Eileen Hull

Three dimensional art... with heart

Handmade Holidays

Tip Junkie handmade projects
Around this time every year, I get the itch to start making things for family and friends. Is it a reaction to all the commercials and electronics that surround us as the countdown to Christmas begins? Maybe. The act of planning a project in my head, gathering the materials, and finally, assembling the design into a pleasing finished product just soothes my soul. While I am working on the project, I am thinking of who I will give it to, where they might put it, the significance that it has of the relationship between us, and that is something you just can’t buy.

I’m not saying I don’t enjoy technology as much as the next person. I love all the cool things that you can do with it. But creating handmade items seems more in keeping with the Christmas spirit to me. So if time allows, I’m going that route this year. Are you with me?

Here’s a project that’s a lot of fun and easy to do once you get the hang of it. 
I used a candle that had a couple of dents in it- probably got it on clearance somewhere! In this case it doesn’t matter since you cover the candle with sheet music. I loved what I used- it was an old music book and had drawings of cute little kids sledding down a hill mixed in with the music.
You will need:
ModPodge matte finish
old sheet music (preferably in a winter theme)
candle
berry ring
matboard scraps
Sizzix Primitive Star die
Sizzix Big Shot
crystal glitter or Epsom salts
  1. Coat candle liberally with ModPodge. Wrap a page of sheet music around candle and smooth so there are no air pockets. Add another coat of ModPodge.
  2. Roll candle in tray of glitter or Epsom salts, making sure to cover surface well. 
  3. Use Big Shot die cutting machine and star die to cut stars from matboard. Coat stars with ModPodge and press into glitter/salts.
  4. Trim where needed. Allow to dry.
  5. Place candle base in a berry wreath and add glittery stars to the wreath. 
  6. Be careful when lighting candle and do not leave unattended. 
Thanks for stopping by. Do you plan on making gifts this year? What are you cooking up?

Give Thanks!

I really wish there was a little more time in between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Store decor seems to go from Halloween right straight to Christmas. I think Thanksgiving is getting short-changed! We should dedicate more time to giving thanks for all we have, don’t you think?

A few weeks ago, the Duetica Design Team was privy to a sneak peek at a new font soon to be released! It’s called Woodwynds and I love it! Lots of swirls and curliques. I decided to do a matted piece reminding me to give thanks every day. And who knows, I may just keep it up all year!


There are 15 versions of this font. Starting with a plain serif, each successive version contains more and more swashes as you click through Woodwynds A through P. The good thing about this system is that if it starts looking too swirly (really? is there such a thing?), you can intersperse your phrase or title with a balance of undecorated and decorated letters creating a truly unique final project that pleases your eye.
I decided to use the words, “give thanks” so I am not limited to the holiday. Here is my project and how I created it!

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  1. Decide what size you want to make your project. (I used an 8″ x 10″ frame without the glass. I triple matted the artwork using my Logan 750 Simplex mat cutter– favorite tool of all time!)
  2. The artwork was designed in Illustrator to fit in a 5″ x 7″ cutout. The text “give thanks” was added using the Woodwynds font by Duetica Lettering Arts Studio. Make sure to balance your type so that all of the swirls add value and do not distract from the message you are trying to get across. Plain and more decorated letters were alternated resulting in a fun yet still readable result. (I’m loving that “k” that descends below the line!) 
  3. In keeping with the fall theme, the message was printed on kraft paper in orange and green text. After printing the artwork, Stickles glitter glue was added on top of the letter forms to accentuate them. A fairly heavy line was applied to the larger letter strokes and then spread out to thinner areas with a toothpick.
  4. Acorns and 3D flowers were adhered with Thermoweb Zots. The flowers were die cut from fall colored cardstock using the Sizzix 3D Flower die designed by Beth Reames. The larger flower was cut from a page in a child’s Golden Book. Other accents include dimensional leaf stickers.
  5. Since the flowers added dimension to the project, a spacer from foamboard was built to bump up the matboard from the artwork. Omitting glass from the frame helps with photographing the project since there is always a glare with glass!
  6. You can use this technique for many different occasions. Quick and easy!

eBarn Sale!

As I mentioned in this post, the Barn Sale is taking on another form this year!
Two newsletters have gone out so far featuring products created by the amazing Barn Sale vendors just for you! Each week you can view what is available and order from a selection of five specially designed products. Sign up for my newsletter on the sidebar if you’d like get the mailings.
Here what we have for sale so far:
Doorway Ornament by Lorine Mason- $18 
Can be personalized with your address!
Snowflake Ornament by Connie Cook $10 or 3 for $25
Soy Candles handmade by Teresa Balkin $12
available in 12 scents
God Bless America ornaments- $20
Hand soldered and designed by Charms & Flourish
Angelworks Mixed Media Collages by Ann Krier- small $20, large $25
Proceeds donated to charity for kinds
Kid’s Apron by Angie Colwell- $15
Handpainted Santa Slate $30 one left!
Christmas Dish Towels by Merry Stitches $8.50 
Assorted Magnets by Eileen Hull $4 each 3/$10
If you would like to order anything, please email me at EileenHull@aol.com. If you are unable to come and pick up your order in person, shipping charges will apply.
Please join us in the Barn 
1127 Devon Street, Herndon, VA
on Dec. 10th 
from 10 AM till 2 PM 
to celebrate the 
10th Anniversary of the Barn Sale!
There will also be lots of additional items for sale in our Cash and Carry area. Please take a few minutes out of your busy holiday schedule to enjoy the company of your fellow shoppers while you snack on yummy treats and hot cider in the relaxing atmosphere of the barn. List of what will be available is coming soon!
Thanks so much for being such great customers and we hope to return next year with the usual format! Please pass this info on to others that you feel might be interested. We appreciate your suport 🙂

Journey to Oz Suitcase

I was wowed by a project sent to me by Susan Tierney-Cockburn. I met Susan at CHA Winter this past January and she showed  some projects she created with my dies. One of my favorites was a house and garden she created with the Pro House die to honor the memory of her daughter Kelly who had recently passed away from breast cancer. See Kelly’s Garden in this post. Each flower was lovingly designed and crafted by hand. Susan has also written a beautiful book entitled Paper Bouquet which is available on Ellen Hutson’s site.
Here is “The Journey”. Susan used my Sizzix ScoreBoard Suitcase die, Graphic 45 papers and a ruby slipper created by Ellen Hutson. Every time I look at it, I see more details. Holy cow, this is amazing! Look at the little oil can- the teeny tiny poppies- this gorgeous ruby slipper! That paper covering Dorothy’s suitcase looks exactly like her dress in the movie!
Make sure you visit Susan’s blog where she has posted a recipe for Emerald City Brownies. More deliciousness! Here’s the story of how Susan created the project in her words.

Life is a Journey and like Dorothy, I am thankful for the friends, I’ve met along the way, who have taken this journey with me.  This concept is key when I was inspired by Eileen Hull’s “suitcase” die cut by Ellison/Sizzix and, like Dorothy and the friends she met along her way, I’ve found my way back home. These last eighteen months, after losing our daughter, Kelly to breast cancer, it’s been my friends who have given me support, helped me find love in my heart again, and shown me courage to help me continue on my journey.

One of my dearest friends, Ellen Hutson, who I’ve come to lean on considerably, has even designed a ruby slipper to complete this profound project of mine.  I’m in awe of every one of her shoe creations, but I have to say, this ruby slipper is the best ever!  It became the perfect “vessel” to show off my red poppies–the ones that put Dorothy and her companions to sleep and the symbol of my state of mine after such a great loss.
Lastly, I have to mention Graphic 45’s “Magic of Oz” paper that finishes the project.  The gingham design for Dorothy’s suitcase is a perfect match and the “cards of the characters” gives the box a familiar look to enhance the story.  However, it’s not just a story I’ve watched on television as a child based on the book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, but a greater meaning I’ve discovered watching it as an adult. 
These little suitcases can hold the most wonderful “treasures”!  And, just like my mother, I love chocolate, and always have a stash when I need some!Dorothy’s Suitcase–scared and unsure how to get home, she begins a magical journey, meeting friends who will help her along the way.
The Scarecrow’s Suitcase–he thinks he lacks a brain, but his common sense helps guide and develop a plan to save Dorothy in their quest to reach the Wizard and return home to Auntie Em and Uncle Henry in Kansas.
The Cowardly Lion–a sweet character, afraid of his own shadow until his friends need him.  He has the courage to help Dorothy in her most perilous situations.
The Tin Man–probably my favorite, who longs for a heart from the Wizard.  However, he has the biggest heart of all and puts his friends first when they need him.
I hope you all think about the friends in your life that you take with you on Life’s Journey when you look at this project–I know I do.
I love how Susan shares her process with us and makes this an experience rather than a craft project. Thanks so much Susan and Ellen- this is a touching account and exquisite workmanship.
Susan sent me some great photos of the individual pieces which, due to technical ineptitude on my part, I am unable to share with you. I recently made the switch from PC to Mac and am having trouble doing what should be basic operations, like pasting in a photo! Please tell me someday it will come to me… in the meantime head on over to her blog to read more!

Barn Sale Update

On Veteran’s Day weekend for the past 10 years, I have held the Barn Sale, a two day boutique featuring handmade crafts including iron work, wood, fabric, paper, glass, pottery, needle arts, jewelry, baked goods, (you name it- in ten years we have seen it all!) which is set up in the 100 year old barn located on our property. Each year’s offerings are slightly different and definitely always interesting! We have a very loyal and generous following and the show is enjoyed by vendors and shoppers alike. The atmosphere is relaxed as friends chat over steaming cider and cookies and kids run around playing in the leaves. We usually do a collection for our local food pantry and last year brought 26 full bags of groceries to the church.


This year, life has taken a different turn and unfortunately, I am not able to do the show as I have in the past. See last year‘s announcement, sneak peeks and show.


However, there is a Plan B! Watch this quick video to see what’s up:

I look concerned in this picture (thanks YouTube!) but all is well! 
Interesting trivia- I am told they post the image exactly in the middle of the clip.

If you would like to receive the Barn Sale updates, sign up for my newsletter located on the sidebar. First one going out Friday, that’s 11/11/11! 

Don’t forget to thank a veteran!

Sizzix Linky Party

Hello everyone! Welcome back… no blog hop today… but something very interesting instead!

First, I want to thank everyone who stopped by the Fresh Vintage blog hop to check out the killer projects created by all of the fabulous designers, to leave comments and participate in our giveaways. There’s one final event going on this week right here- it’s a Linky Party! This is where where WE get to see what YOU have created with your Sizzix products.

It’s really easy- all you have to do is post a link to your blog post that shows a picture of your project! Don’t be shy-  show us your stuff 🙂 Place your links below (many thanks to InLinkz for making this so easy to do!) How many Sizzix projects can we get?