I had so much fun at the Southern Woman’s Convention in Novi MI. The event ran for 4 days. It was so cool to meet new friends, see friends that I only knew from a little thumb nail box on Facebook and to squeeze existing friends with hugs and love! There were Make & Takes, Workshops and Demos featuring the innovative product line from ILOVETOCREATE. I learned NEW Techniques and even tried my hand at using the Fabric Markers as watercolors. Needless to say I am even more in love with the ILOVETOCREATE Team and Product line! Here’s a recap and some of the projects that I taught and made during this trip.

It all started with a line that NEVER ended! The Tie Dye Make it and Take it was on Fire for 4 days straight!

People loved learning how to use the Tulip Tie Dye to make their own shirts that they could then turn in to Aprons.

I folded my Apron in half and wore it as a little skirt. Side note, Patti is actually hiding behind my big hair!

Tiffany’s Dream Foil Forged Paint Can workshop was HUGELY popular!

After surviving being stuck behind my big head of hair, Patti was kind enough to show me how to use the Tulip Fabric Markers as watercolors on a shirt.

Here’s my first attempt, Loved them!

Needless to say I am also a HUGE Fan of Tie Dye! This was my first shirt made with Tulips Tie Dye, Super in love with this product.

I was so impressed with one of my students work that I had to show it off. This Goddess cuff bracelet was created using Tulips Glam It Up Heat Tool and Crystals, Aleene’s adhesives and my Jewel Goddess Die from Spellbinder.

What an honor it was to work with these beautiful, talented and strong woman!

Love them so much!

I absolutely love all of the color blocking and animal prints being used in todays fashion. From clothes to home decor you can find these two ideas in all of the trendy stores and  magazines. I was so inspired that I thought I would include them in my Mothers Day project exclusively for ILOVETOCREATE readers. This Funky Fashion Goddess Frame is a take on creating with paper dolls. In this case I used my NEW Jewel Goddess dies from Spellbinders along with my most favorite ILOVETOCREATE products. This is a great Mommy and Me project for all Creative Souls! 

Aleenes Super Thick Tacky Glue 

Aleenes Hook and Loop Tacky Tape 

Tulip Glitter Silver Fine Jewel 23550

Tulip Fashion Glitter Bond 

Tulip Cordless Heat Setting Tool 

Tulip Glam-It-Up! Fashion Art Tweezers  ”SUPER LOVE” these! 

Tulip Iron On Crystals 300 Clear Pack 23123 and Red 25621 

Tulip Glam-It-Up! PDA: Personal Dazzle Assistance Clear Red Black 26637 

Zebra, Cheetah Felt, Craft Foil and Recycled Denim ( Repurpose: I used an old pair of denim jeans to cut my Goddess from) 

Spellbinders Dies Jewel Goddess, Jewel Stones & Jewel Keys by Julianna Hudgins

Artistic Wire 18G Non Tarnish Silver, Black and Red  

Beadalon Wire Cutters, Round Nose Pliers and Deluxe Coiling Gizmo

Using your Spellbinders Grand Caliber Die Cutting machine, cut out one Large Jewel Goddess from Denim, two small Jewel Goddess’s from Zebra felt, one round Jewel Stone and the word Love from the Jewel Keys out of craft foil.

Note: Set one small goddess cut from zebra felt to the side.

Embellish all pieces using the Tulip Cordless Heat Setting Tool, Clear and Red Crystals, Silver Glitter and PDA crystal strips in Clear and Black. 

For added dimension I repurposed the filler that comes in your vitamin jar (professional term, batting) to the back of my small goddess and then covered it with my second zebra cut goddess with Aleene’s Thick Tacky Glue. 

Adhere Cheetah Felt to Acrylic frame using Aleene’s Thick Tacky Glue 

Adhere Aleene’s Hook and Loop to backs of large and small Jewel Goddess’s and attach to frame. This will allow you to switch out the Goddess’s for future “Funky Fashion” Paper Doll ideas!

To create the look of Tattooed Swirls I used my Deluxe Coiling Gizmo from Beadalon and Artistic Wire. Here’s a link from the Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show July 2011 courtesy of www.cool2craft.com on How to Create Funky Wire Beads. Attach finished wire beads using Aleene’s thick Tacky Glue. 

This is one of my most favorite necklaces using my NEW Spellbinders Jewel Goddess die and Artistic Wire. 

I had the “Time of my Life” while attending the Craft & Hobby Associations Trade Show in Anaheim CA. It was a huge whirlwind of Family, Friends and amazing Business Associates.

I introduced my NEW Line of Spellbinder Dies featuring the Jewel Goddess while at CHA so it was only appropriate that she travel with me and experience the fun. 

Here we are sitting in the US Airways Club waiting for our flight, surfing the internet on our IPAD2 looking oh so fabulous covered in our favorite Artistic Wire. 

Of course she insisted on sitting in First Class from Philiy to LA, such a Diva Goddess, LOL! 

My my first stop was to my Dad and little brothers house in Oxnard CA. To my surprise I was greeted by yet another abandoned puppy that was found roaming the streets in their neighborhood. He is so sweet! Puppy Taz! You will be more than spoiled in your NEW home that will care about you unconditionally. Shame on people that simply throw these poor animals out into the fields and streets. Karma is all I have to say! 

Bernie, the first abandoned rescue was NOT happy about the addition of Taz. 

But before I left town they seemed to work out their differences and both fell asleep on Papa Joe’s lap.

Next stop, Los Osos CA for a quick visit with my sister friend Tiffany Windsor founder of Cool2Craft

The highlight of my trip, hanging out with the First Family of Crafts! Aleene told Tiffany that she was proud of me! The most Empowering words ever! Made this Goddess very happy! 

Stacey & Jeff Caron, Founders of Spellbinders PaperArts, hosted a dinner for the attending Staff, Design Team members and Licensed Artists at Buca Di Beppo Friday night prior to the show. Here I am with the Super Talented Samatha Walker and Stacey Caron. 

My Artistic Wire & Spellbinders Workshop sold out in minutes. We had 50 Plus people attend. 

My students loved learning how to Twist their own unique color combinations of Artistic Wire. 

The entire Spellbinders Team was on hand to help out! A HUGE thank you to each of you! 

Finally! The first day of the show, breakfast with Momma Bev and my dear friend Suze Weinberg. 

ILOVETOCREATE had a ROCKIN BOOTH featuring all of their innovative and cool products. Including Tulips Body Art! This is Savannah Starr Great Grand Daughter of Aleene Jackson, inventor of Aleene’s Tacky Glue in the gold bottle. Starting in March I will be one the ILOVETOCREATE featured Bloggers, SUPER Excited to be back with the Duncan Family.

Interesting how things come full circle! I TRULY LOVE working with Beadalon and Artistic Wire. 

Part of the Fabulous Beadalon Design Team, Fernando Dasilva, Lauren Andersen, Katie Hacker and me, Jewels 

Every year these amazing woman from Sacramento CA come to visit me. They were so happy with their Jewel Goddess pendant adorned in the NEW Sexy Pre-Twisted Artistic Wire.

The Beautiful and Talented Crafty Chica even came by to visit! I LOVE her! 

Of course the Beadalon/Artistic Wire booth wouldn’t be so fabulous without the incredible team of Steve, Yvette, Mike, Madeline, Steve, Mike and Wyatt. 

My feelings of Gratitude were beyond words to see my New dies in the Spellbinders Booth 

The Product Performers Booth, Distributors of Spellbinders Dies.

and at Notions Marketing, Distributors of Spellbinders Dies.

There were a lot of Good Times while at CHA, like hanging out with my Favorite Wild sisters Cindy & Stacey. I am pretty sure this is the night I found my false eyelashes stuck to my IPHONE! 

I was just walking by and this thing jumped on my head! I should have bought it! 

My Favorite girls from Singapore, I love them so much! 

Of course there were oodles of smiles and photo’s of both my Front 

and Back! Don’t ask……………..LOL! 

Awesome NEW talent Jillian Vance designer ~ entrepreneur stopped by to make a Jewel Goddess pendant. 

And there were NEW Friendships made. This beautiful, talented and wise group of girls from Simon Says Stamp, summed it all up for me. Their young souls truly brought joy to my heart and reminded me of the Love and Gratitude I have for Life! 

Tune in this Monday February 20th, 2012 and learn how to twist your favorite colors of Artistic Wire together to create a one of a kind Wire Medallion.

Tune in to Cool2Craft at www.cool2craft.com Noon Eastern Standard Time. The show runs continuously so you can always watch at a time that is convenient for you! See you there in the Chat Room! 

I had so much fun this past weekend at the JTV studios during Jewel School with Host and Friend Kim Boyd Prentiss. Gotta love those perky lips! 

The JTV crew, was on hand for a few laughs as well, Jeremiah, Paul & Amy.

My next appearance on JTV is scheduled for November 20th. Hope to see you there! 

“Inspirations” photo of the day. My great friend Lauren Johnston & Shorty Rossi from Pit Boss. Lauren is the Fund Raiser for the Santa Marie CA Humane Society, a No Kill shelter. You can visit www.smvhs.org for more info and to Donate Now to help the Animals!

Inspirational Photos of the day.

These amazing pieces of Art were created by sisters Tiffany Windsor and Heidi Borchers for ILOVETOCREATE. 

They make me Smile! 

Katie Hacker just sent me this photo that she took while at CHA Summer last week in Chicago at the Beadalon Booth. Do you think that I look happy or what? I look like I am bathing in WIRE! Artistic Wire to be exact! Happy Dance :)