Guess what!!

I have Moved!

Come visit my new website at

www.ShirleyHallDesigns.com 

Coming soon . . .

Tammy Tutterow will be in Springfield Friday, April 29th and Saturday, April 30th teaching classes at Scrapbook Generation. 

Friday, April 29th 6:00 PM: Home Sweet Home Canvas Class.
The class features a fun vintage style collage on a 8x10 stretched box canvas. It features products from Pink Paislee's Hometown Summer collection, Wendy Vecchi's Art Parts, and some fun uses for Tim Holtz's new Distress Stains!

Saturday, April 30th 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Made from Scratch Binder Class. 
This class is a follow up to her popular Made From Scratch class that she taught at Scrapbook Generation last year! If you loved that class and all of the options it gave you fro making your own books, you are going to love this one too!  It features the beautiful Butterfly Garden collection by Pink Paislee and Art Parts by Wendy Vecchi and Stamper's Anonymous as well as plenty of Tim Holtz goodies and Sticky Back Canvas by Claudine Hellmuth! I really love the way it turned out! It is packed with pockets, tags, and pretty little bits of this and that.

If you are interested in either classes, please call Scrapbook Generation at 417-886-0440, or visit their website at http://www.scrapbookgeneration.com/ or their blog at http://www.scrapbookgeneration.blogspot.com/

St. Pat's Day Wishes . . .

May love and laughter light your days,

and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours,

wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world

with joy that long endures.

May all life's passing seasons

bring the best to you and yours!

- author unknown

Valentine Art Tags by Debbie Burks

My friend Debbie Burks created these lovely Valentine tags.  Every time I get an opportunity, I go to The Persimmon Tree in Ozark and pick up a few of her things.  She makes wonderful Vintage-inspired little books, art tags, and other beautiful treasures. Friday when I visited the store, there were only 3 Valentine tags left!  I grabbed them up immediately--and since I got the last ones, I thought I would share them with you as well . . . .

Happy Valentine's Day!

O my Luve's like a red, red rose

That's newly sprung in June;

O my Luve's like the melodie

That's sweetly played in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,

So deep in luve am I;

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

Till a' the seas gang dry:

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,

And the rocks melt wi' the sun;

I will luve thee still, my dear,

While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only Luve,

And fare thee weel awhile!

And I will come again, my Luve,

Tho' it ware ten thousand mile.

-- Robert Burns

Simply Renee

I was so inspired this week by Sarah Mullanix's "altered" Clip It Up (photo below).  She took an ordinary box and altered it to create a storage area on top of her Clip It Up.  See details at http://simplyreneeinc.blogspot.com/

I didn't have a box big enough to do anything to my Clip It Up, but got to thinking about my
Inkssentials Craft Spinner sitting there just looking very basic.    

This is what my spinner looks like, but times 4.  I have 4 units stacked
on top of each other (this is not recommended, by the way).  I think it
is recommend that you can stack 3 units safely, but 4 works for me
very well -- plus my space is very limited.  

So, here is my "altered" Craft Spinner.  

Fun, huh?  All ready to go back to my art studio.  

The new topper on my spinner is made from a 4.5" round chip-
board box I had in my stash of stuff. I painted it black and used
some Graphic 45 papers to trim it out.  I used a matte gel medium
to "glue" everything down and a coat on top to finish it off.  Next, 

I added a black ceramic knob to the lid of the box. 

The base of the spinner I painted black and trimmed out with a
piece of the same Graphic 45 paper that I used on the topper.  

Look what I put in the box!  Here is the PERFECT place to store 

those extra blending pads.  

Close up of finished box before adding it to the top of the spinner.
I put a hole in the center of the bottom of the box (about 1/4")  to
slip over the top of the spinner.  I didn't replace the "handle" that
came with the spinner--I just used a bolt to hold it together.  I
also put a hole in the center of the lid (about 1/4") for the knob.

Fashion Show of the Year

The DCWV Paper Runway

DCWV had a gorgeous booth at CHA this past week!  What a
creative way to display their product!

This was my favorite--probably because of the
beautiful roses. (double-click photo for  larger view)



Nice, huh?



Wished I had taken a photo of the back of this--
beautifully done.



Ruffles, ruffles, ruffles.

Another beautiful gown . . .



Back view of train

Product Share . . . .

 I love vintage Valentines!  I have a few old ones that I have found in flea markets from time to time.  Valentine's Day was one of my favorite times of the year when I was a kid.  My mom would help us (my sis, brother, and I) make valentine boxes for collecting Valentines at school.

Last week I received the Vintage Valentines book shown above.  To fulfill my "craving" for some vintage valentine images, I ordered it without ever seeing it (just published this month).  It is wonderful!  There are 48 pages (including a CD-ROM of all the images) packed with over 200 full-color valentines, postcards, valentine die cuts, etc.  All of the images are drawn from authentic valentines of the early 20th century.  If you are interested, I got my copy from Amazon, but you can probably find it elsewhere.  

Product Share . . .

If you like pictures of vintage valentines, you will like this postcard book I found at Amazon.com.  It contains 30 oversized postcards, published by Darling & Company. The images are adorable! I know I will end up cutting them up and using them on tags, banners, etc.   The postcards are 4.75" X 7".

Valentine Goodies

I had a "happy package" when I got home today.  It was my order from Chris and Sharon of Red Lead Paper Works in St. Louis and was filled with Valentine goodies!  I had ordered some Valentine and Easter collage sheets and some rubber stamps.  My stamps were in a separate bag tied with pretty pink bow--how cool is that! Can't wait to play with those Valentines!

Happy New Year!

I am the New Year.  

I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.

I am your next chance at the art of living.

I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned 

about life during the last twelve months.

All that you sought and didn't find is hidden in me,

waiting for you to search it out with more determination.

All the good that you tried for and didn't achieve,

is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you dreamed but didn't dare to do;

All that you hoped but did not will;

All the faith that you claimed, but did not have . . .

These slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened 

by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance 

to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."

I am the new year.

~ author unknown

Image by Dover Publications

December Design Challenge

The design challenge kit at Scrapbook Generation this past month consisted of the Christmas Magic Packet by Fancy Pants Designs, chipboard flourishes, and some other goodies.  For my project I used mostly the "solid" sides of this collection.  This collection has some great papers including a lot of distressed-looking designs (my fav). 

Several months ago Tammy Tutterow taught a class at Scrapbook Generation  on the "Make From Scratch: Accordion Album."*  I loved this class!  It was fun, but also a project you could--and would want to make again.  So that is how this project was born--I got to thinking about how I loved that little book!  Photos are below.

The book cover features a Sizzix frame (this may be discontinued--if you like it, you might find it on eBay) painted white and covered with coarse clear glitter.  The Poinsettia-like flower was cut from Sizzix Original Die "Flower Layers #2".  I put a coat of Tattered Angels "Be Positive" Glimmer Glam on the flower after it was assembled.   The holly leaves were cut free hand and given a coat of Glimmer Glam "Dirty Martini."  I love the Glimmer Glam!

On the first page I made a simple corner pocket to hold photos and decorated it with a snowflake, and a flower.  I included the poem "Sometime During Christmas" through out the book.  For the 2nd page I added an identical corner pocket and used the image the girl and her dog to decorate the pocket.  I framed it with red Christmas trim.  Holly berries were dotted with Stickles.

I loved this reproduction postcard of kids sledding, but it was too new and shiny looking.  I wadded it up, tore it, and sanded off some of the design, to make it look old.  I inked it a little with Tim Holtz Distress Ink Brushed Corduroy. The last page on the front features a large snowflake painted white and covered with a coarse clear glitter. The gorgeous snowflake is cut from a Sizzix Original die.  I added a rosette made from some of the coordinating papers.

Backside view of album.  There are six panels to decorate, add photos, poems, or any other items you may want to add. 

For the 1st page on this side, I made an envelope to hold small memorabila, pictures, etc.  I left the flap on the envelope a little longer so I could do a fancy cut on the edge.  On this one, I use the Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Die Snow Flurries.  Since the envelope was light blue, I dry brushed a little white paint on the "snowflake" section of the flap.  Then covered it with coarse clear glitter.  Note:  I use Ranger's Glossy Accents as my base for applying glitter.  The next page features a pocket for photos, etc.  Image of girl is from Dover Publications and I used Stickles on the holly berries to make them stand out. 

Tammy's book was designed to hold several photos, and even though I changed this book around I still kept plenty of space for photos.  The snowflakes and poinsettia-like flower are Sizzix dies.  The silver trim is from some trims I purchased during the holiday season.  The particular trim had wire in it, but the wire pulls out, making the trim very easy to work with. 

The page on the left has a side pocket for holding things. I used a border punch to cut a snowflake design (with red paper underneath) to keep it from looking so plain.  Then I included my favorite snowflake and a rosette as accents.  The last page features a girl getting pelted with snowballs.  Clear glitter was used to make the snow on her clothes and the snowball to look real.  The white flourishes is a rubon. 

Close up of Rosette.

Close up of Poinsettia-looking flower

Close-up of envelope using Tim Holtz edge die. 

Tammy's album info: 

*The Made from Scratch: Accordion Album is now offered exclusively online through Big Picture Classes.   If you are interested in making one, click this link to view the class details.

All images are from Dover Publications.

Christmas Cards

When the holiday is over,

And I have time to spare,

I gather all the Christmas Cards

And find an easy chair.

I pull up closer to the fire,

Take time to reminisce,

I read again each line and verse,

Lest something I might miss.

I try to pick the prettiest,

But can't decide.

The ones I think on longest

Contain messages inside.

There between the pages

Is a special bit of news

About the crops or weather,

Or when the baby's due.

"I can't explain the way I feel,"

Says a friend as pure as gold.

But the simple words, "We love you,"

Make our blessings manifold.

The postman living here receives 

A special one of beauty,

"Thanks for all the little things,"

Beyond his call of duty.

Oh, yes! The ones with pictures

We cherish most of all;

It's amazing how the children

Have grown to be so tall.

We sign cards with our heartstrings

And send them out to share

Our love and hopes for "Peace on Earth."

To people everywhere.

~Louise Dale Nelson

The 12 Days of After Christmas?

The 12 Days after Christmas*

The First day after Christmas
my true love and I had a fight.
And so I chopped the Pear Tree down
and burnt it just for spite.
Then with a single cartridge
I shot that blasted Partridge.
My true love gave to me.

The second day after Christmas
I pulled on the old rubber gloves
and very gently wrung the necks,
of both the Turtle Doves.
My true love gave to me.

The third day after Christmas
my mother caught the croup,
I had to use the Three French Hens,
to make some chicken soup.
The Four Calling Birds
were a big mistake
for their language was obscene.
The Five Golden Rings
were completely fake
they turned my fingers green
My true love gave to me.

The sixth day after Christmas
the Six Laying Hens wouldn't lay,
so I gave the whole darn gaggle,
to the RSPCA.
My true love gave to me.

On the seventh day after Christmas
what a mess I found
All Seven of the Swimming Swans
had gone and bloomin drowned.
My true love gave to me.

The eighth day after Christmas
before they could suspect.
I bundled up the Eight Maids-a-Milking,
Nine ladies Dancing, Ten Lords a-Leaping,
Eleven Pipers Piping and Twelve Drummers Drumming
( well actually, I kept one of the drummers )
and sent them back collect.
My true love gave to me

I wrote my true love,
"We are through, Love."
and I said in so many words,
" Furthermore, your Christmas gifts
were for the birds." 

*I don't have an author to give credit to.  Here is the link if you are interested in where I found it . . http://www.kraftz.com/christmas-funny-verses.html

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It isn't the tinsel

That causes the glow,

Or colored lights shining

On new-fallen snow,

Nor cards with warm greetings --

Though lovely they are --

And, no, not the gleam of

A trembling star

That causes a Christmas

To bloom in the heart

And prepares the spirit

A new year to start.

It's what one is feeling

And then something more:

A Prince-of-Peace caring

That opens the door

To those who are weary,

Or hungry and cold.

It's sharing the story

That never grows old.

It's knowing and showing

Good will to all men

That starts hearts to glowing

With Christmas again.

~ June Masters Bacher

Christmas Memories

Oh, what a lovely Christmas tree

Standing there for all to see

And beneath its fragrant boughs of green,

The prettiest presents ever seen.

Atop the tree shines the star bright,

Like that of the first Christmas night.

The tree is lovely, you will say,

As it stands there on Christmas Day;

Yet we need just a few things more,

Toys scattered upon the floor.

But the children are all grown;

They have families of their own.

Oh, if we could only hear

Their childish voices ringing clear,

"Look, Mom and Day, come here and see

All that lies beneath our tree!

~ Betty Vanhoozier