It's all about the dress! CHA Spotting

The Summer 2011 Convention for the Craft and Hobby Association in Rosemont, IL was laden with eye candy, a crafter's dream. Over 230+ exhibitors were on hand to reveal their newest product releases, of which I will share my top picks in my next post (after I retrieve them from the laptop! :o) But for now, just enjoy this photo montage of crafty dress creations which were on display throughout the show floor.

Click the image for a larger view:



Here is the dress that I made and a mini version on the baby doll!
Mother Nature ala Advant Garde!

ScraPerfect! Mixed Media Frame

Mixed Media frame.
Supplies:
Crafting Pouch, Best Glue Ever, Crafting Cloth (ScraPerfect)
wood frame (Kaiser Crafts)
Acrylic paint: 3 shades of blue, lilac, copper, gold, antique gold.
Stampbord 2" squares (10 ct)
Versamark Pad
Mosaic stamp (Stampendous)
Fleur Stamp (Anitas)
Tree Stamp (Art Impressions)
Flourish Stamp (Stampin Up)
Black embossing powder
Metallic pigment paints (USArtquest)
Clear spray sealant (krylon)

I treated the stampbord with the pouch, then stamped the mosaic with versamark and embossed with a heating tool, Then removed pouch residue with the cloth.
After it's completely cooled, paint the mosaic with metallic pigments. Paint the wooden frame with streaks and layers of color with spots of metallic. determine the placement of the stampbord. Treat the surface lightly with pouch and stamp random images that will show coming from behind stampbord tiles. Remove pouch residue with cloth. Glue Stampbord tiles in place, spray with sealant.

Festive Friday Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to Festive Fridays Blog Hop! You should have come from Yolanda's blog: Crafty Sentiments.

We will be posting Christmas Cards on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month (Except December)
Get your creativity going with lots of inspiration and ideas. Start now and make your holiday card list a pleasure to accomplish this December. ENJOY.

Be sure to visit all 17 of the blogs, use the Festive Image at the end of this post to hop to the next BLOG, Leslie's or use the list to jump around.



Paper by Basic Gray, Punches: Martha stewart pine and pine cone, EK Success large circle and deckle tag, McGill holly.

I punched a large circle in the card front, colored the edge with Krylon gold leaf pen and put a vintage postcard image behind it, the background is embellished with art glitter. Then I made the floral spray out of punchies and faux berries. The holly and pine cones have been accented with ColorZ chalk. A simple sentiment written in white on a punched tag with white sheer Offray ribbon and a gold mini brad.

Thanks for hopping, click the image to go to Leslie's Blog.

THE ADVENTURES AT CHA: DAY 1

Last night, on the eve of the show opening, CHA hosted "The Taste of Rosemont" event, which invites local businesses of cuisine to bring samples of their best faire for sampling, to better acquaint visitors of the area with their products and service. Many vendors participated in the lobby of the Donald E. Stevenson Convention Center and most CHA participants were taking advantage of the delicious sampling.



Also, 2 complimentary bar services were on hand offering a selection of brews, wine and mixed beverages.



And, as if that wasn't enough! The entertainment was FABULOUS! Ray Sassetti Orchestra played a beautiful and entertaining selection of musical scores to delight all. The 3 man orchestra is located in Arlington Heights, IL and may be contacted for events. 773-282-2942


The CHA Summer 2011 show op;ened today! Here is the bag pipe parade of Officers around the show floor before opening to the registered guests.



First on my "to do" list was to set up my Crafty Couture entry, a dress I designed using 2 selected mediums: paper and fabric. "Mother Nature" in theme evolved into a mixed media canvas with endless details in the spirit of a project runway advant garde.



TREND SPOTTING
At first glance, trends are popping up everywhere!
Many patterned paper manufacturers are including coordinating, over sized lazer cut shapes and designs.



I am liking the new stamps that have the image printed on the cling foam!!



I think there was a security leak of the Crafty Couture Designer Competition, it seems that crafty dresses were sprouting up in many of the manufacturers booths.


There are so many new and gorgeous new product lines, I'll share some of my favorites and more highlights in the next post!!

What would YOU like to see, or hear about from CHA?

Robin's Nest "Dad" Layout

Scrapbook page layout "DAD" for The Robin's Nest.

I just LOVE these papers! The colors are so earthy, but there is a copper bling on them!

Supplies:
Papers by The Robin's Nest: Getaway, Mocha Daisy Glitter (backside used for photo mat) and copper flourish
Dew Drops in green tear drop shape, Viva La France Rubon, copper glitter alpha stickers
Walnut distress ink (Ranger)

After losing my Dad last year, I was given this photo of him holding my eldest brother and I when we were itty bitty! This layout is simple, yet beautiful and the perfect tribute to my Dad.

Duetica.com Lettering Art Studio

This scrapbook page of my grand daughter enjoying watermelon in a BIG way was created using the Duetica.com's Lettering Art Studio and Fonts.

The title is printed directly onto the background paper, the subtitle was printed on a separate 12x12 sheet of paper near the top so I could use the left overs for a photo matte.

The circle accenting the photo is stitched with thread, sheer ribbon and then accented with dots of white dimensional paint (Tulip) which is also on the "squirts" to left and right.

ScraPerfect! Hybrid Card

"A Dose of Joy" card

Supplies:
Craft Pouch, Best Glue Ever, Crafting Cloth- ScraPerfect!
Lavender cardstock
Green paper (leftover stash)
deep sea cardstock-murdock country creations
Spellbinders frame die
Art glitter -Tulip
watercolor paper
PC-- my digi art
deckled scissors
corner rounder punch
Damsom plum ink pad (Vic Bantok, Ranger)

I treated the watercolor paper lightly with the pouch and printed multiples (6) of my digital image onto 9x12 sheet. Die cut the decorative frame and trim the printed image to fit, Adhere with Best Glue Ever. outline wings and accents on body with Best Glue Ever, apply purple glitter. Add light lines of glue random inside wings and apply mauve glitter. Layer onto green paper and lavender card, I always use the Best Glue Ever! (ink the edges :o)

Duetica.com Lettering Art Studio

I assembled the circle and right side background elements and then printed the title and journaling using the Duetica.com's Lettering Art Studio and Fonts. It takes a little pre-planning but it's SO WORTH IT. Then I added the bottom paper accent, fabric flowers and bling flourishes.

Fonts used: DT Piper B00 and DT Tin Whistle F00

Festive Friday Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to Festive Fridays Blog Hop! You should have come from Yolanda's blog: Crafty Sentiments.

We will be posting Christmas Cards on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month (Except December)
Get your creativity going with lots of inspiration and ideas. Start now and make your holiday card list a pleasure to accomplish this December. ENJOY.

Be sure to visit all of the blogs, use the Festive Image at the end of this post to hop to the next BLOG, Leslie's or use the list to jump around.



Here are two different versions of a great way to use up your paper scraps, I make them every year. The first one also has a vintage piece of enameled jewelry and a verse inside:

For your holiday greeting,
a hand-made card this season.
Adorned with a vintage bauble
for absolutely no reason.

But now I see
that my heart would be
warm to know
that when you wear the brooch
you might think of me.

Merry Christmas!

Tear or cut strips of scraps and glue them together, creating larger sheets 6" x 12" or 4" x 12, with strips of scraps horizontal. Make a 12x12 and cut it later.
Spray with Krylon webbing and glitter spray. Cut into triangles 4" at base x 6" tall for the 6x12 strip, or 3" x 4" for the 4x12 strips.

Embellish with ribbon, star brads, rhinestones, punchies or whatever your heart desires!

I have provided a paper saving pattern below w/ measurements.

Thanks for hopping, click the image to go to Leslie's Blog.








Pattern for 6x12 strips: 4" x 6" trees



Pattern for 4" x 12" strips: 3" x 4" trees

The Robin's Nest: Mixed Media

I'm SO EXCITED! This is my very first Robin's Nest Design Team post!
I created a mixed media keepsake box using Dew Drops. Although they come in an amazing color assortment, sometimes I just love their shapes. Dew drops will accept mediums such as alcohol inks, gel mediums and acrylic.

I placed them in a pattern and then sprayed the entire box cover with primer, then painted with metallic acrylic paint, adding texture with a brush. The symbol in the center is a brass charm.





Thank you so much for visiting the blog~~ Visit the Robin's Nest website and blog for more great ideas.