Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Finding Inspiration

I have been following the Sizzix Blog and look forward to seeing a new project each morning while sipping my coffee.  The entire Sizzix Design Team is loaded with talent and one of my favorites is Jan Hobbins.  While clicking around on the blog yesterday I saw an older post from Jan way back in July. I just had to make one.  Here is my version of her project.  It is a sewing box using the Tim Holtz Sewing Room Die.  You can see Jan's here.





I used some beautiful paper from "My Mind's Eye" and a couple of round containers
from my local craft store.  All the solid color cardstock is from "Stampin Up", Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Riding Hood Red and Cherry Cobbler.  I always use lots of Tim Holtz products and the Dress Form, Sewing Edge Die, Tape Measure and Tattered Flower Garland are all  Sizzix Dies from Tim's line. The lace is Graphic 45 and the rest of the goodies are from my stash.

Later this week I will make the top container into a pin cushion and fill the larger one with threads and other sewing items.  When I do - I will post some pictires.


Thanks Jan - for the inspiration!

Monday, December 10, 2012

Happy Birthday Susie!

Today is the birthday of Susie, one of my WOW (wild old women) girlfriends.  In her honor I decided to make a spring-loaded card (as seen on the Sizzix blog and on Karen Burniston's blog).  Karen forgot to mention that one of the hardest parts of this card is finding the dang springs.  After a trip to Home Depot and Ace Hardware, I came home with 8 different ones.  Some were too stiff, some were too fat, some were too small.  At last I found 2 that were just right!

One of the problems with making an original card for a friend is that they always get the experimental model (Susie gets one each year, poor girl).  I like to think they will improve with practice.  I went stash diving and found a piece of Olivia Birds paper by Glitz and thought a bird theme would work very well.  I used black chipboard for the base and for the front of the card I used the solid side of the paper.  I cut the Caged Bird Die from Grungboard and embossed it with white and gold and glued some beads on it. The bird was embossed with blue and a little yellow for the beek and a brad for an eye.  I cut a couple of the bars on the cage to make it look as if the bird had escaped. I printed out "wish" on the computer and then cut it out using my wishblade.  Since this card is spring-laoded I needed a clasp to hold it closed.  I used a Hitch Fastener and a Swivel Clasp, both Tim Holtz products, to make the closing gadget.  The little heart is from some old jewelry that I took apart.


Now for my next problem - Karen used her new die the Raising Platform (which I don't have yet) but I used her 3-D Spinning Platform and it worked just fine.  The photo above is showing how it works when opening.  Next time I will cut it from white paper instead of black.  Remember that experimental stuff?

The photo doesn't show how it is raised up but it turned out pretty cute. (See next photo)  I die cut the Top Note Die from Stampin Up for the inside and then added my message on white cut to the same shape but smaller using my wishblade.



Thursday, November 29, 2012

UPS Truck Continued -

Well folks - I have been playing non stop since the arrival of Mr. UPS.  As promised, I have a couple more things to share.  Here is what I've been up to.

I couldn't wait to try the new Karen Burniston Accordion Die and matching Frame and Label Die so here is what I made first.  I am very happy with the results.


You may recognize the Quirky Turkey on the end from last year's Tim Holtz post.  I also added a few pumpkins.  The large one on the end is the Pumpkin Jack die from Tim Holtz as well as some small ones on top that spell out GIVE from his Movers & Shapers line.

I can't believe that I still have dies that have not met the Big Shot yet but it's true.  I will keep working at it until I have complete success.


In the shipment was the new POP N' CUT insert, Ribbon Tree.  I made 3 cards that are pretty much the same with different papers.



These cards were lots of fun and so easy to make with the POP N' CUT system and the coordinating Sizzlet Noel Set.  I cut the tree insert out of white and then used the On The Edge Snow Flurries die for the top and bottom.  I trimmed the cards with some October Afternoon Christmas papers and then stamped Merry Christmas on white cardstock.   Just love the POP N" CUTS.

Friday, November 23, 2012

November Tim Tag

Hey Everyone -

Well, this month I actually managed to get my tag completed.  A couple weeks ago I was the lucky winner of a challenge over at Simon Says Stamp and Show so I used my gift certificate to buy some new "Tim" stuff.  The package arrived on Wednesday and today I got to play.  One of the items I chose was the Textured Leaves Embossing Folders that go with the Tattered Leaves Die that I already had.  Here is what I did, hope you like it.

Yes, the lettering is a little backwards but that's how it fit so that's how it is!  It is art after all.

This month Tim used Versa Mark and clear embossing powder to stamp with. I decided to make my own stamps using Fun Foam and my Tattered Leaves Die.  I had sticky back Fun Foam and sticky back EZ Mount Stamp N' Stor so I put the two sticky sides together and then ran it through my Big Shot Pro and ended up with a foam stamp. 

They look different because I had to use two different colors foam but they are the same.

I next colored my tag with wild honey Distress Ink and then stamped the leaves on using Versa Mark and Ranger Clear Embossing powder & being very careful to get the stamps where they will still fit in the embossing folder.  Then heat set.



I then put the tag in the embossing folder lining up the stamped image with the image on the folder.  When I ran the folder through the machine I only covered the part of the folder that I wanted embossed.  It took me a couple tries before I got the desired results but was happy with it.



I added more color to the tag using Distress Ink, ripe persimmon and forest moss.
The finishing touches were added, I cut and embossed more leaves to go on top and inked them with ripe persimmon.  Adding some ribbon to the top and then a pin and tag that says "play" which is just what I did.  The lettering is some plastic ones from my stash.



Friday, November 16, 2012

Stamp Without Ink

What, stamp without ink? 

That is the challenge over at the Simon Says Stamp and Show blog this week.  Although I haven't done any gourd art lately this is a stamping method that I used on a shard (a random hunk of gourd) awhile back.


I used the Ranger Melting Pot and UTEE for this one.  After melting the Clear UTEE I added some Aqua embossing powder for color.  While waiting for the UTEE and embossing powder to completely melt I used Versa Mark Embossing Ink on the stamp to act as a releasing agent.  This is one of my all time favorite stamps from Paula Best.  After all the embossing powder was melted I poured it out on my Non Stick Craft Sheet, also from Ranger. While the puddle of UTEE was still warm, I stamped into it.  You need to work rather quickly on this project, as soon as the stamped image was set and the embossing was still warm and pliable I lifted it off the non stick sheet and molded it to the shape of of the gourd shard.   When the piece was all molded and cooled I lifted it off the gourd and then replaced it using glue (E6000) to hold it together permanently.

One of these days I will add some wire and beads on the top and some chimes or pieces of glass and beads at the bottom to make a lovely wind chime for our patio.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Sizzix Blog - Pop 'n Cuts Mania

News Flash --- I was the lucky winner of a Sizzix Prize Package for my entry in the Pop 'n Cuts Mania event over at the Sizzix Blog.  I am so excited, even though it was a random drawing, I am still enjoying my moment in the spotlight.  Thanks Sizzix.

Hi -

Since I have been playing with my new stuff non stop the past few days, I thought I would enter a couple cards on the Sizzix Blog (one I visit daily).  They are doing Pop 'n Cut Mania and who doesn't like that?  Mine are both Christmas themed.





I started out using the Pop'n Cut Base Tray and Circle Insert for both cards.  

On the outside of the "Joy to the World" card I used Karen Burniston's new die, Frame Label, in white.  This one is designed to go with her new Accordian Album Die that I haven't had a chance to get to yet.  The lettering is cut using the new Tim Holtz strip die - Stacked Words, Christmas.  The snowflake is cut from the Tim Holtz - Snowflake Rosette.  On the inside I cut the Vintage Globe twice, one in blue an one in green and cut off the stand.  I cut Santa and his reindeer with my Wishblade and glued them to a piece of clear packaging and added it to the back of the globe. 

For the "Seasons Greeting Card" I once again used lots of Tim's Dies with the Pop 'n Cuts.  Both borders, the phrase, the wreath and the 25 all came from Tim's collection of Sizzix Dies.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Give A Cheer! The UPS Truck Is Here

The big brown truck pulled up in front of my house yesterday afternoon.  I am so excited because my new Tim Holtz Dies have arrived.

I didn't waste any time, I started digging in right away and here is the first project I have to share with you.  Hope you like it.


I used the new Christmas Cardinal Die.  I cut it from Grunge Paper and colored the branch and leaves with Sharpie Pens.  For the Cardinal, I covered it with embossing ink and then red embossing powder.  I'm happy with the color and sparkle.  I added some yellow embossing powder for the beak and then colored the black part of the face with a Sharpie.

When the clock is removed, it opens to reveal a mini album.  After I add my photos I will do some more embellishing but at this point it is complete. I plan to use it for my Christmas photos.




I think the TH Tick Tock Die is totally cute and wanted to make it into something useful so came up with this round tin with a clear lid.  I got the tin at one of the rubber stamp show from Rubber Stamp Concepts.  I cut a clock face out of plain paper, distressed the edges and placed it inside the lid of the tin.  I drilled a hole in the center and placed a brad through it to hold the hands in place. The clock and the hands are cut from Grunge Board. The tin was just a tiny bit smaller than the die so I glued some cord around the tin just above the edge of the rim of the lid and then glued the die cut to the cord.

Ok, now how do I make it stand up?  Magnets of course. I sacked two round ones, found at Michael's, and they were just right to hold the clock up.



For the base, I used the Top Note Die from Stampin Up.  I covered chipboard with Christmas paper and then ran it through my Big Shot Pro.  I inked the edges with Cherry Cobbler Ink from Stampin Up.  I glued the magnets to the base for my clock.

The Poinsettia Die was also in this shipment.  I covered Grunge Paper with pages from an old book and ran it through the die cutting machine.  I wanted a smaller poinsettia so I used the medium and small size from the Poinsettia Die and the poinsettia from the movers and shapers set.  Just right.  The leaves were stacked and held together with a gold brad.  Because the cardinal and poinsettia are both cut from Grunge Paper they are flexible and lay againt the clock.


Sunday, October 28, 2012

Charms of the Witching Hour

This has turned out to be my LUCKY week!  I was the lucky winner of not only the fabulous $50.00 gift certificate at Simon Says Stamp but also chosen as one of the top three for my entry below.  Thank you Simon Says Stamp. I have wasted no time spending my prize money.  When the UPS truck arrives I will be sharing some new projects.


With Halloween upon us I decided to get in one last project.  This is such a fun time of year and there are so many themes to go with.  Over at the Simon Says Stamp Blog the challenge theme was something using Wendy Vecchi. Wendy is having a very busy time lately as she is also featured on the eclecticPaperie Blog Hop this week. I dug around in my stash and came up with Wendy's Art Parts Pocket Watch, after a little more digging I found a great piece of Graphic 45 Paper called Charms of the Witching Hour.  Since I love anything clock related I think you can guess where this is going.  It was great fun.


It is a real battery operated clock.  I started out with the Wendy Vecchi Pocket Watch using both the solid one on the back and the die cut to layer on the front.  I used copper embossing powder on the front.   After cutting out the paper and clock I layered them on the front.  Next I drilled a hole in the center for the clock works. 

The large pumpkin on the side is not attached but thought it looked cute for the photo. It is made with 6 Rosettes, a Tim Holtz Die. I made the 6 rosettes (2 of each size) and stacked them with the 2 largest ones in the center and used the graduating sizes on top and bottom.  The pumpkin, leaves, fence, clock, tree, witch and bat are all Tim Holtz dies.

In order to make the clock stand up I made a stand out of black chipboard.  The platform is a Stampin Up Die - Top Note. 

Here are some photos of the back so you can see the construction.






Saturday, October 20, 2012

Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Yesterday was my turn to host our card group that meets once a month, Cardology.   I decided to do the Christmas Tree Pop Up Die from
Karen Burniston and Sizzix, did I tell you that Karen is one of my idols.

Here are some photos of the project.


The front of the card sorta looks like the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree (an older Sizzix Die from our scrapbook club) but when you open it you will see that it has become something special.  For the front I used one of Tim's embossing folders, the card base is Cherry Cobbler and the tree is Garden Green both from Stampin' Up.


At first I thought my guests wanted to kill me because it looked so complicated but in the end they all left with a finished card.



Here is a view of the construction from the top.  To finish the card, all that is needed is a stamped sentiment and it's good to go.


Thursday, September 27, 2012

FLIP CALENDAR

I've had this idea swirling around in my  head for some time now and it has finally made it's way to paper.  Be prepared for a l-o-n-g post this time.  If you get bored you can always just look at the pictures.  I'll start with the end result first, which I am so happy with.


I had been looking for a flip stand to use for this project and my friend Cheri came to the rescue when she found this stand at Michael's. 


Each page flips over and when you get to June you simply turn the entire stand around and start with July.   I used six pieces of chipboard with a month on each side.  I was careful to use a certain rotation of months so when the stand is turned the months are in order.  With this much work involved I decided that I would make the calendar last 2 years.  (2013 & 2014)  I used the TH corners to hold the calendars in so that when one is done you can slide it out and the next year is behind it. I thought about going for 3 years but thought that may be a little crazy.


Step one was to cut all the chipboard.  I used 9.50" X 8" for each page.   The pages that came on the stand are flexible and of course chipboard is not.  I had to cut a half circle in the center so the pages would flip.


Because chipboard is so thick I used a row of Tim Holtz Tissue tape at the top of each page so it would all fit in the space allowed on the stand.  I then used lots of Distress Ink and colored each page according to the month.  I used Smead File Folders and cut them to fit my pages.  I then added the pages to the chipboard so they were ready to decorate. 




I layed out all the designs and then went back and added the lettering for the months.  You will see that I have one pictured above with a Chocolate Bunny
that turned out so great.  Imagine my disappointment when I realized that in 2013 Easter falls in March and in 2014 Easter falls in April.  Scratch that and go to Plan B - The Umbrella Man.

Here is a look at each page - 


                    Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a BIG Tim Holtz fan so you will see that his products are everywhere in this project.  I also have a wonderful machine made by Xyon called  Wishblade and I used it to cut all the words.

On the January page I used the Winter Wonder Die, the Snowflake - On The Edge, Snowflake embossing folder and Stickles for the Icecicles.


When I first started papercrafting I did lots of stamping and still do so had to add some stamping and heat embossing on this one.  I also used the Love Struck Die and the Heart Movers and Shapers.
 
 
On the March page I cut a slit in the paper before adding it to the chipboard and slipped the embossing folder in the slit to have the embossing in the center of the page.  I used Elegant Flourishes, the bird from the Caged Bird Die and the Harlequin Boarder Strip Die.


                     As I said earlier, The Umbrella Man is standing in for the
Easter Bunny along with the Butterflies which is an On The Edge Die



So many shades of lavender and purple.  I used the Bird Branch Die, the Retro Circles Embossing Folder and some flowers from the craft store.
 
 
I went with a guy theme on this one since June has Father's Day.  I used the Gadget Gears Die to make a mask, inked the background and then added more on the top.  The Old Jalopy Die is perfect for guys, I made it into a truck and then I added more gears with the On The Edge Die and then some other stuff for fun.


July is a no brainer,  I used the TH Rosette Die and some Movers & Shapers
for the stars.


For most months it is pretty easy to come up with a theme, a holiday or color scheme.  August is a totally different story so I had to give this one lots of thought before coming up with some cool air for a hot month.


In most parts of the country September has falling leaves but here in Arizona we have to use our imagination.  The leaves are falling and then piling up in one corner, anyone have a rake?  I used the leaves from the Movers & Shapers Line and added a few things from the Autumn Gatherings Strip Die.


October is always fun with a Halloween theme.  I couldn't resist this adorable sticker from Jolee's.  I added a fence with the On The Edge Die and a few other things from my stash.


Pumpkins go with the November theme so here you go!  The large pumpkin is the Happy Jack Die and the small ones are Movers & Shapers with some embellishments from the Autumn Gatherings Strip Die.



At last we are at the end.  I used some shinny paper here so sorry about the reflection.  I used the Carved Ornaments Die with the "Peace" Movers & Shapers.  The embossing folder is the Tall Trees.

Thanks for sticking with me on this one, I know it was long but just couldn't help it.  It was like 12 projects in one.