Inspired by The Gentleman Crafter

I love it when I read a blog and it inspires me to go create.  That's what happened when I read Jim's post using the T!m Holtz Petal Drop Die.  I've had it for a while and hadn't used it.  I can tell you that after Jim's post, I'll be using it a LOT!  Here's what I came up with, only because the paper and do-dads were still sitting on my desk from Halloween.

                                             
This is an idea that you can transform for any holiday (or non-holiday) you want to celebrate.  You can visit Jim"s blog here to see the original idea and steps to put it together.  I changed mine up a bit. Covered thin chipboard with the paper, cut it out, made structure strips out of black card stock and hinged it together from the inside.  The rosette is from T!m's Mini Rosette die. I used the smaller of the two.  Check out how to add the glitter to the edges here.

Halloween Potion Bottles

I love Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint - especially around Halloween.  This October I made some potions bottles and used the paint to age and distress the bottles.  I love how they turned out! Take a look.

Some of he bottles were already colored when I started, some I used StazOn Ink to add color, some I left clear.  The ribbon around the bottle necks was created using seam binding and cheesecloth that I cut, inked and frayed.  

Quick Rosette Tricks

I love making rosettes; they're one of the easiest fastest ways to customize a scrapbook page, card or home decor item I know.  When I'm in the mood to make them, I make LOTS! The last time I did this was for a "Race for the Cure" Cancer event. I turned them into pins and sold them as a way to make money to donate at the event.  I sold out in about 15 minutes!

Last week I got in the mood and decided to create some in halloween colors so I'd have some on hand.  Cut some out in the craft room and finish them off while watching the Gators or Seminoles play, can't beat that!

I decided to kick it up a notch.  Here's how I did it.

Once you have the rosette assembled, but before you add the circle on the front, brush some quick drying glue onto the spokes of the rosette.  Turn it over and dunk it in the glitter of your choice.  Flip it back over and let it dry.  How easy is that?

Another way to add glitter is to squeeze a thick line of quick drying glue onto your craft mat, about 2-3 " long. Use your rosette as a "wheel" and roll it into the glue until you have the edges covered, then roll the edges into glitter.

Two different looks, both very professional looking with a definite WOW factor.  Finish your rosette off with the circle in the middle or add a dimensional element like a rhinestone or cabochon. Fantastic, now go create something!

Exploring Layers Part 2

I hope you can join me on Saturday, October 25 at Paper Niche as we continue to explore layers to add visual interest to your projects.  On Saturday, we'll be exploring gold leafing!  I've added it to a leaf punch on plain white paper and created a card out of it.  This is a really fun technique with lots of possibilities, especially in the Fall when you want to add a touch of gold to your projects.  The Make-N-Take starts at 10:30 and 11:30 and runs about an hour to complete.  Cost is $2.00.  

Some Love for 7 Gypsies

I admit it, I'm a 7 Gypsies paper hoarder.  I have lots of it and I love using it.  It's timeless and versatile.  I wanted to create a small album, kind of like a brag book, of places I'd traveled to and this is what I came up with.  I just pulled out my 7 Gypsies pile and went through it looking for papers that were fairly neutral and went well together.  It's a combination of chipboard pages and envelopes that serve as both a place to hide journaling of ephemera, and a canvas for more photos.

A few seasons ago, 7 Gypsies produced a series of stickers based around themes.  I think they did one for every letter of the alphabet.  I think I have them all. One of my favorites is titled Gypsy. I love both the colors and the sentiments. I turn many of them into page accents which allows me to customize the album I'm creating just a little bit more. I love this tiny treasure. Enjoy!

October Make-n-Takes at Paper Niche

I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying!   Trying to get caught up on my poor neglected blog.  Busy time of year at my house, but I'm working hard to get it all done.

Coming up fast are the October Make-n-Takes at Paper Niche.  I'll be in the store for the next two Saturdays and I'd love to see you there. The focus in October is on layers and in the first session, we'll be creating a fun Halloween Card with texture and layers for interest. Along the way, we'll be talking about how to transfer that idea to your scrapbook pages and home decor items.  Come join us on  Saturday, October 18 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. The cost of the Make-n-Take is $2.00.  See you Saturday!

It's Been Awhile!

I honestly don't know where the time goes.  Poor blog feels neglected so I'm giving it some love.  We're close to the holiday season and I thought I'd show you one of the albums I created using some Simple Stories 25 Days of Christmas paper, chipboard and Bazzill card stock. Yes, I know the paper is a few seasons old, but it's classic and I'm still hoarding the last of it! The album description can be read on my Etsy sight.  Enjoy!

Summer Shorts for July

July 12 "All About Alcohol Ink" Class

If you weren't able to join us last Saturday at Paper Niche for Summer Shorts, you missed a good class!  But fear not, the series continues for July and we've got two dynamite classes planned.  On Saturday, July 12 we'll be exploring Alcohol Inks. Here's the press release for this class:

All About Alcohol Ink

Come explore all the surfaces that you can alter with Alcohol Ink. From glossy cardstock through acrylic and metal, we’ll show you what you can do with this versatile liquid.

Tag #1 We’ll start by exploring alcohol ink on glossy cardstock and show you what your can do with Fragment Charms.

Tag #2 Plain old acrylic gets gussied up with the addition of some alcohol inks and Tim Holtz’s Movers and Shapers Die. This is a great technique to master for customizing embellishments.

Tag #3 We’ll see how metal reacts with the addition of Alcohol Ink.  Think of all the metal you can custom color to compliment what you’re creating!

 

July 26 "Exploring Embossing Powders and Inks" class

On Saturday, July 26 we'll move on and explore another kind of embossing. We'll be using embossing powders of all kinds and showing you how to emboss on metal and add glitter to your powder for an added effect.  Here's the release for the Embossing Class:

Exploring Embossing Powders and Inks

This class is all about the OTHER kind of embossing, one with ink and powder, not folders and paper. We’ll take you from basic embossing to exotic techniques with metal and glitter!

Tag # 1 We’ll start out with a basic embossing technique using black embossing powder paired with black ink.  Coloring and shading with Distress Markers and a water pen elevate this simple tag to stunning.

Tag #2  We’ll build on your newfound expertise in embossing by exploring different  surfaces and by using Distress Embossing powder. Cardboard? Sure! Metal? You bet ya!

Tag #3 We’ll bring glitter into the mix by embossing with Sticky Embossing Powder and two kinds of glitter.  We’ll open up a whole new world of embossing possibilities!

Summer Shorts - Join Us!

I hope you can join me this Saturday at Paper Niche as we explore what you can do with Distress Inks, stamps, some paint, clear embossing powder and Perfect Pearls. Class times from 10-11AM and the cost is $10.  Here's the details on each tag.

“You Did that with Ink?” – Part 2

Tag #1 Perfect Distress – If you’ve never worked with Perfect Pearls before, you’re in for a treat.  Wait till you see all the uses for this shimmery goodness!

Tag #2 Dabber Resist – Yes, we’re using paint on a tag.  Yes we’re painting the stamp, and Yes, it looks amazing.  You’ll find so many stamps you’ll want to try this with, and you’ll look like a pro!

Tag #3 Embossed Resist -  Start out with a little clear embossing powder and clear ink…. And become a master at artistic backgrounds.  It looks like a stencil but, rub your finger over it and you’ll feel the texture that goes with the eye-popping color!

World Traveler Photo Album

Last one, I promise! This travel album has a different construction than the last couple I posted.  Interior pages start with a card stock base and the cover is chipboard covered with scrapbook paper. I added a chipboard title that I covered with clear ink and tarnished gold embossing powder. It's got a combination of Graphic 45 and Teresa Collins paper lines and I think they look really good together.

A full description of the album accompanies it on my ETSY site. Enjoy!