Happy Halloween Everyone!

One of these years I'm going to put together a really cool Halloween set. My vision is to make one with Dorothy, the Wizard, & the Wicked Witch - and Toto too! - or such. I'm afraid there might be copyright issues, so I haven't done it. I think it'd be fun tho. This jack-o-lantern is part of the Autumn Set 2 Mini's. I couldn't resist!

Meanwhile, I'm hoping to get the new Christmas set out by Sunday nite. It's coming along. Here's a card that is going to be on the package back, with directions on how to make it.

It always amazes me how exciting it is to make the first cards with a new image, and how many possibilities open up with colors and shapes. The Mini's are getting to be a lot of help with design, and provide something different to embellish with. The bells and ribbon on this card will be good for a lot of different Christmas card ideas.

This rocking horse reminds me of the one I always dreamed of. I remember when my husband made several for our kids and some of our friends' kids. I took some of the ideas he had, to use on this one.

Maybe someday rocking horses will come back to being 'a thing' that every kid wants. Probably will not replace i-pods or cell phones tho. Oh well. I guess some people call that progress.

I talked my daughter, Jayme into helping me out with getting some inventory stocked, and catching up on my bookwork. She is a spot of sunshine and energy in our lives, and I look forward to bringing her more into the relm of 'Designer' some day. Right now her talent for organizing things is really in need! 'Mom, how come you keep all these little scraps of paper! ...' You all probably know how to justify that one! or 'What is this, and what's it for? Why do you have it?'. After she's done in my studio, I probably won't have to expand my space.

Time to get ready for tomorrow! I hope you've had a chance to check out the new images on my website. We're always adding cards to the gallery, and new image sets, both in Clears and Mini's.

Take a minute and e-mail me a card you made with the Clears! I'd love to see them, and I'll show them off for you if you let me!

Lots of News!

Our son's wedding was awesome, and all of us girls had a great time creating the invitations and church programs, table cards and other fun stuff! I just love my new daughter-in-law. She's an incredible gift to our family and has made our son so happy. My wish for them is that they always live in eachother's hearts as they did on that special day.

After all the partying, its back to work! The Fishing Set has been a hit. The card below is one that will be available in a kit of 3 Fishing Set cards. Keep an eye on the website for the kits to start coming out. My daughter and I are going to try our hand at making some U-Tube videos to help you put your cards from the Susan Louise kits together.

The Autumn Set 2 is fresh as well. These images are so versitile. The scarecrow is one of my all time favorites, and the oak leaves are beautiful. We looked a bit to find gourds to use as a model for drawing, and found them at a roadside stand. Maybe I'll make a card for their farm using that image -- they'd probably think I'm nuts!

The mini's are fun -- especially the mice. See all the new product at SusanLouiseArts.com.

Oh! More good stuff happened! Today I found a copy of the Winter 2011 "Paper Creations" magazine. I've been waiting and waiting for it as there is an article in the 'Marketplace' section about Susan Louise. Hope you get a chance to see it too! I'll be having my web guy get it on the site somewhere. He's so good at finding space, and putting up with my whims and my lack of technical knowhow. Someday maybe I'll learn something about it -- watch out Jonathan!

For now, I'm working on the Christmas Set 2. Last years set will be hard to top. This year, the first image done is Raggedy Ann. Here's a card that will be in one of my upcoming classes -- Nov 9th. The other images will be old fashioned as well. A rocking horse, and a Christmas stocking if all goes well. This set will be out in a couple weeks, so check back in!

If you have any ideas you'd like me to put my pencil to work on, please let me know. I'm always interested to hear what people would like to see in the next set of Clears.

In the meantime, enjoy this incredible autumn weather! Finally it has cooled off, and the bugs are flying south, or wherever they go to avoid freezing their stinger's off!

Time to catch up!

So much has been happening! With more classes, a new product and a new set of Clears launched, and other good stuff -- I've been busy!

Everyone has been waiting for the Sea Set to be released. I have had so many requests for these images, and I'm pleased at the response I've gotten from them.

Here's a card using the Seahorse from the new Clears, Sea Set 1. This Seahorse is so much fun to work with, and a closer look at it shows there are many colors to match up with the rest of your card. You really have to see this set in person to get your imagination going!

This card also shows a new product. I'm so excited to announce the Susan Louise Mini's. They are small images on paper to use as embellishments on your cards or to accent your scrapbook pages. There are a variety of images in each set. They can be punched out or cut to the perfect size. I'm finding all kinds of uses for them!

The Sea Set 1 Mini's includes a variety of Starfish, Coral and Clam Shells. The second set, Bugs Mini's, includes butterflies, ladybugs and bees. These little critters fit in so many places!

Take a look at the new Sea Set 1, and the 2 new Mini's sets on the website: SusanLouiseArts.com. While you're at the website, also visit the 'Gallery' for more card ideas.

I would love to see what cards and projects you come up with using the Susan Louise products. In fact, now through the month of August, send me a picture of what you made, and I'll give you free shipping, and 5% off your next order from Susan Louise. You can e-mail the picture to: susanlouise@live.com . Also, please let me know if it's OK to post it on my blog and show it off for you!

The next set of Clears has been in the works for some time. I had to learn a little about the subject matter to present it properly! (In this case, I didn't actually go fishing, but I spoke to my favorite fishermen to get the scoop.) The Fishing Set 1 is going to be a fun one!

Lastly, and so close to my heart, I've been blessed in many ways, by my future daughter-in-law, when she asked me to help her with their wedding invitations. I drew her favorite flowers, and put them on the inviations. We had so much fun getting them together, and I look forward to completing the Church program and meal place cards as well.

Who knows -- maybe I can branch out and help other Brides make their invitations special with customized art made just for them!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Wow! I've hardly had time to turn around -- actually, I have, but there's always been something else tugging on my sleeve or my heartstrings! I'm lucky to have such a full life.

Now, back to what I've actually been doing. Since the last time I wrote, I've had 3 classes. Some of the class cards are on the website (susanlouisearts.com), if you want to take a peak. One of my students is going to be teaching scrapbook and card classes through the school system. I am so flattered that she wants to help her students make a card with the Clears. It will be fun to see what they come up with.

We made the Coneflower card on the left in one of the recent classes. It is using one of my favorite drawings. The purple is so versatile, and can lay on top of so many neat background papers and colors. This is a simple, easy to make card for someone special. The mat and the background paper are the same piece. We drew dots on the background paper to give it some interest, then layed the clear over it. It was fun to see everyone be their own artist, placing the dots in different places. The hardest part for me (and many others I found out) was making the bow. I could use some tips -- anyone?

The baby robin at the right is part of my newest set of Clears called Bird Set 2. We also made a flip card using the same baby robin. (I hope to get a tutorial out on how to do that soon.) There is so much bird activity this time of year, I wanted to capture some of the nesting and baby bird action. This set also has a mama cardinal sitting on her nest, and 2 bluebirds building a nest in a birdhouse.

This spring we've been seeing a lot of turkeys in our yard, and some of the hens are confused about where they should lay their eggs. My husband has been finding them in wierd places -- buried under sawdust from trees he cut this spring, in the flower beds and even right in the middle of the driveway!

Hmm ... it makes me want to draw a turkey. But I'll save that for this fall when hunters are out looking for turkeys, and also for Thanksgiving Day and holiday cards. (I'll keep the feathers on the bird though!)

Next time I write, I'll be making shells for my next set!

New Equipment, New Ideas!

I just returned home from a weekend with my Mom and sister, Yvonne. There's never enough time to do all we want to do, and say all there is to say. We got my Mom into making cards last year, and now she is 'in the zone' as much as we are! I helped her learn how to use the Cuttlebug I got for her from a neighbor's sale. She hadn't done much with it yet, but I think she probably will now. We made a cool giraffe card with the Clears image, and did some embossing with the Swiss Dots folder, and some die cutting. She struggles a little with cranking the rollers, but is a pretty determined lady. Something she passed on to all her kids.

Yvonne and I tried out my new Cinch machine. I love it! I have so many ideas on how to use it. Its so easy! Yvonne has been making mini albums and they are awesome. She really inspires me to try different materials and techniques. I want to try making a sample album for the Clears. I hope I don't have to wait for my next life to do it!

We made flowers out of circles cut from polyester, silky fabric. We singe-d spelling?) the edges of the circles with a lighter. It made the fabric melt and curl, so the petals really looked real. I love the idea, and thank whoever it was that shared it on the internet.

Yvonne also showed me several samples of unique folds for cards. I'm planning on trying them in my classes. The flip card we made in the Safari class was so much fun. (that's the pic for this entry.) I don't have a picture of the inside/folded out card, but will be making another one soon for a class, and will make sure to scan both sides and show you.

Well, its off to my sketchbook! The baby robbin drawing won't wait!

Classes!

This week's class was so much fun. I really enjoy meeting my students and helping them create some beautiful cards with the Susan Louise Clears. The picture this week is from the class on Monday night at Scrapbook Memories in Janesville, WI.

This image is from the 'Guys Stuff 1' set of Clears. The image was drawn at our cabin when my husband came in and shed his muddy boots after a long afternoon's work in the woods. I drew them just as they landed (minus the mud!). I started thinking about all the guys out there who work just as hard - at their jobs, in their farms and yards, in their workshops and garages, basement remodeling , ... the list is endless. So this image is a tribute to all our men, and the wonderful work they do.

This Clear looks neat with a lot of different backgrounds. I could think of a dozen cards to make for as many occaisions with these workboots alone.

Next week's class is in Madison at the Scrapbook Superstore. We're making cards from the new 'Pond Set 1'. There will be a little something for everyone. There was such a response in anticipation of this class, that I was asked to do a second class with the same material on May 5th. There's still room for you in that one!

Check out the susanlouisearts.com site, under the classroom tab for class schedules.

If any of you are in Wisconsin Rapids area this weekend, stop by Lighthouse Books and Gifts. They have an amazing assortment of card making and scrapbooking supplies. They are celebrating their 20th anniversary, and have some great deals!



Now on to my spring cleaning ... ugh.

New Set Out!

The new Pond set of Clears is out. It's so much fun to work with! My favorite is the frog, but the dragonfly and turtle are also cool. I can't wait to start designing companion stamps for the Clears. There are so many good words to go with this set -- like 'Take your time ... enjoy' for the turtle; 'Hope you're back in the pond soon!' for the frog; or 'Enjoy the beauty of summer' for the dragonfly. I'm sure you can think of some too!

I have 2 classes coming up, and we'll be having some fun with this new set. I like to teach a variety of techniques with each class and show how the Clears can be used in different ways. We always have some good laughs, and make some beautiful cards.

I'm going to try to dress up this blog a bit. I'm not real computer savy, so you may see some interesting goofups on here. (hopefully nothing serious)

Here's my first attempt. I want to show you a card I made with the new frog image. Well, it showed up right on top -- I'll keep that in mind. This card is made using handmade paper behind the Clear to bring the image out, and background paper from KCompany. Keep checking the tutorials on the susanlouisearts.com website for specific instructions. Also see if there's a class you can come to.

I'll try to get more on the website, and here as life settles down. ???

Have a wonderful Easter!

Excited to be here!

This is my first time as a blogger, and I'm not sure of what I'm doing, so please be patient while I get used to this whole process! I am excited to share with you our company, "Susan Louise", and ideas to help bring art into your cards, scrapbooks, and craft projects.

My sister, Yvonne and I started Susan Louise as a means to reach out with new ideas and products, and learn from you as well. There are so many talented and gifted crafters out there, and we spend a lot of time researching, reading, and watching your u-tubes. Every one of you we come into contact with offers an opportunity for inspiration and learning.

I'm so happy to have this time in my life to persue my passion - creating art and finding ways to express my love of nature and life through different mediums. Right now, I am using primarily pastels and colored pencil. I also hope to be able to paint something other than our livingroom walls at some point.

My biggest struggles are with time management -- it would be nice not to have to eat and sleep (although there's nothing like a tastey meal, a full bag of M&Ms or my pillow waiting for me after a long day's work!) When I started developing and marketing the Susan Louise Clears, I didn't realize how so much of my life would revolve around it. One thing lead to another, and now here I am writing on a blog. Who'd have guessed it - certainly not me!

I hope to share with you what inspired me to draw some of the images I've used in the Susan Louise Clears. Like my husband's work boots, or the Santa that was inspired by a picture of my brother-in-law (I wonder if he knows that). I get so excited when I get ready to roll out a new set of Clears, and I hope they give inspiration to you as well.