A Tacky Affair

One of my much loved friends, Laura, was about to celebrate a milestone birthday. Her husband inlisted help from the many who treasure her dearly to throw a surprise party. There was just one problem. Everyone knew that no matter how careful the planning and preparation, it could never live up to the "affair" that she could pull together. She thinks of everything and does everything she thinks of extremely well. I think it was Karen and Cindy who first came up with the idea of having a "tacky" celebration. They wanted to incorporate everything that she has ever said she didn't like, such as tattoos, mismatched plates, and vinyl covered furniture. That list is pretty long (she is a little vocal at times.) Kathy and Pam chimed in with more "tacky" ideas and the wheels kept turning! At first I was holding out for an elegant and elaborate theme, then realized, I had better get on board or get left behind. In the end, they were absolutely correct! We could never throw the "perfect party" that she could, but this "Birthday Affair" was absolute "perfection" in its tackiness. We meant this all as a compliment to her and it was hilarious, hideous, and one of the most fun gatherings I have ever attended. I made this accordian book to record the festivities. . . the vinyl on the furniture, the obnoxious apparel (everyone was supposed to wear something she would deem vile), the mismatched plates and napkins (we used bits and pieces from every occasion we had celebrated in the last ten years), the completely unhealthy (but admittedly tasty) food, and the love that we all feel for her and for each other. In the end, I think the little book I made is just as "tacky" as the affair itself and I laugh everytime I look at it!!!







Materials used: two 5"X7" canvas,(for the covers), taupe heavy cardstock to make the accordion, various acrylic paints,(black for the canvas frames, washing over the cardstock, brighter colors for stamping and edging), stamps, punches, lace, ribbon, flowers, tacks, odds and ends of colored cardstock and a Tim Holtz glass knob for embelishments,various adhesives, a lot of patience, and a sense of humor.

Tags, Tags, and More Tags

In addition to being crazy about banners, I find myself totally in love with "Tags". Any shape, any size, any color will do. I love creating them and find they are a really great "warm up" before starting a major project. Quick, fun, and a great way to include scraps of favorite papers that you just couldn't bare to toss, collectables, and other precious little pieces. I make tags when I am in a creative funk! I grab a handfull of precut tags (either that I have done on the cricut, or purchased) place them on cardboard, and spray them with Glimmer Mist or rub inks into them. Sometimes I even dab them with paint-pretty much just anything will do. Then I rummage through my scrap bin for papers, laces and other what-nots while the tags are drying. (Make sure you hit both sides of the tags with whatever your back ground is. They look so much more finished that way.)

When the tags are dry and I have a little treasure store of materials I head off to the open floor and spread everything around me. I start pairing tags up with the papers and things I have gathered (maybe even some old photos, bits of cards, anything your eye falls upon really!) and start pasting everything down. Once I have the papers adhered to the tags, I decide if I want to do some stamping or inking and then it is time for all the fun little bits of laces, ribbon, buttons, or myriads of other objects you want to try. It really is such fun. Unfortunately, sometimes, I get so caught up in what I am doing, I forget that this was supposed to be just a little exercise to get me ready for my big project. Many a day, I have used all my creative time on the little tags and then the "what I was supposed to do" has to be put of until tomorrow. Oh well. The tags are happy and I am too!

My Obsession With Banners

Last year, shortly before Halloween, (which of course is the funnest ever holiday) I took the "Spooky" banner class at The Scrapbook Barn in Gilbert, AZ. It was my first time making a banner. The class was hosted by "Spooky" creator, Melissa Waterbury. I fell in love with the banner the minute I saw it hanging in the store and couldn't wait for the night of the class to come, even though I didn't think I had a place at home to hang it. The class was perfect, Melissa is such a great teacher, and not only did I find a place to hang the Halloween version, but I have been absolutely obsessed with banner making ever since! Currently the little nook in which I hang them is sadly bare and awaiting an Autumn banner. A "Summer Banner" didn't quite happen so I think my nook and I will just have to look forward to Autumn.
I did manage to make Christmas, Valentines, St. Patricks, Spring, and 4th of July Banners, however. Of those, "Spring" was hands down my favorite, although the "Birthday Banner" I am currently working on might just push it out of my top spot when it is finished. I will post a "complete" view after it is finished. I am trying something new to get the layering and lift that I want, so I will also post pictures of that process once I am sure that it works.A little hint is that it involves clothespins! I think it is a pretty neat little trick, I just have my fingers crossed that it turns out the way I picture it in my mind. We'll see in a few days.

This is my first post...

To day is the first day of my blog.
I'm completely lost!!!