Mermaid Class

Class pic final day.  Thank you for a wonderful class.  Missing
is Donna.

Donna won the BestChest award!

Thursday, Friday and Saturday last week I taught my Soprana class to a lovely group of women in Kalamazoo Michigan.  I had the BEST time!  The shop where the classroom was had the most amazing silks, suitings, and other fabrics and really awesome yarns.  Needless to say, I left some of my earnings there!  The class room was huge with lots of room for everyone.   Here are some pics of the lovely ladies.

Ladies hard at work

Still working

French Ladies and Ragalia  by Tammi,  Bees Knees done as a club
project.  All are stunning!

I slept here!  At Tammi's lovely antique
home/palace.

Another view in the Bedroom.

In honor of the Blue Moon

For some reason I feel more creative during the moon cycles.  The new moon on the 17th became a Blue Moon - second full moon in the month.  I could see the cycles from my skylights in my studio so starting Thursday and ending Friday, August 31, the actual full Blue moon, I created a book.  I am really pleased with how it turned out.  It has water color pages colored with Distress stains, Inka gold Hematite, Graphite and Yellow Green  and Silver paint dabber.  I used Stencils and stamps to create the "images".  I also was given some new product to try by Colleen from the Artsy Soul in Manahawkin, NJ, Viva Modeling Cream.  This is similar to Dreamweaver embossing paste but very soft.  I REALLY liked it.  Goes on with a sponge brush and it doesn't bleed under the stencil.  I also tried using the Inka Gold watered slightly and applied to a stamp.  Love the effect.  After I stamped it, I sprayed the stamp with water and stamped again and got a "ghost" image.  Very cool.  The book cover was treated just like the pages.  The front has an overlay made from Soda Cans, cut, embossed, colored with Ranger Patinas.  Sizzix die for the star, Die-Namics mini doily behind the center clay medallion and yes it is cut from metal too!  Added charms - some made, some purchased and altered.  The star on top is grungeboard, embossed and attached to a bobby pin blank.  I bought MANY of these on Blitsy thinking they were something else and was a little disappointed when I got them, but not any more!  This will be a class at Artsy Soul also.  Interested?  Visit the Artsy Soul facebook page or the shop at 59 No. Main St., Manahawkin, NJ.

Progress on Little House book

Here is the cover done-I think.  Not sure about the bird though.  I have another variation in mind so he may change.  The rose is from the mold, the side pieces are from molds I made of resin pieces.  These all started life sprayed gold, then I gave them a wash of black water color paint, added some red (damson and cream gilders's paste mixed together) and green gilder's paste, next added pink and green mica powders (Perfect Pearls and Pearl-ex), finally a light touch with Old Silver Inca-gold (love this stuff!  goes on like butter!).  The cage was antiqued with some awesome Embossing Powders I got at the Artsy Soul Mixed Media supplies in Manahawkin NJ.  I used three colors, Bronze patina, Rusty Nail, and Weather Vane.  The frame at the bottom is metal covered in silver glitter but I added a coat of gold metallic paint and then some green Peridot embossing powder and voila!  The leaves on the rose are also colored with Patina Bronze and Asure Patina powders done in layers.  Love how they blend with the addition of a little heat.

Saving the best News for last

We are grands again and welcomed another little boy, name undecided yet, 7lbs 13 oz, 19.5", turqoise eyes (hope they don't change!) and light brown hair, July 31, 11:03am.  Mother, baby and Dad are doing great.  And big brother Jake is pretty excited!

Another project...

I really learned so much while in class at Create.  One thing was the use of watercolor paper for pages in a book (Leighanna Light's wonderful class)!  So, I have been playing with it and making little books.  I think they would make a fun class.  The book measures about 3" x 5", the cover is vintage (about 30+ yrs old linen with wool embroidery I think is Shiffili) fabric, the fly leaves are Mulberry paper, and there are 4 signatures created from watercolor paper that is inked, stenciled, and stamped with Distress inks and stains and clear gesso. Pictured is my third one - can't make just one!  Now to do something with the pages.  I'm thinking a flying or wings theme.   I made a rectangular shaped one (3" x 5") with Osnaburg covers embellished with embossed and colored soda can shapes.  Unforetunately, I didn't take a pic, but you can see it at the Artsy Soul in Manahawkin, NJ.  What do you think of this as a class?

Class dates announced!

 Where:   The Artsy Soul, 59 S. Main St, Manahawkin, NJ
When:  two dates!  Wednesday, August 15 and Sunday August 19
Cost:  $40 per student, $12 kit fee
Project: Pictured
Lots of techniques!  For more info like The Artsy Soul on facebook or email either Colleen (the proprietor) or me

Hoffman Challenge

Winners have been announced!  Congratulations to all of them.  Good to see some familiar names.  All the dolls are superb and the awards well deserved.  You can see names and pics here .  Way to go Sondra Dunn!  Two entries and two winners!  WOW!!!   Haven't learned yet which trunk my doll will be traveling in.  Here are pics of her, Rose in Winter.