Bella Carta at Art 'n Soul

Ecstasy Crafts open catalog status is going to close any day now. If you haven't seen the new embossing folder section of the catalog that Dianne and Deb have organized that highlights some of the new designs, you really should come in and take a look. In addition, Cheery Lynn and Marianne Designs both have new die releases. Cheery Lynn's "wickers and weavers" die is so cool . . . Marj was able to put up a few samples at the store using that die that makes 'weaving' paper soooooo easy!

Hurry in . . . or call the store at 360.357.6820!

The Art 'n Soul Journal Club meets this afternoon between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. It's a fun creative time . . . and it's free! Please join us.

by Marj Marion

This was the only sample at the CHA Cheery Lynn Booth;
don't let the size of the pic fool you . . . the basket is very tiny!

Lisa Lee with Inchie Arts is doing one of her terrific classes at Art 'n Soul later this month . . . Saturday, February 25 from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. It's going to be a lot of fun . . . you may call the store to sign up at 360.357.6820.

"Art cubes, photo cubes, sachet cubes, ornaments, the possibilities are endless when you learn how to create a finished cube with Inchie Arts Squares. We will explore how to construct a cube and then experiment with different ways to decorate and embellish using a variety of art techniques."

At this class, you'll bring 6 photos of your choosing (or other images) that you want to use on your cube that can be cut down. You'll also be asked to bring a small paper trimmer to size down your photo to the appropriate size. Look at these random samples from Lisa.

I shared some time with Sue earlier today. She brought some of the cards she's been working on in the cutest card box that she made a while back.

by Sue Moffat

from Dreamweaver Stencils' blog . . .

"Also I want to share with you another winning card...this one has been done by Sue Peterson and was waiting for me in my email when I got home tonight from CHA. Remember I told you if you don't have a blog that you can send me a photo of your card and I will post it for you. She has taken me at my word and emailed me her image to join our Valentine's Day challenge. THANK YOU Sue!...a lovely card by the way, done with the heart and rose stencil (LL425) using the double glitter technique and she even paste-embossed the dot stencil (LJ804) using glossy black paste (DGKP) on a red cardstock to create the beautiful background.

The Valentine you see here was done by my husband Wayne. He is a wonderful artist and as you may have heard he has been doing some Zentangle work lately. To begin this work he traced our large heart stencil (LJ834) onto a bubble paper I created as a background. Then he drew the patterns inside the heart with a Sakura micron Pigma pen (01). He finished the design by drawing a small scalloped design on the very outside of the stencils edge for the effect of eyelet lace."

Marj is offering a class that will have your creativity in full FUN MODE using wood blocks used for wood-mount rubber stamps.

Sunday, February 26, 1:00-3:30 p.m., Marj
"IT’S A BLOCK PARTY!”, $30

Marj is bringing back a darling project from her friend in England and you won’t want to miss it. We’ll combine some stamp-wood blocks, beautiful papers, clever punching and die-cutting, ink, paint, bling, ribbon, and YOUR imagination for this project. You’ll make a set of three coordinated, decorated blocks, plus a single, separate block. Participants will choose from a variety of papers, as the packets will vary. The themes will be either Birds or Floral. Decorate your home or use your projects as special gifts for a friend. Your project will be unique to you and your imagination! Please bring your basic kit, a sharp craft knife and cutting mat, and several large or small finger daubers.

by Marj Marion

We love it when our customers bring in their 'artwork' so we can see what they've created . . .

Vicki Swearingen loves the Magenta chipboard cats and used Graphic 45's Tropical Travelogue papers here. The colors in her art studio are 'tropical' and this paper line was perfect to use. Vicki is very anxious to bring more chipboard cats to "artful life", and we're very anxious to see more of her beautiful cats! (Please note: papers from the Graphic 45 Tropical Travelogue are on order.)

by Vicki Swearingen

And this beautiful floral headband was made by Jenni Ward, who says she's been having lots of fun making these for family and friends . . . and says she's thinking about something for Inchies Club later this month.