Just Playin' Around

Orgazining your craft space

2012-01-15T11:31:00.005-06:00

I don't know anyone who doesn't agonize over their craft space; how to use it, how to organize it, what's the best storage system, etc. I read a great series all last week on this subject and want to point it out to you because it is so GOOD. The series is at Julie Fey-Fan Balzer's blog, http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/organization-week.html I'm a BIG FAN OF HERS. I love her doodling, her lettering, her stencils.

I'm not doing much and have cancelled several classes I was to teach at the stamp store. We've had several deaths in our family and it's been tough. Also, physically I'm not feeling well. I'm still dealing with the 2nd degree sprain from the fall, but am also having to try to get things done inspite of iron deficiency, which makes me tired, which makes my restless leg syndrome worse, which affects my sleep quality. I go to a neurologist on Tues and am counting on him making me feel wonderful and energetic and young again. Good luck on that, huh?

Christmas present

2011-12-30T22:25:00.002-06:00

This is a photo of one of my Christmas presents from my husband. I had all of these die cuts in various sized containers, taking up way too much counter space. So I showed my husband the problem and this is what he came up with. He says he used a vinyl siding accessory, called J Channel. As you can see, I've already filled it. So he is going to make another one, which will hold just the smaller dies, and this holder will be just for the longer dies.

Down Time

2011-12-12T17:10:00.001-06:00

My physical therapist wants me to ice and elevate my sprained ankle 5 times a day for 20 minutes each time. BORING !!! I cover myself with 2 blankets because the ice pack on my foot cools my whole body. Yesterday Samantha, the cat, decided to take a nap under the blankets covering me and I was able to get this cute shot.

Thank You Cards Class - December 28th

2011-12-12T16:53:00.002-06:00

The scans of these cards are really getting posted late. Sorry. It's been very difficult getting things done while recuperating from the bad sprain I incurred about a month ago.

What I'm calling the Step Card will be a very fun, easy card to do. I should win a prize for using the most Sizzix dies and embossing folders on one card !!! I will score the cardstock for you and die cut all of the elements. All you'll need to do is add some Stickles, stamp thanks twice and add some edging color.

The greenish card is hard to see, but the lower part of the card is embossed with the word Thanks in many languages. We'll cut out one of the flowers from the paper and go nuts with Glossy Accents.

The pinkish card is actually an idea from a template that I ordered online, which I won't name because I had so many problems with the template, including getting it in the mail 3 times because of errors on the template. I ended up just making the card on my own, without the template, and will use the templates for large coasters or something. Instead of using the template to cut out the two sized openings, I used a Spellbinder's die.

I hope you'll find time to fit this class into your busy schedule. I planned the class so that you can use these cards to send thank you's to those wonderful friends and family who will be giving you (hopefully) thoughtful and meaningful gifts. Call the store at 364-4141 to sign up. Do so SOON, since I'm so tardy in listing the class.

What you'll need to bring is listed below. If you don't have all of these items, NO PROBLEM, the store has class supplies and everyone in class is always so friendly and willing to share:

red liquid pearls, various snow looking Stickles, Gold Stickles, tape runner, paper cutter, scissors, liquid glue, pop dots, adhesive dots, black and brown ink pads, white pen, ink applicator with foam

TAG Class

2011-12-04T00:03:00.001-06:00

The Tag Class is in danger of being cancelled due to only a few sign ups. If you're thinking about taking the class, get on the phone ASAP and sign up. 364-4141.

Inspiration

2011-12-01T15:41:00.004-06:00

I'm asked sometimes what's my inspiration for the items I create. My craft room is in my laundry room, (and I resent every inch of space that the washing machine and dryer take up!) I have two windows in my craft room that look over the back half of our 3 acres. This is what I saw today. I can't help but be inspired by the beauty of nature, and am so thankful for where I live.

Wendee's 5 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS

2011-12-01T15:06:00.002-06:00

On Monday, December 5th, I will teach a 5 Tags of Christmas class. Each tag will use with a Tim Holtz product or technique. The class begins at 6pm. $12.00 Call the store to sign up, 364-4141, and make sure to ask about the supply list.

We'll be using the Tim Holtz Rosette Die, the Snowman Die, the Tattered Pinecone Die and the Festive Greenery Dies.

Tim Holtz' 12 Tags of Christmas starts today. This is the 5th year that Tim Holtz has created a tag each day for 12 days, posting the new tag each day with written and video instructions, and a list of the products used. Not only is there a new tag each day, showing new tips and new tricks with some of his 900+ products, but there is a daily giveaway from some of his favorite companies. Tim states that he started the 12 Tags of Christmas as a way to give back to all of us who support him through the year, and he hopes to inspire and challenge us to use our supplies.

Supplies you'll need for my class:
sanding block or small piece of sand paper
paper cutter
scissors
a white colored Stickles
craft sheet
tape runner
pop dots
Peeled Paint Distress Ink
Black, brown, blue and red ink pads
wet glue, such as Tom Bow
Faded Jeans and Broken China Distress Ink
Martha Stewart Green agate glitter
Pearl Mist - pearl color
adhesive dots
3-4 coordinating alcohol inks -
several shadEs of brown distress inks
Alcohol ink applicator and foam and felt pieces

Not Much Improvement Yet

2011-11-26T07:44:00.002-06:00

This is what my foot looks like 10 days after the fall that caused the sprain and chipped bone. Have been to phys therapy 3 times for treatment for pain and swelling and would have gone more except for the holidays shutting down the office. I have 3 appointments scheduled every week for the next month. Lots of icing, elevation, light exercises, VERY light massage - you wouldn't believe how overly sensitive the nerves are in my ankle. Can't hardly stand to have my ankle touched.

Good friend Karla took me out yesterday to see A Dolphin's Tale and that lifted my spirits. First time I had been out of the house since the fall except for phys therapy appointments.

Will do a Make & Take at the store today and see how that goes. It's only 2 hours and I should be able to elevate my foot. Have to depend on husband and friends for transportation and most everything else in my life. That's almost as hard on me as the pain! FOotunately my arm has healed so that I can use crutches. Not a happy camper.

Make and Take today - Nov 26th

2011-11-26T07:34:00.005-06:00

Today there's a Make & Take at All About Pictures - rubber stamp and scrapbooking store. I'll be showing you how to use a Tim Holtz die cut to make a rosette that we'll use to decorate a gift bag. $1.00 each. Drop in between 1 and 3:00. Also going on at the same time is a great project for kids using alcohol inks to make a small picture frame.

Samantha won't be at the Make and Take event but was great help as usual in putting together project kits - (NOT).

A forced break

2011-11-16T13:56:00.003-06:00

I fell yesterday and sprained my ankle and chipped a bone. Elevation and icing for now and then an immobilizer and crutches. Won't be doing any rubber stamping for awhile. Thank goodness I don' have a class at the store until Nov 26.

Two surgeries just a few months ago and now this - is difficult to not be crabby !!!

Copic Markers

2011-11-12T03:18:00.001-06:00

I don't go to bed until 1 or 2am. I stay up watching old movies and working on craft projects. Lately I've been practicing use of my Copic Markers. I stamp an image on paper and then color it in with the markers. These are great markers - they use alcohol inks and are refillable. I'm a beginner at this - I have a ways to go in shading, but sure do love to color. I took a series of about 8 classes at the stamp store where I teach. They are now re-running that series and have added a second series where you can learn more advanced techniques. Check it out if you're interested. 364-4141.

Singing Praises

2011-11-09T11:51:00.002-06:00

Probably like you, I get SO SICK of automated this and that, the lack of personal attention by businesses, the every day greed and incompetency of so many businesses - and recently I've had a lot of that to deal with. Just makes me want to sit in my chair and watch worthless TV programs all day long while eating junk food !!!

So I just have to sing the praises of Ellison/Sizzix because of the repeated good, personal, friendly, generous service I've gotten. Hallelujah !!!!

1) I took a class from Karen Burniston, a witty, friendly, talented Sizzix designer, http://karenburniston.typepad.com/, who helped me get an "educator" designation from Sizzix, which now means that I can purchase dies with a very nice discount, the order is processed within 24 hours, the Fed Ex cost is CHEAP and I get the order in 4 days !! WOW. Plus I have access to new products and to lots of ideas and inspiration to help me with my classes.

2) At a Make & Take at the stamp store that I work at, someone broke my beloved Big Shot - probably by forcing something too thick through it - and the crankshaft broke. I called Ellison and since I had paid for it with Paypal, I was able to send the receipt that same day to the woman from Ellison. There was no charge for the crankshaft or for postage. If I hadn't had a receipt, I would have been charged only FIVE DOLLARS !

3) The crankshaft was sent out the next day after they got the Paypal receipt, but the package never made it to my house. I was in a panic because I had a class to get ready for. After waiting 10 days, Ellison sent me a BRAND NEW BIG SHOT that I received in 4 days, giving me plenty of time to get ready for class.

4) I placed my first "educator" order late last night in an email and got a return email this morning regarding it. I called in my credit card number and was told the order will go out today or tomorrow.

Thank you Karen, Sizzix and Ellison. I can get so discouraged (and really crabby) having to deal with incompetent, uncaring, impersonal companies, and it is SO NICE to deal with people who CARE about good service and just being a decent person.

Christmas Tussy Mussy Class - Nov 25th

2011-10-31T08:39:00.002-05:00

Put on your Christmas creative hat, avoid the shopping crowds, and come to the Christmas Tussy Mussy Class on November 25 from 1 to about 3:30pm. The most elegant of the Victorian era paper crafts were the beautiful tussy mussies that were made to hold flowers. We will make a Tussy Mussy to be filled with gifts, candies or seasonal adornments such as holly, berries and ever greens. Hang the Tussy Mussy on a hook in your house for a sweet touch of Christmas elegance, hang it on your Christmas tree or favor a friend with this special gift. My tussy mussy is about 13" long.

This Tussy Mussy is made from one sheet of Christmas cardstock. I will bring a box full of trims, both modern and vintage, plus lots of other fun items to use on your project. From the store, you can purchase pearls, buttons, ribbons, and other items to make your special, one-of-a-kind Christmas decoration. Class cost is $10 and the material cost will depend on what you choose from the store and my stash.

You will need to bring these items to class: scissors, ink applicator, red ink, brown ink, green ink, decoupage glue, wet glue such as tacky glue, Scotch Quick Dry glue or Zip dry glue, Perfect Pearls mist or something like it, a glue gun and glue sticks (I have two in case you don't have one) and a small brush.

Hope to see you in class. Register for class by calling 364-4141.

Remember to sign up to follow the All About Pictures blog by email so you'll have a first look at the other teacher's classes. http://allaboutpicturescr.blogspot.com/

November Penny Black Class

2011-10-27T18:21:00.002-05:00

Here's the cards for the Penny Black class on November 30 from 6pm - about 8pm. The medallion card sparkles with Glossy Accents and Smooch, a pearlized accent ink. The horizonal card is a money card for Christmas gift giving. The tri-fold card is a very easy card to make; it uses just two cuts and three folds. I'll cut and fold the card for you ahead of time, but you'll leave with written instructions. The fourth card uses glossy paper, embossed vellum which is colored with a metallic rub on substance and a pretty ribbon. Hope to see you in class.

Check out the Blog for All About Pictures - http://allaboutpicturescr.blogspot.com/ Sign up to receive the blog's posting and you'll be able to view photos of the other class projects offered at the store. The calendar on the web rarely has photos of the class projects.

Call to register for the Penny Black class at 364-4141.

What can you do with a Rosette?

2011-10-26T13:49:00.002-05:00

Here's a few ideas of what you can do with a rosette. Tim Holtz has two Rosette dies, and you can also make rosettes using a scoreboard. Come to All About Pictures on Nov 16 from 1-3 and I'll show you how to use Tim Holtz' Rosette die, while we make the treat bag in the upper right hand corner. $1.00 per bag.

November Paper Engineering Class

2011-10-26T02:38:00.002-05:00

November's Paper Engineering Class will be on November 9 starting at 6pm and ending about 8:30pm. The fun moose card is an idea from a book by Sandi Genovese, titled Creative Greeting Cards, 2000. The sides of the cards are accordian folded and the 3 moose fit on a different level of the accordian.

The snowman card is made from a die cut from Karen Burniston. I LOVE her dies. In this snowman die she had rustic twig arms, but I found this stamp, I Love You This Much, and thought it would be more fun to use. The stamp is by Hampton Arts. You don't have to use the Love You Stamp; you can use the rustic twig arms instead. "Happy Holidays" was done on my computer and the scarf is felted wool from my huge stash of felted wool from sweaters.

You can go to Karen Burniston's blog (karenburniston.typepad.com) and find a link to her You Tube videos where she does a great job of showing you how to use her dies. She also shows how to "behead" the snowman and make him into a pumpkin. Or with his head, he can become a sock monkey, cowboy, beach bum - you name it. Just think out of the box !

For this class you MUST bring these supplies: glossy accents, corner rounder, paper cutter, scissors, pop dots, small adhesive dots, white Signo pen, T. Holtz ink applicator, tape runner, Zip squeeze and roll and/or Mono glue, pencil, black marker, exacto knife & sharp blade, ruler, bone folder,and Red Liner Tape or Magic Tape. You must register by calling the store, All About Pictures, at 364-4141. Hope to see you in class.

Tri-fold Christmas Decoration

2011-10-07T20:26:00.001-05:00

Join me on Saturday, November 12, from 1:00 - about 3:30 and we'll make this sparkling holiday decoration that can sit on your fireplace mantle, bookcase or buffet. It folds flat for storage when the holidays are over. Be sure to pick up a supply list.

The class is at All About Pictures. Call to register at 364-4141

Octobr 8 - Make and Take

2011-10-01T03:46:00.001-05:00

Mark your calender for next weekend's "Harvest of Talents" from 1-3 at All About Pictures. The teachers will be at the store assisting you in making a bookmark. Make as many bookmarks as you want for $1.00 each! The teachers will each use different techniques and tools including Embossing on metal, Air brushing with copics, Scene Stamping, Prisma Colored Pencils, Distress Inks and the Cricut. These will make great stocking stuffers or gifts for co-workers, in addition to teaching you new techniques and tools. (Plus it's my birthday - no spanking allowed).

September's Halloween Card Class info

2011-09-27T17:50:00.002-05:00

We had a fun time in last night's Halloween pop-up card class. I made true believers out of everyone that it really is easy to use the Sizzix pop up die cuts.

I had a request to list the die cuts I used. Here goes:

Sizzix: Bigz top note, Frankenstein w/treat bag, Pumpkins #2, Cat & moon, Zig Zag 3-D (Karen Burniston), Scallop Circle 3-D(Karen Burniston), Mini Bird & Cage Set (Tim Holtz)

Quick Kutz - bat

October Penny Black Sticker Class

2011-09-24T18:26:00.003-05:00

Here's the four cards we'll be making in the October Penny Black Sticker class. The top left card uses Wordsworth wildcard template Z018 and the card on the right side top uses a Sizzix album brackets die cut.

The lower left card uses a Spellbinders Wonky Label and a Sizzix butterfly #15 die cut. The window is made from packaging material. The card on the right is embellished by a flower and leaves made from recycled wool sweaters and attached with a Glubber (what a name!!)

The class is on October 26 from 6 - 8pm. Call All About Pictures soon to register since my classes usually fill up, 364-4141. Make sure you get a list of supplies to bring to class. Hope to see you in class.

October Paper Engineering Class

2011-09-24T18:12:00.001-05:00

I'll be teaching a paper engineering class at All About Pictures on October 12th from 6-8pm. Call to register at 364-4141. Make sure you get a list of supplies you'll need for class.

The inside of the snowflake card is made with a Karen Burniston Sizzix die, the snowflake. We'll throw in some Sizzix Flourish dies, some Stickles and Pearl Glimmer Mist to create some Christmas sparkle. The inside of the tree card is made with a Sizzix tree die and some accordion folding. I made belly bands for the front of the cards instead of decorating the fronts, because the paper on the front is too darned cute to cover up.

The third project will be a tag, using the scraps from the two pop up cards. We'll make an embellishment for the tag using recycled office transparencies. Hope to see you in class.

September Penny Black Card Class

2011-08-31T16:07:00.003-05:00

Here's the 4 cards we'll be making on September 28, 6pm, using Penny Black stickers. Please register for class by calling All About Pictures at 364-4141. The class hasn't been announced yet and is already half full, so call soon if you're interested in the class. Please bring to class scissors, paper cutter, bone folder, tape runner, corner rounder, and liquid glue like Tombow mono.

Third Halloween Project

2011-08-21T21:48:00.004-05:00

I was going to keep this third project a secret until the night of the class, but it's too cute not to show. It's a little treat bag, has a velcro closer, and when you open it - up pops a small candy bar. I found this project on You Tube and made a few changes that I liked better.

The Halloween Pop Up Class will be on Mon. Sept. 26 at 6:00pm at All About Pictures. Call 364-4141 to register for class. Hope to see you there.

Halloween Pop-Up Card Class

2011-08-18T15:43:00.006-05:00

On September 26, 2011, beginning at 6pm, I will be teaching you how to make two Halloween pop-up greeting cards, using two of the pop up die cuts that I learned to use when I took the recent classes from Karen Burniston, who designed the pop ups for Sizzix. The dies are SO FUN and SO EASY to use. (If you get a chance to take a class from Karen, go for it, because she's a great teacher and lots of fun).

In addition to the two greeting cards, we'll make a third Halloween surprise item in class.

Besides Karen's pop up dies, I used dies for the cat, the pumpkins, the bat, Frankinstein, and both of the labels.

I'll be using Karen's snowflake die cut in October and in November we'll make a take-off on a card/photo album Christmas present that Karen designed. In December I'll be using die cuts for a Christmas gift tag class.

The classes I teach are at All About Pictures in Cedar Rapids IA. Pre-register for classes by calling 364-4141.

August Penny Black Card Class

2011-07-26T23:06:00.002-05:00

Oops - forgot to say that the class is at All About Pictures and you need to register since most of the classes fill up. 364-4141.

August Penny Black Card Class

2011-07-26T20:05:00.004-05:00

Here's the cards we'll be making at the class on August 17th, starting at 6:00. Make sure you bring your class kit.

Notice that we'll create a pop up in one of the cards. I'm having fun using what I learned from Karen Burniston in the class I recently took from her.

Pop Ups

2011-07-18T00:12:00.002-05:00

On Saturday I took 2 pop up classes from Karen Burniston, who designs pop up dies for Sizzix. The class was 4-1/2 hours away in Chicago, but well worth it. I've loved pop ups since I was a little kid and Karen is a good, and FUN teacher. As soon as I play around more with the pop up dies that I bought, I'll be teaching card classes using the pop up dies. I also love interactive cards, and have taught myself how to do several interactive cards that will be fun to teach and share with others.

4th card for July class

2011-07-04T14:20:00.002-05:00

Here's the 4th card for the July "It's Raining Dogs and Cat" card class. This is a pop up card, using a Karen Burniston pop up die cut, called Scalloped Circle.

Hope to see you in class.

In mid-July I'll be taking 2 classes from Karen Burniston in Illinois, and then plan on teaching a lot more pop up classes because I LOVE POP UPs.

WENDEE

It's Raining Dogs & Cat JULY class

2011-07-04T14:00:00.003-05:00

Here's three of the cards we'll be making in the

July "It's Raining Dogs and Cat" class. I'll be adding another scan of the 4th card, which is a pop up card, using a Karen Burniston SIZZIX pop up die cut. This is a really fun die cut to use, making pop ups so easy to make.

Ask Diane at All About Pictures to order it for you.

The class is Tues, July 19, 6PM, $10 plus materials.

Please bring class kit PLUS an exacto knife with new blade and miracle tape.

July Penny Black Christmas Card Class

2011-07-01T21:38:00.003-05:00

Here's the cards we'll be making at the July Penny Black Christmas card class, using Penny Black stickers, Stickles, ribbon, white Enamel Accents, trim, 3 embossing folders and 1 die cut.. We'll also make 2 coordinating tags.

Class is on July 20 at 6pm. $10 + materials. Call to sign up, at 364-4141. Bring class kit.

It's Raining Dogs and Cat Card Class

2011-06-27T03:12:00.002-05:00

The June 25th class has sold out, but I'll be teaching another "It's Raining Dogs and Cat" card class in July, on the 19th beginning at 6pm. We'll do 4 cards that are different from the June cards. One card will be a sympathy in the loss of your pet, another card will be a thank you for taking care of my pet, and I haven't decided on the other two.

I'll post the cards here as soon as I've made them.

Don't wait too long to sign up since my classes have been selling out. I limit class size to 10 people. I don't like large classes. I like them small and personal. It's more fun to stamp with friends than with strangers.

All About Pictures is where I teach. Phone number is 364-4141.

July Penny Black Sticker Card Class

2011-06-27T03:06:00.002-05:00

Here's the sticker set we'll be using n the July class. I haven't gotten the cards made yet but will post them here as soon as they are done. I chose this set because the colors are so gorgeous, and "joy" is my favorite word.

Class is scheduled for July 20 at All About Pictures beginning at 6pm. You can register now by calling 364-4141. Last month's class sold out so don't wait too long to sign up.

It's Raining Dogs and Cat card class

2011-06-07T16:18:00.004-05:00

These are the cards for the June 28th class I'm teaching at All About Pictures, from 6-8pm. Registration is required. Call the store at 364-4141. Please bring class kit.

The words on the mostly yellow card read "until you return, I'll just be sitting here making sad puppy noises". The inside of the kitten card says "does the cuteness of this card make up for it being late?" Hope to see you in class !

Making an ATC from start to finish

2011-05-25T10:54:00.001-05:00

http://youtu.be/qA3DEZdbT2Q

This is a link to a You TUbe video where Joy Taylor makes an ATC from start to finish, giving you a good idea of how fun and easy it is to make ATCs.

Enjoy.

ATC Class and a Travel Book Class

2011-05-19T22:09:00.002-05:00

The ATC class is cancelled and will be re-scheduled for a later time.

I'll be teaching a terrific Travel Book class in the fall. Save your ticket stubs, maps, photos, brochures and other ephemera from your travels this summer so you can use them in your travel book.

This won't be a simple $10 little book. The book will be 4-3/4" x 6-3/4" so you can display your photos full size, plus it will have lots of pockets, pull outs, hiding places, and room for plenty of journaling.

June Penny Black Card Class

2011-05-19T22:03:00.002-05:00

Here's the four cards we'll be making in the June class. The date of the class is June 22nd, with class beginning at 6pm. The cost of the class is $10 + materials. Please bring your class kit.

We'll alter a Penny Black sticker for each card, using a variety of products. We'll also include an inner page for the message and signature, and we'll decorate matching envelopes.

These cards are so easy to make, take very little time to make, but yet turn out a nice card you'll be proud to give away. In addition, rubber stamps aren't used on these cards so if you are someone who wants to make greeting cards, but who doesn't want to get into the rubber stamping hobby, then this class is especially for you.

More ATC's

2011-05-16T22:23:00.003-05:00

These are ATC's I made this past weekend. They are addictive! and so much fun to make. I spread out papers, embellishments, rubber stamps, and glitters all over my work spaces, and then go to work with my scissors and glues.

Everyone who takes my ATC class scheduled for May 31 will get one of the ATC's that I've made as a thank you.

Artist's Trading Card Class - May 31, 2011

2011-05-04T18:34:00.004-05:00

Join me in learning a great way to use your scraps and embellishments to create little 2-½ x 3-½” works of art. We'll also make an ATC envelope and we'll trade one of our cards at the end of class.

ATC’s are meant to be traded, but you can also use them on a greeting card, a scrapbook page, framed or just treasured.

Please bring to class: paper cutter, scissors for cutting small images, glue stick and MONO glue.

$10 + materials. 6pm. Call All About Pictures to register for the class, 364-4141

First Penny Black Card Class - May 18th

2011-05-01T20:37:00.004-05:00

I've started teaching craft classes again after a long break. My first class will be on May 18 starting at 6:00pm at All About Pictures. Class is $10 + supplies. Call the store to register. We'll make 4 greeting cards using very grown up, classy stickers along with ribbons and embellishments.

This will be a monthly class on the third Wednesday of the month. Each month we'll use a different set of Penny Black stickers.

2010-08-05T22:18:00.000-05:00

http://creativityclasses.com/

Check out this link for a list of on-line classes

Free

2007-12-04T16:15:00.000-06:00

Check out Lisa Vollrath's "Countdown to Christmas" - free Christmas images.
http://countdown.tentwostudios.com./

Rhubarb Time

2007-05-24T14:33:00.000-05:00

I love this photo. It's taken in my vegetable garden. When my husband and I moved to this house, mom dug up one of her rhubarb plants and gave it to us.

Since mom died, most days I feel like sitting in my chair and crying all day. I'm trying to find healthy ways of dealing with her death and I'm looking for comfort where I can find it. A couple days ago I was thinking of how good mom's rhubarb pie was. I remembered how she left her gardening shoes at our house so they'd be available for her whenever she visited. Then I got the idea of taking her shoes and posing them in places on our property where she comes to mind. So instead of crying all day, I spent a couple of hours and several rolls of film taking photos.

Flower Pounding

2007-05-18T15:25:00.000-05:00

I wanted to preserve some of the flowers from my mom's funeral. I wasn't sure what I'd ever do with flowers that were dried, so I thought of doing flower pounding. I used my Wizard die cut machine to do the "flower pounding".

Mother's Day

2007-05-13T09:04:00.000-05:00

Self-portrait

2007-05-11T09:43:00.000-05:00

I really had fun doing this. It's a technique in Randi Feuerhelm-Watts' Inspiration and Techniques deck. What's great about this stencil portrait is that I have no WRINKLES or AGE SPOTS !! Here's how I did it.

I scanned a photo of myself into my computer and then used Photoshop Elements to invert the image, which made my face a gray color. I printed the image to a 5" size and then traced around the eyes, mouth, eyeglasses, smile lines, nose and some wisps of my hair. The purpose of the inverting is to make it easier to do the tracing I guess because it flattens your face. You really don't have to do the scanning and inverting. Just enlarge a photo and print and then trace. All the inverting does is remove distractions.

Then I used a very sharp exacto knife to remove the lines I traced. Randi says to lay the stencil on plain paper and lightly sponge paint over the stencil. I tried that but what worked better was to use cardstock and a small stencil brush. I also used a repositionable adhesive to hold the stencil while I was doing the stenciling.

House Project

2007-05-10T09:15:00.000-05:00

This is the house I'm working on that I mentioned in a previous posting. It's 10-1/2" tall to the peak of the roof, and the side where the windows are is 8-1/2" wide. I found this at a 2nd hand store and immediately saw it's possibilities in being a piece to honor my mom. As you can see, there are 2 long slots; two books go there. There are identical slots on the other end of the house. I don't have much worked out on the house yet - it's slow going.

It didn't take much time to do what you see above. My mom is holding my sister Carolyn. The letters spelling "mom" are 3D. The other end of the house will be for a picture of me with mom. That has slowed me down, because as I go through photos I get too emotional and then can't function. Should I use the photo of mom and me standing next to each other after returning to the house from my college graduation? Or how about the photo of mom standing beside Les and me just after we got married? I like the photo of the two of us laughing about something at one of our "cooking school" sessions. And then there's the photo my granddaughter took several weeks before mom died where I'm sitting next to her on the couch and I'm holding her fragile, but still pretty, hand.

I first sanded the house to remove its glossy finish. Then I painted on a coat of gesso. Next I lightly painted blotches of light pink, yellow and aqua all over the house. At the top of the peak is a copy of a small piece of a handkerchief of my mom's. I added pieces of star patterned tissue paper. At my mom's feet is torn pieces of Czech text, lightly colored green/blue, to give the feel of grass at her feet, and I've rubber stamped some flowers there too. The small wording next to Carolyn says "I love you". The photo of mom and Carolyn is a black and white photo. I used colored pencils to add color to the photo.

May Baskets

2007-05-05T14:13:00.000-05:00

Here's two of the May baskets I made. I used textured wallpaper to make a cone, which is held together by one brad. Then I used acrylic paints to color the wallpaper. I added some Sprinkles glitter and a gold pen for accents. I painted paper doilies with gold paint and glued them inside the cone. I made a hanger using trims and ribbons. I decorated a tag for each of the baskets and put the recipient's name on the tag. I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday and found a similar project in the current issue of Somerset Home.

Hello Spring !!!

2007-05-02T11:18:00.000-05:00

Today I don't feel so overwhelmed by grief. I can actually recognize this beautiful spring day and appreciate it. I heard the birds this morning and purposely walked outside to smell the lilacs. I'm guessing what has helped to pick me up is that I made May Baskets and delivered them to two elderly friends and my grandchildren yesterday.

The night before May 1st I was remembering how mom would take the time to make May baskets with us. She'd buy mints and nuts to put in them and then help us pick violets and lilies of the valley. My mom had so little time and even less money, but she loved us so much that she did all she could to create special days in our lives.

Last evening I found two messages for me on the phone, one from each grandchild, thanking me for the basket. I cried and thanked God for these children in my life, and then thanked mom. When I was a little kid Mom taught me to give to others and all these years later when I give May Baskets the gesture comes around full circle to give me comfort when I am lonely and missing my mom.

This photo was taken last year in our garden. The birdbath was decorated by me with ceramic tile and china.

2007-04-27T09:07:00.000-05:00

I love this photo. Not only is it beautiful, it also serves to express how I feel on most days. I took the photo several weeks ago in our front yard. I think this "fog" that I'm in is probably one of those built-in life savers. If I felt the full emotional brunt of the loss of mom, I don't think I'd be able to function.

2007-04-27T09:04:00.000-05:00

This was taken at the same time I took the Fog photo.

SLEEP

2007-04-24T08:49:00.000-05:00

I don't think I've had even one good night's sleep since mom died. Sometimes I have trouble falling asleep and sometimes I have trouble staying asleep. Sometimes I stay up later than usual because I dread going to bed. My head hits the pillow and immediately I start thinking of mom and then remembering ... and then crying. Also, hot flashes have returned to disrupt my sleep. My dr. thinks the stress of grieving has brought on the hot flashes.

I made this assemblage last year and she's titled "Menopause Woman". I had a lot of fun making her and I remember laughing out loud. I donated her to a non-profit group that I'm on the board of. She was auctioned off at a fundraiser and she sold for $500 !!!

Her body is a paper mache bodice that I bought at Michael's. I glued sandpaper to the body. She sits in a candle holder. Her arms are meat thermometers. In her stomach is a stove thermometer. Her skirt is some kind of metal stuff from my husband's workshop. Rusted buttons hang from her skirt. Her head is the part of a lamp that holds the light bulb. There's a reflection in the photo so you can't see that she has a face and it is covered by a piece of mica and in back of the face is a clock face. One boob has on it the numerals "56" - the age that I created the assemblage. The other boob opens up - maybe you can see the hinge - and there's a heart hanging inside the body's cavity. I've rubber stamped words on the body - naming all the "pleasant" effects of menopause, like hot flashes, dryness, crabbiness, etc.

There's a white porcelain handle at about crotch level that reads "hers" and there's a chain with a lock that wraps around the porcelain handle and the candle holder that she sits in. Embedded in her back is a small box that holds the key to open the lock and there's a saying that I found that I forget right now, but it is a very positive message about being a woman and aging.

TIME HEALS

2007-04-23T21:20:00.000-05:00

Time Heals. That's been said to me a bunch of times since mom died. Doesn't do me much good now at 54 days after her death. Am trying to use what I've learned about loss - mainly to just let myself grieve and not put any pressure on myself to act a certain way or to follow any kind of timeline. Somedays I just vegetate and I can't manage even doing dishes. Other days I have a bit more energy and manage to fix dinner, do dishes and a load of laundry, and somedays I even accomplish something at work.

I know lots of people have found comfort in being creative but so far that hasn't happened with me. Working on artwork expressing my feelings about my mom's death brings everything to the surface - not just the pain and sadness, but also the remorse and anger. The emotions become more detailed and more specific.

In the earlier post I mentioned the House project I've begun. I was drawn to this project because of wanting to honor mom. I've gathered photos and art supplies for this project, but when I sit at my desk, ready to work, I find myself disorganized and scattered and then I get frustrated.

2007-04-23T18:19:00.000-05:00

This is the bra purse that I submitted to Stampington for this year's Haute Handbag issue. It's on the cover of the book.

2007-04-23T18:05:00.000-05:00

Thought I'd try my hand at blogging. Not sure how I'll use this blog, but I guess I'll find out once I start using it.Seems the place to start is with the place I'm at right now, today, which is 53 days after my mom died. I go from numb to being overwhelmed with emotion. There are moments when I'm not thinking of or feeling my mom's death, but then a smell or sound or image will return me to my grieving. I sit for days, vegetating in front of the TV, but then I feel a strong draw towards expressing myself. Once I start putting pen or paint to paper, I sink to an even sadder level.I'm now working on a large 3D house that I bought at a 2nd hand store. It is a doll house with built in slots in the house's walls for 4 small board books. I have titled the house "Where Love Lives" and I want the house to tell the story of the love my mother had for her daughters. I'll alter the 4 books and they will be shrines. At times I feel good working on this project. But other times, as I'm going through photo albums looking for photos to use, I'm reminded of things that make me sad.In the 53 days since my mom died I have gotten two complementary issues from Stampington; the bra purse I made is on the cover of Haute Handbag2 and an article I wrote about a purse I made is in the May/June issue of Belle Armoire. Because of mom's dementia, she wouldn't have totally understood, but she would have been proud of me anyway.