Okay, you are probably wondering why its been so long since a post.  I lost my house to a storm in June and didn't get back into my house until the end of November.  After that it took me several months to unpack and try to rebuild my craft room.  I am finally back on track and promise not to let you down again, barring any ACTS OF GOD. 

Some new cards you will be able to see me make on the next show on TCCTV.  These are from the Close to My Heart Pathfinding Kit.  I am a new consultant for CTMH and love, love, love the products and support system.  You can order from me at closetomyheart.com/janetbuchholz and you can also see the newest catalog on line there.  Feel free to ask me any questions you may have. 

You will be able to select from these and many more for 3 free make and takes at my Open House on August 6th at 35887 Claire Street, Whitehall, Wi.  Additional MnT's can be made for $1.00 each.  See new products, select from garage sale items before the public, and have lemonade and light snacks.  Bring a friend.  See my page on Facebook, Jann's Close to My Heart. 

I'm Baaaccckkkk!

Just to let everyone in on why I've been gone so long.......my home sustained storm damage and black mold damage this Spring late or Summer early.  Anyway,our home was taken down to the studs and mold removal went on then they started the re-build which is still in process so thats why I haven't been around.

Been spending time in a camper, which hasn't been all bad.  Have seen deer, hummingbirds, gophers, feral cats, lots of eagles and herons and geese and some unnamed birds.  I've also heard the coyotes and cows so its been somewhat educational as well.

Trying to load some video on here but it doesn't appear to be working, so I'll be back a little later.

Here are some new cards and one 3D

Okay, this was so much fun I wanted to keep doing cards like this but I figured everyone would get bored if they saw too many.  I used a Hero Arts stamp called Single Starburst. The background was brayered using glossy cardstock, I used a yellow ink pad and brayered it first, then added a melon color then blue, blending them together as I went.  I stamped the burst with several colors of ink starting with the lightest color first progressing to darker and brighter.  I used some rub ons to accent the centers as well as some stickles.  Then the streaks were added with Starforms. Mounted on red cardstock, it really pops off the card.

This is another brayered background on reg cardstock, this takes a lot more work to smooth it out, but well worth it.  The stamp is a Peachy Keen plus an Angel stamp.  I punch the light blue cardstock with a Martha Stewart border and then mounted it all on a yellow cardstock. 

This was an all day plus project.  These are three of my very handsome grandsons.  I have three more families of grandchildren to treat to the same type of display.  Woe is me.  This is a 12 X 12 wraparound canvas.  I used an old book to mod podge textured onto the canvas, then acrylic paint to give it the colors I wanted.  I mixed the white mod podge with yellow ocre to give it an aged look.  I tore a piece of red cardstock into an open heart and mod podged it down to the canvas, then used a swirl piece of chipboard and a fence die cut to accent different areas.  I used Jim Holtz stamps to stamps words around the canvas in old paper and tea bag inks.  I then placed my photos with mod podge, mixed some more  dark color with my mod podge and brushed over the photos to age them.  Many coats and lots of drying time later I added the flowers that had also been aged.  I love this and am anxious to do it again.  It is really messy though so don't try it with good clothes on. 

This is done with Glitter Ritz.  I won't try to explain the process here but it feels like velvet, looks like glitter and is really classy and versatile.

More Glitter Ritz

Again Glitter Ritz

Glitter Ritz scraps and buttoms

Glitter Ritz and lots of raffia

Glitter Ritz and over stamping

Glitter Ritz, Tim Holtz stamp and doily

Found these cute litte faces at my favorite stamp store and want to do many more.  Aren't they cute.

My Favorite Stamp Stores

My husband and I went to Wisconsin Rapids yesterday to have dinner with my father-in-law and sister-in-law.  We try to do this at least once a month but with our busy schedules, don't always make it.  Jim's dad is 96 and filled with wonderful and not so wonderful stories of growing up and participating in WWII.  He can make us laugh and cry all in the same moment.  His sister is very quiet for the most part but I think I bring a little devilment out of her.  We have fun any way.

The only reason I bring that up is because my sister in law is very adept at scoping out places to shop, especially for me.  Until late last year there was only one craft store of any mention in town and although there is nothing wrong with it, and it does carry a ton of stuff, the staff are not crafters per se, and its also a Christian book store so the energies are split.

 Last year she found "Let's Create".  The owner and crafter's extraordinaire Frankie Johnson is a true delighte and always seems glad to see you.  She runs continual classes and workshops and has a truly talented group of instructors on hand.  I have to confess I rarely leave the store without spending at least $100.00.  And there's a good reason for that, you know when you run to Michaels or Hobby Lobby or Joanns to pick up a re-inker for a Memento or Ranger pad and all you find are sets of three and none of the sets have the color you want??  Yeah, that's why.  Frankie always has the re-inker and much more.  I am addicted and am really glad I don't live there for the reason I'd have to rob a bank so I could buy the store.  I always leave feeling good, loaded with ideas and wanting everything I see.  One of these days I'll take some photos of the store and post them (when I can remember my camera).   Anyway, if you live in the area or are visiting the area  be sure to check it out.  Its on the main drag (8th Street) and be sure to take your checkbook and credit cards.  Expect a big ol' smile and welcome from Frankie.  She won't disappoint.

My other favorite store is in Eau Claire.  Its called "The Happy Stamper". Started by two lovely ladies and now owned by one, the store is a confection of stamps,dies, punches, ribbons, inks  you name it.  Another great place to spend lots of money because you can't help but be inspired by the many samples of cards sitting on every surface of the store.  She also sponsors classes, make and takes and workshops and like Frankie, puts out a schedule every month.  So if you are in our neck of the woods be sure to look up these two wonderful stores.  You won't regret it.

Correction

The last entry erroneously says that the stamp used is other than Eureka.  It is not.  It is one of my favorites,  I guess I was hungry when I was writing and couldn't think straight.  Sorry!!!!

Mingle Card

This is a card that I made to take to the Madison Mingle.  I love this method because its one way to get a really crisp, brightly colored card without it being in your face.
The stamp is from Rubber Stampede and is apprx 4 X 4 1/2.  I embossed this on a piece of white smooth (hot press)  watercolor paper with clear embossing powder.  You can use white embossing powder for more of a pop.  I then colored in the flowers and leaves using Copic markers.  I use an alcohol swab to rub over the surface to bring the embossed lines out even clearer.  I mounted this on a very dark blue background paper that was actually a Halloween design..  Since you can only see a border of it I think it makes it stand out and look very striking.  I then used the border design on the same paper and cut around all the intricate lines and used 3/8 "pop dots to make this part 3D.  I added a dark blue bow and voila, if nothing else, this card will MAKE you look at it. 

New Wedding Invitation Set

I made all of these from one 12 X 12 sheet of paper.  The invitaion is 8 X 5 1/2. The RSVP and Thank You fit into 4 X 6 envelopes and the placecard is 3 X 4.  I had a small piece of paper left over.  This would be an economical way to build a wedding set.  I even lined the envelope with the same paper from the same sheet.  I used a Fiskars edge punch and only edged the side of the invite, the side of the RSVP and the bottom of the Thank You and Place Card.  I used Copper Embossing Powder to make the sentiments stand out, using an embossing pen to write the name on the card.    I also used some Glossy Accents to give a shine to the butterflies. 

Close up of the invitation.  I love using tulle ribbon because not only does it look delicate, it looks expensive if edged in satin.

Close up of the RSVP. All the stamps used in these cards are from Eureka. 

Close up of the Thank You. You can tell here that I edged the paper with  a pink Copic.