I was fortunate to visit Michael's Arts and Crafts home office in Dallas recently. It was an amazing experience. They did an unbelievable job of putting a face behind their company. We learned about how they work to be trendsetters and  it could easily be seen that they are diligent on providing safe and quality products.

I got to see where creativity happens!

Michael's is working hard to provide a quality experience! They have a team of ladies dreaming up ideas, testing products and giving us plenty of projects to create.  You don't want to miss their fun crafty videos.

It was a complete honor to meet Jo Pearson and Kathy Kromer! They are part of Michael's Where Creativity Happens team. They are two amazing and talented women that I have come to love and adore!  It was easy see by their bubbly personalities that they receive unmeasurable joy from creating.   This joy was contagious and their warmth and generosity created a wonderful energy!  They are full of creative ideas that provide immense inspiration!  There is no way I can possibly express the impression these women made on me! How lucky I am to have had the opportunity to meet then.

Michael's provided us an afternoon of  crafting with this amazing team!   What a blast we had!  Kathy Kromer helped us make an embellished journal. She has generously allowed  me to offer a download of her beautiful paintings so that you may make your own!

How to embellish a journal

It is a simple project that would make a lovely and thoughtful handmade gift. So gather up a blank journal with cardboard cover, Liquitex gloss gel and a foam paint brush and you are ready to go!

Download Kathy's artwork and print in color on good quality copy paper. There are two different designs.

Kathy Kromer Art  1

Kathy Kromer Art  2

Tear the paper around the picture to leave an interesting border and to size it for the journal.

Paint Liquitex gloss gel on the back of the artwork.

Place artwork on the cover of the journal and give the top another coat of the gel medium.

Smooth the paper and remove any bubbles.

Allow gel to dry and you are finished! You can even add some embellishment to the wire spiral ring.

What a fun two days! I loved learning about the people who run Michael's and spending time with some amazing bloggers:  Amy from Amy Atlas Events, Jenn from Hostess with the Mostess, Amy from Living Locurto, Kari from UCreate, Alison from HowDoesShe, Jen from Tatertots and Jello, Kami from No Biggie, Kelly from Make Grow Gather, and Ashley from Make It and Love It.