Monday, December 21, 2009

January Card Club-Shaker Card








The card we're going to make this month is sure to help you "shake" away the winter snow! I think its a really pretty card, has a definite winter feeling, kind of like looking out of a picture window.








This card is not necessarily difficult, but it does have quite a few steps, so it is a little more involved. The technique I'm teaching is called 3D stamping, and it is SO EASY! This card will make your eyes "glitter" with stamping excitement.




Besides your regular crafting kit, here's the list of supplies you will need to bring if you have them:








Red liner tape








Double stick foam tape








White gel pen








Embossing buddy (or other anti-static bag) or slightly used dryer sheet








Tree silhouette or scene stamp








Polka dot or very small snowflake stamp








Weathered wood distress ink








White pigment ink








White liquid applique








Heat gun








Scoring tool








Clear or white ultra fine glitter






You can't really tell from the picture, and I can't make it actually "shake" for you on-line, but this is called a shaker card. Think a snowy night, with snow gently falling, and you inside all warm and cozy stamping away with a cup of hot cocoa.








If you're interested in taking this class, it is being offered at All About Pictures on January 7th from 6:30 to 9 pm, and again on January 14th at the same time. Please pay the instructor $10.00 at the beginning of class, and after class pay the store for the card kit. Openings are limited and filling up fast, so give the store a call at 319-364-4141 to reserve your spot!

I'm looking forward to crafting with you! ~Kim~





















Friday, November 13, 2009

December Card Club

Hello there my crafty friends! Here's the frosty card we will be making in December...and no, it isn't "Frosty the Snowman", even though it does have a snowman on it. This card will have "cool" colors on it, but we are going to be warm and toasty inside the store! We will be using Ranger alcohol inks, but in a slightly different way.

Here are some items to bring, if you have them, along with your basic crafting kit:


  • Brayer
  • A solid stamp image-it wouldn't have to be a snowman, but a solid wintry-looking stamp
  • Small horizontal winter/Christmas phrase stamp
  • Iris stazon ink (dark purple)
  • Hydrangea stazon ink (medium blue)
  • Alcohol Inks: Cool Peri, Purple Twilight, Cloud Blue, Sailboat Blue, Slate, Stonewashed, Silver Metallic
  • 2-way glue pen
It will be a lot of fun, because nobody's background with these alcohol inks will be exactly alike, but they will all be really pretty! The same class will be taught on December 3 and 10 from 6:30 to 9 pm. Stop by All About Pictures to see the card in person, it's a lot prettier in real life! Just make sure you get signed up if you're not already. I'm looking forward to crafting with you!

~Kim~

Saturday, October 31, 2009

November 17 Vintage Stylings

Class: Vintage Stylings
Date: Tuesday, November 17
*
Time: 6:00 - 8:30


* Note the date of this month's club--it's the third Tuesday this month!

This month in Vintage Stylings we'll be making a Christmas card that is guaranteed to impress your family and friends.

And back by popular demand: Polished Stone! If you missed last April's Vintage Stylings, here is another chance for you to learn how to make your own background paper using the Adirondack alcohol inks.

If you already own them, feel free to bring to class:
  • Adirondack alcohol inks (any color)
  • Alcohol blending solution, felt, and blending tool
  • Gloves, if you want to protect your manicure
  • Distress inks (any color)
  • Stazon inks (any color)
  • Adirondack dye inks (any color)
  • Clear embossing powder and heat gun
  • Stickles or Distress stickles (any color)
  • Cut-n-Dry Pen Nibs
  • Favorite border punches
Also remember to bring your basic tool kit and your paper trimmer, paper scorer or bone folder, scissors, your favorite adhesives, Pop-Dots, and mini glue dots.

Please call 364-4141 or stop into All About Pictures to sign up for this month's club. This project is limited to 10 people, so don't delay.

Hope to see you on the 17th!

~ Karen ~

Monday, October 26, 2009

November Card Club







We're really going to get in the "swing" of things for this card! Basic Grey has the most beautiful line of fall papers and rub-ons! I saw these colors, and couldn't resist! Of course, I find it hard to resist pretty paper anyway, which is how I got hooked on the new Color Core papers, but that's an entirely different obsession! At any rate.... this month I'm going to show you how to make a cool card using some strategic cuts and folds that you're just going to "flip" over!
Here's the list of supplies to bring (if you have them) in addition to your basic crafting kit:
Distress tool Canvas/Linen look Background stamp
Rub-on tool Medium brown dye ink
Pencil/Ruler
Paper trimmer/Scoring tool
This class is offered at All About Pictures on November 5th or November 12th from 6:30 to 8:30pm. If you haven't already signed up, give them a call at 364-4141 and save your spot! I'm looking forward to crafting with you! Kim

Friday, October 9, 2009

Baby It's Cold Outside

Class: Koloring with Karen
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2009
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.


They're predicting a mix of rain and snow in Eastern Iowa this weekend as well as the first hard freeze of the season, so how appropriate that we'll be coloring a Christmas image this month in Koloring with Karen.

As usual, club members will need to bring their set of 24 Prismacolor Premier Pencils, blending stumps, odorless mineral spirits, other pencil accessories (sharpener, sander), and your basic tool kit. For this month's project I also recommend that you bring a pair of small, sharp scissors, your favorite border bunches, and pop-dots.

There are several colors outside of the set of 24 pencils that I used this month. If you do not already own these additional colors you are welcome to obtain them prior to class; otherwise we will make substitutions or share. Those extra colors are:
  • 911 Olive Green
  • 943 Burnt Ochre
  • 941 Light Umber
  • 1054 Warm Grey 50% (or any medium grey)
  • 942 Yellow Ochre
  • 944 Terra Cotta
This month's club gives you the opportunity to get started on your Christmas cards, so you won't want to miss it!

~ Karen ~

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

New Tim Holtz Stamps

If you're a fan of Ranger Industries designer Tim Holtz, you'll want to stop by the store to see the new stamp sets that recently arrived. We have received some of Tim's new Christmas sets as well as other sets with images inspired by his extensive travels around the globe.

The stamps are high-quality rubber cling-mount stamps and they make beautiful impressions. We also have a selection of Tim's Idea-ology findings including the new Word Sticks and various fasteners.

This Mona Lisa card created by design team member Karen features numerous Ranger products including Tim Holtz stamps, Adirondack alcohol inks, and some Idea-ology findings.

If you like the look of this card, you might be interested in the Vintage Stylings Club facilitated by Karen. Vintage Stylings meets the first Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. Information about all of the store's clubs and classes can be found on this website or you can contact the store with questions.

Now that cooler weather has arrived, I have a good excuse to stay indoors and create! And with all of these new products, I can really step it up. I hope you, too, find time to create something you enjoy.

~ Karen ~

Thursday, October 1, 2009

October 6 Vintage Stylings

Hello everyone and welcome to October! It certainly has felt like autumn the last couple of days. We even fired up the furnace to make sure it would start (thankfully it did!).

If you've signed up for the October 6 Vintage Stylings class, please remember to bring your basic tool kit and a pair of small, sharp scissors to do some detail cutting. If you own a Ranger Non-stick Craft Sheet, please bring it, also. The craft sheet will not only protect your work surface, but will make clean-up a breeze.

If you have a nice manicure or simply don't like getting inky fingers, you might want to invest in a pair of vinyl or latex gloves before class. Sally Beauty Supply is a good source for such gloves.

I look forward to seeing you Tuesday night!

~ Karen ~

Thursday, September 17, 2009

CHIPBOARD WALL HANGING

Cosmo Cricket has the cutest paper....I just love it! I had this crazy idea that I should make a growth chart. Something that would move with you. Then, as I was making it, I thought, "hmm, I could put pictures here, too". Then, I thought, oooh, I could.......and the next thing you know, it became a chipboard hanging that could be a growth chart, or a cute way to hang pictures of your darling children. Who knows.....you might see it and think of something else entirely different that you would use it for. I'm seriously considering making more for baby gifts.

The finished project is actually 4 foot long. If you'd like to see it in person, stop by ALL ABOUT PICTURES, and take a look! I'll be teaching this on Thursday, October 22nd from 6 to 9 in the evening. If you'd like to come, please bring your basic papercrafting kit along with:

Crop-o-dile or Bigbite
Brown marker
Heat gun
White embossing powder/pigment ink
Ruler/pencil
Circle punches

For those of you who haven't used embossing powder or a heat gun, don't worry, I can show you how, it isn't hard, and it can really add a nice finishing touch to lots of projects.

~Kim~

October Card Club

October is almost around the corner, and the card for that class will definitely have a "fall" look. We will be creating a brayered background and stamping a scene.

Along with your basic papercrafting kit, if you have any of these items, please bring them:

Brayer
Old magazine
Distress Inks (or dye inks) in yellows, reds, and oranges
Black Stazon ink
Phrase stamp
Branch, tree, leaf stamps (prefer solid images)
Canvas or linen look background stamp
Photo corner punch
1/16th hole punch
1" or a little larger circle punch
heat gun

As I'm writing this, I'm halfway giggling and halfway feeling sorry for all you ladies getting cricks in your necks trying to see the picture of the finished card. It's really a vertical card! Sorry.... I didn't know I couldn't rotate the picture after I uploaded it! Next time I'll know.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing you in class! If you have any questions, just call or stop by ALL ABOUT PICTURES.

~Kim~

Edited by Karen: I offered to help Kim post a vertical photo of her card. :)

Friday, September 4, 2009

We're Shabby But Chic

Class: Vintage Stylings
Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Time: 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.



The Vintage Stylings Club will be going "grunge" in October. With Grungepaper, that is! We'll be making this shabby chic wall hanging inspired by the artwork of Illinois artist Wendy Vecchi. With just a few supplies including Wendy's Studio 490 stamps and some Grungepaper, we'll turn a plain piece of chipboard into a wall hanging suitable as a gift or to keep for yourself.

You'll need your basic tool kit for this class and in particular a good pair of sharp scissors, as we will be doing some "fussy cutting" for this project. A pair of sharp, small-tip scissors will make this task easier for you.

Stop by the store to see the new Studio 490 stamp sets that just arrived. The sets come with high-quality, cling-mount rubber stamps, include a large background stamp, and are so versatile. You can mix and match all of the images and sentiments to create some beautiful cards or altered items, or to enhance your scrapbooking pages.

This class is limited to 10 people so call All About Pictures (319-364-4141) or stop in soon to sign up! If more than 10 people sign up, we will start a wait list. If necessary we will offer the class a second time in order to accommodate everyone.

~Karen~

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Trick or Treat, Smell my Feet!

Class: Koloring with Karen
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2009
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.


If you have some special ghosts and goblins coming to your house this fall, you'll want to join us this month for Koloring with Karen. We'll be making some fun fall-themed "toppers" for cellophane treat bags that will make you the hit of the neighborhood or the office.

I've selected some beautiful autumn and Halloween decorative papers as well as a variety of stamped images to use on our toppers. If you have stamps of your own that you'd like to play with, please bring them with you. The class kit will include the cellophane bags, but you will have to buy your own candy (or other contents) and assemble your bags at home. Trust me, it's so easy even a caveman can do it! And I've kept the designs simple so we can make a lot of different toppers in just one night.

As usual, you will need Prismacolor Premier Pencils to participate in this class. If you have not attended before, you will need at minimum the set of 24 pencils. Newcomers can learn more about the club by reading the August 21, 2009, post titled "What is Koloring with Karen?"

In addition to your Prismacolor pencils, please remember to bring your blending stumps, odorless mineral spirits and sponges, and your basic tool and supply kit (paper trimmer, scorer and/or bone folder, scissors, plenty of your favorite adhesives, etc.).

Call All About Pictures at 319-364-4141 or stop by the store in person to sign up. Class this month is limited to 12 people and it's filling up fast so don't delay. If more than 12 people sign up, we will start a wait list. If necessary we will offer the class a second time in order to accommodate everyone.

Hope to see you on September 17!

~Karen~

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Special Class: Grungepaper Flower Frame

Class: Grungepaper Flower Frame
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2009
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

In this special weekend class we will make this adorable picture frame. We'll be using a variety of Ranger products including crackle paint, Grungepaper, and distress inks to alter a plain wooden frame into something you can proudly display in your home.

This frame would also make a great gift for a friend or family member. Don't panic yet, but Christmas is only 90 days away from the date of this class!

Stop by the store to see the original frame in person and to sign up for this class. You can also call the store at 319-364-4141 to register. Because of the amount of time required to complete this project, class size is limited so don't delay!

~Karen~

Monday, August 24, 2009

September Card Club-Debossing

Debossing.....no, it's not something you do to your supervisor at work! Hee Hee! Some of you have probably heard or learned about embossing, either with a diecut machine (like Wizard or Cuttlebug) or with a stencil, but this technique doesn't use a machine or a stencil! We will be using a diecut machine, but that isn't how we get this pretty "soft" look.



Here are some of the supplies we will be using, if you own any of them already, please bring them with you:

dry embossing stylus and mousepad mat
piercing tool
colored pencils
line art flower stamps (see photo at right)
phrase stamps (medium sized)
"flourish" style stamps
white pigment ink (preferably Colorbox)
heat gun
1/16th hole punch
spellbinder dies (ovals, circles)
acrylic blocks

This technique is very pretty and suitable for wedding or anniversary cards, baby cards, or any occasion! Call the store at 364-4141 or stop by to sign up for card club on Thursday, September 3rd! I'll look forward to seeing you!

~Kim~

Card Club-with Kim

Have you been at All About Pictures and seen a card that was more than pretty patterned paper? Well, that's what Card Club is all about!! Each month you will learn a technique and make cards using that technique! We will occasionally create cards that might not include stamping, but play with punches instead. The club meets the first Thursday of the month. There is a daytime class starting up that meets from 1:00 to 3:00 in the afternoon, and another class offered from 6:30 to 8:30 in the evening. New members are welcome to join the club at any time. There is no fee to join, although you do need to register for class in advance. The fee is $10 per class, plus a materials fee determined by that month’s project. Enrollment for each class is limited, so get signed up and reserve your stamping seat!

Please make sure to bring your basic tool kit, including any special supplies you might need for a particular class. The card sample for the next month's class will be shown, and I'll try and make sure students know before class if there are any special tools/supplies needed. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call the store (364-4141) or stop in.


I hope you'll come and give Card Club a try...you don't have to be an experienced stamper or paper crafter, to be a part of the fun! ~ Kim ~

Friday, August 21, 2009

What is Koloring with Karen?


Koloring with Karen is one of the monthly clubs offered at All About Pictures. It is taught by Karen (who also teaches Vintage Stylings) and it meets the third Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. New members are welcome to join the club at any time and there is no fee to join, although you do need to register for class in advance each month. There is a fee of $10 per club meeting (usually just called "class"), plus a materials fee determined by that month’s project. Enrollment each month is limited so be sure to sign up early.


Each month Karen chooses a stamped image and shows the class how to color it using Prismacolor Premier Pencils. Those stamped images are then used to create a variety of projects including greeting cards, gift items, even the gift bag itself!



Prismacolor Premier Pencils are artist-quality colored pencils with rich pigments that are so easy to blend even a beginner will get fabulous results. To participate in the club, you need to have at minimum the set of 24 Prismacolor pencils. Although you can buy a larger set if you want to (the pencils are sold in sets of 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 120, and 132), you do not have to have a larger set to participate in this class. Just make sure that you have the Prismacolor Premier pencils, not the watercolor, verithin, light-fast, or other versions.


In addition to your Prismacolor pencils, you will need blending stumps and some odorless mineral spirits. I do not recommend or even require that you purchase these before coming to your first class, because I don't want you to accidentally buy the wrong thing. I can set you up with some "loaners" to use for your first class, and at that time you will learn exactly what you need to purchase if you want to do any coloring at home.


You should always bring your basic tool and supply kit to every class (paper trimmer, scissors, paper scorer/bone folder, and a variety of adhesives including your favorite paper glue or two-sided tape, pop-dots, glue-dots, etc). For certain projects, I may notify club members in advance of other tools or supplies that we will be using so that they can bring them if they have their own.


If you would like to sign up for Koloring with Karen, call the store (364-4141) or stop in. The next meeting is Thursday, September 17, at 6:00 p.m., and I am planning a fun project with a fall theme. Stay tuned to the blog for future updates and photos!


~Karen~



This colored pear teabag holder completed in the Koloring with Karen Club makes a nice teacher or coworker gift.






Monday, August 17, 2009

Incredible Intaglio!

Class: Vintage Stylings
Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.


Never heard of intaglio, you say? You even read the Wiki entry about it and still have no idea how you could apply this to your paper crafting?

Don't worry, be happy! At Vintage Stylings Club on Tuesday, September 1, 2009, you will learn how to create some wonderful three-dimensional pieces of intaglio art that can be used to decorate cards, scrapbook pages, altered items, wall hangings, or anything else you want to create.

You'll have the chance to practice the technique several times, we'll make some tiles like the one pictured above, and then we will create this gorgeous card that anyone would be privileged to receive. Or maybe you'll want to keep the card for yourself. (I won't tell anyone if you do.)













Here are som
e of the supplies we will be using in this class. If you own any of them already, please bring them with you.
  • Versamark ink pad
  • Stazon ink pad (black)
  • UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel)
  • Perfect Pearls (any colors--bring your Perfect Medium and brushes also)
  • Embossing powders (any colors)
  • Non-stick craft sheet
  • Heat embossing tool
  • Embossing tray (to catch your embossing powder)
  • Black Sharpie marker (fine or medium point works best)
  • Favorite rubber stamps (solid stamps or stamps without a lot of small details work best)
  • Your basic stamping and scrapping tool kit (paper trimmer, paper scorer, scissors, adhesives, your favorite corner and border punches, and anything else you can't live without when you're crafting)
Class starts at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1. Call the store (364-4141) or stop in to register and to see the class project in person. This technique is going to expand your artistic horizons so you do not want to miss it.

~ Karen ~

Friday, August 14, 2009

ARE YOU READY TO DOODLE???

The next “Steppin Up” class is scheduled for August 29 (130-330) and I have BIG plans for a fun class! Take a peek at some of these goodies we're going to be working with, which are some of the latest and greatest products and papers...







Some of the great things we'll get to play and experiment with include Smooch, doodle templates, Sig no white pens and 3-D opaque puffy ink Souffle pens. Of course we'll use some fantastic pattrned papers too by Bella Blvd. and Moxxie. Here are few sneak peaks of the layout we'll be making too.

Want to see the whole page?! Stop by the store and see the upcoming classes display:) While you're there, take a moment and have Rich or Diane jot your name down to reserve your spot for this class. Can't make it in? Feel free to call the store at 319-364-4141.

See you in class!
~Stephanie

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Cricut Club - August 18th or August 19th 6:00 - 8:00

I am so excited that we now have a blog that everyone can see with a few clicks on their computer. This is an exciting day! I just wanted to remind all the Cricuteers that will be attending Cricut Club this month of what to bring.

Please bring the following:
Sports Mania Cartridge
Hannah Montana Cartridge
My Community Cartridge
Locker Talk Cartridge
Your Cricut, cords and a good mat
paper trimmer & adhesive

If you don't have one or any of the cartridges, it is 100% fine because we all share and we have a few extra as well.

As far as what we are doing this month, we will be working with titles for our Layouts. Cricut Club this month is called "Totally Titles". We will be working with layering, making titles very big and some special features for titles that you may not even know exist.

I look forward to seeing you next week. If you haven't had a chance to sign up, call the store right away and get the last few spots.

Happy Chirpin,

Melanie Martin-Trainor

Welcome to All About Pictures Blog Site!!

The Design team has been after me to set up a site where they can keep you informed about upcoming classes and supply lists. I think it will be great to keep you quickly updated on things going on in the store. Of course I say quickly but it has only taken me two hours today to get this far. Wish Kaitlyn wasn't home sleeping off swim practice. Always find a teenager to help you with any tech stuff!! I'm also thinking this could be a great trick for CHA next Jan. Keep you up to date on the classes I take and the product I'm buying. Hmmm guess I will need to really practice!! okay that was scary pushed the preview button and I couldn't get back. Off to e-mail the Design team to let them know about this!! I'll try this again soon! Diane