Annie's Crafts - Product Review

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Elyse, the Video Classes Assistant, at Annie’s Crafts, asking if I would like to do a product review on one of their on-line classes. 

I’m here today to share my product review with you.

Annie’s Crafts has a very nice catalog of on-line classes, and it was hard to choose one to review. The class that I am reviewing today, is ‘Learn to Make Interactive Cards’.

You all know me pretty well, and when I saw that the description of the class offered cards that pop-up, spin, slide, shake, and swing, you know that I was all in!

In all, the videos total a shade under 4.5 hours. The instructor is Megan Hoeppner, who is a very talented, well-known leader in the paper-crafting industry. It is obvious that Megan loves the art of paper-crafting, and is delighted to share her tips and tricks with her viewers. Megan is also very easy to understand - she speaks very clearly, enunciating her words well. If English is not your first language, you will easily follow Megan’s instructions.

Annie’s on-line classes are available in either a downloadable or DVD version.  I chose to download my class.  I love that I can watch a few minutes of video, and that when I am interrupted, the video can be resumed from the point that I stopped it.  No need to scroll through to find your place!  The classes include printable PDF patterns, as well as the video.

This class features 10 interactive cards that spin, pop, move, shake, slide, (and more), for any occasion.  You will also get to see some popular paper-crafting mediums put to work – such as Washi Tape, Punches, Indigo Ink, Watercolor Pencils, die cuts, enamel dots, and others. You will be able to easily use supplies that you already have on hand.

One of my favorite lessons was the Birthday in a Bag. I had several of these bags on hand, and couldn’t wait to experiment!

I’ve been making cards for many years, therefore, the techniques in the video were not new to me. However, I either learned something new from each lesson, or remembered a technique or card-making idea that I had forgotten!  This class would be fun for paper-crafters of all levels, and I would very highly recommend it for those that are new to the hobby.

I am eager to try more of the on-line classes at Annie’s Crafts!

Would YOU like to win your own copy of this class?

Elyse has generously offered up a copy to one lucky reader!

Simply leave a comment on this post - that's all!
One lucky winner will be randomly chosen - the winner
will be announced here on Sunday, April 26th - good luck!!!

If you have not seen the selection of classes they offer, be sure to check out their website!  Classes are not limited to card-making – they also offer classes on coloring, knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, beading and jewelry making, and more!

Thanks for stopping by!

Patti J.

Add a Little Dazzle!

Hi all!

In the last Coffee Lover's Blog Hop, I won a prize - it was a package of beautiful metal sheets from a company called 'Add a Little Dazzle'.  

I've sort of been intimidated (okay, a LOT intimidated) with these sheets, but decided that I needed to step jump leap outside of my comfort zone, and try them out.

So....this post will be not only my first attempt at using this product, but also, an unsolicited product review :)

The Dazzling Diva Challenge #64 was to add some texture to a project.

All righty!  I immediately thought of my embossing folders.  What better way to try out

this pretty new product?  Sigh....I have about 20 embossing folders, none of which

made me do a happy dance.  What now?

Aha!  We all have a scoring board, right?  Ta da!  The light went on.

From the get-go, this amazing blue metal caught my eye.  So, that's what I used, 

and here's what I did:

I cut the blue panel to 4" x 5 1/4", to fit just inside an A2 card base.

The blue panel was placed color side down on my scoring board on the diagonal.  

I scored lines every 1/2-inch, turned the metal, and scored on 1/2" marks again.

So far so good.  I was liking this new crafty goodness!

I adhered the metal to my card base with Scor-tape (I don't own any of the fabulous red sticky tape that they sell with their metal sheets).  It did a great job of adhering the metal to the card front.

The next step was to use a sanding block to take the color off the top of the scored lines.

Worked perfectly.

Then, I counted up four 'rows' from the top and bottom of the card, and added half pearls.

I used Tombow Mono Liquid Glue for that.

Now came the tricky part - this would determine if I loved, hated, or tolerated working with the metal sheets!  I took a Thanks die (from Taylored Expressions), and die cut it from a piece of white metal.

Oh. My. GOSH!  It cut very nicely!  

I took another scrap piece of the blue metal, and used a StampinUp! embossing folder to create a base for the sentiment, but didn't like straight edges.  Another test - how would it cut with scissors?

Like a dream!  I trimmed the cute little sentiment backing with detail scissors, adhered

the sentiment using my Xyron Sticker Maker, and popped the sentiment up with

dimensional foam squares.

I'm sure there is a learning curve, as my card doesn't look as professionally done as the owner or DT members projects do, but I will absolutely be creating with this product again!

There are videos to watch on the Dazzle blog, so check them out!  If you enter their

challenge, you could win some pretty metal sheets yourself!

Thanks so much for the great prize, Monica!

And thank you all for stopping by today!

Hugs,

Patti J.