USAQ Blog » Susan Pickering Rothamel

WINNER

Susan Pickering Rothamel — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:01:30 +0000

Prill, Frill and Blog Hop

The USArtQuest Design Team was amazing by all of your comments

We would love to THANK YOU

the winner of the blog hop is

“Jo Zeckner”

Please contact

Terri Sproul at Terri@ultimatescrapbookretreat.com with Winner in the regards – please let her know which 6 Prills you want…

Thanks again for stop by our blog hop. Please join us on during the week to see more of the Design Team project…

Terri Sproul

Hi Everyone – Once again …

Susan Pickering Rothamel — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:24:09 +0000

Hi Everyone – Once again Sue will be presenting on HSN tomorrow. This time she will have 5 Brand New Kits. If you can’t watch, make sure to set your DVR’s or you can even watch online LIVE at HSN.com.

Prills! Frills! A Blog Hop

Susan Pickering Rothamel — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 17:24:29 +0000

USArtQuest Design Team’s Blog Hop

Monday, March 12th beginning at 12:00am

Be among the FIRST to see all new

The newest addition to USArtQuest’s already fabulous product line.

Oh, these little gems are just too much fun!

Now YOU have a chance to win some Prills of your own!

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Check out each blog on this hop

2. Leave a comment

3. Post a comment here on which was your favorite project

You’ll automatically be entered to win 6 Prills for your own!

Link to each of our Design Team member blogs!

Kristi Parker Van Doren

We hope you enjoy our hop starting on March 12th at 12AM EST

Leave us your Prills Frills comments!

We hope you’re our winner.

Watch Sue On HSN Tomorrow!!!!

Susan Pickering Rothamel — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:54:24 +0000

Hi Everyone! Happy Monday! We are so excited that Sue will be back on HSN (Home Shopping Network) tomorrow, Tuesday, March 6th. She will be on at the 8am and 5pm hour (EST). So make sure to watch or set those DVRs! Thanks for all your support.

Click here to get a sneak peak of the brand new Decorative Napkin Collage Kit and all the USAQ Products on HSN.com, some sets are only available throught HSN.

It’s really getting exciting around USA

Susan Pickering Rothamel — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:10:40 +0000

It’s really getting exciting around USArtQuest, Sue has all of her samples made, boxes/suitcases packed and ready for HSN! She leaves saturday! Don’t forget to DVR it, March 6th, the 8am and 5pm hour. http://ow.ly/i/udJB http://ow.ly/9oxka

Sue’s ‘Point of View’

Susan Pickering Rothamel — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:27:09 +0000

I’m not particularly thought of as a steampunk artist, but I wanted to give it a whirl, especially since Joe inspired me with his work, and our new napkins for HSN were calling my name. Steampunk from my

”Point of View”

Start with a frame. Frankie’s dad made this one years ago and she gifted me with some of them a long time ago and I’ve saved them forever. PPA and Duo are a must, as well as Gildenglitz – Silver and the MicaColor – Metallic palette. A good brush and your ready to go…and, some of our gorgeous new napkins that will be on HSN March 6th.

I began by coating the frame with PPA to prime it. When dry apply the Duo. When dry apply the silver. When silvered, apply napkin bits using PPA. When dry, apply watercolors. When dry apply PPA to seal it thoroughly. I used Prills-Ice Queen around the interior of the frame because it’s a bit out of kilter and they disguise that kind of thing…with panache! I scribbled a bit on this too, enhancing the trees and fleur de ‘lis, having gotten carried away with the paint a little. I built a box for the back and patiently put it together, attached it to the back and cut a hole in the top to hang the free-hanging focal point.

The interior elements are from my collection of stuff. The glass disc has a portion of the napkin applied to the reverse side, then Duo’ed and silvered. It’s framed with a rusty old drain thingy. The hanger is from some ironing board part & a hook from my old jeans. The pigment bottles are authentic pigment from the 1800s, the mica bits are cut, and the tags aged using Perfect Pigment Glaze – Sepia. I applied PPA – Gloss over the entire Prilled area, and stuck on the glass. It dried in about an hour, so that I could photograph it. The faux corner pieces are Mica Rings – Small and buckshot that my friend Mer gave me. There’s a very cool old eyeglass piece from Mer too. It magnified the word ‘Paris’ quite nicely.

New 2012 USArtQuest Design Team

Susan Pickering Rothamel — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:00:39 +0000

We are so honored to be announcing the 2012 USArtQuest Design Team! Check out our website to see all the products, techniques and projects we have to offer. The ‘artsy’ in you will be inspired all over again.

Each of our designers have been selected because they not only have blogs, videos and projects to inspire you, but the best of creative talent too. Read about them here, and then visit their blogs. Be sure to become a follower, so that you can see their updates and projects each and every time they post a new USAQ inspired project.

Now introducing….

Terri Sproul

USArtQuest Design Team Leader

Terri Sproul is the producer of a DVD called “MasquePen Magic” and has her own Youtube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/terrisproul. Terri is a diverse and experienced designer, design team leader and instructor for multiple companies in the paper craft world including “ Robin Nest” “Creative Paperclay®”, “Stewart Superior”, “Sakura Hobby Craft” and “Viva Las Vegastamps!” just to name a few!

Terri and her husband Marc have the pleasure of living in San Diego County On top Of Palomar Mountain. She has received a Bachelor of Scrapbooking Arts from Creating Keepsakes and Bachelor of Scrapbooking Education from EK Success. Terri’s passion is teaching fellow Scrapbooker’s and Stamper’s new techniques and to think ‘out of the box’ and ‘off the Page.’ Visit her website and blog to see “all the exciting stuff” she does at http://www.terrisproul.com– link to blog is also there.

Leslie Venable

I am a self taught mixed media artist living in Virginia with my wonderful husband Art, and our furry family of 5. Raised by a traditional yet artistic mother, we were blessed to be exposed to many different artists in our visits to fine art museums across the America. Although my college days led me to a business degree, it was my love of art that moved me into taking fine art and photography classes over several semesters. About 8 years ago, I was introduced to mixed media, in particular vintage imagery. It reminded me of some of my favorite museum works!

Ann Krier

Ann Kristen Krier is a self-taught, mixed media artist who began creative pursuits in early public school, supplementing formal learning with art workshops at the University of Vermont. Later, inspired by the talents of grandmothers and aunties, who willingly shared their ”art stuff” from fibers to watercolors, she began to combine materials into new creative techniques for mixed media. Her creative life includes a commitment to sharing ideas through books, articles, workshops and her artist’s statement: “The artist’s journey should never stop, but rather pause temporarily to share with all the world, what she has been fortunate to discover.”

Born in upstate New York, Ann and her husband Jim currently live in the Piedmont region of North Carolina with three of four “children” – lax man, soccer girl and “Murphy” the eighty pound lap dog.

Becky Thackston

Hi everyone! I am so excited for this opportunity with USArtQuest! I have been a scrapper for over 18 years now. Over the last few years I have added painting and quilting, and even started drawing again after a 20 year hiatus. I love all forms of art, and nothing makes me happier then to lock myself away in my craft room and just be creative all day long. You should try it. It’s very therapeutic! I love looking around and grabbing ideas from signs, pictures and odd-ball items. Married for 13 years, to the sweetest guy in the world, my guy doesn’t mind my crafty addiction in the least! I am a mother of 2, ages 21 and 18. My youngest will graduate next year, giving me even more creative time. I am also proud grandmother to a sweet 10 month old named, Danie. She is the light of my life. If it involves paint, glue, paper…I’m in!

Sally MacDonald

Sally Lynn MacDonald has been an avid mixed-media artist since 1998, when her first child was born. But it was after the birth of twins that she quit her high-tech career at IBM to be at home with her growing family. ”This is when creativity became a survival skill!” she says.

She has been a professional instructor for several years, specializing in techniques and multi-surface applications. She travels extensively, teaching workshops at stores and events throughout the United States and Canada. Her most recent assignment was becoming Creative Director for Art-C, one of many brands with the C-Thru Ruler Company. She is a member of the Copic Marker Design Team and was on the certification instructor team for the past two years. She does sample and catalog work for several companies, including Faber Castell. In addition she has been a certified and/or endorsed instructor for 7 Gypsies, Graphic 45, Little Yellow Bicycle, Prima, Ranger, attered Angels, Websters Pages and Clear Scraps. Her prior design team and guest blogger experiences include such wonderful companies as Cosmo Cricket, Hero Arts, Kanban Crafts, Prima, Spellbinders and Tattered Angels. You may have seen her on a couple of nationally televised segments on HGTV’s popular craft series,‘That’s Clever!’. She is developing self-paced, video and instructor-led online workshops for 2012.

Sally Lynn and her husband Neil have been married for twenty-four years and live in Connecticut with their children, Brianna and the “Twinkies,” Cameron and Courtney.

Lea Cioci

Lea Cioci CPD CPT, is a freelance designer and serves as a demo artist, instructor, and design consultant to several companies in the hobby industry. Lea’s work has been published in many paper arts magazines, C&T publication books, Design Original books, and contributions to other published arts and crafting books. Lea has worked as a demonstrator and educator for Plaid Enterprises as well as a USAQ Pro. Currently, Lea is also a Ranger Ink Educator and Certified Copic Designer. Lea’s journey led her to the creation of stamp images to give the artist the freedom to create a very personal self-expression. Lea’s recent works for C&T Publishing include Scrap Your Stuff, Board Book Play, and Creative Art Concepts for Papercrafts -Lea’s own book: Creative Art Concepts for Papercrafts, launched Feb., 2007. In 2009, several art projects were highlighted in 1000 Handmade Greetings, and additional work in Somerset Memories with new work in Somerset Digital in the fall issue of 2010.

Joe Rotella

Joe’s mom always enjoyed crafting so he grew up in a crafty home. He loves detail and 3D work and paper piecing is his specialty. Joe’s work has appeared in Scrap & Stamp Arts and Just Steampunk! magazines. He’s filmed a segment of Crafting at the Spotted Canary with Joy Macdonell (airs on PBS Fall 2011) and has won Archiver’s One-of-a-Kind Wall Art contest (Ohio, August 2011). He’s on the Viva Las Vegastamps! Design team. When he’s not designing paper art projects, he works as CTO at Delphia Consulting.

Kristi Parker Van Doren

Hello, my name is Kristi Parker Van Doren and I live in Missouri, the Show Me State! I live with my husband of 23 years and our 2 children. I have been involved with paper crafting for over thirty five years. I was introduced to stamping at the age of 12 and over the years, I have taught many classes at the local stamping and scrapbooking stores. I have also worked the retail side and am a previous store owner. I love to create a large spectrum of projects with a broad range of styles. I have been blessed to attend CHA and demo for several companies. My style varies depending on the materials I have on hand and what is called for on any given project. I have worked with some wonderful companies and have been published in a variety of magazines. I love creating cards, altered arts, home decor, and scrapbooking. In my spare time I also enjoy spending time with family and friends, jewelry making
and recently started woodworking! I also love to combine different companies together to create unique and fun projects. I am getting ready to start my second term with Dreamweaver Stencils January of 2012. I just try to enjoy life’s moments.

Wow! Now that’s one amazing team.

Wow, what an amazing team..

Terri Sproul

Look Whats One Dollar at USArtQuest.com

Susan Pickering Rothamel — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:21:16 +0000

This is USArtQuest.com’s Weekly Special.
The Lowest Price Ever! So make sure to stock up!

Rockin’ and Rollin’

Susan Pickering Rothamel — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:31:50 +0000

We’re all working like crazy at USAQ! While Julie takes care of the every day business, and I’m working on the HSN specs., our crew is busy pullin’, rollin’, and rockin’. Here Sue is pulling Silver Dicrofibers to weigh them. Every color times 18 is .15oz.

Then Norma is ‘rollin’ each one so that the Dicrofibers each look so beautiful in the box. Aren’t these gorgeous!

And, don’t think for a moment, this is all work. Oh, no sirree…Here Sherri is rockin’ the house, showing off her new idea for Dicrofibers…now, if she can just make it stick to the side of her head! That’s Lorna at the big table, and Sherry, Norma, Sue and Rose – having lots of giggles.

Your seeing the back of the art department with all the assembly tables moved into it, because the assembly area is staged for all of those HSN palettes we’re all working hard to prepare before Christmas!

Studio Cloth Napkin Collage Calendar

Susan Pickering Rothamel — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:14:31 +0000

I taught a terrific class of multiple projects while in York, PA. at an Heirloom Show. We had so many projects, in fact, that no one was quite able to finish one of them. So, I promised directions on the blog. I’m a couple of weeks late, but finally because these are actual Christmas gifts, I wanted to get them all started, middled, and completed…I’m started and middled, but there’s still lots of completing to do.

Today I am making a beautiful painted and collage calendar cover. Join me!

Begin with Studio Cloth. Studio Cloth is unique and can be cut like paper. It doesn’t fray, and is super strong and flexible. It is one of my preferred surfaces because if functions perfectly every time, and gives me a REAL product, not just an ethereal paper product.

A Studio Cloth - Table Runner is 13″ x 54, making it perfect for 12 of these particular covers – 6.5″ L x 8″ W. However, you’ll need to measure the calendars you find, and purchase the right amount of yardage for your calendars. Measure them fully opened, and add at least 1/2″ for the fold. It will be trimmed later, so extra room will make it easier in the long run. I had two small pieces left, which I’ll use to make credit card cases for my sisters.

I cut all the pieces and laid them out on my studio table, along with the calendar, a decorative paper napkin and the name of the person receiving the gift. This was important since I’m making so many and had to keep checking my list more then twice. Everyone here was nice though…not a naughty one among them.

Begin by slathering a VERY LIGHT TINT of paint over the entire piece of Studio Cloth. Let that dry. Tear off all the back layers of the decorative paper napkin, and use the images as the design. Make sure to put plenty of Perfect Paper Adhesive under and over each image. I used Gloss. It will keep the cloth flexible, washable and sturdy.

Don’t worry about edges that overhang, leaves or design parts that are cut off. Just glue them down. Remember the right-hand facing side will be the front of the calendar cover, so you’ll want the strongest imagery on that side. Add more color as you go, but always start with the lightest tones first. If a leaf is missing a tip, paint it in. Don’t forget to overpaint all the images with lots of beautiful Perfect Pigment Acrylic paints. This makes them uniquely your own, repairs missing parts, and provides an opportunity to integrate color and design to make a pleasing composition.

When the piece is completed and dried, give it one more light coat of PPA, to ensure it will withstand water and handling for years and years. When that is dry, give it a light sanding with 0000 sand paper. I use a nail block for most of this work. Sanding will make it super smooth and nice to touch.

Carefully trim the edges. I left enough overage from the beginning so that it was easy, but still I cut teensy bits off at a time. You can’t glue it back on, so take your time on this part.

If your calendar has a plastic sleeve, like mine does, then slide the finished art into the sleeve and poke a hole through both pieces simultaneously. If it does not have a sleeve, then open the calendar to the center, and poke through the center of the calendar and Studio Cloth simultaneously.

I used a piece of wire to help pull through an elastic cord which was very easy. Save the wire.

Tie a knot in the elastic and slide the wire through the base of the knot. Then twist it once. This will keep the knot from ever coming back through the hole. I also use bobby pins for this technique, or cotter pins if I have one the right size.

Finally, I decided that the white elastic was a bit too white, so I pulled it back out and painted it a yellow ochre color. I’ve done this on other projects and the color holds up nicely, even though the elastic gets lots of handling. The elastic also keeps the calendar from flopping around in your purse, dog-earring the pages. I like things finished, and knowing that it might get seen at some time, I also put a light coat of paint on the flipside of the artwork. I hope you enjoy making these little special gifts as much as I do.