Upcoming Class at CP2

Copic colors used:  pears (YG67, YG17, YG13, YG01, Y000), leaves (G28, G24, G21), branch (E37, E35, E31), flowers (R29, R22, R000), label (E35, E31, E50, R59, R22), blue green accents (BG09, BG05, BG10), yellow halo (Y35, Y32, Y000)

Hey, all!  I just wanted to share 1 of 2 cards I will be teaching in a class at China Phoenix 2 on Friday, June 12th, at 10:30am - 1:30pm.  I've been playing with these wonderful fruit themed images from Stampendous lately, this one is called Cling Pear Blossom.   They remind me of the vintage advertising labels found on fruit crates up until the 1950's.  The images I've seen online are usually brightly colored and very eye-catching, and I can't help but be drawn to their retro appearance.

Though this is a fairly bright palette, I tried to keep the coloring quick and simple.  Also, I topped off the YG colors on the pears with a generous layer of Y000 dotted randomly over the image to give them that slightly dappled appearance that pears seem to have.  I picked up muslin fabric at an antique store and stamped it with a Stampendous background called Cling Seed Background.  A touch of Gathered Twigs Distress Ink sponged onto the edges makes it look a bit old, which is good.  Overall, a very simple card to put together.        

 Now that I have the mechanics of this card laid out, it's time to discuss something more important.  Have you ever tried a Harry and David Royal Riviera Pear?  A friend of mine gifted me with a box of these delectable fruits last year for Christmas.  At first I wasn't sure what was in the box, but once opened, there sat 9 of the largest, most perfect pear specimens I have ever laid eyes on.  Weighing in at around a 1/2 lb each, these pears were almost too pretty to eat.  AND...to further gild the pear lily, one lone pear was ensconced in gold foil.  How elegant!

I know how extravagant a gift of this nature can be, so I had my doubts as to whether these would taste any different than the standard working class pears found in WalMart.  Boy, was I wrong!  I picked one up and held it in my hand.  It appeared to be ready to eat.  No need to wait for that brief 15 minute window of ripeness, that if missed, leaves you with a disappointing piece of overly soft fruit bordering on the verge of rot.  Nope, these were ready to go.  One joyous bite and immediately that sweet pear elixir ran down my elbow.  Good gracious, I have NEVER tasted a pear so delicious!  I wanted to hide them and keep them for myself, but I allowed my husband to have one, JUST one, and I actually gave my sister one, as well.  Pretty generous, if I must say so myself.  My sister later told me that she took the pear to work to eat the next day and a co-worker caught her in her office cradling it and calling it "my precious".  What can I say?  We're a family of foodies.  I'm actually considering heading to the Harry and David website to order myself a box.  I'm sure I can come up with a "special occasion" reason that I need to do this.  When is Arbor Day?  Have I already missed Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day?  Darn, that's in January!  I'll keep trying ;)

Tune in tomorrow and I'll share card number 2 for my class.  Until then, stay crafty!  

My Next Class at The Hen House Paperie

Hey, all!  How's everyone doing?  I just thought I would pop in and share a couple of cards I'll be teaching at The Hen House Paperie here in Albuquerque.  Go to the store's website for all the details.

For whatever reason, I decided to go with a sewing theme on these cards even though I can't stitch a lick.  Yep, that's right...I can't sew.  Sheesh, I feel like it's confession time.  Don't judge!  Mom is, or rather, used to be an avid sewer and super talented, too.  She made me darling outfits when I was a youngster, my favorite being a dress embroidered with strawberries on it when I was a wee lass.  Oh, how I loved that dress and thought I was the shiznit when I pranced around in it.  Later on in high school, I remember a three tiered gathered chambray skirt and an eyelet blouse that I felt pretty spectacular in and there were a myriad of outfits in between.  Did I ever manage to catch on or take an interest?  Nope.  I took Home Economics in high school and managed to stitch up a darling light bulb pillow.  Do you think I recall how I did that?  Nope.  My good card making buddy, Kathy has shown me on 2 separate occasions how to work my Janome Mini Sew.  Have I dusted it off and tried to thread it?  Nope.  

I can't explain my aversion to mechanically running a needle through a piece of material other than "I don't wanna and you can't make me".  So why even make sewing themed cards in the first place?  Truth be told, I'm completely enchanted with these Sewing Blueprint images by Tim Holtz.  They are so great and I just love them!  The whole Blueprint Line is pretty amazing, but these are particularly fetching and irresistible.  I opted to forgo the Copics this go round...I know...shocking!  And instead I reached for a paint brush and my Distress Ink Pads, picking up color directly from the pad, aiming for a watercolor type finish.  Funny how I love the details associated with sewing...the trims, buttons, materials, etc, but I'm just not interested in the act.  I did manage to set aside my sewing aversion for a couple of minutes in order to add a couple of stitches by hand on the second card.  Phew!  Thank goodness that's over...LOL!

Even though I'm not a big fan of sewing, I did thoroughly enjoy putting these cards together.  Lots of paper layers and lots of details make me super happy.  I always say, "If it costs less than $2.00 to mail, then I haven't added enough stuff to it".  I'm thinking these will do just fine ;D  

Until next time, stay crafty!  

My first class at The Hen House Paperie!

Hey, all!  Another quick post to share the cards I will be teaching in my first class at The Hen House Paperie!  Yep!  I'm excited!  Hence the obnoxious use of exclamations points!  Sorry, but I can't help myself!  LOL!    

These cards feature super sweet images by Prickly Pear Stamps, some simple Copic coloring, lots of fun die cuts including a felt rolled rose, and a sprinkling of quick and easy embellishments.  This class is scheduled for March 30th from 1:30 - 4:30pm.  Just in time for Spring :)  If you're going to be in the Albuquerque area around that time frame and would like to hang out with me for a few hours, give us a call at The Hen House (505-221-6366) and we'll add your name to the roster.  

Okay, back to your regularly scheduled programming ;D  Until next time, stay crafty!      

Card #2 for My Next Class at CP2!

Hey, all!  Just a super quick post to share the second card I will be teaching at China Phoenix 2 on December 15th at 1:00pm.  More Tim Holtz inspired techniques, dies and tools.  I just can't get enough of that man!  Ssshhhhh...don't tell my husband...lol!  Okay, I'm going to skedaddle now.  Hey, I told you it was going to be a super quick post ;D  Catch ya later!  Stay crafty!

My Next Class at China Phoenix 2!

Hey, all!  Welcome back!  Today I want to share one of two cards I will be teaching at China Phoenix 2 on December 15th at 1:00pm.  Both cards will feature lots of Tim Holtz dies, tools, and techniques, which I just LOVE!

Do you ever start to pile stuff onto a card and find you can't help but keep adding more.  Yes, I've heard the adage "Less is more", but apparently I have no concept of what that means.  Especially where this card is concerned, LOL!  

I started by creating a fun splashy background using Distress Inks in last seasons winter colors...Iced Spruce, Evergreen Bough, and Fired Brick.  Oops, I should have used Festive Berries to make the trio complete, but Fired Brick is my absolute favorite red in the Distress line.  I swiped these colors onto a craft sheet and misted generously with water to form little droplets of diluted ink, then I laid my white paper panel down and gave it a gentle twist or two before I pulled it off the sheet.  Not too much though, as I didn't want to muddy the colors.  I went back in and dabbed up the remaining droplets so that I had lots of inky splatters on my panel.  A blast with a heat gun to set it and then I was ready to add more color.  I used the Evergreen Bough reinker and just swiped the dropper across the sheet in a swirly pattern.  I didn't even squeeze any additional color out of the dropper, more or less I just used what was on the tip.  I misted this lightly with water and laid my paper down again.  This time I didn't twist the paper, but pulled it straight up.  That's where those brighter splashes of color came from.  I LOVE creating backgrounds with the Distress Line!  The possibilities are endless!

Next, I just PILED on the die cuts and the embellishments.  There is NO WAY this card is going in an envelope...LOL!  My thought process went something like this...if one rose is good, two are better!  If two roses  are good, a clump of pinecones is better!  And so on, and so on.  Crazy, I know ;D

Anyway, this is the first of two cards I will be teaching.  If you're in or around the Albuquerque area on December 15th and feel like getting crafty, come join me!  Call Nancy at China Phoenix 2 at (505)884-8217 and she'll add your name to the roster.  I'll be back in a day or two to share the other card.  I have to make it first...LOL!  ;D

Until next time, stay crafty!       

My October 6th class at CP2

Hey, all!  I'm back today with the second card I'll be teaching on October 6th at China Phoenix 2.  This card also features a fabulous new image from Stampendous, but this time I opted to forgo the Copic coloring.  Instead, I added vibrant color using some of the fabulous distress inks from Tim Holtz.  Maybe you've heard of him.  This guy is pretty good and I think he might have a future in this business...LOL!

Anyway, I just generously swiped Peeled Paint, Seedless Preserves, and that Marigold color (too lazy to get off my tookus and look up the actual name) across a white panel and then misted it heavily with water.  Then I just sat it aside and let the colors slide around doing their own thing.  After it dried, I was left with this very cool, very bright background, which was a perfect landing spot for this wonderful raven image.  Very simple, but it makes an impact.  I think I might do all my Halloween cards this way this year.  The rest of the card is all about the embellishments.  Remember those cheap glittery spiders that I completely raided my Westside Pier 1 for?  Yep, that's one of them in the corner.  I decided to break them out for this class seeing as I have about 50 of them...lol!  I reckon I can share ;D  The burlap is from Hobby Lobby and I picked up the black cheesecloth in the Halloween section of Target.  Dang, they have some cool stuff this year!

If you're going to be in the Albuquerque area on October 6th and want to join me to create these cards, contact Nancy at China Phoenix 2 or drop me a note at cvaladez@comcast.net and we'll add you to the roster.  Have a great Sunday!  Until next time, stay crafty!

My next class at CP2!

Copic colors used:  skin- E00, E000, R20, E11 hair- E18, E09, E07, E01 dress- YG67, YG17, YG13, YG01 hat- V17, V15, V12  shoes and mask- C7, C5, C3, C1 clock- Y28, Y26, Y21, Y00, E31, E50  ***Colors listed in the order they were used*** 

Hey, all!  I'm back with one of two cards I will be teaching at China Phoenix 2 on October 6th.  Both cards will be Halloween themed and feature new stamps from Stampendous.  This pretty little image has a bit of a steampunk flair and is called Halloween Magic.  I also played with some Sticky Back Canvas for the first time and I must say...this might become my new addiction!  I see so many possibilities!

If you'll be in the Albuquerque area and want to hang out with me for a few hours on October 6th, contact Nancy at China Phoenix 2 or drop me an email at cvaladez@comcast.net and I'll add your name to the roster.  Pop back in later in the week and I'll have the second card up.

By the way, I don't say "thank you" enough, so I'd like to extend my deepest gratitude to all the folks that visit my blog or send me emails.  You guys are the greatest and I appreciate you so much!  

Catch you later!  Until next time, stay crafty!   

My next class at China Phoenix 2... part II

Hey, all!  I'm back today with a quick post to share the second card I will be teaching at China Phoenix 2 this Saturday.

This card features the same set of images I used on yesterday's card, Americana Silhouettes by Tim Holtz.  I cannot stress enough, how great this set is!  At first I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but once I started playing, I just couldn't stop!  Also, I have a bit of recycled ribbon on the left-hand corner.  I treated myself to some retail therapy at Pottery Barn while we were waiting to close on our house and I picked up all new bedding.  Each sham was tied with careful detail using a bit of natural colored ribbon.  Of course, I had to tuck it away for later use.  I stamped it and distressed it to make it just grungy enough for my card.

Again, I had a lot of fun making these cards.  If you will be in the area this Saturday and feel like taking a little break to get inky, call Nancy at the shop (505-884-8217) and have her add your name to the class list.

Catch ya later in the week with a new Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps DT card!  Until then, stay crafty ;D  

My next class at China Phoenix 2...

Hey, everybody!  Hope you're all doing well out and about in Blogland.  We finally moved into our new house almost 2-weeks ago and are still settling in as I type this.  We spent almost 3-weeks at my sister's house while we were in transition between moving out of our townhouse and closing on the new house.  Originally we were only going to be homeless for about 4 days, but that stretched into a week, and that stretched into 2-weeks, and that stretched into....well, you get the idea.  At one point, we seriously thought we were going to have to move everything back into the old house and that the whole deal was going to fall through.  Phew!  Thank goodness, that didn't happen.  The last cog finally fell into place for our buyers and that set the ball rolling in the right direction.

I have a lot of folks to thank whose assistance was instrumental during this process...first of all, we have a group of friends who graciously helped us move all of our worldly possessions into the garages of our new place, my sister and her boyfriend who not only helped us move, but hosted us (and our 2 cats) for what must have seemed like an eternity to them, my mom and dad whose support and encouragement were tremendous, my father-in-law who also cheered us on, my friend Shay who helped me unpack and organize my entire kitchen (no small feat...LOL!), and let's not forget all of the strong shoulders I leaned on when I needed a friendly ear to listen to my tale of woe... my how you must have gotten sick and tired of hearing me whine, LOL!  

What started out as a super smooth and lightening fast sale in the beginning, proved to have a rocky ending when all was said and done.  My word of advice to anyone selling a home...a pre-approval letter is no guarantee, especially if your buyers are first timers.  In today's market, that pre-approval status can change faster than a nanosecond if an "i" is not properly dotted or a "t" is not properly crossed.  Seriously, the process is wrapped up so tight in red tape, even Indiana Jones would have trouble breaking through that maze of detail.  If you are, or will be, deep in the process of selling or buying a home, I wish you smooth sailing, my friend :)

Enough home stuff, after all, this is not a real estate blog, it's a card blog, so let's talk about a card!  The one I'm featuring today is part one of two that I will be teaching in a class this Saturday at China Phoenix 2.   Independence Day is right around the corner and these cards celebrate everything great about this holiday.  I used a set of stamps (Americana Silhouettes) by the ever clever Master of Grunge himself, Tim Holtz, and let me emphasize, I LOVE this set and ended up using all of the images at least once (sometimes twice) for the 2 cards I created for class.  The cards have a bit of a retro feel and combined with the trademark TH distressing techniques, were an absolute blast to make.  They were a bit messy, but you know it's been a good crafting day when your hands are covered in ink.  Pop back in tomorrow and I'll share the other card with you.

If you're in the Albuqueruque/Santa Fe area and you want to hang out with me this Saturday to make these cards, give Nancy a call at CP2 (505-884-8217) and she'll add your name to the class list.

Until next time, stay crafty!  

My New Class at China Phoenix 2

Hey, all!  What a great weekend!  You can tell Spring is just around the corner here in Albuquerque.  No, not because the weather is starting to get nicer outside, but rather because Spring literally comes in like a lion in these parts.  Yep, the 60 mph winds have arrived and they will stick around for a good month or two.  During this time, I will sport a continuously wind-blown hairdo, that would be lovely if it were casually tousled, but instead it will scare small children and animals, because it resembles the Bride of Frankenstein if she were to hang her head out the window of a car traveling at the speed of sound.  I shouldn't complain, though.  The wind is virtually the only weather issue we have and once its gone, we are left with lots of warm sunny days, perfect for spending time relaxing on the patio.  

We spent part of our weekend helping out in the Disc It booth at the National Fiery Foods and BBQ Show.  We visited with friends and made plenty of new ones in the process.  Next year, I'm happy to say, AlbuKirky Seasonings will have its own booth in the show.  WOO HOO!!!  

Another bit of good news, I have a class scheduled for Saturday, March 17th, at China Phoenix 2 teaching these Alice themed cards featuring images by Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!  YAY!  This is the first class I'll be teaching since the store re-opened, so I am beyond thrilled!  I'm SOOOO ready to get back to teaching.  I've missed hanging out with my crafting buddies in our home away from home :D

So, if you're in the area on the 17th and want to make 2 fun Alice themed cards, call CP2 or email me at cvaladez@comcast.net to add your name to the list.  I'd love to see you :D

Copics used:

Alice

skin - E11, E00, E000, R20

hair - E15, E13, Y21, Y00

dress - B06, B04, B02, B01, B000, B0000, R59, R29, R22

stockings - C3, C1, C00, R59, R29, R22, R21

shoes - C7, C5, C3

Cheshire Cat

stripes - BG49, BG18, BG15 or 13, BG10, YG17, YG14, YG01

A Tim Holtz Christmas Part 2

Hey, everybody!  Welcome back! I want to begin this post by saying a big giant "thank you" to all of the folks who have joined my giveaway.  If you haven't signed up yet, there is still plenty of time before the contest closes, which is December 31st.

Today I am sharing the second of 2 cards I created for a Tim Holtz inspired Christmas Card class I am teaching this Firday.  Neither card uses Copics or stamping!  Can you believe it?!  Instead, we'll dig deep into our grade school art class skills chest and paint, glue, glitter, and dye these cards.  

I had such a good time making these 2 cards and using a number of Tim's techniques.  He's been sharing so many with the 12-tags of Christmas, my head is spinning with ideas.

If you are in the Albuquerque area and would like to take this class with me send me an email at cvaladez@comcast.net.  The class is this Friday (December 9th) from 1:00pm - 5:00pm at Harwood United Methodist Church located at 420 San Lorenzo.

I'll keep this post short.  Time to pay the Sandman a little visit...lol!

Come back tomorrow because the Krafty Peeks begin over at the Kraftin' Kimmie blog.  You're going love this new release!

A Dia de los Muertos collaboration class at CP2 this Saturday!

When Anne originally asked me teach a collaboration project class with her at China Phoenix 2, I was honored and a bit intimidated.  Anne is a book/box making expert and she has an unbelievable love for paper.  She runs her own online craft company, Craft Fantastic, and in the past, she's owned a number of paper specialty stores around Albuquerque.  If you've ever seen her work up close...it is impeccable.  Every detail is perfect and her skilled craftsmanship is unmistakable.  Oh yeah, and it's BEAUTIFUL!    

This is our third collaboration project and let's just say, she continues to amaze me, AND I am still intimidated.  I chose the theme for this go round, so I decided that this time of year called for a Dia de los Muertos type piece.  I was absolutely not prepared for what she gave me.  It was exquisite and absolutely did not need any altering from me.  She constructed a shrine/stage completely from scratch, covered it in gorgeous dictionary text and Mexican lottery themed paper.  On the front she created a metal piece to frame the opening and embossed a Spanish design around it to emphasis our decidedly Hispanic theme.  The scallop design along the edge really adds to the Mexican Art feel and a couple of ribbons fastened to the back make it perfect for hanging on a wall for display.  This piece truly took my breath away.  

At first, there was no way I was going to do anything to the gorgeous metal frame.  It was perfect the way it was.  As I started to work with the inside design, my partial Mexican heritage kept urging me to glue a few gemstones to it.  "No, I couldn't!", I argued with myself, because I'm a bit of a loon.  Cats are not very good conversationalists, so I frequently have a bit of dialogue with myself throughout the day.  I finally mustered the courage and I knew once I got that first gem down, the rest would be easier.  Well, it was and before I knew what had happened, I had gems glued to the entire perimeter.  Too much?  Not sure.  Next I decided to get even bolder and used my Copics to color in the corner flowers.  I knew this could get messy if I flubbed it up, but a careful swipe of a colorless blender took care of any stray lines.  Okay, not too shabby.   

Time to go inside.  I tried a few different things on the inside, but finally decided that this shrine definitely reminded me of a stage and went that route.  I took a flat canvas, covered it in text papers and used that as my base.  I added a couple of rows of Anne's colorful Mexican Lottery themed paper down one edge and then wrapped it in a few rows of twine.  I took a few wooden hearts in varying sizes, painted them red, and then added Crackle Accents to give them texture.  I added a pair of die cut wings out of grunge board to the the largest heart, hoping it would convey life fluttering away.  My stage stars are a couple of images by Bombshell Stamps from the Calaveras Fiesta set.  I added an eyelet skirt to my lead "actress".  

On the outside, I added an MC using the Muertos Doll set, also by Bombshell Stamps.  I knew he needed to be a bit sturdier, so I stamped him on paper affixed him to grunge paper, colored him with Copics, and then cut him out.  I coated him with a bit of Anne's amazing dimensional lacquer glue to give him a bit of shine.  He is assembled with brads at each of his joints.  Bomshell Stamps has an excellent array of muertos themed images perfect for Day of the Dead art projects.

I'm not sure if I did Anne's beautiful piece justice, but I really enjoyed decorating it once I got over my initial fear of destroying it with one too many gems.  Phew!  I think I held my breath during this whole process...LOL!  

Catch you later this week with something new!  Until then, stay crafty!      

My Next Class at CP2: Halloween ala Tim Holtz

Hey, everyone!  Big plans for the weekend?  It's a long one for some of us.  We've got some grilling and cooking planned for Sunday (big surprise!) and maybe some light entertaining with family and friends.  Perhaps try to squeeze in a little R & R, too ;D  We'll see ;D  Whatever's on your agenda, I hope it rawks! 

Even though the details of this weekend are still up in the air, next weekend I know exactly what I'll be doing.  I'm teaching a class at China Phoenix 2.  Fresh off my Tim Holtz high, I walked away from his workshops truly inspired.  These two Halloween themed cards are out the norm for me and if you look closely, you'll see why.  Did you catch it?   That's right.  These cards are devoid of all stamping AND no Copics were harmed in their creation.  Crazy, right?

I sat down to make these samples yesterday afternoon and my head was swimming with all of the techniques I had learned just a few days before.  So much so, I was overwhelmed and didn't know where to begin.  Usually, if I'm stuck, I'll just start with a stamped or digi image, grab a few Copics and start coloring.  I know that the rest of the card will fill itself in once I get moving.  These were different, because as we've already determined, there is no stamping or Copic coloring on them...DOH!  What to do, what to do!  I literally had to go back to some things that Tim said in class...the first one was "get over yourself" and the second one was "it just doesn't matter".  In other words, don't over-think it and don't get so lost in the details that you become paralyzed.  BINGO!  After that, things clicked...I was able to let go and just let it happen.  If they turned out awful, I would just tuck them away and revisit them some rainy day for a re-do.  No big deal.

You have no idea how freeing that realization was.  No wonder this guy is a crafting god!  Anyway, once that whole epiphany occurred, I was able to move forward and bang out these two cards that I'm pretty pleased with.  I had fun putting them together and I'm hoping that the folks who take the class with me will feel the same way.  

A couple of words about the embellishments.  I literally ripped the rosettes and the red flower off of a canvas I had made earlier in the year and was not happy with.  You ever do that?  Cannibalize one project for another?  The plastic skull came from a craft show.  I bought a whole slew of these, but now I'm running a bit short.  A friend told me that one of the local craft stores is carrying them now, so I better get my tookus over there and stock up, if I'm not already too late.  Stuff like that never gathers any dust in this town.  It just flies off the shelves.  That crazy cool twill Halloween trim is courtesy of my friend Kathy who spied it on one of her shopping excursions last year.  I just love it!

Speaking of my talented crafting buddies, I've added a few blogs to my sidebar.  These are local blogs by some of the most inspiring folks I know and I would love it if you paid them a visit and took a look at their wonderful art.  It's amazing stuff and you'll want to visit them again and again, so you might as well sign up to follow them while you're there.  Just sayin' ;D 

I don't say it enough, but please know that I always appreciate everyone who pops in to visit me here.  I love you guys!  

Stay crafty and have a wonderful holiday weekend ;D                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Bombshell Mermaid Class at China Phoenix 2 Next Saturday

How are things at your end of the keyboard?  Here in New Mexico, we're feeling the heat.  Not only because the temps have been high, but also because the whole state is pretty much on fire.  Combined with the fact that we haven't had any rain in what seems like an eternity, I would not be surprised if we just spontaneously combusted one day and disappeared from the map.  Until then, I've fixated on mermaids.  It must be their connection to water that intrigues me at the moment.  

I was never a big mermaid fan until I discovered the quirky dark creatures that Stampotique came out with recently.  Now I just can't get enough of the fishy femme fatales.  My latest mermaid infatuation is for the sultry sirens available at Bombshell Stamps.  They are gorgeous and take to the Copics, like...well...fish to water...lol!  Clearly inspired by tattoo art, they beckon for rich, deep color.  I had a good time making these cards :)

I'm teaching these 2 cards in my next card class at China Phoenix 2 on Saturday, July 9th at 1:00pm.  The class will primarily focus on coloring, as the construction of these cards is really quite basic.  If you are in Albuquerque or the surrounding areas and think you might want to attend, stop by the CP2 Blog and I'll have more details up next week.

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July weekend!  And if you're in NM just say "no" to fireworks!  Take care and stay crafty!