GIFT BOXED CARDS

DATE:  SUNDAY, December 5th

TIME:  1-3 PM

COST:  $20

Hold on a moment while I adjust the new flab garnered from my Thanksgiving dinner!  Whoa!  Why do we eat so much in one day?  I hope you all enjoyed your turkey day as much as I did.  I got to spend it with my kids and granddaughter down the Cape.  A great day!

Now that we've gotten Thanksgiving out of the way, we are in full swing for Christmas with decorations, party planning and gift giving.

Did I say gift giving?  Do you have that certain someone who tends to be difficult to buy for?  They "need" nothing and they "want" nothing.  But we are compelled (and determined) to give them a little something to open up and Christmas.  I have the perfect gift for you to give!  Check out below the gift box set of 4 cards/envelopes that you will be creating with your own two little hands.  

First up is the "pizza box" that you will create.  The photo below is simply a sample of what it will look like on class day.  I will choose different designer papers to decorate your box with.  HOWEVER, I'd like to offer the opportunity for you to bring your own designer paper if you wish.  I can't guarantee what I'll be cutting for you and you may have a favorite/special paper that you'd like to use.  If you do choose to bring your own, PLEASE LET ME KNOW so that I don't cut any paper unnecessarily.  You don't need a large piece - an 8-1/2 x 11 will more than take care of it.  You'll also need to send me a photo of the paper so that I can match ribbon to it (unless you have some at home that you'd like to use).

Here's the box...

And the following photos are in groups of two cards each for the inside:

You may have noticed a soft, shimmery shine to the colored background of these cards.  Well this is a technique we will be doing as well.  Check the newsletter for additional information.

If you'd like to sign up for this class, please email me at deedee.maligno@gmail.com or click the PayPal Button below to reserve your spot.

As always, I look forward to seeing you!

Graphics & Images

Holiday Cards

 DATE:  Sunday, November 21

TIME;  1 TO 3pm                            THIS CLASS IS FULL!

COST:  $20

Oh boy!  We are in full swing with Christmas cards, aren't we?  It's never too early to get started on them.  In keeping with the season, I've created three easy, semi-easy, more complicated (in that order) cards for you.  

Our first card involves layered dies.  I've been a little fascinated by them and decided to take the plunge and purchase one.  Super simple!  You can create a card in minutes with this type of die and they do make a visual impact.  I think the most difficulty you'll have with these dies is choosing which papers/card stock to use!  Since it's for Christmas -- sparkle and shine are the order of the day.

And our next card is very simple as well.  You know I'm a proponent of getting the most from your embossing folders.  I love this one in particular as you can use it for many different occasions.  This one is a 3-D (they are fantastic folders!) and I've added some ink to bring out the details.

And our third card is a little fussier than the above two.  There will be stamping and embossing as well as learning to make this creative card front.

Here's the card closed -- note the pull tab to the right.

Pull on that tab and a message appears!

PLEASE NOTE:  There is one opening left for this class.  Please email me at deedee.maligno@gmail.com  to reserve this last spot.  Or you can do one-stop shopping and use the PayPal Button below to pay and reserve your spot.

Come join the fun!

Donna

Aperture Cards

 DATE:  Sunday, October 24th

TIME:  1 TO 3PM (NOTE:  class may run longer)

COST:  $20

Hello All!

It's been a while since I've posted and I do apologize -- it's been kinda crazy here lately with two vacations, and helping my son move into new "digs"...  September classes were signed up for in advance and were full, so just another reason for no newsletter.

But now we are into October and I have a really fun class planned for you.  We will be doing Aperture cards.  I, for one, love interactive cards and these are so much fun because you can use them for any occasion.  For your info, the dies we will be using are from Diamond Press (Hidden Message Kit with additional complimentary kits for different occasions).  I purchased these kits through HSN and am not sure if they are an exclusive through them.  If you check Mydiamondpress.com, you will see that the basic kit is offered at $8.00!!! (https://mydiamondpress.com/shop/ols/products/hidden-message-template).  That's a fantastic buy!  And I will tell you that their dies are incredible -- they release the paper like a dream!

Ok, so let's get to the projects.  I've created two for you -- one for friendship and one for Christmas.  I got carried away playing with these dies -- love how they go together!

So here's project one with aperture closed:

Aperture opened:

And our second aperture card with a Christmas theme - aperture closed:

And aperture opened:

As mentioned in the newsletter, I have a few seats left.  If this is something you'd like to tackle, then send me an email and I'll get you signed up for the few remaining seats.  My email is deedee.maligno@gmail.com. 

I hope to see you there!

Donna

 

Split Decision

 DATE:  Saturday, August 7th

TIME:  1 PM to 3 PM

COST:  $20

Hello all,

Can you believe we are into August already?  Considering July was a bust because of all that rain...  But we crafters/card makers don't let that stop us!  I've used a really fun idea utilizing an overly large stamp image.  By stamping once, you can create two full cards.  Now who doesn't like that for a time-saver?

I've used two different images to create FOUR cards.  See photos below.

AND

And, if time allows, I've created a third set using another large image as follows:

Don't these look like simple fun?  Well they are!  I have just a few openings left for this class, so send me an email if you'd like to attend.  The seats fill fast, so don't wait!

I look forward to seeing you on the 7th!

Donna

MINI ALBUM CARD with Box

DATE:  Saturday, JULY 24TH

TIME:  1 - 3 pm 

Wow!  We had such a great class last week and lots and lots of product to be purchased - Memory Box, Poppy Stamps, Hero Arts, etc.  Shhh, I spent quite a bit (no surprise there!).

I have created another fun folded card for you for this class.  It's called a mini album card.  When folded up, it's about 4x4" square, but when opened....!  Can you say 16"???  How'd she do that!  Well send me a quick email to reserve one of the TWO remaining spots for this class.  Don't wait - they go quickly!

So, here's a pic of the card folded with belly band and the box behind it.

And here's the card in all it's 16" splendor!

Now who wouldn't want to receive a card like this!  I can't guarantee the same pattern as shown above, but whatever I choose, I'm sure you'll like it.  It's something you can always copy at home and use whatever pattern paper you have available.

So what are you waiting for?  Send me a text or an email and reserve one of the last two openings.

See you soon!

Donna

3-D POP OUT CARDS

 DATE:  Saturday, July 10th

TIME:  1 TO 3 PM

COST:  $20

Hello all!  Well our first class since 2020 was a resounding success and you ladies even finished 20 minutes ahead of schedule -- a first, to be sure!  It was a fun afternoon and just seeing you great ladies, was such a highlight.

As you know, I've got about 4 classes already planned out and most of you signed up for our next class (7/10) - BUT I have only one opening left.  Sign up quickly before it goes!

I've seen a few of these Pop Out cards and decided I could wrap my head around it and figure out the measurements.  Me being me, I went a step further and bumped up the size to a regular A2 card.  It affords a little more "real estate" for decorating and is easier to handle.  Most that I've seen are a 4x4 format and I found it challenging to fit any decorations into this size format -- it just looked "squat".  So I hope you enjoy these cards as much as I did creating them:

Rather unassuming when closed, but here's your "wow" factor when opened...

Woo Hoo!  we now have 3 boxes that fold flat to an A2 size card!

And here's our second card...(sorry about the blurry quality)

What you really cannot see is the larger box opened fully from this view.  You're going to be making a few of these this season for sure!

So, text me, call me, or send me an email and reserve THE LAST SPOT for this class!  See you soon!

DONNA

At Long Last!

 DATE:  Saturday, June 26th

TIME:  1 PM 

Hello everyone!  Well here we are finally out from under the Covid cloud and raring to get back to creating in classes -- that's in-house classes!  Yes, we are going to resume our classes after a really tough year for everyone.  I know some of you had Covid in varying degrees of severity, but we've all come out the other end with our creativity and sense of humor in tact.  This is when I am thankful for the electronic age - we were all able to stay in touch one way or another through a terrible 2020.

So what are we waiting for?  Nothing!  Let's get cracking with our first class to be held on Saturday,  June 26th at 1pm.  Obviously I've had ample time to create some classes for you while in seclusion/lock down.  Basically, I should have enough classes to run us through the entire summer.  So what's ahead?  Well, I've planned some really funky and fun opening cards.  We'll dust off our envelope boards for one class and one that I'll call "Seeing Double" (a great concept and time saver) as well as some other fun concepts.

Here's what's in store for our first class of 2021.  One piece of card stock, some scraps of designer paper and some dies and here you are!  This was a tough one to photo, but you'll get the idea.

 and our second card...

So won't you join me and I'll be thrilled to teach you some really cool ideas?  You can hit the PayPal button below, pay in person, whatever way you feel comfortable.  Remember, this is IN-HOUSE and not a video!

See you soon!

Donna

Single Layer Cards

 COST:  $15

Hello ladies,

Well, according to my latest newsletter, I'm here to fulfill a promise about a technique class.  You'll learn some super simple ways of creating a (last minute) card in five minutes with a few simple tools.  Years ago when the card making craft exploded, we only had stamps, ink and card stock to play with (add in some funky ephemera here and there) and we happily sat down to create.  Well the die industry has pretty much put that standard into mothballs.  But I'm here to resurrect the single layer cards.

Using some basic die shapes as a "stencil", you can create some pretty wonderful looking cards.  In this class we'll use these simple shapes, some stencils, and create some stencils using your dies.  Color blending is the key to it all, so sharpen your skills, dig out your inks and blending tools and give it a whirl!

There will be no kits involved in this class -- just technique, technique and technique.  I'll show some interesting ways to use the negative space of your dies.  Here's a quick sampling of what you'll see and more.  This is a montage of some of the cards you'll be able to create.  This is not a card making class, per se, but using the techniques involved, you'll be creating some great examples of your own.

So, what do you say, want to join me?  Simply click the Paypal Button below to get yourself started.  Once I receive your payment, I'll send you the link for this video.  Again, no kits involved here.

Ready, set, blend!

Added note:  I've been keeping an eye on the Covid situation and based on the dwindling numbers and the fact that we've all been vaccinated, I'm thinking the end of May we MAY be able to resume in-house classes.  I'll keep monitoring things.  I will also send out an email to get an idea as to how you feel about it at that time.  Nothing is written in stone.  We are all craving some in-house laughter and learning, aren't we?

Regards,

Donna

Diagonal Fold Cards

 COST:  $20

At the risk of boring you, I've published another video showing yet another fun fold for your cards.  And this is so super simple, you'll be amazed.  With just two measurements and one cut, you're on your way to some fun creativity.  I was a little puzzled by this style at first only in the sense of making these cards so different as to stand out a bit from the usual A2 cards we make.  This is the same size, just a different way of closing/opening.

Here's the first card we'll be creating -- I'll admit, orange is not my favorite color, but I did thoroughly enjoy working with it, possibly because it's not a color I usually choose.  Out of the box!

Very simple upon first look, but check out the second photo of the card opened...

Funky, huh?

And I'm sure we all have a gentleman in our lives who deserves a card, so this next one is for him:

And here's this one opened.  I'm hoping to devote a bit more time to decorating the insides of your cards -- an often overlooked technique.

And I'll bet your eagle eye has detected that these cards each open in a different direction.  I will address that in the video.

PLEASE NOTE;  Since some of you will have kits mailed to you, it will be necessary for me to do the scoring for you so that it will fit in an envelope,  However, I will leave the cutting up to you!  Be sure and hunt for your Xacto knife for these cards.

On another note, I am hearing that most of you ladies have already received your second Covid shots as have I.  Therefore, I am planning (in my head only) for the possibility of resuming in-house classes either the end of May or the beginning of June.  Feedback from you ladies, would be awesome.

Remember, the Paypal Button below carries a shipping fee of $5.00, so if you are picking your kit up, just send me an email and we'll make arrangements.  This has been working out great for all of you and that makes me happy.

Z-Fold Cards

COST:  $20 (see note below Paypal Button)

Hello all!  Well March is marching along and rather quickly, I might add.  Wow, I turned around and we've passed the middle of the month already.  Spring is coming!  And what better way to usher it in than to create two easy cards with the soft and happy colors of Spring.

These cards are so super easy to make and I envision you making a lot of them in the future.  The heck with those old boring A2 open-on-the-left cards.  This Z-fold has just enough spice in it to look really fantastic but not boring.  Here goes!

First up is a more traditional looking card using Dogwood (one of my favorites!).  This is the card closed.

 And here it is opened flat, then showing an overhead view of it opened (sorry about the quality of this photo).

And then we get to our second card with COLOR!!!  Woo Hoo, Neon here I come!

And here it is opened flat.

So are you with me on this fun card?  Just click on the PayPal button below to order your kits.  Please see note on shipping charges for kits being mailed.  If you are picking up your kits, just email me and you can pay me then so that shipping charges won't apply.

Donna

NOTE:  Above button includes $5.00 shipping and handling.  If you are picking up your kit, you can just pay for it then to avoid the shipping charges.

More Fun Folded Arrow cards

COST:  $20

Hello crafters!  I've put together some more (different) arrow fold cards for you.  Super simple and as elegant or funky as you'd like.  It's all in your imagination and creativity.

The fold I've chosen for you has a "clasp" of sorts.  I dug out those old brads (remember them?) to use on these cards.  I've been trying to dig back into some of my stash and pull out some old "friends".  I can remember when brads were the "be-all and end-all" to crafting.  Time marches on!

I must warn you -- this is an even longer video than the last one.  It's a good thing you can turn me on and off!  Grab a sandwich and a drink and settle in for some more fun.  I'll try and pare these videos down to a more manageable timeframe.  My apologies.

So, for my first project, I've created this elegant little arrow clasp fold.  Get out your paper shaping tools again and have a go at it!  It's really simple to make and I give you all the measurements needed.

And for my second card, I dug out those old friends - Crazy Cats and Dogs.  Remember them?  I need to remember to create something more on the masculine side instead of all those "lady cards" that we do.  So I hope you like this one with Crazy Dog.  I will custom create a kit for those cat lovers in the group -- just let me know if you don't want the dog.  But always remember, you can use the techniques shown, and change them up with whatever crafting tools you have.  All I want is to inspire you.

Love this guy and hope you do too!

Click on the Paypal Button below to secure your kit and video and I'll get it right out to you in whatever mode you choose (pick up, mail, etc.).

Happy crafting my friends!

Donna

NOTE:  Above button includes $5.00 shipping and handling.  If you are picking up your kit, you can just pay for it then to avoid the shipping charges.

 

Fun Folded Cards

COST:  $20*

Well I have been having way too much fun creating new things for you!  I was afraid my Mojo had deserted me for a while, but I think I'm back on track again.  And I have a really interesting fold to show you!

Truthfully, the last card (double arrow fold) is one that I have had on my desk for probably six years.  Yes, you read that correctly!  Six years!  I had not perfected it to where I wanted to teach it, but I got all the "bugs" out and it's really, really simple!

Without further delay, I will present each card with a short explanation.  First up, is the Single Arrow Fold card -- very easy and oh so versatile.  This card is fitting for male or female, young or old.

And the second card is the same fold but a different orientation both the fold and the card! 

And the last card is a more intricate version of the above.  This is called a double fold arrow card.  (this is the one that sat untouched for six years!).  In truth, if I couldn't figure it out, then how could I teach it?!  (I love it when I make sense!):

I admit, I'm sorta partial to this last fold -- it has a nice elegance to it.  But you choose!  And how do you do that?  You hit that PayPal button below or send me an email and I'll get your kit out to you ASAP.  Please see note below the button on shipping.  

Once I received your payment, I will forward the link for the video covering this class.  It is a rather long video, so make sure you have that cuppa coffee/tea ready.  Happy Stamping!

NOTE:  due to increased costs in shipping, I regret that I have to raise my price as well.  Your fixed price will be $5 unless otherwise notified.

  

A Fun New Technique!

COST:  $15

Oh have I got a fun new technique for you!  And you should have all the tools already in your stash.  I'm going to call this the Bold Backfill Technique.  This is such an exciting technique -- almost as exciting as wet embossing!

With this technique, I'll show you how to go from a white piece of card stock to a dynamic and impressive background.  So here are the photos to peak your interest.  I've done a step by step video on how to create this stunning effect, so no stressing please.

You'll go from this:

TO THIS!!!!

In just THREE easy steps you can create this effect!  So what are you waiting for?  Join me in my latest video.  Either click on the PayPal Button below or email me.  There will be no kits associated with this technique.  HOWEVER, if you find that you'd like to use the image I did in my first project, I will be happy to send it to you all stamped and embossed.  So let me know!

PLEASE NOTE:  When you click on the PayPal Button, it will take you directly to the PayPal site.  In the upper right hand corner you will see the amount being charged.  If it reads $15, you are okay.  If it reads $30 or $45, go down to the button marked "Bold Backfill Technique" (it should be the last button on the bottom left) and change the number (of units ordered) to effect the $15 charge.  I apologize for this -- I have no idea how to correct this other than changing the "number of units" ordered until it reads $15 in the upper right hand corner again.  Just another PayPal hiccup!