The new class schedule is out . . . click on the link listed on the right under "Pages". Right away, the most important day is Recycled Rubber this Saturday that begins at 10:00 a.m. In the weekly email, there was a hint that someone has brought in their Cuttlebug to sell . . . woot! woot!


From the Poppy Stamps blog, an awesome Easter or Spring display using dies from Poppy Stamps.

by Ira Huberts for Poppy Stamps

Click on this link to see all of the dies Ira used to make this display and more photos:  http://poppystamps.typepad.com/

From the Memory Box blog, check out this beautiful card made with one of the new Memory Box stencils.

by Jean Okimoto for Memory Box

Click on this link to see how Jean made this card and another gorgeous card from the stencils . . . http://davebrethauer.typepad.com/outsidethebox/

I love this new Penny Black stamp; I purchased it in a store called the Stamp Boutique in Pompano Beach, Florida. I'm using it in one of the cards in my Fly Into Spring class on March 29 at Art 'n Soul. When we open up Penny Black as open catalog, you'll be able to order this stamp at Art 'n Soul.

Spring Beauty:  40-104

This is the start of the card for my class . . .

by Debbie Gaetz
for Fly Into Spring class on March 29

You'll have to come into the store to see the final sample! I hope you'll sign up for the class. In addition to this card, we're going to use a new background stamp from Impression Obsession, new butterfly dies from Memory Box, new die from Karen Burniston's Pop-it-Up collection for Elizabeth Craft Designs, the new Radiant Neon inks from IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko, and some of the new SEI paper.

Terry Medaris has sent us photos of his class samples. He's teaching at Art 'n Soul again at the end of May. If you haven't taken a class from Terry on using Prismacolor colored pencils and shading, it's a must! It's also a pre-requisite to take his second class. I loved taking his colored pencil class a few years back because it approached coloring and shading with an intensity I had never dared attempt before, and it was with fabulous results. Terry is a professor of art at a college in Tucson, Arizona.

Two classes from Terry Medaris:  “If you like bright colors in your Artwork, these classes are for you!  You may have seen samples of my work in the Jan/Feb 2004 issue of Rubber Stamper Magazine or in the Summer, 2010 issue of Rubber Stamp Madness (Issue 168).  I teach two classes.  Each class is 3 hours long.” Terry will also bring a trunk show of his stamps and products.  

Saturday, May 31, 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. – Terry Medaris – “CLASS ONE, BEGINNING PRISMACOLOR BLENDING” $40

In Class One I will show you my blending techniques, then you will color one of my designs using your Prismacolor Pencils.  I will provide all class materials except the Prismacolor pencils.  You will need to bring a set of 36, 48, or 72 Prismacolor Premier (soft lead) pencils to class.  Please sharpen pencils prior to class.  Class One is a prerequisite to Class Two.  If you have taken Class One from Terry before you can take it again, but you don’t have to take it to take Class Two.  If you take both classes, you will receive a $10 discount on Class 2.

by Terry Medaris 

Saturday, May 31, 2:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. – Terry Medaris – “CLASS TWO, INTERMEDIATE” $40

In Class Two you will create three personal pieces of art.  Using what you have learned in Class One, you will stamp, then color on a ceramic tile, a domino, and heat shrink plastic.  I will provide all class materials except the Prismacolor pencils.  You will need to bring a set of 36, 48, or 72 Prismacolor Premier (soft lead) pencils to class.  Please sharpen pencils prior to class.

by Terry Medaris
for his class at Art 'n Soul on May 31

I've always regretted that I didn't take Terry's class when they stamped and learned to color on tumbled tiles with colored pencils. I'm not missing another opportunity! And by the way, his trunk show always brings amazing designs in stamps; I've purchased his coloring book before and loved it.

Time to fold some laundry and empty the dishwasher; after spending most of the day playing to prepare my class samples, this is what I'm left with. I think that's why I like art retreats so much . . . you play and you play and you play without the distractions of running your household. If you want to escape, run away to Art 'n Soul . . . if we have the table space, we're more than happy to welcome you and your latest art project for as long as you like. It's worth it!