China Phoenix 2

Art Box Round Robin 2011 - Part 2

2012-01-31T15:04:00.000-07:00

Last week, I shared a little background regarding the Art Box Round Robin 2011 and how it came to be. If you missed that post, you can catch up here.

This week, I'm featuring another box from the exchange. This one, a Goddess Box, created by Liz Forbes. Here's what Liz had to say about her creation:

It was important to have a round container as a vessel for the goddesses. Every culture in the world has goddess images, myths, beliefs, dogma - on and on. The sacred feminine is often overlooked in our vision of God, so I try to bring a balance. My personal belief is that God does not have a specific gender - there is a balance between masculine and feminine. The worlds' cultures have veered towards all masculine and all feminine at one time or another. My wish is we all find a balance within ourselves to reach for that perfect harmony with God.

I also thought it would make for creative, intellectual and fun artwork and discussions among my friends! Enjoy!

Let's take a look inside:

Liz Forbes glorious goddess box.

Liz Forbes (front cover)

Liz Forbes (back cover)

Nancy Ellis-Hines (front cover)

Nancy Ellis-Hines (back cover)

Nancy Kreischer (front cover - closed)

Nancy Kreischer (front cover - open)

Nancy Kreischer (back cover)

Nancy Yoshimoto (front cover)

Nancy Yoshimoto (back cover)

Arley Berryhill (front cover)

Arley Berryhill (back cover)

Cheryl Valadez (front cover)

Cheryl Valadez (back cover)

Kit Stein (front cover)

Kit Stein (back cover)

Art Box Round Robin 2011

2012-01-23T00:19:00.000-07:00

As we eagerly anticipate the grand reopening of our favorite gathering place for both shopping and camaraderie, I thought I would share the artistic journey of a group of crafty friends who decided to trade some art.

Early last year, Arley Berryhill organized an Art Box Round Robin and invited some folks to participate. The players in this production were Kit Stein, Liz Forbes, Nancy Ellis-Hines, Nancy Kreischer, Nancy Yoshimoto, Arley Berryhill, and little ol' me, Cheryl Valadez. The idea was to select a theme and craft a box and/or decorate a box out of whatever materials were appropriate to effectively see your vision come to life. Once the boxes were complete, each person passed off their box to the next person on the list and created a page interpreting that person's theme. The boxes were traded once a month with the idea that at the end of this process, every box would proudly house a piece of original artwork from each member of the group. The results were staggeringly beautiful, amazingly clever, and above all else, incredibly original.

Over the course of the next 7-weeks, I'll share detailed photos of each box. Let's start with the box created by our Organizer Extraordinaire, Arley Berryhill. Here's what Arley had to say about his theme:

For my Art Box, I chose the theme "Pandora's Box". It represents the box Pandora was given (from the Greek God Zeus), which held horrible evils. As the myth goes, Pandora's natural curiosity got the better of her and accidentally released all the evils in the world. So, I asked the artists to create a piece of art that represents "evil" to go in the box.

Let's take a look inside:

Arley's incredible Art Box.

Another view.

A peek inside.

An inspirational back story to get us started.

Arley Berryhill (front cover)

Arley Berryhill (back cover)

Cheryl Valadez (front cover)

Cheryl Valadez (back cover)

Kit Stein (front cover)

Kit Stein (back cover)

Liz Forbes (front cover)

Liz Forbes (back cover)

Nancy Ellis-Hines (front cover)

Nancy Ellis-Hines (back cover)

Nancy Kreischer (front cover)

Nancy Kreischer (back cover)

Nancy Yoshimoto (front cover)

Nancy Yoshimoto (back cover)

An Update and a Few Pictures

2012-01-17T02:24:00.000-07:00

Hello, everybody! I hope your holidays were joyful and that 2012 is off to a great start. I'm popping in with a quick post today to give you an update regarding the shop and to share a few photos. China Pheonix 2 is well on her way out of the ashes at this point and Nancy says if everything goes according to plan, we may see a grand reopening in early February. This is exciting news!

A few days ago, Nancy graciously allowed me to take a peek and snap some progress pictures to share with all of her friends on the blog. CP2 is looking very different than she did back in mid-November. The soot is gone. The heavy smoke-laden odor is gone. All of the fire and water damaged debris is gone. In its place...newly constructed stairs leading to the storage area on the second floor, a brand new ceiling, and a lovely fresh coat of paint that our group decided should be called Dusty Salmon Misty Rose Adobe.

Here's a few photos to whet your whistle:

Newly constructed stairs. They're up to code, too.

Nice, bright, and clean. It looks so different from the photos I took directly after the fire had occurred.

A new ceiling. The ceiling tiles will finish this off nicely.

The classroom with it's beautiful fresh coat of paint. Flooring will go down in a few days.

The front of the shop.

I tried to get a better shot of the paint color, but wasn't having any luck in the low light.

You'll notice the cash wrap is going to be set up on the opposite side from it's original orientation.

Bright smiling faces eagerly anticipating the relaunch of our home away from home. I suppose I could have chosen a better backdrop, but everyone looks fabulous none-the-less!

Class: Retro Christmas with Kathy Rosecrans

2011-12-13T11:15:00.001-07:00

Join Kathy this Friday at 1:00pm at Harwood United Methodist Church and she'll show you how to make these exquisite vintage style Christmas cards. Caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays? Why not take time out for yourself and enjoy an afternoon of camaraderie and creativity. Kathy uses a myriad of techniques to create these wonderful designs and combines them with her signature trims and details to come up with 3 beautiful cards from the heart. We never seem to have enough holiday cards on hand to meet our ever-growing list of card recipients, so why not add 3 more to your Christmas card stash. Actually, these are so elegant, you may not want to share :)

If you are interested in taking this class, please contact Kathy via email at krosecrans@comcast.net.

Harwood United Methodist Church has graciously once again offered their fellowship hall for this class. They are located South of China Phoenix 2 on San Lorenzo just West of 4th street. Their address is 420 San Lorenzo.

December 16th, Friday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee is $25.00)

Pics from the HA Release Party

2011-12-12T09:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon, Nancy Yoshimoto, our good friend and favorite stamp store proprietress, played hostess to yet another fabulous Hero Arts Catalog Release Party. The party was so successful and so much fun that this easily distracted, poorly skilled picture taker forgot to take pictures. I managed to walk away with only a few shots, so I will have to fill in the rest of the details with words, something I am never short on!

The party was held in the The Partyline Florist shop just 2 doors down from China Phoenix 2. I arrived at the shop with my husband in tow promptly at 1:00pm and the parking lot was filling up quickly; a good sign that folks were going to be able to reunite and catch up since many of us had not connected with each other as of late, because a terrible fire destroyed our favorite meeting place in mid November.

Once inside, the shop was abuzz with activity and good cheer; hugs and greetings awaited us around every corner. Much of the party took place in the back of the shop where a large counter was covered in delicious homemade treats supplied by the many talented culinarily inclined friends of CP2. Cookies, cakes, brownies, dips, chips, a particularly fetching sweet potato dessert casserole, and a crockpot full of pulled pork set the stage for a festive afternoon. Another counter along the side wall was stacked with Hero Art's latest and greatest designs and products including catalogs, cling stamps, wood mount stamps, die/stamp combos, and embossing folder/cling combos. The new designs were welcomed by partygoers with open arms and flew out the doors by the basketful!

Resident CP2 teachers, Kathy Rosecrans and Reggie Harris were on hand to offer their instructional expertise by teaching a couple of stylish make-n-takes and their tables stayed busy for hours on end as folks sat and had an opportunity to create using some of the new HA products. Mr. Binx took the day off, but we received a visit from one of our other favorite four-legged friends, Cooper.

The party wound down around 5:00pm and it was clear that a good time was had by all! Even my husband, Kirk, had a great day as he was able to chat about his favorite topic, BBQ, with all of the attendees...lol! Thank you, Nancy, for putting on such a delightful soiree. You really are the Hostess with the Mostest!

Class: A Tim Holtz Christmas with Cheryl Valadez

2011-12-05T23:18:00.001-07:00

Are you being buried by the hustle and bustle of the holidays? Do you need a few hours to unwind and do something just for yourself? Join me this Friday and forget the mile long Christmas "to do" list, and spend some time getting crafty. We'll make two Tim Holtz inspired holiday cards, perfect for giving or for keeping. We'll also use lots of die cuts, glitter, ink, embellishments, etc...the list goes on and on. You'll leave this class covered in ink and feeling happy!

If you are interested in taking this class, please contact me via email at cvaladez@comcast.net or call me at (505)328-2228.

December 9th, Friday: 1:00pm - 5:00pm (class fee is $25.00)

2012 Hero Arts Catalogue Preview Party!

2011-11-30T11:03:00.001-07:00

Progress continues at China Phoenix 2! Nancy is tirelessly working with the restoration company and the contractors to ensure that when the doors reopen, an even more fabulous shop and classroom will be unveiled. Yes, the majestic Phoenix is beginning her transformation phase and it's only a matter of time before she rises again! Nancy does not have a definite date as of yet, but she'll no more as the contractors begin their work. Watch the blog for updates and information as it becomes available.

Are you missing Nancy? China Phoenix 2? Your crafting buddies? Sharing projects, ideas, and inspiration? What better way to make contact than with a joyous celebration. On Sunday, December 11th from 1:00pm - 5:00pm, Nancy is hosting the 2012 Hero Arts Catalogue Preview Party in the flower shop (4200 4th St.) just 2 doors down from CP2.

You won't want to miss this party as it will be bursting at the seams with make-n-takes, refreshments and new products. Yes, you read that correctly! New products! Nancy will have a selection of new Hero Arts images and products on hand for sale, along with the new catalogues. You'll want to arrive early for the best selection. Mark your calendars!

Also, there will be a few classes during the month of December held at the Harwood United Methodist Church. Check the blog frequently and I'll try to get photos and details posted as soon as I receive them.

If you have questions regarding the Hero Arts Release Party or upcoming classes, feel free to email me at cvaladez@comcast.net and I'll try to answer all inquiries as best I can.

Thankful for you!

2011-11-24T00:56:00.001-07:00

Nancy and Binx want to wish

all the wonderful friends and patrons

of China Phoenix 2,

a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

May your bellies be full,

you laughter be joyous,

and your blessings be many!

Copic Marker Class Update!

2011-11-16T10:25:00.001-07:00

Hey, everyone! Just a quick note to update you on my Beginning Copic Marker Class scheduled for this weekend. The very kind folks at Harwood Methodist Church have stepped in again and are allowing me to use their facilities. The class will be at the regularly scheduled time of 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Here's a description of what we'll cover:

Join me Saturday and we'll discuss the wonder of all thing Copic. This is not a project class. Instead we'll spend the day learning about these amazing tools and what makes them special, decoding the color wheel and the Copic numbering system, creating designs and textures with the Colorless Blender, and learning basic coloring and shading techniques. I'll provide lots of handouts and images to color. Bring your Copic markers, a notepad to take notes on, and something to write with. If you don't have Copic markers and are interested in trying them out before taking the plunge, then you can use mine. I love to share! I received my Copic Certification in August of 2010 and have been extolling the virtues of these tools ever since.

November 19th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee is $25.00 please bring cash or a check, I won't be set up to accept credit cards) Please have your name on your markers...thank you!

If you don't have markers, feel free to use mine ;D

Location: Harwood Methodist Church, 420 San Lorenzo. San Lorenzo is the cross street located South of China Phoenix 2. Class will be held in the fellowship hall located at the back of the parking lot.

If you are interested in taking this class, please email me at cvaladez@comcast.net or call me at (505)328-2228, so I can make sure I have plenty of kits. See you there!

A peek inside...

2011-11-15T00:27:00.001-07:00

The stairs by the back door.

The wall by the stairs between CP2 and the bakery.

Kitchen

Exposed beams on the ceiling. Notice the damage near the top.

The area by the back door, the stairs, and the storage area above received the brunt of the damage.

Sorting in the dark and without heat as there is no electricity.

Emptying out the store so the restoration crew can complete their clean-up.

Back with a quick update. I took these photos Friday afternoon and believe it or not these show vast improvements compared to the condition of the store on Wednesday. In my negligence, I failed to grab my camera that first day, but trust me, Nancy, her ardent supporters, and the restoration crew have made sweeping strides in cleaning everything up.

The damage in the front of the store is not as obvious as the rear of the store, but the smell of smoke hangs thick in the air and a hefty coating of soot and grime taint every surface.

This week the restoration crew is wiping down walls, removing the pegboard, addressing the clean-up, and performing the finishing touches to make the store ready for the next phase of it's resurrection.

Class Updates:

Tuesday Card Class - Sue Kapp is temporarily holding the Tuesday class at Scraps Galore, but please note that it is now moved to Wednesdays at 10:30am. We want to extend a special thank you to Scraps Galore for helping out with this class during this difficult time.

Copic Marker Class (November 19th, Saturday) - I'm currently scouting a new location for this Beginning Copic Class. I've had lots of suggestions, so please watch this blog for updates. If you are interested in taking this class it is scheduled for this Saturday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm and the class fee is $25.00. Please contact me directly via email at cvaladez@comcast.net or phone 505-328-2228. If you had signed up for this class previously, please contact me and let me know as I am not in possession of the class list at this time. Thanks so much!

Day One

2011-11-11T07:43:00.001-07:00

The Restoration Team arrived bright and early at the store Thursday morning. No one knew exactly what their visit would entail, but everyone was hopeful that progress would be made in cleaning up the debris and removing some of the ashy muck that covered the back area and lay in thick piles on the stairs and floor.

Nancy's friends and ardent supporters were also in attendance to help her sort and identify materials that were salvageable, and inventory items that were beyond saving and destined to be tossed. At the end of the day, the progress was quite remarkable. The workers had almost completely cleared the back storage area, the kitchen, and the bathroom. Considering these areas appeared to have suffered much damage from the fire, the transformation was impressive.

Nancy was very complimentary of the many men and women who comprise the Restoration Team, stating that they were very kind, considerate, and thoughtful during their interactions with her throughout the day.

Wednesday left many of us heartbroken and shocked as we walked through the debris. We wondered what the future of the shop would be and how our revered proprietress and friend would weather this insurmountable storm. Thursday we witnessed the beginning stages of a remarkable transformation proving that a little rain can sometimes wash away the old and expose the potential for the new. What a difference a day makes.

Class updates for this weekend:

Steampunk Box with Caroline Lawson - the class has been cancelled due to an unexpected scheduling conflict for Caroline. Caroline apologizes for the inconvenience.

Holly Stencil Cards with Kathi Anderson (Saturday, November 12th 10am-1pm) and Southwest Metal Panel with Kathi Anderson (Saturday, November 12th 2pm-5pm) - both classes have been relocated to the Harwood Methodist Church located on 4th St. and San Lorenzo just South of China Phoenix 2. The address is 420 San Lorenzo Ave NW. Please be sure to bring your class kits and metal tools if you have them.

Shop Update

2011-11-09T23:45:00.000-07:00

As many of you are already aware, a fire broke out in the shopping center where China Phoenix 2 is located. It started early Wednesday morning in the upstairs storage area that is part of the store, but located atop the bakery next door. Firemen were able to put it out fairly quickly, but significant fire damage was sustained to the rear of the shop. Severe water and smoke damage are apparent in the classroom and front of the store.

Many of you are wondering about Binx. A fireman was able to locate Binx in the store and place him into Nancy's relieved and loving arms. He was understandably shaken, but relatively unharmed. A trip to the vet confirmed that he is in fairly good shape, however, smoke irritation has left his eyes itchy and uncomfortable. He is safe and sound in Nancy's home and recovering from his ordeal.

Nancy would like to express her sincerest gratitude to the many friends who showed their love and support by calling and/or stoping by the store to check on her and Binx. Your friendship is a precious gift.

Nancy is in the process of temporarily relocating scheduled workshops. Please check this blog frequently for updates. Understandably telephone service is no longer available for the store, so feel free to leave Nancy messages on this blog and I will relay them to her as best I can.

On a personal note...many of you have communicated to me how important Nancy, Binx, and China Phoenix 2 are to you. The store has not only served as a place to share our creativity with one another, but also a place filled to the brim with camaraderie and good cheer. Within its doors, Nancy welcomed us with open arms, and offered us a tiny bit of comfort and refuge from a crazy world...a home away from home. To some degree all of us are experiencing a sense of loss. However, let us remember the story of The Phoenix...a great and powerful bird with exquisite plumage. At the end of its life cycle, it's nest catches fire and it is engulfed in flames, but from the ashes a new bird emerges, resurrected and reborn.

Class: Southwest Metal Panel with Kathi Anderson

2011-11-08T10:37:00.002-07:00

Kathi's afternoon class features an exquisite metal panel using various metal tools and materials by Merc Arts. The metal is not your typical aluminum or tin, but rather a luxurious and rich pewter panel that responds beautifully to the metalwork techniques that Kathi is going to share with you. The finished project is perfect for framing, so clear a special spot on your wall to showcase this amazing sculptured art piece. If you have metal tools (Merc Arts, 10-second studio, etc.) this will use the basic set and the horizontal wheel.

November 12th, Saturday: 2:00pm - 5:00pm (class fee is $30.00)

Class: Holly Stencil Cards with Kathi Anderson

2011-11-07T17:56:00.000-07:00

Kathi Anderson is back in town for a limited engagement and she'll be teaching 2 classes on Saturday that you won't want to miss. The first features a beautiful holly stencil and 4 uniquely different techniques to achieve a variety of finishes. These will be great to add a touch of panache to your holiday cards and friends and family will wonder how you did it. Aside from Kathi sharing her extensive paper crafting knowledge with you, the next best thing about this class is you get to keep the stencil!

November 12th, Saturday: 10:00am - 1:00pm (class fee $30.00)

Class: Steampunk Cards with Sue LaMeer

2011-11-01T18:29:00.003-06:00

Join Sue Saturday and create 3 amazing steampunk themed cards featuring Tim Holtz' die cuts and texture fades. Steampunk marries the industrial look of metal and gears with vintage imagery and creates a unique stylized look that's beautiful and a tad masculine. Sue's cards are loaded with details that make them special and different from other cards you've seen. You'll want to add them to your card arsenal for those occasions when you need something that makes the recipient go "WOW"!

November 5th, Saturday: Call the store for times.

Outdoor Stamp Market

2011-10-27T13:04:00.001-06:00

Looking for an inexpensive way to add different stamps and tools to your crafting arsenal? Or do you just need to clean out some older stuff to make room for newer stuff? Whatever the case may be, you'll want to make sure you stop by the store Saturday afternoon and check out the Outdoor Stamp Market that Nancy will be hosting in the parking lot directly in back of the store.

Buy, trade, sell...the choice is yours. If you have stamps and tools you want to get rid of, contact Nancy at the shop today and tomorrow, and she'll let you know if there is space available. If there is, all you'll need is your wares and a table. This will certainly be a fun day for visiting with friends.

The first 24 folks who show up on Saturday will create a fabulous free make-n-take that Nancy is calling Cat in the Jack. Sounds intriguing!

October 29th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Class: Soldering Pendants with Cheryl Thorpe

2011-10-25T10:38:00.001-06:00

Now for something completely different! As many of you know, Cheryl Thorpe is a master at soldering. Her soldered projects are creative and beautiful, and her craftsmanship is exquisite. She is very graciously teaching a soldering class Friday to share her knowledge of this craft. She'll work with you to create a collaged art piece between glass slides that will be soldered together and she'll even show you how to solder the bail that houses the chain at the top of the pendant. Learn to solder from a master and use this knowledge to create a number soldering projects. This might be a great way to garner the skill to create special, one-of-a-kind Christmas presents for family and friends. Better not miss this one!

Bring your class kit and make sure you have good adhesive and sharp scissors on hand.

October 28th, Friday: 10:00am - 2:00pm (class fee $50.00)

Class: Shabby Chic Falloween with Kathy Rosecrans

2011-10-19T10:05:00.001-06:00

Join Kathy Saturday afternoon and create these beautiful shabby chic cards that embrace all the wonderful details we love about this season. Kathy has combined rich Autumnal colors with rustic harvest textures to bring you 3 stunning cards perfect for any Fall occasion. You'll love the details on these cards and will marvel at the spot of tulle, the bit of string, the tufts of muslin, and all of the other subtle accouterments that enhance their chic characteristics. Don't miss this class!

October 22nd, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Class: Never-ending Card with Caroline Lawson

2011-10-18T19:54:00.002-06:00

Did you miss Caroline's class featuring this clever feat of paper engineering? Not to worry, you have another chance to learn how to create this amazing card within a card, within a card, within a card. The photos do not adequately capture the "never ending" aspect of this card, so I urge you to stop by the store this week and see it up close and in person. The card folds back on itself revealing a different layout and then repeats the process again and again.

Caroline's project features decorative papers by Graphic 45 so be sure to bring an 8"x 8" tablet of the Hallowe'en in Wonderland series.

October 21st, Friday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Class: Cute Halloween Cards with Cheryl Valadez

2011-10-11T18:16:00.002-06:00

I've added an impromptu Halloween card class to the calendar for this Saturday. If you still have people on your Halloween card list and need something cute to give them, then these are just the cards you're looking for. Join me and we'll make 2 cards featuring images by Stampendous. We'll bring them to life with some Copic coloring (scroll down for the list of the colors), and add glitter glue, felt flowers, fun embellishments, and cool papers to make them pretty.

Copic List: pumpkins (YR68, YR65, YR61, YR18, Y15, Y13, G28, G24, G21), raccoon (E43, E42, E41, E40), cat (C7, C5, C3, C1, R20), sky background (B93, B91, B41, B60), ground (E57, E35, E31, E50), other (E37, R29, R22, B06)

October 15th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Class: Muerto Shrine with Anne Engelhardt and Cheryl Valadez

2011-10-05T01:34:00.000-06:00

Anne Engelhardt and I will join forces for our third collaborative project this Saturday. This time we've created a festive Dia de los Muertos shrine to celebrate the upcoming holiday.

Anne will begin the day by showing you how to construct and paper the shrine, and emboss the beautiful metal border that decorates the perimeter. Yes, the box base is made from scratch and you'll learn the intricacies from the master of paper engineering herself.

In the afternoon, I'll take over and we'll finish out our shrines by completing a whimsical scene for the inside and adding a bit of bling to the outside. We'll even use a couple of Copic colors to brighten up the corners.

This piece is designed to hang on the wall and will add a festive feel to any room.

Bring your regular class kit, but be sure to add a craft knife and a pair of super sturdy scissors such as Tonic or Tim Holtz brands. These are absolute MUSTS.

October 8th, Saturday: 10:00am - 5:00pm with a brief break for lunch on your own

Class: Ms. Witchy with Arley Berryhill

2011-09-29T02:49:00.002-06:00

Join Arley for a special two day class (Saturday and Sunday) and you'll learn his secrets to face sculpting using paper clay and various tricks. You'll begin this artistic venture with a very modest styrofoam ball, but by the end of the class you'll have a sassy witch head sure to add a wicked flair atop your fireplace mantle. Arley is a talented artist and a master of details, so you can be assured he has lots to share with you whether you are a beginning sculptor or a seasoned one.

You'll need to add a few tools to your class kit so swing by the China Phoenix 2 site for details.

Correction: I had originally listed Saturday's class as beginning at 10am but it actually begins at 1pm.

October 1st and 2nd: Saturday class begins at 1:00pm, Sunday class begins at 1:00pm (class fee is $50.00)

Class: Elegant Catrinas with Cheryl Valadez

2011-09-22T10:21:00.000-06:00

Saturday we'll be playing with brand new, hot of the presses Dia de los Muertos images from Third Coast Rubber Stamps. These elegant catrinas are actually penned by a local artist named Kelly Ganson and mirror the lovely ceramic catrinas popular in Mexico. We'll spend some time coloring these beautiful images with Copics and trimming them out, so be sure you add a pair of super sharp detail scissors to your class kit.

Presently, this class is full. Thank you to everyone who signed up so quickly. I hope you like the samples. If you are interested in taking this class, but didn't snag a spot, please let Nancy know and we will try to schedule a second class.

Here's a list of the Copic colors used in these projects, but I am going to bring additional samples using other colors and let you pick your palette.

Death Catrina - skull and hand (E53, E50), coat and decorative boa on hat (C7, C, C3, C1), dress and long feathers on hat (G99, G94, G82, G40), blouse (E42, E41, E40), hair (E19, E15)

Wedding Muerto - skull and hands (C3, C1, C00), dress and hat (E43, E42, E41, E40, RV32), hair (E19, E15, E13)

September 24th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (This class will probably go long due to the size and the sharing of materials. Class fee $25.00)

Class: Flower Workshop with Kathy Rosecrans

2011-09-22T00:12:00.001-06:00

Did you miss Kathy's Flower Workshop last Saturday? You're in luck! She is graciously teaching it again Friday afternoon. Now's your chance to learn how to create a botanical buffet of budding beauties. Too much alliteration? Sorry about that. Sometimes I just get carried away ;D

Don't miss this class a second time! Call Nancy at CP2 and reserve your spot!

September 23rd, Friday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Class: Flower Workshop with Kathy Rosecrans

2011-09-16T10:04:00.002-06:00

Perserve the best of Summer by joining Kathy Saturday afternoon and she'll show you how to create a number of handmade flowers perfect for adorning cards, layouts, packages, gift bags, clothing, brooches, headbands...the list is endless. We shell out lots of cash for those pretty flower embellishments sold in the big box craft stores, but these can be fashioned from almost any type of material and are far more beautiful than anything picked up off a store shelf. Plus, they're handmade and you just can't beat that. How about filling a decorated box with these little beauties and giving them to your favorite crafter as a gift? Whatever you use them for, you don't want to miss this class!

September 17th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Class: Falloween Cards with Kathy Rosecrans

2011-09-13T10:14:00.002-06:00

Yes, you read that right! FALLOWEEN! Kathy has coined a new word that captures everything we love about this time of year. Join her Friday afternoon and you'll create 3 cards that collectively embrace the warm colors of harvest season and the whimsical spookiness of Halloween.

We're sad to see Summer go, but we're happy to welcome the cool, crisp days of Fall along with the events that make this season special. Soon we'll be able to witness the fiery glory of the leaves changing color on the trees and eventually making their descent downward to become, once again, part of the earth. A spectacular visual analogy of the Cycle of Life. Before too long we'll be able to take our gaze skyward and witness a miraculous rainbow of color fill the airspace above Albuquerque as the balloon fiesta paints a personal watercolor just for our enjoyment. As the close of October draws nearer, ghosts and goblins will emerge from the nooks and crannies of the brisk evenings, foraging for candy and making us smile with their unabashed love of Halloween. Yes, there is much to be thankful for :D

Start the season in style and join Kathy in creating cards that channel all of these joys into projects meant to be shared with family and friends. Bring your Vintage Photo and Walnut Distress Ink pads if you have them.

September 16th, Friday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Class: Wizard of Oz Tag Book with Brenda Shetman

2011-09-10T07:51:00.001-06:00

Originally scheduled for July 16th, but postponed, this is a popular class that features a fabulous Bind It All tag book adorned with the Hallowe'en in Wonderland papers by Graphic 45. If you have missed this class in the past, now's your chance to take it. Be sure to call the shop today to add your name to the list. Go to this post here to see pictures and details regarding the project.

September 11th, Sunday: 1:00pm - 5:00pm (class fee $35.00)

Class: Tim Holtz Halloween with Cheryl Valadez

2011-09-08T11:44:00.002-06:00

Join me Saturday afternoon and we'll play with Tim Holtz' tools and techniques to create these fun and grungy Halloween cards. No stamping, no Copics...you'll think I've lost my mind! Instead we'll be using grunge paper, grunge board, texture fades, and distress stains and inks. Plus lots of cool embellishments and paper. The witching hour is almost upon us, so don't get caught short on Halloween cards when it arrives.

Bring your class kit and be sure to include a Vintage Photo Distress Ink Pad and a sponge applicator if you have them. If not, don't worry, I'll have a couple floating around class. See you Saturday!

September 10th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Class: The Never Ending Card with Caroline Lawson

2011-09-05T11:23:00.000-06:00

Welcome back to the CP2 blog! Did you have a good weekend? We hope you are feeling refreshed and ready to get crafty!

Jump back into the artsy swing of things by joining Caroline Lawson Friday afternoon. She'll show you the paper engineering secret behind her magical never ending card that seems to go on forever and ever. The photos do not adequately capture the "never ending" aspect of this card, so I urge you to stop by the store this week and see it up close and in person. The card folds back on itself revealing a different layout and then repeats the process again and again.

Caroline's project features decorative papers by Graphic 45 so be sure to bring an 8"x 8" tablet of the Hallowe'en in Wonderland series.

September 9th, Friday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Stamp A Mania Days - August 26th and 27th

2011-08-23T11:27:00.003-06:00

Mark and Cynthia from Stamp A Mania will be joining us on August 26th and 27th, and with them, they'll be bringing lots of new images including Halloween designs from Stampa Barbara. You'll want to make sure you get first dibs on these stamps, because they are bound to fly out the doors as quickly as they arrive. You know how we CP2 patrons LOVE our Halloween stamps! Show up early to ensure the best selection! The Trunk Show will take place the afternoon of August 26th and from 10:00 - 4:00pm August 27th.

In addition, Cynthia will be teaching 3 fabulous classes featuring Stamp A Mania's stunning signaure Southwestern designs. Here's a brief rundown:

The Leather Look

Cynthia will show you how to create the look and feel of leather using a few simple card making tools. This technique will be a perfect accent for all of your Southwestern, vintage, and masculine themed projects.

August 26th, Friday: 1:00 - 3:30pm (call for reservation and class fee information)

Glitz Cards

These photos do not even begin to touch on the glittery beauty of these stunning cards. They must be seen in person to really experience the elegant glitz and drama of the images against the black backdrop. Join Cynthia and she'll show you how to add this technique to your card making arsenal.

August 27th, Saturday: 10:00am - 12:30pm (call for reservation and class fee information)

Southwest Journal

Looking for a special gift to make for family and friends? This is it! Cynthia will show you how to create this exquisite Southwestern journal adorned with thoughtful sentiments and incredible imagery unique to the great state of New Mexico. You'll also get to play with lots of embossing powder to add that extra polished detail and make this project even more fun.

August 27th, Saturday: 2:00 - 4:00pm (call for reservation and class fee information)

Bombshell Mermaid Class (Repeat)

2011-08-19T09:55:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow afternoon I'm teaching a "make-up" class for anyone who missed the Bombshell Mermaid class I taught in July. The Copic class that was originally scheduled for tomorrow, will be rescheduled for October. Here's a link to the details regarding the Bombshell Mermaid class including Copic colors.

August 20th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Come in and see Liz Forbes' beautiful hats this Thursday!

2011-08-16T09:49:00.001-06:00

Many of you have asked about them and now you can see them in person. Liz Forbes from Rainbow Hummingbird will have her exquisite felted wool millinery wares on display and for sale at China Phoenix 2 this Thursday (08/18). Be sure to stop in and see her elegant wool hats, embellished with delicate beading, dyed velvet, and hand-felted leaves and flowers. The holidays are right around the corner and a fetching, one-of-kind, hand-crafted chapeau is the perfect way to tell your mom, sister, aunt, or best friend how much they mean to you. See you Thursday!

Workshop: Steampunk Box with Caroline lawson

2011-08-10T11:03:00.002-06:00

Join Caroline Saturday for a day of steampunk inspiration and create this picturesque box. Caroline will supply the box, feet, corners, and paper. If you have a box you'd like to use, please bring it along. This is a workshop, so you'll have the opportunity to make this creation uniquely yours by incorporating various ephemera and metal bits you've collected over the years. Need to enhance that collection for this project? Hit your husband's tool box, you never know what treasures you'll discover. Or head to the hardware store. It's filled with aisles of metal bits perfect for this project and so many others. Other things that might work...old bottles, springs, jewelry, thimbles, buttons, subway tokens, coins, etc. You're only limited by your imagination!

You'll be using special adhesive for this project; Caroline likes Bond 527, but E6000 can also be used...just remember that it's toxic.

August 13th, Saturday: 10:00am - 4:00pm (class fee $50.00)
This class has been rescheduled for September. Please watch the blog for details! Thank you!

Class: Sew what? with Kathy Rosecrans

2011-08-09T12:12:00.000-06:00

Join Kathy Friday afternoon and create 3 sewing inspired cards "tailored" to put a smile on the recipient's face! Kathy combines her two favorite themes, paper and sewing, and the results are chic, vintag-y, and retro. She is a wiz at the sewing machine and will generously show you how to add stitch-craft to your handmade paper creations using her Janome Mini Sew that she will have on hand for class. A little bit of thread is all it takes to add a punch of "wow" to a special greeting.

Do you have stacks of old patterns laying around taking up valuable real estate in your craft/sewing room? Bring them in and Kathy will show you how to upcycle them into lovely, crumply flowers perfect for adorning your cards and projects! Don't miss out, sign up today!

Friday, August 12th: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Class: Encyclopedia Beeswax Collage Workshop w/ Cheryl Thorpe

2011-08-03T09:12:00.000-06:00

Join Cheryl Saturday and she'll hand you a volume from a set of encyclopedias that will serve as your one-way ticket to an erudite adventure in art. Cheryl has created two incredible samples using the book covers as her "canvas". She delved deep within the thick tome for inspiration and found herself using a myriad of images, illustrations, and script to organically create her collaged works . Beeswax helps preserve her finished art pieces and adds a vintage element of it's own appeal. No two pieces will be the same; each is motivated only by your imagination and the elements that speak to you from within the pages of these great treasuries of knowledge. Stop by Saturday and see where your creative escapade leads you.

August 6th, Saturday: 10:00am - 4:00pm (class fee $40.00)

The Book As Sculpture w/ Anne Engelhardt and Cheryl Valadez

2011-08-02T12:14:00.001-06:00

This class is back by popular request. One difference from the original class will be the color scheme...think bright pops of purple and soft shades of lilac. In the morning session, Anne will teach the fundamentals of constructing an accordion fold book, along with the lovely decorative text paper flower stems. In the afternoon, I'll jump in to add decorative panels and embellishments featuring a unique reverse embossing technique.

August 3rd, Wednesday: 10:00am - 4:00pm (class fee is $58.00 and covers both sessions)

Class: Make a Scene with Your Copics w/ Cheryl Valadez

2011-07-26T16:33:00.001-06:00

Join me Saturday afternoon and we'll stretch our Copics by using them to "create a scene" around simple images. The Penny Black kitty by himself looks adrift in a sea of white, but with a few simple techniques we'll add ground, grass, sky and even a halo effect to make him pop. We'll go on to add him to a card, so you can take home a finished project.

In addition, we'll play with other images to practice these techniques and more, including a creative "dotty" background and an even simpler cloud background.

Please remember to bring your Copics, but be sure to have your name on them so that the ones you bring are the same ones that make it home with you. Colors we'll be using for the Penny Black card are- kitty C5, C3, C1,C0, R20, R000 sky B0000, B000, B41, C1, C00 grass G94, G24, G21, G20 ground E57, E37, E31, E50 balloon R29, R24, R22, R20 halo B01, B000, B0000 and the Colorless Blender. However, we'll be coloring other images for practice, so bring your favorite skin tones (mine are E11, E00, E000, R20) some good hair color combos, and your favorite colors for clothing.

July 30th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee is $25.00)

Class: Flower Fairies with Sue LaMeer

2011-07-19T11:48:00.000-06:00

Flowers and fairies, an enchanting combination. Spend Saturday afternoon with Sue creating these delightful all occasion cards featuring the bold flower images by Stampendous and the delicate fairy designs from Hampton Arts (for Graphic 45). A sprinkling of vibrant Copic color brings the images to life and sets the stage for a number of sentiments you can add inside as the occasion arises. A few carefully placed embellishments provides the perfect finishing touches.

July 23rd, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee is $25.00)

Happenings...an update of the latest and greatest!

2011-07-13T11:24:00.000-06:00

Lots of classes taking place this week! Please scroll down to see pictures and find details regarding 3 fabulous class events happening in the shop. We hope you will join us for one or more of these amazing workshops and a few hours of relaxation and creation. A perfect way to unwind from the daily stresses that tend to complicate our lives. Remember...Art saves!

Class: The Oz Tag Book with Brenda Shetman

2011-07-13T11:17:00.000-06:00

Join Brenda Saturday afternoon and create one of her wildly popular tag books. Inspired by the new Graphic 45 World of Oz papers, Brenda has created a delightful book that will be as much fun to fill with memories as it is to create. This book is brimming with tags and pockets waiting to be combined with your photos, journaling, and ephemera. Perfect to keep for your own personal use or perfect to give to that special someone celebrating a birthday, a new addition to the family, or a myriad of other joyful events.

July 16th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 5:00pm (class fee is $35.00)

Class: Banner Day with Annie Onderdonk

2011-07-13T11:01:00.000-06:00

Join Annie Saturday morning and turn an everyday household item into something special. She'll show you how to transform a very humble yardstick into a Celebration of Summer with the addition of ribbons, rosettes, and colorful graphic images. Adorn a wall, a windowsill, a doorway, even a headboard...perfect for any space that might benefit from an injection of pure, blissful color, the choice is yours. This project also lends itself very well to other seasons. Perhaps Annie can be convinced to recreate this class as an ode to Halloween, Christmas or any other holiday that could use a little cheer.

July 16th, Saturday: 10:00am - 12:00pm (class fee is $30.00)

Class: Collages of Oz with Caroline Lawson

2011-07-13T10:47:00.000-06:00

Join Caroline Friday afternoon and create 3 captivating collage cards inspired by new paper lines from Graphic 45. Caroline will show you how to create magical vignettes by layering imagery and adding beautiful design elements. You know the story well and probably grew up with these characters as staples on your bookshelf, give them life once more by retelling their tale in these whimsical paper creations. Be sure to add a sharp pair of detail scissors to your regular class kit.

July 15th, Friday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee is $25.00)

Class: Bombshell Mermaids with Cheryl Valadez

2011-07-07T10:26:00.001-06:00

Join me Saturday afternoon for more mermaid fun! This time we'll be using the tattoo inspired imagery of Bombshell Stamps. These designs have a vintage appeal and harken back to a time when sailors used to adorn themselves with colorful wiggling mermaids on their biceps and forearms. For our modern day paper versions, I've paired them with Copic markers and simple embellishments to create brightly colored interpretations of our favorite sea dwelling sirens.

Copics used: Top Card - B0000, B000, C1, C00, E43, 42, 41, E37, 31, 30, E50, G28, 24, 21, R89, 39, 37, E11, E00, E000, R20 Bottom Card - R39, 29, 22, G28, 24, 21, C5, 3, 1, BG78, 72, E11, E00, E000, R20, E11, Y21, Y00

These are the major colors used. There may be some additional yellows and oranges, but I will have my Copics in class. Please be sure that your Copics are marked, so that they safely make it home with you ;D

July 9th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Happy Fourth of July!

2011-07-01T01:44:00.000-06:00

Nancy and China Phoenix 2,

would like to wish

you and yours

a very happy and safe

Fourth of July holiday!

We will be closed

Saturday, July 2nd,

but do stop in on Tuesday

and say "hello"!

Class: Summer at the Beach w/ Kathy Rosecrans

2011-06-22T09:55:00.002-06:00

Feeling like a quick getaway to the beach as a relief from the heat? Kathy Rosecrans has you covered as she escorts you to a sandy respite far from the hustle and bustle of our chaotic lives. Spend a relaxing afternoon creating these wonderful sea-side beauties featuring Hero Arts images set against backgrounds drenched in serene blues and greens. Kathy will have her Janome Mini Sew in tow to create interesting stitched details, so if you're interested in learning how to sew on paper, be sure to sign up for this class.

June 25th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Class: Needle-Felted Santa with Liz Forbes

2011-06-21T08:51:00.000-06:00

Join Liz this Friday for a class in Needle-Felting by the Queen of Needle-Felting herself! Liz is a master of this art and will be sharing her secrets for achieving Needle Felting Nirvana. She'll show you how to create this amazing felted Santa sculpture. Christmas may seem a ways off, but as we all know, it sneaks up on us every year and catches us scrambling for gifts at the last minute. This year, get a head start by creating this fabulous one-of-a-kind art piece perfect for giving or keeping. Liz is asking that you bring a smile and a few band-aids to class ;D She'll provide the foam, needles, and wool roving.

June 24th, Friday: 10:30am - ??? (depends on when you finish) Class fee is $40.00.

Class: A Summer Wreath with Cheryl Thorpe

2011-06-16T10:02:00.000-06:00

Put that Tim Holtz Alterations Tattered Florals die to work and create this stunning Summer wreath with Cheryl Thorpe Saturday afternoon. The pale cream and black color palette spotlighted with that splash of red from the butterfly makes this piece a perfect fit for most decor. Hang it on a door, hang it on a wall, it's sure to add something special to any room, plus it's handmade and one of a kind. It doesn't get any better than that! Learn the technique and create a wreath in different color palettes and themes. Surely you need one of these beauties for every holiday!

Cheryl has combined contemporary clean stylings with whimsy and the result is stunning! Don't miss this class!

June 18th, Saturday: 12:30 - 4:30 (class fee is $30.00)

Class: Nightmare Under the Sea with Cheryl Valadez

2011-06-15T15:13:00.001-06:00

Join me Friday afternoon and make these devious mermaid cards featuring Stampotique art stamps designed by Daniel Torrente. These briny beauties are fierce and have 'tude to spare. They spend their days chilling out under the sea, shopping at the Neptune Galleria, lunching at Barnacle Bay Cafe, being pampered at Fins Day Spa, and then winding down in the evenings with a little sashimi and karaoke at Siren's Song Saki and Sushi House. It is a life of leisure for these watery Paris Hilton type damsels of the sea. One is even rumored to be canoodling with a mafia crime boss. Sounds a bit fishy, to me.

When I spied these gorgeous Stampotique images, I knew I had to have them. They seemed familiar to me, but I wasn't sure why until I started to write up this post describing the class. As I gave them personalities and very human-like traits, it hit me. Something from my childhood with which I was inexplicably obsessed. Can you guess what nostalgic pop-culture item this brought to mind? Sea monkeys! I loved the ads for these tiny brine shrimp creatures and was more than deflated when my own sea monkeys hatched and did not even remotely resemble the ads for the product. Talk about super bummed :( Oh well, now I have have these demented mermaid versions and they are much more stylish and fun ;D

We'll be using Copics in various colors, but the mermaids themselves will be colored using G05, G02, G00, BV04, BV02, BV01, BV31, and R20. Feel free to bring other colors for the mermaid's outfits, but be sure you have your name on your markers to ensure that they make it home with you :) Also, bring a sharp pair of detail scissors because we will be cut, cut, cutting up a storm ;D

June 17th, Friday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee is $25.00)

Class: Boo! with Arley Berryhill

2011-06-08T13:09:00.001-06:00

Join Arley Friday and Saturday afternoon to create this unique Halloween sculpture in a fabulous 2-day class featuring Paperclay and various mediums. Halloween can't arrive soon enough for the fans who pass through China Phoenix's doors, so Arley has created a project sure to ease the passing of time between now and October 31st. This project is worthy of a spot on a shelf in a high-end stationary boo-tique. You might even be inclined to share it with your Halloween lovin' friend...or you might want to keep it ALL to yourself ;D

Be sure to visit the Class Description page of CP2's website and take note of the supplies needed for this class.

June 10th and 11th, Friday and Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $50.00 for both days)

Class: The Collaboration w/ Anne Engelhardt and Cheryl Valadez

2011-05-28T20:46:00.001-06:00

Anne Engelhardt and I will team up once again to bring you a collaborative project featuring fabulous techniques from each of our paper arsenals. I'll begin the class in the morning and we'll make four elegant cards featuring images by Tim Holtz and hand decorated accent paper.

Anne will take over in the afternoon use her paper wizardry to show you how to create the frame using her trademark Washi papers, finish the assembly of the project, and embellish it with lovely paper flowers and decorative glass pebbles. This class is certain to be a day filled with fun and creativity!

June 4th, Saturday: 10:00am - 4:00pm (class fee $56.00 for the entire day)

Coloring is minimal, but we will be using Copics in light blues, greens, and rose hues. Also, please add a Vintage Photo Distress Ink pad to your kit along with a sponge for application.

Class: Bind It All Travel Journal w/ Liz Forbes

2011-05-18T11:16:00.000-06:00

Join Liz this Saturday and she will show you how to use the Bind It All to create a fun and fabulous spiral-bound travel journal. Perfect for gifting or keeping, this journal has pages for notes, sketches and pictures; and pockets for collecting small souvenirs and ephemera. Add a little spark to your travel adventures by documenting the details that made the trip special and exciting. Wouldn't it be great to start one of these for each of your future trips and vacations?

Be sure and add to your kit...a glue stick, a sharp craft knife, and an old catalogue or magazine to use as glue paper. If you have any of the following, feel free to bring them to class...Xyron Sticker Maker, Zutter Bind It All, black and colored ink pads, and pencils or markers for coloring.

May 21st, Saturday: 12:30pm - ??? (class fee $30.00)

Class: Wedded Bliss with Cheryl Valadez

2011-05-11T12:11:00.000-06:00

Hey, everyone! Cheryl here. Join me Saturday afternoon and create 2 wedding themed cards that are just a bit left of traditional.

Do you know them? We all know them. Who, you might ask? That uber-trendy, hip, edgy, fun, witty couple who aren't the standard frilly/flowery wedding (or anniversary) image types. Wow them with your biting humor and honor them with a couple of cards that will certainly get their attention. Don't know this couple? Then make them for yourself, because they are just that cool ;D

A couple of things to bring, in addition to your class kits:

We'll be making the cool metal heart embellishment, so please bring a small stylus, and fat paper stump, and (if you have one) a small ball/cup tool. We can achieve a similar look with a small stylus, but if you metal lovers happen to have a small ball/cup tool laying around craving some use, then bring it.

Also, you know I love to share, but there is a lot of coloring on these images, followed by a thick coat of dimensional lacquer. If all of us have to wait for my markers to make their rounds through the class room, we might be at the shop until midnight. Not sure Nancy would appreciate that ;D Please bring you favorite coloring implements: markers, pencils, watercolors, etc. If you'll be bringing Copics, please make sure they are labeled so you can be certain they make it home with you. Of course, you are still welcome to use my markers, but plan on a bit of a wait ;D

Here are the Copics I used:

Skin tones: E11 (Barely Beige), E00 (Skin White), E000 (Pale Fruit Pink), R20 (Blush)

Hair: E19 (Redwood), E15 (Dark Suntan), E13 (Light Suntan) - or bring a combo you like!

Skeletons: C5 (Cool Gray #5), C3 (Cool Gray #3), C1 (Cool Gray #1)

Banners: E35 (Chamois), E31 (Brick Beige), E30 (Bisque)

Heart: R89 (Dark Red), R85 (Rose Red), R83 (Rose Mist) - or your favorite red combo!

Glass: B01 (Mint Blue), B00 (Frost Blue), B000 (Pale Porcelain Blue)

AND...the always incomparable Colorless Blender.

May 14th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm or a little longer (class fee $25.00)

Class: On the Road Errand Book w/ Kathy Rosecrans

2011-05-09T14:19:00.000-06:00

Join Kathy Rosecrans Saturday morning and create a charming book designed to keep you organized in style. Kathy was inspired by this project created by Heather Nichols, but added Hero Arts images and her trademark embellishments to make it fun. The drudgery of running errands can be so monotonous and keeping track of all the receipts, notes, lists, and other bits of paper that we acquire during the course of a day, week, or month, can be an exhausting chore in and of itself. Have you ever dug through the bottom of your purse for an hour looking for the card with your next hair appointment listed only to find that it was for right month, but the wrong YEAR! True story, folks ;D My hairdresser was not pleased!

This envelope book will prove to be a valuable asset in staying on track. You'll want to make one for every member of your family and a few extra to have on hand for hostess gifts, impromptu celebrations, and gift basket additions. Plus, it's just so beautiful! Sign up today!

May 14th, Saturday: 9:00am - 12:00pm (Please note, this class begins earlier than normal to ensure that you have ample time to complete this project. Class fee $25.00)

Class: Fairytale Cards with Caroline Lawson

2011-05-04T10:15:00.000-06:00

Join Caroline Saturday afternoon and learn her secrets behind creating beautiful collaged cards. She combines the ethereal fairytale imagery, found between the covers of the newly released Graphic 45 Springtime paper pad, with the fabulous avian themed Tim Holtz Birdcage Alterations die to create two exquisite layered paper confections. She takes these projects to the next level by adding dimensional elements that literally make these images pop and result in fantastical vignettes.

Be sure to bring your class kit, a sharp pair of detail scissors, and an 8 x 8 pad of the Graphic 45 Springtime paper line.

May 7th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class kit $25.00)

Class: Shabby Chic Cards with Kathy Rosecrans

2011-04-27T13:17:00.000-06:00

Join Kathy Saturday afternoon and spend some time relaxing and creating these glorious shabby chic all-occasion cards. Layers of wonderful stamped images, sumptuous papers, and elegant embellishments make these cards special. Kathy will also share some fabulous techniques for adding extra pizzazz to your cards that will certainly "wow" the recipients. What a lovely gift a set of these would make for Mom.

April 30th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Class: Copic Skin and Hair with Cheryl Valadez

2011-04-21T15:50:00.000-06:00

Join me Saturday afternoon and we'll explore coloring skin and hair using Copic markers. Sometimes adding flesh tones to an image can be intimidating, but the unique blendability of of the alcohol solution used by Copic actually simplifies this task with amazing results. This is primarily a technique class, however, we will make one card using Rose's Portrait by Bombshell Stamps. Bring your regular card making class kit, a Vintage Photo Distress Ink pad, and a sponge applicator.

Bring your Copic markers, but please have them marked, so the ones that came with you, go home with you ;D

Also, we'll be playing with a few different hair color combos, so I'm not going to list them on the blog. However, we will be working with a basic skin color combo and adding colors to create deeper tones for ethnic complexions. The basic skin color combo is: E11 Barely Beige, E00 Skin White, E000 Pale Fruit Pink, and R20 Blush. We'll add E13 Light Suntan to achieve a Hispanic complexion and E15 to achieve an African American complexion.

Here are the colors we will be using on the card project:

Skin: E13, E11, E00, E000, R02

Hair: C07, C05, C03

Flowers: R29, R24, R22, R20, G28, G24, G21

Others: 0, C3, C1, B21, BG10

I recommend bringing all of your Copics, so that you have lots of colors to finish out details such as clothing, accessories, etc. I will have all of my Copics in class and you are always welcome to use them, but sometimes there is a wait if several folks are using the same colors.

I look forward to seeing you in class!

April 23rd, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Happenings...an update of the latest and greatest!

2011-04-12T12:02:00.000-06:00

There are 3 fabulous classes scheduled this week. Please scroll down to see project pictures and all of the details.

Class: Vagabond Canvas with Cheryl Valadez

2011-04-12T12:00:00.000-06:00

Excited about your new Vagabond, but not sure where to start? Join me Saturday afternoon and we will devour a veritable smorgasbord of grunge materials to create this fun canvas art piece. We might even cut some plain old paper on our Vagabond, too. I will provide the canvases, pre-painted by moi (nothing fancy; just a wash of acrylic paint), and a plethora of cutting components. We'll use a ridiculous number of dies and texture fades to create all of the elements to decorate our canvas. The idea is to give everyone a chance to see what the various sandwich recipes are for the different dies and materials. In addition to your class kit, bring your Vagabond and all of it's plates, a bottle of dimensional lacquer (Diamond Glaze, Glossy Accents, Craft Fantastic, etc.), Vintage Photo Distress Ink, and a sponge applicator.

April 16th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $30.00)

Class: Dos-a-Dos Coptic Stitch Book with Anne Engelhardt

2011-04-12T11:30:00.002-06:00

Anne Engelhardt returns to CP2 Saturday morning to share this ancient bookbinding art form. Coptic book binding methods date back to the 2nd century AD, developed by early Christians in Egypt (thank you, Wikipedia!). Anne adds a dash of her paper wizardry and creates not one, but two books bound together to become one truly unique project. The addition of Anne's elegant trademark papers elevate the beauty and craftsmanship of this piece even further. Keep this clever journal for yourself or give it to someone special, though it will undoubtedly be difficult to part with. Bring your book making kit: scissors, pencil, metal edge ruler, awl, and glue paper. Anne will provide linen thread, needles and good paper glue.

April 16th, Saturday: 10:00am - 12:00pm ($25.00)

Class: Steampunk Book with Brenda Shetman

2011-04-12T10:53:00.000-06:00

Didn't get a chance to take Brenda's Book of Spring class? Don't fret, she returns this Friday to teach an equally fabulous book project, this time featuring exquisite Steampunk themed papers by Graphic 45. Steampunk is hot right now and the fusion of Victorian and anachronistic sci fi imagery lends itself to a rich and fantastical style that is unlike any other. The Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante collection features the work of Alphonse Mucha's Art Nouveau designs blurring the line between ethereal and industrial. Spend your afternoon learning the delicate intricacies of building this fabulous book, perfect for memorializing a special event via the addition of personal photos and collected ephemera. Bring your book making tools along with your class kit.

April 15th, Friday: 12:30pm - 4:30pm (class fee $35.00)

Happenings...an update of the latest and greatest!

2011-04-07T18:28:00.002-06:00

A Book of Spring (repeat) this Sunday, April 10th from 1:00pm - 5:00pm ($35.00) with Brenda Shetman. Did you miss the last class when it was offered? Well, don't get too excited, because this makeup session is officially full, too. HOWEVER, if enough folks are interested, Nancy and Brenda might be able to schedule another session offering this exquisite Springtime book project. Click here for pictures. Prepare to be dazzled! Call Nancy today at CP2 and let her know you're interested.

New Blog Stuff...notice anything different about the blog? I've added a full calendar offering class information at a glance. Click on the class title and you'll see the full class name, the instructor, date, and fee. I've also added a new tab for Upcoming Classes featuring a sneak peak at what's around the corner in the classroom. Stay tuned...more new features to come!

Class: Cat and Mouse Plaque with Mary Noland

2011-04-05T09:34:00.001-06:00

Join Mary Noland this Saturday for a fun-filled morning and afternoon creating this whimsical art piece. Mary uses paint, paper, paper clay, and fibers to give life to this mischievous cat and his rodent "friend". The imagery is playful and quirky. This piece is one of a series of three. Perhaps Mary can be convinced to teach the other two in later classes if we ask nicely ;D Wouldn't this plaque be the perfect gift for one of the many cat lovers you know or someone who's a big fan of Halloween? You'll have a hard time parting with it, though, because it is just too dang fabulous!

April 9th, Saturday: 10:00am - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Class: A Book of Spring with Brenda Shetman

2011-03-29T10:59:00.001-06:00

Join Brenda Shetman this Saturday and receive a lesson in the art of paper wizardry. Brenda waves her magic wand across some lovely Spring papers by Graphic 45 and transforms humble sheets of patterned paper into a memorable keepsake. Perfectly stunning as it is, elevate it's magic with the addition of photos, ephemera, and small tokens of your family history. Wouldn't this make a marvelous gift for that special someone who is celebrating one of life's big moments? An artfully constructed book worthy of holding the memories you will want to relive again and again in it's pages.

April 2nd, Saturday:

At present, this class is full. Call the shop to add your name to the waiting list.

Class: Blue Ribbon Card with Reggie Harris

2011-03-23T10:26:00.000-06:00

Join Reggie Saturday afternoon and learn the secrets behind her lush and vivid NM State Fair Blue Ribbon Card. She utilizes her Copic Markers to make the lovely floral image dance across watercolor paper. The inside opens to reveal yet another gorgeous blossom, surprising the recipient with a burst of color that literally pops off the page. You'll have a difficult time parting with this stunning creation, so be prepared to create more of this design to share with family and friends, once you get home.

Copics used: YR17, YR16, R85, RV29, YR07, Y38, Y15, G99, G94, and G85. You are encouraged to bring your Copics, however, please label them.

Other tools: Ocher and Yellow Marvy Pads, and stipple brushes.

March 26th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Class: Elegant Greetings with Kathy Rosecrans

2011-03-17T08:16:00.000-06:00

Join Kathy Saturday morning and create 3 elegant cards that showcase the Hero Arts clear set, Congrats. Kathy uses lovely papers and embellishments to make the sentiments stand out. Any medium-sized sentiment can be placed inside the decorative label stamp, making these cards even more versatile and appropriate for a myriad of occasions. Kathy adds her signature stitching to give them even more delicate detail with a sprinkling of vintage flair. These beautiful cards are perfect to have on hand when you need an unexpected card for someone special.

March 19th, Saturday: 10:00am - 12:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Class at CP2: Hop into Spring w/ Cheryl Valadez

2011-03-16T13:13:00.002-06:00

Join me this Saturday and we'll create 2 Spring themed cards, one whimsical, the other, a little more elegant. We'll use images primarily from the Tim Holtz' Spring Sprung set that was released last year and combine them with some fun papers and special embellishments. Spring is finally here and Old Man Winter has packed up and headed elsewhere, so let's celebrate the arrival of warmer weather with a couple of spirit lifting cards.

We will be using a few Copics in this class. Check your stash and if you have these colors or something similar, feel free to bring them, otherwise, you can use mine. (Rabbit: BG10 Cool Shadow, BG49 Duck Blue, C1 Cool Gray 1, C3 Cool Gray 3, E34 Orientale, R000 Pink Beryl, R20 Blush, YG95 Pale Olive, YR02 Lt. Orange) (Butterflies: BG10 Cool Shadow, BG72 Ice Ocean, BG93 Green Gray, G85 Verdigris, G99 Olive)

March 19th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Happenings...an update of the latest and greatest!

2011-03-09T01:58:00.000-07:00

The Rubber Stamp Events Albuquerque Convention takes place this weekend. See a list of vendors and show details here. The fun starts at 9:30am Saturday and goes until 5:00pm, then picks up again at 11:00am Sunday and ends at 4:00pm. That gives you lots of time to check out the vendors and see their new wares. This year everyone named "Nancy" gets in for free. If you're not lucky enough to be named Nancy, then pick up your tickets for $5 each at China Phoenix 2 or get in for $7 at the show. The admission price covers attendance for both days.

Stampscapes with Ken, a special class Friday evening. Ken Pesho shares his special techniques featuring nature images to create 4 fabulous cards. The class begins at 6:00pm on March 11th and costs $30. Currently the class is full, but if you are interested, then give Nancy a call at the shop in case someone is unable to attend.

Trunk show and class with Linda Malcom of Lost Coast Designs. Linda will be teaching her 2-day Graffiti on the Wall class beginning Monday (March 14th) at 10:00am until 3:00pm. Class will continue the next day at 1:00pm until 4:00pm. You'll create a journal that doesn't start out with the usual white pages, but instead puts you into a "graffiti" state of mind with photographs of walls. You'll add stamped images, journaling and ephemera to make it your own. Use the finished book as a diary, a place to store favorite images or quotes, or even a coloring book. The options are limited only by your imagination. The class fee is $75. Call Nancy today at 884-8217 to reserve a spot!

Class: The Book as Sculpture with Anne Engelhardt and Cheryl Valadez

2011-03-01T13:42:00.000-07:00

Anne and I are teaming up this Saturday to teach a very special collaborative class. We have combined our knowledge and skills to create an intriguing one-of-a-kind display featuring book making materials, exquisite washi papers, delicate newsprint blossoms, clean geometric designs with pops of color, and bold Asian inspired floral images.

Anne begins her artistic paper engineering wizardry by showing you how to create the fabulous accordion book form that will act as the beautiful base to the decorative images and embellishments. She will also teach you how to take a modest gift of nature, a simple bare branch, and transform it into an elegant flowering decorative element. A technique that can be used again and again to adorn your favorite paper and book projects.

In the afternoon, I will step in and teach you an embossing resist technique that showcases fabulous background imagery and provides a lovely base for our bold Asian inspired florals. We'll also work with a number of nature oriented haiku that help to set the tone of our project. Numerous embellishments and more lovely papers finish off our special accordion book.

Be sure to bring your class kit and stock up on adhesives (tape runner, Diamond Glaze, etc.) and also add Vintage Photo and Antique Linen Distress Ink pads plus sponge applicators. If there are additions to this list, specifically the accordion book side of the project, I will add those shortly, so be sure to check back later in the week.

March 5th, Saturday: 10:00am - 4:00pm (class fee is $54.00)

Class: Copic Primer w/ Cheryl Valadez

2011-02-24T00:51:00.000-07:00

Join me Saturday afternoon and we'll discuss the wonder of all things Copic. This is not a project class. Instead, we'll spend the day learning about these amazing tools, decoding the color wheel and the Copic numbering system, creating designs and textures with the Colorless Blender, and learning basic coloring and shading techniques. Bring your Copic markers, a notepad to take notes on, and something to write with. I received my Copic Certification in August 2010 and I can't wait to share what I learned with you!

February 26th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00) please be sure you have your name on your markers...thank you!

If you don't have Copic markers, feel free to use mine ;D

At last check, this class was almost full. If you wanted to take it, but weren't able to get in, just give Nancy a call at 884-8217 or email me at cvaladez@comcast.net and let us know. I teach this class from time to time and would be happy to schedule another in the near future if there is enough interest.

Happenings...an update of the latest and greatest!

2011-02-16T13:41:00.000-07:00

Kathy Rosecrans is teaching a repeat of her lovely Vintage Images card class tomorrow (Thursday). If you missed out on creating these wonderful cards during her regularly scheduled class, then call the store today and ask to be added to the roster. The class features 3 stunning cards using some of the new Hero Arts images. They are all "must haves" and the cards are perfect to add to your all-occasion stash for those impromptu card emergencies. You know what I'm talking about...we all have them...lol! The class starts at 1:00pm and the fee is $25.00. See the samples here.

Whatcha' up to Saturday morning? Nothing? Then swing by the shop and join Nancy for a fun-filled Zentangle morning! Bring your paper and your preferred doodling implement, because those are the only tools you need to partake of this fun, free-form, completely organic art medium. If you can doodle, you can zentangle!!

Class: Character Construction with Caroline Lawson

2011-02-09T13:13:00.000-07:00

Join Caroline Saturday afternoon and create 2 wonderful avian themed cards featuring nature images by Character Construction. She combines layers of images, papers and embellishments together and the results are surreal and ethereal. Throw in some great words and text, and you've got something special. You'll also get a chance to see the Tim Holtz Alterations Rosette die in action. There are so many uses for this terrific tool and Caroline shows you yet another, by showcasing her sentiment in the middle of one of these fun spiral shapes. Bring your class kit.

February 13th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 3:30pm (class fee $25.00)

Class: Heavy Metal Steampunk Heart with Cheryl Thorpe

2011-02-08T16:21:00.005-07:00

Cheryl Thorpe brings you yet another stylistic steampunk project that melds Victorian sensibilities with science fiction. She creates a fascinating juxtaposition of materials and imagery with her heavy metal wall art. She'll show you how to conjure the illusion of industrial ephemera using a roll of aluminum foil tape combined with die cut cogs and gears. Combined with the soft, feminine shape of a heart, the end result is nothing short of amazing!

Interest in this class has been off the charts, therefore Cheryl's Saturday class is full, however, she has graciously agreed to teach it this Friday to give more folks an opportunity to attend.

***Additional materials required: Bring your class kit and a roll of Aluminum Foil Tape, a hammer, scissors, and E-6000. The Aluminum Foil Tape can be purchased at any home improvement store, such as, Home Depot or Lowes.***

February 11th, Friday: 1:00pm - 3:30 pm. A few seats are still available, so please call CP2 at 884-8217 ASAP to snag one of the last remaining spots. (Class fee $30.00).

February 12th, Saturday: 10:00am - 12:30pm (class fee $30.00) THIS CLASS IS FULL

Class: Traditional Valentines with Cheryl Valadez

2011-02-03T00:05:00.001-07:00

Join me this Saturday afternoon and create 2 special Valentine's Day cards that are easy to make for family and friends. We'll layer grand background images, and create a collage of color and pattern to rest our quirky, but cute bird subjects on. A few elegant details make these cards appear unique and time consuming, but are actually quite simple to recreate. Be sure you're not waiting for tools, by adding a Vintage Photo Distress Ink pad to your basic kit and your choice of a sponge applicator. I hope to see you there ;D

February 5th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee is $25.00)

Class: Musical Collage Cards with Kathy Rosecrans

2011-02-02T17:35:00.000-07:00

Join Kathy Rosecrans Saturday morning and she will show you how to create 2 stunning all-occasion cards using the new Musical Collage stamp by Hero Arts. Along with this gorgeous woodblock stamp, Kathy uses images from the Friendly Flags set to give the collage image a whole new personality and create another card with "wow" factor. Yes, Kathy is excited about these new images and she can't wait to show you why. The addition of her trademark trims and embellishments create the perfect recipe for show stopper cards sure to please everyone on your card list.

February 5th, Saturday: 10:00am - 12:00pm (class fee is $25.00)

Happenings...an update of the latest and greatest!

2011-01-28T02:11:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to sign up for Kathy Rosecrans fabulous card class taking place this Saturday at 1:00pm. If you're already in the class, be sure to bring your class kit along with a Versafine Black ink pad, Distress Ink Pads in Walnut, Vintage Photo, Antique Linen, plus applicators, details scissors and foam tape.

I am teaching a repeat of my Dia de los Valentinos class this Sunday at 1:00pm. If you missed out and want to sign up, please contact Nancy at 884-8217. There are a couple of slots left.

CP2 is anticipating the arrival of brand new Impression Obsession images any day now. Pop into the store to see if they have made their debut, as they will fly out the door as soon as they hit the shelves!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Class: Vintage Image Cards with Kathy Rosecrans

2011-01-25T17:34:00.001-07:00

Join Kathy Rosecrans this Saturday and make 3 vintage inspired all occasion cards, perfect for letting those special people in your life know that they are on your mind. These wonderful images of days gone by, remind us of how important it is to stay in touch with family and friends, and what better way to do that than with a beautiful handmade card. Kathy will share her secrets for capturing her signature elegant style. She'll show you how to combine elegant stamped patterns with a fabulous bold image and highlight it with just the right embellishments. The results are sheer perfection every time. Create lots of these wonderful cards to have on hand, so that you always have just the right card to send at a moment's notice.

January 29th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee is $25.00)

Class: Dia de los Valentinos with Cheryl Valadez

2011-01-20T15:17:00.001-07:00

I'm teaching a Valentine themed card class with a twist this Saturday. We'll use traditional hearts and pair them with edgy calavera images to create beautiful yet unusual cards to express how much you care to the special people in your life. Plan on getting dirty in this class as we will be dyeing seam binding, painting, and crackling. If you walk out with clean hands, then that means we didn't have any fun ;D

Bring your class kit and make sure you have lots of adhesive handy. Also, add a Vintage Photo Distress Ink Pad and a sponge applicator.

This class is almost full, but if you wanted to take it and missed out, just contact Nancy at CP2 (884-8217) or email me directly at cvaladez@comcast.net and we can schedule a "make-up" class.

January 22nd, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee is $25.00)

Class: Gypsy Memo Collage w/ Annie Onderdonk

2011-01-11T02:06:00.003-07:00

Join Annie this Saturday for a day filled with creative inspiration. Annie begins the morning session by sharing her techniques for creating her gorgeous painted backgrounds. The colors are sumptuous and pop against the graphic collage images creating a breathtaking art piece you will be proud to display. The morning session is followed by a lunch break and the afternoon takes up where the first session left off. Annie will hand out the fabulous 7 Gypsies Memo Boards and show you how to complete the magic by assembling your collage. You may finish by 2pm, but Annie and the shop space are available until 4pm. Annie will provide the memo board, paper, collage media, charms and chotchkies. Be sure to bring your class kit, a water brush and / or a paint brush, and any coloring medium you like to work with...inks, watercolors, watercolor pencils, etc. You will need Portfolio Oil Pastels; these can be found at Staples, Office Max, etc. in the art aisle and are priced below $10.00 a set.

January 15th, Saturday: 10:00am - 11:30am Background Painting Session (if you are interested solely in this portion of the class, the fee is $25.00)

January 15th, Saturday: 10:00am - 4:00pm Complete Collage Class (take the full day including the Background Painting Session and the Collage Assembly Session for $75.00)

Class: Copic Primer w/ Cheryl Valadez

2011-01-03T00:05:00.000-07:00

January 8th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00) please be sure you have your name on your markers...thank you!

If you don't have Copic markers, feel free to use mine ;D

Happy New Year!

2010-12-30T14:29:00.002-07:00

China Phoenix 2 will be closed December 31st - January 2nd and will reopen on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Until then, have a Safe, Happy, and Prosperous New Year!

CP2 is having a sale!

2010-12-23T10:25:00.004-07:00

Stop by today between 10am - 5pm and enjoy 50% off all Christmas merchandise and 25% off on all other merchandise.

Do you need to make a last minute Christmas card and your current holiday images are not making the cut? Then come on in and pick up something new to get the crafty holiday juices flowing.

China Phoenix 2 will be closed December 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th. Have a wonderful holiday!

We'll see you soon!

You're invited...

2010-12-15T13:59:00.001-07:00

Pssst...hey you. Yes, you. Holidays have you frazzled? Tired of fighting the crowds at the malls and the big box stores? Do you yearn for a few crafty minutes of peace? Then stop by China Phoenix 2 this Sunday at 1:00pm and check out the new Hero Arts catalogue and images!

That's right! The new Hero Arts Catalogue is here and Nancy is hosting a party. Kathy Rosecrans and I will be on hand to demo a couple of fabulous make-n-takes using some of the new images, so have your class kits handy. Plus, there will be a chance to win some prizes and light refreshments to ensure everyone is fortified to enjoy the festivities ;D

We can't wait to see you, so do drop by!

Class Supply List for this Saturday - Please Read!

2010-12-10T03:38:00.004-07:00

Good morning! Kathy's card set with card holder is a bigger than average project and will be taking place most of the day on Saturday. Time will be of the essence and it will be impractical to share certain supplies. To ensure that everyone is able to take home a completed project, please be sure that your class kit is up date and contains the following:

Lots of adhesive including a refill. Bring your favorite brand of tape runner.
Red Line Tape for creating the box
Glue dots
Ruler
Black ink pad
Scissors
Dark colored Distress Ink Pad such as Walnut Stain or Black Soot
OR a dark colored chalk ink pad such as Charcoal

If you're taking the tag class, be sure to bring:

Antique Linen Distress Ink
Foam applicator
Lots of adhesive

Thank you in advance! Have a wonderful Friday!

Class: Card Gift Set and Holder with Kathy Rosecrans

2010-12-09T00:29:00.004-07:00

Looking for a last minute gift for someone special? Kathy has just the answer! A fabulous set of cards complete with a lovely holder. She'll show you how to create this wonderful card holder, sized perfectly to accommodate 6 handmade cards. BUT, she doesn't stop there! She'll also show you how to create the cards, as well! AND, as if that weren't enough...if you take this class, you have the option of creating 5 bonus tags for only $5.00 more! The tags would not only make a fabulous hostess or thank you gift, but they would also be the perfect addition to adorn a gorgeous package or top a lovely gift bag. The options are endless!

Card Gift Set and Holder

December 11th, Saturday: 10:00am - 3:00pm (class fee $40.00)

Gift Tag Set

December 11th, Saturday: 3:00pm - 5:00pm (class fee $15.00 or just $5.00 if you take the Card Gift Set and Holder class in the morning)

Wednesday's with Nancy

2010-12-08T08:20:00.003-07:00

Nancy is very spontaneous with her beautiful Wednesday creations, so I am very fortunate to have popped into the shop yesterday and snapped a couple of pics of today's class project. She is in a holiday state of mind, as we all are, and today's project is definitely designed to capture the spirit of the season. It's a lovely lantern of sorts, created with gorgeous papers and wintery designs. A safe, battery operated tea light inside lights up the images and casts a festive glow. Perfect for whatever winter holiday you celebrate.

Nancy's Wednesday classes begin at 10:00am and finish at 12:00pm. Generally, classes are $5.00, however this cost may vary depending on the materials used in the project.

Class at CP2: Goth Christmas w/ Cheryl Valadez

2010-12-02T16:55:00.004-07:00

Saturday afternoon I'm teaching a Christmas card class with a twist. Not your traditional holiday cards, they feature edgy goth characters by our favorite, just left of normal, stamp company, Stampotique. These images by Daniel Torrente keep us entertained and have a way of cutting through the sugary sweetness of the holidays. I''ll also show you how to create the ever popular Tim Holtz grunge paper rose and a handmade felt flower. Either of these flowers would be beautiful as bag toppers or adorning beautiful wrapped packages. How about a handful of handmade flowers to add pizazz to a plain jane picture frame? The possibilities are endless! Join me Saturday...we're sure to have a blast!

December 4th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm ($25.00)

Class at CP2: Shaker Card w/ Nancy Yoshimoto

2010-12-02T16:27:00.002-07:00

Impression Obsession has taken a paper engineering challenge, normally only used to create cards for those persons who are absolutely near and dear to us, and turn it into a simple and streamlined process. Now we can make shaker cards for everyone on our Christmas card list! Nancy loves to create a scene and she'll do just that in this class. Not just any scene, but a snow scene! This may be the first snow we see in Albuquerque this year, so don't miss out. Join Nancy Saturday morning for this fun workshop and she'll share the genius of these shaker card materials with you.

I don't have a photo of this project, but you can be certain it will be fabulous!

December 4th, Saturday: 10:00am - 11:30am (class fee $10.00)

Class: Christmas Collage Cards with Caroline Lawson

2010-12-01T22:41:00.004-07:00

Caroline is priming you for the holiday season by offering 2 collaged Christmas cards that are sure to make your spirits bright. She'll share with you her secrets for selecting images and layering them to compose beautiful Christmas vignettes that capture the vintage charm and elegance of a long ago time. Caroline makes it look easy, but collage is an art form requiring superb composition skills and an excellent eye for detail. Be sure to include a sharp pair of detail scissors in your class kit. You will also need to purchase the newest Graphic 45 Christmas pad to complete these projects, but then you'll be armed with a treasure trove of papers and images to create additional cards at home.

December 2nd, Thursday: 10:00am - 12:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Happenings...an update of the latest and greatest!

2010-11-24T11:45:00.003-07:00

Just a quick announcement that China Phoenix 2 will close at 1:00pm today and re-open Friday, November 26th, at 10:30am. Please scroll down past this post to view pictures and details regarding Nancy's fabulous Presentation Box Class taking place this Saturday.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and may your home be filled with family and friends, the aromas of a wonderful feast, and the traditions that will create memories that live forever in your heart.

Warmest regards from your friends at CP2!

We are grateful for your companionship and your patronage, but most importantly, your friendship!

Class: Presentation Box with Nancy Yoshimoto

2010-11-24T11:34:00.004-07:00

Our lovely CP2 shop proprietress has a special class in store for you!

Nancy loves making boxes and books and this one is no exception! She has been creating this wonderful presentation box for a about a dozen years and wants to share the details with you. She'll show you how to create this wonderful box from scratch using chip board, gorgeous papers, and lots of PVA. The result is a box that you can lay flat for easy storage and assemble quickly for convenient gift giving at the ready. It is the perfect size for holding many different items, but would be perfect for presenting someone special with a dozen handmade cards.

November 27th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Class: Christmas ala Tim Holtz w/ Cheryl Valadez

2010-11-18T14:53:00.003-07:00

Join me this Saturday afternoon for a class focusing on the most popular man in the crafting industry...Tim Holtz! We'll use some of Tim's new Alteration dies and fades, along with grunge board, Distress Inks, and Dabbers, to create a couple of special Christmas cards. There is very little stamping on these cards, but the die cuts make them stand out (literally). Prepare to get inky as we play with different mediums to give the dies a bit of personality.

November 20th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Class: Lacy Wishes w/ Kathy Rosecrans

2010-11-16T09:25:00.006-07:00

Join Kathy Saturday morning and get a head start on creating those holiday cards. She'll share with you, her signature techniques for taking a Christmas card from pretty to spectacular. You'll work with lovely Hero Arts holiday images, Distress Inks, beautiful trims, and a myriad of embellishments that make each and every one of Kathy's cards special. Your friends and family will thank their lucky stars that they are on your Christmas card list this holiday season!

November 20th, Saturday: 10:00am-12:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Class: Winter Forest w/ Reggie Harris

2010-11-12T09:11:00.003-07:00

Reggie Harris is an award winning card maker and she has scheduled a special class Sunday to share with you her secrets for creating the gorgeous winter wonderland card that took the Blue Ribbon at the NM State Fair in the Holiday Division this year. This card is exceptional in beauty, craftsmanship, and artistic inspiration. Reggie uses a vellum window that overlooks a wintery forest of ice and snow-covered trees. The depth is spectacular. This one is so special you might have a difficult time parting with it, so she'll also share a simplified version that will be perfect for sending to family and friends.

November 14th, Sunday: 1:00pm - 3:00pm (class fee $20.00)

Class: Rosette Cards w/ Cheryl Valadez

2010-11-11T11:06:00.004-07:00

Don't forget...Brenda Burfiend is repeating her fabulous candy basket class Saturday morning from 10:00am - 12:00pm. The class fee is $20.00.

Saturday afternoon I'll be teaching a Rosette Cards class featuring one of my favorite new Tim Holtz tools...the Tim Holtz Alterations Paper Rosette Die. We'll make two non-traditional Christmas cards using these lovely rosettes as focal points and then we'll make a bonus rosette that you can take home and use on your own one-of-a-kind handmade card, gift bag, or holiday wrapping. These rosettes are fun and easy to make. I'll have my Cuttle Bug in class and I'll show you the "sandwich" recipe and the tools necessary to create these fun little paper discs.

November 13th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 3:00pm (class fee $25.00)

Class: Steampunk Collage Cards with Caroline Lawson

2010-11-09T15:57:00.003-07:00

Join Caroline Lawson Thursday morning as she wields her magic detail scissors to show you how to create beauty with lavish papers and a bit of patience. Caroline is the Queen of Collage and she possesses an artistic knack for creating beautiful, surreal scenes with layered images. You will need an 8" x 8" Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante tablet in addition to your class kit. You will be primarily using a couple of simple tools, your detail scissors and glue stick, to create these layered works of art, but the results are outstanding!

November 11th, Thursday: 10:00am - 12:00pm (class fee is $25.00)

Class: Candy Basket with Brenda Burfiend

2010-11-09T10:23:00.007-07:00

There are tons of classes this week, so be sure to check back often to see all of the details and pictures of what's going on at the shop.

First up, we have Brenda Burfiend teaching us how to create a candy basket, which from the top view looks like a flower blooming with sugary confections! You'll need your class kit, but Brenda is supplying all of the fabulous paper, beautiful ribbon, and all of the candy!! Try to save some for your project ;D What a fun way to celebrate the season and what a fabulous way to add a bit of holiday cheer to your decor.

Brenda is kind enough to teach this class twice, so if you miss tomorrow's session, you can attend on Saturday, November 13th.

November 10th, Wednesday: 1:00pm - 3:00 pm (class fee $20.00)

and

November 13th, Saturday: 10:00am - 12:00pm (class fee $20.00)

Class: Pewter Purse with Kathi Anderson

2010-11-05T09:33:00.004-06:00

Join Kathi Saturday as she shares her secrets for creating a gorgeous necklace purse. She combines paper with pewter insets and the results are outstanding. Running the pewter panels through the Spellbinder Wizard with a Dream Weaver stencil helps capture a clean crisp design, which is then refined and engraved with Merc Art metal tools. Kathi will be using: Teflon point/deer foot, Teflon round tool, refiner, 4 needle tool, suede, filling paste, and adhesive.

November 6th, Saturday: 10:00am-4:00pm (class fee $40.00)

Class: Dream Weaver Stencils with Kathi Anderson

2010-11-03T13:25:00.004-06:00

Kathi Anderson is back in town and she has a whole weekend of fabulous projects to share with you!

Friday she'll kick things off with 3 beautiful cards featuring the newest images by Dream Weaver. These cards are sparkly and gorgeous, and perfect for the holidays! What a great way to get a head start on all of those Christmas cards. Also, all of the stencils and stencil tools purchased with the class will be discounted 20% instead of the regular 15%. What a deal!!

Come back tomorrow and I'll share details and photos of her Saturday project. It is not to be missed!

November 5th, Friday: 1:00-4:00pm (class fee $25.00)

It was a fabulous Halloween Tea Party!

2010-10-31T12:19:00.007-06:00

Early in the month Teresa Stoa and Nancy Y. played hostesses to a horrific Halloween themed Tea Party that awakened the living dead and had impish ne'r-do-wells pushing up gravestones to get to the shop. They clamored down city streets and staggered through the doors to enjoy gruesome goodies and vexatious libations. It's difficult to make the living dead sit still for a project, but Teresa managed to maintain control of the raucous crowd and show them how to make a wicked little witch hat complete with black rose and toile. They grunted and moaned their appreciation and it was apparent that a good time was had by all!

Happy Halloween from your friends at China Phoenix 2!!!!

Class: The Leaves of Fall w/ Kathy Rosecrans

2010-10-28T11:39:00.009-06:00

Kathy works her magic yet again to create two stunning cards layered with Fall elements and dripping with Autumnal grace. She uses simple, yet classic materials such as burlap, buttons, doilies, and stamped leaves, and comes up with two creations that are nothing short of fabulous. Fall sometimes seems to get overlooked as it is sandwiched in between 2 huge card making holidays...Halloween and Christmas, yet it represents the changing of the seasons, brings vibrant colors to the leaves, dapples the days with cool brisk breezes, and reminds us to be thankful for the bounty that fills our lives. Fall is to be celebrated and what a wonderful way to share it with family and friends by making them a card that expresses just that.

October 30th, Saturday: 1:00pm - 3:00pm (class fee $25.00)