Cheryl's Paper Artz

LSSSL (let's send Susan some love!)

2012-01-06T12:59:00.000-07:00

Most of you know Susan Mostek, our wonderful resident artist & teacher at Rocky Mountain Memories. If you haven't had the joy to be in her classes, you have certainly seen her art displayed in samples all over the shop. Susan has had rough go of it lately, first with an ankle injury and then a lovely New Year's Eve trip to the emergency room with some muscle spasms.

Suffice to say, she's home & fine, tho still taking care of that ankle. I think she'd REALLY bounce back if she heard from her paper crafting friends. If you'd like to send Susan a get well note or an encouragement card, I know she'd love to hear from you. You can send cards to:

Susan Mosek

7313 Poston Way

Boulder, CO 80301

Let's send Susan some paper love, and look forward to seeing her up & around quickly.

We LOVE YOU, Susan!

Long Time, No Blog

2011-12-22T17:41:00.000-07:00

So, its been a while. My camera has come up missing, so I've had challenges getting pictures for the blog. So I'm learning to use my iPhone as my camera. I hadn't had good luck with that before, but I'm using a new app now, so we'll see how it goes.

Here's a little project I worked on recently. I've got these little birdhouse ornaments I've been decorating and I did one as a butterfly house. I don't know if butterflies like to live in houses, but it doesn't really seem fair that birds get all the houses.

And here's another shot I took this afternoon when Rick and I took a drive in the National Park after this mornings snow. The elk have broken out of their mating season herds, with the bulls and the cows collecting up separately. These two have their noses buried deep in the snow, getting their food. So interesting to live so close to the rhythm of nature!

Here's shot of the larger herd, tho only a few of them.

Thanks for letting me test things out! I hope this works well and I'll be able to put up some project I'm working on for the new year!

Merry Christmas to you and your families and every wish for a blessed New Year!

Rick, Cheryl & Cody

They are here!

2011-11-08T16:01:00.001-07:00

Check this out. The newest seasonal Winter Distress Inks are at Rocky Mountain Memories! I can't wait to break open a set for some Christmas projects. They're just in time!! Don't wait too long Ranger is doing a limited edition and you don't want to be disappointed!

Ranger Nation!

2011-11-02T11:41:00.000-06:00

Ranger Nation is this Friday. As ususal, I've gone a little overboard, but I don't care. This may take longer than two hours, folks. But I love these projects and love makes the world go round, right? ;-)

Here's an adorable card using Wendy Vecchi stamps and her Studio 490 style. You'll want to be sure and bring your details scissors and hobby knife for this one. LOTSO layers. Love it.

This is a straight copy of one of Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas, 2010. Tim uses so many techniques with his tags that they are really fun to recreate. I'm shooting for a 12 Tags tree in the shop this year, so stay tuned for that.

This is the simplest card we'll do. We'll use the new Fall Distress set of color and my signature little B Line bird sits on the label.

Not too late to sign up for this Friday's Ranger Nation. Bring your basic kit (especially those details scissors & craft knife!!) Class is $20 and begins Friday morning at 10 am. CU there!!

Blue Skies, Green Trees, White Snow

2011-10-28T07:23:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite things about Colorado is the brilliant contrast of color after a heavy snow. Its even more pronounced in the fall with some of the aspen gold peaking out from snow covered branches. Its going to be a beautiful weekend and this snow won't last long. Come and enjoy while it's here!

Did you sit on this bench this summer? It might be a little wet & chilly today. You better come on in and have some tea and do some creating!

You'll have no problem getting here. The path to the shop is clean and Rick & Ted maintain it very well!

Just follow the Riverwalk Connection over the river & to the shop.

A little tune just began in my head.....

The parking lot is clear and dries up quickly in the sun.

We've got classes today with the lovely Susan Mostek.
Creatives are collecting for hot tea and paper crafting.
Hope to see YOU soon!

2011-10-12T18:23:00.001-06:00

Here's our spunky little scarecrow, checking out her scrapbook of her scarecrow wedding. She'll be sitting on a bale of hay in front of the shop all through October.

She's got lovely photo album of her family on her cousin's wedding day. Her cousin is kind of a "pumpkin head" head, but a sweet girl.

It's going to be a beautiful, sunny weekend in Estes! Hope to see you @ RMM.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Christie Cropcraft

Timless Moments

2011-10-11T06:26:00.001-06:00

Here's the cards we'll be doing in my Timless Moments class. We're using lots of Tim's stuff like Distress Stains & Inks, Texture Fades, Distress Powder, & Grungeboard. Lots of fall color and plenty of opportunity to play!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sticky Back Canvas Journal

2011-10-07T16:49:00.000-06:00

Look at this LOVELY journal! Made with a bought Moleskin book and covered with sticky back canvas. Carol added stamping and color (Distress Inks, of course!!).

Here's the back. Such pretty details. Sticky Back Canvas was just the answer; Carol just snipped it and fitted it around the elastic closure. You can't see it at all.

Here's the journal laying flat. Carol added twill ribbon and brads.

Carol made this as a gift for her lucky daughter. Don't you wish YOU were Carol's daughter? ;-) Good job, Carol.

Birthday Surprise!

2011-10-05T17:07:00.002-06:00

I met some friends today at Susan Mostek's house for a little surprise party for Jen Lowe. She's already had her birthday, which probably made it even more of a surprise!

This is what a surprised woman looks like.

A big hug for Chari Hogslett.

Another one for Judy Hess.

Good friends. Some of my best good friendships have come from paper crafting.

Happy birthday, Jen. You are loved.

This is my birthday card for Jen. I like Sewing, but Sewing doesn't really like me. Which is not fair, cause Sewing doesn't know me that well. But Jen does all things well, so this one is for her.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Birthday Surprise!

Cards for Soldiers on Thursday, Oct 6

2011-10-04T19:57:00.001-06:00

Come by the shop Thursday morning at 10 am and make cards for soldiers with us! We're using some fall colors for this masculine-woodsy card.

GRAND Prize Winner!

2011-09-29T07:41:00.000-06:00

We are thrilled to announce the winner of the Rocky Mountain Memories Fall Festival is

drrrrrrr......... (drumroll)

Donna McMillin!

Donna is a great B Line fan and we are so happy for her that she won the B Line Bash prize. She came by the shop bright and early on Tuesday to collect her prize basket, all smiles!

Congratulations, Donna!

Today at RMM Fall Festival

2011-09-24T09:09:00.004-06:00

It has been an amazing week! Today is our last day of Fall Festival and we have been overwhelmed and gratified with the response. Thank you so much to all of you who have showed up for classes, demos and make & takes. Congratulations to the winners of our door prizes!

Clara Mae Marciniak

JoAnn Worsham

Lynn Wilseck

Connie Shafer

Karen Galloway

Fern Beson

Faith Pelhey

Donna Allen

Gaylynn Johnson

Kathleen Sigg

You've got another day of fun and another chance at prizes today! Susan is teaching Tag Bags this morning and is teaching a repeat of the incredibly popular Accordian Booklet make & take this afternoon. Check the website for times & details.

From 4 - 6 pm this afternoon, we'll close our Fall Festival with a wine & cheese reception to thank all of you for your support of this event. This leads up to our final door prize drawing and the Grand Prize drawing at 6 pm. Also from 4 -6 pm, I'll be doing demos with the NEW Fall Distress Ink set from Ranger & Tim Holtz. I've reported about how these inks have just flown out the door, but this afternoon only you can reserve your set from the order that's on its way, with a 10% discount off the 17.99 price. And there ain't NOBODY discounting these babies!! So come on down and join us for a casual time to finish a great week.

Last, but certainly not least, we'd like to say a a couple of public thank yous. Thanks so very much to Susan Mostek. Susan is a fabulous teacher, a wonderfully creative artist, and a woman we're proud to call our friend. Thank you to Bob & Beverly Seymour and everyone at B Line Designs for their support of B Line Bash and the Fall Festival. B Line is a great company, and we are proud to represent them in northwest Colorado.

Hope to see you at Rocky Mountain Memories!

Fall Distress Inks at Rocky Mountain Memories!

2011-09-22T06:01:00.001-06:00

We've got them! Tim Holtz did a surprise release of a limited edition bundle of seasonal Distress Inks!! Check out his video demonstraing the colors here. These inks became ready for order at noon last Wednesday and I ordered them right away. They sold out, RANGER sold out in 6 hours!

Ours were delivered yesterday afternoon, right in the middle of our Fall Festival (grrrreat timing!!). We've got a few sets left. Ranger reviewed their decision and are producing more sets and I have more on order. Come on by and pick up your set. Beautiful, rich, vibrant color. Ripe Persimmon, Gathering Twigs and Seedless Preserves.

New WEBSTER'S PAGES!

2011-09-15T07:56:00.000-06:00

Hey everybody! Fall is in the air in Estes Park. The elk are bugling, the leaves are changing (slowly!), and the air is definitely cooler. Time to get out sweaters and jeans. I'm hanging tough with my sparkly flip flops, tho. First day I get frozen toes, I'll switch over to boots. ;-)

I wanted to do a post to show you something just in: a beautiful, new line of Webster's Pages! All the papers are in the classic Webster's Pages style, double sided, great graphics. Here's a peak...

I'll be using this paper (above) in the Coaster Book $5 make & take next week for B Line Bash. It makes a very pretty little mini book and works really well with some pretty red embellishments.

At first I didn't go for this line, All About Me. I was put off by the name. But a second look at the paper changed my mind.

Don't forget B Line Bash next week, September 20-24. We are busy like little beavers getting ready! Classes on Wednesday and Saturday, taught by the lovely Susan Mostek, $5 make & takes and free demos. AND......

dddddrrrrrrr (that's a drumroll)....

10% off all B Line stamps in stock! What? The stamps you want aren't in the shop? Well....

ddddddrrrrrrr (yes, another drumroll)......

10% off catalog orders! You can look through all the B Line catalogs and make your order list. I'll place an order and get just the stamps you want.

Check the website for pictures and details of next week's events. Its going to be so much fun, I hope all of you can join us. Don't forget to sign up for classes! All other events are first come, first serve. See you next week!

Jumpstart Christmas - Day 5

2011-09-09T08:20:00.000-06:00

The last card for the Jumpstart Christmas series. I did the entire series without ANY red or green, so I thought I should at least add a little red tone for this last one. I used Aged Mahogany and Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I love how the Vintage Photo suggests dessert sands for these magi. (Did you know the Bible doesn't ever say there are three wise men? It mentions three gifts, but we don't know how many wise men there were.)

The background here was a really interesting process. I used Pickett Fence Distress Stain on black cardstock. The result is a very chalky, gray look. The focal points of the card don't get overpowered by the background. I added some Shabby Fern flourishes with Queen's Gold embossing powder.

Stop in Friday, September 16 to make one. Mention this blog and your make & take is FREE.

Oh, and Merry Christmas!!

Jumpstart Christmas - Day 4

2011-09-08T19:27:00.000-06:00

I really loved the way this one turned out. This is a matchbook card. The nativity silhouette image is on acetate and layered over an alcohol ink background, with a clear embossed front. It's tied off with blue & black ribbons that repeat the colors in the focal point.

This is the featured make & take for Thursday of next week, September 17. Stop on by and make yours!

Jumpstart Christmas - Days 2 & 3

2011-09-07T15:50:00.000-06:00

So, I didn't get to blog so much yesterday, so today is a two-fer. These are the make & takes for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

This is a lovely card we'll make on Tuesday, September 13. This Peace Dove is stamped on watercolor paper and colored with Distress Ink. We had to have a little Christmas sparkle, but its still a very simple understated design.

Wedesday's card uses a panel from ever-popular Graphic 45. Very cool Christmas Carol paper panel on a gate-fold card.

Wednesday's card opens to reveal an image of the Baby in the manger. Stop in anytime Wednesday, September 14 and make this one. Mention seeing this on the blog or website and your make & take is free!

Jumpstart Christmas - Day 1

2011-09-05T11:04:00.001-06:00

Monday, September 12, is the first day of Jumpstart Christmas. Each day of this week I will feature a different Christmas card. Mention this blog or our email and this is a free make & take for you. You can come by for a free make & take and learn a technique you can incorporate for your Christmas cards this year. You can start now and do just a few pieces every few days and still have plenty of time to finish all your list for the year.

This cards features a nativity sillhouette using a dauber resist technique. This card reflects the simplicity and humility of Christ's birth. The little sparkle in the star that marks His place of birth reflects His divinity and the blessing of the Father.

Come by anytime Monday, September 12 between 10 am and 6 pm.

NEW Bo Bunny paper

2011-08-30T11:26:00.000-06:00

Bo Bunny has done it again. I am just crazy for these new papers, the "Welcome Home" collection.

You'll want to come in and see them up close, but the idea section of my brain is just spinning. Here's a look at what they've done.

This is the "cut out" page. Its just beautiful! They all are.

Flip side of the cut out page. I didn't include pictures of the second side of any of the other pages, but this was just to pretty not to show. Are we working on classes and make & takes with these papers?

Yes, we are......

License Plates

2011-08-22T12:06:00.000-06:00

Our daughter, Allison, is a hair stylist in Fort Collins. She works at Great Clips and they display their professional license at their work station. She asked me if I would put together a piece on which they could mount their licenses, which are about the size of a drivers license. Each "license plate" has a placeholder for the real license.

It was a fun project. Here’s what I came up with…..

I used a flash card in place of the license on this one so the glue woudn't attach and the actual license could be slipped in instead. Do you know what 63 divided by 7 is, upside down??

Summertime in Estes

2011-07-22T14:52:00.001-06:00

If it's hot at your house, come sit in the park with me and listen to the river.

Nature Grunge

2011-07-01T22:43:00.000-06:00

I put together sort of an impromptu class, responding to a class request. The first class is tomorrow morning, but I decided to offer it as a class next week, Wednesday, July 6 at 9:30 a.m. Cards for Soldiers will be postponed to the following week. Here are the pics:

You've got to see this one in person to get the feel of it. The tree is stamped on a Prima paper, with added Distress Inks.

Come check out the technique to stamp this text-bird. Very cool!

Call the shop 970.577.1415 or email cheryl@RMMemories.com to sign up!

Friends Making Cards for Friends

2011-06-23T21:06:00.000-06:00

One of my very favorite things about paper art is the friends I make. Martha Vaughn is a special one. Martha came into the store last summer when she and her husband, Ed, were here on vacation from Texas for some cool mountain air. She stopped in two days before they were scheduled to go home! We kept in touch some by email through the year and when she came back this summer, it was like seeing an old friend again.

Martha told me she and Ed has received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from the owner of the hotel where they were staying and she wanted to make a thank you card for her. Great idea! She selected a sheet of Webster's Pages and created a shutter card.

Here is Martha's card. Lovely, isn't it? I love this card template because its so simple, but finishes so beautifully and has that wow factor. If you haven't made one, stop in Rocky Mountain Memories and I'll give you a free 30 second lesson.

Bessie Ida

2011-06-20T17:11:00.001-06:00

Can you imagine your grandmother as a young woman? What was she like? What girlish ways did she have? How was her character and her priorities carried into succeeding generations?

Stacy Clinton explored all of these things at Rocky Mountain Memories in the creation of her memory box. With Cherri Robb's guidance, Stacy created a collage of ephemera and photographs that became a tribute to Bessie Ida Babcock Cunningham, her grandmother.

RMM: Stacy, did you know your grandmother? Was she still alive when you were a child?
Stacy: No, she died a month after my mother was born. My mother never even knew her.

RMM: What are some of the items you included in your memory box?
Stacy: Four pictures of Bessie, hand tatted lace that was made by great aunt, a handkerchief that was with the lace, I don't know who made that. I also included a copy of her college diploma.

RMM: Why did you choose Bessie Ida as the subject of your altered box?
Stacy: To get to know her. I have a photo album from her college days.
RMM: Did it work?
Staci: Yes, it did.

RMM: Where will you keep this art you have created?
Stacy: Sitting on a bookcase in front of my craft table, eye level!

Stacy & Cherri in close collaberation!!

The cover of Stacy's Memory Box; a beautiful peony with a lion clasp.

Left inside featuring photos of Bessie Ida and a copy of her college diploma!

Right inside. Bessie Ida, looking sharp posing with an umbrella and hand tatted heirloom lace from Stacy's family.

A treasure and a tribute to a woman who died too soon, but loved and remembered.

Susan Mostek's classes

2011-06-08T10:43:00.000-06:00

Hey I wanted you to see the great projects Susan has lined up for June 18. These are reinterpretations of past classes, brought back by requests. The morning class will use this beautiful Graphic 45 page to make a "Quote Booklet", but you can, of course make it whatever you like. Susan will have on hand other ways to embellish this design to spur your creativity.

In the afternoon, you'll get a chance to create these adorable Three Tiered Sliders. One is embellished with softer colors and images, the other has a masculine theme that can be used as a Father's Day or birthday card.

As always, you'll go home with completed projects and instructions to recreate your own pieces at home. Call Rocky Mountain Memories to sign up at 970.577.1415 or email cheryl@RMMemories.com.

Supplies and details are available on the website on the classes page.

See you there!

Notebooks

2011-05-30T19:19:00.000-06:00

I've been reading (and rereading!) a book called One Thousand Gifts: a Dare to Live Fully by Ann Voskamp. I'm captured by the book. Its very well written and its message is important. The author begins to actively look for gifts from God and, when she looks, she finds them. She records her findings in a journal she keeps on her kitchen counter.

This is the inspiration for these notebooks. I've used Tim's ring binders and BoBunny's Gabrielle collection of papers to complete these notebooks. I WILL be making more. They turn out beautifully and are sized nicely to tuck away in your purse or tote bag.

Eucharisteo. This word is with me. Its where we get our expression "eucharist" from. The Bible says that Jesus took the bread and broke it and eucharisteo; gave thanks. This is a gratitude journal.

Here's another notebook I made just for notekeeping. I used Tim's Kraft Resist paper pad (aMAZing) and his printer's blocks (equally aMAZing!).

I'm doing a notebook class on Saturday. You can learn to construct your own notebook with any paper you like, embellishing the cover as you please. (Class materials include the notebook and pre-selected paper; you get to go crazy with paper & embellishments when you make your own at home!)

Call the shop (970.577.1415) or email (cheryl@RMMemories.com) to sign up.

Hope to see you Saturday!

Random Stuff.....

2011-05-19T18:50:00.000-06:00

Its been a few days since I've blogged because I've been busy teaching and creating!! So here are some things from the studio. Hope you enjoy.

The minute I saw this hat stamp I thought of the Red Hat ladies. I had it on my desk and one day recently just sat down and played with it. I set the hat on my favorite Paper Bag Studios lady with some Stickles and a red rose. She's a woman full of joy, living life to the full. Her laughter comes easily and the years are a song for her. Don't you want to be her?

I really love incorporating nature and simple things into my work. I've got this ENORMOUS roll of screen in my studio that I bought at Home Depot. I love it with birds, butterflies and nature things. I put a bit on the front of this card over a couple of butterflies, but one got away! Flying free. Fly away, little butterfly!!

Newest and coolest thing. Truly. I just am having the most fun with Distress Stains. WAY lots of times, I'm picking up a piece, pondering what to do with it and the answer is Distress Stains. This stuff is going to change the look of your art. Write down today's date. Six months from now, look back at your work before and after that date. I think you'll see a difference. Distress Stains. Why wait? You can get very intense color with very light shades. Its weird. And fabulous.

This is a chipboard (yes, chipboard!!) flower pot that sat on my desk and, sigh, I just never had time for the poor little thing. I was going to have to paint it, but it was so big and it was going to take some time and quite a bit of paint to get the coverage I wanted and then I thought, "Distress Stain. That would do it." I picked it up and, boom, it was done in just a few minutes, no clean up. Stop being mean to yourself. Get some Distress Stains in your studio now.

And come to Rocky Mountain Memories to learn to use them. :-)

Ranger Ink....on Celebrity Apprentice???

2011-05-09T21:13:00.000-06:00

So we're watching Celebrity Apprentice Sunday night and a very brief shot made me do a double take. Was that really Adirondack ink, or am I just still woozy from Ranger U?

Ranger's blog spotlighted the clip. You can see their blog here. How sweet is that??

Mother's Day Card

2011-05-07T06:24:00.000-06:00

Happy Mother's Day to all of you who are mothers and who have mothers! This is the card I made for my mother this year. The irony is that, having a business of scrapbooking and paper arts, I have to force myself to find time to make cards for ME to send! But this was a priority this week, of course. I used Bo Bunny's Gabrielle paper, Tim Holtz Elegant Flourish and Tattered Flowers dies and grungeboard Alphabet Soup letters painted with Snow Cap Adirondack paint. I'm learning to love those little dabbers!

Inside the card I attached a photograph of sisters and myself when we were little girls.

I'll blog Ranger U day three early next week. That was a jam packed day, full of technique which I can't wait to share with you! In the meantime, don't forget to hug a mom!

Ranger U - Day 2

2011-05-03T08:29:00.000-06:00

Our morning session was with lovely Claudine. What a sweetie. I just love her talent, her heart and her art. We did some very cool things with Sticky Back Canvas, a favorite product for me, which I'll be bringing to RMM. We worked with the transfer technique I had been using for "luggage tags" and more ideas were sparked for that one. More later.....

Tim was back in the afternoon and it was Distress Ink. Bliss. It was just awesome to feel in familiar territory and yet learning so much new. I'll be very busy the next few days planning on a schedule to bring classes to you with new techniques, new looks, new ways to use what you already own.

Last, but by no means least, were the relationships formed during this incredible weekend. I expected to make friends, but not like this. Tears upon parting, emails since we arrived home. We couldn't bear to leave each other. Love is a good thing.

I'll post on Day Three tomorrow. Off to the shop!!

Ranger U - Day 1

2011-04-29T19:20:00.000-06:00

This is amazing. Just amazing! Rick and I got up at 3 am on Thursday to get to the aiport for a 7 am departure. I arrived in Chicago at 10:30 for what was supposed to be a 2 hour layover and due to terrible weather all along the eastern seaboard, got stuck there for 7 hours. My flight kept getting delayed over & over and I was afraid it was going to be cancelled, which would mean no Ranger U for me. Finally, we took off and I met up with several others with whom I had planned to share a shuttle to Tinton Falls. Fell into bed at 2 am. And mine wasn't even the worst story!!

Up early this morning for Day 1 at Ranger University! All my expectations were exceeded and my expectations were HIGH! Tim was incredible, of course, teaching all day. My head is brimming with class ideas! I'm learning so many new techniques, a large variety of ways to use Perfect Pearls, embossing powders, playing with stamps and inks and being surrounded by tremendously talented artists from literally all over the world. Good day.

Tim, laying it down.

Yvonne, official Best Roommate Ever.

I expect to sleep soundly tonight, and and spend the morning with Claudine Hellmuth. Am I really here?? :-)

NEW Flower Soft!

2011-04-25T21:09:00.000-06:00

Just got a new order of Flower Soft, in the newest yummy colors.

I also got Toppers. I've never done these before, but I've seen some samples using them and they are very sweet. Really simple to get a very elegant effect. Even if you're just a beginner, you'll have a lovely card for family and friends. And Mother's Day is right around the corner!

LOTSO Ultra Fine Flower Soft. This stuff is so cool, so many ways to use this unique, pretty dimensional texture on your pieces. Very pretty new colors, too. This is not the greatest pic, but I really like the basket, so I included it. Come by and pick through it. ;-)

Accepted! Going to Ranger U!!

2011-04-16T10:58:00.000-06:00

Yeah!! I am SO excited to be attending Ranger U April 29 - May 2 in Tinton Falls, New Jersey at Ranger Industries. I got this email from Tim Holtz and didn't open it right away, because I SO wanted to go and was afraid it would not say:

But it did! I've been emailing back & forth with some of the other attendees, coordinating sharing hotels & shuttle services. Even tho I feel like a weeney in a steak house, they all are super nice and everyone is just as excited as I am to get to go.

I'll be Facebooking & tweeting from Ranger U.

When I get back, I'll be excited to share EVERYTHING I've learned.

Home from Texas

2011-04-09T07:37:00.001-06:00

This sight just feeds my soul. I went home this year, timed to see the bluebonnets and my timing couldn't have been better. They were everywhere and kept getting prettier each day. I don't know if I was there for the "peak", but I sure may have. The blooms just opened more and more and the color got brighter every day.

One last shot on the way to the airport. The joke is that in Texas every child needs three things when they start school: their birth certificate, immunization records, and a picture of themselves in the bluebonnets.

I'm all set!

My luggage tags worked beautifully! It was good to go home; and good to come back home. My heart is full.

Basement Babes

2011-03-25T14:57:00.000-06:00

And babes they are. We had a ball playing with projects at the shop. We made a huge mess, without apology!!

Susan's standard classic work. She prepared Cricut cartridge boxes for all of us to make dioramas. Hers uses Graphic 45 papers and fairies. What are those toadstools? Could there be a little sneak peak there???

Cathy & Cheryl sharing a chuckle. One of many. la-ti-da

Charri brought a whole other idea, which isn't surprising cause she's so stinking talented.

All in all a great day, one that makes us all think "how come we don't do this more often??"

No Baby Paper!!!

2011-03-24T06:43:00.006-06:00

I just didn't have any; I don't keep birthday paper, baby paper, graduation paper, wedding paper, etc., etc., etc.!!

So I made some.

Here's the wrapped gift. First I had to take two pieces of newsprint and tape them together to make the wrapping sheet large enough to cover the package. Then I used Tim Holtz's Shabby Fern grungy flourish stamp and Wild Honey ink to stamp all over the paper.

Close up of the topper: I hid the seam where I joined the two pieces of newsprint with a sage satin ribbon from my stash. I stamped some scrap paper with the same stamp and ink, then cut and layered Tattered Florals flowers and Tatttered Leaves to create a topping for the package.

Obviously couldn't stop, so I made a card to match. I really love the "family" stamp for a baby card. Sticking to my philosophy that "dull women have ordinary envelopes", I stamped a flourish on the envelope, and I'm done. I'll deliver this one this weekend! The gift, not the baby. ;-p

Clara Mae's Book

2011-03-24T06:28:00.000-06:00

My friend Clara Mae brought in this lovely box book (inside is hollowed out with a box replacing the pages) needing a solution. The book stayed slightly opened and need a closure of some kind. She had already covered and decorated the outside so we needed something that could be added to a substantially completed book.
This Graphic 45 brad was just the answer. These are either really huge brads or really small knobs, but either way the effect is very cool! I love all the new G45 hardware!

Goodies @ RMM

2011-03-20T19:09:00.004-06:00

I told the class on Saturday I'd post my recipe for Bran Muffins that I brought for them. So here it is...

BASIC BRAN MUFFINS
2 1/4 oat bran (I buy it in bulk at Whole Foods)
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey or molasses
1 1/4 cup milk
2 eggs (or egg whites)
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
Mix & add whatever you want of the following:
1/4 c. chopped nuts (I use more than this!)
1/4 c. raisens
1/4 c. dates
The muffins we had in class had (instead of the above):
3/4 cup walnuts
1/2 orange, chopped (I left a bit of orange peel on, chopped it finely and added that, too)
about 1/2 cup of frozen homemade cranberry sauce, leftover from the holidays this year.

Bake in muffin tins at 425 for 15-17 minutes. 12 muffins.

Last week we had some chocolate chip cookies. Here's my bestest chocolate chip cookie recipe:

CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
2 sticks butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (Mexican is best)
Mix & add:
2 3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
Mix into a dough & add 2 cups chocolate chips and pecans or walnuts, if you like. Bake at 375 for about 11 minutes.

Finally, we had cinnamon rolls a couple of weeks ago. This is a great recipe that doesn't take too long to rise, so you can mix them up and bake them for a weekend treat.

BUTTERMILK CINNAMON ROLLS
2 packages active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
chopped pecans, if desired

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. In a small saucepan, heat the buttermilk until warm to the touch.
2. Pour the buttermilk and oil into the yeast mixture, mix well. Combine the flour, salt and baking soda. Stir the flour mixture into the liquid 1 cup at a time until a soft dough forms. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 20 times. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes. In a small bowl, stir together the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon (and pecans, if you want them).
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out onto a large rectangle. Spread the brown sugar and butter mixture over the dough, roll up into a log and pinch the seam to seal. Slice into 1 inch pieces and place cut side up in a lightly greased 10 x 15 baking pan. Cover and let rise 30 minutes or cover and refrigerate overnight. If baking immediately, preheat oven to 400 degrees.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown. Let stand for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Paperbag Studios

2011-03-16T20:41:00.000-06:00

Hey, long time no blog!

We've been busy, busy since returning from CHA, I've hardly stopped. I'm working LOTS (yes, even when the store isn't "open"!!), teaching a Bible study on Tuesday nights, and trying to catch up at home before the summer season begins. Also trying to keep up with my adult kids, staying in touch, loving from a distance.

But we're getting some seriously cool stuff in, and I gotta blog.

Paperbag Studios has been a favorite stamp line of mine for a long time and now its at Rocky Mountain Memories. So here's a taste.....

Here's the selection. Can't wait to play!

This is one of my favorite stamps ever. I love the "throw-your-head-back-and-laugh" quality of this image. This will DEFINITELY show up in samples in the store, maybe a class.

Don't you think this girl's got a secret? That flourish on the left is my new go-to flourish.

Very pretty, nicely sized.

Come and see Paperbag Studios. I love what these stamps can do for my art. And yours. ;-)

Rocky Mountain Memories at CHA!

2011-02-06T20:55:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a weekend. After a vacation, Rick and I went to Los Angeles to attend the Craft & Hobby Assocation trade show. We had an awesome time and saw so many things that are going to be a great addition to the art expression at Rocky Mountain Memories. Here's one of my hot finds and I'll be sharing in upcoming entries some of the exciting things coming to the store.

Here I am with JoAnn at the BoBunny booth. I can't WAIT for these things to get to the shop. They've got some fabulous new papers and embellishments that are just right. Such nice people, too. JoAnn and I talked about what works for our shop and picked pieces just for you. Take a look at Timepieces.

Clocks are popular and so classic. This collection is VERY well done, I know you're going to love it. These papers & embellishments will also flow well with several B Line, Graphic 45 and Tim Holtz items in the store.

Here's a page done with a paper from the Gabrielle line. Such beautiful, rich colors. Butterflies, text, flourishes, vintage grunge.

Items from CHA begin arriving this week. I'll be blogging new things as they come in. I hope you'll come in and see them up close & personal.

CHA

2011-01-30T08:36:00.001-07:00

Here I am at the Graphic 45 booth at CHA. It is absolutely beautiful just like you'd expect. I'll post better pics when we get back with my camera but in the meantime I'll be posting with my phone.

We're having so much fun but at the the same I can't wait to get home and start playing and creating with ideas I'm getting here.

Watch for a post later. Today about a very exciting new stamp line and I mean NEW! They haves new look, feel, great images and they stamp beautifully.

Love & miss you all. Stay tuned!

Susan Mostek

2011-01-21T07:33:00.001-07:00

Well, here are Susan's projects for her February 26 classes. Amazingly gorgeous, deceptively simple. AGDS. That's the new acryonym for her classes. Its official, AGDS.

The morning class features a card sure to chase away winter blues. We'll be using the NEW Graphic 45 "Once Upon a Springtime" papers to create a darling pop-up stage card, complete with the "WOW" factor. Lovely fairy images and a teaspoon of Beatrix Potter thrown in, too.

Here's the card opened up with little fairies popping up all over. So sweet. Guaranteed to be a fun morning!

$25.00, February 26 10 am - 12:30 pm

Required supplies for this class: Basic stamp kit including bone folder, ruler, pencil, scissors, detail scissors. Please also bring x-acto knife, glue stick and 1/4" or 1/2" red line or Scor-tape. Extremely helpful: personal paper trimmer, scor-pal, Tea Dye Distress ink and Blending Tool w/foam.

The afternoon class has TWO sweet possibilities. We couldn't decide which set to do in class, so we thought we'd let you vote! With either set, you'll go home with two delightful and different step cards, templates to complete more at home. Vote for Set A or Set B by leaving a comment on this blog. Votes will be counted February 13, so vote by February 12.

SET A

If this colorful set is your choice, leave a comment on this blog to vote for these cards. These two cards are made from a single 12 x 12 sheet of Webster's Pages.

SET B

If you like these cool greens, vote for this set. These two are made with another Webster's Pages paper.

Regardless of which set wins, in class you'll learn to make the cards and can by buying the other paper and stepping out on your own!!

Required Supplies: Basic Kit (bone folder, ruler, pencil, regular & detail scissors, adhesive), personal paper trimmer. Extremely helpful: colored pencils, Tea Dye Distress ink and Blending Tool w/foam.

$25, February 26, 2 pm - 4:30 pm

----------------------

You can sign by email (Cheryl@RMMemories.com) for either or both classes until February 1 and after that you can sign up by email OR by phone 970.577.1415. I will contact you beginning February 2 with confirmations that you are registered for class. First come, first serve.

Fair warning: Morning and afternoon classes are already almost full. We are working on an overflow date. But to be sure you get in, don't delay to sign up.

ArtChix

2011-01-19T18:20:00.000-07:00

ArtChix is at Rocky Mountain Memories. I'm so jazzed, can't wait to get my hands on this stuff. I've got lots of German Scrap (why is it called this? I don't know), lotx of collage sheets. VERY cool images for collage sheets, for cards, ATCs, other paper artz projects. I'm already sold out of one color of the German Scrap, even before I got it "processed". No worries, I'll reorder. Come in, check it out, be happy. Life's too short not to be happy, right? Be happy.

Tim Holtz

2011-01-13T08:14:00.000-07:00

You should be picking up what Tim is throwing down these days. He’s giving us previews of his new dies and there’s a lot! I liked one comment to his blog: “Killing me softly, with his dies, killing me softly….” Click on the link below to go directly to his blog and check it out.

Which ones do you like? We’ll be at CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) trade show at the end of this month and I’ll get first shot at buying these dies. I need to know which ones tickle your fancy! I’ll be having lunch with Tim and I can give him your feedback. Oh, well, I guess that last part isn’t really happening. But I will get to see him, I think! From afar!

Give me a comment and let me know your thoughts….
cheryl

Tim Holtz

Paper Pinecones with Ben Englehardt!

2011-01-09T07:59:00.000-07:00

Double click on this image to see the detail of each of the lovely projects. Ben does a beautiful job of taking natural elements and making them delicate. Sign up for her class soon; its filling up! You can email me at cheryl@RMMemories.com or call the shop. Email is best. C U soon!!
~cheryl~

New Webster's On the Way!

2011-01-03T18:32:00.000-07:00

I'm a strange bird. After Christmas and the Super Bowl, I don't really see the point of winter anymore and am ready for spring. Which makes winter REALLY long for me, because my expectations are so out of whack and unrealistic.

When my kids were little, they had a book called "Big Bird Brings Spring to Sesame Street" or something like that. Anyway, Big Bird is tired of winter and so goes to a florist and buys flowers and goes around giving one flower to all his friends. I think I want to do this with Webster's Pages. Spring Market will bring a little spring to Estes Park in the midst of winter. Let it come!

So you know what I love? When I just hear about new Webster's Pages lines and I order them, sight unseen, and then I see them and they are even better than I expected. Below is one paper in the "Spring Market" line, coming soon to Rocky Mountain Memories. This is Gardner's Seeds. All the pages have the signature rich Webster's colors and the earthiness I just love.

Double click on the picture to see a larger image. Yeah, Spring!

Tim Holtz Tickets

2010-12-28T07:21:00.000-07:00

I love pieces that are interchangeable and versatile and Tim Holtz has done it with these tickets! This stamp set is called "Odds & Ends" and has 7 ticket stamps. Its sort of a celebration as its Tim's 100th design for Stamper's Anonymous. I can imagine that a lot of thought went into what would be that 100th design and I think we can see that with the coordinating products you can use for these tickets. The stamps fit the ticket strip die. You can use the strip as is as a border or use them as individual embellishments. Double click on this picture and you can see more detail in the ticket images.

Here you can see the blank (or mostly blank) ticket that you can add your own message to. There are tickets for Christmas, Halloween and Valentines.

THIS is cool. The words in the Odds & Ends set fit inside these bookplate dies. Here you can cut your own tags out of old file folders and have the same size tags Tim always uses for demos and for 12 Tags of Christmas. The labels can be used with the tags or seperately. GREAT set of dies you'll use over & over.

My head is spinning, is yours? Ha! Lots of ideas, lots of ways to use these pieces. Love it.

Gift Certificate!!

2010-12-15T20:28:00.002-07:00

Here's an idea for a stocking stuffer! Any amount you like, and we'll tuck it into an envelope for you.

6 in 60

2010-12-11T07:24:00.000-07:00

Alright, new obsession. I started (yes, STARTED) working on 6 in 60 yesterday and I'm loving it! This class will begin with some prep work, not much. Then we're going to go to work! I'll set a timer (just for fun) and see if we can actually complete each card in 10 minutes. At the end of our time, we'll have 6 lovely cards in 60 minutes. Here's what you'll go home with:

This class is Tuesday, December 14 from noon to 2 pm at the shop. Bring your basic kit. Class is $22, all materials provided, except for your adhesive. Call (970.577.1415) or email (cheryl@RMMemories.com) to sign up. See you there!

$5 Make & Takes, Friday and Saturday

2010-12-09T09:08:00.000-07:00

If you're out & about downtown Estes this Friday & Saturday, stop by and do a make & take! Two to choose from or you can do both! Below is a pear (one of my favs) with black embossed flourishes on the background panel and a chipboard flourish, with gold or copper Perfect Pearls. Very elegant!

Love this little butterfly girl. Double click on this card and maybe you can see, she's got some sparkle in her wings. Love it.

Rocky Mountain Memories now has gift certificates! If your sweetie needs an idea for you for this Christmas season, or if you'd like a stocking stuffer for a friend, stop by the shop and pick up a gift certificate. Any amount you'd like, we can customize that for you. It comes in a pretty envelope, all ready to give!

We've also got a selection of stocking stuffers, including stamps which ALWAYS make a great idea for those little items to tuck away into a stocking. Come on down!

Father's Day & Valentine's for Soldiers

2010-12-07T19:22:00.000-07:00

This is the Father's Day card we're doing for soldiers on Thursday. I'm changing the trees I think.

Here's our valentine. Oh, wow, I love this one. If you double click on it, you can see a larger image. I used Stampington stamps, Distress Ink (of course), and Tim's embossing folder.

So, if you want to join us, there's still room. On Thursday at noon to 2 pm,

we'll be having a creatively good time. What will you be doing? Hmmmmm?

12 Tags of Christmas

2010-12-03T07:09:00.000-07:00

Hey, if you're not checking Tim Holtz's blog these days, you might want to. He's doing his annual 12 Tags of Christmas and they are awesome, as usual. He began on December 1, so scroll back for a couple of days and get caught up.

Tim's blog is timholtz.typepad.com. REALLY. Do it.

What's new?

2010-11-30T18:22:00.000-07:00

We just got a shipment from one of my favorite companies. These are really awesome wildlife images and sayings. I can't wait to put together some samples. Pine trees, and look at those little chipmunks! Also some great sentiments stamps that are well sized and use great fonts.

This shipment has some "bookend" images that work beautifully with the alphabet for monograms.

GREAT alphas. Its time for a new set and these come in two sizes, plus a coordinating numbers set.

I love it when I get an order in that I can't wait to rip into and get into the studio. I hope you'll enjoy them, too.

I got a note from Susan today suggesting that if anyone would like to be put on a wait list for Saturday's classes, just let me know. Its the cold and flu season, after all...... Email me @ cheryl@RMMemories.com or call the shop @ 970.577.1415. Just a few more days till Susan's classes. The weather is supposed to be 82 degrees and sunny. Oh, wait a minute, that next June. Saturday is 38 degrees and partly cloudy. But now snow!!! ;-)

Cards for Seniors

2010-11-29T20:34:00.002-07:00

Here's the card we're doing for seniors on Wednesday. This is the basic design, but details may change a little. Can you see the sparkle in the word "Joy", added with Stickles? If you double click on the picture, you should be able to enlarge it.

Here's the card opened. The top panel is attached to just the top "gate". This is a gate fold card, turned sideways. Its got some fun possibilities..... I'll teach a few tips to make this a standard for you in your idea bucket!

Oh! The shop was featured in a very cool blog: theteacupincident.typepad.com. Check. It. Out.

New Graphic 45 and more....

2010-11-28T20:05:00.000-07:00

For a while, I've felt like when I get brand new things in, I process the order and put things on the shelf and they sort of blend into the rest of the inventory. Well, we put a display in just as you come in the shop that features NEW new stuff. Things will rotate as appropriate, but I want you to get a shot at seeing the brand new shineys!!

Graphic 45. The newest line called "Once Upon a Springtime". So beautiful! Classic G45 styling, but not so dark. You'll recognize that tone all their papers have, but with fairies and Beatrix Potter images. Yummy.

A new Sizzix clock die. My mind is bubbling with ideas for this one!

More Tim Holtz dies. These keep getting backorder because they're so hot. Tim LOVES that rosette, he's using it a lot on his blog. Ideaville.

Come check out the newness! More to come......

Cards for Soldiers

2010-11-28T18:38:00.007-07:00

We're doing it! We had a great time last week as six of us got together and churned out 62 cards in 2 hours.

We're making cards to send to soldiers overseas for them to use. Its very cool to think of men & women serving in the armed forces having a beautiful handmade card to send to mom on her birthday. So we're making them, using guidelines set by Operation Write Home, and sending them off. Each time we meet, we'll do two designs. One will be birthday, thinking of you, miss you, etc. and the other will be either Mother's Day or Father's Day. We want to have a huge offering of those two cards, hoping there will be enough for everyone.

Here is the Mother's Day card we made. I think its lovely. It uses a Penny Black rose and a shadow made just with an acrylic block! So simple, but very elegant. Hope it gladdens the hearts of mom's who receive them.

Here's our "thinking of you" card. Here we have a Tim Holtz pinecone stamped with Brushed Corduroy. Again, simplicity reigns. Making this set presented a challenge, because of staying within the OWH guidelines. But hey, a challenge is great for creativity, huh?

If you'd like to help, we're getting together again Thursday, December 9 from noon to 2 pm to make Valentine's and Father's Day cards. There's no cost to you, and all materials are provided. Bring your basic kit if you can. Call and let me know you're coming so we'll make sure there's space for everyone. I'll be posting the cards we're doing on the 9th soon, so stay very tuned. Hope to see you there! Call me!

Anybody out there? Leave me some comments!!!

Honoring our Elders

2010-11-26T13:03:00.000-07:00

Stop in the shop next Wednesday, December 1 and join us in making Christmas cards for residents of Prospect Park nursing home. We'll make one card each for residents and caregivers. There are 30 residents and 25 nurses and aides. 55 cards!! All hands on deck. The sample will be prepared for you, we'll all do the same card. Also hot tea & muffins.

Hope to see you Wednesday. :-)

cheryl

Combine Webster's & B Line

2010-11-26T12:33:00.001-07:00

Lots of lovely samples of cards combining Webster's Pages & B Line Designs stamps. Come by and get inspired!!

ATCs!!

2010-11-10T14:48:00.000-07:00

These are the ATCs you'll create in Kathleen Sigg's class, coming up Friday, November 19 at 10 am. Kathleen is a lovely person and a wonderful teacher; guaranteed to be a fun day!! Just $10 for the class; bring your double stick adhesive & scissors. Call & sign up!

Tim Holtziness

2010-10-27T16:56:00.001-06:00

Just got some very cool new Tim Holtz in the store today. You've got to see his new seasonal papers & stickers. Also Lost and Found salvage stickers. Love it!

Also some new 7 Gypsies Avignon papers. My head is spinning with ideas!

Song for the day: You Really Got a Hold on Me; Smoky Robinson & the Miracles. I can't stop swaying. :-)

Having fun at the Ranch!

2010-10-22T14:37:00.001-06:00

Here we are at the Larimer County Fairgrounds having a lot of fun &meeting the nicest people. Katheen Sigg is here demoing Gamsol & Prismacolor colored pencils.

And tonight I get Mexican food so I am one happy chicka!!

Cherri Robb - Afternoon Class

2010-10-18T12:57:00.000-06:00

These are the cards Cherri will be teaching for the afternoon class. You can come by and see the work up close & personal at the shop. Class size is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot!!

This Christmas card is a study in green using Penny Black stamps, laser cuts, brads, and Cherri's signature of inks & paints. Lovely!

Call the shop @ 970-577-1415 or email cheryl@rmmemories.com to sign up!

Guest Teacher - Cherri Robb

2010-10-16T11:04:00.000-06:00

We are so excited to welcome Cherri Robb to Rocky Mountain Memories as a guest teacher Saturday, November 13. I have taken classes from Cherri and her excellence as a teacher is only excelled by the beauty of her art. Cherri is a collage artist who will be teaching principles in collage technique as we complete collage card projects. The morning class will include the two cards below. The cards will feature Graphic 45 papers and Tim Holtz embellishments and dies.

You can see the cards close up at the shop. The morning class will be from 9 am to 11:30 and the afternoon class runs from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. We are DONE with 3 hour parking, so no need to worry about parking your car all day for both classes. Let us know when you sign up and you can purchase a box lunch from DeLeo's Deli, just a couple of doors down from the shop. Choose from turkey, roast beef or ham, for $5 (BARGAIN!!). RMM will provide chips & drinks. We need to know by the Friday before if you'll want a box lunch and plan to pay cash separately for your sandwich.

The morning and afternoon classes will complete two projects each; one card can be used as a greeting card, birthday card or other purpose.

The other is a Christmas card. Cherri is going to show us how to use the Christmas interpretation to create multiple copies for your Christmas card list this year.

Each class is $27. This includes all materials except for your adhesives and assumes you bring a Basic Kit. (Basic Kit described on the RMM Event Calendar.) Space is limited, so don't delay in signing up!! A complete RMM Event Calendar is coming in your email boxes on Monday, October 18 and will include class materials for both of these workshops. If you're not on our email list, send me a note at cheryl@RMMemories.com and I'll put you on our list.

Hope to see you on November 13!!

What's more fun to watch than elk? Elk watchers!

2010-10-12T22:02:00.001-06:00

Know what's more fun than watching elk?

2010-10-11T20:33:00.001-06:00

Terrible Picture, Beautiful Dies!!

2010-10-05T10:53:00.000-06:00

Just this morning got these awesome Tim Holtz dies. Thank you, Mr. Holtz.

Very cool bare tree. Works for Halloween, for snowy trees, for spring trees and green trees. Add your own leaves & blooms.

On the Fence die. I love this one. Its great with my nature, botanical obsession.

Gardens & birds need a fence, do they not? Yes, they do.

Yummy. Come see.

New class at Rocky Mountain Memories!!

2010-10-04T08:32:00.000-06:00

Fall classes are happening now at Rocky Mountain Memories! These are three cards we will make from a single piece of 7 Gypsies "Conservatory" paper and embellishments. Here are the cards individually:

Love this pretty one. The grahic images on the paper are just magically positioned for a balanced collage background.

"Cross Your Heart and Fly" is an added B Line stamp.

Hello Friend. Who would love to get this one for a birthday, an anniversary, a remembrance or any occasion?

No image, just words. But lovely ones. This stamp makes a really nice card. And you can't go wrong with G45 papers. Ever.

A Tuscan village scene you'll color and blend with Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol. Gorgeous note card. We'll just do one of these because this card is a little more time consuming, but you'll learn how. Lotso fun!

The class is $25, all materials included, for a total of 6 cards & envelopes. Please bring your own double sided adhesive, bone folder, scissors, ruler; if you have colored pencils, its helpful for you to bring those, but not required. Call the store to sign up 970-577-1415 or email me at cheryl@RMMemories.com. Class sizes are limited, so don't wait to sign up!

Friday. October 8 at 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 13 at 9 a.m.

Hope to see you there!

Elk Jam on the way to the Shop!!

2010-10-02T12:29:00.000-06:00

This big guy has lots of girlfriends. Jerk.

Crossing the road at their leisure. No worries. We'll wait. Don't hurry on our account.

More girlfriends.

I didn't have to wait too long. This time of year is so cool, the elk really put on a show. And this year, the weather has been GREAT. Really nice for elk viewing.

Susan Mostek Afternoon Class

2010-09-29T14:04:00.001-06:00

These are the cards Susan will be teaching Saturday afternoon, October 2. Both using Webster's Pages and B Line Designs, it is certain to be a lovely day!

Here's Rover, just sitting on a chair, thinking of you. I wonder if he's supposed to be on that chair? Shhhh...... I won't tell.

I am CRAZY about Webster's Christmas Pages. B Line accents them perfectly.

Its not too late to sign up, there's a few spots left. Come & play!!!

Shaker Cards....open

2010-09-24T07:55:00.000-06:00

This is a lovely Christmas card, done in unconventional colors. A special card you might want to special friends. They'll remember this one for years!

Very special birthday card. Birds are very popular now and these robins make a very nice bird-day card. Someone you'd like to give a little extra love to on their birthday this year?

These cards are great for sending, but also for learning. You'll have lots of ideas of how to reinterpret these cards using other images, other papers, other occasions and other sentiments. Let the creativity begin!!

Shaker Cards

2010-09-24T07:45:00.000-06:00

Here are the two shaker cards Susan is doing in her morning class. I'll post seperate images of them open.

Shaker Cards

2010-09-24T07:40:00.001-06:00

Here are the two shaker cards for Susan's morning class. I'll post pics of them closed separately.

New Susan Mostek class

2010-09-23T15:59:00.001-06:00

Next Saturday, October 2 Susan is teaching shaker cards in the morning and this sweet three tiered slider in the afternoon. There's an additional Christmas interpretation of the slider card using NEW Webster's Pages. Watch the blog tonight. I'll post shaker card photos on tonights post.

NEW Webster's Pages

2010-09-22T12:26:00.000-06:00

Anyone who has been around the shop at all this year knows about the mad crush I have on all things Webster's Pages. I just got new papers in and I am lovin' it! I've got the stacks pictured below, but pictures never do them justice, you've got to see and touch them. The colors are gorgeous. They are the same WP style, but different colors, flowers and feel.

Here's the Christmas paper. The line is called "Waiting for Santa". So, so pretty. Susan Mostek will be using some of these for her class on October 2. If you haven't signed up for Susan's classes, by the way, don't wait. You'll like what she's doing. Call the shop to sign up. 970-577-1415

This one is called "Hollywood Vogue". I wasn't sure how much I'd like this one, but its really great. As is typical with WP the second side is awesome. So pretty, its debatable which is the featured side and which is the "second side". ;-p

Wonderfall. I like saying that word. Delicious. Fall colors, fall flowers, some "back to school" themed stuff, vellum, scalloped die cut like the one on top of the stack here. And birds. Did I say birds? I should have said birds. Love, love, love it. Come see!

Fire in Loveland

2010-09-12T22:29:00.001-06:00

A new fire burning west of Loveland. It's about 12 miles due east of Estes. It was moving pretty fast earlier, but seems to have slowed down tonight. They never closed hwy 34 which is a good sign. It's official: I don't like fires!

Flower Soft Class

2010-09-10T21:16:00.001-06:00

Here is the lineup for the Flower Soft class September 17 at 9 am. I love the variety of techniques using a product I'm having a lot of fun with. We'll two each of the three cards, mostly for the sake of time. This first card has layers of inking and embossing before the final application of Polar White Flower Soft.

Polar White Flower Soft makes a lovely Christmas scene. This card uses a Tim Holtz pine tree, snow resting on the branches. Snow is still falling against a blue sky. Snow Soft would be a better name for this card!

This card has been a hit all summer. We'll use a Penny Black stamp to create cattails on a distressed ink background. Very simple, very elegant. You can use a different sentiment, if you like.

The text is the focal point here. Touches of Autumn Flower Soft frame a familiar scripture set on scalloped oval Nestabilites. We'll even emboss the scalloped oval the words are stamped on.

So here's the set. One card uses a sculpting technique, one a spare and random application and one uses a heavy application that dominates the card.

Day off

2010-09-07T08:35:00.001-06:00

Sort of. I'll go in around 2 pm. Got to get some housey things done but I'm excited to get into the studio. Creative ideas are bouncing around and I have to EXECUTE when that happens. If it evaporates, it's gone! For me at least.

Elk in the shadows

2010-09-05T15:12:00.002-06:00

We spotted an elk resting under a tree this morning as we walked home from church. He was most likely one of the "lonely boys", my term for the males who just weren't tough enough this year to have a collection of ladies for themselves. Poor lonely boys. Maybe next year.

G-sale-ing

2010-09-04T10:47:00.001-06:00

Here's what can happen. LOTS of cool stuff. Less space in the garage. You've been warned!!!

Scripture cards

2010-08-28T20:31:00.001-06:00

Here's the three cards that started all the madness; hope they post better this time!

I had a fun day today @ the Rubber Stamp & Scrapbook Expo in Greeley. I met up with some good friends, made some new ones and got some good ideas. Susan Mostek and I are working on a plan for her to come & teach again in October. Watch the blog for that announcement. She's working on some gorgeous cards!

Guess who fixed her blog???

2010-08-28T06:01:00.000-06:00

Wow, wish I had those 6 hours of my life back. Oh, well, its done now and I can get back to creating and posting. I'll try sending those Scripture card images AGAIN. Sure hope I don't start this whole mess over again. Even if I do, I think I can figure out how to fix it faster. Hopefully, I've learned SOMETHING!! ;p

You gotta come and see me Saturday!

2010-08-26T19:51:00.000-06:00

Because Friday afternoon, I'm getting one of my most anticipated papers ever! The conversavory line from 7 Gypsies. Completely gorgeous. You gotta see it.

A Bit of a Mess......

2010-08-25T16:22:00.000-06:00

My blog is sort of messed up right now. Sorry! Please be patient with me while we (okay, mostly Rick) get it sorted out and back to running and looking like we'd like it to. Stay tuned.....

New class-Scripture cards

2010-08-21T14:35:00.000-06:00

I don't have pictures yet, but I'm putting up this class just the same. I'll post pics asap.

I'm doing a class next Friday morning (August 27 @ 9 a.m.). We'll do three designs, 3 cards and envelopes each. It will feature Our Daily Bread and Penny Black stamps. You can call the store to sign up. I'll also try and get it up on the website so you can sign up there, as well.

Class space is limited, first come, first serve.

I'll post again in a day or so with what you need to bring.

Yeah! I'm glad to be doing classes again, hope to see you.

~cheryl~

A six pack of happiness....... or something

2010-08-06T06:36:00.000-06:00

My son works in a great restaurant (Poppy's on the river, try it!) and brings home these six packs of exotic beers. I started eyeing all those six packs (they ARE made of paper!!) and thought they might make a fun project. So I started by sanding and painting the carton with acrylic paints.
I used Claudine Hellmuth's Studio line of paints. I stamped Tim Holtz super large flourish in alabaster chalk ink.

And let the embellishment begin! This one will house jars and spray bottles on my desk.

I made another one for a friend who came and stayed with us in June. I put a water bottle, a bottle of lotion, a rolled up T-shirt and some other things in the sections for her for a hostess gift.

Interested in a class? Call the store..... we'll make it happen!

New a New Post

2010-08-05T22:24:00.000-06:00

Wow, my blog is way out of date! Things have been crazy, but I'll put up some new stuff tomorrow. I've been working on some new projects, new cards and putting together ideas for classes. I've got a few thing up my sleeve....... Woo hoo!!

So that's it. Sleepy girl. Check me out tomorrow.

20% off final 10 days of B Line Trunk Show!!

2010-07-21T12:51:00.001-06:00

Only 10 days left of the B Line Trunk Show and then many of these stamps go back to B Line. Come into the shop and mention this blog and you'll get 20% off all B Line wood mounted and cling mount stamps. Lots of nice images still available! Come on in and make yourself happy!!! :-p

Webster's Pages Tag Booklet

2010-07-20T15:49:00.000-06:00

So, this strange journey began with a tag booklet I made with toliet paper rolls. Truly!! It was so much fun to see the reaction when I told people what they were made with. I did a quick impromptu class using this design, but we couldn't come up with that many TP rolls that quickly, so we improvised by making our own. Using, of course, Webster's Pages.
Here's a pic of the inside of the booklet.

I'm offering this booklet as a class Friday morning, August 6 @ 9 a.m. Space is limited, so call the store to sign up @ 970-577-1415 or email me @ cheryl@RMMemories.com. Hope to see you there!

Tag Booklet

2010-07-19T14:15:00.000-06:00

Lovely Monday morning! Three new friends came in and we did a sort of spontaneous class making a tag booklet. We used B Line and Stamper's Anonymous (Holtzie) stamps, Webster's Pages and bound them with a Bind-it-All machine. What fun!

Stampers are the NICEST people. Kay did a beautiful job on her booklet, creating, changing and rearranging all the way. Love creative people. Love 'em.

Besty showed herself to be a true artist. She put her own flair on Webster's Pages, preferring the plainest front to her booklet and then making it her own.

Lois finished her booklet and went right to work on paper pine needles to accent her tiny pine cones she found in her friend's yard. I like this girl!

This is Betsy's cover to her tag booklet, ready for binding. Blogger would only let me load 5 pics, for some reason, so I'll post again tomorrow and show the finished booklet they had for their example. Theirs ended up looking nothing like mine which I LOVE. It so cool to take a basket of ingredients and make your own unique art. I'm working this up for a class in the near future, so stay tuned......

B Line Designs!

2010-06-25T14:20:00.000-06:00

The stamps have arrived for the B Line Designs trunk show. I think you are going to love these beautiful images. We have lots of birds, words and garden images. So pretty.....

We have about half wood mounted stamps and half cling rubber. You'll be able to choose what's best for the way you like to work and for your pocketbook.

I'll have these stamps in the store from June 25 to July 30. Stop by!! Its a happy place. :-)

G45!!!!!!

2010-06-16T18:28:00.001-06:00

Here's my latest obsession. (Or, additional obsession!!) I was cutting little pieces from Webster's Pages to make shutter cards, so I just kept going with Graphic 45 to make a whole set of cards. One sheet has these diamond shapes with these beautiful botanical images. I used those in a variety of ways to create a set of cards that are very versatile. Thank yous, man cards, general note cards. Very nice set. I love these.

This one uses just a left over bit to add a dimension to the card front.

For this card below, I didn't tie a full knot with the twill, it would have made too big a knot. So I just looped the twill, and stapled it with a Tiny Attacher. Then I used Glossy Accents to glue the brass button on top.

For some reason, I can't delete this duplicate picture, so no extra charge for this image. ENjoy!!

I think this one is my favorite. It should be too busy with all that jazz on the background as well as the focal point, but somehow it isn't. At least I don't think so. Hope you like these G45 simple, simple cards. :-)

Labeling Your Distress Inks

2010-06-11T07:26:00.000-06:00

I was working on labels for my Distress Inks yesterday and thought others might like to do the same. Ranger Ink has a link on their site that makes it easy! Go to RangerInk.com, click the "Tips and Techniques" tab, and then click "Print Labels for Your Ranger Inks". Then print! I print 4 copies so I can label each side of my Distress Inks. That way, I just put them back in the wire storage without worrying about which edge is showing. Below you see the printed labels. I've cut out a few to use.
Here I've cut individual labels and turned them upside down. I put a piece of double stick tape on the back.

Next I trim the label closely around the words. The label is now sticky on the back.

Now just adhere your labels to each side of the Distress Inks. It nice to have these because the font is already sized correctly to fit. Sure makes it easy to find the one I want. You can then, if you like, apply some ink to these labels. Some people look for words (I am a word girl!!) and some just look for color.

Hope this makes using your Distress Inks even more fun for you. Blessings on you today!!

Texture Fades

2010-06-04T21:56:00.001-06:00

What are these lovely things?

Well, they are Tim Holtz Embossing Folders. FINALLY! They are hard to photograph, so I'll tell you what they are; deeply etched A2 sized embossing folder in very cool, grungy earthy textures. I've been waitig forever to get them and now they're here, so now I can be happy.

Er. Happier.

Come on in and check them out I can't wait to play with them. And they're here!!

June 26 classes

2010-06-02T21:13:00.000-06:00

Susan Mostek, extremely talented and even more extremely nice lady is coming to Rocky Mountain Memories! She'll teach two classes on Saturday, June 26. From 10:30-1:00 she'll lead a class making these two lovely slider cards. Here are pics of the cards, closed and then opened, or "slid".

Lovely! Even prettier in person. Call the store to sign up or for more details 970-577-1415. The afternoon class will feature this lovely little birdie booklet. Both classes use B Line Designs stamps, Webster's Pages and Graphic 45.

Closed.

Opened. You'll want to know what you need to bring for class, so call the store for details. Classes are limited to 10 students, so don't wait too long. These classes will fill up quick!

Shutter Cards

2010-06-02T21:03:00.001-06:00

My new obsession is Webster's Pages. I think their papers are just gorgeous and make up into elegant cards. I've been playing with shutter cards, made by scoring, cutting and folding papers and then embellishing to your hearts content. Here are two cards I made with "Dreams Grow". I used two 12x12 sheets. I cut one sheet to make two cards and then used the other sheet to cut out images and use for embellishments. They turned out very pretty. I can't wait to create some more with other papers!

Here is the card closed.

Here is the same card opened out.

The second card, closed. I may change the middle section, 1/2 of which you see here.

The second card, opened. I don't know what all those little dots are. Not on the actual card. Maybe the sun is reflecting something. Weird!

New Prima Flowers!!

2010-06-02T20:37:00.001-06:00

I just got a shipment of bee-utiful Prima flowers. I love Prima flowers. I love saying "Prima". I also got some new 12 x 12 Prima papers and some "Devines", which are felt branches, vines and flourishes. Ahhh. Very pretty.

Ribbon Cutting!

2010-05-30T07:36:00.000-06:00

Well, we did it, didn't we! So many of you showed up to celebrate with us and I've never felt richer. I love you all so much. I know I'm gushing, but my heart is full. I'll gush a little more and then I'll be done. :-)

So we're off. We had a great day on Saturday, lots of folks in who were here last summer. I heard many times, "Wow, we were there just a week before the fire!" and "We thought of you and prayed for you." People I didn't know or didn't know well who's hearts were moved and were blessing us from afar. This is what community means. Love it. Love you all.

I hope you'll stop in and say hello if you're close by. And if you're not close by, I hope you'll pack up, get in the car or on a plane and come to Estes Park and walk down the riverwalk and come in and give me a hug. Its going to be a GREAT summer!

~thankfully, always~

cheryl

Do you think you need just one more paper or stamp?

2010-05-14T06:09:00.000-06:00

You are in good company! I love this scene from the "The Jerk". How many times have I thought, "If I just had this tool, or this paper or this stamp or this ink, THEN I'd be all set. THEN I'd have all I need!" Ah, well. Too much cool stuff. Thank you, Mr. Steve Martin, for illustrating that vague feeling scrapbookers & paper artists have for needing just one more thing! :-)

p.s. Sorry for the quality of the video. Its the only one I could find.

Home for Stamper's Anonymous

2010-05-14T05:40:00.000-06:00

Isn't it pretty?? Such a sweet piece. Rick is going to take the wire mesh out of the doors for me so you can see the stamps right through the door and I am, of course, going to put on new knobs. Stamper's Anonymous stamps are to be here early next week. I think they'll look great in here.

So very close to being reopened now. My largest order is received & processed so now I'm just adding bit by bit which feels less overwhelming. The Riverwalk continuation should happen next week, weather permitting. Lots to look forward to and, as always, I'm a thankful girl. Come see me!!

A new find....

2010-05-12T07:05:00.000-06:00

Just found a new product called "Sure Cuts a Lot". Its a software program you can download onto our computer. You can cut any shape or font that is on your computer on your Cricut. I can't wait! I've been playing with some fonts that I use regularly, downloaded some new free fonts and I can also cut the logo for the store! Can't sleep. I keep thinking of new ways to use it.

Trouble is, I'm in TX now and don't have my Cricut with me. BUT I'm loving being with my family, so that's okay. I'll just have something fun to look forward to when I get home!