday ~ Stenciled

There is a new challenge on the block and everyone is playing in it.  Have you heard?  Last month was the debut of Virginia's View Challenge and she had 359 participants!!!  Wowzers, that is amazing!   She is back with her second challenge this month to use stencils.

VVC#2 Stencil

  Stencils are hot in paper crafting right now.  They are so easy to work with and they don't take up much space in your craft room to store them.  You can use them in so many ways.  I'll probably enter this challenge more than once this month, but for my first card I decided to use ink with my stencil.

At first I was going to make this a OLC (One Layer Card), but in the end I just couldn't do it.  ;)  I just had to layer is on a center panel and add some enamel dots.

Supplies:
Stamps: Key Moments Everyday Life (CTMH), Gorgeous Grunge (SU)
Ink/Colors: Sahara Sand, Smoky Slate, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake
Misc: Diamond Stencil (Memory Box), Lost & Found Enamel Dots (MME)

Scrapbook Sunday

How long has it been since I posted a Scrapbook Sunday?   Probably almost as long as it has been since I have scrapbooked.  Life has been busy and something had to go.   Lately though I have been having the urge to work on my albums again.

To help me get a jumpstart I have signed up for the Inspired to Scrap Weekend Warrior Sketch class.  It's no secret that I love sketches.   Stacey Lokovic is an awesome sketch creator and her talented team always inspires me to reach higher.



The class is only $5 and it is designed with the busy scrapbooker in mind.  Hopefully I can at least pull out my pictures and create something.    Would you like to join me?  Clicky for more information.  

Sew Saturday ~ April Goals

Finally a Sew Saturday post that doesn't have a pile of jeans in it.  :)  I will give you a jean's quilt update though.  I've cut half of the backing squares out and ran out of my flannel fabric.  A trip to the fabric store will have to happen before I can finish.  Oh bother.  :)

Wednesday was our quilt guild meeting.  Almost every month we meet there is a block of the month challenge.  The blocks are turned into charity quilts.  This month was a circle applique block.

Isn't that a fun, colorful block?  I made a really cool discovery while trying to come up with circles.  In fact I thought it was so cool that I grabbed my camera and shot my first "sewing tip" video for you.  :)

***Note- you may need to visit my blog to view the video above.  Simply click on the post title "Sew Saturday..." above and it should take you right to this post.

Next month I am going to see if I can use the acuquilt cutting templates in my big shot.  I just need to figure out the correct "sandwhich" and I'm sure I will be able to.

April Goals

Here we are in April.  That means it's time for another goal setting party on A Lovely Year of Finishes with Melissa and Shanna.   April promises to be an EXTREMELY busy month with travel, baseball, Spring Break, Easter and more.   At first I was just going to try my hardest to get my picnic quilt finished, but then I went to my guild meeting and got this fabric.

The guild is participating in a Metallic challenge and the quilt needs to be finished by the first week of May.  Yikes!  That means I need to make this my goal and find some time to get in my sewing room.

I've decided on a pattern.  (mostly in my head, why do I do that?!!!)   All I need is time and some metallic thread.  I have a couple of other fabrics I think will provide nice contrast.  I may switch them out when I head to the fabric store to pick up more flannel, but the 4 main prints above will be included somewhere in the quilt.

Wish me luck.  My goal is to turn this pile of fabric, or at least the main mettallic fabric given to me, into a quilt top by the end of this month.   It may not happen, but I have to try.  :)