An Eagle When She Flies....

I dedicated the song "An Eagle when she flies" by Dolly Parton to my mom at a High School Music Night eons ago and ever since that song has great meaning to my family. When push came to shove, my mother always described herself as being "eagle-like", strong & steadfast -- that through it all she'd come out on top stronger for it. I thought, with everything going on with my dad, that this was a good time to honour her - To let her know she's not alone and her strength had not gone unnoticed.

I sat down at my studio desk with some great ladies today armed with the knowledge that I was going to create a canvas entitled "An Eagle when she flies" -- this is what I came up with.

The canvas backgroung is an Image Transfer -- I transferred some Harmonie Pattern paper that I have here in the studio and totally got one of the ladies excited here... ("Pattern Paper? Really.... ? -- and then she went and tried it too! Yep! Another one hooked :) hehe.... I digress)

I then started layering paints and inks to create dimension. I used some white and metallic gold paint directly on the transfer to make it look a little more polished... and then Distressed inked a Crafters' Workshop Dots Circle template for some added interest and to "ground" the piece. I also stamped a couple of branches in Archival Ink (coffee) ... yep, just kept layering it on.

The next step was to wax the surface. I brushed on a couple of coats of beeswax directly onto the canvas and fused the layers between coats with my heat gun. I imprinted cheesecloth into the wax and rubbed some ink into the crevasses for some added texture. I also fused some pieces of cheesecloth to the piece for even more texture and interest.

The eagle is an image I found on the internet .. I copied it onto cover stock paper and adhered it with wax.... I did the same with the words...

The Heart is a UTEE embellishment I made by melting UTEE in my melting pot and pouring it in a silicone heart mold. Perfect!! Just what it needed. I added some perfect pearls to the heart too -- love how it sticks to the UTEE!! There's always a use for Perfect Pearls!!

The twigs were tied with twine and embedded to the canvas with wax. It's all good!

The "frame" around the eagle (created with Oil Pastel) was a little tricky for me -- I had a hard time getting it the way I wanted it..... I removed my first try and started again-- that's one of the things I LOVE about using wax -- if you don't like it, take it off and start again. I like how it ended up in the end. I think it helps pull the piece together.

I had a great time doing this with the gals here --:)

I hope my mom likes it too -- Who am I kidding? I think I'll need to bring an extra box of kleenex ... with emotions on "high alert" this might be a two box gift! LOL.

12 Little Tags all in a row....

I got Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas mounted on a canvas display board and hung in the studio! YAY!! It's so nice to have them all in one place for all to see.



I sent this photo to Tim -- he is giving something away on his blog New Years Day to someone who created the tags. It's a long shot but keep your fingers crossed for me. You can never have too much Ink and Ideaology!! Thanks for some Great Tags Tim!!

A New Card Workshop

Hello All! Hope you had a great Christmas! I am back in the studio and gearing up for all the things to come in 2010! Yippee! Can't wait.

First on the agenda --- a card Workshop. I am going to venture a little off the "cookout" path this month and offer an 8 Card Box Set to create! Pretty Pretty!

We will be using Graphic 45 papers, some Distress Inks and Ideaology Trinket Pins will help us embellish a sweet stamped butterfly. The sentiment reads: I Don't Know What I'd do Without You ... but, in true Studio Style, if you'd like to choose your own sentiment from the stamps on the Studio wall, you are more than welcome to. I hope you can join us.

This workshop will run Saturday January 16 from 11:30 - 2pm. If you'd like to arrange an alternate time, just let me know - we'll see what we can do :) $20 gets you the cards and the box...

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Merry Christmas!

Well, I was in the studio really late last night finishing Christmas Gifts and thinking about family.

Those who know me personally know that I have a lot happening in my life right now. My Sister-in-law lost her father to illness yesterday and my dad is in hospital right now recovering from a Stem Cell Transplant - a treatment for his Multiple Myeloma (a fairly rare bone cancer). He's not doing too well right now but that is to be expected with this treatment. Hopefully he will be on his way to feeling "alive" again soon... but it's been tough. He got the call to go in for the transplant the day before we left on our cruise -- needless to say that even though we enjoyed our trip -- I was never too far away from the computer and contact with home. But it's all good. I'm so glad I got the chance to get away with my family, spend some quality time with them and re-group for what's to come.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year. And even though there is a lot happening to get me down, I just keep counting my blessings! I have the most wonderful supportive family. My husband is great, compassionate and kind. My kid is, well, a kid and has a heart of gold -- always armed with hugs and veracious sarcasm to get me going ... in a good way. :) My mother is strong and flexible, willing to roll with the punches and that is greatly appreciated with all that's going on and my sister, although we haven't always seen eye to eye, is not completely shutting me out what's happening with her - which is great. And don't forget my dad -- my mentor, my teacher and highly respected by everyone he comes accross. Life is good... and worth Celebrating!

I got out my paints, pastels, and canvas last night and set to work on a project that initially was for my mother this Christmas. The photo is of Kevin, Emily and I taken on the cruise. I purposely had our family photos taken so I could come home and do something for her.... but I got carried away thinking about my great life and the canvas that started off to be my mothers ended up becoming very personal to me --and in my style, not hers. Sorry Mom. My artistic license took hold -- you'll have to wait.

The picture doesn't quite do it justice, but I think you get the idea. Me and my houses... and my fabulous family. I love you guys!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!! Enjoy your families, count your blessings and, in the words of the talented Wendy Vecchi: "Make Art!".

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

I'm back from holidays (which were GREAT btw) and opened the studio door this morning to some eager husbands/sons armed with Christmas Wish lists and a couple of gals ready to craft and create! How wonderful!

So now the day is ending, I am blissfully happy with fingers covered in ink (as they should be) and ready for the rest of week crafting for the holidays! Hark the Herald Angels sing.......

This crafty day gave me the opportunity to complete the 12 Tags of Christmas. YES YES YES... how much do we love the Roses!? I love these things and have now created them with lots of different mediums. I think I like it! The GrungePaper came in right before I left (with the filmstrip ribbon) so I am in my glory! ...but then again you already knew that, right? :)

I'm in the studio tomorrow from 11 am on.... until I decide to leave or my Christmas Gifts are done whichever comes first :) ....for sure until 5:30. And I will be open 11:30 - 4 on Christmas Eve for you last minute crafters like me. Hope to see you!

The Countdown is officially on!! Ho Ho Ho!

Rain, Rain go away....

Yep -- it POURED in Belize yesterday while we were there. Oh well -- it's better than snow!

It did put a little damper on our planned exploring. We did book a covered trolley tour -- and we're so glad we did -- we certainly saw more of the city doing that cause we weren't going to walk it -- as it was we were soaked on the train! LOL Again, no complaints -- it wasn't snow :)

The rain did make the tender tricky though. If you are at all sea sick -- DON'T tender in the rain. We sat in front of the tender and pretended we were on a 25 minute Flume Ride at Disney! LOL... too funny! Didn't risk getting out the camera for that.

Rain go away today -- the kid and I are going to SNUBA in Cozumel!

Ahoy Mateys!

Greetings from Sea!

We are on our way to Belize this evening after spending the day docked in Costa Maya Mexico – or as my hubby and I call it: the pink fortress. It is a port created by the cruise lines (no village “really” existed before that) ... a true “if you build it, they will come” scenario that only opened a few years ago. It was quaint, typical and only spent an hour there... but it was fun. The kid did a little shopping :) Can't wait to arrive in Belize. I'm really looking forward to seeing it. I've heard great things.

We've met some great people on board. I have a beading/crafting buddy named Melody, we have a fabulous Quebecois couple we eat with every night (and practise our French) and Em has all her “new friends” she's been “hanging out with” - she's having a blast! The ship is amazing – but I knew that.... So much to do – and quite literally something for everyone. If you're my Facebook friend you would have seen what I've been beading.. and what I didn't scrapbook! LOL. Yes, they have a scrapbooking “class” on-board that is kind of funny – pretty basic and meant for people who don't know what scrapbooking is – I showed up with some of my supplies and freaked out the instructor. LOL It's all good. I shared :) All in all it's been great.

Looking forward to more tomorrow. Blog again soon...

tag 11 and the Miami Vice theme song?

Hi there bloggers!

I am in Miami getting ready to board the Liberty of the Seas for a fabulicious vaca with the family. Many thanks to my friend Darren (scrubbie for those who read is blog) who put the wearing of pastels and the Miami Vice theme song in my head this morning during a little Facebook chat. GREAT! Now I will be humming that darn tune all day! -- at least until we board the ship and I look for Issac to pour me "my pleasure" :) haha. yes, chillin's I'm in a good and spunky mood this morning. How could I not? I'm in Miami - the temp is already 10x warmer than when I left and there is no snow -- just palm trees and sunny skies. Yes, it sure is "a Wonderful Life"!

Before I left the Studio Friday night I completed Tim's Day 11 Tag -- so I thought I would share it with you today... :)

I LOVE Sticky Back Canvas! Those who know me and the studio do know this. I was thrilled when I saw it make an appearance on Tim's Tags. Here is Tim's Day 11 Tag.

Again, I am using a smaller tag than Tim -- so I didn't add the Reindeer and I don't have fun Christmas Rubs -- so you get my lovely handwriting instead :) I think these buttons are really cute! The ladies in the studio Friday night were amazed when they realized that the canvas just whips through the printer like regular paper. I know they'll be trying the canvas soon too! It's good stuff!!

Well, I'm outta here for now -- I will blog again in a day or so... with pictures :) I promise. Have a great week Land Lovers!

Day 9... as promised

GUESS WHAT!!!

The Filmstrip Ribbon came in today!! Yippee!!! I got to play, and YES -- I did Tim's Tag #9 as promised! Here's my take.

I am inking here in the studio with some girls who are preparing for their own little tag swap. I have my completed "Tim Tags" securely in my possession so they don't make it to their swap accidentally. hehehehehe (I was just told it would be accidentally ON PURPOSE!) LOL ... go figure!

A great night in the studio! Thanks for sharing it with me ladies!!

I am leaving for Miami tomorrow afternoon.... I am cruising to Mexico and Belize next week and CAN'T WAIT to get away from this snow and spend some precious time with my family before the holidays. I will be posting some short blog entries while I am away... and I will craft (yes, I am bringing some stuff to work on while at sea -- BUT I'll post lots more fun stuff when I return. I promise!

The Studio will be Closed Tomorrow and Next Week -- We will re-open Tuesday Dec 22 at 11:30am. See you then!!

Karen xoxo

a Metal Tag?

Yep! That's what Tim wanted us to create today. Using the Alcohol Ink Fillable Pens, Tim directed us in making a colourful, embossed metal tag.

This is mine... don't forget to check out Tim's.

I would have loved to do all the words on the tag like Tim's... but since I want to mount these tags later for display purposes, I figured I'd better keep them the same size -- So I improvised. I like my ornament :) Not Sure about my embossing technique. I like it - but I'll have to practice. *wink*

I hope tomorrow's tag involves paper! hehe

Nope... not Tim - ME!!

But yes, I think you can see some Distress Inking, Stamping and okay -- that Vellum parchment Technique. So sue me. I'm inspired!

As you know, I am waiting to do Tim's latest Tag ONLY because I am waiting for the filmstrip ribbon to come in (hurry up please Mr UPS Man!!) BUT .. looky looky... I did get creative today. I even went a little Shabby-Chic - something I don't often do BUT the image inspired me.

If you've been reading the comments on my blog lately, you would have noticed a few different people leaving messages lately -- One person is Hels. She and I are both in Wendy Vecchi's Yahoo Group and she is also doing Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas. But unless you took a trip over to her blog to check her out - you might not have noticed she does a Sunday Stamper Challenge too. Busy lady! Anyway, this week's challenge theme is Angels -- So this is what I created:

I am giving this to my In-Laws for Christmas -- It will have a certificate in it (that's what the pouch is for). Not my usual style but oooooohhhh did I have fun. Hope you like.

Before you ask... the wings are made with FlowerSoft. I'll show you next time you're in the studio :)

Thanks for looking. I made another tag (different image) today. I have taken a photo of it and will share in a blog post that I'll schedule while I'm away on my cruise NEXT WEEK! Yippee! Can' hardly wait!!

Back to Tim creating tomorrow!

Stay tuned....

TAG #9 will be on it's way as soon as my Filmstrip Ribbon is delivered! (Hopefully I will get it by Friday)

Monday night I logged on to my distributor's website and saw they FINALLY got some filmstrip ribbon in! Hallelujah!! I've been waiting and waiting and waiting! This was my favourite new release from Summer CHA but its been so impossible to get. I have 9 canisters on their way to me as we speak. I CAN'T WAIT to play with it Should have got more!

I love, love, love today's tag! And just have to do it with the filmstrip. Sorry you won't see a Tim Tag today BUT... I saw another challenge blog -- and maybe I'll do that so I can post something creative this afternoon! hummmmmm.... Stay tuned

Home for the Holidays

Yep... that's what I decided to call my 8th Tag in Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas.

I didn't have the lamp post stamp that Tim used today so I went another direction. Since we were using Keys -- I thought... "hummmmmmmmm keys?? They go in locks. What has locks? hummm... a door. What has a door? A House!' Interesting thought process, huh? Betcha you're marvelling at my genius! " LOL Anyway, that's the story behind how the lamp post became a house :) *wink*

I really liked the vellum parchment technique that Tim showed us today -- I am thinking that will end up in a couple of other projects I have roaming in that genius brain of mine *insert eye roll here*

I'm thinking that I am in a very sarcastic mood today -- before I go on .... and on .... and on.... I will sign off.

Thanks for another great tag idea Tim. Until tomorrow!

Here I ink again.....

It's day 7 ... And I went my own way once again -- cause I'm having soooo much fun.

Tim's main technique today was masking - more specifically creating a mask for the images YOU stamp (this using his mask sheets). Fun Fun Fun. See Tim's tag here.

Okay, so... I decided not to use the Santa image. For you Santa purists out there -- sorry... but I LOVE this Merry Christmas stamp and just HAD to use it! I pretty much followed the "directions" though - I even inked in the colours he did *smile* The only REAL difference is instead of using snowflakes, I stamped an argyle background stamp in Walnut Ink and I embossed the flourish, not the greeting (cause I already had a greeting :) ) Other than that... pretty Tim! :) And I love it! Thanks for yet another great tag Tim!

This was the first time I used his Mask Sheets in a project -- Ooooooh the possibilities! I can so see myself whipping this sheet through my Silhouette and other die cutting machines to make my own custom masks too! Yippee! A new toy! Gotta get more of these in the studio - pronto! *wink*

Anyway -- hope you like..... Wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Special Delivery... It's Tag 6

OMG... I think this is my favourite day so far!
Perhaps it's because I let myself create "my tag" since I didn't have the stamps (or the flock) Tim used in his tag today. This tag, although TOTALLY inspired by Tim, is my style of creating! I still think I kept the "feeling" Tim portrayed in his... I just used all my favourite things.

The entire background of tag was stamped with Melissa Frances Travel Stamps before I adhered some vintage papers (from a 1950's magazine I own....if you look closely :) ) I used Tim's distress technique to remove some of the paper ... but I used painter's tape, not masking tape -- so... for all you wondering, it works too. Use what you've got ladies! *wink*

Those of you who know me well know that I love vintage photographic images and ephemera. I seized the opportunity to use this US National Archived free image of a Photography Wagon I snagged online (yes, I made sure it wasn't copyrighted before I snagged it, I am good about that) -- and, although I love Tim's tree... I just had to add some parcels too!! The parcels are chipboard scraps wrapped in parchment and then stamped and inked. Love how they turned out!

I had soooo much fun creating this today while the girls made cards.... thanks for the chuckles ladies!

Tomorrow is my day off but I will come in to create the next tag! This is addicting!

Tag #5 -- and some Cards Happening!

Well, here she is -- Day 5's tag for Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas. I am loving the Fragment Ornaments! ...and check out those stickles under the fragment highlighting Santa's Cap. Gotta love that!

Here's the link to Tim's Blog again ... so you can see his creation. I am using smaller tags than he is so I didn't have enough space for a Christmas greeting.... but I think you know this is for the holiday's, right? :)

I came into the studio a little early today to start this as I had a couple of ladies come in today to create this month's card features -- you know the ones: The SEI Cards that are in the current issue of the Canadian Scrapbooker. I thoroughly enjoyed having Sue and Sandra here in the studio creating away. It was fun! I have a couple more people coming in tomorrow to create the cards... sooooo... if you are interested, let me know.

Here's a pic of Sue and Sandra crafting away! Thanks again for a great afternoon ladies!
And thanks to all of you who dropped by to check out my tag! This is soooo much fun!

Tag-mas Day 4

So, I woke up this morning and made my way to the computer, logged on and went directly to Tim Holtz' blog. AND, by golly, what in my eyes did appear but a fun little tag and .... well -- you get the idea! LOL

LOVE this little house ornament - AND I know you do too 'cause I created this house at CHA this summer, brought it home and displayed it in the studio ... This is the "ornament" workshop scheduled for next Wednesday. I have 7 girls coming into the studio next week to create lots and lots of these for friends and family this Christmas! Here it is on a tag!! I think the ladies coming next week should do this too -- great packaging for those little houses!! I have the tags here. They're yours if you want them! *wink*

I have all the supplies at the studio to make these fabulous tags! Drop on by and make one for yourself! Love to see you.

On a different note... this was the FIRST picture I took with my brand new SLR camera. How did I do? I have lots of playing with it -- you know, to figure it out - but not too bad for my first snap, eh? For those who were about to ask: I got a smokin, couldn't be passed up, deal on a Nikon D60. I know I have a lot of Cannon purists out there -- but trust me... for my first SLR -- it was a great deal!!

I'll blog tomorrow with Tag #5! Can't wait to see what's next!

The 3rd Tag of Christmas.....

Used Alcohol Inks!!

That's right... I got out my trusty little ink bottles, some felt and my handy dandy little applicator tool and set to work!

Tim's tutorial demonstrated something I've never done before (YAY!): creating a plaid pattern with the alcohol inks. What a fun thing to do -- I found myself trying this several times experimenting with colour and line thickness... Talk about a "play day"!!

The first tag is my interpretation of his Christmas Tag using "white space". You use Blending Solution to make the white strip lines -- uh, brilliant! ... then follow the directions to make the plaid. You stamp your chosen image in Jet Black Archival Ink (Tim tells us to use Archival Ink because it is NOT a solvent ink and won't react with the alcohol ink (point noted *wink*). I then stamped snowflake images around the tag (also in archival ink) and then stamped a random dot pattern stamp with white paint down one side of the tag. What I did, outside of Tim's directions, was got out the Perfect Pearls (I know-- shocker, right?) The Pearls will stick to the wet (almost dry) paint and give it a luminescent quality -- well, you all know how much I'm into that -- so on went the Pearls!! :). I like how it turned out! Also -- check out the faux rivets!! A washer, a brad and Tim's texture hammer created that! Love it!

This is another tag I did today.... a little different colouring -- I just wish you could see the true colours. The plaid used Rusty, country colours that didn't photograph well -- anyway, it reminded me of the trailer so I went all rustic with it :)

What can I say, I had fun! Now I have to clean up and do some work work. YUCK!! I want to PLAY!!

Thanks for another great tag and technique Tim!

can't wait to see tomorrow's!!

A Dollar Store Christmas....

Last night our Dollar Store Club met to share their Christmas Dollar Store Projects. We had a spectacular advent calendar made with a dollar store hanger, I created bound Sudoku note books for stocking stuffers, we had ornaments and decor items... and one CRAZY funny tree topper too: Hello Jose Jalapeno! -- ( that's what Amber and Mindy are "kissing" in the photo) I told you it was crazy!! I can't wait to see a picture of this tree when it's up! LOL Love this groups humour and creativity!

As always, we had a mini class too -- I showed the girls how they can turn simple Dollar Store tealights into a cute little Hostess Gift - I followed Lori Techler's instructions found here.


The girls weren't too thrilled to be measuring fold lines -- but hey, from someone who RARELY measures anything, knowing how to use your trimmer efficiently can really come in handy sometimes - like when creating this super cute sliding box decorated with SEI paper and some silver organza.

To create the tealights:

• Stamp an image on tissue paper (we stamped Library Green Archival Ink onto Yellow tissue) -- dye inks will work but won't be as vibrant
• Using a circle punch, punch out your stamped image (I find that if you place a piece of cardstock behind the tissue when you punch it you will get not only a lot more stability, it will allow you to punch the tissue without tearing)
• Using a paper piercer, pierce a hole in the middle of the circle. This will allow you to thread the candle wick through the tissue easily allowing it to lie flat on the candle ready to heat.
• The next step is to melt the image into the wax. Heat with your heat tool - the wax will melt and coat the stamped tissue. When the tissue is completely coated with wax, you're done.

The boxes are super cute! You don't need to put candles in them... Sheri thought it would make a great gift box for a bracelet. I think little candies or chocolate would be perfect in there :) Use your imagination!! And decorate at will!!
Thanks for a great night girls! Next month it's all about the Sn*w. <--- I'm not ready to say that word yet :)
I will be posting more later today -- I see that Tag #3 was posted on Tim Holtz blog this morning. Making plaid backgrounds with Alcohol Inks. YAY!! Can't wait to get to the studio to try that!!

On the Second Day of "Tag-mas"

Well... the studio is very "creative" -- not "messy", it's "creative" LOL
I came in today and set right to work on Tim's 12 Days of Christmas - Tag #2. Super Cute!

Here is my interpretation:


Another great tag Tim!
This tag used: a craft sheet, distress inks, embossing ink, distress embossing powder, archival ink, a mini mister, heirloom gold perfect pearls, a heat tool, metal corners, foliage, sanding grip (idea-ology), a paper distresser, craft pick, tim holtz scissors (tonic); some stamps, and a tag. All these things I have in and for sale in the studio -- so I'm set :) Yippee!!
I learned something new doing this tag!! A few things actually -- like sanding the metal corners -- WOW!! That made my eyes pop! -- and the proper way to use Distress embossing powder (I wasn't letting it cool completely before using - big difference!) but the BEST part, for me, was learning how to create this funky rose from Ideaology Foliage. YAY!! A new way to use this fabulous stuff! Making me drool Tim, making me drool! Check it out:
Sweet, isn't it?
All in all another great tag by Tim Holtz. To see his tutorial - check out Tim's Blog
....and stay tuned for tomorrow!

Ask Karen - "Tim and the 12 Tags of Christmas"

Helloooooooooooooo bloggers!
I know it's late in the day... but it's still Tuesday and I haven't forgotten to post :)

It's "Ask Karen" day so -- I thought I would take the opportunity to address a question I received at the crop on Saturday.

One of my new ladies (new to me, not to scrapbooking) overheard Lucy from Simply Scrapping tease me *incessantly* about being a "female Tim Holtz" because I love his products and, like him, I'm all about the distress - I love getting inky. *wink* Well, this lady asked me: "Who is Tim Holtz". After I picked myself up off the floor and dusted myself off I explained to her that Tim is the creative genius behind all the "distress" and much of the multi media products I love and carry in the studio - He has his own signature line.


Tim is also a fabulous teacher and demonstrator. I have been lucky enough to take a few classes of his as well as witness many demos by the man himself. I find him inspiring and often check out his blog to see what he's been up to and what he is playing with now.


Starting today -- December 1. Tim is doing his annual (and highly anticipated) `12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS on his blog. Each day for 12 days, Tim will be creating and posting a new tag tutorial on his blog. I created the tag below based on his DAY 1 class:



You'll notice that I used a Reindeer Stamp, not the Snowman in Tim's example. That's because I didn't have the stamp set he used.... but this reindeer is one of his :) Feel free to mix, match and create -- yes!! I hope you create these with me! They're great fun!!
I will be creating his tags each day -- and I will post my creations here on the blog. If you create one too... let me know. Post your creation on your blog and I will link to you or... if you want to post your tag on our photobucket site so we can all see ... you can do that too! I'll be sure to link to that image as well. Just let me know.
Check back here each day to see my interpretation... and go to Tim's blog for instructions. Don't forget to try for one of his giveaways.....THEY ARE AMAZING!! Just like the tags!