I Love Hambly!

I heard Hambly was having an open house and tour at their facility in San Jose today and tomorrow. I called my friend Lisa and we were off to see the birthplace of some of our favorite silk screen designs. Allison, one of the lead designers, gave us a lovely tour of the facility. We were able to watch the master silk screeners create our beloved transparencies with the most beautiful and brilliant colors. Wow! At the end of the tour we met Mr. Hambly himself, what a nice person. I love meeting the people who design and manufacture the products I love, that they are nice people too, is just icing on the cake! If you have the time, it is truly worth the trip! If not, check out their brand new designs at your local scrapbooking/art store.

Vacation on the California Coast

We packed up the family and headed to Santa Cruz, California. It is less than an hours drive from our house but is worlds away in terms of peace and serenity. We spent time at the beach, around the pool, at the Boardwalk, the wharf and a wee bit of time at the local craft stores! So relaxing to not have to cook or clean, just needed to keep thoses swim suits sand-free.
I spent some time making inchies from a bag of scraps I took with me. It was challenging in that I brought so little product. I found some corregated cardboard and made several inchies and came up with a great idea for a cupcake ATC swap I am doing. I know, sounds a little corny but I wanted the challenge of doing something a little edgy with a cupcake for inspiration.
My transparency and house atcs are arriving daily and they are awesome. I will be posting my next swap, haunted houses, soon so KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR IT ( no creepy Halloween pun intended)! If you are curious about my swaps or would like sign up info email me at : valerieLmyers@yahoo.com!

Whirlwind Art Week-end

Another fun and art filled week-end! Friday tarted with an altered/distressed assemblage class at My Daughter's Wish with Tim Holtz. We made three amazing pendants with collage, glass and Tim Holtz metals and found objects. That evening, I joined my friend Florence for her birthday crop at a local scrapbooking store, Scrapbook U. Early Saturday, another great class with Tim Holtz. Did you know that you can paint on acrylic and transparencies with alcohol ink and a water brush filled with blending solution (Ranger). It is much like painting with water colors except you get the brilliance of the alcohol inks and you can paint on virtually any surface. I have always enjoyed using alcohol inks but it was kind of a hit or miss on where the color went. With this techniques you get precise control of the color. On Sunday, another great day of fun and unique finds at the Alameda Antique Flea market with my friends Lisa and Daniela!