Hey there. Hope your Monday is treating you well. I got to play with the cutest new 2010 Hero Arts stamps, so I am a happy girl. :)
Quick note: Please visit Kate's blog... and keep those prayers coming! I admire her parents so much.
Next, I am hosting Week 2 or the Fall Stamp Camp over at 2Peas. I am showing you some ideas for cool backgrounds... all using the same supplies. For more info, click HERE. And, you can play along for a chance to win some great goodies! (I know Hero donated some good stuff.) Info on that is HERE.
I have a simple little video for you today. It shows stamping and creating little Halloween gift bags from Hero Arts packaging. There are a few little tips in here - and they are quick and easy to do. For more info, click HERE.
Wanted to update on the Cards For Kate. Well... I got in a bit of trouble at the post office yesterday. When I went to my PO Box to get the cards, there was a note in it to go see the people at the counter. Eek. They came out with a HUGE bin with a big sign taped on it saying "overflow." Turns out they want me to invest in the biggest PO Box possible due to the large number of items I was getting. It is much more expensive. But I just smiled. Why did I smile? Because that means you all have sent lots of cards for dear Kate. I explained to the lady what I was doing and she was nice. Colin said to her, "We are just trying to fill Kate's bucket." (If you don't know what that means, you need to check out THIS book - the best kids book ever.) So, even though I got in trouble, Colin and I left smiling... with full buckets. :)
I am about to go add TONS of new prizes HERE. A big shout-out to Kristina for helping to get so many great things donated. And a big thanks to the donors. I hope next time you are wanting to make a purchase that you will consider these companies/people first as a thanks for their generosity. Here are some more new prizes...
Also, sweet Jana will be adding more names to her list of people whose cards we have received. Thanks, Jana.
Time to get a bit of work done. I head to Scrapfest tomorrow. I can't wait to meet some of you. Please come and see me at the Hero Arts booth. I teach most of the afternoon, but will be in the booth the rest of the time. There is a dinner planned for Saturday night - click HERE for details.
Week 8 was on one of the greatest products of all time - Perfect Pearls. Perfect Pearls are the best because they set with water - no need for fixatives. Here is Part 1...
Part 2 has more ideas for mixing it with water for shiny fun...
Love making bookmarks for Kay...
Part 3 has more ideas thrown together on a layout...
Week 7 of Thinking Inking was on using Claudine Hellmuth's Sticky Back Canvas, along with some techniques with her Studio Paints. Many of these techniques can be done with other products, but I tell ya, hers are the best. HERE is Part 1...
This one shows stamping on tissue and putting it on the canvas, making it look like printed canvas.
Part 2 was my favorite. Lots of cool results. But the video and photos just don't capture it. Bummer!
Still lovin' this stamp so much...
And Part 3 sports a little purple action - I rarely do that...
I just love this die cut...
I hope everyone had a good weekend. I took a lot of naps. I am thinking that may be my new hobby. :) I love naps...
Due to my spazzy life the past few weeks, I am behind on sharing links to my Thinking Inking videos. I got emails from lots of people saying the counted on me sharing it here and linking them, so here they are...
Today I will share the rest of Week 6, which had some ideas for Dimensional Pearls, Liquid Pearls and Stickles. HERE is one on using them to paint.
Distress Stickles in Antique Linen looks SO awesome spread thin on projects - like little specks of fool's gold...
I really recommend trying out these products. They are VERY inexpensive and they never seem to fun out. Gotta love that. We used the Distress Stickles in my classes at Stampaway and people LOVED them. Great product.
Hey, I have a question for you. If any of you have coached or spouses have coached t-ball, could you leave a comment here? I would like to ask a couple questions - no big deal. Was going to sign Colin up for it, but he doesn't like to hit off a tee - would rather someone throw it to him. He nails it everytime.
I will be back with more to share regularly now. I sure missed you all. Today I took a nap when Colin did - 3 hours. Heavenly. Ken has been telling me to get a new hobby, since my hobby turned into a job. And today I told him that I know what my hobby is going to be: napping. :)
Have a good night! We are grilling pork chops, roasting potatoes and steaming broccoli. The perfect meal.
Hello! Kay has another day to share with you, along with a video. I had such little free time at CHA that I am late in putting it up - sorry. I am home now and thank you all for your great comments for Kay. This blog takeover was her idea - bless her heart. Here she is...
Hola! If I had a scoop of Black Raspberry Chip ice cream for every sweet thing that you have all said to me, I would have my one true love for the rest of my life. It’s Kay again, bringing tidings of the promised video on day five of the Cyber Takeover, now extended to seven days of pure awesomeness. Since chalk is one of my top five favorite products to use in a card, I am devoting an entire blog post to it. And a video!!!!!!! I’m so excited! While I’m thinking about it, here are my top five favorite products to use and why:
Stickles – because they’re sparkly and the Diamond color takes on the color behind it, thus eliminating the need for other colors.
Chalk – because it’s just really really fun to use with VersaMark. (The VersaMark Dazzle is soooo pretty… and is so versatile because you can change the colors.
Hero Gems – again, sparkly and an amazing accessory for any card. Sparkles make the world go round, right?
Pop-Dots – because they make every mounted stamp pop up and add a layer of dimension to the card.
Hero Owl Stamps – they are the cutest stamps in the world and you can put them anywhere. I once put an owl stamp as a lovebird, for a valentine.
So, in honor of chalk and movie making, I hereby devote this video to the craft:
I just love that! Chalk AND Stickles, all in one wonderful card. It’s practically my personal heaven in card form!
*Crafty Tip* Sometimes, instead of ink, use chalk and VersaMark. It’s more versatile and can be used to shade colors. Also, find a way to mix it up. For example: I used two supporting ribbons while most people would probably only use one.
This time, I got chalk all over my fingers, which, in my opinion, have suffered enough for a manicure. (This is battle I’m losing.) Since chalk will smear all over your card, it’s a good idea to keep Super Baby Wipes nearby, because they will get anything off of your fingers in a snap, whether it’s chalk or ink. They are a life saver, honestly.
When I was in fourth grade, my art teacher had us do a special assignment. (I promise there is a reason I’m telling you this). We had to draw a self portrait, with no eraser. That assignment taught me that in art, there is never a mistake. It’s just something that you didn’t plan on doing and it will always make it better.
Until next time, may you be as happy as Mum when watching The Bachelorette. (Just Kidding! ;) ) Kay
PS: It is Jennifer again. I haven't been able to watch the Bachelorette finale, but saw who "won." Interesting. I hear they are still together? Shocker! Ha. :)
OK... time for a giveaway. Leave a comment on this post by Wednesday at 11:59pmEDT and I will pick a winner of these great goodies from American Crafts. In your comment, I would love to hear about the last crafty project you made. (Card? Page? Etc.) Forgive the bad photo.
Me? The last projects I worked on are class projects for CHA. Nothing like the last minute, huh?
I am a bit late sharing the Thinking Inking video from yesterday on 2Peas. I had SUCH fun playing with these. I think the girls created about 30 charms, too. Addictive. HERE it is...
Here are just a few of the many projects. First one is on a piece of transparency. Love to pop it up so it looks like it is floating.
Speaking of Fragments, they are a must-have. They are clear charms that are perfect for inking or stamping on or backing with paper or anything you can think of. There are TONS in a box. The girls love to make keychains and necklaces from them. You can get them HERE.
And how about a share? This was a gift package I put together for Hero Arts - they sent it to one of our dear industry friends. Such a fun gift, huh? She had a baby, so it is filled with stamps that would be fun for baby girl pages...
Supplies: All Hero Arts stamps and such and Hobby Lobby basket.
OK, hubby is home from hot Phoenix. Off to hang with the family.
Such fun stuff. The girls were playing with it yesterday, too, and were hooting about how cool the results were - loved it. I think they made about 20 necklaces and backgrounds.
I am getting a lot of questions about the two stamps used in that last photo. The floral grid stamp is HERE. Such a cool stamp. Here are some good examples using it: HERE, HERE and HERE.
The tree one is HERE. I can imagine adding pearls to this.
And, if you feel like supporting the economy and the scrapbooking/stamping industry, I would suggest shopping at 2peas. They are making this class possible... and free. So be sure to thank them with your business. :)
Oh, yes. It is Bachelorette night. Could it be any better? Ha. There is something I like about Reed. Not sure why. Ed flew his parents in? (Watching the beginning previews.) Hmmm... maybe I like him. I just love fake reality TV. :)
... Health for little Keegan, Crystal, little Ethan, Naomi, Bill, Joshua (http://joshuakoman.blogspot.com), McGuyre and Bobbi... Strength for Tammy and Elena... Comfort for Michelle's mom and aunt, Erik Smith and the family of Morgan McRae
... Jobs for Greg, Leslie, the Youngs, Thomas and so many more
... Comfort for 14 babies... Happiness and comfort for Surprise... comfort for 8 kids who shouldn't be on tv... prayers for Katie...
... and thankful for our fast-growing kids... photos that capture life's greatest moments...
What I do
Hero Arts Honored to be on this wonderful design team.
