A Simple, but Effective Technique

It's called Iris Folding, and it's used to create sometimes intricate designs inside an "iris" or window, in a card front. I witnessed the results last spring, when a student of mine gave me a beautiful iris'ed card as a Thank You at the end of the term, and I wondered how it was done. Cue my sister-in-law, Bridget, who gave me some marvelous paper-folding and crafting books for Christmas this year. (Trust me, there are more techniques to come!)

I'll be putting a full tutorial together tomorrow, but for now, here's a tease of a simple card you can make with some spectacular results:

Stamp set: Vintage Vogue (just the sentiment)
Ink: Creamy Caramel
Papers: Very Vanilla and Green Galore cardstock; Tea Party Designer Series Paper, several scraps; Eggplant cardstock for interior (seen only in smallest part of the iris in the picture above).
Circle Scallop Punch

What I really like about this technique is that it can use up all those little scraps of designer series paper that pile up as you work with larger pieces. I hate wasting pretty paper, and this can use up all those little scraps to make something beautiful. It's recycling at its best!

New Vintage Vogue Set

I'm so in love with the new Vintage Vogue stamp set featured in the new Mini Occasions catalog! You will love it, too. It has a French baroque feel to it; it just begs to be used with black ink and bright colors.

I've made several different card fronts featuring elements from the set, but here are two of my favorites:
This one uses the Vintage Vogue set, SU Classic Black Ink Pad, Whisper White cardstock, Basic Gray cardstock, and Circle Fire Rhinestone brads.







The next one makes use of the leftover frame from the use of my Top Note die for the Big Shot. I loved the leftovers--they make perfect frames for quick scrapbook pages. I decided to use this Real Red scrap frame, left over from Christmas projects, to make a sample Valentine:

Vintage Vogue set, Real Red cardstock, Basic Greetings Hostess Set, Scallop Oval Punch, Whisper White cardstock.


The set just has a touch of old-fashioned elegance that makes it a must-own for your stamping toolbox.

Look out for more samples and tutorials this year!

Peace,

Amy

Holiday Sales and Open House

Folks, I've discovered I'm a terrible blogger. I'm going to make getting better at it my New Year's Resolution, along with a second promise: More pics, more projects, and more inspiration.

Now, the news:

* Stampin' Up! is having a 12 days of Christmas sale that starts on Friday! Put your order in by Tuesday, Dec. 15, to guarantee Christmas delivery. The company is promising huge discounts on never-before-discounted items. I can't wait. Maybe I can talk the Man of the Place into getting me my Valentine's Day present. He already got me a Big Shot for Christmas!

*Speaking of the Big Shot: Come to my Holiday Open House Saturday, Dec. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. and play with it yourself! I'll have a free make-and-take for you to try using the Top Note and Flower Burst Embosslit dies for the Big Shot. I'll also have my famous Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, door prizes, and fun. Come join me!

Wishing you and all of yours the best of holiday seasons!

Peace,

Amy

Holiday Stamp Camp Sneak Peek

Just 1 1/2 weeks to go until my first Holiday Stamp Camp, and I've been busy getting ready! We've got tons of fun in store!

* Embossing: A gold tree on a white and green background

* Rub-ons: A fun holiday sentiment for our new ornament punch in reds

* Relief and glitter techniques: An elegant and simple snowflake in blues

* Decor Elements: An easy way to dress up a picture frame for a gift

* Candle-stamping: Want to turn a candle into a hand-stamped treasure?

* Paper-crafting: Create a book-mark with a notepad to go with it!

Cost is $20, and registrations will close on Monday, Oct. 19. Reserve your space today!

Amy

New Month, New Deals from Stampin' Up!

The new My Digital Studio program is ready to sell; it's fabulous, and I can't wait to get it myself. This month, new demonstrator recruits can get the program with their starter kit at a really good price. See my site for details.

Stampin' Up! is also restarting the "Deals of the Week". From now until Oct. 11, you can order three different punches--Trio Flower punch, 5-Petal Flower punch, and the My Way punch--for just $10.99! That's a steal.

And a new month means new classes at Harmony's House. Check out my Holiday Stamp Camp on Saturday, Oct. 24. You can come and make three different cards and three different holiday gift projects for just $20. This includes snacks, prizes, materials, and instructions to take away with you. Sign up by Oct. 17 to reserve your seat! Location: Harmony's House, 17 Camelot Drive, Mankato. As a special bonus: Those who come get 10 percent off cash orders placed at the time of the class.

And finally, I'm working on different class ideas that I can present to you. Remember that I can tailor any of my classes to work with you and your group of friends, and I'm happy to! One idea that came from an attendee at the Pregnant Pause event I helped sponsor last week: A class that focuses on three uses for one holiday stamp set. That definitely got me thinking. Look for that class to show up on November's schedule, or call and book one in your own home.

Have a good month,

Amy

Thinking ahead ...

October Classes

at Harmony’s House:

Feelin’ Punchy:

Break out your punches and head over to Harmony’s House to make three different punch projects. Learn how to use the different shapes available through Stampin’ Up! for fun and unique cards and gifts. 1-3 p.m. Sat., Oct. 3, Twin Cities, $10

Basic Techniques I:

Learn how to put together and use your stamps for three different projects. Learn two-step stamping, “huffing”, and masking to make simple but beautiful cards.

7-9 p.m., Thurs., Oct. 15, Mankato, $10

Holiday Stamp Camp:

Make six different projects that are perfect for holiday gift-giving! Three holiday cards and three handmade gifts are included in the cost, which also includes written instructions to take away with you. 1-4 p.m. Sat., Oct. 24, Mankato, $20

Register for all classes one week in advance

to reserve your spot.

Contact Amy at alauters@yahoo.com,

or 507-491-3093.

Course fees are cash or check only.

October Special:

Class attendees get 10 percent discount on all cash orders placed at the time of the class.

Check out http://harmonyshouse.stampinup.net or

http://harmonyshouse.blogspot.com

for news and updates.

Upcoming Events and Classes

It's been crazy this month, and I just realized I haven't posted in a couple of weeks. So I think now is a good time to let you all know about upcoming events and classes at Harmony's House.

First up? A Back-to-Stampin' Pub Night at my place Thursday, Aug. 27, from 7 to 9 p.m.

I discovered a wonderful locally brewed hard cider recently, from Welsh Heritage Farms, and I thought it would be perfect paired with stamps! We'll do a make-and-take, visit, taste the cider and some of the wonderful cheeses that go with it, and celebrate the start of another school year.

Second: For my Twin Cities friends, I'm having an open house at the home of my good friend and cousin Shawn Mattson August 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. Email me for details. We'll have demonstrations, doorprizes, a free make-and-take, and more! Stop by any time between 1 and 3.

So many friends have just gotten started with stamping that I thought a couple of classes in how to use their new stamps would be in order. For September, I'm offering:

Basic Techniques I: How to use and clean your stamps; masking, coloring and two-step stamping techniques. $5; includes all materials for two projects. Sunday, Sept. 6 from 1 to 3 in Mankato.

Feelin' Punchy: (Title shamelessly stolen from my upline, Sara Mattson-Blume at LilyInkPad) Use punches to make fun and fabulous cards and projects quickly and easily. $10; includes all materials for two cards and two 3-D projects. Thursday, Sept. 10 from 7 to 9 in Mankato; Saturday, Oct. 3 from 1 to 3 in the Twin Cities.

Finally, we're gearing up for a winter stamp club. The first meeting will be Thursday, Sept. 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fill-In coffee house, Front Street, Mankato. Email me to RSVP at least a week in advance. $5 to cover the facilities cost. Bring all your materials! We'll make one card together, then simply have fun building our winter stash of everyday cards.

I hope you can join us!