Thursday, February 18, 2016

Mini House Shadowbox with Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts and Graphic 45

Hey chipper gang!  Barbara here, and it's my turn on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog to share a project with you today.  I love making things with dimension, and when I saw these adorable house shaped mini shadowboxes from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts, I knew I had to play with them.  I expect this will be a series of projects that I will post, so stay tuned.  Today's box is using the fabulous Graphic 45 Olde Curiosity Shoppe.  




I always lay my chipboard out the way it will be glued together, just to make sure I have it positioned  correctly.  I like to use Aleene's Fast Grab tacky glue to put my chipboard together.  It does just what the name says, grabs fast so you are hands free to continue working on your project.


After gluing the house together, I painted it, inside and out, with green chalk paint.  I cut a piece of blue print paper for the inside of the box.  Next, I carefully cut along this tiny diamond border from the paper collection and adhered along the front edge, as shown, piecing as needed.

NOTE:  All papers were edged with ink before adhering to help hide the white cut edges.  


I covered the outside (back and both sides only) with the red flourish print paper.  The roof was covered with red circles paper.  

I painted a small piece of the Texture Sheet Diamonds with black chalk ink and adhered inside the box.  

I then fussy cut small images from the Graphic 45 paper collection to see what would fit inside my mini box.  For added strength, I coated each piece with the ultra matte varnish.  It is totally invisible.  I place all of my images inside the box, as shown, including a tiny flower pot miniature I had in my stash.

Two strap hinges, gears, and propeller, were painted with black chalk ink, then I added a bit of the rust paint.  You will want to paint both sides if the backside of any of these shapes will be seen, as with the propeller, the lower part of the strap hinges, and a few gears. 

Glue the strap hinges to the roof.  The propeller with brad were added between the roof eaves that have been covered with the strip of wording from one of the papers from the collection.  

The curio cabinet was fussy cut, then pop dotted with two layers of dots to give it enough lift before adhering to the bottom of the house.  Half of the eyeglass and the peacock head were fussy cut, then adhered to the back above the curio cabinet image.  Wind up girl was shaped and adhered to the left edge of the box.  She is curious and is thinking of going into the shoppe.

Gears were added to the box, as shown. Some were cut in half and added to the box sides.  

On the back, the Olde Curiosity Shoppe sign was made by using a 1 ¼" square punch, and then I used a ticket stub corner punch on all four corners.  The raven holding the Carter's Liver Pills sign was fussy cut and also adhered, as shown.

Here is a closer look at the inside of the shadow box, as well as the sides and back.  





GSL Supplies Used:


Other Supplies Used:

Graphic 45 8x8 Olde Curiosity Shoppe paper collection
Black Chalk Paint (DecoArt)
Green Chalk Paint 
Ultra Matte Satin Varnish (DecoArt)
Rust Paint (Viva Decor)
Mini brads and flower pot
1-¼" square punch
Ticket stub corner punch

I hope you enjoyed my version of an Olde Curiosity Shoppe with this fun little Mini House Shadowbox 3 from Gypsy Soul.  I have a few more of these little cuties, so stay tuned to see where my imagination takes me next.  

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a very curious, and crafty, week!

Barbara

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Cards of Love with Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts

Hey chipper gang!  It's my turn to share a project with you today on the GSL Blog.  I love February because I love making vintage, shabby chic cards for Valentine's Day.  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts has the  most beautiful collection of filigree and fancy cut shapes that work well for card makers.  Combine that with Graphic 45 papers, and you cannot go wrong.


Painting the chipboard pieces with a variety of distress paints allowed me to achieve a close match to the colors in the paper.  I painted the clock hands, Lost in You, and the lattice hearts with Malted Milk, then Bundled Sage and Salty Ocean distress paint.  The filigree frame, Love, solid heart, and one lattice heart were painted with Malted Milk, White, Spun Sugar, Victorian Velvet, Rusty Hinge, and Wild Honey.  The key was painted with Tarnished Brass.

Here is an example of how I did not actually blend the colors but dabbed the colors, leaving a mottled, variegated effect, mimicking the colors in the papers.  


Love Card and close ups





Lost in You Card and close ups




Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used:

Filigree Frames Shapes Set
Words & Phrases 1
Lattice Hearts Border Sticks
Keys & Plates Shape Set
Clock Hands Shape Set

Other Supplies Used:

5x7 Blank Kraft Cards
Graphic 45 A Ladies' Diary Paper Collection
Distress Paints:  White, Spun Sugar, Victorian Velvet, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Bundled Sage, Salty Ocean, Tarnished Brass
Ranger Malted Milk paint dabber (Jenni Bowlin)

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts has more chipboard shapes and designs coming out regularly, so be sure to visit their online store.   For more inspiration from the fabulous design team, be sure to visit the GSL Blog regularly.  

Thanks for stopping by, and stay crafty, my friends!

Barbara

Monday, February 8, 2016

A Faierie Sweet Valentine's Day Card and Matching Tag

Hello everyone!  It's Monday again, and I have another Altered Pages project for you.  I am still in card making mode, so today, I want to share another Valentine's Day card plus matching tag.  This month, we are proud to have Faerie Song Art Stamps as our sponsor.  Their stamps are deeply etched red rubber, and the selection of faeries is out of this world (no pun intended). 



Cut a 12x12 piece of blueish green card stock in half, then use your 
ScorPal scoring board to score in half for a 6x6 folded card.


Fussy cut around one of the Kaisercraft Botanical Odyssey Papers to fit the front of the card, ink edges with Leather Mixed Media Salazar Inkx using the Ranger Blending Tool and adhere it with Double Side Tape Mini.



Die cut scalloped heart shape from pink polka dot paper and a solid heart from the blue print paper with the Scallop Heart die.  Adhere the two hearts together with Double Side Tape Mini and use a Pigma Micron Pen to make a faux stitching line around the top heart.

Fussy cut a heart from the Heart of my Heart collage sheet and ink edges with Leather Mixed Media Salazar Inkx using the Ranger Blending Tool.  Adhere a piece of chipboard beneath it for added strength and Adhesive Dimensionals to raise it up off the card front.  This always gives nice dimension.



Stamp Elly from Faerie Song Art Stamps onto a piece of acrylic paper with black Stazon midi ink pad.  Color image with Gelatos and a water brush.  Do the same onto a piece of scrap white paper, leaving enough room around the image to cut out a tag shape.



Fussy cut image and edge with black Faber-Castell Big Brush Pen.    Adhere to card with Adhesive Dimensionals, as shown.

Make a double loop bow using the Sheer Ribbon and adhere to card front, as shown.  Stamp sentiment onto scrap of white card stock with Pink Neon Ink Pad and adhere to card front, as shown.



Stamp Elly from Faerie Song Art Stamps onto a piece of scrap white paper with black Stazon midi ink pad, leaving enough room around the image to cut out a tag shape. Color image as before.

For the tag, use the Nesting Frames 2 die to cut one large shape from the blueish green card stock and the next size down from the white sheet with the image stamped onto it.  I love this die because it is so versatile. It can be used a a pretty label, a rectangle if you cut both ends off, or a beautiful tag if you cut one end off, as I have shown.



Cut the bottom portion of both pieces off to form a straight bottom on the tag.  Adhere both together, punch a hole in the top center of the tag with a craft punch.  String Baker's Twine through the hole and attach to your gift.




Add a variety of Dew Drops for added magic.  



Altered Pages Supplies:

Scallop Heart die
Nesting Frames 2 die
Heart of my Heart collage sheet
Kaisercraft Botanical Odyssey Paper Pad
Acrylic Blocks
Waterbrushes
Gelatos
Faber-Castell Big Brush Pen
ScorPal scoring board
Mixed Media Salazar Inkx (Leather)
Ranger Blending Tool
Double Side Tape Mini
Adhesive Dimensionals
Pigma Micron Pen
black Stazon midi ink pad
Baker's Twine Multi Colors
Ribbon, Sheer
Electric Pink Neon Ink Pad
Dew Drops

Other supplies used:

Strathmore acrylic paper
Blueish green card stock
Scrap white paper



Did you know that Altered Pages has a huge selection of collage images that are perfect for Valentine's Day?  And each sheet contains so many different images that will help you create the perfect cards.


I hope you enjoyed my card and tag project today.  I also want to extend my appreciation to our sponsor this month, Faerie Song Art Stamps, for sending us these adorable faerie stamps to play with.  Be sure to stop by their website to see the magical selection of faeries available.  And please visit the Altered Pages blog regularly for daily inspiration from the fantabulous design team.  


Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful and very creative week!


Barbara

Friday, February 5, 2016

February 2016 Craft Hoarders Anonymous Monthly Blog Hop


Welcome to the February Craft Hoarders Anonymous Blog Hop! You should be coming to my blog from Teresa's blog. After visiting me, hop over to Karen's blog next! To start at the beginning of the hop, and for the full list of Bloggers, go to Gloria's Blog.

February is the month for love, so Valentine's Day is on my mind.  I am particularly fond of vintage, shabby chic, and pink!  I have some of my older papers in boxes which I have sorted by occasions.  In my Valentine's Day box, I found these beautiful papers from Memory Box, and I had even saved a couple of sheets of matching card stock that I had purchased while I had the print papers in my hot little hands.  

Here is my February inspiration!



This card measures 6"x6".  I cut the print paper slightly smaller than the card front and inked the edges with the Brilliance Pearlescent Purple ink pad.  

I die cut the scalloped heart from the light orchid card stock and inked the edges with the same Brilliance Pearlescent Purple ink pad.

Next, I die cut the plain heart from ivory card stock, then embossed it with the Chain embossing folder.  I edged the heart with a Krylon gold leafing pen, and again, I highlighted the embossing with the Pearlescent Purple ink pad before adhering it to the scalloped heart.

I used foam dots to adhere and raise the heart piece on the card front.

All that was left now was to decorate the card front with the various flowers, leaves, and trim from my stash.  The Love Notes die cut tag was added to the right of the flower bouquet.  

Simple, but elegant.

Supplies used:

Spellbinders dies:  Nested Hearts, Nested Scallop Hearts (largest size)
Card stocks:  Ivory, Orchid, Light Orchid
Print Paper:  Making Memories 12x12 LoveBirds Scallop Love Notes 
Making Memories Love Notes die cut tags
Embossing folder:  Chain (Lifestyle Crafts)
Ink Pads:  Brilliance Pearlescent Purple
Petaloo and Prima Flowers and Leaves
Ivory stem flowers (Joann's)
Gold leaves ribbon trim (my stash)

Here is the list of the participating Bloggers. Make sure to hop along and say hello! 



I hope we have inspired you to join us every month and de-hoard those supplies! 

Have a wonderful and creative weekend, but most of all, have fun!!!

Barbara

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Two Mixed Media Heartfelt Cards

Hi everyone!  Are you ready for another video tutorial?  I hope so, because I have one for you, and this is so easy and so fun, you won't believe it until you see it!   Learn how easy ColourArte products can turn a sheet of acrylic paper into a beautiful background to use for your cards, scrapbook pages, art journals, and so much more.


I have made a short video tutorial to share this process with you. I hope you enjoy it!



Supplies Used:




Other Supplies Used:

Strathmore 436 lb. 12x12 Acrylic Paper
Cardstock:  Light green, dark purple, glossy gold metallic, glossy green metallic, pearlescent 
Eiffel Tower image from note card
Versamark ink pad
Clear embossing powder
Leaf Green archival ink (Ranger)
Crafty Individuals CI-430 rubber stamp 
Paper Parachute AT-002 Grid rubber stamp
Sizzix 38-0156 Hearts die
Paper Studio Stickabilities Inspirational Phrases Foiled stickers
Purple rhinestone stickers (Recollections)
DecoArt Satin Finish varnish

I hope you enjoyed the video and perhaps inspired to give it a try.  I think I could become addicted to playing with all these fabulous colors.  Be sure to visit ColourArte for more color choices and inspiration, too!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful, creative weekend!

Barbara

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts - Mini Sewing Machine Album

Hello "chippie" friends! Today I want to share the cutest little mini sewing album I have ever seen.  It comes with the front cover that is cut out in more detail, and five additional solid pages to add your photos, ephemera, memorabilia, embellishments, or whatever your little ole' heart desires.



I began by covering each chipboard page with scrapbook paper.  I used the Needle and Thread paper collection from Kaisercraft.  I thought this was perfect for my mini sewing album, but any paper that reminds you of sewing, fabric, Mom, home, etc., would work.  

After adhering the paper, I trimmed the excess paper and used an emery board (or sandpaper) to remove any bits that I missed.  When that was done, I painted the edges with an ivory colored acrylic paint.  I thought it would give a more shabby chic look, and it also seals the paper edges.


Ink large scissors with black pigment ink, heat emboss with silver embossing powder.  Since this will be seen from both sides, it is important to decorate both sides with the embossing powder.  Be careful not to re-melt the embossing powder on the opposite side.    When cooled, stamp a small filigree rubber stamp, inked with black archival ink, over the scissors for a vintage look.  Add a small, round metal sticker on both sides where the scissor pieces join.



Color legs of dress form with copper metallic cream, add small bits of Patina paste to resemble patinated copper.  Adhere burlap paper to bodice of dress form on both sides in case it extends past the cover.




Color both sides of bobbins with Vintage Photo distress stain.  Wrap one with ivory cotton floss or crochet thread.  I later added a tiny sewing quote to the second one (see page 7).


Color the stand with Vintage Photo distress stain, dry thoroughly.  Ink wire portion of dress form with Versamark ink and heat emboss with Rustique Patina Bronze embossing powder.  Cover bodice of dress form with burlap paper. (See Page 2).



Ink dress form with Frayed Burlap distress ink.  Color bodice portion of dress form with Iced Spruce and Peeled Paint distress ink.  Color corset with Picket Fence, Victorian Velvet, and Worn Lipstick distress stains.  This will give some nice variation in the colors.   Thread nylon thread through corset holes and tie off in a bow.   (See Page 8).


Cut apart the large corner from the Fanciful Elements set and color with Bundled Sage distress paint. Dry paint thoroughly before dragging Iced Spruce distress ink pad over the corner elements.  Heat set to dry.  (See Pages 2 and 6).

I fussy cut images from the Kaisercraft papers and from the free collage sheet offered by Gina's Designs Laser Cuts (aka Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts).  I have been collecting embellishments for many years, so I used flowers, metal charms, computer-generated quotes, collage sheets, buttons, ribbon, and anything I found in my stash that I thought would be suitable.

Below are pictures of each page fully embellished.


Front Cover
Chipboard dress form, scissors, and bobbin, were added.  A tiny wooden spool with thread wrapped around it was  glued to the top of the spool holder on the album cover.
Inside Front Cover
Chipboard Lady Silhouette and gloves were inked with Versamark and heat embossed with black embossing powder.  Lace border stick section was painted with ivory acrylic paint.


Page 1
Real metal snaps were added to the card in the center.


Page 2
Cardstock intricate doily adhered beneath seamstress quote, along with chipboard dress form and fanciful elements.

Page 3
Real buttons were sewn to the button card on the left.


Page 4
Chipboard dress form was inked with Versamark ink and heat embossed with black embossing powder.

Page 5
Cardstock dress form was inked with Versamark ink and heat embossed with the Rustique Patina Bronze embossing powder.  Another intricate card stock doily was adhered beneath the Altered Pages collage image.




Page 6
Chipboard dress form was painted with Victorian Velvet distress paint and Milled Lavender ink pad dragged over the top.  A portion of the chipboard fanciful elements was added along the bottom

Page 7
Chipboard bobbin was adhered to the top right with a computer-generated sewing quote glued to the center.  Another Altered Pages collage image is adhered over an intricate card stock doily.


Page 8
Chipboard dressform, free sewing collage image from Gina's Designs.

Inside Back Cover
Chipboard Dress Form painted with Bundled Sage distress paint, Iced Spruce distress ink pad dragged over the top.  Collage images from Altered Pages and free printable from Gina's Designs.

Back Cover

This is how the front cover looks with Page 1 showing through the opening.

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used:

Mini Sewing Machine Album (Coming Soon)
Vintage Seamstress Shape Set
Dressforms 1 Shape Set
Dressforms 2 Shape Set
Miniatures Shape Set - Ladies Choice
Dressforms 2 Miniature Shape Set
Border Sticks Lace
Fanciful Elements
Cardstock Doilies Intricates
Gina's Designs Free Printable Sewing collage sheet 

Other Supplies used:

Kaisercraft Needle and Thread paper collection
Altered Pages Vintage Sewing collage sheet
Black pigment ink
Black archival ink
Versamark ink
Embossing powder: Silver, Rustique Patina Bronze (Judi-Kins); Brownie (Zing)
Small filigree rubber stamp (Anna Griffin)
Fashions fade rubber stamp (Hampton Art)
Distress Inks: Vintage Photo, Iced Spruce, Peeled Paint, Frayed Burlap
Distress Stains: Picket Fence, Victorian Velevet,  Worn Lipstick, Milled Lavender
Distress Paint:  Bundled Sage, Victorian Velvet
Copper Kettle Metallic Lustre (DecoArt)
Patina Gilder's Paste (Baroque Art)
Ivory crochet thread
Scrap fabric
Small, round metal stickers

I hope you enjoyed my sewing machine mini album and are inspired to make one for yourself or a friend who loves to  sew.  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts has quite a selection of sewing related chipboard to embellish your mini album, so be sure to check out the online shop for more choices.  

Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful, creative week!

Barbara