SCRAPBOOK 4 FUN

Guess what!!

2011-05-04T16:06:00.000-05:00

I have Moved!

Come visit my new website at

www.ShirleyHallDesigns.com

Coming soon . . .

2011-04-12T12:50:00.000-05:00

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 . . .

2011-03-17T01:13:00.001-05:00

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

2011-02-14T08:00:00.001-06:00

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!

2011-02-14T00:01:00.035-06:00

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

2011-02-13T18:35:00.000-06:00

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

2011-02-10T12:47:00.000-06:00

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 . . . .

2011-01-23T00:21:00.000-06:00

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 . . .

2011-01-10T22:02:00.040-06:00

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

2011-01-06T23:04:00.000-06:00

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!

2011-01-01T14:47:00.000-06:00

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

2010-12-30T15:41:00.250-06:00

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

2010-12-28T23:52:00.016-06:00

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?

2010-12-26T13:14:00.000-06:00

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!

2010-12-25T10:18:00.017-06:00

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

2010-12-24T23:49:00.000-06:00

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

12 Days of Christmas Tags

2010-12-09T13:30:00.000-06:00

I have not been posting the tags the last 3 days--I assume most of you are going to Tim's blog without any link of mine now. They have all been so inspiring--I just love them all! I hope you are having a little time to get creative, too.

Tag 7:

Tag 8:

Tag 9: This has to be my very favorite. I love the colors and the simple elegance of it. I may have to rush ahead and do this one tonight! Don't forget to make a comment when you visit Tim's blog. Every day he selects some names from those who commented the day before to win some cool "Tim stuff." One of my art sisters, Candy Colwell, won today. How cool is that?

12 Days of Christmas - Tag 6

2010-12-06T12:14:00.000-06:00

Another great tag from Tim's blog. I know Tim doesn't start until late afternoon each day and then posts a finished art tag at midnight. I honestly do not know how he does it. I have all the stuff at my finger tips, looking at printed guide with all the instructions -- and still can't do it that fast. I even think about it all day, so when I get home I know just what to do. I still have a great time, just the same, and love doing them!

2010-12-05T23:45:00.042-06:00

Look at my new stash of trims! They are perfect for those vintage-looking art projects I like to do! I was at my local Michaels earlier today and was looking at the beautiful holiday ribbons and trims (plus, they are now 60% off.) I have looked at them several times lately when I was in the store, and wondered why they didn't have any smaller stuff. They had them--lots of them, I am just so short I did not see them on the top row! I grabbed a basket, and had a great time selecting these beautiful trims. I will probably have to go back and look again now that I know where they are.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 5

2010-12-05T21:01:00.001-06:00

Want to know how to create this beautiful tag? Visit Tim's blog for full details.

12 Days of Christmas -- Tag 4

2010-12-04T23:06:00.001-06:00

This is it . . .

Check it out on the Tim Holtz Blog

12 Days of Christmas - Tag 3

2010-12-03T02:30:00.001-06:00

Tag 3 is ready! It is so pretty--can't wait to get another started. Here is the link: http://timholtz.typepad.com/

12 Days of Christmas - Tag 2

2010-12-02T04:55:00.002-06:00

Tag #2 has been posted. Visit Tim's blog and join in on the fun! Don't forget to make a comment.

Sometime During Christmas

2010-12-01T17:00:00.054-06:00

Sometime during Christmas

As the days go rushing by,

Take time to see the Christmas lights

Mist-haloed 'gainst the sky.

Sometime during Christmas

Breathe deep the Christmas smell;

The bayberry and the piney scents;

What welcome they foretell!

Sometime during Christmas

When carolers are singing,

Retell the age-old story

for which the bells are ringing.

Sometime during Christmas

Midst the gaiety and noise,

Take time to hear the quietness

Of simple Christmas joys.

Sometime during Christmas

Remember friends are near,

And feel the warmth of knowing

That your friendship's very dear!

~ Ree Reaney

12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 1

2010-12-01T08:36:00.000-06:00

Today starts Tim Holtz "12 Tags of Christmas." Visit Tim's blog and join in on the fun!

New product share . . .

2010-11-30T21:32:00.003-06:00

Yesterday I got my new Tim Holtz Vagabond by Sizzix! I am one happy girl! It is wonderful!

The Vagabond is described as resembling a well-traveled suitcase on the outside, and then the Vagabond Machine opens up to reveal a portable yet powerful machine. The Vagabond is pretty impressive as it can cut and emboss many different materials and thicknesses. Included with the Vagabond is a pair of Standard Cutting Pads, as well as the Solo Platform and Shim, which make all Sizzix components compatible with the Vagabond Machine. Add a Solo Thin Die Adapter (sold separately), and the Vagabond Machine can even work with other brands' dies and embossing tools! In addition, you can use the included sheet of stickers to customize your machine with your crafting journeys.

I purchased my Vagabond from Conquest Keepsakes in Springfield, but if you are interested in getting one and do not live in the Springfield area, you can order it from my online favorite Blue Moon Scrapbooking.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

2010-11-25T14:42:00.001-06:00

"Thou hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more, - a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if Thy blessings had spare days,
But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise."

~George Herbert

Christmas Banner

2010-11-23T17:04:00.000-06:00

I loved making this banner! It was so much fun! I loved the papers, and all the snowflakes, and all the glitter! The banner flags are 5" X 8.5" each. Most of the papers are from current year Christmas collections, but there are a couple I had picked up last year. The topper for each flag was cut from the Tim Holtz Alterations Dies from Sizzix. The snowflakes are all cut from Sizzix dies. I used a coarse glitter on the snowflakes. I strung the banner with the same ribbon I used with the bells. I ran some Vintage Photo Distress Ink over it first to give it a little more of an aged look. Most of the vintage cuts I used for embellishments are from Crafty Secrets "Christmas Time" (if you live in the Springfield area, Scrapbook Generation has them).

This is such a cool Santa. This was from My Minds Eye "Holly Jolly" Collection. I cut out the arm and toys from a 2nd sheet to give it a 3D look. My local store is out but Blue Moon Scrapbooking online still has it.

Christmas Banners

2010-11-20T23:45:00.006-06:00

Our paper crafting group started last month working on some Christmas banners. We all started with the same banner design (5" X 8.5"), and most used some Sizzix snowflake dies that I had, along with the Tim Holtz Alterations On-the-Edge dies for the banner toppers. Other than that, everyone did their own thing with paper and embellishments. I thought you might like to see some of them as they are finished.

The "BELIEVE" banner was made by Linda Turner. I couldn't get a good shot of the whole banner so I am missing the flag on the end.

The first flag on her banner features a photo of Linda's granddaughter sitting on Santa's lap and another photo of Linda when she was a little girl sitting on Santa's lap. The "Santa and Me" is a copy of the cover of a book Linda still has from her childhood. Very cool.

A close up of the 2nd flag showing the Snowflake (Sizzix) and the rosette.

The last flag on the banner features "Old St. Nick" from My Mind's Eye Holly Jolly Collection. We loved that paper. Several of us used it making our banners.

The next banner is by Sharon Jones. She did a banner titled "Noel" with 6 flags using several Christmas collections to decorate it and "Old Jolly St. Nick" on the end. Sharon finished it up with a silver bell on each flag and hung it with a sheer silver ribbon.

Great Pre-Thanksgiving Sale!

2010-11-16T12:45:00.001-06:00

Simply Renee is having a fabulous sale of the Clip It Up storage solutions products November 15-22 with everything 50% off. This is great deal! I have two Clip it Up Minis, one base unit, and the Swinging Wall Arm in my own art studio and I love them! For Me: I would love to have the large ribbon rack--in fact I would love to have two of them! I am going to have to do some creative thinking because I do not have room, but what a great storage solution for all those ribbons I have collected.

These would make great gifts for any of your creative friends or family members--or if you are like me, a little something for yourself. Visit the blog for website for full details. Have a happy day!

Veteran's Day 2010

2010-11-11T01:50:00.000-06:00

"As our nation gathers once again to celebrate Veterans Day, let us give thanks to the generations of brave men and women who risked their lives in the armed forces to protect America and the freedoms we cherish. It is our duty to never forget the courageous commitment of these extraordinary Americans from all walks of life who answered the call to serve. We also remember in our thoughts and prayers those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country when they gave their lives in the line of duty and those they left behind . . . "

~ by Congresswoman Shelley Berkley who issued this statement in honor of Veterans Day

November

2010-11-01T00:04:00.011-05:00

A tingling, misty marvel
Blew hither in the night,
And now the little peach-trees
Are clasped in frozen light.
Upon the apple-branches
An icy film is caught,
With trailing threads of gossamer
In pearly patterns wrought.
The autumn sun, in wonder,
Is gayly peering through
This silver-tissued network
Across the frosty blue.
The weather-vane is fire-tipped,
The honeysuckle shows
A dazzling icy splendor,
And crystal is the rose.

~ Evaleen Stein

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T20:13:00.001-05:00

There's a goblin at my window,
A monster by my door.
The pumpkin at my table
Keeps on smiling more and more.
There's a ghost who haunts my bedroom,
A witch whose face is green.
They used to be my family,
Till they dressed for Halloween.

~ by Sandra Liatsos
Poem from http://www.theholidayspot.com/halloween/poems.htm

October Design Challenge

2010-10-25T14:35:00.001-05:00

The design challenge at Scrapbook Generation this month consisted of the Lemon Grass Collection by Crate Paper. Included with the collection was some tan-colored tulle, ecru floss, and some bare chipboard leaves. Later when I was flipping through a binder of collected poems I found a poem called Autumn -- and so the project began.

The collection included 2-sided papers (1 side print, the other solid), but I mostly used the solid-color sides for this project. I loved the colors I had to work with and felt like they would be perfect with some rubber stamps I wanted to work with.

For the cover I used Sizzix dies for the flower and leaves, Tim Holtz stamp for the calendar, Wendy Vecchi stamp for polka dot background, and Tim Holtz metal embellishments. You probably can't see it in the photo, but I also placed some tulle flowers (cut from the same die) between each layer of the paper flower. It looked really good! Vintage Photo was the ink I used.

The poem reads . . . .

"I will come to autumn

with the silver in my hair,

and maybe have the children

stop to look at me and stare;"

The stamps are by Tim Holtz and Wendy Vecchi. I made the rosette from the Tim Holtz Rosette die by Sizzix, and the metal embellishment are also by Tim Holtz. Distress ink used was Vintage Photo. I hand stitched around all the tags from the floss that was provided with the kit.

The next part of the poem said . . .

"I'd like to reach October

free from blemish or from taint,

as splendid as a maple tree

which artists love to paint."

I used a leaf template from Crafter's Workshop to do the masking. The chipboard leaf was from the kit. I inked it in fall colors and Vintage photo then stamped it with a text stamp. I made a pocket out of the tulle to hold the leaf.

"I'd like to come to autumn,

with my life work fully done

and look a little like a tree

that's gleaming like the sun;"

The fence is from a Sizzix die. After painting it white, I used Tim's white crackle paint on it. The dragon fly is from Making Memories. I cut the leaf on grunge paper from a Cuttlebug die, inked it with Spiced Marmalade, then "spot" embossed it with Vintage Photo to give it a dried leaf look. The background stamp is by Tim.

"I'd like to think that I at last

could come through care and tears,

and be as fair to look upon

as every elm appears."

The flower is from Tim's Tattered Flower die. The pocket is from an Accucut die and the metal corner is one of Tim's.

"But when I reach October,

full contented I shall be

if those with whom I've walked thru life

shall still have faith in me;"

I loved how this tag turned out. It was so much fun doing the leaves. Just like a real leaf, they each turned out so different. They were cut in grunge paper, inked, and embossed--so easy to bend and look like a real leaf.

"Nor shall I dread the winter's frost,

when brain and body tire,

If I have made my life

a thing which others can admire."

--author unknown

I decided to use snow flakes to tie in with the last paragraph of the poem. I cut them with a Paper Shaper punch, and used Stickles to finish off. The background stamp is by Tim.

A borrowed thought . . .

2010-10-12T12:36:00.000-05:00

What art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit. ~John Updike

"The Witching Hour" Mini Book

2010-10-11T13:35:00.002-05:00

Last Saturday, a group of us got together to make "The Witching Hour" book lead by Candy Colwell. If you keep up with my blog, I have mentioned Candy before. She is very creative and is so much fun to do a class with. I had to leave a little early and finished mine at home--so I will be glad to see everyone's finished book.

After I took it home, I worked on doing little fun things to the book: I decided to put Black Soot Distress Crackle Paint on the key hole (by the way, the key hole is from the Tim Holtz Bigz Die Hardware Findings). I loved the effect it was going to create. I was half watchig TV and half doing this and a big drip of the crackle paint dropped on the cover! I wiped it up--but long story made short, it did not all come up and I rubbed almost a hole in the cover trying to get it off. I dug through my stuff until I found a rubbon that would cover it. I had to ink over it a little (rubons serve as a resist) with a permanent ink to get it to tone down a little and match the book more. I actually ended up using nearly the whole sheet of rubbons throughout the book to carry out the added look. So in this case, the big boo boo on the book worked out fine.

The "Halloween lollipop" is on a wooden stick and trimmed with crepe paper. It slips in and out of the opening of the bottle.

I forgot to show a photo of it, but the Ouija opens to a image of Lenore (a witch).

On this page I used a rosette (this is the new Tim Holtz-Paper Rosette die) to make the moon stand out. The brown trick or treat bag holds miniature vintage postcards that can be placed on the "skirt" of the witch on next page.

I made a big boo boo on this page and punched holes on the wrong side of the page. I "fixed it" by cutting some strips of black tulle and tieing it in each hole. I loved the way it turned out! It actually looks "planned." the vintage postcard opens to reveal the witch's skirt.

The witch's skirt upens up and makes a nice place to display the vintage mini postcards.

I loved this page! It was so much fun to do!

I made so many mistakes on this book, it was S-P-O-O-K-Y, but it all turned out okay in the end. Enjoy!

"A Summons"

2010-10-01T00:00:00.026-05:00

I'm called by the flaming forest

to walk these October days

down old, familiar footpaths,

among its leafy maze.,

Verdant trees in all their glory

change robes almost overnight;

and their transfiguration brings

new colors, pure and bright.

I see a squirrel, quick and lively,

scamper through the fallen leaves.

As always in this season,

my heart gladly receives

So much of the cup of beauty

from the Master Artist's hand,

scenes of the flaming forest

scattered throughout the land.

I'm called by the flaming forest;

I'm called and my feet must stray

down old, familiar footpaths

on this gold October day.

-- Georgia B. Adams

Halloween Banner

2010-09-22T01:04:00.002-05:00

This is a banner I made for the Designers Challenge Club project at Scrapbook Generation. (Each month we get a generous collection of papers, lettering, embellishments, etc. to work on. The 3rd Thursday of the month everyone returns to the store to show what they did with their project.) The papers we worked with this month were a collection from Basic Gray, along with matching chipboard embellishments and other goodies.

After applying my papers to the chipboard banner shapes, I inked the edges with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. I then roughed it up a little with a coarse nail file so it would look like it had been used as a decoration for a long time. The letters I used were some silver glittered letters I had purchased some time ago. I gathered black crepe paper to make the rosette behind each letter and trimmed it with some silver glitter glue.

September

2010-09-01T00:44:00.006-05:00

I can hear
September's
leaf
following
me
down
the asphalt
surface
of my street
cartwheeling
on pins
when suddenly,
it stops --
just
to see
if I'll turn
to look.

~ author unknown

August Design Club Challenge

2010-08-22T01:06:00.015-05:00

I submitted these 3 tags for the August Design Club Challenge at Scrapbook Generation. I really didn't have much time to work on it like I would have liked, but I enjoyed making them just the same.

"The Witching Hour" Class Details

2010-08-21T02:18:00.000-05:00

All the details are finalized and here is a 2-page view of this spooky new class by Candy Colwell. In my previous post, I sent you some snippets from the pages of this awesome 8-page book. Here are some more details . . .

Class dates: October 2, 2010 and October 9, 2010 (Springfield, MO)
Time: 9:30 AM (all day class)
Class project: "The Witching Hour" Book

8-page, 6 X 12"
Each page is filled with things like vintage photos, nostalgic postcards, pull-outs, and other spooky treasures that will make you look at the book over and over again.
Finished book can be used as a "stand-up" holiday decor piece, or simply displayed as a book to be treasured for years to come.

Seating will be limited. If you are interested, please contact Candy at ccolwell9@mchsi.com, or you can visit her blog at http://candycreates.blogspot.com/

I am taking the class, too--maybe I will see you there!

"The Witching Hour" coming soon . . .

2010-08-18T16:49:00.000-05:00

Just a peek at a few snippets from a new mini book class by Candy Colwell. She will be teaching the class on two dates: October 2, and October 9, 2010. Details coming in just a few days.

From Tammy's studio . . .

2010-08-18T10:00:00.000-05:00

Tammy has a new tutorial on making a window with alcolhol inks. The results are beautiful and it looks like it would really be fun to do. Can't wait until I get a chance to try this.

Organizing Your Space . .

2010-08-18T09:41:00.000-05:00

Simply Renee is offering some great ideas for storing and organizing your ribbons and trims on their blog today. Also, check out the cool tips for altering your lace and trims.

A fun day with my scrappin' group . . .

2010-08-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

What a fun day our scrappin' group had today. Under the direction of our creative friend, Candy Colwell, we used some of our scrapbooking tools and decorated t-shirts! We arranged numerous Tim Holtz Idea-ology items, masks, old keys, and other trinkets on each black t-shirt. We then spritzed it with bleach, and set it with vinegar when we were satisfied with the effect.

A couple of photos of everyone with their one-of-a-kind tee!

From Tammy's studio . . .

2010-08-05T10:32:00.000-05:00

Check out this awesome tag Tammy made, and how she did it: http://tammytutterow.typepad.com/tammy_tutterow/

Need help in organizing?

2010-08-03T13:05:00.001-05:00

I am so excited about this! The new Clip it Up Floor Model is now in stock! I have several of the Clip it Up products in my own studio/office and would love to add this one. I first saw it this past January at the CHA Winter Show and just fell in love with it. It is 6 ft. tall with three 15" diameter arms. You can even order additional arms for it. Check it out for yourself . . . . http://www.clipitup.com/

Remembering some very nice people . . .

2010-07-31T17:05:00.001-05:00

I rarely share my personal life on my blogs, I am an ordinary person who lives a very ordinary life -- not much to read about. Yesterday was different.

After spending a week with Tammy in Chicago and a fun morning shopping, I left Tammy's mid-afternoon so I could get through the St. Louis area before traffic turned into rush-hour madness. That worked out great and everything was smooth until just outside of Six Flags I hit a heavy rainstorm. For several miles it was stop and go traffic in blinding rain. I was actually thankful that traffic was at a near stand-still because I could barely see beyond the taillights of the auto in front of me. Eventually traffic began to move a little faster (this was a construction zone as well) but driving was hazardous as spells of heavy rain continued to fall. At one point, the rain water has washed some boards from the construction area onto the road. I ran over one of them!! Several miles later I felt like the car was driving a little rough so I pulled off at Cuba, MO at a Phillips 66 convenience store. I had 2 flat tires! I had no cash on me, my cell phone was not working (thanks loads to my cell phone provider), and only had a donut tire for a spare. I had no idea on this earth what to do. It looked like both of my tires were ruined (apparently the board had nails in it) but a very kind guy that worked at the convenient store put air in both of my tires and had me follow him to the nearest garage. They really couldn't do anything to help, so they sent me to the O'Reilly Auto Store near by. I actually got there before my tires went flat again. By this time it is after 5:00 PM and all the tire shops in the town were closed.

Mike and Tammy Callahan (hope they do not mind me using their names) were customers in the store when they heard me talking to one of the employees at O'Reilly. I won't go into the whole story, but this couple got my tires aired, some Fix-it in each, and the holes plugged. It was miserably hot and I would not have known how to do half this stuff! John (do not know his last name but he was the store manager at O'Reilly's) was kind to lend me his cell phone, helped Mike with the tire situation, offered to take me to dinner while I waited for my husband, and even offered to let me park my car at his home until I could get back with new tires. Mike and Tammy stayed with me almost the entire time. I finally convinced them I was okay and that someone would be there shortly after 9:00 PM (this couldn't have happened a little closer to home). Tammy Callahan dropped by once to see if I was okay, and Mike a little after that--amazing people! We actually managed to drive my car home without further incident and arrived safely around 1:30 AM.

A MILLION THANKS to Mike and Tammy Callahan and John from O'Reilly's. I am not sure I have ever met such caring strangers. I will never forget them. If you are ever in trouble, I hope God sends a Mike, Tammy, or John your way.

Photos and great stuff from CHA in some posts tonight and tomorrow.

Two Stops before heading home . . .

2010-07-30T15:00:00.120-05:00

First stop was For Keeps Sake Scrapbook Store. Tammy teaches here and I can see why she enjoys it so much -- everyone is so friendly. It is a very nice store with some of my favorite products: Studio 490 (Wendy Vecchi) stamps, Tim Holtz signature products, Seven Gypsies, lots of chipboard, and some great stuff you don't normally see elsewhere. This particular visit I got to meet Nancy Wethington. She is the guest artist in the August/September 2010 issue of the Stampers Sampler. She is extremely talented--see for yourself--it starts on page 8.

Next stop was Red Lead Paper Works!

I love to visit this store!! They always have such cool vintage trinkets and a great selection of their very own rubber stamps. They have just released a new series of photo rubber stamps that are really nice. They have an online store offering a large inventory for those of us who don't live close by.

If you have not met Chris and Sharon, you are in for a treat--they are super helpful and so much fun -- I would love to live close enough to just come and hang out.

CHA Day Two!

2010-07-29T02:28:00.170-05:00

Allison Davis and Stacey Atchley. Available to stores for the first time: Sketches for Scrapbooking series by Debbie Sanders and Allison Davis; Sketches for Cardmaking by Stacey Atchley. How exciting! Allison and Stacey, along with Debbie Sanders and Karin Vacha are owners of Scrapbook Generation in Springfield, MO. Yay!

Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker, also of Springfield, MO had several new collections to show: Blueberry Hill, My Friend Birdie, Something for Everyone, Tree Love, Happy Holly-Days, Sugar Cookie, and Boo-tiful.

Graphic 45 was fabulous as usual! I took several photos, but didn't get any images that really showed it well. I loved their new collections: Staples, Hallowe'en in Wonderland, and Steampunk Debutante, and Christmas Past. Steampunk was my personal favorite. The colors and design of that collection had my name written all over it.

Caught my friend Lindsey at a great place to hang out. Her "Beach" mini book was on display in the G45 booth. How exciting!

Pink Paislee had a crowd every time we went by. (Rebecca and Tammy posing) They had four new collections Old School, Hocus Pocus, Sweetness, Parisian Anthology. Some of my photos are not that great. You will love their new releases--visit their website and see it all.

I use more Ranger products than any other brand. I enjoy hanging out at their booth and learning new ways and techniques for using their products. I am not alone--there is always a big crowd around the Ranger team. They recently posted a new blog (http://www.rangerink.com/) where you can keep up with the latest news. Also lots of how-to videos, links to their educators, etc. I didn't get photos of everyone, but below are Tim Holtz, Dyan Reaveley, and Wendy Vecchi.

My friend Renee Hull of Simply Renee, Inc.

Vicki Conquest with a big smile. Do you suppose she has finished with all her orders? She was on the floor all 3 days, but I didn't see her until it was almost over.

I should probably purchase stock in Sizzix. {smile} I have a lot of their dies. They had a lot of new dies, and of course, the Tim Holtz line of Alterations.

More to come . . .

CHA, Day one!

2010-07-28T02:00:00.184-05:00

The crowd was eagerly waiting for the opening ceremony.

The Girl's Paperie - Margie Romney. This was a beautiful booth filled with gorgeous samples of Margie's papers, trims, stamps, buttons - just to name a few.

Tim Holtz. I wished everyone could have seen this. My friend Candy Colwell created this t-shirt for Tim using some of Tim's masks, trinkets, etc. It was fun presenting it to him. I wished Candy could have been there and presented it to him instead.

7 Gypsies was awesome! I love black paper and their new Paddington collection was wonderful! BUT, wait until you see the Conservatory collection! Love, love, love it! A few peeks below. Their Display Trays and Shadowbox Trays were offered in several sizes and configerations. And there is a new Library Drawer!

Maya Road is a big draw to me because I love the mini chipboard books and they do this so well! They had lots of new products, other than the mini books--I just didn't focus on that as much. Visit Maya Road and see all!

I love all these dress forms. They were dressed by different exhibitors and scattered throughout.

Stay tuned--more to come!

CHA Bound!

2010-07-27T01:04:00.000-05:00

I love this! I didn't know there was a Shirley, IL until today.

"Shirley is a small unincorporated municipality located in southwestern McLean County. It sits right off Interstate 55. It was founded in 1854 and currently has a population of 378. Shirley is home to the Funk Prairie Home & Rock Museum."

Tammy and I arrived in Rosemont by early afternoon. We picked up our badges and spent most of the afternoon hanging out with other attendees and exhibitors. We went to "The Taste of Rosemont" a reception offering samples of the area's favorite dishes. It was really fun and we enjoyed sampling some wonderful food.

Caught a photo of a mirrored wall as we were going down an escalator at the convention center. The show starts tomorrow--stay tuned.

Name Tag?

2010-07-26T23:59:00.000-05:00

This is a "just-4-fun" tag I made to hang on my bag at CHA. The tag is Grunge Board, colored with distress inks and stamped with one of Wendy Vecchi's background stamps. The letters, leaves and flower parts are all cut from Grunge Paper. The letters are from a Cuttlebug alphabet; the tag and flower parts are cut with Sizzix dies (including the Tim Holtz Tattered Flowers die). I finished it off with some Ideaology trinkets and some heart charms I found recently.

CHA Sneak Peeks

2010-07-22T06:01:00.001-05:00

There are so many wonderful new products coming out, it is hard to believe. I am a little behind on posting but wanted to show some of my favorite things, and of course they are items that I will be wanting for myself.

These are just a sampling of the new things from Tim Holtz. Visit Tim's blog and see them all for yourself.

CHA Sneak Peeks . . .

2010-07-22T05:55:00.001-05:00

There is so much beautiful new papers this time and it doesn't seem fair to focus on just a few, but I just have to show these. Graphic 45 Papers also has a new line of "Staples" that is a must-have for your use-all-the-time stash.

Can't wait to see all these -- awesome!!

Love these colors!

CHA Sneak Peeks . . .

2010-07-22T05:45:00.001-05:00

A few new things from Prima Marketing are shown below. Visit Prima and see them all, as well as some projects using them.

CHA Sneak Peeks . . .

2010-07-22T04:45:00.003-05:00

If you know me, you know I couldn't talk about new stuff without showing some new Ranger Ink releases. We all have favorites and this one is mine! I love working with these products, and they are so dependable. Here is some of the new -- visit the Ranger Ink blog to see the rest!

New Distress Stickles are going to be available to match the new Distress Ink colors released earlier this year.

Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi-Medium is now also available in a new size -- I love this!
The Sticky-back Canvas is also now available in a new natural color and 2 sizes.

Wow! Perfect Pearls Mists! Can't wait to see these! 12 colors.

A new Craft Scrubbie for inky hands. I will need this for sure.

So there are some of the new releases from Ranger. Very nice. Check them out for yourself.

Butterfly Accordion Album

2010-07-08T12:53:00.000-05:00

I am finally posting the Butterfly Accordion Album I made in Tammy's class at Scrapbook Generation. It was a great class and a lot of fun. I didn't use photos in mine, although it would be fun to make another using photos. I mainly used some rubon quotes and images and papers from the Graphic 45 "Le Romantique" Collection.

Scrap-a-Paloosa, June 26, 2010

2010-06-28T23:41:00.041-05:00

My first Scrap-a-palooza! What fun it was, too!
Scrapbook Generation teamed up with Midwest Family
Broadcasting Group to host this mega crop. Scrapbook
Generation provided a large store on site for shopping and there
were big-screen demos, mini classes, and Nikki Sivils and her
local design team did make-n-takes. Some of the 250 attendees
started lining up at 6:00 AM for the 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM event.
It was a fabulous day spending time with good friends and making
new ones.

I ran into an old friend, Barbara, that I have not seen for
over 30 years!

The Scrapbook Generation team: Allison, Stacey, Debbie,
and Karin. Their hard work was evident. What a great event!

Congrats, Tammy!

2010-06-22T13:04:00.000-05:00

I tagged this photo from Tim Holt's blog of the gang that just
finished Ranger U. In case you have not spotted her, Tammy is
on the back row. What a great opportunity!

Scrapbook Generation Weekend

2010-06-14T13:10:00.042-05:00

Tammy was here the past weekend teaching at Scrapbook Generation
teaching. What a great time it was! Tammy taught a class Friday evening
and another on Saturday morning. Both classes were awesome! (I know
I am her mom--but they were great!) She did demos Saturday afternoon
on making different kinds of flowers using Bazzill die-cut paper flowers.
She is coming back to Scrapbook Generation this fall. Yay!!

Note: Photos are borrowed from the Scrapbook Generation blog.
Unbelievable for me--but I didn't even get my camera out!

Tammy Tutterow

2010-05-23T02:46:00.001-05:00

I am excited to announce that Tammy will be at Scrapbook Generation Friday and Saturday, June 11th and 12th! Visit Scrapbook Generation for full details.

Count it All Joy Mini Album featuring Tattered Angels. Tammy will show you how to colorize paper, ribbon, tape, and fabric, as well as other techniques that you will want to use use over and over again. Your completed book makes a lovely mini album or journal. Count It All Joy class by Tammy will be Friday, June 11 at 6:00 PM. Fee $20.

Graphic 45 "Le'Romantique" Accordion Album. In this class you will completely make the book and fill it with lots of pockets, tags, a book within the book, and beautiful embellishments. The finished book is very versatile and adapts to any kind of theme. You will go home with templates and instructions to help you create this book again and again. Tammy will be teaching this class Saturday, June 12 at 10:00 AM. Fee $30.
This is an exclusive offering of this class and the last time Tammy will be teaching before it is offered as an online class at Big Picture Scrapbooking.

Contact the store to reserve your spot at 417-886-0440

Mini Art Book

2010-05-19T14:14:00.009-05:00

I am a little slow to post it, but this my little book from
the Mini Art class I did with Wendy Vecchi at For Keeps Sake
in St. Louis this past month. It was so much fun! We used
one of the new chipboard books from Maya Road, some of
Wendy's new stamps, and several of the new Tim Holtz
Distress Inks on this project.

I changed the title to "Make Art with" and added a
charm and Wendy's photo.

Close up of cover.

I goofed up with my stamp (not too uncommon with
me and rubber stamps) and the word "Art" did not
stamp so I painted some chipboard letters and glued
them on top to the "goofed-up" area.

I added one of Tim Holtz charms "Inspire" to the "safety
pin" and some die-cut circles from a pattern piece,
along with a Jenni Bowlin button.

I put Fired Brick Crackle paint (Tim Holtz) on the
letters. I threaded the chipboard "needle" and hung a
love charm on it.

I hung antique gold heart charms through the holes.
Loved that!

Happy Mother's Day to my Daughters

2010-05-09T01:53:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to my two beautiful daughters,
Tammy and Deanna. You both are amazing moms
-- as well as very talented and creative women that
go the extra mile in everything you do. You have
given me so much joy and filled my life with wonderful
memories.

"BUT, my greatest accomplishment, and my
greatest pride and joy are my children. They
truly are my greatest success."
~ Catherine Pulsifer

A Mother's Love

2010-05-09T00:00:00.032-05:00

In memory of my Mom -- gone but not
forgotten (1919 - 1966)

A Mother's love is something

that no one can explain,

It is made of deep devotion

and of sacrifice and pain,

It is endless and unselfish

and enduring come what may

For nothing can destroy it

or take that love away . . .

It is patient and forgiving

when all others are forsaking,

And it never fails or falters

even though the heart is breaking . . .

It believes beyond believing

when the world around condemns,

And it glows with all the beauty

of the rarest, brightest gems . . .

It is far beyond defining,

it defies all explanation,

And it still remains a secret

like the mysteries of creation . . .

A many splendored miracle

man cannot understand

And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.

~ Helen Steiner Rice

May in the Garden

2010-05-01T00:00:00.012-05:00

Nothing more beautiful than a blossom
after the rain . . .

A delicate fabric of bird song
Floats in the air,
The smell of wet wild earth
Is everywhere.
Oh I must pass nothing by
Without loving it much,
The raindrop try with my lips,
The grass with my touch;
For how can I be sure I shall see again
The world on the first of May
Shining after the rain?
~ Sara Teasdale

For Keeps Sake Scrapbook Store and Wendy Vecchi

2010-04-24T23:45:00.157-05:00

I have visited For Keeps Sakes Scrapbook Store
several times with Tammy and have always enjoyed the
store. They have a lot of great stuff! It is probably one
of the best known scrapbook stores in the St. Louis
area. This was my first time for doing a class with
them; and actually, the first time doing a class with
Wendy Vecchi. Tammy and I did both classes and
it was a super fun day! It for sure won't be my last.
These photos are some of Wendy's beautiful art that

was displayed in the store. Very inspiring!

Her flowers are so gorgeous!

Here we are busy, busy, busy "Making Art" as Wendy
says. I didn't get photos of anyone's book, but you
can scroll down for a photo of Wendy's from an
earlier post--and I will post mine later. For our Mini Art
book we used the Maya Road Mini Album kit. It is a
"ready-to-have-fun" chipboard book, including all the fun
little chipboard embellishments. We used most of the
new Tim Holtz Distress Inks on this project. I love
them all, but right away, my new favorites became
Rusty Hinge and Wild Honey.

Making Art with Wendy Vecchi

2010-04-24T23:30:00.093-05:00

We chose from this selection of shoe lasts for our
project. I spied one with my maiden name "Stewart" on

it and selected it for my art. (Photo borrowed from

For Keeps Sake -- I never thought of getting a photo,
but how awesome is this!!)

After we each selected a shoe last, we then selected
from an assortment of stamped images on grunge
paper of Wendy's Studio 490 designs, medals, die
cuts, great findings of all kinds. When I first looked
at all this, I thought I have no idea where to start. But
once I got started, I didn't think about it--I just played!

After everyone finished, they were all placed on a
table in front for display. It was unbelievable how many
creative ideas everyone had! Each one turned out so
different, even though we started with a lot of the same
materials.

Tammy's is the first on the left. I loved how she did it!
Mine is the 2nd from the left.

Thank you, Wendy! What an great project!

Red Lead Paper Works

2010-04-23T23:45:00.069-05:00

As soon as I got in town, Tammy and I headed here.
She has been to the store lots of times -- this was my first
visit. The owners are Chris Schwartz and Sharon Wisely,
and you can tell they love what they do. The store was
amazing! Lots of stamps, collage sheets, trinkets, and
vintage goodies for mixed media or altered art, artist
trading cards, etc. -- including all kinds of inspiring art
throughout the store. Besides the store, you can follow
their blog, visit their store online, and/or sign up for email.

Product Share . . .

2010-04-23T00:00:00.044-05:00

I received a photo of this adorable pin as part of an email from
Red Lead Paper Works this week. The little dress was made
from their Story Rubber Stamps. I just fell in love with it!
That sparked my need to visit today. Red Lead Paper Works is
already one of Tammy's favorites, so it will just be a "first time"
for me. The stamp they used for this project is displayed below.
It is a rubber cling stamp (very reasonably priced, too).

Cute, huh?

This cute idea was posted on Red Lead's blog a
couple of days ago using the stamps below.

Another stamp I gotta have!

Heading for Belleville . . .

2010-04-22T00:00:00.001-05:00

I am so excited! Tomorrow I am going to Belleville to spend the weekend with Tammy, and it is going to be so much fun! As soon as I can get there, we are going to Red Lead Paperworks. I have never been there, but follow their blog and store happenings all the time. They have so much cool stuff, it will be hard to get out of there with any money left.

Then Saturday, we are going to spend the day at For Keeps Sake in St. Louis for two classes with Wendy Vecchi. Below are the projects we will be doing --cool huh?

Mini Art Book

Vintage Shoe Last

From Tammy's Studio . . .

2010-04-21T14:36:00.000-05:00

From something old to something new . . . see this beautiful
box at http://tammytutterow.com

PUBLICATION SHARE . . .

2010-04-19T00:49:00.006-05:00

I love what is happening with Stampers' Sampler magazine! It has been newly redesigned and revamped. I liked it before -- but love it now! There is loads of great photography of stamped art, ideas, and plenty of close-up photos for showing detail. This issue (April/May) is featuring artist Wendy Vecchi. There are 6 pages featuring Wendy and her work (a couple of "teaser" pages below). Congrats Stampington and Amanda Crabtree for a cool magazine.

Page 12

Page 13

PRODUCT SHARE . . .

2010-04-15T17:00:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite organizational tools is the Clip it Up by Simply Renee. I have 2 units and I use both for keeping all my paper scraps together, sorted by color. In celebration of 1000 fans on Facebook, they are giving 50% off your purchase at Clip it Up until midnight tonight. You still have time! You must use code 1000fans at checkout to get discount.

Easter Day

2010-04-04T15:01:00.004-05:00

My friend Colette shared this lovely old postcard with me. Wishing you all a happy Easter!

"Let the ressurection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness." ~ Floyd W. Tompkins

2010-04-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

I couldn't resist adding this from my garden. A true work of art.

Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made, and forgot to put a soul into.
~Henry Beecher, Life Thoughts, 1858

Happy April!

2010-04-01T00:00:00.018-05:00

The first of April, some do say,
Is set apart for All Fools' Day.
But why the people call it so,
Nor I, nor they themselves do know.
But on this day are people sent
On purpose for pure merriment.
~ Poor Robin's Almanac, 1790

Crazy Quilt Block

2010-03-31T00:00:00.002-05:00

This is a crazy quilt block in browns. I actually "beaded" one quilt piece from a scrap of some BoBunny paper I had from another project (You will probably have to click on the image to see details). You can see what the paper looked like below and I just simply pierced the design, and as stitching it, added a bead to each stitch. Finding a needle that would be small enough to go through the hole in the bead and yet big enough to thread 2 strands of floss was a bit of a challenge. It was a little time consuming, so you probably would not want to do a very big piece. I was doing it for fun so it really didn't matter to me. The "heart" in the middle is a piece of brown velvet paper that I have been hording for a long time, waiting for the perfect project. I also inked around each quilt piece.

Crazy Quilt Blocks

2010-03-29T01:53:00.002-05:00

This is "Grandma's Fan" created by my friend, Marsha Stratton.

Crazy Quilt Blocks

2010-03-25T01:16:00.005-05:00

Recently while working on one of my projects, I ran across a set of Coluzzle crazy quilt templates. I remember when they were new I just had to have them, but that was as far as it ever got with them. Anyway, that started me thinking about doing some crazy quilt blocks for a mini book using some of my paper scraps. I just didn't know where to start so I spent several days online reading about "real" crazy quilts and looking at many, many beautiful blocks and quilts made by some very talented artists. I was fasinated with their beauty and how they were embellished with intricate stitches, beads, lace, trims, buttons, and all kinds of wonderful things. (If you put "crazy quilt images" in your browser, you can see some of these beautiful works of art.)

I am not going to try and duplicate some of the quilt blocks I saw, but I think it will be fun to create some "paper-style" blocks. When the art group I belong to meets in April we are going to build some crazy quilt blocks so this should be a fun adventure. Wouldn't a swap be fun?

So, here is one I created this week.

I started with a 8 X 8" square of kraft paper card stock. You can use any card stock for your base, kraft paper is my favorite. It really doesn't matter, as it won't show anyway. Kraft paper is a brown bag color--the image above is not accurate for some reason.

Next, I cut four 1 X 8" strips of black card stock and glued them down as a "frame" on my 8 X 8" square. This will become the border for my 6 X 6" quilt block. You can use any color for the border. I was going to use black stitches on my blocks so thought the black would make a good border.

My finished Crazy Quilt block! By assembling the border around my quilt block first, made it easier for me to put it all together. Ranger Distress Ink Antique Linen was applied on all my quilt pieces before assembling. I used 2 strands of black floss and the Bazzill in Stitch'z Templates for most of the stitches (or you can use your own creative stitching). I decided to embellish the quilt block border and used some of the flowers from scraps of the printed paper, some tiny buttons, and some varigated satin floss. A piercing tool and pad is essential for this project. I used Zip Dry Adhesive to attach my pieces before "stitching."

This was fun! Can't wait to start another.

The Second Day of Spring?

2010-03-21T00:00:00.001-05:00

“Daffodils that come before the swallow dares, and takes the winds of March with beauty.” ~ William Shakespeare

The First Day of Spring (and it snowed)

2010-03-20T21:38:00.003-05:00

The first day of Spring is one thing,
And the first Spring day is another.
The difference between them
Is sometimes as great as a month!

~ Henry Van Dyke

Happy St. Pat's Day!

2010-03-17T00:00:00.002-05:00

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.

~Author Unknown

January Design Challenge

2010-02-22T13:24:00.013-06:00

Each month, the Designers Challenge Club at Scrapbook Generation gets together to share what they have made from the previous month’s "challenge" kit. It is amazing to see all the different things each person has done with the materials they received.

The January kit had some fun stuff to work with. It featured the Mia Collection from Crate Paper and included 2-sided papers (a few are shown below), die-cut papers, matching alphabet stickers, and some glittery borders and die-cuts. Debbie also included in the kit some chipboard shapes from Bazzill and perfectly-matching buttons from Basic Grey.

I wanted to do something for Valentine's day with my materials, so I chose the My Word Love Album by BoBunny. I also found a great poem titled "Three Wishes on Valentines Day" on the internet. No author was listed, so if you know who wrote it, I would like to give them credit. The poem is broken up and runs throughout the book as a Valentines message to my husband, my two daughters, and their families.

I used some old lace for trim and cut out some chipboard hearts to use through out this book. The first paragraph of the poem reads:

"If I could have three wishes
and wishes did come true;
I would wish for Blessings,
for each to always follow you."

For something a little different, I printed the photographs on fabric and pulled the edges a little so they would be frayed. I took some reproduction vintage postcards and tore, bent, and inked them until they looked old and forgotten.

"I would wish for much laughter,
To fill your hearts and home
And memories to surround you
Whenever you're alone."

I made an embellishment from some pink crepe paper. It was too pink and looked "new" so I aged it with a few drops of bleach. I placed it on some paper towels to absorb any moisture from the bleach. After getting the look I wanted and while it was still just a little damp, I applied some glitter glue around the edges. It really looked like it had been stuck between some pages in a book for years when finished.

"Then I'd wish you Patience,
To forgive what might go wrong
I'd wish for love and peace and joy
To follow all day long."

"I'd wish for you good health,
Friends and family galore
And when you have it all
I'd even wish you even more…"

"I would wish for prayers,
To give back unto myself;
As long as you are all happy,
I'd wish for nothing else."

"If I could have my wishes,
And if wishes did come true;
I'd wish for years of happiness,
And I'd give them all to you."

"For just to see contentment,
On your faces and know you're fine;
Would truly satisfy me,
And bring joy to this heart of mine."

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T17:13:00.003-06:00

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

CHA in Review

2010-02-09T13:10:00.003-06:00

Tammy and I stayed and watched Claudine Hellmuth's demo at the Ranger booth for a long time. She showed us how to use the new Studio Extra Time Medium, her Sticky Back Canvas, and all kinds of cool techniques--way more than my mind will ever remember. I love her products! Here is a link to the demo she did at CHA on the Extra Time Medium. I will try and find some other videos showing how to use her other products and share them with you.

Here is the display showing the Studio Paints, Gesso, Multi-Medium, and the Sticky-Back Canvas artist line by Claudine Hellmuth. After seeing the difference in her paints and the ones I have, I immediately ordered all the colors when I got home! (Couldn't help it--there are some things a girl just has to have)

CHA in Review

2010-02-09T00:00:00.001-06:00

I am a little slow getting photos posted about CHA. First of all, it was wonderful! Tammy and I took lots of photos--too many to try and post. I will share a few of the things I especially liked, but in no way representing all the great new products that we saw.

This is the way we walked to the convention center the first day. Very pretty!

Over 600 exhibitors--I couldn't hardly wait to get there!

Simply Renee, Inc. was one of my favorite stops. I love their organizational tools! I didn't get a very good photo of it, but one of their new products is a 6 ft. Clip It Up Floor Model.

The Clip It Up team displayed their products with some gorgeous antique items. It was very attractive.

I really enjoyed meeting Renee Hull. If you would like to keep up with their new products, organizational tips, etc., they have a blog: http://simplyreneeinc.blogspot.com/ Another view of the floor model is behind Renee. It will be available in May. I didn't get a photo of it, but they also have a new attachment to their ribbon organizer that is really cool. Check it out!

This is the Graphic 45 display. They had an amazing display of all their new products and samples of ways to use them. They also have a blog and a great design team that daily posts news and ideas on how to use their beautiful papers: http://g45papers.typepad.com/

Three new Graphic 45 papers were featured: A Proper Gentleman, Le' Romantique, and On the Boardwalk.

A layout using On the Boardwalk paper collection (my personal favorite).

Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker is from Springfield, MO! How cool is that! It was nice meeting Nikki and Dan Sivils. I really enjoyed seeing their product collections first hand--it is obvious that a lot time is spent developing products that a scrapbooker or cardmaker would fall in love with.

Nikki also has a blog if you would like to keep up with new products, including lots of scrapbook and card layouts, and how-to: http://nikkisdoghouse.blogspot.com/

How I love vintage-style stuff! This was the Melissa Frances booth. Very nice--I visited there several times, actually.

Beautiful!

I took this photo to remember the crepe paper! I loved it and have to have some. It is not like the crepe paper you find in the local party department. This is a heavy grade with perfect texture--just like it used to be!

I just loved these! The ruffles and rosettes were made with the crepe paper.

Kimber McGray is author to Remember This: Fresh Ideas to Scrapbook the Year (available June 2010). She also recently authored the book Scrapbook Secrets: Shortcuts and Solutions Every Scrapbooker Needs to Know (May 2009).

Sherry Steveson and Tammy. Sherry is the author of When Life Gives You Lemons: Turning Sour Photos into Sweet Scrapbook Layouts (October 2008) and The Scrapbook Embellishment Handbook (August 2009). It was fun getting to know some of these authors.

How fitting to end this post with some bling! Decorated manikins and dress forms were everywhere! Wished I had taken photos of more of them. Stay tuned--more about CHA to come.

CHA in Review

2010-02-08T12:57:00.005-06:00

Dyan Reaveley has a passion for teaching art and crafts -- and she is very good at it! She represents Ranger Industries as Senior Educator in Europe. As an often-visitor to her blog, I see that she is a very busy and sought-after lady. At the show, I watched one of her demos on Perfect Pearls and really enjoyed it. One of the parts I liked best was using a template with the Perfect Pearls. The results were awesome! If you would like to see this demo, it is available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnWVDV4FM6Q

Ah! Lovely Snow!

2010-02-08T11:04:00.005-06:00

I just had to post this story about snow today. It seems appropriate with everyone getting so much right now. This has been passed around through email where I work for several years. It seems someone digs it out every winter and sends it around (sometimes it is me). I would love to know who the author is and give them credit--it is so funny! Note: The "original" is dated the month of December with reference to Christmas. I have edited it a tiny bit to fit the month of February. If you would like a copy of the original, send me an email and I will send it to you

"February 8 (6:00 PM):
It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our coffee and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses Print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!

February 9:
We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the whole World? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had. Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life.

February 12:
The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment. My neighbor tells me not to worry, we'll definitely have lots more! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man I'm glad he's our neighbor.

February 14:
Snow, lovely snow! Eight inches fell last night! The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn't huff and puff so.

February 15:
20 inches in the forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all.

February 16:
Ice storm this morning. Fell on my butt on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like crazy. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.

February 17:
Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. Boy do I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room!

February 20:
Electricity's back on, but had another 14" of the nasty stuff last night. More shoveling. Took all day. Blasted snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.

February 22:
Bob was right! Hard to believe, but 13 more inches of that white mess fell today, and it's so cold it probably won't melt till August! Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to use the bathroom. By the time I got undressed, went and dressed again I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter; but he says he's too busy. I think the jerk is lying.

February 23:
Only 2" of snow today. And it warmed up to 0.

February 24:
Six inches! The snow was packed so hard by the snowplow, l broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack! If I ever catch the guy who drives that snowplow, I'll drag him through the snow by his fingernails. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at a 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to watch television with her, but I was busy watching for the snowplow.

February 25:
Unbelievable! 20 more inches of the messy slop tonight. Snowed in! The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. Gee, I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's an idiot.

February 26:
Still snowed in. Why the heck did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.

February 27:
Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze.

February 28:
Warmed up to – 35 degrees. Still snowed in. That woman is driving me crazy!!!!!

March 1:
Ten more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?

March 2:
Roof caved in. The snow plow driver is suing me for a million dollars. The wife went home to her mother. Another 9" predicted.

March 4:
Weatherman says it's the warmest winter they have ever had, but looks like a cold streak is coming.

March 5:
Set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling.

March 9:
I feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?"

Something Special . . . .

2010-02-05T00:08:00.003-06:00

Today I received the "Let Your Art Have Wings" stamp set from Wendy Vecchi of Studio 490 Art. I won it! I commented on one of her blog posts recently and was randomly selected to receive one of her new stamps for 2010! How great is that! If you are interested in seeing all of Wendy's new stamps, you may contact Simon Says Stamp! or Stampers Anomyous. There are several places that sell the Studio 490 Art stamps, but those are just a couple of my favorites. Thanks again, Wendy.

2010-02-02T00:41:00.002-06:00

"Away in a meadow all covered with snow
The little old groundhog looks for his shadow
The clouds in the sky determine our fate
If winter will leave us all early or late."

~ Don Halley

Tammy Tutterow

2010-01-21T12:16:00.003-06:00

Tammy's Make and Take for Prima at CHA

Make and Takes at CHA - Prima Marketing

2010-01-20T07:00:00.001-06:00

Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Prima Marketing Booth at CHA! You will get a chance to meet some great people and you won't want to miss any of the make-and-take events, PLUS see all their new products. Tammy Tutterow, a Prima educator (and my daughter), will be doing make-and-takes on Monday (9:00 - 10:00 AM) and Tuesday (3:00 - 4:00 PM).

Sneak Peeks for 2010 CHA - Tim Holtz Texture Fades

2010-01-18T16:26:00.004-06:00

I had no idea these were in the works until I saw the announcement today on Tim's blog. These "Texture Fades" are great for adding texture to all kinds of projects. Visit http://timholtz.typepad.com for all the details. They are another great product of Sizzix, and a MUST HAVE for your tool collection.

Sharing from Tammy's Studio . . . .

2010-01-08T21:18:00.003-06:00

Just had to share this! Visit Tammy's blog for details on getting the tutorial.
http://tammytutterow.com/

Sneak Peeks for 2010 CHA - Graphic 45

2010-01-08T18:00:00.002-06:00

Graphic 45 has announced 3 new paper lines: A Proper Gentleman,
Le' Romantique, and On the Board Walk. (Bet you can't tell which is
my favorite) Above is just 3 of the designs for On the Board Walk.
Do I love these papers! See the full line of each of these new designs at
http://www.G45papers.com

Sneak Peeks for 2010 CHA - Prima Marketing

2010-01-06T13:54:00.006-06:00

CHA is just around the corner, and several of my favoite companies are giving sneak peeks of some of their new products. One of my very favorites is Prima Marketing and they are coming out with even more fabulous products than ever before! I love the vintage-look so I will show you some of my favorites, but visit their blog and see all of the new releases for yourself.

This is my favorite so I will show it first. They are called Zazi Flowers. They come in several colors. To me, they look like a treasure found in an old trunk from an attic--or in the box of goodies at an estate sale. I have to have these!

A new paper collection called Pastiche is also one of my favs. Looks like all kinds of cool stuff to go with it.

Here is something else I just loved: Dynasty Flower Centers. Don't they look like something you would see at an antique show? Love, love, love them!