SNEAKY PEEKY - Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop - Week 2 - Popup Cube by Karen Burnisten

I struggled a little with this project...I'll admit...but not because of the project...but because I couldn't decide just how I wanted to make it.

But then something I read on Julianna Hudgins facebook page brought it all together ....she said:

"There will be moments when you wonder how in the world am I going to do this? How will I put one foot in front of the other and move forward without falling? Am I good enough? Pretty enough? Too old? Do I have what it takes? Am I smart enough?
I am here to remind you that you are the most LOVING, KIND, PATIENT and BEAUTIFUL Woman that I know. You are in control of what happens next. Own it, Live it and BELIEVE it!"

And at that moment....I knew....just what I wanted to do......so here's a peek into my random thoughts about this project...

I feel empowered.....I can do it.....

Tomorrow you'll see "how I did it"....I've got big plans -BIG BIG PLANS in the making.(can't say right now...it's my little secret..hehehe)..and sometimes I think it may be bigger than me...but I know ...If I want it bad enough...I can make it happen....I WILL make it happen!

Just to give you a heads up......Im running behind in this project...so...may be a little later on in the day or afternoon before it's done.....just sayin...patience my dear grasshopper friends........

Thanks JEWELS!!!  for all the positive mo-jo!

A funny thing happened on the way home......... Gettin' the boot!

My family knows me all too well........I'll dive for anything....Im a packrat....Im a might need it someday person...I embrace that...I embrace junk....funky junk....but it has to be classy junk....

On the way to the studio today....Hubby and I noticed a cowboy boot....just one....standing straight up on the side of the road... ( I guess at this point I want to say...who loses just one boot?)...but ..none the less...there it lay...or maybe it was like a little lost puppy, sitting there so curiously on the side of the road waiting for someone to come along and feel sorry for it, scoop it up...clean it up and love it up....

I don't know....but really,  I never gave it much thought...until tonight....on our way home.

There it lay.....this time ...on it's side.... I suppose it was tuckered out from watching the traffic go by all day and no one stopped.....maybe a little depressed and in despair....(im feeling a little sorry for the boot about now aren't you?)..

And hubby said....."there's the boot ...still there....Im suprized you havent scooped it up and steampunked it by now..."

I don't know why...but I did look at him a little suprized.....and thought..."Does he really know me that well???"  I suppose he does...he knows I'll save anything I can....and now...after reading this ....Im wondering about the boot.....it's gonna get cold tonight....and I suppose if I see it there tomorrow....I'll have scoop it up...clean it up...and love it up...

CrafTECH celebrates the Graduation of the FOUNDATIONS Mega Class!

Saturday November 6, I believe we made online history with a 6-hour - totally interactive - totally live mega metal working workshop at CrafTECH University.  Not only was this a mega workshop - it was an international workshop as well with students representing Canada, Australia and the United States.


I wanted to keep this class small and personal, because the subject matter - metalworking - would be a little intense.  I had 5 very eager students....and one teacher (ME) who was praying that everything I had prepared dilligently for would go smoothly....and IT DID.  We had absolutely no streaming problems, no internet problems and just a TON OF FUN!!

Here's a write up from Robi, my Canadian student and what she thought of the class.  Robi is a watercolor and mixed media artist.  I'd invite you to visit her blog at http://www.decorablesart.blogspot.com/   And a big thanks to Robi's husband for graciously letting her borrow his tools!!!!  Nothing like the feeling of some power tools in your hands - right ladies?


She writes:

I graduated!  On Saturday I participated in a 6 hour, online metal-working class at CrafTechU!  I had so much fun - more than I thought I would have.  I have never worked with metals before, or a wood block to hammer on, or stinky chemicals that would burn the hair off of a gorilla. (it wasn't really that bad).  Linda Peterson taught the class herself and she is an excellent online teacher.

I am sure that most of you don't really give it much thought, but teaching online is VERY different from teaching in person, and not everyone can do it successfully. I have been taking classes online for 3 years and Linda has been the best. The feed was clear and when extreme close-ups were necessary, Linda obliged and I could see the most minute detail.

Linda has obviously had much experience teaching and is a published author. Her artistic talents are vast and she clearly conveys all concepts. I was completely out of my element yet she made me feel confident, competent and excited about creating my own piece of jewellery.

I took several pictures of the experience because I wanted to share it with anyone curious or sceptical about the online learning process, and specifically with CrafTechU.

Laying out the items in the class kit (provided in the cost of the class) and getting ready

WARNING!!! Girl with hammer! Girl with hammer!

Giving my brass plate a bath in liver of sulphur -- YUMMMEEE. (not).  It wasn't stinky like the ammonia solution we also had to use.

Remember to wear your gloves!

The view from the seat at my worktable.  I had all my materials and hardware around me. The screen  has a whiteboard area where all pictures can be displayed, a chat box, a video screen, and also the capability to see everyone else who is on a web cam.

There is always the capability of going full-screen where the detail is excellent.

 One of the items provided in the class kit was a smaller piece of copper  (it's under and jutting out from the button and bead). Students who have a set of metal stamps, like alphabet stamps, were able to stamp a word into the metal.  Since I do not own metal stamps, I chose a few personal items to attach with copper wire.  I chose a vintage brass button and rose bead.  I threaded them and then wrapped them to the metal.

  Starting to assemble the necklace.

 One of my favourite pieces.  This is a broken drill bit (both pieces) wrapped in copper wire.  My darling husband was helping me drill and one piece of metal was thicker and won the battle with the drill bit.:(

    Right: my drill bits;Centre: a 'link of beads' that I chose to use as an attachment as opposed to a decorative link in the necklace chain; Left: button and bead charm. I used alcohol inks to enhance colours.

 This is the thick copper disk we couldn't make a hole in.  Our attempt left a divot on the lower left side so I glued a rose-coloured gem neatly inside. Without a hole to attach the wire I wrapped the wire around the top and through the hole -- still very pretty.  There was a pretty, straight copper bar that we didn't use in class so I chose to anneal, hammer, shape and wrap it.  

 Lots of wrapping.  I think I am now addicted to wrapping wire:) This is another situation where I had to adapt the necklace.  We ( and I say 'we' even though HE (my hubby) made one hole at the top of the plate (instead of at the bottom). I just had to wrap it a little differently. 

The 6 hours flew by. We had several breaks so the afternoon was most pleasurable.  I loved learning a new process and thank Linda Peterson very much for this wonderful opportunity. Thanks Linda!

Final tally:  

Times I had to alter the project:5

Times this posed a problem:0

Number of times I got my skin caught in the pliers: 4

Times I drew blood:1

Number of fingernails still black:2

Next class I'm taking at CrafTechU: 16 days:)

Friendly Plastic TV Video - Dimensional Pendants by Linda Peterson

In the past we've worked alot on 2-dimensional designs which primarily focused on layering or putting a variety of mediums on top of the Friendly Plastic to alter the look of it in some way.  In this video, we take that a step further. 

I love the look of stretching and crackling the Friendly Plastic, but often this results in the colors of the foil dulling when the black background pulls up through.  To solve this and to add a decorative, somewhat watercolor wash effect, I tried nail polishes.  The results are beautiful and the polishes fix the foil so that the colors remain bright.  Add a touch of decorative foil and you've created one of a kind - gorgeous pendants - in any color...and my I add that you can make these in 30 minutes or less??  Great HUH? 

Kits and Friendly Plastic supplies can be purchased at the CrafTECH University Craft-E store.



I hope you enjoyed this episode of Friendly Plastic TV.  I always welcome your comments and suggestions for show segments.

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

Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop - Week 1 - My Dream House

Welcome to the LAUNCH of the Sizzix Triple Play Blog hop - Week 1 featuring the House Die by Eileen Hull!  I'm quite certain there is LOTS and lots of eye candy in store for you!!! 

I can NOT begin to tell you how much creative fun I had designing this house! Did you get a chance to read the "I might...what If I need that... post?" You might want to scroll down and read that first, because it will make a whole lot more sense after reading this...

It's a rare occassion that I get the chance to create without limitations, so, I really looked at this as a challenge for myself to see what I would do with no holes barred.  I said to myself- "self.... use as much mixed media as I can, but dont use a paint brush".  Which really fits me because I am a messy creative person.  I love to get my hands and fingers dirty - guess I really pour myself into my work.
The other rule was....there was no rules....I would...because I can!

I had the old cheese box sitting there for ages in hopes of it migrating it's way (by itself mind you) to some prominent part of the house...or some shelf...or somewhere...but It didnt and it sat there....

If you looked at my bookshelf you would also discover that I have LOADS and I mean LOADS of craft magazines from all different titles and styles sitting on my shelf.  Apparently I thought these would just magically jump in my lap when I sat down on the couch to relax...they didnt.....

So yesterday....with lots of thought....and looking at stuff that just sits there and clutters up my life....I decided to give some of it a little more prominence and ressurect it to a place of usefulness.....and so I did........

What I did was take the cheese box off the shelf and paint it...and ink it.........and said..."Little cheese box...you will become the foundation of this project..." ...and so it did....it's now happy :o).

And magazines...who lay bunched up together...squished....full of claustrophobia....I pulled them out...and I found one of my favorites...a past issue of Legacy...and I thought...dare I?  ...I dared!....  I ripped pages out of it..cut up letters...tore...inked....and said..."thank you legacy...you have been given new life...and you will no longer sit on my shelf ...helpless..."...   I dared....I tore...I inked...I refreshed my soul.....

And so now you get the thought process that I had going in my mind....what could I repurpose...give new life to...express myself...

I painted paper with my fingers...I inked and stamped...I made scratch marks with toothpicks, painted with cotton swabs, inked with my fingers.....and just had a messy FAB time.

Mine is a dream house.....The roof opens on one side (the side with the girls face) and you can write your dreams down...and tuck them away inside....sometimes dreams change...thus why the roof opens....




You have to put alot of "heart and soul" into your dreams and you have to MAKE IT HAPPEN...yep...it's up to you...no one else...those little magazines are not gonna jump off the shelf unless YOU MAKE IT HAPPEN...



Time flew by really fast as I escaped into my creative journey....thus the time piece.  It's also a reminder that it takes time to create...it also takes time to make your dreams happen....not to mention a lot of hard work..



There are words about travel and places I want to see.....basically...I want to see it all....from the tallest monument..to the tiniest creature.... and do do all this you have to be.....




Then I want to come home to a nice little cottage tucked in the woods and create.....

I'll be featuring this as a class....I re-discovered so many techniques...discovered a few new ones...but most of all this class will feature unleashing your inner creativity...even if you don't think you have one....

Here's the basis of the project...
Sizzix Big Shot Pro Die Cutting Machine


Sizzix 12 x 12 white matboard

#656836 Sizzix Scoreboard Pro Die: 3D House by designer Eileen Hull
To hop on over to the next blog - simply click the HOP FORWARD link on the button in my side bar...
 
And  OH OH OH...before I forget...leave a comment...you never know when I might get a hankerin to give something away....and you might win it!