Blog - Eileen Hull

Doodled Watering Can

2 Aug

This Doodled Sizzix Watering Can was really quick and easy to make. The best part was I went into it with a new attitude. One where I got wrapped up in the process of creating, rather than caring about it being perfect- not that anything I make ever comes out perfect, but I admit I do try! 🙂

Visit the Sizzix UK blog today to see how I made it.

This Watering Can would make a great wedding or baby shower favor, or even a customized place card for each seat. Use as a mini-centerpiece or put it on your desk at work and bring a fresh wildflower from home every day to brighten your workday. I could see bringing it to a sick friend, for a quick congrats or happy birthday gift. So versatile! You need this!

Thanks for stopping by…

Red, White and Beautiful Project Recap and Winners!

25 Jul

Hey everyone! Wow, has this summer flown by or what? I can’t believe we are moving into the last month of summer! It’s been a fun summer so far filled with creative adventures and loads of Inspiration from the Inspiration Team, Team ATB and all of you sharing your art with us in the Art with Heart Challenges. Today I’ll be recapping all of the amazing Sizzix projects created for the Red, White and Beautiful Challenge and announcing the winner and Top 3! There’s lot’s to see so let’s get started.

The Inspiration Team never ceases to amaze when it comes to creativity! These gals are constantly coming up with new and innovative ways to create with my Sizzix dies. Check out the links below for all of the Red, White and Beautiful Sizzix projects created by my Inspiration Team this month.

Canning Jar Banner by Rina Gonzales

Candy Drawer Mail Box by Michelle Zerull

Red, White and Blue Floral Centerpiece by Donna Budzynski

Garden Tote by Shelly Hickox

Window Box Mini-Album by Anna-Karin Evaldsson

Jubilee Artist Trading Block by Tracy Evans

And now for a few never-before seen projects from the Inspiration Team!

Amy Bowerman created this fun Coaster Cocktail Banner using my Cupcake Stand Die. How clever and cute to boot!

Stop by Plucking Daisies for a step by step tutorial on how to create one yourself!

Shelly Hickox is sharing a BEAUTIFUL bees-wax Artist Trading Block. It’s quite breathtaking isn’t it?

Stop by Shelly’s blog to see more of this lovely ATB!

It’s “Time” for more amazing ATB’s like this magnificent Time Piece Artist Trading Block by Tracy Evans.

You will definitely want to make time to visit Tracy’s Blog for more details on this charming ATB.

While we are on the subject of Amazing Artist Trading Blocks our sister team Team ATB has REALLY outdone themselves this month! Prepare yourself for an ATB extravaganza! Wow! Such creativity and innovation here!

Follow the links to see all of the amazing Artist Trading Blocks created by Team ATB…

Hot Air Balloon Party Favor Artist Trading Block by Pam Bray

Wedding Cake Artist Trading Block by Pam Bray

Patriotic ATB Tower by Lisa Hoel

Sewing Themed ATB Tower by Lisa Hoel

Money Box Artist Trading Block by Anne Redfern

Alice in Wonderland Tea Box ATB by Oxana Moupasiridou

Red, White and Beautiful Artist Trading Block by Claudine Criner

And the winner of the Art with Heart Red, White and Beautiful Challenge is…

Julia Aston who created this stunning “Star Student” Artist Trading Block! Isn’t it a beauty?

Stop by Julia’s blog for more details on this fabulous Artist Trading Block.

Congratulations Julia! Please email amy (at) pluckingdaisies (dot) com with your shipping info.

As always, ALL of the challenge entries were fantastic you are a talented bunch! This is the hardest thing I do each month…choosing only 3. It gets harder and harder with each passing challenge…whew! Here’s the Top 3 in no particular order…

JP Scraps created this “Red, White and BEAUTIFUL” mixed media canvas.

Stop by JP Scraps blog to learn more about this lovely project!

I love a clever upcycling project and Noreen Doll delivers with this fun dimensional star created from a Soda can!

You won’t want to miss Noreen’s easy to follow tutorial on how to create your own!

Be still my heart! This tag by Manila Guerilla is just bursting with creative dimension!

If you enjoy inspirational Tag Art run don’t walk on over to Manilla Guerilla to see this gorgeous tag and more!

A big thank you to all who shared their Art with Heart this month, the Inspiration Team and Team ATB! We have some fun surprises in store for you in August so stay tuned for our next challenge starting Tuesday August 5th.

Eileen

#PaperTrail Day 19

16 Jul

Since I was staying in the Hampton Inn and there was a magnificent breakfast to be had, I went for it! Good way to start the day…

I packed up, checked out and was on my way to The Doodlebug where I was to teach the Memories Mini. This is a mini-album made with just one section of the Sizzix Shopping Bag die.

I think they all came out really great- everyone added their own special touches to make them fit the person they were giving their book to.

Meanwhile the entries for the big giveaway were growing… I could hardly take the suspense!

Then it was time for another demo- I showed everyone how to use Craft Attitude. This is a product that I like to use because it gives the illusion that you printed directly on matboard . This isn’t really possible because it’s too thick to go through the rollers. Craft Attitude is a film- you print your image on an inkjet printer, cut it out and adhere to the matboard and then peel off the release paper- very simple and easy! I made an Artist Trading Block using pics and text from my visit to the Doodlebug. I left it there so they remember me 🙂

After the demo, I started packing up to get down to Mary’s Scrapden to teach the Chunky Book at 6. I got in the truck to pull up closer to the store to load up and heard someone yelling, “Eileen Hull- don’t leave!!!” I got out and turns out they were some ladies that had come all the way from St. Louis to see me and say hi 🙂 I felt very special. Turns out they have a scrapbook store called For Keeps Sake there so maybe I will see them on my next #Papertrail journey!

After a nice visit with my new friends, I drove on down to Mary’s Scrapden and was very excited to see my friends Ken and Linda Oliver signed up for class!

We had a nice relaxed time and partway through class, my friend Kim arrived from Tulsa, OK- she drove 550 miles! Crazy girl!

I have known Kim for almost 20 years- we were stationed together at Ft. Drum, NY with little kids and got to be good friends and crafting buddies.

We made quite the mess but isn’t that what creating is all about?

Kim and I checked into another Hampton Inn (two nights in a row I lived in luxury!). We got ready for bed, and we were talking and catching up on our families and next thing I knew it was morning! Time for a new day…

Inspiration Team Tuesday: Red, White and Beautiful Projects

15 Jul

Hello Everyone! It’s Inspiration Team Tuesday! My super talented designers have created such innovative and inspiring “Red, White and Beautiful” projects to share with you. I keep asking myself “How did I get so lucky to have such an amazing team working with my Sizzix dies?” The Inspiration Team never ceases to amaze me and I think you’ll agree once you see what the girls have created this week for the Art with Heart Red, White and Beautiful Challenge. Let’s have a look shall we?

Michelle Zerull created a fabulous Stamp Box using my Candy Drawer Scoreboards die. Michelle’s attention to detail shines throughout this lovely little project. I can’t get over all of the fun Red, white and BEAUTIFUL details she has added to this creation!

Stop by Michelle’s Blog for more on this inspiring project.

Shelly Hickox our reigning queen of Artist Trading Block innovations has a never-before-seen ATB design to help your garden grow! I’m still in awe of the fact that Shelly has created this gorgeous garden tote using my Square Box die…wow! Talk about a fun AND functional design!

Be sure to visit Shelly’s Blog to find out how to create this amazing Garden Tote!

Anna-Karin Evaldsson is back to wow you with yet another innovative design. She’s taken my Window Box die and turned it into a beautiful beach themed Mini-Album! Isn’t the texture on this piece to die for? I love how she used my fringe flower die with nautical papers and fabric!

Visit Anna-Karin’s Blog for more breathtaking details on this “Beachy” keen creation!

Ready to share YOUR Red, White and Beautiful creations? Link them up HERE and you could win a one of a kind Red, White, and Blue Artist Trading Block set and other fun goodies. Stay tuned next Tuesday for more inspired creations from the Inspiration Team!

Eileen

#PaperTrail Day 18

14 Jul

Please excuse the break in the #PaperTrail blog posts. After I arrived home, I had to quickly finish up the next Sizzix collection that will be debuting at the CHA 2015 Megashow which is now finished- hooray! I think you are really going to like this new collection!

So back to the trip… last time I wrote, I was at the home of my high school friends., Kathy and Bill. I said a fond farewell and got on the road bright and early, thinking that my first class was at 10:30 AM. However, when I checked, saw that I had some extra time and didn’t have to be at The Doodlebug until 2 PM. That actually was a good thing, even though I would have loved some extra time with my friends and more sleep.

I pulled into a McDonald’s and cleaned out the camper. I also went in and used the free wi-fi to catch up on some email. After getting myself organized, I got back in Scotty and continued on my way…

I arrived in Jasper in time to get my hotel room before heading over to the store. You will be happy to know I splurged and checked into a Hampton Inn- quite fancy.

Check out the bathroom!

I pulled up to The Doodlebug and was impressed to see my visit was scrolling on their marquee! movie

Scotty was quickly unloaded, the display and demo area was set up and and we were off and running with a demo of the Mini-Album and Artist Trading Blocks. There was a great crowd and the dies were flying off the shelf!

After the demo, I set up for the evening class, the Chunky Book. This was one of the most popular classes and it was interesting seeing how different each book came out even though we all used the same techniques and supplies. There was one little glitch. For class we use dictionary pages to cover our book pages. I looked through Scotty about 10 times and just could not find that dictionary! We finally wound up substituting tissue paper which worked out great because it is almost transparent and people got some really nice effects with it. Of course two days later I found the dictionary… it had slipped off the bench seat and behind some suitcases…

A few people were not able to make class- here’s Hanna holding the kit they got.

Everyone finished their books- whew… they were beautiful!

By the time I left the store, I was hungry. There was nothing I wanted more than a Subway Tuna on wheat. I got there right as it was closing but they made one and I went back to the hotel, turned on NCIS and ate my sandwich.

Heaven!

More soon…

Art with Heart June Challenge Winner and Top 3 (in July)

9 Jul

Hello friends! Hope everyone had a fun Fourth of July weekend! After a nice holiday spent with friends and family I am starting to get back on track. Without further delay it is time to announce the Art with Heart June Challenge Winner and Top 3…in July! 🙂

Our Art with Heart Challenge winner for the June Summer Celebrations theme is none other than Jenny Marples! Jenny shares a delicious new take on Artist Trading Block design and functionality with this fabulous cupcake box! What a fun way to celebrate summer time creativity with a sweet treat.

Stop by Jenny’s blog for more on this fun and functional ATB design. You won’t want to miss Jenny’s tutorial on how she created those gorgeous flowers!

While we are on the subject of gorgeous flowers on Artist Trading Blocks check out this magnificent ATB from Kath’s Blog. Kath’s Distress Watercolor Artist Trading Block is blooming with creativity in every which way!

Stop by Kath’s blog for more on this beautiful Summer Celebrations project!

Next, we have a Summer fun project that you can wear! How cool is this Hummingbird Game piece necklace by Serafeena? Talk about fabulous summer time style!

Fly on over to Serafeena’s Blog for tips on how to create your own pretty pendant.

Last but certainly not least we have Lula who shared a summer time upcycling project perfect for commemorating lazy days by the shore! Lula’s project will make you want to dig your toes into the sands of creativity and create your own beach themed tea box.

Stop by Lula’s blog for more details on this Summer Celebrations project!

Congrats to Jenny and the Top 3! A big huge thank-you to all for sharing your Art with Heart in our June Summer Celebrations Challenge! I do hope you will join us again for our current challenge for July “Red, White and Beautiful”!

You can link up your creations to our current challenge HERE. Stay tuned for more creative projects from the Inspiration Team next Tuesday!

Eileen

Happy Fourth of July

4 Jul

I have a special place in my heart for all things red, white and blue because we are a military family.

My husband Hayward served 20 years in the army, (now RET), my son Chris, US Army Ranger with three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, my daughter Jessica five years of active duty in the Coast Guard and now in the reserves and son-in-law Jason, who currently serves in the Coast Guard. I am so proud of the service that they gave but also know of the sacrifices made. Thank you to all who serve or have served from the bottom of my heart.

Here is a Patriotic Canning Jar holding hydrangeas from my yard. I used one of my Sizzix dies and Craft Attitude to make this project. See how to make it here. (Also this die is on sale right now for $25.99 at sizzix.com!)

This is an ornament that I made for Operation Write Home that was displayed at CHA a couple of summers ago. It was really cool how they were displayed. CHA brought in a tree and cute little park benches you could sit down on. When you looked up, you could see all of the ornaments everyone had made for this fundraiser- I think the ornaments were auctioned off after the show.

I made this project using my House die, which has been discontinued. It’s funny- along the #PaperTrail, I talked with a woman who wanted this die so badly she was going to buy it from somewhere overseas and the shipping was almost as much as the die itself. I asked about it at Sizzix and discovered that there was a solution for her. Here’s the guidance that I received:

There is a Special Order Die program where customers can order discontinued, unpackaged SRDs at 25% above previous MSRP (with no further discounting), so for this die, it will cost a customer $74.99. Once the order is place and confirmed, it will be shipped within 30 – 60 days (closer to 30 days). Customers can contact Customer Service, and any of our rep should be able to help with this request.

Isn’t that a handy thing to know?

I did this banner for Buttons Galore & More… wish I had kept that one!

I hope you are able to spend your holiday with people that you love. Happy Fourth of July to all!

Art with Heart Challenge July {Red, White, and Beautiful}

2 Jul

Hey everyone! Can you believe it’s July already? Neither can I! I’m still playing catch up after returning from the #PaperTrail but I’m excited to celebrate a new Art with Heart Challenge with you as we move into July.

This month’s challenge is “Red, White and Beautiful”. We have a fun prize pack up for grabs for you to create your own”Red, White and Beautiful” projects including one of my newest stamp sets from Craffiti Direct, a custom set of Red, White and Blue Artist Trading Blocks and other fun goodies!

Need some inspiration? The Inspiration Team is here reporting for duty! Let’s see what the girls have created this month to inspire YOU to bring out the Red, white and blue…

Rina Gonzales created an adorable Red, White and Blue Mason Jar banner to celebrate the Fourth of July using my Canning Jar die.

Stop by Rina’s Blog for more details on this red, white AND beautiful project!

Tracy Evans created a fabulous across the pond version of the Red, White and Blue with this glorious Jubilee inspired Artist Trading Block!

Hop on over to Tracy’s Blog for an artful trip to London town.

Donna Budzynski has a lovely red, white and beautiful flower arrangement for you perfect for an Independence day celebration or summer picnic. Donna used my 3-D flowers die and lovely labels set to create this patriotic arrangement.

Stop by Donna’s blog for an inky good red, white and beautiful tutorial!

Now it’s your turn! Your projects don’t have to be red, white or blue because I know they will be beautiful! Can’t wait to see your Art with Heart.

Eileen

PS My apologies on the winners post delay from June. I will be announcing the winner and top 3 after the Holiday

An InLinkz Link-up

#PaperTrail Day 17

29 Jun

I left Chagrin Falls bright and early bound for Scrap Happy Ohio, after a fond farewell circle around the Town Square and a stop at the gas station to fill Big Daddy. Sharon had sent me off with a mapquest printout of how to get to Tiffin, OH, which I followed.

After about an hour and a half, I exited the highway and as I drove down the ramp, I heard a horrible grating sound. I got out to investigate and saw that the tailpipe was hanging off Big Daddy and dragging on the ground! I saw a truck stop caddy corner to the exit ramp and headed over in that direction. A good Samaritan mechanic was walking by when I pulled up. He took a look underneath and pulled off the tailpipe!

He assured me that I could have it welded back on when I got home and that it wouldn’t be any different to drive. Then he walked away- no charge! God bless him for knowing exactly what I was worried about and reassuring me that it would be OK…

I called Sharon Brown, my contact at Scrap Happy Ohio, and told her I would be late. She said it was OK- the people for class were there but she would keep them amused. I finally arrived, quickly unpacked and got the show on the road.

We made some fun Canning Jar Recipe Books using washi tape- it’s amazing how everyone’s looked so different just by the colors of tape they used…

Then it was on to making Art Journals- we cranked them out!

Sharon and I have been FB friends for a while and it was so great to meet her in person and see the store.

Then it was time to pack up the camper and hit the road. This was a traveling day- had to get from Ohio to Indiana- about 250 miles. I ran into three big storms along the way. I had to pull over into a McDonald’s parking lot for one of them- it felt like Scotty was going to go flying off the back of the truck- really windy and blinding rain. So I had a little nap and then when it calmed down, got back on the road…

At about 10 PM, I finally arrived at the home of friends that I had not seen since high school! I can’t even tell you the number of years it had been because it makes me feel really old.- let’s just say MANY years…

One of their kids worked had a set from college- I almost got to sleep with a Wild Thing!

It felt like we just picked up from where we were in HS days and caught up on jobs, kids (we each have four- three girls and one boy), moves (lots), military experiences (Bill was AF, Hayward was Army), church, and life in general. They live in a beautiful home and have great antiques from when they lived in Germany. I loved the time with them and hope that we can reconnect and get together again sometime. Thanks Kathy and Bill! More to come…

#PaperTrail- Day 16

26 Jun

Throughout my trip, I have been struck with how beautiful our country is and how lucky I am to be seeing it.

After leaving Maureen’s house in Chardon, OH I drove to Chagrin Falls, where my friend Sharon lives. She is the blogger behind Crafts ‘n Coffee and had very nicely invited me to stay with her. Read about her account of our visit here.

I had to do three drivebys of her house to determine the best approach to her place. There were workers putting in a new sidewalk with lots of orange cones, big machines and workers directing traffic. Luckily Sharon had a nice wide driveway that I could turn around in or it might have been one of those times I would need to disconnect the trailer and turn it manually.

I only have one flip flop on this pic because I lost the other one- my favorite pair 🙁 Hoping it’s in the back of the truck somewhere…

Sharon’s delightful daughter Sara accompanied us for lunch at Rick’s and a trip to The Village Herb Shop, which is owned by Sharon’s friend Lee Ann and offers plants, some really nice gifts, wearables and other fun goodies.

I was fascinated by the fairy gardens that were sprinkled throughout the store. Aren’t they adorable?

They even had a set of the dishes that I collect- some were from my aunt… and then I kept collecting. I love the colors in this pattern…

After lunch we took off for a tour of several antique/re-sale shops. I found a really pretty quilt top, two funky pieces of crocheted bottle cap art, some old pics, a Scotty colored Pyrex bowl, the perfect yoyo pillow, and other treasures (mostly for Scotty!) Sharon has a great eye and kept finding treasures. I love everything I got!

Selfie at Steeplechase II, scene of some great purchases!

We invited Sharon’s friend Lee Ann (who owns the Herb shop) to stop by that night to visit, craft with us and and see how the Sizzix Big Shot worked… we wound up creating this really pretty Coffee Filter Flower Wreath. (I say we… Sharon and Lee Ann finished theirs, mine is not done yet because I was too busy talking).

What a great visit I had- Sharon was the perfect hostess. The next morning it was time to set off for another adventure so I left bright and early but ran into some technical problems- ugh… more soon! Thanks for following me on the #Papertrail…