Feel like you've lost your marbles? Find them and try this!

http://networkedblogs.com/6IBcS
(click the link to see photos)

Fried Marbles


Sometimes what you need isn’t a new project, but a new process, something that will spark your own creative juices (Can you spark juice? Hmmm…) For instance, you probably have a dozen different ways to use marbles, both the traditional spheres and the newer flat ones, but have you ever wondered if there were a way to make your marbles look a little different? If they did, how would that change projects you have in mind?

Here’s a way to do just that, and it’s really easy. We’re going to fry them!

To begin, select the marbles you want to use. I just pulled out a pretty random handful for the purposes of demonstration; you might have specific colors in mind. This process will craze the glass, so don’t use marbles that are opaque, because the crazing is all on the inside, and you won’t see it. We’re also going to get the marbles really hot, so the painted ones are probably not going to work, either. You want plain glass, although there’s nothing to say you can’t use the cat’s eye style.

Now put them in a skillet or pan, one that’s large enough to lay them all out flat. We’re not literally frying them, so don’t put in any oil! (This is the method for flat marbles; I’ll get to the round ones in a bit.) Turn the burner on under the pan and pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea, and relax for ten minutes or so while the marbles get really hot. Don’t go too far away; you wouldn’t want to melt the pan!

When the marbles are good and hot, fill a bowl with ice water, and then gently slide the marbles in. You’ll hear them sizzling and popping in the water. Don’t worry; that’s what they’re supposed to do.

When they’ve cooled to the touch, take them out of the water. You’re done!

As you can see, they have a nice internal pattern now, which you can’t feel, and they’re not quite so see-through, which may be helpful if you want to obscure a flaw or graphic on the item they’ll be applied to.

Now, as mentioned, you’ll use a slightly different method for the spherical marbles, since they really touch the surface of a pan at just a single point and are too hard to heat that way. Put them in an oven-proof dish or pan, and slip them into an oven preheated to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake 20 minutes, and then slide them into ice water, just the way you did the others. Same sizzle, same crackle!

Are you getting ideas yet? Here’s one more: You can do this with those big glass telephone pole resisters. We used to do that and turn them into quite elegant candlesticks!

CHA Week - Day 1 (from Moxie Fab World)

http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2010/08/cha-week-day-1.html

Lots of fun new stuff including:

• Die Cuts With a View
• Kaisercraft
• Cosmo Cricket
• Jillibean Soup
• Lily Bee Design
• Jenni Bowlin Design
• Impression Obsession
• Ranger
• Art C
• Little Yellow Bicycle
• EK Success
• American Crafts
• Fancy Pants Designs
• Pink Paislee
• Bella Blvd and,
• Doodlebug Design

WOW, Gorgeous stuff coming out way!

New Product from the CHA Website -

The Gazelle will cut 12" media. It's software is easy to use and designed especially for the scrapbooker with the features that all the crafters want. 500 g of pressure. Cuts cardstock, glitter paper, chipboard, balsa wood, foam, Grafix plastic sheets, metallic papers, vinyl and other media.


Make decorative borders with the scissor tool or create a design with the embroidery tool.
 
http://www.bosskut.com/0101gazellecomputercraftcutter.aspx
 
What do you think?

Light The Night Walk

Feel free to join, or sponsor me and my team, Knight To Remember, in the Light The Night walk on October 2.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light The Night Walk is the North America's night to pay tribute and bring hope to people battling cancer. Walks take place in communities throughout Canada, typically in the fall. On these special nights, thousands of participants carry illuminated balloons and raise funds for vital, lifesaving research and patient services.

My Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=139931446041532
My Personal Page - http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=925952&langPref=en-CA

Thanks.

CHA

Is anybody at CHA?  Following CHA?  Excited about CHA?

One day, I would like to go!  I think it looks incredible!!!!

How about the eCraft?  Did you check it out?  What do you think?
http://www.craftwellusa.com/pages/home

Okay, I HAVE to get some Scrapping done tomorrow night.....

I am falling further and further behind and have had FAR too many projects on the go.  I vow tonight that tomorrow I will finish at least one layout!!!!!!  I'll report back tomorrow.

Have you been any better than me?  Have you done any scrapbooking?

Today's Tip! - Cricut Mat Cleaning

Just found this GREAT little tip for removing all those little paper scraps that take forever to clear from your Cricut mat.

Watch the video to see how. You're gonna LOVE this one!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uu7rqeL2Ns&feature=player_embedded#!

So excited.......

Only 10 more sleeps until my sister, brother-in-law, and all my nieces and nephews get here.

How is your summer going?

Kiki Art Newletter Name Call Out

Kiki Art is creating a new newsletter and is looking for help naming it.

Post your suggestions on their blog site to have your idea considered.

Something fun and you get to create with your mind.

Deadline for submission is July 31.

Today's Tip - Scrapbook Layout Tips - Final Thoughts

A few final thoughts to help you come up with ideas for scrapbooking pages:

• Remember the "Golden Ratio" - 1, 3, or 5 of the same item will typically have a more finished look.
• When using metals, keep them matched.  Use all gold, all silver, or all brass, rather than mixing.
• Be aware of the alignment and placement of all the titems on your page.  Nothing should be placed arbitrarily.  Every element should have a visual connection with something else on the page.
• Items relating to each other should be grouped close together.  When several items are in close proximity to each other, they become one visual unit, rather than several separate units.

These are some great starter tips for layout composition.  As you keep these in mind, remember also that there are exceptions to every rule, and your photos and page elements will help you determine what composition is best for you and your page.