Saturday, April 29, 2017

Gale's Gallery XXX: Simon Says Create! Event- Part I

Hello from rainy Central Ohio!

We may not have fun in the sun this weekend, but indoors we had a great time at the Third Annual Simon Says Create! event!  Fortunately, it is a local event for me, but folks came from everywhere to enjoy some crafty goodness from the best in business.  The event is still on today until 5:30 p.m. So, if you are in the Columbus area, there is still time to make it (pun intended!) to the Nationwide Insurance Training and Conference Center in Lewis Center.

Long-time great (& crafty) friends Elesa (left) and Wanda (right) joined me on this adventure, as is usual when it involves shopping or crafts!


There were classes held by stellar teachers such as Tim Holtz, Jennifer McGuire, Kristina Werner, Yana Smakura, Shari Carroll and more for $699, but I only took one day off work and this year, just didn't feel I could spend the money, though I am certain it was worth it.  But fortunately, if you purchased more than $50 in the Simon Shop (like that would be hard...) you got a bracelet for a ton of make and takes from nearly all of the major vendors in stamping.  I only made it to 14 because there was a crowd, but there were at least 10 more.  I learned some quick and new techniques and met lots of enthusiastic folks.  

(I have to finish up a couple cards and gather links, so please come back to Part II in the next few days and I will share my projects!)

Here is a sneak peek below:
Lawn Fawn owner Kelly Marie showed us how to make a quick and cute Pop Up Box card!

Sizzix gals Stephanie Bernard and Kimberly Saldana gave us tips on using our diecutting machines as well as doing make and takes all day long in the corner of the Simon Says Stamp pop up store.


Elesa and Wanda enjoying the Mama Elephant make and take table.


The Waffle Flower demonstrators shown
using their new cross-stitch stamps and doing a simple shading technique.


The Simon Says Stamp pop up store was packed in the morning.  This is just one aisle, but they were all full.  What's amazing was nothing was on sale, but that didn't stop folks from gathering up tons of supplies!


I'll be back soon with my projects!  If you want to go shopping I would be thrilled if you used my affiliate links on the right at no cost to you...please also click to subscribe so you won't miss any crafty goodness!

See ya!
Gale



Saturday, April 15, 2017

Happy Easter 2017 From The 'Creek!

Hello!

 I wanted to quickly share some treat bags I made for Easter Dinner.  Also, I wanted to show off some adorable cookies from a local baker.



I used the Waffle Flower Gift Bag Die available from Simon Says Stamp, Scrapbook.com & Blitzy.com and the Easter 6x6 patterned paper pack from Doodlebug, also available from these stores (please click on their links on the right hand margin.  I promise I am working toward product links asap.  I may be crafty, but for sure not a techie...)  

Crafty Note:  The bag die doesn't have instructions, but so you know, it only cuts out the front/back and handles.  Part of the genius is you can make the sides as wide as you want as long as the strip is 8" long.  I made mine 1 1/2" wide.  You will want to score at 3" and 5 1/2" for a nice square bottom.

The front and back diecuts have tabs to fold that fit 1/4" double stick tape for a good hold.

I wanted to share some cookies (at least their photos LOL!) made by a very talented gal, Michele Herbon.  She has a Facebook Page "Herbon Bons Bakery."  Usually, cookies are either pretty or delicious.  Her's are both and I have to say one of the best sugar cookies, if not the best, I've ever had. Those of you that know me can believe that I know what I'm talking about when it comes to eating cookies!!!

Photo by Abby Goudy

Aren't they darling?  She has hundreds more examples on her FB page for all occasions.  Take a minute and check her out!

Well, better get to my chores---I've got company coming!!!

Easter Blessings to all,
Gale

Monday, April 3, 2017

Necessity IS the Mother of Invention-- How I Saved Time (and Probably My Eyesight) Tearing Out Tile

Hello!

It starts the same for everyone; the dreaming, planning, financing, material ordering, hopes and dreams of an easy remodel.  Then reality sets in.  Expense, work, more time, extra work, extra expense, even more time---you know, the "Domino Theory."  As a kitchen designer who sees folks through every stage of a remodel, I try to make things go smoothly (at least for them.)

Painting doesn't sound hard.  But painting is probably the smallest part of that process.  There is the room unloading, taping, repairing dings or holes, putting down covers, bringing in ladders and the rest of the crap you need.  Then the second trip to the store to get what you either forgot or didn't think you needed.  I work at Lowe's 40 hours a week and still had to make a trip, as well as have Audra pick up stuff (she works there too.)

Aside from me being dreadfully out of shape, the actual painting went fine.  I did two coats of Valspar Reserve from Lowe's (of course!)  I bought two gallons and didn't even use all of one.  It covers nicely and there is zero smell.  It washes up easily and it's the best paint we sell.  However, cleaning up all the stuff to put back was not fun.  I have things on top of the wall cabinets.  We hardly ever cook and stuff gets so grungy.  The only accident was stepping on my rimless glasses.  I sort of bent them back in shape and went on like the soldier I am.

The next project was the one I dreaded the most:  taking down the tile and glass backsplash.  I've had issues with my right arm, wrist and hand, but they never hurt as much as after working on this awhile.  The tile was put in with a lot of Mastic adhesive instead of grout.   The best option really would've been to just pay my contractor to cut out the drywall and start over.  But, I am trying to do several things on a really tight budget and decided to hack away at this.  And hack I did!

What a mess!  I had safety glasses on, but they fogged up and were in the way, so I took them off and just used my regular glasses and prayers.  I found that it would come off in bigger hunks if I beat an area first with a hammer.  Tiny glass shards and bits of ceramic went flying beyond the covered area with a few into my hands, fingers and arms (why aren't I wearing long sleeves and gloves you ask?  I get too hot!) Then, I'd pry a little with a chisel and hammer, sometimes going through the drywall.  I heard stuff falling off my son's bedroom shelf because I was really going at it.  (Don't whack the wall too hard though as it will soften the drywall to unusable.)

Then, a light turned on...I needed something to protect me while I was hacking, but I only have two hands (at best.)  What about Press 'N Seal wrap????  I'd been using it to wrap my paint brush so I wouldn't have to clean it every time I stopped for a little bit.  Well, by cracky, it stuck to the tile on the wall like a charm and if you didn't go over the same area a ton, it didn't even rip.  It caught all the tiny debris, though of course when I took it down, most hit the counter...but infinitely better then cutting me!

You have no idea how beautiful this photo is until you try it!

See the stuff the Press 'N Seal is trapping for me????  So awesome!  A popular YouTube (Jennifer McGuire) crafter's husband invented this awesome product.  I must thank him!  You can get it at any grocery store.

I swear if this is a normal use for Press 'N Seal I will cry as I really am feeling smart right now.  The rest of backsplash came down fairly quickly and tomorrow my contractor will be here to install a new countertop.  (This is the first time I've been happy for bad weather on my day off in a long time.)

He will also install a new white subway tile backsplash as soon as I repair the walls--I am hoping in time for Easter dinner here with my family.  I will be sure to post the finished project, but for now I will leave you to admire my ingenuity....

Until next time,

Gale