More Shrink Plastic Projects

I took a couple my of shrink plastic pieces and made them into finished projects.  One shrink plastic (Julia image) I put on a frame I found at craft depot. I just added some collage elements. 

The other is a book, inspired from Connie Stuart (the shrink plastic is the book cover). I used some washi tape for the book binding. Washi tape is Japanese masking tape - it's so fun to use. I cut card stock for the pages and just bound the book with jump rings.  I added mini tabs for a final touch.  The book measures just 1.5" x 2.25"

Shrink Plastic - Me Too

Talking with my sister Maryl about the fun she had with shrink plastic yesterday made me want to play with it too. This time I used white shrink plastic and painted it with antique white acrylic paint. I used various punches to cut out shapes. I like using Staz-On black ink because it doesn't smear much. I baked them in my regular oven at 350 for about 4 minutes.  Here they are before they went into the oven.

 Here they are after.

 I transfered them to this mini baking sheet, just for fun.

I filmed the plastic shrinking in my oven.  I wish I knew how to make a time lapse of this video so it doesn't bore you, but no can do.  Warning: it's 1 min and 43 seconds long.

Friday's Depot Find

I love Friday's for several reasons (not only for the weekend ahead) but also for my weekly trip to what I call Craft Depot (aka East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse, see why I abbreviate) in Oakland. I've mentioned it many times in previous posts. It's just this place where people and businesses donate items that could potentially be used for some craft/art project. You can find great treasures, you just have to be willing to look through a bunch of junk too. Today, I picked up just these two items. Some gray ribbon (styled in France, as the label says) - nice color, 1/4" wide, perfect for many projects and also some adorable ivory mini picture frames.

I purchased only 10 frames, not knowing what I would do with them...although they had hundreds in a box there. They have a nice vintage look (dull ivory plastic). The frames where less than twenty cents each. I knew I had to work on making something with the frame tonight, so I could decide if I need to go back tomorrow and buy more. Here's what I came up with.

The size of the frame is 1.5" x 2.5". The center part is slightly raised and can easily be removed. I covered the center part with some paper, embellished with more paper, and then used one of Catherine Moore's stamps (from the Bird & Bee Paperie collection) for the girl. I hope to be able to drill holes in the top and bottom and be able to use on a necklace. I can also see using the frames as a book cover\or just on a card. Who wants some?  I'm going back tomorrow to buy more...it's got potential! Maybe I can sell these on my Esty site (someday).  Leave me a comment if you want me to pick you up some!

Happy New Year!

Our friends came over and celebrated New Years Eve with us. It was a fun night of food, games and crafts.



Chris with his school friends

Boys playing Rock Band (they're really focusing)



Rachel & the girls



Girls at the craft table playing with clay

Happy New Year!

Today, we had a playdate at my sister Maryl's house. It was just a last minute event with my sisters, Lana & Frances, Connie Stuart and Rachel. Maryl had our play table set up perfectly.



Doll Play Date, one of my favorite displays in Maryl's house

Maryl's creations

Connie S. creations

Rachel's creations

My creations

Lana's work was in progress & Frances was crocheting, sorry no pics.  Maryl, thanks for the fun play date - we had a great time!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. Here's to a great 2011!

P.S. My second publication in one of the Stampington magazine's, "Art Journaling", is out. I'll share the article once I get my issue.

Polyimer Clay Creation Craze

If you've been following my blog, you probably know that my daughter Rachel's latest hobby is working with polymer clay. She's been creating a storm of cuteness! Here's Rachel at work.

 A cake plate full of clay creations. I love the painted faces she puts on them, too cute!

I can't believe how many items she's made. My favorites are the peas in a pod and the Chinese take out box.

After Xmas Purchases & Special Gift

This past weekend I went after Christmas shopping with my daughter, Rachel, on 4th Street in Berkeley.  We like to shop at Anthropologie, Paper Source, Castle in the Air, and Scrapbook Territory. My best finds were at Scrapbook Territory.

Brenda Walton's New Emphera Pack, "Flora & Fauna"

Brenda Walton's Desinger Paper Pad, "Flora & Fauna Ledger"

Annalee Notecards from Prima

Basic Grey Curio Pieces

Tim Holtz Vagabond Sizzix Machine!

The girls (Daniela & Nicky) at Scrapbook Territory demoed the Vagabond machine to me, and I was sold!  I purchased it as my bday/xmas gift to myself. I'm such a sucker for gadgets and I love the way this one looks. Tim has designed some really nice die cuts too. Daniela and Nicky showed me how easy it is to make a rosette and I had to have it. I'm going to use the rosette on the kid's thank you notes - I'll show those to you later.

On another note, Rachel has really been into Sculpey clay and has been creating a storm of cuteness (that's a word, right?). Tonight she made me this hamburger ring, and I just love it. I don't eat hamburger's much, and I don't eat cheese and tomatos, but it doesn't look like a real hamburger with out those toppings. I had to show you, but there's so much more to share - I'll post more soon.

Christmas Celebrations

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday. Xmas Eve we hosted for my husband's side of the family at our house. A small, cozy group.

Christmas day was hosted by my sister, Pat, and her husband, Bob, for my side of the family. A much larger group, with 30+ people. Love the wonderful food, great company, beautiful house and seeing our family and close friends. We had all but one sister with us. Diana spends this time of year in Hawaii...we missed you!

Our gracious host & hostess

My kids' Xmas morning.

I want to share this Xmas card from my kids that Rachel made it. It's a baking sheet of felt xmas cookies (3"x 5") - love it!

The day after Christmas, Rachel and I had a mother-daughter bonding event and went shopping! We ran out to Stoneridge in the morning and then 4th street in Berkeley in the afternoon.  I'll post some of our findings this week.  One of them includes my bday/xmas gift to myself - it's a good one!

Happy Holidays!