About Michelle

What do talcum powder and volcanos have in common? They both erupt into a gorgeous mess and so do I. Anyone who knows me, knows my love for getting messy. I love to dabble with media and experiment with anything in my reach. As a child, I would mix water, food coloring and talcum powder to make eyeshadow. As I grew, I learned to knit, sewed my own clothes and started my own successful catering company before the age of 16. Later, I entered the corporate world and still found time to feed my creative side. I began my current path in 1995 following a trip to Costa Rica. I went to view the Arenal Volcano, only to discover it was hidden by clouds. Returning home, I decided to put my photos in an album and when I realized I didn’t have any pictures of the volcano, I searched the internet to see what I could find. Lo and behold, I stumbled across the world of scrapbooking and rubber stamping. It was my introduction to this new world and I haven’t looked back since! I am a Copic and Ranger Certified Educator. Before owning “Everything Scrapbook & Stamps” in West Palm Beach, Florida, I traveled extensively worldwide and loved to collect unusual items to incorporate into my art. Born and raised in England, I currently reside in Florida with my husband and two rascally parrots.

It’s was my Birthday

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Michelle

It was my birthday on the 14th which was the first day of the event. What a way to spend it. . . . . . playing with paint and mediums!!!

All the supplies we used were stretched along both walls of the room!

This was the box full of panels we needed to complete. There was also some canvas in the box.

A paint pouring that I did. Different than the way I had done it before (so much easier)We had a fabulous lunch in the courtyard of the hotel and then wine and cheese at 3 pm in the afternoon.

Dinner was in a private dining room at Cafe Gallery at Loew’s Hotel

The food was delicious!!!

A great end to a fabulous birthday

The Hotel

Posted on October 13, 2019 by Michelle

The Hotel Mazarin is beautiful. An old building right in the French Quarter with lovely architecture.

I came in early so I checked my luggage and went for a walk. I stopped by Cafe Du Monde for a Beignet. Everyone said to come here. Stood in line for about ten minutes so not too bad. I also decided to try the Chicory Coffee which is also a New Orleans staple. Have to say I was not impressed, sorry everyone!!

Stopped into this lovely stationary store and bought a new wax seal and some metallic sealing wax

New Orleans has such beautiful buildings and the history/stories behind them are very interesting..

In the evening we had our first meal with my fellow artists and the folks from Golden. They gave us a goodie bag filled with fun New Orleans souvenirs as we shared cocktails and got to meet each other. I had my first oyster (tasted like dirt) but, the rest of the food was lovely.

On my way to NOLA.

Posted on October 13, 2019 by Michelle

I am headed to New Orleans, Louisiana with Golden Paints. I am attending a training event called GAEP. I am one of twenty people selected from around the world to be immersed in everything Golden for an entire week. They are putting us up in the Hotel Mazarin which is in the French Quarter. I have never been to New Orleans so it should be interesting.

Rae Missigman

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Michelle

I have admired Rae Missgman’s art for years. I met her for the first time a couple of years ago at the Faber Castell booth at the trade show. I was so delighted when she finally agreed to come teach at Everything Scrapbook & Stamps.

Rae taught two fun mixed media classes and I know everyone enjoyed them

Rae is so sweet and gifted me a handmade book and a lovely crocheted piece that can be work as a necklace, book wrap or bracelet. I wear it as a bracelet and adore it.

Hoping to meet up with Rae again soon. If you want to see more of her work click here!

So excited to be visiting New Orleans in a few days. I have never been and I will be there with other artists at a GOLDEN paint training session!!! Lucky me

September

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Michelle

Where has the month gone? I got back to Florida on the 1st of September in time to board up the store for an impending hurricane. Then we had a huge estate sale at the store for one of our customers who passed away at the age of 89. Myrna had been crafting for many years and had an overwhelming amount of stuff. And of course I was behind on designing all of the classes for this month.

Now onto the crafty/art stuff

Cards from one of our recent card classes. Quick but, fun to make.

This is the Halloween Assemblage for this year.

I love the Halloween Making Season

Another day in Seattle

Posted on September 1, 2019 by Michelle

Just of the cruise ship and I had an extra day booked to meet up with Brooke. We decided to go on a haunted tour of Seattle. I had been to Seattle in 2014 but, had not taken a tour. It was fascinating – Seattle has such an interesting history

Love the totem poles.

Victoria

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Michelle

We stopped in Victoria today.

Had an English Breakfast for Lunch and then went on a bus tour

Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Michelle

Got up really early to watch as we sailed through. Wrapped in blankets and the cruise personnel were coming around to everyone with hot chocolate. what a fabulous way to spend the morning.

Skagway

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Michelle

In Skagway I took the coach to the Train which went through the mountains. Stopped at the suspension bridge and had Bison Chili for Lunch. The views are just incredible.

Images of Skagway

Views from the coach

and from the train:

we even stopped to pick up hitch hikers who were on a hiking tour and two of them turned out to be Nicole and Bryan who were with our group.

Alaska is just so incredibly beautiful and the polar opposite of Florida. We have beautiful palm trees, ocean views and balmy breezes but it is very flat!

Juneau

Posted on August 26, 2019 by Michelle

It was a rainy day in Juneau and I had tickets to the Rain Forest. After getting there we discovered the roads had been washed out so the tour was canceled. Called another Uber to go to the Medenhall Glacier. We were in the visitors center and the power went out. Just a crazy day!!

Here are the photos that I manged to get.