Eileen Hull

Three dimensional art... with heart

Quick and easy jewelry rack

Today I just fiddled around working on some Illustrator stuff although there are a million other things I should be doing. Think I will tidy up down here tonight to further lengthen my procrastination tendencies.

I wanted to share a great way to store a lot of jewelry. I have been collecting shutters for quite a while now because they intrigue me and always can be found at the curb. Until recently, they’ve been patiently hanging out in a corner of the garage waiting for inspiration to strike.
It struck about a month ago when I dumped a whole tray of jewelry all down the side of my dresser. I have tried several methods of storing earrings but none ever really worked well. Till now…
It’s such a simple idea. All I had to do was clean them. The painting on it is kind of shabby chic (messy) but it works fine for me. I just took all of my dangle earrings and looped them in pairs over each louver! I store mine in color order because it looks pretty. They are easy to get on or off. These shutters also have hinges on the side and theoretically you could screw this into the wall and fold it closed when you were done. But right now I use the hinges to hang my necklaces and bracelets.
Hope you find good use for the treasures that come your way!

Day in the life of a craft and hobby mogul :-)

Some exciting news- I have been asked by my friend Kathy Peterson, a TV personality and fellow craft designer, to be a guest on her new blog! I don’t have an exact date yet but looks like the end of next week.

Just wanted to update about the demise of the hot tub. It was delivered on Saturday to it’s final resting place, the landfill. My husband was bereft, but there was just too much that had to be put into it- parts, labor, time…. I’m hearing talk of a new one… stay tuned.

Today was rainy and cool. Makes me so glad I went out yesterday and photographed the beautiful peonies that came out this weekend. They are huge white blossoms (they almost look like crepe paper) on this skinny dead looking bush, but every year I get another couple of flowers blooming on it. I counted 12 yesterday. The rain makes them look horrible.

Today was spent getting caught up with projects, sending out estimates for 2 wedding invitation jobs, did a little more on projects for my book proposal, along with the usual emails and various other joys of tending your business. Went to an interesting seminar last night on Email Marketing put on by the Loudoun Small Business Development Center.

News from overseas… did I mention Chris called during the craft show on Saturday? He said they’ll be out of touch for possibly a month so I am very glad I answered. Said the place where he is is packed with people so they are stuck in a tent with rows of cots really close together. The AC was on the fritz and he had spent time waiting in line to talk to Dawn and then there was no answer. But he still sounded pretty upbeat and OK. He has an address but says it might change so not to give it out yet. I am testing with a letter to see if it goes through before I send a box. It was so good to hear his voice… all prayers are welcome for a safe deployment!

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…

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!