Technique Thursdays

Today is just a normal Thursday, but starting next Thursday, there will be some exciting things going on …

I am going to be working with Capture A Memory, an independent scrapbook store in Flint Township, to share a new technique each Thursday. You’ll find samples and links on my page and then you can stop by the store from 2-6 p.m. to try out the techniques for yourself!

We are still working out the final details, but I think it is going to be great. You all know how much I love techniques and this will be an amazing way to learn, share and explore new techniques together.

Until then, I wanted to share another page I created about my chickens (I hope no one is sick of chickens, yet. I really do have chickens on my mind constantly, but I’ll try to move onto other topics of scrapbooking after this one!)

This one is actually about my cat, Misty. Misty is 9. Although she is an indoor cat now, she was originally an outdoor cat and spent several years coming and going as she pleased. This neighborhood is not suitable to that, so we keep her inside now.

Anyhow, when she was an outside, she was a hunter with a special taste for birds. Needless to say, I was so terrified that she would eat my chicks when I brought them home, I actually tied the door to the chickens’ room shut at night to make sure she couldn’t get to them.

Funny thing is, she fell in love with them instantly and has never attempted to do more than smell them. She doesn’t even get that close (especially after one of them pecked her). But, she loves her chickens and spends hours each day watching them and sleeping nearby. During those weeks that the door was tied shut at night, she would wait outside the door as soon as I got up in the morning so she could make sure they were OK.

It really is rather touching to watch her and I wanted to remember her love of the chickens, so I created this page. It uses paper and letter stickers I have had around for years, but I updated it a bit with a few metal pieces from Idea-ology. Just proof that you can still use the old stuff in your craft room!

Inspired by Tim Holtz

I look forward to the annual 12 Tags of Christmas by Tim Holtz like children look forward to Christmas morning.

For me, Tim is Santa Claus.

Each year, he inspires me with his amazing tags while providing dozens of new techniques and tips using his products. While I am not a tag person, I do love applying the ideas to my own projects.

A couple of days ago, he shared this tag:

I really liked the transfer technique he used to create charms that resembled vintage mercury glass ornaments. Get the directions here …

And, after I tried it, I realized it is both easier than I thought and much better than it appears in the photos. In fact, I loved it so much, I made three …

This was my first … I used Tim’s paper for this one. Although the technique calls for Ranger’s Foil Tape, I didn’t have any, but I used the metal sheets from QuicKutz and they seemed to work just fine.

Once I realized how fun this was, I made two more using Bo Bunny papers. Once they dried, I added some Idea-ology and Maya Road charms and beads and came up with these:

Click on the photos to see a larger version.

Aren’t they amazing?! Thanks, Tim!

Steampunk

Steampunk seems to be all the rage in the scrapbooking world.

For this project for Art Glitter, I combined Art Parts from Wendy Vecchi, papers from Graphic 45, beads from Maya Road, and some Idea-ology from Tim Holtz, along with Elements and Glass Beads from Art Glitter to create this …

The only adhesive I used was Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear adhesive. I have to admit — I love the stuff! And, it didn’t bubble or crinkle the papers … even when gluing on a glass jar. (I used the jar leftover from Prima flowers as the base).

I also tried a new technique … well, new to me at least. I applied Designer Dries Clear adhesive on a few select places on the flower I cut out of Graphic 45 paper and then sprinkled clear glass beads on it. It adds a wonderful dimension …My other favorite is Elements from Art Glitter. These are NOT scrapbook appropriate, but they are great on a project like this. I used the Carrot to fill in the bottle cap. I love the earthy quality with just a hint of sparkle …

You’ll find complete details on Art Glitter’s Blog, here.

Korie: The First 18

My daughter is going to be graduating from high school in June. Since her albums contain all of her report cards, school projects and memorabilia, I decided to make a condensed version of her life for display at her graduation party — and for me to keep. This is the title page.

I love how simple and elegant it turned out and wanted to share the technique with you.

The page uses three sheets of Core’dinations Cardstock — two have designs embossed into the paper already and the third was one of the new Tim Holtz collection.

I sanded both sheets of the embossed designs. The clocks I left as is. The other one I tore and then lightly covered in Distress Ink to bring out the embossing and play off the background colors.

I then matted the photos and cut out the word Korie with the Cricut.

The timepiece is a new release by Tim Holtz for Idea-ology. It opens so you can place anything inside. I cut out a piece of cardstock from the background paper, unsanded and uninked, and added a spinner and brad from Tim Holtz. I then filled the watch with Art Glitter’s Black Gala Glitz. Gala Glitz is a mix of several different sizes and types of glitter. I love the look it offers and it is perfect for a shaker box, or in this case, a shaker watch. I used Art Glitter’s Designer Dries Clear adhesive to attach the watch to the page.

Finally, I added a ribbon from May Arts, attached with the Tiny Attacher, and new plastic letters by Tim Holtz.

This album has been emotional to create … I love looking back at the memories. I’ll be sharing more pages as I complete this special book.