Archive for October, 2009

I have been looking for this punch for almost a year.

I went to Michael’s just to get out and walk around.  I had a 40% off coupon but really didn’t have anything I wanted or needed, so I really didn’t figure I would use the coupon.

I always make a trip by the Martha Stewart aisle to see if there is anything new and to my surprise there it was….the only one left.

I love this border and although I have a cut file that I can use the Cricut to cut this border, sometimes it is just easier to pull out the punch and “get-er-done”.

P.S. I was at Michael’s this week and they were revamping the MS aisle so I’m thinking they are getting to bring out all the new Christmas line and some of her new stuff for the New Year.

Today is my DH’s birthday.  He is a golfer and when I found the iron on transfer at JoAnn’s or HL (can’t remember which), I knew I wanted to use it to make him a card.

I think this came out very well and it is a nice masculine card.

Usually you would put an iron-on transfer onto T-shirt material or some cotton.  I didn’t have any of those things so I decided I would use a used fabric softener sheet.  I think it is important to use a used one that way the softening ingredients are gone.

I followed the directions on the iron-on transfer and used a dry iron.  It pressed beautifully onto the dryer sheet.  The dryer sheet also gives a nice texture behind the iron-on.  It also give some transparency to the face and hands (if you can call them that).

Choosing my color scheme I paid attention to the colors in the iron-on and built up from there.  I made the card 5-1/4″ by 9″, used Tags, Bags and More Cricut cart to cut out a couple of tags.

There is also a strip of brown paper that I used the Cuddle Bug on to add another masculine look and texture.

I cut the dryer sheet with the iron-on transfer down to fit the yellow tag and thought if I run it through the Xyron it would make a great adhesive for this project.

Tip: The dryer sheet is too porous and the Xyron adhesive would not stick.   Waste of Xyron adhesive, but that is the way you learn.

I used my large Zig glue pen and coated the underside of the dryer sheet and then flipped it and adhered it to the yellow tag.  The yellow tag has been inked using Tim Holtz Vintage Photo and a brush.

Tip:  Be sure and use a craft mat because the glue will go right through the dryer sheet, but enough stays on it to adhere down on the tag. 

I then took a brayer and rolled it down.  The yellow tag with the Vintage Photo ink made it take on a nice flesh tone for the rub on.

I ran the brown strip of paper through the CB using the Argyle Embossing folder (nice masculine touch) and then I inked it with Tim Holtz Vintage photo distressing ink.  It make the embossing on the stip pop.

I had a couple of brads that looked like screws so, I punched a couple of holes in the brown strip of paper before I adhered it to the card.

Finished it up with some more golf icons on the inside.  These are cut from the Everyday Paper Dolls cart.  I made multiple cuts of the same icon in different papers and colors so I could cut and piece them together to get a more original feel.  I also adds the 18 on the flag and did some doodling on the golf bag.

Now, what do you give a man that basically has everything he wants…….I’m going to give him a check so he can add money to his golf fund.  What is a “golf fund” you ask?  It’s his budget for playing golf every week.  Because after 39 years of marriage I know if I keep him happy, he keeps me happy!

Love you sweetie!  Happy Birthday!!!!   

My husband loves to play golf.  I found this iron on transfer at either JoAnn’s or HL.  I’m going to use this on his B-card (his birthday is Oct.20th).

I just received my newest copy of Paper Creations and they had used this exact same iron on transfer to make a card.

Man do I feel blessed, just when I needed to know how to do it, it comes in the mail.  I’ll post it after I get it done so stay tune.

By the way my Mother’s renovation of her bathroom is coming along very slowly.  The main problem is I’m doing most of the work by myself (mainly because I want to) and I usually only get to work on it every Saturday.  So, I finished getting the woodwork painted and her linen closet.  Next thing I’m starting is putting some new texture on the walls and ceiling.  I don’t have any pictures because I get too busy and forget to take my camera.  I’ll try to get some so you can see how it is coming along.

I found these word signs in the $1 bins at Michael’s.  They had believe, faith, love, hope and Merry.

I figured I would spend more in time and glitter than the $1 each of these cost.  These are going to be going on my Christmas Tree this year.

I used the crockadile to punch holes in some of the letters to string wire through them.  I used wire instead of ribbon because I want to be able to bend it so it will stay where I want it when I hang it on the tree.

However,  ribbon would work nicely too.

Here they are on my bulletin board…..actually they may find a permanent place on my board after Christmas.

Be sure and keep your eyes open for those great deals that you might think, I can do something with that.  Before you know it someone will show you how to use those finds to make something pretty impressive for just $1.

Here’s how you can win the Pink Journey cartridge:

1.Leave a comment on all the Pink Journey Events on the  Cutting Above blogspot starting on October 15th for a chance to win the Pink Journey cartridge from Provo Craft.

2. Add their blinkie to your blog (if you have one) and tell your friends.

Winner will be Announced November 1st, so watch Cutting Above’s website for the announcement. 

Oh I want one of these so bad!  I hope that Provocraft will realize that this would be an excellent cartridge to release and give everyone an opportunity to own this gem.

Here are some cute stamps that I found at M’s for $1.00.  I love M’s $1 stamps and you just have to keep checking and seeing how cute they are.

I’ve got to figure out how to use the top one.

I decided to make another Christmas Ornament using alcohol inks and perfect pearls.

I used a clear glass Christmas Ornament, perfect pearls in gold, alcohol inks in cranberry and lettuce, some water and alcohol ink blending solution.

I took a small brush and scooped about 3 scoops into the glass ornament and then spritzed water into the ornament.  Tip:  An easier way to get water into the ornament would be just pour several drops in, the spritzer made it too difficult to get water in the ornament.

Once you get the perfect pearls and the water in the ornament then start shaking or rotating the ornament so the mixture will cover the sides. 

Using water with the perfect pearls makes the mixture more transparent.  Once I had it covered (by the way it will not be perfect so don’t worry about it) I placed several drops of the lettuce on the Tim Holtz alcohol ink applicator and started dabbing it around on the out side of the ornament.

Remember, these are glass ornaments so you need to be very careful to the amount of pressure you are using applying the ink to the outside.

I got my covered and dabbed it one time to many and it shattered.

Not to be out done, I started another one.  This time I squirted the lettuce alcohol ink inside with a little blending solution and coated the inside green.

This looks splotchy but keep in mind we are layering colors and putting alcohol ink or perfect pearls inside is the back layer that gives some added depth.

Being a lot more careful, I took the lettuce alcohol ink and dab it on the outside of the ornament and then added gold metalic mixable to add another layer.

This is really a beautiful transparent layer of colors.  I don’t think the picture does it justice.

I placed the handle of the brush underneath so you could see it has a transparency.

Believe or not I actually was able to use rub-ons on the ornament.  Brave wasn’t I after the other  one broke from just dabbing.  These rub-ons were very good quality and didn’t require much pressure to get them to transfer.

Here it is all dressed up with a poinsetta and leaves.  This turned out so beautiful my #1 Daughter wanted to buy it for an ornament exchange.

So I did what any Mother would do…………gave it to her free!

My DGS is sick, at this time we do not know if it is “swine flu”.  I decided late Thursday night he needed a get well card.

I cut this puppy out using the Everyday Paper Dolls cartridge.  I used the MCPT to color him in and I also used foam tape to add dimension.

His little collar has the name “Ruff” and a little bling that I covered with glossy accents to give it some dimension also.  The saying on the tag was computer generated and I had a doggie paw stamp that I used Stamp-in Up’s Close to  Cocoa to ink the paw stamp.  The paws are subtle but you can see them on both the outside and inside of the card.

I cut the blackout in brown and the other two cuts in a light tan so I could dress them up with brown ink and the MCPT.

A little block of blue for the eyes and black for the nose and the little pup comes to life.  Just glue these on the underside of the puppy.

The Cricut makes cuts in the paper to help give some dimension to the pattern and I just took a brown fine tip pen and ran over those lines.  Then from there I used the MCPT (Magic Color Pencil Technique) to add some shading and highlights to “Ruff”.

A quick sentiment for the inside (the little mummy, spider and web are $1 stamps from M’s).  The little pumpkin and bats are from Cloud 9.  The sentiment is computer generated also.

I wrote a personal note on the left side of the card and attached a folded $1 bill.  Money always makes kids feel better.  He just doesn’t understand that a $1 bill is more than $.25.

Lucky me the little mummy stamp was one he had in his stamp collection too.  He thought that was cool that we both liked that stamp.

I thought these were well worth $1 each.  Michael’s has some cute stamps going on, if you get a chance check them out.

Ok, I’m off to work on my Mother’s bathroom again, so my post may be a little sporadic.  I’ve been under the weather with a cold or sinus infection (who knows), so that is why I’ve been able to post.  Also, I’ve been off a couple of weeks only working one day a week, but have to start back full time Monday.

I hope to have some new pictures up on Mom’s redo and try to get this finish so I can devote some more time to creating and posting.  Thanks for hanging with me, I appreciate your patience.

There are truly some awesome designers and creative people out there.  I receive a daily e-mail from Scrappedlives.nl.  She is so gracious in sharing the cut files that she creates for use with the Cricut and now she is sharing scut files that you use with Scal2.

Here is the link where you see how this origami flower is made by using medallions, CB embossing folder and some Tim Holtz distressed inks.  The tutorial on how to make this origami flower is embedded in her post, so just scroll down.  While you are there go ahead and check out her website.

I used white core card stock and distressed inks along with the round scallops that equaled about a 2″ or 3″ size.   This size creates a paradox of issues; 1) it creates a big flower yet, 2) it’s size is small to fold.

 I determined what colors I  wanted to use mainly by what I had available.  I decided I would use the purple on the pink and the pink on the purple.

I cut out two in each color and then I decided I would embellish the solid color even more by spritzing them with perfect pearls.  This spritzing does two things, 1) it gives another dimension of color and 2) it causes the card stock to be damp which embosses better.

I took a mini-mister added several scoops of perfect pearls and added water.  Shook it up and spritzed both sides of the scallops.  I used a CB embossing folder (Floral Fantasy) and ran all four medallions through it.  I position each medallion in a different place on the embossing folder so I could pick up a different design on each medallion.

This embossed beautifully.  Just that little bit of spritzing and making the card stock damp does make a difference in how deeply itched the embossing shows.  In the video they mention some kind of wonder gel.  I’ll have to get that and see if it works any better than water.  This is a tip I’ll certainly have to remember when I’m embossing in the future.

Also, go ahead and enlarge the picture (just double click on it) so you can see the Perfect Pearls effect that is on the medallions.  You can make it as heavy or light as you want and you can let it set and dry on it’s own or take a paper towel or baby wipe and blot it.

I took a sanding block and rubbed off some of the card stock exposing the white core and then I took the distressed inks and inked the sides and some of the embossing.  I did a mix of things, inking some parts more than others.  This way I would have a variety of looks going on when I started folding the flower.

Now I’m ready to start the process of folding the origami flower.  My suggestion is to go watch the video again.  Besides Scrappedlives you can also check out  Jen-Lowe-Designs.blogspot.com or AMstamps.com.  They can show you quicker in the video than I can by typing out the instructions.

I used Tag, Bags and More cartridge from Provocraft and cut out the tag.  The tag is about 5″ high x 4″ wide. I used the distressed inks for the flourishes but I used Stampin-up ink for the words.  The distress inks seem to really soak into the card stock and the image didn’t come out as sharp as the words did using the Stampin -up ink.   Did a little inking all around and then I added a touch of bling on the flourishes with a Sakrua glitter pen (you can see this on the finished project).  Don’t forget to add the ribbon at the top of the tag.

Some things I learned:

1.  Probably better to use double sided paper or a lighter weight card stock.  The card stock I used was textured and a heavy weight. 

2.  In the video she used glue dots that looked pretty thick.  I didn’t have luck with them, so I just used a medium glue dot and placed one on each petal to hold in place.

3.  I got my flower to far over in front of my stamped words, so you want to make sure it doesn’t cover up what you are wanting to be seen.

4.  Make sure and pay attention to how you cut the petals apart.  You want to keep them the same size as much as possible so one is not longer or shorter than the other.  I must have cut one of mine off because I had a petal that seemed awful short after I folded it and had to make adjustments when I went to put it together.

5.  The double sided paper (if pattern) needs to be a subtle print.  If you have something really bold standing out on the paper it could get very busy if you emboss it in any way.

I love these origami flowers made with Nestibilities.  I love them even more with the free file from Scappedlives which allowed me not to have to buy the Nestibilities.