Sometimes an understatement makes a big statement, like with this simple little card designed by Beki Ward.
Beki layered a couple of pretty papers, stamped her sentiment, punched the edge of the card cover and added a sweet little micro beaded flower pot. I love it!
 | What would a birthday party be without handmade cards and presents?! Tracy received some really wonderful things from our beadie buds on Saturday. She has food allergies similar to mine. At left are her birthday cupcakes free of gluten, dairy, egg, soy and corn. We loved them! Yum! |
This card came from Kathi H. She actually constructed the whole scene of the house mice having margaritas at a little straw hut. Be sure to click on the photo to see more of the details, it’s darling!
Kathi also brought this cheery pot of micro beaded flowers. It made a perfect centerpiece for our birthday party picnic table!
Marianne invented a new technique for this pretty card! Where you can see the pretty white pleated ribbon she first put a strip of O’So Sticky Tape. Then she folded the ribbon back and forth down the tape to create this wonderful hand pleated ribbon. Doesn’t it look like those trims you pay big bucks for as the store?!! Marianne said that using O’So is the trick! I think we might need a photo tutorial! 
This little treat jar is decorated with papers, alcohol ink, micro beads and ribbon. The paper flowers have bubble beads in the middle and lay on a circular background of clear micro beads. Sweet!
Here’s an elegant card from Michelle. I really love the composition of this card and those texture folders,…very nice!
Here’s a darling one that Julie made. The black birds are punched and micro beaded. 
Susie made this one and I have to say it’s my favorite! (The rainbows get me every time.) She used one embossing folder on the colored rainbow bits and another for the card front. 
And here’s a darling purse that she made to hold a set of matching cards.
The cards are held inside by clear sleeves! Neat!
And last but not least this is my birthday ”card” that’s not actually a card but a cube covered with happy birthday papers and tied with a bow. I needed something quick and easy! Ü
I think Tracy had a GREAT birthday!! Ü
 | This past weekend I attended a PWA Shoebox Party at a beautiful farm in Garfield, WA. It was held to honor my friend Tracy’s birthday. I love these gatherings of women where we share project ideas, our stories and our hearts. These connections mean the world to me and are a huge part of why I love Pennywise so much. |
This business has given me the opportunity to meet women of all walks of life from all over the world. On our Yahoo group and at our retreats and local gatherings connections are made and friendships bloom. It’s truly the best feeling ever to be a part of it.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to play with us in person yet I hope you’ll consider the possibility. We host free play days at Friends and Company in Issaquah, WA every other Monday and group members often host free shoebox parties (like the one we had at Tracy’s house).
Our next big annual weekend long shoebox retreat is April 22, 23 & 24, 2011. Wow! This will be our 7th year!! We’ve rented the Big House Lodge in Cle Elum, WA. located just 90 minutes East of Seattle. It’s a beautiful luxury home with beds to sleep 30 people. Generally there will be 4 people to a room and each room has it’s own bathroom. Our meals will be catered and the craft space open around the clock.
Eat when you’re hungry, craft at your leisure, sleep when you feel like it, take a nature walk, connect with other creative souls…..(just sit and let that idea soak in a minute.) Reread that last sentence if you need to. Ahhhhh, bliss. Oh, and did I mention the hot tub? Ü
We haven’t had a chance to update our website with the new information or 2011 registration forms yet but if you have questions or concerns there is lots of Q & A info on our retreat webpage that might be of help.
http://www.pennywisearts.com/annualretreat.html
We’re still in the planning stages and the actual price has not been set but we always aim for the $200 to $250 range to keep it “pennywise” and affordable. If you’re traveling from out of town we’re happy to help arrange a ride from and back to SeaTac Airport.
Once you’ve made up your mind, drop me an email and let me know! A $50 deposit will hold your spot. We’ve already got about 10 reservations made and 30 is the most we can have. You know you want to be there! Ü
This fun fan name banner was my project to share at Tracy’s party last weekend. Its funny how ideas spark and grow in our minds and I was thrilled that this one turned out the way it did. Each person did their own name so those longer names had to work harder!
I’ll be sharing all of the fantastic projects from Tracy’s party soon.
Hugs, Suzanne
On the Pennywise Yahoo group mention was made of another cool class that Yvonne Grimes did – this one was several years ago!
She created this super fun shaker cube from three coin holders. It’s one of my all time favorites and the proof is that it still sits on my desk today, all these years later! Is an addictive little thing that calls to be picked up, handled and yes, shaken!
