Nancy Wethington

Five women . . .

one bathroom. 

(Photo via In The Labyrinth)

It's always about cake . . .

I consider myself a magician.  I am able, in one fell swoop, to turn any challenge into a reason for cake. And this week's challenge at Simon Says Stamp & Show is no different.  It's not even 6 degrees of separation.  It's more like 3 . . . 

The challenge this week is Kings and Queens.

Here are the steps:

1. Kings and Queens
2. Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras
3. King cake

See how fast that went!  

I found the image of this (rather creepy) king in Tim's Crowded Attic Paper Stash and decided to make a card that will accompany a king cake to a friend's house.

I wanted the baker and king to be even a bit creepier (sick, I know!), so I painted them with Crackle Accents.

Even after doing that, they still didn't stand out as much as I wanted.  The background behind the king was a little too dark so I used Picket Fence Distress Stain and put a little on my craft mat.  Then picked up that color with a paint brush and blended it onto the background.

I cut-out then added the king's face between 2 pieces of Memory Glass and captured him in a frame. My frame was silver and I wanted it to be gold, so I painted it with a Krylon gold pen.

Now all I need is the cake!

 

Jump over to the Simon Says Stamp and Show blog and take a look at what my fellow team members have created.  You'll find some inspirational projects from them as well as this week's entries. And there's always a chance to win a $50 prize from Simon Says Stamp.  I look forward to seeing your entries!

 

We're meeting . . .

Ken Oliver

for dinner tonight.

We love Ken.  Talented.  Funny.  Kind.

You may have met him @ For Keeps Sake

when he taught the Unibind class.

 

(Photo courtesy junkgarden)

It's shopping day . . .

CHA opens today.  Let the shopping begin!

(photo courtesy junkgarden)

Demo Days . . .

Each day of CHA (January 29 - February 1) demos will take place in the Graphic 45 booth.

 

January 29: 11 am - 12 noon

Sherry Cheever will demo altering Graphic 45 metal flowers.

 

January 30: 11 am - 12 noon

Jane Tregenza will demo pop-up elements with Graphic 45 images

 

January 31:  11 am - 12 noon

Gloria Stengel will demo stamping techniques.

 

February 1:  11 am - 12 noon

I will demo a simple bookbinding stitch to create mini-books with Graphic 45 papers.

We made it to Anaheim . . .

Today we flew from St. Louis to Anaheim to attend CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) Conference.  It's sounds so official but it's really a shopping spree for the store.  There's 4 of us on the same flight and there will be 5 of us sharing a hotel room.  You heard me right - 5 women, 1 bathroom.

(photo courtesy junkgarden)

It won't be pretty and I'm sure we'll come home with stories.  We usually do.  And we always laugh until we can barely catch our breath.  Stay tuned!

One of my Graphic 45 CHA projects . . .

is up on the Graphic 45 blog today.  

Isn't she adorable?!

It's one of my grand-nieces, Olivia

on Graphic 45's new collection

Little Darlings.

In addition to this beautiful line of papers

I've used

Imaginarium Designs chipboard.

A complete list of products used can be found HERE

along with my Team Mate Robin's gorgeous layout

using the Olde Curiosity Shoppe collection.

Photo taken by Jordan Weaver Productions

I have a husband . . .

who is a great guy but not necessarily the hearts-and-flowers-pink-and-red-blingy-doily romantic type.  So when Valentine's Day rolls around, it's quite a challenge to figure out what to do for him.  

Since retirement, he keeps busy fishing, hunting and building things.  Considering he has a heaping mound of gears and such, Steampunk seemed a good fit for a Valentine's Day somethin' somethin'.

Enter Oxford Impressions and their new line London Telegraph.  When paired with Graphic 45's Steampunk Debutante and an extra large tag, this itsy mini (I know!) is a great size to hold a gift card to his favorite fishing store.

The tag was first folded to resemble a booklet, then stamped an image from London Telegraph with VersaMark and embossed with Stampin' Up! Vintage Verdigris embossing powder.  (Not sure if SU carries this any more. I've had mine for ages.) I like the color of this and it still gets a bit shiny so good for resist techniques.

Once that was embossed, I over-stamped with another image from London Telegraph to create a background.  Usually a background is stamped first but when doing a resist technique, you can stamp the background last as the embossed image will resist any stamping/inking done after the embossing.

To release any ink that may be on top of the embossed image, simply dampen a rag or paper towel (just slightly) and lightly go over the embossed image.  The dampness will pick up any ink left on the embossing.

Here's more of the inside:

The images from London Telegraph are perfect for Graphic 45's Steampunk Debutante.  And what's a little Steampunk without gears!

You can find more ideas in the

Oxford Impressions Gallery.

 

Oxford Impressions Easter Bunny . . .

Now that my CHA projects are completed and shipped off to Graphic 45, I have time to play with some new stamps I just received from Oxford Impressions.  

Such sweet images that can be used for Easter and beyond.

When I first get my stamp set, I cut and mount them on cling mounting foam.  I know you don't have to do this, but it's how I like to work.  If you prefer, you can simply cut the rubber and stamp as is, making sure to have some sort of cushion underneath the paper you're stamping on.  A mouse pad will do.  

My preference is to use the cling mounting foam and then I can use clear blocks with the stamps.  Here's what I did with a few of the stamps on this sheet:

I stamped the lily and basket with Memento Ink onto Copic Marker paper. Then colored in the images with Copic Markers and cut out.  

The background stamp resembles an old bakery sign.  Love it! I stamped the image onto Bazzill cardstock with VersaMark ink.  Then sprinkled on some Ranger Embossing Pearls.  This stuff is gorgeous! It's an interference powder meaning it can change color depending on the ink you use. Since I used a non-color ink, the result is a pearl-like finish.

The background paper is also Bazzill. I took a bit of leftover ribbon and wound it around the card front. Once the entire card was put together, I hung the little Easter basket with a mini safety pin and jump ring.

If you like these stamps as much as I do, you can get them here.  Happy stamping!

I do try to . . .

have information about my classes posted at least a month in advance of the workshop.  That way, you have time to decide if you'd like to join me, mark your calendars and get your reservations in.

With CHA starting up this next weekend, I was in a bit of a hurry to get a couple of workshops on the books.

Saturday, February 25 Mini-Book Workshop: (10:30 - 4:30) Join me along with Graphic 45 paper and For The Record paper as well as a beautiful Bruno Mars song to create this mini:

Room for only 9 people so sign up as soon as you've made your decision.

Depending on what you choose to decorate your album

(you'll receive plenty of goodies!)

you can gear this towards a husband, wife, sister, child

grandchild, mother, father or graduate.

$30

Classes are held at 

For Keeps Sake Scrapbook - (314) 487-8131

St. Louis MO

 

Saturday, March 10:  Bookbinding Workshop (10:30 - 4:30): 

Start with a couple of file folders. Add a little 7 Gypsies. Stir in some Jenni Bowlin and *Life Is Good* workshop happens.

(Note: the vintage salt shaker with the bling is not included.)

This workshop will include a kettle stitch/pamphlet bookbinding technique.

$30

Always at

For Keeps Sake Scrapbook - St. Louis MO

Call for reservations.

(314) 487-8131