claudine hellmuth

Florida here we come!

2009-11-10T20:24:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at the crack of dawn, Paul and I will be loading up the car for a 14 hour drive to Orlando FL. The cat sitter will be here taking care of the kitties so we won't have to worry about Stan and Mabel!

I'm teaching at the Daytona Beach Art League on Saturday. Space still available!

I'll be updating via Twitter as we travel and while we're away! see you next week!

when it rains it pours!

2009-11-08T15:22:00.009-05:00

Just when everything is going along smoothly, life likes to throw a speed bump (or two) your way to see if you're awake. It is safe to say I am definitely awake now!

We've had two developments this week that I am going to post about in hopes that someone reading this might have a connection or contact. It's all about six degrees of separation right!

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ON MONDAY WE LEARNED:
Our renter in our home in Orlando is breaking her lease to move to another city. If you or anyone you know may be interested in renting it, please contact our Property Manager, Kim Cochrane kc@leasingorlando.com. And here is a link to the house listing +photos. it's a really cute house in MetroWest. All new appliances, new AC, security system, laminate floors. All lawn care included in the rent! Pets OK too!!

ON THURSDAY WE WERE TOLD:
That we are now a statistic of the recession. My husband Paul, who works as a web editor at The Guardian in the DC office, was told the the entire DC bureau will be closing.

So I am putting this out there -- If you hear of any positions in "web content editing/production" (doesn't have to be in the news industry) please pass them along to us. Here's a link to Paul's Linkedin profile and resume and here's my email. We are willing to move again if we need to but would love to find something in the DC/VA/MD area. We only just got here a year ago!
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And that's been our crazy week!! I believe that sometimes you just have throw the word out there and you never know who might read this who can help!

it's holiday time!

2009-11-03T18:43:00.004-05:00

November is here and the holidays will be here before you know it!

I couldn't believe it when I looked on my calendar this morning, only 5 more weeks of art making time before Christmas! All my custom orders ship the week of December 14th to make sure they get there in time. The clock is ticking! Every year, I'm like one of Santa's elves working away in my workshop to make sure everything gets finished on schedule.

Here's a 16x20 custom canvas order that I just finished up, what a fun piece this was to work on. Even the dog gets to go skiing. Love that!

Orders placed now will be first in line for the holidays so now's the time to place your custom artwork order so we can make sure it arrives before Santa does!

I have four personalized custom artwork options available, ranging from fully-customizable to semi-custom and for any budget too! Prices start at just $75 for paper sketches and only $25 for custom magnetic paper dolls. ho ho ho!

I'm on Craft Cast

2009-11-02T11:09:00.006-05:00

My Craft Cast Interview is now live! Click HERE to listen!

It's always a treat to chat with Alison at Craft Cast. In this interview we cover a variety of topics from art to pets to crafting products and all the stuff in between!

Listen in and get the details on how to win exciting things! We are giving away a few goodies from my Claudine Hellmuth Studio product line, and also a copy of my latest book, The Scrapbooker’s Creativity Kit. Make sure to listen to the podcast to find out how to win!

illustration friday: skinny

2009-10-30T17:57:00.005-04:00

I have two submissions for this week's illustration friday theme of "skinny"

The first thought that came to mind was the typical scale/weight theme when I thought of the theme so here's what I made first:

Then as I was working on the piece above I had a new idea! I thought about our cat Mabel and I decided to do a piece with her in it. Mabel is the opposite of "skinny"! Mabel's actual photo was used for the cat :)

Mabel is our huge fatty beast of a cat who I found in 2005 wandering the street outside our home in Florida. She was so skinny you could see every rib - hard to imagine now!

When we first took her in she would trick us. She's an academy award winning actress, telling Paul I hadn't fed her and vice versa. So we were both feeding her and before we knew it she was not skinny anymore! We do try to keep her weight down to a reasonable level, but it's difficult with a very demanding cat!

here's a photo of Mabel in her favorite TV watching position.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

fall fiber wreath tutorial

2009-10-29T12:48:00.004-04:00

Check out this incredible Fall Fiber Wreath by artist Alisa Burke.

This is a GREAT project that could easily be adjusted to make a Christmas wreath or even a Spring or Summer wreath too. I can't wait to make one of these!

Alisa created this project with Claudine Hellmuth Studio paints and Sticky-back canvas, click here for the complete tutorial on her blog.

Thanks Alisa for such a super tutorial and beautiful project :)

linky shout out time!

2009-10-28T19:12:00.004-04:00

Lots of exciting linky shout outs and a big THANK YOU to everyone who used the Claudine Hellmuth Studio products on their blogs! Take a look at these great projects and ideas!

May Flaum whipped up an incredible tutorial for Ali Edwards Tuesday Tutorials feature. Don't miss this one!
Jenn Shurkus also created a to-die-for binder tutorial for Ali Edwards Tuesday Tutorials feature check it out here!
Pamela Young created a super layout and printed her photo directly onto Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky-Back canvas
Debbie Tlach filmed an informative video about caring for your Claudine Hellmuth Studio brushes. I could learn a thing or two from this as my brushes are completely mistreated!
Don't miss these beautiful flowers Linda Elbourne created using Sticky-Back canvas!
And Linda created more flowers here, wouldn't this make a lovely necklace?
Everything Creative has a super how-to and card samples on printing on Sticky-back canvas
Kristin Frost from Blue Moon Scrapbooking has a great video tutorial demonstrating a painted album page using Claudine Hellmuth Stuio paints and Tim Holtz masks
Another wonderful video tutorial from Blue Moon Scrapbooking on creating altered watercolor paper with Claudine Hellmuth Studio paints
Julieann Shain posted beautiful layouts to her blog using the Sticky-back canvas.

THANK YOU:
And just a reminder! If you make a project and post it to your blog using any of my Studio Line products, let me know and I'll list it when I do linky blog post! Also for the instructors out there: send me an email if you are teaching a class using my product line and I'll mention it too! For more information about the Claudine Hellmuth Studio product line click here !

my Monday in list form

2009-10-26T20:13:00.007-04:00

today I...

did yoga
took Mabel to the vet for her millionth blood test. Still checking her liver levels - long story.
worked on custom artwork orders
played with ideas for Ranger's CHA booth Make - n -take
answered emails
looked at pekingese photos on Potomac Peke rescue group.
updated A Place to Bark blog for Bernie - don't miss this important post!
listened to the new Craft Cast podcast while I worked
packed up samples to send off to Ranger for the CHA booth
packed up 4 custom paper doll orders to send off tomorrow - they turned out so cute!
organized lawn service and a handyman to work our house in FL that we are renting out
now getting ready to watch Heroes and relax!

illustration friday: fast

2009-10-23T15:18:00.002-04:00

Here's my piece for this weeks illustration friday theme of "fast"

Nothing goes fast like those NYC taxi cabs! When you hop in one of those, you're in for a wild ride!

have a great weekend everyone!

beeswax collage workshop in daytona beach

2009-10-22T11:17:00.004-04:00

Here's an update on my LAST workshop for 2009! Don't miss it!

Daytona Beach FL - November 14th
Waxing Poetic: the art of beeswax collage. Learn how to create a collage entirely with beeswax - no other glues or adhesives are necessary! You'll learn beeswax transfers, stamping in wax, layering collage elements, transparency, glazing colors and more! Contact the Daytona Beach Art League at (386) 258-3856 to register.

A little preview from my Beeswax Collage DVD of what you'll learn in this class:

Can't make it to the workshop? Click here to order the DVD now!

wednesday already?

2009-10-21T19:19:00.004-04:00

This week is one of those that has been swallowed up with errands. Every day I have had a list of errands to go on and it's making me antsy. I wish I could live in harmony with errands and do them, come home and get right to work. But I have found I have an errand threshold. I can do them one or two days a week but any more than that and it throws off my whole week.

I usually like to have at least 3 days in the week where I don't go anywhere and I sequester myself in our 700sq ft apartment to make real progress on my work. But that's not happening this week! I am already looking ahead to next week where I plan to hide in the apartment and get lots of things off of my to-do list.

illustration friday: frozen

2009-10-16T10:08:00.006-04:00

Here's my submission for this weeks illustration friday theme of "frozen"

A little too much to get done today to create something new for the topic but I have this piece that I created earlier that fits the theme. This is a photo of myself when I was little. I based the artwork on my favorite pink angora sweater that I wore just about every day because I thought I was just the coolest girl in town whenever I wore it!

I have to say that this topic is perfect for today because it's raining and freezing outside. Definitely a hot chocolate day!

happy weekend everyone!

new custom artwork

2009-10-15T20:58:00.003-04:00

New custom artwork from my studio!

This custom artwork was a birthday present from Stacy Julian who ordered it for Kayce, the cute gal you see here. She spends most of her time on the computer all day working very hard on the web site Big Picture Scrapbooking. Her precious kitties were also included in frames on the desk!

This was such a fun piece to work on!

Diva Craft Lounge Radio Show

2009-10-14T19:19:00.009-04:00

I was on the Diva Craft Lounge Radio Show today! Click here to listen to the interview. It was a lot of fun! Here's a link to the color chart that I mention on the show.

easy embossing with stencils on sticky-back canvas

2009-10-12T15:50:00.012-04:00

Here's a fun new technique that I just discovered - embossing on the sticky side of Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky Back Canvas using Ranger Adirondack embossing powders, Perfect Pearls and stencils.

This is a perfect way to get a second life out of a piece of Sticky-back canvas - especially if don't like what you created on the front. Just emboss on the back!

Thanks to Allie Gower for coming up with idea to emboss on the back of the Sticky-Back in the first place. Brilliant!

Here's my twist on the idea:

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
A piece of Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky-Back Canvas
Embossing powder
Perfect Pearls
Heat-it Craft Tool

To get started, remove the backing paper from the Sticky-back canvas and place sticky side face up. Place any plastic stencil on top. The stencil will stick to the surface just enough so you don't have to worry about it sliding around.

Sprinkle Ranger Adirondack Stream embossing powder all over the piece of Sticky-back canvas. Here I am doing this over a sheet of printer paper.

Remove the stencil and then heat the embossing powder with your heat tool.

Once it's cooled, dust on a little Perfect Pearls, to remove the stickiness from the exposed areas left by the stencil

All done! Here's a closeup of the completed technique. The Adirondack powder on the sticky-back canvas produces an interesting leathery texture. Very fun!

WHERE TO BUY:
Check your local crafts/scrapbook or arts supply store for availability. Claudine Hellmuth Studio Products are for sale online at these locations: Somerset Shoppe, ScrapLovers, Joggles Online, Schmooze with Suze, Scrapbook.com, Simon Says Stamp, Studio Calico, Scrap in Style TV . For more videos and information about the Claudine Hellmuth Studio product line, visit my web site!

illustration friday: flying

2009-10-09T11:52:00.006-04:00

Here's my submission(s) for this weeks illustration friday theme of "flying"

I actually have quite a few flying pieces because it's a theme that I enjoy, here's a custom artwork that I created of this little boy and his two cats flying in space!

And here's another one of my favorite custom artworks I created with a flying theme. This piece was ordered in celebration of the adoption of a new baby girl and this family loves to travel. The client and I came up with the plane theme with everyone together as a new family!

Have a great weekend everyone!

ho ho ho!

2009-10-07T19:43:00.004-04:00

It's already October and the holidays will be here before you know it! Now's the time to place your custom artwork order so we can make sure it arrives before Santa does!

Here's a custom canvas artwork that I created last holiday season for a client at their favorite beach getaway all decorated for Christmas. We turned this piece into holiday cards that were a huge hit!

I have four personalized artwork options available, ranging from fully-customizable to semi-custom and for any budget too! Prices start at just $75 for paper sketches and only $25 for custom magnetic paper dolls.

Once your artwork is ready to ship, we can create matching notes, stationery or holiday cards!

last workshop for 2009

2009-10-05T20:43:00.003-04:00

Here's an update on my last workshop for 2009! Don't miss it!

Daytona Beach FL - November 14th
Waxing Poetic: the art of beeswax collage. Learn how to create a collage entirely with beeswax - no other glues or adhesives are necessary! You'll learn beeswax transfers, stamping in wax, layering collage elements, transparency, glazing colors and more!

Contact the Daytona Beach Art League at (386) 258-3856 or click here to register.

illustration friday: germs

2009-10-02T17:22:00.002-04:00

This is my submission for this weeks' illustrationfriday.com theme of "Germs"

When I think of germs I immediately think of cleaning. After I have been sick with a cold I always clean like crazy scrubbing all the germs away!

Have a great and germ free weekend everyone!

pet post

2009-09-30T19:34:00.002-04:00

Time for another post about the kitties! Here are some recent pics!

Stan loves these giant Ikea bags. when I get them out to use them for laundry or groceries he hops right in. Makes a great crinkle sound.

Stan says this legal pad makes a great pillow!

Mabel in her stroller on her way to the vet. We put her carrier in the stroller and then zip the stroller shut so she can't get out. This way if she wants she can stay in her carrier or she can peek out to have a look around. This is a special pet stroller not a baby stroller even though it looks like one! I use it to take to her to vet which is only about 4 blocks away. She loves looking out, but when I take Stan he will have none of it and stays in the carrier.

Mabel cat also loves lounging on my desk!

back home!

2009-09-28T18:57:00.004-04:00

I got home last night from a fabulous trip to Maine teaching a workshop at Artascope Studio s! What a beautiful location to have a workshop and amazing and wonderful workshop hosts too! Thank you Catherine, Suzanne and Marina! It was a treat to teach at your beautiful studio! Also thank you to everyone who came out to take my class!

Here's the super cute house that the studios are in. It's a converted Victorian that has a jewelry studio, glass making studio and painting studios as well as the cutest store!

Here's the little display of my product line in the Artascope store.

On my first day of teaching at lunch break we took a very short drive to the nearby lighthouse which is Porthead lighthouse the same one that Hopper painted.

Here's Hopper's version!

When we were talking books over breakfast, Renee from my workshop mentioned this one. Then I found it at the teeny bookstore at the Portland airport. What are the chances?! I figured it was fate and I should read it so I got it. I bought it knowing it was about a dog, thinking it would make me sad, but not having any clue what was in store for me!! After the first 5 pages I cried all over the place at gate 8 waiting for my flight. I almost returned it composing a few times in my head, what I would say to the guy at the gift store. But then decided to keep it and finish it at home. It makes me think of Toby.

Now I am home recovering, catching up on work and tomorrow is the U2 concert! This is shaping up to be an exciting week!

maine here i come!

2009-09-24T17:19:00.004-04:00

I am all packed and ready to head out the door tomorrow morning to teach my weekend workshop at Artascope Studios in S. Portland Maine! I am deciding last minute if I have any more room in my bags to bring along some extra artwork.

I'll be back Sunday night, follow me in my adventure: follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates!

And before I go, here are my last workshop dates for 2009:

Alexandria VA - October 24th
A one day Magazine Alterology Workshop in Alexandria VA Just added to my calendar!! Workshop will be at the Artistic Artifacts studio. Learn exciting techniques to create amazing images and background papers with used magazines and various household products! we'll be creating Polaroid-transfer looking images with household materials and old magazines. We'll alter magazine pages to create backgrounds for collages, make incredible images to collage with and more! Class details and sign up information are on the Artistic Artifacts Web site. Almost full! Limited spaces left!

Daytona Beach FL - November 14th
On November 14th I'll be teaching a one day Beeswax collage at the Art League of Daytona Beach. Contact the Art League at (386) 258-3856 to register.

easy to make Halloween village

2009-09-21T21:38:00.002-04:00

Here's a spooky Halloween village that I created and I am going to show you how to make it too! The best part about this little project is that it will cost you next to nothing to make, I am betting you already have many of these items around your house!

Suggested supply list:

Old Music papers and assorted scrapbook papers
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paint in Charcoal Black
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi Medium (matte or gloss)
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paint brushes
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky Back Canvas
Ranger Inkssentials White Pen
Pencil
a BATTERY operated tea light candle (no flames please!!!)
Template for the houses - I made one for you! Download here!

STEP ONE: Put the house template (download here) on top of a sheet of old music paper and trace around it with a pencil and then cut it out. Don't forget you can adjust the template to make tall and skinny houses or any type of house you would like!

STEP TWO: Draw in where you would like the windows and doors to go.

STEP THREE: Paint in the house. Paint around all the doors and windows leaving them unpainted. Here I am using Charcoal Black from the Claudine Hellmuth Studio Line.

STEP FOUR: Here I added details. I used Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky Back Canvas painted with Landscape Green to make the curtains, and the Ranger Inkssentials White Pen.

STEP FIVE: Fold all your edges and then glue the tab to the other side of the house with Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi Medium.

STEP SIX: Pinch the sides to shape the house.

STEP SEVEN: Place the roof template on a piece of scrapbook paper, trace around and cut out

STEP EIGHT: Fold the roof piece down the center and then add details or trim if you like!

STEP NINE: Put the roof on your house and then place a BATTERY OPERATED tea light candle underneath. DO NOT use a regular tea light candle with flame because it will catch your mini house on fire! You can find Battery tea light candles at home stores like Bed Bath and Beyond, Dollar Store or at your local craft store.

YOU'RE DONE! Here's the little house along with a few others ready to bring spookiness to your home. It was difficult to capture just how glowing the houses are with the battery tea lights underneath. When you make yours, you will see how fun they are!

WHERE TO BUY:
Check your local crafts/scrapbook or arts supply store for availability. Claudine Hellmuth Studio Products are for sale online at these locations: Somerset Shoppe, ScrapLovers, Joggles Online, Schmooze with Suze, Scrapbook.com, Simon Says Stamp, Studio Calico, Scrap in Style TV . For more videos and information about the Claudine Hellmuth Studio product line, visit my web site!

illustration friday: infinite

2009-09-18T19:15:00.004-04:00

Here's my submission this this weeks illustration friday theme of "infinite".

Doesn't it seem like doing the laundry is an infinite task? As soon as you are done, there is more to do!

I worked on this piece today and the idea came to me partly because I am doing laundry in between making art, fortunately I am not ironing like this gal! Have a great weekend everyone!

new from my studio!

2009-09-17T13:59:00.005-04:00

I just finished up this custom artwork which I created for a client who loves to bake pie (and her husband and daughter who love to eat it!). This was a big piece at 18x24. It was fun to work that large and I LOVED working on this theme!!

To complete the family portrait we included their son who passed away. We decided to feature him in a photo frame in the background so he can be represented with the family too. This was such a fun piece to work on and the client loved it too.

Here's what she said: I adore the piece and can't wait to receive it! Thanks so much for your speedy work and phenomenal creativity. It was a pleasure to work with you. Thanks again!

To see more examples of my custom artworks click here!