Stamping techniques with a twist...

This month's workshop is dedicated to slightly more advanced stamping techniques, but don't worry if you feel you haven't mastered the basics, as most of the demos will help to reinforce the basic skills, whilst at the same time extending your expertise and allowing you to think about stamping in a different way.

I will be demonstrating stamping through paper stencils, using regular stamps, distress inks and the See D's Morsels sets that we haven't used for a while.

Kay is also on hand to demo collage stamping (see also first photo in this blog entry), using masking tape to mask sections of your card while you stamp. She will show you how to create backgrounds and embellishments using this technique.

And for those of you who want to become more expert in stamping and heat embossing, Michelle will be showing you tips and tricks with this technique.

Envelope book challenge

I promised I would upload the pictures of my envelope memory book now it is finished. I used mine as a birthday card for my daughter. She turned 11 last week so I included pictures from all her previous birthdays and added a sentiment to go with each photo. I still have to add one on the back from her 11th birthday to complete it. She loved having the photos in the pockets and has said she will "keep it for ever!"

Hopefully your books are all well under way. If not don't forget you can see demo notes on the side bar or click here for instructions on how to set up a basic envelope book. You can then mat and layer in papers of your choice. What you then use it for is up to you but if you are stuck for ideas here are a few starting points:

• Memory book - birthdays, special days, anniversaries, wedding photos etc.
• Scrapbook/souvenir book - keep tickets or special memories in the pockets
• Baby book - keep locks of hair, hospital birth tags etc in the pockets
• Journal - add diary entries or memories in the pockets
• School trip memento book for kids
• Gift for a teacher with notes from the children...

Lots more ideas I am sure!! Don't worry about adding personal photos. It doesn't matter if we can identify who made each book. We always try to be as objective as possible when choosing the challenge winner. We will look at layout, choice of colours, the overall finish etc.

Look forward to seeing your creations at the March workshop on Wednesday 27th.

Bright as a button...

We got the button card techniques all sewn up on Wednesday as you can see with all the different cards that were made below! 

We used buttons as accents/embellishments:

 We got creative with buttons:

Button balloons...

Button birds...

...and Button Bugs.

And we created sewing theme cards with different colour and pattern variations.

Well done to all. Another productive and enjoyable evening! 

Button up!

We had a successful AGM last week - thank you to Karen for hosting and to everyone who attended. I will be emailing the minutes out to you very soon, along with a draft copy of workshops for the year ahead.

Our workshop this week is based around buttons. My demo will be sewing-based cards (however, for both designs above you could get away with the bare minimum of sewing if it is really not your thing.) I will be bringing my sewing machine though, and needles and thread, so be warned!

If you really have a needle phobia, then Michelle will be doing a completely non-sewing option. She will be using buttons to create different designs on cards, using glue/glue dots to attach the buttons.

Feel free to bring any favourite buttons, sewing kits, relevant stamp sets etc.

And don't forget you could use buttons on your mirrors. Here are a couple of ideas for inspiration below...Click on the picture to take you to the relevant web sites.

See you on Wednesday.

RIP Pat Tribe

Yesterday we paid our final tribute to Pat. It was a moving service and she leaves behind a very loving family. As you know Pat was a real family person and we have had three generations of her family at Card Club previously. 

Arthur, Pat's husband, was very appreciative of the card and flowers we sent from all at Card Club. Both the card and flower arrangement were created on a purple theme, Pat's favourite colour. It is always difficult making a sympathy card for anyone, but this one was a joint effort between Linda W, Michelle and myself. Thanks also to Karen for sorting out the flowers. 

Pat will be sadly missed by all who knew her and our thoughts go out to her family at this sad time.

Envelope challenges...

We went back to basics on Wednesday for an envelope workshop. Envelopes from scratch, coordinated cards and envelopes, creating crimped envelopes and notecards and making woven heart pockets were just some of the techniques we explored. It was so busy I didn't have time to take any piccies this month unfortunately! But I'm sure you will believe me that we did have some wonderful results!

Hopefully you all picked up your spare envelopes for this month's "Envelope Memory Book" challenge too. (see above) If not you will still be able to get some envelopes at the next workshop as it is not due in till March 27th. If you missed the demo for the three basic styles of envelope book or need a reminder, click here for the demo notes. There are other styles out there too so don't feel you have to stick to one of these if you don't want to. Don't forget that the winner of the challenge wins free entry into the next workshop.

Be creative and happy memory book making!

New Year, New Ideas...

Hello and Happy New Year to you all! It's been a while but the crafting hasn't stopped even if the blogging has halted for a while! Michelle and I have been busy sorting out the schedule for the year ahead. We have had ideas and input from some of you and hopefully will manage to incorporate most of your requests into the forthcoming year's schedule. But it's not too late if you have a burning desire to revisit a technique or try something new, so please do bring any further ideas with you on Wednesday.

And talking of Wednesday...

... the focus will be "Envelopes". We always find we have lots left over with no card blanks and spares on top of that too. So we thought we would look at envelopes in general. Your choice of projects for Wednesday evening will be:

• Create a crimped envelope and notecard (a useful project to recycle envelopes that have sealed themselves!)
• Create a coordinated envelope and card (and even go back to basics creating your own card blank too)
• Make heart shaped gift bags and envelopes
• Create your own envelopes from scratch using templates and your own choice of patterned paper
• Begin your first challenge of 2013...more details on Wednesday!

We also have new ideas regarding membership and competitions, and rather than a membership pack this year, you will get a "Project kit" that you can work on throughout the year. You will then be able to enter your finished work of art into our competition at Christmas. We will still run the Summer competition too, although it will obviously not be a membership pack competition this year. 

Don't forget to bring your Membership subscription money this month too if your membership is due to run out. 

And finally just to let you know that Kay is now online too. She has recently started her own blog to share some of her ideas and tips. You can link to it here and on the side bar - it is called Ink, Paint and Me. Check it out - she has only just launched but already has three posts and several crafty photos on there.