Who would have thought?!

You know you have the greatest gift of friendship when the special people in your life go above and beyond the call of duty!! For me, several keep doing it time and time again...THANK YOU!!

Take yesterday, Your girlfriend picks you up and basically spends all afternoon at your side (ok, maybe more like a week) searching for a non-existent object. The poor trooper keeps presenting you with beautiful objects, yet all she hears is naw...not what I'm looking for. The biggest problem is, I don't have a clue either!

Hours after she drops you off, I'm standing looking out the kitchen window watching the leaves fall and it hits me! Staring back in my face IS the object I've been looking for all along! Window screen material. So, after feverishly digging around in my anything but organized garage I find the roll of screen. The things that excite me sometimes even worry me!

As I'm cutting up the material, I get a text message from the above mentioned wondering what I was doing. (her ears must have been burning) because in the back of your head, you're thinking SHE would think you've lost your mind! Surprisingly enough, you share with her and all she says is: Ookaaayyyy...on my way!

Amazingly enough, she no longer flinches when she sees your latest 'in the middle' inspiration. I guess what frightened me the most was she predicting my next move. Thanks Bec for all your help!

Sometimes your odd inspirations work beautiful and sometimes they don't! This time, minus a few Band-Aids, it was even better! The window screen material made the perfect stiff bow, yet the texture is spectacular!

Just in time for the holiDAZE!

Christmas 1994!

There is something about the cool crisp mornings of Fall that give me a renewed burst of energy and HOPE!

Maybe it's always because of what it signifies...the start of our most BLESSED holidays. It's a time for us to give thanks to the things we cherish most...the gathering of family and friends, the wonderful aromas of bountiful food and the warmth of a beautifully decorated home.

For the past several weeks I've been arm's deep into the 3 G's (greenery, glitter and glue!!) and loving every minute of it! I get so much joy from watching piles of 'stuff' turning into a piece of art.

I also enjoy watching other's as they come in to inspect my latest work. Their comments from 'WOW' to 'where did you come up with this idea' to 'how did you do that' and of course it usually ends with 'I could NEVER do that!'

This leads me to my next passion...TEACHING! I've missed my days of teaching 'art after school' and being the set designer for ballet companies and drill team dance departments. I've always enjoyed teaching volunteers to create "Over the Top" props and costume pieces!

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So, after having several friends encouraging me to share...I will be holding a class Saturday, November 20th for "Beginning Wreath Making 101" It's an adorable, whimsical piece that each student will make and take. For $50.00 you'll learn tricks of the trade, shortcuts and leave being inspired to make a few more on your own. They make GREAT gifts and in this economy, we all could use budget friendly ideas! 

Besides, who wants to pass up an opportunity to make new friends, also an excuse to drink wine/Mimosa's and nibble yummy delectables?!?!

Hope to see your HAPPY face!

Cindy

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Ck'Signature: Decorating and Artistic Services

So exciting! We've got a new home page... please check it out. I feel so super savvy!
Ck'Signature: Decorating and Artistic Services

Thanks to the Macik Market 

Wine Cork Christmas Trees

While tinkering (and drinking) one day in 2007, I came up with one of my favorite Christmas trees. This little guy sits on my kitchen island every holiday season. Its one of my guest's favorites. Here's how I did it: 

...I used very heavy duty fishing line to string the corks and crystal beads. Knot the end VERY well over and over, then slightly hit it with fire...like a match to start melting it to seal it. I had also first drilled through all the corks (I have found that Champagne corks are better off drilled sideways.) If you do this you will need to use a 'beading' needle which is much thinner and usually longer. Also, if you are doing a bigger project, I would suggest doing sections no longer than about 3 foot. No fun if for some reason a line breaks and you lose it all! If that happens, open a another bottle of wine and drown your sorrows!   

Let me know if you need more info. and PLEASE do share all your creative things too! Like you, I'm inspired by the creativity of others.

MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS and may 2011 bring to all of us a very bright and joyous future!
More Christmas craft ideas here: 
http://www.cksignature.com/christmas_decorating.html 

Class it up!

By popular demand CK'Signature (my daughter and me) have decided to open the doors to a classroom setting. Now, we've all seen the classes at Home Depot and Hobby Lobby... learn how to faux paint! learn how to make an ornament! Truth be told, most are taught by a student who feels crafty, or a supervisor who just went through a crash course.

What I plan to offer is a comfortable setting where the ladies can sit, relax, and enjoy learning something new. Because Christmas is coming up fast, I plan to offer the first class as a "Wreath Decorating Class". I'll supply all the pretties and all the supplies and more know-how than you might want. You leave with a fabulous wreath and hopefully some inspiration to take your new-found skills one step further!

Keep in touch, Kayleigh and I are planning on a few more classes. Hint: Start saving your wine corks!
Check the facebook page for some regular updates on the classes, including this one that starts Saturday, November 20.