Clothespin Magnets & Push Pins - New Designs

The last clothes-pins I made were such a hit, I made a few more last night. I have to say these are some of my favorites.

They'll be in my etsy shop by this evening, so get them before they're gone.

Paris Magnet

Postcard Magnet

Memories Push Pin

Discover Magnet

If you'd like to make your own...here is the tutorial I posted a few weeks ago.



(Copyright Information: This pattern, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

I found "My Art"

I think every artist begins by learning from those they admire. Copying techniques and styles in order to find what they like...what fits.

It has taken me some time, but the other night I created something that when I was finished I felt like a live wire. Full of energy and excitement. I quickly created a second one...just in case it was a fluke.

By 2:00 a.m. I looked at my husband and said, "I found it! I found my art!" He said he loved my new work.

I couldn't sleep that night. I laid there thinking of all the paintings I wanted to create. All the photographs that I would take.

I painted two more yesterday and I've never felt so amazing!

Here is my first and second painting~

(Copyright Information: This post, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

For all those who have a dream...watch this!

I'm an Artist!

Hi, my name is Heidi, and I'm an artist.

There is no need for a 12 step program today. Just a simple girl taking steps.

Steps toward the person I've always wanted to be. The person who in my heart waited patiently for me to pay attention and to listen to her. She is still cautious, a bit apprehensive I'll force her back into her dark place, but she's gaining strength and pride.

I struggled for years with the statement "I am a writer", because how could I be a "writer" if I hadn't published any of my books yet? This statement I still struggle with. But my art has resurfaced after being buried so long ago. I stopped believing in myself.

I'm not sure what all this means for me. Where I go from here. I don't know that 's it's possible to be a Jack-of-all-trades when it comes to art, crafting and writing. But I'm sure going to try. All I know, is I've never felt so alive, so free.

Anyway, enough with all the sappiness!

Here is what I've painted this week.

I was following techniques in Kelly Rae Roberts book Taking Flight. I was absolutely shocked how well this turned out. I was so bummed I painted this in my journal and not on canvas.

This girl didn't turn out the way I'd invisioned. I imagined something SO different.

I'm still loving my art journaling class. We just finished up week 3 and next week is our last week. I've learned so much the past 3 weeks. I can't imagine where I'd be in my life at this moment if I had chosen not to take the e-course. I've learned many new techniques to add to my tool box and I've learned so much about myself. I truly believe things happen for a reason and this e-course found me at a time that I was ready.

Oh!! Look what else I made yesterday! Keep checking back...a tutorial will be posted soon.

What are you creating this weekend?



(Copyright Information: This post, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

Post-It Note Cover Tutorial

I found this great kit a few years ago for making notecovers at the craft store. Arnold Grummer's makes the kits. But it's super easy to make them on your own.

What you'll need: Cover and liner template, decorative paper, thick cardboard, glue stick (or any other paper/craft glue you want to use), ribbons, embellishments, stickers, etc., and a post-it note pad.

Instructions:

1-Print out templates and cut out. (just in case the image below doesn't print to size. The cover should measure 8 1/4" x 4 1/2" and the liner should measure 3" x 6 3/4")

2-Trace template shapes onto decorative paper. I like to use two different decorative papers for the cover and inside liner.

I like to then use a bone folder to crease the folds.

3-Lay boards/cardboard in place. (if you want to make the cardboard yourself, you'll need 2 cover pieces 3 1/4" x 3 1/4" and 1 spine piece 3 1/4" x 3/8")

4-Glue boards into place. (Now, I've tried lots of different glues and some are just to strong, which makes the cover paper tear at the spine. I've found that a basic glue stick works best, it allows you to fold as the glue dries, allowing a give in the paper)

5-Apply glue onto the flaps. Glue down long sides first, then short ends.

6-Apply glue to the entire inside liner and press into place. Again I just use a glue stick here. Once the liner is in place, I use a bone folder to get a nice crease down the folds of the spine. Don't press to hard, you can rip the paper. It's frustrating to have to start over and to waste the cardboard.

7-Let glue dry completely before you move onto decorating the outside cover.

8-Decorate the cover with embelishments, ribbons, fibers, stickers, etc. Let your imagaination run wild.

9-Attach a post-it pad by removing the back piece of paper to expose the sticky side. Once the pad is gone, just put in a new one.

I keep one of these covers in my car, by the phone, on my desk, in my purse. My kids love them!

(Copyright Information: This post, including text and images, is copyrighted to Heidi Cogdill, Hip Chicks Craft Too. No part of this pattern can be copied, shared, distributed or sold. All rights reserved. No commercial use of this pattern is allowed (which means you cannot sell the finished product).

The Pioneer Woman Comes to Portland

I was lucky enough to be able to go to the Pioneer Woman / Ree Drummond's book signing last night. I wasn't sure I'd be able to make it...we had a funeral to attend at 2:00 p.m. and the signing began at 6:00 p.m. From her posts about her previous book tour I knew the crowd would be big and that I had a very good chance of not getting in at all. But my daughter and I decided it was worth the risk. We arrived at 4:30 (the time Powell's Books told me they would be setting up) and the placed was PACKED.

All the seats...hundred of them...were full. We got ticket number 202 and had to find a place to stand. We tucked ourselves into the bookshelves about halfway up the crowd only to have the crowd get so thick in front of us we couldn't see. So we moved to the front (slightly behind the podium) and waited...

and waited...

and waited!

The crowd grew larger. Miles, the guy with the microphone and the one who tried to keep all us women in line...oh and boy did he try! There were lectures on garbage can use, the need to keep out of the aisles so other patrons could pass through, and he even had to tell someone to not stand on the counter. Let's just say there might of been alcohol involved ;) But it wasn't me, I swear! I had my impressionable daughter with me, who would have been horrified and embarrassed if I had done such a thing.

Then PW hit traffic. And if anyone reading this has ever been or lived in Portland, you know how nasty 217 gets during the evening commute, especially when rain is involved.

But she finally arrived to a LARGE crowd of eager fans.

Poor thing didn't even get a chance to sit down and take a deep breath. She went right to the microphone...well, she attempted to speak into the microphone...but Miles was hogging it :)

 

Yes, Ree...we got pictures of you speaking into the microphone stand.

Miles decided to do his job and introduce the guest of honor...

And then he finally gave up the microphone.

Let me just say that Ree is both as beautiful and funny as you would expect her to be. She oozes class and elegance. She makes you feel like she's your instant best friend. Like you could grab a glass of wine and open your heart to her.

She answered our questions...even sang for us!

She sat down to begin signing. And let me tell you...there were lots of people! They started at #20 and we were #202. So daughter and I quickly decided it was best to go eat. The only thing we could find was Taco Time. Now, I've never eaten at Taco Time, but it was that, ice cream, or mall sushi. We chose tacos.

By the time we returned. They were on #70. Seriously!!!!

We hunkered down in the kids section and read for a bit.

My daughter bought new books....

Took off her shoes...

Something I would have loved to do...my little toes were killing me in my heels!

We took self-portraits...

We took 100's of pictures of her signing books...smiling...and laughing.

We took pictures of the emergency underpants...

and the emergency toilet seat covers!

As a mom...I was actually tempted to purchase these items. But my toes hurt to much to walk to the register.

Then the crowd thinned enough for us to finally get to sit down. I kept wondering if, those who had seats from say...oh 10:00 a.m., felt any guilt for making the rest of us stand for 5 hours. What do you think?

So we finally sat and we waited...

Took more pictures of her signing books. (My camera was acting up and I got more blurry images then clear)

And then they called 200 - 210 and we JUMPED up and stood in line. Oh damn! More standing! My toes were just starting to get feeling back in them.

But it was worth it. She was in reach!

When if was our turn...I turned to the ladies in the front row and asked if they would take a picture of the three of us.

They said YES! I didn't know how to stand. I didn't know how close I could get to Ree. So I stuck my REAR-END way out in order to get low enough. See! There! To the side of my hand! My big ASS is sticking out. But we all look cute. Ree probably was thinking..."damn, this is the millionth smile I've had to make tonight. Take! The! Damn! Picture!"

Just kidding. Ree is far to nice to think such things. It was really me! I confess!!! I was thinking "TAKE! THE! PICTURE! MY FEET ARE KILLING ME!!!"

Ree signed the book to both me and my daughter...which was super special.

Oh and my daughter saw Ree's daughter tucked in a corner reading a book (See PW post on her daughter and her book), but my daughter was too nervous to approach her. So she came running back to me yelling, "I saw Ree's daughter! I saw the Pioneer Woman's daughter!"

We finally left a little after 9:00 p.m. I can only imagine how long she was there signing. Since the tickets went to #360 and they were only on #210 when we left. Oh and then there was a general signing group after the ticketed people...

Overall, we had a fantastic time. I got to spend some alone time with my daughter and we laughed, we talked and we got to meet a very special lady.

And tonight we're making her famous Potato Skins!

Thanks Ree for all the fun!