Hello September! I often think of September much like January – the start of a new year or phase. This September is definitely different than previous Septembers, and one of the things I missed most this year was the Back to School shopping excitement. I am totally one of those geeks who loves new pens, pencils, paper, notebooks….so perhaps it’s a good thing I missed out on most of that shopping because I’m sure I saved some money along the way – well at least in that section of my budget.
Here’s a card to say hello – whether it’s to a month or to a friend. It’s part of a previous Class to Go and Stampers Club. I love how simple shapes can be manipulated to make a more complex effect!
I love the Playful Alphabet Dies – and I love that there are multiples of many letters, meaning it’s easy to die cut whole words at one time (without having to go back and re-cut a single letter). The other feature on this card is circles (or semi-circles) – so I used the Layering Circles dies, plus the smallest Mango Melody Circle on the background is actually the centre of the “o”. Can you see the “trick” to make the colours line up on the larger semi-circles to emphasize the swooping motion? You need extra circles to do it – two of the largest and second smallest circles, one of each of the colours (in this case, Cajun Craze and Daffodil Delight). You only need one of the second largest circle in one colour (Mango Melody in the sample). We were laughing in Stampers Club at the colours – they’re a little “retro” – and someone mentioned that we just needed an Avocado Green shade (hmm I guess the closest Stampin’ Up! shade might be Old Olive – or maybe Mossy Meadow??) to go with the “Harvest Gold” like theme and we would have a totally 70’s card.
One of the challenges I face with doing club virtually is figuring out the projects. Normally when we meet in person, I have the stamps and inks required for the different projects on the table, and each person uses them for that card. Right now participants are picking up (or receiving their card kits in the mail) – and Stampin’ Up! prohibits us from including any pre-stamped images in our kits, so the cards we do in Stampers Club these days are tending to be based on techniques, papers, die cuts or punched images (because I can include those). If a card could use a sentiment on it that is stamped, I usually will include a die cut or punched label or tag, but then each person can add their own sentiment from the craft supplies they have in their stash. Class to Go operates under the same format – you get all pre-cut cardstock/embellishments or pre-die cut/ punched elements for each card, plus an envelope. You supply the adhesive (or let me know if you need some and you can purchase some to be included in your kit) and have the option to add stamped sentiments of your choice.
I’ll be adding a few Bundle Classes in the next while that will focus on a particular stamp & tool combination. While the supplies will be still be precut, the projects may require further stamping or die cutting for completion as per the samples. If you’re interested in joining us, drop me a message and I’ll get you set up! Club is a 6 month commitment, Class to Go is a stand alone (i.e. no ongoing commitment), and Bundle Classes will also be stand alone (though you’ll want the featured bundle to complete the projects as per the class samples).
In the meantime, I will continue to create cards that also require stamping in addition to die cutting and punches – because that’s what I do…LOL! Wishing everyone a safe and smooth return to routine – recognizing that our routine may be a new and unfamiliar one – at least to start.
