CHA Summer 2011 Show - Wrap Up - Nunn Design and Silversilk

One of my most popular blog posts is one that I wrote showcasing Nunn Designs and their gorgeous array of pendant blanks.  With mixed media being so popular, this is a great way to take your art with you and wear it as part of your wardrobe - it's like your own personalized fashion statement.

Not to dissappoint, Nunn Designs was again at the show to showcase her delicious Patera pendant blanks

The combination of transfer sheets, pendant blanks and uv resin makes creating beautiful jewelry really easy and quick.

Want more ideas from Nunn Designs?  Click here to see the Nunn Design Project Gallery

And get a peek behind the scenes at Nunn Design's booth at CHA - visit the Nunn Designs Blog

Now combine your beautiful pendants with this next company's chain.  Silversilk features gorgeous - absolutely to die for knitted chain.  It's so delicate and elegant and unfortunately, none of the pictures can do it justice.  Here's a couple of designs featured on their website:  silversilkonline.com

Watch for an upcoming video with a quick tutorial on how to make a french knot bracelet.

It was such a priviledge for me to get to walk the show this time and not be behind the demo table.  I really enjoyed meeting new folks and want to thank all the exhibitors that took time to speak with me about their product.

CHA SUMMER 2011 - Wrap up - Part 2

 What I think is SOOOOOOOOOOOO cool about this industry is the ability for companies to team up together and enhance the consumer's crafting experience.  And it's especially cool when companies like Spellbinder's are innovators in the industry and take the intiative to partner with other companies to bring about the whole package.

I left off in Part 1 with Want2Scrap. As I mentioned, they are known for creating bling, however,  I failed to mention that they are also one of SpellBinder's preferred partners.  They have designed a whole line of chipboard embellishments called NESTABOARD which made their debut this past week at the CHA summer 2011 show.   Combine your Nestaboard with your Nestabling for a beautiful look in minutes.   Nestaboard and Nestabling coordinate perfectly with Spellbinders Nestabilities line.

So simple - just cut your patterned paper from the matching Nestabilities die!  AND....then

BLING IT OUT with Nestabling!!

Love it when companies work together to design more goodies for us to play with!

Now onto Spellbinders!...I am personal friends with Stacey and Jeff - the founders. But, even if that weren't the case - I would still love their innovation and their passion to bring about great product to the consumer.

They debuted 50 new designs featuring flowers, boxes, alphas and more -  all sorts of fun patterns and did you know that their dies will now cut fabric and felt? OH the possibilities!!!

Stacey took a few minutes with me to show me how versatile the dies are:

Not only do their dies cut and emboss in detail - you can also use them as a stencil to add additional detail

 viola...pretty quick and easy! (love these mini shapes from the Presto Punch!)

Here's a sample using one of their newest butterfly dies.  Learn how to make this butterfly tag with a free tutorial.

and it's not only about making scrapbook pages or cards...check out this candy dish

made with their dies and Edgeabilities

Gorgeous!! For a free tutorial on how to make this candy dish - click here.

There's way to much to show you in this post -so be sure to check out Spellbinder's Website

Onto more goodies.... Let's drop by the Heartfelt Creations booth, another preferred partner of SpellBinders. 

They are primarily a rubberstamp company.  Along with their own line of beautiful stamps, they also make stamps that coordinate with Spellbinder's Dies. 

When you combine Heartfelt Creation stamps with Spellbinder's dies you will get this gorgeous result1

Love the texture and the depth of layering you get with this combination!

Imagine all the savings from having to purchase pre-made flower embellishments...WOW!

Visit Heartfelt Creations blog and get  free project instructions on how to make this delicious scrapbook page full of texture and flowers - click here

Well....that's a wrap for part 2.....and yes there's more!! Part 3 will feature designs from Nunn Designs, Silverleaf - a brand new exhibitor to the CHA show with a fabulous jewelry product you wont want to miss!

CHA Show - Wrap UP Part 1 - Friends - Artistic Wire - Handbehg Felts and Want2Scrap

I should probably baaaaaack up  a little and show you a photo of the "buzz" at the show.  I get excited when I see great attendance and I knew that although the show was small, the attendees were buzzing with excitement.  The vibe on the floor was contageous!

It's also a great time to catch up with all your crafty friends....

(left to right - Eileen Hull, Kathy Peterson, Julianna Hudgins and myself)

If you happen to mention just how great a massage would feel "right about now"...you might just get what you wished for...  the lady ahead of me in line was a licensed massage therapist and offered a massage....don't think for a moment I would turn that down!

JULIANNA HUDGINS also affectionately known to me and others as "Jewels" created a  huge buzz at the Beadalon Booth with the relaunch of Artistic Wire. She created amazing wire beads allll dddaaayyy long!!! And she hardly took a break!  Get all the info about Artistic Wire and see all their colors of wire by clicking here.

  Artist Wire isn't "just" for jewelry making, it's a perfect addition to cardmaking and your mixed media projects.

Jewels also taught a class on creating a bead and wrapping it around a lime colored dice...it was to "die" for...okay..bad joke...moving on..


I visited the booth Handbehg (pronouced - Hand Bag) Felts where "there is always a project waiting to happen"  I made a really cute flower pin to put on my badge.....

I couldn't resist the charm of their booth - very inspiring.  And check out those little chicks in the lower left corner of the pics.  They reminded me of "angry birds"...my favorite game - EVER!!!

And I Loved loved loved the way they displayed their cards and product - FABULOUS!
To see the entire product line of Handbehg Felts click here.

Just around the corner from this both was my newest Crafty GIRLFRIEND BFF -Michele from Want2Scrap

This is by far THE best business to be in because you cross paths with so many delightful people along the way.  We met briefly and I mean "blink of an eye" briefly at CHA Winter.  I didn't know at the time, I used Michele's Want2Scrap bling flourishes on my "inspire" art canvas that  later turned into an iPhone skin - to see that post - click here 

Well...we happened to chance path's again except this time we had a chance to really talk and we connect..like bff forever girlfriends and I am so thrilled because she has some pretty amazing product.
Her product is full of BLING and coordinates beautiful and perfectly with Spellbinder's dies. 

For more information about Want2Scrap and to keep up with all their excitement, visit their website or the Want2Scrap Blog

That's going to wrap up Part 1 -I'll be back soon with Part 2 Featuring Spellbinder's, HeartFelt Creations and highlights from the 10 minute craft challenge.

More Fashion Couture with iLoveToCreate - CHA Summer 2011

Don't you just love how mixed media can morph on to anything? It doesn't have to be wall art..it can find itself on handbags, shoes...clothes..jewelry.....on and on and on...or should I say the more hip term...dot dot dot...

Well..follow the dots to iLoveToCreate's booth where I met up with the mannequin's that my Crafty Sista's Tiffany Windsor and Heidi Borchers mixed up in their creative mind.....

It's hard to see but the skirt is fashioned from broken bits and pieces of plates, cups and saucers and adorned with Heidi's signature soda can jewelry....and how couture is it to have a matching pooch on a leash! I loved this idea - so proud of the crafty sista's!

 Loved this one with all the vintage buttons and the wings...

gorgeous!!!

Of course it doesnt stop there....how bout a little bling for the biker mama in you??...

 and a can-can dress....this dress makes me wanna dance!

 and shoes....dont forget the shoes...

 and the bodacious delicious collar necklaces...MMmmmMMmmm good!!!

CHA is like indulging in a pool full of eye candy......and there's more....so stay tuned...

PS...sorry that I don't know the designers of these to give proper credit...so if you know...let me know...so I can give them a proper intro! 

Crafty Couture at CHA Summer 2011

Does the term Mixed Media seem like it's EVERYWHERE you look? Probably! It's one of the hottest trends sweeping through the crafts industry at the moment! For a "get right in the middle and get messy" kinda girl...this style...this look is right up my little ole' alley!!!

Mixed media is one of those "styles" that you can NOT make a mistake...and no one has to like it but you. It can be very personal...it can be outrageous...and it can be gaudy, no rules, no fuss..and it's all good!

So..it's that trend and the theme of the 2011 Summer CHA trade show that had me excited to attend. Craft Fusion - the selling power of mixed media.

One of the many highlights of the show and the feature of today's post is the Designer Challenge - Crafty Couture. Designers in the industry were asked to create a non-wearable dress from many different mediums. Five of the winners will be featured in a future issue of Cloth Paper Scissors .

And so without further adeiu....here are the entries in no particular order:

Candace Windham - Candace Windham Design Studio

Recycled Prom Dress



Jan Christie -Christie Creations - Peek-A-Boo



Becky of BC Designs - Natures Beauty



Vicki O'Dell - Summer's Glory - Mother Nature in the Garden



A collaborative effort by Theresa Cifali, Jen Goode, Carla Schauer

and Suzann Sladcik Wilson called Flirting with Fusion

Congrat's to these girls for taking home the prize of best in show!



Susan Weckesser -The Secret Garden



Shannon Bielke - Midnight Summer's Dream



Marisa Pawelko - Mixed Media Showstopper



Melony Bradley and Nikki Meiners - Time flies-A history of CHA



Lynne Bruning - Spellbound



Laura Nicholson - Ribbon on the Runway



Cindy Bisson - Denim goes to the Prom



Eileen Hull and Lorine Mason - Unexpected Elegance



Jen Cushman and Claudine Helmuth - A Spring in her Step



Julie Fei-Fan Balzer - Art Journaling Dress



Look at that Parade of delicious design!! The picture's just don't do them justice!

Great Job Ladies!!! You all inspire me and make me proud to be a part

of such a talented group.

FORTUNE COOKIE SAY-TAKE WIFE FOR MANI & PEDI!

I've heard that "a way to a man's heart is through his stomach"....and I believe that it is 100 PERCENT TRUE!!!

And ladies....I've gotta tell you...this WORKS!!!  Listen up here... seriously......baby your man to death, make him feel special....and fill his tummy...and he will be like putty in your hands....

Julia said that by far, this is her most  favorite dish that I made yet....

Teriyaki Stir Fry with Chicken topped with cashews
recipe by Linda Peterson

4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts - diced into bite size pieces
2 c broccolli - we trim to just the heads of the broccolli
2 c Carrots - sliced
1 medium onion
1/2 c cashew halves
1/2 c soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
3 T hoisen sauce
1 T garlic powder
1T Rice wine vinegar
1/2 to 3/4 c brown sugar
3 T olive oil
3 T cornstarch


other add ins: water chestnuts, chinese noodles, celery, zuchinni, yellow squash
really any fresh veggies work well in this...use what you have.  We typically always have the above ingredients on hand.


Heat wok and stir fry chicken till it begins to brown.  Add onions and other ingredients and continue to stir fry until slightly tender but yet crisp.

Transfer stir fry to platter

Linda P's Original Teriyaki Glaze:  (Which by the way is EXCELLENT on chicken wings - just sayin!)

Mix soy sauce, garlic powder, hoisen sauce, rice wine vinegar and brown sugar together in a medium sauce pan.  Heat until begins to simmer.  Mix cornstarch with water to make it a thick yet runny paste.  Stir into sauce.  This should thicken up and become a glaze.  Turn off heat.

Drizzle glaze onto top of stir fry and top with cashew.  Serve with steamed or fried rice

Serves 4-6 people

Now....Ladies......here's how to make this meal a little magical....

Make your own fortune cookies.....

And of course.....and ssssshhhh **keep this our little secret ***....you can add ANY phrase you want....even little hints of "wish lists"....

Here's how to make your "Wishful, blissful fortune cookies"

3/4 cup plus 4 T of flour
1/4 t salt
4 egg whites
3 T heavy cream
1/4 c (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
1 cup powdered sugar
1T vanilla

Sift flour and salt together.  Sift powdered sugar separately.

Place sugar in a mixing bowl and add egg whites one at a time.  Beat until the mixture is frothy and the sugar is completely dissolved.  Gradually add melted butter and cream.

Mix in flour mixture.

The mixture will be runny. 
Spoon onto a non-stick cookie sheet or silpat (don't use parchment paper) and round out with the bottom of the spoon to create a 2 1/2 to 3" circle. Add enough batter so that you can not see thru to the bottom of the cookie.

Bake for approximately 6-8 minutes at 400 degrees

HINT:  only make two at a time (a little tedious I know)

They should be slightly  brown around the edges. Remove from oven.

Place paper strip with saying in center.  Fold over.  Then bend the cookie backwards and hold for a few seconds

Make as many as needed.  You can further brown these by placing them back  into the oven to get them good and brown and to add crispness.  You can also coat them with a little egg wash to bring out the golden color.....

Place one cookie - strategically onto hubby's plate......

Amazingly Dana's fortune said... "YOU ARE MIGHTY HUNTER...AND HAVE STRONG URGES TO TAKE YOUR WIFE FOR MANI AND PEDI".......and guess what!?!?!?! IT WORKED!!

He did yesterday.....all he needed was a little "hint hint".....

Girls Night Out ! FOOD FUN & The BACHELORETTE!

I know...call me silly...but Im a reality TV JUNKIE!  and apparently Im not the only one in our girl group...but with that said.....you know us girls...we'll do anything to get a night out!!! So...courtesy of my friend Steph- she organized a Bachelorette Watch party last monday night!

The party napkin says it all.....

Some seasons I'm into the bachelor drama...some I'm not ..but this season is seriously the definition of DRAMA!! Even the guys are drama... and I have to tell you that it took watching the bachelorette to a whole new level when you watch it on DVR with 14 other people...laughing...giggling...sometimes getting a little peaved...watch...wait ...rewind that...watch it again...OMG what is that  HE's wearing...OMG...rewind that again....!!...but all in all  just having a great time!

And of course, this is the opportunity to have a tasting party....and an opportunity for me to again....MAKE..and not have to eat it all!!.. (I'm gonna have to start a business or something...I just can't eat all this stuff!)

Just look at all this mouth watering yumminess of sweet goodness.....Sabrina made awesome spinach artichoke dip...and then the 7 layer nacho's....I made more of my krispy pops, chocolate covered cheesecake pops, Mini cheesecake delicacies and I couldnt resist makeing some sugar cookies....

Mariah decorated each of the cheese cakes with these little bachelorette signs - aren't they cute?

We're rather festive arent we????  That is UNTIL it's time to WATCH TV....then it's......
well in the words of Achmed the Dead Terrorist......SILENCE - I KEEL YOU....

Rather attentive...arent we???

well....except for Peanut....She didnt care about the show....she stared down my plate....

At the end of the nighht....I think most of us were cheering on for GREAT VALUE AMES!...cept for peanut....she liked JP...oh and then there's Paige - she's a Ben fan....gotta be One in every bunch who has to be different.....

Given that we had THIS much fun at a watch party.....I can't imagine the FINALE PARTY!!!!