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Die Domain

2012-01-28T03:03:00.019-05:00

I confess, I am a DIE-A-HOLIC!!!! I am lovin' life when I can use a DIE to cut around my stamp image instead of the teeeny tiiiiny pooooointy scissors! ..and I am a GOOOD little cutter too! But my time is valuable, so to save time by using a die? PRICELESS!

Now, there are MANY kinds of dies. I have a Big Shot and a Cuttlebug (fondly known as Mr. Cuttle), and own dies ranging from the Sizzix BIGZ XL to the smallest Sizzlits. Then I discovered Papertrey Ink, and my die collection went KEEE-RAZY! Papertrey dies are shallow steel plates with a very thin and shallow cutting edge. They are wonderful - and the PTI design team comes up with tons of inspiring ideas on how to use them.

Here is a sample of a few PTI Doily dies and the resulting paper This is a vellum scrap that I had tried to cut with a new sizzlet die, which did not cut at ALL, so I tried this die and voila'! ze perfect doily!

These 2 are also Papertrey, and with some shimmer paper - a perfect cut!

This amazing heart is Memory Box - the tiny cuts in red glimmer paper are so intricate! All of these dies have tiny holes that you can poke through to push paper bits out if they get stuck in the die. This is a real time saver, too. The Papertray doily with the pink paper even has a companion die to push the little bits out of the paper part. This is a well-thought-out option, I tell you! Maybe poking 100 or so tiny bits out with your dental pick is no big deal, but after you have done it once, I say you are an expert and can move on to the quickie method, especially if you are making several of these at a time.

The only disadvantage to these dies, is that you are limited to thinner things to cut out. You can cut paper, fabric and felt with these, but chipboard is out.

Peaceful Garden

2012-01-04T01:47:00.000-05:00

A Shout out and BIG get well to one of my Aberdeen High School Buddies, Dave Riddle.

The need for this get well card coincided with the Papertrey Ink Make It Monday Challenge. This week we were let loose on ALL the Make It Monday Techniques to choose our muse! I was so glad of the chance to look them over once again, because I sure missed this one! Thanks to Lisa for her AWESOME Frosted Images technique. I was pretty skeptical that this would work, and I had to go MANLY on top of that. Well, at first stamp, this was a WOW! You may say Blue Bamboo???, but it really works in person, more of a gray, misty color than the blue it appears in the photo, and it looks sooo 3D. I actually got one of the Photo Finish dies to emboss instead of cut, too - Love it!

Love You Forever

2011-12-27T00:01:00.001-05:00

Love the December Papertrey release - and with too much to do and too little time, I am a bit late with my post for the Blog Hop Contest. To explain - the Contest was to use something left over from Christmas - so my messy bench was covered with the leftovers from my Peace On Earth projects. I had scraps of the acetate which I just didn't want to throw away - they were sooo cool, and with the contest in mind, I cut the lastest PTI border die out of the Red acetate, and used it as an embellishment on my EARLY valentines card ---->see there it is on the bottom! I think it is a START for a card, and although I finished this one, it does lack something.....

Pictured here is what I had on the bench to work with...aren't those strips coooool?????

The Herald Angels

2011-12-24T22:45:00.058-05:00

While searching for xmas gift ideas, I came across this AWESOME blog post:

Peace On Earth

and madly began an attempt at SIX of these. Weeeellll a week later I came to my senses and did manage 3! I was just chomping at the bit to use Tim Holtz's reverse stamping technique on acetate, which is how I created my backgrounds (see Tim's post HERE). I even made my own frames using lattice from Home Depot - so impressed MYSELF!! LOL!

I tried 3 different colored backgrounds, and I do like how they came out. I was not as happy with the letters, which for some reason did NOT look much like the original, but the WINGS are fabulous! I swapped out the vial of seeds for a little padded ultrasuede heart and pearl.

I used soooo many tools, supplies and techniques to make these - and learned a lot along the way. The base is masonite, with 2 Liquitex "unbleached titanium" acrylic coats, then the acetate was inked and stamped a la' Tim Holtz. That was adhered to the masonite with Golden Gel Topcoat semigloss, and then painted over with 2 coats of the same gel medium. The result was a lightly textured matte surface - with the background color and pattern showing through perfectly. To make the letters and wings, I used Corel Draw and one of the fonts, and drew the wing layers freehand. I set them up on 8 1/2 x 11 page, exported to a pdf that I could then use in my cutting software and electronic cutter. A little extra work up front, but the cutting went perfectly on some cardboard I had scavenged (that was 8 1/2x11). Soooo much easier than trying to cut multiples of these with scissors or an exacto knife! (AGAIN, I impressed myself! hehehee) The letters were embellished per the instructions for the original, glued on and then I made the frayed padded squares from an even-weave cotton, and sewed on the gold beads, lace and pearls. Pulled the hot glue gun out of mothballs and put the wing layers together and then on the "pillow". Finally, I cut two ultrasuede hearts with a Papertrey Heart die, padded it and sewed it together with white embroidery floss in a blanket stitch, and then added one more freshwater pearl. Another dab of hot glue and DONE! The lattice frame went together with amazing ease (although I had to measure and saw each frame separately, since Homey Depot did not manage to cut ANY of the 10x12 pieces of masonite EXACTLY 10x12!!!) [sheesh!!!]

Hope the recipients will like these! What do you think???

Night of 100 Elvises

2011-12-07T03:40:00.000-05:00

Yes! the EIGHTEENTH Night of 100 Elvises has come and GONE! This year, from my post in the coat room, I made sure to take photos of the CUTEST (and Funkiest) outfits!! It is so hard to describe what an EVENT this is. Everyone gets in the spirit of the moment, whether it is the name tag (HI! My name is ELVIS), the grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches, the shots of Vititus, the opportunity to create a crazy costume (or haul out your best VINTAGE look), or sing along with all the great Elvis songs! Hope you enjoy looking at the the pics as much as I enjoyed taking them!

MD Sheep & Wool Fest & BLOG CANDY!

2011-05-09T12:07:00.000-04:00

Apologies to the couple in front...this was the view on Sat AM from the new craft section (YAY!) up the hill to the other side of the main "drag"... a veritable SEA of people! I arrived at 10:30, after a 1/2 hour waiting in line to get from the exit off of 70 to a parking spot and then a goodly hike from my van to the entrance. WHEW! A perfect day, not too hot or cold, not too sunny or windy. Apparently, when it comes to fiber, the economy is NOT a factor - vendors I spoke to on Sunday were all smiles! Good thing I did my part to bolster their pockeybooks on Saturday, 'cause Sunday some of the booths were looking a bit skimpy ;-), especially the fleece sale! Favorite bumper sticker "If knitting were exercise, I could bounce a quarter off my ass" LOL! (wish it were SO) Favorite T-Shirt "333 - only half evil" (heehee) Favorite booth (mmmm-M!- translate "men in kilts") the one with SteamPunk knitting! and the vendors in period costumes (did I mention kilts?) :-O ...okay I DID look at the knitted samples, too!

Obligatory Sheepie (Karakul?) and a lovely bloom of SOMETHING in one of the barns.

Blog Candy? you ask....

You've got a week to come up with a caption for the sheep photo - the best one (imho) will win a hanging magnet board decorated with some Stampin Up products! Leave your comments/suggestions below and I will contact the winner on May 16th!

Onions at the Market

2011-05-04T22:57:00.002-04:00

Sunday morning at the farmers market - I haven't been here for a looooong time and it has grown much larger. There is a whole section of craft booths - something I might do on a free weekend over the summer - set up by 6am, but over by 12. hmmmmm!?!? Anyway this display of onions caught my eye - all those round white circles...
I found out that the omelet guy would do egg white omelets, so that will be the ticket for my next visit...

My Review of Stein DeSign Famous Architect Stools

2011-02-11T11:00:00.001-05:00

Originally submitted at Jerry's Artarama Art Supplies

Nouvel Seating - Employing a modern approach to seating Nouvel air lift stools create a dynamic working experience. Unlike fabric seating this poly covered seating has a more rigid support allowing you to work both sitting and standing and is designed for you to get up and down often. The airlift l...

Love it now

By Silver Rabbit Studio from Baltimore, MD on 2/11/2011

Pros: Attractive Design

Best Uses: Space Saver, Crafts, Artwork

Describe Yourself: ArtistCrafter

Was this a gift?: No

Instructions STUNK! I couldn't figure out how to make the hydraulics work. Called the Cust. Svc #, and spoke to a lovely gentleman who explained the problems were due to a change in one of the parts and conflicting instructions had been included in the packaging. Because of that I had inadvertently released the GAS in the hydraulic cylinder - they sent a new part, no charge, put it together and now it works perfectly! Simple to put together, except for the lack of explanation on how to make the hydraulics work.

(legalese)

Papertrey July Bloghop Entry

2010-07-25T22:50:00.004-04:00

My first entry in the Papertrey Bloghop! I'm madly working on it for an 11:30pm deadline - waiting for a gel coating to dry, stamping and inking in the meantime.

Yaay! I'm done, but a little late -- Love this little chipboard notebook - gesso'd and impressed with the circle impression plate. Distressed with SU Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz, Early Expresso and Crumb Cake, and my new fave stamp, All about you additions! Used the bookplate die and the rickrack die for the rest of the cover, embellished with a little PT button. Me likee, hope you do too!

New Cards

2009-04-28T19:32:00.006-04:00

Yep, I have been a stampin fool, off and on, but always madly trying to catch up with all the birthdays, anniversaries, swaps, and sadly, sympathy cards that have to be done! I have about 50 or so "guy" birthdays to do each year, and this IS a challenge, because I love the floral, and cutesy animals images so much! I don't know very many men who celebrate their "feminine side" along with their birthday! So one gentleman on my list received this card (whether he golfs or not!). ;-) For the stampers visiting - this is the "And Many Mower" stamp set from the 2009 SU Occasions Mini....

Two sympathy cards, both partially case'd (sorry, don't remember who, but someone on SUDSOL). Bloomin Beautiful on the left and Fifth Ave. Floral on the right. Simple and Elegant.

This "Boatloads of Love" card was designed for a "manly swap" challenge, and WOW, was that a challenge - I had to do 10 (yikes!) then did 2 more, one an actual birthday card for another lucky guy on my list, and one for my "sample album". Then I found out the the extra one (#11 actually) was supposed to go to the swap mom! Silly me! Making multiples is DEFINITELY not my thing! Phew!

Finally, I just love this card! Another "CASE", at least most of one, and the Chocolate Chip and Sage Shadow colors just ROCK together! This is the Tree from the Thoughts and Prayers set, embossed in Gold. Very Elegant - and for my parents 65th wedding anniversary.

Stampin' Up Blog Tour!!!

2009-04-27T03:44:00.010-04:00

Finally! Back to blogging and, most importantly, a stop on the Stampin' Up Blog Tour! If you have been linked to this blog, you are now on stop # 16 "Right On Track". Our tour features all the stamps, paper, punches and other accessories that are available in the new Occasions Mini Catalog only thru June 30, 2009!

The first card sample below features the wheel "Right on Track" in a little different way than you might expect...as a "fence" of flowers!

Stamps: Right On Track (wheel), Itty Bitty Buds (Hostess Level II), Elegant Cheer
Paper: So Saffron, Kiwi Kiss, Kraft, Good Morning Sunshine DSP
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Scallop Punch, Wide Oval Punch

Card #2: Wild About You

I just can't resist the "To The Nines" DSP, with my new favorite color, "Sage Shadow"! Once again, using the "Right on Track" wheel in a different setting, as a fence for the "Wild About You" Giraffe! Easy, Peasy, as they say...
Stamps: Right on Track (wheel), Wild About You
Paper: Sage Shadow, Kraft, Choc. Chip, To the Nines DSP
Ribbon: Sage Shadow 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Key Tag Punch
Stampin Up also has a special to go along with the new mini. It is called Get Connected. Spend $40.00 on items from the Occasions Mini Catalog and choose any one item from the "Under $10.00 on page 208 of the large catalog for Free!
Hope you have enjoyed this stop on the tour! Next stop - #17 - Mary Campbell & "Forest Friends"! Mary Campbell's Blog

Winding down the AOI Cards

2008-11-24T12:33:00.007-05:00

One more Autumnal One Image Card in the Mail!!! Sometimes these are taking more than one sitting to come together. Sometimes I just put the unfinished card up where I can see it and let it work on my subconscious for a few hours. S-L-O-W-L-Y they are coming together, Pam's "Mon Amie" went into the mail last week, Claudia's "Wild" went into the mail today.

AOI Again!

2008-11-11T10:44:00.004-05:00

Susan Brown's "Birches" came off the workbench last nite. I am bound and determined to get these done! I really enjoy the process, but I am running out of time...got to move on to other pressing projects! However, for this I tried my new "puffy paint" in white for the snow on the little evergreen in front of the house and the santa hat on the bun. I loved the way the birch trees came out! I will definitely use this background stamp again and again!

one more Autumnal

2008-11-10T18:39:00.006-05:00

One more Autumnal one image card out the door and in the mail! This is Terry Owenby's "Flora" card with a little "fauna" on the front. Although these last cards are hard to start - I think my inspiration meter is on "empty"! - Once I get going, it usually comes together. I kind of have a theme running through all the cards, I try to put a phrase on it that ends up with a little quirky take on the subject. Sometimes it works better than others! :-O For this one, which started with some kind of stamp on it, I added a postcard stamp with the fern as part of the stamp. Kind of like an ephemera, if that makes any sense! So this made me think of adding some other plant stamps, one which I used some of my new (to me) flocking powders to give it a different texture. It wasn't until I was completely done that the word "flora" came to me.

I have added my little funny bunny stamp to each card (I *AM* Silver Rabbit Studio, you know!), and sometimes the bunny just has to comment! So he has to counter with "fauna" on the front. LOL He does sometimes take on a life of his own, like a character in a book! So here is the finished back of Terry Owenby's card, the original card I received, and finally, the bun with his "fauna" comment.

THE VAN

2008-11-07T23:45:00.001-05:00

Okay, this is Neal's Van. Neal passed away on Feb. 11th, 08 from side effects of lung and bone cancer (lung embolism, to be specific). IF YOU SMOKE, STOP NOW! It is an ugly and brutal way to die. Well, we have been trying to sell this ever since March, probably, and FINALLY, someone has bought it! What a relief! Actually I am sad to see it go because it is one of the things my brother and I shared - I have the same van, except it is a Grand Caravan instead of the Caravan model. After I got my van, he found this one and bought it. It was fun to know he had bought basically the same thing, and we joked about it several times. He didn't get to drive it much, though, because exactly a year ago on the 6th, he had called me to say his legs were numb, and he never actually walked again as that really was the start of the rapid downward spiral of his health.
I don't like to post negative things on the blog, but this is a bit of my life, and the journey. If you smoke and this makes you think about stopping, I have done my job. You can't be prepared for the total disruption of your life and that of your loved ones who must help you when cancer strikes. So do yourself and your loved ones a favor and stop smoking now...at least prevent this kind of death. There is no one in the health care system who really has your best interests in mind - it is all about the money. From the doctors to the nursing homes, hospice care, it is all about how much they can charge the health insurance and get away with it. We had to fight every day to even get them to take Neal's temperature at the nursing home. Even the Doctor insisted that Neal wanted to die. They changed the nurses regularly so no one nurse could follow his downward progress and raise the alarm when there was a problem. I could go on and on.
I hope and pray that the new administration will find a way to move the focus on healthcare from the almighty dollar to the real care of human beings.

2 more birthdays

2008-11-06T23:57:00.005-05:00

Two more birthday cards for Gem Cutters - Eastern Influences Happy Birthday - a vintage background stamp that I embossed in clear on Naturals Ivory cardstock, then used a sponge dauber to make the background perfect plum. Rose red accents with the large oval punch and ribbon over top of a DCWV Fall stack paper compliment the background, Happy Birthday from On Your Birthday set and the flower from Eastern Influences put the final touch on this pretty "girly" card!

Another vintage set Basket Full of Fun make up most of the images, with the pumpkins from Loads of Love Accessories for the third fall basket. Another one of my favorite DSWV papers and Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon finish off birthday card #2.

I've used Luminarte' water colors for both cards, which have such a sparkly look! I've been using them on the Autumnal One Image swap and just can't stop now!

CCBC

2008-11-05T23:08:00.003-05:00

This semester I taught 4 classes at CCBC (Community College Baltimore County), at their Catonsville Campus. There were two 4-week soldering classes (back to back), a lampwork class over a weekend and a 1-day class for chainmaille. I love teaching all these classes, but the load was a little much with all the OTHER classes I was teaching/taking in Oct and Nov! I am glad that those are all over now and I can concentrate on the metalsmithing class I am TAKING towards my jewelry certificate at MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art). Students made some great projects this semester - a pic of the Continuing Soldering class is below:

One student is missing from the photo, but they all made at least one ring and a set a stone in either a pendant or as a ring.

This is the second time for Christina in my continuing soldering class, and she is a little workhorse! These are 3 of the 5 rings she made - a sterling twisted wire ring, a lovely petrified palmwood cab set as a ring, and a simple textured band.

Here are the other three pendant settings folks made in the class. On the left, Joann set a tigeriron cab, in the center a lovely imperial jasper by Erica, and on the right, a bright rhodonite cab by Sandy. Everyone should be VERY proud of their fabulous work!

Autumnal One Image - over the hump

2008-11-04T04:01:00.010-05:00

Another surge for the One-Image swap - 5 more cards in the mail and I am over the "hump"!
Plum Crazy "Mankind discovers the Wheel...Stamp" & Original Image

Peggy Gatto "Art Gives you Wings - FLY" & Original Image

Marlene Elrod "Big Bird" & Original Image

Lori Nowak "Bonjour" & Original Image

Kathy Martin "Party" & Original Image

2 more AOI Cards and J1 ends

2008-10-29T14:17:00.005-04:00

Inspiration continues - I just can't stop now! Here are two more cards and their original images:

Deborah Garcia Eat Cake & Original

Kelly Dunwoody 2 SK8 and Original

Finally, my Jewelry 1 class had their last session. Some folks brought back their projects to display, and I did finally remember to get a group shot before EVERYONE had left!

We did 5 projects this session and they are all pictured here:
Pierced Copper Cuff

Pierced Copper Cuff, Silver twisty ring, Textured and dapped earrings, Sterling silver jump ring bracelet, and...

A beautiful sterling silver pendant setting for a green agate cab.

Congrats to everyone who finished the class! There were many beautiful pieces of jewelry completed!

Autumn One-Image Swap

2008-10-26T21:56:00.004-04:00

Finally, FINALLY I am nearing the end of my teaching frenzy (marathon)! The class scheduled for Sunday was cancelled due to low enrollment (3rd time out of 4 for this location....think there is a message in this?) so....I had Sunday FREEEEEE to play! (catchup, that is). Anyway the Autumn one image swap cards have been patiently waiting for my attention, so I obliged! Actually this is WAYYYY out of my comfort range/experience, but in August I was blissfully free of commitments and signed up! I subsequently stamped a single image on 20 cards (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") and sent them off to Red Dog Scott for shuffling into 20 "decks" of cards THEN sent along to the 20 participants. I received my group and YIKES - it is a CHALLENGE! I have received 4 of my cards back with different treatments, all VERY ARTSY - thank you my very creative sister participants! (photos to come soon...) So with no further ado, I am posting the 4 cards I finished this weekend:

Louella DeMers (Run Spot) Michele Jackson (Latte')

Paulette (Omm) Roberta Wax (Got Carrots?)

I liked these so much I reeeeeeeally had a hard time putting them in the mail! I hope I am as inspired for the rest :-O!

Aye-Aye

2008-10-23T09:43:00.008-04:00

What the HECK is that picture on your profile???? ok, it is an Aye-Aye! Some day I might be brave enough to post my own photo here, but the expression on this little guy's face is pretty much how I feel right now! I do LOVE animals - and have links on my desktop to many of the zoos with webcams - started with the Pandas, then elephants, giraffes - it is all just so facinating! When I need a moment to relax - I just click on one of the links and voila - a fabu animal to watch!
Along the way I found the Elephant Sanctuary. This is one truly worthy non-profit to donate to. Check out these incredible elephants being able to roam and be themselves in this wonderful Tennassee sanctuary. You will be addicted in no time! If you click on the picture, you will be linked to this great webcam/site!

This is Lun Lun and her cub, I think at the National Zoo... (http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ ) how cute is that photo! Two other US zoos have panda cams, San Diego (http://www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam/index.html ) and Atlanta, who has a new panda cub and will have their pandacam up 24/7 until December (http://www.zooatlanta.org/animals_panda_cam.php4 ). Check out these links and you will be just as hooked as I am!

Carlisle School of Glass

2008-10-14T02:26:00.011-04:00

Sooooo many things to post about and soooooo little time! I can't believe it has been over a month since I last blogged! Yikes!

This past weekend was the 3rd Annual Retreat for SGB-MA (Society of Glass Bead Makers - Mid-Atlantic Division) at the fun-fun-fun Carlisle School of Glass in Millville NJ.

It was my second time attending and I hope to continue to attend all the rest.

This pic I fondly call "annealers row" as we filled no less than 4 annealing ovens to the brim, over and over!

Last year's retreat was bitter-sweet for me because it marked the beginning of the downward spiral for my brother in his fight with cancer. He had called me on Sunday morning to say his legs were numb and from that point on, he never did get back on his feet. A very sad memory.

Below are pics of this year's group, I think there were 10 of us all together. We made lots of beads, gabbed, shared tools and materials, gabbed some more, had some great meals, and, did I say... Gabbed?

Did I mention that we had some great food? This was at "Fresh" for breakfast on Sunday, when we managed to stuff even more food in after our fabulous dinner at "Library IV" Sat nite. What were we thinking?!!
On the left (front to back), Gail, Joy, Jan and Nolly...On the right, Lisa, Pat, Debby, LJ and (Little) Lisa. Check out the Sunday French Toast Special - yes there really is French Toast under that HUGE mound of Fruit and Whipped Cream!

And finally, the fruits of my labor - nearly forty new beads, hot off the press! Thank you Lisa for the great murini lesson - I love it! (see the blue & white bead bottom left & ivory/black bead bottom center), Joy's baking soda bubbles (green bead upper left), a successful iris gold frit and silver leaf bead from "The Flow" magazine (big dot lavender bead top center), and an odd-shaped (like it tho) attempt at pushing colors inside the bead with a floral "frog" no less (thank you Barry & Lisa) bottom right. I am appalled that I only took pictures of MY beads - because everyone had SPECTACULAR stuff! Yeesh! Next year we will have to have our own little bead swap so I can take home real treasures from this retreat!

Cards Again!

2008-09-05T01:58:00.001-04:00

Lots of Cards this week, lots of birthdays! An opportunity to use several vintage Stampin Up sets...Let's Party, Just Beakause, to name a few, and another Sock Monkey cause he's SO cute!

Pink

LuminArte Radiant Rain, a little glitter, and voila, a sweet floral birthday card using the Ruche paper again. Love it!

I do love the K and Company (?) Oriental paper pack. These make great backgrounds for nearly any occasion card!

More New Cards!

2008-09-05T01:48:00.003-04:00

One thing that I am s-l-o-w-l-y learning is to make cards faster! I love to use the vintage Stampin Up sets, and this is "Let's Party". "Just Beakause" has the cutest birds, and the K and Company background paper works perfectly here!

Actually, I was inspired by the oriental pack and put together 2 cards, but felt they were missing "something", until the necessity for more birthday cards lit a fire under my creative muse!

The State Fair

2008-09-02T00:44:00.000-04:00

I started the weekend off with a trip to Terra Firma. As I like to say, "all roads lead to Terra Firma", since more than once, while out and about, I found myself turning onto Reisterstown Road and heading in that direction! This is Bill Rinker, the awesome owner. You can't go there and expect to be in and out in 10, even 20 minutes! Plan at least an hour, because you will be sure to run into someone you haven't seen for ages, or find a book or tool you can't do without! The new bead room (I say new, but it has been a year, I think!) always has something new, and I am hard-pressed to just get ONE thing! If you haven't been, check out http://www.tfeinc.biz/ for directions.

Saturday brought the Baltimore Bead Society Annual Board of Directors Pot Luck/meeting to start planning for our new year starting with the September meeting. Nancy, our fearless leader, was also our hostess and great food and lively discussion ensued. We have some great programs planned and will be having another Winter Bead Show in January, so keep your calendar free the weekend of January 17th & 18th - last year was a blast, and this year will be even better!

Sunday my BFF David and I went to the State Fair. I had a hard time deciding which pictures to post, there are so many great animals and other candid shots...I was a little distracted and did miss out on some as I think back on it! Dept. of Natural Resources had their new Scales and Tails exhibit hall open and this red tail hawk was featured outside.

I always try to get there in time for the chicken and bunny shows, and as usual, there were some fabulous chickens. It's hard to decide which is my favorite, but I am drawn to the Dominique, one of the older breeds. I did get a pic of this amazing gal, not a Dominique, but with the fuzziest white feathers - more like fur, actually!

The "petting zoo" is a crowd favorite, and those darn little rugrats kept getting in my way! (just kidding!) But I did quack at the duck and had the most majestic Llama pose just for moi!

Last but not least, we passed the track just as another race was starting, and watched some beautiful thoroughbreds strut their stuff. It was David's FIRST horse race! The speed and power of those horses just makes my heart flutter! At the Timonium track you can stand right at the rail, even chat with the jockeys as they amble by winding their way around to the starting gate. Very "up close and personal", charming, really. It is amazing how perfectly groomed they are as they go by to the gate, and one mile, and a few minutes, later, yuck! more dirt and mud caked on horse and rider than you can imagine! ...and it was a dry track!

Gala Beads

2008-08-30T00:13:00.000-04:00

Here they are! All finished and mailed to SGB-MA to pass along to the Gala Folks. Perhaps these are a bit bigger than the "size of a quarter" that we had been asked to make, but this was what I seemed to end up with after the first few, so I went with it! I used a lot of silver leaf and reactive frit, so there is a lot of glimmer that you can only see in person!

Now...the Beads

2008-08-27T00:07:00.000-04:00

Finally, I'm getting some new lampwork beads done! The Greater Washington Bead Society 3rd Annual Gala is fast approaching and the Mid-Atlantic Society of Glass Beadmakers is providing the commemorative beads. This means 10-20 beads have to be made by each lampworker who volunteers for this challenge! Here are my 1st 4, 16 (I hope) to go! I am also experimenting with all the frit I have been accumulating and getting some fabulous fuming colors and glitter! They do seem a bit on the "dark" side, but they are quite charming in person.

Here are a few more...not very focused, but these are mostly for sale at the next bead show (or on my Etsy shop soon). Only the big one in the center on the right photo is for the gala. Some of the smaller ones in the bottom photo are samples from the last couple of lampwork classes that I have taught at CCBC (Community College, Baltimore County). I will be teaching another Lampwork class this fall, as well as Beginning and Continuing Silver Smithing, and a Chainmaille class. Check the website at http://www.ccbcmd.edu/ and look under the Life Enrichment classes.

Snow Monkeys

2008-08-26T23:14:00.000-04:00

Dave and his Sonora Sunrise rough. We had a busy group on Sunday at Gem Cutters! No less than 4 folks cutting rough! Dave has been collecting more of this strikingly colorful Sonora Sunrise (Jasper?) and he also had a sweet little chunk of Nova Scotia Agate with awesome red flames along one section.

Steve Page, on the right, our fabulous Intro to Gold instructor - owner of Baltimore Rocks, a special little rock and jewelry shop within a short walk of Meadow Mill and our Gem Cutters Shop. Steve does it ALL - facet, cab, cast, wax carving, fabrication, even makes his own gold alloys. If you are in the area, this is a must see - especially the wall-o-rough indoor fish pond!
Mary back at the Genie - I remember that passion for cabbing! Hours at the wheel went by in a flash! Now I have gobs of rough and too many other interests!

I did manage to cut the little slab I bargained with Wayne for at the Gem Cutters Picnic - here are the before & after pics:
Now, can you see the Snow Monkeys? This looks just like the snow monkeys lounging in the hot springs in Japan. There are actually pics on U-Tube of this...Google "Snow Monkeys, Hot Springs, Japan" and you will see these little faces peering up at you from a fur "hoodie"! Even if you don't see the monkeys, this is a fabulous plume agate cab! It is a little larger than I generally cut them, but I didn't want to leave out any of the monkeys!!!

Another Card

2008-08-21T02:44:00.000-04:00

Leapfrogs Birthday - one more birthday coming up, so this card went into the mail today! Stampin Up's vintage set, Leapfrogs, is so much fun! I used Kiwi Kiss paper, and two different sheets from a K&Company paper pack. The frog and lilypad were stamped in always artichoke on a green/patterned sheet, then cut out close to the stamped image. Happy birthday from just-discontinued Hostess Set "Older & Wiser" fit perfectly in the oval punch, stamped and edged in always artichoke.

Saturday at the Shop

2008-08-21T01:59:00.000-04:00

Saturday at the Gem Cutters shop - Mary at the Genie and Tim after a session at the slab saw!

I was inspired by a lovely agate slab - the result was a very pictoral 31mm x 21mm cab.

Hopefully, this cab will become a sample for part of a "Rough to Riches" pendant project that is being taught at Gem Cutters this fall. Students will have 3 full weekends (6 days) to design a pendant, choose their slab of rough, cut and polish a stone to fit the design of the pendant, fabricate the pendant in sterling silver and fabricate a chain in a style that will coordinate with their pendant. Three of our fabulous instructors (including moi) will guide the students through all aspects of this comprehensive class. We are only requiring that students know basic soldering, so this is a great opportunity to learn lapidary, design, and how to take a project from a beginning sketch to a finished, fabulous pendant!

A few good cards...

2008-08-16T16:52:00.000-04:00

Here are a few cards I did last month, BB (before blog). They were sent in either July or August, but I just realized I had the pics on the 'puter, so here they are!
Frolicking Frogs - a REALLY vintage Stampin Up set - but Fun! As usual, I needed a guy birthday card - even though it was a little on the "cute" side.

This is one of my very favorite cards so far! A vintage Stampin Up set called Asian Art had this great Geisha stamp. This actually ended up as a thank you card.

This sweet bicycle is from the spring '08 Stampin Up mini catalog - and the set is called Time for You. This is also a birthday card and has been mailed!
Finally another oldie but goodie, Honey Bear, doesn't it remind you of Pooh???

2008-08-15T03:25:00.000-04:00

Wednesday nite - Dinner at John Stevens in Fells Point - great seafood and a perfect evening. We ate outside and I was quite surprised that these pics came out so well...another of my friend David, and my niece Raven and her main squeeze, Justin.

This week I received the Rusche paper and LuminArte' water colors that I had ordered. I am not a water colorist, but these colors are so shimmery and exciting and easy to use, I want them ALL! I used the Twinkling H2O Radiant Rain spritzers for these two cards and love the results...

I used a vintage set from Stampin Up, Garden Silhouettes. First I stamped the image with versamark and embossed with clear embossing powder on so saffron card stock. Next I stamped the image on tangerine tango card stock with stazon black and cut close to the image. I flipped the cut out over on top of the card and spritzed with copper Radient Rain to create a "shadow", then adhered the cut out on top of both prior images. I like the 3-dimensional look this produces and the copper spritz effect adds a subtle glimmer.

I used the Radiant Rains spritzers on the Rusche paper for the Birthday Wishes card. This time I spritzed with Key Lime, Stargazer & Copper first. Before it was dry, I colored the stamp with Old Olive and Really Rust markers and stamped on the Rusche. The ink bled just a bit, giving the image a misty look. Really Rust and Old Olive card stock, and Mellow Moss grosgrain ribbon coordinate with the stamp colors, and Birthday Wishes from the new Wow Flowers stamp set is stamped in Old Olive on the bottom. Voila! Two new cards! Yay!

2008-08-12T00:03:00.000-04:00

ok, here he is, my BFF David! A rare photo (with him smiling!) at the Gem Cutters picnic on Sunday.

It was a fun picnic, too - beautiful weather, lots of pot luck food and, of course, being Gem Cutters, lots of rough to haggle over! Next year we will have to phenagle electric hookups so we can bring the Genie and some trim saws. :-)

Here---->

is a FABU spectrolite cab someone had! WOW!

Above is a sample of Wayne's Rough Drusy (left) and slabs (right). There just aren't enough hours in the day to do everything! These were CRYING to be made into cabs for jewelry!

Monday night!!!

Woo-woo - Finally have my new Stampin Up catalogue! In celebration, I made this card tonite, using the last of the Cuttlebug embossing folders that I purchased last week...called Allegro. This texture will work perfectly with a vintage Stampin Up set called Musical Manuscript, but since I still have a few birthday cards to send soon, I thought it would look great as a birthday background too! The just-discontinued hostess set, Older & Wiser has a great collection of birthday sentiments, and again using the 2008 In Color Card stock, Baja Beeze, and Kiwi Kiss Ink, the card came together. Hunting around for a coordinating print, I found a K&Company patterned card stock from last year that picked up both colors, and used my SU Slit punch to hold the flap down. Serendipity rules!

Skipping back a few days....

Saturday Night Special - I love the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Embossing Folder! Pacific Point Card stock and Ink, Older & Wiser's Candle stamp, a silver ink pen and silver textured card stock from DCWV combined to make this great card. I'm always challenged for birthday cards for guys, and I think the blue/silver theme will be a hit! I also dotted the silver ink on ALL the swiss dots in the background for "uber" contrast and that "special" touch!

2008-08-09T03:56:00.000-04:00

The highlight for this week was a trip to the Howard County Fair. I love the fairs but I have never been to this one. Along the way I crossed paths with this young gentleman and his 4H calf. I couldn't resist a photo, and it came out great!

Another week, 2 more cards! Yes! A trip to JoAnne's resulted in 3 more Cuttlebug embossing folders, one of my favorite techniques! Floral Fantasy coordinates well with Stampin Up's new Wow Flowers stamp set which will be available on Monday with the new Fall 2008 catalog.

Perfectly Paisley Cuttlebug embossing folder goes great with Stampin Up Polka Dots & Paisley stamp set (just discontinued). I added a little beading on the paisley elements for some bling. This card also incorporates one of the new Fall 2oo8 In Colors, Pacific Point. I used the Stampin Up sponge daubers to color the embossed texture with Pacific Point also. It really brought out the texture!

2008-08-03T03:46:00.000-04:00

This was a double duty day!!! Not only did I make cards, I actually made JEWELRY, too! The bracelet, which started as an 18gauge copper strip, was pierced and sawed with a jeweler's saw, then I formed it into a bracelet shape and added the hammer texture. Voila! This is another sample for the Jewelry I class that I will be teaching again in the fall for the Gem Cutters Guild of Baltimore. I was able to make this in almost 2 hours, which included the design time.

My second project was one of the samples for the rings class I will be teaching in November for the Gem Cutters Guild. The workshop, called "Rings - Fast & Furious" will be a 2-day weekend and we will be making 5 rings, 3 of which can be made in an hour! This ring consists of a 20gauge fine silver strip and a 20gauge copper strip. I drew a design on the copper, then pierced and sawed it out with the jewelers saw. I then sweat soldered the copper strip to the silver strip, formed the resulting strip into a ring and soldered that closed. A little tweaking with the ring former (LOVE that tool) to make it round, some sanding and polishing, and VOILA! another project done. This one took a little longer, probably 3 hours as I ran into a few unexpected issues that caused extra cleanup! Yikes! The result is worth it, though, and I LOVE how it looks, although this pic is a tad blurry. Now that I see the final product, I have some other designs that are begging to become pierced rings!

2008-08-03T02:49:00.000-04:00

Whew! inaspicious start, but I received my Stampin Up New colors and stamps yesterday, so I couldn't resist a couple of new cards - just a bit different than the Stampin Up samples...which had a few glitches in the directions I might add! Anyway - love these cards and the new colors!

Finally....

2008-07-23T17:51:00.000-04:00

Finally, I've started my blog...
There are so many options here - mostly because I have SOOOOOO many interests.
But right now I am worried about my bff, David. He has girlfriend troubles like you wouldn't believe!!! (I could write a BOOK! - wait - I am!) Anyway, possibly more about that later - I will be curious if folks weigh in on these particular "girlfriend" issues - perhaps he really is not alone in this quandary.
Other interests - making jewelry, SELLING jewelry, my etsy site and my new etsy passion and where it leads me...
My latest craze - rubber stamping (mostly cards)
...and the most difficult thing of all, carving some kind of organization out of my gazillion THINGS so I can find them, use them, get rid of them, etc. etc. etc.
Got to wrap up now to run erands before my bff girlfriend, Johanna, and I sit down to watch PROJECT RUNWAY (how i LOVE it!).
TTFN