Inchies Rule!

This past week-end I participated in the Spooktacular Halloween event at My Daughter's Wish, a local scrapbook and paper arts studio. As a member of their design team I had a booth where I introduced folks to inchies by way of an ATC! We made six inchies and then attached them to an inked 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 card. In addition, participants moved from table to table making different Halloween decor and art.
I also have a picture of an inchie quilt made by one of my on-line art friends. We each made 9 inchies and then sent them to her to swap . She then arranged them on a paper covered foam board to resemble a quilt. Isn't she clever!

So Many Things to Share!

I was so lucky last week to attend a workshop up in Portland. Oregon with Sally Jean: Soldering Queen. I made so many lovelies and finally mastered soldering jump rings! We shopped, we dined, we had the most amazing cupcakes at Cupcake Jones and ended the trip with the Soldering for Virgins Workshop. I will share more later but first a glimpse into the wonderful workshop of Sally Jean!

Haunted House News!

Here is a picture of the tall haunted house book I just finished. I used creative Imaginations paper with Melissa Francis arrow book. It has lots of fun embellies inside along with creepy and fun imagery. I will be teaching this class as well as offering a kit, let me know if you are interested.
My Haunted House ATC swap is underway with ten sign-ups. Let me know if you want to join in the spooky fun. And I just finished my set of Halloween inchies. I used a spider web stamp, a black confetti spider and some doodles, way cool. If you would like one just leave me a comment with the word inches in it and email your snail mail addy to me at:valerieLmyers@yahoo.com

A new ATC Swap coming up!

I will be hosting a fun Haunted House swap to set the mood for Halloween! An ATC will be trimmed into the shape of a house and then decorated with fun Halloween spirits and such. Each participant will make a set of six houses and mail to me by October 3rd! It promises to be spooky good fun! Email me at valerieLmyers@yahoo if you want to join in!

An Amazing Day: September 3, 1910

Today is an amazing day in my family's history! My maternal grandmother turned 98! This truly amazing and inspiring woman has been through so many pivotal events in history. I always wonder to what she owes her longevity , is it diet, exercise or genes? I know that we always walked or took the bus as she never wanted to drive. She walked to and from work and then to pick me up from school. In her free time she grew beautiful flowers and in later years added fruits and vegetables. She ate and grew organic food before they were in vogue.

She still lives in her home, cooks her meals and gardens when she can. She reads four novels a week and enjoys her monthly gardening club. Several years ago while at a doctors visit at UCLA, her doctor brought in a group of doctors, actually interns. He introduced her to them and asked if she could spend some time with these young doctors. He said it is rare to meet a person of her age with such vigor and intact intellect and so these budding doctors asked her questions, listened to her recollections and enjoyed her wisdom and sharp wit!

It is from her that I believe much of my creativity stemmed, as she quilted, did needlepoint and sewed beautiful clothing throughout my life. She always encouraged my artistic nature. She bought me my first drawing pencils and sketch pads. She sat me in the garden to draw what I saw: plants, flowers and animals. She was always there, for the triumphs and the tears. Today is your day Grandma, Happy Birthday, I love you!

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!