The Art House Studio is Closed until at least

Friday August 12

for Renovations!! I am taking out a wall in the studio to make a larger, open, more creative studio space. YAY!

The floors in the studio are being done and will require varnishing. Due to the fumes involved in the sealing process, the official re-open date may change so please watch for news of the reno on the blog and on our FaceBook Page.

See you back in the studio very soon!

Hello Susan Weckesser!

While at CHA I was thrilled to be able to spend some time with my friend Susan Weckesser.

For those of you who don't know -- Susan is a fabulous designer, photographer, writer and artist from Alberta. She owns her own company called - Susiebee Designs and is a regular contributing writer for the Canadian Scrapbooker

Susan was one of the selected artists to participate in CHA's Crafty Couture showcase -- Love her dress!!! :)
It was so wonderful to see it there displayed as part of this fabulous exhibit. Congrats Susan.

I am proud to sell Susan's paper line (printed on heavy paper that is mixed media and "spritz" friendly) in the studio.... Fabulous!!!!
Have a creative day everyone!!! I'm going into the studio today to finish getting ready for the big renovations. Have a great Holiday Weekend!!

NEW! Dina Wakely Stamps

YES! I am SUPER EXCITED to announce the the Studio is now carrying

DINA WAKELY's CLING MOUNTED STAMPS!

HURRAY

Love Dina's Style -- her canvas, her art journals! Can't wait to play with her stamps!

Have a Creative DAY!!!

Just a reminder that I will be closing tomorrow in preparation for our Studio Renovations. I will be available by email and will be checking messages.

Hope to see you soon!!! Look for Grand Re-opening Details soon!

Love this Dress!!!

Meet Julie Balzer -- fabulous artist right up my colour ally! :) hehe

CHA had a Mixed Media "Couture" display at the show where a few designers showcased they're crafty designs -- LOVE Julie's entry -- ALL of the entries were fabulous (more later)

Julie has a new line of Crafter's Workshop templates that were launched at the show. Below are a few of her's and some other new releases that I'm getting in the studio soon!!

I had the chance to meet Julie at the Crafter's Workshop booth - She was doing some make n takes with them. What a wonderful talent, Julie. So very inspiring!! (pic below: me, Sheri, Julie and the Canadian Scrapbooker Gals: Connie, Katharina and Jackie)

Have a creative day everyone!!

Look who we have here :)

Yes that would be me and the ever sweet Claudine Hellmuth and Candie Cooper! The photo was taken last week at CHA Summer. Love these gals. They're both as super kind as they are talented!!

Claudine is launching some fun stuff at CHA -- All her studio paints and mediums are going to be available in "try me" collection packs. OMG.... you know how much I love her "Studio Line" and that I need more like a gallon of her paints and mediums to use in my own artwork. Well, now it is super accessible to everyone .... even the "try me" painters out there *smile* AND the little bottles they come in help make perfect little paint dots. heheheheh... Love that!! Can't WAIT to get them in! I have some fun technique ideas that I will be using them with and I hope you like! *smile*

She is also launching a NEW BLACK GESSO that she tells me will also double for a chalkboard paint!! How cool is that!!!!!

Candie is a fabulous talent --- she has authored a couple of fun books. One on felted jewelry and the other with wire and metal jewelry that is just coming out.

I'd like to get her here to teach a few classes one weekend this fall... anyone interested? *smile*

Hope you're having a creative day!

And I'm off again....

Today is a big day for my family.

Right now, I am heading to Uxbridge, ON because this weekend the Durham Highland Games is dedicating the Heavy Events Competition in honour of my father who passed away earlier this year. My dad was part of Highland Games all over Canada and the US for 45 years (for the past 33 years I have worked along side him) SO.... this may get emotional. :)

See the necklace I'm wearing? I made this out of one of my dad's old Nova Scotia Tartan ties (our tartan) and adorned the centre of the flower with one of his heavy events pewter pins (in this case a weight for distance thrower). There are a couple of chains there even though they are a little hard to see.... but I think you get the idea.

How'd I make the flower ? You'll have to wait and see :)

After the dedication, Kevin and I are off to Barrie as my sister is getting married today too! Seeeeeee!!! Told you it was quite the day :) I wish her and her new hubby, Mark, every happiness.

See you all back in the studio soon. I have LOTS to do -- if you see lights on when you drive by the studio before Wednesday, drop on by.... I'm there working :)

AND Don't forget Jen is in the studio today too..... And there is a stamp sale on :)

toodles all... :) I'm outa here :)

Hi from CHA

CHA Hours and STAMP SALE!!!!!!

It's that time of year again -- and I am off this afternoon to Chicago for the CHA Tradeshow. Can't wait to get on my way!! I love meeting up with people, getting peeks at whats to come and to be bombarded with inspiration!!

Due to the Trade Show -- PLEASE NOTE that the studio

WILL BE OPEN

Thursday July 21 and Friday July 22: 11 - 5

Saturday July 23: 11 - 4

and will be back for regular summer hours on July 27

The Best Part of the week for you....

ALL Stamps and Stamp Sets will be 25% off - 35% off

Thursday - Saturday ONLY while I'm away

So -- if you've had your eye on something now's the time.

Have a GREAT WEEK!!! I'll try to post 'stuff' while I'm away - any requests? :)

I have been having a lovely time with the kids from the YMCA Daycamp who are here this week.... so much so that I haven't posted much of anything in a while....

I AM HERE!!! And having a great week!

Hope you're doing something creative -- Go make some Art!! :)

Character Constructions and Somerset Studio

I fell in LOVE with Character Constructions Stamps the very first time I picked up a copy of Somerset Studio. They are fabulously fun to use and play with - make Art Dolls, Cards, Canvas, whatever.... AND I am never disappointed when I open up my new issue of Somerset Studio -- there is always something to behold.

Case in point -- there are 2 projects in the current issue that use the same CC Stamp (Mannequin Cafe 6) pictured below. Gets this mind turning *smile*

So.... to celebrate Somerset Studio and Character Constructions ...

for the rest of the month of July I will offer

25% off Character Constructions Stamps with the purchase of any of the Stampington Publications

INCLUDING Somerset Studio

For a list of "in stock" stamps - please contact the studio.

Have a creative day everyone!!

Don't fall in love with your backgrounds.....

That's what I keep reminding myself and my students when we layer paint to create textural backgrounds.... AND ... just let it evolve.

Remember the background that I made with Janine last week (in the video)? Well, this is what I did with it after seeing Lisa Ferrante's (LOVE her work by the way...) article in the current issue of Somerset Studio that finally arrived last Thursday. Recognize it? yep -- Loved that painting and I just had to make one for myself and that background we made was PERFECT!! Note... I still added that crazy bird I've been dreaming about :) It was just used in a different way. It evolved thanks to the inspiration.

I LOVE the Somerset Magazines for inspiration. There are a couple of projects that I'd like to try in the current issue... hummmm... what to do next? :)

Happy creating everyone! Hope you had a GREAT WEEKEND!!