New Class! Calm, Carefree and Colorful - April 3rd, 2018 at the Queen's Ink

I'm returning to the The Queen's Ink on Tuesday, April 3rd to teach a new Copic marker class. In this workshop, we'll create three cards featuring the fun and exuberant images from Penny Black and sentiments from Ranger. The images are colored using a very limited set of Copic markers. Details are below. All necessary techniques are taught in class. Seats are limited, so sign up today! CLASS FEE: $25

Tuesday, April 3, 2018, 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Tuesday, April 3, 2018, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Register online or call the Queen's Ink at (301) 497-9449

BRING TO CLASS: The list below reflects the Copic markers that I will use in class. You can follow along using the same colors OR substitute colors based upon your personal Copic collection. Please bring all your markers to class and make sure your Copics are marked with Washi tape or some other means of identification. Markers are available for purchase at The Queen’s Ink. Students will receive a 10% discount on Copic markers. I will be available prior to class to help with selection.

PLEASE NOTE: You must bring your own markers to participate in class. If you need markers, please contact The Queen's Ink in advance of class. If you wait until class time, you may not be able to purchase the markers you need.

• V20: Wisteria
• Y32: Cashmere
• Y35: Maize
• Y38: Honey
• R35: Coral
• R37: Carmine
• R59: Cardinal
  
• BG0000: Snow Green
• B0000: Pale Celestine
  
• B32: Pale Blue
• B34: Manganese Blue
• B37: Antwerp Blue
• E000: Pale Fruit Pink
• E00: Cotton Pearl (formerly Skin White)
• E21: Soft Sun (formerly Baby Skin Pink)
• E51: Milky White
• E53: Raw Silk
• E55: Light Camel
• 0: Colorless Blender

OTHER SUPPLIES: Please bring scissors, foam adhesive squares, and a tape runner adhesive or double-sided tape.

New Class! Everyday Greetings by Nancy Sheads - February 27, 2018 at the Queen's Ink

I'm returning to the The Queen's Ink on Tuesday, February 27th to teach a Copic marker card class.  In this workshop, we'll make three cards featuring stamps from RubberMoon and sentiments from Penny Black. The images are colored using a very limited set of Copic markers. Details are below. All necessary techniques are taught in class. Seats are limited, so sign up today!

Tuesday, February 27, 2018, 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
 Tuesday, February 27, 2018, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Register online or call the Queen's Ink at (301) 497-9449

BRING TO CLASS: The list below reflects the Copic markers that I will use in class. You can follow along using the same colors OR substitute colors based upon your personal Copic collection. Please bring all your markers to class and make sure your Copics are marked with Washi tape or some other means of identification. Markers are available for purchase at The Queen’s Ink. Students will receive a 10% discount on Copic markers. I will be available prior to class to help with selection.

PLEASE NOTE: You must bring your own markers to participate in class. If you need markers, please contact The Queen's Ink in advance of class. If you wait until class time, you may not be able to purchase the markers you need.

• Y02 - Canary Yellow
• Y15 - Cadmium Yellow
• Y19 - Napoli Yellow
• YG06 - Yellowish Green
• YG09 - Lettuce Green
• B32 - Pale Blue
• B34 - Manganese Blue
• B37 - Antwerp Blue
• R35 - Coral
• R37 - Carmine
• R59 - Cardinal
• C4 - Cool Gray No. 4
• 0 - Colorless Blender

OTHER SUPPLIES: Please bring scissors, foam adhesive squares (I used Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Thin Foam Squares), and a tape runner adhesive or double-sided tape.

Reminder! New Copic Class - Hearts & Flowers by Nancy Sheads at The Queen's Ink

Just a reminder - I'm offering a new Copic coloring class this Tuesday, January 30th at The Queen's Ink. In this workshop, we'll make three cards featuring the beautiful images and sentiments in the Folk Heart stamp set fro Power Poppy. The images are colored using a very limited set of Copic markers. Details are below. All necessary techniques are taught in class.

Seats are limited, so sign up today!

Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Register online or call the Queen's Ink at (301) 497-9449

BRING TO CLASS: The list below reflects the Copic markers that I will use in class. You can follow along using the same colors OR substitute colors based upon your personal Copic collection. Please bring all your markers to class and make sure your Copics are marked with Washi tape or some other means of identification. Markers are available for purchase at The Queen’s Ink. Students will receive a 10% discount on Copic markers. I will be available prior to class to help with selection.

PLEASE NOTE: You must bring your own markers to participate in class. If you need markers, please contact The Queen's Ink in advance of class. If you wait until class time, you may not be able to purchase the markers you need.

• YG06 - Yellowish Green
• YG09 - Lettuce Green
• Y02 - Canary Yellow
• E35 -  Chamois (you can substitute any medium brown)
• RV52 - Cotton Candy
• RV63 - Begonia
• RV66 - Raspberry
• BG10 - Cool Shadow
• BG11 - Moon White
• BG13 - Mint Greet
• BG15 - Aqua
• 0 - Colorless Blender

OTHER SUPPLIES: Please bring scissors (we'll be fussy cutting one image), foam adhesive squares (I used Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Thin Foam Squares), and a tape runner adhesive or double-sided tape. Nuvo Crystal Drops in English Mustard will be used for embellishment.

New Copic Class! Hearts & Flowers - January 30th, 2018

Tired of seeing holiday cards? Want to see something fresh and new? Well take a look at what we have in store for you next month at The Queen's Ink! I'll be back in January with a new Copic marker card class featuring the Folk Heart stamp set by Power Poppy. In this workshop, we'll make three cards featuring the beautiful images and sentiments in the Folk Heart stamp set. The images are colored using a very limited set of Copic markers. Details are below. All necessary techniques are taught in class. Seats are limited, so sign up today!

Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

To register, call the Queen's Ink at (301) 497-9449

BRING TO CLASS: The list below reflects the Copic markers that I will use in class. You can follow along using the same colors OR substitute colors based upon your personal Copic collection. Please bring all your markers to class and make sure your Copics are marked with Washi tape or some other means of identification. Markers are available for purchase at The Queen’s Ink. Students will receive a 10% discount on Copic markers. I will be available prior to class to help with selection.

PLEASE NOTE: You must bring your own markers to participate in class. If you need markers, please contact The Queen's Ink in advance of class. If you wait until class time, you may not be able to purchase the markers you need.

• YG06 - Yellowish Green
• YG09 - Lettuce Green
• Y02 - Canary Yellow
• E35 -  Chamois (you can substitute any medium brown)
• RV52 - Cotton Candy
• RV63 - Begonia
• RV66 - Raspberry
• BG10 - Cool Shadow
• BG11 - Moon White
• BG13 - Mint Greet
• BG15 - Aqua
• 0 - Colorless Blender

OTHER SUPPLIES: Please bring scissors (we'll be fussy cutting one image), foam adhesive squares (I used Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Thin Foam Squares), and a tape runner adhesive or double-sided tape. Nuvo Crystal Drops in English Mustard will be used for embellishment.

Last Chance! Elf Grumplings Holiday Gift Tags Class - December 13th, 2017 at the Queen's Ink

This is your last chance to get in on the fun making holiday gift tags featuring stamps and sentiments from Taylored Expressions. These are easy, no-stress images to color using a very limited selection of Copic markers. We'll make six gift tags and two gift card holders featuring the Elf Grumplings. Details are below. Seats are limited, so sign up today! CLASS FEE $25

Wednesday, December 13th, 2017, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Register online or call the Queen’s Ink at (301) 497-9449.

BRING TO CLASS: The list below reflects the Copic markers that I will use in class. You can follow along using the same colors OR substitute colors based upon your personal Copic collection. You will need two blendable green markers, two blendable red markers as well as a skin tone and a blush tone (optional). Please bring all your markers to class and make sure your Copics are marked with Washi tape or some other means of identification. Markers are available for purchase at The Queen’s Ink. Students will receive a 10% discount on Copic markers. I will be available prior to class to help with selection.

• E00 - Skin White (can substitute E50 or E51)
• YG06 - Yellowish Green
• YG09 - Lettuce Green
• R20 - Blush (can substitute RV10 or E93)
• R24 - Prawn
• R46 - Strong Red
• 0 - Colorless Blender

OTHER SUPPLIES: Please bring scissors, foam adhesive squares (I used Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Thin Foam Squares), and a tape runner adhesive or double-sided tape.

Little Monsters Cards featuring Paper Artsy and Penny Black

Welcome back to the Queen's Inkling! 

I just finished teaching the Little Monsters class at The Queen's Ink and wanted to show off the cards made for the class. They all feature the quirky and fun images from Paper Artsy paired with a more traditional Penny Black sentiment stamp. This is the first of the three, featuring a smiling, happy monster ready to hug you and probably willing to go home with you!

The background was first colored with a variety of Copic markers in shades of blue and blue green (see below for exact colors). I then dampened a scrap of terry cloth with colorless blender and dabbed the shaded area with the fabric, adding some texture to the background. This is one of my favorite ways to add a background to an image colored with Copics. Students like the technique as well because the colors do not need to be perfectly blended - an added plus when you're just starting out using Copics.

The second card featured quirky flowers from Paper Artsy that are fun to color. I embellished them with some dots and dashes made with a Sakura Gel Pen in white. I thought it added to the eccentric nature of the image.

The third card featured another of the monster kids from Paper Artsy. I loved the juxtaposition of this batty girl with the sentiment from Penny Black. Here's a young lady definitely willing to be herself!

All stamps and Copic markers are available from The Queen's Ink. Be sure you also check out the schedule of coming events - you don't want to miss out on all the fun!

Supply List 

CARD 1

Stamps: ZA02 by elenazinki Art from Paper Artsy; Happy Thoughts by Penny Black
Copics: BG0000, B000, B01, BG10, colorless blender with terry cloth for texture (background); Y02, Y15, Y19, R22, B02, B06 (head); Y15 (hands); R20, R22, B06 (pants); YG09, R22 (sleeves); YG05, YG09, B01, B02, B06 (shoes)

CARD 2
Stamps: ZA09 by elenazinski Art from Paper Artsy; Happy Thoughts by Penny Black
Copics: YG05, YG09, Y02 (leaves); Y02, Y15, Y19, YG05, YG09 (top flower); B06, YG05, YG09, Y02, YG15, YG19 (middle flower); YG05, YG09, Y02, R22 (bottom stalk)

CARD 3

Stamps: ZA02 by elenazinki Art from Paper Artsy; Happy Thoughts by Penny Black
Copics: E000, E00, E02 (face); E000, E02 (hands and legs); R20, R22 (hair); B000, B01, B04, B06 (dress); Y02, Y15, Y19, R22 (wings); B06 (shoes)

New Class! Laurel Burch Holiday Cards - November 12th and 14th, 2017

Welcome back to the Queen's Inkling!

Nancy here again today to announce a new holiday card class featuring images from Laurel Burch.

I'm returning to the The Queen's Ink on Sunday, November 12th and Tuesday, November 14th to teach a holiday card featuring the Laurel Burch holiday stamps by Stampendous. In this workshop, I'll show how to heat emboss your images after Copic coloring. Details are below. Seats are limited, but there's still room in both classes for you to join us, so sign up today!

To accommodate requests, we are offering two different sessions:

Sunday, November 12, 2017, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM 

Tuesday, November 14, 2017, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
To register, call the Queen's Ink at (301) 497-9449.

BRING TO CLASS

COPIC MARKERS: The list below reflects the Copic markers that I will use in class. You can follow along using the same colors OR substitute colors based upon your personal Copic collection. You will need a blendable selection of blues, greens, yellows, reds, and dark grays. Please bring all your markers to class and make sure your Copics are marked with Washi tape or some other means of identification. Markers are available for purchase at The Queen’s Ink. Students will receive a 10% discount on Copic markers. I will be available prior to class to help with selection.

• R35: Coral 
• R46: Strong Red
• R59: Cardinal 
• YR16: Apricot 
• Y02: Canary Yellow 
• Y15: Cadmium Yellow
• Y19: Napoli Yellow 
• YG03: Yellow Green 
• YG06: Yellowish Green
• YG09: Lettuce Green
• G09: Veronese Green 
• B000: Pale Porcelain Blue
• B02: Robin’s Egg Blue
• B05: Process Blue
• B18: Lapis Lazuli
• C5*: Cool Gray No. 5
• C7*: Cool Gray No. 7 
• C9*: Cool Gray No. 9
• 100*: Black 

* NOTE: C4, C6, C8, C10 can be substituted for the Cool Grays and Black listed above.

OTHER SUPPLIES

• Tape runner adhesive or double-sided tape
• Scissors

Last Chance! Little Monsters Copic Coloring Class - Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Welcome back to the Queen's Inkling!

Nancy here on behalf of the Queen with an important announcement!

This is your last chance to join in on the fun in the Little Monsters Copic Coloring Class at the Queen's Ink. We'll make three cards featuring stamps by Paper Artsy with sentiments from Penny Black. Basic understanding of Copic shading is helpful, however I will cover all necessary techniques in class. Supply list provided below. Seats are limited, but there's still room for you to join us, so sign up today! 

Little Monster's Copic Coloring Class

Tuesday, October 24, 2017, 6:30PM – 8:30 PM 

To register, call the Queen's Ink at (301) 497-9449.

BRING TO CLASS

COPIC MARKERS. The list below reflects the Copic markers that I will use in class. You can follow along using the same colors OR substitute colors based upon your personal Copic collection. You will need a blendable selection of yellows, greens, and blues. Please bring all your markers to class and make sure your Copics are marked with Washi tape or some other means of identification. Markers are available for purchase at The Queen’s Ink. Students will receive a 10% discount on Copic markers. I will be available prior to class to help you with your selections.

• R20: Blush
• R22: Light Prawn
• Y02: Canary Yellow 
• Y15: Cadmium Yellow 
• Y19: Napoli Yellow 
• YG05: Salad 
• YG09: Lettuce Green 
• BG0000: Snow Green
• BG10: Cool Shadow
• B000: Pale Porcelain Blue
• B01: Mint Blue
• B02: Robin’s Egg Blue
• B04: Tahitian Blue 
• B06: Peacock Blue
• E000: Pale Fruit Pink 
• E00: Skin White 
• E02: Fruit Pink 
• 0: Colorless blender
• Copic Colorless Blender refill (the smaller 25cc bottle is sufficient).

OTHER SUPPLIES. Please bring the following to class:

• Uniball Gel Pen or Sakura Gel Pen in White
• Tape runner adhesive or double sided tape
• Scissors

Let Me Introduce Myself

The Queen's Ink is pleased to announce that we will be offering a series of Copic and card making classes as part of our regular monthly class offerings. We are delighted and excited to welcome Nancy Sheads (Copic Colorist extraordinaire, so sayeth the Queen!) to our teaching staff.  Nancy is a patient and easy going spirit, a wonderful teacher, very creative, and with a great eye for color. She has generously made many of the card sample we have on display in the shop. Check out our current class offerings on line and sign-up for one of her great classes. Nancy will also be contributing to our Blog regularly with Copic techniques and great card ideas. Read on and get to know more about the newest member of the Queen's Court!

Artist Nancy Sheads

Did you know that the Queen's Ink is once again offering classes in Copic coloring? Yes, it's true and since I'll be leading you on your Copic journey, let me step in here and introduce myself.

Example from Colors of Autumn Copic Class

Some of you may know me from my creative pursuits as a member of the Power Poppy Instant Gardener and the Passionate Paper Creations Design Teams. I can also be found in my corner of the Internet at Rowhouse Greetings and on Instagram.

I've been a crafter for many years - my grandmother taught me to crochet when I was five years old - and over the years I learned a variety of crafts including knitting, sewing, quilting, and needlepoint. A few years ago, I became interested in card making and fell into Copic coloring. Since that time, I've had the opportunity to study with some of the best instructors – Rhea Weigand, Jennifer Dove, Cindy Lawrence, and Debbie Olson – who have always gone out of their way to help me improve my craft.

My teaching philosophy is simple - I want you to feel confident when you color and have fun with your markers. In class, I'll walk you through the techniques you'll need in order to complete the class projects. My goal is for you to be able to incorporate the techniques and skills you learn in class in order to develop a style that is uniquely your own.

When I first started coloring, I only had a few Copic markers in my collection, primarily a variety of reds, greens, and yellows so that I could make that season's holiday cards. Over time as I started coloring other images – flowers, people, landscapes – I added to my Copic collection with the colors that I needed for the types of images that I wanted to work on.

I realize that building a collection of Copic markers can be a significant investment and where possible, I try to limit the number of markers used in class. For each class, I list the markers that I'll be using for demonstration purposes, but you should feel free to bring all of your Copic markers to class and substitute as necessary so that you can still participate. If you want to expand your collection, The Queen's Ink is fully stocked with Copic products and students receive a discount on Copic markers.

Check out the class schedule for the latest offerings and call the shop to register. My classes are full of fun, laughter, and good times! You won't want to miss out!

I'll also be blogging here at the Queen's Inkling with new projects that will hopefully give you some crafty inspiration. Upcoming projects include holiday cards featuring stamps by Power Poppy and Penny Black as well as some of the new holiday design papers by Authentique. 

a creative smorgasbord...

Honoré  here: Greetings! I was just looking over class offerings at The Queen's Ink  for the next several months, May - July. What a selection! And, that's my dilemma, and perhaps yours, too: which one/s? My only regret is there aren't more of me; if so, I could sign up for them all.

Right now, art journals and journaling are enjoying a resurgence. I'm going to have to miss the May edition of Karen Bearse's Art Journal classes, but fortunately, she's offering two more, one in June, another in July. Great. I'll be on the roster...

The Queen's (Patti)  popular Decorative Cigar Box is being offered again this month and in June. Can't say how much you'll love this one...I'm also intrigued with the Queen's Paper Mosaics offering...

I'm sorry I had to miss Fred Mullett's classes, which are new to me. Unfortunately, I was on my way to Oregon and couldn't figure out how to be in two places at the same time. I was definitely intrigued not only by the class description, but also the examples in the shop.

Stab Binding with
Chrissie Hines

And have you taken a look at the Chrissie Hines offerings:  In May, she teaches the coptic binding technique , coupled with The Queen's fun intro to using the Gelli Art Plate to decorate the cover. In June, Chrissie does a  June Book Arts Workshop on Stab Bindings? I just heart me some Japanese washi papers ...

Steampunk Frame
with Sherry Cheever

Chunky Tag with
Sherry Cheever

Another artist, new to me, is Sherry Cheever. We get three chances in June to learn from her.  Sherry is known for her gorgeous paper flowers, so take the opportunity to learn from one of the best! Liking that look...

As you can see, these classes are just a sampling of the wonderful, creative offerings at The Queen's Ink! All I can say is try any one; based on my past experiences, I'm sure you'll like!

 PS. Any/all of these classes make a perfect Mother's Day gift - any time of the year!


Note from Lolly:
I'll be posting the class descriptions and photos of the T!m Holtz workshops next week. Please note that we are hosting Tim during the week (Wednesday & Thursday, August 22nd and 23rd), so start planning your "grunge flu" excuse accordingly :-) I'll send an email and post a note here to let you all know that the workshops are posted, and that's when you'll find out when we will start registration. Stay tuned...
LK

the über popular decorated cigar box

Honoré here. Hi there. 

I've decided I really need to be cloned: there are just so many creative things that I want to do and learn and I just can't seem to fit them all into my daily life. Yes, I know: make choices or schedules or, or, or...problem is, I am just no g-o-o-d at prioritizing. I want to do it all. And what is all you say? 

All is art journaling, altering books, making cigar boxes, knitting, quilting, regenerating my rusty embroidery skills ( I won't even begin to tell you how long ago I learned to embroider), blogging, reading, attending art classes, etc, etc, etc. 


Speaking of classes, at the end of March, I attended The Queen's  über  popular "decorated cigar box" class. Supposedly, that class was going to be the very last one for an undetermined amount of time...so, those of us in the class were thanking our lucky stars that we got into the last class. And then, during class, Patti announced that she'd had a change of heart and was going to continue offering the class. What prompted the change of heart? Well, she went to the  Craft and Hobby Association's semi-annual conference/exhibit and fell in love (that translates into ordered for the shop) with lots of really neat paper. Really neat. Some of it arrived a couple weeks ago and I can see why she was smitten. Quiet as it is kept: I have also been smitten.When I was last in the shop, I "managed" to buy just a few sheets...just a few. 


Anyway, a couple days ago, two new cigar box classes were announced for May and June. Sign up for one (or both). Don't delay. I can promise you, unequivocally, that you'll be so glad and you too, will be smitten. And if you haven't been to the shop recently and haven't seen the boxes on display, get thee there as soon as you can. Until then, here are a few photos of several that were made during the class I attended last month. And a few shots of some of that really neat paper The Queen ordered. I thoroughly enjoyed making the cigar box and have begun thinking about making more as gifts...if I can force myself to give them away. I think it'll be difficult....

a box made by a classmate for her husband's birthday... 

isn't this just the cutest? another creation by a classmate...

so bright and cheerful; begs to be opened...

this is the outside of my box...

...and this is the inside 

just a sampling of pretty new papers...

Hurry. Sign up today. Seats go quickly. Classes are limited to 10 students, so call the shop: 301-497-9449 to register. I promise you'll like it!


Cheers~

Postscript from Lolly....
I posted Sherry Cheever's fab June 9th-10th classes so check out the descriptions and photos, then call to reserve your spot!

Dyan Reaveley's altered books workshop

Honoré here: Hi. I can hardly believe that the month of March is only hours away ~ seems that February and Dyan Reaveley's three and a quarter days of workshops at The Queen's Ink were just about to happen. Where does the time go?

I attended the all-day Saturday (and Friday evening before) workshop on making altered books. We learned a lot of nifty techniques for creating niches and fun pages. But the best part was two-fold: one was listening to Dyan and laughing so much at her running dialogue and witty comments. She kept us in stitches. The other best part was the opportunity to try her new line of Dylusions products, made exclusively by Ranger. And of course, The Queen's Ink was/is privileged to have them first among the many shops in the country.

I had a great time, enjoyed every minute of this learning adventure and my only regret: I didn't sign up for all the workshops. Oh well, I'll know better next time. In the meantime, here are some photos from my session.

The Queen (Patti) introducing Dyan

Dyan demonstrating removing pages from the book. Just grip and rip!

One of my pages. Dyan shares her ghosting technique in this video 

She has lots of videos and other tutorials available; check them out from her blog

Tags made by Dyan featuring some of her whimsical characters. These are rubber stamps
that you can buy from The Queen's Ink.

Dyan's Dylusions line on is the wall just as you enter The Queen's Ink from inside the Mill. Lots of fun product here: her rubber stamps and stencils including samples of her tags. (Display also includes some Crafter's Workshops stencils). Watch the website for announcements about the arrival of Dyan's ink sprays.

I include this sample of part of a calendar page by Kate Crane, a member of Dyan's design team. I discovered Kate's  calendar pages in the Winter 2012  issue of  Art Journaling. Imagine my delight at seeing an actual, real-world calendar! You can learn more about Kate and her journal calendar here...and also join in the fun.

I am so glad that I had a chance to meet Dyan and partake in one of her workshops. I know that I'll definitely signup again next time she's here. Hope you'll be able to  do so, too!

Cheers~

Tag...you're it!

Hi, Honoré here: Lately I've been smitten by tags... you know, those sundry shipping tags that come in a variety of sizes. Perhaps it's the season since tags are pretty much on most of our minds as we begin (anyone finished?) to wrap holiday presents and/or finish making cards. Or perhaps it's the fact that as I've visited blogs throughout this month, I'm seeing lots of clever ideas and tutorials for making tags for everything from creating shopping or to-do lists to fabric books to clever ways to package gift cards. Seems that the sky is the limit.

Tags are quite versatile; they can be used as:

1. gifts
2. shopping/to-do lists
3. substrate for practicing techniques ranging from masking, misting, stamping, and stenciling, to journaling or taking notes
4. embellishments on pages in a mini album or as pages on which to mount photos from your iPhone or camera phone.

You can write, paint, stitch, glue, type, stamp, cut, tear, crumble, or emboss tags. Don't like what you did? Not a problem; just paint over the tag and use it to try something else...or save it and cut it into shapes or strips or adhere it to a page in your art journal for use further down the road...

In the scheme of things, tags are really quite inexpensive and handy little things to have around. Being quite portable, you can carry them with you at all times for those unexpected free moments.

Over the next couple weeks, between the holidays' lull, why not play with some tags. Try out a technique or a supply that is new to you. A tag is small and definitely not as intimidating as a full sized piece of art paper or a blank page in an art journal. Have Fun. Play. Experiment. And remember, you don't need to throw the tag away...it can be used in your art journal or recycled as an embellishment or used to make a grocery, to-do, or don't forget list...

And while we're on the subject of tags, have you checked out the new class - Peeled Pages -coming in January that features tags as pages? Check out the description here and don't tarry about registering: seating is limited and spaces are filling up fast.

Happy Holidays!

PS: This tutorial by Tammy Tutterow is a great example of creating a tag in action. And of course, you can purchase most if not all of the supplies and tools, including some of the Crafter's Workshop stencils, right here at The Queen's Ink. How about a gift from you to you?

Do YOU Zentangle?

Well, do you?

Patti is away this week at a Zentangle Master Class. The store is running Zentangle Basics and Intermediate Classes monthly. The Basics class is an introduction to the philosophy of Zentagling using the preferred tools of Zentagle creators Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. Intermediate classes (which are numbered but do not needed to be taken in order) focus on learning and using 6-8 specific tangles (there are 102 in all!)

We are fully stocked with Zentagle supplies and Design Originals books written by certified Zentangle teachers.

Our next Zentangle Basics class is Tuesday, August 10th and our next Intermediate Class (#2) is August 11th. Sign up and check it out!

March Madness (Part Three)

Okay - here are the finished "products!"
You may recognize some the papers and stamps...

Memory Box, Basic Grey and some Grundgeboard shapes...

and while you may see some repeated elements...

each of these cards are so different and express the personalities of the participants.

Can't wait to try the Royal Card Buffet yourself? Come to the next one on Saturday, April 3, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.!

March Madness (Part Two)

More from the Royal Card Buffet last Thursday...

The class was pretty quiet - not uncommon when there is a lot to digest (hee! hee!)



After a while, the studio looked like a food fight had broken out!!!



The Thursday group really ate it all up!

Up next... the final review!