We are at 24 participants for our charm swap and I'm am totally jazzed! Thanks to all that are able to join, I can't wait to see what you "spook" up! And for those that were not able to this time, next year perhaps?
8/31/09
Charm Swap, Closed and Creating!
We are at 24 participants for our charm swap and I'm am totally jazzed! Thanks to all that are able to join, I can't wait to see what you "spook" up! And for those that were not able to this time, next year perhaps?
8/27/09
Velvet Embossing Tutorial
I'm leaving Friday morning for a weekend craft retreat with some friends up in the Big Bear mountains and thought you all might like a fun tutorial while I'm gone!
For velvet embossing you will need:
1. 1 iron with a steam setting
2. protected surface for your iron and craft
3. large spray bottle with mist feature
4. velvet. the thicker the better, not the cheap thin kind. Mine came from a vintage velvet dress I found at a thrift store.
5. assorted rubber stamps with large images. the bigger the image, the better...if you have to many details in your stamp, it won't come out. Only use rubber or large foam stamps- the kind you use for wall stamping. -
Fill your iron with water and set to "steam".
Once it's ready, lay your velvet face down over your stamp.
Mist with water, needs to be wet , but not drenched to work.
Hit your steam button to get the steam really going on your iron, the more you have, the easier it will be.
Iron as shown, but DO NOT leave the iron sitting on your stamp!
Iron for maybe 10 seconds.
You will then see a shiny imprint of the stamp coming through the back of the fabric.
Peel away, and see your results!
The butterfly and 2 squares are from a 6 sided cube stamp I got from Michaels craft, the crest is a foam wall stamp, and the swirls are some more foam craft stamps I still have.
( a note on the foam stamps, the more you use them with this craft, they will tend to melt over time, so be sure you have spares.)
You can use your embossed velvet on any craft, I used mine to alter a cute shirt and make it unique!
Hope you enjoyed this craft and have a great weekend!
For velvet embossing you will need:
1. 1 iron with a steam setting
2. protected surface for your iron and craft
3. large spray bottle with mist feature
4. velvet. the thicker the better, not the cheap thin kind. Mine came from a vintage velvet dress I found at a thrift store.
5. assorted rubber stamps with large images. the bigger the image, the better...if you have to many details in your stamp, it won't come out. Only use rubber or large foam stamps- the kind you use for wall stamping. -
Fill your iron with water and set to "steam".Once it's ready, lay your velvet face down over your stamp.
Mist with water, needs to be wet , but not drenched to work.
Hit your steam button to get the steam really going on your iron, the more you have, the easier it will be.Iron as shown, but DO NOT leave the iron sitting on your stamp!
Iron for maybe 10 seconds.You will then see a shiny imprint of the stamp coming through the back of the fabric.
Peel away, and see your results!The butterfly and 2 squares are from a 6 sided cube stamp I got from Michaels craft, the crest is a foam wall stamp, and the swirls are some more foam craft stamps I still have.
( a note on the foam stamps, the more you use them with this craft, they will tend to melt over time, so be sure you have spares.)
You can use your embossed velvet on any craft, I used mine to alter a cute shirt and make it unique!
Hope you enjoyed this craft and have a great weekend!
8/26/09
Halloween Treat Cones
...last Halloween! I started these last fall and never got around to finishing them! Well I plan to this weekend as some friends and I embark on a weekend craft retreat up in the mountains.I had planned on working on some family Christmas gifts but that did not pan out so I'm taking the *hint* to just enjoy my weekend and work on "fun" stuff.
8/20/09
Shop Special till the end of September!
Buy any 2 Scrapboxes...existing in my shop
or as a custom job, and receive the 3rd Scrapbox FREE!
Special good till Septembr 30th, 2009
For custom orders, it takes approx. 2 weeks to make each box.
I can do any theme!
See more of my Scrapboxes here.
(these make great Birthday, New Home, Anniversary, & seasonal gifts!)
Please tell a friend!
Thanks!
or as a custom job, and receive the 3rd Scrapbox FREE!
Special good till Septembr 30th, 2009
For custom orders, it takes approx. 2 weeks to make each box.
I can do any theme!
See more of my Scrapboxes here.
(these make great Birthday, New Home, Anniversary, & seasonal gifts!)
Please tell a friend!
Thanks!
8/18/09
Witches Cupboard Charm Swap Update
We are at the 1/2 way mark for sign up for this truly wicked swap! Below, you'll see the swap details plus the list of participants. The number stops at 31, so if you'd like to join, e-mail me today! Make sure to include your name, e-mail address and snail mail info!
You are more than welcome to use this button to link friends back to this post.
The theme is "Witches Cupboard"
Think of something you might find in a witches cupboard!
Keep it spooky and wicked.
No cutesy, please.
The older looking...- the better!
Size: No bigger than 2" long, can be 2 dimensional and have things dangling.
You can get idea's from my past swaps of what materials can be used~ shrink plastic, wire, bottle caps, rusty things, glass, clay, recycled, felt,soldered, fabric, buttons, beads, findings...
The only requirement I have it to make something that you would like to receive.
Please take time with your charms, ensuring their quality & wearability.
Jump rings are not required...you may make your own ring, or even attach a lobster claw.
*(Be sure to include a tag or business card any containing contact info with each charm you make)*
~Idea's of what you can make....tiny potion bottles, ghosties, mini recipe books, dried bat wings and such, voo-doo dolls, little crows, things to stir with, bones, tiny bottles filled with..., crows, owls, eye of newt, black cats, brooms, wart cream...I'm sure you can "spook" up something!
To be included in this sought after swap, you must do the following:
e-mail me your name, & mailing address
Feel free to visit our past swaps here.
I will update this post with a list of participants as they sign up!
Please include $5 in cash, or stamps to cover shipping & handling.
I can bill international via paypal, if needed.
(Local's don't have to pay for shipping & handling)
Last day to sign up: August 31st
Or when we reach max amount of 31 participants.
*
Charms must be in my hand by September 30th.
You can expect your charms by October 12th.
Hope you can join! And feel free to tell a friend!
****************************************
Witches Cupboard Charm Swap Participants list so far....
1. Michelle Cummings
2. Holly Johnson
3. Morgan Thien
4. Lisa Hessabi
5. Regina Lord
6. Mahala Elliot
7. Tracy McIlroy
8. Veronica Noechel
9. Charity Donaldson
10. Valerie Myers
11. Lori Halt / Brittany Oullette
12. Melinda Nikkel
13. Ashley Robinson
14. Ashani Samuel
15. Jessica Mount
16. Amanda Willey
17. Angela Hoffman
18. Brenda Bliss Delaney
19. Michelle Betaudier
20. Jodi Hall
21. Kathy Mcelroy
22. Diana Pohl
23. Carol Hoffmann
24. Tami Roth
25.
You are more than welcome to use this button to link friends back to this post.
The theme is "Witches Cupboard"
Think of something you might find in a witches cupboard!
Keep it spooky and wicked.
No cutesy, please.
The older looking...- the better!
Size: No bigger than 2" long, can be 2 dimensional and have things dangling.
You can get idea's from my past swaps of what materials can be used~ shrink plastic, wire, bottle caps, rusty things, glass, clay, recycled, felt,soldered, fabric, buttons, beads, findings...
The only requirement I have it to make something that you would like to receive.
Please take time with your charms, ensuring their quality & wearability.
Jump rings are not required...you may make your own ring, or even attach a lobster claw.
*(Be sure to include a tag or business card any containing contact info with each charm you make)*
~Idea's of what you can make....tiny potion bottles, ghosties, mini recipe books, dried bat wings and such, voo-doo dolls, little crows, things to stir with, bones, tiny bottles filled with..., crows, owls, eye of newt, black cats, brooms, wart cream...I'm sure you can "spook" up something!
To be included in this sought after swap, you must do the following:
e-mail me your name, & mailing address
Feel free to visit our past swaps here.
I will update this post with a list of participants as they sign up!
Please include $5 in cash, or stamps to cover shipping & handling.
I can bill international via paypal, if needed.
(Local's don't have to pay for shipping & handling)
Last day to sign up: August 31st
Or when we reach max amount of 31 participants.
*
Charms must be in my hand by September 30th.
You can expect your charms by October 12th.
Hope you can join! And feel free to tell a friend!
****************************************
Witches Cupboard Charm Swap Participants list so far....
1. Michelle Cummings
2. Holly Johnson
3. Morgan Thien
4. Lisa Hessabi
5. Regina Lord
6. Mahala Elliot
7. Tracy McIlroy
8. Veronica Noechel
9. Charity Donaldson
10. Valerie Myers
11. Lori Halt / Brittany Oullette
12. Melinda Nikkel
13. Ashley Robinson
14. Ashani Samuel
15. Jessica Mount
16. Amanda Willey
17. Angela Hoffman
18. Brenda Bliss Delaney
19. Michelle Betaudier
20. Jodi Hall
21. Kathy Mcelroy
22. Diana Pohl
23. Carol Hoffmann
24. Tami Roth
25.
8/17/09
Another Art Flashback!
My Dad is a collector of many mask's from his travels all over the world. They line the wall space above his kitchen/dining room windows. Some are scary and some are beautiful and some are in-between. So one year as a gift, I made him a collage mask. First person who tells me who's face adorns this mask wins a large envelope "stuffed" with fun collage items for you to make your own mask or what ever you feel inspired to do.The lips should be the kicker, but just in case...here's a hint* (super model).
Good luck!
And be sure I have a way to reach you in case you win!
8/16/09
Girls night out!
What better way to have a girls night out than at a magazine launch party hosted by the Art Bar for Stampington.com? Here I am with Lisa Guerin, I have not seen her since earlier this year aT CHA. You can that post here. We chit chatted a lot and as usual I'm in awe of her talent. She's the nicest and most down to earth artist I know!********
I also met up with some Fiskateer friends, girls from my Scrapbook group and happened apon some fresh kindred spirits.
Here is Ruth Rae in action. Love the old sewing machine...
A inside peek of the things available for you to use when you come to "play" at the Art Bar!
Click here for Art Bar open studio onfo!
8/13/09
All set!
I have my new dvd to watch while puttering away in the studio tonight. (I did house work & laundry all day long) so unlike me! So now I'm going to enjoy this movie I've been wanting since I saw it in the theater! 
And in between watching the movie and catching up on some crafty things, I might browse this new publication I picked up last night at a magazine launch party for Stampington & Company at the Art Bar in Santa Ana! I've already read, re-read and dreamed of new things to create from old stuff...over and over. Such a great theme! So Me!
8/11/09
Spring Charms and a NEW Halloween Charm Swap!
I'm happy to say I've hosted yet another successful and creative Charm Swap! Thanks to all who participated, so much amazing talent!
Anne Kenney
(congratulations on the birth of your new baby!)
***
Sheri Leseberg
***
Bianca Gaspard
***
Valerie Myers
***
Wendy Robrecht
***
Ruth Aubertine
***
Laura Bray
***
Janet Snyder
***
Veronica Noechel
***
Wanda Clark
***
Jessica Mount
***
Holly Johnson
***
Cher Hillman
***
Mine!
***
Tracy Webster
***
Sue Kruse
***
Sherry Edwards
***
Pam Hoffman
***
Michelle Salazar
***
Mahala Elliot
***
Lesa Livingston
***
Melinda Nikkel
***
Stacey Cakes
***
I hope you have enjoyed the journey and will participate in this next swap!
Here are the details....
The theme is "Witches Cupboard"
Think of something you might find in a witches cupboard!
Keep it spooky and wicked.
No cutesy, please.
The older looking...- the better!
Size: No bigger than 2" long, can be 2 dimensional and have things dangling.
You can get idea's from my past swaps of what materials can be used~ shrink plastic, wire, bottle caps, rusty things, glass, clay, recycled, felt,soldered, fabric, buttons, beads, findings...
The only requirement I have it to make something that you would like to receive.
Please take time with your charms, ensuring their quality & wearability.
Jump rings are not required...you may make your own ring, or even attach a lobster claw.
*(Be sure to include a tag or business card any containing contact info with each charm you make)*
~Idea's of what you can make....tiny potion bottles, ghosties, mini recipe books, dried bat wings and such, voo-doo dolls, little crows, things to stir with, bones, tiny bottles filled with..., crows, owls, eye of newt, black cats, brooms, wart cream...I'm sure you can "spook" up something!
To be included in this sought after swap, you must do the following:
e-mail me your name, & mailing address
Feel free to visit our past swaps here.
I will update this post with a list of participants as they sign up!
Please include $5 in cash, or stamps to cover shipping & handling.
I can bill international via paypal, if needed.
(Local's don't have to pay for shipping & handling)
Last day to sign up: August 31st
Or when we reach max amount of 31 participants.
*
Charms must be in my hand by September 30th.
You can expect your charms by October 12th.
Hope you can join! And feel free to tell a friend!
****************************************
Witches Cupboard Charm Swap Participants list so far....
1. Michelle Cummings
2. Holly Johnson
3. Morgan Thien
4. Lisa Hessabi
5. Regina Lord
6. Mahala Elliot
7. Tracy McIlroy
8. Veronica Noechel
9. Charity Donaldson
10. Valerie Myers
11. Lori Halt / Brittany Oullette
12. Melinda Nikkel
13. Ashley Robinson
14. Ashani Samuel
15. Jessica Mount
16. Amanda Willey
17. Angela Hoffman
18. Brenda Bliss Delaney
Anne Kenney
(congratulations on the birth of your new baby!)
***
Sheri Leseberg
***
Bianca Gaspard
***
Valerie Myers
***
Wendy Robrecht
***
Ruth Aubertine
***
Laura Bray
***
Janet Snyder
***
Veronica Noechel
***
Wanda Clark
***
Jessica Mount
***
Holly Johnson
***
Cher Hillman
***
Mine!
***
Tracy Webster
***
Sue Kruse
***
Sherry Edwards
***
Pam Hoffman
***
Michelle Salazar
***
Mahala Elliot
***
Lesa Livingston
***
Melinda Nikkel
***
Stacey Cakes
***
I hope you have enjoyed the journey and will participate in this next swap!
Here are the details....
The theme is "Witches Cupboard"
Think of something you might find in a witches cupboard!
Keep it spooky and wicked.
No cutesy, please.
The older looking...- the better!
Size: No bigger than 2" long, can be 2 dimensional and have things dangling.
You can get idea's from my past swaps of what materials can be used~ shrink plastic, wire, bottle caps, rusty things, glass, clay, recycled, felt,soldered, fabric, buttons, beads, findings...
The only requirement I have it to make something that you would like to receive.
Please take time with your charms, ensuring their quality & wearability.
Jump rings are not required...you may make your own ring, or even attach a lobster claw.
*(Be sure to include a tag or business card any containing contact info with each charm you make)*
~Idea's of what you can make....tiny potion bottles, ghosties, mini recipe books, dried bat wings and such, voo-doo dolls, little crows, things to stir with, bones, tiny bottles filled with..., crows, owls, eye of newt, black cats, brooms, wart cream...I'm sure you can "spook" up something!
To be included in this sought after swap, you must do the following:
e-mail me your name, & mailing address
Feel free to visit our past swaps here.
I will update this post with a list of participants as they sign up!
Please include $5 in cash, or stamps to cover shipping & handling.
I can bill international via paypal, if needed.
(Local's don't have to pay for shipping & handling)
Last day to sign up: August 31st
Or when we reach max amount of 31 participants.
*
Charms must be in my hand by September 30th.
You can expect your charms by October 12th.
Hope you can join! And feel free to tell a friend!
****************************************
Witches Cupboard Charm Swap Participants list so far....
1. Michelle Cummings
2. Holly Johnson
3. Morgan Thien
4. Lisa Hessabi
5. Regina Lord
6. Mahala Elliot
7. Tracy McIlroy
8. Veronica Noechel
9. Charity Donaldson
10. Valerie Myers
11. Lori Halt / Brittany Oullette
12. Melinda Nikkel
13. Ashley Robinson
14. Ashani Samuel
15. Jessica Mount
16. Amanda Willey
17. Angela Hoffman
18. Brenda Bliss Delaney
8/10/09
Baby's breath
I did this piece eon's ago. On a recent trip to my Dad's I took a photo of it hanging on the wall of his study. It's a still life of bit of dried baby's breath in a blue glass bottle. Using Acrylics. I remember it was my first time using a fan brush.
8/08/09
Blogging for all the wrong reason
I just returned from seeing this movie with 2 close friends tonight.
The movie had me in stitches and now I cannot wait to read the book!
But the movie which mirrors the past life of Julia Child's becoming a chef to present day Julia Powell becoming a blog author through cooking has led me to believe that I've been blogging for all the wrong reasons.
Not that I regret my past post(s), it's just that my blog has no depth.
Yes, it's pretty, but it's also cluttered with bits of "Me" scattered here and there, and that is why I feel like sometimes no one is really listening. And at times, I'm not even listening.
So through the concept of what the Julia of today did with cooking, I shall do with my art and everything "creative" in between.
I cannot promise to post about it daily as life does intervene, but I shall be as regular as I can.
I will try to keep my family and social life to my other blog...The Art and Life by Michelle Cummings and keep my artistic adventures and mishaps in the makings here.
I want to be a teacher and student at the same time.
There are so many things I want to be when I grow up.
And I look forward to sharing my journey with you.
~Michelle
The movie had me in stitches and now I cannot wait to read the book!
But the movie which mirrors the past life of Julia Child's becoming a chef to present day Julia Powell becoming a blog author through cooking has led me to believe that I've been blogging for all the wrong reasons.
Not that I regret my past post(s), it's just that my blog has no depth.
Yes, it's pretty, but it's also cluttered with bits of "Me" scattered here and there, and that is why I feel like sometimes no one is really listening. And at times, I'm not even listening.
So through the concept of what the Julia of today did with cooking, I shall do with my art and everything "creative" in between.
I cannot promise to post about it daily as life does intervene, but I shall be as regular as I can.
I will try to keep my family and social life to my other blog...The Art and Life by Michelle Cummings and keep my artistic adventures and mishaps in the makings here.
I want to be a teacher and student at the same time.
There are so many things I want to be when I grow up.
And I look forward to sharing my journey with you.
~Michelle
8/07/09
Dyllan's (month long) 5th Birthday Celebration!
In the middle of July, Brian, Dyllan and I went to my Dad's in Chula Vista, CA for a weekend of fun and a day at Lego Land.
After the day of fun, we swam in my Dad and Step Mom's pool and Dyllan helped me picked fresh tomatoes and and a huge zucchini!
You can see how over grown the tomato bush is! I had to reach waaaay in the back to get the 'good' ones! I felt like I was in a tomato jungle!
This is the one I took home. Do you like my size comparison? Just half of one of these guys made up 4 loafs of delish zucchini bread! (below)
Along the pool they also have banana trees. Here my Dad is holding a bunch to be put in the garage for further ripening.
****************************************************
The last weekend of July, Dyllan and I came down for Comic Con. You can see that post here.
We came home with some bikes, that my folks did not need anymore. Now Brian can ride with Dyllan and I!
******************************************
On Dyllan's Birthday- July 30th, I took him to Disneyland. We did not stay the whole day as it got hot, crowded and all he could think about was spending a birthday gift card from Disneyland!
But we were "tickled" that we parked on level 5 and got a pic of Dyllan next to his favorite character; Donald Duck!
When Brian got home from work, we went to Dyllan's choice of birthday dinner- Denny's.
He got mac n' cheese and grapes. Even though the food was the same, the environment was special. Even better when the staff came out with a dish of ice cream and sang Happy Birthday!
*********************************************************************
Dyllan's Birthday party was the following Saturday at a local park. We made it a Star Wars / Clone Wars themed party, and had the kids dress up. Prizes were in involved too!
Even Grandpa Jim got in the action and made a suprise appearence.
The cake....
I got this r2d2 vintage cake pan from a friend and also bought the Darth Vader one as well for another time. The baking part was a pain, and I ended up making it a 2 layer cake. The decoration part is also harder than it looks especially when you are doing it for the first time, like me. I disliked the 'outline ' part the most, as my hand kept cramping. But had a blast with the stars! I'm really excited as to how it came out and can't wait to make a Halloween inspired r2d2 next time!
My orginal plan was to make a Death Star pinata. I did make it, but it was just too cool to smash up. So I'm going to hang it from the ceiling in Dyllan's room instead. I'll be sure to post pics when I do!
So I brought out a parachute tent and we made it fun for the kids any ways. While they were underneath, I scattered the (pinata's) toys in the grass and the kids went wild stuffing their goodie bags!
~ One more bite...
(special thanks to my husband Brian for some of the better photographs!)
After the day of fun, we swam in my Dad and Step Mom's pool and Dyllan helped me picked fresh tomatoes and and a huge zucchini!
You can see how over grown the tomato bush is! I had to reach waaaay in the back to get the 'good' ones! I felt like I was in a tomato jungle!
This is the one I took home. Do you like my size comparison? Just half of one of these guys made up 4 loafs of delish zucchini bread! (below)
Along the pool they also have banana trees. Here my Dad is holding a bunch to be put in the garage for further ripening.
****************************************************The last weekend of July, Dyllan and I came down for Comic Con. You can see that post here.
We came home with some bikes, that my folks did not need anymore. Now Brian can ride with Dyllan and I!******************************************
On Dyllan's Birthday- July 30th, I took him to Disneyland. We did not stay the whole day as it got hot, crowded and all he could think about was spending a birthday gift card from Disneyland!But we were "tickled" that we parked on level 5 and got a pic of Dyllan next to his favorite character; Donald Duck!
When Brian got home from work, we went to Dyllan's choice of birthday dinner- Denny's.He got mac n' cheese and grapes. Even though the food was the same, the environment was special. Even better when the staff came out with a dish of ice cream and sang Happy Birthday!
*********************************************************************
Dyllan's Birthday party was the following Saturday at a local park. We made it a Star Wars / Clone Wars themed party, and had the kids dress up. Prizes were in involved too!
Even Grandpa Jim got in the action and made a suprise appearence.
The cake....
I got this r2d2 vintage cake pan from a friend and also bought the Darth Vader one as well for another time. The baking part was a pain, and I ended up making it a 2 layer cake. The decoration part is also harder than it looks especially when you are doing it for the first time, like me. I disliked the 'outline ' part the most, as my hand kept cramping. But had a blast with the stars! I'm really excited as to how it came out and can't wait to make a Halloween inspired r2d2 next time!
My orginal plan was to make a Death Star pinata. I did make it, but it was just too cool to smash up. So I'm going to hang it from the ceiling in Dyllan's room instead. I'll be sure to post pics when I do!
So I brought out a parachute tent and we made it fun for the kids any ways. While they were underneath, I scattered the (pinata's) toys in the grass and the kids went wild stuffing their goodie bags!
~ One more bite...(special thanks to my husband Brian for some of the better photographs!)
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