Blog - Eileen Hull

#PaperTrail- Day 15

23 Jun

After a five hour sleep in Scotty, I emerged and walked ever the bridge to the restroom. I saw a large crowd of Mennonite folks gathered in line at McDonald’s, so I went into the bathroom and brushed my teeth. When I came out the line had gone down so I got some breakfast and walked back to the truck.

But when I got to where I had parked, there was no Scotty or truck!

WHAT!???

I checked the parking lot twice- just could not figure it out. Could it be that those people who told me not to sleep in the camper were right? Were there really people who had time to sit and wait till I finished sleeping and went into the bathroom, then came over and hotwired the truck and droved it away? Or had it been loaded into the back of the truck and hauled away to be resold on the black market? Many bad thoughts were going through my head as I walked in to report this to the police. I happened to see a truck driver walking in and said, “I can’t believe it but my truck has been stolen!” He said, “Where are you headed?” I said to Erie and he said he had just come through there and that I was probably on the wrong side of the highway.

Oh thank God! I was so happy I couldn’t believe it. And realized how Scotty had become my little traveling buddy. I felt like Tom Hanks and his battered volleyball Wilson…

Much relieved, I continued the 60 mile drive to Erie, PA. I spent the afternoon with my best friend since second grade, Irene.

I had to finish the video for Sizzix so she went and ran some errands. After I finally finished the video, Irene took me out to Beach 11 in Presque Isle State Park. It was huge- just like the lake- and we sat on the beach and ate sandwiches for lunch.

Then we visited a beautiful garden center where she found some flowers to fill in the garden.

At about four, I rolled on to Chardon, OH where I arrived just in time for a delicious (and healthy) meal at the home of Maureen and Kenny, my husband Hayward’s cousins. After dinner we walked the dog around the neighborhood and I retired to my beautiful guest room intending to write a blog post but instead getting a much needed night of sleep.

What I am seeing from visiting all of these kind people who take me in is that my hosting skills need serious tweaking!

Stay tuned for another chapter soon…

#PaperTrail Day 14

16 Jun

Wow was this a long day! I had a great time over at the Scrap and Stamp Nest after enjoying the hospitality of the store owner, Susan. Delicious meals, beautiful home- she and Greg could open a B & B.

The ladies in class were terrific and each Bloom Box came out great and expressing the style of the maker. Class ended around 3:30 so by the time I got packed up it was almost 5. I am sorry I don’t have pics of our class- my phone was completely dead. It has been a challenge to remain connected with all devices properly charged and functioning.

I was hoping to make it to Erie, PA to stay with my friend Irene who I have known since second grade. It was a 471 mile trip so I got in and started driving… At about mile 400 I had to pull over. So happy to have Scotty! I cleared off the bed and settled in for a comfy 5 hour sleep and woke refreshed and ready to drive again. There is a story about the rest stop which I will share tomorrow.

Right now I have to finish a video for Sizzix. Life goes on whether the #PaperTrail is happening or not.

Sizzix asked all of their licensed artists to make a two minute video of the summer release. I thought no one would do a better job of making the new dies looks amazing than my Inspiration Team Members

and Team ATB

I was so right- the samples are amazing! I cannot WAIT to be able to share the new collection with you!

Signing off and sorry this is a day late!

#PaperTrail Day 13

15 Jun

Just a quick update today. I have a class in a few hours and also need to put together a video for Sizzix with the new releases for the summer- can’t wait to share!

Our second day at Beautiful Impressions was fun and relaxed. I taught the Chunky Book class and also did some Doodled Artist Trading Blocks. There was a lot of interest. Funny thing, a man and wife came in- they craft together! Mary, the store owner, said they take classes all the time. Can you imagine?

I was happy to meet Donna of Craft-Dee Bowz and was able to watch the demo for her product, a handle little gadget that helps you make perfect bows. I bought one and can’t wait to use it it. In case I can’t remember how to do it when I get home, Donna has plenty of videos on her site to help me remember. Donna’s husband took this picture and I don’t know why but we thought it was hysterical but I said I would post it so here it is 🙂 Loved meeting you Donna!

Here’s a pic of Mackenzie who did a great job- she made an adorable Chunky Book for her dad for Father’s Day complete with illustrations. I couldn’t believe the details she put and how tiny she could write for a 9 year old!

I was also happy to spend some time with Leslie who is super-creative and made samples for the store- she teaches there. Then my time at Beautiful Impressions came to an end and it was time to pack up…

I left Westbrook and had a beautiful drive out to my next stop, the Scrap and Stamp Nest in Simsbury, CT. Susan and Greg had a delicious meatloaf dinner waiting for me and the best coconut pound cake ever for dessert!

Now off to get ready for class and a big drive tonight to Ohio… Thanks for following the #PaperTrail!

#PaperTrail Day 12

14 Jun

I had a call from my husband. His stepdad Ray, who was 95 and not doing well for the past few weeks, passed away a few minutes after Hayward arrived to visit him. Funny how you are always surprised when someone passes away, even when they have lived their life and are ready to go. Ray married Hayward’s mom when they were 72. She had a stroke and he took very good care of her for three years. Ray came to live with us when he was 90 for a year and a half when he started needing more help. It was always an adventure having him there and I learned a lot about aging and living with dignity. RIP Raymond Sullivan…

I will be ending my tour a little early to drive to his funeral on June 23 in NJ.

But meanwhile I am here and the show must go on…

Today I was at Beautiful Impressions for the Grand Re-Opening teaching a fun little washi (or as some people have called it -wasabi – much more fun name!) tape Recipe Book using my Sizzix Canning Jar die.

I also was very pleased to meet an amazing artist, Vin (who made the sign below)…

Mad I can’t remember his last name but am too lazy to run out to the camper to find it- who demo’d colored pencils and calligraphy. He had the whole place gathered around watching him- I learned a lot and now I want some colored pencils to play with!

Ann and I attempting to take a double selfie and not doing too well 🙂

A pic of me and the new owner of Beautiful Impressions, Mary Callan. (and Scotty of course…

Scotty took a hit and I don’t know who did it or when. I just noticed today that a light cover is off the top left part of the camper and the little metal awning over the door is pulled off on one corner. I think I would have felt that if I were in the truck which makes me think someone did it while I was parked… boo on them…

Went out in the camper to get something and snapped a picture of the pretty banner given to me by CardMonkey Jarvis on the beginning of the trip and curtains made by the lovely Lorine Mason before I left.

Stopped in Joann’s and found fleece on sale. Have ideas for a future class!

I am happy to share this Mini- Album demo from Inspiration Emporium filmed by Natasha Hensel. She has quite an impressive library of You Tube videos and I can’t wait to take a look at some of them…

OK, I know you are all waiting to hear about where I stayed for the past two days… That would be the Westbrook Inn B&B! Now I have hit the opposite end of the spectrum from the Motel 6 and Travelodge! Here are the grounds… they are dark because I hardly spent any time here and took them at night…it was quite elegant…

Working on a Sizzix video tonight and getting ready for another demo and class tomorrow…

Thanks for following me on the #PaperTrail!

Flash #PaperTrail Sizzix Offer!

13 Jun

I am so excited- look what Sizzix has put together to celebrate my trip- the #PaperTrail bundle!

It is a great deal- valued at $206 and now available to you for only $175 including FREE SHIPPING!

The bundle includes a brand new Big Shot, Extended Cutting Pads, the very versatile Mini-Album, Flower with Heart Petals 3-D flower die, and a package of assorted matboard… Everything you need to create beautiful ScoreBoards projects!

These are a collection of my favorite products and if you have been thinking about updating your die cut machine, now is the time to get it. The offer is only available while I am on the road so get it now 🙂 All you have to do is email me with your shipping address and send your payment to me through PayPal. I will forward your shipping info on to Sizzix. Your #PaperTrail bundle will be on its way to you- it doesn’t get much easier than that!

Email me at EileenHull@aol.com to order your bundle now!

#PaperTrail Day 11

13 Jun

Another fun day on the road! Today I visited Life’s Memories & More. Before I left, I checked the Facebook page for the store to say I was on my way and saw that they had put a sign up on the building- so cool! There was also a welcome banner out on the fence but I was concentrating on guiding Scotty in and missed it.

The store is located in what used to be an old elementary school. When I asked where the restroom was, Tanya sent me to the Principal’s Office! AHHH flashback!

We started off with a demo of the Mini-Album and then went right into class, the Bloom Box. We used the Blocks/Cube/Bank as the box and then filled it in with beautiful paper flowers that we colored with my Clearsnap ColorBox Blends inks. The fun texture was created using the Animal Prints Textured Impressions folders and then colored in with Blends to look like cobblestones.

Tanya and Barb show how you can make more than flowers out of coffee filters..

There was a great turnout and everyone did a beautiful job with their boxes and flowers- each one was as different as the person that made it. It has been great meeting everyone and spending time with them.

A special announcement is coming up later today- stay tuned, Papertrailers 🙂

#PaperTrail Day 10

12 Jun

Today was busy from the minute I woke up! I escaped unscathed from Motel 6 and headed out for the Inspiration Station. I ran into some traffic where they were tearing up the road and it was super bumpy. I could almost hear Scotty gritting his teeth but we made it with 10 minutes to spare before class was to start. Luckily I was able to park right across the street from the store.

The store was built with metal facings-you can see them just to the left of Debbie- kind of an early version of siding. I had never seen anything like it. There may or may not be a resident ghost- glad it did not make an appearance today…

I ran in, set up and we were off!

First up was a class from 10-12, then a demo from 1-3, and another class from 6-8. It was BUSY! People were in and out all day long. The first class went really well- we used my Sizzix 3D flower dies to make the project below.

As soon as that was over, the demo/make and take started. We made the Sizzix Mini- Album and there were lots of great ideas exchanged. Finally there was a lull- we sat down, took a breather and had some dinner. Then it was time to set up for class at 6:00! We made the Friendship Box again…

I was happy to meet Kim, who created these really cool Sizzix Artist Trading Blocks and will be teaching them for their Block of the Month club!

By the time I packed up and got to Sturbridge, it was almost 10:00. Tonight I decided to stay in the Scottish Inn in Sturbridge. It was the name that got me- Scottish/Scotty. I like this hotel- the number on the door is neither chipped nor written on a piece of masking tape which can only be a good sign, right?

I really enjoyed meeting everyone and I applaud Debbie’s customers for supporting their local scrapbook store. Many thanks to my sponsors- Sizzix, ClearSnap and ThermoWeb for the supplies we used in class today!

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow night for another update on the #PaperTrail!

#PaperTrail Day 9

11 Jun

Bella Art is a really pretty and friendly store located in Johnston RI.

The Comfort In was only about 20 minutes away so I arrived a little after the store opened. But I still was dragging in supplies thirty minutes later. I just want to show it all! Scotty was parked on the side of a restaurant so I was able to maintain my pull through streak and not have to back up. Whew.

The class that we did today was the Chunky Book, a mini-book made with the Square Box Sizzix die. So we started to work…

Ta da! What a beautiful job they did on the chunky books! There was one person in class that called in sick to work so she could come so she didn’t appear in some of the Facebook pics to protect her identity 🙂 her secret is safe with us!

class

Scotty and I felt like movie stars with everyone posing and getting pics around the camper.

I finally got to meet my friend Amanda Youkilis. We keep missing each other when I am in town so Amanda finished a night shift and drove all the way so she could come and meet me. Love when I can put a face to the name!

Here my new friends are taking a pic of me at the same time I am taking one of them!

After class I enjoyed a delicious dinner at Siera’s with Maryanne, Sarah and Annie-Lou- perfect way to end a fun day. Rhode Island folks were very friendly and helpful and I hope I can come back some time!

There was a big storm rolling in so I jumped in Big Daddy and got moving to the next spot- Stafford Springs and the Inspiration Station. Tonight’s lodging was a disappointing Motel 6. Really kind of creepy. But I am up and out of here by 9 so it’s only for a little bit. Time to get some beauty rest. See you tomorrow for another #papertrail adventure!

Inspiration Team Tuesday {Summer Fun Projects}

10 Jun

Hey everyone! I’m so lucky to have such a talented Inspiration Team to keep the creativity going while I’m away on the #PaperTrail. Every Tuesday the Inspiration Team will have a fresh batch of creative projects to inspire you to share YOUR art with heart in our June “Summer Celebrations” challenge. Let’s see what the Inspiration Team has in store for us this week…

Michelle Zerull has an incredibly creative project filled with summer fun from the inside out! This is the most clever use of my food jar die to date! I just love how Michelle has used the food jar to create an interactive street fair scene. Talk about a super creative take on the summer celebrations challenge!

Stop by Michelle’s Blog for more details on this oh so creative summer fun project!

Anna-Karin Evaldsson shares how to create an artful container for your creative supplies using my Coupon/mini shopping bag die! Her nautical embellishments atop a sand and sea soaked background make this piece a lovely summer fun treat sure to keep your creativity flowing throughout the seasons!

Anna-Karin’s blog for more on how to create this fabulous and functional art supply caddy.

Amy Bowerman has created a sweet Father’s Day keepsake featuring America’s favorite past time…baseball! Amy used my Mini-Album die to share the love of the game and Dad on his special day.

Stop by Amy’s blog for a fun tutorial on how to create this Baseball themed Father’s Day Mini-Album!

Now it’s your turn! Share your Art with Heart HERE for a chance to win a Sizzix prize pack! Stay tuned next Tuesday for more Summer Celebration creations from the Inspiration team!

In case you missed any of my adventures on the #PaperTrail you can catch up with what’s been going on below.

There’s lots more fun to come so stay tuned and ride along with me on the #PaperTrail! For real time updates and sneak peeks you can follow along with me here…

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Eileen

#PaperTrail Day 8

10 Jun

I awoke to the sound of rain outside my room and remembered I had left Scotty’s windows open! Ran out and closed them and then couldn’t get back to sleep. I had stayed at the home of Michele Muska, a friend who I met through Jo Packham at Quilt Market last year. What a great hostess she was! I have been so blessed on this trip to have stayed at so many places that felt like home.

Michele made this delicious Overnight French Toast last night and then baked it this morning. It had crumb topping- you would not believe how good it was. Mmm mmm.

Then we went out to the camper and cranked out some work! Michele needed favor boxes for a work project, some labels for a shower she will be attending next weekend and boxes for a class she is teaching in November. She used my Sizzix Triangle Box and some Inkadinkado stamps she had. We chatted as we worked so it went quickly.

Poor Scotty. I had covered the table with contact paper before I left and apparently the Big Shot got bumped around a good bit in the cabinet where it was stored because the screws on the bottom of the machine were falling out and scraping the table when we cranked it. The good thing is I have more contact paper so will have to repair it when I have a chance.

Then it was time to say goodbye and head out into some rain and traffic on my way in Rhode Island where I will be teaching at Bella Art. I was driving through this little town and saw a really cool thing…

flags

It was called Field of Flags and had flags covering the front of several yards. I didn’t get a very good pic but I didn’t want to have to turn Scotty around. God forbid!

I also took a break from driving and did a little shopping for some new tops to wear. Ate dinner at Applebee’s and read my Kindle while I enjoyed a Chicken Oriental salad.

Tomorrow starts six straight days of classes in five different stores!

Here’s my $50 room at the Comfort In in Providence- a huge improvement over the last one. I would say Priceline has redeemed itself- wouldn’t you?.

Have to get up early tomorrow and cut some #ArtistTradingBlocks for my friend Joanne Fink and get them in the mail. Can’t wait to see what she does with them!

Good night my friends!