February 5, 2013 by Candy Spiegel

Altered Cricut Box Class

I keep my Cricut cartridges in a binder, but for some reason, I hung onto a few of the boxes the cartridges used to come in. I guess I just thought they were too cool to throw away.

Well, I finally put them to use with a new class I am offering at Capture A Memory in Flint Township.

In this class, we will use Distress Ink and Perfect Pearls Mists to color Bazzill Basics Paper and then cover the box in it. Then we will make tiles with Graphic 45 paper and Glastique. Finally, we will add Tim Holtz stamps, Tissue Tape and metal pieces, a few buttons and some ribbon.

I will bring lots of different colors of ink, a variety of ribbon and a jar of buttons so you will be able to make your box perfect for you.

I only have 5 boxes, so this will be a small class filled with techniques and tips.

Call Capture A Memory at 810-733-0716 to register today!

June 30, 2012 by Candy Spiegel

CHA Sneak Peek

Normally, when I discover a sneak peek for a new release at CHA, it is because I stumbled across it on someone else’s blog or Facebook page. But this time, I am privileged to help break the news and share that peek with everyone!

Globecraft Memories, a Michigan-based company, has come up with one of the most innovative ideas I have seen in a while. (OK. I may be a bit biased because I absolutely LOVE this company and all of their products, but I still think you will agree that it these are cool.)

ORNAMENTS!!! Made from compressed chipboard (think thinner and stronger than the traditional stuff), they come with Piccolo pieces built-in or empty and ready for whatever photos or embellishment you want. They have a front globe and a back globe. You can leave the globes clear or you can paint them, airbrush them, cover them with paper or whatever you desire. None of the pieces are attached, so they are easy to paint, embellish or enamel before assembling them.

These are just a few of the ones I have made so far, but the snowman is flocked and I used a napkin to cover the back of the globe. The front ring (officially the retaining ring) was embossed with a Cuttlebug folder and then enameled in Vintage Silver by Globecraft Memories.

I attempted a new technique on the ring of this one, which didn’t work too well, but the tree was so cool, I’ve decided to keep it. The tree is flocked and then I cut up a tiny garland to create the beads. The star is enameled with 24K Gold and the little birds are Piccolo pieces (coming soon to a website near you) that I painted and then coated with Glastique (also made by Globecraft)

For this one, I covered the background with Bazzill Basics Paper that had been inked with Distress Ink. I painted Santa black and then covered him with Glastique. I printed the letters on my computer, inked them with Distress Ink and then attached them inside the globe. The frame was embossed with a Tim Holtz folder, then enameled with Vintage Copper. I added a few pieces of ribbon (the light one was dyed to match with Perfect Pearls Mists and Distress Ink to match) from my stash. He’s a bit dark, but I love him anyhow …

These are just a few of the images that will be released. There is also a lighthouse, a snowflake, a Christmas candle, a child sledding and many more. AND, there is a whole line of Halloween ones as well, which I have seen, but not played with yet.

I cannot wait until these are officially released and I can start buying them … I think they will be gifts for everyone this year!

June 25, 2012 by Candy Spiegel

A 25-cent box

I picked up a plain little heart-shaped box at a yard sale a few weeks ago. I wasn’t sure what I would do with it, but I thought it was cute and it was only 25 cents, so I bought it. Although I expected it to take up residence in my to-alter-some-day box, I found myself inspired and here’s what it became …

It started with Bazzill Basics Paper. This black and white paper is thinner than most scrapbook papers, but thicker than tissue paper and it takes ink well. I took a sheet and colored it with Peacock Feathers Distress Ink from the new spring collection. Then, I used Matte Glastique like a decoupage medium and adhered it to the box. It worked well because the paper was thin enough to go around the corners and indents.

Once covered, I decided the box was too bright, so I went over it with Vintage Photo and Walnut Distress Inks in places to make it look well loved.

I wanted to add ribbon, but nothing I had matched, so I inked up bright white ribbon and adhered that, as well. I am loving Globecraft Memories’ Matte Glastique. It is a thin, white glue that dries clear, but it seems to hold everything — including thick, decorative ribbon on the side of a box.

Then came the embellishments. I used a couple of sets from Globecraft Memories’ Piccolo Decor line. These are compressed chipboard pieces that are laser cut. When adding their enamel powders, they look like metal.