Lovely Christmas Stamp Set Available

This is a new photopolymer stamp set, Gentle Peace.........just in time for your Christmas Card making.

You can get it here thru my website. 

Cranbrook Art Academy Tour

I may have mentioned in a way earlier post, that our son Jack attends Cranbrook Academy of Art, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He's finishing his Masters in Print Media - this is his last year....YEAH!! We recently spent a weekend with him, and spent some time walking around the campus. Are you familiar with Cranbrook? Here's a little history about it.

In 1904, George Gough and Ellen Scripps Booth bought the property that would become Cranbrook, and spent their first years at Cranbrook landscaping the property and constructing their family home designed by Albert Kahn. With their estate established, they began the buildings for public use. A Greek Theatre was built in 1916, Christ Church Cranbrook was completed in 1928, and plans were made for an academy of art based on their visit to the American Academy in Rome. At the suggestion of his son Henry, George Booth approached Eliel Saarinen, a visiting professor in architectural design at the University of Michigan, with his idea for an academy of art. Ultimately Booth invited Saarinen to move to Cranbrook from Finland to oversee the architectural and landscape development of the campus. 

Cranbrook Art Museum

Cranbrook Design Studio

Informal art education began at the Academy in the late 1920s, in studios built for the artists and crafts people working with Saarinen. The Academy of Art was officially sanctioned in 1932 with Saarinen installed as president. He continued to design new buildings for the 319 acre campus with Academy student apprentices. The original Cranbrook Institute of Science building was completed in 1937. The campus is a National Historic Landmark, considered the most complete example of Saarinen’s genius. Saarinen’s designs can certainly be seen across campus in the buildings and vistas, but design is also present in small details – brickwork patterns, signature chimneys and doorways. 

On top of a gate.

Jack & Earl in front of another very cool gate.  Aren't they cute??

The campus is dotted with sculptures by Carl Milles, Marshall Fredericks, Mark di Suvero and Michael Hall, sculptures which are framed by planned gardens, both structured and loose. It is an architectural and horticultural treasure where Academy students live and work today, inspired to write their own history in an environment of beauty and innovation.

Jack in front of his favorite piece.

At Cranbrook, each of the ten departments is led by an Artist or Designer-in-Residence: a single full-time artist or designer who is the primary mentor for students and the head of their studio program.  Each department has an enrollment of approximately 15 students, who are selected by the Artist-in-Residence, the sole faculty member and head of the department. It is also important to note that all Artists-in-Residence (and their partners and families) live on campus – very close to their studios.  In this, Cranbrook is not simply a graduate program – it is a unique community of artists and designers living and working together on a campus designed for this kind of exchange.

There were so many interesting things to see. As you can probably tell, I really liked the sculptured fountains.  I also loved the ivy covered buildings. I know ivy is not good for brick structures, but it was so pretty.

This is the window in Jack's studio.

Jack took us through all of the departments studios, and we got to see what students were working on. Since I don't have their permission, I can't post any photos, but let me tell you - there are some very talented artists at Cranbrook.

As a crafter myself, I think what intrigued me the most was an old letterpress that some of the students are starting to work with, as well as catalog all of the type that has been sitting for a very long time. Evidently, this is not a technique used frequently anymore. 

Can you believe this stills works?

This is the "type" that is sitting inside the letterpress.  Can you read backwards?

All of these drawers are full of different movable type.

More type on an adjoining wall.

Of course Jack took us through his studio - but I'm not showing those photos! It reminds me of his bedroom when he was a teenager - YIKES......but I guess it gives him inspiration! Here are some photos of specific items in his studio though.

These will be worked into one of his next projects!

Interesting books on his shelf!

Some practice work from last year. 

A significant stencil. During his undergrad, Jack did a lot of projects with spray paint  and stencils- 

they were amazing!

A couple more photos from his department............ 

The spray paint room!  It vents out so you are not overcome by fumes. 

I could use one of those.

Some of the screens used in printing.

Jack, the artist, in front of a huge printing machine.

I have a LOT more photos, but this post is long enough.  We had such a fun time with Jack.  The campus was beautiful with autumn colors starting to come out, and the weather was perfect.  This is how I felt that day - I was so happy.....

Thanks for stopping by - and making it to the end of this post!  

Hugs........Nancy

Quick & Easy Masculine Card

I couldn't believe that I found myself, at the last minute, without a card for my hubby's birthday!!  REALLY???  How does that happen!!  So, needless to say, I needed to make something quick - and it had to be fairly easy because I was so short on time.  I'd seen a card using the Lovely as a Tree stamp set - well, I've seen a LOT of cards using that stamp set because it has been around forever - it is so popular.  Anyway, that was the set I decided to use....and here's the card I came up with.

This could really be used for many occasions - just change the colors and the sentiment.  Here's all I did.

I layered Early Espresso card stock on Old Olive card stock, and that on Whisper White card stock, which made up the card base.  Next, on another piece of Whisper White card stock, I started with Crushed Curry ink, and the long narrow stamp from the Work of Art stamp set, and stamped it several times, close together.  I used Soft Suede ink next, and finally Old Olive ink.

I stamped the trees (from the Lovely as a Tree stamp set) and the greeting from the Four You stamp set, using Early Espresso ink.  Next I just tied a little linen thread around the piece and attached it to the card front with dimensionals.  There you go......quick & easy.  Give it a try.     

Weekly Deals

It's time again......every Tuesday Stampin' Up! offers some really great deals.  They change every week though, so don't miss out.

Go to my website here to order.

Easy to Make Luminary

While at Camp One Way, one of my sister demonstrators showed us how easy it is to make these cute table top decorations.  Here is the first one I made, following her instructions.  I'm showing both sides.  I had a LOT of retired Halloween product, so decided to use them on my "practice run".  I think it turned out really cute.

If you'd like to try one yourself, keep reading.  I have step-by-step instructions below.  Please note that I've used Real Red Cardstock in the illustrations; I plan to make a "Christmas" luminary, which I will show you in a later post.

1.  Cut a piece of cardstock to 9" x 12".  You need to use cardstock for the weight because paper will not hold the shape when completed.  On the short side (the 9" side), score at 4 1/2".   I've placed the marker at the 4 1/2" mark.

2.  On the long side, score at 3", 6", and 9".  You hopefully can see that I've also indicated these measurements with the little markers.

3.  Fold on all the score lines - really well.  You will be glad you did as you proceed with your project.  I use my trusty bone folder for this step.

4.  Fold "hamburger" style, and while folded,  cut on the center score line from the fold to the fold line in the middle.

5.  Unfold, then refold "hotdog" style.  See the hole that you created with your cut?

6.  Using a 2 1/2" circle punch, punch in each of the four center sections.  If you slide your punch all the way, it will be in the perfect spot.  I always turn my punch over so that I can see exactly where the hole is going to be; it makes for easier centering, I think.  I'm sure you'll come up with something to use those 2 1/2" circles for......don't want to waste them!  Your luminary is starting to take shape now.

7.  Cut four squares out of vellum, 2 7/8" x 2 7/8", and glue them over the cut out circles on what will be the inside of your luminary.  I used the a glue stick by Stampin' Up! (Mine is an old one; the label on the new one looks different.)  **See note below**

8.  Make sure the glue around the vellum is dry, then glue the two short sides together, and fold your luminary.  If you "push" the two sides together slightly, it will help open up the center section.

9.  The next step is to decorate your luminary any way you want to!!  Pretty easy, huh?

10.  Place one of those little battery operated tea candles inside your luminary to get the effect of a candle (without burning your project up!).  I found these babies at the Dollar Tree - 2/$1.00.  Gotta love the dollar stores.

**Note**

I stamped on my vellum squares with Staz-on ink before gluing them onto the luminary.  It just gives another aspect of fun!!

I hope you try this project. It's fun & easy, and can be made for any holiday or occasion.  I'll list the supplies that I used for the instructions below; all Stampin' Up! products.  

Stampin' Trimmer  #126889

Simply Scored Scoring Tool (stylus & place markers included)  #122334

Bone Folder  #102300

2 1/2" Circle Punch  #120906

Craft Scissors  #108360

Stampin' Glue Sticks  #130654

Real Red Cardstock  #102482

White Vellum  #101856

Thanks for stopping by.......

Hugs, 

Nancy