Thursday, November 14, 2013

USTREAM TODAY: Easy Advent Cones

 
 
We're almost halfway through November already, which means it's time to get to work on your 2014 Advent Calendar, if you haven't already. Click the links below to download the template for today's project, but be sure to come back here and answer the question for today's giveaway!
 
 

Today's USTREAM Project

I saw this wonderful idea for a Valentine's Day decoration on the Casa e Cose blog and thought it would make a fabulous Advent Calendar with a little tweaking:
 
 
 
Can't you picture a row of 24 paper cones, all done in winter or Christmas colors, hanging from the mantle or a row of twinkle lights? What a wonderful twist on the Advent Calendar that would be!
 
Gather your Christmas papers, ribbons and embellishments together and join me live this afternoon and evening to see me make some Advent Cones - hopefully it will inspire your own handmade calendar.
 
 
I'll be using the leftovers from my Christmas Kit to make my cones, so this is a great bonus project for those of you that got the kit!

 
 
 
I host classes on my USTREAM channel every Thursday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Eastern USA and then again from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM Eastern USA time.
 
 
 



Giveaway

Today we're giving away a Sizzix Filmstrip Die!
 
 
 
To be eligible to win the prize, answer the following question in the comments below before 11:59 p.m. Eastern USA time TONIGHT. If you choose "other" you must specify a type of project in your comment to be eligible to win:

 
What Mixed Media product or technique are you most interested in mastering in 2014?
 
 
The winner of yesterday's American Crafts Primio Twine is Meredith L! She wrote that her favorite project is a scrapbook layout. Meredith, please claim your prize by emailing me your shipping address at kathryn@kathrynscraps.com by 11:59 p.m. Eastern USA time on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 or you will forfeit your prize.
 
 
Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you tomorrow with another fun post and giveaway!
 
Kathryn :D

67 comments:

  1. I think I would like to master the gelli plate and gelatos. Thank you for the great giveaways. Martha-notthatmartha
    I am using anonymous cause I noticed that when I sign in under Name/url my post disappears UGH.

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    1. You're not the only one who had some trouble today - I think Blogger may be a little funky this morning.

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  2. Yes, I'd like to master the art of finishing projects. I'd like to know how to make my brain focus on the task at hand and not get sidetracked when a new and interesting project comes along. As I look at the boxes and bags of unfinished mini albums, layouts without their pictures I sigh and think, "Ooooh, I could make that advent project this week."

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    1. I think we all need a lesson in this, Judy!

      I was able to finish over 60 unfinished projects in a few months in 2010, I believe, but it took serious discipline. I just didn't let myself start anything new until they were done - pictures, journaling and all! It took a lot less time than you would think, and it was really satisfying. Some things I has started and didn't like anymore I removed the embellishments and recycled the rest -no use throwing good time after bad projects!

      The Advent project is really cute, though. ;D

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  3. I would like to explore using gesso more in my projects. Yes, I know gesso is old news but I have yet to explore what all can be done with it. I bought a bottle...now I just need to play with it and use it!

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    1. It may be "old news" (it's been around for hundreds of years) but it's a staple in every art studio - it's definitely a "must" when getting into mixed media/art techniques.

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    1. Gelatos are on my list, too! Just googled the Silks Paints - I'll have to check them out, too. I love Luminarte's Twinkling H2Os.

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  5. I would like to master how to remove the "I must have everything I see" message that is plastered across my brain when it comes to crafting supplies. My craft room has runneth over and I continue to add to my stash. I do use my supplies (cards, mini albums) but I'm not going to be able to use up all them any time soon. Gosh, it must be a sickness. I would like to master using Gelatos (as I have many of them too) and Distress Markers! Okay, confession complete.

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    1. "Figure Out Markers" is definitely an item on my 2014 "To Do" list. I gravitate much more toward paint than markers, but I'd love to become a coloring ninja.

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  6. OMG, what a lesson in perserverance... Finally got it to work, I was on the wrong "page"...yes, I'm quick like that! My desire to improve my layouts for 2014 is to get over my fear of my sewing machine. I don't even care about learning how to sew fabric I would be happy to learn how to sew paper. I love the look of sewn thread on paper.

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    1. Thank you for persevering! :) I love the look of sewing on paper, too! It gives great texture.

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  7. I think Gesso would be fun. More than 25 years ago I watched my mom work with gesso. It was fasinating to me. She used it on fabric and then as it dried she would shape it. So very many uses.

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  8. I would like to master free hand painting an image.

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  9. I have a set of gelatos and have used them but would love to learn more. I like the creamy texture.

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  10. I would like to master water pastels and gelatos

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  11. I would like to master a "finished" scrapbook! Always starting and never finishing.

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  12. All of the above !!! Finishing old projects would be a big bonus but i too get side tracked by all the awesome inspiration out there. I think i would like to learn some mixed media techniques with collaging using paints, gelatos, and all that good stuff. Lastly i would luv to master my scrap room/studio into a better organized creating space that has a separate space for each kind of crafting that i do. Note: need more space !

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  13. I bought a new sewing machine and have yet to use it. The purpose was to sew on paper projects. I think my fear comes from my mom. she hated sewing. I think I could handle it, if I could just get STARTED.-Karen Seidlitz

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  14. Simple and easy use of copic markers. How do you know which one to choose? Which do you need for a basic set?

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  15. As a photographer I'd love to have this die!

    I plan to work with gelatos this year.

    danceforjoyalways at yahoo dot com

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  16. Thank you for the great template. I love your idea of hanging them from a string of twinkling lights! Wouldn't that be pretty?
    I decided that next year I would get back to doing more layouts. Since I became a card-maker the layouts haven't been as many. I've actually already made a good start on that. I'm even posting a new one later today. Layouts aren't really a mixed media or a technique...but it's putting the mixed media and new techniques into the layout that interests me. I just got my first gelatos and need to figure out what to do with them!
    Apparently I'm very chatty today! Thanks, Kathryn! :o)

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  17. Art Journal.. I would like to be more relaxed with my paper crafting, I over think, what to put where. Maybe put on some rock music and just go for it.

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  18. I too eould love to master the art of finishing a project. I've so much paper and I too buy more supplies then I could possibly use. My children threaten to contact the hoarders show about me!

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  19. Since I've just invested in a rather large assortment of Gelatos, I should learn more about using them. Thank you!

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  20. Hi, I would love to learn how to use my gelatos too. Also distress markers, I have the full set and rearely use them. Thanks for the chance to win

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  21. I too need to master the art of finishing a project !!! I have said no more until I finish what I have :) But I would love to learn about using Gesso, Moliding paste & Gelatos.

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  22. I need to master cutting chip board straight, no matter how many times I measure and mark the lines I still cannot cut it straight. I think sometimes it is just hard to stay straight, I know the answer would be to buy a new cutter, but that cannot happen at this time.

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  23. I want to learn more about the different spray on inks and what look they give.

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  24. In 2014, I would like to master my Spectrum Noir Markers. I am slowly getting the hang of blending...but Christmas is here and I am too busy making cards lol! 2014 is a better time to work on that!

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  25. I would like to learn more about creating the boxes and book sets and your 3D projects that you come up with. I seem to get so many great ideas from you and the group that we chat with. They are wonderful!

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  26. I would like to master picking out papers for my projects... I spend waaay too much time on that. I would also like to master finishing up a project before moving on to another.

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  27. I´d love to lear how to color with copics... I see so many beautifull projects and cards done with so little as a stamp set and a some copic markers. I´ve been a good girl and I have´t bought any ( yet :)) but I´d really like to try them and see if I´m any good at it..

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  28. I've love to learn more about effective ways to use stencils and mediums to use with them.

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  29. Great little cones. Thanks for showing them. I would like to see something on using modeling paste with stencils. I also need to know more basics about gesso and when you use it or not use it.

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  30. I thoroughly enjoy your show because you are always showing us how to use tools and equipment that I struggle with. Please continue to do this. I also want to learn more about how to plan and execute scrapbook pages that are 12 x 12. I have been on the mini album kick and want to go back and work on my 12" albums again. Thanks for all you do!

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  31. I am interested in working more with Gelato's and Gesso. I have tried both once but really need to play more!

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  32. NOT COMPLAINING :) The Chat button when I was watching your ustream was not working. I was only able to lurk. Can you post the link to the separate chat window? You mentioned it before. If I have the same problems tonight I will try that instead. Thank for the inspiration.

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    1. If you ever need another way to get to the chat, just bookmark this link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel-room/768755. It will always get you there. :)

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  33. I want to master the art of cutting chipboard neatly and precisely with an xacto!! There are a lot of 3 dimensional projects I would love to make and haven't started because I am all thumbs when it comes to cutting the chipboard! I would also love to finish all of my unfinished projects and finally organize my craft room!! Thank You for the template Katherine and the opportunity to win such a great die!!

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  34. The mixed media product I would love to learn more about is Gelato's ... and Twinkling H2O's ... and VeryDay patina paint ... and ...oh shoot the list could go on for ever!!!

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  35. I don't do much of mixed media stuff. But I may find an idea I like by watching your shows. LOL I don't color much either, except with the grandkids. LOL

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  36. I would love to master the art of coloring with color pencils and have it look professional.

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  37. I am most interested in mastering in 2014 is using gesso in art journaling...I know it has been around for many years and yes I do have some but havent used it yet...:) Thanks again Kathryn for the chance to win a lovely prize...:)

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  38. In 2013 I practiced the drawing of faces and I have gotten better. The faces I draw still look almost always the same, or at least from the same family, but it's getting there.
    But coloring and getting the shading right eludes me to this day. In 2014 I would like to master coloring and shading the faces I draw and trying out different medias and mixing them together to get the look I like.

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  39. Kathryn this project is so cute, I love your twist on the Advent calendar. I would love to learn how to work with pan pastels, I've been doing a big of art journaling and would like to try these.

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  40. I want to do my 1st mixed-media project - so many great ideas it is hard to choose just one. But I am going to pick one out and that is going to be my New Year's Project!

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  41. Carol - I think I like making mini albums but I enjoy all aspects of paper crafting. Thank you for all your lovely giveaways and the chance to win!!! If I win I'll count it as my birthday gift.....Nov. 19.

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  42. I would really like to learn how to use Utee.

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  43. I would like to master gelatos in an art journal. Well...I can dream can't I? LOL ! ! !

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  44. Noooooo! Everyone's saying gelatos! I want to learn how to get better with molding paste/embossing paste! I would DEFINITELY sign up for a weekend of finishing projects! Wouldn't it be cool if we could all bring unfinished projects, put them in a pot, pull out someone else's to finish, finish it, then take ours home finished by someone else so we wouldn't be limited by our own stuck-ness? I'd happily relinquish my "Queen of Unfinished Projects" t-shirt!

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  45. I would like to learn more regarding gesso and using it as a layer agent
    upnurse at aol dot com

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  46. I'm open to all, I don't know how to use so many, that it doesn't matter which one! LOL! Would be happy to learn it all!

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  47. I would like to use gelatos better and the twinkling H2O's ... I can't afford to learn about something I don't already have LOL

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  48. I would like to master embellishing my projects. I can make Albums. And I can "paper" them. But I have a hard time with embellishing them.

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  49. I really like to watch both your u-stream and you tube channels. You teach so much. I would like to see something with gelatos

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  50. I would love to master the art of working with stencils and texture paste! I always seem to have more paste on myself than the project I'm working on! So any tips would be great !!! Thanks Kathryn....

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  51. I would like to learn how to use the new mediums. There are so many different kinds, and I don't know what to use where, and why. Some are soft, some clear, some get very hard some stay soft, some are finishes. It all confuses me there are so many kinds. Cat-B

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  52. I would like to learn more about embellishing. I get the basic mini done but don't know when or why to use certain objects. Thanks for all your information.

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  53. I would like to master the gelatos, I tried the Copics, without success. I gave them to my son-in-law who is a graphic artist and he puts them to good use. I hope the Gelatos will be easier to master. I also need to master putting my supplies away after each project. Kathryn is so good at that.
    I would love to be a winner.

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  54. I would like to learn and master the inktense pencils.

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  55. I am currently working on finding something I really like to color with. I'm now trying different colored pencils with water and with gamsol. I also want to try the gelotos. I love perfect pearls! I would someday like to try copics.Thanks for the chance to win n the givaway. love the videos!

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  56. I think pulling things together with color and texture, and making a story that can translate your artistic vision to anyone. I saw you video for the little mini album from K. Orta's book...great review, would love to get a copy of it too.

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  57. I would love to better my skills with water color crayon coloring techniques. Thanks heaps

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  58. I would love to learn to incorporate different types of mixed media into my mini albums. I tend to do the same things over and over. Not too creative here!!!!

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