Explore your creativity with pen techniques

This month we have decided to bring out the creative artist in you all by exploring a couple of different pen techniques. I will be using watercolour pens to create simple floral design toppers like the ones below.

We have another guest demonstrator this month too - after Linda created such a stunning doodled background for one of our card challenges we couldn't let her get away without doing a demo! So she has been busily exploring doodling and Zentangles and will give you some ideas for how to get started.

Challenge card created using Linda's doodle background

Don't forget to bring your GB Challenge card too - I have even made one this month while I was experimenting with Zentangling! (thought I should make the effort since I missed the last card club). I'm not eligible to win the free workshop entry, but just wanted to prompt some last minute challenge entries!!

Lots of piccies!

Challenge winners, never-ending cards and magnetic interactive card piccies and lots of them! Looks like you had a busy month without me! See below for the dual Challenge cards - backgrounds created by one person then handed on to someone else to finish.

Well done to Carol S. and "A.N. Other" for their winning entry (above). If you recognise the purple clock Cosmic Shimmer misted background then let us know as you and Carol both win half price entry into your next workshop!! (Brenda, Marie or Vanessa was it yours?!! Apparently none of you claimed it on the night)

Well done to Karen for her demo on the Never-ending cards (above) and thank you for helping with transporting stuff up to Card Club in my absence. Click here for demo notes on how to make a Never Ending Card.

And finally some of your magnetic movable embellishment cards - very impressed with the ideas and creativity! I love "Ollie" the Olympic torchbearer! Well done all!!

Interactive cards

Our next workshop on Wednesday July 25th is only days before the Olympic opening ceremony, so we thought we would have a sporting and action packed theme! We will have two demos - Karen will be doing "never ending cards". These are perfect for kids (and men!) and will keep them occupied for hours, well a couple of minutes at least!! There are four surfaces to decorate, so should keep you busy too!

Michelle will be making interactive magnetic cards. Create a background for your card and then stamp, colour and cut out a sporting character. Attach a magnet to his back then use a second magnet inside the card to allow him to be moved around as if by magic! He can also be used as a fridge magnet at a later stage! (This card not recommended for younger children.)

And the winner of the Card Competition is...

...Linda Walker!  See below for Linda's winning card and Evan Davis holding the very same card, just after judging the competition. Linda was presented with her prize of a few crafty goodies and her membership money back at the last workshop. Well done to you Linda!!

 

Second prize went to Linda Bradley for her patchwork field card. Linda also received some crafty goodies - but at arms length as she had the lergy and didn't stay for the workshop last month!!

Our third prize winner was also not at Card Club so we will give out her prize at the July workshop and leave the surprise till then!

We were a select few at the June workshop but the creativity was definitely still flowing. Here are some of the backgrounds and finished cards from the last workshop along with new demo notes.

Click here for the demo notes on batik backgrounds.

Click here for demo notes on using Cosmic Shimmer sprays and masking techniques.

Click here for Sheena Douglass's instructions on the Promarker acetate backgrounds.

June Workshop

Just a quick reminder of our workshop tomorrow. We will be looking at background techniques using various forms of inks and resists. Kay has made a couple of examples above, using a batik effect. I will be using glimmer mists with stencil masks and Michelle will be working with Promarkers and archival ink on acetate. 

Don't forget to bring our challenge backgrounds too so you can swap and complete someone else's card for next month. If you haven't had time then you can always use the background you create tomorrow night! The winners will both receive half price entry into the next workshop.

We will also be announcing the winners of the Membership Pack card competition.

Village Day 2012

Well here is a photo to prove that we were at Village Day even if nobody could find us!! We were not allocated the best spot this year, but the sun shone, the wind blew, and the rain stayed away - hooray!

And although it was definitely not our best year for card sales, we did well with selling the owl gift boxes and jubilee gift bags, thanks mainly to Gabby's son Max who did a great job!! Thanks Max! Click here to see how to make the triangular gift bags.

We also had the Competition Cards judged by Evan Davis (BBC Economics Journalist and Dragon's Den presenter). Find out who he chose as the next card-making entrepreneur at the next workshop on 27th June!

Too whit too woo!!

Hope you have all recovered from various Jubilee celebrations at the weekend. The fun continues here in Ashtead with Village Day on Saturday - let's hope we will be lucky with the weather. Just a quick (mainly photos) update this time and a sneak preview of some of the items made at Card Club on Wednesday, ready for sale on the stall on Saturday.  Lots of people enjoyed making the owl gift boxes, some even made little owl families!

Several people made red, white and blue themed cards and enjoyed colouring in our newly purchased Little Claire's stamps. Hopefully we will see some of these for sale on Saturday.

Our toffee filled gift bags will be on sale too, as well as kits to make more personalised ones. (Click on the links for tutorials on how to make the torn paper roses and the triangular gift bags below) 

Well done to everyone who entered our white on white card challenge and especially well done to Brenda, our winner, who receives free entry into one of our workshops. Highly commended cards were by Mandy and Kay.

Mandy's Highly Commended card

Kay's Highly Commended card

Brenda's winning card

Next month's challenge is to create a background for a card which you will then swap in a lucky dip. Another club member will complete your card and you will complete someone else's. Winners will receive half price entry into a workshop as the prize will be shared by both people contributing to the card.

All for now - hope to see you on Saturday.