217 Creations

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Graphic 45 Design Team 2012 Audition

I decided this year to try for Graphic 45 Design Team. Paper and art are my loves in life. I enjoy expressing myself through my art, but what brings me the most joy is sharing with other crafters. I have 6 projects to include with my application. Some of these you may have seen before on my blog, but a few are unpublished, until now. I know this type of post is a bit of a deviation for my readers. Consider this post pure eye candy! Remember you can click on any photo to enlarge and see details.

This project is an altered wooden perfume box from Banana Republic. The box was so elegant, I could not throw it out. I used Once Upon A Springtime from Graphic 45 for the paper. This is the box closed.

When the magnetic top is removed, inside is a beautiful butterfly perched in some moss.

My next project is an altered 12 by 12 canvas. This done in a collage style with beeswax as the binder. It has Perfect Pearls dusted across it. In the picture it hard to appreciate all the details in the canvas. I loved this collection so much I wanted to use every part of it!

My next project is a mini album made from coasters. Although this project does not have any Graphic 45, I think it is a nice representation of my style. I love ink and I love getting messy! All the coasters have been embossed, inked, and then bound into a fun home decor style mini album.

My next project is a simple yet elegant card made from Steampunk Debutante. I love the frames that come with each collection. I hand-rolled the flower on the side and the curled ribbon is actually strips from Steampunk Debutante. I love to incorporate metal in my work. This card features some jewelry chain and a jewelry token from my stash.

My next project is an altered 7 Gypsy Printer's Tray. I made this tray using Halloween in Wonderland. There is lots of ink and embellishments. I encourage you to click on the picture to enlarge and see all the yumminess. Each "picture" has been coated with Crackle Accents to give a very worn look.

This is my final project. This mini album is made from Glassine Envelopes and bound with a YourStory. It has lots of details and each page is art thanks to Tropical Travelogue. This exotic mini album has lots of pockets and trinkets for all those special details and pictures.

Thank you so much for taking the time to view my blog and my art. As always, I appreciate the comments and hope everyone has a creative day!

Friday, February 17, 2012

Do Small Things . . .

With Great Love. I love that sentiment! It speaks so true to life. Last weekend I had the pleasure to get to meet up with my friend Chao. We had a craft night at her house. I always have trouble deciding what to take to a small crop activity. So I decided I would take my Cricut Mini, Gypsy, and Giant Flowers cartridge handbook. Normally, I would not bother taking the handbook but in the case of this cartridge, it is necessary. The handbook has the assembly directions and quantities need to assemble each flower.
Today I am sharing this project not only with my readers but the readers at the Pink By Design Blog. If you have not stopped by the blog- DO IT! There are daily posts with lots of variety and inspiration!

I started by making this "stand". This cut is actually from Sweet Treats and is cut 5.83 inches. It is the favor holder, turned upside down. I also cut his tag and its matching layer at 2.42 inches from Art Philosophy. The paper is from Webster Pages.

Next I layered lace around the edge of the box. I secured the lace with hot glue. I then added the tag with pink burlap twine. and crinkle ribbon.

Finally I added the peony on top. The peony was cut at 5.0 inches. All the petals were shaped and inked. I added some leaf cuts from Flower Shoppe. The leaves are cut at 4.12, 4.75 and 5.0 inches. All the leaves have been shaped and inked.

I thought this would be a nice gift for a friend. Or it could be used as a place setting or centerpiece for a shower or luncheon.

Here are some close ups. I love this sentiment from Pink By Design. It is from Believe in Yourself.

This is the flower from the top. I will keep working on perfecting making this flower and then I will do a video. I hope everyone has a creative day!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Kid Friendly Valentine Card

I love crafting with my kids. Although I personally love crafting in a more complicated or detailed manner, I find it very enjoyable to break it all down to the basics and make simple cards with the boys. Today I am sharing this simple card with not only my readers but the readers at She's A Sassy Lady.

What makes this card so easy is the ability to have it put together quickly. I had all the paper pre-cut for a 4 by 4 card. My matting was cut to 3.75 by 3.75 and the patterned paper is cut at 3.5 by 3.5, This paper is from Jillibean Soup. The "LOVE" and it heart layers were cut at 2.50 inches with Cricut Home Accents (real size off). We pop dotted the heart. These were made for Alexander's teachers and para.

I hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Happy Love Day Card and Video

Today I am sharing with you a card I made using Echo Park "Yours Truly". I get so excited whenever they release a new collection- they never disappoint.

This card is a pretty easy A2. I started by folding my card base and all the matting. The cut you see here in this picture is from Art Philosophy. It is a ribbon slide cut at 2.75 inches. At this size you can feed 1 inch ribbon through the slots. The grosgrain I used is 3/4 inch.

Next I fed my ribbon through the slots and mounted it to one of the mats. I wrapped the edges of the ribbon to the back.

Then I assembled the rest of the base of the card.

Now for the cool technique I used for the sentiment on this card. You will need sentiment stamps (I love Pink By Design), Embossing Ink, Embossing Powder, a stamp block, a large flat button, a heat gun, and the magic tool . . . A powder stamp pouch.

You will want to start by dusting the button with powder from a stamp pouch. Then mount your stamp and apply embossing ink to the stamp. Gently push the stamp onto the powdered button. Apply embossing powder and heat. It's pretty cool. I made a video to show you how to do this technique.

I apologize for my voice, I have been under the weather lately.

How to Heat Emboss Buttons

This is the direct link to the video. I add this for my readers who may not see this in their email feed. There is not need to click this link if you are on my blog, unless you want to subscribe to my YouTube channel.