The first set I ordered...

...when the current Idea Book and Catalogue was released last summer was actually a hostess set called Faith in Nature.  There was just something about the images that spoke to me and it was first on my list.  As we near the end of the life of this catalogue, we prepare to say good-bye to all of the wonderful hostess sets, this one included.  Today's post features one of the beautiful images from that set...

Thank you card featuring the Faith in Nature hostess set.  Sentiment is from Just Believe

Another product that will likely disappear with the new catalogue is the Mocha Morning DSP (though we won't know for sure until the Retiring Accessories list posts next week!).  I have to say I just love that paper!  The neutral palette and elegant patterns are so versatile!  I used it on this card as both the background layer and for the scalloped layer as well.  I think I may just have to stock up on that stuff before it goes away!
As for how to put this card together, the only part you likely can't see in the photo is the focal image.  I heat embossed it on watercolour paper, using gold embossing powder, and then coloured it using my aquapainter and more mustard, cherry cobbler and lucky limeade ink pads.  So fast and easy!   The other layers are more mustard and soft suede.  Hope you have a happy Sunday!

NOT a Christmas Card!

I am so over Christmas cards.  I've been doing them since August and, quite frankly I am sick of them.  I held my last Christmas card class of the year today and all I can say is bring on Valentine's Day!  The card I have for you today is not a Christmas card.  It is a thank you card I designed for a class I am teaching at an upcoming weekend retreat in January.  The class is on watercolouring and so I chose one of my favourite hostess sets to colour:  Faith in Nature.  See what you think:

Thank you card using the Faith in Nature hostess set

Focal image detail

I just love this pear image.  I don't know why but it just really appeals to me.  I stamped it in versamark on watercolour paper and then heat embossed it in gold.  I watercolored it using my aquapainter and ink pads.  The rest of the card is pretty straightforward and uses more mustard, soft suede and crumb cake cardstock.  I am so looking forward to playing with my preorder items from the upcoming Occasions Mini...there's nothing like new goodies to jump-start the ol' Mojo!

The Countdown Is On...

...only four more days till the new catalogue goes live!!!!!  I am SOOOO pumped to get my hands on some of the fantastic new goodies!  My order is ready, my credit card is warmed up and I am set to welcome the new catty with a bang!  To celebrate the arrival of our brand new catalogue, I am holding an open house this Thursday and Friday.  Details are on the Upcoming Events tab at the top of this page.  Tonight I'm going to show you one of the Make-n-Take projects my guests will be doing at the big event.  Check it out:

New Catty Open House Make-n-take Sneak Peek using the new Faith in Nature hostess set as well as the En Francais background stamp

Close up of the focal image

This card uses lots of new products!  In addition to the hostess set (my fav so far) I also used one of the new in colours:  Wisteria Wonder (isn't that a great name?!?) as well as the new lace ribbon border punch. I really like the way this turned out and it was quick and easy too!!  Perfect for a make-n-take! 
This is going to be a great week...school finishes for the summer on Thursday and Friday the new catty goes live...could it get any better???

Hostess Set Sneak Peek: Faith in Nature

You are going to love the selection of hostess items in the new catalogue!  There are NINE stamps sets, two digital content CD's and a pack of 12x12 DSP to choose from.  The coolest thing is that under the new hostess program you can earn any one of these items with just a $200 workshop!!  But wait, there's more...you won't want to stop at just a $200 workshop when you see that you will earn any item in the catty at 50% OFF with a $525 workshop!!  Have you been coveting the Big Shot?  How would you like to get it for half price???  The new hostess program is FANTASTIC, offering more flexibility and incentives for hostess.  The card I have for you today is one that I made with one of the new hostess sets called Faith in Nature.  It is the one set I just had to pre-order...I think you'll understand why...

Card made using the Faith in Nature hostess set from the upcoming 2011/2012 IBC

Close-up of focal point.

Isn't this lovely?  It was so easy to pull this card together and the image was super-easy to watercolour.  It is a perfect one for novice stampers to learn to watercolour with an aquapainter on.  It was especially easy to colour because I heat embossed the image in gold, which makes the lines raised...its almost impossible to colour outside the lines when you do that!  You may notice the waterspots on the more mustard mat...they are from the French Foliage set which was in last year's Holiday Mini...its back in the big book!!  I am thrilled about that because it is a set I loved working with.  The card base is stamped with the En Francais background set, which is also continuing in the new catty.  There are SEVEN new background stamps plus two from last year's holiday mini in this catty...lots of great ways to add texture or create a quick and simple card with a large image. 
So, have I whetted your appetite yet?  Are you dying to see the new catty?  If so, drop me a line and reserve your copy.  I charge my cost which is $5.00...or better yet, host a workshop and get yours free!  You won't want to miss all the new goodies!  Catalogues are available for distribution on June 20th and go live on July 1st.  What a way to celebrate Canada Day, eh?