Merry Christmas!

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas, filled with joy.  We had a quiet day at home, with our sweet little fur-baby, Kiefer.  It's not the cold, snowy Christmas that we are used to, but I'm not complaining.  I love the mild weather.  Kiefer even got to play fetch outside today with his brand new tennis balls!

~~~Valerie

Blue Fern 2016 Design Team

I am so fortunate and honored to be a part of Blue Fern Studios.  Not only do I get to use all the awesome Blue Fern products, but I am also surrounded by some extremely talented paper-crafters.  The 2016 design team has just been announced on the Blue Fern blog.  I'm thrilled that I will be working with the following new designers next year. 

Bec Genet - Australia

Cathi O’Neill - Ireland

Elena Volchkova- Ukraine

Karine Gagnon - Canada

Karolina Czajkowska - Poland

Maiko  Kosugi - Japan

Maja Nowak - Poland

Marie-Eve Bernard - Canada

Nicole Doiron - Canada

Pascale Bernard - France

Renea Harrison - United States

And these talented women will be returning in 2016:

Debbie Burns - United States

Jelissa Mei - Singapore - Video Educator

Keren Tamir - Canada

Marilyn Rivera - United States- Video Educator

Sandi Clarkson - United States

Wilma Voermans  - Switzerland

Yuko Tanaka - Japan

Congratulations!  It's going to be a great year for Blue Fern Studios.

 

A Couple of Things

There are a couple of things that I wanted to share today, just in case you missed them.

The first item is to let you know that Blue Fern Studios is having a design team call.  If you have every wanted to be a part of this amazing team, now is the time to submit your application.  You can find all the details HERE.  The deadline to submit your application is November 10th. 

The second is to share an opportunity to reach out to others this Christmas.  It's the Caring Hearts Card Drive.  If you make cards, this is a perfect opportunity to bring a little joy to others this Christmas.  You can find all the details HERE.  They are collecting hand-made Christmas or holiday cards that will be mailed to those in nursing homes.  I can't think of a better way to use all those paper-crafting supplies!  I hope you will send along some cards.  As an incentive, there are lots of prizes to be awarded to those who participate.  

That's all for today.  I hope your week is off to a good start!

~~~Valerie

New at Blue Fern Studios -Vintage Christmas

As we get closer to the end of the year, Blue Fern Studios has some awesome chipboard and paper that will be perfect for your holiday/winter layouts and projects.  First up is the beautiful Vintage Christmas paper.  I'll show you just a few sheets of this collection.  You can see all of it HERE on the Blue Fern blog.  I will (for sure) be using this paper for my Christmas cards this year!

Don't you just love these fresh, vibrant colors?

I'll be back in a few days to show you some of the new chipboard pieces for winter and Christmas.

˜˜˜Valerie

Blue Fern August Sketch Challenge

Each month Blue Fern Studios hosts a sketch challenge and shares some layouts from the awesomely talented Creative Team.  Here's this month's sketch:

I really like this month's sketch created by Michele Singh.  There are so many possibilities.  Head over to the Blue Fern blog where you can see how the Creative Team has used the sketch.  So much inspiration!

Waiting for some Inspiration to come my way

I must admit.....I have been in a slump when it comes to creating layouts.  It has been something that I have loved for 15 years, and for some reason, I am just not feeling the passion right now.  I haven't given up creating, though.  I am enjoying my art journals and making cards.  Lots of cards.  Lots of art journaling. 

At first I felt bad about it (but not for very long).  I look at it as relief from monotony.  I go through stages, and I imagine most of you do, too.  What gets you inspired?  What does it take to get your fired up?  For me, one thing that really helps is something NEW!!   

That's why I am looking forward to the new collection from Blue Fern Studios.  The colors are fresh, and the designs are an interesting look back.  Take a look.  I think you will agree.  This image just doesn't convey the true beauty of the paper.  You can see a closer look at each sheet of paper in THIS blog post.  There are also coordinating chipboard pieces and a lovely set of stamps.

What helps when you just don't feel creative?  Do you fret over it, or just go with the flow and wait for inspiration and creativity to return?  I'm pretty sure you will see a layout from me once I get my hands on this paper collection!

New Blue Fern Studios

Excuse me while I take a few minutes to blow off the cob webs, and tidy up the place a little. 

 Sometimes my blog doesn't quite make it to the top of my to-to-list. 

Now that things are cleaned up, I want to let you know what's been going on at Blue Fern Studios.   We have a new paper collection and have added clear stamps.  The paper is "Love Story"and it's a stunning collection.  I love the colors, but of course, anything with some pink in it makes me very happy.  But it's not just a pink collection.  There are also beautiful shades of red, peach, green, black, and ivory.  It's very classy and elegant.  Here's a look at the entire collection:

I just recently received it and couldn't wait to create a layout.  This is my niece, Callie, and it seemed the perfect photo to use!  She is such a sweet little girl.

Blue Fern Products Used:

Love Story Collection: Twenty-one

Love Story Collection: The Grand Ball

Love Story Collection: Calling Cards

Love Story Stamps: Set Two

Chipboard: Angel (from Baby Words set), Hexagon Bits

Other:

Prima Stencil #569471

Prima Wire Thread - white

Prima Mist - Storm Cloud

Seam Binding

Ranger Texture Paste

Doily

Pumice Stone Distress Ink

Ranger Liquid Platinum Embossing Powder

Prima, Petaloo and KaiserCraft flowers

That's all for today.  Hope yours is a great one!

˜˜˜Valerie