Whimsical Halloween Mini-Cards!

Hello dear friends!

Halloween classes are underway, and due to popular demand I have added an additional card class.  There are just three openings left for my Halloween Mini-Card Class.  Inspired by Doodlebug Design, PaperTrey Ink, and K&Company, I designed eight fun cards for you to make!

We will be making 8 cards, pictured below.  The class costs only $20 so email me at jewelrymkr@gmail.com to reserve your spot!  Class is Monday, October 14, 2013 at 1:00 p.m.  It will be held at my home studio.

These little cards are perfect for your little ghost or goblin!

These two last cards measure 4.5" x 6".

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think about these little cards and, if you want a spot in the class.  If you would like a kit, let me know that too.  Remember there is a limited quantity so don't delay!  Thanks!
Happy Halloween!
ReNae

Sign-up for Halloween 2013 Vintage Style Card Classes

Hello Bloggers and Card Makers!

As promised, I am posting the Halloween Card Class Samples for 2013.
To accommodate as many students as possible, I am conducting two separate classes, a daytime class and an evening class. The daytime class begins at 11:00 a.m. On Wednesday, October 16th; and the evening class begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday October 18, 2013.  
Cost is $25 for four cards and envelopes.  
*Class space is limited!*  Only 6 students will be in each session, so be sure to sign up quickly, to ensure your spot!

This year's cards are beautiful, one of a kind, heirloom pieces that will be a perfect gift for that special person in your life!  Nowhere else will you find anything like these!  I use quality papers, embellishments and ribbons.  I have even used luxurious "German Scrap" on these cards!
And measuring 6.5 x 5,  they are much larger than the A2 size cards made in typical card classes. The envelope is also included in the price.  And kits ARE available if you can't make it to a class.

Velvet Witch die cut over moon sprayed with Lindy's stamp gang sprays.
Card uses 3 different dies and several inking techniques.

Resin frame with Victorian image, hand stamped background, and black flat- backed pearls
embellished with German Scrap and tied with multi-colored ribbons.

Victorian image featured in mats of glitter paper, framed with two  colors of German Scrap.
Embellished with a chiffon bow and orange gems and Stickles.

Moon and Stars die cut on Glitter paper, surrounded by a frame of copper German Scrap
Embellished with  tiny bats, various sized stars and gemstones.

This is the perfect card for that special little girl in your life, or maybe a best friend.

Who wouldn't love to receive this spooky card?

This card just glimmers and sparkles!

 In person the purple paper is not blue like here.
It's as purple as a Halloween night sky!

I hope you like these cards.  If you are local and would like to see the cards in person please leave a comment and I will contact you.  One of my former students told me the photos don't do these cards justice.  They are so pretty in person! I wish I had a place to display them but I assure you, they are beautiful!

To sign up for class, please send me a private email with your contact information and the class time and date you prefer.  Put HALLOWEEN CARDS in the subject line.
I will email you with instructions on payment and directions to my home.

My email address is jewelrymkr@gmail.com

NOTE: Deadline for sign up is Sunday, October 13th, 2013

Happy Halloween!

ReNae

Upcoming Card Classes by ReNae (Crabtree-Creations)

Hello Dear Bloggers and Card Makers,
I have been asked by several of my former students if I will be teaching any more card classes this year.  Well, I have good news!  The answer is YES!

Later this week I will be posting sign-ups for two CARD CLASSES I will be teaching.  In addition I will be teaching a class on how to make a paper bag MINI-ALBUM.

The card classes are $25 and will include a Halloween cards class and a Holiday cards class.
Each class includes four (4) cards and four corresponding envelopes.
*The theme and cost of the mini-album will be announced once I secure the paper.*

I will be posting sign-ups for the class this coming weekend with samples of cards, and dates and times for all classes!
Please make sure you sign up in a timely fashion.  The class space will be limited, as all classes will be conducted here in my home.  If you are unable to attend a class, and would like a kit, they will be available for purchase on a pre-paid basis.

I'm working hard to provide you with beautiful, vintage-style cards, that your friends and family will cherish for years to come!  Please check back this weekend for more information!
Until then,
HAPPY CREATING!
ReNae

A visit from my Mom

Hello Dear Bloggers,
I'm writing this post late at night-got my weekly fix of bachelorettes and housewives, and even checked on my favorite blogs and crafting websites.  Now it's time for some special friends-YOU!
I wanted to share my happy weekend with you all.  You see, this weekend I was able to spend some time with my Mom. And that time is very special to me!

Marie and ReNae

Mom and my honorary dad, Jerry, live in Las Vegas and I live in Kansas. I don't get to see them very often--maybe 2 or 3 times a year.  Usually they come visit family here in Kansas once in spring and once in the fall, NEVER in winter! ( there is a good reason they live in warm Nevada) So imagine my surprise when I got a call from my Mom telling me they were making a spur-of-the-moment trip to Kansas City for a surprise birthday party for my Uncle Ron (Mom's brother)!
I had a great time this weekend spending time with Mom, she has always been a source of pride for me!  Mom was always an independent woman, and taught me to be the same.  She was always a hard worker, with a competitive nature that drove her. Ever-hungry for knowledge, Mom earned her doctorate degree in education, and is very intelligent.  She can speak on most any subject.

I have really enjoyed spending time with her these past few days and as I sit here getting ready to close my eyes for the night, I think about all the things my Mom taught me, all the support she showed  me, and all the love she has given me over the years...and I can tell you I feel very, very lucky to be her daughter!

Mother and Daughter

Good night dear bloggers, and Happy Creating!
ReNae

Mixed-Media Tag (Tutorial using Lindy's Stamp Gang Sprays)

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of hosting a Demo at Ink Paper Rubber.  In this Demo I showed the Mixed-Media technique I used on my altered cigar box.  Here is a step-by-step pictorial for you.

I hope you give this a try, it's really fun!!

Tag Demo, Ink Paper Rubber Store

Start with a chipboard tag, and paint it with Gesso.

It will look like this.

To give your tag texture, use fabric lace, paper lace or doilies.
Also great to use for texture is moulding paste and a stencil.

It will look like this.

To adhere the lace to the tag, use Mod Podge or DecoPage.

Here is a tag after adding the lace and moulding paste.
Pretty cool huh?

The next step I add mulberry flowers, wood and metal embellishments.
I adhere them to the tag with a hot glue gun.
You may also use E6000 wet glue, but it takes a while to dry.

It will look like this.

You are now ready to add more Gesso.

Paint the Gesso over everything.  

Make sure you get inside all the nooks and crannies.

It will look like this.

I selected 3 colors of Lindy's Stamp Gang sprays, but
you can use Dylusions, Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Perfect Pearls or Glimmer Mist.

Each time you spray, dry thoroughly with your heat tool.

Add as many layers as need to achieve the desired look.

To complete my tag, I used rub-on inks to touch up the birds and butterfly.

Here is my finished tag!

I made a couple of these tags, here is the second one.

I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial.
This is the same technique I used on the altered cigar box, but this time I used much brighter colors.
Please!  Try this at home!

Happy Creating!
ReNae