The 3-Day Card

Things do not always go the way you plan — even in you are making cards.

For this month’s card swap, I wanted to make a pretty background and then stamp an image in the middle of it. It looked beautiful in my head.

I started by smearing several colors of Distress Paint onto my non-stick craft sheet. I spritzed it with water and then drug sheets of Specialty Stamping Paper through it. I randomly blotted them with paper towel and then dried with a heat gun.

The results were cool, but I wanted more. So, I smeared Distress Ink onto my non-stick craft sheet, spritzed it with water and ran the pieces through. I also added a bit more Brushed Pewter Distress Paint so I could get more metallic shine in the pieces. Again, I randomly blotted with a paper towel and then heat dried.

That was cool, but I didn’t think it was quite done. So I spritzed it with Perfect Pearls Mists.

After that dried, I was happy with the background and ready to stamp. So, I pulled out my stamp, made one impression and realized there is no way it would work. The stamp was too delicate to compete with the crazy background.

At this point, I was devastated. I had invested all of that time and energy into making 12 backgrounds and my idea was a total failure. I spent an entire day stressing over what to do. I was determined to use the backgrounds, but had no idea what to do.

With no vision in mind, I began pulling stuff out. I grabbed a stencil and some Metallic Silver Embossing Paste and coated the top of each card with it.

The next day, I added a few strips of Tissue Tape. Then, I punched out circles, die cut the word “Hello” and adhered them to the cards. I added a few Tiny Attacher Staples and some Glitter Dots.

Each card was slightly different, but I think they turned out well … even if they did take me three days to make!

 

 

The Colors of My Kitchen

This month’s challenge at Scrap It Girl is to use the colors of your kitchen to create a card, layout or altered project.

I decided to create a card using the colors in my kitchen — red, blue and yellow.

First, I thought I would share a couple of photos of my kitchen. It is the smallest kitchen I have ever had, but it is also my favorite.

It is a little bit vintage

A little bit ecclectic

a little bit chicken

and full of color

So, I used the main colors in my kitchen, red, yellow and blue, to create this card:

The stamp is from Melissa Frances and colored with Copics. The papers are from Bo Bunny and Fancy Pants Designs. The washi tape is from Tim Holtz and We R Memory Keepers and the little embellishment is from Webster’s Pages.

Now it is time to create a project with the colors from your kitchen. Once you are finished, post it at Scrap It Girl and you could win this amazing gift donated by Kelly, one of the designers for Scrap It Girl:

Good luck!

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!

 

Altered Window Art

My favorite project during the retreat at Sunset Shores was making an altered window.

When I first learned we would be creating these, I will admit that I was a bit skeptical. While I am a country girl and I love antiques, I’m not really into the primitive, paint-peeling, dirty sorts of things that old windows are. But, I figured I would give it a try and see what happens.

As you can see, here, it turned out amazingly wonderful!

My house is a little lake cottage, so I took measurements of the only wall I could think to hang it on before I left. Fortunately, I was able to select a window that fit — just barely — into the space.

I forgot to take a photo of the old window before I started, but here it is after just the first step:

It was plain, devoid of most paint on the inside and came with two tiny nails and a screw where a handle used to be.

The first step was a technique I had not heard of before … gesso and a stencil. We just spread the gesso on like frosting over a home decor stencil and let it dry. It is absolutely amazingly beautiful and I am sure I’ll be trying it on different objects soon … it added just a bit of depth.

Next came the paint. I used Adirondack Paint Dabbers (although I used a brush) in Butterscotch, Hazelnut and White. I kept going over the layers using a dry brush with little paint until I got close to the patina I wanted. Then, I went back with a lot of water and a little paint and created sort of a whitewash effect.

(click on the photos for a better view)

Next came another technique I hadn’t tried before, but loved … printing clip art on tissue paper and then using Glue ‘N Seal to adhere it to the frame. I added another coat of whitewash over the top to tone down the colors a bit.

After that was done, we made a banner. I brought my own paper and modified it a bit (I’m not a fan of rosettes), so I used the Tattered Flowers die from Tim Holtz and two layers of dimensional foam adhesive to make mine. The letters are cut from chipboard and cardstock (adhered together), inked with Distress Ink and then covered with UTEE. It spells out Family, although it is hard to see in the photo.

For the bottom two windows, I glued a piece of chalkboard paper to the front side of one (still have to get some chalk) and then used Glue N Seal to glue a photo of my kids on the back side of the window on the other. The color you see on that pane is the wall.

For this pane, I used Alcohol Inks to alter a piece of chicken wire and stapled it along the edges. Then I used cute little hooks to hang a couple of photos of my chickens on them. The vintage buttons are glued on the front of the window pane. The color behind is the wall.

For the final pane, I taped a piece of printed paper to the back side of the window.

On the frame, I screwed in two screws and wrapped some wire around a tiny glass bottle to hold it in place. The bottle is decorated with Tissue Tape and filled with rye grass. I made a charm with paper, Glastique and a tag from Tim Holtz.

 

I used the same technique to attach this old insulator the frame. I plan to use it as a chalk dispenser.

 

These pieces of faux metal hardware began life as corrugated cardboard.

 

I ran them through an embossing folder and then used Piccolo enamel powders from Globecraft Memories to make them look like metal. They were too shiny for the window, so I sanded them down and applied a bit of Ranger Archival Ink to them. I still didn’t get the look I wanted so I used a friends brown wash to paint them a bit. Eventually, I got the look above, which was perfect.

And, there you have it … one amazing window. I still would like to hang something off of the screw at the bottom, but until I figure out what I want, it’s done …

Now I’m thinking of making another for my living room …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a friend …

The new CMC Copic Challenge is to create a card showcasing friendship, using Copic to color the embellishments.

As someone relatively new to Copic, I found this challenge to be quite a bit of fun. You should have seen me attempting to color nearly everything that came along. Fortunately my cats stayed out of site, so I still don’t know if it is possible to color a cat with a Copic, but I do know you can color this cat …

This stamp is from Penny Black. I stamped it on Cryogen paper, that I had cut out with a die from Dies Direct. After coloring the image, I added Stickles to the insides of the flowers and the kitty’s nose for a bit of sparkle. Then, I added Distress Ink around the edges to soften the white color.

I layered some papers (from Bo Bunny and Basic Grey) that I had edged in Distress Ink and then the REAL fun began …

I started with a plain white ribbon, which I knew would take the color well, and colored it gray.

Then, I tried Tissue Tape from Tim Holtz. I was thrilled with how well it took the color. (I put a strip on a piece of scrap paper and colored it in long, even strokes. When dry, I gently pulled it up and attached it to the card.)

Finally, I pulled out some white flower-shaped buttons from Pebbles. I colored them in yellow, then edged them in orange. While they colored OK, the color seemed to come off as I worked with them, so I actually colored them again once they were attached to the card. I’ll have to look for some sort of sealer to see if that works …

Anyhow, with the addition of a saying from Northwoods, the Tiny Attachers, floss from We R Memory Keepers and a few Glue Dots, I came up with this …

Check out the other amazing samples from this challenge, here.

Card Masking Class

I wanted to share these cards I made for an upcoming class.

They use the masks from Tim Holtz, along with Distress Ink, Perfect Pearls Mist, Glaze Pen and some rubber stamps.

The class is scheduled for Feb. 3 from 6-8 and is $17 per person, which includes the three reusable masks used!

Call Scrap Tales at 810-225-9636 to register.

I made plaid — Wendy Vecchi Style!

I hate to sound like a broken record, but I was inspired, again, by Wendy Vecchi.

She came up with this amazing idea to make plaid using Tissue Tape. Here are her instructions … http://studio490art.blogspot.com/2010/11/tissue-taped-color-washed.html

I decided to try something a little different and I used Distress Ink to come up with this …

It began life as a plain 12×12 sheet of white cardstock. Using Wendy’s technique, I created the plaid by adding different layers of tissue tape and Distress Ink by Tim Holtz.

I cut out letters out of Tim Holtz’s seasonal paper pack for the title.

The turkey is a die cut from the Accu-Cut Center at Scrap Tales, inked with several shades of Distress Ink. I love how the colors blend! I used 3D Dots to add a bit of dimension to Mr. Turkey.

And, since I couldn’t find matching cardstock, I used some light colored scraps and inked them in Distress Ink to make the photo mats and journaling block.

Thanks, again, Wendy Vecchi and Tim Holtz! You’ve helped me create an awesome scrapbook page.

 

What can you do with Glue Dots®?

Mini Glue Dots® were used on this to fix edges that didn't get adhered properly and to hold tags in place.

When I was asked this question, my first response was, “what can’t you do with Glue Dots®!”

I have been a huge fan of Mini Glue Dots® since the day I discovered them some 10 or 12 years ago. I first used them to attach decorative buttons. Then, when metal charms and accents were all the rage, I used them for that.

Eventually, I developed my own techniques.

For instance, I never learned to sew. I understand the concept, but the whole knotting thing is just too much for me. So, when I want to “sew” a button onto a scrapbook page, I run embroidery floss through one of the button holes. Then, at the back, I attach Mini Glue Dots® so it holds the floss in place. Next, I run the floss through the rest of the button holes and then add another Mini Glue Dots® to hold it all in place. I trim the edges and adhere it to my page.

The Mini Glue Dots® on the perforated sheets are my favorites — so much so that I special order them from my favorite scrapbook store (they carry both the value pack rolls and the Dot N’ Go Glue Dots®. But, I love using the perforated sheets when I teach classes.

They also come in handy when working on altered art. It never fails that no matter how much adhesive I apply, I always seem to miss a corner of the paper here and there. With the perforated sheets, you can slip the Mini Glue Dots® under the paper, press down and yank the sheet back out, leaving behind a perfectly adhered corner.

I also like the Removable Glue Dots®. I use them to adhere small pieces of chipboard to my Non-Stick Craft Sheet when painting or inking. They are also helpful in keeping ribbon wrapped up on its spool.

The only adhesive used on this frame were Glue Dots®.

But, in response to the question I was asked, I decided to experiment and see what you really could do with Glue Dots®.

As it turns out, you can use them to hold embossing powder in place while you heat it (see the blue lines in the frame above). You can also use them as an adhesive for glitter, flock or Sparkly Fluff. And, they can hold just about anything, as shown in the travel frame I made to celebrate a train ride my husband and I took.

Incidentally, my husband took one of my Mini Glue Dots® and used it to fix his camera the other day. While I wouldn’t recommend that, he’s happy and in the end, that’s all that really matters!

Here are step-by-step directions for making the Travel Frame:

1. Sand frame by KaiserCraft.

2. Paint with Ranger Paint Dabbers — I used Black and Silver. Since the tape is transparent, the different colors underneath create a bit of depth and interest.

3. Once dry, place a photo in place and assemble the frame using Glue Dots®.

4. Cover the front of the frame with Tissue Tape by Tim Holtz.

5. Apply two strips of Continuous Glue Lines® and sprinkle with JudiKins Embossing Powder in Lapis Lazul. Heat to melt.

6. Using Sizzix Dies by Tim Holtz, cut out Tickets on plain white cardstock and flowers using paper by Tim Holtz.

7. Stamp desired tickets with Ranger Archival Ink using Tim Holtz stamps by Stampers Anonymous. Color with Tim Holtz Distress Ink. Journal. Crinkle and bend as desired and staple on each side using the Tiny Attacher. Add mini paper clips by Tim Holtz.

8. Bend flower dies as desired. Pierce hole in each and connect with Hitch by Tim Holtz.

9. Attach lace, buttons (My Mind’s Eye), and pin (Tim Holtz) with Mini Glue Dots®.

10. Thread chain (Tim Holtz) through key (Tim Holtz). Place Mini Glue Dots® on the bottom of the key and Pop Up Glue Dots® on the top of the key and attach to the frame. Drape the chain over the frame corner and attach in the back with Mini Glue Dots®.

11. Attach flower with Mini Glue Dots®.

12. Attach a Game Spinner to a Clock Face using a brad (all by Tim Holtz) and use Glue Dots® to adhere.

13. Place a Mini Glue Dots® on top of Gear (Tim Holtz) and attach a Dew Drop (Robin’s Nest).

14. Using jump rings (Tim Holtz), attach charm (Maya Road) to gear. Then place another Glue Dots® on the back of the gear and adhere it to the frame. Push it into the Continuous Glue Lines® for extra security. Be sure your charm hangs freely in front of the photo. Enjoy!

“I wrote this blog post while participating on the Glue Dots design team.”