Patchwork Purse

Just finished a patchwork purse, It is quite big so more like an over size purse/tote. I pieced the front & back and used a pattern for the construction. The special button came with me from the UK last year and I finally found a use for it!

Art Journaling

As if there are not enough ways to create, I have now stumbled upon the world of Art Journals & Junque Journals.Don't go there unless you want to see the most amazing expressions of art in all it's forms & of journaling! Trust me, just Google it, YouTube it, get comfortable and enjoy.
Here is my very first Art Journal page. (Using materials that I already had on hand no less!)
This is a very different act of creating, not as structured as my sewing or my crochet & knitting and a new process for me.
If I don't draw or paint ("realistically") am I still an artist?
Absolutely!
There are many types of books you can use as your journal. I'm using a composition note-book. I found that idea when looking at Junque Journals. Large sketchbooks seem to be the fave but i like the sturdiness of the comp. so am good with that for my first book. I've gone through and gesso's many pages prior to creating a page, other pages have scrapbook papers adhered to them. This adds some weight to the pages. This particular page has a cut up Manila folder with a tab on it.That is the base. (Oh, and that "doodle thingy" in the middle? That's a Zentangle.(Google that one too!) Another page has a paper bag on it. No idea how that one will evolve but I have no doubt that inspiration will hit! (probably at 2 in the morning!)

Fall Catch Up

Nope, didn't fall off the face of the earth, busy making a mess in the Pink Room! (AKA Creative mayhem!) So, here are a just a few pix to show you what's been goin' on. (Oh, and this is just a fraction)

Finally finished an afghan for The Linus Project-took me ages because I seem to get distracted by other projects-imagine that.

Quickie weekend project, book bag for a friend. So much prettier than a zip-loc don't you think!

Sweet book written by my friend Chris. Knowing the author added something special to this read for me. It can be found HERE

Altered tags for the Comfort Dolls using tea dyed paper. (Below)

Look what a difference a couple of hours drowning in tea will do for you!

ROLODEX SWAP at Splitcoast. These are the ones I sent, can't wait to get the swapper's back!

Playing with dolls (paper that is)

I recently completed a paper doll swap on Splitcoast. A new craft for me and although I enjoyed it, not sure if I will do another paper doll swap. Here is one of four that I made. I used the same template for all four, just changed the colors and embellishments.What I did find interesting was the wide variety of dolls, each crafter interpreted the "product" very differently.

Here are the dolls I received. The one one the left is actually a little tin that slides open...very clever.

Springfest 2010 Stampin' Extravaganza! (Lots of pix)

On May 1st my friend Kim & I attended the 3rd annual WNY Springfest event in Amherst organized through SplitCoast Stampers. What an awesome day. We signed up waaay back in February and spent the next couple of months putting all our projects together. As this was my first event I was very conservative with how many swaps I signed up for and am glad I did that. It would have been easy to over-extend and then not enjoy the projects and that just defeats the whole purpose. But....next year I think will be a different story.
It was mandatory that you sign up for a showbox project: design a card that you could make it 10-15 minutes. Compile 20 kits to make that card (that you can bring in a showbox) At the event you sit at a table with 9 other's. You each describe the card and then we make them all. We did this in the morning and afternoon, so you get to make 20 different cards which was fun. Here are the shoebox cards that I made. (The first picture is the card I designed)












I signed up for just 1 swap, a 3D one as the group number was smaller. Here are pictures of the items that I came home with. The last few pictures are of the project that I made. I didn't think just one of these magnets would be enought so I made 4 for everyone. (Total made-40 sheesh!)











And just a few more pictures for good measure.



This is the name tag I created for the event.

Kim, I know I said I wouldn't do this, but next year I'm going to sign up to do recipe swap, ATC swap and NVR card front. I figure if I start now, I should be done just in time.

Paper Dolls

Amongst all the other things I'm doing, I just signed up for a Paper Doll swap on SplitCoast. This is fun! I'm going to be making 4 dolls but here is the first just so you an take a peak. She stands about 10 inches tall and yes, she is articulated and her dress is removable. I'm pleased with my first attempt.

Unmounting rubber stamps.

If you are a stamper then you know this is a hot topic on the forums right now, especially since SU introduced unmounted stamps and DVD storage cases. I do not have a huge collection of wood mounted stamps but enough to know that they take up a lot of precious room. Soooo, after much research, I took the plunge. There are a few different techniques out there but this is what I have done and so far I am happy with the results. I hope this will inspire you to take the plunge! (I know, a video would be cool but I'm not technically quite there yet.!)
1) Set your wood mounted block wood side down in the microwave and micro on high for 10 seconds.
2) Quickly peel off the stamp and foam together. (A thin metal spatuala works well for this)
3) Peel off the clear image sticker & ahere to the (still sticky) foam.
4) Trim the clear sticker around the foam

5) Apply a thin coat of Aileens Tack It Over & Over to the image & let it dry for 30 minutes.

6) Stamp it once on the back of your hand and you are ready to store the stamp in one of the new SU DVD case and to use on your acrylic block. You will most likely want to use a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig as the SU rubber is not clear. I made case inserts using Publisher. The one on the left is from SU and the one on the right is one I created (with a little help from a stampin' friend:))

Takes up much less room on the shelf....TA-Da!

Miss me?

I know, winter is not over yet but psychologically, once March is here, doesn't it feel like spring must be near?
Just a quick update on what's bin' happening in the Pink Room. I made a few scrap busting cards to send to troops overseas. Found some info on the web where you can make cards and send to troops that they can use since there are not too many Hallmark stores close to a front-line. I left the cards blank inside so that the service person could use them for whatever they needed. This was a fun project and a great way to use up all the scraps I keep. here's a link if you're interested. http://www.operationwritehome.org/

Let's see, what else have I been up to? Oh, re-doing the Pink Room. Cleaning out the stuff that really is just taking up valuable real estate. Since I spend my stamping and scrapping standing up, I have (hubby did) adjusted my table. Found this easy idea on Splitcoast Stampers and look at the difference. It is awesome and so much more comfortable than bending over the table. Here is the before picture
And here is the after.

And yes, I now have more hidden storage height underneath also which was an added bonus.

Okay, in-put needed on marker storage. Lots of chit chat on the forums regarding storing your markers, whether they be SU or Copics. I'm undecided and have quite a lot of choices. What do you think?

Decisons! Decisions! What would you do?

Happy (almost) Spring!