claudine hellmuth

beeswax collage workshop in Alexandria VA

2009-12-11T17:25:00.002-05:00

Just added to my calendar!

A one day Beeswax Collage Workshop in Alexandria VA on Saturday February 6th 2010.

Learn how to create a collage entirely with beeswax - no other glues or adhesives are necessary! You'll learn beeswax transfers, stamping in wax, layering collage, glazing colors and more! Mistakes can not be made with beeswax. If you don't like the placement of your papers you can remove them - even months later - and easily adjust your artwork! You'll be amazed by how easy and fun beeswax collage can be!

A few of the topics that will be covered during this workshop: getting started with the proper materials, collaging with beeswax, beeswax transfers - transfer photocopies directly into wax! beeswax stamping, glazing color to enhance your artwork.

Class details and sign up information are on the Artistic Artifacts Web site. Limited spaces available!

quick update

2009-12-09T20:28:00.003-05:00

It's crunch time for me working on custom artwork orders to get them on their way in time for Christmas. I have been a busy bee!

If you left it too late to order your custom artwork, I have an On Its Way Certificate option. This is a perfect choice to let your recipient know that you have a special gift -- literally on its way! You place the order and all your special someone has to do is sit back and wait for their surprise to arrive. You will receive a certificate and full color brochure to give to your recipient on Christmas Day. Click here for more info.

Gift Certificates are also available too!

quick and easy transfer onto sticky back canvas

2009-12-02T17:32:00.009-05:00

I just discovered a new transfer technique using my Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky Back Canvas. The transfer is done on the sticky side which makes it very quick and simple too!

Here's what you'll need: Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky Back Canvas, Mini Mister filled with water, image to transfer: scrapbook paper, color copy, black and white copy, magazine etc

First peel off the paper backing from your Sticky Back Canvas

Place the image you would like to transfer onto the STICKY side of the Sticky Back Canvas. Here I am using a piece of My Mind's Eye scrapbook paper but you could use a color or b/w laser copy (I haven't tried inkjet prints yet, if you try it let me know if it works!)

Burnish the back of the image with a craft scraper to make sure it has good contact with the Sticky Back Canvas

If you are using a heavy weight paper like a scrapbooking paper, you may want to score the back of the paper *gently* with an xacto knife

Saturate the back of the paper using a water-filled Mini Mister

Rub the paper off the back. Keep spraying with water from the Mini Mister to make it easier to rub the paper off .

Optional Step: once you have rubbed off all the paper, you may notice some white fuzzies remaining. To get rid of these spread Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi Medium in GLOSS all over the image as if you were rubbing in face cream. The resins in the Gloss Multi Medium will make the paper fuzzies disappear. .

Closeup of the finished transfer! Quick and easy!

WHERE TO BUY:
Check your local crafts/scrapbook or arts supply store for availability. Claudine Hellmuth Studio Products are for sale online at these locations: Ellen Hutson LLC, Somerset Shoppe, ScrapLovers, Joggles Online, Schmooze with Suze, Scrapbook.com, Simon Says Stamp, Studio Calico, Scrap in Style TV . For more videos and information about the Claudine Hellmuth Studio product line, visit my web site!

easy to make paper holiday village

2009-12-01T06:39:00.003-05:00

Here's a fun paper village that is easy to make and will add lots of Christmas cheer to your home! The best part about this little village is that it will cost you next to nothing to make, I am betting you already have many of these items around your house!

Suggested supply list:

Old Music papers and assorted scrapbook papers
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paint in Dash of Red, Landscape Green
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi Medium (matte or gloss)
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paint brushes
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky Back Canvas
Ranger Inkssentials White Pen
A back pen (I like the Faber Castell PITT in size S)
Pencil
a BATTERY operated tea light candle (no flames please!!!)
Template for the houses - I made one for you! Download here!

STEP ONE: Put the house template (download here) on top of a sheet of old music paper and trace around it with a pencil and then cut it out.

STEP TWO: Draw in where you would like the windows and doors to go.

STEP THREE: Paint in the house. Paint around all the doors and windows leaving them unpainted. Here I am using Dash of Red from the Claudine Hellmuth Studio Line. If you are using these paints, you will notice that they remain transparent and you can still see the music notes even through the color, making a really beautiful effect!

STEP FOUR: Here I added details. I used Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky Back Canvas to make the curtains, a black pen and the Ranger Inkssentials White Pen.

STEP FIVE: Fold all your edges and then glue the tab to the other side of the house with Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi Medium.

STEP SIX: Pinch the sides to shape the house.

STEP SEVEN: Place the roof template on a piece of scrapbook paper, trace around and cut out

STEP EIGHT: Fold down the center and then add details. Here I added trim but cutting a piece of Sticky Back Canvas

STEP NINE: Put the roof on your house and then place a BATTERY OPERATED tea light candle underneath. DO NOT use a regular tea light candle with flame because it will catch your mini house on fire! You can find Battery tea light candles at home stores like Bed Bath and Beyond, Dollar Store or at your local craft store.

YOU'RE DONE! Here's the little house ready to bring Christmas cheer! It was difficult to capture just how glowing the houses are with the battery tea lights underneath. When you make yours, you will see how magical they are!

Now make a whole bunch more and display them on your mantle! A perfect Holiday Village for your home!

WHERE TO BUY:
Check your local crafts/scrapbook or arts supply store for availability. Claudine Hellmuth Studio Products are for sale online at these locations: Ellen Hutson LLC, Somerset Shoppe, ScrapLovers, Joggles Online, Schmooze with Suze, Scrapbook.com, Simon Says Stamp, Studio Calico, Scrap in Style TV . For more videos and information about the Claudine Hellmuth Studio product line, visit my web site!

happy thanksgiving!

2009-11-24T19:20:00.005-05:00

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

True Confession: Actually I think I am the only person in America who doesn't like Thanksgiving food and always ends up having cereal later because I'm hungry. Thanksgiving as a vegetarian isn't easy.

This year for the first time ever we'll be going to visit Paul's brother in Ohio for Thanksgiving. We're hoping this drive will not be as horrific as our drive home last year from Orlando. To attempt to avoid the worst of the traffic we're making a very short trip. Just up for Thanksgiving Day and right back.

The cat sitter will be all settled in with Stan and Mabel so they'll have their own company for the holiday!

Have a great holiday!

illustration friday: music

2009-11-20T19:18:00.003-05:00

Here's my submission for this weeks illustration friday theme of "music"

A little too much to get done today to create something new for the topic but I have this piece that I created earlier that fits the theme. This is a photo of myself when I was little.When I created this I was thinking about my grade school violin lessons. I am terrible with music and practically tone deaf so it was a nightmare for me and all who listened to me play. To make matters worse, at my recital I got my bow knotted in my violin and I had to stand there while everyone else finished playing.

Have a great weekend everyone!

new from my studio!

2009-11-19T20:42:00.004-05:00

Here's a new 16x20 custom canvas order that I just finished up!

I had a great time working on this piece. Love the theme of everyone out for a bike ride! For more info about placing a custom artwork order using your photos, click here!

Florida here we come!

2009-11-10T20:24:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at the crack of dawn, Paul and I will be loading up the car for a 14 hour drive to Orlando FL. The cat sitter will be here taking care of the kitties so we won't have to worry about Stan and Mabel!

I'm teaching at the Daytona Beach Art League on Saturday. Space still available!

I'll be updating via Twitter as we travel and while we're away! see you next week!

when it rains it pours!

2009-11-08T15:22:00.009-05:00

Just when everything is going along smoothly, life likes to throw a speed bump (or two) your way to see if you're awake. It is safe to say I am definitely awake now!

We've had two developments this week that I am going to post about in hopes that someone reading this might have a connection or contact. It's all about six degrees of separation right!

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ON MONDAY WE LEARNED:
Our renter in our home in Orlando is breaking her lease to move to another city. If you or anyone you know may be interested in renting it, please contact our Property Manager, Kim Cochrane kc@leasingorlando.com. And here is a link to the house listing +photos. it's a really cute house in MetroWest. All new appliances, new AC, security system, laminate floors. All lawn care included in the rent! Pets OK too!!

ON THURSDAY WE WERE TOLD:
That we are now a statistic of the recession. My husband Paul, who works as a web editor at The Guardian in the DC office, was told the the entire DC bureau will be closing.

So I am putting this out there -- If you hear of any positions in "web content editing/production" (doesn't have to be in the news industry) please pass them along to us. Here's a link to Paul's Linkedin profile and resume and here's my email. We are willing to move again if we need to but would love to find something in the DC/VA/MD area. We only just got here a year ago!
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And that's been our crazy week!! I believe that sometimes you just have throw the word out there and you never know who might read this who can help!

it's holiday time!

2009-11-03T18:43:00.004-05:00

November is here and the holidays will be here before you know it!

I couldn't believe it when I looked on my calendar this morning, only 5 more weeks of art making time before Christmas! All my custom orders ship the week of December 14th to make sure they get there in time. The clock is ticking! Every year, I'm like one of Santa's elves working away in my workshop to make sure everything gets finished on schedule.

Here's a 16x20 custom canvas order that I just finished up, what a fun piece this was to work on. Even the dog gets to go skiing. Love that!

Orders placed now will be first in line for the holidays so now's the time to place your custom artwork order so we can make sure it arrives before Santa does!

I have four personalized custom artwork options available, ranging from fully-customizable to semi-custom and for any budget too! Prices start at just $75 for paper sketches and only $25 for custom magnetic paper dolls. ho ho ho!

I'm on Craft Cast

2009-11-02T11:09:00.006-05:00

My Craft Cast Interview is now live! Click HERE to listen!

It's always a treat to chat with Alison at Craft Cast. In this interview we cover a variety of topics from art to pets to crafting products and all the stuff in between!

Listen in and get the details on how to win exciting things! We are giving away a few goodies from my Claudine Hellmuth Studio product line, and also a copy of my latest book, The Scrapbooker’s Creativity Kit. Make sure to listen to the podcast to find out how to win!

illustration friday: skinny

2009-10-30T17:57:00.005-04:00

I have two submissions for this week's illustration friday theme of "skinny"

The first thought that came to mind was the typical scale/weight theme when I thought of the theme so here's what I made first:

Then as I was working on the piece above I had a new idea! I thought about our cat Mabel and I decided to do a piece with her in it. Mabel is the opposite of "skinny"! Mabel's actual photo was used for the cat :)

Mabel is our huge fatty beast of a cat who I found in 2005 wandering the street outside our home in Florida. She was so skinny you could see every rib - hard to imagine now!

When we first took her in she would trick us. She's an academy award winning actress, telling Paul I hadn't fed her and vice versa. So we were both feeding her and before we knew it she was not skinny anymore! We do try to keep her weight down to a reasonable level, but it's difficult with a very demanding cat!

here's a photo of Mabel in her favorite TV watching position.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

fall fiber wreath tutorial

2009-10-29T12:48:00.004-04:00

Check out this incredible Fall Fiber Wreath by artist Alisa Burke.

This is a GREAT project that could easily be adjusted to make a Christmas wreath or even a Spring or Summer wreath too. I can't wait to make one of these!

Alisa created this project with Claudine Hellmuth Studio paints and Sticky-back canvas, click here for the complete tutorial on her blog.

Thanks Alisa for such a super tutorial and beautiful project :)

linky shout out time!

2009-10-28T19:12:00.004-04:00

Lots of exciting linky shout outs and a big THANK YOU to everyone who used the Claudine Hellmuth Studio products on their blogs! Take a look at these great projects and ideas!

May Flaum whipped up an incredible tutorial for Ali Edwards Tuesday Tutorials feature. Don't miss this one!
Jenn Shurkus also created a to-die-for binder tutorial for Ali Edwards Tuesday Tutorials feature check it out here!
Pamela Young created a super layout and printed her photo directly onto Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky-Back canvas
Debbie Tlach filmed an informative video about caring for your Claudine Hellmuth Studio brushes. I could learn a thing or two from this as my brushes are completely mistreated!
Don't miss these beautiful flowers Linda Elbourne created using Sticky-Back canvas!
And Linda created more flowers here, wouldn't this make a lovely necklace?
Everything Creative has a super how-to and card samples on printing on Sticky-back canvas
Kristin Frost from Blue Moon Scrapbooking has a great video tutorial demonstrating a painted album page using Claudine Hellmuth Stuio paints and Tim Holtz masks
Another wonderful video tutorial from Blue Moon Scrapbooking on creating altered watercolor paper with Claudine Hellmuth Studio paints
Julieann Shain posted beautiful layouts to her blog using the Sticky-back canvas.

THANK YOU:
And just a reminder! If you make a project and post it to your blog using any of my Studio Line products, let me know and I'll list it when I do linky blog post! Also for the instructors out there: send me an email if you are teaching a class using my product line and I'll mention it too! For more information about the Claudine Hellmuth Studio product line click here !

my Monday in list form

2009-10-26T20:13:00.007-04:00

today I...

did yoga
took Mabel to the vet for her millionth blood test. Still checking her liver levels - long story.
worked on custom artwork orders
played with ideas for Ranger's CHA booth Make - n -take
answered emails
looked at pekingese photos on Potomac Peke rescue group.
updated A Place to Bark blog for Bernie - don't miss this important post!
listened to the new Craft Cast podcast while I worked
packed up samples to send off to Ranger for the CHA booth
packed up 4 custom paper doll orders to send off tomorrow - they turned out so cute!
organized lawn service and a handyman to work our house in FL that we are renting out
now getting ready to watch Heroes and relax!

illustration friday: fast

2009-10-23T15:18:00.002-04:00

Here's my piece for this weeks illustration friday theme of "fast"

Nothing goes fast like those NYC taxi cabs! When you hop in one of those, you're in for a wild ride!

have a great weekend everyone!

beeswax collage workshop in daytona beach

2009-10-22T11:17:00.004-04:00

Here's an update on my LAST workshop for 2009! Don't miss it!

Daytona Beach FL - November 14th
Waxing Poetic: the art of beeswax collage. Learn how to create a collage entirely with beeswax - no other glues or adhesives are necessary! You'll learn beeswax transfers, stamping in wax, layering collage elements, transparency, glazing colors and more! Contact the Daytona Beach Art League at (386) 258-3856 to register.

A little preview from my Beeswax Collage DVD of what you'll learn in this class:

Can't make it to the workshop? Click here to order the DVD now!

wednesday already?

2009-10-21T19:19:00.004-04:00

This week is one of those that has been swallowed up with errands. Every day I have had a list of errands to go on and it's making me antsy. I wish I could live in harmony with errands and do them, come home and get right to work. But I have found I have an errand threshold. I can do them one or two days a week but any more than that and it throws off my whole week.

I usually like to have at least 3 days in the week where I don't go anywhere and I sequester myself in our 700sq ft apartment to make real progress on my work. But that's not happening this week! I am already looking ahead to next week where I plan to hide in the apartment and get lots of things off of my to-do list.

illustration friday: frozen

2009-10-16T10:08:00.006-04:00

Here's my submission for this weeks illustration friday theme of "frozen"

A little too much to get done today to create something new for the topic but I have this piece that I created earlier that fits the theme. This is a photo of myself when I was little. I based the artwork on my favorite pink angora sweater that I wore just about every day because I thought I was just the coolest girl in town whenever I wore it!

I have to say that this topic is perfect for today because it's raining and freezing outside. Definitely a hot chocolate day!

happy weekend everyone!

new custom artwork

2009-10-15T20:58:00.003-04:00

New custom artwork from my studio!

This custom artwork was a birthday present from Stacy Julian who ordered it for Kayce, the cute gal you see here. She spends most of her time on the computer all day working very hard on the web site Big Picture Scrapbooking. Her precious kitties were also included in frames on the desk!

This was such a fun piece to work on!

Diva Craft Lounge Radio Show

2009-10-14T19:19:00.009-04:00

I was on the Diva Craft Lounge Radio Show today! Click here to listen to the interview. It was a lot of fun! Here's a link to the color chart that I mention on the show.

easy embossing with stencils on sticky-back canvas

2009-10-12T15:50:00.012-04:00

Here's a fun new technique that I just discovered - embossing on the sticky side of Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky Back Canvas using Ranger Adirondack embossing powders, Perfect Pearls and stencils.

This is a perfect way to get a second life out of a piece of Sticky-back canvas - especially if don't like what you created on the front. Just emboss on the back!

Thanks to Allie Gower for coming up with idea to emboss on the back of the Sticky-Back in the first place. Brilliant!

Here's my twist on the idea:

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
A piece of Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky-Back Canvas
Embossing powder
Perfect Pearls
Heat-it Craft Tool

To get started, remove the backing paper from the Sticky-back canvas and place sticky side face up. Place any plastic stencil on top. The stencil will stick to the surface just enough so you don't have to worry about it sliding around.

Sprinkle Ranger Adirondack Stream embossing powder all over the piece of Sticky-back canvas. Here I am doing this over a sheet of printer paper.

Remove the stencil and then heat the embossing powder with your heat tool.

Once it's cooled, dust on a little Perfect Pearls, to remove the stickiness from the exposed areas left by the stencil

All done! Here's a closeup of the completed technique. The Adirondack powder on the sticky-back canvas produces an interesting leathery texture. Very fun!

WHERE TO BUY:
Check your local crafts/scrapbook or arts supply store for availability. Claudine Hellmuth Studio Products are for sale online at these locations: Somerset Shoppe, ScrapLovers, Joggles Online, Schmooze with Suze, Scrapbook.com, Simon Says Stamp, Studio Calico, Scrap in Style TV . For more videos and information about the Claudine Hellmuth Studio product line, visit my web site!

illustration friday: flying

2009-10-09T11:52:00.006-04:00

Here's my submission(s) for this weeks illustration friday theme of "flying"

I actually have quite a few flying pieces because it's a theme that I enjoy, here's a custom artwork that I created of this little boy and his two cats flying in space!

And here's another one of my favorite custom artworks I created with a flying theme. This piece was ordered in celebration of the adoption of a new baby girl and this family loves to travel. The client and I came up with the plane theme with everyone together as a new family!

Have a great weekend everyone!

ho ho ho!

2009-10-07T19:43:00.004-04:00

It's already October and the holidays will be here before you know it! Now's the time to place your custom artwork order so we can make sure it arrives before Santa does!

Here's a custom canvas artwork that I created last holiday season for a client at their favorite beach getaway all decorated for Christmas. We turned this piece into holiday cards that were a huge hit!

I have four personalized artwork options available, ranging from fully-customizable to semi-custom and for any budget too! Prices start at just $75 for paper sketches and only $25 for custom magnetic paper dolls.

Once your artwork is ready to ship, we can create matching notes, stationery or holiday cards!

last workshop for 2009

2009-10-05T20:43:00.003-04:00

Here's an update on my last workshop for 2009! Don't miss it!

Daytona Beach FL - November 14th
Waxing Poetic: the art of beeswax collage. Learn how to create a collage entirely with beeswax - no other glues or adhesives are necessary! You'll learn beeswax transfers, stamping in wax, layering collage elements, transparency, glazing colors and more!

Contact the Daytona Beach Art League at (386) 258-3856 or click here to register.