getting ready.....

Classes in Livonia!!!
It's in the works!!!!
Watch here for pictures and more!!!
Springtime!!!

And how about that beautiful weather in Michigan???
I didn't even bring my winter coat!!!!  In February??!!!
Amazing!!!

margie

it's Rodeo week here in Tucson.  We went a cowboy concert last night - reminded me of the Matt Wotroba concerts back home.  And the parade is this morning.  All the schools are closed today and tomorrow so everyone can attend the happenings!  Fun times!

how do they keep their shirts sooooo clean?

sewing.......

I'm a sucker for bunnies and any kind of stuffed creatures.  So......when I saw a pattern for this, I had to give it a try.  I've had the chenille for years (it was going to be part of a fabric book) and the felt, too.  Oh, and the pom-pom makers (in three sizes!).

He is just over 12" tall.  I embroidered his little face instead of using buttons - don't want buttons for little babies.  It wasn't difficult, well, turning him right side out took a little time.  The pattern called for a stretchier fabric but with patience and a chopstick, it all worked out.

I really like a project that I have everything that is needed to complete.  And I really like the way he turned out - soft and squishy.

and here is my first entry in my journal........

crayola water colors

added doodles but had some trouble
with the pens writing smoothly over some of
the paint colors.

does anyone else "collect" black pens?
this pile doesn't include any of my black felt markers
and that is probably what I should have used in the first place.

The idea came from Kristina Werner's blog last week.  

And check out this paper!  Heidi Swapp Magnolia Jane......

The photo does not begin to show the richness of the colors.  I am planning a card class with these.

And it is going to be an In-person class back in Michigan, I hope.  (that's a little hint....).

More details will follow next week - at least that is my plan.

Woriking on  this little book, too.  Trust me, it will be a little book!

Last call for February Sketch and Scraps card kits.  

More info is in an earlier post.

And thanks to everyone that has purchased this year's class. (you still can!).

Be back in a few days.........

margie

sketches and scraps!

The February Sketches and Scraps Cards are ready to send.
$8 will get you 8 cards with directions and photos.
Hints and fun techniques, too.
Need some inspiration?  This might do it for you!!

Here's a peek!

Want something even more inspiring?

I have some card kits available for $8.50

included in the kit:

cards/envelopes

all paper cut to size

stamped images

embellishments.

you provide the adhesives!

email me if you are interested or leave a comment here.

thanks for stopping by!

Check back for some pictures of what I have been up to today.

And now, on to that art journal I made last week..........

margie

oops!

got a little off track with the art journal and worked on these for a day or two.......

February Sketches and Scraps 2017 will be available very soon! 

Need some winter inspiration?  These may do the trick!

A few kits will be available, too.

The journal is ready to go.  Right now it doesn't look like much.  chipboard covers, bristol pages put together with a version of the coptic stitch.  4 x 6 in size and 16 pages.  

As soon as the baby bunny stuffed animal is finished, I will be back to the journal.

We're having a heat wave here:  88 degrees is the expected HI today.  Yikes!!

Thanks for stopping by!

margie

plan B

well, the journal cover didn't quite work so on to plan B, which is drying under some very heavy books.
And, I now have an empty journal cover, ready to fill when I need one.
Still moving forward.......

january 31!!

what happened?  It's already the end of January, 2017!
That means I have what's left of this day to complete my art journal for the year.  I am challenging myself to create one page (yes just one page) per month in an art journal.  Wow big challenge, huh?

Well, it can be more than one, if I want, but at least one is the challenge!  Luckily I have been getting things done.  Saturday I folded the signatures.  Sunday I found the chipboard.  Yesterday I sewed the signatures together, cut the chipboard to size, and decided on the cover papers!  Whew that was a lot!
This morning I will be finishing the covers and attaching the signatures.  Oh, there are four signatures that create 8 pages.  That way if I do get inspiration, I have more pages.  And it leaves room for a double page or two, if I decide I need to go big....
Oops!  no completed pages for January planned today.  Maybe I can sneak one in, though.......
The journal is 4 x 6 ( so double pages would be 8 x 6) - not too big but then it seems do-able for me.

I will be back to show the "finished" journal later.

Want to join me????

look what came in the mail!

Prima pads and flowers!

looks like a few baby albums will be made
I love this paper and it took a while to
find........so cute!!

decided to get this one, too
and some little flowers

Prima has more coming, too.  So does every company!  Watch your favorite store or check out Funkie Junkie online.  They have great prices and reasonable shipping.  That's where I found the Heaven Sent paper pad.  It was long gone from every other store.  

My kitty hats are finished.  The Baby Shower items are finished, too.

I'm ready to get started on some new projects!

Stop back again!

margie

playtime on a rainy day

raining here.  cold (relatively speaking) too.  working on some ideas.  and something jumped in my  hands and I couldn't let it go......

this is the sketches and scraps project for January 2017.
see the previous post for more info.

practice for this year's valentines.
now I just "need" to get to Michael's for
the valentine paper that is on sale!

they jumped right in my hands and I couldn't put them down.
the tin alone is great!!

notice the little card above the tin?
watch for directions soon!

still my favorite technique but now with an added twist!
clear gesso protects the distressed ink background
and I can add texture and color without losing it.

got out the sewing machine.  no
more excuses about how "difficult"it is.....

the start of our grandbaby's afghan!
yep, baby bunny donovan is due in April!

from Trisha's cookbook shown here

my attempt.  tasted great!

photo heavy but I've been having fun!

margie

something new....

I am starting something new with Sketches and Scraps 2017.  There will be a little project added to the monthly cards.
This month I will be posting a cute little pop out card that is sure to wow you!
I am almost finished and will post a picture soon.

Like always, I will include pictures, measurements and ideas and hints along the way!   and the only way you can get it is with the purchase of a monthly card class.

What a deal!!  Eight cards and a project for only $8 per month.

watch for a picture or two real soon!

Sketches and Scraps 2017

I am pleased to announce the 2017 monthly card (and more) classes!

Sketches and Scraps 2017

a monthly class emailed to you

8 cards using 4 sketches

examples using papers, stamps, dies/punches, new and old techniques and more

complete instructions including step out pictures

suggestions for substituting what you have

bonus projects 

and more!!

all this for only $8 per month.  You can order one month or subscribe to as many as you would like.

January samples

This month the focus is on rubber stamping, dies and embossing.  And using up your scrap papers that are just too pretty to throw away!

Several techniques will be included.

I will also be using the paper collection Rossi Belle by Prima (A-4 size) for one set of cards this month. This pad includes 5 sheets of each double sided design, stickers, die cuts and more.  I love it because there is so much paper and the designs are the perfect size for card making. 

You won't be disappointed!!  Give it a try.  You can order by the month, or subscribe for more. And once you have them, they are yours forever!

Email me for ordering directions:  mad48152@gmail.com

or leave a comment on this post.

I will also have two kits available for purchase. The cost is $8.50 (postage included)

They will include all papers, cut to size, embellishments and stamped images; everything you need to create 4 cards except adhesives.  Samples can be seen in the above photo in the middle column.

I hope you join me in all the fun this year!