Prima Marketing Big News Coming Soon

Check out the Prima Marketing blog for some exciting news coming soon!  I don't know what it is yet, but here's a link to their blog:  http://prima.typepad.com/prima/ .
They promise it's something BIG, so I will definitely be checking it out.  There are lots of great page layouts on this blog, so check it out soon for some great ideas.

Blessings and peace,
lynda

Technique Tuesday - Embossing on Ribbon

Last week, Hero Arts blog featured ribbon and all the wonderful things you can do with it on cards and scrapbook pages.  I especially liked the day they embossed on ribbon, so I thought I'd share it here with you.  Just click on this link  http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/2010/02/17/embossing-on-ribbonwith-a-video/   to read the article, see the samples, and even watch a how-to video with all the details on how you can emboss on your ribbons.
Here are a couple of the cards they highlighted on the blog:

Happy Birthday card by Kelly Rasmussin

 Glad you're in my life card by Jennifer McGuire

I'm sure you will agree, these cards are stunning!  I do hope you will check out the HA blog soon to find out how to do this, (be sure to watch the video) and try it for yourself.

I was packing last night and spaced it on the TT post for the blog!!  Got so involved in what I am going to bring to the weekend crop I'm going to with my friend Karen that the evening just got away from me. Yep, just dreaming of two full days and nights of non-stop (or stopping whenever I want and re-starting whenever I want) scrapbooking and stamping!  Woo-hoo!  We're leaving 7:30 AM Friday, and coming home Sunday.  Now hopefully the weather will cooperate!!

Hope you, too, have something fun planned for the weekend. At least carve out a little time for yourself to do some stamping, scrapping, or just playing!

Blessings and peace,

lynda

Custom Make Your Own Envelopes!

Have you ever made a card that wouldn't fit into any of the envelopes you have on hand?  How about a very special card that just needs a very special envelope? 

Well, it really is easy to make your own envelopes.  You can, of course, use an envelope template. There are many to choose from, in all shapes and sizes.  But, I think it's just as easy, if not easier, to make your own.  I've been doing it for years, and teaching it at the store.  No template, no pattern.  The beauty is that no matter what size your card is, you can make an envelope to fit it.

I found this tutorial on lkeener's blog, which is exactly how I have been making mine.  I am still a little techy-challenged, and lack the know-how to put together great tutorials, so I will link to her tutorial here on how to make an envelope of any size.  Here's the link:  http://scrapinator.blogspot.com/2009/03/easy-peasy-3-minute-envelope.html .

Use those odd pieces of paper that come in the paper packs, use maps, calendar pages, magazine pages, newspaper. patterned paper, stamped paper, even flower catalogs to make your envelopes.  Now your envelope can match your card!

Hope you're keeping cozy and warm! 

Blessings and peace,

lynda

Shamrock

My non-Irish eyes were smiling as I made this card for a swap I'm in through the Hero Arts Flickr group.  Just finished it and will be mailing it out today.  Hope you enjoy it, and get inspired to start thinking GREEN!!!

If you like swaps, consider joining us next time.  Just join the Hero Arts Flickr group and watch for Deborah Nolan's posts.  Here is her website if you would like to check it out.  She's witty, charming, creative, very, very talented, and just plain fun...hope you'll check out her site and play along next time http://dominodebi.typepad.com/sos/ .

Here's my card

OK, so now start THINKING GREEN!!

Hubby and I are off to Buffalo, where it's not so green right now....ever more snow than we have here in Rochester! Believe it or not!  Faith and Dan are off for their honeymoon on a cruise to Jamaica, while we get to watch Keeley until Monday, when I have to go back to work in the afternoon!  But she'll be in good hands with Dan's folks and lots of friends, too.  Hope we don't have to do too much shoveling!!  Just lots and lots of games, puzzles, hide and seek, coloring, stamping with Keeley, and fun!  Maybe she and I will even bake some cookies, cuz Keeley says that
"Nana makes the BEST cookies EVER!"

With that, I'll bid you adieu!

Blessings and peace,

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Scrunchy Flowers

Scrunchy Flowers Tutorial
I saw this flower as I was looking for flower tutorials online, and really like the way it is slightly scrunchy, and so pretty.  I found this tutorial on how to make them by Ilina Crouse on her blog here:  http://ilinacrouse.blogspot.com/2010/01/scrunchy-fancy-flower-tutorial.html 
It so pretty isn't it?  I will be making lots of these, and trying different papers.  Music sheets would be nice, or how about some pretty scrapbook papers, or your own hand-stamped papers.  A large crystal would also be pretty in the center. 
What a gorgeous embellishment for a card.  How about three or more of them on a scrapbook page?  Hmmm, with Valentine's Day coming right up, I'm thinking they would be pretty on a Valentine's card!


Try these, they're easy and fun to make, and I'm sure you find lots of uses for them!


Blessings and peace,
lynda
 

Sharing a challenge card

Thought I'd share a card I just finished up this afternoon for a challenge for Card Patterns weekly card sketch challenge here http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/ .  There are some fabulous card makers participating on this blog.  Hope you will stop by there to check it out.  Very inspirational.
This was the sketch....

 

And here is my "take" on the sketch, my finished card.....

 

I used Printworks stamps, and Basic Grey papers, and my new Fleur de lis die from  Spellbinders.  Check out the link above to see some of the awesome entries for this challenge, as well as their past challenges.  Maybe you'll try one yourself soon!

Blessings,

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Glitter and Sticker Paper

I just love this season of Valentines.  Hearts are everywhere....Valentine candy is plentiful....and sweethearts are planning their special Valentine's treats and activities.

As card makers, this is a really fun season to make cards and projects for.  We get to use our pretty papers, heart shaped punches and dies, reds, pinks, and stamps with cute little critters with hearts and flowers.  For me, making Valentine's cards means BLING!   Out comes my glitter and shimmery paints and pens, glitter glue, and crystals.  Valentines and glitter just GO together!!

I had so much fun making this card, using my heart punch, vellum, glitter, and sticker paper:

 

Here's how I did it:

• Trim vellum with scallop blade on paper trimmer.  Use glue pen to trace hearts, then sprinkle with glitter.  Add to card front when dry.
• Punch double hearts in center of red cardstock scrap.  Align smaller square scallop punch or die cut and punch out square with hearts in center.  Set aside.
• Adhere double-sticker paper to white cardstock scraps.  Punch out larger square with square scallop punch or die cut. 
• Peel protective paper from the white square, revealing sticky surface.  Adhere red punched square with hearts onto white square.  The heart openings and outside border will be sticky.
• Dip pieces into multi ultra-fine glitter.  The glitter will stick to the hearts and border where the sticky paper is!
• Assemble card.

Easy, isn't it!!  

Hope you're enjoying this season of love!

Blessings and peace,

lynda