The Zutter Bind-It-All v 2.0

The UPS man was good to me today. Very, very good to me. He brought my order from Marcos Paper. I could have kissed him. However, I've learned it isn't always a good thing to kiss people you don't know. Especially when they aren't expecting it.
How beautiful is this?? I talked myself out of the first Bind-It-All because I have one of the antwacky binding machines that I loved dearly. To get things straight, I never loved it (or even brought it home) for its sex appeal. Don't get me wrong, I loved it. Deeply. I would giggle with reckless abandon just thinking about the machine. I didn't care if it was a hottie or not - its true beauty was on the inside - and we were both ok with that.

However...HOWEVER...It always had some issues; "baggage" some would call it. For example, it was obese from the beginning. It really didn't ever have a chance, with the gray and black coloring it sported. The bold handle didn't help, since it was the only skinny thing on the beast. And the silver spikes donning the top (which I think are a valiant - but sad - attempt to pull the eye up and away from the heavy mid-section) just don't help.

Still, even with the fashion faux pas consuming its mass, I loved it. The dreams we shared for projects not yet dreamed up, "bound" us together. (Bahahaha! Sorry.)

But I can be honest and real about it - even with all my love - it is just plain gaudy. It weighs at least a gazillion pounds, uses only the unyielding plastic combs, and could easily injure with someone with all the pokey metal things protruding from the top. And did I mention it weighs more than the earth itself? Every time I lug it out I'm convinced I throw off the rotation of the planet...if even just a little.

When Marcos Paper had an amazing sale on the Bind-It-All 2.0, I just couldn't resist. After realizing how small and easy it is to use the original Bind-It-All, I silently cursed my machine every time I used it. That was it. The love I had sworn for the behemoth creature ended. Abruptly. I couldn't help it. My mind had latched on to the smaller, brighter, better, pink Bind-It-All, and I wasn't looking back. My looks of longing were replaced with glances of disgust. No longer able to find beauty in the quirks of the GBC CombBind, I had fallen out of love with the machine I used to cherish. I put the honker in my office closet, cementing the end of our 8 year relationship with a simple email to Greg over at Marcos . The Bind-It-All's item number and my credit card digits., it was over. I haven't looked back - instead, I eagerly awaited the arrival of my pastel pink BIAv2.0 (Bind-It-All version 2.0).

I haven't had a chance to use my adorable new tool yet - but after watching the instructional video (again), and reading through the information which accompanied my new friend, I'm so excited I can hardly wait. I'm on edge until the childebeasts go to school tomorrow so I can clear off a large space and test this baby out properly. I can't do that until I'm alone with my tunes blaring - and no 'beasts whining about the music being too loud. (Even though they crank up their iPods so loud I can hear their earphones in the next room!) I wisely used one of my few remaining thinker cells to order a sample pack of Binding Wires (since the BIAv2.0 doesn't come with any) - so I'm good to go. Ready to roll. Amped up.

I'll let you know the results when I'm finally able to get jiggy with it. I've already put my other projects I was working on aside. I will still finish those other projects this week - but thought I would share a quick preview of two.
The first is a house I got from Aileen over at outsidethemargins.com. It's adorable even though I'm not yet sure what magical baubles will fill the little cubbies. It's hard to tell (with my camera quickly becoming one of my most despised possessions), but it's painted bright red, lime green and deep periwinkle. The dividers between the sections (or cubbies) is yellow - and on the front of the lime green roof, there are yellow polka dots. It's bright and reeks of fun!
This is part of a CD I massacred with sand paper, alcohol inks, rubber stamps, and embossing. I flambeed the disc, letting it melt into lazy curves and sloping terrains. Then I let my oldest tear up the CD before I glued some Opals/Fantasy Film Stained Glass Paper (technique can be found here) to the back. I singed the Stained Glass Paper quite a bit with the heat gun (even making a few cool holes in it), sprinkled some watch innards before setting a dimensional glaze with Franklin Opals, and topped the whole thing off with clock hands, Tim Holtz's Game Spinners, and a watch stem. I want to add another piece of the broken CD...and then it will be a completed pin. It would make a rockin' pendant - but I'm not sure the Opals/Fantasy Film Stained Glass Paper is strong enough.

So now that I've shown you previews of things I'm working on, it's back to my BIAv2.0.

Ahh. It feels so good to be in "new love".
Especially with something pink.
And I didn't even get in trouble for kissing the UPS man.
xo

Spanish Love Song

This has absolutely nothing to do with art - well, maybe I can tie it in to my blog by categorizing it as a "performing art". Yeah, that's the ticket (said John Lovitz style)! I've been looking at art sites all morning, while prepping myself to produce a whopping 120 pieces of art for a swap I'm involved in. Ay, all 120 pieces have to be the same. Production line here I come!

Anyone who looks at multiple blogs/websites knows how it goes, you follow one link to another. I ended up on Mom O Matic - which in itself is a great site and definitely worthy of your perusal. This allowed me to view the rather hysterical post, "If You Eat Carrots, You Might Be A Hore." And if you want a royal laugh, check out this post Mom O Matic made. (I feel it's necessary to state this post does contain one "adult" word. Many of her posts are adult related...just in case that bothers some.) In between some very hysterical posts, Ms O Matic discusses the world of Etsy, art and important information pertaining to that world. Explore the site - but be forewarned, you will get lost in the hysteria!

From there I wound up on kontraband.com - a site full of goofy (and abnormal) stuff. Right up the royal alley! I hadn't had the pleasure of scoping this site out until this morning. I was looking at the offerings and came across this. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. If not, have yourself checked. You may not have a pulse.

SPANISH LOVE SONG

Enjoy your week!

And a special thanks to Joan for allowing me to use the picture!

Resolution Revolution 2009

SORRY, NO MORE ENTRIES ARE BEING ACCEPTED - BUT TRY AGAIN WITH THE LATEST WOOT LOOT!

From dictionary.com:

res⋅o⋅lu⋅tion

–noun

1.	a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after voting, by a formal organization, a legislature, a club, or other group.

2.	a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.

3.	the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.

4.	the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.

5.	the act or process of resolving or separating into constituent or elementary parts.

(Subsequent numbers, which had nothing to do with this post, were deleted)

New Years is a time when everyone starts thinking about resolutions and the changes one needs to make in order to have a "better" life. "Better" can refer to more (as in, money, power, creativity, possessions, etc) or less (as in, weight, negative influences, toxic relationships, and for some people it also includes power, possessions, etc).

I have come up with the phrase "Resolution Revolution 2009" in order to refer to resolutions recurring throughout 2009. To me it seems silly to pick one universal date to make changes in your life - I think these things should be a constant, not tied into one specific date. For example, if you know you need to lose weight in order to better your health, why wait until January 1 to institute changes? This goes for all the changes people need to make, not just weight. I know it's usually easier to procrastinate - and that I (personally) am usually convinced that if I have ____ (done/taken care of/in my possession/read/etc) first, then I'll undoubtedly be more successful accomplishing ____ (insert goal here). Why is that?

Without going into a bunch of psychology, reasoning, or excuses, I'm here to post a challenge. I'm challenging you (and myself) to stop putting off change. One day a year - and whether you meet or don't meet one goal - does not make you a success or failure. Personal success is not dependent on one goal. Life is an evolution and depends on constant change.

What are your goals for 2009? Have you written them down? Do you have both long and short term goals? And have you thought about the consequences if you aren't successful in meeting each goal?

A lot of times resolutions are tough to keep - which is why we put them off. When trying to meet a long term goal, the scientific community suggests rewarding yourself for successfully completing steps (or time periods) toward your desired result - that people are much more successful in realizing goals if they receive rewards for different phases. Do you think you are more likely to complete a goal if you are rewarded for completing phases on your goal journey?

There are many different realms people can set goals for themselves - personal (taking better care of ones self, learning a language), health (smoking cessation, weight loss), work (get the promotion, stop procrastinating), creativity (spend more time in the studio, complete one piece of art/week)...and on and on. Since my blog is focused on art, I'm going to make some creative resolutions here. I'm doing this because another point the scientific community agrees on is that by making a resolution public, you are more likely to stick to it.

In 2009, I am going to...
* keep up with my blog. Whether it is posting new Woot Loot, fresh art, links to other amazing artists, reviews of books/products, or even just a good quote, I will make seven posts a week.
* create at least one piece of art I really like every week. Things like my "ugly piece" do not count until they are completed. I can work on any number of pieces during a given week - but I must actually complete at least one piece I really like.
* try at least one new technique a month and post the results. I have a whole binder of great things I want to try - and never get to them. This is the year I will wade through the list.
* submit pieces/projects/articles to publications. Whether they get published or not is something I have no control over - but I can get over the fear of just submitting!
* take my camera with me everywhere. I have a bad habit of leaving it at home - then wishing I had it with me. This may sound like it doesn't belong on this list - but it does. And here's why...I am constantly looking for pictures of texture, cropped pictures of different things to include in my art. I don't create pieces using pictures like this because I don't want to track down the person who took the original photo - and (whether this is true or not) it feels like my art isn't authentically me because I've used someone elses art in mine. I suppose this could easily be said about using other elements as well - using something Doodlebug or Around the Block puts out, for example. In my own wonky way of thinking, it doesn't feel the same. So I am going to take my digital camera with me everywhere.

I hope some of my resolutions will resonate with you - and that my public posting will encourage you to make a list of your own. I plan on referring to Resolution Revolution 2009 throughout the year - and I would love it if you would join me in this adventure. Why not start right now by leaving a comment with your resolution(s)?

To kick off Resolution Revolution 2009, I'm having another giveaway. The term "giveaway" seems so dull - so in my kingdom, giveaways will be known as Woot Loot. I had so much fun with the first one that I can't wait to kick off this latest Woot Loot! It is super easy to enter - but you must follow the instructions, lest you be disqualified...and we don't want that!!

Ways to get ONE ENTRY
~ Leave a comment.
~ Leave a SEPARATE comment with your resolution(s) for Resolution Revolution 2009 (one entry for each resolution)
~ Follow me on Twitter (and leave a separate comment with your Twitter name)

THREE ENTRIES
~ Blog about Resolution Revolution 2009 on your blog (come back and leave me a link to get your additional entries)

And what, dear subjects, are you entering to win? Well even though this one isn't a surprise...it would still be very cool to win - it's a handmade WATCH! Done in beautiful sodalite.

SODALITE
Color: Mostly dark blue with some white calcite interspersed, can include small specks of pyrite. Is often confused with lapis lazuli. (Lapis has green included many times, which is how I usually tell them apart.)
Healing Properties: Offers inner peace. Harmonizes inner being (conscious mind) with the subconscious mind. Promotes peace and harmony. Athletes use sodalite to promote endurance; for writers it is supposed to be "extra lucky". It is associated with the thyroid, weight loss, good communication and will give the wearer the confidence to speak more (which the Queen obviously does not need!). Good to keep around your house so its peaceful properties can surround you.

The face of the watch is genuine Geneva, with a sterling silver heart shape. It has small numbers and quarter hour markings around the face. Black hands (including a second hand). Sodalite chips and small rounds work with sterling silver balls and short tubes (with antiqued "x" markings) to make up a double band. The watch is finished off with a heart spring clasp, and has 5 sterling silver puffed heart charms next to the clasp. Is easily dressed up or down. The band is for a larger wrist. Retail value is $30.

As always, my camera is awful - take that into consideration when viewing the watch. :)

The not-so-fine print - but important info - PLEASE READ:
This Woot Loot ends January 23, 2009 - the winner will be announced January 24, 2009. Please leave your email address in your comment(s) (if your comment doesn't link to your blog) so I can notify you if you win. Winner has 3 (THREE) days to respond to winning notification - if no response, I'll notify the runner up on the list. We'll just keep at it until someone responds and wants the prize. :) This time, the winner will be chosen by names pulled out of the crown by the Princess.

GOOD LUCK!

A Winner, A Thank You & A Clippie

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Finally glad to be rid of 2008, the Castle's "Crew" wishes you and yours much happiness, good health, loads of prosperity, and fresh creative ispiration in 2009. With the 2009 wishes out of the way, there is a lot going on at the Castle. The Queen hopes you will join her in congratulating (comment 3, chosen by random.org), NELLY, the winner of the surprise Happy Holidays Giveaway. WOOT Nelly! I hope this starts your new year off on a great note and the rest of 2009 is wonderfully positive for you. I sent you an email and if you will please send me your snail mail address, I'll mail out your surprise on Monday (01.05.09). The Queen is looking forward to the 5th of January with great joy...it is the day schools get back in session. Another "WOOT!" for tired moms all over the US. And Nelly, if you wouldn't mind taking a picture of your "Woot Loot" and sending it to me, I'd be grateful. I would love to post the picture here, so everyone can see what you've won. (And so I can remember! lol)

The Queen would like to issue a royal apology to everyone for the giveaway draw being delayed a day - my glasses broke right on the nose piece. Oh no! These are the same pair that have been super-glued countless times, and lose a lens every other day. The Queen without her glasses is much like a painter without paint - so everything came to a screeching halt until a Band Aid could be secured to the nose bridge of the royal glasses. If you think the Queen's childebeasts made fun of her before...Um yeah. They are pointing and laughing now.

(It should be noted the Queen is not so much of a goofball that she's actually left the Castle with these oh-so-lovely face framers on...yet.)

"Woot Loot", the Queen's new term for giveaways held on this blog, was so much fun that I'm feeling the need to have another. I told you all about several giveaways I have planned - and I've decided to start the new one immediately. If you didn't win the surprise, no worries! Details of the next giveaway, Resolution Revolution, will be an ongoing challenge/giveaway. And I already have the prize picked out...the next post will contain full details...so read on! I have the most incredible readers in the entire Internet Kingdom! Thank you for all your suggestions on my "ugly piece" - I have taken each one into serious consideration and settled on putting it aside for a few days before finishing it. I will post the results! Thank you so much for your help - you rock!

I would also like to send a plea out to my fabulous readers...please take the poll located in the sidebar to your right. YOUR answers can directly impact the prizes given away this year - so if you have an opinion, and I know you do, take five seconds and answer the question. January's question directly relates to Woot Loot - so make your voice heard!

With 2009 now upon us - and so many social sites thriving - I would like to offer a (not so) new way for artists to stay connected. My Twitter name is QueenKatherine (OneCreativeQueen). Since I'm more comfortable with my art supplies than social networking sites (like Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter), I'm not very proficient in these new-to-me applications...yet. That said, I would like to invite you to join me on Twitter. I don't understand the need to post things every 2 minutes, nor is this Queen real sure why anyone would want to know what I'm having for breakfast, but it is a good way for like-minded people to stay in touch. I will post updates and new blog posts to Twitter - and am looking for others to connect with. If you're already a Twitterer, I would love for you to consider following me. If you don't have an account, you can sign up here. Let's stay connected and really get those muses working hard this year!
Speaking of muses and creations...before my glasses took a vacay, I made this quick Clippie. Yep, a giant clothespin. I have no idea what the popular term is - but I think they are really cute. I still have ribbon to add - but for the most part it's complete. Without going into a big ol' description or tutorial, this one is painted in browns, bronze, and gold. I added brown and black flourishes, clocks, birds, arrows, dots, and a few watch parts. A little felt, glitter, and a letter later, we're done!