In the past month I have taken 2 card classes at Stamp Fanci, our local rubber stamp store. I have said on numerous occasions that I'm grateful for this store, owned by Margie, because it is the only independent stamp/scrapbook shop within 25 miles. Stamp Fanci has a wide assortment of stamps and stamping supplies and enough beautiful patterned papers to keep both the stampers and the scrapbook people happy.
Almost every week there are classes going on and when a new group of classes is announced , they fill up very quickly! I was lucky to get into the ones I did.
Classes taught by Carolyn are my favorite classes. She is always learning new techniques and is a wizard at teaching them to a class! She always challenges us but, in the end, we learn lots of new tricks from her. Her class was about flowers...dimensional flowers. Some flowers were made using Sizzix Bigz Dies and some were made using Susan's Garden Sizzlet dies. Since taking the class, I have purchased the Black-eyed Susan Sizzix Die and have already used it to make a flower on a tag for my monthly swap. I'd love to have them all but I am seriously trying to be good.
Here is a photo of all three cards that we made in Carolyn's class...
The poppy card was the trickiest...
but also the prettiest. Because of the dimension, Carolyn taught us to make a paper collar to protect the flower before putting it in the envelope. We learned to use the WeR Memory Keepers envelope board for this project. What a slick tool this is! In a few easy steps, you can create envelopes using any kind of paper...it's a great way to use up scrapbook papers that you might not choose to use in paper crafting projects. The envelope we used for this card is more like a box. You really can't mail the card in the box you've made...it should be hand delivered or put in a padded envelope.
The hydrangea...
The Brown-eyed Susan...
Aren't they nifty? Thanks, Carolyn! I learned a lot!
Making flowers has put me in the mood for some real flowers. I am hoping that in the next few weeks we will see more signs of Spring. Right now, everything is very brown and dead looking. We need some green to show through. It's coming, it's just hard to be patient.
Wishing you a sunny day!
XOXO
Joyce
