PearlEsq.

Celebrate National Craft Month with Margot Potter & Donna Dewberry, and "MOORE"!

2009-03-02T10:50:00.007-05:00

Hello, all of those in the Blogosphere!

Well, I can't believe it's March 2 and there's over a foot of *$&%^# snow (and it's still falling!) out my front door. Thus, I'm working from home. The usual 1 hour, 20 minute commute would have been of epic proportions if I tried it...thank goodness for the Internet!

Anyway, I wanted to pass on some awesome stuff going on at A.C. Moore in celebration of National Craft Month! There's Demonstrations or Make & Takes every Saturday!

Saturday, March 7, 2009: Beadalon(r) Springy Swingy Earrings-these are fun Quick Link earrings designed by the mahvelous Ms. Margot Potter! They are fun and easy to make.

Saturday, March 14, 2009: Thomas the Tank "Magical" Make & Take-I knew Thomas was popular, but I never knew HOW popular! The manufacturer of this licensed line, Learning Curve, donates plain wooden Thomas cars for the kids to decorate. They are going to do a resist with Crayola white crayons and ink...should be fun! See, even kids get to do neat inky techniques!

Saturday, March 21, 2009: Crayola(r) Beginnings "Hands On" Demonstration: kids get to play with the neat and fun inky, stampy and painty things they have for toddlers, although any age would have fun with them. I can attest to that because they're in my office and everyone picks them up to try them out!

Sunday, March 28, 2009: Plaid(r) FolkArt Chalkboard Paint Demonstration: Okay, demo came about due to my being nosy...I wanted to know if this paint really creates a chalkboard...well, it does! It also comes in bunches of fun colors. Stop by and check this out

Even more wonderful news, is the Grand Re-opening of the Moorestown store. It's really over the border in Mt. Laurel, NJ, but the first A.C. Moore was at the Moorestown store until the early 90's when there was a fire in that part of the mall. The store relocated to East Gate Shopping Plaza; the new store is now two doors down at 1190 Nixon Drive; it's now open(although in a freaking snow storm!)...but what is so great is that there will be so many people coming to demo and teach classes.

Saturday, March 7, 2009: THE Margot Potter will actually be doing the Make & Take that she designed at the store! After the 1-3PM Make & Take, Margot will be teaching an awesome class from 3:30-5-Pop Art Poppy Necklace! It's only $25 and includes all but one supply that will be available at the store.

Saturday, March 14, 2009: In addition to the Thomas the Tank Make & Take, there will be the beginning of our "Register to Win" prizes; many of the prizes will be at a total of 20 neighboring stores in the South Jersey/Phila. area, but many are unique to this store. Win a chance for 4-pack tickets to the Crayola Factory, Dutch Wonderland, featuring Thomas & Friends(r) live show and Day Out with Thomas at the Strasburg Railroad! There's also some great prizes from Crayola, Badger Airbrush, a Yudu Machine from Provo(!) and tons more! There will also be demos from Ranger, Sizzix and more that I probably can't remember.

Sunday, March 15, 2009: this is the day of days...there will be demos from Provo with the Yudu machine as well as Generation T author Megan Nicolay and other demos through the store. This store will have a new Hobby Shop (Trains, models, etc.) and there's also a Digital Crafting Section where you can get stuff personalized with photos...I can't believe all you can get done! There will probably be 8-10 demos going on, mostly between 12-3, as well as all-day hourly Gift Card giveaways. My Lead Fiskateers buddy Rebecca Peck will also be in attendance! YAY!

Saturday, March 21, 2009: More Demos!

Sunday, March 22, 2009: Hello, Cupcake authors Karen Tack and Alan Richardson will be here as well as demos from Fun Fusion (Perler Beads), Dimensions Punch Needle, and again, more that I can't recall!

Last but not least, Donna Dewberry will be at the store for TWO DAYS! She is a doll and very funny. You've got to try and stop by and be sure to sign up for her classes. They're only $20 plus the cost of supplies....

Friday, March 27, 2009 12-2pm She'll demo Studio(tm) by Sculpey(r) and from 2-4pm she's teaching a class!

Saturday, March 28, 2009 12-2pm One Stroke Demo and 2-4pm a One Stroke Class.

I'm really excited about everyone that'll be at the store this coming month. It's worth the drive as so many manufacturers can answer questions and be there. I'll make sure to pull my most recent list of events and will try and post it this week.

I'm even going to demo, Friday, March 19, 2009 from 6-8...watch out!

Happy Snow Day, everyone!

Robin

I KNOW! I KNOW! Tsk, Tsk, Tsk!

2009-02-01T10:05:00.006-05:00

Happy February Everyone! It's been such a whirlwind of work and commuting it's all I've been able to do to just sleep! I even passed on CHA this year for the first time in like 10 years...yikes! All is well, just busy, busy, busy! But I'm loving it at A.C. Moore!

For those that live near an A.C. Moore, make sure to stop by this coming Saturday, February 7, 2009 from 1:00pm-4:00pm. It's Scrapbook Saturday! It's a chance to "play" and try out some of the newer Scrapbooking and Papercrafting products in the stores, such as:

-Hampton Art Studio G Valentine's Stamps (and a fun idea on how to store them!)
-Fiskars Fingertip Craft Knife
-Die Cuts with a View New Paper Packs
-Nicolecrafts Acrylic Word Albums
-Provo Craft's Cricut Vinyl Home Decor (I've got some that I did in my office...it's awesome!)
-Making Memories Slice Machine

When you're all done getting to try out these products, you'll either have samples along with Features & Benefits/Project Pages from each manufacturer that you'll get to bind into a YourStory Book Binder and Laminator.

In all honesty, the pre-made albums don't do much for me, but the plain albums are great. I've already binded many, many, many albums (a long story in itself) and as long as you allow the album to cool in the cooling rack (it allows for the pages to cool and for gravity to do its thing so the pages sink into the spine's adhesive) you're good to go!

In cleaning out the house, I found a bunch of my mom's scrapbooks from middle school through high school and my plan is to pull out what I can and to laminate and bind pages into some books for my nieces and nephew. That will be added onto my "to do" list.

I'm still in Neptune and commuting, but I'm getting there. I vow to keep up with everyone more often! I've got lots of things to show, as I'm trying to become "a crafter of all trades" so that I understand the other craft categories that I haven't worked with in the past.

Enjoy your February...I will be back more often!

Crafty Hugs,

Robin

Thankfulness Abounding!

2008-11-27T11:38:00.005-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone! It's getting harder and harder to get bloggin'...time just goes by. I can't believe it will be 3 months next week since I started with A.C. Moore! I'm absolutely loving it. I'm also through the first step of getting closer to selling my house. I've got the 50+ years of my grandparent's and my stuff emptied out! If you ever need to have stuff moved out...I would highly recommend the company I used-Hitmen Cleanouts! Ginger and her son were unbelievable. It now looks like the aftermath of the Grinch after he cleaned out the houses! At least in the garage, basement, attic, patio, back bedroom and living room! It's quite amazing...now onto some repairs and listing the house.

I just wanted to wish everyone the best Holiday Season. It has been quite the year and "thankful" is truly my word of the year. I'm thankful for my friends, my family, everyone who has been supportive of me...it means so much! I'm most thankful for Brian who's put up with all of this craziness over the past six months! Inky and Beady have been awesome. I lurve you all!

Happy Turkey Day...and come on over to A.C. Moore tomorrow...I'll be helping out bright and early at the Shrewsbury store!

Robin

Knit and Crochet for a Cause! And Margot's "in the House" (okay, in NJ!)

2008-10-17T14:12:00.014-04:00

Hello, Bloggers! No more excuses, the bottom line is that time is not my friend anymore. I'm just too busy. I am working from home today due to a flat tire at 7am (thank goodness I was not far from home and that I'm a member of AAA!). I'm busy typing away and getting the word out on some great appearances by artists and a wonderful contest.

NaturallyCaron.com is sponsoring a contest with A.C. Moore-just click on the icon next to me and you'll see what it's all about! Knit or Crochet a baby blanket with Naturally Caron Spa or Country Yarn and send a picture of it to Caron with the usual, obligatory information, and you get a chance to win an A.C. Moore Gift Card. Two Grand Prize Winners, one for Knit, the other Crochet, will win a card valued at $300, two First Runners up, $100 and 12 Runner's up, $25. The "cuddly" part of the contest is that for every entry submitted, Caron will donate $1 to Project Linus. Volunteer "blanketeers" make blankets that go all over the place to hospitals, shelters, etc. to give traumatized, ill children a "hug" by way of a blanket.

I honestly had never heard of this organization until it was discussed with Caron. It turns out my mom is a blanketeer! Now that my mom's retired, she's been crocheting and knitting up a storm when she goes to the beach and at home. She said they were being donated. I didn't know to whom until I mentioned Project Linus and she confirmed-"that's where they are going!"

I've actually purchased some of the yarn and when I was visiting the Holbrook, NY store, that I took a class from Theresa, who showed me the right way to do a fun shell stitch...and every night before I go to bed I get a few rows done. My goal is to get it done and donated with my mom's blankets to Project Linus!

So for anyone who was interested in knitting or crochet or don't think they can do it, believe me, if I can do it, so can you! Take a shot and get some yarn and who knows? You may win and be able to get MORE stuff!

I also wanted to let you know that my bestest of crafty friends, Margot Potter, will be at the Middletown, NJ A.C. Moore store tomorrow, Noon to 2! Stop by, buy one (or all-what the heck!) of Margot's books and let her show you how to do some basic jewelry making. While I may say that I know how to make jewelry, I must confess that last year when I met up with Margot at another book signing, I learned some very good info on how to PROPERLY open and close a jump ring...I actually said out loud, "I didn't know that!", embarrassing myself as usual. So stop by and see what she's up to. Also check out her new blog...click on her name, or check it out on the top of my fave blog list...she is truly the Impatient Crafter, but I must say she just says out loud what all of us are thinking to ourselves, right!?

Okay, everybody...get knitting, crocheting and visiting (Margot!-hey, I'll be there, too!).

Crafty Hugs,

Robin

What a Roller Coaster!

2008-09-20T20:58:00.006-04:00

Hello, all of you in Blogger Land! Can you believe it's been three weeks already that I've been at ACMoore? (Roller Coaster Credit) Little by little, I'm finding some normalcy in my schedule. A lot different than being 7 miles from my job...! Up at 6am, on the road by 7am, at the office by 8:30am, then in a snap, it's between 5pm and 7pm when I leave, getting home between 6:30pm and 9pm. The first weekend, I think I just slept...by this weekend, I'm finally getting some things accomplished, but still not enough.

It made me think of a roller coaster, with the ups and downs, but not in a bad way. Just when you feel that drop, you know there's going to be another "up" again!

On the Down Side: Driving 1-1/2 hours until I get my house sold and move.
On the Up Side: I'm so catching up with people on the cell phone! Thank goodness for Rollover minutes and Bluetooth!

On the Down Side: So much to learn!
On the Up Side: So much to learn! (See, it evens out!)

On the Down Side: I'm still catching up on my sleep!
On the Up Side: But, boy, do I sleep!

On the Down Side: I still have so much stuff to get rid of!
On the Up Side: That may mean one more last "Stamp and other Stuff" Sale!?

On the Down Side: Wait....there is NO Down Side! I'm so enjoying the challenge of "what can be". I'm lucky to have some wonderful people to work with that are as excited as I am to make ACMoore the best it can be with education. I'm getting to work with so many people in the Crafts Industry more closely that I've only been able to peripherally deal with in the past, which is such a rush! I'm also learning about more than just papercrafts and jewelry...kids' crafts, floral, needlecrafts-sometimes I think my head is going to explode!

If you get a chance, check out ACMoore's Forum-it's only in its infancy, but you may be surprised at what you can learn. I'm also working with the Forum Guru in getting more information on there by way of tips and trips from various manufacturers and I've even designed some projects on there...check 'em out! They're all in the usual format that you've seen when I create project instructions. And they're all not papercrafts!

For those that are near ACMoore next Saturday is a Crochet Demo for the October- Breast Cancer Awareness Month! I'm sure everyone has dealt with or been touched by someone they love that has had breast cancer. Take care of yourselves and get checked! Lion Brand(r) Yarns was kind enough to donate fun "Crochet for a Cause" scarf kits Two people per store will get the chance to win one and there will be someone there to help you get started. If you've ever wanted to try to crochet, this is a great way to learn. I actually made the scarf; if I can do it, so can anyone!

I can actually say I know two different stitches now, which is quite the feat!

Finally, I also wanted to say thank you, thank you, thank you to all those that have posted the lovely comments, emailed and even "snail mailed" me! It makes me even more energized to push harder and make things happen!

As my new employer says: Dream it. Create it. Share it. That's what I want to do!

Enjoy your weekend!

Robin

The Next Chapter...This is really becoming quite the treatise!

2008-09-02T20:11:00.010-04:00

Hello, Everyone! Here's the scoop. As you know, it's been quite the summer. Many changes, new adventures. I've been so thrilled this spring and summer to have been given the opportunity to work with companies such as Clearsnap, Amate Studios, Hampton Art, Teresa Collins Designs as well as Streuter. It was fun to teach and demo CHA Summer in July. Next chapter...

I've been offered a wonderful position with A.C. Moore as their new Director of Education. Day One is now under my belt with Day Two starting with my new schedule of waking up at 6:00 a.m., driving 1-1/2 hours to Berlin, NJ with the reverse trip at the end of the day. This'll be going on until I get my house emptied out and sold. If anyone wants to check out my stamp stash, let me know. I've already shared it with the local stamp club and I'd be willing to offer up my garage for picking at reasonable prices again!

You have to realize that this was my grandparents' house; they purchased and moved into this house in or around 1951, so, in addition to all of my "stuff", there's 50+ years of more "stuff" still in this house...yikes!

Next chapter...this blog will be evolving as my life is...I will be making this more "A.C. Moore-centric" as that's what my focus is going to be. I will not be teaching anymore---too much to do (!!!) but will be looking for teachers in all areas of crafts to consider teaching at one of the 130+ stores up and down the Eastern Seaboard. I truly believe that if new crafters are invited to try out new crafts with a good curriculum and great teachers, they will want to learn more, which will also lead them to the independents. Each will help support the other, all keeping us busy!

I can't thank everyone that has been by my side through the last few months. You know who you are and where you stand in my book! Big Hugs to you!

I welcome you to follow me on the next leg of my excursion!

Inky Hugs,

Robin

"When Creativity Knocks" and the Bandanna Technique!

2008-08-29T15:00:00.014-04:00

Hello, Everyone! Sorry I've been remiss in posting. A lot is going on in my life that I will be able to talk about shortly. I've been busy, busy, busy!

At the Winter CHA Show, when I was still with Ranger, I taped a segment of "When Creativity Knocks", an online craft show hosted by my dear friend, Ana Araujo and her daughter, Megan. Check out the link! There's a bunch of techniques, including using the Ink Blending Tool and Adirondack(r) Pigment Inks and Inkssentials(tm) White Opaque Pen to create Bandanna Memory Glass(tm) Jewelry.

Make sure to sign up on the site and check out the other tapings. When you sign up, they'll update you when there's another, new video up. I really think that Ana and Megan have such a great idea for their show, so be sure to show your support!

I honestly cannot believe that it is the Labor Day Weekend? Where did the summer go? I'm really looking forward to my next "chapter" and I promise I'll update you soon!

Bandanna Hugs,

Robin

Stepping up with a "Faux Enamel" Step Out!

2008-08-05T19:57:00.014-04:00

Hello, Everyone! I've been busy working on samples, reading and some organizing. Little by little! I cannot believe that it is August. Where does the time go? There have been some people that have asked me about working with the Streuter Gluefoil(tm). I figured it was time to do a step out...a how to! These are so darn addictive to create.

The Basic Supplies
Gluefoil™, Copper, Streuter Technologies
Grungeboard™ Plain and Mixed Minis, Tim Holtz™ Ideaology
Craft Iron (B68SP), Clover
Precision File Set (MET-643), Basic Grey™
Cuttlebug™ and Dies, 2 x 2 Hearts (37-1213), Provo Craft
Dual Tip Stylus Detail Tip (56067097), Fiskars
Adirondack® Acrylic Paint Dabber, Ranger
Glue Stick
High Gloss Acrylic Varnish, Liquitex
Niji Waterbrush, Yasutomo

First start out by creating a template for the Amate Studios Pendant Tray. I've been making them with Grungeboard(tm)-they are easier to save, sand and create the most accurate template for additional designs. Mark the top of the template. For the design, I used the smallest of the hearts dies and ran it through the Cuttlebug(tm). It's important to note that Grungeboard is not the "ideal" material to run through the Cuttlebug. It can be done, with smaller pieces, but if trying to run Grungeboard through an Embossing Folder that is the size of the Embossing Folder, you are taking a chance. Just warning you! I also love to use the Grungeboard Mixed Minis that are already the perfect size for these pendants. You'll see that I used the smallest crown and after snipping off an area of the heart, so that the crown will sit flush against the heart. Glue the pieces onto the base with a glue stick.

Cut a piece of Gluefoil just a smidge bigger than the base, the dull side (which is the glue side) facing against the design. The next step is also important-when working with Gluefoil, it's important to use a craft iron-whether it's the Clover Craft Iron or Mini Iron, not a Heat Tool. The iron plate will heat the glue and also help to adhere the foil down evenly. Initially press the iron down (don't move it back and forth) and allow it to heat. Remove the iron and press down onto the heated area with a towel (don't use your hand on the heated metal!). When cool enough to touch, move your finger around to press down the foil so you see the basic outline. Use the large side of a Detail Stylus to outline the design, followed by the smaller end of the stylus. It's better to do this as noted to avoid poking a hole (believe me, if you think you can start with the smaller end of the detail stylus, I warned you!).Go back to using the iron to adhere the "background" portion of the foil down; with the design having been outlined with the stylus, it's easier to get into the nooks and crannies of the design with the pointed end of iron. Follow by adding design to the background of the design as well as with the design itself. This is the fun of using the Grungeboard and foil together, because they both have "give" so that the designs can be further embellished. Dots, squiggles, cross-hatchings...use your imagination! You may think that these are a lot of instructions, but if you know me, I like to give you as much info as I can so that you really understand all the "fine tuning" that will result in your having success in your creations. Also remember that you are working with small pieces, so it goes quite fast! Now the persnickety part. Use a medium and fine grit file (I've been having fun with the Basic Grey file set) on the edges of the design, ironing around the edges again as needed. The key is to make sure the edges are completely adhered down. Filing helps that happen.

Now's the fun part. If you want to just create an "antiqued" look, coat the entire surface with Pitch Black Paint Dabber. Allow to dry for a few minutes, then wipe off with a damp towel, just leaving enough paint in the grooves, etc. that you've created. If using the copper Gluefoil, cover with Pool Paint Dabber; when rubbed off it will create a patina-like effect. What I did for this sample was paint in using a Waterbrush. Just paint it in and allow to dry.

I then very lightly sanded with a fine grit sandpaper, then painted the heart back in so that did not have the entire design looking "distressed."I found that the Liquitex Acrylic varnish works easily and well. I've only used the High Gloss at the moment, but will get around to trying the matte. I like to paint on two layers, making sure it is dry between layers. Glue it in with either a heavy duty glue or Gluefilm(tm), which works extremely well into the metal pendant tray.

When finished, have fun by placing it on a beaded necklace or a simple chain. I call these "faux enamel", and it's fun to make admirers of your jewelry wonder "how did you do that!?"

This technique is similar to what is done with the bangles and some Bind-it-all Covers that I created with Teresa Collins Designs. The key is patience and enjoy where the creativity takes you!

Robin

Lights, Camera, Action! CHA Summer has come and gone!

2008-07-24T18:59:00.013-04:00

Happy Thursday, Everyone! Wow, I'll say it now and I'll say it again, these trade shows are like weddings. You prepare, worry, plan and with the snap of a finger, it's over. It was a pivotal show for me. The first in 8-9 Winter Shows and about 4 Summer Shows that I was not with Ranger...I was me! Thank you to everyone who came by to see me at Streuter or Amate, and to those who hunted me down. It meant a lot to me.

Karma also played well into this show. Getting to work with the Streuter Gluefilm(tm) and Gluefoil(tm) with the Amate Pendant Trays, as well as the DIY Bangles resulted in my being able to show new and fun ways to create jewelry that will equate into many new classes for store owners and educators to teach, and to me, that's what it is all about! It was also funny-I had been hooked up with the Bind-it-all(tm) and Teresa Collins' new paper lines and if I was able to make any samples with them, it would be great. I was so short with time, but was determined to make something. I ended up making covers for a book with the Copper Gluefoil along the lines of the "embossed" bangles that I showed off in my previous post, beating it to death with Tim's Texture Hammer and aging it with Pitch Black Adirondack(r) Paint. It turned out great...of course I took a quick, horrendous pic of it. I'm going to try and get a better one. Well, everyone over at Teresa and Product Performers' booth loved the book and we ended up fielding tons of questions at Streuter of "how'd you do that?"

I am in the process of working on another cover and will also do one with a complete step-out. There were also a bunch of embossed Grunge "charms" that hung off the binding of the book. The inside of the book was my first "solo" attempt at using the Bind-it-all, and I can tell you I could have done a lot better. Subsequent tries were perfect.

As you can also see by the photos, I was chosen by my dear friend, Ana Araujo as one of "Ana's Picks" for When Creativity Knocks, co-hosted by her daughter, Megan, with camera work and editing by Scott Pfeiffer. I've known Ana for over a dozen years and she is clever, crafty and with Megan, they are a crafty powerhouse to watch! They did a quick taping at the Streuter Booth on Friday. I look like a goof in many of the pics because I was supposed to be acting "naturally" and just to "do my thing", which was to work on one of the projects I was demoing. You can see that I used a vintage, wooden dress hem marker to display the finished bangles, as well as Rebecca's vintage bird cage for bandannaed Maya Road chipboard glued with Streuter's Gluefilm and finally, some white bird-themed jewelry display stands from Urban Outfitters, which worked out wonderfully for the show!

I'm not sure when this video is going to air on their site, but in the meantime, check out Megan's insightful interview regarding the Orphan Works legislation with Brenda Pinnick and Joanne Fink.

I ended up busier than ever at this show, so took no pictures (shame on me!). I'm going to have to rely on my friends that did take some pics to share (pretty please?!).

This weekend I'm teaching Melt Art(r) with Amate Pendants at Scrapper's Cove in Milltown, NJ. There's still openings, so contact them to see if you can make it to the 3-hour class from 10am-1pm. You'll learn some great techniques on creating professional looking pendants, as well as some basic jewelry making tips, creating necklaces that will be ready to wear by the end of the class!

Enjoy your weekend!

Robin

A Gaggle of Bangles!

2008-07-14T01:26:00.008-04:00

More techniques! I'm so glad you liked what I've shown so far. I've made bunches more, but also have been working with bangles from DIY Bangles. Thanks so much to Lovely Linda Crofton for initially hooking me up with some bangles. I've been having a blast.

Using the Streuter Glue Foil, I've made some wonderful takes on the metal embossing, using Tim's Grungeboard(tm). I've either glued on some of the Grungeboard mini letters or shapes or die cut plain Grungeboard through the Cuttlebug, then glue them on, using Glue Stick (if I use the Glue Film, it will reheat and come off of the bangle that I'm trying to get the foil onto!

I use a Craft Iron to heat the Glue Foil onto the bangle, then use my finger to make the basic shape visible to then outline with a burnisher. Then make lines or squiggles on the flattened areas and iron it down, which will heat the rest of the glue and attach it to the wooden bangle. I've found that the key to the edges of the foil not coming up is to sand the edges down. It seems to thin the metal and level out to the side of the bangles.
Then paint! You can either create a distressed effect by coating the entire metal area with paint, wait a little bit and wipe off the excess with a damp towel. Some of the paint will stay in the deeper grooves...I was so psyched how it looked when finished. Some I just painted and sanded a bit. The skinny bangle was made along the lines of the Cuttlebug embossed pendants that were shown in my previous blog post.

I know that this is just the tip of the iceberg of what else can be made with this Glue Foil...for those that will be at the show, I'll demoing at Streuter, Booth 933 Friday 10-12 and 3-4, Saturday 10-11 and 1-3 and Sunday 10-12; If you can't get to Streuter, check me out at Amate Studios, Booth 3051 on Friday 1-3 and Saturday 3-5. Otherwise, I hope to see you somewhere in between! I have had such a blast working with my buddy Inky (Miss Rebecca Peck); thank goodness for unlimited long distance!

Well, it's 3 days to go until Chicago...I'll report on how things go upon my return!

Inky Hugs, Robin

CHA Technique Sneak Peek!

2008-07-05T14:20:00.010-04:00

Happy 4th of July weekend, everyone! I know, I've really really bad with my bloggin' habits. I've actually been busy! No excuse, though. I've got a bunch of things that I'm going to be posting soon. I want to thank everyone again for the wonderfully upbeat and supportive emails. I know that something's out there...!

I'm getting ready with samples for CHA. In addition to demonstrating for Streuter, I'm also scheduled to do some demos at Amate Studios with their pendants that I love soooo much! I've also been playing with DIY Bangles and making up some great looks using the Streuter Glue Foil and Glue Film. What's Glue Foil? Well, as Streuter describes, it's a "Glue Film Laminated Metal Foil"...what I think it is...COOL! Using dies, Grungeboard(tm), the Cuttlebug(tm) and Embossing Folders and Dies and the Glue Foil, I'm doing my take on Tim's Brayered Embossing and then some with the use of the Clover Craft Iron. Glue Film is just that, a sheet of glue that is malleable and easy to work with; you can glue an entire piece of paper down onto chipboard or another surface and not worry about corners peeling up, etc. I'm really having fun with this product.

I'm going to share a few tidbits of some of the pendants I'm working on. My goal is to do a small video or step by step down the line so you can make these awesome (at least I think so) jewelry, as well as other projects, such as custom journal or notebook covers with the Bind-it-all(tm), which is my other new, favorite toy! The first sample is in an Amate Pendant. The silver Glue Foil was heated to attach to the Grungeboard, which is a great thickness for the pendants; sometimes I use a second layer to make it flush with the pendant. I then ran it through the Cuttlebug with the Stylized Flowers folder, followed by painting it in with a Waterbrush and Tim's Adirondack(r) Alcohol Inks. Heat the pendant with a Heat Tool and place a piece of Glue Film into it; it will immediately liquefy, ready for the finished design to be glued in...and it's not going to come out!

This next sample is Rebecca's favorite, so I made this pendant for her (as an aside, Congrats to Inky for being one of the new lead Fiskateers...check it out!). So, I heated some silver Glue Foil onto Grungeboard and ran it through the Tiny Bubbles Cuttlebug Embossing Folder. I colored it with the Alcohol Inks, but then it was calling out to be made more "bubbly", so I added random dots of Glossy Accents(tm) to the embossed bubbles...one thing I found is not to add the Glossy Accents too close to one another...they seem to want to run to each other! You can't really tell until I show you a different view...like this one!

I then finished all of these pieces off with something new that I've not tried before...Liquitex High Gloss Varnish. I'm not sure how or why it works, all I know is that it has not taken any of the alcohol inks or paints off of any of the pieces I've made and it just gives it a "high end" look when done.

Here's one last sneak peek...how lucky was I that the large flower center of the Build-a-Flower Combo Die/Embossing set would fit perfectly in the circle pendant from Amate? Talk about karma! You can tell I added my own little lines and dots to the image to give it a little more depth.

Well, off to finish up some more pieces. I'm also finishing up my last few samples for the class I'm also teaching at CHA...see, I'm staying out of trouble! Clearsnap asked me to design and teach their class and I've been having fun doing that!

I hope everyone has an enjoyable rest of the weekend. In less than 2 weeks I hope to see many of you in Chi-town!

Embossed and Inky Hugs, Robin

Rivolis, not Raviolis

2008-06-16T11:45:00.012-04:00

Hello, Everyone! I just want to thank you ALL for the wonderful comments and emails that you've posted or sent me. I truly appreciate it and it has really given me such support and solace in what has been a crazy few weeks.

I have been actually very busy! I've still got a lot to sort through with all of my "stuff" and believe me, it's a lot! I may be having one of my famous, or "infamous" stamp sales at my house down the line. You won't believe how many stamps I have. I didn't realize how many I'd brought to the office over the past 8 years. But it will be a good deal for anyone who wants to make a trip to see me in NJ! But that will be later this summer.

In the meantime I have been doing a lot more beading and I wanted to share some of what I've been doing. I had shown in an earlier posting some of the necklaces I had made with a Swarovski Rivoli. Many have been beading with these lately and I just love the look and sparkle of them. Using Laura McCabe's book as an initial reference, I've been having a blast and have been getting back to my bead crochet necklaces as well. I used some awesome Designer Bead Mixes from the Beadwrangler.

The color of the first photo's Rivoli is called Volcano, which has reds, purples...it's absolutely amazing when you see all of the color and sparkle that is one crystal! The small 3mm Bicone Swarovski Crystals are Fuchsia in color and have been incorporated into the spral necklace, using both matte black, silver and some other colors what work together. I just sit down with my beads, separated by color and just keep pulling and comparing to see what looks good. I definitely use my Ott-Lite to see what I'm doing! I don't know what I'd do without it.

The next necklace is with one of the Beadwrangler Mixes...a color that I don't usually go to, but loved....Coral Sea. I created a crochet necklace and then used the colors for the bezel and Padparadscha (I can't say the name, but I sure like the color!) Swarovski Crystals. The Rivoli is Crystal AB (Aurora Borealis), one of my favorites, because it goes with everything!

For this focal Rivoli I used another Beadwranger Mix, Sea Foam and Jet Black AB2X Crystals. It doesn't look Jet Black, but with the magic of the various coatings they put on the crystals, it's perfect with these colors. This particular bead mix has some really fun small beads with green stripes on them, which make the mix all the more fun. I've got the finished necklace now, but didn't get a chance to take a picture of it.

I've had so much fun making these and have a few more finished but have just not had the chance to take the pictures...I'm actually busy, busy, busy working on samples for CHA Summer.

I'll continue to keep everyone posted as to what I'm up to. I've got so many idead in my brain, and not enough time.

Wishing everyone a great week!

Robin

When One Door Closes....and that Darn Tunnel!

2008-06-05T15:01:00.008-04:00

Hello, Everyone! I know it's been a loooooong time since I've posted. I'm at the point that I can talk about what's going on with my life! Door Photo Credit

For those of you that have not heard it through the grapevine, I am no longer with Ranger. As of May 20th, I was let go due to a restructure/reorganization of the Marketing and Sales Departments. Needless to say, it's a big change for me! For the first time in my 33+ years of working (since I was 13) I'm without an official job. I so appreciate the opportunity that the owners that hired me 8 years ago, Anne and Vince, gave me, seeing that I had something to offer to the company and the industry...and I will miss working day to day with so many. But, as everyone says, "when one door closes, another opens"...right?

I liked this photo because it shows another door as well as "the light at the end of the tunnel." I'm making my way through! I appreciate the well wishes I've received from those that heard the news.

As most know, moss does not grow under my feet for long. I will be at CHA, demoing with my buddy Inky for Streuter, and there's a few other things that I'm working on that I'll let you know down the line.

Regarding the Bandanna Contest, it is still a go! I will be taking photos and I think that I'm going to change the rules and pick the winner myself....I loved what everyone did. It was wonderful getting such colorful mail during my recovery from my knee!

Regarding my knee, I'm definitely on the road to recovery. Still going to physical therapy and the doctor was pleased with my progress so far. I just have to remember to get up from time to time from my desk, otherwise my knee reminds me of what I did to it the next day! So, lots of iced tea and water...that will force me to take a break, if you know what I mean!

So, if anyone wants to contact me, use the email connected with my blog. If anyone wants to hire me, I'm looking! :-)

Inky Hugs,
Robin

Note: I thank everyone so much for your thoughts. For the record, though, while I am still not released from my doctor's care, I had returned to work on Monday, May 19th, after recuperating home for three weeks from my knee surgery.

What I did during my Recovery..no idle hands here!

2008-05-12T19:22:00.009-04:00

Hello, Everyone! I know, I know, I've been remiss from posting, but I'm getting back on my feet, almost ready for getting back to work next week. My knee looks like it had a huge staple removed out of it, but is healing! The doctor is pleased with my recovery and I started physical therapy today. I'll be gimping back two more days this week and will then follow up after work next week. Thanks to everyone for the wonderful comments and thoughts. It is much appreciated!

So, what does one do when stuck in bed with a knee connected to a Polar Care Knee Brace? Well, inking is not in the cards. Also, being on the computer is also not practical when the knee has to be up and your computer is on a desk. Thus, we head back to what can be done in bed between naps...beading and crocheting, both yarn and crochet. So, needless to say, I'm on a bead kick again.

My mom was always a knitter and I was able to do some basics...then she learned this crochet stitch and has been making blankets like a madwoman. So, like mother, like daughter. This is my second go; the first one I made was for my friend Danielle's absolutely adorable son, Kieran. My mom picked this Country Basket colored yarn up for me and I've been working on this blanket from time to time. it's fun to do when I don't need much to think about.

I also got in some new bead mixes and finished up one of my bead crochet ropes. I'll then be ready to put something on it for a necklace down the line. Can you see a blue theme here? Many have asked me about the bead crochet. It's actually pretty simple once you get the hang of it. It just becomes whether you want to do a more intricate pattern, which involves stringing them on one at a time in a certain order, or just going for the bead soup. For a wonderful reference and coolio bead mixes, check out the BeadWrangler!

I also finally got to work on some of my Swarovski stash. I worked with my C-Lon cord that is in a bazillion colors and works great for macrame and some top drill Bicone Crystal AB Swarovskis that have been burning a hole in my crystal horde. A super reference for some jewelry macrame is from Sherri Haab, Beaded Macrame Jewelry. This resulted in an anklet for me, one for my mom (Happy Mother's Day), a bracelet for my niece as part of her First Communion present...now with requests for more!

Rivolis are the latest rage and before my surgery I picked up this wonderful book from Laura McCabe. The instructions are clear, the graphics understandable and most of all, blingy! The first one I made was using various matte and shiny black seed beads, Jet Black 3mm Swarovski bicone crystals and a Crystal AB Rivoli. The Montana (denim-y blue) one is still a work in process. I'm working on the necklace still, but am so psyched as to how the hanging dangly rivolis turned out! I also totally agree with Laura's recommendation to use Fireline wire for beading. because the crystals can sometimes end up cutting event the toughest beading threads, this stuff will really hold up!

So, between naps, doctor's visits and icing, icing, icing of my knee, I've been keeping my hands busy while my knee is healing. Since my knee is really showing good signs of recovering, my keeping my a*$ in bed was with a very positive result!

Once I get back, it will be non-stop-Ranger U and Summer CHA! No rest for the weary, my friends!

Inky Hugs, Robin

On the Road to Recovery

2008-05-01T11:01:00.003-04:00

Hello, Everyone! I wanted to touch base and thank everyone for the well wishes. The surgery went well and I'm hanging out in my bed, hooked to a cooler that feeds icy water through a tube to a wrap around my knee and drugs (yay, Percocet!). (Photo Credit: sick doggie)

The surgical center and surgeon were stellar. Everyone could not have been nicer, answering all of my questions and making me comfortable. They followed up yesterday with phone calls to see how I was doing and making sure that I was following my instructions (believe me, I am!).

Brian's been my hero, filling my ice bucket and bringing me coffee in the morning, keeping me company and bringing me dinner. What a guy!

My goal at this point is to make it another day without a shower. Tomorrow is THE day...I'm dreaming of taking a shower, really! Then more rest until I follow up with the doctor next week. I'm just doing a lot of sleeping and keeping my knee raised.

Don't forget about the contest! I can't wait to see what makes its way to me!

Hugs! Robin

How about a Bandanna Technique Card Contest???

2008-04-23T21:51:00.011-04:00

Happy Wednesday! I hope everyone is well. I was cleared for my surgery, so I'm getting ready, trying to get as much done at work as possible. It's a busy week with Claudine here, but things are coming along so well! I had a blast playing with Claudine today and I'm really stoked on what's coming down the pike this summer! I'm going to be up late tonight finishing up my prepping for the Scrapbook Cupboard classes and tomorrow night, dinner with Miss Claudine and Foofie Toes' Mommy (Nadine!).

I figured that during my recovery from my arthroscopic knee surgery, it would be fun to have a contest...what do you think? Here's the rules:

1. Create a card that features the Bandanna Technique! For those that don't know what that is, I'm going to post the "official" directions below. The key to "bandanna-ing" is using the Inkssentials(tm) White Opaque Pen-it can be over pre-printed scrapbook paper, over Distress Crackle Paint(tm), Adirondack(r) Pigment Ink, or even Tim's Wrinkle Free Distress Technique!

2. Mail the card to Ranger's office as follows:

Robin's Bandanna Technique Card Contest

c/o Ranger Industries

15 Park Road

Tinton Falls, NJ 07724

Since I don't have a P.O. box, this is the next best thing and I'll have someone from my office mail the cards home to me.

3. Make as many as you want! If possible, mail separately so I can keep track of what I get from whom. PUT YOUR NAME ON IT! I know, I'm my own worst enemy of this, but don't forget to do this. Even though this is my personal contest, who knows? It could end up as a sample at CHA?! Hint: since it's no surprise that I work at Ranger, it wouldn't hurt to use Ranger product?????

4. Have all cards to me by FRIDAY, MAY 17th, 2008. My plan is to go through them all and while home, from time to time post some of them (not necessarily will be what's picked as the winners, but just go show all the neat stuff that (I hope!) is coming in!

5. I will (possibly with some help from my cats Minnie and Oliver, who'll be home keeping me company, and maybe even Brian) pick 8-10 "finalists". I'll then set up a poll for you to vote for the winner!

6. I'm still figuring out what you can win. I may contact a few of my author friends to see if they want to cough up some stuff, but I think what the "grand prize" will be.....hmmmm....how about a FULL set of Ranger Adirondack(r) Pigment Ink Stamp Pad and reinkers? That's 20 stamp pads and 20 reinkers...not bad, huh? (Note: this is my contest...I'm going to be buying this from Ranger-wholesale, but still, it's going to be from ME!) Second and Third Places will be a $25 Amazon gift certificate and Third Place-will be a surprise (which means I'm not sure what yet).

So, what do you think? Tell EVERYONE!!!! The more the merrier. PLEASE give me something to ogle and look at while I'm recovering from my knee surgery!

Here's the "official" Bandanna Technique Instructions! Feel free to share...

Bandanna Backgrounds

Supplies:
Tim Holtz™ Distress Ink™ Dye Stamp Pads, Ranger Industries
Inkssentials™ Non-Stick Craft Sheet, Ranger Industries
Inkssentials™ Mini Mister™, Ranger Industries
Inkssentials™ Heatit™ Craft Tool, Ranger Industries
Inkssentials™ White Opaque Pen, Ranger Industries
Adirondack® Pitch Black Dabber or Pigment Pad or Archival™ Jet Black, Ranger Industries
Rubber Stamps (flourishes work especially well)
Watercolor Paper, Strathmore Series 400
Directions:
Creating the Wrinkle Free Distress background:
1. For this technique, the key is what you do after you create the background. Thus, you can use ink or paint. My favorites are using either Tim Holtz’ Wrinkle Free Distress Techniques or painting a Distress Crackle Paint or Adirondack Pigment Ink background.
2. For Wrinkle Free Distress, use watercolor paper cut into 4” squares or postcard size (5-1/2” x 4-1/4”).
3. Rub colors of Distress Ink on the Non-Stick Craft Sheet. Place the ink next to and not on top of one another to keep the ink colors as pristine as possible.
4. Spritz ink with water with Mini Mister; more water is better. If you use too little water, you will end up with “blocks” of color.
5. Press paper on the inks; “squeegee” your hand over the back of the paper (move your hand, not the paper, moving the ink outward). Turn over and dry with the Craft Tool. (Option: blot the wetter areas with a paper towel, which creates wonderful ink spots and helps the paper dry faster!)
6. Note how Distress Inks, when wet, create different tones of the same color.
7. Lightly tap dry inked paper over remaining ink drops on Craft Sheet to build layers of color. Dry with Craft Tool. Note: if you don’t dry the ink between “pressings”, it will muddy.
8. Repeat until desired look is achieved.
9. For Distress Crackle Paint background, paint manila tag or cardstock with Crackle Paint. Shake paint; medium coats create smaller cracks; heavier coats create larger cracks. Allow to dry on own; use Craft Tool to speed drying only after it has started to crack.
Bandanna it!
10. Stamp images with either paint dabber, pigment ink or Archival ink over surface. Use Craft Tool to speed drying. The types of stamps that are best are more graphic ones or ones that have medium to heavier “lines” so they can be embellished.
11. Now’s the fun part! Have fun doodling over and around the images with the white pen. Use your imagination; don’t be shy; add embellishments over or around the lines of the stamp, which is your doodling guide!

Happy Bandanna-ing!

Robin

Hazel, I'm not!

2008-04-20T12:27:00.005-04:00

Happy Sunday, Everyone! Boy, am I whooped. I did a major "cleaning of the house." By no means is this my favorite job. I wish I had the ability to just snap my fingers and it be done, but alas, that doesn't happen. But I'm working on getting organized and cleaned up because next week I'm teaching at Scrapbook Cupboard in MA and the Tuesday after that I'm having my right knee surgery!

This week will be busy with Claudine Hellmuth coming to NJ to work on her new product line with Ranger. That will be great, but busy!

So now I'm off to finish prepping for the classes, so I'll be ready to go. Enjoy this weeks bevy of beadbabe bloggers!

So clean on my friends!

About.com Jewelry Making Catch up on some jewelry product reviews and sign up for the About.com Jewelry Making bi-weekly newsletter.
Art Bead Scene Step into the world of faux-tiques and impossible objects. It isn't Alice in Wonderland, it's the world of Lynn Davis!
Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie offers a rare glimpse into an even rarer sight: her clean beading
Jewelry & Beading Need a new idea for bead embroidery? "Treasure Chest" will have you running for your stash! studio!
Katie's Beading Blog Make these Butterfly Bliss earrings in an evening (okay, so they're really moths...)
Make It Mine Magazine New online content: shrink art videos and a downloadable pendant project
Naughty Secretary Club The king of the chain gang, Justin Giunta’s Subversive Jewelry comes to a Target near you.
PearlEsq. What a Hoot! Check out the artfully individual Owls of Massaustraliranger. HUH?!
Savvy Crafter It's a Pearl! Click over to Candie's blog to see where pearls come from and a pair of earrings!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! My cool bracelet which I made with wonderful components by Green Girl Studios!
The Impatient Blogger Madge is off to Japan for a designer exchange between the CHA and the HAJ! Check out this e-newsletter excerpt for the 411.

The Creatively Unique Massaustraliranger Owls!

2008-04-16T20:47:00.011-04:00

Happy Wednesday! Now that I'm back on the road to health again, I wanted to share some more of my pics from my Absolutely Everything trip. One of my favorite parts of the "Birds of a Feather" Class was decorating Julie Van Oosten's Collections Owls!

I was so psyched that after I demoed Tim's Wrinkle-Free Distress and the Bandanna technique with the Inkssentials(tm) White Opaque Pen as well as tips and techniques on Distress Crackle Paint(tm), Adirondack(r) Acrylic Paint Dabbers, etc., everyone did their own thing! Every owl was so unique and individualistic. That just makes my day. Years ago when I would teach card classes and students would ask what I exactly used, sometimes I wouldn't tell (I'm so bad!). I really want everyone to experiment and enjoy and not worry! I think everyone also enjoyed what they made, and that's what it's all about!
I really do have fun with the birds and owls following that's going on with art, and these "blingy"-eyed Swarovksi Owls are so creative! As you can probably tell, this "species" of artsy owl came via Australia (Julie) to Kate's (Topsfield, MA) and, of course, "Rangerized" ala, moi!

This weekend will be spent getting prepped for my last week of classes at Scrapbook Cupboard, (check it out!) before my right knee medial meniscectomy, which will put me out a few weeks, but it's all good, because then I'll be ready to roll!

Have a Hootie Blast!

Robin

Taking a stab at...Needle Felting!

2008-04-14T12:40:00.012-04:00

Hello, Everyone! Hope you had a good weekend. It was bound to happen, but I succumbed to a cold and have been out for the count for the past 5 days. What a bummer. It really kicked my butt. Brian took good care of me, though, bringing me lots of soup! I'll be back to work tomorrow, but I'm just keeping quiet so as not to have a coughing fit. Ugh!

In the interim, since my trip to Absolutely Everything, one of the things that I got sucked into was needle felting. I've seen a few projects in magazines, on line, as well as the new products that Clover has unveiled this year. Kate had some felting needles, roving, etc. and she gave me a quick lesson. My first go 'round was a felted bead from Art Girlz to which I added some swirlies. It looks like a furry marble. I never do anything half way, so I then began going onto the 'net looking for more information. I purchased a great pattern for needle felting a bear from Marie Spaulding, so I took a shot at it. The bear head was pretty cool, but I ran out of the matching roving and his body looked too thin, so it almost looks like a short Pez!

I then attempted a cat. I used what I had, which was some multi-colored greenish roving. I worked on it here and there, but at least I finished it. For my first attempt, not bad, but I could critique the bejeebers out of it. Of course I then ordered more stuff to improve on this. I will definitely get working on some fun decorated felt beads, and who knows, maybe some felted kitty beads!

I also wanted you to go and check out Hero Arts' new blog. Shari Carroll asked me to create a card for her blog, which she posted last Friday. It was fun to do..."bandannaed", of course!

Because of being away and then with my cold I was remiss with my beadbloggers! Please check out these wonderful blogs! There's some new additions...so click away!

About.com Jewelry Making With the cost of metals on the rise, many jewelry makers are turning to copper. Here are some copper connections for you.
Art Bead Scene Free Project at ABS!
Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie digs in deep and picks at the heart and bones of her creative process.
Jennifer Jangles Blog Jennifer shows a sneak peek of a project from her new book, Ceramic Bead Jewelry, due out June 3rd.
Jewelry & Beading What do cherry donuts have to do with jewelry? Come find out ;-)
Katie's Beading Blog Look what happens when spring fever meets beads! A colorful necklace is born.
Make It Mine Magazine A challenge: transform something unpurselike into a purse
Naughty Secretary Club Bead Simple: Essential Techniques for Making Jewelry Just the Way You Want It - A book report by Jen.
PearlEsq. Robin reports on her fun trip to Absolutely Everything and her "Kate's Neighborhood" Creation!
Savvy Crafter Hey Everybody, it's a wrap! Candie shows some finished pendants from the wire wrapping workshop.
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean interviewed Melanie Brooks Lukacs for Jean's book, Links, as Melanie is a terrific ceramic artist!
The Impatient Blogger What's your Googleability Factor? Madge coins a new phrase and discovers that she's quite Googleable. Help her select a new promo photo too!

Absolutely Everything....truly has Absolutely Everything!!!

2008-04-07T16:05:00.016-04:00

Hello, Everyone in Blogger Land! Boy, it was a busy week or so away, but a blast, as usual. The classes went well at Sue Gilman's Show. Thank you to all that were patient with my "gimpyness"...and to all of those that wished me the Happy Birthday Wishes. Sue was sweet enough to have birthday cake for me on Saturday evening when we were doing the Make and Takes. But wouldn't you know it, the only time I got up to go to the ladies room, THAT'S when they they brought the cake out. Murphy's Law, as usual!

By the end of Monday, I packed up my car and followed Kate to her house, where we crashed! I took the next day off, relaxing and vegging out in front of the television. I almost felt guilty...almost! The rest of the week was a blast. I've known Kate from over the years with CHA, Sue Gilman's Show, as well as from attending Tim's Retreats. We have such fun laughing! She had always been asking me to come and teach, but the schedules did not always work out. This time it did. I was there to help her with her Bus Tour. 4-5 stores each had a bus that went all across Massachusetts. It was a chance to cross-promote one another's businesses and to see what everyone else had. While Kate has just about Absolutely Everything, there's still a few different things in some of the other stores....There were make and takes and demos at each store as well as snacks and fun.

As for the Make and Take, we had a good one with a Maya Road chipboard house coated with the new Adirondack(r) Pigment Ink, stamped with a Hero Arts stamp and pigment ink, then bandannaed with the new Inkssentials(tm) White Opaque Pen(a real shocker, huh!?). (As an

aside, check out

Roni Johnson's side-by-side comparison of some of the most popular pens....pictures tell a thousand words!). Everyone had fun with it, and once everyone got set up with the Make and Take, I headed over to another table where I had Melt Art(r) set up and proceeded to show what you can do with UTEE(tm) and Memory Frames(tm) and Amate Pendants...it was exciting to show "newbies" the world of Melt Art and now we'll be looking at when I can come back to teach again! I will be headed back to Massachusetts in about three weeks, teaching with Melt Art Jewelry, the Bandanna Technique and Pigment Inks (3 different classes, not one!) at Scrapbook Cupboard, which will also be a lot of fun!

I also taught classes...Bandanna Memory Glass, Chipboard and Background Techniques Calendar and "Birds of a Feather", which was different types of birds and tons of techniques. Kate has a great customer base and a fabulous staff. And lots of laughs, jokes and goofiness abounding. LOVE YA, KATE!

I had also come to learn that Kate has the various visiting teachers put a little of their art on her wall...and I had to come up with something! How can I compete with Laura Mika, Tim Holtz, Artgirlz, etc.? Well, with my usual silly slant on things, and since I was doing so much with chipboard, I created...tah dah!!!!!: Kate's Neighborhood. I painted the little world of sky, grass and sun with the Adirondack(r) Acrylic Paint Dabbers (which worked wonderfully on the walls, by the way!) and then pigmented, stamped and bandannaed a bunch of Maya Road houses, letters, bugs, flowers, tag and a crown (of course!). I also had a blast with a newer stamp line, Paper Relics...thanks HRH Patti Euler! I also adorned the skies with Julie Van Oosten's absolutely awesome Owls. They were part of one of my classes, but I'll share those in depth in a future blog and show off the many different owly looks that were created!

Enjoy the wall! Robin

Spinning Straw into Gold...or Inky Paper!

2008-03-27T00:15:00.006-04:00

Happy Wednesday (uhm, okay, almost Thursday!)! A quick email and some updates! Tim and I have been spinning straw into gold, as Miss Margot would say, but in this case, into class kits! It's tough having to reach out to so many vendors for product. I have to say that I am extremely lucky to have such a great relationship with so many in the industry, but with everyone located all over the place, it's never enough time, even though I started to source this weeks and weeks ago, to get all the product in and orchestrated. It's finally all coming together nicely, though, with one day to spare! (Photo: Rapunzel)

Check out Absolutely Everything for their latest Email Updates...Kate's posted some tidbits and samples of the classes I'm teaching at her store Thursday, April 3-6th. If you're in the Topsfield, MA area, come by!

I was also thrilled to see that my friends at Amate Studio's Site is UP! I was pleasantly surprised to see my samples of UTEE marbleized pendants as the first photo! My friend Diana Kovacs' got her bracelet there, as well. She is so talented! And she blames me (for no reason...hee hee) for her Webkinz addiction!

I'll probably be MIA for the next week or so because I'll be in MA, but I'll be back with many stories, I am sure! I'm also thinking of a Bandanna Backgrounds Card Contest. I'll give a few more weeks of the pens getting "out there" and will come up with something...this could be a LOT of fun! I really need to do a "formal" instruction of the bandanna technique for everyone. I'll get on that, but one thing at a time!

For those that will be at the Sue Gilman event this weekend! I'm looking forward to seeing you...be ready to get inky!!!

Inky Hugs, Robin

P.S. March 29, 1962. Do the Math. Ugh!

Hoppy Easter!

2008-03-23T10:16:00.003-04:00

Happy Sunday, everyone! (Photo Credit: Bunny)A quiet day for me, hopefully a nice family day for you! A busy week ahead; Mr. Tim is on his way to NJ. We've got another week of prep and work ahead getting ready for Sue Gilman. I've been inking away this weekend, which is always good!

There's been some new additions to the Jewelry Making Mavens of Beady Goodness! Check 'em out! Enjoy your day!

About.com Jewelry Making Are metal costs are going through the roof these days! How are you coping with the cost of metals when it comes to designing jewelry?
Art Bead Scene Knowledge is power! Learn tips to improve your jewelry business.
Jennifer Jangles Blog Jennifer's designed a pollen free flower necklace for spring.
Jewelry & Beading Leah Hitchcock-Ybarra shows how to make a pair of felted ball earrings! This is the perfect beginner project, and Leah is the perfect guest tutor!
Katie's Beading Blog Need some spring color inspiration? Read Katie's post for a review of some yummy color resources.
PearlEsq. Robin has added video editing to her repertoire...check out new Ranger licensed designer Claudine Hellmuth's cool transfer technique that can work on lots of different surfaces and for jewlery or papercraft projects!
Savvy Crafter Hop on down the bunny trail at Candie's blog to see some Springy bunny bling!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean wants to formally introduce you all to the super new members of this fun group!
The Impatient Beader (Goes Dutch!) Madge is heading off to a book shoot and a trip to the city that shall not be named again, but before she left she wanted to share this sunny little jewelry set. Check out her newly translated first book in...Dutch!

Moving into the Video Age!

2008-03-19T20:59:00.007-04:00

Happy Wednesday! Just a quick bloggie...for those that may not know it, Ranger's added a new Licensed Designer to the fold...Claudine Hellmuth! For those that don't know Claudine, you should! What I think Claudine does is take all the confusion and mystery out of what many term "mixed media." I'll be the first in line to learn about how to use all that stuff that you usually see in the "Fine Arts" section of a craft store.

While at CHA, one of the women helping us with sales at the booth became a director...with Flip Video in hand! Unbeknownst to me, weeks later, I would become an editor/producer. Whoda' thunk it!? I took on the job of trying to piece together various tapings into something cohesive. Ranger's first video has been put on Youtube and will also be linked to our site. I thought I'd just make it easy for you and bring it to you right here! Claudine creates some awesome magic by creating the look of tin type images with Adirondack(r) Acrylic Paint on tags! I have to tell you, I really am going to try this...after I get everything else on my list done, of course! Enjoy!

Welcome to the 40's and....more Memory Glass!!!!

2008-03-18T21:43:00.008-04:00

Hey, Readers of Blogginess! I hope all is well. I'm tired. The word of the week is PREP. All I've been doing is prepping, prepping, prepping for classes at the end of the month for Sue Gilman in MA. So that I can then spend this weekend getting all my class samples and kitting done for my classes at Absolutely Everything. It will be such a blast, but I have to get soooo much more done. Hey, it keeps me out of trouble, right?

Before I forget, a milestone is going to take place tomorrow. My youngest sister, Stephanie, will be turning 40.......HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE!!!!! This is a picture of my family...I'm the oldest and I must have been maybe...10? So Stephanie, the one in the middle was 4 and my middle sister, on the left, Tracy, 8. Around 1972...yikes!

I love this picture for one reason. Stephanie. She's got one of those detachable jacket hoods on her head...upside down AND backwards. And I think a little bit too proud of it. She is a great mom and wife to my fave Brother-in-Law Chris, who is more like a brother to me. I don't get to see them enough, with my nieces so busy, but I'll be sure to make "the" phone call (as noted in my blog entry for my Mom's birthday) and maybe some flowers. Oh, and of course a bunch of obnoxious email birthday cards via American Greetings.

Okay, enough gloating about my sister...hehehe. I was able to download and tweak the most

recent samples of Memory Glass and Memory Frames. As usual, a lot of Wrinkle Free Distress, new Adirondack(r) Pigment Ink, Bandannaed images with THE Ranger White Pen. I love the blue bird and the addition of a little "bling"-German Scrap from Paper Artsy. I'm having so much fun using old book pages for the backgrounds, and I'm just so into the birdies! I guess it works with my name, huh!? The crown and 1" x 1" Medallion image is also from Hampton, the numbers are from Tim's new collection (love, love them!). The birds in the blooming tree and the "flourish-ey" Bird is Hero Arts, of course.

I hope you enjoy these and I'll be bloggin' soon!

Robin

Sunday, Beady Sunday!

2008-03-16T11:27:00.004-04:00

Happy Sunday! Was busy all day yesterday prepping for a trade educational event at the end of the month, boy am I pooped! More to do today, so just a quick, fun blog linky and the beady links of the week!

Check out my friend Rachel Greig's blog...she was kind enough to take my niece Madison's Flat Stanley for a trip around Sydney. Check out the pics she sent Madison. I sent her kids a bunch of Flat Stanley books. They didn't know about him... and they're going to hopefully make a Flat Stanley of their own to send to us in NJ! We'll take them to the beach, and who else knows where!

Enjoy the wonderful beady links!

About.com Jewelry Making Tammy has discovered another outlet to sell your jewelry on-line. This is really a place for other crafters too.
Art Bead Scene What's the best suggestion you ever received? ABS Editor Cindy Gimbrone's was The Rainbow Suggestion. ABS readers weigh in and tell us theirs!
Jewelry & Beading Cyndi details the products and methods she likes best for creating her bead-embroidered necklaces.
Katie's Beading Blog Here's another opportunity to use your beady powers for good. Read Katie's blog to find out about Beads of Courage®.
PearlEsq. Robin's got some great news, tips and samples on everything Memory Glass!
Savvy Crafter The Savvy Crafter is in the Philippines this week. Candie's Travel Tip: Look beyond the everyday souvenir and you will find beads!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean hand made a chain maille double standed bracelet with some very special names on it: her two grandsons! It is offered as a free project in Beading Daily online!
The Impatient Beader Ever wonder how a designer comes up with new ideas? Get a peek inside the creative mind of Margot Potter as she shares two bitchin' and bad ass new designs, paging Biker Crafts Magazine!

Through the Looking Glass...with Memory Glass!

2008-03-13T10:51:00.010-04:00

Happy Thursday, everyone! While I don't usually provide "official" Ranger information, this was too exciting to not pass on. Inkssentials(tm) Memory Glass(tm) is now back in stock. Yay!!!!! There had been some issues as to the size consistency of the glass so they would always fit into the frames. This has been resolved and the new glass is in. You'll notice that it is a touch smaller than the 1", 1-1/2" and 2" square and 1" x 3" sizes, but that's to accommodate placing your collage/image between the glass and it be able to comfortably fit it into the Memory Frame and close completely.

I tested 'em all out and gave the A-OK! of course, I still have them sitting on my desk, and have not taken pictures of them...I'll try and get that done.

For those not totally familiar with how to use the Memory Glass and Frames, it is microscope quality glass, thinner than "window glass", so lighter. It also has ground sides and corners so no sharp edges! That's one thing I hate about cutting my own glass, because I would always get wonderful cuts from small glass slivers. The frames are pre-fabricated, metal frames that that the glass fits into, with a soldered ring on it (the 1" frames have 2 rings!) for hanging on a necklace as a pendant or for charms; you can also use transparencies, rub-ons, photos, you name it!

If you don't try and make a "Dagwood Sandwich" of paper and embellishments, you can make some wonderful collages to give as gifts or to wear yourself if you're not inclined to learn how to solder. It's definitely a simple way to create wonderful jewelry in no time!

I've provided some great close-up pictures (I lucked out with my camera on this day) of how to open and close the Memory Frames. There's a tab that fits into the slit in the side of the frame. When flipping open the tab, don't go crazy, just a slight flick of the tab is all that's needed. Add in your art, sandwich between the glass, then slide the tab back into the slit and you're done. Sometimes, if you're collage is thicker, just use one piece of glass. The more you work with them, the more you get to "know" what fits and what doesn't.

Close-up of how far to open the tab.
How to replace tab in place after adding artwork and glass.
Close-up of how to close it!

You'll find that the newest 1" size of Memory Glass is thicker than the other sizes. The thought behind that is this size will probably used more in bracelet design and it will be less likely to break...trust me, I'm the poster child for "will that break"? If I can't break it, you know that it probably won't for you.

I'll be sure to share more ideas for uses with Memory Glass. Hmmmm...maybe a contest down the line? I love to spotlight Memory Glass in classes because it's a wonderful way to teach a bunch of techniques on a smaller scale...so you learn more, and then get to show it off! How can you go wrong?

In the next few weeks, check with your local stores and online sites...Memory Glass and Frames are shipping-all sizes!

I'd love to see what you've created-please share!

Inky Hugs, Robin

Momacita Birthday Hugs

2008-03-11T08:56:00.012-04:00

Happy March 11, everyone! Today's my mom's birthday. I did the usual call to the birthday celebrator with my requisite rendition of "Happy Birthday to You." When I call my one sister and she sees that it is me, rather than saying "hello", she says, "don't sing." Which is all the more reason for me to sing louder and more out of key than usual.

I have a "cool" mom. She is in awesome shape, due to her always being busy doing something around the house and her daily walks at the boardwalk. She loves the beach; she is a true "beach bum!" My parents just returned from a couple of months in Florida and now she's so looking forward to the beach. Once it gets the least bit warm, don't be surprised if she's down there with a windbreaker stopping any cold breeze, working on her tan!

My mom is never shy about what she wants for her birthday, Mother's Day or Christmas...a Chico's gift certificate is all she needs. She deserves it, raising 3 daughters and taking care of things at home while my dad at times worked up to 3 jobs! She also worked as a secretary for the school system, just recently retiring only a few years ago. Growing up, since we lived near the beach, we really never went away or did the "travel across America" type of thing. When my dad took vacation, that meant Dad came to the beach with us and Mom didn't cook, but went out for dinner!

My Mom turns 70 today, which I can't believe...in fact, when my 8 year old niece called to wish her Happy Birthday today, my mom swears that when she told her that she was turning "Seven-oh", "Seventy", that my niece responded, "that's a bitch!" ROFL! We laughed so hard at this and my mom made me swear not to tell my sister until she got to tell her! See? A cool mom. Thanks Mom-for everything! Love ya!

If you can, give your mom a call or a hug or think some good Mommy thoughts today!

Crazy Weather Weekend and Beady Bloggers!

2008-03-09T22:09:00.003-04:00

I hope you all had a great weekend! I made it through the rain to Rubberbuggy in the lovely Lancaster, PA area with owner and friend, Kris and her niece, Evy and I had so much fun! I also got to spend some time with Kriss Cramer, who is also quite talented and a great teacher, with a surprise visit from Inky-Rebecca Peck. Unfortunately the rain only got worse, followed by some hellacious wind (I was looking for a small house or the Wicked Witch from Wizard of Oz to go flying by!) and then colder temperatures. Now we lost an hour with the "Spring Ahead" daylight savings, although I love it when it's light in the early evening! I'm getting ready for another busy week. In the meantime, enjoy the beady links from the talented group of ladies! Have a great week! (Photo Credit: Amish Buggy)

About.com Thinking of diving into the Etsy pool? Then you may want to take some of this excellent advice first.
Art Bead Scene Inspired ways to finish your designs - think of the claspossibilities!
Jewelry & Beading Cyndi's stuck on V-pendants, and has decided to share another way to turn them into wonderful wearable necklaces!
Naughty Secretary Club Think you have an amazing idea for a piece of laser cut acrylic or wood jewelry? Well Jen will be the judge of that, literally. Jen is the guest judge at the Ponoko 10 day jewelry challenge. Did we mention the $10,000 worth of prizes?
PearlEsq. Check out where Robin's going to be this weekend and what comes back to you from the love of making jewelry.
Savvy Crafter Candie shows a sweet little charm bracelet featuring, Tassels, Blossoms, and Beads, Oh Deer!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! This lovely cover is a good example of teamwork. Teamwork has been on Jean's mind lot lately. Check out the necklace Jean made for Simply Beads Magazine with a little help from her friends Lisa Kan and Green Girl Studios. Friends are truly gifts. Jean feels lucky every time she thinks about her wonderful, amazing friends!
The Impatient Beader (is going to Paris) Madge shows a jaunty little necklace she's sporting on her trip to the City of Lights. Yes, she's going to Paris and she's rubbing it in. Thanks a lot, Madge.

Bandanna Madness and Jewelry Hugs!

2008-03-06T14:27:00.009-05:00

Happy Thursday...I know, I know, I say it all the time, but where the &#$%&*@ did the week go?

Anyway, I'm furiously getting ready for the next go round of education, both for Ranger and for myself at stores!

I'm doing a last-minute, surprise(!) demo at my buddy Kris' store, Rubberbuggy on this Saturday. I'm going to show everything Bandanna! We're going pigment it, wrinkle free it, crackle it, grunge it, you name it, I'm doing it, with a little more emphasis on the new pigment inks. They're the focus of Ranger's home page this month, with a bunch of samples with instructions that are, by chance, ones I made! The plan is to get there in the morning, set up and be ready to demo by noon. If you've got nothing else to do, why not come by the "'Buggy"...it will be fun, with some surprises to boot! (photo credit: Bandanna)

I also wanted to share a sad, but neat story. One of the things I love about CHA is getting to catch up with my friends that I've made over the years. I always like to make bunches of jewelry to give to vendors that have worked with me through the year as my way of saying "thank you" as well as just giving some to friends, "just because."

I had a breakfast meeting with one of the industry "people" that I can clearly call a friend. I happened to be wearing one of my newer soldered pieces, complete with a flying bird on one side and a butterfly on the other. (Photo Credit: Timothy K. Hamilton) She remarked how she liked it and I took it off of me and gave it to her. Little did I know, until an email that I had received from her on Monday, how my little gift was one of comfort. She suddenly lost her brother to illness right after the show. She brought the necklace with her and wore it during the funeral mass, stating:

Part in part because I love it but also, because of the butterfly and bird on each side. The butterfly is the symbol of new life and so it was important to me that I have this for [my brother's] funeral. The bird, a symbol to me of spring and rebirth so again, most appropriate. The day of the funeral mass, I wore your necklace and Robin, in some very strange but real way, as I would hold it and play with it in my hands during the mass, I found some comfort in it. I know when you gave it to me, neither of us could have imagined that it would bring comfort during a very hard time but, I wanted you to know this. And, I wanted to thank you again. Strange to look back at moments at a later date and see how very important they are. I remember you taking it off during breakfast and asking me if I would wear it. Little did I know where I would wear it and what it would mean.

Needless to say, I was floored, and it also put so many things in perspective. Life is too short, do what you love, enjoy the time you have with your friends, family and other loves in your life and don't sweat the small stuff. All of the things that many times I don't do. What it did do was confirm my love of taking the time I do to make these little soldered pieces to share. Remember that your love of what you do and make is also appreciated by others. Not that others' attention is always needed, but it's nice to know that they "see" what you "see", right? (Photo Credits: Butterfly, Swans)

Enjoy the rest of your day! Robin

Yikes! Tagged Again!

2008-03-04T10:55:00.005-05:00

Well, it was bound to happen again. Thanks Miss Ginny...here's the rules: The rules are simple: 1. link to the person that tagged you - 2. post the rules on your blog - 3. share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself - 4. tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs - 5. let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their site.

Okay, I'm sure I can share some more 6 non-important, quirky things about myself....hmmmmm.
1. I have a collection of freckles on my left arm, in the general area of where you would wear a wristwatch that reads 2:40 (if you drew a clock using the 3 freckles to tell the time, it would read 2:40 on the button!).
2. A family joke in my house is that when we were kids, we went to Florida two years in a row, going to Disney World, etc. For whatever reason, it's only one trip in my head. Don't ask me why, but I just think of it as when we went to Disney "that one time". If we get talking about Disney, the joke is, "oh that's right, Robin only went once." I can remember tons of other mundane facts, but that one, oh well, what can I say?
3. I've become a fan of Melrose Place. I happened upon it one Saturday morning, and now I've got it on DVR. I never watched this show when it was first out, so it's been fun to see it from the beginning (by the way, Andrew Shue...nice!).
4. Drinking diet soda gives me a headache, but I'll only use Sweet n' Low with a lot of lemon in my iced tea. My favorite water is Deer Park, and I'm trying to give up Pepsi.....!
5. I'm a pillow hugger. I've got a whole pillow hierarchy on my bed; I know that I'm not letting any strange secret out of the bag, because in talking to so many of my friends, I know there's more of you out there. I used to remember when my grandfather was still alive and he and I shared the house I'm in now, I was always amazed as to how he could just sleep on one pillow. Flat. I'm sure for my back, etc. that it probably the better way to sleep, but it's just not me. I'm a stomach/on my side sleeper, hugging a pillow. And proud of it.
6. My middle name, Dale, is named after my grandfather's grandmother, Clara Sophia Dale. One of these days I'm going to hunt down her marriage license. She basically raised my grandfather when his mother was sick or working at other peoples' houses as a seamstress. She was apparently quite a character. No one knows what happened to her husband. He was never discussed and he never knew if he died, they got divorced, or whatever. Just one of those fun family "mysteries."

Well, it's time now to pick some fun people to tag: Lisa, Carol, Jean, Patti, Jen, and last but not least, Candie!

Can't wait to see what everyone has to say!

Quirky Hugs, Robin
(Photo: Kids Playing Tag)

Nothing beats the smell of a new Craft Store!

2008-03-01T15:30:00.009-05:00

Happy Saturday...as usual, where does the day go? I was just not in a super motivated mood, although I should be with all that I need (and want) to play with amongst my stamps and other inky accoutrement at home. I was curious to find out if the new Michaels near my house (within 2 miles, mind you) was open. Alas, it was.

Anymore, when I go to these stores, it's not as much as a shopper but as one that is "in" the industry. I look with such a different eye. How are our products displayed? Does it make any sense? What stamps do they have? What new stuff do they have? What other companies' stuff do they have? What are shoppers looking at? Does the staff have a clue, or more importantly, are they TRYING to get a clue (I'll take anyone that is trying over someone that doesn't give a rat's you know what).

My overall impression was that I was pleased with the display of our products and was thrilled to see they had Tim's Distressables 2 Book there and even more psyched to see the "Ink Essentials" book, right in front of the stamp pad aisle! Regarding stamps, I still think they need to update what they've got, but I totally understand the immense undertaking of trying to bring in a "basic" offering of stamps. Lots of alphabets, though, which is always good for the cross-over with scrapbooking.

I was pleased that a sales associate did come up to me and asked me if I needed any assistance. My brain couldn't help but think to itself "I could probably help you more than you can help me." In the jewelry aisle I did actually help a young male associate try to understand from a customer where the earring back thingies were...he was so happy when I was able to help point out what they were (I had just scanned that portion of the bead aisle!).

My most favorite part of the trip was walking down the widest aisle in the store (this used to be a Rag Shop, and it's a long space rather than wide, so it's different than from what you see at other stores; There in the "main" bead aisle were Margot Potter's, a.k.a. Miss Impatient Beader & Blogger's 3 BOOKS! All them, sticking out on a display thing from the pegboard, 1, 2, 3. I had to call Miss Beady on the stop and let her know... she was so excited! How cool is that?

All in all, I really think that if a "new" crafter has a good experience in a "big box" store, that will send them to search out the independents. I really believe that's another reason why I'm so vigilant about education. The more information out there, the more any level of crafter can learn and (hopefully) will want to learn more. So, I may just volunteer to do a few demos at what I can term as "my" (geographically speaking") Michaels store. I also met the manager of the papercraft area of the store; of course her first question was, "Have you met Tim Holtz?" When I said that we worked together, she almost plotzed...always fun!

My other adventure of the day was getting a new phone. Today in NJ it is now a primary offense to talk on the phone with the phone...you must be hands-free. I, of course, am a bad girl on that front, and my phone is over 2 years old and beat to sh*$. So, off to the AT&T store and I ended up with a Blackberry Pearl. I have to say that the sales associate was super. She gave me the straight scoop on what there is to offer and I came in on a good day, as I got their Bluetooth Bundle with all the other stuff so that I won't get stopped...now I just have to figure this new monstrosity out!

Please also check out the wonderful BeadBlogger Links of the week!

About.com Jewelry Making Tammy has news about a unique jewelry design contest going on at a relatively new site for designers of all types.

Art Bead Scene A Fit to Print Review that Sparkles!

Jewelry & Beading Cyndi takes a little trip into macrame land in an attempt to find something new to do with a V pendant!

Katie's Beading Blog The Triple Take projects for April are online for free download now! Read Katie's post for previews and links. And, don't forget to scroll back and visit this week's Ornament Thursday post.

Naughty Secretary Club Shame on Jen for spreading Cyber Gossip!

PearlEsq. Robin shares a fun technique with Ranger's new Adirondack Pigment Pens and Maya Road's new Sheer Sheets-it's sheerly colorific.

Snap out of it Jean! There's beading to be done! Aardvark art glass repost: with my hand-made sterling 3 in 3 necklace, I teamed up with Cathy Lybarger, an amazing glass artist, as she experimented with painting on the insides of her hot glass beads, using enamel! This is now in my Links chain maille gallery on my site!

The Impatient Blogger The Crafty Chica and The Impatient Beader share their craftastrophies in a no holds barred conversation. Yes, even the pros make crap sometimes. Leave your own True Craft Confessions in the comments!

Well, off now to do some more fun inky stuff! Enjoy the day, everyone!

Robin

Leap Year Technique of the Week: Adirondack(r) Pigment Ink Stamp Pads

2008-02-26T19:11:00.017-05:00

Happy Tuesday! I've not done a Technique of the Week lately, but was itching to play with these Maya Road Sheer Sheets. I'm not sure what Caroline and Deborah initially thought how these should be used, but I instantly looked at these suckers as stencils or masks! So, what I've got here are coordinating Adirondack(r) Pigment Ink Pads in Cloudy Blue/Sail Boat Blue and Denim; I wanted opaque coverage on the watercolor tag that I created from an AccuCut(r) tag die, plus Ink Blending Tools and Foam.

Here's a close-up of one of the Sheer Sheets. At CHA I played with one that is filled with a wonderful collage of butterflies. They also have swirls, stars, hibiscus-like flowers and some hearts n' swirls....they are such a nice and sturdy vinyl (I think vinyl?); the bottom line is that you can really work with these things. They are sturdy. The key to this is to use as a stencil/mask you will need to really hold or use a repositionable adhesive if it's too much of a gorilla for you to hold onto!

Step One: Using the lightest color of pigment ink, load up the foam with the ink (you will have more control doing it this way than direct from the pad as too much ink may "squish" under the Sheer Sheet.

Here's a close-up of the application of the first color. Since I'm my own photographer, I couldn't hold the Sheer Sheet and ink at the same time, so something had to give...! What is important to remember is that you are more or less "pouncing" in an "up and down" motion, applying the ink; NOT in a circular motion as you would when edging cardstock, as you will bend or move the stencil. Trust me on this!

Here's what the finished layer looks like. Now, on its own, this would be great for a nice spring card, Easter card (remember, Easter's early this year!), Baby card, etc. It's a nice bold image that can be overstamped or used as a background for a photo. You get the picture!

Step Two: Okay, now to the next color-the Brights! In this case, Sail Boat Blue. If you have the time, quick mist the Sheer Sheet with water to wash off the first color of pigment ink. It's not a big deal, but just makes less ink transfer to the next color. You can use the same Blending Foam, but if I was going to make a bunch of these, I'd probably have a different foam for each color. Now-the key to this fun look is to move the Sheer Sheet just a bit so it is a little bit off register from the initial ink application.

Here's another close-up to see what it how "off" it needs to be moved to make an impact.

See how great this looks? You can click on the photo and it should open up to the much larger file. In case you can't, here's another close-up!

Step Three: Okay, you know where the next one is going. Repeat what you've done in the previous steps, cleaning off the stencil again, replacing the stencil but moving it AGAIN so that the third layer, the Denim Adirondack Pigment will not overtake the rest of the colors...it's almost going to look like 3-D!

Here's another close-up; again; it's just a subtle layering of color, but in the end, boy does it pop!

See how it looks? Get those crazy 3-D glasses out (no, not really!). I just love the look of all the colors. I've broken this tag down to most simple of finished products, but you can conceivably create an entire 12" x 12" page, then use it for die cuts for title pages, layers for a card or scrapbook page. You can create the look almost old, vintage wall paper by using Distress Inks(tm) (my mind is now thinking of too many things...one at a time!).

For the finished tag, I just stamped a sentiment from Impression Obsession with the Denim Ink (yes, I know I included an Archival Pad on the initial photo, but, what the heck-it's my technique to show and I changed my mind :-)!). With the Ink Blending Foams containing the Cloudy Blue and Sail Boat Blue, ripped the edges around the stamped square and edged it.

I hope you like this technique! Once the Pigment Inks and Sheer Sheets are out, I'd love to see what YOU create!

Inky Hugs, Robin

Show n' Tell Sunday!

2008-02-24T16:32:00.008-05:00

Happy Sunday...I've had a good and lazy Sunday of catching up on sleep. God Forbid I do something like clean the house. What fun is that when all of the "Oscar" movies are showing on TCM? Nothing's better than vintage movies with no commercials!

Besides that, I wanted to share the most awesome of kitschy presents I received the the uber-talented Terri Ventura. She makes these, so if you're interested, please contact her! It's a wonderful purse that she collaged, laminated, riveted, snapped...I can't wait to use it. She also made a neat billfold with a fun image that was already all glittery, but anything can be made that sparkly with Stickles(tm)! I am so honored to have received this...watch out, Terri!

A while ago I made my friend Ginny Smallenberg a Bandanna Plaque which safely made its way to Ohio and is displayed in her beautiful studio (you want to see an exquisitely decorated house, check out her blog)! Well I was bestowed with some cool items from her Small Studio Productions' online store. My hands are twitching as to what to make with all of these things, especially the Post Office Door Box. It looks like a robot face of sorts...I'll mull it over a while until I find the right box or piece to entrust and decorate it upon.

Also check out the Bead Bloggers Extraordinaire! With my being at CHA and on the road, I've been remiss in posting these lovely, talented ladies, so enjoy!

About.com Jewelry Making Tammy updates you on some of the latest discussions going on over at the Jewelry Making Forum.
Art Bead Scene Here's a tool just "bent" on becoming your favorite!
Jewelry & Beading Heather Powers of Humblebeads catches us up on what's going on with her this spring!
Katie's Beading Blog Katie's giving away 2 copies of Vintage Style Jewelry from the editors of Bead & Button. Comment on her post to be included in the drawing!
PearlEsq. Read Robin's funny stories of her latest CHA trip and what a friend of hers has deemed, "Nailgate"!
Savvy Crafter Candie’s sharing the dove-love over on her blog! Check out a pair of earrings she made using peaceful dove chandelier findings. While you’re there, leave a comment for a chance to win your own dove charms!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean made a pretty spring-like necklace using a Russian bead and Vintaj findings. It is titled, "Looking Out Her Window".
The Impatient Blogger Margot shares stories of her first day at CHA (The Craft and Hobby Association Show) and why she prefers to do "fake demos" at book signings.

Have a Beadylicious Week!
Robin

Tinsel-rrific Fun Saturday!

2008-02-23T23:35:00.008-05:00

Happy Weekend, Everyone! I had a fun day today teaching at Tinsel Trading in NYC. It's a great set up with a nice long table where you can sit or stand and work. There was a wonderful group of ladies, all new people to me (yay!) that got to Distress, collage, Alcohol Ink, Bandanna and Memory Glass & Frame their hearts out! I love introducing new people to the fun that can be created with these products. One of the things we did was Distress Photo Tinting; this is a picture of my grandfather, when he was 2 years old...1914. I recently found it and just love how cute he is with his teddy bear!

Remember me showing this "Medallion" piece? This was the first time I had come up with this, and I thank Tinsel Trading for the wonderful Dresden dimensional images in silver and gold that they have at the store. As soon as I saw these, I saw Alcohol Ink. I also want to try coloring these in with the Adirondack(r) Pigment Pens. When I was at the store today I found some wonderful wings...but now looking on the website, I've gotta see if they have some of these other images in stock (the Oriental lanterns!!!).

Here's a picture of the class on the famous "stairs" at the "Store Across the Street"...yep, that's the name of it! Fun, huh? It's a little blurry, but you get the picture, pun definitely intended! I also received a wonderful surprise from Terri Ventura (top of the stairs, to the far right, with cool necklace on!). It's this awesome purse and billfold that I'll take some pictures of and will post in the next few days. I'm beside myself! Terri makes the most awesome and unique jewelry, all out of vintage pieces. She also teaches some great classes...check them out!

I also got to spend some time talking to a most amazing milliner, Heather Huey. When you see the most amazing designs in the high end fashion magazines and in movies such as The Devil Wears Prada (love Meryl Streep in this movie!), it's so wonderful to meet someone that creates these types of unbelievable designs. I can now say that I've met a milliner!

I also received the most wonderful surprise-my friend Nadine (a.k.a. Hot Wheels) surprised me at the end of my class (for those with a score card, this is Foofy Toes' Mommy!). After cleaning up and doing a little bit of Tinsel Trading Shopping, we headed to a nearby deli, where we noshed on a wonderfully typical delicious NYC deli meal. I was a good girlfriend and brought chicken soup, sandwich and Dr. Brown's Diet Black Cherry Soda for Mr. B and we watched Michael Clayton on DVD. I think George Clooney was awesome in this movie. I'm behind on the movies, and from what I hear he has no chance to win, but the movie really kept me reeled in the entire time. Tom Wilkinson deservedly was nominated for the upcoming Oscars, but for the life of me, I don't understand Tilda Swinton's nomination. What do I know?

I'm ready to wind down for the evening, but was so excited about today, had to share! I've got classes down the road and will list them shortly. Enjoy your Sunday!

Tinsel Hugs, Robin

"Scooter" takes out Anaheim Marriott Starbucks

2008-02-19T16:13:00.006-05:00

As promised, my friends, is another of my fun-filled stories of my trials and tribulations of Winter CHA 2008. As you know, a few weeks ago, of course, when it's most critical for getting ready for this show, I tore my medial meniscus in my right knee. A "scooter" was ordered for me to use at the show. I have to say, I don't know what I'd have done without it. Even with this assistance, I still had quite a swollen leg, which is much, much better at the moment!

Needless to say, I did not get any lessons on using this thing. The bellman went to the storage area at the hotel and said, "Sweeeeet!"...and proceeded to almost pop wheelies and goodness knows what other tricks. I've gotta say, I can't believe there was not even a small booklet to tell you the "basics" of this thing. It took me freaking 15 minutes to find the darn plug to charge it up at night. Note, there's not brake on this; just a hand pedal or level to push with the right thumb to go forward, and a matching lever for my left hand to push to go in reverse. Stopping? Uhm, let go of the lever and hope you let it go in time to stop. I think you could do an emergency stop if you pushed the "opposite" lever, but if you hit that one for too long, you'd start going in the opposite direction you had been going. For speed? on the left side, a picture of a tortoise...and for the fastest speed? You got it...a hare! It did have an awesome steering radius and....a basket!

Anyway, we were staying at the Anaheim Marriott, complete with a Starbucks; it was not Dunkin' Donuts, but no problem...it's caffeine, and I have my choice of favored beverages at both places! It was the first day of the show (I'm trying to blur this out of my head) and my roomie Dawn and I had breakfast at the hotel restaurant first; then to Starbucks, waiting in line to get my buddie Nadine her Vanilla Latte. I don't like to bring a purse to these shows, so I used my well-worn denim backpack...I proceed to move it from my (cool) basket, to the "floor" of my scooter and one of the $*&^%#@*& straps hooks onto the REVERSE lever. Needless to say, I was at somewhat of a loss for a few seconds, not realizing what was happening, starting to pick up speed, mind you, into the LINE OF PEOPLE BEHIND ME. I got a few dirty looks and was able to collect myself in the milli-seconds that passed and stop. No one was hurt, other than my pride. Many apologies of telling people I'd only had this thing a day and that I was still trying to get the hang of it, and then there were a few laughs.

Okay, day one. I never thought I'd make it through with this thing. I was having flashbacks of Seinfeld and George Costanza and the Rascal Scooter "chase". Except, everyone is running away.... To add insult to injury, the door thresholds in the hotel rooms were small mountains! While the rooms are nice, there's not a lot of "turnaround" room for a scooter. And those things are HEAVY! One day I "scootered" back (by the way, my nickname at the show, as deemed by my "friend" Tim was "Scooter") to the room, I was trying to turn around and I think almost took one of the beds with me!

Yes, it was comical....all of it, I have to say. I do, though, have a NEW appreciation for those in the scooters. I tried my best to stop, look and listen at all tradeshow intersections and not to pass improperly. I always remembered at consumer/retail shows with women in the scooters and they being right up the heels of your feet and my always thinking, "Hey, you're sitting, I'm walking, be patient." I tried to follow that...I really did!

Well, I'm glad you're all enjoying my stories. The scooter story really was an ongoing procession of learning how to steer this thing. For instance...elevators...difficult when you're by yourself! Stopping? There's a reason for bumpers on those things. Hotel Room doors? It's hard to open them up and then get out of the room (remember that door threshold!). Well, in the end, it was a lifesaver...

I'll be following up with pictures from the Ranger booth that I'll try and get downloaded. I'm prepping for my class at Tinsel Trading this Saturday...there's still openings, and it will surely be a blast!

Happy Trails,

Robin (Scooter)

I'm Baaaaack! Crappy Fingernails and All!

2008-02-18T16:18:00.006-05:00

Hello, Everyone! I think I've almost found the light again...this is a different, post-CHA tunnel, not the pre-CHA one! As always, it was a blast. There's never enough time to catch up with everyone. I'm so glad to have made so many friends and aquaintances in this industry, but it gets so hard to catch up with everyone. To all of you that I didn't get to really spend the time with to catch up, I hope you understand. To those that I did get to spend some time with, yee hah!

I have many crazy, typical "happens only to me" stories to share. The first one I must mention is referenced in the blog title of today. My nails. They are ugly. They are awful. They are crappy. Did I say they were ugly? I got the bad nails side of the family (thanks, Mom!), not my dad's side of the family, where people have asked my Dad repeatedly over the years if he gets manicures (to which he happy lies and says, "of course!"). I also have a bad habit, especially when nervous, at picking at my nails. What can I say, it is what it is. I should walk around with gloves to stop, I know. My nails are also icky from the repeated scrubbing they get from being inundated with ink. blah, blah, blah.

Needless to say, the day before I left for the show, I got a manicure. More or less a "please clean this mess called my nails up as best as you can, I'll give you a good tip". She actually did clean them up. I cannot do the fake nail thing. I have no ability to then feel anything... With each new day of demos at the show and repeated cleaning and scrubbing of my nails every day, they got pretty...um...ugly again. So what happened on Tuesday? I was asked late in the day to do a quick, on the fly demo on video for The Pink Donut. When you check it out, please enjoy the lovely bags under my eyes which probably could pack an around the world trip and of course, my lovely nails...NOT! Needless to say, someone actually contacted my office about how awful my nails were...I did feel embarrassed about it, but geez, cut me a break! Now I'm nervous about how my hands looked when I taped Wednesday morning with Ana and Megan Araujo for When Creativity Knocks-they did such a great job...don't forget to check 'em out when they get rolling with their webisodes online.

So, hope you got a laugh out of Story #1. The next installment of "Robin goes to CHA" will be entitled: "Scooter takes out Anaheim Marriott Starbucks". Enjoy your evening!

Robin

Last Minute Stuff...Famous Last Words!

2008-02-05T19:51:00.001-05:00

Well, I'm still finding things to do, boys and girls! I'm so happy, though, that my list is getting shorter, I think! I'm psyched to bring my jewelry and other samples to the show as well as seeing all of my friends and the new products.

One of the things I'm going to be doing is taping a segment with one of my bestest friends, Ana Araujo with her new show, When Creativity Knocks. I'm so proud of what Ana's done, and her daugher, Megan, will be her co-host. It's a great concept and I hope those of you attending CHA will definitely watch when she tapes around the show. I'll be taping my segment first thing in the morning on the last day of the show, February 13th.

When I get back, though, I will be at Paper-Potamus doing a workshop with Lance of Rusty Pickle and my buddy, Jen Starr, who's also going to be doing our Perfect Pearls(tm) Challenge at the booth. For those that do the Make and Take with Jen and provide their store business card, you will get a chance for an all-expense paid trip (not to exceeed $1,000) to Ranger U! Cool, huh!? Those taking part in the MITI (make it take it) will also get a little package of product to demo with back at their store.

On February 23rd, I'm teaching at Tinsel Trading! I'm going to be teaching a bunch of techniques, many I've not taught before, to create Memory Glass(tm) Jewelry. The Medallion Necklace shown is special for Tinsel Trading and will incorporate their product-I LOVED how this turned out. Check it out-hope to see you there!

Enjoy your evening! Robin

The Bee's Knees, Bling'in Saturday & Beady Links

2008-02-02T17:25:00.000-05:00

Happy Saturday! those getting ready for CHA, I know you know that it starts a week from tomorrow! We'll be leaving bright and early on Friday and will be back the following Friday. I always say getting ready for this show is like preparing for a wedding-in the blink of an eye, it's over!

As for those that have been so sweet in asking me about my knee, I did in fact follow up with the orthopedist, and as suspected, I do have a torn medial meniscus in my right knee. At least this knee is not as bad as my left one, but the timing of this could not be worse. It's also my body telling me to "lighten the load", but one thing at a time! So, sometime this spring I'll likely be going in for arthroscopic surgery for the right knee. So, don't make too much fun of me at the show when you see me wheeling around in a scooter...and I apologize now for anyone I may run over!

Those that check Ranger's website, regularly, know that the front page is updated every month. Since that's Marketing's Department, I always am not aware of what's going up in a particular month. I was happy to see that my Perfect Pearls(tm) sample is being featured. I like this one because it does show all the things that you can so easily do with this product: the flowers are painted in, the sentiment is stamped with Perfect Medium(tm) and dusted on and the Cuttlebug dry embossed background is covered with Perfect Medium as well and dusted. Also don't forget about the pearly splotches! Instructions are on the site; if anyone has any questions, let me know!

Being only a week away from CHA, it's probably not out of line to tell you what's new from Ranger! We've finally got a new pigment ink! Adirondack(r) Pigment Ink Stamp Pads will start out with the coordinating Lights/Brights/Earthtones for the following colors: Cranberry/Terra Cotta/Butterscotch/Bottle/Denim/Eggplant. There's also Pitch Black and Snow Cap. I've probably worked with them the most and I really like them! We've also got the Inkssentials(tm) White Opaque Pen and the Inkssentials(tm) Craft Spinner, which will hold eight of the Ink Blending Tools for the Blending Foam or Alcohol Ink Felt! I love the retro look of it. You've probably seen Tim using it during demos, etc. I'll be demoing on how to work with the pigment inks as well as the other coordinating Adirondack(r) products (dye inks and acrylic paint dabbers).

Finally, definitely stop by Ranger's Booth (4264) and also check out Amate's booth (4871); I've worked with them, as I've said previously, and will have over 30 samples of finished Glossy Accents(tm) Collage pendant bracelets and UTEE(tm) pendant necklaces between the two booths. I was so glad to finally get this jewelry completed and photographed. They, as well as Beadalon and Stampers Anonymous have also been so wonderful in providing donations for the Jewelry class that Suze and I will be teaching at the show.

In addition, also find this week's list of Beady Links-Enjoy!

About.com Jewelry Making Tammy's got a new book review posted, and it's all about links. In fact, it is written by a fellow Bead Babe. Way to go, Jean!
Art Bead Scene It's Studio Saturday at ABS! Take a look inside the colorful studio of Creative Impressions in Clay!

PearlEsq. Robin's seeing the end of the CHA prep tunnel with a Bead Crochet Creation to share!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Margot Potter initially told the tale of the Kazuri beads in Simply Beads Magazine which Jean remembers reading about, and recalls here. Jean shows a photo of a green necklace her aunt requested her to design which led her to choose these stunning ceramic hand-made beauties!
The Impatient Blogger The gang that brought you Ormament Thursday is back with monthly themed projects to jump start your creativity. Check out Margot's project and a link to the bevy of beautiful designs from our talented roster of artists!

The End of the Tunnel...I see it!

2008-01-29T20:28:00.000-05:00

Hey, Everybody! I know I've been MIA lately, but it's just been too much to do prep for CHA and then blog...I've had blog guilt! I'm going to try and get some sneak peeks out of some of the jewelry I've been making for Amate and Ranger.

On the knee front, I had the MRI of my right knee. It's been a few years since I had the left one done, and for the most part, I've been lucky in not having to have many tests, etc over my 45 years. The funny thing is that you're not supposed to move your leg. So, what is it that you want to do? Move your leg! I have to say I was a good girl and that darn knee did not move a bit...but not for my brain wanting to make it move just to f&*$ with me. All I think of is that I'm listening to a science fiction movie from the 50's with all the weird sounds. Needless to say, I'll be seeing the doctor Thursday and will get the results. I think I learned from my mistakes of the past by seeing the doctor right away and not letting it go.

Here's one of the necklaces that I put together. I go hot and cold with bead crochet, but I do love when it's finished! I learned from my friends in MA and when I see what they've created I always want to go back and crochet, crochet, crochet! The pendant is a stamped image from Hero Arts, one of my favorites. The background is Wrinkle Free and "bandanna-ed". It was sealed with Glossy Accents(tm)! I made the crocheted necklace so long it was no problem to double it, but then I needed a larger bale. Thus, I twisted the wire and made the double loops and then the smaller one so the pendant would hang properly. I can't wait to bring it to the show!

One of the things that I always want to "perfect" but have not yet done is to make an invisible join with bead crochet. When I have patience, I'll do it for a bracelet, but when it comes to these necklaces, a Bali-Style magnetic closure works great!

I've got more necklaces finished that I'll try and get photographed, tweaked and blogged!

I also wanted to thank everyone for their supportive thoughts...I so appreciate it.

Have a great evening!

Robin

Left Knee, Right Knee, Whi-knee!?

2008-01-25T16:25:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone in Bloggy Land! Sorry I've been under the radar of late. It's been so crazy, as you know I've been going on about. For those that don't know me I'm not the skinniest of Minnies in the world and from my running and running around I ended up with a torn medial meniscus to my left knee a few years ago. I'd never really had any surgery before and have not had kids, so when it comes to pain, I'm not the best in dealing with it. Needless to say, did I feel pain in 2006 when I was at a CKU and tore it when I was getting up to get someone some ribbon (real rigorous task!). Subsequently arthroscopic surgery in October 2006, with wonderful results.

Thus, after the insanity of last week, when my RIGHT knee started up, I didn't take any chances. I kept it elevated and iced for a few days...boy did that make the difference. Also had to deal with insurance and finding in-network doctors v. out-of-network doctors. Don't get me started on that. You really have to be of a certain patience and mentality (and possible sainthood) to try to decipher all of the insurance gobbledy-gook. In the end, I saw a very good orthopedist, have an MRI on Tuesday and follow up appointment on Thursday. In the interim, I still have lots to do, but in better moderation, right? Famous last words.

I figured I'd give everyone at least one sneak peek at a card that I made. It's not the most squared off photo in the world, but you get the picture. I love this "Ornate Circle" stamp from B Line Designs. Bev and Bob Seymour are just the nicest couple and as I've said before, make the most beautiful stamps. I hear they're going to have a bunch of new ones out at the CHA Show. Yeeha! I made some masks and used the various colors of Archival to create the look of a bunch of circles! The key to creating a mask is to cut the image just a touch smaller than the image is. By cutting outside of the border of an image and trying to mask it, a "halo" will still be there. By undercutting just a small amount, when you mask it, it will truly look like these were dropped into a pile. Years ago I created a sample that I wish I still had. I took a large Kodachrome slide image with various different images inside of them and masked them for a card. I was going crazy with the mask in a mask, but when it was done, it was worth it! I can't remember off the top of my head who the quote belongs to, but isn't it a great one!?

Well, I've got to finish up a bunch of photography, and tomorrow is Brian's Birthday-Happy Birthday, Brian! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Robin

Stepford Artist

2008-01-20T23:23:00.001-05:00

Good evening and oh my goodness, tomorrow's Monday already? Yikes! I've been on auto-art drive the past week. Working all weekend on samples and prepping. Last week, Tim and I worked no less than 3-16 hour days; every other day, at least 10-12!Needless to say, I'm a little crabby. And, my washing machine's been on the fritz...we'll be on week 2 as of tomorrow, but I've been promised that the part is in and will be repaired on Tuesday...one day of the laundromat is enough for me, thank you very much (knowing that I have a washer and dryer that's just over a year old...frustrating!).

This will be Crunch Week 2, but there will be light at the end of the tunnel-the blank, dead look of the woman in the pic? That's me at the moment, but there's a glint of hope! All of you that are dealing with the CHA crush, I feel your pain and I know you mine. I have to say that I do have a knack for creating under pressure. If three cards were put in front of someone, they probably wouldn't know they were all from me, I can "jump style" when needed.

Since my life has been so focused on creating samples and prep for the show, enjoy the beadbloggers' linkety links!

About.com Jewelry Making Tammy talks about an article she recently read which deals with various jewelry-related ethical issues such as free trade. Even though many of us are "small time" designers, that doesn't mean we can't at least listen to this on-going conversation which is a hot button issue in the jewelry industry right now.
Art Bead Scene The Art Bead Scene editors are sharing a little Valentine's love early, with a post full of love related eye candy.
Jewelry & Beading Amazing fiber and bead artist Rebecca Brown is profiled on Jewelry & Beading this week.
Katie's Beading Blog The February Triple Take from Simply Beads is online now. Visit Katie's blog for pix and links to this month's fun, hearty projects!
Naughty Secretary Club This week’s link is not about jewelry, but instead about supporting fellow crafter Bernie Berlin in her quest to expand her animal shelter A Place to Bark. Bernie saved over 500 cats and dogs last year and with our help can save even more!
Pearlesq. Check out more of Robin's jewelry and the craziness of CHA preparation!
Savvy Crafter Oooo, Baby it's coooold in Candie's apartment!!! In honor of having no heat, she whips up some Sweet Snowflake earrings to go along with the chill in the air. Brrrrrrr!!!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Eni Oken (www.enioken.com) is a famous wire working star. I just had to try my hand at her fascinating ring. She was really kind and encouraging to me by email, and enthusiastic, too! That is what I love in a teacher! It makes you WANT to learn from that person!
The Impatient Blogger So you sold a project or a book, now what? Summon your inner pirate with Margot Potter as she tells you how to negotiate a fair deal. Arrr...

Enjoy the week! Robin

Dance, Monkey, Dance!

2008-01-15T23:58:00.000-05:00

Just a short email-It's now Wednesday, 12:01 a.m. Tim and I are plodding along, getting sample boards ready, instructions, more samples, phone calls, more samples. This time of year is the most stressful. Thank goodness for Tim being here this year-through all of the work and everything that has to get done, we laugh, figure things out, bust each other's chops, listen to music, and lots more laughing. That's what brings me through this time!

As I've said before, I love quotes. I looked up some "work" quotes, and I liked this one:
Work while you have the light. You are responsible for the talent that has been entrusted to you. ~Henri Frederic Amiel

Here's some more of my jewelry that I made lately-Enjoy!

Robin

Beadalicious Links and Show n' Tell

2008-01-13T20:34:00.000-05:00

Hello, Everyone! I've been sampling and necklacing and inking my heart out this weekend! With CHA weeks away, there is not a lot of down time to relax! I'm not used to blinging up necklaces like my buddy Miss Margot, but I did okay! Thanks to some awesome new things that I got to play with from Beadalon, I actually did some things using some of my stash that I've had "in inventory" for a while.

This is a pendant from Amate International. Armondo and his wife Erika are such great people. Their website is down right now, but you can contact him here. I created a background with Wrinkle Free Distress using a page from an old book. I then added some of Tim's Distressables, then filled with Glossy Accents(tm)!

The chain looks like it is heavy, but it's light as a feather, from Beadalon. I decorated the chain with adding decorative touches with CZ Gem Dropz, Swarovski(r) crystals and wonderful beads from Melanie at Earthenwood Studio...I'm dying to play with more of them, but one thing at a time! What is so great is that it's easy to decorate these chains, even if you don't have a lot of jewelrymaking experience!

Here's another one where I used the flying bird charms from B'Sues Boutique on the chain and embedded in another Amate Pendant. I just love how this will look when worn with a black shirt (or any color shirt for that matter!) with the birds flying all around.

There's a lot more that I've made, but I'm holding on as we get closer to CHA.

Well, I'm headed back to prep, prep and more prep! Hope you enjoyed the necklaces, and enjoy the beady links! Have a great week!

About.com Jewelry Making Do you like two tone metal jewelry? Are you a metal clay jewelry maker? Tammy tells us about a new product to help you mix up metals using metal clay techniques.

Art Bead Scene We are feeling groovy here at Art Bead Scene, as we celebrate our own Tari Sasser's recent press with her tie dyed beads. What trippy thing would *you* make with them?

Jewelry & Beading Cyndi has a free book giveaway going on! You can enter to win a copy of "Crazy About Jewelry" simply by leaving a comment on this post! What could be easier?

Naughty Secretary Club Thinking of selling your jewelry for a living? Jen has some tips on free promotion and suggested reading to get you started.

PearlEsq. Check out the latest adventure of a rubber stamp that's made its way to Australia!

Savvy Crafter Finding the findings is always an interesting experience in Candie's part of the world. This week she shares a couple of pictures from a trip to Hong Kong.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Beautiful (...possibly even...sexy?) champagne coin pearl chandeliers by Jean!

The Impatient Blogger Need a dose of inspiration? Check out this video blog post by Margot Potter as she traverses a whole new dimension of bloggy goodness!

Journey of a Strange Stamp

2008-01-09T20:56:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday! Hump Day as some would say, which is a perfect segue to my topic. Remember the talented Rachel Greig and the hunky guy in the Speedo stamp that she won? Well, here's the results of this "special" stamp's next stop, and they are insane! Sarah Schwerin of Australia has paid homage to "Down Under" as well as Mr. Holtz himself. I don't think she'll mind my sharing some of her results...check out the rest! They are a riot. Now Mr. DS, as he is called, is on his way to his next temporary home! I'll keep you posted.

Of course now Rachel's asking me whose image it is...I usually remember where the many, many, many (think of a large number, and that's probably close to the number I've owned over the past 14 years) stamps came from, but this was an unmounted stamp (Oh, no, the puns that I can think of...hump day, mounted v. unmounted...hehehe!). This one has got me flummoxed. It's pretty crazy, because as some scrappers can name a paper company by pattern, which I cannot do, I can usually identify a stamp by the type of wood used, or just by the art...now that's just sick!

Things are slowly but surely coming together for CHA...Phew! I'm also starting to work on classes. As a heads up, I'll see if I can add some type of a calendar on the blog, but in the interim, I know I'll be teaching the third of the triumvirate of classes at Paper-Potamus in February, right after CHA (I'll have samples finished this weekend!) as well as my first of classes at Tinsel Trading in NYC...check 'em out!

Enjoy the rest of your Hump Day and the Adventures of Mr. DS!

Inky Hugs, Robin

Appreciating the Little Things, Purry Style

2008-01-07T10:33:00.000-05:00

In my effort to be on the "positive" this year, I thought from time to time I'd detour from artsy things. Take it or leave it...but hopefully just think about it. Is there something that happens in your everyday, many times mundane hours and minutes of your day that you can sit back for a moment, smile about, and appreciate? If this thing wasn't part of your daily routine, would you miss it?

For me it's the silly little routine that occurs, of all times, in my shower routine every morning. I have a sliding shower door, with "frosted" type glass, so you can see shapes through it (god forbid you could see me-ugh!). At some point during my shower, a large shadow appears on my sink vanity. It's Oliver. At one time, the cutest little stripey tiger tabby, now a fat ass (13 lbs), but still my sweet and wonderfully marked kitty boy of 4 years. He sits on the counter, waiting for me to get out of the shower.

As soon as I open the door and grab a towel, he looks all around at the steam emanating from behind the shower and then begins to chatter endlessly at or to me (or maybe the steam?). I answer him, saying things like "Really?", "No way!", etc. He then, of course because I'm wet and vulnerable, wants me to pet him...a perfect fur magnet target I am...usually once I'm all dried off, I will carefully comb him (love that Furminator comb!) and he sometimes will then stop the chatter, either slump into the sink for a moment, allowing me to finish, but usually, comes the second part of the routine...

As I turn to fold the towel back into the rack, he then jumps down and lays out on the bath/tub mat, belly up. I will either crazily scratch his belly or momentarily roll him up into the mat until he has had enough and runs out. I can then finish up my morning rituals of getting ready, as he knows when I come out of my bedroom again, it will be to the kitchen to feed him and his sister, Minnie.

It is a funny thing that I think I had taken for granted, but now realize that he has made this "our" time of the day for commiserating. It does make me laugh and is a good start of the day. Thus, when I leave the house for the office, it's usually with a smile on my face. Not a bad thing at all...! Thanks, Oliver!

If you have something to share-small things in your everyday that make you smile, I'd love to hear it!

Purry Hugs,
Robin

A Flakey, Linky Friday

2008-01-04T18:07:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday! What a week-only three days long, but it felt like 8. I'm looking forward to another weekend of creating. There's a few things that I keep wanting to share, but I forget until after I've posted...It's like always forgetting to add on the attachment that you referenced in an email...you know what I mean!?

Margot and our buddy Inky (Rebecca Peck) has the front web page projects with Adirondack(r) Color Wash-these are even more awesome in person. She has such a great eye for color and altered art...go Inky!

You'll also notice a link to a cool website that's apparently been around for a while, but I just found. It's quite addicting! There's another link from someone that only goes by "Mister X" that has made this into a science. For the papercrafter, it's actually a kind of neat exercise in making your brain think in a certain way to make specific "cuts" to get a special flake. or just zip the mouse around like crazy, and you may surprise yourself. Give it a try. If you want to see any of my "attempts", just do a search and enter "RDB" for the name and "Neptune" for the location.

I hope everyone's keeping warm and has a crafty, creative weekend. Check out these pics of real snowflakes as well as the beady links of last week and this week! My bad-the new year got away from me!

About.com Jewelry Making New Year's Eve means it's time to put your big bling pieces on, and Tammy has lots of ideas to make you super sparklie.
About.com Jewelry Making Along with a blog, Tammy's jewelry making web site has a pretty active forum. She gives you a peek inside at a few hot topics.
Art Bead Scene The crew is on a short holiday break, but we hope you will come by the blog to celebrate with our special week's worth of the Best of Art Bead Scene posts from this past year.
Art Bead Scene It's a new year, a new month, and thus a new challenge! Bundle up and break out your art beads for January's Ice Storm theme.
Jewelry & Beading One of Cyndi's designs was chosen for a new book on the Art of Jewelry ~ Wood. Come and see her necklace, called "Measure Twice, Cut Once"!
Jewelry & Beading Artist Irma Peredne is profiled on Jewelry & Beading this week. Irma has the most wonderful story about the origin of her business name, The Amber Box!
Katie's Beading Blog Katie's getting ready for the next filming of Beads, Baubles and Jewels. This week, she shares a cool necklace idea using a chain bail and tassel.
Katie's Beading Blog Katie's Dreams of Topaz necklace is featured in Beadalon's new ad campaign. Get the scoop and links to the instructions on Katie's blog this week.
PearlEsq. Check out Robin's collaged and soldered Birdies! A fun way to start off the New Year!
Savvy Crafter No clue what jewelry you’re wearing to the big New Year’s Eve bash? Hop on over to Candie’s blog for an easy and festive fix!
Snap out of it , Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean just had to repost these sweet necklaces that she made for the childrens' teachers as holiday gifts! They are just too yummy looking snuggling up against the luxurious rose velvet pouches she packaged them in. Happy Holidays to the VIPs in our lives!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean is excited to participate in the Art Bead Scene competition, as always!

A little Birdie Told Me...

2008-01-02T20:17:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday! Thanks to everyone for the lovely thoughts for a Happy New Year. Before I started getting sniffly, I was on quite a roll with creating some collages and soldering some fun things. Some I can't share because they're for CHA, but I had to share some. With my name being that of a bird, I think that I have enough of an excuse to use some cute bird images. I used some cute vintage images from Crafty Secrets and these cool birdies from Cornish Heritage Farms. I love these! I've been collecting a few neat old books and I finally got the courage to rip out the pages...one is a phonetic spelling book, another one on how to speak Italian. I did the Wrinkle Free Distress Technique, stamped with Archival(tm) Ink, and cut out. I then layered stamped images onto watercolor paper that was also "wrinkle free'd". Of course I used Memory Glass(tm) and soldered. The bird charms were from B'sue Boutique...I'm definitely going to make more. I hope you enjoy!

Have a Positively Happy 2008!

2007-12-30T13:54:00.001-05:00

Can you believe it's been another year? Not having kids, it's sometimes harder to gauge time going by other than by looking at my nieces and nephews or my friends' kids. One year just morphs into the next.

My goal this year!? To be a positive force for myself. Be a "glass is half full" thinker in everything I do. I can very much be positive in many things, but not in everything. I'm also a bit of a procrastinator, so I'm going to try and do something about that.

It was a good weekend of being with friends, but it ended with a cold. But, let's be positive...it is just a cold-it could have been worse. (How'm I doing so far!?)

I know that in many respects that I am a very lucky person. I know that it's part what you do, but it's also part being at the right place and at the right time.

My other thought is that with my blog, I want to just keep sharing what I'm up to and educate when I can. I peruse the "smack" blogs from time to time and I just shake my head. There's one thing to give an opinion, but it's another thing to anonymously say a bunch of crap. It's not good for anyone, for the crafts industry...right!? This is for me my "business", but it's also because of my love for the art and creativity. That's the bottom line. In the end, I don't care if anyone likes what I do-if it's something I'm enjoying creating and I'm happy with the results, anyone else wanting to look at what I make as a starting point for something they create, that's just a bonus.

I love looking up quotes. They abound on the Internet. Here's a few that are penned with the New Year in mind:

New Year's Day: Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual. ~Mark Twain
Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin
Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. ~Hal Borland
One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things. ~John Burroughs
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

I wish you all the best of days in 2008!

Robin

See you in the Funny Papers...!

2007-12-26T09:28:00.000-05:00

Well, another year of all the prep and then it just blows by. It was great to have the four days to visit family and friends! Cookie Chaos 2007, last minute shopping with Brian, visiting our friends at the diner, having fun with my nieces on Christmas Eve and my nephew on Christmas, you can't go wrong!

Before Christmas, in making the push for the presents for my nieces and nephews, my sister told me what game Ryan wanted. I of course forgot what it was. So did she. So, a follow-up inquiry to my nephew garnered the answer: Nintendo Pokemon Diamond DS. Brian went above and beyond and fought the crowds at Wal-mart (major points, Brian!)...he called me to surprise me with what he did, reading, "Nintendo Pokemon Pearl DS"..."Oh, $*%&#@." They pulled the correct one from the cabinet, but in the pile that was there (you can't touch the game until you've bought it!), they pulled the wrong one and he didn't notice. Well, needless to say, Saturday evening I went back (thank goodness it wasn't as crowded) and got Diamond, returning Pearl.

The irony of this whole story was the Sunday Foxtrot comic. I tried to cut and paste it into the blog, but no go. Click over, though-trust me, it's worth it. My mom was telling my dad the story and he remembered the comic and she cut it out for Brian. I love the comics...my dad and I always would comment on them. My dad loves to cut them out, especially when he wants to make a point about something. He always compared me to the trials and tribulations of "Cathy". I miss Calvin and Hobbes and always loved Bloom County!

I was also surprised to be bestowed with an award by the wonderfully talented Jean Yates:

Thanks so much, Miss Jean.

Well, it's going to be a nice, short work week and then "pow!" it'll be full-force CHA push. Always an adventure. For all those that do the CHA dance, you know what I'm talking about!

Enjoy the day, everyone.

Robin

Some Treats for your Christmas Stocking!

2007-12-24T08:50:00.001-05:00

Well, like every year, it's rush, rush, rush to get ready and in a flash...it's over. It's been a nice weekend, and there's still today and tomorrow to go! This afternoon I'm headed to my sister Stephanie's for a Christmas Eve gift exchange and get together. Can't wait!

I wanted to show you my favorite of the projects we worked on at Tim's Holiday Hideaway. One of my favorites was a Christmas Tree Shadowbox. We painted the outside with Dimensional Pearls, giving it a pearly look, plus some wonderful Grungeboard(tm) Accents. I painted the inside in Denim, Stream and Wild Plum, the outside with Espresso and Mushroom. The front window was edged with Crystal Frost 800, which creates the look of frost on glass...this stuff is neat-it's what was used on the Clear Book.

We also got to paint and embellish faux tin type ceiling tiles that was cut to the size of the back of the box. I can't tell you now many people thought it was real. I painted it with Dimensional Pearls and added Star Dust Stickles(tm)...it gave just the extra glitz needed for the holiday theme of the box. We then slathered the insides of the box with glue and glass glitter. Any bit of light will just make it sparkle.

The best were the decorations. Tim provided us with a bottle brush tree that we decorated with vintage Mercury Glass ornaments that we glued on. That was a little tricky, but a little patience did the trick.

To be honest, the most frustrating part of the project, but the part that I loved the most, was the garland. These were Thicker Cardstock stickers from American Craft that I just fell in love with. Initially we had covered them with Platinum Stickles(tm), but Tim (love ya!) put a piece of paper on mine by accident, so I decided to go with plain white! The trick was to "sew" wire through the chipboard to string the letters. Yikes! I have since learned, though from my buddy at Beadalon, Wyatt, told me about Sbeady(tm) wire needles. I would definitely try that the next time, because I really, really liked the look but at the end wanted to scream when stringing them on the wire.

Some of the attendees were able to insert a small light to the box, but because of the size of my tree, it was too much to add. The top of the box included many vintage bits and bobs. The most wonderful thing was that it made it from AZ to NJ intact!

As an added treat, here's the Beady Links of the week (since it's a long weekend, I'm taking advantage of it as my excuse for not posting them yesterday!)

About.com Jewelry Making Still in need of some last minute jewelry gifts? Earrings are the way to go, and Tammy has some super easy projects to help you out.

Art Bead Scene Elaine wraps up the Art Bead Scene 12 days of Christmas with a joyous rendition of a classic holiday tune, updated with our favorite beading goodies! Come sing along!

Jewelry & Beading It's not too late to make a super-easy sparkly pin for Christmas!

Katie's Beading Blog Visit Katie's blog this week for links to a fun podcast interview, last-minute bracelet idea and the final (for now) installment of Ornament Thursday.

PearlEsq. Track Robin's travels to the traffic-laden trickiness of NYC and the tasty trinkets she turned up at Tinsel Trading!

Savvy Crafter Scurry over to Candie's blog if you've got gifts to wrap in a hurry! This idea puts the pedal to the metal in more ways than one when it comes to wrapping gifts!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean shows a new necklace for her chain maille gallery for her book, Links: all the great beads are made by Cathy Lybarger!

The Impatient Blogger It's the final installment of Ornament Thursday and Margot pulls out all the stops with four fabulous ornament ideas! Check out what this week's roster of talented crafters has in store for you!

I wish all of you the most wonderful of times with your family and friends. I also wanted to thank you for letting me share some of my creative ideas, thoughts and life with you.

Holiday Hugs, Robin

Christmas Cookie Fun!

2007-12-23T12:17:00.000-05:00

Hello and Happy Holidays, everybody! I'm sure everyone has been busy as can be, as I have, spending time with friends and family. Sorry I've not posted lately-but I've got a lot of fun to share today. Yesterday I had the pleasure of taking part in Miss Margot's 1st Annual Cookie Chaos! I got to spend the afternoon with "Beady" as she is monikered, as well as "Inky", the wonderful Rebecca Peck; I'm "Knotty", which, yeah, yeah, I know has a so "naughty" connotation..hee hee! Also in attendance was the wonderful jewelry product designer Wyatt, who I'd not seen since Margot's Luau birthday party, so it was really a blast. Of course I also hung out with Margot's husband, Drew and their wonderful daughter and Inky's kids, as I know them in Webkinz World, Doggie and Crystal...!

I used to always make cookies with my family and I made them to give away, but they were always the spoon and plop kind or the Peanut Butter Blossoms with the Hershey's Kisses on them. Not the cookie cutter kind. My cookie cutters are all for Melt Art(r)! So it was fun to decorate some cookies with all the appropriate accoutrement.

The first big of decorting was of the kids themselves; fun, faux "pearl" earrings and anything else that could be glued with icing to the kids' faces ala Wyatt's decorating acumen. Here's some of the fun cookies that we decorated. The few that I took home, well they found a new home in my tummy, they were GOOD!

Everyone enjoy their long weekend. Sweet and sugary hugs, Robin

Tinsel-tastic Tuesday!

2007-12-18T22:07:00.000-05:00

What a busy, crazy day! I had the pleasure of visiting the most wonderful business in NYC today, Tinsel Trading. I've been to this store over the years, but only one time since it's been remodeled and totally organized. With the power of the internet, I discovered that they are now teaching classes there with Ranger product. A very talented artist and designer, Terri Ventura, and I got to talking and I wanted to "see" what they had so that I could make some recommendations on how their existing product would work together with Ranger's stuff. As an aside, I also discussed the possibility of teaching some classes. I did a bit of shopping...! I could have done a lot more damage, but one thing at a time. If you're looking for something special, unique, vintage, different...check it out!

Above are some of the cabochons and buttons that I got. They're initially going to make some awesome molds, and then they'll be incorporated into necklaces! I also got some great vintage sequins that I'd never seen before that I will be working into some of my jewelry...can't wait!

I also found an unbelievable metal stamping that I'm dying to Alcohol Ink and make into something. Just something else to add to my list of things to do!

When I finally got home, I also had a wonderful surprise in my mailbox, from my friend Aleida Taddei-Thomas. I got to know her from Ranger U and she is extremely talented woman from TX. She was so taken by the Bandanna Technique that she made some stamps from actual bandanna designs that she sells on her website. She also has some great samples on her blog. She is super talented and will travel to teach in your store. She's also a wonderful person and friend! I received a "bandanna box" and Christmas Card, bandanna style with a surprise of her upper and lower case Bandanna Alphabets. I can't wait to try them out. They'll be so much fun on soldered monograms, don't you think?

Well, I'm totally done for the day, hitting the pillow hard. Enjoy my findings from today!

Tinsel Hugs, Robin

Sunday Slang and Beady Links

2007-12-16T11:32:00.000-05:00

Remember my contest? Well, winner Rachel Greig finally got her stamps...and she did not hesitate to use 'em! She couldn't wait to get her hands on the "speedo" guy, or as they apparently say in Australia, the "Dicksticker" guy (if you think that this could not be a common word, just "Google" it, and boy, is it ever common verbiage "Down Under"! You've got to check out her sample-she's also going to share the stamps and have a "Round Robin" where stampers will get to create and pass on some of the stamps and will also get to keep some...I love to share the fun of these older stamps that I can't use!

This is a fun picture that I recently found and scanned in from my pile of family photos. This is probably at Ocean Grove, NJ beach in the late 1800's. No bikinis or "dickstickers" here! The second woman in line is actually my maternal grandfather's mother, Marcella Dale; my middle name is the same as hers; my grandfather's sister, Margie's middle name was also Dale. The name derived from Marcella's mother, whose last name was Dale. No one knows what happened to my great-great Grandmother's husband...my grandfather was never told, so I guess we'll never know! One of those "family mysteries"!

What is not a mystery is the fabulousness of the week's beady links! Enjoy!

About.com Jewelry Making Tammy at About.com's Jewelry Making site has a long list of ideas for jewelry makers to give and get this holiday season.
Art Bead Scene As a thank you to our loyal readers, the editors of Art Bead Scene present 12 Days of Christmas: 12 free projects using art beads, running over the next two weeks. These projects are quick and easy gift ideas, perfect for the holidays!
Jewelry & Beading Stunning jewelry and other artwork are featured in an interview with Penny Purdie, one of Cyndi's favorite artists in the Swarovski Design Contest!
PearlEsq. Check out the travels of Robin at Tim Holtz' Holiday Hideaway!
Savvy Crafter Candie takes a walk down Candy Cane Memory Lane.... See two different versions of beaded candy cane ornaments on her blog. Yum!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beadng to be done! Jean displays a little parallel chain style chain maille and borosilicate bracelet for her chain maille gallery on her site: Margot Potter has the perfect name for it!
The Impatient Blogger It's week three of Ornament Thursday! Margot offers a simply lovely and quick idea in this week's post, plus links to the amazing ideas of the rest of our talented participants!

Beady Hugs, Robin

It's Clearly Christmas!

2007-12-14T17:03:00.000-05:00

I can't believe Christmas is around the corner, and for us in the industry, that just gets us closer to the CHA Show in Anaheim. Another of the projects that we made at the Holiday Hideaway was a clear book...I've been so wanting to make one of those, so I was psyched!

Tim made covers out of the largest Fragments from Tim's Idea-ology(tm) line. You have to drill the covers; a Cropadile will give you "real" fragments! Tim had shown us this neat spray that when it dried, looked just like frost on a window. I had the brainstorm if the fragment covers could be sprayed...and they could! They looked just like frost and were able to take rub ons.

The pages were from Hambly's Studio; I love their new Clearly Heavy Overlays and the regular printed overlays. They were all cut to size and we rounded all the corners with Tonic's Boot Punch. I had never used their punch, but I liked how it worked...my hands were not cramped up after all those corners!

We then played with Hambly's Christmas Decor Rub ons...they work awesome as well and we also were able to "bling 'em up" with Heidi Swapp's Bling Accents. They worked great in conjunction with the rub on Christmas Trees and ornaments.

The book was finished up by punching out holes and adding binder rings and ribbon! Today I actually printed out a punch of small pictures of my tree and from the retreat and added them throughout the book, double facing the photos on either side of the page so there was no blank spot. I'll probably add in some journaling here and there...but I will definitely be making more.

I also had fun today decorating my Mini Mister(tm) holder that Kim DeRonde made us. I painted it black with a few coats of the Adirondack(r) Acrylic Paint Dabber in Pitch Black and then took my bazillion different Bandanna Backgrounds that I had finished and made tiles with the Fragments, gluing on the paper with Glossy Accents(tm). I then glued them on, one side at a time. I'm so psyched how it turned out! I'll be all ready to go with all of my Mini Mister/Perfect Pearl(tm)/Distress Ink(tm) reinker combinations...

I'm really enjoying decorating the living room with my Holiday Hideaway decorations! I hope you're enjoying them, too!

Enjoy the weekend!

Robin

Packin' Up Our Suitcase...with a Mini Book

2007-12-13T15:41:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone on the East Coast is keeping warm and dry. We're getting whatever everyone else had earlier in the week and we're supposed to be getting a "Nor-east'r" this weekend...a perfect time to make samples and play (and do laundry...oh well)!

We made a fun, fun project on the first full day of our retreat. Clever Tim, trouble maker extraordinaire, was able to finagle this cute as anything mini suitcase so everyone had it in the Christmas red and green. Some things you don't ask, just appreciate it! The insides were the fun part...this was an easy mini book that can be recreated in tons of different sizes!

Tim used the Wonderland papers from Cosmo Cricket. We folded them to create little pockets for the mini-folders and with the mixture of Distress reinkers, water and Perfect Pearls in the Mini Mister(tm), you're ready to go! As an aside, we were given the MOST WONDERFUL block of wood from Kim DeRonde with 30 holes drilled in, perfect for the Mini Misters! I can't wait to decorate mine so that everyone know that it's mine and not to touch it.

We distressed all the pages with Tim's Paper Distresser and edged with Distress Ink(tm) and the Ink Blending Tool. Just a little ink on the paper creates dimension...love to use this. Remember, you can use either the Ink Blending Tool or the Alcohol Ink Applicator handle for the Ink Blending Foam...it will stick to both! We punched holes on each page and added some vintage binder rings and ribbon from American Craft-love their embellishments! Don't you also love the foofy ric rac? Crazy Kate brought it and was kind enough to share!

Don't forget to distress the suitcase. A few scrapes with sandpaper and more inking and pounding the hardware with Tim's Texture Hammer. I almost got out of hand with the hammering...the snaps almost stopped working...!

I'm going to go through a bunch of photos that I have of my mom and my uncle and add them to the book! It's a great gift for someone and a wonderful gift I made for myself!

Keep toasty, everyone!

Robin

Creativity Abounding in AZ

2007-12-12T16:52:00.000-05:00

I've still got one suitcase filled to the brim with "stuff" that I'll be emptying out little by little. It was such a blast...now onto the creativity! Karen Morikawa, or as she is known, Keychain (she's so petite she could go onto a keychain...a definite Tim"ism"!) put together a wonderful swap. Almost everyone created 38 copies or versions of a recipe card. You could make one and copy it or make 38 of 'em. I kind of did a mix. I printed out the recipe (Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies), but then had to embellish accordingly. I had to do some sort of a Bandanna Technique of course. The background paper is from Basic Grey's Figgy Pudding, then layered with "pearlized" Wrinkle Free Distress on watercolor paper, then the recipe. I added a swipe of Vintage Photo Distress Crackle Paint(tm) and liked a crazy woman hand stamped out the word "cookies" with the awesome Magnetic Poetry stamps in the Typewriter Font with Jet Black Archival(tm) Ink. I then "Bandanna'd" it with the white pen. Everyone did a wonderful and outstanding job.

For our first project, we made a book to hold our recipe cards, using Grungeboard(tm) and the Bind-it-all, which I had not used before. I wanted the book to have a Christmas-ey feel to it, but not too much. Thus, placed the Grungeboard covers through the Cuttlebug(tm) with the Snowflakes border...boy, does it emboss great...since the covers had a harlequin pattern to it to begin with, it creates a "double" embossed effect! I coated the outside covers with a combination of Adirondack(r) Acrylic Paint Dabber colors: Silver, Cloudy Blue and some Snow Cap White... I then added on the numbers "07" and bookplate coated with Pitch Black and edged with Silver paint. I then bound it together with the Bind-it-All!

As usual, I came up with an idea that I wasn't sure if it would work, but still wanted to see if it could! I'm famous for that and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. At least it's good to try, right? I took two of the longer Grungeboard Hinges and painted them black and edged with Silver and attached hinge "end" with brads to the back covers. I then wanted to somehow create something so that they would "snap" in place and close. I cut out two small circles from the Grungeboard, again using the Cuttlebug, followed by die cut snowflakes. I poked holes through these and on the front cover edges, attached them to the covers with a brad, but made sure that the brad had space so it stuck out and was NOT flush to the die cut shapes. The decorative end of the hinges had a center hole...perfect to use to "attach" and create a closure...pretty cool...BUT-next time, I'm going to reinforce that hole on the decorative edge of the hinge with an eyelet...someone was a little rough with checking out the closure and one of them ripped. That's okay, though! It still closes and you get the idea.

The finishing touch was adding ribbon to the binder...It's really fun and I'm so glad that there's something I can look at to remember the attendees by!

There's 5 more projects that we created, so keep tuned in!

Inky Hugs, Robin

Holiday Hideaway Hangover!

2007-12-11T14:39:00.000-05:00

Hello, Everyone! I'm back from my flurry of art, friends and fun in AZ! I took today off to get my bearings back. I feel like I'm hungover from all the travel and fun. I've got lots to share. Every bit of it was memorable and just such a blast. If Tim didn't think I was stalking him, I could see myself living in Prescott. I think it's my 4th trip there and I just love its small town coziness, antique stores, neat galleries and the art. Weather wise, we had everything-sun, snow, hail and rain. All we needed was some lightning and thunder and we would have been complete.

I feel so lucky and blessed when I am at an event such as this. I'm lucky in that I get to work and spend time with Tim through the year. What an event such as this does for me is to get a chance to catch up with so many others that I've not seen in a while. Many of the attendees I first met through Club Scrap-demoing and teaching at the first 4+ years of their retreats I've become friends with so many people from around the country. There's also the many store owners that I've met through Tim and Ranger that I've become friendly with. Boy did we laugh this weekend. No matter what happens in your life, the ability to spend time with people like this is what makes it all worth while.

I thought I'd "report" on my trip in a few posts, but the first one is all about friends. I made some new ones and got to reconnect. We were all assigned to a table, and we had fun! I was lucky to spend the weekend with my roomies, Dawn and Nadine, here we are together... as well as the crazy and wonderfully talented Kate and new friends Kathy and Michelle.

Don't tell Brian, but I have a new "boyfriend"; Michelle's son, Kelvin and her husband brought Michelle to the retreat. It turns out Kelvin, who is 5, loves Webkinz, too! Every time he came into the room I would holler out in my shy way, "Hi, Kelvin!" He didn't know what to do at first and would whisper answers to his mom. After we got into our Webkinz discussions, though, that was a different story. Now I have a new Webkinz buddy! Near the end of the weekend Kelvin asked for my snail mail info and number and I gave it to him, but said not to tell my boyfriend. He was so cute because he said, "why not?" Brian thought it was a riot...here's my new Webkinz buddy. Isn't he cute?

There's so many pictures people took and I've already ordered Sharon's photos! Thanks, Sharon! My buddy Terri, or Zwick or Zwickie. She mentioned before the retreat that you know those friends that you've not seen in a while, but when you do see them, it was like yesterday that you last saw them!? That's Zwickie. Super-talented designer for Club Scrap and all around funny-as-hell gal. She and I tend to get into trouble. Of course, in a good way. Then there's Lia, Keychain, Cindy, Monica, and on and on. And of course-Tim. What can I say about a friend and co-worker like Tim? Thanks. Also, to Sharon, Michelle and the incomparable Mario for the prepping, organizing and cooking...Yikes! I was almost scared to step on the scale today. But it was so worth it.

I've got lots more to share, but I wanted to start out with what I treasure so much-my friends. Not just the ones that I got to catch up with at the Hideaway, but for all the rest of you...you know who you are!

It's good to be home! Enjoy the day! Holly Hugs, Robin

Greetings from...

2007-12-05T23:44:00.001-05:00

In a matter of hours I'll be grumbling because it's too early and will be on my way to AZ. I promise to take lots of pictures and to have fun, not be as good as I have been regarding my food and drink diet and have fun seeing a bunch of my friends that I've not seen in a while, and spending more time with those that I do see, but on "vacation time!"

I probably won't be posting during that time, but I'll be reporting as soon as I get back! Enjoy the weekend...I know I will!
Inky Hugs, Robin