Last Minute Stuff...Famous Last Words!

Well, I'm still finding things to do, boys and girls! I'm so happy, though, that my list is getting shorter, I think! I'm psyched to bring my jewelry and other samples to the show as well as seeing all of my friends and the new products.

One of the things I'm going to be doing is taping a segment with one of my bestest friends, Ana Araujo with her new show, When Creativity Knocks. I'm so proud of what Ana's done, and her daugher, Megan, will be her co-host. It's a great concept and I hope those of you attending CHA will definitely watch when she tapes around the show. I'll be taping my segment first thing in the morning on the last day of the show, February 13th.


When I get back, though, I will be at Paper-Potamus doing a workshop with Lance of Rusty Pickle and my buddy, Jen Starr, who's also going to be doing our Perfect Pearls(tm) Challenge at the booth. For those that do the Make and Take with Jen and provide their store business card, you will get a chance for an all-expense paid trip (not to exceeed $1,000) to Ranger U! Cool, huh!? Those taking part in the MITI (make it take it) will also get a little package of product to demo with back at their store.

On February 23rd, I'm teaching at Tinsel Trading! I'm going to be teaching a bunch of techniques, many I've not taught before, to create Memory Glass(tm) Jewelry. The Medallion Necklace shown is special for Tinsel Trading and will incorporate their product-I LOVED how this turned out. Check it out-hope to see you there!

Enjoy your evening! Robin

Just a "Quickie"-bit of Info!

Okay, everyone...get your minds out of the gutter. I'm running in all directions trying to finish things up, get ready for the second half of the soldering class from last week (soldering tonight!) and then tomorrow I'm home to pack and bright and early Thursday, on my way to AZ!

I wanted to give anyone that reads this that are store owners, teachers, designers, etc. the heads up-the new Ranger U 2008 schedule is out! I've been running Ranger U for going on 6 years...I can't believe it! This will be a new format, with 3 FULL days of education covering ALL of the lines: Perfect Pearls(tm), Melt Art(R) and everything Ink/Embossing/Paint, taught by myself, Suze Weinberg and Tim Holtz. Everything you need to know is in the information provided on the web with the cut off dates for receipt of applications, etc.

I'm really proud of this program and if you have any questions, just reach out to all of the Ranger U graduates and they'll tell you what they think! Or email me, of course.

Don't be shy about giving it a try. I'm looking for those that teach and want to teach more or have a store and want to educate themselves and their employees on what the product lines have to offer!

Okay, enough of the Ranger commercial. This is my blog, but this is also my program which I feel is important, so that's why I'm talking about it!

Inky Hugs to all!

Robin

TOTW #6 Last of the Flowers...or not?!

Hello and Happy Monday! I had a good weekend. I was making Bandanna Backgrounds until the cows come home, but that's because I've got a lot of soldered sign thingies that I want to make...I'm determined, though, to finish up some of the "series" of things that I've been showing...so here goes!

Monoprint Background with Adirondack(r) Alcohol Inks: I have so much fun with this technique because you never know what you're going to get. No surprise, this is a Tim Holtz technique, but "Robin-ized". I tend to like the bolder colors and use less Blending Solution. On the infamous Non-Stick Craft Sheet, squiggle or shake out various colors (don't go crazy with the shaking, it can be permanent on your clothes if you don't get it after with the Blending Solution!). Add JUST a dot of Metallic Mixatives-this is the step that people many times do overkill on. This is a very, very (did I say very!?) concentrated pigmented alcohol ink and a little goes a lonnnnnng way! Then do the squiggle of Blending Solution, which will help to blend and even lighten colors to get different gradations of color. Take Gloss Paper and with Gloss side down, place onto your "mixture" and spin or swipe and lift. It's okay if every area of the paper doesn't get covered...This sample was done on a postcard size piece of paper (1/4 of 8-1/2" x 11" piece of paper, or 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"), so I used the part that had the most ink coverage. Then just stamp with Archival(tm) Jet Black Ink Stamp Pad. Let air dry or speed drying with Craft Tool. you get the best backgrounds and can create wonderfully easy backgrounds for cards, scrapbook embellishments (great for die cuts).

Okay, a small aside....using a waterproof dye ink pad versus a solvent-based ink pad, such as Staz-on or even Ranger's Decor-it ink. The latter is overkill, and remember that solvent can remove solvent, so your stamped solvent based image may become blurry or "bleed" slightly because it is reacting with the solvent in the Alcohol Inks. Use the solvent-based inks for your non-porous surfaces where you need the permanency. and are not mixing it with another solvent based ink. Archival Ink or a competitor's waterproof dye ink is great for Gloss Paper!

Adirondack(r) Embossing Powders: These embossing powders are so much fun. They are different from other embossing powders in that they have a white resin core, and are coated in color. What that means is that when you emboss them, sometimes the "white" core comes out and you get a neat effect. When you mix different colors together and emboss, each granule retains its shape, so you get a true speckled effect! For Christmas, it's fun to mix even amounts of Red Pepper or Cranberry and Bottle or Lettuce (or all 4!) and use that new Holiday "Party Mix" to emboss an image. What I did here was to "color" the image stamped with Embossing Ink and then with my fingers, just sprinkled where I wanted color. it's really not that hard. I then just gently tapped off the excess and embossed. What a neat way to color in and create some dimension!

Adirondack(r) Color Wash Encaustic Resist: Last, but not least, another Tim technique-stamp image with Embossing Ink and use Clear Embossing Powder (use regular, not UTEE or Super Fine Detail) and emboss with Craft Tool on GLOSS PAPER...this is a must! Carefully spray various Color Wash onto the Non-Stick Craft Sheet; again, make sure you're wearing protective clothing! Then turn over and press (don't do the smoosh technique like with the Monoprint!). Turn over and "fill in" the blank areas by pressing down again. Sometimes I use a little mist of water from the Mini Mister(tm) to "cajole" the ink to the blank areas! Use the Craft Tool to dry the Color Wash, but don't overdo it because you don't want to

reheat the embossing powder. The Color Wash seems to "matte" the paper, creating the Encaustic effect that is made with wax.

Feel free to give these a try. It's a good idea to just play with one stamp and create a reference book of sorts so that you know what you get when you want to use a certain product. That's the whole idea behind Ranger U!

Well, I hope you enjoyed the various samples created with this stamp. I've still got some more pages of the "Meow" book and Ranger U frames!

Have a great evening!

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

Creativity Overload!?

Happy Weekend! I can't believe that Ranger U is almost over already, and it just started! Every time another Ranger U comes around I feel like I'm getting ready for a wedding. Prep, prep, prep-it's over! A wonderful group, too! We've got attendees from: United Kingdom (3), Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Canada (2) as well as New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, Illinois, Texas and California! And all for the love of Ranger! I always get so pumped with all of the excitement and energy in the room. And the creativity! OMG!

I also wanted to share the talent of one of the attendees, Wendy Vecchi. If you haven't heard of her, watch out. I think you will know who she is, soon!!! The wonderful alphabet exemplar is from Rachel Greig and, of course, Maya Road chipboard, oh, and no surprise...Distress Ink!

Well, I'm absolutely exhausted, so I'm going to crash. I just wanted to share the "creative love"!

Inkingly,

Robin

Share the Fun! Share the Art! Share, share alike!

Happy Thursday/Friday! I wanted to welcome you to a new addition to my blog! I'm tickled pink (Worn Lipstick Distress Ink Color to be exact) to be added to a wonderful group of jewelry makers, crafters and all-around talented people! You've got to check them out. Whether you consider yourself "just" a Scrapbooker, Rubber Stamper or Jewelry Maker, the insight and information they offer crosses over to everything!

Before you scroll down to the list, I just wanted to remind you that Saturday is the last day to check out my blog and post who sent ya! Sunday, the latest Monday I'll have them tallied and the stamps awarded! Craft on! I've so enjoyed hearing from people I've not had contact with in a while-I'm so glad you enjoying the blog! I'm having a blast!

• The Impatient Beader: The Big Apple is a veritable beader's paradise! Margot went to judge the Create Your Style Swarovski competition and scored some fantastic new beads and bits. Go see!


• Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean shows a bracelet with lots and lots of cheery Earthenwood Studio pumpkins. She entered it in the Art Bead Scene challenge for October. Pumpkins surely can be Boo-tiful!


• Savvy Crafter Beads, beads, beads! They’re everywhere. Candie pokes around her apartment taking pictures of all things lovely and beadafied.


• PearlEsq. Robin provides some fun ideas for how to create "under pressure!" She shows how to have some fun with techniques on your down time, so when in a rush, you're ready to go! Also check in on her fun Stamp Giveaway Contest!


• Katie's Beading Blog Get a sneak peek at one of Katie's projects in the new issue of Easy Wire magazine. Subtle fall colors and lots of texture combine for a fresh, organic look.


• Jewelry and Beading Blog How about some low-cal candy corn this Halloween? How about zero calories in fact? That's what you'll get with this eye-candy elastic bead bracelet at the Jewelry and Beading Blog.


• Bead Arts Here is Cyndi's list of the best metal bead suppliers. Do you have any you'd like to nominate?


• Art Bead Scene Stop by and see the variety of art beads we found recently, all based on the idea of "spooky trees", and inspired by the current change of season and upcoming holiday.

I also wanted to tell you to check out Suze Weinberg's site and her videos! She and her husband, Lenny, work together to prep, film and edit some great techniques with the Melting Pot and other great products!

Everyone have a wonderful weekend...next week's going to be busy work week. Catching up with Tim to prepare for next year and to finalize prep for next weekend's Ranger U!

Linky Hugs,

Robin