For The Art of Scrapbooking

Giving Away: Cricuit EXPRESSIONS!

2010-12-05T14:54:00.003-05:00

I'M GIVING AWAY A CRICUIT EXPRESSIONS BUNDLE

FOLLOW THE NEW BLOG FOR A CHANCE TO WIN.

B C DESIGNS : http://beckyconley.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-2nd-chance-blog-give-way.html

READ THE REQUIREMENTS AND GOOD LUCK!

PLEASE FOLLOW THE NEW BLOG

2010-07-14T12:03:00.002-04:00

THIS BLOG IS OUTDATED, THERE ARE MANY FOLLOWERS HERE BUT MY NAME HAS CHANGED AND I'VE STARTED A NEW COMPANY, ETC.

PLEASE FOLLOW THE NEW BLOG

http://beckyconley.blogspot.com/

Affiliated NEW STAMP COMPANY!

2010-03-12T10:43:00.002-05:00

QKR STAMPEDE RUBBER STAMPS!

I liked the snowmen and manatees!
Check them out :o)

Affiliated NEW STAMP COMPANY!

2010-03-12T10:38:00.002-05:00

QKR STAMPEDE RUBBER STAMPS!

I loved the snowmen and mantees!
Check them out

Valentines Day Benefit Dance

2010-01-31T18:26:00.002-05:00

Valentines Day Benefit Dance

Date:	Saturday, February 13, 2010
Time:	6:00pm - 11:00pm
Location:	Sanford Elks Lodge - 13 Elm Street, Sanford, ME 04073

Description

Valentines Day Dance to Benefit Lucky Pup Rescue
www.luckypuprescue.org

Only 200 tickets available

reserve tickets NOW:
email luckypuprescue@yahoo.com or stop by the Sanford Elks Lodge
fmi contact lucky pup rescue or call Elks Lodge 207-324-8184

$10.00 admission includes
THE SWINGING HAMMOCKS BAND 6-8PM

HEAVY APPETIZERS

RAFFLES (Grill, home furnishings and more!)
50/50 raffle

DJ ULTIMATE SOUNDS MUSIC 8-11 PM

*admission and all proceeds will go to the Lucky Pup Rescue

Join us for a great night Feb 13th, but if you can't, DONATIONS are always welcomed and appreciated.

WANT TO HELP?
ATTEND THE FESTIVITIES-DONATE A RAFFLE ITEM-SPREAD THE WORD

donations can be mailed c/o event at Elks Lodge address above.
THANKS!

Love U More!

2010-01-17T19:59:00.002-05:00

My first layout in a very long time!
It was a "challenge" from my new team over at Scrapbooking and Crafting Friends.
See graphics here:
http://www.mygrafico.com/stamps/valentine-39-s-day-stamps/prod_1581.html

Charlie's Strays

2009-10-08T15:33:00.003-04:00

From now until Christmas, ALL of my ebay listings will donate 15% of the sales to

Charlie's Strays.
P. O. BOX 64
Clinton, ME 04927
Telephone: 207-426-9482

A non-profit shelter that has a NO-Kill policy. Now that the weather is getting colder and the economy is bad, many people are abandoning their pets.

FMI see their site http://www.charleysstrays.org/

IF YOU ARE AN EBAY SELLER, PLEASE CONSIDER SETTING UP A DONATION FROM YOUR AUCTIONS TO A LOCAL CHARITY NEAR YOU, MAYBE WE CAN ALL HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Consumer Beware: Walmart!

2009-10-07T07:33:00.000-04:00

Consumer beware, those 4" prints I just got back from Walmart are NOT standard 4x6 and therefore do NOT fit nicely into my 4x6 frames! ARG!! (5 3/4)

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS

2009-10-05T08:30:00.001-04:00

Servers at Keepsake Designs continue to cause email problems so I now have a new email address:

beckyconley@metrocast.net

Chairs for Charity

2009-09-09T11:03:00.003-04:00

Chairs I painted/refinished/decorated for the Sanford Art Association Children's Art Program

Matz 4 Katz

2009-05-23T15:50:00.002-04:00

A fellow art association member has created these lovely gems. Audrey Arguin--My cats both LOVE them!

"Matz 4 Katz" (and small dogs)
Fragrance Free - a bit of your cologn or perfume will make your pet feel like they are snuggled up to you.

Style: "Mom's Sweater"
Recycled sweaters/batting/cotton backing
465 School Street, Sanford, ME 04073
207-324-8148

Hulk Roller Coaster video!

2009-04-28T18:50:00.003-04:00

Orlando, FL April 2009
The first part is a ride demo, then get ready to launch on our own ride! WooHoo! SCREAM ZONE!

3 X is a Charm

2009-04-07T06:45:00.003-04:00

A layout commemorating a photo shoot with Becky Higgins at CKU Albums, Stamford, CT in either 05 or 06. What can I say? New camera............ I hadn't gotten used to the settings yet. The album course was "All About Me" and the discussion centered around how "we", the scrapbookers are often left out of our albums, mostly because there aren't any photos of us, as we are behind the camera. Therefore, she offered anyone in the class to go out into the natural light for pictures and it took me standing in line 3 times, 3 settings on my camera to get the shot right. That photo is now my favorite portrait!

Another interesting point of this layout was I used those little pads of papers I won at CKU. You know, those 6x6 gorgeous papers? I don't do many mini books and there's just SO MUCH PAPER in those pads that I could never make enough cards with one line, so I used some of them here as colorful accents on a black background.

I am not a big fan of journaling, or atleast sharing my inner most thoughts with the entire world, or breaking up a graphic design with a blotch of type, so most of my layouts contain hidden journaling behind photo doors or on pull-outs.

The circles were created by tracing regular household objects of different sizes, the large monograms ("3" and "X") are hand cut from fonts printed on my PC on a large scale.

Pillow Designs: Gorgeous Trims

2009-04-02T07:51:00.004-04:00

These pillows were REAL easy to make. I used a form shaped pillow from a manufacturer that specialized in this design w/ the cut out centers that offered an opportunity for "surprises" or messages within the design.

Fabric is by Basic Grey and the gorgeous appliques and trims are from Expo International.

Simply, the heart pillow was created to offer two different looks if you turned the pillow over, blue on one side with the brown cut out section, and brown on the other to coordinate but offer options with it's elegant flourish applique. The seam is embellished with beaded trim.

This design was a little tricky. The entire pillow is covered in the blue fabric, the cut out is covered with brown fabric. I created 4 long strips of brown fabric, folded over and finished. The strips are positioned on the back of the pillow in a pattern to mimic the square cut out area of the front. The strips follow around the pillow to the front side and are tucked into the cut out area beneath the insert. The square formed on the back with the strips is not a solid square but looks like it because of the jeweled applique. The edges are finished with coordinating beaded trim.

Enjoy!

Rubber Road Adventures on Facebook

2009-03-29T14:29:00.004-04:00

The online magazine "Rubber Road Adventures" is now on facebook, become a fan and receive updates or check out what they're doing, meet the Roadies and talk to the designers.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Rubber-Road-Adventures/60181312723?ref=nf

Visit their website to see the latest issue and works of art.

www.rubberroadadventures.com

Website:: http://www.RubberRoadAdventures.com
Company Overview:: Rubber Road Adventures is an online magazine that profiles the latest and greatest art tutorial projects in Mixed Media, Altered Art, Stamping, Scrapbooking, Digital Art and Product Reviews. In addition, we help put you on the right track with Fast Track Tips and Rubber Road Sketch Inspirations.
Mission:: Our Elite Design Professionals are the Shooting Stars in these Galaxies. They are highly dedicated to bringing you the most enchanting how-to projects our world has to offer this industry.
Products:: Our sharing mission is 100% non-profit & located on Route 66 in the Galaxies of Cyberspace! Get your Kicks! we're ALWAYS OPEN and ALWAYS FRE. Cruise on over and visit us soon!

Easy Tool for Picking Layout Colors

2009-03-25T07:01:00.002-04:00

"Back in the day", when I was working PT at a local scrapbook store, I can't recall how many people, photos in hand, would ask my help selecting paper colors to create a layout with them.

I just heard of the coolest color picker tool, and it's FREE!

How did I learn of this tool? I've been following Scrapbook Update by Nancy Nally. This site is very informative about what's happening in the industry, from shows and new product to the politics, closings and of course - break-through tools!

Another Color Palette Generating Tool To Try

Posted: 24 Mar 2009 07:00 PM PDT

...................................................

CSS Drive's Color Palette Generator allows you to upload a photo less than 1MB in size, and then creates 3 palettes from the photo: light, medium, and dark options. Mousing over the color options in the palettes reveals their color numbers for use in CSS design and other applications like Photoshop.

But Color Palette Generator also offers a second step in the palette creation process. Below the palettes it generates, it displays what it calls the "complete color palette" of all available colors it pulled from the image. You can then click on them to view their color code number and add them to your own custom selected palette of 8 colors.

READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE AT THEIR SITE

Blueberry Coffee Cake!

2009-03-23T14:48:00.005-04:00

Sunday morning, I'm craving something rich and yummy to go with my coffee. I scavenged three recipe books and the internet looking for a coffee cake that has blueberries in it that doesn't sound dry or dense. No such thing, ha ha! There was lots of other fruit coffee cakes, blueberry muffins and streusel but not what I was looking for, so I started with an altered basic recipe for blueberry muffins and the results were absolutely YUMMY.

WARNING: I always use more butter and brown sugar than the recipes call for! LOL

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

BATTER:
3/4 c. milk
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 egg
2 c. flour
1/3 c. sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 c. large frozen blueberries (if using small ones, 1 c. will do)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Wisk the wet ingredents, then add dry ingredients, fold in blueberries. Split the batter into two parts, spread half into 7x11" GREASED pan.

STREUSEL:
1 stick butter
1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1 tsp cinnamon

Blend with fork. Crumble half of the streusel over first layer of batter. Drop the rest of batter by spoonfuls over the first then spread to create a second layer. Crumble the rest of the streusel on the top.

Bake 32-37 minutes at 350 degrees.

Remove and let cool; serve warm with glaze if desired.

GLAZE:
1 stick butter
1/4 c. milk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2-3 c. confectioner's sugar.

Melt the butter, add milk and vanilla. Wisk in 2 cups of the sugar and add more as needed to get the consistency you want. When glaze cools, butter will get more firm, just warm in microwave before serving, it will drizzle easier.

ENJOY and see you at the gym! LOL That was the way my Sunday started, and here's how it ended. Aren't they adorable? That's my grand daughter, Ryan (2 years) and the old puppy, Toby.

Sharing Cindi B; Designer Friend WCK

2009-03-12T10:20:00.003-04:00

I wanted to share a scrappy webisode with you that my designer friend Cindi B taped at the Winter 09 Craft and Hobby Assn. convention in Anaheim, CA! GO CINDI!

When Creativity Knocks is a web based crafty show that does quite a few episodes at the CHA shows because it's a great gathering of major manufacturers providing easy access to them and readily available designers. Go to their site to read more about what they do and see more webisodes.

2nd Annual Craft Challenge

2009-03-10T07:54:00.004-04:00

Here is a little art auction for a good cause, if you can, please jump over and see if anything tickles your fancy!

http://annualcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/

Nuptial Card

2009-02-20T10:26:00.003-05:00

I'm heading back to my home town of Rumford, ME today for my Brother's wedding. It's been a long time coming; he and his lovely fiance' have 3 children and have been together for more years than I can remember.

This occasion calls for a unique and personal card. I wanted to emphasize and congratulate their relationship that has already withstood many milestones which has built a sturdy foundation and family while also wishing them a happy future.

Stamped Clay Bangle (Easy!)

2009-02-05T10:46:00.007-05:00

Here is a fun and easy project with clay stamping, it would be "quick" too, except for the drying time of the clay. This sample is fairly simple, but you get the basics now experiment and have some fun with it!

SUPPLIES:
Shimmer Sapphire Glaze (Earth Safe Finishes)
White Clay (Makins)
Rubber Stamp (Spellbinders-ornaments)
VersaMark Clear pigment (Tsukineko)
Wood bangle, foam brush, water spritzer, non stick surface, paper towels/rags, strong adhesive (Misc.)

1. Roll clay into a thin strip at least 1-1 1/2" inches longer than bangle circumference.
2. Stamp a design into the clay as deeply as possible without compromising the stability by breaking through the clay. Use a clear pigment ink as a release agent for best results. Let dry for 1-2 hours.
3. Pounce Shimmer Glaze into the depressions of the stamped design. Total coverage of the bracelet is not necessary. Let dry.
4. Apply a light mist of water to the dried glaze and begin to gently brush off the glaze that is not in the depressions of the stamped design. Clean the brush and work surface often. Repeat and apply more spritz as necessary to remove surface glaze until you reach the desired effect. Be careful not to use too much water.

5. Let dry completely. Turn the bracelet over and let dry. It's very important that the clay be completely dry before attaching to the bangle. The clay shrinks as it dries and you don't want it to shrink more AFTER you've trimmed it to fit the bangle.
6. While the clay is drying, paint the bangle with Shimmer Sapphire Glaze, The glaze dries fairly quickly. Apply multiple coats to achieve the desired color depth. Let dry.
7. Attach the dried clay to the wood bracelet with strong adhesive, trim as necessary.

DESIGN TEAM CALL: Spellbinders Paper Arts

2008-12-22T16:58:00.007-05:00

Spellbinders Paper Arts is having their annual Design Team Call!

See the details on their blog: Spellbinders Paper Arts Blog

The Wizard, accompanied by the Spellbinders unique dies and rubber stamps offer endless creative possibilities.

This is truly the team you want to be on. I can't say enough nice things about my experience on the 2007-08 team.

I wish you all the best of luck, here are some samples of the projects I created while on the team.

Unexpected Joy: Ice Storm

2008-12-14T13:42:00.003-05:00

At 3:30 Friday morning (12-12-08) I was awakened by a crash as the house shook. It took me a while to realize that an external force had jarred my rest and not a bad dream. As I have that thought, the power went out. Ugh! Jessica comes down stairs to investigate the racket.

I recovered the flashlight from it's usual location, headed to the file cabinet for the CMP folder to get the emergency response number..........busy. Tried the number again.......busy. Then I remembered the house shook! Something HIT the house? Looking out the front door, I could see a tree trunk laying perpendicular to the building. I bundled up and headed out to survey the damage. The neighbor's tree still had many limbs weighing heavily on the power lines. The roof was bare where the largest top branch of the their tree hit the roof before it rolled down to the ground. The spot it hit was directly over my daughter's bed. "Thank you" I said out loud. This could have been much worse, we are both safe, the roof is intact with no signs of leaking. It's cold, I'm going inside now.

The fire department came to check out the power line situation, Jessica went back to bed. Then the waiting. Waiting to hear something about when power could be restored. Daylight and with no news, it's time to get ready for the worse. We could be without power for a few days. I have to get the generator hooked up. No gas. Neighbor says 7-11 is the only place open and the line is going on forever. No choice. We only had a small space heater running, the temperature in the house reaches 60 degrees by 4pm, not bad but someone told me a few days ago that it's going to get very cold. The heat won't last. There is a lot to consider. Do I abandon the house and take Jessica someplace safer? Family and friends are close enough. Then I remember I have a fireplace, ha! No wood. Thank God for cell phones, wood is delivered. Things are looking up! It just gets better from here.

As luck would have it, I made a big pot of chicken stew the day before! Woohoo! Hot soup in the crock pot for dinner. The fireplace stoked for heat now so let's plug in a lamp, the Christmas tree, crock pot, cell phone charger and a portable DVD player! We are in business and camping out watching movies.

Waking up every hour to add 2 logs to the fire and every 6 hours to replenish the gas in the generator was a small inconvenience to receive the gratitude, contentment and joy that was given me for sharing that night with my daughter the way we did.

FREE NEW TSHIRT DESIGN

2008-10-08T13:44:00.002-04:00

Sharing it here free, as a small thank you for subscribing or stopping by.

I finally got around to creating a t-shirt design from a thought that came to me this summer.
I put it on a bunch of stuff at my cafe press.com store.

I had to reduce the image a little to get it out there, but it's big enough for a button or sticker or something. Enjoy! If you don't like to print your own stuff, you can always check out my store at this link.

If you see an item that you like but want a different image on it, please feel free to contact me.

Digi FUN

2008-10-07T07:47:00.006-04:00

See if you can follow this, lol! I came in to check emails and clean off my desk and saw an old sketch on my note pad and decided to play with it digitally, is it any wonder I get anything done at all?

Trying to get my mojo back.

Anyway, I removed the color from the background image then selected stripes and toned them each a different color then added two text blocks, a different one for the title and journaling. Then I inserted the original picture in true color with a color filled block behind it to make a photo mat.

It needs something, this is not the image I had in my head when I started although it looks very similar to my sketch. I think the background needs to be muted more and maybe I'll print it off after and add a few 3d embellishments. I just hate a flat layout................ stay tuned.

You may offer suggestions here and we can "play" with them.
cheers.
Becky C

here's the best I could do on the muting so far.
gotta run, I'll check back later for suggestions, comments and play some more.

What's going on with me?

2008-09-16T12:09:00.009-04:00

If you got here via my friend Tracey Locher's article "Tips for Design Team Auditions" on Scrap Scene, THANKS for coming over! You can subscribe to my blog on the right ---------> ABOVE my avatar, enter email addy and click "subscribe".

If you didn't get here via Tracey's article: check it out here. Leave a comment for a chance to win a Rusty Pickle prize.

Let's just say that my personal life is in a heap, and my muse has vacated LOL. Seriously, I'm getting busy again but tides are shifting. I'm branching out into new areas of art, publishing and self-exploration. I still enjoy making my paper crafts, cards, scrapbook pages and general crafting too!

The photography exhibit is still up for the month at Kelley's Frame shop in Sanford, ME

OCT 31-NOV 2. I will have paintings and mixed media on display at the River Tree Arts Gallery in Kennebunk, ME. The reception will be held Friday night, Oct 31 from 5-7 pm, feel free to arrive in FULL COSTUME! There are four artists displaying for this show including myself.
Gallery Hours:
Friday Oct 31, 10 am - 4 pm (reception follows)
Saturday Nov 1, 12-4 pm
Sunday Nov 2, 12-4 pm

I am still working diligently on freelance design projects for a few manufacturers in between gallery events and other functions and in the conceptual and design stage for two crafting books.

Although I've done less rubberstamping these days, my favorite stamps are still on sale at www.heartsintouch.com. Tell Frances I sent you and you'll get a break on shipping charges.

As always, if you ever have any questions about designing in the industry or just want to chat, please feel free to drop me a line becky@keepsakedesigns.biz

CHECK OUT MY FRIEND CINDI B. DEMOING CLAY AT CHA

PHOTOGRAPHY ON DISPLAY

2008-09-07T08:33:00.005-04:00

It has been a very busy summer. Personally, my life is in upheaval. Professionally, I've been dormant, unable to concentrate or create--my muse has vacated!!

With the kids back at school, life is setting down and I think I'm on my way back to creativity!

I have some photographs on display for the month of September at Kelly's Frame Shop, Main St., Sanford, ME. I hope you can stop by to take a look! Enjoy.

CHA Summer 08-Trends and Top Picks

2008-07-28T11:49:00.055-04:00

Chicago, IL July 18-20

This summer's show was amazing! I spotted lots of great new items and new companies as well as a few continuing trends. Here are the highlights of what caught my eye. Click the image for a closer view.

There are literally HUNDREDS of companies displaying their new lines, when you walk the trade floor you see much of the same and it goes by so fast it's a blurrrrrrrrr. So, for these companies to stand out and make an impression says much about them and their designs or inventions.

CONTINUING TRENDS
1. Acrylic shapes and books. Many more new companies coming out with acrylic books and crafting shapes, Lazerline is still the trend-setter.

2. Flowers. There was no shortage of new lines of fabric and paper flowers. Many companies following up their paper lines with matching embellishments, to include flowers and chipboard.

3. Chipboard of course! A growing selection of chipboard shapes and books with many vendors. Kaiser Craft has new and fun wood shapes! Tim Holtz has new Grungeboard shapes, which is different than chipboard, it's WASHABLE and flexible. GREAT tool for teaching because you can just wash out the ink and use again for the next class!

4. Stamps. This trend is developing rapidly, many scrapbook companies are creating clear acrylic images to match their paper and embellishment lines but one company has something new, JUST RITE stamps uses quality rubber and offers self inking stamps in alpha and number sets as well as decorative circle frames that are interchangeable. You can even buy a machine to custom create your own stamps!

5. Ribbon. There is an overflow of ribbons to match paper lines as well as companies that specialize in printed or fancy ribbons only. EXPO International takes the prize for the most gorgeous trims available to crafters, their newest release is embellished with buttons.

TOP PICKS: NEW COMPANY
1. Powertex by Crafter's Cafe: A new art material for creating sculptures and dimensional board art and so much more.

2. Molly & Mac: look at these gorgeous papers! The booth had fabulous samples and the color palette is to die for.

3. Ernst Freihoff. Although in business over 60 years, this artist was a first time displayer at CHA, now offering his amazing German artistic paper cuts to the general crafting world and also offering much needed horse/equestrian images among vintage Christmas and angels too.

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4. Kelly Panacci. I loved the round tin albums / kits with precut pages and she's jumping into the clear stamps trend too!

5. The Painter's Pyramid. Holds surface up while painting edges and back, quickens drying.

6. The Scrapbook Board. A sturdy easel for displaying scrapbook pages easily. Lean a page against the board or create one directly on the board itself.

NEW IDEAS! Design Originals. Great new crafting books that are more sophisticated than ever, look at those lovely batik scarfs! That was one of their make n takes, an idea from a book and made with Sharpie markers on a silk scarf.

PAPER, PAPER, PAPER!

1. Sugar Tree. The freshest new designs in paper, artistic and muted for fabulous backgrounds and book covers. They also have a new line for equestrians!

2. Creative Imaginations. LOVE this new beach line, the colors are perfect yet still trendy. They also have some adorable shaped chipboard accordion books, my favs are the castle and cake.

3. Karen Foster Designs. Finally! Classy sports designs! woohoo!

4. Me & My BIG Ideas. This display caught me off guard, the paper designs are so pretty.

5. Making Memories. In the spirit of grunge and trendy flourishes, these two new lines for the upcoming holidays are fabulous!

6. My Mind's Eye. I am not surprised at all to see three lines from MME at the top of my wish list! They have a new series by Jen Wilson called Laundry Line and most of them are very remarkable but my favs are the Halloween lines "Spooked" and "Night Light".

7. WorldWin Papers. Cardstock with character! Their new line "Ruche" is textured, tearable, and printable! gorgeous color all the way through, sturdy too. They also have new shaped card sets.

8. Basic Grey: Last, but NOT least, the original grunge trend-setter does it again with two new lines of paper designs that really take first place.

NOTABLE NEWBIES
1. Cloud 9 Design. Epoxy titles with smaller accent pieces, chipboard boxes with handles in 3 colors--do you see custom purses? They actually have mini books inside too. And colorful chipboard alphas with high gloss finish and metal edges!

2. W R Memory Keepers. I just LOVED their new over-sized brads. Lots of trendy patterns and colors, I'm sure they have papers to match! Crop-A-Dile now comes with a kit of embellishments in bright colors and they have orange storage options available too.

3. The Eyelet Outlet. So many cool new shapes! Safari, Sports and Jungle +++many others. Great for layouts, cards and more! Think party favors and decorations.

4. Ranger Industries. Welcome artist Claudine Hellmuth and a whole new line of paints, brushes and surfaces, Most notable is the adhesive canvass. Distressed stickles for Tim Holtz and more Glitz for Suze Weinburg and more colors in crackle acrylic paint.

5. The Rare Orchid. I loved them last year, but they are still SO COOL. Gorgeous Asian and Hawaiian paper designs beneath epoxy baubles and high gloss clips.

6. Makins Clay. The biggest mistake you ever made here is to think this product is only for children. This clay is a versatile, air drying clay. You can sculpt it and mold it, add finishes, paints and pigments to it. If you make your own embellishments or want to add texture to your artwork, please try Makins Clay again.

My good friend, Cindi Bisson demonstrating the clay at their booth while at CHA!

New Collage Art!

2008-06-24T09:30:00.003-04:00

I finished three collages today that will be hung for sale at the Henrietta Goodall Hospital in Sanford, ME very soon. Drop off is tomorrow, so they should be hung in a week or so. This is one of three, titles include Neverland, Peter Pan and Captain Hook (hand cut titles). Each canvas is 16x20", mixed media incudes paint, metallic mediums, glazes, acrylic, ink and more!
Created from a 1920s antique book, actual pages paper pieced into the abstract shape and glazed with metallic color. Each piece $225 or $625 for the set.

Wall Mural; Under The Sea!

2008-06-19T13:28:00.004-04:00

4 piece canvas mural. Each piece is 12" x 36" and should be hung as pictured to match up the waves and fish placement. This would be great for any beach themed room, nursery or beach house. Created in mixed media with ink, gel glazes, metallic glazes, acrylic and washes. Completely sealed in archival varnish for non-fade long last!

ON DISPLAY NOW AT THE SANFORD ART GALLERY, MAIN STREET, SANFORD MAINE.

PRICE: $925

but if you're paying w/ cash, I'm willing to negotiate.

GREAT music!

2008-06-19T10:21:00.004-04:00

Check out local musician Pat Foley!

Check out his website:
www.patfoley.net

"Friends" Wall Art

2008-06-11T08:11:00.003-04:00

This project started as Kaiser Craft wood puzzle pieces, the paper is Urban Lily (don't quote me!) and Kaiser Craft rub-ons, embellished with ribbon and flowers, distressed with sand paper and acrylic paint. A cute project for kids to make and hang on their wall.

enjoy!

Quickie Teen Project

2008-06-05T13:15:00.002-04:00

This project started as a Kaiser Craft mini book kit with 4 panels of pressed board, I covered each panel with decorative papers, then placed all 4 onto one large sheet of paper so the back would stay stationary and hang better.

Then I sewed the panels through punched holes with eyelash fibers and made a handle, hand cut letters outlined with Ranger Stickles and a large flower at the middle with more stickles in the center.

Easy peasy wall art, fun for teens to make, they could use pictures of friends or other words too!

CARD SHARE

2008-06-04T11:49:00.004-04:00

I just wanted to share some quick and easy cards I made, one set of "girl friend" cards and the other is Happy Birthday. The images are by Clear Stamps, papers by Kaiser Craft.

SUMMAH DAZE Sneak Peek!

2008-06-02T11:07:00.002-04:00

SANFORD / SPRINGVALE MAINE ART ASSOCIATION
FUNDRAISER EVENT FOR SUMMAH DAZE

AUGUST 1 & 2, 2008

The Association's biggest fundraiser of the year is gearing up, here is some of the furniture that I've gathered to refinish with decorative painting. All pieces will be raffled off during the Summah Daze Event, you can view some of the pieces now in the shops along Main St. in Sanford and at the Art Association Gallery as well. More painted furniture is arriving daily from the artists, you can buy raffle tickets now, or enjoy the festivities of Summah Daze; come down and see ALL of the pieces available. You pick which piece you want to take a chance on!

I'll update here with images of finished pieces soon.

Vote for Me!

2008-05-24T00:54:00.005-04:00

I entered an altered envelope contest on another blog!
Unfortunately, there are only 3 of the 8 people that said they'd play......
bummer. but still, I am shamelessly asking for your vote.

I made the dragon entry above, contestant #3 please vote for me!
use the poll on the right side bar of this link
ALTERED ENVELOPE CONTEST

Thanks to everyone that voted for me, I appreciate it.

The mermaid entry #2 won the contest.

CKC Manchester NH!

2008-05-18T16:06:00.036-04:00

Woohoo! I attended CKC Manchester this weekend and there was much fun to be had by all. I took some fantastic classes, met many talented people, saw some great products and most of it was reasonably priced.

Let me introduce you to Michelle Granger! She teaches for Quick Quotes, I took ALL of her classes on Friday, which was ALL the classes that QQ offered :o) Their classes have been voted #1, #2 and #3 for CK, and I wanted to see what all the hype was about. Well, it turned out that their class projects were completely awesome, Michelle is a riot and their class kits contain extra product and project ideas so you get even MORE value for the class price. My favorite quote from Michelle "I am not the boss of you", Michelle explains that if she "tells you to do something to your layout that you don't want to, and would like to do something differently, then GO AHEAD, it's your project and I'm never going to see it again!" Michelle has many other great tips to share, if there is a QQ class near you, TAKE IT.

Quick Quotes is my #1 Favorite pick for this convention. They have papers, canvas, chipboard and fabulous quotes on vellum and transparency.
Check out these classes I took! They were an amazing value as well as the best design ideas. If you take one of their classes at the convention, you get a coupon for great discounts in their booth on class kits and other fun products!
They now offer a monthly kit club!!!! see their website for more details, I highly recommend it; in their usual fashion, the kit club contains rockin' designs and amazing value.

One more thing! Check out Quick Quotes Private Reserve! Their weekend retreat event in Washington State.

My #2 Favorite is Technique Tuesday. They have clear stamps and lots of chipboard in many shapes. Check out this class I took with Jamie Harper! She was fun and had lots of techniques and tips to share.

I wanted to see the chipboard in action before I purchased it but by the time I got back to the booth, they were all sold out of the large chipboard frames!

Also among my favorites for this show are:
Kaiser Crafts Inc. - cute metal and epoxy brads in many designs and shapes, adhesive rhinestones, wood flourishes, gorgeous paper and much more!

Boxer Scrapbooks - Cute chipboard shaped kits

The Paper Loft - MEGA PAPER in great designs for reasonable prices and cute samples. The Well-Worn series is my fav!

Preserve It! Frames - Innovative frame design for scrapbook layouts that you can alter and decorate to match your layouts!

Last, but not least, Scrap it Simple! Fabric covered albums with an innovative binding system to relieve headaches when expanding/adding pages. Look at the awesome fabric designs.

And that's a WRAP!

See Me on HGTV!

2008-05-12T17:13:00.004-04:00

See me on HGTV!

Aged Art

2008-05-08T16:44:00.004-04:00

Today I played in the studio aging this photo of a church I photographed in Barbados, I love the finished look, it's going to look darling framed. Check out the close up to see the details.

PRODUCTS:
HahnemuhleUSA Art Print Photo Velvet paper
Krylon Low Odor Clear Finish
Lyra (Chartpak) Aqua Color crayons
Terra Bella Finishes: Crackle Medium, Nautical Varnish and Antique Gold Wax

Shades of Grey WINNERS!

2008-04-30T19:51:00.008-04:00

yay! thanks to Blip.tv, the video finally loaded to their site!
enjoy!!

Double check to confirm your post on the Shades of Grey giveaway original post
http://beckychabot.blogspot.com/2008/04/shades-of-grey-give-away.html

Nicole @ 2:55 pm Basic Grey Stella Ruby pack!

Ellen @ 11:56 pm Basic Grey Stella Ruby Pack!

Vannasmom, DAWN @ 8:24 am Basic Grey Chipboard Elements

Cindy @ 8:50 am Basic Grey Chipboard Elements

rajah1116 @ 6:35 pm Basic Grey Chipboard Elements

Erin @ 236 pm Basic Grey Chipboard Elements

Cheryl @ 10:42 Basic Grey Chipboard Elements

Sheila from Texas @ 11:22 am 7 Gypsie ZigZag book

and black mini keys

Sarah M @ 3:40 pm 7 Gypsie ZigZag book

and black mini keys

Deidrelm @ 2:06 pm 7 Gypsie ZigZag book

and black mini keys

lfalduto @ 10:07 am 7 Gypsie ZigZag book

and black mini keys

Debi, windystamper @ 1:31 pm 7 Gypsie ZigZag book

and black mini keys

Laura Stewart @ 10:25 pm 7 Gypsie ZigZag book

and 2 pks gemstone brads

Stacey Koren @ 10:18 pm 7 Gypsie ZigZag book

and 2 pks gemstone brads

Leigh Anne @ 6:22 pm 7 Gypsie ZigZag book

and black mini keys

Celeste B @ 9:03 am Maya Road scroll corners chipboard in tin

DeAnn, sunflowergirl71 @1:59 pm Soufle pens

Christina, ckonecke @ 2:57 pm Pine Cone Press 5x7 album in tin

Nancy Dees @ 9:12 am Imaginisce Black Tie Optional kit

Jerusha, jerushaborden @ 1:15 pm Blank Board Book

Webgirl, Kristen.alcantara @ 1:21 pm Blank Board book

Shelley @ 11:29 AM TAG Blank Board book set2

w/ Basic Grey Magnets

Ami, amigodfrey @ 2:00 pm Maya Road heart chipboard in tin

Cyndi – Dreams Unltf @ 4:13 pm Maya Road Clip chipboard in tin

Scrappinheather @ 7:52 am Making Memories Flourish foam stamps

Marion, Marionew @ 1:37 pm Pine Cone Press Tabbed Pocket Journals

and Basic Grey Magnets

intime0 @ 5:41 Pipe Dream ink Opalettes Warm set

TAC Angel Christina @ 8:35 am USArtQuest Mica, Ghost Snowflakes

by Heidi Swapp, TAC stamp, Magic scraps

Map Baubles and chain

The Selman's, selmanbl @ 1:05 am USArtQuest Mica, Memorabilia pockets,

Magic Scraps glitter pack TAC stamp

Enchanted Cropper @ 1:55 pm Rusty Pickle file folders, Paperabilities

acrylic sentiments, 5 colors of snaps, Magic Scraps

black mesh, 3 pks Frances Meyer Stitchems,

Kristen, kbscraps @ 4:36 pm Chatterbox matchbook Album

and Memorabilia Pockets

Suzanne @ 1:35 pm large assortment of colored snaps

Shannon, stamper2k @ 11:37 Kaleidoscope Kreator 2.0

Jason M. Batchelor @ 2:10 pm 2 sets of clear stamps

(Melissa Frances & Sassafras Lass)

UPDATE & CLARIFICATION Orphan Works Act 2008

2008-04-29T07:41:00.007-04:00

It doesn't get easier than this. Go here to put your opinion in and/or
send it to a friend.

http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/home/

Very well pre-written letters to choose from and submit to influence
the final bill. It only takes one minute and you don't have to look
up any contact info!

**GET YOUR LETTERS FAXED TO CONGRESS TODAY! As you probably know, last Friday both the Senate and House introduced variations of the same bill: The Shawn Bentley Orphan Acts of 2008 (S. 2913) and The Orphan Works Act of 2008 (H.R. 5889). If these bills pass, they will have devastating consequences for visual artists.

Susan Collins form

Olympia Snow online form

contact your house rep Allen or Michaud here:

https://forms.house.gov/htbin/wrep_findrep

WHAT YOU CAN DO

1. Write a letter to your congressional House leader and Senators stating your opposition to the bills. Send the letter both by e-mail and fax.

2. Help raise awareness about the potential consequences of this legislation, and ask everyone you know to write and send letters.

A number of groups which oppose this legislation are collaborating on creating a website which will enable you to e-mail your congressional leaders with the push of button. It will also contain sample letters. I will post the link as soon as the site is live.

REASONS TO OPPOSE THIS LEGISLATION:

1. It changes the 1976 U.S. Copyright Act (enacted in 1978), and makes it virtually impossible for artists to protect their work. It basically allows anyone to use a design without the copyright holder’s permission.

Under current law, you receive basic copyright protection even if you don’t register your work. Under Orphan Works law your work could be declared an orphan even if you have registered it. Congress, in enacting the Copyright Act of 1976, provided that copyright exists in the creation of any work that is copyrightable subject matter, regardless of whether or not the owner has performed any legal formalities, such as registration, or copyright notices, or taken any steps to protect or defend the copyright. Since 1978 (when it was enacted) many creators have relied upon the Copyright Act of 1976, and employed business practices based upon the protections it offered. The proposed Orphan Works Act of 2008 would have the effect of depriving certain creators of the ability to enforce their copyrights because they did not take steps that the Copyright Act of 1976 did not require them to take. In essence, it will give infringers the legal means to use a design without the copyright holder’s permission.

2. It requires artists to attempt to protect their work by registering it with a digital data base system (presumably for a fee, in addition to the copyright filing fee)—when no such system exists!

The proposed legislation is predicated on the establishment of private, profit making registries that would establish databases of digital versions of artworks and provide a place for infringers to try to locate the artist, BUT it will be enacted whether or not these data bases ever come into existence. This will relieve the infringer of liability if he simply attempts a search that cannot possibly be performed successfully.

In addition, the legislation places no limit on the number of these registries or the prices they would charge. The burden of paying for digitization and depositing the digitized copy with the private registry would presumably fall entirely on the artist, and even if an image is contained in the registry, as long as the infringer “looks” without finding it, the infringement is allowed. There is no liability imposed for the failure of a database to find an image registered in that database when it is searched, and no requirement that all available databases be searched, thus potentially requiring multiple registrations (and multiple registration fees). Also there are no safeguards to prevent any person or company from fraudulently registering work they do not own.

3. It eliminates statutory damages wherever an infringer can successfully claim an orphan works defense, thus eliminating the only tool the law provides to prevent deliberate infringement.

Current law almost certainly deters rampant infringement because the present remedies – damages of up to $150,000 per infringing article-- make infringement risky. By “limiting remedies,” the Orphan Works amendment will effectively create a no-fault license to infringe.

4. It allows for an infringer to create—and copyright—a derivative work from the original design.

Under current law, the right to create a derivative work is one of an artist’s exclusive rights. Section103(a) says a user can’t copyright a derivative image that he’s infringed. “Protection for a work employing preexisting material in which copyright subsists does not extend to any part of the work in which such material has been used unlawfully.” Under the proposed new bills, since the entirety of an infringed work can be included in a derivative use, then the copyright of the derivative will amount to a copyright of the original. This would be a de facto capture of new exclusive rights by the infringer. In other words, these bills allow infringers to make and copyright derivatives—even if the copyright holder to the original work objects.

If this legislation passes it would mean a return to pre-1976 U.S. Copyright Act when many artists' works fell into the public domain because they could not afford to comply with the formalities of registration as a condition of copyright protection. This violates the trust under which American artists have worked for the last 30 years, and nullifies our U.S. Copyright registrations. Further, it is against the Berne Convention, and invites retaliation from around the world because international artists' works are just as vulnerable to infringement under the U.S. Orphan Works Act.

5. IT VIOLATES international laws that state coerced registration for a fee is illegal. Which is a quagmire of course, you're not forced but if you don't you'll lose all rights to your own work, so that is coercion.

Now let me recap the current situation:

The Senate has only given a few days for comments on the bill to be made; they are due Wednesday, April 30^th. The House has not specified a time-frame, and may give as little as 24 hours notice before closing the window for comments. There are several loosely allied groups which are opposing the legislation. These include The Illustrator’s Partnership (illustrators), The Artists’ Rights Society (fine artists), The Advertising Photographers of America (photographers), the Artists Foundation (fine artists), the Textile coalition (4 textile groups) and the Industry Coalition (whose members include the Craft and Hobby Association and George Little Management). During an OW strategy session Friday afternoon, Corrine Kevorkian, counsel for textile giant F. Shumacher, shared that the Textile coalition intends to recommend to the Senate that they adopt the House version. If this happens, the Textile industry will be spared the draconian impact of the Orphan Works Act because the House version exempts useful articles (see #1 below). She also intends to emphasize that the legislation shouldn’t take effect until the electronic data bases actually exist.

Although the bills are similar, there are some important differences to note. Both are devastating to all visual artists, but the House bill is somewhat less objectionable. Here are the three main differences:

1. The House bill includes an exception for useful articles, which (as far as I can determine) means that products (such as textiles and mugs) which are functional whether or not design has been applied to them, will not be impacted by this legislation.

2. The House bill also requires that manufacturers file their intention to use an image before they can use it --although it does not (a) specify a time period or method for doing so, (b) does not require an image to be included, only a verbal description (the Mona Lisa, for example could be described as “a dark-haired woman with an unusual expression” which would supposedly allow Leonardo to identify his work), and (c) does not require the filings to be readily searchable to allow an artist to monitor unauthorized uses of his/her work.

3. The House bill allows for a longer (possible) time period before implementation: January 1, 2013 vs. the Senate bill which uses the date of January 1, 2011. Unfortunately both bills are scheduled to take effect on the earlier of: “the date on which the Copyright Office certifies under section 3 at least 2 separate and independent searchable, comprehensive, electronic databases, that allow for searches of copyrighted works that are pictorial, graphic and sculptural works, and are available to the public through the Internet; or the January 1^st, 2011 or 2013 listed by the respective bills. This means that if there is no visually searchable database operable before the date(s) listed, the legislation goes into effect anyway!

If you would like additional information on the potential impact of this legislation, you can learn more by

a. Reviewing the submission to the House by the Illustrator’s Partnership http://www.illustratorspartnership.org/01_topics/article.php?searchterm=00261

b. Listening to Brad Holland’s informative webcast: http://www.sellyourtvconceptnow.com/orphan.html.

This is a very serious situation, and will require a concerted effort on all of our parts to stop it. I’m glad to see so much posting going on… and I believe that together we CAN make a difference. I’ll be in touch as soon as I have more information.

This may be forwarded in its entirety to any interested parties.

STOP THE ORPHAN WORKS BILL;

2008-04-28T00:12:00.002-04:00

We MUST stop this bill to protect all creative works. The following information was copied from an email I received from a fellow CHA Designer. It is critical that you contact your local politicians NOW to voice your opposition.
-------------------------------------

Many of you have heard of the Orphan Works bill that was fought over the past couple years by SCBWI, GAG, the Illustrators Partnership, etc. Well, this past week, the Orphan Works bill was reformatted and is currently being catapulted through both the Senate and House at lightening speed. If passed in their current forms, the repercussions from these bills will adversely affect every single SCBWI member…whether writer, illustrator, manufacturer or publisher. In a nutshell, the bills will create a huge loophole for anyone that chooses to reproduce or use copyrighted materials in any way they choose (including for profit). At the same time, it also removes all current legal punishment for copyright infringement by removing damage and legal fee awards for those whose works are infringed or stolen.

Artists who have registered their work with the U.S. Copyright office will no longer be protected. Manufacturers with in-house staff or who have purchased art as wfh and subsequently registered those images will also no longer be protected. Nor will photographers, publishers, or basically any form of creative expression that can be copyrighted.

In our current economic climate and controversies about politics and war, Congressional leaders have much more to worry about than this “little” bill. And that is exactly why it is being timed like this….to “piggyback” through on the tails of something more important. The timing by the bill’s supporters is impeccable. And that’s why we need to be equally as diligent.

This information below is extremely important and must be followed through immediately. This also needs to be brought to the attention of the leadership (and members) of every single professional organization (from GAG to SCBWI and beyond) that will be affected by this. The urgency to act immediately is real because these bills are being rushed through VERY quickly. If they are passed, every person or company that depends on copyright ownership of intellectual property will lose.

If you want to hear an interview that goes into more depth about the bills as well as more information about the impact they will have on ALL creatives, please go to this link……

http://www.sellyourtvconceptnow.com/orphan.html

Also you can visit any number of other professional organization sites such as Graphic Artists’ Guild www.gag.org or Illustrators Partnership www.illustratorspartnership.org . These are both creative advocacy organizations dedicated to protecting the rights of artists and are experts in this issue.

Visit this specific link for more on the very latest: http://www.illustratorspartnership.org/01_topics/article.php?searchterm=00265

Please read below. Please also send this information to every other organization, publisher, manufacturer, etc that you can who either licenses or owns visual intellectual property.

Late last week, both the U.S. House of Representative and the U.S. Senate introduced two versions of the orphan works bill. Both the Senate version, S.2913, and the House version, H.R.5889 are very similar in nature and closely mirror the Orphan Works Act of 2006.

WE NEED TO STOP THIS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES IMMEDIATELY! WE MUST BE HEARD.

If we do not stop BOTH Orphan Works Bills NOW-

It does not matter that you created it.
It does not matter that you have a copyright mark on it.
It does not matter that it is registered in the Library of Congress.
It does not matter that you signed it.
It does not matter that you put a big fat watermark across it.
It does not matter that you put digital signatures on it.
It does not matter if you get a lawyer- you will get a pittance determined by the offending company and no reimbursement for legal fees.
It does not matter even if you do as they demand and pay to register it in the new registries that they will form - there is no real punishment for using your work for profit.
It does not matter that you do not want your image used on a product or to promote an agenda.
They can even sell your prints and make money!

Find your representative:
http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

To get the attention of your representatives, you need to
immediately do ALL FOUR of the following steps:

1. Call the representative and give the bill numbers and say I oppose this (You'll get someone who works for your representative and they will log your address and your pro/con feedback.)
2. email your representative
3. Overnight or priority mail a snail mail letter
4. Fax a letter
Get as many signatures as possible on the paper copies. Do all 4 steps if you want to be heard!

There is a small window of time to voice your opposition usually the best time to act is in the 48 hours following the release of the bill number!

Here is are sample letters you can edit and send to your local and/orstate representatives and Senators. These letters work best when you make your point clear, do not curse, and make them aware that you live in their district or state and can vote for or against them.

Feel free to make this personal with your story on how the Orphan Works legislation will harm your income. Stories are incredibly powerful.

Faxes work better than e-mails, as e-mails are too easy to delete.

Congressman/Congresswoman/Senator (their name)
(their contact info)
Fax: (their fax number)

Re: The Orphan Works legislation

Dear (their name),

My name is (your name) and I live in (your city, state). After reading about the Orphan Works bill, I am shocked and outraged that this could happen in our country.

This Orphan Works legislation, if passed, will severely impact my income and life as an artist. Not only will it give license for others to legally steal and use my work for free, it will be virtually impossible for me to afford the time and money to register my creations in all the potential new registries.

(your personal story if you wish. It should show hardship under the new bill)

I strongly urge you to vote AGAINST the Orphan Works bill and protect my rights, my copyrights, to all that I have and will create.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

(your name)
(your address)
------
Dear Senator,

I am writing to voice my opposition to Senate Bill S. 2913, the “Orphan Works” Bill. This bill makes it too easy for companies to use artwork without paying the artist who created it. If caught, they would only be obliged to pay a token fee, rather than damages. This law would encourage companies that use commercial artwork to copy graphic material at will, under the assumption they will not have to pay for it. This is similar to someone shoplifting from a store, but the only penalty if they got caught would be to pay the price of the item. As an artist who supports herself by licensing her artwork onto published products, I feel this bill would endanger my ability to make a living.

In addition, many European companies that I work with are refusing to import China-made products if the copyright cannot be confirmed. This is because China has a reputation for ignoring copyright law. If the U.S. gets a similar reputation due to the passage of this bill, I fear that U.S. exports of illustrated products could be threatened.

Please vote “no” on this bill.

Sincerely,
(Your name, address, etc)

Art Appreciation Event Success!

2008-04-26T09:48:00.017-04:00

The Art Appreciation Event was a huge success! Fun was had by all.
Our Guest Speaker, Artist Norman West provided and fabulous presentation on his Color Theory. Here he is talking about the mysteries of color with his artwork displayed on the table to the right. The portrait is his "Self Portrait" of 1994.

Sanford Senior Alex Robinson, leader of the Blue Stream Band provided music throughout the event. THANK YOU ALEX, It was extremely enjoyable. This young man is talented beyond his years, if you are in need of a rock band please contact Alex through his Mother, Susan Norman via the Art Association website: http://www.sanfordspringvaleart.org/

Lastly, but not least, Patrick Yurick dazzled the crowd with live painting, see below how his work transformed and evolved into a master piece. To follow what Patrick is doing, visit his blog:
The Abstraction of Mr Y: http://abstractmistery.blogspot.com/2008/04/art-show-tonight.html

A view of the room and crowd before the festivities started.
Thanks to the Sanford Elks Lodge for donating the facilities for this non-profit event.

PENTEL WATER RUSH!

2008-04-24T13:20:00.004-04:00

PENTEL artful water products are in the house!
I was able to play with these a little at CHA in Feb, the coverage and color brilliance are FABULOUS. I didn't realize all of my favorites were water related until I opened the package: Aquash, Water Colors, Water Brushes in both metallic and regular! woohoo! I'll share art next week................. check out their site for product overviews and ideas.
cheers!

Local Art Appreciation Event

2008-04-22T23:56:00.003-04:00

DIRECT LINK TO "SHADES OF GREY" GIVE AWAY!

DIRECT LINK TO ONLINE CLASS INFO

ONLINE CLASS AVAILABLE

2008-04-18T15:02:00.013-04:00

DIRECT LINK TO "SHADES OF GREY" GIVE-AWAY!

Closing news!

In case you haven't heard the news yet, Heart In Hand Scraps is closing.

We have had such a wonderful response this past year to our classes. We have loved bringing them to you. Unfortunately due to several different factors we have decided to close. We have been so grateful of your support and excitement for our classes. We hope that through them we have both inspired and challenged your creativity.

Our final new class has been added to the site. All of our other classes are online and still available through the end of May. If you have had your eye on any of our classes and had planned on purchasing them, now is the time.

Several of our teachers have great things in the works for the future. If you have enjoyed the classes they have offered here, we encourage you to keep an eye on their blogs to find out where they are headed next and what they will be up to in the upcoming months.

Again, we thank you all for your continued support.
Tammy

New Class Available at HHS!
*KITS FOR THIS CLASS AVAILABLE SEPARATELY, EMAIL BECKY, $10 PLUS SHIPPING

TO TAKE THE CLASS ONLINE WITH NO KIT:

Keepsake Box

By Becky Chabot
$3.00
available online here
Becky has class kits available for this project. See the class description for details.

New CD Service Added!

After many customer requests, we have added a CD service to HHS. If you have a slower internet connection or have had difficulty downloading some of our larger classes, you may find this new service a perfect option for you.

For $2.50 we will place your classes on a CD and mail it to you. To take advantage of this service, simply place the CD service in your cart along with your desired classes. We will place all of the classes you buy in the same transaction on one disk for you and mail it to you. Please be sure when you check out that the address on your shopping account is correct because it will be the address we use to mail your disk to.

Please note, due to high international postage rates, this service is only available to our customers in the United States at this time.

WOOHOO!

2008-04-09T22:41:00.002-04:00

I'm a featured artist on the Terra Bella Finishes site!

Spray Paint ART Video

2008-04-08T23:36:00.002-04:00

DIRECT LINK TO "SHADES OF GREY" GIVE-AWAY!

This artist uses some AMAZING techniques, enjoy!

INDUSTRY NEWS

2008-04-07T10:27:00.001-04:00

LINK TO "SHADES OF GREY" GIVE AWAY

Remember my talking about www.craftgate.com starting a grass roots movement to promote crafting? The industry is fading, with all of the greed and mismanagement, there are businesses and magazines failing regularly. We need staying power, the market is saturated with less than quality products and publications.

Since my trip to 2008 Winter CHA, two really fantastic magazines have had to cease publication: Creative TECHniques I will miss the most, there was no other magazine like it! the focus was on "computer assisted" crafts and scrapbooking, instead of all digi and today I found out that "Gift Maker" magazine is finished too. Not to mention that The Rubber Stamper Magazine was sold and closed late last fall.

If you can find the time, please promote your craft and learning of it in your local communities and your online communities.

start hanging out at www.craftgate.com, we will be planning a very big MAY, lots of activities and prizes, details to follow.

cheers!

Becky Chabot

ENDS AT 6 PM Shades of Grey GIVE-AWAY! Updated

2008-04-03T12:41:00.013-04:00

Basic Grey that is!

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSING AT 6PM TO GIVE ME TIME TO GET THE ENTRIES CUT APART FOR THE DRAWING, FIX THE WEBCAM ETC. IF THE WEBCAM STILL ISN'T WORKING BY 6:45, I'LL DRAW THE WINNERS AND PUT THE VIDEO IN A NEW POST.

**if you post anonymously, please sign your name and/or email address in your post content so I can identify you for the drawing.

I have 5 prizes of Basic Grey items, two complete collection packs of Stella Ruby papers, punch out tags and alpha stickers (retail value $17.99) and 3 sets of Undressed Chipboard Elements! (adhesive backed-great for covering w/ gold leafing)

What do you have to do? Just leave a comment on this post to be entered into the random drawing!

All prizes will be awarded on Wed April 30, 2008.

Don't you just LOVE Basic Grey?

..........and can you tell I'm loving my new web cam?
look for my classes soon on http://craftedonline.com/how-it-works/

I am still cleaning up the studio and I think I just might be adding more prizes to this!!! I am also considering a LIVE WEBCAM DRAWING AT 7 PM EST ON WED APRIL 30, 2008. If I can figure out where to broadcast it! stay tuned for more updates!

Time Out for ART Politics

2008-03-26T08:14:00.005-04:00

If you can take a minute to show your support of art and let our government know, maybe we can grow.

Please Follow This Link to Take Action on Important Arts Issues

http://capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=9521951

One situtation here in Maine that effects artists is the "re-seller's" license. They have recently changed the criteria that allows a business to possess one, specifically your business must earn $15,000 annually. So, a small artist, crafter or street artist trying to make a living with collage or painting, wood carving etc would not be allowed to purchase art materials at wholesale costs to support their business without this license they can't afford to be artists and buy their materials, it's shooting us in the foot! There has to be a solution that will support the artist. Not all of us can be Walmart and have huge sales, nor should we.

We need art in our schools and in our communities.

SUPPORT THE ARTS. Thank you!

(now back to your regularly scheduled creating!)

What have I been doing?

2008-03-21T19:27:00.008-04:00

HIBERNATING!

We have been getting a storm once or twice PER WEEK up here, DH is tired of snowblowing and I don't want to leave the house!

Good for me because I've been very busy designing.

Stay tuned for exciting updates, ONLINE CLASSES to appear at www.heartinhandscraps.com and www.craftedonline.com will have LIVE WEBCAM CLASSES!

Meanwhile, I'm trying to stay warm and fight sun-deprivation. Hey, why don't you stop over to www.craftgate.com and see what's going on, lots of crafty inspiration there, we're having a revival movement to save crafting and make it popular again.

Is it Spring yet really?

FEB FLOURISHES WINNER HAS ZEST!

2008-03-19T15:54:00.014-04:00

UPDATE: THE WINNER WILL GET A PRIZE PACKAGE INCLUDING A SHEET OF STAMPS, BASIC GREY STELLA RUBY SET AND CHIPBOARD SHAPES, RUNNER UPS ARE GETTING A SHEET OF RUBBER! WOOHOO. THANKS FOR ENTERING!

DESIGNER REWARD! If you get a project published in a paper/print magazine that uses my stamp images and credit "Becky Chabot Flourishes by heartsintouch.com" send me a copy of the magazine page and you will get a check for $25!

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Bethany Kartchner

WINNER OF THE FEBRUARY FLOURISHES CONTEST!

I'LL BE MAILING YOUR SHEET OF RUBBER TODAY!

THANKS TO ALL THAT ENTERED!

Information about the layout:

I did this for Scrap Shanty's March Sponsor: Around the Block.

Journaling: Zoey is so passionate and zany. She’s a pure joy to be around. 10.07

Techniques: I freehanded the swirl, cut it out and adhered. I used an Around the Block tagger gun to adhere all the flower tags

Cardstock: Bazzil

Pattern paper: Around the Block

Stickers: Alphabet and epoxy Hello: Around the Block; epoxy stickers: KI Memories

Pens: micron

Ribbon: Offray pink ric rack; green ribbon is from packaging

Rub-ons: MM “dare to”

Other: flower tags, tagger gun, tags and happy clip: Around The Block

RUNNERS UP: will get a prize, :o)

Sherry Dobreski

Jessica Shurts

Sue Shute

***the winnerS receive a sheet of my rubber stamp designs "Flourishes" pictured here and available for $20 plus shipping at www.heartsintouch.com

VOTE: America's Favorite Mom

2008-03-19T09:36:00.002-04:00

VOTE FOR AMERICA'S FAVORITE MOM, FOUNDER OF SOLDIER'S ANGELS

A little intermission from scrapbooking and creating art to support Mrs. Patti Patton-Bader who is the founder of the Soldier's Angels Charity; if she wins this contest, she will have an opportunity to appear on The Today Show and talk about Soldier's Angels. Please register and vote, you can vote once a day! Thank you for your support.

Contest Winner! coming soon................................

2008-03-16T17:36:00.003-04:00

My apologies for the delay in announcing the Feb Flourishes contest winner, all of the entries are fantastic and have been safely filed away upon receipt.

I've been out straight and also fighting off the nasty flu, or whatever I had that is dragging my butt around.

I'll post within the next few days, stay tuned................

WD-40 For Crafters!

2008-03-13T17:25:00.005-04:00

I received a nice box of goodies today! WD-40 brand has many new products that crafters never knew they couldn't live without. Inky fingers? Could be your trademark, or if you'd like to get them really clean without damaging your skin, try Lava Soap; it comes in a bar or pump bottle. Ever drop your ink pad on your carpeted floor or fabric chair? Try the Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover, you will be amazed! Also introducing the new WD-40 No Mess Pen. WD-40 where you want it and no where else! works great on punches and other tools, remove stickers, and other stickiness from your projects, leak proof and won't dry out.

I have found these new products to be a savior of carpet and skin. I am happy to pass the information on to you. Cheers!

CRAFT INDUSTRY POLL & More Stuff on eBay!

2008-03-06T22:30:00.002-05:00

We are trying to save the Craft Fairs, Local Craft stores and Feed the starving artists.

Your participation in this poll will be helpful.
www.craftgate.com/views

you will need to register, this keeps out spammers and viagra, but it's quick and painless, your info is not sold or shared. ----------------------------------------------------------I have varied stitch (cross stitch, needle point and Bunka) kits for sale on eBay ending in two days, I'm trying to clean out the basement and buy the baby a new pair of shoes! http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZmainelybunka

CHEAP RUBBER STAMPS ON EBAY!

2008-02-25T08:27:00.007-05:00

MORE STAMPS ADDED 2/27/08 ENDING 3/1/08

Did I share with you that I WON "The Messiest Creative Space" contest on My Creative Classroom's Grand Opening Celebration? Therefore I really need to work on organizing my space so my mind will be also clear to create!

MANY NEW MOUNTED AND UNMOUNTED RUBBERSTAMPS LISTED ON EBAY, CLEANING OUT MY VERY MESSY STUDIO, SOME SETS, SOME INDIVIDUAL AND A FEW GENTLY USED SETS TOO. COMPANIES INCLUDE; STAMPIN UP!, THE ANGEL COMPANY, RUBBER STAMPEDE, INKADOO, MOBE, TOYBOX, AND STAMP HAPPENS.

Contest and Classes!

2008-02-20T13:05:00.005-05:00

DON'T FORGET! The February "Fantastic Flourishes Contest", deadline 2/29/08 - See the original post for more information.

THE KISS CONVENTION IS THIS WEEKEND

I will be teaching two classes on Saturday 2/23/08, Manchester NH:

#116 Color Wash Canvas Layout:

This is pure fun with a wash of color! Create a unique background on stretched canvas then build a collage style layout to hang on your wall. Techniques include color wash variations, heat embossing, stamping, paper tearing, collage and melt art instruction. It's fabulous, with or without a 5x7 photograph! Title options include: Beautiful, Charming, Wish, Sparkle, and Believe. Bring your basic scrap supplies to class including: trimmer, scissors, dry adhesive, liquid adhesive and piercing tool. Additional Supplies: Please bring a heat tool/embossing gun if you own one.

#120 :Memory Box

Decorate a pretty Memory Box to hold your keepsakes or give as a gift. The box is approximately 8 x 11 x 3" and is shaped like a book. The class also includes a coordinating matchbook album (4x5"). Techniques include stamping with acrylic paint and ink, paper tearing and distressing with ink and acrylic paint. Learn a paper-saving technique and how to create unique images with your existing rubberstamps . Please bring your basic scrap tools to class including paper trimmer, scissors, liquid adhesive, dry adhesive and piercing tool or 1/16" hole punch. Additional materials required: Permanent brown ink pad, preferably Stazon or Palette--NOT Distress pad.

Product Sponsor: Ma Vinci's Reliquary

Original Artwork For Sale

2008-02-18T20:47:00.006-05:00

Click the images for larger details

This was the last thing I did before leaving for CHA! I really enjoyed painting this and decided I would put it up for sale. With my website being in the mess that it is, I figured I'd post it here.

ITEM DETAILS: Sushi Plate, rectangular curved slightly at corners, 7 3/4" wide x 15 1/2 tall, faux finish background with hand painted bird and butterfly on tree branches. The background was hand painted with ceramic glazes, the entire bird and butterfly images are hand-painted in ceramic glazes and then the item was dipped and fired. Truly I don't know much about that process, except that it started with a rough bisque product, I painted it and the studio where I like to relax, dipped and fired it. My signature is on the back, if you want a more prominent one, I have a glaze pen I can write with and then bake for permanency.

ITEM PRICE: $69 plus shipping to your location.
email: becky@keepsakedesigns.biz if you're interested.
There is only one of these for sale, first come, first served.

Becky C

CHA Wrap Up!

2008-02-16T00:55:00.019-05:00

WARNING: this is a long post with lots of pictures! There is just SO MUCH to see and do at the CHA show, I will try to keep the narrative to a minimum.

Remember the Terra Bella Finishes Challenge Projects I showed you a couple days ago?
See them here:

I WON! WOOHOO! The contest was restricted to two pieces per designer and they had to be in separate categories. The "Perspectives" piece was my altered entry and the "Family Matters" canvas was my collage/canvas entry. I won first place in both categories AND took the overall BEST OF SHOW Prize! It was a very proud moment, thanks so much to Nancy of Terra Bella Finishes for such a fabulous contest and a nice reception for the awards.

Fellow Designer and Friend, Cindi Bisson taped a segment of Ana Araujo's new web show, When Creativity Knocks. Cindi created a change purse using Makins Clay, here she is setting up before taping.

I LOVE Basic Grey papers! They have many new and gorgeous lines out, here's my favorite, "Boxer" and they also have stamps out now that are right in line with their style, they work great with their new chip boards and paper lines.

Visible paper trends emerging are photographic or picture style background papers. Most had a softer feel like watercolor painting or sketch art, not a photograph. A marked increase in hand made elegant papers at the show too including bold prints with flocking and/or glitter and dimensional metallic or painted accents.

New albums from Pioneer, very decorative covers, great styles.

I mentioned the Webster Group earlier, but wanted to share a few of their items. Their biggest sellers are the decorate yourself ceramic items that you color with a sharpie marker and the special finish on the piece makes it permanent when the marker dries! A more grown up approach to that science is the picture on the left, custom gift items, a platter or wedding item that guests sign or you could also make art on it as a gift. The album I told you about, it's a kit and looks like a very professionally printed coffee table book when it's done. Claim to fame is that is only takes 1 hour to make and you bind it yourself. You should be able to find these items at the larger chain stores, Michaels or Hobby Lobby etc.

I have a tendency to tell you about items that make me think out of the box, maybe a little less expected or trendy. Since I am mixed media, I don't stay in the scrapbooking/paper craft section for the entire show, I figure there are enough other sites covering just scrapping, I want you to see the entire show.

I found this site that seems good that reported on the more trendy paper companies and their new releases if you want to check them out! Scrapbooking top 50

Cheers,
Becky C

MORE COMING FRIDAY

2008-02-14T01:23:00.003-05:00

I am wiped out and I have a 4 am wake up call, so I will finalize CHA postings on Friday when I return to Maine.

Meanwhile, feel free to post or email me becky@keepsakedesigns.biz

The show was slow today, everyone was wrecked and ready to head for home. I went by the Scraponizer again today on the way to tear down the Fashion display after the floor closed and THEY HAVE WON ANOTHER AWARD!

pictures and details on Friday.

Make art everyday.
Cheers.
B

CHA Day 4

2008-02-13T02:59:00.010-05:00

for my fellow designer, Cindy Roland. "let's Talk" ((contact me)) here is her latest flower art on display at CHA Winter @ the Worldwin paper booth.

HELLO! THE SCRAPONIZER reported as one of my favorites yesterday is now an AWARD WINNER!

Collage Unleashed by Traci Bautista

COLLAGE in color! it doesn't have to be brown OR distressed!, check it out.

RASPBERRY - chipboard w/ lazer details. quality and more! This is a great NEW company out of Austrailia, first time exhibiting, expect great things from them! The have papers with matching adhesive chipboard stickers that are fresh and will set trends for sure.

My BFF Cindi B, and I at the Hollywood event tonite, aren't we cute?

CHA DAY 3

2008-02-12T01:36:00.001-05:00

My day began with the Queen of Crafting herself, Carol Duvall who was being interviewed on the CHA stage! A dream come true for me to meet this icon, a lovely, friendly and personable woman, what a pleasure! She has a new book out!

product picks for today! something new......... SCRAPONIZER an amazing new organizational tool for scrappers and also other crafters. Basically clear compartmentalized containers that can file vertically in a file folder or basket or horizontally on a shelf, they can be personalized/decorated too! check them out!

LAZERTRAN! Finally a printable transfer paper for multi media art that works in an inkjet printer instead of a lazer printer. Actually they offer a wide range of different printable art papers. Good stuff!

RAINBOW TAPE: I loved this product, first because it's a mom and pop company. I met Mr. Robert Kaufman at the show! This tape is bold, flexible and fun! here is an image of the best sample at the booth! LOVE the stained glass effect made with the black tape, many colors available and it can turn corners..................... woohoo! Be sure to hyphenate when you visit their site: www.rainbow-tape.com

TIM HOLTZ has a line of new and fantastic metal embellishments to accent his distress art style. Tags, shaped clips and numbers.

TIM SITING! Tim was at the Ranger booth demo-ing today! I'm so sorry I couldn't get an image of what he was working on, the booth area was swamped as usual!

Also new for Ranger is a very colorful line of pigment inks...........

and a spinner rack that has tension gribs that will hold dabbers, small bottles and the pouncer tool.

There is SO MUCH TO SEE at the show, I need to give a few shout outs to some companies that have been very generous to me and have also come out with some amazing new products......

* INSPIRED CRAFTS -the makers of Paper Glide have a new Mist It! pump pen that is fillable with whatever your artistic needs require: perfume, water, hand sanitizer, breath spray and more! AND the size is acceptable for airplane travel. http://www.inspiredcrafts.com/

* WD-40- yes you heard me right! WD-40 has a new pen filled w/ the compound that will remove stickers and or lubricate tools and reach into small controlled areas. Also, their LAVA soap has pumice that will remove even the nastiest ink and mediums from your crafty hands. http://www.wd40.com/

* BAG OF BAGS - durable handled clear plastic bags that are printable or sold plain, great for class kits, layouts, page planning and storage! http://www.bagofbags.com/

* THE WEBSTER GROUP - Great surfaces and shapes that can be custom decorated, great for kids, treasured memories and group parties etc. Frames, piggy banks, coffee mugs, platters and more! The most inspirational item: A kit that creates a digital coffee table book, including images and text, made by you, bound by you at home that only takes 1 hour to make!

http://www.webstergroup.us/

cheers! see you tomorrow.

Cindy R........... I'll check out Worldwin for you tomorrow.

Create Art Everyday!

REPORTING FROM CHA!

2008-02-11T02:30:00.001-05:00

WELCOME TO THE ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER - CHA WINTER 08 SHOW!

HERE IS MY FASHION DISPLAY! "Cat Crazy" with the help of my designer friend, Cindi Bisson, we really pulled our vision together.

A HUGE APOLOGY TO THE KRAFTY LADY http://www.kraftylady.com/ for omitting her on the "Sponsor Thank You's", that was entirely my error, while adding booth#s, The Krafty Lady was listed, and somehow when I copied and pasted into the poster/thank you cards, it was removed. The Krafty Lady was a vital sponsor that donated THE BEST art molds around! They work for UTEE, Clay, Paint and many other mediums, if you love molding, these are the best available.

After we finished setting up our Fashion Display, I headed over to check out that lovely automatic machine by Spellbinders Paper Arts, the Xcalibur! they were busy setting up and getting ready for the show start.

Here is the show floor as I exited on set up day (yestereday) all the booths eagerly awaiting finalized carpet laying..................... sleeping before the rush of the morning of opening day at CHA!

Here is an interesting product I found................. I am researching childrens crafting and party ideas for a magazine article and I came across these fabulous Russian Doll kits! there are multiple nesting dolls in each kit and it comes with paint! Imagine these gorgeous dolls with all of our fantastic rubberstamping and art materials too! woohoo!

Speaking of Woohoo! I met Tracy Locher today at the Rusty Pickle booth! woohoo, you rock Tracy! Scrap on! more tomorrow, I had camera issues today so I have to go back around to take images of all the fun and fabulous finds of the day.

PLEASE CHECK BACK DAILY FOR DIRECT UPDATES FROM CHA!

leave comments and questions if you want to see something specific or want to know what is new from a certain manufacturer.

cheers!

bye for now.

My Terra Bella Projects! CHA Sneak Peek

2008-02-10T19:25:00.001-05:00

Since CHA officially opened Today, I can share the projects I created for the Terra Bella Designer Challenge because they are on view to the general public here at the show! Category 1: Altered Art / Mixed Media

Be on the look out for this, I'm going to make it a CLASS! Category 4: Decoupage Art / Photo Extensions on Canvas I am NOT a painter and don't pretend to be, so this is a decoupage art project not a photo extension, but it is canvas!

Please post any questions or comments here, as I am at CHA; accessing my email is wonky but I can post here daily.

More great stuff tomorrow! I can show you my Fashion Display and my Fashion Embellishment Challenge too! THEN I'll start showing you all the new fun products and hopefully there will some of it available before June :o)
cheers!
Becky C

CHA SNEAK PEEK FROM SPELLBINDERS!

2008-01-29T19:47:00.003-05:00

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS!
IF YOU WANT TO SEE A BETTER IMAGE AND CLOSE-UP OF THIS AD, CLICK THE IMAGE AND IT WILL TAKE YOU TO THE SPELLBINDERS WEBSITE!

**Available late spring / May 08

VOTE AGAINST ENGLISH?

2008-01-28T14:08:00.001-05:00

Just a quick "Election Interlude" to publish the list of Senators that voted against English as a first language. I believe it is every voters responsibility to KNOW the voting records of their senators, representatives and candidates running for office. They are elected to vote your voice. Voting records are public record, JUST ASK or go look around. Think what you want.
This vote is an old one, May 2006.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/immigration/englishvote.asp

Akaka (D-HI)
Bayh (D-IN)
Biden (D-DE) (Presidential Candidate)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Clinton (D-NY) (Presidential Candidate)
Dayton (D-MN)
Dodd ( D- MN ) (Presidential Candidate)
Domenici (R-NM)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-win)
Feinstein (D-ca)
Harkin (D-IA)
Inouye (D-hi)
Jeffords (I-VT)
Kennedy - (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA) (Prior Presidential Candidate)
Kohl (D-WI))
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (I-CT)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA) (Presidential Candidate)
Obama (D-IL)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV) Senate Majority Leader
Salazar (D-CO)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
Schumer (D-NY)
Stabenow (D-M)
Wyden (D-OR)

Please remember this when you vote.

*If you would like to share an opinion here on this subject, I welcome it -but you must be willing to sign your name to it, or it will be deleted.

If you want to chat about politics, special funding or scrapbooking, papercrafting etc. please feel free to email me, becky@keepsakedesigns.biz

FANTASTIC FLOURISHES FOR FEBRUARY CONTEST!

2008-01-24T15:06:00.001-05:00

FANTASTIC FLOURISHES CONTEST

Win a full sheet of my new release rubber stamp flourishes! (unmounted)
Sheet is 8x10 and has 18 images.

How to enter:

1. Create a card, mini book, scrapbook layout, or mixed media art project using flourishes of any kind, stamps, paper, digital, hand drawn or any other original idea you can come up with.

2. Scan or photograph the project and provide a clear, visible, detailed image no larger than 800x800 pixels with a brief description and complete supply list.

3. email the scan, supply list and personal contact information to becky@keepsakedesigns.biz or mail the item to: Becky Chabot, 34 Milton Ave, Sanford, ME 04073

*Contest begins Feb 1

*Deadline is Feb 29th

*All items that are mailed in will not be returned, they will be used for the Troops overseas and/or their families that are left behind. I belong to several charitable organizations that support Troops and their families, including newborns and will use the hand made items for one of those purposes. If you do not want to send the original, you can email a scan or photo.

*There will be only one winner selected to win a sheet of stamps.

*Winning entry will be judged on, creativity, design and originality.

*you all know I'm a softy, so I may decide to award lesser prizes when I see all your fabulous art and get overwhelmed with it!

Please send scans to: becky@keepsakedesigns.biz

Create Art Everyday!
and don't forget to check back Feb 8-15th for live updates and sneak peeks from CHA Winter08, Anaheim, CA

BENEFIT CROP IN NEW JERSEY

2008-01-07T20:32:00.001-05:00

A designer friend of mine and Ranger-ite, ToniAnn Carbone informed me of a Crop at a firehouse in NJ that will benefit a GREAT cause. Please see details here: Crop Blue Angel Fire

I have donated some of my original works to be raffled off at the event, one such item is a domino necklace that was published in The Rubberstamper Magazine Mar/Apr 2007 issue, a copy of the magazine is included with the necklace! and MUCH more.

If you live in or near NJ, please try to attend.
Items pictured will be there for raffle and MUCH more.

My First set of Signature Stamps!

2007-12-18T08:45:00.002-05:00

Well, OK, I don't know if there will be others, but here is the very FIRST set that I compiled because I just love decorative flourishes! These stamps are being offered EXCLUSIVELY through Hearts In Touch Rubber Stamps Inc. They are a full sheet 8x10" of unmounted red rubber! The BEST there is!

only $20 for all of the images!

They are "Unmounted" so if you need Creative Cling sheets, make sure you add one to your cart, then you will need to cut them and use acrylic blocks when stamping!

woohoo!

OMGosh! Terra Bella Finishes!

2007-12-16T12:53:00.002-05:00

Look at all of the fantatsic Terra Bella Finishes I just received for my first annual Designer Challenge! This is a fun challenge for Designers, it's geared around the Winter 08 Craft and Hobby Assn Show in Anaheim CA Feb 08. I can't wait to get playing with these, they look fabulous!

You must be a Designer member of CHA to participate, register for the challenge and they'll send you thier line to create with, submit entries before the deadline and that's all!

Read more about Terra Bella Finishes and the Craft and Hobby Association, and the CHA Winter Show 08.

REMEMBER THE ART!

2007-12-15T08:35:00.002-05:00

While you are managing the rest of your holiday shopping, won't you consider the gift of art? Please support your local art galleries. This is also the time of year when art galleries run special "shows" that include crafty items, hand painted decor items and cards featuring hand made art images.

The Sanford-Springvale Art Association Gallery is located down-town on Main Street right next to the Town Hall where they've installed a gorgeous new time piece. Please stop by and have a look at all of the great art on display and for sale. The members of the SSAA also have art on display at the Goodall Hospital, Goodall Library and the Springvale Library just to name a few, there are also local businesses that support the program by having art hung in their retail establishments. So, the next time you find yourself in a room or business decorated with great art, see if it's for sale by one of the local artists.

Merry Christmas and Chanukah to you!

Melt Art Class in Manchester NH (POSTPONED)

2007-12-14T19:17:00.001-05:00

No class tomorrow! It will be postponed until a Saturday in January, I am also going to review the cirriculum and see if I can offer a price reduction, stay tuned for a new class announcement. see original post here:

What I did this weekend...................

2007-12-12T17:46:00.001-05:00

In the midst of the end of year hub-bub and holiday craziness, I needed to take time out to refocus my energy and attention to a birthday party for my daughter who turned 14 years. whew, that's over!

We started decorating Christmas balls with fine art glitter (www.ladeda.com) as the kids arrived so they'd be dry by the time the party was over (and to keep them out of the goodie bags!) Then we opened the gifts, I'm pretty sure her favorite was the air-soft gun and gear from her best cousins: Chris, AJ and Erik. Then we pigged out on cake and the kids were off to play! (Wine was uncorked at this point) There was only 1 sleep over this year and the birthday was a success! whew another year................................(adhesive by Scotch: Quick Dry Tacky Adhesive)

The cake was GORGEOUS and YUMMY too! Created by my BFF Donna Morin who is available locally to create cakes to order. djmorin05@gmail.com THANKS DONNA! it was awesome.

TIM HOLTZ GRUNGE BOARD

2007-12-12T16:45:00.001-05:00

If you're in need of the latest distressable createables for scrapbooking and cardmaking, you've got to see these distressable Grungeboard shapes and alphas by Tim Holtz.

To see the complete line, click on the image.

To order: contact Frances Naeve of Hearts in Touch rubber stamp company www.heartsintouch.com
fnaeve@heartsintouch.com

Moon Glow's Mist and Spritz

2007-12-03T10:59:00.000-05:00

Moon Glow's Mist & Spritz

Best Kept Bling Secret

Bling is in! Moon Glow's by Lindy's Stamp Gang is the best kept secret of the bling revolution. Shadow Mist is a fine balance of distress, antique and bling! An old world walnut stain formula with lustrous hidden colors of shimmery pigments. Glitz Spritz is all that but without the walnut ink. I discovered this versatile medium about two years ago but rubber stamp and multimedia artists have been hoarding it for much longer. The packaging is deceiving, do not let it fool you with it's puny looking bottle and simple label, this product will amaze and delight you!

They are packaged dry, so you are not paying to ship water. You add water to the line and shake! They are available in a wide variety of tones and colors. My fine mist nozzles have never clogged and spraying means no washing brushes. Use them to create custom background papers for layouts and cards, altered books and art, vintage collage and mixed media art projects. The new and improved versions do not require a sealant. (Some of these images were taken at odd angles intentionally to show the shimmer.) To find them, do a simple “Moon Glow's” internet search or call Lindy's Stamp Gang at 360-785-4588.

NEW ACRYLIC ALBUM PAGES BY LASERLINE!

2007-11-30T10:23:00.001-05:00

New acrylic album pages are available from Laserline! woohoo! If you've been having a hard time getting your hands on some, let your local scrapbook retailer know that Laserline manufacturers their own albums right here in the USA and are available to ship now!

More new and exciting options such as etching will be available as CHA Winter 08 approaches.

Scrap on!
BeckyC

SOLDIERS ANGELS NEEDS DONATIONS FOR VETS

2007-11-29T10:22:00.001-05:00

I would be happy to collect donations locally or by mail and forward them for you, or you can send them directly to the address on the wish list. -Becky C.

WISH LIST – September, 2007

Department of Veterans Affairs Center (135)

Togus VA Medical Center

Augusta, Maine 04330

(207) 621-4886 ex. 4886

mark.deschene@va.gov

When sending items to Togus please:

Use the address listed at the top of the page
Include a note in the box to say it is from Soldiers’ Angels
Write on the outside of the box that it is from Soldiers’ Angels

VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS:

Drivers for statewide Volunteer Transportation Network – Sanford, Rockland, Brunswick, Skowhegan, Portland, Caribou
Veterans History Project- recording personal histories
Escort and Delivery – Hospital wide and in Primary Care on weekdays
Canteen Service – assisting during lunch time
Mealtime companions for long term care patients - individuals and small groups needed
Nuclear medicine –Office help & procedure buddies
Primary Care – Computer instruction- My HealtheVet & MOVE Program
Nursing Home Care Unit – escort needed Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday (12:30-3:30)
Hospice Volunteers – Training provided
NHCU – assistance with clothing/writing letters/reading/visitation
NHCU – 1 on 1 visitation to play board games/cribbage/dominos/etc.
Telehealth Support – Learn to provide support in your community to patients using home telehealth devices (Aroostook, Washington, Hancock, Oxford, York, and Cumberland counties)
CBOC Volunteer needed in Rumford to assist team with general office help Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for 2 hrs each day

ONGOING PROGRAM SUPPORT:

Electric razors – triple head type. ($49-$69 ea.)
Comfort Item Program (shampoo, deodorant, etc.)
Diabetic snacks for clinic patients
Coffee & Newspaper funds – provides coffee/newspapers at waiting areas/wards/clinics
General Patient Comfort Fund (Memorial Donations)
Adapted Sports Equipment/Outings – Recreation Therapy
National Rehabilitation Events (Golden Age Games, Winter Sports, Wheelchair Games, and Creative Arts )

SPECIAL REQUESTS/PROJECTS:

Unit 4 South activity sponsorship. (approx. $50 pizza party, $25 ice cream Social)
Televisions for patient rooms (approx. $285 ea.)
TV/VCR/DVD combo & cart for Bangor, CBOC ( $500-$700)
Kenmore sewing machine for Recreation activities (approx. $250 ea.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that under the Tax Code, donations to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ General Post Fund for exclusively public purposes are deductible from federal income taxes in the manner and to the extent allowable. The announcement reflects the tax law provision, which makes those donations deductible as “donations to the United States”. Donations to support any of the Department’s programs are deductible, whether the donor directs that the donated funds be used for a specific purpose or allows the Department to decide how the donated funds will be used.

NOT NEEDED AT THIS TIME! Used Stamps; any clothing that is stained or torn; Jigsaw Puzzles; Playing Cards; Hardcover Books; Romance Novels; Magazines Over Three Months Old; Disposable Razors; Soap; After-Shave; Writing Tablets; Pens; and Envelopes. Due to Infection Control policies we are unable to take used walkers, canes, or crutches at this time.

When sending items to Togus please:

Use the address listed at the top of the page
Include a note in the box to say it is from Soldiers’ Angels
Write on the outside of the box that it is from Soldiers’ Angels

PRISM PAPERS MATCHES COSMO CRICKET!

2007-11-26T22:20:00.001-05:00

SEE THE CHART AND BLOG HERE:

LUCIOUS RICH SOLIDS TO MATCH SOME GORGEOUS PATTERNS

Spellbinders and Cuttlebug

2007-11-26T13:53:00.001-05:00

Seems like I have lots of scoop to pass today!

Using the CuttleBug ™ to cut and Emboss Spellbinders® Style Dies:

Cutting Sandwich- ( Stack from bottom up )

A plate
C plate
Spellbinders die face up ( rough side up)
paper or cardstock
B plate
run through Cuttlebug machine.

Embossing Spellbinders Dies in the Cuttlebug- ( Stack from bottom up )

A plate on bottom
Spellbinders die face up (with die cut still in die)
1 Spellbinders tan polymer mat
3 pieces of cardstock to shim for more embossing detail
two B plates on top

NOTE: If using a Spellbinders Edgebaility card making die only shim the embossing sandwich with TWO pieces of cardstock.

Run through Cuttlebug machine

Continue to decorate and embellish your die cut out by turning the Spellbinders die over and inking or chalking thru the openings of the die.

Results are beautiful

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT: Purple Cow Trimmer

2007-11-26T13:17:00.001-05:00

This is an amazing new tool! If you are looking for a new trimmer that is easy to handle, accurate and affordable, check out the Purple Cow!

BLOG TAGGING

2007-11-26T12:50:00.000-05:00

Judi from ScrapperDashery has tagged me!
I've never participated in a tagging before, but I'll try.... and if this is a "tag back" from you tagging me previously and I never did anything, consider it validated.

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself (on your blog, we all want to know them).
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

My 7 Random Facts:
1. I'm a retired USMC Staff Sergeant
2. I taped an HGTV "That's Clever" segment
3. My favorite color is blue
4. I was a grandmother at 40
5. I live in Maine and hate the cold.
6. I was an extra in an independent film "Second Chance"
7. I LOVE what I do! Creating art, meeting people and traveling.

My tags:
Fat Cat Creations
Debbie's stuff
WooHoo by Tracey Locher
Margie H.
Scrap Addict
Creative Blog
Ivan Pope

Quick & Easy Holiday Cards

2007-11-15T22:53:00.000-05:00

** If blogspot.com isn't running this video well, it can also be seen on Craftgate.com
but you may need to join before viewing.

Measurements for A7 Size:
Triangle "Trees" 4" x 6" tall
Red card stock front and journaling: 5 1/2" x 3 3/4"
Green Card: 9 1/4" x 6 1/2" Fold in half
Star: 1"
Measurements for A6 Size:
Triangle "Trees" 4" tall x 3"
Card front layer: 5 1/4" x 4"
Card: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2" Fold in half
Star Brad 1/2" and ribbon bow on bottom

**I promise my next video will be better quality, I need to get a memory card for my new toy!

Melt Art Class in Manchester NH

2007-11-15T13:58:00.002-05:00

I am offering a melt art techniques and jewelry class Saturday Dec 15th @ 1pm

Location: The Paper Tree

www.thepapertree.net in Manchester NH

Not familiar with Melt Art?

see the Ranger Industries website.

www.rangerink.com

The first hour will be learning many melt art techniques and the different ways you can incorporate melted UTEE into cards, scrapbooking and altered art embellishments. The second half of class you will use the techniques you learned to create a custom piece of jewelry (your own design) or you can copy mine.

Cost: $55

CERAMICS USING INKY TECHNIQUES

2007-11-14T17:16:00.001-05:00

I have been indulging in my newest addiction, painting ceramics. Are you familiar with the "shaving cream" background technique? Well, I played with it at the ceramic studio, using the glazes. Here are two bowls I made as well as a few other projects I created as gifts recently. The dragon and cat were painted by my 13yo daughter, Jessica! she's well on her way to being an artist..............

For more information about the studio, (Get Fired Up! in Sanford, ME) see the link to the right in my links.

SPOOF; CARDS TO "ANY SOLDIER"

2007-11-14T09:26:00.000-05:00

If you receive an email encouraging you to send a hand made card to "Any Soldier" for the holidays with a unit address or the Walter Reed Medical Center address, please do not participate. Your handy work will not reach the soldier that so desperately needs to be reached.

For the protection of our soldiers, the USPS has been instructed to destroy all letters and parcels addressed in this way. Please see the Snopes.com investigation report.

You can really HELP and REACH soldiers by joining an organization that fosters involvement and support, here's one that I belong to SOLDIER'S ANGELS.

Thank you for supporting our troops, veterans and their families.

BeckyC

WIN FREE STAMPS; Help A Cause

2007-11-06T18:51:00.001-05:00

Make a little girl's dream come true!

Win over $600 worth of rubber stamps.

OBAMA..... WHAT? Here we go! UPDATED

2007-11-03T10:13:00.001-04:00

Snopes says it's TRUE. Except that they can find no proof that he refuses to say the pledge of allegiance.

There is even a video of this event so you can hear the anthem playing and his hand is not on his heart.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/anthem.asp

I forwarded this image to Obama's campaign website email contact for an explanation before sharing this. The response is as follows:

Dear Friend:

Thank you for inquiring about the false accusation that I have refused to sing the National Anthem or say the Pledge of Allegiance. I knew when I decided to run for President that I would not be immune from the "anything goes" form of attack politics that has been so prominent in our elections in recent years. And this outrageous charge is just another example of the kind of mean spirited, "shock" politics I will move beyond as President.

I am honored to lead a life of public service, and it is inconceivable that I would ever refuse to say the Pledge or sing the National Anthem. In fact, as a U.S. senator, I am sometimes called upon to preside over the opening of the Senate in the morning, at which time I am proud to lead my colleagues in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, with my right hand over my heart. Anybody who doesn't believe in the Pledge shouldn't be running for President.

Every time I have been elected or reelected to the Illinois Senate and the United States Senate, I have proudly raised my right hand, placed my left hand on the Bible and sworn to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic." And I will be proud to take the Presidential Oath of office on January 20, 2009.

Thank you again for contacting me. Please share this message with anyone you know who has been misled by this baseless and particularly hurtful political attack.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

-------------------------------------
Paid for by Obama for America

You can email direct: info@barackobama.com

Making The Most of your CHA DESIGNER Experience

2007-11-02T12:58:00.001-04:00

ATTENTION DESIGNERS!

How To Make The Most of Your CHA Experience

The Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) Trade Show is held semi-annually, is the largest entity of it's nature in the craft industry and could be the most valuable opportunity for a Designer. This is true for Designers in the paper crafts industry as well as Designers specializing in other craft mediums. CHA offers opportunities for education, training, networking and marketing that is invaluable to all of it's members but is especially valuable to Designers because it is unprecedented. A volunteer task-force has been making great strides to create a Designer support program that will educate and connect Editors, Publishers and Manufacturers (EPMs) with qualified Designers that can be invaluable to the success of their businesses.

Become A Member. Membership entitles you to pre-show perks including the inside scoop, Showcase Opportunities, Group Support, Press Kit guidance, and lots more! There are prerequisites to obtaining membership which can be challenging for new designers, but hang in there, CHA is aware that this is an obstacle for new Designers and they are working on a compromise. If you can't get membership as a Designer, it is still beneficial to attend the show. If you are on a Design Team for a Manufacturer, Retailer, Service Provider (NSA!) or Publication that has membership, you can wear a guest badge under their membership.

Plan Ahead Create a list of people and companies with whom you would like to meet. Research the appropriate department head and then contact them in advance to set up appointments. Set goals in regards to what you want to accomplish at the show and stay focused.

Participate. Take advantage of as many opportunities as you can to attend training sessions and display your work. You need people to what you can do and if it's a CHA sponsored display or event, then CHA will also promote it for you. Be careful not to obligate yourself more than you can handle. It's better to do one display three marginal displays. Inventory your time and resources before you commit.

A highlight of the Summer 07 CHA Show was the Designer TableScape Displays. There was substantial promotion and press attention and it was displayed in a prominent area in the center of one of the halls! It was very exciting. I was thrilled to hear so many people talking about viewing the TableScapes and how fabulous they were.

Press Kits. Always provide a press kit. A press kit can be an elaborate collection to promote your arrival in the Designing CHA world, or as simple as a brochure or business card. Provide an attractive container to hold multiple kits so you will have a neat display. You need to get your contact information into as many hands as possible and the Press Room is the first stop, there's an award for the best Designer Kit, so be competitive!

My press kit for the CHA Summer 07 Show was hand crafted, because that's what I do and that is the message I wanted to send. It had many parts. I also used my Designer Showcase Display. I created a poster using my background paper design and had it professionally printed, then displayed it in a frame on an easel. The containers were white gable boxes that I decorated and embellished with a photo on the front that matched the poster. Inside the container was a bound mini-book of 12 pages with thought provoking messages for manufacturers to see along-side samples of my work that coincided with the message. Other items in the boxes were: a DVD of my HGTV episode of “That's Clever”, a short ½ page bio with a partial resume which was embellished with a real photo and a fabric flower attached with a button and piercing tool, an over-sized business card that matched the poster and containers and last, but not least, a small sweet treat; chocolate bars wrapped with my paper designs decorated with ribbon.

Designer Showcase. There was a nominal fee to participate in the Showcase Event, but it was well worth it. I shipped boxes of albums and art to my hotel for my display. The showcase was held on the last day of the show in a private room. Designers receive one 2' x 6' table to create their display and CHA provides the promotion, press, appointment schedules and monitors to watch the area to keep the displays safe. Set up was from 7 am – 8:30 am. After set up, Designers must leave to allow the Editors, Publishers, and Manufacturers (EPMs) to view the showcase without interruptions. This format was initiated because the EPMs have limited time to be off the selling floor and many want to look, but don't have time to chat it up. I put some of those sweet treats (candy bars wrapped in my paper designs and decorated with ribbon) in a planter on my table in hopes of getting viewers to stop and take a closer look.

Volunteer. CHA is a not-for-profit organization and many of the programs require volunteers to help out. This is also another opportunity to be seen. The Press Room needs volunteers to straighten and maintain the displays. The Showcase area needed volunteers to help monitor. These are more opportunities to be in the middle of all of the excitement and meet people that are attending or viewing the displays. In addition, you get to be a part of the ground-breaking strides that are happening within CHA for Designers. Always conduct yourself as a professional, you never know who might be sitting at your “round table” discussion or listening over your shoulder. Dress appropriately. If you are looking for work, then consider it a job interview and dress accordingly. There is no second chance at a first impression. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, you will be doing lots of walking. If you are attending the CHA Show as a guest or Design Team Member for a Manufacturer, Retailer, or Service Provider then you need to be aware that other CHA members will look to your ID Badge in earnest. Some Manufacturers do not allow other Manufacturers to attend their product classes offered at CHA, these special seats are reserved for Retailers that are paying for the class to learn more about how to promote and sell the products in their stores. This is one example of how you may need to adjust your behavior or participation in the educational events to match the badge you are wearing. When you are walking the display floor; I refer to this area as the “sales floor” because this is where manufacturers have paid for booths to display their new release items and are waiting for buyers, you must be mindful that “sales” is the top priority for those displayers. It is not wise to be pushy or try to monopolize a manufacturer's booth with a designer pitch. I do NOT recommend carrying a portfolio around to pull out to show them in their booths. They cannot take time away from sales to find new designers, this is why CHA is working hard on new programs to bring designers and EPMs together in a productive way for all parties. A more appropriate approach might be to introduce yourself, explain that you are a designer and will be brief. Direct them to your Designer Showcase display and leave your business card. Often, if your business card contains your cell phone number, they may call you while you are still at the show and request an interview.

Follow Up. Everytime you give someone your business card, you ask for theirs. Write notes on the back of cards to remember why you contacted this person or what they need from you. When you get back to business after the show, be sure to send an email or call within the first week following CHA. Don't be discouraged if things seem to move slowly, many companies are busy filling their orders and tying up loose ends. Follow up with a phone call about 2 weeks after CHA to see if they are still interested in discussing business with you.

Do you remember the thrill of adrenaline when you walked into a new scrapbook store for the very first time? CHA is “just like that” except multiply it by over 3000 times the intensity because that's how many displayers will be there with HOT, NEW product releases!! Have fun and SMILE.

INQUE BOUTIQUE Stamps: (REVIEW)

2007-10-25T19:57:00.002-04:00

These gorgeous images are the two sets that I own from Inque Boutique. I discovered this company at the Summer CHA in Chicago IL in July. The images are breath-taking, trendy and stylish. There are SO MANY DIFFERENT IMAGES! Check them out
All of the stamps are rubber and very reasonably priced, these are the large sets that retail for $11.99 and have stamps as big as 4 and 5 inches long. They are all unmounted and I will admit it's a different / new system so it took a little getting used to but once you do, it's very easy. The stamp itself is thin rubber and a bit rigid with a self adhesive side that sticks to an acrylic block, (or any block). Easy to apply, remove and reapply.
One fantastic feature about these stamps is that it comes inside a self contained storage area, they are all PRE TRIMMED, so there is no cutting and no mounting of adhesives or foam etc. There is no work to do when you get a brand new set.
There is one draw-back that I would like to note. These stamps are made, it seems to me, for paper-crafters. Because the rubber itself is thin and rigid, then you mount it onto a block, it is stiff and not flexible. No problem right? unless you need to squish the image into a surface that is not perfectly flat, like a paper mache box. The system is designed to be used with a foam base that goes "under" the paper to make an ideal stamping surface, but hardcover books and paper mache shapes are not flexible like paper, we need the stamp to be flexible; which is the case when you mount rubber on to EZ mount foam.
So there it is, if you do altered art or other such similar art, be fore-warned that you may end up with a partial image stamped on your project if it's not perfectly flat and not flexible.
However, if you scrapbook and make cards and stamp mostly on paper, these images are so beautiful, I'm sure there's room in your collection for a few sets :o)
I am using these two sets in the classes to be held at The Paper Tree in Manchester NH on Sat. Nov 10th at 1:00 pm. Hope to see you there!

TINKERING INK! I won!

2007-10-16T15:18:00.001-04:00

I won a free pack of Tinkering Ink papers from their Westminster collection!! woohoo.
Hopefully, I can play with it soon and upload some "stuff" for you to see.

TINKERING INK WESTMINSTER

STAMPING: Clear vs Rubber

2007-10-16T15:13:00.001-04:00

Just a quick post, if you've been wavering or wondering about the differences of rubber vs clear stamping, Blockheads has some information to share that was passed on to me by Robyn L. of Maine

BLOCKHEADS; CLEAR VS RUBBER

A Fun Place to Create!

2007-10-10T20:54:00.001-04:00

Hi.

I just wanted to share with you a really FUN place in Sanford. A very nice woman named Helen owns a "paint your own" pottery studio and if you're looking for something fun to do, please check it out.

She takes groups of children, birthday parties, scout troops and more! There are also "ladies nights" and Diva nights.

She has a great selection of pieces for holidays, gift giving and everyday.

See her website for details

GET FIRED UP

or call Helen with your questions

490-3473

It's really fun and EASY, Helen has all kinds of tricks that make everyone a creative artist.

New Class Projects!

2007-10-09T17:55:00.002-04:00

Both of these classes will be taught Saturday, Oct 27th at The Paper Tree in Manchester NH.

This project is a paper mache box that looks like a book! Stamping, paint, decoupage and a matching journal inside! I'll also show you how to attach a ribbon handle if you want to make it into a purse. $32

Learn a fun and easy technique for a faux leather finish and create an Old World faux leather finished paper mache book box with coordinating journal. Book Box measures 8 x 11 x 2 3/4”. Get familiar with the Bind-it-all binding system as you create your matching journal (5x8). This project can be converted into a purse with a magnetic closure and a ribbon strap handle or keep for a shelf sitter. Feel free to bring your favorite ephemera items for your project, but a variety will be available. There will be many opportunities to customize your project with stamping and ephemera (Min. 6 students, Max 16) Please bring a heat tool if you have one. Paper for journal cover will be random Basic Grey Stella Ruby Collection.

Have fun learning while you play with color wash sprays as you create this amazing 12x12 Color Wash Canvas Art Collage; It's fabulous, with or without a 5x7 photograph! Title options include: Beautiful, Charming, Wish, Sparkle, and Believe. Please bring a heat tool if you own one and some newspapers to protect your workspace. (Min. 6 students, Max 20) $28

YES, I was shaking!

2007-10-09T15:43:00.002-04:00

Which is why this fantastic photo isn't as perfect as she is. Can you blame me? This is the first game of the season and my 13 yo daughter is a STARTER for the Sanford Jr. High Football team. She's AWESOME. I'm so proud of her, but as a Mom, it gets my blood pressure up with worry. It was the same when Jared played too. The close- up photo was taken AFTER the game was finished, Sanford won!! woohoo!

Gone to Aruba!

2007-09-21T12:27:00.001-04:00

If you've tried to email or call me, I am GONE TO ARUBA! I will return on October 1st, 2007

Sharing art: Collage

2007-09-20T17:16:00.002-04:00

I just wanted to share a recent project that I really enjoyed creating! This collage practically made itself, I had so much fun and all of the elements fell into place. I used some of the newer Spellbinders Bird dies! LOVE them!!

Find instructions HERE:

My Work on Michael's Website; BIG TOOT!

2007-09-12T15:53:00.002-04:00

I feel as though I have finally arrived! Some of my latest "quick and easy" projects for Frances Meyer products are making their debut on the Michaels Store Website for crafting ideas! I have to say, I never thought using stickers could be SO EXCITING! I am truly enjoying working with them, they are versatile and EASY and allow you to make great projects for your upcoming events effortlessly.

See the instructions and supply lists here:

Help A Starving Artist, ME!

2007-09-12T14:20:00.001-04:00

I am a dinosaur, pushing 45 years old in a young and technical world that has pixels and bits spilling all over my paper and ink. I NEED A NEW PROGRAM, but I can't really afford one. Think I'm kidding about being a dinosaur? I am very proficient in Ulead Photo Express and have used it fluently for all of my digi needs so far. I've heard CS3 will help me alter my very artistically created but scanned background papers and bring them into this century, but all I have is CS2 and I can't seem to get it to do what I want! grrrrrrrr. I need to have a best friend that can wholesale for me, OR perhaps you know someone at the company that would love to offer me a "Designer Copy" to use and publicize for them? please help a starving artist :o) I'll make you pretty things.