Its SUMMER here in Idaho

That means that yard control is all about getting out there everyday and weeding for hours! today it is in the 90's so I need to wait until it cools down a bit before I head out there again.
So... I am posing a few new photos.... one is of Chica my new kitten who I hope will be helping with the mole/ gopher situation around here. Chica came from my coworker Morgan who lives on a farm, I will be getting one more cat as well but thought I better get use to them one at a time. Chica is very sweet not the usual barn cat.
It is Iris season here and many of them came up beautifully. Others not so much. I did a bunch of dividing last year and more to do this fall.

Hey Olive!

I have had a request from Olive in Springfield on how to use Lyra crayons.
Well Olive there are lots of techniques! A smooth watercolor paper works best for most of these tips!
1.If you simply scribble them (hard) onto any watercolor paper and spritz them with water they blend beautifully.
2. you can use a damp paintbrush or waterbrush and pickup color directly from the crayon or scribble the crayons onto any heavy paper or cardboard like those old fashion kids paint & color books then pick up the color from the surface of the board.
In altered books I put a palette of the crayons on the back cover then when I am done just blend the leftovers together.
3.You can use them to color all your stamps. Apply the crayons (dry )to a dry rubber stamp. Lightly spritz them with water just a couple of mists should do,then apply to any uncoated paper.Try several colors together. Remember the crayons work best when the stamp is dry but do not clean it just blot off the wetness when reapplying colors.If you have shadow or palette stamps use these stamps to create your own rainbow stamp pads by putting bands of color together then lightly spray with water.This will create a surface to pick up color with stamp designs or sponges!
4. Use the crayons dry like you would any crayons. they work exceptionally well on canvas board and gessoed surfaces.
5. Use these crayons to emboss solid areas or words by applying the crayons heavily then use a heatgun to melt the waxand immediately pour on clear embossing powder and reheat. It takes a bit of practice but well worth the effort.
I am sure you will come up with a few ideas yourself and if you get stuck for inspriration my book Greeting Card Magic( see the Amazon Link) has many of these techniques with step by step photos.

Springfield

Well it was a nice show this weekend but a bit humid!
We had a good group of vendors and wonderful customers as usual. I will dig out some Copic marker samples I did and post them when I get unpacked.
Anyway I just got back today and found it raining big time at my house everything is finally starting to fill out in the yard especially the dandelions!
So I suppose it will be a weekend of weeding and mowing unless it is still raining which would then mean a weekend of movies!
I will be at the downtown store of Spokane Art Supply 3-5 teaching my beginning acrylic class and tomorrow night is our Stamp Club at the same location starting at 6pm call for detailed info 509-327-6628

This weekend in Springfield MA.

This year is speeding past as usual. My only visit to the East Coast this year is coming this weekend at the Heirloom Springfield show.
I hope to see a few familiar faces and have some fun with Sheila and Dave from
Heirloom!
I will be demonstrating COPIC markers and a few other things I am sure.
We also have our Masters class with Darlene Domel and Zana Clark.
See the links section for info about Heirloom and bring along any book you want signed.