Craftapalooza

 I enjoyed our first Craftapoolza with my buddies, Pam, Jenny and Heather last Sunday.  We met at Jenny's new pad, Studio Crescendoh in Santa Ana. We crafted like wild women all through the night.  It was a really fun night of food, drinks and crafting with friends.  We each brought the supplies for our craft that we were teaching and showed each other how to create something.  The little acorn people were brought by Heather. The top ones were created by Pam the bottom ones were by me.

 

 Studio Crescendoh is so cool, it is a studio located in the art district in downtown Santa Ana.  Jenny is now hosting classes at her studio and has some amazingly talented artist teaching there.  She has a schedule of classes on her website, Lynn Whipple, Jesse Reno and Jennifer Mercedes are coming just to name a few. 

Jenny shared with us her doodling technique. Which she had each of us doodle what ever came into our mind on each others journal and then pass it on to the next person until we worked on everyones book.  This is the outcome of Heather's books above and of Jenny's below.  It was really fun to see all of them together.

Jenny gave all of us a copy of her latest book that has been published and Pam brought us each two of her beautiful new prints that she has available on etsy.  They make great gifts and I can't believe how much they look like orginal illustrations in person.  

I taught everyone how to bead their own necklace and how to make bon bon bags for Christmas.  Here are some of the bags that Heather and Pam made below.

Pam also shared how to make her handmade felt wreath.  Jenny made the wreath shown below.  Pam and I also showed how to make our crafts on Heather's Christmas addition of Souvenir that she has offered for free.  You can sign up for Souvenir on her blog, Souvenir is loaded with fun Christmas ideas and recipe's.  We also used this time together to celebrate Heather's new job as contributing editor for Country LIving Magazine.  I am lucky to have such creative friends in driving distance, it is always fun when we get to hang out with each other.  

The picture above is of Jenny and Heather's acorn people.  This is a great craft to make with the kids, she found the acorn tops on etsy.  

Comments

[laura]

Hi Amy I love your bon bon bags. I am having a craft day with a friend next week & would love to make them.. I signed up for souviner however did not get the Christmas email...can you send me some info on materials etc.. they are really beautiful Thank you & Happy Holidays. xo Laura

[Amy Hanna]

Laura, the bon bon bags are super easy to make. Just find an image you like, if it is not large enough go to Kinko's and have it enlarged. Cut the image out and add glitter to it. I have used German glass glitter, it ages so nicely. Then sew your picture to some cloth to make a bag. You can use any kind of cloth. I have used vintage money bags in the past that are small bags. They were great because I only had to sew the image on to it. Garnish with tinsel or ribbon and tie the bottom together. Have fun creating, send me a photo of your bags when you are done. Merry Christmas.....
I think you can just resign up for Souvenir at Heathers sight and you should receive the link to the last addition.

[Susan Reaney]

Lovely jewelry. You are my heroine!
Now, the kids have to have some good Midwestern roots to do so well at a snowball fight ;-)
Fondly,
Suz