My Day Job – Creating Something Everyday

I enjoy crafting and thrifting but I also have a "Day Job" that allows me to create something everyday. Today I happened to walk by a wall with several of my packaging designs displayed. I tend to forget the massive amount of design work that I produce every six months so this was fun to see.

My favorite project is working with Tim Holtz on the Sizzix Alterations catalog. Tim is such a creative visionary that it is always exciting to work with him.

 I also create all of his Alterations die packaging. Tons of distressed tan packaging everywhere.

Then I switched from distressed tan to delicate pinks and cream packaging. Earlier this year I had the honor to work with Brenda Walton on her first die launch with Sizzix. She is such a sweet person and talented designer which is evident in all of her designs.

This was my first time working with Jo Packam to design packaging for her new line of dies for Where Women Cook. She wanted her packaging to be a "riot of color" and here it is. This is so different than the grunge tans and delicate pinks and creams.

I also work with Stephanie Barnard for her dies and packaging. Stephanie is so fun and talented just check out her blog to see what she creates with her stamps and dies.

I also designed packaging for an entirely new line of quilting dies. This line of packaging was designed and created in a matter of weeks but I really enjoy a challenge.

The other major project I had designed over the past few years were all of the packaging and booklets for Tim Holtz's Stamp2Cut eclips cartridges. Usually I create about three of these cartridge sets in a six month period but this just looks so good as a complete set.

Good grief! I didn't realize how much I create in a six month time period. I am already several months into preparation for the next CHA show in January 2014. Like I said, I love a good challenge!

Exploring New Thrifting Grounds

Dear Handyman had to pick up some supplies on Saturday. Since we were going to be in a different part of town I found some sales in that area and we explored some new thrifting grounds.

My favorite find was this beautiful vintage tablecloth. I love the pink hibiscus flowers and green leaves.

I also found this large chenille bedspread. I don't know how old it is but it is in great condition.

Found this mid-century milk glass vase with metallic gold and turquoise design.

And I always love finding Pyrex so I scooped up these yellow and orange stacking bowls.

This vintage croquet set was something on my Thrift Wish List but I'm not quite sure why. I have some ideas on how I would like to repurpose them so we'll have to see how this turns out.

Hope everyone had a great day of thrifting. I will be adding some of these items to my Stuff to Treasure store.

This is linked to:
Nifty, Thrifty Things and Sir Thriftalot

Staying One Step Ahead of the Competition

It isn't often that we are at an estate sale where we find the treasures before the dealers can snatch then up. Today just seemed like the stars were aligned to help us get some of the best finds.

My favorite find were these two old, faded, cement lawn flamingoes. They have some cracks and we had to leave their legs behind {rebar cemented into the ground which I could not convince Dear Handyman to dig out} but they are awesome. I never knew that the original lawn flamingoes were made from cement. The larger one is extremely heavy at 24" from head to tail. I don't think anyone else saw these until after we had plucked them out of the ground.

Another favorite find was a large container filled with vintage buttons and buckles. I took one look at the quality of buttons and grabbed the container. There are some old Bakelite buckles and even Catalin buttons still on their card.

In the back of the garage were some suitcase. Underneath the suitcases were two old boxes.

At first I thought they were empty but upon further investigation I found two, nearly new vintage suitcases. One still has an airline tag so they were probably used once and then stored back in these boxes and forgotten. 

I also found an aqua Pyrex bowl and a large stack of hankies in lavender, reds and aqua. 

 I have to do a little more research but I think one hankie is for the Girl Scouts.

We found a great working Zero Fan.

And Dear Handyman found me a small drill press which is something I've been wanting for my crafting projects.

I know that other buyers were right behind me looking at the flamingoes, buttons, hankies and suitcases. I don't know how or why but I was just one step ahead of the other buyers in finding these treasures. It was a good thrifting day.

Hope everyone had a great day of thrifting. I will be putting some of these items in my Stuff to Treasure store so please check there often.

This is linked to:
Hey What's For Dinner Mom? and Sir ThriftaLot

Designers Craft Connection Blog Hop - August

Welcome to the Designers Craft Connection Blog Hop for the month of August. This month's theme is Crafting with School Supplies. My favorite school supply is vintage wooden rulers. I love finding old wooden rulers and yard sticks at estate sales because they are everyday objects that have so much design potential.

My School Supply crafting project is an easel and slate chalkboard both made from thrifted, vintage rulers.

I started with a small vintage chalkboard and cut two rulers to frame the edges of the slate. I glued the rulers to the existing wooden frame and rounded the corners to match.

The easel was made with three more rulers as the legs and an architect's ruler as the tray that supports the slate chalkboard.

This side view shows how the architect's ruler supports the slate chalkboard.

The chain helps to stabilize the easel.

I hope you enjoyed my vintage, thrifted school supply project. Please use the DCC blog hop button on the right to continue through to visit all of the amazingly talented designers involved with this blog hop.

Another Thrifting Wish List Find

I have a mental Wish List of things I would love to find while out thrifting. One item I can cross off my Wish List is a vintage Cosco Step Stool in really great condition... Score!

Finding Pyrex is always nice. I found some Americana Cinderella bowls, an orange bowl and a Town and Country covered casserole. Plus I picked up a few extra Pyrex clear lids.

Aren't these vintage aprons just awesome! The one in the middle is made from three large hankies. I will take detailed photos later.

And any day of thrifting where I find lovely, faded vintage Christmas ornaments is always a happy day.

I didn't take photos of the power tools, giant toolbox filled with tools and iPhone/radio speakers that Dear Handyman found. Some treasures are cool but just not very pretty. But all of these made him very happy which makes me happy.

Hope everyone had a happy day of thrifting!