CHA Bound

Hi Crafty Friends!

In a few days, I'll be off to the Craft and Hobby Mega Show!  It's the 75th anniversary of the organization, so it's sure to be a show to remember.  

I'll be working in the Eye Connect Crafts booth again this year. Erin Sparler has created some amazing new products, which will be available at the show.  Eye Connect Crafts also has a new partnership with Sizzix/Ellison.  Be sure to check out the Eye Connect Crafts blog for more on that news.

Here's a little sneak peek of the project for the booth that is still in progress now!  Yes, I'm working up to the last minute!  I turned this:

Into these:

Butterflies

I'll be taking these butterflies along with some birds and making a mobile with them.  I really like the way they came out.  I painted them with Americana® Décor™ Chalky Finish Paint in three colors, then cut scraps of print fabric and old lace tablecloth to embellish the wings.  Then, I added paint or ink for distressing along with a little sanding and raveling of the edges of the fabric. 

For more craft ideas with the recycled tag board shapes - both poppets and lace-ups, check out the blog.  If you are attending the show, please stop by Booth #2206 and say hello.  We've got make-and-takes going on all day and we'd love to show you around!

Happy Crafting!

Terry

75 Years of Creativity!

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to the CHA blog for the Mega Show of 2016!

 This year the Craft and Hobby Association is celebrating  75 years! That is certainly a record of which to be proud!

Every year I look forward to this show.  It's the Disneyland of craft trade shows, and I spend all the time I can ooh-ing and ah-ing at all the wonderful displays filled with new products, innovative designs and people like me who love crafts!  For the past few years, it has been set in the Anaheim Convention Center, which is always a plus in January.

Come along with me as I remember a few past shows.  There are certain booths I have to see at the show.  I design jewelry, so I always have to see the Beadalon booth.  Last year they had four new trend displays.  The trend on this one was tassels.  Yep, they were right - tassels are everywhere in jewelry right now! What will they think of this year?  I can't wait to see!

Beadalon - CHA 2015

I love yarn and all kinds of stitchery, so I have to check out the yarn companies.  Here are some adorable beavers that were part of a large display called Yarnia that was created by the Spinrite yarn group.  The whole scene was created out of different types of yarn and was quite imaginative.  Aren't these beavers the cutest things!

Beavers from Yarnia

Another yarn company that goes all out for the show is the Lion Brand Yarn company.  They always put on a fashion show highlighting innovative designs from new designers and emceed by Vanna White (who has her own line of yarn).  Celebrities are crafters, too, so you never know who you will see!

Lion Brand Fashion Show - 2013

Here's part of the Lion Brand Yarns display from 2014 - a replica of Stonehenge!

Lion Brand display - 2014

These are just a small sample of all the crafty goodness going on at the show.  With beads, ribbon, wood, wire and paper to view, it takes a few days to see it all!

Besides walking the show, I often work in one of the booths demonstrating the products.  Here's one at the Smoothfoam™ booth from 2014.  I had a great time creating with crafters who stopped by to see all the things you can do with Smoothfoam™.  I won't be in that booth this year, but I will have a few designs there.  I've been a member of the design team for three years now and it still amazes me what you can do with Smoothfoam™!

Last year I did something a little different.  I worked in one booth for the entire show and saw the show from the vendor's side of the show - from set-up to teardown!  It was an amazing experience, and one I decided to do again.  I'll be in the Eye Connect Crafts booth this year, so do stop by and chat about crafts and see all the new products that Erin Sparler has designed for this year.  Erin's chipboard creations are great fun for all ages - from kids making puppets with them to artists using them in everything from cards and scrapbooking to mixed media and jewelry.  Here's a project that I made last year using her adorable crab poppet.  The crab, like all the totem poppets, has movable parts that you can hold together with eyelets, mini brads or other connectors.  Here, I used twine knots. 

Crab Totem Poppet

Thanks for stopping by and letting me reminisce about past shows.  I can't wait for January and the 75th Anniversary show!  It's sure to be spectacular.

Be sure to enter the giveaway - at last count it was up to $650!! Stop by and see all the participating designers and manufacturers on the CHA blog, too, and get a taste of what the show will hold.  And, if you come to the show, stop by and say howdy!

Enter the raffle here on the Rafflecopter below.  If you don't tweet, leave a comment or answer a short craft survey.  Good luck!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Halloween Wreath

Hi Crafters!

It's not too late to make this Halloween wreath.  It's simple and easy and you probably have some of the materials around your house. 

Halloween Wreath

Head over to the Creating with JOY blog for more information about how to put this wreath together.  The little banner has orange letters from JOY SA Inc.  You can find the JOY Iron-On Letters at your local Michaels. 

Another special item on the wreath that I want to mention are the flags used in the banner.  These little recycled, tagboard flags are from Eye Connect Crafts.  They're the perfect size for a small wreath, a card or a scrapbook page.  I also up-cycled a paper bag and made a twisted tree for the wreath.  A few small wood items, some gauze, wiggle eyes and paint complete the wreath.  

Have fun creating your own spooky wreath!

Terry

Lace-Up Skull

Hi Crafters!

It's the first Monday of the month and time for another round of crafts from the Designer Crafts Connection!  This month, we're all about Halloween, so get ready for some spookiness!

This month, I'm making a Day of the Dead Skull.  I found the perfect surface - a Lace-Up Skull from Eye Connect Crafts.  Erin has new products that are perfect for Halloween - a spider, cats, a bat and an owl along with the skull.  They're perfect for cards, mixed media or decorating the house.

Here's the Lace-Up Skull:

Lace-Up Skull from Eye Connect Crafts

It's nice and large, so there is lots of surface to embellish, which is the fun part. Here it is out of the package and popped out of the background.

Unfinished Lace-Up Skull

First, I gave it a couple of coats of white acrylic paint.  Then I added color with pens.  To finish, I laced a strip of gauze through the holes and wove the ends under the lacing at the back.  Hang it up as I did here or glue a skewer to the back and add it to a pot of flowers.

Lace-Up Skull

Just a little colorful pen and you have a really fun ornament for your Day of the Dead celebrations!  But, of course, you can add more bling!  Try sequins, jewels or some flowers - so many possibilities!

Here it is on a darker background:

Lace-Up Skull

And, don't forget that the background of the skull holds its own possibilities.  You can use this over and over to draw or stencil more skull outlines.
 

Skull Stencil

Be sure to check out the other great Halloween decorations on the Designer Crafts Connection blog or hop around using the DCC blue button.  We are really enjoying creating for this holiday!  And, stop by Eye Connect Crafts to see the Lace-Up Skull and all the other Lace-Ups and Totem Poppets that Erin has created.

Happy Crafting,

Terry

Craft and Hobby Show Recap

Hi Crafters!

Earlier this month, I spent a week in Anaheim.  No, not at Disneyland - at the crafty version of Disneyland - the Craft and Hobby Show.  It's a great time to see the latest craft products, connect with colleagues, and learn some new techniques.

This year I worked with one of the new exhibitors, Eye Connect Crafts.  Erin, the owner and designer of the Totem Poppets and Lace-Ups, took photos of the booth from set-up to tear-down.  You can see those on her blog.

I wasn't able to walk the show as thoroughly as I have in previous years, but I caught a few booths in photos.  Here's the Beadalon booth for us jewelry makers.  They had displays featuring trends on each corner of their booth.

Beadalon - Animal Prints

Beadalon - Tassels

Beadalon - Shades of Gray

Beadalon - Geometry

One of the most popular was the booth created by Spinrite Yarns.  They created their version of Narnia in yarn - Yarnia!  You could walk through the wardrobe and into the snow scene with the battle scene along side.  It featured many different yarns used in everything from animal fur to chainmail!  My favorites were the animals! 

Through the Wardrobe

Beavers

A Wolf

An Owl

The Fox

Yarnia in the Snow

Ready for Battle

 
And, I was able to take one class on layering using mixed media.  I had a great time and actually finished the project!  Seth Apter was a great teacher and kept us moving along as we used paint, stamps, stencils and masking to create our artwork.  Since I had never worked in this way and didn't have a clue on how to start, this was a great introduction to layering one technique over the other.

Here's how mine turned out:

My Class Project from Mixed Media Layer Conveyer with Seth Apter

Hope you enjoyed this brief tour of the show.  If you want to see more of the CHA Show in photos, check out Julie McGuffee's blog:  Life in the Craft Lane.  You'll feel like you've been there!

Happy Crafting!

Terry

Designer Crafts Connection - Favorite Products

Hi Crafty Friends!
Welcome to the Designer Crafts Connection on the first Monday of 2015!  Today, we're sharing our favorite products.  

I had several that I worked with last year that I really enjoyed.  The first one is probably not new to a lot of you scrapbookers and card makers, but it is new to me and I am having a great time learning all the ins and outs of it.  I bought a Sizzix Big Kick and a few dies and embossing folders and, for the first time in many years, I made my own Christmas cards.  Here's a few I made:

  I added torn edges and some copper ink along with thread.  I'm excited to try this machine with embossing on metals of various kinds especially recycled pieces from packaging.

Another new product that I tried this year was the fun and innovative Totem Poppets and Lace-Ups from Eye Connect Crafts.  There are just so many ways to add these to your artwork!  Here's a wreath I made with the Owl Poppet this year:

I received the Totem Poppets from Eye Connect Crafts to use in my design work.  I'll also be working in the booth at the Craft and Hobby Show, so look for us in the New Vendor area if you attend the show!  As part of the Poppet package, I also received an eyelet setter from Fiskars.  It is the best tool for setting eyelets that I have ever used.  It sets eyelets consistently and easily.

I've got a few more things on my work table that I haven't tried yet and with all the new products at the Craft and Hobby Show in just a few days, I'll have a lot to share in the New Year! 

Happy New Year!  And, here's to a great year of crafting!

Terry

Tag Ornament

Hi Everyone!
It's pretty close to the last minute for gifts for Christmas!  I'm still shopping, card-making and prepping myself, so I thought I'd send out a quick and easy Tag Ornament.  This ornament is made using a small, arched Tag Lace-Up from Eye Connect Crafts.  This little tag has so many possibilities!

I recycled some Christmas card images for this tag, which is also made from recycled tagboard.

Lace-Up Tag and image

I painted the tag with acrylic paint from DecoArt in Antique Gold and added Worn Penny around the holes. 

I decoupaged the image to the tag.  I did the same thing on the other side.  If you wanted to use it as a gift tag, write a message on the back instead.

Then, lace up the ornament with trim or ribbon leaving an end at the top.  Tie the ends and you're done!

 

It's ready to hang on your tree or give as a gift!

Best Wishes for a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year!

Terry

 

Poppet Puppets

Hi Crafters!
This week I'm working with Totem Poppets that I received from Eye Connect Crafts.  These animal totems are so versatile.  You can use them in mixed media, cards or scrapbooking.  Here I'm using them in one more way - as puppets.

This is the Totem Rabbit and the Totem Turtle.  At the links, you can read about the totem animal and see what they look like unpainted.

Here are my Poppet Puppets.  They are painted with acrylics and detail is added with pens.  Then, I glued thin wood sticks to the back.  What fun it would be to create a whole menagerie of these and make a puppet theater for them!  Create them to tell and act out your favorite story.

Poppet Puppets

I'll be working with Eye Connect Crafts at the Craft and Hobby Show.  If you are in the craft industry, stop by and see all the amazing Totem Poppets and Lace-Ups that creator and owner, Erin Sparler, has designed!  We'll be in Booth #1902!

Happy Crafting!

Terry

Sea Life Mobile

Hi All!

Today I want to show you another craft that I have designed using the Totem Poppets from Eye Connect Crafts.  I am having fun trying different ideas with these.  Today, I'm working with Starfish and Crab Poppets.

Here's the packaged Poppets:

Totem Poppets

These are made from recycled chipboard and are easily removed from the square of chipboard from which they are laser cut.  They were designed to be put together with 1/16" eyelets, but they can also be put together with brads, small screws or fibers.  Each Poppet comes with a statement on its totem representation, which you can incorporate into your artwork if you wish.  

For my version of these Poppets, I popped them out and painted them with acrylic paint.  I painted them with a main color, then dry brushed and dabbed other colors on top.  For the crab, I added bead eyes.  To hold them together, I used hemp twine.  I think it adds a nice natural feel.  It's very easy to work with also.

Here's the crab:

Crab Poppet

And, here's the starfish:

I arranged the poppets on a mobile constructed of driftwood, a piece of net and some shells that I had in my stash.

Ocean Life Mobile by Terry Ricioli

If you want to start playing with Poppets, head over to the website:  Eye Connect Crafts 
While you're there, check out the blog and see what Erin Sparler, the owner and creator or Eye Connect Crafts is up to with her amazing Poppets and with the other chipboard line, Lace-Ups.

Come back soon for more fun with Totem Poppets and Lace-ups!
Happy Crafting!
Terry

Owl Poppet

Hi Crafty Friends!

Recently I was introduced to a new craft product. You know how I like that!  And, it's a craft material just full of possibilities - even better!  The company is Eye Connect Crafts and they produce chipboard animal shapes called Totem Poppets that can be connected with eyelets or buttons or string.  Since the animal is jointed, you can position the limbs and head as you like. 

Below is what one looks like pulled from the package.  It is laser cut with the holes punched in the pieces.  This is the Totem Owl Poppet and it comes with a moon also.

Totem Owl Poppet

Totem Owl Poppet pieces

You carefully remove the pieces from the sheet and paint or stamp or collage them.  You can use whatever art style or medium you like.  I painted mine and added some pieces of burlap.  Then, I glued them into a wreath.  But, you could put them in a card, in a scrapbook or journal, or grouped with other fall or holiday decorations.  They are so versatile!

After you have added paint or other media, you connect them together.  These are connected with eyelets, but you could use any number of different connectors.  Or, you could glue the pieces together.

Owl Poppet

Here's how I created this owl.  He's a perfect addition for your fall decorating!

Materials:

Totem Owl Poppet, 1/16” eyelets and eyelet setter (www.eyeconnectcrafts.com)

Acrylic Paint:  Khaki Tan, Buttermilk, Jack-O’-Lantern Orange, Bright Yellow, Milk Chocolate (Americana® by DecoArt®)

Grapevine wreath, 6” (Darice®)

Two buttons, gold or yellow, 3/8”

Black embroidery floss

Small scraps of tan burlap

Tools:  paintbrush, scissors

1.  Basecoat body with Milk Chocolate, wings and head with Khaki Tan and feet and moon with Buttermilk.  Cut two small triangles for beak from extra board and basecoat with Buttermilk.

2.  Cut semicircle of burlap for breast of owl and shape to fit around neck and wing.  Dab and edge with Milk Chocolate and lightly with a mix of Khaki and Orange.  Cut two ½” circles of burlap for eyes.  Dab in center and around edges with Milk Chocolate.

3.  Use a scrap of burlap as a stamp and add Milk Chocolate to wings.  Layer other colors over this.  Do the same in a triangle on the head. 

4.  Layer Yellow and Orange over feet and beak.  Add Khaki and Yellow to moon.  Edge the moon with Milk Chocolate.

5.  Sew black embroidery thread on buttons.

6.  Use the eyelet setter and eyelets to construct the owl following the setter instructions.  Place the right wing under the body. 

7.  Glue the burlap pieces in place.  Glue the buttons over the burlap.

8.  Position the owl wings and head as desired.  Glue owl and moon onto the wreath.

I'm sure you'll want to add these Totem Poppets to your craft projects and I hope you'll take a look at the great variety of animals and shapes available at Eye Connect Crafts.

Happy Crafting!

Terry