candice windham designs

Second Monday's First Monday Post

2012-01-09T11:30:00.000-08:00

Confusing? Not really. The Designer Crafts Connection is usually on the first Monday of each month, but with the holidays, everything was thrown off kilter.

This month's subject is journaling. There are so many ways to journal and so many different types of books to use. I can't walk into Barnes and Noble without admiring the beautiful leather, paper or fabric covered book...and then spending most of the time there talking myself out of taking several home. And some journals aren't books, just a cigar box of scattered flotsam and jetsam to be searched each time you want to refer back to whatever it was you wanted to save. We'll hold boxes for another post down the road.

Speaking of flotsam and jetsam, the origin of the term is early 17th century Anglo-Norman French, and it means ..'the wreckage of a ship or its cargo found floating on or washed up by the sea..." or "...(figurative) people or things that have been rejected and are regarded as worthless." I don't know about you, but I would love to have a ship's wreckage to dig through and create art from, although the smell would probably get to me before too long.

But I digress. I have several journals on different subjects and try to write in at least one per day. The one pictured here is probably my favorite because it contains only techniques and product samples. I had gotten to the point that when I attended a class, I would take the kit home, put it in a giant Ziplock bag and store it in a basket to either finish later or refer back to for ideas.I have some that have been waiting there for more than 15 years.

Those of you who know me well also know that I am a procrastinator. I'm one of those people who has all these wonderful products to play with or unfinished projects that I'm going to get to as soon as I:

1. Finish my commitments to my freelance employers.
2. Clean up the junk and organize files on my computer.
3. Throw some junk out of the attic.
4. Throw some junk out of the garage.
5. Finish my new business card design.
6. Scrub up the long-dried ink I spilled on my studio floor or just clean my studio.
7. Complete my blogging commitments.
8. Play with the dogs.
9. Eat lunch...or..dinner...or... breakfast or put on a pot of coffee.
10. Take a nap.

While I'm doing all these things, that Ziplock bag from the technique or product class I attended to learn about the techniques and products is quietly being covered by another bag of stuff and another bag of stuff and another bag of stuff.

I bought this Smash book (from K & Company) at my local scrapbook store (Eclectica in Cordova, TN) and it sat on my worktable for about three weeks before I started embellishing the cover. I was playing around with some new Viva Décor products and decided to make the cover very mixed media with paint, Pearl Ex, Pearl Pens, stamps, ink and whatever else I had within reach on my table.

The resulting cover still needs something and will probably be a work in progress for years to come, but I am using this book to record the techniques I learn from classes and/or the internet or techniques that have been buzzing around in my brain that just pop into my head. I save the samples, good or bad, and make notes on why I think this worked and more importantly, as a reminder of things I know don't work so I won't ruin a project with them.

I know this is a very wordy post and hope you haven't stopped reading yet.

The book cover contains Viva Décor Pearl pens and Precious Metal Color, 7 Gypsies tissue paper, Sizzix Texture Plates and Tim Holtz Birdcage die cut, Crafter's Workshop Stencil and Beacon Zip Dry adhesive.

You can buy a Smash book or make your own from a composition book. I recommend making your samples on the appropriate paper, fabric, cork or whatever base you choose for the medium and then gluing or stapling the sample into your book, especially if you're using a composition book (Think painting on notebook paper. Yuck.).

Now I'm off to take care of #10 on the above list. I told you I was a procrastinator. I'm also a very sleepy one.

I received products from Viva Décor, Crafter's Workshop and Sizzix Texture Plates and absolutely love their products.

First Monday

2012-01-02T06:31:00.000-08:00

This is just a reminder, as we start the new year, that every first Monday of each month you'll see a new Designer Crafts Connection project on this site. Each month will have a theme for inspiration, and you can jump forward or backward to see the work of many professional designers.

That being said, this month is the exception. Since the first Monday falls on a "holiday" (not really a holiday, but so many people are off work today and possibly traveling home from their Christmas jaunts), we will be posting next week on Monday, January 9. The January theme is journaling, so check back for some great designs.

Don't forget to celebrate Elvis' birthday on January 8, either. How about a heaping serving of fried peanut butter and 'nanner samwiches in his honor? Here's the recipe, straight from Graceland by way of America's 100 Best Sandwiches by Jane and Michael Stern:

Elvis Presley's Hot Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich
(photo by: Romulo Yanes)

Elvis Presley's Hot Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

Ingredients

2 tablespoons peanut butter (preferably smooth)
2 slices white sandwich bread
1 small ripe banana, mashed with a fork (about 1/4 cup)
2 tablespoons butter

Spread peanut butter evenly on 1 slice of bread, then spread mashed banana on other slice, leaving a 1/4-inch border around edge. Close sandwich, gently pressing bread slices together.

Heat butter in an 8- to 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until foam subsides, then fry sandwich, turning over once, until golden brown, about 2 minutes total.

Eat immediately with a knife and fork.

There ya'go. Straight from the King's mouth.

Thank ya. Thank ya very much!

Goodbye, 2011.

2011-12-31T08:32:00.000-08:00

It was a very good year. Lots of things happened that we prayed for, some things were gifts from God that we didn't even know we needed and some prayers were wisely denied by God. He certainly knows His stuff!

We will ring in the New Year with a jam session at the home of Dianna Ford, musician and singer extraordinaire, with a lot of our Bluegrass friends. Usually, Larry is booked for New Year's Eve, and we haven't been able to spend the time with friends as much as we would like. That will change this year, and we're really looking forward to it.

Reflecting on 2011, we had some ups:
I finally was published in one of my fave magazines, Cloth, Paper, Scissors and shipped off my book to the publisher;
and downs: Phil Cox, singer/songwriter/guitarists for Sorghum Hill was working in Nebraska, a far cry from Tennessee. He's home now, and Sorghum Hill and Andi Nash and the Ramblers will continue to entertain their fans, only a lot more often!

Here's wishing you a wonderful, creative, healthy 2012. I hope all your dreams come true!

Now, go hug someone you love.

Just a little more Christmas...

2011-12-26T08:22:00.000-08:00

I am not ready for Christmas to end, even though I will begin removing the decorations today. I love the spirit of Christmas, the gathering of friends and families, the fun of selecting, wrapping and opening gifts and the soft glow of Christmas evening when it's all over. Even the hustle and bustle of last-minute shopping is different from any other time of the year. The Christmas spirit that pervades the atmosphere, especially around 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, an hour before all the stores close, is magical. You hear strangers wishing each other a Merry Christmas and everyone smiles at everyone and there is a peace in the air that can hardly be described. I just love it.

This particular December has been the best we have enjoyed in many years. There were parties every weekend, six in the last week alone, and lots of visiting with old friends, especially my BFFF (Best Family of Friends Forever), Linda, Ronnie, Charlotte, Debbie and Judy Gordon, whose home was the center of my teenage years. Linda was my best friend, and though we have not been as close in the last few years, I have always known that she would be my best friend forever. This Christmas was so special, spending time with this wonderful group of people.

All that being said, I have always loved A Christmas Carol and Scrooge's turn-of-heart at the end, even though I may have not gotten the quote exactly right. Larry and I have made a conscious effort in the last few years to be content with where we are in life, the gifts God has given us and not allowing petty grievances or the shortcomings of others to affect the way we see the world. I used the design element I created (It was created with the Duectica Lettering Arts Studio, and the illustrations and layout design were done in Adobe Illustrator, although I'm sure there are other layout programs you could use.) to make this little ornament which will hang on my tree for years to come as a reminder of the wonderful Christmas of 2011.

If you have followed my blog, you know what a love I have for fonts and typographical designs. The Duectica Lettering Arts Studio allows me to create custom lettering the easy way. The fonts all have a variety of styles within each font, so every word is unique.

Here's how I did it:

Christmas Design Element

1. Open Duetica Lettering Arts Studio and set the C using DT Mandolyn-2 BOO.

2. Create a new 12” x 6” file in Adobe Illustrator. Fill the background with a cream color, then edge the rectangle with a light tan.

3. Place the C and apply a gradient from light to dark green. Set the remainder of the word in dark green using DT Mandolyn-1-A00.

4. Using the Text on a Path tool and black fill, set I will keep along the curve of the top portion of the C using DT Piper-A00. Add the remainder of the quote along the bottom of Christmas.

5. Draw Holly and berries using the pen tool and place.

The piece is ready to be printed and used as a framed wall hanging, a scrapbook page or greeting card element, or a nice little Christmas ornament.

Ornament

Supplies

Printed Design Element

Mat board scrap

Christmas paper scrap

Versamark Clear Ink

Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE), clear

Heat Tool

Viva Décor Paper Soft Color, Walnut

Round Sponge Dauber

12” ribbon, plus a 3" scrap

Cropadile or 3 /16” hole punch

Directions

1. Print Christmas element, reducing the size to 4” x 2”. Cut a piece of scrap mat board to the same size and adhere the printed piece to the mat board. Cut a piece of Christmas print paper to fit back and adhere.

2. Sponge edges front and back with Walnut Paper Soft Color.

3. Cover front with clear Versamark ink and emboss with clear UTEE. Repeat twice. Repeat again on the backside. This will help make the piece feel a lot more substantial as well as making it very shiny.

4. To create the hanger, punch two small holes with a Cropadile ¼” from the top and right and left sides. Thread ribbon front to back,knot and trim ends. Tie the 3" scrap to the ribbon on the left side and trim edges.

Now, go hug your sweetie!

NOTE: I received product form Duetica Lettering Arts Studio and Viva Décor, although I would have purchased them anyway. I love these products and would never promote their use if I didn't have absolute faith in their performance.

A Blast from the Past

2011-12-12T08:14:00.001-08:00

Do you remember the macaroni necklaces we all made at Vacation Bible School and summer camp? I sure do. We carefully colored all the little curved pieces and then strung them on a string. I would take mine home to my mother, who would wear it proudly to church the following Sunday.

Pasta as a decoration has come full circle. With all the fabulous, fun shapes available now, there's no limit to what you can create. That's why the Second Annual Holiday Noodle Party is hitting the 'net.

This little addition was not my creation, although I wish it had been. My cousin, the extremely talented Linda McCaskill, made these years ago, and I had a set of six. This is the only one remaining, and I have cared for it lovingly, storing it in a cotton-filled tin to protect the sweet little bow-tie pasta wings. Every year it has a place of honor at eye-level on my tree.

So here's to you, Linda! I love your work and I love you.

To see more pasta creations, see the list of links on Eileen Hull's blog.

The linky party starts today, Monday, December 12 and runs till Friday, December 16 at midnight. This event is open to all and extended in the spirit of fun and sharing the love of crafting during this holiday season. Here's how it works:

1. Post a blog on your site with a picture of your project and enter the URL of that post below from now until Thursday, December 15.
2. Enter as many projects as you would like.
3. It can be a project created by you, your child, or anyone.
4. The only requirement is it must contain a noodle of some kind :-)
5. Please vote for your favorite design on Friday, December 16.
6. The project that gets the most votes will receive a bag of goodies from our friends at Noodles & Company! Eileen will also be giving away one of her great Sizzix dies to a random commenter.
7. Post early so everyone has a chance to see your work.
8. Please share this with your social media friends and invite them to join in!

Do, do, do lookin' out my back door

2011-12-07T10:24:00.001-08:00

There was a mention of a "wintery mix" in the forecast for this morning. Wintery Mix translation in the South: rain and maybe, just maybe, a little sleet. Imagine my surprise when I awoke to find close to 2" of snow on the ground. It was a perfect snow, however: Beautiful on the lawns, fields, trees and rooftops, but not a trace on the roads. That's my kind o'snow!

It had already started blowing off the trees and rooftops when I snapped this pic from my studio, although it was a nice wet snow with great packability.

Hubby had to go to the recording studio today, so I'm all alone, and you know what that means: I'm going to turn on my tiny space heater that keeps my tootsies warm, crank up the Christmas music, bake some yummy yeast bread and be highly creative today, even if I'm just doing a little artful re-arranging in my studio!

Here's a nice shot I made of Sam, the Wonder Lab as well. I think he's trying to figure out why I keep pointing this contraption at him and he's not getting any benefit (i.e., treats) from it.

Now, go hug someone you love. I think I'll hug Sam!

Steampunk, the Sock Monk

2011-12-05T10:34:00.000-08:00

Caution: This is NOT a toy!

It's time for another Designer Crafts Connection Challenge, and this month, I am out of my comfort zone. I never had a sock monkey as a child, never created one for my child, and the only fact I knew about them is that they were made from Red Heel socks. However, I do love a challenge.

This challenge was conceived and sponsored by Ana Araujo of When Creativity Knocks. Ana has a new DVD, Sock Monkeys Go BanAnas, a wonderful instructional video which walks you right through the steps to create this icon of American crafting.

Our monkey kits included a pair of Original Rockford Red Heel socks, Ana's DVD, Rit® Brand Dye and a precious little sock monkey stamp from Judikins.

Be sure to see all the sock monkeys by clicking on the Designer Craft Connections button at left to hop forward or backward.
You can enter to win your own Sock Monkey prize package valued at over $40!

Here's what one lucky reader will receive:

• Sock Monkeys Go BanAnas WCK VideoBook
• One (1) sewn Sock Monkey body ready to be stuffed
• One (1) pair FoxRiver: Oringal Rockford Red Heel Socks
• Button Eyes, needle, floss and stuffing

Go to the When Creativity Knocks website and in the Member Log In box click Create An Account. Then enter Sock Monkey as the entry code along with your info. Good luck!

Ana is also offering all blog hop readers $2 off the purchase of a Sock Monkeys Go BanAnas WCK VideoBook plus a free copy of the 2012 WCK Sock Monkeys Go BanAas eCalendar with purchase of the video! The coupon code is sockmonkeybloghop.

I have to confess that although I read and followed the construction instructions, that's where my salute to conventional creating ended. I have always traveled to the beat of a different drummer, and this time, I think it may have been Charlie Watts. That's the only explanation that I can come up with for this artistic departure.

Here's how I made Steampunk, the Sock Monk.

Basic Supplies
Sock Monkeys Go Bananas DVD
Original Rockford Red Heel socks, one pair
Quilt Batting and Fiberfill
Needle and Thread
Sewing Machine

Make your sock monkey according to the dvd instructions then customize using one of the patterns included in the dvd pack or using the following:

CAUTION: I repeat. This is not a toy! It is made with metal parts that can cut, so it is only to be placed on a very high shelf and admired from a distance.

Customizing Supplies

Rit Dye, Purple, Evening Blue, Kelly Green
Atomizer Bottles, 3
Paper Towels
Recycled metal printing plates and/or copper sheeting. I used both.
Sizzix Big Shot
Assorted Texture Plates
Ranger Alcohol Inks, assorted colors
Metal ephemera (found objects,nuts, bolts, hinges, chain plus metal from the Tim Holtz Collection, Ranger)
Viva Décor Pearl Pen, Bronze
Canning jar lids, 4
Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive

1. Mix Rit® Brand Dye in atomizer bottles, 2 parts dye, one part hot water. Spritz color all over monkey body, pat with paper towels to remove excess, then toss it in the dryer until dry to set the color. The dye doesn't show up well on my photos, but Steampunk, the Sock Monk is delightfully spattered with shades of blue, purple and green.
Note: Do not use this technique rather than the instructions on the dye bottle if this piece will be handled a lot or intended for a child's toy. This is another reason that the Steampunk, the Sock Monk prefers shelf sitting. He doesn't know if his colors will run if he gets wet, and he knows his creator did not follow Rit® Brand Dye directions!

2. Cut metal pieces and emboss with assorted Texture Plates and Big Shot. Add alcohol inks, allow to dry then sand with a sanding block or sandpaper.

At this point, I just winged all the parts until I was happy with them. The shoulder covers were from the edges of the metal printing plates and the thimble on the tail was a find in my sewing box when I was looking for a small zipper for his mouth. Since I couldn't find the zipper, I substituted gold bead chain, stitching in place in the corners and draping across the mouth.

The skirt (inspired by military uniforms in ancient Sparta) was a textured rectangle, cut 2" wider than the monkey waist. Slits (approx. 1 1/2" wide) were cut from the bottom to within 1" of the top. Score along the top of the slits and fold up. Wrap around the monkey and secure with adhesive. Add Viva Décor Bronze Pearl Pen accents as desired.
The only construction I planned was for the hat, and I actually changed the design mid-stream with a hint from my hubby (using canning jar lids for support).

Basic Directions:
1. For the hat brim, cut a metal circle approximately 5". Beginning in the center, cut "pie slices" to within 3/4" of the rim. Trim the slices to about 1/2' in length and fold up.

2. Stack four canning jar lids and glue them together, top to bottom. Place the metal circle under the lids and fold the pie slices up. Glue the slices around the inner edge of the bottom lid.

2. Cut a rectangle from a sheet of textured metal approximately 8" x 4" and adhere it around the outside of the lids. Trim the top so that there is a small dip in the middle front and back.

3. Cut a circle 3"4 inch larger in diameter than the top hat opening. Cut slits all around that are 3/8", fold them down, then place them inside the hat top. When you are happy with the fit, glue in place. Add Pearl Pen dots all around the top to help hide the seam and around the hat brim for interest.

Note: I didn't texturize the top of the hat, but looking back, it would have been a nice addition.

4. Add textured band.

I definitely had fun with this project and you still have time to create your own sock monkey for a favorite child (or for yourself) before Christmas.

Now go hug someone you love. I'll be hugging Steampunk, the Sock Monk, although not too tight!

I received product for all the manufacturers listed above.

I Love Autumn!

2011-11-07T06:34:00.000-08:00

I just walked outside and realized that this may be the perfect autumn day. There's a little nip in the air and a little breeze, but the sun is warm and everything is so full of color. We're expecting thunderstorms this week, so most of the color may be gone by the end of the week. That's why I love having my digital camera to record these moments without worrying about the number of photos I take or number of prints I need to store. Plus, there's that whole instant gratification thing.

I also love the new Fall Digital Scrapbook Kit from Duetica Lettering Arts Studio which is being unveiled this week. It has several papers and textures, plus ribbons, buttons and a really cute scarecrow. I used it to create this two-page layout documenting a recent trip we made to the wine country of Missouri.

Be sure click the Designer Crafts Connection button on the left to hop over the entire Designer Crafts Connection bloghop which features autumn-inspired projects, and be sure to go to Julie McGuffee's blog to get details on how you can win a Sizzix Sidekick with two sets of Sizzlets alphabet dies!

Here's how I made this two page layout:

Supplies
Duetica Lettering Arts Studio Software and new Fall Kit.
Adobe Photoshop

Directions

1. Set “Missouri” in a combination of Tin Whistle and Floot fonts, using the Duetica Lettering Arts Studio.

2. Set “Weekend” the same way.

3. Open a new 24” x 12” file in Photoshop. Place the Dark Brown file from the Duetica Lettering Arts Studio Fall Kit on both halves of the page. Use black with the airbrush set at 60% to place a border around each edge.

4. Place the Black jpg on both halves, then select and delete ½” all around and 1” down the middle. Use dark brown with the airbrush set at 60% to place a border around each edge.

Note: I created each individual photo as a separate file, complete with journaling and then placed them on the 24” x 12” layout.

For each photo file: Place the Orange jpeg from the kit in a new file. Place each photo on top of the Orange jpeg., add journaling, then crop the layout leaving a ¼” border on the top and sides and ¼” below the journaling. Reduce image size if necessary to fit layout.

5. Place the Paper Edge jpg in a new 12” file and rotate the canvas to make it vertical. Use the airbrush tool to add brown, black and orange tints to the file. Save the file, then place it in the original 24” x 12” layout.

6. Place the Black Ribbon 2 on the right side of the layout flush with the right edge. Copy and paste the same ribbon 2 file and add it to run across the left side of the layout. Crop it where it covers the paper edge file. Move the paper edge layer above the ribbon layer. Add Buttons jpg to the ribbon.

7. Drop in photos. Create drop shadows by drawing a box slightly smaller than each photo. Fill with black, then set the opacity at 35%. Do this for each photo.

8. Open “Missouri” file. Select each letter and change the color to a bright yellow-orange, then use dark brown with the opacity set at 50% to add a shadow along the bottom. Rotate the file 90° counter-clockwise and place it in the layout.

9. Open the “weekend” file, change the color to blue, rotate the file 90° counter-clockwise and place it in the layout.

10. Set the dates in the same yellow-orange as the Missouri file, rotate and place in the layout.

11. Place the scarecrow image from the Fall Kit. Add a new layer and airbrush a shadow in black. Set the layer opacity at 50%. Move the scarecrow layer above the shadow.

Here's a tip for you in using digital scrapbook kits: I created a file in InDesign (any layout program will work) and placed each element of the kit with it's file name into a new layout. I kept it open on the side of my computer screen while I created the layout in Photoshop. It made selecting the elements very easy. I saved it to the same folder I keep my kits in for easy reference later.

Go out and enjoy this day then come back in and create something with your autumn photos.

But first, go hug someone you love.

Notes: I am a member of the Duetica Lettering Arts Design Studio and received software from them.

Being Thankful

2011-11-04T06:50:00.000-07:00

One of the things we overlook in this country is just how awesome we have it. We don't have religious persecution (except by the nut cases who are against any sort of religion and don't shut up until someone notices them), most of us are well-fed and we set up food and shelter for those who aren't, we can pursue our own dreams without being told what to do with our lives and can come and go as we please. This is a far cry from the people in our world who are under a dictators' thumb and have to scramble to find the least morsel of food; those who are afraid to speak for fear of death; women oppressed by a society that doesn't even recognize that they are of more value than being baby machines; and societies where girl-children are unwanted.

Good grief! How did I open my post with such depressing thoughts? Those of you who know me also know that the topics of the first paragraph are not something you normally hear out of my mouth.

That being said, I want to introduce you to a blog I found this morning through the Craft Gossip site, Positively Present.

I was casually toodling along, looking at beautiful handmade items when I came on the topic Gratitude, 30-Day Photo Challenge. We are doing a Bible study at Trinity Baptist following the book one thousand gifts by Ann Voskamp, which is a study in finding happiness in small gifts.

This website looked like something that might have the same theme, so I went there and WOW! There are so many great articles, from finding beauty in small things to de-stressing your life to paying it forward. It's one of the best sites I've seen in a while and I immediately subscribed to it so I wouldn't miss a thing.

Check it out. I think you'll like it.

Halloween or Mardi Gras?

2011-10-10T16:06:00.001-07:00

Welcome to another Sizzix Blog Hop, featuring the fabulous designs of Eileen Hull. This week's Scoreboard die is a vase with an enclosed bottom. You know I can't just make a vase. I have to have something over the top and I think this mask fits the occasion.

There are lots of other bloggers in this hop, so be sure to click on the Fresh Vintage Blog Hop button on the left to see some amazing creations.

I ran across this mask last week at Dollar Tree. It was originally deep red with gold glitter along the eyes and cheeks. A coat of Krylon Black Matte paint made it perfect for my project.

Here's how I made this:

Supplies

Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die - Vase, 3-D (657125)

Sizzix Texture Plate

Chipboard

Viva Décor Inka Gold, Gold

Viva Décor Precious Metal Color, Silver

Viva Décor Glitter Liners, Red, Gold, Silver

Viva Décor Pearl pen, Ice White

Beaded Trim, 10"

Swarovski Crystal Beads and Pendant

Beading Wire

Sookwang Crafters' Double Side Tape

Red feathers

Face Mask (Dollar Tree)

Krylon Matte Black Spray Paint

Directions

1. First, I painted the mask with black paint and set it aside to dry.

2. I cut two vases from chipboard with the die added texture to one with the texture plate and painted both with Precious Metal Color. When the vase/crown was dry,I rubbed Gold Inka Gold on the raised surface of the top piece. (You can add it to the second piece as well if you plan to actually use this mask the way it was intended and not just as home decor.)

3. I added Glitter Liners randomly to accent the texture, then outlined the crown with Ice White Pearl Pen.

4. I strung the beads on beading wire, then attached it to the top of the crown and anchored it in the center with beading wire.

5. I adhered the crown to the mask with double-stick tape.

6. I attached the beaded trim to the back of the mask with double stick tape, then added the feathers. I reinforced to adhesive with strips of masking tape to make sure nothing moved.

7. The only thing left to do was to add the Glitter Liners and Pearl Pens to the mask itself.

Now I'm ready for a night on the town!

I saw so many other items in my mind besides a vase with this die. I'll be posting some more projects soon, so be sure to check back.

Note: I received product from Sizzix and Viva Décor.

It's Blog Hopping Time Again!

2011-09-30T22:11:00.000-07:00

It's time for another Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop and this one uses three of my favorite products: Westcott Brand ® Cutting Tools, Duck Brand® Duct Tape and Velcro® Brand Hook and Loop Fasteners.

Westcott is sponsoring a giveaway: To win a fantastic Deluxe Assortment of Westcott Cutting Tools, go to http://westcottbrand.blogspot.com/2011/10/designer-crafts-connection-charitable.html and leave a comment to win prior to November 1st (actual prize package may vary slghtly, US residents only please). You can also get an extra chance to win by leaving a comment about the hop on the Westcott Facebook Fan Page.

I once knew a photographer who said he could build anything if he had matboard, masking tape and an Xacto knife. Well, I'm here to tell you that by adding the products I received from these three companies, I could easily rule the universe. Seriously. Well, maybe not rule the universe, but I could certainly decorate it.

Don't forget to click on the Designer Crafts Connection button, left, to hop to blogs of some of crafting's best designers who used the same materials. It's fun to see the wonderful twists that are put on these products. Many of these projects will be auctioned off for Charity Wings, so be sure to check it out!

You can see the generous amount of treasure I received from these companies. I love the pink color scheme and could hardly wait to get started.

What made this whole project such a joy to produce? Those Westcott Brand® cutting tools, that's what!

Here are some facts about Westcott Scissors and trimmers:
• Westcott Brand® Scissors are the WORLD’S FAVORITE SCISSORS™ meaning Westcott sells more scissors than any other manufacturer in the world!
• Westcott Brand® Titanium Bonded Non Stick Scissors are the BEST Non Stick Scissors on the market that never get stuck and can easily cut through Sticky Back VELCRO®, Duck Tape and multiple layers of fabric and other materials!
• Titanium bonded blades are 3 times harder than stainless steel and never need sharpening!
• Westcott Brand® Cutting Tools have the best performance! The 3” scissors can even cut through 5 layers of fabric!
• Westcott Brand® Cutting Tools are ergonomic and come in several different color options!

The Westcott Brand® Craft Knife with Titanium Bonded Blade has a nice cushioned grip to keep your fingers from being calloused after a marathon cutting session (which is what I will have this week as I finish up my kit prep for my Houston gig).

Did I mention the Westcott Brand® pink self-healing cutting mat? Pretty to look at and such a work horse! Using it with the Westcott Brand® Craft Knife made the cuts feel like I was cutting butter.

I didn't use my pretty new Westcott Brand® 12” Titanium Bonded Trimmer on this project, but gave it a workout later, trimming 1/4" off some kit contents that I mistakenly cut too large.

The scissors holster, designed by Marisa Pawelko, is really a fun item to have. I am always losing my scissors, usually under a pile of papers, paints and brushes. I threaded it onto a piece of cording and hung it around my neck. Having that baby nearby has been a great time-saver.

I love the large Westcott Brand® Titanium Bonded Non-Stick Scissors, but my favorite pair? The tiny, tiny Westcott Brand® Titanium Bonded 3" Scissors, perfect for getting into little bitty places. I love to stamp, color, then trim to make dimensional embellishments, and these scissors are the best I have seen for that purpose. I love them!

On top of everything, the Westcott Brand® Titanium Bonded Non-Stick Scissors do not gunk up when you cut self-adhesive material. I'm sorry for that tacky term (pardon the pun, but tacky is the best term for that stuff that accumulates on the blades), but it's perfect for what I mean. Other scissors get adhesive that pretty much homesteads on the blades, not moving for anything unless I get out the cleaners that smell bad, turn my hands an ashy gray and make me hallucinate from the fumes. I have cut miles of self-adhesive materials in my 35 years of display design and, although some scissors claim to be non-stick, these are the first I've ever used that can truly own that statement.
My first project is a sweet little lunch tote, just the right size for a sandwich or salad, a piece of fruit and a bottle of water.

Here's how I made my lunch tote:

Supplies
Black Fun Foam, 12" X 18"
Pink Fun Foam, 2" X 8", and three 5" x 5" pieces for flower diecuts
Pink Duck Brand® Duct Tape Sheet
Black Duck Brand® Duct Tape Roll
The Duck Brand® Patterned Duct Tape Rolls, Pink and Black Zebra
VELCRO® Brand Sticky Back Hook and Loop Fasteners
Sizzix Bigz Bow Die (button diecuts)
Sizzix Tattered Florals Die (flower diecuts)
FoamTastic Adhesive

Directions
I started by cutting black Fun Foam into 5 pieces: two-7" x 8", two 4" X 8" and one 4" x 7". I cut diamond shapes from the pink Duck Tape sheet and adhered them on the tote's front and back foam pieces.

Hint: Begin at the center for the first diamond shape and you will wind up with the same amount of margin on each side. If you have an even number of diamonds, your center will be the top points equally spaced from the center. If you have an odd number, the top point will be at the center.

I added 3/8" pink stripes to the back and 3/4" buttons to the sides. All of the stripes and buttons were cut from The Duck Brand® Pink Duct Tape sheets.

Some of you may remember a long-ago post where I said I felt that adding buttons to your art is great, but don't disrespect your creation by just gluing them on. They need an anchor, something to tie them to the surface, so even though these buttons were just diecuts, I took a black Sharpie and drew the thread in place.

I glued all the pieces together using FoamTastic adhesive and used straight pins to hold the pieces in place until the adhesive dried. I then reinforced each seam inside and out with black Duck Brand® Duct Tape cut into 1" wide strips.

I cut the piece for the closure from hot pink Fun Foam, then realized that the color was off a little. I covered the closure strip in more The Duck Brand® Pink Duct Tape, then covered the 5" squares of pink Fun Foam with solid pink, solid black and Zebra pink and black and cut flowers with the Sizzix Tattered Florals die. I stacked the flowers using FoamTastic to adhere them together. I used VELCRO® Brand Sticky Back Hook and Loop Fasteners to attach the closure band to the front and back of the tote and placed a stacked flower, again adhered with Velcro in case I ever wanted to change out the flowers, on each end of the band.

The whole process, from computer design to finished project, took a little more than an hour. The hardest part was figuring the best size for the diamond shapes.

I'll be posting more projects made with these products this week, so check back often. Plus, there's another blog hop for Sizzix next week. I'll be using the new Vase ScoreBoard, designed by my buddy Eileen Hull, the Mat Board Queen. I can hardly wait to show you that project!

Note: I received product for this project from Westcott Brand® Cutting Tools, The Duck Brand® Duct Tape Sheets, VELCRO® Brand Sticky Back Hook and Loop Fasteners and Sizzix.

Better late than never...

2011-09-27T12:41:00.000-07:00

I remembered to post that there was Sizzix Blog Hop beginning today, but I thought I was not supposed to post until next week. Boy, do I have egg on my face!

Anyway, the featured die this week is Eileen Hull's versatile Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die - Album,one of my all-time favorite dies. This album has a cover, a pretty scalloped edge binding and a very nice nameplate. You need to make two cuts to get both covers, but this turned out to be my pushing the envelope idea.I am usually very frugal with my mat board scraps, but was in such a hurry today that I mistakenly cut the entire plate twice rather than the entire plate plus the back cover once more. The two binding edges were laying with one overlapping the other and -Bingo!- I realized I could make a wider width album just by inverting and adding the second binding.

I have been preparing class kits for some classes I will be teaching for Viva Décor at the Collins Group Fall Education and Trade Show in Houston in October, so Viva products have been on my mind a lot lately. I've been doing a lot of experimenting with Glitter Liners, Pearl Pens, Precious Metal Color and Paper Soft Color, and, since I received some fabulous stencils from Crafter's Workshop, I decided to combine the two to make an album to organize all my experimental scraps. I also dug into my treasures from the Craft Gossip Fork and Talk event in Little Rock. (Thanks again, ladies, for a wonderful event!)

Here's how I did it:

Supplies
• Sizzix Little Sizzles - 6" x 13" Mat Board Pack, 6 Assorted Sheets
• Eileen Hull's versatile Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die - Album
• Big Shot
• Crafter's Workshop Template, Mini Love Beads
• Viva Décor Paper Soft Color, Light Carmine Red, Dark Sand,Violet and Cobalt Blue
• Viva Décor Pearl Pen, Ice White and Gold
• Viva Décor Precious Metal Color, Blue Azure and Silver
• Viva Décor Inka Gold, Gold
• Deutica Lettering Arts Studio, Mandolyn Font
• Round Sponge Dauber (Viva Décor)
• Allene's Original White Tacky Glue
• Brenda Walton Adhesive Borders, Flora & Fauna from K&Company
• Organdy ribbon scraps
• Violet Satin Ribbon, 1/8" Offray
• Cardstock, Blue, Violet and Pink, 12" x 4" folded to 6" x 4"
• Red Liner Tape

Directions:
1. Make two sets of die cuts using the Sizzix mat board pack.

2. Tape cover and binding pieces with easy-release double stick tape. Place the stencil over each item, add masking tape to secure it in place and swirl on the Paper Soft Color, blending the colors where they meet. Move the stencil as needed to cover the whole book. Remove the stencil and add Violet Paper Soft Color randomly.

3. Fold the scalloped edges in on each binding. With straight edges facing, lay one over the other and secure with Tacky Glue. Use clothes pins or binder clips to hold the binding in place while it dries.

4. Assemble the book, adhering one scalloped binding to the front cover and the other to the back cover

5. Tint Flora and Fauna swirls with Cobalt Blue Paper Soft Color. Apply one piece to the binding, overlapping on the front and back if necessary.
allowing the blue to show through in some areas. This creates a hammered metal effect.

6. Paint the nameplate with Blue Azure Precious Metal Color and set aside to dry. When dry, use your paint brush to tamp the Silver Precious Metal Color onto the Blue Azure,

7. Glue the book title in the nameplate and the " A few of my" tag above. Tint with Paper Soft Color if desired. Glue the swirl and nameplate to the front cover. Place a dot of Pearl Pen-Gold on each side of the nameplate for faux brads.

8. Dot the Ice White Pearl Pen along the swirl.

Note: After I finished this and it had dried for about 10 minutes, I decided the white was too harsh and ran over the dots with a little Inka Gold in Gold. I liked it so much that I hit some other highlights with it as well all over the book.

9. Using 1/8" ribbon, tie three-three page signatures into the book, turning the knots to the inside. Gather the 1/8" ribbon on the spine and tie together with organdy scraps.

Now, I can go back and gather up all those little scraps of experimental art and put them in my new book. I just hope I remember how I did them!

Now, go make something for someone you love.

FAQ about the Fresh Vintage Blog Hop:
How do I hop around to see ideas using the current featured die?
Every Tuesday and Thursday between September 27-November 3, 2011 there will be a new Sizzix Fresh Vintage die featured on 6-10 of the 75 participating designers' blogs. The navigation buttons for "Hop Back" and "Hop Forward" will allow you to easily hop around and see projects featuring whatever the current die is, since those buttons are programmed to navigate only to the blogs that are participating for that die. On the next Tuesday/Thursday, the buttons will automatically reprogram themselves to navigate to the blogs that are signed up for the next featured die.

What if I start at a designer's blog that isn't one of the 6-10 signed up for that die?
No problem! Simply hit either the "Hop Forward" or "Hop Back" button on the Fresh Vintage navigation widget from any blog's sidebar and you'll automatically advance to one of the participating blogs.

Can I go back and view the ideas for a previously featured die?
Of course! Go to the "Blog Hops" link at the top of the page. It will bring up all of the blog posts where you'll find direct links to each participating blog along with a thumbnail image of the project.

Where can I buy the Sizzix Fresh Vintage dies, by Eileen Hull?
You can visit Sizzix.com to find a local and online retailers for Sizzix products. Also be sure to visit Oh My Crafts, one of this blog hop's sponsors, (between the dates of September 27-November 3, 2011) and enter for a chance to win a Flower Layers #9 die!

The Blog Hop has ended and the navigation widget is no longer in the sidebar. How can I see the ideas?
Go to the "Blog Hops" link at the top of the page. It will bring up blog posts where you'll find direct links to each participating blog along with a thumbnail image of the project.

Note: I received product from Sizzix, Crafter's Workshop, Viva Décor and K & Company.

Another Sizzix Blog Hop!

2011-09-27T02:35:00.000-07:00

Our good friends at Sizzix have organized a new Blog Hop to feature the Fresh Vintage Designs by Eileen Hull. Over the next six weeks, we'll be posting designs made with her mat board-cutting dies.
Have I mentioned how much I love these dies? I will have a post here next week with a tutorial, so be sure to check back.
In the meantime, be sure to click on the Fresh Vintage button on the left to hop to another blog in this great adventure!

Well, it's about time.....

2011-09-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

"I'll report tomorrow."

Famous last words. I didn't report tomorrow, or the next day or the next. I have been frantically searching for my camera since Sept. 10, so I could post photos and report on the Fork and Talk event by Craft Gossip in Little Rock. It finally appeared this morning, hiding in the black hole that is my travel purse. I had only looked there about ten times, so black hole is the only possible explanation.

Melony Bradley and I left Memphis around 9 a.m. and headed west. It was a gorgeous day and with all our jibber-jabbering, the two-hour trip seemed like 15 minutes.

When we arrived in Little Rock, we were 30 minutes ahead of schedule. That's when we got out our Mapquest directions. Mistake. Big Mistake.

While we were trying to figure out where we were in regards to our exit, we saw the name of the street we were looking for on a big green interstate sign, congratulated ourselves on our savvy navigation and headed off on an adventure. That's what my DH and I call it when we get hopelessly lost. A Great Adventure. Second mistake. You know how there are streets in some cities that traverse the entire city? Well that was one of them and guess what: We were obviously at the wrong end of that street, although we didn't know it.

Not being men, we decided to ask for directions. We called Trio's,the restaurant where we were supposed to be, got very detailed directions and headed off, sure that we were almost there. Third mistake. We called the restaurant again, got a different person and a whole new set of directions. Fourth mistake. Suffice to say that we got directions from three more people, all the while seeing the entire city in our quest, including Razorback tailgate parties and lots of traffic jams. Finally, a very nice man said, "I'm heading that way. Follow me." We did, he pointed out the exit and we finally arrived, only an hour late.

The gracious folks at Craft Gossip welcomed us with open arms. We ordered our lunch and visited with the sweet ladies at our table, including Stacie Hooder, jewelry editor at Craft Gossip, who modeled our hat, which was a group design project. Each table was given a plain black top hat and we selected embellishments from the Craft Gossip editors' stash – beautiful ribbon, feathers, flowers and a wealth of other great embellies. We had 15 minutes to make our hats gorgeous, and I think everyone will agree that we all stood up to the challenge. Nothing like a group project to fuse friendships between women who don't know each other, have no idea what kind of talents each had individually and were reluctant to speak up if they thought they had a better idea for fear of stepping on someone's toes. I guess that comes from living graciously in the South. In spite of that, we came up with a great topper, with the theme Creativity Inspires Courage.

The four editors of Craft Gossip who live in the Little Rock area were perfect hostesses. They had a fun afternoon planned with great products and stimulating conversation.

The photo here is of a portion of the contents of the wonderful swag bags – yes, I said "bags" as in two huge bags – given by EK Success to each attendee. I am so overwhelmed with all the goodies and will be featuring many of these products on my blog in the coming weeks.

If you are not a member of Craft Gossip, go to www.craftgossip.com and check it out. I have seen so many great projects as a result of the research of this great team, everything from paintings to cupcakes to needle arts to techniques.

And if they bring a Fork and Talk session to your area, be sure to sign up! You'll be glad you did!

Now, go hug someone you love. Wish I could hug the folks at Craft Gossip right now!

Little Riock, here we come!

2011-09-10T05:19:00.000-07:00

Melony Bradley and I are off on a road trip to the first ever Craft Gossip Bloggers' meet-up, where we'll meet four of the editors from Craft Gossip, have lunch at Trios and participate in a group project. I have no idea what to expect, but know that with this group, it will be fun.
I'll report tomorrow....

It's that time again....

2011-09-04T15:00:00.002-07:00

...Time for the Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop, that is!
Our theme for September is Celebrations. If you have a celebration coming soon in your life, you can probably grab the perfect idea from this hop and make either copy it or atler it to make it your own. The design professionals on this blog hop are some of the best in the business. To see more, just press the Designer Crafts Connection button to the left and hop forward or backward to the next blog.
Be sure to go to Julie McGuffee's Blog to see how you can win A DVD set of the new TV show, Scrapbook Soup, Series 100.

! went to the Creating Keepsakes event in Nashville a few weeks ago and came home with much more than I left with...or needed, but the sight of beautiful papers and gorgeous embellishments gets me every time. It didn't help that I was with my enabler buddy Barbara Rankin. We are a disaster waiting to happen when we attend these events. If she doesn't find something unique that I must have, I find it and then she has to have it. After all, great minds think alike! Let's just say that the car rode a little lower to the ground on the way home.

As soon as I walked into the exhibit, I was immediately drawn to the Hot Off the Press paper booth. I walked in saying I was just looking. I had way too many papers already... and then I saw this Steampunk collection. That did it. I had to have it, even though I had no idea what I would do with it. Beautiful papers usually wind up in my stash of I-can't-use-this-because-I-may-never-see-it-again papers.

Celebrations always mark some sort of milestone: a birth, a birthday, a new job,a wedding, etc. I chose to use retiring as a celebration, which I have done twice, both times from the same company and same job. But that's another blog entry....

When I retired the first time, I looked back over my 25 years with the same company and could hardly believe I had been there that long. I wish I had kept a journal of my reflections at the time, because I can barely remember details of the things I thought I would never forget. This book is designed to be used by the retiree to jot down memories of the past (Reflections) and dreams for the future (Adventures).

Right now, school supplies are dirt cheap.I always use this time of year to stock up on index cards, post-it notes, crayons, pencils and notebooks, especially the old-fashioned composition book, which I snagged this week at WalMart for 40¢ each. Add some scrapbook paper, some embellishments and a little time and you have a great gift for less than $3.

Here's how I made it:

Supplies
Composition book
Steampunk Collection paper pack, four 12" x 12' sheets (Hot Off the Press)
Chipboard
Weathered Clock die (Tim Holtz Alterations, Sizzix)
Viva Décor Embossing Cream, Silver
Viva Décor Inka Gold, Cobalt Blue and Violet
Viva Décor swirl stamps
Duetica Lettering Arts Software
Embossing powders of your choice in metallic colors
Versamark Ink
Hampton Arts Graphic 45 Steampunk acrylic stamp set
Flouish stencil (Tattered Angels)
Heat Tool
Stazon Ink,Jet Black
Colorbox Chalk Ink, Chestnut Roan (Clearsnap)
Craft Knife
Tag
Walnut Ink
Beacon Zip Dry Adhesive
Large, long-shank brad
Sharpie, black, thin line
Circles from a 3/8" circle punch, Navy Blue and Silver

Directions
1. Cover book, front and back with papers from Steampunk collection.

2. Cut clock and hands from chipboard with die. Ink top and sides with black Stazon ink, then apply silver Embossing cream randomly, spreading with craft stick or palette knife. (Be sure to clean knife or stick immediately as the cream is quick drying.) Use heat tool to make cream set. Do not be alarmed if portions swell and move slightly. Cool, then apply more black Stazon randomly. Repeat on clock hands and brad head.

NOTE: When heating brad, be sure to grasp shank with a clothespin to avoid burning your fingers.

3. Glue clock to book front. Attach hands with brad.

4. Stain tag with walnut ink.When dry, lay stencil over center and rub on Cobalt Inka Gold. Apply Violet Inka Gold to edges, then apply Stazon ink to edges, Stamp swirls along bottom.Add enough twine to tag to loop to inside of book. Secure tag with glue, loop twine to inside book cover and secure with tape. Cover book inside covers with additional Steampunk papers.

5. Create labels using Duetica Lettering Arts Software and print onto cream cardstock.Trim labels and ink with Chestnut Roan ink. Attach both labels to tag.

6. Attach 3/8" Navy blue paper punches to left side of cover. Attach 3 silver punches to lower part of tag. Draw lines across each circle with Sharpie to simulate screw heads.

7. Stamp butterflies with Versamark, apply embossing powder and heat with heat tool.

NOTE: I originally used a gold embossing powder which I thought was bronze. (It was so old that the label had disappeared.) I didn't like the effect, so I heated each image again and applied a gray embossing powder. I had to do a lot of cleaning up of stray powder before I reheated it, but am much happier with the resulting color.

8. Edge book with Chestnut Roan ink as desired.These composition books are great for things that you don't want to tear out since they weren't made with torn pages in mind. The kids in my Sunday School class make these every year to write down their memory verses each week.

Now, hop to the next blog and don't forget to go to Julie McGuffee's blog to register for the prize!

Note: I received product from Clearsnap, Beacon Adhesives and Viva Décor for this project, although I would have purchased them anyway.I never promote anything that I don't believe in 100%.

Charity Auction on ebay

2011-08-27T05:50:00.001-07:00

Back in July I created this piece for the Summer Craft and Hobby Association show using Westcott scissors and trimmers, Duck Brand X-Factor Duck Tape and Velcro fasteners. One thing that made it so easy for me was the new Duck Tape sheets (These are available at Target) which make covering a larger area pretty simple. The frame contains a quote about animals, and there is an additional removable frame on the band, which wraps around the larger piece. You can replace either image very quickly, and the larger opening holds an 8" x 10" photo. The smaller is approximately 3" x 4", although I can't imagine why you would want to replace the small photo. That is my pup Pete, The Speckle-butted Monster, who is now 13, one year older than the life expectancy for a Dalmation. Pete had a stroke last week that affected his gait and balance, but he is much better now and bouncing around with his buddy Sam, the Wonder Lab.

You can own this one-of-a-kind frame and make a difference in someone else's life as well. This item, as well as others using the same material, is being auctioned on ebay. The proceeds will benefit Scrapbook Royalty's Charity Wings program, which supports a variety of charities, including the National Kidney Foundation, natural disaster relief, Fathers' Day cards for our troops and the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure. Their work has raised more than $360,000 for charities in just a few short years. , Charity Wings, ebay is the founder and she is a fund-raising dynamo. I have never seen this woman when she didn't have a beautiful ear-to-ear smile as well as a twinkling tiara!

Please check out the Charity Wings auctions on ebay. There is sure to be something there that will appeal to you, and remember, these are one-of-a-kind pieces made by professional designers, which means you get a unique bargain and help someone else in the process.

Now, go to ebay, bid high and bid often, and then go hug your pets!

I received product from Westcott, Duck Brand Duck Tape and Velcro. As always, I would have purchased the materials anyway. I never promote anything I don't believe in.

Elegant but Easy!

2011-08-01T12:57:00.000-07:00

Here is my entry for the Designer Crafts Connection August Blog Hop featuring one of my favorite techniques,embossing.

The card base is a Sizzix die, Card A2 with Decorative Edge, designed by Brenda Pinnick. I just love this die. It is perfect for cards, of course, but wouldn't this make a pretty banner?

Be sure to hop over to Julie McGuffee's blog and leave a comment on which technique you liked the best,
which one one are going to try and, which one was the most unique for a chance to win a set of punches( see my earlier post on this). They will be given away on August 15, so don't fool around and forget.

Here's how I made this:
Sizzix die and Big Shot (Card A2 with Decorative Edge designed by Brenda Pinnick)
Sizzix Big Shot
Cuttlebug embossing template and machine (www.provocraft.com)
Viva Décor Violet paper Soft Color (www.vivadecor.com)
Viva Décor Inka Gold, Old Silver
Cardstock, one sheet, Violet
Thick Mulberry paper, white 5" X 6"
Offray ribbon, 18"
Sponge Dauber
Stamp and white scrap for tag
ScorPal (www.scorepal.com)

1. Cut die twice with violet paper. Cut once with mulberry paper.
2. Fold one violet die cut to make card shape. Trim mulberry paper so that it is 1/2" smaller than the card front width. Score the width of the second piece of violet cardstock to 1" smaller than the card front. This piece should be trimmed along the original fold line and wrap to the back of the card when finished.
3. Sponge the edges of all pieces with Violet Paper Soft Color. Add Inka Gold to the edge of the base card cover so that the edge shows up against the card inside back.
4. Run the top piece of cardstock through the Cuttlebug with texture plate, then swirl Paper Soft Color across the raised area.
5. Glue Mulberry and textured violet cover together, offsetting the curved edges 1/2". Tie ribbon around the two pieces and tie in a bow. Glue the resulting piece to the card front, wrapping to the card back for approximately 1".
6. Add a tag and you're done.

I hope you like this card. It has been sitting on my worktable for a while now. I'm waiting for inspiration as to who should receive this little piece of Heaven. Maybe it's you!

Designer Crafts Connection Hop

2011-08-01T07:21:00.000-07:00

Well, it's the first Monday of the month and that means it's time for another blog hop with a great group of designers.

Click on the button on the left of the screen to hop from blog to blog to see the amazing designs.

I will be posting a new project today as soon as my camera battery gets a full charge. I left it charging last night (I thought), but didn't have the battery pushed completely into the unit. Oh, the joys of technology!

Be sure to leave a comment on Julie McGuffee's blog for a chance to win a selection of punches. Just let Julie know:
• which technique you liked the best,
• which one you are going to try and
• which one was the most unique.

The winner will be announced on August 15th.

I hope you have a wonderful week and get lots of time to make art.

Now, go hug someone you love. I've already hugged my hubby this morning, so I think I will pay a visit to the backyard to hug Pete, the Speckle-butted Monster, and Sam, the Wonder Lab.

Morning at Windham Acres

2011-07-08T05:25:00.001-07:00

I woke up at 6 a.m., which is rare for a retiree, but Larry was supposed to play golf at 7. His buddies called at 6 to cancel because of the storms. I couldn't go back to sleep, and now I'm glad I didn't.

I was making breakfast when I glanced out the kitchen window and saw this beautiful hawk sitting on our fence. There was a little bit of sun shining on his feathers when I first saw him that made him look like copper. By the time I got the camera and set it, the sun had gone back behind the clouds. I eased into my studio, which has sliding glass doors so I wouldn't have to shoot through a window screen. I barely got this shot when the mockingbird you can barely see at left of the hawk, attacked and chased him away. She must have had a nest nearby and was protecting her babies. The birdhouse on the left has three baby bluebirds, and mama bluebird was watching as well.

Our property goes back into the woods visible in the photo for about 250 yards. We usually mow the pasture area between the fence and the woods, but Larry decided to let it grow this year in hopes of attracting more wildlife. We have seen lots of deer at the wood's edge as well as quail. I could live without the raccoons and possum, which come for dinner with Pete and Sam on a regular basis, but that's part of country living.

My Morning Glories are finally blooming and are a beautiful blue/purple color. Sounds like another digital SB page to me!

Now, go hug someone you love!

My First Gardenia

2011-07-07T13:01:00.001-07:00

I have loved Gardenias since I was a child. My Granny had a big Gardenia bush in her front yard, and my sister and would wait impatiently every summer for the waxy blooms to appear. I thought that bush was six feet tall, but know now that it was because I was less than four feet tall at the time.

The scent of Gardenias is a heavy, heady aroma, and just a tiny whiff transports me back to the '50s to 291 Oklahoma in South Memphis.

I have tried to grow Gardenias several times with no luck. I planted this bush last spring, watered patiently, watched incessantly, but no blooms.

This bush is planted just outside our fence in the side yard. I have always watered it from the backside of the fence, which is the reason I didn't even see the bud for this bloom. I was so happily surprised to discover it yesterday!

Of course I had to make a digital page about it for my Summer of 2011 book. Here's how I did it:

Supplies
photo
Duetica Lettering Arts Studio Software, Font: Mandolyn (www.duetica.com)
Adobe Photoshop CS5 (www.adobe.com)

Directions
1. Open your photo and a new document in Photoshop. Select your palette from your photo's colors and make a sample of each color in the blank document.
2. Open a new 12 X 12 document. This will be your layout file. Select one color and fill the background. Make this layer about 40 percent opacity.
3. Select a 11 3/4" x 11 3/4" square in a second layer. Fill with another color and make the opacity about 40 percent opacity.
4. Copy a square portion of your photo and paste it into a new 12" x 2" file. Keep pasting until you have a bar the width of your page. Flatten the image, select all and apply a watercolor effect. Copy and paste into your layout.
5. Place your photo into the layout and create a white border around it's edges.
6. Create Gardenia in the Duetica Lettering Arts Studio. Change the color to an off white. Copy and paste into you layout.

Note: If you want a custom color for the title, wait until you open it in Photoshop and apply a new color there.

7. In the Duetica Gardenia file, select all of the letters and change the color to a dull green. Make the opacity 35 percent, then copy and paste it into your layout to create the shadow.
8. Type My First, make it the same color as the gardenia type and tuck it into the space between the G and the D.
9. Draw a rectangle for your journaling block and fill with a color of your choice. Use the eraser tool set at 35 percent opacity to wipe out the edges of the block. Insert your journaling.
10. Finish by adding some white and green lines to border the entire layout.

That's it. I now have the first Gardenia I have ever grown all by myself recorded for the ages.

Now, go hug your Granny and be thankful for all she has taught you to appreciate. Wish I could hug mine!

God Bless America!

2011-07-04T11:36:00.001-07:00

I am so thankful to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave, and to be a descendant of men who loved their country enough to risk their lives. My father, Jack Cofer, and his brothers, James, Mitchell, Frank and Earl, were all in the military. Earl, the youngest, paid the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. He was a career soldier and loved the military life. They are all descendants of a Revolutionary War soldier.

Larry's Aunt Wille was also a soldier, packing parachutes at Ft. Oglethorp during WWII.

Today, I salute all the men and women who serve our country in the military. Many of them are far from home this Independence day, but you know they are thinking of the wonderful celebration we are having here in the USA.

Every time I see a man or woman in military clothing, I make sure to thank them for their service. It's not much, but their sacrifice makes my freedom possible, and I am eternally grateful.

Now, go hug a soldier!

Designer Crafts Connection

2011-07-01T14:11:00.001-07:00

Although I'm not participating in this blog hop for July, be sure to hop forward or backward using the Designer Crafts Connection button at left. You can see some gorgeous creations by a really talented group of designers and register to win a great prize package.
Good Luck!

Presto, Pesto!

2011-07-01T09:58:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago, I started some Basil seeds indoors, thinking that they probably wouldn't germinate since they were packed for 2007. Boy, was I wrong! I had Basil running out my ears. I gave away a lot of it, but still have six pots on my deck, with four plants in each pot.

My problem was that I knew I could flavor vinegar with it and use it in salads, but I had waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much. My dear friend Jan Stone suggested I make pesto. I had never had pesto but searched the internet for a quick and easy recipe. This is the one I used:

Fresh Basil Pesto
Prep time: 10 minutes

Ingredients
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano or Romano cheese
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
• 3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Special equipment needed: A food processor

NOTE: I found another recipe that said to chop everything by hand to really be able to separate all the wonderful flavors .

1. Combine the basil in with the pine nuts, pulse a few times in a food processor. (If you are using walnuts instead of pine nuts and they are not already chopped, pulse them a few times first, before adding the basil.) Add the garlic, pulse a few times more.

2. Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Serve with pasta, or over baked potatoes, or spread over toasted baguette slices.

Yield: Makes 1 cup.

Now, here's the recipe for the digital page layout:

Supplies
Duetica Lettering Arts Studio (Available at www.duetica.com)
Computer
Photo Program (I used Adobe Photoshop CS5)

1. Open your photo and size it so that it fills a little over 1/2 of your planned page layout.

2. Open a second file for your layout. Use the eyedropper tool to select colors for three layers and add them with a 1/4" margin all around. Make sure the top layer is a light color.

3. To mimic the pasta design, I added thin lines in a rusty brown color, which was selected from the photo. I started drawing lines individually and when I had about ten, I flattened the layer, selected the drawn lines plus the light background and pasted enough to fill to the other side of the page.

4. Flatten the layers again and select a new square with a 1/4" margin all around. Select inverse, then add a brown shadow all around, using the paintbrush tool and setting the opacity to 40 percent.

5. Place the photo in your layout. Create two surrounding layers, 1/4" apart.

6. Create the headline and subhead using Duetica Lettering Arts Studio's Tin Whistle font. Save it and create a png. file

7. Open the headline and subhead in Photoshop and change the color to match colors in your photo.

8. Copy the headline and paste it into a new file, making the opacity 50 percent. Save it as a png. file.

9. Place the 50 percent headline on your page with the bottom overlapping the photo a little. Place the full headline over this and move it about 1/4" up to make the shadow more pronounced. Place the subhead at the lower right of the page.

10. Draw a rectangle for your journaling and set the opacity at 35 percent. Draw another rectangle, about 1/4" smaller all around, and paint it the light color of the top background layer.

11. Set your journaling type and you're done.

Note: I have been told that the pesto can be made and frozen in ice cube trays, then packed in freezer bags.

Now, go make some pesto and enjoy it with someone you love, even if it's just you.

Have a safe and happy Independence Day and praise God that we live in a country that is free.

Good Morning, Sunshine!

2011-06-15T08:07:00.001-07:00

This beautiful Day Lily greeted me Tuesday morning when I walked out the front door to water my plants. I immediately snapped a photo and headed to the computer. I posted it on Facebook, then decided that wasn't enough to do justice to this glorious bloom. It was begging for a digital scrapbook page of it's own, so I obliged.

Here's how I made my page:
Supplies
Duetica Lettering Arts Studio Software, Saxi Font (www.duetica.com)
Adobe Photoshop and InDesign Software (www.adobe.com)
Digital camera

1. Set headline type in DT Saxi font. Save as a png file.

2. Open a 12” X 12” layout in Photoshop and the file of your photo.

3. Select a 3” x 4” portion of your photo. Copy and paste repeatedly into the 12" x 12" layout to fill the layer. Flatten the entire image. Don’t worry if the edges are a little off.

4. Select the entire pattern portion of your layout. Go to Filters, emboss and adjust the pattern to your liking. Crop to a 10” x 10” image, centering the images, and save as a jpg.

5. Open a new 12 " x 12" file. Select colors from the photo for the first background layer (green), which will be 12 " x 12", and second layer (pink), which will be 11 1/2" x 11 1/2". On the pink layer, select the entire layer and add noise from the Filters palette to create texture.

6. Place the pattern layer on top of the pink layer. Create a new layer, fill with the same pink as the second layer and adjust to 30 percent. This will give your three layers a cohesive look. Place your photo into the layout and add a yellow/green border.

7. Open your headline and change the color of the type by using the magic wand to select the background and openings in the letters, then selecting Inverse and dropping in color with the paint bucket.

8. Place the file in your layout.

9. Add a journaling block by selecting the area on a new layer, then dropping in the color at about 55 percent.

10. Save all as a psd file to be able to alter layers later if desired, then save as a jpg.

10. Take the .jpg image into a layout program such as In Design or Pagemaker and add journaling using the Saxi font. (I always set my journaling in a layout program so that I can tinker with the font.)

I've been creating pages as the inspiration struck this summer and plan to put them all into a Summer of 2011 book. The images will be printed at 8" X 8" to fit my book and save ink.

Enjoy this glorious day and take photos of your Day Lilies. They won't last long but you'll be able to have summer memories all year long.

Now go hug someone you love (or some flower, but very gently)!

I received Duetica Lettering Arts Studio software. Please remember that I would never endorse a product that I didn't believe in.

Is it Copying?

2011-06-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

I ran across a great article by Rice Freeman-Zachary entitled You Already Know the Answer today that talks about what I have been thinking for a long time. The article is clear and concise and points out a lot of ideas that have come to be accepted as common practice.

When I first started writing this blog entry, I went off on a tangent about someone who was taking classes at one scrapbook store, then teaching the same class at another.I got a little heated up, so decided to delete all that and ask you to read this wonderful article.

I hope you're having a wonderful Friday, that you stay cool and have the best weekend ever!

Now, go hug someone you love.

Designer Craft Connection-June Edition

2011-06-06T09:08:00.000-07:00

Welcome to another monthly edition of the Designer Craft Connection. If you click on the DC logo to the left, you can hop from blog to blog and see all the wonderful patriotic-themed projects from this talented group of designers. Be sure to check out Julie McGuffee's blog for info on registering to win the great prize that will be given away later this month, The Big Book of Scrapbook Pages and Cherish by Jeanette R. Lynton. You only have to leave a comment on Julie's blog telling her which project you liked best and why as well as which technique you liked the best.

Note: I have been experiencing some problems this morning with my links, so you may have to copy and paste the websites into your browser to get to them.

I come from a long line of patriots, dating back to the Revolutionary War. I love using red, white and blue in my work, but you will rarely see pure colors. I prefer the aged look of Navy blue, burgundy and cream colors, all mixed up with a lot of brown.

This tag came together in about 20 minutes, including setting the lettering with the Duetica Lettering Arts font. It took me longer to find my Distress Embossing Powders than it did to actually construct the tag.

Supplies
Big Shot and Sizzix Dies: Tim Holtz's Gadget Gears and Tag and Bookplates (www.sizzix.com)
Tim Holtz's Ranger Distress Inks, Fired Brick, Vintage Photo, Soot and Faded Jeans (www.ranger.com)
Tim Holtz's Ranger Distress Embossing Powders, Brushed Corduroy, Fired Brick and Faded Jeans(www.ranger.com)
Duetica Lettering Arts Studio Font,Floot (www.duetica.com)
Smooch Spritz, Cherry Ice and Navy Twinkle (www.clearsnap.com)
B-Line Swirl Stamp (www.blinedesigns.com)
Mat Board scrap
Rosie the Riveter Stamp from Artistic Outpost's Hero Set (www.artisticoutpost.com>)
Krylon Silver and Gold Leafing Pens (www.krylon.com)
Parchament Paper
Cream card stock scrap
Craft card stock scrap
Leather Cord
Beacons 3-in-1 Adhesive (www.beacon.com)
Paper cutter, craft knife

Directions
1. Cut tag and reinforcement from mat board using the Tag and Bookplates die and the gears from the Gadget Gears die.

2. On the large tag, spay Smooch Spritz randomly. Stamp swirl stamp with Faded Jeans Distress Ink. Ink the tag edges with Vintage Photo and Soot inks.

3. On cream paper, stamp the Rosie the Riveter collage stamp with Faded Jeans and trim closely. Lightly sponge Fired Brick and Faded Jeans all over the image and along the edges. Cut a scrap of Kraft Paper slightly larger than the Rosie stamp. Tear off the bottom edge. Ink the edges heavily with Faded Jeans, Fired Brick and Vintage Photo. Finish with a direct-to-paper swash along the edges of soot ink.

4. Adhere stamped art to right side of the tag.

5. Set sentiment with Duetica Lettering Arts Floot font. Change color to a deep burgundy and print on parchment paper. Tear parchment to make sentiment strip approximately 6" x 1". Sponge with Fired Brick, Faded Jeans and Vintage Photo and ink all edges with the same. Finish with a light sponging of black around the edges. Adhere to left side of tag, overlapping the image if necessary.

6. Gears: To create the look of rusty metal, ink each gear with Vintage Photo ink. Randomly sprinkle Fired Brick, Faded Jeans and Brushed Corduroy distress embossing powders over each gear, leaving some areas blank. Heat the powders until they are set, then brush away any loose particles remaining. Ink the gears randomly with Soot ink.
Adhere the gears to the tag, allowing some to hang off the edge. When dry, flip the tag over and trim off the excess gears with a craft knife.

Tip: Even though Distress Inks are dye inks, they remain damp a little longer than regular die inks, so you can use them for heat embossing.

7. Paint the reinforcement circle with gold and silver Krylon Leafing Pens in a random pattern. Allow to dry, then ink with Vintage Photo and Soot Distress Inks to age the piece. Adhere the reinforcement to the tag and tie a strip of leather through the hole.

This will become the cover art of my Independence Day/Freedom mini-album.

Try to stay cool today. The forecast for this week is nothing below 95° in the Memphis area. As my sweet granny used to say, "It's hotter than a July firecracker!"

Now go hug someone you love. I wish I could hug my granny!

Note: I received product from Sizzix, Clearsnap, Duetica, Beacon, Krylon and Artistic Outpost, although had I not received them, I would have purchased them. You can count on knowing that I only use products which I love and would never recommend a product just because I received it at no charge.
I learned the rusty technique on the gears from Shelley Hickox, who was kind enough to share it with our stamp club at our last meeting.

An Unexpected Visitor

2011-05-27T05:33:00.000-07:00

Isn't it funny how things happen that you never expect? After much rattling of paper (Translation: destroying half of a parent sheet), I found this guy in my studio one morning. He was wedged between the wall and a file cabinet where I store large pieces of paper and mat board. I have no idea how he got in. He had to come through a door opening in my studio or else he managed to disguise himself and walk straight through the living, kitchen and dining room, then hop down two steps to get to his destination. I can't imagine that I left a sliding glass door open long enough for him to crawl in then hide. None the less, he managed it somehow.

I wish I had snapped a photo when I first found him, rather than in the flower bed that I placed him in at the front of our house. He was very big, probably 5-6" wide and 7-8" long. If I had placed him in the back yard, the dogs would have had a field day with their new "toy".

Here's how I made this digital scrapbook page.
Supplies:
Duetica Lettering Arts Studio Software Font: Saxi
Photoshop CS5
InDesign CS5
jpeg photo

I set the headline type with the Saxi font from Duetica. The spots behind the letters were also created with the same software. This system allows you to select, letter-by-letter, the font style. You can use one font with many variations or mix fonts to come up with unlimited headline type. I set the words and saved them to one file, then set the "dots" using the same font. You get both of these with the purchase of the Saxi font. You can change the font color right in the Duetica software before saving the file. I chose to wait until I took it into Photoshop because I wanted to pull my colors from the photo. If you are working in Microsoft word or another word program, you can place this file right in without taking it to a layout program, which is great for things like newsletter headlines or the important words in invitations, such as the names of the bride and groom.

1. I opened a 12" x 12" file in Photoshop, a smaller blank file and the turtle photo.

2. I set up a palette in the small file using five colors selected from the turtle photo.

3. Background paper: I selected a random shape from the turtle shell and copied and pasted it into my 12" x 12" file. After pasting about four more of the same pattern across the top, I flattened the file, selected the shell pattern and pasted it enough times to cover the whole page. I flattened it again and selected one horizontal piece from the center to paste along each side to cover any remaining white space. I selected a vertical pattern to cover the top and bottom as well. I created a new layer, set the opacity at 35% and filled it with the blue I selected from the photo.

4. I opened the dots file from Duetica and colored each dot with one of the color selections from the photo. I placed it on the background, enlarging it to fit and saved the file as a psd, maintaining the layers. I placed the "An Unexpected Visitor" words, enlarging the file to fit over the dots.

5. I added a green rectangle and placed the photo on it. I also drew two lines just below the headline and brought the type layer forward with the descender on the "p" on top of the line to give it some depth.

6. I created the text box in pale blue, then drew a couple of lines across the bottom of the box using a specialty brush from Photoshop.

7. At this point, I saved the entire file.

8. I opened InDesign, drew a beige block over the text box with a 45% drop shadow and added my text and subhead, both in the Saxi font.

9. I liked the clean look of the page, but as an after-thought added the circles across the bottom with drop shadows.

This page is going into my 8" X 8" Little Moments of Life book where I keep scrapbook pages about seemingly insignificant events that are just part of everyday life. Even though this file is a 12"x 12", I will print it as an 8" x 8", using less ink than a 12" x 12" page.

For Sweet, Sweet Anabelle

2011-05-23T13:48:00.001-07:00

Our friends Wayne and Janet are now very proud grandparents. Their first grandchild, Anabelle, was born today to son Adam and daughter-in-love Amy.

Those of you who know me well, know that I am the world's worst procrastinator. Well, maybe not the worst, but close. I had planned to have this ready and ship it a month ago. I shipped it off today, so at least it will arrive before her first birthday!

This project is designed to hold all of those precious baby firsts: First booties, first pacifier, first bib, etc. Anything that won't fit in a scrapbook can fit in here.

Janet told me a very sweet story about how they chose the name for the new little girl. When Amy was a child, her parents divorced. She had a rag doll similar to Raggedy Ann, but this one had blond hair and her name was Anabelle. Anabelle got Amy through some really tough times, so I wanted to add an image of what I thought Anabelle would look like.

Here's how I made this.

Supplies
• Patterned scrapbook paper,12 x 12, 2 matching sheets
• Patterned scrapbook paper,12 x 12, 1 sheet to blend with the others
• Colored card stock, 8 1/2" x 11", 3 sheets to match patterned paper
• White card stock, 1 sheet 8 1/2" x 11"
• Paper Scraps to piece doll and cut flowers
• Sizzix Tattered Flowers Die and Big Shot machine
• Assorted flower punches
• 1" circle punch
• 1 roll ribbon, 2 1/2" wide
• Cut-out letters (I used Moxie by Quickutz)
• Circle cutter or saucer to use as a pattern to fit paint can lid
• Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive
• Colorbox Chalk Ink

Directions
1. Cut patterned paper to fit paint can. Punch circles to surround handle attachment.
2. Adhere ribbon all the way around the can.
3. Sketch rag doll on scrap paper, then cut apart and use as pattern to cut doll from scraps. Add yarn around doll's head.
4. Punch name from white card stock and edge with Colorbox Chalk Ink in a color to match. Adhere along ribbon. Fill remainder of ribbon with flowers.
5. Punch a variety of flowers and use to decorate remainder of can.
6. Punch lacy pattern from white card stock and adhere around can top.
7. Tie ribbon bow on one side of handle.
8. Use colored cardstock to line inside and inside bottom of can.

Lid
1. Cut circle to fit lid. Adhere flowers in a random pattern. (Note: I took the photos before I added the flowers to the lid. I didn't realize I had not taken a final photo until after it was in the mail.)

I also made a sweet little card using a great Sizzix die, Brenda Pinnick's Card, A2 w/Decorative Edge. This great little die was so easy to use! I cut one full piece of pink card stock for the base, then cut just the wavy edged front from white and a patterned cardstock. I first tied my organdy ribbon around the top layer, then layered them on the pink card, offsetting each one about 3/8 of an inch and trimming off the excess from the two top layers at the fold. I cut a little binder edge from a different patterned paper, edged it with decorative scissors and folded it along the fold edge, wrapping it to the back. All I added at this point was a little sentiment, set with the Duetica Lettering Arts Studio software, my favorite new tool.

My prayer for Adam and Amy is that they take the time to relish this period of their lives. I would give anything to go back and do it all again.

If you have any questions about the construction of this project, just leave me a comment and I'll get back to you.

Now, go hug someone you love, especially your children.

Tag, you're it!

2011-05-20T07:36:00.000-07:00

These are the last two tags I made for our River City Stampers' tag challenge. These were both so easy and will look great on gift bags. I plan to use these with solid color bags so that they will stand out.

Here's how I made them:

Button Tag

Supplies
Small manilla tag (1 1/4" x 3")
Stamp Pads (Stampin'Up!® Pink Passion and Old Olive)
Swirl stamp
Viva Décor Pearl Pen (Ice White)
Assorted Buttons
Embroidery Floss, Ivory
Green Ribbon, 8" (Offray)
Sponge
Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive

Directions
1. Sponge pink ink on tag. Sponge edges with olive green ink and stamp swirl in olive green.

2. Tie floss through buttons and adhere buttons to tag.

Note: This is one of my pet peeves. Buttons should have something to anchor them to the piece, otherwise they look as though you could pick up the tag and spill them everywhere. If you don't want to add floss, thread or string, at least draw a line between the holes with a marker. Now I'll get down from my soapbox!

3. Add Pearl Pen dots randomly.

4. Tie ribbon through tag hole using a Lark's head knot.

Double Flower Tag
Supplies
Green Tag
Swirl Stamp
Flower Stamp (Stampin'Up!®)
Big Brad (Bazzill)
Versamark Clear Embossing Ink
Platinum embossing powder
Pearl and Crystal wired embellishments
Fibers, two pieces, 8" each
Clothes pin
Viva Décor Clear Gel
Heat Tool
Prima Flowers
Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive

Note: This tag from my stash was colored with watercolor paints and allowed to dry.

Directions
1. Stamp swirl on tag with embossing ink,add silver powder and heat to melt. Stamp flower stamp with embossing ink on big brad, add silver powder and heat to melt. Be sure to hold the brad with a clothes pin or long tweezers to prevent burning your fingers.

2. Attach brad to flowers, wrap pearl and crystal embellishment wires around brad shaft and bend tabs to secure. Attach to tag with Beacon 3-in-i Adhesive.

3. Attach fibers through tag hole.

4. Use Viva Décor Clear Gel to add water drops to flower petals.

OK! I've posted my tags. Now it's your turn. Take some time this week to sit down and make a few tags, limiting your color palette to no more than three colors, preferably colors you rarely use. It will be a good exercise to get your thinking heading in a different direction and you'll have tags already made up for the perfect gift or scrapbook page embellishment.

Now go make a tag for someone you love!

I received product from Viva Décor and Beacon.

Sweet Little Boxes, Custom Tags

2011-05-20T06:53:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love the convenience of gift cards? They are always the perfect fit, the recipient gets exactly what he/she wants and the shopping is easy. I pick my gift cards up when doing my grocery shopping, so I am saving the gas I would use for a trip to the mall and the environment, plus they count as double points toward my 10¢ a gallon gas discount! A gift for my friend and a gift for me! It doesn't get any better.

There's only one problem. What fun is giving a gift when there is no surprise on the opening? Of course, you can always put them in the envelope with a birthday card or actually find a box the right size and wrap it, but I love using this little gift box by Sizzix. Eileen Hull designed this Scoreboard die and also shared the technique I used.

The Duetica Lettering Arts Studio makes creating the tags so simple, and you know that the possibility of someone else having the exact same tag is very slim, since you can select each individual letter.

I will be teaching this technique tomorrow at the River City Stampers club meeting, but you get the directions here today.

Supplies
Duetica Lettering Arts Software (www.duetica.com)
Mat board or chipboard, 6” X 13”
Sizzix Scoreboard die, box with flap (www.sizzix.com)
Sizzix Texture Plate
Aluminum Foil
3M Super 77 Spray Adhesive (www.solutions.3M.com)
Alcohol inks, Ranger (www.rangerink.com)
Royal Langnickle Brush (www.royalbrush.com)
Printed paper scrap, 3” X 6”
Beacon Quick Grip (www.beaconadhesives.com)
Clearsnap Colorbox Inks (www.clearsnap.com)
Strong Double-stick tape (www.sookwangtape.com)
Brads, 2

Especially for You
Alcohol inks: Sail Boat Blue, Purple Twilight, Lettuce
3/8” Organdy Ribbon, Offray (www.offray.com)
Tag Punch
Duetica custom tag printed on cardstock

Happy Fathers Day
Alcohol inks: Slate, Rust, Mushroom
¼” Organdy Ribbon, Offray (www.offray.com)
½” and 1” Hole Punches (Texturize a small piece of cardstock. Punch small hole first, then line up and punch large circle. Ink resulting washer shape.)
Duetica custom tag printed on cardstock
Stapler

Directions

1. Adhere aluminum foil to board with Super 77 spray adhesive. Don’t worry if you get wrinkles. They’ll be covered with the texture. Cut with Scoreboard die.

2. Mark your fold lines by either re-scoring with a bone folder or marking with a pencil. When the piece is texturized, the score lines are hard to see.

2. Place the cut-out in a texture plate folder. You will have to run it through several times with the plate in different positions to cover the entire box.

Note: If you have to position the plate so that it covers another portion that has already been textured, line up the plate so that you aren’t adding additional texture.

3. Fold the box to set up your scorelines.

4. Flatten the box again and apply alcohol inks, brushing them quickly so they don’t dry. If they do, just add a little bit of plain alcohol to get the colors flowing again. You can also use the tool designed by Tim Holtz for Ranger (www.timholtz.com) for this step. It’s much quicker, but you don’t get as much color control.

5. Cut a liner for the inside back of the box and flap from matching printed paper scrap. Adhere to box inside back with strong glue.

Note: You can add the printed paper before cutting the shape, but the inside will be textured and the alcohol inks may bleed through.

6. Assemble the box, using heavy duty double-stick tape. Secure with brads if desired. Trim any excess liner paper after you make the flap fold.

7. Ink the box edges to cover fold marks and white edges.

8. Embellish as desired.

Insert your gift card and you're all set with a custom package for a custom gift!

Have a great Friday! Those of you living in the Memphis area had better enjoy this gorgeous day because the rains are heading back tomorrow and Sunday!

I received materials from Duetica Lettering Arts, Sizzix, Clearsnap, Colorbox, Royal Langnickle, Beacon, and Sookwang.

Boy, this a rarity!

2011-05-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

Can you believe I'm posting twice in one day? Even twice in 2 hours? There must be a star in the east, because this is definitely a miracle.

I had the honor of recently being selected for the Duetica Lettering Arts Studio Design Team. If you aren't familiar with Duetica, it's time to get acquainted. The system allows you to virtually create your own designs in your headlines. Each font has a multitude of designs for each letter so you can mix and match to your heart's content. Check them out at www.duetica.com. The price is so reasonable and comes with five font families. You can also add additional fonts for a low price.

My project for today is a digital scrapbook page. I have tons of layouts using all the traditional papers, inks, embellishments, etc. They take up a 5' shelf in one of my bookcases. If I keep going at this rate, I'll have to build a 1,000 square foot addition to my home just to house them. Something's gotta give!

I have done digital scrapbooking off and on for several years. I love the fact that I can store the entire thing on a cd or external drive, but I do love the pretty embellishments that you can get at a scrapbook store, especially rub-on fonts with beautiful capital letters. Duetica gives you the swirly capitals as well as other designs, plus you can customize each letter with a stroke of the keyboard.

I love the look of this page. The Tin Whistle font adds the perfect punch.

Here's how I created my first digital page made with the Duetica Lettering Arts Studio:

Materials
Scans
Duetica Headline
Photoshop Software
InDesign Software (optional)*
Computer

Directions
1.Open a 12 X 12 page in Photoshop and open your photo in a separate file. Reduce/enlarge the photo width to fit three side-by-side copies, 12” wide.

2.Copy the photo and paste three across. Flatten the layers, save as a jpeg file (“tomato border”), then copy the resulting image and paste over and over to fill the entire page. Flatten image again.

3.Open another layer in the same file and create a gradient in dark blue and rust from upper left to lower right. Adjust the opacity until you are happy with the image. Save this as your background paper(“background paper”).

4.Open the Duetica Lettering Software. Use the Tin Whistle font to create Tomato/Tomato. You can select your color here as well. Save in your art bin as a png file, then create an image file (“Tomato Tomahto”).

5.Open Tomato Tomahto in Photoshop. Select the entire background and open areas in letters. Select Inverse. Select Paint brush tool, large setting, and paint the letters the desired color. Crop and reduce the image size to 10” wide. Save as tomato tomahto title.png.

At this point you can continue to work in Photoshop to complete the page if you like.

6.Open InDesign (or other layout program), with a 12” X 12” page and paste the “background paper” file. Begin adding the other elements (tomato border, photo and Tomato tomahto title)one by one until you are happy with the results.

•Note: While I used InDesign for my layout, you could create the entire page, except for the Duetica Headline, in Photoshop CS5 or Photoshop Elements

Save your file and either store it on a cd or flash drive.

Have a wonderful Thursday and an even better Friday!

Two more.....

2011-05-19T07:24:00.000-07:00

Here are two more tags for the River City Stampers' May challenge using pink and green.

When I sat down to do these tags, I decided that I would use some materials I had not used in a long time, if ever. It's amazing what you can find in your stash. Lots of embellishments, lots of bling and lots of what-was-I-thinking-when-I-laid-out-good-money-for-this? items.

The first is made using the clear embossing technique as well as my oh-yes-I-meant-to-do-that technique.

You will need:
• Manilla tag
• Versamark embossing ink pad
• • Clear embossing powder
Cameo coral, Olive Green and More Mustard dye inks (Stampin'Up!®)
• Sponge
• Heat tool
• Flower and sentiment stamps
• Pink and green rhinestones
• Flower punch (Stampin'Up!®)
• Viva Décor Pearl Pen, Cream
• Leaf charm
• Beacon 3-in-1 adhesive

Directions:
1. Stamp and emboss flowers randomly on tag but not on lower edge. Sponge all three ink colors over top of embossing on entire tag and wipe with a paper towel to reveal embossed flowers. Stamp sentiment on lower portion of tag. Here's where you use my oh-yes-I-meant-to-do-that technique: I stamped my sentiment very crooked. Usually I don't mind that because it adds interest, but this wasn't one of those times. I cut off the bottom portion of the tag, lined it up on the paper trimmer and cut it so that it would be straight, then inked the edges a little more and glued it in place.

Tip: If you have a sentiment stamp that is mounted incorrectly, heat it in the microwave for about 10 seconds, then use dental floss to slice it off the wood and reposition it. Repeat if necessary. I usually draw a line with a Sharpie parallel to the wooden edge on the mounting side of the stamp, then line up the sentiment on that.

2. Stamp and punch the flower-shaped tag.

3. Use Pearl Pen to add tiny dots around the edge of the sentiment tag, to the centers of all the flowers and around the edge of the flower-shaped tag. Allow Pearl Pen to dry.

4. Punch an additional flower from printed card stock scrap. Glue tag string between flower with Pearl Pen edging and printed card stock. Thread leaf charm onto string and re-tie through tag hole using a slip knot.

5. Add rhinestone embellishments as desired.

The second tag is very tiny, about 1 1/2" X 3". I had received these flower buckles from my secret Stamp club pal about five years ago and had never used any of them. What a nice surprise it was to find them in the bottom of my embellishment stash!

I used:
• Small manilla tag
• Green polka dot ribbon, 8"
• Pink striped ribbon, 11"
• Metal flower buckle
• Viva Décor Pearl Pen, Lilac
• Cameo coral, Olive Green and More Mustard dye inks (Stampin'Up!®)
• Sponge
• Beacon 3-in-1 adhesive

Directions:
1. Sponge tag using all three inks, overlapping edges to blend.

2. Adhere pink striped ribbon to tag front.

3. Thread green ribbon through flower buckle. Center flower buckle on tag top, bring both ends of ribbon around to the back and insert them in the tag hole. Pull up and tie behind buckle.

4. Fold remaining pink ribbon in half and adhere between buckle and tag.

5. Write "love" with Lilac Pearl Pen.

These are ready for any use you like. I think both of these will be come gift tags for me.

Check back tomorrow for the last two tags, which are my favorites!

Now, go hug someone you love and thank God for Spring! (I just love typos when they make sense, although my phone provider is AT&T. I actually typed, Thank God for Sprint!)

I received product from Viva Décor, which I would have purchased anyway, because I love all their products!

Spring Challenge

2011-05-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

I belong to a group of mixed media artists in Memphis, Tennessee, the River City Stampers. This group has so much talent, and we cover a lot of different artists' media, with members teaching a new technique or project each month. We also have swaps and challenges, which is what I want to discuss today.

Our challenge for May is to create tags using the colors pink and green. Other colors can be added as long as the two main colors are included. This made me combine colors I never would have before. I tend to get into phases of using the same colors over and over for months, even years, before going on to something different. My career as a graphic designer is mapped out in more than 30 years of two-color jobs featuring brown/blue, brown/green, teal/purple, teal/brown and purple/green with bursts of full-color jobs in between. Of course, I had to slip in the company colors, red, blue and yellow, at times, but you can pretty well tell the decade something I designed was printed according to the color.

I love rusted things, old things, faded fabrics, antique toys...anything old. Pink and green was a serious challenge for me, although at one time, my favorite Stampin'Up!® ink combo was More Mustard, Cameo Coral and Olive Green.

Anyway, here is one of the tags I made using Viva Décor products, plus the Duetica Lettering System software, which is my new fave computer product. It allows you to set your headline type, then select each letter style individually to create the perfect headline for your project.

I will be adding a couple more tags tomorrow and Friday, so be sure to check back!

Apologies to the author of this saying (Lord, thank you for letting me be born in the South and for the cornbread and turnip greens in my mouth.). I heard it many years ago, but never knew who came up with it. It's perfect for the way I feel about living in Tennessee.

Supplies
Cream Cardstock (Stampin'Up!®)
Viva Décor: Metallic Paint, bronze; Pearl Pen, Cream; Paper Pens, Cream and Carmine; Paper Soft Color, Apricot, Magenta and Moss Green, Sponge applicators, assorted (www.viva-decor.us)
Prima Flowers (any light color will do)
Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive
Duetica Lettering Arts Studio Software (www.duetica.com)
Corner rounder punch (Stampin'Up!®)
Flowering branch stamp (Stampin'Up!®)
Workable Fixatif (www.krylon.com)
Assorted ribbons, 8" long each
(www.vivadecor.com)

Directions
1. Set up type for saying. You can do the layout in any word program after setting the type with the Duetica Lettering Arts software.* Print onto cream card stock and trim out tag shape. Round top corners with punch. Spray lightly with Krylon Workable Fixatif to protect type and set aside to dry.

2. Apply Paper Soft Color to flowers with sponge applicator. (This will make your flowers work with your tag no matter what, as long as the flowers are a light color to begin with. The two small ones were a dull green, the large one a VERY bright pink and white.) Brush flower edges with bronze paint and set aside to dry.

3. Apply Magenta Paper Soft Color to tag, using a circular motion and a large round sponge applicator. Use a smaller applicator to apply Moss Green and Apricot randomly, keeping majority of the color on the edges to avoid coloring the print too much.

4. Stamp flowering branch on top of the tag with your choice of inks. Cover the branches with the Cream Paper Pen and add swirls along the lower border. Apply Carmine Paper Pen in dots to the flower buds, then add Cream Pearl Pen and Cream Paper Pen. Use Cream Paper pen to add dots and dotted swirls to remainder of tag.

5. Glue dogwood blossoms to bottom of tag and add Magenta and Cream Paper Pen centers to flowers.

This tag is ready to hang on a gift bag, use for a bookmark or a little something to keep in your work space to remind you of how blessed you are.

Have a fabulous day and be sure to hug someone you love. I know I will!

* I actually set only the word "South" with Duetica, changed the color and saved it as a png file, then placed it in an InDesign file, adding the additional words above and below the "South". This is because I work with InDesign daily and am more comfortable with it.

I received product from Viva Décor and Duetica Lettering System.

Sincere apologies...

2011-05-02T15:52:00.000-07:00

Please forgive me for not having my Designer Crafts Connection posting up! Go ahead and hop through the other designers' work for a real trea. Just click forward or backward on the button at left.

I will have something up in a few days, but please know that I have a very good reason for not having my post up. Can you say "tight deadline"?

Have a great week!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail!

2011-04-14T06:39:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love Spring? To me, it's the most beautiful season here in Tennessee with flowering trees, wildflowers, gorgeous irises and tulips and an over-abundance of azaleas in all colors and sizes. You can't live in the South without azaleas. It's just not done.

The greatest thing about Spring is Easter: the thrill of Easter morning when the children check to see what the Easter bunny left for them, getting all dressed up in our best finery and worshiping God with friends and family. Plus, the chocolate. No Easter is complete without chocolate bunny ears and Peeps.

This little quickie napkin ring will add a burst of sunshine to your Easter table. Each one takes about ten minutes with a hot glue gun, so you can make them at the last minute.

Here's how I did it:

Supplies
Yarn, Yellow
Offray Polka Dot ribbon, 12" for each ring
3 plastic mini-eggs
1 1/4" circle punch
Cardstock scrap
Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Directions
1. Punch a circle from the cardstock. Cut several 3" pieces of yarn. Loop and hot glue to the paper circle in a flower pattern. Set aside.
2. Punch an additional circle. Using about a yard of yarn, start gluing at the center of the circle, wrapping it as you go and gradually cover the entire circle.
3. Hot glue eggs to top of circle pattern.
4. Glue yarn covered circle to the first circle you made. Loop and glue additional yarn around eggs to form nest shape.
5. Create a loop with the polka dot ribbon that is big enough to slide you napkin through. Add egg basket to ribbon.

Simple and easy. I do recommend that you use low-temp glue, because I have several burned fingers to show for this project.

Be sure to check out the other Easter projects by clicking on the Designer Crafts Connection button. You'll be amazed at the beautiful designs from my fellow designers.

Here's wishing you a blessed Easter with friends and family.

Now go hug someone you love!

Win this Prize Package worth $900!

2011-04-07T06:47:00.000-07:00

The vendors who participated in the Complete the Puzzle Designer Gallery Challenge at CHA are offering you a chance to win this awesome prize package. This contest is open to everyone, and I hope someone I know wins!

Just go to http://scrapbookdimensions.com/online/win-this-prize-package-worth-900-dollars/ and follow the entry steps.

The winner will be drawn on May 9.

Good luck!!!

Participating Sponsors:
• ScraPerfect
• Rubber Stamp Concepts
• Earth Safe Finishes
• Robin's Nest
• Crafter's Workshop
• Makin's Clay
• Magenta
• Benny Morgan
• Westcott Brand

Another Blog Hop Coming Soon!

2011-04-05T06:48:00.000-07:00

On April 14th, be sure to check back here and follow the Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop for lots of new Easter projects.

We're giving away a set of DVDs of the final episodes of Scrapbook Memories.You can get a head start on entering the contest by visiting Julie McGuffey's blog (www.juliemcguffey.blogspot.com) for all the details.The winner will be announced on April 14th.

While you're there, be sure to take note of Julie's latest project, Scrapbook Soup. You know that if Julie has a hand in it, it's going to be great!

We're having a beautiful morning here in Brighton, Tennessee with birds singing, sun shining and flowers blooming. It's a bit nippy, but that's ok. It's supposed to warm up a little tomorrow, so if hubby doesn't get a round of golf going, we're heading to the Memphis Zoo for a look at the pandas.

I hope you have a wonderful day. If it's warm and green where you are, take off your shoes and walk in fresh grass. That's my favorite feeling of spring!

Christmas in April

2011-04-02T05:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a little sample of one of the projects I made for the CHA Designer Crafts Studio recently using Viva Décor products. Check out the Viva Décor FB page for other ideas and product info.

Store you child’s precious letters to Santa in this exquisite box. The top begins as a 6" X 8" canvas and the box can be purchased or easily made from foam board. Decorate the inside as well (the well created by the wooden canvas stretchers make a perfect frame when covered with a paper-wrapped chipboard frame!) and add a photo of your child on Santa's lap.

Materials
6” x 8” gallery-wrapped canvas
6” x 8” x 3” wooden box
Hinges, handle and metal corner protectors (Stanislaus)
Paper Soft Color, Moss , Warm Sand (Viva Decor)
Precious Metal Color, Copper (Viva Decor)
Pearl Pens, copper and black (Viva Decor)
Dresden Trims, Copper Medieval and German Die Cut Santa (Paper Dreams Factory)
12 X 12 paper, two sheets, patterned, light neutral color
Mulberry paper, burgundy and medium brown
Rusty Paper, one sheet (directions below) 8 1/2” x 11”
Vellum Paper, Parchment Paper, Christmas paper scrap
Matboard scrap
Assorted Christmas or background stamps
Distress Ink, Vintage Photo, Black Soot (Ranger)
Distress Embossing Powders, Vintage Photo and Black Soot (Ranger)
Smooch Spritz, Wood Stain and Sun Kissed (Clearsnap)
Chipboard, 2 sheets
FabriTac, Zip Dry and Quick Grip Adhesives (Beacon)
Be Creative Double-sided tape
Large Glue Dots
Ribbon, green and red organdy
Sizzix Die, Movers and Shapers L Die-Tag and Bookplates, Big Shot
Round Sponge Brush
Krylon Fusion Spray Paint, Cocoa Brown
Gold metallic cord
Perfect Crafting Pouch (ScraPerfect)
Copper brads
Black Sharpie
Versamark Ink
Scissors, Utility Knife and Paper Trimmer (Westcott)

Tip:
Rusty Paper Made Easy
Using any chipboard, cardstock, matboard or just about any other surface, spray on two coats of Cocoa Brown Krylon Fusion Paint. It looks and feels like rusty metal. Apply Precious Metal Colors for a more realistic look.

Instructions
Note:
• Sponge all paper edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink to give the piece an aged look.
• Before beginning project, apply Copper Pearl Pen to green ribbon in a polka-dot pattern. Allow at least 3 hours for drying.

Lid Frame Front
1. Measure a 1” border on all sides of canvas front. Draw lines from top of inner frame to bottom,dividing the opening into equal segments. Slit the canvas along the lines vertically inside the frame edges.

2. Paint entire canvas with Copper Precious Metal Color.

3. Color 6” x 8” patterned paper with Viva Paper Soft color, using circular sponge brush. Stamp randomly with Distress Inks. Cut into 6” x 1/2” strips, edge with Precious Metal Color and weave horizontally through canvas. Apply additional Moss Paper Soft Color to finished weaving to create a cohesive look.

4. Adhere rusty paper to chipboard. Trim out a frame with a 1” border to fit the box top. Attach metal corner protectors with Quick Grip adhesive. Sponge edges with Vintage Photo Distress ink covering chipboard edges. Attach frame to canvas front with FabriTac

5. Rub Perfect Crafting Pouch over vellum paper and print Christmas Wishes. Trim out to 1” smaller than inside canvas frame, and 1 1/2” larger at top and 1” larger at bottom.

6. Tear both top and bottom edges and fold top edge down to top of phrase, approximately 1/2”.Color back of vellum with Warm Sand Paper Soft color. Apply Moss Paper Soft Color to front side edges of vellum, being careful to not color over printed ink area. Add more Moss Paper Soft Color and Vintage Photo Distress ink to top and bottom of vellum. Adhere top fold down and title to box with Be Creative Double-sided adhesive.

7. Cut bookplate from mat board scrap. Apply Versamark ink, then sprinkle with Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powder, leaving some areas bare. Add Black Soot embossing powder to bare areas. Heat to emboss, rub to remove excess embossing powder, then go over entire bookplate with Vintage Photo and Black Soot inks applied randomly. Edge bookplate with black Sharpie. Print Letters to Santa on parchment and trim to fit bookplate. Adhere with Zip Dry Adhesive.

8. Paint gold braid with copper paint and sponge black Pearl Pen over to distress. Adhere inside frame.

9. Distress Copper Medieval border with Black Pearl Pen. Miter corners and attach to frame front with Zip Dry Adhesive.

Lid Inside Frame
1. Line wooden edge inside frame with Christmas paper scrap. Trim away excess canvas if desired and paint any bare wood with Copper Precious Metal Color.

2. Cut chipboard frame to fit outer edge and cover with scrapbook paper. Ink edges. Attach to frame back with Quick Grip adhesive.

3. Cut an additional chipboard frame, 1/8” smaller on all sides and on inside and cover with a different paper. Ink edges. Attach to first frame with Quick Grip adhesive.

4. Print photo to fit inside canvas frame. Make photo frame by cutting chipboard with a 3/8” frame edge. Cover with burgundy mulberry paper, rub Copper Precious Metal Color lightly over frame to highlight and attach photo using Zip Dry adhesive. Adhere to inside of small frame.

5. Attach Santa to frame edge with glue dots.

6. Tie green ribbon around box lid with bow on top.

Box Bottom
1. Cover box with medium brown mulberry paper. Spritz on Wood Stain and Sun Kissed Smooch Spritz, then lightly rub on Copper Precious Metal Color.

2. Paint 1” wooden balls with Copper Precious Metal Color and attach to box bottom.

Finishing
Paint handle with Copper Precious Metal Color and attach brads. Adhere to box opening edge with Quick Grip Adhesive. Attach hinge to back of box and lid.

The Bells are Ringing!

2011-03-13T07:04:00.002-07:00

It's time for wedding bells with the arrival of Spring!

This month's Designer Crafts Connection focus is on weddings: wedding favors, wedding decor, wedding bouquets...anything to do with weddings.

You can hop to the next blog on the list (or go backward) by clicking on the Designer Crafts Connection button at left.

At the recent CHA convention in Los Angeles, I worked in the Viva Decor booth and also contributed these three pieces to their booth display where the theme was White Wedding.

I wanted them to all match and chose a harlequin theme for the guest book cover, the champagne glasses and the votive holder.

Here is a short synopsis on how they were made. If you would like more detail, please email me at inkyfingers@bigriver.net.

Supplies
Viva Decor: Pearl Pen, Glass Paint, Sticky back Rhinestones, Pardo Jewelry Clay (Pearl), Metallic Paint (Silver)
Quilters' Tape
Heat Tool for affixing rhinestones
Handmade book
Champagne Glasses
Large votive holder
Bridal tulle (6" x 25')
Swarovski Hanging Crystals (2)
Jump Rings

Basic Pattern Instructions

For all items: On a 2" X 5' piece of bridal tulle, use pearl pen to create polka-dot ribbons.(This should be enough for all the pieces, so adjust if you are only making one. Allow to dry apporximately four hours or overnight.

Book

1. Cut opening in book front.

2. Place quilters' tape from upper left to lower right corners. Measure 1 " up from each corner to get the placement of your second piece. Repeat until all lines are in place, then begin again from the upper right to the lower left corners. Be sure to press all tape edges to prevent paint leakage. Make back of book in same manner, omitting the opening.

3. Apply white glass paint with sponge until all surfaces are covered. Allow to dry and remove tape.

4. Affix rhinestones with heat tool where the lines intersect.

5. Paint metal frame with silver paint and attach to book front.

6. Print inner pages on computer and assemble book.

7. Add ribbons to spiral edge, alternating plain bridal tulle and polka-dot tulle.

Champagne Glasses and Votive Holder
1. Create a harlequin pattern on paper, using a 45° angle. Make one for the glass and one for the votive, since you will need a wider width for the votive.
2. Roll pattern and place inside glass. Use the lines as a guide to place quilters'tape on outside of glass.
3. Sponge on Glass Paint.
4. Affix rhinestones as above on book.
5. Add ribbons to votive as on book.

Champagne Glass Charms
1. Condition and roll out jewelry clay. Cut two 1" squares and stamp the bride's first initial in one and the groom's in the other. Use a needle tool to create holes at top and bottom of charm. Bake according to package directions.
2. Add large jump ring to top of charms and smaller ones at the bottom. Add Swarovski Crystals to bottom.
3. Thread 1/2" bridal tulle through top jump ring and tie to glass stem. Add glue to hold ribbon in place at the top of the glass base.

Note: The votive holder is actually very large and would make a nice centerpiece for reception tables. I got it at Big Lots.

Oh, what a beautiful morning!

2011-03-11T10:17:00.000-08:00

Such a gorgeous day here in Brighton, Tennessee! I'm stuck inside finishing up projects for my not-very-soon-to-be-released book, but I have all the windows and blinds wide open, just enjoying this super-dooper 60°+ weather.

That little daffodil/buttercup/whatever is blooming at the edge of our driveway. We dug these up almost 24 years ago from an old homestead. They need to be separated, but still bloom their little hearts out every year.

I also have tulips, daylillies, hydrangea, hostas and Jacob's Tears pushing up through my front bed. I don't think the back one will survive the doggy feet that have trampled the lilies and roses around the deck. I haven't even checked the blueberry bushes and know I have to prune my grapes soon, plus, we're moving the garden this year and should have already had that ready to go. I have such a rough life! :)

Don't forget to pop back in Sunday for another Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop! We're all posting wedding projects. Do you think Prince William and his bride might jump in for a look? The winner of the Cricut Expression will also be announced that day. If you're in the running or want to get in on it(see post for March 3 for details), be sure to drop by Julie McGuffee's blog to see if you're the winner.

Now go outside and thank God for His glorious creation and all the blessings in your life...then hug someone you love!

What a great weekend!

2011-03-07T09:51:00.001-08:00

This was one of the best weekends ever! We started off with a visit Friday night with my sister-and brother-in law. Larry and Doyle had a golf lesson on tv, while Janell and I set up her really cool new HP printer and dug through some old sewing supplies that belonged to her mother. I have materials now for about a million craft projects!

Saturday, the ladies of Trinity Baptist in Brighton met for a tea to discuss our upcoming projects for the year. For such a small congregation (30 or so church member families I think. Don't quote me!), we have a surprisingly large number of charities and outreach programs. Having the best group of ladies ever also helps!

Saturday night, Larry and Sorghum Hill played a benefit for the Concord Academy, a private school for special needs students. They had barbecue from Leonard's (the BBQ of my dreams!), an auction that included an autographed basketball by Josh Pastnor, the University of Memphis basketball coach, a football signed by the great Tony Romo and a week's stay at a beachfront condo in Florida. After the auction, Phil Cox, guitar player and song writer extraordinaire for Sorghum Hill, announced that the band would offer a private concert in the purchaser's home or business. The bidding started low, but before it was almost over, a bidding war between two tables had developed. When the bid got to $1700, Phil said they would play two concerts, so the bidding war buddies each won. Concord Academy was the biggest winner, though! It was a fun evening, made even better by getting to visit with my old Southside High School buddies, Charlotte Gordon King, Ronnie Gordon (my sister and brother by choice), and Elaine Boyuka Beard and her sweet hubby Wayne Beard.

Sunday we went to church where our Pastor's son was taking over the reins for his dad. Bro. Bill is in Nevada with his mother, who is in very bad health. Jarred's sermon was excellent and we left with happy, revived hearts. I spent the afternoon with more family at my cousin Debbie's house for a Premier Jewelry party, one of my favorites for beautiful bling. We finished up the weekend with the first practice for our Easter Cantata and evening services with a message from one of our church members, Tom Campbell.

It was a great weekend, one that we would love to repeat often.

I slept in this morning until 10:30, which is not good, since I have plenty of things to do today.

Be sure to check back here Sunday, March 13th, for the Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop. We'll be featuring wedding decor this month. Plus, the winner of the Cricut Expression will be announced that day. I think you can still get in on that deal by clicking on the "Hop Froward" or "Hop Back" buttons, finding nine of the Cricut bug logo (not the one with the pictures of the machine) and listing the blog owners' names on Julie McGuffy's blog in the comments section of the March 3 post Good luck!

Now, go hug someone you love!

Let's go to the Hop!

2011-03-03T06:54:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the first edition of the Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop!
By clicking on the forward or back button to the left, you can hop to another blog, then click on their button to hop to another.

Our theme for March is Weddings and we'll all be posting wedding ideas on March 13th. In the meantime, watch for the little green Cricut logo on nine of the blogs. Write the blog names down, then go to Julie McGuffey's site (www.juliemcguffee.blogspot.com) and leave a comment with the list of blogs where you saw the logo. You'll be entered to win your own Cricut Expression!

Here's a little project that I made for the Craft Studio at CHA. The base product was beige yarn and here's what I did with it:

Supplies

• Acrylic yarn, white or very light beige
• Crochet Hook, size H
• FabriTac Adhesive (Beacon)
• Quick Grip Adhesive (Beacon)
• Smooch Spritz, Electric Blue, Citrus Tickle, Majestic (Clearsnap)
• Gloss Gel, Emerald Green, Magenta
(Viva Decor)
• Glitter Pen, Peridot, Gold (Viva Decor)
• Heavy fabric, such as denim, cut into four 6” x 6” pieces
• Plastic Headband
• Sizzix Bigz Die - Tattered Florals (Sizzix)
• Big Shot (Sizzix)

Instructions
Day One
1. Crochet two 200-stitch single crochet chain, one each for each purple and blue flowers.

2. Beginning in the center of a fabric square coil the chain, adhering to the fabric with FabriTac adhesive.

3. Adhere yarn in single strips to additional fabric squares for green flower and leaves.

4. Press all yarn assemblages with a heavy object for about 30 minutes, then allow to finish drying uncovered overnight, turning occasionally.

Day Two
1. Spritz spiral crocheted yarn with Smooch Spritz, using one main color per flower, and spray striped yarn with green Smooch Spritz.

Designer Tip: If you prefer a less intense color, you can pour a small amount on Smooch Spritz into a tiny atomizer and add water. You will not get as intense a shimmer, but the color will be much lighter, allowing for color mingling for more affects.

2. Die cut two large flowers from spiral yarn pieces and one smaller flower from striped yarn assemblage. Draw small leaf shapes on excess striped yarn and cut out with scissors.

Note: Be very careful when removing yarn/fabric assemblage from the die because the yarn may try to ravel.

4. Edge violet and blue flowers with Gloss Gel pens and green flower with Glitter Pen. Add gold Glitter Pen accents. to all flowers and leaves. Allow to dry.

Assembly
1. Determine placement of the flowers and leaves and attach to headband with Quick Grip Adhesive.

2. Spritz additional yarn with Smooch colors and loop behind flower assembly. Glue in place with Quick Grip.

Back from La-La Land!

2011-02-03T10:42:00.000-08:00

Flew in last night from the Craft and Hobby Convention and more than happy to be back in Tennessee.

The show was amazing and for once, I participated in several of the after-hours activities. It's so good to be in a group of people who actually get the same feelings I get when I look at a blank canvas or have a fresh tube of paint in my hand.

I saw a lot of new products and got to play with some fabric paints and polymer clay. Most of my time was spent in the Viva Decor booth demonstrating their fabulous products. They created a work hat for me, made with a straw cowboy hat covered in ivory flowers and dripping with pearls made with their Paper Pens. I'm hoping to get a photo soon, so will post when I do.

Off to unpack and see if all my paints made it home safely. I'll post some product reviews soon.

Have a creative day!

Happy 2011!

2011-01-01T08:39:00.000-08:00

It's a gloomy day in Tennessee, but the creativity is running wild! I have been in the studio since 7 this morning, with only one break to call and wish my friend Jan Stone a very happy birthday.

I love days like this, when I have no urge to get out of the house, and even if I did, the rain keeps me here. I'm rapidly tuning into a serious homebody. I'd just as soon get up each day, stay in pajama pants and tees and create all day, whether it's in the studio, in the garden, redecorating, organizing something or trying a new recipe.

If any of you plan to attend the Craft and Hobby convention in Los Angeles at the end of the month, be sure to drop by the Viva Decor booth, the ScraPerfect booth or the CHA Designers' Craft Studio to see all the cool demonstrations with some great products. The Viva Decor booth will have a great make & take, and the Craft Studio and ScraPerfect booths will have lots of unique projects by designers on display. The designers will be demonstrating their creations or techniques used in them, so check the schedule posted at each booth. There will also be door prizes at the CHA Designers' Craft Studio, and retailers can complete a puzzle with ScrapPerfect to be entered to win one of nine $900 gift baskets.

I'm heading back to the studio where I'll finish my Viva Decor projects today. The booth theme is a wedding, so be sure to check it out. There will even be a wedding dress embellished with Viva Decor products. Makes me wish I was a bride again, but only if the groom is my sweetie Larry.

I wish you a very blessed and prosperous 2011, and hope you get everything you want out of life this year. I plan to!

Sweets, Stamps and Tea

2010-12-16T09:53:00.000-08:00

This is the last day of the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop, featuring Sizzix dies created by multi-talented designers Brenda Pinnik, Eileen Hull and Karen Burniston. This has been so much fun and has made me push the creative envelope. These dies have been so easy to work with and, in a time of year that is extremely hectic, they have made me slow down and relax with the thing I enjoy most, creating art.

This final die, by Eileen Hull, is one that truly stretches the imagination. It is designed as a baggie topper, but the elements can be used for so many other items. The embellishment pieces alone (hearts, scallops, nameplates) conjure up a variety of ideas for future projects.

I used three toppers and one embellishment, all cut from mat board, to create a traditional bag topper, a book and a little storage space for stray postage stamps.

Here's how I made them:

Valentine Bag Topper
You don't have to wait for Valentine's Day. Show your love anytime!
Supplies
Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die - Treat Bag Toppers
Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die - Frame, Easel
Sizzix Mat Board
Patterned paper, 1 sheet 12 X 12
White card stock scrap
Border Punch (Stampin'Up!®)
Smooch Spritz, Cosmic Pink (Clearsnap)
Krylon Gold Leafing Pen
Stickles Glitter Glue, Gold (Ranger)
Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive (Beacon)
Brads, 3
Be Creative Double-stick tape
Wide wired ribbon (Designer Trimmings, Sam's Club)

Directions
1. Adhere paper to both sides of one sheet of Sizzix matboard (6" X 13"), being sure to align paper front and back. Cut frame/easel. Spray Smooch Spritz on a paper towel or sponge and color edges and folds. Paint outside and window edges and draw swirls with Krylon Pen. Paint swirls and open heart embellishment with Stickles Gold Glitter Glue and set all aside to dry.
3. Cut topper from Sizzix matboard and color with Smooch Spritz. Punch border from white card stock and adhere to underside of topper front and back.

Assembly
1. Fold Frame/Easel along score lines and use brads to secure.
2. Place candy pouch inside and secure with double-stick tape.
3. Add topper to Frame/Easel using double-stick tape.
4. Adhere heart embellishment with Beacon 3-in-1 adhesive.
5. Insert ribbon in punched holes and tie into bow.

Tea Time Book

This is the perfect gift for the tea lover on the go. It fits easily in a brief case or handbag, so the recipient can always have their favorite tea on hand, no matter where they are.

Supplies
Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die - Treat Bag Toppers
Sizzix Mat Board
Chipboard, two pieces 3" X 6"
Coordinating patterned paper, 2 3/4" X 5 3/4"
Textured Card Stock, two sheets with coordinating textures (Bazzill)
White Card Stock scraps
Alcohol Ink, Espresso (Ranger)
Distress Inks, Vintage Photo, Broken China, Black Soot, Marigold and Fired Brick (Ranger)
Felt ink applicators (Ranger)
Stamps, Afternoon Tea (Oxford Impressions)
Satin Ribbon, Brown (Stampin'Up!®)
Glassine Envelopes, three 2 3/4" X 5"
Tea Bags
Be Creative Double Stick Tape
Glue Dots

Directions
1.Attach one piece of textured paper to mat board and cut die. Using the handle topper, ink with alcohol ink and wipe off excess.
2. Cover two pieces of chipboard with second sheet of textured paper for covers. Line inside with patterned paper.
3.With inside of covers together, attach topper with double-stick tape. Tie satin bow in handle loop.
4. Color white cardstock with distress inks and stamp cup and tag with Black Soot. Trim images and ink edges with Vintage Photo ink. Attach to book front with glue dots.
5. Insert two tea bags into each envelope and clip envelopes closed with circle paper clip. Use double-stick tape to adhere opposite ends together so that the paper clips are on the right hand edge. Apply double-stick to front and back left hand edges and press between covers. Your envelopes should swing free except at the left side.

Stamp Caddy
This last one fits right in my wallet and will save me a lot of money when I need an extra 1¢ stamp.

Supplies
Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die - Treat Bag Toppers
Sizzix Mat Board
Colorbox Chalk Queue, Sand Dunes (Clearsnap)
Stazon Ink, Fuschia, Mustard and Black
Flourish and Word Stamps (unknown manufacturers)
Small glassine envelope or waxed paper
beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive
Glue Dot

Directions
1. Cut die from matboard. Ink small scalloped topper front and back, blending colors.
2. With Black Stazon, stamp words randomly on topper
3. Tint glassine envelope with Mustard Stazon and tint edges with Fuschia. Stamp image with black Stazon.
4. Attach top to envelope, gluing front and back with Beacon 3-in-1 adhesive. Attach glue dot to inside of envelope flap and close.If glue dot is extremely sticky, tap it a couple of times on your clothing and adhere the stickiest side to the flap. The side that is less sticky should open and close easily.

Be sure to click the box on the left to hop forward or back and see what 60 other designers have done with this die. You will be amazed. I know I always am!

Triple Play Blog Hop, Week #6

2010-12-09T06:59:00.000-08:00

I can't believe we are almost through with this blog hop. Each week has been an adventure in creativity! Be sure to click on the Sizzix button on the left side of this page to see what 60 other amazing designers did with this die!

Between this event, my 3X weekly posts at the Memory Keepers blog, and Christmas shopping, I am just about created out. When I took Brenda Pinnick's lovely fabric and Sizzix diecuts out of the bag, my brain malfunctioned. There were so many possibilities, but also 60 other designers using the same materials. I always like to push the envelope, but how could I top what I had done in the past few weeks without spending days on the project?

I read somewhere that when you are writing a novel and you get your hero stuck in one of your mind blocks, you should turn him around and go in the opposite direction. If it works for writers, it should work for crafters, so I turned backwards and went to my crafting beginnings, which was scrapbooking.

Brenda's fabric and shape designs were perfect for a scrapbook page about our recent visit to the Memphis Zoo. The fabric lent itself well to the subject, and the shapes were perfect for my photos.

Here's how I did it:

Supplies
Sizzix Die (656053, Sizzix Bigz XL Die - Album, Brackets)
Fabric (Henry Glass, Couleur Vie #7270-74, tan solid, and blue felt)
Clearsnap Inks, Prussian Blue and Bronze
Patterned cardstock, Holly Jolly 12 X 12 (My Mind's Eye)
Dark Brown cardstock, 12 X 12 (Bazzill)
White cardstock
Beacon Zip Dry Adhesive
Kraft and black cardstock strips, 11" X 2"
1/8" Hole Punch
Hemp scraps, 6"
Computer-generated title and journaling

Directions
1. Trim 1/2" off two adjacent sides of patterned cardstock. Ink edges with blue and brown inks and adhere to dark brown cardstock. Set aside.
2. Cut two large frames from tan fabric and one each from felt and white paper. Cut one small frame center from printed fabric. Ink all edges with brown ink.
3. Cut photos with large frame then trim 3/8" from each. Ink edges and adhere to frames. Print journaling, cut from small frame center and trim 1/4". Ink edges and adhere to small frame center.
4. Adhere all photos and journaling tag to page, keeping elements lower to the bottom to allow for the title at the top.
5. Cut kraft paper to 11" X 1 3/4" and ink edges with brown ink. Punch three holes on each side and run hemp through, wrapping around edges and adhering in back with tape. Tear black cardstock to fit on kraft strip. Trim out each word of title and ink edges. Adhere to title strip and add photo at end.

That's it.

Now I have a page to remember our lovely day at the Memphis zoo. I also added a pocket to the back with the cd of the rest of our visit, so I''ll always know where to find it.

Have a fun-filled rest of the week! Be sure to stop by next Thursday for another round of the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop.

Only sixteen days 'til Christmas! WhooHoo!

From pop-out card to pop-out book title

2010-12-02T07:21:00.000-08:00

Welcome to this week's edition of the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop! Today, the featured die is Karen Burniston's Sizzix Pop-up Gift Card Holder Die (#656740).

Sometimes gift cards are the only way to to make sure you give what the giver wants, but when it comes to presentation, we are limited to a gift card envelope or pay way too much for a special holder. This die comes with the holder and several extra pieces, and when assembled, your gift card will pop out of the greeting card enclosure as a little extra surprise for the recipient.

I chose to make the pop-out portion a book title rather than a card holder by just placing the extra little label cutout portion over the words to create a permanent title page for my 2010 Christmas album.

Supplies
Sizzix Pop-up Gift Card Holder Die, #656740
Christmas Cardstock, 2 sheets 12" X 12"
Chipboard, 3 sheets 5 1/2" X 6 1/2"
Green Card stock, 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", folded to 4 1/4" X 5 1/2"
Black Card stock, 5 1/4" X 6 1/4
German Die-cut Santa (Paper Dreams Factory)
Snow Marker (Marvy Uchida)
Beacon Zip Dry Adhesive
Krylon Spray Paint, Burgundy (This is optional if your card stock is already the color desired.)
Be Creative double stick tape
Smooch Spritz, Green Olive (Clearsnap)
Color Box Chalk Ink, Dark Moss (Clearsnap)
Designer Trimmings Wired Ribbon (Sam's Club, a real bargain at $7.98 for 50 yards!)
Zutter Bind-it-all and Bronze O Rings (Zutter)
Computer-generated sentiment, printed on parchment

Note: All paper edges were sponged with Dark Moss Chalk ink.

Directions
1. Spray paint both sides of gift card pop-out and 5" strip if desired. Apply Smooch Spritz to card cover and extra label cutout portion.

2. Assemble card according to die instructions. Glue label cutout over words, apply vintage Santa and sentiment. Add Snow Marker to base of Santa, allow to dry and heat to pop up.

3. Cover chipboard front and back covers with Christmas Cardstock inside and out.

4. Assemble black inside pages between covers and punch and bind with Zutter Bind-it-all and O Rings. Cut ribbon into twelve 8" pieces , tie through rings (two pieces per ring) and trim ends into fish-tails.

5. Trim a portion of leftover Christmas card stock to cover card.

That's it.

Be sure to click the Sizzix box on the left to hop forward and see lots of other beautiful creations using this die, and don't forget to join us for another round next week!

We're having a marathon candy-making party with out-of-town guests at our house this weekend! Hope you have as much fun as we will!

Three from one

2010-11-25T06:57:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Thanksgiving edition of the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop!

Today, I am thankful for my friends and family, my freedom, especially my freedom to worship God as I please, and the talented designers, Eileen Hull, Brenda Pinnick and Karen Burniston, and the people at Sizzix who made this blog hop possible.

This week's die is the Frame Die, designed by Eileen Hull. This die has so many great components that I took several days just to decide what I wanted to do with it. I ended up with not one, but three projects with only one cut from this die (except the additional backing sheet for the book): a candy box with see-through top, a recipe book with a framed cover and a tiny little frame to hold a picture of one of my all-time favorite guys.

Be sure to click on the Sizzix icon to the left to continue through the blog hop to see what other designers have done with this die.

Candy Box Supplies
Square Box
Sizzix Bigz Die, Frame (Scallop Frame and Heart)
Krylon Red Spray Paint
Stazon Black ink
Swirl stamp (Stampin'up!®)
Gold Cord
Bead trim
Ivory bead and crochet trim
Beacon Quick Grip
Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink, Taffy
Black ribbon scrap
Acetate Sheet
Viva Decor Gold Glitter Pen
Marvy Marker, Red

1. Cut a 2 1/2" square from box top. Color inside edges with Marvy Marker. Attach acetate to inside of lid.
2. On lid, draw swirls with Glitter Pen and allow to dry.
3. Spray Paint scallop frame red and stamp with black Stazon. Glue to top of box and add gold braid trim around edge/
4. Glue bead trim around edge of lid and cover ribbon edge with ivory trim.
5. Paint heart with Smooch colors and allow to dry. Write sentiment with Sharpie pen and attach ribbon to back of heart. Adhere to top.
6. Fill with your favorite candy.

Recipe Book Supplies
Sizzix Bigz Die, Frame (Smooth edge Frame, Backing(2) and Flowers)
Krylon Espresso Spray Paint
Patterned paper, four 6"squares
Ribbon Scraps to match paper
Beacon Quick Grip
Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink, Siren and Taffy
Viva Decor Copper Glitter Pen
Viva Decor Pearl Paper Pen
Computer-generated title
Cropadile
Binder rings
Chestnut Roan ink pad (Clearsnap)

1. Adhere paper to front and back of covers.Use Pearl Paint Pen to accent paper design on outer edge only. When dry, lightly sponge edges with brown ink.
2. Spray frame with Espresso paint. Allow to dry then draw swirls with copper Glitter Pen.
3. Punch binding holes across top approximately 3/8" from the edge.
4. Adhere sentiment to center of cover and adhere frame.
5. Color flowers with Smooch inks. Sponge edges with brown ink and add accents with Pearl paper Pen and Copper Glitter Pen. Adhere to cover when dry.
6. Add binder rings and tie ribbon scraps to cover.

Tiny Frame Supplies

Sizzix Bigz Die, Frame (Small Frame)
Patterned card stock and ivory scraps
Stazon Black ink
Beacon Quick Grip
Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink, Siren, green and gold
Santa stamp
Red ribbon scrap
Chestnut Roan ink (Clearsnap)
Charm

1. Stamp image on ivory card stock, color and set aside.
2. Cover frame with paper, trim and sponge all edges with Chestnut Roan ink.
3. Cover back with extra cardstock, leaving the top open. Insert stamped and colored image and attach frame easel to back.
3. Tie bow through charm jump ring and adhere to frame.

There you go. Three gifts, one die. I had so much fun with this project...and I still have a bag of pieces left that I will have to use for something else.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know I will!

Flower Power

2010-11-17T21:54:00.000-08:00

Welcome to week #3 of the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop! This week we are using Brenda Pinnick's Beauty Bloom Flower die. This versatile die has large flowers, small flowers and some in between. You can cut them from paper, fabric, cork or whatever you like.

I have to confess, I looked at these long and hard trying to decide what I wanted to use them for. My first thought was to decorate a frame or shadowbox, then a recipe card box, then little ducks. That's right. Little ducks. The selection of diecuts I received had several yellow felt flowers that looked just like...you guessed it...duck feet. If I could felt like Debra Quartermain (also participating in this blog hop), you'd be viewing a collection of fuzzy little yellow ducks with big flower petal feet.

I had to visit the physical therapist office Monday, and while I waited for my tri-weekly dose of pain, I thumbed through a Better Homes and Gardens magazine. There was an ad that had a mask in it, and it hit me: I just had to make a Flower Power Mardi Gras mask.

Here's how I did it:

1. I first traced the flower petals on to four pieces of iron-on interfacing, attached it to four different fabrics, and cut 12-15 flower petals of each fabric. I used a Viva Decor Gold Glitter Pen and Citrus Green Stickles to highlight the edges of the petals and add dots to a few.

2. Using a plain purchased mask as the base, I glued on the petals with Beacon Fabri-Tac adhesive, beginning on the outer edges and working toward the middle. I carefully trimmed the eyeholes and outlined them with Green Stickles.

3. I used the Sizzix Elegant Flourishes die by Tim Holtz to cut swirls from vanilla cardstock, glued them to the mask and added more gold Glitter Pen, arranging some of the paper flowers I received from Sizzix on the swirls.

4. I added ribbon on the upper left side and attached a dowel rod handle that had been painted gold.

That's it. This entire project took less than two hours, and most of that time was waiting for the glue to dry.

Now I just need to find a party to attend!

To see all the projects using this die, click on the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop box on the left.

I know next week is Thanksgiving, but be sure to log in Thursday for another great die project. Remember, you are what you eat!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

2010-11-11T07:51:00.000-08:00

Actually, it started looking like Christmas in September, at least in our local discount stores.

Today is the second round of the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop, featuring Sizzix dies by Eileen Hull, Karen Burniston and Brenda Pinnick. Each Thursday for the next few weeks, you can start here at my blog and click on the Triple Play Blog Hop button on the left to see more than 50 projects using the same die each week.

Today's die is by Karen Burniston and is designed to be a pop-up box inside a card. This clever design folds flat and pops up when the card is opened, so your card will be remembered way past Christmas.

I chose to make my diecut into an ornament, rather than a pop-up. All designers were sent the diecut in black cardstock. I toyed with the idea of covering the black in a patterned paper, but then remembered the cool new Marvy Uchida snowflake punch in my punch stash. This punch gives you a large (approx. 1 1/2") snowflake as well as a tiny one (approx. 1/2").

Here's how to make it:

Supplies
Bigz XL Twist Cube die (Sizzix)
Black and white Cardstock
Vellum
Rockcandy Stickles (Ranger)
Snowflake Punch (Marvy Uchida)
Just Glitter Glitter Pen, Silver (Marvy Uchida)
Crystal Fire Bejeweler Heat Tool
Hot-Fix Crystals
Tear drop Swarovski crystal and assorted small crystals.
Silver eye pin and jump ring
Blue and Silver 3" wired ribbon
Beacon Zip Dry Adhesive
Be Creative Double-stick tape

Directions
1. Assemble Twist Cube according to instructions. Where instructions call for brad to be inserted in card, replace with eye pin that has been strung with small crystals. Add tear drop Swarovski crystal with silver jump ring.
2. Punch snowflakes from white cardstock and vellum. Save the large vellum snowflakes and the small white snowflakes for another project.
3. Highlight white snowflakes with Rockcandy Stickles and allow to dry.
4. Adhere large snowflakes with Zip Dry adhesive. For small vellum snowflakes, use only a small dot of glue in the center.
5. Draw swirls randomly with Just Glitter pen.
6. Apply hot-fix crystals to small snowflake centers (this covers the glue spot)and randomly on black box.
7. Add Just Glitter pen dots to fill in blank spots.
8. Tie wired ribbon onto ribbon loop on top of ornament.

This could be given as a gift and you could probably find a way to tuck another gift inside this one by adhering the last flaps with temporary adhesive.

Be sure to come back next Thursday for another exciting Triple Play Blog Hop project!
I know I will!

I received product from Marvy-Uchida and Beacon Adhesives.

A Little Wickedness

2010-11-03T20:22:00.000-07:00

It's time for another round of the Sizzix Blog Hop with a little twist. There will be a different die each Thursday for several weeks, each by one of three different designers, and there will be more than 60 designs each week using the same die, so you'll get a huge variety of possibilities. Just click on the Sizzix button on my blog and you'll be on your way!

Since I went to see Wicked Halloween night, you know what mode I have been in all week. I had actually started my design, which would have been just a simple little house using patterned papers and some lace to create a charming cottage. Well, THAT didn't happen.

I started ripping the thing apart bright and early Monday morning and this is what I came up with: a perfectly wicked little house, deserving of Elphaba, who you can see peeping out the upper window.

Supplies
Sizzix Scoreboard Pro house die by Eileen Hull(Product #656836)
Mat board, 6" x 13"
Patterned paper, two coordinating sheets
Smooch Spritz (Splash and Citrus Tickle)
Smooch Pearlized Color(Carrot)
Brown Cardstock
Hole Punches ( 1/2" and 1/4")
Krylon Fusion Paint, Brown
Black Glitter Pen (Viva Decor)
Dowel
Makin's Air-Dry Clay, black
Brass wire, 8"
Letter dies, 1 1/2" tall
Grungeboard arrow and swirls (Ranger)
Metal embellishments (Ranger)
Collage image (RockCandy Studios' Girly Girls CD)
Black Feathers (Bass Pro Shop)
Be Creative Tape
Beacon Quick Grip Adhesive
Krylon Copper Leafing Pen
Paper Soft Color (Moss Green) and sponge applicator
Decocolor Acrylic Paint Marker, Green (Marvy-Uchida)

Directions
1. Spray all die pieces, Grungeboard and brown cardstock with Krylon Fusion. Color doorway and window trims with Krylon Copper Leafing Pen.
2. Cover each piece of house base with patterned paper. Spritz randomly with Smooch colors. Before assembling, color female collage image with moss green Paper Soft Color and insert into window. Assemble house base using double-stick tape.
3. Cut enough 1/2" circles for the larger roof and 1/4" circles for the smaller roof from brown painted cardstock. Adhere to roof, beginning at the bottom of each side, with Quick Grip. Allow to dry and apply Smooch Carrot paint randomly, rubbing excess off to just highlight "shingles."
3. Paint dowel with black paint, pierce top of roof, add glue and insert dowel into hole. Glue Grungeboard arrow to dowel. Color any white spaces on the roof top with black glitter pen.
4. Form witch's hat from black clay and highlight with black glitter pen. Place on top of dowel and allow to dry. Remove hat, apply glue and re-attach to dowel.
5. Apply Grungeboard swirls and metal hardware with Quick Grip. Highlight swirls with green acrylic paint pen.
6. Shape wire into arc and curl ends.
7. Cut letters from painted cardstock and adhere to wire with Quick Grip, then to house.
8. Add black maribou feathers around base of house with Quick Grip.

That's it. I now have a wonderful little tribute to one of the best musicals I've seen and I have friends fighting over it. It just doesn't get much better than this.

Be sure to check back next Thursday for another edition of the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop. I know I will!

It's been a long time....

2010-09-30T05:40:00.001-07:00

I can't believe I haven't posted anything on this blog for more than a month. Of course, that's better than when I began blogging and updated once a year, whether I needed to or not!

My friend Karen Gaulke and her hubby recently had a precious baby girl, Katherine Marie Gaulke. There are several designers who contribute to the Memory Makers blog and we all wanted to send Karen gifts, but since we are scattered all over the country, getting together all at once was a little bit of a problem.

Our solution was to have a surprise online shower for Karen. Today at 11 a.m. EST, Karen, who is on maternity leave, will be notified that there is a problem with the website and asked to log on to see if she can solve it. That's when she will see a post from the participating designers with the handmade gifts that will be coming her way.

My gift is a decorated one gallon paint can, designed to hold memories from Baby Katherine's first year which will not fit in a scrapbook, such as her tiny brush, shoes,teething ring, a rattle and a cd with a copy of the virtual shower for her to enjoy when she's older.

Here's how I made it:

Supplies

One gallon paint can
Patterned Paper, three sheets 12 x 12" (Making Memories, Pitter Patter)
Cardstock, pink (one light, one a little darker), white, green (Bazzil)
Flower punch
1" and 1/4" hole punches
Rose and Teal chalk ink pads (Clearsnap)
Elegant Flourishes, Key Holes and Paper Rosette dies (Sizzix' Tim Holtz line)
Ribbon (Offray)
Pink Spray Paint (Krylon, Ballet Slipper)
Beacon 3-in-1 and Zip Dry adhesives
Pink French trim (RockCandy Studios)

Directions

1. Spray paint can and lid inside and out.

2. Measure height of can and trim two pieces of paper to fit. Measure the distance between the center holes of the paint can handle, add 1" and cut one piece of paper that width. Measure from top of can down to center of handle holder and mark on back side of paper. Center your 1" hole punch with the edge of the punch on edge of the paper and punch. Repeat for other side. Glue to can with 3-in-1 adhesive. Repeat for second piece of paper.

3. Cut a circle to fit top of lid and adhere.

4. Add pink trim to top and bottom of can.

5. Punch flourishes (three sets or more if you like) and flowers. Ink swirls and flower edges with teal and rose inks. Punch 1/4" circles and glue to flower centers with Zip Dry. Adhere swirls and flowers to can.

6. Create flowers with white cardstock and the Paper Rosette die, following directions on die package. Adhere a flower cut from the pink cardstock to center circle.

7. Print sentiment on pale pink cardstock, ink edges and adhere to top of can. Add flowers.

8. Tie pink ribbons on each side of can.

This project looks intricate, but the hardest part is making the papers fit around the handle, and even that can be disguised with lots of ribbon if there is an error.

I hope this becomes a family keepsake for the Gaulkes. I had so much fun making it and now know what to give all my new mom friends when the time comes.

Back from CHA

2010-08-04T05:59:00.001-07:00

I returned from the Craft and Hobby Convention and Tradeshow Sunday after a week of getting my art fix with people who understand my way of thinking. You know the one: when you see a box or bottle or some unusual packing materials in the trash, you immediately see all the possibilities of an artistic creation, and the desire to take it home overcomes the embarrassment of diving head-first into a trash can that you would never touch when in your right mind.

My friends Laurie and Barbara went with me, and we had a blast checking out new products, taking classes and eating yummy Chicago food.

This time, I saw a lot of new products. Maybe they aren't new, but are at least new to me. Check out my CHA report at www.memorykeepingcollection.com/blog_candicewindham

No, go hug someone you love, but not too long because it's hot. The heat index in Memphis was 121° yesterday with more expected today. I think I'll make sweet tea and chill.

New Blog

2010-07-07T13:07:00.000-07:00

I have been posting on a new blog site for a month or so, and just realized that I should have let everyone know. There are several designers posting projects, tips and general info on the site, so even if you don't like my tutorials, you might be interested in those of someone else. This doesn't mean that I won't be posting on this site, so don't forget about me here.

Check it out the new blog at www.memorykeepingcollection.com/blog_candicewindham

I will be posting several times a week, so come back often. Today's post (see photo) is about using up your old blurry or unwanted photos rather than chunking them in the landfill, which reminds me of a saying I heard this week: Crafters were the original recyclers." And that reminds me of another: "Adam was the original rough draft."

This thought train is going nowhere. Guess I'd better get out of here before I say something really stupid.

Go hug someone you love!

Oh, Christmas Tree....

2010-05-26T05:43:00.000-07:00

Today is the last round of the Sizzix ScoreBoards Blog Hop. I must say I'm sorry to see it come to a close, because these dies definitely challenge me to think outside the box. To learn more about the Sizzix ScoreBoards, visit Eileen Hull, designer.
Today's die is a bow, consisting of several sizes of strips and buttons. I cut six of each size and probably could have added at least three more of each.

Supplies
Green Cardstock (Stampin'Up@!)
Versamark Ink
Platinum Embossing Powder
Swirl stamp (Inkadinkado)
Wooden Skewer
Sharpie (green)
Makin's Air-Dry Clay
Rhinestone Bling
Angel Pin
Cropadile

Directions

1. Stamp and emboss a full sheet of cardstock (8 1/2" X 11"). Cut six of each size strip.
2. Punch hole on each end with largest hole on the Cropadile if needed. You can also use a regular hole punch, but test it first to make sure the hole isn't too big to fit snugly on your skewer. Loop the cardstock strips and add a touch of glue to hold the ends together.
3. Color wooden skewer with Sharpie. Begin adding loops to skewer, largest at the bottom.
4. Add bling to loops and attach angel pin to top.
5. Push bottom of skewer into clay base to make a stand.

This is a very easy project and could be fun for kids, in which case I would stamp and emboss the cardstock ahead of time. (We all know that kids, embossing powder and heat don't mix!)
For more fun ways to use this die, check out the blogs of the talented designers below. Leave a comment on any of the blogs for a chance to win your own Sizzix ScoreBoard die from the first collection.

Ann Butler

Sparkle's Bow Bracelet

Bonnie Bruns

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world

Debra Quartermain

Eileen Hull

JGoode Designs

Just a Thought or Two

Life in the Craft Lane

Lolly Chops

Michelle Cummings

Marisa Pawelko

Roxi Phillips

Veronica Goff

Cake X 2

2010-05-11T16:12:00.000-07:00

Another round of the Sizzix ScoreBoard blog hop is upon us. This time, we're using the cake die. This die is great alone, but I added part of the ScoreBoard Cupcake (hence the title, Cake X 2) die as well. Check out all the other ideas from designers listed below. Eileen Hull is the designer of these great dies.

The theme this time was to use our favorite....color, technique, etc. I love the chocolate and peach combo as well as Cuttlebug textures, so that's what I used. I also used up supplies from my embellishment collection, so don't know all of the manufacturers.

The pearls were from my stash, given to me by a dear friend whose mother owned a bead store in the '70s. I wrapped the beads around the cake base, adhering with Be Creative® double stick tape. I draped white pearls around the edge to simulate icing trim. The inside was lined with Bohemia paper which had been spritzed with Tattered Angels Golden Autumn to get the proper color. All edges were inked with Chestnut Roan Colorbox ink.

I painted the scalloped base with Making Memories copper paint then added bling to the scallops as well as the dangled bead trim. The bling was colored with Ginger alcohol ink from Ranger. The base was added to the box with Beacon 527 adhesive.

I tried a lot of different treatments for the top and was just about at my wits end when I remembered the cupcake die Sizzix premiered back at the end of 2009. I cut two pieces from thin metal printing plates (Thanks, Ronnie Goff!) but you could use purchased metal or soda cans as well. I sprayed the metal with Krylon Copper paint, then ran it through the Cuttlebug. I cut the pieces apart, trimmed 1/4" off the straight ends and arranged them in a flower pattern on the top. I glued it down with Beacon 527 adhesive to make sure it stayed put. Additional bling colored with Ginger alcohol ink on the top finished off the outside. The handle was made with a few beads, glued in with Beacon 527 and the bottom of the lid covered with Chocolate Chip cardstock from Stampin'Up!®.

To finish the inside, I made a ball of fiber fill and covered it with brown taffeta fabric then tied it up with copper cord.

This would make a great gift box which could be used later as a place to keep precious jewelry.

Check out the following blogs for more ideas and be sure to leave a comment on at least one for a chance at winning your own Sizzix ScoreBoard die.

Ann Butler
Bonnie Bruns
Craftside_ A Behind-the-scenes-look at a Crafty World
Debra Quartermain
Eileen Hull
Einat Kessler
Just a Thought or Two
Karen Burniston
Laura Bray
Julie McGuffee
Lisa Rojas
Modern Surrealist Marisa Pawelko
Niki Meiners
Roann Mathias
Sandy Laipply
Ronnie Goff
Jen Goode - JGoode Designs
Michelle Cummings

Now, go hug someone you love!

I received products from Sizzix, Be Creative and Clearsnap.

Clip Joint

2010-04-27T22:54:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest in the Sizzix ScoreBoard Blog Hop. This cute little rectangular box is perfect for those great things that come in small packages. Fill it with kisses, small embellishments or anything tiny you want to put in it. Be sure to check out what other designers have done and vote for your favorite on ScoreBoard Designer Eileen Hull's blog.
I don't know about you, but I always have trouble keeping up with small pieces and I hate clutter. I turned my box into a clip joint to hold my paper clips. It adds a cheery note to my desktop too!

Supplies:
Big Shot
Rectangular box die
Matboard
Graphic 45 paper
Brads
Gingham ribbon
3M Super 77 Spray Adhesive
Krylon Totally Tangerine Spray Paint
Be Creative® Adhesive
Velcro Dots

Directions:
1. Cut and assemble box bottom with double-stick tape. Spray both pieces with Krylon paint. Allow to dry.
2. Cover box bottom with paper using Super 77.
3. Cover box top with reverse side of paper using Super 77. Attach top to bottom with brads.
4. Tie ribbon around box top, threading on paper clips before tying bow.
5. Add Velcro dots and fill with clips.
6. Enjoy or give as a gift.

For more great ideas, check out the blogs below:

Ann Butler
Carla Schauer
Cindi Bisson
Eileen Hull
Einat Kessler
Jen Goode
Julie McGuffee
Ronnie Goff
Karen Burniston
Laura Bray
Lorine Mason
Madeline Arendt
Melony Bradley
Marisa Pawelko
Niki Meiners
Roxi Phillips
Sandy Laipply
Sparkle's Studio
Lisa Rojas

Be sure to leave comments! Designers love attention!

Now, go hug someone you love.

I received product from Sizzix and Be Creative® Adhesive.

Tea for Two, Two for Tea...

2010-04-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

It's time for another Blog Hop featuring Eileen Hull's fabulous ScoreBoards from Sizzix. Our die for this round is the gorgeous Teacup die. The blog hop will begin April 14th at 11 a.m. Eastern Time, so if you want to see all the projects, you might want to wait until then to view it.

Being the think-outside-the-box-even-if-it's-goofy artist that I am, I turned it upside down and made a party hat place card and tea bag-holding party favor for a tea party. We have a Ladies' Tea at Trinity Baptist every couple of months, and I'm thinking these would be a hit!

Once again, the designer of the project receiving the most votes will be given the Teacup die as a prize and one person leaving a comment on one of the blogs will receive a die from the first ScoreBoard collection, a $40 value! Leave your comment here and go to Eileen's blog to vote!

Supplies:
Prima paper, Indeed Collection,Enchanted

Colorbox Chestnut Roan and Peacock Inks

Prima Flowers

Pale Pink Feather

RockCandy Studios' Dresden Foil
Scalloped border and butterfly

Krylon Spray Paint, Watermelon and Ivory

Memory Makers Clear Pebbles

Stampin'Up!® Baroque Swirl Stamp,
Trapezoid, 1/2" circle and 3/4" circle punches
and Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker

Beacon Zip Dry Adhesive

3M Super 77 Spray Adhesive

Clear embossing powder

Versamark ink pad

Heat Tool

Before beginning:
1. Add Peacock and Chestnut Roan ink to flowers to coordinate if necessary.
2. Spray Scalloped Border and butterfly with Watermelon paint and then lightly with Ivory paint. Allow to dry.
3. Stamp and emboss swirls with Versamark and clear embossing powder on 1/2 sheet of the patterned paper. Apply Peacock ink directly to paper and wipe with paper towel to remove excess and reveal embossed swirls.

Hat Place Card
1. Adhere swirl-embossed patterned paper to front and back of teacup pieces using Super 77 Adhesive. Trim and sponge edges with Chestnut Roan.
2. Adhere border, flowers and feather to hat. Write name on scrap of print paper with Chocolate Chip marker and punch with 3/4" circle punch. Adhere to center of larger flower and add pebble.
3. Write event name inside place card with Chocolate Chip marker.

Tea Bag Party Favor
1. Apply plain patterned paper (2" X 9")to front and back of rectangular separator die cut using Super 77 Adhesive, allowing the 2" excess piece to extend past top edge. Trim this edge with scalloped scissors. Trim and sponge edges with Peacock and Chestnut Roan inks.
2. Fold along horizontal score lines (vertical score lines will remain as-is.) and fold scalloped flap over top.
3. Print custom tags with inkjet printer and punch with trapezoid punch. Sponge scrap of patterned paper and use to layer tags. Attach to tea bags with staples.
4. Place teabags inside box and fold over top, adhering with Velcro dot.
5. Layer flowers. Write Tea for Two with Chocolate Chip marker, punch with 3/4" punch and adhere to flower center. Apply pebble.

Saucer
1. Adhere swirl-embossed paper to oval. Cut scalloped border between each scallop, leaving top edge attached and adhere to oval edge with Beacon Zip Dry. Add flower and 1/2' circle cut from patterned paper.

Here are links to other blogs so you can see the creativity that flows from this talented group! Remember, some are set to post AFTER 11 a.m. EST on the 14th.

Craftside

Madeline's Thoughts

Marisa Pawelko

Eileen Hull

Ronnie Goff

Roann Mathias

Melony Bradley

Sparkle's Tea Cup

Bonnie Bruns

Julie McGuffey

Jen Goode

Sandy Laipply

Niki Meiners

Ann Butler

Laura Bray

Lisa Rojas

Debra Quartermain

Michelle Cummings

Have fun creating and go hug someone you love!

I received product from Sizzix and Colorbox and am a partner in RockCandy Studios.

The doctor is in...

2010-03-29T12:47:00.000-07:00

Time for a new blog hop! This is the first of my projects made with the new soon-to-be-released Sizzix ScoreBoard dies, designed by Eileen Hull. I'll be posting projects cut from mat board every other Wednesday for the next few weeks, and here's a bonus: Vote for your favorite project (Trust me: All are amazing!) on Eileen's blog and leave a comment on any participating designer's blog and you could be a winner!
The ScoreBoard die used in the project will be given to the designer whose project gets the most votes, and one viewer who leaves a comment will receive a ScoreBoard die from the first Sizzix ScordBoard collection. To qualify to win, you must write a comment on any of the participating designers' sites. Voting ends the Monday following the Wednesday hop at 6 PM.

Our die for this week is the Sizzix ScoreBoard Scalloped Box and the theme is office supplies. I don't know about you, but a first-aid kit is definitely a staple in my office. Between burning-the-midnight-oil headaches, upset tummies from pressing deadlines, heartburn from fast-food dinners and those pesky craft blade and paper cuts, I am constantly refilling! This little kit could be used as a desk accessory or tucked in a purse or travel bag as well.

I wanted it to have the look and feel of an old-fashioned doctor's bag. I began by spray-painting the entire die cut with Krylon Glossy Black paint. This helps cover the edges as well as those crevices in the scallops and folds and gives you a good clean base. It also covers any marks or scratches on your mat board, so you can use up all those old scraps and discolored mats - think green!

I used a Cuttlebug plate to add the leather texture to the black cardstock, adhered it with 3M Super 77 adhesive, trimmed around everything with a craft knife and sanded the edges where they were a little rough from my trimming. I rubbed black Metallic Rub-ons over the surface for highlight. The arched shrine trinket and angel charm were highlighted with bronze Metallic Rub-ons. (The Metallic Rub-ons and arched shrine trinket are available from www.rockcandystudios.com.) I printed the Rx on my inkjet printer and aged the paper with Colorbox Burnt Sienna dye ink, then adhered it to the arched shrine trinket and both to the box with Beacon Quick Grip. A Velcro dot completes the project.

To see other gorgeous projects made with this die as well as vote for your favorite, go to www.eileenhull.blogspot.com

To register for a chance to win a Scoreboard die (a $40 value!), leave a comment on my blog or any of the following:

Ann Butler

Bonnie Bruns

Cindi Bisson

Craftside

Roxi Phillips

JGoode Designs

Jennifer Ellefson

Just a Thought or Two

Karen Burniston

Laura Bray

Veronica (Ronnie) Goff

Melony Bradley

Michelle Cummings

Marisa Pawelko

Niki Meiners

Pink Lemonade

Julie McGuffee

Sandy Laipply

Sparkle's Studio

Stampin' Queen Creations

Carla Schauer

Brenda Pinnick

Now go hug someone you love then make them their own office first-aid kit!

I received product from Sizzix, Beacon and Clearsnap for this project and am a partner in RockCandy Studios.

In Stitches...

2010-03-21T09:10:00.000-07:00

As promised, this is the wall hanging I made yesterday at our River City Stampers monthly meeting. Roxi Phillips and Shelly Hickox led the project, selecting some beautiful vintage prints, felt, and textures for us to use. I particularly love the fabric at the top with the tiny cherries. It reminds me of my grandmother.
Everything on here has been altered in some way. Most of the fabric is either tea-dyed or spritzed with walnut ink. I also used some Stazon in black and brown for aging and stamping. The large piece of white felt, second layer from the bottom, was heated with a heat tool to create the lacy look.
Most of the assembly was machine stitched, but I added another piece after I got home and didn't want to drag out the machine.
I topped it off with a french laundry hanger and a scrap of red rayon ribbon, both from from RockCandy Studios
Go hug someone you love and dig through your scrap basket to see what you can come up with!

I am a partner in RockCandy Studios.

Paris Exposition

2010-03-19T08:05:00.000-07:00

This is my swap ATC for our River City Stampers stamp club swap tomorrow.
I used Midwest Products cork and gold Styrene for the base. The styrene was stamped with purple Stazon ink using a Stamping Up!® French words background stamp.
I sponged on Stazon iris, magenta azure and mustard inks to the cork background to give a sunset/twilight effect.The remaining stamps are from ArtistiOutpost, one of my favorite companies.
I added gold pinpoint dots to the Eiffel Tower and balloon with a Zig Painty pen and highlighted the balloon basket and top with tiny half-pearls from Prima.
The lock and key (The collections in the Paris art museums are the key to my heart!) are from Explorer Traditions. I punched the hole with the Cropadile and used one of Tim Holtz's large jump rings for the attachment.
I finished off the title with ink jet printing on parchment, sponged the edges with Colorbox Chestnut Roan and edged the title with RockCandy Studios' mini-french borders. I added just a touch of RockCandy Studios' yellow label wax rub-ons.
Oohlala!

Go hug someone you love!

I received Styrene and cork from Midwest Products and am a partner in RockCandy Studios.

A Blast from My Past

2010-02-18T18:28:00.000-08:00

I just love this little shrine. The 3 1/2" tall base is new at RockCandy StudiosTM, and I wish I had more of them to create little family memories. This particular one is from the dark side of our family history. That photo includes two of my uncles with our family still in the background. That's right. This good Baptist girl came from a long line of moonshiners. Now you know my secret.

The photo, which also includes two more men, one of which is my paternal grandfather, is on our Manly Men Collage Images CD (You get 120+ images, and all are scanned at 300 dpi so you can resize and print as many as you need for your projects.). I also used our Dresden Foil Leaf and Flower border and one of our corked glass bottles. The faux moonshine is sorghum molasses. I sealed the cork with Beacon Quick Grip so I wouldn't have to worry about it coming loose and having molasses everywhere. All wording was done on an inkjet printer and the XXX on the bottle was just hand lettered with a Sharpie. The box was painted on the inside with Krylon spray paint and patterned paper was added to the outside. A few twigs from my River Birch Tree completed the project.

I'll be posting several more projects over the next few days, so come back often.

Now, I know valentine's Day is over, but go hug someone you love. You can never give too many hugs.

I am a partner in RockCandy Studios.

Who says you can't mix metallic colors?

2010-02-09T20:33:00.001-08:00

I finished this little shelf shrine tonight and just had to post it. It's a mere 3 1/2" tall, but it has a lot of impact. I love these Dresden butterflies, and the tiny copper trim is the perfect size for finishing off the edges of this shrine. The shrine, one of our new structure pieces at RockCandy StudiosTM, is masonite, which has been laser-cut and scored for perfect hinges, and all of the embellishments (except the Prima flower, feather and brad) and trim are from RockCandy StudiosTM (www.rockcandystudios.com), but the paper is from Webster's Pages (www.websterspages.ning.com), which I recently discovered at Eclectica Scrapbooks and Stamps in Memphis, Tennessee. Webster's Pages' art is simply beautiful with lots of subtleties and quotes and it's all double sided. I used the "Grow, live honestly and creatively" quote from one of their line (can't tell you which one because I cut off the manufacturer's strip and chunked it before I went to CHA!), then added some tissue paper which I had spritzed with Smooch Mist. I also drew in some swirls with gold Smooch ink, which I love, love, love, and added some Pumpkin highlights.

Those tiny watch parts are usually a bear to handle, but I found a product at CHA that really tamed them. It's from my friend Amy at ScraPerfect (makers of the Perfect Printing Pouch-www.scraperfect.com) and is called Embellie Jellie. Go ahead. Say it out loud. It will make you giggle. You place a tiny amount of this material on the end of a skewer or orange stick and pick up even the tiniest watch part or the largest button, add your adhesive and drop it in precisely where you want it. When it gets dusty or glue-covered, just knead it a little and reuse it. Trust me. A little goes a long way. You will eventually have to throw it out and get a new piece, but I have made several projects with my first tiny bit, and it's still going strong. This package, which is about 2" X 1", will probably last me several years.

There's a new Sizzix Scoreboard Blog Hop starting soon, so come back and visit.

Now go hug someone you love.

A New Idea

2010-02-03T19:00:00.000-08:00

I'm back from the Craft and Hobby Association Tradeshow and want to share this little book that I had in my Designer Showcase. It's made from Eleen Hull's Sizzix Frame Scoreboard and this is how I made it:
1. Adhere paper to both sides of the mat board or chipboard using 3M Super 77 adhesive. Use a brayer to make sure you get good adhesion. Die cut the matboard using a Big Shot.
2. Fold the frame in place and adhere with heavy duty double stick tape.
3. Cut the frame with an Xacto knife at the point fold, sand the cut edges and sponge all around with ink that coordinates with your paper.
4. Add bookbinding tape on the spine, folding it to the inside top and bottom.
5. Add a strip of Dresden foil trim (www.rockcandystudios.com) along the bookbinding tape on front and back to cover the match point.
6. Cut 15 sheets of black cardstock 8" X 3 3/4". Fold to 4" X 3 3/4" . Make signatures of three sheets and tie each signature to book spine using heavy-duty embroidery cording. Leave the ends longer and attach a bead to finish it off. Add a drop of Beacon Fabri-Tac to each knot to secure. Note: I used a bead topper on this sample, but it isn't necessary. The Fabri-tac, hover, IS!
7. Print "Memories" on patterned cardstock and adhere behind window.

This makes a great book for photos. I plan to use it for all my photos from previous trips to the CHA shows.

I saw some really cool items at the show, including new metallic inks from Stazon, Makin's Clay air-dry polymer clay, lots of new Sizzix dies, new Smooch colors, new punches, ton of buttons in all colors of the rainbow from Blumenthal-Lansing and about a bazillion other things.

I want to offer special thanks to PaperDreamsFactory, Graphic 45 Papers, Beacon Adhesives, Clearsnap Inks and Zutter Bind-It-All for donating their wonderful products for the class I taught there, especially Andreas Hamm of PaperDreamsFactory who was the class sponsor. I also want to thank my friends Roxi Phillips, Cheryl Nelson and Ronnie Goff who helped me with the class (as well as my little train-wreck crisis). I could never have done it without them!

Now, go hug someone you love and remember to watch this space for more projects in the coming weeks.

I received items from Beacon Adhesives, PaperDreamsFactory, Zutter, Clearsnap and Graphic 45 Papers.
I am a partner in RockCandyStudios.

Sizzix Scoreboard Blog Hop - the end of a beautiful thing.

2010-01-20T08:45:00.000-08:00

This is the last post on the Sizzix Scoreboards Blog Hop. I hope everyone has had a chance to visit all the blogs to see the creativity in this group of designers. Elieen Hull's Scoreboards are being premiered at the Craft and Hobby Association Tradeshow in Anaheim in just a few days. She really has a hit on her hands. I can't stop thinking of ways to use these dies!

This little gift box is very simple to make, but is as much a gift as the gift it it is designed to hold. The recipient can recycle it to hold mundane items such as paper clips or safety pins while adding beauty to a desktop or dresser.

Supplies
Stamp-It Australia paper (which I've been hoarding for almost two years!)
Velveteen and Crimped ribbons from Stampin'Up!® (not sure if they carry this anymore-it came from my stash.)
Prima flowers
1" brad
Beacon Quick Grip Adhesive (my all-time favorite adhesive)

Directions
Cover box and base with paper. Glue ribbon around top and bottom, being careful to keep the ribbon on the box bottom below the lid line so you don't create excess thickness.

Attach flowers to box top with brad. Line box lid with additional paper to hide brad shank.

Check out the rest of the Blog Hop by going to www.eileenhull.blogspot.com. You'll be glad you did!

I'm off to CHA Thursday and will try to post info on any hot new items I see. I'm already planning to check out Fuseworks' new ink jet transparency film that can be attached to glass to create some cool projects. I'll let you know what I think.

Go hug someone you love!

I received product from Sizzix and Beacon Adhesives for this blog hop event.

My Class at CHA

2010-01-11T08:27:00.000-08:00

This is a pic of the Nature Journal Mini-Album I will be teaching at the Craft and Hobby Association Tradeshow January 26. This book is loaded with vintage German diecuts and golden foil trims, all available at www.RockCandyStudios.com. Our wonderful sponsor is PaperDreamsFactory.

The papers I used are from Graphic 45, which has some absolutely gorgeous materials. The inks are from Clearsnap, adhesive from Beacon, and we're going to bind it all with...what else? ...a Bind-It-All from Zutter Bind-It-All! Gorgeous sheer ribbons from Offray and hand-dyed tags from RockCandy Studios complete the package.

If you are attending the convention, please check us out. There is still time to register. Just go to www.chashow.org to sign up.

Go hug someone you love.

I am a partner in RockCandy Studios®.

I received materials for this class from the following:
PaperDreamsFactory
Graphic 45
Zutter
Beacon Adhesives
Clearsnap

OOPS!!!

2010-01-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

I know you will find this very hard to believe, but I made a mistake :)

There is actually one more project in this Blog Hop series, so be sure to check back on Wednesday, January 20.

In the meantime, I'll be posting some new items with materials from RockCandy Studios in the next few days, so visit often!

Go hug someone you love.

I am a partner in RockCandy Studios®.

Grand Finale: Sizzix Scoreboard Blog Hop Memo Holder

2010-01-05T20:00:00.001-08:00

With the new year comes then end of Eileen Hull's Blog Hop with the Sizzix Scoreboards she designed. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with these materials and have a new spark of creativity as a result. These new dies cut matboard, giving you a sturdier base for your projects.

The final project for this round of the Blog Hop is the memo holder. This great little piece is designed to hold a post-it notepad, but you know me. I can't leave anything the way it is originally designed (although I think Eileen's designs are ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS) and have to push the envelope a bit, so I added accordion folds on each side and turned it into a travel sewing kit.

Supplies
Memo Holder Die cut (Sizzix Scoreboard)
Graphic 45 cardstock
Vintage Button (RockCandy Studios®)
Black Dye Ink Pad (Stampin'Up!®)
Hemp
Beacon Zip Dry and Quick Grip adhesives
Velcro Dot
Sewing Paraphenalia
Xacto knife
Emery board or sandpaper
Hole Punch

Adhere cardstock to memo holder diecut using Zip Dry. Trim excess paper with Xacto knife and sand edges with emery board or sand paper. Sponge edges with black ink.

Cut two pieces of cardstock 3" X 6". Score the 6" length every 1/2" on both pieces and accordion fold. Adhere to front and back inside of memo holder with Zip Dry. Close and clip with clothespins until dry.

Tie hemp through button holes and adhere button to flap with Quick Grip adhesive. Add Velcro dot to underside of flap to hold box shut.

Cut a small scrap of cardstock to cover inside top fold to cover holes in diecut and adhere with Zip Dry

Trim a scrap of cardstock to 1 1/2" X 3" and use punch to punch three holes at edge on each side, aligning holes across from each other to hold thread. Insert needles and safety pin into cardstock. Place buttons in small jewelry bag and make a small topper from scrap cardstock. Note: I placed an Xacto blade in the kit, but it is big enough to hold a small manicure scissor if you prefer.

To see additional ideas from other designers, go to www.eileenhull.blogspot.com.

Now, go hug someone you love.

I am a partner in RockCandy Studios® and also received products from the following manufacturers:
Sizzix
Beacon Adhesives

Final Scoreboard Blog Hop for 2009

2009-12-22T22:58:00.000-08:00

This great little picture frame is so versatile. My mind is just buzzing with ideas for other projects. Eileen Hull, who designed the Scoreboards for Sizzix, outdid herself on this one. I love the way it folds, and it is so sturdy! I've used a similar pattern for candy bag holders, always made from cardstock, and they tend to sag when the weight of the candy is added. This one is there for good!

For the frame, I sprayed the outside with Krylon Copper paint, then stamped the swirls (Stampin'Up!®) with Versamark ink and embossed them with black EP. I lined the inside with patterned paper and secured the fold with brads. I used black ink to sponge the edges to give it an aged appearance. The copper trim and nameplate are from RockCandy Studios®. That's my handsome dad in the photo.

The Get Well Goodie Box was covered with paper front and back and secured with brads as well. The tag was stamped (Stampin'Up!®) and attached with a brad. (Use a Cropadile to punch the hole in the mat board.) I also used dark brown ink on the edges of the diecut and tag. The cough drops were placed in a cello bag and attached with heavy-duty double-stick tape. The finishing touch was the golden trim from RockCandy Studios® on the box and tag.

For more ideas using this Scoreboard, go to www.eileenhull.blogspot.com. From there you can hop to sites of other designers who are participating in this blog hop.

Be sure to check back the first Wednesday of 2010 for another Scoreboard project.

The following items were furnished by the manufacturer:
Scoreboard diecuts

I am a partner in RockCandy Studios® (www.rockcandystudios.com)

What WAS I thinking?

2009-12-10T11:43:00.000-08:00

Ok, granted it was late, there's a lot going on and I was in a hurry, but what possessed me to write Smooch Pearlized ACETATE Ink? It's Smooch Pearlized ACCENT Ink!
My apologies to Clearsnap, makers of the fabulous Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink!

Clearsnap donated this product (I would have paid full price and more because I love, love, love it!!! I did pay full price for the wonderful Smooch Spritz, which I adore as well), and this is how I repay them. Wat WAS I thinking???????

A Place for (Some of) My Stuff

2009-12-08T18:44:00.000-08:00

George Carlin (Bless his heart) said we always need a place for our stuff. Well, this is a place for some of my stuff. We always get those little peppermints from restaurants, and they end up all over the car, in the bottom of my purse, melting in Larry's coat pocket, etc., so when I saw this great Sizzix Scoreboard business card holder, this was the first thing that came to mind.

I used one sheet of double-sided paper (Stampin'Up!®), 3M Spray Adhesive, Cherry Ice Smooch Spritz, Green Apple Smooch Pearlized Acetate Ink, a button, a red Sharpie, heavy embroidery floss, Olive Stazon, a Cropadile and a ponytail holder.
Fold the Scoreboard into place first. Use spray adhesive to cover the Scoreboard front and back with printed paper, making sure to re-punch the holes with your Cropadile each time you cover a side. Mist the outside with Cherry Red Smooch Spritz. Allow to dry, then fold and attach brads in the closure holes to secure. Dot Green Apple Smooch Pearlized Acetate Ink along the closure edge on the front. Color button with red Sharpie to resemble peppermint candy. Punch holes on front flap and attach button with floss. Sponge edges with Stazon, inside and out. Insert candy in box and use the ponytail holder to keep the box closed.

For more great ideas to use with the business card holder, go to www.eileenhull.blogspot.com.
There you will find links to other designer blogs.

Now go hug someone you love and slip a mint in their pocket.

I received the following products from the manufacturer:
• Sizzix Scoreboard business card die cut
• Smooch Pearlized Acetate Ink

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-04T15:06:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is our River City Stampers' Christmas party, and I thought I would post the ornament I made to exchange.

I started with a white glass ball ornament. The holly leaves and the base piece, which has a jump ring added to hold the beads, are Studio polymer clay. I baked the ball with the polymer clay pieces in place. After it was cool, I sprayed it with Krylon workable fixative and then pounced on alcohol inks. I removed and sprayed the topper with Krylon Caramel Latte metallic paint, then sprayed it on the holly leaves and base and immediately wiped it off so the clay color showed through. The dots and berries are Scribbles dimensional paint. I added beads to the base and a pretty ribbon to the top. I signed and dated the bottom to finish it off.

I hope the person who gets it loves it as much as I do!

Go hug someone you love and tell them Merry Christmas!

Blog Hop Wednesday!

2009-11-25T05:39:00.000-08:00

It's that time again. Eileen Hull's Scoreboard designs are getting rave reviews all over the designer community. The ability to cut mat board makes them unique and gives your projects an unprecedented sturdiness.
Just in time for the holidays and the busy family on the go, this project will keep you a little more organized. There are slots for up to four message centers. I know we all have our electronic reminders, but this keeps things a little more personal. They are also perfect for leaving little I-love-you notes!
I used the notepad die and cut four notepads. I assembled each one using red liner tape and then put the four together to create the box. I cut another rectangle to fit the base of the box and attached it with Beacon 3-in-1 adhesive.
The box was sprayed with Krylon Ivy Leaf paint just to make sure all edges were colored. I used Bohemia paper to cover all the surfaces and make the belly band. Scrap paper was cut to fit and stamped for the note pages. Trims and metal holders were added all around for the names.
Add a flower-topped RSVP pen and you're set.
Go to www.eileenhull.blogspot.com to link into the blog hop and see some other great projects!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Now, go hug someone you love and tell them how thankful you are for them!

Another Sizzix Scoreboard Preview

2009-11-10T22:53:00.000-08:00

This is another sample made with the new Sizzix Scoreboard matboard-cutting dies designed by artist-extraordinaire and dear friend Eileen Hull. I love the way these dies score and cut right through the heavy matboard, giving the project bases great stability and substance.

Today's example is actually a checkbook cover. I just substituted blank pages inside to keep those Christmas wish lists handy. This die comes with the punched covers, scalloped, punched and scored binding and scored clasp.

Directions:
The front, back and both insides were covered with one of my all-time favorite papers, Basic Grey's Boxer Wing-tip. The edges were sponged with Stampin'Up!® Old Olive dye ink. I painted the binding edge and closing clasp with Plaid Folk Art rust paint. I used the Cropadile to re-punch the covers, then the inside pages, lining up the bookcovers to mark the holes. The binding, covers and pages were assembled and tied with black stretchy vinyl beading cord. The ends of each piece of vinyl were pulled through the bead and tied off. A tiny drop of Beacon Quick Grip keeps the tie from coming loose. I used a tapestry needle to pull silk fiber up through the vinyl ties on both front and back edges and tied it off at the top. The clasp was attached with Beacon Quick Grip, although you could use long-shank brads just as easily. Add the sentiment to the tag with a white pen and attach to the clasp.

Slip this baby in your purse and you're all ready to shop 'til you drop!

Silk fiber, clasp and hand-dyed tags are available at www.rockcandystudios.com.

Be sure to check out Eileen's blog at www.eileenhull.blogspot.com

You can see more samples made with this die by following the blog-hop from there.

Mark your calendar to check back the Wednesday before Thanksgiving for another great Scoreboard project!

Now, go hug someone you love and ask them for their Christmas list!

Coming Soon from Sizzix

2009-10-28T06:20:00.001-07:00

Eileen Hull, designer, author and self-confessed dumpster diver, has designed a series of Scoreboards® for Sizzix. The great thing about these dies is that they will cut through mat board, so your projects will have a sturdy base that can be painted, papered or textured with just about any medium. Be sure to check back for new projects for the next few weeks.

This great cupcake holder inspired me to create a gift that will last long after it is given. Here's how I made it:

Supplies
Scoreboard Cupcake die cut
3 long-shank gold brads
Adirondack Acrylic Paint Daubers (Stream, Gold and Willow)
Krylon Marker (Gold)
Prima Flowers
Straight pins with multi-colored heads
4" Styrofoam® ball
8" Gold Cord
Teal paper scrap for tag
White pen

1. Paint cupcake holder, candle and base with Stream paint. Allow to dry.
Cupcake: Lightly brush Willow from the bottom up, fading the color as you go. Allow to dry. Lightly dab Gold paint randomly over the entire surface. Edge base of cupcake holder with Krylon Leafing Pen. When dry, place base in cup and join edges with brads.
Candle: Paint flame with Krylon Leafing Pen.
2. Place Styrofoam® ball in holder. Attach flowers randomly with pins. Place a tiny gold dot on each pin head with Krylon Leafing Pen.
3. Tie bow and write sentiment on tag. Color entire head of a pin with Krylon Leafing Pen. Push pin through bow and tag and attach to ball with pin.

I can hardly wait for these dies to come on the market. I have to have them all!

Check out the work of these talented designers using this great die!

Jenn Ellefson
www.createdfrompaper.blogspot.com

Laura Bray
www.katydiddys.blogspot.com

Fabrizio Martellucci
www.brendapinnickfanaticscardscrapbooking.blogspot.com

Bonnie Bruns
www.bonniebruns.tumblr.com

Barbara Mattheisson
www.artofgreenrecycling.blogspot.com

Denise Clason
www.deniseclason.com/blog

Lorine Mason
www.mycraftivity.com/lorinemason/blog

Gabriela Delworth
http://gabrieladelworth.com/blog/

Ann Butler
www.creativitystirsthesoul.com

Eileen Hull
www.eileenhull.blogspot.com

Niki Meiners
http://nikimeiners.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/cupcake-olishish

Go hug someone you love.

Just in time for spooky stuff!

2009-09-26T19:18:00.000-07:00

Here is a sample of the RockCandy Studios new Haunted House Kit.

I had so much fun making this! The kit includes assorted double-sided papers, Dresden foil borders, witches and spiderwebs, a sheet of collage images, hand-dyed tags, tiny glass bottles, an antique pen nib, tickets, bottle caps, Cuttlebugged cardstock "shingles" plus a great little wooden house to hold it all. You even get walnut ink crystals to stain the house base and step-by-step instructions. The size is approximately 9 3/4" X 9 3/4" X 1 3/4".

The only tools I used besides what is in the kit were a sponge brush, yellow, orange, brown and black dye ink pads, a 1" circle punch, liquid adhesive, pop dots and a Krylon leafing pen.

These will be on the website Monday, September 28, at www.rockcandystudios.com, and the price is $16.

Go hug someone you love!

Blog Update (Y'all know I try to update at least once a quarter, whether I have anything to say or not.)

2009-09-26T02:55:00.001-07:00

It's 4:55 a.m. I've been awake since 2:30 and didn't go to bed until 1 or so. My internal clock is really screwed up. Fortunately, Larry's is as well. He's in the living room, plunking on the guitar and watching an old western.

I spent most of yesterday trying to figure out what projects I had due (after a week of aches and fever) and whether I needed to make a trip to the big city to buy any supplies. I think I just about thought myself to death. I'm trying to think and plan before I alter, cut, paint or ink anything, which is a very different style from my usual fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants art.

I will post a project I finished in the wee hours this morning after running it by my friend and business partner, Roxi Phillips. It's a great project, just in time for Halloween. This will be available from RockCandy Studios in the next week or so, so be sure to check us out at www.rockcandystudios.com. If you aren't on our newsletter mailing list, send us a note at rockcandy@bigriver.net and we'll add you. The newsletter comes out once a month or so and includes tips as well as specials and new merchandise notifications.

Here's another pic from our last trip. It is from the ceiling of the Jefferson Davis home in Biloxi, Mississippi. The artists actually scraped away all the paint layers to get the true colors during the restoration after Katrina. The work is phenomenal. The house was built before the Civil War and sits right on the Gulf, facing the water. I'm amazed that it has withstood all the storms, including Camille, which I was almost in in the late '60s. A friend and I were on our way down for a vacation. We got as far as Hattiesburg before we turned back. One of the smartest moves I ever made.

Go hug someone you love.

Check out my video...and a great ATC Shrine!

2009-08-26T21:17:00.001-07:00

While I was at the CHA Consumer show in Orlando, I auditioned for a TV spot on Scrappy TV. You can view it at http://www.scrappytv.com/channel/video/14?video=39

On my computer, it starts with echos which only serve to stress my drawl, but please let it play on. It will stop eventually. (The echoes. Not the drawl. Sorry.)

If my video gets a lots of viewers, I could win a six-show series. If you can stand to watch it more than once, please do. Y'all know I'm all about shameless self-promotion.

On another note, here is a sample of work by the multi-talented Barbara Rankin of Germantown, Tennessee, a member of the talented RockCandy Studios design team.

Barbara used one of our Coffee Break ATC shrines, some of our Dresden Foil Trims and an image from our Girly Girls image cd for this piece. You can see more of Barbara's work, as well as more projects from our design team at www.rockcandystudios.typepad.com.

Now, go hug someone you love!

Why is it....

2009-08-19T23:58:00.000-07:00

...that when I have to get up at a reasonable hour, I can't seem to fall asleep?

I have errands to run all over Memphis tomorrow ...actually today...and meet my friends from MLGW for lunch and here I am, punching away on the computer at 1:59 a.m. I'm wide awake. I know I have to go to sleep. I know I'll look like crap tomorrow. I am not one bit sleepy.

Guess I'll go watch some old black and white movies on TCM. That should do the trick.

Go hug someone you love, but not too tightly. They might wake up and get really mad at you.

One more thing about the scrapbook pages...

2009-08-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

If you want to know anything about the techniques or trims used, just shoot me an email, and I'll answer ASAP.

Go hug someone you love...and then make a scrapbook page about how much you love them!

German Diecuts and Golden Foil Trims

2009-08-18T08:31:00.001-07:00

Here are a few photos of the scrapbook pages I made for the Paper Dreams Factory, all using their diecuts and foils, which can be purchased at www.rockcandystudios.com.

All the photos are my family: my sweet sister Lynn, my gorgeous mother, my grandparents, Daddy and me and, of course, my dog Pete.

More trip pix

2009-08-17T23:04:00.001-07:00

Here are a few more photos from our trip.
The first is the view from our doorway at the Lime Tree Resort in the Keys. This is an older hotel, but the rooms are very nice and they have hammocks and chaise lounges and lots of relaxing areas beside the water, plus bbq pits and picnic tables. When we go back to the Keys, we'll book this resort for a week
The next photo is one of the famous Hemmingway six-toed cats. There were 40 or so roaming about the house and grounds.
The last is my dear friend Jan Stone and her DH Ed, two of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. I have known Jan since we were in the third grade. We met when she helped me pull a tooth in the girl's room at Longview Elementary School.

Go hug someone you love.

A Few Trip Highlights

2009-08-17T12:44:00.001-07:00

As promised, here are a few pix from our recent trip to Florida, with side trips to Georgia and the Smokies.

The first one is from the Firefox Living History Museum near Mountain City, Georgia. This church was moved to the Foxfire village (which is one really cool place to visit), from North Carolina. I loved the Foxfire books and, of course, had to purchase the 40th anniversary one while we were there. I'm about half-way through it and it's great! If you ever get the chance to visit this wonderful place, don't pass it up. It was not crowded and the entire place had an almost sacred feeling about it. There's even a wagon on display that was used on the Trail of Tears, a very dark blotch on our history.

The second photo is entitled This is what 60 looks like. It was made on my birthday outside the restaurant where we had dinner. Fabulous seafood, a table on the deck overlooking the water and my favorite dinner partner, Larry. What more could a girl ask for?

The last few photos are from the CHA Show - Tim Holtz at the Trade Show and me at the Consumer Show along with Eclectica's Ellen and Rhonda (photo on the left) and some of the ladies who were there for the entire presentation (right), who stopped by to see a little of my demo involving German diecuts, golden foil trims, new Cuttlebug plates, Smooch paint and the Easy Cutter punch. Check out Tim's antique box for storing embellishments in the first pic. Way cool! Andreas Hamm of Paper Dreams Factory, the distributor of golden trims and German diecuts, was the photographer for my demo. Thanks for making me look good, Andreas!

One more thing....

2009-08-17T07:04:00.000-07:00

...I had the strangest dream this morning. I woke up at 6 and then drifted back to sleep. I dreamed Larry and I were at an antique shop in Munford, TN, waiting for an auction to begin. (Let me say here that there is no antique shop in Munford and we don't go to auctions.)
We were waiting for a friend to call us who was traveling to Houston from Nashville and was supposed to meet us at the antique shop for a quick visit.

I had a dog with me named Grady, oddly named for our friend. Even odder was that he was a purple poodle. Now, y'all know how I love pups. I would run a dog farm if I had the space and resources. They could come and live there forever with lots of belly rubs and treats. But a poodle? I'm not a discriminating person, but that would be the last dog I would own and I would never dye him purple. I would also never name him after one of my dearest friends.

To make a long story short, Grady the person finally arrived and when I wanted to introduce him to my pup, the purple poodle Grady had disappeared. We searched and searched. There were lots of dogs running around this shop (another weird thing- what shop would allow dogs to roam among antiques?), but none were purple and none were Grady.

Friend Grady left for Houston, and Larry and I went home to make flyers to post all over so we could find our purple Grady.

Can anyone explain this? Am I losing it, now that I have officially become old, at least in numbers? I don't want anymore dreams like this one.

Go hug someone you love and don't dye your dogs. They don't like it and they look stupid.

Back home...for a while

2009-08-17T06:58:00.000-07:00

Well, we finally made it home. I realize I didn't post any photos from our trip, so will do that later today.

A lot has happened since my last post.

I turned 60 on the 4th and Larry and I celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary yesterday, which is also the anniversary of Elvis' death, so going anywhere in Memphis was a challenge. People come from all over the world to pay tribute to the King - the one and only King, no matter what the MJ fans think. I have tried and tried to get Larry to go to the candlelight vigil, but he says he's not getting in that crowd of strange people.

I'll write more later today about our trip.

Go hug someone you love.

What WAS I thinking?

2009-08-02T07:33:00.000-07:00

Please ignore the part of the last post that referred to the lack of new product at the CHA show. I went back and decided to do some make and take projects at my favorite manufacturers' booths. I saw some products that just blew me away.

Clearsnap: I love the Smooch colors and now they have added eight new colors and have them in liquid form in a mister. The colors are so intense and so gorgeous! My friend Niki Meiners was the demonstrator - I think the project was her design as well - and it was great. We made a tag that I will post a photo of as soon as I can find it show materials bag. (I have so much material from this show. I try to limit it to things I really will refer back to in the next six months and did a pretty good job of it, but it's still heavy. At least I remembered to add an extra suitcase to bring it all home in.)

Viva: Lisa Pavelca (sorry if I spelled that wrong, Lisa!) was demonstrating this great polymer clay. The colors all have a beautiful pearl sheen.The best part was that this clay could be rolled almost as thin as cardstock and still maintain shape. It can also be buffed so that it looks as though it has five coats of shiny glaze. Just gorgeous. Their booth was packed and I couldn't see all their products, but will check out their website. I have a small sample and will report more when I've had time to play with it.

Ranger: Well, you know I had to hang with Timmy Baby. I watched him demo for almost an hour Wednesday afternoon and found three new products that I love. This man never ceases to amaze me.
He has a new color-or lack thereof-in his crackle finishes - Rockcandy. It's a clear crackle so it just adds the finish to your project.

The second is Rockcandy again, but it is a Stickles. The regular Stickles colors can't be heated to dry with a heat tool. They melt. This one can, and when it's dry, you get the effect of sugar on your project, kind of like sugaring fruit. Gorgeous.

The third product is a heat tool. I know, I know. We all have heat tools. But do we have one that is silent? This one is. You couldn't even tell he had it turned on. I will definitely add this one to my heat tool collection.

The last thing I learned from Tim was about alcohol inks and metal. We all know we can tint metal with our ink, but did you know that if your coat the metal with Adirondack White Pearl dauber first, dry it thoroughly (with that silent heat gun, of course), then drop on the ink, the color becomes really intense? It was like the difference in night and day. He said it only works with the white pearl, not the regular white.

Well, I'm off to Sanibel Island this morning for some shell hunting. I'll try to post more this week.

Go hug someone you love.

2009-07-29T12:42:00.000-07:00

Well, the last post came after 45 days. This one is closer to 60-something. Is anyone still reading?

We left home Sunday and stopped for a wonderful visit with my childhood friend Jan Stone and her DH Ed. It was great way to start a trip. Jan is an incredible cook and they are great hosts. We hated to leave Monday, but business calls.

I was very humbled last night to have received the Designer Press Kit Award at the Craft and Hobby Association Convention in Orlando. No money, no prizes, but a very nice trophy and lots of publicity and instant-name recognition among the designer members. That's enough for me.

I have not seen anything here that has blown my socks off as far as new products or techniques. I have attended about a bazillion business seminars, including one today with the Crafty Chica on website design and content. She is amazing.

I'm off to walk the floor show again to see if I missed something. The show is much smaller this time. It usually takes me at least two days to get through the whole thing. This time it took two hours. Sad.

I'll post pics when I get back home.

Go hug someone you love.

Has it really been.....

2009-04-26T09:45:00.000-07:00

...46 days since my last post? AARRGGHH!! I'm totally useless!

Since then I have:
1. Finally retired - for the second time- from my job at MLGW.I managed to get their museum updated before I left, which was a necessity. I created it for the 60th anniversary in 1999 and updated it for the 70th in 2009. If you are ever in beautiful downtown Memphis, go by and check it out at the MLGW offices at 220 S. Main.

2. Spent a weekend at European Papers' Artiscape in Columbus, Ohio, where I met some cool ladies and saw some awesome Rugby players in really unusual outfits.

3. Cleaned my office from top to bottom and
discovered some things I thought I had lost. Also discovered that I have more than 1,000 CDs of files archived from my Mac. Do you think I should check everyone or just turn them into a craft project?

I promise to post more often and include some cool tutorials involving painting, stamping and paper arts techniques.

The image here is a preview from our new Girly Girls CD at RockCandy StudiosTM. This image is actually a sepia tone. I have no clue why it appears in this gorgeous blue color, except that it is very close to one of the RockCandy Studios signature colors. We premiered two CDs at Artiscape, Manly Men and Girly Girls. These two, along with additional subjects, will be available on our website after May 1. Check us out at www.rockcandystudios.com. All images were scanned at 300 dpi and cracks and scratch marks removed as much as possible. Of course, if you want to distress the images, that's up to you. We just wanted you to have the best. There are 130 images on each of these CDs, and 90 percent are exclusive to RockCandy StudiosTM, thanks to our good friend Laurie Williams who volunteered her family photo stash to us. I have to tell you, that was one picture-taking family. You'll see more of her group on future CDs.

Have a great Sunday. It's a gorgeous day here in Tennessee, where birds are singing and the Azalea's and Iris are competing for serious attention.

Go hug someone you love.

In a blue mood

2009-03-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

We lost two good friends this weekend.

One, Willie Burroughs, was a musician who has definitely left his imprint on the Memphis music scene. Not only was he a great musician, he instilled the musical muse in his son Tommy, who will carry on his father's legacy. Willie will be greatly missed.

The second was Amanda Conner Gray, daughter of our dear friends Jack and Kathy Conner. Amanda was a wife and mother of two children and was taken too soon. She loved animals, dressed up every Halloween ... I have the rock star pics to prove it...and was a joy to be around. I can't begin to imagine what her family is going through. She was with her mother Friday night until 11:30 or so and when she left, her last words were, "I love you, Mom." Amanda died of an aneurism sometime early Saturday morning.

Another friend lost her son last week. I didn't know him, but the photos I saw of him reminded me of my own son.

This is a reminder that we can never know when our time is up. Am I spending my time in the best way I know how? Am I making a difference so the world will be a little better when I'm gone? Do my friends and family know how much I love them? I would hope the answer to all these questions is, "Yes," but I'm not sure, especially about the first two.

Go hug someone you love and make sure they know you love them.

Home at last ...

2009-02-03T21:03:00.000-08:00

...and finally up! The California air was great, but it knocked me for a loop! I had no voice while I was there and have been in bed with a horrid cold since I got back, but went to the doc today for some much-needed meds. Otherwise, these pics would have been here earlier.

This is the surf at Newport Beach, just below the beach home of Brad and Angelina. The house was gorgeous, but I spent a lot more time looking at the surf.

I wrote our name in the sand, so that all the surfers would know who we were and rush home to look us up on the net, but forgot to add in the "www" and ".com". It seemed like a good idea at the time, although it was gone by the next morning. I also spent a lot of time snapping pics of seagull tracks and wash areas that I will post later.

We had some wonderful food, like this lucious creme brulee. We also had lots of pastas with super-rich sauces and two-count 'em - two trips to the Cheesecake Factory. The best part? We walked so much to and from the convention center and around the show floor that I lost nine pounds. My doctor was very happy when I weighed in this morning!

The tour guide snapped this pic of Roxi and me at Huntington Beach. We're a bit out of focus, but the houses are clear. These are million dollar plus homes.

Here are some random shots of the flowers, the palms outside the convention center and Downtown Disney, where we had dinner one night.

As promised, here is a pic of the half-naked, just gorgeous, tanned and fit beach volleyball guys. What a great way to spend our last day in California...not playing, just looking.

Go hug someone you love...and if he's a half-naked, tanned and fit beach volleyball player, more power to you, Sista!

California Girls

2009-01-29T18:07:00.000-08:00

Roxi and I were California girls for a day. We took a tour today that took us to Huntington Beach, Newport Beach and Laguna Beach for a day of beachcombing and gallery hopping. I'll post pics when I get home.

We had such a great CHA show, but are ready to get back to Tennessee, although the half-naked guys playing beach volleyball caused us to stop and think about sticking around for a while. I did take pics. You'll see 'em by the weekend.

We are tired, but full of new ideas for classes. We'll be sharing those with you soon and will be adding a lot of new merchandise in the next few weeks, so be sure to check out www.rockcandystudios.com

See you soon in Tennessee! WhooHoo!

Go hug someone you love.

It's over!

2009-01-28T21:03:00.000-08:00

The CHA show is over, my feet have walked about a bajillion miles and Roxi, Roann and I are all exhausted. Roann just makes me tired, talking about her taxi picking her up for the airport at 3:50 a.m. We had a great dinner with Niki Meiners and Carla Schauer, two talented designers from North Carolina and Cincinnati respectively, at a tiny little hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant called Carolina's. Cheesy oregano bread, huge plates of pasta with a variety of incredible sauces, spumoni, strawberry cheesecake and tiramisu. Need I say more?

Roxi and I are staying an extra day, through a happy accident in plane reservations, and plan to hit the Laguna Beach area tomorrow morning, for a day of gallery hopping and beach walking. We'll be back home in frozen Memphis Friday night.

We all had a very successful show and are coming home with lots of new techniques and ideas. Be sure to check back often. Roxi and I will be posting some classes in the next few weeks, and we will also be announcing a workshop by a well-known author/artist.

Go hug someone you love.

The heat is on...

2009-01-19T20:44:00.000-08:00

...and not in my house, where we keep the temperature at a cool 60°. Larry likes so that when we sneeze, it snows. I like it when I get a low utility bill.

The CHA countdown is here, and I'm doing what I usually do: coming up with killer project ideas when I fly off to California in less than 90 hours. Will I get my designer showcase ready? Have to. Will the press kits get finished? Have to. Will I forget something totally necessary? Without a doubt. BUT... I intend to have the best time ever at CHA. I'm taking a few fun classes: jewelry making, encaustic and raku as well as some business seminars. Roxi and I (the RockCandy sistas) will be checking out new products for our online store and reporting back to you. Because of a snafu in our flight reservations, we'll be staying in sunny California an extra day. I know, I know. It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it.

I'll try to post here while I'm away and let you know what new and exciting products are coming down the pike.

Please excuse typos. I'm an artist, not a typist.

Go hug someone you love.

River City Stampers

2009-01-17T05:52:00.000-08:00

Today is our monthly stamp club meeting and we are making booklets for our new members' welcome packet. This project could easily be adapted to hold a stationery set of cards and matching stamped envelopes.

Using a 12 X 12 piece of printed double-sided cardstock, score it in half on one side and 3" from the bottom on the other. Fold it in half so you have a 6" X 12" book, then fold up the bottom to the inside to make the pocket. I like to trim away the center of the pocket so it will fold better.

For embellishing, I used a swirly stamp from Technique Tuesday and stamped in a diagonal pattern across the front with white pigment ink, then embossed with clear embossing powder. I used Colorbox ink pads to apply blues and greens lightly over the pattern, then wiped away the excess with a tissue, revealing more of the white swirls. I used the same stamp to stamp blue swirls across the white ones for added interest, then wiped again with the tissue.

Add eyelets to hold the bottom pocket to the top and slip ribbon through each eyelet, tying on the back to keep it in place.

Add your sentiment of choice and you've made a quick and easy pocket folder. Give it as a gift or customize it by adhering an envelope and note pad to the inside and use it to stash receipts.

I'm off to stamp club.

Go hug someone you love!