interview

1. What's the real challenge about organizing your studio?

Too much stuff and not enough space! Also, I have so many bits and pieces that don't really go together!

2. Have you found any hidden treasures that you thought were long gone?

Everything I find is a treasure, so yes :). I also tend to save my "good junk" for something really special but then I end up not using it ever! So now I'm trying to use my "good junk" first.

3. What have you used to organize your items that you already had?

I used a three tier hanging kitchen basket, which I hung in my studio to hold all of my finished resin pieces that are waiting for a good home.

4. What have you had to buy?

Plastic carts with drawers! Love them!

5. Are you naturally a neat person? Or does clutter make you strangely comfortable?I like to be neat, then I feel open to create. But somehow after creating my studio is a disaster! I'm trying to get in the habit of cleaning up after each creative time, so I feel more open. 6. How many times have you had to re-organize something since starting this challenge?Almost every day! 7. Is it hard for you to "let go"? if not , what's your strategy? No. I almost never keep what I make. Then I would really run out of room. My "strategy" is telling myself I can buy more stuff every time I get rid of something!8. Do you see your craft space to be organized by the end of June? Depends on if I create on that day :). 9. If you are organized by due date, how will you celebrate?Buy more "stuff" of course! 10. any thing else...?I had my DH install utility cabinets from Lowe's when we first moved in. They were cheap and plain white, so I painted the doors before assembling them. I love them and they hold SO MUCH stuff! And they also look like 3-D art pieces on the wall.
Retro Cafe' Art Gallery Website: www.retrocafeart.comBlog: http://krishubick.blogspot.com/

Just the usual...

I have a few blogs goodies that I wanted to share with you before I let you know what I'll be doing this weekend!
Enjoy!
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Please visit Dawn's blog at Feathered Nest and help her land her image, the one on the right for a front page spot!

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Hop on over to Maria's blog to see how she turned this from drab to fab!

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~ A fabric flower wreath tuitorial by Amy of InspireCo

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Give a nice Congrat's to Dawn of Artist Reborn for getting this piece Published in Somersets, Gallery!

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Donna of the Ribboned Crown is featured in the current Artful blogging!

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Have you ever seen something so beautiful as this? I'm always entranced by papier crafting as I love to do it my myself. This is titled 12 Dancing Princesses

By Su Blackwell
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~ Learn how to make this adorable tutu, no sewing involved over at Jessica's blog!


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How exciting! Another one of my blog friends is published in this magazine!

Hop on over to Retro Cafe' Art and give your congrat's to Kristin!

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~~~~I'm getting in all my blog posting done today because tomorrow, Sunday, is my day to tackle my studio. Yea! I'm actually excited because Brian is taking Dyllan out of the house for the better part of the day so I can drag everything out into the hall way, sorting, organizing and tossing things.
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~~~~~Yes, I Michelle, will actually throw things away! Materials and supplies are one thing, but I'm going to actually put a expire date on those things that I'm sure to make something with. They have been stacked and re-stacked mutiple times , often forgotten.
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~~~~~My new thing will be if I have not used it in 3 months, it's gone. This will be especially helpful for when people give me things out of the goodness of their heart saying, "here...I thought you could make something with this.", or in other words, they have no place to put it and can't bear the thought of tossing it out, so that's where I come in.
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~~~~~Till we meet again...
~Michelle
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May's give away!

~ Every month I will be giving away something from my studio. This is a example of the many Scrapboxes that I sell in my shop.

~ I have them listed under "mini-books" ,"clearance" and also in my "sold" section.

~~While you have Etsy on your mind... hop on over to the Goddess of Craft... I'm having a shop special availible only to those that mention "3 little words" when they buy something special from my shop!

...I firmly believe in buying handmade and supporting each other in our craft...

~Now on to the giveaway!
A "Scrapbox" is a mini-book that is all contained in itself.

Perfect to give as a gift or to keep for yourself!

The individual pages inside range from 4x4 to 3x3, allowing anybody to add photo's, sayings, recipes, or any treasured memory.

Comes a collection of embelleshments to match theme; ribbon,eyelets,stickers,matchbooks, slide mounts and more!~
The theme is Disney Princess!
The following can be found inside...Ariel, Jasmin, Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora.

How you can win~
1. Post a comment here
2. I "must" be able to reach you via your "active" blog or by e-mail.
3. go into your settings and make sure your blog is not set to private.
4.Visit often, if I see you comment on any other of my post, old or new, It will increase your chances of winning!
Starts today, ends May 31st.

Good luck!

Time to enter for the Fair again...

~ The theme for the 1st year I entered was "Flower Power"
And even though my I did a great job on this Lay Out, I did not place any ribbons as I did not fully understand the categories, being my first year entering.


~These are my entries from last years Fair, themed " Herefords, Surfers, and Sand"
Living in South California, this theme hit home for me!
My Bracelet placed 2nd in the amateur jewelry division under fair theme.
I kept it along the line of a Mermaid Sea Treasure.

~ My initial idea completely fell thru on this collage, and after putting it off for so long, I just through a bunch of stuff together. It earned a honorable mention ribbon.


My Crown got a 3rd place ribbon in the recycled division.
I made roses out of (un-used)paper napkins, vintage music sheets, ribbon scraps, buttons, rinestones and findings from the hardware store.

~ I thought my captured Surfer came out well. I made her for the fair theme division and even though she did not place I learned some new techniques that I'm happy to know.


My Scrap box won 1st place!
I used a medallion stamp and spent many hours layering pieces upon each other.
Quite worth the effort.

I made the pics small so you can click for close up's!

~ So Now, what to do..what to do...?
The theme this year is "Say Cheese!"

And now I am stumped. I want my stuff to be crafty in my style, not corn ball. I have to decide quick as I need to register on line by May 21st,I'll still have time to make my items before delivery.

Here are the category's I plan to enter~ (if you are familiar with my work, any suggestions would be appreciated!) I will register Saturday May 17th.

I'm allowed 1 entry per class with a max of 10 entries.

Division 420 - Recycled materials
class 02 Paper/Cardboard
~I really like working with paper and such...I was thinking of making a stained glass like mobile?
Or another Crown?
class 03 Papiermache
I was thinking a papiermache faerie wand...

Division 458-Paper Crafts
Class 02 Collage
~I have a collage idea swimming in my head involving butterflys and a metamorphis of me? words? something...

Division 459- Scrapbooks and Stamping
Class 01 Rubber Stamping
I thought I'd used my medallion stamp to make a pretty card.
class 02 Decorated Scrapbook (50%) handmade
I want to make another scrap box but with a new stamp set and make it a little more 3D

Division 480-Help a Child Smile
class 01 Toy,stuffed-all features must be sewn, no buttons.
I ran out of time last time and did not submit a toy. I think I'll do a sock faerie this time.

My 1st year I carelessly entered the Chili contest. I learned from the best that presentation is the "key". It was very hard and messy to make at home and then transport my chili to the judging tables. Even though I did not place, I had loads of fun being part of a "live" judging.

This year I have a better plan.

Dips
When; Sunday, July 20th, check in at noon, contest at 1pm.
Categories:
01 Cheese
02 Fondue
03 Other ~ I'll be entering my Garlic Artichoke Dip. Any idea's on what I should serve it in would be great!

Division 301 Amateur Jewelry
class 09 other beading ~ I'll enter a birds and nest themed piece

Division 303-Amateur Theme
class 01 Any item pertaining to the fair theme"say cheese!"
...any suggestions?

Whew! That puts me at 9 entries!

~ I'm looking forward to hearing some great idea's from all of you!

Happy Mothers Day!

~ This is Queen Anne's Cottage. It's located in the 127- acre botanical garden and historical site jointly operated by the Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation.

Queen Anne's Cottage is only open twice a year, one being on Mothers Day!

I'm really excited to go on Sunday and look forward to sharing pictures with all of you!