June Inspiration Emporium Challenge, a Private Party and Things I've Been Creating

Hello Blogger Peeps!  The June Challenge is up and awaiting your works of art over at the Inspiration Journal blog.  

stamped, watercolored
and zentangled

The Challenge this month is STAMP A LITTLE SUNSHINE (sun, summer, beachy theme).  And guess what you can win just by submitting to this challenge?  A whopping $50 in Emporium Dollars to spend any way you'd like in the Inspiration Emporium On-line store.  Yep, and the Challenge is open to those of you that live outside the U.S. as WELL!


So what are you waiting on?  Start creating your stamped piece full of sun and fun! *smiles*.


On another note . . .

Later this month I'll be teaching a little private workshop at the home of my friends Mary and Trina.


When Mary saw the above Tim Holtz Idea-ology Pocket Watch necklace I was wearing at the last Rubber Stamp Convention in Carson, she immediately told me that I had to host a class :)


If you would like to have me teach at your home, just e-mail me (SLGoodloe@hotmail.com) with a project you would like me to teach and we can pick a date and time.  Then all you have to do is secure 5-8 of your crafting friends/family members/co-workers, maybe provide a few snacks and the party is ON!


I always supply just about everything you need to walk away with a finished project and a printed handout so you can relax and not have to take notes to try to remember how we did what was created in the class.


Search through my blog here for workshops I've taught either privately or at stores to help you plan your next party. 


*********************************************
Lately I've been into creating bracelet cuffs.  Here are a few I've finished and a few I'm still working on . . .

Have an art-filled week ahead!

Grungy Monday 21 Challenge

Front (or Back if you'd like)

This week's Grungy Monday is all about transparent illusions using Tim Holtz' Fragments.  And if you know ANYthing about me, you know how much I LOVE Fragments!   And if you visited my blog this past weekend, you already saw my latest eclectic charm necklace that I made using (mostly) Fragments.  I'm posting again because I want to enter Grungy Monday over at Studio L3 *smiles*.

Back (or Front if you'd like)

Stop by Linda's and join in the fun!  And if you'd like to try YOUR hand at some really cool techniques using Fragments, visit Tim's post HERE!  And get THIS . . . the challenge is open until September 18th and you can enter as many times as you'd like!  Oooooh, you know I'll be entering THIS challenge several times *smiles*

Inspiration Emporium's July Challenge

The challenge for the Inspiration Emporium Team (and YOU!) this month is "Embossing".  The definition for embossing is:

emboss [ɪmˈbɒs]

vb

1. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) to mould or carve (a decoration or design) on (a surface) so that it is raised above the surface in low relief

2. to cause to bulge; make protrude

You can use embossing folders (like the Sizzix Texture Fades), Tim Holtz Distress embossing powders, or maybe you like using stencils with stencil paste to add a raised section to your artwork.  Whatever your preferred method of embossing is, get your mojo working and create an embossed piece to enter our monthly challenge for a chance to win $50 in Emporium Dollars!  Read all about it HERE


I created a business card holder necklace using one of my favorite methods for embossing.  Following are the products and tools I used to create the "necklace":
The Bingo folder from the Sizzix Texture Fades Embossing Folders 2PK - Bingo & Patchwork Set used with my Tim Holtz - Vagabond Machine 
Perfect Pearls Mist - Heirloom Gold
Inkssentials - Glossy Accents
Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber - Espresso
Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Bead Chain
a crown magnet (unknown maker)
cut piece of magnet from a magnet sheet (Michael's craft store)
white cardstock
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads
Tim Holtz non-stick micro serrated scissors
Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber - Espresso


Isn't this a cool way to carry your business cards when you're at the conventions or at a workshop or just wherever you want to have your business cards handy when someone asks "do you have a card?"

Here's the backside of the "necklace" . . .

In this photo you can see when I placed the cardstock in the embossing folder, I only left the flap out of the folder so it was smooth . . .

The business card holder (closed) is approximately 3-3/4" x 2-1/4".  I'm thinking this would be a good place to hide some "emergency" money while at the rubber stamp convention this weekend :-)

B is for Butterfly

The Grungy Monday Challenge over at Studio L3 (Linda Ledbetter) this week involved using Tim Holtz' Color Block technique.  Here's my take on the technique - "B" is for Butterfly tag . . .

I used Archival Ink - Olive for the stamping of the "B" and the Butterfly stamp from the Papillion CMS106 Tim Holtz Collection . . .

I used the following Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Forest Green, Crushed Olive, Stormy Sky and Faded Jeans.

I distressed the edges of the tag with a Tim Holtz Paper Distresser and added some Walnut Stain Distress Ink along the sides.


Before adding a couple of Idea-ology metal corners and a ribbon, I coated the completed tag with amber Bulls Eye Shellac.


There's still time to join in the fun for this week.  Next week's challenge will be announced on Monday - I keep the link to Grungy Monday over to the right here on my blog for your convenience.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday.  I know I am *smiles*

Inspiration Emporium April Challenge and Workshop Reminder!

Our challenge for April is creating with Fragments.  These are the wonderful acrylic pieces I use in just about every eclectic charm necklace I've ever made!  And if you haven't used these yet, well, what are you waiting on?


Stop by the Inspiration Emporium Blog and join in on the monthly challenge for April.  The winner will be randomly selected and chosen on May 1st.  And what do you win you ask?  Well how about $50 to spend in the Inspiration Emporium store?  Wowzer - that's a lot of shopping folks!


So get out those Fragments (or purchase some HERE) and get busy with those creations!


My Eclectic Necklace Workshop is April 30th at Whimzy in Old Town Tustin.  See my "side bar" for details and sign up soon!

Quick & Easy Valentine's Day Gift Cone

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I thought I would create a Valentine's Day Candy Cone as my first project for Inspiration Emporium.  

To create the cone, I found a cone template with a heart top at CraftJr.com - you can download the template HERE.
This is how I made the Valentine's Day cone:


Print template, cut out and place on the solid side of this 12" x 12" Valentine's Day cardstock that can be found (and purchased here) - Tim Holtz Idea-ology Seasonal Paper Stash.

Before totally assembling the cone wTith Wonder Tape, I distressed the edges of the heart using Tim's distress tool and then adding some Barn Door distress ink.

I used Crackle Paint to cover the Grungeboard Cupid and inked the back with Barn Door Distress ink before I glued him to the cone with some Glossy Accents . . .

Using the paper shredder for all the junk mail received, I shredded some music paper to fill the inside of the cone . . .

Additional supplies used to create this cone:

Stickles Glitter Glue - Platinum
Inkssentials Wonder Tape
Tim Holtz Non-Stick Micro Serrated Scissors
Tim Holtz Paper Distresser
Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Barn Door

Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Adage Tickets
Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Memo Pins

The LOVE ticket is from the Tim Holtz Idea-ology Adage Tickets pack that I rubbed some Platinum Stickles on, coated with some Glossy Accents and attached to the V-Day hearts (to close the cone) with a TH Idea-ology Memo Pin.


I punched a hole on either side of the cone and inserted a piece of twine that I tied in a knot on the inside.  

Fill with a Starbucks or gourmet candy gift card, a sweet note, a few art supplies or maybe even a diamond ring! You are only limited by the size of the cone! *smiles*  Love is not just for Valentine's Day - Why not make some of these cones for other "love" days as well. 

Happy V-Day to everyone!  X O X O

PS  Looking for my OWOH post?  It's HERE

Every Inchie Monday

Monday, January 3rd is the first Every Inchie Monday.  

For those of you who do not know what an inchie is, it's a one-inch square piece of artwork.  Here are some inchies I created in December 2008

The theme this first Monday of January is ECLECTIC.  Definition:  Made up of or combining elements from a variety of sources.

Couldn't make just one of course.  I started out with a couple of pages from an old book and a paper doily . . .

Then I spritzed some Midnight Blue Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, some Adirondack Butterscotch and Stream Color Washes on the pages and used the paper doily in places . . .

Once the pages were dry I did some rubber stamping then cut the page in strips . . .

I cut some cardboard into 1" squares and then attached them to various parts of the strips with Glossy Accents and then gave them a trim . . .

To make the little 1-inch pieces "stand out", I ran the 4 sides of each one over a black Archival Ink Pad.  I liked the way these looked without adding more to them . . .

Lined up with top coats of Glossy Accents waiting patiently to dry . . .

I'm saving the 2nd page for another project.  Maybe some atc's???? . . .

Next Monday's theme is the word Powerful.  

Theme Thursday, Wednesday Outing and Winner of the EW&F Contest

This week the challenge on Theme Thursday is Pattern.  Well since I just finished this "controlled doodling" heart piece, I thought I would join in.  Is this enough pattern for you? *smiles*

After fighting a cold for the past several days, I finally went out on Wednesday.  I was going to meet up with Joy Kennedy (Inspiration Emporium) and Michelle Fowler for dinner at Olive Garden.  And as nice as it was to dine with these two ladies, there was another reason for us getting together.

left to right:  joy, me and michelle

nice meeting you michelle!

Joy was delivering what was in this box to me . . .

joy with "the box"

joy posing with my vagabond!

Yep, my very own - brand new - still in the box - VAGABOND!  Can you feel my excitement?  I mean REALLY, this is my first EVER die-cutting machine!  Soooo glad I waited all these years so this could be my "first" :)

But here's the KICKER!  Joy tells me that someone has gifted the Vagabond to me!  Say whaaaaat?!  A GIFT????  She said she was asked not to tell who it was from, but only that they saw that was the only thing I wanted for Christmas so they got it for me.


Wow . . . I am almost speechless (yes, ME - speechless!).  Whoever the angel was that gifted me the Vagabond, please know that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I was so surprised, overwhelmed and am very thankful for such a fab-u-lous random act of kindness! 


On to the winner of my Earth Wind & Fire crossword puzzle contest (before I get all tear-eyed again!).  


The winner IS . . . LINDA HOFFMAN from Scrappin Bears' Studio!  Congratulations Linda - I am putting your surprise package together and whisking it off to you on Friday morning.  And don't worry. I already have your snail mail address :)


I'm so glad I'm off work today so I can play with my new toy!

Tag Tuesday

I was visiting my "regular" stops in blogland and saw Louise's Tag Tuesday.  This week she is asking that we create a tag using Christmas "leftovers".  So I challenged myself to get up from the computer and see how fast I could make a tag!


After grabbing a Christmas card (the children on the card are embossed) from the living room, I went to my craft table and grabbed the first things I saw and started the "leftovers" tag.


So here's my less than 5 minute tag.   Simple and quick!

• I tore the front of the card off and grabbed a 8" tag that I used as a template to cut my "new" tag to size.
• Grabbed the hole punch and punched a hole at the top
• Used my tim Paper Distresser tool to rough up the edges of the tag
• Took one of the blending tools that already had a dark color distress ink on it and ran it along all 4 sides
• The red and white striped ribbon was quickly threaded through the hole
• Had some Pearl Glimmer Mist on the table so I spritzed the tag to make it look like it was snowing.  Click on the photo to see the "snow".

• One of the Santa girl laser wood cuts was on the table so I grabbed the Glossy Accents and glued her on top.

Stop by Kard Krazy to see the other "leftover" tags that were created!

PS  Why not try your luck at my crossword puzzle contest in the blog post below while you're here? :)

EW&F Crossword Puzzle Contest

If you know me, then you know how much I LOVE the group Earth Wind & Fire!  The rules to this contest are simple:


1.  complete the Earth Wind and Fire crossword puzzle
2.  e-mail your answers to SLGoodloe@hotmail.com
3.  the first person to get all of the correct answers wins!


What do you win you ask?  Can you say surprise package? :)

1                     2                                                                                           3                                                                 4                                             5                                                                         6                                 7                                                                             8                                                               9                                                                             10                     11                                                 12

Across:
1.  Brass Section (2 words)
3.  Only this one made the top (2 words)
4.  Worked with the Stoval Sisters' Band
5.  member of a trio from 1967-1969 (2 words)
7.  born July 25, 1951 (2 words)
8.  she was a singer with the Friends of Distinction
9.  venue February 19, 2011 (2 words)
10.  Boogie Wonderland (2 words)
11.  An African thumb piano
12.  Close your mouth but open these (3 words)

Down:
1.  Born in Denver but moved to Chicago (2 words)
2.  Not sweet (2 words)
6.  Created stage magic for the group

Good luck! (Linda Ledbetter are you playing??)

Compendium of Curiosities Challenge #25

We are on Page 34 for challenge #25 and the technique we're using is Scribble Stain Distress.

happy new year tag

I love this technique because you never know exactly what you will get when you turn your tag, card or paper over.

It's still not too late to get in on this challenge.  Due to the holidays, Linda has extended the challenge until 8pm mountain time - Sunday, January 2, 2011.  

Platinum Stickles - my favorite color!

Don't have the "A Compendium of Curiosities" book by Tim Holtz yet?  You can get one HERE at Inspiration Emporium!  Tell them I sent you :)

Not sure who this stamp is by because I bought it unmounted.
I thought it was just perfect for new years tags with the clocks and all.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!  What's next on the agenda????

Compendium of Curiosities Challenge #24

It's been awhile since I joined in the fun of the Compendium of Curiosities Challenges that my friend Linda Ledbetter has been hosting over on her blog.  Couldn't pass this one up though.  We're on Page 47 this week.  Wanna play?  Stop by Linda's blog for the details!

My piece was created on a 6" x 8" artist canvas panel

I can't give you the techniques used - you'll have to get a copy of the book to play along!  But what I CAN tell you is that we're using Tim's Rock Candy Distress Stickles Technique.  

I followed the technique as it was written in the book - adding my own flair to the project.

And as Linda mentions on her blog post for the challenge this week, it can be a little difficult to photograph.  Plus, I didn't wait for my piece to dry before photographing.


PS  I was number 3 on the list of winners who left a comment on Day 6 - tim holtz 12 Tags of Christmas!  If THAT isn't lucky I don't know what IS!  I think I'll go buy a lottery ticket this week *smiles*

Warrior Women Blog Hop Winner!

There were sooooo many fab-u-lous entries for the Warrior Women Blog Hop on Flickr that I had the hardest time making a decision about the winner.  But a decision was made and the winner IS . . .

Electra 1824

Congratulations Electra - please contact Linda Ledbetter for instructions on how to claim your prize!


But WAIT there's MORE . . . every one of you that participated by submitting a piece of art can have the opportunity for a chance at winning any item in my Etsy Shop - including the shipping and handling, as a thank you.  This chance to win is open to ALL participants, INCLUDING the Pink Ribbon Warrior Women!


All you need to do is leave a comment on this blog post and tell me what you would like to receive as your gift if you win.  That's it!


I will randomly select a winner from the entries on Tuesday evening at 6pm Pacific Standard Time.

Thank you Linda Ledbetter and all of the Pink Ribbon Warrior Women Blog Team members - Ellen Vargo, Hels Sheridan, Jennie, Judy Wood, Nancy Crissinger, Sharon Sutton and Tracy Jacobs for putting on this wonderful event in support of a cure for breast cancer and my personal healing journey.


And a big thank you to Eclectic Paperie for sponsoring such wonderful gifts for the give-away!


Still Fighting - One Day at a Time! - Sherry  X O 

Week No. 19 - Extreme Masking and Breast Cancer Stuff

First, in case you hadn't heard, I was the winner of Week No. 17 over at the All Things Tim yahoo group!  Yep, the moderator "mom" Gloria chose my necklace as the winning entry.  Now how cool is THAT?!  I was just tickled when I read that I had won for something that I am so obsessed with making *smiles*.  

Ok, so on to CCC #19.  If you would like to play along, turn to page 61 in your Compendium of Curiosities book.  And click HERE to get over to Studio L3 for more information on the challenge.  Just remember that you are NOT to post the technique instructions on your blog ok?  


What you ARE encouraged to do is include a link to Tim's website where your followers, blog lurkers, etc. can purchase one of his autographed books of their very OWN!  


Here's my entry for this week's challenge:

I used the following colors of Distress Inks:  Dusty Concord, Forest Moss, Bundled Sage, Crushed Olive, Faded Jeans, Broken China and Stormy Sky. 

And this was not part of the technique, but I also added a thick layer of Glossy Accents to my bird (it's still drying) to give the tag dimension . . .

Update on Breast cancer stuff:  

Bone density test Tuesday.  
Wednesday I'm going to my first support group meeting. Didn't think I would need a support group, but what did I know?!

And I just found out that my God Child's mother (who is also one of my bff's) has breast cancer - again!  Adrie had breast cancer years ago when she was living here in the States.  She is "back home" in Chalfont St. Peters in the U.K. now.  Well, cancer has hit the remaining breast and she just had surgery this past week and is now home recovering.  I tell you, this breast cancer thing is just a bitch isn't it?! *urrrrgh*


The rain is back in Southern California.  It's nice to be inside looking out :)  Have an art-filled day today!