Monday, October 12, 2009

2009 Mile High Angel Gathering Recap

Another weekend of fun and inspiration was had by Colorado demonstrators for The Angel Company at the 2009 Mile High Angel Gathering. There were 15 projects featuring all kinds of paper crafting techniques for the fall and winter holidays.

New stamp sets from Inspiration Avenue, as well as current specials from The Angel Company were used on projects, including this holiday easel card. The idea was inspired by Trudy Osborn, whose original card can be found by clicking here. This version was resized to 4x6, to accommodate a photo and was designed by Julie Griffith. Click on the photo for a larger image. The stamp set featured is Joyful Ornaments.

There were two versions of a spooky house card, also shared by Julie Griffith. One is a card that contains a stick of gum. The other is a placecard to label creepy concoctions at a cocktail party. The idea for the house came from Heather Scott, who adapted the idea to fit on cardstock sized 4 x 12 inches. The original design and instructions may be found here. To find out how Julie made the windows, using a grid punch from Creative Memories click here to visit her blog. The witches brew phrase, as well as several other spooky food phrases are found in the limited edition sets Bone Apetit and More Bone Apetit.

Another limited edition set was featured in this envelope tag book. The Gratitude Journal set contains phrases that help your family celebrate all they have to be thankful for. Made with number 10 envelopes and bound with the Bind It All, this little book is sure to be a treasured keepsake and shows off the beautiful colors of fall contained in the Penelope Soar With It Collection.

Copic Markers and the LE Build A Snowman set were used for our Copic Coloring Challenge. Participants received a basket of supplies and practiced coloring with these alcohol-based markers that are available for a limited time in four sets of colors. The markers received mixed reviews, as did the stamp set. Jeanine Jensen's favorite parts of the set were the bird in the nest and the ornaments, and her samples were beautiful, considering what she had to work with! Shielow Saldana also made some great cards and had fun trying out this coloring medium.

Jeanine's comments about the slightly-skewed snowman designs were hillarious, as was the moment in Julie's kitchen when Barb and Jeanine noticed Julie's husband tossing the fruit soda bottles from dinner she had been saving for a special project. They elbowed each other, giggled and said, "Are you going to tell him she's saving them?" "I'm not telling him; you tell him." When Julie came in the room and saw what John was doing, the laughter exploded!

Another activity the gals always enjoy is looking through Julie's inspiration baskets. To take a peek at their favorites this time, click here.

Barb brought the cutest hostess basket for Julie, containing chocolate, a candle and holiday kitchen towels and June's daughter sent the cutest little girl cut outs she had colored herself. It was great to reconnect with friends and practice the craft we love, together. If you want to hear about more gatherings like this one, email Julie at paperjewelscards@aol.com

Friday, October 9, 2009

Inspiration Avenue- the New Fall Magalogue from The Angel Company

In this video, Julie Griffith gives an overview of her designs for Inspiration Avenue. This fall "magalogue" from The Angel Company contains not only new products, but project ideas. Many have step-by-step instructions.

For Angels, this video will give extra tips on turning some of these projects into classes or demonstrations for Funshops. They include:

Deco Coaster Frame
Woodrowe Holiday Organizer
Coloring with Permanent Markers
Just Add Milk Treat
Reindeer Food Treat

Click the picture below to enjoy this behind the scenes peek and have fun sharing The Angel Company products with your stamping friends!