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A Happy Accident October 9, 2011

Filed under: Cardmaking,Teach Me Technique,Tell Me Tip,Tips, Tricks and Techniques — tencraftyfingers @ 9:21 PM
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So….this card, although it doesn’t look like it, is a happy accident.

You see that top strip of embossed paper that is added as a layer?  On the original card, it wasn’t a layer at all.  I embossed directly on the card and used blue masking tape in an effort to do a little masking.  However, everything was fine until I went to remove the tape.  I think that using the heat gun actually had a bit of an adverse reaction on the tackiness of the tape.  It was the first time that I’ve ever had an issue with removing it.

Instead of chucking the whole thing, I cut a strip of the original embossed image and made it small enough to fit on top of some beautiful large-width gray satin ribbon.  I added some of the extra that was destined for the recycling bin to the bottom as an added detail.

Yeah, I could of scrapped the whole thing, but I had worked too hard on all of that embossing.  And well, I am a “scrap”booker aren’t I?  :)   I think that if I ever want to combine a lot of embossing and masking in the future, I will use some thin paper instead.

So what do you think?

 

It’s Not Snowing…..Yet August 21, 2011

Filed under: Scrapbooking,Tips, Tricks and Techniques — tencraftyfingers @ 5:56 PM
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But soon it will be.

I had no trouble with this layout as I kinda had a good idea of what I wanted to do.  (That always helps, doesn’t it? ;)   In any case, while I wasn’t 100% happy with my stamping job, its always fun to work with different applications of paint, especially the fun kind that comes in spray bottles!  I used a little Tattered Angels and Mister Huey’s from Studio Calico.  And then I mixed a quick concoction of white acrylic paint and a little water and created the larger, splotchy “snowballs.”  I used some scraps up and cut several different sizes of circles and used them as masks to leave room for the embossing.  I really like the way it turned out.

In other news, I’ve finally gotten caught up with my son’s scrapbook.  The bad news?  I now only have about 8 months to get caught up with the next one.  Oh well…a mama’s job is never done!

 

Can You Me How to Get to Sesame Street? July 25, 2011

Filed under: Scrapbooking — tencraftyfingers @ 11:13 PM
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I had a lot of fun creating this layout, even if the photos are a little old.  When I look at them and how happy he was during this visit with his Sesame Street friends, I can only smile.  And that’s how I wanted this layout to feel–joyful.

I wanted to let the photos speak for themselves and since they contained a lot of primary colors, I wanted my decoration to be a little more complementary and a little less exact.  Also, I did a couple of things that I rarely do on layouts–create my own embellishments and use a sticker.

This cutie camera is a stamped image from Lawn Fawn, one of my new favorite stamp companies.  I did a simple paper piecing with some Basic Grey paper and left over scraps.  I filled in the lens with some Glossy Accents.  (I admit I held back…when I get some GA in my hands, I can be pretty dangerous.)

This is a close up on another handmade embellishment.  I call it a button cloud.  After I had finished the layout, I wanted to add a little something to break up the frame a bit.  I had these die cut clouds from Jolee’s and since they were transparent, I put a little cardstock behind the die cut to help it show up more.  The button was an afterthought, but it was my way of keeping the transparency of the cloud without using glue, which would have been too obvious.  I sewed the button down to the cloud and added it to the layout with pop dots.

I hope we will get back there soon!

 

Wishing You Good Luck and Rainbows March 13, 2011

Filed under: Altered Projects — tencraftyfingers @ 9:57 PM
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I know I’ve been remiss in updating my little piece of the world wide web.  Of course, it is never my intention, just usually my situation!  Here is one of the latest projects that I’ve completed as part of my commitment to the Glue Dots Dottess team.

 

Good Luck Necklace

Yarn or string
Assorted St. Patrick’s Day die cuts (clovers, leprechaun’s hats, gold coins, etc.)
Gold embossing powder or glitter
Glue Dots®

Choose a length of string that will fit comfortably around a child’s neck.  Create assorted St. Patrick’s Day-themed die cuts and be sure to have two cut outs of each piece.  Emboss die cuts with powder or add glitter.  Attach matching die cut duos to the necklace with craft Glue Dots®. You can also embellish with paper beads like the ones pictured (.5″ x 12″ strips of decorative paper that have been rolled up and secured with mini Glue Dots®).  If you wear it, you’re sure to have good luck!

 

Well, the Weather Outside is Frightful… December 12, 2010

Filed under: Cardmaking — tencraftyfingers @ 3:46 PM
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At a recent craft show I attended this cute set of paper-pieced cards were my best sellers.  The ironic thing is that the items that I worried the most about, fussed the most over, and spent the most time on….not so much. Ah, such is life.  This sweet set is from Fiskars.  (The quality of their acrylic stamps is really nice, by the way.) Keeping it simple, I didn’t add too much with the exception of some brown and pink ribbon and each card has a small stamped message on the inside, which I rarely do.  But how can you resist phrases like “Thanks a latte!” and “We’re the perfect blend.”

In my area it is a very dreary day and the cold rain continues to fall.  I know across the country lots of snow is falling, so I suppose I’m lucky in that case. But either way, rain or snow, I’ll need something warm to see me through. How bout you?

Keep warm!

 

Boo 2 U October 17, 2010

Filed under: Cardmaking,Teach Me Technique,Tips, Tricks and Techniques — tencraftyfingers @ 6:23 PM
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I’m happy to post this second Halloween-themed project as a Glue Dots Dottess.  Although I didn’t know exactly what I would be making at first, I liked the idea of creating something that could celebrate Halloween or . . . not.  There are a lot of people with birthdays during this time of year, of course, and others who just like to welcome the holiday season.  Although I’ve never been a super-duper fan of Halloween (gasp!), I love to think of how it kind of signals the start of all the shopping madness, the cool, brisk, weather, and all of the things that scrapbookers love to take pictures of and make memories with in their albums. 

This card didn’t take me long and I was going for a “Frankenstein’s monster” kind of feel with the eyelets and floss.  The one bonus was that I finally got a little mileage out of my WRMK Big Bite.  It was extremely useful in creating this card and I would have definitely struggled a bit had I not had it. The other thing that is interesting to note is that I altered the eyelet color from brown to black to better match the color scheme of the card.

How did I do that? It’s quite simple actually.  The key is to have the right tools and some quality eyelets.  Mine are from American Crafts.  While I suppose you could use some permanent markers to do the job, I did it with black embossing powder and a heating tool.  If you want to try this, you must use good set of tweezers because you can’t use your hands.  It only takes a second to melt and once the powder does, be sure to give it about 30 seconds to cool before you place it down.  If you don’t you risk marring the cover-up job.  For other supplies and instructions, keep reading:

Die Cuts With a View (DCWV) textured cardstock
Basic Grey’s Eerie collection paper
Making Memories floss, metallic chipboard letters, Halloween foam stamps
American Crafts eyelets
Distress ink (Black Soot, Peeled Paint)
Versamark
Ranger embossing powder (black)
Glue Dots®
Distressing tool 
 
Cut DCWV cardstock to desired size. (Card pictured is 5 inches by 6 inches.) Cut strips of printed paper into one inch sections and match them to the width of the card. Distress edges with tool and add black Distress ink directly to the edge of the paper.  Stamp a sentiment in Versamark on colored cardstock and emboss with black embossing powder.  Cut by hand and set aside.  Emboss metallic chipboard letters and/or ink if desired and set aside.  Attach paper strips to card with Glue Dots®.  Mark large and small cross-stich “X’s” of varying heights with a pencil. Punch corresponding holes.  Attach eyelets to larger holes.  Stitch floss through the holes and tie tightly on the back side of card.  Shadow edges of card with distress ink if desired.  Add sentiment and other additional embellishments with mini Glue Dots®.

 

Spooks, Treats and Tricks October 10, 2010

Filed under: Altered Projects — tencraftyfingers @ 10:32 PM
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So tell me, does this little box hold tricks or treats?  While the answer is ultimately your decision, I can show you how easy this project is to make.  Here is a list of what you will need:

One unfinished wooden box (found at any craft store)
Basic Grey’s Eerie collection paper
Black cardstock
Acrylic paint (Purple, Black)
Distress ink (Black Soot)
Alcohol ink (Caramel)
Distress Stickles (Rock Candy)
Sizzix die cuts (Spooky House, Picket Fence)
Grungeboard die cut (Skeleton)
Acetate
Chipboard/cardboard
Glue Dots®
File (for distressing and finishing edges)

Instructions:
 
Paint the inside and outside of the box that will not be covered by paper. (This can be as much or as little as you would like.) Take measurements and using Glue Dots®, add paper to the sections of the box that you would like covered.
File edges and shade with distress ink. 

 

Punch out assorted die cuts with black cardstock and paint assorted chipboard/cardboard pieces; add Stickles for texture.  After drying, add the pieces as desired with Glue Dots®. (Note: Pop up Glue Dots® help add dimension.)

To create a “window” for the top of the box, decorate a chipboard/cardboard shape with alcohol ink (or distress ink) and attach it to a piece of acetate with mini Glue Dots®.  Attach the assembled window to the box with additional mini Glue Dots®.  NOTE:  My “window” was made with upcycled goods.  The pane was the leftover die cut from my son’s Memory card game and the acetate was leftover packaging from some acrylic stamps. 

Fill with treats or tricks!

 

 
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