Month: December 2011

Field Guide: what about supplies?

I have been getting emails about supplies for Field Guide, suggestions, etc. and I thought that perhaps it’d be good to do a blog post about it along with some recommendations. The first, most important thing is this:

You don’t NEED any specific supply to make the most of class. Substitutions are always welcome! In fact, right off the bat in week #2 I found myself needing gold ink but I don’t have any. What’s a crafter to do? I used gold paint instead. That’s just one example – you can skip things (mist), change things, use brands that you prefer. There’s no “must” for your stash.

I really want that to be clear. You can make your own stash work and have a lot of fun, no shopping required. Many supplies can multi-task, and you don’t need everything or every color of every kind of product to make the most of this class.

Of course if you want to know what I recommend – I’ve made this list based on items that I personally use, love, and suggest both in general and for this class in particular. Today I am going to share my ‘staples’ list if you please.

“Field Guide recommended”:

 1. Rulers rock. I just love rulers in general, this ruler in particular. Whether you’re measuring, tearing paper, marking holes for hand stitching, or anything else it’s a great tool.

2 & 3. Distress ink pads and stains. I recommend these as a general go-to ink and color source, especially since they can do things that other ink pads can’t! Check out www.timholtz.com for tutorials if you want more info on them now. NOT required for class, but they are the one thing that’s not really substitute-able in some techniques shown.

4. Mist is not a requirement, but it is a lot of fun. I recommend the ranger perfect pearls mists for a sprinkle of metallic sparkly shine that doesn’t take over your project. Want more opaque color? Then I recommend the (non-sparkly but very colorful) Mister Huey mists by Studio Calico.

5. Manila tags are available in a lot of sizes and in bulk at office supply stores, or you can get them in smaller quantities at craft stores from companies like Ranger. I like them because it’s a blank slate for trying new techniques in a nice small format and they have lots of uses and are a nice sturdy weight.

6. You can use any liquid adhesive you like in class, I recommend PPA by US Art Quest. The quality is unmatched as far as I’m concerned. It is archival, acid free, uv resistant, and the MATTE finish (which is what I use) dries clear and invisible. It takes time to dry, but will hold darn near anything you might need down onto your project. As an adhesive, sealant, and all-around wet medium it rocks.

7. I use Claudine Hellmuth multi-medium in GLOSS in this class as a medium with stencils to create a resist effect (and other places in class as well) and it’s a great product. It has more body than PPA, is more gel-like (vs runny liquid) so it has unique uses that make it a must in my stash. In the images above I show a sampler – that’s because a) it’s a nice trial size and b) it gives you other great Claudine products like gesso and matte finish multi-medium to test as well.

8. Acrylic paint can be stamped with, watered down to make ‘mist’, and is a lot of fun. I’ve been partial to the ranger dabber paint in gold and pearl because it’s got an applicator sponge so I don’t need a brush even. EASY. However, Martha Stewart and Claudine Hellmuth also make great paints that I love, and truly any paint + brush (foam or regular) will work for class.

9. Glossy Accents is another great liquid medium, I use it over letter stickers and patterned paper (or stamped images) to create a shiny raised finish, it can be used to make a resist finish, as glue, to adhere glitter, and it’s got a fabulous tiny applicator tip making it easy to use as well. There are other brands, and you could substitute out (or skip entirely) easily.

10. Good journaling pen(s). I use Micron journaling pens by Sakura (.03 and .05 being my most commonly used) and I love them. But any pen that you have and like is great. I use mine for journaling, outlining, adding dots and faux stitching, and more.

Those are my top 10 ‘staples’ that you would never find me without when getting crafty – ever! Of course things like scissors, tape, patterned paper, brads, ribbon, and stamps are used in class (and beloved by me) too!

I’ll say it again: you can use/substitute darn near anything in class! So don’t think I’m trying to make you buy stuff. Also I’m happy to give suggestions on colors to try/start with, etc. just shoot me an email.

Got questions about my class or craftiness in general? Leave a comment! I’ll be happy to answer the question or share more info…

link to class info page

new Amy Tangerine goodies

I have LOVED using the new Amy Tangerine line that released this summer, I mean… I’ve used it more than any other single line released. CRAZY! So when the line extension + daybooks came out I was super pumped.

I’ve been writing a “Noteworthy” series for Scrapbook Update for some time now, but it needs a short break. With CHA just around the corner the news is coming fast & furious, and there will be loads of articles covering lots of the good stuff, not to mention the sneak peek page Nancy is famous for that will have up-to-date links and updates. In other words, I wanted to switch things up for a while so I’m taking a break from my regularly scheduled column and doing up “New & Noteworthy” which will take a look at a new product line each Thursday that is brand new and in stores!

First up – that Amy Tangerine line extension I was just mentioning. The article is up, and you can read my thoughts on the line and see more detail images and info about the layout I am sharing here –

If I had to choose just four items (though I do recommend them ALL!) I would tell you to get:

Now I’m not normally a mini-book person, but I’m LOVING the daybooks. Loving how it could be a journal-like book, how it has so many fun bits and pieces to it, and the overall look. In fact, I’m going to take one with me to Maui next month (and yes, I’ll share my crafty results!), so this too goes on my *must* own list.

I love this off the map daybook. so cute. So easily customized – or leave it as-is and just add words + images. I’m thinking about getting one for CHA to have people sign/write in too…

Anyhow, as I said before you can check out my full review of the line + more pics and supply list of my layout over at ScrapbookUpdate.com

enabler note? All the new goodies are in over at Simon Says Stamp… oh yes they have loads of good things!!

24/25/festivus

PRIZE WINNERS:

sharon andrews = mybook winner

connie = stamp winner

email me your mailing info  (mflaum @ comcast. net) and I’ll get it out to you after the wackiness of the holidays.

[re: my post title: if you don’t know what I’m talking about: re Festivus… it’s a Seinfeld thing and you should know it’s hilarious + part of Flaum culture due to fire department work schedules… minus the pole, and usually without airing of grievances but you never know!]

Honesty time:

I am going to flake out on days 24 & 25 of my crafting series. I’m owning that + choosing to do so. Even as ahead as I was, time caught up to me and I’ve been choosing more kid/family time than crafting time so really don’t have anything else that hasn’t been covered so far to share. As I promised to share only REAL projects in this series, and that I just caught myself trying to invent something quick to share to meet a random number of ideas/posts I’d set arbitrarily, well that doesn’t work!

I *AM* making the apron tutorial + sharing a new cookie recipe. But I’ll do so in January vs in the next 24hrs.

The holidays aren’t approaching, they’re here. We’re handing out baked goods, wrapping the last of the gifts, and greeting everyone with “happy holidays” or “Merry Christmas” wherever we go. I’m fully in that zone, and to be perfectly honest I’m needing to cut down my to-do list and removing “make 2 more crafty holiday posts in next 48hrs” from the list would free up a few hours AND let me breathe easier. Plus it might help let me relax more and twitch less. I’m trying very hard to do just that.

just keepin’ it honest…


So every year I take about a week (around Christmas) off from blogging, just wanted to let you know I’m checking out a few days earlier than planned and heading off-line. I’ll be back December 28th. I MISS my blogging when I take this break, but it’s good to take a breather. Plus I’ve been working on this new site design (what do you think so far?) and my eyeballs need a computer break!

Wishing you a Christmas (or any other holidays you celebrate) filled with joy, merriment, and lots of good times. Take photos, don’t count calories, and enjoy yourself however you can.

credit: Christmas bird from www.rhonnadesigns.com

23 | December Daily format

It’s crunch time.

That time when everything is coming together and yet still SO MUCH TO DO. That time when stress is high, and everything can be drama. It’s a few days until Christmas.

So ask me how December Daily is going, and I’ll tell you! I’ve written about 8 pages. I have plans to write a lot more, and all of them will look like this:

I open a word document, set the top margin for 4 1/2″, then type my title, a quote if there is one (from one of the girls, etc), then type my story. Print onto cardstock, stick in the binder.

You see, by making the top margin 4 1/2″ I know I can easily put any 4″ high photo up there, at any time. I can add decor such as ribbons or tapes, embellishments at the bottom if there’s space…

and more importantly: I can do it next week. AFTER the baking and the parties. AFTER the hoopla.

But the stories are getting told, remembered, and saved NOW.

Better yet? Takes as few as 5-10minutes to jot one down and print it off. I’m faster typing and there are no worries about spelling errors.

Still fun: customizing the embellishing will add fun to this project, but the simplification of telling detailed stories in the now takes the pressure off.

Game on.

now excuse me while I go run around my house and do as much as I can tonight so tomorrow may potentially be more serene…