Suzi Blu Canvas - Student's work

One of the reasons I love rubber stamping is that I can only draw stick figures!  I wish I could draw but until that happens I will use rubber stamp images to be creative.  Suzi Blu has some really cute girly stamps which are rather large to be used on the everyday greeting card BUT they are the perfect size to create artful canvas paintings.


In my "Artful Creations by You!" class at Monrovia Community Center,  I taught a couple of ways they can be used.  The picture above shows the almost final results of two of my students.  For this canvas, this is what we did:


1) Stamp on tissue paper using StazOn Ink. (Don't forget to put a sheet of paper under it before stamping to absorb the excess ink.)  Let it thoroughly dry a few minute or so.

2) Make sure to use gesso or gel matte medium to seal your canvas because it is absorbent.  

3) Once it's dry, add another coat of gesso or GMM then place your stamped tissue paper on the canvas, use your brush to press the tissue paper to the canvas working from the center to the outside.  Don't worry if it leaves a crease or two, it only adds to the texture of the canvas. 

4) After it dries, paint using watercolor crayons, acrylics, chalk, or any combination.  Add words either with tissue paper or stamping words on paper and cutting them out. 


There are many ways to display this work of art: pop it in a frame, display it on an easel, punch holes (use a heavy duty punch) at the top two corners and use ribbon to hang.


Yes! I will be teaching this class in the Winter, Check out Monrovia's Community Brochure for all the details. Monrovia Community Classes pages 8-9 are my classes!!!

Giving a Speech

Attention Getter:
Relevancy:
Preview:
Transition:
1st main Point:
Transition:
2nd Main Point:
Transition:
3rd Main Point
Conclusion:

For those of you who know me, I would rather do anything but give a speech.  So I finally took a class at PCC and learned.  I thought I should post it on my blog so that I could ALWAYS find it because someday I will have to give another one and I want to remember the important points.   However, the most important thing I learned was to start with the 3 main points

A Busy October

I spent most of my summer preparing to teach classes at the Monrovia Community Center -  classes just finished Wednesday, October 12.  I really had a lot of fun sharing all things artsy and met some very nice ladies in my community.  I also remembered to bring my camera and most importantly... to use it! Classes start again January 14, 2011.  I will post a link next month.  What also has made this month busy is I'm preparing to once again "sell my wares" at the Shakespeare League Fall Boutique October 19th.

I'm finally remembering to take photos of the items I make and will eventually post them.  I also realized that I can post to my blog and add photos later.  Hopefully, I will be more consistent in my blog postings of what I'm doing and then add the pictures as an update.  This weekend I made Halloween cards, and other cards in general.  I also made quite a few goody bags, what I like to call "little somethings".  I made themed toppers for candy filled cello bags.  Witchy, Cowboy Christmas, Simple Thanksgiving, and Wintery toppers.  Of course I made a few mistakes along the way which made me realize I should post as I create so I won't make the same mistakes.  All turned out well, just a little extra crafting time which could have been used on housekeeping!!1

I also just finished making "Snowman Kisses" giftees using Tic Tacs.  Turned out cute!  Oops! better go take a picture before I put them away.   One of the class projects we did was coaster tiles.  Before I put my supplies away from that class, I stamped up a few.   Just need to package them and remember to take them with me!

Crocheted Jewelry and Matching Earrings

I love making Christmas gifts and birthday gifts for my friends as well as sharing easy projects with my crafty friends who appreciate the art of the handmade gift.  This was as easy as making a macaroni necklace as a child however, it is so much more glamorous.  Enjoy.  (I used a #4 crochet hook.) 

And of course some hand made wire-wrapped earrings to match!

3x3 Notecards

     I really liked the colors in this paper so of course I just kept making them until I ran out of the paper.  They were a big hit at the Shakespeare Club Spring Boutique.  I packaged them in two different ways.  The first way was to just add a pretty bow to keep them together for those wanting a set for themselves.  The other way was to package them in a cello bag and add a little bling with a matching brad.

     These make great little gifts when you want to give someone "just a little something".  They are also ideal to keep in your purse when you want to add a little personal thank you to someone "in the moment" - make someone's day by saying thank you when they least expect it!

Embossing

Gold Embossed flowers on white c/s, layered on the lavendar c/s, layered onto purple c/s which is stamped with a background stamp using versamark ink.  Simple and elegant.  This will be one of the cards we make in my embossing class.  I have made these cards as birthday gifts and the response has been delightful.  My gift recipient stated:  "I love your cards!  I sent them as thank you notes for gifts I received, and people are sending me thank you notes for my thank you notes."  What a wonderful testimonial and it's those kind remarks that bring me joy when I share my love of stamping and creating.

Watercolor Roses

This technique has been around for quite a while now as I started making these cards over a year ago and am now finally taking photos and posting.  I used pink paper for the card base and shimmery white for the frame and rose.  I used my big shot to cut out the leave and the frame.  The rose is stamped in white and embossed with clear emboss.  I covered one sheet of shimmery white withe the image, then painted them all, and then cut them out as I watched TV.  The technique for the beautiful roses is to squeeze a few drops of your favorite color for roses on a plastic lid, next spray your cardstock with a little water, and the last step is to use a waterbrush to pick up a little ink and paint it on to the paper.  The wet paper will pull the ink from the brush.  Make sure to let it dry thoroughly and then cut them out and place them on your card or anywhere in your home where you need a little decor.  Enjoy!