Gifts

My neighbor, Barb, just transformed a plain canvas tote bag into a work of art as a gift to me. I love this! Barb knows that I am a cat fan and that I adore bling. (And she has seen me hauling my junk in tote bags everywhere I go!). So, she took the time to craft a gift that she knew would make me smile. And it most definitely did. Over and over.

This gift served to remind me of one of the main reasons I became so addicted to crafting- it's not just the fun of crafting itself, it is the special blessing of having the ability to make someone else feel good. Barb's gift reminded me of how wonderful it can feel to receive a gift or card that was specifically designed and hand crafted for you alone. When you get such an item, you really feel the love.

So, I am grateful to Barb for the lovely gift, and I am also grateful to Barb for helping me to get back to that special crafting feeling. I will be spending some quality time at my craft desk today, and when I do, it will not just be about entertainment. It will also be about love, and kindness and the greatest gift- the gift of being able to make someone else feel good.

 Some gifts you can hold, and some gifts you can feel.

 Thanks, Barb!

                                      

Magnetic platform + metal wafer thin die = perfection

Sizzix came out with a magnetic platform and I had been wanting it for months.

I have the 'genius' magnetic platform with self healing mats from Lifestyle Crafts so I didn't know if I should get yet another platform.

I broke down and bought the Sizzix magnetic platform and I am so glad that I made such a terrific purchase. I like the genius platform with the self healing mats for diecutting paper but if you have a specific portion of a piece of patterned cardstock it's not the best because the mats are opaque. The sandwich you make is platform + die + paper + mat. The platform is on the bottom the die is cutting side up since you don't want to cut into the platform which means you have to turn your paper facedown. This makes it difficult to place the paper exactly where you need it.

The Sizzix magnetic platform sandwich is platform + clear cutting plate + paper + die + clear cutting plate. Since there is a clear cutting plate between on top of base platform you can put paper down and place the die cutting side down exactly in the place you want it. The magnets in the platform are strong so the dies stay where you put them.

Get in out of the heat!

We've got some fabulous classes coming up this week!  Check these out:

Fan-cy Fans with Donna and Bobbi on Friday, July 18th from 7-9PM.

Come in and create a few Fan-cy fans, perfect for giving as a gift or for keeping cool this Summer.  You'll create a gorgeous card too!

Imitation Leather Journal with Donna on Saturday, July 19th from 10AM - 12PM

Learn a really fun technique of turning cardstock into leather and create a fun mini book with your new-found knowledge.  You will complete one book, but Donna will give you the opportunity to create more book covers that you can complete at home.  This is a fabulous technique!

By the Sea Cards with Guest, Kathie DeLuca on Sunday, July 20th from 12-3PM

Come and make these beautiful watercolored cards in this fun class with Kathie!  We will be using Distress Stains as our medium to create these mini works of art.  We will pair it with some beautiful papers from Graphic 45 By the Sea Collection, and then add some cute embellishments to make 4 amazing cards!  If you would like to order this Time Holtz stamp set by Stampers Anonymous just let us know and we can have it waiting for you on the day of the class.
This class is for any level of stamper.


There's no need to stay inside to keep cool, come play with us and learn something new!