From the Magenta blog, another beautiful card. This time, Bianca van Noort has used alcohol inks and white embossing powder.

by Bianca van Noort, Design Team Magenta

Here's the link to Magenta's blog:  http://lestylemagenta.blogspot.ca/2014/06/beauty-beaute.html 

From the PoppyStamps blog, a different type of card not usually seen here that I really like.

by Michele Henderson for PoppyStamps

Here's the link:  http://poppystamps.typepad.com/poppystamps/2014/06/midnight-in-the-garden.html 

Also from the PoppyStamps blog, a birthday card made with a background die. I think you'll like it as well!

by Sherry Eckblad for PoppyStamps

This card has loads of possibilities; here's the link to Sherry's how-to that you'll want to read:  http://poppystamps.typepad.com/poppystamps/2014/06/happy-birthday-by-sherry-eckblad.html 

From the Elizabeth Craft Designs' blog, two cards to share with you. The first one uses the new Katie Pivot Card die and Shimmer Sheetz. The second one uses one of the Elizabeth Craft Designs' embossing folders, dies and adhesive-backed velvet paper.

by Helen Cryer for Elizabeth Craft Designs

Here's the link to Helen's step-by-step directions:  http://ecraftdesignsblog.com/2014/06/summer-shimmer-katie-label-pivot-card/ 

And here's the second card by Frances Byrne . . .

by Frances Byrne for Elizabeth Craft Designs

This is the link for the step-by-step directions:  http://ecraftdesignsblog.com/2014/06/glittered-butterfly/ 

And then, surprise! surprise! I wanted to see what Judi Kauffman had created for Elizabeth Craft Designs. When Els taught at Art 'n Soul earlier this month, she showed us some of the new peel-off designs. In May, Judi had posted the flower girls that have been out and that I have come to really like. In this blog posting, she shows the super-fast way to make a card with them, and then more layering and drawing in facial features. There are more samples than these:

by Judi Kauffman for Elizabeth Craft Designs

by Judi Kauffman for Elizabeth Craft Designs

Here's the link to Judi's post:  http://ecraftdesignsblog.com/2014/05/flower-cuties-cards-by-judi-kauffman/

If you scroll all of the way down through the posting to the comment section, Judi has a reply to the 3rd comment down where she explains how the facial features were drawn in. This particular post is extremely informative.



Susie's been doing some creative catch-up and we like that! These are at Art 'n Soul for you to see in-person and enjoy . . .

by Susie Tracy
These stamps are from Savvy. The little stamp cube provides you
with sweet somethings to fill your jar stamp. The top card panel is
adhered to a small Fabriano folded card. These make very sweet
little notecards or tags.

by Susie Tracy
Splashed & sprayed with Tombow markers on watercolor paper.
Bird stamp by Dina Wakley for Ranger
Hand-drawn branch

Did you know there are only 3 of these 'genius' tools left at the store? OMG! If you work with glitter or powders or mica bits or anything else that is very small and almost impossible to pick up, then this is the tool for you. All of that sticks to the roller and comes up . . . and all you have to do is wash it off with water and it's like brand new again. It's very inexpensive for what it does and you won't want to be without it . . . unless, of course, you have a mini-vacuum handy at all times.

Marj made a beautiful 'butterfly' card using a die from Memory Box. Mike commented that he saw the die but couldn't imagine how he would use it to create a card he'd like. Then he saw Marj's sample card at the store. Bingo!

by Marj Marion
Memory Box "Beautiful Butterfly Wings" Die (98880)
Magenta Word Stamp:  07.613.G

"Memory Box (98880) makes a fabulous, dimension card (hand deliver!). I colored the panel with blues and greens from Distress inks . . . both with a paintbrush and direct-to diluted inks on a craft sheet. Stamp and emboss Magenta 07.613.G in the corner, add Candi's for accents. Lift up the butterfly wings and color with Distress inks on acrylic block with a watercolor brush. Add some paint splatters too. Also watercolored the top of the card with orange tones from Distress inks. . . see how the orange color peeks through under the wings?" -- Marj Marion

A very special favor was extended to me recently and I felt it should be recognized with a thank you card. With a Magenta stamp I've used quite often lately and my Prismacolor colored pencils, it was a delight to make.

by Debbie Gaetz

SUPPLIES USED:

• Magenta - Floral Tile 19.064.M
• Savvy Stamp (word)
• Spellbinders - Classic Squares Large (largest one) (S4-126)
• Memory Box - Pastry Labels 98107
• Anna Griffin "Poppy" embossing folder (Cuttlebug)
• IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko Versafine pigment ink in Onyx Black
• Prismacolor Colored Pencils
• Scrap Ribbon
• Memory Box A2 Card in Lettuce (for base card and stamping the Magenta design onto)
• Conqueror 118# Card Stock in White Diamond (card panel)
• Black card stock 65#

That's all for today and I can't wait for tomorrow. I'm actually taking a one-on-one class at the Apple Store and hauling my new iMac with me as they've requested. Thankfully, they're willing to come out to my car and take it in and out for me. Let's see what kind of trouble I can get into with what they'll try to teach me.

this could easily be "me" in the mornings; how about you?
there are times when I highly admire those who rise early
in the morning for the beautiful sunrise and serenity of the moment.
then there are times I think that mornings are highly over-rated.