The Holiday Season

Oh the Holiday Season is nearly at an end. As for us here in the mid-west we were hit with a blizzard on Christmas Eve which killed all hopes of Christmas Eve dinner with friends. Nothing to fear at least we were home safe. I know some people weren't as lucky, lots of accidents, abandoned cars and stranded people. We ended up with 14 inches of snow total although with the MAJOR wind some of the snow was 4 ft high. As 2009 comes to an end I can't help but just want to hurry up and tell it good-bye. It hasn't been the best year for the economy, family or friends. I think we all have high hopes for 2010 and what it offers, a fresh start. So to everyone I wish you a happy and safe New Years Eve, I look forward to talking to you again in 2010.
Let me leave you with these adorable pictures of Roscoe :)
Christmas Morning

He can't wait to get the actual packaging off the toys before he takes off playing with them.

And now he and his new Rabbit toy are best friends :)

It's The Holiday Season

OK wow its been quite sometime since I posted anything. After two weeks in CA for Thanksgiving, four of which were travel days, I'm glad to be home for Christmas. I've been sewing a lot lately and discovered I really like embroidery. Of course I always forget to take pictures before I wrap presents I've made. I hope to get photo's of the gift recievers with their handmade gifts to post here the week after Christmas.
For me the Holiday Season isn't just about the Holiday's, because it also happens to be about ME! OK well my birthday. December 23 I will celebrate another year of living, breathing and of course creating. I intend to spend this year thinking about all of the great opprotunities I have had in the past and all that the future holds. I hope that my new year of living, breathing and creating, brings with it some organization and goals. Being a Manic Crafter is fun, but its not very organized or well thought out.
I hope to go back to writing for a local art paper, Art Beat. I wrote for them a couple of times over this last year and enjoyed it, I just dropped the ball on keeping up with what was going on and doing it. I don't know exactly what my new year of life holds, but I certainly hope I take the time and effort to make the most of it.

Claudia's Burning Ink "The Green Line" coffee cuffs and coasters are now available at 105 degrees in Oklahoma City, OK. 105 degrees is a Café, Academy and Shop focused on "Living Cuisine". Read more about what "Living Cuisine" is on their website http://105degrees.com/

How I screen print

So people have asked me how I screen print. Well I don't have all the big ticket priced items or space to do silk screen printing. Instead I do the poor man's screen printing. I came across this tutorial that explains how its done. I hope to do my own tutorial in the future but for now I thought I would share this one from bubzbeauty.

I'm sorry what did you say?

That's right I said it, everything in my booth at The Girlie Show this Friday and Saturday will be $20 each or less! Wood burnt frames, boxes and pendants, $20. Eco friendly coaster sets, $10 a set. Eco friendly coffee cuffs $4. Eco Friendly Market Totes $20 each. So be sure to come by and get some of these fantastic deals for yourself or for gifts!

Claudia's Burning Ink "The Green Line"

Coffee cuffs and coasters featured on Channel 9 News for The Girlie Show 2009.

The Girlie Show 2009

Its coming up fast, The Girlie Show 2009. Wow, I need to get to working. Good news their website has been updated, so I'm under the participating Girlie list. My last name has an s added but I will take it! I plan on having six items for sale at the show. Three from The Green Line and three from the Burning Ink line. So be on the look out for Market Totes, Coasters, and Coffee Cuffs from The Green Line. As for the Burning Ink Line you can expect Pendants, Frames, and Boxes. I'm really looking forward to the show and to having a great time. Hope to see you all there!
www.thegirlieshow.net

Changes in the 2009 Show line up

Well this was a tuff call for me to make, but I'm having to make a change to my 2009 Show line up. Due to being a bit overwhelmed with Strange Folk, Indie Emporium, The Girlie Show and some health issues, I'm having to not participate in The Plaza District Festival.
I really wanted to participate because I'm sure this year will be a great year for the show. But I just had to rethink what I was doing. I look forward to hearing all about the show and I hope that I will be able to attend.

Enchanted Forest

So I'm working on some Enchanted Forest lovelies to debut at Strange Folk.
Including these wonderful hair fascinators!






I'm also working on red and white mushroom earrings and pendants as well as a few snail pendants.

Four more shows for sure this year

Claudia's Burning Ink has been accepted to Strange Folk in O'Fallon, IL and Plaza District Festival in Oklahoma City, OK and Indie Emporium in Tulsa, OK and The Girlie Show in Oklahoma City, OK. So at least four more chances to get a hold of some amazing handmade stuff this year!
Strange Folk will be the launch of my Market Totes, great for shopping, trips, sleep overs, and even Halloween trick or treat bags!
The Girlie Show will be the launch of my Messenger Bags!
Both the Market Totes and Messenger Bags are part of Claudia's Burning Ink's, The Green Line.
The Market Totes are totally reusable and sturdy. The Messenger bags will be made from reclaimed clothing!
I hope to see you at one or more of these fabulous shows.

So many shows such little time

I've been trying to sew and work on products as much as possible here lately. I've been sick off and on again which has slowed me down some. But I'm still movin' along.

I know I will be participating in Strange Folk Festival in O'Fallon, IL the last weekend of September.

I still am going to try to do The Plaza District Festival on October 3rd.

I've applied for Indie Emporium in Tulsa for October 9-10.

I've also applied for The Girlie Show on November 6-7.

Needless to say I need to get busy. I've been working a lot on these Market Totes, they are fully lined and really sturdy. What do you think?

More CA

This one is kind of random stuff I've been doing while I've been in CA.

My mom has a basket weaving class she goes to every Thursday at the Kern County Museum. So of course when I'm here I get dragged along. Cool thing is this group has expanded and they don't just do pine needle basket weaving. There is gourd art, beading, and other well basket weaving. I took my mom's wood burner and worked on some new pendants for Claudia's Burning Ink.

Here is one of the ladies at the class working on a horse hair basket.


Also here are some images from the Central Coast, including my families fav Mexican place to eat on the coast in Nipomo, CA.

My trip to CA is nearly over. I have to say I look forward to getting home, to my husband, my dog, my cat, my studio and my own bed. But all in all this trip has been really fun and I did manage to even create while I was here.

Going Coastal

So last weekend I was able to head over to the CA central coast and spend three days in the sand. But don't think that doesn't mean I didn't get my craft on. I made sure to schedule the little beach trip around two craft shows. The first was in Morro Bay. I have to say I really was just going to slam this one for having all the NOT handmade stuff from L.A. Like this booth,,,

However I ended up coming across two booths that just made my heart smile. First off was this guy that made bird houses, yea I know, seriously Claudia bird houses. Well these were note worthy because they are like any I've ever seen. He has this technique of making the roofs very whimsical see....




Then found this group of ladies that make all kinds of handmade dolls and friends. I really admire that they take the time to put in such little details into there work. I purchased this lovely spelf, half sprite, half elf friend from Chimera Threads

Chimera Threads isn't online selling yet but I shared tons of info with her about Funky Finds, Artfire and Etsy. So maybe she will be online soon.

So all in all the Sunday craft show in Morro Bay wasn't a total bust. Then I was off to the craft show at Dinasour Park in Shell Beach. They do not allow non-handmade items. There were lots of interesting creative people there peddling their wares. And the weather was fantastic!


So all in all my day of hitting up the craft scene on the central coast was great.

Bakersfield?

Bakersfield, CA is where I was born and raised. Here's what it has to offer when I visit family there.
First off F&M's Fabric Store! This is no regular fabric store, fabric isn't on tiny bolts, its on gigantic rolls. Prices start at a buck a yard! They have everything, knit, cotton, crazy prints you will never see anywhere else, fancy stuff, upholstery, trims, buttons, ribbons, anything sewing related you could ask for. The largest selection of minky for only $10 a yard! I have been there twice on this trip and I have boxes of fabric that I'm going to have to ship home, but so worth it.

Most of the other places I like in Bakersfield have to do with food.
Basque is a mandatory stop on every visit. Woolgrowers is awesome. Basque food is usually served family style, first course is a vegetable soup, beans, salsa and sour dough bread. Second comes salad with a light oil vinegar, picked tongue, and sometimes tomatoes. Then is the meat course always followed with some ice cream! Eat light before you go! What do I get there, Pork Chops with extra garlic, keeps vamps away, and ice cream Spumoni!



Hey Luigi! Luigi's is a monument in Bako, celebrating 100 years in 2010! Italian food, family, friends, fun its awesome. Yep you can get pickled tongue here too, but you can also get some R&R, that's Ribs and Rigatoni! (Friday Only) Luigi's isn't open for dinner its a lunch spot, and if its not 100+ degrees, the patio is a nice place to relax. What do I get, an Arnold Palmer to drink, Giovanna’s Gourmet Salad, and White Pasta-Spaghetti with Butter, Parsley, Garlic & Parmesan Cheese, all is served with an antipasti of a roll, salami, cheese, pepperoncini and marinated carrot.

que paso? I love mexican food and I don't know many people that don't. Los Tacos De Huicho keeps it simple and delicious.

There menu is short and sweet, pick a meat pick an item, burrito, taco, sopa, torta, get some papas or rice and beans to go with it and your set! I hadn't been there in a couple of years and I have to say its just as good, the place is clean, the service is fast and hello they added a bar! What do I get there asada tacos Tripas, also known as Machitos taco, asada sopa and papas.

Still hungry? Bakersfield is lucky to have not one but two of the best made on site ice cream places in the USA! Dewar's Ice Cream is celebrating 100 years this year of serving some of the best ice cream and candy in the world.

It's across from Bakersfield High School so you can imagine all the kids that have made there way over there for some sweets after school. They have a counter with real soda jerks! They also make some great chew candies. A few years back Dewar's was asked to sell at Disney's El Capitan Theater in Hollywood. That's right so even if your not in Bakersfield, you can get your Dewar's fix in Hollywood, CA! What do I get when I go, a Black and White!

A little side story from my childhood, before I was 5 when my parents would take me there, they use to tell me that the building down the street was an orphanage and that they were taking me to get ice cream before they dropped me off to live there. Oh my parents, twisted.

The second amazing made on site Ice Cream place is Rosemary's Family Creamery. Not as old as Dewar's but its tasty too.

I'm surprised they don't seem to have a website? Anyway, what do I get there, creature of habit, a Black and White.

So I guess that is my culinary tour of Bakersfield, CA. What else should you know, if your visiting try not to do it in the summer, it gets over 100 degrees a lot. Bring loose fitting clothes, so you can eat :) Enjoy yourself.

Los Angeles Trip Post Two

OK so I got so crazy with posting about Kit Kraft yesterday I didn't go on to post about California Millinery Supply and the L.A. Fashion District.
So my second stop on my creative shopping trip to L.A. was California Millinery Supply where its all about hat making of course. Now I've never made an actual hat before, fairy princess and birthday crowns yes, but a real hat nope. But this place is really inspiring. Its a narrow and long store filled with feathers, hat forms, flowers, ribbons and lots of other hat related goodies. I picked up a elf sort of looking hat frame, a green ostrich feather and some vintage red glass berries. I've been searching online on how to go about covering the hat frame with fabric and creating my one of a kind woodland hat. I hope to have it done by the time I'm at Strange Folk so I can wear it!
Just a few block from the millinery store was the Fashion District, where fabric flows on bolts galore! I didn't take pictures because I was to busy looking at all of the fabulous fabrics and trims. Michael Levine is a popular stop for fabrics in the Fashion District, but the best thing is across the street from the main store is the "Loft" where fabric is sold for $2 a pound! I picked up some great prints to make into market totes. One of my best finds of the day? Target Trim Corp. this places has any trim for anything, lace, tassels, rhinestone, ribbon, buttons, zippers, thread, nylon, glittered, glamours, you need trim this is the place to go and they sell wholesale too!
So after this day filled with creative goodness it was time to get some good food in our tummies. So Aunt Carla and I were off to Westwood for some good stuff at Jerry's Famous Deli. Located right by the UCLA campus Jerry's is always a great place to grab some good eats. I had a Patty Melt cause they make it with rye bread, they way it should be made, with their black and white shake, the glass is lined with chocolate with a vanilla shake pored in the middle, YUM! Aunt Carla went with the pastrami, which I eyed the whole time wondering if I should of got the pastrami? Being in CA you never know who you might run into. I was in the bathroom at Jerry's and the paper towel dispenser didn't work. This lady tried to use it and I pointed out to her it didn't work. I looked in the mirror and realized she was Maura Tierney. When I called my husband on the drive home to tell him about my day and my star sighting, all I could think was, that actress who was in Baby Mama that licked the chocolate, not knowing if it was poop or chocolate, "It's chocolate"
Well what a wonderful day I had in the L.A. area. Thank you so much to Aunt Carla for doing all the driving and taking me everywhere I wanted to go.

Patience is a virtue

Patience is a virtue, its just not mine. This is just a quick post to say until I figure out and find the patience to make my own layout, I like to change them up sometimes, but never fear its still just me.

Trip to Los Angeles Post One

My husband's Aunt Carla was kind enough to offer to take me to L.A. for the day when she heard me going on and on about wanting to go down there while I'm in CA. So we headed last Wednesday morning. I had only two places for certain on my list of must shop at, Kit Kraft and California Millinery Supply. (Blog on the Fashion District to follow)
First stop when we got down south was Kit Kraft as soon as I walked in I knew I would walk out with less cash in my hand and more creativeness in my heart. Now about half of the place is models, cars, planes, robots, stuff like that but hey never say never to something new. I walked thru the model portion of this cute quaint shop and found my husband a Robbie the Robot model kit and for myself these really neat trees. They are actually paper you put together yourself and can color them or leave them white. I picked up some miniature animals two squirrels and two bunnies and I hope to make a scene with the trees to photograph them, maybe into note cards or who knows. Oh and they sell glitter in BULK! Hello all of you that are glitter crazy!

I also picked up Black Shrink Art cause I hadn't ever seen it in person.

Tomorrow I will blog about the rest of my day in L.A., my other creative shopping adventures and my star sighting, stay tuned.

Claudia is in CA

Well what started off as a trip due to a parent in the hospital has turned into a creative adventure. The parent ended up to be fine, so why not take advantage of the 3 weeks in California. I will be postin' about my trip to Los Angeles and all of the fantastic stores and scores when I get back to my normal life around Aug 13.
I have been a SEWING MACHINE since I've been staying with my parents. Three new Chirps and 11 tote/market bags and its only been a week so far.
Stay Crafty

Claudia's Burning Ink has gone PLUSH

That's right you heard it Claudia's Burning Ink, "The Green Line" to be specific has went the way of the Plushie. I really took a long time to think of what I wanted to make in plushie form. Did I want to create, monsters, robots, rabbits, bears, well lets see what do I love to watch play and scatter about, SQUIRRELS!!!!! So with that in mind Chirp was well born. My first Chirp was born from a pink argyle sweater and some tshirt scraps.

He is for me and was my learning curve.










Today Chirp 2 was born, I guess you could call him Chirp 2.0 he is made from a sweat shirt and some tshirt and sweater scraps. Chirp 2.0 is well very unique. I'm quite sure that when Chirp 2.0 yells out his chirp he has a stutter. Also I'm quite sure he laughs a lot at basically anything, a leaf falling from a tree can send him into a laughing fit with tears and everything. And his laugh a loud repeated high pitch cackle of sorts, its quite funny.
Look for more Chirps to be born soon. I'm currently stocking up for Strange Folk Festival, but don't worry if you need a Chirp in your future you can just contact me and we can figure out a "due" date for your very own Chirp.

Strange Folk Festival, Claudia's Burning Ink is IN

I'm so excited to say that Claudia's Burning Ink will be vending at Strange Folk Festival in O Fallon, IL this September! I'm so excited to be a part of such a great creative event and I can't wait to meet all of the vendors and the shoppers!

Ahoy and arrrrggghhh there Brigid

Brigid is the happy owner of the Cookie Monster Pirate Tee to Tank I made this month. Brigid was kind enough to send me a few photos of her wearing this one of a kind awesome tank. I must stay she looks hot enough to stay cool in this comfy little number.

LIVE on the Plaza

It has been too long since I went over to NW 16th street. This Friday is Live on the Plaza. Come see wonderful artist, crafters and creators. I will be there peddling my wares. I look forward to seeing some of the creative souls I haven't seen in a while. So come by and say hi.
The Plaza District is located on NW 16th Street between Classen and May Ave in OKC.

Coast to Coast Coasters

The Green Line of Claudia's Burning Ink has really been a very big thing for me this year. I really enjoy hunting and finding great fabrics, and clothing that can be recreated and given a new life. I'm most proud of the Coasters I created for The Green Line. Not only are they made from 100% recycled clothing, they also have recyceld plastic. Which just happens to make them waterproof! No worries about moisture soaking thru the knit fabric only to leave marks on your table. These babies have plastic inside to prevednt that. So go ahead and order some for yourself or a friend, and support handmade and eco friendly products.

From Tee to Tank

I found a tank at a garage sale that I liked the style but didn't like the material. I really just got it to use as a pattern to make tanks. I took a Cookie Monster t shirt I got at the thrift store and with some cutting and sewing came up with this tied top tank.

I really like how it came out. I think it ended up to be a medium when I was done. The one down side was, it wasn't until I was cutting it out that I realized it does have a stain at the bottom back, that looks like Cherry Slupie to me. So I will be selling this one at a DEEP discount of only $5 plus shipping. If your interested just contact me and let me know.
I look forward to making more of these tie top tanks soon.

Sergers are Messy

Sergers are messy, but not if you have my new item The Catcher - Serger Style.
The Catcher is great for catching all those threads and little pieces of fabric that well happen when you use a serger. These are made of 50% recycled plastic, which means thread won't stick to the inside when you go to empty The Catcher. Ribbon is attached so you can adjust The Catcher to your serger. Right now I haven't taken pic's that are good enough to put in my Etsy or Funky Finds store, but if you'd like one you can always just contact me directly. The Catcher - Serger Style is $14 plus shipping.
Why do I say Serger Style, because next week I will be putting out The Catcher - Scrap Crop. Perfect to put on the table while you are scrapbooking.

Yard Sale find

I wanted to share this yard sale find I picked up on Friday. When I picked up this little shelf the dowel was missing. But I knew right away even though it was off white plain and boring I could make something wonderful out of it.
I started off by painting it black. I thought I would put this little shelf in my studio for some much needed storage and to hang a roll of paper towels on. After painting it black I was off to Hobby Lobby to figure out what scrapbooking paper I wanted to add to it. My studio is decorated in black and pink. After may trips back and forth from the scrapbook section to the fabric section and back I found two shades of pink and a beautiful black and white pattern paper. I printed the words "Craft From Your Heart" on one of the pink papers. So after much cutting and glueing and then glittering I was done. I hung it on the wall in my studio and put a roll of paper towels on the rod. Wouldn't you know it, this thing I guess wasn't meant for paper towels!!!! The roll won't, well roll.


So now that it is all cute and wonderful, it doesn't serve the purpose I purchased it for. However it will be great for storing ribbon on, once I get a thinner dowel. Since I already have ribbon storage dowels, I'm glad that a creative friends birthday is coming up. I know she will enjoy hanging ribbons on her wall of her studio.

Claudia's Burning Ink joins the Funky

Today I set up my vitual shop on Funky Finds. I have been meaning to for sometime now. Funky Finds is an online handmade store front based out of Dallas, TX. I have meet the owners Jessica and Joesphy a couple of times when I've been down in Texas for shows. They are seriously great people. So now I will peddle my wares (vitually) at




and Claudia's Burning Ink Funky Products

Lots of the time when I serge I think of a Secret....

A Secret Lentil that is. Helen is the creative magician behind Secret Lentil.


















I first started talking to Helen on etsy.com about a year ago, after stumbling on the most amazingly creative clothes I had ever seen.


I love to check out what new creative things have crawled out of Helen's head on www.secretlentil.etsy.com , secretlentil.com and on the flickr group Helen host http://www.flickr.com/groups/deconstructed-reconstructed-clothing/


















I even took the running leap off what some see as the deep end and started deconstructing and reconstructing clothes for myself, and a few friends.


Its amazing what a little leap of faith will do. Especially when you can just reach in your closet, reach out at a yard sale or thrift store and create something that is totally one of a kind and splendid. I praise Helen for giving me the courage to take on sewing and the strength to tell you all that you have to check her shop out and buy your own secret, Secret Lentil creation that is.