Saturday, December 10, 2011

Inspired By Stamping - December Release is Here!

Today is the big day - you can now order The Sky's the Limit from Inspired by Stamping! I hope you've enjoyed the projects that the DT has shared for the past two days - and now that we can show the whole set, we've got one more day to play with it!


The canvas was first painted with Creative Inspirations Paint (Sea Foam). After this was completely dry, a second layer of paint was dabbed on with a foam sponge( Tanzanite). The balloons were stamped over this layer using Staz-on Ink. Next a coat of Fairy Dust paint was spread over the entire surface, and immediately sprinkled with UTEE( Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) - and melted with a heat gun. This process was repeated a second time to create more texture. The clouds were stamped on vellum, cut out and glued on with Sakura Crystal lacquer. The dark blue paint ( Aqua Marine) was spread over the bottom portion of the canvas, and the excess was wiped away with a paper towel. The balloons were stamped, embossed, cut and adhered with foam dots. This piece has so much texture in person.





Thanks so much for stopping by, and be sure to check out what the rest of the team has come up with!


Amber Goble
Deb Hickman
Debbie Marcinkiewicz
Gini Cagle (me)
Irit Shalom
Jennie Garcia
Joanna Munster
Kassi Hulet
Kendra Sand
Kim Score
Lesley Croghan
Susie Moore

Epiphany Crafts and Crate Paper

It's always fun to use Epiphany Crafts products in new ways. Try using twine instead of paper to make a festive peppermint candy button.



Remove the paper backing from a Button Round 20 Epoxy. Use a pin to "open" the button holes and thread twine through the two holes. Use this green twine as a handle to hold the button, as you start wrapping red twine from the outside in. Clip the red twine when you reach the center. The adhesive on the back of the epoxy makes this technique so easy - with no mess!



Tie a small bow with the remaining green twine.



Use 3D Foam Squares to attach the candy to your project.


The MyStik adhesive dispenser by Scrapbook Adhesives is the perfect take-along for crops. Not only can you use it with various refills, but you can customize it, so it doesn't get mixed up with anyone else.


Epiphany Crafts Button Studio Accessories Buttons Round 20
Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Squares
Scrapbook Adhesives MyStik Repositionable
Crate Paper Peppermint Collection Superior Quality Trims
Crate Paper Peppermint Collection Border Stickers
Crate Paper Peppermint Collection Alpha Labels
Crate Paper Peppermint Collection Superior Quality Chipboard
Crate Paper Peppermint Collection Paper Collection
The Twinery Baker's Twine

Challenges:
Mojo Monday: Sketch

Friday, December 9, 2011

Inspired By Stamping - December Release Day Two Preview



It's the second day of previews for this months stamp release from Inspired by Stamping! I'm sure you were inspired by all of the great projects you saw yesterday, and we hope you enjoy today just as much.

My project for today is a card - and I love how it turned out! This is such a fun set to layer and paper piece.

We'll be showing you the entire set on Saturday, but be sure to check out what the rest of the team created. And you will want to make sure to stop by the Inspired by Stamping Blog for a chance to win this set before you can buy it!

Friends With Flair Friday Hop



It's tag time!! And today I've got a tag to share with you that I made using Unity/Samantha Walker's Greetings of Christmas stamp set. I made my tree background with gold peel sticker from Sparkraft Enterprises and filled it in with Green Pearl Crystal Lacquer.
I love the dimension that it created.

Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges:
Unity Friend with Flair
Simon Says: Photo inspiration
Tim's 12 Days of Tags: Day 2

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Inspired By Stamping - December Release Day One Preview



It's the first day of previews for this months stamp release from Inspired by Stamping! I think you are really going to enjoy this set, which is called The Sky's the Limit.

I've been seeing all kinds of fun, altered sewing spools, and when I saw these stamps, I thought this would be the perfect time to try my hand. I did sneak in a stamp from the Delicate Doilies set for the top of my spool - but the others are from the new release.

We'll be showing you the entire set on Saturday, but be sure to check out what the rest of the team created today and tomorrow! And you will want to make sure to stop by the Inspired by Stamping Blog for a chance to win this set before you can buy it!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Scor-Pal and Jillibean Soup - Yum Yum


This week the Scor-pal Designers are excited to be sharing some last minute gift ideas using product from our friends at Jillibean Soup.

You'll want to stop by each the Scor-pal blog day this week for new ideas and to leave a comment. Next Monday we will choose one random comment from the week to win a Scor-buddy. Which is perfect for creating last minute gifts or given as a gift for the special crafter in your life.

Also, be sure and stop by the Scor-pal Fan Page and leave a comment too because we will be giving away a Scor-Tape prize pack over there to someone who left a comment both there *and* on the blog. Because, after all, when you are making special gifts you want them to stay together and you want the best ;)

Of course, be sure and stop by the Jillibean Soup Blog too because they are playing along with Scor-pal this week as well!



Are you one of those people that shake your boxes at Christmastime to try and figure out what is inside? Well here is a little box that I made with my Scor-Pal and Jillibean Soup's Christmas Eve Chowder line, that might just surprise you!



It's called a Secret Box and I found the tutorial at Splitcoast Stampers.



It looks like a cute little cube, until you open it and ...


There are secret drawers waiting to be filled with little treasures!


Using my Scor-Pal and Scor-tape not only made this a breeze to make, but it really made it quite sturdy. I honestly can't imagine trying to put together any type of box and not using my Scor-tape for the strength and ease. And the papers from Jillibean Soup were just adorable ! I fussy cut the penguins and let them decorate each of the panels. I also added a little bling from Want2Scrap - love the variety that they have!

I hope this gives you an idea for a fun and easy last minute gift!

Flower Soft Challenge- Think Snow

There is a new Flower Soft Challenge - Think Snow. Now, I'm not really a fan of the white stuff, unless it's made with Flower Soft Polar White - and it's on my cards and not in my yard! So, I think at least for today, I'm safe.

I love how adding just a little of the Polar White, really gives my projects so much texture.

If you want to check out the prize for this challenge, and see what the other designers came up with, just head over to the Flower Soft Blog!

Challenges:
CPS: sketch

Monday, December 5, 2011

Scrap-Mart Holiday Blog Hop

Hi! Today is my first official day to post for the Scrap-Mart Design Team, and let me tell you, it's a biggie! Scrap-mart has paired up with the following amazing companies to bring you an incredible Holiday Blog Hop filled with generous prizes!

JustRite Stampers

Each of the generous manufacturers will have prizes for you along the way so be sure visit and complete the hop each day from Dec. 5th through Dec. 10th to be eligible to win. If you are just joining in, be sure to head over to the Scrap-Mart blog to start the hop from the beginning.

Scrap-Mart is giving away an autographed Tim Holtz Vagabond die cutting machine, A $500 Spellbinders Bundle AND a Boss Kut Gazelle digital die cutter. To be eligible to win, you MUST like/fan us on Facebook AND follow the giveaway link on the left side of our page.
Winners will be chosen from those who sign up through this page...not by blog comments!

Now here are my projects!


Canvas Corp Layout

I had so much fun playing with all of the goodies that Canvas Corp sent us! I had a hard time narrowing down my choices of what I wanted to use (in other words, it was all so gorgeous, I was trying to figure out a way to use it all at once!) After much deliberation, I decided on a canvas layout. This picture is of my mom and sister last year at Christmas. I have to admit, I don't have my decorations up yet this year, so I had to use a picture from last year.

The 12 x 12 canvas was natural and I misted it with Tattered Angels. After it was dry, I inked the edges with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink. I machine stitched some of the papers onto the canvas.

Supplies
Canvas Corp Fabricpage
Canvas Corp Star Fabric Shape
Canvas Corp Christmas in Kraft Papers
(Cherry in Kraft Swirl, Kraft Red and Green Holly Berries, Cherry in Kraft Diamonds,
Green and Kraft Ribbon Stripe, Green and Kraft Mini Dot Reverse)
Canvas Corp Red Waxed Cotton Cord

Lifestyle Crafts/Quickutz Joy Die
Lifestyle Crafts Flourish Cookie Cutter Shape Die
Spellbinder's Grand Calibur Die Cutting Machine
Spellbinder's Grand Circles
Gathered Twigs Distress Ink


Heartfelt Creations Card

I really love Heartfelt Creations (in fact I was previously on their Design Team) - so I was thrilled to receive the Poinsettia Bells and Bows Stamp. It's such a lovely, traditional Christmas stamp, and the sentiment is gorgeous!



I colored the metal part of the bells with Viva Decor Inka Gold, and then rubbed Vintage Photo Distress Ink over the top, to give it an antiqued look. The rest of the stamp was colored with Copics.

Supplies

Heartfelt Creations Poinsettia Bells and Bows Stamp

Heartfelt Creations/Spellbinders Decorative Lace Border Die
Spellbinders Labels 21 die
Spellbinders Grand Calibur Die Cutting Machine
Want2Scrap Pearls
Pink Paislee Father Christmas Paper Pad
Copic Sketch Markers
Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Viva Decor Inka Gold
Worldwin Cardstock

October Afternoon Holiday Style Layout

When I first starting looking at this incredible collection by October Afternoon, I knew I wanted to make a clustered layout that really would highlight all of the adorable die cuts and stickers that coordinated with this paper line. Now I have to admit, I completely made this layout the day before we went to the Christmas Parade! So, I knew I had to get a good picture for my project!



Supplies

October Afternoon Holiday Style Papers ( Figgy Pudding, Snow and Mistletoe, Ring-a-Ling)
October Afternoon Holiday Style Sticky Keys
October Afternoon Holiday Style Flower Sack
October Afternoon Holiday Style Miscellany
October Afternoon Holiday Style Found Alpha
October Afternoon Holiday Style Shape Stickers
October Afternoon Holiday Style Label Stickers
October Afternoon Holiday Style Word Stickers
October Afternoon Holiday Style Wrap PackLinkOctober Afternoon Holiday Style buttons
Distress Ink Festive Berries
Creative Inspirations Paint - Emerald


More Christmas Cheer!



I've certainly been having fun creating lots of Christmas projects! For today's card I used Snowman in a Mug from Cottage Cutz. I made hime into a Christmas card, but you could certainly use him for any winter projects.



Thanks for looking!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Making Your Own Acyrlic Lace Embellishments with Amazing Mold Putty

I love old needlework and lace- but sometimes have a tendency to hoard the really pretty pieces, because I don't want to use them. I've found a way though, that I can use these antique pieces to make my own acrylic versions using Amazing Mold Putty and Amazing Casting Resin.






I have had this lovely needle lace flower for years - and just never had the project that I thought was worthy of using it. To make the lace ready to mold - I stiffened it using Helmar's Fabric Stiffener and Draping Liquid. I let it dry completely, and then started my mold. Although this is a very shallow mold, it still was a rather big one.
I rolled the putty flat, and pressed the flower into the putty, being careful to press all of the areas evenly.



You can see that the mold is very shallow. I poured the Amazing Casting Resin carefully. I still had some areas that "spilled" over into areas that I didn't want the resin, but I just let it dry, and trimmed the over-fill away with scissors.I painted my "lace" with Creative Inspirations Paint in beige, to give it an antique textile look. Now I can make the piece over and over again, and never have to worry about running out. Don't you love how much of the stitch detail you can see from the mold? It really is amazing!