Eileen Hull

Three dimensional art... with heart

I was looking through some photos today and realized that I never posted the “recycled” cake that I made using Melissa Frances’s new papers for the CHA Green Gallery! Shame on me…
The challenge was that 25% of the project had to be made from a recycled or found object. The piece I built the cake on was a beaded top I found in the thrift store for $7. I took it apart and added a piece to each layer. In order for you to see the cake in all it’s glory, I am going to reveal one layer at a time to prolong the suspense (and give me material for 5 blogs :-)) and then unveil the entire photo in the grand finale!
I think the biggest challenge with this project (as in life) was just diving in and starting. I was going to use styrofoam as a base but quickly figured out that foamboard would be much easier to pack in nesting layers for the plane trip to CA for CHA. I assembled all of the materials and started to work. Decided to use kind of a sewing theme so gathered a bunch of zippers, buttons, ribbons, trim and rickrack to try out. Then I cut apart the top… that was a little scary because it was a one of a kind thing if I messed it up. But then again it was only 7 bucks… I loved the beaded trim that I used on this layer- it was the bottom of the beaded top. And I have to say I was very glad the size was XL- more fabric and beading to work with! More in the next post…

https://www.eileenhull.com/2009/02/i-was-looking-through-some-photos-today.html

Sew Cool

This is a project I did for a CHA Designer Challenge. It was kind of fun because I do not draw at all. But I went on line and found a very basic clip art drawing of a sewing machine. Then I converted it into a 3D rendering that translated into a pattern to make with foamboard using the proportions

from the sketch. When I read this, it doesn’t sound like a lot of fun but it was. Guess I am a nerd 🙂
Working on stuff for some of the manufacturers I talked to at CHA due by March 1. Wish me luck with that!

Well, it’s time to take all those photos, favorite layouts and artwork out of the closet and get them up on the wall. While the weather is still cold, snuggle up some night while you’re watching TV and make a list of all the projects you want to mat and frame and where you’re going to hang them. I recently found out that a major chain in my area sends all their work out to be matted, at a minimum cost per piece, of $42.50. For that, you could buy a Logan mat cutter (www.logangraphic.com) and a class on how to use it for what you’d spend on just 3 mats ordered from the store! Plus you then have it for all future projects. For me, there’s no question that’s the smarter, most economical and creative way to go.

If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for my class at the AC Moore in Fairfax, VA scheduled for February 28 from 1-3 PM. Cost is $35 and all supplies are included. Contact me for more information. Hope to see you there!

https://www.eileenhull.com/2009/02/well-its-time-to-take-all-those-photos.html

So here’s a section of the booth I shared with Lorine Mason in the License & Design Section at the Craft and Hobby Association show held in Anaheim, CA last week. I am hoping the VIP’s that walked through are interested in licensing some of my three dimensional projects so I have some work to do to get it ready but the response has been very encouraging.

Now that our heat has been restored and life is settling back down to an empty (excpet for the boxes that remain in the garage) nest, I am looking forward to spending more time with Hayward. Looks like we are headed out somewhere in the RV this weekend! Maybe to the auction in PA- I hope…

Hope you all have a great week!

https://www.eileenhull.com/2009/02/so-heres-section-of-booth-i-shared-with.html

Ahhh… CHA is now a memory. It was a good show. All that remains is to follow up and start cranking stuff out. My luggage made it there and back fairly well, I got to visit with Jessica and saw a bunch of designer friends and spent some fun time with them. The show did seem a good bit smaller but the License and Design section had fairly good traffic. Our neighbors on either side were really interesting and fun to talk to, both doing way different things but willing to share their thoughts (and tape) with us. I returned home to find our heat is not working and my daughter is moving into her apartment this weekend so went right back into reality…

I’ll post a shot of our booth tomorrow. I was elected to the CHA Designer Council and will serve as secretary for the next 2 years. I look forward to it- there are a great bunch of people I’ll be working with, including Katie Hacker (www.KatieHacker.com) who lent me $20 for dinner when I thought I’d lost my wallet. Turned out it was back at the hotel (thank the Lord!)…

So now it’s back to work… had 2 orders from military posts so will be working on them this week and then 2 wedding invitation jobs and a calligraphy job. The fun never ends 🙂

https://www.eileenhull.com/2009/01/ahhh.html

Have been on a roll with projects and think they might possibly get done for CHA after all! Well, most anyway. While I do enjoy my night time (I work from 10PM till 3-4 AM), I find that when I get out and visit with people or do something different, my “craft” mind is still on the job. It seems to resolve whatever questions I may have and when I come back to the project, I know what to do! Thankfully…

On Tuesday I have a bride and her mom coming over for a consultation for “Save the Date” and possibly wedding invitation options. So tonight I will rustle up some samples and see what she thinks… I am so lucky to be able to do this for a JOB!

BTW, was talking to a friend at a party last night. She said her 3 daughters dragged her and her husband (home visiting from Iraq for 2 weeks) to Bride Wars. Bill described it as “painful” and Patty did not disagree. Another example of great trailers and a disappointing movie. Oh well…

https://www.eileenhull.com/2009/01/have-been-on-roll-with-projects-and.html