Stampin' & Scrappin' with Donna

KEWL GIFT FOR GRANDMA

... or teachers, aunties, seniors, hostesses, co-workers, sitter, or even the boss - add a personalized address stamp and it's the perfect house-warming or shower gift! Check out what we made at this month's STEP-IT-UP Class:

OK, so the Bravo Burgundy Stationery box kinda clashes with my Cherry Cobbler box, but I just wanted to show you how versatile  this gift can be - the one on the left contains cards with a Christmas theme, using "Tree Trimmings" while the open box on the right is an any-occasion set featuring "For All You Do".

The box is designed to hold 8 cards with envelopes, a pen, postage stamps, and a personalized address stamp in the two upper compartments - here's a close-up:  

Want the instructions to make the box and cards? Just purchase any personalized address stamp from me between now and the end of October and I'll give you the full set of step-by-step instructions (with colour photos and templates) for FREE!

cheers,

FREE WATERCOLOUR TUTORIAL

At August's STEP-IT-UP Class, I taught the gals six ways to watercolour using Stampin' Up!'s fabulous Aqua-Painters. We made four different cards and a cute box to hold them ... check out the pictures:

Now if you missed out on this class and you live in Canada, don't fret; you can still get in on the fun!

Everyone who purchases a Watercolour Tool Kit from me between now and the end of September will also receive the 25 page step-by-step tutorial to make your own box of cards.

The tutorial includes cardstock cutting maps, box templates, and detailed instructions with step-by-step photos to make the box and four cards, using six different watercolouring techniques - all the guessing, planning and calculating is done for you!

Just order the following Stampin' Up! products from me for just $34.70 plus shipping and taxes and you'll get your own FREE tutorial:

WATERCOLOUR TOOL KIT:

• AQUA PAINTERS (2 Pack) #103954 $20.95
  
• UNI-BALL SIGNO GEL PEN (one) #105021 $5.25
  
• WATERCOLOUR PAPER (20 sheets) #105019 $8.50

HERE'S HOW:

Place your order online through my SHOPPING SERVICE and your order will be shipped directly to your home plus I'll send you an electronic copy of the Watercolour Tutorial as soon as your order ships! ($9.99 shipping fee applies to online orders under $100; 10% shipping fee on orders over $100)

or, if you prefer ...

Phone or email your order to me and pay only 10% shipping - when your order arrives, you pick it up at my studio and I'll include a paper copy of your FREE tutorial, in colour!

Order today and you'll have your fall project all lined up - the kids are going back to school; why not you!

cheers

In addition to the Watercolour Tool Kit, you'll need stamps & inks of your choice, Stampin' Dimensionals, 5/8' Satin Ribbon in the colour of your choice, adhesive, and a white crayon to make these projects.

BRAYERING TECHNIQUES

July's STEP-IT-UP Card Class was all about the brayer ... a often neglected but very handy little tool!

Here are the three cards we made in class last night:

All three started with a white piece of card stock; can you believe it?!

STAMP SETS USED (100% Stampin' Up! products)

Top Left Card - Inspired by Nature & Sanded Background

Top Right Card -  Lovely as a Tree

Bottom Left Card - Greenhouse Garden & Heard from the Heart

Hey, if you like what you see and you want in on the next STEP-IT-UP Card Class, call or email me to reserve your spot!

On TUES AUG 17th, from 7:30 - 9:30 pm we'll be learning SIX ways to WATERCOLOUR, while we make four cards and a box to hold them, all for only $25 ... don't delay; sign up today!

cheers,

STENCILLING WITH THE ELEGANT TRIO

Here's a detailed look at one of my June classes:

STEP-IT-UP CLASS on Tues June 15th; from 7:30-9:30 pm

In June's Step-It-Up class you'll be learning four different techniques using one set of stencils to:

• make three cards featuring different stencil techniques
• see a demonstration of a stenciled photo frame
  
• receive a bonus set of Stenciling 101 Instructions

These projects feature the Elegant Trio Décor Stencils and the Thank You Kindly stamp set. The elegant styling and monochromatic colors make this a perfect set to create and use year-round or give as gifts for many occasions.

Once you've mastered these new stencil techniques, you'll be able to create a variety of projects on your own featuring stencils for paper crafting projects like cards and scrapbooks, and also for home décor on frames, vases, walls and furniture!

It's time to register for your June classes! Call or email me now to reserve your seats.

YUMMY "SWEET SCOOPS"

OK, so it's not the greatest photo, but you'll get the idea ...

This is a waterfall card made by my fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator Dina Acker - I snapped this pic at February's Stampin' Palooza event ...

then I came home and changed it just a little bit for my STEP-IT-UP card class in April (of course I can't find the photo of my card to show you, and I swapped out all my samples after the class, sigh).

Anyway, the stamp set we used is a new one called SWEET SCOOPS which I was able to earn early, but no worries ... you can all order it starting May 1st when the new SUMMER MINI CATALOGUE goes live!!

It's a really fun set with eight stamps - different cones, scoops and toppings to build your own ice cream treats - and the phrase says "Have a sweet celebration!" ... too cute!

And if you like the idea of learning how to make cards with interesting folds, flips and stamping techniques, be sure to check out my STEP-IT-UP Card Class, with three new projects taught each month ... in May we'll be making an Easel Card, a Pop-out Grad Card, and one of my favourite techniques, Emboss Resist!

STAIR STEP CARD & MORE

Here's a peek at the three cards we'll be making during Wednesday's Step-It-Up card class: a stair step photo card with a punch art bunny (kewl because it lays flat for mailing!) ... and an accordion card (the ribbon holds it closed) ... and for our technique card: a revival of poppin' pastels with some fresh new colours!

There's still room to join us here in my studio; if you like what you see, give me a quick call or email to reserve your seat. This two hour class starts at 7:30 pm on Wednesday March 10th and costs $25.

40 Carat Club members can choose this class as their March perk and pay only $5; Artful*Inker demonstrators are welcome to attend for a $5 supply fee.

cheers

STEP-IT-UP IN MARCH

I'm a procrastinator. More to the point, I'm more creative when I'm working under a tight deadline. When preparing for my stamp classes, I carry the idea around in my mind's eye for weeks, but I often get caught actually making my samples the day before (sometimes the day OF) the class.

This is not a good business practice if my customers want to see what they'll be making before they sign up. That's fair ... I'd want to know what to expect before I forked out my hard-earned money, too!

So, it's been a goal of mine in 2010 to break my last-minute habits and have my class projects designed and posted a month before the class date. Yeah, I know ... it didn't happen that way in January. Or February. But guess what ...

Yep, here's a photo of the cards we'll be making in March's STEP-IT-UP class - wahoo!!

Check it out - if you join me on Wednesday March 10th, you'll get to make a stair step card, an accordion fold card, and a card featuring the poppin' pastel technique!

Click on my EVENTS CALENDAR to get all the details, then be sure to call or email to reserve your seat!

cheers,

TIME TO STEP-IT-UP

As promised, here are the three cards we made last night at my "STEP-IT-UP" card class: a Shadow Box card, a Ribbon Pull card, and a card using the Faux Tile Technique (aka Grid Technique). As always, you can click on the photo for a closer look.

I'm really excited about all the possibilities this class has to offer for those who want a little more than the basic card making. I'm a real technique junkie who loves to share ... and I also have a whole collection of cards that pop, slide, push and pull that we'll be making over the coming months.

Because these types of projects take a little more time, we only made one of each during the class. However with that one as a sample, it's easy to make more at home, adapting them to whatever occasion you need.

And wait til you see what we're gonna make NEXT month!

cheers.

Donna