Eileen Hull

Three dimensional art... with heart

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.