Designer Craft Connection Product Challenge - Rowlux Illusion Film

Another opportunity was presented, when designer Marisa Pawlko offered the the group the chance to work with Rowlux® Illusion Film.  It is an interesting material that looks like it could rightly have many creative applications.  I received a very nice selection of sheets of lovely colors and cool patterns.

Here are my contributions to ideas using Rowlux® Illusion Film.  I immediately went to my Sizzix dies and cutting system to see how the sheets would cut.  The frame was made using a Scoreboard die and cut from a yellow gold sheet of film.  I also cut a corresponding frame from a yellow piece of card stock to back the front opening and to hold a photo.  Embellishments for the frame were also die cut using other colors and patterns of the film. I was able to fold and shape the film pieces. The frame was held together using a thin strip of redline double-sided tape.  The same tape was used to hold the "rick-rack" strips to the front by placing small pieces only on the ends.  I found that I could take short clips of Therm O Web Zips™ Clear Adhesive Lines and roll them to form a tight circle to connect the layers of the die-cut shapes of film together.

Back of pendant to attach a cord 

Another piece was made once again using dies and cutting flower layers and leaves to form a pendant to fashion into a necklace.  Again I was able to fold and shape the flower layers to make them dimensional.

This is an interesting material to work with.  I will be experimenting more with the remaining sheets, various adhesives, techniques of cutting and layering and manipulating the film pieces.

This blog hop has over 20 participants and I'm truly looking forward to seeing all the varied ideas from each designer.  There is a giveaway where you can enter to win a 6 pack of Rowlux® Illusion Film of your choice. Go to: BLOG.MODERNSURREALIST.COM - click on "Rafflecopter giveaway to enter.  So let's all get hopping!

To see colors check out this link: Rowlux Design Center
Use this link at Amazon to purchase: Amazon

Here is information about Rowlux Illusion Film:

This revolutionary material has been utilized in award winning point of purchase displays, packaging, signage, artwork, footwear, lighting, interior design, retail display fixtures and beyond. Our new frontier is the craft industry! There's absolutely nothing like it on the market, and I personally believe without a doubt that Rowlux® Illusion Film is THE future of crafts! 

Rowlux® Illusion Film is made in the USA and comes in a diverse range of spectacular eye-catching colors and patterns.  These durable, translucent, 12" x 12" polycarbonate sheets add instant pizzazz to craft projects, seasonal accents, party decorations, scrapbooks, greeting cards, jewelry, furniture, frames, gifts, favors, accessories, art and DIY home decor projects. Easily cut with scissors, Rowlux® is also the perfect material for scoring, folding, embossing and die cutting. The creative possibilities are endless. This innovative and inspiring new craft material manipulates light to create dazzling visual effects. The illusion of depth and motion is the result of thousands of tiny parabolic lenses that are molded into the surface of both sides of the material. These lenses create a pattern of light reflection and refraction resulting in stunningly brilliant optical effects. 

To instantly add "POP" and "WOW" to your projects, just add Rowlux®!

For special promotions, giveaways and to keep up to date on the exciting Rowlux® Illusion Film craft revolution, be sure to:

Follow Rowlux® on Twitter

LIKE Rowlux® on Facebook

Follow Rowlux® on Pinterest

Designer Craft Connection July - Celebrations

Celebrations are a time when you can joyously gather with family and friends to mark an event or occasion. Births, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, retirements and holidays are such moments.

This week we celebrate as a country, from "sea to shining sea our country's Independence Day.  So with that in mind I will give a shout out in this months post for the "red, white & blue"!

I'm taking a little twist on this and not posting a handmade project but homemade food goodies. Later this week I will be attending the annual 4th of July party at my youngest son's house.  To help out I will be making two recipes that have become summer favorites for such celebrations.  (NOTE: since I cannot really made these too far in advance I will be sharing the recipes and adding photos to this post either Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.)  My plan is to incorporate some handmade touches for decorations and presentation of the two recipes.  

Both  of these recipes are tried and approved by many, so with a few days to go before  the 4th, you may want to make one for your celebration.  

Mock Crab Spread

(How this recipe got its name I'm not really sure. It has absolutely NO crabmeat in it.  I think it's because of the texture that it got the name. Though it can be made for any occasion, for some reason it just tastes great in the summer.)

8 ounce block Swiss cheese

2 tablespoons of finely diced green pepper

2 tablespoons of thinly sliced green onion

2 tablespoons of finely chopped green olives

1 tablespoon of finely snipped chives

1 Roma tomato, seeded and chopped into

1/3 cup of mayonnaise

Several dashes of Tabasco or Cholula sauce

Grate the cheese with a coarse grater. Add the next five ingredients and mix. Add in the mayo and dashes of sauce and blend well.  Chill well so flavors can combine.  Serve with crackers of choice.

(NOTE: We prefer Town House crackers with this spread. Also this recipe can be doubled. It will not hurt if you add more of any of the ingredients.  More or less mayo can be used if desired.)

The next recipe is another "oldie" and I'm sure many have seen or had this one.  My faded, stained recipe card just states - 

"Chocolate Cake"

Step #1-Bring to a boil, 2 sticks of margarine, 1 cup of water and 4 tablespoons of cocoa.

             Set aside to cool. 

Step #2-Mix in a large bowl, 2 cups of sugar, 2 cups of sifted flour, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon of baking soda,

             1/2 cup of sour cream.  Set aside.

When the ingredients from step#1 are cool, add to the dry ingredients and mix well.

Grease a cookie sheet with sides (Use a jelly roll pan, approximately 15" x 10")

Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Icing:

Bring to a boil, 1 stick of margarine, 6 tablespoons of milk, 4 tablespoons of cocoa.  Remove from heat and add a teaspoon of vanilla and 1 box of confectioners sugar (sifted).  Blend well.  Ice cake while hot.  (NOTE: Sometimes the frosting can run over the edge so place on a large sheet of parchment paper. This is a great sheet cake for outdoor parties or picnics.  Never a crumb left with this one!)

My decorated sheet cake for the 4th

No matter how or where you may be celebrating the "4th" add some handmade or homemade goodness to the day and enjoy the holiday.  After the fireworks on Thursday, I'll be watching the "Capitol Fourth" that I already have set to record and "Yankee Doodle Dandy" before calling it a day.

Here are a few photos of decorations I have made for the house to celebrate summer and the summer holidays:

Torn fabric scraps, tied onto a wire wreath form.

A simple flag banner made from purchased flags, glued onto a string.

Simple banner made from papers and ribbon.

Just FYI: There will be another blog hop coming on July 15th with several designers participating.

Projects will feature an interesting product - Rowlux Illusion Film.  It really is an interesting product and can't wait to see what develops in the way of ideas with this one!

Designer Craft Connection Manufacturer Challenge - EtchAll

Another opportunity presented its self, when Julie McGuffee announced a new challenge.  This time I would call myself a "true novice".  The product we were to use is one that I had been aware of and interested in, but never took or had the chance to try.

I started out small and made some mistakes.  That's how we learn, right?  I would have to say, I'm really liking this and can see using this product in the future.  For the few small projects I experimented with, it gave me the urge to want to learn and try more complicated and creative ways to use "etchall®".  Practice makes perfect! I'm a far cry from perfect.

First I used a jar that was purchased for the purpose of making my own "sprouting" container.  I had to also refashion the lid to hold screening for rinsing and draining.  I die-cut letters from the vinyl that we received to spell out "SPROUTS".  Applied the cutouts to the jar in a random pattern and followed the instructions for etchall®.

I moved on to some blue glassware.  Again I die-cut two different shaped stars from the vinyl.  Each glass had four stars applied to them.  Here I worked on a large glass and smaller glass in steps, by applying two stars to each glass, following the etching process and then repeating once again to add two more star patterns.  I now think I would do this process differently.  (NOTE: because I wanted to experiment on various pieces and I had limited vinyl for stencils, and zero knowledge of what else I could use, I did this application in steps.  I think it would have been better to do all four stars at once.)
I also found because of the shape of the glasses, it is important to mask off any portion of the piece so if the creme does drip it does not etch in unwanted areas.  So now with stars etched on these blue glasses, I am making a "red, white and blue" serving tray to hold the star etched glasses for summer gatherings.

The next simple project was to add a bit of decoration to plain glass float frames.  I was given a gift for my birthday, hand made by a friend.  He is a carpenter by trade, but has become interested in making unique wooden pieces of all shapes and sizes.  The frame holder was made from a vertical slice of wood with a groove to hold the float frames.  I took a rectangle of the vinyl and cut the four sides with decorative scissors, then applied the etchall® to form a border on each piece of glass.

Each piece of glass that is around the house I am looking at for potential etching possibilities.  I was ready to throw a Yankee Candle jar into recycling and had an "Ah-Hah" moment.  It is the next piece that will get some etching, along with a few others.

Now that I have been able to do a little experimenting I will be looking for other pieces to etch.  I have several old windows that have been waiting to be repurposed - I'm considering some different options now.  There are small side windows around the front door that have been begging for something and maybe some mirrors - etching is what they need.  BUT, I need a little, no, lots more practice!

Thanks to Julie for organizing this and to Barbara Bosler, from B & B Etching Products for being so generous in supplying each of us with product and this opportunity.  I hope to become more then a novice with practice.

NOTE:  I apologize for my photos, another area of being a novice, plus having serious issues with my camera.  May have to look into a new one very soon. 

Designer Craft Connection June Entry - Happiness is....

This month's blog theme, "happiness is...", could be completed in so many different ways.  Today, for me, it would have to be - "happiness is sharing time with friends".

This morning our small group of quilters gathered here for brunch and chatting.  It was a delightful gathering, filled with yummy food and the sharing of ideas.

There was "show and tell" as always.  We bring and share finished projects and even works in progress.  Two of the quilters are taking a class at an area store, working on a very ambitious project that will take a year to complete.  Some of our group decided to work on making a "friendship quilt".  We discussed our plan and how we will each make a certain number of quilt blocks and share them.  They will become a "friendship quilt", with each of us finishing our individual quilts in any way we desire later on this year.  (A good project for our midwestern winters.)

Each of my quilting friends were given a flower brooch that I made this past week-end. I found fabric among my scraps for both the flower and leaves. Then I used the  large size, Clover Kanzashi Flower Maker and some buttons from my stash to create a small gift for each.

The flowers became part of my simple table setting for brunch.  Each became part of a napkin ring.  I used a wired jute  ribbon and wrapped it around each napkin, then pinned the flower over the ribbon.
The flatware was included with the napkin at each setting.

 

The table runner is another project that we all made last year in a variety of fabrics.  Another easy project to make for yourself or to share as a gift.  This one is perfect for summer with watermelon slices.

So I could also say that happiness is sharing a little creativity with friends too!

A Day In The "Windy" City

Oh the excitement and fun of visiting the city!  Being born and raised in Chicago, I have had several opportunities to experience the many features the city has to offer visitors and citizens throughout the years.  We have the "lake front", as it is known here, with miles to explore from up north to the south, with beaches, parks, boat harbors and many activities that will keep anyone busy.  The museums, aquarium, and planetarium  are always worth a trip for visitors or residents.  The "Magnificent Mile" not only with all the wonderful places shop, but the many things to observe like the people, the buildings and the history.  Of course this is only a little smidgin of this amazing area.  You only need to walk a block from one point and you find another interesting area to explore.  It's an amazing city and I'm so glad to have grown up here.

Yesterday found me at the Art Institute with my friend Rebekah Meier.  After the train ride into the city we hopped into a taxi to take us eight blocks east to Michigan Avenue.  IF, the weather would have been better we would have walked it, hustling and rushing along like everyone else walks in the Windy City.  The morning was drizzly, a bit chilly and yes, windy.  I wanted to hop on a city bus and let Rebekah experience her very first ride on one, but we missed it and didn't want to wait.

It's been several years since my last visit to the Art Institute, as well as Rebekah's.  There have been big changes or I should say additions to this attraction.  After speaking with one of the receptionist at the front desk, we decided to start our visit there having lunch at the "Terzo Piano" restaurant in the new modern wing of the building.  What an enjoyable time.  It's a good size, open room with windows all around to view the institute campus and some of the city's skyline.  Sleek lines everywhere within fit this modern addition to this famous facade.

The lunch was excellent.  The menu is a modern Italian cuisine and chef, Tony Mantuano's philosophy is to use ingredients from local farms and farmers' markets and artisan producers who practice in a sustainable agriculture.  Reading through the choices we both chose to have a pasta dish that included handmade fettuccine that was so yellow from the eggs used. Mixed within the dish were tender, baby fiddlehead ferns, chiffonade of ramps, several cubes of pancetta in a very light, almost invisible sauce, then topped with a sunny side egg.  Delish!!!!  We glanced at the dessert menu and went for it.  Again, interesting and amazing choices.  Rebekah had what was called, Chocolate financier, with porter reduction, coffee ice cream and caramelized bananas.  My choice was Ricotta fritters with orange salad and chrysanthemum honey.  We didn't leave a speck on any of the dishes.

So after that we headed to the new modern wing with three levels to explore.  The Art Institute has been home to so many very famous art pieces.  Works by Picasso, Chagall, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Matisse, Pollard, Woods, Toulouse-Letrac, Manet, Giacometti, Calder, Klee, Mondrian, Moore, Seurat, Dali, just to name a few.

You will find architectural pieces, folk art, furniture, early art from centuries ago.  Art is all around in every form and medium and it's worth a visit.  The new building now even holds the original trading room from the Chicago Stock Exchange.

To see and admire this vast collection of "art" was inspiring.  To see them and realize the time when they were created, and the passion and thoughts, each artist must have had to create and express themselves at that moment of time is thought provoking.  (At least for me.)

We took in most of the collections within the Art Institute and our legs were tired from the walking, but it was well worth it.  When in Chicago - make a visit.  Another wonderful aspect of visiting this place is it's location.  It's just next door to Millennium Park and the Pritzker Pavilion to enjoy.

So then it was time to flag down a taxi and head back to the train station for the trip back to the "burbs".
There's nothing like a taxi ride during "rush hour" in Chicago!

Next trip's plans are to the Peninsula Hotel for afternoon tea, overlooking the "Mag Mile" and somehow get that bus ride in the city!

Designer Craft Connection May - Wishes

Let's first say my biggest wish that I always have is to have "time".  I just can't figure out where the time each day goes and why I can't seem to organize my time better!

ANYWAY ... With the month of May bringing warmer weather (finally) and blooms everywhere, plus the special Sunday that we celebrate Mother's day, my project was to create something that would be appropriate for this time.

Here I created two different stick pins using Sizzix flowers dies.  The sunflower was made using one of the new thinlits™sets by Susan Tierney Cockburn.  The lavendar roses used the Sizzix Flowers, 3-D die and fabric paper.

The little green bud vase was recycled and repurposed from and old Clinique make-up bottle.  After washing it out and sanding the print off the bottle, it was painted in a mottled effect with a few layers of Tim Holtz Distress Paint and Ranger Adirondack Acrylic Paint.  The top of the bottle was covered with a small piece of woven ribbon.  Tie on a tiny Sizzlit Crescent tag with your wish.

The bud vase can be used to hold handmade flowers or any little bloom picked from your Spring garden.

So now I will send "WISHES" to all for sunshine, flowers and good things!

Blog Hop with Unity Stamps by Ann Butler

It was a surprise and a pleasure to be asked to participate in this Blog Hop.  Ann Butler is a very talented designer who works within the creative arts industry.  I met Ann several years ago in Minneapolis, at a conference for creative designers, that we were both attending for the very first time.  We have remained in contact through the years.  The desire to create, that we both share, as helped to keep us in touch.  I have met so many lovely, creative people and it's always a delight to help promote them and their endeavors.

Unity Stamp Company just launched Ann's new stamps on Thursday, May 2nd. For this "hop" Ann sent stamps from her new line called "Faux Quilting".  As you move through this hop from one designer to another, you will see the wonderful ideas each came up with.  These type of hops are always fun to participate in, not only for the chance to use some new items, but to see the clever, beautiful ideas from everyone.

There is an offer from Unity Stamps to save 50% when ordering any stamps from Ann's line, from May 2 through Monday, May 6th, till midnight CST. When ordering, use the coupon code Unity 5.

So now onto my piece using Ann's Faux Quilting stamps!

What to do with these stamps was a difficult choice.  Since I do sew, quilt and do paper crafts, the choice was not easy.  In the end I decided to "quilt" a design from paper to cover a frame.  This same technique could be used to cover almost any object.   Watercolor paper was used for the quilting pieces.
I chose 6 colors from Ranger's Adirondack Acrylic Paint line (these are paints that have a slight metallic look).  Once the paper was dry, each of the six stamp designs were stamped onto the watercolor papers, using Ranger Archival Ink in Sepia.  Each of the stamped sheets were heated slightly with a heat tool to made sure the ink was dry.

The stamped designs were then cut into the 1" squares.  Each of the squares were than cut diagonally to  made two pieces for piecing the quilt patterns.  NOTE: Each of the sets I received did have a diagonal stamp for each design that could have been used.  I chose to just cut my squares.)

***The frame was purchased at a craft store.  Sand the frame.  Wipe away any sanding dust.  A base coat of was given to the entire frame with a creamy white color.  When dry, a coat of Martha Stewart white Pearl Paint was applied.

Once a desired pattern of pieces is achieved, glue the pieces into place on the frame.  Any clear drying clue can be used.  I used Glossy Accents by Ranger to hold the pieces in place.  Finish the frame with tiny white rick-rack and buttons.  Insert photo ... and enjoy!

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Blog Hop for Slider Bracelets by Cousin Corporation

Just this past week while walking through a Macy's store near my home, I passed the jewelry department and spotted a large display of a variety of slider bracelets.  This opportunity to create my own slider bracelets with the new line from Cousin Corporation, was one I was happy to try.

The new line will be available at Jo-Ann stores.  Check out this how-to video on You Tube to see the ease of making your own.

In the supply package that I was sent, were a basic black and white leather bracelet band, along with two different sets of coordinating gold charm, spacers and hook clasps.  The bracelets would have been fine just put together with the pieces supplied, but I had to find ways to change each of them up just a little bit. It is always fun to is how materials can be manipulated to a different result.  With experimenting with other products and tools you can create truly unique and personal items.

For the black bracelet I decided to try to change the surface of the band in some way.  I went to tools on hand and used a metal "peace sign" stamp from Impress Art, to hammer a design onto the band.  I brushed some gold paint over the designs and wiped it off slightly.  Repeated the process to get the paint into the recessed areas of the design.  The slide charm and spacers were put onto the band as desired and then finish by gluing the clasp ends in place. The results were not bad but I would try some other techniques for better impressions.

For the white band and the flower charm another experiment was tried.  I used a Bic fine point permanent marker, in blue to add some color to the flower.  The flower was then brushed with a bit of Ranger Perfect Pearl Forever Blue powder.  A wavy line was lightly drawn across the length of the band with a pencil. Again, using a Bic fine point permanent marker, in green, go over the pencil line.  Tiny green leaves are drawn along the wavy line.  A hole was made to fit a jump ring for an extra added charm. The flower charm and spacers were than slid onto the band as desired and finish by gluing the clasp ends in place.  Again, the results for this were fine.  The charms and spacers are a great finish and metallic color, but I wanted to see how a different color could be added to change up the look.  The markers used worked well, better than another brand that I tried on the back side of the flower and the band.  Again here I would like to experiment a bit more with other mediums to alter the surface of both the metal pieces and the bands just for fun.

Enjoyed making the bracelets!  Easy to trim the bands for sizing.  I like the designs available in the charms and spacers and metal finishes. I would have enjoyed making one with my initials as an embellishment.  Definitely easy and fun to make for anyone!

There were other Cousin jewelry basics and "trinkettes" included in my package.  I decided to create other pieces with those included items.  Here are the three pieces:

Once all the materials were assembled, the above three projects were made in an evening.
NOTE: Some other Cousin products were purchased to be added to these and other materials on hand were also used.

Go to the Cousin Facebook page and "LIKE"