Eileen Hull

Three dimensional art... with heart

Freecycle, anyone?

It all started on Friday when I spotted a hot tub on Freecycle.org. This is a community organization dedicated to recycling items people no longer need to people who would like to have them, with the stipulation that all items are free. My husband has always wanted a hot tub. I, on the other hand, feel like I am sitting in a pot of soup, but that’s me… Anyway, I replied to the offer and got the word back that I was second on the list (thanks, Julianne!) Lo and behold, we later received a followup email saying the #1 person had been a no show so it was ours! Due to computer lag time and life, we didn’t hear until last night that the hot tub was out on the curb but that the normal garbage pickup wasn’t until Tuesday, so we could come today to get it.

I was awakened by my husband pounding up the stairs at 9:20 informing me it was time to go and get the hot tub. I had been up till 3 working on a magnet order and was still in major sleep mode. Wait, isn’t it Monday? He’s supposed to be at work! And also, I can hear torrential rain outside… need diet Coke…
By the time I put in my contacts, got dressed and stumbled out to the car, he had hitched up the trailer and was in his rain gear, ready for action. Said he had driven by the house on his way to work this morning and saw it sitting there. Upon arrival at the office, something told him he’d better come home and get it before someone else took it. Meanwhile he is driving like a maniac to get there. I am thinking to myself, “Seriously, this man needs a vacation. He has lost his mind. Like if we get there any faster it’s going to matter… blah blah blah….”
We pull up to the house as the garbage truck was chewing up the hot tub cover. I jumped out of the car and yelled, “WAIT!!! That’s supposed to be for us!” The workers turned to stare at us in disbelief. I noticed a zip lock bag sticking out from the compactor jaws and remembered that the manual was supposed to be under the cover. With complete disregard for my personal safety, I leaned into the truck and emerged victorious with the stinky manual bag. One of the garbage guys grimaced in disgust. I rinsed my hand in a nearby puddle and threw it in the back of the SUV. Meanwhile, my husband sprang into action, whipping out assorted bungee cords and straps. Another garbage truck pulled up behind us. Apparently the first truck had called for reinforcements because the three of them needed help in maneuvering it up and into the truck. How my husband thought the two of us could possibly have loaded it is unknown. The seven of them put their heads together and came up with a plan. Next thing I knew they were hoisting it up on to the trailer. We thanked our new friends for their help and adjourned to our respective vehicles. The adrenalin was running high… we high fived and headed for home. As we passed one of the trucks again, we waved. Hayward said, “What would you think if we invited those guys over for a soak once we get it hooked up?” Perfect. See why I love this guy?

Craft Emergency!

Tonight we had some of Jess’s Coast Guard Academy Glee Club buddies over for the first cookout of the year. Then after dessert, we adjourned to the fire pit and sat around and made some Jiffy-pop.

Have been crafting away late into the night. So many ideas… such little time. Last night I had a rush calligraphy job and stayed up till 3 to get it done. The lady came to pick her order up tonight and was very appreciative of my working with her on this. I actually received a tip! Nice…

Wine carrier craft project

Come stop by my booth at the Relay for Life Craft Fair today- Wednesday, April 15. It’s at the Herndon United Methodist Church from 9-2. Celebrate the end of the tax season!

You couldn’t pay me to go to the post office today- it was a zoo yesterday… One year we were really late with our taxes and wound up going to the post office at about 11:30 PM on the fifteenth. We drove into the parking lot and were directed to follow the line of cars ahead of us. We got around to the back and saw a big mail truck parked there with some people walking around, none of them in uniform. As cars would drive up, there was a guy collecting envelopes. Right after Hayward handed him ours, I saw him walk over to the truck and grab a beer! I couldn’t believe it! We always wondered if that return ever made it but no audit so far so I guess we’re OK.
I am finally posting the Ikea glass holder I made for my daughter Pam. It was fun. I measured the outer dimensions of the original package and then added an extra 1/8″ all around to compensate for the thickness of the matboard. I added a little extra height also. Cut the box out using my faithful Logan mat cutter, trimmed off the four corners and decided to decorate with Melissa Frances Ambiente papers- I love those colors. I used my MS lace border punch on the bottom of the paper panel and a strip of kraft mini flute on the top with a small ribbon bow accent. I added another piece of green Crescent matboard with a Sizzix “P” from the Serif alphabet. The handles are more strips of the mini flute and are attached with eyelets. It’s a nice sturdy tote and when you put away the glasses, it can be reused as a gift bag or even sitting on a shelf holding CD’s or other miscellaneous items. This was a little time consuming but once the measurements checked out, assembly was fast. I always take my time adding the embellishments and fiddling around with it when I could have finished in one sitting. Guess that’s the procrastinator in me… Have a good rest of the week everyone!

Vodka Easter basket

Today I went to my friend Val’s house today for a

beautiful Easter lunch. She is an amazing cook and prepared a delicious meal for about 15 of us.
It being the Easter season and all, I made her a very special present. It started at another friend’s Christmas party. Val and I happened to be there chatting with each other. Honestly, I am not a big drinker but a challenge was issued and the next thing I knew, Val and I were doing shots of vodka! So on the way to her house today, I stopped at the ABC store and bought a cute little bottle of Absolut to give her a laugh. It not only fit nicely in this basket, but the yellow lettering of the “citron” matched the basket 🙂 The chick was happy to share the space.
The basket took about 10 minutes to make. A few swipes with my trusty Logan straight and bevel cutter to score and trim, a few holes punched with the Cropodile, a little tape gun action and I was on the road! Love this sweet Sizzix flower die designed by my talented friend Brenda Pinnick.
I know I promised to show the wine box I made for Pam. I like it- it’s almost done- but it just needs an extra touch of something… so that means I have to let it sit for a little bit and at some point it will come to me. I have a several projects like that right now, sitting here waiting for the finishing touch.

Ikea love…

Well, the cherry blossoms are here! I love how pretty they are but in a few days it will look like it’s snowing coming up the walk and I will have trampled dead blossoms all through the house. I think spring is the prettiest time of year here near DC.

Sorry- no projects to post tonight. I cleaned all weekend and tonight I sent in submissions for a Christmas book.
Have I mentioned my love for Ikea lately? I went the other day and found some wine glasses I bought for my daughter as a little housewarming present. I sketched out a box to hold them- can’t wait to make it so hope to post that tomorrow.
Now to haul the 6 giant garbage bags of junk down to the curb. Also got the date for the spring clean up wrong- it’s next weekend. So I have another week to anticipate the treasures that await me 🙂

Military magnet order

Another shipment has been sent! These magnets go to all corners of the globe and I am very proud to be connected to our amazing military. Today turned out to be really good- lots of work coming in and fun things are around the corner.

I had lunch with my friend Jenn and then took a trip over to my favorite store, Paper Source. That place always makes me happy- lots of cool ideas and pretty things. I am noticing how much letterpress items are everywhere. Tomorrow is a meeting with a wedding invitation client and some estimates. I am determined to get this studio cleaned up before Trinity arrives. I want to set up a little spot for her to work while I am down here so it’s time to get rid of stuff. It’s also one of my favorite weekends- spring cleanup in our town. Everyone puts their “garbage” at the curb. You know what I’ll be doing Sunday night… 🙂 I’ll let you know if I get anything good!

Recycled tissue box

Saturday morning and I am blog hopping. It is truly overwhelming what’s out there. Something that I keep seeing is how much we all want to connect and share our stories, talents, pain, our lives. But if we’re all locked on to our computers, how will we meet the actual flesh and blood people and interact in real life? I worry about this for future generations… but it’s probably one of those circle of life things. In 30 years, meeting real people will be the exciting new trend!

Gave in and bought another EK Success punch yesterday- a one inch scalloped circle. Today is going to be a fun playing around day- rainy and yucky- maybe I will even clean up here a little.

Now it’s Sunday night and I am sick. Cold, runny nose, feverish…

But luckily I have a cool thrift store find to show you. It was a plain wooden tissue box that I spray painted with Krylon Ballet Slipper pink. After the base coat had dried, I stuck a bunch of self-adhesive foam flowers over the whole box and then sprayed them pink also. It took hardly any time and could be tailored to fit the character of any room. This will go in the room that Trinity will be staying in when she comes for a month in May. Before I take it upstairs, I also plan to give a final coat of sealer.

Masculine birthday card

You are looking at a five minute card- six at the most.

Hayward and I agreed to meet some good friends to celebrate Bill’s birthday. Realized I had no masculine birthday cards on hand…. or a present. I came down to the studio, took out my trusty Cuttlebug and found the numbers embossing folder. Matted the numbers on a brown card and then printed on the computer, “It’s only a number…” and matted it on a scrap of brown over the numbers. Inside reads, “…a big big number” I figured that was not insulting because he is the youngest of the four of us.

And that was it. We went to the ABC store to get a quick present for him, and the guy at the register told us there was a gift box with a bottle of Mint Chocolate Bailey’s bottle plus two candles. Perfect!We had pizza, a lovely dinner, and continued on to choir practice. Fun day…

New punches!

Stopped by Michael’s today for magnet tape. I am getting ready to send some boxes off to the military posts I supply with magnets and matted artwork.

While I was wandering the aisles, I came across an endcap full of beautiful new border punches by EK Success.

There were quite a few that I intend to purchase as coupons allow… it lines up great and has a locking feature that keeps the punch flat and easy to store.

I punched the bottom of the coral card and then a strip of aqua and punched it also. Lined them up and glued the aqua down. Punched 2 more aqua strips and placed them opposing each other about half way up the card leaving room in between for a strip of ribbon. Punched a coral flower and a circle around that, then a larger aqua scalloped circle. I inked the scallop edges for dimension and adhered over a loop of ribbon with foam squares to the card. I had some clear reinforcement circles (found in bargains at Staples for $.25!) which I inked around and then peeled off to fill in the top. And there you go!

And now… back to the never ending horrible taxes. Maybe it won’t be as bad if I take them out on the front porch?

Recycled Dove Soap Box

Happy Easter! Here’s a little chick to brighten your day.

Lately, I have been looking at all of the beautiful packaging that companies spend big bucks to research and develop. And we open our box of cereal, juice boxes, whatever… and promptly throw them away, or at least recycle! I was replacing a bar of soap in the shower and the soft purple of the Dove box caught my eye, reminding me of Easter soon to arrive. I came down to my studio and was playing around (I’m supposed to be doing my taxes) and came up with this little box.
You will need:

  • soap box (I used Dove)
  • I used a page from an old book to print one of my Illustrator experiments on
  • Martha Stewart fence border
  • ribbon
  • eyelets
  • silk or fabric flower
  • yellow pompoms or premade chick
  1. Fold flaps inside- cut them off if they bug you. I think they add extra support and shape.
  2. Add decor- patterned paper. Punch 4 holes for handle.
  3. Add eyelets.
  4. Thread ribbon through eyelets.
  5. Tie a spring flower on the handle- I wrapped wire around the stem of the flower and then around the two strands of ribbon
  6. Glue 2 yellow pompoms together and add an tiny orange triangle for the beak for your chick/duck.
  7. Add paper grass and jelly beans or whatever you want 🙂

Have a great weekend!