This month, Art 'n Soul's INSPIRATION STATION features the Dina Wakley Mixed Media Stamp Set from Ranger, "Handwritten Quotes." All of the cards are on display at Art 'n Soul.

Today's INSPIRATION STATION comes from me. It also features a well-known stamp from Magenta and colored pencil work using Prismacolor Colored Pencils.

by Debbie Gaetz

• Dina Wakley Mixed Media Stamp Set by Ranger - "Handwritten Quotes"
• Magenta - Leaf Branch (0683.P)
• Prismacolor Colored Pencils
• Chartreuse PC989
• Crimson Lake PC925
• Magenta PC930
• Orange PC918
• Henna PC 1031
• Black PC935
• White PC938
• Classic Crest Card Stock in Solar White (80#); Red Mirricard Card Stock (mat panel); Conqueror Card Stock 118# in Diamond White (base card)
• Misc. faux glass crystals
• NOTE:  This card will be at the store on Tuesday, Sept. 1

Pam will be at the store all day today and looks forward to showing you techniques and ideas to help with your next project, or even your first project! That's one of the sole differences between Art 'n Soul and other big box stores . . . they don't take the time to show you how something works, work with you on your latest project, or recommend tools and supplies that will be best for your project. We hope that you will always keep that in mind! We love our customers and we love meeting new customers who have never visited Art 'n Soul before.


Magenta has announced another new member to their Design Team. Her name is Miranda Degenaars and she hails from the Netherlands. On the Magenta blog, here is her first official introductory card posting . . .

by Miranda Degenaars, Design Team Magenta

Click on this link to the Magenta blog posting:

http://www.magentastyle.com/2015/08/nouvelle-membre-l-equipe-de-design-new.html

For this second card, Miranda has this posted on her own website "Mir'acle Art Inspirations", along with the first card. On the Magenta blog posting, there is a link to Miranda's blog next to her name.

by Miranda Degenaars, Design Team Magenta

It's going to be a delight to see the art work by Miranda on the Magenta blog.

Linda McMillan has shared a stunning wedding card on the PoppyStamps' blog. I think the inside of the card is just as stunning as the front.

by Linda McMillan for PoppyStamps
(Front)

by Linda McMillan for PoppyStamps
(inside)

Click on this link for the details:

http://poppystamps.typepad.com/poppystamps/2015/08/my-little-wedding-card.html

Sandy Allnock has shown several techniques on the various Art Squares from Inchie Arts. Some we've enjoyed in classes at Art 'n Soul taught by Lisa Lee, creator and owner of Inchie Arts. It's worth your while to go to Sandy's posting for her "take" on inches, twinchies and ATC's from Inchie Arts.

Click on this link to Sandy's blog and this posting: http://sandyallnock.com/inchies-twinchies-and-atcs-a-surface-to-color/#.VeP_1LTPa-I

On the Hero Arts' blog, Mariana Grigsby shares how to use die cuts as masks for different uses. Enjoy the video!

by Mariana Grimsby for Hero Arts

Click on this link for the posting and video tutorial:

http://classic.heroarts.com/blogs/club/2015/08/24/videodiecutmasks/

On the Ranger blog, Anna-Karin has made a tag that I really like because it features one of those Bird Crazy stamps by Tim Holtz. The tutorial is about Ranger's Micro Glaze as a water-resist. And, this project uses the latest Distress Ink colors that have been streaming in at Art 'n Soul.

by Anna-Karin Evaldsson for Ranger

Click on this link for the tutorial:

http://rangerink.com/?ranger_project=distress-micro-glaze-resist-by-anna-karin-evaldsson

Carolyn had a great weekend at Art 'n Soul and Pam is going to start another great week at Art 'n Soul. Have you put in your latest order from Impression Obsession? I just finished mine last week . . . there are so many great selections from which to choose. Pam will point you in the right direction if you get lost in their newest catalog release or an older version.

Art 'n Soul's INSPIRATION STATION continues featuring the new "Handwritten Quotes" stamp set by Dina Wakley for Ranger. The cards are on display at the store, so please be sure to look at them "up close and personal".

Today's INSPIRATION STATION card features a lovely card from Dianne using Magenta's Nuance.

by Dianne Johnson

• Dina Wakley Media Stamps from Ranger (Handwritten Quotes MDR 44475)
• Magenta's Nuance - turquoise; cerulean blue; bright yellow; royal blue
• VersaFine in Onyx Black
• Tim Holtz Watercolor card stock
• So Silk card stock in Fair Blue
• Sequins

 You may also view Dianne's card on her blog, Backporch:  

http://backporchatolympia.blogspot.com

Tomorrow at Art 'n Soul, Sandy Allnock will be spending the day conducting two classes. You might call the store first thing in the morning (360.357.6820) to see if there is a space for the watercoloring class that starts at 10:30 a.m.

by Sandi Allnock

Saturday, August 29, 10:30am – 1:00pm

“INTRODUCTION TO COPIC COLORING” – Sandy Allnock $37

Join certified Copic Instructor Sandy Allnock for a relaxing coloring class! Use your Copics on a series of ATCs with some darling Lawn Fawn stamps from the

May/June release…then turn them into a little reference pack to save for your

crafting inspiration! Bring copics and a desire to play with color!

Then there's the afternoon journal class . . . wow! I had signed up for this class and have been waiting for the date to arrive. Alas, a friend's funeral service pre-empts. I know there are a couple of seats available . . . again, please call the store first thing in the morning (360.357.6820).

by Sandi Allnock

Saturday, August 29, 2:00pm - 4:30pm

“RAINBOW COPIC ART JOURNAL” – Sandy Allnock $35

Join Certified Copic Instructor Sandy Allnock to create an encouraging page of color in your art journal using Copic Markers and doodling techniques! You may bring your own journal, or bring multimedia paper that you can later “tip in” to your journal. Bring a selection of bright colored Copic markers, both lights and darks, and spend some relaxing time learning how to assemble an image from stamps, stencils, and Copic markers! Class fee includes one Copic multiliner pen for you to take home. Please note that this is an intermediate to advanced class.

During both classes, there will be a Lawn Fawn Trunk Show at Art 'n Soul that features the new releases that are not available anywhere else right now. There are dies and stamps . . . please come in early for the best selection.




Kazuko Kocho's daughter is a budding artist. I share this photo of a recent colored pencil work by Emma. As some of you may know, Kazuko has taught at Art 'n Soul and she has an open invitation to return, soon we hope!

by Emma Kocho of Carlsbad, California

We sell the Prismacolor colored pencils at Art 'n Soul. Through our distributor, we can also order colors you're wanting to add or to start out with. Any one of our fabulous staff is more than happy to work with you.

On the Penny Black blog, they're offering a $25 gift certificate if you leave a comment on their blog posting today (Friday) and also like their Facebook Page. What drew me to the posting are two cards using stamps from their latest holiday release . . .

by Birgit Edblom for Penny Black

by Heather Telford for Penny Black

Here's the link to the Penny Black posting:

https://pennyblackinc.wordpress.com/2015/08/27/new-transparent-stamps-dreams-of-snow/

If you want to see a dramatic looking Christmas card by Heather, take a look at these two cards that she made with last year's Penny Black Christmas release stamps . . .

by Heather Telford

by Heather Telford

Click on this link for the posting:

http://cards.heathertelford.com/2015/08/19/poinsettia-panel-2/

This is one of the most beautiful cards I have ever seen on the PoppyStamps' blog. Olga has used 6 PoppyStamps' dies for a special birthday card! I have some of the dies and I'm going to seriously consider purchasing those that she used which are not in my personal stash!

by Olga Direktorenko for PoppyStamps

Here is the link to the blog posting that also includes a video by Olga:

http://poppystamps.typepad.com/poppystamps/2015/08/wisteria-blooms-by-olga-direktorenko.html

Shelby Thomas has made a video showing her technique for making this lovely card using Distress Inks and Perfect Pearls on the Memory Box blog. It's a very similar technique that is frequently demonstrated at Art 'n Soul.

by Shelby Thomas for Memory Box

Click on this link for the video and details from Shelby:

http://davebrethauer.typepad.com/outsidethebox/2015/08/chaparral-stems-with-distress-ink-background.html

Helene has been making more magic for the Magenta blog. Oh my! Look at at these gorgeous cards and go to the blog posting for the details. You'll want to get your Nuance watercolors out. Our recent Magenta delivery included more of their Nuance powdered watercolor dyes. Go get 'em!

by Helene Metivier of Magenta

by Helene Metivier of Magenta

by Helene Metivier of Magenta

Click on this link for Helene's details:

http://www.magentastyle.com/2015/08/pochoir-tm-100-et-nuance-stencil-tm-100.html

Also from the Magenta blog, Carole Dion's card featuring Magenta's Nuance and one of the new stencil designs. I love the happiness from the bright color!

by Carole Dion, Design Team Magenta

Click on this link for the nice step-out on Carole's posting:

http://www.magentastyle.com/2015/08/nuance-et-pochoir-diamant-avec-marche.html

On the IMAGINE Crafts' blog, Penny Ward has made an awesome "Girl Power" card using the Creative Mediums, Pico Embellishment, Radiant Neon ink and StazOn opaque ink.

by Penny Ward, Artist-in-Residence for IMAGINE Crafts

Click on this link for the tutorial sheet:

https://www.imaginecrafts.com/project-details/516/0.0

It's time to turn in, even though I've been sleeping forever it seems. We're supposed to enjoy rain this weekend; it's been quite elusive this summer and everything is so parched. It's also heightened the fire danger level to maximum in Washington State and much of our state's natural lands are burning up. So if you have nothing to do between artistic projects, please do a rain dance for us.

Night Night!

Another fabulous weekend of creativity at Art 'n Soul. Pics will be found later in this posting.

Art 'n Soul's Inspiration Station features Magenta's new watercolor powders, Nuance. You can spend hours playing with it!

Today's Inspiration Station comes from Carolyn Gough. This is the perfect card for the guys!

by Carolyn Gough

• Spray watercolor paper with water. Spread dry Perfect Pearls in Blue with a large brush.
• Sprinkle Nuance in Cerulean Blue and Royal Blue. After it has dissolved, sprinkle more Nuance if you desire.
• Allow to dry or use a heat tool to dry,
• Stamp the Antique Car (Art Impressions T-2233) onto vellum with StazOn ink. Once dry, cut out the car image.
• Stamp the sentiment (Impression Obsession CL43) onto acetate with StazOn ink; once dry, cut out as shown on sample card.
• Layer the pieces . . . cut-outs onto the watercolored background panel; layer the watercolor panel onto black card stock as a 'matting frame'; then adhere to card base.

I love that old car!

The Hasty Lace class students created lovely designs that even the teacher was amazed at! Sandy Jackson, creator of Some-Assembly-Required's Hasty Lace, marveled at how much she learns from students while teaching a class.

by Carol Stallard

by Carol Stallard

by Sharon Wolvin

by Sharon Wolvin

by Deb Kuttel

by Dianne Johnson

by Dianne Johnson

by Susie Tracy

by Jerry Aldrich

by Margaret Piephoff

by Jerry Aldrich

Bianca has used some of the new Nuance colors and new stamps from Magenta for this delightful card.

by Bianca van Noort, Design Team Magenta

Click on this link for the posting:

http://www.magentastyle.com/2015/07/art-art.html

I love this little collage made by a friend of Lisa Lee's (Inchie Arts). What's nice about her blog posting are the step-by-step directions.

by Kim Andersen

Click on this link to Kim's blog, "Art in Red Wagons" . . .

http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/2015/07/i-love-me-some-sharpie.html?m=1

Linda Presley posted a photo promoting her Rosie's Roadshow class at Art 'n Soul on August 8 . . . are you signed up?

by Linda Presley, Rosie's Roadshow, for class at Art 'n Soul

Please call the store (360.357.6820) or stop in to sign up. I'm loving that I finally am able to attend a Rosie's Roadshow class! How about you?

On Sandy Allnock's blog, she has made a 'comic strip' template that you can download; it comes in two sizes. These templates are perfect to use with the new Tim Holtz Crazy "Talk", "Thoughts" and "Things" stamp sets and Crazy "Bird" die set that we've been absolutely CRAZY about at Art 'n Soul.

Click on this link for the template:  http://salln.net/1Ktwo7q

Click on this link for Sandy's blog posting that includes a video tutorial on using the template for a Comic Strip card:  

http://sandyallnock.com/comic-strip-card-bird-crazy/

Thanks for stopping by!