Michelle Ward/GreenPepperPress Blog

Enabling…..

November 15, 2007

I have the best readers! You guys really GET me. For instance, a week ago Lorena left a comment to alert me to this new product. How cool is that to have a personal shopper? Thanks Lorena! From your thoughtful comment to my work table in the blink of an eye.

Here are my first tests using this paper lace – great images to use as a stencil, with spray paint of course! Mine arrived this afternoon from PaperAddict.com, thanks Marissa for the speedy service! The link will take you right to the order page (enabling you!), but if you have a chance to purchase from your local scrap store please order from them. We need to keep the stores in business!

Here’s are two tips:

1. You don’t have to use it as is, 12" x 12" – you can cut apart as I have done with the numbers above.

2. These are made from kinda flimsy cardstock. I wouldn’t even really call it cardstock. Perfect if you want to glue to a page, but not so sturdy of you’re going to use as a stencil so beware….and do as I did: BUY SEVERAL COPIES OF EACH. Have wax paper nearby to lay your stencil on to dry. They’ll stick and rip if you aren’t careful. They look really cool after using several times so you’ll probably want to retire them eventually and use on a journal page. (That’s right, I don’t scrapbook, but I adore the industry for the cool things we can use!)

Now we need to get K.I. Memories to give us die-cut ACETATE so we will be happier stencil-ers.
Enabling…..

November 15, 2007

I have the best readers! You guys really GET me. For instance, a week ago Lorena left a comment to alert me to this new product. How cool is that to have a personal shopper? Thanks Lorena! From your thoughtful comment to my work table in the blink of an eye.

Here are my first tests using this paper lace – great images to use as a stencil, with spray paint of course! Mine arrived this afternoon from PaperAddict.com, thanks Marissa for the speedy service! The link will take you right to the order page (enabling you!), but if you have a chance to purchase from your local scrap store please order from them. We need to keep the stores in business!

Here’s are two tips:

1. You don’t have to use it as is, 12" x 12" – you can cut apart as I have done with the numbers above.

2. These are made from kinda flimsy cardstock. I wouldn’t even really call it cardstock. Perfect if you want to glue to a page, but not so sturdy of you’re going to use as a stencil so beware….and do as I did: BUY SEVERAL COPIES OF EACH. Have wax paper nearby to lay your stencil on to dry. They’ll stick and rip if you aren’t careful. They look really cool after using several times so you’ll probably want to retire them eventually and use on a journal page. (That’s right, I don’t scrapbook, but I adore the industry for the cool things we can use!)

Now we need to get K.I. Memories to give us die-cut ACETATE so we will be happier stencil-ers.
Distractions

November 14, 2007

Oh my! Just the remedy for mourning the end of the season of L.A. Ink – Project Runway returns on Wednesday. Fallon and I will sit with our sketchbooks and play along. My favorite part is when they show the artists drawing in the studio. Don’t you agree we should see more of that?

This just in from tonights silkscreen class. I tried a few printed dead center, then made some with the print on the bottom, front and back. If you have to ask what it the text is, you haven’t been reading my Street Team blog long enough. (HINT: they are song lyrics.)

I loved using this brown ink on the turquoise and peach shirts (hard to see, it’s not black) but they were rejects because the shirts had this weird 2-ply cotton and it slipped when I was squeegying it. Dang! I guess I’ll stick with the red, like HERE. Next week I’ll try white on black. Susanna was clever and brought a BOX of rubber gloves. THAT was genius, especially because I am such a slob and you can’t be when you’re doing these. Thanks girl!

It’s always interesting to try something new. It makes you look at your default style of art with a new perspective. Working with fabric has been a lesson in addition to trying my hand at larger graphics. I’m dying to squeegy some acrylic paint through these screen stencils onto paper. Dare me???
Distractions

November 14, 2007

Oh my! Just the remedy for mourning the end of the season of L.A. Ink – Project Runway returns on Wednesday. Fallon and I will sit with our sketchbooks and play along. My favorite part is when they show the artists drawing in the studio. Don’t you agree we should see more of that?

This just in from tonights silkscreen class. I tried a few printed dead center, then made some with the print on the bottom, front and back. If you have to ask what it the text is, you haven’t been reading my Street Team blog long enough. (HINT: they are song lyrics.)

I loved using this brown ink on the turquoise and peach shirts (hard to see, it’s not black) but they were rejects because the shirts had this weird 2-ply cotton and it slipped when I was squeegying it. Dang! I guess I’ll stick with the red, like HERE. Next week I’ll try white on black. Susanna was clever and brought a BOX of rubber gloves. THAT was genius, especially because I am such a slob and you can’t be when you’re doing these. Thanks girl!

It’s always interesting to try something new. It makes you look at your default style of art with a new perspective. Working with fabric has been a lesson in addition to trying my hand at larger graphics. I’m dying to squeegy some acrylic paint through these screen stencils onto paper. Dare me???
Or so the saying WENT

November 10, 2007

Who said Good Things Come In Threes? I don’t know, do you? I used to love that saying, three being my favorite number. But recently I got to wondering how Good Things in 3s became Bad Things in 3s. Haven’t you heard that one too? Bad Things Come in 3s. Bleh. Let’s do away with that shall we?

See I noticed this: G.O.O.D. equals 4 letters. B.A.D. equals 3 letters. Shouldn’t we change the rules? Let’s start saying Good Things Come in 4s. That way there will always be one more Good Thing than Bad Thing.

And let’s talk about Bad Things for a minute. Bad is not a place I have ventured on this blog. I’m not going there, just lightly dancing around it. Just trying to get some perspective. Like there are Bad Things and there are Bummers. Say, for instance, Graham’s two-year-old-IPOD-with-a-warranty-that-ended-in-July is toast. It’s not a Bad Thing, it’s a Bummer. But like all Bummers (and Bad Things), there is still something Good to be discovered. It’s a Good Thing he has used it every single day, getting enjoyment from our investment. It’s a Good Thing he can afford to buy another. It may be toast, but it didn’t get engulfed in a California house fire. It’s not an appliance he needs to sustain life. And it’s so insignificant when you find out some terrible news about someone you love.

Isn’t it interesting that we can find Good in the smallest of things if we set our focus to see it? Have you noticed that Good attracts more Good? And Bad attracts more Bad? I wish I could find this article I read online to share with you. It was about magnetism. There was a study done where someone discovered you can actually measure magnetism within us. And Good vibes, or whatever they are called, attracts more of same. Think about that. Want to change your path, your destiny, your attitude? Be good, do good, see good. Attract Good.

So four good things for today:

1. Join me in wishing my dear friend Lisa a Happy Birthday.

2. I met a new friend. He tagged me, but I don’t do tags. Visit his new blog and his revamped site….and for sure look for the new Grungeboard demo here. It’s a Good Thing.

3. Sam and I are off to music therapy class, presented by NJ Very Special Arts for families with Autism. We are lucky to participate in a program like this. I look around at the other kids in his class and feel so blessed.

4. I heard some Bad news recently, but I can filter through it and find some Good. I feel Good that I was the one who got the call. I got to be there for someone. That is so Good. I know I can ask you (yes YOU) to say prayers with me…..that Good will prevail. I know that you don’t need the details, you’ll just send your positive vibes our way.

EDIT: Can’t stop at 4.

5. Coffeemate Gingerbread creamer. Swoooon. See how many good little things you can find when you’re fending off bad stuff?

6. More Moo. Laurie shares her cards, the kind we were talking about the other day. *Note to self: have some made!* You DO have Laurie’s book don’t you? If not, add it to your xmas wish list!

7. More ETSY love…..don’t you need one of these? 8" high, 1/2" thick! More letter styles available. From www.damboisedesigns.etsy.com

8. And from www.pleasebloom.etsy.com , this terrific piece.

And yes, I know THINGS don’t make up all that is Good in life. I do believe the quote: "The best things in life aren’t things", but sometimes things are just the Rx. Besides, after shopping this week, at the mall and online, I’ve got half my xmas list taken care of!

Oh, and Graham’s new ipod? I think he likes it better than his old one. It has video!
Or so the saying WENT

November 10, 2007

Who said Good Things Come In Threes? I don’t know, do you? I used to love that saying, three being my favorite number. But recently I got to wondering how Good Things in 3s became Bad Things in 3s. Haven’t you heard that one too? Bad Things Come in 3s. Bleh. Let’s do away with that shall we?

See I noticed this: G.O.O.D. equals 4 letters. B.A.D. equals 3 letters. Shouldn’t we change the rules? Let’s start saying Good Things Come in 4s. That way there will always be one more Good Thing than Bad Thing.

And let’s talk about Bad Things for a minute. Bad is not a place I have ventured on this blog. I’m not going there, just lightly dancing around it. Just trying to get some perspective. Like there are Bad Things and there are Bummers. Say, for instance, Graham’s two-year-old-IPOD-with-a-warranty-that-ended-in-July is toast. It’s not a Bad Thing, it’s a Bummer. But like all Bummers (and Bad Things), there is still something Good to be discovered. It’s a Good Thing he has used it every single day, getting enjoyment from our investment. It’s a Good Thing he can afford to buy another. It may be toast, but it didn’t get engulfed in a California house fire. It’s not an appliance he needs to sustain life. And it’s so insignificant when you find out some terrible news about someone you love.

Isn’t it interesting that we can find Good in the smallest of things if we set our focus to see it? Have you noticed that Good attracts more Good? And Bad attracts more Bad? I wish I could find this article I read online to share with you. It was about magnetism. There was a study done where someone discovered you can actually measure magnetism within us. And Good vibes, or whatever they are called, attracts more of same. Think about that. Want to change your path, your destiny, your attitude? Be good, do good, see good. Attract Good.

So four good things for today:

1. Join me in wishing my dear friend Lisa a Happy Birthday.

2. I met a new friend. He tagged me, but I don’t do tags. Visit his new blog and his revamped site….and for sure look for the new Grungeboard demo here. It’s a Good Thing.

3. Sam and I are off to music therapy class, presented by NJ Very Special Arts for families with Autism. We are lucky to participate in a program like this. I look around at the other kids in his class and feel so blessed.

4. I heard some Bad news recently, but I can filter through it and find some Good. I feel Good that I was the one who got the call. I got to be there for someone. That is so Good. I know I can ask you (yes YOU) to say prayers with me…..that Good will prevail. I know that you don’t need the details, you’ll just send your positive vibes our way.

EDIT: Can’t stop at 4.

5. Coffeemate Gingerbread creamer. Swoooon. See how many good little things you can find when you’re fending off bad stuff?

6. More Moo. Laurie shares her cards, the kind we were talking about the other day. *Note to self: have some made!* You DO have Laurie’s book don’t you? If not, add it to your xmas wish list!

7. More ETSY love…..don’t you need one of these? 8" high, 1/2" thick! More letter styles available. From www.damboisedesigns.etsy.com

8. And from www.pleasebloom.etsy.com , this terrific piece.

And yes, I know THINGS don’t make up all that is Good in life. I do believe the quote: "The best things in life aren’t things", but sometimes things are just the Rx. Besides, after shopping this week, at the mall and online, I’ve got half my xmas list taken care of!

Oh, and Graham’s new ipod? I think he likes it better than his old one. It has video!
Day 3 & 4: Dead End, New Beginnings

November 8, 2007

Trying again. Have had two posts eaten up. My goal yesterday was to get some cork wall tiles for Sam’s room. He has about thirty wall calendars hung in perfect lines around his room and each month when he flips the pages he has to re-push-pin back in the wall. Cork makes sense, yes? Do you think Lowe’s or Home Depot had them? No! I did find an online source, just waiting for confirmation of the thickness – need them to be push-pin appropriate. Crossing fingers it’s not another dead end.

Continued working in my Himnal. Not Hymnal. HIM lyrics + Journal = HIMnal. *cracking myself up*

One of my favorite new things is this paint dabber. Works great on alphabet stamps over a painted page. Sometimes ink just doesn’t cut it. These are just the trick!

Watched Corpse Bride with Fallon last night. It’s a good thing to watch a film over and over…you see things you might have missed the first or tenth time. Found this photo of the puppet guy settting up a scene. How about that staircase? My uncle is a Construction Coordinator in the movie industry. Before I was married I thought about moving to CA to work for him. How fun would building sets have been?

And now for new beginnings. I have had this doll for years. How hideous is that attire she came with? The collar, yes! The rest? No! I have a gigantic clock case she will reside in – so grungy and weathered it looks like it came from the floor of the Titanic. I’ll be painting some tyvek clothes for her – in black and white of course, and we’ll have to do something about the purple on her head. Bleh! I know, spray paint! She’ll look perfect on our red bedroom wall. As you know, Pierrot is my Muse…should be fun. Stay tuned.

Next up: The Mall, by request of the kids. Here’s out routine: in through Macy’s to navigate the Lucky Brand jewelry, then Hot Topic, Vans, Journeys, Pac-Sun, Spencers, Claires, Sephora, food court, home. Band merchandise will be involved, twist my arm.
Day 3 & 4: Dead End, New Beginnings

November 8, 2007

Trying again. Have had two posts eaten up. My goal yesterday was to get some cork wall tiles for Sam’s room. He has about thirty wall calendars hung in perfect lines around his room and each month when he flips the pages he has to re-push-pin back in the wall. Cork makes sense, yes? Do you think Lowe’s or Home Depot had them? No! I did find an online source, just waiting for confirmation of the thickness – need them to be push-pin appropriate. Crossing fingers it’s not another dead end.

Continued working in my Himnal. Not Hymnal. HIM lyrics + Journal = HIMnal. *cracking myself up*

One of my favorite new things is this paint dabber. Works great on alphabet stamps over a painted page. Sometimes ink just doesn’t cut it. These are just the trick!

Watched Corpse Bride with Fallon last night. It’s a good thing to watch a film over and over…you see things you might have missed the first or tenth time. Found this photo of the puppet guy settting up a scene. How about that staircase? My uncle is a Construction Coordinator in the movie industry. Before I was married I thought about moving to CA to work for him. How fun would building sets have been?

And now for new beginnings. I have had this doll for years. How hideous is that attire she came with? The collar, yes! The rest? No! I have a gigantic clock case she will reside in – so grungy and weathered it looks like it came from the floor of the Titanic. I’ll be painting some tyvek clothes for her – in black and white of course, and we’ll have to do something about the purple on her head. Bleh! I know, spray paint! She’ll look perfect on our red bedroom wall. As you know, Pierrot is my Muse…should be fun. Stay tuned.

Next up: The Mall, by request of the kids. Here’s out routine: in through Macy’s to navigate the Lucky Brand jewelry, then Hot Topic, Vans, Journeys, Pac-Sun, Spencers, Claires, Sephora, food court, home. Band merchandise will be involved, twist my arm.
Day Two: Finally!

November 7, 2007

Finally an afternoon spent with my dear friend Judi. Finally got to see Elizabeth: The Golden Age on the big screen. It was a visual feast….sure the costumes were divine, but the architecture of the sets made me squeee!

I mean, look at that throne! Gah! And the gothic quartrefoil lace arch below…..

And the painted map on the floor……

And those crosses…………

And the view from the window……….Guy Hendrix-Dyas, set designer, you rock!

I don’t know how historically accurate the film was. Who cares! Love those collars and ruffs. Sometimes you just go for the visual feast.

And sometimes you just go for the company *grin*. Day Two was fabulous – a friend and a film!
Day Two: Finally!

November 7, 2007

Finally an afternoon spent with my dear friend Judi. Finally got to see Elizabeth: The Golden Age on the big screen. It was a visual feast….sure the costumes were divine, but the architecture of the sets made me squeee!

I mean, look at that throne! Gah! And the gothic quartrefoil lace arch below…..

And the painted map on the floor……

And those crosses…………

And the view from the window……….Guy Hendrix-Dyas, set designer, you rock!

I don’t know how historically accurate the film was. Who cares! Love those collars and ruffs. Sometimes you just go for the visual feast.

And sometimes you just go for the company *grin*. Day Two was fabulous – a friend and a film!