Down on the farm

As I write, I am sitting in the bright kitchen of my aunt and uncle in Virginia.  I come from a long line of dairy farmers, so being on the farm surrounding by rolling fields of corn and hay really feels like home.  While I've been up here, we've gone on a few adventures, and have had fun crafting!

On Wednesday, she and her "peeps" got together in their craft sanctuary to work on scrapbooking.  I have to admit, it felt a little like heaven to be surrounded by shelf after shelf of craft supplies.  I worked on holiday gift tags to come up with some ideas for making sets to sell or give as gifts as well as some snowflake ornaments.  Both are still works in progress, but I did post a picture of the in progress snowflakes on my facebook page (www.facebook.com/artsyacorndesigns).

Yesterday, I cleaned out and helped organize my aunt's craft space.  I am one of these unusual types that gets a kick out of cleaning and organizing, so it was fun for me!  I labeled and sorted all her items and had lots of containers to add materials.  I ended up creating stations so to speak: one for her cricket and accessories, one for paper, one for stamps and ink pads, one for embellishments like embossing powder, stickers, and ribbon, and so on.  My favorite is her feature wall where she is showcasing finished projects and then underneath it in bins are all her projects in progress.  There is nothing like having a dedicated space for creating, no matter what type of project you are working on!

All Jeweled Up

I have to admit- I'm addicted to jewelry.  It's one of those things I don't leave the house without, and love to collect.  Lately, I've had fun making some different pieces too!  It all started when I became a Stampin' Up demonstrator last December as was looking for something unique to do with the fabric in the catalog.  Of course, now that I came up with something, they now longer sell fabric.  But, I still can use this idea with all kinds of fabrics I discover.  My thinking was this- why not use it to make a necklace?  I cut the fabric into strips, braided them, and added embellishments.  Here is my latest crop!

 They're funky and eclectic, especially given that the fabric has some twist and movement to it and is a little frayed around the edges.  Below is a close up of some of the stands.  i also had an extra strip left over after making each necklace, so I also made a matching bracelet for each.  How did I make these, let me tell ya.

I found some fat quarters I really liked that coordinated with each other (or in the case of the one above, I used just one fabric design instead of two).  I cut about 1 inch strips lengthwise across the fabric.  

Once this was done, I really wanted to make some pieces longer since I prefer longer necklaces, but you can adjust to your taste.  To get the longer pieces, I tied two strips of fabric together, essentially doubling the length of the strip of fabric.  I did this to three total strips to give me three long strands to braid together.  Cut off the extra bits of fabric from your knot (and don't worry about those knots- you will braid them in and you really can't see anything once the entire strand is braided).  For some super long pieces, I even tripled the length, tying one strip to the end of another strip, then tying another strip to the end of the last piece.  It is all depending on how long you want it.  

Once your strips are to the desired length, tie them together at one end so you can braid.  I usually stick this end knot under a book or something heavy so I can anchor it to easily braid away.  Once you finish your strip, I usually hot glue to tie off the other end so the braid doesn't unravel while I work on others. I also usually clean it up a little by cutting off some of the fraying "hairs" or strands of fabric that are a bit excessive.  Although I admit, a little of the fray showing really adds to the charm of this necklace.

When all braids are completed, you'll tie the ends of your pieces together to make a loop out of your strand.  Or, if you are like me, you hot glue the ends together and then cut off the excess knot pieces.  You'll hide the tie or the hot glue with a leftover strip of the fabric you used.  If you are like me and you wanted a staggered or tiered look to your necklace, I did a combination of doubled and tripled strands to give a layered look.  Whatever you do, gather your looped braids together with the tied or hot glued ends together.  You'll then take your extra strip of fabric and tightly wrap around your ends.  Tie this with a knot and tuck the knot under part of the fabric strip so you don't see the knot.

And now for my favorite part- the bling!  I took earring wires and some beads the matched, and strung them through the braid.  Once through, I cut the excess off and used jewelry pliers to loop the metal around the braid to the bead.    I hope you enjoy!

I'm Undefined

I bought a stamp carving kit a while ago from Stampin' Up! thinking it would be fun to carve and make some of my own stamps at some point.  It reminded me of when I took art in middle school and we would carve our own printing blocks from a picture we drew.  Here's the trouble- you have to know what you want to carve!  SU has a ton of ideas they have been posting online and I've been watching and collecting thoughts and suggestions.  This weekend (or rather very early this morning when I couldn't sleep), I decided to go for it!  Here are some pictures of my late-night escapades with carving.

Here is the first one.  The term YOLO for "You only live once" is all over the place right now, so I thought having a stamp of it would be fun.  If you are curious how this works, you draw the image first on paper with pencil, then rub the image on the rubber.  The kit provides you with carving tools to cut the image out, then adhesive and wood blocks to back the stamp.  I used some scraps of extra paper in coastal cabana and strawberry slush to finish this up.  I love utilizing extra bits of paper, and rarely throw things like that away.

Now for my second set of stamps carved.  I liked the idea of a folk-art type bird and have a local artist I love here named Moni Hill.  She uses a bird similar to this and the saying "Be Tweet" on some of her work.  I thought this would make a cute card!  The bird was super simple since I decided to keep the body solid so I could draw in designs, color him in, or use a "kissing" technique to add a texture to the body.  I drew in the little legs with a stamp n' write marker as well.  As for the leaf, well, I just wanted one and thought it would fit well with the nature theme here.

I had a blas making some things that I was interested in and wouldn't have been able to find otherwise!  Plus, I take a little more pride in my cards shown here because I actually make the stamps too!  Let me know if you are interested in getting a stamp carving kit or want to make a stamp with me- I'd love to play around with carving and creating something with you!

Those leather flowers...

.... are securely fastened using thick thread and several upholstery needles.  I broke a needle for about every two flowers I put together since it took a lot of pressure to go through the layers of leather.  Totally worth it though!  Here are some of the final pieces.  I keep fiddling with them because the leather is so soft!

On to the next project- I currently have paint drying for two wedding signs I've been commissioned to make.  I can't wait to show you once I draw on them!  I also am starting a painted wood sign for an outdoor wedding.  I've found some reclaimed baseboard wood that is sturdy but weathered and will be perfect for a rustic feel.  The long piece is currently by my door just longing for me to cut it up and start decorating it; however, I need to enlist a handyman (or women) to help me cut it first.  I'll keep ya posted on these projects!  Happy crafting!

Hello, Monday

The start to another week!  I find that if I create a to-do list, I am so much more productive.  I get all excited when I cross something off my list (which likely sounds a bit sad, but that's ok!).  Today, in an effort to move some more of my social media outlets to more of a business option for me, I switched my Pinterest page over officially to The Artsy Acorn's Pinterest site.  This is exciting because I had the chance to organize my boards a little more and can better present all the things that I am making as well.

Speaking of making things- here is a picture of the wedding rehearsal dinner gifts I made recently.  Cute, right?  I ended up hand stamping the paisley design onto some white card stock to make a custom pattern for the family since their theme was white and cobalt blue.  I then make a little greeting strip with their theme greeting and wedding date on my printer using card stock.  My stamp came in handy again to add a print to the wing of my blue bird, which was punched out using one of my favorite SU punches.  Last thing?  Some bling!  Silver glitter paint on the eye and around the print of the background finished it all up.  Best part?  The decorations are just a sleeve around the chocolate, so you can slide it right off to save if needed and then eat the chocolate goodness!

Is it August, or October?

I can't tell from the weather outside!  It's the kind of day that makes you want to stay in and snuggle up on the couch with a blanket and a chick flick.  However, today was a special day because it is my mom's birthday!  We had a good day with family and spending some time together.

I will have my newsletter coming out in a few days- be sure to email me at theartsyacorn@gmail.com if you would like to be added to my email list!  I send it out once a month with pics of projects, ideas to share, and of course the schedule of events.

One of the things I will be sharing in my newsletter is that the Artsy Acorn has now opening a shop on Etsy!  I have loads more to add to my shop, but wanted to start with some things I have in stock from craft shows.

Currently, I am finishing up working on some leather flower pins and hair clips to add to my shop.  I found the more beautiful and soft leather at Resource Warehouse a while back and thought of turning it into something.  The pins and clips turned out amazing!  I rubbed paint on a few for a little more distressed look and had the paint really bring out the subtle lines in the leather.  Now my big issue is getting these suckers to stay together.  Hot glue doesn't work- they peel right apart from each other.  Last night I super glued each piece together and STILL they come apart.  Next stop- a tapestry needle and thread.  These WILL work out for me! :)  I likely should have started with the needle and thread to begin with, but as any true crafter will tell you, there isn't much that you can't solve with some hot glue.  Will keep ya posted with the leather flower saga.

Here is a picture of the troublesome pins- they look innocent and cute don't they?  :)

Feeling Artsy

One of the things I love about doing Stampin' Up!, among other things, is the fun I have with thinking creatively.  Today I finished up an order of wedding reception gifts (which I will add a picture of soon), shopped for some reclaimed wood to make an upcycled outdoor wedding sign for another person, and purchased some canvas for a commission on two other wedding gifts where I paint their love story by numbers (date of their first date, date of their engagement, date of their wedding).

Today I also wrapped up a proposal for a contest for illustrated sayings and word puns.  I thought about how popular owls are right now, and out came this idea.  We'll see if I win!  For fun though, here is a sneak peak at what I submitted tonight. :)  Enjoy!

An AA Kinda Day

...AA standing for Artsy Acorn of course!

Mystery solved!  I found my missing punch and guess what?  It was right where it was supposed to be- neatly stacked with all my other punches.  How I missed it in the three times I searched there, I am not sure.   It's good to know I am not going crazy (well, at least not over a punch anymore!)

Here are new pictures of upcoming workshops.  I love sharing the pictures to show you what I am doing rather than try and describe it!  I finished up these projects and now am moving on to finishing up a wedding reception favor I am making for a friend.  I hope to finish those soon and will share once they are completed.

Here is a picture of the "surprise elements" workshop in September.  What makes these a "surprise!" is the fact that the confetti in the background of both the card and the sign on the birthday box move around!  This is all due to using some washi tape and a window sheet to make a little pocket for some confetti.  Its a fun thing to pick the card up and shake it, and most definitely for the birthday package.  Isn't that what we all naturally want to do with a wrapped present anyway? :)

I've also included some pictures for the October workshop, which will get us ready to go for the upcoming holiday season.  The "hello" card is using a sunburst technique, which is super fun and simple.  These cards remind me of fall, but the paper has a retro feel to it, which I loved.

  

Finally, I also included a fun thanksgiving card that will also go with the October workshop.  These great label stamps also include other seasons, so this style card can easy have colors changed out to work for halloween, christmas, or even valentines day.

I appreciate you visiting my blog and your willingness to read my ramblings!

Hide and Seek

I have lost my new punch that I was so excited about purchasing.  The label bracket punch will be featured in my October workshop, but right now it is MIA.  How this has disappeared is a mystery to me as I live alone and know that I am the only one who could have put it somewhere!  I will likely find it in the most unusual place soon.  This is all likely because I am hyped up for a job interview tomorrow and am probably not thinking straight.

Speaking of hide and seek, that's what I felt like I was doing last night.  We had a really awful storm that afternoon- the kind that makes you wonder, "should I be heading to a central room with no windows?"  The wind was terrible and would violently change direction, which lead to power outages and lots of trees down.  I was mid-cut on a banner I was making for September's "Surprise Elements" workshop when the power went off and left me in the pitch dark.  I fumbled for my flash light and started to light candles.  Do you think a little think like no electricity can stop a die-hard crafter?  Heck no!  I finished that project over candlelight.  It was an interesting night, especially since it was getting rather warm and my house started smelling odd... you see, I lit all these candles I had saved "just in case," but they weren't my favorite scents.  So, overpowering "lilac" soon met with "log cabin" and "fresh cut grass."  Fun times in my house, I tell ya.  In case you were wondering, the power came back on about an hour later and I not only finished my project, but I restored the balance of scents in my house.  I think I will invest in some unscented candles for next time!  And, I will let you know when this darn punch reappears (and where I found it!)

August Workshop Cards

Here are the cards I will be showing you how to make for my August workshop!  Don't they look summery and fun!  Since it is the end of summer, I thought I'd help it go out with a bang!  These cards are fun and easy to make using a few tools and stamp sets.  I can't wait to see you on August 28th at 7pm for the workshop!

Happy New Year! (Well, sort of)

I'm all about trying new things, ideas, and thinking outside the box.  In that same spirit, I thought I would start something new with introducing a new blog project as another way to share my ideas, thoughts, and ramblings with you.  Consider it a new years resolution.... in August.

I've been working on several projects at the moment to have a full schedule of workshops and classes through December.  I'm excited.  I literally start working on these things and the hours just pass by without my realizing.  I guess that is what happens when you are artistically in the moment!

Let's share some of the upcoming classes and projects.  August is perfect for back to school and if you have kids, its always nice to bring a little treat to the teacher in the first week.  So, on August 15th, I've planned a class for making small treat bags!

Pictures of the card workshops for August and September will be up soon!  I also have a "spooktacular" banner class coming up in September.  These banners are easy to make and super fun.  

You know you want to make one too!  This class is offered September 21st or 24th. Check it out!

Much more to come, and I hope you enjoy!!!