Memory Charm Bracelet & Photo of upcoming class

This month has just zipped by. My intentions on getting this photo up sooner, were there...

Anyways...Please join me (ONLY 3 SPOTS LEFT!) at my class at More the Memories in July! We'll use your photo's to create a totally personal charm bracelet - unique to you and one that will capture those precious memories! Please see More than Memories for details and to sign up for the class. You'll see another bracelet featured on their website. I call it "the wedding" as it depicts our wedding from our 5 year old daughters eyes. She drew it on a Magna-Doodle which I turned into a digital enhanced photo. You'll learn transfer to polymer clay techniques, basic bead rollin' and how to create a faux silver setting using pewter artemboss metal. Each participant will need to provide me 5 photos ahead of class so that I can manipulate them and bring them with me. This is a very technique oriented class! I can't promise that you'll actually finish your bracelet - most of the time my students get really involved in making the pieces! I can guarantee loads of fun & tons of creative inspiration!! I look forward to the class and meeting you!! - BETTER HURRY - JUST CHECKED THE WEBSITE....NOW THERE'S ONLY TWO SPOTS LEFT!

UPCOMING CLASS! - CHICAGO AREA - JULY 20

I'm excited to announce and participate in the "Passport to Creativity" sponsored by More than Memories located in Schaumburg, Illinois. Join Michele Charles, Peggy Budfuloski, Stephanie Sheetz, Robin Beam, Claire Hampton and myself on a CREATIVE Journey held July 15 thru 20th. Each night features a special guest artist and project. CLICK HERE for more information. HURRY!!!!! Space is limited to only 10 participants. This way each of you will receive special attention during the class.

My class will be taught Friday July 20 from 6pm to 8pm. I can tell you - I love to teach and love to have fun!! I haven't posted a picture.... YET! For that matter, I havent created the project, but driving down the road today an idea popped into my head... so here's my thinking..... "Wear your Art on your sleeve - or your ANKLE...WRIST??" you decide!" ( I know ...that's not an original phrase....) In any event, I'm thinking I will show how to make a rather artzy bracelet full of charms featuring Clay transfer techniques, polymer accent beads with some copper or pewter metal thrown in there somehow....

Personally Im going to make the charms of my kids photos and their artwork. This will be one of those projects that can morph over time...you just keep adding and adding until the bracelet is so heavy, your wrist falls off..... (just kidding!) Each participant will have to email me up to 5 pictures ahead of the class so I can prepare them. Sound intriguing?? Well stay tuned for the picture which I'll have sometime late next week. I love mixed media...and for some reason Im on a real CHARM craze lately - THIS SHOULD BE FUN!!!!! I would welcome your thoughts - so EMAIL ME!!

For more information - make sure you check out MORE THAN MEMORIES website. SEE YOU THERE!!!!!

DIY SHOW SPECIAL THIS SUNDAY

Hi Friends! Just a quick reminder to set your Calendar for the upcoming inside look at this years Winter CHA (Craft and Hobby Trade show) to be aired this Sunday May 7th at 7:30 pm eastern time on the DIY Network! And if you just cant make that.... it will air again on Saturday May 12 at 7 pm eastern time. You'll get an inside look at what goes on at this HUGE international trade show along with quick demo's from some of your favorite designers! Check it out!!

THE CAROL DUVALL SHOW ONLINE - ANYTIME!!

In my traveling, I've met many fans of the "Carol Duvall Show" who've expressed their disappointment in hearing that the show is a thing of the past. I too was disappointed to see the show removed from HGTV's programming line up beginning in February.

I was able to chat with Carol at this past CHA show in January. We both agreed that there were thousands of people just left in the lurch and hanging.... Well....hang no more! I have just found out that you can view complete episodes of the Carol Duvall Show - Online....anytime by visiting this link: http://hgtv.com/carolduvall


Programs can be searched by topic or your favorite guest. So join Carol, myself and all of your other favorite guests - Online - ANYTIME!! We're just a click away!

PS. Dont forget to set your tivo's for the upcoming DIY CHA show special. See myprevious blogs for more information and dates! (you can probably check the diynet.com website too!)

See ya - Im off to Hong Kong Inn for some chinese food.... my favorite!

BIG FISH???? UGLY FISH?? UNIQUE FISH?? WHICH?

I sent this picture to a couple of friends with the title..."Can you say BIG FISH??" and they both came back and said "UGLY FISH!!!" Hmmmm....ugly fish?? how about "Unique Fish"?. This fish is a spoonbill paddle fish and this is the time of year they migrate up missouri rivers to spawn. It's also the type of fish that caviar is made from....



Generally, I share some tips and techniques but this time, I thought I'd share a little bit of the personal side of life. When Im not in my studio and when it's warm enough (okay...that's an understatement - it was frigid the day I caught this fish) Im usually hanging with the family on some farm pond fishin for bluegill, catfish, bass - sometimes snake...... just about anything that will hit on a hook and worm.



It's been about 3 years since my husband Dana and I have taken a "get away" just to ourselves. He'd been wanting to go "snaggin" for quite sometime, so he booked us a guide and a couple nights stay at the (get this...) "Old Oar House Inn" and we headed to the Lake of the Ozarks.


For those of you not familiar with snaggin, basically, you take a couple of huge treble hooks about a foot apart with a weight tied on the end and drop it in the water as you troll the bottom, all the while you are "yanking" the hooks thru the water in hopes to land the big monster. (a major calorie burner - much more fun than the treadmill....) I asked Anthony our guide what it would feel like when I snagged the fish and he said - "feels like you just snagged a car!" He was right!!!! and HANG ON!!!!You're goin for a ride - backwards - as you reel as fast as you can towards the fish. Believe it or not, this fish is by far NOT THE BIGGEST - it only weighed 30 lbs, but I was happy with it anyways - he was a KEEPER! and my first keeper of the day. Dana's biggest was a female weighing just over 50lbs.



Anthony did a fantastic job as a guide - we had our limit by noon and we warmed up at the Ole Oar House bar & grill. If you like the movie "Grumpy ole men" then you'll love this place - It's quite a hoot! If you go - say hi to John Boy and Ben for us - a couple of retired guys who love to play practical jokes....and dont forget to check out Anthony's website at www.catfishingguide.com and make sure to tell him who sent you. Oh...and bring your catfish bait too - you'll catch a whole mess down by the cleanin station!

That's all for now....back to beading........................................