Painting up a Storm ....

of circle flowers? *smile*  Nothing like a little paint on the hands to start the week off right!

E came into the studio yesterday for a canvas class and I was thrilled to have her.  Love teaching canvas making.  So fun!  Especially when you get to paint with your fingers!!! *wink*

Here's what we did...

The "In Progress"

E's final creation -- LOVE IT!!  Makes me want to make one with Orange fleurs!!  ... love the "Art Is" template added with Light Molding Paste too! (Size 12x16)

Here's Mine....   in all it's "purply" goodness *smile*  (Size 12x24)

If you'd like to come in to do one too....  let me know!  Love to create some more and share the fun with you all!!  Classes are booking now.  519 954 6620

Have a creative day everyone!
T minus 2 days until Mixed Minded at the Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre and me having to pick up Donna Downey... ! Can you tell I'm excited? *smile*

Pam and some Pans....

Look what Pam created at the Technique of the Month Class (Using PanPastels) tonight! So sweet with some Crafter's Workshop Templates and some Donna Downey Stamps... I'm in Love with "Loved" *smile*

Thanks Pam for letting me share this (silly me didn't remember the camera until after the other gals left.

Hope you had a creative day!!

Counting down to Mixed Minded 2012

Each business day this month I will be posting a class that will be offered at our Mixed Minded event this May on the Mixed Minded Website.

Here's the first class ... one that will be offered by me

Stencil Me Happy

The best art comes from Creative Play.

Join Karen for a "playful" class on layering with papers, paints and Crafter's Workshop Stencils.

Play with colour and composition, use different mediums and a variety of our favourite Crafter's Workshop Templates to create a 12 x 16 canvas ready for hanging.

Come find your creative "happy" place

Love these Canvases

Deanna and Paulette were in the studio yesterday afternoon taking the Ornament Canvas class... and I loved it!! We had so much fun painting and masking and using UTEE. Thanks Girls! Love how they turned out!

(Gotta love Paulette's purples!!)

Thank you for a wonderful day girls!!

Hope you had a creative day too!! And if you'd like to take a class at the studio... let me know. Classes are offered all the time!!

Case in point... there is still room in Manuela's Felting Classes Tomorrow night and next Thursday Night too (both at 7pm) We made two classes for those intersted!! It's going to be fun.

Manuela will be teaching you how to create Phone/Camera Cozies or Mittens from recycled Wool Sweaters. $24 (plus tax) Class runs from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Let me know if you'd like to join us!

Now, go make something today!!! *Smile*

Christmas? Oh yeah!

It's time to start thinking holiday workshops.

I can't hardly believe it!

Here's a fun 12x16 canvas I created using the Christmas Emporium Collection from Graphic 45, Burnt Sienna Paint by ChromaColour among other fabulous products listed below.
I am adding this to our Workshop Schedule! If you'd like to complete this in time for the holidays, let me know. I'm happy to create a class for you!

Have a creative day everyone!

Products Used/Mentioned:

Graphic 45 - Christmas Emporium

ChromaColour Burnt Sienna Paint

Jenni Bowlin for Ranger - Malted Milk Paint

Golden Fluid Acrylic - Gold

Faber-Castell Black PITT Pens

Viva Decor - Gold Pearl Pen

UTEE - Gold

painting and creating

Last week I was thrilled to have a few gals come to the studio to play with paints and mediums.

They took my 'Texture Canvas Workshop" and had a great time creating texture with foam stamps, molding paste, paint and NAPKINS. I thoroughly enjoy seeing what people create with the same tools and techniques. The results are as unique as they are and I couldn't be more thrilled.

They're fabulous! See.......

Solo's painting.... fabby texture and tissue paper poppies... Well done kiddo!! Way to try new things and experiment!!!!!!

The picture above is almost finished. The artist took it home to add Dried Flowers to it - can't wait to see the final project!

And here's Laura's -- Love the Holly Hock Napkins!!! They "pop" on her background

Have a creative day everyone!!!!

Transferring with Multi Medium and TAP paper too!

Tonight was the Technique of the Month class at the studio. I had so much fun showing the gals how to create fabulous transfers using two different methods:

• Using Studio Multi Medium (Claudine Hellmuth)
• Using TAP (Transfer Artist Paper)

The above pic is the pendants the girls made using the second technique. Easy Peasy

Have you tried TAP paper yet?

I have some new Creative Paperclay in the studio... I thinking of some paperclay jewelry pendants to make with transferred images. More to come........

Technique of the Month - Resin!

Okay -- I'm here at the studio today getting ready for tomorrow night's Technique of the Month "Meeting" and I can happily verify that we will be creating Resin Embellies for card making or other paper crafts.

We are doing this as I have been asked many times about resin and, although I am no expert, I am happy to share my knowledge of mixing and the ins and outs of the medium.... perhaps that can be better said as "my trials and errors" LOL

Anyway - if you are interested in a basic crash course on how to mix and use resin -- come on by. This is not something for people who have worked with it before. It's meant as a little kick in the pants class to get you to use and experiment with this stuff .... CAUSE I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE IT!

If you are interested in joining us tomorrow night at 7pm in the studio -- just let me know AND if you've used it before and would like some more ideas from the experts ... I highly recommend Carmi's blog for EnviroTex Lite - the Resin Craft's Blog

The Art House Studio Carries:

EnviroTex Lite (8 and 16 fluid ounce boxes)

ICE Resin Plungers

Deep Flex Molds

CraftnCast Mold Release

Susan Lenart Klazmer Pewter Bezels

Assorted open stock brass Bezels and jewelry forms.

Crafter's Workshop Templates...

....have been re-stocked! Yippee!!

LOVE THESE TEMPLATES

Tomorrow is the Technique of the Month Club meeting -- we will be doing a stamping technique. I have been going back a forth with what to share with you all and here is one of the options - Using stencils, paints and yes... stamps to stamp on fabric and make some pretty amazing creations. (completely and utterly inspired by Jennifer McGuire at www.jennifermcguireink.com although hers is on paper and uses ink, not fabric and paint ....you get the idea)

You'll have to come out to tomorrow's "meeting" to see what I decide ... hummm... or maybe I'll post tomorrow *smile*. Don't forget to call and let me know if you will be attending.
Here is a little Video of what templates are currently in stock. I have 95% of them in both 6x6 and 12x12 sizes. And, as always, I ship *smile*

Have a creative day!

Some inking and spraying.....

We had some fun at the Technique of the Month Club meeting this week.
Here are some of the creations!

The girls got playful with gesso, paint, perfect pearls and the new colour wash sprays! The pages that we created will be FABULOUS for ATC backgrounds, cards and embellies! Their colours and dimensions are wonderful. Gorgeous work girls!!

Makin' Custom Ink Pads

We had some inky fun in the studio Tuesday and Wednesday night with the Technique of the Month Club. This month's technique? - Making your own custom ink pads!

I did this technique years ago when I created multiple Christmas Cards -- like say 200 cards in 2005! LOL Perhaps it was the "I'm not making that many Christmas Cards again" but I forgot about this absolutely amazing, time saving technique.

If you followed Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas this year, Tag #2 used this technique. YAY!! I re-discovered it AND have been enjoying it ever since -- so much so, I needed to show the gals!

Why make your own ink pad? Well, if you are making oodles of cards for an event or an occasion and love the look of multi-coloured stamped images this is the way to go. Cut N Dry Felt is an 8.5x11 version of the felt that Ranger uses in their ink pads. Simply cut to the size of your favourite stamp and stamp (with Archival Ink) on the felt side of the product. Then colour (on the lines) in your favourite coordinating Distress Ink Colours -- like this:

Then align your stamp over your new ink pad and ink it :).... Now you're ready to stamp it out.
Look at the detail you can create with different shades of ink.... and you can get 40 - 50 impressions just like it!!!!!

Now, remember that Distress Ink reacts with water. Want a custom ink pad for your watercolour effects? Do the steps above but before you stamp it, give it a little water spritz with a mini mister.... voila... a gorgeous watercolour image!!

I made one with the new Paperbag Studio Stamps that I just got in the studio! OMG... I am in love with these stamp sheets -- but that's a blog for another day *smile*

I used the HOME Set.... and picked out the image ironically called "Emily" (my daughter's name) (She's the one on the top right). And created some watercolour images of it.... THEN....Got out the beeswax and put together a card featuring the image. -- Yes, a soft, thin beeswax finish. I LOVE THIS CARD!!!!

You must come see it on Saturday during our customer appreciate day!

I guess that's it for now. Thanks for a wonderful TOMC month ladies -- I hope you enjoyed the technique as much as I did. hummmm.... me thinks I need to make a video *smile*

Have a creative day!

Happy New Year

WOW!! Where does the time fly?!! It's been forever since I blogged and if the date on the top of the posts wasn't enough of a reminder.... the emails and calls I received from some of you missing my posts are certainly another. Ooops! sorry....... :)

Anyway, hope you all had a marvelous (AND CREATIVE) holiday!!

This is a layout I completed for a Christmas Gift (My in-laws have an album that I add to every year) . It's Emily's year in review - minus the journaling which I spared you of *smile* This is also a preview of the Classes Offered at the Nottawasaga Scrapbooking/Card Making Retreat I'm holding the last week of February. This is the layout class. You'll learn about stamping on your layouts (they are not just for cards *wink*) and how to use Distress Inks to dye your ribbons and lace. A totally fun little one hour class, eh? hehe

Tonight the Technique of the Month Club is meeting... I'll be sure to post tomorrow - I PROMISE!!!!!

Have a creative day!

journal making.....

Perhaps this is the time of year BUT I have been asked to create a lot of journals and altered book for people. It's been a frequent conversation -- ESPECIALLY when people see these: my new Art Journal and one I made for my kid's stocking :)

Yes, they are made out of an old pair of my jeans -- I soooo love this!

For those of you who don't know -- A NEW MONTHLY GATHERING WILL BE STARTING AT THE ART HOUSE STUDIO in the new year.-- an ART JOURNALING GROUP!! This will work much like a book club -- Bring your Art Journals, we'll create in them for a few hours together, share ideas and learn new techniques, have fun with challenges.... $10/month. We'll meet on the Third Wednesday of the Month (6:30 - 9:30 - come anytime after 5) and I'm open to a Friday night too if some of you are interested on a Weekend.

So... having said that -- I decided that with all the questions, interest and this group starting up.... I'd make the first Technique of the Month Club Meeting of 2011 a Book Binding Theme. I will show you how to create your own "jean journal" AND re purpose an old book using a coil binding too -- made popular by me using an old Golden Book for our Christmas Wish Book this year. SO!!! Ladies (and Gents), if you are interested, dig out an old pair of jeans (or buddy up with a friend (you only need one pant leg *smile*) and your favourite "golden" book and reserve your space at January's Technique of the Month Club (First OR Second Wednesday of the Month). To reserve your seat call 519 954 6620 or email me your request.

Have a creative day

Getting Waxy in the studio

had a fun little wax class in the studio yesterday.

Judy came in and said I wanna do something waxy (like you do) with this photo - HELP! So we played and I know she loved her piece!! ENJOY JUDY!! Thanks for popping by the studio and giving me a chance to create with wax too.

This is what I created. It's a Christmas Gift for my mother so SHHHHHHHHH!!! Don't tell her.

The photo on the canvas is my mom around 5 years old. The Sewing notions are very special to her. They are from my late Nana's own "collection". My Nana spent a lot of time creating outfits for my mother and I know she has many special memories of my Nana creating things for her with these very items. My guess is that she'll like it! ;)

Hope you have a creative weekend!!
Jen will be in the studio today from 11 -4 as I am off to Barrie to see the folks. Drop on by and say hi! AND Don't forget to enter my little Give A Way ... last night's post has details of a little Give A Way I'm doing to celebrate 100 Followers on this blog. THANKS FOR FOLLOWING EVERYONE!!! I'll draw the winner sometime next week. And gosh!! Thank you for all the wonderful things you said about me and the studio. I am truly honoured!! Never in a million years would I have thought you'd write anywhere close to what you all have. I'm truly overwhelmed! Hugs to all! THANK YOU!!!!

Cheers!!

Tea-ful Voyage

Well...
I got the chance to create something yesterday during and after I held an Isabella Canvas class here in the studio. I will show you what I created during the class (using the same background layering techniques) but this is what I created later at home after the girls inspired.

We were talking about Tim Holtz Design Team and how after one term the team is unfortunately ending. After the shock of it disbanding wore off, I told them about one project that was created by one of the design team members using the Darcie's Shadow Box Frames. I told them how easy it was to create and how effective it is and then the wheels started turning. Sorry Tim, I took out my Character Constructions Stamps *smile*, one of the Darcies frames (There are 6 shapes to choose from here in the studio and for under $10, they'd make a great gift ...just sayin' *smile*), some alcohol inks, sticky back canvas and set to work. I love it and all the possibles!!!!

I know pictures don't ever do things justice but I hope you can see that the words are IN the shadow box and the image is stamped on the clear acrylic above it.
Here is a link to the other project. Tammy Tutterow As you can see, although we are using the same base supplies, they are quite different. I'll have another project to make with these soon that is different again .... until then -
Have a creative day!!

Technique of the Month Club.....

Got Waxy in an intro to wax technique class....
And it was fun!! I showed the gals how I created my Fall Wax Pieces (My 3 Canvases ...earlier post) and they did a GREAT job. Wax, as a medium, was new to all the girls and just look at their creations (just a few in various states of finish)

THANKS FOR A FUN NIGHT LADIES!!

I'm looking forward to creating these next week in our Technique of the Month Club "Take 2" session next Wednesday.

Hope you all had a creative day!!

November Card Workshop

Well card makers... here they are!
The Cards for the November Card Workshop. They're Christmas Cards on Acetate using the Unity Stamp Company's Itty Bitty Stamps! How fun!

These cards are available to create in the studio throughout the month of November. Complete 2 of each of the 3 Acetate Cards and a gift box to keep them in. Give as a fun Hostess Gift or keep them for yourself -- either way - I know you'll enjoy them!

Contact me at the studio to arrange a time to come in and/or watch for postings on our Facebook Page for classes that are running. You can also keep watching our studio Calendar (link on the right Side Bar) $20 plus HST - the class will run approximately 2.5 hours. GREAT DEAL - GREAT FUN

See you soon!!
Have a creative day everyone!

1 2 3... New Canvases for me!

YES!! I got creative today. OH My!! I had a few girls come in to play and one, the lovely Leanne, brought a torch to play with. She had told me about a glue burning technique that she tried and thought I'd like. Well.... 4 Canvas pieces later -- hummm... yes... me thinky me likey!~ hehe!! (I did say 4 canvas - one is a gift..... I'll show you when you're in the studio if you'd like)

I went leaf collecting outside the studio to gather enough leaves for my pieces and embedded them into beeswax that I coated the burnt glue with. Some stamping, some postage stamps and a little dusting of Perfect Pearls and zippity doo da... we have some art!! I had so much fun! Thanks for bringing the torch Leanne. I know what I'm purchasing tomorrow morning!!

I also had a couple of people in for classes today too. THANKS GIRLS. LOVE HAVING PEOPLE IN THE STUDIO! You're all so inspiring!

Have a creative weekend everyone!!

Some "Creative Layers"

Hellloooo all!

Last night was our re-scheduled Technique of the Month Club (thanks again girls for being so generous and allowing me to move this month's date - much appreciated).

I showed the girls how to use Claudine Hellmuth's Creative Layers Stamp Sets and WOW!! ... did they play! So much fun! Take a look at some of the girls in action!!

For those who don't know -- Claudine's stamps are designed to use together and inspired by offset colour printing popular in catalogues in the 50s (Click here to see on the Ranger Blog). Use the Foam and Acrylic Stamps on their own or combine them to create the offset look.

As you know, I LOVE to mix colours to add dimension when I'm using inks and paints. The same holds true when using paint and foam stamps. Last night I showed the girls to dab out some paint on the Ranger Craft Sheet and tap the Creative Layers foam stamps in it to create a gorgeous (and even) colour blend. You can see the varying colour in the girl's work above. Easy to do - Fun to create!!

Thanks girls for a wonderful evening. See you again in a couple of weeks when we're back to our "First Wednesday of the Month" time slot.

Have fun, PLAY, and be creative everyone!! See you in the studio!

New Card Workshop

I went cutsie :)
You have seen these cards on the blog before if you are a regular reader. I thought they's make a good grouping for the workshop.

Learn to make new paper flowers, a scratch and sniff card, stamp with sizzix dies, and add a little paint too. It'll be fun!!

The card workshop is $20 (plus HST) - most people will leave with 6-8 cards as you are welcome to created as many cards as you like in the 2.5 hour workshop. Contact me in the studio if you'd like to create the cards and I'll let you know when people booked time if you'd like to join us. The studio number is 519 954 6620

Have a creative day everyone!!