Susie took another crack (I couldn't resist!) at the sidewalk crack art form while watching the skating competition at the Olympics in Sochi the other night. Another great piece of art!

by Susie Tracy

I say this skater gets a perfect "10" for the costume!

From the Spellbinders' blog, another video how-to from Linda Lucas on a beautiful card she has made for her mother to celebrate her birthday.

by Linda Lucas for Spellbinders

Click on this link to see the "how-to" video:  http://www.spellbinderspaperarts.com/Community/Blog/Post/14-02-25/Tuesday_Video_Tutorial_-_Birthday_Cards.aspx?Page=1&Blogs=Post

From the IMAGINE Crafts' blog, a very interesting project and a beautiful card.

by Allie Gower
Artist-in-Residence for IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko

by Maureen Cronin
Artist-in-Residence for IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko

Click on this link to see the details:  http://imaginecraftsblog.com/category/artists-in-residence/maureen-cronin/

More from the Envelope Punch Board Play Day at Art 'n Soul last Friday . . .

BOX FOR CANDY BAR or SMALL CANDY, i.e., Hershey's Kisses or Dove Promises

• 6-1/2" x 6-1/2" card stock size
• Punch and score at 1-1/4" and 2-3/4"
• Rotate and repeat 3 more times so all sides are punched and scored
• Trim and snip flaps
• Cut off triangle sides so that there is a 1-1/16" from the score line to the edge
• Stamp and/or die cut while flat
• Construct box using a strong adhesive attaching just the pack pieces

SMALL DEEP BOX WITH LID

• TOP
• 4" x 6" paper size
• Using your score board, score 1" from the edge on each side
• Using your envelope punch board, punch at the 1" mark on all 4 sides
• Turn the paper over and repeat the process -- you will have 8 total indentations
• Use scissors to snip up to the 1" score mark on two opposite sides
• Place adhesive on the corners and fold up to make the box lid

• BOTTOM
• 5" x 7" card stock
• Score just a 'smudge' more than 1-1/2" from each edge so the box bottom will fit inside the lid
• Skip step with Envelope Punch Board; you don't need the rounded edges o the bottom

PIE OR COOKIE BOX

Variation by Marj Marion

by Marj Marion

 

by Marj Marion 

by Marj Marion
Very clever way to gift a stamp!

TIP:  Accuracy in cutting, scoring and punching = Best Results!

TIP:  You might like to make one completed box, and one that stays with you so you can remember the steps, and re-measure to find the necessary measurements.

• paper or card stock in these sizes:
• 8" x 8" for the box
• 3.5" x 3.5" AND four (4) 3.5" x 1-1/8" for the top and sides
• use contrasting color and/or design
• you can cut these from one sheet of 12x12, or two pieces of 8.5x11 paper sheets
• one piece of 5-1/2" x 3-3/8" for a little tray to slip inside the box on which to put the min pie or cookie. Score at 1" in from both of the short ends
• Score Line Measurements:
• Punch and score at 3" AND punch and score at 5"
• Rotate paper 90-degrees
• line up previous score lines with the guide, then punch and score
• follow score lines around on all sides of the paper, and punch and score each time
• (Marj rounded the top and bottom points to make subsequent steps easier)
• If you want to stamp or shade edges on these pieces, do it now before the box is formed. Marj found it easier to adhere the decorative top an sides while the box is flat.
• Make one snip on the longer score line near the four inside corner tabs, and trim ragged edge.

• With removable adhesivem adhere the decorative square to the center of the box.
• Die cut a 2-1/2" circle through the decorative paper and box top, centering the circle die within the center square that will form the box top.
• NOTE:  On the Big Shot machine, when cutting the circle, you will have to fold over 1-2 box side flaps to make it fit into the machine; with the Grand Calibur machine, it will lie flat in the machine. The faint impressions that occur on the sides will be covered with decorative paper and won't show later.
• Before removing the die, make pencil marks to indicate alignment of the top to the decorative square, and what you are calling the top edge of your box. (Later, this helps you line up the decorative top square correctly if you didn't EXACTLY line up the circle cut.
• DO THIS STEP -- be sure you sandwich correctly in the machine so you don't cut through the folded over side flaps

• Take off the decorative square with the center hole in it.
• Cut a 3" square of acetate
• Apply Scor Tape or permanent tape runner to the wrong side of the decorative square around the circle opening.
• Affix the acetate piece to the wrong side of the decorative square.
• Apply more permanent adhesive to your completed box top and carefully line up your pencil marks so you use the same orientation as you did in the temporary placement.
• Use Scor Tape on the four rectangles of decorative paper and attach to the box sides
• Marj likes to use her bone folder or "Baren" to burnish the pieces together securely
• Fold in tabs and adhere the bottom of the box together.
• Burnish with bone folder or fingers
• If desired, make the little tray that helps slide the pie or cookie in and out of the box
• At the top, the tabs fold in, and insert the last flap.
• Secure the box with ribbons, stretch cord, or a clear round sticker at the closure point on the bottom of the box.

Marj brought in the baking pans she uses to make the little pies and cakes that fit into the boxes. When I find the information on them, I'll share it with you because they're perfect for these boxes.

I have to again say there isn't enough of a big "thank you" to Marj and Sharon for all of the work they put into the Demo Day and all of the information they compiled and shared with everyone. That's how 'we roll' at Art 'n Soul, isn't it?

I added a class to the schedule today. This is one of the 3 cards you'll make on Saturday, March 29.

by Debbie Gaetz

FLY INTO SPRING - Debbie Gaetz

Saturday, March 29, from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m.

$30

The days go by so quickly and pretty soon, we'll be flying into spring. Butterflies and birds will be making their appearance. Using background stamps, dies (including the new Elizabeth Craft pop-it-up die), and new papers from SEI that arrive the week of March 3 at Art 'n Soul, you'll make 3 spring-like cards that you'll want to send to brighten someone's day. Please bring your basic class kit to include liquid glue with small nose applicator, paper trimmer, score board, die cutting machine with shim plate (if you have one), poker and clear stamp block to use as a palette.

Tomorrow can't come fast enough. I want to go back into the studio to play but I must be a good girl and go to bed.

Before I forget, there was a customer who attended the IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko ink demo last month. When I demo'd the new Radiant Neon inks, I used a small stamp from Hanko Designs that she was wanting to purchase. I am preparing an order from Hanko  for the store very soon and would be happy to order that stamp so you can purchase it at Art 'n Soul . . . please come into the store or call us (360.357.6820) to let us know if you want the stamp.

Sleep well, everyone!