Yummy Crafting at Cool2Craft!

Check out the new linky party at Cool2Craft!  Lots of yummy creativeness -  I shared my giant diaper cupcake project link - share your project too!  :0)

Paper Casting and Action Wobble Springs

When I complete a product review for When Creativity Knocks, I like to share an example of a project made with that product - for this week's issue my Cindi's Simple Solutions project is an easy
paper casting with rubber stamps technique - featuring an Action Wobble Spring
http://whencreativityknocks.com/mycraftspace/m/articles/view/Paper-Casting-with-Rubber-Stamps

In this week's Product Review I review Action Wobble Springs - http://whencreativityknocks.com/mycraftspace/m/articles/view/Action-Wobble-Springs-2012-02-21

Have some wiggly wobbly fun with your crafting!  

St. Patrick's Day Crafting - with Furry Help

Crafting in my world can be a challenge.  I have a wonderful studio upstairs where I can close the door and keep my furry helpers out - but when I'm working with one of my favorite mediums - Rit Dye - I have to work downstairs in the kitchen so I have access to the sink.   That means HELP.   Ike thought my dyed background paper would be a great place to hop up and take a rest.  Good thing it was almost dry or there may have been little green "leprechaun" (aka kitty paw) prints all over my house ;0).   The completed project will be shared soon on the Rit Dye website.      

Crafting for St. Patrick's Day and I Found Pinterest

Valentine's Day is barely gone but it's time to kick into high gear for crafting for spring holidays.  The next one on my list is St. Patrick's Day!   Last March I discovered some new ways to work with Rit Liquid Dye to create backgrounds and to rubber stamp, which were shared on the Rit Dye website and here on my blog.

I've been dabbling with my Rit again this year and will have a new St. Patrick's Day creation to share here soon!  

I hereby admit that I'm one of the latest people addicted to Pinterest!   I never imagined so much creative inspiration all gathered together and shared by friends in one place - WOW.....  there are tons of ideas here for crafting and cooking for St. Patrick's Day so if you'd like to get your green into high gear - check it out and you are sure to find something perfect to try!   Feel free to follow my boards and I'd love to follow you back - I think it's so inspiring to see what catches each individual's eye!

Behind These Eyes - Valentine Pillow

The premiere episode of my new show - Behind These Eyes with Cindi Bisson is now live!   Shot on site at CHA - I'm sharing an idea for repurposing, up cycling, and Plaid's Fabric Mod Podge - plus a sentimental way to remember someone you've lost -

View it here:

http://whencreativityknocks.com/mycraftspace/m/videos/view/Behind-These-Eyes-Valentine-Pillow

More Things that Caught My Eye at CHA Winter 2012

A wall of boldly colored
metallic florals

FloraCraft's message
 made me smile

Although my time exploring the showroom floor was limited due to demonstrations in booths, teaching classes, and taping with WCK - I did spot what I would say were a few trends to share.    Bold, bright colors seem to be back.   The vintage tones and grunge/steampunk themes are still popular, but I noticed pops of vibrancy in almost every isle of the showroom floor.  

A fun set of working faux
doors made from canvas - and there's
that bold color splash front and center again

"Holy Giant Purple Die-Cut Flowers Batman!"
Now THAT's a bold archway

Rose Meyer's hanging display had bold
colors, metallic shimmer, and an interesting
combination of elements -
 unique and eye-catching


Antiquity Mosaics had a pop of color
nestled amongst their earthy offerings.

Beach Bloomers Banners - a fun frilly booth definitely
different than most of the booths!

Banners are also in - punches, die cuts, patterned papers, home decor projects - banners are big this seasonBanners are also in - punches, die cuts, patterned papers, home decor projects - banners are big this season

Mixed-media dresses are still showing up all over the showroom floor - paper dresses, flower dresses, duck tape dresses and a tux, wire dresses, dresses made from sparkling crystals, fashion made from unexpected items is still a trend when it comes to eye-catching displays. 

DCWV won first prize for Displaying with Excellence -
 their booth featured multiple versions of amazing trees and
 birds crafted from colorful shimmering materials - all were gorgeous!

Birds are still in the forefront too - but I noticed more of them being displayed in bolder brighter hues - and peacocks were definitely popping up in patterned papers, displays, fabric, embellishments and more.

Bold colors, dimensional elements,
and a peacock feather

In Saturday's post, I shared my observation that the Eiffel Tower seems to be popping up EVERYWHERE - check out some examples here: http://www.fatcatcreations.blogspot.com/2012/02/travel-as-trend-winter-cha-observation.html

Overall, I thought the booth displays showed even more variety and imaginative ideas than I’ve seen at past shows.   For additional glimpses from the CHA show follow the Designer Craft Blog Connection link to the right - and visit Julie McGuffee's blog at www.juliemcguffee.blogspot.com to find out about this month's great prize giveaway.

Travel as a Trend - A Winter CHA Observation

Viva la Trend!   Travel continues to be a popular theme in crafting this year and I spotted a definite invasion of Eiffel Towers at CHA this week - They were EVERYWHERE.  In displays, on rubber stamps, scrapbook papers, jewelry, and embellishments.  On cards, canvas, layouts, metal charms, and three dimensional art.  Every corner I turned, I spied an Eiffel Tower.   Little did I know when I planned my Designer Showcase display, and my Press Kits for this show, that travel would be popping up so frequently - I was on trend quite by accident!   I have lots more trend observations and photos from the Winter CHA show to share - so stay tuned!

Here’s a peak at a few of them to get your creative muse into the travel themed mood - 

This wire Eiffel Tower even had Eiffel Tower displayed upon it

Hero Arts had Eiffel Towers in abundance 

Feltables embellishments were a part of the trend at The Trend's booth!

Rubber Stamp Concepts was hosting a fun make & take project featuring their EcoArt Board, and yes - an Eiffel Tower stamp! 

        Graphic 45 offered a bold and colorful tropical travel assortment, as well as a great Kraftables assortment complete with - yes, paper with an Eiffel Tower on it

More Eiffel Tower card examples and a Dublin layout that caught my eye

  

Little Yellow Bicycle had a colorful travel themed collection - complete with Eiffel Tower sticker, and yes, a metal tower on display with a vintage suitcase and camera in their display~ 

Lindy's Stamp Gang had their Tower standing proud 

Diamond Tech Crafts Antiquity Mosaics 3rd place winning Press Kit at this year's show even was on the travel theme - these absolutely adorable explorer hats came complete with a map to find the location of the manufacturer's treasure.

My press kit had hand-made mini suitcases attached with my business card inside

Take the time to click on the Designer Craft Blog Connection link to the right on my screen to see what the other talented designer members of this group have to share today!  And visit Julie McGuffee's blog at www.juliemcguffee.blogspot.com to find out how to be eligible for this month's awesome prize drawing! 

Globecraft Memories - CHA Class and More

I taught a class to over 75 attendees last Tuesday at CHA on behalf of the IMP group - Here's a peak at the project.  We combined product from 8 manufacturers - Makin's Clay, ScraPerfect, Westcott, The Robin's Nest, Rubber Stamp Concepts, JustRite Stampers, Globecraft Memories, and Clearsnap.    The class was super busy but everyone seemed to have a great time!

 

I also made 3 more samples with Globecraft Memories frames to display at the class - this one featured gold leafing from Rubber Stamp Concepts, ScraPerfect Best Glue Ever,  and Flower Soft on the top layer.

This one is hinged to open to include a special gift.  Plaid Fabric Mod Podge was used to adhere pastel gingham fabric.

Mexican style abounds in this sample - real cobalt tile is grouted to the background using my recipe for faux grout using Elmer's Craft Bond, white paint and sand (find the instructions here).

A few more shots from California

I've got tons to share - but here's a peak at a few more shots from California -

Preparing for the big IMP group class on Tuesday morning - with fellow designers Becky Conley and Deborah Mahnken - the class was full with over 75 participants and was a huge success!

I was proud to have my donated ornaments on display in the Giving Trees at the Community Park at CHA - My ornaments benefited Operation Write Home and Warm Up America.

On the curb waiting for the car to get to Anaheim - this is HALF the load for the IMP class - Westcott is an amazing generous manufacturer!

Getting this load onto the cart, through the hotel, up to the room and unloaded was a workout!  Good thing I attend Boot Camp regularly (and no - the hotel staff didn't offer to help!)