I've discovered JeNi cAlKins on Spellbinders, and her great use of recycling for the cause, lol, bee-cause we all need a little of that in our art - the more, the better actually.

Jeni does these fantastic recycled book pages "flowers" {can't help it - I am in a flowers-sort-of-mood these days!}.......are they not sweet?

She also mentions that she takes papers that she bought for less, and ups their attractiveness levels by spritzing on colour with water-based mediums {i.e. re-inkers, etc.} - which I have also done with sponges and regular paints myself. So a little ingenuity can go a looooong way!

Anyways, Jeni has some really great ideas going on - zoom by her place - you'll be happy you did!

All works by Jeni Caulkins images: 12x12 layout,card as seen on Spellbinderspaperarts.com,
http://studiojeni.blogspot.com/2009/02/using-what-you-have.html

......as demo'd by Maria over the pond there......amazing what we can do from such simple beginning.....enjoy her tute HERE {if does not work - I'll come & check soon to fix}

You can see that by cutting a bit, rolling & gluing, you can achieve a great effect! Congrats Maria for your 1rst blog anniversary!

The flower 'group' picture [top] is what a pal of mine, Becki, from my ol' CB forum is doing for her upcoming wedding! Be nice to see what her finished pics will be! CONGRATS Becki & Alan on your upcoming nuptials!

*PS - I have seriously sore wrist & can't type much, so I may be offering a string of tutes for awhile & less typing.

I do not usually post too many of other talented posters but once in awhile I see something that is too cool not to share – and here is one!

Makeesha Byl  who is a top SU! Demonstrator in Australia has a fabulous tutorial for making delicious “flower hairpins”   - - - and since we are starting with that kind of weather here in our happy homeland and maybe a few weddings could be on your calendar, I thought how great it would be to share it here.  I haven’t made one – too bad, we just bought flower hairpins – I kid you not, 2 weeks ago for a wedding April 18th – oh well, next time and so I WILL be trying this out!

You’ll need:  Stampin’ Up! Pretties Kit (109114), ink refills, glitter, crystal glaze, paintbrush or Aqua Painter (103954), hair clips or bobby pins.

Let me know if yOU do it - - luv to see em!    Click on the link below:

Makeesha's Flower Hair Clip Tutorial

Hi everyone!

I have a minute to go over the results from our stamp camp – boy, it was a rush to go through all those cards, but hopefully everyone now has a small lovely stash of birthday cards or a complete gift set to give to someone special!

Here’s what we did:

6 birthday cards, 2 each:

- children’s Sock Monkey card (girl style, boy style)

- Happy card with flower petal border

- B is for Birthday card (2 different coloured backgrounds)

…..and all wrapped up in a clear box, with a scalloped flower belly band.

Supplies by Stampin’ Up: cardstock, ink pads, Versamark Pad, white embossing powder, pastel chalks, markers, glue, stamp sets {Just B; Sock Monkey; Frames with a Flourish; greeting stamp of choice}, Heart to Heart Punch(#28), Horizontal Slot Punch(#17), grosgrain ribbon.

Favourite Technique: embossing powder technique!!! It’s always a blast to watch the transformation from a clear sticky residue to a beautiful ‘flower’ – or whichever image you’ve stamped! Just has that “WOW” factor – there – I’ve said the ‘wow’ word!

Hope you all had fun – I think my cake went over well even though its just a cake mix, lol! Its my simple icing that’s the trick! :)

Special Hi and Welcome – goes out to Candace – hope you had a nice time, and it’s nice that you joined us!

Special Achievement – goes to Gladys for doing some of her cards with just 1 hand (as she held a curious toddler on her lap)

Special Thanks – to my daughter Alexandria for putting up with me all the time, and for being my main helper for the entire time – 5 stars!

Special Thanks – to Margaret and Emily – for dropping by even though Margaret came from a ‘final exam’ and were on their way to go to their younger sister’s school concert – talk about being rushed!

Special Mention – Pam – our ‘Winner’ of the recent Aqua Painter Basket prize – collected her prize up – hope to see some nice stuff come from your goodies Pam! Enjoy!

Special Mention – Leanne – for being collected and cool! Always ahead of me and has some keen observation skills!

Special “TLC” – goes out to Elaine – hope you’re feeling better!

(post pics later…..:))