April: Art is YOU Retreat

Ever been in a creative funk?  One of those that seem to linger on?  My creative muse took an extended "vacation" of sorts.  While I've been creating digitally, knitting a few scarves (that sell faster than I can knit them), and creating little in my studio.......I've not much to share.  But there is HOPE ahead of me!

I've been dabbling in the metal arts so I've signed up for two classes with Richard Salley who can teach me more about this passion of mine with metal. The locket is simply lovely.  I plan on taking an old photo of my mom & dad just after they got married to put in mine.   I love the rustic look of his creations......

Then to jump out of my comfort zone, I signed up for a two day class with an artist I've admired for years, Mary Beth Shaw.  Granted I've created canvas works before in the past and they are never "normal" as painting on canvases go, so Mary Beth's work is just up my canvas alley. 

I'll be sure to post my class examples when completed!  The countdown is ON.......April, come on down!

Smoothfoam Doggie Heaven!

What does Smoothfoam™ and dogs have in common?  Doggie Heaven of course! I had a BLAST creating this project out of the fun shapes Smoothfoam ™ had to offer.

I created this cute little dog who is out for a stroll!  Wonder what's on his mind?  :-)  Watch for more to come!

You can find Smoothfoam ™ and all these supplies at any major craft stores.
Here's an opportunity to win a Smoothfoam ™ craft kit for yourself!
As you hop thru the designer blogs, comment on your favorite projects.
Each time you comment you'll be entered to win, so the more comments you add the more entries you'll have.  The winner will receive this snowman craft kit.

Follow the Designer Craft Connection Blog Hop button in the right column to see what other fun projects the designer group has created with Smoothfoam™ products!

To enter to win a prize package, leave a comment on favorite projects on the designer's blog and say what you would make with Smoothfoam. The more you comment, the more chances you have to win.  The projects will be posted on Pinterest so readers can comment there too. The winner will be announced on November 19th so keep your eyes open!

A Special Thank You Gift!

THANK YOU gifts are the focus for this month's blog hop!  This being the first Monday of the month, 30 professional designers (members of CHA Craft & Hobby Association)  have banded together to provide you with some fabulous Thank You gift ideas!  Don't forget to look at others by clicking on the "hop forward" button on the Designer Craft Connection icon to the right of my blog.

 

Forgive my non posting as of late!  We (girlfriend: Debbie Clark, brother: Ugly -Dan Barrett and of course my husband Van, travel over 4000 miles to the green isles:  Ireland.  Landing in Dublin, having some wonderful friends: James Lynch & Angela Chaney greet us at the airport with a huge bouquet of flowers for Deb & I......what a wonderful start to a beautiful vacation.

 

How do you say Thank You to my friends for taking precious time from their daily lives to show us all true Irish hospitality?  I created a special book in which I tucked in snippets of our time together as well as some pictures of their past.  Since Angela hasn't seen the book yet (I had forgotten to pack it when I left home-----thus I was able to really finish it!) I don't want to give too much away.  Here are just a few pages out of this little book full of tuck ins & pull outs.  A simple thank you wasn't enough, so here's a thank you gift straight from the heart. The ribbons haven't been added to the book rings yet.

 

A thankful heart:  James Lynch, The Chaney's--Angela, David, Amy, Damien & Connor,  Alan H., Catherine Duffey, Susan Rafter, and Cathy & Isabella Barron.  Love you all!

 

 



 

Back to School!

This month's Designer Craft Blog Hop theme is all about going back to school!  On the button to the right on my blog has all kinds of other crafts to celecebrate going back to school in style.

I designed my project USING back to school items.  Using a clear glass vase, I cut 9 plastic rulers to fit around the vase. Alternating 3 different colors and using colored pencils between each seam, all items were glued on using Beacon's Quick Grip.  Tape measure ribbon was wrapped around the bottom finishing off the back to school look any student would love to display on their home school desk!

Make sure to check out the other school designs but clicking on the Desginers Craft Blog Hop button to the right.

Creativity at Work

Date set, plane tickets bought for a wonderful trip to Ireland, I suddenly feel stressed!!

A year ago I began three projects for three special friends in Ireland.  Would you believe I've not finished with them?  Off the back burner they come......to be FINISHED before our trip so I can hand them over personally.  Still so much to do......in so little time.  It's a good thing I work really well under pressure!

That being said, my creative muse kicked in last night.  But did I work on those three projects listed above?
Why of course not!  I veered off course and ended up making some earrings that turned out amazingly well.

So last night's creative adventure begins now:

Working with ImpressArt is a pure joy!  Above is the hammer, steel block, metal stamp, and of course some brass to stamp on.

Next comes out the Artistic Wire, my Beadstrom 4-Piece Tool Kit from Beadalon tools, ear wires, jump rings, assorted back beads, and head pins..........and you have the beginnings to some awesome earrings!

Ankh:  With the ImpressArt metal stamp, I stamped the brass strips.  The Euro tool was used to punch the holes at the top & bottom of the strips.  After being stamped, the brass was colored with a black sharpie.  This fills in the little stamped images so they stand out.  Next, using an artist pencil eraser, I erased all the sharpie ink off the surface metal.  Added some bead dangles......wha la!

The Nile:  Once I completed one set.......I just HAD to create another!  Different of course!  Here is the same technique used minus the bead dangles.  The pictures do not do these pieces justice!

Exile:  Changing up just a bit, I used brass wire on these next two pieces.  Here I used brass wire to wrap and square beads.  Loved the way these turned out!

Boadisea:  Same wire wrap technique but with flat round beads at the bottom, round beads at the top, and a brass bead with a black center. 

Now, BACK to the three Ireland projects!!  Time is short and the work will be long.  A labor of love to be sure!

The Movement Begins

Cre8time

Coming January 2013 a brand spankin new movement will have you slowing down, enjoying life, and creating!  But only if YOU join the movement!  You will "learn" to to get your creative spirit back & to regain the happiness that comes from creating.  Don't know how?  Well this movement will "teach" us!

You know I will be in on the movement!  Even artists have their "moments". 

Italian Vacation Journal

Every first Monday of the Month a theme is chosen and Designers get busy creating something for the Designer Craft Connection blog hop!  I was late in getting this posted but it's still Monday!

After a wonderful vacationn in Italy visiting my sister & her family, I wanted to create something special to hold my most favorite memories.  I cut davey book board (6"x9") and adhered handmade paper to the front & back covers.  The inside pages are different weights and colors to create a fun & playful journal.  I had kept a daily journal while in Italy so those daily notes were re-written inside. Nestled in between the pages are 6"x9" envelopes to tuck my saved treasure in. Pictures of our trip grace the pages, thus bringing back instant happiness.

As we finalize another trip abroad, this time to Ireland, I'm working on a special journal to record the details of the daily events as they happen.  I've yet to figure out just how to create this new journal but when I do, I'll be sure to post it here!

What do YOU do to remember your vacation other than pictures?

Be sure to use the Designer Crafts Connection button to the right of my blog to hop fro blog to blog to see what other Designers have come up with for their Vacation crafting!