Get the inside "SCOOP" on CHA with a special broadcast LIVE from the CHA Trade show floor

SAVE THE DATE!!!

More details to come later - We'll be offering a special broadcast LIVE from the CHA trade show floor in Los Angeles, California

 Monday January 31

Please note the special airing time:  11am EASTERN - 10am central and 8am Pacific

Friendly Plastic Brooch with a fun, vintage chic feel

Today on Cool2Craft I made a very fun and playful vintage style brooch with Friendly Plastic and one of my favorite techniques. Enjoy the video - courtesy of Tiffany Windsor of Cool2Craft.



In case you missed the live show, you can watch the replay of the entire show by clicking here

It's been an awesome year and my privledge to be one of the featured guests on Tiffany's show. January 3 begins the NEW SEASON on the Cool2Craft NETWORK!

Read all about the upcoming shows here

Eco-Friendly Plastic jewelry on Cool2Craft Monday December 27

Join guests Heidi Borchers aka EcoHeidi and me as we present some really cool jewelry projects featuring PLASTIC!  Heidi will make an eco-friendy project using recycled bottles to create this fun mixed media necklace and I'll be using my favorite...FRIENDLY PLASTIC to put a vintage chic spin on a favorite technique...

So please join us and meet some new crafty friends on Cool2Craft the #1 Coolest Crafting LIVE webTV show on the net!!!

Join us for pre-show chat too!!  Monday's at Noon Eastern
Click here at showtime

Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop - Week 7 - Hugs N Kisses Even if You're a Train Robber...

I know by now, ya'll expect a story...but I bet you're wondering.."What's up with the whole train robber thing?"....well...that's where the story begins.....

This is a picture of my Grandpa Campbell - probably sometime around the late 1960's early 70's standing next to the Frisco Silver Dollar Line steam engine at Silver Dollar City.  We vacationed in Branson, MO every year and the highlight of the trip for me as a little girl was to go to Silver Dollar City and ride the train and get robbed....

When I was 13 we moved to Branson. Silver Dollar City became a weekly hang out for me an all my friends....and yes...we would ride the train ....and get robbed....and ...somehow..as corny as the whole robbers skit was..and still is....I loved it....and I always wanted to be a train robber at Silver Dollar City....cuz it looked like fun......and silly ....and you could just laugh......and the tourists loved it....(just imagine the look on a  prospective employer's face when you have train robber on your list of occupations....)

My friend Charlotte and I loved it so much, we would dress up as hillbillies and pretend...and do the skit in the back yard.... HOLLAR UGLY!...the skit would start out....."Well...I may be UGLY...but ya'll paid to see me...this is a stick up! " What dorks we were back then....\

Well...my dream never came true (unless someone working at SDC right now reads this...and offers it to me....hey - I'd be up for it for a day or two....)

It's seems the apple didnt fall far from the tree.......fast forward about 20 years....I now have two kids...I'm working at Silver Dollar City selling polymer clay miniatures....and my kids Alex and Mariah LOVE LOVE LOVE the train...they're riding it nearly every day. 

Before our drive to work....it's mandatory that we have to stop at the convience store to buy candy for the train robbers.....but not just any candy....Hershy's Chocolate Kisses.....because.....Mariah thinks that one of the train robbers is cute and when he comes up to the window to rob her....she wants to give him a "kiss" instead.......

And wouldn't ya know....those little chocolate kisses melted the robber's hearts...and they became friends.  It wasn't strange that they would call me and invite Alex and Mariah  to the Robber's shack for lunch or to sit in the shack and watch them rob the trains.......Musta been a great life for a kid huh???



So the kids are grown.....but even still ...it's mandatory when we visit Silver Dollar City, we ride the train and give'm kisses....

Because everyone ya know...needs a hug and a kiss once in a while.....even if you're a train robber......


Thanks to Eileen Hull the designer of the Treat Bag Topper Sizzix bigz die for designing such  fun fun fun die shapes to work with.  As you can tell by the story...it had great memories for me...made me smile...made me appreciate how quick my kids grew up.....and without the opportunity to work with this die this week...I might not have the smile on my face now  after remembering these fun family times...

I added a little tulle....cuz It reminds me how girly girl Mariah was when she was little...she liked rufles....The XO reminds me of the Hershey's Hugs and Kisses we bought the robbers....The stringy fringe...because everything we do has strings attached...good and bad.....and the treat bag to wrap it all up in a nice little happy package...

Thanks too to my Kids, Alex and Mariah for making such great memories for a Mom to remember...(Im sure Alex wants to just die right about now......)

Snowmen that won't Melt on Cool2Craft! and the FAVECRAFTS Blog Hop

Im really gettin' into this whole Blog Hoppy thing....It's such a great way to see a variety of creative inspiration without spending alot of time googling every key word that you can think of....

Along with the Sizzix Triple Play blog hop, the folks at FaveCraft's have started a blog hop called "Finished on the 15th"...Okay..so technically mine is finished "BY" the 15th...but none the less it gives you an opportunity to hop down to all my posts from the last month to get a little creative juice flowin in your brain.....

If  you missed yesterday' Cool2Craft show and my demo on creating Snowmen from polymer clay - not a problem!!!
Just click here and you can watch the ENTIRE recorded show in the playback room!
or watch my segment below



Enjoy the show...and enjoy the hop...
RELAX and BE HOPPY!!!

POLYMER CLAY SNOWMEN on Cool2Craft TODAY!!!!

By popular request, I'm bringing the polymer clay characters to visit Cool2Craft TODAY!!!  So, join me at 11am (central) on the Cool2Craft channel to see great craft demo's from your favorite guests!!

To celebrate WINTER (yikes It's cold here in Missouri folks - that's a negative 6 degree windchill this morning)....Im offering the entire POM Club CD Rom at 25% off!!! And as a special thank you to our viewers on Cool2Craft - I'm throwing in an additional 12 projects for FREE!!!

The CD Rom already includes over 110 fully stepped out projects featuring a variety of themes and now you'll have an extra 12 projects to keep you inspired.

In order to take advantage of the discount - you'll have to watch Cool2Craft for the Discount Code that I'll give today....and if you can't make it...it's okay...we record the show and you can watch the playback!

Offer is only good for a few days so.....whatcha waiting for!! Come Craft with us!!

Watch the show - CLICK HERE
ORDER THE POM CLUB PROJECT CD - CLICK HERE

Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop - still feeling the love..........

I think it's part of my art healing therapy that Im into mixed media collage... It allows me to jump right in...full force...get messy...get gluey...get glittered....and get creatin'!.  A pre-requisite to begin this collage is green paint.... no...not on the canvas....not on your clothes.. but in your HAIR!!!...yes..when I went to grab the green paint and squirted it on my paper plate..uh humm....i mean..artist palette....It went "POOF" up in the air and into my hair...and my blonde hair went to a sage green....in a streaky sorta way.....

Well...I could have washed it out immediately...but I laughed and thought...no...go with the flow and thus I painted, glued, glittered and collaged with green hair....
So the word that I wanted to feature this week was LOVE....and then I woke up in the middle of the night last night thinking...OMG - That was the theme of my last hop project!...Oh well...must be something important to me if I'm still creating with LOVE.....

I wanted to use this years pictures of my girls....I actually have four kids - two of my own - Alex and Mariah and two step-daughters - Elise and Julia.  I'm pretty confident that Alex didnt want to be included in this collage...he hates his picture taken ...so...sorry Al...

But, my thought process as I was designing was "reflect" and "love"...I was reflecting on all the happy times we've had this year as a family.  We've had some really steep challenges, that I'll keep personal, but in retrospect, we've been able to work thru those as family and as individuals and to grow in our own relationships together.  I LOVE that!

What I LOVE about Elise.....

She is 14...a very tender and hard year to be a growing girl.  This kid is a truely warm, sensitive and caring person....she has lots of empathy for what others have gone thru and what they are going thru....she also has a beautiful voice and is about to be featured as a lead solo for her junior high jazz band... She's so talented!

As I began designing with this picture, I couldn't help but feel a sense of connection to her.  It's hard to have a step mom in your life when you've already got a great mom.  It can pose a real challenge and like I said, we've both grown this year.  This picture was taken on a "Step-mom, Step-daughter day...just me and her sharing some fun at a local art faire.   It was the day after I had come home from Minneapolis and she wanted "me" to take her.  I felt honored and priveledged and this is a very special picture in my heart...I LOVE it and all the memories that go with it....(just look at that beautiful brace-y smile...)

And next I have Mariah

She's my own and as I worked with her picture I thought of all the lessons that our kids can teach us... She is a great lesson of strength and endurance amidst all the challenges and illness she's had in her lifetime. She's a fighter...She is a nurturer and her beauty is deep within her soul.  We've shared alot of moments - fun, and heartwrenching and there is nothing quite like the LOVE that is shared with your children...

This picture was taken on our family vacation in Florida over the past summer....I'm also reminded that she isnt a child any longer...she's 19....and I LOVE the young woman she's turned out to be...\\

And the "BABY" of the family....Julia who I call "Jujie" She's just turned 9....

and oh can she make me laugh...she has wit...and loves to be dramatic...center stage...funny...and not afraid to get dirty...yet she is amazingly girly girl and LOVEs photoshoots.  So that's what we did....we spent some stepmom/stepdaughter girl time in Florida...she dressed all up and we pretended that she was on a photo shoot...Jujie is also very caring...but isn't afraid to tell ya what she's thinking....I LOVE that about her....

So when you put it all together....you get a big picture of LOVE....

All collaged together...each with their personalities...and full of words expressing why I "Love my Girls"....

Now...the products...

Brenda Pinnicks  Brackets Album:  Because the frame helps you focus on those you LOVE...

Canvas because well...you gotta have a base in which to grow some LOVE...

Muslin and Denim - I gotta have texture...Life is full of texture...you know that things that happen so that life isn't boring?  Life isn't flat...so neither are my paintings and collages...

Flowers - This is Tim Holt's flower die...and I love it because it's layered...and it gives a warm gentle touch...and a little softness to the collage...and it's girly girl...

Glitter and Rhinestones...well...a girl's gotta have her bling!!! Right ladies??

Paint...like I said...I really had to get into the painting...I love how I can be expressive with my hands and finger paint...and get messy....and loose myself in the creative process...

ModPODGE...where's Mod Podge Amy?? Hey I'm runnin out of Mod Podge...I have to use it...It glues my pieces of life back together when they fray, rip and tear!!! I LOVE ModPODGE!

WORDS: I LOVE 'em...they allow me to be expressive...for me to be me...(and you can make them any size you wanna...)

Thanks to all for letting me share this project with you...I hope you'll make a love collage...and reflect on all the things in live that you "LOVE".....

Okay.. Hop on over to the next - click on the button at the top over there -------------->

When the boy's go hunting..................

THE GIRLS GO TO CRAFTING!!!!

I think Dana was feeling a little sorry for me this weekend.  He was on his annual deer camp hunting trip to the farm in Iowa and he left me behind thinking all the time "HE" was the one going to have fun...while I had to stay home and go to a scrapbooking retreat....Oooohhhhh...pooor me.... ...

So to put this in better perspective.....Iowa is barely above  25 degrees the whole time that he's there running around outside like a little boy chasing deer through the woods......freezing cold.....meanwhile....me and 13 other girlfriends are snug as a bug at Blackberry Creek Bed and Breakfast retreat crafting to the smell of delicious pies in the oven permeating the air, fresh ground coffee and listening the the crackle of the fireplace...no husbands...no kids....no dirty dishes...no cell phone........whaddya say girlfriends....who got the better end of that deal???

So let me tell you about this retreat...In fact plans are in the works to hold a very special Art N Soul spa retreat at this location next fall....and here's a little glimpse of what awaits you......

Blackberry Creek Retreat is nestled in the Ozark mountains, 22 miles from Springfield Missouri in a rural community.  This property boasts 44 acres of woods, hiking trails, ponds, wildlife and a 6000 square foot Bed N Breakfast facility that is so inviting and so warm...I swear you never want to leave!!!  (seriously...they had to push me out the door)...



Our hosts are Mark and Dixie



The sweetest couple you'd ever want to meet.  They were so hospitable and their cooking....well...you know me and food......let me just say three letters ... T D F (too die for)... Mark prepared the most gourmet meals, with help of Dixie and her delicious salads and desserts....oh we were spoiled!!!! take a look...

..

 Since we were secluded, snug and cozy....without cell service I might add......we spent the night scrapbooking, papercrafting, laughing and giggling just like little girls in high school....

(So...I ask Donna Sue for a hole punch and she hands me this ..."THING" which I have NO idea how to use....which is usually the other way around - usually she's askin' me.....joke's on me this time...) And of course that's a kodak moment.....

craftin in your jammies is always a plus......and don't forget your cute slippers too!!!

...Some of us didnt go to bed until 5:30am...

but at that point ....what's the point of bed?.....just crawl on over and sleep in a chair next to the fireplace.....

 
 or better yet....just stay where you are and take a snooze....uh...I mean ...power nap!

 and then wake up to the sweet smell of roasted coffee, the warm glow of the fireplace....breakfast cooking and sit down to more of this....

 and this.....gettin hungry yet?????

By now I think I've morphed into a roly-poly..... Im just stuffed!!!!  But that didnt stop me from making a mess....

they all laughed because I brought my paper, inks, scissors, glue, a gallon of Mod Podge, paint, computer, printer AND my sewing machine...yep I had it all....and they laughed....but...I used it all....and I created some stuff that I'll share with you later on that Im really proud of.......

I'm still grinnin from ear to ear....nothin better than great friends, creativity....and lots and lots of  laughter to sooth your soul .....

I'll have a major announcement coming up in January so make sure check back...or better yet, sign up for the newsletter so you don't miss it!!!!

It's official! I'm having my own show on the Cool2Craft network - Linda Peterson Live



Hosted by author, designer and industry expert Linda Peterson, this show is all about “Livin’ the creative life” featuring creative ways to connect home and family. From “trash to treasure” –flea market finds, finding healing thru art, upscaling on a budget, decorating, wild game cookery and more, each episode will connect you to home and family memories. We want you to leave the show feeling great, full of warm fuzzies and exploding with creative inspiration to make your life happy.


About Linda Peterson


•Linda began her professional career 19 years ago after the birth of her second child who was diagnosed at two months with brain cancer. As a stay at home mother of two, she used art and creativity to help cope with stress and the challenges of life that were thrown her way. “Creativity was, for me, a great way to cope. I want to share what I’ve learned with other’s facing similar challenges, hoping they can find a little peace and happiness along their journey”. Happy to say that her 19-year old daughter is now in remission, Linda still pursues her career in the arts and crafts industry.


•She’s authored 10 how-to books on creating with polymer clay and jewelry. Her latest book, MetalWork Jewelry, by Cico Books is set to be released in March 2011. Her designs have been featured in many national and international publications.


•She has made featured guest appearances on HGTV’s the Carol Duvall Show, DIY Scrapbooking, DIY Jewelrymaking, PBS Scrapbook Memories, Beads Baubles and Jewels and web TV’s Cool2Craft with Tiffany Windsor and is the product spokesperson for Friendly Plastic.


•Linda makes her home in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri with her husband and four kids. As a family they love the outdoors –hunting, fishing and cooking are all part of their many family oriented activities.

So...there you have it!  This show is about FAMILY...connecting family and creating memories with family and friends.

Join me won't you for my PREMIERE!!  January 24, 2011 at Noon on the Cool2Craft Network!

For information about all the NEW shows on Cool2Craft Network visit http://www.cool2craft.com/

This will be officially announced on Monday December 13th on Cool2Craft...but you heard it here first!

Sorry! but I have to "hop out" for this week.......

Im so disappointed - but I really need to Hop out this week....
I just had so many pressing deadlines that the time went...WHOOP! and It's gone! (shucks - I even had a story too!!)

Thank you for all the wonderful comments from all the previous projects. I'm sure you're going to see more amazing work today!!!

But for now....hop on!! ---------------------------------------->

Linda Peterson to teach at CrafTech University's Craft JAM!!! - Hardware Chic Jewelry

Oh my goodness! This is just the FIRST of very exciting, I mean REALLY Exciting announcements coming your way. I've got lots more the share..but for right now, I gotta keep somethings a little secret!!!...but for now I can share this!!! (and so you don't miss out on any announcements - be sure to sign up --------> over the on the right for the newsletters...)

See you soon!!!

So you don't want to sit and watch football all day?? Leave the games with the boys and

Join your favorite instructors for  6 hours of CRAFT MANIA!! 

LIVE * INTERACTIVE * ONLINE
NEW YEARS DAY - JANUARY 1st
Beginning at 11am

 HARDWARE CHIC!!  with Linda Peterson

11am to 1pm central

Create the latest trend in jewelry

Learn wire wrapping, create your own found object elements and more as you design a necklace that will be the envy of your friends - Class kit included ** Please note: Additional supplies and tools will be needed **

Cool2Cast TECHniques with Tiffany Windsor
1:30pm to 3:30pm central

Learn the basics of Cool2Cast fibre plaster - Color, Stamp, Embed and MORE

Elements can be used in jewelry making, papercrafting, home decor projects

Kit available at an additional $14.99 - click here to order kit

2 hours
** Please note: Additional supplies and tools will be needed **

TERRIFIC TECHniques Cardmaking with Samantha Star
4pm to 6pm

Join Samantha as you create 4 gorgeous cards! She will be covering a variety of different stamping, embossing, faux-finish and distressing techniques. Use inks to create a faux-velvet finish, learn how to emboss and de-boss, as well a fun twist on a resist technique.

Kit included - 2 hours
** Please note: Additional supplies and tools will be needed **

This CRAFT JAM Day is PACKED with loads and loads of TECHNIQUES!

Thank Goodness it's recorded so you don't have to remember - or take super fast notes.

Work right along with our instructors  - review the class at your leisure.

This class is limited!

Participants will be sent a complimentary link to the class - however you must sign up before

the class to receive the link.  It will not be available as an on-demand purchase.

Purchase the classes individually $35 each

or SAVE $15 with an all day JAM PASS! - Only $90

Register NOW! - ALL DAY JAM PASS - click here

Register now for Hardware Chic - Linda Peterson - Click here
Register for Cool2Cast Class with Tiffany Winsdor - Click here
Register for TEN Techniques with Samantha Star - Click here

Sizzix TriplePlay Blog Hop - Week 4 - A beautiful Love Story

How would you define Love?  What is Love?  I'm sure if I asked a hundred different people, I'd get a hundred different answers on what love is to them. 

I believe love has many facets.....there's the romantic love....there's the love you feel for your child, for your siblings....there is agape' love....and of course the greatest example of love is God....because the God IS love. 

I'm very fortunate to have experienced love....and see a great example of TRUE LOVE in action.  It's funny how love develops...and how it changes over time...but as it changes...it deepens....

I want to introduce you to the two most beautiful people in the world....my Mom and Dad..(Jane and Larry)..they are a beautiful example of TRUE LOVE.

As so the theme of this week's blog hop is obviously dedicated to them......

They've been together over 50 years and will be married 50 years in April 2011.  Back in 1961, they were a young couple in their twenties....their whole life ahead of them.  Dad was in the army...(2 years, 3months and 28 days - long story)...and Im sure life was a struggle for them to make ends meet.   Dad is a very smart man and by way of a little fortune in his life, he began working in the computer industry.  Mom never worked outside the home until I was much older.  She worked very hard as a homemaker...an excellent home maker...always having a delicious home cooked meal every night....clean house...and she taught me to sew and so much more...

You don't know as you're growing up, watching your parents live life that you're being taught the greatest of life's lessons...the lesson of giving ...caring ...and love....

Well...it's 50 years later for my parents.....and their love has never died..but it's changed.  Mom's been in the hospital now just over 2 months.  My Dad greets my Mom each day with a warm smile and a "How's my baby girl doing today?"....he is there beside her every moment that he can to attend to her.... beautiful example of LOVE....

Mom would probably kill me right now if she saw I posted this picture of her without her make up on and her hair all done up....but I know it doesnt take makeup and great hair to be beautiful.

I snapped the photo of them just a week or so ago with my cell phone. The quality of the picture is bad...but the emotions...and the LOVE that oozes out of it is priceless. As I looked at the photo...I couldnt help but think (and sing it as I made this project) of Nat King Cole's LOVE song. and how it describes that picture perfectly...

L - is for the way you LOOK at me....

O - is for the only one I see

V - is very very....EXTRAORDINARY

E- is even more than anyone that you adore

And love is all that I can give to you...
Love more than just a game for two..
Two in love can make it..
Take my heart and please don't break it...

....yes LOVE was made for me and YOU.....

and yes....LOVE...

and I thank God every day for the giving me the most beautiful gift of love...

MY MOM AND DAD!

Love you both!

Now...for the hows and why's of the project...

 Sizzix ScoreBoards Pro Die – Frame & Frame Back with Stand #656835 by Eileen Hull  - sometimes it's good to put a frame around one aspect of your life so that you can just focus and reflect on it for a while...

Acrylic Paint in peachy, minty, creamy colors because they say "romance" and love to me...

Collaged Fabric accents - Like the "LOVE and the Heart" - remind me of Mom's quilts...She makes the most gorgeous baby quilts you'd ever want to see....

Lacey Rosette - because this is totally MOM's personality..she loves foof! And it's beautiful...just like their enduring love..

The white doily in the background -  reminiscent of Mom's successful wholesale doily business Memory Lane Gifts that she started when I was in high school.

Decopauged Roses - mom's favorite flower and the flowers Dad buys her on their anniversary..(he better save up...50 roses is going to cost a TON of moo-lah!)

And of course the Words....which is an outward expression of how I feel about them....

Hope this post helps you to pause for a while and reflect on the one or two or more beautiful people in your life....Why not tell them how much you love them???

okay...now for me to get a box of kleenex.....and HOP!

Just runnin a little behind today....

I really thought this was only Monday....I mean the last time I looked at the calendar it said Monday....Oh MY....

Im running just a little behind the schedule today......But I guarantee you wont want to miss the story behind this project.......Sooo.....check back in later today...or better yet...

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

And this nice little widget will deliver this hop...directly into your "inbox" so you wont have to hop all over to try to find the post you missed.....

So...see ya in a few...

Here's Hopin!

I really can't say THANK YOU enough to Sizzix and my designer friend Eileen Hull for the opportunity to be a part of such a great blog hop! 

I really had no expectations regarding this hop at all, but it's given me sooo much more than I ever expected...... What you ask???

It gave me permission.....yep...permission to create....to create "ME" projects...what I wanted to do...products "I" wanted to use...and make what I wanted to make. Permission to just DO...and if necessary...FAIL and say...well...I tried...and move on.

It's during this process that I believe I've really grown as a designer and as an artist.

Life for me is very stressful right now.  Im dealing with so many raw emotions - and on the outside...I can put on the game face and be happy...but all while on the inside, my heart is breaking.

CANCER! It's an ugly - ugly - ugly word!  Disease...just plain icky-ness with lots and lots of sticky-sticky garbage piled on top!  As many of you know...my Mom is suffering from all the sickening effects from ugly ugly cancer.  I would be lying if I said it hasn't taken it's toll on me....and especially on my Dad.

So during all these hops the past few weeks, I've written stories to go along with my project designs...stories about my life growing up...happy memories...take me away from reality for a moment stories.....

I've used this hop as a form of art therapy.  I allowed myself to write off all the ugly emotions I was feeling at the time.....yanking them outta my brain...and replacing them with happy memories.....and empowering thoughts....and making projects that I can look at and feel good about....

This multi-media painting simply titled "HOPE" is just a small snippit of a larger painting that I created last week.  It's one piece in a collection of paintings focusing on faith, hope and love.  It's multi-layered and textured (just like my life) and respresents so much of what I was feeling at the time.  It really was MOOD changing!

While I don't believe that if you immerse yourself in art or buy all the craft supplies in the world you will be healed....I do know that art allows you to escape for a time, helps to relieve stress - which we all know has a TON of health benefits...and above all it gives you the ability to look thru the windows of life, refocus and see HOPE at the end of the tunnel!

 I am once again smiling...because I FEEL like SMILING...and Happy..despite stress....

So here's Hopin!  Hopin you can also find a sense of relief thru art and just get a little respite...

I hope you come back for more!...(which is code for....sign up for my newsletters!!!) shameful self-promotion isn't it?

VIDEO TIME: Polymer Clay Rattlesnake Beads - Bead Techniques - Linda Peterson

So just in case you weren't able to join us today.....here's the clip of my segment featuring rattlesnake beads using polymer clay.  This is a feature in my book BEAD TECHNIQUES....



Thank you to Tiffany Windsor for editing this segment.  And remember - you can watch Cool2Craft each week on Monday at Noon and the PM edition on Wednesday at 9pm.

If you're interested in my books - visit my e-store at CrafTECH University.

Polymer Clay Rattlesnake Beads on Monday's Cool2Craft live - Linda Peterson

http://lindapetersondesigns.mybigcommerce.com/categories/Craft-Books-and-DVDs/Polymer clay is one of my favorite mediums to work with and tomorrow - I'm back on Cool2Craft Live Craft TV to share one of my favorite techniques to create rattlesnake patterned beads.  You wont believe how easy-peasy this technique is....but.....you have to watch it to find out..

Want more ideas?  Check out my book BEAD TECHNIQUES which features this technique and many more to simulate stones in polymer clay!

You can order it and my other books by clicking here

Watch the show live at NOON eastern
visit:  linqto.com/rooms/cool2craft

See you there!

Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop - Week 3 with Brenda Pinnick's Flower Die

This week was a challenge...not so much with the die itself, but with the color palette.  It's not colors I normally would have chosen.  S'okay though...Im up for the challenge...I mean how can you grow....uh heh...s'cuz me...BLOSSOM without a few little challenges along the way? Right?  Do I hear a HECK YEAH?!!


And so the story goes..........Blossom.....


Last week I talked about empowerment and how you have to believe in yourself and how you have to show a little "tude" along the way....and after you do all that...you Blossom!


In keeping with my vintage chic style, I knew it had to have fabric....because...fabric is soft and tender...I wanted to create something for the wall...and I wanted to keep it very....comfy...yet powerful enough to speak to me ...to tell me to get over life's challenges and blossom!


I think of each of the petals as one of life's journeys.....each petal shaping your life...your personality...sometimes there's little bug bites along the way that ruffle your petals...but in no way does that deter the flower from opening up...from blossoming forth in all it's glorious beauty......

As I stitched the petals, I couldn't help but go back in time to when I was about 9 or 10....I was sitting on the couch....in the living room of Grandma Campbell's house...it was late at night and I had waited all day for this special treat.  For Grandma to get out the box!  It was a Baskin Robins box that Grandma had decoupaged fabric in this very same color pallete and trimmed it in lots and lots of red rick rac.  Inside it contained...what I thought at the time (still do...) little pieces of treasure....lace....ribbon....scraps of fabric......

We sat there on the couch together....sewing....doll clothes....little tiny stitches..until midnight when Grandpa would come home from work and Grandma would fix him fried steak n eggs......Great memories!


As I worked with this yellow, I thought two things........Honey....the sweetness of honey....and the color of my Baby Beans....the one that Grandpa gave to me...all wrapped up for no reason...."just because" he said, "I saw this and thought of you"....(by the way still have baby beans..)...


I can sit here and think of all the good times....and the little bug bites in my life....and Im glad that like the flower....I chose to learn from them...and Blossom!  I hope you do too!

So...now here's the skinny on the materials....


Sizzix Flower Die by Brenda Pinnick - cuz...with out this...there's no blossom!
Fabric....for a soft delicate touch...
Felt....cuz I felt like it....no really because it was included in the kit....but I love felt...It's warm and cozy...
5 x 7 artist canvas....serves as the "dirt" in the project and gives the flower something to grow on....
Embroidery floss - Stitching....cuz...it takes me back in time......
Burlap...because I found some when I was scrounging around for stuff to use...and this totally a "me" thing..cant throw anything away...who knows where it came from...
Beads:  to add a glimmer of sparkle for those moments that really shine.
Loopy Trim...just reminded me of grass blowing about in the breeze...I know it's brown grass from lack of water...just pretend with me will ya??
Glue and Staples...the things that keep us...and this project from falling apart
Paper....cuz..it has words on it....and I like words.....
Soda tab...my little part in being eco-friendly...

A HUGE Thanks to Brenda Pinnick for the inspiration and the colors she chose.  Brenda teaches awesome color workshops so be sure to check out her website for all the skinny on her Color U


okay now...Hop along...Hop Along....there's lots more for you to see!

Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop - Week 3 with Brenda Pinnick - Sneaky Peaky

I'm carring on with the vintage chic theme again this week - Goodness gracious I'm having fun with this.

Another week of the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop begins tomorrow

Come back and read up on the story that goes with this theme....

Be Hoppy!

Friendly Plastic on today's Cool2Craft Live

Im showing the technique to Bling up your Friendly Plastic jewelry - Live on today's Cool2Craft show with Tiffany Windsor.

We're making dimensional pendings using lots and lots of fun materials! 

Kit available for $16.95 at CrafTECH University

The Cool2Craft Line up features guests:

   Heidi Borchers

   Candace Jedrowicz

   Brenda Pinnick

   Tiffany Windsor

   Linda Peterson

Watch the show live at 12 noon eastern (11am Central, 9am Pacific) click here.

Linda Peterson is compensated and endorsed by AMACO. The guests features may or may not have any affiliation with AMACO.

The making of MetalWork Jewelry - Steampunk meets Hardware Chic

I was so UBERLY (is that even a word?) excited today when I opened up my email to find the final jacket design of my next book - MetalWork Jewelry by Cico Books (release March 2011)calling out for me to open it!!

 A few weeks after signing the contract, I send a few projects ahead of time and a small blad - or sampling of the book is put together to give to the sales team.  Inside, there is a mock up of projects and the layout of the book to give the book buyers an idea of the designs that will be featured inside....

Here's a closeup of the front cover and...

the back cover.....

Now....it's time for me to proof the copy...and then it's off to the printer!!!!  I can't wait!

You can pre-order an autographed copy of the book by

clicking here

Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop - WEEK 2 - Pop Up Box by Karen Burnisten

In yesterday's post, I gave you a sneaky peek at the thought process I was having in designing this project.  


I generally don't assemble pop-up's and Im not a paper engineer in any way, so I knew that I had a challenge awaiting.  Which left me a little....well..... apprehensive.... unsure...didn't really know what I was going to do. 


Can you relate? Ever have that happen to you when you tackle even the smallest challenge? Be it creative? or one of those little life's challenges that lay before you?  Feeling a little self doubt, what if I fail....what if ...what if...what if ....until you've What-If'd yourself right into a creative block or corner and you just want to hide....


Well...I needed to get those WHAT IF varmits out - so I grabbed my art journal and a few things that were laying around and let them go...I painted the paper real quick...wrote down my doubts...or just what came to mind at the time....and pulled them right out of my head!  Let go of them.....Amazing how liberating that was....and FUN!.EMPOWERMENT! WOW!..So this got me going....

jumpstart!

We all should have AH-HAH moments the I'm in control of me moments... and say with conviction....

just look at these ladies.....think they have a little of the "tude" goin' on??? OH YEAH BABE...I can assure you they do!  (I happen to know that the far one on the left is my Great-Great Grandma Sarah McClellan.....so now I know where I get it...)


I think we all go thru moments of self doubt when tackling some uncharted territory...so here's a little thought.. remember, all you have to do is............................

 

of course it doesn't hurt to

and know that you are loved.....

 (aww...Im feelin the warm fuzzies now...) 

and even thru the toughest challenges....just like an airplane that soars thru the clouds on a rainy day to find the sunshine..

tell yourself "I WILL...

When you take a look back at what you've accomplished..

you'll realize that you are STRONG and you - MY DEAR - are BEAUTIFUL and you've come out on top!

So while this box isn't a pop-up at all....I wanted it to be, but life's challenges got in the way of my creative time...so I turned this into a paperweight...It will be on my desk continually reminding me of these very things...and sometimes it will give me a swift kick in the batookie when I'm feeling a little sorry for myself...

Just simple little words........but OH SO EMPOWERING!

Now...the elements and why....

Sizzix POP UP Die by Karen Burnisten - because this was the basis for the project

Paper by Die Cuts with a View - it was precut from this cardstock.

Fabric..a little tattern and torn...cuz sometimes well...life roughs you up...

An organza bow - because...it's beatiful and delicate - just like our own personalities...

Buttons...just because they remind me of Grandma...

Words...I love words....they're fun...they're expressive...

Paint and ink because it's messy and I get into my work...Im more expressive that way..and it's a stress reliever..and I don't use a painbrush...I use my fingers...

Stitching because it makes me use my Mom's avocado green Kenmore sewing machine which is older than me... It sews two kinds of stitches...straight...and zig zag...nuf said...

Mod Podge because....not only does Mod Podge ROCK...it glues the seams of our lives back together when they fray..

So hope you're empowered today to accomplish what you've wanted to do... (like sign up for my newsletter and subscribe to my blog..which I know you've always wanted to do...)

But for now...quit reading this and GET HOPPIN!!!

Click on the Sizzix Button on the upper right to HOP ON!