The heat is on!

 Too bad it’s not outside though…

I got a shout out on Facebook from someone at the store who encouraged our followers to check out the blog for inspiration. I leave the inspiration to Kim’s Monday posts. The writer called my posts ‘witty’. I’m not so sure about that but I do like to try and put some zip in in my posts. That said, this week’s will probably be really dull🤪.

 I’ll be sending a reminder to Jess to add Wednesday’s and Saturday’s post to our YouTube channel. Wednesday’s video featured a new videographer, Lori! Sharon was teaching her Graphic 45 card class at the back table so Lori took over filming, walking around the store and showing what was new. For those of us who aren’t able to visit the store as often as we used to it was nice to get a feel of what’s new and to visit our happy place even if it was virtually.

I was late to Saturday’s video and kept breaking my brittle nails trying to do screen shots but I think you’ll get the idea. We have new product with samples and assembly illustrations and class samples. I mention in the video that descriptions for the classes will be up no later than Sunday and I believe dates are already on the calendar. 

I’m starting with new product from iCrafter. This die forms a Mason jar that you can do flat on a card front OR as a box card that will flatten to fit into a standard A2 envelope OR as a box card that you can use as a favor for a shower or party or as a treat box.

Sharon made the box card in this first photo  We’ll have a Mona variation in a bit.

Here is the front of the packaging followed by the back which shows you just how many dies you get. 

Next Sharon shows the box pieces before assembly. You can see the blur of the center tabs (that you build your ‘innards’, like flowers) inside your box. 

Next, Sharon has closed her box and you can see the inside tabs waiting to get affixed. 

See how your card can fold flat?

In the photo where you see the tabs blurring in Sharon’s hand, you don’t see an additional piece that forms the ‘floor’ of the box (Sharon cut it off). Leave the floor piece in place when you want your box to hold something creating a real box. The photo below shows the box with the bottom piece. NOTE: when you use the die this way it will NOT fold flat. It’s made to be a genuine box. 

Next up is Mona’s version. Two things about Mona. First, she’s not a flower girl, not her thing. Second, she is our die cut Queen! She is ingenious with her collection and use of dies. Just a note, Sharon usually cuts her images out of white paper and then colors with Copics. For the flowers in her Mason jar she used Distress Inks. 

Here’s how Mona’s box folds flat. 

Mona used the die cut package shown from Photo Play to add to the inside of her Mason jar. Both Sharon and Mona used acetate to make their insides seem to float and to give them a sturdier foundation, and yes, we carry the acetate. 

We also have the cubes of the four newest Distress Inks in a package. This is how we will be carrying any new Distress Inks that Tim and Ranger release.  NOTE: Oxides are different, we should be carrying the full size squares as they are released. 

Next up are Altenew’s newest alcohol ink sets. Sharon has made a color map and the illustrations on the front of the boxes show how you can use them with Altenew stamps and dies.  

Next is a variation on the tool box die from iCrafter that we showed several weeks ago. Look how it’s been transformed into a ladies dresser for a possible Mother’s Day gift card holder or just a card front!

 

Mona used several of her Taylored Expression dies to add to the dresser for additional interest. 

I can see more possibilities using this Taylored add-on die from several years ago. Check out that stash for ways to reuse, re-imagine and refresh new and older dies. 

We shared this stamp set from Photo Play a week or so ago and whereas it has Mother’s Day sentiments Sharon is sharing several samples she made with this versatile stamp set.  

This is definitely a Mother’s Day die. Check out the video for tips as to how Sharon kicked it up a notch. 

Another possible Mother’s Day die set. 

Classes, we have classes! First up is Sharon’s Layered Window class. I believe Sharon used Hero Arts dies to create these for dimensional cards. Descriptions and dates will be posted in the next few days. 

We’ve convinced Lori to teach a class! She’s starting with these cards that combine hard to use large patterned paper with sentiment dies from a variety of companies including Memory Box. 

Pink Fresh Washi cards, round 2. I love these cards and finding ways to use my large Washi tape rolls.

Kim was a little under the weather today but we have her new gnomie class samples. Love, love, love the coloring and colors. 

My funny for today is very timely as the contractor is finished with our new kitchen, yay! Now comes all the ‘finish/decorative’ work and learning new appliances.  We have a new gas range, changed from an electric range. I’ve never had a gas range, hence this may be me the first few times I attempt a major meal!

That’s it for today but not for me. I’ll be doing another post, probably on Sunday with more new product. I didn’t want to cram it all in just one post. So I’ll see you again on Sunday. Stay crafty and stay safe.