Sunday, November 25, 2012

Another Book Class December 6th!

A few weeks ago at the Artsy Soul, Heather showed us a book/journal insert she learned from Teri Sproul who I think adapted it from Laura Dennison (two wonderful artists).  We decided to make it into our own little book (finished size about 3 1/2" x 2 1/2") so I cut out covers for us and away we went.  I finished my book and decided to dedicate it to my little girl Diamond in celebration of her life.  This will be a fun class and would make a great stocking stuffer.  It can be personalized with small pictures (about 2" x 2" - the ones from the small poloroid would be perfect!  I arranged a bunch on a piece of cardstock and printed them out. I journaled the tags that are in each of the envelopes.  The words on top of some of them are embossed with a cuttlebug embossing folder on a Sizzix machine.  All materials will be in the kit for the plain book and the tags but we sill be embellishing them in class so bring pics and anything you may want to use to personalize it.  I chose to do the cover with paper roses, Dresden paper leaves and a picture of Diamond with her name embossed in metal.  Lots of possiblilites with this little gem.
Class Location:  The Artsy Soul, 59 North Main Street, Manahawkin, N. J. 609-549-6350
Date:  December 6, 2012, 10 - 4 with a short lunch break.
Cost:  Kit fee $10, Class fee $30

Last CQ Sample finished!

Here is the last of the CQ doll samples for the class I will be teaching in December at the Artsy Soul in Manahawkin, NJ.  This lovely lady has earrings made from Austrian crystals that were colored with Alcohol inks!  Class dates are December 13, 2012, one day class - just in time for one of those last minute gifts for someone special.  Visit the shop at 59 North Main Street to see the samples and sign up or visit their facebook page, The Artsy Soul  Some sewing experience needed, but the kit contains a completed head - all you need to do is add her "hat"!
I will also be teaching a class making a small book 4" x 3" with a metal (from a soda can!) cover overlay.  This will be on Tuesday December 11.  Another great Stocking Stuffer.  Here are two samples for inspiration.
 
Also coming,  two day Mermaid class in January!!!  More to follow.
 


Friday, November 16, 2012

Another CQ Doll and Twilight BD#2 AWESOME!!

Went to see the new Twilight movie last night - 10 pm show and it was AWESOME!!!  Can't wait to see it again.  Also finished another CQ Doll sample for the upcoming class (no date has been set yet, probably in the new year).  This one is all shades of oranges and bronzes.  Not colors I normally use.  Also received my 2013 Hoffman Challenge Fabrics.   The challenge fabric, shown in the center is a larger print than I expected.  Colors are interesting though similar to 2011. Love the blenders which look solid but have lots of gold metallic.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

First CQ Doll Sample

Kit will include completed stuffed
head, muslin piecing map, and
access to lots of fabrics and trims.
One of the many faces available.  This one has
blue eyes.  Will also have Green and Brown.
What is a mermaid without fish?  This one is from
Germain Dresden foils colored with Inca Gold,
Perfect Pearls and Twinkling H20s.
I will be teaching this class at The Artsy Soul in Manahawkin, NJ.  I have been making new samples,.  This is the first one completed.  Colleen, the shop owner, loves Pink and Gold and since she is at the Jersey Shore and survived Sandy and the Snow, this one is for her!  A CQ Mermaid in pinks and golds.  Students will learns sew and flip piecing method, coloring lace with stains, inks, paints, dyes, simple beading and embroidery stitches.

Incadescent With Joy!

http://scottpublications.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/1139
Yesterday was a good day.  Lots of things happened yesterday.  Took my dead laptop to Staples and they think they can recover my data including patterns I thought I had backed up but didn't.  Finished stuffing the CQ dolls, stuffed heads, and embellished and put one together.  Got Tickets at a great discount price for the Breaking Dawn #2 early Thursday opening at a deep discount and my DIL asked me to sit my little guy Max this afternoon.  Oh and one more thing - got a complimentary copy of Just Steampunk Volume 2 and had the three items I submitted in it!!!!  My Steampunk pin made from matte board and metal tape, and my dolls, Jules Figby and Steampunk Flora.

Hope to finish up the dolls today, will post pics and the class dates, etc. when I do.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

What I did with no Power

Original Samples
I am getting ready to teach a Crazy Patch doll.  Unfortunately, I hadn't planned on teaching it so gave away/sold the samples I had so I needed to make a few more.  So, while we had no powe'r and luckily I have 4 large skylights in my studio so access to natural light free frm the Sun, I pieced 4 and embroidered/embellished 3 fabric bases.  Still have to finish the Pinks/golds/ecru (Gee - Wonder who that could possibly be for???).  I try to keep the stitching to a minimum so there aren't lots of stitches to teach and use only one metallic thread (I like the Ricky Timms but YLI Candlelight or Kreinik #4 braid works great too). Once we had power, also redid the faces and printed out enough for 17 dolls.  Will sew them before the next storm so I can stuff them.  Right now I am catching up on my laundry.  Spent the day yesterday with the Grand Boys - hadn't seen them all week and I think 3 mo old Max put on 10 lbs!!!  My parents and both sons have power as of last night.  FINALLY!!!  Just in time to lose it again for the Nor'Easter!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

FINALLY!!! Back on line but for how long????

After being without power except generator and no cable/internet/tv/news/radio, we are back on line. Still living on generator but Cable just came back!!!  Drove around but couldn't find any hot spots - many businesses are still without power.  Per the Electric company, 70% of my town SHOULD be restored by tonight, everyone by Wednesday!  My parents who are in the same town are not restored yet and have no heat or refrigeration but I have been going over just about every day to deliver needed goods.  They will not leave.  Driving has been an adventure - many lights are still not working and there seems to be a glut of rude people on the roads.  Getting gas has also been an experience.  Ed and his son went out Tuesday morning and filled gas cans to the tune of $200+ so we can run the generators (at $20/gas per day!)   My thoughts are with those who are still without power.  Love when you call the various phone/cable/utility companies and they all refer you to their website!  There was no wifi for miles unless you had a personal hotspot - my next toy I think!

Thanks to all who called to check on us - cell phones were working.  Also thanks to all those who left emails.  I am trying to get through all 500+ now.  I have GREAT friends and family.