The vertigo continues so I'm not as timely as I'd like to be. The Saturday class with John Petersen with Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko USA was "oh so fun!" and I'll have pics from the class to post in another day or so. Saying we had fun was an understatement. And to prove the point even further, John committed to another class at Art 'n Soul on Saturday, May 26, and 9 of the students signed up immediately. So if you want to be in on the John Petersen class next month, call the store asap to sign up (360.357.6820).




From May Arts, our supplier of beautiful ribbons . . .

"I had the luck of getting to play with Creative Imaginations Ragamuffin line by Iron Orchid Designs! SO FUN!

For my first card, I used a sheet from the Ragamuffin Paper Pad:

I’ve used a tag from the die-cut shapes pack as well. I thought the 3/8” sheer dot was the perfect ribbon to tie it on to the pretty polka dotted paper! I stamped ‘spring’ onto the die-cut & heat embossed ‘Welcome’ onto the main panel. I added some pearls to the gorgeous frayed flower’s center."

by Jen Shears

This seems like a fun project, again from May Arts . . .

"Layers of melted beeswax lend a dreamy feel to a collage and fuse all the elements together beautifully! It’s much simpler than you might think to work with this technique, and the results are so satisfying. I created a Sun & Sea Beeswax Collage for the May Arts/Creative Imaginations blog week, and I would love to share the details with you!


{Please visit Serendipity Vintage Studio for a link to a download of the tutorial. Have fun waxing!}


 Beeswax collage requires only a few simple elements:

• Natural Beeswax
• Griddle with a temperature control dial
• Metal Loaf Pan
• Natural Bristle Paint Brush {any other type will melt!}
• Heat Tool

Melt the desired amount of wax with the griddle set at 225 degrees. The beeswax smells wonderful as it melts, but you may want to work in a ventilated area. The beeswax is hot, so use caution when working with it. For more information about beeswax collage, visit this post for links and suggested resources.
{Other Materials}

• CI Beach Cottage Mermaid and Sun and Sea DS papers and Die Cut Shapes.
• May Arts Baker’s Twine {412-28}
• May Arts Woven/Burlap {408-05-09}
• 12 x 12 Canvas
• Poem or Quote {Laser Printed on Vellum}
• Ranger Perfect Pearls: Green Patina, Blue Patina, Perfect Pearl
• Vintage Photo Distress Ink
• Matte Decoupage or Gel Medium
• Rhinestones

{Layer 1}

• Tear the edges of the CI Mermaid paper by hand or with a deckle ruler and then apply Vintage Photo Distress Ink all around.
• Use matte decoupage or gel medium to apply the Mermaid paper to the canvas. Allow to dry thoroughly.
• Use a natural hair paint brush to apply the melted beeswax on the entire canvas using even strokes in one direction.
• Use a heat tool to smooth out the wax after each layer

{Layer 2}

• Tear the Sun and Sea paper as shown, ink the edges, place on the collage, and add another layer of beeswax.

{Layer 3}

• Tear the vellum poem with a deckle edge ruler and then ink the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. Add to the collage, and then brush on another layer of beeswax.

{Layer 4}

• Drape a piece of May Arts woven/burlap across the top of the canvas and layer that with a piece of Baker’s Twine. Secure in the back with tape, and then add a layer of beeswax on top.  Use the heat tool to smooth the wax.

{Layer 5}


Brush Ranger’s Perfect Pearls on the CI Beach Cottage Die Cut Shapes and spritz to activate and set the shimmer. To add extra dimension to the flowers, crumple them after spritzing with water. Add the Die Cut Shapes as shown, and use a white tacky glue to add rhinestones for a bit of sparkle.


The finished collage! Working with beeswax is fun and easy, but here are a few tips to help you get started:

• If you’re using a block of beeswax, freeze it first, put it in a sturdy plastic bag securely closed, then break it into pieces with a hammer or mallet, or throw it on the sidewalk!
• Be sure to apply the beeswax in even strokes that don’t overlap. This will prevent buildup along the brush lines.
• The beeswax will not adhere as well to slick surfaces like vellum, so some lifting may occur."

Blog post by: Kimberly Jones

From Outlines Rubber Stamp Company . . . artist Jenny Gropp does beautiful work and I love this card she made for Outlines!

	"All of these cards feature printed-paper from Bo Bunny’s 6x6 pad Gabrielle. All images are stamped on Neenah Classic Crest Natural White (ivory).
	CARD 1 Stamps:AA-845 Tiny Happy Love Day F-1181 Lilly & Layla
	Stamp the image Neenah Classic Crest Natural White paper (ivory) using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Cut out the butterflies using Spellbinder’s Ovals and Scallop Oval Dies. The Happy Love Day is cut out with a Spellbinder’s banner die. Stamp the butterflies one additional time, which will be used to cut layers from and pop,
	Here is the main image colored with Copic Markers. The ivory background is colored completely with R01. Copics used: BG18, BG15 0 R000, R20, R22 BG11, R01
	Create the card base using Spellbinder’s Grand Squares to create the card base. The card opens at the bottom tent style. Add the oval layers on the card front using foam tape to raise it up.
	Add the image and sentiment banner to the card. I gently curved the sentiment banner and used Dimensional Silicone to pop it up. You can se my extra butterfly pieces along the side of the card.
	Gently curve the extra wings and add them over the top of the butterflies. I used Dimensional Silicone to add the extra wing pieces.
	I glued a few button embellishments down the right side of the card. I made small double bows from Caribbean Twine and then glued them on top of each button. I used a small dab of Ultimate Glue to add the bows on the buttons.
	I added Light Peach Crystals (size 12) around the edge of the card, in between each scallop. On the butterfly wings, I added small Lt. Colorado Topaz Crystals (size 5) on to the wings. I used Glossy Accents and Picksey Pick Ups to add the crystals.
	Here is a picture of the finished card.

Tomorrow (Monday), please stop in at Art 'n Soul and welcome Deb back to the schedule. She took a much-needed break and hopefully a week allowed her to recharge her batteries! We want to thank Sue for stepping into the rotation for four days to help both Deb and Dianne to take a break; I know Sue enjoyed being back and seeing everyone!




I'm off to Orlando at o'dark thirty tomorrow (this) morning so w can visit with Cecilia, our soon-to-be 6 month old granddaughter who lives in Milan. She's vacationing in Orlando with her parents this week and we are sneaking in a couple of days to spend with them. I'll be posting from Orlando. Ciao!