Class in Montreal at Mimi a la Carte

As many of you know, I got the opportunity to go to Montreal and visit Magenta Stamps, which was just an amazing trip.  While we were there, Susie and I got to take a class at Mimi a la Carte, at 3778 Masson, Montreal QC.  Helene of Magenta took us there; and it's such a fabulous shop, tucked away along the street.  When you enter, you are immediately inundated with the most beautiful cards you have ever seen.  Mimi welcomes you to take pictures of the amazing samples that line the shelves, and I admit that I tried to take pictures of them all!

Part of one wall at the entrance of Mimi a la Carte

Mimi is the owner (Micheline Jourdain) and she, along with her daughter Emilie (pronounced Emily) Jourdain Maher were so welcoming to us that we felt immediately at home.

Emile (left) and Mimi (right)

The class was held in the back at an intimate table, lined with everything that we would need to complete our project.  Behind, and around the table were other supplies, ready if needed.  We loved how they displayed their nesting dies on a bulletin board near the table where we worked.

The class was to learn the technique of using Tombow markers on watercolor paper, and using a brush and water to create a beautifully shaded image.  This is definitely a technique that takes some care and practice, but it was just so much fun to do.  Emilie conducted the class, and used it as an opportunity to practice her English on us.  She kept saying it was challenging to speak to us in English and teach to us at the same time, but honestly, she did so well, she made it look effortless.  She is a fantastic teacher, and her English is really very good.  Helene was there to help with any needed translations, but we found we could understand Emilie very well.

When we finished coloring our images, Emilie also showed us an additional technique of popping up one of the parts of the image.  They use clear silicone sealant that you can find at a hardware store!  You apply a blob of the sealant where you want your popped up image to be, and it's very important to draw the blob up to a point.  Then you gently lay your cut out piece on top of the point and don't press down very much.  Allow it to dry that way, which may take several hours or overnight.  We also used liquid appliqué (which puffs when heated) and glitter, and Stampendous chunky embossing enamel in a few places on the piece to simulate snow.  Here is the finished card I made.  It's hard to see in the picture, but the top part of the child in red is popped up.  This was colored completely with Tombow markers and a wet brush.

Magenta Stamps:  42.188.L Sledding Day; 07.780.G Joyeux Noel (small)

For those of you who are local to Art 'n Soul, we will have more samples of cards using this technique with Tombows.  We will also have the liquid appliqué and Stampendous embossing enamel in stock for our Christmas Party on October 27, from 1:00-4:00.

While we were there, many regular customers of the shop came in, and when they learned that Helene was in the back with American guests, they all came back to say hello.  Many of them spoke English to us, and welcomed us to the area and to Mimi a la Carte.  They were also thrilled to be able to greet Helene.  Magenta Stamps products are as popular there are they are at Art 'n Soul!

Before we left, Mimi kindly sat down and showed us an amazing technique for creating snow drifts, and stamping images in the snow she had created with ink.  She also showed how to make tree shadows in the snow, by stamping on a piece of plastic packaging and applying it to the image.  She mostly spoke in French, but somehow we could understand her, and with just a few translations from Helene.  We were bowled over by the beauty she created right in front of us with seemingly little effort.  She was very much in her element, and is so happy when she is creating!

Magenta stamp:  Small Deer Family 42.186.E
I did not get the information on the tree stamp, but the Magenta stamp Fir Tree 32.036.J would work well for  a picture like this.

Mimi gifted us with the sample that she created, and we will have it on display at our Christmas Party at the shop.  We are also very excited that Helene will be there at our party to show this technique to everyone who comes.  Having learned the technique from Mimi, Helene is also a master at it, and it will be such a treat to see her do it at Art 'n Soul.

Helene took this picture of the happy students and teachers before we left.

Emilie, Me, Susie, and Mimi