Monday, December 15, 2014

Christmas Camouflage Box & Bow Tutorial


Haaalllloooo....anybody out there??

It's been a while (okay, a really long while) since I've stopped by to hi and shared with you.  I've missed you!  By now I'm sure everyone is caught up within the Holiday rush frantically finishing last minute details; I know I sure am!  I'm anxiously awaiting the end of this week when I don't have to do any school runs for a couple weeks so I can take a deep breath and re-organize myself.

I've been working on quite a few gifts and cards making my blog posting to-do list a mile long.  I'll do my best over the next few days to share them all with you!

Today's post is a small tutorial.  I'm sure everyone has a man on their Christmas list that just doesn't appreciate pretty bows and wrapping.  My husband and brother-in-law definitely fit that bill for me so I gave their wrapping a little extra thought this year and came up with a unique wrapping idea!  I punched out a box using the Gift Box Punch Board then stamped it using my camouflage technique. If you aren't familiar with this technique and would like to see a step by step tutorial, click HERE.  

Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Lovely as a Tree, Good Greetings hostess set
Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Old Olive
Ink: Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Basic Black
Accessories: Gift Box Punch Board, Envelope Punch Board, Early Espresso marker, White Gel Pen, Linen Thread, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots, Hole Punch, Bone Folder



After I assembled the box I thought it was still lacking a little something.  I wanted to continue the camouflage them so a camo bow seemed the perfect solution.  
Here is what you'll need to create your own:

1" x 6" piece of card stock in EACH of the following colors: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, and Always Artichoke.
1" X 3 1/2" piece of card stock in the same 4 colors as listed above.

Line up each of the 4 longer pieces at the 3" mark on the envelope punch board and punch.  Flip each piece over and repeat on the other side.

Line up each end of the longer pieces into the envelope punch board so that it lines up with the edge of the cutting blade and punch.  Flip each piece over and repeat on the other side. 

The 4 longer piece should now look like the photo above. 

Line up the ends of the 3 shorter pieces (all colors except the Crumb Cake piece) so that they are centered onto the blade of the envelope punch board and punch.  Flip each piece over and repeat on the other end.

Line up the ends of the shorter Crumb Cake piece with the edge of the cutting blade and punch as you did for the ends of the longer pieces.  The 4 shorter pieces should now look like the photo above.

Begin assembling the bows using the longer pieces first.   Gently run a bone folder over the length of each piece to help give the bow curl.  Bring the ends to meet in the center and glue using Sticky Strip or Multi-Purpose liquid glue.

 Assembled bow should look like the photo above.

 Assemble all 4 bows in the same manner.  Create a single loop with the shorter 3 1/2" Crumb Cake piece.
With Sticky Strip (photos show Mini Glue Dots but I found that in time they don't hold as well and the bow will fall apart) begin gluing the bows together offsetting the loops from layer to layer.

Add the third bow, offsetting in the same manner.

 Add the fourth bow.

 Finish by adding the single Crumb Cake loop to the top of the bow.

Stack and glue the remaining 3 shorter pieces to create ribbon ends.  Glue the bow to the center of the ribbon ends to complete the bow.

To create the belly band on the gift box first cut a piece of Chocolate Chip card stock measuring      10 11/16".  Score the piece at 1 1/2", 3 3/8", 7 7/8", 9 5/16".  Punch a small hole in the center of each end and tie around the box using a piece of Linen Thread approximately 28" long.  Glue the bow to the top of the belly band and add a tag to finish the gift.

I hope this little tutorial has been useful!  It of course can be easily adapted for any occasion but I really like this Christmas Camo twist!  I'd love to hear what you think!

Until next time...

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Friday, November 21, 2014

Simple Elegant Envelope Card



Hi All!

To finish off this week I wanted to share a CASE'd card I made for my in-laws anniversary.  I was scrolling through Pinterest and found a very similar Envelope Card designed by fellow SU! Demonstrator Caroline @ carooskaarjes.blogspot.nl.  She is from the Netherlands so her post isn't in English; but that's okay because her beautiful work speaks for itself!  I simply fell in love with her card design - I had never seen an envelope card before and was intrigued!  I love the fact that I can give the card as is - tucked prettily into its holder its like two cards in one!

Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Four Feathers, Hardwood, A Word For You, Good Greetings
Card Stock: Whisper White, Soft Suede, Baked Brown Sugar, Champagne Glimmer Paper
Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Soft Suede, Early Espresso
Big Shot: Feather Framelits, Snowflake Card Thinlits Dies
Punches: Label Bracket, Banner, 1/8" Circle 
Accessories: Rhinestones, Vintage Faceted Buttons, Linen Thread, Natural Trim (retired), Envelope Punch Board, Piercing Tool, Foam Mat, Daffodil Delight Blendabilities, Multi-purpose liquid glue, Dimensionals

If you would like to see a tutorial on this technique let me know - I'm looking for ideas for my next video and think this might be a good one!

To my stamping friends in the U.S - have a wonderful Thanksgiving this weekend!  I hope your loved ones are close, the food aplenty, and you have lots of extra time to craft!  And, if your looking for craft ideas to jump start your Christmas Holiday Season why not check out my Tutorial Store??  I just added this Vintage Sleigh to the mix - the Poinsettia's are perfect for holiday decorating and look true to life in person - not to mention the "faux weathered wood"!
Until next time...
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Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Vintage Sleigh & Poinsettia Wreath


Hello!

My Christmas projects are well under way!  I just finished this Vintage sleigh and Poinsettia wreath over the weekend and couldn't wait until I could share it with you!

Everything you see in the photo above is made entirely of card stock and all Stampin' Up! products!  I used many internet photos of both Poinsettia's and vintage sleighs as reference to achieve the realistic look you see here and I think it would be a great addition to any household Christmas decor!  The finished sleigh measures approximately 5" wide x 8" high and the wreath is approximately 5" around.

Supplies:

Stamp sets: Good Greetings
Cardstock: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Garden Green, Daffodil Delight, Smoky Slate, DSP Chip Board
Ink: Strawberry Slush, Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Basic Black, Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Old Olive Two Tone Trim, Linen Thread, Mini Brads, Eyelets
Markers: Real Red, Garden Green, Early Espresso
Big Shot: Flower Frenzy, Circle Framelits
Punches: Extra Large Oval, ¾” Circle, 1 ¾” Scallop Circle, Corner Punch, Boho Blossoms, Star (from Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack)
Misc. : Sponges, Tweezers, Piercing Tool, Foam Mat, Stylus Tool, Fringe Scissors, Paper Snips, Distress Tool, Crop-a-dile, White Craft Glue, White Acrylic Paint, Brown Acrylic Paint, Paint Brush, Hot Glue Gun, Multi-purpose Liquid Glue, Sticky Strip

If you would like to create your own Vintage Sleigh to add to your Christmas decor click on my Tutorial Store tab to order a copy of the tutorial.  You'll receive an email from Fast Wagon almost immediately after purchase.  Click on that email to download your tutorial - its just that easy!

I hope you love this Christmas project as much as I do - I can't wait to decorate my home to put this one out on display!



Until next time...
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Monday, November 17, 2014

Streetlight Twilight Shaker Card


Hiya!

I had my monthly card club yesterday - this Shaker card was one of the techniques I demonstrated.  I was browsing Pinterest and found a wonderful card by Darlene (her website is darlenedesigns if you're interested in checking her out - she has tons of inspirational samples).  Her cards layout was too cute to not try recreate but I had to put my own spin on it so I added some faux snow to make this a snowy village street!

Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Holiday Home
Card Stock: Blackberry Bliss, Mossy Medow, Hello Honey, Whisper White
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Smoky Slate, Perfect Plum, Blackberry Bliss, Lost Lagoon, Night of Navy
Markers: Smoky Slate, Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry Blendabilities, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Island Indigo, Garden Green Stampin' Write 
Big Shot: Holiday Home Framelits, Chalk Talk Framelits, Perfect Polka Dot EF
Accessories: Rhinestone, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Cellophane Bags, Faux Snow, Multi-purpose liquid glue, Fast Fuse, Sponges, Post it Notes

That's it for today - I hope you enjoyed this card!  I don't know about anyone else but I can't seem to get enough of this Holiday Home set - it's just so darn cute with so many possibilities!  Well I'm off - a busy week is in store so I best get at it so I can check a few items off the To-Do List!  

Until next time...
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Friday, November 14, 2014

Glory to the Newborn King


Happy Friday!

How about we start the weekend off with a bang?  I've made a set of 4 of these cards and would like to give them away to ONE lucky reader!  Read along to find out how to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post!

I absolutely love The Newborn King set, don't you?  It was one of the first that went on my wish list - and unfortunately one of the last I've reached to use once I received it (why is that??)  I really wanted to make this card vertical to take full advantage of the color changes in the sky but in doing so I was only able to use about half of the original stamp.  At first I thought that might take away from the image but after finishing I think it looks "just right".  Just another lesson learned: don't feel like you have to use the entire image - be creative, that's what makes your creations unique and you!

Supplies:

Stamp Sets: The Newborn King
Card Stock: Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: So Saffron, Blushing Bride, Crisp Cantaloupe, Strawberry Slush, Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Night of Navy, Basic Black
Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots EF, Versamark, White embossing powder, Black embossing powder, Basic Black marker, Smoky Slate Blendabilities (lightest shade), White Gel pen, sponges, Multi-purpose liquid adhesive

So, would you like a set of these to get a jump start on your Christmas card giving?  If the answer is yes, simply enter your name using the giveaway tool below!  I'll leave the contest open until Monday evening and let everyone know who the winner is on Tuesday.  This is an international giveaway so everyone can enter - GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Sponge Bob - Squidward Pop Up

Hello!

How about a little dose of humor on a Wednesday?  I took a quick break from Christmas projects last week to work on a requested punch art card for a customer.  I'm quite unfamiliar with the Sponge Bob characters so I had to do a little Google research before I began but in the end I think he turned out okay, what do you think??  I positioned the pop ups toward the back of the open card to leave enough space for my customer to personalize however she likes, as well as just embossing the front of the closed card for the same reasons.  

Supplies:

Stamp Sets: N/A
Card Stock: Coastal Cabana, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Old Olive, Pink Pirouette, Basic Black, Pacific Point, Lost Lagoon, Daffodil Delight
Ink: Pacific Point, Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand
Punches: Small Oval, Owl Builder, Cupcake, 3/4" Circle, 1/2" Circle
Markers: Basic Black, Soft Suede, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Coastal Cabana & Rich Razzleberry Blendabilities
Accessories: Decorative Dots EF, Paper Snips, Multi-Purpose liquid glue, Mini Glue Dots, Sponges

I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned this before here on the blog but if you have a special request for a card, please inquire via email with the details of what you would like and I will get back to you with a price and time frame to complete!  I'm always up for a challenge and I will ship completed cards internationally!  Or if you like to make unique projects on your own and just need a little guidance in getting to the finished product be sure to check out my Tutorial Store (link at the top of the page).  I have quite a few Christmas projects to choose from and plan on adding more over the next couple weeks - giving you plenty of time to get them completed in time :)

Have a wonderful day!  Until next time... 
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Monday, November 10, 2014

Christmas Eve Winter Sky Tutorial


Hello!

I had a very productive crafting weekend, how about you?   The boys are out of school until Wednesday so I have a little extra time to create and blog without having to be out and about (which is also wonderful considering the temps have dropped dramatically over the last couple of days!)

I whipped up a tutorial for you today - the highly requested Winter's night sky.  Follow along as I break down the steps.  First, a list of what you'll need:

Supplies:

Stamp sets: White Christmas, Holiday Home
Card Stock: Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, All is Calm Specialty DSP
Ink: Marina Mist, Lost Lagoon, Night of Navy, So Saffron, Momento Tuxedo Black (or Basic Black), Whisper White Craft
Accessories: 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Sponges, Smoky Slate Blendabilities, White Gel pen, White Stampin' Chalk marker, Frosted Sequins, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dazzling Diamonds, Paper Snips, 2 Way Glue Pen, Multi-purpose liquid glue, Post it notes


Begin with a piece of Whisper White card stock cut to desired size.  Punch a 1 3/4" circle from a post it note and place it in the upper left hand corner.  With paper snips trim a second post it note in the shape of snowbanks and place approximately 3/4 of the way down the card stock. 

Sponge Marina Mist ink over the entire exposed area of the card stock.

Sponge Lost Lagoon over the outer edges blending inward.  Leave more of the Marina Mist ink showing through around the bottom right of the moon.  By doing this we will begin to create a light cast.

Sponge Night of Navy beginning on the outer edges, blending inward.  Be mindful to leave the light cast area quite light.

 Remove the bottom post it note and shift it down and off angle slightly.  Sponge Marina Mist in the white space; but only along the bottom portion (along the post it edge).  Leaving the upper portion pure white is what will give the snowbanks shadow and depth.

Continue moving the snowbank post it down and repeating the sponging steps until you have as many snowbanks as you would like.  In this case I've moved the post it twice.  Remove the moon mask and sponge So Saffron inside the moon area; in this case I've sponged the most intense color in the center and blended outwards to the edges.

 Stamp the Santa and Reindeer image from the Holiday Home set in Basic Black across the center of the moon.  Next, mask off the right side of the scene and stamp only two of the trees from the White Christmas set in Basic Black onto the left side of the scene.

Using a Stamp-a-ma-jig as your guide, slightly offset the trees and stamp again using Whisper White Craft ink to give the look of snow on the trees. 
 Here is a finished look at the "snow" covered trees.

Stamp the Polar Bear from the White Christmas set onto Whisper White card stock with Tuxedo Black Momento ink.  Shade the bear slightly with the lightest shade in the Smoky Slate Blendabilities.  Cut out with paper snips.

 Adhere the bear to one of the snowbanks using Multi-purpose liquid glue.  Add falling snow to the sky using both a White Stampin' Chalk marker and a White gel pen.  By using both pens you'll achieve the look of snow flakes close and snow flakes further back - its all the little details that will help add depth to your artwork!

As a finishing touch line the tops of the snowbanks with a 2 way glue pen and add Dazzling Diamonds.  A little sparkle on a Christmas card is always a nice touch!

Here's a look at the finished card one more time:
I hope this tutorial has given you a few tips on making your own winter's night sky scene!  If you use this tutorial please send me photos of your creations - it makes my day to browse others art :)

Until next time...
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Friday, November 7, 2014

Four Feathers Flying Easel

Happy Friday!

The weekend couldn't have come at a better time! It's been raining off and on since yesterday afternoon and I just have a feeling its going to turn to the dreaded white stuff soon - meaning its the perfect kind of day to stay indoors and make a few cards! Now if I could just find someone to clean my bathrooms and do the laundry so I could craft guilt free...

For today's card I pulled out my Four Feather's set again and this time used the matching Framelits.  I can't express how much JOY it gives me to not have to cut shapes out by hand (am I alone in this???!!)  Life is just plain easier and projects come together soooo much quicker!  

I've never made a Flying Easel card before but have admired them from afar.  They take a little bit of extra work to set up the base of the card but once you get that out of the way it's all about the pretty stuff!


Supplies:

Stamp Sets: And Many More
Card Stock: Lost Lagoon, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper, Gold Glimmer Paper
Ink: Lost Lagoon
Big Shot: Window Frame Framelits, Feathers Framelits, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (retired)
Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Lost Lagoon 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon, Crochet Trim (retired), Linen Thread, paper snips, Multi-purpose liquid glue, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Piercing Tool

Just a quick note: I cut two of the feather shapes in the Silver Glimmer paper; one I cut from the front side of the Glimmer paper and the second from the backside of the Glimmer paper so I would have mirror images.  This way I could glue the two feathers together so that when the feather dangled it was shimmery from both sides.

Well, I'm off!  I have a couple long standing projects to finish up so that I can move onto Christmas projects - wish me luck!  See you all back here next week :)

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