NATIONAL PAPERCRAFTING MONTH - CRAFT DAYS & NIGHT!

UPCOMING CRAFT DAYS and CRAFT NIGHT

Prescott Valley, Arizona

  The inaugural Craft Days and Craft Night will be held in January 2019! Here are the dates and times:
Thursday, January 10 from 9 am - 6 pm
Friday, January 11 from 4 pm - midnight
Saturday, January 12 from 9 am - 6 pm

These events are held in my home craft studio in Prescott Valley, Arizona.  Address will be given after you register.

-- Any paper or fiber/fabric crafting is welcome, but no open liquids or paint can be used at these events.
-- There is power at four of the stations so you can bring a machine to help you create (please let me know when you register if you need one of those spots).
-- A minimum of five people is needed for each session to be held.
-- Pre-payment is required using either PayPal or Zelle. I will send you a link when you register. 

You can email me at scrappingailaz@gmail.com to register

Cost is $20 per session. Here are some introductory specials!
-- Register for 2 days and get $5 off the second day.
-- If two or more people register together, you will each get $5 off your space (sorry, only one discount per person).

Everyone attending will receive a special packet of paper products that you can use to create or add to a project, and receive a “reward” prize if you complete it during your craft time with me. 
 
-- I provide beverages and a snack, but you can bring whatever other food you want to enjoy as you work.
-- Those who attend a Craft Day or Craft Night will have access to my hundreds of stamp sets, many focused on scrapbooking themes, titles and journaling, as well as those used for cardmaking.
-- I have several heat guns if you like to add heat embossed elements to any of your projects.
-- There is a large variety of thin cut dies from various companies as well as embossing folders, and machines that you are welcome to use for these.
-- Since I teach paper crafting classes in this studio, I have patterned papers and 50+ colors of cardstock available should you need any as you work, plus adhesives and embellishments.
-- I have a number of scrapbooking kits that are quick and easy to assemble as well as page protectors and pocket scrapbooking cards.
-- Just ask if there is something you need – I will probably find it in my stash!

BOXING WEEK SALE FROM CLOSE TO MY HEART!

It's that time of the year - Boxing Week!  Close to My Heart is featuring new items every day until December 31.  Check it out on my website - scrappingail.closetomyheart.com - for those new deals every day.  They start at midnight Mountain Standard Time and end at 11:59 the same day.  Remember - all sale items are While Supplies Last, so be sure to shop early!

ANOTHER SNEAK PEAK - Seasonal Expressions 1 and January Stamp Club

Here's another peak at new products from the upcoming Seasonal Expressions catalog from Close to My Heart.  I think you will love this butterfly as much as I do.

I love following sketch challenge blogs to get fresh ideas for my creations.  This week, I was drawn to the Freshly Made Sketch, and am also entering this into the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  You can use either of those links to check out other projects entered in these challenges.

Now, let's talk about the card.  The base is made from sweet leaf cardstock.  The tag is cut with the large stitched tag from the Fancy Tags thin cut die set. I used the new peach cardstock which works well with the leaf pattern from the "Feels Like Home" papers.  The sentiment is from the "I Heart Us - Cardmaking" stamp set.

The closeup image below shows the detail of the butterfly - stamped and die cut with the "Butterfly Friendship" stamp/die set.  Both peach and peacock inks were used  to stamp the inside coloring of the butterfly.  The layer of velum gives an added dimension . 

 


You'll notice that I stamped the "beautiful" in peacock blue and popped it up over the sentiment.  I actually consulted the new "Love of Color" book to figure out what ink would provide the best compliment to the cardstock colors I was using.  While the book suggested a brighter blue, at least it directed me to a color choice - something I sometimes have difficulty with.

Here's some of those products I mentioned that were used on this card.  This card will be one of four projects offered in January's Stamp Club classes.  More information will be posted here - but if you are interested, send me an email
scrappingailaz@gmail.com

My classes are held in my home studio in Prescott Valley, AZ, but I do offer pre-stamped kits and can mail those directly to you.

Classes will be held on January 3, 5, 7, & 8.
Hope you can join us!

If you are interested in any of these products, head over to my CTMH website as of January 1 to get the for yourself -
scrappingail.closetomyheart.com
If you place an order, you will get the new catalog in your order!

Thanks for stopping by - and hope you enjoy this holiday season.

SNEAK PEAK - Seasonal Expressions 1 from Close to My Heart

There's a new catalog on the way from Close to My Heart on January 1 - and it is full of wonderful stamp sets and accompanying products.  Here's a peak at one of the stamps that caught my eye.

This layered floral image is made possible because each layer of the design is a separate stamp - fitting perfectly to let the word "LOVE" stand out in the front.  No masking - just lining up those lovely clear stamps to create this wonderful look.  The stamp set is called Love in Bloom (D1819) and will be available on January 1!

In addition, I used one of the new embossing folders - it is called Swiss Dot (Z4232) with a border strip that allows you to have a section left flat to add sentiments or other images.  I angled the design with the embossing folder because I use a sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch for the card.


You can head over to the CAS(E) this Sketch blog and find other cards based on the same design.

Thanks for stopping by - and I hope you check back as I share more sneaks of the upcoming product.  If you are interested in what Close to my Heart has to offer, pop over to my website -
scrappingail.closetomyheart.com - and see what is currently available, and come January 1, you can see the new products.

 Or send me an email - 

scrappingailaz@gmail.com - 

and we can discuss how you can get 

one of the new catalogs in your hands!

December Stamp Club - Sign Up NOW!

Wow!  Christmas is just around the corner.  During December, we will continue making Christmas cards, but if you have some other needs, you can adjust the designs to suit what works for you.

Here are the options for cards we will be making. I will be posting more information about each design in coming days, but wanted you to see what I am offering. The class includes ONE of each of the card designs that I am showing - but you have options based on your needs.



The photo of the two cards above coordinates with the photos to the right and below - showing that they actually opens up to a shadow box on the inside!

More cards will be shown after the details of the classes!

December classes will meet on the following dates - all meeting in my home craft studio in Prescott Valley, AZ. If you are out of the area or can't make one of the days, I can prepare a pre-stamped kit with photo/video instructions for you to assemble at home (shipping also available).

Thursday, December 6
Saturday, December 8
Monday, December 10
Wednesday, December 12

All classes start at 9:30 am and run until early afternoon - mostly because of the social time we all enjoy!!!!
Let me know if you are interested by sending me an email -- scrappingailaz@gmail.com--

 This card uses the beautiful Sugarplum cardstock - the Color of the Year from Close to My Heart.  In addition, silver embossing has been added to the cardstock, and a die has been cut from silver foil paper and backed with a white shadow.

It is so special to get a card in the mail instead of an electronic message.  I love this "Old School Text" stamp set, and have adapted it for both Christmas and Valentine's Day.  In addition to the stamp set, I used the new Decorative Border Dies to give it the look of coming out of a spiral notebook!  You can see the inside of these cards on the right.

Hope you can join us for one of these classes.  It would be great to have you!

Cathedral Window Christmas Card

Recreating quilt patterns on paper is really fun.  The cathedral window pattern is beautiful, and pretty easy to put together.  On top of it, what a great way to use up your scraps!

For this card, I used the 'Tis the Season papers from Close to My Heart.  I love the bold traditional colors in these papers.  Since all papers from CTMH are double-sided, I selected four pieces of paper plus the cardstock.  Mixing up the papers from your stash would create a wonderful design as well!

I created a video showing the process for creating this card, and variations you can use.  

I hope you find it helpful if you want to try this.

The beautiful sentiment used on this card is from the new stamp set from Close to My Heart -

Christmas Blessings (CC12181)

I used the new Candy Apple Red (Z6509) and Fern (Z2850) stamp pads.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of blog land.  Have a great week!

'TIS THE SEASON CHRISTMAS CARD WORKSHOP

It's time to start making Christmas cards, and Close to My Heart's 'Tis the Season papers and complements were the perfect staring point for this workshop.  I have created these 16 beautiful cards and hope you will enjoy creating them with me.

You can get this kit several ways.

• If you are local to the Prescott Valley, AZ area, you can attend one of my workshops. (The dates and times listed later in this post.)
• Not available on those dates, or you live out of town?  No problem!  I will put together a pre-stamped kit ready for you to assemble with photo instructions included.  Shipping can be added for an additional fee.
• If you are a CTMH consultant and would like to use this workshop with your customers, you can purchase the Consultant Guide.  Check out the details later in this post.

These are the cards that you will make with this kit!

 Pine cones, gold foil accents, and traditional reds and greens.

 Black, white and red - not traditional colors, but very striking!

Red glitter letters and gold foil chipboard - simple but elegant cards!

Participants will make ONE of these cards, not both.

Limited by the designs in the paper pack!

Lots of paper patterns and more gold foil!

Beautiful stickers are used from the 'Tis the Season complements.

Stickers are accented with the gems and sparkles.

More of the candy cane stripes with the black and white snowflakes.

The cost for the workshop to create all 16 cards is based on how you receive it:

• Attend a local workshop for $40
• Have a pre-stamped kit prepared for $45
• Add Priority USPS Mail shipping for $6.70 
• CTMH consultants can receive the Consultant Guide for $12

Workshop dates are:

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Fee is $40

Classes meet at 9:30 a.m. in my craft studio in Prescott Valley, AZ

Email me at greetingsfromgail@gmail.com to register

Once you registration is confirmed, if you are unable to attend, I will prepare 

the pre-stamped kit for you and provide you with the photo instructions.

Here's the information if you would like to order the kit.

 Everything you need except adhesive and coloring medium is included in the kit.  You will receive:

• 16 card bases and envelopes
• all the 'Tis the Season papers and cardstock cut for creating 16 beautiful cards
• all the sentiments stamped on cardstock, and extra pieces of cardstock for each card should you want to use a sentiment of your own
• the 'Tis the Season complements - coordinating stickers and chipboard shapes
• Bitty Sparkles, Red Enamel Gems and Gold Glitter Gems to embellish your cards
• Candy Apple Red striped ribbon
• 8-page PDF photo instruction document for assembling the cards plus added hints.  This document will be emailed to you. 
• An optional red shimmer brush (CTMH #Z4223) was used on the samples shown.  This item can be added to your order if you wish for $6.30. 
• Most of us have a foam adhesive we like to create dimension on our projects.  CTMH has a wonderful THIN 3-D foam that allows you to add several layers of foam on the card without the finished project being too thick to go through the mail. Several of the cards in this kit use multiple layers of foam. You can add the Thin 3-D Foam Dots to your order as well.  You will receive 128 small dots and 50 large dots, all 1mm thick for $5.15.   

If you are local, you can purchase the kit for $45 and pick it up.

Email me at greetingsfromgail@gmail.com to register and I will invoice you for payment.

 

If you are out of town, the kit will still cost $45, plus $6.70 for shipping.  

You can use the PayPal button below to add this kit and any add-on items to your cart.

 

CTMH Consultant Guide is available for $12 USD

This workshop uses a quarter of the 'Tis the Season paper pack, the coordinating complements, a little more than 3 sheets of cardstock in varying colors, and 16 card bases and envelopes.  Embellishments include 25" of candy apple red striped ribbon, 

half a pack (or less) each of bitty sparkles, gold glitter gems and red enamel gems.

 The electronic files that include the 9-page PDF cutting guide, 8-page PDF photo instructions for assembling the cards, consultant release form, 

and photos you can use to market the workshop to your customers.  

Use the PayPal button below to add the Consultant Kit. 

 Please leave a message with your PayPal order and include your  Consultant Website address, or email me at greetingsfromgail@gmail.com with that information.
 

Are you ready to order your kit?  

All prices listed include shipping fees where appropriate.  

Please be sure PayPal has your correct shipping address and email address so the kit and electronic instructions arrive safely!

 

Please email me at greetingsfromgail@gmail.com if you would like to order more than one kit so I can calculate shipping costs for you.  

Also, email me if you have any questions.  

'Tis the Season Christmas Card Workshop

Pre-stamped Kit w/ Priority Mail $51.70 USD CTMH Consultant Guide w/ e-delivery $12.00 USD Add-on Red Shimmer Brush $6.30 USD Add-on Thin 3-D Foam Dots $5.15 USD

Fall Beauty with Grateful Heart

WOW!  I can't believe it's been nearly six months since I have posted here.  Life has been life.  With the Close to My Heart convention in June and my mom's health issues, I've been a little out of sync.  But I am back - and ready to share some of the beautiful papers and creations I've made with them.  I am so fortunate to be a consultant with Close to My Heart.  Their designers give us such gorgeous products to start our projects with - so let me share a few of them with you!

This card uses the Grateful Heart paper suite.  The large scallop stitched border and the small scallop stitched border both come from the new Decorative Borders Thin Cut Die set.  There are 10 dies in all - and I can't wait to play with the rest of them! 

The floral spray is from the October Stamp of the Month - Thanks & Giving, the same as the sentiment on the card on the right.  The sentiment for the other card is from the Boutique Cardmaking stamp set.

 This wonderful set - Thanks & Giving (S1810) - is only available during October.  It retails at $18.95, but with a product order of $50, you can have it for just $5!  Such a deal.

The Boutique Cardmaking (C1726) set is very versatile for sharing your thoughts with friends.
This set retails for $14.95.  This set will run through the length of the Holiday Expressions Catalog - the end of December.  But consider adding it to your purchase so you can get the great Stamp of the Month shown above!

Check these out on my Close to My Heart website
scrappingail.closetomyheart.com

10-CARD WORKSHOP IN MAY

 

May is National Scrapbooking Month!
Close to My Heart has a beautiful
paper pack to celebrate.

I will be offering a 10-card workshop using the lovely "Postcard Perfect" papers for you in May.  Everything you need to create the ten cards is included and pre-cut for you!  You only need to bring your adhesives and you are ready.

These cards all include a bit of patterned vellum that is featured in the paper pack.  The colors of the papers are beautiful, and fellow consultant Jacquie Paech has designed these lovely cards making the most of the patterns in the paper.  The sentiments are versatile for whatever your needs are.

The tropical flowers are beautiful on these three cards. There will be several options of sentiments you can choose from for these.

The soft colors on these three cards is so peaceful.  The sentiments on these cards are pretty versatile, but let me know if there is some other greeting you would like to use before you come to class!

 If it's tropical, there has to be a flamingo!  You will notice that there are several options for the sentiment for this card - a decision that will be made at the workshop.

 The final grouping features colors that are a bit more bold.  These colors add to the wonderful variety that this workshop offers!

Here area the details of the workshop
DATES
Saturday, May 19
Tuesday, May 22
Thursday, May 24
Workshops will start at 9:30 and go until approximately 1:30. 

All are held in my craft studio in Prescott Valley, AZ.

COST
The workshop fee is $25
This includes everything you need to complete the 10 cards:
- pre-cut papers
- pre-stamped and cut flowers and leaves
- card bases and envelopes
- 3 gold shaped clips (2 arrows and 1 heart)
- white dots
- gold glitter gems
- white twine

If you are unable to attend any of the dates listed,
or you live out of the area, you can purchase a pre-stamped kit
for an additional $5.  This kit will not include sentiments or
images on the inside of the cards or envelopes.
Shipping is available for an additional fee for those who need it.

Respond to this email if you wish to register
or if you have questions.
Gail Gross
scrappingailaz@gmail.com

Once you confirm your registration for this workshop,
if you are unable to attend  and can't make
another date, I will put together the kit as
described above for you to complete on your own.

You will need to bring your own adhesives to complete the cards - including glue dots for use with the velum.  The Thin 3-D Foam Tape from CTMH is recommended since there are several cards that use at least 2 layers of foam to create the dimension shown.  Let me know when you register if you would like me to
order the foam for you.  Here's the information:
Item # Z2060 for $5.95 (plus shipping and tax)
Double-sided foam tape, 1mm tall; 2 rolls per package,
⅜" and ¼" widths, 75" per roll. 

A GREAT SALE FROM CLOSE TO MY HEART!

This is the last sale for the month.  All items are reduced by 25% - and there are some special bundles of like items that can save you big.  Take a look at some of the items in this sale.  But remember - this sale ENDS at 10:50 a.m. MST on Saturday, April 28.  So you need to act quickly!

If you live in the Prescott Valley AZ area, and you have me place your order and pick it up from me - I will offer you FREE shipping. If you are outside of my local area, place your order and I will send you a beautiful floral eclipse card that was featured in my April stamp classes as a thank you!

 
Here's a link to my website so you can check out all of the deals!

Want to email me with a question - I'm around, so I will get back to you quickly.

scrappingailaz@gmail.com

IT'S A GUY THING! -- MAY STAMP CLASS

With Father's Day just around the corner, we will focus on the men in our lives for our May class.  All of the cards can be used for Father's Day, birthday, or just a thinking of you type greeting.  You will choose on class day.  Let's take a closer look at each of the projects.

May is National Scrapbooking Month, and Close to My Heart is offering a wonderful tropical-themed paper pack with a stamp and a scrapbook layout.  I wanted to incorporate this lovely paper in our class, and fellow consultant Jeanie Burch shared this wonderful Hawaiian shirt card.  The sunglasses hanging on the pocket, complete with plastic lenses, just make this card.  You can use any type of sentiment on the inside.  My brother-in-law will be receiving this for his retirement!  

The new Seasonal Expressions 2 catalog from Close to My Heart will be available to order from by the time you come to the May class, so I thought we should make use of one of the new paper packs - Fresh Air.  I love the rustic look of this paper, but all you have to do is flip the paper to the other side, and you have a much softer feel.  You will decide in class which version of this card you will make. 

Outdoors - whether at the beach or in the wild - is perfect for our guy cards.  This card is clean and simple, but very special.  The gold foil paper is a real highlight.  The space on the right top is not empty.  Though it doesn't show up well in this picture, there are embossed lines.  These are made with your scoreboard!  A simple trick to add a special touch to the card. 

I saved the "special" card for last!  This full card front die is really fun to work with.  But what a surprise when you open it up and find a 3-D box of balloons!  The technique is not at all difficult, but really adds a lot to this card. 

Dates for Stamp Club are:
Tuesday, May 1
Thursday, May 3
Saturday, May 5
Monday, May 7
All classes meet at 9:30 and run until about 1:30

All classes meet in my craft studio in Prescott Valley, AZ

Cost is $20 to complete the 4 projects
And remember -
if you bring a friend who has never come before,

 you both get the class for that $20!

OR 

If you have never come before 

but have found this information on my 

blog or Facebook page,

 then you can do the class for half-price!
 

If you can't make any of the above dates 

OR

you live out of the Prescott Valley area, 

I can put together a pre-stamped kit of the projects.

(add $5 if you need a pre-stamped kit)

Shipping is available for an extra fee.

Please email me to let me know which date you want scrappingailaz@gmail.com
Once you confirm your registration, 

if you are unable to attend the class,
I will prepare a kit with instructions 

for you to complete the projects.

A Slice of Happy Birthday!

Pizza - what a great food!  And especially for birthday parties.  I remember cooking pizza for my sons' parties when they were little.  Now they can remember those times! 
 
The stamp set used for this card is from CTMH's "A Slice of Happy" cardmaking workshop.  The papers are from the new Stargazer paper pack - and the embossed background is the Simple Chevron folder from CTMH (Z3247).  I love using embossing on the plain white to give dimension.

This fun card will be part of my Birthday Extravaganza classes in February.  Dates are Thursday February 1, Saturday February 3, Monday February 5 or Tuesday February 6.

I'm entering this card in the Anything Goes challenge over at Addicted to Stamps and More.  Pop over there and see the other great creations.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Something New - a new card, new papers, and new design book!

It's fun to take a paper with one theme and switch it around for another use. The papers on this card are from the NEW CTMH Make Waves set - that's right, it's all about mermaids and water. But you would never know that from this card! The green paper with the leaves stamped on it actually has star fish all over it - but you don't really notice them! 

I used pattern #12 from the NEW Make it From Your Heart Volume 4 for the design.  This new loose-leaf book fits in the CTMH Everyday Life Album and has 24 card patterns (18 vertical card designs and 6 horizontal) in the standard 4¼" x 5½" card size. 
 
I love the fact that the paper packs from CTMH have 8 different designs that coordinate with each other - so it's easy to make a card like this with four different papers and you know that they will work together!

The sentiment and leaf border are stamped using the NEW Sunny Thoughts stamp set.  In fact, it is so new, you can't even get it until February, since it is the Stamp of the Month next month.  But this gives you something to look forward to!

Do you notice a little theme going on in my descriptions?  This card is being entered over at the Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog, and one of the themes for January is SOMETHING NEW.  So I'm just showing how this card fits in that category.  Click on the blog link above to see the other great projects focusing on something new!

This card is one of the six we are doing in my February Birthday Extravaganza classes. Dates for Birthday Extravaganza are Thursday February 1, Saturday February 3, Monday February 5 or Tuesday February 6. Can't make it or don't live in the Prescott Valley, AZ area? No problem - I can do a pre-stamped kit and even pop it in the mail to you. Photo instructions included. 

Email me at scrappingailaz@gmail.com if you are interested.

I've posted photos of three other cards we are making in earlier posts on this blog - so head to the home page to see all of them.  The other two will be posted soon.

MASCULINE BIRTHDAY CARD

 

Why is it that we have so much trouble creating cards for the men in our lives?  It really is fun to work with some of the rustic elements for a change, and this is what I came up with.   I started with the sketch from the Fusion Card Challenge Blog, but also found a number of other challenges this week that were focusing on masculine cards.  So this young buck is going to be entered in all of them!  This card is also going to be a part of February's Birthday Extravaganza classes.

Here's what I used on the card (all from CTMH unless noted):
Stamps and Dies:
Hunting for Words (B1571) - stag image 
Just a Number (retired D1514) - sentiment
Paper and Inks:
Gimme Some Sugar patterned paper (X7228B)
Kraft cardstock (Z1375)
Pewter cardstock (X5954) 
White Daisy cardstock (1385)
Tuxedo Black ink (Z899)
Charcoal Ink (Z2831)
Other:
Wood Slats Embossing Folder (Z3248) - still available online though not in the current catalog!
Thin 3-D foam (Z2060)
Prismacolor Premier art markers (light walnut, cool grey 30% and brick beige)

Be sure to check out the other creations made on the various blogs where I am entering this card:
Fusion Card Challenge - sketch
Sweet Stampin' - "For Men"
Watercooler Wednesday - Masculine
Addicted to Stamps and More - Photo Inspiration. 

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of blog-land!