Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Time for another card class

I can't believe it, but it is time for my next card class.  This month it is earlier than usual because it is part of the Home Spun Holiday event at Paper Vinyard Scrapbook Store in Chandler.  We will be making ten different "Santa" cards, using the Graphic45 vintage holiday line.  These cards are also a little larger than my usual classes, measuring 5" x 6.5".  I tried to embellish them with ribbons, buttons, clips, chipboard items, etc., but I also tried to keep them "thin" so you hopefully won't have trouble mailing them.  The class is being held Sunday, December 5, at 2:30 p.m.  Cost is $35.  Check out the photos below...



I would love to see you there!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Recognize this guy?

It's Apolo Ohno - olympic speed skater and gold medalist.  My daughter, Katie, and her roommate, Katie, stopped in at Changing Hands on Black Friday and Apolo was there, doing his book signing tour.  They were thrilled and stayed around to hear what he had to say.  I think they were impressed.


Here's the side of his bus.  Kind of a fun little surprise for them.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Snow Babies!

My friends are visiting family in Minnesota and sent these photos of Myah and Kylee.  Brrr!  It looks cold to me but they do have smiles on their faces.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Diecut Reindeer Box

A friend of mine, Celina, went to a Stampin' Up! class and they made this very cute reindeer treat box by using a Sizzex diecut.    The reindeer is made by using a snowflake diecut (cutting two pieces off for the antlers) and an oval for the face.  Ribbon was wrapped around the box for a very festive look. 
I am told it holds 6 chocolate kisses.
 
Thank you, Celina, for the reindeer gift.  It is so very cute!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Christmas came early!

My next card class is on Sunday, December 5.  It is part of the Home Spun Holiday event at Paper Vineyard.  We are making 10 different, 5 x 7" cards, using the Graphic45 vintage line.  The focus of the cards is the paper below which has 10 different images we will be working with. 
My order from Graphic45 came in and it was fun opening the box.  I have to admit, I do have an addiction to paper, ribbon, and buttons!
Come see what the fun is all about!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

What a great Class!

Saturday morning was my monthly All Occasion Card Class - we made ten Christmas cards using the Cosmo Cricket holiday line "Mitten Weather."  Ten simple, but cute cards.  I sold all 18 kits that I made - Whew hoo! 
Pictures - in no particular order -
Here's Joanie - smiling wildly.  Joanie always likes to "mix things up a bit" by adding her own flare and experimenting with different techniques.  And that's what this card class is about - change 'em up.  These cards belong to you, so make them your own.  I do the same thing when I go to card classes.  I can't help it.
These are the tables, set up, laid out, just waiting for the ladies.  I was ready for them when they walked in the door.  Yeah for Jean! 
This is Mary, who takes quite a few of my classes.  Always a delight!
Two of my friends, MaryAnna (on the left) and Claudia.  I call MaryAnna my first Arizona boomarang friend.  When I moved back to Arizona in 1997, I met MaryAnna at church and we have been friends ever since.  I also met Claudia at church and her daughter, Krista, loves crafts and now actually works at Paper Vineyard.  MaryAnna is a seasoned crafter, but this is all new to Claudia.  She had a great time, though.  Watch out, Claudia, this does become addicting!  I am also in a book club with these two ladies.
This is Sarah, with her granddaughter, Rachel.  Rachel is a senior this year, and her grandmother signed her up for this class.  She was so very quiet, I hardly knew she was there.  Her cards were very cute.  She was another one who "did her own thing."  Thanks, Sarah, for bringing Sarah to the store (and thanks to Valerie for telling Sarah about Paper Vineyard).
One of my favorites - Celina - working on her cards.  Celina has signed up for the entire weekend of Homespun Holidays and she is very excited about it.  Check out my blog on Tuesday - I am featuring a diecut box made by Celina.  It is so cute!
Every class has to have some sort of treats.  I made Paula Deen's recipe for "Aunt Trina's Pumpkin Holiday Treat."  It is kind of a cross between pumpkin pie and cake.  It is crunchy, pumpkiny, nutty (pecans), and of course, buttery.  Everyone raved about it.  I made it for work and everyone loved it there, too.  Let me know if you want the recipe, I can send it to you.  Or you can google it, as well.
These are Liz's cards.  She did her own thing, which is great, and exactly what she should be doing.  Very cute, Liz!
And this is Liz.  This was the first time I met Liz, another quiet one, but always had a nice smile (meaning she was having a good time)
I missed getting a picture of Michelle and Sherry Bamsey's (Susan, Sandra, and Victoria) three friends.  Sometimes I am a little slow on getting out my camera.  I'll catch them next time!  Thanks again, everyone, for your help in making this class a success.  And a big thanks to Paper Vineyard for providing the store space for this class! 

Friday, November 19, 2010

All My Bags Are Packed...

No, that's not right.  Sing a long (tune is Leaving on a Jet Plane):

All my kits are packed, they're ready to go.
They're in a box, right by my door.
I'm so happy I could almost cry.
Saturday's class starts at 10 in the morn.
I swear I won't be blowing my horn.
The cards are cute; I really don't want to lie.

So come spend the morning with me.
See how creative you can be.
So much fun, you'll never want to go-o-o-o-o.

Remember that song?  Leaving on a Jet Plane?  Sorry, no photo today - just me getting a little goofy this morning.  If you didn't get the gist of my song, my Christmas cards kits are ready to go for my class at Paper Vineyard Scrapbook Store!  Last I heard, there are only FOUR spots left.  Treats will be made tonight.  Come on, Saturday!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Cutting Kits

I have started cutting kits for my first [on my own] class, which is this Saturday at Paper Vineyard Scrapbook Store.  I have the kits lined up on my extra/guest table in my craft room.  I love the look of that!
You may remember that this is a Christmas card class (you'll make 10 cards and then go home with more product).  I am featuring the new Christmas line called "Mitten Weather" from Cosmo Cricket.  It will be a fun morning!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

All ready for winter

Sophie and Jack were recently given fleece jackets by Diana Vance, which were actually made by Diana's sister, Carolyn, who lives in Hemet, CA.  How it started was... Carolyn made a jacket for her own dog, which evidently didn't fit, so she sent it to Diana for Buster (a little min pin).  It didn't quite fit Buster, so Diana gave it to me for Sophie.  It was a little snug on Sophie, but fits Jack perfectly!  On Monday, Diana shows up with another jacket, which I took home to Sophie and guess what?  It fit her beautifully.  Here they are, Sophie (in green and red) ...
and Jack (in black and red)... sporting their new fleece jackets!  Don't they look sharp?  Thanks so much to Caroline who was simply trying to use one piece of fabric, and ended up making a trip to the store to keep everyone happy.  :)

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Another Holiday Card

A few weeks ago, I attended an all-day Cricut Swarm and I was determined to use my cricut all day, which I did.  Another goal was to work on Christmas cards, which I did.  I cut out sleds, both the base and the outline, on the cricut, glued everything down, then mounted them on background paper by BasicGrey.  I wasn't able to finish them until tonight when I stamped the envelopes and the inside of the cards.
It was a fun day - and another thing I can check off my list.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Done... with time to spare...

I got together on Sunday with my friend, Adriana Granado, to craft and just have some creative fun.  We both ended up making cards for the upcoming card exchange which is this next Sunday.  My cards started with paper from the Oh Joy line of Cosmo Cricket.  I then used a Tim Holtz dry embossing template (the snowman and the snowflakes).  I inked the inside, then ran the cardstock through my Cuddlebug to give it a vintage/inked look.  I fell in love with this technique!  It gives it such depth.
A little glitzy ribbon wound through the  large eyelets... and I'm done.  A week early and I am done!  This feels good.
This is the inside of Adriana's card.  She stamped the saying using gold pigment ink.
The outside was a combination of gold, silver, and copper ink.  The poinsettias really added dimension and color.
All ten done.  We are both extremely happy to be done early for once!
What a great afternoon. spending some quiet time with a friend, crafting, talking, and watching movies.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

It was kind of like Christmas earlier this week...

As many of you know, I am teaching classes on my own - at least I plan on doing that for now. With that idea, I have my own tax ID number, a name (Tainted with a Positive View), and I will be ordering my own supplies for classes. My first class - on my own - is Saturday, November 20, at 10:00 a.m. and we are making Christmas cards using the Cosmo Cricket line. So my order came yesterday and I loved opening the box! These are the cards...And here's my own little Christmas present! Call Paper Vineyard in Chandler (480-656-2058) if you are interested in taking this class. The price is only $25. You will make 10 cards in class and then go home with a lot of extra supplies to make more cards. This is a great way to get a start on your holiday cards. Participants will get a complete set of the Ready Set Chipboard to use as you like. Hope to see you there~

Friday, November 12, 2010

Another altered cigar box

This one was done by Val.  She used the Tim Holtz paper line.  It is so very regal looking to me.  The metal legs really add to the overall effect.
Cindy taught Val and Diane how to create Stephanie Ackerman's paper flowers... and they loved that technique.  As you can see, Val placed them on the top of her box.  Beautiful box, Val! 
Just a reminder, Stephanie Ackerman will be at Paper Vineyard Scrapbook Store in Chandler for the  Homespun Holiday event taking place December 3, 4, and 5.  Be sure to take a look at the the website Paper Vineyard and specifically the blog for Home Spun Holiday.
I am still waiting for pictures of Kay's cigar box.  I am anxious to share that with you as well. 

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Cigar Box

You have heard many times of my friend, Cindy. Every year she invites three of her Minnesota friends out to Arizona and she hosts a "girls weekend" in her home. It is always in October and they usually do a craft project over the weekend, shop, stay up late, gab all night, drink lots of coffee, and not sure what else. I would guess they do not divulge everything. But I do know they have a good time. This year the project was to alter a cigar box. Diane's box is pictured below. I absolutely love what she did, using Graphic45 "ladies" paper on the outside, the jewels on the top, metal legs, it is beautiful! Here's the inside. I love how she pieced the Eiffel Tower between the top and inside. It is nice. I am not sure what she plans to do with it, but it is gorgeous!
Okay, this picture I couldn't resist. The drawing in the background is of the three ladies who come every year: Diane is on the left, Val in the middle, and Kay on the right.
Beautiful job, Diane! I should get photos of Val's and Kay's cigar boxes tonight or tomorrow. I will share them with you.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Happy Belated Birthday, Ed!

My oldest brother, Ed, (on the right in the top picture) turned 58 on Tuesday.  My younger brother, Jeff, is on the left.  We have been told that Ed and I look very much alike, and even act alike.  I think there's some truth to that.  Here are some more recent photos of Ed. 
I think they are eating lobster, or something similar.  We went out to Red Lobster for my mother's 80th birthday.  Love the bibs, guys!  Jeff appears to be having a really good time.
Here we are - my whole family.  Ed is on the right.  I am sitting on my dad's lap.  Do we look alike?  Hard to tell.  Jeff and Gail are next to me.  Susan is standing in the back.  This is one of my absolute favorite pictures.
I have some wonderful memories of our growing up.  Anyway, Happy Birthday, Ed.  Best of everything to you - you are a great brother!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Thinking ahead...

Thanksgiving is really right around the corner. I sat down today and made a list of everyone I know who will attend and what the menu will be. It made me think about Thanksgiving and I thought you might enjoy some of the pictures I found on the internet. Here's one depicting the first Thanksgiving dinner. Here's one of a much more modern table - we have really come a long way, haven't we?
A typical Thanksgiving Day dinner plate... Does this look a little like yours? Mine is usually stacked a little higher than this one.
And this famous painting done by Norman Rockwell...
Something a little "retro," which really made me think about how I do want to outdo myself with dinner this year. I am cooking, as always, but I want to change it up a little. I do enjoy this day even though there is a lot of preparation. I have to admit I am thinking of what I can do different. What new recipe can I try? I am definitely open to trying someone else's family recipe, so I am looking to each of you for suggestions.
Some questions I have for you are:
1. How do you prepare your turkey? I just read that placing a bird in a brine is wonderful.
2. What is your favorite vegetable recipe?
3. What is one of your family traditions for Thanksgiving?
4. Do you share around the table before dinner?
5. Do you have a memorable Thanksgiving dinner that you would share with me?
If you want to respond here on my blog, great. If you would rather send me an email, my email address is: jbradsher2@cox.net. Looking forward to your responses!