Happy birthday, Bug!

This is Vito, he's my baby! He's six years old today.

This morning was a perfect fall morning, crisp air, nice breeze, leaves blowing in the air ..... so big baby, tough guy got an extra long walk. He was sniffing, and rolling in all the wet lawns and scratching his back with the green blades of grass. Loving every second of it! Thats why he looks a bit "scruffy" and his curls are enhanced more than normal.

I think he'll get pizza for lunch, cake in the afternoon and balloons just for him, maybe some chewies, and a few more toys to shred .... whatever he wants!

Love you bug!

I love to make books ...

... I love how they come together and just feel so nice, so "book" like ... and to think I made it!

But I've never finished one ... from front to back, with photos and embellishments, I mean finished, filled .... until this past weekend!! This book is full of hidden spots and little books inside the big book ... must have 40-50 photos in it ... and the blues and browns just called out for my Bahamas photos.




I started with Carol Wingert's August Creatolgie kit. If you haven't experienced them, and you love to make books, you need to check them out. They come with all the instructions, the paper, the embellishments, and special techniques to complete it ... you just add your own touches and photos. This kit truly inspired me to finish one to the end! Thanks Carol!!

Where does a week go ....

... whoosh, and its gone!

Last weekend (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) was Creative Escape. Wow! What an event. Close to 600 women at the beautiful Wild Horse Pass Resort, 8 very talented teachers bringing their varied styles into their workshops.

Each day was full of classes, activities and fun ... no one had a moment to rest. If you want a complete recap of the weekend, you can visit Carol Wingert's blog, Tim Holtz's or Heidi Swapp's.

I had the distinct pleasure of working with Carol Wingert this year. A great talent, a real sweetheart of a lady. Thanks Carol for inviting me into your world!

If you're not familiar with Carol's Creatologie kits .... click on her link to the left. Her September kit is up for pre-orders right now. All I can say is these kits are addicting! The September kit reflects Autumn ... anyone that knows me is aware of my passion for autumn colors and autumn leaves ..... I'm all over the September kit! And what perfect timing .... i'm heading to Wisconsin to visit Terri .. mid-october .... autumn colors, autumn leaves!!

I got to do my civil duty this week too ... called for jury duty ... and was chosen for a jury. I've been called a couple times before, but never was chosen. It was/is an experience to see our judicial system close up .... and I get to go back for a second day!

Now, its a nice three day weekend. Frank is in New York, and I plan on spending alot of time with my art supplies!

Hope your long weekend is a true delight!

How sweet was this??

My good friend, Debbie Bick, made this for me!

I just love it!

You can see other designs on her blog, just click on Frenzy Stamper in my blog list.

She learned this technique at Art Unraveled and has been hooked on making these ever since ... she used odd pieces of wood, india ink, wood yardsticks and all kinds of ephemera to complete the look.

Thanks Deb! You're the best!

I'm off to Creative Escape tomorrow ... nope, not as an attendee, but as a volunteer. This is my second year ... lots of work ... but tons of fun. So much energy buzzing around this event!

I get to assist Carol Wingert ... really looking forward to working with her ... love her style. I purchased her Creatologie kit last month ... Wow, think it might be one of the coolest books I've ever made .... check it out .. she's on my blog list too!

Lots of very cool classes .... tell you all about it on Sunday!

Wax!

And more wax!

Took a class yesterday at Frenzy Stamper taught by Mike Putnam! What a great guy ... and so talented! If you haven't discovered him yet, click on the Jack and Cat Curio link in my blog list and check him out!

Here's my finished project ...

We started with acrylic paints, distress inks, transparencies and printed images on paper, then wax, and a little more wax .... lots of layers and depth to this project.

I took the photo at an angle so you could see the edges a little better ... we built up the wax on the edge, then used stamps and decorative metal plates and 10SS molds to emboss into it. Then highlighted the embossing with paint sticks, perfect pearls, stickles.

Thanks Mike for sharing your talents ... had a blast!

So much fun!

The class yesterday was a hoot!

Thanks Debbie for having me, Wendy for continually pushing me, Rox for the support ... and most of all the ladies in the class that were so eager to learn!

Tons of fun!!

Metal 101.5

Thats the name of the class I'll be teaching next Saturday, August 8, at Frenzy Stamper, 3-6 PM.

When I was first taken in by embossed metal, I thought it was so amazing; the touch, the feel, the look ... and I held off learning how to do it because it just looked sooooo "involved" .... but that never stopped me before ... so I dove right in!

In Metal 101.5, I'll show you all the tips, tricks, and techniques that Ive learned along the way ..... help you get started .... and then you'll be on your way to making beautiful embossed metal pieces!

Call Debbie at 480-946-0007 to sign up!