Summer is coming...

The Arizona weather is fine and grand.

Taking full advantage of it lately....

Keeping busy in the studio and out and about.

Vendor and craft shows just keep getting added.

Lots of outward travel this summer. 

We are still working on the new website and store.

Should be up after this weekend.

As you may have noticed no monthly kit this month....

But good things coming soon.

Getting ready for a crazy weekend...but before we get to that...

We first wanted to say "Thanks" to all the wonderful

ladies that have attended our

Technique Wednesday's at Mystic Paper.

These have been super fun.

Here are a few pics from classes.

 

Last week we started with Distress Ink Techniques.

 

This week we dived into Alcohol Ink.

Next week is Perfect Pearls.

All the weekday technique classes so far have been taught upstairs.

In what Mystic Paper calls Studio 34....

We love this little work area.

Its intimate, cozy, and you are surrounded

with exciting product, vintage finds and creative samples.

Jennifer ( owner of Mystic Paper) and her team

have re-arranged the store as of late.

We love the new feel and energy within the store.

These technique classes have been so popular that we have

added a Saturday once a month.

The first of these will be on

Saturday, May 21st at Mystic Paper in Mesa.

10:30-11:30am ~ Distress Ink Techniques

12-1:00pm ~ Alcohol Ink Techniques

1:30-2:30pm ~ Perfect Pearls Techniques

3-4:00pm ~ Embossing Powders Techniques

If interested we would love to see ya!

As I mentioned.... this weekend is going to be a crazy one...

It started early this morning with Lesley and I prepping all day in the studio.

Making several necklaces and pendants for tonight's show.

Finishing new collage pieces for our booth.

 

We have been playing with altered cigar boxes as canvases lately.

Layering imagery, molding paste, stamping, and transfers.

Dig the look.

 

 Sometimes something so simple is so perfect...

A vintage key...seam binding... and Tim's fab new plaquettes.

If you have some old long skeleton keys they look even better.

We love the plaquettes! 

The studio is trashed.... we tried to clean as we worked...

Where wild men and women  create....something like that...

My side of the studio....

Then we spent a few hours prepping kits
for this Saturday's 

'Carte Du Cirque"Class 

at Paper Vineyard.
 

This is the Le Cirque clapboard  project that we created for

our submission to Graphic 45 's Design Team last month.

We decided to throw it on the class calendar for this month.

We love clapboard (or A Frame) books..... because

with the bolt and nut method.

You can add pages at any time.

Make it into a card, journal, sketchbook, mini photo album.

No limits.

Here is a peek at the project.

But before that class we get to spend 

the early morning and afternoon junking.

If your local ...

Two big junking events happen tomorrow.

The Mega Yard Sale and Hamfest at Fort McDowell Casino.

Not sure about the Hamfest part.... that sounds  funky... 

and not in a good way...

Also Merchant Square is having its big sale and flea market.

Treasure to find... alter goodies to seek out...

Can't wait...
Then on Sunday.... 

A day with family and friends.

Perhaps a mini road trip.

Whatever you do this weekend...

Live it big!

Plus... I just scored this at Mystic Paper ten minutes ago..

We have been waiting for this....

Cavallini's NEW Paper Tape.

 This will be for Sunday morning among other things....

All the best,

-Lesley & Michael