July 3, 2010

Warm Summer Greetings...

Hello,

I know it’s been a while since I posted last. I discovered how difficult it is to be creative when under an enormous amount of stress. I tried to analyze where the stress all came from. Could it be the two job changes in the past year? Or was it having my baby graduate from high school and move away to college? Maybe I was merely experiencing the much dreaded mid life crisis everyone speaks about. I do know having to deal with my Dad and siblings in regards to my mother’s estate is what pushed me over the edge. Taking on the responsibilities of my mother’s estate as co-executor and trustee wasn’t exactly an easy task. In an effort to deal with life’s stresses I took a leave of absence from my scrapbooking. I resigned from being a part of Helmar’s design team, something I loved dearly. A side note, thank you to Tracy at Helmar Adhesives for her love and support. She even sent me a going away gift full of Helmar adhesives. I’ll put them to good use soon! This time I spent away from scrapbooking was spend doing something positive. I devoted my time and energy to gardening!

Will I return to scrapbooking? Of course, I find crafting as a form of therapy. I found gardening to provide a different kind of healing. Spending time outdoors I discovered all kinds of wildlife. Deer graze and sleep in my back yard. Mice live in my compost bin. A snake lives under my deck. Humming birds feed on the flowers. Toads live in my garden and I hear the owls hoot in the trees as I walk around in the garden. I have overcome some of my fear of bees, I no longer panic when I hear them buzz by my head. I love spending time outdoors listening to the trees rustle when the wind blows. I love the feel of the sun on my skin; it reminds me of my youth growing up in Texas. It is so relaxing to watch the sun set. If I stay outside long enough, the deck lights come on. I experience the ambiance of country life to the fullest.

With all that said, I would like to share some photos of the fruits of my labor.












March 28, 2010

Helmar USA Design Team Call 2010

Hey scrapbooking friends, check this out....Helmar USA Design Team Call 2010.



Helmar USA Design Team Call 2010

Helmar USA, Inc, distributes Helmar Adhesives & Art Mediums in the United States. Have you had dreams at night that adhesives would land on your doorstep? Do you want to be a part of one of the most creative teams and work with products from the most amazing manufacturers? Well, that dream can come true…….Helmar USA, Inc. wants YOU to become a member of our USA Design Team!

We are looking for enthusiastic, dedicated scrappers and paper crafters to serve a six-month term beginning June 1, 2010 (Continuation of the term will be determined by both parties at the end of six months.)

As a Design Team member, you will receive:
*Advance releases of products!
Adhesives!
*Endorsement fees for published layouts and projects!
*Payment for projects used for trade shows!
The latest & greatest products from our Preferred Vendors!

Design Team members are required to:
· Dedication to a minimum of (2) blog posts per month. More are LOVELY!
· Dedication to your personal blogs which means keeping them fresh and mentioning Helmar products (we will do our best to promote you personally as well which is a win-win for everyone). Keeping them fresh and new is important.
· Involvement with social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Facebook at minimum is required. This is the future for the industry and plays an even bigger part now than publications.
· Dedication to our preferred vendors. They treat us great! We work very hard to secure those relationships.
· Optional...Teaching experience. We are expanding our marketing efforts and the best way to do this is by demonstration and teaching.
· Another great plus is video tutorials.....and step-by-step projects or kits featuring Helmar products.
· Members are asked to submit their monthly Helmar projects for possible publication in crafting magazines and idea books.
· Members will also complete special projects as requested by Helmar to be used for trade shows, catalogs, promotional items, and various other venues.

Interested applicants should send the following in a single email:
1. Name, address, daytime & evening phone numbers, and email address (US and Canadian applicants only, please)
2. Short biography
3. Links to any on-line galleries and/or blog
4. List of other design teams in which you are currently or were previously a member
5. A brief paragraph stating why you would like to be a member of our Design Team
6. Three example projects using Helmar adhesives and art mediums (layouts or paper crafting projects) no larger than 150k each – Make sure to list any special adhesive techniques used and list the Helmar products.
7. Anything else you want us to know about you…..what sets you apart from the rest? We want to see your enthusiasm!

Please submit the above information to info@helmarusa.com by April 15th. No late entries will be accepted. The new Design Team members will be announced on our website on April 28th.

For additional information on our products, visit our design team blog at: www.helmarusa.typepad.com. Feel free to EMAIL any questions to info@helmarusa.com

Tracy Weinzapfel
President, Helmar USA, Inc.

March 22, 2010

Congrats Tami B. Blog Hop Winner



Thanks everyone for checking out our first Helmar Blog Hop! I appreciate all of your wonderful comments about my projects and Adhesive Runner. Please come to visit again.

The Random.org chose #41

41. Tami B. said...
Wonderful projects and everybody needs a glue runner.
March 20, 2010 5:21 PM

Congratulations Tami B! Please e-mail Helmar (tracyw@helmarusa. com) with your information so she can mail your prize! Thanks again everyone!

March 20, 2010

Helmar Blog Hop....1st stop

Welcome to your first stop on the Helmar Blog Hop. As a designer for Helmar, I’ve had an opportunity to use some fabulous products. When asked to choose my favorite, I couldn’t possibly do that. Each one of Helmars’ products has its own creative purpose in my crafting. I love to make mini-albums and create layouts for scrapbooks; I chose to feature an adhesive that I reach for most often, Helmar Quick-fix Adhesive Runner.





This is a double sided, acid free, archival and photo safe adhesive. It is perfect for craft, school projects, office, scrapbooking and card making. It is quick and easy to use, providing an even layer of adhesive onto the application surface. Ideal for quickly adhering many light weight items such as cardstock, photos and ribbon. Helmar Quick-fix Adhesive Runner can easily be refilled, just open the dispenser and drop in a new cartridge. Helmar Quick-fix Adhesive Runner allows me to add photos to layouts and projects such as the one featured on this clipboard. This personalized clipboard can hang on you wall as a message board. To make the most of my paper scraps, I was able to create a few cards as well. Enjoy!







Supplies Used:
Helmar Quick-fix Adhesive Runner
Helmar 450 Quick Dry
Helmar Acid Free Glue
Helmar Clear Square ZAPDOTS
My Stamp Box Abundant Blossoms & You Name It Clear Stamps
Fancy Pants Designs Paper & Buttons
Clearsnap Ancient Page Black Dye Inkpad & ColorBox
Heidi Swapp Chipboard Alphabet
Prima Flowers
Making Memories Manila Cards & Envelopes
Various Ribbons, Tulle & Fibers
Clipboard

For a chance to win Helmar’s Quick-fix Adhesive Runner and Refills, post a comment on this blog post. For more chances to win and to continue on this creative journey, hop over to the talented Carla Schauer to see what she has created.

Thank you for visiting,

Tish Treadaway, Helmar USA Design Team Member

March 2, 2010

Zutter's New Hang-It-Alls



In celebration of Zutter's New Hang-it-alls, check out the Zutter Blog for an opportunity to win some. Post a comment on the "Hangin with the New Hang-it-alls" blog post. They will be drawing 10 names on March 10th.....so hurry and check out Zutter's Blog. Good Luck!

Tish Treadaway, OZZ Design Team Member

March 1, 2010

Zutter's Mini-Luggage is too cute to resist...



Zutter’s Mini-Luggage is too cute to resist. This little luggage measure 4 ½ X 3 X 1 ¾ inches packs a big design opportunity. This is a unique way to store a mini-album and tiny ephemera. It’s perfect for many occasions; this white patent looking luggage is embellished with black pattern papers by Melody Ross, bold yellow Prima Flowers and butterfly cut-out designs from Melody’s papers. The possibilities are endless.



Supplies Used:
Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive
Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots
Zutter Mini-Luggage
Zutter ½ Antique Brass O’wire
Melody Ross Designer Collections artsy Urban Papers
Prima Flowers
Offray Ribbon



I covered outside of the luggage, top and bottom with Melody Ross Designer Collections artsy Urban Papers. I applied all of the papers using Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive. I added some butterfly cut out from Melody’s pattern papers and applied to the outside using Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots. On the inside of the luggage, I embellished with another butterfly cut out using Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive. For the album, I cut up pattern paper from Melody Ross Design Collections artsy Urban Papers. The album is bound together using the Zutter Bind-it-all ½ antique brass o’wire. The set is complete and ready to fill with your photos and special memories.

Tish Treadaway, OZZ Zutter Design Team Member

February 27, 2010

Nikki Sivils U R My Favorite



Nikki Sivils Scrapbook U R My Favorite “You, You, You” paper is fabulous. Creating a layout is quick and easy using this pattern paper as the foundation for your layout. I love the monochromatic theme, scalloped edges, flourish designs and the little crowns in each corner. I followed the design in each scallop as my guide for placing a decorative brad, just use a paper piercer for punching the holes.




The edges of the photo were dry brushed with acrylic paint to coordinate with the papers. To add dimension to the embellishments, I used Helmar ZAPDOTS. Check out the close up photos of placement of Helmar ZAPDOTS.




Elle’s Studio has a huge selection of tags; here I used Saltwater Taffy Journaling Tag as a frame for my number two. I altered the tag by sanding down the edges and embellishing with a flower.



Supplies Used:
Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive
Helmar Black ZAPDOTS
Helmar Quick-Fix Adhesive Runner
Elle’s Studio Saltwater Taffy Journaling Tags
Nikki Sivils U R My Favorite “You You You” Paper
Bo-bunny Press Chipboard “2”
EK Success Simply Classic Inspirables & Nostalgiques Stickers
Prima Flowers
Making Memories Brads
Flower Buttons

Tish Treadaway, Helmar USA Design Team Member

February 21, 2010

Thinking of you...



The month of February is all about love so create a layout about a special person in your life. This can be about your parents, friend, children or spouse. Do a layout about a close relationship; reinforce how you feel for this individual. Thinking of you is all about my best friend and husband, Tony. Having the freedom of expression through scrapbooking is possible thanks to companies such as Helmar Adhesives and their preferred partners. Thank you for the fabulous products such as the ones listed on the Helmar Adhesives Blog!



Supplies Used:
Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive
Helmar Black ZAPDOTS
Helmar Quick-Fix Adhesive Runner
Creative Impressions Bits of Bling
Elle’s Studio Love Note Tags
gcd studios Christmas Sleigh Paper Pack
K&Co. Words & Sayings Stickers
Prima Flowers
Rub-ons by Creative Imaginations
Rusty Pickle Trims
Target Tag
The Beadery Flower Buttons
Wimpole Street Creations Fabric Heart





To create this layout, punch out the decorative pattern paper from the gcd studios Christmas Sleigh paper pack. The designs in this paper pack are so versatile that they can be used for more than just Christmas theme layouts. As you can see from the round decorative edge paper, I created a theme about love instead. Classic designs such as the papers in this packet can be used for more than just one season. I love, love, love Elle’s Studio Tags! Here I used one of the Love Notes for my journaling box, embellished with a flower it can be pulled out from the heart shaped pocket to read. Creative Impressions has a vast assortment of Bits of Bling, I love how this pearl bling adds a touch of class to my flower centers. The photo is adhered with Helmar Quick-Fix Adhesive, applied to only 3 sides of the photo. This enables the journaling to tuck behind the photo. The lace and heart were applied with Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive. To add dimension to the layout, I used Helmar Black ZAPDOTS on the tag an flower.

Tish Treadaway, Helmar USA Design Team Member

February 14, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day

One associates the month of February with love, Valentine’s Day, boxes of chocolates and the color red. To keep in with the theme, I created this vintage rose album. Hopefully it sparks a little romance, bringing you back to remember a special person, place and event.

Supplies Used:
Helmar Acid Free Glue
Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots
Zutter 6x6 Bamboo Spine Cover-All
Red ¾” Owire
Red Velour Paper by K&Company, Flower Pattern Paper Source Unknown
Bazzill Cardstock
Hand Crafted Mulberry Paper Flowers by The Natural Paper Company
Tulle by Michael’s
Antique White Label Holder by Making Memories
Purple Cows Trimmer w/scalloped blade

To create this album, I used fabric that was designed for scrapbooking. I cut two strips of fabric to 6 x 8 wrapping it around the album cover. I mitered the edges allowing a clean fold around the corners. I cut a scalloped edge on the red velour fabric and placed a strip on the spine of the Cover-All. Helmar Acid Free Adhesive was used on all the fabric to attach it to the cover. The 6x6” inner pages were cut using the Zutter DreamKutz tool. The pages were bound together using the Zutter Bind-it-All and ¾” Red O’wires.
Wishing you a day filled with love from family and friends!
Tish Treadaway, OZZ Zutter Bind-it-All Design Team

February 12, 2010

Sending you my love...



Send someone you love a special treat this Valentine’s Day. Decorate a mini-mailbox and fill with love notes, cards, photos and treats. I love a touch of whimsy the papers by Nikki Sivils adds to this mailbox. It’s a fun way to send your Valentine greetings this year.



Supplies Used:
Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive
Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots
Helmar Super Strength PVA Wood GlueCreative Impressions Inc. Bits of Bling
Mini Mailbox
Nikki Sivils U R My Favorite “U R My Heart” Papers
Nikki Sivils Cool Cord Brads
Prima Flowers
All My Memories Ribbon
Pink Tulle – Source Unknown
Making Memories Acrylic Pain
Zutter Rivets




Remove the mailbox flag; it can be re-attached later using a Zutter Rivet. Cover the mailbox with Nikki Sivils U R My Favorite pattern papers. I applied all of the papers using Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive. I embellished the mailbox with flowers with Bits of Bling, frog cut out designs from Nikki Sivils pattern papers and applied to the outside using Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots. I cut an unfinished wood candlestick for the mailbox base. Paint with white acrylic paint. Attach the wood base to the mailbox using Helmar Super Strength PVA Wood Glue.
Wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Tish Treadaway, Helmar USA Design Team Member

February 7, 2010

Making plans for that special day...



It’s time to celebrate our relationships, friendships and love. In celebration of Valentine’s Day, I wanted something special for my photos. I created this vintage looking heart box using Helmar Adhesives and several of their preferred vendors’ products: Creative Impressions, Inc Bits of Bling, Elle’s Studio Tags, and Pink Paislee Love Potion Cupid Paper Collection. I love how the combination of all of these products turned an old candy box destine for the trash into a romantic keepsake treasure!





Supplies Used:
Helmar Acid Free Glue
Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive
Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots
Chain - Hardware Store
Creative Impressions, Inc. Bits of Bling
Crochet Flowers – Source Unknown
Elle’s Studio Vintage Label Cut Outs
Maya Road Chipboard Butterfly
Making Memories Velour Flower and Heart Paperclip
Paper Doilie – Source Unknown
Pink Paislee Love Potion Cupid Collection
Prima Flowers
Ribbon – Michael’s $1 Spools
Rub-ons by Narratives by Karen Russell



I covered the box lid, bottom and sides of the heart box using papers from Pink Paislees Love Potion Cupid Collection. I applied all of the papers using Helmar Acid Free Glue. I added some lace around the side of the box using Helmar 450 QuickDry Adhesive. Embellishments were added to the box lid using Helmar Liquid Scrapdots. The mixture of crochet flowers, Prima Flowers with Bits of Bling in the centers from Creative Impressions, Inc. gave a vintage look. I love Elle’s Studio Vintage Labels; I just cut one out, distressed with sandpaper and applied a rub-on title. For the album, I used the paper lining as my template cutting heart shape pages form Pink Paislees Love Potion Cupid Collection. The set is complete and ready to fill with your anniversary, wedding, or Valentine’s Day memories.

Tish Treadaway, Helmar USA Design Team Member

January 18, 2010

Wintery wonderland projects....



It’s a winter wonderland around the world with record low temperatures with plenty of snow. Make the most of this time to capture the moment and preserve the memories. This treasure box and album is created using Helmar Adhesives and multiple preferred vendors’ products: Clearsnap, Creative Impressions, Inc.,Elle’s Studio and The Robin’s Nest.





Zutter 4” x 4” Chipboard Covers
Zutter ¾” Antique Brass O’Wire
Helmar Acid Free Glue
Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive
Helmar Super Strength PVA Wood Glue
Amerock Hardware
Creative Impresions, Inc. Large Felt Snowflakes
Creative Impresions, Inc. Bits of Bling
Elle’s Studio Vintage Label Cut Outs
Making Memories Clear Creations Tags & Acrylic Paint
The Robin’s Nest Winter Retreat
The Robin’s Nest Snow Fun Rub-ons
Prima Wood Box
Ribbon – Source Unknown
Clearsnap ColorBox Ink

I covered the base of the wood box using with wintery papers from The Robin’s Nest applied using Helmar Acid Free Glue. To add to the vintage feel of the papers, I rubbed ColorBox inks around the edges for a distressed look. For the box lid, I used coordinating papers from The Robin’s Nest applied using Helmar Acid Free Glue. I drilled a hole in the lid of the box and put a hardware drawer knob. Using Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive, I embellished the box lid with large felt snowflakes form CreativeImpressions.com. I placed Bits of Bling from Creative Impressions in the center of each snowflake. The box wouldn’t be complete without a label, here I used Elle’s Studio Vintage Label Cut Outs and distressed with sandpaper. To give the box some legs to stand on, I painted wood knobs and adhered to the box using Helmar Super Strength PVA Wood Glue. The box if beautiful on it’s own, lets’ take it a step further by making a coordinating album to fit inside the box. Using the Zutter Bind-it-all, I punched holes and bound it with Brass O’Wires. I dry brushed the chipboard covers with blue and white acrylic paints. Once the paint dried, I applied The Robin’s Nest Snow Fun Rub-ons. The inner pages of the album are from The Robin’s Nest Winter Retreat papers cut to 4” x 4” size of the covers. Apply a Large Felt Snowflake with a Bit of Bling all from CreativeImpressions.com. The ensemble is complete and ready to fill with memories of wintery events.

January 1, 2010

Happy New Years!

A year in review album is the perfect start for the New Year. Create an album to highlight special events from the previous year. The good news is this album can be made quickly. The use of Zutter pre-punched page protectors gives you the flexibility to change your photos in your album as you desire.

Supplies Used:
Zutter Black 4x6” Bamboo Spine Cover-All
Zutter Black 5/8" Owire
Zutter Inner Pages
Zutter 4x6” Pre-Punched Page Protectors
Helmar Acid Free Glue
Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots
Pink Paislee Amber Road Collection
Prima Flowers, Inc.
Ribbons by Fibers & Yarns & Threads, Oh My!, Tulle and Grosgrain from Michaels
The Mountain Idea Coin & Tassel, Asian Title Source Unknown



To create this album, I chose the black Bamboo Cover-All. I liked the elegant look of the black spine with the Asian theme pattern papers. I cut pattern papers for the interior and exterior cover, using Helmar Acid Free Glue to adhere to the Cover-All. Wrap a piece of grosgrain ribbon around the cover along the edge of the paper. Embellish the cover with flowers and metal charms with Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots.


I hope your upcoming year will be memoriable and unforgettable!
Tish Treadaway, OZZ Zutter Bind-it-All Design Team Member