The Eessence of Opal - featured on the ICE Resin blog

The Essence Of Opal necklace

Today, I am thrilled to be on the ICE Resin Blog,  sharing how to create this Blue Australian Opal Inspired Trio Necklace (and  lots more pictures).  This necklace incorporates inclusion such as the new ICE Resin © Glass glitter chards, the new IR luminous papers and my go to for lots of color and texture- ICED Enamels.™  All of the supplies can be found on the Ranger © or ICE Resin© websites.  I hope you will be able to find inspiration and a little gemology in this jewelry tutorial.

Until next time,  I hope you find joy in each day!!

Petticoats on the Prairie- Vintage Market in Coleman, Texas

I am so excited to be a part of this wonderful West Texas Vintage Market that will be in just a few weeks from now!!  It will be a two day show with great vendors, food trucks and of course, great treasures!!! From handmade to antiques, you will be able to find a treasure to take home!!  I will be debuting my own paper and fabric line along with my hand painted Resined jewelry and home decor...along with a few vintage finds...I hope to see y'all here - make plans for a weekend getaway!!  For more information, check it out here

My paper pads!!! 

Until Next Time, I hope you're finding treasures in the everyday!!

The Joy of Journaling Lists – Two Words

There are many books on lists, making lists,  the top 100 lists, specific lists, a list on how to make lists…all of which are good.  I would like to share with you a simple way to add to your journaling or even to begin journaling.  When I was teaching a Creative writing class, we would do brainstorming in our journals.  It was uncensored, free thinking and I would limit the words to a few, like two.  We didn’t have to think of grammar, the sentence police or write with complete thoughts…they were truly lists of our first thoughts, first instincts, those first ripples in the river that create even more ripples…and then the beauty of fluid thoughts leap off the page into a grandeur picture of what is on our hearts.

Each morning, I take a few moments to write in my gratitude journal.  It is a simple notebook from Target simply titled Notes with the months and the dates listed at the top of each page and you circle the appropriate Month and the corresponding date.  Each day, it starts the same…

 

“I am grateful for…”

I skip two lines and begin to write to the last line of the page.  Sometimes my entries are filled with sentences; paragraphs-  but more often then not, they are lists.   Limiting words, or areas of my life can help me focus on that which I have to be truly grateful—my lists could be endless but my favorites are the two word lists…it gets me thinking of powerful words, feeling, people and even places. 

Here is my journal from today…

“I am grateful for…”

This morning

Lovely evenings

Hearts changing

Thoughts shared

Tears shed

Feelings explained

Healing words

Hugs given

New days

Unfamiliar routes

Road trips

Safe havens

Fresh starts

Happy endings

Journal writing

Mind’s wandering

Hands recording

Love’s story

God’s story

Unending Mercy

Generous Grace

Jesus’ sacrifice

Perfect redemption

Sharing Lives

Soul restoration

Hope eternal

Unlimited promise....

I could see a pattern in my words, the thoughts that came out of where my heart is and who I am thinking of.  You can do this 2 word lists for almost any area of your life.  From light hearted things like Favorite foods…..my list would begin  like this..

Good Coffee

French bread

Eurpoean butter

Fresh eggs

Dark chocolate....

To the power of friendship…my list would start with...

Share Burdens

Celebrate Victories

Listen intently

Cry together

Laugh together....

The focus of just two little words can become light-hearted, thought- filled, or perhaps, fill your heart's reservoir.  If you  are new to journaling and would like to begin ....or if you have written for years and perhaps seem to be stuck, in a rut or out of words, you only need two little words to get you started… Begin Now.

   

Until next time,  Sending Love!!

Phoenix + Art+Friends+Creativation = A happy He{art}

It's January and for the Craft and Hobby Industry-it's a new year!!! A new year that will begin with  creative inspiration mixed with creative people and creative new products- IT'S Creativation (formerly CHA). Last year, in Los Angeles,  I was able to attend for the first time and it was jaw dropping, eye opening and heart fluttering- when the whole convention center was filled with creativity!!  This  year, it will be in Phoenix and I am sure it will be just as exciting  with new creativity and new inspiration...Also this year, I will be at the ICE Resin® Booth under the big Ranger® sign....I'll be sharing the love of ICE Resin® and all that goes with it....there will be new products that you will just absolutely fall in love with...I already have...I was able to create a few projects for the booth using some of the new products...YOU are going to have so much fun creating your one of kind jewelry pieces, cast embellishments and playing with paper is so fun with ICE Resin®...If you're at the show, please stop by and say Hi and let's create something together.

Susan Lenart Kazmer - What an incredible artist with an
amazing heart!!!

Creativation will also be a wonderful reunion of my art friends...I can't wait to connect with design team members, friends, kindred spirits..and of course, to meet new friends that will become treasured friends through this great experience...

Susan, Susan and Me- Design Teammates and also, friends

We love John Creighton Peterson --Can't wait to see him again!

The incomparable Jen Cushman!! Love her!!!

Classes and Workshops are held during the 4 days - this was
last year's class on Casting with ICE Resin®

I hope you'll follow along this journey with me...I'll be posting on Facebook and hopefully here on the blog as well...Starting the 21st, I'll show pictures of the new projects that I made for this special event that will hang in the ICE Resin® booth....Until next time, I hope your journey is filled with creative, he{art}filled days...


Chantal

I am a Maker©

I  am a maker© 

Sometimes I think I should be like those who do one thing. You know like only quilt, only scrapbook or only exercise or only cook or only----.

Sometimes I think I should be like those who are minimalists, those whose have only one decorating style or those who choose to get books from the library as opposed to having a library at home.

Sometimes it's hard to explain who we are especially if we are not the same as everybody else. Sometimes it's hard to understand others or even ourselves.

Sometimes I struggle. Sometimes I am embarrassed that my studio, as one little girl said " Is this a store?" I think she was ready to shop.

Sometimes.... but not most of the time.

Most of the time I remember that we are not meant to be the same.

Most of the time I remember that we are all blest with talents, abilities, gifts and personalities.

Most of the time I remember that I love all things creative

Most of the time I remember that while my studio looks like a store it is truly a place that the inspiration (and supplies) are is free and it is open for all to come and create.

Most of the time I remember that I am a maker.  

A maker of an inviting home.

 A maker of meals in a warm kitchen. 

A maker of pretty things to inspire, to wear, to have.

A maker of family and friendships.

  A maker of a joyful life.

Most of the time I remember that I am a maker and that is how the Lord, the maker of heaven and of earth, made me. 

And by the way He made you, too!!

So if sometimes, you're like me and think about who you are and who you should be.... most of time, you're exactly as you should be!!! You are perfectly you!!!

Until next time,  Make the most of each day!!

Candle Cover ups - a quick holiday gift idea

I love candles.  the scent, the flame that flickers softly and the beautiful jars that they come in.  However, what I do not like are the labels that are that strongest stickers ever.  it ruins the beautiful ambience when you see $3.99 on the jar or where it was purchased...So I have decided rather than to fight the sticker, I'll just leave it there and then cover it with beautiful paper, ribbon and little floral touches or holiday sentiments. Using hot glue for the elements and a paper adhesive such as Mod Podge or the Xyron adhesive.  This is perfect for any occasion but here is mine that sits by the sink,..oh so much prettier than the price...

Holly, ribbon and a red velvet flower adorn this jar. 

Choose paper that fits the theme and then die cut a desired shape.
I like to adhere mine with the xyron machine adhesive.

Until next time,  Hope your home is filled with the scents of the season....

All Wired Up - featured on the ICE Resin® Blog

all wired up

One of my favorite symbols is the heart - even though it doesn't resemble our actual heart (thank goodness) it does represent balance, beauty, wholeness and unconditional love.  For my latest project on the ICE Resin® blog, I show how to repurpose all those thin, wire bangle bracelets into beautiful wired hearts that are touched with ICE Resin® and beautiful German glass glitter.  then the finishing is up to you..but be warned you will fall in love with these hearts and soon you'll be all wired up!!!

Until next time, sending you hearts full of love....

Hearts full of love!