just a few art classes...

It's been a while...not that I've not been around. I have and in fact, I've taken several classes at The Queen's Ink since I last blogged. My focus this year, totally unplanned, has been on journaling and altered books. I think subconsciously I had that on my "list of things to do in 2012" and just proceeded...and I'm glad I did. I've had loads of fun and learned some neat tricks and tips from great teachers as well as meeting lots of new art journalers and reconnecting with some old ones. And that's really the best part of taking a class: the people connection. So, without further adieu, here are some photos from a few classes:

July 14 July 14 Jumpstart Your SMASH Journal with Suze Perrott (these are from the participants) :

And even though this workshop is over, Suze has another class scheduled Sat, Aug 18.*


From Karen Bearse's July 21 Art Journal Series - Session 3 class:

Our emphasis in this class was experimenting with Pan Pastel colors...luscious and a dream for working with. You can add colors to your page without fear of spilling the paint and moderate  the intensity with the special foam tools. The Queen's Ink carries Pan Pastels - they are a new product and the display is right across from the service desk. I'm sure there will be additional opportunities to take a class and I'm positive that if you'd like a little demo and to "test them out," Patti, Lolly and Janet will be delighted to oblige. I have that on good authority ;-)). Just a warning: Pan Pastels are addictive so hang onto your wallet!
Karen has another art journaling class in the series scheduled for September 22; at the time this post is going to press, the focus hasn't been determined so check the class schedule around the first of the month for more details.

From Patti's Christmas in July 25 Decorative Cigar Box class:

July 25 was a perfect day: the weather was ideal and the class was so much fun. We made boxes with a Christmas theme. As I've experienced and said before, this is such a fun, fun and satisfying project. In fact, it's just plain addictive and if you've not taken the class, do sign up. You won't be at all disappointed. I promise. N.B. The class is being offered again Sunday, August 26*!!!

Patti had been away all morning and Smartie just plain missed her. He's such a good dog and when she came to the shop, Smartie stuck to her like glue for the rest of the afternoon.

As I've looked over the schedule of classes this summer and those upcoming, I can only say one thing: I need to be cloned. Just think of all the fun I'd have.

I'll look forward to seeing you in a class soon.

Cheers~

*Call the shop at 301-497-9449 to register and/or determine if there are available spaces.

A Warm Welcome...

 We're thrilled to introduce a new guest artist, Mary Mata, scheduled to teach five workshops on August 11th and 12th. Mary Mata has been an artist and photographer for more than 20 years. For 15 years she photographed weddings and portaits. She designs and distributes a myriad of collage sheets, all created using her original art work and based on either her photographs or vintage item collection. Mary's value-priced classes provide the perfect opportunity to begin a collage journey or build on your current collage work. Class sizes are limited so don't delay in calling to reserve a spot. 


The photo on the left provides examples of ATC cards created with a transparency technique, offered on Saturday (the 11th).

Tags are so popular these days in papercrafting, so Mary's class is perfect for those of you who have fallen in love with the trend. You'll have a selection of collage sheets from which to choose, and Mary will give you tips and tricks that ensure great success with your collage project.  Check our website for the full schedule, description, and photos of these great classes.

In other news, Patti is getting ready to attend the CHA Summer Trade Show, where she does a lot of ordering, some learning, some networking. If you have seen sneak peeks of products you "must" have, please let Patti know before Monday.

Summer Plans...

Honore´ here. Are you ready for our long hot summer? Based on last week's record highs and the forecast for the next few days, seems like Mother Nature has plans to provide us with all sorts of reasons to stay in the house and make art! My summer indoor adventures include stitching - knitting and quilting - and lots more art journaling, especially playing around with using a variety of media on my journal pages.

I plan to venture out mainly for two things: food and classes at The Queen's Ink! This month, I am joining both the Suze Perrot Jumpstart Your SMASH Journal class and Karen Bearse's third Art Journal Series class. I was lucky enough to get to Karen's second class and thoroughly enjoyed it...we made pages primarily using Dyan Reavely's Dylusions ink sprays, made by Ranger and carried, of course, by The Queen's Ink (and a new shipment just arrived about 10 days ago).

Karen demonstrating making drips on a page using Dylusions

Example of an envelope page we made...note the drippy inks

This was an enjoyable class; I especially liked how Karen had created project boxes for each of the four pages we made. Each project box contained the supplies and materials we needed to make the page. And the boxes were rotated among us, according to which page each table was making. Very efficient way to spread resources and it also allowed Karen to spend more quality time with us, say to give a demo on a specific technique. July's class promises to be most exciting: we're going to play with Pan Pastels - another recent acquisition by The Queen's Ink. You can watch this brief YouTube video for a quick overview of the product and how it'll work on your art journal pages.

If you haven't been to the shop recently, do drop in (maybe on your way out to get food?) -  there's a brand new Pan Pastel display, plus the many different applicators and sponges that are recommended. Patti and Lolly just took Donna Downey's Pan Pastel workshop, both loved it, and are happy that Donna is planning a visit to the shoppe late in the year.

Stay cool and I hope to see you in one or both of these classes.

Cheers~

PS. Did you know you can check out new product arrivals  at The Queen's Ink here?

Young artists reveal their first Summer projects...

One of our "Royal Loyal" customers (known to family as "Aunt Dorothy", recently attended workshops with Fred B. Mullett a.k.a. Fish Boy, and learned his elegant mess techniques and secrets. Her nieces Ashley (age 11) and Rachel (age 10) were Dorothy's students in a recent summer play day in Dorothy's studio. Look at the results... WOW!  Very impressive, and they're both going to be ready for that inevitable "What I Did on My Summer Vacation" essay when school resumes. We just hope their teachers are into the visual artistry! We certainly are!

Show us what you're doing with your young artists and we'll publish their work here. We're always interested in seeing what our future artists are creating.

T!m Holtz Workshops...

I've just posted the August T!m Holtz workshops on our website at www.queensink.com. Registration will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 12th.  Registration via voicemail or email will not be accepted. You MUST speak with Patti, Lolly, or Janet, either on the telephone or at the checkout counter. We are anticipating heavy phone volume, so please have your selections made and your credit card at the ready when you call to register.
LK

a creative smorgasbord...

Honoré  here: Greetings! I was just looking over class offerings at The Queen's Ink  for the next several months, May - July. What a selection! And, that's my dilemma, and perhaps yours, too: which one/s? My only regret is there aren't more of me; if so, I could sign up for them all.

Right now, art journals and journaling are enjoying a resurgence. I'm going to have to miss the May edition of Karen Bearse's Art Journal classes, but fortunately, she's offering two more, one in June, another in July. Great. I'll be on the roster...

The Queen's (Patti)  popular Decorative Cigar Box is being offered again this month and in June. Can't say how much you'll love this one...I'm also intrigued with the Queen's Paper Mosaics offering...

I'm sorry I had to miss Fred Mullett's classes, which are new to me. Unfortunately, I was on my way to Oregon and couldn't figure out how to be in two places at the same time. I was definitely intrigued not only by the class description, but also the examples in the shop.

Stab Binding with
Chrissie Hines

And have you taken a look at the Chrissie Hines offerings:  In May, she teaches the coptic binding technique , coupled with The Queen's fun intro to using the Gelli Art Plate to decorate the cover. In June, Chrissie does a  June Book Arts Workshop on Stab Bindings? I just heart me some Japanese washi papers ...

Steampunk Frame
with Sherry Cheever

Chunky Tag with
Sherry Cheever

Another artist, new to me, is Sherry Cheever. We get three chances in June to learn from her.  Sherry is known for her gorgeous paper flowers, so take the opportunity to learn from one of the best! Liking that look...

As you can see, these classes are just a sampling of the wonderful, creative offerings at The Queen's Ink! All I can say is try any one; based on my past experiences, I'm sure you'll like!

 PS. Any/all of these classes make a perfect Mother's Day gift - any time of the year!


Note from Lolly:
I'll be posting the class descriptions and photos of the T!m Holtz workshops next week. Please note that we are hosting Tim during the week (Wednesday & Thursday, August 22nd and 23rd), so start planning your "grunge flu" excuse accordingly :-) I'll send an email and post a note here to let you all know that the workshops are posted, and that's when you'll find out when we will start registration. Stay tuned...
LK

the über popular decorated cigar box

Honoré here. Hi there. 

I've decided I really need to be cloned: there are just so many creative things that I want to do and learn and I just can't seem to fit them all into my daily life. Yes, I know: make choices or schedules or, or, or...problem is, I am just no g-o-o-d at prioritizing. I want to do it all. And what is all you say? 

All is art journaling, altering books, making cigar boxes, knitting, quilting, regenerating my rusty embroidery skills ( I won't even begin to tell you how long ago I learned to embroider), blogging, reading, attending art classes, etc, etc, etc. 


Speaking of classes, at the end of March, I attended The Queen's  über  popular "decorated cigar box" class. Supposedly, that class was going to be the very last one for an undetermined amount of time...so, those of us in the class were thanking our lucky stars that we got into the last class. And then, during class, Patti announced that she'd had a change of heart and was going to continue offering the class. What prompted the change of heart? Well, she went to the  Craft and Hobby Association's semi-annual conference/exhibit and fell in love (that translates into ordered for the shop) with lots of really neat paper. Really neat. Some of it arrived a couple weeks ago and I can see why she was smitten. Quiet as it is kept: I have also been smitten.When I was last in the shop, I "managed" to buy just a few sheets...just a few. 


Anyway, a couple days ago, two new cigar box classes were announced for May and June. Sign up for one (or both). Don't delay. I can promise you, unequivocally, that you'll be so glad and you too, will be smitten. And if you haven't been to the shop recently and haven't seen the boxes on display, get thee there as soon as you can. Until then, here are a few photos of several that were made during the class I attended last month. And a few shots of some of that really neat paper The Queen ordered. I thoroughly enjoyed making the cigar box and have begun thinking about making more as gifts...if I can force myself to give them away. I think it'll be difficult....

a box made by a classmate for her husband's birthday... 

isn't this just the cutest? another creation by a classmate...

so bright and cheerful; begs to be opened...

this is the outside of my box...

...and this is the inside 

just a sampling of pretty new papers...

Hurry. Sign up today. Seats go quickly. Classes are limited to 10 students, so call the shop: 301-497-9449 to register. I promise you'll like it!


Cheers~

Postscript from Lolly....
I posted Sherry Cheever's fab June 9th-10th classes so check out the descriptions and photos, then call to reserve your spot!

from the Studio...

Hi, Honoré here: Several weeks ago, I was in The Queen's Ink and picked up the latest/newest issue of Cloth Paper Scissors' Studios magazine, intrigued and enticed by the cover callout "Inside: creative ideas for organizing small spaces." So, home I went with my magazine and after reading it, cover to cover, I decided it was time to rearrange my loft studios. (Once upon a time, when I lived in Ohio, I discovered that there was a blue law on the books that prevented women from rearranging furniture in their homes. I love to move and rearrange furniture; in fact, in my younger years, I'd spend many a Saturday rearranging the living room furniture - only sometimes winding up returning the room/furniture to its original state... A friend of mine was oft fond of saying: ''if you get up, hang onto your seat, 'cause Honoré is just likely to move it...") 

I don't really have a loft - just two of the three bedrooms on the upstairs floor that I've re-purposed as studio space. The smaller room (I have designated as Studio A) houses my sewing machine, fabrics, yarn, knitting and quilting supplies and PiPs (projects in progress) and books/magazines on quilting and knitting. Plus, there is a wicker chair that I use for knitting and reading or just for a little quiet. Three of the walls are covered with design boards - foam core boards covered with flannel. Great display space! There is a lot packed into this 72 square foot room.

Studio B is the larger space, approximately 10' x 12'. My computer, printer, files, more bookshelves and work space line two of the four walls...the other two walls house furniture for papers, stamping, paint, ink supplies and other paraphernalia: tools; more PiPs, rolling carts, etc. I have a book shelf and two cabinets that are counter height; both serve as work space and provide storage.

I don't know when I realized that I stand up when I'm making a scrapbook layout or an art journal page. I would probably stand up to sew if I had a sewing machine cabinet that was the correct height. A couple weeks ago I saw a table at IKEA that was bar counter height and I've really been toying with the idea of buying it...I might have done so when I saw it but it was out of stock and I really need to move the cabinet I use as my current work station 'cause I don't have enough room in the room to add another piece of paper or  the twelve bottles of Dyan Reaveley's Dylusions spray inks that I just picked up from The Queen's Ink...

Like The Queen's Ink (I think they probably rearrange furniture and displays every 6-8 weeks; it's a good thing they're not in Ohio!), I find that a periodic rearrangement/moving of things within my studios presents me with the opportunity to reunite with an abandoned/forgotten project or supply or tool and re-inspires me. I have all the issues of Studios, I think that maybe I'll revisit them again for the first time... if you are unfamiliar with the publication, on your next visit to The Queen's Ink, check it out. They have the current and several of the previous issues, for sale, still.

I'm curious: What are some of your creative ideas for organizing in small spaces? How often do you rearrange your studio, supplies, tools? Are you a sitter or a stander? Looking forward to reading what you have to say in the comments. Thanks and

Cheers~
Honoré

P.S. from Lolly: We are receiving phone calls and emails inquiring about T!m Holtz workshops, ever since he announced on his website that he was planning a visit to The Queen's Ink. T!m is a busy guy; that said, we don't know what he's teaching and likely will not know for another month or so. We plan to announce the classes with descriptions, times, and prices sometime in June, at which time we will tell you when registration will begin. Please make sure you're on our email list so you'll be alerted when the classes are listed on queensink.com.

Dyan Reaveley's altered books workshop

Honoré here: Hi. I can hardly believe that the month of March is only hours away ~ seems that February and Dyan Reaveley's three and a quarter days of workshops at The Queen's Ink were just about to happen. Where does the time go?

I attended the all-day Saturday (and Friday evening before) workshop on making altered books. We learned a lot of nifty techniques for creating niches and fun pages. But the best part was two-fold: one was listening to Dyan and laughing so much at her running dialogue and witty comments. She kept us in stitches. The other best part was the opportunity to try her new line of Dylusions products, made exclusively by Ranger. And of course, The Queen's Ink was/is privileged to have them first among the many shops in the country.

I had a great time, enjoyed every minute of this learning adventure and my only regret: I didn't sign up for all the workshops. Oh well, I'll know better next time. In the meantime, here are some photos from my session.

The Queen (Patti) introducing Dyan

Dyan demonstrating removing pages from the book. Just grip and rip!

One of my pages. Dyan shares her ghosting technique in this video 

She has lots of videos and other tutorials available; check them out from her blog

Tags made by Dyan featuring some of her whimsical characters. These are rubber stamps
that you can buy from The Queen's Ink.

Dyan's Dylusions line on is the wall just as you enter The Queen's Ink from inside the Mill. Lots of fun product here: her rubber stamps and stencils including samples of her tags. (Display also includes some Crafter's Workshops stencils). Watch the website for announcements about the arrival of Dyan's ink sprays.

I include this sample of part of a calendar page by Kate Crane, a member of Dyan's design team. I discovered Kate's  calendar pages in the Winter 2012  issue of  Art Journaling. Imagine my delight at seeing an actual, real-world calendar! You can learn more about Kate and her journal calendar here...and also join in the fun.

I am so glad that I had a chance to meet Dyan and partake in one of her workshops. I know that I'll definitely signup again next time she's here. Hope you'll be able to  do so, too!

Cheers~

Smashing Success...

What a fabulous whirlwind weekend we had with Guest Artist Dyan Reaveley. Our students created beautiful art, learned new techniques, and energized their creative spirits with three great workshops. A huge thank you to all who participated, shopped for all her new products, and made the weekend a huge success.

Dyan created two canvases to raffle off, with proceeds going to a dear family friend, Sadie Rose. It's time to pull out your raffle tickets and check the numbers. Please call the shoppe (301-497-9449) and let us know who you are! The first to confirm your win will get first choice (tough one since they're both fabu-licious!).

(Insert drumroll here)....

               Ticket #643229
               Ticket #643371
 
Watch for photos of the event (coming soon).

Way Too Much Fun!

Hi, Honoré here: I'm so looking forward to next week's workshops with Dyan Reaveley, but I just have to share the workshop Queen Patti created for us loyal subjects the weekend before last: Peeled Pages...

In the Peeled Pages workshop, we used the Gelli Arts Printing Plate (Patti introduced it in the Painted Pages workshop I wrote about here). And, we used tags for our pages (read this post and you'll know that my heart swooned.) The Gelli Plate is so versatile, easy to use and to clean, and best of all, it's a lot of fun! Your imagination can run rampant, limited only by the sky. Coupled with tags, you can create for days, weeks...forever.

In this series of photos, Patti is demonstrating the process for creating the tag page:

Step 1 - Prepare the gel plate with paints and pattern...

             Step 2 - Place tag on plate and rub to transfer the paint/design...

                          Step 3 - Peel the tag off the gel plate. I ask you: how easy can that be?!

Here are a couple of my classmates and a look at their Peeled Pages Tag Albums:

Alice (best known as Al)

Sue  (best known as Immie)

and  mine!

(Oops, I think my album is upside down!)

One of the best things about taking a class at The Queen's Ink is the access to products you have: inks for stamping and misting, paints, tools, very helpful staff and of course, the Queen, herself! I urge you to check out the class schedule and treat yourself to a fun and fantastic learning adventure. I guarantee you'll have way too much fun!

Cheers~

Dyan Reaveley Returns...

Dyan Reaveley is a mixed-media artist known for her unique, eclectic style which incorporates vibrant color combinations of inks and paints, using text as an insightful design element, and cleverly using imagery in her artwork. Last Fall, she was named a Signature Designer by Ranger, and is now developing a signature line of craft products called Dylusions. Dyan owns and operates a teaching and design studio, Art from the Heart, in Harrogate, in the north of England.

Dyan visited us in July, and we have the honor of saying that The Queen's Ink was her very first state-side teaching engagement. She offered great workshops, interesting and innovative surface techniques, and loads of fun and laughter! That weekend was definitely the "Hit of the Year" at The Queen's Ink! We are so thrilled to have her back again, and this year's workshop offerings are just as fabulous! Spaces are still available in two of her altered book and newspaper journal classes, so take a look and then call to register.

Patti has obtained a great rate at the Marriott for those of you who would like to make Dyan's workshops into a weekend retreat. Whether coming from out of the area or just wanting to get away from the daily routine and indulge yourself in an artful weekend, we can help you make that happen!

Tag...you're it!

Hi, Honoré here: Lately I've been smitten by tags... you know, those sundry shipping tags that come in a variety of sizes. Perhaps it's the season since tags are pretty much on most of our minds as we begin (anyone finished?) to wrap holiday presents and/or finish making cards. Or perhaps it's the fact that as I've visited blogs throughout this month, I'm seeing lots of clever ideas and tutorials for making tags for everything from creating shopping or to-do lists to fabric books to clever ways to package gift cards. Seems that the sky is the limit.

Tags are quite versatile; they can be used as:

1. gifts
2. shopping/to-do lists
3. substrate for practicing techniques ranging from masking, misting, stamping, and stenciling, to journaling or taking notes
4. embellishments on pages in a mini album or as pages on which to mount photos from your iPhone or camera phone.

You can write, paint, stitch, glue, type, stamp, cut, tear, crumble, or emboss tags. Don't like what you did? Not a problem; just paint over the tag and use it to try something else...or save it and cut it into shapes or strips or adhere it to a page in your art journal for use further down the road...

In the scheme of things, tags are really quite inexpensive and handy little things to have around. Being quite portable, you can carry them with you at all times for those unexpected free moments.

Over the next couple weeks, between the holidays' lull, why not play with some tags. Try out a technique or a supply that is new to you. A tag is small and definitely not as intimidating as a full sized piece of art paper or a blank page in an art journal. Have Fun. Play. Experiment. And remember, you don't need to throw the tag away...it can be used in your art journal or recycled as an embellishment or used to make a grocery, to-do, or don't forget list...

And while we're on the subject of tags, have you checked out the new class - Peeled Pages -coming in January that features tags as pages? Check out the description here and don't tarry about registering: seating is limited and spaces are filling up fast.

Happy Holidays!

PS: This tutorial by Tammy Tutterow is a great example of creating a tag in action. And of course, you can purchase most if not all of the supplies and tools, including some of the Crafter's Workshop stencils, right here at The Queen's Ink. How about a gift from you to you?

art makin' for all ages...

Honoré here: Yesterday, Sat Dec 4, there was lots of activity going on in the store to celebrate its 11th birthday: a toy drive, a class and a smorgasbord of tasty snacks and delightful, sinful desserts. As I wandered through the store, stopping to admire the growing collection of little houses sitting on the piano, I was thinking: this store has so much eye  candy and interesting things that children would love to get their hands on to explore and create.

Continuing my walkabout through the store, I peeped into the class in session; the group was learning to use Copic markers and microfine glitter from Elizabeth Crafts to make really cool embellishments.

In the class was a young lady, nine years old, who takes many classes at Queen's Ink and who, in her own words, "has been making art since she started walking, oh, when she was about 18 months old."

Hearing her words, memories from my childhood flooded over me. Next to reading, my absolute favorite activity was making art. I had one go-to book - whose title totally escapes me; all that I can remember is the book had all sorts of interesting things for me to do and learn. And, that is the same thought I have about The Queen's Ink... so many interesting things for me to do and learn!

The Queen's Ink is not only for adults - there are also treasures and discoveries for children, from A - Z (artist trading cards to Zentangles). So, might I suggest that you introduce a child (including your inner one) to the treasures and discoveries at The Queen's Ink: a class; a rubber stamp; a fun mixed media project like the houses currently on display, etc.  I think you'll both be delighted with your finds. Enjoy!

Cheers~

PS. You can start with a gift certificate in any denomination you want, and certificates are good for a entire year.

The Queen's Ink Holiday Challenge...

It takes a village… a Winter Holiday Village that is! This year we are planning a Holiday art challenge inspired by a recent issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors and our friends at Ink About It! in Massachusetts.  We we want to build a village of little houses to display around the shoppe this holiday season. We hope you’ll join us in this creative journey as we construct The Holiday Queendom. Individual houses are ready for pick-up now for a $2.00 fee, and can be returned beginning December 1 (just in time for the Queen's Ink Eleventh Birthday Bash), and up through December 15th. We will build the village as the participants bring in their decorated houses, and will display in the shoppe until January 15. (Your house will then be returned to you.)

First Prize: $25 Gift Certificate for The Queen’s Ink

Second Prize: $15 Gift Certificate for The Queen’s Ink

Third Prize: $10 Gift Certificate for The Queen’s Ink

gel printing fun...

Hi, it's Honoré here. If you remember, earlier in October, the Queen's Ink got a new product, a gel printing plate by Gelli Arts that makes it totally possible to monoprint without using gelatin! Clearly a 21st Century advancement. In my first/last post, I indicated that I had purchased a gel printing plate and that I'd share experiences and impressions. For starters, I had fun! Really super messy fun!

If you check out this post, you'll see a link to a video demonstration on how to use the gel plate. First, let me say it really is as easy as demonstrated, and clean up is a snap too. However, my workspace, hands and apron did not stay clean and neat as you'll see on the video. Or could it be that I'm just messy?!

I tried a variety of ways to make marks: rubber and foam stamps; stencils; and found items from the kitchen and various junk drawers. I used plastic forks, Q-tips, a meat tenderizer, a toothbrush, paintbrushes with different tips, my fingers and even a seashell I found. Stencils work least best as the paint always has a tendency to leak - it's better to dab paint on a stencil. I liked the impressions made by the rubber stamp better than those created with a foam stamp. The most fun were the "household found items." My suggestion: gather those items before you get started and just play. Here are a couple photos from my playtime:

The left, teal print was made with a stencil; the right, with stamps.

All the markings in this photo were made with the found household items; the yellow piece is also printed on muslin. I really like the texture and the clarity of the markings. Gonna have to try printing on fabrics, more.

Queen's Ink has both sizes of the gel plates: the 6 x 6 and the 8 x 10. I think if you like printing and want to try your hand at a simple, fun and creative way to print your art journal pages, tags and other mixed media pieces, you can't go wrong with this tool.
Let us know what you make.

Cheers~

PS. And it'll make a great gift too; even children,I'd say ages 8+, will take to it.

New Christmas dies....

Just a quick post to let you know that the long-anticipated Christmas dies... Bigz, Movers & Shapers, and Sizzlet strips are now available in the shoppe. Hurry... they'll go fast!!!

Wendy Vecchi Workshops...Great Success!

In last week's newsletter, I promised some photos of Wendy Vecchi's sample projects that graced our shoppe during her weekend workshops. I saw quite a few flashes going off... such great inspiration!

Our November class schedule is shaping up nicely... Judi and Rob, owners of JudiKins stamps, are visiting us the weekend before Thanksgiving when Savage Mill kicks off the holiday season with "Magic at the Mill". Judi is teaching three classes and doing some demos too. Check our November class schedule for details, then call to reserve your spot! We just received a shipment of the newest stamps from JudiKins... we are NEVER disappointed! Come see for yourself.

introducing ...

Oh Hi, didn't hear you come in. My name is Honoré. I am a career-graduate (think retired) public librarian and I've been a Queen's Ink customer since circa 2004.

One of the things I like most about being a career graduate is the fact that it reminds me so much of kindergarten. Everyday I wake up - well, most days - and say to myself: "Let's see, what shall I do/play with/learn today? The options are endless; for example, I can read, art journal, knit, quilt, go to a museum, treat myself to a long, leisurely lunch alone or with friends, or take a class either online or in person at places like the Queen's Ink.

Even if there isn't a class scheduled, I might just pop in to see what's new - I just love the displays of projects, papers, stamps and other supplies - and to spend a few minutes chatting with Patti, Lolly and Janet. Many times, I am there when a new shipment arrives - magazines, new stamps or a new goodie like the new Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate Lolly profiled here - are being inventoried.

A couple times a month, I'm going to post to this blog, sharing with you tips, tidbits, insights and news about the Queen's Ink from my point of view as a customer. In my next post, I'll share with you some of the pieces I made with the Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate. Yep, I bought one.

I'm looking forward to connecting with you via this blog. Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers~
Honoré

PS. My shirt reads: Queen of Unfinished Projects. I thought it was appropriate for this blog.

Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate... what fun!

Have you ever wanted to try gelatin printing, but didn't want to deal with the mess, the storage issues, or the mold that grows over time? I saw a demo and had a chance to play a little bit with a new product that makes it easy to do gelatin printing and couldn't wait to show it to Patti! GelliArts has created a fabulous gelatin-like surface, available in two sizes, that enables you to create monoprints using paint, stamps, stencils, fingers, and your imagination. Patti immediately placed an order, and we've already had to restock! You have to see this in action only once to want to join the fun.




Patti has many samples available using different kinds of paper... tissue paper, watercolor and printmaking paper, manila tag paper, fabric... endless opportunities using different surfaces! We would love to see what YOU create with your GelliArt plate, so send a photo to webjester@queensink.com.