Teaching in Elmhurst, IL

I am busy preparing for the CHA Summer show where I will be teaching two workshops for the Creative Industries and ONE at a nearby store so if you live in or near Elmhurst, IL be sure to check out Creative Cuts and Crafts. 

In the workshop shop you will up-cycle two plates 

similar to those pictured  above and below here....

Creative Cuts and Crafts is located at 486 S Spring Road, Elmhurst Illinois 60126 and the phone number is 630-279-4444.  Be sure to check out there special classes offered during the CHA Show and sign up for my class if you can it is Sunday July 15 at 6 pm....the cost is only $20!  Hope to see you there!

Buttons plus Sharpies equals CUTE!

There's just something about BUTTONS.....I LOVE them, I always have.  I remember as a child playing in my grandmothers button jars for hours....buttons which I now treasure! 

So being on the Buttons, Galore and More Design Team is wonderful.....as I still get to play with buttons....

Today we have a blog hop going on featuring Buttons and Sharpie Markers with a wedding theme....while the project I did could be used for anytime of year, what I had in mind was a wedding with the colors of Pink, Black and White....and what I made was a headband for the flower girl.....

These could also be made into hair clips for the bride's maids....

I started with a package of BB84 Brilliant Pink Buttons and an assortment of Sharpies...

I wanted to add another color of pink to some of the buttons and black to accent....

This process is quite fun and addicting....the sharpies dry quickly and the results are awesome!

then I got out my Sizzix Big Shot and my Scallop Die and cut several layers of pink, black and white fabric.

Then I sprayed them with Beacon's Stiffen Stuff  to see complete details in how to make the flowers check out my blog post on a changeable flower necklace here!

Then I got out my Kreinik Bag o Bits to find just the right sparkly thread 

to sew my flower layers together with the two buttons I selected for the center.

I wanted the flower girl to be able to change out the flower so I got out my VELCRO® brand Press and Seal Fasteners  and my headband.....

and attached the flower....so quick and easy!

Be sure to check out the rest of the blog hop by clicking here for the links.

Another Plate from Drab to Fab!

I have been having fun transforming old plates into fabulous plates which would be perfect for gift giving....imagine a plate filled with cookies as a house warming gift and when the cookies are gone they have this fabulous plate as a keepsake.....

Start with a clear glass plate and 3 or 4 colors of Earth Safe Finishes Opaque Shimmers

Paint on the back side of the plate starting in the center.

 

Continue painting using the shimmer colors of choice....

 

Until you have the entire pack covered....let dry.

 

Apply Earth Safe Finishes Black Perfect Paint on top of shimmers; let dry.

The completed plate is beautiful....the picture does not do it justice!

 

Here is another one painted in a different pattern.

Plates from Drab to WOW....

While playing in my studio this past weekend I decided to give some old plates that I picked up in a thrift store a new look with Earth Safe Finishes Shimmers and Eco Epoxy . 

Pictured above is one of the plates I decided to update using Earth Safe Finishes Teal Shimmer Opaque.

 

I used a foam brush and just dabbed on the color and waited for it to dry.

I used Earth Safe Finishes Gel Medium to apply a decorative piece of tissue paper and let that dry.

I applied a layer of Earth Safe Finishes Eco Epoxy and let that dry.

You can see on the picture above (if you look closely) the Eco Epoxy is not quite dry.

Although this picture does not do it justice just look at that brilliant shine.....what will you update?

Look at this fabulous prize package below that will be given away by my creative friend  Julie McGuffee on her blog....



This ia a selection of PUL (waterproof fabric), patches, FOE (fold over elastic), buttons, labels, snaps and snap pliers, plus a 60 page, full color book jam packed with ideas and patterns.

You have 10 days to enter so check out her blog and enter....Good Luck!

Quick and Easy Father's Day Frames

It's the first Monday in June and this month's Designer Craft Connection theme is Picnic and/or Father's Day Crafts.  I have chosen to do a "Father's Day Craft"; because with four young grand children I thought it would be good to come up with a memory craft from them that would have a special meaning for my sons and son-in-law.

  

Pictures are a great way to capture memories and a frame a nice way to display them!

To get started you will need:
Supplies:

·         Picture Frame with large section for foot prints

·         Photo

·         Earth Safe Finishes Perfect Paint: white and black

·         Earth Safe Finishes Varnish (optional)

·         Assorted Alphabet Letters

·         Scissor, paint brush, baby wipes, craft glue.

   Apply white paint to one foot at a time...

Make impression onto frame, use baby wipe to remove paint from foot, repeat. Let dry.

 Varnish if desired; let dry.  Next you would place your chosen photo in the frame.    

Choose letters to place on your frame and arrange similar to the frames shown in the photos below;

and glue them in place. 

The above frame is for my son David from his two children, Blake and Kyla....

so the foot print on the left is Kyla's under her picture 

and the foot print on the right is Blake's which is under his picture.

Since there are two kids the frame says "We Love You".

The frame picture above is from my son in law Mike

and is a photo of my grandson Jaxson....

The frame shown above here is for my son Bruce

and is a photo of my grandson Aiden....

Some tips and tricks while doing these frames:

·         Check your local dollar stores for inexpensive frames and a variety of letters.

·         Buy sticker letters then you will not need glue.

·         You can use foam letters, wood letters, print something out from your computer or even paint letters onto the frame.

·         If you cannot find a frame with room for foot prints, just use the letters to write a sentiment.

·         You can do hand prints if desired.

·         This is a gift that can be done for other occasions by changing the sentiment.

·         Use “Gesso” as a primer if the frame is metal or plastic.

Be sure to follow the Designer Craft Blog Connection link to the right to see the other creative projects by the DCC Designers that are part of this month's hop!