With Sympathy Card

I know it has been a long time since I have posted. I have been so busy with a2z Scrapbooking and dealing with health issues, including a stroke, that while I have taken time to create (my therapy) I haven't had a chance to blog. But I am taking

And what's even more amazing is that I actually got a card done. Sadly it is a sympathy card. I have to come to need quite a few lately. Being on the other side of 50 it seems like your world gets smaller every day..

Hero Arts Things We Love Cl715 Flower Sentiment Stamps	Ranger Distress Marker, Tumbled Glass	Ranger Distress Marker, Mowed Lawn	Ranger Distress Marker, Ripe Persimmon
Hero Arts Gold Embossing Powder	Ranger Distress Marker, Squeezed Lemonade	Bazzill - Card Shoppe - 8.5 x 11 Cardstock - Premium Smooth Texture - Juicy Pear	Bazzill - Card Shoppe - 8.5 x 11 Cardstock - Premium Smooth Texture - Marshmallow
*Simon Says Clear Stamps FLOWER FRIEND SSS130301	Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Water Brush - 1/2 Inch Flat Broad Brush Nib	Doodlebug Design - The Graduates Collection - Sprinkles - Self Adhesive Enamel Dots - Gold	Glue Dots - Mini Glue Dot Sheets

If you haven't signed up for the class, there's still time. It is very informative! 

If you need some supplies for you project visit the a2z store, and while you’re there you’d want to check out the Sale section, lots of great deals there.  Feel free to use promote code Elizabeth15 at check out to obtain 15% off any purchase of $25 or more (shipping not included).

Please note that a2z Scrapbooking is also on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.  Follow us on these social media outlets if you have not already done so.  You don’t want to miss out on any future promotion! 

Wishing you a creative day!

InLinkz.com

a2z Scrapbooking's Beat the Winter Blues Hero Arts Blog Hop

We're so excited to be here today, because it's time to BEAT THE WINTER BLUES!!! Today  we are celebrating a huge sale at a2z Scrapbooking.

Be sure to check out Our Sale section that is jam-packed full of Hero Arts items that are 50% off!!

As if that's not enough, we have an extra discount code for an extra 20% off your entire purchase!!! 

So hop along with us today (February 21st) and tomorrow (February 22nd), to see some fantastic, inspirational projects made using products you'll find in the a2z Sale Section!

Here's my card for today using Hero Arts Leafy Vines

Supplies: 
Cardstock: Bazzil Licorice Twist, Hero Arts Watercolor Paper
Stamp: Hero Arts Leafy Vines
Embossing Powder :  Hero Arts White Embossing Powder
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Spice Marmelade, Shabby Shutter, Seedless Preserves, Peacock Feathers
Butterfly: K & Company
Dew Drops: Robin's Nest

I'd like to give a special shout out to Linda Trace for arranging today's Blog Hop. Linda is a special friend of mine:) Before Linda was the owner of the Hero Arts Challenge Blog with Mary Dawn she was a2z Scrapbooking's Blog Coordinator. 

Despite being on the other side of the world (Australia) she has been there day and night helping us work out all of the details for this hop. She has been an amazing friend. It's my hope one day that the stars will align and we will actually get to meet someday:)

Be sure to comment on each of the blogs, "LIKE" our Facebook page, and enter below using the Rafflecopter widget, to increase your chances of winning a gift certificate of $25.00!!!  You have until February 28th midnight, to comment and get extra entries via rafflecopter.

Now that's sure to beat those wintery blues!

Here is the list of Hoppers! If you get lost along the way or encounter a broken link, please come back here for the full list!

Elizabeth (http://visionsofpaper.blogspot.com./) (You are Here)

Next go to: 

Sue (http://suesinkyfingers.blogspot.com.au/)

Haven (http://haven-amacher.blogspot.com/)

Kelly (http://disp6194-kellyscraps.blogspot.com.au/)

Steph (http://www.stephmade.com/)

Cris (http://myinkycorner.blogspot.com.es/)

Mary Dawn (http://www.mypinkmexico.blogspot.com./)

Lucy (http://dulcescreaciones-lucynewton.blogspot.com.au/)

Stacia (http://www.scrapstuffzbystacia.blogspot.com/)

Michelle (http://handmade-by-michelle.blogspot.com.au/) 

Lisa (http://www.lisastein.com/)

Christine (http://kartenchaos.blogspot.com.au/)

Linda (http://lindatracedesigns.blogspot.com.au/)

Thanks for stopping by! We hope you enjoy the hop!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

With Sympathy Card

I am currently taking another Jennifer McGuire and Kirsten Werner Class, KickStart. (You can sign up at anytime, it's well worth the money.)  I have loved this class because it has had a strong organizational bent. The first thing I did was clean off my desk and organize all of the tools and adhesives in a 10 drawer cart on wheels that I had in my bathroom. The drawers are now labeled Glue dots, Tape Runners, Tape, Foam Tape, Stamp Supplies (Fishers Stamping Press, Acrylic Blocks) Tools, Paper Cutter (small one),  Measuring Tools, Card and Layout Plastic Covers. So far I have been much better putting stuff away after I use it and there is much more room on my desk to work.

Another challenge was to look at a card to see what inspired you about the card and then to take notes in your sketch journal for a future card. I used a card Kristina Werner did for class. We used the same stamp. She also demonstrated a technique for watercoloring using Misting Sprays and an aquabrush which was something new for me. Here's my take with some changes:

Tip: A couple people in the class mentioned they were having problems with their watercolor paper burning when they tried to emboss. I have never had that problem. I use a combination of Hero Arts Watercolor Paper, Hero Arts Embossing Powder and Versamark.

Supplies:
Ink: Versamark, Hero Arts Night Chalk
Card: Hero Arts Pool Folded Card
Paper: Hero Arts Watercolor Paper
Stamp: Hero Arts Every Day Sayings
Seashell Buttons: Stash-I got these in an Estate Sale on Ebay.
Sequined Ribbon: Michael's
Thread: stash
Misting Sprays: Tattered Angels Patina Glimmer Mist, Maya Mists Seafoam Green, Luminarte Radiant Rain
Embossing Powder: Hero Arts White Embossing Powder

Challenges:
Young Craft Artists Unite: Challenge #14- Learning is fun!


More is coming! I am playing catch up today! LOL

Have a wonderful day!

Summer Card Camp Week 2 and Blog Candy I won

I have learned a lot from the Summer Card Camp and I am REALLY glad I took the class. However the color combinations for the first two weeks have thrown me for a loop because they have been colors I don't use and therefore I didn't have the right colors on hand. And it is a  45 minute drive to Achievers and that's on a day that traffic cooperates. So both weeks I have been behind the game on getting things done and in both cases I am less than satisfied with the results- I just can't seem to get my mojo going with the color combo's.  So I have decided that if next week the colors don't work for me- I am going to concentrate on the lessons and do my own thing. I just won't submit the results to the class for the prizes. It's more important to me anyway that I learn the skills, it's why I took the class. And I am clueless as to why I am struggling so much with the colors-after all I do love paper, this should be easy...or so you would think! LOL

So here is the card for this week:

Here's the colors for this week

The ribbon is actually three different Michael's ribbons I glued together. The sentiment is from Justrite With Sympathy Nested Frames, The card topper is From Flower Soft and I added Stickles. The Cardstock is Coredinations Distressed Wild Honey. I also used Tim Holtz Wild Honey Distressed Ink for the sentiment.

The mail was an awesome surprise today. There was a package in there from Lillian Child. I love her blog It Came from My Mother's Meatloaf. Just the name alone makes you smile! But besides being talented in the crafting world, she is also a gifted writer and always has some refreshing outlook on the world. She is wonderful about sharing a peek into her family dynamics, but she also looks for unusual facts about the world. This week there is an article on how to use Vodka in some not so traditional ways! LOL

Lillian just celebrated her one year blogging anniversary. And as gifted as she is I hope she writes for decades more. I love the fact that I can count on her for a smile! BUT TODAY was a huge smile that includes jumping for glee and a feeling that Christmas really does come in July!!!!  And the reason for all of this excitement? I WON her blog candy that celebrates her 1 year anniversary! And we are talking MAJOR Blog Candy here! Check it out!

So I have lots of new toys for my new scrapbook room that I will have next month:)  And yes James is admitting I am getting the room. He is taping up the outlets as I write so that we can paint the room. I am giddy with excitement over all of the goodies and the fact in a month we will be working in earnest to build my new studio! And now there will be new toys also thanks to Lillian. And from the bottom of my heart thank you Lillian:)

Have a day filled with memories:)