2nd Friday in Mesa

Tonight from 6-10 PM is 2nd Friday in Mesa.  This month it is Sci-fi month with a secondary Steampunk theme.  As stated before not my fave, but last time in Oct they had the Zombie/Steampunk theme and it was so fun to watch.
I will not have a space this month but Kim does and her friend Stephanie.  Come see their art/photos and buy it now before they become famous and you can't afford it.
Also, stores and restaurants are open and during this.
Come downtown to see what your local artisans are doing!
See ya there,

=Trish the Mom in the background

Tasty Technique Thursday Success and a short rant on creative tool purchases.

Well it was great.  Had an opportunity to break out the alcohol ink applicators that Bob made for me years ago.  We pounced our way across aluminum tape and some paper and acetate.  Added them to a technique tag to show off at home.
Paula made some great peanut butter and chocolate bars...easy peasy she said.  Bag of PB cookie mix with egg and water, mixed and pressed into pan, baked and then melt milk choc chips over that and cut into bars.  Yum.  Sounds like a potluck favorite, huh?
************
I am thinking next of teaching the basics on types of inks and their uses.
Also, I want to research the differences between die cut machines.  Non motorized, such as Sizzix Big Shot or the Spellbinders Grand Caliber.  Or what sets the electronic machines apart such as the Cricut family or even the Pazzle. Even the owners of said machines debate the whys and wherefores. I plan on setting my mind to research this very important territory and report back to you.
*Now you may be asking yourself why would someone really need one of these?  It does not seem to be a necessity but a luxury.  But I disagree.  In working thru my 'emotional stuff' over the years it wasn't the few professionals that helped the most.  It was my Saviour 1st of all that pointed the way, but also my chance to express myself creatively.  I have grown over 4 decades to accept who I am and what I am capable of when I allow my Artist to shine.  For me it is necessary therapy and I love it!
So off to sleepy bye,
-Trish the Artiste

Oregon for my baby?

Yep, it seems so.
Kim has her acceptance and a partial scholarship to Oregon College of Arts and Crafts. 
We are so proud of her and so happy for her as well.
Wow!  A child leaving the state for college.  Do you hear the silent chirps of an empty nest?
Kim is working on her website and I will post it when finished.
This Friday is 2nd Friday Night in Mesa and Kim and her friend Stephanie will be selling their photography out there.  Come and see us!
Well, I am off to create a setup for our 1st ever Tasty Technique Thursday at work tomorrow.  I am combining Sizzix Embossing Folders and Adirondack Alcohol Inks to make a dual technique.  Paula said she was bringing the tasty part.  Next week I believe it is Christine's turn. 
WooHoo!
Toodles,
-Trish the light fantastic

Oops...I was sure I posted yesterday

Well, I didn't make it a week and I forgot to post yesterday.
Sorry Lorri.
That said, our swap at work went great I have some awesomely cute cards to share.
I will attempt to take photos tonight and share them.
Remember...a puzzle a day keeps dementia away.
Ciao for now,
-Trish

Paper or EBook

Read a great explanation from Connie Brockway on her decision to go ebook next time.  She also gave some insight to the work an author has with a publishing house.  They are all encouraged to market themselves regularily; ie Facebook &Twitter.  Here is her post. 
So to the issue of paper vs ebook.  I say no issue when a reader.  Either is great and has its place.  I love turning pages and like my good friend Lorri love the scent of well-made pages bound into a book.  On the other hand the ease of purchasing an ebook and reading in the dark are benefits as well.
But for authors I now see the incredible benefits of ebooks.  Even Barnes and Noble offer a self-publishing side that they carry.  Pubit!
So...what have you tried?  As an author and as a reader?  
Tra la la,
-Trishalicious

1st Card Swap at Work-Time For Guys

This is my 1st official card swap at my workplace.  We could choose either birthday, get well, baby, or thank you for our theme.  12 signed up, including the owner-no pressure there- and we agreed to swap on Monday the 4th.
I love swaps.  This is an opportunity for the beginner to the advanced card maker to share ideas, techniques, tips, etc..
I decided that since guy cards are always in short supply that I would hit that up as my specific theme for a birthday card.
I began with the Tim Holtz Timeworks Mask.  Mixing  Walnut Stain Reinker with water from my Aqua Painter that has water in the reservoir handle 
I pounced a segment of my  Yellow Cheesewheel Sponge into the dye mixture and over the mask as I placed it over the top portion of my Very Vanilla Cardstock front (4.25"x5.5")  from Stampin' Up!.
Then I repositioned the mask again and lightly spritzed a mixture of water and Super Russet Pearl Ex Powder from my Mini Mister over the top.
I let it dry while I cut a 2"x4.25" strip of striped cardstock from my new Rustic Paper Pad I picked up at Joann's for the bottom portion of my card front.  I then pounced some Walnut Stain Ink Pad around the edges.
Using  Aluminum Tape I embossed this great new Sizzix Stitch Embossing Folder onto the aluminum tape thru my Big Shot and then used Adirondack Alcohol Inks in Copper Mixatives and Espresso to make it look like bronzy metal.  And another piece of the tape in the Squared Lattice Folder from Sizzix.
Also, to carry my clock theme I used cheapo bronze embossing powder and Clear UTEE in my Melting Pot and poured the hot liquid into my favorite Clock Face Mold -AM297.  Let set and pop out.  So clear and detailed.  I then pushed an interesting little nailhead that I got with my Purple Monster into the centers.  Here's a good review of it.
I layered the large gear shape from the SU Gear Punch from Espresso Cardstock and stippled some Sparkle Gold Pearl Ex Powder on it.
But this was not enough for me.  I have to see layers, something transparent, some tactile objects.  So I stamped the SU large clock on scrap pieces of acetate (I always save the scraps from packaging) with my StazOn Timber Brown pad and trimmed around the edge.
I added a blob of Burgandy Stickles to the center of the clock and adhered it to the card front with Crystal Effects. 
I used the Timber Brown StazOn to stamp part of the sentiment from the  SU Smarty Pants set onto the striped paper.
At the bottom of the card front I layered the striped paper then the aluminum tape stitch-just pull off the backing, the gear punch out and then the clock from UTEE adhered with glue dots.  I tucked a small strip of the lattice aluminum tape under the very edge of the striped paper and adhered it all to the card front and the card front to a Very Vanilla folded card blank.  I added the rest of the sentiment inside the card along with the small gear stamp.
Don't forget to stamp your personalized stamp on the back of the card.
Awesome possum!
-Trish
P.S. Here's a quick pic of the card from my computer-the mirrored image. Hence the words are reversed...yes I said hence.  It fit the time period of the card. I know it has a Steampunk feel to it tho I am not a huge Steampunk fan.  Enjoy!

Stallone Movies

Okay, only one Stallone movie-Get Carter.  Great movie!  Watched it instead of blogging so now I head to bed.
Nighty-nite,
-Trishy