Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Happy To Be Home

To everyone who popped by to see me at the One of A Kind show. It was a great show for me and I loved teaching at my sold out workshop Sunday. Truly, it was my best show ever!

As you can imagine, I have a huge job today unpacking from the last week of activities.

But throughout the day there will be breaks and large cups of tea that I will enjoy while it is still hot. It is so good to be home.

Monday, November 29, 2010

The Last Day At The One of A Kind Show

Today will be my last day at the show! I am a 5 day vendor and during the night the 6 day vendors will move in. This effects only 66 booths in a show of 800+ exhibitors. I am truly grateful that I have the opportunity to do only half the show. It really works for me and my family.
So I hope to see a few more friends and I am sure the day will fly by even with an earlier start than usual for the CP24 morning news segment.
Since I am gone, I hope you enjoy these crafty blogger links!

Aileen’s Musings
Aileen offers you Starbuck’s upcyled bird ornaments to create. Gather the kids and have fun making these ornaments to hang on your tree, give as a gift or use as a tag!

Carmi’s Art/Life World
Carmi has a two part name tag making project highlighted this week.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a tutorial on how to paint a bee and dragonfly, draw a pilgrim, Native American and English Guard, videos on how to sew a yo-yo, and a preview of the new show Brew Masters and how to paint on a vintage postcard.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter

Who couldn’t use another tote bag? Here’s a Koi Beach-Themed Tote from Eileen for your beach holidays or just to use when you miss the beach and warm weather.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge’s lovely and talented daughter Avalon whips up a super cute embellished hat and scarf this week for ILovetoCreate Teen Crafts!

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi is working away at finding more uses for expanded squares.

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
Stef has a new book review-Wild Color, Revised and Updated Edition: The Complete Guide to Making and Using Natural Dyes.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

I'll Be On The Morning News in Toronto

Hi friends!
I will be doing a short card making demonstration on CP24 tomorrow morning around 8:10am live from the One of a Kind Show. I am hoping they film the segment in my booth!

Charmed and Charming Cards

Today will be a busy day for me at The One of A Kind show because I am also teaching a card making workshop. I can't wait! Happy Sunday friends. Hope you have time for a cuppa so that you can enjoy some great links from the beading bloggers!

A Bead A Day
Do you have a quick and easy jewelry project or design that you would like to share with others? Stop by A Bead A Day to pick up an idea or leave an idea!


About.com Jewelry Making

Find out the latest news, including a tight deadline, for an awesome jewelry making challenge sponsored by Rio Grande and Lark Books.

Art Bead Scene
Get your jewelry shop ready for the holiday shopping season with help from Art Bead Scene!

Beading Arts
Don't miss the beautiful Murano glass pendants that Cyndi will be giving away now and all through next month!

Beads & Books
Michelle searches the toy store to get ideas for earring displays for her upcoming craft show.

Carmi's Art/Life World

In a two part story Carmi glams up a name tag with jewelery components.

Cindy Gimbrone, The Lampwork Diva
Watching your pennies while trying to make fabulous jewelry for gifts this holiday season? Cindy can help you, read on!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
A thrift store find inspires Melanie to make some fun dinosaur tear pendants

Pretty Things
Come see the small swaps that go on in the Bead Soup Blog Party Yahoo Group!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
The latest news from Artbeads : voting and a new sweepstakes!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Happy Thanksgiving! Celebrate the holiday with a special Thursday Giveaway sponsored by Auntie's Beads!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

The Last Card Set of 2010

This is the last card set I made for the Christmas One of A Kind show. I had created this image for my Paris blog and before you knew it I was printing it on fabric to make one last set of cards.

These are my crafty blogger links for the week!


Aileen's Musings
Aileen offers you Starbuck's upcyled bird ornaments to create. Gather the kids and have fun making these ornaments to hang on your tree, give as a gift or use as a tag!


Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world

This week at Craftside there is a tutorial on how to paint a bee and dragonfly, draw a pilgrim, Native American and English Guard, videos on how to sew a yo-yo and a preview of the new show Brew Masters and how to paint on a vintage postcard.


Crafty Princess Diaries

After much feeling around, Tammy has definitely determined which baby yarn she thinks is the softest.


Eileen - The Artful Crafter

Who couldn’t use another tote bag? Here’s a Koi Beach-Themed Tote from Eileen for your beach holidays or just to use when you miss the beach and warm weather.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter

Madge's lovely and talented daughter Avalon whips up a super cute embellished hat and scarf this week for ILovetoCreate Teen Crafts!


Mixed Media Artist

Cyndi is working away at finding more uses for expanded squares.


Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery

Book Review-Wild Color, Revised and Updated Edition: The Complete Guide to Making and Using Natural Dyes

Some of The Last Cards I Made For The Show

During the week I had just enough time to make a few more card sets. The two sweet cartoon illustrations are from another wonderful overseas artist The Clipart Fairy.

I finally got these leatherette flowers onto a card.

Queen Marie is appearing through out my card collection.

These were two more of the gorgeous girls I downloaded from Tiddly Inks.

I coloured the black and white drawings and printed them on fabric to make this last group of birthday cards.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Heading To Day Two Of The One of A Kind Show

I managed to take one photo of the booth before the show opened yesterday!
I am booth Q25 and will be there for four more days.
The show info and hours are posted here.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

The Glam Name Tag - Part Two

Ta Da! The name tag which will greet customers and friends at the opening of the One of A Kind show today!

Yesterday I showed you how I gathered my supplies to make the main part of the name tag. Today I pulled out my jewelry supplies to see how I could turn it into something wearable...more necklace like. For this project I turned to my stash of old necklaces I use for re purposing projects.

I also made these two special buttons! If you want to learn how I came up with these images from a bad picture I took in Paris, go to my other blog for that story!

My finished name tag necklace is just what I wanted. Something new and unique to wear to a show full of new and unique things!

Glad I am not wearing this!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The Name Tag - Part One

I need a new name tag. I hate to wear a plastic pocket on a string and since I need to wear one at the One of A Kind show for ten hours a day...I felt I better try and make one I would like.

I printed my name on fabric using a couple of different colours and pulled out some other items which might work on a sewn fabric name tag. The felt is thick and sturdy and I attached some clear acetate to the reverse so I could also enclose the official paper name tag I get on site.

Sewing through fibers, felt and the plastic backing was very easy.
I added a few eyelets so I can attach this name tag holder to string or ribbon. That I'll sort out tonight.
I have had these metal letters for years! I know I was duplicating what was already in fabric...but loved it anyway. Plus, I only found the letters after I was done sewing. I felt it was a sign and that they needed to be sewn onto the name tag holder.


The first part of my name tag project is complete.
Tune in tomorrow to see how I turn it into a necklace.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

A Little Hanukkah

This round of card making was special. I finally found a great new digital image for Hanukkah. I downloaded the black and white drawing of Hannah and then coloured her in for these pretty cards.

These charms really finish the cards.

I also made some classic cards using my button maker, jewelry components and fabric. I really like these too!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Keep Calm

This is the perfect time to make these cards.

I have one last day to finish up any remaining cards that I want to bring to the One of A Kind show which begins THIS WEEK!

The fall flew by for me. Tuesday I start moving back into the One of A Kind building. It feels like I just moved out from the Spring show!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Card Embellishing

Some of the most enjoyable hours I spend in the studio are when I search through my own collections for the perfect embellishment for a card series I am working on. I have been really using a lot of different charms, buttons, jewelry components and fibers in these new cards.

Have a wonderful Sunday friends. Here are my bead blogger links for the week.

A Bead A Day

In celebration of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, Lisa is collecting stories and photos of the gifts of jewelry we make and give to show our thanks to others.


About.com Jewelry Making

Tammy tackles the never ending question about soldering irons and making jewelry.


Art Bead Scene

Take a Trip into the Woods via ABS's Friday Picks!


Beading Arts

Cyndi currently has TWO fabulous giveaways going on: Acculon beading wire and a Murano glass pendant!


Carmi's Art/Life World

Carmi has a cute little felt ring project to share this week.


Cindy Gimbrone, The Lampwork Diva

This week, Cindy's mad for "snow globe-ish" jewelry!


Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!

Jean has an amazing, don't miss, book giveaway! All you have to do is leave a comment on her blog and you might become the winner of Lark's completely stunning 500 Plastics Jewelry Designs--what a marvel of a book!


The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

Take a tour of Africa through its beads! Win a $75 gift certificate to The BeadChest in this week's Thursday Giveaway!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Card Salute To Harry Potter

Could not resist making a set of cards celebrating the release of the new Harry Potter movie.
You would have to be a real fan of the books and movies to get these little jokes, but here is a little explanation:

Keep Calm and Wingardium Leviosa ( Keep calm and make the object fly.)
Keep Calm and Expecto Patronum (Keep calm and conjure up your patronum.)
Keep Calm and Evanesco (Keep calm and make it vanish)

This flower is so late. Why or how it managed to bloom this week I do not know. I half expect to see it growing out of a pile of snow, it's been that cold every morning. But, better late than never I guess. I have a lot on my plate this weekend and the sooner I get to it the better. Here are my fantastic Saturday crafty blogger links.

About Family Crafts

Are you wondering what kind of crafts to make for local craft fairs and church bazaars? Check out these ideas and share your own.


Aileen's Musings

Get ready for Thanksgiving morning by making Pumpkin Biscottis ahead of time. Aileen has a pumpkin biscotti printable recipe card ready for you!


Carmi's Art/Life World

Carmi is inspired by a magazine cover to make a cute pine cone tree.


Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world

This week at Craftside there is a chance to win a copy of The Complete Photo Guide to Paper Crafts, ideas for dressing up twinkle lights with die cuts, a tutorial on how to watercolor and transfer images on old postcards, info on different types of compositions, and 3 blue-ribbon recipes.


Crafty Princess Diaries

Tammy has great news! Her new book is one step closer to being out on bookstore shelves.


Eileen - The Artful Crafter

Have you heard about Crafters’ Anonymous? We’re tackling our stash, one step at a time!


Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter

Madge Crafts from the Couch and Shares a Retrofabulous Christmas Stocking!


Mixed Media Artist

Expanded squares are a fun way to create a repeating fabric pattern!


Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery

See how to make an illuminated broken windshield glass filled vase inspired by the book Eco Craft.


The Crochet Dude

Drew unveils the November purse as part of his Purse Pattern of the Month Club! It's a sexy little number with a metallic copper finish.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Black and White (and silver) Christmas

As I head into my last weekend to make inventory of the One of A Kind next week I find myself reviewing all the paper and embellishments I cut earlier this summer. I knew I wanted to do a set of elegant black and white cards and these three have become a favorite.
Just when I feel like I am at my peak production and creative wise it becomes the time to start packing everything up. I am looking forward to these last few days in the studio before I pack up the van again.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Felt Balls Ring

On such a grey and rainy day this little ring is the most colour in the room.

Yesterday I had my special collection of felt balls out and I just love working with them. I get them from Odile who recycles wool sweaters for all her felt pieces. At some point during the day I opened a drawer and this unfinished ring came to my attention. It was a sign that I needed to do something with it.

I think the best part of designing something new is the time you spend playing with ideas. At first I thought I wanted to make a real Christmassy ring..reds and greens. But in the bag Odile had originally sent me was this little white rose. I have never figured out where to use until today.

I used a needle and beading thread to attach everything to the ring base. Everything looks like it is floating.

This is such an easy project if you have everything already in your stash. I think it took me ten minutes to sew it and much longer to photograph it.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Pine Tree Felt Balls Trees

This project is dedicated to my husband who will be falling off his chair the moment he sees this post.
Earlier this month I purchased this great magazine. I bought it because of the oh so cute Pine cone Tree. What will make my husband laugh is that all summer long we cursed pine cones. Really. Every Saturday bags and bags of them had to be swept up before we could start our regular grass cutting projects. This was the summer of the pine cone. We would pick up hundreds and they would literally be dropping all around us. So, I am not kidding when I say we cursed them for months. Hate those pine cones!

But this tree idea was so cute I had to sneak out to the front yard to see if any pine cones were left. The first group I brought in I decided to wash. Then I learned something. If you wash them...they close right up! So that batch was sent out with recycling. The next group I brought in were perfect...but I hate to bring things in from the outdoors without washing them.....so I sprayed them with a bug repellent first. And, there were bugs! So glad I sprayed them!

Next, I took out my very special stash of felt balls. I buy them from an amazing felt artisan who used to have a booth at the One of a Kind show. Now she has a very busy etsy shop! When I ordered this grouping of hand rolled recycled wool balls, Odile also sent me one of her felt and zipper heart pins.....isn't it gorgeous? Thank you Odile!

So my pine cones were dry and I decided to attach them to some vintage salt shakers. The original instructions call for a wooden spool...but I didn't have any and was dying to start the project. I also added some neat ribbon around the tree base that had beaded sequins already attached.
And now the best news. The designer of this pine cone tree is Terri Sullivan from "the wool acorn" and she sells a kit to make them! Here is the link. She also has the cutest felt acorns I might need to order.

My trees outdoors this morning.

Where Can I Buy Asbestos?

I was looking through some clip art images and came across this page. I think these were the illustrations and the actual instructions must have been on another page. I thought there were some really cute ideas and this is definitely a good example of how to recycle old boxes and other packaging.
The simple tree card really caught my eye.
But on closer inspection I noticed that I need asbestos to complete one project. When I read "asbestos" I thought of all the health issues associated with asbestos in homes. But then I remembered that asbestos is also a fire retardant, so I think the sample above is for a cute little pot holder. I can't imagine a time when people might have had easy access to asbestos to complete a craft project.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Paris at Christmas

With only one last week to make my inventory for the One of A Kind show I guess you may be wondering why I am still using Paris imagery.
I was thinking of having a small section of Paris themed cards along with a few copies of my book: Art Girl's Guide to Paris. I have never sold my book in person, so it will be interesting to see the reaction to it from my regular Christmas card buyers.
I do love Paris imagery!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Glitter and Foiled Paper and Embellishments

Today is another on-air day for me at The Shopping Channel.
I am debuting two new 3 Birds kits at 12:45pm, 6:45 pm and 10:45pm.


The first kit is so great! There is a new "Must Have" paper set of glitter paper and a new Paper Trails borders pack.

These are just a few of the sample layouts and cards I made with the papers and borders.

I can't wait to show these samples! The glitter paper cuts like butter in my Cricut machine!
The second new item is Sticky Sparkly Happy Days Chipboard embellishments. You actually get two complete sets of all the 12 x 12 chipboard pages you see. I think of it as a 2 for 1!

The chipboard embellishments have glitter and foil too...so they work perfectly with the papers and borders. I made the prettiest cards with them. There are over 700 embellishments in the kit...so I had to stop well before I used up even a quarter of what I had to choose from.

There are some beautiful frames in a few of these layouts. They are from a product I'll be launching in a few weeks: The Flocked Sticker Nestables.