Thursday, May 23, 2013

Fabric Flowers

The other day Stacy showed us how to add For Always Fabric to a layout.  The fabric added even more dimension to the layout.

I made 3-D flowers and a mason jar top with my fabric.  I also used the fabric for the leaves.



Okay, I have to tell you that it was my intention to cut the fabric out with my Cricut.  One thing I learned from the experience was you need to have a sharper blade to cut through fabric.  Since I was on a time crunch, I instead cut out freezer paper.  Once the freezer paper was cut, I ironed the paper to the fabric and then cut out the fabric flowers with fabric scissors.  Once I rolled them, I sprayed them with starch -- they didn't really need to be sprayed, but I did.  The opaques were glued in with Liquid Glass.  In fact, everything was glued on with Liquid Glass.

We made something very similar to this at our Spring Fling Workshop that was May 4th, 2013.  You should have seen those pictures already.

What was in the jar?  Cookies in a jar mix.  Potatoe chip cookie mix to be exact.  They are quite good!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Working with Fabrics

Have you seen our new Textile Fabrics in the Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book yet?  You best go to page 117 right now and take a look!  There are two choices, both that coordinate with a paper packet -- For Always and Chantilly.

Stacy will talk you through how fabric was added to a layout (found on page 71 in the Idea Book).  Let me know if you have questions.




I'll show you how I used fabric in a project next.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Paper Cupcake Blog Hop

If you are coming from Patty Smith's blog, your right on track.  And you'll know that we are working with the "Happy Father's Day" key (page 75) on the Artiste Cricut Cartridge. I've been inspired so far!  My project is the bag (in Sky cardstock) cut from <3D Object><FtherDay> (or C5R5 - 5th column, 5th row)

After I cut it out, I scored the front and the back every 1/2" to make a pinstripe pattern.  Make sure you score on the backside (although the bag can be folded in either direction so in this case it doesn't matter).  I then stamped my saying on the front (in Pacifica) -- this is the part of the flat bag that does NOT have the collar on it.  Next, I sanded the stripes, avoiding my stamped image.

The inner part of the saying was stamped a second time on White Daisy, and then "grandpa" was added with Sky ink.  I went with Grandpa, honestly, because my "DAD" was defective and I needed this sample to be completed.  I did get a hold of Close to my Heart and received my replacement stamp by the end of the week (thanks, Mirissa)!

I digress.  The inner part of the stamp was cut out and then popped up with 3D foam tape.  I stamped the tie in Sweet Leaf and cut around it.  I know, the Artiste cartridge has the tie image, but I wanted the entire tie in one piece.  The top part of the tie was stamped a second time. I used Scor-tape to adhere the top part of the tie to the flap part of the collar, then glued the whole tie aligned with the top part.  Our velcro dot keeps the collar down.  The shirt was finished off with some White brads in the collar.  As you see from my picture, I hadn't snipped the excess brad yet -- you will.  ;-)

Okay, enough said here.  Now continue along to Katy Martin's blog.  See you soon!

That was soon!  I forgot to tell you the size of the bag was cut at 8.25".  Also, I used the stamp set Perfect Fit -Dad (C1542) which has several great stamps.  Now go!

Friday, May 10, 2013

Projects from Spring Fling Workshop

Here are the close ups of the projects crafters(and non-crafters) could choose from:

Five 3" x 3" cards

Altoid Cover
These five cards are just too cute.  Each has a different technique used.










This Altoid container is a perfect gift to a teacher, friend, or co-worker.









Father's Day Gift Bag

I've sold out of this project, but I will be talking more about it during our Paper Cupcake Blog Hop on May 15th!  Make sure you come back and learn how it was made.
Cookie in a Jar jar

How fun is it to receive the majority of ingredients to make some really yummy cookies?!  Recipe choices include Potato Chip, Chocolate Pecan Chewies, and Oatmeal Raisin Spice Cookies.











Happy Birthday Card

You never have enough birthday cards on hand. This colorful one can be used for guys and gals!











Purse with pocket as card holder

This purse is a perfect match for the five cards from above. If you didn't want to make the cards to go into it, the strap closure would finish the project off.















A Little Birdie

You may have seen some owls going around lately. This in my version of a little birdie bag. You could add a note that says, "a little birdie told me..." How fun!

Diaper card tucked in

inside of diaper is revealed
The diaper is so versatile with the Avonlea paper packet.  The word "congrats" is in the Avonlea Teal.
















Mother's Day Box
My eleventh project was featured last month during the April Blog Hop.














And finally, my graduation card that was inspired by Dawn Olchefske who was inspired in turn by Pam Hoffman.  The tassel was done by another woman, Glenda Calkins. I don't have a picture of that but will have one when I describe how it was done.

Sorry for such a long post!  I hope you enjoyed looking at my projects.  I'll be starting to put our Winter workshop projects together in couple of months after the new Idea Book is revealed.  :)

Monday, May 6, 2013

Spring Fling Workshop

This past weekend we had a Spring Fling Workshop where crafters came and worked on their choice of projects.  It was a fabulous day!

Here are most of the projects I prepared.  A Baby Shower diaper card and a Little Birdie bag are not shown in this overall picture.



The five 3" x 3" cards were designed to go into the purse (there is a closure strap that I cut off).  The open jar is for cookies in a jar present.  I had three recipes to choose from (and samples to go with).

My colleague, Heather Plotzke, had several other projects.  And apparently we over prepared, because  we have some extra kits.  If you are interested in any of the above projects please leave a comment and how to get a hold of you.  :-) 

I will be posting close up pictures of the projects this week and describing them in the following weeks.


Wednesday, May 1, 2013

May Stamp of the Month -- Pinwheel

What a fun stamp set this one is!!  I have a workshop in mind for June where we will use the Dream Pop paper with this stamp set.  We'll make 2 two-page layouts and 3 cards.  This workshop will be free provided you purchase the necessary products... but I digress.

The samples...

I've got a card in the Spring Fling Workshop that uses this stamp set.  I'm telling, you are going to want it!!