Absolutely Everything: Dedicated to Creativity

Snow Alerts!

2012-01-21T13:33:00.001-05:00

This is exactly the right place to come to read any snow alerts we may have to make. If we will be closed for the day, or just opening late, or maybe closing early...check here. You can always try calling the store, 978-887-6397, if it is a late arriving storm

Brand New Memory Box Dies-Arrived December 23

2011-12-23T14:34:00.005-05:00

We just received the newest release of dies from Dave Brethauer at Memory Box. These are Valentine and Spring oriented...there is a window box for each size window, with flowers and vines to go in it...as well as a great assortment of hearts and borders...I have included as many pictures as I could get away with as I was leaning over my staff who were trying to get the items into the register. (I might need to go home now for the day.) Please enjoy. Feel free to call and place an order, we can hold it for you if it is prepaid. 978-887-6397. We will get them up onto the online store sometime next week.

One more thing...we have the neatest "letter to Santa' here...all it needs is a child who wants something....really badly. One side has room for the "list. The other side has an area to address and stamp...

Ten-Day Countdown to Christmas

2011-12-16T17:12:00.005-05:00

We are having a crazy event now at the store. Every evening for the ten days leading up to Christmas, I send out an e mail with info about a super deep sale for the following day...one day only. The next night, there is another e-mail. Today is day nine before Christmas...so the Day Eight notice is about to go out. If you sign up for the newsletter , you will receive all the notices. For example, today, we had Elisabeth Crafts glitter ritz on sale at 70% off. Again, it was a one-day deal. There is definitely an advantage to getting the newsletter!!
This is an in-store event..we are not able to run it with phone orders or online ordering...so if you live nearby, there are people out there who are very jealous of you!
Tomorrow's announcement will be equally as astounding, so sign up for the newsletter by going to the link on this page, over in the left hand column, where it says "sign up for the newsletter."

Some new samples...

2011-12-16T16:46:00.003-05:00

We have been busy making holiday samples here these last few weeks. I will post a few of them here, with some simple instructions. First up is the snowboarder, from MFT, colored with Copic markers. Also, the snow is from one of their border dies, cut out of felt.

These next six samples are all done with the Memory Box sets of dies and stamps. Cardstock is mostly Bazzill cardstock. Images are mostly colored using Copic marker techniques. The peace word is cut out using the Tim Holtz die, then an oval punch to give it an oval shape, and hand-trimmed for the red glitter edge. In the "deer" card, the background paper is Basic Grey Nordic line, with the frostyville border and deer trio from Memory Box. The wreath card has the Memory Box wreath embossed in Hero Arts white Ep, and die cut with the matching die.

This is the large memory Box window frame, with a silhouette stamp from Flourishes. Snowflakes are embossed with hero Arts white EP, and the snow comes from the very cool "Snow Writer." The snow globe and stamp are both from Memory Box. Gift tags are Ranger kraft small tags, trimmed to the height of an ATC, with Memory box matching stamps and dies, colored with Copics.

This frame is a set by Darcie. It includesd all the die cut pieces as well as a matching clear acrylic piece, in case you want to include shaker material. The reindeer are hand punches, flying over the pine tree background from Impression Obsession, and colored using the Ranger Perfect Pearls over VersaMark clear ink.

Here we have Melissa Frances' miniature houses, that come plain and unassembled. Using Ranger's Picket Fence Stain, it was quick and easy to paint. It is also super easy to add decorative paper. Just adhere to the paper, and trim around the edges. Everything went together with a glue gun.

Playing with Ice Resin

2011-10-12T14:25:00.008-04:00

I have been making a few little things here and there, using the Ice Resin product developed by Susan Lenart Kazmer.

It is a two-part thick liquid that you mix slowly together in equal parts. The larger kits comes with two large bottles, mixing cups, wooden sticks for mixing, and directions. The smaller set has a double-barreled syringe so there is no measuring ...just push on the plunger and you get equal amounts.

The caution is that you cannot mix a really small amount of this...so you need to make at least a 20-30 cc batch. I always have more than enough items that are to be "resined." That way, I don't have any left over.

You will need to gently stir the combination of the two liquids for a full two minutes, and then let it sit for two or three minutes. Once you get it mixed, you havea about 20-30 minutes of "open" time, where you can pour or paint it on your piece.

If I am filling a bezel, I will pour it half full, let it sit a bit, then fill the rest. If I am using the resin on flat or 3-D elements, I will paint it on with a throw away (but not foam) small paint brush. In the photos above, I used the new Sizzix Die and embossing template of the ornate dove. You cut first with the die, than align it properly in the embossing folder and run this through the big shot (or whatever you have.)

After the embossing step, I will sand the paper piece and the area where it turns white (from the sanding) will become translucent with the application of the Ice resin. Once I am done and have used it all up, the mixing cup and the brush are no longer usable and should be thrown away. Some people wear rubber gloves to protect their hands...it is a bit sticky and oily...I prefere to just wash my hands well, and I use the Ranger scrubby tool to get the resin off my hands while washing.

It takes a good 24 hours to dry and three days to cure, meaning it is better not to work with it in a project until it is cured, but it can be handled at the 24 hour mark.

Some papers will warp a bit with the resin, so I have taped the piece down to my craft sheet to get an even application. While the resin is still quite wet, you can add glitter, or charms. I like to add a resin layer over anything I have added just to keep it in place well.

So far, I have played with quilled flowers (from the Cuttlebug dies), medallions from the tim holtz dies, bottle caps, bezels, and flat papers...old dictionary paper makes an especially nice, translucent element for altered art.

New Website...

2011-09-17T18:07:00.001-04:00

We are officially up and running now, with photo albums, all the new stuff, links to the newsletter sign-ups, to the blog, ...and I am going to keep it very up-to-date!. Please feel free to offer suggestions for improvement, or additions. We will honor your suggestions where we can, unless we think it is a really ridiculous idea.
Lots of new classes scheduled...check the calendar..again, at the new website!!

Beautiful Birdcage

2011-08-20T16:34:00.005-04:00

I saw this sample in the catalog when I ordered these dies...how fortuitous!!

As mentioned in my newsletter of Sunday, August 21, these three new dies are here now. There are two different birds, and one cage. Here is how I made this project.

I used white water color paper, medium weight, cold press. I cut each bird once and the cage four times. To make the square cage, cut eight "1/4 inch" pieces, about one inch long, fold in half so the short ends meet, put double-sided tape on one side, the full length of the paper. (I use the same watercolor paper for this to make it less noticeable.) These will be used to connect the sides at the top and bottom--half the paper attaches to one side, half to the other side...only in the areas where the cages actually touch.

Bend all the tops over to meet in the middle and hold them together with a brad.

I used Studio Matte Medium, by Ranger, to glue the wings on, and double-sided tape to attach the feather, and to attach the birds to the cage. The cage is hanging by a white vine ribbon. We have all of this at the store.

2011-08-02T15:18:00.003-04:00

These are the two winners from our International Auto Show Contest. Congrats to Sally, in France, and to Connie, in NH...you each won a $50 gift certificate to AE. PLease pick it up when you come into the store. (Sally, Patti will take care of you!!) Thank you to all who played...we had some great entries, and we were delighted to see them all "roll" in.

2011-08-02T14:51:00.003-04:00

This is a photo of the new Idea-ology Sampler pack we have put together. It is available in our online store, which you can get to by clicking any of the scrolling images above. If you bought one package of each item, it would come to about $250. The sampler is available for $24.99, and it includes one or two of every Idea-ology style.

2011-07-13T14:38:00.006-04:00

A Ranger-inspired, Grungy, Tim-Holtz style Weekend, with Kate

Here are a few new classes coming up for the weekend of August 6 & 7. On Saturday, we have a full day with two projects in one class. From 10-4 pm, we will be working on a "travel-themed" printers tray, and a small suitcase with a small journal inside. This class is $69 for both projects.

Then, on Sunday, from 11-1 pm, we will make four Distress/Grunge style cards, for $20

and from 2-4 pm, we will make the "Playtime" configuration box...and, yes, each student will receive their own toy telephone and etch-a-scetch to work into their piece.!! The configuration box will be $39, and will include a kit with all the items pictured, with some variations as you desire. Feel free to bring along some small items of your own to place into the box. Photos of the cards will appear in the newsletter on Sunday.

Glubers and Thick Felt!!

2011-05-21T17:09:00.004-04:00

We have been playing with Glubers lately. This is a new product from Cosmo Cricket. At first I was thinking that it would be just as easy to puch a circle out of double-sided adhesive. Then I used a Gluber and saw the difference. What it is is a two-sided , huge glue dot, but one that is super-sticky and easy to work with, plus it is already cut into the shape you need. It comes in a pack of twelve, with three different sizes, or else you can get a whole pack of the medium size. Basically, you take off the protective covering, and set it aside.

Now you make your flower. We chose to use the very thick and gorgeous felt we sell here, with the Sizzix Pro die, as shown in the photo.

Once the flower is cut, you open it up and begin at the outermost end..I like to wind it around an awl, or a pencil tip, just to get it going. Once it is going, I don't need to keep the instrument there. With felt this thick, you don't even need a tool, you can just start winding it. The flower will start to form as you wind.

Every now and then, I turn it over and clip some of the points that form at the underneath part of the flower. I may do this once or twice as I roll.

As you get near the end, you can clip off that little round circle that is often used to anchor the flower to. At this point, just hold the flower over the Gluber, and press down.

There is a little re-arranging you can do, not much, but I usually just squish it all down nice and hard and it stays really well. We are using this technique in our Not-Your-Ordinary-Book-Club special project next Friday. If you would like to see the project, click the link. If you want to be surprised, then don't click!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3263/5734043927_98520d8d86_m.jpg

2011-05-07T17:34:00.001-04:00

Here are some entries to our "Auto show." Read the post right before this one to see more. (so actually, that means scroll down to read more below.

2011-05-07T17:26:00.002-04:00

Here are some of the entries from the International Auto Show we are holding here. We have drawn two random winners for a $50 gift certificate for each...now we will draw two more at the end of July, so there is time to get your entry in...anything goes...any theme, style, or look..go wild and get creative.

Thank you to everyone who played along so far.

Jennifer McGuire Classes, April 16-17

2011-04-07T14:04:00.003-04:00

Jennifer Mcguire has extended each of her classes, which are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, April 16 and 17, for an extra half hour and the card classes will have one more card per class. The canvas class will also have a bonus in it. The upper photo shows peeks from the two card classes. The lower photo is a sneak peak at the canvas class, where you will create the canvas with assorted hearts, and more than twenty-five techniques. There are tons of techniques in each class and none are repeats...good reason to take all three! And if that's not enough...you will get a $10 rebate when you sign up for all three classes. Read all about the classes here, and just add a half hour to the timing of each class..start times do not vary from listed info.

http://www.emailcontact.com/nl/nl-edit.php?bus_id=3101&nl_id=143663#620486

The Technique treasury Saturday afternoon, is full and has a waiting list. There are spaces in the other two classes.

As a side note, I was watching Jen's Hero Arts videos the other day, and they are really terrific...so many card designs...very inspiring.

For all classes, just bring your scissors, dry adhesive, foam dots, glue dots and energy

2011-04-03T17:44:00.001-04:00

International Auto Show, Right Here!! That's right. we are having an"expo" to show the diversity of the new Tim Holtz "jalopy" die from Sizzix. Everyone is invited to enter...and there will be prizes !! We will do a drawing for four $50 gift certificates to the store. Just decorate the car in any way you want...any color, style, nationality, time period, belonging to anyone famous or infamous. real or not real...I have done a quick entry..showing the Mary Kay Cosmetics road Trippers...anyway, that is probably pretty tame for what I may come up with in the next few weeks...so we would love to have all of our readers join us in the "Auto Show." Just make up your special entry, mail it to us..we will put it up on the wall (and we will be keeping them on permanent display, so make yourself an extra one if you need to.) I will post photos ,on the blog, of every car that comes in.Feel free to add embellishments, put it into a scene, make it stand up on its own, add a hang tab...really, we are wide open here...and we would love to get some international entries, as you are all elegible to win, too. Please send your entries in as soon as you can. We will do two drawings on April 30, for all the entries we have received by then, and then two more drawings on July 30, which will include every entry we get (so, those of you who get in early will have four chances to win.)Don't have the die but want to enter?...come into the store and, using paper that you buy here, you can use our die and machine.Feeling like you would like to invest in the machine and die???Our Big Shot (normally $99.99) is $54.99 all the time...really!!...The Vagabond machine is always $199.99 here at the store, and online, (not to mention --it is the Cadillac model of die-cutting machines...since we are talking about cars!! ) and all of our Sizzix dies, including the Tim Holtz dies and embossing folders, and all the accessories, are on a "buy-one, get-one-half-off" deal...all the time!!..I know!!! Well, its probably worth getting a machine just to enter the contest, but really, this is one of my most fun toys...it is so cool!...so many different things you can do with it. Watch the newsletters for the dates of our Sizzix Saturdays, when I do free demos.

2011-02-27T12:04:00.000-05:00

Sunday, February 27..a snowy day...but the roads seem fine and we are open regular hours!!

Final Holiday Decorations...and a tip for Making Medallions...

2010-12-21T17:10:00.005-05:00

Maya Road has these great oversized bottle caps, which seem to me just the right size for creating something fun inside. Here I used a few of our punches--the dove and the holly, and laid them on top of a medallion (see below.) In the other one, I made a Grungepaper rose, added rock Candy Distress Stickles to it, after inking and stamping, and laid down a vintage image and some silver glass glitter under the flower. Oh, yeah, threw in a few inked leaves...

I've been making medallions lately, and have found a way to make them so that they do not break or fall apart as you are trying to get them together. I know many people are already successful without this tip...but I have heard from lots of people who have had the medallion tear or come apart, as they are trying to get it together. I cut the medallion with the Tim Holtz Sizzix die, which perforates the strip. Then I put some of the Tim Holtz tissue tape on one or both sides.

This will reinforce the paper so there is no separating at any of the perforations, but also, it adds a design element by making a border appear around the edges. I especially like the music tape...I also really like to dip the outer edges in Glossy Accents or a fluid matte medium like Ranger's Studio matte medium, and roll the whole thing on its edge through the medium grit pure silver glass glitter...gives it a nice vintage look. On the white one below, I added a glittered chipboard snowflake, from Melissa Frances, and one of the Tim Holtz buttons..You could very easily ink the tissue tape, too, to keep the medallion all red, for example...
The one below has a vintage button in the center, and in the last photo, I just went plain crazy making medallions...

Making Duplicates of your Cool Embellishments

2010-12-10T15:25:00.003-05:00

As I am making my versions of the 12 Tags of Christmas, as developed by Tim Holtz, and available for learning and viewing on his blog-and, seriously, for technique and style, these are not to be missed! (http://www.timholtz.typepad.com/) ...it occurs to me that I would like to have multiples of a lot of the items that are used...especially if I am doing some sort of swap......so I am turning to the Mold-n-Pour material ( a Ranger product) from which one can make multiples of any dimensional item...within reason, of course. The first thing to do is to make a little glob of each color, the same size, with each glob being about half the size of your item. (Thus, when mixed, it is the size of your item...I always go a tad bigger.) Then gently mix the two colors together, not crazy rubbing, just gently mixing, until you get all the same, light purple color. (pictures 1, 2, 3)

I took a bird charm, removed the ring at the top with the Tonic Tim Holtz scissors, and pressed the bird charm into the ball of mold-n-pour, nice and deeply, and drew the purple stuff up around the edges to form walls...you will want the bottom to be flat so the heated liquid doesn't go anywhere...usually I will make it on the back of a wood stamp, so I can set it aside for the seven minutes it usually takes to cure. You can tell it is done if you press your fingernail into the side and it doesn't leave a permanent impression. See the next three photos.

While it is curing, this is a good time to get out your melting pot, and, for this silver bird, I am using the platinum Ultra-Thick Embossing Enamel (now to be known as UTEE). Place it in the melting pot, at the highest temperature, and see it melt, as in the photos below. Once it is liquid, carefully pour into the mold. The pan itself is hot--be sure to be safe and use the handles on the outer edges. Let this sit until is is really set. Do NOT touch it with your fingers to test it...it could burn. Setting will take a minute or so...it always depends on the thickness of the item. The mold is rubbery, so it pulls away from the new charm easily, and the charm pops out, and is now fairly flat on the bottom, so it can be glued onto a project very easily.

The platinum UTEE makes a duller silver than I wanted, so I added a bit of Viva InkaGold in silver ---it just rubs on. The difference can be seen in the two photos.

I went on to play some more, now with the numerals from the metal number set. Make the mold, pour, in this case, white UTEE in. UTEE can be brittle, so for thinner pieces you can add a product called UTEE Flex (directions on jar.) When you remove the items from the mold, it is still possible to trim off unwanted pieces on the edges.

Go play! I will answer any questions you have...just leave a comment and I will check them each day. Melting pots, Viva products, UTEE, and Mold-n-Pour are available here and they may even be up on the web shop by now!

2010-12-08T08:19:00.003-05:00

Check our two new exciting packs of "Little Bits of AbsolutelyEverything." We have loaded these packages full of cool elements, especially for tag making, having been inspired by Tim Holtz' 12 Tags of Christmas. We know everyone doesn't own every single die (YET!!) so we have made two different packs. One has the old house and the picket fence, cut from Grungeboard. The other has the snowman and either a reindeer, or a row of houses...also cut from Grungeboard. In addition to these items, there are also the following in the packages:

bingo card, vintage music paper, vintage stickers, christmas rub-ons, vintage green punchinella in sticker form, christmas postage prints, prima flowers, 10 inches of green glitter garland, 6 inches of vintage silver garland , 6 inches each of red, green and gold bead trim (like mardi gras necklaces,) Tim Holtz watch face, 2 memo pins,2 facets with jump rings, a few jingle bells, a tiny brush tree, a christmas die-cut tag, a piece of vintage measuring tape, silver glitter snowflake embellishment, gold dresden scrap christmas tree and santa in sled with reindeer, tiny liberty bells, tiny sled, vintage numers "2" ands "5" from old price labels, metal star, and two collage image circles, about 1 1/2 inch each. In addition, there is a very vintage floral piece from my personal collection, as well as a yard of vintage 6-inch wide lace, that we used in wrapping it all together. Consequently, each box is a tiny bit different from the others, but, believe me, they are all very cool. Right now, we have this as a web shop exclusive. It will be available in the store by Friday, and we have 6 of the "house" version, and 8 of the "snowman" version. If you are interested, Patti will have these listed on the store sometime today. Right now, they are available only through the online store. (see scrolling images above this post.) Price is $15.

It Has Been a Great November

2010-11-29T15:16:00.003-05:00

...we have been the "vendor-of-the-month" for the "All Things Tim" (as in Holtz) yahoo group, also known as ATT...and we have had lots of fun getting to know so many of you great people. Thank you so much for all the support and orders. We will continue with our great service through December and next year....and every now and then we will post a special or two. I do encourage anyone who is a fan of the whole Tim Holtz Distress style, and vintage look, to join this group...you will get lots of tips...they answer all sorts of technique questions...and you will get to see the wonderful art that they create. So, I am ending the month with a few pieces of inspiration for the coming season. This past weekend, I spent quite a bit of time putting mini art pieces onto wood blocks, of assorted sizes, so that I can stand them on my mantle and switch them, back to front, to change the look up a bit. In fact, we will have a class on this style of display as we do some of the 12 Tags of Christmas, using Tim's work as inspiration, and putting our own spin on it...
The first four tags are from last year, or even before that...and I have painted the blocks, added some Viva Inka Gold rub on paint, or some Distress ink. We have cut the wood blocks to 6 1/2 inches (they are 2 x 4s, so they are just the right width for the tag.) I have attached the tags to the wood with Zip Dry. The first block was painted blue, with silver inkagold, and the second block is red with gold inkagold...

In this next set of photos, the blue block is a work in progress...the red is shown, both sides, using multiple dies from the Tim Holtz Sizzix line.
.
This pair, below, is a mini block, only measuring about 1 1/2 x 3 inches, again, I am showing both sides...

The following six pictures show both sides of three different blocks, which are 1 inch wide, and about 4 x 5 inches in area...this gives me a bit of room to play with....however, I find that I prefer a wider block so that there is more ease in balancing to stand...this stands, but i like it a little wider...live and learn...

This last set of blocks was cut to 3 1/2 x 5 inches, and done up sideways...

Sometimes I paint the blocks...other times I use Maya mists, which have terrific coverage. I also used the new Color Washes from Ranger .In some cases I papered the sides, or just the front...really, you can do anything...

I will use these around my house just to add that little sparkle of holiday to a shelf, a table, the mantle...and i can switch them from front to back so it looks like I made twice as many! I have a feeling that more than a few of these will make their way into the homes of a bunch of my friends.

Anyway, I hope you are inspired by this little project...I would love to hear from you if you give it a try. Also, if you leave a question in the "comment" area, I will answer as best I can..

One more thing...here is a little St. Nick in a jar, with a bit of snow (mica flakes)..the label is a Hero Arts stamp, and we sell the bottle! I plan to add ribbon and flowers around the neck of the bottle..would love to hear your ideas of what else to put into the bottle!!

What Fits into the Configurations Boxes??

2010-11-06T09:21:00.003-04:00

I took some photos of some of the items we have gotten in to the store that we thought would be fun to use with the configurations boxes. Today, I will focus on holiday items. I will post other theme-related items a little later. We have glittered reindeer, small and large trees, extras"ornaments" (pieces from a garland) for the trees, a sweet little bird on its nest, a few different wreaths, a cool santa (there is a photo showing him hiding behind a tree, in the box I was taught to make in a Tim Holtz class here at the store,) silver glass house ornaments, tiny glass vintage-like ornaments, candy canes, and a neat, color-changing tea light...In the first few photos, you can see how, with any of the trees, to make them fit in, you will need to trim half of the back off. Don't worry...none of this trimmed part is visible. As you can see in the photo, it allows the tree to sit back into the box.

It just depends on the size of the item you want to place in the configurations. Just remove some of the boxes. Other uses for the boxes that are removed??...add them to the outside of the configuration piece somewhere, or use as a separate ornament...anyway, its all fun. The tea-light isn't shown, but it will sit beneath one of the glass houses and cause cool reflections on the ornament. You can also hide the tea-light with a piece of garland, or even a photo printed on vellum or a transparency sheet (all things I learned from Tim Holtz.)

2010-09-26T17:23:00.002-04:00

Lots of the fall dies and embossing folders from the Tim Holtz Line of the Sizzix dies, etc are here now. Samples are in process.

Tim Holtz Class Info

2010-09-03T11:47:00.005-04:00

Sooo sorry for the delay in getting this up. We always send out the first announcement in the newsletter, so it might be a good idea to subscribe to that literary marvel! There is a "subscribe to the newsletter" link over on the left side of this page.
I am having trouble-computer-wise, transferring the details to this blog..I will keep trying. In the meantime...To see the info about the upcoming Tim Holtz classes...
click on the link below
http://www.emailcontact.com/nl/nl-output.php?nl_id=120929&bus_id=3101&plain=0&fill=true

Heading Home

2010-08-12T15:53:00.002-04:00

...such a nice phrase. On the way back from the CHA buying trip, I managed to take a side trip for two weeks to Biddeford Pool, in Maine. We rented a cozy cottage (the photos of which shall appear shortly in a "by-the-sea" mini-book.) We read. Some of us (I) went to flea markets! Some (not I) went fishing...but mostly we read, played bridge, played bocci, walked ...some (definitely not I) ran...and a few of us tanned. Your basic perfect vacation. We were near good friends, met a new friend, entertained a visiting medical student, celebrated a friend's child's engagement ... Life in its best form. I am a lucky person, especially because I really love what I am returning to...new stuff in the store, time to start making all sorts of projects, and planning new classes...and seeing all of our great customers again, as well as my cracked staff, I mean, my crack staff.
You may have noticed that we are in the process of establishing an online store. Please let us know if you have any requests or suggestions. We are getting it up and going as best we can, and we will appreciate all the feedback we can get. To get to the store, you can click on any image in the frame above, or go to http://shop.absolutelyeverything.com . FYI, we can adjust a shipping charge when you pay with paypal, or cc through paypal...if you choose google checkout, we cannot do that, so that is something we are working on. If you need to pay that way and have a question, e mail us at absolutelyeverthing@gmail.com Anyway, I am looking forward to the next few days...I will be back in the store on Saturday afternoon. Come say hi.
One of the things I am looking forward to playing with is the new shadowbox from Tim Holtz...so, when I go to flea markets now, I am searching for small items to fit into all those little cubbyholes....more musings, and some cool photos, another day.

CHA Update

2010-07-29T23:40:00.002-04:00

I am geting ready to head home from the buying trip in Chicago...saw tons of great items, bought most of them. I will post photos as soon as I get back to a computer where I know how to do that...am on my laptop now.
I visited with Els, who runs the Elisabeth Crafts Co. that we get our micro-fine glitter from...lots of new ideas from them...which will all appear in classes soon!
So, stay tuned for photos...coming soon!

Brand New!! Online Shopping

2010-07-20T08:20:00.005-04:00

We are very excited to introduce our new online store. Here is the correct site:
http://shop.absolutelyeverything.com/
We are just getting the shop underway. Patti, my super tech person, is getting items up as fast as she can...One of these days I will let her get a few hours of sleep...but I am not quite there yet...sorry, Patti!
We have lots of items up there now, including lots of Tim Holtz items, other Ranger products, new papers and paper pads, stuff from Seven Gypsies, Maya Road, Viva Paints, Basic Grey paper packs and fabric packs, Melissa Frances, German scrap, stamps from Memory Box, Artistic Outpost, Crafty Secrets, Darkroom Door...We will soon be adding Hero Arts, and much, much more. We will also list a bunch of unique items that I dig up from an assortment of odd places. We are calling this category AbsolutelyEverything's "But the Kitchen Sink."
We invite you to check out the store, make suggestions, share your concerns with how the store works. We are just learning here and our goal is to create a place where you can get your supplies easily and quickly. Our intention is to get your orders into the mail within forty-eight hours.
There are a couple of "check out" options. You can use Google check out, paypal, or pay with a credit card through paypal without setting up an actual account. We are also going to watch the whole shiping cost area closely to be sure we are charging very close to actual post office charges.

Other items currently up on the site: Flower Soft, books, Inchie and ATC supplies, Prima flowers and bling, quilling items, and Tattered Angels products, Caudine Helmuth products. As all the new items come in from all of my orders at CHA, we will get them up onto the store site as quickly as we can.

In the "coming soon" department, we have Stampers Anonymous stamps, Unity stamps, exclusive mini-book and other project "kits," with instructions and photos, very cool items from Tinsel Trading, ribbon packages, Sizzix dies of all sorts, Embossing folders, Ten Seconds Studios products, art canvas in assorted sizes, blank cards and envelopes, and other assorted card-making paper sets, The Imaginisce brad maker tool and accompanying elements, Crop-o-dile tool, Corner Chomper tool, certain punches, especially the Martha Stewart ones, the new Radiant Rain shimmery mists, embossing powders, glitters and flocking.

You will always have the option of calling us at the store (978-887-6397) to add to your order, to ask about an item you do not see online, or to ask about shiping charges. We will also do special deals every now and then , through facebook or twitter, so you may want to follow us there.
We have, over time, had lots of requests to open a "branch" of the store somewhere else...well, this is the branch!! Please join us here, have fun with us, send e mails, requests, suggestions. You can e mail us at absolutelyeverything@gmail.com

2010-07-06T18:42:00.002-04:00

As promised, here are the images from the newest Memory Box release...winter, christmas and halloween images and card samples. Terri already has two classes in the works, Tuesday evening, July 20, 6-8, to make 5 Halloween cards...and Tuesday evening, August 3, to make five Christmas/winter cards. Each class is $19. We are making some of the really great cards from the Memory Box, and we are also adding some of our own original ideas. The packaged items are those double-sided sticky shapes, that you can place on your cards, etc, and add glitter, flock, or foil to...and also, Flower Soft!

Here is something that I am working on these days...it is a work-in-progress...with a bit more to do ...but I am having fun!! All the spools are made from scratch...we have sold out of the Collections Spool set...more are due in to the store any day...but I am now using the round grungeboard shapes from Tim Holtz, along with a bit of grunge paper. I could make spools forever, they are so cool. You can completely cover the spool with old tape measure, ribbon, string, fabric strips, and add pins, string, ...don't even get me started!

Butterfly Frenzy!!

2010-06-29T17:29:00.008-04:00

So, I went a little butterfly crazy, maybe...anyway, thought you might enjoy seeing how I did the different elements of this collage. I used the Seven Gypsies 6 compartmente printer's tray, with GCD's Melody Ross paper as the background for the whole thing. I trim each rectangle to just shy of the actual dimensions and then use Zip Dry to secure the paper in each opening. If you use a 12 x 12 paper that has an overall picture, you will only lose a tiny bit on the edges, depending on where you start cutting from. Then I took another one of the papers from this Artsy Urban set, the huge butterfly with the red background border, and trimmed out the butterfly and the border, trimmed that to fit each rectangle, and used foam mounting tape to add dimension. I made some larger pictures of each section so you can get a closer look.

I have numbered these going from left to right, top to bottom

In section #1, the woman in the upper left corner is from more of the Artsy Urban paper, the butterfly is cut from 6 or 7 layers of an old book, using an Accu-Cut die, but any punch should work here. I added Distress inks, a button and some bling. The flower is a combo of Grungeboard , fabric and lace, cut using the Tim Holtz Tattered Floral die from Sizzix, with all the pieces layered and sewn together with one of Tim's buttons on the top. (He taught this in a class I saw at Buffalo Stamps & Stuff, in Buffalo a few weeks ago.-thanks Tim.)
In segment #2, same sort of butterfly, just a bit larger, Maya Road flower, and some Prima bling.
Section #3-Prima flower branch at the top, more Maya road flowers, and a card from the Artsy Urban set, mounted with foam tape on a deckle cut baqckground.
#4-The brads also from the Artsy Urban collection, I opened the brad a bit and hooked it over the frame of the section. The lower b'fly is the newspaper type, another Maya Rd flower. The big blue butterfly at the top left is mica (see "mica" note below) that I die cut in my Accu-cut machine...other die-cut machines should be fine...I colored by taking some Studio paint (Claudine Helmuth's acrylic paint from Ranger) and diluting it a lot, added it to the edges and heated really well with a heat tool (Mica gets very hot...do NOT hold it while you do this-lay it on a craft sheet-also from Ranger) You can divide the mica into layers, add the color on top of and in between the layers, and dry. I also added a bit of stickles to the wing edges.
#5-There is a bottle there that is glued in place.
#6-The butterflies are die-cut mica again, ,...the larger one is covered in Rock Candy Distress Stickles (Ranger), and there is a smaller one attached to it that was done the same way I described in #4.
All attaching was done with Zip Dry.
Here are some close-ups of some of the elements...

We just got in these cool cut & emboss sets from Provo Craft, so I used the die to cut the butterfly, then placed it in the embossing folder and created that little guy that I added to the whole thing, but he didn't make it into the top picture...kind of an afterthought...like, hmmm, that's a butterfly...have to add it.

More close ups...

Mica Note:

I love working with mica. When you purchase it, it is usually very thick. You can slip your craft knife in between the layers, go all the way around the whole piece, and create multiple thinner pieces. You can stamp on Mica with Stazon ink, or other permanent inks, emboss on it, add bling, glue on ribbon, punch holes, use as a book cover, etc. We do sell it here and we can show you how to do this.

2010-06-26T16:40:00.002-04:00

At our last Not-Your-Ordinary-Book-Club meeting, we did transfers on canvas...we all agreed that it was a great technique. Here are a few of the results...and, of course, since it is on canvas, you can use it in sewing, as well as other altered art projects...and, yes, since you asked, that is come pretty fancy scrapbook paper that we used for the transfers...

We put the paper, any scrapbook paper, (or anything that is NOT an inkjet copy...and if there are words, be sure you do a mirror image copy) face down onto the sticky side of the Claudine Helmuth Sticky-backed canvas, made by Ranger. Burnish well. Dip into water, and keeping it wet, "pill" off the paper with circular motions of your fingers---very important--keep the paper wet. Dry with your heat tool. When you do this, you will see some of the white paper particles show up quite boldly...if there is really a lot, re-wet and pill more of the paper off. Otherwise, cover the dried picture completely with a thin coat of Multi medium-the matte style...also from Ranger's Clauding helmuth line. This can also be dried with the heat tool...takes seconds. And you are done...really! Try this and let me know how it worked for you.

2010-06-17T15:09:00.002-04:00

I had a great trip to Buffalo last weekend, to visit my friend, Sharon, at her store, Buffalo Stamps and Stuff, and to help out with her "Tim Holtz weekend."
It was great fun...her store is wonderful, and well worth a stop if you are in the Niagra Falls area. We did go to the falls with Tim & Mario...found the candy store there, and Tim became the proverbial "kid-in-a-candy-store," right before our eyes. Apparently, he is a connoisseur!

It was wonderful of Sharon to have fireworks go off at 10 pm in his honor. too. We got pretty soaked in the "light mist" but we were all quite happy at nature's display. I did get to take the pandemonium quilt class, and it was the last time it will ever be taught. My sample is here in the store and we will create a class in a smaller format to let you all give this a try. It was lots of fun, and filled with techniques using Grungeboard.
We have already ordered the Graphic 45 Halloween set--it is in the theme of "Halloween in Wonderland"...alice and all that. It should be here at the beginning of July as we were one of the first to get our orders in.

2010-05-31T14:43:00.003-04:00

These cards didn't make it into the recent newsletter, so I am posting here until next week. These cards will be in the Artful Journey, with Patti, on Thursday, June 10,. This class is $15 and runs from 11-2 pm (Bring your lunch.) Patti has used a great layering technique with "inchies."

The winner of the set of Tim Holtz embossing plates is #6, randomly chosen, so that is Catherine, who wrote in the comment area, "Is this similar to the clay you mold and then bake to harden. I have done that in the past to make miniature seals." Thanks for reading and responding, Catherine. Please come in and choose your prize.

Also, here is the answer to your question...This is not at all like the molded clay. This "Mold-n-Pour" product from Ranger is a 2-part substance ...you mix equal parts of the white and the purple together, until there are no more striations, then you push your piece (that you want to make the mold out of) down into this mixture...let it sit for about seven minutes, until a fingernail will no longer leave an impression...pull out the original item, and the mold is ready to go. It can be used for UTEE, which you heat to melting and pour into the mold. It can be used for food, but if you do this you must reserve that particular mold always just for food. If anyone would like to see a demo we are glad to show this at the store.

I am using this Memorial Day to clean my art room..really clean it, though, not just rearrange everything. (which is what my family has been watching me do for years) What I did first was to move every bag/box that was all over the floor into another room. Then I sorted out what was left into what I truly used and what I would sell/give/throw away...so now there is a space in the art room equal to 12 boxes full of stuff, and I am slowly moving all the stuff from the other room back in. I will sort it and determine what goes/stays after it is all back in here, as my family wants the living room back!...but I am feeling much better, lighter, and I am beginning to have my supplies where I want them. ...and to think, this only took 9 years (the length of time we have lived in this house.) Honestly, I couldn't use all this stuff if I retired tomorrow and lived to be one hundred years old...fortunately, my family does not read this blog..I know!...do you believe it?? Looks like I will have to package up lots of my personal stash for the Thanksgiving sale...So, tell me how you are doing with your storage issues...do you have a favorite storage piece?...or how do you keep from amassing too much--or is that just a ridiculous question?

2010-05-23T13:23:00.002-04:00

Recently, we had tons of fun when we pulled out our hot pots and the Mold n Pour material. Take a look at some of our art embellishment pieces. I love those crazy little frozen charlotte porcelain dolls from Germany, so I decided that it would be so cool to be able to have them whenever I wanted, in lots of sizes and colors...also, we are now selling anagrams by the letter...so we made duplicates of them, too...I found a whole bunch of white porcelain letters in SF on one of my recent trips, so I will have a class sometime soon, where you can come in and make your own letters!! The "R" and the "O" shown below are both replicas made from UTEE. If I make something out of the platinum UTEE and I want it to look a little more silvery, I will rub a bit of our new Viva Inka Gold rub-on over it...it buffs up beautifully..comes a a few different colors, too. The last photo shows the original, the mold, and the replica. The yellow "V" is the original.,,,the white one is the copy.

The Eyes of the Artist

2010-05-03T13:17:00.002-04:00

This will be the final installment in the "Anatomy & Physiology of the Artist" series that I have had going on over the last two months. We are ending on one of the most important systems, the eyes, the organ of sight. As I was out yesterday, I found myself looking at the trees, at the colors and shading, wondering how to differentiate one tree from the next, as if I were trying to put it onto paper, especially when the colors, while different shades, are so close to each other. I was really looking hard, trying to see, really see, the shadows, depths, colors. It isn't always easy.

What the eye sees is not really always acknowledged by the brain. When we do our Zentangles, as we add shading, suddenly, we see a bending, or a rounding, where before, it was flat paper. But we don't always notice this shading, even though our eyes are seeing it. We can become more acutely aware of what we are actually seeing, and, thus, add a dimension to our art work that may have been missing.

The eyes can determine shades, depth, texture, hues, missing elements...we see what is not there,...vapors in the air, shininess/dullness...and so much more. I am quite sure we are only aware of a small part of what really is seen by the eyes. As artists, we can also look at things in a different way. In order to learn perspective, we have to look at the angles, and how they would be drawn on a flat piece of paper. For 3-D elements, we have to see what is in front, and what is behind. Looking at a garden..so many layers, a profusion of colors going into our eyes. Are we aware of what draws our eyes to a certain element?...favorite colors, favorite shapes??

Darkness and light influence what we can see...along with our age...I am pretty sure we lose some of our accuracy in viewing as we age...so let's get it all memorized now!! My favorite time of day, outside, is dusk, when the purple-y colors descend, and everything has a slightly muted look.

Our art materials reflect what we see with our eyes...and how our imagination bumps against that vision. We make new papers look old with all of our distressing. We juxtapose images that don't usually go together, not because we have seen them that way with our eyes, but probably because we have seen them separately and have imagined them together. So, our eyes serve as a tool, for taking in elements in our world, taking them into our internal storage, for later use.

But our eyes see so much more than objects. We see emotion. We read facial expressions, and have emotional reacions back at those expressions. The eyes of the artist are used to take the emotions that we see in the world into our brains, and then our artistic tendencies translate this into our art, and our eyes again assess what we have created, to see if that is what we wanted to say. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but so is everything else...the eyes are the window to the soul, but also the window to everything else. The world, for the most part, enters our consciousness through our eyes . Yes, a lot comes to us through our other senses...but even when we cannot sense an aroma, or hear anything, we can open our eyes and look around. And the EEG waves of our brain show there is a response simply to visual images. Our eyes are always working. As an artist, we may want to train our eyes to see the art in the everyday, to see perspective, to see gradations of color, to see more emotions...to see whatever it is we want to learn about, so that we can include it all in our art.

Here is the prize for this week, which I will give to a randomly chosen winner, picked from everyone who leaves a comment after today's blog. It is an assortment of papers and embellishments from the company called Delish.

AE Newsletter from Sunday, May 2, 2010

2010-05-02T20:33:00.000-04:00

The Hands of the Artist

2010-04-25T19:49:00.002-04:00

Our hands are one of our most basic tools. We use them, in all areas of our lives, to feel temperature, texture, hardness, wetness, weight...and on & on...so many uses for these little tools. They have a sensitivity to them that is indispensible. They have a dexterity, strength, and ability to be controlled. So, as an artist, we are especially attached, (in more ways than the obvious) to our dear hands. For the most part, our hands do what our brains instruct them to do. We are happy to be able to mold, paint, wipe, smoosh, dab, pick at, scrape...so many tasks we artists give to these little guys.

Sometimes, we are delighted to just let our fingers and palms move over a completed piece, to feel the texture...we are texture lovers, aren't we? How delightful to feel the old lace, the metal keys, the rough sand, the cool smoothness of an embossed surface, the stickiness of drying glue, the warmth of cooling UTEE, the bumps of the brads, the wrinkles of the flowers. All these items hold meaning for us. We perceive where in the process of creating our art we are as we feel over our piece. Sure, we can look at it, but it's when we feel it that we are also assessing it, weighing our decisions to add more, or stop now.

I know that I feel very connected to my artful process when, at the end of a project, I look at my hands and see the assorted stains from alcohol inks, Distress inks, acrylic paints, glitter, assorted glues, and chalks. I want to protect my hands from burns (who hasn't touched the UTEE a bit too early?) and from cuts-craft knives and awls -and especially from super glue! I need these tools to keep safe so I can continue to do what I love.

Hands are also a wonderful iconic image, like hearts, crowns, wings, birds, keys, numbers, and so much more (but I think that covers a lot of my personal favorites.) It is very alluring to see a large hand model, especially one that has had some sort of "art" happen to it. It reminds me of the quote, "A mother holds her child's hand for just a little while, but she holds his heart forever." (Make appropriate gender substitutions as needed.) Which brings me to the final note on the Artist's hands. We hold on to things. All of our art tools and supplies pass through our hands, but we also hold on with our heart to so much of what we love. Hand and heart, together in so many activities..we are so lucky when we can have these two elements working together in our lives. Because of my ability to make my own art, in my own way, at this time in my life, I consider myself incredibly lucky. Leaving a comment?...would love to hear what other iconic images you all like to collect, use, dream about, etc

Here is a photo of this week's free give away to a randomly chosen commenter . Leave me a comment at the end of this post to be entered to win a pink Slice apron from Making Memories, a red rubber unmounted phrase set, and a paper pack which includes stickers, shapes, etc.

Just Like the Butcher who backed into his meat grinder...

2010-04-23T10:35:00.003-04:00

...I have gotten a little behind in my work!! I will definitely get the essay on the "Hands of the Artist" going in my next post. Meanwhile, for a free prize chosen randomly, please respond to this post with whatever it is in your life that keeps you from geting things done on time. Prize (with no photo, because does it really need one??) is a set of Tim Hltz' grungeboard alphabets.

Also--update--we have received all the new Memory Box stamps and papers--butterflies--gorgeous--well done, Dave!!

The Artist's Spine

2010-04-12T16:15:00.003-04:00

We all have a backbone...some ache more than others...you young folks out there will understand this more later on. Anyway, this backbone is our spine, that set of bones that runs from head to tail, that connects to most of our ribs, that protests our nerves. It is a central part of our anatomy, and anytime there is something wrong there, we feel it immensely, and we can even get immobilized by the pain. For us, as artists, we are going to see the "spine" as defined by the other terms used for it, those being "willpower" and "courage." We say of someone, "they had the spine for that task" or "you need a strong spine to accomplish that task."
As artists, we need willpower and courage to continue on in the face of elements in the world that would slow us down or stop us altogether. We need the courage to take chances with our art, to make it, maybe even show it to other people, and yes, my goodness, even put it out there for sale!! We need willpower to sit at the art table, (Sometimes, I need the willpower to actually find my art table) and let our muses speak to us. Sometimes the voices are very low, or hesitant...Our willpower enables us to sit still and listen...to wait for the inspiration, to practice the new techniques. Maybe when we have learned something, or seen it in a video, and go to try it out, it doesn't come out as we had planned. We need to be able to persist, tweak, adjust, and repeat, and be open to lots of different outcomes.
To really learn about a project, I am discovering that I need to make more than just one sample. I need to try different colors, textures, sizes, materials...just to see what direction I really want to go in. Sometimes, I am not necessarily being creative as much as I am being scientific, experimenting... what happens if I try this?...or that? I need my courage and willpower intact to get to where I want to go. When my "spine" is out of kilter, i.e. my courage is weak or my willpower is taking a nap, things don't progress, I slow down, and I am a bit off of my path. Exercising the back muscles keeps the spine fit. Exercising our courage and willpower muscles keeps our artistic spine strong. OK, everybody, get out there and do 50 sit-ups, artistically speaking, of course!

2010-04-11T19:43:00.002-04:00

This week I am going to write about the Artist's spine...but that is for tomorrow, when I will actually make the entry. Right now, I am just showing the prize for the upcoming week, to be given to a randomly selected entry from everyone who leaves a comment on tomorrow's post. It is a pair of albums from Making Memories, one is 12 x 12 , the other is 8 x 8. Good Luck!

The Heart of the Artist

2010-04-05T17:22:00.003-04:00

So, today we are thinking about the artists's heart. Well, what is the heart, what does it do? Some would say it is our core, others, a circulation pump, yet others would say it is the seat of love...so many things for such a small organ...Anyway, as a circulation pump, the artist's heart circulates the life-affirming energy that causes us to bring our impulses into the field of art, and into existence. We have something inside of us, that, without the sustenance (oxygen and sugar) delivered to our soul/mind/creative spirit, would remain unshared. So, the artist's heart, insofar as it allows the good items we ingest (again, reading books, mags, taking classes, talking to other people, and even, yes, experimenting!) to circulate through the brain, sustains and supports our creativity.
As our "core," our heart drives us to do what we love, what makes us come fully alive. This is a little different than the whole "love center" thing...We say about people, they had the "heart" to do something difficult, or brave...and we usually mean the drive, the essential, purposeful desire to do a certain thing. So, with our art, we have the "heart" to create something from how we feel, whether it is a scrapbook page about people we love, a few cards for some friends, an altered book that we can share with others in a round robin, or a piece of art to hang on our wall at home and just appreciate, soak in, and re-experience the "heart" that drove us to create it. Sometimes we need a little bravery to try something out of our comfort zone, afraid we might be judged as odd, or fringe-ish (which, in my opinion, is not such a bad place to be.) This is where the "heart" of the artist takes over and guides us into our work. Many of us have had the experience of just getting lost in what we are doing as we play with our art supplies...this is the heart, leading us to a place it knows about, before we even realize that we are going in a certain direction. There are reasons, almost always really good ones, that impel us to create exactly as we do...a certain color evokes a memory, a texture brings us to a new place, a juxtaposition makes us feel soooo deeply...This is living, supported by all the functions of our heart. So, I just say, follow your heart.
And that brings us to the most familiar aspect of the heart, the loving part. We are all pretty familiar with this aspect. We love our significant others, our children, our parents, our dear friends...and our art. We can get very enthusiastic about art, in that we just want to be doing it, thinking about it...everywhere we look, we see something we want to bring into our next piece...it excites us, and makes our hearts swell with delight...is it the ink on our fingers, the paint in our hair...the colors we are surrounded by? We are delighted by it, we love it, we are content in its presence. We feel full being in our "art" element...we feel safe, at home, whole, and content...I do believe that this is love. I love my art, and it seems to be loving me back. How nice is life to work out like that.
Here is the prize for a random drawing I will do from
everyone who leaves a comment after this entry. It is
an assortment of stuff to make art with.
I think you will "love" it with all your "heart."

2010-03-31T16:07:00.005-04:00

So, this past weekend I was at a trade show and took a few lessons from Tim Holtz and Jennifer McGuire--they were teaching together. In the class, we used the same materials, but did it in the "tim" style-grungy..and also in the Hero Arts style--bright and colorful...using the Ranger products and the Hero Arts stamps...the photo on the bottom (or on the left, depending on how your computer shows this) is the Hero set, and on the top (right) is the Tim Holtz set...these are both 12 x 12 canvases...both of these are on display in the store now. We will be creating some great classes from these samples. Stay tuned.

Another project involved making these neat flowers from the Ultra-Thick Embossing Enamel, colored with the "To Dye For" Inks, which are especially made to withstand heat. Flowers were formed out of wire, dipped in the UTEE, gently moved in a stirring motion with your hand-no twisting...add leaves and there you have it...again...classes will appear! There is a photo of a tag made with the flower.

This week's prize is the sets of clear stamps from Hero Arts, four rub-on packs and a bit of bling.

Leave a comment related to my writing , the photos, or anything...

and I will pick a name randomly to receive the prizes. I don't think I announced the winner of last week's prize...it turns out to be Cheryl, who filed her comment as such...
"I thoroughly enjoyed your wonderful collages.Thank you for sharing the stamp making technique that Tim taught you at CHA - it will be fun to try it!" Cheryl, thanks for playing...the Hambly overlays are yours...please call us to let us know when you will be in. thanks. 978-887-6397.

Now on to the "Stomach of the Artist!" (which will include the entire digestive tract.)

To figure how out our artistic digestive system would work, we need to know the function of our real one. The stomach (and environs) takes in nourishment, allows for absorption of the necessary nutrients, and moves the rest out of the body...I think that's enough detail in that area. So, artistically, we ingest nutrients in so many forms...taking classes, reading books and magazines, purchasing art supplies...We then process all of this and we absorb what we feel will make us grow, and become strong as artists..some details we ignore, as we are not interested in them...some just don't apply to us or our interests. But there are times when we take in something that just excites us a lot. And we are delighted in the "taste" of this new "food." We want to try out the new techniques, use the new materials, and we are nourished not only by our outcomes but mostly by the whole process of trying it all out..we are very nourished...and nourishing is what the stomach allows for...the stomach is happiest when there is the right balance in the intake, because then it can absorb the nutrients in the correct proportions...so for our artistic growth, we need to have the variety that makes us thrive. If I only do one color, say, or one technique...and don't branch out, then my work could become somewhat one-dimensional. It is the variety that is ingested that allows for the fullest type of creativity to flourish.

Allowing the materials we do not need to be flushed out of the system...it is called "cleaning out the art room!" If we have too much stuff in there that we cannot find, see or use what we have...a blockage ensues...an artistic blockage, and we don't create as we want to, no need to go further into this analogy...I think you can all see where this is going. The idea here is to find the right balance of what we take in, so that we grow as artists at the optimum rate. Find your nutrients, take in what you need, and allow nature to take over...the actual creative process will be covered in another organ system...for now...just think about getting well-fed!

Next week--The Artist's Eyes.

Collage Play

2010-03-21T19:08:00.003-04:00

The first photo above shows the entire collage...I was playing with the newest Tim Holtz dies, from Sizzix, cut a few out, lay all the pieces out in front of me and let them "speak" to me...apparently, this is what they said...I was putting together a sample for a class meeting that night, so I was just trying to include lots of different ideas . In the next two photos, you can see some of the details...you can also see where I stamped the images that I cut, using the dies and the black thick foam we sell at the store to create "custom" rubber stamps. This is a very cool idea that Tim Holtz shared with anyone who was paying attention at CHA...and since I dote on his every word...well here we are..

After cutting the foam, you can mount it to the acrylic pieces that are used as clear book covers by the Zutter company, with the Bind-it-all machine. They are sturdy, but you can cut them on your trimmer...if it doesn't go all the way thru, it will at least score it and you can snap it. I cut the acrylic pieces with my big Fiskars Guillotine cutter. The stamps are attached using the Claudine Helmuth matte medium from Ranger. I let it dry overnight, but I am sure it is usable way before that.

The hook at the top of the collage is one of Tim's dies...the one with the long skinny hinge on it, that I doubled over to create a loop...the butterfly, bird, heart and the word "wish" are made from some Accu-Cut dies...sprayed with Maya Mists...Tim's dies for the bird's wings, labels and keyholes..the gold key (TH die) is just more of the black foam-it's pretty inexpensive, so you can use it for embellishments, too...sprayed it with the Krylon 18K gold paint...(do that outside if possible)

In the bottom photo, with all the black foam stamps, you can see that I did an imprint into the flower piece...just heat the foam with your heat tool, and impress a stamp right away...we've been doing this for years, right?...anyway, I would definitely do this before mounting onto the acrylic as I think the heat might warp the acrylic...these images can be erased from the black foam by re-heating, but...two things to consider...you have it mounted on the acrylic by now, so you don't really want to aim the heat gun there..also, the foam is very inexpensive...just cut another flower and impress with a different stamp or leave it plain...All the images were mounted onto colored chipboard, from Creative Imaginations, a 9x9 piece on top of the black 9 3/4 " square piece. I used Zip Dry mostly for all the gluing.

Here is what I did with the bird cage. I sandwiched a piece of mica between two grungeboard pieces, added a patterned paper die cut on top, traced the whole thing onto more patterned paper, and glued it all together...

Here is another photo showing the bird cage on the front of a journal...this time I broke the bars on the bird cage, and since they are grungepaper, they stayed twisted, so it looks like the bird could fly away...and the bird is that black foam again...cool effect...please no e mails or letters, I know it is all just pretend...but I like the idea of that little bird being free...

So, now we are on to this week's prize to a randomly chosen commenter...just leave a comment, related to anything...and you will be entered to win this set of Hambly transparencies...there are six of them, I think.

Also, I mentioned in the newsletter, that I am starting a series of musings on the anatomy and physiology of the artist (keeping in mind that I am talking specifically about us as artists, not Picasso, etc)...actually, we deserve the musings so here goes...I will add a different physiological system each week (I hope!)

The Nose (sense of smell) of the Artist:

When we get a whiff of certain aromas, smells, odors, there is a very strong physiologic effect. In fact, I do believe, that it has been established that the sense of smell is the strongest sense for evoking memory. Smells can warn us of dangers...like the need to open the window when we spray toxic paints or fixatives, or glues in our studio...a good idea to heed this warning! Also, we can smell our materials...certain inks have a strong small...Stazon has an almond odor...grungeboard and grungepaper has a very distinctive smell...some people love it...others not so much. The smells of our world can inspire us to create art...flowers, new babies, a vintage trunk full of old papers, ...I love the smell of melted wax, and can tell that it is permeating the room...same for UTEE. Copic markers, alcohol inks...brand new books, even, soldering supplies, flux...something burning (an important smell!!) Our world is filled with smells, and we, as artists, experience them all the time. We take in these smells, and they definitely have an effect on us..positively or negatively...sometimes we won't use something because of its smell...other times, we put up with it because we "need" that product.
....and when there are the times that we relish the smell of what we are doing...It is all being recorded in our brains as part of our art experience...perhaps to be remembered at some later date, when this time of creating is brought back to us, letting us relive some happy memories. Our remembrances of wonderful times don't always include photos. Maybe we can begin to notice more how our sense of smell enhances our artwork, our process, and our enjoyment of what we do.

Next week: the artist's stomach!

2010-03-13T20:30:00.001-05:00

This is the prize for the random winner this week..a cool bag (includes the bag) of buttons,,,got this on e bay...one for you, one for me...that sounds fair.

So, who has water in their basement?? Apparently, lots of people in Topsfield, so the local schools are closed. If you are coming to the store before all this water goes away, the best route here is via 95. Coming from the north, take 95 south , exit 52, and turn left...follow that into the center of town. From the south, take 95 north to exit 52, turn right, go into town .

A huge Maya Road order arrived today, I think it is the CHa order..haven't seen it yet, but I do believe that they are working on it as I speak (write.) Tomorrow is St. Pat's Day and we have the "Luck-o-the-Irish" wheel of fortune set up and ready to go. If your name is PAtrick-no IDs will be checked...if you say that's your name, we believe you!...anyway, If your name is PAtrick, you get to spin the wheel ...see the newsletter for a list of the prizes. I am getting into the spring cleaning mode, now, with the sun out. Don't forget that we are moving the annual yard sale up a week, so it is on the Sunday before Memorial day...sign-ups for table space will begin on April 1, no joke.

Comments for this week's prize can be completely random...write whatever you want..ask a question, tell us all a cool find you recently discovered, complain about the weather...anything goes!

Thinking Winter

2010-03-01T11:03:00.003-05:00

Here is the free gift for the randomly-chosen winner among those who leave any type of comment after reading this blog. Just click on the "comment" word below and throw in your two cents. Winner will be announced in next week's newsletter. The prize is a pad of 12 x 12 papers from the brand new release from We R Memory Keepers, along with 2 page kits and a card kit.

This week we will be chatting about winter and our attitudes..after all that is all we have control over, right?? I happen to love the cold (hate to be too hot) but am not crazy about snow...unless it is overwhelming and we are all forced to stay home..I see bad weather as a great reason for spending the day in the art room...not that we need any excuses. But we are, after all, New Englanders, and we are used to all this, and even should expect it, right?? It doesn't help that I have lost my winter boots at the moment and am still wearing my sandals...There are great art tools to use with snow scenes now...the white pen from Ranger, the Souffle pens, white glaze pens, white liquid applique, polar white Flower Soft, white chunky glitters , white flocking,...and then there is the whole silver snow look...anyone got any great winter "art" ideas to add...love to hear from you.

Here is a card we did in a class over the weekend with the Tim Holtz "movie set" that has the popcorn in it...of course, we sold out of the set, so I have more on order from Stampers Anonymous...just imagine that you want to give some movie gift cards to someone...is there a cuter way to do this??...rhetorical question...no answer needed!!

2010-02-22T18:25:00.003-05:00

Here (over there on the right) is a photo of last week's prize...I forgot to post it..you will have to go to the newsletter to see if you won!!

On the left here is this coming week's prize...a set of 5 mounting tape packs from Helmar, and a dot 'n' roller from Kokuyo. I was heartened to read about everyone and their magazines...we are the same the world over!

Lots and lots of new products are arriving every day...it is cool to be opening all the boxes and getting a surprise as I finally remember what I ordered. Honestly, I could probably hide my own easter eggs. Anyway, I was thinking about how much I have learned over the years, and yet how I also tend to stick to some of my favorite techniques...so I am thinking that I will start picking some new techniques to deliberately include in my work these days. I am starting with the whole idea of masks, especially using the new masking material from Tim Holtz. My plan is to use this in my work over the next two weeks, and then, maybe, in a few weeks incorporate another technique and put the two of them together--so that would be two new techniques per month...Let's see how well I can do with this...I will post some of my efforts. How about you guys...anyone want to commit to trying a new technique, one that you have learned but not used very much??? I would love to hear what you are willing to try in order to push your art along a bit. Tell me all about it and there could be some pretty cool adhesives in it for you.

Another Weather Update (and this week's topic)

2010-02-16T14:12:00.002-05:00

Tuesday, February 16...we are closing the store at 3 pm today, due to piling-up-on-the-roads snow...Check back with us tomorrow.
I have a picture of the free prize for this week but it is at the store so I will update the blog with that tomorrow when I get in. I like to hear that we all like mini-books...also one of my fave forms. I just heard from Margie Romney-Aslett that she wil be here at the store in November for some holiday fun...pretty sure we can get her to do at least one mini!
So, what do you do with all your books and mags...and I know you have them piling up just like I do...I have taken to reading the magazines with a computer handy so I can go to the websites noted in the ads and articles...the books I just keep in piles...the mags, I go thru every now and then and tear out articles...but after a while it does get to be a very large pile!! However, I cannot resist getting them...how about you guys??

Snow Alert!!

2010-02-10T08:54:00.003-05:00

We are closing the store today, Wednesday, February 10th, at 1 pm, due to the huge storm that is coming our way...it would be just our luck we may get passed by, or only a few inches...but, hey, we are not a hospital, we are a rubber stamp store (really--soooo much more, I know...but trying to keep it brief) so we are keeping non-essential personnel off the streets & safe...So, come in early to get those projects and go home and hunker down. Good luck with the shovelling. We will continue with the 40% off snowflakes anad thank you stamps and stickers, etc, as a gratefulness for not having two feete of snow already...this sale continues til Valentine's Day.

Back From CHA

2010-02-08T13:26:00.002-05:00

So many pictures to show...the trip was good, fun, enlightening...biggest trend, aside from Vintage, which we have been all over for awhile...is jewelry and charms...so you will be seeing some new items along those lines...all the usual suspects were great...7 Gypsies, Prima, Webster's Pages, Graphic 45. litle Yellow Bicycle, Making memories, Cosmo Cricket, all the Tim Holtz products...that guy is everywhere!!!...and I am pretty sure we are all pretty glad that he is...new items to watch for...a new glitter & coloring style which I will show you all when it arrives...new-to-us, the stamps from The Queen's Ink, PDQ papers from Bisous, pre-embossed papers from Core'dinations, new japanese designs form Hanko, magnets and buttons for the i-top from Imaginesce, wood stamps from a Swedish company called Magnolia (ggogle them!!)

Penny Black's newest stamps (with her gorgeous boards.)...some of the new Tattered Angels items have already arrived...anyway, here are few photos from the trip.

This first one shows all the dies from the Tim Holtz release for Ellison, except for the edge dies...and here is the cover of his new book...which has all sorts of projecfts with very detailed instructions...

These images and cards are from the Queen's Ink line...due in shortly.

Here is a photo of this week's prize...it is a kit (in very nice creams & browns) to make a 10 x 20 inch decor project, with an additional 6x6 canvas to attach to the front for a 3-d effect, plus a 2-pack of the ranger white pen. And the question for this week is: Let's talk about book binding...have you ever done it, especially in mini form??? Making mini books is such a delight...one of my all time favorite things to do, (besides soldering, Zentangles, shopping!!, and maybe a few others)
What is your favorite binding system, (Wow, I almost said "bonding system...that is a discussion for a whole 'nother day!) e.g. there are the following out there, Zutter Bind-it-all, 7 gypsies bindery punch, coil puncher machine, book rings, ribbon ties, stapling, piano hinge, hand-sewn, ...or which do you have the most experience with...and any you would like to have the oportunity to try (no promises here.) Thanks in advance for playing!

2010-01-11T16:37:00.003-05:00

Here is the prize for this week...another two handmade tags as well as the tree stamp that is used in one of the tags. And the question is..for those of you who follow new releases from the stamp and scrapbook and altered arts fields, what are the items that you think sound good, or even great...what are some of the companies you would like me to look at when I go to California for the CHA show...I am definitely taking a look at all the new items from Sizzix, designed by Tim Holtz, as well as new stuff from Prima, 7 Gypsies, and Graphic 45 (in fact, I already ordered all of new stuff from those three companies.) Will definitely check out (and I am pretty sure to order the complete line of,) Webster's Pages...as well as new Idealogy and Stampers Anonymous stamps...any other companies you would like me to be sure to drool over?? Also, are there any projects coming up for you this year that you would like special supplies for, e.g. 50th wedding anniversary of your parents, or maybe your own??...graduations, births, trips to certain destinations??...I am happy to look for new stuff. Let me know.

Fresh Starts

2010-01-04T17:39:00.002-05:00

There were lots of mentions of fresh starts in our discussion of New Years' resolutions...I really like that idea...especially after just doing the inventory count and knowing that I will be heading to CHA (the big buying show for 2010), in Anahem, CA at the end of the month, and getting new stuff for the store...that counts, doesn't it? I have been hearing about some great releases, especially the new portable Sizzix big shot and all the Tim Holtz dies, as well as new TH embellishments in the Idealogy line...and then there are the new inks from Ranger, new stamps from Stampers Anonymous, and I guess there will be lots of other new stuff there , too...I think a lot of you who made comments here have come in and gotten some of the BeadsforLife items...thank you so much...it feels very good to me to be connected to the very hard-working women in Uganda who are doing such a great job for themselves, their children & families and for their entire villages. I wish some wonderful "
fresh starts" to all of them, too.
Here is a photo of this week's prize...it is two handmade tags (made by Kate), a la the style of the Tim Holtz Christmas tags from this past year..along with one of the stamps used in one of the tags..the lamppost. Leave me a comment and you are entered to win this item. Here is this week's question.
Has there been a person in your life who has influenced you in an important way? (I reserve the right to re-ask this and have you mention another person, at some later date...we all probably have more than one...and I, for one, would love to continue hearing these stories...but for now, just one person.) Let's all assume that our mothers or fathers rank up there pretty high..and pick someone different...and maybe share why. I was very influenced, when my first child went to nursery school, by the main teacher at the school. She was so fair and reasoned with all the children, and both knew all about children and imparted her wisdom freely to all the parents. I have always felt a debt of gratitude to her because I believe that she helped me become the kind of parent I wanted to be. She may never read this but I will just say, "Thank you, Marietta." (I am quite sure that she is aware of her wonderful effect on all who crossed her path.)
One other thought...I would love to hear some suggestions for "question of the week." If you have some good ones...one or many ideas...please e mail them to me as a reply to the newsletter. (or send to absolutelyeverything@gmail.com.) Put "question ideas" in the subject line. Don't post them here, because I want people to be surprised!!

Inventory is on!!

2010-01-03T11:56:00.003-05:00

As they say, "Come on down!!" We are here and starting to get into the whole counting groove...we will still have a bit of shopping time for you...until 1:30 and then the counting will start in earnest. You will get 20% off anything you buy now...we will put int into the register and you will pay for it. When you leave, you will hand us a card with your hours worked, and we will enter some $$ into your store credit which you can spend til it is gone also at 20% off. We are having heavy h'ordeuvres (pizza!) at 4 pm...so those of you who will need to eat sunday dinner with family can still do that..we will stay here counting til we are done though...I do have a delightful little treat for everyone who makes it, so we will be happy to see all your lovely faces whenever you can get here. The driving seems to be fine...most of the roads down here are down to wet pavement...or plowed really, really well. Drive carefully!

Inventory put off until 1 pm

2010-01-03T06:54:00.002-05:00

I just sent an e mail to everyone on the e mail list...sorry if you are not involved but it was the best way to let everyone know that we will push the starting time of inventory today back to 1 pm...I will reassess again at 11 or 11:30 to see if we need to postpone until tomorrow...it will all depend on the condition of the roads. We are hardy New Englanders, I know, but I want us all to be safe. So, as of this moment, 7 am on Sunday morning, we are "on hold" until this afternoon.

Snow Update for Inventory Celebration

2010-01-02T15:45:00.002-05:00

We will definitely be doing inventory at the store on Sunday, beginning at 8:30 with shopping, and at 9:30 with counting...however, we will also have a "snow date" for those who cannot get here on Sunday...we will also be counting inventory on Monday--I know some of you may work , and are unable to make the snow date...nothing we can do there. If we get a good turn-out tomorrow, and we do not need to continue on Monday, I will post it here on Sunday evening. We don't want anyone to take any chances. Please drive here only if you feel comfortable doing so.

Snow Update-Sat., Jan 2

2010-01-02T09:13:00.002-05:00

It is 9 am and I am safely at the store...only took an extra 10 minutes to get here this morning. The toughest spot for driving was in my unplowed driveway...after that, all the roads are plowed. We will be doing all three Zentangle classes today, and we are a "go" for the Annual Inventory Celebration & Fiesta tomorrow...in fact, I may have a lovely gift for everyone who shows up, and we will be spinning the AE Wheel of Fortune to see who wins what!!

2009-12-28T17:29:00.005-05:00

Since it is the end of the year, I am doing a double calendar special as this week's prize. There is a complete kit from Karen Foster, (papers, stickers & all) as well as component parts including another 12 x 12 blank calendar from assorted companies. Make these as gifts or use as diaries, or distress and alter and use in your art. Just leave me a comment at the end of the blog entry, and I will do a random drawing for the winner next week. Here is this week's question...you had to see this coming!!...New Year's resolutions? Making them?...Breaking them?? ..Loving them...hating them...hiding them...yelling them from the rooftop??? Here is what I am doing...I am going to exercise this year...and I want everyone to ask me, every time they see me, how it is going??? and don't let me lie to you...I have been known to do that. Also, I want to get my art room to the point where I can do more than just walk to the desk...I want to know what is there...you all know what I mean...the piles??

Also, and I hope my staff is reading this, I am determined to get my back office at the store organized and to keep it that way. We are going to have an online store soon, along with a vastly improved web site...so I need to be ready to have a "mail center'" back there. . This list of "to do items" will easily take me all year to accomplish..who knows...I may even surprise myself...now, how about all of you?

Here is a cute project I made right after Christmas (note to self, start these things a little earlier next year)...but it could easily be adapted to other themes. I used the

Melissa Frances wooden frames, some vintage images, silver glass

glitter (on top of the white leaves,) Prima white leaves (sprayed two with Maya Road spray), crystals from 7Gypsies,and paper frill from Birds of a Feather. We have mini-frames, too, so I will try those next. (Photos show the front and back of the same ornament.)

2009-12-21T20:23:00.003-05:00

This full set of Collage Press Joyride papers is this week's free prize, to be given to an entry chosen randomly from everyone who leaves a comment this week. I love to do wreaths so I am delighted with all the suggestions. Thanks, everyone.
Well, Christmas has come and gone for our family...the two oldest boys could only overlap their vacations last weekend, so that's when we did it...family came, we ate, opened presents, played Scrabble tournaments, and had a lot of hugs (Unless we lost the scrabble game, then we just stormed off in a huff...family is the BEST!!) We will have a lovely meal on the 25th and I will spend the day reading...and perhaps making a few thank you cards...
Lots of exciting news as companies start to tell us store-owners what they will be releasing at the big CHA show in January...Tim Holtz has shown his twelve new colors of Distress ink, as well as mentioned that he will be coming out with a new Sizzix machine, and a whole line of dies that will complemente his style of stamping art. He will also have lots of new Ideology elements, too. Always fun to see what that guy does. I'll post more as I hear about it.
So, for this week's question: Do you use your computer at all in your art? If so, how did you learn to do it?
I scan photos and other pics and save them to my documents, I may print out some words I want to use...and I can probably use images from CDs that I have purchased to print out...and aside from the newsletter, I can't do too much else...would love to be able to edit photos, I think my computer has the ability, ...just do not know how...where do you all stand on this??

2009-12-14T15:59:00.003-05:00

This week, we are giving away some Prima embellishments just in time for the holidays. Send in a comment in response to this blog entry, and we will do a random drawing to see who gets the prize.
The newsletter has an update on the BeadforLife trunk show we are doing, and it starts now. The store will open at 10 am, and the beads will be ready to view. Thank you all so much, ahead of time, for considering this very worthy cause. We all have so much and at this time of year our hearts want to open to those who have less. We will continue to support the BeadsforLife program with future trunk shows. We are happy to do mail order...just give us a call. 978-8887-6397.
Here is this week's question. What are some of the elements you would put on a wreath to decorate it for your front door? My answer?...this year I would wire on all sorts of art objects..embossing powder jars, pens, stamps, ink pads, etc...just to give me a smile every time I walk into the house. One year, I added GI Joe guys, lego pieces, and assorted other toys...to reflect where our family happened to "be" at the time. I really like to see "theme" wreaths..so, got any ideas??
I just returned from a trip to AZ where I got to make some cool items...check them out in the newsletter. Also, because this is when we can get together, my family is celebrating Christmas on Friday evening, and Saturday, December 18 & 19. So, by this time next week, I will be done!!! Call me if you need me to wrap presents or bake a pie for you.

2009-12-07T16:14:00.003-05:00

This week's prize is one roll of each style of the new Basic Grey wrapping paper...I think I may use some of mine in mini-book making. Just leave a comment on the blog, in response to this week's question, and I will do a random drawing for the gift wrap. Here's this week's question: Do you have a favorite family recipe to share with us--one that is especially good to pull out for holiday gatherings??? I need all the help I can get! I think we would would all love those great sweet recipes...but if you have a killer potato or roast beef that you want to share...go for it...cannot wait to hear what the responses will be...I did warn you last week, so you have had a bit of time to go up into the attic to find those great hand-me-down recipes!!

In the newsletter, I wrote that I just heard from the Beads for Life folks, that our trunk show will be here and ready to roll on Wednesday, December 16th...these beads are a great added little gift, great hostess gift, cool stocking stuffer..and don't forget those bags of beads for yourself!! I will be spending the rest of the week in Prescott, Arizona, at the feet of the master, Tim Holtz having fun and learning stuff...mostly just playing with ART!! Be sure to check out his "12 Tags of Christmas" on his blog...www.timholtz.typepad.com...they are like taking a 12 day class with Tim himself.

We have a new employee here at the store, Kate Bartlett...I know..another Kate!!...does it get any better?? Come in and say hi to her sometime..also, please check to be sure she is actually working.

2009-11-30T15:14:00.003-05:00

Here's the picture of this week's give-away, the winner of which will be randomly picked from someone who adds a comment below. It is a 3-pack of the Basic Grey paper ornaments (so that is 18 total, as I believe there are six per pack.) So get some friends together to make them, do them with your kids, or make one huge garland...also, there is some Martha Stewart glitter, two different greens , to add to the ornaments. And now, on to this week's question. It was fun to read about everyone's fantasy job last week...we had artists, poets, actresses, animal caregivers, wine tasters, archeologists, designers, Cinderella at DisneyWorld, and even a lunch lady! Here's to dreams coming true!
For this week, let's think about the holidays, in a nice and easy way. What are your "go to" colors for holiday cards and projects...do you stick with the basic red & green??...or go off the beaten path a bit???...and let's throw in your favorite embellishment, too. Here's my take--I definitely go with the basic red and green, as these are my favorite colors, but I do like a bit of distress ink to make it all look vintage...and my favorite embellishment is definitely glitter, the more the merrier! Now, let's hear from you...first-timers are very welcome to join in.
(Preview--next week-sweet treat recipes!!!)

Also, try to remember that we will be doing the trunk show for the "Beads For Life" program, at the end of December. I will post the exact date in the newsletter as soon as I know.

2009-11-23T17:44:00.004-05:00

My eyes are still a little misty from reading all those Holiday memories... thank you to all of you who shared.
I want to let you all know that we are going to have an event to support the women in Uganda, many of whom are HIV positive, who are the beaders for the "Bead for Life" program. In the photo, you can see a necklace and some bracelets, made from paper beads. The women have started this business as a means to sustain themselves and their children, and the whole village. Stories about them can be seen on the website http://www.beadforlife.org/, from which I have taken this quote: " Ugandan women turn colorful recycled paper into beautiful beads, and people who care open their hearts,homes and communities to buy and sell the beads.The beads thus become income, food, medicine, school fees and hope. It is a small miracle that enriches us all."
We will be having a trunk show of these beads and jewelry pieces, here at the store. I tried to get it in time for holiday gifting, but I guess they were pretty busy. (I will do better next year!) Our trunk show will arrive here at the end of December. I will give the exact specifics when I receive all the items. I hope you will all want to come in and support this great cause. 100% of the price of the beaded items goes directly back to the Bead for Life organization. (This is not a money-generating event for the store.) One of the items that I know they sell is packages of loose beads. We're talking art supplies!!!
Now, here is a photo of the give-away in the random drawing this week for anyone who enters a comment in response to my question. It is a set of stamps and 2 chipboard sets from Maya Road, one of my favorite companies.
Here is the question: In your fantasy (don't worry, not going there..)what is your profession, and what are you doing with it? Here is my answer...It will probably surprise no one that in the deepest recesses of my heart I would love to be a rock star, singing up on stage...some outrageous wild knee-slapping songs, with a few heart-wrenching tear jerkers thrown in for good measure...but I wouldn't do all that club-hopping..I would be the first rock-star rubber stamper-altered artist...and I wouldn't forget all you little folks who knew me "when"...but do not, I repeat, do not call me to borrow money or get me to sing at your kids PTO spring fair..seriously, I don't really have the time for that, between running the store and being a rock star...what were you thinking?? So, c'mon...there must be some wild fantasies out there...who wants to get up on stage with me and do a duet???

schedule

2009-11-15T20:18:00.008-05:00

soooo..Zentangles..what are these crazy things that

seem to be dominating our schedules these days?? We

are all having so much fun with them. I will refer you

to the original website, http://www.zentangle.com/.

Be sure to keep it singular, instead of the word

zentangles...as I have sent multiple people to a

neighborhood dating service by having that typo...I am lucky none of my customers has eloped with a crazy internet

weirdo...OK, maybe some of you have, but still, ...not completely my fault. Anyway, it is a new art form that anyone can do...really, anyone...it is freehand drawing, purposeful lines,...in some cases it takes a little getting used to, but the patterns emerge, and cool, fun art is produced. In the process, though, you will find yourself completely absorbed in a very relaxing way, in the whole experience. Plus, its great for anytime you have to wait somewhere...doctor's office, car repair place, tattoo parlor, bank heist (in case you are driving the get-away car...but be careful. it can be very absorbing...and as your robber friends are making a mad dash for you and the car, you may be making a very complex design, and thinking, y'know guys, this just isn't a good time for me to stop drawing right now...I don't even want to think of the problems that will ensue at that point, so maybe hold off on the abetting a robbery, at least for now.) I carry my pen, pencil and shading tool, along with a small notebook, everywhere I go.
What to do with it? Definitely your choice. Add it to some of your current art endeavors, appreciate it on its own, like a well-loved watercolor scene, use it in your journalling, make jewelry, and other small objets de art (not quite sure on the spelling there...maybe getting too sophisticated for my own good.) In any case, we are just loving it here. I went away for a few days to become a Certified Zentangle Teacher, learning at the feet of Maria & Rick, who developed this whole new world. Aside from meeting very talented people and being blown away by everything they had all done, I also learned quite a bit.

Check out this week's newsletter, as I have added another Class, "D." My mind is very busy these days preparing the advanced class, filled with lots of cool things. Here is a photo from one of the beginner classes...looks like everyone got the hang of it.

I am looking forward to putting our own little AE twist on it, by adding some Ranger Stickles, (along with Copic markers, as I did on the "three xmas trees" card... first I stamped the blank tree three times, then I added Zentangles to each section of the tree, after which I used the Copic markers and Stickles.) Distress Crackle, hardening gel and the UV lamp, die-cutting, inserting words, creating layers with foam tape...I could go on, but we need to pick a random winner for the blog prize. Go to the newsletter, to find out if it is you! Below is a photo of the

prize for this coming week,... a 12 x 12 calendar set, with stickers to help create a 2010 projecet.

It was great to see that we have all internalized some great advice. A huge thanks to everyone who gave us that advice!! Onward we go, with today's question: When you remember Christmases, or other winter holidays from your youth, what memory sticks out the most...a tradition, a trip, a certain gift, a certain person??? I have a couple:..We were never allowed to put up our tree until the evening of christmas eve...we didn't even buy it til then...so the pickings at the lot were somewhat slim...but my dad had to have the biggest tree available...so he always got one that was way too big to fit in our room...made sense that we would cut off a bit, right??...Well, he always cut off the top, so every year we ended up with a christmas trapezoid, filled with tinsel...but that baby was big!! I'll try to find some photos of some of them. Another memory...riding into NYC from the suburbs, to visit my most beloved Grandmother, Nana...she was like a saint, cozy apron, warm hugs, total acceptance, always on our side...we would ride a tiny elevator (the kind with the grated door that you have to pull sideways to close.)..up to the 6th floor, and enter her apartment, a very narrow, barely two bedroom place...but to us, it was heaven..we used to explore her bureaus, boxes under the beds, ...the old fridge always had bottles of coke, and of course, there were christmas cookies...her special recipe, that I still use to this day...the apartment was also very hot most of the time, so I remember sitting by a window, looking out into an alley, and feeling worlds apart from my real life...as we all got older, into adolescence, this became more of a chore, and we would wistfully wish ourselves back home with all of our friends...but apparently the feelings of warmth and love I felt at those times when I was younger have lasted and are what I remember most.

OK, now its your turn.

2009-11-09T00:26:00.005-05:00

Thank you soooo much to everyone who responded to the question-of-the-week..I am blown away by the good fortune that we are all able to see in our lives. It is so nice that, even in the midst of problems and pressures-of course, we all have some of those-we can see through it all to what is most important...and how similar we all are, in spite of many differences, in how we appreciate these wonderful elements of our lives. We are a lucky bunch! I don't know about you guys, but I am developing a sense of a small community here..we may not know each other by sight or name..and wouldn't necessarily know if we were even in the same room, but we are all sharing pieces of ourselves, sometimes lightly, other times in more depth. And I, for one, definitely appreciate the openness, and participation from all of you...it really helps me feel more connected and it makes me think about other points of view...pretty cool. Check out the latest newsletter to see if you are the winner for last week's prize of the Martin Meyer Imports glitter.

Here's a quick little movie review for those of you that are into altered books and journals. The name of the movie is "1000 Journals." It is about a project where this one person sent out 1000 journals all over the world, and the story of what happened then...kind of fascinating. It turns out that Tracy Moore (of Teesha & Tracy fame) is in the movie. He's the teacher I had for that wild polymer clay journal I made with the 3-d face on the front. Cool to see him. Anyway, I got the movie through Netflix.
So here is this week's question: Tell us a great tip you learned in a class somewhere, or even just from someone else at some time, not necessarily in a class..a tip about technique, or style that has, in some, way, made a difference in your art. It can be specific or general...no rules about your answers here. Here's mine-I was told, once, to just experiment, with my art supplies..not to wonder if I could do this or that, just to try it out and fail miserably, if that was to be the case, but, really, just to try everything...I have had some happy accidents, and a lot of miserable failures...and learned lessons from all of them. But mostly I have learned to experiment.

Here is a photo of the prize for this week's randomly-chosen winner. It is a template from Crafter's Workshop, a stamp designed by Tim Holtz (think it looks crazy??...use it and see how cool it is!!), a set of bling and some black glitter alphabets from Making Memories. Odd assortment??...I guess that's where the muse took me...see, I was experimenting!

2009-11-02T13:12:00.004-05:00

I am not getting any sleep as I mull over all the birdcage ideas..hope you were as inspired as I was. Check out the newsletter to see who won! Here is this week's prize, donated to us by the great folks at
Martin Meyer Imports. It contains 11 packets of German glass glitter...many of you may already know, this type of glitter is my all time favorite,... in next week's blog, or sooner I will post some samples that I have made with it. Also, here is the link to this very cool website..it has all sorts of items..esp. small stuff that we kind of folk like!!
http://www.meyer-imports.com/

So, here is this week's question:
It's November, and, aside from it being my birthday month, and therefore, my favorite month of the year, it is also coming up to Thanksgiving time...I have always thought that I would like to keep a thankfulness journal...no specific required entries, just what I am thankful for in my life, maybe just today, maybe for something in the past...in any case, I thought I would bring this up before the time crunch for pie-baking comes upon us..so here it is...What are you thankful for now in your life...feel free to mention up to about five different things, but one is enough, too...no need to spill secrets, because, you know, I am a blabber!...be as general or detailed as you like...I will start off.
I am definitely thankful for (#1)my family, a husband who doesn't throw out all my "finds," "piles." and "collections," and also doesn't go into the Art room... and healthy and content (for the moment) kids...Also, (#2)for the opportunity to run the store...this has been one of the greatest joys in my life, having a great staff, and meeting so many great people...(#3) My own personal move toward a healthier life...not easy. (#4) My 90 year old Mom, who has always been a rock in my life....and (#5), Learning Zentangles!!! There are tons more...but that's what I have come up with. Let's hear from you.

2009-10-25T17:27:00.004-04:00

I have soooo enjoyed reading the comments from last week and seeing how everyone is doing such wonderful and different projects--very inspiring!! Here is a look at the prize for next week's randomly chosen blog commenter...it is one of the new calendars for 2010 that Stampington has put out...a little bit of inspiration for each month!! Its title is Somerset Life, not Somerset Lite.

The winner for last week's entries has been announced in the newsletter...go there to see if maybe it was you...Here is the Question for this week (also, I opened up the comments area for "anonymous" repliers...but I would be delighted if you would let me know who you are.!! Anyway...the Question:
What do you think are some good ways to embellish a bird cage..any size...This is really a fantasy project...just share your thoughts. Here are some of mine...I would definitely add some of those long Prima floral stems along the corners, with some extra velvet leaves thrown in...maybe I would make a few felt birds to hang on wire perches inside...and possibly a nest of some sort, maybe out of a combo of wire and twigs..will have to give this more thought, and who knows, after I hear from all of you, maI will actually make one!

2009-10-19T15:17:00.003-04:00

I forgot to post this photo in my latest newsletter, but this is a great book that has just come in...lots of great tips and iinspirations...
Right now I am working on my samples for the Christmas album-in-a-day, the 12 Books ofChristmas in a box, and the 12 days of Christmas printers tray...also we are celebrating our family christmas on Dec 19, as that is when all the kids , all four, can be home...so honestly??...on Dec. 20, I am ready to move on...maybe I will start shopping for next year...
This is the prize for the person who is chosen randomly from
this week's group of respondents. Just post an answer to the
question
and your entry will be entered to win. Here is the question... Describe your most memorable art project, collage, scrapbook, set of cards, etc...whatever it was, tell us about it.
OK, technically, that is not a question, but let's just say it is.

2009-10-12T14:08:00.003-04:00

The winner of the Tim Holtz stamp set is posted in the newsletter...go there to find out who it is...and for this week, we have the following prize:It is six sheets of SEI's new Moravia paper, along with a set of grungeboard, dotted, and no longer being made...so, last chance to get this cool stuff. Here is this week's question: Describe where you keep your art supplies...a room?...a closet?...in your pocket?...and what is your favorite storage secret to share with us? Thanks for playing.
So, here's something that came into the store and blew out before we even knew what was happening...the printers' trays from 7Gypsies...they are all out of them, as are all the other suppliers in the country, I think...so, we have a whole bunch on order, and they will arrive around the end of October. If you want to start getting your project ready for these neat frames, each section measures 2 3/4 x 3 3/4, so I trim all my paper to fit inside by coming down just hair off

of those measurements, not even a full 1/16...or maybe it is, but, really, not very much. There are 12 frames in each tray...We did them up as a calendar, using the Maya Road new calendar sets, and we also did this cool Christmas scene, using the new Webster's Pages paper. For the calendar tray, I also added a small postage stamp from the Crafty Secrets "all-year" set of embellishments--it has something for every month, and we used the postage edger scissors to make it look like a stamp.
So, I am thinking, 12 days of Christmas, linking two together for an advent calendar, family photos, winter scenes--lots of crystally snow flakes...it just begs to be decorated. If you would like to reserve one (or three) of these neat items, which are $15.99, feel free to call the store and put your name on the list. We are keeping a "reserved item" list for these.

2009-10-05T19:17:00.003-04:00

Doing it a little differently today because I couldn't get onto the blog earlier when the newsletter was going out...so the winner this week (randomly generated, numer 6) is an anonymous person...who said "I collect flipflop decos of anykind anyone who knows me knows i am a flip flop nut, I also collect pens pink ones mostly but they have to write smoothly, i would have to say i collect pocket books and shoes or is that more of a fetish i collect lenox ornaments ,snowmen,

I have posted a photo of next week's prize in the newsletter, along with this week's question..here is what I wrote..."So...suddenly, I have a technology glitch..cannot get ot my blog site...so I am posting next week's prize and question here for now, and I will get it onto the blog as son as I can. Here is the prize: it is a set of the new Tim Holtz Christmas stamps, unmounted. And here is the question: What are you reading right now?? and can you give us the names of 3 or 4 books you have really loved and would recommend to all...(see, I always add more than just a simple question...) I'll post my own answer on the blog...love to see what everyone else says...just post a response at the bottom of the blog entry (once I get it going again) and I will randomly choose, by entry number, a winner for the stamp set. " Now, here is my answer...right now, reading Sarah's Key, for my book group ( we read The Help last month...also good)...all time favorites would have to be One Hundred Years of Solitude ( a little hard to get into, but well worth it)..also, A Prayer for Owen Meany, and probably #1--East of Eden...Now let's hear from you.

2009-09-27T19:46:00.004-04:00

Thanks to all for those great blog and website tips that any of you sent in as responses to last week's "Question."...I will be checking them all out... I did a random draw for last week's posted prize of the Halloween stamps...the winner's name is in the newsletter, so you will need to read it there to find out if you won!! Here is the photo of this week's prize...an alphabet Grungeboard set from Tim Holtz' collection...there are nine different fonts of every letter...ink them, emboss them, go crazy...(Honestly, can you really ever have enough alphabets??)... so, here is the question this week: What do you collect, how many do you have, and where do you get it (them) from...please don't include the following: rubber stamps--we all collect them!, papers, ditto...unless any of the aforementioned objects is unique in some way...in which case, we will definitely need sources!! Also, if you missed commenting on last week's question about blogs or websites, feel free to add a little bit about them, as we all love to look at "stuff."

Here is my answer to the question ahead of time. I collect hands, wings, crowns, skeletons, wooden printers block letters in large form, glass glitter, and a few things I am forgetting...mostly I get them all from ebay, which I go to in spurts...cannot spend time there every day or I will get nothing done...so maybe I look once a month or so. Now, your turn...

Just FYI...something I have been making lately...

Here is a photo of a Maya Road house, done up in Anna Griffin gingerbread paper, with red beaded fringe (we will sell by the half yard,) and a neat little white applique piece on the door that I used alcohol ink all over. In the other picture, which shows the opposite side, I did a paper medallion, which I recently learned from Lynette Carroll (she will be doing classes here Oct. 24 & 25.) It is one of my newest favorite techniques.

2009-09-21T17:13:00.004-04:00

Win these stamps! Here is a photo of the prize for this coming week's blog comment
random drawing . Just go to the comment area at the bottom of this post and join in. This week question is... What are your favorite blogs for art inspiration?
Please post the web address of three of your favorite blogs that you keep up with ...do NOT include this one!! Here are some of my favorites: http://cain81art.blogspot.com
www.timholtz.typepad.com ,
http://studio490art.blogspot.com/
It's OK if you put down any that are mentioned by other people...feel free to add any extras as a resource for everyone who reads this

Now I remember...

2009-09-15T19:05:00.003-04:00

...where I found that great quote/idea about what six places would you take someone to.....as someone here mentioned to me...it was right here on the AE blog, in Erica's response to the question about a quote...that's the beauty of getting older...there are so many more surprises in the world!! Check the post below for this week's question.

2009-09-13T16:33:00.007-04:00

"We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand... and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late. " That is my contribution to the quote/mini book idea...I am thinking abut using the images of hands, stars, snowflakes, time/clocks...some of my favorite images...who knows, maybe it will turn up as a class at AbsolutelyEverything!!
Anyway...remember in the last post, I told you about that pumpkin punch...turns out it was last year's special edition from Fiskars and they have no more...so if you find it anywhere, you are very lucky!!
The winner from last week's quote response was generated using the random.org system., and the name is announced in this week's newsletter. (if you need to sign up for the newsletter, there is a place to do that on this main blog page, along the left hand side.)
So, here is this week's question. It is more personal, and will require some thought and pondering...I saw it somewhere on someone's blog..wish i could take the credit but I love the concept, so I am borrowing it. This could definitely become a mini-book. Here's the big Q!
"If you had to tell someone about yourself, who you really are, by taking them to six different places, where would you go?" I will definitely be throwing my two cents in here with my answer, but I will have to give it some thought first. (I may even be including a bit of the Why? that place? in my response...hmm...could get a bit long...feel free to skip the boring parts.) Thank you to whomever it is out there in blogville who first had this idea. I tried it last night with my family and it generates a great conversation.
Feel free to answer with as much detail or as little, playfully or seriously, in depth or whatever is the opposite of that...I already know that I have to put my summer camp on the list...14 summers...of heaven!! Here is the a photo of the newest prize package...more Halloween papers and embellishments...
I have a few cool ideas for some cards...I will try to get those photos and directions up this week...keep an eye out for them.

A Cool Discovery

2009-09-06T18:10:00.009-04:00

Something very cool I just discovered...
the Fiskars scissor-like punch of the
1 1/2 inch pumpkin is the perfect shape
and size to punch out the pumpkins from
the "pumpkin patch" paper from My Minds Eye...The first
photo shows the sheet of paper, with the punch, the second photo shows some punches in a project (OK, Fine, it is one of the make-and-take free projects for this Saturday...you forced it out of me...note to self--do not become a spy.) Even though some of the printed pumpkins are larger than the punch, it still comes out perfectly!! I feel like Magellan, the discoverer, standing on the brink of the Fountain of Youth...or whatever he was discovering, or Madame Curie, as she discovered penicillin...kids, do not use me as a source for any of your term papers...really!

Thank you to everyone who is participating in the blog question of the week. I love reading all the answers, and I am actually taking notes on all of them. I hope, over time, that everyone gets a chance to win!!
Here is this week's new question...What is your favorite quote that you would use as a theme for a mini-album...you can tell me one or two quotes...it would also be great if you tell us who said/wrote it...put your thinking caps on!!
..and here is a photo of the prize that will be awarded to

someone who posts an answer here, chosen by the
random.org number generating system. It is some papers and a bunch of cool Halloween embellishments from KI Memories. You gotta play to win, so leave me a comment in the "comment" area under the blog entry and tell me how you would answer this week's question .
I have some great go-to books for quotes, so I will find few that I like and post them also in the comments..and, no, I will not let myself win, darn it.

2009-08-31T20:43:00.002-04:00

I just sent the newsletter out...if you are not receiving it...seriously, give it a few minutes!!...then you can sign yourself up for it by going to the website, www.absolutelyeverything.com, and you will see that it is under construction...go to the link to the old website...go to the "news" page (across the top are the choices), and you will be able to add yourself to the newsletter list. I announce the winners of each week's prize on the newsletter, and I show the prize and ask the question here...just to keep you all awake!
So, I am just back from Creative escape in Arizona...yes, I know it is a dry heat, but , really??, so is my oven...I have tons of ideas for holiday and halloween and fall projects...just waiting for all the raw supplies to get here...but I will get started this week on a few of them...all will be revealed on Saturday, Sept. 12 at our "Gala" event, the Holiday Open House...we will have free make-&-take projects, while our supplies last, as well as a raffle for one of three great gift packages...one large, two a bit smaller...everyone who comes into the store may enter, and extra entries are available for each $20 purchase...sometimes at these events we all get so excited that we give away something we weren't planning on...well, yes, that happens...anyway, come in your holiday garb if you like...unless it is 100 degrees out (oh, wait, that's Arizona)...we will crank up the AC to get us in the mood...if we can find them , we may even have the holiday songs on...the theory being that it is never too soon to get started on holiday cards and gifts...remember last year, on Christmas eve, you were up til 2 am finishing that project??? Not this year!! that's what we're here for...to get you in the mood and energized for the coming season, and to get you prepared to do it all, just like the tortoise...slow & steady,...with a few squeals of delight as you see all the NEW stuff!!! Do remember to join us here on Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 am sharp!!

So, here is the ""Question of the Week."
What is your personal style?? By this I mean, what do you gravitate toward naturally when you think about making a card, scrapbook page, altered book, artist playing card, wall hanging...any special colors or materials??

I will tell you all a secret about my personal scrapbooking...please don't let my family know about this (I think I may have mentioned this to a few people so far...) I have scrapbooks filled with great papers and embellishments, and i never contaminate them with family photos , or vacation photos, etc...nope, I want to be able to open my books and look at the papers and embellishments, and really reminisce..."oh, remember when we got this paper??" or "this embellishment is soooo cool, and I bought the last four that the store had"...seriously great memories!!...and, yes, I will admit, at moments, there are a few tears...but, really, that's what scrapbooking is all about, isn't it?? Leave me a message, answering my questions, and you will be entered to win, by using the random.org number generator, the prize pictured at the top of this entry...it is a set of papers and quotes from QuickQuotes, as well as one of the newest Maya Road mini clear keychains...can you see it in the photo?...it is the owl set. Winner will be announced in next week's newsletter. Talk to me!!!

2009-08-26T14:28:00.003-04:00

Travelling to Arizona...

Well, being 3 weeks post-op from my final foot surgery, and unable to drive (to work!!...of course, that's the only place I go!!)...I decided that going to the Creative Escape in Arizona was the next best thing I could do. So, of course, this trip had to include a visit to the Bazzill Basics Paper headquarters...see the photos above...

So, in honor of my trip and the wonderful people at Bazzill, this week's prize will be a pack of cool Bazzill stuff, as you can also see in the picture...

This cool stuff will be randomly awarded to one of you who sends an answer to my weekly question. You can enter your answer in the "comments" section at the end of this post. Here's the question...

Is there a stamp company or scrapbook company that we currently do not carry but that you would like to see us carry? ( I know, there isn't much more room in the store but I want to be sure I am not missing a crucial company!!)

New-a Weekly Question and Give-away

2009-08-17T17:04:00.002-04:00

Hey all, I am starting a little something new here. Each week I will pose a question to all of you...feel free to answer in the comment section below. I will be randomly choosing a winner from all the responses, to receive a pre-chosen treat for that week. This week the question is: "What sort of classes would you like to see us teach...more of a project, or more of a technique? Do you have stuff you don't know how to use, or want to use in a different way?? (this is all part of the same question, I know, I am cheating a little...) Want to know who won? You will need to subscribe to my weekly newsletter, which goes out on Mondays. The winner will be announced there. To subscribe, go to www.absolutelyeverything.com...go to the new link to the old website...find the "news" page along the top, and subscribe from there (really, it will get easier...I am under construction everywhere??)
If none of that works, e mail me at absolutelyeverything@gmail.com, and I will add you to the newswletter list.

We have just settled with Jenni Bowlin to be here for National Scrapbook day, to teach two classes on that Saturday, May 1, I beleive. And, Nathalie Metevier, from Magenta returns for two classes on October 3rd.

August 3rd Newsletter

2009-08-03T21:29:00.000-04:00

Orlando Adventure

2009-07-29T21:19:00.004-04:00

No one told me that it would be hot in Orlando in the middle of summer...next time I will definitely have to check with the Chamber of Commerce....anyway...lot's happening down here...I had a class the other day with our old friend Marah Johnson, and she has agreed to return to AE for classes over the weekend of November 21-22,...very cool!!

Also, we have another teacher visiting at the beginning of November, Lynette Carroll. You can go to http://www.lynettecarrolldesigns.typepad.com/ to check out Lynette's style. She has quite a following and is one of the featured teachers at the Creative Escape in Arizona at the end of August. Her classes here will be over the weekend of November 7-8. So, save the dates for these two great teachers!!

My favorite booths so far have been Graphic 45, Maya Road, Ranger, of course, Creative Imaginations, Nunn Designs, Little Yellow Bicycle, Basic Grey, Pink Paislee, Webster's Pages, Penny Black, Hambly, ...I could go on but it becoming very clear to me that I am spending waaaaaay too much money...

Here are a few pictures from the trip...will keep posting them for awhile, as I have taken about 650...you're patient, right???

Sizzix new die for a pop-up candle card, Maya Road mittens, and the newest colors in the Ranger Ultra-Thick Embossing Enamel..Christmas red & green...Sweeeeeet!!

Wendy Vecchi's new book will be here shortly. It is filled with the samples you saw in the store when Stampers Anonymous was here, and there are lots of photos and instructions...it is like a class just to look at it...very cool...great job, Wendy!!! The cardinal is a new image from Penny Black...

Stay tuned for updates!

July 27th Newsletter

2009-07-27T22:00:00.000-04:00

2009-07-24T11:19:00.002-04:00

I am off today to cool and quiet Orlando, Florida, for the CHA buying show. I will post updates, as best I can given my camera and computer expertise...(that is me lowering the bar!). I definitely have all the cords, chargers, connectors, etc...the question is, will I know what goes where???

Anyway, Halloween stuff is starting to arrive in the store...we have lots of the newest Martha Stewart punches and paper sets in now.

Also, all past holiday and Halloween stuff is on sale, 40% off...none of the new stuff is included in this sale, but I think that stands to reason...we are making room for the new stuff. But the good news is that the 40% off of the current selection is a great deal, and we have some neat papers and embellishments, especially if you have to make lots of copies and multiples of a project...watch the upcoming newsletter (which can also be viewed here after it comes out, thank you, Jazz! -my computer guru) for a special sale that will begin on Friday, July 31..think day-after-thanksgiving style prices...new stamps for $1, $2, $3...and more!

I will be repeating my Christmas Album-in-a-Day Class sometime in October or November, as well as the holiday shopping organizer...so I will be planning those projects down at the show...I have done some pre-orders, and we have already received a bunch of the newest Prima flowers and papers...more new stuff may even arrive while I am gone...

A Quick Peek at the Stampers Anonymous and Art Gone Wild Set-up at AE

2009-07-17T22:45:00.007-04:00

When a whole bunch of women, all of whom work at a rubber stamp store, day in, day out, start hyperventilating over a display of rubber stamps, it has got to be something special...that is the only way to describe my staff today as they looked into the our classroom ...we have been taken over by pod people, if by pod people you mean Ted & Michelle Cutts, owners of Art Gone Wild and Stampers Anonymous stamp companies.

We have replaced all the tables in the classroom with an entire other store...see photo below....notice how the staff is aleady fighting each other over the stamps...

We have lots of Tim Holtz' and Wendy Vecchi's samples form the Carson Rubber Stamp Show here, all made with the new images..and we have lots of Michelle's samples of her Art Gone Wild cards, waterfall cards, and spinning circle cards, as well as tiny books, and mini-boxes. Pictured below are some samples of the card you can make in tomorrow's class with Michelle, at 2 pm. Cost is $14. As you turn the circle on the left, the massage in the open window changes. As you can see in the right hand photo, there are a ton of samples with each set of stamps...

Here is the rack of the latest Tim Holtz images on wood mounts ...

and all the unmounted sets, which are on cling cushion, ready for your acrylic blocks...

We have many, many samples that were made last week by these two talented artists. The sample on the left is from one of Wendy Vecchi's new releases...man, is she a talented artist...and the photo on the right is a sample done by Tim...again great design..the heart is covered with Glossy Accents, too...Come in and see lots more samples!!!

We are open until 8 pm tonight...tomorrow we are open with this great show from 10-5 pm. Ted will do a class at 1 pm, for an hour, $16, and you get to choose a stamp to keep from a selection he will have for the class, as well as make a few tags, using different techniques. Michelle's spinning circle class, $14 is at 2 pm.

Honestly, I am not really sure I am going to let these guys leave. The classroom has never looked so good!

July 13th Newsletter

2009-07-13T00:05:00.001-04:00

Tim Holtz New Stamps

2009-07-11T13:16:00.003-04:00

Here is a link to see the 13 new stamp sets that have just come out from Tim Holtz. All of these sets will be available here, as well as tons of their other stamps, this coming weekend, when Stampers Anonymous has their trunk show here at the store. Right now, they are showing the stamps for the first time at the Carson, CA convention, so I will probably not hear from Ted until after the weekend. So, I will let you all know the status of any classes that we are holding on Friday, July17, or Saturday, July 18.

Go to Tim's blog to see these very cool sets!!

http://www.timholtz.typepad.com/

Brand New Tim Holtz Stamps are coming here!!

2009-07-09T17:27:00.003-04:00

Next weekend, on Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, we will be hosting the owners of Stampers Anonymous, manufacturers of Tim Holtz' rubber stamp images, along with Wendy Vecchi's and Theresa Collins' stamps. They are Ted & Michelle Cutts, and they also own Art Gone Wild, Darcie's and Inky Antics...you may have seen their booth at a stamp show sometime.
Well, now , they are doing a "private" show right here at AbsolutelyEverything. Ted will set up his booth right in our classroom. He will also be doing tons of demos, as may Michelle. We are trying to schedule a few classes for those days, and if we manage to do so, I will send out an e mail alert.
So, we will have all the new sets for these great artists, as well as all of their older images, in case you missed a few of them.
We will begin the event at noon in the store, as soon as we can get it all set up. The store will open at 10am as usual.
During this event (actually beginning on Tuesday, July 14)and for the rest of the week , we will also have all of our current Ranger products on sale for 20% off...this includes all the inks that Tim uses..and we just received a huge order from Ranger so we are well-stocked in everything!
Please join us and all the fun at this very excellent adventure, the Stampers Anonymous Trunk Show and Festival.

July 6th Newsletter

2009-07-06T00:12:00.001-04:00

The winner is...

2009-07-02T06:17:00.002-04:00

...comment #2, as done by the random organizer website...so thanks to everyone for your class ideas, and congrats to..Tara G...please call us at the store to let us know if we need to mail the dvd or if you will be by to pick it up.

We have some great classes planned for the next few months, and I will definitely work some of these ideas into our schedule. Watch for the next give-away!

What we have been up to lately

2009-06-26T10:38:00.005-04:00

So, last weekend we had Angela Moen, from the Button Farm, http://thebuttonfarm.com/blog/ here to teach three classes. She is a terrific teacher and a great designer. The classes were filled. We will be having Angela back the first weekend in December to teach three Holiday classes.

We have had these very cool magnet boards in the store for a while so I decided to make up a sample. Dimensions are 14 x 20 inches, and it comes with three wood-covered magnets. See the photo below.
I used Claudine Helmuth's Studio Paint as a base, added Ranger Dimensional Pearls, in bright colors. After that dried I then rubbed Vintage Photo Distress ink all over and wiped most of it off. This softened the brightness while keeping the color scheme. Stamping was done in assorted Stazon ink colors. (The metal piece comes out for all this painting.) I added ribbon along the side of the metal backing before I put it back in. We also sell the assorted magnetized pieces that are attached, and I made a few magnets by gluing (Zip Dry) some of Tim Holtz' Ideology keys to small round magnets. I sprayed Grungeboard letters with Maya Road Mists, attached them to spell the store name, and added some Ideology gears and spinner arrows along the right side...again-Zip Dry.
Use your imagination...this can be done in any style. I will, of course, make one up as an Advent calendar, and year-round calendar for my house.

In honor of my actually returning to blogging, I am doing a Give-AWAY!! Leave me a message on the blog about what kind of class you would like to see us offer, and we will choose an entry randomly. The prize is the first Tim Holtz video DVD. We will announce the name of the winner and then you can send us your address and we will mail it to you or you can come in to pick it up. I would really love to hear what techniques or paper companies you would like to work with. I will give you five days to respond. I will make the random drawing at noon on Wednesday, July 1. If you live too far away to attend a class, we will happily accept your entry of a great class idea.

Back from Ranger U

2009-06-07T22:54:00.002-04:00

I'll be on the infamous NJ Turnpike for a lot of the day tomorrow as I head north and home...I had a great time and really did learn a lot from the three great teachers at Ranger U...Tim Holtz, Claudine Helmuth, and Suze Weinberg. Some of the techniques we covered dealt with melt art and the melting pot, Perfect Pearls, Distres inks, Distress Stickles, all the Adirondack products, the new alcohol inks, sticky back canvas and Claudine's new acrylic paint and mediums, paint dabbers, pigment inks ...lots to have fun with...so, I am ready to start planing some great classes and kits. Stay tuned...

We've got Michael deMeng coming into town to teach here this weekend--very exciting...

I will be posting some info about our Woodstock-like event (without the rain or the music) which will take place when Ted Cutts and his travelling road show, Stampers Anonymous Trunk Show & Festival comes to town. I will be speaking with Ted this week to firm up the plans...I do know there will be lots of demos...This event will be happening here over the weekend of July 17-20...

More info to come...

2009-05-26T11:08:00.002-04:00

Updating my blog...first post since feb of this year...new year's resolution was to blog more frequently...next year's resolution will be to actually perform the resolution...but I think I am getting ahead of myself...

so...what's new
I am heading down to NJ to attend Ranger University at the beginning of June. Apparently, the diploma I received on my last visit there is sadly out of date...either that, or the univ. regents have reconsidered my "degree" and have asked for a retake...that is always my worst nightmare...I never handed in that final history paper, and cannot even find the classroom...so, it appears to be coming true...no complaints here, tho...I will be spending time with my ex-fiancee, Tim, and practically blood-brother (blood-sister doesn't sound right) Claudine Hellmuth, as well as updating my hot pot skills with Suze Weinberg. I have seen the class list and I am really looking forward to being inspired by all the other students. This is going to be such a great group that I am already planning the yearbook and class reunions...

You all know what it is like attending a Tim Holtz class...you need to bring nothing!! So, we are being treated the same way...it will be delightful, and upon my return, I will regale you with hysterical stories of staying out drinking and dancing til all hours of the morning, spicy secrets shared among new friends and tales of gambling way more than we will all ever even own collectively...none of the stories will be true...but I will definitely regale you.

In the last few months we have had some great classes. If you are not on my e mail list, I strongly advise you to join. Right now the website is getting a revamping, so I can edit and add content myself. so, for now, to get onto the mailing list, send your e mail address to me at absolutelyeverything@gmail.com, and tell me to add you to the list.

I will be back tomorrow with more updates...wait, I think I may have said that last Feb., also...

Richard Salley Jewelry Classes Here at AE

2009-02-09T09:41:00.002-05:00

The samples have arrived for both of the April 25-26 jewelry classes with nationally known and travelled jewelry artist Richard Salley. We are delighted to have Richard coming to teach here in April, on Saturday, the 25th, and Sunday, the 26th. Each day class runs from 10-4pm.

On Saturday, he will teach us to make our own bezels...this is way cool...class will be $85 for the day, and on Sunday, we will learn enameling on metal...again...way cool!! The enameling on metal class is $90. They are both all-day classes. We will begin taking sign-ups now. I will post supply lists below. Here are the photos that Richard sent me. He comes highly recommended by both fellow artists, and students. Check out the photos!! (but really...come in and see the samples in person!!)

Basic Bezels for Found Objects

One of the challenges in making ‘Found Object’ jewelry is how to properly showcase the object and a bezel is often the best solution for this problem. In this class we will explore a variety of ways to make and use bezels. Whether paper, plastic, wood or metal we will find a way to make a bezel to frame your special object. You can then use the completed piece to create a pendant, or brooch…or combine several pieces into a necklace or bracelet.
Supply List: (Kate's note-I will have all the necessary supplies here for purchase before the class. You may call to reserve your supplies over the phone.)

--A variety of objects that you would like to set in a bezel (see the photos for some ideas)

--Quick-set (5 minute) 2-part epoxy– sold in 1 oz. tubes

--24 or 26 gauge copper or nickel silver sheet approx 6 inches x 6 inches. Choose nickel silver if you prefer the silver look, otherwise choose copper. (I don’t recommend sterling silver because of the expense. Learn with the less expensive materials and graduate to sterling later.)

--Flat and round nose pliers,

--Metal shears or tin snips

--Dividers (like a compass but without a pencil…just two pointed ends)

--Small butane torch for soldering (crème Brule variety will work nicely)

--Soldering pad or firebrick for soldering on

--2 Small plastic containers to hold water for quenching and pickle solution-

--Files, fine sandpaper, sanding block or Scoth-brite type pad for cleaning and polishing

--Small inexpensive brush for applying flux

Instructor will supply the following: Silver solder and flux, Pickle solution, Torches

Here is the info on the Metal Enamaling...along with a few photos.

Torch Fired Enamel on Copper Jewelry

Enameling is one of the oldest methods used for creating colorful designs on metal. In this workshop students will complete jewelry projects by way of fusing powdered glass enamel on copper. Techniques and skills covered in the class will include: surface preparation of metal, types of enamel, basic torch-firing, solders to use with enameling, use of holding agents, sifting enamels, wet inlay, enameling tools and supplies, along with safety considerations. Students should be able to complete a pendant, brooch and earrings similar to the example photos. If time permits, experimentation on additional projects will be encouraged. You will leave the class with new skills for adding color and drama to your own jewelry creations.

Supply list: Kate will try to have these elements for sale at AE.

--Sheet copper ( 22 or 24 gauge) approx. 6 inches x 6 inches minimum. (The enamel, copper wire, leather neck cord and miscellaneous supplies will be provided.)

Tool list:

--Basic jewelry making tools will be needed, including round nose and flat nose pliers, wire cutters (flush cutters recommended)

--Metal shears or tin snips

--Small hammer

-- Jeweler’s saw and #0 or #1 blades

--Bench Pin

--Bench block (bring something for dampening the hammering noise such as a shot bag or towel)

--Hand drill or rotary tool (like Dremel) with 1/16th drill bits and grinding attachments.

Snow Report

2009-02-03T16:26:00.002-05:00

It is now 4:30 pm as I write this and I am sending Barbara home. ....I'm pretty sure I will head out now, too...it is not nice out there...so be careful...we will be back to normal tomorrow.

Weather Update-Wednesday, Jan. 28

2009-01-28T10:20:00.003-05:00

Another snow storm...and while I am away in CA??? All I can say is "Yikes!!" Here's our deal today. Sue is at the store right now and she will keep the store open until noon...but do call ahead just to be sure she is there. 978-887-6397. After that, stay home and make cards, mini books and scrapbook pages!! We will be closing the store at noon today. So, that means no crop tonight...sorry guys. Be safe and make art!! I will be back in the store around 2 pm on Friday, January 30th. See you then.

Valentine Card with Theresa Collins "Tickets" Paper

2009-01-12T17:50:00.002-05:00

Theresa Collins has a great style and her papers make great cards! In the photo you can see a bit of her paper with the tickets on it. If you cut the tickets out using the Fiskars "Postage" edgers they fit the tickets exactly, trim the corners with your scissors, and distress all the tickets a la Tim Holtz (the little birds are a rub-on, using the blank ticket.)

Snow Update for Jan 11-Sunday

2009-01-11T11:20:00.004-05:00

Yes, we are open and yes, the class will be happening. Michelle called me at 10:30 am to say that she was out and about and that the roads were drivable. I am confidant that Barbara D will be there by noon to open the store and Barb M will not be far behind. . If you are not able to drive to your class today, please call the store and Michelle will be sure that your stamping is done and you can put the cards together at home. 978-887-6397. Class will begin at 1 pm as scheduled.

Snow Update-Wednesday, Dec. 31

2008-12-31T09:25:00.005-05:00

Well, here it is snowing again...so it looks like we will have to postpone the last of the Tim's Tag classes that was scheduled for today, Dec.31 at noon....we will be rescheduling for a Sunday in Jan or Feb, as soon as we can fit it in.

Also, there is a staff person, Sue, at the store now...and Barbara will arrive shortly...both live nearby and they will stay as long as it seems safe to, so you can call the store today to check on what their plans are (978-887-6397)...the sale is continuing today, Friday, and Saturday. Everything in the store is 25% off, and certain areas, including christmas, are 40% off. This is a great sale!!

In terms of more snow in the next few days, watch this space.

We are closed Sunday, Jan 4, for inventory...speaking of inventory, we are looking for some help on Sunday, Jan 4, beginning at 9 am...I will give store credit per hour into your store account, which you may use to purchase items at a 20% discount...we will be counting items that are in the store...no computer work necessary...but we do require that you can count...I will serve you a great meal for lunch...I am hoping to get about 30 people in total to help...if you can do this, I would be delighted...the way to sign up is to e mail me (absolutelyeverything@gmail.com) and I will let you know if we can use you or if we are too full...I am trying to get inv. over with quickly, so would love the help...if we get enough volunteers, it may only take a few hours...maybe til after lunch sometime......and if I already have you on the list, you do not need to respond. Don't call the store...just e mail me. thanks...we will make it fun, I promise!!

DeNami Class Report

2008-11-11T12:17:00.002-05:00

I have received fantastic reviews from all those who took the DeNami classes...but I would love to have everyone be able to read about the classes themselves...so, to all you who took those classes, please put a comment here about how you enjoyed the classes...and I will randomly select someone to win 3 jars of DeNami glitter--your choice of the colors we have here.

Also, we have the Tim Holtz new stamps in stock...but they are going fast..see my newsletter from Nov. 12 for photos and ordering info. You can find the newsletter on our website, www.absolutelyeverything.com, just go to the "news" page and read current newsletter.

AE First Random Drawing Stickles Winner!!

2008-11-03T11:47:00.005-05:00

and the winner is...

" angelabranon (who) said...
Does it count if I once went on a bus trip?"
Apparently, Angela , it does..we will mail these to you or hold them in the store...let us know what you prefer.

Meanwhile, I have some good ideas to share with
the rest of you. I'm sure many of you have seen
the die-cut lace look papers, from a bunch of
different companies. Here is a photo of one of them.
I am refering to the blue piece in the photo.

So, from Ali Edwards, (thanks, Ali!) I learned the following technique. Spray the back of this lacy paper with glue spray (Vellum spray works great here) and place it in top of the cover of your album, or piece of cardstock. Paint the whole thing one color, and you will have a mono-chromatic look with embossing...I added some Stazon Black Cherry to my original Ranger Dimensional Pearls, so I could have a mottled look.. Below is a photo of the cover of my latest Christmas album.

Also, we did this in the store-- on a white piece of paper, we added a white die-cut sheet that was glittered...and then we used our new 3-d snowman die cut...very cool...pics tomorrow of that.

Below are some photos from the book. The left hand photo shows a piece of printed clear acetate, covering a page with the poinsettia stickers. On top of the acetate, I placed the green bling over where the centers of the flower is, and when you turn the
page, the centers move with the page, ( it is a good idea to match the exact bling on the reverse side of the acetate so you don't see the unfinished backs of either)but when it is lying on top of the page, the bling creates flower centers.

Another page shows the American Crafts "Thickers" (chipboard stickers) covered in Platinum Stickles, also from Ranger...a technique introduced to us from Mr. Tim Holtz himself. This creates a great vintage look.

Finally, one more idea...actually, one of my very own!!...using the faux postage sheets we have here, distress the edges, layer on top of each other a bit and put a Christmas postmark over it....we did this on the "letter to Santa" page.

Deadline for the Stickles Drawing

2008-11-01T13:38:00.002-04:00

I will give you guys until Monday morning, November 3, at 10 am for posts to the blog about the bus trip. Any post will count. I will announce the winner shortly after 10am, here on the blog. I will do a random picking , by number, and that person will win. If you are, by some odd chance, not the winner, there will be many more chances for different prizes...and , yes, Stickles will appear again sometime.

The Holiday Express Bus Trip Was Fab!!

2008-10-28T12:54:00.003-04:00

Thank you to all of you who participated in this cool event...and thanks to the other stores, Colorful Creations, Stamp Act, and Scrapbook Cupboard...great shopping, great food..and great customers. Hats off to all the "bus mothers," Melissa, Denise, and our very own Barbara and Gloria...

We will definitely do this again, but for right now...I need a bit of a rest after that day!

Would anyone like to win the three new Stickles below?...just put a comment on the blog about the bus trip, and you will be automatically entered...we will do a randram drawing from all the entries...and I will post the entry and ask for your address.

Some examples of our Artful Cafe...

2008-10-17T17:14:00.003-04:00

This past week, Claudia created what could either be an apple or a pumpkin by altering a paperback book. Basically cut along the spine to make the book about half size...i.e. you are removing half the pages...go through the book adding color to the edges on both sides of the pages...glue the front and back sheets together, clamp and leave til dry...when dry-open the book up and spread the pages around in a circle...I found this on the internet, wish I could remember where so I could give credit. Oh, and don't forget to add a twig with a leaf for a stem.

Another class we did recently was this great Fall leaf in UTEE hanging ornament. Basically, take chipboard, color it with pigment inks, add Utee-one layer, and while it is still hot, set the leaf, or leaves, into it so they stick. Proceed to add 3-4 more layers of Utee--it sticks to the previous layer if it is still hot...if you get a phone call and have to answer it..add more emb. ink, and another layer of the UTEE...I like to sprinkle a bit of fine glitter in the top layer. I also reheat one area where Iwant to stamp (put emb ink on the stamp first as a release agent.) Stamp and let the stamp sit in the UTEE while it cools...about 15 sec. Then take any color, (I used white in one image and brown in the other) of Ranger acrylic paint dabber , smear it all over so it works into the impressions, and wipe the top off with a wet paper towel...now you will see the ink only in the word (or image) that you stamped.

Calendar Problems

2008-10-17T17:12:00.002-04:00

Sorry to say...the calendar link is misbehaving a bit for the November & December pages...those classes that look very out-of-place probably are...be aware.

Tim Holtz Make-and-Take

2008-10-17T15:33:00.003-04:00

Here is a photo of one of the very cool projects that Tim had us make at the "Holtz Holiday Festival. " It is a hanger that holds two pieces together. The top layer is one of the largest Fragment pieces, which is 4x4.( You could easily substitue the heavy acetate sheets, which will cut on your 12 inch trimmer.)

Behind it, but not glued to it is a piece of chipboard, or Grungeboard that has been collaged with holiday images. The Heidi Swapp alphabet is placed on top of the acrylic piece. Just add ribbon on top. Because it is not glued, you can change out the photos at your will.

We have the hangers in stock, $2.50 apiece. We have great holiday collage papers, and the Heidi swapp letters are due in soon.