At Enchanted Affaire

Here I am at Kim Caldwell's Enchanted Affaire in Manhattan Beach, CA. Here are just a couple of pics I took with my iPod to give a feel of the event. Words fail at describing the beautiful atmosphere Kim created, with the help of artists Denise Hahn, Lesa Daily, Natalie Hansen, Julie Nutting and Karla Nathan. More when I get home next week.

ATC Assembly

 Here are my latest (last?) 8 ATC's for the Enchanted Affaire.  Cut the front and back ATC sized paper, first quibbling on which paper to use.  Select some vintage fabric and lace to place under the princess image, which I printed on ink jet printable cotton.  (Thank you, Graphic Fairy for your always dependable image catalog)  Sew everything down.  Back to the studio to start the embellishing. 

This is the fun part.  I sifted through bits on my desk; considered fabrics on hand.  Tried this and that.  Much trying and rejecting.  Started placing, hand stitching and gluing.  Ink all edges.  Glue on backs.  Glue on my contact info.  Figure out how I'm going to carry these around with me to hand out at the Affaire...later. 

Enchanted Affaire Party Favors

 Here we have altered toilet paper rolls, folks.  I first made these weeks ago based on an Itripledogdareu Youtube challenge.  I thought they would make the perfect favors to give to my craft table mates at the Enchanted Affaire. 

 I used fabric; bark cloth, embroidered kitchen towel, handkerchief, organza; plus lace, and a little of this and that to embellish the rolls. 

For each one I made a bead flower and tucked in some See's Candy bite-sized lollipops.  Candy will always work to your advantage.  Now, I have over a week to make 30 or so ATC's to handout.  Maybe, or maybe not.  I have completed everything that was essential...coasting to the finish line.  I just noticed this is my 500 post.  I have had a lot of fun sharing my time with you.  Mostly about crafting, but sometimes I just needed someone to talk to.  Thank you for being here. 

Parlez Vous Glassine Bags?

 It's never the same day twice in the craft studio.  I may head upstairs with a fixed idea in mind, only to have it caste aside in favor of something else entirely.  Today, that something else includes waxed paper sandwich bags from the grocery store, tissue paper, and French labels from Graphics Fairy.   Altering glassine bags is easy and fun.  I first watched a tutorial from Creativeyoungmamma on youtube.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuMZAx0SPK0  I don't work with Mod Podge often, but since I had a puddle of it left over, I used it to affix the labels, too.  My only suggestion with this project is to carefully line-up the tissue paper because once it makes contact with the Mod Podged bag, it can't be moved. 

This version uses a MacKensie-Childs thin paper napkin that I've had for over a decade.  Too pretty to use...and actually a totally wrong material for a napkin...but lovely to craft with.  When I combed through my paper stash looking for colorful embellishments, Graphic 45's Bird Song collection was just the thing.  I fussy cut some of the lanterns and used the cut-aparts for tags.  These little gift bags can be used for small trinkets, or how about cookies?  I want to acknowledge a lovely woman who has become quite a muse for my ideas lately.  Her name is Lilla Le Vine.  She isn't presently using her blog, but she has an active youtube channel.  I LOVE watching her tutorials.  I think you will, too.  Watch one, then subscribe!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDYMoaS9J3g 

Cake Calling

 My husband and I are both really trying to eat healthy and lose weight.  But sometimes there has to be cake.  And this morning gingerbread cake called to me.  Out of the blue, I simply had to make gingerbread.  Using whole wheat flour, molasses, and just a little oil.  Oh, and walnuts!  Served with a dollop of peach preserves. 

Like many cooks these days, most often I'll search for a recipe on the Internet.  Yet I have some handy cookbooks within easy reach.  Barefoot Contessa is reliable and creative, and her recipes work.  Plus I just love her.  For grilling the Weber's Big Book has it all.  When I want the most healthy possible ingredients, I'll check out my Goldbeck's American Whole Food Cuisine.  But for plain ol' American cooking, nothing beats the Better Homes Cook Book.  My copy is decades old and well used.  I also kept my Dad's older and very used Better Homes book. My newest cookbook, recommended by my BFF, is South Beach Quick & Easy; not because it's a "diet" book, but because the recipes are healthy, quick, and tasty.  Today the "winner" of my gingerbread recipe is Goldbeck's.  A little healthy cake can't hurt, right? 

Advance on Wednesday

Hello my WOYWW friends.  I posted this a few days ago because I just couldn't wait until Wednesday to show and tell about new storage products. I had an idea to get one of those over the door shoe bags; I was pretty sure Target would carry it, and they did!   I stuffed in my growing assortment of fabric scraps, small pieces of purchased yardage, vintage hankies, etc.  Now, the door will no longer completely close due to the hooks over the door frame, but that's OK for my room. 

 

In Target's new Threshold line, there is also this portable shelf that hooks over a closet rod.  It happens that in my attic work space there is a closet pole, presumably to use for storing winter clothing.   Voila, another storage solution.  Both of these closet organizers were inexpensive and decent quality.  Maybe these can work for you, too. 

 

Now that my space is feeling, well, spacious! I'm motivated to do a little crafting.  These Dylusions stamps are still at the forefront of my inspiration.  I thought this bon mot would suit a high school senior who has been named a 2103 Student of Distinction.  She has overcome adversity in her young life and is now focused on helping others in a very real way.  I don't know her, but I was impressed and moved by her story.  And I want her to know that she has touched one more life. 

I'm having so much fun with this stamp I can't stop!!!!  Here is a bookmark for my best buddy at senior exercise class.  She is a dynamo so the idea of her sitting around all day is a joke.  If you want to have a good chuckle, check out the fun at http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/

Brand New Stuff

 Are you shopping at http://blitsy.com/?  If not, I do recommend it for steeply discounted top quality craft supplies.  Here are my latest purchases, all from the Dylusions line by Dyan Reaveley.  All $80 worth...and that is probably 30% to 40% less than retail.  I have admired Dyan's style and products for a while now.  Check out some of her clips on YouTube for a change of artistic pace. 

The supplies arrived a couple days ago but I was busy working on projects for An Enchanted Affaire...stuff I cannot share yet!... I wanted to get a card in the mail to Josef today so I cleared the decks and made a couple quick and simple cards using the Dylusions stamps, some ledger paper and Graphic 45 papers.  Lots of fun.