Creative Jumpstart 2021

Creative Jumpstart 2021
Join me for the 10th Anniversary of CJS2021

Friday, November 30

Vintage Christmas Class

Another quickie post, I should be drying my hair and preparing for my long day at the other Art Show I'm in today... but instead I chose to share this little ditty with you!! This is from my class on December 19th, Vintage Christmas.
Vintage Christmas Are you running ragged this holiday season and need a break to make something pretty for yourself? Join Catherine on December (whenever) for a fun class of miniature canvas'. We'll make two 4 x 6 hanging canvas' to decorate that little spot (or give to the hostess of your family Christmas Party, teacher or special friend) using pretty papers, stamps, crackle paint, vintage music sheets, watercolor paints and wire. Please bring your standard tool kit. Cost: $20.00

Thursday, November 29

Card Class

Just a quick post about a class I am teaching at Scrapbooks & Beyond in December:
Card Technique Class: It seems like everywhere we look people are talking about recycling and being green....if you are interested in our environment AND love making cards then this class is for you. Join Catherine on 'December 15th from 10am to 1pm to make three cards using recycled materials, some beautiful Christine Adolph papers (and four different stamps to choose from) just in, cardstock and watercolor paints. Not only are you making a beautiful card to send to that special someone - but they can frame it for a pretty reminder of you. We will also learn how to make custom sized envelopes using a standard sized envelope template.... Cost: $20.00 Please bring your standard tool kit.

Monday, November 26

Postcard Swap

A while back I shared some projects that were made by a lovely lady from Texas, Barb. Well, we've continued our talks - and they've ended up in a lovely swap. This weekend I received her lovely fall post card (Barb, I hope you don't mind I'm sharing it here....). She did such a lovely job with her stitching and stamping, I just love this postcard so much I'm going to find a frame and hang it on the wall in my studio! THANKS BARB, LOVE it.

I mailed your post card out today, but not before I took a picture of it. I just love these stamps, they make me so very happy!! I stamped them with black StazOn then watercolored and other various things and stitched and cut and layered and added a vintage measureing tape, and VOILA - a pretty card to send back to Barb. I hope you get it soon!!

I'll be sharing the images for my two December classes at SBB later - and maybe even tomorrow. Right now I've got to kiss the Little V goodnight! So, nighty night folks. I've got a favorite tv show on tonight so I'm going to park myself in front of the tube with my watercolor palette and some more stamps to paint up for cards and what not......later taters!!

Sunday, November 25

Many Hands Holiday Open House

I am participating in the 2nd Annual Many Hands Holiday Open House on Friday, November 30th. I hope some of you will find a moment or two in your day to stop by and check out all the great hand-crafted items that will be there! Please feel free to forward this to any of your friends in the area that would enjoy stopping by or print this out and add to the bulletin board where you work. I am hoping to have copies of my second book, Art from the Heart available for purchase.

In other news, well - the same news really....I've been busy in my studio making pretty little things for this show and one from this past weekend, so sorry for those of you that are sick of looking at the water stain on my floor. The Contractor did send a man out to come fix it - but we haven't had any heavy rain since so I am not sure if he actually did a good job or not.

I am also happy to announce that my entry "Remember this Moment" in the Prima Paintables contest came in first. That was a great accomplishment for me - THANK you to all of you who cheered me on.

Also, I've got two classes coming up at Scrapbooks & Beyond next month. The dates still need to be locked down, but here are the descriptions. (I am pretty sure they will be morning classes because that's what many people are looking for)

Card Technique Class: It seems like everywhere we look people are talking about recycling and being green....if you are interested in our environment AND love making cards then this class is for you. Join Catherine on (whatever morning we choose from 10am to 1pm) to make three cards using recycled materials, some beautiful Christine Adolph papers (and stamps) just in, cardstock and watercolor paints. Not only are you making a beautiful card to send to that special someone - but they can frame it for a pretty reminder of you. We will also learn how to make custom sized envelopes using a standard sized envelope template.... Cost: $20.00 Please bring your standard tool kit. Vintage Christmas: Are you running ragged this holiday season and need a break to make something pretty for yourself? Join Catherine on December (whenever) for a fun class of miniature canvas'. We'll make two 4 x 6 hanging canvas' to decorate that little spot (or give to the hostess of your family Christmas Party, teacher or special friend) using pretty papers, stamps, crackle paint, vintage music sheets, watercolor paints and wire. Please bring your standard tool kit. Cost: $20.00

Well, ta ta for now...off to the flea market for baby doll parts and vintage music sheets...

Tuesday, November 6

They WERE supposed to fix this...

A couple of weeks ago I noticed some black stuff on the molding behind our side door when I was cleaning. I made a mental note (which flew out as soon as I asked the Big V to look at it) and I completely forgot all about the black stuff.
Now I know exactly what that crap is. It's mold. BLACK mold growing on the wall - from the water that is seeping in when it rains. The people that built our house were supposed to fix the door, because it was installed incorrectly. Looks like they didn't do such a hot job. And, now that I've pulled the linoleum back to let the floor dry I can't get it back in there flat....They said they'd have someone "contact me right away) to get it fixed. That was first thing yesterday morning. It rained and was windy all day today....and I've not gotten a phone call from anyone. It's so frustrating I tell ya! Do people have pride in their work anymore?

In happy news, I've been making stuff like crazy for two trunk shows I have coming at the end of the month. My coffee table has been turned into my evening work table - so I can work AND watch my favorite shows. I'll try to take some pictures tomorrow to share. It was so dark (almost like dusk) at 2 this afternoon that I decided to wait until tomorrow!! Well, ttfn. Hope it's dry where you are!!

Monday, November 5

Scrapbooks & Beyond this Friday Night!

Just a quick post this morning while I wake up and get ready for the day. I'll be teaching this little recipe book this Friday Night at SBB, I hope you'll join me. We'll have lots of fun, and you'll make a lovely little book to give as a gift to that favorite cook in your life...or for your self to keep all your favorite recipe cards close at hand!
Join Catherine to make a beautiful holiday gift. In this class, you’ll transform a chipboard album into a lovely recipe book perfect for storing 4x6 recipe cards. The album comes with 10 page protectors & refills are available for purchase. To cover the album, we’ll use Basic Grey’s newest holiday papers, a little of Ranger’s new Crackle Paint and some other lovely items. . . the perfect gift to stuff the stocking of your favorite cook! Please bring basic tool kit, small paint brush, and a cutting mat & knife if you have them.

Saturday, November 3

Remnants of Noel

are here....and the wind is howling outside. It's cold, about 39 when we got back from town - raining - and windy. That makes for a very cold yucky afternoon. Luckily we've still got power and a nice warm cup of Hot Chocolate did the trick to warm us up. I've got things ready in case we loose power - candles, flashlights, water (for coffee) laundry done, dishes done - and we'll just have to go to bed early if we do loose power....a little extra rest never hurt any one!
In other news, I'm working hard on the sample for my class this Friday Night at Scrapbooks & Beyond. It's going to be darling - trust me. A little album to hold those recipe cards you use so often, and if you don't want it to be that - you can swap the ribbon and make a brag book - or a quote book - or a whatever you want book. It's a ring bound album - and we'll make it pretty with basic grey, a fancy shape, some ribbon....and some crackle paint from Ranger. The class is a steal - only $20.00 so sign up while there's still room. I'll be posting a picture soon, once I line the inside front cover and add the shape to the front. I promise, you won't be disappointed! SIGN up now.
In the health department - the little V has an ear infection AND bacterial conjunctivitis...GREAT.
Do you remember this page I posted awhile back?? Well, I won a prize package from Rusty Pickle for it. (I think I was the only one to play along, but who cares - I can't wait for my prize pack to come....)

Well, I think I'll publish this post before we loose cable and power......TTFN. Hunker down everyone!

Friday, November 2

Barb from Texas

About a month or so ago I got a really sweet email from Barb in Texas asking for some tips on her sewing machine and any other tips I might be able to give her for Sewing on Paper. She'd taken my book, Scrapbooking Techniques: Sewing on Paper out from her local library and wanted to ask me about the tension on her sewing machine. I am happy to report that Barb emailed me a couple of pictures of her successfull projects, thanks for sharing Barb....keep sewing on paper!!

I just wanted to say, that if you have questions about any of the techniques I have used in my books or articles I've written or projects you've seen that I made for EK Success, ScrapMuse or WHEREVER you've seen my stuff - please don't hesitate to email me and I'll get right back to you as soon as I can.

Have a happy Friday. TGIF and all that too!