"BLOOMIN' BEAUTIFUL" CLASS PROJECTS

In June, I'm going to schedule a "Bloomin' Beautiful" class that will include a greeting card portfolio, four greeting cards, and four envelopes. I got the instructions for the portfolio from another demonstrator, tweaked it just a tad, and decided to "decorate" it with my own design. She had included four greeting cards, but I actually prefer to use my own designs--most of the time. The date for this class hasn't been determined just yet, but I hope to send class invitations very soon! If your interest in this class is accelerated by the photos, then my strategy worked! ;-) As with all of my classes, each attendee will receive a handout with instructions and details, techniques, etc.

JUNE WORKSHOP PROJECT FOR CLUB MEMBERS

This is one of the cards that my club members have to look forward to making in June! It's one of those that's simple to make, fun to send, and even more fun to receive! Unfortunately, the colors are a bit off in the photo. This card was created with SU's "One of a Kind" stamp set, Ginger Blossom designer paper, Basic Black ink, and two markers.

STILL BLOOMIN' BEAUTIFUL

Can you guess which stamp set is still on my desk???? That's right . . . Bloomin' Beautiful!!!! This is the card I made for my swap with Laura this week. Shhh . . . don't say anything to her about it!

BLOOMIN' BEAUTIFUL SPINNER

Are you sick of this stamp set yet? LOL! I'm not!!! I almost forgot to take a picture of this spinner card that I made last night. Actually, it was during the wee hours of this morning, and I could barely hold my eyes open! I wish I could say that the spinner mechanism works perfectly, but that would be a lie. The arc is too high for it to work smoothly, but I can try to change that "next time." Famous last words, huh? Special thanks to Renee for coloring the bee for me. :-) I wish she lived next door because I have so much fun having her in the stamp room with me. She usually has her own projects to work on and sometimes we hardly talk, but I enjoy her company.

SO YUMMY!

Today, while surfing the 'net, I came across a picture of a delicious-looking cake and just HAD to make one! It's called a Strawberry Truffle. I've seen these before but haven't ever made one. The only deep glass dish with a lid that I own is this one by Pampered Chef. It's not as ornate as I would have liked, but it sits in the 'fridge just fine. ;-) Renee and I sent Chadrick and Bryson to the store to get a few ingredients, and she added bananas to her "helping." Yuck! I wish I had put a little food coloring in the pudding because that muted yellow looks like infection to me. Gross! Anyway, following is the recipe if you'd like to make one:

8 oz. Cool Whip

1 pound cake, cubed (can use Angel Food Cake)

1 prepared vanilla or lemon instant pudding

Strawberries

1/2 cup sugar

Mix strawberries with sugar. Layer cubed cake, pudding, strawberries, and Cool Whip. Repeat. Garnish with strawberries on top. Chill and serve cold.

FLOWERS ANYONE?

Warning . . . I can't get enough of this pot of flowers! This card is quite simple in design, but the fold makes it interesting. I don't know what's going on with the brads. They seemed like a good idea at the time, but seeing them like this . . . I just don't know.

SOMETHING FOR BABY

One of my customers is "expecting" her first grandchild, and she's heading out of town on Saturday for the baby shower. I wanted to do something for her--for the baby--and decided to decorate a paint can since I have right many of them in my stash! No, I didn't use SU paper because I didn't have anything "babyish," but I did use SU ribbon and stamps. I used the Cricut to cut "sweet pea" and the green pea, and I used SU's "Nursery Necessities" stamp set to create the card. I immediately saw some things that I should have done differently, and I hate that this gift isn't perfect but . . . maybe next time. Obviously, the can is full of baby items, and I will place a note in the can and suggest that the mommy-to-be use the can to hold/collect/store quick notes about the baby . . . something precious that he did (shouldn't take long to fill the can with that), record/date some of the important milestones, etc. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE A PAINT CAN, I HAVE SEVERAL THAT WOULD LOVE A CHANGE OF SCENERY. ALL I ASK IS THAT YOU PAY WHAT I PAID . . . $7. THESE CANS ARE VERY NICE . . . MATTE WHITE SURFACE THAT'S PERFECT FOR PAINT, INK, DECOUPAGE, ETC. BEST OF ALL, THE HANDLES CAN BE EASILY REMOVED TO MAKE IT EASIER TO DECORATE THE CAN. THEY MAKE GREAT GIFT PACKAGING AND REALLY ARE SUPER EASY TO DECORATE!

BLOOMIN' BEAUTIFUL

Oh dear! My friend, Cassy, let me borrow her "Bloomin' Beautiful" stamp set, and I think I'm in love! If you like to watercolor (and who doesn't), this is THE set for you! When I first saw this stamp set in the "Occasions" mini catalog, it did nothing for me . . . I had no trouble just turning the page. Over time, though, I've found myself not turning the page quite so quickly. I've had this stamp set off my list, on my list, and now it's at the TOP of my list. I got home with this set around 10:30 last night and immediately made the first card - Chocolate Chip and Groovy Guava. I colored the flower using the aqua painter and the Groovy Guava ink pad. I actually stamped and colored two flowers so I could make a cut from one of them to place via Stampin' Dimensional on top of the other one. Can you see the 3D effect? I also added some Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the flowers! The sponged edges may be a bit heavy for this card, but there's no removing the ink once it's there. Ugh! I stamped and colored the other image on the second card this morning. This time, I used the Watercolor Wonder Crayons and the aqua painter. Love, love, love how this one turned out! The crayons were a perfect choice for this image because I was able to mix and blend different colors, particularly on the flower pot. If I can get my ducks in a row, I'll be offering a class in June designed specifically around this stamp set. In the mean time, don't let the sales period end before adding this one to your stash! It's definitely one of those "sets with staying power" that you'll reach for time and again.

OF SHADES AND SHADOWS

This is my "gotta-get-it-on-card-stock-before-heading-to-work" design. I just couldn't leave home until I got this idea out of my head. A fellow demonstrator shared a clever sample where the oval punch was used to create a vase. She used a punched flower, but I used the Boho Blossoms punch AND some of those cute felt flowers that SU sells! If you haven't ordered the "Flower Fusion" Accents & Elements yet, what are you waiting for???? I also used subtle shadows and shading on my design but, unfortunately, that technique doesn't show up well in the picture. The last thing I did to this card is the one thing that messed it up . . . the word "life" is crooked. Argh! Why do things happen like that? I might have to cover that up with a flower!

CUPCAKE BOX & CUTTING MAT

SU has a nice special this month . . . when you purchase the cutting mat ($15.95), you get a FREE hobby blade, which comes in a handy storage tube along with FIVE refill blades! My cutting mat arrived last Wednesday, and I am LOVING it more than I ever imagined! I used to keep a grid pad on my desk all the time, but I’ve been using the cutting mat instead. Light colored card stock is so easy to see against the black mat! You can see in the picture on the left how the mat came in handy when I tried to align the Rub-On for placement on the acetate window of my box. Something else that I’ve noticed is that my ATG adhesive (and other tape runner adhesive) won’t stick to the mat. How many times have you been working on a project and got your card stock or designer paper stuck on stray adhesive? Argh! And have no fear . . . ink wipes off easily with a tissue or baby wipe! Enough about the cutting mat . . . and onto my project. This adorable little cupcake box has been a work in progress all weekend, and I still need to make another one so I will know the measurements. I started writing down all measurements, but I stopped when nothing was working and now that it’s all neatly glued together, I sure could use some specific information! Does this ever happen to you? Not knowing how it would turn out, I kept the design VERY simple by using Kraft card stock for the box, Soft Sky card stock for the lid, Whisper White card stock decorated with “Afternoon Tea” designer paper for the insert, and some “Love & Happiness” rub-ons (retired SAB) on the lid’s acetate window. The Coluzzle was used to cut the circles, and I created the scalloped edging with the Cricut. The more I look at this box, the more I think I like its simplistic design. Or maybe that’s just what I’m telling myself. ;-)