It's that time of year again - the 3rd Saturday of every September is Troy Fire Departments annual Clambake. So I try to every year - to create some things that can go into the Chinese Auction. This year I did glass etching. Due to technology and software, my ability to use it to my advantage and patience I think I got some great glass etching for the auction.

I used my cricut to cut these images into to vinyl. Because fire department related items are not on a normal 'cartridge' I used a program called Inkscape and SureCutsALot to cut these images.

I found a wolf and maltese cross made of flames so I etched that into the plate below:


Peeling the negative out of this image was time consuming but the outcome of the final product was great!!

Then I used the SCAL software again to cut the works EMS and Firefighter - I etched these onto the ornaments below. It is hard to see in the photo and it is suttle in real life as well. I took Pledge Future Shine floor wax pour it into the bulbs and then added fine glitter. I may add ribbon to these...we will see.

I found this maltese cross online and cut it with the SCAL program. The detail work was almost too big for these votive holders but had I cut them any smaller it would not have worked for these.

Lastly, I made some domino key chains. After sanding the smooth side of the domino and drilling holes I used alcohol based inks to lay color on the domino. Once dry I stamped random flames using StazOn black ink. Again once it was dry I covered it with a clear shiny glaze. Then I added the wire and keychain attachements.

I may have a few more keychains done before this weekend. I am glad I was able to get this stuff together for the FD. I hope that it helps with raising money!!

Happy Waiting

A friend of mine found out she was pregnant over the weekend - with a situation similar to mine she was told she wasn't but knew something wasn't right. I am glad now she knows :)

I love when I know the stamp I want and find the right piece of paper. Once that was decided (which only took seconds) the rest of the card fell into place. This is the card that I made her; I was very happy with the turn out.

I really like how I was able to paper piece the dress and purse together on this card. To give it some demention I did use my markers to shade the dress and purse along with the rest of the outfit.

I finally got my Nestibilities to work in the cuttlebug and I see myself using that A LOT!! It adds such a nice finishing touch. I am so happy to be back in studio - no more dust on my stamps!

Images: TAC How Swell, Words: SU Swell News Cardstock/Paper: barely banana, mellow moss, white, printed paper given to me in a Wish RAK Ink: Palette Noir, Charcoal Markers: Prismacolor Cinnamon toast and Green Tea Tria Pantone blender, Gray 1 489T and 475T Accessories: organza ribbon, pop dots, cuttlebug dot embossing folder, Nestibilities Rectangles, Martha Stewart lace punch, Prima Flower, Seed bead, Clearstar Jellyroll pen Techinques: layers, paper piecing, coloring

I have found my creativity!!
I am excitied about that. Madelyn and I re-organized the studio so that we can work in there. There is one more table I want to clear and re-organize so that Madelyn can have a place to work. She will be excited once I tell her that space is for her (then that gives me my area back too :) )
I have played with my Christmas stamps, polymer clay, sewing, flowersoft and I will post pictures soon. I have been slowly buying somethings that I would like to try and I can not wait to DIG in!!
Last night I played with decorating dominos - I know that is something thats old but its new to me so I can not wait to see the final project. I want to make some polymer clay embellishements since I have pulled the clay back out. I am also working on some simple clean christmas cards - this should be a great way for me to mass produce. The hardest part for me is to create a simple card. I also am finishing up some birthday cards that I started this summer - I made a bid stack of them because my girls go through so many!!
Recently I have bought some twinkling H20s, embossing folders, flowersoft, nestibilities and got some great deal at a local scrapbooking store - it was stuff a bag for $25 - that included stamps, embellishements, stickers, paints, fibers, papers etc.

More to come real soon!!