Tag: envelope pockets

Project-packed weekend retreat sends ’em home happy, glittery & de-stressed!

On By lindaIn home decor, mini album, Stamping11 Comments

Ive had a few requests to share pictures of the projects I taught at my first Fall Art Retreat held at Cottages at Sunset Shores. I was so pleased with the comments and feedback I received from the students. Everyone had a wonderful time, Vivian fed us so very well, the cottages are adorable and the craft room offered us plenty of space. Best of all – everyone completed their projects! Of course, we all know there are certain projects that are ever-changing. We add a little something here, change a little something there; but for the most part the projects went home complete!

I planned three projects to keep everyone busy throughout the weekend but still allow a wee bit of down time for Saturday afternoon. They really had no clue as to what the projects were. They trusted me and signed up sight-unseen. I dropped little hints every now and then, but no major announcements. They were given a supply list to bring (mostly consisting of tools) and I supplied the rest.

We started Friday evening with the beginnings to a Vintage/Shabby Chic coin envelope mini book with tags. This project would teach a plethora of techniques and carry into Saturday to finish up. We worked on that till nearly 11:30 p.m. then did some stenciling on their Vintage window frames so it would be dry in the morning. I had a selection of different sizes of Vintage window frames so they were able to select a style and size best suited to fit their space at home.

The window project also taught several techniques using gesso, stencils, acrylic paints, ultra-thick embossing enamels, dry embossing, tissue printing and using manly tools like power drills and screwdrivers! I must say, the group took their windows up a notch! They all turned out so beautifully. I love when students have enough time during class to experiment with techniques and the freedom to play and that’s what this retreat weekend was all about – time to experiment and play.

It took all of Saturday to finish up the windows and coin envelope books and we tossed in a make-n-take provided by Globecraft Memories using Piccolo Charms and Piccolo Enamels.

We finished the weekend off by making an ornament from Globecraft Memories using Art Glitter, Crafty Secrets, Piccolo Enamel Powders and some beads.

I don’t know who had a better time – the students or myself! I’ve already selected the dates for the Altered Vintage Winter Mystery Retreat to be held at Sunset Shores Feb. 22-24. Watch for more info to come.

Here’s the pics: click on any them for a closer view.

   

  

   

Candy Spiegel tells you all about her altered window on her blog. Hop on over and see what she has to say!

Another chapter ends …

On By lindaIn mini album6 Comments

Well, it’s true. Scrap Tales, the wonderful scrapbook store where I have worked for nearly nine years is closing its doors for good. The news just saddens us all who love this store. I started working there as a part-time employee and moved into manager/creative director shortly afterward.

Working in the industry has been a real joy which has enabled me to build my skills and my love for mixed-media. I’ve met some wonderful people in the industry and have made great friends through my position at the store. Scrap Tales provided me with a platform for teaching – something I never, ever thought I would do – only to discover it’s what I truly love! It’s the one aspect of the store that I will miss the most besides seeing my ‘family.’

I intend to continue teaching and am currently searching for venues. My dream would be to some day open a studio where we could hold classes, crops and other gatherings – oh yeah, I even have the name picked out – Pumpkin Moon Studio. But, the refrigerator died after the power outage we had this week and we had to go buy a new one, so it kicked me back to reality real quick!

I am teaching a cute little mini-book project at Scrapbook Peddler Sunday. “A day at the Zoo” is made with that gorgeous Zoology line from BoBunny. Students will use Ranger Distress Inks and Clear Crackle Paint, learn what it takes to stamp on acrylic, create hidden pocket pages from envelopes, use Ranger Perfect Pearls to create a patina on chipboard and to make a shimmer mist to spritz on paper and burlap and bind it all together into book form using the Cinch binding system. There were still a few openings when I checked Monday.

Ranger Ramblings Part I is also scheduled there for Wednesday, July 27. Contact Scrapbook Peddler to register for either class.

If you get a chance, stop in to Scrap Tales and say ‘hey’ before we’re gone; if you can’t make it in please keep in touch here!

My day at the Zoo …

On By lindaIn mini album2 Comments

So, I’m on vacation and felt like doing something then I thought “umm, new BoBunny Zoology papers…” – need some Zoo photos! Just a few minutes later daughter calls and says she was thinking we haven’t been to the Zoo in years. Husband says how about the Toledo Zoo?

We check the weather and it says cloudy, 80 degrees with chance of rain after 5 p.m. Perfect weather for a Zoo visit. So we’re off to the Toledo Zoo! An hour and a half later we’re parking and it’s sunny and HOT! It reached 95 degrees while we were there and not a cloud in the sky – figures.

It’s been over 20 years since we visited the Toledo Zoo and I’m thankful to say their beautiful shade trees have grown big and tall. We managed to see all the exhibits that were not under construction and had a very pleasant but HOT day. Seen lots of strange-looking creatures and some cute ones too. Took lots of photos (for that new BoBunny Zoology line) and finished the mini book this weekend.

It’s full of distress techniques and I’ve even included some folded envelope pockets I found instructions for at Laura’s http://followingthepapertrail.ning.com/

There’s a pocket in front for the program and ticket stubs and I tucked in some postcards we purchased at the Zoo. It holds lots of photos – I even have room to add more!

Hope everyone enjoyed their Fourth of July weekend!

Now to get started on those cards …