A Visit With Dick

Happy Saturday, crafty friends!  Earlier this week, we enjoyed Spring Break in Chicago. I love everything about that place! Well, except for the 9.5 sales tax. The view of the skyline is marvelous from Shedd's Aquarium and Navy Pier. Food is great everywhere, and shopping was fun.  Getting to watch the Blue Man Group was one of the highlights of the trip. The beggars on the street don't bother me much - I just keep walking when I see them.

Every time I travel, I make sure to see anything or visit any place craft-related.  Ok let me rephrase that. Every time I travel, I make sure to go to a local craft store that is not Joann's, Michaels or Hobby Lobby. And while in Chicago, I was able to visit the Dick Blick Art Store in the Loop.

I have known Dick Blick as an online store. And I was surprised to find out that there is actually a physical store you can go to.  This particular store has two floors. As you enter the first floor, you will see painting canvasses and the like on the right. In the middle would be the cashier counters and the escalator. On the left would be select paper crafting supplies predominantly by Martha Stewart and Inkadinkado. Books are on that side as well.

The second floor is a haven of art materials for various media. I have never seen so many Copic Markers in one place. Sure wished I had a list of which markers I want.... er need. There were good displays of Mepxy and Prismacolor markers as well. They have framing services too. I can go on and on about what's on the second floor, but I don't want too long of a blog entry.

The sad thing is, I left the store empty handed. They didn't have the  particular things I wanted... er, needed. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed my visit at Dick Blick's. And DH was happy deep inside - I know for sure!

It's Not The Years

TGIF everyone!  Sometime last month, I received a box of chocolates for Valentines Day from a former student in Japan.  As expected, the chocolates were yummy.  And as expected, I kept the box to alter. 

I looked for dp that would go with my red box, and I took it from there.  You will see below what I did on the cover of the box.  I was in the mood to stamp and emboss on vellum, which I haven't done for a while.  Now I remember that it is one fun thing to do.

I finished the rest of the box, making sure to cover the original prints that came with.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  DCWV, Recollections, vellum, leftovers

image/sentiment:  Unity (Moments in Bloom)

ink:  Tsukineko, Ranger

tools:  Spellbinders, heat gun

misc.:  embossing powder (American Crafts, Joann's)

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape, Glue Dots

This project is perfect for Ippity by Unity's current challenge where we are to use FLOWERS.

I haven't really decided what to put in the box.  Stationeries?  Mini album?  Card set?  We'll see.

'Till next blog!

Winter CHA '12 Flashback: Walnut Hollow

Happy Monday dear reader!  This time, I'd like to share with you a make-and-take card I made from the Walnut Hollow booth during Winter CHA in Anaheim in January. 

The product in focus was their Creative Metal, and we were to stamp an image on one. It was pretty interesting. I learned that you have to stamp really carefully as the metal sheet is pretty slick.  The image had to be heat set as well.

And you know what else made this fun?  I got to use decorative edge scissors to cut around my image.  I haven't use those in a long time!

'Til next blog!

What A Girl Really Wants

Happy Monday everyone!  I have been itching to color with my Copics lately, and this weekend I was able to do so.  This time, I played with images from "Girl's Ruin" set by Bombshell Stamps.  I have had this set for a while, and it seemed like I was waiting for the right time to color the images.  I'm glad that time finally came.  I have to say that I enjoyed coloring this "Pin-up in Shoe" image.

I'm entering this card in Ms. March's Challenge called "Feel Up Your Bombshells", where we have to have texture with our Bombshell creations.  And my texture would be coming from one of Spellbinder's M-Bossabilities. 

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Recollections, ColorBok, Copic, leftovers

image/sentiment:  Bombshell Stamps

ink:  Copic, Tsukineko, Ranger, Spica

tools:  edge punch (EK Success, Fiskars), Spellbinders, heat gun

embellishments:  rhinestone stickers

misc.:  Ranger embossing powder

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

After finishing this card, I did feel like a bombshell.

'Til next blog!

With Love and Hugs

Hello crafty friends!  I would like to share with you a sympathy card I made for good relatives of ours.  Their father just passed this week, and it is a sad moment for all of us.

I'm also entering this card for Unity's challenge this month, "Doors and Windows".  I used stamps from "With Sympanthy" set.  I achieved the windows by punching my card front with Real Estate Sign punch by EK Success, then cutting a pattern on my card base with the Spellbinders Labels 14.  It is also my first time to use one of Spellbinders' M-Bossabilities, and I love it!

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Martha Stewart, leftovers

image/sentiment:  Unity

ink:  Tsukineko, Stampin' Up, Spica

tools:  EK Success, Spellbinders, Janome Sew Mini, Fiskars, heat gun

embellishments:  rhinestone stickers

misc.:  Ranger embossing powder

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

'Til next blog!