Smoke & Blaze Craft Circle
Schedule, Shared Resources, Register
April 18, 2026, March 31, 2026, March 3, 2026, February 3, 2026
A place where crafters can meet face to face to make art. We get together to craft, learn new techniques, share skills, and tell stories, all in a relaxed and safe setting. We make beautiful crafts but we are also building a crafting community and making friends.
April 18, 2026 - Our First Saturday Meeting
Welcome new crafters to the circle!
Sylvia, Gail, Kelly, and William
Sylvia, Kelly, William, Leshia (an SNB regular), and Gail
The Dragonfly Card
For this month SNB craft circle we worked on a Dragonfly Card that incorporated two techniques with Glossy Card stock or Photo paper (I have used both with the same results). This card is part of my Spring bundle, and I wanted to share some unique techniques the circle. Click on the picture to the right if you want to get step by step instructions on how the card is made.
Art is personal. Leshia offered to bring multiple colors of inks so that the craft circle would have options in making this card reflect their personality. Thank you, Leshia. Your contribution resulted in some beautiful cards!!!
William’s Card
I Love the colors and how it matches his shirt!
Kelly’s Card
Leshia’s Card
Gail’s Card
Sylvia’s Card
I love the variety of these cards. No two alike. It was so fun sharing with the group, especially listening to your reactions as you learned each technique. The “Oohs and Awes” are the fuel that keeps me going. I had fun!
March 31, 2026 - My almost ghosted meeting
Click on photo above if you want the tutorial on how to make this card.
This story starts out sad, but it does have a happy ending so keep reading . March 31st was the third meeting of the Smoke -n- Blaze craft circle. I was feeling confident and eager to demonstrate the Egg card. This was a design that I worked out with Leshia. She had the die set and we got together on the design. This egg card shows how versatile a die set can be as we used it as a stamp, a die, and an embossing vehicle. But wait there is more… this card also demonstrates the faux water-color technique. Seven people RSVP’d and we made 10 kits. A few days before I send out a confirmation notice and requested help in set up.
The night before the meeting I loaded the car and worked out how I would approach the lesson to the group. I went to the center to set up and then … nothing. No one showed up. No one to help set up and no one to participate in the class. I should let you know that two people had let me know they would be late.
I waited and I allowed myself a 5 min teeny tiny pity party. Within an hour Leshia and Susan S. showed up and we had an additional person “walk-in” who was interested in making the egg card. It was not as big of a crowd as I was hoping for, but we still had a group gather and we had a good time crafting. Isn’t that the reason I reached out and started this circle. It doesn’t matter it its 10 people or two. I was able to work with a new friend that I met at the craft circle, we designed a card and were able to share with others. After the class we actually went out to lunch. The day ended well.
Our Walk-IN, Susan S, Leisha, Susan M
March 3, 2026 - Our Second Meeting
Welcome two new crafters to the circle!
Lucy and Angie
Lucy
Angie
A craft circle gives an opportunity for crafters to work on their personal projects with other crafters. However, we also have a monthly activity for those that are wanting to learn new skills or do not have a current project. This month’s craft focus was using stencils with a bonus of how to make your own glitter paste.
Glitter paste recipe: start with a small amount of cheap white glue (school glue works) equal part glitter (any type). (I would start with a tablespoon of each). Stir together (I used a wooden chopstick). Check consistency. If the texture is dry, then add a bit more glue. Texture should be creamy. Caution: A little goes a long way and what you make cannot be stored. Make only what you can use for the project. If you have more then you need, then use the excess to make backgrounds for future projects.
PERSONAL PROJECTS
Christine likes to make cards with layered dies. So cute!
Susan S. likes to make cards from recycled material like the circle’s scrap pile and old greeting cards. Beautiful!
STENCIL ACTIVITY
Leshia with her stenciled masterpieces
We only had time to play with the stencils and make backgrounds. The crafters were encouraged to finish their projects at home and bring them to the next class - or send a picture to me (Susan McFadden). As I was leading the stencil activity, I did not have time to work on my project during the class. Above is the stencil I made with Yuppo paper and a background die. The card to the left is the final project, complete with homemade glitter. I will provide a tutorial on how to make this card in the near future. I will also include pictures of all the final projects on this site as I get them.
February 3, 2026 - Inaugural Meeting
Craft focus was on Valentine’s Day
Left to right: Mona, Cindy (kneeling), Susan, Peggy, Susan, Leisha, Mabel, and Christine
The start of a wonderful relationships.
We met as strangers and left as friends.
SCHEDULE & REGISTER
Yorba Linda Community Center 9:00am - 12:00pm
Tuesday - May 19 Activity Room B
Saturday - June 20 Activity Room A
If you are new and want more information please fill out the form to the right.
I hope to see you at the next Smoke-n-Blaze craft circle!
Susan McFadden