Sunday, November 30, 2008

Gettin' stuff done...

I was still feeling pretty creative today. But we had to put a new vanity in the bathroom first. The sink in the old one was cracked and it was a matter of time before it started to leak. I saw this cute one in the Lowe's flier this weekend and my sister, Nicole was gracious enough to pick it up for me. Here's Patrick taking out the old...
And afterwards, here's the new...

We only have one bathroom and it's small so a smaller vanity was perfect for us. After the New Year, my number one house priority is to remove the wallpaper and paint. There's a hole in the wall to the left of the new vanity. I've already used my drywall tape (magic mesh) and my lightweight spackle (for metal work, of course) and started fixing it. By next Spring, the bathroom will be beautiful!
After working on the bathroom, I got busy creating. I belong to the Pine Cone Press Book Club at work but it's been quite a while since I've actually used a project for what it was meant for. This month, I was determined to get something done. So I did.
Here's the photo in the book...
As you can see, I put my own tiny spin on the book. I added a metal roof and a metal door. Just what every good house should have!! I also added the Address Book words and put metal behind that too. For the metal work, I rubbed 10 Seconds Studio Dark Chocolate metal over Big Daddy Mold Number 1 with the paper stump. I sanded and then cut to size. Easy. I'm so happy that I'll have a completed project to share on Tuesday!!!!

After completing the Pine Cone Press project (say that 10 times fast!) I started finishing up another project I've been working on. I'm teaching a free class this week through a Yahoo group called the Latest Trends in Mixed Media. Sharon asked if I would teach a metal effects class back in October and I said sure. By the way, if you haven't checked out Sharon's blog, why not? She comes up with the best ways to recycle things to make art. If you know me, you know, I'm all about recycling! Anyway, I'm finishing up my project for that class. Here's a sneak peek. I'll post a full picture tomorrow when my Stickles are finally dry and it's adhered to the box...

I hope you had a creative day!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

I'm Hot Stuff!

And now for my news...

I'm thrilled to announce that I have been chosen to be a Hot Stuff Designer for Kandi Corp!!



Kandi Corp creates many embellishment tools for all sorts of crafting people. I've been chosen to design for them using their Hot Wax Art Stylus and Pigmented Beeswax!

I'm so excited to be offered this opportunity. Over the next 4 weeks, I'll be busy creating about 8 pieces of art that Kandi Crop will be showcasing at tradeshows early next year. While I won't be able to share with you what I've created until after their unveiling, I might sneak in a small teaser.

I'm so excited about this new adventure!! I'm glad it's just begun.

UHU Challenge - November

I love a challenge. Especially a Sketch Challenge. When I first started working for the Scrapbook Cupboard that was the only class I taught, Sketches. Each month I would take a new Sketch and make two different double page scrapbook layouts based on that Sketch. When I saw that November's UHU Challenge had an option for a Sketch, I jumped.

During the month of November, UHU put out 4 challenges with 5 glues. You could choose one challenge and one glue and then, make something with what you had chosen. I was fortunate enough to be chosen to make something for Di Hickman's Sketch Challenge. Here's Di's Sketch...

I chose the UHU All Purpose Twist & Glue for my Glue of choice. I had never heard of this glue before and was eager to try it out.

Here's the supplies I used: UHU Twist and Glue, Pearl metal, Large Mold Number L7 and, Paper Stump by 10 Seconds Studio, Sanding Block by Lucky Squirrel, Winter Wishes Paper by Moxxie, DMC Floss in brown, Puffy Silver Snowflakes (maker unknown), Ranger's Blending Solution in a water pen and Ranger's Stream Alcohol Ink... whew.. it takes a lot to make a card!




Anyhow, I had some left over Moxxie Paper from a Card Swap I did about two months ago and I was so happy with the Pearl colored metal and the paper, that I decided to pair them up again for this card. While I was away cropping a few weekends ago, I picked up some really cute puffy silver snowflakes. You got a bag of about 8 for only 99 cents! What a deal. And I decided to try the trick I learned while taking a class with Tim Holtz in September. Here's a little breakdown of how I made the card...

First I had to decide on my measurements. As you see, I just wrote them on the card. It was going to be covered up anyhow, why not keep your notes handy! I then cut the paper and decided where everything was going to go. After that, I used the L7 Mold to emboss the Pearl Metal and then sanded it. I use the medium chisel tip tool to notch out a space for my printed Happy Holidays. I adhered the Happy Holidays onto the metal with the UHU glue. It worked beautifully! Not all glue works with metal but this one does! It has quite a strong bond. I used the Small tip for the small Happy Holidays and then I twisted it and used the larger tip for all the other pieces of paper and metal. I was extremely happy with how well it bonded the metal to paper. It took a few moments to dry and before it did, you could actually adjust where you wanted the metal to be.
OK, OK, occasionally in my metal classes, there is a complaint... some people just don't like the Humungo adhesive. I'm happy to say that I can offer a substitution to the Humungo adhesive. The UHU All Purpose Twist & Glue . They both offer benefits with the metal and both offer a permanent bond to paper. YAH!!
Anyhow, after I glued everything to my white cardstock, I used some DMC floss to add some stitching. While I'm not usually a stitcher, I thought it best to actually stitch through the metal. I didn't think that a faux stitch look would be best in this situation. I'm glad I did, it came out beautifully! I painted the snowflakes with the blender pen dipped into the Stream Alcohol ink, peeled off the backing and stuck it to the card. Then TADA...

A completed card!
Overall, I was very happy with the UHU All Purpose Twist & Glue. It was a little wet for just paper adhesion. My paper buckled a bit but I'm happy to say that now that it's completely dry, it is flat once more. Flat and very, very sturdy!
Thank you, UHU for allowing me this opportunity to work with your products. I appreciate it!

UHU Challenge - October

I know you've heard of UHU Glue. You probably would recognize the large yellow tube with the purple glue inside most of all. I love my UHU glue. I've been using it for years. I never took much notice on what type of glue I really enjoyed until earlier this year and then, I noticed I always bought the large yellow stick (or the red Scrapbook Adhesives - both have their callings). The UHU Glue Stick is perfect for adhering paper to chipboard for book binding. That would be my number one glue for making a book. Hands down. So when I read online through Cheryl Horton's blog Inspire Me, that UHU was doing challenges, I jumped at the chance.

I requested October's Challenge and, well, there was a mixup in with the post office and I receive my UHU October Challenge and November Challenge stuff on the same day, in mid November.
So today I will be bringing you both October and November's Challenges. This post is about October's Challenge.
UHU was very generous and mail a select few people some handmade clipboard's as well as a UHU glue roller. This roll contains 39 feet of permanent micro-dot adhesive.

I'll be honest and say that I'm not a dot roller type of gal. To me, if you're able to easily rub off a dot with your finger, then how well is it really going to hold your paper and photos? My first test was to see how well it rolled on and then how well it rubbed off. I was surprised! Pleasantly so! It rolls on super easy, so slick! And then when I tried to rub it off, it was hard to do. It did rub off but then again, so won't my ole standby. That got me thinking... if it really holds things well, how well is it going to hold grungeboard? I've never had good luck with a dot roller to hold grungeboard. It just seemed too ... well, weak, I guess. So, off I was to create something with the mini clipboard and my UHU glue roller.

I used some old paper I had from Die Cuts With a View, the large rectangle grungeboard bookplate, some Distress Inks in Frayed Burlap, Broken China and Peeled Paint. I used Claudine's new paints in dab of yellow, blank canvas and sable brown. I also found a vintage piece of paper in foreign script. Oh, and some yellow brads made by Close To My Heart, that I pounded with the Tim Holtz Hammer. Oops, wait a minute, I'm not done with my list... I also used Ranger alcohol inks in Stream, Buttersotch and Ginger. Whew! And speaking of lists, that's just what I created, a place for my "Lists". My kitchen is a pretty yellow and tealish blue color so I thought this would look perfect hanging in my kitchen with my many-lists-I-make-a-day on it.

Here's some peeks closer up...


I'm loving the vintage look to this. So my style!! The UHU glue held up extremely well overall. I was pleased with the micro dots. They easily came off my craft mat (what doesn't??) but wasn't easily removed from paper (look close at the book plate and in the left corner you can see some dots.) And it held the grungeboard. So far, so good. But I don't think it'll be coming off.
It's ready to hold all my lists of things to do. Now, onto my next project...

Creative Juices are flowing...

I'm feeling pretty crafty today. I've got a lot on my plate so I'm very happy about this. I have a bunch of projects I need to get done and they have a Deadline! I'm going to be posting a few times today, as I finish a project, I'll update the blog. I really am enjoying the process and I want each piece of art I'm creating today to have their own post. My big announcement is coming today! Check back a little later, I'm going to see if I have the time to create something with it first. But until then, here's a sneak peek of what it's about...

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my US friends!

My family had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner today. We spent it at Oma's house. She always cooks two birds and hand makes her stuffing, serves Matso Ball soup and makes an incredible amount of mashed potatoes. This year was no different. If she had less than 20 pounds of mashed potatoes, I'd be surprised.

After Dinner, we had pies (which my Mom makes), coffee, looked through the Black Friday sales flyers and then played a few games of Uno. It was a great, great day. Very relaxing and fun.

As I reflect today... I'm extremely thankful for my family, friends and life. May everyone's Thanksgiving be as wonderful as mine.

Happy Holidays, everyone! ~ May the shopping begin!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

4 classes in 8 days...

I finished my last class of November today. Whew! It was a little marathon at the end, 4 classes in 8 days. I taught the Metal Embossed File Folder at Crazy for Croppin, the Maya Road Binder at Blue Hills, the Metal Wreath at Scrapbook Cupboard and today, the Metal Fairy at the Stamp Act. Whew! I'm tired. The next week I'm going to work on some classes for next year and I have an announcement to make this week, although I'm going to wait until I can show you a little picture with it. The package should be here this week, so you won't have to wait too long!

I took some photos of the fairies today. Check out what Joan, Mimi and Susan did. They each chose a different look and a different skirt color. Pretty cool, huh? - and before you go looking, the purple is an old 10 Seconds color. I snagged a few packages when I was in TX this past April. They currently do not offer a purple color. (see what some of the perks are for being in one of my classes??) Enjoy their dolls. They each did a beautiful job...

A big THANK YOU! to all the wonderful women I've had the pleasure to meet in the last 8 days. I've enjoyed each class. It's really been quite the experience for me to teach so much art, so often and at so many different places. I've enjoyed every minute of it. I can't wait to see what 2009 has in store for me. I hope much more of the same.

Surprise!!


Isn't she cute! No, that's not the surprise but I couldn't pass up putting on the picture of my neice, Mikayla, first. Those eyes!! She's staring right at the camera and looks a little like it surprised her. Take a look at the death grip on my necklace too!

No, my surprise... my husband, Patrick, treated me to a surprise party for my birthday. He cleaned and cooked all my favorite foods and invited all my friends and family...


Mimi, Katie, Jeanne, Bev, Kerriann, Stevie, My in-laws, My parents, Erika, Nicole, Steven, Julia, Mike, Brandon, Mikayla, Bryce, Caleb and Patrick all helped make my birthday party a special one. Thank you to everyone who came. A thank you to Susan, who helped Bev with some soda too! Another Thank you to Kerriann who was Patrick's accomplice. A special thank you to Mom for helping keep Patrick with the plans and reminding him that he must clean the house! And a Super thank you to Patrick for throwing the whole thing, too!
Now, I'm off to make thank you cards! Thanks everyone!! It was a great birthday.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Class Updates...

I held my last class of the semester at Blue Hills last night. I also signed my contract for next semester so I'll be back there in the Spring for 2 exciting classes. Yah!

Teaching at Blue Hills has been a fabulous experience for me. I got to meet 3 talented women and last night, I realized that if I hadn't have come to them, they may never had come to me (2 of them don't like to travel too far and this was in their home town). It made it all worth while to teach there. I'm very grateful for the experience and can't wait to do it in the Spring.

I took some pictures of their projects and got their permission to share it with you. I just love how they all came out. These are Maya Road Binder Albums covered in Dimensional Pearls and some metal. Crystal and Julie decided on Dark Chocolate Metal while Cindy chose the Rock Star Black. All Beautiful! Great job Ladies!!!















































I guess I should show you the class example too, huh? Here's mine...

I told you about the class I taught this past weekend at Crazy for Croppin. But I forgot that I was going to post some links for the women from New York. The wanted to know where they could get some metal. If you are Carole or Sue from NY, here are the links I told you about...

  • Ten Seconds Studio - this is my number one choice and the only one I teach with

  • Amaco - Can be very thin metal but works very well in the Cuttlebug!!

  • Merc Art - OK, I've never tried Merc Art's metal. Anyone want to send me some??

  • Dick Blick - They sell several different companies here, so you could get a smorgasbord!
And don't forget, I'd love to travel out to see you ladies again! Just send me an email.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Slideshow of the weekend...

See below for what happened and what we did!

More fun from the weekend...

So we spent 3 days at the Radisson Hotel in Hyannis, MA. We went with a group, Crazy for Croppin. Traci and Lisa came down just for Saturday (and a smidge into Sunday AM) so we celebrated my birthday on Saturday night. Kerriann's Mom made Creme Brulee (YUM!!!!) for us. My birthday was Sunday, the 16th but I was too exhausted to post anything. Other than fun, fun and more fun...

I taught a class (Metal Embossed File Folder) to three wonderful women. Thank you to Carole, Sue and Mimi for joining me. And a special thank you to Kerriann for being my helper. I don't usually have a helper but it was nice this time.

I got my first ever massage! Wow! Was that nice. I'm going to do that at every crop, now. Oh, I felt so good afterwards!

I ate way too much... ice cream, creme brulee, cookies, candy, meals, coffee, all too much! Too much, I really should go for a walk now.

I slept too little. I need about 9 hours a night and when you're up until 3 and then again at 9, it's too little for a gal like me.

I was super silly, see the video.

I won a prize! I won for the decorate your name tag contest. And then I promptly forgot my tag in the room so it's a good thing we got a picture!

And I finally got some projects done! I finished my recipe cards!! Yah.. I never have to make another one again. I am completely up to date on the Rolodex Swap. Finally, I've been behind since... um... the start of the swap last January! (this is an on going ABC quote swap. We are on N O and P) and I finished my ATC cards that aren't due until next month. Now I just have projects for classes I need to do. Piece of cake. Um.. nevermind, I don't want any cake anytime soon. My friend, Susan just brought me out to lunch and then we each had a cannolli, I'm stuffed again!

OK, I have some pictures of the weekend to share. A little art work as well as a little slideshow of friends. Thank you to everyone that came and made my 33rd birthday special! I had a wonderful time. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

A little video...

From the weekend. Here's Fran, Kerriann, Mimi and myself after we had a ton of Ice Cream and tons of sugar on Friday night. Kerriann's laughing, Fran's dancing, I'm singing and Mimi's just trying to keep it together (literally!) It's silly. Very silly but I promised I'd post.

I have more pictures too, I'll upload some later today....

Friday, November 14, 2008

I'm cropping!

OK, I'm here:

And I'm finally getting some stuff done! Yah for me. I'm here with lots of friends and we just got back from having ice cream. Enjoy some pictures of the crop. Tomorrow, I'll have photos of all my art. I'm on a roll and I don't want to miss out!

I just love how her tongue is sticking out! Click on the picture for a closer look!!!


Love you, Kerriann!!!










Here's Kerriann, Mimi and Fran. Ready to crop!






Here's some of the other gals we are here with. I'll have to get a group shot before I leave!









Oh, and Fran says Hi! to the World! She doesn't have a blog but she lives vicariously through mine. She' my very own blog stalker!!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

M.I.A.

That's me, missing in action.

Bernadette told me she missed my blogging. Sorry Bern. I'm here, I'm alive and well and I'm gearing up to go away this weekend with a few friends. Of course I say a few but last count someone told me there were about 20 of us! Yah, that's a lot of people! We're all headed down to Hyannis, MA for the Crazy for Croppin event. I'm excited to be going away. I've got a ton of projects I want to do and I'm really feeling like I'm gonna get them done! And of course Sunday is my birthday! Making this weekend even more exciting!

So what have I been doing? Well Saturday I hung out with Jen Starr at the Scrapbook Cupboard. She came down to teach a few fabulous classes. After that, I went out cropping with my friend Kerriann. It was a short crop but I got some important things done.

Sunday I hung out with the family for most of the day and then that evening I hosted an event. A whole bunch of us got together to do something special for a few friends in need. I did this event Monday night too. I'm so happy with the turn out and I'm sure the friends will be happy. It always feels good to do good.

Monday I taught a private class for an extremely talented artist. Marissa is a wonderful woman and she really knows her stuff. I'm so thrilled to have met her and it meant a lot to me that she wanted me to show her how to metal emboss. She gave me this piece of jewelry that I adore. On one side is Caleb's favorite symbol (the pirate skull) and on the other is Bryce's favorite symbol (the Fleur de Lis). It's almost like the piece was made for me. I love it. Thank you, Marissa! Click on over to Marissa's link and look at her Etsy shop, her website, look at her work. You'll see just what I'm talking about.

Then Tuesday. Veteran's Day. I actually spent most of the day running around with my Mom doing wedding stuff for Nicole. We picked up her runner, her invitations and some ribbon for the cake. It's a little over 3 months until her wedding and I've got to jump on the shower stuff. The good thing is, I AM working on it! I've contacted everyone and we're all on the same page. Whew!

So Wednesday, wow, that's today. See how my time has flown! Today I woke to sickness. Not me... Caleb. Be rest assured he's fine but let's just say he gave his little brother, Bryce, a not-so-nice shower at about 5AM this morning. Yah. So I've been on laundry duty all day. Urgh!

Tomorrow I must pack for this weekend. I have my lists, what I want to do what papers and embellishments I needs, etc. I even went out to Home Depot today and bought a mailbox. - That you'll have to wait to see. - Actually I'll have to wait to see it too, it's in my head but hasn't made it to paper. My favorite author, Laurell K. Hamilton, has a blog I follow. In her blog she talks about how the characters of the book speak to her and once they start talking she needs to put them to paper and make them alive. (even if the paper is sticky notes!) I hope I don't loose the character in my head for the mail box before Friday. I'm thinking not but we'll all just have to wait and see!

I'm bringing my laptop so expect some photos and updates this weekend from the crop. Sorry no pictures today but I guarantee there will be plenty for this weekend!

Saturday, November 8, 2008

The Winter Canvas is Ready!!

I worked at the Scrapbook Cupboard last night (well I'm actually here now and blogging - don't tell Bev!) and while I was at work I finished my Winter Canvas! Here it is...


This is gonna be another super fun class for December. It'll be just before the Holiday, December 20th from 10AM - 12PM. So, if you're in the area, come on by and check it out!

Also, Bev bought a new bow for my wreath. A beautiful gold ribbon...

While this picture isn't as good as the last one, the bow was my main focus. The last one just didn't match. So what do you think about this one? Better?

I'm off to crop tonight. Having fun!


Friday, November 7, 2008

Playing around...

I'm not done with these Dreamweaver Stencils. There's just something about them that's really getting my mojo running.

As I was looking through photos of Theresa Winters visit to the Scrapbook Cupboard last month, I was reminded of a stencil that they have. It's a gorgeous Dragon. (He's number LJ 844 if you're interested.) Theresa did a cool technique with the pastes and glitter but I saw the Dragon and immediately thought...

10 Seconds Studio Appletini Metal!

Of course this thought ran through my head at 2 AM and I don't own the Dragon and I didn't even know if Bev at the Scrapbook Cupboard had ordered the Dragon, so I write a quick email. In the morning, I get the news that yes, she's ordered a Dragon and they are expected in this week. Well guess what came yesterday to the store? Ok, Ok, I know you guys all know. The Dragon! I bought him, brought him home and quickly squashed him through my Cuttlebug. Take a peek...














It's kinda like a ying and yang dragon. It's all how you hold the metal against the stencil. I'm kinda partial to the green dragon with the metal background, although I believe my husband chose the silver dragon with the green background. Either way, they are cool.

A friend of mine (hi Susan!!) purchased some Amaco Red Foil for me on the bus tour a few weeks ago. This Amaco metal is thinner than what I'm used to using but for the cuttlebug, well the cuttlebug didn't care. So, although I normally use exclusively 10 Seconds Studio products, today I tried the Amaco through my Cuttlebug. Here's the Dragon in Red...


Honestly, I'm loving how the red reflection on the right looks kinda like it's on fire! Is it just me, or do you see it too? As you can see, I didn't flip the metal in the right way so that they were facing each other but it doesn't matter. It just goes to show you how flexible these stencils are with the metal.
So one more thing I'm still working on. This is the Dreamweaver stencil Bare Trees with the Pearl Metal and then beautified. Take a peek...

And no, it's not alcohol ink or paints. Hehe! You'll just have to wait until I perfect it.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Metal Wreath 98% done and did you see!

I promised today I would have the metal wreath done. And it is... just about. The metal work is done, but the bow needs a little color so Bev's Colorwashing it for me tonight. My camera battery died so I had to take a photo via camera phone. So it itsn't the best but I'll show you what I have so far...

This is a 12 inch wreath base that's just about completely covered in metal flowers. I was inspired by a design in the book, "The Metal Craft Book" by Janice Eaton Kilby and Deborah Morgenthal. If you own the book you'll see the big difference right away, if you don't own the book... sorry, maybe your local library has it? This book is one of my staple metal working books. You just never know where inspiration will strike!



OK, so I'm so excited to tell you! Mr. Frankentini, he made it on to Cheryl and Megan's blog over at Ten Seconds Studio!!!! How absolutely cool is that? You have to check it out yourself! Yahoo!!

**Edited: Calv asked what type of metal I used. This entire project was made using the Art Metal from 10 Seconds Studio.
Also to note: Bev did Colorwash the bow for me but it came out a purplish color so, no new picture. As soon as I get the right bow, I'll post another pic.

School's out ...for Summer?

Last night the Governor of Massachusetts cancelled all school until May 4th.  He did this on March 25th.  That is about 6 weeks of no sc...