October 1, 2015 by Candy Spiegel

Altered Shutter

I have found a new love … altered shutters!

I know … it’s nothing new, but I finally got around to making one!

I made this one for my son and future daughter-in-law. She loves black and distressed, so that is what we did … (I apologize for the blown out photo … I had to lighten it in order to see the details.)

The shutter was brown when I purchased it. I painted some random colors in places with the hope of seeing the color underneath when I sanded off the black of the shutter … it didn’t work quite as well as I planned (I think I covered it with too much black spray paint), but there are a few spots where you see the color.

I used stencils from Wendy Vecchi and black glossy embossing paste to add a bit of texture and some fun words to the shutter.

I used alcohol ink to alter a brass metal piece that I placed on top. Beacon’s 527 glue held the metal clip and topper in place.

next came a bit of washi tape from Love My Tapes and Tim Holtz.

And, some Piccolo pieces coated with Enamel Embossing Powder were added to the side.

I altered a few old keys in alcohol ink and used a ribbon to dangle them on the side.

A handle attached to the bottom, some additional clips and some photos of my kids finished off the piece. I really wish I had better photos because it is a stunning piece, but I was in such a hurry to give it away, I didn’t look at the photos first! grrr…

December 5, 2014 by Candy Spiegel

Favorite Ornaments

Each Friday, Scrap It Girl asks everyone to post their favorites.

Today, she asked us to post our favorite ornament to make. For me, this was easy … I love to make ornaments and I love to make ones with a little dome on them by Globecraft & Piccolo. They are so versatile and so much fun to make.

This time, I opted to make one featuring products from Elizabeth Craft Designs.

I started by tracing the outer edge of the frame onto a piece of paper. Then I cut well inside of the line to create the back of the ornament.

I placed it on top of the center ring, which I had already painted white.

Next, I cut out pieces of the candle from Velvet paper and Shimmer Sheetz. I lightly inked the candle and wax.

I added a couple of sprigs cut out of cardstock and Glitter Dots.

I inked the top ring and then embossed it with an embossing folder. I then took ink and ran it over the top of the ring to highlight the embossing.

I put the dome on and added Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Adhesive around it. Then I put on the ring and used clothespins to hold it in place white drying.

I finished it off with a jingle bell and a couple of pre-made ribbons.

What do you think?

July 1, 2013 by Candy Spiegel

Humming Bookmark Sneak Peek

Here’s my latest project for Globecraft & Piccolo …

Want to know how I created it? Visit the Globecraft & Piccolo blog for step-by-step directions!

November 17, 2012 by Candy Spiegel

Handmade Holiday Blog Hop 2012

Welcome to the 2^nd Annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!!!

Calling all crafters! We’ve gathered designers from some of our favorite manufacturers to show you ways to create something from the heart this holiday season.

This 3-day Hop includes more than 60 stops with inspiration brimming from every corner. Explore all of the thoughtful and frugal handmade gifts you could create for the holidays, all in one place, during our second-annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!

To sweeten the Hop, we’re offering a gift for you! For every comment you leave on the blogs in the Hop, you’ll be entered to win a prize pack from one of the participating manufacturer sponsors! Use the Rafflecopter widget on the Clearsnap blog to gain extra entries each day.

You can also gain extra entries by “Liking” Globecraft & Piccolo on Facebook. After you Like Us, return here and tell us you did so for the extra entry.

View the list of blogs below and leave a comment on each by Nov. 27, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Each day we’ll be sharing a brand new list of blogs with brand new projects for you to explore, be inspired by, and create from!

Here’s today’s list …

Clearsnap – http://clearsnap.blogspot.com

Hampton Art – http://blog.hamptonart.com/

Graphic45 – http://g45papers.typepad.com/

Fiskateers – www.fiskateers.com/blog

Donna Salazar Designs – http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/

Tombow USA – http://blog.tombowusa.com/

Authentique Paper http://authentiquepaper.blogspot.com/

The Twinery – http://www.thetwineryblog.com/

Eileen Hull for Sizzix http://eileenhull.blogspot.com/

Globecraft Memories – http://globecraftmemories.blogspot.com

Diana Gonzalez – Clearsnap – http:// www.arteypoemas.com

Melissa Cash – Tombow – http://inkclinations.blogspot.com/2012/10/handmade-holiday-blog-hop.html

Monika Wright – The Twinery – http://www.iloveitallwithmonikawright.com/

Gretchen McElveen – Hampton Art – http://gretchenmac.blogspot.com/

Megan Aaron – Clearsnap- http://thoughtsoftraveling.blogspot.com/

Tania Willis – Fiskateers- http://throughtrialsiambeingpurified.blogspot.com/

Gloria Stengel – Graphic 45 – http://www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com/

Suzanne Austin – Clearsnap – http://whatsinalousyananut.blogspot.com/

Shellye McDaniel – Authentique Paper – http://paperedcottage.blogspot.com/

Natasha Naranjo Aguirre – Donna Salazar Designs – http://www.moments-of-tranquility.com

Jen Carter – The Twinery – http://jensinkspot.blogspot.com/

Laura Denison – Graphic 45 – www.lauradenisondesigns.com

Candy Spiegel – Globecraft Memories – https://candyspiegel.wordpress.com/

Cheers to creating gifts from the heart this holiday season!

Happy Hopping!

For my entry I created a snowman wreath. (Click on the photos for a larger view).

I started with a simple grapevine wreath and wrapped Honeydew Baker’s Twine from The Twinery around it. (I tied the ends on the backside around one of the branches to secure it.)

Then I added a large Accent flourish by Globecraft & Piccolo that I covered in 3D Enamel Gel in Metallic Silver. (I also coated some birds in the gel and added them toward the end. I love the swirly tone of the silver.

Next, I created the poinsettias. I used the new die by Tim Holtz/Sizzix and paper from Authentique’s Festive collection. I first added Fired Brick Distress Ink, but that didn’t provide enough contrast, so I added Walnut Stain Distress Ink around the edges.

I then glued the layers together, folded the leaves so they would be dimensional and added Globecraft’s Pure Sparkle Silver Glitter to the centers. Even though I was making a rustic, country snowman wreath, I wanted it to have some of the bling of Christmas!

Then came the snowflakes … I used a sheet of sticky-back paper and punched out the snowflakes with a punch from Fiskars. Then I coated them in Pure Sparkle Silver Glitter. Don’t you love that sparkle and shine!?! The glitter is made up of different-size particles that offer a sparkle closer to that of Mother Nature.

I added another snowflake to the tag that hangs from the bottom. This is made by stamping with Memento Ink in Bamboo Leaves onto kraft cardstock with a stamp by Hampton Art. I used my Crop-A-Dile to add an eyelet to the top.

I wrapped Cappuccino twine around the tag. I secured it in the back with a Power Adhesive Tab from Tombow and then added a scrap of paper to the top to cover the rest of the adhesive. I hung the tag from the wreath with additional twine.

I coated a couple of keys from Globecraft in Vintage Silver Enamel Powder and added them, and a bead from Maya Road, onto the bottom of the wreath. I thought they went well with the “Do Not Open Until Christmas” saying on the tag — especially since I plan to hang this on my front door. (My odd sense of humor!)

Now for the ornament in the center … this is a kit from Globecraft & Piccolo. First, I used a large dauber sponge to paint the inside of the back globe.

I used the same paint to paint the snowman so no brown color shows through when I flock him.

Next, I painted the rim in red paint, the nose with 3D Enamel Gel in orange and the arms with 3D Enamel Gel in Burnt Umber. I also put a bit of Metallic Silver at the base of the snowman to cover up a mistake I made … Then, I used Stampendous Fun Flock to cover the snowman and his hat and scarf. Once dry, I added a tiny black rhinestone eye.

I used Vintage Silver Enamel Powder to cover the rings and then assembled the ornament. To do that, I laid the inner ring down, placed the globe on top and then dry fit the ring. Once I got it where I wanted it, I carefully removed the ring and applied liquid glue right along the edge of the globe. I placed the ring back on top and used binder clips to hold it in place while the glue sets. (You don’t want to leave them on for more than a few minutes because they may mar the surface if left on longer)

Finally, I used Gilded Rose Enamel Powder to color a couple of flourishes, attached them to the front and then strung the ornament in the middle of the wreath.

Thanks for stopping by … I hope I have inspired you to create a wreath of your own!

Enjoy the hop and don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win!

November 14, 2012 by Candy Spiegel

Decorative Christmas Candle & More

It’s been a busy few weeks and I have lots of news to share.

First, I was asked to be on the design team of Scrap It Girl! Scrap It Girl is a monthly challenge blog run by my online friend Kimberly Congdon … each month there is a theme and participants can create whatever we want based on the theme. The design team shows off what they did and then everyone is invited to submit their creations. At the end of the month, a winner is chosen to receive prizes! I’ll join in the fun in December with a clock challenge.

Globecraft & Piccolo released some new products this week, so I have been busily updating the website. There are new colors of 3D Enamel Gels, snowflakes, leaves, a fireplace, a window and more. Follow the “shop now” link on the right of my page to check them out.

Then, I completed my Copic Intermediate training in Grand Rapids last week. So, in January, I’ll be offering advanced Copic classes including shading, hair and face tones, and more.

A few days ago, I was notified that I made the Mosaic Moments Design Team! It has not been publicly announced yet, so it should remain our little secret, but I am so excited I couldn’t wait any longer to share it! This is one design team I really wanted to be a part of. I have been making Mosaic Moments pages for years and I love how easy the system is to use and how amazing the results are. I have had the opportunity to interview Tami Potter, the owner of the company, and have met her husband and her daughter. They are wonderful people and I am so excited to be a part of their team! And, in January, I will start teaching classes using this system.

I am also participating in my very first blog hop Nov. 16-18. I’ll be posting my project on Nov. 17 — which I just finished at 10 p.m. last night! I hope you’ll stop by and check out all of the wonderful homemade creations for the holidays.

Finally, Friday and Saturday I will be helping Capture A Memory and Michigan Scrapbooker Magazine with their booths in Birch Run at the Deer Widows Weekend Scrapbooking and Stamping Show. There are lots of vendors participating in this show and it should be plenty of fun. Capture is selling Elizabeth Craft products. If you haven’t checked them out yet, you need to! They take minimal effort and provide maximum results. And, I believe we are the only store in Michigan to carry them. Stop by and say, “hi”.

On top of all of that, I am also working on holiday classes, including this decorative Christmas candle. The class is scheduled for Nov. 28 and is limited to 6, so sign-up quickly.

It uses the Copic Airbrush System, a stamp by Impression Obsession and a Piccolo key.

So you see, I have been working hard even though my blog has been a little quiet lately! Good things are definitely happening!

November 2, 2012 by Candy Spiegel

Stained Glass Window

This was an experiment that worked!

I started with the new Gothic Window dies from Memory Box/Poppy Stamps. The frame of the window is one die; the center is a separate die (and there are several patterns available). I cut out both dies with black cardstock (American Crafts).

Then, I took the leftover part (the insert from the frame) and coated it with 24K Enamel Powder. This acts as a light source behind the Cool-Set Enamel Gels that I used to color in the glass. I left it to sparkle through in a few places, too …

Finally, I colored in the image with Piccolo’s Cool-Set Enamel Gels. These are more like liquid plastic than paint and they provide a durable, flexible, shiny finish that is rich in color.

Once that was all assembled, I embossed a piece of cardstock with bricks (Tim Holtz/Sizzix) and added a bit of Distress Ink for dimension.

I love the final result! It is a beautiful card you could easily use for sympathy, baptism, thank you and more.

October 29, 2012 by Candy Spiegel

Sunset Shores Retreat

I’m back from Sunset Shores and, as usual, we had a wonderful time.

I spent four days with some of my closest friends and made a few new ones, too. It was four days of fun, laughter, cropping, sharing, learning and eating. I spent part of Friday and all of Saturday teaching, so I didn’t get very much done, but I love to teach, so it was still fun. We even managed to fit in a movie and two Detroit Tigers games.

Although what happens at the crop, stays at the crop, I thought I would share a few photos from the weekend …

Linda is working on a page I did that she saw on display at Capture A Memory. She took photos and measurements and bought the supplies and brought it here to work on. I was so honored!