Cuttle Bug Blooms

Well, I HEARD it could be done! But, I didn’t believe it, till now!

I recently received some AMAZING ribbon from Strano Designs. You must see it, and feel it, to believe it! LOL! If you are a true ribbon addict then THIS is the place for you

They sell a product called Ribbon Stiff, which you must read about! It is amazing what this product combined with their ribbon, can actually do!

SUPPLIES:

I used the 1.5″ Hazel Ribbon (flowers), and 3/8″ Gidget  from Strano Designs, for my design today.

Stamps-Holy Tomoli  (little bee image) and Card Greetings (sentiment retired by Green Grass Stamps)

Cuttlebug 2×2 flower #1 die cut, Bloom Dots Cuttlebug folder, Scalloped Giga Square punch, layered Circle Punches by SU!

Piercing template, Copic Markers, misc buttons (from my friend Barb!)

So, upon hearing that their ribbon can be cut with the cuttlebug I HAD to try it myself!

The PROBLEM

I didnt get any ribbon stiff! :C

Upon our Dirty Girl chatter, I asked  JulieHRR about die cutting the ribbon. She said that yes, the Strano Ribbon could be die cut, and given the fact I had NO Ribbon Stiff,  she believed it could be done if it was run through the Xyron machine first to give it some stiffness. She also suggested Aileen’s Fabric stiffener may work as well.

So, I ran to my machine and tried it! And it actually worked.

Here is what you do!

Supplies-Strano Ribbon, Xyron 150.

1)I used my Strano ribbon, and ran it through my Xyron 150.

2) With the paperbacked adhesive still on, picked my die cuts, and layered them over my ribbon (as seen above). Run through your die cutting machine.

3) Remove die cut image. As you can see it cut like a DREAM!

4) Remove adhesive backing and plastic layer. Attach to card.

DONE! Isn’t that amazing?!

I hope you try it out. It was cool to know I can do this without the ribbon stiff, but I still think I will have to buy some to do the other cool techniques mentioned on the site.

I hope you get some ribbon and try this out! I’d LOVE to see the results.

Faux Sand Dollar-Beachy Keen

I absolutely LOVE Shore Thoughts by Lizzie Anne Designs. I think its the prettiest shell set I have ever seen-seriously! I have made several cards using it, and will design another hopefully this week for a Wedding I have on Saturday (provided my room is all set then). I am MOVING IN, but that is a huge process. Just moving my stamp alone makes me never want to sell our house! I also realize I have way too much stuff! Is that possible? HMMMM, maybe till I move it all in, then Ill be ready to get more! LOL!

I designed this card for Lizzie Anne Designs, and it is the featured here, for the July Card of the Month! When I saw the open line starfish it reminded me of a sand dollar!

Im glad I made this a while ago and can share with you now cause I obviously havent inked a stamp in a week or so, and Im going through with-drawls.

Here is the info. Hope you enjoy and try it on your own!

Stamps: Little Bits™ Shore Thoughts
Other Supplies:
Paper: Vellum, Cool Caribbean, Sky Blue, and Kraft Cardstock- Stampin’ Up!
Inks: Sahara Sand - Stampin’ Up!, White StazOn
The Essential Glue Pad - Tsukineko
Brown Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts
Vellum adhesive
Pop up glue dots
Blue organdy ribbon
Hemp twine
Paper piercer
Embossing stylus
Mouse pad
Green jewel

Directions:

Making the faux “Sand Dollar”
1) Using large starfish image, stamp onto vellum cardstock using white StazOn.
2) Make sure it is dry, then turn image over to back. Place on mouse pad or piercing mat.
3) Use embossing stylus, trace stamped image.
4) Use paper piercer and pierce the circle in the star center.
5) Trim out star image with paper snips-not in a perfect circle.
6) Sponges edges and star image with white stazon
7) Apply jewel in center

Set aside.

Steps for card base:
1) Make card base from Kraft cardstock (size 4 1/4 x 5 1/2)
2) Rip the top of a layer of sky blue and sponge edges in white StazOn. Adhere to bottom of card.
3) Rip the top of a layer in Caribbean blue cardstock, making sure it is smaller than Sky blue, then sponge edges with white stazon. Adhere to bottom of card.
4) Repeat above instructions for vellum layer. Attach with vellum dots adhesive (so you cannot see it).
5) Using speckled sand image, randomly stamp across top of card using the Glue Pad.
6) Sprinkle brown glitter over card. It will stick to the “sand”.
7) Tie on organdy ribbon and hemp. Cut excess ribbon.
Using Sahara Sand ink, stamp solid starfish onto card 1/2 in “water”.
9) Stamp sentiment twice (if you want dimension to the sentiment) using first white StazOn (let dry) then in Sahara Sand ink. A stamp-a-ma-jig would be helpful doing this.
10) Attach sand dollar to card with a glue dot

I am participating in a ATC swap. Those are so fun to do. You’d be amazed at the things people can do with a tiny canvas. There are some BIG TALENT in this swap (so intimidating) so I want mine to be up to snuff.

I joined for 2 groups. I wanted to do something fun yet ORIGINAL! Not always easy.

Since  I am so in love with Chinese Paper Lanterns I figured a fun way to make my very own-stamp style of course! LOL!

For this particular ATC

Asian Lantern

1) I stamped my vellum cardstock with the flowers first. Let dry.

2) I ran cardstock through my paper crimper. (Not easily captured in this photo)

3) Punched out with desired punch. You can make is with the Key Tag punch (really cool and my favorite), oval, and the circle punches (as shown here)

4) I layered the back with white cardstock (glue dots are on flower centers to adhere vellum without being able to see them). This allows you to make you “lantern” any color-pink, black whatever! I chose white so it would contrast with the bkgd. This also allows you to “hang” it without viewing the silver cord.

Cool huh?

Stamps set was by SU! Artfully Asian and Fancy Pants Pollen Dust. Colored with my white Singlo gel pen and markers by Prism.

Onto the next ATC

Butterfly of happiness

Well time was running out and sticking with original ideas, since I LOVE my Poppin Acetate technique and card figured I’d replicate that in smaller form! Hope they like it!

Stamp and paper is listed in the tutorial.

Thanks for looking.

CHALLENGE

 I would love to challenge you to make an ATC (card measuring 3/12 x 2 1/2) based on a larger card you or someone else may have done. Its a fun starting point.

WAHOOOOO! Hot Stuff is NOW FOR SALE!!! This is a mini set by My Favorite Things Stamps. It retails for only $9.00!! Now that is cool.

You can buy it from Kim @ MFT (above), or All That Scraps, and eP.

So ready to get enabled?

Here we go!

On the Run- This is my Latte set To Go! Not an original idea, but I am proud that I made this cart all my my lonesome! I created my very own template, as I went along. Pretty cute eh?

I used my cardboard from the back of a 12 x 12 paper pack! Scored, cut and I was off. I then just covered it with my SEI Granny’s Kitchen  patterned paper.

Cut cardboard 9 x 12 

Scored at 3-6-9 (short side)

Then again at  3 - 9- 12.

Trim the edges so it folds in like a cardboard box. Sorry no visuals. Wasn’t planning on a tutorial!

Then wrap with paper of choice. I use my Xyron 900.

For the insert (handle)

Measure 3 inches by (however tall you decide). Score 1 inch from the bottom, then cut in half at bottom to fold.

This will allow you to adhere one flap to the left, and one to the right. This keeps it from falling to one side and keeps it stable.

Cover with Paper. Rounder corners at top, and use Key Tag punch for handle.

Its really EASY! I hope you try it.

Here is another view of it empty.

 I used elements from the paper pack, and coordinating ribbon. The flower is by Bazzill.

For the Glasses

I just rinsed out some Starbucks coffee drinks.

Made a wrap for them, and decorated to tops.

The stickers are for the friends initals so you know who’s drink is who. For this one I used

L-for Latte

and C-for Coffee.

You can include a coffee mix packet in the set, or just fill with drink of choice! You can alos fill with candy or whatever else you choose!

Let me know what you think!

On the my FAVORITE card with this set

Krafty Blend

OMW! I love this card! Why? Because its not your typical colors for a coffee set. And I love my ingenious name for it! LOL! I have to say my layout is fabulous! I love it. I love all the elements in this. I’m just bouncin over it.

I used the Birdie Collection by Crate paper. Isnt it AMAZING? Im lovin it. I dont use my Kraft cardstock enough.

The flowers are by Prima, the Bubble Blue collection! LOVE them!

The ribbon is (you guessed it) Martha Stewart!

Now for my next favorite!

Monochromatic Latte

Colors-Blush Blosson, Pretty In Pink, and Bravo Burgundy. HELLO! I love it!

I thought it was a cool combo for this set. I started using MFT stamps Behind The Scenes (sold at all the listed retailers above and a MUST have) for the dotted bkgd (which uses a pink versamagic ink) and the flower design (done in a chocolate versafine ink). I colored the images with my Prismacolor markers. I used my friend Tracey’sidea for the liquid pearls in the centers of my Prima’s and the flower bkgd image!

I used this ribbon by www.ribbonsandbowsohmy.com .

Isn’t it great?

Now for the next one-

 Coffee and Friends

This is like a favorite color combo of mine-regal rose, chocolate chip, certain celery, and white.

My Ribbon is my American Crafts. I was SOOOOO pleased with this layout! I love the coffee cups so much. I also love using circles on my designs. No idea why I just do!

The Girl is pieced onto the celery cardstock.

Announcement inspired-

I was one of the lucky people chosen by Rubber Stamping Fun to be on TEST panel and review their products. Well they recently sent a digital announcement out to everyone for the birth of their new baby girl. Sorry I will not attach it, as I feel it is personal to their family, but that is what inspired my layout for this design! The second I saw it I thought WOW! That could make a cool card!

I had to add the Cuttlebug folder spots & dots to complete the design

So there you have it! I colored my brads with a sharpie so they would be “chocolate” colored! LOL!

The 2 panels (rose-celery) have the circle punched in each 1/2. The Coffee Cup is on a punched out circle piece and on a dimensional. Cool huh?

Got 8 minutes?

Against my better judgement I am sharing this one. I would normally have trashed it! LOL!

BUT to show you that not all things are great I decided to share. Definitely NO saving the best for last with this one! Oh, well. Not even sharing the creative process. Just know it took about 8 minutes, and it was my first of the set. So I guess you could call it a warm up card, or a waste of pretty ribbon and patterned paper! LOL!

Dont get me wrong its OK, it just doesnt do the set justice!

Thanks for looking. Let me know what you think. I hope you get some HOT STUFF!

Stay tuned tomorrow-SKETCH CHALLENGE!

Well, it seems like you all want to know the big “secret” I have for coloring with my Versamagic inks, and Fantastix brushes. So as asked here goes.

I started doing this technique BEFORE I found the Fantastix tips. I use to use SU! Craft ink, and would “donate” a blender pen for the use of this technique. So given that info you can use any craft ink, or chalk ink for this as well. The Brilliance ink is to DIE for when this technique is used. I like using these inks for coloring cause they are nice and thick , so they give good coverage, and the colors stay brilliant, and make shadowing easier.

I really like this technique with embossed images, but used both embossed and non embossed for this card.

So, here are the supplies I gathered.

Alot of people ask which tips I like best brush (left), or bullet (right). I prefer the brush tip. I like it because I can get in all the little grooves of images, and give me more control!

So here is all you do-Stick the tip of the brush lightly in the ink. These are thick so you dont want to saturate the tip and get too much in the tip. You can always add more!

Then just take the tip, and like a marker - color. If you want to shadow color over image in area again.

Now to switch colors, just keep coloring on scrap till it colors clear, or use a fresh one. You can rinse these under warm water and let dry.

So after coloring both images, here is the completed card.

It is along the lines of the Saturday Sketch for this past week. I have to say I LOVE all the shades of purple used. The stamps used in this set are by Lizzie Anne Designs. I used Jolies Fleurs (my favorite) and Simple Sentiments!

Let me know if you try this and feel free to link your card here.

Well I was thinking today could be like Technique day. Since I made this card and had the quickie tutorial ready to go.

I got this AMAZING paper from a PSF goody swap from my friend Laura! She is awesome. She sent me assorted papers in my favorite color-purple. This paper is to DIE for! Its got some clear embossed images with sparkle. It totally inspired my card. SO here are more of my favorite things.

Supplies for my card- Lizzie Anne Designs Daisy Dots flower, Martha Stewart purple cardstock, Martha Stewart silk ribbon, Martha Stewart Glitter (dk purple color), Bling Bling cardstock, Prima Daisy, Making Memories Boho Chic brad in Lauren (how suitable), designer cardstock (unknown) I think its DCWV. Versamark, Glue pad, heat and stick powder, heat tool.

So when I went to the expo in RI I learned this cool technique with Bling Bling paper. No big deal, easy to do, lots of WOW!

I was SO EXCITED I asked the guy if I could keep a sample! LOL! He gave me one but I saw the butterfly (you know me and my butterflies) and asked if I could have that one instead! Obviously-he said OK.

Here I am. Sorry for the blur. Also my hair was straightened that day cause we had no oil, and I couldn’t take a shower that morning-GROSS I know! But lets focus on the gorgeous butterfly shall we.

So here is what you need

Heat tool

Heat & stick powder

versamark, or other thick ink (like colored craft ink)

Bling Bling paper in choice of color ( found here www.eurekastamps.com aka rub on foil )

And then the usual-choice of image, and paper etc.

On to the Directions

Step 1- Stamp image in versamark

Step 2- Apply heat and stick powder

Step 3- Heat powder (not too much cause then it wont be “sticky”

Step 4- Apply foil (Shiny side up) and rub really hard!

Step 5- When fully rubbed, quickly rip foil off image (like a bandaid)

Step 6- If you missed a few spots-its ok, go over it again with fresh foil. OR you can sprinkle glitter or microbeads. That looked cool when he did it.

Here is my image.

Don’t throw away any of the paper you can keep using and using tll its gone.

So, OBVIOUSLY I followed the above directions using scrap purple cardstock, I then cut out my flower.

I  used my Glue Pad, and stamped the open line image of the flower, and sprinkled the purple glitter over it.

Layered the images with dimensionals, added a prima and brad for the center.

Pretty cool huh? TRUST me the photo does it NO justice!

I hope you check out the Bling Bling paper its really cool. I used the holographic one (below sample) for some Halloween images over at the Lizzie Anne Sketchbook. Seriously go check out their samples. I have a bunch in there, as well as some Christmas stuff! LOL!

Happy Haunting

Who on earth would ever combine paper-crafting supplies, and power tools?

Well a man of course!

Everyone knows I am addicted to ribbon. Its the best embellishment-ever. I join every ribbon share Jodyhas. So I got this GORGEOUS share of May Arts ribbon. A $100 worth to be exact. Now my dilemma was I needed to wrap ALL those bundles of ribbon. So, I got these cool Fiber cards to organize it all!

So Saturday night. What does a married couple with three kids do-invite over our newly married friends for a little entertainment. The decision was to watch a movie (I know we aren’t very exciting, but we did have Pina Colada’s!).

So, I figured heck I’m not wasting a minute. I have ALL this ribbon I can wrap while I watch the movie. As I sit there wrapping, my supah sweet hubby say’s “Give me some and I’ll help you” (sweet huh?). Then our friends Sean & Jenny pitch in too! There we are all wrapping my ribbon! A real site let me tell you.

Well my thumbs, index, and middle fingers start to go numb from wrapping. The guys quit and agree this is a suck job, and there must be an easier way. I keep wrapping for another hour.

Then it hit them! POWER-DRILL!

Sean (Jay’s best friend as seen in photos) says “What if we had a dowel and a drill? I bet it would wind fast.” No dowel-no luck.

Jason runs and get the drill cause he remembers there are these “grasps” on it.

So they stick my fiber card in the grippers, and push the power button.

The ribbon starts to neatly spool onto the card, and its done in like 20 seconds!

Why they couldn’t have come up with that like and hour and a half ago?!! I was shocked! So here came the photos! I thought everyone needs to see this!

So here you have it. Power tools and paper-crafting really can coexist. Leave it to a man!

DO you love my card? I was SO happy with it. I love purple and butterflies so, this is SO me! This card was done using the folllowing tutorial. I dry embossed the butterflies, and used embossing paste on the butterfly image in the upper left corner! The image was done on shimmery white cardstock.  I had fun piercing the flutter track of the butterflies. The sentiment (by CTMH The gift of love)was perfect for this due to the stamp set name “Butterfly Kisses”.  Ribbon is by American Craft.

Well its no secret that I *LOVE* the NEW! Butterfly Kisses stamp set by Papertrey Ink. I finally got to play, and haven’t been able to put it down! More samples to be posted, so stay tuned.

During “playtime”, while exploring my new set I really wanted to try something “different”. Well at my recent stamp clubs I taught them how to use embossing paste. They went CRAZY! I posted this card called Bodacious Embossing paste in my gallery at SCS. That is the card that I used for our technique, and since that posting, I have gotten MANY requests to do a tutorial on that.

Soooooo, that leads me to this extra special tutorial!

I wanted to try this out with my new Butterfly Kisses stamp set. Problem-no brass stencil.

Well, now problem solved. I made my own! Now keep in mind the possibilities for this are ENDLESS, so use your imagination, and if you try it, link your template here!

To make Your own metal embossing stencil

Here is what you need-

Metal sheet, StazOn ink, crop-a-dile, sharp scissors or tin snips, and of course a open line image.

Step 1- Stamp your image on tin sheet, using StazOn.

Step 2- Use a crop-a-dile to punch a hole in the image. This allows you to get your scissors in the center without bending the soft metal. A Crop-a-dile is good cause it can punch through the metal unlike most punches.

Step 3-Cut out the center of the image. Once done you have a nice metal stencil that will allow you to dry emboss OR use embossing paste!

Pretty cool huh?

Now onto the embossing paste fun!

Here is what you need-

 Your handmade metal stencil (or other embossing stencil)

Dreamweaver TRANSULCENT emossing paste (if you don’t get the clear your colors won’t show through when dry!)

Scraper thingy (the blue scrapper you see in the photo)

Spreader (mine is a Pampered Chef one,and spreader will do)

3M removabletape (mainly for anchoring the stencil to the paper/surface)

Post-it notes (mainly used when using template with other images. You cover the ones you don’t want used, so the paste doesn’t get in)

Pastels with applicator

Step 1-Use removable tape to adhere paper to working surface. You don’t want it to slide around-trust me on this!

Step 2- Stamp outline image (optional). Then position stencil where desired. Tape down to card-stock. Cover any images not being used so they don’t get paste on them. If you made your own template this may not be necessary (see my photo)

Step 3- Use applicator or stipple brush to apply chalk to image. (Do not use ink as it will run unless its a waterproof ink, pastels absorb into the paste)

Step 4- Apply a thick layer of paste over enitre image on stencil, using spreader.

Step 5) Use scrapper, and go across image with a smooth even motion, in ONE direction. Toward you is best. Don’t scrap too much off.

Step 6- Remove post it notes, and removable tape. CAREFULLY Lift off stencil in an upward motion.

Step 7- Sprinkle dazzling diamonds over image for some extra “bling”

NOTE- it takes about an hour to dry. Don’t freak when you cannot see the color immediately! Bright colors do work best.

Now go have fun!

This butterfly is the Flowerfly image by Stampendous. Check out Eclectic Paperie-Oh My WORD!!! Thats all Im sayin! Anyway this is my technique on a window card. If it has a butterfly its mine! On the 2 cards I used the scraps from card 1 (above) to make card 2. Paper is from a gorgeous pack of Shangri-La Palette by DMD. Primas are from Jody’s daisy crazy Prima share. Gotta use my color spritzer on everything! LOL!

On card 2 I cuttlebugged it, to kind continue the circle theme. The butterfly is cut out. Happy sentiment on the circle is by CTMH Solo H set. They are the bomb!!! Love those sets. Polkadot ribbon is May arts of course.

OK so on to the HOW TO DO…..(me in my best commercial voice)

Don’t you wish you had StazOn in like every color? Well I do. While “playing” I found that by stamping white stazon, on a acetate sheet you can actually apply pastels while its still wet, kinda like poppin pastels, only they colors shows up on the acetate sheet. I LOVE pearlescent chalks for this technique cause they look so pretty from both sides. (pretty funny eh?)

Here is how I do it.

Assemble your supplies, You will need to work fast, so have everything open and ready to go!

You need acetate sheet (make sure there are no finger prints),very moist white stazon, pearlescent pastels, sponge daubers, and an embossing buddy.

Step 1-rub embossing buddy over acetate sheet

Step 2- Stamp image in whate stazon

Step 3- Quickly dauber pearlescent pastels over image

Step 4- Remove excess powder using embossing buddy. Tap of excess powder from acetate sheet.

DONE!

Now you have a easy WOW!!!  So, are you gonna try it?

 Well I have been getting overloaded with PM’s on Splitcoast asking me for instructions on how I made this  Purse & Wallet  gift set.

So I figured my new blog would be the perfect place for your step by step instructions! My very first tutorial! How exciting. I found it fun to use my daughter Alexa’s stamp set since I love it so much, and in hopes that those of you who dont have it, will want it! LOL!

I would also like to do a contest, so see next post!

You can make ANY holder, purse or gift box just by adjusting your measurements!The important thing to remember is make sure your front/back panels are the same, as well as your bottom and sides.If this explaination is unclear, think of the 2-4-6-8 box instructions. Because the box around is 2 inches, you score from the bottom 2 inches.This rule applies to the dimensions of any square item! Any size!Now for rectangle items like my purse, you can choose to make the opening as wide as you like! Just adjust the entire measurements!It really is easy once you get started.Clear as mudd?Well go grab your cutter, and scorer and follow along step by step! It should make sense once you are finished.