Where I Will Be until Sunday Night!

Here is a sneak peak at my booth!

The aisle carpets were not down yet but I needed to just snap this one picture.

This is what I started with Monday.

And this is what it looked like Tuesday Morning.

I was very happy to leave with my whole booth done by dinner last night. There isn't a thing I can do. All I need to do now is wait for the doors to the show to open.

Quite a few of you seem so surprised that the Spring show is here.

I feel like I just told you all about the Christmas show! And it's Easter Weekend too! April really crept up on a lot of people this year.

One of a Kind Spring Show and Sale 2010

Booth I-44

Wednesday, March 31 to Sunday, April 4, 2010

Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place,

100 Princes' Blvd

Toronto

Wednesday to Saturday 10am-9pm,

Sunday 10am-6pm

Link To OOAK Site Here.

Final Card Round Up

On the last day of card making I focused on the cards I didn't want to miss completing.

That's why this Russian floral dolls cards are done. I bought these wooden doll beads in Paris of all places.

I had to make a few more Easter cards.

One more Alice in Wonderland set.

Thank yous are always needed.

Babies and wedding. I can never make enough.

I won't make cards again until May now!

I started my load-in yesterday. Today I will be merchandising the booth all day!

I Have Not Forgotten The Puppy Cards

It has been a while since I last made some dog themed cards. I was really happy to make these up this weekend.

I had a few supplies left over from other years and then I added all my new fabric printouts and ribbons.

My favorite theme: Dogs leave footprints on your heart!

More Cats Than You Can Shake a Stick At

I have been surrounded by cats.

All winter I thought I was seeing the same cat walk through the backyard.

Now that it is spring, I realize that there are three cats. And they have a friend who is grey.

This was our first (and hopefully last) winter without a dog. For thirteen years our backyard was lovingly and jealously monitored by our golden retrievers. They marked every inch. I pitied the poor bunny that opted to try for a quick dash across the yard. Squirrels knew to stick to fence tops and their acrobatic stunts amused us all.

But this winter it was different. Our backyard was deemed neutral territory and all these cats have decided they can hang out any time.

I have no idea who they belong to. I am starting to think that my bird feeders and the birds it drew were their main food source. I hope they don't think they live here.

There will be a new sheriff in town next month.

Our puppy arrives at the end or April.

He's got a lot of marking, claiming and patrolling to do.

Enjoy yourselves kitties. It's all just temporary.

Some cards I made this weekend inspired by the cat posse.

Oh, and here are my Sunday links!

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy has been showing off some of her favorite jewelry pieces on her blog this week like this pretty earring and necklace set.

Art Bead Scene
It's the Art Bead Scene Monthly Carnival Blog. This month's theme is "passion."

Beading Arts
Does the beginning of spring lift your spirits? Cyndi has made a spring bracelet sponsored by Artbeads to celebrate this most wonderful of all seasons.

Carmi's Art/Life World
A vintage TUMs container becomes a necklace centerpiece in Carmi's project this week.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Rewind: Is your bronze metal clay warping? Then Cindy's got the tool for you - Rawhide!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Whoo- whoo! New porcelain owl pendants inspired by internet sensation Molly the Owl

Time Permitting Cards

Ahhh. I was able to squeeze in a Frida set. With only days to go before I load into the One of A Kind show building I am looking through my to do lists to see what cards or occasions I still need create inventory for. My studio is still full of great ideas...there just isn't enough time for assembly.

I try not to forget Frida though.

She is Spring to me!

Drum Roll Please

Well friends.

Six days until the doors at the One of A Kind Spring Show open.

I have met my personal goal of 1000 new art cards.

Thanks to all of you who asked and egged me on!

It's A TUMS Day

TUMS Pot-o-Gold.

Sounds like the Pot of Gold theme a chocolate company is using now.

I purchased this vintage TUMS metal tube at an antique market.

I loved the chartreuse green, the rust and the fact that the cap was intact.

I had visions of it holding secret messages or a picture or two. After trying to attach it to project after project it became clear to me that I want to keep it.

Today I drilled two small holes into it's sides and completed this cute necklace.

I have not selected what will go into the container yet.

For now, I will just enjoy looking at it on this display.

The star blanks are from Vintaj and the metal flowers are from Dove of The East.

Today I Am On The Shopping Channel!

Today I'll be on at 8am, 1pm, 6pm and 10pm.
I have more time for each of my products so I hope to do more demos. Wish me luck!

These cards and layouts are for "All Dressed Up Layered Layouts." This kit is wonderful too!

Thanks to the parents who loaned me kid photos!

Crazy For These Flowers

I have made so many flowers that I think I may be slightly addicted.

Once I started playing with colours and dimention I could not move on to another theme. I need spring.

This is one of the four products I am showcasing on The Shopping Channel this Wednesday.

Truly, you won't believe how many fabulous paper flowers is in this kit.

I want to glue a flower onto everything that leaves the house. I can't believe I have given people wrapped gifts that didn't have one of these easy to make floral embellishments! No longer!

Very Martha, don't you think? For my next luncheon.

Okay. I need to tell you that I am on at 8am, 1pm. 6pm and 10pm.

But it is live TV. Things change sometimes. I plan to demo lots!

This is how many flowers there are in this kit in a life size display!

$22.95.

How is that for an amazing price!

3 Birds Week!

This week is 3 Birds week for me.

I am on The Shopping Channel representing the company and four new products on Wednesday. There is so much to show...I thought I would give you a sneak peak at a few of the items. The picture above features a polymer clay tile I stamped with the "Inky Alphas" set.

This is the best stamp set I have ever owned. I love the fonts and that I can actually create words and full sentiments for card making.

You won't run out of vowels! The set comes with a huge acrylic block and 9 pigment ink pads.

Acquisitions

Nancy had her one woman show yesterday.

I couldn't wait to see everything all in one place. These are my purchases.

These two pictures will be framed soon. I was thrilled to get them because Nancy took these photos on one of our drives in the country this summer. Now I have an awesome memento of that day.

Here are my happy Sunday links!

A Bead A Day After a treasure hunting trip through a bucket of fun spirited plastic beads, Lisa creates a "charm" bracelet to remind her of the experience!

About.com Jewelry Making Carpel Tunnel Syndrome is not a new issue for jewelry designers, but here are some resources that may help.

Art Bead Scene Art Bead Scene Editor Heather Powers shows how she organized her studio for $45!

Beading Arts Cyndi worked out a pattern for a simple but pretty floral seed bead chain!

Carmi's Art/Life World A few word charms by the cash register are the inspiration for a new brooch.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva A seed catalog keeps Cindy's inspiration alive. The result is a Victorian Garden Bee Skep bead.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie reviews a delighful new multi-media book by Sherri Haab

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done! Spring really arrived here, FINALLY, and Jean was inspired to create some colorful, sparkly CZ jewelry with the beautiful components she found at Artbeads!

The Art and Writing of Andrew Thornton Just back from a whirlwind adventure in Hawaii, Andrew shares his experience in paradise and spotlights some bead-making talents.

Too Much In My Head

Yes girlfriend. This big bow isn't doing a thing for your mood.

I have a bit too much in my head today too. So many last minute things to do that I'll just say hello and goodbye today.

Cards With Meaning

A few years ago I made some Christening cards with a gold cross and before I knew it I was making cards for most of the spring religious occasions.

Confirmations.

Christenings.

First Communions.

I disappointed a few people who wanted to buy these at the Christmas show. So I am ready now.

New for me is the Hamsa hand. I really like this interpretation. Happiness, luck, health and good fortune.

The Manifesto Brooch

Yup, I am at it again.

Another brooch.

But this one speaks.

A week ago I made a fast 3 day trip to Florida to spend a little time with my family. On Saturday night we went to St Armands Circle which is near Sarasota. It has the prettiest downtown filled with restaurants, shops and a nice entryway to the beach to watch the sunset. The restaurants are always busy, and it being Saturday we had a 30 to 45 minute wait. I wandered into one of the gift shops with my niece. I was looking for children's books or toys. (Just a little gift to keep the kids occupied if the wait for dinner went too long.) We found a few cute things and went to pay for our selection.

Just as I was about to pay, I noticed these little word charms in a jar next to the cash register. I almost missed them. Every time I picked a charm out of the jar... I agreed with the sentiment. Making sure that I had a complete set, I happily placed them in my wallet. I knew I would do something with them.

Reading them again, I decided I might like to wear them.

So this is my manifesto brooch.

The charms together feel like a call to action.

1. Free your heart from hatred.

2. Free your mind from worries.

3. Live simply.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less.

Happy St. Patrick Day!

I was going to post a vintage post card today but decided the theme of green would be better.

Here is a green and lovely view from the kitchen window of Monet's house in France.

And this is a digital file of his pond that I have been playing with. One of these days I will decide if it is done.

We are in for a record breaking warm day today. March seems to have come in like a lamb after all. Have a lovely day and to my Irish friends Happy St. Patrick Day!

Back to Business

Yesterday was such a great day. I received so many puppy comments! It really is nice to have some good news... and puppies are a nice image for everyone to day dream about. I am sure a lot of you went down memory lane thinking about your own four legged friends. So thank you!

I know I say this all the time, BUT, this is now my favorite card. Sewn papers, gold trim from Paris, a resin covered word bead I made and a vintage Indian embellishment I bought at Tinsel Trading in New York. This humble card represents so many great days in my travels that anyone who buys it is bound to get a lot of great Karma too!

A few retro style anniversary cards.

And my last Mother's, Father's and All Occasion. I am now moving on to the religious cards I need.