Creative Chaos

First grade dating....

 

Andres' Lego interpretation of him giving his friend Sophia flowers.......

They just grow up way to fast in first grade......sniff sniff......

I would love to tell you.....

that I'm currently writing this blog post, doing laundry and putting off unloading the dishwasher in this little get up.......

 

I discovered it on Pinterest ........ it's from a seller on Etsy called TutusChic.  This is what I love about Pinterest.  I discover all sorts of hidden gems that I might never have found.  Because of course, I have that much time on my hands.  Nevertheless, I like to think I'm doing major reseach for inspiration. 

So anyhow, I have been pretending that this floaty pink jacket is what I've been wearing all week long while tending to mundane chores and messy children.  Since it's currently out of my price range I decided to whip one up that is strikingly similar......

 

Although not in the same colorway, fabric nor clothing style, I still think I nailed it......

 

Ok...it's nothing like like it. I admit that.  But it did inspire me to finally take 2 minutes out of my life to finally tape this little Webster's rosette ribbon on this tank top.   It's been on my to do list for the last 6 months. Ever since I saw this dark gray color, I wanted to put it on a tank.   I completed it 5 minutes ago.  Amazing what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it.   

 
With that being said, I'm saving my pennies for the pink one.  I think it could change my life.....or at least make a difference in how I approach cleaning my kitchen......

Talk to you soon!  karin

In my haste to post the crown tutorial.......

I forgot to mention that I was asked to be on the Melissa Frances design team....... 

 

 
 This is why I was creating Christmas items in June.......

 

 

 

So, of course, I immediately called Michelle to tell her that I was not only on the team but offered the private parking spot that has been nothing but an empty promise for so long at Paper Tales.  To which she replied, "The parking spot is in Pennsylvania."   To which I replied, "Oh.......well, I knew that.....anyway,  when and if I ever visit the Melissa Frances world headquarters, I know that I have a place to park. Hrmph."  

Also, in other earth shattering news, I was on the cover of Somerset Holidays. No way! Really?  I had no idea until my friend Kris had emailed me to tell me she saw it on the web page.  She was a bit worried because the art work was attributted to someone else and wasn't sure if it was indeed mine.  So, of course, I told her I would get Scooby and the gang on it immediately .......

 

Well...we all know what happens when I play detective.....

So, I thought maybe it was best that I go it alone before I bring in the reinforcements.   So what do I discover.......

A big huge surprise!    It was accidently attributed to Alisa.  But that was fine by me.  I loved that they thought I was as talented as her.   Phew...no need to bring in Scooby. 

However, I did call Michelle, again, to tell her the big news while bringing back to the table my request for stock options and a company car.  She said no.  I said ok...see you Tuesday!

Oh well. Doesn't hurt to try. 

Gotta run.  School starts tomorrow and someone is without uniform pants due to errors in ordering.   I'm off to Target.  Talk to you soon!  Karin

 

Melissa Frances Crown Tutorial.........

 Edited to add:  You would think that one who is on the Melissa FrancEs design team would know how to spell Melissa FrancEs.  You would think..... seriously.....ugggggg.....

 

Finally!  I'm at last posting the tutorial I promised months ago.   I put this crown together a while back using the new 5th Avenue paper.  You can impress all you friends, neighbors and kids in the car pool by wearing this little number.

First, gather all your supplies.  For those of you just tuning in, I always keep a large supply of chocolate nearby for any sugar intake needs.   Although it's not officially on the "supply" list, I highly recommend stashing some nearby.

Ok.....Here's what I used to create the crown......

MF 5th Avenue 12 x 12 paper

Geraldine

Ebony

Flora

MF Pink Tissue Fringe

MF Large Flower

Gathered White Seambinding

Tulle (for the top and the ties)

Pink Seambinding (for the ties)

Glitter

Glitter pen

Decorative Scissors

Adhesive 

gold stamp pad (optional)

 

I made a crown template from a piece of cardstock.    Just fold your paper in half and cut out desired shape from card stock.........

I used the "Geraldine" paper for the base of my crown.......

 
I cut a piece from the "Ebony" paper to run across the bottom......

Next, take the "Flora" paper (which, by the way, I love this paper. Love it.)......

 

Anyway, cut approximately 5 of the arches and set aside for just a minute......

 

Print up "Queen for a Day!" or any other appropriate phrase.  I've been known to wear the crown around the house with phrases such as "Pick up your Legos! I'm Not Your Maid"  as well as,  "For the tenth time, I Have no Idea What's for Dinner"   Anyway, feel free to choose whatever phrase best fits you......

Next, I cut the phrase out with a pair of decorative scissors and used the blue part of the "Flora" paper for the background.  I used Edwardian Script in MS Word for the font.  

 

Cut the paper to size around the phrase.   Remember that piece I told you to set aside?  Well, hopefully it didn't get buried under a bunch of papers and projects like mine did, resulting in a half hour of my life that I'll never get back........ 

 

Cut the sides on a angle to fit the phrase......

 

If you want to, you can edge all the sides with the gold stamp pad. Glue into place on the crown

Next, take the tissue fringe and glue to the bottom of the "Ebony" paper.......  

 

Because I'm putting the ruffled seambinding in the middle of the fringe, I took some time to seperate out the middle.......

 

I placed the ruffled seambinding in the middle of the fringe and glued into place.....

 

I used a pencil to trace around the arches and paper. It gives it a bit of dimension.  Plus, I feel that people take you a bit more seriously when wearing the crown with some shading on it......

For the tulle on the top of the crown, gather a bunch and tie with a piece of string......

 

 

 

Set the tulle piece aside for a minute because we are going to glitter!   Grab your trusty glue pen and trace around the areas you want to glitter......

 

For the crown itself, I used glue (I like to use Aleene's QuickDry Tacky glue when applying glitter) and a small square brush to outline the edges. 

 

 

I used white glitter for the front of the crown.  And silver for the edges and little dots......

 

Glue the tulle on the top to the back part of the crown.  Glue the seambinding and tulle on the back sides of the crown for the tie backs. 

There you go!  So, see, whether you let your loved ones know that  "It's My Party" or, "I Won't Be Doing Dishes Tonight!"  you will be doing it in grand style........  

 


If you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask in the comments or email me.  I'll be happy to help you out!  

Talk to you soon!  Karin

Time Traveler........

 

I feel like I'm in three different time zones lately.  There is the "it's summer and the living is easy" zone.  This involves going to the beach, picking tomaotos from the vine in the garden and eating ice cream.....lots of ice cream.   I'm firmly entrenched in this zone.  However, I am forced to step out of the boundries of summer and into "school is right around the corner and all the supplies are going to run out at Target" zone.   This requires numerous trips to Target, Staples, Office Depot and back to Target again in order to check off all required supplies from the checklist.  However, the elusive 12 quart container needed for first grade still remains unfound.  If it's not at Target ,it just doesn't exist in my world.  Then there is the "halloween is just around the corner, down the street and up the block" zone.  

When making my paper cake cake for Denise's event, I dragged out all my Halloween crafting stuff.  

 

I'm in the mood.......

 

I'm taking my crepe tree from winter wonderland to spooky town.   I'm going to do a class for Paper Tales with it. 

 

I'm also working on a little haunted house....but as you can see it's still in the "construction" phase.   Anyway, I'm slowly meandering within some time zones and hopping out of others as fast as I can.....school supplies - I'm looking at you.   

I'll be back on Thursday with a fun crown tutorial....Talk to you then!  Karin

Is it too soon to start thinking about Halloween?

 

 

I think not.....

 

That's because my friend Denise Hahn is having a "Craft for the Cure" breast cancer fundraising event on October 1.   Of course, this is very close to my heart as well as my one remaining breast.  So when she asked me to teach a class, I, of course, immediately said yes.  I then asked her once we were done with all our crafting "will there then be a cure by the end of the day?"   She said no.  However, she did say every single penny raised will go to Mammobiles that serve low income communities.  I was ok with that as I was really optimistically doubtful that our use of glitter and glue would somehow trigger a cure for breast cancer....but you know me...I like to hope for the best.

Anyway, in lieu of an actual cure for cancer, we are going to make a glittery spooky sweet cake that will leave you drenched in glitter........Don't worry I will be bringing along a shop vac to get you cleaned up for the next project......

 

Denise, who happens to be the daughter of a survivor, will be teaching a "Blinged out Skelly" project.    I barely got to see these decked out boney damsels in person before they were all sold in a flurry at Glitterfest last year.......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, jewelry artist Tara Wilson will share a demo showing you how to chase metal, wire wrap, create an ear wire and various patina methods!   Tara will bring all of the supplies to make these earrings and demonstrate techniques you can use in your own artwork. 

  

How does that sound?  Not enough?!  Oh.....you're worried about fainting from hunger doing all these amazing projects.  Not to worry....we've got you covered.   Andrea Villareal and Blanca Paredes will be catering a mouthwatering lunch.  And, all your sugar and frosting needs will be provided by Julie Gordon Weller who will be serving up her homemade cupcakes. 

And, if that isn't enough, we are also going to do a round robin collage project......you may want to eat some extra cupcakes to keep you going at this point.  I know I will.

I am really, really excited about this event.  It's going to be a small intimate gathering of around twenty people.   We will have door prizes, a silent raffle and lots f laughing and fun. 

Won't you join me?   Click here for all the info you need  "Craft for a Cure."      If you are unable to make it, but would like to donate anything for the raffle or cause just shoot me an email!    

Thanks so much everyone!!  Talk to you soon!  Karin

Cupcakes, Halloween and a Tutorial......

 

Ok...now that I have your attention.....

Look what Michelle found in Scrapbook's Etc the other day......

 

I did a tutorial for it a while back that you can find HERE.   It's super easy to make and of course if you have any questions about making it just  let me know!

Ok....back to the important stuff.......

 

I made these for my mom's birthday.  I just have to say they are quite possibly the best cupcakes in the whole world.   I can't take credit for the cupcake itself.  It's Fresh and Easy Vanilla Bean cake mix.  So good.  I can, however, take credit for the frosting and filling......

 

Well, just the buttercream frosting.  I added the F&E chocolate frosting (no trace of hydrodenated gobblygook in there...all butter and cream) to the buttercream I made and made what some say tasted like chocolate ice cream frosting.   I added the lemon curd as a filling to the cupcakes with plain buttercream frosting.  

The cupcakes lasted two days....poof...just like that they were gone.

Here's the recipe for the best buttercream frosting ever......

1/2 cup shortening (as fresh as possible)

1 cup butter ( I splurge on really good butter like Danish Creamers or Organic)

Little bit here...little bit there of Heavy whipping Cream

Powdered sugar

Vanilla

Whip the shortening smooth and then add the softened butter.  Continue to whip for a little while longer.  Add the powdered sugar gradually to desired sweetness. Add some vanilla. Then here' s the key ingredient....add the whipping cream to the frosting while you're continuing to mix.  I have no idea how much I put in there.  I just keep tasting the frosting until it tastes perfect.  

Sigh.....I think I need to make some more tonight..... 

Who wants a slice of cake?

 

 

 

 

 

Shopping at Paper Tales......

 

Wow....it's been awhile.  I took a bit of an unintended yet intended blogging break.   This summer has turned out to be the summer I've been looking forward to since I ended chemo.  Summer of 2009 was spent sleeping on the couch.  Summer of 2010 was supposed to be the summer to end all summers because I spent the previous year sleeping on the couch.  Unfortunately, it too turned out to be alot  of sleeping on the couch.   Well, not wanting to be crushed again by the the promise of fun but the reality of exhaustion, I held absolutely no expectations for the summer of 2011.  That seemed to be the key......No expectations. 

It started off with a bang and a trip to LA.....

Where we made the kids run ahead of trains.....

 

made a fool out of my self begging, pleading and threatening children for a picture with their mother.    Perfectly nice families who were walking by with their perfectly nice children had to listen to my "all I ask for is one nice picture!  Why can't you people even give me that....."  rant.   This was the resulting photo......

 

Spent the entire day at Knott's Berry Farm riding coasters......

 

as well as hot air balloons......

 

Spent the rest of the day regretting the phrase uttered from my mouth "Who wants to do Montezuma's Revenge again?!?" 

Spent lots of days at the beach running from waves......

 

running from aliens.......

 

taking classes from Jenny Hernandez......

 

spending time with my sister......

 

and my niece.....

 

refreshing drinks by the pool......

 

or should I say pools.....

 

roasting marshmallows.....

 

doing some kayacking.....

 

It's been really nice.   So like I said, I haven't been doing any creating.  My studio is a huge mess.  And, I haven't had the motivation to plow through it.  And, this even after watching an episode of Hoarders.  We still have three more weeks of summer over here so I will get to it soon.  

In the meantime here are some pictures from Paper Tales...... 

Randi's creations.........

Another class with Jenny in October.  It's already filling up so if you are going to be in San Diego, you better sign up fast......

 

A cute little something or other......

 

I LOVE this shade of green.......

 
 
 
 

 
 

So that's it for now!  Talk to you soon......Karin