Back in the Swing of Things

Since my foot surgery back in May, I haven't had any classes.  In the last month or so, I've wanted to, but something always makes me change my mind ... no time to make samples, classroom table is a mess, uninspired, etc.

Well, last week, I ended up scoping things out on Pinterest, and something just 'clicked'.  I don't know, but I got so inspired!  I got right to work and made a card.  I felt rejuvenated!  Then, on Saturday, I was invited to attend Fall Fest with my ex-upline group from Stampin' Up!, and the samples, talented women, and projects we made were fabulous!  I spent the rest of the weekend making cards, and sent out the email ... "new class scheduled for ..."

So, class was last night, and it felt great!  I want to keep this feeling going, so I just sent the email announcing my Stamp-a-Stack class scheduled for next Monday!  Yeah!

Anyway, here's what we did last night:

 

This first card was designed by Brenda Keenan, and I found it on Pinterest.  I believe she even had a video tutorial.  This was the card that first inspired me last week ... isn't it great?!  It's a faux layering technique using By the Tide & Bring On the Cake stamp sets.  The colors used were Marina Mist, Midnight Muse & Island Indigo on Whisper White cardstock.  One of those rare cards that would be perfect for a man.

This next card I saw at Fall Fest on Saturday.  I'm so sorry, but I never got the original artist's name.   The texture on this card is amazing!   I wish it showed up better in the photo.  You'll never guess how it's done.  OK, I'll tell you ... it's a used dryer sheet.  Just stamp onto the Whisper White cardstock with Crumb Cake & Soft Suede inks (Lovely as a Tree stamp set).  Then, cut the dryer sheet to size, spray with some spray adhesive, sprinkle on some Dazzling Diamonds, and flip it over onto the card.  Absolutely gorgeous!  The dryer sheet with the glitter makes it look like a beautiful snowy scene.

This final card was one I designed.  I learned this technique by taking Tim Holtz's Creative Chemistry 101 online classes last year.  The technique is call Reflections Stamping.  It's called that because since you stamp directly onto the embossing folder, your image will come out reversed..So, if you wanted text, you'd have to use a special reversed text stamp.  Any other image works great though.  I thought it'd be a cool idea to use a woodgrain background.  I used Ranger Distress Inks for this, and the colors are Bundled Sage, Weathered Wood and Wild Honey for the background.  The trees have Forest Moss and Walnut Stain.  I then swiped Walnut Stain around the whole card.  The woodgrain image was stamped in Coffee Archival ink, and the saying in Black Archival ink.  During class though, we decided to use black detail embossing power on the saying to make it pop more.  We used scrap file folders for the images layered on Basic Black and Old Olive SU papers.