Thursday, October 29, 2015

Happy Crafty Halloween!



While we are frantically searching for our Halloween wigs and props so we can greet all the kids in style, I can't help but remember how much fun the annual trick -or-treat ritual was when my kids were young.



It was also when our life with dogs began.  Madison, our once-in-a-lifetime genius dog (with the very same abilities as celebrity Border Collie, Chaser and potentially sharing some of the same gene pool) came to live with us and bring our lives to a whole new level.  In fact, we brought him home on this very day before Halloween, over 2 decades ago....a fluffy black and white ball of sweetness with an amazing love for children-- a trait he never outgrew during his intense and all too brief life.

Everyone who knew Madison still remembers him. He was just one of those special dogs that touched everyone's heart with which he came in contact.




And then we got him a friend who was born with the instinct and love for doing Therapy Dog work.
A professional canine model who lived for playing dress up, Tyler would defy all odds by remaining in full intact costume and head gear throughout the entire neighborhood Halloween rounds. Those were fun times, partly because the true meaning of "neighborhood" was in full display in those days when our subdivision was young, along with its residents.

Parents had just as much fun as their kids. on Halloween. In years the weather allowed, neighbors of all ages filled the sidewalks and front yards with costumed kids, dogs...all enjoying each other's company.  Several dads even dressed up in ballerina tutus,--simultaneously sporting full beards, moustaches and half smoked cigars. What a sight that was! There were bowls of dog treats and water on every block and people who couldn't be home left entire tubs of candy on their porches, trusting greed wouldn't overtake anyone's moral choices.



Madison and Tyler aged...and eventually crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  We added new dogs to our family, none of which ever came close to those two in their love for Halloween dress up and being with kids.

Sadly, Halloween changed one year from that happy holiday into one of tragedy instead.  My new dog (Shady) wound up experiencing a horrific trauma when a sugar-crazed child hit him repeatedly with a toy sword, terrorizing the 6 month old puppy and imprinting a permanent fear of everything that was happening around him that Halloween--from children, adults and other dogs that stared and then moved towards him...to strollers, bikes and all doorways, walls, and anything where something could suddenly appear without warning and harm him--which was basically everything he could and would encounter daily during his entire life. That's the downside of having a super smart dog breed. Even the smell of autumn in the air was imprinted on him as something to fear...and I never managed to reverse that one.

That was the day Halloween stopped being fun....and that memory is burned into my heart forever.  I spent the next 14.5 years trying to undo all that damage created in an instant by one unsupervised small boy who had not been taught kindness to animals and/or had no self control. We never even knew who this child was or where he was from. The irony is that one of my greatest joys is doing Therapy Dog work where my dog can help children learn how to be kind to animals and experience positive interactions with dogs.

When Shady passed over the Rainbow bridge a year and a half ago to join his pal Tyler, a part of me was relieved but a part of me still dreaded Halloween.  Lacy Lulu came into our lives shortly after Shady's passing and she, like Madison, LOVES children.  This year, Halloween should begin to be a different experience from the past 15 years.  Lacy was a very young and very crazy puppy last year but this year she will be ready to start her mission as a Therapy Dog in training when kids come to the door. She will make Halloween fun again for me and for all the neighborhood kids.



A happy and safe Trick or Treating to everyone!  If you are in the neighborhood, be sure to stop by!

Friday, October 2, 2015

Fighting Pediatric Cancer at Buffalo Grove Art Fair and Concert October 2-4, 2015


Please join us this weekend at the Buffalo Grove Arts Center (Rt. 83 and Lake Cook Road, just north of the Jewel) for a concert and art fair fundraiser for Pediatric Cancer!


I will be exhibiting items like these so come out and join us starting Friday evening 6 pm......





Here are the details....

Please join 21 fabulous artists at this exciting event raising money for Pediatric Cancer research Oct. 2, 3, and 4.  The show will be open from 6:30-10 on Oct. 2 and 3 and 2-5:30 on Oct. 4.

Now is the right time to think about holiday gifts for friends, family, teachers and maybe even yourself — why not something beautifully made by by a local artist?

Please note you do not have to buy a ticket to the show to attend the art event, but if you'd like to hear some great singers, you can get tickets from bgsingers.org.

artistshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1g88LBhAfuATmjnERbrjcOItzvkYgw5zct3jRv8WdkrI/edit?usp=sharing

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Welcome to Autumn with a Bittersweet Farewell to Summer...

As summer quietly comes to a sweet end, the days grow shorter, the evenings cooler and the garden starts to fade....

Sounds like the lead into a welcome to fall speech, doesn't it?  Truth is....I'm NOT ready to welcome fall! Chicagoland had such a brutal endless winter, last year, followed by an equally long, extended spring (all the way into July with rainy, cool and gloomy weather). As far as I'm concerned, summer is only halfway done! No fair! I'm not ready for leaves to turn colors and fall.  Nope.  I want those suckers to just stay put and stay green.

But, when I peek at my sad garden, I can see the party is almost over.  No matter where my heart is (and, trust me, it is still heavy and deep into summer), nature has another plan.  The dogs are blowing their coats in preparation for their heavy winter coats to grow in.  The giant Hibiscus are finally bloomed out and their leaves are already starting to change.  And, dislike as I may, the sun now sets by 7 pm....way, way too early for summer but nowhere as early as it will be setting another month from now.

Sigh.....

So, I need to tough it up, pull on my big girl winter pants and brace myself for the change. Reluctantly I admit I only used the outside grill once because we just aren't really into that type of food.  When it gets warm, we get lazy and eat cold salad type fare.  We are more the peasant pot of soup type of family. ..which is not a summer choice.  Fall means dusting off the big soup pot, harvesting all the parsley that has recently totally taken over the garden and getting ready for the next big adventure.  And that adventure will most certainly include LOTS of thick, hearty soups!

So....love you Summer. with all my heart...miss you madly until next year.  I will rejoice with each and every remaining warm day.  But, I do need to look forward to the next chapter.  So, without further adieu, I have taken a deep breath of this cool, refreshing air and now welcome an old friend back in all her colorful splendor....

Happy Autumn!  Stick around as long as you like and don't let your frigid sister arrive on the scene too soon this year....

And...please take little trip over to my ETSY shop.  I'm in the process of loading fall and winter seasonal items for your viewing and gift buying pleasure.  Many of these items are one-of-a-kind handcrafted pieces that were made by my little ole hands from my little ole original patterns and designs.  Once they are gone...they will be gone.  The name of my ETSY shop is Sweet Petatoes.  Here is the link: http://sweetpetatoes.etsy.com

Both photos here show just a couple of the one-of-a-kind items currently listed in my ETSY shop. Oh there are just SO many other item, including scrapbook kits, photos albums, dog and cat notecards from my original realistic line art...and more to come as the weeks progress.

Till next time....


Monday, September 21, 2015

Flutter-by Floral Mixed Media Wall Decor by Gail Green

Mixed Media fun with Linnie Blooms and Faber-Castell!




Linne Blooms has teamed up with Faber Castell for an off-the-charts creative blog hop! Faber Castell’s Gelatos and Mixed Media products are a natural for Linnie Blooms pre-sewn and pre-cut canvas surfaces. Together they combine for some serious fun.  

All the designers on the Linnie Blooms Design team were given different Faber Castell products and/or color sets to use. I was inspired by the soft pastel Gelato palette and how it combined with the stencils. Plus…it is still full blown summer outside so floral inspiration was also all around me!  




Project Level: Intermediate 

Materials:

Linnie Blooms: Pre-sewn Square Canvas Blank
                         Small Blossom Canvas Shape
                         Sunflower Canvas Shape
                         Leaf Canvas Shape
                         Shabby Trim (Green)
                         Natural Wood Clothes Pin Clips

Faber Castell: 
  Gelatos® Pastel Set (Colors used: Earl Grey, Coconut, Caramel, Watermelon, Guava, Peach, Buttercream, Kiwi) 
  Stampers Big Brush Pens Yellow Set (Colors used: Light Yellow, Cadmium Yellow)
  Whipped Spackle
  Mixed Media Stencils (Stencils used Butterfly and Bricks stencils)

Beacon Adhesives: Gem-tac® Permanent Adhesive

Toner Plastics: 2” length of Fun Wire (Icy Gold)

Miscellaneous: Heat tool or hair dryer
                         Masking tape
                         Printed text scraps from books, newspaper or other uncoated paper source
                         Large pearl, button or gem of your choice.
                         Spray bottle with mister setting

Instructions:

 Place brick stencil over canvas square. Tape in place. Outline brick shapes with Light Yellow pen.  Remove Stencil. Color group areas with Cadmium Yellow.


Lightly mist canvas. Using wet brush, apply Coconut, Caramel, Buttercream and Earl Grey Gelatos to each brick section and blend as desired.  Mist lightly with water as needed. Dry with a heat tool or hair dryer. 


Lightly mist the flowers.  Apply Guava, Peach and Watermelon as desired and blend with brush. Dry completely.



 Cut between petals as shown, 


Glue flower layers together, pinching to shape.



Lightly mist and color leaf with Kiwi and Buttercream; dry. Fold and shape as shown, adding a dab of glue on the reverse side to hold the folds in pace. Dab Earl Grey along edges and central vein.


Your flower and leaf should look like this:



Place Butterfly stencil in corner of canvas square.  Tape in place with masking tape.  Using a trowel or knife, apply Whipped Spackle inside of butterfly shape.

Carefully lift and remove stencil; dry overnight.  




When completely dry, mist lightly, apply Watermelon Gelato and wipe off excess with sponge. Dry

Add Earl Grey Gelato on canvas square to create a shadow around the butterfly.


Hand tear strips of printed text.  Loosely apply Coconut and Caramel Gelato. Add Earl Grey Gelato in the corners where the text will be placed.  Glue the torn text strips in place; dry.


Attach flower and leaf on the canvas, as shown.  Glue pear to center of flower. Shape butterfly antenna and glue in place. Dry completely. Clip clothes pins and Shabby trim in the corners to hang….and enjoy!




Now...go hopping and see all the awesome projects made by the Linnie Blooms and Faber-Castell design team members!  Begin the hop here.....

http://linnieblooms.blogspot.com/2015/09/linnie-blooms-and-faber-castell-blog-hop.html 
                       


                        





Thursday, September 17, 2015

And now it all begins....CHA prep is now officially underway!

As the calendar swiftly rolls out of summer and into fall, it signals the sweet anticipation of THE most incredible yearly event.  The BIG Craft and Hobby industry Mega show...a trade show (CHA) like no other with the most incredible creative forces on the planet gathered together under one roof.

I am a professional Designer in the industry and like most of my fellow designer members, look forward to this gathering with great excitement!  And, since I am also teaching TWO big workshops up to 50 people per workshop), I will also be up to my eyeballs getting ready!

Now is only the beginning of CHA show prep as I begin the arduous and detailed process of getting my workshop materials figured out and ordered.  They need to arrive early enough so I have ample time to prepare the kits and get everything on time. But, with a puppy here that still chews on items unattended within her reach, they can't get here too soon because I won't have adequate places to store them until I clear off from all the summer activities. as I get ready to add items to my ETSY shop http://sweetpetatoes.etsy.com   Whew...I'm always running out of surfaces and time.  Not sure why exactly, although I understand from other crafty friends, it seems to run in creative circles.

And, if you are in  holiday mood, feel free to visit my ETSY shop http://sweetpetatoes.etsy.com 
Lots of awesome pet items featuring my original Sweet PETatoes art!




On another note...another blog hop starts next week!  This time we feature Linnie Blooms and Faber-Castell products.  This should be a GREAT hop!  Stay tuned for more information via Facebook.....

And, as always, leave a comment below.....

Monday, September 7, 2015

Celebrating Labor Day in Style....working....

Hope your Labor Day weekend was a great one!  IMHO, it doesn't matter what you do as much as doing what you enjoy.  And, since I love crafting, creative play AND meeting publishing deadlines, it is always a good day when I can say I'm almost ready to turn in a manuscript (complete with cropped/adjusted photos)...on time.

Besides, the holiday began with vertigo.  Yep, vertigo, my favorite debilitating condition that renders sleep or movement impossible.  Plus it was too hot this weekend to want to be involved with all the outdoor activities I would have enjoyed.  Sad I didn't get to the Renaissance Faire again this year but, frankly, the season is way too short and overlaps other summer commitments and extreme heat.  Too much traffic to drive into the city to see that stinkin" cute grandbaby and family.  Totally over-the-top decibel level at local festivals for a sound sensitive person like me.

So it was basically easier (and much cooler and quieter) to remain inside getting all inky as I progressed through the projects and then tackled the easy part--writing a feature article with full-on step by step instructions.

Fortunately the vertigo is currently under control so I actually slept the past two nights...two in a row...yay!  Our unseasonably hot temps will return to a more comfortable level in a day or so, making outdoor activities fun again.  Unfortunately, the Renaissance Faire is now officially ended so I will just have to hope again for next year.

Truth is, I don't really like celebrating the end of summer.  Ok, I said it. That is probably the real reason I hide away from even acknowledging this holiday.  Labor Day is symbolic for the end of summer and the anticipation of all that is coming in the form of cold, dry air,  snow,  ice and subzero temps that make outdoor activities uncomfortable and downright impossible.   So I pretended this weekend was just another hot summer weekend where I could stay indoors during the hot parts and create away. Tomorrow is back to routine...editing photos and turning an article in (happy dance!)....and being thankful I can choose to work or not work on a holiday weekend.  There are many who don't have those choices....


Saturday, August 22, 2015

Ollie

Ollie, poor Ollie is stressed to the max with his computer office being changed, power/USB cords (aka SNAKES) moving all over the place on the weekend,  furniture moving itself around and his cage rotated 90 degrees to accommodate the new cross platform set up in here.  It is quite cozy however.  He still sits right  near me and can see the monitors and all the pretty colors going on.



As soon as I get the basics down, I'll be moving into PS Creative Cloud 15 and downloading my trial version....   Can't wait to see all the new features....

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Brat

After almost 4 months of nonstop PC computer, internet, modem,  and router problems...plus battery backup battery deciding to die in the midst of all of the program malfunctions, unexplained power blips and surges..and Acronis highjacking nightmares, I am now the proud owner of a sleek new iMac.  Okay, the modem and routers are still being affected periodically by Comcast pushing new ISP numbers through weekly and causing signal malfunctions but at least I know how to correct them now. And weekly power blips and surges are still a mystery (at least,according to Com Ed, despite special town hall meetings with dozens of angry users).  Battery has been replaced and we are still trying to completely resolve the Acronis issues but....

I have a pretty new iMac.  And I'm learning this new platform as quickly as my ole brain allows.  Also as quickly as I can in the time restraints I have to deal with since I STILL spend some time almost daily with random internet, modem, power blips, etc.  At least I am no longer spending ALL my time dealing with these issues.

My biggest fear was that my PC wouldn't cooperate long enough to allow the Apple tech to transfer data to the new iMac.  In fact, it totally malfunctioned 20 minutes after I got the call that the new computer had arrived at the Apple Store and they were ready for me to bring in the PC. My plan to bring it in that evening fizzled when the PC froze (yet again) when I tried to shut it down.  By the time I did the hard shut down, rebooted to make sure it still functioned and hadn't just totally crashed and then shut down again, it was too late.  The theme of the entire summer....spending ALL my time dealing with a tantrum throwing, misbehaving computer.  And so I loaded the PC in my car in the morning, took one look at it and told it  to BEHAVE!  And realized yes, now I'm speaking to my computer because it has been behaving like a total BRAT!

And that is how Brat got its name.  Very fitting, eh?


Monday, August 10, 2015

To quote Monty Python....
And now for something completely different!

I know this will sound strange to some but life has literally been a whirlwind for months....and months....and months.  Okay, almost a year.  Nonstop.

First the grandbaby.  And he has been such a joy, who wouldn't want to spend time schlepping back and forth in Chicagoland traffic from the darkside JUST for the chance he might smile or remember who Gramma is?!  Wish we lived closer but the 2-3  hour RT drive it is still better than flying back and forth....

Ok...no, that's not the grandbaby below.  It's our puppy Lacy Lulu....the source of most of our whirlwind.



Months and months of  ongoing and seemingly endless puppy stuff.  Puppies are incredible amounts of work...and an undetected low grade bladder infection made the housebreaking an impossible challenge! She is much, much better now at 14 months but still a puppy with endless energy.





Then there were trade shows to get ready for.  Oh yes, retail trade show season starts waaaaaaay too early every January...and goes on for months.  It all starts earlier and earlier each year. I suspect it may eventually become a tradition to spend New Year's eve at a convention center setting up booths!

As a licensing illustrator for product, it is crucial for me to create many new art collections so my licensing agent will have lots of good stuff to present at the shows she attends in my behalf.  That creative prep alone takes months.  While she is off to Atlanta, New York, and other fine cities across the country, I attend shows, as well....including the big Craft & Hobby Association trade show in Anaheim, California in early January. So yes, I have to travel during what has been some very challenging winter weather in recent years! I also demo, teach workshops, and work behind the scenes with manufacturers in the industry to create display projects for their booths, make n take projects, develop new techniques and on design teams.  I also teach workshops.  And, trust me, prepping  out-of-town workshops for up to 50 people per class takes months!  We barely return from the show before we have to start brainstorming workshops for the next year's shows! Good thing I love what I do! I don't ever consider creative work a chore...just the deadlines get a little nuts. And recent computer issues almost pushed me over the edge this past month.  But that is another tale....

(A couple of the workshop projects from last year....using some of my stamps from my stamp line with Impression Obsession. Wait til you see the new ones I have developed for the 2016 workshops!)


Which brings me to the "something completely different" part.

I got SO caught up in everything, I totally forgot to post the link to the awesome technique I developed for Clearsnap......which debuted at the January 2015 Craft & Hobby Mega Show (Fondly called the CHA show).

So, go ahead and click here:
https://youtu.be/NgR-5VaK8xA  to watch the video that was shot at the 2015 CHA show at the Clearsnap booth.

Here's a little sneak peek......

Enjoy!

As always, please leave a comment....I would love to hear from you!


Thursday, July 16, 2015

Computer Nightmare

When I saw the date of my last post I almost fainted.  OMG...6 weeks ago?! Are you kidding???

Ok, it is summer so it is logical I would have been on vacation....or outside basking in the sun and garden....maybe enjoying the gorgeous Chicago summertime.

Unfortunately, that wasn't exactly the case.

Beside the fact Chicagoland seems to be stuck in springtime with nonstop rain and relatively cool temps more resembling northern Wisconsin or Michigan, I've actually spent the past 6 weeks in computer purgatory.  Actually...computer, internet, wifi, power failures and a remodel that took 8 weeks instead of the original 1 week promised.

Unfortunately, I'm still not done with the computer issues.  My PC is failing.  I'm going to go Mac...not just because of all the nonsense I've had to endure with never ending and often incomplete updates or the terrible runaround HP gave me so they wouldn't have to honor the warranty....but because this is finally the logical junction in time where I can make the leap.  All the peripherals need to be updated anyway....I will have to go Adobe CC....and all my other software will soon become obsolete, as well as connectors, plugs, cables and other items that kept me chained to PC when my last PC failed almost 4 years ago.

So....bear with me, as we try to get my PC to remain stable long enough to get data transferred to a new iMac....and I try to learn a new platform and all new programs/versions without my poor head exploding!

Next week is Paper Arts Show in Schaumburg....I'll try to report on what I saw.  Dependent, of course, on my PC.


Monday, June 8, 2015

Creative Chaos......or Creative THINKING?!



Why, oh why have I always moved through any living space like a creative whirlwind?  There never seems to be a clean, uncluttered and neatly arranged surface ANYWHERE I live. And, trust me, if you can find one, it is probably because I am just physically unable to reach it!  Neat and perfectly organized surfaces last about...oh, maybe 2 minutes.  Then something gets tossed into the perfection and it all gets turned right back into chaos.  

The funny thing is this is a frequent topic among my creative friends.  We even share photos of our workspaces to see whose space is the "worst".  By this I mean the way OTHER people perceive it...as if an uncluttered, tidy space has higher perceived value with the rest of the world than a space filled with all sorts of interesting and often unrelated objects.  

I often wonder if those who are tidy are just plain boring....  Maybe those of us with spaces that look like a craft explosion took place do so with actual intent.  It seems that way...as if creativity cannot happen as well in a boring space.

If that theory is true, what is the REAL purpose of  what I refer to as "creative chaos"?  Science and psychologists wish they knew.  Unfortunately, it is probably beyond the logical mind's reach.  However, highly creative people...artists..designers, decorators and the like know the answer. 

Creative chaos is actual thinking in motion.  In the midst of what was perceived by my mathematically precision-driven mother as a total MESS, there are pattern, color and size relationships...the stuff ART is made of.  "Creatives" see color palettes and combinations brilliantly decided by random placement of objects tossed next to or on top of each other. A creatively chaotic room is filled with scale relationships, as well as ones of color value, contrast and texture.  Inspiration is everywhere.  In a single feather...or in a heap of fibers carelessly tossed over a pile of left-over bits and pieces from previous projects.  It is how I see the world... and how most of my creative friends see it, too.  

Yep, we are weird.  We see things differently.  We don't see the mess as chaos.  We see it as possibilities. 

Monday, May 25, 2015

Blog Hopping

And now for some FUN...combining texture and sparkle with awesome products from Stampendous and Linnie Blooms!



Linnie Blooms and Stampendous have paired up for a BLOG HOP this week!

Since I'm part of the Linnie Blooms Design Team, I came up with a pretty cool project that combines products from both companies.  Stampendous is all about stamping...Linnie Blooms is all about canvas.  Add in a few extra coloring products (Pan Pastels from Colorfin, ink from Clearsnap),and embellishment from Toner Plastic (Fun Wire)....glue (Beacon Adhesives) to hold it all together....and here we have it.....



LOVE GRAPES Note Card
By Gail Green


Materials you will need:

Stampendous:      Fran’s Jumbo Handle
                               Fran’s Encrusted Jewel Kit (Purple)
                               Cling Rubber Stamps: Jumbo Grapes
                               Clear Stamps: Life Words

Linnie Blooms:     Canvas Fall Leaves
                               Shabby Trim (Green)

Clearsnap Holdings, Inc:
      Top Boss® Watermark Ink            
      Colorbox® Archival® Inkpad (Black)

Colorfin/Pan Pastel:          
                              Sofft Applicator Handle & Heads Set
                              Sofft Art Sponge
                              Artists Painting Pastels (Magenta Shade, Violet Extra Dark, Titanium White)

Beacon Adhesives:
     Gem-tac® Permanent Glue
                              Zip Dry® Paper Glue
                              Fabri-tac ® Permanent Adhesive

Toner Plastics:    22 Gauge Fun Wire (Icy Silver)

Cardstock:           10” x 6.5” black cardstock folded and scored to form a 5 x 6.5” card
                              4-1/4” x 6” black cardstock
                              Magenta cardstock scrap

Miscellaneous:    Heat Tool, scissors, pencil, small bowl (or other small container), green acrylic paint or tinted gesso (brand and color shade of your choice), non-stick mat



Instructions:

Mix glass glitter and embossing powder from the Encrusted Jewel Kit in small bowl, as desired.
Using Watermark Ink, stamp the grape cluster on the 4.25” x 6” black cardstock.
Sprinkle the embossing powder mixture onto the stamped image, shake off excess and heat.





Using the Sofft sponge and tool to apply and blend, apply Magenta and Violet Pastels onto the grape sections as shown.  Add and blend white for highlights, beginning with a very light application and build intensity as desired. Tip: Do not cover sections completely with Pastel.  Allow the black cardstock color to show through where the darkest shading/shadows should appear.
Add Magenta and Violet around the edges of the cardstock, blending in towards the grape image.



Sponge green acrylic paint or tinted gesso onto both sides of the canvas leaves of your choice.  When almost dry, pinch and shape the leaves. Dry completely on a non-stick mat. 



Using Sofft Tool, add Violet pastel around the leaf edges and in center of leaf to define veins. 
Optional: Carefully add Gemtac along leaf edges. Sprinkle glass glitter from the Frantage Encrusted Jewel Kit onto the wet glue; dry.




Stamp phrase in black on magenta cardstock scrap.  Hand tear around the phrase. 



 Add Violet Pastel around edges with Sofft Tool




Cut a 15” section of Fun Wire. Wind around a pencil; remove.  Gently pull and shape, twisting and curling to look like a realistic tendril.

Attach stamped cardstock onto card with Zip Dry. Position the remaining layers onto card, as shown. When pleased with the arrangement, attach leaves and curled wire with Gem-tac. Attach phrase with Zip Dry.  Dry completely.



Cut 4” strip of Shabby Trim.  Apply Fabri-Tac and roll loosely between fingers, curving and shaping as you roll; dry. Attach over the wire with Gemtac; dry. 



Please leave me a comment and then return to the Linnie Blooms Blog to continue hopping! Or hop through the links below!



What a great way to start off a blog hop -- Memorial Day!

The Design Teams of Stampendous and Linnie Blooms have traded product and are ready to show you their creations!  Here's the link and schedule of postings.  Please show them your love by leaving them a comment!  Commenter's on the Linnie Blooms' Design Team blogs will be entered into a drawing at the end of the week!

Our Designers Links:





Trish Cortez

Dawn Mattson

And here are the links to the Stampendous Blog Hoppers:


At the end of the blog hop, Linnie Blooms will be giving away a FREE All New DIY Home Decor Kit!  So be sure to leave a comment on our Designer's blog to be entered to win!




Friday, May 22, 2015

Let the Celebrating begin....with an ETSY sale!

Gorgeous spring day....Getting ready for the Memorial Day weekend with LOTS to celebrate!  Our remodeling project is showing light at the end of the (very) noisy tunnel....Ollie still has feathers....good medical test results...SO many birthday greetings today...SO much to celebrate!

And what better way to celebrate with all of you than to offer special sale prices in my ETSY shop!
ALL my original art dog, cat and wildlife note cards are 25% off!  WOW....

Take a peek..... www.sweetpetatoes.etsy.com 





Hint:
There's a lot more items in addition to the note cards (scrapbook kits, hand painted silk ties, etc). so scroll all the way through to see them all....

And have a safe and happy holiday weekend!  Blog hopping with Linnie Blooms and Stampendous next week...stay tuned!

Saturday, May 9, 2015

It is SUMMERTIME in Craft Chicagoland! Just in time for Mother's Day.....

Hi all!

Warm weather has finally arrived this week here in Chi-town....which means it is summer outside.  Yay! We kind of bypass spring here and usually go right from winter (which has been waaaaaaay too long again this past season) into the toasty warm summer temps.  With rain mixed in, of course. And everything blooming on hyperdrive and all at once.



Both of these events address the reasons I haven't posted in the past week or two.  Yes, I've opted to spend the time outside instead of inside on my computer blogging. (Can you blame me after the winter WE just escaped from?!).  It's been so amazing not wearing winter gear (heavy coats, hats, gloves, the works) and breathing in air that doesn't burn my lungs.  So yes, I have to say opportunities to walk outside have definitely trumped computer time indoors.

If you don't suffer from seasonal or other environmental allergies, this next reason probably won't really resonate with you.  Basically, it's been tough to see clearly through itchy, watering (and very irritated) eyes.  Whatever I'm mainly allergic to every spring was apparently mega-dosing the past couple weeks. Even with windows closed as much as possible, both humans and dogs brought pollen and other allergens right into the house each time anyone stepped outdoors for even a few minutes. Staring at a computer monitor had to be limited to "deadlined" projects and  necessary tasks.

The misery lasts until it rains and washes much of the mess out of the air and keeps it trapped on the soggy ground.  Which happened yesterday evening so....here I am!  Perhaps relief only for a day, but I'm enjoying the respite, nonetheless.

HOWEVER....allergies and outdoor fun has not stopped me from creating new art or crafting new projects! Or creating a sale in my Etsy shop!  25% off ALL original art dog, cat and wildlife note cards!  Visit www.sweetpetatoes.etsy.com to visit my shop.  Lots of items listed...from scrapbook kits to handcrafted one-of-a-kind silk ties.

If you have not done so yet, please drop by www.mixedmediaart.net and take a peek at my debut article on the blog.  It is under the Product Review Section but you can just search on top under my name Gail Green and the article will pop up.  Or try this direct link......http://www.mixedmediaart.net/?s=gail+green

And, in the spirit of the season, here's one of the projects in the blog article....


I also have another project posted on the Linnie Blooms Design Team Blog....it's pretty cool so take a jog over to that site, as well... www.linnieblooms.blogspot.com

For more info on Linnie Blooms products, visit their website.


Another article will be posting sometime next week...

Have a Happy Mother's Day!




Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Faux WatercolorCanvas Bookmark

Faux Watercolor Canvas Bookmark
By Gail Green

Welcome to the Linnie Blooms Design Team Blog Hop! A link list appears at the end of my project so you can continue hopping and leaving comments to win a prize....$50 worth of Linnie Blooms products!  WOWZA!


And now...here's my project!

My NEW attractive bookmark project is truly a functional work of art! 


This clever design includes a canvas feather to hold your reading spot.  Simply place the bookmark behind the page and slip the feather over page! 




MATERIALS USED:

Linnie Blooms Canvas Bookmark and Canvas Leaf Shape, Bloom Stencil/Mask, Shabby Trim (green)

Kreinik #16 Braid #5520

Sakura Micron PIGMA 08 Waterproof Pigment Ink Pen

Plaid Decorator Glaze (Linen, Aqua, New Leaf, Bluebell, Lemon Yellow, Paprika, Neutral); #12 Flat Paintbrush

Misc: Toothpick, Embroidery Needle, Button

Note: Use Neutral  Glaze to blend or soften colors, as desired.


INSTRUCTIONS:

Stroke a smooth coat of Linen in center of bookmark. Apply Aqua and New Leaf side-by-side on brush. Using a vertical stroke, quickly brush paint onto bookmark, using Neutral to blend and extend drying time. Stroke Bluebell along bottom edge and dab along the top edge; blend into the other colors. Dry.





Place stencil over bookmark, 1/3 from bottom edge.




Brush or sponge Lemon Yellow in center, blending a small amount of Paprika along edges. 





Place straight stencil edge in center of shape, as shown. Using the toothpick, draw a line across to establish a horizon. 



Working quickly, use long loose strokes and blend down to create reflection. Dry several hours






Add Lemon Yellow and Linen to brush and brush up into the sky. If desired, dab additional layers of Linen and Yellow to Sun section above the horizon line. Add swirling lines of Line and Lemon Yellow in the reflection below the horizon. Dry several hours.


Paint the feather Aqua; add Bluebell along the edges. Dry several hours. Write phrase and draw feather lines with pen.  Attach the feather and button to the bookmark with cord. Place Shabby Trim bow as shown and secure with cord. 




















Keep Hopping! Return to the Linnie Blooms blog http://linnieblooms.blogspot.com until I can get all the Design Team links checked and added!

Here's the list of participating designers and their direct links:

Gail Green   (You are here)
Don’t forget to leave a comment on each blog so you can be entered into our giveaway!