This afternoon (Monday), Marj led us through a delightful class using one stamp 4 different ways, and learning more about the Memory Box Library Alphabet Tags (98817). These are the cards we made in class . . .

by Marj Marion

by Marj Marion

by Marj Marion

by Marj Marion

Marj also made these cards to show more variations on the alphabet die set . . . 

by Marj Marion

by Marj Marion

When the die set is cut, you're going to have many variations to use, i.e, the individual letters, the tag frame with the cut-out letter, blank tags that you can put anything on, openings for other background papers to show through, etc.

When Marj first used her library set, she didn't cut apart the the letters which is your decision to make. This is what you get after cutting . . .

Then Marj decided she didn't want to cut out an entire alphabet set each time she used the die set, so she cut the alphabet set into quarters. Then she discovered you can re-position any of the quadrant or individual dies to make a section cut-out.

With the unused alphabet tags, Marj has organized them in a bead storage container.

Thanks, Marj, for all of your tips and techniques that we all learn from. You are so generous with your knowledge and expertise, and all of us appreciate that about you! For now, I think I'm going to keep my alphabet set together as it was originally packaged because I can always use those extra letters.

From Helene Metivier's blog, these are two of the beautiful cards she is showcasing to feature the watercolor technique using Tombow markers from Micheline Jourdain, aka Mimi a la Carte in Montreal. This is the same technique that Susie taught in a class at Art 'n Soul since she and Dianne were so fortunate to take a class from Micheline last fall.

by Helene Metivier, Magenta

by Helene Metivier, Magenta

Click on this link to go to Helene's blog . . . http://helenemagentastyle.blogspot.com/

From the Magenta blog, I think these cards are just stunning combining the black background color with the the beautiful colors and, of course, stamps from Magenta!

"For those cards I simply used those gorgeous stamps which on their own make the card really pretty." -- Edith Racine

by Edith Racine, Design Team Magenta

Used Material:

Hummingbird

Butterflies

Magenta Word Stamp:  Une petite douceur pour toi (french)

Tag chipboard

Energy paper

From the IMAGINE Crafts' blog, another colorful card using the new Radiant Neon inks from Linda Lucas.

by Linda Lucas for IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko

Go to this link for the specifics on how to make this card:  http://imaginecraftsblog.com/

Check this out from Inchie Arts . . .

by Lisa Lee, Inchie Arts LLC

"Credit where credit is due....the stamp is from Rubbermoon, but the sentiment was my daughter's idea...(KP you should have this made into a stamp!)
Check out this sample card made with Inchie Squares when it arrives at Kept Creations in Whitman, MA. http://www.keptcreations.com/"

Marj has been busy. She brought in a card she made for Easter and it's adorable!

by Marj Marion

Frame Opening:  Spellbinders S5-131 and sponged with
IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko Brilliance in Chocolate
Bunnies:  Impression Obsession Die 43-G and used
Liquid Applique for bunny tails
Grassland Border:  Poppy Stamps Die 825
Estate Fence:  Memory Box Die 98285 (embossed with
white embossing powder)
Pink Flowers on Tree:  "Dots" stamp by Magenta (18.086.E)
The decorated paper is older but you can create the
tree on any card stock with any tree stamp.

Are you joining us on Play Day this Friday at Art 'n Soul? It's free and it's fun! This month, we're going to work with the We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board. Marj has been doing lots of homework finding different and fun ways to use the punch board, and not just making envelopes either! You've seen a few of her creations at the store and on this blog, so you know Marj will have lots to share. She'll be there between 10:30 and 4:30 on Friday; bring your envelope punch board if you have one and your paper.

Here are two sample 'envelope' packets to hold a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup that Sue made.

by Sue Moffat

by Sue Moffat

Whoever next spends $100 in purchases from Art 'n Soul will be given this handmade tag by Dianne! It's a work of art!

by Dianne Johnson

When you next visit the store, all Valentine papers (individual and in pads) are 50% off! Take advantage and stock up on your holiday papers for next year . . . Halloween, Christmas and now Valentine's. I'm crossing my fingers that the Graphic 45 Couture collection arrives by the end of this week!

It's time for me to wander into the studio to quickly figure out how I'm going to make 12 calendars for my high school girlfriends. We meet tomorrow at 5 p.m. On your mark, get set . . . time to craft or have a melt down!