Artful Tourist

My Football Yarn

2012-01-27T12:42:00.001-05:00

Project II-Prayer Shawl

Never thought about it much until recently, but it turns out I crave a yarn project every year during football play-off season. Last year I got out my crochet needle and some super soft baby yarn with the idea of making blankets for the two baby grands we were expecting in fall 2011.
In my mind, there were two things that I could crochet really well—baby blankets and hanging dish towels. Apparently crocheting is not like riding a bike. I could not get the stitch tension consistent and I had trouble working with the cool pastel yarn I purchased.

I stared at the crochet basket with the 6 rows of uneven stitches for the next 8 months. I finally convinced myself a month before the births that babies today couldn’t use crochet blankets anyway because little fingers and toes would get caught in the open areas. Whew…

Near the start of play-off season this year I decided I needed another yarn project. My church participates in the prayer shawl ministry http://www.shawlministry.com/ and that’s a great project for a Florida person to do with yarn.

Considering my crochet disasters, it was time to take an Uncharted Destination Tour.

Green Loom is 18" long

Enter the Knifty Knitter™ by Provo Craft. This tool takes me back to my Girl Scout days (Can’t think Girl Scouts without Tagalong cookies which can be mailed to my home address thanks). One of my Girl Scout Projects was to make a knitting loom and use it to create a project.

When you read on a package that this item is great for kids and teens—it’s a very good sign. I had only seen the round looms in recent years which make great hats. Knitted hats in Florida can only be used twice a year and one of those times is when you take a trip north. The long straight looms, however, are perfect for shawls and scarves. Even Floridians wear cool scarves from those fancy yarns.

Greetings from Knitter Land....

I purchased a set of long looms in December and asked for a pattern book for Christmas. (Thanks Dave). Before I invested in the yarn to make a shawl I used some of the baby yarn to make a scarf as a test project. Not only did the scarf turn out well—the knitting loom is a fun easy lap project.

The postcard from this Uncharted Destination Tour reads:

Having a great time with long loom knitting! I’ll bring you a souvenir when I return.

Hugs- Norma Anne

After the shawl I'm going to experiment with "plarn" which
is yarn made from plastic grocery bags. I'm thinking outdoor placemats.

"New" Video Up -- 5 EZ techniques for Altered Book Art Journals

2012-01-25T11:55:00.000-05:00

As previously mentioned, I am not going to miss time in my studio to put my studio projects online. Making movies and taking great photos is a wonderful art form but it is not the one I choose first. Consequently, I end up finding videos I made months ago and realizing I never posted them. Here's one on art journal techniques from last spring.

2012 Art and other Journals Update

I used my altered book art journal every day last year with the exception of about 6 days. I am so happy about that and I really FEEL so good when I create in my journal every day. I used a new book every quarter and still have to do a review of Journal 4 from 2011 for posting.

Oddly enough, although I prepped an altered book for 2012, I decided to step away from the altered books and use a blank page journal. I thought I'd try it for a quarter and now I'm not sure if I can even last a month with it. I still experience that blank page anxiety and I tend to use the journal in my study not my studio so the entries are not as fun to view.

I created a total of 3 scrapbook pages in 2011 and I thought perhaps the art journaling alleviated my desire for scrapping. The experiment in a "plain" book was a test to see if I would scrapbook more without an art journal. So far, I have made 3 scrapbook pages in January 2012...but the verdict is still out. I will find some balance between the two creative outlets very soon.

Here are a few photos of the "plain page" book I'm using this month. It is a journal I bought years ago in Fort Lauderdale and liked so much I didn't want to use it. All journal keepers have had that experience at one time or another, right?

This one has a cool feature call a Zen board in the back. You wet a brush with water and paint on the board. Within 5 minutes the painting disappears and you can do another one. That part is quite fascinating, but may not be enough for my every day use.

Cover of first journal for 2012 before alterations

Painting before a written entry

Same painting as it fades

I decorated the front with my "one little word" OTL and call to action.

A Bright and Shiny New Year

2012-01-20T12:28:00.001-05:00

The birds blend two shades of glitter and the
wings and heart are in different colors

New Year’s comes around more than once a year for me—I like fresh starts in January, in August for the school year, and again in October for my birthday. The January new year is my sparkling one.

As a Christmas gift to myself I got a set of 24 amazing fine glitters from Martha Stewart. These glitters had been in my radar for over six months. Of course I had a couple dozen glitters already in my inventory, but there were only three of the very fine variety. (Go ahead, you can smirk now).

The glitters

I set up the glitters in my studio and just looked at them for almost two weeks. I am mesmerized by sparkling things. I did some Internet research on projects and found awesome wall art that I want to do for my upcoming home purchase. The project was designed by Kari Tarr for a contest Martha hosted on the show. The video tutorial is way cool for this.

I have some fun ideas for glitter cards that play on this idea from the wall art, but for some reason I couldn’t even start with that…I broke open the package for Valentine cards. Two techniques are featured for these cards:

1. Covering an entire punched paper piece with glitter after running it through Xyron™ adhesive. (see birds above)

Stamped Image highlighted with glue pen and then glitter.

2. Use a glue pen to outline spots on a stamp image and filling them in with glue. (see heart on right)

Not exactly extravagant starting points, but I did enough to get glitter on my face. Tips from my in-studio session with fine glitters:

1. Use coffee filters to catch excess glitter and return to bottles. My non-stick craft sheets would have worked if they were clean—but seriously, they haven’t been clean in years. Same goes for my cute pink tidy tray for glitter.

2. Mix the colors on a punched object for depth and dimension.

3. Layer pieces of different colors on top of each other.

Design Notes--Valentine Flash Cards

Here's the full view of the cards shown in detail. I used K & Co. double sided print papers (on sale of course) to create these and the others shown below.

The first four cards done with double sided print paper and fine glitters.

A second set of cards with glitter and shiny hearts made from reclaimed note cards--more on that later.

Hat tipped to Michael’s Arts and Crafts for their great marketing over the holiday. They ran daily specials on one item and sent them out by email and phone alerts. The glitters were a one day only special that got me into the store and the phone alerts allow the cashier to scan a bar code on your phone and zip away with your purchase.

Resolved to Affirm

2012-01-09T23:26:00.000-05:00

Instead of resolutions, I practice affirmations. If you have never done affirmations you can run an online search that will produce mountains of information. One of the most comprehensive places I found online is Vital Affirmations at http://www.vitalaffirmations.com/affirmations.htm
--I have no affiliation with this site other than reading it and appreciating their style.

The book, The Secret by Rhonda Byrne inspires me a great deal as well. The web site is http://thesecret.tv/ which has a short but scenic video. If you have Netflix or other online video resource the entire book has been made into a great video too. The Secret is just the last in a long line of positive and motivational readings that I’ve done since the eighties. If this one doesn’t work for you there are loads of others.

Heartfelt Art (and other) Destinations that are calling to me in 2012:

As it is written

--Continuing with journaling my morning pages each and every day. There will be art in my journals and more fun with altered book journals, but the words will take precedent this year.

--Speaking of words, I set my “one little word” for the year as TRUST. (The one little word concept was developed and is taught by the amazing ALI at http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/onelittleword.php ) My word last year was wholly and I loved keeping this word alive in my life. My wonderful church, First Christian Disciples of Christ in West Palm Beach has a tradition of giving out words for the year on a star too. My star word is ACTION so I’m all set to put TRUST in ACTION or ACT on TRUST throughout the year. It seems like my “one little word” just grew to two little words. Nice.

Two Baby Grands in one week 2011

--Following some nudging from the fabulous Kandee Johnson, I am thinking this year about the last time I did something for the first time. Since I’m officially over 50 I decided to amend that to allow for first time in a long, long time too. (Long time defined by over 20 years). Whether it’s a recipe, a lifestyle change, or a new art technique—I’m doing something new multiple times per month in 2012. Join me in tracking “first time doings” on my blog and web site.

--Community activists are often thought of as people who stage protests or collect signatures requesting change. I choose to broaden the term to include community outreach as part of community activism. I am reaching out to those I know and those I’ve never met through traditional and non-traditional methods. I don’t have to leave a mark on the world to touch it.

The family famous Burnett "plain cake"
not pound cake. Grandma's recipe says "plain
cake." Simplicity in abundance.

--I trust that I will have everything I need when I need it. I surround myself with the beautiful and the useful. From my artwork to my home to my work to my relationships—I focus on the simple and the meaningful.

I focus on the simple and the meaningful

Holiday Review 2011:

My Christmas celebrations were awesome this year as I approached the holiday with the spirit of Advent leading my heart and decisions. For the first time in my memory I gave most people on my list one gift.

Hand drawn Santa I used for gift
ties and ornaments 2011.

We made time to visit with family and friends, we went to church, we volunteered in our community. This heartfelt approach has led me to renew my commitment to the heartfelt art process and the power of creativity as a gift from the Great Creator.

Wishing you peace, prosperity, and loads of sparkle in 2012.

Art Journal Every Day wrapping up for 2011

2011-12-22T19:19:00.001-05:00

Snowman Doodle Dollies November 2011

I am loving my art journal every day commitment for 2011. I can count on one hand the number of days that I have missed--it's so cool.

Angela Doodle Doll 11.2011y

There's been a new book every quarter and my latest one is a hardcover art text book. I'm still enjoying my doodle dollies throughout the journals. Videos should be available in the new year.

Holiday Sharing

2011-12-16T17:55:00.001-05:00

Purple Fairy Flash card 12.6.11

My delightful friend from Palm Beach Gardens by way of Russia, Natasha, shared a fun link with me today. Amarilys' Scrappy Corner has a tutorial up on nine Christmas cards using one page of print paper as the base. Full link: http://amadrian8.blogspot.com/2011/12/tuesdayday-6-12-days-of-christmas-awdml.html Sound familiar? Yes, it's another take on the marvelous flash cards I love to promote.

I have never seen a set done in Christmas patterns before and hers just charming. You can see my directory of different flash card designs here: http://www.nachattin.com/Flashmain.html My version of the one sheet technique is called Die Cut Strippers and the spring set is available here: http://www.nachattin.com/articlediecutstrippers.html

It's never too late to make flash cards to send out yourself or as a gift set for someone else. Try some vivid jewel tones that would be a great set of winter cards to give as a gift.

My most recent flash card session was on 12.6.11 when I combined DCV pre-printed note cards with some stickers that were easily accessible in my stash. I suddenly realized that I did not have enough "general" cards to last through the December birthdays and thank you notes. Enjoy!

Recycled image flash card 12.6.11

Sunshine flash card 12.6.11

Vase full of Hearts

2011-12-11T22:16:00.000-05:00

Card Notes:
This Penny Black stamp isn't the type of stamp I usually feel drawn to when shopping. I liked the the block style and I have really enjoyed working with it. I use EK Success watercolor markers The original card front was trimmed and matted on a double sided print card stock base.

Posting Notes:
November and December are rich with holiday joy. This year I'm relishing the season with fewer gifts, more meaningful gifts, and more time with my spirit and my loved ones. My blog posts through the end of the year will be a series of cards I've been working on called "Recycled Flash Cards." I've done a video but the editing isn't done and I'm not worried about that right now.

The cards in this series were made June 2011-November 2011 and feature designs created by recycling other greeting cards. Some are done from "store bought" cards, some from handmade cards sent to me by others, and some from cards I made and sent to people who didn't want to throw them away but didn't have space to keep them either. (Thanks Mom)

Celebrating a Beautiful Pear

2011-12-06T22:02:00.000-05:00

Card Notes:

I own at least four pear stamp images--this, however, is not one of the ones I own. It was created at a Stamping Up party hosted by my friend Kim Byrne around 2003. It's stamped in a dark green ink and lightly colored with chalks. Very simple and fast to create without looking too 'standardized." I just can't help myself with the pears--they often turn into anniversary cards with happy wishes to a beautiful pair.

Posting Notes:

November and December are rich with holiday joy. This year I'm relishing the season with fewer gifts, more meaningful gifts, and more time with my spirit and my loved ones. My blog posts through the end of the year will be a series of cards I've been working on called "Recycled Flash Cards." I've done a video but the editing isn't done and I'm not worried about that right now.

The cards in this series were made June 2011-November 2011 and feature designs created by recycling other greeting cards. Some are done from "store bought" cards, some from handmade cards sent to me by others, and some from cards I made and sent to people who didn't want to throw them away but didn't have space to keep them either. (Thanks Mom)

Dragonfly Blessings

2011-11-30T21:54:00.000-05:00

Card Notes:
The tag and vellum dragonfly were from a Father's Day card I made for my Dad in 2004. I pulled them off the original card stock, matted on brown and then matted that on a green card stock base. The word Blessings was from a different card I took apart during another session.

Posting Notes:
November and December are rich with holiday joy. This year I'm relishing the season with fewer gifts, more meaningful gifts, and more time with my spirit and my loved ones. My blog posts through the end of the year will be a series of cards I've been working on called "Recycled Flash Cards." I've done a video but the editing isn't done and I'm not worried about that right now.

The cards in this series were made June 2011-November 2011 and feature designs created by recycling other greeting cards. Some are done from "store bought" cards, some from handmade cards sent to me by others, and some from cards I made and sent to people who didn't want to throw them away but didn't have space to keep them either. (Thanks Mom)

A mother's Love

2011-11-25T21:44:00.000-05:00

Card Notes:

Somewhere in the late 90's I purchased books of stickers depicting fine art paintings. This Picasso makes me think of that Paul Simon song, "Mother and child reunion is only a motion away..." the original card front was matted on a blue card base. I like this revised version better than the original.

Posting Notes:
November and December are rich with holiday joy. This year I'm relishing the season with fewer gifts, more meaningful gifts, and more time with my spirit and my loved ones. My blog posts through the end of the year will be a series of cards I've been working on called "Recycled Flash Cards." I've done a video but the editing isn't done and I'm not worried about that right now.

The cards in this series were made June 2011-November 2011 and feature designs created by recycling other greeting cards. Some are done from "store bought" cards, some from handmade cards sent to me by others, and some from cards I made and sent to people who didn't want to throw them away but didn't have space to keep them either. (Thanks Mom)

A Queen of Hearts

2011-11-20T21:30:00.002-05:00

Card Notes:
This design with the heart and the queen is a favorite of mine. I've done it in several color combinations. The heart was colored with markers and sprayed with water to blend. This particular image was originally a card for my Mom in 2005. I liked it so much I just cut around the whole piece and matted it on a larger card.

Posting Notes:

November and December are rich with holiday joy. This year I'm relishing the season with fewer gifts, more meaningful gifts, and more time with my spirit and my loved ones. My blog posts through the end of the year will be a series of cards I've been working on called "Recycled Flash Cards." I've done a video but the editing isn't done and I'm not worried about that right now.

The cards in this series were made June 2011-November 2011 and feature designs created by recycling other greeting cards. Some are done from "store bought" cards, some from handmade cards sent to me by others, and some from cards I made and sent to people who didn't want to throw them away but didn't have space to keep them either. (Thanks Mom)

Tin Can Dolly

2011-11-16T21:42:00.000-05:00

Card Notes:
Empty soda cans don't have to go straight to the bin. I cut this Pepsi can with my Spellbinders' Wizard and their art doll die. The doll was cut somewhere around 2004 and the card was finally assembled summer 2010. Somethings never go stale for me...
Posting Notes:

November and December are rich with holiday joy. This year I'm relishing the season with fewer gifts, more meaningful gifts, and more time with my spirit and my loved ones. My blog posts through the end of the year will be a series of cards I've been working on called "Recycled Flash Cards." I've done a video but the editing isn't done and I'm not worried about that right now.

The cards in this series were made June 2011-November 2011 and feature designs created by recycling other greeting cards. Some are done from "store bought" cards, some from handmade cards sent to me by others, and some from cards I made and sent to people who didn't want to throw them away but didn't have space to keep them either. (Thanks Mom)

Recycled Flash Cards--a closer look 1

2011-11-11T18:00:00.001-05:00

Birthday for my GRAND-niece

Card Notes:
My friend Laurie sent me the original card with the dog in glasses for my birthday 2010. The papers are from a pack of double sided designs I got on sale at a local craft store. The card was sized to fit into an envelope that came from a yard sale. Ta-Da!

Posting Notes:
November and December are rich with holiday joy. This year I'm relishing the season with fewer gifts, more meaningful gifts, and more time with my spirit and my loved ones. My blog posts through the end of the year will be a series of cards I've been working on called "Recycled Flash Cards." I've done a video but the editing isn't done and I'm not worried about that right now.

The cards in this series were made June 2011-November 2011 and feature designs created by recycling other greeting cards. Some are done from "store bought" cards, some from handmade cards sent to me by others, and some from cards I made and sent to people who didn't want to throw them away but didn't have space to keep them either. (Thanks Mom)

Mamograms Matter

2011-11-05T08:56:00.002-04:00

Art as an expression of hope and a reminder to my loved ones:

Just because breast cancer awareness month is over doesn't mean we can forget about taking care of ourselves and our loved ones.
Please do your self exams and get your mammograms. Here's a web site that will help you find free mammograms in the United States. http://www.liv.com/free_mammograms.php

We all know someone touched by breast cancer--if you didn't before--now you do. I've had over 10 mammograms in the last 4 years, 3 aspiration biopsies and 1 very recent stereoscopic biopsy. It's all good so far, but these small steps make a huge difference in my health and my peace of mind.

Being kind to yourself makes you strong.

21 days with a ciggarette

2011-11-03T09:53:00.001-04:00

Bon Voyage to a tee shirt (and cigs) from my art journal.

I said a not-so fond farewell to my cigarettes 21 days ago today. This rocks.

I made my commitment to quit by using a nicotine delivery device known as the E-cigarette.

Here are the things I love about my new life without "analog" cigarettes and my ongoing adventures with electronic cigarettes. (In no particular order)

I love saying "I don't smoke."
The smell--the tell-tale, nasty, smell---is gone.
I don't waste cigarettes putting them out before they are finished.
No more ash tray maintenance and butt disposal issues.
I have already lost my smokers cough and throat clearing.
The electronics come in cool colors including pink with light up crystals.
They are half the price of my former smoking habit.
I can whiten my teeth and they'll stay white.
No loss of the eye-hand habits I enjoy.
I can do it in the car with the windows up.
I don't annoy people around me.
No special accommodations required.
No waiting until "I finish this one" before moving on with my time.

Here's a video of Katherine Heigl on Letterman that shows how they work and what they look like:

Once I decided to try the electronic cigarettes, I found an incredible amount of online resources, products, and companies. There are some unbiased comparison sites and some very biased comparison sites set up to look like unbiased ones.

The company that works for me is called Vapor for Life. They don't pay any referral bonuses and I receive no personal gain by promoting their company. http://v4l.com/

Have a Witchin' Good Halloween

2011-10-31T08:52:00.001-04:00

I tried my hand at coloring a black and white digital image. It's not a digital stamp, it's one of the ones I use from kits. She's a good witch with a good wish for a Happy Halloween to you.

Gift Enclosures

2011-10-25T08:40:00.001-04:00

Artist's Note: During the first week of September when my two newest baby grands were born I was a quite preoccupied. I created a post for the Paper Temptress Design blog that never seemed to get published. I have finished my design team term with this wonderful company and left the post on their blog to be put in as a "filler." In the meantime--I really loved this post so I'm publishing it here too.

Bold & Bashful Gift Enclosures

Set yourself up for easy gift solutions by creating sets of these cheery and fun gift card holders and explosion boxes. As a demonstration of Paper Temptress card stock versatility, I created the exact same project using two different color schemes.

There are so many gifted and talented paper artists sharing their creations online these days that it’s not hard to find clever templates. Let yourself be delighted and amazed to see how selecting Paper Temptress products can move your projects to the next level of artful presentation.

Gift Card Holders

One of my favorite designers, Eli Harlon, demonstrated the template for this gift card holder on her blog “Firllions.” I’ve been a friend and fan of Eli for about five years now and I’m tickled pink that she now lives near me in the Palm Beach area.

Explosion Gift Boxes

Split Coast Stampers offers a wonderful online community that includes new templates and instructional videos every week of the year. This explosion box from Beate Johns is a fabulous way to package jewelry, candy treats, tea bags, and other tiny treasures.

Paper Tempress Supplies for the Bashful projects:

Graystone Classic Linen Text and Cardstock

Azeala Stardreams Text

Pink Basis

Nero Black Cardstock

Rose Quartz Text

Paper Temptress Supplies for the Bold projects

Kiwi Text

Azeala Stardream text

Sparkle Mangue Text and Cover Weight

Sparkle Orange Cover Weight

Poison Ivory is anything but wrong

2011-10-20T08:20:00.000-04:00

I am developing a whole new appreciation for markers, markers, markers....All my work with the Paper Temptress products has renewed my coloring on card stock time. My latest adventure was coloring onto the card stock called Poison Ivory. It's a pale ivory (almost white) sturdy card stock with a smooth surface and luscious gold shimmer.

Of course, like a raccoon, I am a drawn to all things sparkling. I experimented with a couple different styles and coloring techniques. Here's a card with the castle image done on poison ivory. The stamped image from Stamp Affair was stamped in black ink, base colored with Bic Mark-it(TM) pens, blended with Dove Blender pen, shaded and colored more with the Bic-Mark-It pens (including outlining the original stamp lines with the ultra fine tip) and then topped off with Glaze gel pens from Sakura. Finally, yes there's more, I squirted on some instant crackle medium from Ranger.

Can you believe how far I strayed from my normal--"flash" techniques? This process worked for my creative style because I worked in short sessions with multiple images at a time. I'd apply a layer of color, switch to something else, and then return to the project. It must have laid on my desk for over a week before assembling into the card you see above. Click to enlarge all the images--the close-up shots of the castle really show the layers.

All the card stock on this card came from the Paper Temptress. The other stamps are from Dream Impressions, the punch used for ribbon threading was from Martha Stewart.

See More Poison Ivory Designs

Two new designs, a card and a commonplace book went up on the Paper Temptress design team site today. Here's a sneak peak close up to entice you to head over there:

Hearts and Hands Linked by Love Layout

2011-09-27T09:05:00.000-04:00

Dragon fly from layout featured on Paper Temptress blog.

A new Artful Tourist project launches on the Paper Temptress blog today--it's an 8" by 8" scrapbook layout. Take a look at the full layout plus a quick tutorial on torn paper frames.

The close up here shows my dragonfly that I colored with Bic Mark-It alcohol markers--my latest favorite coloring tools. They are vibriant, blendable, and perform great on different surfaces such as this Poison Ivory cardstock from
Paper Temptress.

Been Framed lately?

I promised the PT blog readers more information on overlay frames. Here's a fancy one from my wedding album plus some others from older projects that aren't on my web site any more--When you click on this link you will go to my web page that gives more details on how I cut the wedding one.

Fancy Cut Frame from my wedding album.

This one is cardstock with print paper glued to the opposite side.

I want to add a couple more frames but I'm out of time for now. May your day be framed fabulously.

12 Excuses I made not to post on my blog Sunday

2011-09-13T14:31:00.000-04:00

1. The only things I can think to write about world events today and 10 years ago Sunday sound trite and polly-anna-ish to me right now. See what I mean? I’m using self-created words which really annoy me. Stamp by Dream Impressions, part of a collage I made in 2002.

2. Because when I keep thinking I'll find a bigger audience
for Paper Temptress projects and I can't post them here first.
.Sticky Note pads decorated with Paper Tempress Card Stock

3. I haven’t created the web page I have planned to feature the in-depth review of this technique yet. These are Journals I made with my Zutter--they are a series called "Time to Journal" and are made from blank time cards.

4. There are so many things to post and I don’t want to take away

from them by just squeezing them in quickly.New set of ATC from one sheet

for a video I'm planning.

…

5. Because it’s a good time to just pet my dog(s). Our Daisy is always ready for a cuddle

6. Becasue I just woke up or I want to lay down.
Drexel, Lord of Nap, joins me in sleeping and
waking up twice a day. It's called Chronic Fatigue.

7. Because I can't always remember if I posted something earlier and I don't want to go back and check. Club Scrap pear stamp on tag in two color sets.

9. Because I thought I looked
skinner than this.

10. Because I feel compelled to explain things in detail
that really just need to be shown. Sign on my doctor's desk.

8. Because looking through my foldiers

is so distracting. I keep finding photos

I wanted to use weeks ago like this live

lizard hood ornament as I drive down

Belvedere.

11. Because the photo would be so much better if I had time to crop it, enhance it, and add digital elelments.

These are some button rings I tried immediately after stubling onto a You Tube Video

Anna Claire Schloesser, born 8.28.11 to Sir Henry's daughter Molly and her husband Ryan.

It's Been Baby Grand Week Around Here--

which brings me to # 12:

When I look at what's really important to me all the other photos just dim in comparison.

Owen Marshall Haddad, born 9.1.11 to my
God-daughter Brittany and her husband John.

Hailee Renee Chattin--two years old in July 2011. This picture of my first born grand baby reminds me of the stamp image face in the first photo.

As always, click to enlarge any photo....

Blessings of joy and peace

Collage it all from one piece of card stock

2011-08-12T01:05:00.002-04:00

My Zutter Bind-it-all got busy with Paper Temptress card stock to create a fun little artsy journal called Partying Words. Check out the full details and pictures on the Paper Temptress blog.

I used only one piece of card stock but this project is nothing close to monochromatic.

Here's a teaser photo....

Timing isn't Everything

2011-08-09T01:00:00.001-04:00

This week I was reminded of yet another reason I love my "Flash Card" creation process. In addition to the advantage of having lots of unique cards ready and available to send --- there's the anxiety relief.

Art and stress should not go together.

I was noodling around with supplies on my table and decided to make a card for a new friend who is having a birthday. Part of the issue could have been that I didn't know her well, but still, this card took over an hour to make and I am just not crazy about it. I ended up giving her one of my Cut 'n Tuck Flash cards after all and I'm holding this one to see if I like it better after time passes.

the sentiment inside bled through the card stock so I traced it on the back

inside sentiment

After that laborious hour in the morning--I worked around the house and then laid down for afternoon respite. Woke up a couple hours later and the Great Creator had given me a notion that required immediate action. In just 15 minutes I created the card below called "Out of the Blue" I love this card, it's interactive and fun . Right out of the blue--wham.

Card fits a #10 envelope

I mailed the card to my friend Bridget who I've known for over 30 years and who knows that I really dislike the color blue. I have a huge excess of blue card stock because I avoid using it....This was a great way to tell my friend I care and send my blue card stock to a happier home...

Flash Cards! Cut 'n Tuck Technique

2011-08-03T00:06:00.000-04:00

I'm flashing again--thankfully just making cards in a flash with my new video on the Cut 'n Tuck technique. All you need to get started is sturdy card stock for a base, designer print papers, and items to tuck in your pockets like die cuts, stamped images, tags, tea bags, gift cards, money, stickers, temporary tattoos, etc.

Give it a whirl and let me know how you like this latest episode in the Flash Cards! series.

I'll be putting a new page up on the web site with lots more samples and a written tutorial but it may be a month from now. I never let the computer part get in the way of the fun stuff and I'm traveling to see family for two weeks in August.

New Stick Figure debuts on Paper Temptress Blog and Web Site

2011-07-20T07:36:00.000-04:00

The back side view.

Stick Figures are paper art dolls on a stick. My ATC from last week spurred me to go full size on the sticks and make a new doll for my collection. This one is called Winnifred and she's a whole new breed of princess.

Check out my post on Paper Temptress blog for more details on how their luscious card stock made this stick figure come to life.

I've been steady rocking the new web site and would love for you to visit me their too.

There's a new Renew This Book! page about more ideas for content in your journal and sample pages. The Stick Figure gallery has been updated to add Winnifred and My Career Coaching page has been revised with links to workshops that are available now.

In the studio this week I have filmed and edited three new videos that will be posted soon so stay tuned.

ATC Time Traveling---A visit to the 20's with Three Muses

2011-07-08T10:00:00.000-04:00

Three Muses challenged me to create an Artist Trading Card with a 1920’s inspiration. Like my marvelous friend and talented artist, Annette Dragon, I often stray outside of the boundaries even when the boundaries are self imposed. The challenge was to make any type of art with a 1920’s theme and I chose the ATC as my format before I proceeded to violate one of the first rules of ATC creation by making mine 3-D and putting it on a stick.

Materials:

Paper Temptress Card Stock: Star Dream Opal and Nero
Hero Arts G2812 Woman in Profile Artprints™ series rubber stamp
Designer Paper: K & Company
Old dictionary page, tiny green scrap
Bic Mark It™ coloring pens
Ranger Alcohol blending solution
EK Success water barrel brush (filled with blending solution)
Memories Black Ink
Copper & gold sewing thread
Beaded Fringe
Wooden skewer
Sakura Gel Pens—white, pale blue, and copper
¼” black foam adhesive
Golden gloss gel medium

Process and Artistic Observations:

--I thought of this stamp immediately when I read the challenge. I love the flapper style hair on the model. Since the stamp is smaller than standard ATC size it was fun and easy to just create a backing matte from the gorgeous Nero card stock.

Better view of card stock

-The Star Dream Opal card stock base is a real dream to work with (yes, I had to go for that pun). The Memories dye ink stamped perfectly on the card stock but I wanted a more vintage effect so I blended the alcohol markers around much of the stamped script portions.

-Speaking of alcohol markersThe Bic Mark it™ pens glided beautifully over the paper and blended perfectly with alcohol blending solution.

-Technique used on the focal image of the design is stamped paper piecing. Stamp the image on several different styles and textures of paper and then cut out portions and glue them to the base stamped image. I used designer prints for the cut portions and colored those with markers as well.

-The paper pieces were applied with gel medium to allow more time for positioning before the adhesive dried. I also covered the image in a layer of the gel medium to give it more of an artsy appearance.

-The paper rose was created during my “blooming” flower obsession and saved for this project. See more about creating paper flowers in this article and on my web site.

-My friend and accomplished artist/instructor, Lynn Barwald and I love to joke about how everything is better on a stick. I used markers and gel pens to paint the wooden skewer in coordinating colors and sandwiched between the layers of the ATC for a fresh presentation.

Learn more about other great things you can do with finished ATC on my web site.
http://www.nachattin.com/artfulspiritATC.html

Gearing up for the Challenges

2011-07-06T13:53:00.000-04:00

Slide from my Tenants of Creativity
Gallery on the web site. Digi images
from Deviantscrap.com

As I emerge from my totally amateur status I am discovering some fun new twists in the paper arts world. One of these fun new (to me) twists is the online challenge. Essentially, the web site or blog owner posts a challenge to create a project using a certain theme, product, style, or combination of these and other requirements.

___Advantages of playing along____

Challenges are working well right now for many reasons. I love how they are just one more way to make the world a little smaller by allowing participants from all over the globe and all levels of experience to join in and have fun with the paper art. Some of the other advantages of challenges are:

o ability to surf and blog hop through links to challenges

o promote products

o inspire technique and process experimentation

o most are open to all levels of artists and crafters allowing the joy of creating to be shared

o allow creation of one unique project as opposed to creating time consuming multiples for swaps

o focus the artist’s efforts to a particular theme

Using my favorite products for upcoming challenges

As part of my designer work with Paper Temptress I will be using the PT products to enter some online challenges. Patricia, the amazing Temptress of Paper herself and host of the Paper Temptress Community Blog, has given the designers creative freedom to enter their choice of online challenges. Deciding which challenge to enter is a challenge in itself. Deb Felts has made the selection process easier by publishing a blog called The Daily Dare http://dailydare4u.blogspot.com where she lists links to all the new blog challenges she can find as they open each day.

While I appreciate focus, I like to create more of the quirky, artsy style projects. In my quest to fiind challenge blogs that would feel comfortable for me and show off the Paper Temptress card stocks in the process—I found these favorites:

The Three Muses http://thethreemuseschallenge.blogspot.com/
Theme Thursday http://themethursday.wordpress.com/
Tag You are It http://tagartchallenge.blogspot.com/
Collage Obsession http://collageobsessionchallenge.blogspot.com/
Fun with ATCs http://funwithatcs.blogspot.com/
Sunday Post Card Art http://sundaypostcardart.wordpress.com/
A year in the life of an art journal http://oneyearartjournal.blogspot.com/ (naturally I cannot wait to roll with this one in my journal—wicked grin)

__Show and Tell__
I'll be playing along with the favorites I've listed here and I'd love to hear about your blog experiences too. If you have a a project on a challenge blog any time in July, please post a link to it on the comments or send me an email. Share your favorite challenges and why you like them here too. I'm totally fascinated by the folks I've seen entering one art piece in 5 or more challenges at the same time. Do tell your secrets for getting all that done.

Artful Tourist Tenants of Creativity

2011-06-30T09:58:00.000-04:00

Background from Designer Digitals, image from Deviant Scrap.

By releasing the cumbersome burden of my old web site I am inspired to create new projects and pages. Today I took an extra hour of my Thursday morning scheduled renewal time (yes, I schedule renewal) to create imagery for my Tenants of Creativity. These nine tenants represent my personal philosophy of creativity. I made an art journal page in May that I've wanted to express digitally for weeks. I'm so refreshed by this process.

The art journal spread that inspired the Tenants of Creativity

Explore your own tenants of creativity the next time you visit your studio space or consider an Artful Tourist workshop to guide you in this process.

Look for individual tenants of creativity to be posted on the Artful Tourist Facebook page in the coming days. You are welcome to tag them or print them for your personal use and inspiration.

Launched Renewed Web Site today------- www.NAChattin.com

2011-06-27T13:13:00.001-04:00

This is so exciting for me--I've redesigned my web site to reflect my current focus and priorities. Check it out at http://www.nachattin.com

The journals, the artful spirit, and the recycled projects are now prominently featured on the home page and the site.

Now that the basics are published I will go back in and flush out more of the topics and links. I've been working on this for almost a month and I just couldn't keep it under wraps any longer.

Release and Receive
In my personal life and career, I have been practicing this affirmation for almost two years now. I simplified my studio and my goals. The whole process is cathartic and so nourishing. Last month I realized that my efforts to apply this to my whole life means I must also fine tune and scale down the web site. Before I started this process I'm not even sure I realized how the old site was weighing me down. Ah, the glory of simplicity.

Consulting & Teaching
After three years of "amateur status" I am available again as a professional artist, instructor, and consultant. Check out the HIRE ME page on the site as well as the Artful Spirit section for new programs and ideas that are more aligned with my current life goals. You will see even more information in the weeks to come. Thank you so much for your support and interest over the last ten years with my web site--I'm looking forward to bringing you wonderful new ideas and projects.

The StowAway Book Returns with Paper Temptress

2011-06-17T07:24:00.001-04:00

The StowAway book is one of my favorite projects to make and teach. This month I decided to try one with Paper Temptress card stock and the results were fabulous for me. You can check it out in all it's glory here:
StowAway Book on Paper Temptress Blog

The Tim Holtz Tribute StowAway Book Opened

Tips for creating StowAway book:

Have a theme and color scheme laid out
Use papers with lots of texture since everything on the project is "touch-able"
Fiber is your friend :-)
Include a gift card for a special delivery present
Use the FREE class tutorial I posted on PT blog

Tim Holtz tribute StowAway closed

Samples of other StowAway Books--One is a Florida theme and the other is Women

Dino Wall Art now on exhibit at Paper Temptress Community Blog

2011-05-20T00:05:00.003-04:00

I'm designing for the Paper Temptress and loving the inspiration from all the amazing papers available through this company. I'll be posting one project per month for the community blog along with playing on their new "soon to be released" challenge blog too.

My first submission is called Dino Wall Art and it's a hybrid layout that has been framed to hang on our wall. I used the Silver Lustre text weight papers for printing my design and they make such an incredible difference on printed digital layouts. You have to see it. This paper puts a whole new spin on digitally based paper art.

The whole point of posting my designs to the PT blog is for you to go visit the PT blog so I can't give you lots of detailed pictures here. I will, however, give you a tiny peek to whet your appetite. Look for an additional post next week with more detailed information on the project including resources for the frame.

Even on this tiny sneak peek you can see the cool textures of the papers and ribbons that were all from Paper Temptress.

Be sure and scroll through all the recent posts on the PT blog for some great ideas and inspiraiton. The team members are all inspiring artists. Leave a comment too and tell them I sent you so they'll let me "keep my job" --smile.

Answering the call of the studio

2011-05-07T00:50:00.000-04:00

Love Paris in the Springtime card made with double sided papers
from Prima. This was sent to my friend Sharonna who went to me
to Paris in the spring of 1995. Ain't life grand when you're a tourist?

I love my little blog, truly I do. And, I've loved my web site since it started in 2002. These are amazing things in amazing times when I stop to think about it...

But there's a catch--I don't want to spend more time photographing, scanning, posting, proofing, and publishing than I do in the studio.

Since we last met, so to speak, I've been a very busy Artful Tourist. Over 40 projects have left the studio for happy lives in my home, the mailboxes of my beloveds, the birthday, Easter and new baby gifts. It's been sheer joy.

A few highlights include:

A new Flash! Cards set featuring use of chalks and now available on the web site.
More samples of double sided print paper cards and recycled cards -- not yet available for viewing except the sneak peak of Paris in spring shown here
I was selected to design for a way-cool company called Paper Temptress. I will be posting on that blog monthly and linking over here. I've already finished a couple pieces using the amazing papers. I predict you will love using them too.
A set of ink background cards featuring bold stamps that has the potential to be another Flash! Card tutorial.
I started my new art journal -- still using the renew this book technique.
I spent less than $10.00 on art supplies/materials/tools in April 2011.
I found an awesome digital design resource called Deviant Scrap and I am positively in love with the designer for Crow About Studio B. Check her out if you love the quirky.
The Artful Tourist Facebook page is featuring lots of quick art journal tips and links to cool inspiration. Please come join me there--you won't be overwhelmed with posts and I'd love to see you.

I'm sure there's more, but highlights are the key word here. Thanks for checking in and keep in mind that being kind to yourself makes you strong.

Now What's in my journal?

2011-04-10T20:11:00.000-04:00

The first artful visual journal of 2011 is complete. I bid it a fond farewell in this video and also post my update for the Art Journal Every Day group on Julie Balzer's blog.

I had to make three version of this video because the first two were really too long to be considered a quick peek inside. I'm going to use some things from the longer one on my web site so it is also posted to You Tube. You can scan the bar at the bottom of the blog post to check out the long version. My advice--skip the long one and go journal--grin.

Art Journal Every Day with Julie Balzer

The spoils of being quarantined

2011-04-03T22:53:00.000-04:00

My first Easter card of the season.

Hand print cherish card--the flower is copper mesh.

My favorite neighbor girls say I had the grown-up chicken pox--the doctor said it was shingles. Whatever it was, it was quite itchy and painful and contagious. Being locked away for a couple weeks is strange enough but with the symptoms and my decision not to take any pain killers beyond naprosin I had more the usual inability to concentrate for any length of time.

Once again, I found solace in the studio. Creating was the best medicine. I did small projects that matched my ability to focus but now I have some fun cards finished and I'm ready to go back to the delightful routine of my life.

I'm preparing some new pages and articles for the web site and online magazines but in the meantime I am posting two of my latest cards here. My first Easter card on the left was created with a new bunny die from Sizzex that I found on sale for less than $4.00. As always, I use the Spellbinder's Wizard machine to cut the die. You can click the photos to enlarge.

The card on the right features on of my favorite hand stamps (yes, I own 5 different hand stamps-smile). I colored the stamp with watercolor markers and spritzed with water before stamping on the paper. The flower was cut with the Tim Holtz tattered flower die. I used dictionary paper for the small blossom and cool copper wire mesh for the bottom layer.

I'm planning on posting regularly scheduled visual journaling tips on the Artful Tourist Facebook page over the month of April and beyond if the responses work out. Be sure and join us there and participate in the fun.

Enjoy the moments.

Taking a bite out of this blooming pain

2011-03-10T16:59:00.001-05:00

Leave it to an abscess tooth to sideline me for a few days...The art really helps keep my mind off the pain and the feeling that I'm "wasting" time. Since I'm fighting an infection with antibiotics and some medicine for the pain--my clarity levels tend to fade in and out.

I've been trying to work and take care of family things, but the term completion is not one that comes to mind when reviewing my progress. Every step seems to take hours. My journal pages are distorted and without charm--but the bottom line is that they keep flowing and I keep healing.

Instead of posting my current productivity (using the term loosely) I'm putting up links to my last fascination--Paper Flowers.

Here's the recent article published on Helium: http://www.helium.com/items/2106295-paper-roses-scrapbook-flowers-paper-flowers-tutorial-how-to-paper-flowers-paper-mums

See the web page tutorial here: http://www.nachattin.com/articleflowerbinge.html

First attempts just from scallops.

Original supplies--scalloped circles cut from dictionary pages.
The lolipop is for motivaiton. -grin

Norma Anne's Studio Tour

2011-03-02T17:24:00.009-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn1lb2kE088
The fabulous Lynn Barwald of Lucky Charm Crafts editied my studio video --here's the latest version.

If you have a strong stomach you can visit the fine mess before this transformation.

The web site has the scrapbook pages of the orginal studio before it overwhelmed me.

I trust that I will have evertything I need when I need it.

Style Options

2011-02-14T14:31:00.000-05:00

Trying out a different style in my art journal. NAChattin.com

There's always another way to do things. I was fascinated by Julie Balzer's post on January 28th. She outlined a week's worth of art journal activities which was fun--but first she discussed the different types of journal styles:

"1.painty - love to splash paint and mist around and can't get enough gesso

2.wordy - less of an art-er and more of a journaler and storyteller3.collage-ish - love patterned paper, imagazine pages, and decoupage medium

4.scrapbook-ish - used to using photos when you tell your stories

5.doodler - can't stay away from the pens and markers "

She pegged me, I'm the wordy one. As shown in previous videos, I like to journal in books that I am "renewing" into journals. I layer on colors and magazine images, papers, stickers, and then layer on the words, words, and more words. Here are a couple typical examples:

My pages are prepped in advance. As I start to journal each day I will add embellishments and then begin to write and write and write. I've been writing in a journal since 1973. There has only been one real constant since I started--words. It works.

After reading Balazer's post I decided to challenge myself to each style of journal. This two page spread (at top) works the painty and possibly the scrapbook-ish styles. On the left I did a torn paper piecing technique that I employ on scrapbooks and cards. On the right is a magazine advertisement for lingerie. I used gesso over the model and the painted in a new figure.

I really had fun trying new styles although it took me longer than my usual 30 minutes per day. Now I'm off to try the doodler technique.

Facebook Greetings-New on the web site-Take a peek at my journal

2011-01-25T11:12:00.001-05:00

It hasn't been THAT long since my last blog post, but I've got lots of new ideas and links to share.

Facebook birthday greeting

***The Artful Tourist Facebook page now offers photo greetings you can use for your friends on Facebook.
Check out the photo album called Birthday Greetings to share on Facebook--there's lots of designs. Just tag a friend in the photo for it to show up on their profile. You can also right click to download the photo to your computer and then insert it into a page post.

****New on the Artful Tourist Web Site

Renew This Book Part One Tutorial and Video--http://www.nachattin.com/articlerenewthisbookcanvas.html

Renew This Book Part Two Tutorial and Video http://www.nachattin.com/articlerenewthisbookcutcolorspace.html

Flash Cards! New video and tutorial featuring double sided paper

Gallery--A collection of Florida inspired greetings http://www.nachattin.com/galleryflcards.html

Gallery--Recycled mail art http://www.nachattin.com/galleryrecycle.html

Article--Inspiration from Miss Betty--See how getting a beautiful card from my friend inspired me to create several more http://www.nachattin.com/article2scorefront.html

At left the cool thank you card Miss Betty sent me in December. She's always so on top of every card occassion...

Below is one of the cards she inspired from my studio. This birdie one is also featured in my latest Flash Cards! Video featuring double-sided papers from Rouge de Garance.

*** Are you curious about what's in my journal? I created a video to keep up with the wonderful group on Julie Balzar's blog. We're committed to "Art Journal Every Day."

The journal as a lily pad

2011-01-16T12:04:00.000-05:00

I've been rocking steady on my latest "Renew this book" visual journal for two weeks now. This is such a refreshing and motivating experience for me. I've been so caught up in the writing, the collaging, the journaling, and the creative byproducts that in the short time since my last post I could write about six updates.

One of my favorite comments from a friend was, "The journal stuff is grand, but I still want to see your cards, photo art, and gift ideas."

This week I made a goofy journal post about reindeer. I purchased the cool Fiskars reindeer punch at an after Christmas sale and wanted to stay true to my commitment to use new items within ten days of purchase. I played with the punch and made a couple thank you notes for holiday gifts. Using the punched out reindeer as a stencil I played with it again on a journal page.

From that journal post I did a leap frog from my journal lily pad to creating a Valentine card. I've always loved the the corny phrases used on many Valentines and the deer pun was too good to resist.

Moving right along....

I've signed up at Julie Balazar's blog for her Art Journal Every Day challenge. I've been taking pictures of posts and will show some on my web site and here.

A new article about journaling was posted at Helium last week:
How Writers and Artists can use a Journal to Develop Creativity

Planning a wedding any time soon? There's also a recently published article called How to incorporate tree branches into your wedding decor

The newest video series "Renew This Book" is in process now. The first video is up on You Tube--the subject is selecting your base book. There will be written instructions for each video posted on my web site.

Before you get off the internet and start journaling--check this out :)

2011-01-03T11:08:00.000-05:00

Journals Rock
-- Check out these latest posts and articles and then go to your pages:

How to Start a Journal Today http://www.nachattin.com/articlejournalstart.html

Journaling Writing Prompts http://www.helium.com/items/2052634-journal-writing-prompts

For Keeps--Your Very Own Journal http://authspot.com/thoughts/for-keeps-your-very-own-journal/

Artful Tourist Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Artful-Tourist-Norma-Anne-Chattin/118332131569912?v=wall

Collage doll page from one of my art journals

I've started taping the "Journal For Keeps" how-to videos and hope to have the first one up before the end of the week. If you don't see it by then you'll know I was off with my own journal some where.

Gentlefolk, start your journals

2010-12-29T12:20:00.001-05:00

Step right up ladies and gents and see the marvels of keeping your own journal. You’ll be amazed and astounded at how this one small change in your lifestyle can impact your success. Experience the therapeutic value to mind, body, and soul today for the low admission price of just paper, pen, and a bit of time.

I channel carnival hawkers and infomercial stars when I get excited about a topic. Journal keeping is one of those exciting topics. In the upcoming weeks I’ll have a series of articles published on journal keeping and may even have a few videos online too.

Journal keeping is the closest thing I’ve ever found to the “cure-all, end-all, be-all, most amazing, life changing practice on the planet.” There’s even a satisfaction guarantee! That’s right folks, if you’re not completely satisfied with the journal keeping process in 90 days, you can get a 100% refund of the price you paid to read this blog post.

Develop a regimen
At its core, journal keeping is an exercise. Like any new exercise program you will need to start from your experience level and work from there. Check my web site for detailed information about starting from your current level of fitness. http://www.nachattin.com/articlejournalstart.html

Here are a few basic tips to get you going:

There’s no time like the present, keeping a journal does not need to wait until you have the perfect moment—there are rarely any perfect moments.

Find paper and pen or use your computer’s word processing program to begin. You don’t have to get the perfect book or font to begin, that can all develop as you go along.
Chose the best time to journal and add it to your schedule as you would a doctor appointment or an exercise routine. Try out a few different time slots to find the one or combination of times that’s best for you.
Begin with 15 minutes a day and work up to 30 minutes a day.
Date your entries at the top or the bottom of the entry.
Create a first line that can get your words moving every time you start to journal. Make it positive and short. Some examples:

The best thing about this very moment is

Drifting thoughts from my precious mind

Hello superstar—or any other positive nickname

Commit to putting down words for your allotted time. Discard grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and all the other limitations that prevent you from just going to the page. Lists, questions, key words, quotes, and even doodling shapes among your words are all great starting tools.

End your entry with a point of gratitude—list three things you are grateful for in this moment or write a personal affirmation or just say good bye to your page in a positive way.

Blessings journal by NAChattin 2007

A wonderful world awaits you as you practice the art of journal keeping. Impress your mind, body, and spirit with the clarity, success, and healing that you deserve.

Summer means...cookouts, weddings, and travels

2010-07-02T13:07:00.001-04:00

We're having a Red(neck), white, and blue cookout for July 4th. Here's out it works:
Bring your own--side dish, meat for the grill, and beer with cousins/spouses and chewing tobacco optional :)

Here's a few cards I made to send after our May cookout with family:

After the Memorial Day visit to Virginia we geared up for hosting our wonderful God-daughter's wedding. We really had a great time sprucing up the yard and hosting a nice dinner for Brittany, John, and their guests. I was honored to perform the ceremony for them too and the videos we took for far away family and friends are on YouTube here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPpgpBRjv3U

The Arbor you see on the video was built by Sir Henry and decorated with ribbons and florals from the craft store. We're so happy with how it turned out as a setting for their ceremony.

Below are some of the digital designs and photos of decorations created for the nuptials:

We made lots of flower arrangements, decorated bags of customized M&M's and baskets for sparklers used in the send off. Photos should be forthcoming...

The support, labor, and food contributed by family and friends for this wedding has left us overwhelmed with gratitude and love. Although we could spend the rest of our lives thanking everyone, we're starting with some nice handmade cards:

The wedding and the thank you notes were all able to easily and creatively slide out of the studio with ease thanks to my new clear and simple method of organization.

No regular features this time. I'm still in recovery mode but my schedule will be lighter for the next few months so I hope to share lots more here and on the web site.

In the interim-- enjoy, create, and savor my friends.

Reunited with the pages

2010-05-24T22:54:00.002-04:00

Artful Tourist blog posts may be viewed chronologically and in their entirely by visiting www.artfultourist.blogspot.com .

Legacy Art is such a treat. Not only do I get to enjoy the creative process, but I get to relish all the great moments again. With over 400 photos from our wedding I could be relishing for a long time to come.

Between working on the studio and having fun with photos of our precious grandson—I hadn’t worked with the wedding photos since 2009 and by the time May arrived I hadn’t done any Legacy Art in months.

I started working my way back in with a set of more current photos from Thanksgiving 2009. I was helped along by using a sketch I found online and some double sided papers that make it super easy to coordinate prints. Because I had recently sorted all my embellishments and collage images it was easy and fun to pull out things like the tomato labels which are those wall paper cut outs called Wallies™.

I haven’t posted this layout on my web site yet, but I’m sure I’ll fit it in eventually. They are done with same papers and colors, the difference you see is purely scanner malfunction, or more accurately scanner operator malfunction.

What I have put up on the web site is an album of all the wedding layouts. I am so happy I could get on a roll with these and enjoy the process. The last page I added is shown here. Check the web site gallery page for more information on how to make this easy folded frame from double sided papers and see all the other pages.

Over the years, I’ve developed certain tricks and techniques that work well for me.

1. No matter what kind of photos I’m working with—I try to create at least a couple pieces from more current photos. It gets me back in the swing of things and keeps my current event books up to date.

2. My other posts talk about how I enjoy using sketches—this is particularly true if I haven’t done photo work in a while.

3. Having a color scheme and repetitive design elements really helps when using lots of photos.

4. When it stops being fun, it’s time for me to stop doing it.

Regular Features

Surf stops—web sites I’ve visited recently:

http://www.globaleyeglasses.com/---- is a great place to find discount glasses. You pick your frames, fax or type in your RX and your glasses are mailed to you in nice little case. The anti-glare coating has started to scrape off my favorite pair of spectacles so I hope to be replacing them soon.

Amazon in general has become a mecca retailer for loads of stuff. My most recent purchase was a copy of “Vein of Gold” by my printed mentor, Julia Cameron. How does she know what I need? I’m doing a book study group online with this book right now and, as always, Julia speaks to my creative soul. See Vein of Gold at this link.

Touch of color—what color(s) influenced me— Purple, pink, and gold with orange accents. I made a set of tags and then cards this week with this combination which surprised me. They aren’t colors I’d normally select but I liked them.

Surrounding Sounds- The theme song to the show “Justified” on FX. The delightful noise of children at play on the rented water slide that came for her birthday.

Good Read: Just finished the Faraday Sisters by Laura McIneriny

Studio progress: Oh, now it’s almost embarrassing that I haven’t posted the new pictures and videos. I have such a joyful creative place in my home. I am taking an hour or two each week to finish up with labels, ribbon zone, and decor. Everything is set so I can use it easily and freely.

In the kitchen— Smithfield Ham at Winn Dixie last week was regularly $48.00 on sale for $17.90. We ate it for family night last week and froze the rest for quiche. sandwiches, and soup. Delicious and frugal—that’s my kind of eating.

Austerity Plan progress ($15.00 per month for art supplies and tools): Haven’t spent since my last post and have had multiple creative sessions. Feels good.

My opinion and where it may lead: Remember the adage, “learn something new every day?” As I age, this could actually get easier if you count relearning something new every day…Thank goodness for my list book—I call it my portable memory.

Enclosure Cards

2010-05-11T10:48:00.005-04:00

Artful Tourist blog posts may be viewed chronologically and in their entirely by visiting www.artfultourist.blogspot.com .

There’s been a whirlwind of activity in the Artful Tourist Studio. The last couple weeks have produced a set of cards and article on the web site, fourteen new scrapbook pages (hopefully to be published next week) and the two new enclosure cards featured here.

I spent a few hours Monday working on two very special Mother’s Day cards. They are both in the same format of a layered pocket card, but sized and styled differently.

The basic concept on both cards was to cut a long piece of cardstock, create a fold line to size the card, cut the folded edge on the diagonal, and glue the piece you cut off inside as a second pocket. There are probably several ways to get this look—just get creative. This folding,cutting, and sturdy adhesive creates a card base of the desired size with two pockets.

There are lots of possibilities to use for inserts on pocket cards. Both of these have a chai tea bag wrapped in a small envelope made with my new (this year) Enveloper™ tool. The pink card also includes a ribbon book mark, die cut bird, tiny message and coordinating tag. The gold and green rectangle card includes one of those instant teas you pour into a water bottle along with the tradional tea bag because it’s designed for a busy mom who might want energy on the go and a clam tranquil moment with a hot cup.

Tea bags are a great “tuck in” for any card you design. Check out this previous blog post for more tea bag ideas. http://artfultourist.blogspot.com/search/label/tea%20bags

Surf stops—web sites I’ve visited recently:
New Artful Tourist Gallery---I stopped work in the studio in March while my parents were visiting. I left a clear spot on the work table and used my new storage systems to create a set of “stock pile” cards. Check them out with tips and techniques at http://www.nachattin.com/galleryquickcards.html

Pencil Lines---Great resource for fresh scrapbook sketches and samples. http://www.pencillines.com

Vein of Gold Book Study Group--One of my favorite online artists, Asiling, is hosting a book study on Julia Cameron's marvelous book. It's not to late to join us! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aj-vein_of_gold/

Touch of color—what color(s) influenced me—
I’ve been bouncing between combinations on some wedding scrapbook pages:

Maroon, purple, bronze, with a dash of deep gray

Fuschia, citrus orange, sunny yellow with a dash of lime

Pleasing sounds-
The Beach Boys are calling me.

Studio progress:
Oh joy, things are going delightfully well. I’ve organized all the zones except ribbon and fiber which is in progress. After finishing the zones I want to label it all as well as finish the décor. I’m already creating projects in there with a renewed vigor.

In the kitchen—
I’ve fallen in love with Paula Deen’s Oooey Gooey Butter Cake. I made one for us and then assisted the neighbor girls in making one for their Mom’s Mothers Day. http://www.pauladeen.com/index.php/recipes/view/gooey_butter_cake/

I have also been experimenting with any recipe that uses vanilla flavoring since I got a new bottle of REAL Vanilla from Watkins.

Austerity Plan progress ($15.00 per month for art supplies and tools):
In honor of finishing my studio and having a record-breaking low credit card balance, I paid cash to attend a weekend scrapbook event in Vero Beach May 1. It was marvelous! It also blew my budget, but I don’t feel guilty after paying cash.

I got several new items all of which came home to their own little pre-planned space in the new studio. Here’s a list:

-set of 4 Tim Holtz collage stamps
-journaling stamp
-Stampin’ Up bird set and coordinating punch
-papers and coordinating chipboard album
-Cool 8.5” album (I won as a prize)
-Tim Holtz die (the heart with wings)
-some double sided papers in grey and maroon for wedding photos
-3 wood mounted rubber stamps in collage style
-Tombow refills
-cutter blades

(some items actually purchased on sale at Michaels before I left and 90% of them have been used already which is a big emphasis in the austerity plan--don't buy what you won't use right away)

Points of Interest: (random things I’ve paid attention to lately)

Honey—local, raw honey for my tea and my throat
The scales—according to my recent annual visit to one of my doctors I’ve lost 16 pounds over the last year---yesssssss

My opinion and where it may lead:

I married an incredible man. We have a totally rocking new screened, tiled patio.

Admiration and Acceptance

Consistency eludes me in the world of blogging. I tip my many shiny sequined hats to the blog writers who can post so frequently, maintain lots of followers, and write really incredible entries.

Amateur status is my commitment this year. While I envy the proliferation of exceptional blog posts out there—I’m fine with getting to it when I can and enjoying the process. I love working in my newly improved home studio, creating projects just for me and my loved ones, and posting to the blog or web site whenever it feels right.

So, while I’m not consistent, you can be sure I’m sincere, I’m happy, and I’m proudly doing this purely for the creative joy of it all.

Time, Energy, and Motivation

2010-03-01T09:47:00.000-05:00

Artful Tourist blog posts may be viewed chronologically and in their entirely by visiting www.artfultourist.blogspot.com.

Activity Spurt

I'm over 75% finished in my new revised studio. While working outside of my studio I created a new set of flash cards. The theme was Valentines so I got to use my happiest colors and I worked my Wizard for the first time in months. http://www.nachattin.com/articlediecutstrippers2.html

Sample card from set and handmade envelope below.

Simon Says Stamp
The Artful Tourist is pleased to welcome a new sponsor to the web site and the blog. You must check out Simon Says Stamp for great deals on the newest products for paper arts along with a great selection of the “standards” we need every day. Every time you visit them from my links, they help support my web site, so please, use my links whenever possible to keep this show on the road. Thanks!

A few more digital projects

The 2009 digital gallery is complete with the creations from September through December. http://www.nachattin.com/gallerydigital.html
I've finished some additional digital projects this year but you'll have to wait for the new gallery.

Regular Features

Surf stops—web sites I’ve visited recently:

http://www.bicmarkit.com/ –There are plenty of markers out there to use when writing on non-porous surfaces, but these cool markers from BIC are by far one of the best values ($2.99 at Wal-Mart) and they are great performers. They are acid free and write directly on photos as well as metal, plastic, glass, and ceramic surfaces. I got a fine point set for Christmas and then purchased an ultra-fine set this week. I hope to do some projects with them to show you very soon.

http://www.runpee.com/ --This just cracks me up. In the spirit of having a web site and phone application for everything you can now check out this site to find out the best time to leave a movie theater to use the restroom.

Touch of color—what color(s) influenced me— pink, red, glitter

Pleasing sounds-

1. Bruuuuce on the Ipod, mostly the Seeger sessions.

2. The tiny whimper Drexel the dog makes when he wants to leap all 20 pounds of himself into my lap—it’s like he’s asking please first.

Studio progress:

Yes, I’m aware this could be a separate post, but I'd rather do one big one than get bogged down in too much…

What marvelous opportunities for creation arise in each and every moment. I’m listening to an audio series called “Get Organized the Clear & SIMPLE™ Way” by Marla Dee. http://www.clearsimple.com/

I started this audio series to assist me in finally conquering the studio. I began listening in late fall when I really felt I didn’t have time to work on the organizing but I wanted to “set the stage” for delving back into the project in early winter.

In addition to relearning the power of adopting vision statements for my life I am appreciating how close I was to following through on the studio without being able to make an effective impact. Marla Dee explains quickly and often that resisting the urge to just dive in will be an asset in organizing and clearing.

The first step in Clear & SIMPLE™ is to SEE IT. Accepting where you are now and really seeing where you are now. Some of you may recall the scary movie I made last winter of my studio chaos I felt like I had a head start on this step. http://gomestic.com/home-improvement/can-this-craft-room-be-saved/ But I had missed a few important components with my previous process. I had not allowed myself to fully accept where I was or accept the fact that I could let go of the clutter easily and simply.

Last year I was also trying to do the reorganization in a format that was not comfortable for me but more accommodating to what was expected from me by social norms. While it is vital that I honor my loved ones, especially those that share my home, I needed to find a way to approach the project which worked for me.

I worked through the MAP IT phase, which according to Marla only needs to take a short amount of time. I found myself thinking the same way so many clutter-philes think which is that there can’t be any other situation like mine and that the principles can’t apply to me like they do for other people. I was wrong.

I'll let you check out the book for more details but I can't say enough great things about this methodology. I sorted like items together, packed everything up, moved it out, sorted what I wanted back in the room, and have got almost all of it moved back in. Sir Henry made me a new paper shelf (four feet wide and six feet tall!) and a new ink shelf for what I realized was over 100 ink pads....

Last weekend we had a "Creative Minds Yard Sale" and let go of 8 tables crowded with stuff. The leftovers not sold were donated or recycled and that felt so incredible. Some of my vision statements:
"I trust that I will have everything I need when I need it"
"As we release, we make room for the abundance"
"I have a creative-friendly zone"

Oh the joy.

In the kitchen—

Cheap Eats in a Flash! I need to funnel all available funds for a few fairly major projects right now so I’m looking to do cut backs on the grocery budget. I’ve been making a ton of casseroles and soups and freezing which also helps with week night dinner prep.

In January I happily fed 6 for family night. We had Fiesta Bean soup and frozen taquitas with mexi salad. The price was right and the food was delcious.

Fiesta Bean Soup (10 servings)

Three cans of Progresso Mexican soup ($4.50)

1 can black beans, drained but not rinsed (.75 on sale)

1 cup frozen corn (.45 worth)

1 tblsp. McCormick’s taco seasoning

1 teaspoon Tastefully Simple Onion-Onion

1 teaspoon cumin

1 can chicken (1.30 at Big Lots)

Dump it all in the crock pot for about 2.5-3.5 hours and serve with crushed tortilla chips. Sour Cream dollop and grated cheese optional (I had these left over from other recipes)

The soup was about .70 cents per serving and took less than 15 minutes to assemble.

Austerity Plan progress ($15.00 per month for art supplies and tools): I invested $40.00 of my holiday gift card in packing and storage boxes--but really is that art supplies? I purchased adhesive refills and a color applicator at a crop for $12.00. Sir Henry gave me the shelves for Valentines and devoted 3 days of labor plus paint and some materials. I contributed another $75.00 to materials too. These big expenditures weren't exactly art supplies and tools, but they were well worth the investment and I had the money because I'd done well with my austerity plan for months now.

While packing my studio I spend a bit more time on the internet looking at inspiring sites, clips from CHA, and how-to videos. I decided that I really wanted this tool called an Enveloper. I had money in my Paypal account from some online writing payments and ordered on from Overstock.com. So, technically I spent that money, but it's not like I ever saw it--grin. The tool is from a UK company called Crafter's Companion. They have a big multipurpose tool launched this year, but I really wanted just the envelope portion of the package which is sold sperately.

When the Enveloper arrived I used it immediately to make a 3-D enevelope(they call it an EnveloBox) that held a Valentine card taped onto microwave popcorn. See video here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DbYC5KQLh4&feature=related.

Left back of envelobox, lower left front of envelobox, below digital popcorn Valentine. Click to enlarge.

Points of Interest: (random things I’ve paid attention to lately) As Joni Mitchell said, “you don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone…” The record cold weather here in South Florida reactivated way too many fibromyalgia symptoms and my neck went screaming again. I took a recovery week and changed some medications that have really improved by outlook and my quality of living.

I've lost enough weight for it to show in my appearance! It's taken a year and the Girl Scout Cookies set me back a bit, but it's so movtivating to see the weight drifting away.

My opinion and where it may lead: I’ve been cherished far more than I’ve been played and I’ve received far more than I’ve given. I am thankful.

Chocolate Covered Goodness

2010-01-01T12:32:00.000-05:00

Artful Tourist blog posts may be viewed chronologically and in their entirely by visiting www.artfultourist.blogspot.com .

The Christmas season took over my heart and just about everything else for the past two months. I am so grateful for such a joyful and wonderful time of giving and receiving.

Working Backwards
Just as I teach in my workshops, when you get behind in journaling or scrapbooking, start with the most recent and work backwards as desired. Enjoy the moment you’re in right now. The moment of the last 48 hours has been one of gratitude. I created a new series of cards yesterday that I call “Chocolate Covered Recycling.”

The base for these are card blanks and envelopes given to me at least 4 years ago by my precious friend Bridget as a Christmas gift. They were white and sized 5” by 7”. For some reason, the stark white canvas and/or the size just kept me from opening and using these packs.

Adhering to my commitment to use more of what I have laying around—I pulled out these card blanks to start working on some thank you notes. Also sitting on my table in the studio were some mail catalogs that came in over the holidays.

Tip: I keep these mail catalogs around as a surface for “glue waste” on my projects. You can rub glue off the project and onto the surface of the catalog pages—then just turn the page and get a fresh surface for the next little scrap that needs gluing. Once the catalog pages are all glued together you can still pop it into the recycling bin.

The Godiva™ catalog was just too pretty to use as glue scraps and I started tearing and punching images out of the catalog to play with on the pure white background of the cards. All five cards I completed in about an hour are posted in the recycled project gallery that is new to the web site this week. http://www.nachattin.com/Gallerymain.html

Digital Greetings
Finally, in the interest of the environment this year we also prepared a digital Holiday card. I posted it on Facebook and emailed it to many others, but just in case you didn’t get your copy—here’s a reprint just for you. May your 2010 be filled with wonder and abundance,

Regular Features

Surf stops—web sites I’ve visited recently:

http://www.king.com/ to play the Chuzzle game which is really the old version of Bejeweled.

Mind Map with Mind Meister-- http://www.mindmeister.com/content/product

Touch of color—what color(s) influenced me— Silver sparkles

Pleasing sounds- Children laughing

Studio progress: Creating a mind map of my vision for the studio

In the kitchen— Steam fresh asparagus in the microwave with McCormick’s ™ vegetable seasoning and Promise™ spread

Austerity Plan progress ($15.00 per month for art supplies and tools): It’s all a blur for December, I don’t think I went over budget on my studio, but I did pick up a lot of stuff for gifting.

Points of Interest: (random things I’ve paid attention to lately) Snow fell in south Florida all month. We took the neighbor girls to CityPlace on Christmas Eve, Eve and had a blast.

My opinion and where it may lead: I married the right man for the job.

Speaking of Halloween

2009-10-17T23:23:00.012-04:00

Before September 2009 I had never owned a set of Halloween stamps. It always seemed a bit wasteful to buy stamps that can only be used once a year. I've never really seen a lot of Halloween stamps that appeal to me either...

Making Do

Instead of buying specific holidays, I enjoy finding ways to make "regular" stamps work for holidays and special occasions. Pictured here are some of my ideas for using stamps in my current collection for Halloween this year.

Technique on Left: Word Play

I always loved that silly knock-knock joke that ends in "orange you glad I didn't say banana?"

I had a cool citrus theme stamp that was just right for a word play for the holidays. I stamped the collage-style image from Club Scrap onto paper treated with the polished stone ink technique. I scribbled the wording with a fine tip pen on crooked cut scraps and accented with printed papers and a small hand stamp.

Technique on Right: Stamp, sketch, or die cut a holiday shaped accent

The focal image of this card was also stamped on polished stone paper using a Tim Holtz stamp. I sketched a witch's hat onto purple card stock for the little girl to wear. The focal image was matted, accented with a hand die cut and handwritten wording on an orange scrap. The entire front panel was wrapped in metallic bronze thread.

Both cards achieve holiday status with choice of color scheme as well. Just like red and pink say Valentine's Day--orange, green, and purple say Halloween.

Bonus Idea from Halloween 2008

Die cuts and pre-made elements are also great tools for once-a-year greetings. They also qualify for the "flash card" series since this type of card assembles very quickly. The pre-printed element is by Crafty Secrets and the leaf die cut was cut on The Wizard using a Sizzex die. A few inked edges and some fiber complete the card.

Flash Cards for Halloween

2009-10-17T22:35:00.006-04:00

Card making is one of the most satisfying forms of paper art for me. I’ve had a busy schedule this fall trying to work part-time at Anton Aesthetics Academy. While I may not qualify yet as one of those “busy people get more done” folks, I have made conscious efforts to keep the creativity in my life as my workload increased.

For all you visuals out there
I’ve been recruited by TVLesson.com to create how-to videos on a variety of topics related to art and crafting. I’ve had a few stumbling blocks in the process because I’m still learning how to edit and resize my videos for publication. http://www.tvlesson.com/NAChattin/videos

This Halloween Flash Card video is one of my projects for TVLesson.com that is being pre-released to blog views on my web site with a slide show of the individual cards.

The Why of it all
Over the years I’ve taught lots of fun card-making workshops but my favorite topic by far is the “Flash Cards” series. There are lots of approaches, but the goal is always to create 6 or more cards in an hour.

Intricate gorgeous cards are a treasure and I make them for very special occasions or when I am struck by a great pattern or design. However, I prefer to create “Flash Cards” the majority of the time for these reasons:
v In about an hour, I can create 6+ cards that can be mailed that day which gives me a wonderful sense of accomplishment along with nurturing my creative spirit.
v Face it, cards are relatively disposable art which means that devoting hours and hours to one card can be a let down when you realize that the card may not be even be cherished for the length of time it took to create it.
v I love to “share the wealth” when it comes to creative projects and the card making allows me to give more away than any other type of project.

Stay tuned Paper Art fans for more footage from the Trailer Park Studios of the Artful Tourist.

Regular Features

Surf stops—web sites I’ve visited recently:

Ten Two Studios for project ideas and supplies to make recycled altered art from matchbooks, tin cans, bottles, and more: http://www.tentwostudios.com/category/projects/

Basic Grey’s newsletter online is amazing and see it easily if you sign up for their mailing list. Here’s October: http://www.basicgrey.com/clientuploads/CNL_1009.pdf

Touch of color—what color(s) influenced me— Orange, green, and purple for Halloween!Media Moments- Just changed this from only music to all media. Ratings are based on a 5 star system.

Media Moments- Just changed this from only music to all media. Ratings are based on a 5 star system.

We watched three movies over the weekend of October 9th:
Duplicity: 3.5 stars
Gran Tornino: 4 stars
Curious Case of Benjamin Button: 3.5 stars from me and 2 from Sir Henry

Just finished a book called “The Reincarnationist” my M.L. Rose: 4 Stars

In the kitchen—

Easy Cheesy Cracker Spread
Henry and I love appetizers and finger foods. We ate this spread this week as an appetizer one night and beside some chicken noodle soup on another night.

Ingredients*:
2/3 (regular) bar of softened cream cheese
2 oz. of shredded sharp cheddar (about a 1/4/ cup) I love using my Pampered Chef™ cheese grater for this.
1.5 teaspoons McCormick ranch seasoning mix (we buy it by the jar)
1 tablespoon of Tastefully Simple™ Sweet Red Pepper seasoning or you can substitute a another spicy type mixed seasoning.

Combine all ingredients in a mini mixer or by hand. Serve on wheat crackers or on celery sticks. To spruce this up for a party you could refrigerate, form into a ball, roll in nuts and serve on a platter.
*I use a cream cheese and sharp cheddar base for lots of different spreads. Play around with it and enjoy the creative process.

Austerity Plan progress ($15.00 per month for art supplies and tools): I combined September budget with some birthday money and spent about $30.00 in my local scrapbook store at the beginning of the month. In keeping with my goals, I used most of the materials right away. I still need to create something with that new collage stamp from Magenta™ and the cool new champagne watermark ink from VersaMark™. See photo.

My opinion and where it may lead: Since the birth of our grandson almost a year ago we have really been focusing on recycling. By my friend’s standards, we’re late to the game here, but we’re on board nonetheless. What I never realized is how satisfied I would feel to try and lighten my global footprint. I can find guilt in just about anything and I had no idea how much guilt I had been carrying around about not recycling.

Lesson 1: Recycle to make a better world for yourselves and our children.
Lesson 2: Find places in your life where you can release guilt and enjoy living.

Fruity Crabs

2009-09-13T08:40:00.006-04:00

Back in 2002 or perhaps 2003 Sir Henry and I went to Vegas for a Dream Impressions stamp convention. We had a great time together.

Every hotel in Vegas has to have a theme and our Imperial Hotel set out to be the Asian hot spot on the strip. It looked like a standard strip hotel with some pagodas glued here and there. The hotel had a big polynesian dinner one night and everyone at the convention attended. The food and the show were cheesy but fun. During intermission I walked around and took pictures of all the fruit scuptures.

This crab was one of my favorites. I printed several copies of it a few years later for a scrapbook page I was designing for Spellbinders. There were plenty of crabs left over and I finally used them to make a series of brithday cards.

A. There was a point to this long winded story

B. I used up more of the "stuff" that I have had laying around for years.

So click on the crabby cards and see all the fun ways you can make cards from your extra photos.

For more photo cards check out my web page devoted to the topic.

Enjoy the creative process!

'Tis the Season

2009-09-12T18:59:00.005-04:00

Artful Tourist blog posts may be viewed chronologically and in their entirely by visiting www.artfultourist.blogspot.com .

Birthday Season, that is….Unfortunately, it’s also been sinus infection season, I’m currently fumbling in the relapse zone but this go around is destined to be my last.

Timely Gift/Late Blog Posting
I really want to make several posts so I’m skipping the regular features in hopes that I can get a few more up. My philosophy is that if I got the gift/card mailed before the birthday (I’m O for 5 so far this season) then a late blog posting will not receive a penalty flag.

Score with economic paper options
On my July frugal spending budget I bought a DCV paper pad on sale at JoAnn’s. This one was a treasure for me because it was glittered and double sided not to mention a “summer collection” of colors which fits our Florida lifestyle all year around. If you shop the major craft store sales for your scrap papers, I can’t say enough about the value in these DCV paper stacks. They’re coordinated, there is a huge variety for every season and taste, many are double sided and glittered, plus I’m enjoying how fun they are to sand to a white core.

Add new to old and stir well
For my girlfriend’s card I used double sided paper from this new stack to create a 5” square card that practically made itself when I used the pattern on the paper as my base. I added punches and recycled wording to the front and additional punches and strips to the inside. The pop-up element on the inside was also recycled from a birthday card given to me over 8 years ago.

Yes, you heard it right folks, I kept items in my studio intending to recycle them for over 8 years. Truthfully, I’d hate to count how old some of this stuff is—but if I can’t throw it out then I’m determined to put it in. Nice, there’s a new motto, “If I can’t throw it out then I must put it in.

Tool Revival-The Boxmaker
Okay, back to the photos and this short version of a blog post. (wry smile). The bottom photo is a handmade box that I created using K & Co. reversible print card stock on top and ColorMates Textured solids on the bottom. In addition to recycling elements I am on a mission to recycle tools as well. The box was made with a tool called “Aleene’s Creative Box Maker” which I purchased sometime back in the mid-nineties. You can still find it online in Marlene Watson’s site here: http://www.boxcrafting.com/ I was reminded of this tool when I saw a new scoring tool that Stampin’ Up™ is promoting. The great thing about the box maker is that you can create a perfect top and bottom for your box every time just by turning the tool over.

The note cards in the box are pre-made but purchased at a discount because the original box was damaged and one card was damaged. Again, this set has been in my “to make” area for a couple years now.

Hence my studio may not look a lot different, and I’m sure it doesn’t look a lot better; however, I am having an impact on my environment. I’m working more creatively and using fewer new items. Eventually, the results are bound to show up.

So crates…
During my rest periods for this crazy sinus plague I’ve watched more TV than usual. As you may recall, I’m just not a big fan of reality TV unless it comes from a home shopping channel. Tucked between reruns and reality TV this week I caught the 1988 film “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures” starring Sean Penn and Keanu Reeves. I leave you with a flick of my air guitar and their line, “party-on dude.”

Tea Party Birthday

2009-08-24T16:03:00.006-04:00

Enjoy this blog post and along with its predecessors at http://www.artfultourist.blogspot.com/.

I’m behind again…I have all these blog posts I want to make and yet the congestion of my mind is rivaled only by the congestion of my sinuses as I fight an infection. …sigh.

So, when all else fails just start one at time and go from there. August-October is birthday season in my world. Many family members and cherished friends were born during this three month period.

While I hope to post many of the birthday cards and gifts I’ve worked on I will just start with Miss Betty’s tea party. My dear and delightful friend Betty invited me to a tea party celebrating her birthday this weekend. Since the party was in Richmond and I couldn’t arrange a trip up there, I decided to mail in my contribution. Now Miss Betty said no gifts, so I decided to send a bit of presence instead of present. I just loving playing with words—grin.

The photos shown here represent the collection of items I mailed off to Miss Betty:

--A vintage navy hat that reminded me of my Aunt Minnie. Miss Betty says she wore it to work on Tuesday for her birthday and she channeled “Aint Bee” from Mayberry all day. I created a digital sign and used a hat pin to attach it so that it might be used as décor for the party too.

--A dozen green tea bags enclosed in print papers with stamped images of women’s faces and ribbon embellishments

--A mini pizza box filled with more little tea bags. I used the same pattern I worked with for Sir Henry’s father’s day gift but enlarged it. Our friends at Split Coast Stampers http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/pizzabox/ I provided the template.

--A 5” square card that coordinated with the tea bags—decorated both inside and out because I’m really in to decorating all of the card lately.

General overview of supplies: Spellbinder’s tea time die set, Ranger Inks, EK Success circle punch, Offray ribbon, Face stamps from Post Modern and Stamper’s Anonymous, sentiment stamp from A Country Welcome, solid cardstock from WorldWin, marbled cardstock from Murphy’s, print papers from scrap pile. I did all the scoring on my EK Success cutter with a stylus.

Regular Features

Surf stops—web sites I’ve visited recently:
If you ever read my newsletter, “Get the kNACk” then you might recall links to a kids’ web site called Making Friends. I visited there again recently thinking about some back-to-school projects for my neighbor girls. Take a look at the traveling swap book for Girl Scouts here: http://www.makingfriends.com/scouts/travel.htm
Wouldn’t that be fun to do with some art friends near and far?

Get five free fonts from Scrap ‘n Fonts by clicking this link: http://www.scrapnfonts.com/searchprod.php?showingonly=Free
I downloaded them this week and used the architect one on the two photo collages of Betty’s birthday. The dot matrix one would be fun for distress stuff, techno game layouts, and maybe even Halloween. Face it, fonts are just fun.

Touch of color—what color(s) influenced me— pink, pink, glorious pink. Miss Betty really isn’t a big fan of pink, but I didn’t have a lot of other colors working for me on this project. Turns out the china she’s using for the party has some pink in it…hurray for pink.

Most played song- “Wait and See” by Brandon Heath. You can hear it and see the lyrics on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJwlmb4V-0Y

Studio progress: Did I mention I’ve been bedridden with a sinus infection?

In the kitchen— Sir Henry went on a quest to find tea bags with Cardamom in them since I had read that this particular spice is good for infections. Turns out there are brands of Chai tea with this valuable spice in them. Whether it was the power of suggestion or the magical ingredient—the tea really seemed to soothe and help.

---Progresso chicken and wild rice soup is good for my pitiful feeling self and good enough for the husband to enjoy too. He fixed some Winn Dixie™ brand whole wheat canned biscuits with it and they were quite tasty too. Best canned biscuits we’ve eaten…Austerity Plan progress ($15.00 per month for art supplies and tools): Well, if I’m sick I can’t exactly get out and about to spend…Wait, before you think it, I also refrained from online spending and shopping channels too—grin.

Points of Interest: (random things I’ve paid attention to lately)
--- I’ve been resting and reading a lot as I heal. If you enjoy fantasy epics I have enjoyed the first two books in Tad Williams’ series “Shadowmarch.”
---I’m creating a book with the working title “Memoir Triggers” about creating your memoirs with word and image. I’m envisioning sort of an advanced “Book of Me’ that scrapbookers sometimes work on with a more edgy and universal appeal.

My opinion and where it may lead: Being kind to yourself makes you strong. It’s time for me to take my own advice, swallow my own medicine, and go back to bed.

Picture Post Overload

2009-08-06T22:32:00.004-04:00

It's past time for me to catch up on some phot posts so here they are in no particular order except top to bottom:
1. The decorating for Henry's birthday dinner. one of the digital scrap party decorations I made for Henry's birthday.
2. Henry and I eating our anniversary wedding cake that Henry insisted on freezing...I liked the frozen wedding punch better but the cake did hold up pretty well in the air tight bag...

3. My favorite picture of my beloved Sir Henry at his birthday dinner. Daddy sent him that bandana so he could be a "biker dude."
4. Daddy and me at the gardens in Westminster in July

5. I finally got a photo of the balloon bouquets I keep talking about. Get the sticks from Oriental trading and make instant festivity. Most parties, including this one, include digital scrappy signs too. I'll try to get one of those up too..

But wait, there's more....But I guess I will wait since this is plenty for now. As a reminder to myself I'll put up: newest wedding scrap page (what a pair), more digi Henry decor, four new cards (as soon as I find the scans...sigh), and perhaps even more...grin

Regular Features:

Surf stops: http://www.craigslist.com/ find everything from jobs, to discount services, to curb alerts for freebies you didn't know you needed and much more. If you scrap or do other paper art for money try advertising your services there--it's all free.

Touch of Color: Bronze and glitter showed up in my most recent traditional layout.

My opinion and where it may lead: Or in this case, where it has lead. Last Thursday I had an aspiration performed on two troublesome cysts in my breast. This procedure was preceeded by two years of frequent self-exams, mamograms, and sonograms every 3-5 months. I never felt these cysts until they started to cause me pain in the last 3 months. The point is all the self exams in the world won't catch lumps in your breast--do them, by all means BUT also get your mamograms regularly. Please...your life matters to me and to many.

Now, I'm off to change the ice pack in my bra and give thanks to my great Creator that an aspiration was all I needed done.

Christmas in July

2009-07-23T12:05:00.006-04:00

Somewhere around the mid ‘80’s I began having Christmas in July celebrations. My motivation was two-fold—first, I have always loved any excuse to play Christmas music, haul out some decorations, and read the second chapter of Luke. And secondly, I was trying to find a way to celebrate Christmas with friends and family that became too spread out around December 25th.

During the past seven years that Sir Henry and I have been together we have greatly relaxed our Christmas visitation standards. We make efforts to visit more during the year, we seem to have less vacation time to travel around the holidays, and after moving 1000+ miles away from everyone, we don’t feel as much pressure to visit at a specific time either.

Elf Duties
Christmas is so grand for me, no matter where I spend it, and I have not let go of my desire to show friends and family that they are treasured during that special season. So these days I still have Christmas in July by getting to work on my “elf duties” such as making handmade gifts, cards, and preparations for the annual, “Home for the Holidays—Trailer Park Style” event right here in West Palm Beach. Seriously, you don’t think all those flamingos are going to make their own hats do you?

As I’ve mentioned previously, Facebook™ has become a real jolt of delight in my world since it is allowing me to reconnect with people that I didn’t think I’d ever hear from again. It’s also brought me closer to the “everyday lives” of other friends and family members that I do see more frequently. One of my favorite things to do with Facebook connections is share some memories I have from that person’s impact in my life and I love it when they do the same. In the past few months four different people from four different decades in my life have commented on owning a Christmas ornament I made for them. They still hang them on the tree every year and were thinking of me every time they did so. Talk about feeling cherished, those sentiments are so very dear to me.

Thus inspired, this year’s elf duties have begun with making Christmas ornaments to give as gifts. Still embarking upon my journey to clear the studio before I bring in new items, I rummaged around recently for ornament ideas within the framework of my current inventory.

Ornaments from Crystals
I’m starting with beaded crystal ornaments. These can be tree ornaments or they can hang from a window sill or be wired into planters and other decorations too. My sweet sister-in-law Kim gave me a great bag full of chandelier crystals about three years ago and I’m using them as the ornament base. Fortunately for me, she gave me a ton of these jewels so I’ve used them for wedding decorations and home décor for a while now and still haven’t run out.

Pictured here are the first three ornaments I’ve finished. The crystals were strung with E-beads, metal beads, and other shiny baubles. There is no pattern or reason to the designs, I’m just sitting in the living room near my darling husband and stringing away. Hint: The metal beads come from charm bracelets I bought at the dollar store and opened to re-use the beads and charms on other projects.

I plan on adding some silk ribbons and perhaps even some curled wire embellishments before these are ready as gifts. If I manage my time wisely, I’ll also make a little tag or gift card to complement each one.

Also pictured are a couple of the chandelier crystals already hanging on windows in my home. You can get a peek at my handmade tie dye fabric curtains too. Aren’t they fun? I love my life.

This year, Christmas in July is extra special for two other reasons:
1. My delightful niece Katie is expecting the delivery of her “first-born child” any day now.
2. My amazing Mother has invited me to participate in her Christmas in July charity sale going on this weekend in her Richmond, VA community.

Enjoy the season, no matter what the season and create something to give away today.

Regular Features

Surf stops—web sites I’ve visited recently:
The Swell Life Blog-I ended up here on a link from www.Craftser.org her latest entry is a list of other cool links that are fun to surf around but I went there to check out some Christmas ornaments she made with photos last year which can be seen here http://swelldesigner.blogspot.com/2008/12/oldies-but-goodies.html

The CHA Craft Super Show site- http://www.craftsupershow.com/eweb/StartPage.aspx CHA show in Orlando this summer is offering lots of opportunities for consumer crafters to get involved including a world record attempt for the largest scrapbook crop ever…Wish I could go, but it’s the weekend of my first wedding anniversary and I’d rather be with my dear Sir Henry.

Touch of color—what color(s) influenced me— Brown and red. I worked on a gift bag for my Mom and Daddy that was printed in those colors and I had fun creating a matching tag. I had forgotten how comfortable I am with brown and red.

Most played song- “Santa Claus is coming to town” performed by Bruce Springsteen and the E. Street band.

Studio progress: I spent about 20 minutes clearing and reviewing this week. It’s something.

In the kitchen— Sir Henry’s grilled Bison Burgers made from some meat given to us by neighbors. He hand pressed patties from the meat seasoned with McCormick’s streak grill seasoning and Tastefully Simple’s Onion seasoning.

Austerity Plan progress ($15.00 per month for art supplies and tools): My sweet God-daughter Brittany accompanied me on a trip to Michael’s special 20% off entire purchase sale. I hadn’t spent any money from the craft budget for three months so I allowed myself the entire $45.00 for adhesives, inks and refills, and some fun sale items like rub-ons for my grandson album and a Love rubber stamp. My big extravagance was one of those swirly things marketed toward kids. It works great for making alcohol ink backgrounds too and it was reduced and then discounted again so I got a $16.00 item for $8.00.

My opinion and where it may lead: Stop fretting over misplaced items and release them to your higher power.

I can get very frustrated when my clutter seems to swallow up random items like my wrist brace, my sun glasses, my black Staz-on™ ink refill, etc. I read somewhere to just start an “MIA list” and post each item that is missing on the list. Look at it once a day, say a prayer for it, and let go. It’s amazing what will resurface, just this week I found a diamond ring that I thought was lost forever. Guess where I found it? It was in the box with my Christmas jewelry that I got out to wear for Christmas in July!

"Have a little faith...

2009-07-12T21:55:00.005-04:00

there’s magic in the night. You ain’t a beauty but hey, you’re alright….and that’s alright with me.”
--Bruce Springsteen, Thunder Road

This has to be one of my all time favorite quotes. It’s like permission for all the “not media perfect” girls to feel as desirable as Mary who “like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays.”

Today, I don’t just apply those words to myself but I apply them to my creative endeavors too. Not everything has to be absolutely “media perfect.” If you get a photo you’re not crazy about you can adjust it in your software or layer a sheer covering like vellum over it or make it small as an accent or make it large as a blurry background or crop out a tiny area that you like…and that’s just with photos. Celebrate the moment with your creativity. Celebrate all the human imperfections that make the world interesting and transfer that celebration to your art.

My camera’s battery was on its last leg when we went downtown for the July 4th celebration this year. It might snap one picture and then it needed to rest for 5-8 minutes before another photo could be attempted. Just trying to turn the flash off for fireworks shots sent it into a blinking nothingness that wouldn’t allow the view screen to work.

I didn’t ever try to download those July 4th photos until today and even then, it was just to empty the camera before taking it out again. But just tooling around in PhotoShop™ for a few moments and I had a fun little photo. I finished it off with another favorite quote from one of my favorite movies.

Enjoy, relax and have a little faith.

Regular Features-----------------

Surf stops—web sites I’ve visited recently:

Embellished Dreams-Heidi Blankenship’s blog—This was one of the launch preview blogs for Spellbinder’s newest line of dies. They are called pendants and are really intracite dies that layer and layer and well, they’re almost too cool to describe…. Heidi is a member of Spellbinders’ Design Team and the team for Just Rite Stamps. All her blog entries are well photographed with lots of details.

Shameless Plug http://www.nachattin.com/gallerydigital.html —I added a new digital gallery to my web site recently. I hadn’t realized how many digital designs I had completed until I started adding them to the site. I still consider myself quite a novice, but I’m enjoying the process.

Touch of color—what color(s) influenced me— Navy blue and lime green. I went thrift store shopping with Sir Henry last weekend and I kept being drawn to these colors.

Most played song- That would be Thunder Road by Bruuuuuuce Springsteen-- weren’t you paying attention earlier?

Studio progress: Zip, nada, nothing, sigh…..I

In the kitchen— Party in Your Pasta Salad meal—great idea for busy day dinners and hot summer nights:
1 box Kraft bacon ranch pasta salad mix prepared as directed
Add about ½ to 2/3 pound of pre-grilled or cooked chicken tenders, cut veggies in bright colors like sweet red and yellow peppers, carrots, peas, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes.
Supplement with more mayonnaise and ranch seasoning or dressing as needed.
Add additional flavor with McCormick’s salad seasoning, more bacon bits, salt, pepper, and sprinkles of flax seeds.
Serve on a salad plate over a bed of mixed greens alongside slices of sharp cheddar cheese, wheat crackers, and seedless grapes.
Yields 6-8 servings

Austerity Plan progress ($15.00 per month for art supplies and tools): Once again, I have been too busy to shop for supplies and I haven’t started any projects this week either. I do have a list now so I’ll probably report some spending soon.

My opinion and where it may lead: When you have heart concerns, it’s heart disease. When you have kidney issues, it’s kidney disease. When you have a mental imbalance—it should be brain disease. Regardless of what you call it, health insurance coverage should be just that—coverage.
And while I’m at it—things like periodontal disease and eye sight that has to be corrected for the purposes of functioning every day should also be a health issue covered by fair and equitable health coverage for everyone in this country. Hey, the topic does say opinon….

Gift Certificate Giving—Father’s Day Style

2009-06-22T21:10:00.010-04:00

Man-gifts are always tougher for me, even when they are going to the man of my dreams. This year the dog-children and I got gift certificates for Sir Henry and then my parents got him one that needed "dolling up" as well.

Inspired by a tutorial from my friends at Split Coast Stampers, http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/pizzabox/ I created a mini-pizza box and made tags for each of the gift items. It worked up fast and fabulous which was a good thing since I had to do it all before he woke up on Sunday.

I used Heidi Grace™ double sided print card stock for the tags and WorldWin ColorMates™ cardstock for the box. The top of the box was a layered decoration created separately and then secured to the box after completion. The palm tree is colored using water color pencils with a vellum overlay for additional softness. Stamps by Making Memories™ and Stamp Affair™ were used as tools on this project.

Perhaps because my card stock was a lighter weight than the sample or because I assembled it in such a hurry, the lid would not quite stay down. I just tied a closure with twine to add a finishing touch.

My best laid plans are to keep this idea in mind for gift cards and other small gifts throughout the year. Even though the tin gift card boxes available at craft stores only cost a dollar, they aren’t always laying around when you remember it’s time to give a gift.

Check out other great interpretations of this template in the Split Coast Stamper’s Gallery-- http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=17290

Ideas:

Make your own gift cards and certificates for items like: Two hours of alone time, doing laundry for a busy friend, delivering a homemade meal on a weeknight, babysitting, research, resume writing, addressing invitations, etc.

Hide clues in the box that direct the reciepient to the location of larger and harder to wrap gifts.

Fill with candies for party favors or small treats at the office, gym, or classroom.

Regular Features

Surf stops—web sites I’ve visited recently:EK Success hosts a relatively new community online with great options for project posting--http://www.spottedcanary.com/

Touch of color—what color(s) influenced me--Boy colors—brown, green, rust, with yellow

Most played song- “Simple Love Like This” by Allison Kraus. We set the Ipod™ for all Allison during Sir Henry’s Father’s Day dinner. This one song was the one he walked down the aisle to during our wedding so it got special recognition.

Studio progress--The only possible thing I did to assist in the process this week, and yes I know I’m stretching it, was to set aside a great carrier box to pack full of the stuff I really am going to let go of as soon as I get going more on that…..

In the kitchen— We have family night every week. Sir Henry and I give a standing invitation to his 27 year old son and my 21 year old God-daughter to attend this time around the table. We say Grace, we eat, we talk about our lives. Last week I served one of my “fall back” recipes that is worth repeating.
Step One: Purchase a pork roast on sale at grocery store
Step Two: Gather other ingredients: bottle of honey BB! Sauce (store brand works great), one sweet onion peeled and cut in half, and (optional) some MoJo™ brand or other general grill seasoning
Step Three: Dump it all in a crock pot on high for 3 hours and low for another 2-4 hours
Step Four: Slice or shred with a fork (it’s that tender)
Step Five: Serve with coleslaw on sandwich buns

Austerity Plan progress ($15.00 per month for art supplies and tools)--At least if I’m not up to speed in the clearing department I can say I haven’t spent any more money---not even on books, classes, or digital goodies. I am getting low on some adhesives and inks though so it won’t be too long before I list a receipt.

My opinion and where it may lead-- Being kind to yourself makes you stronger. Stop finding your flaws, there’s plenty other people who can do that for you. Instead, take care of yourself and seek out people, activities, and simple moments that allow you to refresh and renew.
I start work this week for Anton Aesthetics Academy where I’ll be doing marketing and recruiting. Did you know that almost all spa training facilities offer services to customers at a lower fee than standard spas? If you’re local to the West Palm Beach area-- call for an appointment and treat yourself to a “frugal luxury.” If you’re tempted by the idea of a career as a spa professional, email me today to learn more about working in this elegant and rewarding field.

2009-06-15T08:59:00.008-04:00

After arriving home with 100+ photos I immediately began digital scrapping. These are from shots of my niece and her fiancé at their new little home on the lake. Next Henry took off to see our grandson so here’s a quickie of sweet Sam too.

There were no posts while I was traveling because I didn’t want to lug my ancient lap top around and I thought I could use other computers as I traveled. I did get a few moments on other computers, but I didn’t do more than post status on Facebook and return a few emails. After all, what are vacations for if not to get away?

Now that I’m home I’ve already done some digital scrapping and I created three traditional pages yesterday along with four cards last week during my recovery time from my journey. I mailed the cards without scanning, so those are lost to the wind, but I’ll scan the layouts soon. The layouts are nothing fancy, I'm just trying to finish the majority of our wedding book before our first anniversary-wry smile.

My last post before I left was about making handmade journals. I didn’t want to post any of the party decorations I was working on because I hated to give away the surprise. Naturally, I didn’t take too many pictures of those either…sigh. What I did was create some fun digital designs and then layered them onto cardstock, stands, and sticks to make 3-D décor for Katie’s shower.

Pictured here are some the original designs along with a shot of the balloon bouquet I made. Her theme was tie dye and we all dyed white baby things at the shower. I narrowed the field a little and made the decorations with a Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds kit downloaded free from http://www.digiscrapaddicts.com/

Regular Features

Surf stops—web sites I’ve visited recently:

www.hulu.com – Great safe site to watch TV shows and movies. I watched four seasons of “Rescue Me” in May and June and now I have a new favorite TV show.
http://candyscraps.typepad.com/scrappylinks/ -Feed your addiction with great links to cool sites, new products, and freebies every week.

Touch of color—what color(s) influenced me— I found some color combinations that are hot for weddings this year. I worked with one I liked on digital and traditional scrapping: deep burgundy and orange.

Most played song- Learning to Live on Love by Mike Cross. I couldn’t find a snippet on online, but you can hear some other samples from this gifted artist on his web site http://www.mikecross.com/discs.asp

Studio progress: Ashamed to say, it’s a wreck after getting Kate’s shower ready and then coming home with an irresistible urge to create cards and pages. I’ve done 4 cards and 3 traditional scrapbook pages since I got home. It’s on the list this week…

In the kitchen— inspired by the cheesy chowder from one our favorite Ashland restaurants since 1979 when I first landed at Randolph-Macon College—the Smokey Pig. http://www.thesmokeypig.com/ I created my own version.Essentially, sauté onions in chicken broth, add more broth and frozen soup veggie mix plus extra frozen corn and boil for 5 minutes before lowering heat and adding cheddar cheese soup and/or Ragu cheesy sauce or Velveeta. Season as desired, I added all-purpose Greek seasoning and something new to us called MoJo seasoning. Just comment on the blog if you want specific measurements.

Austerity Plan--- progress ($15.00 per month for art supplies and tools): Haven’t spent a penny in this direction so far in June. My opinion and where it may lead: Although it took a lot out of me to drive 2500 miles across six states—I’d do it again in a heartbeat (or at least after a week’s rest) to be with my loved ones. Mamma always said, “Family is family,” and I totally appreciate that.

My opinion and where it may lead: Although it took a lot out of me to drive 2500 miles across six states—I’d do it again in a heartbeat (or at least after a week’s rest) to be with my loved ones. Mamma always said, “Family is family,” and I totally appreciate that.

Journal for a Cause and Digi Bonanza

2009-05-25T09:49:00.011-04:00

Journals—celebrating and promoting journals is one of my greatest passions. Today is a great day to start a journal or add an entry. It’s an even better day to decorate a journal that will start a young person on the path of journaling. Click here to view my latest web page about making journals. http://www.nachattin.com/articlejournals.html

Create a Journal to Share
My fifteen year old friend Kelsey Salerno has made a request that we should all consider filling. She wants to collect handmade journals to give out at summer camps for kids who have lost a loved one to cancer.

Keeping a journal was a big part of the healing process for Kelsey when she lost her Grandfather and now she wants to share that with others. Kelsey also volunteers at Gilda’s House and works with cancer patients there. I created the journals shown above at her request for someone she works with there. Click to enlarge the photos for viewing.

Kelsey may have some additional information online and I’ll keep you posted on the process. Although she currently lives in New York, some of the West Palm Beach residents might remember her and her Mom, Mel Salerno, from the Paperie store here. Mel and her business partner Jodi owned and ran that fabulous store.

Email Kelsey at Kelseysproject @yahoo.com to get the address for mailing your completed journals.

Digital Grandson Layouts
My step-daughter is doing a great job of keeping us in the loop with photographs of our growing grandson. Here’s three layouts I made last week about his first haircut. See links under Surf Stops for details on how I got the free kit to make these. Click layouts to enlarge.

Regular Features

Surf stops—web sites I’ve visited recently:
Digi Scrap Addicts http://digiscrapaddicts.com is having this cool contest for digital kit designers. Every week they have a theme and elimination as they get down to the final winner—reality show style. The kits from all the contests are available for FREE download. If you ever wanted to get a great collection of digital scrap tools, this is your moment! http://digiscrapaddicts.com/products/index.php?cat=555 is the link and you need only look down at the bottom to find previous week entries. You have to register, but it is way worth it.

Week three theme is kits inspired by Beatle’s songs. I just love them all….

A kit from week two called Project365 was used for the Sam’s haircut pages…

The Freebie Queen has links to all kinds of wacky free stuff, deals, and delights: http://freebiequeen.blogspot.com/

Touch of color—what color(s) influenced me— Yellow again, but this time with lime green

Most played song- The Taters! http://www.thetaters.com/index.html If you live in the Richmond, VA area and have the chance to see this band live—don’t hesitate. Our favorite venue for them is Ashland Tea & Coffee where they’ll be May 30th. You can see their schedule and click on stream to hear some song clips here: http://www.thetaters.com/tater_music.htm

Studio progress: Well, it’s been on my mind a lot. –sheepish grin-

In the kitchen— Bubba Burgers! http://www.bubbafoods.com/ I never thought I’d prefer a frozen burger over home-prepared, but wow, these are great burgers. Pull one out of the box, note how they’re shaped like the state of Texas, and throw it on the grill. They are the perfect summer cookout fare.

Austerity Plan progress ($15.00 per month for art supplies and tools): I’m still enjoying “shopping” in my own studio and rediscovering my own supplies and tools. I haven’t set food in a craft store in over six weeks yet I’m creating regularly. I was tempted by an envelope deal at a local discount supply place, but after carrying them around in the store for 15 minutes—I walked out with nothing.

My opinion and where it may lead: We saw the newest Star Trek movie last weekend and I can’t remember having that much fun at a theater in years. It was a brilliant combination of today’s actors and the characters of my youth. So far, the only place this opinion has led me is to Burger King to buy the kid's meal so I could get the toy ship Enterprise that says “Red Alert” when you push the sides together.

Happy Memorial Day!

Spring means

2009-05-12T11:01:00.014-04:00

Camping

For the last few months I could not get the idea of a camping trip off my mind. My family used to camp every year in a little travel trailer all over Virginia. We even hauled that thing to the World’s Fair in Canada once. I have such vivid and happy memories of camping.

From age seven to age thirteen I went to sleep away camp every summer where I slept in canvas sided huts, swam, paddled canoes, sang, ate all kinds of strange foods I would otherwise never touch and, of course, my favorite arts and crafts time…smile. As an adult I camped with various husbands, friends, and family members and never tired of the experiences.

Sir Henry and I have had a charmed life together, but before last weekend, we had never been camping. I couldn’t stand going a moment longer without camping so when my dogs asked what I wanted for Mother’s Day—I got a weekend at the KOA in Lake Okeechobee. Those dogs are just so thoughtful; they even made sure they could come along for the fun.

We rented a little hut with a bed, a porch swing, and, because it is Florida, an air conditioner. It was like camping in hard sided tent with AC. We loved it! The campground had all kinds of amenities and special events. I had an ice cream sundae as an appetizer for dinner Saturday night and we went to an all you can eat pancake breakfast by the pool on Mother’s Day.

Mother's Day
Before we left I enjoyed making Mother’s Day crafts with my neighbor kids. I had to hold them in my house to prevent early gifting (smile). Plus we made their Mom a white chocolate cheesecake with strawberry garnish.

New Card Gallery
There’s nothing like crafting with kids to get you excited about making things. I’ve been on such a creative binge since February. The Destination Heartfelt Art has really inspired me to get things out of the studio and into the hands of my loved ones. I put up a gallery http://www.nachattin.com/Gallerymain.htmlof 55 new cards I’ve put together since mid-February. I hadn’t even realized it was that many.

Playing with Pink
Repurposing and recycling have become my standard in the studio. Yesterday I decorated a little pink box that Smashbox™ make-up came in to create a fun birthday card for my 8 year old neighbor.

Happy Spring everyone!

Regular Features:

Surf stops—web sites I’ve visited recently:

1. Smilebox—Created a fun slideshow to be delivered to my Mom and a copy for my brother on Mother’s Day while we were out camping. Edit HTML and post code into the body….

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2. Cooks.com- Dirt Cake Recipe for 8-year-old’s birthday http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,196,150160-224197,00.html This cake is the most fun dessert on the planet. I put gummy worms in the top, flowers, and made a customized sign for the birthday girl. Too fun.

Touch of color—what color(s) influenced me— yellow, sunny yellow.

Most played song: “Mercedes Benz" by Janis Joplin, sung by a woman at the campground so well that I‘d swear Janis was still with us.

Studio progress: Emptied some stuff for projects you’ll see soon, not a lot of clearing. (abashed shrug)

In the kitchen: Camping food! We used the Coleman stove exclusively for cooking dinner. The first night we had stuffed chicken breasts with salads and the second night Kielbasa stir fry with salads.

That old standard, the five cup, salad recipe, is perfect for camping:

1 cup sour cream, 1 cup mandrian oranges, 1 cup pineapple, 1 cup mini-marshmellows, 1 cup cocconut--all mixed up. You really can use more or less of any ingredient and throw in other stuff if it sounds good to you.

Oh, it was goooooood.

Austerity Plan progress-($15.00 per month for art supplies and tools): No art related purchases this week and sent out several recycled items from a converted nut can (for camping cookies) to a card made from a Smashbox™ make-up box and a vase from an old Pringles™ can to hold a bouquet of balloons.

My opinion and where it may lead: Getting away, just for a weekend camping trip, is healthy for the body and soul. Even if I need more “recovery time” afterwards, I don’t ever want to stop going on adventures.

Getting back to the kNACk of it

2009-05-06T09:26:00.004-04:00

Greetings blog fans and welcome to the newly formatted Artful Tourist blog.

As a result of my Destination Heartfelt Art program which I began in February, I am already enjoying a renewed vigor for all things creative. Chances are that getting over a year of wedding planning, wedding recovery, and holiday projects contributed to this fresh approach as well.
I’m refocusing my efforts on writing for the industry and beyond again. In pursuit of this goal I am doing a lot more research and creative projects.

The impact on my blog will be more regular features, a return to many of the concepts some loyal readers may remember from my subscription newsletter, “Get the kNACk,” and more links to my own articles and artwork published elsewhere in print and online.

I will continue the effort to post weekly and continue to be kind to myself if I don’t meet that goal. I anticipate the artwork on the blog to be more limited as my creations are submitted to publishers for consideration. I may also be posting calls for ideas, links, resources, and subjects as I continue my research.

Before you go quoting my previous posts and giving me a hard time about my resolution not to let the industry influence my choices, keep in mind that I still hold fast to that decision. The way I see it, my ideas for spending less, using what you have, and creating for the joy of it are hot topics. I am approaching this freelance, which means I will not be constrained by a particular manufacturer, publisher, or market trend. I’m just putting it out there and letting the Universe take care of the rest.

Project Notes: Artsy Mother’s Day
The card shown this week was created to send to my step-daughter as she celebrates Mother’s Day with her first born son, Sam. It was created entirely from the scrap pile and my current inventory. The brad bar, for lack of a better term, came from a store where I was teaching in 2005 and was made by Karen Foster™. The red background piece is from the Club Scrap™ Egyptian collection and I love how it fit beautifully as a matte for the design.

New! Regular Features

Surf stops—web sites I’ve visited recently:

1. Crafsters.org had a button contest and loved the entries: http://www.craftster.org/blog/?p=1220

2. For your information a cost comparison between the ATG adhesive and Tombow: http://thescrapbeach.blogspot.com/2009/05/whats-so-great-about-atg.html

3. Upscale paper art doll book called Fantastiques: http://www.ctpub.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=1219

Touch of color—what color(s) influenced me—black, gray, and white for an artsy mother’s day card

Most played song-from my head, IPod, or car: “Comin’ Back to the Bayou” theme song from canceled TV show called K*ville performed by Dr. John http://www.fox.com/music/?show_id=kville&clip_id=k_ville_longform_fullversion

Studio progress: This week I did the shuffle--not exactly productive but not inaction either. Emptied some additional tiny drawers, moved some items into what I hope is their new home. Used up some older items that had been hanging around waiting to be transformed.

In the kitchen—a great meal, recipe, or idea: Sir Henry bought me this cool thing from Pampered Chef™ that loads your own oil into a sprayer and eliminates the need for costly cans of oil spray. See a video review here: http://www.expotv.com/Pampered-Chef-Oil-Sprayer/2d-5VR

Austerity Plan progress ($15.00 per month for art supplies and tools): Spent $5.00 on new fonts during the CK retirement sale. I finally got my distressed typewriter font back that matches two of my rubber stamp sets. It was lost during a migration almost a year ago and floats somewhere in the ether still.

My opinion and where it may lead:
Stacey Julian’s “Simple Scrapbooks” and Rebecca Sower’s “Scrapbooking Life’s Little Pleasures are the two Creating Keepsake books that had the most influence on my adventures into the hobby. At the time of their publication, they were like light bulbs flashing repeatedly on each page. Action step: Since I can’t bear to throw either one away I’ll review them this month and let them inspire me anew.

There but by the

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grace of God and the love of scrapbooking go I. On Saturday I attended a crop and had a fabulous time. I met three new friends and was reminded of how I knew most of the other women there who were also my friends.

In richness and in richness
I made friends in South Florida before we ever moved here six years ago because I taught scrapbook workshops in the area. These women are still my friends today. I moved away from a dozen more friends in Virginia that all came into my life because of scrapbooking. I still catch up with these out of state friends when I go back to visit and even smiled at a couple of them as I walked down the aisle during my wedding last August.

And speaking of my wedding, we wouldn’t have won our dream wedding if it hadn’t been for the thousands of scrappers all over the world who faithfully voted for us last summer. The generosity and dedication of women I’ve never even met still overwhelms me.

In all kinds of weather
Then there was the time that I fled West Palm Beach just ahead of a hurricane and traveled across the state to stay in the home of a generous scrapbook friend that I had met only one time when I taught a workshop in Orlando.

I have traveled all over the country because of scrapbooking; I have attended all the major trade shows as a designer and instructor. I have laughed and cried through my own life and the lives of others. I have healed. I have learned. I have grown.

The next generation-about these layouts
The pages today are another result of getting by with a little help from my friends. Just when I thought I would be perpetually behind on the pages documenting my grandson’s first year—I received a generous gift from Annette. She had all these pre-done pages she’d prepared for her Club Scrap business that she gave to me for Christmas. So while they might not scream of my style, they are most definitely a work of love and of friendship.

Spring Fever

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I’ve had the best time doing the clearing in my studio and using “found items” to create new items. These found items are from old swaps, left over creations from stamping sessions, projects that just never quite came together, half used sticker sheets, and kit items I never used.

I’ve only scanned a few of the many projects from the last two weeks—but they will be filtering in as the days progress.

After completing the digital Easter layout last weekend I used some paper piecing items from a swap I did back around 2000 combined with digital titles and photographs placed on five (or more) year old paper. What a feeling of accomplishment to combine all that older stuff with photos taken three days prior.

I began this journey with goals. I will clear my studio and ramp up my creative process by working my way with the hope that this process will generate more finished items than ever before. I want to get back to pleasing myself instead of working within the confines of what appeals most to the industry and today’s latest technique or trend.

I thought I would be coming up with all kinds of fabulous new approaches to projects that reflected this great insight. I have done some fun and different projects but I’m finding almost as much gratification just from using up all these tidbits in combination with some newer techniques. Cliché as it sounds; it feels like “old school meets new school.” I’ll work on coming up with a more catchy name as I go along.