Best Friends Forever

My daughter, Korie (on the right), has an amazing friend named Kandace. Kandace is a few years older than Korie and they are at different points in their lives — Korie is in college and Kandace has a young family — but they are the best of friends.

I am so thankful Korie has Kandace for a friend. Kandace is always there for her and has opened her mind to new experiences (like country music).

When I saw this photo on Facebook, I knew I wanted to scrapbook it to help them remember their friendship.

A few weeks ago, I was honored to be asked by Tombow to be part of their Sticky U, the stickiest school around. My assignment was to use their brand new adhesive — Xtreme, which is five times stickier than their regular adhesive.

For me, that meant I had to find some difficult things to adhere. I knew this lace would be a perfect test … after all, what could be harder to adhere than a delicate, but wide, lace?!

I used Xtreme to adhere the lace to paper and the paper to lace, as well as the photo and the other elements on the page. And, to my astonishment, and pleasant surprise, it stuck — even when I picked up a corner of the lace and tried to shake it off the paper. I can honestly say I have never met such a strong tape runner.

I used papers and stickers from We R Memory Keepers’ Indian Summer collection. I titled the page simply k & k. The letters are chipboard colored with Distress Ink and then coated with Glastique. The & is a plastic letter from Tim Holtz.

I added a couple of pins from Maya Road and dangled a little purse charm from them. (My daughter loves purses) I finished it off with a bit of fiber.

To see the works of other students at Sticky U, click here.

 

Coloring Stamps

I’m sure this is not a new technique, but it was new to me … I discovered it at the Great Lakes Mega Meet and I fell in love.

This technique, as well as the stamps and the die, are all from Local King Rubber Stamp. They are a Canadian company who sell their products online and at consumer shows. They do not sell wholesale (they can barely keep up with the demand as it is), so I cannot bring them into my store, but I absolutely love their stamps.

Unlike most stamp companies, these stamps are not outlines that you color in. Instead, they are solid stamps that create amazing impressions easily.

The new technique they showed me requires water-based markers. You can use any water-based markers. I used Tombow, because that is what I have, but I am going to order the markers they make. They are cheaper and the ends can handle this technique easily. Tombow markers work just fine, but I am afraid of damaging the nibs and mixing up my colors.

You start by coloring the entire stamp with a light color.

Then, you scribble the other colors on the stamp — literally. I was told the messier the better!

Then you stamp onto glossy paper. (photo paper will not work)

I was told you have about 5 minutes to stamp.

The scribbles on the paper above are me cleaning my markers before capping them — vital if you want to keep your colors true.

This stamp has a matching die (most, but not all, do). In order to line up the stamp and the die, cut out the die on a scrap of paper, first.

Then, line up the frame over the stamped image and tape it (I use washi tape, since it comes off easily).

Place the die onto the image and cut. (I used a magnetic platform, which holds every thing in place. If you don’t use the platform, tape the die as well.)

And you get a perfectly cut out image!

Inspired by the sample I saw in the booth at Mega Meet, I added googly eyes to the ostrich.

I used the piece I cut out to make the frame on the final card. I added dimensional foam adhesive to help the ostrich pop.

The Good Day Mate is another stamp that comes in the set from Local King Rubber Stamp. I used a Tim Holtz/Sizzix die for the background. The patterned paper is from Memory Box.

I love this company and the technique … I have yet to play with all of my stamps I purchased from them, but I think they will beautiful in solid ink, as well. Check them out — they have some great images and quite a few videos online, as well.

DISCLAIMER: I have absolutely no affiliation with this company at all … I did not receive anything from them. All of the products I used were ones I purchased at the show. 

 

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!