Thanksgiving Leftovers...better than ever!

Happy Sunday! I'm sure most of the leftovers are gone and it's slim pickin's in the fridge and the reality of the impending Monday is a bummer, so enjoy these fun bits of info and eye candy!The four soldered pieces above have been my latest bit of fun. I've been so wanting to play with these Red Lead Paperworks stamps and I finally had some time to do so. Love the vintage looks and adore the little sayings. I'm word crazy as it is, and to have little words stamps to add to the backgrounds (words are already on them!) and these cute kids...can't go wrong! For the kids I made Tim's Distress Ink(tm) Wrinkle Free Technique, but with a Mini Mister spray of water and Perfect Pearls(tm) to create the pearly sheen. I then cut them out and did a mix n' match of their outfits; since it's on watercolor paper, they seem to have even more dimension. I added the little bit of white opaque pen to "bandanna" them a little bit. I created Distress Crackle Paint(tm) Bandanna Backgrounds. The crackly background makes a wonderful contrast to the pearly color of the Distress inks. All I need to do is add some charms to the bottom (maybe some Swarovski crystals!) and chain on the top, and they're ready to go. These are likely headed to the Red Lead sisters, but I know I'll be making more. If anyone's interested in them, let me know.

Yesterday I spent a day with my buddy Jen Starr and took her Ranger Layout Extravaganza Class. It's quite the class. We made some suggestions and a few tweaks. It was fun to take a class for a change! Now it's my job to pick the pictures to go with the pages and put 'em together.

This picture just makes me smile from ear to ear. Thanksgiving was so wonderful because we were all together-my parents, both my sisters...so all of the kids were together. So they suffer through my begging them for me to take a picture. This was on the first go-even the dog looked forward. How's that for luck!?!?

I also wanted to tell you about my friend Aleida Taddei-Thomas. She's a graduate of Ranger University, both Perfect Pearls and Ink/Embossing. She's extremely talented. She became as obsessed with my Bandanna Technique...she even created Bandanna Stamps from real Bandanna designs! Check out Aleida's Blog to see what wonderful things she creates-she also travels to teach. Here's the Bandanna Plaque I created...she's seen it and it's on its way to Aleida in Texas. Here's some closeups of the letters:

Before I get to the Beady Links, if you've not seen the Bandanna Plaque I made as a surprise for Wendy Vecchi, here it is:

It's not a surprise that it's been done in the only colors that Wendy uses: Vintage Photo and Faded Jeans (only teasing, Wendy!). I also picked up the key from somewhere...I liked its swirly looks and thought it would be neat to allude to it being the "key" to creativity...which Miss Wendy, as well as Jen, Aleida and the Red Lead Sisters Chris and Sharon have-all locked up! Check 'em out! And speaking of checking things out, enjoy the following Bead links from these talented artists. Enjoy the day!

• About.com Jewelry Making Give a double whammy of beads this holiday. Tammy has discovered a group that has great beaded jewelry to give and get that also gives to needy young women.
  Art Bead Scene Only a few days left to enter the Art Bead Scene challenge with the Coffee Haus theme! Get your caffeine on and get moving on a coffee related design using art beads!
• Bead Arts Cyndi is ga-ga over the pictures and information she found recently on Kanzashi, Japanese hair ornaments.
• Jewelry & Beading Two of Cyndi's pieces are in the latest issue of Jewelry Crafts.
• Naughty Secretary Club Grab a left over turkey sandwich and tune into the DIY Network Holiday Special this weekend with oodles of different craft projects. One with Jennifer Perkins making a chunky charm bracelet and necklace using decoupage.
• Pearlesq. Check out Robin's closeup photos of Distress Crackle Paint along with tips and techniques to get the best "crackin'" results!
• Savvy Crafter Last week Candie found herself in a maze of seed beads in Kathmandu. See pictures of her visit to the Indra Chowk bead market…
• Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! It's not too early to start stashing away those hand-made teachers' gifts for the Holidays! You will be glad you did later when the rush is on! Jean shows what she decided to make the teachers (shhh! It's a secret!) this year!
• The Impatient Blogger If you're feeling the holiday stress, take a moment to enjoy a delicious little gem of a movie that'll spark your creativity and make you smile. A kinda movie review from your pal Margot!

Relax, Clean, Rest, Craft, Veg...Repeat

Happy Monday! We made it through the last Ranger U of the year! I got home about 1:30ish, crashed until 5. Of course I then couldn't get back to sleep last night, but I knew I was taking today off, so it was all okay!

I detest, hate, loath (fill in the blank) cleaning. I like things clean, but I just hate doing it. Today, though, I was determined to really get on my hands and knees and work on my bathroom, always the top of every one's list. When I was practicing law and took depositions (as many as 3-5 a week sometimes!), there were always the personal injury defense questions that asked about how some one's life was altered from being hurt; I always asked about cleaning the house and always included the "did you clean the toilet" question, there was always the universal "ugh" face. So I know I'm not alone! but I do feel a sense of accomplishment of getting that done. So I thought I'd take a "break" and post, then back to vacuuming, laundry, with the hopes of getting in some soldering. One can only hope!

October 2007 Ranger U was the best. I say that every time, but it really was such a wonderful group. We had a blast with the international inclusion of people from England, Ireland, United Kingdom and Sweden! I got to taste Scottish Tablet which was interesting, but also some wonderful Swedish "Dark Milk" chocolate...cool! Thanks so much to everyone. I must now get back on my better eating habits, but it was worth it!

After the Ink/Embossing/Paint Education overload, Tim and I provided one of the mirror frames we love to use from Ikea and a bag full of Bazzill Chips. I love this part of the event, as everyone just does their own thing. As Tim says, they're all in their "zone". It's a great way to confirm what they've learned for the previous 2 days.

Here's a few frames from the attendees. I had some fun last night with Photoshop Elements and took the pictures of the attendees and centered them in the area where the mirror was...neat, huh!? The first is from Aleida Thomas, a wonderfully talented woman from Texas. She also has created some wonderful "Bandanna Collection" stamps based on her learning the Bandanna Technique from me at Perfect Pearls Ranger U. She created some wonderful effects. The second is from Julie Eaves of the UK; she loves purple, can you tell!? Next is from Nancy Parker, teacher and designer of everything and anything. She did an awesome job with Tim's Shabby Chic technique. Finally, Michele Dougherty, the Dean of College of Crafting with A.C. Moore. She's extremely talented and excited to bring in new educational programs into A.C.Moore, which I think in the end will result in new paper crafters who will then seek out the independent stores!

What was great about seeing every one's frames is that many times the ladies worked what they termed to be "outside of their comfort level." I think that's the fun and the challenge and what makes you grow as an artist! You never know what you may end up with!

I've got a lot to show to everyone....more frames from Ranger U, more techniques with the "same stamp" series I showed a few weeks ago and more from my "Meow" book! Everyone enjoy your day, I know I am!

Inky Hugs, Robin