.C.C. Crafters' Gallery

Christmas party, 2011

2011-12-14T14:57:00.001-08:00

Here's seven of our Cross Creek Crafters group.
Front row, L to R: Jean, Judy, Eva & Diane
Back row: Zvonka, Gail & Susan

This was our last get-together of 2011. What a wonderful time we had!
The goody bags and more food than you've ever seen, filled the table top!
We started off with a cup of hot spiced cider, and added a few more handmade ornaments to our tree.
After opening the gifts, & after lots of "Ooh-ing & Aah-ing", we toasted the occasion with champagne (thanks, Eva!), and then filled our plates with the scrumptious appetizers and desserts.

I'm wishing you all

a very Merry Christmas

much Happy Crafting

in the New Year!!

September, 2011

2011-10-08T12:53:00.000-07:00

Get ready........

Get set.............

SMILE!!

Here's six of the ten ladies in our Crafts Group:

Back row:

Jean, Martha, Eva & Susan

Front row:

Diane & Zvonka

NEW PLAQUE for the NEW YEAR

2011-01-03T17:28:00.000-08:00

Finished and grouted in time for the new year!

Message plaque consists of vitreous and iridescent glass, stained glass, ceramic leaves, and white ceramic center tile on wood oval.

12-22-10...THE 'FAB FIVE'

2010-12-19T10:31:00.000-08:00

We were too busy having fun

to take time for pictures this year,

so here is the only one.
L to R: Mary, Jean, Susan, Diane & Judy.

2 of JEAN'S LATEST PAINTINGS

2010-03-24T15:44:00.000-07:00

Here's her blue bird & log cabin picture before framing:
And this gorgeous rose was painted using a new watercolor on rice paper technique she's recently learned:

Aren't they fabulous?

SUSAN'S MOSAICS..Completed in 2009

2010-03-24T15:31:00.001-07:00

L to R:
Top row: Oval Platter, Wooden Shoe, 'Under the Sea' Mirror,'Anytime is Coffee Time' Plaque
Second Row: 'We have Seen His Star'ornament, Round Silver Plate, Mosaic Shoe, 52" Round Table top
Third Row: Bakelite Hand Mirror, 'Vanilla Fields' Plaque, Round Silver Plate, Small Mosaic Box

CHRISTMAS PARTY, 2009

2009-12-30T19:26:00.000-08:00

L to R: Susan, Mary, Judy, Jean & Diane

Everyone brought goodies to share....

Judy trying on her new 'hat'!

This was our final 'get together' of 2009,
so here's looking forward to much more
HAPPY CRAFTING in 2010!!

HERE WE ARE!

2009-07-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

Today, we welcomed Joan back from Florida. She's been working on a mosaic lizard wall decoration, & brought it to show us how it's progressing.
Bill snapped this picture of us after we had enjoyed a morning of crafting and conversation, then lunch.
L to R, Front row: Linda (Judy's friend from S.FLa.), Judy & Diane.
Back row: Susan, Joan & Jean. Mary wasn't able to join us, as she's busy getting settled in her new house.
Linda made & completed her very first mosaic project: a small tray. It turned out beautifully! Hope you're able to join us again, Linda!

GRADUATION SHADOW BOX...by JUDY

2009-05-27T22:01:00.001-07:00

Judy put together this beautiful shadow box for a friend's grandaughter's graduation.
I'm sure Rachel will LOVE it!

CRAFTS ROOM

2009-05-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of our Crafts Room:

Each crafts day begins with a fresh pot of coffee....
Wallpaper books on the floor are for various decoupage projects.

Our work table consists of covered sheets of plywood sitting on top of a pool table. It's large enough to accomodate 6-8 crafters.

The mannequin head is to be my next mosaic project. I'm in the process of choosing colors and nipping glass and china before getting started.

This old wicker thing is a transplant from our home in Fla. It (as well as the file cabinet) provides great storage for crafts books, magazines, etc.

Corner cabinet below was donated by my daughter & SIL

when they remodeled their kitchen.
The big wide drawers are a perfect storage place for wallpaper sheets for decoupage; and the top is for acrylic paints, scissors, laminator, etc.

This section of the shelving units houses paints, brushes, glue, beads, and other art supplies. The 'big black box' with it's very skinny drawers, is where I store hand painted tiles.

These shelves are just for tile, glass, and china. Good old WalMart small-drawer cabinets are great, as well as assorted sizes of plastic containers. I found that cookie sheets from Dollar Tree make wonderful trays for sorting tile.

I can't recall when or where we acquired this big colorful 'SMILE' sign, but we've had it for many years. It fits in with the scheme of things here, because crafting and enjoying the company of friends and fellow crafters makes us smile!

DIANE'S LATEST

2009-04-29T19:12:00.000-07:00

Here are two of Diane's shadow boxes:
The first has a kitchen theme, and features painting as well as objects on a blue checked background.

This one is a barn scene with a bit of whimsy. I love the apple tree and basket in the inset! And how about that chicken perched atop the eggs!

Here are three fabulous paintings! What talent!!

This one is my favorite!
I think I've been through this bridge.

ROUND TRAY

2009-04-22T10:58:00.001-07:00

Susan's Latest project:

1. A round silver tray

2. Ivory broken china saucer pieces + squares of pink glass

3. Center piece was once the center of a plate
(Spot on left is camera glare)

4. All finished!

CRAFTS by JEAN

2009-04-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

This beautiful snow scene is Jean's latest picture.
***

This is a throw Jean made for her grandson, Caleb. It's reversible; with a John Deere print on one side, and solid green on the other. She said it took only 3 hours to make.

***

Here are some of Jean's handmade cards. I need to photograph them individually so you can see just how pretty and creative they are!

THE SHOE

2009-03-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

This project started with a black shoe from a local thrift shop...

The first step was to cut the strap off and coat the patent area inside and out with glass glue, to make it a little more firm to work on...
I chose palest aqua, light blue, and white glass for the inside....

Next, the patent area was covered, using mirror pieces, glass, and vitreous glass tile....

Work in progress; side view......

Well, I got so involved that I forgot to take more pictures as the work progressed, but let me tell you, the INSIDE was a bugaboo!

Bluish-turquoise vitreous tile was used, and it was no easy task to mosaic it neatly!

Had to add a little back interest...

A slender strand of rhinestones was added to the outer edge, and a turquoise pin, for decoration.

VOILA! All done!

MARCH 7th

2009-03-04T19:55:00.000-08:00

Hi, JOAN!!

We hope you ....

from your friends and fellow crafters

Diane

Jean

Judy

Trudy

Mary

Susan

2008 PROJECTS...

2009-01-06T06:30:00.000-08:00

Here are some of our 2008 projects. (More photos to come).....

Joan, who is in Florida for the winter, is making a carousel horse quilt.

This is one of Mary's collages. It is a wallpaper decoupage of Outhouses. She has put together some great combinations. Her husband, Buddy, makes the frames for her.

This is a watercolor Jean painted of her grandson, Caleb...her first 'portrait' attempt. Isn't it fantastic?

Jean also cuts her own mats for framing...

Diane painted this wood slice of a chipmunk family for me. It hangs above my kitchen door. She's becoming quite the renowned artist in the Murphy area. Her command of subject and color would lead one to think she had painted all of her life, but she only began in the last decade.

This wisteria plaque was my very first attempt at mosaics. My sweet hubby, Bill, cut the plaque for me.

Bob Valentine, a retired minister and friend, was my inspiration to give mosaics a try. This checkerboard was made using some of the tile he gave me (left over from his own 'mosaic days').

Most recent project, this plaque says 'Anytime is Coffee Time'. (I apologize for the camera glare). Bill had found the board in a thrift shop. He 'sliced' the cup and saucer in half, for me. And did I mention that he also does the grouting? He's so much neater and more careful than I am.

This is actually a tabletop sitting on a tabletop, out on our front porch. I wanted it 'portable' so it could be moved inside if we have extended cold temperatures. It was fun to work on, but the white and cream background got a little boring, and I was more than ready to have it finished!

ALMOST READY...............

2008-09-01T10:38:00.001-07:00

This is a new blog to showcase our Cross Creek Crafters' creations.
Each of the seven of us gals has a different craft preference. These include: Collage, decoupage, embroidery/quilting, mosaics, painting (acrylic & watercolor), rubber stamping, and wood carving. At least that's the list for the moment. Who knows what new things we may try in the future????

For the past five or six years, we have been getting together every Thursday at my house for a fun day of crafts, coffee & chit-chat (not to mention snacks galore + lunch!) We seldom plan ahead, but someone always brings goodies of one kind or another, a casserole, tray of sandwiches, etc.

The basement is our Craftroom, and a pool table topped off with huge sheets of covered plywood is our work table. I'll add several pics of our 'space' as soon as I get the room straightened up. Hmmmm... is it ever REALLY straightened up?

More later............

As you can see, I've got my mosaics tools all ready to go...........

In the meantime, here's some interesting FYI 'HOW-TO's:

How to mosaic a bowling ball:

*****
1)How to prep a wooden box for decoupage:

2) Gluing the paper:

3) Choosing & cutting the borders:

4) Gluing the borders: