On the road again....or another day of curses and BLESSINGS!

We started our day at 6am after having 4 hours of sleep.  Had to load up our stuff in the car, lots of stuff, but got everything done in an hour so we had a leisurely breakfast in the hotel lobby waiting for the shuttle to the convention.  Micki and I were the first ones on so we got the two seats up front on the opposite side of the bus driver.
The next stop was the Intercontinental Hotel to pick up other convention Cha goers.  The bus driver slowed down, had his turn signal on to turn right into the hotel and in a split second there was this horrible sqreeching noise. It was then I noticed a white wall flying past us on the right side.  It was a delivery truck and it was forced to go up on the curb and across the front of the bus to the right.  Yep...we had just been in a bus accident! Micki was sitting next to the window and it passed her on the outside with just inches to spare.  My right ear took a couple of hours to return to normal. They got another shuttle to take us on to the convention.  No one had been injured and that was a blessing. Micki took pictures of the bus and I will post them either Friday night or Saturday.
We had a busy next few hours placing orders, taking pictures and trying to look at as much merchandise as we could. Lunches there (and who has time to leave) are very high priced. Sandwich, chips and a cold drink will run you $12 each. The afternoon was just as busy and I would snatch times to sit down and put my feet up.  The Art Impressions booth had a nice area for us to sit at tables and have a snack and rest our feet.  It was during one of those "resting" times that I noticed Colleen Schaan at the AI booth so I went over to say hi. I was introduced to the editor of Card Maker magazine. And guess what....she wants me to send her some of my stuff to publish! I about melted right there on the floor!!  So we will see what happens. Bonnie (Art Impressions owner) told me that they want to feature the Art Impressions line. Now that is a big Blessing!
Micki placed some more orders with product lines some of which you will be familiar with and some you won't but let me tell you that you will love them ALL!
Oh, not to be a name dropper but Micki got to get Tim's autograph and picture. Then she got to do a sample chart of Claudine Helmuth's product so I got Micki's picture with Claudine. Oh, almost forgot, Micki said that Marianne Walker took her order for the Shapes and Shadows Copic book.  We finished out the day back at the Art Impressions booth where Micki was able to pick up some stamps at a really good price and so did I. What a joy it was to get to meet the Kreb's family. They are all just the best and greatest and I want to thank them for all the kindness they showed this grandma at her first Cha.
We are out of Chicago and spending the night at a Comfort Suite...South Carolina we will be back soon!
G'nite my friends!! What-A-Day!!!

Another day at CHA (3)

I am so tired I could sleep standing up! Can't tell you how many miles I have walked on the convention floor and all we hear from the experienced Cha attendees is  how much smaller this convention is compared to years past.  Believe me if this is small I sure don't want to see big.
Micki and I have been up late every night, going thru catalogs and making decisions on what to order. With a whole store to fill (2600 sq. ft.) it is a majorly overwhelming task.  This afternoon Micki closed an order for card stock and specialty paper...250 different ones.  Right now we are looking at Hot Off the Press, Ranger, Heidi Swapp, Little Yellow Bicyle, Canvas Home Basics, Tim Holtz, Just Rite, Graphic 45, Art Impressions, May Arts ribbon, October Afternoon, Plus Corporation (adhesive), Candy Dots, Flower Soft, Heartfelt Creations, Art-C, Purrs and Pants and on and on. You get the idea.  So many to choose from and all the displays are AMAZING!
There are drawings going on all the time...too many to enter for this novice. Make and takes and mini-classes happening all day long at different booths. Trade shows sure are different from the usual conventions I have ever been. Here they practically pull you in to their booth to make deals. You really have to be johnny-on-the-spot to get the freebies. I guess my best freebie was two Tim Holtz aprons.  Went back this morning to try and get more and they were all gone.
Sorry....
Micki has been busy attending marketing and business classes, networking with other experienced and novice store owners and in her spare time meeting with vendors and representatives. We are trying to take small bites of this Big apple but it is so easy to find yourself overwhelmed and head swimming.  I guess my highlight of the day was to spend time visiting with Marianne Walker at the Copic's booth. Speaking of copics, Micki got an email that her huge Copic order and special display has been shipped! Woo hooooo.  It's coming together girls!!
Tomorrow we have to be at the doors of the convention earlier. They open at 9am and close at 4pm.  We have mapped out where we need to go first and who goes where. I knew I should of worn roller skates!!!
Sorry about the long wait on pictures but we will be home Friday night for sure.  We are checking out of the hotel in the morning and then taking the shuttle from the hotel to the convention center.  We should be heading south before 5:00. Hoping and praying that we have done all we could possibly do.
Things are going well at home at the store and the plumber has been there installing a second bathroom (required by code) Russell has installed more slat board and lights. When we get back we will have to hit the floor running to finish decorating and inventorying and putting out product as it comes in.  The cash register is in place, AC is working great, the broken closer on the front door has been repaired. Lots of cleaning and painting was done before we left and the gondolas and paper racks were in put place. Lots and lots going on and hopefully it will all come together the first part of August.
No calamities to report today. It's a wonder because we are both brain dead.  Last day tomorrow.... g'nite.

Adventures at CHA day 2

What an exciting day!  From the crowds waiting for the convention to open and then squeezing thru the entrance like pouring thru a funnel to seeing two Scottish gentlemen in kilts we started the day off in total awe.  Micki and I split up so she could talk to vendors and place orders and I scoped out every vendor I could get to, picking up catalogs, freebes, and doing make and takes.  The convention floor is nothing like I have ever seen even after years of attending scrapbook/stamping conventions. All the displays were so inspiring and yes, I was walking around drooling. Now remember this is a trade show so I personally could buy NOTHING...and at the same time wanting it ALL!

The first place I headed for was the Art Impressions booth 2123 and got to meet Kendra and Phil. Bonnie was talking with a customer so I came back later and met her face to face. She really is an amazing woman. We will be here for 2 more days so I will be going back there again.

The next stop was....Tim Holtz Ideaology booth and he was signing autographs and the line was short. Before I knew it I was up there and he was asking me my name.  The girl behind me in line took a couple of pictures with my camera but I have no way to download and post them here. I will be doing that this coming weekend.

Just a note that I saw other friends on the convention floor, Colleen Schaan, Sally McDonald, and Suzanne Dean.  Not such a strange place when you see good people like that.

Ok...so now I have to tell you a funny.  After the session ended today Micki wanted to go get a Chicago hotdog at a restaurant called Protillo's.  We put the address into the Prius and it told us to get on the toll road.  We drove on the toll road and the gps told us to immediately exit ($.80 please).  We paid the toll and exited and the gps then told us to get back on the toll road going in another direction.  LESSON LEARNED:  Use the gps app that says "don't allow toll roads".  When we eliminated the toll road it then directed us on a side street right back to the convention site and our hotel.  The restaurant was in the opposite direction and only 4 miles away instead of the 8 original miles.  The restaurant was great and worth the hassle. Pictures coming soon.

Well...this puppy is tired and I need lots of rest for another long day....of fun!
G'nite friends.
Mary

Adventures at CHA

Hello from Chicago...what a trip! Tomorrow the convention officially starts at 10am central time and Micki and I have mapped out our strategy and we will have our running shoes on!  If I am not totally wiped out tomorrow night I will post again.  Meanwhile here is an update of our adventure so far....

Lessons learned from attending CHA or Curses and Blessings!

Curses:

1. Forgot to print tickets
2. Micki thought she left her purse 4 hours back at the Cracker Barrel.
3. Couldn’t find Micki’s meds.
4. Micki forgot her toothbrush.
5. Parking ticket wasn’t validated correctly.
6. Micki didn’t have her phone charger.
7. Mary lost her cell phone.
8. Micki forgot camera battery.
9. Extension cord needed was too old to work.
10. Mary dragged satellite radio antenna out of the car and Micki drove off not realizing it.

Blessings:

1. Tickets got printed in Wisconsin thanks to Russell faxing them.
2. Purse was found under my feet in the back seat.
3. Meds were found in Micki’s backpack.
4. Toothbrush purchased at Walmart.
5. Returned to Hotel lobby to have parking ticket validated correctly.
6. Purchased new phone charger at Walmart.
7. Good Samaritan turned in phone…praise the Lord!
8. Mary had camera that Micki could use.
9. Learned to bring a better extension cord.
10. Satellite antenna had strong magnet and attached itself outside of door. No damage done.

Convention starts tomorrow…..stay tuned.

Pretty Woman

Good morning from Wisconsin.  Micki and I arrived here yesterday to bring her mother home.  On Sunday we will be leaving for Chicago to attend CHA, and in case you don't know what CHA is, it stands for Craft and Hobby Association and on Monday 3 days of fun begin. It is the summer trade show and the showing of all the new products. Hope my feet hold up....I understand it is HUGE and overwhelming for the novice....
Now..to my posting.  Micki took the picture...didn't she do a great job!  Don't tell her but I think I will have her take pictures of all my cards in the future.  And btw, when she gets her shop opened, she will be doing that photography for anyone! www.easyascatsoup.com 
This card will be submitted on the Art Impressions blog next Wednesday for the next challenge...stitching. The first layer of paper was stitched to the base card.  I used Spellbinders label One behind the Lady.  The image(Art Impressions "Lady" P-2147 was colored with Copics (E000, E02, R02, E25, E19, BG0000, BG02, BG04).  The ribbon is Hug Snug seem binding from Zipperstop and colored with a spritz combo of distress ink refill and pearl ex.  Tim Holtz used this as ribbon and colored it with distress ink and it works great.  It is also CHEAP! 100 yards on a spool and I think it costs about $12.  I called them to order it and they were very friendly and very quick on delivery.  I also used a Martha Steward punch.  Sorry but all those exact items I used are at home and I am not.  Leave a comment if you would like more details on how I did this card.  Hope you like it and everyone have a great day!

LaLa

Lala

I've got a bonus posting for you today.  This is a stamp that I worked on at our workshop at Powdersville Community church.  I came home tonight and made it into a card.  This image is a Loralie Designs stamp.

When "Easy as Cat Soup" opens in August she will be carrying stamps from this company. www.LoralieDesigns.com  I have a couple more images I will be posting in the future.  This coming Saturday I will be leaving for Chicago to attend CHA.  I am taking my laptop so hope to post from there each day... filling you in with the new products I see and celeb's I hope to meet.  Later....

Recipe:

Stamp:  Loralie “Lala” 701030

             Stampabilities "A Smile" ER1095

Copic Markers:

Skin: E000

          E01

          R02

          B01

          BV11

          BV04

Hair:  Y00

          Y04

          YR04

          YR07

          E18

Suit:  R22

          R24

          R29

Spellbinders Label 1

Paper:  Lemonade  (Strawberry Patch) by Basic Gray

Ribbon was a solid red and I used BV04 to color dots on the ribbon to match the one in Lala's hair.

Water color Barn

Water Color Barn

It was learning how to water color using Art Impression stamps that took my card making to a new level.  I discovered that I could use these stamps to create not just cards but small pieces that looked like art….and so easily. I love using the individual stamps to create multiple scenes.  We all need value for our purchases.

If you have not tried this technique I encourage you to do so.  The stamps are now available in sets and Bonnie has produced a DVD that actually works with each of the 3 sets allowing you to create so many different scenes….and that is just the beginning. If you have watched her water color on utube you know how easy she makes it to follow step by step.  Whether you purchase the DVD or not I would advise you to buy the water color pamphlets that are available.  There you will find easy step by step instruction giving you everything you need to know to make your own scenes.  So what are you waiting for….…

I appreciate any comments or questions. Happy Stamping!

Mary

Recipe:

Art Impressions Water Color Barn Q-2311                              Marvy Markers:
                                                                                                #40, 86, 45, 93, 28, 15, 43, 8

Art Impressions Leaves A-893                                                 Paint Brush Round #5 or #6

Art Impressions Small Grass Clump AAA-1378                       Palette

Art Impressions Water Color Wagon J-2418                        

Art Impressions Water Color Planter C-2454

Art Impressions Tiny Grass AA-1374

Art Impressions Tall Grass AA-1370

Art Impressions Salvia B-2432

Art Impressions Stalks BB-2055

Art Impressions Tiny Flowers AA-1368

Strut your Stuff

 Well guess you figured I had given up posting on this blog!  Just was way too busy.  We moved out of the RV we had lived in for the past 5 years and I got to get all our possessions out of storage.Five years is a long time and it was like Christmas around here, every box I opened I was saying, "Wow, I forgot I had THAT!"
We got most everything moved in a week thanks to some good friends and a grandson, Nick, who all put up with monstrous heat temperatures to get everything loaded, unloaded and even had help unpacking. My good friend Micki even helped get my kitchen together. The worst part was that at the end of that week my husband left for 2 weeks for a job in Montana. Everything is beginning to get settled and I am sure enjoying our new home.
Today I took a break from boxes and made this card. It is a card that will be posted for the upcoming challenge on the Art Impressions blog.  It was nice to get back to creating and playing once more. I love my new stamp room and when it's finished I will post some pictures.

Recipe:

Strut Your Stuff

Stamps:

Art Impressions “Strut Your Stuff” F1861

Art Impressions “Rhode Island Rockettes” U1832

Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black

         Tim Holtz Distress Ink Peeled Paint

Copic Markers:

R35, R39, YR02, YR09, W1, BG000, G20, G21, G24

Punch:  Fiskers Grass border punch

Copic Altered Art/Mixed Media class in Indianapolis

All I can say is I am plum worn out to a frazzel!  But, it was the most fun, awesome day, and fab classes! Love the Hilton Hotel here. Super nice. We got a suite, large rooms, and we are on the 16th floor. Great view of the city.  I've been very impressed with this place, people friendly and the streets are very clean.  We have felt safe and the accommodations are exceptional.
But, back to the classes...oh my gosh! We did so much my head was spinning.  Covered a lot of different techniques

• Layered Backgrounds:  Monoprinting, Drop and Spread, Painted Inks
• Found Object Resist
• Colorizing Transfers: Magazine transfer, Laser Printer transfer
• Working with Heat and Photos (Hot Photos):Photo 1-burned look, Photo 2 - How heat effects patterns
• Bleaching Photos
• Magic Textures Image
• Ink, Paper, Paint - A colorful story (collage on canvas)
• Copic Ink & Art Dying Fabrics

All this was accomplished from 9am until 5:30pm with an hour for lunch. It was a busy day but so creative and fun.  Can't wait to get home and sort out everything we did and continue to saok it in.
Pictures to come once we get home on Monday.

Copic markers - working with Reds

Good morning bloggers! I am up early ...like Christmas when I was young....as my bags are packed and will be leaving in a couple hours for Indianapolis, Indiana to attend another Copic class.  This one is Altered Art/Mixed Media with Copic Markers taught by Colleen Schaan and Biance Mandity, Regional Art Instructors with Copic Markers..  I love altered art for various reasons but now I can't wait to see how to use my markers in this venue.  I will report back here at the end of the day as I am taking my lap top with me.  In the meantime.....
Here is another image from the Copic Intermediate Certification class....working with reds. I don't know about you but  I love coloring with reds but sometimes reds don't love me so much.  Maybe I try too hard but of all the colors, I have the hardest time blending red.  Here are some of the ideas that Colleen Schann, Regional instructor with Copics, shared with us:

• Work on an absorbent surface.  Try using something other than scratch paper under your work...For example...paper towel or tissue paper.
• Try a different paper.  Neenah is a softer side of the card stock papers.. Bazzil Simply Smooth won't bleed as much but then it might be harder to blend. Experiment with different papers and see if this will help.
• Use less ink.  Don't soak thru the paper as much when blending.  Stay on the surface and if it looks good then that's good enough.  Ignore the back of the paper. Red is such a strong, vibrant color and it soaks into the paper quicker and completely fills it up.
• Try feather blending ....instead of circles.  Coloring in circles really lays a lot of ink on the paper.  Feather blending uses less ink and thus may cure the bleed problem
• Let the base layer dry.....before adding blending colors.....slow down.
• When working on an image...color the reds first.  That way if it does bleed out you haven't wasted a lot of time/work and energy....not to mention ink.
• Finally...avoid working right up to the edge of an image.  Often an ink will bleed after you have completed it.  Coloring up close to but not touching the edge of an image might work.

Here is an image I worked on that was included in our manual.  This image was drawn by Marianne Walker.

I know I gained a lot of good information at the Intermediate certification.  If you already have your basic Copic Certification...don't hesitate to go for the Intermediate level.  You will love it!