Happy Halloween! Wonder Woman to Wednesday...Whoa!

Hello, Halloween-ies! This is such a fun holiday. I enjoy seeing my nieces dressed up each year. It's harder to catch up with my older niece, 13, who's going to be Tinkerbell this year, but I am going to do my best to catch the Halloween Parade to see my 7 year old niece. Last year, Madison was the cutest Wonder Woman. This year, whoa Nelly! What a difference a year makes. Miss Madison is going to be Wednesday from the Addams Family. I love this commercial with the M&M Wednesday with the Peanut M&M's "head" cut off.

I also wanted to share some wild pics from a neighbor that has been decorating his yard for Halloween for years. It started out with a few things, but then just got bigger and bigger. What I like is that he usually adds a few political "up yours" to "the man." It's pretty "crafty" the things he puts together. If you have a squeamish tummy, don't scroll down. The gentleman is Joel Van Hauwe; the tombstone that says, "I told you I was sick" was his first lawn "ornament", which led to many others. I'll try and take some better pics (I'll have to take one from across the street to see "everything." He's also got a butler that is to "die" for!

Have a fun day, everyone!

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!

Friday Play Date and the Weekly Links

I played hooky on Friday, and it was a wonderful respite. I went to deliver Pitch Black Adirondack(r) Paint Dabbers for my dear friend, Jen Starr. She lives up in Bumf*#& northwest New Jersey, so I made the trek up to see her and her funny, funny kids Ryan and Maya and wonderful dinner made by her husband, Mike. Jen is so talented and fun. It was so much fun to tease and curse at each other. Maya is an absolute pistol and kept asking why I was here to visit (I think she just wanted me to visit her!) her mommy and we, and later Mike, kept saying that Mommy deserves to have a Play Date with one of her friends sometimes! That's what it was and I was able to help her work through her last few layout designs for an unbelievably ambitious 6 hour class where 10 layouts will be created, all with various Ranger techniques. She's teaching tomorrow at The Crop Room in Hatfield, PA. I actually was intrigued to attend, but she said I'd make her too nervous because it was the first time she was teaching this class, so I'll show up another time at another place. I think this will be a GREAT class.

Jen is great because she's a definite scrapbooker; I'm a definite stamper, so we look to the other as to my "scrapbooking by fire" that I do and her (so she thinks) lacking stamping skills...Jen-get over it, you're a scrapbooker that can stamp! Anyway, it was fun, and after I go pick up my new glasses today I'm headed back home to finish Bandanna-ing my zillion Wrinkle Free Distress postcards and then solder, solder, solder!

I've also been really trying to work on my Photoshop Elements skills, so Jen, don't kill me, but consider these examples of a learning experience.

Without further adieu, check out this week's wonderful links from the Beadblogger gals!

Art Bead Scene Virginia Miska shows a step by step, easy and inexpensive way to remove tarnish from your silver beads and components, with common materials found right in your kitchen!

Bead Arts There are lots of great lampwork and hot glass forums out there! Can you think of any to add to Cyndi's list?

Jewelry and Beading Blog Tammy at the Jewelry and Beading Blog has spotted some adorable wire pumpkins from Wig Jig.

Katie's Beading Blog Beading Daily spotlighted Katie's book, Hip to Bead, this week. Read her post for links to a fun Q&A and free project download and a sneak peek into Katie's crafty organic farming lifestyle.

Naughty Secretary Club Have you taken the Handmade Pledge? Jen chats about how her girl gang the Austin Craft Mafia joined forces with the likes of Etsy, The American Craft Council, Interweave Press, Design Sponge and more to bring you Buy Handmade!

PearlEsq. Are you a Perfectionist? Robin's got a quiz for you and some thoughts on not sweating the small stuff and to embrace imperfection in your art!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! A stunning Geisha polymer focal bead by Janet Farris was dressed up using lustrous coin pearls and tiny multi hued spinels to express classic Japanese beauty. Take a look at Jean's latest offering in Beadwork Magazine!

The Impatient Blogger Are you tired of playing by the rules and itching to break free? Guess what, you can! Check out this inspired post by Margot Potter that gives you the kick in the pants you need to follow your bliss.

Tag, I'm IT! and John Cusack

Terri Conrad, a lovely designer, tagged me today! Here's the rules...

1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself (on your blog, we all want to know them).

3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs

4. Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here are 7 random/weird/silly things about me...

1. I can't sleep if my closet door is open.
2. I've got 20 Webkinz(r) (yes, it's true; as my friend Diana Kovacs says, "they're like crack"!

3. One of the best movie scenes of someone declaring their love to another is Ben Affleck to Joey Lauren Adams in Chasing Amy; Ben Affleck's character, Holden, says:

I love you. And not, not in a friendly way, although I think we're great friends. And not in a misplaced affection, puppy-dog way, although I'm sure that's what you'll call it. I love you. Very, very simple, very truly. You are the epitome of everything I have ever looked for in another human being. And I know that you think of me as just a friend, and crossing that line is the furthest thing from an option you would ever consider. But I had to say it. I just, I can't take this anymore. I can't stand next to you without wanting to hold you. I can't, I can't look into your eyes without feeling that, that longing you only read about in trashy romance novels. I can't talk to you without wanting to express my love for everything you are. And I know this will probably queer our friendship - no pun intended - but I had to say it, because I've never felt this way before, and I don't care. I like who I am because of it. And if bringing this to light means we can't hang out anymore, then that hurts me. But God, I just, I couldn't allow another day to go by without just getting it out there, regardless of the outcome, which by the look on your face is to be the inevitable shoot-down. And, you know, I'll accept that. But I know... I know that some part of you is hesitating for a moment, and if there is a moment of hesitation, then that means you feel something too. All I ask, please, is that you just, you just not dismiss that - and try to dwell in it for just ten seconds. Alyssa, there isn't another soul on this fucking planet who has ever made me half the person I am when I'm with you, and I would risk this friendship for the chance to take it to the next plateau. Because it is there between you and me. You can't deny that. Even if, you know, even if we never talk again after tonight, please know that I'm forever changed because of who you are and what you've meant to me, which - while I do appreciate it - I'd never need a painting of birds bought at a diner to remind me of.

4. I collect Robert Sabuda Pop-Up Books.
5. I go crazy if anyone puts anything on my car dashboard (the reflection...yikes!).

6. I have a "thing" for Coach Patchwork Bags.

7. John Cusack is one of my favorite actors.

Need I say more? :-)

Okay, the following are tagged!

1. Wendy Vecchi

2. Tammy Browning-Smith

3. Josie Cirincione

4. Jen Starr

5. Rebecca Peck

6. Margot Potter

7. Rachel Greig

Hopefully these lovely ladies won't curse me out for tagging them, but it was fun thinking of things!

Tag Hugs, Robin

Are you a Perfectionist!?

Good Morning! I'm doing my daily going through my emails and other things and I couldn't help but throw this up to "y'all". I saw this "perfection" questionnaire on a wonderful blog, Stampin' When I Can-I don't think Allison ever sleeps! I'm happy to report that I'm only 59% Perfectionist, as you can see below. Allison is 69%. The morale of the story is sometimes it's okay to say, "it is what it is" (right, Tim!?).

Embrace imperfection when you can. I always think about the needlepoint I made for my mom, that's in her kitchen still, of seashells. As many times as I looked to make sure I didn't miss any stitches, it turns out that when I got it framed, there were a few. When we would go to my parent's house, my ex would point out the missing stitches...Um, can you guess? There's a good example of why he's an "ex"! But, in the end, I know no one would see those missing stitches unless I took a magnifying glass and pointed it out!

There is a kind of beauty in imperfection.

Conrad Hall

Embrace the day! Robin

You Are 59% Perfectionist

No one would call you a perfectionist, but you definitely have a side of you that strives to be perfect. Try to see your mistakes as learning experiences, and don't be so hard on yourself when you screw up!

Are You a Perfectionist?

Framed! Part Deux

Here's some more frames from this weekend's Ranger U Group. First in this line-up is Carol Clements who owns the stamp company Stampattack in the UK. She did an awesome job with Tim's Wrinkle Free Distress, using brighter Distress Ink(tm) colors such as Spiced Marmalade, Worn Lipstick, Shabby Shutters and I think I even see some Fade Jeans! She then stamped over with images "inked" with Pitch Black Adirondack(r) Acrylic Paint Dabber. She glued them onto the Bazzill Chips and then onto the frame which was also painted with the dabbers. I love it!

Next is Pat Miller, who also, with her husband, owns Rubbernecker and will be training her son and husband on how to even more effectively demo with Ranger products when they go to the shows without her...she's a school principal! Way to go, Pat! She created a fun montage of images incorporating many of the techniques learned, including Shabby Chic, use of Adirondack(r) Dimensional Pearls(tm)...if you look carefully, the top right hand corner? That's the actual Cut n' Dry Foam square she used for one of the techniques. We all said how cool the colors looked, she included it on her frame!

Here is another Miller's, but Eileen, not Pat! Eileen is from Ireland and I've known for quite a few years from my trips to the UK and doing education for the company that she reps for in Ireland, Personal Impressions. She's quite a wonderful decorative painter. She did a great job using the Distress Inks on the raw wood background and then did some dry brushing with the Distress Crackle Paint. You'll notice the coppery flourish in the upper-left hand corner? Grungeboard(tm)....mmmmmmmmm! Oh, yeah...they got to play with some, but sorry, it's not available until mid/end November! Eileen was also such a sport. With her rich Irish brogue, Tim wanted her to say, "It's magically delicious!" I, being the devil incarnate at times, wrote a note to Eileen and asked if she'd whisper that in his ear. She did and they both blushed. Needless to say, when she saw the "magical" embellishment, it HAD to be part of her frame!

Well, I'm going to take a shot at attacking my work area. It's quite the disaster. The final episode of Damages is on tonight...can't wait!

Magical Hugs,

Robin

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