Berry Sweet!

Where does the time fly to? Wish I could go there sometime!


A couple of weeks ago, Susie and I were supposed to drive to Hillsboro, OR for two Paper Parachute classes at their showroom.  At the last minute, we were not able to take the classes; however, they did send the class kits to us. Here are Susie's cards from Agi's class  . . .

by Susie Tracy as designed by Agi Werner, Paper Parachute

by Susie Tracy as designed by Agi Werner, Paper Parachute

by Susie Tracy as designed by Agi Werner, Paper Parachute

by Susie Tracy as designed by Agi Werner, Paper Parachute

Magenta sent us this new sample card using their stamps and papers to inspire you . . .

by Nathalie Metivier for Magenta
Alcohol inks brushed directly onto white card stock.
Magenta Stamps:  95.216.L; 07.579.G; 0580.M

Cheery Lynn brought this beautiful card to their blog today . . .

Berry Sweet!

"Hello! Jodi here today with a couple projects for you. First I have a card that was inspired by this weeks challenge, Flourishes.

I started with the Fanciful Flourish and added my strawberries on top. I then diecut a second flourish but cut it into pieces, strategically tucking in swirls here and there. I’ve also added the Olive Branches and Stacker Flower #1 Leaf. I used the middle size and smallest Dancing Daisies for buds.

The smallest of the Scalloped Cover Rectangle Stacker set, enhanced with the Coved Rectangle Stitching Tool makes the perfect background for my sentiment sticker."

Other die used: Tiffany Border

Remember the Shimmer Sheetz mini tablet project we learned in class? Susie went home and made another one . . .

by Susie Tracy
Front cover . . . 

Inside . . .

Back cover.

These make wonderful gifts. I brought 10 in for Linda B. to make for gifts. I'll have 12 more at the store by Monday if anyone wants a few extra to make gifts with. If you make one, if you have the time to bring it in so we can take a picture of it for the blog, we'd love to share your work with our readers. Our 'delayed' order should be delivered Monday or Tuesday at the store . . . watch for the announcement!




Penny Black has a new guest designer they featured about a week ago on their blog . . . here's a copy of Penny Black's posting that I just had to share with you. I have the hearts on air balloons stamp and I never would have thought to use green ink like Rosemary . . . that stamp is coming out of the Valentine stamp box tonight! (http://pennyblackinc.wordpress.com/) 

by Jenyfur

'We are pleased to welcome Rosemary Dennis as a Guest at our Blog today. I know you’ll love what she’s done with Penny Black!

'I live in Washington state with my husband and our two boys. I started scrapbooking in about 2000 when my oldest was almost 2. I did that for a few years and then started making cards in about 2005. I discovered the online world of papercrafting in 2008, but didnt really get involved until January of 2009 when I started a Flickr Photostream and my Splitcoaststampers gallery. I finally took the “blogging plunge” in May of 2010.

I have had my cards published in several papercrafting magazines. I had seen Penny Black stamps at local craft stores and crafting websites and purchased a few here and there (mainly sentiment stamps). But in the fall of 2010 I really discovered the amazing line of stamps that Penny Black had when I saw their 2010 holiday stamps. I fell in love with many stamps from that release including Christmas Star, Mademoiselle Noel, and Christmas Usher. After that I just couldn’t get enough Penny Black stamps!'

Join us next week as we showcase more stamps from our new Catalog. Have a wonderful weekend!'

If you loved Rosemary's posting for Penny Black, then you'll love her blog. You can go to it at . . . http://heythererosigrl.blogspot.com/ . . . I thoroughly enjoyed the side trip.




A very special person at Graphic 45 celebrated a birthday yesterday, and their blog was devoted to birthday honors made by members of the Design Team. What I especially love about Graphic 45 papers is that their designs are timeless, and you still see new paper crafts made from collections 2-3 years back. Take a look . . .

A VERY SPECIAL GRAPHIC 45 BIRTHDAY FOR CHAREE FILIMOEHALA!

"Hello G45ers!

Happy Friday and welcome to today's fabulous and festive blog! We've got more glorious projects and layouts as well as a super spectacular Graphic 45 celebration! Today is a big day for the Graphic 45 family! We're celebrating the birthday of Charee Filimoehala, our incredible Design Team Coordinator and Director of Customer Service! If you attended CHA or have been to any of the fun cropping events hosted by Graphic 45 then the odds are that you've met Charee at some point. Charee is a driving creative force for Graphic 45 and her work is evident in so many ways. She is also the coordinator for our wonderful blog where she plans and organizes the content for every blog we post! Yes, she wears many hats for Graphic 45 and today we wanted to pay homage to her in full Graphic 45 style!

We have been working sneakily for the past couple of weeks to plan today's surprise! Our design team has been hard at work creating special projects just for Charee in honor of her birthday! It's tricky to get a special surprise blog post past the blog coordinator but somehow we were able to pull it off! It quite literally meant that I (Kelly, writer of the Graphic 45 blog) had to write certain sections of this blog while Charee's back was turned at the office. Ha! It was fun to have some covert operations happening at our office! Today you will see the gorgeous birthday creations by Tara Orr, Nancy Wethington, Jack and Cat Curio, Jane Tregenza and Gloria Stengel! In addition, we have more lovely layouts to share with you as part of our week-long layout celebration! So put on your party hats because today is going to be massively fun! Lets begin with a little birthday interview with Charee! Learn more about some of her favorite birthday traditions! 

Happy birthday, Charee! What was your favorite childhood birthday memory? A party or a gift or a moment/cake you remember?

One of my favorite birthday gifts I remember receiving was on my eighth birthday. I got a whole package of plain M&Ms. I loved taking them to school in Ziplock bags and sharing with friends.  My childhood nickname was “Share Bear” after all.

Since you come from quite the creative family, is there a handmade gift you really love?

Every year, we (Aimee and I) would always get a porcelain doll with a handmade dress and a matching dress for the birthday girl made by our mom(Diane Schultz).

You’re celebrating a birthday with our G45ers on the blog, what would you like to say to them as your birthday wish to them?

I want to wish a happy birthday to all the other Pisces out there.  I know there are a lot of you, since one of our main characteristics is being creative and imaginative.  Thank you all for joining in on the fun, you’re the ladies(and gents) I want to party with.

What is your birthday wish for yourself this year (if you can tell us?!)?

I am hoping to gain wisdom and motivation.  Can you get motivation for a birthday present?

Any big plans for this birthday eve?

I’m going to do a little bit of birthday shopping and pampering.  Then meeting my closest friends at a local restaurant called The Farm that specializes in local produce and food. It’s delicious!

What is your favorite cake flavor?

I love chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting.

Well, we hope you get a yummy chocolate cake, then. Happy birthday Charee from everyone at Graphic 45 and all the G45ers! 

A message from Charee's mom and boss...Diane Schultz!

    "Today is a CELEGRATION of “Charee”! How quickly time passes . . . my precious baby girl has become a beautiful grown-up woman. When I first held her in my arms, she held the key to my heart forever. She has brought me twenty-eight years of immense joy. I am so proud of the loving caring and truly amazing person she is! GRATEFUL to be her mother—and her friend!"

A message from Aimee (the older sister)—

    "Happy BIRTHDAY little sister!!  How my life was changed forever March 16, 1984...not only was I bleassed with an AMAZING sister but also a best friend for life!  Charee, I live in awe of you and the person you are.  Everyday I feel so grateful to have you in my life.  I wish you the absolute best birthday and year ahead!  I love you so much!!!"

This first amazing project for Charee was created by Tara Orr. It's a magnificent Olde Curiosity Shoppe card that also utilizes our gorgeous Orante Metal Door Knob! It's full of class and style just like Charee! 

Supplies:

G45 Packaging, Olde Curiosity Shoppe Papers, G45 Trim and Ornate Metal Door knob

Next we have this gorgeous altered frame created by Nancy Wethington. Nancy also used our beautiful new collection Olde Curiosity Shoppe to create this marvelous peice for Charee. Here is what she had to say about it in this sweet birthday message! 

"Happy birthday to our fearless design team leader.  Thanks for all you do to guide us, answer all our questions and organize all our submissions.  You are the best and very much appreciated. Hope your birthday celebration is fabulous! This frame was created with a birthday photo in mind.  A little birdy told me (thanks Kelly!) that one of Charee's favorite papers was Butterfly Specifics so naturally that had to be included in this project.  The frame is from Wendy Vecchi's Studio 490 Art Parts and sturdy enough to hold any photo. The Imaginarium chipboard and butterfly seemed like they were made for the top of the frame.  Using a Sizzix embossing folder, the Graphic 45 butterfly flew right through my Big Shot and embossed easily. Adding a little Patina paint and then sanding helped bring out the embossed design." -Nancy Wethington

Supplies:

Graphic 45: Olde Curiosity Shoppe (Olde Curiosity Shoppe; Optical Oddities; Butterfly Specifics); Graphic 45 Metal Butterfly Staples 
Partner Products:  Imaginarium chipboard 
Other Products: Studio 490 Art Parts frame; Sizzix embossing folder; Ranger Patina paints; miscellaneous beaded string; Tinsel Trading French thread; miscellaneous pearls; Beacon 3-in-1 adhesive; white and clear gel pens

This next incredible project for Charee was made by Jack and Cat Curio. Since Charee's nickname is Share Bear, Jack and Cat created this fantastic wall hanging in honor of her adorbale monkier. This stunning piece utilizes the new Graphic 45 Kraft Reflections collection as well as Metal Brad Staples. It's so stunning! 

Here is a little gift Jane made for Charee’s birthday. I used one of the Imaginarium Designs Altered Art Kits – Billboard. I added a prima vine which I attached travel charms to. One of Graphic 45’s Metal clothespins to hold the vine on at the top. Some more Graphic 45 Metal flowers and butterflies, a charming photo and you have a lovely little keepsake to stand on a desk or bookcase. Charee is one of the loveliest people I know. She is so warm and genuine and it has be a delight to get to know her over the past two years. So have a wonderful Birthday Charee and make lots of wishes when you blow out the candles.

Materials used

Graphic 45 Print Papers – Exquisite Motif and Race for time.

Embossed Metal clothespins

G45 Metal buttons

G45 Metal Flowers

G45 Metal Butterflies

Imaginarium Designs Chipboard – Altered Art set – Billboard

Assorted Metal Charms

Prima Vine.

The birthday fun continues! Next up is this marvelous Le Cirque card and journal by Gloria Stengel. Gloria even had these fabulous creations sent to the Graphic 45 offices to arrive in time for Charee's birthday! We had to do some more covert operations so Charee wouldn't see the package when it arrived yesterday. We wanted to make sure it remained a surprise until her big day! Just look at all of the gorgeous details in this piece. It is fun and elegant which are traits that Charee is known for! Gloria even included some fun tips on how she made these terrific works of art! Check it out! 

Tips and Techniques:

1. I used a page from a Graphic 45 Black Policy Envelope Album to create a closure for the notebook. I used a second envelope to make a pocket for the inside of the notebook.

2. I glued one of the Le Cirque cardstock tags to a chipboard tag from the Olde Curiosity Shoppe set. I also attached one of the Olde Curiosity Shoppe ticket stickers to one of the chipboard tickets to make a "handle" for the notebook closure.

Supplies:
Graphic 45 Papers:
Olde Curiosity Shoppe: Olde Curiosity Shoppe, Race for Time, Bazaar of Wonders, Chipboard Tags 1 and 2
Le Cirque: Le Cirque, Bohemian Floral, Circus Parade, Dazzle and Delight, Tags
Graphic 45 Staples: Black Policy Envelop Album
Graphic 45 Stamps: Le Cirque Cling Stamps 3
Clearsnap Colorbox Graphic 45 Decades Photogenic Antiquing Ink
Clearsnap Colorbox Charcoal Fluid Chalk Ink
Clearsnap Colorbox Dragonfly Black Pigment Ink
Spellbinders: Grand Calibur Die Cutting System
Spellbinders: Foliage, Rose Creations, Carnation Creations, Bitty Blossom, Nested Lacey Pennants, Standard Circles LG and SM Die Templates
Copic: B00 Frost Blue Alcohol Marker
Bazzill Basics: Kraft Cardstock
Gina K Designs: Organize It Stamps
Papertrey Ink: Just the Ticket Stamps
Wild Orchid Crafts: Flowers
Prima: Pearls
Ranger: Stickles Diamond Glitter Glue
Martha Stewart: Border Punch
Really Reasonable Ribbon: Black Twill
Adhesive: Scor-pal Scor-Tape, Glue, Scotch 3M Tape Runner
Craft supply: bottle cap, hook and loop tape, brads
Office supply: notebook

And now it's time for some more gorgeous layouts! We told you today would be action-packed! Check out this stunning Kraft Reflections layout by Nancy Wethington! This LO completely captures the timeless beauty of this wonderful new collection. The central photo is just gorgeous and so is Nancy's simple but elegant use of pretty paper layering and sweet embellishments. It's a real craft treasure! 

Supplies:

Graphic 45 Papers:  Kraft Reflections Collection:  Quote . . .Unquote; Forgotten City; Express Yourself; Straight To The Point
Graphic 45 Staples:  Alphabet Stickers; Sticker Staples
Partner Products:  Colorbox Decades Ink
Other products used:  Distress Ink (Rusty Hinge; Wild Honey); Copic Markers (Y21; YG11; YG63; G82; E99; YR24)

Next up is this amazing multi-layered layout by Tara Orr. You can just feel the wonder and love that emanates from this sweet LO. Tara took a more simpler approach to this layout than she usually does. Here she talks a little bit about her decision to keep it simple with stunning results! 

"I decided to keep this layout very clean and simple (at least for me).  It just about killed me to 'not' rough up the edges just a little bit or to 'not' tear the papers ever so slightly.  The longer I looked at this layout, the more I realized that less was more.  The collection is already so beautifully contrasting.  All I wanted to see in the end was as many layers as possible of purely, gorgeous, papers." -Tara Orr

Supplies:

Graphic 45 Supplies:

Patterned Paper: Olde Curiosity Shoppe, Exquisite Motif, Murcurial Masterpiece, When Pigs Fly, Bazaar of Wonders, Butterfly Specifics: Olde Curiosity Shoppe

Staples: Metal Buttons

Other Supplies:

Scrapbook Adhesives: 3D Foam Squares

Colorbox: Pigment Ink in Chestnut Roan

Ranger: Glossy Accents

Next we have a classic and enchanting LO by Gloria Stengel. Gloria used our wonderful new collection Little Darlings to create this astounding piece. The central photo is just precious! Gloria took a clean and simple approach in this LO, letting the beautiful paper patterns and colors really shine through. Plus her gorgeous use of pretty ribbons and sweet embellishments help to add more vintage charm to this beautiful LO! 

Supplies:
Graphic 45 Supplies: Graphic 45 papers:Little Darlings: New Arrival, Heaven Scent, Baby Borders, Lullaby Graphic 45 Staples: packaging from Metal Door Plate Staples Stamps: Little Darlings Core'dinations: Core Impressions: Graphic 45 Timeless Collection Clearsnap: Colorbox Graphic 45 Decades Antiquing Ink: Dark Cashmere Clearsnap: Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink: Yellow Ochre, Peach Pastel Spellbinders: Edgeabilities Classic Scallop Edger, Classic Petal Decorative Insert, Nestabilities Labels Fourteen Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L: foam squares American Crafts: yellow cardstockBazzill Basics: cream cardstock Copic: markersReally Reasonable Ribbon: blue wrinkle ribbon, sheer yellow ribbon, multi-colored sheer check ribbonWild Orchid Crafts: paper roses

Thank you all so much for joining us for this very special day. Once again we want to wish Charee the happiest of birthdays! Huge thanks as well to our amazing design team members who created today's gorgeous projects. It was a lot of fun getting to create this blog today! We hope you all had a lot of fun and feel inspired to create some special crafts for your weekend! We wish you all a fun and fabulous Friday!

Happy Papercrafting!"

Your Friends at Graphic 45

If these projects by Els at Elizabeth Craft Designs don't get you jazzed about peel-offs, then you need to find out more about them and the magic you can create with peel-offs. At Art 'n Soul, we've been so fortunate to know peel-offs from Magenta and now Elizabeth Craft Designs. Stop by the store and let us show you how these inexpensive items can make a simple card look fabulous in very little time!

by Els for Elizabeth Craft Designs
"Again two pieces finished without a card in mind. Just put them on a card and looks nice." -- Els

by Els for Elizabeth Craft Designs
"This card was made using the negative of the Flower card I posted earlier. Transfer the negative with the use of a transfer sheet. For the background I used the same piece of Shimmer Sheetz as you see on the other card. How do you do this? You put a piece of the 65mm Be Creative tape on a piece of white card stock. Emboss your piece of Shimmer Sheetz (this technique only works with the Iridescent colors!). Then you take of the backing of your piece of tape, put down your piece of embossed Shimmer Sheetz on the tape, use a brayer and roll over the piece of Shimmer Sheetz, lift the piece of Shimmer Sheetz from the tape. Now you will see the ''magic''. The iridescent part of the Shimmer Sheetz will stay behind on the tape. So the blue you see on the background is the iridescent layer of the Shimmer Sheetz and all the parts that does not show the blue are sticky. Now you sprinkle the micro fine glitter over the piece, brush it off and burnish it. The color of glitter I used for this card is one of the colors from the Style King limited editions set. Finish it of with a niece Peel Off border in black and you have two cards out of one piece of Shimmer Sheet and one Peel Off image. The embossing folder I used for this card is one of the new Spellbinders M-Bossabilities." -- Els(card below shows the referenced earlier card)

by Els for Elizabeth Craft Designs

by Els for Elizabeth Craft Designs
"This card is a nice mix of the Elizabeth Craft Designs products, Peel Off's, Shimmer Sheetz, Be Creative tape and Glitter Ritz micro fine glitter. This card is one of the projects for the ''All about Peel Off's'' class at the Collins show event next weekend." -- Els

We have a sizable order in for a number of peel-offs, including their new designs. Hopefully we'll see them at the store by the end of the coming week.

That's all for today. I was only going to drive to Tacoma to pick up an order, deliver it to the store, and stay home so I could focus on the dreaded paperwork, organizing and maybe squeeze in making a new card. Just as I left to return to Olympia, I received a phone call that a memorial service for a family friend's mother was scheduled for 1:00 p.m. this afternoon in Puyallup and it was 10:30'ish. Of course I didn't shower and dress for any occasion other than to slave away at home so I could be at the store when it opened. So I quickly drove back to town and delivered the goods, ran home to "shower, shampoo and shine," grab some clothes for Tom to change into (he was already in Puyallup looking over the work being done at the new house), and drive back up. Mind over matter got us to the church minutes before the service started. I ran some errands I was going to neglect after my first trip so I could start the dreaded chores; and I finally returned home 151 drive miles later around 5:30. Just enough time to change into my jammies and curl up on the soft with a magazine and a good TV show. I won't tell you how far either of those kept me awake!