Alleystamp Stores

I am a bad bad store owner.  Do you know that I have an Etsy store and also an active store website? I am thrilled that I found a source for the non stick craft sheet that we all own. I bought a large quantity so that you can buy (at a bargain) by the foot. If you want 5 feet to cover your whole desk, I can do that. If you only want one foot, I can do that. It is 5 mil thick and 36" wide. The great thing is that it is rated to 550 degree fahrenheit. You can use it to cover your cookie sheets. You can easily clean anything off it by just gently scrapping with a credit card. Glue, paints, whatever just pop off. Use it over and over.

Also, check out both places for all the latest in crafting needs! Let me know if there is something in particular that you want and I will definitely try to get it.

Dragonfly Pond

Hey fellow crafters. I have been so remiss in keeping up with my blog. I don't have a lot of pictures to post which I find is what people are looking for. INSPIRATION - I like so many out there get in a rut and just can't get the creative mojo going. I love Marjie Kemper's Texture Tuesday because who doesn't like art with lots of texture.

I came across one from Ingrid's Craft Corner and I was just mesmerized. Of course, I am addicted to dragonflies and butterflies and tim's new layered dies are just fabulous. I decided to try Ingrid's technique of mixing gesso with clear embossing powder. WOW that was fun. Heating that up until it bubbled and sparkled all over was a kick.

My oldest daughter's birthday was October 14th so I made this with her in mind. I just mailed it up to her so we'll find out soon her reaction. I sure hope she likes it.

Please make sure and visit Ingrid's Craft Corner to see the original piece. She was gracious enough to let me post her link.

Sunday Family Craft Time

Linda Ledbetter of Studio L3 and I share a great passion for hummingbirds. You need to check out some of Linda's photos that she has posted on her Facebook page. She is an awesome photographer.

She posted a few weeks back on an idea to beautify hummingbird feeders with Ranger's alcohol inks. Hers looked great so we decided to give it a go. Below is a picture of my hubby doing a couple. We both did 2 (we have 4 big feeders with lots of hummers swarming at all times). We are really happy with the way they look. I can't wait to get them hung up outside to see if the hummers like them any more than the plain ones.....as long as they are filled, I doubt the beauty of them will make a difference!

Gelli plate meets Viva Modeling Cream

I've said before that I include a handmade tag as a thank you into my orders. I hate when I get behind and run out. I try and do different paints or materials - some taking longer then others. I recently got a gelli plate and thought what a great idea - it is the 8x10 size so I thought I could do a few tags at a time. I'm still getting the hang on the right order of color - shape, etc. when layering but I'm having lots of fun playing. When they are dry, I stamp a sentiment and decided to stencil with some Viva Decor Modeling Cream (another favorite product). Here's a few samples.

Tim's fantastic acrylic paints

A couple tags for my customers that demonstrate the wonderful, marbling effect you get with Tim Holtz' new acrylic distress paints. love them!

Valentine's Love

I love all the mixed media canvases and journal pages I see. I dabble a little here and there but never started one that I planned on giving to somebody. Although I knew it would be looked upon with love from the receiver (my adorable husband), it is was still a bit scary. I actually even put it on Facebook and Instagram to a lot of "likes". Made me feel really good - thank you all my friends. And my fantastic husband asked if it was OK to take to work to show his co-workers. OH YEA!

Reclaimed and reused

I love when you come across something that you've used before but has spent some time put away in a corner. This shelf was found in a prior life and used but then was shelved (sorry). My husband got it out for me, cleaned it up and hung it in my studio. I am just loving the display of color.