christytomlinson

Happy Halloween... and Cku recap

Just popping on to say Happy Halloween to everyone!!

 

One of my favorite HOlidays today!.. just returned home last night from teaching at CKU in San Diego! Got to take Ben with me this time.. and let me tell you.. I was SO grateful he came! I taught four 90 minutes classes for two days straight.. with about 20 minute breaks in between.. I thought I was gonna die being on my feet all day.. but having him there really helped. He was great with the students (of course the women love him) and helping me set up and take down my classes too. I had AWESOME students.. the biggest joy of this event was that almost ALl of these women had NEVER done mixed media before in their lives. CKU is traditionally a Scrapbooking event and this year they decided in honor of their 10 year reunion, they would do something different. So most of them came into the class.. very shy and hesitant of what we would be doing. A lot of them told me afterwards they were NOT looking forward to my class and had every intention of skipping it.. but then said that they were SO glad they stayed and now was in love with mixed media and go home and do it again and again. I asked each one of my classes who would continue to create art on canvas with all these new found techniques.. and I would say 99 percent of them raised their hands.. it was such a huge joy to see everyone just get it and really enjoy it.  not only were my classes and students GREAT.. but I got to meet someone I have had a huge "crush" on for a while. Hillary Weeks was a keynote speaker at the event.. she is a Christian Music Artist.. and has one of the most stunning voices! Her message was incredible and her new video just touched me so close to home. I am going to share it with you sometime in the next week or so. Seriously.. my heart was overflowing with emotions as I watched it and I thought about all the heartache and blessing I have had over the last year. can't wait to share that. It was a great weekend all and all. Tiring but great! Here is just a few pictures from this weekend..

 

These were a couple of some fun ladies.. you can kinda of see ben sitting there next to them on the left.. he had fun chatting with them through that class!

This was was one of my students canvas in the process.. loved the addition of the butterflies!

Some of my students got creative and just did their own thing! love it when that happens!

Since almost ALL of my students had never done mixed media before.. I taught them shading with the Faber Castell Big Brush pens. Love those pens because they stay wet long enough to smudge them for shading.. but once dry.. they are permanent. I think after that class these students were HOOKED on them! They actually got a pack of them in their goody bags from CKU! Before the class they had NO idea what they were to be used for.. but after the class.. they couldn't wait to go home and get more! so funny!

Friday night a few of us teachers went and visisted the Store PaperTales.. its a papercrafting/mixed media store in Point Loma.. at first I didn't really want to go> I was SO tired from teaching for 7 hours! but Michelle talked me into it and after we got there, I was SO glad we did! Speaking of teachers.. I SO enjoyed getting so know some of them better. TRULY awesome gals. So glad I went.

I didn't get to see the beach or even really walk outside except for going to that store but I did enjoy the nicer weather still the same. Today it's in the 50's and there is a brisk cold wind here in Shelley.. but so sad.. tonight it's supposed to take a turn for the worst and be windy and rain and even snow! seriously?  Normally I make my kids wait until dark to go trick or treating.. so they don't bother the neighborhood during dinner.. but this morning I told them I think they should go early.. like at 5:30.. because if not. .they are going to FREEZE when it starts to get dark at 7:00! poor kids! It's like hit or miss each year.. it's either nice and warm or it snows and rains. Gotta love IDAHO! lol We are also going to do our family tradition and carve pumpkins after school today... they get out early on mondays.. so that makes it every better. More time to play!

Well..l tomorrow I have a fun announcement to make! a special weekend I am doing with Mrs. Donna DowneyiN february.. it's going to be FUN. oh! and don't forget.. TODAY IS THE LAST day to order Muvazi.. (the skin care system I use) for 60% off the normal price.. if you didn't see my video on it or get the coupon code.. you can check that post out here and get all the info!

Well.. tomorrow I leave bright and early.. 6 am for a quick trip to Minnesota to meet with my Licensing agent.. so many wonderful things happening there.. feel so blessed.. so many fun products coming out next year with my artwork on it.. can NOT WAIT until I can share the news with pictures of those!..
hope you all have a happy halloween!! oh and thanks for the wonderful birthday wishes yesterday on facebook! seriously! I was blown away and so overjoyed by the support! You all ROCK!
hugs to you all!
happy Monday!

Artsy Play.. Halloween Love

So since Halloween is one of my FAVORITE Holidays.. you know I had to create some Halloween inspired art this week. (I am going to try and do a canvas this week too and post it next Monday on Halloween!)

I also created a fun video for this post.. to show you how I made this artsy tag.. so enjoy it at the end of the post!

 But for this project I made a tag  out of Claudine Hellmuth's Sticky back canvas, corrugated chipboard, tulle, lace, book paper, stencils.. lots of goodies! I also got out my Tim Holtz Color Wash sprays.. and my sewing machine and my glue gun.. and this is what I ended up with.

(awe.. notice my chevron stencil from Crafters Workshop on the back of the tag? okay.. still hooked on that design! sorry! lol)

love lace and tulle mixed with stuff like canvas and stamps. Very Eclectic.

I made pumpkin out of book paper and then stitched it and colored with the Color Wash Spray.

Lots of fun stuff. I used the spills and splatters Stamp by Tim Holtz and the punchinella Crafters Workshop stencil too.

Love the addition of the cardboard. Love layering the sprays too.  use four different sprays on this project. These aren't permanent (the color wash sprays) but for this project, I wasn't using DecoPauge over the top, and so It was fine and i actually wanted the colors to layer! ended up fun!

Love getting into my studio and playing. I always dread it at first.. to be honest. Because I always leave it so messy.. and I hate going back in to clean it up! But then once I get going..I could stay in there all day playing around. Sounds heavenly! Well better get packing! I leave tommorow for CKU Reunion in San Diego! I can't wait to see the sunshine and the sea. Ben gets to come with me on this trip.. and we are flying out of Idaho falls.. so don't have to make the long 3 hour drive to SLC to just catch my flight (hate that.. makes me even MORE exhausted). CKU is going to be full of energy and fun! Speaking of fun.. can't wait to share with you about Spark! Check back friday for a post about my time there. AMAZING! Truly amazing..
well enjoy the Behind the Art Video on this fun little tag!
Happy Wednesday!

 

Monday Moodboard....Pumpkins

So I know.. it's Tuesday.. but we just go with the flo around here. FIrst off.. SPARK.. wow. was AMAZING. I did go last year.. but only walked around for a bit during the day. This year I was teaching and was there for the entire event and have to tell you. WOW. WOW. WOW. I was blown away by this creative "handmade" event. The classes were amazing ( i sneaked into a couple during my free time). The Decor was incredible, the food.. um. can't even say enough how good it was and of course it was presented in the most amazing way.. just as everything was at this event. The Handmade market (which was open to the public.. was so cool! I got a few things there. And all the other little things, like the make and take night, the private concert from Sarah Sample. It was just amazing. I also got to spend time with some wonderful friends i haven't seen for a while. (here is just a peak of Spark)..

 I will post more about it this friday.. with pictures, but had to update you :).
So sSunday I traveled home and all the way I was thinking how much I missed my family and how seriously tired I was (i was driving.. 5 hour trip).. and just wanting to come home and just snuggle with my family and kids and go to sleep. Well.. my dear husband.. dear dear wonderful husband had other plans for me. He knows how much i HATE surprises.. not that I hate them.. I just hate not knowing about them.. I always peak at my presents, always find out what is happening.. when I think something is going "down", i have to figure out what it is.. but this time. He got me. My birthday isnt until THIS coming Sunday and he totally caught me off guard by throwing me a surprise party this PAST Sunday when I arrived home. He had some help from my good friend Meridith. But Let me tell you I WAS surprised.. lol. but it was so fun. It was just with some of our close friends and family. We had cupcakes, played bingo with some FUN prizes (ben gave away gift cards to some fun places and a trip for two! I was impressed! lol). Here is a picture of us here.

 It was fun. At first I was a little annoyed because I was so tired.. but it quickly went away when all the hugs and smiling faces were around me. I love my family.. and love my friends. I am so blessed. It was a simple but very memorable birthday gift. I LOVED it. Thanks Benny.. I love you :).

So.. now onto the Monday Moodboard! ( Latley... i have a terrible habbit of getting sidetracked :))

Sunday at the party, one of the things Ben served was Pumpkin Cookies.. oh yum.. those are seriously my favorite. Then I started getting obsessed with pumpkins smells and finding my pumpkin candles to fill my house with that delicious scent. So this week is inspired by pumpkins. It's the epitome of fall. You can't see a pumpkin and not think FALL or halloween or thanksgiving. It just is.

 

 

Pumpkin LipBalm

I love handmade skin care. Organic and simple. I'm putting this one first because my lips are chapped right now.. and those just so look refreshing and yummy.. my lips are craving them!

Woodland Pumpkin

This pumpkin is soo freaking cool and non-traditional! I love it! I would seriously leave this up through Christmas!

Pumpkin Nest Spoon

I love creative people.. and I have to say.. this is SUPER creative. Love the idea of a birds nest twist.. and that its been made on the spoon is even cooler! Creative Art. love it.

Danita Pumpkin Girl Print

I was going through my November 2011 Artful Blogging Magazine that just arrived yesterday and found this amazing artist featured in it! Danita.She is one amazing artist! So had to check out her blog and etsy shop and this small print was featured in her shop. So adorable. Makes me want to get out my paints and create!

Upcylced Pumpkins

oh my heck.. seriously. I LOVE recycling things to make new things. Made a bag once out of a mens suit.. and gloves out of an old sweater (you can read about them and see them here.. Men-suit Bag.. Sweater Gloves).  I LOVE the idea of taking old sweaters and clothing and making pumpkins with them! These are ADORABLE.. makes me want to get out my sewing machine and sew!.. lol.. dang. I thinK I need a day to be artsy this week.

Pumpkin Monster  Doll

i have seen these little monsters popping up everywhere.. felted one.. ones made out of socks.. and I LOVE this girls take on it.. for fall. A pumpkin monster doll. So stinking cute!

 All this talk of pumpkins is starting to make me hungry.. must be lunch time. Right now I am craving one of my closest friends Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. (you can find the recipe here). Margie is FAMOUS for these.. most of you probably already know that.. she has posted her recipe on her blog many times and I constantly see people tagging her on facebook saying they are making them. Hum.. might have to bribe one of my kids to make them for me after school. Or maybe I should just do it :)

Well i am inspired now.. inspired to create something for fall.  I wish I had more time this week.. I want to do some sort of canvas. Gotta get my move on.. because while I just got home.. I leave again in 2 days for San Diego to teach at CKU!! Ben is coming with me this time.. and we get back home on Sunday. So glad is he coming with me. I miss him when I am away. He's is my rock. That's for sure.
Well I have a fun post.. video for you for tomorrow.. on a tag I made last week.. with a pumpkin on it :)

happy Tuesday!

 

 

Creativley Inspired.... by Fall

Fall is my FAVORITE time of year. Well at least I say that every year but then just now typing it out load.. I realized that now since I discovered surfing behind our boat.. and I love being OUT on our boat.. it might be a really close tie for first with Summer now. awe.. Sorry Fall I promise I still love you!  BUT I DO love fall for totally different reason.. love the smells, the crips but warm air (we have had seasonable warm weather the past two weeks.. and I LOVE IT). The changing of the trees, the falling leaves, apple pies and apple cider, carving pumpkins, trick-or treating. I love sweaters and football games and snuggling under blankets with hot chocolate. I love everything about Fall. Too bad it doesn't last through November here. Lol.  I also love Halloween. and it's not because my birthday is the day before (my family always thinks it is.. but I promise it's not :))... it's truly because I LOVE that holiday! Besides Christmas.. it is by FAR my favorite holiday of the year. It's even a close tie for Christmas. (which is Ironici beacuse they are centered around two totally different things. Weird).

Anyhow.. this week I was inspired by fall, and I have been totally lame and not even taken out my few fall decorations that I do have.  I did buy a pumpkin the other day at TJmax..

 

Cute huH? I loved it! it was 7 bucks!!

 what's lame this cute little pumpkin is just sitting on my front entry way table... all by itself.. just waiting for the other decorations to come. haha. Sorry bud. It might be a while.

So besides fall, I was also totally inspired by Alisa Burke.. once again. (this girl has some seriously creative skills)

Last week, after I got home from our cruise, I was catching up on her blog and she had these freaking ADORABLE painted pumpkins. Totally cool. Which got me to surfing the web for other fun painted pumpkin ideas.. and I found this article here in country Living magazine  and this one here on HGTV's website  . Totally cute stuff. A few years ago we painted pumpkins instead of carving them.. and while it was super messy. It was a ton of fun.    Well It got me inspired to get out and do something different with MY pumpkins for this year.. since I haven't done any sort of deceoration.  In my own style. I was trying to think of the designs I loved.. and these three came to mind.  plaid, polka dots, and of course.. this week's monday moodboard theme, Chevron.. so this is what I came up with.. oh and before I start. I want you to know I actually video taped making all of these pumpkins. Did a total creatively inspired video for you and then my darn Mac is being so weird and won't load them into Imovie so I can edit them and post them to Youtube. Seeing how it is Wednesday night and I leave tomorrow for Spark, I don't have too much more time to mess around with it and get it to work. So if you see a video at the end.. it worked. If not. Sorry. I promise when I get back to post it!

I had fun with these  little babies.. and now my store bought pumpkin has some friends! :)

I used different techniques on each of them .... all fun and different! I linked any of the products I used from our store (they are highlighted in blue) as so many of you always ask me what I used. To make it easier to find!:) so here we go!

 

The first pumpkin was the polka dot pumpkin. For this one I actually used the Swiss Dot stencil (from our store from Crafters Workshop) and did black dots on the white pumpkin. (the pumpkin came already white, but you could easily paint it white with gesso!)

But I wanted to add some added texture to it.. and LOVE the look of handwriting.. so I got my black Big Brush Faber Castel Penout and wrote Happy Halloween in cursive, all over the pumpkin. I like how it gave it just one more added dimension!

 

and ended up with this look!

The next pumpkin, I used a plaid Technique. I use a yellow squash pumpkin for this one. I used Masking tape and taped stripes vertically along the pumpkin (in the video you can see how I did it.. hopefully I can get the video to work!) Then I sprayed the pumpkin with Color Wash spray from Ranger. I used the Sunset Orange spray and then used a paper towel to dab it a big. After it dried (which was fairly quickly) I then taped off the pumpkin again  (leaving the other tape still one)  except this time horizontally and then sprayed it again with Wild Plum Color Wash Spray.  Again then dabbed it with a paper towel and then pulled the tape off and this was what was revealed!

Then I added some texture with some rubber stamps.

Last I used my black Fabercastell Pen to draw black lines on the pumpkin, to give it a bit more definition and one more color to the plaid. You could also go back and do this with other Faber castell Big Brush pens. Like Orange, Green, Purple. Or even white!

My last pumpkin was inspired by The Chevron design from this week's moodboard. First I painted a purple Chevron design across the middle, then added some along the top and bottom in green and orange.

Then  again for more texture and a bit of doodling, I added black words and some "stitches" and more chevron shapes to the pumpkin with my black big brush Pen.

and ended up with this..

I had fun painting these! I am thinking maybe this year.. instead of carving pumpkins with our kids for Family Home evening.. we will paint them! and get out all my sprays and inks and Faber Pens and stamps. Seriously. How fun! still a bit of a mess.. but something totally different!

Anyhow, Just a fun little project you can do with your artsy friends, your family or just by yourself! I really hoped the video would work, but seriously.. could not get it to download and now I am heading to Spark first thing in the morning! So if ben can get it fixed while I am gone, I will post the video how to to these when I get back. I show you how to tape the plaid pumpkin and stencil, etc.. so it really makes more sense! Plus videos are always fun :)
Well I will see you all back here next monday for another monday moodboard and some inspiration during the week!

OH one more thing! My sister was just blown away by your response to my blog post YESTERDAY about their skin care line, Muvazi!WOW! The orders just kept coming in all day long!  You have no idea what a blessing that was to them.. how much this meant to them to see the excitment and support for this awesome product. You guys freaking rock! ROCK! I tell you! She told me to tell you that the special price and coupon posted about yesterday (here) will run until the end of the month. (and then a little birdie told me they are going to do something special for you again in December.. when you will all be ready to need more.. can't wait for that!). Also, they started shipping out yesterday.. but they had so many orders that it may take them a few days to fill them all and get them all out.  They actually hand-make all the product themselves organically, which makes it even more amazing (they don't have someone else make it and just put their name on it). They actually mix all the ingredients together themselves and fill the bottles and package it and everything. Another big reason I love it. Tia's husband Deren has been working for other people for years, creating amazing products in skin care, hair care and household goods.  Now his is excited to be doing something that he truly loves and is his own work of art.   TRULY.. you guys are going to LOVE it!

Well, I am headed to SPARK! to be with my creative friends.. and see the Magic that that goes on there! Margie is one of THE MOST CREATIVE people I know! I promise to take lots of pictures, and plan to do a huge post on it when I get back next week. you know the handmade decorations are going to be amazing! if you live in the area (SLC or Provo area).. and haven't signed up for Spark or can't make it to the classes.. make sure to stop by the Artisan Fair! So many cool handmade goodies to buy including jewelry, art pieces, food and more! I will be bringing some of my prints to sale! can't wait! See you all when I get back! Have a wonderful weekend!
Happy Thursday!

 

Muvazi Luv..

so as you can imagine.. when I go places with all of my kids, I often times get lots of stares. I think they are either trying to figure out if they are all mine? Or what. Quite a few times, I have been mistaken for an older sibling or a aunt?.. which to me is just HILARIOUS! (I mean really.. I don't look THAT young).. but recently I went into meet with my son Parker's, new high school teachers and the counselor there. When I walked in with Ben.. she looked at me.. and she said.. okay, so is your mom coming? or just your dad and your sister?  I was like.. um. I am the mom! lol.. She started laughing and said "no really?" and I was like. um YES Really???  Then  She said.. "I thought for sure you were one of the high school students here?" and that made me laugh even more. Because while people tell me I do look younger for my age.. to me I am thinking like 2 or 3 years younger.. not almost 20! Ben then said.. um excuse me? what about me?  and that made everyone laugh. But I do get it alot. and I am not saying ANY Of this to brag.. because there is a reason I do look  younger..  So then a second question people always seem to  ask me is.. .. what skin care do you use or how do you stay looking so young?  

 and  THAT  is what today's post is on.  I STRONGLY believe that the reason why I haven't aged much over the last 20 years is because of my skin care regimen. My mom taught us gurls, at a young age, to really take care of our skin.  She sold Mary Kay for a number of years (had her pink car  and everything).. and so from like age 11 or 12,  I have been using really great skin care products.  But then about 2 years or so ago, I started getting adult acne.. like little bumps all over my jaw line and cheeks and forehead and It freaked me out.I had bad acne in high school and I did NOT want to go through that again.  So then I finally switched from MaryKay to Pro-Active.. which I LOVED.. at first... I mean it took away the acne incredibly but after a while it started to irritate my skin and I noticed spots on my face and dark colors and and other harsh reactions I was having too it.  Maybe that was just age, but it felt like it was the pro-active that was doing it. I had been using it for about a year.. so early this last spring,  I was sitting at dinner telling my sister about it.. and also commenting on HER skin.. She has always has age spots on her forehead and face and I noticed they were REALLY going away. I knew her husband and her had recently developed a line of skin care products but I  hadn't ever tried them because I loved what I was using. So she told me she would give me a sample of hers and I could just see for myself if it would work for me. Umm holy cow. Can you say LOVE?? I mean REAL LOVE?  It was calledMuvazi

not only did most of my weird spot go away, but it also improved my skin tone AND it faded my fine lines and wrinkles that I had started to get over the past couple of years. I was AMAZED! not since Marykay (which I had used for 20 something years).. had I found a product that I actually Like BETTER and with better results!  anyhow.. I have been using it for almost 9 months now and I don't ever see myself using anything else. I only wash my face once a day.. (mornings only).I probably should do it twice.. but seriously.. at the end of the day, I am good to just take my contacts out and brush my teeth before i crash in bed. So for me the skin care system last about 2-3 months.

I love seeing that white Muvazi box.. in my mailbox every few months..

It's pretty dang cute too (plus It makes for a great altered art project! lol)

I truly do love this product. It's made for the real women. people who are not so "young" anymore with perfect skin (I mean I sure they can use it too)but it REALLY not only conditions and re-rejuvenates the skin.. it takes care of those age spots and lines and  discolorations we all start to get in time. I don't mind getting older.. but I still want to feel comfortable in my skin. :) and now I do. I can go out of the house without putting on makeup. I can be out on the boat and swimming all day and not feel selfconcious of the spots on my face and stuff. I truly am SOLD on this skin care line.  
okay.. so i know some of you are probably wondering how much is it.. where can you get it.. etc.

WEL....L and don't freak out.. but normally it costs $149.00 retail. STICKER Shock I know! it is a High end product.. its sold into high end spas and other high end retail stores... so when I was telling my sister I wanted to do a blog post on it.. I told her I also wanted to offer you gals some kind of coupon code though.. becasyeI was just honest with her..  I told them I couldn't afford to buy it for that price.. and I am the average person. And my BLOG readers are the average women. We can't spend a ton of money on our skin. Wish we could.. but with realy life and kids and everytihng else, I need something affordable).  WELL.. they give me a "family" discount.. and so I told them.. that if they offered that SAME discount to my "blog readers" i know that some of you who would love to try it.. might be able too (because at $149.00 I wouldn't be able to use it..that is for sure).  and she instantly said YES!  SO for all my blog readers.. if you use the coupon codeiluvmv on their website when you check out.. you get it for 60% OFF the retail price.. which is $59.00 PLUS free shipping! Seriously? How can you NOT try it! If it lasts you 2-3 months.. you are paying around $20-25 bucks a month for skin care and even if you buy just stuff at walmart.. you are paying at LEAST that much. Seriously. that a freaking amazing deal! I promise you .. I am NOT being paid  to write this post.. NOR am i getting a kickback from sales. I truly just love this product. and I BUY my own product. Because I am my own business owner and I know you can't give it all away for free.. so I don't expect them to give it to me for free, specially when I love it so much.

SO if you want to take advantage of this deal.. She said it would be good until the end of this month.. October (in honor of my birthday :))

simply put in the code

 iluvmv at checkout

to receive the 60% d discount. AND FREE Shipping ANYWHERE in the world (including international!)

http://www.muvazi.com/

AND if you go to their facebook page (do a search on facebook for Muvazi  or click HERE) and "like" them.. they do giveaways and other fun things on there too!

guess what else? Silly old me.. made a video for you.. I wanted to show you up close what it has done for my skin AND show you all the product and how each one works and how I use them.. so make sure to watch the video! I make a fool of myself.. so you have to watch it. :)

anyhow.. hope you don't mind this post. I know it's not related to art.. but it is apart of my life and who I am. Sometime I need to do a fun question and answer blog post and open it up to just about anything! that would be a super fun video! hum.. ideas are rolling :)

check back thursday for a new post on being creatively inspired.. and a new art project for FALL! :)

Happy Tuesday!

Muvazi Video :)

 

 

Monday Moodboard- Chevron inspired designs

wow.. really? it's been almost an entire summer since I did a monday moodboard. I really actually stopped only because I thought everyone was getting bored with them, but I LOVED them.. so guess what? they are back! lol.

I am always inspired by patterns, my house is full of them on pillows, blankets, home decor.. I love to mix and match and love eclectic feels. One of the patterns I have seen lately that is popping up everywhere is the Chevron Pattern. totally inspired by the 70's.. this pattern is really to me, timeless. Lately I have found myself gravitating toward this pattern in fashion (i purchase a couple of shirts from old navy for our cruise with that pattern on it). ONe of the main reason I like it for shirts, is it's VERY slimming.. haha. So it's a good "camouflage. BUT I am happy to announce.. that recently I have lost 15 pounds! wahoo! ANd started working out. Cardio, weights, lunges, squats. I just have felt this huge need to get my body in shape. I felt blessed this summer that my body allowed me to surf and wakeboard.. and I am HOPING by working out and keeping my body in shape..it will allow me to snowboard this winter.. or it will be a LONG very sad winter. Last year, I only went once and withing an hour, my body was in so much pain, I had to stop. Darn Fibromyalgia. So this year I am determined to fight it. with nearly 6 months of winter here, I really need an activity that allows me to be grateful for this our miserable cold weather. lol.

anyhow back to the Monday Moodboard.. holy cow, can I get off track fast or what?

So this fall, I am doing the Moodboard a little different. Before I use to do them all in one big "collage" and it made the pictures small and harder to see. This time I am going to post individual pictures.. because I am all about being inspired and personally love a bigger picture to look at, to see detail. I also want to be able to talk about each piece and why it inspired me.  So without further interruptions or sidetracks.. (haha)...here is my monday board for today.( OH and Ps. If you want to see where I got each piece (visit the store) click on the name under the pictures.. it will take you there! but don't forget to come back! :)

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Chevron Tops

Thesea are the two tops I purchased for my cruise. They aren't on sale right now, but they were when I bought them ($14.00 each). And seriously. could NOT be more flattering. I would say I normally wear a medium in old navy shirts, but I had to buy a Xsmall in these and they fit perfect. Slim around the bottom, but flouncy in the top, very flattering. I got a lot of compliments. What I love about them too is I can layer under them for winter with long sleeve shirt. Love em!

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Chevron Bib and Burplcloth'

My friend, Alisa Burkejust recently had a baby girl, so I was searching Etsy for something cool and special. I know she is really into organic textures and fabrics and I came across this adorable bib and burpcloth for baby, in organic Chevron Fabric.

 

Chevron Journal

I love handmade journals and this little book is seriously ADORABLE! it's actually inspired me to make my own.. I think I will make mine a little more artsy though using Julie Balzers Chevron Stencil and some paints!

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Chevron Stencil and Art Piece

Speaking of Julies Chevron Stencil.. this cool art piece was done using her stencil (the background).. oh my heck LOVE.. and this layout too! It was done by the talented Briana Johnson 

 

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Chevron Handbag

dang.. seriously.. who doesn't love a gorgeous handbag that just pops! I love this and LOVE how they pair it with brown canvas/tweed for the handles. yum!

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Chervron Inspired Necklace

So I am a sucker for jewelry Lately.. and this necklace (which is really long by the way).. is seriously one of my favorites ever! I can see wearing it everyday with just about anything! soo.. don't tell ben, but I bought it as birthday gift for myself.. it's in two weeks.. and we will both be flying home from San Diego that day from me teaching at CKU.. so I will "casually" wear it and say.. oh by the way! you don't have to get me a present! Because this is from you! lol I don't normally spend that much on a necklace.. but I just LOVED this. I will have this for years to come.

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Chevron Earings, Woven Bracelet and Crocheted Cuff

Like I said.. I am really into Jewelry lately which for people who know me well, know that is NOT normally me. I have never worn earrings, or bracelets or necklaces! But this past year, I started wearing bracelets.. a few sentiment leather bands and simple woven bands that has special meaning to me. I actually wear like 6 or 7 of them.. all together.. but they are so lightweight i don't mind them at all. They have to be leather or woven though.. no metal or anything "clanky" as don't like the weight or the noise :). Anyhow.. I did NOT buy any of these pieces.. but I honestly LOVE the simple black and white woven bracelet. I could see wearing it with all the other bands I wear on a daily basis.. as an added splash of texture. hum.. is it worth it? another birthday present maybe? Lol

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Super Girl Print  and Chevron Print

I am always inspired by other peoples art.. and seriously when I saw this adorable "super girl" painted by my dear friend Kelly Barton.. wholly cow in LOVE! And I also really love this simpler painted grey and yellow pattern on canvas. So cool for wall hanging!

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Chevron Coasters and Pillows

Don't worry.. we are getting close to the end :)

okay.. first off these Coasters I have to say.. are not only so stinking cool, but they are handmade! And you have to check out this girls Etsy shops! She has all sorts of hand-painted tile coasters and can even do custom designs. What a stinking cool gift! love it! And the pillows.. well they are just cool! Would look great on a bed or couch!

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Chevron Chair Cover

Um seriously? okay.. I have this older chair that is cream and it is SOO dirty.. I mean with 6 kids you can imagine the stains on it. It's been in our living room forever and finally we just removed it because we were embarrassed about all the drool marks and spilled drinks on it. (and yes we did try cleaning it). Anyhow, now it's in my art studio and I have big plans for it! While I love the slip cover.. it costs $150.00 bucks and seriously.. I can buy a new chair for that much! Lol.. BUT I am thinking, maybe I will die the chair and then hand-paint a chevron pattern on it! It would be an awesome addition to my art studio.. with the red art table, blue lockers and all the art I have going on the wall. Yum!

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Well that's it for today's monday moodboard! I hope you enjoyed it and are now inspired by this seriously timeless pattern. I have plans to create something this week for a "creatively" inspired challenge.. and hopefully will have a video for you on thursday!

Tomorrow I have another post for you.. it's not about art.. but about a question that I get all the time.. something I am also excited to share with you :) Today is a crazy busy day.. I wrote myself out schedule starting at 8:00 for my day.. and holy cow.. i am already behind! lol. So much to do before I leave for Spark this week! can't wait though! Ben's parents arrived last night from Boise.. and It's been almost a year since I have seen them! Crazy. Love having them here. They are already up and helping! Ben's dad went to our warehouse with Ben to help pull orders and Ben's mom is busy cutting fabric for a Shelley Colored (red and black) Rag Quilt for me to use at Braden's Cold football games! They seriously rock!

Happy Monday!

we're back and playing catch up :)

wahoo! we are home.. as much as I love going on vacation, I also love the feeling, when I have been gone for a long time, and we get off the "shelley" exit.. which consists of miles and miles of farmland.. and drive the 7 minute drive into "town".. seeing the old "welcome to shelley" sign and then pulling down our street and seeing our house. It's such a comforting sight and it feels so good to be HOME. Then reality hits and you realize.. holy crap.. Ive been gone for 10 days and I am SO behind and have a 1000 emails to return and deadlines that are waiting for me.. and life is back to usual. lol. I actually had to take a nap yesterday because I was so tired.. lol and I was looking at a long night ahead.

The cruise was amazing! This is us.. just getting ready to get onto the ship in Orlando. Kids were so excited and getting along.

This was right after we got on the cruise.. the first thing Noah wanted to do was get an ice cream cone.. that was actually our kids favorite thing  to do. Get ice cream. Before swimming, during swimming, after swimming, before dinner, after dinner, at midnight.. etc. gotta love being able to get your own soft-serve anytime you want!

of course I had to join it :) it was part of a family activity..

This is the kids waiving goodbye to the people on shore.. so funny

 Me and ben.. excited to just be together and have FAMILY TIME!!!

and then I turned my phone off, because I was out of range.. and didn't turn it back on until our last port, when I realized I could put it in "airplane" mode and it wouldn't receive texts and I could still use it as a phone! lol (I made the mistake of turning it on in Jamaica to use it for "keeping time"  and I had about 5 texts from friends come in and then a message from AT&T telling me that each message was costing me $20.00 per text!) I scrambled to turn it off.. and then in cozumel when I was complaining I wasn't getting any good pictures on my phone, my son, Braden, reminded me.. I could put it in airline mode and just use it as a camera :) duh. So we do have a lot of pictures during the cruise.. but they are all on ben's video camera. Next time I know! This picture was taking iN Cozumel after I realized I could use it as a camera :) Braden found himself a little lizard or gecko? or some sort while we were shopping and it climbed on him and stayed with him all day long. Even in Hard Rock Cafe, when we ate lunch. The waiters and cooks thought that was pretty funny.

just for documentation purposes, I should start taking a picture of us, on our last day, waiting in the airport to come home.. haha.. I guarantee the look on the faces would NOT be excitements.. OR them getting along. On the plane ride home, there was a lot of "he's teaching me", "he won't let me see out the window", "it's my turn to play on the laptop/ipod.. etc".. seriously. I was ready to kick some tomlinson butt on that planeride home. We live in a pretty small town, so to fly out of here is REALLY expensive for 8 people. So if more than 2 of us are flying, we usually make the 3 hour drive to Salt Lake City, Utah.. to catch a plane there. So after we arrived in Salt Lake at 9:00 at night.. and we gathered our luggage, got a ride to the carport for our car, and stopped to get food.. we were on the road around 9:30 PM to home and luckily the kids slept the entire ride home. Or It would not have been pretty for them. lol.

anyhow.. so we are home! Im busy finishing up some fabrics designs I have been doing, finishing up my classes and supplies for the two events I am teaching at this month.. Next week.. SPARK THE EVENT in Utah..

 

 SO excited to be there, and spend time with my TRUE, Margie Romney-Aslett. This event is like no other. Seriously. I am not just saying that. It's not an event where you just go from room to room and your one of the crowd. The attention to detail at this event is spectacular! They make it a magical creative place.. from the decorations, to the food, to the special mini events they have, to the  homemade cupcakes and the artisan fair with all sorts of handmade vendors and gifts. IT TRULY is a one of a kind event! It's a very relaxing and nastalogic event. LOVE going to it.  I am teaching a SHE ART canvas at this event. Allie is going to miss school and come with me. Help me with my class and stuff. It will be a great bonding experience with my girl :).  It's gonna be fun! 

The the following weekend (actually on my birthday!) Ben and I are flying to San Diego, where i will be teaching at CKU.. Reunion!

CKU is jammed packed with energy and craziness..  so complete opposite of Spark. The pace is fast and fun and lots of dancing and all sorts of crazy fun. I am bringing ben because with my fibromyalgia.. I seriously can't NOT life boxes or bags and I need help with setting up all my classes.. and really .. just need moral support. I teach all day long.. 4 classes each day and so at the end of the day I tend to get tired and emotional and need the familiar support to bring me back down to "it's okay" and start all over again the next day. I am teaching a "house" canvas at this event.. gonna be SO fun. Then we fly home sunday, October 30th.. on my birthday! I think I am going to be 37 this year? I hope it's 37.. not 38! lol

Come join me at either OR BOTH events! You can still register and come! Seriously.. gonna love it :)

so that is what I am up to this week.. preparing for those two events. PLUS I am designing a new line of STAMPS too! Can't wait! working on it with a fabulous company.. hoping to have them in production by the end of this month and ready for the new SHE art 2 class!  OH and on my list this week.. start loading all my prints into my new esty store that I am HOPING to have open by the end of this month too. :)

 holy cow.. it's wednesday.. I don't know if I can get this all done. I still have to order all the products for our brand new mixed media subscription kit, we are hoping to debut in November. I think I need a double :) lol

well, that's an update of life at the Tomlinson home! I DO have in the plans to do a Creatively Inspired video this week too.. think "fall" and pumpkins.. and paint and stamps. So inspired when I saw this and can't wait to do it! already bought my pumpkins yesterday for it! Plus gonna do a video on something TRULY amazing that my sister and her husband have done.. that I want to share with you too.. so i better get off this darn keyboard and start doing it. I have my to do list in front of me.. better start checking it off :)

Happy Wednesday!
Christy

Playing the studio.. more UTEE fun

So I promised you another post this week.. and wanted to share with you a couple of more projects I did using UTEE! There are a lot of different ways to use it.. and again.. in the 3 Hearts Workshop.. I go over EVERYTHING.. but one of my new favorite ways to use it is creating a faux soldering look using Clear UTEE with a bit of either Platinum or Bronze Utee mixed in.. and glass! You can by pre-cut class from Ranger (we carry it in our store).. or you can get it at  your local hardware store or etsy.. lots of places carry it. I love creating art and putting it between two pieces of class and then dipping it in the UTEE for a faux soldered look and then using those newly made charms as part of my canvass to add that bit of dimension I love these days..

 

 

For this 8x8 deep edge canvas, I use different pieces of patterned paper for the background, the painted over it, textured it with stamps, my doodle pen, etc. Then I created 5 glass pieces with artwork inside of those and adhered them onto the canvas! love how it turned out..

 

 
 

I seriously am addicted to this type of art right now. In the SHe ARt Workshop 2,I will be showing you how to make some She Art Ornaments using this technique and "boxes".. its' going to be so cool!

I also created this mini canvas (it's just a 4x4)

 

again, just created a simple text background, added paint, doodles.. and then added a piece of cardboard painted, some wire and a little soldered charm.

 
 
So simple and so fun!

Anyhow, just thought I would share some more fun artsy stuff this week.. while I am gone cruising.. Today, if all is going well, we should be in the Grand Caymans, snorkeling the coral reef and swimming with the Sting Rays! I hope we are :)

oh don't forget! I extended the deadline to sign up for the She ARt Workshop 2.. at the discounted price of $35.00 (it goes up to $45.00 when I get home).. so get signed up while I am gone! YOu can sign up here!! :)

Next week.. I have a really special blog post for you. it doesn't have to do with art.. it's a personal blog post about me and my sister and getting older and taking care of myself.. lol. oooh.. now I have you wondering huh? I am really excited to share it with you.. because it's something TRULY amazing that my sister has done. So and proud of her and I can't wait to share!

Hope you all have a fabulous rest of the week! See you next week when I get back from our cruise!

Happy Wednesday!

UTEE Fun...and My Craft Channel is LIVE Today!

Some of you have been emailing me and asking about when the new show My Craft Channel.com will air! It's the new Online/tv show that I am one of the hosts on! .. my personal show is called  Art. Redefined. and is all about fun mixed media techniques and projects! You can read more about my experience taping my shows and what it is HERE in this post! Well today is the official LAUNCH of the show! (at least I think it is.. and since I am gone and pre-typeing this.. let's hope it is! LOL)  So check it out! I haven't seen my shows yet.. so I am afraid to see what I look like and what I say (i know I said some pretty dumb things lol) but since I am gone and not really home, I have to wait until I get back! lol.. you can check it out here! One of the shows I did is on Utee..

If you don't know what UTEE is.. it's Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel.. (actually it's a powder that when you get it hot, turns into a thick enamel). Anyhow.. it's been around forever.. and has been used mainly for embossing stamped designs with ink. But if you took my 3 Hearts workshop (still available here by the way).. You learned there are so many OTHER wonderful things you can do with UTEE too! Things that are awesome for mixed media projects. This week on the blog, I will be posting some of the projects I have been making with UTEE.

This first one I just used a hand-dhipping technique. I created a background on canvas and then for the flowers, I use two elements and dipped them into the UTEE (which I melted into my melting pot).

 
The flower on the left is actually a paper flower from Prima that I dipped in the clear UTEE to create this hard enamel surface on the flower.. like my own gian cabochon!

 

The flower on the right, I made out of wire making sure to connect all my loops.. and then I added some color to my Utee with paint and then dipped the wire flower into it. It creates a cool  "glass" like effect

 

 

Just a fun way to add some dimension to your canvases! Something a little different you know? I love finding ways to add more texture and dimension to my projects. It always makes for good conversation!

Anyhow.. today.. AT THIS moment, I am on a cruise ship in the Western Carribean... (i pre-blogged this post :)).. soaking up the sun and enjoying family time! AND it's my son's Ethan's.. 9th BIRTHDAY! Happoy Birthday ETHAN!  what a fun way to spend a birthday for sure! I am sure I will have lots of stories to tell when I get back and pictures to share :). But for now..  I Hope you can find some creative time this week!

 Happy Monday!