Sister....isn't she GREAT??!!

Was supposed to be working on the Christmas card for the week...but I just couldn't motivate myself to finish it up!

I finally grabbed one of the new Loralie Art Stamps, and felt my mojo coming back, as I stamped and colored this chickie in!

This is one of several stamps that Loralie Art Stamps have that have to do with Cancer Recovery!  I just love the realness of the image, and that you can take these stamps and dress them up as you please!

For the stamp, I used my copics, then I added stripes with an orange micropen and topped it off with orange glitter from my atYou Spica markers.  For the purse and earrings, I used a glue and foil technique, where I filled the are in with glue, then rubs some foil films on it. The specific glue and transfer foils I used are branded STIX2 3D PVA Glue and Stix2 Anything Foil Transfer.  T think this glue will work wonderful with the gold leafing I have too...I'll try it next time I need gold leafing!  I don't know where or who carries it in the US.  I picked it up at a scrapbooking show, probably 2 years ago....you know, one of those, oh, I must have this...and then you bring it home, at it to your hoarde, and then never use it?  Well...part of my goal is to start using this stuff up and so that is what I'm doing!!

Alright...for the paper, I used Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie Spice for the backgroung, then SEI Pastiche heart paper, and the foiled piece on that is the Glue Foil (Aluminum) which I put through my cuttlebug folders then colored in with Copic Reinkers and Blending solution to add some color to it.  Tied on some ribbon...oh...and used an old corner punch I have here for the corners!

RECIPE FOR CARD:

PAPERS:  Detail Blending Paper used for white stamp base, assortment of colored/patterned papers from the SEI Pastiche collection, Pumpkin Pie Spice from SU.

 

INKS:  Memento:  Tuxedo Black, Potters Clay,  Copics, Copic Various Refills, Opaque White, AtYou Spica Glitter Pen

 

STAMPS:  Sister, Loralie Art Stamps

Die Cuts:  Nestabilities Labels Set

ADHESIVE:  Tombow tape runner, pop dots, Stix2 PVA Glue

MISC:  Glue Foils - Aluminum, Embossing Template - Heart Blocks, heat gun, Stix2 Transfer Foil, Stickers and ribbon from SEI Pastiche Collection

That's it for today....hope you enjoyed!!

Curves, copper foils, and viola!

Lol.  Thinking of a title of each blog post is always the hardest part of blogging, besides coming up with a blog topic!

For me, the topics aren't so hard, as I take whatever project I'm working on, and I post about it!

It's interesting though, how I can just finish a project, and when it comes time to sit down and write about it, just how quickly I forget the steps I took to finish that project!

Well...in my house, the topic lately has been on weight loss.  Or rather, should I say, MY LACK of it! lol.  I can gain it, but I must be a hoarder, cuz I just can't get rid of it!  So...when I got the new stamps in from Loralie Art Stamps, I just had to do something with these crazy gals, as they reflect how many of us feel...as least I think so!!

And here is what I came up with for that stamp!!  I had a lot of fun with it!  I also used the new glue foil in the store in my embossing folders, to create that copper background.

RECIPE FOR CARD:

PAPERS:  Detail Blending Paper used for white stamp base, assortment of colored/patterned papers from the SEI Pastiche collection

 

INKS:  Memento:  Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Various Refills, Opaque White, Tea Dye Distress Ink

STAMPS:  Curves, Loralie Art Stamps

ADHESIVE:  Tombow tape runner, pop dots

MISC:  Glue Foils - Copper, Embossing Template - Traffic Jam, old towel, heat gun


Ok...so for some of the techniques.  First, I colored my girls leggings with copic markers.  I then put some blending solution on an old rag and dabbed it over the leggings.  This gave it a textured look, making the leggings look like knit.  I then colored the rest of the stamped image in, and added some polka dots to her leotard.  I wanted her to be a red head, and when I did her skin, I used the "blusher" color to add some "spots" to her checks and chest area...to look like sun spots or large freckled areas (you know, as we get older, we tend to get more and more of these spots on our skin!)


I took the new Glue foil- the copper sheet, cut the piece down, and ran it through the cuttlebug Traffic Jam folder.  I then took a felt pad, dabbed some copic inks on it (rust color, red, and green) and some copic blending solution, and dabbed it all over the copper foil.  Then I put it in place on the card, heated it up with my heat gun, and it all stuck down!!  The Glue foil will work on your diecut machines too...so you can use it many different ways...but I jsut wanted to get a small project in...so I could show how you can play with it a bit!  The card opens 'accordian' style, and sticks to a card base....


Not sure where/who this card is going to go to right now...but I will have one on hand, and I"m sure I can find some use to it!  I have a friend of mine that is considering doing a marathon this fall...so I might send it to here, to encourage her to keep working out! :)



Happy Crafting!

Cupcake Tote...a bunny diecut...a card....Thanks!

Long title to todays post!  But it's so hard to describe all that went into this project!

I had to make a "teacher appreciation" gift, as it's teacher appreciation week, and tonight I have parent-teacher conferences.

So, I found an idea on Papertrey Ink blog on making a cupcake tote.

I decided I could do something like this for Cameron's teacher!  Only I adapted it with what supplies I had on hand!

Here is a picture of the project above.  Part of what I adapted differently is I used a pattern to cut Cupcake wrappers instead of doing an additional bag of sweet toppers for the cupcakes.  I also made a "matching" card, kept it to spring/easter colors, and I didn't have my own little tubes and didn't have time to order from them, so I created my own from a transparency film and some yellow cardstock!

When you open the flap, you will find the candy toppers....filled in tubes.  I cut 3"x5" rectangles from a yellow transperency material I had.  I then used Scor Tape along one 5" end, and rolled the other end onto it, forming the tube.  For the toppers, I cut a circle pattern on my machine (about 3/4" size) with triangles off the circle to make "tabs"  I taped the tabes down onto the tube with my score tape.  I then added a small strip of matching yellow paper around the circumference of the top, to create the "cap" look.

The Bunny paper piecing is from my Easter Bunny File provided in the Scrapbooking Cards and More Membership club!  (I'll put it up to the store later this week for those that aren't in that club!)

Here is my full recipe list!!  It's a long one...so be prepared!

TOTE:
Paper:  Cascata Yellow (12x12  - 3 sheets), pattern papers from SEI Chick-a-dee collection (one sheet of Anna's Bananas, and one sheet of Ga-ga), DoubleMates Brown paper for Bunny pieced together.

Other:  Ribbon by Offray, 1/2" Score Tape to secure Ribbon, 1/8" score tape for sides of box attachment and for paper strip holding candy tubes in place, as well as the caps of the candy tubes. I also used the Labels 10 Nestie for the matting under the easter bunny, and to create the flap at the top of the box to close it up.  I used a strip of velcro for the closure.  Transparency film for the tubes with paper topper.  I also covered the frosting tub with the papers and ribbon to match.

The cupcake wrappers were cut from Cascata Paper on my KNK, from a pattern provided by Judy on the KNK Yahoo Group.  I was going to make my own pattern...but her's fit the bill perfectly, and I figured why make it even more work!!  (So thanks for the pattern Judy!)

Card:
Detail Blending paper for the Itzy Inkies Flower Power Stamp, Copics, Nestabilities Labels Set, Border file cut from my KNK Machine (cut twice, from white and scraps of the SEI papers used on the tote)

Hope the teacher enjoys!  She has 3 young boys....so plenty of opportunity for cupcake treats!

Week 9 Challenge....

Once again, it's been a busy week here, but I did manage to get a few crafty things done!  I made the card posted yesterday for the March RAK, and can't wait until little Spencer gets all his card!  I even got another card made using last weeks file template!

Before we post Week 9 challenge...for those of you that want to post your finished project, please feel free to post it in your blogs, but if you don't have a blog to post it to, you can post it in our gallery, located here:

52 WEEKS CARD CHALLENGE PHOTO GALLERY

For a quick link to the 52 Weeks Card Challenge information:
CLICK HERE FOR CHALLENGE INFO


Now...before we do this....I want to remind everyone that while I am personally making cards for Christmas each week the challenge is to MAKE a card, following the challenge criteria...so you can make your card for ANY occasion!
 
Everyone that participates in the challenge, and posts a link to their finished project by COMMENTING on this blog post, will be entered into the prize for this week.  YOU MUST have your item posted before 9:00 AM EST, FRIDAY MARCH 19,  and one winner will be chosen at RANDOM, and will win:

CLEAR AtYou Spica Pen

What is Week 9 Challenge:
Week 9 challenge of the 52 Card challenge is GOLDEN!  Yep, I want you to make a card with gold in it! Gold stickers, Gold Embossing Powder, Gold Leafing...whatever strikes your fancy!




So...without further ado....here is my sample using GOLD!

 

I really played a bit with this card, with no real plan in mind!  I colored the stamped image with copics, then, I took my Glue pen, filled in the parts on the ornament of the stamp, and used gold leafing on it once it dried.  I have a different glue here in hand that I'm going to try next time, because the tackiness of the glue pen just wasn't enough to get a good layering of the gold leafing!  Live and learn!


I also used the glue pen on the hat, and used the white flocking on there.  I had some gold ornament stickers, which I placed down and then colored in with copics.  I also used red smooch on the stamped image for the berries.


For the background paper, I used a scrap of Cascata that I had, and the holly leaf stamp from the Reason for the Season stamp set by CC Designs.  I stamped in versa ink, and then sprinkled on some glittery clear embossing powder.  Heat set it with my heat gun.  I think, if I do it again, I would use my sponge dauber and sponge some ink on there between the leaves...just to pop it up a bit more.

 

RECIPE FOR CARD:

PAPERS:  Georgia Pacific used for white stamp base, assortment of colored/patterned papers from my scrap stash, Cascata blue for backgroun.

 

INKS:  Memento:  Tuxedo Black and Summer Sky, Copics, Versa Mark Ink

DIECUTS:  Nestabilities Circles Set

STAMPS:  Henry with Christmas Bauble by Whiff of Joy, Reason for the Season by CC Designs

ADHESIVE:  Sticky Thumb tape runner, pop dots, glue pen

MISC:  Gold leafing, embossing powder, Merry Christmas Rubon by JoAnn Crafts, heat gun, smooch, fun flock.



That's it for this week!  I have a busy weekend planned, so I won't be on much....but hope you all enjoy your weekend, I"m hoping for some sunshine!

A Card for Spencer!

I finished it!  And I love how it turned out!

First, before I post the card, Spencer is a little boy, three years old that was diagnosed with Clear Cell Sarcoma of the Kidney last winter.  If you would like to join in on making a card for Spencer, please feel free!  Details on our monthly RAK can be found at Shirley's Blog!  Here's the LINK.

Just send Shirley an email at shirley_clark@paperthreads.com and she will send you the address to mail the card too!

So...thinking of Spencer, and his bright and shiny smile, I kept thinking TREASURES!

I did a few different techniques here (remember, you can click on a picture for a larger close up!)

The first thing, of course, was I got out my copics, and had a grand time coloring my stamped image!  I then used flock for the eye patch, smooch for the earring, buttons, buckle, edge of treasure chest.  I used Rock Candy distress crackle for the skull and treasure chest.  I then had some metal charms, which I used my copics and copper mixative by time holtz, to distress the metal charm.  I then placed it on my KNK machine, where I etched "Spencer's Treasure" on the charm!  You can't really see the etching on it from the big pictures so I did a close up shot for ya!  I then put some ink on it, sanded it down a little, so it looked like an old treasure charm found in the treasure chest, and that someone rubbed on it, to reveal the "words" :)  I thought it turned out pretty good!

RECIPE FOR CARD:

PAPERS:  Detail Blending for stamp base, assortment of colored/patterned papers from my scrap stash.

 

INKS:  Memento Black, Memento Lulu Lavender, Copics, Copper Mixative by Tim Holtz

DIECUTS:  Nestabilities Large Labels

STAMPS:  Billy Blythe by Ann Rodigues from Kraftin Kimmie Stamps

ADHESIVE:  Sticky Thumb tape runner

MISC:   Metal Charms (JoAnns), Ribbon from stash, Fun Flock, sanding block, Distress Crackle- Rock Candy, Smooch - Snickerdoodle

TECHNIQUES:  Out of Bounds Technique with Nestabilities (SEE VIDEO HERE), Fun Flock Technique (SEE VIDEO HERE), Etching on KNK Machine

Hope you enjoyed this card!  I am enjoying thinking about him getting the cards in the mail next month!

Another Card using circle edge card template

I decided I wanted to show you another sample of the card template that I provided yesterday...

Just a couple of notes...the template is still available for download through the whole week, so you can get it here:  http://www.paperthreadsblog.com/2010/03/week-7-winnerand-on-to-week-8-challenge.html

Note that this is a CARD FRONT ONLY!  The front is intended to flap over, putting the circle scalloped edge where ever you want it placed on the front of the card.  It can be towards the top, like the card I made yesterday, or it can be down further.  To get it to be a longer flap, you have to stretch the rectangular portion of it.

In KNK, it's as simple as double clicking on the rectangle portion, then selecting the two bottom edit nodes, and dragging them down (I use my arrow keys to move them downward!)  You can always make them LONGER than you need, then trim off the bottom of it later!

So, I took the same pattern that I provide in the FREE download on yesterdays blog post, and I stretched the bottom of it longer, so I could have a longer scalloped front, and here is my resulting card:

 

Remember, if you download the file, make sure to take  a picture of your resulting project, and post it in yesterdays blog post (with a link to your card!) and I will draw a winner from someone next Friday!  The winner will receive an AtYou Spica Clear glitter pen!

Here is a closer shot of that cute little monkey I used in my card!  It's from one of the new stamps we have in the store, the Itzie Inkies: Flower Power set!

 

RECIPE FOR CARD:

PAPERS:  Georgia Pacific used for white stamp base, assortment of colored/patterned papers from my scrap stash.

 

INKS:  Memento Black, Copics

DIECUTS:  Nestabilities Labels 12

STAMPS:  CC Designs: Itzie Inkies Flower Power, Blessing Stamp from Stampin' Up

ADHESIVE:  Sticky Thumb tape runner

MISC:  Die Cut (provided for one week, through link on yesterdays blog post!), Ribbon from stash, Dew Drops (Flame), sanding block (to sand diecut frame for distressed look)



TECHNIQUES:  Out of Bounds Technique with Nestabilities (SEE VIDEO HERE)

Hope you enjoyed this...and I hope to see many cards in the drawing next week!!

Enjoy!!

Week 7 Winner...and on to Week 8 challenge

So, first, I know, I know...I missed a week!  What can I say, seems like last week just disappeared!

First...thanks for everyone that participated in the Transparent Card Challenge!  I did draw a name last week...and the winner was GAMES!  I already sent her prize...and I know she already got it...so at least last week wasn't a total waste!

Before we post Week 8 challenge...for those of you that want to post your finished project, please feel free to post it in your blogs, but if you don't have a blog to post it to, you can post it in our gallery, located here:

52 WEEKS CARD CHALLENGE PHOTO GALLERY

For a quick link to the 52 Weeks Card Challenge information:
CLICK HERE FOR CHALLENGE INFO


Now...before we do this....I want to remind everyone that while I am personally making cards for Christmas each week the challenge is to MAKE a card, following the challenge criteria...so you can make your card for ANY occasion!
 
Everyone that participates in the challenge, and posts a link to their finished project by COMMENTING on this blog post, will be entered into the prize for this week.  YOU MUST have your item posted before 9:00 AM EST, FRIDAY MARCH 12,  and one winner will be chosen at RANDOM, and will win:

CLEAR AtYou Spica Pen

What is Week 8 Challenge:
Week 8 challenge of the 52 Card challenge is to make a card using the base I'm providing!  This does NOT have to be a Christmas card!  IT can be a card for any occasion!  And you can use a digital printed stamp if you want!  the only catch is you have to use or do it with the file I'm providing here!  (For those of you with a cutter, the file is in AI, GSD, KNK, WPC and SVG formats.  For those of you without an electronic cutter, you can open the SVG or AI file in a free program, called Inkscape, print it out and hand cut!)




So...without further ado....here is my sample using the card base!

 

Some of you may want the base flap to be longer over the top, and you can do that by stretching the rectangular part of the design (for GSD and SVG users, you would have to do this in Inkscape or other program!)  For this card, I also used some scrap papers that I had on hand to make the patterened strips of paper in the background, some rick rack type ribbon which I colored to match using my copics, a strand of pearls from Kaiser Crafts, and an old Snowman sticker I found in my stash!

 

RECIPE FOR CARD:

PAPERS:  Georgia Pacific used for white stamp base, assortment of colored/patterned papers from my scrap stash.

 

INKS:  Memento Black, Copics, AtYou Spica Clitter pens, Broken China Distress Ink

DIECUTS:  Nestabilities Labels 13

STAMPS:  Ornament Trevor

ADHESIVE:  Sticky Thumb tape runner

MISC:  Die Cut (provided for one week, through link BELOW!), Snowman Sticker from JoAnn's Crafts, pearl strip from Kaiser Crafts, ribbon scrap.




CUTTING FILE FOR CARD BASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD



ENJOY!!

Movie Monday - Trimming your Unmounted stamps

This week, I'm doing a quick and easy video on how to trim your unmounted stamps!  Since we have been doing a lot lately on stamping and the stamps we carry in the store, I thought it would be a good topic to cover for those that have been a little nervous of buying their first unmounted stamps!  Might even be helpful to those of you that buy them, but struggle with cutting them!

The key, really is in the scissors!  You have to have a good pair, and the Tim Holtz are a great example!  You can use any scissors, but you will find if you use the right scissors, it will be easier to cut, you will get better results, and it will be easier on your hands!

Also, don't forget we have a card challenge to make a TRANSPARENT card, we will pick one winner on Friday!  To enter, you must post on the comments for that day with a link to your project, (last Friday's post!)

Week 7....A NEW CHALLENGE, and a WINNER!

It's now WEEK 7 of the 52 Cards Challenge!

Before we get into this new challenge....I want to thank everyone that participated in last weeks Ripped Marble Challenge!  They turned out really great!

Last week the challenge was to make a Ripped Marble card, following the video tutorial provided!  And for all who participated, we gave a FREE Stampavie Stamp, Noel Eve.

The WINNER WAS:  Carol!!



Thanks for playing Carol!  Send me your mailing address and information to my email at support@paperthreads.com and we will get the stamp mailed out to you!


So....this week, before we post Week 7 challenge...for those of you that want to post your finished project, please feel free to post it in your blogs, but if you don't have a blog to post it to, you can post it in our gallery, located here:

52 WEEKS CARD CHALLENGE PHOTO GALLERY

For a quick link to the 52 Weeks Card Challenge information:
CLICK HERE FOR CHALLENGE INFO


Now...before we do this....I'm opening this challenge up to MORE than Christmas cards this week!  And if you participate, you get in on the prize drawing!

First....here is the PRIZE!  It's another Stampavie Stamp - Mother and Daughter!

Everyone that participates in the challenge, and posts a link to their finished project by COMMENTING on this blog post, will be entered into the prize for this stamp!

What is Week 7 Challenge:
Week 7 challenge of the 52 Card challenge is to make a Transparent Card!  This does NOT have to be a Christmas card!  IT can be a card for any occasion!  And you can use a digital printed stamp if you want!  the only catch is you have to use or do it as a Transparent Card!

WHAT is a transparent Card?  It's an easy to do card style, made from a transparency film!

  

You can click on the image to get a larger view!  It's a really easy technique, and works great on those smaller stamps, or a great way to use up a small flourish to make your backgroun!

And...just to make it easier....I have done a VIDEO tutorial for you, so you can see, step by step, how I accomplished this look!  So scroll to the END of this message for a look at the tutorial!

RECIPE FOR CARD:

PAPERS:  Georgia Pacific used for white stamp base, Petallic Paper 

INKS:  Memento Black, Copics, Stampin' Up Craft White for snowflakes, Memento Desert Sand for Distressing.

DIECUTS:  Nestabilities Labels 2

STAMPS:  Gillian Roberts: Robins

ADHESIVE:  Sticky Thumb tape runner

MISC:  Transparency Film sheet, stampendeous glitter

Alrighty, so that's my recipe on what supplies I used!  Now it's up to you to WATCH the video, then go make one of your own projects, and come back here, and submit a link to it in the comments here on my blog post!  You have until MIDNIGHT EST THURSDAY, FEB 25th to post!  I will draw a winner NEXT FRIDAY!!

Here's the how to video....enjoy!

Wild and Crazy weekend at Paperthreads!

Did you all join in on the fun?

We have had prizes, challenges, games, activities, and of course, we had some huge sales on Monday!

I have yet to get out the full prize list...there are a few prizes left to draw for, so as soon as I have that info, I'll post a prize list here!

But...just to remind you all, my Ripped Marble Technique is STILL open, and we won't draw for that until tomorrow (NOT TOMORROW....FRIDAY!  sheesh...my day was really off yesterday, can you tell?), so you have until I draw to get it done, and post a link here to the blog under comments from LAST FRIDAYS post where I posted it!  So far, we only have 1 comment there...and if don't get anymore, she will be the winner....so I'm sure she is hoping no one else posts :)

Also, there are a couple FIRST TO's that we still need to call, and one still open...so pop into the forum, and check them out....if you are the first, you get the prize!!

Have a great Wednesday....ASH Wednesday....