Bella Carta at Art 'n Soul

Tomorrow (today if you're reading this tomorrow morning) at Art 'n Soul . . . from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., you're invited to play with the 12 new colors in Memento Inks from Tsukineko USA using the ink pads and marker pens. We have some stamps you can use, and you're welcome to bring your own. I'll supply the paper! There's no fee for playing, but you're sure welcome to bring a non-perishable item for the food bank barrel! After you've played with the colors, you might want to select which ones are your favorite 'must-have' colors to pre-order. The new ink pads will be available around March 1, followed by the marker pens a couple of weeks after. We're planning to be one of the first stores to offer these yummy new colors!

The Spring 2012 issue of 'Take Ten' from Stampington is at the store now.

Here are two of the three items you'll make in my class featuring Shimmer Sheetz on Friday, March 9, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Art 'n Soul.

by Debbie Gaetz
This is a small note pad folder and will
include the note pad. After cutting to
size and embossing, you'll color and embellish
the Shimmer Sheetz in your own style.

by Debbie Gaetz
This card is soooo easy . . .

I loved this card posted on Elizabeth Craft Design's FB page back in December; how I missed putting it on our blog for you is a mystery to me.

by Judi Kauffman

Judi Kauffman decided that she "needed" the Sizzix Flower Rings embossing folder I used for a card last week so she ordered it as part of a belated birthday splurge. She used it to make an anniversary card and shared the how-to with us. The card base is purple cardstock, folded across the top. The Always & Forever band is Blue Iris Shimmer Sheetz embossed with a folder from a Sizzix wedding set she already had on hand. She sponged the band with Iris (purple) StazOn ink (from Tsukineko) and did a bit of sanding to tone down the shine. The background is Black Iris Shimmer Sheetz embossed with her new folder! She used gold linen-weave paper as a narrow border on the band and added leaf trim (from Really Reasonable Ribbon) and adhesive-backed gems (from Darice) to finish the card. Ever the teacher, Judi mentioned that this card would work well for a wedding in white on white (White Iris Shimmer Sheetz for one or both of the embossed layers), white cardstock for the card base, white trim (lace, perhaps?) and diamond or pearl gems. Or switch the palette and the embossed phrase to customize for Valentine's Day, birthdays, and other occasions.

More tags from Graphic 45, and they're gorgeous! It intensifies our frustration that Graphic 45 is way behind in processing and shipping the orders submitted at CHA and we're in that group for the Tropical Travelogue, Olde Curiosity Shoppe

Hello Fabulous G45ers!

'Happy Tuesday and welcome to this excellent day of inspiration! All this week we're bringing you the most amazing tag creations from our design team. You are going to love today's stunning tags! Jane Tregenza, Robin Shakoor and Nancy Wethington have gone all out to bring you some stunning creations. Tags are so much fun to make and today's tags are sure to inspire. You can also join in the fun with this weeks contest. All you need to do is tag Graphic 45 (@Graphic45) on Facebook or Twitter. The more @Graphic 45 tags you do, the more chances you have to win a prize package valued at $60.

First up is this remarkable tag by Jane Tregenza. You are going to fall in love with this colorful and warm-hearted tag. Jane used our new collection Olde Curiosity Shoppe to create this marvelous tag. Here is what she had to say about her inspiration behind this sweet creation.

'Graphic 45 asked the design team to create a tag by recycling packaging from the staples range of embellishments. I couldn’t decide which size tag to use, so I used both sizes. The large tag is from the ornate metal door plates package and the smaller one is from the hinges (I used two tags this size). I covered the large tag both sides with “when pigs fly”. The 1^st of the smaller tags I used “Mercurial Masterpiece” I used the spots for the front of the tag and the reverse of the paper for the back of the tag. For my second smaller tag I used “Butterfly Specifics” I hinged the two smaller tags together using Graphic 45’s metal hinges. I attached the back tag to the larger tag with part of it hanging off the larger tag to the left. This allowed the hinges to work. I added some more papers from “old Curiosity Shoppe” to give my tags a more layered look. All I did was add some chipboard from Imaginarium Designs, a photo and some ribbons to finished it off.' Jane Tregenza"

Supplies:
Graphic 45 Olde Curiosity Shoppe
G4500424 Olde Curiosity Shoppe
G4500426 Counting Down
G4500428 When Pigs fly
G4500430 Optical oddities
G4500432 Butterfly specifics
G4500425 Mercurial Masterpiece
G4500435 Bazaar of Wonders
G4500431 Race for Time
G4500299 Metal Hinge staples
Other
Title, mini peacock feathers, border, Flourishes – Imaginarium Designs
Ribbons
Inks

'This next amazing tag was created by Robin Shakoor and features our new collection Little Darlings. This tag is the picture of sweetness with its beautiful colors and precious paper patterns. Robin used recycled packing from Graphic 45 Geometric Metal Door Plate and Knob Staples to create the backing for this wonderful tag. How clever! It's the picture of vintage elegance.

Supplies:

Graphic 45 Papers

Little Darlings Collection: Precious Posey, Heaven Sent
Graphic 45 Staples: Geometric Metal Door Plate and Knob Packaging
Want 2 Scrap: Self Adhesive Pearls
Fiskars: Scallop Edge Scissors
Petaloo: Gypsies Crystal Centers
Making Memories: Glitter – Spotlight
My Little Yellow Bicycle: Doily
Provocraft: Cricut Die Cutting Machine, Heritage Cartridge
Ranger: Distress Ink – Old Paper, Tattered Rose
Lifestyle Crafts: Swirls Die
Viva Décor: Pearl Pen – Ice White
Craft Supply: Tuille, Vellum
Scotch ATG; Helmar’s 450 Quick Dry Adhesive

'Next we have this wonderful Tropical Travelogue tag by Nancy Wethington. Nancy also used recycled packaging from Graphic 45 Staples to create the backing for this tag. This is a great technique and it looks simply marvelous! This beautiful tag is fun and easy to create. Just layer some of your favorite Graphic 45 papers, add some coordinating chipboard and seal it with a pretty bow. There you have it! A wonderful tag for all occasions!'