Itatani Beach Party 2018

Every year my family has a beach party at a friend's private beach. It so nice to have a beach that Annie can run around all day and I don't have to worry about other people being scared of her. 
It was a perfect beach day, warm and sunny. I just love the birthday photo of my Auntie Mich, who turned 95. She's still drives and has a very full social calendar. Annie got in the picture wanting to put her stick on the table so the kids could throw it for her. She wasn't trying to eat the cake. As usual it was an Itatani food fest with everyone bring something to share. We are hoping that next year we can spend the night, giving the city kids the whole camping experience. 

Felt - ing 2018

Years ago I gave felt-ing a try. I guess I didn't really like it, so I gave all the tools away to a friend. Well fast forward to now and I wondered if I could felt pre cut wool (using my die cuts) and felt it on a background. So far the first test rounds look pretty good. Now just have to think of a way to turn them into cards or something cool. 

String card - 2018

Friends of mine weave some amazing things (Stonewater Arts) and I asked for the end cuts of thread. I was using them in my cross stitch and decided (after seeing something on Pinterest) to do this very simple card. I like to think of it as up recycling. 

Plant Nursery - 2018

I started another round of aloe vera plants after I did a swap with my neighbors are few weeks ago. Need to stock up for the next swap in a few more month. 
Living in ranger rick land (deer, gophers, rabbits, rats, coyotes and various birds) it's hard to grow anything. Succulents happens to be on of the few things no one wants to eat. :)

UFO night at FabMO

Something I've been trying to organize for a long long time, a UFO night for crafters. With the meet-up sites getting more $$$ and complicated to use it was looking pretty grim. 
FabMo recently moved to a new and much large space. The great room is a perfect place for people to gather a work on their own stuff while still being able to chat with other like minded people. Hope you can make it to our first ever UFO night!

Paper Quilling art 2

This is my second attempt at paper quilling. For being something so small it did take a lot more time than I thought. There's a lot of gluing and use of pins to hold everything in place while the glue dries. 
I've had the quilling tools for years (like 20+ years) and never really made anything with them. Finally decided (after watching ton of youtube videos) to sit down and do a few projects. 

Party Favors - mini tootsie roll pops.

Some times you see something and just think how cute it would be to change it up into party favors.
FabMo is hosting it's annual BBQ for the volunteers in a few weeks. I made thank you cards for all the volunteers and decided to add a little party favor too. 

Quilling 101

Like many crafters, I have supplies for projects I "think" I may try some day. I've had the paper quilling tools for many, many years (maybe 20+ years!) I even have the big AccuCut die cut to make the quilling sizing board. Don't even know why I got that!
Anyways the plan is to do a workshop at FabMo next month to teach basic quilling. The daisy was my first attempt to try and finish something to put on a card. Now I just have to figure out how to teach a class so everyone walks away with a finished card.  :)  

FabMo Workshop July 15, 2018

My next FabMo workshop is Sunday July 15, 2018. 
The theme started out to be "quilting" but as I started making the samples, it looks more like mosaics since I didn't want to add any embellishments. 
It's a great way to use up scraps!

FabMo Thank You Cards

FabMo TK cards 2018

Every year I try to make a thank you card for the volunteers at FabMo. Hannah, the founder of FabMo really encourages us to use items found at FabMo. It does take all year to round up the supplies because you never know what's going to show up! I just gather up interesting things and a month before the annual volunteer picnic, I start making something. 
This year a whole roll of embroidered daisy trim was donated. I squirreled that away with no idea what I would use it for. Next Hannah gave me 3 sample books of high end linen wallpaper (can't even imagine what the cost was per roll!) thinking I could turn them into cards. Then Bron (another FabMo volunteer) showed me some off the beaten path donations that came in from a crafting hoarder up in San Francisco. There are cases of various miniature things and these wooden dolls stood out because Bron said "what in the world would someone do with these !?!"
I know the cards look a little grandma-ish but I was able to source everything from the donations made to FabMo, even the embroidery thread. I like to think of it as handmade rustic upcycling. :) 
Can't really see the stitching details around the edges made by the die cut in the photo but it does add a nice touch. 

FabMo Workshop June 24, 2018

June 24, 2018 10:00 - 1:00 

The card samples for the workshop this coming Sunday at FabMo. The theme is H2O in stamping. 

I volunteer to do a workshop once a month for FabMo to help raise money. 
FabMo moved to this awesome big bright warehouse. Very nice to do classes there now. The best part is that Annie has plenty of room to run around and get her people fix. 

Simple Cat Card - Inky Antics

Yes another stamp I got at the garage sale. Guess I should title my posts "the .50 stamp deal". It's an old one from back in the day when multiple images where put on a wooden cube. Inspired by Jennifer McGuire to use Gamsol with your color pencils, I broke down and got a bottle.  I've been playing around with the technique and still trying to get a smooth blended look. Sandy Allnock (also a favorite) has some great videos on how to use color pencils. She's a little more advanced in her techniques, but has a ton of helpful tips.