Packin' Up Our Suitcase...with a Mini Book

I hope everyone on the East Coast is keeping warm and dry. We're getting whatever everyone else had earlier in the week and we're supposed to be getting a "Nor-east'r" this weekend...a perfect time to make samples and play (and do laundry...oh well)!

We made a fun, fun project on the first full day of our retreat. Clever Tim, trouble maker extraordinaire, was able to finagle this cute as anything mini suitcase so everyone had it in the Christmas red and green. Some things you don't ask, just appreciate it! The insides were the fun part...this was an easy mini book that can be recreated in tons of different sizes!

Tim used the Wonderland papers from Cosmo Cricket. We folded them to create little pockets for the mini-folders and with the mixture of Distress reinkers, water and Perfect Pearls in the Mini Mister(tm), you're ready to go! As an aside, we were given the MOST WONDERFUL block of wood from Kim DeRonde with 30 holes drilled in, perfect for the Mini Misters! I can't wait to decorate mine so that everyone know that it's mine and not to touch it.

We distressed all the pages with Tim's Paper Distresser and edged with Distress Ink(tm) and the Ink Blending Tool. Just a little ink on the paper creates dimension...love to use this. Remember, you can use either the Ink Blending Tool or the Alcohol Ink Applicator handle for the Ink Blending Foam...it will stick to both! We punched holes on each page and added some vintage binder rings and ribbon from American Craft-love their embellishments! Don't you also love the foofy ric rac? Crazy Kate brought it and was kind enough to share!

Don't forget to distress the suitcase. A few scrapes with sandpaper and more inking and pounding the hardware with Tim's Texture Hammer. I almost got out of hand with the hammering...the snaps almost stopped working...!

I'm going to go through a bunch of photos that I have of my mom and my uncle and add them to the book! It's a great gift for someone and a wonderful gift I made for myself!

Keep toasty, everyone!

Robin

Creativity Abounding in AZ

I've still got one suitcase filled to the brim with "stuff" that I'll be emptying out little by little. It was such a blast...now onto the creativity! Karen Morikawa, or as she is known, Keychain (she's so petite she could go onto a keychain...a definite Tim"ism"!) put together a wonderful swap. Almost everyone created 38 copies or versions of a recipe card. You could make one and copy it or make 38 of 'em. I kind of did a mix. I printed out the recipe (Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies), but then had to embellish accordingly. I had to do some sort of a Bandanna Technique of course. The background paper is from Basic Grey's Figgy Pudding, then layered with "pearlized" Wrinkle Free Distress on watercolor paper, then the recipe. I added a swipe of Vintage Photo Distress Crackle Paint(tm) and liked a crazy woman hand stamped out the word "cookies" with the awesome Magnetic Poetry stamps in the Typewriter Font with Jet Black Archival(tm) Ink. I then "Bandanna'd" it with the white pen. Everyone did a wonderful and outstanding job.

For our first project, we made a book to hold our recipe cards, using Grungeboard(tm) and the Bind-it-all, which I had not used before. I wanted the book to have a Christmas-ey feel to it, but not too much. Thus, placed the Grungeboard covers through the Cuttlebug(tm) with the Snowflakes border...boy, does it emboss great...since the covers had a harlequin pattern to it to begin with, it creates a "double" embossed effect! I coated the outside covers with a combination of Adirondack(r) Acrylic Paint Dabber colors: Silver, Cloudy Blue and some Snow Cap White... I then added on the numbers "07" and bookplate coated with Pitch Black and edged with Silver paint. I then bound it together with the Bind-it-All!

As usual, I came up with an idea that I wasn't sure if it would work, but still wanted to see if it could! I'm famous for that and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. At least it's good to try, right? I took two of the longer Grungeboard Hinges and painted them black and edged with Silver and attached hinge "end" with brads to the back covers. I then wanted to somehow create something so that they would "snap" in place and close. I cut out two small circles from the Grungeboard, again using the Cuttlebug, followed by die cut snowflakes. I poked holes through these and on the front cover edges, attached them to the covers with a brad, but made sure that the brad had space so it stuck out and was NOT flush to the die cut shapes. The decorative end of the hinges had a center hole...perfect to use to "attach" and create a closure...pretty cool...BUT-next time, I'm going to reinforce that hole on the decorative edge of the hinge with an eyelet...someone was a little rough with checking out the closure and one of them ripped. That's okay, though! It still closes and you get the idea.

The finishing touch was adding ribbon to the binder...It's really fun and I'm so glad that there's something I can look at to remember the attendees by!

There's 5 more projects that we created, so keep tuned in!

Inky Hugs, Robin

Holiday Hideaway Hangover!

Hello, Everyone! I'm back from my flurry of art, friends and fun in AZ! I took today off to get my bearings back. I feel like I'm hungover from all the travel and fun. I've got lots to share. Every bit of it was memorable and just such a blast. If Tim didn't think I was stalking him, I could see myself living in Prescott. I think it's my 4th trip there and I just love its small town coziness, antique stores, neat galleries and the art. Weather wise, we had everything-sun, snow, hail and rain. All we needed was some lightning and thunder and we would have been complete.

I feel so lucky and blessed when I am at an event such as this. I'm lucky in that I get to work and spend time with Tim through the year. What an event such as this does for me is to get a chance to catch up with so many others that I've not seen in a while. Many of the attendees I first met through Club Scrap-demoing and teaching at the first 4+ years of their retreats I've become friends with so many people from around the country. There's also the many store owners that I've met through Tim and Ranger that I've become friendly with. Boy did we laugh this weekend. No matter what happens in your life, the ability to spend time with people like this is what makes it all worth while.

I thought I'd "report" on my trip in a few posts, but the first one is all about friends. I made some new ones and got to reconnect. We were all assigned to a table, and we had fun! I was lucky to spend the weekend with my roomies, Dawn and Nadine, here we are together... as well as the crazy and wonderfully talented Kate and new friends Kathy and Michelle.

Don't tell Brian, but I have a new "boyfriend"; Michelle's son, Kelvin and her husband brought Michelle to the retreat. It turns out Kelvin, who is 5, loves Webkinz, too! Every time he came into the room I would holler out in my shy way, "Hi, Kelvin!" He didn't know what to do at first and would whisper answers to his mom. After we got into our Webkinz discussions, though, that was a different story. Now I have a new Webkinz buddy! Near the end of the weekend Kelvin asked for my snail mail info and number and I gave it to him, but said not to tell my boyfriend. He was so cute because he said, "why not?" Brian thought it was a riot...here's my new Webkinz buddy. Isn't he cute?

There's so many pictures people took and I've already ordered Sharon's photos! Thanks, Sharon! My buddy Terri, or Zwick or Zwickie. She mentioned before the retreat that you know those friends that you've not seen in a while, but when you do see them, it was like yesterday that you last saw them!? That's Zwickie. Super-talented designer for Club Scrap and all around funny-as-hell gal. She and I tend to get into trouble. Of course, in a good way. Then there's Lia, Keychain, Cindy, Monica, and on and on. And of course-Tim. What can I say about a friend and co-worker like Tim? Thanks. Also, to Sharon, Michelle and the incomparable Mario for the prepping, organizing and cooking...Yikes! I was almost scared to step on the scale today. But it was so worth it.

I've got lots more to share, but I wanted to start out with what I treasure so much-my friends. Not just the ones that I got to catch up with at the Hideaway, but for all the rest of you...you know who you are!

It's good to be home! Enjoy the day! Holly Hugs, Robin

Greetings from...

In a matter of hours I'll be grumbling because it's too early and will be on my way to AZ. I promise to take lots of pictures and to have fun, not be as good as I have been regarding my food and drink diet and have fun seeing a bunch of my friends that I've not seen in a while, and spending more time with those that I do see, but on "vacation time!"

I probably won't be posting during that time, but I'll be reporting as soon as I get back! Enjoy the weekend...I know I will!
Inky Hugs, 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

Warm n' Toasty Beady Links!

Well, the weather people were actually on target today. As much as I'm not a fan of snow, how coolio was it that when I woke up, there was a little bit of snow on the ground. It made me even more in the spirit ! Here's another one of my favor "Classic" Tigger ornaments-holding onto an icicle for dear life!

If you also have a chance, check out Tim's blog. He's holding a "12 Days of Christmas" tag tutorial. If you post, you have a chance to win the supplies he used for that day's project. He did a great job with the step outs and get some good info on the latest Ranger and Tim "stuff"!

On the right are some of my most favorite Hallmark Pooh Ornaments. I actually was lucky enough to get them when they first came out...in 1998! When I put all of them together before putting on the tree, I noticed I didn't have 2002! Darn! Thank goodness for the internet-I found it, MIB and not for a zillion dollars.

Well, it's going to be a busy couple of days, then off to AZ. I'm looking forward to it-I need it! I'll probably be more tired coming back with who knows what Tim's got in store for us.

Here's the weekly Beady Blogger links. Check 'em out...there's some fun ornament ideas!

• About.com Jewelry Making Looking for a jewelry class or two to take in 2008? Tammy has some ideas for you, including classes in metalwork, wire, metal clay, and beads.
• Art Bead Scene Check out our links to two free projects currently up on Beading Daily that feature Art Bead Scene editors' beads! Melanie's Pixie Parchment project and an interview with Cindy paired with a project featuring her spiral beads are currently available for free download. Bead Arts Cyndi's bead embroidered page for November of the Bead Journal Project is finished, and as usual, it's for the prior month!
• Jewelry & Beading Inspired by the completion of another bead-embroidered necklace, Cyndi decided to update her advice on bead embroidery techniques.
• Katie's Beading Blog Learn how to make your own sparkly LOVE ornament, plus, links to other cool ornament ideas!
• Naughty Secretary Club Notice the picture of Jen in the latest issues of Altered Couture and Adorn Magazines? This week on her blog you can win all the jewelry in the Duncan ad and also get the instructions to make everything yourself using Fabric and Liquid Fusion glue.
• PearlEsq. Robin shares a "crafty" Christmas idea-why shop when you can teach and share as a gift-it keeps on giving!
• Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean makes some angel earrings with a definite Chanel style to their wings. Also, a call for a PMC book to be authored by our own Tammy Powley!
• The Impatient Blogger Katie Hacker and Candie Cooper have declared every Thursday until Christmas 'Ornament Thursday! ' Margot whips up a sentimental tribute to her grandparents in this weeks offering. Join in the fun!

Pooh to You, and Tigger, too!!!

For those that know me, it's no secret that I have accumulated quite a collection of Winnie the Pooh, specifically Tigger. I guess I just have always seen a bit of Tigger in me...lots of spring and craziness! I'm especially fond of the original Winnie the Pooh drawings by E. H. Shepard. I adore the whimsy of them! Years ago, when I moved back to Neptune, I lived with my grandfather and wanted to be sure to have a tree up each Christmas for him. He loved sitting by the tree and watching TV and the tree. Luckily, neither Pearl or Minnie, and subsequently, Oliver, didn't feel the need to tear the tree apart (phew!). Just a lot of staring at everything...which did sometimes make me nervous.

Over the years I picked up quite a number of "Disney" and classic Pooh ornaments. I finally decided to go all Pooh. I wasn't in a Christmas mood last year, but still bought the yearly Hallmark ornaments (I miss the Michel & Company licenses for classic Pooh!).
So, this year, after getting my 2007 ornaments, I decided I missed my tree! It may be in anticipation of getting ready for Tim's Retreat next week, and maybe hearing Christmas music in the background for the past month when I talked to Tim on the phone! So, I got a new tree, complete with the lights on it, and away I went. Talk about a lot of Pooh...yes, I know you can think of millions of "Pooh-ey" puns (I know I can) but I wanted to share some of my favorite ornaments and my tree. Nothing makes me happier than pulling into the driveway and seeing the tree in the window. Now it's feeling like Christmas! Enjoy! Robin