Kristen Robinson

CHA Has Ended

CHA Has Ended, originally uploaded by Kristen Robinson.

The last four days have been filled with hard work, amazing amounts of fun and great moments connecting with amazing ICE Resin Customers. Now off to relax s but with family and then flying home tomorrow.

I Lay My Heart At Your Door

Things are busy busy here in the studio as I am getting ready for this year's CHA prepping for 4 amazing days in the ICE Resin booth as well as books signings in multiple locations. Stay tuned for sneak peaks of CHA projects as well as where you can find me while I am attending Winter CHA. For now I lay my heart at your door and wish happy moments filled with creating and joy!

Love Lives Here

I absolutely love it when Vanessa (Shoppe Manager for Stampington and so completely talented) sends me a box of treasures to play with. Check out the latest issue of  Post Script where the step by step instructions for my wee houses of love appear as the project of the month. 

If you are looking for another fun way to use these darling houses year round round take a peek at the video of the month where I walk you through the quick and fun process I used to turn these into chalkboards.

 

 

All photos courtesy of Stampington&Co.

Create Registration is OPEN - Join me in Irvine May 30th thru June 3rd

Exciting news.....Create Registration officially opened today! I am thrilled to be teaching three full day classes and one half day class....chck out the info below. I hope you have room on your calendar to join me as it is sure to be a weekend packed full of fun and creativity not to mention it is in Irvine one of my fav towns with great atmosphere, shopping and dinining. If you have any questions regarding my workshops be sure to drop me an email. 

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Walking Through A Memory - Mini Journal (6-Hour) 

Date: Wednesday, May 30
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm 
Technique: Bookmaking & Art Journaling 
Instructor: Kristen Robinson
Price: $149.00 
Materials Fee: $10.00 

 

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We’ll be creating a visual journal that speaks volumes about a collection of days in your life that was not only poignant but significant. Using simple tools such as acrylic paint, colored pencils, rubber stamps as well as bits and baubles from your stash, a personal catalog of imagery and a permanent memory is created. During class I'll demonstrate how to create resin paper and filling bezels with chosen artwork and then resin. Once we begin creating our pages I will share my tips and tricks on creating backgrounds, as well as my signature shading and layering of images.

 

 Students Should Bring: 7 Pieces of Cardstock or Chipboard cut to 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" or a Small Purchased Journal, Colored Pencils   choose those that match your favorite palette, Items That Inspire You   paper, buttons, jewelry, text, thread, images, ribbon, tags, Paintbrushes if you wish to use your own, Acrylic Paint (can be craft paint), Scissors, Baby Wipes, Water Color Crayons or Water Color Pencils Paint Palette, Ruler, Thread to Match Your Chosen Palette, Prepare a few thoughts prior to class in regards to the week 

Create Out Loud-Mixed Media Quilt (6-Hour) 

 Date: Thursday, May 31

Time: 9:00am-4:00pm 

Technique: Mixed Media Stitch 
Instructor: Kristen Robinson
Price: $149.00 
Materials Fee: N/A 


Create out loud with this wonderful mixed-media quilt that is composed of fabric, paper, thread, paint, and embellishments. What starts as three separate segments comes together to create a visual masterpiece, one in which your words and feelings bound from. By layering different textures and colors, adding a wee bit of free motion stitching as well as hand embroidery your piece is sure to not only pop but to tell a story.

Students Should Bring: Canvas Fabric Cut to 9x11, Matt Board Cut to 10x12, 6 Pieces of Printed 12x12 Cardstock Preferably in the same color scheme, Coordinating Fabric Swatches Preferably 3-4 different prints, Ribbon, Text, Acrylic Paint (to match your palette), Coordinating Thread, Embroidery Floss, Metal Embellishments, Buttons, Paint Brushes or Foam Brushes, Fabric Glue, Embroidery Needles, Scissors, Paper Trimmer.  

Optional: Crystals, Beads, Jewelry anything you wish to add

 

Living the Journey - An Upcycled Journal (3-Hour) 

Date: Thursday, May 31
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm 
Technique: Bookmaking & Art Journaling 
Instructor: Kristen Robinson
Price: $85.00 
Materials Fee: $5.00 


Capturing the moments of our journey is perfect when done so on upcycled materials. In class we will transform ordinary plastic cereal bags, shopping bags and plexi-glass into a conglomeration of beauty you will simply marvel at when you see it. Layers of white gesso, threads, paper and virtually any ephemera you wish you to add creates not only a masterpiece of sorts but a collection of tales. Join me as I share a few tricks and tips on turning those glassine bags and white shopping sacks into the perfect journal.

Students Should Bring: White Gesso, Foam Brushes, Thin Black Sharpie, Text (can be from dictionary or other source, Colored Pencils, Acrylic Paint (choose 2-3 colors in your palette), Thread, Decorative Papers, Crayons and Cardstock

Glamour and Grunge Etched Cuffs (6-Hour) 

Date: Friday, June 1

Time: 9:00am-4:00pm 
Technique: Mixed Media Jewelry 
Instructor: Kristen Robinson
Price: $149.00 
Materials Fee: $40.00 

Join me on a journey that is truly an alchemists dream. Together we will complete two brass cuffs that are composed not only of amazing etched imagery, but a resin charm and various baubles. In class I will be guiding you through my no-fail etching process that consistently produces deep and beautiful etchings; we will also be filling bezels with imagery and resin that creates not only a bit of beauty but a tale all on its own. You will leave our time together with not only an arsenal of information but also two very personal pieces of jewelry that you are sure to cherish!

Students Should Bring: Personal Charms you wish to incorporate into your pieces (3-4 per piece), Beads of choice 4-6mm in size, 1 Yard Silk Ribbon, Scissors, Toothbrush (this will be disposed of at the end of class), Rubber Stamps (the deeper etched the image the better), Black Staz On Ink, Cotton Balls, 3 Pads of Steel Wool

 

 

 

 

Wanting It

I have decided, rather I know you have to want it very very badly to journey outside of the warm comfort of home into the very chilly 28 degree morning to run. While I hate to admit it I have yet to have the aha moment while running; the moment that I keep hearing about - the one where mentally I will become one with the movement of my feet and all will seem perfect and I will no longer pretend someone is chasing me to get me moving.

For now my bum hurts like heck, my quads are unhappy with me and at times I remain convinced the freezing air I am sucking in (not breathing) might just put me out permanently. I do find I have a fondness for my 5k Iphone app, an app that pushes me a wee bit more than I had been on my own, perhaps it is the sternness in the motivators voice as he states "NOW RUN" or maybe the loud beep that follows; a beep that at times jars me into the reality of the moment.

All silliness aside I do find myself waking with a wee bit of excitement about the fact My Love and I will spend time together circling a track lined with a bit of ice and fog. While, I know there are many who have the ability to run a 5k without a thought towards training I find I am happy to be back in the game, happy to train for a mere 3 and a handful of miles as this only means bigger and better things are down the road for me... or maybe I should say the track.

Happy New Year

It would be an understatement if I were to tell you I am shocked how quickly 2011 flew by - where did the time go? As I spent a time reflecting on this I realized that perhaps the year seemed to move more quickly than normal as it was so full of changes, challenges and amazing accomplishments. I cannot help but feel that I allowed some of these moments to slip away all too quickly; because of this I am adding a to do to my daily journaling. I do believe a line of reflection is the perfect antidote to this as not only will it allow me to touch the moments I neglected but also remind me of all the beauty and blessings that fill my life.

2012 will no doubt be another amazing year! I look forward to a year of challenging myself  to grow in different ways as well as learn from each experience in a richer and fuller manner than ever before. While I do not create resolutions I do create goals and the list is definitely growing. 2011 was the year of change for me, I have yet to firmly decide on the goal of 2012 reflection will be part of it of course however I need a few more days to formulate my thoughts.

Wishing you a lovely and Happy New Year!

 

My Teaching Trip - A Work of Heart Studio Final Post

After our fun at the Alameda Flea Market I was completely rejuvenated and excited about teaching my students about the amazing process of etching. Again I was really bad about taking photos however Etching does not really create a conducive venue for me to snap photos. The ever so talented and absolutely dear Connie Fong (current Somerset Studio Cover Artist and regular contributor to the Stampington Family of Pubs), was so kind to send me photos from class.

For those of you who have never been in a room with me I am the first to tell you I totally talk with my hands, especially when teaching. Perhaps this is my way of trying to animate every moment as well as offer the best explanation possible.

While so many people seem to be reluctant to try etching I am here to tell you there is a no fail way of doing this, as long as you follow the instructions and dispose of everything properly all is well. Not to mention you do get to be somewhat of an Alchemist/Mad Scientist which is always a we bit fun.

This is the charming Connie and Maryl so very kind and talented their pieces were AWESOME!

One of my favorite things to show people is how to make their own jump rings with a drill and mandrel. The oohs and aahs always make me smile as does the idea that you never have to buy a jump ring again (unless of course you want too or you are teaching a class).

Toward the end of class I did get the pleasure of visiting with everyone for a bit. To say I feel so deeply blessed to have had this teaching experience is a grave understatement. It was a wonderful weekend and I cannot wait to go back....watch for more on this soon.

 

My Teaching Trip - A Work of Heart Studio Part Three

Okay so this is not the best self portrait however when one is wearing a winter parka it might be considered okay. There are moments in life when you are blessed to meet people you bond with immediately. Andre a and Alexis (of A Work of Heart Studio), were not only so warm and welcoming but fun and truly kind women. I feel blessed to have two new friends!

Sunday morning at 6:30a.m. we met up at the Studio, jumped in Andrea's car and made our way to the Alameda Flea Market or what I like to call the land of goodness and treasures. My Love being the wonderful man he is came along and let's just say he and the Little Man scored big at the Flea Market as both of them love old metal trucks (toys) specifically Scouts.

As we walked though aisles and aisles of trinkets and baubles this and that caught my eye however these wonderful treasures were must haves that I knew had to come home with me.

Of course as a collector of old bibles I could not resist this Presbyterian treasure as it is not only our religion of choice but a James Moffatt Bible - Moffatt being the maiden name of my Maternal Grandmother. Perhaps even more exciting was finding the notes nestled inside the bible; notes and poems about Christmas as well as a newspaper clipping about the meaning of the Advent Wreath which became a wee bit coincidental as our family lit the candle wreath in church on Sunday.

While it seemed frivolous to purchase one more bit of tattered lace, I could not help myself. These two pieces were not only perfectly aged but I adore the pattern.

A truly wonderful way to start the day, brisk air, cheery friends and My Love by my side.

Tomorrow I 'll share photos from my etching class; where not only did we have fun but ate more amazing food with a storm of creativity surrounding us.

My Teaching Trip - A Work of Heart Studio Part Two

Our second day in San Jose was as delightful as the first. After a leisurely morning at the hotel we ventured on the are known as Willowglen (where the Studio is located). If you have not been to Willowglen you must go; amazing little shops and restaurants line the streets. Amongst these delights sits a wonderful bookstore with the name Hicklebees. 

Hicklebees turned out to be the perfect place to do a little shopping for the little man as well as snap a shot of this charming rocking chair that sits lovingly under the Kahlo/Rivera section of the bookstore. I truly wanted to scoop this up with me and take it home, sadly it is not for sale.

After a little retail therapy, or perhaps economy therapy as we definitely did our part it was time to make our way to the Studio for my Romancing Resin class. While I was bad about snapping shots during class I did manage to sneak in a few prior ot pouring the resin while we dined on tantalizing food from Opa (thank you Lex the garlic fries are forever etched in my mind).

So without further ado I share with you some of the great pieces my students put created.

I so cannot resist anything with buttons, add a bit of rhinestones and viola divinity has occurred.

Wee little flowers that were once earrings became the perfect centerpiece for these paper filled bezels.

I spy Charlotte - frozen that is. Not to mention the velvet flower that looked amazing when the resin flowed over it.

I love the bird in the bezel, the perfect size; kismet for sure.

A pop of color made me smile as I am always drawn to color and love color however as we all I know I seldom embrace it as I am rather afraid of it.

Tomorrow I will share our trip to the Flea Market and then we'll wrap things up on Friday with photos from my Etching Class.

 

My Teaching Trip - A Work of Heart Studio

It has hard for me to even fathom that two weeks have passed since I last blogged. Life, as for most of us, this time of year becomes somewhat of a blur. The busy days lead into busy evenings preparing for Christmas and all of the events packed into the holiday season.

I would be more than remiss if I did not share my time at A Work of Heart with you. To say it was three fun filled days is quite the understatement. From them moment My Love and I were greeted by Andrea and Alexis at the Studio to the moment we left we were showered with kindness.

While I have a good amount of photos to share with you I thought it best to start with my first day - as I would love for you to see what meets each person who walks through the doors of creativity. Color and inspiration abound in every nook and cranny; a true festival of sights and delights for the senses!

Everyone knows how much I love jars, drawers and old cabinets perfect for placing stashes of treasures and inspiration.

An altered dress forms stands at the ready greeting each patron with a plethora of beauty, offering up a platter of inspiration and bling.

  Who can resist any art studio with it's own little coffee bar....stocked with THE BEST Trader Joe's tea on the planet!

 

A tree adorned with wee bits of beauty always fosters thoughts of creativity as well as offering up a well of ideas.

I love this photo as it not only speaks volumes of the work that was created but also makes me wonder about each creation these tools have crossed over - if only paint could talk.

There was no way I could pass up a photo of these darlings. Buttons of all sizes beckon to be used.

Stay tuned as in the next few days I'll share more about my classes, student creations as well as an ULTRA FUN trip to the Alameda Flea Market!