I'm Back!

My intentions were good.  Start a blog and share lots of great stuff with my internet friends.  Then LIFE happened.  Not anything earth-shattering...just everyday life.  Next thing I know, it's almost a year and I haven't posted a darn thing.  Not that I haven't had lots to share...it's just that sitting-down-and-posting thing!

With that said...I'm going to be a bit less ambitious.  I will not post everyday but when I have something great to share, I'll be right here...words and pictures!

Today I've posted some of my recent mixed media pieces.    Yes, I know Christmas is over but I just wanted to share before the new year starts.

This cool Christmas Tree was made on a canvas with paper background, layered with paint, Glimmer Mist, and glitter. Then I piled on rolled sheet music, ribbon, cardboard, more paper and paint. I used my favorite tools...stencils, bubble wrap, key cards, whatever I found laying around.  This is my new favorite thing to do these days.

I created these as ad samples for Ben Franklin Crafts and Frames in Grass Valley. I love using papers from Authentique. Those cute little girls are my granddaughters.  We had to pretend it was Christmas time to get these great pictures (it was about 90 degrees that day)  Worth it, I'd say!

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And last, but not least for today, is a rolled flower wreath.  This one made from old dictionary pages.  I rolled and rolled, then rolled some more to make enough to cover the form.  Added a bow and it's done.  During the Christmas season, the bow was changed to Christmas colors and is still on display at Ben's.  I've done about a million (or may a hundred) demos on making these fun and easy flowers.  Yet, when I'm ready to move to something else, someone comes along and wants to know how to do this.  So out come the scissors, paper and petal roller, and I'm off again!  

Enough for today but I'll be back again...PROMISE!

It's been a crazy week and it's only Thursday.  Tuesday was demo day at Ben's and this week was all about the new Claudine Hellmuth layer stamps.  These are two-part stamps: the first step is using a foam stamp that creates a solid figure: next step is using a clear outline stamp around the solid image.  They are slightly offset, giving a unique look.  Both the foam and the clear stamps can be used together or separately.  And they can be used with ink or paint...lots of opportunity to create some very unique images.

 This is a little canvas that is covered with old pattern tissue.  I used  the foam stamp with some acrylic paint, added buttons and ribbon along with a few words.  Fast, easy and fun!

Little birds stamped with paint then ink for the outline over some colored paper and on a small canvas tag.  The hardest part of doing these is waiting for the paint to dry (I used a heat gun...I'm just too impatient)

And just for fun...I'm posting a picture of my granddaughter, Lilu's, diorama on Mozart.  It was a family project, that we all were involved in...Mom, Dad, Sister, Papa, Mamu (that's me!) and Lilu.

Doesn't this just look like Mozart should be sitting at this piano and playing something wonderful?

The snow just started to fall and we're expecting a giant storm and probably some power outages so if I don't post, you'll know why.  Last storm knocked out the power for a few days.  Let's hope this one is kinder! 

For now...stay warm!

Power's Back!!

So what does a blogger/crafter do when the power is out for a few days?!  Not much!  We've had a couple of storms come through and drop quite a bit of snow at our house.  Then trees starting coming down on power lines and it took a while to get everything back in order.  The phone land line is still out but who needs a phone anyway.  And our alarm system started beeping in the middle of the night...very annoying!

I tried finishing some projects in the dark and cold...nope, that didn't work.  I needed my glue gun (gotta get one of those battery operated ones!) or my heat gun or better light.  No, I got it, a generator!!!  OK, I'm saving up! 

Now that the power is back on, the first priority is showers for everyone!  Then we can do dishes, laundry, vacuum, and on to more exciting stuff...finishing those projects.  So stay tuned tomorrow (as long as we still have power) and I'll post the results of today's work.

Stay warm wherever you are!

It's Snowing....

Two posts today...I couldn't resist.

The predicted snow arrived last night and continues today.  It's beautiful outside in spite of the wind, cold and  satellite outage.  If the power goes out I'm ready with a headlamp so I can keep crafting!

 Backyard

 Driveway

 Side yard

 Other side yard

It starts to look the same!!!

It hasn't frozen but I need to get the snow off our hummingbird feeder.

Stay warm wherever you are!

Cosmo Cricket and Tim

I love Cosmo Cricket!  Not only do they have really cool paper and embellishments but the folks at this company are just plain nice.  At CHA 2011 they debuted 3 new lines:  Social Club, Salt Air and Upcycle.

First up: Social Club 

 I saw this display and couldn't resist.  Reminds me of my high school years...maybe a few years before high school.

 What can I say...my kind of entertaining.

 Oh...manly.

 Need I say more about Social Club?

Second: Salt Air

So colorful.

 Makes me want to go to the beach.

And now: Upcycle

 Th precious book was filled with great paper and photos.

This wreath was a work of art!

 Love these cards!

 And this one...

And these...

Last but not least...a few pctures from the Tim Holtz Ideaology booth.

Love this typwriter

Wonderful typsetter box!

 

Makes me want to sew again.

Me, Tim and my hubby....I think he's still recovering from CHA (hubby, that is).

A fun little project...

Today I used  Imaginisce's Petal Roller to make a few flowers then put them on a project I saw from Melissa Frances.  Measuring approximately 8"x5"  and made with chipboard, paper, along with ribbon, rick-rack and pom-pom trim it took almost no time to put it together.  This container would make a cute little catch-all for a girls room.   It can hold barrettes, pony tail holders and other small items.  Or just fill it with flowers for a pretty accessory.

Shhh...don't tell my granddaughter she's getting this one for her birthday!

CHA...all about color

I love color so I thought I post some of the wonderful colors that I saw at CHA..... yarns,  papers,  pens, clay, buttons, ribbons, bead and more...it was a rainbow!!!