Clowns & Games . . . Oh, My!

It's so hard to believe that we've got 12 months . . . one year! . . . under our belts with our monthly "ATC Workshop & Swaps"!  It's also hard to believe how the group has grown from only 6 "swappers" last June to 16 as of last night!  And as the group grows, so does the creativity.  As usual, last night's Swap had everyone creating beautiful and fun ATCs in one of their favorite themes, "Send in the Clowns!" or "Games People Play".   Everyone came ready to show off and share their special talents and favorite techniques, and that they did!  As always, it was amazing to see all the different ideas and designs that everyone came up with!

TOP ROW:  "Games People Play", Donna Anderson; "Send in the Clowns!" (watercolor), Jeanette Lee; "XOXO Tic-Tac-Toe" (blackboard w/matching eraser & chalk), Terri Durst; "Evil Clowns Need Love, Too!", Kirsten Johnson; "Send in the Clowns!" (metal work), Rita Blocksom
MIDDLE ROW: "Games People Play", Mark Patrick; "How I Love Charlie Chaplin!", Deborah Schinzel; "Send in the Clowns!", Charlotte Fern; "Vintage Games II", Sharon VanDussen; "Bring in the Clowns!", Janis Bush
BOTTOM ROW: "Games People Play" (excuses not to diet!), Mimi Lawrence; "Games People Play", Lyla Hagerty; "Send in the Clowns!", Charmaine Conway; "Games People Play" (watercolor), Sherrie Moore; "Scooter Noodles - Send in the Clowns!",  Nicole Durst
Come in & check out these & all of the fantastic works of art
in our ever expanding "ATC Gallery"!

For those who missed this month's workshop, make your plans now to join in the fun next month.  Mark your calendars & save the date . . . Thursday, July 11th . . . when the monthly themes will be "Go Fly a Kite!" or "Under the Sea".  Start “thinking big in a small way" and we'll see you then at this fun NO COST workshop.  From experienced to novice . . . you’ll definitely want to see what it’s all about for yourself!   Just create 14 ATCs using the monthly themes . . . all the same or each one different . . . then come and share with others in a true workshop atmosphere. Or just come and see what's going on with other artists, ask questions, share information, have fun, and become inspired!

Remember to save the date . . .
the second Thursday of each month from 6:00pm to 8:00pm . . .
we look forward to seeing you there!

The group is growing, but there's always room for more!

As an added bonus, we were given another "Challenge" for our August Swap ~ "Collage A House"!  Beginning with varying lengths of 2x4s ranging from 3-4" high to 6-7" high, each with a "wonky" roof, the goal is to show each artist's personality through the type of embellishments used.  Each participant was asked to create 1 Altered House for "Show & Tell" to show off their "building" and altering talents using everyday mixed media materials . . . paints, papers, gesso, stencils . . . whatever strikes their fancy!  Watch for the final results of this fun Challenge in the August Workshop & Swap!

Upcoming Months -

    August 8th ~ "Sweets, Cakes & Candy!" or "It's About Time!"
   Sept.12th ~ "Vintage School Days" or "Fairy Tales & Nursery Rhythms"
   October 11th ~ "The Wild, Wild West" or "Things With Wings"

We look forward to seeing everyone at this fun and exciting NO COST workshop! Call (480) 821-3758 for more details or information and let your imaginations & creative juices flow!

(If you can't make the Workshop, but still want to take part in the Swaps, call and let us know.  We'll be your "Swapper"!  We'd still love to have you participate!)

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May I Have A Puzzle Piece, Please?

At last month's "ATC Workshop & Swap" we were given our second Challenge of 2013, and last Thursday evening was the time to unveil our creations . . . Altered Puzzle Pieces.  Beginning with a large puzzle piece (children's puzzles work best), our Challenge was to embellish each piece as we wanted and have fun.  No theme to follow, just pure "alterations"!   Easier said than done!  Since there were no themes or other guidelines, those that took part definitely took the Challenge to heart and soared outside the box with their creations!  Some of these very talented artists even created more than one!  Just take a look . . .

Beginning from Bottom Right, Working Clockwise:  "Wings", Lyla Hagerty: "Shimmer & Shine", Sharon Van Dussen; "Pistol Packin' Mamas", Deborah Schinzel; "Delight", Donna Anderson; "Mardi Gras Magic", Charlotte Fern; "Spring Garden", Charmaine Conway

Nicole & her 4-year old son's
Altered Puzzle Pieces

Nicole Durst and her mother, Terri, two extremely talented crafters, provided all of us with several examples of inspiration with their pieces.  They were also the ones who "Challenged" the group . . . take a look and you'll see why!  Nicole's 4-year old son even seems to be following in their footsteps with his "Snowman" puzzle piece!  Talent definitely runs in this family!

Altered Puzzle Pieces from
Terri Durst

Please leave us a comment . . . or two! . . . and let us know what you think.  In the meantime, join us in congratulating and thanking all of these great artists for a job well done!

 If you'd like to take part in our monthly "ATC Workshop & Swap", join us the second Thursday evening of each month from 6:00pm-8:00pm and you too can begin to think big in a small way!  There's no membership required and it's absolutely FREE!  Hope to see you there!

CraftFusion

(480) 821-3758

2986 No. Alma School Rd. #4 ~ Chandler, AZ 85224

s/w corner of Alma School & Elliot Roads in the Mervyn's Plaza

(located between Zoe's Quilts & Catherine's)

Tuesday - Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm  ~  Closed Sunday & Monday

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Think Big in A Small Way for May!

Once again it was our monthly "ATC Workshop & Swap" last Thursday evening.  Where does the month go!  As for all the months before, this month was no exception as far as creativity!  Everyone created beautiful ATCs in one of their favorite themes, "Vintage Mother's Day" or "Cook's Choice! (Anything Goes)", and everyone went to town to show off and share their special talents and favorite techniques.  Most everyone went with the "Cook's Choice" theme, and as always, it was amazing to see all the different ideas and designs that everyone came up with!

TOP ROW:  "Queen Bee", Deborah Schinzel; "Ways of Travel ", Jeanette Lee;
"Not So Vintage Mother's Day", Mary Patrick; "Bee Yourself", Nicole Durst; "It's OK to be Flawed & Fabulous", Mimi Lawrence; "Vintage Housewives", Sharon Van Dussen
MIDDLE ROW: "VIVA Las Vegas!", Janis Bush; "Bee Happy", Terri Durst;
"Bugs", Donna Anderson; "Rusty Rita", Rita Blocksom
BOTTOM ROW: "Choice", Charlotte Fern; "Gelli Arts Fun", Cheryl Wildman;
"Wonders of Metal", Charmaine Conway; "Vintage Mother's Day", Lyla Hagerty
Come in & check out these & all of the fantastic works of art
in our ever expanding "ATC Gallery"!

For those who missed this month's workshop, make your plans now to join in the fun next month.  Mark your calendars & save the date . . . Thursday, June 13th . . . when the monthly themes will be "Send in the Clowns!" or "Games People Play".  Start “thinking big in a small way" and we'll see you then at this fun NO COST workshop.  From experienced to novice . . . you’ll definitely want to see what it’s all about for yourself!  Just create 14 ATCs using the monthly themes . . . all the same or each one different . . . then come and share with others in a true workshop atmosphere. Or just come and see what's going on with other artists, ask questions, share information, have fun, and become inspired!

Remember to save the date . . .
the second Thursday of each month from 6:00pm to 8:00pm . . .
we look forward to seeing you there!

The group is growing, but there's always room for more!

As an added bonus, we were given another "Challenge" for our May Swap ~ "Altered Puzzle Pieces"!  We were each asked to create 1  Altered Puzzle Piece for "Show & Tell" to show off our "altering" talents.  Beginning with a large puzzle piece (children's puzzles work best) and embellishing to our heart's content, everyone who participated came up with truly beautiful works of art.  It's hard to believe in their previous lives, these were actually puzzle pieces!  Watch for a separate post coming soon to see all the results of this fun Challenge!

Upcoming Months -

   July 11th ~ "Go Fly a Kite!" or "Under the Sea"
    August 8th ~ "Sweets, Cakes & Candy!" or "It's About Time!"

We look forward to seeing everyone at this fun and exciting NO COST workshop! Call (480) 821-3758 for more details or information and let your imaginations & creative juices flow!

(If you can't make the workshop, but still want to take part in the Swaps, call and let us know.  We'll be your "Swapper"!  We'd still love to have you participate!)

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ATCs & April . . . What A Combo!

Last Thursday evening was the "ATC Workshop & Swap" for April and once again the creativity overflowed!  Each person created fantastic ATCs in their favorite theme, "Bird's Song" or "Steampunk Ladies", and everyone had the opportunity to show off and share their favorite techniques.  It was an almost even split for each theme, and as always, it was amazing to see what everyone came up with!

TOP ROW:  "Rockin' Robin", Charmaine Conway; "Steampunk Lady in Tin ", Janis Bush;
"Bird's Song in Your Heart", Cheryl Wildman; "Steampunk Lady", Sharon Van Dussen;
"Bird Sings A Sweet Melody", Jeanette Lee
MIDDLE ROW: "Steampunk Lady", Charlotte Fern; "Bird's Song", Lyla Hagerty;
"Steampunk Lady", Donna Anderson; "Bird's Song Tiles", Deborah Schinzel;
"Rhythmic Chirps!", Terri Durst
BOTTOM ROW: "Madame Metallurgist", Nicole Durst;
"Tweet Tweedle Lee Dee!", Mimi Lawrence
Come in & check out these & all of the fantastic works of art
in our ever expanding "ATC Gallery"!

For those who missed this month's workshop, make your plans now to join in the fun next month.  Mark your calendars & save the date . . . Thursday, May 9th . . . when the monthly themes will be "Vintage Mother's Day" or "Cook's Choice!*".  Start “thinking big in a small way" and we'll see you then at this fun NO COST workshop.  From experienced to novice . . . you’ll definitely want to see what it’s all about for yourself!  Just create 14 ATCs using the monthly themes . . . all the same or each one different . . . then come and share with others in a true workshop atmosphere. Or just come and see what's going on with other artists, ask questions, share information, have fun, and become inspired!

* (Your choice of theme!  Pick your favorite from the past or use a new one . . . whatever goes!)

Remember to save the date . . .
the second Thursday of each month from 6:00pm to 8:00pm . . .
we look forward to seeing you there!

The group is growing, but there's always room for more!

We've got another "Challenge" lined up for May ~ "Altered Puzzle Pieces"!  Create 1  Altered Puzzle Piece for "Show & Tell" and show off your "altering" talents!  Begin with a large puzzle piece (children's puzzles work best) and embellish to your heart's content, so be creative and have fun . . . think outside the box!  No theme to follow, just pure "alterations"!  We hope you'll join us!

Upcoming Months -

    June 13th ~ "Send in the Clowns" or "Games People Play"
   July 11th ~ "Go Fly a Kite!" or "Under the Sea"
    August 8th ~ "Sweets, Cakes & Candy!" or "It's About Time!"

We look forward to seeing everyone at this fun and exciting NO COST workshop! Call (480) 821-3758 for more details or information and let your imaginations & creative juices flow!

(If you can't make the workshop, but still want to take part in the Swaps, call and let us know.  We'll be your "Swapper"!  We'd still love to have you participate!)

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