[Celebration] Happy Thanksgiving!

This week, America is celebrating Thanksgiving.  This is my 4th year to celebrate Thanksgiving in the US, the 2nd in TX.  

I remember my First Thanksgiving in 2010 in Chicago.  

On my Second Thanksgiving, I made chocolate dipped cookies.  

Our first thanksgiving in TX was spent with our dear friends who helped us transition during our move.  I baked "Canonigo" for the first time that day.  

I made several "firsts" on this years thanksgiving season.  This was the handmade card that I sent my in-laws.  It was my first time to use Ranger alcohol inks to make the background, then stamped a maple leaf using Staz-on ink.

Thanksgiving Card and Fall Sugar Cookie inspired by SweetAmbs

I also made sugar cookies for the first time using a leaf cookie cutter and painted it using SweetAmbs' tutorial.  I super love her videos and the neatness of her work.  

SweetAmbs Fall Leaves

Well, it was also my first time to go to a liquor store to buy a small bottle of vodka, for arts' sake.  LOL. Oh boy, it didn't taste good at all.

Everyday is a day to Give Thanks.

What are you thankful for?  Do share it with me.

Happy Thanksgiving, America!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Challenge] P3 September 2013 Challenge: "Under the Sea"

I am a member of the Philippine Polymer Clay Guild where we have Challenges every now and then.  Last September 2013, our challenge was:  "UNDER THE SEA."  The challenge was to create a project inspired by the sea and participants were given a choice on using 100% polymer clay or mixed media.

Philippine Polymer Clay Guild

 This was what I made:

"Pearly Shells"

This pearly shell from the ocean focal piece measures 3 inches.  I made use of the silk-screened background of sea shells that I did during the Lone Star Retreat(c/o Ms. Karen Wood).  I added sculptured corals, Mr. Crabby, barnacles, bubbles and a treasure chest filled with gold and pearls. What lies under the sea is a mystery and to echo Ariel, it's a whole new world.  

This focal piece was made from 100% Premo Sculpey clay.

See you soon!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Challenge] Polymer Inchies

Hello friends!  A couple of months ago, I shared with you the INCHIES that I made for a swap hosted by Ms. Tonja Lenderman.  We were asked to make 12 inchies per group and since I joined 2 groups, I made 24 inchies.

This first set of polymer clay inchies shows my love for floral themes.  The base is Premo sculpey in Ecru that was measured, cut, baked and cooled and layered with a mixture of green Premo sculpey that I textured.  The floral cane was made from Premo sculpey in white, yellow, and translucent that I sliced thinly to form the petals.  I added an orange shaded clay in the center.  Finally, each piece was sanded and buffed.

Premo Scupley Component Flower Cane

I had fun making these next set of inchies.  I used extruded canes using Premo sculpey purple, white, turquoise and black and layered them over previously baked base.  The final piece was baked, sanded and buffed to a glossy sheen.    

Extruded canes

The inchies that I got from the swap were awesome!  I love the variety of designs.  Thank you, ladies!

There is another Inchie swap coming soon hosted by Ms. Julie Thorpe and I joined 2 groups again.  I have finished 1 set and the other  will be done by the end of this week.

See you next time!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Video Tutorial] Polymer Clay Mold Release Agents: Water or Cornstarch?

Welcome back!

I bought this Poinsettia and Holly Flexible Mold from Penni Jo Couch of Best Flexible Molds.  The most common mold release agents are water and cornstarch powder though others use Armor all.  

I tried not using them but more often than not, the details of the mold were lost when I release them.

In this tutorial, I used cornstarch powder and water as mold release agents.  Both worked pretty well - just remember not to apply too much.

Do you use mold release agents?
Please feel free to write your comments below or email me at cabbycraft@gmail.com

Have a blessed day!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Ornaments] Christmas in September: Premo Sculpey

Hello friends!

It's the last day of September and Polyform Products presents "September Make It Your Own Christmas Ornaments."

These ornaments were inspired by Ms. Barb Fajardo's Buttons that I learned during the recent Lone Star Retreat.  I used Premo Sculpey as the base and added texture and color to it.

I placed a round bail, added wire in the shape of a 1/2 Christmas tree and if you put them side by side, it forms the shape of a tree... cool?

It is Christmas in our home this early as my loved ones are visiting us for a few weeks.  

As of this writing, we are waiting whether there will be a government shutdown.  I hope it gets postponed even just for a few weeks to allow my folks to visit the museums and NASA.  It would be best if they keep them open for everyone to enjoy the past and the future.  I'm just saying....

Have a wonderful week ya'll!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Challenge] I'm a Winner! Polymer clay faux stone

Do you remember the "Serenity Necklace" that I shared HERE?  Well, it won 3rd place among 16 entries during our guilds' recently concluded retreat challenge "Friends and Faux."  Wooohoo!  I have been doing the happy dance since the weekend.

Premo Sculpey Polymer Clay Faux Larsonite Stone Embroidered Necklace

The left photo is the original piece but I decided to add picot edging which turned out pretty nice.  The cabochons were made using Premo Sculpey polymer clay and alcohol inks.
Someone told me that it looked like Larsonite or Gary Green Jasper.  According to Hetties' website: 

[via]

"Larsonite is also known as Gary Green Jasper, or McDermitt Green Jasper. "Wood, algae, other swamp vegetation and mud were covered by volcanic ash between and 11 and 14 million years ago. Water carrying minerals seeped in creating the green colour while it petrified. The colours are from a combination of iron (44,600 PPM), Alluminum (11,000 PPM), Potassium (5,030PPM), Sodium (1,550 PPM), and Calcium (1,020 PPM)."

I was humbled by the recognition that I received from my peers.  This inspired me to practice and be more creative.  It takes a lot of patience and love for the craft or whatever it is that we are doing to come up with something wonderful.

Have a wonderful day!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Tea Party] Polymer Clay Floral Heart Pendant and Caramel Cupcakes

One Sunday, one of my little friends invited me to her 

Afternoon Tea Party to celebrate her birthday.  

She said "I'm gonna have a tea party and I'm inviting 8 of my friends.. and I'm gonna invite you!"  Awwww... I was happy that she did and I went all out in preparing for it.  LOL. 

Oh, it was fun to be around little friends who have very high-energy.  It was fun hearing their giggles and see their wacky ways. 

She has a beautiful and unique name so I made her a personalized floral heart pendant inspired by RockyBeads.  She is into the color "pink" these days so I made a pink ombre pendant that had her name on the back.

Polymer Clay Floral heart necklace and Caramel Cupcakes
♥  Doesn't the butler on the background look so handsome?  ♥

A "modern" tea party is not complete without cake so I made these caramel cupcakes with pink (naturally) flowers.  The cupcakes were soft and light with the right amount of sweetness.

Happy birthday, my dear little friend!  

I pray that you would grow to be a woman that is 

loved and blessed by God.

Have a wonderful day!

♥  michelle  ♥