Another handmade flower tutorial

This week at RAQ's Challenge on the Cricut forum, we were challenged to make our own embellishments.  I always enjoy making flowers and trying new techniques.  So this week I combined a Tim Holtz tissue tape flower with a fabric flower that I cut using my Cricut.

Here is the finished product

I started with the tissue tape flower.  Tim Holtz has a great (and simple) video that you can follow Tim Holtz Tissue Tape Flower.  For my flower, I cut a one inch circle from scraps and started the process of pinching the tape around the circle. 

Once that was completed, I created the flower base.  I used Cindy Loo cartridge for cutting the fabric (which I ironed on heat bond interfacing).  I cut six sets of the loops, which I then stamped with Ranger Sepia permanent ink, using a stamp that looks like old writing. It's okay if the edges are frayed, it is supposed to have a vintage feel.

I then proceeded to hand baste the fabric loops to create the flower.  It is really easy and quick to do. And you simply continue from one set of loops to the next.  For this flower, since I was combining the tissue tape, I only used 3 sets of loops.



 I then did the same hand basting with old lace that I had and create a circle for the base.

And voilà, here is the thank you card for my DD to give her manager.

Paper: K&Company TC Blossomwood

Card base Recollections

Top portion of card - embossed with Tim Holtz, stained with Vintage photo distress ink

Punch - Martha Stewart

Base of the "merci" frame inked with Antique Linen distress ink

Cricut cuts: Ornamental Iron 2 for "merci" frame" and Cindy Loo for the flower base

Embellishments - ribbon, button, pearls and gems



Hope you try making your own flowers too!

25th Anniversary Card

I can't remember a time when the grass was so green and everything was starting to bloom by mid April.  We're enjoying the nice weather and starting to plan for the cottage season. 

I've been following a challenge on the Cricut forum and created this 25th anniversary card.  I'm really pleased with how it turned out!

Cricut cuts - Elegant Edges for background frame and Sweethearts for flowers

The two strips were covered in heavy duty aluminium foil and embossed (Tim Holtz butterflies and Sizzix flowers)

Sizzix nestabilities for round frame

Tim Holtz die for flourish

Pearl accents and bling 25 sticker

Paper Making Memories Wedding stack

Back to blogging!

I've neglected my blog for far too long!  Time to get back to it!  I've been making lots of cards and following a challenge on the Cricut forum. 

I'll show a few cards today starting with my DS 18th birthday card.  I made this one back in February and I really loved how it turned out. 

  Papers are Graphic 45 A Proper Gentleman

18 border is aluminium duct tape - distressed, inked

Pocket Watch was cut with Cricut welding a key from Gypsy Wanderings with a circle

Embellishment - chipboard gears, chain, gold brad

I've been experimenting with Steampunk style and having lots of fun. Here's one and they'll be more in the coming days.

Gears border using Cricut and welding Accent Essentials images

Tim Holtz ticket stamp and small metal hanger

Flower made with Cricut

Old lace from my stash over 45 years old



Hope you're enjoying your day and have a great weekend!

Sunflower

The weather is getting milder, the snow is melting away and I’m looking forward to Spring!  I’ve been spending a lot of my free time in my craft room making cards for birthdays, special occasions and even Christmas.  Along the way, I’m trying different things and learning new techniques particularly with inks and glimmer mist. 

I thought I would walk you through the steps of my newest flower creation – an amazing sunflower. I want to thank Elizabeth from 217 Creations for her wonderful tutorial that I followed and adapted.  To view her tutorial 217 Creations



To begin, you’ll need a white cardstock – I used an ivory 110 lb cardstock from Staples.  Some Glimmer Mist in Jingle Bells and Distress Ink in Photo Vintage.  You can use a punch, Sizzix die or Cricut for the main petals.  I used Stretch Your Imagination cartridge cutting one at 2 1/2”, another at 2” and smallest at 1 1/2”.  Each petal is then sprayed liberally with glimmer mist on both sides.  Then dried with a heat gun, and inked the edges with distress ink.


Next, to make the center part, you’ll need a kraft colour cardstock which I sprayed with Heirloom Gold mist.  You can again use a die or Cricut for the star shape.  I used Accent Essentials.  Each flower will take about 18 to 20 of these small flowers.  You then need to squish the flower around the end of a stylus or pen, dip it in glue (I used Aileen Tacky) and then place on the outside of the center of your smallest petal. 


Then you simply assemble each layer putting some glue in between.

To use this sunflower on a card, I decided to add some greenery and feathers.  I cut the greenery from Damask Decor and at times not all pieces are attached (see the left corner piece below).  An easy trick to keep the shape intact is to use drywall mesh when removing the pieces from your mat.  You can easily flip it over to add glue before placing it on your card.

So here is the final image, assembled and embellished. 


I can’t show the card yet as it is for my sister’s birthday….in June! 

Hope you're enjoying your free time too!

Family Day!

It’s Family Day for us in Ontario yet it doesn’t apply to everyone so unfortunately my dear daughter and husband are working.  I’ll be playing Wii with my son soon – uh oh! I’m really not very good at video games.

As it has been awhile since I’ve posted, I will share my Valentine cards with you. Since the beginning of January, I’ve been taking part in a card challenge on the Cricut boards and have learned so much. 

Here is the card for my dear Valentine and loving husband:

Cricut – Accent Essentials for flowers; Sweethearts for Cherub, Elegant Edges for frames.  SEI Oasis cardstock and K&Company SW Nature

For my children, I gave them these cards along with some chocolates

Cricut – Doodlecharms for Heart and Elegant Edges for Frame.  Ribbon was ruched by hand-stitching a diagonal stitch.  Hearts was cut in foil, embossed and then ink with Alcohol inks. 

A shaped butterfly card by welding 2 butterflies from Cricut Gypsy Wanderings.

For my dear brother and his family, I made a non traditional card with a very loving sentiment.

Cricut – Ornamental Iron 2 for the frame, Jubilee for the banner and Joys of the Season for the lovebirds.  SEI Oasis paper and DCWV Shimmer Stack.

For my dear sister and friend – I used a similar Cricut cut from A Child’s Year cartridge but then created two distinct cards. 

Hope you’re having a great day!  It looks like Spring is around the corner!

"All life is an experiment"...

All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Good morning!

I thought I would start my blog off with a quote as today I'm showing you a "smash book" that I created for my dear daughter to capture the important moments in her life.    Smash books have become so popular in the past several months.  As a paper crafter, I thought I could make a homemade one to tailor it exactly to her needs.  There are so many wonderful youtube videos and blogs on it - lots of inpiration, great techniques and good tips.

So here is my take on the Smash book.

I started with a old journal - similar to this one - and removed all the used paper being careful in opening the coil binding as I will re-use it.

I wrapped the cover with 2 sheets of cardstock, added black duct tape down the spine to reinforce it (which I distressed with a sanding block) and then placed cardstock on the inside of the front and back cover.  I also used 7 Gypsies antique brass corners to reinforce them and add a finishing touch.  The band is just an elastic headband but I think we'll replace it with a ribbon which is more to my daughter's taste.

I then cut several sheets of GCD Studios Antiquities into 6 x 9 inches, leaving a 1/2 inch space on top and bottom and 1 3/4 inches on the side.  This spacing is important as in a smash book you tend to use paper clips and other items that stick out but with some spacing everything gets protected by the cover.  I also made a number of tags, pockets and envelopes which I placed throughout the book.

On the left is the inside cover with the first pocket page that shows the paper clips.  

On the right, is one of the pages showing the tag, envelope and lined paper. Isn't the paper wonderful?

I had intended to give it to her as a Valentines' gift but I couldn't wait.  She was really happy and immediately started to fill it. 

Here are a few finished pages to give you some ideas.

This took a few hours to put together - not accounting for the trip to my local scrapbooking store for the metal corners and to the dollar store for the duct tape!  A special thank you to my husband for letting me bounce ideas off of him these past few weeks (and not rolling his eyes!) and for recommending and installing the brass corners. 

The boys in the family are wanting one now and my daughter wants another one for her summer trip to Greece. So it looks like this was a good idea!  I don't have a binding machine yet but I think I'll need to add the Cinch 2 to my wish list. 

Craftroom Re-organization

Well it's January and I have been paper crafting for just over a year.  It was time to reorganize my work area.  This seems to be a work in progress, as I continue to expand my crafting tools and learn new techniques.  I now stamp more on cards, I've experimented in alcohol inks and I continue to do more with my Cricut and Gypsy.

In late Fall 2011, I added a cutting station as it was always a pain to move my trimmer to my work area and I needed better storage for the Big Kick embossing tool and folders.  I also needed to find a way to keep all of the recycled materials - chipboard, boxes, and tins.

Here's a photo of this updated area - don't mind the messy shelves! :)

Yesterday, I went to the new Ikea - it is huge and the largest one in Canada.  You can no longer just "run in" to get what you want.  It has 2 floors, several showrooms and a ton of products.  I was looking for Bygel rails and accessories.  I did find the rails but needed to improvise on the storage containers as they were out of the Bygel containers and I wasn't going back as the store is about 30 minutes from home. 

I also moved things around in my drawers and on my desk.  Now everything is at my fingertips - my stamps and inking stuff are in the top drawer, my punches are relocated to the wall, all glues, pop dots on in the baskets, and plenty of room for small wooden stamps, and small tools in the tin containers.  I've also tidied up the white desk organizer and everything fits - brayer, hotfix jewelry tool, crimper, etc.  

I'm happy with my updated craftroom.  I'll probably make a few more changes to tweak things but this is a highly functional space.  Now to organize my binder of acrylic stamps and I'll be all set for the next project!