My Christmas Tag Tutorial to YOU!

I know you guys have been following Tim's 12 Days of Christmas...right??? And who wouldn't???

Although I've been drooling like the rest of you, I haven't taken the time to make one yet.

Sooooooo, after working a week with Beeswax, and UTEE, and dabbing the fingers with toothpaste (thank you Suze) and Foille (a miracle drug), I think I've figured out how to keep all ten out of the band-aid box!!! Fun stuff everyone!!!

You have GOT to try it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, after looking at Tim's latest, I remembered a strip of film tape I had glued little faces on when I first got it. BONUS!!!! It was already donewith little faces from Paper Imagery Designs. But I never figured out what to DO with it. And a Christmas tag was just the place for it after seeing Tim's tag today.

So I thought I'd share the process with you as my Christmas Gift to my bloggers.

Here ya go!!!

1. I started with the ususal tag and added Old Paper Distress Ink all around the whole tag. Added Aged Mahogany to all but the center, some Brushed Corduroy and then heat set. Must heat set or EP will stick everywhere!!!

2. Then I used Tim's edge stamp from the Rockstar set to ink with embossing ink, and add Lettuce Adirondack embossing powder. Before using heat tool, brush off around the tag edges for a random tattered edge...it looks a bit more vintage that way. I LOVE this stamp done with the green EP!!!!!

3. Using Sepia Archival ink and the Fabulous Flourish, stamp the entire tag even over the EP. Lightly heat set again and it's good to go. The sepia ink is so cool over the lettuce EP. (Open center is for Christmas Carols stamp.)

4. Distress the edge and add my personal favorite, Black Soot Distress ink. Could not live without this ink!!!! Makes all the colors POP!

5. From the Mini Holidays I stamped the Christmas Carols and Pine Bough around the edge in Black Archival ink.

6. I used Tombow markers to add red and grey shadows to the stamped images.

7. The Film Strip is glued to chipboard and then glued to the tag. 3 glittery star brads go down the side...hard to see the sparkle here.

8. The little bulbs are tied together with red embroidery floss and the gold wire ribbon is tied and scrunched for a vintage look. The floral embellishment is cut from a larger piece I found at Jeffrey Alan's. I liked the snow on them. Glue in place. If the leaf sticks, it's all good!

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And there you have it. Thanks to everyone who stops by, especially those who leave a comment. It's no fun talking to yourself!!!!

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We're off for a few days vacation where it's a bit warmer....good food, some shows, and no snow.

Be Well.

Linda

UPDATE 2 !!! Just a note!

After a trip to the local friendly PO, I found I could ship the kits for 1/2 the price I thought! I should have told those who couldn't comment to email me at cain81@mtco.com. Sorry about that.


Good News, eh? (Got an email from my Canadian friend Lori and it reminded me of her wonderful inflection! A meetup is on for CHA!)



So in the U.S. they can go for $49.95. I sound like a commercial. This, too, can be yours for the low, low, price of ONLY $49.95. Ha!


Each kit has a full sheet of instructions, a G45 tags sheet (you only use 14 of the 36, so plenty of extras), a color picture of each section of the collage, everything you see to make the wall hanging, and a few little extra pieces thrown in.


Over 75 pieces in all!!!


And thank you, thank you to all the girls who ordered them. They will go out this week!



Linda

UPDATE: OK! I had to make up some more kits, so there are plenty again. And made a trip to the PO for more boxes. They are so good to me there.

I'm just sayin'........email me at cain81@mtco.com and we'll get you set up.

Scrapbook Friend'z Class

We had a great time and made some wonderful Christmas Memories to hang on the wall. They were all terrific, and I remembered to use my camera this time.
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Sorry gals on the other side of the classroom....I must have gotten distracted and didn't get your pictures...

And some were the Friend'z gals..DUH!

Fabulous job!

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Linda Broom and Kathy sharing a moment. Cheryl and Sheila hard at work. (We also had a tiny visitor in class....with 4 legs, quiet as a mouse!!!)

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Margaret REALLY did a great job, and plans to make more...good for her!

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We sanded more than a bunch of carpenters on our papers. But after the hard work was done, the rest came together a little easier.

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Thanks to everyone who came to the class. And those with the kits, just let me know if you have any questions.....I'm a visual person myself, and the written word sometimes needs a little clarification!!!!

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There are only 3 kits left. Let me know if you want one.

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Decided to go to CHA-W....gotta see all the new things. Might be something special there! Should be a great show. Tim's classes are full, imagine that.

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I know lots of people who are going to this one.

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Let me know if you're going!!!!

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Hope to see you there!!!!!

Leftovers..and not from Thanksgiving!

Graphic 45 leftovers!!!! And a TUTORIAL!!!!

Just got an email from Lori who was in my Christmas Wall Hanging class. She used some of the many leftovers from the class to make this adorable little tree!

(I snagged her photo from her blog.) AND there's a tutorial on just how to do it!!! BONUS!

Absolutely Stunning! I LOVE it!!!! You must go take a look at her blog here.

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On another note, we went to Springfield yesterday with friends to see the Lincoln Museum. It's the Bicentennial year of Lincoln's birth. If you ever get in the neighborhood it is really wonderful. I have been to a lot of museums, but this one is elegant.

The shot above is of the Lincoln family with John Wilkes Booth leaning on the pillar to the left. You enter and see the White House as it was in Lincoln's time.

You visit the kitchen as well as the Cabinet Room. There are wax figues as well as real people in period dress. It's hard to tell the difference. This is where Lincoln announced his Emancipation Proclamation to his cabinet.

And right now it is dressed up for Christmas.

The wax figures are remarkable. This is the one of Mary Todd Lincoln as you see her from the entrance to the White House that is 95% of the true measurements as it sits in the round museum.

Take the time to go. You won't be disappointed.

Enjoy....and go visit Lori's blog!

P.S. LOVE, love, LOVE, my new camera!!!

Tim Holtz Christmas Tonight at Midnight! UPDATE!

Talked to Scrapbook Friend'z, there are only a couple of seats left for the Christmas Wall Hanging class on Sat......be there. This class is the most fun yet. This is only 2 of the 5 sections we make. PAS girls loved their works of ART.

I gotta admit. Lots of extras in the kit for more Christmas magic and door prizes to add to that list!!!!

Don't forget to go to Tim's blog and see his first Christmas Tag tonight!!! The 1st of 12 Days of Christmas.

I'm sure it will have all kinds of goodies and give-aways going on there. He is a Santa in and of himself.

So click on and go over.....after midnight, probably Arizona time.

And this is a tiny canvas that I practiced my Beeswax art on yesterday. The picture is my mother and I took it with my NEW CAMERA!!!! YEAH!

Remember, it's taken THROUGH the wax, so it is a bit cloudy. But the rest of the picture is very clear.

Soooooo cool! Love my new Canon Power ShotSX200 IS...and it's METALLIC PLUM in color. That was what really sold me, along with the 12.1 mega pixels and the 12X zoom.

That and the fact that I think I can "figure the thing out."

MAN does it take GOOD pictures. Love it, love it, love it!!!!!!!!!!!! My Anniversary Present....thanks Bill.

So, tune in later at Tim's Place. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Wax on - Wax off...

The kids are gone....the left-overs almost gone, too. Do you hear that?????

Yes, I love them, but the silence is back!!!!

Got out the Bees Wax, and the Alcohol Inks, Tim Holtz stamps, Perfect Pearls, some vintage pictures and plain old found items.

I had a fun afternoon!!!!!

This is a picture of my dad, the boy, and his parents on the left. No clue who the other man is in the picture.

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But I have fallen in LOVE with Jack and Cat's Curio blog, and Lisa...a lucky friend in Arizona, took their class recently, and her work was phenomenal!!!!! Michael is a great teacher.

You MUST go see Lisa's work here!!!!!

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Here is my latest attempt at beeswax collage. Fun, to say the least. I haven't done BW for about 4 years, and some things change and some things just stay the same.

The Clover tack iron still remains unmastered here, and I realise, as I always tell my students in class.....PRACTICE REALLY IS THE KEY!

SOOOOOO much easier to "do as I say, and not as I do." I guess my grandad used that phrase a lot.

Enjoy the day!~

And Create ART when you can.

Creative Grandkids or WHAT!? And Dolly's bracelets

Have I told you how talented my GKs are?????? And we have so much fun when they are here.

Brit made this headband, but she wouldn't let me take a full picture of her, bad hair after hours of shopping! See the TSS metal butterflies on the Basic Grey ribbon? TOO COOL! Her design!

Alex's bracelet is the Black and White one with the lace ties, Erin's has the spinner, Brit made the tin with Ten Second Studio metal and Alcohol Inks, and the other bracelets for friends are hers, too.

I show you the backs of the bracelets because we had to enlarge them for boys, and we used a strip of GP in a loop on one, and a hinge of GB on the other.

Then this email arrived from mattmars showing 3 bracelets done with great texture!!! Thanks Dolly!

I made up three of the grunge board bracelets in different colors for my nieces and my nephew....I have to fix the red one...thought I had caught the grunge enough to get away with it but I guess not LOL That's okay...more playing with ink :)Thought I would send you a peek.

Don't you LOVE them???

I had a fun day Wednesday......decided to try sewing some more Grungepaper. That was fun until I pushed too hard and ended up with the needle in the end of my fingernail!!!!

Yes, you know how you react when someone hits something with their car and they say they "hit the gas instead of the brake somehow?" And you say, "yeah, right, who does that?"

I'm here to tell you, you panic. I thought the way to get the needle out of my finger was to hit the footfeed. Guess what? It wasn't all the way DOWN yet.

Therefore......it went even deeper. Amazingly, it was fine. Really, it bled, but no pain after a few times on the ice.

And the funny thing, I had sooooo much blue and red ink on my fingers that I thought I had put the needle all the way through. There was red ink on the bottom in a blotchy pattern.

So I was just relieved to know I didn't put it all the way through.....

Such a blessing.

Be well, and hope you all had a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.

We did. Pretty much!

A Day with Emma

We have been backup babysitters for Em and Erin the month of November. Today is her last day. Starting in December she'll be going back to Sara's.

We've had some fun this afternoon. We made a snowman out of fun foam to give to her friend.

Now we're going to get the Christmas decorations out.

But before she came back from preschool, I got to play with some Grungepaper and inks, plus the Cuttlebug.....

Here's a peek at what I am working on....

Be well and enjoy the last nice day in the Midwest of sunshine for awhile. We MAY get snow for Thanksgiving.

I could pass on that.......

Nana and Emma

The Lovely Ladies of Prairie Art Stamps!

The Christmas Wall Hanging class at Prairie Art Stamps has come and gone. The day was full of ink, and glue and papers, and stuff....."does anybody see my Blue Angel Tag.....?" (it's an inside joke)

It was a great day with great people. Terri, you are a treasure. We all love what you do for us!


Let the pictures tell the story. I took them DURING class so I would remember. But they did get their projects done.

Annette coming in to supervise and enjoy the fun.


I hope these 2 made it home in time for the Theater tonight...going to the Fox.
What can you say about Judy....see her glued piece...what a hoot!

Talented and award winning group. They won Best of Show at the Festival of Trees!!! WHOO HOO!!!

They came from near and afar....great gals.

Creative Friends share so much.

Sisters having a fun day and a long drive home.

She found her Angel and got her project all done...beautiful.

Words cannot describe the fun.....we bonded, laughed, ate, shopped, and oh yes, Created ART!

Hope to see you all again soon!

Sunshine in the Neighborhood and Thank YOU!

Hi Everyone!!!!!

The sun is shining, my kits for tomorrow and beyond (sound like Buzz Lightyear) are DONE!!! YEAH!

I even got some Christmas shopping done for "the Watercolor Chicks." BONUS!

And I want to thank everyone who's ordered the GrungeBoard Wallet kits from the bottom of my heart!!!! You guys are the best. And Busy Betty, it was all because of you.

As I've said before "Friends in ART" are THE BEST...don't cha know?

Soooooooo, tomorrow is Judy and Annette and Terri and all the other wonderful people at Prairie Art Stamps. It's really gonna be fun. This kit has a billion (well maybe just 60) pieces in it!!! And TONS of left overs to make other things. I LOVE it!

And thanks to Mickie (Michelle Ann) my daughter, we got the biggest part of it done when they came down on Sabbatical. Love you, Mick!

Gonna retire to the sunroom with a Chai Tea and some Raspberry cookies...what's a girl to do????

Be Well.

And don't forget to send me pics of the Bracelets you make from the tutorial yesterday and your wallets. I'd love to see them!

UPDATE!!! Wanda's Request

Hey, bloggers!

Busy day here.....shopping, planning, putting down carpeting in the sunroom for winter, kitting, etc, etc, etc.

And Wanda H. my dear friend from Iowa, who writes a great blog with WONDERFUL projects, (check it out) wants to know how to make the Grungeboard Bracelets!!!
I thought they were pretty easy and the GKs could make them when they come down for Thanksgiving.

Anybody else want to know how to do them????.....if so, maybe I can get to that tonight or tomorrow after I have time to sit down!!!

Check out your GB supplies, run and get some if you don't have some and pick up some Hitch Fasteners from Idea-ology. That and your inks are about all you will need!

Oh, I also used Tim's long brads and the washers...just to let you know. And a spray fixative to seal.

Back later with the scoop!

L
Here we go......

This is just a strip of Grungeboard for the base about 1" wide.The length is up to the wrist size plus about an inch to overlap at closure.

Then take a strip about an 3/4" wide: cut lengthwise into 3 strips leaving about 1/2 an inch at the end uncut.

Distress ink and stamp. Make sure to get the sides inked. Then braid. Hold the one cut end together with a brad. Finish cutting the other end and braid this end. Hold with a brad.

Now you add this to the bracelet using the existing brads, and Tim's washers on the back to stabilize. Make sure you BEND the bracelet as you go or it will buckle. Add more brads starting in the middle and work your way out.

Clip the ends of base bracelet with a Zutter 1/2"corner rounder, punch a large hole on one end and clip at 3, 6, and 9 so the hole won't tear and use a small hole on the other end to add a hitch fastener.

Spray with a sealer of your choice. I used Super Seal by Creative Imaginations.

That's it in a nutshell....it took more instructions than I thought it would.....any ?, just email me.

Have Fun...Create ART

Random Thoughts

So much going on here and in my head. But here are a few things I'd like to share with you.....

Busy Betty in California has asked if I'd consider mailing her a GrungeBoard Wallet kit. I had a couple other people asking, so I did some research today.



After a trip to the local Post Office, I found the GB will fit nicely into the small Flat Rate box that ships anywhere in the US for $4.95!


So.....Betty can have her kit sent out by the end of the week. She's getting the kit for $30. With the kit, you can make one wallet and have a choice of the 2 different flowers. Then use the pattern to make more!!! If the other gals that asked about these are interested, email me. cain81@mtco.com You know who you are.
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These things are sooooo easy once you figure it out, you could make several for Christmas gifts. Always fun. The girls from Sat. have plans to make several to hold Gift Cards and one will take it clubbing...with ID and some cash. (Mom was there, so she already knows...didn't compromise her here.)


Whatever works..............

Next, we think of making cute or flowery things for girls gifts. But sometimes the boys get overlooked. So I came up with a bracelet designed for the teenage boy in your lives.




This is GrungeBoard and a HitchFastener. Simple, but kind of rugged for the Teen Set...I bounced it of my teenage Grandkids 15 and 17!!!! Ha! Loved them! They can make them at Thanksgiving when they come down!
The girls want them, too.


Moving right along.....the class for this Saturday at Prairie Art Stamps has only a couple of seats left. Kits are made and we're ready to go. If you have put off calling, I suggest you call now. We had 19 show up for 16 seats the last time!

I'm just sayin'.......

Scrapbook Friend'z Class

Whew!!! Another fun class with a lot of new faces. A Great Time. And many are going to make several for Christmas Gifts!

But alas, I forgot to take pictures!!!

We all had inky fingers and great ideas. And another idea from one of my newer students....glaze pens in metallic colors!!!

They were beautiful in the butterfly wings using white pearl and light blue.

Daughter and SIL on there way down for a visit. And next Saturday is the Christmas Wall Hanging class in Springfield at Prairie Art Stamps!!!

It's gonna be a fun one!!!!

Idea-ology Fun

Short and Sweet. Here's a little peek at a part of a bracelet I put together with Idea-ology bits. Guess how many pieces of Idea-ology are on this piece...not including the connecting jump rings on the SIDES....

You can do soooooo many things with these pieces. Layer them on each other....put them together.

Too much fun!

Another great day. Lunch Friday with the Watercolor Chicks.

Always a Treat!

Saturday class at Scrapbook Friend'z/Bloomington filling up~Grungeboard Wallets~couple of spots left....

Ten Seconds Studio Video

The ever popular Cheryl and Megan are back with their off the wall Taco Tuesday video!!! You gotta love 'em!

If you remember, last April 2nd (yes, nowhere close to Christmas) I showed you an ornament you could make using metal, alcohol inks and various other techniques. The center is with copper. (click on to see better)

Margaret had some great acrylic pieces in the store and wanted a sample. Hence, the Ornament.

TSS shows you their take on this similar idea using Fragments. Take a look at it. It's entertaining and enlightening, to say the least.

Create ART!

Alex the Eagle Scout

My Grandson became an Eagle Scout at the age of 15.
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We are so proud of him and the support he received from his family..Brit, Mom and Dad, who, I think had just as much fun as Alex did!!!!

The ceremony is moving. The speakers are there to honor the institution as well as the young men that have achieved this high honor.

To hear about the ability to reach this goal is unbelievable to say the least.

If I ever have a heart attach or medical emergency.....I want Alex there to keep the cool and intelligent head that he has been trained to use.

He is an amazing young man and we should all be proud of his ambitions to serve his community and his fellow scouts.

It was a wonderful day!!!!!

Shopping and Playing Around

Dragging out things to experiment with is always so much fun.

This is a snippet of Ten Seconds Studio Dijon metal that was stamped, embossed, sprayed with Perfect Pearls and ReInker, Alcohol Inked with the Fillable Pen, and sanded here and there.

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The side view shows how the leaves are puffed.

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The Black Sharpie pen makes all the colors pop.

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Kitting up for the Grungeboard Wallet class in Bloomington on the 14th.

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It was a blast at Prairie Art Stamps I know we'll have some more takes on the class from the talented gals at Scrapbook Friend'z.

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The PAS girls made plans for gifts and wonderful treasures that had darling pictures in the bookplates.

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The Grandmas had a great time with this!!!

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Can't wait to see you there.

It Is A Fabulous Day Here in the Midwest!

This is a picture of a Moth that we saw in the Shawnee National Forest. He was sunning himself on a rock.




The sun has been shining for 2 days now!!!! Amazing. Just a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

We worked in the garden and got all the leaves done, and everything cut back, bagged and off to the dump. Done for the fall season....hopefully.

Even had time for a lunch on the porch swing. Even got the windows washed on the Sunroom.

Mexican Food and Margaritas tonight as a reward!!!

Life is good!!!

What A Great Halloween Class!!!!

First of all, I took this little ghoul to a party the other night. I love her Vampira collar. Where were these cool costumes when we were kids??? Geez!!!

These pictures are all over the place....just enjoy!

Lots of Inky Fingers here!

What a talented group of gals!

Then secondly.......We had MORE fun!!!! And did we Create some great ART!!!

We had a full class....and then some.....ha! So we were hoppin'. Thanks to a great and wonderful staff at Prairie Art Stamps. Terri is blessed with a terrific crew.

Everyone stamped and cut and INKED big time! I think they had a good time and learned a bit in the process. The Grunge Wallets came out AMAZING!

Not everyone wanted their pictures taken, but we got a look at the work. And one picture, I cut off the work.....but got the gal! I'm an amateur Photographer. I'm sorry I missed a couple of gals before they left.

At the end of a class, I'm lucky if I remember to take pictures at all!

So I hope everyone had a good time....and I'll see you again in a couple of weeks for the Christmas Wall Hanging class.....call and reserve your spot!

It's only really 8:45 and I feel like it should be time for bed! (already set the clocks back)

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..............................

Prairie Art Stamps Class Tomorrow-FULL

The wonderful girls at PAS sold the last spot in the Grungeboard Wallet class for tomorrow!!!! Whoo Hoo!!!

Can't wait to see them down in Springfield again. They are a really talented group and love to have fun Creating ART.

I will be sure to take pictures!!! I'm uploading a couple of my favs from our vacation to Shawnee National Forest.

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The 1st one is the sunrise from our cabin overlooking the Ohio River Valley, and the 2nd one is at the Garden of the Gods.

Have a great day....we have been drowning in rain here, but tomorrow MAYBE a bit of sun.

Cross your Fingers.....

Orbs in the Cave in Rock:UPDATE

These are the pictures of the Orbs I told you about. We first encountered Orbs on a trip to Savannah Georgia that's said to be the most haunted city in the US.

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Hundreds of thousands of people were killed or died from various things in Savannah, due to epidemics, the Civil War, Indian Wars, Pirates, Slaves being brought in and sold, etc, etc. Hundreds were buried in mass graves.

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Anyway, the orbs only show up in pictures. They're not visible to the naked eye.

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In the Cave in Rock, we were just told it had been inhabited by Indians dating back to 600 AD. Drawings and such were authenticated. Then the Pirates took it over in later years. No mention was made of ghosts.

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They would lure riverboats to shore by dressing as women!!!! Imagine that. Then when they came ashore, they would rob, kill and bury the men on Hurricane Island.

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Do you see the perfect circles of light with rainbow colors (energy) around them? These are said to be the lost souls of the departed that have not crossed over, usually due to an untimely death. There are 7 orbs in one picture and 8 in the other. (Click to enlarge)

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If you look at the 2nd one, by the man in front, there is one partially behind the rock...so it's not something on my lens~~~~I showed Bill who is a skeptic, but still in awe.

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I took over 100 pictures and these are the only ones that showed up like this.

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You be the judge......Believe it Or Not!

UPDATE: only one seat left in the Wallet class Sat. at Prairie Arts!

Back Home Again

We're baaack! Home from our get-away to the Shawnee National Forest ~some great friends and good times.

We went to a cabin overlooking the Ohio River Valley in the forest and it was FAB-U-LOUS with the view at San Damiano. Unbelievable weather, the leaves were breathtaking, and just a wonderful place.

We visited a vineyard, tasted and bought a couple of bottles. Then onto the Garden of the Gods and the Cave in Rock....really, really cool pictures!!!

Anyone believe in ghosts and orbs???? Got some pictures in the pirate/native American cave that show about 5 orbs VERY distinctly. OK, you don't have to believe, but the pictures are interesting to say the least. Later...

Then we stopped and shopped in the town of Lebanon on the way home. Wonderful little place and great food, too.

This is a shot of the Vintaj charms I made before we left with the new nail heads. New stuff is coming out!!! I'll be back with that later, too.

Good to go, but good to get home!

Be Well!

Scrapbook News and Review-Guest Blogger

I know, it's not even Halloween yet, and I'm blasting you with Christmas stuff!

This is a project that is on Scrapbook News and Review tonight with a little bit about how it was done and a little bit about me in the Guest Blogger area.

This was really fun to create, because I could drag out all kinds of stuff from my stash and just play. No worries about recreating or writing up instructions.

It has everything that I love, Ten Seconds Studio, Maya Road, Grungeboard, Tim Holtz stamps, Idea-ology, Stickles and Graphic 45 paper.

Enjoy and don't forget to go read their blog. It comes out every week with a guest blogger...next week is Teresa Collins. Talented lady!

And just a NOTE: These are the same products used in the Christmas wall hanging class. Spots are filling up. Only a couple of spots left for the Wallet class. It's going to be fun!!!!!

Create ART!

Some Metal and Butterflies

We've been really busy. Fall cleanup time here, inside and out.

But I did get some cool little things made the other day.

Here is what you can do in about 5 minutes with the Ten Seconds Studio metal, a Cuttlebug Die, and some Idea-ology pieces.

No kidding....5 minutes!

And I love the Basic Grey paper Indian Summer.

Have a great day and Create ART!

'Tis Autumn

In the spirit of the season of fall....cornstalks and pumpkins, I show you what I found the other day in my studio.

Here is a watercolor I did a "a few whiles ago," as my daughter used to say!

I thought I'd share after a trip back from Bloomington with all the cornfields still standing. It is too wet here to get into the fields. My ancestors being farmers, I only hope for some dryer days. We'll all be paying for it if the crops rot in the fields.

And on a sunnier note!!! The sun is shining here today and it is wonderful to see.

Be well!

Bad Blogger

Hey, everyone!

I've been bad about blogging lately. Sorry about that. We're fighting the flu here with the grandkids pretty sick. Thankfully Bill and I haven't gotten it. We got our flu shots right about 8 days before they got sick....crossing fingers here.

I did finally finish my book at about 2AM! Good writer that Dan Brown. Teaches and entertains at the same time. Very Enlightening. Love his works. But this one really let me down with the ending.

Just a note, I will be a Guest Blogger on Oct. 23rd at Scrapbook News and Review. I used this opportunity to create another wall hanging. Hope you like it. I'll post it up here too after it goes up there. And Teresa Collins will be the week after me. So take a look there if you can.

Working on getting the classes together for the Grungeboard Wallets and the Graphic 45 Christmas Wall Hanging. You forget how much work it is when you open your mouth and say "let's do a class." But you guys and gals make it all worthwhile!!! I do love the challenge!!!

Stay warm and well....and do your part to help the economy...shop at your LSS!

TTFN!

GrungeBoard Pumpkin

UPDATE: Made him a lid. Ha! Used the Hitch Fastener for a stem.

I live in the city that claims to be the "Pumpkin Capitol of the World" because the Libby plant that cans pumpkin is here.

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Sooooo, we see a lot of pumpkins.

They're everywhere...in the windows, on the street corners, on flags, on the water tower, even the soccer balls at the weekend tournament were....you guessed it....PUMPKINS. Orange soccer balls with jack-o-lantern faces.

So it is fitting that I would be drawn to making the little orange blob out of Grungeboard and paper. A little battery powered tea light sits inside. Kinda cute.

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The leaf is of course, Appletini Green Ten Seconds Studio metal run through the Cuttlebug. The curly stuff is GrungePaper.

My fingers have the look of a 4 pack a day smoker. Camels probably.

It will wear off eventually.

Happy Autumn....the pumpkins are here. Oh, and the whole town smells like pumpkins...and that's not like pumpkin pie!

Be well.

2AM Epiphany

Couldn't sleep last night. Watched TV with Erin and spent most of the evening with her. She's such a good kid, and fun to be with.

So when I finally went to bed at midnight, I had eaten things that really didn't want to go to sleep....chocolate chip cookies with Erin...bad me, good Nana.

At about 1:30AM I decided to get up since I had this idea to try with the Cuttlebug and Ten Seconds Studio Metal. GREAT combination.

Here's the results. VERY fun!!! Even if it was at 2 in the morning!

Go Create ART!

Rainy Ugly Day

Off to the 2nd soccer game of the day for GD in a tournament. What a cold and misty day!

Finally got all the Christmas Banner together and tried to get a picture....looks like there's no sunshine here for a while.

So the tease is only a sliver of it....but it's all there in the background

We've added Prairie Art Stamps on the 21st of Nov!!!! YEAH!

Christmas Wall Banner

I fell in love with the Christmas Past papers from Graphic 45....as you will too when you see them. AMAZING!

I've put together a class that will have Maya Road Coasters as the base for a multi-piece wall hanging.

I think you'll enjoy it. Here are a couple of more peaks at the different sections that will hang down.

Thanks to my shopping in St. Cloud, I got some nice floral pieces. They spruce it up along with some GrungePaper, Tim's Reindeer Flight stamps, and lots of pen work dots and stitches.....which I love.

December 5th at Scrapbook Friend'z....save the date!

Busy Time of the Year

In between tearing down the garden, soccer games, marching band festivals, vacation and everyday chores, I've been trying to work on a Graphic 45/Maya Road project for a class. I LOVE these papers!!!!

Every once in awhile a truism from my mom comes into my head..."never enough hours in the day." She was so right in so many ways.

When the time is there, the daylight is gone, or something else seems to crop up.

And I still have not finished the Last Oracle!!!

The weather has been so great here. I LOVE fall. If it just didn't come with so many allergies. I think I'm allergic to pond scum. Seriously, the algae on the lake was really bad in spots and it did make me cough.

Life....it beats the alternative!

Create ART!

Fall Garden

Impatiens, Hydrangeas, Snap Dragons, Geraniums, and Asters. A last look at the garden before it's gone for the year.

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Good news....the shipment of Idea-ology and Grungeboard came while I was gone. And it's all ready for the Wallet classes.

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Can't wait. It's gonna be fun.

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Watching the Sweeps....on my own TV!

Be Well.

St. Cloud and Crafts Direct-Whoo! Hoo!

Well, it is raining....still. But we had a great shopping trip to St. Cloud and Crafts Direct. My dear husband wants to personally thank Wanda for her tip on going there!!!! Kidding, Wanda. He was glad we didn't have to scout all over for some place to spend my money. We knew EXACTLY where to go!

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What a terrific place!!! It's like Michael's on steroids!!!! All the little individual storefronts are really cute. And they have that many sections clear to the back loaded with STUFF! They even had lots of Vintaj!!! I was amazed. And TONS of lines of papers and stamps of all kinds. ROWS of them.

I did my part to help the economy recover...and got some neat wooden things for an upcoming class.

The first picture up there is of another spot with a pretty reflection. Of course, my photography does not do Mother Nature justice. But I tried.

The Sea Gull...or as my sister-in-law Bonnie calls them, two legged rats....just wait for me to toss my minnow off the end of my hook so he can dive for it.

I'm going to read the rest of my book, so I can start the new Dan Brown one. We've been so busy I haven't gotten the other one done. Can't wait for this new one.

Then Bill can watch the game downstairs, and I'll watch the new shows upstairs in the loft. Oh, and Prime Rib tonight at the local "hot spot" Dino's.

What more could a girl ask for?

Last sleep over.....

My Guy-Happy on the Lake

Here's Bill with his own sighting....SeaRay shirt on his back. And running around in the boat for a week though a bunch of Lakes in Minnesota.

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We have had a wonderful time. The days and nights in the cabin....cool weather and we sleep like rocks after all that fresh air.

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This is a shot of the fish cleaning cabin that sits down near the water, and the docks with the benches to sit and just while away the time. They sit out there at night and fish for catfish. Me, I'm not fond of the bugs.....so I sit on the porch and watch them, drink coffee,and read my book.

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All the bakery goodies are almost gone. Must be time to go home. One more day.

We're going to St. Cloud shopping tomorrow!!!! YEAH!!!! Sorry, it's gonna rain tomorrow.

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Let you know if I find anything good....I already have a FRIENDS carving to go with my ART from a local shop.

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Be good to each other!

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Bill and Linda

Sunset on the Lake

I know this is a bit blurry, but this was the sunset and the crescent moon over the lake last night at Island View Resort.

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Pretty cool!

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For those of you who asked about the hoodie, you can email Mario and he'll set you right up with one. Tim and Co. are in Japan right now, but give them a few days and he'll get one for you.

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Mario@timholtz.com

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Your Friend in ART and shopping!

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Linda

Tim/Mario Hoodie Sighting!!!

I love reflections...sheet of glass.

What a fun filled day we had yesterday. Lots of fishing and eating fish and cleaning fish.

Mostly we released the fish. We caught several Catfish that are THE ugliest fish out there. They go right back where they came from, it's like catching a log!!!

The bass go back, too as well as the tiny little Blue Gills. But the Bass are fun to catch.

THEN one of my favorite things to do here, go to the Cold Springs Bakery!!!YEAH!

They have the greatest goodies there. We must pace ourselves for the rest of the week. That's where we had the HOODIE sighting. Going into the market there to get some supplies. Bill thought I was nuts, but he took the picture for me anyway.

What a guy!
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Be well....got to watch Linda Hunt tonight in the new NCIS LA. Has to be good!

Another Day-Another Picture

This is just too funny. I went to upload my picture of the catch of the day, and I found this wonderful picture of Emma when she was about 2. Had to share!!!

The other picture is inside the cabin....really nice for a fishing cabin. Should have closed the bathroom door....sorry.

AND, had to share one picture down in the fish-cleaning house with a Crappie (he's the one on the left).We're roughin' it so no shaving for Bill today. He caught a Northern, but I only had the cellphone camera. Not smart. We let him go, but we got a few Crappies of good size, some small Bluegill and a couple of Bass.

Supper for tonight!

Back out on the lake ...TTFN!

Linda aka Holtz

Hello Minnesota-UPDATE

Here's our cabin and here is one happy guy. To be out on the water again. See the little window upstairs???? That's where I am right now overlooking the fishhouse and the lake. If he's happy, I'M Happy!

Goodnight everybody! More tomorrow.

We made it. A LONG day on the road. About 10 and a half hours. I slept a lot of the morning away!

But Bill is happy to be here. The cabin is wonderful. I have an upstairs window overlooking the lake with a game table that is great for hooking up to the web. It pulled a signal just fine. I am so easily amused.

No pictures yet, but tomorrow I'll give that a shot. Our pontoon boat is right outside the cabin!!!!

Can't wait!!!

Be well, and be good to each other.

Vintaj, Alcohol Inks, and the Cropadile-UPDATE

UPDATE: I've had some people asking about where to buy Vintaj. On their site is a button to tell you where you can buy them...the shops in your area. They are carried by Bead Shops. That might help.

After I saw Vintaj's newsletter, I had to try my hand with the blanks~~these are all pieces of their fabulous Brass pieces.

I used Alcohol inks from Ranger and the Fillable Pen to add subtle color to the daisies to make this fun pendant.

AND Jess said the Cropadile works on the brass!!!!! And it does!!!! AMAZINGLY COOL!!!

I think we need a class here for this to share in the fun!!!!!

Have a fun day~Create Art

Happy Birthday Emma/Congrats ALEX!!!!!!

We had to celebrate Em's birthday early since we will be up North when she actually turns 5. Believe me, she DID NOT care!!!! Early was just fine with her.

Both girls got some presents and they played with the Barbie cash register all evening WITHOUT fighting!!!! AMAZING!!! Thank you Barbie.

Did you know, you can learn to use your credit card now with the help of Barbie? Yes, it's true. You have cash in your register, but the fastest way to get you out of the store, is with the Barbie Credit Card scanner.

A teaching toy......

And Em is in her Barbie cheerleader outfit that comes with one for Barbie just like it. A Barbie for every occasion. Wonderful.

NOW for ALEX my 15 year old grandson!!!!!! Ta-Ta-Ta-Da!!!! He passed his Eagle Scout test (2 hours long, mom was a nervous wreck) and will have his ceremony on Nov. 7th!!!!! WE ARE SOOOOO PROUD of the kid!!!!! He, and his family, have worked very, very, hard for this. That's why I had to move my class in Bloomington girls...thanks for all the help there.

I know if I ever have a medical problem out in the woods, or anywhere else without a doctor, I want this kid there....or Brit, she knows CPR, too. And he can survive in the wilderness for days!!! In an igloo.....freezing, or canoe down the river, or start a fire without matches, or text without looking....oh, that was just an added bonus.

Great job, AJ!!!!

Talked to Jess from Vintaj yesterday....some really cool things should be coming your way soon from both of us. I hate teasing, but this should be BIG TIME FUN for all of you.

Create ART.....of ALL forms!!!! (that's my motto)