I'm a Janome Girl!

I am watching The Shopping Channel.

I am a guest on the show at 4pm (and 11pm) with the Marie Osmond organizational systems following the women from Janome. They are demonstrating a computerized sewing machine on the show this morning and I learned one or two stitching techniques already. Live demonstrations always beat the instructional manual.

But I am so pleased to make a little announcement!

I am a new Janome Artisan!

Janome sent me the Jem Platinum machine and I plan to post many little "how tos" and samples in the next year.

I know a lot of you have a sewing machine...and you are not using it.

I think a few of you even have the Jem. I hope you set it up and start experimenting a little with me.

Since I wanted to give the machine a little test run I opted to just put some thread in the machine and start sampling some of the many stitch options. Even though I was just playing I got to make my Janome logo. Here is a little close up of the amazing stitch options I tried out.

So thank you Janome! I am very excited to be joining your family of artisans!

Back to School

I always did love the back to school build up. Signing up for classes and getting new supplies. It was all so great. I miss it still.

So this weekend I decided to do some back to school planning too. I am going to Raven's Nest Art Retreat in October! I could not be more excited. First, because there are classes I really want to take. Second, I think the organizer is a long lost sibling. And third, I have never been to that end of Wisconsin and I am going to really enjoy driving about!

Then I popped over the the Toronto Bead Oasis Show site and signed up for some classes at this event. It is always good to take a class locally. This way I can sleep at home...and spend my money at the vendors tables instead!

Finally, The Creative Festival is in October too. I missed it completely last year, but I usually sign up for something sewing related every year. They have a pretty big line up this fall, so it is a tougher decision to make. I am still deciding on which classes to take but I am going to go for sure.

Now that I have some classes to look forward to I can get back to my regular work projects!

Here is what the beaders were up to this week!

A Bead A Day Have you ever used sterling silver curly-Q tubes in your jewelry designs?? Lisa is searching for cool ideas for these adorable tubes.

About.com Jewelry Making Do you use blogging to promote your jewelry business? Tammy has some thoughts for you on this.

Art Bead Scene Art Bead Scene expands the editorial staff and welcomes Lorelei Eurto!

Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi uses shrink plastic to make a neat little bracelet.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva What do bronze and rawhide have in common? Cindy explains how she uses both in her studio.

Crafty Princess Diaries Check out this unusual call for entries the Crafty Princess found for Momiji doll lovers.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie shows off some fun experiments that she has seen coming out of her studio, mixing copper and pewter.

Jewelry & Beading Looking ahead to the fall, Cyndi shows how to make a new necklace called "Autumn Arbor".

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei is hosting a Necklace Round Robin, but you have to leave a comment to be entered to win a spot!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Beadfest Philadelphia was packed with talented artisans and bead-makers. See what Andrew picked out!

Sun Prints

Last weekend I set up a little low tech demo with Overthere Boy. His camera is in the shop and I figured "why not make some pictures without all the gear?"

I purchased two sun print kits at the Art Gallery of Ontario a few weeks ago. There are twelve 4 x4 sheet of paper in a kit for $6.95. An inexpensive art adventure! This is the set up I made for the experiment. I pulled together some items that might print well in the sun.

We each laid out some items on the blue paper and the kit included an acrylic sheet to hold everything in place.

Then we went into the sun.

Which kept getting distracted by the clouds.....

Five minutes later we brought our papers in to set them in cold water.

These were our first two prints.

Overthere Boy admitted right away that he didn't really enjoy the the concept. I was left alone with the papers.

Determined to create something I would like....6 prints later I made these with some printed acetate, dried flowers and lace.

I don't think the sun will be doing much printing for me in the future.

The Shopping Channel

This is Marie Osmond's storage and organization line.

They were designed for the sewing fanatic but now that I have them I know they are perfect for all crafty obsessions.

I am a guest host on The Shopping Channel this Monday representing the Elite Essentials products!
This was an opportunity that just came to me a week ago so I was pretty excited to go to the studios and see where my demonstrations will be live next week. I can't wait to show off this line of organizers! Wish me luck. I am going to be practicing my presentation on and off all weekend!

(4pm spot and 11pm spot)

Shrink Plastic Bracelet

I had my niece over for a crafty play day yesterday. We made t-shirts and bags and had a great time together. Towards the end of the afternoon I decided to give her a little shrink plastic demo. She's going into grade one next week so I knew shrink plastic would still impress her. I have not purchased any fresh shrink plastic in years. The pieces I had in my inventory are at least five years old. I don't think it can go bad. We shrunk all sorts of animals shapes. Kids love to see things shrink.

After my niece went home I started to clean up the studio when I decided to extend my crafty day with a few more experiments.

I have owned these row house rubber stamps for years. I finally figured out what I might stamp them on.

It's a little hard to see, but these are all the images stamped onto shrink plastic. I decided to just colour in the doors with pencil crayons. Afterwards, I cut out each rectangular house and punched a hole at the top of each piece.

I used my heat/embossing tool to "shrink" the plastic. This is what it looks like mid-shrink. When the pieces are shrunk, they are about 30% of their original size.

I took a gold marker to all the edges to make them look a little nicer.

The little rectangles turned out great. You can still see that these are houses. I attached it to a bangle bracelet and also added these pearls.

Ta Da. A children's art day still resulted in something neat for me!

Feeling Festive

I have the Christmas spirit! I am printing these vintage images I cleaned up in Photoshop onto fabric and sewing them onto layers of Christmassy fabric....so pretty!

I have not forgot summer though.

I took this photo as a reminder that orange really does go well with purple.

My hot pink snow couple. Under glass and nestled on lace.

I feel a nip in the air!

Favorite Card - Again

It seems like I am repeating myself.

But this might be my favorite card. I never know what I will come up with, so there is no way of predicting in advance which card set might turn out better than the last. This set really makes me happy.

I attached a hand made bezel to each card. The fabric is spectacular...beaded and ribbon flowers throughout.

I also really like this set. The colours of fall.

AND

This is the centre of one of my new book assemblages. I have managed to work on almost 20 books this summer and I am just now starting to add hangers and sign the backs.

This is the whole book.

I almost left it at this stage. I am not sure why I was so compelled to add the "and" symbol. I just love how it turned out though!

The Good Mailing List

On Friday I picked up my mail and there was a really big white envelope waiting for me. It was thick and I automatically assumed it must be a wedding invitaation.

But inside was this beautiful black invitation. I love printing. And this card has everything I really appreciate in a well designed card: clear embossing and stamped gold foil.

I have no idea how I got on this mailing list though.

A single ticket to this event is $900.00 Or I could be a co-sponsor and get a table for 10 for $90,000.00. I don't think I will be meeting Stanley Tucci. And I am sad to say I won't enjoy the dinner designed and prepared by Jamie Kennedy.

Happy Sunday Friends!

-

Here's what my beading friends were up to this week!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Come join the fun in Philadelphia this weekend at Beadfest! Stop by the Green Girl Studios booth to say hello to Andrew and check out all the great new things available!!!

A Bead A Day Creating a "tiara" for your wrist is easy using Jill MacKay beading components and bicone crystals.

About.com Jewelry Making Check out my beautifully organized list of mixed-media book reviews and find the perfect book to help you mix up your jewelry making.

Art Bead Scene Art Bead Scene gets green findings at the local re-use store.

Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi has a short demo on how she came up with a contest entry.

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva What do bronze and rawhide have in common? Cindy explains how she uses both in her studio.

Earthenwood Studio Chronices Melanie contemplates taking risks, making changes, and creative experimentation to prevent art burnout.

Jean Campbell Jean's whipped up a free vintage button brooch project for you to try.

Jewelry & Beading Cyndi wants to know, what's the best thing you've made so far this summer?

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Take a peek into Lorelei's studio and see some cool bead storage solutions!

Strands of Beads Melissa reveals her Use the Muse II Entry, "Briar Rose".

Summer Red

This summer I have really enjoyed cutting one small arrangement for this tiny glass vase. I keep it right beside my computer so I can enjoy it all day. Aren't these colours spectacular? This is one plant. The shades of red, burgundy and purple are a colour scheme most people would not dare to wear. The heat is getting to the plant though. I am down to my final blooms.

My strawberries! Saved from the squirrels. I have three hangers stationed just outside my studio window. The red colour just calls to me and I know they are ready to eat.

Pink and Gold

I painted these wooden bead several times until I found a colour combination I liked. I know they are meant to be on a necklace....but they are flat and a perfect handmade embellishment for one of my card sets. I filled the centre with resin and added these additional brass angels.

I really like these now. I have a blue set to work on next!

The finished card set.

Small Details

A few of the new card sets.

I doubt I will get a chance to tell my customers all about the small details....only my blog readers will know. This is a portion of vintage french ribbon. I found a section in Portland and the owner made me a special deal for the remainder on a roll. I use it so sparingly. The sewn on hummingbird just brings out the gold threads perfectly.

A brass Merry Christmas charm sewed to fabric I printed and then sewed to felt. So many layers....you would have to see it this close to know.

Dangles

I made up a bunch of these patches.

I wasn't sure what I would do with them. So I put them on hold.

Then I made up these ribbon dangles and they just needed something.

Sewn on randomly.

The card set is now made up.

Entering The Muse Contest

Last week Scarlett's blog went live with the result of the "Use The Muse" contest.

This is my entry: Purple Renaissance.

We were sworn to secrecy, so I couldn't show my work in progress. I signed up for a kit in June and when the little tins of beads were on my table I couldn't help but notice how well they went with a little image I had sitting on my table. This renaissance woman is part of a digital file collection Susan gave me. (Renaissance Madonnas and Angels) She creates the most amazing digital file collections.

So I printed the image on fabric and cut out a piece of fabric for the backing.

Then I gathered all my supplies and started randomly sewing beads on my tiny stuffed pendant.

The colours are just stunning.

Then I started playing with "the muse." I opted to make a tiny collage in the centre of the mother of pearl donut. I also made the edged areas a deeper shade of purple to match my renaissance woman.

When everything was dry though...

I loved the back of the pendant even more...so I oped to attach it this way.

Entering contests and challenges are excellent ways to keep you creative in the summer.

I had a really great time with this challenge! I am now enjoying seeing all the links to the winning submissions. If you want some eye candy...just pop by Scarlett's site and see what others did with the same kit.

New Art Cards

New cards with my handmade fabric buttons.

These birthdays cards have wooden embellishments!

Jeweled Card Embellishments

A few of the new art cards. I am so glad I know a little bit about jewelery so I can incorporate these findings in my cards.

Now. Here are my beading links this week!

A Bead A Day A Crystallized "Square Ring"! If you have never seen a "square ring", stop by A Bead A Day to see how it has been incorporated into a bracelet.

About.com Jewelry Making Too Much Jewelry Business Success? Is it really possible? And if so, what do you do about it?

Art Bead Scene Art Bead Scene announces the August monthly challenge theme - a beautiful woodcut print.

Beading Arts The simple spiral square stitch can add pizazz to your projects. Learn this easy stitch with an easy-to-follow tutorial!

Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi explains how she made her glue gun leather brooch.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva Looking to create a pendant from one of her antique button treasures, Cindy tries her hand at mold making.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie shares her new Shino glaze tests, and ponders about new work.

Jean Campbell Jean helped deliver two babies this week: a new nephew and a new bracelet design.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio There are a couple of new bead and blog books on the shelves at Barnes & Noble! Lorelei's got the scoop!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton The BIG REVEAL is here! Check out Andrew's submission to the Use the Muse II contest!