Creative Chaos

Tutorial Tuesday...I mean Thursday....

 

I mean, doing everything I possibly can to avoid doing taxes.  How am I supposed to do something as trivial as working on my taxes when I have all this new paper sitting right next to me..... Am I right, or am I right.   If my accountant is reading this right now....don't answer that.  

Anyway, since I'm so in love with this new paper and obsessed with using these acrylic overlays, I thought I would try to combine the two in a tag.  I think the thing I love about tags is they are quick and easy.  Also, the person you give it to can hang it up and display it like a little piece of art.

So here we go.......

I decided to use a piece of chipboard for the base of the tag.  Since I was going to have all sorts of things happening on the front I wanted something with a bit more stability than card stock.  I cut the chipboard 3 x 6" and then cut the paper a little under 3" in width and and in longer so I could fold it up on the bottom.......

 

I glued the two outside edges to form a little pocket. Just a little FYI....don't use a lot of glue.  It will spread and you won't be able to put your little tag in.  I actually used hot glue so I could control it a bit more.  You could also use a tape runner......

Next, I cut a piece of acrylic overlay and some pom pom trim.....

 

I glued the pom pom trim into place.....

 

Made sure the tag fit in nicely......

 

I inked the outside of the tag with a white ink pad.....
 

 

I inked the edges if the overlay with a combo of gold and coffee bean brown....... 

So then I started thinking about the little embellishments I wanted to use.   When I was making the "A girl and her story" scrapbook, I remembered I had bought this sticky back canvas a while back.  I'm sure it was to do all sorts of awesome things.  In the meantime it was just sitting there.  So I cut a little heart out and painted it.  I love the textured look to it.....

 

 

 

Plus it can be a dimensional as you want it to be.  In the " A girl" scrapbook, I didn't even take the backing off, I just hot glued down the middle and let the sides stick up.   For this one, I took the backing off and stuck it to the overlay.......

 

I just kept a bit of the tops of the heart popped up.....

 

So I experimented with a couple more embellishments.  This little flower and twine wandered over so I gave it a try.....

 

Hmmmmm.....the twine is cute but I don't want it.   The little flower...eh.  I'm not thrilled.

 

So I left that part of the tag to think about it later, and got to putting glitter dots on my heart.   I used my trusty glue pen to put the most perfect little dots on the heart.....

 

 

Dipped it in glitter....

 

Hmmmmm....Not only do I see the little flower is back; but it brought along its friend the button with it.  I hate to tell them, neither one is getting on this tag.  Instead, I grabbed some tulle and a piece of silk material and concentrated on the top bows.......

 

I then painted the bottom of the overlay tag with some leftover paint and stamped a "I Love You!" on top of it.  And, then much to the little flower's dismay, I chose this cute yellow flower to place on top of the heart......

 

I decided the tag needed some more glitter; so I used my glue pen to edge the paper and sprinkled some clear glitter on it.   I felt like the bottom needed something more so I wrote "Mom."  

Eh....It's kind of hard to see it....... 

  

If I could do it over, I probably wouldn't do it again.  But it looks ok......

 

I'm sure there is a little flower and a button saying "I told you so" somewhere out there......

So there you have it.  A cute little tag to make make if you are looking to avoid doing your taxes.....or any other chore like laundry or cleaning the house.   I'm always looking out for my fellow creative friends. 

Ok...no more avoiding it.  I have to finish my taxes.  Talk to you soon!  Karin

Tutorial Tuesday....will be on a Thursday.....

 

I promise.  I haven't been able to get enough of the new crate paper.  This yellow floral one has been sitting on by desk calling my name.  The other thing I've been obsessed about is using the acrylic overlays.  Yes.  I know.  I'm approximately three years behind the times.  It just takes me a while to warm up to things.   I know that no one believes I will be here tomorrow with a tutorial .  But I have proof........

 

 Ha! It's one of the pictures of work in progress.  Here's another.......

 

Sometime I'm just full of surprises......See you tomorrow!  Karin

Getting some more things done......

Before I head out the door to Paper Tales, I wanted to show you the Mother's day book I'm working on for another class........

 

I have had this Maya Road chipboard album sitting on my desk forever.  Finally, I put it to good use.  

 

I'm still tinkering with the cover and the wording.  I love this flower. Love it.  I based the whole book around it.   

So, in other news....I had all this leftover paper from the mini book I was working on.  I spotted these birds on my desk and thought it would be fun to put the extra paper on them.  Well, one thing leads to another and I've got a banner for spring in the works.......

 

I have no idea how these things happen.  And, really it's a wonder how I get anything done with these guys as neighbors.......

 

Talk to you soon!  Karin

A new class for Paper Tales....Yay!

 

In between my busy, busy schedule of shooing lice away and fighting the system for fair and equal lunch bill opportunities, I somehow managed to put together this mini book using the new Crate paper from the Emma's Shoppe Collection.    While I was recounting my tales of woe to Julie, the order had just arrived at Paper Tales.  Easily distracted, I went from "and, another thing..."  to "ack...I love this....Gotta go!" 

 

Leaving Julie hanging without the conclusion to the "Real Kindergarteners of the Lunch Room," I armed myself with a bunch of the new paper, waved goodbye and headed home with a new found sense of purpose.

Mixing up the old with the new, here is my interpretation of "Thank the Heavens Above This Flipping Week is Over"  or otherwise known as "A Girl and Her Story."

 

 

Here's to hoping next week looks as good as this mini book......Talk to you later!  Karin

The crafting must go on.......

So between the delousing and fighting a losing battle with the local school lunch room (full story to come), I still had to come up with a class project for my girl's craft class that I hold at the boys' school. 

First off the current state of affairs at my craft table......

 

The room is once again, despite cleaning it last week, another episode of hoarders. Threat level hoarders is assigned when I find myself stepping over boxes, bins, and bags that are just thrown on the floor with every intention to be put away "later."   Later, however, never seems to arrive.   Anyway, I needed to throw together a project for the girls  with only two hours to spare. 

I present to you the "My Family" scrapbook.  It's only three pages so I just hoped that all of them were only children or had no interest in chronicling their siblings lives........

 

 

 

That's all I've got for the week.   However, I have some class projects for Paper Tales that are almost finished.......Talk to you soon!  Karin


 

Before I head out the door to Paper Tales.......

I wanted to share something for all you folks out there that sew.   My friends Judy of Rick Rack Thread Therapy and Jennifer of Sis Boom have put together a video for this adorable dress........

 

This dress here is killing me........

  

I may just need to rent a daughter so I have a reason to make this dress as I don't think Carlos or Andres will wear it....no matter how cute it is.   I adore that fabric...the color combination is perfect. 

Anyway, here is all the information you need.  Just click on the picture and it will take you to all the info......

 



 This is what is included in the whole kit and kaboodle........

• 1 autographed copy of the book, Girl's World: Twenty-One Sewing Projects to Make for Little Girls;
• 1 downloadable Mary's Fancy Sash Dress how to sew video demonstration;
• 1 downloadable project instruction sheet w/step-by-step color photos (PDF);
• Supply list;
• Access to the student-only Fabric.com Jennifer Paganelli/Girl's World Online Class Store where class supplies (and more) will be available for purchase at 25% off Fabric.com's already low prices; and
• 1 hour live chat with Jennifer Paganelli (Dolin O'Shea will join in to answer any sewing questions concerning this project )

I'm personally going to sign up for the class just to be able to chat with Jennifer.  I want to ask her questions like "how did you get so talented?"  and "do you dream about the perfect color combinations in your sleep?"  and "Can I please move in your beautiful house in Connecticut?"   I figure I'll have a good 5 minutes before they kick me out of the chat room......... 

 

Jennifer Paganelli is the creator of Sis Boom fabrics, which has over eight lines with Freespirit and a line with Sunbrella. Her work has been featured in national publications including Real Simple and Country Living. Girl's World is Jennifer's first book.

I'm also excited that they are having sewing expert Dolin O'Shea to help out also.  I was thinking maybe if I was really, really nice to her, she could show me how to wind a bobbin properly on my new sewing machine........

 

 
After spending 15 years in the fashion industry as a pattern maker and technical designer, in 2008, Dolin decided to leave the corporate world behind to pursue more creative opportunities. Dolin has honed her couture dressmaking skills and discovered that she can be a writer. She lives in San Jose, with a wonderful husband and two very silly dogs. Everyday is different and she wouldn't change it for the world.  Visit Dolin's blog Lulu Bliss.

So anyhow, I thought this sounded like a pretty cool class for all you people who like to sew.  And even those who want to learn more about sewing and making a dress. 

I'll see you in the chat room.......before I get the boot that is!  Talk to you soon! 

 

 

Thanks so much......

 

for all the emails and advice for lice issue.  What a week......Cosme offered to take me out to dinner and a stiff drink last night.  But I declined on the basis it would involve having to get dressed up and look presentable.  All I wanted to do was take a long hot shower and crawl into bed.   Both boys are back in school now and I am left with a to do list a mile long.  Number one on the list is taking care of the still unresolved lunch tab.  It's now up to $83 and the lunch lady is now recanting her original story of clearing Andres from any wrongdoing.  Another lunch lady, who appears to be in charge, with a clipboard in hand is now telling me, despite it being the first time she's ever laid eyes on me, that Andres is indeed the guilty culprit.  

Really.   

Sigh...... I'll be back with the whole story tomorrow along with a fun tutorial on how to make votives using acrylic paper.   

Talk to you later!  Karin  

So yesterday I get a phone call.........

I love when the phone rings because there's always that opportunity that it might be Oprah on the other line wanting me to be one of her favorite things.  Or, Martha asking for my opinion on glitter.   

I looked at my caller ID and saw that it was the school.  Damn.  Anyway, I pick it up and hear the school secretary, Barbara, on the other end.  She immediately tells me, "Don't worry the boys are ok."  Which was funny because it never occurred to me that they weren't.  My brain just doesn't work that fast these days.  I immediately thought to myself "oh, good. She's calling about Andre's delinquent lunch tab that not only still hasn't been resolved, but is now up to $83.00."  Seriously.

So, in my head, I hear Barbara's voice telling me "don't worry.  We have everything under control.  The perp has been caught and is sitting in jail right now."    However, in my ear,  I hear her say something to the effect of "head check....classroom....lice....Andres..."  I'm not sure what else she said because at that point I lost consciousness as my head slammed into my desk.  

You. have. to. be. freaking. kidding. me.

I told her, "I've never heard of anyone named Andres."  She told me, "yes, you have. Come pick up your kid now."   Damn.

So then it began.  Upon arriving home I immediately locked Andres in the garage until I could come up with a plan. 

Here we go........my plan:

I know for a fact, and no one can tell me any different, that there is a hummingbird behind this.   I don't know how she managed it....but she did.......

 

So as of today, everything is calm on the homefront after a night of frantically washing every item in sight that would touch a head of hair. A brother of the accused was discovered to have them also, so it ended up being a one two punch. Luckily, the parents were unaffected

Thank God.

The two will remain at home today for another comb through before being released back into the wild. All I need at this point is some fur, a tail and a tree to sit in and I could easily be mistaken for one of those monkeys you see tending to her young on the Animal Planet.  

Ok, I think it's 5 o'clock somewhere.......Talk to you soon.....Karin ;0)

 

           

What a day......

 
Yesterday that is.   But first I have to show you this picture of these velvet pumpkins Diane made at Paper Tales.   Well, she didn't make them at Paper Tales.  She made them and then brought them into Paper Tales...you know what I mean.  Anyway, the color combination stopped me in my tracks,  I love the gray with the pink.   She is so talented.  I was thinking one of these would look so good on my cakes for Halloween......Hmmmmm.....ideas are swirling in my head already......

 

So yesterday was a big day at Paper Tales.  Jenny Hernandez came to teach one of her fabulous paper clay classes. 

 

She's going to kill me for putting this picture up....but I think it's so cute!  If you ever have a chance to take one of her classes....do it!  

Here's Julie and Penny.....

 

Look at how cute those little rabbits are.....

 

It was such a cold rainy day yesterday.  But that didn't stop anyone from having fun.   I kept sneaking over there to bug everyone.......

 

Here's some more of Jenny's work......

 

I love this picture because it looks like tweedle dee and tweedle dum are working on their pick up lines.......

 

If I was getting married I would use this as my cake topper......

 

Here we are in an impromtu picture......

 

I'll be back tomorrow with the pictures of the Moulin Rouge stop at Paper Tales.  It involved this.......

 

Meeting Aaron and Jenny Heid of Everyday's a Holiday.   Talk to you tomorrow!  Karin


 

Sigh. When excitement turns to sorrow.......

 

It was quite a day over here in the chaos household.  Our pure excitement over our little hummingbird visitor turned to tragedy when an errant soccerball went flying into the small tree that held the tiny nest of eggs.  I wasn't even aware that it had happened until I heard sobbing coming ffrom Carlos' room.  I was able to decipher through all the hyperventilating and crying something to the effect of: soccerball, eggs, ground, killed, I didn't mean it....... I immediately ran to the back yard thinking it all had to be a horrible mistake.   There was no way this could have possibly happened because not more than 20 minutes ago I specifically told him to "stop kicking that soccer ball around in the yard.  We have eggs incubating here!" 

I climbed on the chair; peered into the nest and saw one lone little feather sticking up.  I think it's a bird's version of the finger........

 

Very sad.   Just the day before we had looked up all the facts and trivia on hummingbirds.  I was keeping daily update on my facebook page.  I already had blog posts in my head about how the mama bird sat so still and statuesque in her nest due to the fact she was reserving all her energy for those midnight feedings as well as pondering whether she should go back to work or stay at home.  I was ready to install a live web cam........

And then with one kick of the soccer ball, all dreams and excitement  came crashing down on the cement.  I made an emergency facebook message to my friend Fie who is an expert in birds with questions like.....should we put the cracked eggs back in the nest.....will the mama come back....do you think she's sad and crying in some tree......will we be banned in the hummingbird community as a housing option.....will she bring all her mean "other side of the tracks" hummingbird friends back to attack us....how easily swayed are they with a fancy double deck hummingbird feeder....

Luckily she wrote back very comforing words to me.  She said "she is probably already working on her next nest"....and some not so comforting words......"just not in your backyard."   I'm fine with that. Sort of.   I guess I just can't be trusted with a bird nest in the backyard. 

So goodbye little hummingbird that brought so much joy to our family for two days.  You and your little eggs will be missed.......

 

Ok...I'm off to buy the fanciest hummingbird feeder I can find.......Talk to you soon...Karin