Nancy Wethington

I get by with a little help from my friends . . .

Teaching up to 5 different classes a month, being on 3 design teams and coming up with samples for the store sometimes stretches my imagination.  And then an idea comes along that's just too good not to copy. If I want to directly copy something from another person, I always ask permission and this project was no exception.

At CHA-W, I met one of the gals I faithfully follow.  Her name is Karin and you can find her at Creative Chaos.  I love her work - all of it - every little sparkle.  She designs for several different companies and it was a real thrill to meet her in person at the Melissa Frances booth.

Here's one of the projects she had displayed:

I asked if I could copy this design and she was sweet to say *yes*.  

So here's my version of Karin's.  Not quite as sparkly as Karin's but ready for Easter.  Most supplies (bird's nest, egg, Melissa Frances crepe paper fringe and paper) available at For Keeps Sake.  

The box and ball fringe I had at home and originally purchased at a local craft store (probably Michael's or Hobby Lobby).  The adorable bunny is a stamp from Oxford Impressions.  

The egg is wooden and first painted with some acrylic paint I had at home.  Once the paint was dry, I applied rub-ons then used a clear acrylic based finish on top of that.

The Oxford Impressions bunny was colored in with Copic Markers.

Honestly, without having to wait for glitter to dry, this project probably took me about 1.5 hours (and that's counting the paint dry time).  So easy and so fun.  Tuck something inside the box for an Easter surprise that will wow the recipient.

Thanks to Karin for her constant source of inspiration.

 

Graphic 45 Design Team Projects . . .

A few of my projects have been on the G45 blog and thought I'd share one of them with you here:

This is a mini-booklet made with Graphic 45 packaging.

I love the Staples packaging.  Each one is a tag that has a large eyelet at the top.

All I had to do was cover the tag with Kraft Reflections paper

then decorate each one the way I wanted.

And I wanted to use various Graphic collections.

The first tag is decorated with Tropical Travelogue.

Using Exotic Destination, I cut a mini-book that's held in with May Arts fibers.

Up next - An ABC Primer:

Another mini on a mini.  This one flips with the help of Metal Hinge Staples.

Happiness care of Le Cirque:

The front pocket holds more tags that can be used for additional photos.

 

Gotta love *When Pigs Fly* from Olde Curiosity Shoppe.

How cute are these pigs!

Loved using this butterfly. 

It looks like it has eyes on the wings.

It reminded me of when Beau was 3 years old and I used to tell him

I had eyes on the back of my head.

One day, he tried to part my hair to see the eyes in the back of my head

and I almost screamed and told him he poked me in the eye.

It worked for about a day.

A Mom has to do what  Mom has to do.

Speaking of Moms

the Domestic Goddess collection works beautifully paired with Kraft Reflections Tea For Two.

I love how Diane brought back some of my favorite patterns in

Kraft Reflections.

It's like she was reading my mind.

Wonder if she has eyes on the back of her head?

 

She is a Mom after all.

So simple.  So easy. And can be created with lots of those scraps you've been hoarding.

Graphic 45 is now @ For Keeps Sake.

It just arrived yesterday.

So get in and get yours while supplies last!

For Keeps Sake Scrapbook

4530 Lemay Ferry Road - St. Louis MO 63129

(314) 487-8131

 

Playing along with Scrap Scene.

Idea-ology Bonanza @ Simon Says Stamp & Show . . .

I'm loving the look of burlap with anything and this week I combined it with Idea-ology to create a canvas celebrating Spring. 

I first created a background on the small canvas a la my friend and team mate Candy Colwell.  I applied Liquitex Modeling Paste to the canvas with a palette knife.  Paint and let dry.  Then add some sparkle with Rub 'n' Buff. 

The burlap around the small canvas came from an old burlap bag I had.  I cut up the bag to use on another project and was left with the braided ends.  Being a crafter, those were saved (!) and now used to circle the small canvas.

Next, using my Vagabond, I cut Tim's Caged Bird out of both grungeboard and a favorite scrap of paper. The bird was ued on the small canvas and nestled into some shredded paper.  A crown from Tim's Mixed Mini Set was colored with a gold dabber then placed on top of the bird's head.

Do you see that adorable little flower coming out of the right side of this small canvas?  That's a direct copy from Wendy's blog a couple of days ago.  I thought that was such an adorable idea, I had to add it to this project.  It's done with Idea-ology flowers and a memo pin held together with Glossy Accents.

A hitch fastener and swivel clasp were added to hang the bird cage.  Grungeboard Mini Alphas, Idea-ology foliage, corners and a book plate round out the canvas.

 

Now it's YOUR turn to create a piece Idea-ology.  Then link your creation to the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge blog.  You could be the lucky winner of our $50 gift certificate.

Or you may be chosen as one of the week's top 3 designers.  Stop by and see what my Team Mates have come up with for this challenge.  There's lots of inspiration thanks to those who enter this Idea-ology Bonanza challenge.

Also playing along with Scrap Scene.

 

New bookbinding workshop on the books . . .

My next bookbinding class is

Saturday March 10

10:30-4:30

Reservations required by calling (314) 487-8131.

The sample is at For Keeps Sake, St. Louis MO

 

I just added my April bookbinding class

Saturday April 14

10:30 - 4:30 pm

You can see the sample at For Keeps Sake.

 

Both of these class are already over 1/2 full.

Sign up by calling

For Keeps Sake - (314) 487-8131

St. Louis MO

Hope to see you there!

I'm going crazy . . .

for all the new things I saw yesterday at For Keeps Sake.  I don't work the counter very often but yesterday was my day to be at For Keeps Sake all day.  And I had a blast.  Saw customer/friends I hadn't seen in a long time!

New goodies are coming in like crazy.  Just yesterday we received 7 large boxes of brand new supplies.

Glitz Designs: Take a peek at this French Kiss.  OMG I have to have something called French Kiss.  How can one possibly pass that up!

This is a mini chipboard album.  You should see the beautiful papers in this line - ooh la la!

My Mind's Eye: Follow Your Heart - another name I can't pass up! Take a look at one of the papers:

and the other line, Miss Caroline, is adorable.  Soft colors with beautiful patterns!

Echo Park's new lines are *in da house*. You should see the cute layout Sue did using *This & That". 

I'll be in the classroom today with some of my favorite peeps working on a Graphic 45 mini album.

Hope to see you there!

For Keeps Sake

4530 Lemay Ferry Road - St. Louis MO 63129

 

For The Record . . .

Each month I try to do a class that features Graphic 45.  This Saturday, we will be creating a mini-book using Graphic 45's black policy envelopes and combining it with Curtain Call and a Bruno Mars song. 

Class will begin at 10:30 am and last until 4:30 pm.

This class is sold out (thank you!).

Please bring the following supplies to this workshop:

• Basics to include cutter, scissors, both wet & dry adhesives
• Sponge brush
• Inks and ink applicators (I used brown tones)
• Craft mat
• Corner rounder
• Clear packing tape
• Gold ink for edging papers
• Mini stapler
• Crop-a-dile
• Paper piercer

BYO lunch.  You are welcome to use our refrigerator and microwave.

See you Saturday @ For Keeps Sake!

 

March 13 and CYI meet-up . . .

For important information about CYI, please see THIS POST.

Here's a list of supplies if you're joining us for this one-time opportunity:

NOTE: Bonnie said these are not required but if you have your own it will help things move along a bit faster:

• Sharpie
• 2 jewelry pliers for spreading jump rings
• Tin snips (not too  big)
• Metal hole punch (1.8 mm round hole)
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Metal glue (E6000 or Liquid Fusion Clear Urethane Glue. I was introduced to this new glue and it works great - can get at Schaefers Hobby Shop)
• Painters tape
• Metal files (flat). These are small files.
• Hammer with flat head OR plastic head OR leather head.
• A favorite flourish stamp that will fit on a 1 3/4 x 1 1/2" piece of copper
• Stazon Jet Black ink pad

March 13 - CYI update . . .

CYI = Create Your Imagination

This is a free meet-up on the 2nd Tuesday of each month @ For Keeps Sake Scrapbook. We start at 6 pm and share ideas and such.  It's a great group of gals and you can jump in anytime and join our little soiree.

Our next meet-up is March 13 and do we have a surprise for you!  Bonnie H has agreed to teach us how to make a beautiful bookplate necklace.  It's delicate yet packs a wallop of technique including etching.

Bonnie will be bringing the metal and other supplies needed to create this etched necklace. 

If you want to join us here's the deal:

1. sign up right here on my blog by leaving a comment on this post no later than March 6.
2. cost is $15 per person payable in cash direct to Bonnie H night of class. This will cover the cost of the metal, etching solution, etc.

Hope to see you at our next CYI. It's going to be an exciting night!

 

Wednesday, Feb 22 - Savvy Stamping

Thank you to all who signed up for Wednesday's Savvy Stamping class.  It is sold out.

Here is a supply list for the class.  Please BYO basic supplies to include:

• wet & dry adhesives. If you have a glue pen, this will be helpful for the tiny pieces.
• craft mat
• Distress Inks (I used Vintage Photo, Worn Lipstick, a dark brown such as Corduroy & Antique Linen)
• Distress Ink applicator
• Cutter & scissors (We will be doing some fussy cutting.)
• Embossing/heat gun
• We will also be using gold and clear embossing powder if you want to BYO. I will have mine here but just in case you're not good at sharing ; )
• Stickles (I used platinum but gold or silver will work as well.)
• Tim Holtz ruler and a paper piercer (yes, Tim Holtz ruler will work the best for one application)
• a gel pen (I used a light blue color)
• Edge punch (your favorite!)

Remember, this is the class where you keep the stamp set!

See you Wednesday!

Happy President's Day . . .

as I sit at the computer, with coffee in hand, watching a documentary about my fave pres,

Thomas Jefferson.

And to celebrate President's Day

you may want to stop by

For Keeps Sake Scrapbook

4530 Lemay Ferry Road - St. Louis MO

We made tons of changes in the store yesterday

as well as set up a HUGE sale in the classroom.