Whew what a week this has been! I can hardly believe it is Saturday and I haven't had time to upload a creation since TUESDAY. Grrr, but I have a surprise for you! I have created a fun tutorial on how to create polymer clay buttons. See the button on my card? I created it from clay by stamping the outer rim, trimming, shaping putting to holes in and baking, then antiquing it once it was cool. I have noticed that buttons are still all the rage. They are everywhere and on everything. And there are some pretty nifty buttons too... but I don't want to spend that much money for an embellishment!!! So I decided to get crafty and create my own. For this card I used stamps from Hampton Art, Kraft Cardstock, and Colorbox Pigment ink from Clearsnap. If you'd like to know how I created the button, read on~
Begin by softening and kneading your clay (also known as "conditioning"). Use clay dedicated Acrylic Roller and work surface to roll clay to 1/4" thick. I use a smooth floor tile from the home improvement store so I can roll, cut, shape and bake all on one area.
Use a small spritzer to spray the surface of the stamp lightly with water.
Firmly press the stamp into the top of the clay.
Remove the stamp to reveal the beautiful impression.
Trim the excess from around the image using the Super Slicer or razor blade.
Smooth the edges of the clay to make the button round.
Pierce two matching holes in the top of the button using an Etch N Pearl or other sharp tool. Move the tip around in a small circular motion to create two holes of same size, large enough for ribbon to pass through.
Bake finished button according to manufacturer's directions.
Once baked and fully cooled, apply Antiquing Medium using a small brush. Be sure to get into all the crevices .
Wipe the surface using a clean paper towel. Allow to dry.
You are now ready to use your button to embellish any finished project! Enjoy!
Well I woke today to the birds chirping and beautiful skies! I can't wait for it to be warm enough to fling open the windows and just revel in those fresh Spring morning breezes...but for now I will settle for a few more "Springish" projects, how about you? :) Today's colors are from the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger. The inspiration pieces are TO DIE FOR! Delish lovely color palette if I do say! The image is from Renaissance By Design's newest release "Enjoy Life". As you can see I decided to use my Watermark ink once again to create this great mottled background (explanation here).
Well I wish you a very happy, simply sweet Springish day today! Enjoy~
You know what March first means right??? We are only a few weeks from the first sweet day of Spring! I love Spring. It is filled with life and beauty, light and warmth...what's not to like??? Now I have to say, I got my first taste of Spring and new life when my little brother called to tell me his first born son was born yesterday at five thirty am!!! Hauken Aivery Nugent arrived safe and sound, and I hear he is even more beautiful in person than his pictures tell! Ahhh I am a happy Auntie!!!
Along with March 1st comes the newest release from Renaissance By Design called Enjoy Life. Aptly named I must say because you will just LOOOVE the sweetness of this little set! I decided to whip up a quick card using this set. It is so simple I know, but I love how it came out. It just drips light and sweet Spring to me! Like that gorgeous ribbon?? It too is available at Renaissance By Design and it is ON SALE!!! So hurry over and get yourself some! I tell you, the colors are TO DIE FOR and it ties and cuts beautifully! I stamped all of my images using Clearsnap's Fluid Chalk ink and then I colored the butterfly with Smooch and highlighted it with the Illuminate colorless highlighter. Oh it is GLORIOUS!!! I have added a quick close up pic to try and show you the shimmery beauty of this fun ink. To create the subtle mottled background I just took a shopping bag and crumpled it up and "sponged" on Watermark ink... a few quick pricks with a sharp sewing needle and I called it good! Enjoy~
This week has been a hectic one! LOL I went straight from sick kids and house guests to deadlines on projects and articles and I can't believe it is THURSDAY already! Whew what a week!
I have a fun little "shoe card" to share with you again today. Renaissance By Designs release this month was this new Sole to Soul set... I have had fun stamping with this one today! The dies used are from Labels Nine & Ribbon Tags Trio Two from Spellbinders. And the papers?? Oh yeah - they're the new papers from Anna Griffin! You know I adore her stuff! Enjoy!
I have a special someone (my mom, who is probably reading this but oh well!) who has been trying very faithfully to build regular exercise into her weekly routine. I think that is something we should ALL DO! This week marks her third week of heading out to the local YMCA and getting in a workout three times a week! GO MOM! So I thought she could use an "attaboy" card. :) Know if you know my mom you would CRACK UP to know she is getting this card. Never in my memory can I recall my mother wearing a stiletto heel...I bet she has never even tried one on! LOL
I got this new set from Renaissance By Design - Sole to Soul this week and I just LOVE IT! The images are super sassy and the sentiments to go with it are AWESOME! A totally fun set if you ask me. Now, take a peek at the papers...can you guess who makes them?? ANNA GRIFFIN! LOL I bet that wasn't your first guess was it? And no I do not work for Anna Griffin, I just happen to ADORE everything she designs!!! Anyway, I used my Labels Two NestiesTM by Spellbinders to cut my main image cardstock and I then stamped my main image and sentiment in black. I then cleaned my shoe image and stamped over it using The Essential Glue Pad by Tsukineko and shook on some Pink Glitter from the Sassy PeeWee kit by Art Institute Glitter. :) Sassy right?? I hope you like it! :)
And decided I would take the day off! :) Tee hee hee...I am not sure I can ever really "take the day off" while Adam is deployed but I have had a great time PRETENDING to have the day off. I stayed in bed until after seven...and then I let the dog out and snuggled back into bed and watched "Little House on the Prarie" (why is it that they don't make shows like that anymore?)....I then got up and let the kids watch TV until they were hungry...and then we had breakfast...it was after NINE!!! LOL Oh the fun....then I decided I wanted to bake...baking always makes me happy...something about the sweet spicy smells wafting through the house just make me feel happy...so I baked chocolate chip pumpkin loaves and cleaned up a bit while the loaves were in the oven. Then I baked up some spicy apply loaves and ran up to my studio and created the entire time they were baking. I figured I had earned it! :) We then had lunch and I just told the kids that I was going to work in the studio and they can play in the play room this afternoon while I have some time! Our playroom and my studio is divided by a "half wall" of shelves. It is the perfect way for me to keep an eye and ear on what the kids are doing while I work. So anyway!!!
Today I decided to participate in the JustRiteStampers Friday Challenge - Crafty Calendars. The challenge is to simply showcase a craft calendar! So I decided to alter this Paper Mache Heart that I am sure I have had for about five years!!! LOL
I decided to use some of my new fave gardeny papers by Anna Griffin's Flora line...I adore this line...I have a HUGELY SPECIAL set of stuff I just made that I can't wait to share with you...however I have to keep it "under wraps" for a bit...but stay tuned! :) In addition to the Anna Griffin papers, there are some Prima florals (again, can I just say how much I loooooove these florals??), some ribbon from Renaissance By Design, and pearls by CTMH (I think).
I used Sharon Harnist's perfectly cute little calendar template that is available for download HERE. She sized it to fit perfectly in Labels One but I loved it in Labels Nine! :) Thanks Sharon!
And of course I had to use some fabulous JustRiteStampers stamps! :) I thought I had the cute little calendar words set and alas I do not, so I got creative and used my fonts! Gotta love FONTS...I seem to never have enough fonts, alphabet stamps and alpha stickers!!! LOL Anyway I used two different fonts from Just Rite - Brayton was used for the "February" and I used the wing dings from Times New Roman Uppercase for the little finial images at the top and bottom of my calendar die cut. :) I hope you enjoy my little "Crafty Calendar" cause I sure had fun making it! Enjoy!
Welcome to the fifth day of the Spellbinders™ Surprise Party!!
Spellbinders™ Paper Arts is hosting Spellbinders™ Surprise Party!!We will introduce 25 new Die Templates and 2 Impressabilities™ templates! These sneak peeks are part of the collection that will be released at the Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show on January 24, 2010.We want to invite YOU, our greatest fans, to join the party from January 7-14, 2010! See the newest Spellbinders™ products, visit our Designers’ Blogs, and win fabulous Spellbinders™ prizes!
Today you have the opportunity to win a Spellbinders™ prize package (including all three Spellbinders™ Die Templates revealed today) through the contest entry email address listed below.Be sure to visit the other Designers’ Blogs participating today, and enter from those blogs for additional chances to win!You may enter once from each Blog!Each Spellbinders™ Surprise Party!! blog post is open to contest entries for 48 hours.You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time January 12, 2010 to enter this contest through my blog.Be sure to read the rules at http://spellbinderspaperarts.com/blog/spellbinders-suprise-partyspellbinders-suprise-party/ before entering so that your entry will be valid!
To see previous Spellbinders ™ Surprise Party!! posts or to go to any of the future blog posts, feel free to visit the following:
After the entry deadline is reached, Spellbinders™ Paper Arts will randomly pick one winner from each Spellbinders™ Surprise Party!!blog event as stated in the rules at http://spellbinderspaperarts.com/blog/spellbinders-suprise-partyspellbinders-suprise-party/.Winner will be contacted by email within 24 hours of the contest deadline.The winner will have 72 hours to reply to that email to claim prize.If Winner fails to respond within 72 hours, a new winner will be drawn for said prize.
Entrants visiting all 21 Spellbinders™ Surprise Party!! events and correctly enter the drawing on each Blog will automatically be entered into the SPELLBINDERS™ SURPRISE PARTY!! GRAND PRIZE give away with a retail value of over $350.00. The GRAND PRIZE will be announced on January 24, 2010 on the Spellbinders Blog and consists of super secret products being released at the Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show.You WILL be excited!!
I’m thrilled to share my Spellbinders™ Surprise Party!! project with you...
Warm Caramel Apple Dip Kit
This is the perfect little gift box to give the gift that warms the heart!
Begin by scoring a 6 x 12” piece of cardstock at 3”, 6", 9” & 12”. Rotate one quarter turn and score at 2”. Score a second piece of cardstock 1 x 4” in half.
Place S4-168 Large Labels # 4 die on the second scored panel from the left. Use post it notes to hold in place.
As you can see six inches wide is the widest you can run through like this but it JUST MAKES IT!
Once you have cut the S4-168 Large Labels, run it through the Wizard once again to emboss it. Save the piece you have cut out for future use.
Cut a small piece of acetate and adhere it to the BACK SIDE of the window opening using Zip Dry Paper Glue.
Once dry, adhere the small piece of cardstock that you had previously scored to the edge of one end of the cardstock as shown.
Cut along the 2” scored lines to create bottom tabs of gift box.
Adhere bottom tabs using Zip Dry Paper Glue. Hold until fully dry.
Adhere a layer of crimped cardstock and then a layer of flat lace on top of that at the top of the box.
Use the Apple die from S4-266 Assorted Fresh Fruit, cut three.
Add some character and detail using acrylic craft paint. I found a toothpick works really well to paint the dainty leaves and stems on this die template set.
Adhere one of the finished apples to a craft stick using a 3-D Foam Square to use as a stirring stick. Tie a bit of red & white gingham ribbon just below the apple.
Remember that tag we kept from the front of the box? Write the instructions onto the tag, and add a piece of ribbon to the top using two coordinating brads. (NOTE: Here's what I wrote: Unwrap caramels (6) & place in microwave safe dish with 1TBS milk. Heat on high 1 minute, stirring every 10-15 seconds until melted. Slice apple, dip in warmcaramel sauce ~ Enjoy!)
Place a bit of Kraft colored crinkle paper in the bottom of the box. Place the tag to the back of the box, a medium sized apple in the middle and six milk caramels in the front of the window. Top the box with a bit more Kraft colored crinkle paper. Place the stirring stick in the front right of the gift box.
Adhere one more apple to the bottom left corner of the window using 3-D Foam Squares to finish off the gift box.
My Second Project showcasing the Apple die from this set is a fun little card to accompany the Warm Caramel Apple Dip Kit. It could be easily adapted to be a simple “Thinking of You or Thank You” gift as well.
Thanks for hopping on by today! I hope you were both inspired and educated from my post. Enjoy the rest of the releases SpellbindersTM has in store for you!
S4-266 Assorted Fresh Fruit (Limited Edition Dies)
MSRP -$19.99
Die Dimensions: Jar 1 7/8 x 1 3/8” Apple 1 5/8 x 1 3/8” Cherries 1 5/8 x 1 1/5” Grapes 2 ½ x 1 5/16" Strawberry 1 ¼ x 1" Pear 1 ¾ x 1 1/8”
We are a third of the way through with the Jacksonbelle's 12 Days of Christmas and today I have a little holiday gift bag to share with you! :)
It is simple enough to create and large enough to hold a good batch of Christmas goodies! :) This bag is simply a version of the 2-4-6-8 box. Here I took a full sheet of 12x12 The Merry Days Of Christmas "Santa's Forest" paper and scored at 2", 5 1/2", 7 1/2" & 11". I then turned the sheet one quarter turn and scored across the bottom at 2". I then cut from the bottom of the sheet up the short score lines to the 2" score and folded the tabs in to create the bottom of the bag. I then adhered the tabs, and the side edge. Then I just took a scrap of "Peppermint Stripes" paper and cut it 3" wide and punched along one edge to create a scalloped border, folded it over the top of the bag and punched two holes to tie three colors of May Arts ribbons through to hold it closed. I used another scrap of "Peppermint Stripes" and Spellbinders Scalloped Rectangle NestieTM to create the mat for my main image layer. I added a few Making Memories Trees & a Poinsettia, a "to from" stamp from Renaissance By Design and boom, gifty bag complete! :) Enjoy!
Our sponsor last week at CPS was My Favorite Things. And since I was busy getting the Breast Cancer Awareness Blog Hop(e) card up, and my Unscripted Sketches cards up I didn't have time to get this one up! LOL So you get TWO CPS cards this week, one today and one tomorrow! :) I did this teapot using a technique called paper piecing. So I first stamped the teapot onto my Scalloped Circle then I stamped it again onto the Eskimo Kisses Basic Grey paper, then again onto Espresso card stock. I then cut out the image and adhered it over top of the image on the Scalloped Circle creating a 3-D feel. :) Fun right?? I hope you like it! :) Enjoy!
I thought I had set this one to load and that it had run at the end of last week!! LOL It was set to draft and I never came to finish it up!!! UGH! Oh well! This card was fun to do up because it has lots of different things going on! The die cut flowers are done using Flowers by Spellbinders. I then painted them using Fire Engine Red Shimmerz & Gold Glimmer Blingz..They were our sponsors over at CPS last week and this is the card I did for that sketch. :) I had a Prima twill and denim accessorie that was multiple layers one on top of the other and I decided I had no idea how to use it so I pulled it appart and used the layers here :). Then all the different patterned papper is from the Farmer' Wife Jenni Bowlin Mini Papers....cute right?? And again, Prism cardstock pulls it all together for that perfect finishing touch...when you have the RIGHT COLORS to work with your fininshed project is so much better pulled together....I hope you enjoy!
Supplies: Paints: Fire Engine Red Shimmerz & Gold Glimmer Blingz - Shimmerz
Cardstock: Kraft; Vanilla Cream & Blush Red Dark Prismatics - Prism Papers
Patterned Paper: The Farmer's Wife Mini Papers - Jenni Bowlin
Stamps: Blossom & Wilt Stamp Set - Renaissance By Design
Ink: Walnut Stain Distress Ink - Ranger
Dies: Blossom - Spellbinders
Brads: Basic Grey
Ribbon: May Arts
Twill & Denim: Prima Marketing Inc.
