be yourself: live with passion

A new "workshop to go" is ready for you...

For those of you who have been asking for a new "workshop to go", it's now up and ready at the creatologie site (www.carolwingert.typepad.com/creatologie/).

It's a funky folder travel journal (or a funky folder any kind of book, really), that's easy to make and easy to fill...a definitely favorite of mine.

What a great way to use your stashes, get inspired, and learn some new techniques or design ideas.  

Don't miss out on this limited opportunity...it'll be available until just October 9th.

Head over to the site and get all of the juicy details. 

Guilt free dessert!

Calorie free, gorgeous colors, refreshing!

The exclusive Neapolitan Ice Cream Product Kit, brand new from the creatologie studio.

Check it out here.

(If the link won't work, just click on the creatologie link on the right sidebar.)

The best bedtime snack ever :)!

If you missed out the last time...

...there are two new and different collections available right now!

and

Head over to my creatologie blog and make one (or both :)) part of your collection!

JUST ONE...

It's one of a kind...unique and different.

It won't be repeated.

It's available now on my creatologie blog.

It may not last too long.

Check it out:

Hope it ends up in YOUR studio!

KNOW HOW I SAID IT MAY NOT LAST TOO LONG?  WELL, IT'S BEEN A FEW MINUTES...AND YEAH, IT'S GONE.  TIME TO WHIP UP ANOTHER ONE OF A KIND, RIGHT?

How to dress a patterned cloth book cover...

I've gotten a couple of emails asking about how one goes about decorating a patterned cloth book cover.  That's a great question!

You may be wondering as well, but you just haven't written to ask.  So, I thought I'd show the transformation of my red striped linen covered canvas book from a plain cover to one that's fun to display.  Think about how pretty something like this would be on an easel or just flat on a coffee table!

OK, let's start with the completely unadorned patterned cloth book (you can find these on my creatologie blog...there are just a few left if you're interested).

Given my love affair with all things French, I made an extra one of the red linen striped books for my collection.

The key to decorating a patterned cover is to keep the embellishments fairly simple and fairly monochromatic.  That way, the eye takes in the textures and shapes of the embellishments but still can focus on the pattern of the background cloth.

Here's what I did with my cover:

A pretty simple but cool transformation.  I didn't use a lot of embellishments, just some layers of monochromatic textiles.  First, I adhered an ivory leaf/flower applique to the cover.  I then added a length of vintage trim which is glued at the top with the bottom strips left dangling.  The next layer is a crinkled and dyed seam binding bow with a Tim Holtz pearl tassel attached.  Finally, I created a ribbon flower and glued it on top of all of the trims.  

To capture the book title, I used a large metal 7 gypsies charm with a piece of canvas glued inside and two pearls added to the jump rings on either side of the charm.  Simple, yet very elegant.  When I know the theme of the book, I can simply stamp the title onto the canvas with black or brown Staz-On ink.  Easy, peasy!

Here are a couple of close ups:

There you have it...a simple but well dressed book cover!

Don't miss out on creating your own stylish canvas book.  Just click here to get to the creatologie blog and order your unadorned book today.  Then, have fun dressing that baby!  I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with yours!

The Prodigal Blogger Returns!

After a long summer of cocooning, I'm back!

I took a break from blogging of any kind...I didn't write mine and didn't read any other blogs all summer long!  It was a good time to recharge my batteries, spend time in areas other than memory art, and hang out with family.  It was just what I needed.

I didn't totally disconnect from my art, though, as it's such a major part of my life.  I put together a very fun Heirloom project for the sold out event which was held this past Saturday at the home of my friend, Patty.  This project was an event only kit due to some of the product being available in very limited quantities.  

What an amazingly fun day it was!  I've got some pictures that Ashley took to share with you...she captured the enthusiasm of the day for sure.

The project and theme was "Spool Stories".  The book was built on little canvas squares, each of them put together like mini art quilts, then assembled to fit on a very large decorated spool.  I kept hearing from attendees that this was one of their favorite Heirloom projects to date!   Here's a picture of my sample:

Putting together special kit packaging for the attendees is always a delight.  I love seeing everyone's reactions as they open their kits...it's like a birthday party or Christmas gift opening time!

It was a great time to reconnect with friends from New Jersey, Alabama, California and Arizona:

Patty and her hubby, Kraig, were awesome hosts.  Patty is an artist in the kitchen and we had three superb meals...breakfast, lunch (dinner, really, including some Louisiana home made gumbo...YUM!) and late afternoon dessert.

Here's the breakfast menu:

A fabulous trifle was part of the dessert menu:

And, just look at the adorable teacup cookie holders that Patty created!

I love putting these events together...and absolutely love spending time with the wonderfully creative and inspirational friends who put their hearts and souls into the project!

I just loved seeing the picture above...just look at how into it they all are!

Thanks to all who attended...I really enjoyed my day with all of you!

BY THE WAY, I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE JUST ONE EXTRA HEIRLOOM KIT FOR SPOOL STORIES.  THE KIT INSTRUCTIONS ARE WRITTEN FOR THE CLASS ATTENDEES, WHICH MEANS THEY AREN'T AS DETAILED AS ONLINE INSTRUCTIONS BUT IF YOU HAVE PUT TOGETHER PREVIOUS KITS, YOU'LL DO GREAT.  I'LL INCLUDE A LIST OF SUPPLIES YOU'LL NEED TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT.  SPECIAL EVENT PACKAGING ISN'T PART OF THE ONE REMAINING KIT.

THE KIT IS AVAILABLE FOR $197, PLUS SHIPPING OF $22 (US ONLY, PLEASE).  

JUST CLICK ON THE BUY NOW BUTTON BELOW AND THIS VERY UNIQUE SPOOL STORIES KIT WILL BE YOURS!

  

 SOLD...THANK YOU!

It's good to be back...I missed all of you!