Friday, June 29, 2012

Happy Canada Day Long weekend everyone

Studio Hours this weekend are
Friday 11 - 5 (sorry, no USTREAM tonight)
Saturday CLOSED

We will re-open Tuesday July 3 for our regular studio hours
Have a great weekend everyone!

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

A Lovely Day Canvas-ing

The girls did a great job creating their canvases today!!   Thanks for joining me ladies!

Jen will be in the studio Thursday -- pop on by to say hi and "stay cool".  I will be with the kid at Wonderland.  She seems to be on a mission to take me on some rides and get me sick! LOL  Looking forward to having a day outside the studio having fun with her while she still lets me.  Teenagers - sheesh ! *wink* 

Have a creative day everyone!

It's Canvas Time...

I'm excited today to have a group of ladies in the studio to create the "Do More of What Makes You Happy" canvas.

I love teaching this class and can't wait to see what the ladies bring to their canvas' today!
What's your favourite quote or saying?  Love to have you join me in the studio to create your own special canvas.   Give me a "shout" and we'll set up a time.


I'll be teaching this class in Calgary too!
I'll be at Paper Pastimes this August teaching a few fun classes with PanPastels, Paints and Stamps - more info to follow!


Friday, June 22, 2012

Oh Balls! Ustream Follow Up

Well, what can I say about this evening...  interesting!! and full of chuckles!  THANK YOU to all of you who were able to join me live this evening on USTREAM as I created this fabric flower to wear at CHA next month.   Too funny!

I created the pattern on the canvas with Textile Paints, Markers and PITT Pens, did a little stamping and then sewed it onto some Armature Wire to create the flower shape.  Add a "ball" and there you have it!! *wink*

If you would like to see how I created this piece, here is the recording.


Video streaming by Ustream
Have a creative day everyone!!

Love this use of my Stamp Set!


Over on myStamp BOX's blog - Jolene used my "Thanks a Latte" stamp set to make some simply lovely gift card holders.  Love this Jolene ...   makes me wanna stop by Starbucks on my way to the studio today *wink*


Have a create day everyone!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Art Journaling in the Studio

 I love my Art Journal...  but then again, you all know that *wink*
Here's a page I did tonight (Wed) using some vintage images I got from a book highlighting the decade between 1910 - 1920.  Love these ladies taking photos in the park.

Art Journaling reads (yes, all that handwriting is mine)
We have a need to capture moments in our lives, the people we love and the places we hold most dear.  Technology may change but the result is the same - photos say we've been here.


Product used to create this spread:

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

They're Back...

And in-stock now!
Faber-Castell Gelatos

..and PITT Pens too
CLICK HERE to order yours today!
Yippee!!!

And for your inspiration.....

Saturday, June 16, 2012

"The Whatevers" - Ustream Follow Up

Hello all!!  Thanks for joining me again for another great Friday Night at the Studio!!

Last night I worked in my journal trying a new background technique inspired by a link that one of you sent me by an artist named De Gallet AND I worked with the first "Whatevers" photo.

What's "Whatevers"?  Here's the video introduction for you to enjoy (posted on Nat's Blog)


Here is how it works if you want to play along:
  • Nat, Cat and Vicki have made a one-year commitment to each other and picked twelve photos with Whatevers whom we will give a story.
  • Every month – if possible always on the 15th – each of us will do a post with an individual story that goes along for us with the same photo.
  • If you want you can play along and we will have the photo for you - just right click on it to safe it to download and show us your version of The Whatevers.
  • There is no rules to the story itself- it can be funny, sad, uplifting, breathtaking- WHATEVER
  • There is no rules on the length or the form of the story- it can be a short sentence, an essay, a poem or a soap opera – WHATEVER
  • There is no rules on the artform you choose – it can be a scrapbook layout, an altered art project, an art journal page – WHATEVER
  • Here is a rule though: if you take the photo you have to link back to usandshow us your story.
  • These pictures are from our personal stash and are for personal use for you only! If you want to use them for a publication whether a book or magazine in print or digital form please ask for permission!
  • If you want to participate we’ll have a linky list for each Whatever Post.
  • You can also join our The Whatevers -Facebook Page
Here's this month's photo

And Here's what I created LIVE on USTREAM


And the story reads:



Are you kidding me? Another photo? I hope Great Aunt Jean appreciates this.

It's 30 degrees inside the studio and, if that weren't bad enough, I have to sit shoulder to shoulder with my little brother William who, despite wearing his good clothes, smells like he just came from mucking the barn. He probably did.

Just one more picture.

One more picture and then I can move. I feel like my fingers have completely atrophied. What I wouldn't give to be able to straighten them out and wiggle the digits and take this hideous bow off my head. It's so heavy but I dare not touch it because mom is standing off in the wings watching me like a hawk. Images flash through my mind from earlier today as she brushed my hair for this “special” occasion. I kept telling her my hair wasn't long enough to be pulled back like this but no matter how much I protested she insisted and dragged the brush hard through my scalp so that all the little fly away hairs would be trapped in this ridiculous looking satin bow. It's pulled back so tight I know that's what giving me this headache. I quickly glance over at her and she's sending me the most awful disapproving look. It's like she knows what I'm thinking. Darn.

Just one more picture

Hurry up already. I hear a faint sigh of exasperation from William. Good. 'At least I'm not alone in the suffering' I muse as I sense him gripping the end of the bench we are sitting on silently pleading the photographer to take that last picture.

Then there it is. The blinding flash of light from the camera bulb signifying the photo was taken. “Okay, that should do it.” says the photographer. Finally! I turn my head and look at my mom for final approval which thankfully she gives. Sweet relief! I can move. Now, will she help me get this thing off my head?

Here's the recording of last night's broadcast


Video streaming by Ustream

Friday, June 15, 2012

NEW Dina Wakely Stamps

Have arrived in the studio!  LOVE these for cards, books and my art journal!!  

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Stamp Carving at Technique of the Month Class

Last week I had a really nice time with the ladies carving stamps with Speedball's Speedy Carve Kits and Blocks.
I showed them how to transfer an image onto the blocks and carve them AND I showed them how a reduction printing technique can be achieved by stamp carving too.   Here is my "reducted' stamp showing all my colour layers.   
I'll be sure to video the process so you can see later this week....   
Have a creative day!!!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Canvas Create

After Mixed Minded, I was super thrilled to have the opportunity to get away with friends and spend some time at "The Manor" (see previous post).  I knew that I wanted to show up there with "a kit" - something to get me started creatively.  Something I didn't have to "think" too much about.   I know you understand what I mean cause I hear that often at the beginning of the retreats I host *wink* There are many different Scrapbooking Kits out there but they are not typically what I need to get my creative juices flowing.  I need PAINT.  Yes paint.  Lucky for me, I fell in love with this month's Donna Downey Canvas Create.

It's her online canvas series -- $25 gets you a video class to inspire you.  You guessed it...  I downloaded it right away and gathered my supplies.  Here's my version of the canvas... 

LOVE finger painting with acrylics -- It's one of my favourite things to do ...  remember this?  

and this? 

Yes, there were created much the same way.
Thanks for the "kit", Donna.  Off to do more on my own

Saturday, June 09, 2012

USTREAM ReCap - Pan Pastel Goodness!

I had a lot of fun creating with PanPastels last night on USTREAM.  
Thanks to Michelle (who was inspired by Donna Downey's PanPastel From the Heart Class she took here a couple of weeks ago) who brought her latest project into the studio to play with, I couldn't resist the urge to PLAY!!.  She totally got my PanPastel juices flowing!!

This is what I created:

Here's the link to the USTREAM feed...  Hope you enjoy!!!!!
My PanPastel re-stocking order should arrive early in the week.  I'll keep you posted as I know there are some gals out there chomping at the bit to get some specific colours.


Video streaming by Ustream

Thursday, June 07, 2012

Art Journaling .......

So Christy -- Do you recognize the people?  They are from the Napkin set we split last time you were in Ontario.

Napkin?  Yes, napkin!!  The couple is an image from a napkin that I adhered to my painted page with gel medium.  Love it!   Paper is paper -- it's all good.   TRY IT!!  You'll never look at a napkin the same way again.   Here's the original:
Have a creative day!

Tuesday, June 05, 2012

What a wonderful weekend

As you know...  I've been soooo busy lately BUT I did get to take some time off to hang out with some creative friends this weekend.

You paper crafters might know this place:  Memories Manor


What a wonderful weekend -  silly, creative and relaxing.  Just what I needed.  THANKS GIRLS!
I'll post some of the things I created soon.


...looking forward to tomorrow's Technique of the Month class.  Off to prepare!
Have a creative day

Friday, June 01, 2012

Broadcasting tonight.... :)

but a little late -- 8pm start because I am away and dinner is served at 7.  Don't want to miss that -- it's smelling REAL GOOD!

I will broadcast the prep after 6 so you can see...  hope you can join me (and the girls who are here with me!)

www.ustream.tv/channel/the-art-house-studio