I am Learning…

How to create a blog post in MS Word 2010 and publish it to the blog automatically. This is an experiment, but as long as I am doing this, I may as well make it something worth looking at.

The tags pictured here are some that I created with mixed media techniques this weekend.

The first uses 4 scrapbook papers which were punched with the note punch and glued in a random pattern on the tag. I dry-brushed paints in shades of red, brown and gold, then randomly stamped with a music stamp (hard to see, but it is there!) The Large Heart stamp I used was dirty, but the resulting color was just what I wanted! The letters are stamped into wax. Frankly, didn’t work so well for me, But I like the finish the entire tag acquired from the wax. The brass fastener in the tag has a built-in loop to attach charms, so it made it easy to add the ribbons and beads, just a little extra bling.

The next tag is called a window tag, and features a background layer stamped with a hydrangea stamp which was then colored by sponging with pastels. The top layer was to feature texture: in this case I used a textured wallpaper sample to create it.  I added the window with the Anywhere Punch by Fiskars, however be aware that the punch will NOT cut through the wallpaper. I punched the underlying tag, then I used an Exacto knife to cut away the wallpaper. The lower border was created with a Fiskars Border Punch and the same paper was used for the letters, which I stenciled with a gold paint pen. I also used the pen to outline the window.

The third tag was to be made of scraps – and it was. The tags themselves were made from cut- up file folders. The background is a Chinese newspaper that was used as packing in an item that was shipped to me, the red border is a piece of hand-made paper from a scrap pack (purchased roughly 15 years ago.) I border-punched it and threaded a scrap of gold tulle from a costume. The Buddha stamp is drybrushed with Pearl Ex powder to soften and age it. The Buddha quote below, was computer printed and mounted on more of the handmade paper trimmed with a deckle edge scissors.  There is a gold colored tassel which is not visible in the picture as well.

These were fairly quick to do, and a lot of fun! Reminded me that I am happier when I take some time for me...

Welcome!

I am taking the plunge. As a recent "empty nester", I am  trying something new, a blog about things that I love. I have had a passion for crafting since I was a wee child, I find cooking is just as satisfying creatively, and conversations about each of them are always enjoyable. I am astounded to find how many people think both activities are difficult and time consuming!  Hopefully one thing I will accomplish here is to dissuade those veiwpoints and encourage many to try the recipes and projects I will share.

What is my inspiration? It is a number of things. I had a conversation with a nephew who mentioned that he (a new apartment dweller) ate out a lot because he really didn't know what to cook. Most magazines feature recipes that are rather intimidating and complicated, or feature things the picky eaters in my family won't touch with a 10 foot pole!  So I thought perhaps I would share simple recipes that anyone can enjoy.

I also had the good fortune to attend the Craft and Hobby Association trade show in Los Angeles earlier this year, where I was inspired by the many  artists and products that I saw. It will be a great opportunity to focus my efforts  and get feedback on my designs.
   
And conversations are always enjoyable. I think the ability to connect online is a great opportunity to share what I have come to know - We have far more in common, than we have differences. Plato said "Friends have all things in common." Let's share our knowledge, and our joys and challenges and become friends.