Creative Chaos

Ok..first things first....

I completely messed up the desktop on my computer and it's driving nuts.   I have NO idea how I did it .....ok, I have some idea.  I was screwing around with some settings when I was trying to adjust the icons on my desktop.  But technically I have no idea exactly what I did. Thereby, rendering it impossible to retrace my steps to fix it.  ugg.

Oh, and then next things first.......

 

 
  

Don't forget to sign up for my Kit & Tutorial giveaway!  You never know when I might be whipping up an extra kit to give out.....

If you are interested in taking the tutorial, you can sign up here at Cropped.  You can purchase both the tutorial and the kit there. Hope to see you there......It's going to be fun!

So, now on to second things first.  Do you like my little blue house?   Yay!  A Beth Quinn original.

 

I forgot to show you what I got at Glitterfest.   The little house was one of my first purchases.  I originally fell in love with it on her blog....and now it's mine! 

I bought some Saturday Evening Posts......

 

Looking for a new car?

 

Apparently, raising chickens was a sure moneymaker.....

 

I got a bunch of these adorable baby cards........

I was finally able to squeeze in to Susie Scott's table and purchased a couple cute things.......

 

Alrighty.....off to a pool party and a barbecue!  Talk to you soon!  Karin

Apparently "The Secret" does work.......

That is if you are asking for what you really need.  Not merely what you  want.

 
I have found, in my experience, if you are wishing for 35 million dollars, flat abs, a spotless and organized studio, a month long Hawaiian vacation, dishes that wash themselves, children who no longer bicker or Bret Michael's to show up at your door with roses, you don't always get consistent results.  

 
However, if you are working at Paper Tales one night and start talking with a complete stranger about Fiskar scissors and how you hate Provo Craft and how they really should call it Provo Crap because all the scalloped scissors you bought for the classes you are teaching broke on the spot...plus, they don't even cut well... and then,  you continue lamenting to this total stranger, who only came in to get a piece of scrapbook paper and some ribbon, that you wish you could find these favorite scissors again but "woe is me" is unable to find them anywhere on the face of the earth....(ok, you really only looked at Michael's).... but nonetheless, if you had time to search the world far and wide you were sure you would never find these scissors again thereby effectively reducing your chances of fame and fortune as a world renowned teacher at Paper Tales because you use crappy scissors.......

So,  here I thought I was just kvetching to an unsuspecting customer not even realizing I was subconsciously working the the intricate methods of The Secret.   The "total stranger" turned out to be a one Cheryl Waters *aka* Fiskateers extraordinaire........

  
 

Not only did she not report me to Paper Tales management for complaining about personal crafting problems on the job; but she offered to send me some of my favorite scalloped scissors for classes!

Ack!   She sent me my favorite scallop scissors and threw in some sassy leopard ones too!   And, I have to tell you (and this isn't because she sent me a bunch of stuff) how sweet and nice Cheryl is.  Thank You So much Cheryl!!!!!  Not only can I finally retire my "old as the hills" scalloped Fiskars, but now my class doesn't have to share one pair of scissors! 

See, on occasion, "The Secret" can work for you..................... Clean kitchen....I'm opening up my life to a clean kitchen.....I see a clean kitchen in my future...............rats.  I still have to wash the dishes tonight.   Talk to you soon!  Karin

A Giveaway and Glitterfest!

  
So, as I mentioned before, I'm doing a another video tutorial over at "Cropped."  I'm really excited about it because I will be teaching my favorite thing......Floral Cake Boxes.   The tutorial is $15.00 and will be available for download on June 15th. It will show you what you need and how to make the "cake" from start to finish, so you will have something that looks like this.........

If you are interested, I'm offering the supply kit for sale as well so you'll have everything you need to make the same exact cake..........

So, here's the GIVEAWAY part.....Just leave a comment in this post and I will draw a name for the both the Tutorial & Supply Kit.   If you have already purchased the tutorial and the kit, you can still enter.  I will give you a refund on both......I will have the crack pot team of Chaos & Chaos draw a name on June 1st. The kits will be heading out that day so you will have it in plenty of time for the tutorial.    

You can always email me if you have any questions!! 

The next item up on the agenda......Glitterfest.........

fun, fun, fun........

Of course, after spending two hours perusing around all the incredible art, talking with blogging friends and crafters, buying things that we just couldn't live without, and then saying long drawn out goodbyes to everyone, I realized, the minute I walked out the door, I forgot to take pictures.   I headed back in randomly taking photos of a two hour visit condensed into five minutes of picture taking all while hearing the echoes of "what are you doing here......I thought you left 15 minutes ago." 

Here's my friend Gina from Lizzy B's.  She makes super cute jewelry from vintage items.  Ugggg, I'm mad that I didn't get a close up of her jewelry........  

My friend Jenny from Polka Dot Pixie made all these adorable clay statues........

It was so much fun to meet up again.  I've known her for the longest time through blogging and then we finally met when she taught at Paper Tales last year.    

Here's Beth Quinn hiding behind her beautiful jewelry........

 
 
It was so good to see her again.  Here she is with her sweet mom.......

Got to see Kim Caldwell too.  We were chit chatting about her upcoming event Les Sirens in July.  I finally made the decision to attend as a gift to myself.  Michelle and I will be going together so it should be nothing but fun.....

Here is Robin and Karen. I know Karen through blogging also.  I was so thrilled when she stopped me and we had a chance to talk.   By the time I took pictures Robin was practically sold out.......

 Here are some random pictures of the ballroom......

 

 

 Need I say more.......

Beautiful crowns from the book Crowns and Tiaras Book

 
 
 
 

It was a really wonderful event.  I highly recommend going if you are in the are.  I wish we had a bit more time to explore Old Town Tustin.  We had lunch but didn't have a chance to see all the cute shops.  Maybe next time!

Off to bed ~   Talk to you soon!  Karin

 

Just a couple more reasons I love blogging.....

Look at some of the fun stuff I received in the mail lately........

 
These tags are from Sonia.  Beautiful!!  Now I know I've said it before, but she really needs a blog to start showing off all her art and craft.   I adore these tags Sonia....lets get working on a blog for you!!

And speaking of tags.....another gorgeous one showed up on my doorstep accompanied by some recently purchased vintage wallpaper......

Donna attached this to the package.  This tag is like a little piece of art work.  I adore it Donna!! 

I seem to be really busy lately.  Doing what?  I'm not really sure.  I do know that I made a couple crowns for teacher appreciation week........

And I did a bunch of jewelry for the silent auction at both boy's schools.   I waited so last minute to do it, I don't even have pictures to share.  I really need to work on that whole procrastination thing......

Anyway, the crowns are super simple this year (because I waited until the last minute) but I think they turned out cute.  I haven't done crowns for a a while so it was fun.

Wrapping up some odds and ends today because guess where I'm going tomorrow.........

Glitterfest! I realized that I had to work at Paper Tales that day so that put a crimp in my plans.  I thought about calling in sick with some long drawn out elaborate excuse; however, realized that since I'm driving up with my boss, It probably wouldn't work as planned.  Luckily, we found a replacement via her daughter to keep everything running smoothly at the shop.   If you are going to be there and you see me please say hi!!  

Talk to you soon!  Karin  

I love blogging.......

I really do. I was just thinking that last night.   I wrote a post about it a few years back when I was going to meet Heather for the first time.  Even after three years, my friends who don't blog are still a bit perplexed as to what it's all about.  They have some idea that it involves people, crafts, and writing.   But what they don't understand is the level of friendships that can be amassed by simply putting yourself out there.  And, frankly, that was something I never even expected when I started typing my first blog posts.

When I started blogging in 2007 I was vaguely aware of blogging.  I remember stumbling upon Alicia's blog Posy gets Cozy and I was entranced.  I was ready to step my toes back into creating again and here I had access to pictures and people and thoughts and craft.......It was overwhelming; but the possibilities were so exciting. 

 

Blogging reminds me of a time when people sat on a porch and mingled with their neighbors.   I feel like our blogs are our porches where we can sit and share and invite people over.  And when we are ready, we can go back in to our homes and close the curtains.  Some people invite folks off the porch and into their living rooms.  While others are content to simply stay put on the swing and chit chat.  

I really believe that I would not be as creatively fulfilled without the opportunity to share with and be inspired by other bloggers and friends who stop by on my "porch"  to say hi.

Blogging gives me the opportunity to meet people who I normally never meet in my day to day life.  As an artist, blogging has opened up a whole new world of people who love arts and crafts as much as I do. 

I love that.   Anyway, that just my thoughts on a Wednesday afternoon before I leave to pick kids up from school.  As great as blogging is too bad it can't get in the car and go pick up Carlos......or wash the dishes.......or do the laundry.......oh well, there's always room for improvement in everything.

Talk to you soon! Karin
 

I'm back......

 
Do I look refreshed?  I feel refreshed.  This is one of three out of 136 pictures of me.  As the photographer in the family, I rarely get in any of the pictures.  I often wonder if three generations from now my great great grandchildren will think Carlos and Andres were orphans.  Or, maybe, since I show up sporadically, I'm the nanny or the maid.  

When we were at Universal Studios, we got a room with a kiddi suite.  I was very excited about this set up thinking it could be like a second honeymoon for Cosme and me.  Maybe, possibly, I thought, the suite was located down a long corridor around a corner.   Even better, in a different building since Carlos' bestest friend Sean would be staying with us that night.  I wondered if we could just set them up with endless room service and just fetch them in the morning. 

Unfortunately, however, there were a few privacy issues with the room.......

The first being that not only was it not down a long corridor, it didn't have walls that reached the ceiling.....

Although, we told the children, it was completely against hotel policy to jump from the top of the bunk to the other bed.......

 apparently there was a clause in the rules exempting monkeys.......

Many a stuffed animal was tossed on our head that night.  Luckily, the "room"  came with its own little tv and dvd player so we just shoved all three of them in there and would have shut the door....if there were a door.

My friend Gail sent us room service of wine and a mud pie for me and Cosme, and hot chocolate and cookies for the kids.  We were set for the night.

I love traveling during the week in the off season.   You get the whole pool to yourself......

An endless array of lounge from which to choose......

A fireplace to yourself where you can ponder life.....and keep your toes warm....

In Santa Barbara, we discovered Carlos was running a restaurant in his spare time........

Super cute vintage shop on State Street.......

 

A statue of a man washing a window that perplexed Carlos for a good 15 minutes before he would walk up to it and touch it.......

Good times.......

Ok.....gotta unpack, clean house and wash some clothes.  Vacation is officially over!   Talk to you soon!  Karin

Cake Kit .........

I'm doing another video tutorial through Cropped for my paper cake box.   This time my hair will be a little longer and I will hopefully appear less nervous in order to show you how to create a paper mache cake box like the one above. 

I'm also offering a kit to go with it.........

 

What you get in the kit:

·     Paper mache box

·     Variety of flowers as shown in example

·     Extra flowers

· Floral fabric

·     2 ½ yds pre-sewn pink seambinding

·     2 ½ yds pre-sewn crepe paper

·     1 yd pre-sewn crepe paper for rosette

·     A completed ruffled crepe paper

·     A completed crepe paper rosette 

·     Martha Stewart white glitter mix

·     Glitter Heart w/ attached glittered wire

·     3 mini banners (Make a Wish, Eat Cake, Happy Birthday)

·     Candle

·     2 crystals

·     Decorative paper (for bottom of cake)

Price: 15.00

Registration for the class is through Cropped and will be open on May 15th.   The tutorial will be available on June 15th.  

We are leaving today to go on a little family vacation.  Since I technologically live in the 18th century, I won't have access to my emails until we get back on Sunday.   If you have any questions about the kit or class, just send me an email and I will talk to you when I get back.   

We'll be celebrating a cancer free life and Carlos' 10th birthday (my birthday too. However, I like to ignore that year older part.)  at Universal Studios and Santa Barbara.  

I talk to you when I get back!!  Karin

Some people think they're soooo funny.......

This is what happened after I left Paper Tales Saturday, care of Michelle, Julie Randi and Patty..........

hee hee.......I think this will be my next class.......

I wonder if Bret got my get well card yet............

Fun at Paper Tales!

 

  

 

Tutorial Tuesday......on Friday!

Pink Floral "Nest" Banner

Here's what you will need: 

• Melissa Francis Chipboard Banner
• Narratives "honeydew" paper
• 7 Gypsies "barcelona terrassa" paper
• Girl's Paperie "cabbage rose"
• Pink Tulle
• Pink Pom Pom Trim
• Chipboard Letters
• Glitter

I love this project.  It's super easy and fast.  I was thinking it would make a nice housewarming gift. 

OK........once you have everything gathered, go get a piece of chocolate to eat while doing this project.   It's a "must have" supply in the Chaos craft room.   Just make sure to wipe your hands so you don't get chocolate smudges all over your project.

1.  After checking to make sure your fingers are clean, place the Chipboard on the "Green Scroll" paper and trace the outline.  Cut and glue to the chipboard. 

2.  Cut the "Barcelona" paper to the width desired. Cut the sides to fit the design on the banner.  I used a scallop scissor to cut the top edge.  Glue into place on the banner.

3.  Cut one of the large flowers patterns out of the "Paper Girl" paper.  Glue into place as shown in the picture. 

4. Punch holes in the top of the banner for the ribbon.

5. Put glitter on the edges of the banner.  I personally use a a small paintbrush to outline the edges with glue and then sprinkle on the glitter.   You could also use glitter glue like Stickles to do the edges.

6. Glue your pom pom trim along the bottom of the "Barcelona" paper. 

7. Place your chipboard letters where you want them and then glue.

8. Lightly spread some glue on the pink flowers and then sprinkle white glitter on top.

8. Thread the tulle through the holes.  After deciding the length you want, knot the tulle in the front of the banner to prevent it from slipping through. 

:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:

Green Floral "Nest" Banner

 

 

Here's what you will need: 

• Melissa Francis Chipboard Banner
• Narratives "honeydew" paper
• 7 Gypsies "barcelona terrassa" paper
• Girl's Paperie "cabbage rose" paper
• Tulle
• Pink Seambinding
• Webster's Pages "bloomers" ribbon
• Chipboard Letters
• Glitter

1.  Place the Chipboard on the "Paper Girl" paper and trace top part of banner outline.  Cut and glue to the chipboard.  Do the same for the bottom half with the "Barcelona" paper.

2.  Cut the "Green Scroll" paper to the width desired. Cut the sides to fit the design on the banner.  I used a scallop scissor to cut the top edge.  Glue into place on the banner.

3. Put glitter on the edges of the banner.  I personally use a a small paintbrush to outline the edges with glue and then sprinkle on the glitter.   You could also use glitter glue like Stickles to do the edges.

4.  Glue the green floral ribbon to the bottom of the "green scroll" paper. 

5. Punch holes in the top of the banner for the ribbon.

6. Place your chipboard letters where you want them and then glue.

7. Thread the tulle  through the holes.  After deciding the length you want, knot the tulle in the front of the banner to prevent it from slipping through.   Make a bow with the seambinding.  Thread the long portion of the seambinding through the holes.  Fit for length.  Knot at the hole and a the end of the seambinding.

There you go!  Now go find yourself a a housewarming party in which to get invited.  Or, tell your friends to move so you can bring this to their new home.  Either way you will be ready! 

Talk to you soon!  Karin

edited (Thanks to Linda!) to reflect the correct spelling of TUTORIAL.....ugggg...