'Happy New Year + Freebies!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes - Artist and Bricoleur

Howdy and Welcome,

Happy [belated] New Year!

Lots of Life happening lately [including ER visit due to chest pain, 

which was a false alarm - NOT a heart attack. Just muscle strain.. So

I've been spending less time spent online and blog posting...

Wanted to let Followers know that I AM still alive. 

Super busy.

I'm feverishly purging/donating much of my stash/

destashing and packing so we can move ASAP.

Giving - and have given - many art supplies, washi tapes,

 jewelry supplies and beads away - most 

to our local Arts Center.

Probably we'll stay in the Midwest - 

wherever the temperature and weather are milder.

Ha! Is that even possible?!

Freebies are below - have fun. 

Permission granted in this post to copy images below.

[Right Click on image to copy].

Negative - edited

Original (Photo used with permission from D.Daruszka) - edited

Please comment AND visit my other posts - 

for lots of other Freebies for you here on LuLu's blog!

Thanks for stopping by.

Peace,

LuLu

'The SECRET to MAKE More TIME!' plus a Freebie!

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes - Artist and Bricoleur

Howdy and Welcome!

I'm back for a hot minute, but I had to share this with you...

Today I got an email from an artist whose mailing list includes me. In it, she claims that no one can make more time. I responded back to her email, that we CAN all make more time. 

I’ve found the (not so) SECRET solution aka Time Management.

 

The SECRET for ‘making more time’ is:

1. prioritizing,
2. nixing time wasters,
3. planning (focus and work your plan),
4. just say ‘no’ to everything non-goal related,
5. reducing commitments.

Try these tips for 1 day, 1 week, 1 month - then comment on this post below on your results.

I have been using these tips for about 3 years - and they work great for me. I am moving closer to some goals, and accomplishing others!

Freebie! 

(right click on image, then Save)

(Photo courtesy of D. Daruszka)

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Peace,

LuLu

P.S. I love my two Tim Holtz Tonic glass mats. I use the large right-handed mat in my main craft studio. The small travel glass mat is the left-handed version that I use on the desk in my upstairs computer office. Do you use either of these TH glass mats?

'WOYWW 2/27/2013 - Lucious Lovely Fabric Beads - Freebie Tutorial!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes


Howdy and welcome,

For WOYWW, wanted to share these wrapped fabric beads on my table that I just finished making - plus the tutorial based on how they were made!

Photo credit:
David Daruszka for Creative Media Wizards

I used red  fabrics from Maria's stash that I recently 'inherited'.

She had a box of handmade blue fabric beads in her stash - that were incredible. I had never seen fabric beads before...I had seen samples of wrapped paper beads in the past, but I always thought they were ugly. I examined Maria's fabric beads under my magnifying light to see how they were made. Then I made mine - but a bit differently. 

DURATION

I made my beads over the course of one week...Here's a tutorial if you want to try your hand at this!


Tutorial


SUPPLIES / MATERIALS LIST

· Beads - assortment of small beads and seed beads

· Coffee stirrer straws – smallest diameter

. Containers - small divided containers -  I used containers from The Container Store

. Craft mat

· Fabric scraps – cotton (minimum of 2” x 6”) - I used about 6 different patterns. I tried different types of fabrics and blends - but only cotton worked for me

· Fibers - assorted thin scrapbooking fibers - I used eyelash novelty yarns and metallic

· Glue - for this project I experimented with several (White glue, Fabric glue, 3-in-1 (my fave for this project))

· Paint - gold acrylic paint - 2oz. bottle

. Paper towel

. Palette (optional)

· Quilting ruler (or metal edge ruler)

· Rotary cutter (any size)

· Round-nose plies

· Scissors - fabric

· Scissors - Tonic

· Stamps – rubber or acrylic - foreign sript and foreign text designs

. Styrofoam scrap from old packaging - approx. 12" x 3" x 3"

· Toothpicks - equaling the number of beads you want to make

. Water spritzer

· Wire – assorted colors of thin gauge craft wire (I used black, red, gold) small enough to fit through your beads

. Wipes

· Wire cutters

PREP COMPONENTS

1. Stick a toothpick in Styrofoam every inch - make 2 or 3 rows, staggering the placement of toothpicks between rows.
2. Cut some coffee stirrers 2 inches long - then cut a few to 1 inch. Set aside in container.
3. Cut short length of fibers approx. 1 3/4" long. Set aside in container.
4. Cut wire approx. 3" long - one wire for each bead you are making.
5. Using round-nose pliers, make a loop on one end of wire. Set aside in container.
6. Cut cotton fabric into rectangular strips measuring 2" x 4" using rotary cutter or fabric scissors. I chose red fabrics with gold prints or bold prints.
7. Cut cotton fabric strips into long triangles with a 2" base.

GOLD STAMPING

1. Alternately stamp script or text on right side of fabric triangles using gold acrylic ink. Dry overnight.

WRAP FABRIC

1. Lay stamped fabric triangle wrong side up/right side down on craft mat.
2. Squeeze a thin line of glue onto triangle about 1" from base and 1/4" from each side of triangle.
3. Place straw between base and glue.
4. Wrap fabric tightly around straw pressing base of fabric triangle into glue.
5. Hold straw and fabric with left hand.
6. With right hand, squeeze a thin line of glue down center of triangle stopping 1/4" from tip.
7. Continue rolling fabric tightly around straw, smearing glue into fabric to the tip. Drop bead onto a toothpick to dry overnight.
8. Spritz paper towel with water to slightly dampen it.
9. Wipe glue off craft mat with damp paper towel. Then dry craft mat with dry paper towel
10. Clean glue off your hands with wipe - then dry your hands on dry paper towel.
11. Repeat steps 1-10 until you have made all the beads you need for your project.

TRIM ENDS

1. With the Tonic scissors, lightly trim the two ends of each bead so that the straw is flush with the fabric. Also use the fabric scissors if the fabric starts to fray. Set aside in container.

PAINT ENDS

1. Lightly dip both bead ends into a puddle of gold acrylic paint - enough to cover the fabric edges and hide the straw. Use a palette - or I used the paint inside the bottle cap. Drop onto a toothpick to dry overnight.
2. Repeat step 1 for all remaining beads.

WRAP FIBER
 
After fabric has completely dried on the toothpicks, it's time to wrap bits of fiber around each bead.
 

1. Squeeze a very small drop of glue onto center of bead.
2. Choose one matching or contrasting fiber.
3. Wrap fiber diagonally onto bead in a spiral going from top to bottom clockwise, while smearing glue in the center of fiber. Don't glue the fiber all the way down - leave each end unglued a little with the fiber sticking out.
4. Drop bead onto a toothpick to dry overnight.
5. Spritz paper towel with water to slightly dampen it. Wipe glue off craft mat with damp paper towel.
6. Clean glue off your hands with a wipe - then dry your hands on clean paper towel.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 until you have wrapped all the beads with fiber you need for your project.

WRAP WIRE / STRING BEADS
 
Goal is to string 10-20 beads per fabric bead.

1. Hold fabric bead in left hand vertically.
2. With your right hand, place wire loop on left side at top of fabric bead - and press loop down with your left thumb.
3. Holding bead in left hand, hold wire in right hand, tightly wrap one wire diagonally in a spiral going from top to bottom clockwise, stringing 3-5 beads every 360 degree turn as you wrap the wire. Leave a 1" tail at end of wire.
4. Make a loop at end of wire and press loop tightly to bottom tip of bead. If wire is too long, cut a bit off before making the final loop.
5. Admire your handiwork!

NOTE:  These fabric beads are suitable for hanging on the wire binding of an altered book, art journal or scrapbook. They are NOT suitable to wear for necklaces, earrings  or bracelets because of body oils and perspiration.

Let me know if you try this technique. Send me a link to a photo of your fabric beads on your blog or website.

Thanks for stopping by - and please leave a comment.

Here are more artist desks for WOYWW if you want to take a peek!

Peace,
LuLu

'Free!!!! Vintage Ephemera! Free!!! Plus Giveaway reminder!

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and welcome,

If you want some yummy ephemera for your glue book, junk journals, art journals or scrapbooks, just right click  to Save on your computer. You have my permission to copy these photos. 

These are photos of my own ephemera that I inherited from my grandmother's hoard plus pix of  'Instant Ancestors' that I bought at a local antique store.

Permission granted by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes to copy the following pictures.

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by - please comment - and don't forget to check out my current Giveaway!

Peace,

LuLu

'7th Blog-O-Versary Giveaway Prize Package Pix Are Here! plus Freebies!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes


Howdy and Welcome!

Giveaway prizes!

Pix are here! To celebrate my blog anniversary (7 years already), I would like to offer 'CANDY' to 1 of my followers. 

You will love these Giveaway prizes!

In this prize package you'll win:

a top zip tote bag with pocket and removable shoulder strap, a scoring board, Strathmore sketch pad, background stamp, adhesive backed foam, multitool, tape, die cuts, stickers, embellishments, Ranger blending tool, and MORE.

This fun prize package also includes a small cosmetic bag - I use mine as a mini Art Journal Travel Kit!

 

 

 

 

Deadline March 20, 2017 midnight CT.

To be eligible for this Giveaway...

 

1. Leave one comment on this post INCLUDING your City, State/province, and country before the deadline. In your comment, let me know what kind of posts of which you would like to see more. For example. more posts about events? More Tutorials?

2. On your blog, add this picture to your sidebar and link back to this post.

3. Be, OR become, a Follower of my blog.

4. Have an email address connected to your blog. Important, so I can contact you if you win!

This GIVEAWAY is Open to Followers worldwide!

 

 

I will select one winner on March 20, 2017 from the comments on this post. Winner will be notified via email by March 31, 2017 and I will get your postal address.

 

 

Thanks' for stopping by and following my blog. I l-o-v-e your comments!

 

GOOD LUCK!

 

Peace,

LuLu

FREEBIES
You have my permission to use these backgrounds in your art for your personal use. But not to sell.

 

 

'...and she Scores!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and welcome,

Over the weekend I scored 3 of these Ikea 'Alex' carts at a local art studio's going out of business sale. Got them for $25 each. Normally one cart is $120! I can't believe I now own Ikea furniture. They roll as smooth as butter. Can't wait to load 'em up with supplies.

 

These are just a few items I got in a GI-nor-MOUS haul that day for my new studio. Still have a LOT of work to do before I post studio tour pix. So stay tuned.

 

FREEBIES AND TUTORIALS

While you're here, don't forget to grab a freebie or check out one of my tutorials!

 

Thanks for visiting - and come back often. More SUPER exciting news is just around the corner!

 

Peace,

LuLu

 

 

 

'Staying Cool with Star Trek Beyond!

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

The heat wave is so bad here that my hubby and I went to get cool at the movie theatre.

We both give the new Star Trek Beyond movie 5 stars and 4 thumbs up. Spectacular action, adventure, humor and effects in this iconic sci-fi flick.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2660888/mediaviewer/rm3553760768

YOUR TURN

Do you like sci-fi? Are you planning to see the new Star Trek Beyond?



Did you checkout my FREEBIES and FREE Tutorials while you're here?

Thanks for visiting - and please become a Follower and come back soon!

Peace,
LuLu

'Our 40th Anniversary Present from Mother Nature!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and welcome!

Like clockwork, every spring in mid-June, just before my husband and I celebrate our wedding anniversary, the cacti on our property bloom in a profusion of fragrant, yellow flowers.

For our 40th anniversary this year they started to bloom on June 11th and the last flower closed on June 21st. This cold-climate species of Prickly Pear cactus, named Eastern Prickly Pear, that grows like a weed here in Chicago, IL is described here.

Our patch grows, from a small neighbor's cutting taken 20 years ago, between our house and driveway, in an area sheltered from winds. These cacti are bathed in full sun with both south and west exposures. They brilliantly survive the cold weather and being buried under mounds of snow during our long winter months.

 

When we first bought our house, the previous owners had planted a wild rose bush where the cacti are now. But the ground was such a dry desert there that hubby removed the roses and we planted succulents - and later the small cactus cutting that started it all.

The cacti took over the succulents. Good thing we have the house and driveway and 'landing pad' as barriers on all sides. Otherwise those cactus plants would overgrow everything!

The yellow cactus flowers are gorgeous and their aroma is intoxicating. We enjoyed over 50 blooms this year!

YOUR TURN
Do you have cactus plants on your property? Do they flower? What is your climate? What city, state or country are your cacti in? 

Did you checkout my FREEBIES and FREE Tutorials while you're here?

Thanks for visiting - and please become a Follower and come back soon!

Peace,
LuLu

'WOYWW - My Neat and Tidy Table - huh?!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and Welcome,

After the Scrap-A-Thon retreat I hosted during Halloween weekend and the holidays, my table was a disaster.

I finally had a chance to tidy up a bit recently.

LuLu's Art Studio - Northern exposure - Chicago IL, USA

And I actually sat down and played in a couple of my Art Journals! But mostly I've been practicing my knitting and crochet - which I think are great for cold weather.

Want to see more studios? Head on over to Julia's blog - click here.

Thanks for stopping by - and check out my FREEBIES on this blog!!!

Peace,
LuLu

'FREEBIE - Background Text for Art Journal and Altered Books!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and Welcome!

Here is a FREEBIE to use in your personal artwork only.
Do not use it an any work that you sell.

 Collage text background -

antique book page, clip, printer symbols dump paper -

created by LuLu Haynes

 

 

Enjoy!

 

Please become a Follower - and comment on this post - or any of my other FREEBIE posts!

 

Peace,

LuLu

"How to Travel Light with Wet Art Supplies - or What's In My Art Kit and Travel Bag?"

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and Welcome,


How to Travel Light with Wet Art Supplies!

I'm a Mad Scientist At Work!

This travel bag  is another experiment to try to travel light with a small amount of wet supplies in my art kit for Art Journaling on the go. I'm using small travel-size bottles - store bought, old film canister and empty vials from complimentary hotel toiletries.

 

SUPPLIES - WET ART KIT

1. Clinique clear makeup pouch (I found a 'lot' of used makeup pouches at a cheap price on eBay)
2. snack baggie - vertical/portrait
3. snack baggie - horizontal/landscape
4. water brush - fine tip
5. water brush - broad tip
6. wet glue pen - 2 way (perm and repo)
7. medium - matte medium 'Liquitex'
8. medium- gloss medium 'Claudine Hellmuth 'Studio'
9. h2o
10. acrylic paint  - gold 'Lumiere' fabric paint - opaque
11. acrylic paint - glitter - gold
12. gesso - white  'Claudine Hellmuth 'Studio'
13. gesso - clear
14. gesso - black  'Claudine Hellmuth 'Studio'
15. homemade acrylic glaze - warm color
16. homemade acrylic glaze-  cool color
17. glitter glue - silver 'Stickles'
18. hand sanitizer gel
19. clip - 'bulldog' binder clip

Note: The book with embossed map cover is from sale at Michaels craft store. It's my travel diary, not an AJ. It's to prop up the supplies. I bought several because I really like the map cover.

YOUR TURN!

Do you separate your WET supplies from DRY?  Do you travel light with your art journal supplies? Or lug 'the kitchen sink'? Do you like to use the new water brushes by Tim Holtz, etc.? Have you tried filling them with colorant instead of water? India inks? acrylic inks?

I would love to see what's in YOUR art kits/travel bags! Reply to this post with a link to your blog post.

Thanks for stopping by - and stay tuned. Fun posts are coming soon!!! Please become a Follower if you're not already.

Peace,
LuLu

'Just a little Something, Something!...and get your Freebies'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes


Howdy and Welcome!

Thought I'd share this digital piece from my archives. I love the color orange. Orange makes my soul smile.

'Floor Tiles on Steroids' -  

architectural building floor mosaic digitally enhanced by Mary Lou Haynes

Photograph by D. C. Daruszka

Used with permission from the photographer

ca. 2009

 

I used 2 software products on this piece:

• Microsoft Digital Image Editor
• Adobe (PSE) Photoshop Elements

 

 

YOUR TURN

 

Do you ever use digital image editing software? If so, which products? What are your top  3 favorite things about them? Top 3 gripes about each product?

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

MORE GOODIES

 

'Refractions Series 2015 - Semi-Precious Gems'

 

Hybrid - Paints, Photography, Digital Image Editing

by Mary Lou Haynes

Copyright June 2015

• For more Freebies, search this blog, keyword 'Freebies'. You have my permission to use this original artwork 'Refractions Series 2015 - Semi-Precious Gems' for your personal use, but not to sell in any form.
• For Mixed Media Retreats, search this blog, keyword 'mixed media'.

 

Thanks for stopping by. Please become a Follower and comment. I love to see your comments! Come back soon.

 

Peace,

LuLu
www.scrap-a-thon.com

'WOYWW - 2014/09/02 - New Project, A Mess, New Website, Plants & Freebies coming Soon!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes



Howdy and Welcome,

This week for WOYWW, my worktable is a mess.

But in my defense, I'm in transition to a new project. I just got another commission to create another art/journal/scrapbook/fatbook for a new client! She found my shop on eTSY.com!

So this is how my creative space looks just before the big cleanup.

I also just launched my jewelry website. I've been paying for the url address for years - and finally finished all the pages. Included is a Calendar page with my new jewelry classes listed.

I taught a DIY Washi Tape class this past July to an AJ group I joined on Facebook. In 2015, I will be teaching another DIY Washi Tape class in my studio. If you happen to be in the Chicago, IL area, I would love for your to take a class with me. www.nuvoclassic.com

 

LuLu's DIY Washi Tape Class - Samples

 

Before summer wanes, have a look at the lovely coleus that I planted this Spring. They have really grown bushy - isn't their foliage gorgeous? Nothing survives in this shady spot except the coleus. It's a kitchen garden designed by previous owners of our house. But the sun only shines here for a few hours. So it's not sunny long enough to support herbs, flowers or veggies.

YOUR TURN
How do you transition between art projects? Do you do a massive cleanup, to start with a clean and tidy table?

Here are more artists studios from Julia's blog WOYWW - click here to go visit.

Thanks for stopping by. Please become a follower, leave a comment and come back soon. Some FREEBIES are coming later this month to celebrate my birthday!

Peace,
LuLu
www.nuvoclassic.com

'Two Sisters - Then & Now!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and Welcome,

Have you been enjoying the summer? It sure is zipping by for me!

I just got back home from a long weekend road trip -  visiting my youngest sister and her brood near Door County in Wisconsin.

Marly and Mary Lou -1980's
Chicago, IL
 (when I was leading my pop-rock band!)

Marly and Mary Lou - July 2013
Wisconsin

Isn't it amazing how much our appearance changes over the years?!
Thanks for stopping by - I would love for you to comment on this post, or any of my other posts. Please become a Follower, if you're not already....

Stay tuned! I plan to post a tutorial soon PLUS some more freebies PLUS..............

Another GIVEAWAY is coming this Autumn for Followers - to celebrate my 4th BlogOversary! If you love mixed-media, altered books, scrapbooking, assemblage or art journaling, this is the GIVEAWAY you will want to enter!

Peace,
LuLu

'Freebie - Antique Postcards with Script for Art Journals, Altered Books and Smash Books!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes


Howdy and Welcome,

I own lots of vintage and antique ephemera that I'd love to share with my Followers!
Here is a collage of postcards I found on one of my antiquing adventures with my hubby. 

Don't you just love the old handwriting on these old postcards. Makes me wonder about the lives of these folks...and the occassions for sending postcards.

This collage is a Freebie. Right click picture and save to your computer. Please send me a link to your art created with any of these postcards.

YOUR TURN
Do you ever go antiquing or hunting for vintage ephemera? What are your 3 fave types of ephemera to collect? Do you alter ephemera, or use it 'as is' in your art? 

Thanks for stopping by - please leave a comment and come back soon!

Peace,
LuLu